Kazumi Reads

Plot Summary:
Ashley Asher grew up feeling empty, alone, unloved, and worthless. In fact, she even wished to die because the agony her stepfather put her through. What readers learn is that Ashely has been molested for years and her own mother didn't do anything to stop it. However, when Ashley speaks up, Child Protective Services is notified and she in her biological father's custody. Although Ashely doesn't know her father, she slowly re-builds her life by seeking help from a therapist, making friends, and connecting with her new family. Furthermore, she finally learns to move by expressing her frustration and  recognizing that her mother will never change and it is okay to let go. This novel will bring a few tears, but it also instills hope that even in the worst of times, people will heal and continue to live their lives. 


Critical Evaluation:
Hope in Patience is an incredibly moving story about survival. Ashley Asher's innocence was not only taken by a bad man, her own mother refused to stop the abuse. In fact, what is even more appalling, is that her mother is convinced that Ashely is trying to steal her husband. However, all off this changes when she is taken away from her mother and is placed with her biological father and his family. What is absolutely wonderful about this book is how Ashely came from a horrible family into the care of a loving family. Readers will learn about family dynamics and, more importantly, how sexual abuse is not acceptable and its devastating effects on the victim (i.e.,depression, self-mutilation, anxiety, and PTSD). Another awesome aspect of this story is the support system Ashley has: her father, stepmother, therapist, and friends, who refuse to give up on her, which not only helps her to deal with her past, but be able to move on. As I mentioned before, this story is about survival and, in the end, hope is the one that prevails where a broken girl is able to pick up the pieces by letting go. 

Information about the Author:
Beth Fehlbaum was born in Dallas, Texas and has one sibling. She met her husband in high school and they have three daughters. When her youngest daughter was born, Fehlbaum went to University of Texas at Arlington where she received her B.A. in English with a minor in secondary education. She then went on to pursue an M.Ed at Texas A&M--Commerce in Elementary School Education. According to Fehlbaum: "Bev Asher and I share a passion for teaching, social justice, and insisting upon authenticity in the classroom" (para. 8). Not only does she write novels for teens, she continues to teach, which she loves dearly. Hope in Patience is based on Fehlbaun's own experiences as an abused child. This is what she had to say about writing this novel:

I was inspired to write this story by my own recovery from childhood sexual abuse. In the process of working through my own grief, disbelief, and anger, I was writing poems and short stories, and sharing them with my (long-suffering) therapist. One day, he suggested that I try writing a novel. It took me about four months of starting and stopping, always ending up in the same place: stuck inside myself-- until one day I became so sick of the scenery that I decided to try to imagine what it would have been like if I had been able to get out of the abusive situation I was in at age 15-- instead of remaining in it much longer. What if a young girl in that situation had a father who had allowed his own shame at being a lousy dad to keep him away for her entire life, as Ashley's father, David does? AND- what if he was able to come through for her in a way he never thought he could, when she needed him the most?

In the process of knocking down the walls I had built around myself,  I found Ashley Nicole Asher, age 15, and Patience, Texas, a tiny East Texas town populated with people who can be found anywhere, dealing with the same problems that all people must face, whether they want to admit it or not.

Hope in Patience is the second book in the Patience series.


Genre:
Teen Contemporary Fiction

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up


Books Similar to Hope in Patience:

• Speak by Laure Halse Anderson
• 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher
  

 
Awards & Recognition:

•  2011 YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Reader

Plot Summary:
After being shipped off from her home, in New York, Daisy has found herself in the country side of England among a strange, but refreshing, group of people. Since her "wicked stepmother" is expecting a child with her father, Daisy felt forgotten and alone. However, all of this changes when she meets her aunt's family who not only welcome her, but love her as if she were one of them. Just when things couldn't be any better, she finds herself in love with her cousin, Edmond, but all of that love is tested when the war breaks out and she is ripped away from everything she knows, including Edmond.


Critical Evaluation:
Since this story is an alternative to the "traditional" novel, Rosoff's lack of punctuation, and grammar, is very telling because readers are inside Daisy's thoughts (unconventional and without guidance). Daisy has lived her life knowing that her mother died giving birth to her, which not only makes her feel guilty, but she believes that people see her as as murderer. Moreover, her eating disorder is reflective of this guilt, which has not been resolved since she and her stepmother constantly fight and her father is indifferent. When she is sent to live with her aunt, Daisy feels like she is being replaced by the new baby, which many readers will be able to relate to. However, with meeting her aunt, and cousins, she believes she can start over again and find what she is looking for. Unfortunately, when the war breaks out she finally learns how families can fall apart when reality sets in. As much as she wanted to return to the first few months on the farm, the war has changed Edmond, and her, forever. 


