Like No Other

Like No Other by Una LaMarche

Like No Other by Una LaMarche. Razorbill, New York City, 2014. ISBN: 978-1595146748

Summary

Devorah and Jaxon come from completely different worlds. Devorah was raised in a Hasidic family and has always been known as the perfect, good girl of her family. She dresses modestly, never goes out after curfew, and listens to everything her parents ask of her. Devorah’s fate is to be a good wife and mother and to marry someone else who was raised in a Hasidic family. But sometimes, being a good and obedient daughter just gets too boring.

Jaxon is the only boy in his family and has grown up with four sisters. Despite being around girls most of his life, he’s still not comfortable talking with any of the pretty girls in his class. He considers himself to be a nerd and would love more than anything then to break out of his shell—or at least talk to a pretty girl without freezing up.

Jaxon and Devorah’s paths never would have crossed before the day of the hurricane.  They both find themselves at the hospital—Devorah’s sister has just given birth, Jaxon’s best friend broke his arm—and end up getting stuck in an elevator together, when the power goes out. While they wait for help, they end up talking and having a connection they can’t describe--and a connection they can't have. But despite all of the reasons why they can’t be together, both Jaxon and Devorah find themselves thinking about each other.

Critical Evaluation

The romance in Like No Other is cute and refreshing compared to other teen romances. Both Jaxon and Devorah try to live their own lives and don’t spend every minute pining over each other. The choices the teens make about their relationship and their own lives are realistic, if bittersweet.  Aside from the romance, Like No Other deals with its characters trying to figure out what they want in life. While teens may not be able to relate to Devorah’s religion and culture, they can relate to her feelings of being trapped by her family and wanting to find her own route to happiness.

LaMarche explains the beliefs and rituals of Jaxon and Devorah’s religion and culture well with italicized terms and simple definitions. The alternating first person point of view chapters allows readers to get inside both Jaxon and Devorah’s minds, as well as learn about their family and everyday life.   Teen readers looking for their next romantic read will appreciate the diverse characters and cute romance in Like No Other.

Reader’s Annotation

Jaxon gets nervous around girls and Devorah’s religion doesn’t allow her to be alone with any guys.  But when the two teens get stuck in an elevator together during a storm, they end up falling in love.

About the Author

“Una LaMarche is the author of two young adult novels, FIVE SUMMERS and LIKE NO OTHER, and UNABROW, a forthcoming collection of humor essays based on some of her more questionable life choices. She is also a contributing writer for The New York Observer and The Huffington Post, and blogs at The Sassy Curmudgeon. Una lives in Brooklyn with her husband and son. You can follow her on Twitter @sassycurmudgeon, and if you pre-order her next book, somewhere up in heaven, a dance circle will form and an angel will successfully jump over its own leg.”

(Una LaMarche.  Retrieved November 8^th, 2014 from http://www.amazon.com/Una-LaMarche/e/B00ALJSTMQ)

Genres

Romance

Curriculum Ties

Comparative Religion

Social Science

Booktalking Ideas

1:  Have you ever felt that your life was already decided for you?

2:  How does Devorah change the way Jaxon acts around girls?

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 14+

Grades 9+

Challenge Issues

N/A

Literary Awards

Junior Library Guild Selection (2014)

Why included?

I included the Like No Other for its cute, clean romance, its message of deciding your own fate, and the diverse characters and setting of New York City.

Zac and Mia

Zac and Mia by A.J. Betts

Zac and Mia by A.J. Betts , HMH Books for Young Readers, New York, 2000. ISBN 978-0544331648

  

Summary

Seventeen year old Zac is one of the youngest patients at his hospital in Australia. He’s there for leukemia treatment and he’s tired: tired of the treatment, tired of being the only one under fifty in the hospital, tired of only having his mom for a friend.

Mia is a new arrival at the hospital.  She has osteosarcoma, and while her chances of survival are good, she’s still bitter and angry.  Before cancer her life was perfect: she had tons of friends, she went shopping and to the beach every weekend. But now she’s stuck in a hospital and left wondering if she’s going to die.

When a miscommunication happens between the rooms, Zac and Mia end up becoming Facebook friends.  Before the two of them can become closer, Zac is released from the hospital and falls out of touch with Mia.  While Zac tries to readjust to normal life, Mia runs away from her home, desperate to find another life. When Zac and Mia meet again in another chance encounter, the two of them must decide if they have the fight within them to live, and to love.

