Macbeth

Title: Macbeth
Retold by: Bruce Coville
Illustrator: Gary Kelley
Author & Illustrator's Websites: www.brucecoville.com and www.garykelleyonline.com

ISBN: 978-0-8037-1899-9

Publisher: Dial Books

Copyright Date: 1997

Genre: Classic, Graphic Novel 

Reading Level/Interest Age: 15-18

Plot Summary: After three witches prophesy that Macbeth will soon become King, he and his wife plot and kill King Duncan in order to ensure these prophesies come true. Unfortunately, the witches also prophesied that he would not be killed by any man "born of woman". Macbeth mistakenly assumes this means all men, until he realizes on the battlefield while fighting Macduff, that he was not "born of woman" but "ripped from his mother's womb". Macbeth is ultimately beheaded.

Critical Evaluation: Each oil painting illustration seems to be a standalone piece of art as these artfully crafted, pastel colored illustrations add depth and set the mood for this classic story. All of the illustrations use almost the same color schemes (while some lean more heavily on red and orange tones). It’s also worth noting that most of the characters in this book are lacking facial expressions – except for the witches whose expressions are all very exaggerated.

Reader's Annotation: A simplified retelling of Shakespeare’s play about a man who kills his king and friend after hearing the prophesies of three witches.

Booktalking Ideas: Poetry
 Why did you include this book: What I found so appealing about this version of Macbeth is that it simplifies the story and text for students who are being newly introduced to Shakespeare – while retaining the original dialogue. This helps to familiarize students with Shakespeare’s style but keeps it at a level that is easier to understand.

Quote: (pg.11) “False face must hide what the false heart doth know.”

Pedro and Me: Friendship Loss and What I Learned

Title: Pedro and Me: Friendship Loss and What I Learned
Author & Illustrator: Judd Winnick
Author's Website: www.frumpy.com

ISBN: 978-0-8050-064032

Publisher: Henry Holt & Company

Copyright Date: 2000

Genre: Non-fiction & Graphic Novel 

Reading Level/Interest Age: 15-18

Awards: Notable/Best Books (A.L.A.), 2001. Robert F. Sibert Award Honor, 2001.

Plot Summary: This very real, very poignant story is sure to make every reader stop and think about what they know about AIDs (or think they know). Winick shares this story from his point of view, including a biography of Pedro’s life, and how the two men came to be such close friends. In addition to sharing Pedro’s life story, and Judd’s personal friendship with Pedro, it makes several several important points: You can’t tell someone is gay or has AIDs just by looking at them, and not everyone that has AIDs is gay. It also provides important educational facts about AIDs in such a subtle way that readers won’t even realize that they’ve learned something until the story ends. This is because Winick does such a great job of captivating the reader.

Critical Evaluation: These black and white, comic book style illustrations are humorous, serious, realistic and touching. One noteworthy illustration shows Judd walking down the street carrying large suitcases (baggage) with the words Stereotypes written across them. I thought this was such a brilliant way to illustrate how uneducated he felt when it came to HIV before he moved into the Real World house and met Pedro.
Reader's Annotation: The story of Pedro Zamora – AIDs sufferer and Real World cast member.

Booktalking Ideas: AIDs, Stereotypes, Homosexuality
Challenge issues if any: I would anticipate this story being a challenged book because of how openly it talks about sex. There is a scene where readers watch as Pedro gives a lecture about safe sex, and how to perform oral sex on a girl using Saran Wrap.  However, those challenging this book would be the same that are anti-sex education in classrooms. Ironically, the point this book is making is that this happened to Pedro because he wasn’t informed. And he clearly felt that if he would have been educated about AIDs and how you can contract it and how safe sex could have prevented it – then he wouldn’t have been dying…er…living, with AIDs. And if this book could save just one young reader’s life because they read Pedro’s story, then his death wouldn’t have been in vain.

Why did you include this book: Not only does this book succeed at expelling negative stereotypes and falsehoods surrounding AIDs, it can help to build tolerance and understanding for those suffering.

