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/

What Happened to Cass McBride?, By Gale Giles

Title: What Happened to Cass McBride

Author: Gail Giles

Publish Date: November 2006

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Pages: 224pp

ISBN: 0316166383

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Range: 14 and up

Price: $13.25

Annotation: After a brutal suicide, the brother will stop at nothing to get revenge. Even if this means burying alive the person her thinks is responsible: Cass McBride, the most beautiful girl in school.

Summary: Kyle Kirby's brother has committed suicide. And the day before Cass McBride- prom queen would-be - feels she may have hand an unknowing hand in it. In fact, could it be HER FAULT? Just the day before David kirby killed himself he decides to step out of his comfort zone and ask her one a date. She was nice to him when turning him down, but made fun of the incident in a classroom note to her friend. Unfortunately she never meant for David to find the note. When Kyle finds out he turns his sadness and grief into anger and revenge and kidnaps Cass and literally buries her alive. He tortures her and nearly kills her in what turns out to be days of searching to find her. Cass decides to use her manipulative talent to try and stay alive, while the police continue to search, and Kyle is left to face the way he deals with his abusive mother and the part she plays in the whole thing.

Evaluation: A psychological freak-out that turns drama into suspense that at times leaves you feeling somewhat claustrophobic. The way the chapters change perspective and the pace the story stays on make it entirely readable and easily enjoyable book. The end left me somewhat unfulfilled but its a testimate to the strength of the entire book because I still HIGHLY recommend it!

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Give an outside and painfully realistic view of how your behavior can affect others.

Reason this book was chosen: While waiting for Shattering Glass, I read this book to get a taste of the famous Gail Giles. This book opened my eyes up to the worth of realistic and controversial fiction. And I specifically chose this one because the premiss was out of this world. But, somehow Giles makes it totally plausible.