  

Critical Evaluation

While “Zac and Mia” has been compared to “The Fault In Our Stars,” this cancer story is different. Most of the story is told after Zac and Mia both leave the hospital, and while their cancer diagnostics still plays a part in the story, it doesn’t influence the plot as much as “TFIOS" does. The overall tone of the story has a very gritty feel and is probably best for older teens. Along with sexual situations and use of heavy language, the characters go through strong emotional moments throughout the book. While Mia and Zac have a strong chance for survival, they find themselves facing depression and intense anger over their situation.  Their emotions and feelings are never sugarcoated: instead every f-bomb and tear is shown.

The setting of Australia makes the book different from TFIOS as well. While the teens have the same emotions and musical interests of American teens, the Australia slang and location gives an international experience to the readers. While Zac and Mia is very different from TFIOS, it would be a perfect read-a-like for older teens who enjoyed Green’s book.

Reader’s Annotation

Being a teenager is hard enough. Having cancer is another story.

About the Author

“AJ Betts is an Australian author, speaker, teacher and cyclist. Zac & Mia, her most recent novel for teenagers, won the 2012 Text Prize, the 2014 SCBWI Crystal Kite Award, and the 2014 Ethel Turner prize for young adults at the New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards. Inspired by her work in a children's hospital, Zac & Mia will be available in 12 countries by the end of 2014. AJ's other novels are Wavelength and Shutterspeed (both with Fremantle Press). She's lived in Perth for the past ten years.

 (About.  Retrieved October 19^th, 2014 from http://www.ajbetts.com/about.html)

Genres

Coming of Age

Contemporary

Romance

Curriculum Ties   N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1: Who did you identify with more—Zac or Mia?

2: How would the story had been different, if it was set in the US?

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 15+

Grades 9+

Challenge Issues

Language

Sexual situations

Defense File

1—Ensure that policies such as “Freedom to Read,” “Collection Development,” and “Challenged Materials” are available for patrons and staff to read and research. Have list of awards and reviews for titles, as well as a “Reconsideration Form” on hand at all branches.

2—Listen to challenges and complaints openly and without judgment. Allow the patron to express their thoughts without inputting your own.

3—Have patron fill out reconsideration form. Provide information and background on challenge material’s author and title.  Forward reconsideration form to appropriate supervisors.

PPLD’s Challenge Materials Policy: http://ppld.org/challenged-materials-policy

PPLD’s Collection Development Policy: http://ppld.org/collection-development-policy

Literary Awards: Text Prize for YA and Children’s Writing (2012)

Why included?

I included Zac and Mia because it is a new release and thought it would be great for fans of “The Fault in Our Stars.” I also liked how it was set in and written by an Australian.

Fruits Basket

Fruits Basket Vol 1 by Natsuki Takaya

Fruits Basket Vol 1, written and illustrated by Natuski Takaya. TokyoPop, Los Angeles, CA, 2004.  Marvel Worldwide, New York City, 2006. ISBN: 978-1591826033

Summary

After her  mother passes away, Tohru Honda becomes an orphan. She’s forced to live by herself out in a tent in the country, after her only surviving family ignores her. Despite her lonely life, she’s optimistic and always tries to see the good in people.  She tries to get good grades, supports herself by cleaning houses, and has two best friends, Arisa and Saki, who look after Thoru.

When Torhu comes home late one night, she’s surprised to find Yuki and Shigure Sohma standing at her tent. Yuki is a handsome, quiet student at her school that keeps to himself, and Shigure is his older brother who writes romance novels. Yuki and Shigure explain that Thorhu is staying on Sohmo property and take her to their nearby home for dinner. When a landslide destroys Torhu’s tent, the Sohma brothers offer her a room to stay in exchange for cooking and cleaning duties. While the Sohma brothers are moody and strange, they do care for Torhu and take care of her as if she was their own sister.  But just when Torhu thinks everything is working out, she discovers the huge secret the Sohma's have been hiding. Their family is cursed and  when a member of the opposite gender runs into them, or hugs them, the Sohma’s turn into animals of the Zodiac.

Critical Evaluation

Good manga is known for its zany plots and likeable characters, and Fruits Basket deliverers on both points. The pacing behind Torhu finding out the Sohma’s family secret is well executed , and  Takaya does a nice job not revealing all of the secrets or the family members of the Sohma family too soon. While the plot of the Sohma Zodaic curse is different, it never comes across as too zany or unbelievable.   The translation from Japanese to English carries over well and the illustrations are sharp and eye-catching.

