By: Robin Friedman
Publisher: Flux
Publish Date: 2008
ISBN: 073871304X
Page #: 232
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Fiction
Age Level: Older Teen
Series Titles: n/a
Subjects: Eating Disorders, Eating Disorders in Boys, Bulimia

Reader's Annotation: Everyone always thinks its just the girls who worry about their weight. Meet Parker, who seemingly has it all, but for him the pressure results in a secret that has him ill inside and out.

Synopsis: Parker is in high school. He is on the track team, he is gearing up for college, and he even has a girl who he likes more then just a little. It seems like he has it all, but his father is overbearing (planning out his future to be a doctor) but never really asks Parker what he wants to do. Parker is uncomfortable in his skin and doesn't like the way his body looks. Under the pressure of school, family, and image issues, Parker turns to food for comfort. He eats until he can barely stand it and then releases it into the abyss of the bathroom toilet. His sister, though jealous of the attention her brother gets, begins to suspect that things aren't right with Parker and she is faced with how to help her brother (or if she should even confront him at all). Parker is definitely not ok. His body is weak, and his personality is becoming more and more irritable. Nothing is a stunning book for both boys and girls to read. It deals with issues that are even harder to talk about then drugs and death. A shaming disease, eating disorders are something that in our culture have risen to un-calculated heights and Nothing is one step in the right direction. It is a book that can appeal to both the sufferer and the people around them as it gives a heartfelt but realistic window into a taboo subject.

Notes: Inspiration for Novel: By Robin Friendman

I met an old friend from college years after we graduated, and he mentioned in passing that he had an eating disorder when we knew each other:

“An eating disorder?” I said.

“I didn’t know that.”

“Nobody did.”

“But you’re a guy!”

“So?”

“Guys get eating disorders?”

“Yup.”

That’s all it took.

Read the first Chapter here http://www.robinfriedman.com/books/chapters/firstNothing.html

Unwind, By Neal Shusterman

Title: Unwind
Author: Neal Shusterman
Publish Date: June 2, 2009
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Pages: 352
ISBN: 1416912053

Price: Paperback $8.99
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Science Fiction
Age Range: Young Adult

Annotation: After the "Heartland" civil wars wear the central bloodshed was over the right to choose, the government tries to appease both sides by banning abortion. The catch lies between the ages of 13 and 18 when a window of options is given to parents and/or guardian to decide: should this child can be unwound?

Summary: Meet Connor. He is about to be unwound. Meet Risa. She is about to be unwound. And meet Lev. He too, is about to be unwound. Thrown together at the near end of their lives, these three unlikely friends become quick allies as they face the ultimate fate for three very different reasons. They have to do whatever it takes to stay in one piece. The alternative would, as the law states, keep them "alive" but in many different pieces. And their body parts would go to other people who are I need of a body part, eye, teeth, or even a frontal lobe. All they have to do is make it to 18...

Evaluation: In both a philosophical and religious debate that echoes today's struggle with the right to choose. This action packed story is amazing! It's a page turner while also broaching sensitive issues such as teen pregnancy, abortion, abandonment, love, and freedom. The endearing quality in this story is its believable nature and engrossing story. I loved it!

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Topics on abortion, orphans, relationships, parental abandonment, anger management, self-worth

Reason this book was chosen: One of the few books I could find that dealt with the political nature of abortion. A unique story in itself. Bound to bring up some INTERESTING conversation..

cool fan made book trailer:

Inexcusable, By Chris Lynch

Title: Inexcusable
Author: Chris Lynch
Publish Date: May 8, 2007
Publisher: Atheneum
Pages: 176
ISBN: 1416939725

Price: Paperback $7.99
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Range: Young Adult
Price: $7.99
Annotation: Everybody loves Keir. Or so he thinks. He is the typical "good guy." But when his girlfriend accuses him of rape he uses his good guy status as an excuse for the accusation's impossibility.

