Kazumi Reads

Plot Summary:
Life for Ethan Wate is dismal. As the only "educated" person in Gatlin County (a tiny community in North Carolina), Ethan has very little in common with his classmates. Ethan is planning on leaving Gatlin the moment he graduates, but all the changes when Lena moves to town. As the niece of the resident weirdo, the students don't know what to think of her. Although she is a beautiful girl, most of Ethan's friends stay far away from her because of her family relations. Moreover, Lena is actually smart, talented, and powerful. For the last few months, Ethan has been haunted by nightmares where he is trying to save a girl with long black hair and green eyes. Ethan is convinced that this is the girl he is going to fall in love with, but he doesn't know her except for the way she smells: lemons and lavender. When he finally gets the courage to talk to Lena, he makes a shocking discovery: could this new girl in his dream? After a series of unfortunate events (i.e., a brutal thunderstorm, classroom windows shatter, etc.), Lena is starting to learn that there is something powerful growing within her and, for some strange reason, it is at its full capacity when she is with Ethan. However, Lena is about to turn sixteen years old and unlike the mortal sweet sixteen, she is bound to have a rather unsettling bitter sixteenth birthday where everything, and everyone, could disappear from her life forever. For Ethan, this is not an option and he willingly embarks on an adventure that could kill him.  

Critical Evaluation:
I have to say that I did not expect this story to be so darn good! I will admit that I was a little leery reading this story because of the Twilight-esque premise, but this is a very original story with a strong background and set of characters. Told through the eyes of a guy named Ethan, readers not only get to hear his own thoughts, fears, hopes, and dreams, he is able to capture Lena's character as well. Although these two characters are very different (one is mortal, the other not of this world), they share a set of traits that make their companionship very endearing. I seriously love the fact that they both love to read. Contrary to what most think about teenage jocks, most of them are actually very down to earth and, in this case, Ethan has bigger goals in his life other than winning the state championship. However, Ethan has something that sets him apart from the rest of the citizens of Gatlin--he was raised by two brilliant adults who refused to raise him with a small town mentality. This story is set in a tiny town in South Carolina where they refuse to admit any fault, or guilt, about the Civil War.  Moreover, this town is also very resistant to change where anyone, or any idea, that challenges the status quo is instantly rejected. In many respects, like Lena, Ethan is very different from his classmates because of his upbringing and education (via his brilliant mother), which is what brings them together. I will also admit that I LOVED the fact that the Civil War story arc is the driving factor in the outcome of this story; the Civil War, in itself, is a piece of history, packed full of mystery and secrets that not only add to the drama of Lena's story, but enshrouds readers with a sense of amazement and fear.  Once readers start this book, they will not be able to stop. I can't wait for the next installment.


Information about the Author:
According to their website, Kami Garcia has an MA in education and taught in Washington, D.C. before moving to Los Angeles:

Kami grew up outside of Washington DC, wore lots of black, and spent hours writing poetry in her journals. She has always been fascinated by the paranormal and believes in lots of things “normal” people don’t. She’s very superstitious and would never sleep in a room with the number “13” on the door. When she is not writing, Kami can usually be found watching disaster movies, listening to Soundgarden, or drinking Diet Coke.

She was an artist and actually led fantasy book groups for children and teens. She is now a full-time author and is married with two children and two dogs

Margaret Stohl,  the co-writer of Beautiful Creatures, is actually a gaming goddess. After working with Activision (Activision Blizzard) and Westwood studios (Electronic Arts), she and her husband founded seven studios that eventually landed her a nomination as Most Innovative Game Design at the Game Developers Conference. Stohl earned her BA at Amherst College, where she won the Knox Prize for English Literature, and she earned her MA at Stanford University. She also has a doctorate in American Studies at Yale University. Stohl was also a teaching assistant in Romantic Poetry at Stanford and Film Studies at Yale. Amongst her scholastic accolades, she also attended a creative writing program at University of East Anglia and was mentored renewed Scottish poet, George MacBeth. Stohl absolutely loves to travel with her daughters and lives in Santa Monica, California with her husband, children, and beagles. Stohl is the author of forthcoming novel, Icons, due out in Spring 2013.

Genre:
Teen Supernatural Romance

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to Beautiful Creatures:

• Hush Hush by Rebecca Fitzpatrick
• The Space Between by Brenna Yovanoff
  

Awards & Recognition:

• William C. Morris YA Debut Award finalist (2010)
• NYPL Book for the Teen Age (2010)
• YALSA Teens' Yop Ten Pick (2010)

Plot Summary:
According to the town of Corrigan, Jasper Jones is no good. In fact, the town is so convinced that Jasper is nothing but a liar and a thief, parents inform their children to never speak or socialize with Jasper because he is a bad influence. However, for Charlie, he knows for a fact that Jasper Jones is not what the town makes him out to be. In the middle of the night, Jasper comes to Charlie's home asking for his help. Although Charlie is not sure what is going on, he reluctantly agrees to follow Jasper into the Bush. What Charlie witnesses that night, will not only haunt him, forever, but will force him into an impossible situation. On the other hand, the situation presents itself with a unique opportunity. Like Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, Charlie agrees to help Jasper uncover the mystery of what happened that night and to prevent a possible false imprisonment of Jasper Jones. Charlie has Jasper's fate in the palm of his hand, just like Atticus Finch had Tom Robinson's fate in his hands; however, the enemy is not just the town or the police, but Mad Jack (the most notorious man in town) as well. In this story, Charlie is not only re-living the story of his favorite story, To Kill a Mockingbird, he has to get to the bottom to this horrific mystery before an innocent boy is condemned for a crime he didn't commit.

