Bang! by Sharon Flake
Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children, New York: 2005
ISBN: 078681844-1

Plot Summary:
It's been two years since Mann Adler's younger brother Jason was gunned down on their front porch, but Mann and his family still feel like it was yesterday. Mann's mother still counts the days until Jason's birthday, and his father has retreated inside himself. Where they live, shootings are an everyday occurrence, and Mann and his father feel as though it's only a matter of time before Mann is dead too.

Mann is a good kid and an excellent painter. He and his best friend Kee-lee paint all the time together. When their older friend Moo Moo gets shot and killed, things take a turn for the worse. The boys start smoking pot to escape the grief, and Mann's father gets it into his head that he's going to teach the boys to defend themselves. He takes them on a camping trip and abandons them with little more than the clothes on their backs and a gun.

After a terrifying journey back home, Mann's father kicks them out again, and the boys go to live with Kee-lee's horrible Aunt Mary. She makes them paint strangers' houses, and when one old man decides he's not paying, Kee-lee has had enough and shoots him, but the man shoots him at the same time and they both die. Mann goes on the run and lives on the street, begging and stealing, until months later his father finally finds him at an abandon horse stable where they help take care of a couple of horses they used to ride in happier times. Even though they have lost so many they loved, they realize they need to be there for each other.

Critical Evaluation:
This book was really heart wrenching. I wanted to think the horrible circumstances that Mann found himself in were exaggerated, but I have a feeling they might not be far from the truth for many. The novel's ostensible question is what makes a man a man? I'm not sure that question was ever answered. Rather, we see how easy it is for a good kid to go bad, and come back again if he's not given up on. Whether his journey has turned Mann into a man is still to be determined.

Reader’s Annotation:
Mann is full of hopes and dreams for when he grows up. The only problem is, he might never make it.

Information about the Author:
Sharon Flake is the author of many books for young adults. She is the winner of the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe award and lives in Pittsburgh with her daughter.

Genre: realistic fiction

Curriculum Ties: none

Booktalking Ideas:
I would introduce Mann talk about the effect that his brother Jason's death has had on him and his family. Then I would flash forward to Moo Moo's death and Mann's father abandoning him on a camping trip and the struggles he endures fighting his way back home.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
This book could easily be read by ages 13 and up, however, the themes addressed are for mature audiences and would appeal to readers up to the age of 16 or 17.

Challenge Issues:
There are a number of items that could be challenged in this book. The violence, depiction of youths smoking pot and drinking and stealing. I would explain to a challenger the library's selection policy and have them fill out a complaint form.

Why I chose this book:
I chose this book because I was excited to see a novel by Sharon Flake written from a male's point of view.

Juno (film, 2007)
Mandate Pictures, written by Diablo Cody
Starring Ellen Page and Michael Cera

Plot Summary:
The movie starts with 16-year-old Juno MacGuff discovering she is pregnant by her best friend (not boyfriend), Paulie Bleeker. She decides against getting an abortion and instead opts for adoption. Her friend informs her of the ads people place in the PennySaver, and Juno decides to give it a shot. She quickly finds a yuppie couple, Mark and Vanessa, eager to adopt her baby.

As the year progresses, Juno forms a bond with the adoptive father-to-be, Mark, through their similar taste in music and movies. Mark eventually confides in Juno that he doesn't think he is ready to be a father. Not surprisingly he and his wife begin divorce proceedings. At first the adoption is in question, but Juno ultimately realizes that the baby belongs to Vanessa after all.
In the end, Vanessa adopts the baby alone, and Juno and Paulie decide to they want to be together.

Critical Evaluation:
I enjoyed this film's refreshing take on teen pregnancy. I don't believe it glamorized it, as some critics would lead you to believe. It simply showed that it wasn't the end of the world. Juno took responsibility for her actions and dealt with the consequences. The film was marketed as a comedy, so of course nothing too tragic was going to happen, but it was nice to see a movie with a pregnant teen that wasn't trying to scare teenagers into abstinence. Diablo Cody endowed the protagonists with intelligence and wit, unlike some of the other airheaded teenage characters in other movies.

Viewer’s Annotation:
16-year-old Juno MacGuff just found out she is pregnant. What will she decide to do with the baby and her relationship with the father?

Information about the Author:
Diablo Cody is originally from Chicago and worked at an advertising agency, which she did not enjoy. She became a stripper on a whim, then got married and stopped stripping. She is a columnist for Entertainment Weekly and wrote Juno in 2007.

Genre: comedy

Curriculum Ties: none

Booktalking Ideas:
I would talk about Juno and her quirky personality and how she handles being pregnant at 16. I would discuss the relationships she has with her parents, the potential adopting parents, and her best friend.

Interest Age:
This movie is rated PG-13, and I think it would be appropriate for ages 14 and up.

Challenge Issues:
This movie would be challenged for its depiction of teen pregnancy. I would explain the library's selection policy and give the challenger a complaint form.

Why I chose this film:
I chose this film because I believe it would appeal to teenagers from all walks of life. Its fresh take on teen pregnancy might help others put their situation into perspective.

Begging for Change by Sharon Flake
Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children, New York: 2003
ISBN: 078680601-X

Plot Summary:
Begging for Change is the sequel to Flake's 2002 novel Money Hungry. The story picks up with Raspberry Hill's mother in the hospital after being attacked with a metal pipe by a 17-year-old girl who lives across the street. Raspberry and her mother have still not gotten into their house in the nice neighborhood of Pecan Landings, so they must deal with all the riff-raff causing trouble on their street. On top of it, Raspberry's crack-addicted father has found out where they live and shows up from time to time to steal her money.

In a moment of impulse, Raspberry steals her friend Zora's money--partly because she just loves money, but mostly because she resents Zora and her seemingly perfect life. This understandably causes a rift in their friendship, which makes life difficult because Raspberry's mother is dating Zora's father. After Raspberry's father steals her money, she realizes how Zora feels and the two eventually make up. The re-appearance of Raspberry's father lights a fire under her mother to get them into the house in Pecan Landings, and this time they win the right to move in. Raspberry also develops a sweet romance with Sato, one of the boys who was always teasing her in the first book.