Information about the Author:
According to her CV, Meg Rosoff was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1956. While growing up, she read a variety of books by Dr. Seuss and Maurice Sendak. When she was three years old, she was "censured" for using black crayon on the preschool walls; thus, peaking her creativity. During her tween and teen years, she continued to read and eventually fell in love with classics written by authors such as Ernest Hemmingway. In 1974, she went on to get her degree at Harvard University and, three years later, moved to London, England. After spending six years in London, she moved back to New York where she got her first publishing job and, in 1986, she got her first advertising job that eventually landed her the position as Deputy Press Secretary NY State democrats. In 1989, Rosoff returned to London where she spent eight years working various advertising jobs, which she was fired from all, and, in 2003, she quit her job at the advertising firm and wrote How I Live Now and Meet Wild Boars. She has since then written Just In Case, Wild Boars Cook, Jumpy Jack and Googily, What I Was, Pegasus,The Bride’s Farewell, and Vamoose!

Genre:
Teen Chick Lit


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to How I Live Now:

• Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
• Postcards From No Man's Land by Aidan Chambers

 Awards & Recognition:

• Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize 2004
• Branford Boase Award 2005
• Michael L. Printz Award 2005
• Der Luchs des Jahres Book Prize 2005
• Julia Ward Howe Prize (Boston Authors Club) 2005

Plot Summary:
Never in a million years would Danny believe in ghost stories, but, this time, they are real. After moving to a town covered in snow, Danny, Howie, and Ash, take a joy ride on the snow covered roads. Although Pike, the driver, decided that he want to set fire to the store of a known pedophile, Danny will never forget that night where he was stalked and attacked by a hideous creature. What seemed like an awful nightmare, Danny tries to shrug off this "dream" until the local bully disappears out of nowhere he believes that his attack, and this disappearance, are related. What is even more suspicious, is that his friend, Howie, also meets this beast and is obsessed with finding this creature, which leads Danny, and his friends, on a dangerous journey to destroy the beast. 

Critical Evaluation:
Bonechiller is an amazing horror story packed with suspense and mystery. In this story is a teen who is not only struggling with the loss of his mother, he is also having to deal with his father inability to cope with his wife's death, which forces Danny to move all around the country to escape the memories of his mother. This story is not only scary, but incredibly touching that many teens can relate too. Moreover, one of the main themes of this story is about making choices; when bad things happens do we face them or run away. For Danny, he has decided that the only way he can move on with his life is to stop running away from the past and face his fears (the beast and living without his mother). Teens will not be able to put this book down because not only are they awaiting an epic battle, they want to see Danny triumph.


Information about the Author:
Graham McNamee is an incredibly mysterious man. Although he is well known as an amazing young adult author, his background are under lock and key. According to Teenreads.com, McNamee is an incredibly shy man who is  5'10" with brown hair and eyes.He was born in Toronto, but there have been very few sightings of him. However, his publisher (Random House) said that he can be found working at the Vancouver Public Library from time to time. McNamee based Bonechiller after a nightmare he had when he was staying at his uncle's cabin in the winter and this is what he had to say about this place:

Outside, the squall was howling, heaping drifts up against the cottage and trying to pry the wooden planks off the boarded windows. I stayed up half the night peering through knotholes in the wood, trying to spot the 'thing' that was making that howling noise. More than just the wind, I was sure there was something alive out in the freezing dark. Something big and mad, and hungry. In bed, even with my ear muffs on, that arctic howl found me. And when I finally slept, 'it' came to me. A huge snow-pale beast with blade-like teeth, ice pick claws and big silver eyes. It chased me through my dreams, through the ice-bound town. And when it caught me--it always caught me--all I could do was stare at my own reflection in those hideous, silver-mirrored eyes. And scream until I screamed myself awake.

After two nights of nightmares we finally made it out, driving over the frozen lake to get back to the main road. I remember looking through the rear window, searching the snowy landscape for my beast. The dreams haunted me for months after. And the cottage was never the same after that. Because even in the heat of summer I knew something was hiding, and only waiting for the deep freeze to come back out" (para. 3).

Needless to say, this book was real fun for him to write since it is based on a nightmare that probably continues to haunt him to this day. No one knows what is out there in the wild, and McNamee is definitely not one to say otherwise.


Genre:
Teen Horror


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9& up

Books Similar to Bonechiller:

• Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey
• Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan

Awards & Recognition:

•    Best Fiction for Young Adults: 2009
•    Georgia: Georgia Peach Award Nominees: 2011
•    Indiana: Eliot Rosewater Award Nominees: 2011
•    Texas: Tayshas Reading List: 2011

Plot Summary:
Ned Begay has not always be known as Ned. In fact, his name, in Navajo, has always been Kii Yazhi until he was shipped off to the mission to be educated by the White Man. Not only did he learn English, he was told it was wrong to be Navajo and was given the name of Ned Begay, his hair cut, and clothes taken away. Although he felt empty and naked, he made a promise to himself that he would never forget his native language even if the White Man tried to beat it out of him. Not only did Ned excel in school, he actually went off  high school by working hard and keeping his mouth shut. He loved to read and he loved to speak Navajo with his friends, away from his teachers, and everything was going quite well until Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. At the age of sixteen, Ned joined the US Marines and is assigned a top secret assignment--he became one of the first Navajo Code Talkers who would not only decipher American messages during battle, but send messages in the line of duty in Navajo. All his life he thought the Navajo would continued to be ignored; however, with the country at war, the Navajo are the nation's most treasured asset.