Critical Evaluation:
Jasper Jones is an incredibly cleaver story about two teens from very different backgrounds. Not only do they come from different worlds, they are brought together by a force that is beyond their control. Although Charlie is nothing like Jasper, they both share a mutual admiration about each other; Jasper is a down-to-earth and honest person and Charlie is smart and a good person. Granted they don't know each other very well, the death of their classmate drives them to work together, which is based on unwavering trust of one another. Although the story shares a few similarities to Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, Silvey has created a tale that is very original and an excellent tribute to the classic story. Honestly, the moment I opened this book, I could not put it down! Silvey immediately takes the reader into the heart of the story and, like Charlie, gives them a sort of baptism by fire where the injustices and the reality of this world are thrown at them without any warning.  Set during the Vietnam War, the backwardness of this town is revealed through the racial tensions towards anyone who isn't Australian;  the treatment of Charlie's best friend, Jeffrey, and Jasper convey this behavior perfectly.  In fact, race is a huge underlying factor as to why things in Corrigan aren't right at all, which also parallels the world of Scout Finch. Moreover, the very idea of things go awry immediately sends the citizens pointing fingers rather than admitting there is a serious problem; people prefer to live int their own worlds without noticing that the real world is changing. Although this story took place more than thirty years ago, it's literally heart wrenching to know that this kind of behavior still exists in our world despite the advances that have been made to make the world a better place. This is a great book to utilize in a dialogue with teens in regards to injustice and prejudice. This book is very meaty so it is not a quick read, but exhilarating none the less. Reader may have trouble with the Australian lingo, but they can get passed it easily. I highly recommend that everyone, teens or adult, should read this book.

Information about the Author:
According to his website, Craig Silvey was born and raised in Australia in 1982. He grew up in Dwellingup on an orchard and currently lives in Fremantle. His first novel, Rhubarb, earned him the title of "Best Young Novelist" in the Sydney Times and was selected by the Perth International Arts Festival as the inaugural book in the the "One Book" series. Silvey also wrote a children's book called The World According to Warren, which is based on one of his characters in Ruhbarb, which earned him a place in the Australian national "Books Alive" campaign. Jasper Jones is his second novel and he is also a singer/songwriter for the indie band The Nancy Sikes.

Genre:
Teen Mystery

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to Jasper Jones:

• Blank Confession by Pete Hautman
• Paper Covers Rock by Jenny Hubbard
  

Awards & Recognition:

• Starred Review Kirkus review (3/11/2011) 
• Starred Review Bulletin of Center of Children's Books (4/1/2011)
• Starred Review Horn Book Magazine (5/1/2011)
• Starred Review School Library Journal (6/1/2011)

Plot Summary:
Shayne Blank just moved into town and no one knows who is he and where he comes from. For Mikey, Shayne is a complete mystery, but very likable. After a run in with the resident drug dealer, Jon, Mikey needs to repay Jon for tossing his marijuana stash when the drug dogs came to school. The thing is: Mikey doesn't do drugs, nor does he like them; Jon just happens to be his sister's new boyfriend, which makes things that more complicated and the stash had a street value of $500. When Mikey meets Shayne for the first time, it was a little awkward, but the more he got to know Shayne, the more he started to like him. When Mikey ended up spilling his guts about the marijuana debacle, Shayne does something Mikey never expected...Shayne offered to help him. Although none of this is Mikey's fault, he is afraid to do anything because Jon isn't the type to mess with because those who do end up getting hurt real bad. However, Shayne is actually a force to be reckoned with, especially when he confronts Jon. Unlike most teenagers, Shane is quite mature and prefers to deal with problems diplomatically. Unfortunately, Jon is not one for diplomacy and the more Shayne gets involves, the more complicated this story becomes. In many aspects, Mikey isn't sure what to do with Shayne because if he is around, he knows he safe, but, when he is gone, things get even more screwed up. Just when things couldn't get any worse, the relationship between Jon and Mikey's sister is becoming more and more volatile and it leaves Mikey feeling helpless. Who is Shayne and why does he care so much? What really happened that day on the roof?

Critical Evaluation:
Pete Hautman has done it again! I was totally unable to put this book down because I had to know if Shayne really murdered someone! Hautman has such an amazing ability to convey real issues that are not only relevant to teens today, but how the effects of these behaviors have on everyone around them. In this particular story, the issues of drug use, and abuse, domestic violence, and lack of self-esteem are what Mikey is struggling with. Although Mikey doesn't do drugs, his only sister is wrapped up in this world because of Jon, which is not only painful for Mikey to see, but foretells a rather scary future for Mikey's. Mikey is also familiar domestic violence since his father is a recovering alcoholic who beat physically beat his mother and psychologically abused his sister. Now that he is sober, Mikey's father is too ashamed of his past, which paralyzes him when trouble occurs. As for Shayne, well, readers are not quite sure of his past until the end of the story, but, given the extent of his stories, he comes from a long line of protectors. The relationship between these two characters is different where Shayne seems to take on an unspoken fatherly/older brother role who is set on protecting Mikey and his sister. For Mikey, he isn't looking for a protector, but a friend and this leaves him somewhat confused. Shayne is an absolute mystery, but, in many respects, we admire and feel sorry for him. Ever since Shayne stepped foot in town, the lives of Mikey and Detective Rawls have forever changed; by knowing Shayne, they have learned to find the strength and the courage to stand up for what they believe in.

Information about the Author:
According to his website, Pete Hautman was born in 1952 in Berkely, Califronia. When he was six years old, he and his family moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. After spending seven years at two different colleges (Minneapolis College of Art and Design and University of Minneapolis), he ended up "knowing a little bit about nearly everything, and a great deal about absolutely nothing." Hautman has done a little bit of everything: sign painter, graphic artist, marketing executive, painter cap salesman, pineapple slicer, and much, much more! Sadly, none of these professions worked out for him so he decided to become a novelist and wrote his first book, Drawing Dead, in 1991. Thirteen years later, Hautman wrote Godless, which won the National Book Award for Young People's Literature.
  
