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.

Freaks and Revelations

Title:Freaks And Revelations
Author:David Willis Hurlin
Publish Date:November 4, 2009
Publisher:Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages:240 pages
ISBN:0316049964
Classification:
Genre:
Age Range:Young Adult
Price: $12.23

Annotation: The true and disturbing story of a violent clash between one homeless, gay 13 year old boy and another older, neo-nazi boy.

Summary: Based on a true story that was shared on both NPR and The Oprah Show, "Freaks and Revelations" follows two boys in alternate voices in order to get both perspectives. One boy is a 17 year old misfit, Doug, who has a mohawk and rebels and starts off somewhat cool. And Jason, who was cast out by his family. As the book goes on, and the boys cross paths, Doug prejudice takes over and the ugly violence that ensues ends in tears for the reader and blood for the young boy. And its a rude awakening for the rest of the world.

Evaluation: This book made me cry. Uncontrollably. Mostly because I have seen this crap happen and it's honest and sad. I really liked that it didn't try to make it prettier or easier for kids to takes. It is straightforward. Reality. And what's more, knowing it is based on a true story makes it all the more teary eyed for me. It's horrible.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Tolerance, Acceptance, Awareness

Reason this book was chosen: Because of the truth in the story. Because of this:

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...

• 
  

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

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, by JK Rowling

By: J.K Rowling

Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books; 1st Edition, Book Seven (7)

Publish Date Hardcover: July 21, 2007

ISBN: 0545010225

Page #: 784 pages

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Fantasy

Age Level: Older Teen, Younger Teen (With discretion)

Series Titles: Harry Potter

Reader's Annotation: The final tale in the famous Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. Potter finally confronts Voldemort and saves the day. Is anybody surprised?

Synopsis: Harry Potter doesn't return to Hogwarts, now under the charge of a new, darker headmaster. Is Snape friend or Foe? What will become of Harry and Ginny, and Ron and Hermione? How will Harry's psyche withstand the forces of darkness on this new wild path of combat and exclusion? In the whopping 784 page conclusion, these questions and more will be answered, but don't expect to be reading about the child-wizard, all doe eyed and innocent. This Harry has a decidedly different battle that is not only outward but inward. The building self-doubt that was planted in the earlier books threatens to take over. Sadly not all come out alive. Not a fan of the beginning Potter installments, years six and seven have won me over in shear entertainment and darkness. In the end, all that darkness comes back into the light with a bang.

Evaluation: Much to my chagrin, after managing to stay out of the whole Harry Potter phenom for quite a while (and yes, while working at a library and book store), I finally picked up the last book. I may be alone here but this is the only book I read in the series. I tried to read another after I finished this but it didn't appeal to me. However this last one had a notably darker edge and dealt with some pretty hardcore issues.

Bibliotherapuetic Usefulness: Dumbledore is a powerful gay figure, sexuality brims everywhere, bloodshed and death present itself

Why this book was chosen: This book is darker then the others. And has more depth and also, JK Rowling has admitted that the main wizard, Albus Dumbledore was in fact gay. Suddenly HP had a new audience!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's (UK: Philosopher's) Stone

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Boy Meets Boy, by David Levithan

Title: Boy Meets Boy
Author: David Levithan
Publish Date: May 2005
Publisher: Random House Childrens Books
Pages: 192pp
ISBN: 0375832998
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Range: 14 and up
Price: $17.99

Annotation: In boy meets boy, the boy is Paul. This boy meets another Boy, Noah. And in a town where love between boys is actually ok, Paul falls for Noah. But in Paul messes up he has to fight to get him back. And Paul isn't gonna give up.

Summary: Paul is gay and its ok in his town. Thus sets the scene for a typical love story. Boy meets girl. they fall in love. Boy looses girl. Boy wins girl back. This story is just your typical love story. Only difference? Boy meets boy.

Evaluation: The best thing about this book is the simplicity and fairytale world in which Paul lives. his town is accepting, even if his friend's town isn't, but where he lives it's ok to be gay outloud! It's your typical love story. But with a modern twist. I breezed through this bopok with a smile on my face thinking the whole time, "I bet there are two love stories going on here. One between the boys, and the other with the fantasy of hoping one day the world can be this way." And it's doesn't forget about the world today, with the Tony you meet a boy who is struggling with a very familiar plight: coming out to an unaccepting world.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Coming out to un-accepting audience, LGBTQ issues, Self-Awareness, and Self-Identity, Accepting who you are

Reason this book was chosen: A gay story that puts the "gay" back into gay!