Brick (film) written and directed by Rian Johnson
Bergman Lustig Productions, 2005

Plot Summary:
High school student Brendan gets a mysterious phone call at a pay phone from his ex-girlfriend Emily, saying she is in trouble and needs his help. Brendan knows she has made some unsavory friends, and tries to infiltrate the drug scene at his high school with the help of his friend, The Brain. Two days later, Brendan finds Emily dead in a tunnel and decides to hide her body and figure out why she was killed.

He makes his way up the social ladder to a powerful drug dealer, The Pin. He gets hired by The Pin and starts unraveling the secrets about Emily. He is pursued by the sophisticated, manipulative teen Laura, but he is on to her game. He finally realizes that she orchestrated Emily's death in order not to be blamed for stealing a brick of cocaine.

Critical Evaluation:
I didn't know what to make of this movie at first, then I realized it was styled as a noir mystery.
All the usual characters are here in the teen version: the hard-boiled detective, the scheming seductress, dead ingenue, and the crime boss and his muscle. I had to tell myself to suspend my disbelief that teenagers could act so sophisticated and plotting. Once I let that hang-up go, I started thoroughly enjoying the film.

The characters talk in rapid fire crime slang that sometimes makes entire scenes difficult to understand. I was glad I had this on DVD so I could rewind it, which I had to do a couple of times. But the language is what also makes the movie so fun. Not only are we trying to figure out what happened to Emily, but what they heck they are talking about. I should have seen the big reveal at the end coming, but I was so wrapped up in the action, I didn't have time to think ahead. But the end was satisfying as well. I would recommend this stylish teen mystery.

Reader’s Annotation:
Brendan Frye is about to get in over his head trying to find out what happened to his dead ex-girlfriend.

Information about the Author:
Rian Johnson is a graduate of USC's School of Cinema-Television. I liked this quote I found from him on the Internet Movie Database: "Teen movies often have an unspoken underlying premise in which high school is seen as less serious than the adult world. But when your head is encased in that microcosm it's the most serious time of your life." I thought that was so true, and the way he brings that sentiment to life in Brick is mesmerizing.

Genre: mystery

Curriculum Ties: none

Filmtalking Ideas:
I would introduce Brendan Frye as a loner who has been hurt and just wants to make sense of his life. Then I would explain how he gets sucked into this underworld at his high school and how he manages to come out on top.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
This is definitely a move for older teens. It is rated R, and I just don't think teens younger than 16 or 17 would have any idea what was going on.

Challenge Issues:
This movie would be challenged for its violence and the fact that it revolves around drug dealing, however there is no actual drug use in the film. I would explain the library's selection policy and give the challenger a complaint form to fill out.

Why I chose this film:
I chose this film after it was mentioned in the Genre Presentations on teen movies. I know Joseph Gordon-Levitt (who plays Brendan Frye) is a terrific actor, so I thought I'd give it a shot.

Forever by Judy Blume
Bradbury Press, New York: 1975
ISBN: 0-02-711030-3

Plot Summary:
Forever begins at a New Year's Eve party where Katherine Danziger meets Michael Wagner. Even though she's rude to him, he comes by the next day, and soon they are in a serious relationship. They are both seniors in high school. Katherine is a virgin, Michael is not. She wants to take it slow at first, but ends up having sex with him after a couple months. Katherine enjoys being close to Michael, and even goes to Planned Parenthood to get birth control because she plans on having sex with him regularly. She's not sure if she loves him, but eventually decides that she must.

Everything is going well until the summer comes after graduation. Katherine's father has gotten her a job as a tennis assistant in a camp in order to separate her and Michael. While she is there, another tennis instructor named Theo catches her eye and she is surprised to find herself fantasizing about him. Michael shows up at camp after he hears of Katherine's grandfather passing away. She admits that there is someone else she is interested in, and they break up. Soon after Katherine gets home from camp, she receives a phone call from Theo.

Critical Evaluation:
Even though this book reads like a script for a Lifetime Original Movie, I couldn't help but be charmed by it. I'm sorely disappointed that I never read it in high school. The way Katherine deals with her first time having sex (and the subsequent times there after) is so honest and refreshing. She is nervous and excited. She doesn't feel terrible afterwards and nothing bad happens to her as punishment. In the end, she realizes that she was just too young to be in a committed relationship, and that is that. She's not going to die because she had sex with someone she's not going to marry. I think the frank and semi-graphic discussion of sex is just what most teens need to read before getting into a sexual relationship.