Genre:
Teen Suspense, Teen Contemporary Fiction

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 8 & up

Books Similar to Blank Confession:

• Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey
• Paper Covers Rock by Jennie Hubbard

Awards & Recognition:

• Publisher's Weekly Starred Review (11/5/2010)
  

Plot Summary:
241 years ago, the Builders created Ember for its inhabitants to live and thrive underground. Before the people of Ember came to live in this dwelling, the Builders projected that the people will live in Ember for at least 220 years. Despite their assurance that the City of Ember will survive, they have left instructions for future leaders that will provide guidelines in case Ember is unable to sustain life. Decade after decade, these instructions (encased in a time locked box) where passed to the newest incumbent. However, when the seventh mayor came into office, he took the box hoping it would contain the cure to his health problems; however, before he could return the box, he died and the box was lost. It is now year 241 and Ember is experiencing significant problems. Ember is dependent on the generator and river that produces the electricity for every light in the City; when the lights flicker, or go out, the people are covered in darkness. For Lina Mayfleet, this darkness scares her. After graduating from school, Lina is now working as a messenger. After losing her parents to a great sickness, Lina is in charge, and is the sole supporter, of her little sister, Poppy, and her absent-minded grandmother. After a few days on the job, Lina is noticing that Ember is not functioning properly. In fact, her classmate, Doon, knows this to be a fact because, unlike his classmates, he wants to work in the Pipeworks factory, which is located deep into the Earth. As the black outs become more frequent, the people start to panic and they have lost total faith in the Mayor and the government. For Lina, she has been able to keep her feelings hidden deep inside until her grandmother starts tearing apart the house for an item that was lost long ago.One night, Lina finds that Poppy is chewing on a piece of paper that contains a partial message with unique handwriting. As Lina grabs the mutilated paper, she notices that they are instructions and she sees the box that it came in.  After enlisting the help of several acquaintances to decipher the message, the only one who can help her is Doon and, unfortunately, they are not on speaking terms because of an incident long ago. Could these instructions, and Doon, be the way out of Ember?

Critical Evaluation:
Jeanne DuPrau has created a world that is unlike any other world we know. Long ago, people were sent underground to build a civilization that has no history of its past. Although readers don't know why the people have gone underground, they can clearly tell that something awful must have occurred on the surface. However, what is strange about this world is that the authorities, or The Builders, have decided to keep silent about the fact that Ember has an expiration date. Like most governments, Ember has a lot of secrets, which is not only unsettling, but makes readers wonder why they haven't gone the extra lengths to ensure Ember's success; moreover, the Builders left the instructions to Ember's survival on a fragile piece of paper, stashed away into a time locked box. This introduction exists only on three pages so readers are well aware that something awful is going to happen, which is going to keep them reading, hoping for an answer. Through the eyes of Lina and Doon, we not only see the disparity between the government and the people, we see how run down and ragged the world is. Without the lights, Ember is encased in darkness that not only strikes fear into the populace, but it reminds them that time maybe running out. However, Lina and Doon's courage is what gives us, the readers, hope that things could change because of their determination to find the answers to the unsolved riddle, which could lead to their survival. City of Ember is the first installment of an amazing adventure and readers will be clamoring for the next chapters of Lina and Doon's journey.

Information about the Author:
According to her website, Jeanne DuPrau was born in San Francisco in 1944. She is a native Californian and attended Scripps College in Claremont, California where she earned her BA in English Literature. She then lived in New York foe some time, but returned to California. She has had several occupation including: teaching, technical writing, editing, etc. According to DuPrau:

I didn't really set out to “be a writer.” I just wrote. Reading and writing have always been my favorite things, though for a while I wanted to be a writer and an illustrator. I still have my very first book, which I wrote when I was about five years old. It's called Frosty the Snowman, has six pages, and is illustrated with red and green crayon. Outside my work life, I've been an ice skater, a bird watcher, a mediator, a house builder, a gardener, a piano player, and a gourmet vegetarian cook.

Jeanne currently has five books in print: The City of Ember, The People of Sparks, The Prophet of Yonwood, The Diamond of Darkhold, and Car Trouble.

Genre:
Tween Fantasy

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 4-6


Books Similar to City of Ember:

• Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins
• Among the Hidden by Margaret Haddix
• The Giver by Lois Lowry
  

Awards & Recognition:

• Kirkus Review Starred Review (5/13/2003)
• Publisher's Weekly Starred Review (3/10/2003)

Plot Summary:
After losing his best friend, and aunt, Charlie escapes into a dark place to deal with those loss of the two people he loved very much. After a hospital stay, and countless therapy sessions, Charlie emerged from the darkness and is thrust into high school that leaves him scared and unsure. However, to his relief, he meets Patrick and Sam (a brother and sister duo) who not only accept Charlie, but becomes his mentors. Although Patrick and Sam are older, Charlie receives a crash course in relationships. First of all, Patrick is gay and is in a secret relationship with Brad who is struggling with his own sexuality and happens to be on the football team. Sam, according to Charlie, is the most beautiful girl he has ever seen, is with a college guy named Craig. In many ways, Sam and Patrick fill a void in Charlie's life since his brother is away at college and his sister is preoccupied with her boyfriend(s), which leads to a devastating predicament that Charlies' family members are very used to. However, when Charlie starts dating Mary Elizabeth, he can't stop thinking about Sam, which confuses and irritates him to where he makes a very bad decision. Despite being surrounded by a world of dysfunction, and complication, Charlie starts to realize how bad he wants to be loved and to love someone in return. In this story of growing up, Charlie does whatever he can to stay steady despite a few detours and quite a bit of back tracking including a stage production of Rocky Horror Picture Show, a bad LSD trip, and falling in love.

Critical Evaluation:
In this story, told in a series of letters, Charlie tells us about his experiences and secrets that not only convey the hardships of adolescence, but how difficult this struggle is for someone like Charlie. Clearly, the reader will identify that Charlie suffers from Depression, which stems from his friend's suicide and his aunt's untimely death. In many ways, Charlie feels responsible for these deaths and has a hard time letting go, which is difficult for anyone to experience. As an adult, I remember how sensitive I was as a teenager, which is only part of the process of puberty, but is indicative that teens are starting to realize that nothing in life is forever, which becomes Charlie's mission in life: to find the infinite. Despite the fact that every worse case scenario occurs in this story, readers will realize that teens like Charlie exist, which not only send us a pretty wicked reality check, but force us to appreciate what we have in life.

In many cases, Charlies' relationships with his friends are his saving grace since he feels he cannot confide in his parents because of their awful pasts that are stained with abuse. Furthermore, he starts to notice that the past has come back to haunt them when his own sister ends up with an abusive boyfriend and his brother is trying very hard to escape his reality. With Patrick and Sam, not only did they accept him in an instance, they didn't run away or reprimand him he would break down and cry. Through Patrick and Sam, Charlie meets a variety of characters that not influence his life, but provide guidelines as to how life and human relationships work. Readers, older and young, will have no problem identifying with the problems Charlie faces, which not only expose the ridiculousness of adolescence, but provide a funny, poignant, and heart breaking reflection on how adults often forget the beauty of being young and reckless. I will admit the ending left me heartbroken, I did not give hope that Charlie will be all right.


