Almost Perfect

Title: Almost Perfect
Author: Brian Katcher
Author's Website: http://briankatcher.com/site/

ISBN: 978-0-385-73664-0

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Copyright Date: 2009

Genre: Fiction, Sexuality and Gender Identity

Reading Level/Interest Age: 15-18

Awards: Horn Book, 2010. School Library Journal, 2009. Kirkus Reviews Starred, 2009.

Plot Summary: While living in poverty with his mom, a single parent, Logan tries his best to keep busy after his first real heartbreak. When the new girl Sage arrives, Logan is instantly intrigued and attracted by the tall, red head in the funky clothes. Logan begins pursuing her but it continually rejected. He finally kisses her and it is only after that she reveals her big secret - she is actually a boy. Logan feels betrayed and outraged and it leaves him worrying about what that means for his own sexuality. He experiences a rollercoaster of emotions afterwards and ultimately chooses to befriend her.

Critical Evaluation: Katcher captures the struggle for all involved in this story. Through Logan's eyes we witness the rollercoaster of emotions that vary drastically from one another such as disgust to attraction, hate to love, fear and sympathy. He shares with readers what a painful experience this can be, and ultimately teaches tolerance.
Reader's Annotation: After having his heart broken, Logan falls for the new girl at school...who is hiding a secret.

Booktalking Ideas: Homosexuality, Gender Identity, Transgender
Challenge issues if any: Because transgenerism is very rarely discussed, there will be several anticipated challenge issues with this book, including the homosexual aspect. Brian does an excellent job of tacking homophobia and sharing the poignant struggle within Sage to have a normal life and live as a woman.

Why did you include this book: This book serves as an honest look into the heartbreaking world of transsexuality and transgender - a subject that is rarely spoken about or shared in the young adult world.
Quote: “Sage would survive. I'd survive. We were better off apart. Painful and quick, just like ripping off a Band-Aid. Well, more like gouging a piece of shrapnel out of my stomach, pouring a bottle of gin into the wound, lighting it on fire, and sewing my guts up with a dirty bootlace. But the concept was the same.”

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Title: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Author: Maya Angelou
Author's Website: http://mayaangelou.com/

ISBN: 978-0-375-50789-2

Publisher: Random House

Copyright Date: 2002 Edition (Original 1969)

Genre:  Multi-cultural, Non-Fiction
Reading Level/Interest Age: 15-18

Awards: Booklist, 1997.

Plot Summary: Maya Angelou recounts the many trials in her life growing up in Arkansas, including a rape at a very young age and why she stopped talking afterwards.  
Critical Evaluation: This remarkable story of tragedy and hardship is brilliantly written. Its almost poetic nature will impact the reader and resonate for days after finishing. Ultimately, we see a perfectly clear depiction of a young child desperate for love.

Reader's Annotation: The autobiography of Maya Angelou.
Booktalking Ideas: Racism, The South,

Challenge issues if any: While the rape scene is intense, and there are references to homosexuality and violence, the narrative is so poetic and haunting, that while outrageous it isn't as offensive as it is horrific.

Why did you include this book: Maya Angelou provides us with insight into the social customs and racism plaguing the US in the 1930s. It is important for teens to realize how unjust the country was at one time.
Quote: "They don't really hate us. They don't know us. How can they hate us? They mostly scared."

Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors

Title: Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors
Author: Joyce Sidman
Illustrator: Pamela Zagarenski
Author's Website: www.joycesidman.com

ISBN: 978-0-547-01494-4

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Copyright Date: 2009

Genre:  Poems

Reading Level/Interest Age: 15-18

Awards: Booklist, 2009. Horn Book, 2009. School Library Journal, 2009. Caldecott, 2010.

Plot Summary: This is a beautiful depiction of the seasons from Spring when “yellow and purple hold hands” to Fall when “red swells on branches bent low.” Sidman provides evocative descriptions that personify the colors, giving them each their own distinct personality. Readers watch as White rests in dark branches and Green waits in the hearts of trees. A perfect example of how descriptions of natures can be captivating and entertaining.

Critical Evaluation: The mixed media illustrations could not compliment the beautiful text any better than they do. Zagarenski uses a mixture of materials such as collage and paper cutouts of newspapers. The vibrant colors seem to pop off the page, almost inviting and drawing the reader into the season. I was personally amused by the main character that can be seen in every scene, wearing an unusual outfit and frolicking through the season.

Reader's Annotation: A series of poems describing the colors, sounds and smells of the different seasons.

Booktalking Ideas: Poetry, Nature

Why did you include this book: This book would benefit students who haven't yet found an appreciation or desire for poetry. The beautiful illustrations are just as enticing as the poetry. 
Quote: “Red swells on branches bent low.”

