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:

Paper Towns, by John Green

Title: Paper Towns
Author: John Green
Publish Date: September 22, 2009
Publisher: Speak/Penguin Young Readers Group
Pages: 320

Price: Paperback $9.99
ISBN: 014241493X
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Range: Young Adult

Annotation: When Margo shows up at Q's (short for Quentin's) window in the middle of the night she asks him to help in an all night, brilliant revenge scheme. Having a crush from afar for a LONG time, he goes along with it. But the next day she is missing, leaving behind her a ton of clues for him to find and decode.

Summary: When Margo Spiegelman calls for Quentin Jacobsen in the middle of the night at his window, she is spewing a plot of crazy revenge dressed like a secret agent. Margo’s always planned in a stye that's over the top, but until this point, she’s keeps the ninja behavior to herself. Quentin, aka Q, has always crushed on Margo from afar, so Q looks at the opportunity as a turn for the better. He follows her into a one night mission of revenge that takes them from ex-friend's houses to Sea World. But after their crusade, the next day at school, his love-from-afar-turned-potential has completely disappeared and his hopes are squashed! Though not so surprised (Margo has always been an riddle), Q finds himself in a mystery chalk full of clues. And, the best part is: they’re for Q!

Evaluation: John Green is a great author who created a relatable character. It speaks to the slight over thinker who longs to connect. Also, this books goes along with a handful of others that prove YA literature can be smart and complex. A highlight is the use of the poem "Song of Myself" by Walt Whitman.

Cool Websites in the Green World : John Green http://www.sparksflyup.com/index.php, Youtube http://www.youtube.com/vlogbrothers Nerdfighters http://nerdfighters.ning.com/

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Romance, Social Outcast, Issues with Runaways, Connecting with Others, Coming of Age, Parental Issues

Reason this book was chosen: I love when authors use literary references and have an all-over intelligent tone. John Green, award winning author for Looking for Alaska, creates a book that looks at relationship and coming of age in an insightful book with a plot driven by mystery to boot!

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/

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.