The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Little, Brown and Company, Boston: 1951
ISBN: 0-316-76948-7

Plot Summary:
There is not much plot to this novel--it's more about what Holden Caulfield, the 17-year-old narrator, thinks than what he does. His story starts after he has learned he has been kicked out of Pencey, the prep school he attends. This is just another school is a long list of schools he has been kicked out of. He has failed all of his classes except English, and has no plans for doing anything about it. He gets in a fight with his roommate, Stradlater, and ends up going back to New York city three days before he is expected home for Christmas break.

He spends most of his time wandering around the city, going to bars, meeting old friends and girl friends. He makes a lot of plans, but never follows through on anything, such as calling his old friend Jane Gallagher or hitch-hiking out West. He sneaks into his parents apartment to see his younger sister Phoebe, who is about the only person he can tolerate, and she calls him out on all of issues. He runs away from her and ends up at a former teacher's house, who ends up trying some funny business on Holden while he's asleep. This sends him to Grand Central station, and eventually he makes up with Phoebe and returns home.

Critical Evaluation:
This has to be one of the most simultaneously hilarious and heartbreaking stories of all time. Holden pretty much hates everything (though he would disagree with that statement), phony-ness being on the top of his list. Though that doesn't sound funny, it's just very amusing the situations Holden finds himself in and his take on everything. I think most of us have gone through such a period of angst, maybe not as extreme as Holden's, but we can understand where he's coming from. After about a third of the way through the book, I started agreeing with him more and more vigorously, thinking that the world really was just full of phonies. We all know his quest for something real is not going to end well. Towards the middle of the book, Holden explains why he loves the history museum so much-- it's because things never change there. He's always going to know where the Eskimos and Native Americans and mummies are. What is so heartbreaking at the end is when he finally goes back to see the mummies and feels such a sense of peace, and then looks over to see someone had written "fuck you" on the wall. When he goes to the bathroom and passes out after that, we're given another clue that maybe something more than just teen angst is wrong with Holden. He's told us over and over again that he's depressed, but perhaps there is something physically wrong with him as well. Of course, he rarely eats or sleeps, and smokes like a chimney, so it might just be fatigue.

Holden's relationship with Phoebe is very special, and it seems as though he likes children because they haven't had time to become phonies yet. When Phoebe forces him to tell her one thing that he would actually want to be, he says he wants to just hang out in a field of rye, catching children that are in danger of falling off a cliff. When he wakes up to find his former teacher patting him on the head, Holden says that he's had to deal with perverts like that at least twenty times in the past. Of course, he exaggerates like that to comic effect throughout the novel, but it also might point to some serious underlying psychological issues, and why he feels the need to protect children. He's a very complex character, and we are left wanting to know much much more about him.

Reader’s Annotation:
Holden Caulfield is on a seemingly impossible quest--to find something real in a world full of phonies. He just might kill himself first.

Information about the Author:
J.D. Salinger was born and raised in Manhattan. He is a notorious recluse who has not published anything since 1965, but he recently made headlines when he filed a lawsuit against another author for using one of his characters from The Catcher in the Rye. He has published many short stories, and the novella Franny and Zooey.

Genre: realistic fiction

Curriculum Ties: none

Booktalking Ideas:
I would introduce Holden Caulfield and the situation he finds himself in--being kicked out of yet another school and afraid to go back home. Then I might read a few characteristically funny and sad passages, perhaps his fight with his roommate Stradlater, his conversation with a classmate's mother on the way to New York, or his date with Sally Hayes.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
This book would be appropriate for ages 16 and up. I'm not sure if younger teens would understand the alienation and impotence that Holden feels.

Challenge Issues:
This book would most certainly be challenged for its language and some of the situations Holden finds himself in, such as inadvertently hiring a prostitute, and under aged drinking and smoking. I would explain the library's selection policy and give the challenger a complaint form to fill out.

Why I chose this book:
It would be a crime to have a blog about materials for young adults and not include The Catcher in the Rye. I read this in high school and loved it, and I think I got even more out of it this time around. Most teens will be able to relate to Holden's angst and indecision on one level or another.

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
Tom Doherty Associates, LLC, New York: 2008
ISBN: 0-7653-1985-3

Plot Summary:
Seventeen-year-old Marcus Yallow is a former LARP-er who is now heavily into computer hacking in a world where his every move is under surveillance. He and his best friends Darryl, Vanessa, and Jolu play an ARG (alternate reality game) called Harajuku Fun Madness that requires they perform tasks around the city of San Francisco. One day a new tasks arrives while they are in class. Marcus convinces Darryl to ditch school with him, and they meet up with Vanessa and Jolu. They begin to search for a wifi connection when there is a loud explosion, which we learn was a terrible terrorist attack on the bay bridge. The group heads to the BART station, where Darryl is stabbed in the crowd. They go back above ground and are arrested by the Department of Homeland Security.

The group is taken in for questioning at what is later revealed to be Treasure Island, and abandoned military prison. After six days, Marcus has revealed all his passwords to his phone and e-mail accounts and is finally set free. Vanessa and Jolu are released, but Darryl is no where to be found. They do not tell their parents where they have been because they have been warned not to by the DHS. Marcus vows to get revenge on them, and after finding out his laptop has been bugged, he hacks into his Xbox and creates a completely encrypted "Xnet" that uses Wifi connections that the DHS cannot read.

As the Xnet grows in popularity, Marcus, or "M1k3y" becomes a cult figure. The DHS has stepped up surveillance in the city, but Marcus and the rest of the Xnetters cause chaos by switching arphids on Fastrac passes and BART cards, trying to prove that the DHS is not catching any terrorists with their extreme surveillance measures. Eventually Jolu and Vanessa get scared of what Marcus is doing and drop out. Marcus meets Ange, and they become a couple. Finally, Marcus breakdowns and tells his parents that he was really in prison the six days after the terrorist attack, and they take him to an investigative journalist who writes a story about Marcus and the Xnet. This leads to Marcus's capture and he is taken prisoner again. However, Vanessa has provided the journalist with proof of what is going on in the prison, and the governor kicks the DHS out of the city, setting Marcus free, but not before he has been tortured again.

Critical Evaluation:
This was a very exciting book. I'd read it before bed and end up having dreams about what Marcus was going to do next. It's a classic cat-and-mouse story, but with a cyber-terrorism twist that makes it incredibly timely. At times it was pretty didactic--mostly when Marcus is in his social studies class debating the Bill of Rights, or learning about San Francisco's political history, or when he decides to write a paper on Jack Kerouac. However, I can look past the lessons because I think a teen reading this book would be interested in learning these things, just like Marcus was.

I, on the other hand, was fascinated by all the tech talk. I'm not completely illiterate when it comes to computers, but I don't sit around thinking of ways to hack into them either. I enjoyed how Marcus broke down everything he was doing. I felt like I learned a whole lot--though how much of it was based on fact, I'm not sure. It sounded plausible enough though. I feel much smarter about computer security now.

