The House of Dance by Peg Kephart

Kephart, Peg. The House of Dance.
HarperTeen. 2008.
ISBN: 9780061429286.
$16.99. Hardcover. 272 pages.

Readers Annotation
Rosie’s wants to give her father one last gift before he dies. She wants to learn to dance for him like her grandmother used to do.

Plot Summary
Rosie’s widowed grandfather is dying of cancer, and her mother hasn’t spoken to him in years. Her mother is also having an affair with a married man. It is only the beginning of summer and Rosie told by her mother to see to her grandfather’s needs. Rosie loves spending time with him. Together they decide to go through his belongings and decide which items should be thrown out, given away, or kept ‘in trust.’ In performing this task Rosie sees and hears her grandfather’s life. While listening to her grandfather’s collection of LPs, Rosie discovers that her grandmother loved to dance the foxtrot. She comes to know him better, and as a final gift she decides to throw him a party. Rosie notices a dance studio on the second floor of a building she passes everyday. As she watches she decides that she will take ballroom dance lessons so that she may dance for her grandfather as her grandmother once did. The dance studio has some quirky characters, and she makes new friends while learning to dance. Yet, Rosie gains more from her lessons than a few dance moves, she also gains self confidence.

Critical Evaluation
This is a beautifully written novel. It is filled with lyrical prose that is laden with descriptions of the natural world. A literary novel, this book focuses on the emotions of losing someone you love, while pulling your family together again. Rosie tells the story in a poetic first person narrative. Kephart’s character development of Rosie and her grandfather are nearly perfect. There relationship is loving and sentimental. Rosie’s mother treats her as if she was an adult already, and her relationship with a married man is creepy. While she both loves and derides her mother’s romantic decision-making, it is her relationship with her grandfather that gives her emotional sustenance. A budding romantic relationship between Rosie and the boy next door is never fully realized, but you wouldn’t expect it to be in this type of novel where the focus is on the passing of a loved one. The story is slow, and drawn out, just as Rosie wants her remaining time to be with her grandfather. This book is for a young adult reader who has a budding love of literature, and wants to read a sentimental story.

Information about the author
Peg Kephart currently teaches advanced fiction writing at the University of Pennsylvania. Although she doesn’t have a permanent web address, she has a blog that you can find at http://beth-kephart.blogspot.com/.

Genre
Contemporary fiction

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/House-Dance-Beth-Kephart/dp/0061429287/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_5.

Booktalking Ideas
1. Discuss why Rosie is helping her Grandfather go through his possessions.
2. Talk about Rosie’s relationship with her mother.

Reading Level/Age
Young adult, ages 13 and up.

Why I included this title
I discovered this book last summer and it stuck with me. It is a lovely read.

Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harrison

Harrison, Kim. Once Dead, Twice Shy 
(Madison Avery, Book 1).
HarperCollins. 2009.
ISBN: 9780061718167
16.99. Hardcover. 240 pages.

Readers Annotation
Madison Avery went to the prom and died – sort of.

Plot Summary
When Madison Avery left the prom with a handsome stranger she doesn’t expect to die.  Before he could stab her with his sword she steals his amulet and gets away.  She discovers that although her body is dead and missing she still exists. Now she’s stuck in between life and death. Not really dead, but certainly not alive. As long as she carries the amulet she appears to be living so she continues to go to school. After all she’ll have to get a job someday. She doesn’t know why the dark reaper tried to kill her, and she isn’t going to sit around trying to figure it out. When the story begins Madison is already in training with Barnabas, to be a light reaper. Light reapers are the good guys who try to prevent the killings of the dark reapers. Madison has taken the amulet of the dark timekeeper Kairos. The timekeepers have the ability to move through the time stream. One is dark, the other light. It’s all about balance in the cosmos. Overseeing the reapers are the Seraphs, a high order of angels. Madison is also protected by a guardian angel named Grace, and she has a cute new boyfriend named Josh. If she can figure out why Kairos wants her truly dead, she might just have a chance of staying alive.

Critical Evaluation
Although she doesn’t admit it, it seems as if Harrison has been influenced by the cable television show Dead Like Me. With her usual joyfulness Harrison has created a world where grim reapers and guardian angels really exist. Yet unlike her Hallows series, this novel could have used a little more time in editing. There are plot holes, but Harrison is known to employ them in future storylines. Plus, the novel bogs down in several places. It’s almost as if she has left off writing the novel, come back to it and forget where she was. It is confusing. This is her first young adult novel and claims to be the first book in a series. We can only hope the future novels have more clarity.

Information about the author
Kim Harrison is the author of The Hallows series of books. You can find out more about her on her website at http://www.kimharrison.net/index.html.

Genre
Fantasy, horror, teen dating

Curriculum ties
None

Challenge Issues
None (the violence is very mild).

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/Once-Dead-Twice-Madison-Avery/dp/0061718165/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260231309&sr=1-1

Booktalking Ideas
1. Talk about how Madison becomes a reaper trainee.
2. Talk about her relationship with Josh.

Reading Level/Age
Young adult, ages 15 and up.

Why I included this title
The is the first YA novel by Harrison, and I am a fan of her Hallows series.

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 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.

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.

The Silver Kiss by Annette Curtis Klause

Klause, Annette Curtis. The Silver Kiss.
Bantam Doubleday Dell. 1999.
ISBN: 0440323460.
$5.99. Paperback. 198 pages.

Readers Annotation
Zoë’s new friend Simon is handsome and mysterious. Could he be responsible for the death’s in Zoë’s hometown?

