Thursday, May 7, 2020

Good Moon Rising by Nancy Garden

Title: Good Moon Rising
Author: Nancy Garden
Publisher: Open Road Media Teen & Tween
Publication Date: September 5, 2017 (originally October 1996)

Format: eBook
Price: $8.69
Page Count: 241
ISBN-13: 9780374327460

Reading Level: Grades 8 and up (ages 13+)
Interest Level: Grades 8 and up (ages 13+)

Annotation: Two girls meet and fall in love while rehearsing a school play.

Plot and Content Summary: When new girl Kerry Ann Socrides joins Jan and her theater friends in their school's production of The Crucible, the two quickly bond during rehearsals. Even though Jan tried out for this part, she was assigned stage manager and assistant—something she finds unimportant. However, she agrees that Kerry would be the best fit, and even offers to help her practice. The two quickly become friends, and then something more.

Evaluation: I was expecting this to be outdated, but I was pleasantly surprised! This is a simple story about two girls falling in love and facing negative responses from opposing peers. Although the writing and story was not necessarily captivating, I love that Garden weaves in their relationship with their growing love of theatre. Reading this would probably be more powerful having read The Crucible, because I'm sure there are similar themes and such, but teens will still enjoy it nonetheless.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Girls who have unspoken feelings and are trying to figure out their sexual identities may find this book relatable. Jan and Kerry face mean comments and bullying because they love each other, and this can help some teen girls feel seen.

Issues Present: Explicit language, LGBTQ+

"Fag" is used multiple times in a derogatory manner by an angry peer and "n*gger" is used once—but not directed at anyone, and only to prove a point. Adults may have an issue just with this book centered around two girls who love each other. But like all other controversial titles, the library collects books that represent ALL voices.

Book Talk Ideas:
  • How did Jan's perception of being stage manager and assistant change, and why?
  • How do Jan and Kerry's classmates respond to their relationship? Is this reflective of real life?
  • Why do you think Kent was so hellbent on "exposing" Jan and Kerry?

Genre/Subgenres: LGBTQ+ fiction; Realistic fiction

Readalikes: Odd One Out by Nic Stone; Keeping You a Secret by Julie Anne Peters; Look Both Ways by Alison Cherry; The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

References
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Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

Title: The Chocolate War
Author: Robert Cormier
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 12, 1974

Format: Hardcover
Price: $16.95
Page Count: 264
ISBN-13: 9780394828053

Reading Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)
Interest Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)

Annotation: Jerry refuses to sell chocolates for his school's fundraiser, leading to trouble bigger than he could imagine.

Plot and Content Summary: At Jerry's all-boys Catholic school, a group called "the Vigils" are, not-so-secretly, in charge. Even the teachers know about them and use them to do their dirty work. Lead by Archie Costello, the Vigils create "assignments" (read: pranks) for chosen individual students, and saying "no" is not an option. Jerry is assigned to say "no" to selling chocolates for the school fundraiser—and he does, but things get bad when the jokes end and he continues to say "no." This fundraiser is a big deal to teacher Brother Leon, who threatens Archie to fix it.

Evaluation: The Chocolate War is a book created for discussion. There's a lot to talk about: how bullying is a cycle and no one, not even adults, are exempt; the reality that "bad guys" can win; etc. However, in terms of the storytelling, it was mediocre. We are introduced to a relationship between Jerry and his father, but nothing comes out of it except glances at each other when they both go to pick up the phone from prank callers late at night. We are introduced to Jerry's mother, who died of illness, and Jerry often brings her up, but all those feelings go unaddressed. Perhaps these things are to show us their absence and how this can affect teens' lives, but I personally would've appreciated being in Jerry's head about these things. Even though he's made out to be the main character, we really don't know a lot about him. But maybe that's not the point that Cormier is trying to make with The Chocolate War, and that's fine—it is just my preference. Also, the way teen girls were used as objects for these guys to look at and fantasize about was awful.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: This is actually a very hopeless book, revealing the sad realities of our society. Jerry "disturbs the universe" in hopes to break a cycle of bullying, and ends up all beat up. And sometimes, life is like that. Does it mean we go with the flow, even though it's harmful? Something to think about.

Issues Present: Bullying (from both peers and adults), violence, offensive language

The Chocolate War is controversial because, I suspect, that adults don't see a need for books that depict society in such a negative way. However, these things happen in real life. And teens should be aware early on. This can help with and prepare them for the challenges they face. We need to stop sheltering them, because all that does is make them ignorant.

Book Talk Ideas:
  • Why do you think Jerry agrees to the Vigils' assignment?
  • What makes Jerry different than someone like Goober?
  • How are Brother Leon and Archie similar?
  • Why do you think The Chocolate War ends with, what seems like, no resolution?

Genre/Subgenres: Classics; Realistic fiction

Readalikes: The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton; Every Exquisite Thing by Matthew Quick; A Troublesome Boy by Paul Vasey; Winger by Andrew Smith; Shattering Glass by Gail Giles

References
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Tuesday, May 5, 2020

People Kill People by Ellen Hopkins

Title: People Kill People
Author: Ellen Hopkins
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication Date: September 4, 2018

Format: Hardcover
Price: $19.99
Page Count: 448
ISBN-13: 9781481442930

Reading Level: Grades 10 and up (ages 15+)
Lexile: HL730L
Interest Level: Grades 10 and up (ages 15+)

Annotation: A gun, purchased anonymously for protection. In Tucson, Arizona, six teens are all under pressure. Someone will die.

Plot and Content Summary: Told in a mix of verse and prose, People Kill People follow the perspective of six different teens. A gun used accidentally in a domestic shooting is sold anonymously to one of these teens—we don't know who buys it, but we know every one of them is capable. Everyday, the voices in their heads—that is, violence personified—tempt them to take a life, or take their own. In exploring their stance on gun violence, "immigration[,] and racial superiority" (Kirkus), their true natures are unraveled slowly.

Evaluation: We know someone is going to shoot and we know someone is going to die, but it's difficult to pinpoint who those two people are. Hopkins does this intentionally, exploring the way that each of us just needs that one thing to set us into motion. We are all capable of violence.

"See, there's this thing inside / every one of you, / the collective human call / toward violence. / All it takes is one singular / moment to encourage / it into play / and the lamb / transforms / becomes / the lion." (p. 1)

This is a dark read, obviously because of the subject matter, but it was done really well. The multiple perspectives gave it many layers—we are able to see how each person views things differently and internalizes their issues in different ways. This is not about who's "right" and who's "wrong," but an exploration of how they externalized their thoughts and feelings. Hopkins shows us that anyone could be a killer, "A / gun / just / makes / it / easier" (p. 428).

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Everyone is capable of violence, and those who are feeling this way may find People Kill People relatable. Everyday, there are stresses in our lives that push us closer. How can we address it in a healthy way? This can offer clarity and understanding to those who are in this position and also those who aren't.

Issues Present: This book tackles the issue of gun violence very explicitly, and adults may fear teens are too young to read about it. However, as the media and news so painfully report constantly, high school shootings are becoming all too common. This is a serious issue that is happening to them, and People Kill People offers perspective and an opportunity for discussion.