Torhu herself is a lovely, strong character who still hopes for the best, despite all that life has given her. Her sunny outlook is the perfect counterpart to the Sohma brother’s lonely and angry attitudes.   The characters have enough quirks and heart to make them likeable and not too eccentric. With no challenge issues and sweet, endearing characters, Fruits Basket is perfect for young and older teens that are looking for a cute and funny manga series.

Reader’s Annotation

While the Sohma family is mysterious and beautiful, nobody knows their biggest secret… Until Tohru Honda enters their life.

About the Author

“Natsuki Takaya (高屋 奈月 Takaya Natsuki, real name Naka Hatake) is the penname of a Japanese manga artist best-known for creating the series Fruits Basket. She was born on July 7, 1973; (Tanabata). Takaya is left-handed and once revealed that she wanted to be a mangaka since first grade, when her sister started drawing. She was born in Shizuoka, Japan, but was raised in Tokyo, where she made her debut in 1992. She enjoys video games such as the Final Fantasy series or Sakura Wars, or working on her different manga series, such as Fruits Basket, which is the second best-selling shōjo manga ever in Japan, and the top selling shōjo manga in North America. Fruits Basket has also been adapted into a twenty-six-episode anime series. 

In 2001, Takaya received a Kodansha Manga Award for shōjo manga for Fruits Basket. According to Takaya (in a sidebar of a Fruits Basket manga volume), she enjoys drawing girls (girly ones) more than she does boys. Takaya also enjoys electronics and music, but dislikes talking about herself. Also revealed in a sidebar of Fruits Basket, Takaya broke her drawing arm (left) after Fruits Basket volume six was published. She had to go into surgery, and as a result, had put Fruits Basket on a brief hiatus. Takaya made a full recovery, but complains that her handwriting had gotten uglier, due to the surgery. During her hospital stay, she gained an interest in baseball.”

 (Natsuki Takaya Retrieved October 10^th, 2014 from https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/26306.Natsuki_Takaya

Genres

Manga

Comedy

Romance

Curriculum Ties

Art

Mythology

Booktalking Ideas

1: Tohru’s outlook on life versus the Sohma brothers outlook.

2: The Chinese Zodiac  mythology.

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 13+

Grades 8+

Challenge Issues

N/A

Why included?

I included Fruits Baskets because it’s a cute, clean manga with a fun plot and loveable characters.

The Truth About Forever

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen. Speak Publishing, New York City, 2004. ISBN:978-0142406250

Summary

Sixteen year old Macy Queen has an uneventful summer ahead of her. Sure, she has a boring job at the library, with two of the queen bees at school. And she’ll be busy studying for the SAT’s and her upcoming senior year. But her boyfriend, Jason, will be away at “Brain Camp” all summer. And Macy’s really just doing these mindless things to keep her from thinking about her dad died of a heart attack the day after Christmas. Reminders of her dad and her life before are everywhere, and so are the whispers--that Macy is the girl who was there when her dad died.

But just as Macy is getting used to her quiet, boring summer, her mom asks her for help during one of her catering events. There, she meets the characters of the Wish Catering crew. Between talkative Kristy, quiet Monica, and handsome, introspective Wes, Macy starts to feel something she hasn’t in a while—alive. As she spends more time with the catering crew and with Wes, Macy wonders if it’s finally time for her boring life to become more alive.

Critical Evaluation

As with her other novels, Dessen’s quirky, loveable characters and strong emotional journey take center stage in “The Truth About Forever.” All of the members of the Wish Catering crew jump off the page with their strong personalities and big hearts. As in Dessen’s other works, character growth is also a strong focus point of her writing.  Sullen, quiet Monica, and happy-go-lucky Kristy may be quick for the audience to judge on first appearance.  But by the novel’s end, the characters have shown their weaknesses and their strengths, proving they are more than just one-dimensional creations.

Macy’s journey from by-the-numbers good girl, to taking emotional risks and following her heart is wonderfully portrayed. Dessen takes enough time for her lead character to go through her cycles of grief, without seeming too cold or emotionally withdrawn. Macy’s slow burning revelation that she must move on in order to full live her life happens slowly during the book, but works for the lyrical and beautiful prose.   With relatable characters and an emotional plot,  Dessen yet again creates a touching journey of grief and love.

Reader’s Annotation

Macy hasn’t felt alive since the sudden death of her father. But a loveable catering crew and an understanding boy named Wes may change all of that.

