Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen directed by Michael Bay

Bay, Michael (Director). Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
Dream Works and Paramount Studios. 2009.
Screenplay by: Ehren Kruger, Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman.
Run Time: 149 minutes
Rated: PG-13

Watchers Annotation
Sam Witwicky is off to college, but the Decepticons return places Sam and his family in danger. It isn’t long before Autobots and Decepticons are battling for control of the energy matrix that can either save Optimus Prime or destroy the sun.

Cast
Shia LaBoeuf, Sam Witwicky
Megan Fox, Mikaela Banes
Josh Duhamel, Major Lenox
Tyrese Gibson, USAF Master Sergeant Epps
John Turturro, Symore Simmons
For more information about the cast go to IMDb at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1055369/

Plot Summary
Sam Witwicky is off to college leaving longtime girlfriend Mikaela, and his Transformer guardian Autobot Bumblebee behind. Before leaving home he discovers that a sliver of the energy cube (Energon) that nearly destroyed the Earth in the previous film has somehow lodged in his old jacket. When Sam touches the shard it transfers map coordinates into his brain. At first the information lies dormant, but he soon realizes that his reaction to the information is similar to what happened to his great grandfather. This causes Sam some trouble on campus when he disrupts an astronomy class spouting babble. Back home Mikaela, keeper of the shard, is accosted by a little Decepticon robot. Sam and Mikaela are soon together on campus, and joined by Sam’s roommate Leo, a conspiracy theorist. The Decepticons continue to wreak havoc on the planet in search of Sam and the missing shard. Many battles ensue. During one such battle between the Decepticon leader Megatron, and the Autobot leader Optimus Prime – Optimus is killed. As the last Prime of the Autobots, Optimus is the only robot that can defeat the Decepticons. Sam and his crew, joined by Agent Simmons and the USAF attempt to revive Optimus by using the dust from the energy matrix they located in the Egyptian desert. During the battle Sam dies only to be revived by several Autobot Primes he meets on another plane of existence. Sam revives Optimus who defeats Megatron in a final showdown.

Critical Evaluation
Although the cast is well chosen for the film, the real stars of the film are the Transformers. This film is all about the computer-generated special effects. The Transformer transform into some very nice cars, motorcycles, and airplanes. From the first battle scene it is impossible to tell which Transformers are Autobots (the good guys), and which are Decepticons (the bad guys). There is so much happening onscreen that the average watcher cannot differentiate between the characters. All the transformers look like they were created from mismatched pieces of machinery. The script is minimal, and the dialog is mostly dreadful. The screenwriters or director believed that by adding subtitles to explain the action would make the film easier to follow. This treatment also occurred using the living actors. There is also an offensive use of cultural lingo with some of the Autobots. There are two robots in particular that the writers chose to use rap dialog. These two robots are always insulting each other. It is unappealing and simply wrong to include this kind of racist profiling of cartoon characters. This is an action flick that makes little sense beyond lots of explosions with fighting robots. This film is also far too long at 149 minutes.

Information about the film
You can find more information about the film on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1055369/

Genre
Science Fiction, Action, Adventure

Curriculum ties
None

Challenge Issues
Fantasy violence, sexual situations and innuendo, language.

Challenge defense ideas
· Become familiar with the film and its content.
· Refer to the collection development policy of the library.
· Refer to reviews from IMDb at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1055369/externalreviews
· Try to get reviews of the film from teens that have seen it.

Why I included this film
This title was a summer blockbuster hit that many young adults watched. It is the second film in a series. The first film is titled Transformers.

Twilight directed by Catherine Hardwicke

Hardwicke, Catherine (Director). Twilight.
Summit Entertainment. 2008.
Screenplay by: Melissa Rosenberg
Novel by: Stephanie Meyer
Run time: 122 minutes
Rating: PG-13

Watchers Annotation
Bella Swan, newly arrived in Forks, meets the handsome and mysterious Edward Cullen. Edward is a vampire, and he is driven to protect Bella from a trio of roving vampires.

Cast
Kristen Steward, Bella Swan
Sarah Clark, Renee
Billy Burke, Charlie Swan
Robert Pattinson, Edward Cullen
For a full cast list go to IMDb at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1099212/

Plot Summary
Bella Swan has low expectations when she arrives in Forks, Washington. Introverted, Bella is surprised when so many boys are interested in her. It is Edward Cullen who attracts Bella’s attention. Beautiful and mysterious, Edward attempts to push Bella away, but he too is attracted. Bella known for her clumsiness is constantly at risk for injury. When she is nearly crushed by a truck it is Edward who saves her. Bella insists on discovering how Edward was able to reach her in time, but Edward refuses to tell her the truth. Bella and her school friends make a trip to the beach at the Indian reservation for a surfing excursion, it is Jacob Black a young Quileute Indian that tells her the myths of the cold ones. As she researches to local lore, Bella realizes the truth about the boy she loves – he, and his family are vampires. She approaches Edward with her new knowledge and he does everything he can to frighten her off. Bella is not deterred. Edward admits that his family is different from other vampire, they drink only animal blood, and he can read all minds, but not Bella’s. Their growing attraction escalates and they begin to date. During a vampire baseball game with the Cullen’s three rogue vampires appear. One of the vampires, James, smells Bella’s scent and attempts to attack. The Cullen’s whisk Bella away before James can harm her. James, a hunter, will not give up his hunt for Bella. He lures her away from Edward and proceeds to torture her while videotaping. His bite passes vampire venom into Bella. Edward and his family rescue Bella but she has been poisoned. Edward’s foster father, Carlisle saves Bella from becoming a vampire. Still healing from the attack by James, Bella now returned to Forks is going on a date with Edward to the prom. Jacob Black appears and warns Bella about Edward, but it is too late. Bella and Edward are in love and committed to each other, even though Edward refuses to make Bella immortal.

Critical Evaluation
The novel, by Stephanie Meyers is deeply romantic in an old fashioned way. It is similar in style to those written by the Bronte sisters, like Jane Eyre, and Wuthering Heights. The film, because of its reduced time does not achieve the same level of intensity as the novel. Kristen Stewart, as Bella tells her friend Angela that she is a strong and independent woman, that she should ask her love interest to take her to the prom. All those traits Bella seems to have in the beginning of the movie disintegrate when she meets Edward. She wants only to be with him, nothing more. When Edward warns her that he is a monster, Bella ignores the warning. Kristin Stewart as Bella walks through her lines. She is distant and emotionless. When Bella proclaims that she is irrevocably in love with Edward, she shows no visible signs of interest. There is no giddy smile, no joy in Stewart. Robert Pattinson is more believable as Edward. His determination to avoid Bella despite his attraction to his own “personal brand of heroin” is heartfelt. The two make a pretty pair as a couple, but there is no chemistry between the actors. The special effects for this film are lacking, especially those featuring Edward running. The director should have made more effort to include better special effects since the novel is held in such high regard by young women.

Information about the film
You can find out more about the film at IMDb, the Internet Movie Database at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1259571/fullcredits - cast

Genre
Drama, fantasy, horror, thriller

Curriculum ties
None

Challenge Issues
Sensual moments, violence

Challenge defense ideas
· Become familiar with the film and its content.
· Refer to the collection development policy of the library.
· Refer to reviews from Common Sense Media at http://www.commonsensemedia.org/search/twilight, or IMDb at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1099212/externalreviews.
· Try to get reviews of the film from teens that have seen it.

Why I included this title 
The book and film are currently very popular with young women.

Tithe: A modern faery tale by Holly Black

Black, Holly. Tithe: A modern faerie tale.
Simon Pulse. 2002.
ISBN 0689867042
$8.99. Paperback. 336 pages.

Readers Annotation
16-year-old Kaye has always seen faeries. She just didn’t know she was one.

