Unwind, By Neal Shusterman

Title: Unwind
Author: Neal Shusterman
Publish Date: June 2, 2009
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Pages: 352
ISBN: 1416912053

Price: Paperback $8.99
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Science Fiction
Age Range: Young Adult

Annotation: After the "Heartland" civil wars wear the central bloodshed was over the right to choose, the government tries to appease both sides by banning abortion. The catch lies between the ages of 13 and 18 when a window of options is given to parents and/or guardian to decide: should this child can be unwound?

Summary: Meet Connor. He is about to be unwound. Meet Risa. She is about to be unwound. And meet Lev. He too, is about to be unwound. Thrown together at the near end of their lives, these three unlikely friends become quick allies as they face the ultimate fate for three very different reasons. They have to do whatever it takes to stay in one piece. The alternative would, as the law states, keep them "alive" but in many different pieces. And their body parts would go to other people who are I need of a body part, eye, teeth, or even a frontal lobe. All they have to do is make it to 18...

Evaluation: In both a philosophical and religious debate that echoes today's struggle with the right to choose. This action packed story is amazing! It's a page turner while also broaching sensitive issues such as teen pregnancy, abortion, abandonment, love, and freedom. The endearing quality in this story is its believable nature and engrossing story. I loved it!

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Topics on abortion, orphans, relationships, parental abandonment, anger management, self-worth

Reason this book was chosen: One of the few books I could find that dealt with the political nature of abortion. A unique story in itself. Bound to bring up some INTERESTING conversation..

cool fan made book trailer:

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.

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes, by Chris Crutcher

Title: Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes
Author: Chris Crutcher
Publish Date: March 18, 2003
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Pages: 304

Price: Paperback $8.99
ISBN: 0060094893
Classification: Young Adult
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Range: Young Adult

Annotation: A disfigured girl and an overweight boy bear the intense and emotional scars of years bullying together. They share a biting view of the world around them until senior year surprisingly sends them into different courses.

Summary: Eric a.k.a. "Moby" and Sarah are comrades that share a common problem. Both are misfits. Eric is obese and Sarah has intense scarring from an accident that happened when she was young. After Moby joins the swimming team, he begins to loose weight his extra weight! But, he fears he might lose Sarah's friendship...
Will Sarah confront her horrific history and the emotions that go along with her abusive father?
And, will the friendship fail or grow in exhilarating and unanticipated ways?

Evaluation: A fictitious story that pulls at your heart for a place in the real world (or even your own world) as something that you can relate to. Both funny and tragic, it illustrates a friendship that will stay with you even after you leave the pages of the book. Chris Crutcher's writing is funny, straightforward and believable.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: A tool that can illustrate love, loyalty and courage during battle with obesity, bullying, disfigurement and an onslaught of other life problems

Reason this book was chosen: Though abusive parents are often dealt with in the pages of YA, not many books deal with obesity. To have Crutcher approach it, makes it a must read!

Smack, by Melvin Burgess

Title:Smack
Author:Melvin Burgess
Publish Date:May 1, 1999
Publisher:HarperTeen
Pages:293 pages
ISBN:0380732238
Classification:Fiction
Genre:
Age Range:Young Adult
Price:$8.99

Annotation: Gemma and Tar flee there abusive and poor home lives for living the runaway squatter life and turn to heroin as an escape.

Summary: Tar is 14 years old and runs away from his alcoholic and abusive home life. Gemma goes with him, equally as unhappy in her home life. They take up residence in an abandoned property along side two older teens who share their life and their heroin with them. Clearly heroin is a blissful escape from their lives and situation until it become more repressive then their previous lives.

Evaluation: Having lost two very important people in my life to Heroin addiction and knowing first hand the bliss then the danger, I really (I don't know about enjoyed) but appreciated the frankness and reality of this book. It was truthful about the entire experience and I know how seductive heroin can be. A very important book for those who have considered the drug themselves.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Dangers of escapism, a safe way to experiment, addresses thoughts of running away, and turning to drugs

Reason this book was chosen: A beyond taboo subject not many people can relate too who aren't inclined to consider heroin as a means of escape. They can't and won't endorse the telling of these stories or are willing to admit it is more common then they think it is. Scary and real and actually does happen. An important book for teens who find solace in drugs, think about running away, or are faced with parents that drive them to do anything to escape.

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/

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.