Information about the Author:
According to his publisher's website, Stephen Chbosky was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from University of Southern California with a degree in film writing. Chbosky went on to to create his first film, The Four Corners of Nowhere, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and actually won the Best Narrative Feature at the Chicago Underground Film Festival. Along with his first film, Chbosky wrote:

 the screenplay for the critically acclaimed film adaptation of Rent; and co-created and served as executive producer of the post-apocalyptic drama, Jericho, which found a place in television history when its cancellation prompted fans to send over 40,000 pounds of nuts to the network in protest. He edited and contributed material to John Leguizamo’s Broadway show, Sexaholix; he also edited Pieces, a collection of short stories for Pocket Books.

Stephen Chbosky is currently working on a film adaption of The Perks of Being a Wallflower starring Emma Watson and Logan Lerman.

Genre:
Teen Contemporary Fiction, Teen Romance

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to The Perks of Being a Wallflower:

• Thirteens Reasons Why by Jay Asher
• Looking for Alaska by John Green
• It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
  

Awards & Recognition:

• Starred Review School Library Journal (06/01/1999)

 

Teen Yoga and Smoothies
with Brad Smith, 
certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor 


Thursday, April 26
3 p.m.
Reese Hall


Stretch out your shakras and open your mind with a deep
and relaxing workout. Also, reward your hard work with
a delicious smoothie! If you have a mat, be sure to bring it and wear comfortable clothes.

Register at the Teen Reference Desk. Space is limited.


Waiver required for teens 17 & younger.

 

Plot Summary:
Min has decided to return all of the mementos and memories to her ex-boyfriend Ed. Along with these items, she has written a letter, telling Ed, exactly why they are breaking up. Although her best friend Ed and Lauren, don't understand why she has to put the time, or effort, into returning everything to Ed, they support and comfort her through the process. In her letter, Min explains why she has to return everything from the bottle caps, movie tickets, a cookbook, and a poster to show him that he never, ever considered her feelings and interests. Throughout this story, Min does not pull out the stops in this letter and tells him exactly why they broke up and how she made the mistake of not doing it sooner.

Critical Evaluation:
In this tale of heartache, a girl not only explains the faults in her relationship, but offers a real portrait of herself. Although this story was written by a man, Daniel Handler provides readers with an honest representation of a person falling in love and having their heart broken. Since Min is not the average teenage girl, her obsession with old time films and lack of filter, pose a challenge for the stereotypical teenage boy that is Ed. Clearly, when readers learn how different these two characters are, it's predictable that this relationship won't work. However, both Ed and Min provide readers with a type of hope that "opposites attract" when they allow each other to become vulnerable with one another. In fact, when they admit that they love each other, readers have the right to hope that it will work between them. However, when reality sets in, and Min learns about Annette, her world comes tumbling down and the pain of betrayal strikes every part of her being, which resonates with every reader. When we found the real reason as to why they broke up, readers will be crushed, but, like Min, we will get over it and move on with out lives. The point of this story is that we will all love and lose, but we always have the future and hope that we will find the other half of soul.


Information about the Author:
According to Barclay Agency, Daniel Handler was born and raised in San Francisco, CA. After graduating from Wesleyan University, he founded the magazine, American Chickens, with his future wife, Lisa Brown. After moving to New York City, he wrote, and sold his first novel, and worked as a film and book critic. Again, he returned, with his wife, to San Francisco where he now currently lives. Handler has worked in film and music, an accomplished accordian player, and well known Children's, Young Adult, and Adult novelist.  Why We Broke has earned him the 2012 Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in Young Adult Literature.

Genre:
Teen Contemporary Fiction, Teen Romance

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to Why We Broke Up:

•  The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
•  Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Awards & Recognition:

•  2012 Michael L. Printz Honor Winner
• Booklist Starred Review (11/1/11)
• School Library Journal Starred Review (11/1/11)
• Kirkus Starred Review (11/15/11)
• Bulletin for the Center of  Children's Books (11/15/11)
• Horn Book Magazine Starred Review (1/1/12)

Plot Summary:
Miles Halter starts his first year at Culver Creek, Alabama, an elite boarding school, to pursue the "Great Perhaps" that he has been longing to fulfill. After meeting his roommate, Chip (aka. The Colonel), he meets a girl names Alaska Young. Although she is gorgeous, smart, and sassy, she bares a cross that can only be seen by those who are close to her. Along with Alaska, Miles (aka. Pudge) meets Takumi, the only Japanese person he has ever seen in Birmingham, Alabama. Since Miles is awkward, "gawky," and not use to having friends, this group of misfits creates a bond that no one could ever break. While trying to excel in his studies, his new friends are about to turn his boring and safe life completely upside down. The Colonel and Alaska are masters of pranks so when they are not reading classical literature, they are planning their revenge against the "Weekday Warriors" (the ultra rich students who can go home on the weekends). Unfortunately, Miles is initiated into Culver Creek by being abducted, duck taped, and thrown into the river. Despite his "brush with death," Pudge learns about an incident that fueled the fire between the misfits and the preps. Although Colonel and Alaska are brilliant, they tend to defy the system, which could lead them to disaster where Pudge slowly starts to realize that these amazing people are not who they seem. Unfortunately, a tragic accident shakes their worlds and kick starts a search for the "Great Perhaps" that Pudge has been looking for.