About the Author

 “Hi. I’m Sarah. Writing a bio is always a little weird, if only because it seems completely self-absorbed. I have a standard one that I send out, which lists where I got my degree, the names of my books, all the same boring basic facts. But for this website, I’m supposed to do something more, give a sense of who I really am. So here goes. I was born in 1970 in Illinois, but all the life I remember I’ve spent in Chapel Hill, NC. My parents were both professors at the University

of North Carolina: my mom is a classicist (which means she knows everything you could ever imagine about myths, Latin, and words) and my dad teaches Shakespeare (which means I’d seen As You Like It about five times by the age of 18.)

I’ve been writing, in one way or another, for as long as I can remember. I was always a big reader, mostly because my parents were. I used to get frustrated with my mom because she bought me books for Christmas when what I really wanted were the gift my friends got, things like sweaters and jewelry. But I did love to read. When I was eight or nine my parents gave me an old manual typewriter and a little desk in the corner of our den, and I’d sit there and type up my stories. I was the kind of kid that people always sighed over and said, “She has such a wild imagination,” which usually meant “I wish Sarah would try to stick to the truth.” I have a tendency to embellish: I think it’s just a weakness of fiction writers. Once you learn how to make a story better, it’s hard not to do it all the time.”

 (Bio/Press Kit.    Retrieved October 4th, 2014 from http://sarahdessen.com/press-kit/)

Genres

Romance

Contemporary

Coming of Age

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1: How does Macy’s grieving differ from her mother’s?

2: While Macy would rather grieve on her own, she thrives when she’s around her new friends. Is going outside of your comfort zone good or bad?

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 15+

Grades 9+

Challenge Issues

N/A

Literary Awards

South Carolina Book Award for Young Adult Book Award (2007)

YALSA Teen’s Top Ten (2005)

Abraham Lincoln Award Nominee (2006)

Why included?

I included The Truth About Forever as it’s one of my favorite YA novels. I also included it for the loveable characters and the emotional journey.

The Raven Boys

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater, Scholastic Press, New York, 2012. ISBN 978-0545424929

Summary

Blue Sargent is the only person in her family who is not psychic. But she makes the psychic gifts of her family stronger and helps her mother see the souls of those who will die in the next year. As she and her mom wait by an abandoned church, Blue is shocked when she sees one of the souls. She has never been able to see or hear them before, but this night she sees a boy her age, who  only gives his name as Gansey. While Blue knows Gansey will soon die, she can't help but to feel a connection to him, and longs to find out more about him.

While Blue tries to figure out who the boy is, the still-living Gansey is on a quest of his own. Along with his three friends, Ronan, Adam, and Noah, Gansey is searching for the

burial place of King Glendower, located somewhere in the small town of Henrietta, Virginia.

 Legend foretells the Welsh king granting any wish to those who find him, and each of the “Raven Boys” has a personal desire to find the king.

After Blue discovers the identity of Gansey, she unwillingly finds herself part of the Raven Boys quest. As the group navigates the secret history and magic in Henrietta, Blue tries to fight the attraction she feels toward Gansey:  because all of her family members have predicted if she kisses her true love, he will die.

Critical Evaluation

The plot of “The Raven Boys” contains a mix between supernatural, adventure, and romance.   Maggie Steifvater manages to combine all of these elements fluidly, without one genre overtaking the others. Blue’s attraction to Gansey doesn’t overshadow the real point of the plot: finding Glendower and preventing Gansey’s death.  The quest to find Glendower is enriching enough to not bore the reader and not too complicated to confuse the readers. And while psychics, wishes, and supernatural town lines are all elements in the plot, they never come across as unbelievable or too strange.  

The novel is told in several points of views, (POV) and helps develop the character growth of Blue and the Raven Boys. The different POV chapters also help readers develop more insight into each character’s thoughts while also revealing plot points. Steifvater never spoils the ending outright but there are little clues and bits of dialogue that create an “aha” moment for the reader.

Blue’s relationship with the Raven Boys never comes across as forced, and also doesn’t evolve too quickly in her journey, making her realistic.  There are moments of conflict and inside jokes within the group, which makes the characters feel less fictional and more alive. 

There are no flat or clichéd characters to be found in this book. Each character has their own quirks, emotions, and back story that defines how they evolve throughout the novel. The characters, from Blue, to the Raven Boys, to Blue’s family, come alive in a way that makes them stay in the reader’s mind, even after the book is finished.

Reader’s Annotation

Blue finds herself on an unlikely quest with four Raven Boys, while avoiding her feelings for one of them—because if she kisses her true love, she’ll cause his death.