Critical Evaluation:
I enjoyed this book more than Money Hungry. The writing is a bit more subtle and Raspberry is less annoying. Flake's take on the themes of trust, jealousy, greed and forgiveness are refreshing. Each character has a little of everything, rather than one character embodying each trait. I also appreciated how Raspberry and her mother were the ones to solve their problems this time, rather than having the men swoop in and take care of everything.

Reader’s Annotation:
Raspberry Hill still has money on the brain, but she's starting to see how little it means without the love and trust of her friends and family.

Information about the Author:
Sharon Flake is the author of many books for young adults. She has won the Coretta Scott King Honor Book award, and the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for new talent. She is a former youth counselor and lives in Pittsburgh with her daughter.

Genre: realistic fiction

Curriculum Ties: 7th-9th grade English

Booktalking Ideas:
Re-introduce Raspberry Hill, explain that the novel is a sequel to the award winning Money Hungry. Talk about her mother being attacked by Shiketa and her mixed emotions about how to deal with her attacker, then talk about Raspberry's crackhead father and her mixed emotions about how to deal with him. When should someone forgive, and when should someone forget?

Reading Level/Interest Age:
This would be appropriate for ages 13-16. The themes are mature, but the writing is simple, making it a good book for older readers reading at a low level.

Challenge Issues:
This book might be challenged for its realistic depiction of life in the ghetto, and for characters addicted to crack. I would give the challenger a copy of the library's selection policy and have them fill out a complaint form.

Why I chose this book:
I chose this book because I had read Money Hungry and was curious to see what happened next to Raspberry Hill.

I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
Alfred K. Knopf, New York: 2002
ISBN: 0375836675

Plot Summary:
After Ed Kennedy stops a would-be bank robber and becomes a minor local celebrity, he gets an Ace of Diamonds in the mail. On the card is written three addresses, Ed must go to the addresses and fix a situation. Sometimes he does something nice, like befriending a lonely old lady. Sometimes he has to do something horrible, like murder (or attempt to murder) a rapist. After he completes the three tasks on the Ace of Diamonds, he receives the Ace of Clubs with three more tasks, then the Ace of Spades, with three more. They all arrive mysteriously, and Ed has no idea who is sending them, but manages to figure out his tasks each time. Eventually he gets to the Ace of Hearts, where his tasks all involve his three best friends. He ends up changing all their lives for the better and he thinks he is done.

Then the joker arrives for him. Finally the man responsible for sending the cards reveals himself. Someone not related to him at all, but someone who wants to jolt Ed awake. He saw Ed's life as completely ordinary and wanted to make it less so. He admits to organizing everything from Ed's father's death to the bank robbery and everything afterwards. Ed is astounded, but it is true, he now knows he is capable of extraordinary things and will not end up like his drunkard father.

Critical Evaluation:
I really enjoyed this book. Besides the action and mystery surrounding the ace cards, it infused with laugh-out-loud humor. The relationships Ed has with his friends, mother, and stinky old dog are highly entertaining, and I wouldn't mind reading another book with the same characters. The plot of the tasks on the ace cards gets old after awhile, and the ending is incredibly preposterous. I was right there with him up until the sender of the cards revealed himself, and it turned out to be a perfect stranger. How on earth would you convince anyone to rob a bank and go to jail in order to teach a stranger a lesson about life? I really wish he would have thought harder about the ending since the rest of the story was so clever.

Reader’s Annotation:
Ed Kennedy is an ordinary man on an extraordinary mission. He'll become a better person--if he survives.

Information about the Author:
Markus Zusak lives in Sydney, Australia and is the author of Fighting for Ruben Wolfe, and Getting the Girl. He received the Book of the Year Award from the Children's Book Council of Australia, and the Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature for I am the Messenger.

Genre: fiction

Curriculum Ties: none

Booktalking Ideas:
I would talk about Ed Kennedy and his boring life as a 19 year old taxi driver. Then I would introduce the bank robbery and they mysterious events that happen afterwards.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
This book is appropriate for ages 16 and up.

Challenge Issues:
This book could be challenged for its discussion of sex and some violence. I would explain the library's selection policy and give the challenger a complaint form.

Why I chose this book:
I chose this book after seeing it on the YALSA website for winning the Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature, I also remembered a class mate recommending this book on the discussion board.

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Washington Square Press, New York, 1992.
(Originally printed 1595)
ISBN: 0743477111

Plot Summary:
An ancient feud between the Montagues and Capulets has been raging in the town of Verona. Romeo, a Montague, is pining over his unrequited love for Rosaline, when his friends convince him to go to a party given by the Capulets. Here he meets Juliet, a Capulet, and therefore his sworn enemy, and falls head over heels in love with her. She feels the same way about him, and it is not until after he leaves the party that they learn about each others families.

When Romeo approaches Juliet later that night on her balcony, they agree to meet at the friar's the next day and get married. The friar is reluctant, but decides that it might be a good way to bring the families together.

When Tybalt, a Capulet, meets Romeo in the street, he tries to provoke him into a fight. Romeo, knowing that he cannot fight a Capulet any longer, tries to put him off. However, Romeo's friend Mercutio challenges Tybalt to a duel, where Tybalt succeeds in killing Mercutio. To avenge his friend's death, Romeo kills Tybalt. For this, Romeo is banished from Verona. He leaves for Mantua.

In the meantime, Juliet's father has promised her in marriage to Paris in three days time. Juliet goes to the Friar, who gives her a potion that will make it look as though she is dead until Romeo can return from Mantua. Before word can get to Romeo about the potion Juliet has taken, Romeo's servant informs him that Juliet is dead.

Romeo returns to Verona to find Juliet in her tomb. There he encounters Paris, who he kills. Then drinks the poison and dies. When Juliet awakens, she sees Romeo dead and decides she will not live without him. She takes his dagger and stabs herself to death.

