Blog No. 34--Napoleon Dynamite [DVD] by Jared and Jerusha Hess

GENRE: COMEDY [DVD]

Title: NAPOLEON DYNAMITE

Director: Jared Hess
Screenwriters: Jared Hess and Jerusha Hess
Production: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Starring: Jon Heder, Jon Gries, Aaron Ruell

Bibliographic Information:
DVD
Released August, 2004
Twentieth Century Fox
Grade Range: 4 and up, Age Range: 9 and up
Rating: PG
ASIN: B00005JNBQ
Running Time: 95 minutes

Awards:
Teen Choice Award, MTV Movie Award, Film Discovery Jury Award.

Reader’s Annotation:

Hey, high school is hard enough without a bunch of flippin' idiots complicating my life. Dang!

Plot Summary:
Despite his high-energy name, Napoleon Dynamite is a nerdy, lethargic, not particularly skilled and not at all popular high schooler. He lives with his older brother Kip and his grandmother outside a small town somewhere in Idaho.

After Grandma is injured in a wild dune buggy incident, home life takes a definite turn for the worse when Napoleon's Uncle Rico comes to stay for a while. We soon learn that Uncle Rico is obsessed with his past glories on the football field while Kip is wrapped up in internet chat room romance.

Although we get the impression that Napoleon's academic level is adequate, his school life is nonetheless fraught with daily challenges like trying to impress potential girlfriends while avoiding run-ins with bullies; but one bright spot appears when a quiet, earnest girl named Deb begins to show a little interest. And things pick up even more when he befriends Pedro, the new kid in town.

While Uncle Rico and Kip hatch a few ill-advised schemes involving door-to-door sales and a time machine, Pedro enlists Napoleon's support in a surprise bid for class president. Thrown in for good measure is a llama, an encounter with a scary martial arts expert and the obligatory prom dance (this one involving a highly unusual 'ride' and wardrobe for Napoleon). In spite of several setbacks and disappointments (at one point his budding relationship with Deb is jeopardized by an embarrassing misunderstanding), Napoleon's shining hour eventually comes when he agrees to provide the entertainment portion of Pedro's campaign speech before the student body. In his own unique way he saves the day and wins the girl to boot.

Critical Evaluation:
This film exists in its own special universe. For example, never is the surname Dynamite ever questioned or explained. In fact, never is anything questioned or explained! We are simply invited to observe a group of memorable characters in a series of very funny and often very touching interactions. Nobody's life was ever quite like the ones we see in this story, but that's its charm.

Reading level/Interest Age:
All ages will find plenty to enjoy in this film, though high schoolers will relate most closely with the main characters and story. There's a lot of keen sociological insight behind the wackiness, and very little objectionable content for even the youngest viewers.

Information about the Author:
Husband and wife Jared and Jerusha Hess wrote this story while in film school, drawing upon their personal family lives and experiences. It was preceded by Jared's short film Peluca, which also featured Jon Heder in a role similar to the one in Napoleon Dynamite. The Hess’s later went on to create another unusual comedy in 2006, Nacho Libre.

Curriculum Ties:
Film classes, maybe.

Booktalking Ideas:
I generally would not “booktalk” a DVD.

Challenge Issues:
None.

Why I Included This Book/DVD:
Any teen watching this movie is guaranteed to be entertained, and would be hard pressed not to feel inspired by Napoleon's persistence in confronting challenges. It's uplifting and good fun.

Cover image courtesy of http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0374900/

Blog NO. 33-Unwind by Neil Schusterman

GENRE: Dystopian YA Fiction

Title: Unwind
Author: Neil Schusterman

Bibliographic Information:
Pub. Date: November 2007
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Format: Hardcover, 352pp
Age Range: Young Adult 13+
ISBN-13: 9781416912040
ISBN: 1416912045

Awards:
2010 Evergreen Young Adult Book Award
ALA best Book for Young Adults
Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers

Reader’s Annotation:
America’s second civil war—The Heartland War—has divided the nation between pro-life and pro-choice. To solve the problem, both sides have agreed that abortions are not allowed—but any child between the ages of thirteen and eighteen can be “unwound,” meaning their parents can choose to have them killed and give their body parts to people who need them.

Plot Summary:
The Heartland War—a second civil war for the United States between the Life Army (Pro-Life) and the Choice Brigade (Pro-Choice) movements has devastated America. So that peace can be ensured, an agreement between the two factions has been negotiated: while the federal government has outlawed abortion, it has approved the practice of unwinding which is the termination of life for young people who have not yet attained the age of eighteen. When a person is “unwound” he or she is killed (the book never says how) but their body parts—every simple bit of them—are recycled to others who are either injured or ill. In this way, the Life army is satisfied, because the child is not “wasted”. Connor the protagonist is one such young man. A hothead who has disappointed his parents for the last time, he is condemned to the harvest camps. When the bus to the camp is interrupted, Connor escapes. He meets Risa, an n orphan who is no longer useful because she is not at the top of her piano playing anymore. He also meets Lev, who is a tithe—someone who has voluntarily decided to be unwound to help others. Tithes give their families great honor. Lev does not want to escape, but Connor drags him along. As they run from the juvie cops, the three unwind discover things that horrify them—up to the chilling end. (If I tell you more, it will ruin the story).

Critical Evaluation:
Schusterman writes his novels much like screenplays—with very vivid images and strong dialogue. There is not a lot of unnecessary exposition, and the book reads fast like a screenplay would. But the images Schusterman uses leaves one gasping for air. There is a surprise around every corner, and it makes this book one of the best YA novels I have read in a very long time. It is haunting, resonant and important. Schusterman takes real, everyday events—both political and moral, and spins them into a resilient piece that almost makes readers worry abut the future, yet he doesn’t take sides. It doesn’t’ feel like fiction—it feels like a glimpse into our collective American future.

Reading level/Interest Age:
The publisher recommends this book for a 13+ audience, but I would suggest that the thirteen-year-old needs to be mature. There are some difficult concepts in this book, and frankly, I think this would have done just as well as a work of adult fiction. Every high school student to whom I have recommended this book has loved it, and most are over 13.

Information about the Author:
Neil Schusterman was born November 12, 1962 in New York City and began writing at the age of eight He spent the last tow years of high school at the American School in Mexico City, and later attended University of California Irvine. Upon graduation, he was hired to write a film script, and made his first book deal. He wrote for the TV shows Animorphs and Goosebumps. He currently lives in Southern California with his four children and his girlfriend, Christine. His book, Everlost, is being adapted into a film for Universal.

Curriculum Ties:

Great continuation of a dystopian fiction unit. This is one of the better written works in this YA genre.

Booktalking Ideas:

This is a great story for boys and some girls who like dystopian fiction—a harrowing tale of one boy who tries to escape his fate. Imagine that you are a teen boy who has been a little bit of trouble for your parents, and they decide that suddenly you are going to be unwound—basically “killed” for your body parts.

Challenge Issues:

Some religious folk may not approve of this, because it substitutes abortion for killing teenagers.

Why I Included This Book:

This is one of the first novels I read when I became a high school librarian, and I could not put it down. It is creepy and very believable.

Cover image courtesy of: http://readingandbreathing.blogspot.com/2009/02/unwind-by-neal-shusterman.html

Blog No 32 - Laughing Out Loud I Fly by Juan Felipe Herrera

GENRE: Poetry (Young Adult)

Title: Laughing Out Loud, I Fly
Author: Juan Felipe Herrera

Bibliographic Information:
Hardcover, 48 pages
Publisher: Harper Teen, April 3, 1998
Ages: 12 and up
ISBN: 9780060276041
ISBN10: 0060276045

Awards:

2000 Pura Belpre Award

Reader’s Annotation:
Even if you are not crazy for poetry, you will love these poems in two languages by noted poet Juan Felipe Herrera. Whether you speak Spanish or English, you will find yourself inside many of these great poems about growing up and living between two cultures.

Plot Summary:
These poems make you laugh out loud, and fly! Whether you speak Spanish, English, both languages, or are bilingual in other languages, you will be able to relate to Mr. Herrera’s works that talk about the joy, laughter and sometimes confusing emotions that come with living in between two cultures and two homes. Spanish speakers will feel at home with the rich language and descriptions of the food and the beat of the Latin culture. English speakers will feel what it might be like to live in a Latin culture—and all the joys and heartaches of living across both worlds. There are wonderful drawings by Karen Barbour that enhance this book. Expand your life and your soul, and read it.

Critical Evaluation:
Juan Felipe Herrera is one of America’s most prominent Chicano poets. His poems are like music—his words make you want to dance to the one-of-a-kind rhythms that are uniquely Latin, yet soulfully American. Food, music and life are the essence of his poems. These simple concepts are vibrant dances that explode into the reader’s soul. Even his titles are mesmerizing—imagine these: “I Was Born with a Tiny Parakeet of Hope” or “I Own Many Socks, Some with Wings.” These titles make the readers jump and sing, filling their souls with peppery language and celebrating life despite all of the turmoil. His book is all about laughing—at the obvious, the ordinary, the mundane and the extraordinary.