Summary: High school senior Keir thinks of himself a charming and lovable rascal. So does everyone around him, including his widowed dad. He likes being popular. Keir would never do anything to hurt anyone on purpose-just a little silliness while drinking or experimenting with drugs–and that doesn't even count. But, when he tackles a little too hard, or or vandalizes a town statues as a prank, he writes it off as normal, mischievous or sporty behavior. But, he cant write off date rape, no matter how hard he tries...

Evaluation: Many rape stories such as Laurie Halse Anderson's famous novel Speak, are from the perspective of the victim. This book explores the psychological minefield of the rapist. This book is exceptional for this first person narrative along with the fact that it is an National Award Finalist and a page turner!

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Date Rape, Facing Your Mistakes, Denial, Perpetrator's Perspective, Danger's of Drinking and Drug Use

Reason this Book was Chosen: For the unique perspective.

Tantalize, By Cynthia Leitich Smith

Title: Tantalize
Author: Cynthia Leitich Smith
Publish Date: February 13, 2007
Publisher: Candlewick

Price: Hardcover $16.99
Pages: 336
ISBN: 0763627917
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Occult/Supernatural/Fantasy
Age Range: Young Adult

Annotation: In Austin's very first Vampire themed restaurant, there is more cooking in the kitchen the just food. A murder has taken place and Orphan Quincie is left with a plateful of mystery and dark romance.

Summary: This vampire story is a matter of taste. Literally. Orphaned Quincie Morris (a nod to Stoker’s Dracula that hopefully readers will recognize) and her Uncle Davidson have decided to re-vamp their inherited Italian restaurant to save it from the competition. Struggles ensue when her best friend (who is also a hybrid shape-shifter wolf) starts getting the blame when bodies start turning up. Including the head chef.

Evaluation: Though at first it seems like a overdone werewolf-vampire struggle complete with a tasty love-triangle, it turns out to have it’s strength in the “tasty” rather then the rest. Generally, I wasn't as impressed with the ending as I was the quirky story line that keeps you guessing like a "feast." The metaphors were delicious! The epicurean in me wanted to sink my fangs into the table of contents alone. It gave it a little edge in a market that is over-flooded with vampire tales.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Orphans, Working Teens, Empowering and, Romance, and Problem Solving

Reason this Book was Chosen: What’s on the Menu? The table of Contents! Smith delivers a vampire feast that plays on the temptations of the feast, the “drink,” and of course the delicious nature of the unknown. Teens who love to vamp it up will love this. So will teens with a culinary appreciation!

Author Website: http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/cls/cyn_books/tantalize/tantalize.html

Official Book Trailer:

After the Moment, by Garrett Freymann-Weyr (Guest Review)

Title: After the Moment
Author: Garrett Freymann-Weyr

Hardcover: 336 pages

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children; 1 edition

Publishing Date: May 18, 2009
Language: English

Price: Hardcover $16.00
ISBN-10: 061860572X

Classification: Fiction
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Range: Young Adult

Reader's Annotation: Maia Morland is smart but challenged while Leigh, new to town, is popular and totally in love with Maia. What happends after the moment? And what happens if it is a little to real and not like some pretty romance story?

Synopsis: After the Moment is a touching and realistic novel that shows a girl, Maia Morland, who suffers from many aspects of self mutilation (eating disorders, cutting). Leigh Hunter is a popular, smart jock that moves to Maia's town because his half sisters father passed away and needs help coping. When Leigh and Maia meet, he sees past the exterior and becomes immediately attracted and interested in Maia. Overtime, you notice the story unfold and head down the paths of violence, war, failed love, and so on.

Evaluation: The book, to me, was good (not great), but I would still recommend it for people looking for the issues dealt with in this book. It was slightly challenging to follow all the side character's stories, so I kind of just focused on Maia and Leigh's story and allowed myself to become confused while reading about the supporting characters.

Reason this Book was Chosen: The novel is a good, easy read, and touching. Again, not incredible, but it definitely deals with many real life topics that teens may face. It was written by Printz Honor author Garret Freymann-Weyr.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: This book deals with heavy issues that many teens face such as eating disorders, self-mutilation, and the sorrows of failed love. Parental suggestion for mild sexual innuendo.