About the Author

“Maggie Stiefvater is an author of YA contemporary fantasies, including the internationally bestselling SHIVER series. Most of her life decisions have revolved around her inability to be gainfully employed. Talking to yourself, staring off into space, and coming to work in your pajamas are frowned upon when you're a waitress, calligraphy instructor, or technical editor (all of which she's tried), but are highly-prized traits in authors, musicians, and artists (she's made her living as at least one or another of these since she was 22).

Maggie now lives in the middle of nowhere, Virginia, with her charmingly straight-laced husband, her two small children, two dogs who fart recreationally, and a 1973 Camaro named Loki. She's an avid reader, an award-winning colored pencil artist, and can play several jigs on the bagpipes. She's also fair-to-middling at cocktail party conversation.” (Maggie Stiefvater. Retrieved September 23^rd from http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/maggiestiefvater/)

Genres

Paranormal/Supernatural

Adventure

 Romance

Curriculum Ties   N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1: If you found King Glendower, what would you ask of him?

2: Talk about the difference in relationships between Blue’s family and Adam’s father.

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 12+

7^th grade +

Challenge Issues

Violence and murder

Themes of magic and psychics

Defense File

1—Ensure that policies such as “Freedom to Read,” “Collection Development,” and “Challenged Materials” are available for patrons and staff to read and research. Have list of awards and reviews for titles, as well as a “Reconsideration Form” on hand at all branches.

2—Listen to challenges and complaints openly and without judgment. Allow the patron to express their thoughts without inputting your own.

3—Have patron fill out reconsideration form. Provide information and background on challenge material’s author and title.  Forward reconsideration form to appropriate supervisors.

PPLD’s Challenge Materials Policy: http://ppld.org/challenged-materials-policy

PPLD’s Collection Development Policy: http://ppld.org/collection-development-policy

Literary Awards: Bram Stoker Award Nominee for Superior Achievement in a Young Adult Novel (2012), Carnegie  Medal in Literature   Nominee (2014), Abraham Lincoln Award Nominee (2015,) YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults (Top Ten) 2013. (Retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17675462-the-raven-boys)

Why included?

I included “The Raven Boys” because it was unlike any YA novel I’ve read before. The book had strong characters, an interesting plot, and a beautiful writing style. I think fans of other fantasy novels, such as the “Harry Potter” series would enjoy this book.

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (Movie)

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, directed by Peter Sollett. Sony Pictures, 2009, 90 minutes. Rated PG:13 ASIN: B001MM3AZM

Summary

Teens Norah and Nick have never met, but Norah has been saving every mix CD Nick has made, after it’s thrown away by his ex-girlfriend, Tris. Norah is the daughter of a famous record producer, and loves music: especially the songs that Nick puts on his CD’s.  Norah and her friend Caroline are also fans of the elusive band “Where’s Fluffy?” and decide to head into the city after hearing about a secret show the band is putting on.

  Still heartbroken by Tris dumping him, Nick has been avoiding his friends and staying in his house for three weeks.  His bandmates finally convince him to come out and play a gig with them so he can have some fun.  He and his band are also fans of “Where’s Fluffy?” and decide to find the secret show after their gig.

When both Norah and Tris show up to Nick’s gig, he’s taken by surprise—especially after Norah kisses him and asks him to pretend to be her boyfriend.  Over the course of one night, Nick and Norah attempt to find “Where’s Fluffy?,” search for lost, drunk Caroline, and find themselves falling for each other.

Critical Evaluation

While the movie can be a little all over the place in terms of theme and plot, it’s still fun to watch. Both Kat Dennings and Michael Cera, who play Norah and Nick, play the role of awkward, cynical teens well. The supporting characters of Caroline and Nick’s band are funny and loveable in their own quirky way. The ‘villains’ of the story come off a little too one-sided, but still add needed conflict to the story. 

The musical element of the plot is unique from other teen movies, with Nick’s band and Norah’s father being a record producer. The different music venues the characters visit as well as the setting of New York City makes the movie a fun escapism for the audience. There are some mature themes such as the running sex jokes and Caroline’s drinking, which makes the movie more appropriate for older teens.  Despite the flat antagonists and many plot points, “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist” is a quirky, fun escapism movie.

Reader’s Annotation

During the course of one night, Nick and Norah search for their favorite band and end up falling in love.

About the Director

“Peter Sollet was born in 1976 in New York City, New York, USA. He is a director,  know for Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist (2008), Raising Victor Vargas (2002) and Five Feet High and Rising (2000.)”