Book Talk Ideas:
  • Discuss each teen's perspective and pinpoint how they could've been the killer. What of their thoughts lead you to believe they were capable and had the motive?
  • Why do you think Hopkins chose to use a combination of verse and prose?
  • After reading this book, why do you think Hopkins chose to title it "People Kill People?"

Genre/Subgenres: Multiple perspectives; Novels in verse; Realistic fiction

Readalikes: This is Where it Ends by Marieke Nijkamp; Give a Boy a Gun by Todd Strasser; Shooter by Walter Dean Myers; How it Went Down by Kekla Magoon

References
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Monday, May 4, 2020

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

Title: I Hunt Killers
Author: Barry Lyga
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 3, 2012

Format: eBook
Price: $8.99
Page Count: 368
ISBN-13: 9780316201742

Reading Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)
Lexile: 750
Interest Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)

Annotation: Jasper "Jazz" Dent, son of the world's most infamous serial killer Billy Dent, helps the police hunt down the new serial killer in town.

Plot and Content Summary: Jazz wants to be nothing like his father, locked up in jail for murdering over 100 women. But in his mind, it would be so easy for him—his father taught him all he needed to know. To atone for his father's sins, he insists on helping the police with their new investigation. There's a new serial killer on the loose, and it looks like his crimes are similar to Billy Dent's. He drags his easily-bruisable best friend, Howie, into his schemes, and, of course, does whatever it takes to solve the case.

Evaluation: Aside from the mystery aspect of who the new serial killer is, what is most fascinating is the way we get to be in Jazz's mind. Growing up, his dad taught him all the ways to murder someone and cover up the tracks. He is destined to be a serial killer—and often thinks about how killing someone would feel—but fights again these urges because, like he often chants, "people matter."

Jazz's relationships with his best friend, Howie, who is the total opposite of him, and his girlfriend, Connie, develops so well—I love how much the two of them humanize Jazz and brings out the softer side of him. Howie and Jazz are a hoot together, and it is refreshing to see Connie challenge Jazz.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: One situation I think I Hunt Killers features well is absent adult role models. Jazz's father is in jail and we are not quite certain what happened to his mother, so he lives with his grandma. However, Jazz's grandma has issues of her own, so Jazz is her caretaker instead of the other way around. There isn't any Jazz can turn to for support, aside from friends his age, and this could be comforting for anyone who can relate.

Issues Present: I Hunt Killers has been banned for being too violent for its target audience, and I can't disagree with that. There are a lot of gruesome scenes. However, this does not mean it should be removed from the library. Teens are already being exposed to violence in many different ways outside of books—the news, movies, real life, etc. This book allows them to grapple with and experience the consequences of violence.

Book Talk Ideas:
  • What is Jazz's relationship with his father like? How does it affect the way he lives?
  • How do Howie and Connie show us who Jazz really is?
  • Why does Jazz constantly repeat to himself, "people matter?"
  • With the way this book ended, what do you think really happened with the serial killer and the bigger issue?

Genre/Subgenres: Thrillers and suspense

Readalikes: Breaker by Kat Ellis; The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey; Still Waters by Ash Parsons; The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes; Acceleration by Graham McNamee; The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting

References
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Sunday, May 3, 2020

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Title: Twilight
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 5, 2005

Format: Hardcover
Price: $22.99
Page Count: 544
ISBN-13: 9780316160179

Reading Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)
Lexile: 720
Interest Level: Grades 11 and up (ages 14+)

Annotation: Bella Swan moves to Forks, Washington to live with her father and meets a very handsome boy at school. A very handsome boy who is not human.

Plot and Content Summary: Bella moves from Arizona to Forks, Washington to live with her father, Charlie, so her mom can travel with her new husband. At her new school, she attracts a lot of attention from boys, but the very attractive Edward Cullen seems repulsed by her. Bella is distraught, wondering what she did wrong—is it the way she smells? After Edward saves her from a car accident, Bella knows something is up. But finding out who Edward really is might put her life in danger.

Evaluation: The writing was mediocre and the plot a step up from that, but I understand the appeal. There is fun in the mystery of Bella living her life "on the edge"—any second, Edward could kill her—but the romance is quite cringe-worthy. Edward likes Bella for the way she smells, and Bella likes Edward because ... he is good-looking? Even if the attraction is there, there is no reason to believe it should escalate to love that quickly. Aside from that, it was interesting to learn about Edward and his family's history of becoming vampires and how that world operates.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Bella learns about vampires and how they live their day-to-day. There are a lot of dangers to being in a relationship with Edward, but Bella decides that it is worth it. This is not meant to be looked at as admirable, but perhaps reflects our human nature and our desire for things that are not the best for us. We want what we want, no matter how harmful those things can be. Seeing this from an outside perspective—looking at Bella and the decisions she makes—may help us identify our weak spots.

Issues Present: Twilight has been challenged for being violent, sexually explicit, and "unsuited to age group." Toward the end of the book, it is a thrilling set of events that follow Bella and the Cullen family as they are hunting down and running away from a pair of vampires. It does get violent, but readers are not likely to copy it. Teens can handle it—and if they cannot, we have to trust that they will stop reading! Also, it is almost laughable that adults have called Twilight "sexually explicit"—the furthest that Edward and Bella go is kiss.

Book Talk Ideas:
  • Does Edward treat Bella the same before and after she finds out that he is a vampire? Why do you think so?
  • Does Bella treat Edward the same before and after she finds out that he is a vampire?
  • Discuss Bella's relationship with her father, Charlie. Is this "normal?"
  • Why do you think Bella and Edward want to be together even though it is dangerous?

Genre/Subgenres: First person narratives; Paranormal romance; Supernatural

Readalikes: Wake by Lisa McMann; Firelight by Sophie Jordan; Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon; Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater; Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

References
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Saturday, May 2, 2020

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Title: The Naturals
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers
Publication Date: November 5, 2013

Format: eBook
Price: $7.99
Page Count: 320
ISBN-13: 9781423181187

Reading Level: Grades 7 and up (ages 12+)
Lexile: 690
Interest Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)

Annotation: With an almost-supernatural sense of reading people, Cassie agrees to join the FBI's program for talented teens and help them crack cold cases.

Plot and Content Summary: Cassie is able to read people very well, and the FBI wants someone like her in their teen program. She agrees to participate, hoping it will bring her closer to finding out who murdered her mom. The program moves her into a house with other teens similar to her, and Cassie learns that there are a lot of secrets and threats. With a new serial killer on the loose, all the teens must team up and put their heads together to solve this case.

Evaluation: This was so much fun to read from beginning to end. Being in the mind of someone who picks up on so many details was incredibly interesting, and especially so when she met other teens of similar natures. Teens reading this will no doubt enjoy the banter, jokes, and games between Cassie and her housemates. The Naturals is a suspenseful and plot-driven first book in a series—the way Barnes ties everything together is so smart!