Reader’s Annotation:
Michael is Katherine's first love, and she thinks it will last forever. Just how long is forever?

Information about the Author:
Judy Blume is the author of several beloved books for young adults, such as Are You There God?, it's me, Margaret, and Blubber. She is a long time advocate of intellectual freedom. In 2004, she won the National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.

Genre: realistic fiction

Curriculum Ties: sex ed

Booktalking Ideas:
I would introduce Katherine and Michael and talk about their whirlwind courtship, and her parents disapproval of her being exclusive with Michael. Then I would explain Katherine's thinking about when the right time to have sex is, and what happens after they finally do it, and the repercussions.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
The reading level is fairly low, but this book would probably not be suitable for teens younger than 15.

Challenge Issues:
This book would most likely be challenged for its somewhat graphic depiction of sex (though it is not as explicit as more current books), and some brief profanity. I would explain the library's selection policy and give the challenger a complaint form.

Why I chose this book:
I chose this book because I love Judy Blume, but never managed to get around to reading this as a teen. Reading about it during our discussion on controversial literature made me want to pick it up.

Gingerbread by Rachel Cohn
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York, 2002
ISBN: 0-689-84337-2

Plot Summary:
Cyd Charisse is a 16-year-old who has just been expelled from a fancy boarding school for being caught having sex with her boyfriend. She goes back to her family's house in San Francisco. She lives with her mom, stepfather, and younger brother and sister. As part of a court order for her shoplifting conviction, she has been spending time at a nursing home, where she meets her latest boyfriend, Shrimp. She is convinced they are soul mates. Then he dumps her because he needs space.

Cyd's parents ground her for staying too late at Shrimp's house, and she is driving everyone in the house crazy. Then her parents tell her that her biological father is interested in meeting her, so off she goes to New York. She meets her half-siblings and becomes close with them, but then her mom flies out to New York and the two of them bond after Cyd tells her about the abortion she had while in boarding school. She looks forward to going back to San Francisco to live with her real family again.

Critical Evaluation:
I did not care for this book at all. My first thought was that Cohn is trying way too hard to be cool. No teens I know talk how Cyd does, the dialog was way too cutesy. Secondly, Cyd Charisse has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. I did not understand her motivations at all. Basically, she has a healthy libido and a mom who likes to diet, and therein is the source of all her problems? I didn't understand. At one point, after proclaiming she is not spoiled, she proceeds to destroy a fifty dollar bill in the garbage disposal because her dad had to go to work instead of show her around New York. Are we supposed to feel sorry for her? I couldn't wait to get her out of my life either.

Reader’s Annotation:
Cyd Charisse isn't a tough as she looks, but it will take some digging to find out what's really going on under that punk exterior.

Information about the Author:
Rachel Cohn went to Barnard College and moved to San Francisco after college. Gingerbread is her first novel, and she has gone on to write more since, such as Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, and You Know Where to Find Me (an Oprah's Book Club pick for teens).

Genre: realistic fiction

Curriculum Ties: none

Booktalking Ideas:
I would introduced Cyd Charisse and why she is back home living with her parents. Then I would talk about the alienation she feels and how she goes about finding a place to fit in.

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

Challenge Issues:
This book could be challenged for Cyd's attitude toward sex (that she likes it, a lot), and possibly for having a gay character--her half-brother. 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 the article "Teens, teachers and controversial text" which Cohn wrote, using Gingerbread as an example of a controversial text.

Rock Band (video game)
Developed by Harmonix Games and distributed by Electronic Arts, 2007

Game Summary:
Rock Band builds on the technology developed for Guitar Hero. In this game, however, up to four players can play together on the guitar, bass, drums, or microphone. They can also choose their avatars and band name. The play is similar to Guitar Hero in that players must hit notes at the correct time as they scroll to the bottom of the screen. Players can also save their band members by doing well (up to two times), so there is a better chance of getting through the song. The object is to complete a song, or a tour, hitting as many notes as possible to get the best sound.