Critical Evaluation:
Told as a memoir, Ben Negay is telling his grandchildren about his time as a US Marine Code Talker. Although Ben may be addressing his own grandchildren, readers will believe that he is actually speaking to anyone who wants to hear about his story. Not only is this story personal, it incredibly moving where readers are enveloped in the story. Moreover, when Ben talks about his time in the Pacific, the battle scenes are so well written that all we can imagine what it is like fighting of bullets and bombs while running in the boiling jungle. Another amazing aspect of this story is the relationships that Ben establishes, especially with those who are assigned as his security force; soldiers were actually give orders to protect the Navajo code talkers not only from the enemy but from friendly fire (one code talker was shot by a friendly because he looked Japanese). One detail that readers will also experience is how difficult waiting is during war time. Ben makes it very clear that this is the hardest thing he had ever have to go through and, teenagers being teenagers, patience is not one of their virtues.

Information about the Author:
For Joseph Bruchac, he knows the value of "Home Sweet Home." In fact, he currently lives in the same house his grandparents raised him in the Adirondack mountain foothills town of Greenfield Center, New York. Although he may not be a full-blooded Native American, the part that became his passion. According to his website, Bruchac has an amazing educational background and a wealth of experience in this field as well: "[Bruchac] holds a B.A. from Cornell University, an M.A. in Literature and Creative Writing from Syracuse and a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the Union Institute of Ohio. His work as a educator includes eight years of directing a college program for Skidmore College inside a maximum security prison. With his wife, Carol, he is the founder and Co-Director of the Greenfield Review Literary Center and The Greenfield Review Press" (para. 2). Bruchac has written so much that, currently, he has managed to edit a great number of poetry anthologies, authored more than seventy adult and children's books,received recognition from well known endowments and fellowships. For example, "[h]is honors include a Rockefeller Humanities fellowship, a National Endowment for the Arts Writing Fellowship for Poetry, the Cherokee Nation Prose Award, the Knickerbocker Award, the Hope S. Dean Award for Notable Achievement in Children's Literature and both the 1998 Writer of the Year Award and the 1998 Storyteller of the Year Award from the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers. In 1999, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writers Circle of the Americas" (para.3). Not only is he well-known for his remarkable Native American stories, he is a critically acclaimed storyteller who goes around the country telling his stories.

Genre:
Teen Historical Fiction


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up


Books Similar to Code Talker:

• Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Meyers
• B is For Buster by Iain Lawerence

Awards & Recognition: 

• ALA Notable Children's Books: 2006
• Arizona: Grand Canyon Reader Award Nominees: 2008
• Best Fiction for Young Adults: 2006
• Georgia: Georgia Peach Award Nominees: 2007
• Illinois: Rebecca Caudill Award Nominees: 2008
• Kentucky: Bluegrass Award Nominees: 2007
• Maryland: Black-eyed Susan Award Nominees: 2007
• Minnesota: Maud Hart Lovelace Award Nominees: 2008
• Oklahoma: Sequoyah Award Nominees: 2008
• Virginia: Readers' Choice Award Nominees: 2008
• West Virginia: Children's Book Award Nominees: 2008

Plot Summary:
LaVaughn is a dreamer. After graduating from high school, she will go to college where she will meet a handsome man and have children of her own.. Not only has she known hardship, she does her best to survive inner city life by staying away from drugs, sex, and violence. Her mother is her rock and foundation who not only works all day to keep food on the table, but pushes LaVaughn to succeed and become someone important. In this story, LaVaughn is dealing with the typical teenage issues where she and her best friends are becoming different people; her mother has found a new man and she feels like her mother is betraying her father's memory; Jody, her old best friend, moves back into the apartment building things changed because he is a lot more good looking than before. Told in free-verse, Virginia Euwer Wolff provides readers with an inspirational story about an inner-city girl who strives to the best she can be.

Critical Evaluation:
True Believer is not only beautifully written, it is incredibly moving where readers will not only fall in love with LaVaughn, but cheer her on as she deals with her problems. Given her situation, and environment, expectations for are be low; however, LaVaughn's mother is absolutely amazing. Although she works all day to support her daughter, LaVaughn's mother talks to her and reminds her that she will do amazing things by avoiding certain behaviors and working hard. The relationships between LaVaughn and her friends are very real, which, teens can relate to in many ways; as we grow older, we change and this is what our main character is learning. Furthermore, the situation between her and Jody is just as complicated, which many of us will experience or have experienced. Teens will enjoy this story because it conveys that no matter how many bad things happen to us we still have our dreams to keep us going. 