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: The Naturals is a great book for anyone looking to escape reality and wanting to get lost in a good story. For teens who have lost parents, they may be able to relate to Cassie and her loss. It may be comforting to take her perspective and follow her as she tries to figure out what happened to her mom. Although their experiences may differ, knowing that someone shares the same feeling of not having a parent or older adult figure could help work out lingering emotions.

Issues Present: There is a lot written in this series starter that can be looked at as unrealistic or exaggerated, but nothing is completely impossible. And even if it was, there is nothing wrong with escapist literature. Sometimes, we need a fun story to enjoy and temporarily forget life problems.

Book Talk Ideas:
  • Discuss Cassie's relationship with each of her housemates. Do you think their abilities affect (both positively and negatively) it?
  • How does murder of Cassie's mom affect how Cassie approaches life?
  • Were you able to guess who the serial killer was?

Genre/Subgenres: Thrillers and suspense

Readalikes: I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga; How to Lead a Life of Crime by Kirsten Miller; Don't Turn Around by Michelle Gagnon; My Sister's Stalker by Nancy Springer; The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

References
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Friday, May 1, 2020

This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki

Title: This One Summer
Author: Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki
Publisher: First Second
Publication Date: May 6, 2014

Format: eBook
Price: $9.99
Page Count: 320
ISBN-13: 9781466858503

Reading Level: Grades 7 and up (ages 12+)
Lexile: 180
Interest Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 12+)

Annotation: This year's summer trip to the lake house is not the vacation Rose thought it would be.

Plot and Content Summary: Every summer, Rose takes a trip with her mom and dad to a lake house in Awago Beach and meets up with her cottage friend, Windy. This time around, although their intentions are to relax and have a little fun, there is tension between her parents and Rose is caught in the middle of it. Her mom is depressed, but Rose is too naive to understand why. At the same time, Rose and Windy overhear a girl not too much older than them telling her friends she thinks she is pregnant.

Evaluation: The themes presented in This One Summer are ones to look forward to, but the plot fell incredibly flat. The illustrations are very nice and visually pleasing to look at, but it only helped the story telling so much. This One Summer brings up many tough issues, such as Rose's mom with her miscarriage and her dad's inability to empathize, but it only does just that—there is no further discussion about it. This graphic novel would have been much more impactful if these things were addressed in some way. But perhaps Rose not understanding her mom's pain is a response.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: I could see this being useful to someone who has distant parents. We see Rose on the trip with her parents, but they do not really spend any time with her. Of course, we learn that they are going through something difficult. This shows us that our parents are humans like us, and they are not always perfect.

Issues Present: There is constant slut-shaming in this graphic novel—and the ones doing it include Rose and Windy, who surprisingly do it without knowing exactly what it means. They learn it from older guys, one of whom Rose develops a crush on. Personally, I think it is valuable in a book only if expresses to readers how hurtful this type of language is. Even though Rose and Windy's parents overhear them calling the pregnant girl a slut and reprimand them for it, Rose and Windy still do not understand why it is a big deal. I wish this issue could've been further discussed, so I hope readers can read between the lines.

Book Talk Ideas:
  • Why do you think Rose doesn't understand what her mom is going through? How does that relate to what she thinks about the pregnant girl?
  • How are females treated in this graphic novel? Do you think Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki did this intentionally?
  • Discuss Windy and Rose's relationship.

Genre/Subgenres: Canadian fiction; Comics and graphic novels

Readalikes: The Zabime Sisters by Aristophane; When My Sister Started Kissing by Helen Frost; Friends with Boys by Faith Erin Hicks; Honor Girl by Maggie Thrash

References
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Thursday, April 30, 2020

Wicked Fox by Kat Cho

Title: Wicked Fox
Author: Kat Cho
Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: June 25, 2019

Format: eBook
Price: $10.99
Page Count: 448
ISBN-13: 9781984812353

Reading Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)
Lexile: 630
Interest Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)

Annotation: Set in modern-day Seoul, a nine-tailed fox named Miyoung must steal energy from men to survive.

Plot and Content Summary: Miyoung is a gumiho, a nine-tailed fox who must feed on the energy (or "gi") from men every full moon to survive. She has a tough relationship with her mother, who is strict and protective for good reason, and constantly ends up disappointing her. During one of Miyoung's hunts, she ends up having to protect a boy named Jihoon from a goblin. But she does so at a price—during this attack, she loses the very thing that contains her soul.

Evaluation: This was such a fun and entertaining read. Wicked Fox is based on Korean mythology, and reading it gave off the same atmospheric feel—as if I was experiencing a story written a long time ago. Even though Miyoung and Jihoon were somewhat forced to become friends, I love how their relationship blossomed so naturally. Both of them had absent parents in their lives, which gave them (and me as a reader) a deeper understanding of each other. I love that this was a big element, as this made Wicked Fox more relatable. Cho also did an excellent job with world building and integrating Korean culture so seamlessly.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Jihoon's mother left him as a young child and now his grandmother takes care of him. Miyoung's mother shows no love to her and sees her as a disobedient child. For those who do not have the ideal family setup at home, this shows them that they are not alone in how they feel. Miyoung is hesitant to accept any love because of her mother's experience, but we see that she is strong and comforted with it. Hopefully, those who are reading Wicked Fox will lean into the love they receive.

Issues Present: Perhaps Wicked Fox could be controversial due to the supernatural and paranormal elements. Many might see this to be related to witchcraft, which is looked at negatively since it is often associated with being evil or doing evil things. To that, I would say that this book is a fun escape from reality. Those elements are there for entertainment. But also, Wicked Fox serves as more than entertainment. The themes it presents to readers are thoughtful and thought-provoking. I think more people would finish this book and think more on the familial elements than attempt to become a gumiho or goblin.

Book Talk Ideas:
  • What does Miyoung's relationship with her mother look like? How does this change throughout the story? What are the reasons for this?
  • Both Miyoung and Jihoon have absent parents—how does this shared experience affect their relationship?
  • Discuss the challenges that Miyoung face being half-human, half-gumiho. Why does she feel like she is part of neither world? 

Genre/Subgenres: Paranormal romance

Readalikes: Seven Deadly Shadows by Courtney Alameda; A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas; The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco; City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

References
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Wednesday, April 29, 2020

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

Title: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Author: Sherman Alexie
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers
Publication Date: January 10, 2012

Format: eBook
Price: $9.99
Page Count: 272
ISBN-13: 9780316219303

Reading Level: Grades 7 and up (ages 12+)
Lexile: 600
Interest Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)

Annotation: Wanting to be something more, Junior leaves his school on the Spokane Indian Reservation to attend an all-white high school.

Plot and Content Summary: Arnold (known as "Junior") was born with birth defects and has always been bullied because of this. After he sees his mom's name in his 30-year-old school textbook, he is done staying in a place that is so poor. Junior decides then to leave his life on the Spokane Indian Reservation and go to an all-white high school. Of course, his issues still follow him.