Some of the songs included in Rock Band are "Black Hole Sun" by Soundgarden, "Enter Sandman" by Metallica, "Gimme Shelter" by the Rolling Stones, and "Say it ain't so" by Weezer. There is now a Rock Band 2 and The Beatles: Rock Band.

Critical Evaluation:
Rock Band is just as fun to play as Guitar Hero. The inclusion of a microphone for vocals means that those of us who are eye-hand coordination-challenged can play along as well. If I were buying games for library game night, I would purchase this before Guitar Hero because more people can play at once, and there are more ways to participate.

Player’s Annotation:
Think you can tour with the band? Come test your skills with Rock Band.

Information about the Developer:
Harmonix was founded in 1995 by Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy who met while attending MIT. Before Rock Band, they worked on the game Guitar Hero.

Genre: video games

Curriculum Ties: none

Gametalking Ideas:
I would give instructions on how to play, choosing a character, band name, and song.

Interest Age:
This game would interest a wide range of players, from 10 to adult.

Challenge Issues:
This game could be challenged for some of the lyrics to the songs, although the ones I played were not offensive. People might have a problem with rock music in general. I would explain the library's selection policy and have the challenger fill out a complaint form.

Why I chose this game:
In doing my research for the genre presentation, I read that a lot of libraries had been purchasing Rock Band for their teen game nights, leading to a big turnout.

Dance Dance Revolution (video game)
Produced by Konami and introduced in 1998

Game Summary:
This game is played with your feet. Standing on either a platform (at an arcade) or on a mat (at home), players tap arrows in time with the beat of a song, as the arrows scroll from the bottom to the top of the screen. Players must hit the correct arrow at the exact time it crosses over a set of stationary arrows at the top of the screen. Missing too many notes will cause the song to stop and the player will fail.

Critical Evaluation:
I can see why people like this game, I just had a really hard time with it. First of all, the songs were incredibly annoying--either techno or disco songs that I had never heard, which made it hard to get the rhythm down. Secondly, I'm just plain uncoordinated and could barely make it through a song on the easy level. And really, the easy level does not offer much in the form of exercise, so that wasn't reason enough for me to play. However, it was very entertaining watching others play, especially the ones who were really good at it and made it actually look like they were dancing.

Player’s Annotation:
Let's go dancing! Dance Dance Revolution will get you grooving in no time.

Information about the Producer:
Konami is a leading Japanese developer of a number of games and toys. It was founded in 1969 as a jukebox rental and repair company in Osaka, Japan.

Genre: video games

Curriculum Ties: none

Gametalking Ideas:
This game needs no introduction for most teens. I would explain how it works, how to get situated on the pad, choose a song, and make sure you hit the correct arrow at the precise time.

Interest Age:
This game is appropriate for all ages, tweens through older teens would enjoy playing it.

Challenge Issues:
I can't imagine this game being challenged except for people who don't like games being in the library at all, or by those whose religion prohibits dancing. I would explain the library's selection policy and let the challenger fill out a complaint form.

Why I chose this game:
I chose this game because I had students who loved to play it, and I've also read about libraries using it for game nights and getting a big crowd of teens who might not regularly use the library.

Guitar Hero II (video game)
Published by RedOctane, distributed by Activision, 2006

Game Summary:
This game is played using almost life sized guitar controllers with four different colored buttons and a bar to strum along with, so it looks like you are playing a real guitar. The game can be played with one or two players. When there are two players, they can play as a team or compete against each other. The object of the game is to hit all the notes at the correct time to finish a song without getting booed offstage before the song is over.

Players get to choose an avatar and dress him/her how they want. Then they get to pick where they want to tour, and what song they want to play. Songs on Guitar Hero II include "You Really Got Me" by the Kinks, "Carry on Wayward Son" by Kansas, "Heart-Shaped Box" by Nirvana, "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns n' Roses, and "Message in a Bottle" by the Police. Playing all of the songs well will let the player unlock even more songs. Finishing a song successfully earns cheers from the crowd and lets the tour continue.

Critical Evaluation:
Guitar Hero is a lot of fun to play, and in general, I do not enjoy playing video games. It's fun to feel like a rock star and have crowds cheering for you. It didn't take me very long at all to progress from the "Easy" to "Medium" level of play, where the notes come at you in more complicated combinations. It's especially fun to play with another person in either the cooperative or competitive mode. The commentary from the tour manager is pretty amusing as well. I can see why libraries often purchase this game for game nights.

