Kazumi Reads

Plot Summary:
When Cody got the email Meg committed suicide, her world imploded. Meg and Cody have been best friends since they were kids and now Meg is gone. Why didn't Meg tell Cody that she was so unhappy? Meg's sudden demise was not only devastating for Cody and her family, it just didn't make any sense. In fact, Meg and Cody had big plans so there is no way that Meg would every take her own life the way she did.

Unwilling to accept that Meg intentionally meant to commit suicide, Cody dives into the chaotic world that her best friend lived in. More importantly, when Cody confronts the man who broke Meg's heart, her mission to unravel the mystery behind Meg's downward spiral reveals unsettling details involving a support group and a dangerous mission to confront those murdered Meg. The ending will shock readers to the core, but, more importantly, this story conveys the battle that Cody is facing, internally, and how this whole outcome occurred by forces that no one could prevent without knowing, first hand, what was going. This book will have readers firmly planted in their chairs until the very end. 

Critical Evaluation:
This books is mind blowing. I don't think I have ever read a book so fast in my life and it was not only heartbreaking, but it paints an accurate portrayal of what depression can do when we don't seek they help we need. No one really knows why mental illness occurs, but it is something that should never be taken lightly. What Forman does here is that she sheds light on how depression doesn't just affect individuals, but what it does to those around us. Cody never knew that Meg suffered from depression and, as readers will learn, was because Meg's family decided NOT to tell her. I will say that this angered me because depression is something no one should ever feel ashamed of. Depression is a real illness that affects millions of people all over the world and, although it can't be cured, it can easily be managed with a combination of cognitive therapy and medication. I, myself, suffer from depression, and I am so glad that Forman wrote this story to tell teens that if they are struggling with bouts of sadness and hopelessness, suicide is NEVER a solution; if someone says otherwise, they are not a friend and they are certainly not someone, or something, who cares about them. I will say that they way Cody managed to track down the person who communicated with Meg was definitely reckless, but it revealed the danger of online communities where seriously sick people can pray on the weak. What I hope readers take away from this book is to not only be careful with online communities, but don't be afraid to ask for help when they are at the end of their rope. Depression is not a sign of weakness, but an illness that needs to be treated. This story is a cautionary tale for teens today, which is a conversations that must be discussed. 

Information about the Author:
According to the author's website:

I’m a woman. There seems to be some confusion about my gender, which I find disturbing if you’ve seen my author photo.

I used to be a journalist. My first job was for Seventeen magazine. You can see some of my articles here.

When I was little I wanted to grow up to be the sun. I was devastated to learn this was not a career option.

Adam from If I Stay was inspired by my husband, Nick. No, you cannot meet him.

Willem from Just One Day/Year was inspired by some Dutch guy who dumped me. (Willem is my revenge.) No, you don’t want to meet him.

I bombed my SATs. I still did okay in life.

I was once an extra in a Bollywood movie. (And yes, that’s where I got that part of Just One Year from.)

I have been to 64 countries. I used to travel a lot. I once wrote a book about it. Favorite country visited: India. Least-favorite country: Tonga. (Sorry, Tonga.)

I can bake a batch of cupcakes from scratch in under 20 minutes.

The worst job I ever had was as a data-entry clerk. Honorable mention to hotel maid and traveling flower seller girl.

I have learned, and forgotten, three foreign languages. Regretfully, French is not one of them.

I took three years off to travel before college.

As a teen, I was so obsessed with Molly Ringwald that I started biting my lip like she did and now I have a permanent scar. And this is why I am a YA author.

Genre:
Teen Contemporary Fiction, Teen Mysteries, Teen Suspense

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to I Was Here:

• Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
• All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
• Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone

Awards & Recognition:
From Amazon.com:

"I Was Here is a pitch-perfect blend of mystery, tragedy, and romance. Gayle Forman has given us an unflinchingly honest portrait of the bravery it takes to live after devastating loss." —Stephen Chbosky, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling The Perks of Being a Wallflower

“Irresistible tear-jerker” —New York Times

“A heartbreaking novel about coping with loss from the bestselling author of If I Stay” —People
"As she did in If I Stay, Forman offers an introspective examination of the line between life and death, and the courage it takes to persist."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Forman sifts through Cody’s shifting psychological landscape with a sure and delicate hand, developing a character that readers will recognize themselves in. . . a relevant book as well as an absorbing one.” —BCCB, starred review

"Part tautly paced mystery, part psychological study of suicide and its aftereffects. . . An engrossing and provocative look at the devastating finality of suicide, survivor's guilt, the complicated nature of responsibility and even the role of the Internet in life-and-death decisions." —Kirkus Reviews

"Suicide has always been a subject in YA literature, and to her credit, Forman handles it sensitively and gracefully, raising important issues of the ethics and morality of the subject. The combination mystery and love story is sure to reach a wide readership and excite essential discussion. . . This latest offering should generate massive teen interest." —Booklist

"Cody's struggle with grief and complicity is intense and affecting up until an emotional gut-punch of a conclusion. Once this compelling case is closed, what remains is a haunting, elegiac tale about enduring and understanding loss. " —The Horn Book

"Teens will clamor for this latest offering from the author of If I Stay." —School Library Journal

"Hugely popular Forman, author of the acclaimed If I Stay among others, has another best seller here. This novel’s strength lies in its depiction of main character Cody, a young woman torn by conflicts but sustained by her own sense of purpose." —VOYA

“Takes tragedy, guilt, friendship, inspiration, heartache, and bravery and mixes them all up in a blender of feelings” —Bustle

Praise for If I Stay and Where She Went:

“Beautifully written.” —Entertainment Weekly

“An achingly gorgeous portrayal of rejection and rekindled love.” —USA Today

“A page-turner, tearjerker and romance all in one.” —BookPage

“Pitch-perfect...a moving, skillfully crafted novel.” —VOYA, starred review

Praise for Just One Day and Just One Year:

“Offering mystery, drama, and an evocative portrait of unrequited love, this open-ended novel will leave fans eagerly anticipating the companion story.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Readers were enthralled with Forman’s If I Stay books, and now she’s captivated them again as they fall in love with her characters in Just One Day.” —NPR’s The Roundtable

“As satisfying as both of these books are, readers are going to wish for a third.” —Booklist

Plot Summary:
During one hot summer in Texas, Aristotle met Dante. Aristotle is loner who doesn't say much and Dante, who is quite the opposite of Aristotle, kick start an unusual friendship that will revel they have more in common other than their philosophical namesakes. Although Aristotle has been pestered by his mother to make friends, Dante was so different from the other guys he know that he took a leap a faith and befriended Dante. As he gets to know Dante, Aristotle finally acknowledges that the he has issues. For example, why did his parents not talk about his older brother? Why doesn't his father ever talk about Vietnam? More importantly, why is he unable to allow himself to have feelings for other people? These questions never bothered him before, but, Dante, who is so charismatic and honest with himself, ignites something within Aristotle to want more.

 As their friendship evolves, Aristotle introduces Dante to his family and it ended up being a blessing in disguise: The Mendozas and the Santanas form a familial friendship, Aristotle's father is smiling and talking again, and Dante's parents adore Aristotle. Just when things started to look up for Aristotle, the accident changed. Why did Aristotle do what he did and why does he try so hard to push Dante away? Furthermore, what lengths will Aristotle take to protect his best friend? In this incredibly lyrical, and honest, tale about two friends is a journey about self-discovery, forgiveness, family, and love.

Critical Evaluation:
Benjamin Alire Sáenz has written a masterpiece. Not only is this a story about two boys discovering who they are, butwhat their choices and actions will reveal about their world. When I first started reading this book, I didn't know what to expect and I can honestly say that I have never felt so hopeful for the youth of today. In other words, the revelation that is revealed in this story will not only help questioning teens like Aristotle, but inspire other teens to stand up for who they are just like Dante. Saenz is an amazing writer who not only knows how to develop  his characters, but the plot takes the reader on an incredible journey that is not only cathartics, but eye-opening for others. I would definitely recommend this book to teens who are not just struggling with their identity, but teens who feel they will never find their place in world. Whether your straight, gay, trans, red, yellow, brown, or black, everyone struggles with who they are and, luckily, there is always someone who will be able to help piece together the puzzle that is who we are. Although the ending of this story will leave readers begging for a sequel, I have no doubt that Aristotle and Dante found exactly what they are looking for in life and from one another.

Information about the Author:
According to the author's website:

Benjamín Alire Sáenz studied at St. Thomas Seminary in Denver Colorado, the University of Louvain in Louvain, Belgium, the University of Texas at El Paso, the University of Iowa and Stanford University where he was a Wallace E. Stegner fellow in poety. While at Stanford, he also pursued his doctoral studies in American Literature. He has studied philosophy, art history, theology, creative writing and literary studies with a focus on twentieth century American poetry.

In 2005, Cinco Puntos Press published his first young adult novel, Sammy & Juliana in Hollywood. The novel was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize and won the Americas Book Award, The Paterson Prize, and the JHunt Award. Sammy and Juliana was also named one of the top ten Young Adult novels by the American Library Association and was also named one of the top books of the year by the Center for Children's Books, Captial Choices, The New York Public Library and the Miami Herald. HarperCollins has just released Sammy and Juliana in a paperback edition and has been released as an audio book from Listening Library (Random House). His second young adult novel, He Never Said Goodbye, was published by Simon & Schuster and won the Tomas Rivera Award in 2009. His most recent young adult novel, Last Night I sang to the Monster has won critical acclaim will be published by Simon and Schuster in the summer of 2008. His next young adult novel, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is forthcoming from Simon and Schuster. 

Genre:
Teen LGBTQ Fiction, Teen Fictions, Teen Lit for Guys, Teen Romance

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe:

• Will Grayson, Will Grayson bu John Green and Davis Levithan
• Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
• Yaqui Delgado Will Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina
  

Awards & Recognition:
From Amazon.com:

* "A tender, honest exploration of identity and sexuality, and a passionate reminder that love—whether romantic or familial—should be open, free, and without shame." (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

* "Authentic teen and Latino dialogue should make it a popular choice." (School Library Journal, starred review)

* "Meticulous pacing and finely nuanced characters underpin the author's gift for affecting prose that illuminates the struggles within relationships." (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

"Sáenez writes toward the end of the novel that “to be careful with people and words was a rare and beautiful thing.” And that’s exactly what Sáenez does—he treats his characters carefully, giving them space and time to find their place in the world, and to find each other...those struggling with their own sexuality may find it to be a thought-provoking read." (Booklist)

"Sáenz has written the greater love story, for his is the story of loving one’s self, of love between parents and children, and of the love that builds communities, in addition to the deepening love between two friends." (VOYA)

"Ari’s first-person narrative—poetic, philosophical, honest—skillfully develops the relationship between the two boys from friendship to romance." (The Horn Book)

"Primarily a character- and relationship-driven novel, written with patient and lyrical prose that explores the boys’ emotional lives with butterfly-wing delicacy."--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Sáenz is a master at capturing the conversation of teens with each other and with the adults in their lives." (Library Media Connection, Recommended)

"This book took my breath away. What gorgeous writing, and what a story! I loved both these boys. And their parents! Don't we all wish we had parents like theirs? The ending - and the way it unfolded - was so satisfying. I could go on and on...suffice it to say I will be highly recommending it to one and all. I'm sure I'll reread it myself at some point. I hated having it end." (James Howe, Author of Addie on the Inside)

"I’m absolutely blown away. This is Saenz's best work by far...It’s a beautiful story, so beautifully told and so psychologically acute! Both Ari and Dante are simply great characters who will live on in my memory. Everything about the book is absolutely pitch perfect...It’s already my favorite book of the year!" (Michael Cart, Booklist columnist and YALSA past president)

“Benjamin Alire Saenz is a writer with a sidewinder punch. Spare sentences connect resonant moments, and then he knocks you down with emotional truth. The story of Ari and Dante’s friendship widens and twists like a river, revealing truths about how hard love is, how family supports us, and how painfully deep you have to go to uncover an authentic self.” (Judy Blundell, National Book Award-winning author of What I Saw and How I Lied)