Evaluation: The thing that stood out the most to me in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian was Junior's personality. Because the book was written in such a laid-back style, we were able to get a lot of his unfiltered thoughts—this was very entertaining and, sometimes, it even made me laugh out loud. Still, Junior faced a lot of challenges as an Indian and as someone who has brain damage. It was heartbreaking to watch him experience bullying, poverty, and loss of family and friends, but even more so to know that this could be any person in the real world. Alexie uses humor to tackle these tough issues, which I think makes readers enjoy this a lot. It is comforting to laugh in the midst of sorrow.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Alexie wrote The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian based on his life experiences, which I assume is relatable to many Indian teens. This book not only serves as something for them to see themselves in, but for others as well. It shines a light on how uncontrollable certain circumstances are, but Junior's positivity may bring some people hope.

Issues Present: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian was challenged for containing "shocking words of profanity, sexual innuendo and violence" (Gomez, 2018), but everything said in this book is nothing short of what is said in every high school. Teens are already exposed to these things and it does not encourage teens to participate. In terms of the violence, much of it relates to the bullying that Junior faces. This is something that happens to a lot of teens in school, and perhaps seeing it from this perspective will spark empathy.

Book Talk Ideas:
  • How does Junior feel about his birth defects and being Indian? Do these things that identify him affect the way he views life?
  • The cartoons in this book are important to Junior—how does this add to the novel?
  • Why does Junior leave the reservation? Do you think what happens to him at his new school is realistic?

Genre/Subgenres: Coming-of-age stories; Realistic fiction

Readalikes: The Counterfeit Family Tree of Vee Crawford-Wong by L. Tam Holland; Winger by Andrew Smith; Matthew Meets The Man by Travis Nichols; If I Ever Get Out of Here by Eric L. Gansworth

References
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Tuesday, April 28, 2020

This is Where it Ends by Marieke Nijkamp

Title: This is Where it Ends
Author: Marieke Nijkamp
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publication Date: January 5, 2016

Format: eBook
Price: $9.99
Page Count: 288
ISBN-13: 9781492622468

Reading Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)
Lexile: 
Interest Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)

Annotation: The entire student body is about to leave the auditorium and start their new semester of school, but the boy with the gun has different plans—he's locked them in with him.

Plot and Content Summary: All of Opportunity High School's students are gathered in the auditorium at the beginning of the school year. After the principal gives her welcome message, they all get up to leave for their next class—but the doors are jammed, so they can't get out. Told in the span of 54 minutes, This is Where it Ends details the four perspectives of students—Autumn (Tyler's sister), Sylvia (Autumn's girlfriend), Tomas (Sylvia's brother), and Claire (Tyler's ex-girlfriend)—who come face-to-face with a boy, Tyler, who is willing to take and destroy as many lives as possible to be heard.

Evaluation: This book is told with just the right amount of urgency. It is scattered and all over the place, which helps with getting readers to feel like they are part of the story. While we are experiencing tragedy in the present, events that happened in the past are constantly brought up. I thought this was done well, as we learn more about Tyler's backstory and what drove him to this place of hatred. However, a lot of conflict points are brought up among the other students, but many go unaddressed and abandoned. It is important to have stories about gun violence, and I wish we were able to spend time in Tyler's mind. This would have been a valuable perspective.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: This is Where it Ends tackles the issue of school shootings and gun violence, which could be triggering to some readers. However, Alexander (2015) writes that it can give "readers a safe space for experiencing a terrifying reality. This book opens a door for questions and discussions that can help people better understand school violence and perhaps even lead us toward a solution." While I would not necessarily recommend This is Where it Ends for students who have experienced a school shooting, I agree that it would be helpful for adults as preparation.

Issues Present: If This is Where it Ends was challenged or banned, it would probably be for explicit violence. However, as we know from media and the news, school shootings happen all the time. It is something that is going on right now in America. We should not ignore this, but shine light on the issue. This book gives us a glimpse of what might be happening psychologically. Of course, it cannot be used to describe every situation, but is one perspective.

Book Talk Ideas:
  • Of the four characters we follow, how are they all connected with each other and to Tyler? Why did the author choose to write in their perspectives?
  • Discuss each character and their backgrounds—how does knowing this affect the current situation?

Genre/Subgenres: Multiple perspectives; Realistic fiction

Readalikes: Hate List by Jennifer Brown; Violent Ends edited by Shaun David Hutchinson; All We Can Do is Wait by Richard Lawson; The Light Fantastic by Sarah Combs; That's Not What Happened by Kody Keplinger

References
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Monday, April 27, 2020

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Title: Eleanor & Park
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publication Date: February 26, 2013

Format: eBook
Price: $9.99
Page Count: 336
ISBN-13: 9781250031211

Reading Level: Grades 8 and up (ages 13+)
Lexile: 580
Interest Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)

Annotation: Bonding over comic books and music, Eleanor and Park fall for each other.

Plot and Content Summary: Taking place in the late 1980s, unlikely pair Eleanor, a girl with big red hair, and Park, a (half) Korean kid, end up sitting together on the school bus. Through this encounter, they build a friendship—and then something more. As they learn more about each other, there are many obstacles that stand in the way. Ultimately, this is story following two different people falling in young love.

Evaluation: I love that this was a story about two misfits who had a lot going on at home and at school. Often times, it feels like protagonists in contemporary YA novels are well loved and popular, so this was refreshing to read. It is comforting to know that one does not need to be "special" to have a special story. While Eleanor & Park was beautifully told, my complaint is with the Asian American representation. I am thrilled that such a character exists, but it only perpetuated stereotypes. At the time of reading, I knew I was uncomfortable with the way Park was portrayed—but I could not explain why. Cheung (2018) writes how I feel well: "Throughout the book, there is constant focus on Park's otherness. His mixed-race identity is often reduced down to a plot device for the white protagonist to fetishize and project upon ... The problem with American media like Eleanor & Park perpetuating such stereotypes, even the "positive" ones, is that is reinforces a very narrow definition for how Asian people should look and act."

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Eleanor has a very unstable home life, living in poverty with an abusive, alcoholic stepfather. In addition to going through the stresses of school, teenagers have a lot to deal with outside of that, too. With Eleanor's situation, seeing her go through all of that, it can alert teens that this type of behavior is not normal and should be addressed. Of course, it is a scary thing to confront. My hope is that Eleanor & Park will be the strength needed to get out of that situation.

Issues Present: Eleanor & Park has been challenged for containing offensive language. However, it is rarely used by the two protagonists. In an interview with Ortberg (2013), Rowell commented on this, saying that "Eleanor and Park themselves almost never swear ... I use profanity in the book to show how vulgar and sometimes violent the characters' worlds are." Even Eleanor complains about how often her stepfather curses.

Book Talk Ideas: How do both Eleanor's parents and Park's parents impact their view on relationships? Discuss their relationships to their parents and how it influences how Eleanor and Park see each other. If you were to write the rest of the ending, how would it go?

Genre/Subgenres: Multiple perspectives; Realistic fiction

Readalikes: Emergency Contact by Mary H. K. Choi; Crossing the Line by Simone Elkeles; The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky; The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner

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Sunday, April 26, 2020

Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan

Title: Two Boys Kissing
Author: David Levithan
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 27, 2013

Format: eBook
Price: $9.99
Page Count: 208
ISBN-13: 9780307975645

Reading Level: Grades 7 and up (ages 12+)
Lexile: 780
Interest Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)

Annotation: Harry and Craig try to break the Guinness World Record for longest kiss and, while it is happening, figure out their feelings for each other.