Plot Summary
After Kaye, a foul-mouthed teen, is almost murdered by her mother’s boyfriend, she and her mother escape to Grandmother’s house at the Jersey shore. A high school dropout, Kaye rekindles and old friendship with her friend Janet. Strange incidents keep occurring around Kaye. She makes a broken merry go ground pony come to life, and she enchants Janet’s love interest into falling for her unknowingly. When she meets the dark knight Rath Roiben Rye, she is drawn into the politics of faery. She discovers that she is a changling. Her blond asian looks are a glamour to hide her true green skinned, black eyed pixie nature. She has been hidden away from faery for 16 years to hide her real nature so that she will become the next human sacrifice (or tithe) in the Unseelie Court. Corny (Cornelius), Janet’s younger gay brother becomes besotted with Nephamael, a knight of the Seelie Court, who attempts to subvert the current Unseeling Queen. Kaye finds she must also rescue her friend while trying to save herself. Because she is not human the plot is foiled and all the wild denizens of faery begin to roam the town. It is only when Roiben claims the empty throne of the Unseelie Court that Kaye is free again. Kaye and Roiben declare their feelings for each other even though he is now the king, and she remains a disguised pixie.

Critical Evaluation
Holly Black has earned her living writing modern stories of a beautiful, but brutal faery kingdom. Her novels brim with beauty and horror as the two faery courts meet and battle for dominance. In the three novels about modern faery, her characters are deeply flawed but fighting to overcome supernatural odds. While it is difficult to understand the protagonist’s point of view at times, Black makes her characters believably sympathetic but quirky. Kaye is a sarcastic chain smoker who is her mother’s keeper. She is independent and thinks nothing of behaving badly. She is difficult to like. Her love interest Roiben has been spell bound to obey any who use his full name as a command. He is violent and murderous. It is difficult to understand what he finds so alluring in Kaye. There is a great deal of violence in this book – mostly all supernatural. Still, the novel has an original viewpoint, and many will find themselves cheering for a positive outcome for the changeling and her kingly boyfriend. The novel is gritty and dark, and difficult to put down.

Information about the author
Holly Black lives in New Jersey with her husband and her secret library. You can find out more about her on her website at http://www.blackholly.com/index.html

Genre
Fantasy

Curriculum ties
None

Challenge Issues
Drinking, smoking, homosexuality, violence

Challenge defense ideas
· Become familiar with the book and its content.
· Refer to the collection development policy of the library.
· Refer to reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly available for viewing on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Tithe-Modern-Faerie-Holly-Black/dp/0689867042/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259128853&sr=8-1
· Try to get reviews of the book from teens that have read it.

Booktalking Ideas
1. Discuss how Kaye meets Roiben
2. Discuss how Kaye discovers she is really a pixie

Reading Level/Age
Young adult. Ages 14 and up.

Why I included this title
This book is included on both the ALA Best Books for Young Adults and YALSA Teen’s Top Teen Booklist.

Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Murdock, Catherine Gilbert. Dairy Queen.
Graphia. 2006.
ISBN-13 9780618863358
$8.99. Paperback. 274 pages.

Readers Annotation
DJ Schwenk knows a lot about dairy farming and football, but she doesn’t know how to talk to Brian Nelson. While she’s busy helping on the farm and training Brian to be a better quarterback for the opposing team, she’s also learning how to talk about the things that really mean something.

Plot Summary
When DJ’s dad hurts his hip using the manure spreader on the farm, it’s up to DJ and her nearly silent brother Curtis to run things. Her two older siblings Bill and Win are away at college football training camp. Life is not easy, with so much to do on the farm, and when Brian Nelson arrives to help DJ is not pleased. Brian, captain of the rival Hawley football team has been encouraged by his coach, Jimmy Ott, to ask DJ for football training. Although DJ is a girl, she has been playing football with her brothers for years. With the agreement between DJ and Brian set in place, the two begin training on the farm. As their friendship grows, both teens find that they are attracted to each other. It isn’t long before DJ acknowledges that she is in love with Brian. Between farm work and football practice, both DJ and Brian gain skill and speed. DJ’s mom is a teacher and acting principal of a local elementary school. After DJ’s dad was injured, her schoolwork suffered and she failed her English class. Mom and the English teacher set up a schedule of writing so DJ will be able to graduate. Facing school and working the farm while training Brian is overwhelming. DJ often comments on how the Schwenk’s stop talking when anything bothers them. For DJ, it means she feels like a cow on the farm, slow and stupid, chewing her cud. She is anything but stupid. DJ decides that after all the training she has endured with Brian, she wants to try out for the Red Bend football team. When she is accepted on the team it drives a wedge in her budding romance with Brian. During the first game of the practice season, DJ scores a touchdown on an interception from Brian. Her team wins the game. Surprisingly, Brian pays her a visit the next day, and although he doesn’t formally ask DJ to date him, he hints that he might want to date a football player.

Critical Evaluation
The small town setting for this novel is unlike anything I have read before. Told in the first person by DJ brings the characters to life. The characters are honestly portrayed with all their foibles. One theme of the novel -- learning to speak for oneself is one that many families face. Life on a dairy farm is described in enough detail for teens to understand the difficult work facing a family of four, with a working mother and disabled father. The family isn’t very close at the start of the novel. Mom works long hours at two jobs, and Dad decides to learn to cook since he is housebound. Younger brother Curtis speaks so rarely that DJ barely knows him. None of speaks about the disagreement that drove the two oldest brothers away from the farm. Murdock has created two teens that could not be more different. Brian is growing up in a family that always talks about their problems, and DJ’s family keeps silent. Both teens learn that there is some good in each viewpoint. Murdock’s character, Amber (DJ’s best friend), seems to be gratuitously added into the mix. We find out fairly late in the story that Amber is a lesbian and also in love with DJ. The plot line is never expanded on in this novel. This novel is the first in a trilogy. The second novel is titled Off Season, and the last novel is titled Front and Center.  I would recommend this novel to reluctant readers because of its honesty and ease of reading.

Information about the author
Catherine Gilbert Murdock was born in the mid 1960’s. She currently lives in Philadelphia with her husband and two children. She has a website, but it doesn’t include much biographical information. You can find it here: http://www.catherinemurdock.com/catherinemurdock/cgm_home.html

Genre
Contemporary issues

Curriculum ties
None

Challenge Issues
Underage drinking, homosexuality

Challenge defense ideas
· Become familiar with the book and its content.
· Refer to the collection development policy of the library.
· Refer to reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly available for viewing on amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Dairy-Queen-Catherine-Gilbert-Murdock/dp/0618863354/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_2
· Try to get reviews of the book from teens that have read it.

Booktalking Ideas
1. Discuss DJ's tomboy nature, and how she loves sports.
2. Talk about her Dad’s injury and how DJ assumes most of the work on the farm.
3. Discuss DJ and Brian’s relationship.

Reading Level/Age
Young adult. Ages 14 and up.

Why I included this title
This book is listed with the ALA 2006 Best Books for Young Adults.

New Moon directed by Chris Weitz

Weitz, Chris (Director). New Moon.
Summit Entertainment. 2009.
Screenplay by Melissa Rosenberg
Novel by Stephanie Meyer
Run time: 130 minutes
Rating: PG-13

Film Annotation
In the second installment of the Twilight saga film adaptations, Bella celebrates her 18th birthday with Edward and his family. When the Edward and Cullen’s leave Forks soon after, Bella is bereft. Only her friendship with Jacob Black seems to restore her happiness.