Player’s Annotation:
You look like a rock star, but can you shred like one? Put your fingers to the test with Guitar Hero II.

Information about the Publisher:
RedOctane was founded in 1999 by Kai Huang and Charles Huang and is best known for its Guitar Hero games. They began operation as the world's first online video game rental service. They are now owned by Activision.

Genre: video games

Curriculum Ties: none

Gametalking Ideas:
I would explain how the game works, how to choose a character and song, etc. I'm sure most teens need no explanation from me though.

Interest Age:
This game is appropriate for almost all ages, perhaps 12-adult.

Challenge Issues:
This game looks a little scary from the cover, but is really very harmless. Some of the songs such as "War Pigs" or "Shout at the Devil" could be objectionable. I would explain the library's selection policy and let the challenger fill out a complaint form.

Why I chose this game:
I read that a lot of libraries use this game and others like it, for their game nights, and they always get a large turnout.

Wonder When You'll Miss Me by Amanda Davis
William Morrow, New York: 2003
ISBN: 0-688-16781-0

Plot Summary:
Wonder When You'll Miss Me begins with 16-year-old Faith Duckle just getting out of the mental hospital after attempting suicide. In bits and pieces throughout the book, we learn the reasons why. She was overweight and a group of boys at school got her drunk at the homecoming game and raped her. On top of it, her father recently passed away and her mother is all but absent. In the institution, she meets a manic depressive named Starling who constantly tries to kill herself, and eventually succeeds. Starling would always talk about her brother Charlie who had always saved her in the past.

Now that Faith has lost a lot of weight, there is an extremely obese fat girl who follows her around that only she can see. It's hard to know exactly what she represents. Is Faith schizophrenic? Is the fat girl just the person she left behind? She gives Faith a lot of advice and reassurance, and eggs her on to take revenge on the boys who raped her, which Faith has misgivings about. She really just wants to run away. To do this, she needs money, so she becomes a bus-girl at a restaurant. Here she meets Charlie, Starlings brother. They become friends, and he introduces her to the circus, where he is dating the "Digestivore."

One day Charlie gets fired. Then Faith takes a knife to school and slices the face of Tony Giobambera, the boy that held her down while she was being raped. She runs and gets away. The only person she knows is Charlie, and she figures he has gone on the road with the circus, so she sets out to find him. When she eventually meets up with the circus, he's not there, but she gets herself a job cleaning up after the animals. She uses the name Annabelle, a nickname that Starling had given her. She starts to fit in, and eventually she is allowed to start training with the aerialists, sealing her position in the circus and life.

Critical Evaluation:
I loved this book. I thought it might just be a whimsical story about a girl running away to join the circus, but Faith Duckle is such a complex, interesting character who immediately draws the reader in. Her fat girl alter-ego is hilarious and it makes Faith's motivations easier to grasp. I especially like how things happen for Faith once she gets to the circus. They are tough on her, and she realizes she is just as lonely here as she is in the real world. However, here, she feels as though she has found a place to fit in, and knows that if she works at it, she will. Once she starts to feel comfortable in her own skin, the fat girl goes away and Faith becomes herself again. It's a mesmerizing transformation to have witnessed.

Reader’s Annotation:
Faith Duckle's life is a living hell. Will running away with the circus change anything?

Information about the Author:
Amanda Davis was raised in Durham, North Carolina, and is the author of a Circling the Drain, a collection of short stories. She teaches in the MFA program at Mills College and has been published in many magazines.

Genre: fiction

Curriculum Ties: none

Booktalking Ideas:
I would introduce Faith Duckle and talk about her experience in the mental hospital, why she got there and how she is not adjusting to the outside world very well. Then I would talk about Tony Giobambera--what he did and what she does to him--and how she decides to go on the run.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
This book is appropriate for ages 16 and up. There are a lot of literary and musical references that younger readers would not understand.

Challenge Issues:
This book would be challenged for its mentioning rape, bestiality,violence, and drugs, as well as some profanity. 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 drawn to this book because of the intriguing cover of a woman flying through the air, and the excellent reviews on the back cover as well.