Reading level/Interest Age:
The publisher recommends this book for grades 9-12, but anyone who loves poetry – or wants to explore poetry that is readily accessible—will enjoy this book.

Information about the Author:
Juan Felipe Herrera, author of Crashboomlove, one of the earliest YA novels written in verse, is in love with poetry. He has taught poetry from Kindergarten through the college level, and has written many books. As a child, he traveled through many small farming towns and cities in California, before calling San Diego home.

He has won many awards for his various works. His Upside Down Boy was adapted into a musical in New York. He holds the Tomás Rivera chair in creative writing at the University of California, Riverside.

Curriculum Ties:

Good for a poetry unit, a Spanish language class, or just by themselves for fun!

Booktalking Ideas:

Poetry is fun! These poems are written in two languages, so that the worlds between Spanish and English can collide into one beautiful star. Those who speak Spanish can apprecieta the rhythm of Herrera’s words’ those who speak English can feel that same rhythm in a different language. The poems are about the everyday things made special.

Challenge Issues:

None.

Why I Included This Book:

Poetry is my passion, and this is a wonderful book that appeals to both English and Spanish speakers alike. Herrera is a well known poet in the YA field.

Cover image courtesy of: http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780060276041/Laughing_Out_Loud_I_Fly/index.aspx

Blog No. 31--Ripley's Believe It or Not 2010

GENRE: YA Nonfiction (Generalities)

Title: Ripley’s Believe It or Not Special Edition 2010
Editor: Rosie Alexander

Bibliographic Information:
Hardcover: 144 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.; Special edition (September 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0545143454
ISBN-13: 978-0545143455

Ages 9 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

Find out about the real, the weird, the strange and the exciting! There are things that you can believe—or not!

Plot Summary:
This annual series has a special edition for 2010, and it is filled with fun and bizarre people, places and things that are true—even though some of them seem utterly fantastical! For example, on page 19, you’ll read about the ultimate recycler—an old woman from El Salvador who built her whole house out of empty plastic bottles. Page 91 talks about a woman who uses junk mail to create mosaic art that sells for thousand of dollars. Interested in a man who eats sand? He's on page 101. This book is fun when you want to just chill out and absorb some interesting facts on the weird events that occur around the world.

Critical Analysis:

Ripley’s Believe It or Not is an American icon. Since 1918, Robert Ripley has entertained young people all over America with his quirky newspaper column called “Believe It or Not.” Today, his estate publishes annual books that highlight the weird and strange all over the world. This book is filled with lively graphics and a modern layout that appeal to teens everywhere –especially boys! This is not for the serious reader, but it is a great book for fun and “chillaxing”

Reading Level/Interest Age
Anyone from age nine on up can read and enjoy this book, but some that young may become frightened by some of the contents. Interest age is for everyone, but especially 6th – 12th grade boys!

About the Author:
Robert Ripley was the original author of this series. A world traveler, he visited over 201 countries and covered close to 500,000 miles looking for his amazing stories, and collecting weird artifacts.

An illustrator by trade, Ripley worked for the New York Globe, where he started his cartoon column. His collections fill 30 museums around the world. These museums are often called “Odditoriums” due to the wacky items they contain. He died in 1949, but his vision lives on.

Booktalking Ideas:
Not applicable.

Challenge Issues:

None.

Why I chose this book:
I keep this above the magazine shelf at my high school, and during lunch students often fight over it. It is a relaxing, chill-out kind of read.

Cover image courtesy of:
http://store.scholastic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&productId=37694&storeId=10052&catalogId=10001

Blog No. 30--Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

GENRE: Classic Fiction—Crossover

Title: Fahrenheit 451
Author: Ray Bradbury

Bibliographic Information:
Reading level: Young Adult and Adult
Mass Market Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books; ZZZ edition (August 12, 1987)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0345342968
ISBN-13: 978-0345342966
Grades: 9 and up
Interest: 9 and up

Awards:
Prometheus Award, 2004

Reader’s Annotation:
Guy Montag is a fireman who burns books for a living. When he meets a teenage girl named Clarisse, he begins to question his purpose and sets out to change the world as he knows it, despite all the harm that may come to him and his family.

Plot Summary:
This book is divided into three parts. The first, “The Hearth and the Salamander” is where we meet Guy Montag, the thirty-year-old fireman who is the protagonist of the story. For the past ten years, Montag has been “protecting” society by burning books. He and his wife, Mildred, live comfortably in the suburbs, and she stays home watching “the family” on three walls of television screens while Guy goes out to work. Her biggest goal is for Guy to make enough money so that they can purchase a fourth screen on the remaining wall, so that she can be surrounded by the family on television. But this “family” is a mixed group of messages that are controlled—the programs tell people how to feel, what to think and how to behave, but no one even cares—no one even understands that they are being manipulated. The fact that the world is in shambles and in danger of war is unknown to them—or anyone else who lives in this society. Yet, they seem to be happy—until Guy meets teenaged Clarisse McClellan, a youngster who not only challenges Montag’s authority to burn books, but ahs the audacity to ask “Are you happy?” This changed Montag, who begins to feel the dissatisfaction he has never really thought about. When he comes home to fins Mildred almost dying of a drug overdose, (drugs are something this society condones so no one “feels,”) he really begins to question the purpose of his existence. This makes life difficult because of the mechanical Hound—a tracker used to find people with illegal book collections. But the Hound, as it is called, begins to pick up on Montag’s doubts, and begins to suspect him of being disloyal—especially after the fire department murders an old lady who is caught with a house full of books.

In part two, “The Sieve and the Sand” Montag questions more. He is eager to read—to see what is in the books that are so demonized by the government. He begins reading several books, and Millie begins to feel very threatened. But Montag doesn’t understand half of what he has read, because he’s never been taught to understand. He seeks out Faber, an old man, who begins to teach him. On his way to see Faber, Montag tries to memorize part of the Bible, which is forbidden, but loud advertisements on the train “brainwash” him, and keep him from doing so. Eventually, he meets up with Faber, and Montag begins to learn about what books can and cannot do for people. Faber convinces Montag to make a plan to save the book.

Part three, “Burning Bright” find Millie leaving Montag, and Beatty, the fire captain and Montag’s boss, beginning to think Montag is some kind of traitor. Montag goes through many more trials and tribulations, and eventually finds out what the government has been hiding all along.

Critical Evaluation:
I cannot think of a novel that is more important to American society than Fahrenheit 451. Of all books I have ever read, this one stands out as being the epitome of anti-censorship, as well as an eerie prognosticator of where out society might easily be headed today. Back in 1953 when this novel was published, Bradbury had no idea that what he had written would have come to pass—television was in its infancy, and peoples’ reaction to it had barely been aired. Yet, here in the first decade of the millennium, Bradbury’s novel rings so true—we are almost at a crisis of knowledge and information in America. What is easily obtainable is not knowledge, but information that passes as commerce rather than critical thinking. This is what Bradbury warns about—that excessive Capitalism and crass commercialization will dull the sense of people; the necessity not to offend anyone will prevent positive and informative discourse; and religious impulses will force the censoring of books and materials that allow people to think for themselves. How ironically prophetic—and sadly true—this novel has turned out to be. Yet, there is hope, as there always is with Bradbury: the opportunity for salvation of society exists when people wake up. How I hope this will happen in America soon!

Probably the most important books of all time, this novel was written to show the dangers of the McCarthy era. But, here in 2010, this novel rings even more true, as we sit immersed in a society where honesty and common sense is considered neither racially nor politically correct.

Reading level/Interest Age:
Fahrenheit 451 is rightly on many high schools’ required reading lists for either the 9th or 10th grades. This novel will appeal to idealistic teens, as well as any adult who question any society that condones censorship for the sake of protection.

Information about the Author:
Raymond Douglass Bradbury was born in 1920 in Waukegan, Illinois, and spent his early childhood going to libraries and reading with the help of an aunt who felt it was important. In 1934, his family moved to California, and young Ray began enchanted with movies—especially old horror films that filled him with both excitement and fueled his imagination. At the ripe age of fifteen, he began writing short stories and joined he LA Science Fiction Leagues. . He graduated from Los Angeles high school in 1938. Throughout the 1940s Bradbury wrote many short stories for the pulp magazines like Weird Tales and Amazing Stories. His first collection, Dark Carnival, was published in 1947. Shortly thereafter, he married Marguerite McClure, an advertising executive. She worked while he stayed home and wrote.

In 1950, his famous Martian Chronicles was published, and Bradbury was regarded as one of the important science fiction writers of his time. Other important works include The Illustrated Man (1951), Dandelion Wine (1957) and Something Wicked this Way Comes (1962). A note dystopian writer, his works suggest a negative future where humankind is oppressed—yet there is usually a slight “ray” of hope. Much of Bradbury’s works has been made into TV programs of films, and he is considered one of the most prolific—and important—writers in his genre. Ray and Marguerite have four daughters. He is still with us today, surviving his wife who dies nearly fifteen years ago.

