Weetzie Bat, By Francesca Lia Block

Title: Weetzie Bat

By: Francesca Lia Block

Publish Date: 10 Anv edition (July 6, 2004)

Publisher: HarperTeen

ISBN-10: 0060736259

Pages: 128

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Fantasy

Series Titles: Dangerous Angels: The Weetzie Bat Books

Reading level: Young Adult

Paperback: 128 pages

• Reader's Annotation: A quirky punk-rock girl named Weetzie Bat shares her life with her friends who are all as equally unique and wonderful as Weetzie. They live together in a Hollywood cottage after a Genie grants her three wishes. The fantasy tale unfolds in good and bad ways...

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Summary: The first in the Weetzie Bat Books (and of Block's infamous writing career), we are introduced to a girl in high school who is clearly different then most. Until she meets her best friend Dirk, the handsome alternative-lifestyle hottie who goes out with her hitting the Hollywood nightclub scene & searching for a "duck" (men) together. When a strange turn of events happens, Weetzie has some opportunities to make their dreams come true.

From here we enter into a world completely Weetzie.

Much like the complex yet breezy life one has in Los Angeles.

Evaluation: I will always be a fan of Miss Block for writing this book, and I think that although it was published in the late 1980's it captures a rebellion and spirit that is never dated. Furthermore, it encapsulates a fantasy world that many of us (on the outside) have only dreamt of. A place where everything is o.k. even when its not; where you are with you "family" or "your people"; where your dreams can be materialized without the constraints and judgements of society. I love this novella that became the first book in one of the most influential series in Young Adult Literature. It's still hailed by teens as their favorite novel today!

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: While some critiques argue against it, others argue for it on the basis of equal rights, tolerance, and other teen issues worth discussing! Issues dealt with include: Sexuality, AIDS, homosexuality, teen pregnancy, magic, death, and the Hollywood nightclub and punk scene.

Reason this book was chosen: As someone who grew up in Los Angeles I pay special tribute to this book. It has been argued against and critiqued over due to it's controversial topics. Much like Levithan's Boy Meets Boy it creates a safe world where it's ok to be gay and in love.

Francesca's Website: http://www.francescaliablock.com/

FAN MADE BOOK TRAILER: I LOVE THIS ONE, IT CAPTURES WEETZIE IN A WAY THAT IS NOT EASY TO DO...

Angeli pericolosi (Dangerous Angels), Francesca Lia Block, booktrailer, Elliot Edizioni. @ Yahoo! Video

Shattering Glass, by Gail Giles

Title: Shattering Glass

Author: Gail Giles

Publish Date: August 2003

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Pages: 224pp

ISBN: 0689858000

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Realistic Fiction/Suspense

Age Range: 13 and up

Price: $7.99

Annotation: When Rob, the charismatic king of popularity in his the senior class, turns the school nerd into Prince Charming, his actions lead to unexpected violence.

Summary: Fat, clumsy Simon Glass is a total nerd and a loser. Until Rob Haynes showed up in his life, Simon is the brunt of teasing from almost everyone. Rob, a transfer with personality and charm, takes over the school easily and he has plans for Simon. Rob is setting out to make Simon a popular Prom King from his clumsy current state and Rob knows he can do it. And he does do it. Simon rises and rises on the high school popularity charts, but as he does he gets more and more confident and more and more devious and dark. As things get stickier and secrets are revealed this experiment turns deadly.

Evaluation: Once again, Gail makes the suspense and horror totally plausible and again I found myself paging through this book rapidly, stopping only now and then to mouth the words "wow" to myself. I love her perspective and I loved the tone of Shattering Glass.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Issues with Violence, Bullying, Family Issue, Friends, Incest,

Manipulation, Sexual Content, Sexual Abuse, Murder, Nerds, Peer pressure, Popularity, relationships, Violence

Reason this book was chosen: I have actually seen this agenda play out in school of turning someone from nerd to cool and was intrigued by the idea of a book about it. Also knowing the style of Giles and hearing about end I was knew that no matter what it would be a great read.