Yummy: The Last Day of a Southside Shorty

Title: Yummy: The last days of a Southside shorty
Author: Greg Neri
Illustrator: Randy Duburke
Author's Website: http://www.gregneri.com/

ISBN: 978-0-329-78596-3

Publisher: Lee & Low Books

Copyright Date: 2010

Genre:  Non-fiction
Reading Level/Interest Age: 13-18

Awards: ALA Notable Children's Books, 2011. Coretta Scott King Author Honor, 2011.
Horn Book, 2010. School Library Journal starred, 2010

Plot Summary: This is the true story of Robert "Yummy" Sandifer, an eleven year old boy who becomes a gangbanger at a very young age. Through the eyes of one of his classmates, we watch as Yummy accidentally kills a fourteen year old girl and then spends the next week hiding out before being tragically murdered by a member of his own gang. Told through the eyes of his classmate, Roger, we learn that Yummy's neighbors and classmates have mixed feelings about him. Before the readers are able to write Yummy off, we're immediately shown that he is indeed a victim of his circumstances, left to perpetuate a very sad cycle.
Critical Evaluation: Neri and DuBurke pair to produce this absolutely powerful graphic novel. DuBurke's black and white, comic-strip style illustrations pair perfectly with Neri's simply narrated tale. The overall story is a tragic one, and Yummy is beautifully portrayed as both criminal and victim, rendering the reader unable to feel anything but ultimate sadness.
Reader's Annotation: The true story of an eleven year old gangbanger.

Booktalking Ideas: Gangs, violence

Challenge issues if any: While this book contains serious issues such as violence, the overall story serves as a deterent to ganglife.
Why did you include this book: This book gives a very intimate look into the world of gangs and first hand account of the tragedies of life in "hard" areas.

Quote: "In no time, the police was looking for Yummy. They called it a manhunt, but I called it a boy hunt...'cause that's what he was."

Uglies

Title: Uglies
Author: Scott Westerfeld
Author's Website: http://scottwesterfeld.com/

ISBN: 978-0-689-86538-1

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Copyright Date: 2005

Genre:  Science Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Age: 13-18

Awards: School Library Journal, 2005. Teacher Librarian, 2005. Kirkus Reviews, 2005

Plot Summary: In a dystopic world where everyone undergoes a cosmetic surgery at 16 years old that makes them pretty, Tally is anxiously awaiting her 16th birthday. She cannot wait to leave Uglyville and join her best friend Peris in New Pretty Town. After meeting a new friend Shay during her last few weeks as an Ugly, Tally learns that there is a group of people choosing to live as Uglies in a place called the Smoke. When Shay escapes to join the Smoke, Tally is forced by the Special Circumstances department to act as a spy and betray her new friend, or they will leave her as an ugly forever. However, her time in the Smoke changes her way of thinking and for the first time in her life Tally wonders if she isn't pretty enough just as she is. When she learns the horrifying truth about becoming a pretty, Tally takes drastic measures to right her wrongs.
Critical Evaluation: Westerfeld succeeds in writing a page-turning Vonnegutesque tale that will leave readers anxiously waiting for the sequel. The story is told completely from the perspective of Tally which gives readers insight into how torn she really is between becoming beautiful like everyone else, and betraying one of her closest friends. Westerfeld produces an easy read, straightforward and to the point, but still able to build suspense with every page.
Reader's Annotation: In a world where everyone undergoes surgery to become beautiful on their 16th birthday, Tally learns the horrifying truth about becoming pretty.

Booktalking Ideas: Honesty, Free Will, Inviduality

Why did you include this book: It serves as a wonderful introduction to themes of conformity and control while invoking thoughts about personal civil liberties and the cost of freedom.
Quote: “Maybe they didn't want you to realize that every civilization has its weakness. There's always one thing we depend on. And if someone takes it away all that's left is some story in a history class.”

The Chocolate War

Title: The Chocolate War
Author: Robert Cormier

ISBN: 978-0-7587-4778-5

Publisher: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers

Copyright Date: 1974

Genre:  Classics

Reading Level/Interest Age: 9th - 12th grade

Awards: Booklist 1997, ALA Notable Children's Books 1995

Plot Summary: After the death of his mother, Jerry focuses on making the high school football team to help alleviate some of the pain of grieving for his mother while living with his depressed father. When a group of high school bullies (The Vigils) make Jerry a target for one of their "assignments" he soon finds the courage to stand up to not only the Vigils, but the teachers and authority figures as well.
Critical Evaluation: Cormier's powerful, slightly dark novel was beautifully written and tells a commanding story that resonates with the reader long after the story has been read. Readers will feel uncomfortable and empathetic for Jerry but ultimately, the characters are not very relatable or even realistic. I think Cormier used his characters as representations of ideas to further his examination of good vs. evil.