Critical Evaluation:
Honestly, I forgot how incredibly awesome this book is until I re-read it. Not only are these characters complex, their very talents and failures are what create this memorable tale of adolescence. First of all, it has, and never will be, easy to be a teenager. For Alaska, her life has been based upon an accident that has sent her fearing failure. Moreover, the pain she clings to not only cripples her, but it also provides her with a daring and infallible attitude. For Colonel, not having a father, and being poor, has pushed hiumself to not only excel in school, but forces him to do what is necessary to preserve his true identity by overcoming his poverty by keeping the rich in check. As for Takumi, of all characters, he is the antithesis of what others see; he is a sarcastic, rule-breaking, and a rapper who does what he wants and when he wants. As for the main character, Miles, he is the one character who changes the most. Known for building walls, he allows himself to take everything around him and let loose for once. As an adult, reading this, I sometimes lost sight of the fact that these teenagers are teenagers; based on their behaviors, and experiences, it seems like these teens seem older than they are. For example, there is no constant authority figure (other than "The Eagle"), they smoke, have sex, they cuss, have intense, often inappropriate, conversations, break the rules knowing they could get expelled, involved in compromising situations, and determined to succeed like any person my own age. However, the more that I read, the more I realized that despite their brains,whit, and experiences, they are still children who seek love, the need to fit in, and, ultimately, forgiveness. The ending of this story was hysterical, but, at the same time, redeeming and quite satisfying.

Information about the Author:
Again, check out his website, and become a Nerdfighter today!
http://johngreenbooks.com/bio-contact/

Genre:
Teen Contemporary Fiction, Teen Lit for Guys

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 10 & up

Books Similar to Looking For Alaska:

• The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobsky
• Realm of the Possibility by David Leviathan
  

Awards & Recognition:

• Michael L. Printz Winner (2006)
• LA Times Book Prize Finalist (2005)
• ALA Best Book for Young Adults (2005)
• School Library Journal Best Book of The Year (2005)
• BookList Book Editor's Choice (2005)

Plot Summary:
Lily Arkansas is a small town where everyone aspires to leave the moment they turn eighteen years old. However, somehow, someway, those who swore they would never return always find their way back. For Cullen Witter, Lily has very little to offer him other than adding to his cynical point of view about life and people. Luckily, Cullen has a younger brother, Gabriel, not only keeps his cynicism in check, but provides him comfort and happiness even if he doesn't want to to be feel happy. However, Cullen's life has taken a tragic turn when their cousin, Oslo, dies of an overdose and Gabriel goes missing. What was supposed to be another year, turns into ten years where Cullen must press on despite the loss of his brother. With the help of his best friend, Lucas, and the town of Lily, they set out on a search, which is later bypassed when the sudden reappearance the once extinct Lazarus Woodpecker. Told in various point of views, this story intertwines the lives of four young men who are not only trying to meet the expectations of their families and peers, but find out, exactly, what their purpose on this earth is.

Critical Evaluation:
In this riveting and complex story, Whaley takes readers on an unexpected adventure where a variety of deep topics are discussed and dissected. One topic, which was totally out of left field, is the Book of Enoch. For those who are not familiar with Apocrypha, or apocryphal texts, will read about the Book of Enoch, which can only be found in the Ethiopian Orthodox Bible. With the story of Benton, which ends up relating to Cullen and Gabriel, is his quest to determine if God loves unconditionally or he fears us ( i.e., The Left Hand of Gabriel, the Nephilim, and the Flood). Although readers won't quite see the similarities between Cullen and Benton, off the bat, they will eventually learn that their connection to Gabriel (the Archangel and Cullen's brother) who will determine their fates. Along with this component, Whaley integrates the usual teenager issues such as love, sex, anger, inadequacy, and angst, but does it in a way that makes all of us realize that we, as humans, have a reason to feel the way we do. For Cullen, being unable to cry over the death of his cousin, and dealing with the disappearance of his brother, convey how utterly confused and lost he is. For Benton and Cabot, the shared obsession with the "What If" will drive them to do things they never thought they would ever do. Although the ending will shock the heck out of readers, this is a gripping novel that both teens and adults will want to talk about.


Information about the Author:
According to his website, he grew up in a small town in Louisiana. He received a B.A. from Louisiana Tech University and an M.A. in Secondary Education. As a child, Whaley wrote stories about aliens and underwater civilizations, which later evolved to realistic fictions that might have a zombie character or two. He is a teacher and full-time writer who enjoys traveling, music, and movies. When asked about his first novel, Where Things Come Back, Whaley says:

What the novel is really about is a teenage boy who just so happens to have been raised in a place he absolutely hates with a town full of people he’d rather not know . [...] When the town he despises is flooded with strangers who are desperately searching for a lost species of woodpecker, Cullen’s world, which he barely understands in the first place, reaches its pinnacle of madness.  And Cullen is supposed to decide what to do with the rest of his life under these ridiculous circumstances? Now throw in a recently deceased cousin and a close younger brother whose sudden disappearance submerges Cullen and his family’s life into utter chaos.  With this novel, I set out to not only write a story about the possibility of second chances, but also about the people who crave them the most.

 Genre:
Teen Contemporary Fiction

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 10 & up

Books Similar to Where Things Come Back:

•  Lucas by Kevin Brooks
• Big Mouth and Ugly Girl by Joyce Carol Oates

Awards & Recognition:

• 2012 Michael L. Printz Award Winner
• 2012 William C. Morris Debut Award
  

Plot Summary:
For Jack Holloway, Zara XXIII, or Zarathustra, is home sweet home. As an independent surveyor for the ZaraCorps, he spends his time mining, and exploiting, planets for precious minerals and materials. The thing about Jack is that he is a very selfish and self-serving man who sold out his ex-girlfriend to protect his reputation. Despite these unflattering characteristics, Jack stick to himself and does his job well with the help of his canine buddy, Carl, who knows how to detonate explosives. One day, while excavating, Jack and Carl end up blowing up part of a mountain to discover that this planet is rich in Sunstone, which means that Jack is now a millionaire. However, all of this changes when a cat-like creature breaks into his home. Known as the "Fuzzies," Papa, Mama, Grandpa, Pinto, and Baby not only take over his home, but they steal his heart. Although Jack sees these creatures as intelligent animals, they more he gets to know them, the more he realizes that his early retirement is in trouble--if these creatures are not intelligent animals, they are evidence of a species of sentient beings, which are protected by the Colonial Authority, which can shut down ZaraCorps plans to mine the planet. With the help of his Isabel, his former flame, he slowly starts to learn that these creatures can do bring down ZaraCorps, which results in a series of events, and trouble, that even Jack Holloway can escape.

