Burning Desire For Banned Books: Writing as Therapy

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/

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.