The book was well-written and fast-paced. I think it would be an enjoyable read for many teens who would find much to relate to in the story. It's exciting (and scary) to imagine a teenager could be responsible for bringing down the Department of Homeland Security. It certainly gives the reader much to think about.

Reader’s Annotation:
All Marcus Yallow wanted to do was play some Harajuku Fun Madness. When terrorists decide to blow up the Bay Bridge, he is taken into custody by the Department of Homeland Security. They think they know who they're dealing with, but they have no idea.

Information about the Author:
Cory Doctorow is the co-editor of the blog Boing Boing and a science fiction writer from Canada. His other books include Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, and A Place So Foreign and Eight More. He has won multiple awards, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation Pioneer Award for Little Brother.

Genre: fiction

Curriculum Ties: none

Booktalking Ideas:
I would introduce Marcus and his hacking hobby. How his school is under extreme surveillance and he manages to get around it. Then I would talk about the terrorist attack and how he and his friends are arrested, released, and begin their own cyber war on the Department of Homeland Security.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
This books is appropriate for older teens, ages 16 and up.

Challenge Issues:
This book would be challenged for its questioning of the government, depiction of torture, some sexuality, and the author encouraging hacking (in the afterword). I would explain the library's selection policy and give the challenger a complaint form to fill out.

Why I chose this book:
This book was required reading for class, and I'm glad to have read it. It will certainly be one I recommend to teens.

Feeling Freakish? How to be comfortable in your own skin.
by Veronique le Jeune, Philippe Eliakim, & Melissa Daly
Amulet Books, New York: 2004
ISBN: 0-8109-9164-0

Plot Summary:
This is a non-fiction self-help book for teens that focuses on overcoming physical imperfections and living a more full life. The authors are journalists, one from Seventeen magazine, and they call in the expertise of various psychologists. The book starts off with a collection of short anecdotes from teens (and former teens) about the torment that their physical imperfections have caused them. One is too short, one too fat, one has a weird birthmark, another a large scar on his face, etc., etc. Some are picked on by friends, others by family, and some even by teachers.

The next chapter seeks to explain why we feel the way we do about our bodies. It explains the developing hypothalamus and the disconnect teens often feel between their maturing bodies and immature emotions. And the final chapter gives advice for getting over hang-ups. This includes being patient, accepting yourself, emphasizing your good points, and working on improving yourself.

Critical Evaluation:
This was a very readable book, but I just wanted more of everything they offered. Beyond the real-life anecdotes about personal humiliation, I wanted to hear how the teens they interviewed were overcoming their set-backs and working to improve themselves, not just about the embarrassing incidents they experienced. In chapter two, instead of just explaining why teens feel the way they do, I wanted to get real activities that they could do to stop thinking of themselves so harshly. And in the final chapter, the advice is nothing most teens haven't heard before. I wanted more concrete advice for self-improvement, not just "take a shower every day" or "be patient."

This book will definitely help teens take a step back and look at themselves in a new, less harsh, light. It's a good introduction to the psychology of self-esteem and would help jump-start anyone on a quest for self-improvement. However, teens who are serious about making changes to not only the way they think about themselves, but to their actual physical appearance would be better served by checking out this book in conjunction with others more specific to their needs, such as a book on depression, or weight-lifting or skin care because this one does not delve deep enough into any one topic.

Reader’s Annotation:
Stop worrying about the way you look and live your life! There is a little freak inside all of us, some just hide it better than others.

Information about the Author:
Both of the authors are journalists. Veronique le Jeune works for the French TV network, France 2, and explores issues of concern to young people. Melissa Daly used to write for Seventeen magazine and is now an editor at Fitness. Her degree is in psychology.

Genre: non-fiction, self-help

Curriculum Ties: life skills/health

Booktalking Ideas:
I might read a few of the embarrassing anecdotes, such as the boy who asked a girl out at a party and was rejected, then he overheard her laughing about his fat rolls with her friends. Then I might read some of the stories about what is considered beautiful in other countries. Finally, I would talk about some of the psychological issues the authors explore and the advice they share.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
This would be a good book for ages 13 and up.

Challenge Issues:
Nothing is too graphic in this book. It might be challenged for some of its bluntness--the authors don't sugar-coat everything by saying everyone will turn into beautiful creatures eventually. They tell it like it is. Some people are beautiful, some just aren't. I would explain the library's selection policy and give the challenger a complaint form to fill out.

Why I chose this book:
Having taught awkward 8th and 9th graders, and been one myself, I'm always on the look-out for great self-help books to recommend to those who might not have positive role models in their lives to tell them they will get through this difficult time. This would book would be a good start.

The Snows by Sharelle Byars Moranville
Henry Holt and Company, New York: 2007
ISBN: 0-8050-7469-4

Plot Summary:
The Snows is told from the point of view of four different family members, all when they are 16 years old. Unlike other stories told from multiple perspectives, The Snows continues chronologically, rather than describing the same events four times over. It begins with Jim Snow in 1931. He lives in a small town in Iowa and his father has sold his barber shop and takes the family on a road trip out West in the hopes of opening a grocery store in Colorado. This story is sort of in the spirit of The Grapes of Wrath, in that they encounter a lot of hardships on the road during the Great Depression. However, unlike the Joads, they end up turning around and going back to Iowa, where Jim ends up marrying Julia, the girl he thought he was leaving behind for good.

The next section is narrated by Cathy, Jim Snow's younger sister. It is 1942 and men are being drafted to fight in the war. Cathy ends up falling for Julia's brother, and they make love right before he ships off for training. Of course, she gets pregnant and he dies in a Jeep accident. She is shipped off to a home for unwed mothers, however, instead of giving her child up for adoption, Julia and Jim end up keeping her daughter and raising it as their own.

Jill is the daughter of Jim Snow, and his second wife Alice, Julia had passed away from cancer. It is 1969 and Jill is a peace protester and smokes a lot of pot. He father ships her off to live with her older sister, who teaches at Kent State. Of course, Jill gets caught up in the shootings at the protest and her father comes back to get her.

The final section is narrated by Mona, Jill's daughter who is 16 in 2006. Jill is a famous reporter, and Mona feels like she's in her shadow. They have to return to Iowa to attend Cathy's funeral, and it turns out that after she had her baby, she went on to live a wonderful, prosperous life. Mona starts to appreciate her family more.

Critical Evaluation:
This was a very enjoyable book. I liked having to put together the pieces of the family story as it continued its trajectory into the future. It really made me want to learn more about my ancestors and reminded me that the people who I've only known as senior citizens were once young and probably did crazy things as well. Moranville's used major events in U.S. history not only as a backdrop, but something her characters participated in. All the events she chose: the Great Depression, WWII, Vietnam and Kent State would be ones that older teens would recognize (hopefully) and use to make sense of the characters' situations. The fact that all the characters were narrating their sections at the age of 16 brings a sense of importance to that age and would really make a teenager appreciate what teens of different eras experienced.