Teenreads.com brings up an interesting point: “Garret Freymann-Weyr's novels for young adults are inevitably distinct. Her teenagers seem serious beyond their years, deeply invested not only in their own lives but also in the often complicated lives of their adult family members. AFTER THE MOMENT is no exception, and its male protagonist further cements Freymann-Weyr's reputation as a risk-taking author unafraid of tackling topics, and taking perspectives, unusual in young adult literature.”

Author Website: http://www.freymann-weyr.com/

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes, by Chris Crutcher

Title: Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes
Author: Chris Crutcher
Publish Date: March 18, 2003
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Pages: 304

Price: Paperback $8.99
ISBN: 0060094893
Classification: Young Adult
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Range: Young Adult

Annotation: A disfigured girl and an overweight boy bear the intense and emotional scars of years bullying together. They share a biting view of the world around them until senior year surprisingly sends them into different courses.

Summary: Eric a.k.a. "Moby" and Sarah are comrades that share a common problem. Both are misfits. Eric is obese and Sarah has intense scarring from an accident that happened when she was young. After Moby joins the swimming team, he begins to loose weight his extra weight! But, he fears he might lose Sarah's friendship...
Will Sarah confront her horrific history and the emotions that go along with her abusive father?
And, will the friendship fail or grow in exhilarating and unanticipated ways?

Evaluation: A fictitious story that pulls at your heart for a place in the real world (or even your own world) as something that you can relate to. Both funny and tragic, it illustrates a friendship that will stay with you even after you leave the pages of the book. Chris Crutcher's writing is funny, straightforward and believable.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: A tool that can illustrate love, loyalty and courage during battle with obesity, bullying, disfigurement and an onslaught of other life problems

Reason this book was chosen: Though abusive parents are often dealt with in the pages of YA, not many books deal with obesity. To have Crutcher approach it, makes it a must read!

Little Brother, by Cory Doctorow

Title:Little Brother
Author:Cory Doctorow
Publish Date:April 13, 2010
Publisher:Tor Teen; 1 edition
Pages:416 pages
ISBN:0765323117
Classification:
Genre:
Age Range:Young Adult
Price: $9.99
Annotation:

Annotation: After being mistaken for being part of a horrible terrorist attack, Marcus, a.k.a “w1n5t0n,” is arrested. After being let go he finds his home turned into a post-terrorist police state.Alone and angry about what's happening, he single handedly begins to fight back.

Summary: Marcus, a.k.a “w1n5t0n,” is seventeen and already he knows how to beat his school's system. He has no problem hacking computer and dodging library detectors so he can ditch and leave school to play an ARG in the city. But when a horrible attack takes place while he's out ditching school, Marcus finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. After being brutally accused of having something to do with this attack he is finally released. But when he gets home he realizes the world around him is a VERY different place. Something worse then Marshall law has transformed his world into a fear based, rights-invading police state. And this little brother isn't going to sit by and let big brother take over!

Evaluation: Little brother is a love song to Orwell, while at the same time an interesting look at how a Canadian views American policy (or human rights in general for that matter). This book is smart, fast-paced, and at times genius. The techno-geek speak is a lesson in computers for those who don't speak HTML, but it's done in a way that doesn't loose the reader. It's a tour-de-force for Young Adult, and encourages teens to think for themselves. It's mildly violent but these times are not too graphic. Although it's very pertinent to today's political air, its also got an element of science fiction to temper the far fetched implications. A very important book by an up and coming Canadian superstar young-adult writer.

Little Brother's Website: Read for free! http://craphound.com/littlebrother/download/

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Dissent, Friends, Empowerment, Political Involvement, Post Traumatic Stress, Freedom of Speech, Human Rights

Reason this book was chosen: It's important, well-written, and unique. It looks at issues that are relatable to current political atmosphere.

Paper Towns, by John Green

Title: Paper Towns
Author: John Green
Publish Date: September 22, 2009
Publisher: Speak/Penguin Young Readers Group
Pages: 320

Price: Paperback $9.99
ISBN: 014241493X
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Range: Young Adult

Annotation: When Margo shows up at Q's (short for Quentin's) window in the middle of the night she asks him to help in an all night, brilliant revenge scheme. Having a crush from afar for a LONG time, he goes along with it. But the next day she is missing, leaving behind her a ton of clues for him to find and decode.