The 14th Dalai Lama: A Manga Biography

Title: The 14th Dalai Lama: A Manga Biography
Author & Illustrator: Tetsu Saiwai

ISBN: 978-0-14-311815-2

Publisher: Penguin Books

Copyright Date: 2010

Genre: Manga

Reading Level/Interest Age: 15-18

Awards: Booklist, 2010.

Plot Summary: This manga story succeeds at making a historical biography entertaining and informative. I found this tale to be quite dramatic in both text and illustration. Readers learn immediately that when the 13th Dalai Lama passes away, they must go and locate the new one immediately. Saiwai does a good job of providing enough information and back story for those that are not familiar with the culture and traditions surrounding the Dalai Lama – including the meaning of the words Dalai Lama, important dates and important places. It soon becomes clear that this biography is from the perspective of the Dalai Lama himself which adds even more intrigue.

Critical Evaluation: The black and white illustrations are drawn in typical graphic novel fashion. Each illustration depicted in varying size boxes and displayed in panels. Saiwai uses maps, up close facial expressions and panned out scenery shots to ensure that readers are viewing multiple perspectives. The characters themselves are drawn quite simplistically in typical japanese comic style. Saiwai makes great use of shading to add depth and dimension to his illustrations.

Reader's Annotation: A manga biography about the leader of Tibet – the 14th Dalai Lama.

Booktalking Ideas: History, Tibet

Why did you include this book: This books serves as an informative introduction to the Dalai Lama and Tibetan world history.

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic

Title: Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic
Author: Alison Bechdel
Author's Website: www.dykestowatchoutfor.com

ISBN: 978-0-618-47794-4

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

Copyright Date: 2006

Genre:  Comedy, Graphic Novel, Non-Fiction
Reading Level/Interest Age: 16-18

Awards: Booklist, 2006. Library Journal, 2006. Publisher’s Weekly, 2006

Plot Summary: This title serves the book well, as the story is both saddening and humorous at the same time. Readers will feel sympathy for Alison and her distant, almost always cranky, father – but find their interactions and her perceptions of things to be funny. Her father’s obsession with restoring their house leaves her feeling less important than the furniture. The matter-of-fact way Bechdel writes seems to detach her from any emotion she might be telling in this first person narrative. Readers will feel uneasy when we learn that her father was a homosexual and possible pedophile, as if we accidentally stumbled upon their family’s secrets.

Critical Evaluation: In black and white panels, with a light blue as the only accent color, the illustrations and captions are where most of the humor lie. The comic book style, cartoon like characters are never overly expressive – and depicted with very sad facial expressions and gestures.

Reader's Annotation: A graphic memoir about a teenage girl growing up with a closet homosexual father who is also a teacher and a funeral home director.

Booktalking Ideas: Homosexuality, Secret, Family Dysfunction
Challenge issues if any (how you would defend and materials available in challenge situation: While this story uncovers dark family secrets, it is cloaked in humor which makes it slightly less offensive. The author finds a way to reassure the reader that it is okay to have a dysfunctional family.

Why did you include this book: Teenagers will be able to identify with the hardship, family drama and uneasiness this story and its powerful messages convey.
Quote: “I grew to resent the way my father treated his furniture like children, and his children like furniture.”

The Bracelet

Title: The Bracelet
Author: Yoshiko Uchida

ISBN: 978-0-399-22503-1

Publisher: Philomel Books

Copyright Date: 1993

Genre: History, Multi-Cultural

Reading Level/Interest Age: 15-18

Awards: Booklist, Horn Book, Publisher’s Weekly

Plot Summary: When Emi loses the bracelet her best friend gave her before she left, she soon realizes that no one can take her memories.
Critical Evaluation: The vibrantly colored, watercolor illustrations portray deeply affected characters. The facial expressions contain a realism not often found in watercolors, which lend to the reader’s empathy and emotions toward the characters.

Reader's Annotation: When Emi is sent to an internment camp she learns a valuable lesson about friendship.

Booktalking Ideas: World War, Internment Camp, Racism

Why did you include this book: This book serves as an excellent introduction to the World War and internment camps and the affects they had on Japanese Americans.
Quote from the author: "I hope the young people who read these books will dare to have big dreams. I also hope they will learn to see Japanese Americans not in the usual stereotypic way, but as fellow human beings. For although it is important for each of us to cherish our own special heritage, I believe, above everything else, we must all celebrate our common humanity." 