Curriculum Ties:

The quintessential dystopian novel, Fahrenheit 451 is a great book to use in a future shock unit. It is an essential read, and an important book.

Challenge Issues:

This book is on ALA’s Top 100 Most Challenged Books from 200-2009. It is number 69 out of 100. It is ironic that people chalenge what they most need to head.

Why I Included This Book:

It is one of my favorite books of all time, and is eerily pertinent to today’s society. I met Ray Bradbury in 1990, and he was incredibly inspirational in person, as he is through his large body of work. He is probably one of the most important authors of all time—if you haven’t read Bradbury, you haven’t experienced science fiction.

Image Courtesy of http://editourist.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/fahrenheit.jpg

Blog No. 29 - The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

GENRE: Classic YA Fiction

Title: The Outsiders
Author: S.E. Hinton

Bibliographic Information:
Reading level: Young Adult
Mass Market Paperback: 156 pages
(Originally published by Puffin Books, 1967)
Publisher: Laurel Leaf (October 15, 1968)
ISBN-10: 0440967694
ISBN-13: 978-0440967699 Product Details
Grades: 8 and up
Interest: 9 and up

Awards:
New York Herald Tribune Best Teenage Books List, 1967
Chicago Tribune Book World Spring Book Festival Honor Book, 1967
Media and Methods Maxi Award, 1975
ALA Best Young Adult Books, 1975
Massachusetts Children’s Book Award, 1979

Reader’s Annotation:
Ponyboy the protagonist in this classic story believes that two groups exist in the world: the “socs” who have money and attitude and can get away with anything, and the greasers, who live life outside, but are always “have the backs’ of their fellow greasers. One night, his friend Johnny kills a soc, and Ponyboy learns valuable lessons about life on both sides as a result.

Plot Summary:
Ponyboy, the narrator of this story, is fourteen, and a “greaser” from the poor part of town. Ponyboy is not a typical greaser--he loves both movies and books. While daydreaming about a Paul Newman film, he is jumped a gang of “socs” short for the socials—a rich group of kids who get away with everything. He would have been badly hurt, except his two brothers and the friends saw what was happening, and came to his rescue. The Socs are bullies. Once, they beat Ponyboy’s friend, Johnny so badly, that Johnny began carrying a knife for protection. The greasers are not safe walking alone; yet the community feels it is the greasers who are the troublemakers, largely because they look different and are poor. After this encounter, they decide to stay in groups. The next evening, Ponyboy, Johnny and Dallas (Dally), one of the toughest members of the greasers, go to the drive-in movies. While there, Dally harasses two Socs girls, and Johnny stands up for them. Ponyboy begins to realize that Socs and Greasers have some things in common. Later, at the park, Ponyboy and Johnny are threatened by some Socs, who are drunk—the Socs try to drown Ponyboy in the fountain, and Johnny stabs one of them. Ponyboy and Johnny think about running away, changing their hair to disguise themselves. But after one of the Socs, Cherry, says she’s testify on Johnny’s behalf, Johnny decides to turn himself in. On the way, there is a fire, and the greasers try to rescue several people caught in it. This brings on a dramatic turn of events, and the greasers face several more challenges which change their lives—especially Ponyboy’s.

Critical Evaluation:
This is a classic American novel that happens to be very important to Young Adult Literature—in fact, it is the first YA novel ever written! S.E. Hinton wrote it when she was only seventeen, and did so because she felt that the typical novels that students has to read at school did not speak to them. Because of this wise young author, young adult fiction was born.

The Outsiders deals with the important theme of class conflict, and the struggle one faces when there is a conflict between feeling loyalty to your friends, and being true to yourself. It is amazing that Hinton was so young when she penned this (most young writers usually write very plot-driven works), but Hinton’s book is rich with character—the sign of a mature and accomplished writer. While the details in the book are quite brief, they are nonetheless effective. The author is able to get her points across by use of slang, and a few short images. Hinston’s use of allusions—references to other books, films, or poems—also contribute to the setting as well as the character development. This book is a must read for everyone—written in 1967, it’s themes are still very relevant today.

Reading level/Interest Age:
The Outsiders is appropriate for an 8th grade reading level, but the content is more attuned to the high school student. All ages will enjoy this book, but it is also a very good choice for reluctant readers. .

Information about the Author:
Susan Eloise Hinton was born in 1950 and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She loved to read, and started writing when she was ten years old—usually about horses and cowboys. When she went to high school she could not find anything to read that interested her. She wanted books that had teen characters with teen situations. Finding nothing she decided to write one herself and The Outsiders was born. Susan Eloise changed her published name to S.E. Hinton, so that boys would want to read her book. The success of the Outsides enabled Susan to attend college, and get her degree in Education in 1970. She met her husband at college, and they have one son.

Curriculum Ties:

This book is a part of the YA literary cannon, and is on several schools recommended or required reading lists. However, it might be an interesting tie-in to the View Nam war, as that was happening at the time the book was written.

Challenge Issues:

This book continues to be one of the more widely challenged books in America, largely for its depiction of gangs, a pregnant teenager, and some violence.

Why I Included This Book:

It is the very first book to be considered “Young adult” and as such, every young adult should read it. I believe it is part of the YA literary cannon, and an important book with themes that ultimately promotes tolerance and acceptable of others.

Image Courtesy of http://www.sd68.k12.il.us/schools/orchard/lmc/Book%20Covers/outsiders.jpg

Blog No. 28 - MAD Magazine by DC Comics

GENRE: YA Magazine for Boys

Title: MAD Magazine
Editorial Staff: Charlie Kadau, John Ficarra and Joe Raoila

Bibliographic Information:

Publisher: DC Comics
Universal Magazine Code (UMC): 8446
Website: http://www.dccomics.com/mad/
Grades 9 and up
Reading Level: 6 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

A satirical magazine for everyone, but is listed as “one of the top ten hottest magazines for boys by http://www.laietyzine.com/, this magazine has been influencing and making boys laugh since 1952 and is still going strong!

Plot Summary:
Mad Magazine is an irreverent look at America, and all of its cultural problems and newsworthy issues. It still features Alfred E. Newman, the “face” of the magazine since 1955. If a story is in front of the public and MAD can makes it controversial, it will be in this magazine. The May issue is quite interesting: the cover features the iconic Newman wearing a T-shirt that reads “I heart Obama” with the letters “ed” added after the heart. It is political satire at its best, and is still one of the favorite magazines of teen boys. The May issues features a spoof of the Big Bang Theory, a “critique” of Avatar, and a lot of humorous put-downs of "newsworthy” items like Tiger Woods and Toyota.

Critical Analysis:
MAD is America’s longest running humor magazine. But it is NOT for everyone, especially young adults whose parents want to keep them unexposed to the news of the day, including the bad or sexually-oriented news (like the Tiger Woods scandal). MAD’s content continues to push the envelope. This “edge” is why so many teen boys continue to read it. MAD is true satire, with all its faults—and an important part of the American Pop Culture. It is generally not for school libraries, although public libraries do (and should) carry it.

About the Staff:
Editorial Staff: Charlie Kadau, John Ficarra and Joe Raoila
Contributing Writers and Artists who have written over 150 articles for the magazine:

Writers:
Dick DeBartolo
Desmond Devlin
Stan Hart
Frank Jacobs
Tom Koch
Arnie Kogen
Larry Siegel
Lou Silverstone
Mike Snider

Writer-Artists:
Sergio Aragones
Dave Berg
John Caldwell
Don Edwing
Al Jaffee
Don Martin
Paul Peter Porges
Antonio Prohías

Artists:
Bob Clarke
Paul Coker
Jack Davis
Mort Drucker
Jack Rickard
Angelo Torres
Wally Wood
George Woodbridge

Booktalking Ideas:
Not applicable.

Challenge Issues:
It is satire and it does not bar any content, so some parents might find it offensive for their teen boys—even though the teen boys are probably devouring it anyway.

Why I chose this magazine:
MAD Magazine has been a favorite of boys since it began in 1952. Most of the writers and artists are men. It is a classic, and although I would not choose it for my school library, it is an important addition to the public library. MAD has affected the American culture and is iconic. It is one of the nation’s longest-running humor magazines.

Cover image courtesy of:
http://www.dccomics.com/mad/?action=on_the_stands&i=14378

Blog No. 27 - Shonen Jump by Viz Media

GENRE: YA Magazine for Boys

Title: Shonen Jump
Editor in Chief: Grant Lowery

Bibliographic Information:
Softcover 367 pages
Publisher: VIZ Media
ISSN: 1545-7818
Reading Level: Grade 8 and up
Reading Age: Grade 9 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

A magazine for male young adults that specializes in manga and Japanese anime. Shonen means boy in Japanese.