Plot and Content Summary: Based on a true story, Two Boys Kissing follows Harry and Craig, two boys who are no longer together, hoping to break the Guinness World Record for longest kiss. While this is happening, we get a peek into the life of other boys—one who is coming out to his family, one who is figuring out his identity, and one who is trying to find satisfaction through gay hookup apps. It is narrated by a Greek chorus of gay men who died due to AIDS.

Evaluation: Two Boys Kissing was very lyrical and poetic. Although I personally did not feel connected to the stories, I know this is a necessary book for many. It follows multiple perspectives, allowing readers to get a peek into the lives of a few gay boys. Each one encounters and deals with something different, but all of their experiences are authentic. We see the way they struggle with how they are treated by family members and strangers, emphasizing how far we, as a society, still have to go to be kind to people.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: The identities and sexualities that show up in Two Boys Kissing are ones that tend to be marginalized in America. Those who pick up this book and identify similarly can feel represented, knowing that someone out there understands how they feel and what they are going through.

"If you see that book in your library ... you know that there is part of you that belongs there, and is accepted ... I know there's worry about kids who might be ashamed of being seen with an 'out' book with an 'out' cover—but that is far outweighed by the kids who take pride in it, or find some sort of meaning through it" — David Levithan (Pekoll, 2017)

Issues Present: Two Boys Kissing, as the title already implies, is themed around the controversial topic of sexuality. The cover shows exactly what is happening throughout the book, and adults may not like how explicit it is. It reflects viewpoints that some people do not want to support—but this is exactly the reason why we need it: "A balanced collection attempts to represent all sides of controversial issues ... The race, religion, nationality, or political views of an author or creator; offensive language; depictions or descriptions of violence or sexually explicit activity; controversial content of an item; or endorsement or disapproval by an individual or group in the community does not cause an item automatically to be included or excluded from the library's collection" (American Library Association, 2018).

Book Talk Ideas: I think it would be valuable to go through each boy's storyline and discuss what they are going through. One feels lost, one is new to his relationship, etc.—how do their friends and family impact their lives?

Genre/Subgenres: Contemporary romances; LGBTQ+ fiction; Realistic fiction

Readalikes: I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson; Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian; Ask the Passengers by A. S. King; Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

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Saturday, April 25, 2020

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Title: Looking for Alaska
Author: John Green
Publisher: Penguin Books
Publication Date: August 14, 2008

Format: eBook
Price: $2.99
Page Count: 256
ISBN-13: 9781101434208

Reading Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)
Lexile: 850
Interest Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)

Annotation: At his new boarding school, Miles Halter quickly makes friends with his roommate, "The Colonel," and his friends Alaska—a beautiful girl that Miles automatically has his eyes set on—and Takumi. Every day is filled with pranks and fun—until something terrible happens to one of them.

Plot and Content Summary: Looking for Alaska is told from the perspective of teenager Miles Halter. It follows him as he is transitioning away from his high school, where he does not have many friends, to attend boarding school in Alabama. When he arrives, he ends up becoming good friends with his roommate (called "The Colonel") and his friends, Alaska and Takumi, and they end up being a big influence on how Miles chooses to live and view life. They do all sorts of crazy pranks and get into trouble together, but things take a turn when something awful and unexpected happens.

Evaluation: This book tackles grief so well, confronting all the difficult aspects that no one wants to talk about or see. In the years of youth, life feels so limitless—chances are meant to be taken, risks are nothing, and there is no way anything bad can happen. But Looking for Alaska reveals the reality of it all: life is short and the next day is not promised to us. Although I found the story to be uninteresting overall, I respect the way Green tackles these tough issues—grief, death, depression, etc. He poses many existential thoughts, causing us to think about our own lives and really examine who we are. There are so many grand themes in Looking for Alaska, but the characters did not match up.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: "Looking for Alaska could be the exact place to begin the healing that is needed ... It could spark conversations that would help students grieve and work their way through tragedy" (Veatch, n. d.). This is a sad book in which many situations happen that teens could experience or already be experiencing. With whatever troubles they are facing, this can offer them a sense of comfort—that what is going on in their lives is not only something that happens to one person. Others may feel similarly, and this can be a relief.

Issues Present: There may be concerns about the inappropriate and sexual content, profanity, underage drinking, and smoking. This is, however explicitly stated in the book, a reflection of what the real world looks like. It is not if teens will be exposed to these things, it is WHEN. Looking for Alaska gives teens a way to view the consequences and such from an outside perspective, and could possibly be used as an opportunity to start conversations with parents and adult figures. Teens are mature enough to handle and talk about these subjects.

Book Talk Ideas: Looking for Alaska is a thought-provoking story, with heavy emphasis on friendship, grief, and loss. The metaphor of life as a labyrinth and wanting to escape can be an excellent discussion piece—albeit a tough one. Pretending you are in the mind of each character, how do you view life? Are there any past experiences that impact this?

Genre/Subgenres: Realistic fiction

Readalikes: Lucky Fools by Coert Voorhees; Paper Covers Rock by Jenny Hubbard; Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher; Winger by Andrew Smith

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Friday, April 24, 2020

George by Alex Gino

Title: George
Author: Alex Gino
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication Date: August 25, 2015

Format: eBook
Price: $3.99
Page Count: 213 pages
ISBN-13: 9780545812542

Reading Level: Grades 5 and up (ages 10+)
Lexile: 790
Interest Level: Grades 5 and up (ages 10+)

Annotation: George is a girl with a big secret: the world sees her as a boy.

Plot and Content Summary: George was born a boy, but she knows she's really a girl. When her teacher decides to put on a class play for Charlotte's Web, she decides to audition for the role of Charlotte—but Ms. Udell does not even let George try out. George's best friend, Kelly, ends up getting the part, so George comes up with a plan that may let her be Charlotte and show the whole world who she really is.

Evaluation: Although this is a middle-grade novel, George proves to be a valuable read for teens. The story itself is very engaging, being in George's mind as she narrates her everyday life and thoughts. It may feel a little childish since she is 10 years old, but I think that helps with understanding what being transgender is like. George is not struggling with her identity—she already knows she is a girl. Watching her go from keeping it a secret with her "girly" magazines, to confiding in Kelly and talking about it with her mom and brother, felt very "slice-of-life" and realistic.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: George was made fun of and bullied for being different. She was denied an audition for a role that did not fit her sex at birth. But George was also supported by Kelly and his principal. For teens who may be going through the same thing and feeling hopeless, George is a book that shows the challenges of being transgender but also ends with a small light of hope. There are still people in George's life that have to come to terms with who she is, but she was able to open up and share some of her secrets with those closest to her.