Reader’s Annotation:
Being 16 is hard no matter what generation you're from. The Snows all get through it with the support of their family.

Information about the Author:
Sharelle Byars Moranville teaches creative writing to children and adults in Des Moines, Iowa. She was a student at Kent State during the 1970 shootings, which she wrote about in The Snows.

Genre: historical fiction

Curriculum Ties: American history

Booktalking Ideas:
I would introduce the four characters and the different time periods they are 16 years old in. I would say they are all Snows, but would probably keep secret exactly how they are all related so the audience will have to read to find out.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
The reading level is not very difficult, but older students would appreciate the story more since they would be aware of the different times in history. Ages 16 and up.

Challenge Issues:
This book might be challenged because one character is an unwed mother and another smokes pot. I would explain the library's selection policy and give the challenger a complaint form to fill out.

Why I chose this book:
I was a fan of A Higher Geometry by Moranville, and thought the concept of this book sounded interesting. I think older teens would really enjoy this book and its unique structure.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Random House, Inc., New York: 1995
(first published in 1813)
ISBN: 0-679-60168-6

Plot Summary:
The five Bennet sisters: Elizabeth, Jane, Lydia, Mary, and Kitty are all unmarried and most of their father's estate is willed away to a male heir, Mr. Collins. Therefore it is the ultimate goal of their mother to get the girls married off to rich men. When Mr. Bingley decides to rent a house in the neighborhood, it is clear that Mrs. Bennet intends for one of her daughters to catch his eye. It turns out that Mr. Bingley does indeed fall for Jane. However, his close friend Mr. Darcy is not so sure of the match, and is very weary of the uncouth "country" manners of the Bennet family.

Mr. Darcy as it turns out is very handsome and even more rich than Mr. Bingley. He slights Elizabeth by not asking her to dance, and this leaves her forever after prejudiced against him. Although it is clear that Jane and Mr. Bingley are falling in love, Mr. Darcy and Caroline Bingley try to keep the two apart. Soon Mr. Bingley has moved back to London without explanation.

In the meantime, Kitty and Lydia have been flirting with the soldiers and Elizabeth herself has fallen for the smooth-talking Mr. Wickham. When he reveals that he had been raised by the Darcy family, and cut-off from any inheritance once the elder Darcy died, Elizabeth once again is appalled by Mr. Darcy's manners. Through a series of unfortunate events, Lydia runs off with Wickham causing quite a scandal. Later it is revealed that Mr. Darcy was instrumental in arranging for the two to be married, saving the family from what would be an insurmountable social faux pas.

On a visit with her aunt and uncle to his estate, she gets to hear from his maid what a great guy he is. Finally, he delivers a letter declaring his love for her. Although she is slightly offended by some of it, she is stunned by it. When Elizabeth finds out that it was Mr. Darcy who orchestrated the marriage of her sister to Wickham, her feelings towards him change completely. Against the wishes of the great Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who intends Darcy for her daughter, Elizabeth accepts Mr. Darcy's proposal.

Critical Evaluation:
This is my favorite Jane Austen novel. I love reading about the manners of the time and I appreciate how Austen twists the concepts of pride and prejudice back on themselves. Both Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy struggle with their own pride and prejudices, and it is very gratifying to watch as they overcome them to be able to love each other. Of course Mr. Darcy is every girl's dream, but it is great that Elizabeth doesn't let him off the hook very easily. She is a spunky girl with a mind of her own, and she still gets what she deserves in the end. Everything is wrapped up very nicely, but it is rough going for quite awhile. Between the Elizabeth's embarrassing mother, the Bingley's fleeing the neighborhood, Lydia running off with Wickam, and Mr. Collins' proposal, there is enough drama to keep the pages turning at a rapid pace.

Reader’s Annotation:
Elizabeth Bennet is smart, pretty, and talented, but can all of this make up for her lack of money and embarrassing family? Will she ever get married or will she be an old maid forever?

Information about the Author:
Jane Austen was born in 1775 and never finished her formal education, but was very well-read.
She became a well-known writer with the publication of Mansfield Park, Emma, and Persuasion (although she had already written Northanger Abbey, Sense and Sensibility, and Pride and Prejudice). It was reported that she had fallen in love, but never married. She died in 1817.

Genre: fiction, classic

Curriculum Ties: none

Booktalking Ideas:
I would introduce Elizabeth Bennet and her annoying family. Then I would introduce Mr. Darcy and talk about his opinion of the Bennets. Then I would give some examples of the obstacles they must overcome to be together.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
Readers should be a little older in order to get some of the old-fashioned language and customs Austen writes about. Ages 16 and up.

Challenge Issues:
I can't imagine someone challenging this book, but it might possibly be challenged for its depiction of women needing to marry someone (though Elizabeth challenges this notion). I would explain the library's selection policy and give the challenger a complaint form to fill out.

Why I chose this book:
I first read this when I was 17 years old and it has been one of my favorites ever since. I think it's a great introduction to Austen and English books about manners.

Only by the Night by Kings of Leon
RCA Records, New York: 2008
ISBN: 8697-32712-2

CD Summary:
Only by the Night is the Kings of Leon's fourth album. The music is strictly rock n' roll with a Southern twang. There are also some haunting ballads, such as "Closer" and "Revelry." The first single off the album "Sex on Fire" is fast and fun, and the sultry follow-up, "Use Somebody" is getting even more air-play. There are only 11 songs on the album, but none are throw-away fillers like longer albums usually include. Each rock anthem could be a single itself.

Critical Evaluation:
This is probably the most polished Kings of Leon album. It is obvious a lot of attention was paid to creating catchy melodies, and because of this (not necessarily for the lyrics) all of the songs are memorable. The lead singer, Caleb Followill, has a sexy, gritty, yearning voice with a Southern twang that I could listen to sing the dictionary and be entertained. The songs are lush and complex, but not difficult to appreciate. Overall it is just a fun rock album with a few great down-tempo songs as well.

Reader’s Annotation:
Experience some Southern rock that sounds like nothing else on the radio today. The Kings of Leon will leaving you wanting more.

Information about the Author:
The Kings of Leon are made up of three brothers and one cousin from Tennessee. The brothers spent their youth traveling across America with their evangelist father. In 1997, they relocated to Nashville and got into the rock scene and formed a band with their cousin.

Genre: rock music

Curriculum Ties: none

CD-talking Ideas:
I would play a couple of the exemplary songs from this album, such as "Sex on Fire" and "Crawl."

Interest Age:
I think teens as young as 15 would appreciate this album.

Challenge Issues:
Although the lyrics reference sex, nothing is very graphic, and the context is usually very ambiguous. Nevertheless, I'm sure it would be challenged for this. So I would explain the library's selection policy and give the challenger a complaint form to fill out.