Plot Summary:
Shonen Jump is for guys who love manga and Japanese Anime. Each issue generally contains several stories at the same time, which finish in future issues. The May 2010 issue, which I reviewed, (Volume 8, Issue 5) contains the following serial stories: Bakuman, Bleach, Ultimo, Naruto, One Piece and D. Gray-Man. Each of these stories usually runs 20-50 pages.

Critical Analysis:
Some boys love Shonen Jump; others could care less. If you are a manga fan, or love Japanese anime, this is for you. Shonen is the Japanese word for “Boy” or “young man” and the stories in this pertain to males’ interests, although I have seen some girls who are die-hard manga fans read it, too. It is colorful, busy and eye-catching, so those who love this art form will love this magazine. Some of the content is a bit sexist, so ladies beware.

About the Publisher, Editor and Staff:
(The list of credits on this magazine takes up two full pages, so I am only listing the main ones here)
Publisher: Hyoe Narita
President and CEO: Hidemi Fukuhara
VP Production Alvin Lu
Senior Editorial Director: Elizabeth Kawasaki
Editor in Chief: Grant Lowery
Senior Editor: Joel Enos
Assistant Managing Editor: Aliana Yee

Booktalking Ideas:
Not applicable.

Challenge Issues:
Some of the images and manga have a bit of violence.

Why I chose this magazine:
We subscribe to it at my high school library. We keep it behind the circulation desk, as it tends to “walk away” and never come back.

Cover image courtesy of:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shonen_Jump_(magazine)

Blog No. 26 - Justine Magazine LLC

GENRE: YA Magazine for girls

Title: Justine
Publisher/Editorial Director: Jana Kerr Pettey

Bibliographic Information:
Softcover 96 pages
Publisher: Justine LLC
Universal Magazine Code (UMC): 6883
Reading Level: Grade 7 and up
Reading Age: Grade 9 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

A magazine for and about real teen girls.

Summary:
Justine Magazine focuses on a healthy teen lifestyle, and real, down-to-earth young women. There are sections called just’beauty, or just’fit, just’style, just’life, just’give, just’media and just’your thoughts. These sections contain various articles that depict real teens as models and real teen issues. Even the ads are better—they feature YA books for young women, products for health care, and some products for beauty. This is NOT Teen Vogue. It’s REAL. There is a section called Inkpop, which helps aspiring writers, for instance. The Just’media section reviews ten books bimonthly, giving teens an idea about what they might like to read (Graceling, Fallen, Some Girls Are are a few examples).

For example, the February/March issues have some prom articles, featuring hairstyles or makeup tips, and there are several article that feature athletes who have Olympic aspirations. There is an advice column called “He Said-She Said” that gives perspectives from the girls’ and the boy’s points of view on certain subjects.

Critical Analysis
This is a healthy alternative to Teen Vogue, featuring real teens with real life questions providing a positive role model for girls without the glam and the attitude and the pretentiousness of Teen Vogue. Some might find this a bit tame, bit I personally find it very refreshing to girls who are looking for people who look like them. Literally. There are no anorexic models, or no models that are 25 or older trying to look young. It is editorially responsible, and does not contain mixed messages, the way so many other magazines do. I really admire this magazine.

About the Magazine Staff:
Publisher/Editorial Director Jana Kerr Pettey
Managing Editor: Elizabeth Boone
Art Director: Karin Long
Fashion Coordinator: Julie Weaver
Beauty/Style Coordinator: Janice Compton
Special Projects: Monica Hudson
Graphic Coordinator: Jamie Laybourn

Booktalking Ideas:
Not applicable.

Challenge Issues:
None.

Why I chose this magazine:
We subscribe to it at my high school library.

Cover image courtesy of:
http://www.magazine-agent.com/justine/magazine

Blog No. 25-The Code by Mawi Asgedom

GENRE:
YA Nonfiction – Self-Help

Title: The Code: The 5 Secrets of Teen Success
Author: Mawi Asgedom

Bibliographic Information:
Reading level: Ages 9-12
School & Library Binding: 144 pages
Publisher: Turtleback (September 1, 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0613705769
ISBN-13: 978-0613705769

Awards:
None.

Reader’s Annotation:
Mawi Asgedom escaped Ethiopia when he was three years old, immigrated to the United States where he was on welfare and people looked down on his, and eventually was accepted and went to Harvard University—all because of his positive attitude and sheer will to do it. Reading this book makes everyone believe that the only obstacles in life are the ones we make ourselves.

Plot Summary:
The Code is a book about inner and outer goals, dreams, morals, thoughts, and actions. In an easy-to-read format, the Code tells all readers how to get what you really want, and how to make sure that you don’t abandon your goals, despite the biggest obstacles in your path. In between all of the wonderful and practical advice is the story of Maw’s own life—a struggle to get out of war-torn Ethiopia, and to survive in a prejudiced and challenging United States as immigrants from Africa. This is a great book for everyone who needs guidance-- or those who continually make excuses for not accomplishing what they set out to achieve in life. READ THIS BOOK and be inspired!

Critical Evaluation:
As someone who is not in the target demographic, I still found this book to be helpful. I think all teen readers will get a lot out of it—if they take Mr. Asgedom’s ideas to heart. This book contains good and practical advise for all teens, but you must read it and think a lot about what the author has to day. No amount of hard work is going to be reduced by reading this book, but it will give all teens insights into the benefits of hard work, and help keep them going when the going gets especially tough. The five secrets are something we call all use despite our ages—and move forward with grace, dignity and a renewed sense of wonder.


Reading level/Interest Age:
Teens from the age of 13 through 19 will find wisdom and practical advice in this book.

Information about the Author:
When Mawi Asgedom was only three years old, he fled Ethiopia upon his mother’s back with his brother Tewolde and his father, and became a refugee in a Sudanese camp for three years. At age seven he came to the United States, struggling to overcome financial and cultural difficulties. He and his family survived on welfare for a few years, and he felt inferior because of it. But he worked very hard, and eventually earned a full scholarship to Harvard University.

In 1999—the year he graduated—he actually delivered the commencement address! His first book, Of Beetles and Angels: A Boy's Remarkable Journey from a Refugee Camp to Harvard was widely acclaimed. In 2003, his second book The Code: 5 Strategies of Teen Success was published.

Curriculum Ties:

A great book for units on empowerment, or career development.

Booktalking Ideas:

What if you had to escape your home with only the clothes on your back and fell to a new country where everyone looked down on you? Would you succumb to despair, or would you lift yourself up to accomplish all that you could? The author of this book did just that, and he wasn’t to show all teens how to overcome any obstacle that gets in the way of their dreams.

Challenge Issues: None.

Why I Included This Book:
It is another that has been on my personal shelf for years. I fianlly read it, and it even helped me—someone who is far beyond her teen years Imagine what you can do witty the information he provides – and more time that I have let in which to accomplish your dreams!

Cover image courtesy of: http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/teens_books_9780316736893.htm

Blog No. 24 - Teen Vogue Magazine by Conde Nast

GENRE: YA Magazine

Title: Teen Vogue
Editor in Chief: Amy Astley

Bibliographic Information

Softcover 166 pages
Publisher: Conde Nast (Monthly)
ISSN: 0757356
Reading Level: Grade 7 and up
Reading Age: Grade 9 and up

Reader’s Annotation:

A teenage version of the original Vogue Magazine, created largely for teen girls interested in fashion.

Plot Summary:
Teen Vogue contains a lot of ads, and a few articles that deal with various subjects of interest to some teen girls. The April 2010 issue, for example, contains articles about: Teen Vogue’s cover shoot Miley Cyrus; “Ego Trip” an article about social networking sites like Facebook, where users seem “narcissistic” and share almost every detail of their lives. This article questions whether some teens give TMI. There are also articles about jewelry designed for the line, Poppy; Dr. Martens celebrating 50 years of odd shoes and boots; Kate Moss’ new bags; and a jewelry line created by a Liberian teen.

Critical Analysis:
Just like its adult version, Teen Vogue offers little substance and a lot of fluff. At least eighty percent of the pages are ads, many of which feature adult models—in fact, some of the same ads that appear in Vogue are in Teen Vogue. There are a few pages dedicated to real teens, but overall, this is just a vehicle to sell the same designer products to teens that the target adult females buy. I never subscribed to Vogue personally, although I bought a few issues over the years when I was in the advertising business just to look at the ads (professional development). If you are a teen into substance and content, this would not be the magazine for you. However, it is a great beach read, or fun for browsing. It’s also a great magazine to use if you need to make a collage for an English class, because Teen Vogue is full of glossy fashion photos of (older) models in outrageous clothes! This magazine still focuses on women as objects in my view, but young women who like to look at fashion photos will find this interesting. Everyone else may find it a waste of paper. We have it at our library, but only a very limited segment of girls (and some guys who look at it for photo class) actually read it. However, those that do tend to like it. There’s something for everyone in the library!