 (Peter Sollet, Biography.  Retrieved October 1^st, 2014 from http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0813164/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm)

Genres

Movies

Romance

Comedy

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

N/A

Reading Level/Interest Age

15+

Grades 9+

Challenge Issues

Alcohol and drug-related scenes

Language

Sex-related dialogue and jokes

Sexual situations

Defense File

1—Ensure that policies such as “Freedom to Read,” “Collection Development,” and “Challenged Materials” are available for patrons and staff to read and research. Have list of awards and reviews for titles, as well as a “Reconsideration Form” on hand at all branches.

2—Listen to challenges and complaints openly and without judgment. Allow the patron to express their thoughts without inputting your own.

3—Have patron fill out reconsideration form. Provide information and background on challenge material’s author and title.  Forward reconsideration form to appropriate supervisors.

PPLD’s Challenge Materials Policy: http://ppld.org/challenged-materials-policy

PPLD’s Collection Development Policy: http://ppld.org/collection-development-policy

Why Included?

I included this movie because of the two main actors and for the music element. 

My Life Next Door

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick, Dial, New York, 2012. ISBN: 978-0803736993

Plot Summary

Samantha Reed’s mother has told her to stay away from the Garrett family: easier said than done, seeing as how they are next door neighbors. The Garrett’s are total opposites from the Reed’s—loud, messy, and loving. Samantha’s family on the other hand, is quiet, polite, and emotionally distant, especially now that Ms. Reed is running for senate.  Despite her mother and her friends telling her to stay away from the Garrett’s, Samantha still watches them and wonders what life would be like over there.

One night, gorgeous and caring Jase Garrett sees Samantha watching his family, and comes over to her bedroom window. Their friendship turns into romance, and Samantha finds herself spending more time with the Garrett family.  Soon, Samantha is babysitting the younger Garrett siblings, and changing plans with her old friends, in order to spend time with the Garretts.

As her mother grows more distant and spends more time with her own boyfriend, Samantha uses the family next door to escape her dull life. But when a tragic event strikes, Samantha is forced to keep a secret from the Garretts and from Jace. When her life and heart is with both families, how will she choose what to do?

Critical Evaluation

The characters and the writing style in “My Life Next Door” is what makes the novel stand out.

Samantha is a strong and likeable heroine, and it’s easy to identify with her.  Her relationship with Jase will bring up memories of reader’s first crushes and relationships. While Samantha does have a rocky relationship with her mother, she still  tries to understand her and comes to her aid when need be. The Garrett family also has their own strong personalities that leap off the page. Fitzpatrick gives each of the characters their own interests and voice, without any of them coming across as stereotypical or clichéd. Even Samantha’s mother who at times comes across as selfish and distant, makes choices that show she really does care for her daughter, even if she doesn’t fully agree with all of her choices.

The writing style in the book reminded me of other YA ‘chick lit’ novels, such as Sarah Dessen and Deb Calleti’s works. It’s easy to read, and has a ‘summer beach read’ feel. While the plot is breezy, the choices the characters must make are heartbreaking.  While “My Life Next Door” doesn’t have the angst or tragedy found in many YA novels, it has emotional depth and characters that remain with the reader.

Reader’s Annotation

Samantha Reed has always been told to stay away from the family next door. But what if life over there is better than the life she’s always known?

About the Author

“I was lucky enough to be born to parents who read every kind of written material with interest and enthusiasm, and let me do the same. From the start I searched for books that let me fall in love…with the story and with the boy.

I figured out early that stories were what made sense of the world when it was confusing and made the best moments permanent. I was shy and nearsighted but good at anything that involved reading and imagining, so quickly decided the only logical career to pursue was writing. To this end my father gave me a typewriter (it was a long time ago), a package of Lucky Strike cigarettes, a bottle of Scotch and a note advising me to "Be Bold, Be Bold, Be Bold."

For my tenth birthday.

I passed on the Scotch and the smokes, but kept writing. My first completed story involved a family with twenty children who lived by the ocean. The parents were twenty-two. Some things have never changed for me: my love of family, beaches, and my shaky grasp of math…

Now I live on the coast of Massachusetts with my six remarkable and eccentric children and encouraging husband, all of whom put up with me holding up my hand traffic-cop-style, saying, "I just have to get this down" and dashing to my computer. Or pulling over on the shoulder of the road to jot a note in lipstick on the back of an ATM receipt. They also let me pick their brains on what is currently cool and what always matters. “

(About Huntley. Retrieved September 27^th, 2014 from www.huntleyfitzpatrick.com/huntleyfitzpatrick.html

Genres

Romance

Contemporary/Coming of Age 

Curriculum Ties: N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1: Discuss the importance of family in the novel and differences between the two families.

