Young Adult, Ages 13-18
Francisco X. Stork
Sunday, April 11th, 2010 | Carol Littlejohn, Young Adult, Ages 13-18 | No Comments
I’ve just finished reading “Marcelo in the Real World” by Francisco X. Stork. I plan to review this book later. Right now I’m curious about his new book “The Last Summer of the Death Warriors.” It’s a Latino coming-of-age story that has received excellent reviews. Read the New York Times Book Review article on Stork’s latest book.
For those readers that loved “Marcelo in the Real World,” the author submitted a playlist of music that Marcelo mentions in the book. Most of the music is unknown to me, but the “Marcelo in the Real World” music playlist did list Eva Cassidy, one of my favorite singers.
“Going Bovine” by Libba Bray (Michael L. Printz winner)
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 | Carol Littlejohn, One Minute Booktalks, Young Adult, Ages 13-18 | No Comments
I am now reading “Going Bovine” by Libba Bray, this year’s winner of the Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in young adult literature. The summary? “Cameron Smith, a disaffected 16-year-old who, after being diagnosed with Creutfeldt-Jacob’s disease (mad cow disease), sets off on a road trip with a death-obsessed video gaming dwarf he meets in the hospital in an attempt to find a cure.” Wow. I’m expecting “On the Road” meets Terry Pratchett. The book trailer has definitely caught my attention. I just can’t decide if I like it or not. See what you think. As for the book itself, it has the makings of a cult classic.
Carol
Sylvia Louise Engdahl and Sci Fi
Friday, January 29th, 2010 | Young Adult, Ages 13-18 | No Comments
Many of Sylvia Louise Engdahl’s science fiction books are now available through the author’s website. As a special treat, she will send signed copies. Sylvia Louise Engdahl is my favorite science fiction author of the 1970’s. My favorite series begins with Enchantress from the Stars and end with The Far Side of Evil. As a matter of fact, I wrote an article in The ALAN Review that gives a detailed look at each book written by Sylvia Louise Engdahl.
Carol
“The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins
Friday, January 29th, 2010 | One Minute Booktalks, Young Adult, Ages 13-18 | No Comments
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. New York, NY: Scholastic, 2008.
Grades 13-18.
Science fiction.
Booktalk: Get ready for the Hunger Games! Sixteen-year-old Katniss volunteers her services after her younger sister Prim is selected. She barely knows the baker’s son, Peeta, but he is also selected. Together they will fight to the death. But, the question is, can or will they kill each other? Gladiators, anyone?
Note: This first book in a series (Catching Fire is the sequel) has already attracted devoted young adult readers. In a future North America, the rulers of Panem maintain control through a televised event pitting teenagers against each other; the survival of the fittest will win the tournament. Each chapter ends with a cliffhanger. A book club could be named after the title of this book—as long as you serve snacks!
Jumped
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 | Young Adult, Ages 13-18 | No Comments
Jumped by Rita Williams-Garcia. New York, NY: Harper Teen/Harper Collins, 2009.
Ages 14-18
Realistic fiction
Booktalk: The word is buzzing all over school. Girl fight. Pass it on. Girl fight. When? Fight starts after school. Trina gets in Dominique’s space. Of course, Dominique has to get revenge. Trina doesn’t even know Dominique is mad. Only Leticia knows. Will she tell?
Note to adult sponsor: This short novel occurs during one school day. Dominique is mad because of poor grades keeps her from playing basketball. She turns her anger on Trina who doesn’t even know she has upset Dominique. Leticia knows about the upcoming fight, but doesn’t tell anyone in authority—or even Trina. Some mild profanity, but the book is unforgettable and, unfortunately, all too realistic.
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 | Young Adult, Ages 13-18 | No Comments
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart. New York, NY: Hyperion, 2008. Ages 13-18. Realistic fiction. Booktalk: Everyone thinks Frankie is a pretty girl with no brains. Even her boyfriends think she is just a dumb “Bunny Rabbit.” Then Frankie discovers the secret society at her private school called the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds. She also discovers that she will never become a member because she is female. So she secretly plots to undo this society. How? That’s for her to know and for you to find out!
Note to adult sponsor: This book is unusual in plot because it discusses the secret societies within prestigious colleges and private schools. A note following the text explains the sources the author uses for her story about boarding schools, boys, clubs, pranks, and interventionist art. These sources and ideas will led to fascinating discussions about the need for secret societies. No profanity or sexual scenes make this recommended reading for Mother Daughter book clubs.
The Twilight Companion
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 | Young Adult, Ages 13-18 | No Comments
The Twilight Companion: The Unauthorized Guide to the Series by Lois H. Gresh. New York, NY: St Martin’s Griffin, 2008.
Booktalk: Whether you’ve read the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer doesn’t matter. This book is about more than the series. Instead, the author tells us about vampires, werewolves, mental telepathy and so many other things you are just dying to learn.
Note for an adult sponsor: This book is loaded with discussion questions so nothing will become stale—not even a vampire’s dinner. What’s great about this book is that it can lead to reading the Twilight series or other horror books or films. A romantic quiz, werewolf quiz, and several vampire quizzes are included to keep the atmosphere spicy.
Looks
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 | Young Adult, Ages 13-18 | No Comments
Looks by Madeleine George. New York, NY: Viking/Penguin Group, 2008.
Ages 13-18
Realistic fiction
Booktalk: Have you ever wanted revenge? What if someone at school makes fun of you? What if a friend betrays your trust? Meghan Ball is obese; Aimee Zorn is anorexic. They don’t seem likely friends. And they aren’t friends until a popular girl and boy belittle them. Now they want revenge.
Note for adult sponsor: This open-ended novel is one of the best books about bullying because it also covers eating disorders, family dysfunction, and school cliques. Meghan has been a friend with Cara Roy since grade school, but when Meghan gains weight, Cara drops their friendship. Aimee Zorn is the anorexic new girl who is a poet. When Cara plagiarizes Aimee’s poem, Aimee wants her poem back. Meghan and Aimee plot to humiliate Cara and the basketball star and bully, J-Bar. Also highly recommended as a group read because of the probing questions (without answers) the author offers.
10 Kings and Queens Who Changed the World
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 | Young Adult, Ages 13-18 | No Comments
10 Kings and Queens Who Changed the World by Clive Gifford; David Cousens, illustrator. New York: Kingfisher, 2009. Ages 9-16.
Graphic novel. Biography.
Booktalk: What king married and beheaded some of his wives? (Henry VIII of England.) What queen loved hunting and bearbaiting? (Elizabeth I of England.) Which queen wore a back brace for 18 months as a child? (Catherine the Great of Russia.) Just who are these people and how did they rule? Well, sometimes they can be a royal pain. Whatever occurs, these 10 kings and queens are never boring.
Note to adult sponsor: This colorful book gives multi-pages biographies of these selected royalty: Hathshepsut, Alexander the Great, Charlemagne, Henry VIII, Charles V, Suleiman the Magnificent, Elizabeth I, Louis XIV, Frederick the Great, Catherine the Great with some other selected kings and queens. Great for any library collection. Try to complete “10 Best” series.