Cast
Kristin Stewart, Bella Swan
Robert Pattinson, Edward Cullen
Taylor Lautner,  Jacob Black
Billy Burke,  Charlie Swan
For full credits go to IMDb at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1259571/fullcredits#cast
 
Plot Summary
In this movie, based on the novel by Stephanie Meyers, Bella is left desperately depressed in the wake of the departure of the Cullen’s from Forks, Washington. For several months Bella stares out the window, ignoring the world around her. Desperate, her father recommends that she return to her mother rather than remain where the memories of her lost love haunt her. Bella does not want to leave, so she forces herself to reestablish contact with her friends. She discovers accidentally that she will have visions of Edward when she is in danger. From this moment she pursues dangerous situations so she might see him. She brings to motorcycles to her friend Jacob Black. Together they rebuild the bikes. While Bella has been sulking, Jacob has been growing – muscles mostly. He is now a buff teenager who still harbors a crush on Bella.  However, Jacob begins to withdraw from Bella too. He has his own supernatural issues to deal with. One afternoon Bella climbs to the meadow she and Edward had once visited. Unfortunately she meets the vampire Laurent. Just as he is about the dispatch her, five very large wolves come out of the woods and attack Laurent. Jacob comes to Bella and begs her to remember a story he once told her. That night she dreams about werewolves. With her new knowledge she pursues Jacob and discovers that the five wolves she saw, were all members of the Quileute tribe, and Jacob is one of them. Putting herself in harms way becomes Bella’s pastime. After she cliff dives and nearly drowns, Alice Cullen arrives. Convinced that Bella has perished, Edward decides to provoke the Volturi into ending his existence. Bella and Alice arrive in time to save Edward, but not without consequences. Bella is to become a vampire because she knows too much. When they return home safely, Edward and Jacob face off in a battle for Bella but she stops them both. Edward tells Bella that he will only transform her if she agrees to marry him.

Critical Evaluation
Like most movies based on books, New Moon has both good and bad moments. The storyline follows the basic plotline of the book, but leaves out most of the detail. Jacob Black, was supposed to have grown very large with the beginning of his transformation. The actor, Taylor Lautner became muscular yet not as big as described in the book. The original casting of Kristin Stewart as Bella, and Robert Pattinson as Edward remains a mystery. There are moments of dreadful acting between the two. During the scene where Edward tells Bella he is leaving, Stewart can only manage to bat her eyes and barely move her lips while talking. Pattinson seems to mumble most of his lines in the movie, and there is little chemistry between the actors. The chemistry between Lautner and Stewart is subtler, and for a few moments it seems that ice queen Stewart may succumb to Lautner’s charm and washboard abs. The best moments of the film are all centered on the werewolves. The computer generated images (CGI) special effects are absolutely phenomenal. The transformation from young men to wolves is instantaneous and seamless. It is utterly believable. The newest villains in this film, the Volturi, are suitably creepy. We can only hope that the acting for the next two movies improves, and comes up to the standards created by the CGI technology.

Information about the film
You can find out more about the film at IMDb, the Internet Movie Database at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1259571/fullcredits - cast

Genre
Drama, fantasy, horror, thriller

Curriculum ties
None

Challenge Issues
None. This film is not currently in DVD release.

Challenge defense ideas
There are no apparent challenge issues associated with this film. In the case that a challenge comes up, there are some things that you can do to start. You could watch the film and become familiar with the content. Refer to the library collection development policy, and get reviews from reputable sources and teens that have seen the film.

Why I included this title
The books and earlier film are very popular with young adults.

Does My Head Look Big In This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah

Abdel-Fattah, Randa. Does My Head Look Big In This?
Scholastic. 2007.
ISBN-13  9780439922333
$8.99.  Paperback. 368 pages.

Readers Annotation
Australian-Pakistanian teenager, Amal decides to wear the hajib as a full-timer.   Her decision causes some to ostracize her, but her deep faith gives her the inner strength to be true to her beliefs.

Plot Summary
Spunky teenager, Amal Mohammed Nasrullah Abdel-Hakim, decides that she is ready to wear the hajib fulltime. She carefully makes a “to wear or not to wear list,” while trying all of her clothes with a variety of head scarves. Like many teens she first approaches her close friends Leila and Yasmeen about her decision. When she tells her parents, they quietly attempt to talk her out of it. They know that she will face racism and condescension among her peers at McClean’s Prepartory Academy. Amal’s focus and determination convince them, and her principal at McClean’s that she truly wants to wear the hajib. Amal’s friends Simone and Eileen are proud of her, but her friend Adam isn’t sure what to think. The school queen bees, Tia, Claire and Rita try to make her life uncomfortable, but Amal is brilliant at comebacks. She foils the snooty comments with her own brand of snarkiness. Adam, her school crush, grows closer to Amal as they share their life stories. Eventually, Adam makes a move on Amal and she is forced to decide whether to remain true to her faith or become his girlfriend. Later, when terrorists bomb hotels and nightclubs in Bali, Amal must face the criticism and lack of knowledge of her peers. Throughout the story are subplots about Amal’s girlfriends, and her neighbor Mrs. Vaselli. All of them are sweetly told, with realistic contemporary issues.

Critical Evaluation
This is a beautifully executed novel about a Muslim girl growing up in Australia. While Amal is both smart and snarky, she is also unsure about herself at times. My only criticism is that at times she seems a little too adult. She gets along a little too well with her parents, and she is a little Pollyanna-ish when dealing with her crotchety neighbor Mrs. Vaselli. Yet she is heart rendingly human when dealing with the reactions from her classmates over the Bali bombings. She flees home, staying in bed for several days rather the deal with her classmates. She feels like a target for their anger because she wears the hajib. The other characters in the novel especially her parents are also fully developed. When they argue over Amal’s reaction to the bombings it is the mother who exclaims that she is “sick of it.” She is reacting to the racism experienced by her daughter in her home country. The author’s choice of topic, although a little dated now, remains contemporary.  Issues of racism exist in every country, and this book explains much that western society doesn’t understand about Islam.

Information about the author
Randa Abdel-Fattah, is an attorney living in Australian. She is married and has two children. You can find out more about her on her website at http://www.randaabdelfattah.com/.

Genre
Contemporary issues, multicultural

Curriculum ties
Cultural differences, Islamic studies

Challenge Issues
None

Challenge defense ideas
There are no apparent challenge issues associated with this book. In the case that a challenge comes up, there are some things that you can do to start. You could read the book and become familiar with the content. Refer to the library collection development policy, and get reviews from reputable sources and teens that have read the book. You can find out more about this book on Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/Does-Head-Look-Big-This/dp/043992233X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258863679&sr=8-1.

Booktalking Ideas
1. Discuss why Amal would decide to wear a hajib.
2. Discuss what Amal says about Islam.

Reading Level/Age
Young adult. Ages 15 and up.

Why I included this title
Recommended by a librarian.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Gaiman, Neil. The Graveyard Book. 
Illustrated by Dave McKean.
HarperCollinsChildren. 2008.
ISBN 97800605300921.
$17.99. Hardcover. 320 pages.

Readers Annotation
When his parents are murdered, a baby boy wanders into a graveyard where he is adopted by Mister and Mistress Owens. Nobody “Bod” Owens grows up amongst the dead, protected by the Jack of All Trades who hunts him.

Plot Summary
Nobody “Bod” Owens grows up in a graveyard after his parents and sister are brutally murdered one night. Named Nobody because he looks like nobody but himself, Baby Bod escaped by wandering into the graveyard. His ghostly mother pleading for his life convinces Mistress Owens to adopt the youngster and raise him as her own. With the protection of the graveyard, and his guardian Silas, Bod grows up knowing few living people. Silas, neither living nor dead makes sure that Bod receives the food and clothing a living child needs. This denizens of the graveyard provide his early education, and eventually a living tutor is hired to educate Bod when Silas goes away. Miss Lepescu, his tutor, moonlights as a weredog, and is assigned as additional protection for him. There are many dangers in the graveyard for a young man, and Bod experiences most of them. He meets ghouls who take him across the underground desert to their secret city. It is Miss Lepescu who saves him. The dangers in Bod’s short lifetime seem never ending. Bod is thirteen years old when the Jacks of All Trades arrive at the graveyard. It is up to Bod and his friend Scarlett to find a way to destroy them all. Scarlett is one of the few living characters. She appears in the story when Bod is very young, and again when he is a teenager. The prophecy of the doom of the Jacks of all Trades now fulfilled Bod begins to lose his ability to see the ghosts. With Silas’ help, he leaves his home to make his way in the world of the living.