Why I chose this CD:
This album has been topping the charts since it came out late last year and I really have enjoyed it. It's a great alternative for teens who are turned off by pop music.

Stiff: The Curious Life of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
W.W. Norton & Company, New York: 2003
ISBN: 0-393-05093-9

Plot Summary:
Stiff is a non-fiction book of essays about what happens to humans after they die. More specifically, what happens to their bodies or what is done to them. There are a multitude of ways corpses are put to use and Mary Roach explores many of them with tact and humor. She starts with an essay about plastic surgeons learning face-lift techniques on heads which have been severed from their bodies. Then we learn about the long tradition of anatomy students trying to procure their practice subjects by grave-robbing.

One of the most fascinating chapters is on the decomposition process and how the University of Tennessee studies bodies in different stages of the process in order to further pin down the exact time of death for murder victims. We get to read about how crash test dummies are constructed and how it is determined how they should be constructed. There are a couple of amazing chapters on crucifixion experiments and the human head transplant. Finally, there is a chapter on a company called Promessa that is working on a way to dehydrate and compost a body so it can be used as fertilizer for plants, which seems like a wonderful alternative to cremation.

Critical Evaluation:
Never have I been so disgusted and laughed so hard at a book in all my life. This was by far the most entertaining non-fiction book I've ever read, and it was about cadavers! Roach sets the tone of the whole book with the first few lines of the introduction: "The way I see it, being dead is not terribly far off from being on a cruise ship. Most of your time is spent lying on your back. The brain has shut down. The flesh begins to soften. Nothing much new happens, and nothing is expected of you." Her quirky sense of humor had me reading things that normally I would have avoided, since I'm easily made queasy.

Beyond the humor, I learned more than I could have ever imagined about what happens to bodies after they die. I now know that corpses can fart, that no embalmer can really stop a body from decomposing, and that people really have no say in how their bodies are used after being willed to "science." For all they know, they will be teaching plastic surgeons how to perform nose jobs, or be implanted with experimental bullets that don't corrode. I also had no idea how modern surgery came to be and am incredibly thankful not to be living during medieval times. I would recommend this book to everyone but those very faint of heart. Older teens would probably get the most out of Roach's humor though.

Reader’s Annotation:
You might think you know about life after death, but what actually happens to your body? Mary Roach tackles the fascinating ways human cadavers have helped the living through the ages.

Information about the Author:
Mary Roach is a science writer from San Francisco. She has written for National Geographic, Salon.com, and Wired. Her other books are Spook: Science tackles the afterlife, and Bonk: The curious coupling of science and sex.

Genre: non-fiction

Curriculum Ties: none

Booktalking Ideas:
I would read the introduction to this book to give the audience a flavor of Roach's humor, then give a brief overview of the various topics she takes on in the different essays.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
This book would be appropriate for older teens, ages 17 and up.

Challenge Issues:
Roach herself says that some may take issue of her speaking about the dead in a flippant manner, although she explains that she is only talking about the state of being a cadaver, not the act of dying and the pain associated with it. And of course, the book is extremely graphic in describing the many tortures that cadavers are put through. I would explain the library's selection policy and give the challenger a complaint form to fill out.

Why I chose this book:
I read this book back when it first came out in 2003 and love it. Then recently I read an article in which a librarian said that in order to reach reluctant readers, books should be disgusting, gross, controversial, etc. and immediately this book popped into my mind. It's a great example of how entertaining non-fiction can be.

The Walking Dead, Volume 1: Days Gone Bye by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore
Image Comics, Berkeley, CA, 2005
ISBN: 1-58240-358-9

Plot Summary:
Police officer Rick Grimes has just woken up from a month long coma to find that everyone in the hospital is gone--except for the zombies locked in the cafeteria. He leaves the hospital and heads towards home, where he meets a father and son camped out at a neighbor's house. They tell him that they have no idea what is going on, but the government advised everyone to head towards the cities in order to be more easy to guard. So Rick sets off for the closest city, Atlanta, where he assumes his wife and son headed.

He meets more zombies on the way, but the landscape is mostly desolate. Upon entering Atlanta, Rick is attacked by a large group of zombies, but is saved by a young man who has been scavenging for food. He takes Rick back to his camp outside the city, and here Rick is reunited with his wife Lori, and son Carl. The people in the camp are doing well, but have no idea what is happening in the world. They practice shooting, and Rick even arms his seven-year-old son.

There is tension between Rick and his old partner, Shane who had rescued Lori and Carl. Rick wants to move the camp, but Shane wants to stay where they are in case the government comes to rescue them. In the final scene, they begin to argue about this again and Shane points his gun at Rick, then a shot is fired, and Carl has killed Shane, trying to protect his father.

Critical Evaluation:
This was an exciting graphic novel. Even though I could see the zombies coming, they always made me jump a little. Rick isn't the most interesting character, but he is definitely in an interesting situation, which almost makes up for it. In the introduction, the author describes his plan for this series as being an "epic," so it was clear he had no plans on killing off Rick. However, the tension between Rick, Shane, Lori, and the rest of the campers was interesting.

The artwork is very moody and detailed and the expressions on faces are incredibly nuanced. It is easy to interpret what a person is thinking or feeling just by looking at them. Words are unnecessary in many of the frames, which is exactly how a graphic novel should be. I was left wanting to continue reading the series.

Reader’s Annotation:
Rick Grimes has just awoken from a coma to find his city overrun by zombies. He must find his wife and child before it is too late.

Information about the Author:
Robert Kirkman has been publishing comics since 2000. His first was the series Battle Pope, also illustrated by Tony Moore. He also writes for Marvel comics and has written for Captain America, The Fantastic Four, and Ultimate X-Men.

Genre: graphic novel, horror

Curriculum Ties: none

Booktalking Ideas:
I would introduce Rick Grimes and the zombie situation. I would explain how the government wanted everyone in big cities, which backfired, and now the group of campers are some of the only known survivors. Then I would talk about how they are all armed and the danger this introduces in the camp.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
This would probably interest young readers, but I would recommend it for ages 15 and up.

Challenge Issues:
This book would be challenged for its violence and graphic, blood spattered pages. I would explain the library's selection policy and give the challenger a complaint form to fill out.

Why I chose this book:
This book was recommended to me by my fiance who has read the entire series and eagerly awaits the next installment. The literary quality would lead me to recommend it to young adults as well.

An American Plague by Jim Murphy
Clarion Books, New York: 2003
ISBN: 0-395-77608-2

Plot Summary:
This is a non-fiction telling of the yellow fever scare that occurred in Philadelphia in the fall of 1793. The fever took hold quickly, and while some doctors debated whether it even was the fever, tens of people started dying from it daily. At first it was thought to be caused by the stench of spoiled coffee in the harbor and the stench from sewers, then it was blamed on refugees from Santo Domingo. Many of the rich with summer houses fled the city including George and Martha Washington, while the poor were left to suffer.