Information about the Author:
According to an interview, with Don Gallo, Virginia Euwer Wolff was born in Portland, Oregon, and  lived there until college. Actually, Wolff  lived three miles from a town of about two hundred people so, needless to say, she is a country girl. As the daughter of a lawyer, who eventually became a farmer, she grew up in a beautiful log house with no electricity, surrounded by apple and pear trees. Unfortunately, her father died of a heart attack when she was just five and she did not cope with it well. After struggling with an eating disorder and rickets, Virginia's family did everything they could to get her well and, surprisingly, the one that saved her was classical music. Furthermore, she eventually started taking violin lessons, which helped her to heal emotionally and physically.

During her adolescence, things started to become more and more complicated for Virginia. According to Wolf: "I was quite a mess in my teenage years, and it occurs to me that if I'd taken a creative writing class I might still have been a mess but could possibly have been a more articulate mess. I would have been forced to examine some of the thoughts and biases that came so glibly into my mind and left just as swiftly when a cooler or more hip thought or bias came floating by and replaced them" (para. 12).After graduating from college, Wolff got married, had children, and became a teacher. In 1998, Wolff became a full-time writer and has written six young adult novels.

Genre:
Teen Poetry

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Challenge Issues:
Books Similar to True Believer:

• Godless by Pete Hautman
• American Born Chinese by Gene Leun Yang

Awards & Recognition:

• American Library Association Notable Children's Book, 2002
• Book Sense 76 Top Ten Teen List, American Bookseller's Association, 2002
• Booklist starred review, 2001
• Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Blue Ribbon Book, 2001
• Carnegie Medal finalist, 2002
• Evergreen Young Adult Book Award Nominee, 2004
• Garden State Teen Book Award Nominee, 2004
• Golden Kite Award, 2002
• Horn Book Magazine starred review, 2001
• IBBY Honour Award, 2003
• IRA/CBC Young Adults' Choice, 2003
• Jane Addams Book Award Honor Book, 2002
• Kirkus Reviews Pointer Review, 2001
• Michigan Library Association Thumbs Up! Award for YA Fiction nominee, 2002
• Missouri Gateway Readers' Choice Award for Teens Nominee, 2003-2004
• National Book Award Winner, 2001
• Nevada Young Readers' Award Nominee, 2004
• New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, 2002
• New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, 2003
• Pacific Northwest Bookseller's Award, 2002
• Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award Program Master List, 2003-2004
• Printz Award Honor Book, 2002
• Publishers Weekly starred review, 2001
• Rhode Island Teen Book Award Nominee, 2002

Plot Summary:
It has been sixteen months since Jenna Fox has been able to move on with her life. After waking up from a year long coma, she has been slowly trying to recover her memories. With a stack of DVD's, she is determined to remember everything. However, things are not the same as before. The last thing Jenna remembers is living in Boston and spending time with her best friends, Cara and Locke, and how happy she was. Now, she lives in California with her mother and grandmother while her father remains in Boston. Her mother is beyond overprotective and her grandmother practically despises her. Moreover, he father is very secretive and is a little too certain that Jenna will make a full recovery. As her memories continue to come back, Jenna is waiting to live her life, but how can she when she is not allowed to eat the food she likes, attend public high school, and isn't allowed outside her home. When she is able to attend a small charter school, she meets other teens who have problems like she does, but what sets her apart from her new friends is her own body. When Jenna makes a gruesome discovery about the accident and how she was able to survive, her whole world comes crashing down because her very existence will not only threaten her own freedom, but the freedom of everyone she cares about. Readers will be stunned when they find out what happened to Jenna and what the future will hold for her.

Critical Evaluation:
The Adoration of Jenna Fox is a compelling story of a young girl who's life is altered by an accident and her parents' decision to keep her alive. There is a great discussion on bioethics and what it means to be human. Readers will not only be intrigued by the story, they will have a hard time loving or hating the characters. Given the fact that this story is based on some very complex issues such as nanotechnology and biotechnology, readers will find themselves struggling with their stance on these ideas and how it can help people regain their lives and living a long time. However, we all have to realize at what cost do we pay for playing the role of God. More importantly, we need to realize that with any kind of experimentation, the ones who are being experimented on need to give consent.  Despite all of the dangers and the conflict, this story does provide a sense of hope that with time, and acceptance, things can change where people like Jenna can live a prosperous life free from condemnation and ridicule. There is a great discussion on what it means to be human and who, or what decides, humanity really is. The audiobook version of this story provides readers with a brief phone interview with the author and why she wrote this book, which reveals a lot of the complex issues of this story and how she, personally, struggled with these issues. Lastly, the narrator does an amazing job that this story will resonate with readers for a long, long time. Brilliant, brilliant book.  