Critical Evaluation
The Graveyard Book won The John Newbery Medal in 2009. The book is a blend of several genres. Its blend of fantasy, horror and mystery makes this book an original. The cast of characters is both creepy and funny. The murderous Jacks of all Trades are creepy villains. However, I never understood just what their job description entailed. Bod’s guardian Silas, who is neither living nor dead, is never fully explained. Although he is his guardian, he is not affectionate. He sees to Bod’s earthly needs, but we are never privy to his reasoning. The Owens’s are the perfect adoptive parents for Bod, kind, loving and loyal, they died childless in the 1700s’. The ghostly characters are interesting because they cover a range of historic periods. Their opinions are always based on the knowledge from their living time periods. While the overarching theme of this story is the affirmation of life, it is masterfully told through the eyes of the dead. Gaiman has left the ending open for a sequel to take place. Although this book is written for younger teens, it is a good read for reluctant older teens.

Information about the author
Gaiman, born and raised in England currently resides new Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has won numerous awards for his work, including: the Hugo, Nebula, Bram Stoker, and Mythopoeic awards. You can find out more about him on his website at http://www.neilgaiman.com/, or on his blog at http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2009/11/blood-blood-in-unimaginable-quantities.html.

Genre
Fantasy, horror, mystery

Curriculum ties
None

Challenge Issues
None

Challenge defense ideas
There are no apparent challenge issues associated with this book. In the case that a challenge comes up, there are some things that you can do to start. You could read the book and become familiar with the content. Refer to the library collection development policy, and get reviews from reputable sources and teens that have read the book. You can find out more about this book on Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/Graveyard-Book-Neil-Gaiman/dp/0060530928/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1258862647&sr=8-1

Booktalking Ideas
1. Discuss why Bod is adopted by the Owens’s.
2. Talk about his guardian Silas.

Reading Level/Age
Children and Young Adults. Ages 10 and up.

Why I included this title 
Although this book is written for younger children it has a timeless quality. It is also extremely well written, and it won many awards.

The Arrival by Shaun Tan

Tan, Shaun. The Arrival.
Arthur A. Levine Books. 2006.
ISBN 9780439895293
$19.99. Hardcover. 128 pages.

Readers Annotation
This wordless, graphic novel tells the immigration story of one man, and his strange and beautiful journey in a new and exciting world.

Plot Summary
In this immigration story told entirely through softly toned images,  the protagonist (a man) decides to immigrate to a new country. Leaving his wife and child behind he makes a long journey by boat.  He measures the days by the clouds, whose shapes seem to evoke symbols and shapes of faces, and even a fetus.  When he arrives he is processed and given his papers.  He can't read the papers he is given, the symbols are not in his language.  Bravely he forges onward to find a place to stay.  He has to draw pictures in a small tablet to be understood.  The city is large and filled with people of all cultures. Everything is strange. His new home is a small apartment in a large building.  His apartment even comes with its own pet.  The little creature helps the man locate the things he needs, even new friends.  Each new friend he meets tells him the story of his or her own immigration to the new land.  Most of his new friends stories are of oppressive governments, or wars from which they escaped to their new homes.  The man looks for work to save to bring his family to the new country. The man writes to his family, when he receives a letter telling him they are arriving he rushes to meet them. Reunited the family settles into their new life together. The final images show the man’s young daughter helping another immigrant.

Critical Evaluation
Under the cloud of tentacles a family decides to take refuge in a far country. The country is almost magical in its grandeur. Tan creates a vast world that appeals to the eyes like a feast. Each image is carefully constructed to unite with the whole. The most enjoyable pages are those where newfound friends explain the inner-workings of this country. I especially enjoyed the illustrations of the man learning which foods to eat. This part of the story is balanced against the memory sequences of his friends and their personal journeys. There are some disturbing images of war and tyranny, but these add to the overall effect, demonstrating the reason behind immigration. This work is multicultural and inclusive of all ages, races and genders. The book is both beautiful and compelling. It merits rereading often. This books is also good for the young adult reluctant reader, who may find a depth of understanding not experienced with the written word alone.  The book I have read that is closest in style is The Invention of Hugo Cabret, by Brian Selznick.  Selznick's book won the Caldecott Award in 2007.  In Hugo Cabret much of the story is told in black and white drawings.  For a visual learner like myself the stories told by Tan and Selznick evoke emotions that words alone do not convey.  

Information about the author
Shaun Tan was born in 1974, and grew up in Perth, Western Australia. You can find out more about him on his website at http://www.shauntan.net/. He has won numerous awards for his work including a 2008 ALA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults.

Genre
Fantasy

Curriculum ties
None

Challenge Issues
None

Challenge defense ideas
There are no apparent challenge issues associated with this book. In the case that a challenge comes up, there are some things that you can do to start. You could read the book and become familiar with the content. Refer to the library collection development policy, and get reviews from reputable sources and teens that have read the book. You can find out more about this book on Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/Arrival-Shaun-Tan/dp/0439895294/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b

Booktalking Ideas
1. Discuss how the author is able to tell the story without words.
2. Choose some passages to “read-aloud.”

Reading Level/Age
Young Adult. Ages 13 and up.

Why I included this title
This book was chosen as a 2008 ALA 2008 Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults.

Tales from Outer Suburbia by Shaun Tan

Tan, Shaun. Tales From Outer Suburbia.
Arthur A. Levine Books. 2008.
ISBN 9780545055871
$19.99. Hardcover. 98 pages.

Readers Annotation
15 short illustrated tales make up this book. Each story is a small vignette of fantasy supported by Tan’s extraordinary artwork.

Plot Summary
This book includes 15 short stories based on Tan’s artwork. All of the stories are fantasy. Differing styles of artwork set each tale apart. One of the most interesting stories in the collection is titled “Eric.” In this tale, a small shadowy leaf-like creature comes to stay with a family. The family mistakes the creature for a foreign exchange student. Although they have prepared a guest room for Eric, he prefers to sleep in the cupboard. After taking the creature on excursions through the city to show it the sights, Eric brings home all the little items he has collected from the ground. When Eric departs on the back of a leaf the family, at first, does not know if he is returning. Upon opening the cupboard where Eric has been staying they discover a note from Eric and a lovely glow-in-the-dark garden. “It must be a cultural thing,” Mum says. The art for “Eric” is done with pencil. The illustrations are black and white, with the exception of the final image showing the garden, which has little dashes of color for the plants. All of the stories in this volume have a magical or mythical quality to them. For example, the first story in the collection called “The Water Buffalo,” is about a large water buffalo that lives in a vacant lot at the end of the street. The water buffalo, a near mythical creature, answers questions from the neighborhood by pointing in a direction. When the neighbors stop asking questions the water buffalo leaves the neighborhood. In the story “Make Your Own Pet,” Tan uses collage and painted images to create directions for how to make a pet cat. Printed over a spread this is the closest this work comes to looking (and reading) like a child’s picture book.

Critical Evaluation
Everything about this book is magical. A non-reader could spend hours looking at the illustrations and creating their own stories from them; while readers will want to return to this slim volume for rereading favorite tales. The strength of this book is not in the writing. It is in the combination of words and pictures. Tan’s earlier work, The Arrival, is similar in its ability to tell a complete story through images alone. The wide variety of Tan’s art techniques also makes this book interesting.  While his signature pencil illustrations are included, it is the combination of media that make this work exciting.  For example, in the story Distant Rain, Tan uses watercolor, pencil illustrations, and collage to create a scrapbook like effect that is both visually exciting and challenging to read.  The first spread of the story is light, with a blue background evoking light and rain.  The second spread of the story is dark, like the night, with little shadows behind the collaged images.  This is a style he uses often in this book. In some ways, it is like getting 15 individual books in one small volume. His work can be compared to that of David Weisner, Chris Van Allsburg, and David Selznick, all Caldecott winners.