Notes From the Midnight Driver

 Title: Notes From the Midnight Driver
Author: Jordan Sonnenblick
Author's Website:http://www.jordansonnenblick.com/my-books/notes-from-the-midnight-driver/

ISBN: 978-0-439-75779-9

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Copyright Date: 2006

Genre: Humor

Reading Level/Interest Age: 15-18

Awards: Horn Book, 2007. School Library Journal, 2006. Booklist, 2006.

Plot Summary: After crashing his parent's car, sixteen year old Alex is required to complete community service at an elderly home. Solomon Lewis is a seemingly grouchy man who doesn't hold back with his Yiddish insults. Through music the two are able to bond and learn life lessons from one another.

Critical Evaluation: Sonnenblick succeeds at giving a teenage voice to this 1st person narrative. Alex's character is humorous and should be identifiable to most teens. Unfortunately, the overused plot line proved to be rather foreseeable, a predictable coming of age tale. The dialogue came across as unnatural and reminiscent of a sitcom.

Reader's Annotation: When a teenager makes a huge mistake with his parent's car, he learns how to take responsibility for more than just his actions. 

Booktalking Ideas: Responsibility
Challenge issues if any: Alex was driving drunk, however in the book there are clearly consequences for his actions.

Why did you include this book: I included this book because it falls under the comedy genre and would be appreciated by most teens for its sarcasm. 
Quote: "P.S. A Yiddish phrase that might come in handy for your use with Mr. Lewis is 'Bluz in toches' Like Mr. Lewis, I am Jewish, and in the proud language of our people, this means 'blow it out your butt."

Pretty Little Liars

Title: Pretty Little Liars
Author: Sara Shepard
Author's Website: http://sarashepardbooks.com/

ISBN: 978-0-06-205987-1

Publisher: Harper Teen

Copyright Date: 2007

Genre: Chick Lit/Girls Series

Reading Level/Interest Age: 14-18

Plot Summary: Four best friends go their separate ways after their best friend Alison goes missing. Three years later all four girls start receiving mysterious text messages, allegedly from Alison as they contain information about secrets only Alison knew.

Critical Evaluation: Sara Shepard is a master at writing from the perspective of a teenage girl. She manages to subtly brand everything from the cars the girls drive, to the clothes they wear, to their jewelry and perfume. She successfully manages to write from the perspective of all four girls giving each a unique voice and entwining four separate story lines. 

Reader's Annotation: Four best friends grow apart after their friend Alison, the girl who knew all their secrets, disappears. 

Booktalking Ideas: Gossip, Bullying, Eating Disorders, Friendship, Homosexuality, Peer Pressure
Challenge issues if any: This book contains several topics such as underage drinking, sexuality and homosexuality that some may find inappropriate for young adults. However, they are all portrayed in a negative light, and Shepard refrains from glamorizing any of them.

Why did you include this book: Teenage girls in particular will be able to identify with several reoccurring themes within this book such as peer pressure, kindness, bullying and honesty.
Quote:"I'm still here bitches, and I know everything. -A"

The Killer's Cousin

Title: The Killer's Cousin
Author: Nancy Werlin
Author's Website: http://www.nancywerlin.com/

ISBN: 978-0-329-69824-9

Publisher: Speak

Copyright Date: 1998

Genre: Suspense

Reading Level/Interest Age: 15-18

Awards: Edgar Award, Horn Book 1999. ALA Notable Children's Books, 1999.

Plot Summary: When David is acquitted of killing his girlfriend, his parents send him to live out of state with his aunt, uncle and strange young cousin, Lily. Not only is Lily hostile towards David, but he quickly begins to uncover the secrets from her past. As the story unfolds, David struggles to come to terms with his past. He learns that Lily might have a similar dark secret explaining her hostility and rage towards him.

Critical Evaluation: Nancy Werlin successfully weaves a compelling tale that will keep readers engaged and anxious to find out how sympathetic David was ever able to murder his girlfriend. While it was slightly frustrating as a reader to see how Lily's parents blamed David for all of her sneaky antics around the house, it also helped to build the mounting tension that was sure to erupt. 

Reader's Annotation: When a teenager is acquitted of murder and forced to go live with his aunt, uncle and strange cousin, he quickly learns there are some secrets in his family. 

Booktalking Ideas: Anger, identity

Why did you include this book: I included this book because it serves as an excellent suspense novel which helps to keep reluctant readers engaged. 
Quote: "When it hurts, when we're afraid, if we're ever tempted -- we tell each other. I'll help you. You'll help me. We won't use the power we have. And we'll find ways to do good. To...to atone."

