Kazumi Reads

Plot Summary:
A group of Miss Teen Dream contestants crash land on a remote island, the adults are dead, very little food, a handful of water bottles, no showers, and no room service. Unfortunately, out of the 50 states, only 13 states made it alive and all of them have very different viewpoints on life, pageants, and their own self-perception. In order to make it off the island, the girls elect a leader, Miss Texas, who is not only the epitome of beauty queen, but harbors some secrets and behaviors that will literally save them from the evil clutches of a notorious dictator, MoMo Cha Cha. Although the girls may not agree on everything, they put aside those differences and use those strengths to literally build a community with their "real" talents (other than baton twirling, singing, and dancing). More importantly, their time on the island is just what they needed to find the answers to the age old question: "Who Am I?" With the help of a government conspiracy, a group of pirates, and self-sufficiency, Beauty Queens is an adventure of a lifetime.

Critical Evaluation:
Libba Bray has not only managed to create a very real life situation, she has done it in a way that is funny, exciting, and absolutely brilliant. Clearly, Bray is clearly making a point that not only exposes the ridiculous obsession with reality television, she also makes a very poignant argument that what being a "Beauty Queen" is a lot of hard work that can literally oppress the wants and needs of the young girl being waxed and polished to perfection.  Amongst the group of contestants is a cast of characters that make this story memorable simply because they all have one thing in common, which is to be happy and loved. Readers will be laughing their ways through this story, which they will appreciate. Moreover, the statements that are presented regarding society's view on beauty and teen girls, may leave some thinking that being "beautiful" is more than it seems. Teens will definitely value the dissenter, the liar, the tranny, the deaf girl, the dunce, the wild girl, the Lesbian, and the girl with 3 nipples because they are real people with very real needs, hopes, and dreams. Just when reality television couldn't get any better, Beauty Queens will have readers turning off the television.

Information about the Author:
Libba Bray was born in Alabama had lived most of her life in Texas. As the daughter of a Presbyterian minister, which she says " Yes, I am one of those dreaded P.K.s–Preacher's Kids. Be afraid. Be very afraid. At the age of eighteen, Libbra was in accident that required thirteen surgeries and she lost her eye in the process. However, like any pirate, she went on to college and graduated. She eventually met her husband, Barry Goldblatt, who is also her literary agent, and fell madly in love with him and decided she was going to spend the rest of her life with him. However, according to her website, "My husband and I were in love but totally broke, so we eloped and got married in Italy, where he was going on a business trip. We had to pull a guy off the street to be our witness. It was incredibly romantic. Florence is still one of my favorite cities in the world." 

According to Bray, "I'm one of those people who has to write. If I don't write, I feel itchy and depressed and cranky. So everybody's glad when I write and stop complaining already." Luckily for us, her desire for writing not only created the the Gemma Doyle Trilogy (A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels, and Sweet Far Thing), but her novel, Going Bovine, won critical acclaim as well as the Michael L. Printz award for outstanding literature for young adults. Libra Bray has also stated that" [m]y favorite word is "redemption." I like both its meaning and the sound. My least favorite word is "maybe." "Maybe" is almost always a "no" drawn out in cruel fashion [an] [m]y three worst habits are overeating, self-doubt, and the frequent use of the "f" word."Beauty Queens is her latest novel and now resides in New York City with her husband and son.   

Genre:
Teen Adventure, Teen Humor, Teen Romance

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up


Books Similar to Beauty Queens:

• Lord of the Flies by William Golding
• Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Alexie Sherman

Awards & Recognition: 

• Starred Review in Booklist (5/15/11)
• Starred Review in School Library Journal (7/1/11)
  

Plot Summary:
In this story, democracy has been replaced by the "New Order" who believe that children are the downfall society; rebellion and individuality make children dangerous and they need to stopped. Whit and Wisty Allgood, two regular teenagers, are accused of being a witch and wizard, which, according to them, is completely false. However, Whit and Wisty had yet to discover their powers until the night they were pulled from their beds and taken away from the parents. After being taken to a mental hospital, which doubled as a prison with enchantments that prevented the siblings from using their powers, they discover not only the source of their power, but start honing in on their skills with the help of Whit's girlfriend, Celia, who takes them into the Shadowlands, where they meet up with a group of teens who have also managed to escape the New Order. Little do Whit and Wisty know, but they are the key to destroying the New Order and Jude Ezekiel Unger, the One Who Is The One, is desperate to stop them. 