Reader's Annotation: A modern tale of good vs. evil. A teenager finds the courage and will to stand up against the bullies at his school.
Booktalking Ideas: Bullying

Challenge issues if any: I could forsee the violence and language in this book being offensive to some, but overall I feel it was fairly mild and appropriate for high school aged students.

Why did you include this book: This classic story not only serves as a reminder of the dangers of bullying, but it will also help readers identify the good vs. evil theme, pointing out that there is good and evil in all of us.
Quote: "It was an ingenious idea thought up by someone long before Archie's time, someone who was wise enough - or bastard enough - to realize that an assigner could go off the deep end if there wasn't some kind of control." (pg.37)

Speak

Title: Speak
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Author's Website: http://madwomanintheforest.com/

ISBN: 978-0-374-37152-4
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux

Copyright Date: 1999

Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Age: 9th-12th grade

Awards: Horn Book starred 1999, Publishers Weekly starred 1999, School Library Journal starred 1999

Plot Summary: Melinda quickly becomes a high school outcast after calling the cops on a party. Unfortunately, none of her "friends" or classmates know what really took place the night of the party, and Melinda is left to deal with and process it alone. She retreats further and further into herself as the book goes on, eventually rarely speaking at all. Until she is faced with her fear once more at the end, and finally finds the courage to speak.
Critical Evaluation: Anderson tells Melinda's story in short fragmented paragraphs and sentences. While I found this slightly distracting at the beginning, I soon found myself wrapped up in this story. Anderson succeeds at giving Melinda a powerful "voice" when ironically she speaks less and less as the book goes on. It was highly effective that Melinda refers to her rapist as IT. Readers sense almost immediately that he did something so horrendous as to not be referred to as human.

Reader's Annotation: A young teenager becomes an outcast in high school and continues to keep her deep dark secret to herself.
Booktalking Ideas: Rape, Bullying, Friendship, Suicide

Challenge issues if any and how you would defend it: While this book touches on very serious, sensitive issues, Anderson does a phenomenal job of being vague with her descriptions (or lack thereof) of the rape. She alludes to what happens with powerful words, letting the reader infer what they will.
Why did you include this book: I included this book for several reasons, one being Anderson's writing style is one that young adults might appreciate. I also included this book because it could open up a dialogue about several important issues (aside from rape & suicide) such as bullying and friendship.

Quote: "Our frog lies on her back. Waiting for a prince to come and princessify her with a smooch? I stand over her with my knife. Ms. Keen's voice fades to a mosquito whine. My throat closes off. It's hard to breathe. I put out my hand to steady myself against the table. David pins her froggy hands to the dissection tray. He spreads her froggy legs and pins her froggy feet. I have to slice open her belly. She doesn't say a word. She is already dead. A scream starts in my gut - I can feel the cut, smell the dirt, leaves in my hair."

Girl, Stolen

Title: Girl Stolen
Author: April Henry

Author's Website: http://aprilhenrymysteries.com/

ISBN: 978-0-8050-9005-5

Publisher: Henry Holt

Copyright Date: 2010

Genre: SUSPENSE

Reading Level/Interest Age: 10th-12th grade

Awards: Horn Book, 2011 School Library Journal, 2010

Plot Summary: When the blind daughter of Nike president is inadvertently kidnapped by fellow teenager Griffin, during a car theft, teenage Cheyenne finds herself in growing danger as Griffin’s abusive father discovers who she is and decides to hold her for ransom. She is forced to rely on her other senses, and the kindness she perceives from Griffin to help her escape.  

Critical Evaluation: April Henry successfully creates a suspenseful story line, however it proved to be slightly predictable as if it had been done before. From the beginning of the novel, it is clear that she is laying the groundwork for a potential alliance, if not friendship, between Griffin and Cheyenne. Henry also weaves very interesting information about being blind and the blind community into this tale of kidnapping, which ultimately makes it a better read. The alternation of reading from the perspective of a blind character, and then one of the potential bad guys, will keep readers engaged until the end.   

Reader's Annotation: When a blind teenager is accidentally kidnapped, her life is suddenly in jeopardy. She relies on her other senses and resourcefulness to aid her in her escape.
Booktalking Ideas: The blind community, drugs, abuse

Challenge issues if any: There was minimal mention of Griffin’s father cooking meth, which ultimately led to the severe burns on parts of his body. I think this helped to contribute to the readers growing hatred of Roy, and ultimate sympathies of Griffin.    
Why did you include this book: I included this book as an opportunity to give exposure to the “suspense” genre. For teens that do not particularly love to read, this engaging book will be sure to keep their attention.   