Information about the author
Shaun Tan was born in 1974, and grew up in Perth, Western Australia. You can find out more about him on his website at http://www.shauntan.net/.  He has won numerous awards for his work including:

• 2008 ALA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults for The Arrival
• 2009 Children’s Book Council of Australia (Older Readers) for Tales from Outer Suburbia.
  

Genre
Fantasy

Curriculum ties
None

Challenge Issues
None

Challenge defense ideas
There are no apparent challenge issues associated with this book. In the case that a challenge comes up, there are some things that you can do to start. You could read the book and become familiar with the content. Refer to the library collection development policy, and get reviews from reputable sources and teens that have read the book. You can find out more about this book on Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/Tales-Outer-Suburbia-Shaun Tan/dp/1840113138/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258335089&sr=1-1

Booktalking Ideas
1. Discuss several favorite stories from the collection.
2. Read-aloud some of the stories.

Reading Level/Age
Young Adult. Ages 13 and up.

Why I included this title
Shaun Tan’s work is similar to Chris Van Allsburg. This would be a good title to recommend for YA’s looking for similar books, or enjoyed The Arrival.

The Dreaming (Volume 1) by Queenie Chan

Chan, Queenie. The Dreaming (Volume 1).
TokyoPop. 2006.
ISBN 1427800057
$7.99. Paperback. 192 pages.

Readers Annotation
Twin sisters, Amber and Jeanie, have been accepted into an exclusive Australian boarding school, but it comes with a warning – don’t go into the bush!

Plot Summary
When twin sisters, Amber and Jeanie arrive at their exclusive Australian boarding school, their aunt (who is leaving as they arrive) tells them to hide the fact that they are actually twins from the vice-principal. There are rumors that the school is haunted, but their new friends, Schala and Millie, assure them that the rumors are silly girl stuff. As the girls investigate their new home, mean Mrs. Skeener, the vice-principal, discovers them. The pair is warned never to enter the bush at night because students have disappeared. Amber, the more sensitive sister begins to have unexplained horrifying dreams that she is being pulled into the bush. In her dreams she encounters women in long dresses standing under bleeding trees. The dream is frightening, but soon the twins discover that they are dreaming the same dream. After performing a séance, and another encounter with Mrs. Skeener, Amber is ready to leave the academy. When their friend Millie becomes ill, the girls are worried. When Millie disappears from her bed, they are frightened. Weeks later, as they search the grounds, Amber begins to recognize the forest from her dreams. Amber stumbles upon a water hole. As her shoe dislodges a stone into the water, the body of Millie rises from the depths.

Critical Evaluation
Author Queenie Chan provides a wonderfully creepy manga horror novel. This is the first book in a trilogy. The story is original and the artwork is typical manga style. Chan has created an interesting look for this book. The school hidden deep in the Australian bush, the truly creepy paintings on the walls, the hidden doors, the tight-lipped teachers all add to the imagery. Chan gives her characters interesting costumes to wear. The schoolgirls aren’t relegated to uniforms as in some other manga I’ve seen. Yet the costumes worn by the dream women are whimsical, and do not represent any specific time period, and they have a distinctly gothic feel. I enjoyed this book. It left me wanting to complete the trilogy. This is a good book for reluctant young adult readers.

Genre
Horror, manga format.

Information about the author
Queenie Chan was born in Hong Kong in 1980. She immigrated with her family to Australia when she was six-years-old. Chan creates her drawings by hand, and adds tone using a computer. You can find out more about Chan here http://www.queeniechan.com/, although it doesn’t appear that the website has been updated since 2007.

Curriculum ties
None

Challenge Issues
None

Challenge defense ideas
There are no apparent challenge issues associated with this book. In the case that a challenge comes up, there are some things that you can do to start. You could read the book and become familiar with the content. Refer to the library collection development policy, and get reviews from reputable sources and teens that have read the book. You can find more information about this book on Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/Dreaming-Vol-1-Queenie-Chan/dp/1598163825/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258327844&sr=1-1

Booktalking Ideas
1. Discuss how the twins, Jeanie and Amber, come to be at the school.
2. Talk about the rumors of missing students.
3. Talk about the disturbing dreams the twins are having

Reading Level/Age
Young adult. Ages 14 and up.

Why I included this title
I wanted to add some manga titles to my list. I found this one at my local library.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.
Illustrated by Ellen Forney.
Hatchette Book Group. 2007.
ISBN 9780316013697
$8.99. Paperback. 288 pages.

Readers Annotation
Junior (Arnold Spirit) leaves the Spokane Indian reservation to attend an all-white high school. His hopes to rise above the poverty of the rez, but will his best friend ever forgive him?

Plot Summary
Junior, born with “grease” on the brain, draws because it is easier than words. He is small boy with big dreams. On his first day of high school he opens his geometry textbook only to discover that it had been his mothers. This enrages Junior, who throws the book and hits his teacher. The teacher, Mr. P. convinces Junior to take a chance and have hope for his life. Junior decides to leave the reservation school and go to the rich all white school called Reardan. This decisions sets off a chain of events at the reservation and at his new school. Members of the tribe think he is a traitor to his people. His best friend Rowdy hates him, and for the first time, Junior begins to have friends beyond his community. While Junior is enjoying his time at Reardan, his life on the rez is filled with sadness. At 14, Junior has been to 42 funerals. During his first year of high school, his grandmother is killed while walking by a drunk driver. Then his father’s best friend, Eugene is shot and killed. Finally, his big sister, Mary Ran Away (who ran away to marry), dies in a house fire. Junior nearly breaks down, he feels “helpless and stupid.” Even with all of the grief, Junior is still hopeful and hilarious. His drawing and writing help him overcome his deep grief. He even joins the Reardan basketball team, becoming a freshman starter on the varsity team. During a game with the rez team, Junior realizes that his former classmates on the Wellpinit Redskins team were in some distress. Some probably had not eaten, some had alcoholic parents, or parents in jail, and none of them were going to college. He sees the dichotomy of the two communities. Although his team wins because of his efforts, Junior realizes that he is no longer angry with his tribe. Instead, he becomes more determined to leave the reservation and attain his dreams of success.

Critical Evaluation
Sherman Alexie portrays the characters in this novel with great compassion and humor. He takes on the stereotypes of the Native American culture, and consequently informs the reader of both the truth and myths behind life on the reservation. His characterization of Junior is well rounded and superbly realized. Junior has no qualms about informing the reader that his is excellent at masturbation and cartooning, or that his best friend likes to beat people up. Junior’s perspective of life on and off the reservation is unsentimental. He wants to fit in both places, but he realizes that he must let go of his life on the reservation in order to attain his dreams. As Junior states in the novel, he feels like he is half Indian on the reservation, and half white at school. Either way, he is a lovable and believable character. The illustrations by Ellen Forney tell a story by themselves. Each cartoon depicts some aspect of Junior’s life: his hopes, dreams, and frustrations. The pencil illustrations, created to look taped into the journal, add much to the narration.

Information about the author
Sherman Alexie was born in October, 1966, on the Spokane Indian Reservation. This novel is based on his early life. This novel has won a number of awards including:

• 2007 National Book Award
• 2008 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award
• 2008 ALA Best Books for Young Adults

Genre
Multicultural Fiction

Curriculum ties
English or social studies. This is a good book for multicultural studies.

Challenge Issues
Language, sexuality, alcohol abuse

Challenge defense ideas
· Become familiar with the book and its content.
· Refer to the collection development policy of the library.
· Refer to reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly available for viewing on amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Absolutely-True-Diary-Part-Time-Indian/dp/0316013692/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258319587&sr=1-1
· Try to get reviews of the book from teens that have read it.

Booktalking Ideas
1. Discuss Junior Spirits life and his disabilities.
2. Talk about Junior’s arrival at Reardan high school.
3. Talk about Junior’s grief and his success at his new school.