Critical Evaluation:
This is the classic story of star-crossed lovers. There is not much more to say than already has been said. The poetry in it is some of Shakespeare's best and most romantic. Almost everyone can relate to falling in love with someone they are not supposed to love. Teenagers especially will appreciate the speedy pacing, action, and melodrama of the play. It is the very first play by Shakespeare I read, and will always be my favorite.

Reader’s Annotation:
What happens when the love of your life is your sworn enemy? Nothing good will come of it.

Information about the Author:
William Shakespeare was baptised on April 26, 1564 in Stratford Upon Avon. He lived as a professional writer in London, England and is the author of thirty-seven poems and numerous sonnets, though his authorship of all these works is debated by some. He was the leading playwright of his day, and also acted occasionally.

Genre: play, drama

Curriculum Ties: 9th grade English

Booktalking Ideas:
I would introduce the feud of the Montagues and Capulets, then pose the question, what would happen if a member from each fell in love? Then I would talk about Romeo and Juliet's whirlwind romance and the deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt and ask what the consequences of all these incidents might be.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
This book is often read in freshman English classes, so it is appropriate for ages 14 and up, though I think some of those reading a lower levels need some extra help understanding the verse as it is written. I would recommend it for older teens if they were to read it on their own.

Challenge Issues:
This play might be challenged for is depiction of teen aged sexuality, some crude jokes by the nurse, and of course, its violence. Though I would feel ridiculous having to defend Shakespeare, I would give the challenger a copy of the library's selection policy and have him fill out a complaint form.

Why I chose this book:
I chose this play because it is a great introduction to Shakespeare. It has everything: romance, sex, violence, and a tragic ending. Teenagers should eat it up.

A Separate Peace by John Knowles
Bantam Books, New York: 1960.
ISBN: 0-553-23224-X


Plot Summary:
A Separate Peace is narrated by Gene Forrester who is looking back at his life at the Devon prep school 15 years ago. He tells the story of his relationship with the charismatic Phineas (Finny) set against the backdrop of World War II. The two boys become great friends, though it is almost a love-hate relationship for Gene. Finny excels at all sports, while Gene has to work hard for everything he earns. Finny loves to ditch class and meals, and Gene starts to think Finny is deliberately causing him to fail because Gene is better academically.

On the school grounds is a large tree hanging close to a river. The boys challenge themselves to jump from the tree into the river, and it becomes a sort of right of passage, since it is usually only done by the the older students. The last time Gene and Finny go to jump from the tree, Gene has climbed up behind Finny, and in a moment of impulse, shakes the branch Finny is standing on, causing him to fall off and break his leg in many places.

Finny leaves school, and Gene eventually confesses to him that he shook the branch, but Finny won't believe him. Once Finny returns to school, the boys hold a sort of inquiry into what happened. This upsets Finny, who falls down the stairs, breaking his leg again. At the infirmary, Finny accepts that Gene caused his fall, but refuses to believe it was done out of hate. Later, when the doctor is trying to reset Finny's leg, some marrow gets into his bloodstream and Finny dies.

Critical Evaluation:

A Separate Peace is a haunting novel. The conflicts between Gene and himself, Gene and Phineas, the boys at school and the men at war all interweave so seamlessly. When the peace of the school is interrupted by war, it is interesting to see the reactions from the students. Some want to enlist right away, others want to keep on with their lives and deny the war is even happening. The subplot of Leper, one of the weaker of the boys, being the first to run off and enlist is equally fascinating. He forces the war into the consciousness of the boys.

The reader could analyze Gene and Finny's complex relationship for days. When Finny dies, is Gene almost relieved? More likely, he doesn't cry because he is now dead inside as well.

Reader’s Annotation:

Gene Forrester is waging a war within, while the realities of World War II threaten to break the peace of his boarding school.

Information about the Author:

John Knowles attended the Phillips Exeter Academy during World War II. A Separate Peace was his first novel, and it is likely that some of the incidents in the novel happened at his school. He won the Rosenthal Award of the National Institution of Arts and Letters, and the William Faulkner Foundation Award.

Genre: historical fiction

Curriculum Ties: 9th grade English, American history (WWII)

Booktalking Ideas:

I would focus on the relationship between Gene and Finny and their competitiveness. I would then talk about the war and how this brought to light the differences in their view of the world.

Reading Level/Interest Age:

This book would be appropriate for ages 16 and up.

Challenge Issues:

I don't believe there is a lot to challenge in this book. The theme of war and young people going off to war might disturb some people. In that case, I would give the challenger a copy of the library's selection policy and a complaint form.

Why I chose this book:

I chose this book because the U.S. is in another war, and many teens are deciding what to do after high school and might find this book relevant. I also love the complex relationship between the two main characters and feel many teens could relate to this as well.

Luna by Julie Anne Peters
Little, Brown and Company, New York: 2004
ISBN: 0-316-01127-4

Plot Summary:
Luna is narrated by the sophomore Regan, the sister of a transgender girl (her brother Liam). At the start of the novel, Liam has chosen a new female name for himself--Luna, and is on the verge of transitioning to living as a female. Their father has strict gender role expectations. He refuses to let Liam cook for the family, and expects Regan to help out more around the house. Their mother is completely absorbed with her job as an event planner and is usually hopped up on prescription pills to notice much of what is going on.

As Regan develops a relationship with the new boy at school, Chris, Liam gets more daring as Luna. He makes Regan go shopping with him dressed as Luna, and finally shows up to school as Luna. All the while, Regan is the only one who knows about him, and therefore his only support system. It is a lot of pressure for one person, and it starts to take its toll on her personal life. Regan fluctuates between wanting to support Luna, and wanting her out of her life. When Luna finally comes out to her parents, her father refuses to let her leave the house as Luna. Her mother completely ignores him and Regan slowly realizes that she has known about Luna all along. Finally, Luna sneaks out with Regan and boards a plane to Seattle to begin the process of transitioning to a female.

Critical Evaluation:
Luna is a very well-written, emotionally complex book. I have to say though, I think it might have been more interesting written from Luna's point of view. Regan is mostly a boring character, though she is written very honestly. The book is more about her reaction to Luna, than about Luna and what she's going through, which is infinitely more exciting that Regan's relationship with Chris.