About the Author:
Major personnel for this magazine include:
VP/Publisher: Laura McEwen
Editor in Chief: Amy Astly
Fashion News Director: Jane Keltner
Features Director: Leigh Belz
Photo Director: Jennifer Pastore
Production Director: Nicole Stuart
Editorial Director: Anna Wintour

Booktalking Ideas:
Not applicable.

Challenge Issues:
None.

Why I Chose this Magazine:
We subscribe to it at my high school library, for chill-out reading/photo browsing. Sometimes students in the photo class look at it to see what the fashion photogs are up to.

Cover image courtesy of: https://magazine.teenvogue.com/ecom/subscribe.jsp?oppId=5200003&tgt=/atg/registry/RepositoryTargeters/TNV/TNV_global_header&placementId=5100029&logOppId=true&placementGroupId=

Blog NO. 23 -- A Day No Pigs Would Die by Robert Newton Peck

GENRE: Classic YA Lit
Title: A Day No Pigs Would Die
Author: Robert Newton Peck

Bibliographic Information:
Publisher: Random House, 1972 (original)
Re-release September 1994
ISBN13: 9780679853060
ISBN10: 0679853065
Reading Level: 5-6 grade
Interest Age Grade 6 and up
Pages 160

Awards:
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

Reader’s Annotation:

Young Robert Peck lives on a farm with his pig-butchering father and his farmwife mother—all of the Shaker faith—who believe in living life simple and honestly. Their religion makes them a bit outcast, even though they are respected, but young Robert doesn’t fit in—that is, until a baby pig changes his whole life.

Plot Summary:
Robert Peck begins the story as a twelve-year-old boy who is desperate to have something to call his own, despite the fact that he is very poor, lives during the great Depression and is a Shaker—a religious faith that believes in hard work and not having anything considered a “frill” (not necessary for survival). But Robert grows up among students who are not Shakers, and they don’t understand him, or his family’s ways. His dad is a hard-working farmer who is too poor to raise his own animals, but instead butchers pigs for a living, and often comes home smelling like the animals themselves. Mom is a quiet, hardworking farmer’s wife, who keeps the family going. Near the beginning of the story, young Robert saves a neighbor’s cow—a pregnant cow whose baby is breech and Robert literally pulls the calf out, getting hurt in the process. For his reward, the owner gave Robert a young pig that he calls Pinky. Dad agrees to allow him to raise the pig for food but Robert keeps hoping that Pinky will be “just a pet.” Many things happen throughout the year, as Robert prepares for his thirteenth birthday—the day he becomes a man. But things don’t work out so well for the family, and Robert finds he has to grow up much faster than he wanted.

Critical Evaluation:
I cried the first time I read this. And I cried again the second time—right in from of my ninth grade English class, when I read aloud to reluctant readers a part of this book that is especially sad. For a book to make me cry – and to make me do so in front of impressionable teens—the emotional arc of the story has to ring true. This book does. Slightly fiction and mostly memoir, this classic tale of Robert Newton Peck’s upbringing on a farm in Vermont during the Great Depression is sure to make even the toughest boy choke up. It is the perfect book for boys, and especially those need to be reminded on how tough life can be when you are poor, don’t fit in, and want something desperately that is a frivolous, even though your faith does not allow you to have it. I truly love this book. My students, seeing that I could be moved to tears in front of them, made them beg me NOT to stop reading. I think this is a great book for all ages—for anyone who needs to be reminded what it’s like to witness true love and respect between a father and a son. A must read, even thirty years later!

Reading level/Interest Age:
It shocks me that the publisher’s teacher site gives this book a reading level of grade 5.4 and an interest age of grades 6-8. They are out of touch. I think the subject matter is quite dark in spots and while some very smart and mature 6th graders might handle it; I think this is really a high school book in terms of content. It is an easy read to be sure, but the situations are tough, despite the fact that the hero is only 13. The characters are older for their age, certainly mature and deal with some adult situations. Not a middle school book—well, maybe 8th grade honors.

Information about the Author:
Robert Newton Peck was born in Vermont, and is writer who comes from a long line of Down East farmers. As a boy, he was raised as a Shaker—a strict religion that believed in hard work and a “no frills” philosophy. This book, which is part fiction and part memoir, utilizes his Shaker upbringing to write about the young protagonist, Robert, who starts the book as a questioning twelve-year-old, and ends up, at thirteen a man.

His own father, whom he honors in this book, was a practical man who killed pigs for a living, just like the father in his book. He was raised believing in the practical aspects of faith, in that it was only worthwhile if everything associated with it ended up better off for the belief in it. His father, who could neither read nor write, influenced Peck to learn as much as he could—in fact, he was the first person in his family to be able to do so. Peck had many odd jobs: a lumberjack, butcher, and paper millworker. During World War II, he joined the Army and upon his discharge, he received his BA from Rollins College, and later his law degree from Cornell University. He worked in the advertising industry as a jingle writer, which he left after the publication of his first book—A Day No Pigs Would Die. Today, he directs the Rollins College Writers Conference.

Curriculum Ties:

This is a great pairing with Night by Elie Wiesel, as both books are about young men profoundly influenced by their fathers, and for whom life was a struggle.

Booktalking Ideas:

It is the Great Depression, and life on a farm in rural Vermont isn’t easy—there are bullies who tease you because your father always smells like the pigs he butchers for a living, and because you are a Shaker, you never ever get a store-bought coat, and you always “make do.” But one day, you get a reward for saving your neighbor’s cow—a beautiful little pig that you hope your dad will let you keep as a pet – and not raise for dinner!

Challenge Issues:

This book has been widely challenged, and is on the ALA list for the Top 100 challenged books for its graphic depictions of real farm life, like butchering and mating. Peck only writes about nature. I find it difficult to believe that anyone would find this offensive—it is a highly tasteful book, and offers positive lessons about family relationships, and forgiveness. Perhaps some Americans have strayed too far away from their rural roots to realize that what Peck writes about it just plain natural.

Why I Included This Book:

It is a classic piece of YA literature—one of the earliest works in YA—and it is still one of the best. Heartwarming and heart wrenching—but very real and true.

Cover image courtesy of: http://www.powells.com/biblio/17-9780679853060-0

Blog No. 22- Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

GENRE: Dystopian Thriller

Title: Catching Fire
Author: Suzanne Collins

Bibliographic Information:
Published September, 2009
Scholastic Press 1st Edition
Hardcover, 400
ISBN-10: 0439023491
ISBN-13: 978-0439023498
Ages: 12 and up
Grades: 6 and up
Reading level: Young Adult

Awards:
2010 Indies Choice Book Awards

Reader’s Annotation:
Katniss and Peeta, the Hunger Games winning tributes from District Twelve think that they can go on their victory tour of the districts and have a little bit of fun. But the agony is not yet over: the nation of Panem is itching for a revolution which President Snow says was started by Katniss’ acts of defiance with the berries—now the tributes are called back to fight yet again, only this time, they don’t know who they can trust—even Haymitch.

Plot Summary:
Katniss is back home in District Twelve, the co-winner of the Hunger Games with fellow tribute Peeta Mellark, and things were supposed to be great for her family, and she was supposed to be happy. She’s home, Prim and Mother are safe, and then there’s Gale, whom she was so anxious to see—and who suddenly acts as if he wants nothing to do with her. He’s working the mines now, Peeta has renounced her, and things are not quite right in the world. It seems that rumors are flying about an uprising in some of the districts, and the Capitol is concerned that it will turn into a full-blown revolution—all because of Katniss and Peeta’s actions in the Games. Katniss almost welcomes this. No one should have to live this way. Yet she fears for her family. After a short rest at home, it is time for Katniss and Peeta to go on their district by district victory tour, and again she is being scrubbed, cleaned and prepped. It seems normal enough, until she gets a threatening visit from President Snow, who questions her loyalty to the Capitol and to Peeta. If she can’t prove to the Districts that her love is still in full bloom, there will be dire consequences. Katniss notices that things are not normal. The Peacekeepers come to District Twelve and beat up Gale—and Katniss defies then again by taking a crack of the whip for him. Now things are even worse. A Quarter Quell is announced, and this time, the reapings will come from the surviving tributes from all the Districts. This means that not only are Peeta and Katniss up again after such a short time, but Haymitch is too. Will they survive? Will they lead an uprising against the Capitol?

Critical Evaluation:
I was dreading this book at first. I really enjoyed Hunger Games, and I could not imagine how Suzanne Collins could possibly make this second book as interesting and compelling as the first. The first couple of chapters filled me with concern: it seemed like life was back to normal, and that Katniss would end up with Gale. NOT! Just when it seemed that the plot was a bit stuck, we were smacked with the unexpected development of the Quarter Quells—launching Katniss, Peeta and Haymitch back into the reaping ball. Soon, I was hooked again, and couldn’t stop reading. Now, the only disappointment is to have to wait until August or September to read Mockingjay.