2: Similar titles/read alikes (Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, Jenny Han)

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 14+

Grades 8+

Challenge Issues

Sexual Situations

Defense File

1—Ensure that policies such as “Freedom to Read,” “Collection Development,” and “Challenged Materials” are available for patrons and staff to read and research. Have list of awards and reviews for titles, as well as a “Reconsideration Form” on hand at all branches.

2—Listen to challenges and complaints openly and without judgment. Allow the patron to express their thoughts without inputting your own.

3—Have patron fill out reconsideration form. Provide information and background on challenge material’s author and title.  Forward reconsideration form to appropriate supervisors.

PPLD’s Challenge Materials Policy: http://ppld.org/challenged-materials-policy

PPLD’s Collection Development Policy: http://ppld.org/collection-development-policy

Why Included?

I included this novel, because Fitzpatrick’s writing style reminded me of one of my favorite YA authors,  Sarah Dessen. I think “My Life Next Door” would be perfect for teen girls looking for a breezy summer read. The characters and the emotional depth in the novel also won me over.

The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Dutton Books, New York City, 2012. ISBN: 978-0525478812

Summary

Seventeen year old Hazel would much rather watch TV and read her favorite books then go to a support group or make friends. But since Hazel has terminal cancer, her parents make her attend

a weekly support group for other young people with cancer. Listening to the other tragedies and details of her fellow patients is bad enough for Hazel to never make friends with someone like her.

But that all changes when Augustus comes to a group meeting.  He’s had osteosarcoma, but isn’t like any cancer patient Hazel has ever met: he’s funny, he’s worldly, and he’s attractive.  Most important, he’s interested in Hazel for who she is, and not just because she happens to have cancer. The two of them become friends and share their interests, including Hazel’s favorite book, “An Imperial Affliction.”  After growing closer to Hazel,  Augustus decides to use his saved Wish from the Genie Foundation to take Hazel to Amsterdam, where the author of “An Imperial Affliction” lives.   While Hazel and Augustus grow closer on the trip, a sudden revelation  will change everything about their relationship.

Critical Evaluation

Despite the bleak fate that awaits Hazel and Augustus, Green manages to have a lot of heart and humor in his ‘cancer story.’  Both Hazel and Augustus, as well as their friend Isaac, still act like normal teens and for the most part don’t let their cancer define their life.  The emotional scenes are heartbreaking and realistic, but never come across as too depressive. Green’s trademark humor shines through Hazel’s narrative and the dialogue between the teens.

The love story between Hazel and Augustus is both beautiful and heartbreaking.  The relationship between the two teens doesn’t come across as melodramatic or too cutesy to be believable. For anyone who’s dealt with young heartbreak and love, Hazel and Augustus’s relationship will bring up bittersweet memories for many readers.

With sexual situations, language, and medical descriptions, the Fault in Our Stars is best for older teens.  Interested readers should look beyond the ‘cancer story’ plot and pick up Green’s latest novel for its beautiful love story and hilarious and realistic narrative.

Reader’s Annotation

When Hazel meets Augustus, she might just get the chance to be a normal teen and fall in love.

About the Author

“John Green is the New York Times bestselling author of Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns, and The Fault in Our Stars. He is also the coauthor, with David Levithan, of Will Grayson, Will Grayson. He was 2006 recipient of the Michael L. Printz Award, a 2009 Edgar Award winner, and has twice been a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. Green’s books have been published in more than a dozen languages.

In 2007, Green and his brother Hank ceased textual communication and began to talk primarily through videoblogs posted to YouTube. The videos spawned a community of people called nerdfighters who fight for intellectualism and to decrease the overall worldwide level of suck. (Decreasing suck takes many forms: Nerdfighters have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to fight poverty in the developing world; they also planted thousands of trees around the world in May of 2010 to celebrate Hank’s 30th birthday.) Although they have long since resumed textual communication, John and Hank continue to upload two videos a week to their YouTube channel, vlogbrothers. Their videos have been viewed more than 200 million times, and their channel is one of the most popular in the history of online video. He is also an active Twitter user with more than 1.2 million followers.

Green’s book reviews have appeared in The New York Times Book Review andBooklist, a wonderful book review journal where he worked as a publishing assistant and production editor while writing Looking for Alaska. Green grew up in Orlando, Florida before attending Indian Springs School and then Kenyon College.”

(John Green’s Biography.  Retrieved September 21^st, 2014 from http://johngreenbooks.com/bio-contact/)

Genres

Romance

Comedy

Contemporary

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1: Hazel and Gus’ favorite books: what does that say about them?