The Mayor Matthew Clarkson, at the time was merely a symbolic figurehead, but with the city council all fleeing, he took control of the government and started to act. Benjamin Rush was another prominent figure during the fever outbreak. He was probably the most well-known doctor in the country, and his "cure" involved bleeding patients, and inducing purging with mercury. Most of his colleagues did not agree with this cure, but he claimed to have saved hundreds with it.

Another group that played a big role in nursing the sick was the Free African Society, which provided hundreds of black nurses who worked tirelessly in the face of the overwhelming plague. The city soon ran out of coffins and space in the cemeteries. At the peak of the scare, over 100 people were dying a day. Only when the weather started to turn cold did the deaths start to slow down, although there were similar scares in the summers for years afterward.

Critical Evaluation:
I read this non-fiction history book as though it were a novel. It was just as exciting as any fiction book could be. Culled from multiple primary sources, it really brought to life what was happening at the time, including the political battles and scientific struggles. George Washington was helpless to do anything once he left the city, as was congress and the city council. Benjamin Rush struggled to find a cure, even as he came down with the fever twice. And the contribution of the Free African Society was so commendable, even as they were being denied basic civil right, blacks were helping their white neighbors. Theirs was a story I had never heard before. I think more history books should be like this one.

Reader’s Annotation:
Yellow fever has hit Philadelphia! What caused it and what will cure it? Thousands will die before they find out.

Information about the Author:
Jim Murphy has written more than twenty-five books for young adults, including The Real Benedict Arnold, and The Great Fire. He has won two Newberry Honor Book Awards, and countless others.

Genre: non-fiction

Curriculum Ties: American history

Booktalking Ideas:
I would talk about the sailor dying in the boarding house, and the others on the street soon following, then the explosion of deaths after that. I would talk about the stench and sanitary conditions of the streets and what people were told to do to ward off the fever and how none of it worked. I would talk about the fight between the doctors about how to cure it, and how there still is not a cure. Then I would talk about the contributions of people from the Free African Society.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
This book would be appropriate for ages 14 and up.

Challenge Issues:
This book might be challenged for its graphic description of the yellow fever, such as the black vomit and bloody tongues. I would explain the library's selection policy and have the challenger fill out a complaint form.

Why I chose this book:
This book was recommended by the group that gave their genre presentation on non-fiction books.

xxxHolic by Clamp
Random House Publishing Company, New York, 2004
ISBN: 0-345-47058-3

Plot Summary:
One day the foul-tempered Watanuki Kimihiro is walking down the street when he is dragged by invisible forces into the shop of the witch Yuko. She says she can stop him from seeing the spirits that he sees all the time, but he must repay her by working for him. He doesn't exactly agree to this, but nevertheless finds himself working for her. Over the course of his employment, Yuko tries to help a young woman get over her bad habit of lying, but refuses to intervene when the woman won't admit she has a problem. She also solves a woman's internet addiction by slicing her computer in half with a baseball bat. At the end of the novel, two children come to Yuko asking for her help...

Critical Evaluation:
xxxHolic was a quick read, but not very entertaining. There is not much back story for any of the characters, even though this was the first of the series. I felt like I knew very little about anyone, and didn't care for what I did know. Watanuki's facial expressions are way out of whack with what he is actually saying. Most of the novel he looks violently angry, when really what he's saying, or the situation he is in would only make most of us minorly annoyed. Perhaps something was lost in translation from the Japanese? Yuko, the seductive witch, is mildly entertaining and wise, but not enough to keep me wanting to read the rest of the series.

Reader’s Annotation:
Yuko is ready to grant your wish, but remember, she does expect fair payment in return.

Information about the Authors:
Clamp is a group of four female artists: Ageha Ohkawa, Mokona, Satsuki Igarashi, and Tsubaki Nekoi. They started out writing fan comics and their talent won them the attention of major manga publishers. Clamp publishes three series in Japan: Tsubasa, xxxHolic, and Gohou Drug.

Genre: graphic novel/manga

Curriculum Ties: none

Booktalking Ideas:
I would talk about Watanuki and his ability to see spirits, and why he ends up in Yuko's shop, wishing that he couldn't. Then I would talk about Yuko and her unconventional ways of going about ridding people of their bad habits.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
This novel is rated T for ages 13 and up, and I would agree with that rating.

Challenge Issues:
Though the story line is tame, a few of the pictures are somewhat risque. Yuko the witch is often lifting her leg really high and it is obvious she is not wearing underwear. I would explain the library's selection policy and give the challenger a complaint form to fill out.

Why I chose this book:
This book was featured in the Genre Presentation on manga and I thought the art work looked incredible.

Angst! Teen Verses from the Edge edited by Karen Tom and Kiki
Workman Publishing, New York, 2001
ISBN: 0-7611-2383-0

Plot Summary:
This is a compiled book of poetry written by teen aged girls. The poems were submitted to the website PlanetKiki.com, a website devoted to girl empowerment. The poems are divided into chapters entitled "Society's Ills," "Argh! I Hate You!," "Love and Deep Thoughts," "Crushed," "Why Me?!," and the instructional "Poetry 101" where the authors give tips and encouragement for writing poetry, as well as some definitions of literary devices and techniques.

Critical Evaluation:
As much as the poetry made me groan, it would have been right up my alley as a teenager. In fact, it was probably so difficult to read, because it sounded just like some of the terrible poetry I use to write, which I thought was brilliant at the time. "All by Myself" by Apes could have been written by me when I was 14. Here's the first stanza:
"My friend is gone, she says I'm not what she needs
I am confused and lost, like one floating leaf
Why must I change the person I am inside?
I am a body, in which a lost soul sadly presides..."

The poems are mostly melodramatic, sad, or angry--talking about bad days, fights with friends, and break-ups. In "Erase" by Ashley Burkett for example "I wasted precious moments/spending them with you/You told me so many lies/and nothing you said was true." Or "My Worst Enemy" by Lauren Danek: "I have the urge to hit you/to throw you down the stairs/to punch your teeth down your throat/and pull our all your hairs."

There are a few clever poems that made me smile though, like "Chem 101" by Jessika Dragon, where the speaker tries to get the attention of her chemistry lab partner who only has eyes for his work: "And when he states the formula for density/I want him with a passionate intensity/I've never met a boy who is as smart/but he's got at TI-90 for a heart."

The Poetry 101 chapter at the end is a nice feature that I think teen poets will appreciate and get a lot of use out of.

Reader’s Annotation:
Feeling sad, hurt, angry or in love? You're not alone--check out how teen girls put their feelings down on paper, and how you can as well.

Information about the Author:
The editors are the founders of the website PlanetKiki.com. The poets are teen aged girls from around the United States, Canada, and even one poet from England. Each contributor has a little blurb at the end of the book.

