This was a really thought provoking and well written book based on a true story. This is another book that might have worked better from more viewpoints, but even so, was successfully focused on the human elements of a tragedy. This is what teens who like Lurlene McDaniels should be reading instead.
Grade: A-
Book #63 of 2008
I love this book and decided to use this as a Speak Out book since I know it would be a great discussion book. This is the easiest book to booktalk in the world, especially in an urban, multiracial setting as someone will inevitably yell out “It’s the black kid who gets arrested, right?” and then every teen wants to read the book. It’s interesting to root for teens who have screwed up so badly, and was especially interesting to contrast these boys with Tyrell.
Grade: A-
Book #62 of 2008
I really enjoyed Perfect You and when Elizabeth Scott offered copies on YALSA-BK, I jumped at the chance to get this for my library. Like Perfect You, this book has a unique situation that makes it stand out from other YA books. Dani and her mother are thieves, who move from town to town stealing silver. The characters aren’t quite as unique as in Perfect You, but the story hangs together better. I would definitely recommend reading this.
Grade: B+
Book #61 of 2008
I can’t believe it took me this long to get around to reading this book. I couldn’t help but compare Tyrell to the kids on the Wire and how your circumstances make it so difficult to succeed. I loved Tyrell and hated his mother with a passion. This is gritty and lovely all rolled up into one. It made for a great Speak Out discussion. Reading this and Shug by Jenny Han makes me really kick myself for not applying to the New School’s MFA program.
Grade: A-
Book #60 of 2008
I first heard about this book on The Sound of Young America which I don’t typically listen to but Stefan likes it so it was on and I was very impressed with the interview. I didn’t think these were the best graphic novels (two books were published in one volume) but as the story went on both the writing and the art grew stronger. The chapters are random at times and some incidents which probably seemed very important in high school don’t really hold up as well (most of the concerts are interchangeable and while I’m only about a year younger than Schrag and listened to a lot of the same music, if you weren’t there they aren’t very interesting.) I am looking forward to Potential which even my library owns, as I expect the story and art will only continue to get better.
Grade: B
Book #59 of 2008
The inclusion (or lack thereof) of YA books on summer reading lists has set off quite a few people. I’d like to give an example of a pretty good summer reading list that I got to help create this summer.
I was very lucky for a number of reasons:
1. The High School did not have a summer reading list in the past.
2. I went to the High School in the town in which I work and the English Department Chair was my former English teacher.
3. They were really open to any suggestions I had and were looking for a wide range of reading and interest levels.
4. Although I came up with most of the list, two teachers did give me quite a bit of input. There are a few books on there that I wouldn’t have selected myself, but it makes for a much more balanced list.
Check it out and let me know what you think! I’m hoping to get some feedback from students, teachers, and my circ statistics and do some updating next year.
In addition to being a huge internet geek (like me), my husband is a huge fan of Cory Doctorow’s adult books. Once he found out that Little Brother was a YA book he was really excited and talked about it non-stop. He actually got an ARC from someone at Tor but we never got it back from Paul (our sci-fi reading friend) so I got the library’s copy. It was not a disappointment even for me, a devoted realistic fiction fan. I was a bit hesitant on page one when he felt the need to explain what w1n5t0n meant, but quickly the talking down stopped and I was swept away in the story despite the occasional technical explanation. I liked the main romantic relationship and was really caught up in how close this story could be to reality. I haven’t read any of his adult books, but he has no problem adjusting to writing for YAs and his attitude toward it is really great.
Grade: A
Book #58 of 2008
This one is a reread, since it’s a book for Speak Out this summer. Although our one participant hadn’t read the book and Marilyn and I haven’t had a chance to discuss it between ourselves, I am glad I got a chance to read this again. It was the first Sarah Dessen book I ever read, and I immediately followed it by reading This Lullaby and The Truth about Forever. The only thing wrong with this book is that the bands are fake. I know using real music artists can date books, but let’s face it, the bands Owen would listen to are not one hit wonders (more like, no hits but lots of devoted underground listeners.) I wish it was easier to booktalk this one though; unless you compare it to Speak (which seemed to work at the high school), it doesn’t have a hook; it’s just a quiet and lovely story about sisters and friendship.
Grade: A
Book #57 of 2008
I think Meg Cabot is stronger when writing for an adult audience. Even though her characters can be naive and a bit clueless, I don’t ever want to beat them over the head with a stick like some of her YA characters (Hi Mia Thermopolis from the last four or so Princess Diaries Books). Lizzie’s prince never stood a chance, which was a bit obvious given his complete lack of screen time, but the journey to the end was a fun romp and I loved Lizzie’s success at her work. Now if only Meg would write another one in the All-American Girl/Ready or Not series, which are the ones I love the best.
Grade: B+
Book #56 of 2008