Also, it ended very abruptly. Throughout the novel, Luna is taking baby steps toward living as a female, then all of a sudden she's on a plane to Seattle the day after she comes out to her parents and that's the end. I want to know what happened to her once she got to Seattle. What were her parents' reactions? How is Regan surviving without her? I even wanted to know what happens between Chris and Regan and everything was just left up in the air. Though I was disappointed with the ending, I guess it is a sign that I cared enough to want to know more about these characters. Luna will definitely stay with me for awhile.

Reader’s Annotation:
In a world obsessed with gender roles, transgender people have to make their own way. Regan helps her brother Liam transition to Luna.

Information about the Author:
Julie Anne Peters is a former fifth grade teacher and computer programmer. She is the author of several young adult book and lives in Colorado.

Genre: realistic fiction

Curriculum Ties: none

Booktalking Ideas:
I would talk about the idea of gender roles and stereotypes, then introduce Liam/Luna. What makes a girl a girl and a boy a boy? I'd also talk about Regan and the pressure she feels to keep Liam's secret.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
This book would be appropriate for ages 15 and up.

Challenge Issues:
Obviously the subject matter of a transsexual teenager would be the biggest issue. There a few curse words sprinkled throughout as well. I would explain the importance of a book like this, give the challenger a copy of the library's selection policy and a complaint form.

Why I chose this book:
This was a book to be read for our class book discussion.

Napoleon Dynamite (film)
Fox Searchlight Pictures, starring John Heder
Directed by Jared Hess, 2004

Plot Summary:
Napoleon Dynamite is a misfit high school student with delusions of grandeur. He is surrounded by quirky characters, including his older, unemployed brother who still lives at home, his dirt-biking grandma who is his legal guardian, and his uncle Rico who comes to town, presumably with the singular purpose of ruining Napoleon's life.

The movie follows Napoleon through the often highly comical trials of being an unpopular teenager. He gets turned down when he asks out the popular girl. He then makes a friend with the new student Pedro, who ends up outshining him when he becomes class president (with the help of Napoleon's dance moves). Finally, he develops a sweet romance with Deb, another outsider after a series of unfortunate miscommunications.

Critical Evaluation:
This movie was incredibly funny. Napoleon's deadpan lines and comebacks aren't meant to be jokes, but the viewer cannot help but laugh through the whole thing. It's lighthearted and absurd, but I think it teaches the popular kids that maybe the geeks are interesting and worth getting to know. And it gives the outcasts hope that they will find their "soul mate" too. On top of that, Napoleon has little to no interest in fitting in. I found that very refreshing in a movie aimed at teens. I think teens from every social group will eat it up.

Reader’s Annotation:
Everyone has a soul mate. Against all odds, Napoleon Dynamite might have found his.

Information about the Author:
The writer and director, Jared Hess, is from Draper, Utah. He has also directed Peluca, Nacho Libre, and is in the process of completing Gentlemen Broncos.

Genre: comedy

Curriculum Ties: None

Booktalking Ideas:
To get teens interested in this film, I would introduce them to Napoleon and talk about his role as an outsider and how he doesn't even have an interest in fitting in. I'd then introduce him to his brother Kip, and his Uncle Rico, two of his antagonists that keep things interesting.

Interest Age:
This movie is rated PG, it would be appropriate for ages 12 and up.

Challenge Issues:
This movie might be challenged for its mild language. I would give the challenger a copy of the library's selection policy and a complaint form.

Why I chose this film:
I chose this film because my students would not stop repeating quotes from it. I had to see what they were talking about. It turned out to be a sweet movie with a positive message, that I think all teens would respond to.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Warner Books, Inc., New York: 1960
ISBN: 0-446-31078-6

Plot Summary:
To Kill a Mockingbird is narrated by Scout Finch, who is reflecting upon events leading up to her older brother Jem suffering a broken arm. Starting in the summer when she is six years old, Scout, her brother Jem, and a visiting friend Dill decide to try to get the mysterious recluse, Boo Radley to come out of his house. The whole Radley family never talks to anyone in the small Southern town of Maycomb.

School starts for Scout, and she begins to realize she's different. She can already read and write. She begins to see that not all kids her age were raised as she was, and also wonders why the Ewell children don't have to go to school. Her father Atticus is a lawyer raising the children on his own. His parenting style is unique in that he treats Scout and Jem as individuals, rather than pesky children.

When Atticus is assigned to defend Tom Robinson, a black man, against the rape accusations of the white Mayella Ewell, his actions cause a scandal. He actually takes his task seriously and proves that the accusations are false and that Mayella and her father are liars. Nevertheless, Robinson is convicted and later dies trying to escape. Scout and Jem find it difficult to understand how he could have been found guilty.

In order to extract revenge on Atticus for making him look like a fool, Bob Ewell attacks Scout and Jem, breaking Jem's arm and roughing up Scout. If not for Boo Radley who has silently been protecting the children throughout the novel, they might have been killed. Later, Bob Ewell is found dead, presumably killed by Boo Radley. Scout understands that putting Radley on trial would be something akin to killing a mockingbird.

Critical Evaluation:
This book gets better with each reading. Being told from the point of view of an innocent child means that we don't get any implying of what is going on- we see what she sees without much filter. We do not have to be told what is right or wrong, we can see it very clearly and decide for ourselves.

For all the seriousness of the topics of prejudice, justice, bravery and sympathy, the novel is full of subtle wit and charm. Scout is impossible not to love, and she is a character who will never leave the reader.

Reader’s Annotation:
A child learns painful lessons about the human capacity for love, hate, kindness and cruelty in small Southern town.

Information about the Author:
Harper Lee was from Monroeville, Alabama and briefly studied law at the University of Alabama. After meeting a literary agent in New York, she decided to write a full length book. To Kill a Mockingbird was her first novel, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1960.

Genre: realistic fiction

Curriculum Ties: 8th grade English

Booktalking Ideas:
I would talk about Scout's point of view and how she grows throughout the novel. I would focus on the mysterious Boo Radley, and the exciting trial.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
For ages 15 and up.