Issues Present: For the same reason this could be useful for teens, the theme of gender identity could be a controversial topic that adults would want to challenge. Since this is written for a younger audience, adults may think it inappropriate to discuss. At this age, children are still growing and learning. They may feel it should not be introduced until they get older because it is a "complicated" issue. However, it is because they are growing and learning that there should be a book like George in their lives. In creating their identity, this could be something they can relate to.

Book Talk Ideas:
  • George wants to bring up how she feels to her mom, but she doesn't really know how to. What is their relationship like?
  • Why is playing the role of Charlotte so important to George?
  • What does Principal Maldonado mean when she says, "Well, you can't control who your children are, but you can certainly support them, am I right?" (p. 160)

Genre/Subgenres: LGBTQ+ fiction; Realistic fiction

Readalikes: The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng; Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky; Drama by Raina Telgemeier; Short by Holly Goldberg Sloan

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Thursday, April 23, 2020

The Truth About Alice by Jennifer Mathieu

Title: The Truth About Alice
Author: Jennifer Mathieu
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Publication Date: June 3, 2014

 Format: eBook
Price: $8.51
Page Count: 208 pages
ISBN-13: 9781596439108

 Reading Level: Grades 7 and up (ages 12+)
Lexile: 900L
Interest Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)

 Annotation: Alice Franklin is a slut, at least that is how her classmates describe her. But what is the truth? What really happened at the party that night?

 Plot and Content Summary: Alice Franklin slept with two boys in one night. At least, that is what everyone is saying. She is soon labeled the school's slut, but says nothing to defend herself. Why should she? Told in multiple perspectives, we learn about Alice from four different people: Brandon (the jock), Kurt (the nerd), Elaine (the queen bee), and Kelsie (the ex-best friend). But who is Alice really?

 Evaluation: The strength of this book is the different perspectives of Alice from her classmates. We hear what others say about Alice and develop our opinions based on that, which reveals how easily we are influenced by other people's words and thoughts. Seeing the rumors spread from person to person shows how we must be careful with the things we choose to say. I appreciated the way Mathieu took these stereotypical high school characters and zoomed in on their public lives vs. their private lives. This gave each person an extra layer, allowing us to see why they may have been acting a certain way. Overall, a solid take on the insecurities that teenagers face and how quickly rumors spiral.

 Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Teens are bound to be caught up in rumors—being the subject of them, spreading them, or hearing them. Reading The Truth About Alice and seeing things from multiple perspectives may bring a sense of awareness to these types of situations. By recognizing the impact of spreading false statements, teens may be more urgent to stop them. For those who have had bad things said about them, hopefully this can be a comfort.

 Issues Present: Adults may label this a controversial book for teens due to the explicit comments from the teen characters. It may feel exaggerated, as if this type of talk does not happen in high schools, but it does happen. Much of what happens amongst teenagers do not reach the ears of adults, and many would be surprised to know how vicious and damaging it can get in real life. Keeping The Truth About Alice around means that teens get an outside perspective on how out of control rumors can get.

 Book Talk Ideas: Discuss who Alice is from each of the four perspectives. What are the similarities and differences? How do their public and private lives impact what they say out loud about her? Of what they say about Alice to their classmates, how much of it reflects what they actually think about her? Finally, how does Alice describe herself?

Genre/Subgenres: First person narratives; Multiple perspectives; Realistic fiction

 Readalikes: A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhathena; Just Listen by Sarah Dessen; The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart; Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

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Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Title: Thirteen Reasons Why
Author: Jay Asher
Publisher: Razorbill (Penguin Random House)
Publication Date: June 14, 2011 (originally October 18, 2007)

Format: eBook
Price: $9.99
Page Count: 336 pages
ISBN-13: 9781101539927

Reading Level: Grades 7 and up (ages 12+)
Lexile: HL550L
Interest Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)

Annotation: Hannah Baker is dead. Before she committed suicide, she sent out a package filled with cassette tapes detailing thirteen reasons why she did it. But how is Clay Jensen involved?

Plot and Content Summary: Clay Jensen finds a box addressed to him in front of his house, filled with cassette tapes. The person who sent and recorded them? Hannah Baker, his former classmate and crush who committed suicide. In these verbal letters, she details thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is instructed to listen to every single tape to find out how he is involved, then pass it on. As painful as it is, he does, and what he hears is everything he wishes he could have saved her from.

 Evaluation: With such a difficult topic at hand, it is hard to review this without letting my feelings get in the way. In terms of the writing style, it is very straight and to the point. Asher is sharing a series of events, so there is not much on top of the general "he said, she said" monologue from Hannah Baker. Since we are hearing her story from Clay's perspective, it feels very vengeful. It is easy to interpret this story as Hannah choosing to commit suicide as a form of revenge, thus becoming a dangerous read for those who might not be in a good place, mentally. However, looking at things as a whole, we are prompted to think about our actions and consider how they affect others. It is a caution and a warning. The mystery of how Clay Jensen is involved in it all was intriguing enough to keep me reading, but Thirteen Reasons Why failed in meeting any type of emotional depth and nuance.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Those who are dealing with suicidal thoughts or tendencies should stay far away from this book. But it may be useful for teens who have friends going through the same experience as Hannah Baker. It can help them see things from a different perspective and encourage them to seek help.

Issues Present: The biggest issue that makes Thirteen Reasons Why controversial is the obvious theme of suicide. Although some say it "glamorizes suicide," this story can be used as an opportunity to bring awareness to these unfortunate feelings and circumstances. We see from Clay that he wishes he could have done something, and this can be a push for us to reach out. Because I do not feel like Thirteen Reasons Why discusses suicide in an appropriate way, I would not recommend it—but I strongly agree that books like this needs to exist in teen collections, as a comfort and encouragement.

Book Talk Ideas: I think discussing the "could haves" may increase urgency in bringing up these sensitive topics. Clay brings up many times that he wanted to save Hannah, but he did not really know what was going on. If teens talked about this together, it may help them be more aware of the things around them and how people feel.

Genre/Subgenres: First person narratives; Multiple perspectives; Realistic fiction

Readalikes: The Good Sister by Jamie Kain; Death, Dickinson, and the Demented Life of Frenchie Garcia by Jenny Torres Sanchez; 34 Pieces of You by Carmen Rodrigues; Beautiful Broken Girls by Kim Savage; Playlist for the Dead by Michelle Falkoff

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Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Crank by Ellen Hopkins

Title: Crank
Author: Ellen Hopkins
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication Date: June 20, 2008 (originally 2004)

Format: eBook
Price: $10.99
Page Count: 544 pages
ISBN-13: 9781439106518

Reading Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)
Interest Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)

Annotation: When Kristina visits her estranged father over the summer, she is introduced to drugs by her father's neighbor, a boy who happens to catch her attention and return her affection.

Plot and Content Summary: Kristina Snow is struggling to figure out who she is and who she wants to be. When she decides to spend part of her summer visiting her dad, she gets caught up with a boy, Adam, who is no good for her. Slowly, her life changes as she gets addicted to crystal meth (also known as "crank") and spends all her time with Adam, someone she thinks she loves. Crank changes the way she lives and now, all she thinks about is when she'll get her next hit.