Critical Evaluation:
Based on H. Beam Piper's "Little Fuzzy," Scalzi revitalizes the story for the reader's of today. Since I am new to Science Fiction, I did have a hard time digesting all of the Sci-Fi aspects where a lot of dialogue is dedicated to explaining the gadgets, history, and culture of this generation. However, in any story where the future is unknown, these elements are necessary in order for the reader to envision what this world is like and what the characters are facing. Once I realized that this is pretty much the foundation of the genre, I continued reading this story and fell head over heels in love with the "Fuzzy Family." Although Jack Holloway is the typical "bad boy" who only looks out for himself, the Fuzzy Family has an unlikely impact on him, which actually forces him to re-evaluate his entire character. However, the real stars of this novel are the Fuzzies because it is through their presence that molds and shapes the story. Along with the Fuzzies, the dialogue is hysterical; in fact, since Jack is supposed to be a middle-aged grump, Scalzi has re-vamped the character to sound more like a cynical young person who needs a real kick in the pants. Scalzi's rendition focuses on serious issues such as ethics and what it really means to be "human" that actually pose lots of questions for readers to grapple with, which, along with the humor, is what makes this story an excellent read.

Information about the Author:
According to his blog, John Scalzi was born on May 10, 1969 in Fairfield, California. Growing up he lived in the San Gabriel Valley in a town called Claremont. He attended school in Claremont and attended University of Chicago. After graduating college, he came back to California and worked at the Fresno Bee as a movie critic where he met his wife, Kristine. In 1996, he left Fresno to work for America Online and eventually went on to become a freelance writer. After the birth of his daughter, in 1998, he started writing nonfiction and his first title was published in 2000. He now currently lives in Ohio where he published his first novel, Old Man's War, which earned him the Hugo Award.

Genre:
Science Fiction



Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 11 & up

Books Similar to Fuzzy Nation:

• Little Fuzzy by H. Beam Piper
• I am Number 4 by Pittiacus Lore

Awards & Recognition:

• Publisher's Weekly Starred Review (3/21/2011)
• Kirkus Starred Review (5/1/2011)
  

Plot Summary:
When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, the President of the United States issued Executive Order 9066 stating that all person of Japanese Ancestry were to relocate to interment camps. In other words, Japanese Americans, along with their families, had less than three days to gather their belongings and take of their affairs before the government shipped them off to the unknown. For seven-year-old Jeanne Wakatsuki, she and her family were uprooted from the home in Long Beach and sent to live in ghettos and barracks for being Japanese. In this tale, Wakatsuki tells us about her experience in Manzanar, an internment camp, where she and her family had to start all over again in the barren desert, knowing that they have done nothing wrong. More importantly, Wakatsuki enlightens readers with accounts of daily life in the camp, the conditions they had to endure, the shame and anger that hung in the air, family dynamics, violence within the camp, and the sheer injustice of having their civil rights stripped.
 

Critical Evaluation:
In this riveting biography, readers will experience life during on the darkest times in American History. Not only were American citizens unlawfully imprisoned, this story shows the power of the human spirit during war time. Unfortunately, the Japanese Internment has yet to be fully covered in every curriculum across the country, this book is extremely important. As a young person, Jeanne Wakatsuki uncovers very heavy issues that most tween and teens will not experience, but provide readers with legitimate answers to difficult questions such as: "What does it mean to be an American" and "How could something like this happen?" Young people, today, are fortunate enough to live in an age where prejudice and fear, although they still does exist, cannot, whatsoever, strip them of their constitutional rights as American citizens. Although this happened almost 70 years ago, it still is an issue that activists and lawmakers will never, ever forget. As the granddaughter of an internee, I cannot express how angry this made me. When my grandmother would tell me her story, I was taken aback about the lack of anger that was in her tone. Ultimately, like Jeanne Wakatsuki, she and my family had no choice but to endure because it is not in our nature to just give up. The Japanese Americans are an extraordinarily group of people who don't roll over and die; they resumed their daily lives behind the barbed wire, which will impress readers and convey that even in the worst of times, there is always hope. This is a touching story and one that we should never, ever forget.   

Information about the Author:
Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston was born on September 26, 1964 in Ingelwood California. She was the youngest of nine children. She and her family were evacuated from their Long Beach home in 1942 and were interned at the Manzanar Relocation Camp. According to a Wikipedia article:

Several years after leaving the camp in 1945, Jeanne went to San Jose St. College where she studied sociology and journalism. She met her husband James, there and they married in 1957. Jeanne later decided to tell her story about the time she spent in Manzanar in Farewell to Manzanar, co-authored with her husband, James D. Houston in 1972. Ten years later, in 1967, Jeanne gave birth to twins, Joshua and Gabriel. A third child was born years later. In an effort to educate Californians about the experiences of Japanese Americans who were imprisoned during World War II, the book and the movie were distributed in 2002 as a part of kit to approximately 8,500 public elementary and secondary schools and 1,500 public libraries in California.

Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston continues to write and speak about the Japanese American experience at Manzanar and Asian American issues.

Genre:
American History

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 7 & up

Books Similar to Farewell to Manzanar:

• Dear Miss Breed:true stories of the Japanese American incarceration during World War II and a librarian who made a difference by Joann Oppenheim
• Weedflower by Cynthia Kadohata
  

Awards & Recognition:
 "A poignant memoir from a Japanese American. . . . Told without bitterness, her story reflects the triumph of the human spirit during an extraordinary episode in American history." ~ Library Journal

"[Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston] describes vividly the life in the camp and the humiliations suffered by the detainees... A sober and moving personal account." ~Publishers Weekly

Plot Summary:
After the loss of her father, Jill has not only shut everyone out her life, she feels that she nothing, or no one, can ever make her feel alive and happy. For Mandy, being pregnant was the last thing she had ever wanted, including the grief that her mother gives her and the fact that she could easily mess up the life of her unborn child just like mother. In order to provide her child with a home, Mandy contacts Jill's mother who decides that after losing her husband, she wanted to adopt a child. Unfortunately, Jill sees this differently and believes that her mother is trying to replace her father. Moreover, Jill was much closer to her dad so the new baby would be replacing her because she graduates in a year since she is not a "mommy's little girl." When Jill and Mandy meet, for the first time, they don't know really what to expect; for Mandy, she just wants what's best for her baby and Jill doesn't want her mother get hurt by adopting a child from a stranger who maybe using them for their money and a place to live. Although Jill won't take a chance on Mandy, it's Mandy who eventually shows Jill just how scared and brave a person can be when happiness is at stake. In this emotional story, two teens must retreat from their old habits and open their hearts to find the love they are looking for and, ultimately, for themselves.