Information about the Author:
Born in 1955, Mary E. Pearson, a native Californian, decided that she was going to be an author at the ripe age of seven-years-old. Her love for writing stemmed from her second grade teacher who could really tell a story. All through elementary school, her teachers had praised her for her writing and she continued to write all the way through high school. What most people don't know about Pearson is that she absolutely loved to dress up and take on the identity of her favorite storybook character, which has helped immensely with her writing. After graduating high school, she went onto to Cal State Long Beach where she earned her BFA in Art where she spent a few years working as an artist. After giving birth to her children, she went back to school, San Diego State, to get her teaching credential and taught various grades. According to Pearson:

 "I went on to teach many different grades but it was my second grade students who pushed me back into writing. During Writing Workshop I would sit with them and write, loving the process, loving the stories, and lo and behold deciding I would love to return to my first love. That's a whole lot of lovin' going on and luckily for me I was able to do just that"(para. 5). Pearson currently lives in San Diego where she writes full time and has written five young adult novels.

Genre:
Teen Sci Fi


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up


Books Similar to The Adoration of Jenna Fox:

• Double Helix by Nancy Werlin
• Feed by M.T. Anderson
  

Awards & Recognition:
See this website

Product Summary:
Pandora.com is a website where teens can listen to music for free! As part of the Music Genome Project, which began in 2002, this service allows users to type in their favorite artist and provide radio stations containing the music by those artists as well other musicians with similar styles. Users can create a free account and make as many stations as they want. The way music is selected is incredibly interesting since it pairs popular artists with indie artists, which provides listeners with an unknown alternatives; not only does Pandora play new music, but helps up and coming artists build their fan bases. 



Critical Evaluation:
What began as a project is now a full fledged service where individuals can upgrade their accounts, which allows users hours upon hours of music, no commercials, and more opportunities to skip tracks. Teen do need their parents to upgrade their account (since it requires a credit card number), but, with any website, parents need to be aware that the music is uncensored; if they do not want their child listening to certain music, then they should make an account for themselves and grant their child provisional access. Pandora is now a mobile app for smartphones so any teen with an iPhone or Droid can download this application for 24/7 music with no additional uploading.What would a teen be without music? Unfortunately, with any free application, there are occasional advertisements and users can only skip a maximum of three tracks an hour, but nothing long enough to kill the mood for music. There is plenty of variety for users to listen to; however, if this is the only station that is being listened to then there is a higher chance of predicting the soundtrack. Whatever the case, teens will enjoy having music at their grasp 24/7 whether they are at home on their computer, in the car, or walking around.

Information about the Company:
According to Time Westergren, Founder of the Music Genome Project, "[o]n January 6, 2000 a group of musicians and music-loving technologists came together with the idea of creating the most comprehensive analysis of music ever." (para.1). Pandora Radio is the custodian of the Music Genome Project where a whole group of listeners literally listened to thousands of song where every element was analyzed and grouped together by their common elements. Westergren also states:

Together we set out to capture the essence of music at the most fundamental level. We ended up assembling literally hundreds of musical attributes or "genes" into a very large Music Genome. Taken together these genes capture the unique and magical musical identity of a song - everything from melody, harmony and rhythm, to instrumentation, orchestration, arrangement, lyrics, and of course the rich world of singing and vocal harmony. It's not about what a band looks like, or what genre they supposedly belong to, or about who buys their records - it's about what each individual song sounds like (para. 2).

Pandora Radio continues to evolve as one of the top online music radio resources where it now has a mobile app on smartphones and the iPhone. 
 
Genre:
Teen Websites

Reading Level/Interest:
All ages

Sites Similar to Pandora:

• Playlist.com
• LastFM.com
• Spotify.com 

 Awards & Recognition:

• 2010 Webby Award Winner
• 2010 Peoples Voice Award
  

Plot Summary:
Known as the youngest cook in the UK, Sam Stern brings teens different recipes, from all over the world, that are not only elegant,but tasty and easy to make with little preparation. Stern provides aspiring cooks with a variety of recipes ranging from home made cheeses, soups, appetizers, main courses, desserts, drinks, and other snacks using common ingredients such as meat, potatoes, vegetables, and pasta. Moreover, he includes a section just for vegetarians and those with gluten allergies.

Critical Evaluation:
This particular cookbook is incredibly inspiring. Teens love to eat and to actually see a teen write a book about the food he loves is perfect. Along with the organization, the photos are the best part because everyone who is cooking can see professional products they can make on their own. Moreover, in comparison to traditional cookbooks, this title is more lax and tailored to those who are inexperienced. However, teens who love to experiment have plenty of opportunities to add to Sam's recipes since they are flexible enough. Another great aspect of this cookbook is the variety of the recipes, which will help teens expand their palates and try something different, but delicious. This work is very personal to Stern, which makes it that much more enjoyable. This cookbook is a must for teens who just want to eat tasty, healthy food.