Summary: When Margo Spiegelman calls for Quentin Jacobsen in the middle of the night at his window, she is spewing a plot of crazy revenge dressed like a secret agent. Margo’s always planned in a stye that's over the top, but until this point, she’s keeps the ninja behavior to herself. Quentin, aka Q, has always crushed on Margo from afar, so Q looks at the opportunity as a turn for the better. He follows her into a one night mission of revenge that takes them from ex-friend's houses to Sea World. But after their crusade, the next day at school, his love-from-afar-turned-potential has completely disappeared and his hopes are squashed! Though not so surprised (Margo has always been an riddle), Q finds himself in a mystery chalk full of clues. And, the best part is: they’re for Q!

Evaluation: John Green is a great author who created a relatable character. It speaks to the slight over thinker who longs to connect. Also, this books goes along with a handful of others that prove YA literature can be smart and complex. A highlight is the use of the poem "Song of Myself" by Walt Whitman.

Cool Websites in the Green World : John Green http://www.sparksflyup.com/index.php, Youtube http://www.youtube.com/vlogbrothers Nerdfighters http://nerdfighters.ning.com/

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Romance, Social Outcast, Issues with Runaways, Connecting with Others, Coming of Age, Parental Issues

Reason this book was chosen: I love when authors use literary references and have an all-over intelligent tone. John Green, award winning author for Looking for Alaska, creates a book that looks at relationship and coming of age in an insightful book with a plot driven by mystery to boot!

Will Grayson, Will Grayson, by John Green, David Levithan

Title: Will Grayson, Will Grayson
Author: John Green, David Levithan
Publish Date: April 6, 2010
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Pages: 304
ISBN: 0525421580

Classification: Fiction
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Range: Young Adult
Price: $17.99
Annotation: Two famous young adult authors collaborate to create two characters. Both characters have the name Will Grayson. They meet and their lives become intertwined in a revealing way.

Summary: Two boys living in Chicago are about to meet. What's special about that? They both happen to have the same name: Will Grayson. Completely different in nature, these two Will Graysons, once crossed, intertwine and change each others lives in deep and meaningful ways. Told in alternating Will Grayson perspective, we follow the two boy as they work through their problems through the funny and the emo and the epic high school musical!

Evaluation: Both David Levithan & John Green are top notch authors. I was thrilled to see the collaboration and couldn't wait to read it! It didn't disappoint! It was funny, smart, and really meaningful. The flux of emotions was visceral-at times I actually laughed out loud! Others I was crushed; it was vicariously painful.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Self-realization, homosexuality, Sadness/Depression, love, loss, true friendship

Reason this book was chosen: For the authors and their collaboration. Also, it really deals with friendship issues, the angsty years as we try to figure out who we are, and the gay issues are poignant. Also, teens that deal with depression may find this book relatable in both it's black humor.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox, by Mary E. Pearson

Title: The Adoration of Jenna Fox
Author: Mary E. Pearson
Publish Date: September 1, 2009
Publisher: Square Fish

Pages: 288
ISBN: 0312594410

Classification: Fiction
Genre: Science Fiction
Age Range: Young Adult
Price: $8.99

Annotation: Set in a not to far off future, and after being in a Coma for over a year, Jenna Fox wakes up to a world where she doesn't remember anything. What Jenna is discovering about herself is the stuff science fiction is made of-but in this story the bio-technology is advanced enough to make her existence, and survival after the accident, real.

Summary: After an accident and awaking from an 18-month long coma, Jenna wakes without any recognition of her self, family, or past. Her parents show her videos of her life and memories, but still, she can't recognize or relate to any of it. She asks questions that nobody wants to answer. But, as she starts to remember, she finds even more questions arising about herself. This journey of self discovery begins in a time in the not so distant future where biological technology makes science fiction a reality and for Jenna, she begins to shed some light on who she is and what happened to her after the accident. Does she really have any control over herself anymore?