Challenge Issues:
This book would most likely be challenged for its use of the local vernacular for describing African-Americans. I would have to explain the significance of this beautiful novel and give the challenger a copy of the library's selection policy and a complaint form.

Why I chose this book:
I chose this book because it is one that I think every high school student should read and explore. Besides the messages it sends, it is a great tool for studying literature: clear themes and styles that a high school student could spend a lot of time analyzing.

I am the Cheese by Robert Cormier
Alfred K. Knopf, New York: 1977
ISBN: 0-394-83462-3

Plot Summary:
The plot of I am the Cheese is a difficult one to sum up, but I'll try. The novel starts off with Adam Farmer taking a bike ride to deliver a package to his father. We are not sure why his father is the hospital, or what is in the package. The next chapter starts with someone named Brint on a tape recorder, who we can gather is Adam's psychiatrist trying to help him remember events. When we are taken back to the bike ride, Adam starts to get flashbacks of events which led him to where he is now.

Eventually we figure out that what is taking place on Adam's bike trip is all in his head. He is merely cycling around the mental institution/confinement facility. The death of his parents has caused him to go crazy. But Brink isn't the benevolent psychiatrist he makes out to be either. Adam (or Paul Delmonte) and his family were in the witness protection program when they were killed, and Brink needs Adam to remember what happened to them. This is the third round of questioning Adam has gone through and Brink is not getting anymore information from him. Recommendations for his treatment are to either to continue his confinement until he can be killed or until he "obliterates."


Critical Evaluation:
This book blew my mind! I appreciated the complicated structure and the slow unraveling of the story. Though the end is discouraging and depressing, I believe it's a great lesson for teens to learn about trust and authority figures. The writing is clear and concise. This book was a staple in the classrooms of the middle school I taught at, but I probably wouldn't recommend this book to younger teens, since the layout of the story could get confusing, and at first the plot doesn't move quickly enough to encourage a confused reader to continue with the story.

Reader’s Annotation:
Adam Farmer needs to find out the truth about his parents and himself, but what will happen when he does?

Information about the Author:
Robert Cormier was a journalist who became a full-time novelist after the success of his first young adult novel, The Chocolate War. He was a recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award for young adult literature. He passed away in 2000.

Genre: fiction, mystery

Curriculum Ties: 9th grade English


Booktalking Ideas:
I would introduce Adam as a shy, confused teenager and talk about the journey he is about to embark on--both on his bicycle and through his mind.


Reading Level/Interest Age:
I would recommend this to advanced 15-year-old readers and up.

Challenge Issues:
This book might be challenged for its themes of conspiracy and doubting authority and the implication of Adam's demise. I would give the challenger a copy of the library's selection policy and let him/her fill out a complaint form.


Why I chose this book:
This book has been on my reading list for a long time. I finally got around to reading it because I needed to in order to answer my question for the Luna discussion.

No-No Boy by John Okada
University of Washington Press, Seattle: 1976
ISBN: 0-295-95525-2

Plot Summary:
The novel begins on the first day of 25-year-old Ichiro Yamada's release from prison. He's there for refusing to be drafted during WWII while his family is interred in separate camps. He quickly realizes what life is going to be like for him when encounters Eto, a Japanese friend of his who fought in the war, spits on him on his way to his parents house/grocery store. For the most part, Ichiro blames his mother for his situation. He would never have refused the draft if his mother hadn't been so opposed to him fighting the Japanese.

Life is difficult at home, where Ichiro's mother believes Japan won the war, his father is sinking into alcoholism, and his brother Taro hates Ichiro and plans on joining the army as soon as he turns 18. Ichiro encounters prejudice, but also meets some people who don't care about what he did. Once he decides to get away from Seattle and lands a job in Portland, only to turn it down when he realizes that he will never really escape his past, or his parents. He will only be less of what he is without them in his life.

Upon his return to Seattle, Ichiro finds his mother drowned in the bathtub. This is somewhat liberating for him and his father. A night out on the town with another No-no boy, Freddie, has disastrous results. Freddie dies after a bar fight, yet Ichiro starts to see there is hope for himself. He is not so far gone as Freddie and can still see the promise that America holds for him.

Critical Evaluation:
This is a story like nothing I've ever heard before. Of course I knew of the Japanese internment camps, but I didn't realized the Japanese men in these camps were being drafted. What an excruciating decision to be forced to make. Okada does an excellent job of representing every possible point of view on the matter. There are the Caucasians and African-Americans who hate all the Japanese, those who feel guilty about the situation, the Japanese who fought in the war and hate the No-no boys, and the Japanese who thought Ichiro did the right thing, and even those who couldn't have cared less about what he did. It was very compelling reading.

Reader’s Annotation:
Forced to make an unpopular decision, Ichiro Yamada must now face the consequences of his actions. Will he ever be able to see the good in a country that betrayed him?

Information about the Author:
John Okada was born in Seattle in 1923. He served in the army during World War II, and died of a heart attack at the age of 47. No-No Boy was his only novel.


Genre: historical fiction

Curriculum ties: 10th/11th grade English, American history (WWII)

Booktalking Ideas:
I would start by talking about the complex decision that Ichiro had to make. I would ask what you would have done in the same situation, and was it fair? Then I would talk about Ichiro's relationship with his family, Kenji who fought in the war, and Freddie, who did not. What made them similar or different?

Reading Level/Interest Age:
This is a book for older teens, at least 16 years of age, to adults.

Challenge Issues:
This book might be challenged for its language and use of racial epithets, as well as some sexuality and violence. I would explain the library's selection policy to the challenger and give him/her a complaint form to fill out.


Why I chose this book:
I read this book in order to answer my discussion question for the book Luna.

New Moon by Stephanie Meyer
Little, Brown and Company, New York: 2006
ISBN: 0316160199


Plot Summary:
This is the second book in the Twilight series. Everything is great when the book begins. Bella and Edward are in love, though Bella is upset that Edward's sister Alice is planning a big birthday party for her. At the party, with Edward's vampire family, Bella cuts herself on glass, sending Edward's brother Jasper into a frenzy. This terrifies Edward and suddenly the whole family is gone. Bella is devastated. She is almost comatose at the loss of Edward.