Information about the Author:
Sam Stern was born on August 29, 1990 in Yorkshire, England. As the youngest member of the family, Sam has many fond memories of cooking with his mother and it was her that taught him everything about cooking. According to Stern, when he is not in the kitchen, he is hanging out with friends, listening to music, eating, and finding a way to get to the North Pole (para.1). At the age of fourteen, Sam Stern published his first cookbook, Cooking Up a Storm, because he wanted to give his peers a cookbook filled with dishes that he, and his friends enjoy.

On his website, he has listed ten random facts that readers and cooks will enjoy:

1. I'm about 6 feet tall.
2. I would like to go to China.
3. I am addicted to Chinese food.
4. I am always up for a challenge.
5. I like all music.
6. I like football and going to the gym.
7. I wanted to be a vet or a fireman when I was a kid.
8. My favourite foods are chocolate mousse and roast chicken.
9. Some of my heroes include Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Keith Floyd and Gordon Ramsay.
10. I own a tortoise.

Genre:
Teen Nonfiction

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up



Books Similar to Sam Stern's Get Cooking:

• Teens Cook: How to Cook What You Want to Eat by Meghan Carle
• Teen Cuisine by Matthew Locricchio
  

Awards & Recognition:

Plot Summary:
Life would have been much different for Naomi if she just watched where she was going. After losing a coin toss to retrieve the camera, from the Yearbook classroom, Naomi slipped on her way out and hit her head. When taken to the hospital, she was diagnosed with Retrograde Amnesia where she cannot remember the last four years of her life. Moreover, these years happened to be the period of time where her world took a turn for the worst--her parents divorce, kissing her best friend, loosing her virginity, and learning she has a sibling. Scared, and confused, Naomi must return to a life that not only involves a series of events that made her into she "is," but her only source of solace is the boy she loves who is not her boyfriend. The story starts off with Naomi's life story of being adopted and not knowing where she comes from. Readers will learn that sometimes not knowing things isn't always great, especially when you have a condition that won't let you remember the good times as well as the bad.

Critical Evaluation:
Memoirs of Teenage Amnesiac is a compelling story about a girl who must not only grapple with her memory loss, but re-visit a life that she no longer agrees with. Although the circumstances of her self-realization are not exactly the most pleasant, this incident has allowed her to start all over again. After re-learning her life, and going back to school, Naomi realizes that everything she was involved in really wasn't what she wanted. What is amazing about this story is the power of forgiveness, especially when it comes to parents who have done something terrible. The relationships in this story are not only real, they are beautifully complicated where we all must take a look at out own and realize how special they are. Moreover, we must all recognize the little things in life where one look, one touch, and one smile can be a start of something beautiful.

Information about the Author:
Born in 1979, Gabrille Zevin has accomplished quite a bit. After attending Harvard University, she has had a successful career as a screenwriter and author. In 2007, she received a Best First Screenplay nomination for an Independent Spirit Award for Conversations with Other Women starring Aaron Eckheart and Helena Bohnam Carter. When she is not writing screenplays, she has made a name for herself as an author where her teen, and adult, novels have been praised for their originality and though-provoking stories. According to an interview with TeenReads.com , Zevin said: "When I was around eight, I learned how to touch-type at school, and I received a computer as a present. I started writing plays, and for many years I thought I would be a playwright. Over the years, I had studiously managed to write everything but novels --- I had been a copious pen pal, a first-class transcriptionist, a professional screenwriter (still am, actually), a teen music reviewer, a mediocre research-paper writer, and, of course, a writer of plays" (para. 2). Like many authors, Zevin made her passion into a career where she has been very successful. Zevin currently resides in New York and her latest novel All the Thing I've Done will be released on September 27, 2011. 

Genre:
Teen Chick Lit



Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac:

•  It Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
• This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
  

Awards & Recognition:

• American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults
• Barnes & Noble Best Books of 2007
• Books for the Teen Age, New York Public Library
• BookSense Pick
• Kirkus Reviews Editors Choice
• VOYA's Perfect 10s

Plot Summary:
Seventeen-year-old Johnny literally lives for shoes. He spends a majority of his time in the shoe repair store his mother owns waiting for a something exciting. Unfortunately, Johnny and his mom are flat broke and can barely get by until Princess Victoriana visits Miami. Known as the stereotypical party girl/rich girl, she is not what she seems. In fact, she is actually searching for her brother who has been missing for quite some time. In order to find him, she asks Johnny to be her "knight in shining armor" and find her brother who happens  to be lost somewhere in the Florida Keys. However, there one small problem--her brother was turned into a frog. In this fabulous tale is a story where one guy takes on the impossible to fulfill the opportunity of a lifetime and become a famous shoe designer somewhere between saving the day and winning the girl.