Genre: poetry

Curriculum Ties:
I would have used this book for my eighth grade creative writing elective that I taught. I think the Poetry 101 chapter at the end has some good ideas on how to get started.

Booktalking Ideas:
I would choose a two or three representative poems from the collection to read to pique the audience's interest, such as "Rumors" by Erica Sutherland, "Friend or Foe" by Danielle Marie Vacca, or "Who are you?" by Tatiana "Sunshine" Farrow. Then talk about the Poetry 101 chapter at the end for those interested in writing their own poems.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
This book would be good for teen girls ages 13 and up.

Challenge Issues:
There are some tough topics that these poets take on, such as suicide and drunk driving that might unsettle some people. I would explain the library's selection policy and give the challenger a complaint form to fill out.

Why I chose this book:
This book was featured in one of the Genre Presentations for this class, I believe it was the non-fiction one, and I was excited to read some teen poetry. I think it would be a great resource for some teens I've seen in the library.

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
The Berkley Publishing Group/Ace Books, New York, 2001.
ISBN: 978-0-441-01699-0

Plot Summary:
Sookie Stackhouse is a waitress at Merlotte's, a bar in the small Louisiana town of Bon Temps. She has what she calls a "disability," that is, she can read people's minds. She tries as hard as she can not to, and this leaves her somewhat mentally exhausted, to the point that people think of her as crazy Sookie. One day Bill, a vampire comes into the bar and sits at her table. She is excited about this, and when she goes to serve him, realizes that she can't hear his thoughts.

The vampires in this novel are sort of "coming out of the closet" and living amongst humans or "mainstreaming." The bar Sookie works at even stocks synthetic blood for them, even though there aren't many in her town. Sookie and Bill start dating, to the dismay of some of her friends and co-workers. Sookie loves that she can't hear Bill's thoughts. Soon, however, women start dying. All of these women have slept with vampires. Then Sookie's grandmother is killed, and it is obvious it was supposed to be Sookie. Sookie asks Bill to take her to a vampire bar in Shreveport to investigate and hopefully clear her brother's name, who has slept with all the women who have been killed (except her grandmother). At the bar, Sookie attracts the attention of Eric, an older vampire who wants her for himself.

When Bill goes out of town for a few days, he sends the vampire Bubba to guard Sookie. The murderer ends up giving Bubba a drugged cat. Sookie goes out to investigate and is chased down by Rene, Sookie's friend Arlene's boyfriend. Since Sookie can read his mind, she knows he is the one who committed the murders because he was upset that his sister was dating a vampire, and used it as an excuse to kill others and have sex with their dead bodies. Sookie is able to fight him off, since she is strong from drinking vampire blood, and they both wind up in the hospital after a long struggle. Bill returns to her side, and all seems well, with the exception of Eric the vampire, flying outside her window...

Critical Evaluation:
I was a little weary of another vampire book, but like Dracula and the Twilight series, this was a lot of heart-pounding fun as well. Sookie is easy to love and says the cutest things, it's impossible not to root for her. It's easy to understand why she likes Bill so much after she lets us in on other people's thoughts. I don't think I could handle listening to all of that either.

The book is sexy and fast-paced, with a lot of action. From the first few pages when Sookie confronts the Rattrays in the parking lot all by herself, we know she is a different type of woman. The writing is simple, and is not going to win any awards, but for a quick, fun read, it fills the bill.

Reader’s Annotation:
Crazy Sookie Stackhouse has finally met her match in Bill the vampire, but they have to face much prejudice and other meddling vampires in order to be together.

Information about the Author:
Charlaine Harris is from Southern Arkansas and has written a few different mystery series. The first features a librarian from Georgia, Aurora Teagarden, and then the Lily Bard series set in Shakespeare Arkansas. Finally the Sookie Stackhouse series, where she combines mystery and fantasy.

Genre: mystery/fantasy

Curriculum Ties: none

Booktalking Ideas:
I would introduce Sookie Stackhouse and her "disability." Then I would talk about how the vampires are living amongst the humans and being grudgingly accepted into society. Then I would talk about Bill and how Sookie can't hear his thoughts, and why this is attractive to her. Then I would talk about the murders and the suspicions everyone has.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
This book would be appropriate for older teens, 16 and up.

Challenge Issues:
This book could be challenged for a number of issues including sexuality, violence, and dealing with 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:
This book was recommended to my by a few friends and was also on the list of recommended readings for this class.

Louder Than Bombs by The Smiths
Sire Records, 1984
ISBN: 0-7599-25569-2

CD Summary:
This is a long album--24 songs of melancholy 80's pop/rock music. I haven't listened to it since high school, when my friends and I were obsessed with the Smiths and their lead singer, Morrissey. I picked it up again because it has the song "Asleep" on it that is repeatedly mentioned in the book The Perks of Being a Wallflower, which I really loved. As I listened to "Asleep" again, I see how perfectly it goes with the plot of the book - sad and sweet at the same time. Morrissey also has a soft spot for young hoodlums, as evidenced in the songs "Shoplifters of the World Unite," and "Sweet and Tender Hooligan." And not all of the songs are depressing like people assume about The Smiths. Some are downright upbeat, like "Is it Really so Strange?," "Sheila Take a Bow," and "Ask."

Critical Evaluation:
It is easy to see why The Smiths have a huge following among teens to this day. I still see them wearing t-shirts with the band's album covers pictured on them. The lyrics are literate, cheeky, and most of all, melodramatic. They are filled with extreme angst that we only feel in our teen years. Take for example the lyrics from "Half a Person:"
"Call me morbid, call me pale,
I've spent six years on your trail,
and if you have five seconds to spare,
then I'll tell you the story of my life,
16 clumsy and shy...
that's the story of my life"

Or the extreme yearning in "Please please please let me get what I want" or "Unloveable" I think the titles sum it all up. I can easily picture Charlie from Perks lying on his bedroom floor listening to those songs over and over as well. There is also much sexual ambiguity in the lyrics that make the band a big draw for gay and questioning teens. Morrissey is the voice of every bad, lovelorn teen poet, but you can't help but love him.

Listener's Annotation:
Let your inner teen-poet loose and let The Smiths sing you to sleep.

Information about the Artist:
The Smiths were an English rock band formed in 1982 by singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr in reaction against the synthesizer-pop new-wave bands popular at the time. The band broke up in 1987, but enjoys a cult following to this day.

Genre: pop-rock music

Curriculum Ties: none

CD-talking Ideas:
I would probably play a few representative tracks from the album, such as "Panic," "Sheila Take a Bow," and "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now."

Interest Age:
15 and up.

Challenge Issues:
It's hard to imagine much that this album could be challenged for. It contains a passing reference to Caligula, and people might suspect that Morrissey is gay (though he claims asexuality) and challenge it for that reason. I would explain the library's selection policy and give the challenger a complaint form to fill out.

Why I chose this CD:
I chose this CD because of the song "Asleep" that was featured prominently in the book The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I think it would be a great CD to recommend if teens liked that book.