Plot
High school student Zoë is facing a series of crisis. Her mother is slowly dying of cancer, and her father is always at the hospital. Then her best friend, Lorraine is planning to move away. Under pressure at both home and school, she recklessly wanders the dark streets of her town where a murderer is loose. Also walking the dark streets is the vampire Simon. Simon has his own agenda, but when he sees Zoë he is drawn to her. Written in alternating chapters the stories of both Zoë and Simon are told as they intersect in the hunt for the serial killer. Zoë tells Simon about her mother’s terminal illness. She asks Simon to help save her, but he explains that he cannot for her pain would make her insane. Simon tells Zoë the story of his older brother Christopher, and how he was taken from his family and changed into a boy vampire. While Simon has learned to control his urge for human blood, Christopher has not. Zoë comes to understand that it is Christopher (disguised as a young boy) who has been killing people and leaving their bloodless bodies to be found. Simon, with Zoë’s help plots to destroy his brother before he kills more innocent people. Zoë helps Simon in his quest, and in doing so discovers a hidden source of strength within. Simon’s decision to meet the sun saddens Zoë, but also gives her a new resolve to conquer her family tragedy.

Critical Evaluation
Listed in Teen Genreflecting as “the quintessential teen vampire novel,” The Silver Kiss is certainly a novel worth reading. Yet, the novel pales in comparison to more recent novels in the genre because of a lack of sympathetic building for the characters. Zoe’s well-meaning father removes her from all aspects of her mother’s terminal illness. Instead of feeling sympathy for her character, readers are subjected to Zoë’s otherness. Although she is not a monster like Simon and his brother, she is also not like most other teens. It is difficult to feel sympathy for the loss her character is undergoing. Zoë is separated from parents and friends when she finds Simon. His perspective on death is just what Zoë needs in order to put her life in order. Both characters face similar dilemmas on life and death. Simon’s decision to put an end to his brother Christopher is difficult. After destroying his murderous brother (with Zoë’s help), Simon’s decision to die is surprising. As Simon awaits the rising sun with Zoë, he is transfigured from monster to saved human being, because he goes willingly into the light.

Information about the author
Annette Curtis Klause (1953- ) is a librarian who writes novels. She does not currently have a website, but you can find out more about her at: http://www.ravenstonepress.com/klause.html. She also has a blog to which she posts infrequently. The author also notes this website for more biographical information: http://www.childrensbookguild.org/klause.htm

Genre
Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal, Vampire

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/Silver-Kiss-Annette-Curtis-Klause/dp/0375857826/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257737164&sr=8-1
· Try to get reviews of the book from teens that have read it.

Booktalking Ideas
1.  Discuss how Zoe is kept away from her dying mother, and her best friend moves away.
2.  Talk about how she feels alone until she meets Simon. 
3.  Discuss how she decides to help Simon destroy Christopher.

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 for young adults.

Kit's Wilderness by David Almond

Almond, David. Kit’s Wilderness.
Random House. 1999.
ISBN: 0440416051
$6.99. Paperback. 229 pages.


Readers Annotation
Askew and his friends liked to play the death game, but for Kit something real happened. He can see the children who died in the mines years ago.

Plot
When Kit Watson and his family move to Stoneygate, an English mining town, to take care of his widowed grandfather, Kit befriends several children from his new school. One of those friends is John Askew, a strange young man who identifies Kit as one of those who can “see” beyond the everyday. Drawn to John, Kit enters into the game of “death” with other children in an abandoned mine. Things go awry and John is expelled from school, but Kit begins to truly see the ghosts of the children who died in the mines. They call to him. Kit also discovers his love for storytelling, and begins to write the stories his grandfather tells him. Ultimately the stories Kit is seeing come to life on paper. When John Askew disappears, Kit begins to dream a story about an ancient boy, separated from his family with his baby sister. Kit knows that he must find John so he can save him for he has been told to do so by the ancient mother figure that claims John as her own. At the same time, Kit’s beloved grandfather is falling victim to dementia. Kit learns to trust his instincts and his visions in order to help his friend and his grandfather.

Critical Evaluation
In his books for children and young adults, author David Almond uses magical realism as his method for evoking fantasy. Magical realism takes events that are ordinary, and injects actions (or characters) that are almost too strange to be believed. In his novel Skellig, Almond borrowed liberally from the works of Gabriel Garcia Marquez’ short story “The Old Man with Enormous Wings.” For this novel, Almond has taken a normal situation (extended family, and grandfather with dementia), and injected a ghost story that takes on mythical qualities. Ghostly children may be haunting Kit, or he could be having delusions in his grief over losing his beloved grandfather. While grandfather is attached to the past that Kit is seeing, he is not instrumental in its interplay with John Askew. Askew’s character seems to be unformed until he meets Kit. Kit’s participation in the death game sets the entire story into play. By returning Askew to his family Kit is given a reprieve to return to his own world. For both boys crossing the frozen river and fields is like returning from death across the River Styx. Both boys experience a kind of resurrection, enabling them both to move on from grief.

Information about the author
Almond offers some biographical information on his website here.

Genre
Fantasy, Paranormal, Unexplained Phenomenon, Magical Realism

Curriculum ties
None. However this book is a good example of the use of magical realism for a genre study.

Challenge Issues
Death, paranormal issues

Challenge defense ideas
· Become familiar with the book and its contents.
· 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/Kits-Wilderness-David-Almond/dp/0385326653/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257486691&sr=8-1
· Try to get reviews of the book from teens who have read it.

Booktalking Ideas
1.  Talk about Kit's close relationship with his grandfather. 
2.  Discuss how Kit is both attracted and repelled by John Askew.
3.  Talk about how Kit agrees to play the "death" game with the other children and Askew.
4.  Discuss how Kit experiences a profound shift in perception while playing the game. 

Reading Level/Age
Young Adult.  Ages 12 and up.

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