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.