Critical Evaluation:
Of all of the fractured fairy tales, and new renditions, this story is just brilliant. Not only has Flinn combined the popular tales with lesser known stories, this combination makes a unique, funny, and thrilling ride where one guy, who has never been outside of home state, takes on the magic realm. As readers devour this story, not only will they not be able to put it down, they are totally unprepared for the twists and turns. Flinn's characters are absolutely believable, but, at the same time, they will start to question if this world is ready for magic and, if so, how do we, as mere mortals, survive?

Information about the Author:
Alex Flinn was born in a small town on Long Island, New York. When she was five years old, her mother told her she should become a writer one day and, from there one, she submitted every poem to her favorite childhood magazines. Along with poetry, she was an avid reader who read so many books that she refused to read the reader's that were passed out to her that teach her how to read-SHE COULD ALREADY READ! As she got older, she continued to write, but never really published anything; however, all of that changed when she went to law school and that is what helped her first YA novel: Breathing Underwater. According to Flin: "I started writing an early (and laughable) version of Breathing Underwater in college (I was really bored on a car trip with my parents). I didn’t get back to it until I had my first daughter, Katie. I’m self-taught. I went to the library and took out books on writing. Then, I read a lot of young-adult novels by writers I admired, particularly Richard Peck" (para. 5). By reading novels by those who were already in the field, Flinn created her own craft simply by observing and lots and lots of practice. Moreover, she enjoys what she does because "[she writes] for young-adults because I never quite got over being one. In my mind, I am still 13-years-old, running laps on the athletic field, wearing this really baggy white gymsuit. I’m continually amazed at the idea that I have a checking account and a mortgage. So I try to write books that gymsuit girl might enjoy. It’s a way of going back to being thirteen . . . knowing what I know now" (para. 7).

Genre:
Teen Fantasy, Teen Romance


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up


Books Similar to Cloaked:

• The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
• Fairest by Gail Carson Levine
  

Awards & Recognition:

• Positive Review from Booklist
• Positive Review from School Library Journal

Plot Summary:
Anne, or Anke, is the youngest of three children. Not only does she feel ignored by her father, she has to bear witness to his anger and abuse. In this story, Anke just started high school and has decided to escape her family by trying out for the volleyball. Not only is she one of the tallest Freshman at her school, Anke does not believe she is special or beautiful. However, the taller she gets, the stronger she becomes, especially when she starts to notice that her father's temper is only part of the real evil that is her father. Although Anke's dad does not hurt her, he takes out his anger on her older siblings and her sister bears the worst of their father's abuse--she is sexually assaulted on a daily basis. As she starts to develop, physically and emotionally, Anke decides that it's time to stop feeling like a piece of furniture and make her father notice her.


Critical Evaluation:
Written in prose, Thalia Chaltas presents a story where a fifteen-year-old is forced to grow up by taking charge of a horrible situation. This story is incredibly powerful, especially if the reader has experienced abuse or has witnessed their parent or any adult abuse their siblings or friends. Chaltas does not overtly state what type of abuse is taking place, but the readers will figure it out with subtle clues where she overhears her sister talking about her birth control. Not only is this story a quick-read, readers are enveloped with Anke's story of survival and courage to face the man who not only hurt everyone in her family, but made her unlovable and invisible.

Information about the Author:
Thalia Chaltas has done a little bit of everything prior to becoming an author. She has received training in Kineseology, firefighting, helicopter flying, athlete, and singing. She enjoys a variety of activities such as playing Volleyball, pottery, and camping. According to her website, she actually does not do a lot of writing at home, but at local coffee shops, the Library, and the beach (para.4-7). Moreover, she has kept every single piece of poetry she has ever written; hence, why she is a young adult author. Because I am Furniture is Thalia Chaltas first YA novel and she has a new one coming out on June 9, 2011 entitled Displacement.

Genre:
Teen Poetry

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to I Am Furniture:

• Burned by Ellen Hopkins 
• Hope in Patience by Beth Fehlbaum
• You Remind Me of You by Eirerann Corrigan 

 

Awards & Recognition:

•     Top 10 Summer 2009 Kid's Indie Next List selection
•     ALA Best Book for Young Adults
•     IRA Young Adult's Book Award Notable
•     2010 Texas Tayshas High School Reading List selection
•     2010 ALA Amelia BLoomer Project selection
•     2010 Kansas State Reading Circle Catalog selection
•     2010 Penn. School Library Association's Young Adult Top 40 selection
•     2010-2011 Kentucky Bluegrass Award nominee
•     2011 Nevada Young Readers' Award nominee

Plot Summary:
Life for Craig Gilner is just unbearable. Not only is he struggling to keep up with his homework, he is obsessed with success to the point that his anxiety and stress levels not on mentally affect him, but physically.After being accepted into a pre-professional high school, he realizes it is a lot harder than he thought. On top of all the classwork, his best friend, Aaron, who is a genius, is a constant reminder that he is "better" than Craig, especially when Aaron starts dating Nia, the girl he is in love with. Unwilling to deal with life, Craig falls into depression and decides that he wants to commit suicide; however, before jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge, he calls the suicide hotline for advice where he decides to check himself into the hospital. As the one of the youngest, and the most sane, patient on Six North, Craig meets a group of interesting characters who not only have worse problems than Craig, but provide him with comfort and affirmation that he can get better.