Reading Level/Age
Young Adult. Age 13 and up

Why I included this title
This book is included on the 2008 ALA Best Books for Young Adults.

ttyl by Lauren Myracle

Myracle, Lauren. ttyl (Talk To You Later).
Amulet Books. 2005.
ISBN 0810987880
$6.95. Paperback. 233 pages.

Readers Annotation
Maddie, Angela and Zoe are best friends approaching their sophomore year of high school with high expectations. Their mistakes along the way may cause arguments, but it also brings them together.

Plot Summary
Three best friends (“The Winsome Threesome”) embarks on their sophomore year of high school. Maddie (Mad Maddie) has just gotten her drivers license, and has a pretty bad temper. Angela (SnowAngel) loves to be in love, and pursues boys relentlessly. Zoe (zoegirl) the good girl of the group finds herself in a dangerous situation with a teacher. The story told completely in IM (instant messaging) covers only a small part of the school year. Within that short time (September 7 to November 20) the girls each experience a traumatic event that nearly drives them apart. Maddie attends a frat party with a Jana (the high school queen bee), only to get drunk for the first time. She ends up dancing topless on a table. Soon after pictures start appearing on the Internet much to the girl’s horror. Angela thinks she finds the boy of her dreams in Rob, but he turns out to be a jerk. When she spins into depression her friends come to her rescue, but it’s only when she finds another crush that she is healed. Zoe, the “good girl” of the bunch, likes going to church with her 24-year-old teacher Mr. H. The naïve Zoe does have a little crush on the teacher, but she is unprepared when he hits on her. This event brings the girls back together again after a tumultuous couple of months. As the story ends the girls are planning a camping trip together during Thanksgiving break.

Critical Evaluation
Although Lauren Myracle states that she wanted to write a book that was true to life for teenage girls, what she has done is create three characters that a single aspects of one overall personality. Each character is only one part of the whole, and that creates characters that have personalities that are stilted and unreal. The overall format of the book is a take off of earlier pioneering works of experimental literature. Told in short IM missives, the story can be difficult to follow for a novice. Overall, this story worries me. My feeling is that this is a missed opportunity to talk about issues of love, sex, and safety with our young women. The entire time I was reading this novel I was thinking – where are the parents? But maybe that is the point.

Information about the author
Lauren Myracle was born on May 15, 1969. You can find out more about her on her lovely website at http://laurenmyracle.com/index.html. She also has an account on MySpace.

Genre
Contemporary Fiction

Curriculum ties
None

Challenge Issues
Sex, alcohol, language, and bad driving

Challenge defense ideas
· Become familiar with the book and its content.
· Refer to the collection development policy of the library.
· Refer to reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly available for viewing on amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/ttyl-Talk-You-Later-Internet-Girls/dp/0810987880/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258313225&sr=8-1
· Try to get reviews of the book from teens that have read it.

Booktalking Ideas
1. Discuss the format of the book.
2. Talk about the characters Maddie, Angela and Zoe.

Reading Level/Age
Young Adult. Ages 13 and up

Why I included this title
This book is included in the 2005 ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers.

Fade by Lisa McMann

McMann, Lisa. Fade.
Simon Pulse. 2009.
ISBN 978416953586
$15.99. Hardcover. 256 pages

Readers Annotation
Dream catcher Janie and her boyfriend/partner Cabel try to uncover a sexual predator at Fieldridge High School.

Plot Summary
In this second book of the series, dream catcher Janie and her partner/boyfriend Cabel are assigned to a new case. They are investigating a possible sex offender at their high school. At first, Cabe doesn’t want Janie on the case, but when she accepts it he is forced to work with her. When Janie begins falling into the dreams of her classmate Stacey, she knows that she is on the right track. Stacey dreams of being sexually assaulted by a man she can’t identify. Janie is helping but her gift is taking its toll on her health. She realizes that she is slowly losing her sight and her hands are becoming crippled. Soon she can no longer drive. When Martha Stubin’s files come into Janie’s hands she discovers more about her gift – she will go blind, she will be crippled, but she will also be able to help people. As the case progresses, Janie discovers that there are multiple offenders. Invited to a house party by one of the teachers involved Janie is drugged with GHB. Although drugged Janie is able to protect herself, and get enough evidence to arrest all three men. Cabel and Janie have more love-angst-filled moments together. They are finally able to go on their first date together. As this story ends the pair are finally graduating from high school.

Critical Evaluation
Fade is written in the same style as Wake. Each chapter is broken down by date and time, giving a clear timeline of events. Much of the book is written in short clipped sentences, and sometimes sentence fragments. This book is grittier than the last. The subject matter is more adult in nature as it deals with themes of sex and sexual violence. As Cabe and Janie explore their love through sex, the author is not explicit, but it is an important and realistic aspect of their growing relationship. The chapters of the book that deal with the discovery and arrest of the perpetrators are realistic. Looking through Janie’s drug induced stupor is disturbing. It left this reader clenched in fear for her safety. The story does end well, with Cabe and Janie again facing unexpected aspects of their relationship, but finding a way through it to each other.

Information about the author
Lisa McMann currently lives in Arizona. She was born of February 27, but won’t divulge her year of birth. She got the idea for Wake from a dream. You can find out more about Lisa McMann on her website at http://lisamcmann.com/ or on her blog at http://lisamcmann.blogspot.com/.

Genre
Paranormal Fiction. Mystery.

Curriculum ties
None

Challenge Issues
Sex and Violence

Challenge defense ideas
· Become familiar with the book and its content.
· Refer to the collection development policy of the library.
· Refer to reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly available for viewing on amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Fade-Lisa-McMann/dp/1416974482/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258251914&sr=1-1
· Try to get reviews of the book from teens that have read it.

Booktalking Ideas
1.  Discuss Janie and Cabel’s next case (sexual predator on campus).
2.  Talk about Janie and Cabel’s relationship and how it continues to develop.
3. Talk about Janie’s discovery of the effects of her curse.

Reading Level/Age
Young adult. Ages 15 and up.

Why I included this title
This is the second book in a series that I really like, and the first book (Wake) made the 2009 Top 10 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers.

Wake by Lisa McMann

McMann, Lisa. Wake.
Simon Pulse. 2008.
ISBN 9781416953579
$8.99. Paperback. 224 pages.

Readers Annotation
17-year-old Janie keeps getting sucked into other people’s dreams, and she can’t control when or where it happens.

Plot Summary
Janie Hannagan falls into other people’s dreams. This happens whenever she is near someone who is sleeping. She has seen her share of naked-in-front-of-a-crowd dreams, falling dreams, and sex dreams. She can’t tell anyone about her curse, but when she falls into classmate Cabel Strumheller’s dreams he begins to figure out what is happening. As their relationship develops Janie tells Cabel that it is driving her crazy. Janie and Cabel’s relationship is uneasy because he doesn’t tell Janie the truth about his life or work. Janie’s job at a convalescent hospital helps pay her bills, but can also cause problems when patient’s dream. When she meets Martha Stubin, a patient, she is drawn to her. Since Martha is blind, Janie spends time reading to her. When Mrs. Stubin dies she leaves Janie some money to help pay for college. She also calls Janie a “catcher.” This is the first time Janie has ever had a name for her ability, and it is the first time she meets someone who shares her talent. Janie blames Cabel for many things. It is not until he forces her to meet his boss, police captain Fran Komisky, that he is able to tell Janie everything.  Cabel has been working undercover to crack a drug ring. Captain Komisky knows about Martha Stubin, and she offers Janie a job working with Cabel. As Janie continues to work with the police she also learns about lucid dreaming. Through lucid dreaming she is able to help people through her dreams. As the book ends, Martha Stubin visits Janie in her dreams. Mrs. Stubin tells Janie that she will come to Janie in her dreams to teach her how to be a better dream-catcher.