Critical Evaluation:
In this tale of loss and redemption, two teen girls are forced to deal with their issues. Ever since the death of her father, Jill has not allowed herself to grieve; instead, she had chased away her friends, her boyfriend, and taken it out on her mother. For Mandy, no one, not even her mother, have been there for her or provide her with guidance and words of encouragement. In essence, the two girls are complete opposites where one would trade the loss of her father than live with her mother. This story tackles very sensitive issues that not only affect adults, but are extremely difficult for teenagers to deal with on their own. Sara Zarr gives readers the opportunity to look at this situation from Jill and Mandy's point of view, which evoke empathy, patience, and understanding. More importantly, this story revolves around the central theme that love comes in all forms and anyone can have as long as they want it. For me, I had a hard time with Jill because she has everything in the world and yet she she refuses to live. As for Mandy, all I could see is a lost child who is having a child. The more I read, the more I learned that these characters are much more complex, especially when they would contradict themselves.   Given the nature of this story, a happy ending seems like a long shot, but, luckily, the ending will definitely surprise the reader.

Information about the Author:
According to her website, Sara Zarr currently lives with her husband in Salt Lake City, Utah. Along with writing YA novels, she also contributes articles regarding faith, God, and culture. According to a Wikipedia article, Zarr based her debut novel, About a Girl, on the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart  and Once Was Lost revolves around faith, identity, and home. She has written four teen novels and is working on her fifth entitled The Lucy Variations. 

Genre:
Teen Contemporary Fiction

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 10& up

Books Similar to Save a Life:

• The First Part Last by Angela Johnson
• Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen
  

Awards & Recognition:

• Publisher's Weekly Starred Review (10/24/2011)
• Booklist Starred Review (11/01/2011)
• Kirkus Starred Review (11/01/2011)
• VOYA Starred Review (12/01/2011)
  

Do you ever wonder what it takes to be a super sleuth? Come and have a cup of tea and watch Detective Sherlock Holmes and his stalwart partner Watson engage in a battle of wits and brawn with a nemesis whose plot is a threat to all of England. Rated PG-13

Thursday,
March 22nd
3 p.m.
Reese Hall

No reservations required.

Celebrate 2012 Geek out @ Your Library Teen Tech Week by gaming through time with the original Nintendo NES, Nintendo 64, and the Nintendo Wii.

Thursday, March 8
3-5 p.m.
Reese Hall

Refreshments will be provided so get ready to geek out!

No reservations required!

Plot Summary:
Nine years ago, Ethan was abducted by two men in a black car. He was only seven years old and his little brother, Blake, saw Ethan jump into the car. Nine years have passed and Ethan has no memory of his real family except for the pictures that he feels attached to. After finding his family, Ethan must take back what is his and resume of life of normalcy. However, the house, the people, the memories are nothing but blank canvases? Why can't he remember the fun times he had with his parents? How can he explain to his brother why he jumped into that car? Although the family seemed to have moved forward with life (Ethan has a little sister now), when they got the call that he had been found, everything turned upside down. What is even harder is that his "BFF" happens to be hottest girl he has ever seen, yet he can't remember here. Despite the awkwardness of reacquainting himself with his loved ones, but the person who is hit the hardest is not Ethan, but his brother, Blake. Why couldn't he accept the fact that his big brother has been found? Why does Ethan feel that something is missing?

Critical Evaluation:
Honestly, I could not put this book down. Lisa McMann delivered an incredibly suspenseful and heartbreaking tale of a boy who was kidnapped as a child. Not only is this story a quick read, it will appeal to those who want to read about issues such as child abduction and its effects on those who were traumatized. Ethan's character is so complex and his experiences are so heartbreaking that one would be more than happy to see him with his family again. However, what most people don't take into account, is that the person who was kidnapped has to find a way to transition themselves back to normalcy and even relate to their own family. Moreover, with a child as young as Ethan was, readers will learn the effects of Stockholm Syndrome, especially when he admits that he does not like bad-mouthing the woman who abducted him. The psychological war that is going on in Ethan's head is very real including the way Blake treats him; it was hard to see Ethan's brother treat him like a complete stranger and, eventually, a complete fake. The bond between Ethan and Gracie is just precious. Gracie was born after Ethan's disappearance so his sudden appearance is just as tough on Gracie as it is Ethan. Although the ending leaves the reader hanging, it leaves room for a possible sequel that will explain what happened to Ethan when he ran away. This is an incredibly moving tale about family dynamics.

Information about the Author:
Lisa McMann was born on February 24 in Holland, Michigan and eventually moved to Arizona with family in 2004. She had two brothers and sisters who have given many nieces and nephews. According to her website:

The first summer we lived here, we totally tried frying an egg on the sidewalk. Basically, it made a mess. We try to go on vacation during the summer to get out of Phoenix, and I usually do a conference or two if it’s in a nice-weather city in order to escape the heat. In the fall, winter and spring, the weather here suits me just fine. I like to cook, swim, read, and hang out with my husband and kids. I also love watching reality TV shows, even the sappy ones that make me cry, and I’m not afraid to admit it.

Genre:
Teen Suspense, Teen Contemporary Fiction

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to Dead to Me:

• Stolen by Lucy Christopher
• Dead Girls Don't Write Letter by Gail Giles
  

Awards & Recognition:

" McMann's narrative is layered and emotional, with constant questions about family dynamics, identity and reconciliation. While an amnesia-based plot risks a quick foray into formula, this resists, balancing the fractured nature of Ethan's recollections nicely with the character's development. The sibling rivalry builds secondary tension and suspense."