Evaluation: Although the writing was nothing spectacular, aside from the poetic elements, the way Hopkins tackles the painful struggles of drug addiction is powerful. We get into Kristina's head and learn exactly what she is feeling when she is high and when she is not. With the words she chooses to use, we clearly see her fighting with herself in her mind when she is desperate for more. She knows it is bad, but she cannot help it. Anyone who reads Crank will gain some level of empathy for Kristina and drug addicts in general. It is a common misconception that those who use drugs lack moral principles, lack willpower, and can stop just by choosing to, and we see here how difficult is.

 Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Even though Crank is a fictional story, Hopkins wrote it loosely based on her own daughter's story. In the author's note, Hopkins wrote that "the monster," which Kristina refers to methamphetamine as, DID touch her life and her family's life too. Nothing in this story is impossible, because a lot of it reflected what her own daughter went through. With that said, this could be the case for many other families as well. This book could be used by both parents and teens—parents can see things from the perspective of their teens who may be struggling and gain courage to open up a conversation, and teens who find themselves addicted to drugs can find comfort in the fact that they are not alone.

 Issues Present: Due to the topic of drug and substance abuse/addiction, it is very likely that this book brings about controversy. Many adults and parents do not want to expose teens to these topics, thinking that it will give them ideas to experiment. However, we have to stop treating teens like children. Most likely, they are already surrounded by drugs—whether it is through their friends, the media, etc. These stories can help prepare them for the challenges that they are currently facing or will inevitably face in the future. Teens can learn lessons from people like Kristina, by stepping into the life of someone else. This could help them to make decisions or build an awareness to the consequences.

Book Talk Ideas: What stood out to me in Crank were Kristina's poetic descriptions of being high. She uses the metaphors of riding a roller coaster (around p. 103) and flying (around p. 172), which adds another layer to her story. It would be interesting to look at these and dig into why she feels this way and what she means by it. Another thing is her alter ego, Bree. When she says things like, "Kristina is who they made me, Bree is who I choose to be" (around p. 172), what does she mean?

 Genre/Subgenres: First person narratives; Novels in verse; Realistic fiction

Readalikes: Smack by Melvin Burgess, Dancing with Molly by Lena Horowitz, Beneath a Meth Moon by Jacqueline Woodson, Heroine by Mindy McGinnis

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Thursday, March 12, 2020

A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi

Title: A Very Large Expanse of Sea
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: October 16, 2018

Format: Hardcover
Price: $18.99
Page Count: 320 pages
ISBN-13: 9780062866561

Reading Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)
Interest Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)

Annotation: Muslim teenager Shirin keeps to herself after the events of 9/11, when no one looks at her with kind eyes, until she meets Ocean.

Plot and Content Summary: As a Muslim girl going to school in the United States after the events of 9/11, Shirin is tired of the rude stares and comments from people who pass her on the street. Her hijab causes people around her to play into the negative stereotypes they choose to believe, but they do not even know her. Shirin has learned to ignore everyone, putting all her energy into break-dancing after school. But when she meets Ocean in class, things start to change. He is not pretending to be kind to her—he actually cares for her as a human being.

Evaluation: Right from the start, it was easy to see things from Shirin's point of view. Mafi writes from her own experience, and it is sad to see how broken our world is. However, there are gems like Ocean. Ocean sees Shirin for who she really is, and wants to get to know her. When he visits her family, he admits there are things from her culture that he does not know—but he is willing to learn. Shirin is not perfect either, but she is willing to own up to her mistakes. Mafi does so well at creating cute moments without it being too cheesy or over the top. Shirin's story was told in such a simple but effective way. It was heartbreaking how she has learned to just expect people to be mean to her because of how she looks, but she also realizes that she was also treating people poorly too. She owns up to her mistakes, which is something we all need to work at.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Due to the events of 9/11, Shirin faces a lot of discrimination because she is Muslim. Like Shirin, many others do too. Would teens read this book and recognize that everyone is a human being, and no one deserves to be treated just for the things they wear or the culture they come from. For teens who feel just like Shirin, I hope you find someone like Ocean. Not necessarily a romantic relationship, but an ally who is supportive and seeks to know the best in you.

Issues Present: If A Very Large Expanse of Sea were to be challenged or banned, it would be for islamophobia (or racism and/or discrimination). Those who challenged The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini stated that it would "promote Islam" (Gomez, 2018), which I assume would be applied in this case as well. However, this is a book that does not talk about religion much—the focus is on a girl who happens to be Muslim. A Very Large Expanse of Sea encourages everyone to love people and treat them with kindness, no matter how they treat us back. If you take the time to read this book and look at the overall message, you would see this.

Book Talk Ideas: "I was so raw from repeated exposure to cruelty that now even the most minor abrasions left a mark ... I never knew—I had no way of knowing—Are you racist? Or are you just having a bad day?" (p. 110)

  • Describe Shirin's personality. How does this differ/look the same as how you view others?
  • How does Shirin's parents affect her struggle? (p. 13)
  • What are the dynamics between Shirin and her brother, Navid, and how do they look at the world differently? (p. 107)
  • How does Ocean change the way Shirin views others?
  • Discuss Shirin and the way her feelings about people change through the course of the novel. (p. 110, 123, 277, 309)

"If maybe, just maybe, I'd been so determined to not be stereotyped that I'd begun to stereotype everyone around me." (p. 110)

Genre/Subgenres: Realistic fiction; Contemporary romance

Readalikes: Love, Hate, & Other Filters by Samira Ahmed, Saints and Misfits by S. K. Ali, The Lines We Cross by Randa Abdel-Fattah

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Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Title: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Author: Becky Albertalli
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: April 7, 2015

Format: eBook
Price: $10.99
Page Count: 336 pages
ISBN-13: 9780062348692

Reading Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)
Lexile: HL 640L
Interest Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)

Annotation: Simon has been happily exchanging e-mails with an anonymous boy from school, but things change when classmates Martin finds out and blackmails him.

Plot and Content Summary: Because Simon forgets to log out of his e-mail account at the school library, Martin finds his letters to Blue, an anonymous classmate. Since Simon has not come out as gay yet, Martin decides to blackmail him. If Simon introduces him to the girl he likes, Simon's friend Abby, he will keep the e-mails a secret. Simon really does not want to do this, but he also does not want to ruin his relationship with Blue. As Simon works on setting Abby and Martin up, he becomes more intimate with Blue.

Evaluation: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda received a lot of coverage and advertisement when it first came out, and I am happy to say that it is as good as everyone says it is! It was very cute, with an excellent depiction of the high school experience. This book is told in Simon's perspective, so we get to see the world from his mind. He has quite the personality, often making jokes as a teenager would. Simon's family plays a big role in his life—much of what his parents do embarrass him, as expected—but they all have so much love for each other, and Simon's family supports him no matter what. Simon's situation does not get resolved right away, which shows a realistic look at how complicated life can be.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Sharing any type of private secret to the public is difficult, and Simon was not able to make that decision himself. For teens who are figuring out who they are, like their sexual identities, having the fear of coming out before being ready is valid. Teens who have friends who are feeling this way can support and encourage them, but know when to not push their boundaries.