Thirteen Reasons Why

Title: Thirteen Reasons Why
Author: Jay Asher
Author's Website: http://www.thirteenreasonswhy.com/

ISBN: 978-1-59514-171-2

Publisher: Razorbill

Copyright Date: 2007

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Age: 15-18

Awards: Booklist, 2007. Hornbook, 2008. School Library Journal, 2007

Plot Summary: When Clay receives a package of seven tapes in the mail from Hannah who committed suicide the week before, he embarks on an emotional journey to hear first hand the 13 reasons why she made the decision and hopes that he wasn't one of the reasons. He is then tasked with mailing the tapes to the next person on the list.

Critical Evaluation: This heartbreaking tale will captivate the reader from the very beginning. Asher successfully weaves a powerful story of suicide, innocence and depression leaving the reader entranced from the very beginning. Asher differentiates Hannah's voice on the tapes from Clay's narration by using italics which cleverly offers two perspectives working simultaneously to complete the story.

Reader's Annotation: A young teen mails 7 tapes to a friend containing the 13 reasons that she committed suicide.
Booktalking Ideas: Suicide, Rumors, Rape

Challenge issues if any (how you would defend and materials available in challenge situation: Although this book contains several hot topics including rape and suicide, it is handled very delicately. I think any rape victim, or teen contemplating suicide would benefit from this read.
Why did you include this book: Not only is this a captivating read, but it broaches the important topic of suicide that should be discussed more openly.

Quote: “You don’t know what goes on in anyone’s life but your own. And when you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re not messing with just that part. Unfortunately, you can’t be that precise and selective. When you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re messing with their entire life."

Feed

Title: Feed
Author: M. T. Anderson
Author's Website: http://mt-anderson.com/

ISBN: 978-0-7636-2259-6

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Copyright Date: 2002

Genre:  Science Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Age: 15-18

Awards: Booklist, 2002. School Library Journal, 2002. Horn Book starred, 2002. New York Times, 2002.

Plot Summary: In a world where computer chips are placed inside humans' brains to tell them what to think about things, Titus and his friends head to the moon for school break. While there, Titus meets a Violet who sets out to show him how the feed is a tool for consumerism and ultimately shows him how to fight the feed.
Critical Evaluation: This story is told from the perspective of Titus, a slightly dim-witted, shallow teenager who speaks in a lingo specific to this futuristic time and place but also very similarly to how teenagers speak today. While the many "likes," and "things" are realistic, it was incredibly distracting for a reader. And while Anderson depicts our consumer driven world in the perfect satire, the lingo alone made it very hard for me to enjoy.  

Reader's Annotation: In a world where computer chips are placed inside humans' brains to tell them what to think about things, Titus meets Violet who shows him how to fight the feed.

Booktalking Ideas: Computers, Brainwashing, Freewill, Consumerism

Why did you include this book: This book could be used as a catalyst to spark many conversations with young adults, leaving them with quite a bit to think about.
Quote: “Then it was this big thing. She was like, 'I never want to see you again', and I was like, 'Fine. Okay? Fine. Then get some special goggles.”

Room

Title: Room
Author: Emma Donaghue
Author's Website: http://www.emmadonoghue.com/

ISBN: 978-0-316-09833-5

Publisher: Little Brown

Copyright Date: 2010

Genre: Award Winners 

Reading Level/Interest Age: 15-18

Awards: Booklist, 2010. Christian Library Journal, 2011. Library Journal Starred, 2010. Publisher's Weekly starred, 2010
Plot Summary: Five year old Jack, has spent his entire life in a room with his mother. Completely unaware that they are being held captive and living in a shed behind the captor's house, Jack enjoys the only life he has ever known with his loving mother who works to give him a normal life and shield him from the awful truth. When she hatches a plan to escape, both she and Jack have to adjust to life outside of "Room" as Jack so lovingly refers to it.

Critical Evaluation: This brilliant novel is made even more powerful because it is told entirely from the perspective of five year old Jack. It takes some thought on the part of the reader to determine what Jack's young, inexperienced eyes are sharing with us. Donaghue leaves readers on the edge of their seat as this page-turning thriller unfolds how Jack and Ma will adjust to life outside. This story is sure to resonate with the reader long after the story has finished.

Reader's Annotation: Five year old Jack has spent his entire life in a small room with his mother unaware that they have been held captive.

Booktalking Ideas: Kidnapping, parenting
Challenge issues if any: While this novel covers very heavy, powerful issues such as kidnapping, it is told from the perspective of a five year old which eliminates any vulgarity. All of these experiences are shown through very innocent eyes. 

Why did you include this book: Not only is this book a wonderful example of how the perspective of a character can change the entire feel of a story but it is also an award-winning novel.
Quote: “In Room we knowed what everything was called but in the world there's so much, persons don't even know the names.”