Collins’ mastery of plot twists, and her simple but eloquent writing style makes this middle of the trilogy almost as good as the first. Not a bad feat for a Book Two of three, which more often than not, get’s lost. However, there’s a lot of meat in this sandwich, and I can only hope that Book Three is as great. If you think Katniss and Peeta are being tortured, think about everyone who has to wait until the final book of the trilogy comes out. I think I will buy them all—these are keepers!

Reading level/Interest Age:
It shocks me that the publisher’s teacher site gives this book a reading level of grade 5.4 and an interest age of grades 6-8. They are out of touch. I think the subject matter is quite dark and while some very smart and mature 6th graders might handle it; I think this is really a high school book in terms of content. It is an easy read to be sure, but the content is tough. The characters are older, mature and deal with some adult situations. Not a middle school book.

Information about the Author:
Suzanne Collins was an accomplished children’s television writer before she turned to novels. She was on staff of several of Nicolodeon productions, including the Emmy-nominated Clarissa Explains it All and The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. She received a Writer’s Guild of America nomination in animation for the Christmas Special, Santa, Baby! which she co-wrote. Collins wrote many novels for children, beginning with the New York Times bestselling series, the Underland Chronicles, for middle grade readers. Gregor the Overlander, the first in that series, received much praise both in the U.S and in Europe. In the Hunger Games series, she has written Catching Fire (2009) and Mockingjay, to be released in August, 2010.

Curriculum Ties:
The whole trilogy can be a part of a unit on dystopian fiction, along with Bradbury and Orwell. These are easier reads, but the content is compelling. I might offer Hunger Games as part of the unit with Fahrenheit 451 and 1984 or Lord of the Flies, but once the class reads it, they will want to read the remaining books, just to see what happens.

Booktalking Ideas:
You makes it through the toughest time of your life—the Hunger Games—which have the scope and the popularity of the Olympics except there a fight to the finish—literally the end of your life. You make it through, and then find out that political situations are forcing you to do a do-over—and it seems that you barely recovered from the first one!

Challenge Issues:
Like the first book, Catching Fire deals with teens killing teens, but also teens killing older people, too.

Why I Included This Book:
It’s part of a trilogy. I enjoyed the first book, so I HAD to read the second. So should you!

Cover image courtesy of: http://store.scholastic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay_null_37030_-1_10052_10051

Blog No. 21- Parrotfish by Ellen Wittlinger

GENRE: Realistic Fiction

Title: PARROTFISH
Author: Ellen Wittlinger

Bibliographic Information:
Published July, 2007
Simon & Schuster
Hardcover, 304 pages
ISBN-10: 1416916229
ISBN-13: 9781416916222
Ages: 12 and up
Grades: 7 and up

Awards:
Bank Street Best Books of the Year, Lambda Literary Award Finalist, NYPL "Books for the Teen Age" Volunteer State Book Award Master List (TN)

Reader’s Annotation: Angela Katz McNair leads a seemingly normal life in a typical blended suburban family until her junior year of high school when she decides she’s tired of living a lie, cuts her hair and announces to the world that she is now a he—named Grady. As Grady, Angela meets with all kinds of challenges—what bathroom to use, what friends to keep and how much courage it takes to be who you really are.

Plot Summary:
For the last sixteen years, Angela Katz McNair was a typical American teenager girl—she had an annoying sister, a goofy, couch potato brother, a harried Jewish mom married to a Christmas-fanatic Catholic Dad—and a secret. Something about her didn’t feel right. She knew all along that she was different, and then one day, she decided that she was going to show the world her true colors: that she was really a boy. Angels cut her hair, bound her breasts, wore boys’ clothes and changed her name to Grady. When she “came out” at school the trouble started. Some teachers understood, some didn’t. Some of his peers called him Grady, some wouldn’t. His best friend since childhood, Eve, didn’t know what to do, and felt peer pressure to ignore him. But Grady persisted, and met Sebastian, a geek who befriended him, and helped Grady feel okay about who he was. When Grady met the beautiful Kita, his friend’s girl, he felt an attraction. When Kita accepted Grady for who he was and called him courageous, Grady knew he was hooked. But what girl would want a transgendered person? Grady’s growth throughout the book, coupled with the craziness of the outlandish family Christmas pageant, makes this book a charming and important story.

Critical Evaluation:
Parrotfish takes it title from a real species of fish that changes its gender to survive, depending on the fish’s population each year. It is a fitting metaphor for Angela-turned-Grady, a small and skinny girl that turned into a smaller and skinnier boy who, for the first time in her whole almost-seventeen years, finally feels better in her own skin. Her transition is not a smooth one, but Wittlinger makes the story believable, despite making it tame. While the concept of gender versus sex is an important one, Wittlinger presents it in such a way that it is palatable even to those who might disagree with the idea. It is a very human story with well rounded characters and interesting situations, which makes it a good introduction to this very important issue for those who may be afraid or uncomfortable. The plot involving Kita is especially interesting, when the most beautiful girl in the school is actually not portrayed as a plastic stereotype, but an ethnic and attitudinal mix of diversity at her best. For one, this is an uplifting story despite its challenges, and I believe that many readers will find it heartwarming and important.

Reading level/Interest Age:
The reading level for this book is 7th grade, but I recommend it for ages 14 and up. I think some middle school readers would be too giggly at the concept, but it is clearly an easy read for a high school audience.

Information about the Author:
Ellen Wittlinger (10-21-1948) is an only child, born and raised in Belleville, Illinois where she lived until she went to Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. Her parents owned a grocery store, and she lived in a house right next to it. She had a sense of wanderlust, and upon graduation moved to Ashland Oregon with a friend. She wanted to be a poet, so she applied and was accepted to the Iowa Writer's Workshop at the University of Iowa, where she received a Master of Fine Arts degree. She moved to Massachusetts and won two fellowships at the Fine Arts Center, where she began writing plays. Eventually she became a children’s librarian and had children of her own. That was when she first began writing books for children. Her first book, Lombardo's Law, was published in 1993. Since then she has written many more novels.

Curriculum Ties:
Books about peer acceptance and rejection, bullying and transcendence.

Booktalking Ideas:
You can’t help how you were born. Imagine what it would be like if, on the outside you looked like a typical high school girl, but on the inside you felt like a boy—and then you decided to do something about it by cutting your hair, wearing different clothes and changing your name. How would you fit in now?

Challenge Issues: Transgender discussions may be issues for some very conservative people. However, it is a real issue, and transgender people exist, so it is important to promote understanding and tolerance of those who walk in different shoes.

Why I Included This Book: It was assigned for a class, but I was so happy to read it. Finally, a young adult book about a very important topic that isn’t a total downer! True, there are issues here, but there is also humor, love and tolerance to overcome the fear and loathing. This is an important book for everyone to read.

Cover image courtesy of http://books.simonandschuster.com/Parrotfish/Ellen-Wittlinger/9781416916222

Blog No. 20 The Hitchhiker's Guide to he Galaxy by Douglas Adams

GENRE: SCIENCE FICTION/HUMOR

Title: The Hitchhicker's Guide to the Galaxy
Author: Douglas Adams

Bibliographic Information:
Published October, 1979
Pan Books
Grade Range: 7 and up, Age Range: 13 and up
ISBN10: 0-330-25864-8, Young Adult Fiction, 180 pages,

Awards:

Waterstone's Books/Channel Four's list of the "One Hundred Greatest Books of the Century", at number 24. (1996); BBC's "Big Read", an attempt to find the "Nation's Best-loved book", ranked number four. (2003).

Reader’s Annotation:

Ordinary Englishman Arthur Dent narrowly escapes the destruction of his home planet and inexplicably finds himself engulfed in a series of improbable adventures extending through the remote reaches of space and time. He is accompanied and guided by his unusual friend Ford Prefect, an alien and a contributor to the most authoritative self-help resource in the Universe: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

Plot Summary:
Matter-of-factly informed of the imminent destruction of his house to make way for a bypass, Arthur Dent enlists help from his friend Ford Prefect to forestall the demolition. Ford takes the opportunity to explain to Arthur that he is actually an alien and a roving researcher for the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy… and, by the way, that the entire Earth is about to be obliterated for a similar reason. At the moment before the planet is destroyed, the two make their escape by secretly boarding the Vogon spacecraft sent to conduct the demolition.

They are soon discovered and tortured with Vogon poetry before being ejected from the ship. Fortunately, Ford has precisely timed their expulsion with a momentary appearance of a local "hole in the Galaxy" through which they eventually arrive aboard another spaceship. This vessel is the Heart of Gold and is captained by Ford's relative, the two-headed, three-armed President of the Galaxy, Zaphod Beeblebrox, accompanied by an Earth woman known as Trillian, whom Arthur had met earlier at a party, and a depressed robot named Marvin.