2: How realistic is the story?

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 14+

Grades 8+

Challenge Issues

Language

Sexual Situations

Medical/Cancer descriptions

Defense File

1—Ensure that policies such as “Freedom to Read,” “Collection Development,” and “Challenged Materials” are available for patrons and staff to read and research. Have list of awards and reviews for titles, as well as a “Reconsideration Form” on hand at all branches.

2—Listen to challenges and complaints openly and without judgment. Allow the patron to express their thoughts without inputting your own.

3—Have patron fill out reconsideration form. Provide information and background on challenge material’s author and title.  Forward reconsideration form to appropriate supervisors.

PPLD’s Challenge Materials Policy: http://ppld.org/challenged-materials-policy

PPLD’s Collection Development Policy: http://ppld.org/collection-development-policy

Why included?

I included The Fault In Our Stars for Green’s humor and writing style, as well as the heartbreaking, beautiful love story.

Eleanor and Park

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell . St. Martin's Griffin, New York City, 2013. ISBN: 978-1250012579

Summary

Park and Eleanor are both lonely outcasts. Park is one of the few Asian students at school and Eleanor is the new girl at school who lives  with her four siblings and her mom’s new husband. Park would rather sit on the back of the bus and listen to his mix tapes, and Eleanor could care less what her hellish classmates think of her.

It's not love at first sight for these two teens--they actually dislike each other when they first meet, and think the other is weird and annoying. While hey sit next to each other on the bus, they don't talk--until Park spots Eleanor reading his comics over his shoulder. He gives her a few copies to read along with his Walkman to listen to. Soon, Eleanor and Park start conversations about music and comics and slowly become friends. As the school year goes by and their friendship turns into romantic feelings, Eleanor and Park struggle to understand how they really feel about each other. If feelings weren't fickle enough, dealing with their family and friends's opinion of their relationship is also annoying. 

Critical Evaluation

Eleanor and Park isn’t a typical boy meets girl romance story, but it still has a lot of heart.  The slow buildup from strangers, to friends and finally, love, allows the audience to understand the characters and their emotions, before getting into the relationship part of the story.  Even with their flaws, both Eleanor and Park are loveable characters. Rowell does an excellent job creating two characters that aren’t solely defined by their families or their past.  Despite the fact that they consider themselves to be weird outcasts, their relationship with each other proves that there is a chance for love even for the misfits of the world.

The 80s pop culture and music references mentioned throughout the book are a nice touch.  The alternating, third person chapters also give readers a look into what both Eleanor and Park are thinking and feeling. The frequent language and sexual situations make this  book best for older teens who are looking for a quirky, heartfelt romance story.

Reader’s Annotation

Can two lonely outcasts find love with each other?

About the Author

“Rainbow Rowell writes books.

Sometimes she writes about adults (Attachments and Landline).

Sometimes she writes about teenagers (Eleanor & Park and Fangirl).

But she always writes about people who talk a lot. And people who feel like they’re screwing up. And people who fall in love.

When she’s not writing, Rainbow is reading comic books, planning Disney World trips and arguing about things that don’t really matter in the big scheme of things.

She lives in Nebraska with her husband and two sons.”

 (About.    Retrieved September 21^st, 2014 from http://rainbowrowell.com/blog/about/)

Genres

Romance

Coming of Age

Curriculum Ties

80’s History

Multicultural

Music

Booktalking Ideas

1: Discuss the theme of music throughout the story

2: Difference between Park and Eleanor’s family.

Reading Level/Interest Age

Ages 15+

Grades 9+

Literary Awards

Printz Honor (2014)

YALSA Teen’s Top Ten (2014)

YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults (Top Ten, 2014)

Michigan Library Association Thumbs Up! Award (2014)

Challenge Issues

Language

Sexual situations

Defense File

1—Ensure that policies such as “Freedom to Read,” “Collection Development,” and “Challenged Materials” are available for patrons and staff to read and research. Have list of awards and reviews for titles, as well as a “Reconsideration Form” on hand at all branches.

2—Listen to challenges and complaints openly and without judgment. Allow the patron to express their thoughts without inputting your own.

3—Have patron fill out reconsideration form. Provide information and background on challenge material’s author and title.  Forward reconsideration form to appropriate supervisors.

PPLD’s Challenge Materials Policy: http://ppld.org/challenged-materials-policy

PPLD’s Collection Development Policy: http://ppld.org/collection-development-policy

Why included?

I included Eleanor and Park for its sweet love story and for its 80’s pop culture and music references.