Buried Onions by Gary Soto
Harper Collins Publishers, New York, 1997
ISBN: 0-06-440771-3

Plot Summary:
Eddie is a 19 year-old community college drop-out living in Fresno, California. He is Mexican-American, and unlike most of the young men in his neighborhood, he has managed to survive without being in a gang or getting into any serious trouble. He is tough though, and knows how to fight when he needs to. For a job, he paints addresses on curbs in good neighborhoods. One day he gets a job doing yard work for Mr. Stiles. Later in the week, Mr. Stiles lets Eddie take a load of trash to the dump using his truck. At the dump, Eddie sees a refrigerator he wants to take for a yard sale, and swings by his house. He's inside for a few minutes, and in that time the truck is stolen.

After this, it is just one thing after another that really tests Eddie's belief in himself. He thinks all the cholos in the neighborhood are after him since he witnessed the stabbing of his good friend Jesus. He lives in constant fear of his supposed friend, Angel, who he comes to believe murdered Jesus. His friend Jose takes leave from the marines and is stabbed trying to get Mr. Stiles' truck back. Finally, after a big fight with Angel, Eddie decides he has to get out of Fresno. He's not sure how he feels about the military, but sees it as his only way out, so he signs up with the Navy.

Critical Evaluation:
This was a very touching story. It's obvious Soto is a poet, and his prose is quite beautiful as well. Even a story about inner city gangs and wannabes becomes a work of art. The cycle of violence and despair Soto describes comes to life. Eddie is such a believable character. He wants to do good, and he doesn't even care when people think he's a goody-goody, but luck is never on his side. His idea that people have onions buried in their yard that makes them cry for all the sorrows of the earth is so beautiful. The reader is rooting for Eddie the whole way, and we want to read more about what happens to him.

Reader’s Annotation:
Eddie lived to the age on 19--not an easy thing in Fresno, but how much longer will he survive?

Information about the Author:
Gary Soto was born and raised in Fresno and was also in the Navy. He is a poet and the author of the books Junior College, Living up the Street, and A Summer Life.

Genre: realistic fiction

Curriculum Ties: 9th grade English

Booktalking Ideas:
I would introduce Eddie, who has just dropped out of community college, but is still looking for a way out of Fresno. I would explain how he's trying to stay out of trouble, but it seems to find him. I would talk about the cultural aspects of the book as well--how it describes life for Chicanos in the inner city.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
This book would be appropriate for ages 14 and up.

Challenge Issues:
This book could be challenged for its depiction of violence, gang activity, and drug use. 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 it was on the suggested YA reading list for this class, and I've read and enjoyed some of Gary Soto's poetry.

The Fame (music cd) by Lady Gaga
Interscope Records, 2008

Summary:
The Fame is best selling dance-pop album that is still spawning hits a year after it has been released. "Just Dance" was the first single to reach the top of the charts, followed by "Love Game," "Pokerface," "Paparazzi," and now "Eh, Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)" is currently making its way to the top. Even slower songs towards the end of the album like "Brown Eyes," and "Summerboy," still have strong beats.

Critical Evaluation:
I am not a huge fan of dance music, but Lady Gaga has won me over. This album is so fun and addicting, and especially great to listen to while cleaning or exercising. The eccentric Lady Gaga herself is fascinating to follow and only adds to the power of the music. The lyrics are not brilliant ("Let's have some fun/This beat is sick/I want to take a ride on your disco stick"), but definitely more substantial than most dance songs. In the current climate of recession and war, The Fame is a great escape after NPR has worn you down.

Listener's Annotation:
No one will get you moving quicker than Lady Gaga.

Information about the Artist:
Lady Gaga (real name: Stefani Germanotta) learned to play the piano when she was 4 years old, and by the time she was 17 was studying music at New York University's Tisch School of Arts. She was signed with a label by the time she was 20. The Fame is her first full-length album.

Genre: dance-pop music

Curriculum Ties: none

CD-talking Ideas: I would probably just play the CD, or describe the type of infectious electronic dance music it is.

Interest Age: This album would be appropriate for ages 13 and up.

Challenge Issues:
There are some questionable lyrics on this album, and people might have a problem with Lady Gaga herself, running around without pants like she usually does. I would explain the library's selection policy and give the challenger a complaint form to fill out.

Why I chose this CD:
Lady Gaga is incredibly popular right now and every self-respecting young adult library should know who she is. Teens and adults alike can't get enough of her.

Baby Be-Bop by Francesca Lia Block
Joanna Cotler Books, New York, 1995
ISBN: 0-06-024879-3

Plot Summary:
Dirk lives with his grandmother Fifi in Los Angeles. His parents died when he was young, and Dirk has always known he was different. When he meets Pup, they hit it off right away and become best friends and the coolest guys in school. Then Pup gets a girlfriend and he drifts away from Dirk, suspecting that Dirk loves him, and perhaps being afraid of his own feelings for Dirk.

Dirk gets involved with the punk rock scene, and ends up getting beat up pretty badly by three skinheads after a show. While Dirk is unconscious, he is visited by Gazelle, who turns out to be his great grandmother. She tells him the story of her life, and his grandma Fifi's story. Then he is visited by his parents. His father, Dirby, tells Dirk the story of how he met his mother. Then Dirk is flashed into the future where he sees Duck, a surfer from Santa Cruz who has moved to Los Angeles because he knows his mother will not accept him being gay. Duck seems like Dirk's perfect match. When Dirk awakens in the hospital, he knows Duck is out there, waiting for him, and he is filled with hope again.

Critical Evaluation:
This is a beautifully written story. I was not expecting the magical realism aspect, but it was a nice escape, and kind of turned the story into a fairy tale. I'm not sure how many teens would appreciate it. The ones I've met prefer ultra-realistic fiction or complete fantasy. This book was somewhere in-between and might be confusing for some teens at lower comprehension levels. But older teens and adults who enjoy lyrical writing would definitely appreciate the book.

Block kind of beats the reader over the head with her message that we must all tell our stories in order to heal. She draws parallels to gay people and Jews who survived the concentration camps, which I'm not sure is entirely apt, but I suppose gets her point across. We can all gain some healing by telling our story. The only problem I have with that, is that we get very little of Dirk's story, and I'd like to get to know him much better. Half of the book is Dirk listening to the stories of his ancestors and his future soul mate. His story is still left to be told.

Reader’s Annotation:
Dirk knows he is gay and thinks he is keeping it a secret. He will soon find out that all of his ancestors already know, and he is not going to be alone.

Information about the Author:
Francesca Lia Block is the author of many books for young adults living in Los Angeles, including Weetzie Bat and Witch Baby. She has received the Margaret A. Edwards Lifetime Achievement award and the ALA Phoenix award for Weetzie Bat.