Critical Evaluation
Wake is an original work of fantasy fiction that is like no other. Each chapter is broken down by date and time, giving a clear time line of events. Much of the book is written in short clipped sentences, and sometimes sentence fragments, which completely make sense in the situation. Janie only has bits and pieces of her own life because she is continually drawn into other people’s lives through their dreams. As Janie enters the dream sequences the font changes creating an additional layer of clarity to the events. This makes the book a very quick read. Janie and Cabel are both intriguing characters. Their attraction to one another is romantic and edgy. Both Janie and Cabel have had damaged childhoods and are struggling to survive in an adult world. While those portions of the book are difficult to read, McMann treats the subject with integrity.  This is book one of a planned trilogy.  Book two, Fade, is also included in the blog.  Book three, Gone, is schedule for release in February 2010.

Information about the author
Lisa McMann currently lives in Arizona. She was born of February 27, but won’t divulge her year of birth. She got the idea for Wake from a dream. You can find out more about Lisa McMann on her website at http://lisamcmann.com/ or on her blog at http://lisamcmann.blogspot.com/.  She also has accounts on Facebook, MySpace, an Twitter.

Genre
Paranormal Fiction

Curriculum ties
None

Challenge Issues
Drugs

Challenge defense ideas
· Become familiar with the book and its content.
· Refer to the collection development policy of the library.
· Refer to reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly available for viewing on amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/Wake-Lisa-McMann/dp/1416974474/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258239398&sr=8-1
· Try to get reviews of the book from teens that have read it.

Booktalking Ideas
1. Discuss Janie’s ability to fall into people’s dreams, and how she thinks it is a curse.
2. Talk about Janie and Cabel’s relationship and how it develops.
3. Talk about Mrs. Stubin and how she identifies Janie as a fellow dream-catcher.

Reading Level/Age
Young adult. Ages 15 and up.

Why I included this title
This book is on the 2009 Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers.

When Dad Killed Mom by Julius Lester

Lester, Julius. When Dad Killed Mom.
Harcourt. 2001.
ISBN: 0152046984.
$6.96. Paperback. 196 pages.

Readers Annotation
Their mother is dead, and their father killed her. Jenna and Jeremy must each find a way to deal with the tragedy.

Plot
Jenna and Jeremy know that their parent’s marriage is ending, but they never expected that their father would murder their mother. As the story unfolds, Jenna and Jeremy each tell the story from their own perspective. After the murder the children decide to separate. Jenna, her father’s favorite child, wants to support her father. At first she believes his innocence due to insanity. Jeremy, an artist like his mother, wants only to remain in her studio where he feels closest to her. The children do not understand their father’s motivation, and as each child searches separately for answers they come to understand the dynamic of their parents marriage. 14-year-old Jenna, living with her mother’s best friend, befriends with a boy whose father has committed suicide. Jeremy refuses to return to his classroom. Instead, he stays with his art teacher every day. Both Jenna and Jeremy attend their father’s trial. Jeremy, who has discovered his mother’s diary, knows he has uncovered the reason for her murder. Jenna also doesn’t believe the stories her father has told her. She knows that he has lied to her in the past. It is through Jeremy’s discovery of the diary that their father, Eric is forced to admit his guilt.

Critical Evaluation
Although the protagonists in this story are in the 6th and 8th grades, this book is written for an older audience. The story seems to be ripped from the headlines. The author, Julius Lester, is known for extensive research on his topic but I question whether the reactions by the children are true to life. The decision of the siblings to separate into different households seems contrived. Jenna’s decision to remain with her mother’s best friend, and adopt a new name seems more possible than Jeremy’s solution. Jeremy, who remains at his mother’s studio nearly alone, meets and is adopted by a family living in the same town. I’m not sure that any judge would determine that this was the best action for an 11-year-old child. Additionally, the melodrama played out in the courtroom by Jeremy would certainly not happen in real life. Although it plays out to a reasonably happy ending the story seems contrived. The story is heart-rending but not necessarily truthful.

Information about the author
Julius Lester was born on January 27, 1939 in St. Louis, Missouri. To date he has published 43 books. He has won numerous awards for his writing including a Newbery Honor, and multiple ALA Notable Book nominations. To find out more about Lester go to http://members.authorsguild.net/juliuslester/index.htm. You can follow his blog at http://acommonplacejbl.blogspot.com/, although he doesn’t post very often.

Genre
Contemporary fiction.

Curriculum ties
None

Challenge Issues
Violence

Challenge defense ideas
· Become familiar with the book and its content.
· Refer to the collection development policy of the library.
· Refer to reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly available for viewing on amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/When-Dad-Killed-Julius-Lester/dp/0152046984/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258233502&sr=1-1
· Try to get reviews of the book from teens that have read it.

Booktalking Ideas
1.  Discuss the murder of the mother, and the children’s reactions.
2.  Talk about the children’s decision to live apart.

Reading Level/Age
Young adult. Ages 15 and over.

Why you included this title
This title is included in Teen Genreflecting, 2nd Edition (2003), as an example of a book about issues of death.

Shattered Mirror by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Atwater-Rhodes, Amelia. Shattered Mirror.
Laurel-Leaf. 2002.
ISBN: 9780440229407.
$6.99. Paperback. 227 pages.

Readers Annotation
Teenaged Sarah Tigress Vida is a witch and vampire hunter who finds herself attracted to Christopher until she discovers that he is the twin brother of Nikolas, the vampire she hunts.

Plot
Sarah Tigress Vida looks like a normal teenage girl. However, she comes from a long line of witch vampire hunters. Christopher Ravena is a vampire that has foresworn drinking human blood. When the two meet they are drawn together by mutual attraction. Sarah has sworn to kill the vampire Nikolas, but is shocked to discover that he is the brother of Christopher and Nissa her two new friends. Human and vampire struggle to come to terms with their mutual attraction until Sarah’s mother and sister discover their tentative romance. Banned from contact with her vampire friends, Sarah pursues information about local vampire parties. Injured during her first contact with Nikolas she becomes more determined to destroy him. Sarah is continually thwarted in her plans. She knows that she is headed for disaster, but she cannot seem to stop her determined effort to make a name for herself by destroying the vampire Nikolas. Breaking every rule of her calling, Sarah is dismissed from service and sent away from her family. In a last desperate attempt to save herself, she makes a final attempt on Nikolas. Instead, Christopher and Nikolas turn her into a vampire. Sarah now has eternity to choose between a vampire life with her new love Kristopher, or to end her undead life.

Critical Evaluation
For this novel Atwater-Rhodes borrows again from author Laurell K. Hamilton’s “Anita Blake Vampire Hunter” novels. Although Atwater-Rhodes has borrowed from Hamilton’s novels, she has also created something new by making her character a witch from a long line of ancestral witch vampire hunters. For this novel too, Atwater-Rhodes, pays homage to Hamilton’s blurry lines of good and evil. Both Sarah (and Anita) start off believing in the ultimate evil of all vampires, and like Anita, Sarah is attracted to a vampire, and comes to care for him and his sister. It is most interesting that Atwater-Rhodes would choose to also explore the nature of good and evil in this novel because it is a recurring theme in the Hamilton books. While Anita maintains her humanity while dealing with the monsters, Atwater-Rhodes transforms Sarah into a vampire, thereby making her a mortal enemy to her family. What will Sarah and her family do now that she has turned into a vampire? It is a question that is never answered in this book. This book is part of the “Den of Shadows” series.

Information about the author
Born in 1984, Amelia Atwater-Rhodes began her writing career at age 13. She currently attends college and plans on becoming a teacher. You can find out more about her here.
You can find out more about the “Den of Shadows” books here http://www.nyeusigrube.com/.  The site is maintained by Atwater-Rhodes.

Genre
Paranormal. Witches and Vampires.

Curriculum ties
None

Challenge Issues
Paranormal. Occult.

Challenge defense ideas
· Become familiar with the book and its content.
· Refer to the collection development policy of the library.
· Refer to reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly available for viewing on amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Shattered-Mirror-Shadows-Amelia-Atwater-Rhodes/dp/0440229405/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258231456&sr=8-1
· Try to get reviews of the book from teens that have read it.