Critical Evaluation:
Ned Vizzini tackles a very serious, and sensitive, subject with class and humor. Not only is Craig a genuine character, his development and his voice captivate readers. Teens who read this novel and, who also suffer from depression, will not only find someone to relate to, but someone who can inspire them to take care of themselves and learn from this situation. Teens will also realize that not matter what happens in their lives, as long as they have someone to talk to, they can overcome their obstacles.The message in this book is very clear: when we do get down about life, we have to remember that there are worse situations and in order to overcome that fear, we must face it head on. 

Reader's Annotation:
Fifteen-year-old Craig Gilner suffers from a major depression and checks himself into a hospital for suicidal tendencies where he meets a group of people who will change his life forever. 

Information about the Author:
According to Harper Collins Publisher, "Ned Vizzini began writing for the New York Press at the age of 15. At 17, he was asked to write a piece for the New York Times Magazine, and at 19, he published Teen Angst? Naaah…, his autobiography of his years of Stuyvesant High School" (para.1). Ned Vizzini has accomplished a lot at a young age; however, life became complicated when he checked himself into a Brooklyn hospital because of suicidal thoughts. After staying for a few days, Vizzini decided to write about his experience, which is how he came to write It's Kind of a Funny Story. Vizzini has published three critically acclaimed young adult novels that have not only generated a large fan base, but one of them was turned into a motion picture: It's Kind of a Funny Story starring the hilarious Zach Galifinakis as Bobby/Humble. At the moment, Vizzini is working on his fourth novel, The Other Normals, will be released in the Fall 2012. Vizzini continues to be a mental health advocate by writing about teen issues and provides readers with resources about staying sane in college and high school.

Genre:
Teen Contemporary Fiction


Curriculum Tie-In's:
This could be an excellent resource for teens who not only suffer from emotional problems, but teens who take health classes that want to focus on psychology will learn a thing or two from this story.

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up



Books Similar to It's Kind of a Funny Story:

• Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin
  
• Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
  

Awards & Recognition:

• Starred review in Booklist (2/1/2006)
• Starred review in Publisher's Weekly (4/10/2006)
• Starred review in School Library Journal (4/1/2006)

About this Magazine:
Teen Voices provides adolescent girls with articles about current events, advice, healthy living, and writing opportunities. In the 2010 Fall/Winter edition of Teen Voices there are a variety of articles that discuss women in politics, advice columns, book reviews, healthy living (eating right and dieting responsibly), global issues regarding mistreatment of women, and the accomplishments of teen girls all over the country. Not only does this magazine provide intelligent articles, teens can actually write for the magazine since it offers a mentor program that helps teens not only develop their journalism skills, but provide them an outlet to speak their minds about issues they are passionate about.


Critical Evaluation:
In comparison to most magazines for teen girls, this particular title focuses on issues outside of the realms of beauty, gossip, fashion, etc. According to Teen Voice: "Teen Voices fills a huge media gap by offering readers down-to-earth stories, statistics, and resources. We challenge the status quo and change the status of girls and young women by presenting a view of girls that is more positive, more in depth, more diverse, and more supportive than mainstream images. Relatively little attention in today’s mainstream media is given to girls; males, for example, outnumber females roughly 3 to 1 in films" (para. 6). The editors of this magazine provide teens girls with an alternative approach to life that actually encourages girls to not only become involved with their communities, but teach them how to respect and care for themselves. This magazine not only provide articles that stimulate the mind, it also provides readers with books reviews and they can submit their works of art for the monthly arts column. Moreover, the featured articles are written by every day American teen girls who just want to make a difference.


Publisher Information:
Teen Voices was founded in 1988 by two women, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Their philosophy was to empower young girls to not only take charge of their lives, but become examples, and leaders, in their communities through journalism and art to create change. According to Teen Voices: "We help girls achieve personal and community transformation first by providing them with the tools needed to articulate what they know, want, need, and deserve.  Through the journalism mentor program, girls learn writing and editing skills, develop critical thinking, and understanding of social justice.  They present what they know and learn at speaking engagements and through the magazine" (para.2).



Genre:
Teen Magazines


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 10 & up



Awards & Recognition:

See this website.

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.