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.

After the Moment, by Garrett Freymann-Weyr (Guest Review)

Title: After the Moment
Author: Garrett Freymann-Weyr

Hardcover: 336 pages

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children; 1 edition

Publishing Date: May 18, 2009
Language: English

Price: Hardcover $16.00
ISBN-10: 061860572X

Classification: Fiction
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Range: Young Adult

Reader's Annotation: Maia Morland is smart but challenged while Leigh, new to town, is popular and totally in love with Maia. What happends after the moment? And what happens if it is a little to real and not like some pretty romance story?

Synopsis: After the Moment is a touching and realistic novel that shows a girl, Maia Morland, who suffers from many aspects of self mutilation (eating disorders, cutting). Leigh Hunter is a popular, smart jock that moves to Maia's town because his half sisters father passed away and needs help coping. When Leigh and Maia meet, he sees past the exterior and becomes immediately attracted and interested in Maia. Overtime, you notice the story unfold and head down the paths of violence, war, failed love, and so on.

Evaluation: The book, to me, was good (not great), but I would still recommend it for people looking for the issues dealt with in this book. It was slightly challenging to follow all the side character's stories, so I kind of just focused on Maia and Leigh's story and allowed myself to become confused while reading about the supporting characters.

Reason this Book was Chosen: The novel is a good, easy read, and touching. Again, not incredible, but it definitely deals with many real life topics that teens may face. It was written by Printz Honor author Garret Freymann-Weyr.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: This book deals with heavy issues that many teens face such as eating disorders, self-mutilation, and the sorrows of failed love. Parental suggestion for mild sexual innuendo.

Teenreads.com brings up an interesting point: “Garret Freymann-Weyr's novels for young adults are inevitably distinct. Her teenagers seem serious beyond their years, deeply invested not only in their own lives but also in the often complicated lives of their adult family members. AFTER THE MOMENT is no exception, and its male protagonist further cements Freymann-Weyr's reputation as a risk-taking author unafraid of tackling topics, and taking perspectives, unusual in young adult literature.”

Author Website: http://www.freymann-weyr.com/

Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale, By Holly Black

Title:Tithe
Author:Holly Black
Publish Date:February 2, 2004
Publisher:Simon & Schuster Children's
Pages:352 pages
ISBN:0689860420
Classification:Fiction
Genre:
Age Range:Young Adult
Price:$5.43

Annotation: After finding and saving a male Fey, Kaye finds out she is more then just human. And she is asked to do the fairies a favor...

Summary: Not all fairy tales are disneyland dreams come true about fairies who live in the genial fairy hollow. Here, Kaye Fierch, a 16-year-old "Asian blonde" spends most of her days being a mother to her own wanna be rock and roll mom. When mom has murderous man troubles they go live with grandma at the Jersey shore. In the woods, Kaye meets and saves a Fey who in return grants her 3 questions. Through this she finds she is a Changeling, and is facing not only sexual awareness but who she is entirely. These fairies come with a warning! And soon Kaye finds there is a cost to playing for the mortal world and the fairy world.

Evaluation: As a fan of the fiery world, and an appreciation of the metaphor it stands for, I can she want Holly Black is trying to confront with issues of evolving sexuality, relationships and fantasy. I liked the way Black used her edgy style to deal with issues with parental issues and sexual awakening. I saw Holly Black Speak at ALA a few years back and was impressed by her understanding of the Young Adult Genre. I was always intrigued to she how she wrote but never got a chance to read her. I had her signed copy sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read. She makes this book a fun ride if you like dark fantasy.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Issues deal with sexuality & love, parental problems, having to be the child acting as an adult, also sacrifice and accepting change

Reason this book was chosen: I chose mostly controversial, realistic fiction and wanted to have a range of choices for people who are into fantasy and fairies. I am one of those people so it was important to me to include a book that dealt with real problems and issues but had a fantastical edge.