Eventually she decides to renew her friendship with Jacob Black. She lures him back by having him fix up a pair of motorcycles she buys on impulse. Bella believes she can still hear and feel Edward when she does something dangerous. Then she learns that Jacob is a werewolf. Can life get any more strange?

When Edward is told that Bella is dead, he decides to kill himself. This is extremely difficult for a vampire who is already dead, but he believes that the powerful Volturi clan in Italy will kill him if he reveals himself in front of everyone. At the last minute, Bella rushes to his side and after some tense moment with the Volturi, they return to Forks. The Cullens then vote to turn Bella into a vampire (against Edward's wishes).

Critical Evaluation:
This was definitely no Twilight. I was bored through most of the book. Reading about Bella's relationship with Jacob was like having to go to the prom with your cousin at the last minute because your real date did not show up. I was also not thrilled with Bella's reaction to Edward leaving. She almost cannot live without a man. It is only because of Jacob that she comes out of her pathetic state. The action at the end with Bella and Alice racing to Italy to stop Edward was very exciting, but it came so late, that less determined readers might have put down the book already.

Reader’s Annotation:
The love of her life has left her, can a werewolf ever replace a vampire?


Information about the Author:
Stephanie Meyer is a mother of three boys who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. She was named "Author of the Year" by USA Today in 2008.


Genre: Fantasy, romance

Curriculum ties: none

Booktalking Ideas:
I would talk about the emotions Bella is going through after Edward leaves her. Is she really hearing his voice? I'd talk about her friendship with Jacob and her determination to become a vampire even though he is against it.


Reading Level/Interest Age:
This book is for readers 14 and up.


Challenge Issues:
Since this book has with vampire and werewolf characters, I'm sure it would be challenged as dealing in the occult. I would explain the library's selection policy and give the challenger a complaint form to fill out.


Why I chose this book:
I chose this book because I loved Twilight and was hoping for more of the same.

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
Little, Brown and Company, New York: 2005.
ISBN: 0316015849


Plot Summary:
Bella Swan moves from Phoenix, Arizona to Forks, Washington to live with her policeman father. She doesn't exactly fit in in Phoenix, however, she is surprised at the reaction she receives from her new classmates, especially the boys who seem to fall all over themselves trying to get her attention. When Edward Cullen first catches her attention, she is dumbstruck by his beauty. When it turns out they will be sitting together in biology, she is nervous, however, she wasn't expecting Edward's seemingly hostile reaction to her.

When Edward doesn't come to school the next day, Bella wonders if he really hates her. But when Edward finally returns, he seems like a completely different person. Even his eyes have changed color. We later learn this is because he fed on the blood of animals and can now control himself around Bella's irresistible scent. Soon a friendship develops, which quickly turns to a romance. When Bella figures out the secret of the Cullen family, she decides that she is in too deep to care. Vampire or no vampire, Edward is the man of her dreams. She ignores the warnings from her friend Jacob, and even a pack of ravenous vampires attacking her and the Cullens does little to dampen her feelings. In the end, and against her wishes, Edward accompanies Bella to their prom, just like a normal teen aged couple.

Critical Evaluation:
Because of all the hype, I expected to be let down by this book. Of course I was not. The writing is fine, though a little repetitive--how many times is Edward described as "gorgeous" or "breathtaking" or Bella described as klutz? I get it. But that aside, Meyer manages to capture that amazing, nervous, wonderful and horrible feeling of falling head over heels in love for the first time. I found myself feeling so disappointed when Edward wouldn't show up to school because it was sunny. I caught my breath when he walked into the cafeteria or biology class and spoke to Bella. I really felt like I was in her place. And what nerdy girl hasn't had the fantasy of up and moving to a whole new school and becoming the popular girl? I loved it. It's why I became an avid reader in the first place-- to be totally transported outside of myself. This books succeeds on that level more than any book I've read in awhile.

Reader’s Annotation:
Bella thinks she's just another face in the crowd until she meets Edward. Little does she know how dangerous falling in love can be.

Information about the Author:
Stephanie Meyer is a stay-at-home mother from Arizona who claims to have written Twilight based on a dream she had.

Genre: Fantasy, romance

Curriculum ties: none

Booktalking Ideas:
I would discuss the idea of a forbidden romance and ask what teens think that means and if they had any examples they could think of. I'd ask about whether they've ever had a crush so powerful it was all they could think of, then I'd segue into Bella and Edward's story. I'd also talk about the action in the book, such as the fast cars and vampire chase to perhaps get the boys interested.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
This book is for ages 14 and up.

Challenge Issues:
Edward and the Cullens are vampires, so I'm sure this book would be challenged for dealing with the occult. I would give challengers a copy of the library's selection policy and give them a complaint form to fill out.


Why I chose this book:
I chose this book because it was all the rage at the school I taught at in 2006. I couldn't pry it out of my student's hands. Since then, the mania has only increased, so I had to see what all the fuss was about.

Money Hungry by Sharon Flake
Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children, New York: 2001
ISBN: 1423103866

Plot Summary:
Thirteen-year-old Raspberry Hill is out to make as much money as she can, whether by selling food or pencils at school, cleaning old people's houses, or washing cars, she is not too proud for anything. And she doesn't spend a dime of it. She has hundreds hidden in cans around her bedroom in the projects. Fear of winding up back on the street with her mother is what drives Raspberry to hunger for money.
Raspberry's friend Ja'nae lives with her grandparents and is trying to get back together with her estranged mother. One day Ja'nae steals two hundred dollars from her grandfather to send to her mother and writes about it in her diary. Her grandfather reads her diary and mistakenly thinks Raspberry is the one who stole his money, and promptly calls Raspberry's mother. In a fit of rage, her mother throws all of Rasperry's money out the window, effectively advertising all they have. When neighborhood thugs rob them the next day, the Hills are back on the street. Things start to look up when Raspberry and her mother learn they can let others help them after they've spent so long depending on themselves alone.

Critical Evaluation:
Raspberry Hill is a very unique character. I admire her determination and "entrepreneurial spirit" as her principal would say. It's a hard look at what life is like for those teetering on the edge of poverty- how one set-back could mean life back on the streets. However, I'm a little torn about the outcome of this novel. Raspberry is so determined, and her mother works two jobs and goes to school, but in the end, it is two men who come to their rescue. One is a doctor who her mother is dating that allows them to sleep at his house when they first become homeless. The other is a character named "Odd Job" who lets them move into a place he owns. Wouldn't it have been more of a triumph, and even more believable if these two hard working females came to their own rescue?

Reader’s Annotation:
Raspberry Hill knows how to make money, but she soon finds out that it causes just as many problems as it solves.

Information about the Author:
Sharon Flake is the author of many books about African-American teenage girls. She won the Coretta Scott King Honor Book for Money Hungry. She is a former youth counselor.

Genre:
Realistic Fiction

Curriculum ties: 8th grade English

Booktalking Ideas:
I would focus on Raspberry's relationship with her mother and why Raspberry is so obsessed with money. We could also discuss our own relationships with our parents and how they misunderstand us, then back to the complicated relationships that Raspberry's friends have with their parents.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
The reading level would be perhaps seventh or eighth grade, however, I would also recommend the book to more mature readers with a lower reading level, perhaps up to age sixteen.

Challenge Issues:
This book might be challenged for its mild depiction of street life. I would give the challenger a copy of the collection criteria and let him submit a challenge form.

Why I chose this book:
I knew this book was an award winner and since I most likely will be working with racially diverse patrons, I would love to be able to recommend a wide array of books from every type of experience.

Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr
Little, Brown and Company, New York: 2007
ISBN: 0316014540

Plot Summary:
Story of a Girl is narrated by 16-year-old Deanna Lambert. When she was 13, her father caught her having sex with a 17 year old in the backseat of a car. Tommy, the boy she was caught with, told the whole school about what happened, as if it were a joke. Three years later, the incident still affects every aspect of her life- her relationships with her parents, her peers, and herself. The novel starts on the last day of school of Deanna's sophmore year, when she promptly starts looking for a job, and actually lands one at a pizza place that day. The problem is, when she reports to work at the pizza parlor, she finds out that her co-worker is none other than Tommy. She wants to run, but decides she needs the money more in order to escape her life at home, where her father still won't even look her in the eye, and her brother and his teenage girlfriend live in the basement with their newborn daughter.

Deanna has two best friends, Jason and Lee. She has known Jason since they were young, and harbors a secret crush on him. Lee is a recent transplant to Pacifica, who couldn't care less about Deanna's past, and is now dating Jason. Things get complicated when Lee goes away on a family camping trip and Deanna throws herself at Jason, feeling like it's her last chance. In the end, Deanna confronts her father, which gives her the confidence to forgive Tommy. Lee forgives Deanna, and even though there's more work to be done, it looks as if Deanna is going to make it.

Critical Evaluation:
This book was impossible to put down. Deanna is a character that will stay with readers for a long time. I felt her pain so acutely everytime her father avoided her, or a classmate made a nasty comment about her past--something she is still dealing with three years after the incident. I just wanted to hug her and tell her everything would change once she got out of her small town. But she's not in complete despair. She just can't figure out why everyone else can't get over it.

The writing is strong and the dialog is very realistic. One of my favorite scenes was when Deanna decides to stop taking her father's slights about her reputation and confronts him. Deanna had gotten home late from work the previous night, and she had gotten a ride from her boss. The family is in the kitchen eating breakfast:
"How did you get home?" [asks her father]
"My boss gave me a ride."
"And your boss's name is...?"
"Michael."
"And how old is this Michael?"
"Old," I said. "Forty-six."
Dad's jaw started working and he put down his mug. "And why is he giving you rides?"
"Because he's nice," I said. I sipped my root beer and stared Dad down. "Plus I fucked him."
"If you think that's funny..."
"I don't think it's funny," I said. "I think it sucks. I think it sucks that you think I would actually sleep with my forty-six year-old boss. It sucks that's what you think!" (pp. 156-57).

Wow! This is not typical, cowering Deanna behavior. I was laughing, cheering, and heartbroken all at once.

Reader’s Annotation:
Deanna is only sixteen, yet she is already haunted by her past. She must learn some serious lessons about forgiveness before she moves on with her life.

Information about the Author:
This is Sara Zarr's first book. She actually went to high school in the town that the novel is set in, Pacifica, California. The book is a National Book Award finalist.

Genre: Realistic fiction

Curriculum ties: none

Booktalking Ideas:
I'd talk about how one mistake we make can affect us for a very long time. I'd ask listeners to think about something in their lives they wish they could change. Then I'd talk about what Deanna's mistake was and how it still affects who she is today.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
This book is best suited for readers fifteen and up. Even though Deanna was having sex at thirteen, I think some of the concepts and situations would be difficult for younger teens to grasp.

Challenge Issues:
Of course this book would be challenged for it's portrayal of teen sexuality, though it is not graphic at all. There is also some profanity, though it's not gratuitous. I'd love to point out the themes of forgiveness and hope to someone who might want to challenge this book. I'd have to explain the library's collection guidelines and have them fill out a complaint card.

Why I chose this book:
I had never heard of this book before I found it while browsing the young adult area of my local library. I hate wasting my time on bad books, so when I saw the "National Book Award Finalist" sticker on the cover, and read all the rave reviews, I assumed I could take a chance on this one, and I'm glad that I did.