Zaphod is on a mysterious mission to reach the legendary planet Magrathea, and Arthur and Ford tag along. More encounters with various aliens, mostly unfriendly, ensue. When Magrathea is at last found, Zaphod, Ford, and Trillian are diverted to an unpleasant encounter with a supercomputer known as Deep Thought, while Arthur and Marvin meet a Magrathean wise man of sorts named Slartibartfast. He eventually reveals that Deep Thought was originally constructed by a superior race of mice to provide them with the Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything. (The answer was “42.”) They then built another supercomputer - planet Earth - to determine the Ultimate Question. Earth was five minutes short of completing its ten-million-year program and divulging the question at the moment when it was destroyed. The mice now believe that Arthur, as a "last generation product" of Earth, is likely to have the Ultimate Question contained within his brain, so they offer to buy it (the brain) from Arthur while he and the others are being held captive. When Arthur declines, the mice are about to strongly insist when fate again conveniently intervenes, allowing the group to make their escape back to the Heart of Gold.

Safely aboard the ship, Zaphod suggests that they all go to lunch at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe – the title of this book's sequel.


Critical Evaluation:
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is not so much a novel as a loose framework for tying together a collection of silly jokes and vignettes poking fun at just about everything; and in this it succeeds admirably. The plot involving Arthur Dent's accidental education regarding the universe's true nature and the nonstop parade of characters and circumstances are certainly plenty of fun on their own, but another clever aspect of the book is the way in which Adams sprinkles in pearls of wisdom from the "actual" Hitchhiker's Guide itself:

"A towel… is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have… any man who can hitch the length and breadth of the galaxy, rough it, slum it, struggle against terrible odds, win through, and still knows where his towel is, is clearly a man to be reckoned with."

"The knack of flying is learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss."

"It is known that there are an infinite number of worlds, simply because there is an infinite amount of space for them. However, not every one of them is inhabited. Therefore, there must be a finite number of inhabited worlds. Any finite number divided by infinity is as near to nothing as makes no odds, so the average population of all the planets in the Universe can be said to be zero. From this it follows that the population of the whole Universe is also zero, and that any people you may meet from time to time are merely the products of a deranged imagination."

I think it may be said that Adams' writing here is something of a cross between Lewis Carroll and Monty Python. Young readers with an understanding of humankind's foibles and absurdities will surely enjoy it.

Reading level/Interest Age:
The reading level for this book is 9th grade, and it is recommended for 14 and up. Most of us read this book when we were in high school, and today it is on some core reading lists. Adults love it, too—especially Sci-Fi fans.

Information about the Author:
Douglas Noel Adams was born March 11, 1952, and sadly, passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack at the age of 49 in 2001. A British comedy writer, Adams was friends with many of the Monty Python bunch and wrote many episodes of the famous BBC production of Dr. Who. He was born in Cambridge and attended Brentwood School, then St. John’s College. He received a BA in English Literature in 1974, and later received an MA. He wrote very slowly; he often had to be forced to write by locking himself in a hotel room. He was a strong environmental activist, working on behalf of many species. He has one daughter, Polly.

Curriculum Ties:

This novel is on the core reading list for many high schools across the nation, and has been widely reviewed by many academic literary critics.

Booktalking Ideas:

The world is ending, and for the author, it is quite a laughing matter. If you like jokes, weird humor, and off-beat surrealism, you will love this book. Imagine a culture of mice wanting to buy the brain of the last human being alive in the universe! It only gets odder…

Challenge Issues: None.

Why I Included This Book:

It is one of the classic science fiction novels, and a must read for anyone who claims to be a fan of the genre. It is now considered a part of the literary canon. One can’t be well read and not have read this book!

Cover image courtesy of Amazon.com.

Blog No. 19--Green Angel by Alice Hoffman

GENRE: Teen Fiction--Fantasy

Title: Green Angel
Author: Alice Hoffman

Bibliographic Information:
Paperback 116 pages
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc. October 2003
ISBN-10: 0439658789
ISBN-13: 9780439658782
Reading Level: Grade 6 and up
Reading Age: Age 12 and up

Awards:

None.

Reader’s Annotation:

After losing her family in a mysterious fire that wipes out the whole city, fifteen-year-old Green is the sole survivor, haunted by memories and sadness. Before she was a gardener, now she retreats and changes her name to Ash, tattooing herself with dark ink to punish herself for surviving, until her innate humanity makes her come to life again in a mysterious way.

Plot Summary:
Fifteen-year-old Green, who finds delight tending the immense garden on her family’s land, is not as beautiful or happy as her sister Find out all about yourself—about your love, health, career and destiny--simply by lo, Aurora, who seems to dance on from the dawn through the night. When their parents and Aurora go into the city to sell their vegetables, a cataclysmic fire occurs—an explosion (much like a bombing) occurs, leveling the city and killing everyone who lives or worked there. Left alone to survive in anyplace where nothing will grown anymore, food is scarce and everything living seems dead, Green changes her name to Ash and begins covering herself with homemade tatooes o reminder her of all she has lost. Eventually, she finds that there are a few survivors, including an old woman, a girl named Heather who has taken to drinking and dancing and running with a pack of wild teens, and finally dogs named Onion and Ghost and a young mane named Diamond, who redeem her soul. A tale of spirits and mystery, Green Angel leaves readers wondering what really happened, but with the comfort of knowing that survival and spirit can endure among the most harsh conditions.’

Critical Evaluation:
In a short 166 pages, Alice Hoffman manages to weave a spellbinding tale of hope in a world that seems to have lost everything—nature, spirit, and humanity. Green, the story’s heroine, despite tattooing every possible square inch of her body to minimize the pain of being left behind, finds redemption of sorts when she begins to reach out to other survivors who are like herself. While this book seemed more image-oriented than narrative, it nonetheless strikes a chord in readers about the will to survive against all odds. However, it seems the book could have been fleshed out a bit more. Many details are missing that could have made this great. It is too short, and too empty in parts, but for some reason I still enjoyed the book.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
This is a fast, easy-to-read book for any teen over twelve. However, the holes inherent in the story may frustrate some of the younger readers, and because of that, the book actually is more accessible as a strict YA novel. The implied relationship between Green and Diamond suggest that this book may be for slightly older YAs after all.

About the Author:
Alice Hoffman (b. 3-16-52) grew up on Long Island, graduating from high school in 1969. She graduated from Adelphi University, from which she received a BA, and then received a Mirrellees Fellowship to the Stanford University Creative Writing Center, receiving an MA in Creative Writing. She wrote her first novel, Property Of, when she was 21. Since then she has published seventeen more novels: two books of short fiction and eight books for children and young adults. Here on Earth, once of her novels, was an Oprah Book Club choice. She also wrote, Practical Magic, which eventually became a film starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. The sequel to Green Angel, called Green Witch, is a teen novel recently published in March 2010. Hoffman teaches at Brandeis University.

Booktalking Ideas:
Life is great—until your parents and your beloved sister go to the city without you to sell the fruits of your garden, and a mysterious explosion and fire endues, killing nearly everyone who went downtown. This is Green’s story, and upon feeling her loss, she changes her name to Ash…and tries to survive in a now-darkened world.

Challenge Issues:

None.

Why I chose this book:
This was sitting on my personal bookshelf for years. I hadn’t read it, so I decided to finally pick it up. I’m glad I did. While it cannot compare to the sophistication of many of the other books, this one has a sweetness about it that seems to be largely missing from nearly all of the YA novels I have read.

Cover art courtesy of: http://www.alicehoffman.com/hoffman-green-angel.htm

Blog No. 18--The Element Encyclopedia of Birthdays by Theresa Cheung

GENRE: YA Nonfiction (New Age/Spirituality)

Title: The Element Encyclopedia of Birthdays
Author: Theresa Cheung

Bibliographic Information:
Hardcover: 752 pages
Publisher: Harper Element; First Edition (November 5, 2007)
ISBN-10: 0007261497
ISBN-13: 978-0007261499
Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8 x 2.4 inches
Reading Level: Grade 9 and up
Reading Age: Grade 9 and up

Awards:
None.

Reader’s Annotation:

Find out about the real you, based on the day of your birth—and see how compatible you are with your friends and family.

Plot Summary:
Learn all about yourself—about your love, health, career and destiny--simply by looking up your birthday! This encyclopedia devotes two solid pages to every day of every month, giving readings very interesting, and in many cases scientifically-backed information that can inform their life. The author has painstakingly researched real science about aging, careers, health, personality and intelligence, and has come to certain correlations between traits and birthdates. In addition, the author has studied psychology, numerology, astrology and color theory as well, to give readers an entertaining—and often very accurate—view of their lives.

Critical Evaluation:
This is probably one of the most entertaining and easy-to-use books on the subject of personality and birth traits. The profiles are uncanny (I looked at mine, and that of every member of my family, and was shocked at how true the analyses were)! There is a lot of great information contained in this book. It is a great reference source for anyone interesting in learning more about themselves, their families and their friends. The author writes in a fun and entertaining, but straightforward style that makes you want to read more and more.

Reading Level/Interest Age:
Reading level is around 9th grade, but will appeal to readers both older and younger, if they are interested in this subject. Interest age is 9th grade through adult.