Holly Black has an AMAZING website! http://www.blackholly.com/

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/

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

Gossip Girl #1 (Bk. 1 in Series), Cecily Von Ziegesar

Title:Gossip Girl
Author:Cecily Von Ziegesar
Publish Date:April 1, 2002
Publisher:Poppy; 1 edition
Pages:199 pages
ISBN:0316910333
Classification:
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Range:Young Adult
Price: $7.91

Annotation: In a Manhattan upper crust Private High School being a teen takes on new meaning. Everybody has it all, plus an extra dose of dysfunction, jealously, sex, drugs, and all drama in between. And don't forget, Gossip Girl knows what you are doing. xoxo

Summary: In New York, jet-setter teens have it all, including a wealth of of problems. A narrator who spreads gossip remains unknown, while the problems keep on getting spilled. Follow super cool Serena, coming out of an expulsion and, Nate, sexy and stoned, and Blair, popular queen of their school and ex-best friend of Serena. The dish on everything is being gossiped to everyone. No secret is too precious as these spoiled and broken teens grapple with both the luxuries and the trauma of being the elite few that seems like a fairy tale on the outside.

Evaluation: This book was turned into a TV show that reigns as the most controversial teen show on TV. It's nasty (in the best way), sexual, drugs are everywhere, and the kids are so freaking spoiled it makes you feel guilty just watching it. This book (and the show for that matter) shows the downside to all the money and elite living. And it shows that even the rich have problems. The real value lies in realizing that a teen in this situation could really benefit from reading it before actually doing these things. And the bottom line is, reading it is a lot more fun then actually suffering through it!

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Gossip. Gossip. Gossip. Seem Harmless? Not so good actually...being careful what you spill is a valuable lesson.

Reason this book was chosen: The book has the effect of gossip itself once you enter it's hard to extract yourself; teens will devour this whole. The open-ended conclusion promises a follow-up. Also, it is hard to discern the book from the TV show anymore (as they are so intertwined). I liked the idea of touting a title that is just as good as the mega hit it inspired.

Website: http://www.gossipgirl.net/series/

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.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky

Title: The Perks of Being A Wallflower
Author: Stephen Chbosky
Publish Date: February 1, 1999
Publisher: MTV Books
Pages: 213
ISBN: 0671027344
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Range: Young Adult

Annotation: Perpetual Wallflower, Charlie, becomes unlikely friends with an eccentric and outgoing crowd. His friendship causes him to open up and experiment and ultimately face his introversion.

Summary: When Charlie enters his first year in high school he is a wallflower. He is the kind of kid that pictures himself in the books he reads and quietly watches others rather then becoming and experiencing what he reads and sees for himself. Making friends with both his teacher (who recognizes his intellectual depth by giving him books to read beyond his years) and schoolmates, Patrick and Samantha, Charlie begins to experience life on a new level, while simultaneously avoiding his creeping depression. This depression is a mystery to Charlie and he fights it throughout this instant cult classic until finally he has to face it.

Evaluation: This book is well written and simple, but complex in it's interpersonal relations. It reminds me of reading Catcher in the Rye for the first time and is authentic and unique. It's success in creating a wallflower tone as well as the characterization is endearing.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Molestation, Coming of Age, Becoming more Outgoing, Experiencing Life Rather then Watching It, Family Relationships, Romantic and Friendly Relationships

Reason this Book was Chosen: If I had a top Five YA book list this would be on it. It deals with many issues from coming of age and experimentation to molestation and healing. It's a charming and simple read.

Just for Fun.

Notable Music References from Perks:

Asleep by the Smiths

Vapour Trail by Ride
Scarborough Fair by Simon & Garfunkel
A Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum
Time of No Reply by Nick Drake
Dear Prudence by the Beatles
Gypsy by Suzanne Vega
Nights in White Satin by the Moody Blues
Daydream by Smashing Pumpkins
Dusk by Genisis
MLK by U2
Blackbird by the Beatles
Lanslide by Fleetwood Mac
Asleep by the Smiths

Fan Made Trailer with the Popular "Infinite" Quote: