Kazumi Reads

Product Summary:
Teens who need something to read can now access reviews, author profiles, series information, lists, and so much more through this amazing site. Teenreads.com is a great resource not only for teens, but for librarians, teachers, and adults.  As users explore this site, the toolbar, at the very top of the interface, is their guide through the site, which makes searching extremely easy. Moreover, there are plenty of options that teens can use to not only find what they are looking for, but they can actually learn a lot by browsing the "Authors," the "Ultimate Reading List, " "Coming Soon, " Book Clubs," and the "Book Into Movies" categories, which most teens may not be aware of. Moreover, Teenreads.com has a variety of social networking sites, a blog, and a newsletter that teens can subscribe to so they can access this information 24/7.

Critical Evaluation:
Teenreads.com is a great resource for the avid reader who is looking for newest titles and recommendations. This website is dedicated to providing a wealth of information regarding teen literature, authors, and book news. As users search this site, not only will they find popular books, they will also find reviews written by professionals and their peers. This particular site is not only a book-loving teen's best friend, it is a great resource for librarians and educators who need to add these titles to their collections or provide suitable recommendations. This site has a variety of search functions that are not only helpful, but incredibly informative, especially the "New in Paperback" section that informs teens when their favorite titles are re-released in paper form, which means they are cheaper and more accessible. 

Information about the website:
Teenreads.com is a part of the Book Report Network that share book reviews, features, author profiles, new releases, interviews, contests. and games every week (para.1). Teenreads.com is run by a team of professionals who not only have teenagers, but share a love of reading. In the section that gives the history of Teenreads.com, are several personal accounts from the President/Founder, Advertising, Marketing, Design, and Editorial groups who not only share their personal stories about reading, but help users realize that this website was created by individuals who are just as passionate about working for the youth and helping them find that one book that will turn them into readers for life.

Genre:
Teen websites

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up


Websites Similar to Teenreads.com:

•  ReadingRants.org
• TeenReadsToo.com
  

Awards & Recognition:
N/A

Product Summary:
TeenGrowth.com focuses on the health, psychological, and emotional needs of teenagers. When teens enter the website, they have a variety of "Q/A" topics they can explore by reading the body of the interface or using the links to the left of the screen.



The layout of the site is very simple, which makes it easy to navigate.
When teens select a topic, such as "Emotions," they will get a topic tree that has a list of options that are related to that topic. What is great about this website is the simplicity since all of the page layouts are consistent with the back pages; the only page that is different is the main interface.Once users have browsed through the topic, or, in this case, a series of "Frequently Asked Questions,"  they will get an article that provides practical advice on how to resolve the issue.


Critical Evaluation:
This website is a great asset for teens who need help with issues that vary from losing weight to physical abuse. The advice that is given not only help teens understand their issue, but provides through steps that deal with the problem, especially if it is very serious such as suicide, sexual abuse, and anger. Another great aspect of this site, is the advice is based on specific questions that are asked frequently, which helps teens know that they are not the one only ones suffering from those problems. In reading an article, about anger, one teen asked how they can prevent himself from killing their abusive father. The author provided a very sound advice, encouraging the teen to take proactive steps to remove themselves from a dangerous situation. moreover, there are phone numbers and weblinks that provide additional information as well. The medical advisory board and the editorial staff provide make it very clear that the advice on this site is for educational purposes and should not take the place of professional help for those who need it. If teens are having issues, and need a point in the right direction, than this site is perfect beginning point.

Information about the Website:
TeenGrowth.com  was established in 1998 by its sister company KidsGrowth.com and Pediatric Health Alliance, LLC. The mission of this website is to "provide a secure environment where teens can ask questions and find reliable and useful information about subjects such as emotions, peer pressure, drugs, alcohol, puberty, sex, fitness and stress" (para.1). This particular site was created to focus on on the health needs of adolescents, which make it very unique and personalized. According to TeenGrowth.com:

The pediatricians and adolescent medicine specialists who developed the site knew the resourcefulness of the Internet could easily turn into a conglomeration of misinformation if a reliable destination was not created. The two factors separating TeenGrowth from other sites are: (1) all content is provided and reviewed by a Medical Advisory Board of highly recognized and respected physicians in the private and academic sectors in the field of pediatrics and adolescent medicine; and (2) TeenGrowth only focuses on health issues" (2011, para. 2).

The Medical Advisory Board & Editorial team consists of qualified health professionals and professionals who have experience in Pediatrics and education. This site continues is constantly updated so teens will continue to access resources that are are current and relevant.
   
Genre:
Teen Websites


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up



Websites Similar to TeenGrowth:

• Teens: KidsHealth.com
• Medline Plus: Teen Health
• TeenHealthIssues.org
  

Awards & Recognition:
N/A

Plot Summary:
D.J. Schwenk is the only girl in her family (besides her mother). Not only is she a tom boy, but she knows everything about football since her elder brothers were Red Bend's finest players and her father was a coach. However, because of her father's hip replacement, she is not longer participating in the activities that she loves since she is in charge of all of the chores on the farm; Win and Bill are off at college football camp and her younger brother, Curtis, is too busy with baseball. According to D.J., she lives her life like the cows she cares for until Brian Nelson stepped foot on the farm. A friend of the family, the head coach at Hawley High (Red Bend's rival) asks her to train his back-up quarterback. Stunned by the offer, D.J. is mortified yet interested in whipping this rich, good looking guy into shape. Little does she know that this summer is going to be the one that will change her life forever, especially when she decides to try out for Red Bend Football.

Critical Evaluation:
Catherine Gilbert Murdock takes a plain girl, with very low self-esteem, and turns her into a champion. D.J. feels that she will never escape Schwenk farm because no seems to care about her needs and she doesn't have the strength to tell her family how she truly feels. Caught between being the "dutiful daughter" and a fierce competitor, she has a hard time finding her own voice. All her life, she has been in the shadows of her brothers and it is obvious she does not like it. However, when she is asked to train Brian Nelson, she realizes this is the only way she is going to play Football while torturing her "worst enemy." The biggest theme in this story is that no one is what they seem and, in fact, what everyone thought was true is actually a lie. As her world comes tumbling down around her, she puts her energy into the thing she loves most and makes her feel good-- Football. Readers will not only appreciate the humor in all of this madness, but realize that we are really amazing even though we are not all rich, popular, and beautiful.

Information about the Author:
Catherine Gilbert Murdock was grew up on a tiny farm in Connecticut where she spent most of her time in front of an ancient television that only had two channels that just happened to have Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds playing all the time, which Gilbert Murdock can no longer stand (para.1). As a young girl, she was known as the empress of the four shelf YA section since her passions was reading. Murdock also has a famous sibling (Elizabeth Gilbert) so writing is in her genes. According to her website, as to why she wrote Dairy Queen: "Dairy Queen was my first stab at creative writing since high school, not counting several years as a struggling screenwriter (which followed several years as a struggling scholar)" (para. 4).

When asked about writing, and the process itself, Murdock offers this advice:

I unabashedly recommend screenwriting for mastering the art of storytelling; just don’t pin any hopes on seeing your work on the big screen. But you’ll learn so much in the process that this won’t matter. I also recommend, you know, living. I've been passionate about food pretty much my whole life – first eating it, now preparing and then eating it. And so it plays a pretty big role in my writing, and adds so much flavor . . . not literally, of course, but the more you can add that's true, whether it's emotion or geography or gardening (that’s me in the picture above), then the stronger that story is" (para. 4).

Genre:
Teen Chick Lit



Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up


Books Similar to Dairy Queen:

• This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
• The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart

Awards & Recognition:

• See this website
  

Plot Summary:
San Francisco, California, was just bombed by terrorists. While out exploring the city, to look for clues put out by Harajuku Fun Madness, Marcus, Van, Jose-Luis (Jolu), and Darryl are caught in the chaos of the aftermath. While trying to escape the huge crowds of panicked citizens, Marcus, and his friends,  are detained by the Department of Homeland Security as possible terrorists. Moreover, as the DHS discovers who Marcus really is, he becomes a marked man and teh DHS will be following his every move. Unwilling to abide by the rules of the DHS, who have not only stripped the people of San Francisco of their constitutional rights, he creates the XNET to not only outwit the DHS, but convey to the people that need to fight back against  "The Man" and their illegal actions.

Critical Evaluation:
Little Brother is an essential text for teens today. Doctorow has provided readers with an excellent example of when everything goes wrong. Echoing the previous events of 9/11, a group of teenagers are faced with the same events where terrorists have destroyed their city and fear has run rampant. What is extraordinary about this story is that it gives a very real, and incredibly scary, picture where a country has decided that is was necessary to not only spy on its citizens, but interrogate and torture people who were suspicious. Just like the events of today, especially the stories on Guantanamo Bay (Gitmo), Doctorow has brought them to the heart of San Francisco where the former Naval station (Treasure Island) is turned into a detention center within ten miles of the city.  I can definitely say that this story haunted me as I read because not only can it happen, it can easily destroy the hopes and dreams of the youth of today. Not only are teens growing up too fast, but to have something like this happen, will only make adolescence that much more intolerable; teens will always be seen as trouble makers and treated as criminals.

Information about the Author:
According to his website, Cory Doctorow is a sci-fi author, blogger, activist, software developer and former executive. Born in Toronto, Canada, Doctorow has accomplished quite a bit in his life:

"He is the co-editor of the popular weblog Boing Boing (boingboing.net), and a contributor to The Guardian, the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, Wired, and many other newspapers, magazines and websites. He was formerly Director of European Affairs for the Electronic Frontier Foundation (eff.org), a non-profit civil liberties group that defends freedom in technology law, policy, standards and treaties. He is a Visiting Senior Lecturer at Open University (UK) and Scholar in Virtual Residence at the University of Waterloo (Canada); in 2007, he served as the Fulbright Chair at the Annenberg Center for Public Diplomacy at the University of Southern California" (para. 6)

In 2003, Doctorow co-created an open source peer-to-peer program called "OpenCola," which was sold as Open Text. He continues to serve on advisory boards such as the:  Participatory Culture Foundation, the MetaBrainz Foundation, Technorati, Inc, the Organization for Transformative Works, Areae, the Annenberg Center for the Study of Online Communities, and Onion Networks, Inc. When not being involved in a million projects, Doctorow continues to write young adult novels and is enjoying being a father to his three year-old daughter, Poesy Emmeline Fibonacci Nautilus Taylor Doctorow who, he claims to be "a marvel that puts all the works of technology and artifice to shame" (para. 12).

Genre:
Teen Dystopian Thriller


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 10 & up


Books Similar to Little Brother:

• 1984 by George Orwell
• Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Awards & Recognition:

• 2008 nominations for the Hugo, Nebula, Sunburst, and Locus Awards
• 2008 Ontario Library White Award
• 2008 Prometheus Award
• 2008 Indinet Award

About this Magazine:
In this particular article, about Justin Beiber, Devlin  basically rips apart Justin Beiber for having the audacity of releasing an autobiography at the old age of sixteen years old. Like most articles in MAD, this article is one of many social and political articles that not only exploits the ridiculousness of the issues discussed, but provides arguments and opinions that are quite out of the box. April's issue of MAD, besides the Justin Beiber article, contains articles that comment on President Obama, Sarah Palin, Donald Trump as well as critiques on the XBOX Kinect and the hit television show, Mad Men. Irreverent as ever, the writers at MAD take their arguments to a whole new level by not only poking fun at the public figures, but providing commentary that not only makes readers think, but force some kind of laugh no matter their political stance, religion, or ethnicity.


Critical Evaluation:
MAD magazine is a perfect match for teens.  Not only is filled with sarcasm, shenanigans, and personal jabs, teens will not only get caught up on world issues, they will learn a thing or two about the media, news, and humanity. Just like Jon Stewart's 'The Daily Show," teenagers will get a healthy dose of reality, especially when it comes to the American obsession with celebrities and politicians. The writers at MAD do not hold back whatsoever, which makes this magazine a "fresh air" for those who are tired of Linsey Lohan, Snookie, Sarah Palin, and Rush Limbaugh. Whatever the issue, MAD magazine always supplies a different point of view that not only strips the issue of its intensity, but, in many ways, makes it trivial and unnecessary. If readers are looking for a serious, dry, and mature magazine than MAD is not one of these, which makes it perfect for Teens. 


Information about the Author:
According to Desmond Devlin:

"Yes, America's longest-running humor magazine, besides Time, has not been content to merely notice the snags in society's fabric after the fact. No, no no. The sociological dynamo that is MAD has always been at the forefront of change and innovation and even more change. MAD has affected our culture and history in such an all-encompassing and fundamental way that it is sometimes easy to overlook our awesome influence. This special section will correct that unfortunate oversight" (para. 3).  

MAD magazine originated in 1952 when Bill Gaines, the original editor, decided that this magazine should have something different and unique: humor. According to MAD, Gaines was tired of the "phoniness" of popular culture and decided that he should write about; however, he didn't and he hired someone named Harvey Kurtzman" (para. 1). Just like the magazine, Gaines is all over the place and, unfortunately, found himself in legal trouble when several articles sparked a lot of controversy and congressional hearings were conducted to expose the dangers of comic books. However, all of this goes away since many people actually enjoyed reading the magazine, which spawned a new wave of imitators. Over the next thirty years, MAD has become an important part of American culture since it not only has recruited all kinds of talent, it has provided political figures and celebrities with ammo to support their issues or turn them into the biggest laughing stock ever. MAD's history is quite long and colorful that has not always been good, but it continues to remain strong and it has accomplished a lot. Not to mention, with all of its legal troubles, it has managed to stay alive and quite relevant to readers today.

Genre:
Teen Magazines

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 10 & up


Magazines Similar to MAD:

• The Onion

Awards & Recognition:
N/A

Plot Summary:
In this alternate reality, Spike Spiegel is not the typical cowboy. In fact, he is actually a bounty hunter who spends most of his time tracking down crooks to earn a few bucks. Along with his partner, Jett Black, a former police officer, they fly through the galaxy on the Cowboy Bebop looking for their next big hit. However, Spike's past has resurfaced, especially when he hears Julia and Vicious have returned. Just when things could not get anymore complicated, he involuntarily recruits three more members of the team named Faye, Ed, and a bionic dog named Ein. The series reveals a lot about the characters and who they used to be with humor,tragedy, and lots of random coincidences. 

Critical Evaluation:
Cowboy Bebop is an anime legend that everyone needs to watch sometime in their life. Not only is it visually stunning, but the music (created by the famous Yoko Kanno) sets the tone of this series, especially the ending theme. Shinichiro Watanabe does an amazing job with the art direction and the computer animation is incredibly revolutionary given the fact that this series is at least fourteen years old. The story, as complex as it is, is woven together beautifully where viewers not only get to know the characters, but will be emotionally attached to them until the very end. Unfortunately, this is one story that does not have the ending we all wish, but that is what makes it memorable.

Information about the Director:
Shinichiro Watanabe was born May 24, 1965 in Kyoto, Japan. Watanabe currently works as an anime film writer, screenwriter, producer, and is well known for his two hit shows: Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo. According to Wikipedia: "Watanabe is noted for blending together multiple genres in his anime. For example, in Cowboy Bebop, classic cowboy western mixes with 1940s/1950s New York City film noir, Jazz music and Hong Kong action movies, all while being set in space. In his later work, Samurai Champloo, Watanabe mixes the cultures of Okinawa, hip-hop, modern-day Japan, and Chanbara" (para.2).

Watanabe has had a successful career where he has worked on over twenty-five projects and continues to be one of the top anime directors who not only brings something new to the genre, but products that are unique and memorable. When asked what he hated about his job, in a 2005 NewType article, "It actually kind of sucks having to be a director. Once you do it, you discover how hard it really is. This is no kind of a job for a human being, let me tell you. I think I ought to quit, but I can't really do anything else!" (para. 1).

Genre:

Teen Anime 


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 11 & up  

Number of Episodes:
26

Series Similar to Cowboy Bebop:

• Outlaw Star
• Trigun
• Samurai Champloo

Awards & Recognition:
Keanu Reeves is currently in the process of bringing this anime to the live-action screen so fans will be anticipating the release of the movie. 

Bibliographic Information:
Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 5 Apr. 2011.

Figure 1

About the Database:
This database is a great resource for teens who not only want to get caught up on current events, but provide evidence on issues they feel strongly about for educational purposes. This site is fairly streamlined (Figure 1) where users are not overwhelmed; in fact, they have plenty of options they can choose from that focus on current events (which is what teens are looking for). Another great feature of this database is the "Featured News" section that contains videos and links from popular new sources such as: Newsweek, New York Times, and USA Today.  As users begin their search, they have several options: they can use the "Search Bar" at the top right-hand corner and restrict their results using the fields that are provided: "Viewpoints," "Reference," "Images," and "More."

Figure 2

Critical Evaluation:
Opposing Viewpoints in Context provides students with articles and visuals that covers a large scope of issues that are not only controversial, but events that affect them locally and nationally. According to Gale: "Opposing Viewpoints in Context helps students research, analyze and organize a broad variety of data for conducting research, completing writing assignments, preparing for debates, and creating presentations and more" (para. 1).  As mentioned before, the interfaces are simple and easy to use so teens do not have to feel overwhelmed. When conducting a search, using the "Issues" option, I looked up "Body Image" and got a plenty of information regarding the issues and other related topics. There is no shortage of information in this database; moreover, everything is up to date, which is essential since these topics are always changing.


Information about the Database Company:
According to Gale, "Opposing Viewpoints in Context contains more than 700 Greenhaven Press, Gale, Macmillan Reference USA™, Charles Scribner’s Sons® and U·X·L titles. New reference content is added on an ongoing basis, and new full-text periodical and newspaper articles are added every day" (para. 3). Based in Farmington, Michigan, Gale has offices all over the world, which makes it one of the more popular companies in this business; Gale is "[b[est known for its accurate and authoritative reference content as well as its intelligent organization of full-text magazine and newspaper articles, the company creates and maintains more than 600 databases that are published online, in print, as eBooks and in microform" (para. 1). 



Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

About the Database: 
Gale's Literature Resource Center is a great tool for teens to utilize when writing formal English papers or looking for information on an author, poet, or text. When users read through the page, they will notice that they have 1,331,279  documents to search, which means there are plenty or resources for to use. Furthermore, when users first enter this site, they will see the the homepage (figure 1), which provides several search options: Basic Search, Advanced Search, Person Search, Works Search, Gale Literary Index. Another great aspect about Literature Resource Center is the tools that can be utilized after information retrieval. For example, I conducted a search on William Shakespeare, using the"Person  Search" and found an interesting article about Shakespeare and the database offered a variety of options.

Figure 1

Critical Evaluation:
After exploring Literature Resource Center (LRC), the one aspect that I enjoyed is how user friendly the database is. Rather than being inundated with many options, LRC streamlines searching by providing several interfaces that are unique since they focus on the subject of the search, which could be the person, a popular work, or a combination of both. Moreover, each of these searches provides specific filters that teens can use to narrow their by the century, ethnicity of the author, the type of article, and audience. What is also great about this database is that students can use this tool as the beginning step of their research using the "Gale Literary Index," which allows the to search for particular articles. Lastly, this database actually offers users to have their articles formatted by MLA and APA format, which, for some teens, is a real perk.

Information about the Database Company:
Gale, which is a subsidy of Cengage Learning, is one of the leading electronic publishing companies that provides products for libraries, schools, and businesses. Based in Farmington, Michigan, Gale has offices all over the world, which makes it one of the more popular companies in this business. According to Gale, it "[b[est known for its accurate and authoritative reference content as well as its intelligent organization of full-text magazine and newspaper articles, the company creates and maintains more than 600 databases that are published online, in print, as eBooks and in microform" (para. 1). Among electronic publishing, Gale is also a publishing house where some of its imprint consist of: Macmillian  Reference USA, Charles Scribner's Sons, Primary Source Media,, UXL, Greenhave Press, Lucent Books, Sleeping Bear Press, KidHaven Press, Thorndike Press, Christian Large Print, Wheeler Publishing, Five Star, and Large Print Press.

Genre:
Reference

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Figure 1

About the Database:
Student Research Center (SRC) is database teens can use to look for a variety of information based on specific topics. When users look at the main interface (Figure 1.), they have a variety search options they can use. SRC also allows users to search for articles based on publication date, reading level, and only ask for "full-text" articles. Another great function is the inclusion of articles based on their format: newspaper, magazines, encyclopedia articles, etc. Another great option that can assist teens is the "Search by Topic" function that let users start off broad or get an idea of what they are looking for.

Figure 2

Once users have entered their search terms, they will see a list of results (Figure 2) that can be limited to format (magazines, newspapers, books, etc.). Users can also sort thought results by relevance and date of publication.



Critical Evaluation:
This database is a great asset for public libraries simply because it provides information on subjects the library may not have or titles are checked out. After using this resource, it has a the variety of search options that are useful. When conducting a search on "William Shakespeare" and "the Middle East," it was interesting to see the difference between the searches. For example, the search on Shakespeare returned fewer resources than the Middle East, but the interface did not supply the left-hand tool bar that contain subject and publication trees. I am not sure why the results interfaces are not consistent, but this was one detail I did notice. When searching for information on the Middle East, hundreds and thousands of articles were retrieved, which was amazing. SRC contains a lot of information for teens that will help them find the items they need, but actually teach them how to search by providing them with plenty of search fields and options.

Information about the Database Company:
EBSCO is one of the leading companies to provide institutions with electronic services ranging from reference, online searching, online journals, research databases, and much more. According to EBSCO: "EBSCO has served the library industry for more than 60 years. By placing customers at the core of our business, we have tapped their ingenuity to assist us in developing the high quality products and services for which EBSCO is known" (para.1). According to EBSCO, the reason why the made SRC was to create "a search interface designed specifically for secondary school students, according to their needs and search abilities. The Student Research Center provides students in secondary schools with the most appropriate research tools for easily obtaining the information that they seek from their EBSCO databases" (para. 1). The goal behind this database is to teach teens how to look for information using professional resources designed like SRC, which they will encounter in college. Moreover, they can take what they learn to more informal resources such as search engines. 


Genre:
Reference

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up



Databases Similar to Student Research Center:

• Gale Cengage Learning's InfoTrac

About the Database:
Teens no longer need to worry about not passing their language classes. Mango Languages is an online program that offers a variety of language learning. Furthermore, they have a special program for public libraries where they can select the languages that meet the needs of the community. Mango Languages lessons consist of interactive lessons that makes language learning easier where users can listen, respond, and practice. One aspect of the program that is incredibly helpful is the feature where teens can speak into a microphone and and Mango can check for accuracy and fluency (accent, grammar, vocabulary, etc.).
In many ways, Mango Languages is very similar to Rosetta Stone, but does not carry the hefty price tag and users can access the program for free through their local library. In order to use this program, users must create a profile, which will give them a "Dashboard" that contains four tabs: "Dashboard, " "Courses," "Translate," and "Support." The purpose behind this tool is that in order to launch the programs, the "Dashboard" is the gateway into the lessons. Moreover, the "Courses" option lists the languages available through the library's subscription. Once a profile has been established, users are free to begin their program, which are incredibly easy to use and a lot of fun.

Critical Evaluation:
Mango Languages is an excellent resource that is not only great for public libraries, but teens will appreciate. Learning a new language is never easy, but it does get easier with practice and instruction. For high school students, this is one area that completely freaks them out, more so than any math or science class. Mango Languages is so accessible that it does not require any training for the user; libraries that subscribe to this program do not even have to train staff members because it is that intuitive. In fact, many of the lessons, all a user really needs to know is how to access the lessons and the program practically runs itself. As mentioned before, Mango Languages is a great substitute for the Rosetta Stone Language programs since Mango  bases their prices on the size of the community in comparison to a projected number of users, which can be incredibly pricey. Not only will teens have fun using this program, it will help them build self-esteem and teach them many things about a culture, which includes manners and how to present oneself when traveling abroad.

Information about the Database Company:
According to Mango Languages:

"Many moons ago, when the internet was still young, our founders set out to turn their love of languages and learning about the world into a successful business venture. They were driven to make a better, more effective language learning experience, and wanted to have a little fun along the way. After several years of refinement, refinement, and more refinement, Mango Languages was born. Today, Mango delivers a wide variety of language learning capabilities to people all over the world" (para. 1)

Currently, Mango Languages  can not only be found in many public libraries, all over the country, they can also be found in schools and government as well. Mango Languages is growing stronger everyday since their goal is to continue providing quality products and they are "always on the lookout for ways to make our products better as well as new methods or technologies that can help make language learning even more fun and more convenient for our customers" (para. 3). 

Genre:
Language Learning


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up
 
Databases Similar to Mango Languages:

• Rosetta Stone
• Learn a Language
• Live Mocha
  

Awards & Recognition:
According to the Awards section of Mango, they have received recommendations from the following companies:

• Los Angeles Times
• Education World
• Webware
• New York Public Library: Best of Reference

About this Magazine:
In this issue of Shonen Jump, Manga and Anime fans will read about the new Yu-Gi-Oh! 3D movie, new Anime episodes, new cards, game strategies, and much more. Shonen Jump is "The World's Most Popular Manga"  magazine that brings the latest and greatest Manga and Anime news to readers and, more importantly, it has improved it services by providing more series, more anime previews, more free stuff, etc. In this particular issue, Yu-Gi-Oh! fans will get reviews and insight to the: Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's: World Championship 2011 Over the Nexus, Yu-Gi-Oh! 3D: Bonds Beyond Time Movie, Yu-Gi-Oh! game card strategies, and a chapter to the latest Yu-Gi-OH! 5D's: Ride-03: Lord of the Underworld.

Along with the Yu-Gi-Oh!, this issue includes episodes from Naruto, Bleach, Psyren, Death Note: Universe,  and One Piece; these series are still running in Japan so readers can get a sneak peak into the upcoming volumes, which have yet to be released by Viz Media. Lastly, each issue contains previews and advertisements for new releases and other articles where readers can access, or download, their favorite manga through iTunes or the Viz Store. This is an essential periodical to any Teen collection.

Critical Evaluation:
Shonen Jump is a great periodical for teens because it not only introduces new readers to the world of Manga, it provides avid fans with new releases, which gets them excited about the upcoming volumes. Manga for English-speaking audiences is now easily accessible, due to publishers such as Viz Media, since it provides quality translations of the original works. Although some readers are unwilling to wait for new releases, they can access "scan-a-lations" where individuals, not affiliated with publishing companies, take it upon themselves to translate, and scan those translations, for readers. Most of the time, these translations work (we have an idea of what is going on); however, not all translations are correct. Moreover, due to licensing issues, scan-a-lations are being removed since they violate copyrights.  Shonen Jump, which is owned by three major Japanese publishers, works with their Japanese colleagues to make sure each story is translated perfectly.

Publisher Information:
Located in San Francisco, CA, Viz Media is " one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga (graphic novel) publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan's largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa and is a global ex-Asia licensor of Japanese manga and animation" (para.1). Along with publishing and distribution, Viz Media offers Shonen Jump, graphic novels, and DVDs, and "develops, markets, licenses, and distributes animated entertainment for audiences and consumers of all ages" (para.2). 

Genre:
Teen Magazines


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up


Magazines Similar to Shonen Jump:

• Otaku USA 

Awards & Recognition:
According to Wikipedia, Shonen Jump is "one of the longest-running manga magazines in Japan, it has a circulation of 2.8 million copies" (para. 1). 

                                                             


Critical Evaluation:
I have used this site and it is just amazing. Teens come into Libraries all the time looking for volunteer opportunities, but, sometimes, we just don't have enough work for them to do. However, using this resource is incredibly helpful since teens can access this site at any time and they have plenty of choices to choose from. The volunteer opportunities revolve around a lot of topics such helping the homeless, beach clean-up's, helping children learn to read, working summer camps, helping out at hospitals, and working at fundraisers. Opportunities are listed by preference, zip code, and distance, which is helpful since not all teens have transportation so choosing activities close to home is essential. This site is highly inclusive where not just teens can participate, but children and families, which show that this organization strives to have every member of the various communities involved.

Reader's Annotation:
Teens looking for volunteer opportunities can use this website where they can retrieve results based on their interest, age, and location.

Information about the website:
According to the "About Us," section, VolunteerMatch began when "Four MBA's – Mark Benning, Joanne Ernst, Steve Glikbarg, and Cindy Shove – draft plans to launch an online nonprofit to promote community involvement." In 1998, VolunteerMatch created it's own website, which was later promoted by Oprah Winfrey in 1999 and, with the aftermath of 9/11, the website's popularity soared where it won two Webby awards for service and activism in 2001. Along with winning these awards, the organization received a $ 1 million grant from the Atlantic Philanthropies, which was later followed by additional grant monies.

In 2003, VolunteerMatch.org reached it's 1,000,000th referral and in April of 2003, it teamed up with Yahoo! to promote volunteer service for National Volunteer Week. In 2005, VolunteerMatch dispatched 80,000 volunteers, over four weeks, to help victims of the Hurricane Katrina. Lastly, in 2007, VolunteerMatch was featured in a Time article as one of the top ten websites, which is an immense honor, especially after the organization achieved its 3,000,000th referral.

Genre:
Volunteering


Curriculum Tie-In's:
N/A


Booktalking Ideas:
This website definitely belongs in a weblinks collection specifically meant for teens on the Library website. Moreover, I would recommend teens to check this site out at home, or at the Library, to find opportunities that suits their needs and I will be more than willing to demonstrate how the site works and how to limit their search according to their preferences.


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 10-12


Challenge Issues:
N/A

Sites similar to VolunteerMatch.org:

• Idealist.org
• Servenet.org
• GetInvolved.gov

Why did I choose this site?
I chose this site because how comprehensive it is. Another great feature of this site is it's networking abilities where it provides opportunities from professional organizations such as AmeriCorps, which a great for teen who are looking ways to to serve their community while earning college money and making connections. Furthermore, this site is always sending me e-mails, which means they are constantly trying to promote community service.  


Awards & Recognition:
VolunteerMatch.org has received much  recognition from all over the world, which they list here and awards.


References:
VolunteerMatch - Awards. (n.d.). VolunteerMatch - Where Volunteering Begins. Retrieved April 04, 2011, from http://www.volunteermatch.org/about/awards/

VolunteerMatch - Advanced opportunity search. (n.d.). VolunteerMatch - Where Volunteering Begins. Retrieved April 04, 2011, from http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/advanced.jsp

VolunteerMatch - Vision. (n.d.). VolunteerMatch - Where Volunteering Begins. Retrieved April 04, 2011, from http://www.volunteermatch.org/about/vision/index.jsp 

VolunteerMatch - Where Volunteering Begins. (n.d.). Retrieved April 04, 2011, from http://www.volunteermatch.org/

Plot Summary:
Haruhi Fujioka does not look, or act like, most of the students at Ouran High School Academy. In fact, she isn't fashionable, looks like a boy, and is dirt poor. Although Ouran High School is one of the best schools to get into, it is also home to way too many rich kids how have nothing better than just look pretty and have fun. One day, Haruhi's luck takes a turn for the worse when she stumbles upon the Ouran High School Host Club and breaks a vase worth millions of yen. In order to pay for the broken items, she is now the newest member of the Host Club even though she is a girl! This series is full of surprises, award moments, and loads of comedy.

Critical Evaluation:
This series is just delightful and hilarious that teens, guys and girls, will have a great time watching. Unfortunately, the manga series is still being published so viewers will only get half of the story. However, those who haven't read the manga will want to after witnessing the antics of six gorgeous, goofy guys and one girl who has an amazing effect on them despite the fact she thinks they are all idiots. The greatest aspect of this anime is the dubbing. Most dubbing isn't all that great since the English voice-overs do not always match the look of the character. However, Funimation hired the right people, especially Tamaki and Haruhi (the main characters). The story is just absolutely amazing where a group of sheltered rich kids get to know someone who lives modestly; more importantly, Haruhi makes them feel comfortable in their own skin, especially the Hitachin (Karou and Jikaru) and that everyone deserves to be happy and loved.

Information about the Author of Ouran High School Host Club:
Ouran High School Host Club was written by Bisco Hatori who was born on August 30, 1975 in Saitama, Japan. According to Wikipedia, Hatori's "debut was A Moment of Romance in LaLa DX. Her first series was Millennium Snow, which was put on hiatus because of her other manga, the comedy Ouran High School Host Club, is her breakout hit. It placed in the 50 top-selling manga in Japan for both 2008 and 2009. According to an interview with Shojo Beat when she has ahard time selecting names for her chracters, she listens to loud, upbeat music" (para.1). Ouran High School Host Club was completed in 2010 and readers all over the country are eager to get their hand on these titles. Currently, the Alhambra Civic Center Library owns fifteen volumes and in the process of ordering the rest of the series by next fiscal year. Lastly, Bisco Hatori is actually a pseudonym and I can't wait to find out what her real name is! 


Genre:
Teen Anime 
 
Reading Level/Interest:
Teens 13& up


Anime Similar to Ouran High School Host Club:

• Romeo X Juliet
• Fruits Basket

Awards & Recognition:
N/A

Plot Summary:
Based on the popular Shojo Manga, Miyazaki has brought Natsuki Takaya's beloved story to life. Tohru Honda has never had it really easy. She lost her father when she was just an infant and her mother was killed in a car accident a year ago. She currently lives with her grandfather, who is the middle of remodeling their home, so Tohru has taken it upon herself to live in a tent to spare her grandfather any hardship. However, none of her family, or friends, know that she is "camping out" until Yuki Sohma, the most popular guy in school, discovers her secret (she is living on Sohma land). When things could not get worse, Tohru's tent is later swallowed up by a landslide and finds herself the newest resident of the Sohma house (she is the live in housekeeper). Things seems to be working out well for Tohru and Yuki, until she meets Kyo (Yuki's cousin) who not only barges in, but Thoru runs into him turning him into a cat. What she doesn't realize is this family has a dark secret--whenever a member of the opposite touches them they turn into animals of the Chinese Zodiac. 

Critical Evaluation:
After reading the entire manga, I must say that this series is just wonderful. The only problem with the anime is that it only cover about the first 15 volumes of the manga, which is due to the fact that the series was released before Takaya finished the series. However, despite the fact viewers don't get the full story, it is spot on with the series, which makes the viewers want to read the entire manga. The English and Japanese cast are both wonderfully done (translations are pretty good). Although this series is aimed at teenage girls, boys will enjoy the anime since the tumultuous relationship between Yuki and Kyo is rather entertaining. Moreover, the simplistic drawings and dialogue not only capture viewers hearts,. but provide an exceptional example of kindness, love, and empathy.  

Information about the Author/Director:
Unfortunately, there is not a lot of information on Nagisa Miyazaki; however, she has had an extensive career working an a director, animator, and writer. According to IMDB.com, she has been involved in nineteen anime television series and uses an alternate name, Haruka Ninomiya, for other series. 

Genre:
Teen Anime

Curriculum Tie-In's:
N/A


Reading Level/Interest:
Teens 13 & up


Challenge Issues:
N/A


Series Similar to Fruits Basket:

• Honey and Clover
• Rumbling Hearts

Awards & Recognition:
N/A

Plot Summary:
In this world, there is an unstoppable force known as Keren Birj. Not only has he managed to create a dictatorship that everyone fears, other countries question his methods and ethics. Grace, the main character of this story, lives on the outskirts of "The City," called the "Hills" where young people are are trained to fight and die in the name of freedom. Abandoned by her father, she is raised in the Angel Sanctuary where orphans are indoctrinated to become suicide bombers, or "Angels," whose sole purpose is to destroy Keren Birj. However, Grace doesn't want to die and decides that it was time to make her own choice for once and escape this world aboard a rickety train to the border of the country, out of Birj's control. On this journey, she meets a boy named Kerr who not only knows her secret, but carries a dark past that not only frightens Grace, but could cost her her life. 

Critical Evaluation:
Elizabeth Scott has done it again--she has created yet another masterpiece. In this provocative fantasy, children are being taught to not care for life, but to destroy it in the name of principal. Grace is one of many innocent children who were brainwashed and used as weapons. Like most teenagers, Grace is trying to figure out her purpose in life and refuses to believe that death is her destiny. Moreover, when she runs away from her mission, she pays an enormous price to escape the realm of Keran Birj. Kerr, her traveling companion, happens to be the boy who is very close to Birj. Grace involuntarily gets wrapped up in something larger than she could have imagined, but the more she gets to know Kerr, she realizes that they have a lot more in common than she thought. This story is incredibly thoughtful where Grace struggles with heavy moral issues, which will engage readers to think about their own principals.

Information about the Author:
According to her  website, Elizabeth Scott grew up in a tiny town in Virginia and her parents were both educators and actually took three classes taught by her father (para.3). After graduating high school, she went onto college and had every intention living a glamorous life and to not get married. Well, she ended up meeting her husband at college and held down a variety of odd jobs such as being a secretary, selling pantyhose, working as an editor, and burning CD's. She started writing young adult novels and can't imagine doing anything else. Scott has written nine young adult novels and has gained a solid audiences. According to Scott:

"I read a lot, and I love all kinds of books, but young adult books hold a very special place in my heart. Being a teenager is both the most amazing and the most frightening thing — there's so much going on with you, your friends, your parents, and handling that and school and having to think about your future... it can be really exciting, but it's also a lot to deal with!" (para. 7).

Genre:
Teen Dystopian Thrillers


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to Grace:

• Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• Double Helix by Nancy Werlin
  

Awards & Recognition:

• See Elizabeth Scott's website
  

Plot Summary:
In this book are photographs of some of the most elaborate and clever cosplay outfits from six different Anime Cons (Conventions). Each photograph is accompanied with quotes from each cosplayer and what Cosplay means to them. For those new to Cosplay, it is where Anime, Manga, and Comic fans masquerade as their favorite character. Not only are they dressed like the characters, but they have managed to become the character through mannerisms and speech.

Critical Evaluation:
Last summer, I met photographer, and author, Ejen Chuang at Anime Expo (AX) in Los Angeles.  As I marveled, from 10 feet away, I saw kids, 'tweens', 'teens, and adults just having the time of their life dressed up;  Ejen captures this spirit in his photographs and interviews with each person photographed. Teens who are die hard cosplayers will love this book simply because it will not only give them ideas for their next cosplay, but convey to them they are not the only ones are nuts about this stuff and it is completely normal to be different. More importantly, the quotes that are interspersed throughout the book, and his insightful "Foreward," Ejen and the cosplayers tell readers that as long as you have passion for something, you can do anything you want since most of the adults in this books are either fashion designers, architects, bankers, teachers, and/or librarians who have a passion for anime and manga.

Information about the Author:
According to his website, Ejen Chuang is a Los Angeles based photographer who was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He graduated from north Texas University and moved to Los Angeles in 1999.He has been in this industry for over ten years and has an amazing portfolio where he worked on a variety of projects where his photos have been used in posters, press kit photos, production stills, and gallery shots.

On his website, he as a rather entertaining set of random questions, potential clients and fans may want to know for example:

What is your favor​ite candy​?​​​
Skittles or M&Ms

If you were a crayo​n,​​​ what color​ would​ you be?
Purple. Not sure why but that’s the first color to pop in my head

What was your favor​ite toy as a child​?​​​
Legos ! Hands down best toy I’ve ever had !

What is under​ your bed?
Nothing, probably dust bunnies.

Genre:
Teen Nonfiction

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up




Books Similar to Cosplay in America:

• How to Cosplay Graphic-Sha

Awards & Recognition:
N/A

Plot Summary:
After much debate, and confusion, Leslie Simon and Trevor Kelley have finally put out a definitive guide to the term "Emo." According to this Simon & Kelley, " Emo is a kind of music, but more than anything, it's a state of mind"(p. 1). The term "Emo," is for "emotional," which can be applied to music, fashion, literature, and film. To be "emo," individuals are highly sensitive and in-tune with their sadness and use it to their advantage; hence, the success of Dashboard Confessional, one of the recent, and most popular, Emo bands.

Critical Evaluation:
Teens are at an age where they are not only experimenting with fashion trends, but are beginning their search for themselves and where they belong. In this guide, there is tons of information on Emo ideology, fashion, lifestyle choices (becoming a vegan or vegetarian), music selection, taste in movies, literature that should be read, history and television show NOT to be watched. Basically, this is a beginner's guide to everything Emo as well as handbook for those who have already converted. The humor and sarcasm are not only entertaining, but required since sarcasm is usually a teenager's best friend. Teens, and adults, will get a kick out of this book since it reads like an authoritative text, but, by no means, is authoritative. The drawings, time lines, fact boxes, and suggestions are incredibly useful, especially when deciphering the different types of Emo.    

Information about the Authors:

From the Back Cover of  Everybody Hurts: An Essential Guide to Emo Culture

Leslie Simon currently lives in Cleveland, Ohio and  is the managing editor for Alternative Press (AP) Magazine. She has made appearances on FUSE TV and MTV; her writings have appeared on E!Online, Stuff, and Teen People. When she has a few moments to herself, she makes Conor Oberst paper dolls (see link).

Again, according to the back cover of Everybody Trevor Kelly also works for AP Magazine as a leading contributor who currently lives in New York. He has also published articles with Spin Magazine, NME, and Harp Magazine. According to Kelly, his favorite emo album of the past ten years is Tell All Your Friends by Taking Back Sunday.

Genre:
Teen Nonfiction; Pop Culture

Booktalking Ideas:
Before talking about this book, I would ask the teens what the term "emo" means to them and teen culture. I would then ask if they know anyone, or who happens to be, "emo." After hearing their response, I would read the "Foreward" by Leslie Simon and see what kind of reaction I get. Fads are a touchy subject for some teens (since they don't want be made fun of) so I would be careful not to offend those who currently practice. In stead, I would make this booktalk a mini-lecture about popular culture and its various subcultures; I would even go so far and tell them that I had a Goth phase.

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up


Books Similar to Everybody Hurts

• An Essential Guide to Your Favorite Music Scenes - from Punk to Indie and Everything in Between
  by Leslie Simon
•  Nothing Feels Good by Andy Grenwald

Awards & Recognition:
N/A

Plot Summary:Dante is not the traditional hero. In fact, he's lazy, messy, and is up to his ears in debt. However, his line of work is anything but boring. Dante is an honest-to-goodness demon hunter. Armed with every weapon imaginable, Dante takes on these tasks, no matter how dangerous they may be to make end's meet. Life for him is pretty dismal until a little girl named Patty comes into his life. Not only does she nag him, but she actually cleans up after him. Patty's mysterious appearance was not at all coincidental; she actually came to the Devil May Cry Angel Agency to hire Dante for a job. At the core of this story is Dante's past; he has issues with a woman clad in Black leather who resembles someone very near and dear to him. Furthermore, there is another woman called "Lady" who finds odd jobs for Dante's and sometimes assists him. Devil May Cry is not for the faint of heart, but it's full of action, monsters, and humor.  

Critical Evaluation:
Devil May Cry is definitely not a family film. This anime series is gritty, violent, and Dante is more, or less, an antihero that viewers will love and hate. This anime is actually based on a PlayStation 2 video game and has received mixed reviews. However, this anime is actually incredibly entertaining with the modern animation and a soundtrack viewers will want to listen to over and over. In regards to the characters, the only one who has the most development, and history, is Dante himself. Although he is lazy, eats way to much pizza, and is a complete slob, there is something mysterious and endearing about him. Moreover, viewers will be fascinated with his fighting skills and abilities since his own strength matches that of all powerful demons; we all learn later on that he is part-human and part-demon. His relationship with Patty is highly entertaining, but it develops beautifully, especially when Dante is consumed by his demon-side and the only one who can save him is Patty.   
 
Information about the Author:
Devil May Cry is actually based on a video game created by Capcom; however, the game, itself was created by Shinji Mikami. Mikami was born on August 11, 1965 and graduated from the Faculty of Commerce at Doshisha University in 1990. He has been a part of many gaming projects such as the the ever popular Super Nintendo games Aladdin and the Goof Troop. He would later earn his fame for conceptualizing the Resident Evil games, including the third-person shooting game (i.e., Resident Evil IV).Mikami has done a lot in his time for gaming and has plenty of managerial and directorial experience (he was appointed manager at the Capcom 4 studio and he went on to create Capcom 5 and Resident Evil 4:

Resident Evil 4 is regarded as one of the most influential games of the 2000s decade, due to its influence in redefining at least two video game genres: the survival horror and the third-person shooter. Resident Evil 4 attempted to redefine the survival horror genre by emphasizing reflexes and precision aiming, thus broadening the gameplay of the series with elements from the wider action game genre. It helped redefine the third-person shooter genre by introducing a "reliance on offset camera angles that fail to obscure the action" (para 12).

Genre:
Teen Anime

Reading Level/Interest:TV-MA


Books/Movies Similar to Devil May Cry:

• Cowboy Bebop
• Vampire Hunter D

Awards & Recognition:
N/A


References:
Hideki Kamiya. (n.d.). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved March 26, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hideki_Kamiya

Shinji Mikami. (n.d.). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved March 26, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinji_Mikami

Plot Summary:
Just when love could never get any more complicated, let's throw in vampires, ancient feuds, magic, and tragedy. Yuki Cross, the daughter of Headmaster Cross and class prefect, watches over the "Day class" (human class) at Cross Academy; Kaname Kuran, leader of the "Night Class,"an exclusive group of vampires who live off blood pills to prove they do not need human blood. As part of her duties to watch after the "Day Class," Yuki has developed deep feelings for Kaname, who, oddly enough, seems to reciprocate those feelings, which does not sit well with Zero, Yuki's closest friend. However, when tragedy strikes,the only person who can save Zero is Yukis. Vampire Knight is one of the most amazing love triangles, jam packed with surprises, drama, and an epic climax! 


Critical Evaluation:
In this tale of murder, forbidden love, good, and evil, an innocent girl was rescued from the clutches of an evil vampire and raised by a kind man. However, the most heart-wrenching of all of these details is that Yuki had no memory of her past or who she is. This is yet another complex tale that is not only filled with twists and turns, but readers will never believe the ending. All of the characters, in this story, are not only unique, but share similar tales of tragedy like Yuki. Many girls will instantly fall in love with Kaname and Zero becuase they are both really hot and are surrounded by tragedy. Moreover, this is a tale of forbidden and what girl can resist?

Information about the Author:
According to an interview, on Hakusensha Online, Matsuri Hino was born on January 24 in Hokkaido Japan. She made her debut with Wake this Dream published by La La La DX in 1995. Matsuri has written other successful series such as Merupuri and Captive Hearts. According to Anime News Network, Hino's Vampire Knight, is ranked number nine on the New York Times Best Seller Manga List (February 27-March 5). According to ShojoBeat: "Hino enjoys creative activities, and has commented that she would have been either an architect or an apprentice to traditional Japanese craft masters if she did not become a manga artist" (para. 3). Another interesting tidbit about Matsuri Hino is that she had only become a Manga artist nine months prior to the release of her first series.

Genre: 
Teen Fantasy Manga, Teen Romance Manga


Reading Level/Interest:
Teen 13 & up


Books Similar to Vampire Knight:

• Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicles by Clamp
• Black Bird by Kanoko Sakurakoji
• Angel Sanctuary by Kaori Yuki

Awards & Recognition:

• New York Times Manga Best Seller List (December 27, 2010-March 5, 2011)

Plot Summary:
In this story, a  crazy tough girl, named Haine, has a major crush on Shizumasa, nicknamed the "The Emperor". However, this girl is actually pretty amazing. A while back, she was actually involved in a gang and it was Shizumasa who saved her from that life; he was also the one who wrote a storybook that made her fall in love with Shizumasa. Haine's goal is to win Shizumasa's love that she loves him and will do anything to protect him (she is assigned as bodyguard). Meanwhile, readers learn that Shizumasa has a huge secret he is hiding in the shadows named Takanari. Furthermore, this secret between these two guys causes a lot of turmoil for Haine. There are a bunch of characters that make this story hysterical such as the stereotypical gay guy, the drag queen, the psuedo-lesbian, the hot doctor, forgotten siblings, the slave, and the family secrets amongst the Togu and Kamiya families. This series is incredibly complicated and convoluted, but highly entertaining!

Critical Evaluation:
If we were to compare this story to any Victorian drama, our heads would probably explode. Not only is the main character a bit of a contradiction, every other character in the story is worse. This series is jam packed full of love, secrets, deception, and a bit naughty, which makes it perfect for the girl who needs an escape. One aspect of this series, which I admire, is Tanemura's ability to weave a complex story where reader's are always in step with each sequence. I could not put this Manga series down because, honestly, it was a guilty pleasure for me and was rooting for Haine all the way until the end. There is a a bunch of characters who have such different stories, and personalities, that make them all unique and just as lovable, especially Senri, the school physician who is quite a character.

Information about the Author:
Arina Tanemura, according to the Arina Tanemura Fan Club, was born on March 12, 1978 in Aichi, Japan. She made her debut in 1996 with Nibanme no Koi no Katachi (The Style of the Second Love). Tanemura has written over twelve series that are not only popular, but she has been recognized as one of the most successful Shojo Manga artists today. According to Wikipedia.com, one interesting fact about Arina Tanemura is that Gentlemen's Alliance Cross is the first series she had published that contains more than 5 consecutive volumes.

Genre:
Shojo, Romance, Comedy


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up


Books Similar to Gentlemen's Alliance Cross:

• Ouran High School Host Club by Bisco Hatori
• Hana Kimi by Hisaya Nakajo

Awards & Recognition:
N/A