Quote: "Wondering who the boys were on either side. Who was watching her. If they were laughing. She wanted to be cool and graceful, but instead felt clumsy and sweaty. Now with Phantom, Cheyenne walked with poise and speed. He had returned her body to her." pg. 139

The Outsiders

Title: The Outsiders

Author: S.E. Hinton

Website: http://www.theoutsidersbookandmovie.com/

ISBN: 978-0140385724

Publisher: Puffin Books

Copyright Date: 1967

Genre: Classic

Reading Level/Interest Age: 12-18

Awards: ALA Best Young Adult Books, 1975

Plot Summary: The greasers and the socs are two different groups from opposite sides of town who do not get along. Pony Boy is a greaser who will do anything for his group of friends, who are actually more like family. When a fight in the park with a group of socs turns deadly after Pony Boy's best friend Johnny stabs and kills one of the socs, the boys are forced to hide out in the country. The story ends with one final brawl between the two classes, which leaves everyone wondering if this rival is even worth it.

Critical Evaluation: E.H. Hinton tells this tale from the perspective of Pony Boy, enabling the reader to identify with every thought, down to the lingo Pony uses. Hinton identifies and depicts the gap between the rich and the poor, ultimately pointing out that while there are some differences between the two classes they are more alike that Pony initially wanted to admit. 

Reader's Annotation: The struggle between the greasers and the socs ultimately ends in murder and a brawl. 

Booktalking Ideas: social classes, violence
Challenge issues if any: While this story does depict violence and murder, it equally portrays very well how violence leads down a path of destruction for all involved.

Why did you include this book: The themes and concepts in this book are ones that most teenagers will be able to identify with. The idea that nothing positive can come from judging people by the clothes they wear, or the amount of money their family has is an important lesson to walk away with. 

Quote: "Hey," I said suddenly, "can you see the sunset real good from the West Side?"

She blinked, startled, then smiled. "Real good."

"You can see it from the East Side, too," I said quietly.
pg.138

Forever

Title: Forever
Author: Judy Blume

Author's Website: http://www.judyblume.com/books/ya/forever.php

ISBN: 978-1-41693-400-4

Publisher: Bradbury Press

Copyright Date: 1975

Genre:  Classics

Reading Level/Interest Age: 10th-12th grade

Awards: ALA Notable Children's Books 1995, Booklist 08/01/97

Plot Summary: As soon as Katherine and Michael start dating they become inseparable, each wrapped up in the powerful emotions of first time love. As their relationship progresses Katherine debates whether or not she should lost her virginity to Michael. Against the cautions of her parents not to invest to deeply into the relationship, Katherine is convinced this is a love that will last forever. 

Critical Evaluation: I love Blume's style of writing. She is able to emulate a young adult's mindset and thought process so well. This definitely would have been a book I would have loved and benefited from as a high school student that remembers the pressure and importance of deciding when you are going to take that big step.  

Reader's Annotation: Two teenagers in love for the first time decide to take the next step in their relationship and are hopeful it will last forever.
Booktalking Ideas: STDs, Suicide, Love, Peer Pressure

Challenge issues if any (how you would defend and materials available in challenge situation: I could tell almost immediately why this book has been such a controversial one. The sexual scenes between Michael and Katherine are more descriptive and detailed than most young adult books that might allude to sexual activity but gloss over the details. I would defend this book by pointing out that Katherine is very responsible about her sexual relationship with Michael, making sure that they use a condom the first time and that she gets on birth control before their sexual relationship progresses even further. Blume also gives details about Katherine's trip to Planned Parenthood which some teens might be curious about. I also think Blume used Sybil's character (who ends up getting pregnant) as a caution for teenagers who aren't practicing safe sex.
Why did you include this book: I included this book because I think it brings up very important issues that young adults may face (sex, peer pressure, suicide) and could initiate a dialogue between parent and teenager. I think it also promotes sex safe whether you believe sex should come after marriage or not.

Quote: "Happy Graduation..." I laughed. After, we lay in each other's arms and I thought, there are so many ways to love a person. This is how it should be -- forever. (pg.186)