"McMann's gripping new novel...will leave readers burning for closure long after its chilling ending.... [Her] succinct first-person narrative skillfully carries the authenticity of a teenage boy, his fractured memory and reintegration into a family who expects much from him, despite his scarring childhood. Her exploration of an abductee psyche is both illuminating and unsettling and is realistically portrayed... With a disturbing and raw ending, "Dead to You "is unforgettable." --Adam Silvera, Books of Wonder
"--Kirkus Reviews"

Plot Summary:
Hazel Grace is a survivor. Diagnosed with Stage IV Thyroid Cancer, her life should have been over last year. However, she proved the doctors wrong by making a miraculous recovery. However, the treatments and the cancer have left her lungs filled with tiny tumors that need to be eradicated with medicine, but leaves Hazel permanently dependent to on oxygen tank named Philip. What should have been the typical life of a teenager, Hazel is light years ahead of peers except that she doesn't have a lot of friends and prefers to spend her time alone. In order to get her out of the house, her mother forces her to attend a support group at the local church, which she finds utterly depressing and boring until Gus came around. In fact, Hazel never thought a gorgeous boy would show up to this group, nor did she count on the fact that he actually thought she was beautiful. Confused, and unsure why this perfectly normal guy would want to be with her, she learns that he too is a cancer survivor and he has a prosthetic leg. Although this fact does not change anything, Hazel is forced to tear down the walls she has put between herself and live the life that she has been given even if for a little while longer.
 
Critical Evaluation:
John Green ceases to amaze me. Not only is he able to tackle all kinds of issues teens face, he is able to do it in a way that one forgets that this novel was written by an adult. Those who have cancer survivors in their family, or are one, will definitely be touched and moved by the relationship between Gus and Hazel. Although we tend to think teenagers are unable to fully understand the circumstances of life, Green conveys that teens are a lot more smarter, and mature, than most of adults when faced with adversity. Not only do these teens take their sickness seriously, they are actually able to poke fun at it and use it to their advantage to prove that sick kids are not so willingly able to give up on life. I will warn readers that tears will be shed, but along with the sadness, there is this renewed sense of hope that when we lose someone, they are never really gone. On a personal note, my aunt, who passed away almost ten years ago, was diagnosed with a brain tumor and underwent chemo (which was completely experimental at the time) that destroyed her lungs. She, like Hazel, could not be without her oxygen, but, even on the worst days, she did everything she could to fight her illness. Although the human body is fragile, the soul and spirit are much stronger; Hazel and Gus know that mourning will does not fill feel the empty space in our hearts, but living keeping the memories alive will help us get thought those days and on with our lives. Beautiful, beautiful story.    

Information about the Author:
Honestly, I am just gonna leave the link to the author's website only because it so cool! Check this link out:
http://johngreenbooks.com/bio-contact/

Genre:
Teen Contemporary Fiction

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar The Fault in Our Stars:

• It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini 
• Stoner & Spaz by Ron Koertge
  

Awards & Recognition:

• Starred Review Booklist (1/1/2012)
• Starred Review Kirkus (1/15/2012)
• Starred Review Publisher Weekly (1/16/2012)
• Starred Review School Library Journal (2/1/2012)
  

Plot Summary:
Meggie loves books. In fact, not only does she love books, she cannot sleep, eat, or breathe without them. Thanks to her father, Mo, and his profession (he is a bookbinder), Meggie passes her time with books. However, she isn't like most twelve-year-old girls. Meggie lost her mother when she was three-years-old and it's been her and Mo ever since. What's even more unusual is that she and Mo are constantly moving so her idea of home is the van parked outside of their temporary homestead. What was supposed to be another lazy evening, Meggie spots a man lurking outside their "home" in the rain. When she tells her father, he goes to meet this man, who turns out to be an old acquaintance of Mo's. Although Meggie does not like the idea of a stranger visiting them so late, she overhears that this man is not just a stranger, but someone from past who carries many secrets and a warning that Capricorn is after a specific book that Mo has. Unlike most collectors, Capricorn is evil and dangerous who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. What Meggie doesn't know is that her mother's disappearance, the stranger's warning, and Capricorn's threats are all related to a single book that her father refuses to hand over, which leads to an adventure that can only be found in the books that Meggie loves.

Critical Evaluation:
Inkheart is one of the most detailed, thorough, and and epic tween novel I have ever read. In many respects, readers have to have the patience to digest the background story before the adventure really begins. I will admit that my interest was waning because there would be moments of story-->action-->story. Although I wasn't sure what to expect, I kept on reading and I am so glad I did! The characters in this story are utterly amazing, in the fact, they all have stories and personalities of their own. My favorite character in this story is Elinor because not only did she grow, as a person, she changed immensely, which gives readers hope that she will be more loving, courageous, and determined. Moreover, her transformation proves that even the most stubborn character can change, including the villains. Lastly, another aspect of this story, is the ending of this book prepares the readers for an adventure that leaves them craving the next installment. This feeling is important to motivate the reader to keep reading, which is essential for any series.

Information about the Author:
Cornelia Funke was born in 1958 in Westphalia, German. According to Scholastic Publishers:

Following a post-graduate course in book illustration at the Hamburg State College of Design, Cornelia Funke worked as a designer and illustrator of children’s books. But disappointment in the way some of the stories were told, combined with her desire to draw fantastic creatures and magical worlds rather than the familiar situations of school and home, inspired her to write her own stories.

 Cornelia Funke is a huge fan of J.R.R. Tolkies, J.M. Barrie, and C.S. Lewis; she loves a good fantasy and she clearly has good taste. Before becoming an author, Funke worked as a social worker where her experience, during that time, provided her with ideas for future works:

When I finished the school I wanted to change the world and I though the best way would be to become a social worker. I worked for three years on an adventure playground in Hamburg and I’ll never forget the children I met there. Many of them came from very difficult backgrounds and dysfunctional families, but I respected them so much for their courage and their compassion for one another. I saw them care for their siblings, where their parents didn’t care at all. I saw them laugh although life didn’t give them much to laugh about. They taught me so much that I still owe them.

Genre:
Tween Fantasy

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 5-7
 

Books Similar to Inkheart:

• The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
• Fablehaven by Brandon Mull and Brandon Dorman

Awards & Recognition:

• Starred Review Kirkus (9/15/2003)
• Starred Review Publisher's Weekly (7/21/2003)