Genre: fiction, fantasy

Curriculum Ties: none

Booktalking Ideas:
I would introduce Dirk and his playing with a toy train on which men are all taking a shower together and his grandmother realizing he is probably gay. Then I would talk about the isolation he feels after being abandoned by Pup and soon after getting visited by his ancestors who need to tell their stories.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
I would recommend this book for ages 16 and up.

Challenge Issues:
This book would be challenged for its depiction of homosexuality and drug use. 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 knew Block was a popular young adult author and this book in particular was mentioned in the genre presentation of controversial literature.

Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez
Simon & Schuster, New York, 2001
ISBN: 0-689-84100-0

Plot Summary:
Rainbow Boys is told from the perspectives of three different gay teens in various stages of the coming out process. Nelson is out of the closet to everyone and gets harassed non-stop at school, but he has an incredibly supportive mother who would do anything for him. Kyle is Nelson's best friend. Kyle is out to his friends, and over the course of the novel comes out to his parents. Jason is a jock and has a steady girlfriend, Debra. No one even suspects he is gay.

One day Jason works up the courage to go to a Rainbow Youths meeting, and runs into Kyle and Nelson. He is mortified that anyone at his school would know about him. It turns out Kyle has had a crush on Jason for a long time. Later on, Jason asks Kyle to help him with his math homework and finds it very difficult to deny his true feelings. Jason ends up coming out to his girlfriend, and eventually his parents, prompting his alcoholic, homophobic father to leave the family.

Even though Nelson has been in love with Kyle, he is glad to see him happy with the man of his dreams. He starts seeing and HIV positive guy named Jeremy, and he and his mother succeed in creating a gay-straight alliance club at school. In the final, powerful scene, Jason the jock walks past his teammates and hecklers into the first meeting of the club.

Critical Evaluation:
This is a very powerful book, yet it doesn't beat the reader over the head with any lessons. All of the characters feel very real and imperfect, just trying to navigate a confusing time. It's easy to understand all of their motivations. We cheer when Nelson stands up for himself, but we also understand how hard it is for Jason to come out. The romance between Kyle and Jason could just as easily be a romance between any members of two completely different cliques like so many high school stories are about. I really want to know what happens to them after the story ends. I already plan on purchasing a couple of copies of this book for some friends of mine who I know will love it.

Reader’s Annotation:
Nelson loves Kyle, but Kyle loves Jason. And Jason--is he or isn't he? Senior year is confusing enough without having to worry about coming out of the closet.

Information about the Author:
Alex Sanchez has worked as a youth and family counselor in the Unites States and overseas. On his website, he states that the idea for Rainbow Boys came to him when he was struggling with coming out himself. This was his first novel, and the first in a trilogy.

Genre: realistic fiction

Curriculum Ties: none

Booktalking Ideas:
I would introduce the three different boys and how "out" they are. Then I would talk about their struggles and the difficult relationship between Kyle and Jason.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
Even though the theme is mature, I believe this book would be an enormous help to a young person struggling with his or her own sexual identity. I would recommend it for ages 15 and up.

Challenge Issues:
Obviously this book would be challenged for its depiction of homosexuality and some brief profanity. Characters do have sex, though it is not graphic at all. 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 after reading an article on controversial young adult literature by Rachel Cohn. She uses this book as one of her examples, and it sounded interesting.

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
The Viking Press, Inc., 1939
ISBN: 0-14-200066-3

Plot Summary:
The Grapes of Wrath begins with Tom Joad walking home after being released from prison, where he was at for killing a man. Along the way, he meets Jim Casy, his former preacher who says he has lost his calling. When they arrive at what used to be Tom's house, the find it abandoned. The next day they find the family as they are packing up to head to California. They have nothing left to keep them where they are, and heard there are plenty of jobs out West.

The group consists of Ma and Pa Joad, Tom Joad and Casy the preacher, Rose of Sharon and her husband Connie, Granma and Granpa Joad, Noah Joad, Al Joad, Uncle John, and two children, Ruthie and Winfield. They take Granma and Granpa against their wishes, both of whom end up dying on the journey out. When the reach a river after days of travel, Noah decides he can't continue and stays there when the family leaves. Connie also abandons the family and his pregnant wife along the way.

Upon reaching their first Hooverville, Tom and Casy get caught up in a fight with some police, and Casy takes all the blame and is sent to prison, since Tom is still on parole. The family leaves and get to a much nicer camp with running water, and a self-governing philosophy. They stay there for about a month, but are not able to get any work, so they have to move on. The come to a peach farm and have to drive through protesters to get to the gates. After walking out of the camp one night, Tom meets Casy, who has been organizing the protest. He learns that they are strike-breakers. Anti-union men come to break up the meeting and end up shooting Casy dead and breaking Tom's nose.

The next day, the family moves out of the peach farm and eventually lands a decent gig picking cotton. They even have their own boxcar to live in. Soon enough though, it starts raining and won't stop. Rose of Sharon gives birth to a stillborn baby. The family has to move out or get flooded out by the rising river. They come to a barn and find a boy and his starving father inside. Rose of Sharon decides to let him feed from her breast, since she has no one to give her milk to now.

Critical Evaluation:
This novel is at once devastating and uplifting. The Joads experience one horrific event after another--and yet they keep on going. They find strength the never knew they had. The plain language makes this an easy read, but the themes are complex. The characters struggle with faith and demons. They have been warned all their lives about the evils of communism, but put in a situation where they see how unions would make their lives better, they struggle with what to do. Ma Joad becomes the head of the family, and the once selfish Rose of Sharon helps give life to a stranger. The reader does not know what becomes of the Joads after they find the barn, but they've struggled this far, we want to believe they will continue on.

Reader’s Annotation:
The Joads thought they were escaping drought and famine when they left their homes in Oklahoma for jobs in California. Little did they know, the worst was yet to come.

Information about the Author:
John Steinbeck is one of the most celebrated American authors in history, winning both a Pulitzer and Nobel Prize. He was born in Salinas, California in 1902. He attended Stanford, but he often pursued work as a laborer in the Salinas Valley. Even after gaining success and celebrity as a writer, he would work with migrants on farms. He died in 1968.

Genre: historical fiction

Curriculum Ties: 11th grade English and American History

Booktalking Ideas:
I would talk about the Joad's situation in Oklahoma and why they left thinking there would be work for them in California. I would describe some of the heartbreaking and violent experiences they have on the road and in the Hoovervilles and talk about their struggle finding work and keeping the family together.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
This book is easy to read, but is long and would probably only hold the attention of older teens, 16 and up.

Challenge Issues:
This book might be challenged for its negative portrayal of business owners and its perceived socialist underlying theme. There is some frank talk of sexuality and questioning faith as well. I would explain the library's selection policy and the book's status as a classic, and give the challenger a complaint form to fill out.

Why I chose this book:
I chose this book because I remembered enjoying it when I was seventeen, and it has held up with this second reading. The current state of our economy also got me thinking about the Joads and how much worse they had it.