Booktalking Ideas
1. Discuss the reasons Sarah wants to take on Nikolas.
2. Talk about Sarah and Christopher’s mutual attraction.
3. Discuss Sarah’s transformation from human witch to vampire.

Reading Level/Age
Young adult. Ages 15 and up.

Why I included this title
This title is included in Teen Genreflecting, 2nd Edition (2003), as an example of a “Paranormal: Vampire” book.

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Dessen, Sarah. Just Listen.
Speak. 2006.
ISBN 9780142410973
$8.99. Paperback. 400 pages

Readers Annotation
Annabel Greene seems to have a perfect life. She models and is popular at school, until her friendship with the vindictive Sophie ends bitterly.

Plot Summary
Annabel Greene, the youngest of three sisters seems to have it all – a wonderful family life, and a career as a local model. Yet, she has secrets that she can’t tell anyone. Her middle sister suffers from anorexia, her mother has had bouts of depression, and she doesn’t want to model anymore. Caught in a toxic relationship, her best friend, Sophie blames Annabel for attempting to sleep with her philandering boyfriend. What Sophie doesn’t know is that her boyfriend, Will tried to rape Annabel at a party. Now ostracized by nearly everyone on campus, Annabel accepts that she will never be able to tell the truth about what happened that night. Although ostracized by many of her classmates, Annabel develops a budding relationship with the tall loner Owen. Owen, a local DJ, draws closer to Annabel through music and discussions about his issues with anger management. Through her relationship with Owen, Annabel learns to listen to herself, and to speak her truth.

Critical Evaluation
Beautifully realized with honest characters this book is a classic young adult novel. Dessen’s portrayal of Annabel, a fragile frightened teen, is so realistic that many young women will believe she exists. It is rare to find a literary character that is so realistic. Young women will think (as I did), that if this can happen to Annabel – it can happen to anyone. Annabel’s vindictive best friend Sophie is over-the-top. From the first meeting with Annabel and Clarke, she oozes a troublesome meaness that never changes. Sophie never grows up or changes until the very end. Annabel’s friendship with Owen is disconcerting at times. Although Owen is the same age as Annabel he seems much older and wiser. Their budding relationship is sweet and it is the only time Owen seems equal to Annabel.

The parallel story about Annabel’s family is also very honest. Annabel’s family is fragile. Her episodically depressed mother, and a severely anorexic sister contribute to her self-imposed silence. How can Annabel tell her family about her own experience when they are so entwined with metal illness? When Annabel finally does tell her family, she finds that they will listen and help her. This book is definitely a two-hankie read, but well worth it.

Information about the author
Sarah Dessen was born in 1970. She has lived most of her life in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She currently has nine novels in print. She has a wonderful biography that you can read at http://www.sarahdessen.com/bio-press. This novel has won many accolades, including:

• A Booksense Top Ten Pic
• An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
• A New York Times Best Seller
  

Genre
Contemporary Fiction.

Curriculum ties
This book could be use for discussion about mental health issues like: depression and anorexia. It could also be instrumental in discussions about rape, or attempted rape.

Challenge Issues
None.

Challenge defense ideas
There are no apparent challenge issues associated with this book. In the case that a challenge comes up, there are some things that you can do to start. You could read the book and become familiar with the content. Refer to the library collection development policy, and get reviews from reputable sources and teens that have read the book.  You can find some reviews on amazon.com hhttp://www.amazon.com/Just-Listen-Sarah-Dessen/dp/0142410977/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258220278&sr=1-1

Booktalking Ideas
1.  Discuss Annabel's is ostracized for something she didn’t do.
2.  Talk about how Owen helps Annabel overcome her inability to tell what happened to her.
3.  Talk about how Annabel copes with her sister Whitney's struggle with anorexia. 

Reading Level/Age
Young adult. 14+.

Why I included this title
This book is included on the 2007 ALA Best Books Young Adults.

Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block

Block, Francesca Lia. Weetzie Bat.
Harper & Row. 1989.
ISBN 0060205342
$12.89. Hardcover. 88 pages.

Readers Annotation
Weetzie and her best friend Dirk live happily together in Shangri-L.A. Together they build a happy home with their lovers and Weetzie’s children.

Plot Summary
In this modern fairy tale, Weetzie Bat, a girl on the fringe of society, meets Dirk, a young gay man. The two become best friends. Together they build a near utopian home for themselves. Both Weetzie and Dirk wants to find love. Dirk finds his soul mate in Duck, while Weetzie discovers “My Secret Agent Lover Man.” The foursome lives happily together until Weetzie decides she wants to have a child. My Secret Agent Lover Man balks at the prospect of becoming a father, but Weetzie persists. Dirk and Duck offer to become surrogate fathers, and later when My Secret Agent Lover Man returns after the birth of their daughter, the four friends/lovers settle down to raise their child. My Secret Agent Lover Man, an independent filmmaker, is blessed with a second child. Tender-hearted Weetzie decides she wants to raise this child with her daughter, Cherokee. The addition of “Witch Baby” livens up the household even more. When Charlie Bat (Weetzie’s father) dies, it is the first great grief felt by the friends. The toll of deaths (the unspoken AIDS crisis) takes its measure with Duck, who leaves his long-time lover. Dirk searches for Duck. He finds him in San Francisco. In the end, the friends are seated around a dinner table together, and Weetzie understands that love is a choice, and she and her family can exist happily together.

Critical Evaluation 
This first novel by Block has moments when it reaches the sublime.  Grandma Fifi giving the Genie to Weetzie.  Weetzie's three wishes coming true, and the intense happiness felt by the foursome living together in Grandma Fifi's Hollywood home.  There is a level of magical realism that suits the storyline.  Yet I found myself confused at times.  There is no clear timeline. The story begins when Weetzie and Dirk meet in highschool. Soon they are going to concerts and bars, hanging out at Grandma Fifi’s house. After Grandma Fifi dies and leaves the house to Dirk and Weetzie, I was no longer clear on the ages of the protagonists. Were they still teens or young adults? Wikipedia states that Weetzie is about 23 years old at the end of the first novel, but I don’t agree with that assessment. She could be any age. Although not openly stated it is obvious that Block is talking about the AIDS crisis when she discusses the friends that have died in the gay community. I wish she had been more open, speaking more clearly about the disease. I deeply appreciate the honesty and hopefulness portrayed in this novel.

This is a very short easy-to-read novel.  It is also part of a series of books called Dangerous Angels.  The series includes Weetzie Bat, Witch Baby, Cherokee Bat and the Goat Guys, Missing Angel Juan, and Baby Be-Bop.

Information about the author
Born on December 3, 1962, Francesca Lia Block is a native of Los Angeles. Weetzie Bat was written while she was attending UC Berkeley. She is a prolific writer who has completed more than 25 novels. In 2005 she received the Margaret A. Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Library Association. You can find out more about her at http://www.francescaliablock.com/.

Genre
Fiction, Contemporary Issues

Curriculum ties
None

Challenge Issues
This book is loaded with controversial issues. Librarians should be prepared for challenges. Issues will include: sexuality, homosexuality, and abortion.

Challenge defense ideas
· Become familiar with the book and its content.
· Refer to the collection development policy of the library.
· Refer to reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly available for viewing on amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Weetzie-Bat-Francesca-Lia-Block/dp/0060736259/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258216146&sr=8-1
· Try to get reviews of the book from teens that have read it.

Booktalking Ideas
1. Discuss how Weetzie doesn’t like high school very much because no one understands.
2. Talk about how she meets Dirk and they become best friends.
3. Mention that Dirk is a young gay man.
4. Talk about the images of magical realism in the story (Genie, and Lanka Witch).

Reading Level/Age
Young Adult. Ages 16 and up.

Why I included this title
This book was suggested by SJSU Assistant Professor Joni Bodart as a "must read."