Issues Present: If Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda were challenged or banned, it would probably be for LGBTQ+ content. As stated in my entry for You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour and David Levithan, this book can help people come to terms with who they are and be a source of hope.

Book Talk Ideas: 

  • Was Martin a bad person? Do you think Simon should have treated him any differently toward the ending?
  • Simon was outed before he was able to make his own decision to come out. Do you think he reacted in a justified way? Why or why not? (p. 196)
  • How is Simon supported by his family and friends?

Genre/Subgenres: Coming-of-age stories; LGBTQ+ fiction; Realistic fiction

Readalikes: Fan Art by Sarah Tregay, You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour and David Levithan, Anything Could Happen by Will Walton
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Tuesday, March 10, 2020

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Title: The Hate U Give
Author: Angie Thomas
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: February 28, 2017

Format: Hardcover
Price: $18.99
Page Count: 464 pages
ISBN-13: 9780062498533

Reading Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)
Lexile: 
Interest Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)

Annotation: Starr witnesses her best friend, Khalil, being murdered by a white police officer.

Plot and Content Summary: It feels like Starr lives two different lives—the first is with her peers at her predominantly-white private school; the second, with her friends and family in her mostly black, poor neighborhood. When she sees her best friend, Khalil, shot by a white police officer, Starr's two lives come together as she grapples with the truth of what happened. She is scared to speak out and attract attention, but she knows it would be wrong to stay silent.

Evaluation: An incredibly important book shedding light on the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Thomas writes in a very teen-friendly, conversational tone, making it easy to understand and enjoy. Although the topics presented in The Hate U Give are dark, it is balanced well with funny moments and sweet family conversations. While the story develops because of Khalil and the police officer, we also learn a lot about Starr and her family—the struggles they face, what family really means, and how they support each other.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Although scared, Starr uses any platform she has to bring truth to Khalil's case. It is not easy to stand up for something you believe in, especially as a young person, but Starr knows it is important. For teens who need strength to speak out on big issues, The Hate U Give can be an encouragement.

Issues Present: The Hate U Give was "banned and challenged because it was deemed "anti-cop," and for profanity, drug use, and sexual references" ("Top Ten Most Challenged Books Lists," n. d.).

There have been so many unarmed black men—some teenagers—in the United States who have been killed by police brutality: Trayvon Martin, Philando Castile, etc. Khalil died a fictional death, but these men did not. This is what is happening in our world, and The Hate U Give is meant to open our eyes.

Book Talk Ideas: "I always said that if I saw it happen to somebody, I would have the loudest voice, making sure the world knew what went down. Now I am that person, and I'm too afraid to speak." (p. 34)

  • Why do you think Thomas chose "The Hate U Give" as the title for this story? (p. 17)
  • How does Starr's confidence change when she witnesses the death of Khalil? (p. 34)
  • "Sometimes you can do everything right and things will still go wrong. The key is to never stop doing right." (p. 154) What do you think this quote means?
  • How does Starr's family influence the decisions she makes?
  • Discuss the following quote: "What's the point of having a voice if you're gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn't be?" (p. 252)

Genre/Subgenres: African American fiction; First person narratives; Realistic fiction

Readalikes: Dear Martin by Nic Stone, Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles, Amelia Westlake Was Never Here by Erin Gough, The Truth of Right Now by Kara Lee Corthron

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Monday, March 9, 2020

A Heart in a Body in the World by Deb Caletti

Title: A Heart in a Body in the World
Author: Deb Caletti
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: September 18, 2018

Format: Hardcover
Price: $18.99
Page Count: 368 pages
ISBN-13: 9781481415200

Reading Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)
Lexile: HL 680L
Interest Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)

Annotation: Annabelle decides to runs from Seattle to Washington, D. C. to escape her grief and trauma, but unknowingly becomes a beacon of hope.

Plot and Content Summary: After Annabelle goes through a tragedy she feels guilty for causing, she makes an impulsive decision to run across the country—from her hometown in Seattle to Washington, D. C. While her grandpa follows her in his RV, Annabelle gains lots of encouragement from her friends and family, who set up an online support page for her. Slowly, everyone around the United States start to notice her, and they all cheer her on. But Annabelle feels broken inside, still unsure what she's to do in D. C. when she arrives. As we follow her on her run, we are given puzzle pieces of what really happened to Annabelle—and it all comes together as a life-changing story in the end.

Evaluation: A Heart in a Body in the World is one of the most heartbreaking and hard-hitting stories I have ever read. Caletti did an incredible job putting it all together—the way everything slowly came into place was perfect. Underneath the plot that is Annabelle running, A Heart in a Body in the World is also a story about toxic masculinity and how dangerous it can be—by itself, but also when a gun is involved. Annabelle becomes acquaintances with a new kid at school, and it slowly progresses into something that she could not control. Not because she did not want to, but because her voice was constantly taken away from her. To get into the details of it all would be spoiling the story, which I do not want to do because this book should be required reading. What a powerful piece of literature.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Facing toxic masculinity—that is, "designating manhood as defined by violence, sex, status and aggression ... the cultural ideal of manliness, where strength is everything while emotions are a weakness" (Clemens, 2017)—is something that has gone unaddressed for too long. Teenage boys are taught that they should act a certain way—and if they do not, they are not "real men." This negatively affects teenage girls, in many more ways that we know, and seeing it for what it is through A Heart in a Body in the World can allow them to speak out about it. Teens might be able to sense when things are wrong, but be unable to explain it. Hopefully, this will shine a light on the issue and bring awareness.

Issues Present: Gun violence, mental illness, sexual harrassment, PTSD, murder

All the themes present in A Heart in a Body in the World are controversial and can cause it to be challenged and banned, but this is such an important book for teens. There are stories in the news where teenage boys are threatening girls with guns because they do not know how to control their emotions when things do not go their way. This is a scary thing, but something that parents and adults should not shy away from discussing. Teens will not be any safer if these issues are ignored—if anything, more harm will be done.

Book Talk Ideas: "This is a large part of Annabelle Agnelli—the weight of what she owes everyone." (p. 4)

  • What causes Annabelle to start running? How does your understand of this shift from when you started reading to when you finished the book? Does Annabelle's reason for running change throughout the story?
  • At the beginning of each chapter, Annabelle writes down facts about hearts. Why is this significant?
  • Do you think Annabelle should feel guilty about the things that happened in her past?
  • What type of emotions does Annabelle go through in A Heart in a Body in the World? Does Annabelle have a right to be angry?

"She understands that when push comes to shove, literally or otherwise, that she must rely on other people being good and doing the right them. And this, as she knows—as she knows very, very well—is a terrifying thing to rely on. It's fine most of the time, but at others, it is a thin thread. The thinnest.”  (p. 10)

"It seems that she's become a person with a message, but she's unclear what the message is. Maybe because the message is still fighting its way through the grief and guilt to get to her.” (p. 209)

Genre/Subgenres: Realistic fiction

Readalikes: Just Listen by Sarah Dessen, Exit, Pursued by a Bear by E. K. Johnston, Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

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