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/

How Beautiful the Ordinary, by Michael Cart

Title: How Beautiful the Ordinary
Author: Michael Cart (Editor & Contributor)
Publish Date: 2009
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 368
ISBN: 0061154989
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Short Stories
Age Range:Young Adult
Price: $16.99

Annotation: A compilation of Short Stories from many top young adult writers that deal with LBGTQ issues, love, and identity.

Summary: An anthology of beautiful stories told in many unique fashions geared for the unique and amazing world of first love, identity, and so on for LBGTQ teens. Here are authors such as Francesca Lia Block, David Leviathan, Julie Ann Peters, and many many more big names and accomplished YA authors. In Happily Ever After we have a graphic novel where love not magical genies fixes romance. And in other stories we have different perspectives. A boy mistaken for a girl refused to wear a dress, and a mother writes to a daughter she hasn't seen in over a decade. These stories are brought to you from a place of "now" while the travel in either the past or present or both to see the beautiful, distinct perspective of sexual identity for teens who

Evaluation: Michael Cart was formally an ALA president of YALSA and it's clear in this compilation that he is intimate with amazing authors and their work and what they have to offer. He is aware of the need for controversial topics to be honored and published, as well as the voice of the teen. I really enjoyed going through this book, getting to know authors I haven't read before (it's kinda like a buffet of authors), and seeing through brief windows of identity.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Indentity, Love, LGBTQ

Reason this book was chosen: Both for what it attempts to accomplish, as for the authors included. But, mostly I wanted to see what YALSA's Michael Cart edited and had a part in getting these important voices out into the world on these equally important issues!

Peak Inside: http://browseinside.harpercollins.com/index.aspx?isbn13=9780061154980

Publisher Website:

http://www.harpercollins.com/books/9780061154980/How_Beautiful_the_Ordinary/index.aspx

Lush, by Natasha Friend

Title: Lush

Author: Natasha Friend

Publish Date: 2007

Publisher: Scholastic

Pages: 192

ISBN: 0439853478

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Range: Teen

Price: 7.99

Annotation: Sam is 13, has an alcoholic dad, and she is having trouble dealing the whole situation. As a result she turns to an older student for advice.

Summary: 13 year old San has a dad who is an alcoholic. When he isn't drinking he is a amazing. But under the influence he is abusive. It scares Sam and her mom is in denial. Her four year old brother is young and Sam feels she needs to protect him. What is she supposed to do with her life? Sam decides to leave an anonymous note in the Library in hopes of an older girl that she admires picks it up. With this a back and forth stream of support flowers in which Sam can express her feelings about her home life, feelings, and even about her crush on a certain boy. In the return letters, Sam is forced to face the harsh realities of life.

Evaluation: Natasha Friend has a voice for teen issues and it shows in the story line, the dialogue, and the motives that drive the characters. Growing up with an alcoholic I can relate and vouch for the authenticity of her voice. Well done, I had a lot of feelings for Sam and was hopeful when she channeled some strength.

Bibliotherapuetic Usefulness: Dealing with alcoholic parents and expressing yourself.

Reason this Book was Chosen: From my own personal experiences, I can appreciate the need for a book like this. I wish I had it when I was young.

Website: http://www.natashafriend.com/

Hard Love, By Ellen Wittlinger

Title:Hard Love
Author:Ellen Wittlinger
Publish Date:April 1, 2001
Publisher:Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Pages:224 pages
ISBN:068984154X
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Range:Young Adult
Price: $9.99

Annotation:

Summary: John Galardi is a introvert. He is only able to express himself except in his zine, "Bananafish." He finds another zine, "Escape Velocity," created by Marisol Guzman, a self-proclaimed "rich spoiled lesbian private-school gifted-and-talented writer virgin." Her writing make him laugh; She witty and smart and he really wants to meat her. He seeks her out as she's leaving her zine on a drop off day at a record store and persuades her to meet him for coffee. What ensues is a friendship that involves intellect and eventually a confused friendship. How can Marisol who really does like him (and told him so) let him know that she is his best friend-but that's it. Or is it?

Evaluation: This book is funny and Touching at the Same Time! I loved hearing this kind of story (when you think you fall in love with someone that just doesn't "go your way" -cause it's happened to me!) from a boys perspective! This book is a really cool edge to LGBTQ literature. And has that special niche for those of us broken hearted straight people who are in love with someone who just wants to be friends.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness:

Writing as Therapy, Friendships & Relationship, LGBTQ issues, Falling in Love with Someone Who is Gay

Reason this book was chosen: I love this idea, and have experienced it myself. I wanted to include a well-written ode to this kind of unrequited love.

The Red Necklace

Title: The Red Necklace
Author:
Hardcover: 376 pages
Publisher: Speak
Date: May 1, 2008
Language: English
Young Adult
Classification: fiction
Genre: Historical Fiction
ISBN-10: 0803731000
ISBN-13: 978-0803731004

Reader's Annotation: Paris, 1789. Set against the backdrop of the French revolution this murder mystery centers around Sido, a noble girl and Yann, a Gypsy boy with mysterious and magical powers must outplay the villians before it is too late!

Summary: Yann is a Gypsy boy with special magical gifts, Sido is a girl who has a cold father how barely cares for her. Together they meet briefly and form an intense connection that will affect them both. Set against the French Revolution, Sido must face being used by a so-called devil Count and Yann has to face being cast out as a Gypsy. For a country that desperately yearns for liberty, these two face coming of age in a time of political and social turmoil.

Evaluation: The historical fictions weaves drama, issues, and history seamlessly. And at the end lets you know the facts. You should both be able to enjoy a story and know the difference. It will be up issues that were pertinent to a time and can help you learn from them today. This novel does manage to do that. It gives you a story. It illustrates war, violence, causes, French History, and ties it together with a coming of age story that is timeless. I enjoy historical fiction and this was an interesting story of two teens without a concrete place in the world. Gardner also include historical notes at the end.

Bibliotherapuetic Usefulness: Self-Discovery, finding your place in the world, how politics

shapes your individual world, surviving, children of war

Reason this Book Was Chosen: A lot of American ideals of the French Revolution appear in our constitution. It is an interesting book about both a time in history where the people stood up for their beliefs (right or wrong is was totally brutal). as well as a time when children had to come of age during a very scary, war-hungry time.

Website: http://www.sallygardner.net/