Who am I Without Him? by Sharon Flake
Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children, New York: 2004
ISBN: 078680693-1

Plot Summary:
This is a book of short stories "about girls and the boys in their lives." Most of the stories are narrated by African-American teenaged girls, with the exception of "Jacob's Rules," which is told from the point of view of a teenaged boy forced to interact with girls in a life-skills class, and "A Letter to my Daughter," which is narrated by an absentee father writing to his teenaged daughter.
In the story "I Know a Stupid Boy When I See One," a pregnant teenager hatches a plan to sell her baby, moves into a boarding house where she sets her sights on a dim-witted neighbor. She manipulates him into giving her gifts and money and leads him to believe that he has purchased her baby. When she finally has it and refuses to give it to Willie, he strangles her to death.
In "Mookie in Love," the narrator goes against her family's plot to break up her cousin Mookie and his new love Shanna because she knows what they're doing isn't right. It takes some time and a lot of courage, but she learns a lot about herself in the process.

Critical Evaluation:
This book of stories is a mixed-bag. Some are extremely entertaining, such as "So I Ain't No Good Girl," where a girl decides she has to put up with her boyfriend's abuse in order to keep him, because after all, she isn't very good looking and probably doesn't deserve him anyway. Or "The Ugly One," in which a girl with boils all over her face is forced to confront another group of tormenters, and then escapes to an inner world with her imaginary boyfriend Ramon.

Many of the stories are blatantly didactic. In "Wanted: A Thug," an advice columnists warns a reader to keep away from thugs. In "A Letter to my Daughter," a father warns her about the boys he sees eyeing her on the street and gives her a list of what she should be looking for in a man. "Jacob's Rules," is yet another story that tries to show girls what boys really think about them, and why relationships go bad. However, I doubt that many teens would be put-off by the lessons Flake is trying to teach. Rather, I think they would eat these stories up. They're juicy and satisfying. Flake seems like an older sister willing to let you in on her experiences in order for you to learn from her mistakes.

Reader’s Annotation:
These girls might not need boys, but they sure do make life interesting.

Information about the Author:
Sharon Flake is a former youth counselor and mother. She is also the recipient of the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe award for The Skin I'm In.

Genre:
Short story/realistic fiction

Curriculum ties: When I taught 9th grade English, we incorporated health education into some of our lesson plans. We used stories from this book to teach about healthy and unhealthy relationships.

Booktalking Ideas:
I would read aloud one of my favorite stories from the book "So I Ain't No Good Girl" to pique the interest of the teens, then discuss the ending and why the narrator chose to ignore Raheem cheating on her. I might read off a few of the other titles because they are very intriguing, such as "I Know a Stupid Boy When I See One," and "Don't be Disrespecting Me."

Reading Level/Interest Age:
I would recommend this book for ages 14 through 17.

Challenge Issues:
Someone might challenge this book for its themes of young love and relationships. There is one pregnant teenager, but nothing is graphic, even the language is mild. I would have to point out the lessons that this book teaches as the reason to have it in the collection, and have the user fill out a challenge card.

Why I chose this book:
A fellow teacher gave me this book and said the stories made great read alouds, which they definitely did. I would read a story from it once in awhile during my advisory period, and it would create great discussions. I would not hesitate to recommend it to other teens.

The Skin I'm In by Sharon Flake
Jump at the Sun: Hyperion Books for Children, New York: 1998
ISBN: 078682392-5

Plot Summary:
Maleeka Madison has been teased almost all her life for having dark skin. Then she gets a new English teacher, Ms. Saunders, who has a large discolored scar across her face. Ms. Saunders feels a kinship with Maleeka right away, though Maleeka is reluctant to admit they have anything in common. The book follows Maleeka as she deals with the challenges of trying to fit in and be cool, and trying to be her own person. She takes two steps forward, then always one back, but Ms. Saunders refuses to give up on her, even after Maleeka is caught setting her classroom on fire. In the end, with the support of Ms. Saunders, Maleeka finally stands up for herself against her two antagonizers, Char and John-John and learns to love the skin she is in.

Critical Evaluation:
This book rang true on so many levels. Not only have I witnessed African American youths making fun of their darker-skinned peers, but beyond the surface conflict, I think almost every adolescent can relate to the themes of peer pressure and finding a unique identity in this novel. Maleeka is a fully-realized, extremely complex character who I think most adolescents can relate to. One minute she's ditching class to smoke in the girls restroom, the next she is doing extra credit homework just for fun. She tries to be good but finds it hard to resist the pressure from her popular, bad-girl "friends."

On a literary level, this book is simply written in the dialect of the inner-city, though it's not overwhelming or forced. There are certain motifs that run through the novel which elevate the writing. Skin is the most obvious one, but there's also the idea of the slave. Maleeka keeps a diary as "Akeelma" the slave girl. She is literally a slave, but then we see that so is Maleeka in some respects. She can't stand up to her tormenter, Char, and does whatever Char tells her to do. Then Char calls her a slave for going to class and doing her homework. It's an effective parallel to draw, and one that Maleeka slowly sees and finally breaks free of her figurative chains.

Reader’s Annotation:
Maleeka's dark skin sets her apart, until she meets Ms. Saunders, someone with skin worse than hers. Through struggles and triumphs, the bond they eventually form helps Maleeka see her own beauty and place in the world.

Information about the Author:
This was Sharon Flake's first novel which won the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent. She is a public relations director at the University of Pittsburgh, and a former youth counselor.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Curriculum ties: 8th grade English

Booktalking Ideas:
I would ask students to think of something that they have been teased about or have teased others about, and I would share something I was teased about. We could also talk about times we have felt like outsiders or felt pressured to do something or act a certain way in order to fit in. That would lead to my discussion about Maleeka.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
I think this book is suitable for ages 13-16. I feel like it is an especially good choice for older students who are at a lower reading level. The writing is simple, but the concepts are mature.

Challenge Issues:
It's possible that this book would be challenged for some scenes of violence. Maleeka is acosted by two older boys who decide at the last minute not to rape her. Then later Maleeka beats a group of boys off one of her classmates. If someone were to challenge this book, I would explain to her the literary quality of the book and also provide her with a copy of our library's collection guide and a complaint form.

Why I chose this book:
I actually chose this book for two reasons. The first is that I had read Flake's book of short stories Who am I Without Him? and loved it, and secondly, a student of mine recommended it to me. I was an English teacher, and he said I reminded him of Ms. Saunders, which after reading it, I took as a huge compliment.