Information about the Author:
Theresa Cheung is well educated in psychology, as well as the spiritual arts of numerology, tarot, astrology and dreams. She comes from a family “filled with psychics and astrologers” and gave her first public tarot reading at the young age of 14. She has written more than 25 books about health, psychology and spirit, including Teen Psychics, The Element Encyclopedia of Vampires, and Angel Babies and Other Amazing True Stories. Also well known in the magazine world, Ms. Cheung has written for Fortune, Health and many others.

Curriculum Ties:
None.

Booktalking Ideas:
A simple flip of the page to your individual birthday will tell you all you want to know about yourself—and maybe some things you don’t! This is not a horoscope, but more of a personality study based on science and spirit. An entertaining and enlightening read!

Challenge Issues:

Religious. Some people feel these are “evil” However. Libraries serve all people, and many will actually enjoy this book.

Why I Included This Book:
Students at my high school sometimes love to vege out on books like I Spy or the Guinness Books of World Records. While browsing at Borders, I came upon this book, and knew the students would love it. They do!

Cover image courtesy of:
http://www.harpercollins.ca/book/index.aspx?isbn=9780007298938

Blog No. 17--The Mysteries of Beethoven's Hair by Russell Martin and Lydia Nibley

GENRE:
YA Nonfiction

Title: The Mysteries of Beethoven’s Hair
Author: Russell Martin and Lydia Nibley

Bibliographic Information:
Published: February 2009
Publisher: Charlesbridge Pub Inc.
Format: Hardcover, 120pp
ISBN-13: 9781570917141
ISBN: 1570917140
Reading Level: Grades 6-9
Reading Age: 10-14

Awards:
Colorado Book Award

Reader’s Annotation:
When the great composer was laid to rest in 1827, fifteen-year-old musician Ferdinand Hiller clipped a lock of Beethoven’s hair and put it into a locket as a remembrance. In 1994, more than a century later, Beethoven’s hair ended up as the prized possession of two wealthy Americans, who had it genetically tested and started to unravel the great mysteries behind this amazing composer’s life, health and deepest secrets.

Plot Summary:
Based on his adult novel about the same topic, Russell Martin and his co-writer Lydia Nibley created a young adult version of this amazing nonfiction story. In 1994, two wealthy Americans—both serious fans of the composer Beethoven—stumbled upon and purchased a lock of the great composer’s hair. They had it genetically tested, and with these tests discovered several amazing scientific facts about the life, death and overall health of Ludwig von Beethoven, giving readers insight into the illnesses and issues with which Beethoven has to deal with throughout his life. Testing unraveled many mysteries about his hearing loss, possible lead poisoning and the composer’s depression. How the men came about the hair is amazing too—starting with the fifteen-year-old music student, Ferdinand Hiller—who first clipped a lock of his idol’s hair and placed it into a locket which he passed down to his son, from his son to his grandson and so on, until it was acquired by the Americans. How it was kept from the Nazi’s during the Holocaust was yet just one more fascinating tale in the mystery of Beethoven’s hair.

Critical Evaluation:
While I have not read the adult version of this book, I found the YA version to be very exciting—particularly if one is a fan of Beethoven and/or forensic science. This book is written like a detective story, making this very true tale almost feel like a very interesting work of someone’s imagination. Truth can sometimes be stranger—or more exciting—than fiction. The authors paint an interesting picture of Beethoven, and what his life must have been like, based on the small sample of his hair, which was tested and retested by forensic scientists. The story of how the hair was acquired was very interesting, and depicted the lengths to which people went to preserve artifacts during the Holocaust. Peppered throughout the book are great facts about Beethoven’s life and his music, which made the book, come alive. There are great photos, including the eerie one on the cover of the deceased Beethoven. Probably one of the truly great aspects of this book is that the authors spent time discussing the process of research with young adults, and how the concept of narrative nonfiction works. This is a must read for any music student, or anyone interested in the field of forensic science.

Reading level/Interest Age:
Reading level is easy, and the publisher recommends this book for as young as ten years old, and as old as 14. However, I read this book as an adult, and I couldn’t put it down! I think the author’s revision of the adult novel makes this book even better—it is certainly more accessible, and clear to all ages.

Information about the Author:
Russell Martin graduated from the Colorado College, where he also taught for eighteen years. He was the recipient of a Thomas Watson fellowship in Great Britain and became a journalist and news reporter prior to starting his career as a write of novels. Martin has also written several other books, Out of Silence (1994), A Story That Stands Like A Dam: Glen Canyon and the Struggle for the Soul of the West (1989), Beautiful Islands (1988); The Color Orange: A Super Bowl Season with the Denver Broncos (1987); Matters Gray and White: A Neurologist, His Patients & the Mysteries of the Brain (1986). In addition, Martin also edited two anthologies of cowboy writing in 1992. In 1995, he was given an honorary Ph.D. by his college.

Curriculum Ties:
Music appreciation class or science class.

Booktalking Ideas:

A lock of Beethoven’s Hair mysteriously appears and two wealthy American collectors by it. They have the hair tested, and are able to unlock really great and interesting secrets about the composer’s past.

Challenge Issues:
None. If people challenge this book, then they will challenge anything, except themselves for not reading it.

Why I Included This Book:
This was on Booklist and I purchased it for our library. I was the first one to read it, but since then many students have checked it out!

Cover image courtesy of: http://www.amazon.com/Mysteries-Beethovens-Hair-Russell-Martin/dp/1570917140

Blog No. 16-- Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

GENRE:
Fantasy

Title: Once a Witch
Author: Carolyn MacCullough

Bibliographic Information:
Reading level: Young Adult—Grade 9 and up
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Clarion Books (September 14, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0547223994
ISBN-13: 978-0547223995

Awards:
ALAs Best Books for Young Adults, 2010

Reader’s Annotation:
Tamsin is just an ordinary seventeen-year-old girl, which under most conditions wouldn’t be so bad—except that she comes from many generations of witches, where her normal traits disappoint her family. When she meets a strange man who needs her sister’s help, Tamsin pretends to be her sister, and as a result is put into a thrilling and very dangerous adventure.

Plot Summary:
Tamsin Greene was born an ordinary girl to a family that, for generations, has produced some of the most powerful witches in town. The day she was born, her grandmother believed that Tamsin would be the greatest of all of them. However, her magic never arrived. Now this seventeen-year-old girl is forced to live a life as a normal girl in an extraordinary family—a difficult feat for any teen trying to just fit in. One day while working in her grandmother’s bookstore, Tamsin meets a mysterious man from Scotland, who is a professor. He came looking for her sister, because he needed her special powers to help him locate a lost family heirloom. He mistakes Tamsin for her sister, and she goes along with the mistake, and agrees to take the job. The missing heirloom search involves a trek back in time to a mysterious and dangerous world where she unleashes some powerful magic, sinister secret, and finds love. The ended is very open, which means that a sequel might be coming soon…

Critical Evaluation:
Except for Tamsin, who is a round character, the rest of the folks peppering this book are actually quite flat (remember, ladies and gentleman, the difference between round and flat characters from Shakespeare)? This is a very plot-driven book, which makes it fun, but not as compelling as it could be if the other characters—Gabriel, for instance, has a bit more dimension. Tamsin drinks and smokes, too—she’s not the goody-goody witch wannabe of so many stories. She has some edge to her, which makes her character very well drawn. Overall, this is a great read despite its lack of character development, but it is possible that the author, who left the ending open and may be planning a sequel—chose to keep the other characters a bit one-sided, because she may intend to develop them further in the sequel. Nonetheless, most young adults will love this book, as it is “not your mama’s witch story.”

Reading level/Interest Age:
Reading level is easy, but the book is appropriate and is recommended for 9th grade and up. Girls will love this, and some boys who enjoy fantasy, may as well (although I think this is definitely a “chick book”

Information about the Author:
Born and Raised in Connecticut, Carolyn McCullough always wanted to be a writer—because she loved to read. She was always jotting down notes, poems, and largely wrote fairytale stories as a young girl. She attended Grinnell College and received a BA in Theatre. She went to New York, worked and went to graduate school at night. She received her Maters in Creative Writing from the New School, and in 2002 sold her first novel, Falling through Darkness. She went to Europe and taught English, traveled through the East Coast of America, and eventually returned to New York, where she taught creative writing. Currently, she teaches creative writing at Gotham Writers, Inc. Other books include Drawing the Ocean and Stealing Henry.

Curriculum Ties:
None.

Booktalking Ideas:

You come from a long line of witches, with amazing and wonderful powers. You go to school, and find out that you are the only one in your family who hasn’t been given this gift. What do you do now?

Challenge Issues:
Religious. Some people don’t like stories about witches, warlocks and vampires. They don’t have to read them, but they need to remember that everyone else has the right to read then if they choose. It is a free country. Libraries are for everyone!

Why I Included This Book:
This was in the Follett List of books, and we bought it. My library TA Jessica read it, and really enjoyed it, so she got me to read it, too. We think girls will love it!

Cover image courtesy of: http://www.carolynmaccullough.com/news/