Identical, Ellen Hopkins

Title: Identical

Author: Ellen Hopkins

Publish Date: August 2008

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Pages: 576pp

ISBN: 1416950052

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Range: 12 and up

Price: $12.95

Annotation: Kaeleigh and Reanne are identical twins, completely the same on the outside. But on the inside they have lead completely different lives.

Summary: Identical twins Kaeleigh and Reanne are daughters of a Norman Rockwell appearing family. With a mother on the campaign trailer and the father a judge this horrifying tale takes a dark turn. One sister is the object of fathers love. The other is always fighting for equal attention. But, when the reason becomes clear for the actual motives behind this misplaced love both sister need face reality and stand up for each other. Both sister are having troubles, both different, both desperate. Who will be the one to help the other one?

Evaluation: I can't say enough all the things I love about this book. The fact that it's written in verse is stunning. It's wonderful to see expression in this form, I often write my feelings in verse. This book was so emotional and seeing it from the perspective of identical twins was mind-blowing. There is so much dysfunction in this book it makes it hard to breathe. But, it was awfully honest and a great read for someone who is looking for a book that can help them feel not so alone.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Standing up to your abuser, asking for help, drugs, feeling out of control, abusive and absent parents, issues with siblings

Reason this book was chosen: Ellen Hopkins is amazing. Her subject matter is frank and unapologetic. And her style is beautiful.

Website: http://www.ellenhopkins.com/

Fan Made Book Trailer:

Interview with Ellen Hopkins:

The Chosen One, by Carol Lynch Williams

Title: The Chosen One

Author: Carol Lynch Williams

Publish Date: May 2009

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Pages: 224pp

IBSN: 0312555113

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Range: 12 and up

Price: $16.95

Annotation: Kyra lives with a polygamous cult on a desert compound. Kyra who is almost 14 has already been offered up to be married to a 60 year old man. A man that is her uncle no less. As Kyra grapples with her future as she is secretly discovering books and boys. Should she run away from her entire everything she knows or face her follow her fate and become a seventh wife?

Summary: Kyra, 13, grew up on a polygamist commune with her multi mothers and large list of siblings. Although she is young, in her world, 13 is a marriageable age. And to her shock she has been chosen for her Uncle who is a shocking 60 years old. After discovering a book mobile (a forbidden thing on the compound), Kyra escapes into the world of books at every chance she gets. If Kyra, A CHOSEN ONE, marries her Uncle, she will be the seventh wife, and her new found world will surely be gone. Surely she is being punished with having to wed her Uncle by God for reading these books. And that boy on the compound she likes made her punishment even worse. Didn't it? Now Kyra is beginning to feel confused but if she doesn't go along with her fate, her punishment will be brutal. But is running away an option? Can she fathom loosing her family forever?

Evaluation: This book is riveting, and even nostalgic. This is a piece of you that is a 13 year old girl experience things like first crushes, then there is another part of you that is rediscovering all those books she reads along side her. And lastly there is the part that has your heart just stopped in empathy for her. It's fascinating, horrifying, and should be more widely published. I had to search for this book! I absolutely loved it and was torn up inside for her.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Any teen that has been brought up in any extreme religion or cult will get something out of this book. And the rest of us can stop looking down at people who live on these communes cause you can see how the a child knows no other life.

Reason this book was chosen: This book is so unique and haunting. It really makes you think. And I can't imagine having gone through this and not having anybody to relate to. Having a book like this available could very well be a savior to a lost child and in turn they may not feel so one sided and isolated. Shocking.

Librarian Created Trailer! Amazing!

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.