Evaluation: Both a mysterious (as you follow Jenna's realization along with her) and a science-fiction based book about the future of science, family, and acceptance of self. But doing so in a way that is original and fresh. To me a book that makes you think as well as being exciting is a book worth reading. Jenna Fox is both, and the plot is riveting. You really feel for Jenna.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Self-discovery after an accident, trust issues, acceptance of who you are or have become, post traumatic stress, self-identity, self-control, life after death, parental issues

Reason this book was chosen: I am a sucker for science and science fiction. I liked this like I liked Unwind. It was both mentally stimulating (pardon the brain pun) and while being a stimulating read, it also brought up some pertinent issues.

Website: http://www.whoisjennafox.com/

Smack, by Melvin Burgess

Title:Smack
Author:Melvin Burgess
Publish Date:May 1, 1999
Publisher:HarperTeen
Pages:293 pages
ISBN:0380732238
Classification:Fiction
Genre:
Age Range:Young Adult
Price:$8.99

Annotation: Gemma and Tar flee there abusive and poor home lives for living the runaway squatter life and turn to heroin as an escape.

Summary: Tar is 14 years old and runs away from his alcoholic and abusive home life. Gemma goes with him, equally as unhappy in her home life. They take up residence in an abandoned property along side two older teens who share their life and their heroin with them. Clearly heroin is a blissful escape from their lives and situation until it become more repressive then their previous lives.

Evaluation: Having lost two very important people in my life to Heroin addiction and knowing first hand the bliss then the danger, I really (I don't know about enjoyed) but appreciated the frankness and reality of this book. It was truthful about the entire experience and I know how seductive heroin can be. A very important book for those who have considered the drug themselves.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Dangers of escapism, a safe way to experiment, addresses thoughts of running away, and turning to drugs

Reason this book was chosen: A beyond taboo subject not many people can relate too who aren't inclined to consider heroin as a means of escape. They can't and won't endorse the telling of these stories or are willing to admit it is more common then they think it is. Scary and real and actually does happen. An important book for teens who find solace in drugs, think about running away, or are faced with parents that drive them to do anything to escape.

Raider's Night, by Robert Lipsyte

Title:Raiders Night
Author:Robert Lipsyte
Publish Date:July 3, 2007
Publisher:Harper Teen
Pages:256 pages
ISBN:0060599480
Classification: Fiction
Genre:
Age Range:Young Adult
Price:$6.99

Annotation: Co-Captain of his football team and school sports star, Matt witnesses the brutal, horrific rape of a rookie player by his teammates. Dealing with this and his own steroid use make for a horribly traumatic season.

Summary: This dark and at times down right scary sports drama revolves around Matt, Rydek High's Co-Captain of the football team.

He is being recruited for college and he's hitting the gym and juicing up. It's an aggressive time that includes pressure from his father and team as well as help with using the drugs. Meanwhile his life is falling apart. He witnesses a brutal rape of a teammate by teammates during the annual hazing and Matt begins to live on a constant emotional trip of sports-star and failure, embarrassment and ultimately hating his sport. he cooperates with the investigation, but all is not well with the world around him. A painful, realistic descent takes the readers into the emotional and physical world of the dark side of sports.

Evaluation: I am not gonna lie. The rape scene made my heart miss a few beats and it is not easy to store in your head after reading this book. But, the reality is, Matt's struggles are definitive of his role (and others like him) in high school sports and I can appreciate what this book does. His situation is a relatable one for sports players. And it also helps get inside the head of a Matt's messy world: one from letting sports rule and influence his entire life and, two, the allure of steroids. The pressure of Matt's father is a stunning window as well.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Brings to light many issues in the sports world: interteam abuse, steroid use, father-son relationship, obsessive nature of high school sports, bullying

Reason this book was chosen: I may have missed this book had it not been recommended. That being said, I would have picked it for it hellish but important depiction of sports and high school. I would have picked it if I had known on my own for it's subject as well as it's accessibility to readers who may not share matt's affinity for the world of sports. Where bad things happen but everybody looks the other way.

Website: http://www.robertlipsyte.com/works.htm