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:

Looking for Alaska, By John Green

Title:Looking for Alaska
Author:John Greene
Publish Date:August 14, 2008
Publisher:Speak; Reissue edition
Pages:256 pages
ISBN:014241221X
Classification:
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Range:Young Adult
Price: $8.99

Annotation: Miles' first year at a boarding prep school in Alabama brings new and wonderful friends and great escapes of pranks and partying, but it is brought to a head by fatal car crash and the search for meaning of life and death.

Summary: Miles is 16 years old and until he attends Culver Creek boarding school doesn't lead that interesting a life.He chose to attend so he could try to ignite his life in the tradition of his father who also attended the school. He begins to come out of his shell and experience "the great perhaps" as he joins his new friends Alaska, Chip "The Colonel", and plays pranks, drinks, and crushes deeply on Alaska. But when Alaska and he finally kiss it is abrubtly curtailed with a shocking phone call for Alaska and a well-planned way to get Alaska in a car, on a mission but while intoxicated.

Evaluation: Again, I like a smart tale. And this does not disappoint. The best part for me was seeing smart kids behave the way no one thinks they should and to me that was relatable. It dealt with HUGE issues that everybody deals with in life and every character was human and quite frankly this is one of those books that adults and teens can enjoy equally. I am beginning to find that John Green can do that with a book.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Death, Dying, & Living; Intellectual and Philosophical Awareness; Dealing with living as much as dying

Reason this book was chosen: Primarily for its rave reviews. And it was VERY good. And it did deal with some pretty emotional issues. I think for parents or adults who read this, it really does show you how much depth experience your teen is capable of regardless of what you think everything should be.

Website: http://www.sparksflyup.com/