Critical Evaluation:
James Patterson has done it again--he had created a YA series that is just as captivating as the Maximum Rider Series. Although this series is very reminiscent to Harry Potter, Patterson has managed to re-create that premise by appealing to an older audience who are looking at through different eyes; this story is actually told from the siblings points of views, which allows readers the opportunity to see who these two teens are and what makes them vital for this very dangerous task. The story is action packed so even the most reluctant reader will want to get in on this and there is a bit of romance for those who looking for a little reprieve from all of the upheaval, but the romance is short lived. This is an excellent fantasy and adventure, which will leave readers wishing for more!

Information about the Author:
According to his website,"In the past three years, James Patterson has sold more books than any other author (according to Bookscan), and in total, James's books have sold an estimated 220 million copies worldwide. Since 2006, one out of every seventeen hardcover fiction books sold was a Patterson title. He is the first author to have #1 new titles simultaneously on The New York Times adult and children's bestsellers lists and is the only author to have five new hardcover novels debut at #1 on the list in one year—a record-breaking feat he's accomplished every year since 2005" (para. 1). Born March 22, 1947, James Patterson has lived an exciting life starting with his collegiate years where he earned a BA from Manhattan College and an MA at Vanderbilt University. After retiring from Advertising, in 1985, Patterson became a full time write and his first series, Alex Cross, is not only a bestseller, but the springboard to his very successful career. Not only has he managed to dominate all of the book lists, he has taken his talent to the YA market and proved that he is a master storyteller. For those of you who have not read the Maximum Ride series get ready to be amazed.

Genre:
Teen Dystopian Thriller


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades  9 & up


Books Similar to Witch & Wizard:

• Angel Experiment (Maximum Ride Series) by James Patterson
• Truancy by Isamy Fukui
  

Awards & Recognition:

• Pacific Northwest Young Reader's Award Nominees: 2012
• Positive reviews from Booklist, Horn Book, School Library Journal, and V.O.Y.A.

Plot Summary:
In an alternate reality, seventeen-year-old Tak is trapped in a nightmare where school has not only become his worse nightmare, but could be the end of him...literally. The goal of this world is to turn teenagers into obedient adults who do not questions authority; if teens revel they are expelled from the school system where they will not be allowed to live amongst the rest of the citizens and are sentenced to a life of wandering. However, the Mayor and the educators (disciplinary committee) are fighting their biggest foe called "The Truancy." What is even more humiliating, and astounding, is that the Truancy is a group of rebellious teens who are not only brilliant, but organized, brutal, and fearless. Tak knew nothing about the Truancy until he meets Umasi who not only enlightens, but secretly trains him to become a formidable foe. However, when Tak loses someone he loves dearly to all of the senseless violence and does something he never thought he would ever be able to do.


Critical Evaluation:
What is amazing about this book is not the fact that this book was written by a fifteen-year-old high school, it is the originality of the story. Fukui's story is frightening because not only could this happen, it is a grim reflection on how society views young adults. Moreover, this story also conveys how education is necessary for survival, especially if students are threatened with exile.The characters in this story, contrary to what the adults of this world believe, are not only intelligent, but incredibly sophisticated and mature where they are able to recognize injustices. However, what Fukui does manage to maintain is the authenticity of the teen character where he, or she, not only struggles with decision-making, but with emotions as well; Tak is stuck between a "rock and a hard place" when he witnesses the tactics of the Truancy and deciphering what is best for the greater good. Teens will have a lot to think about as they dive into this chaotic world featuring the classic battle of adults vs. children.

Information about the Author:
According to his website, Isamu Fukui was born on February 6, 1980. When he was twelve-years-old, he decided that he was going to become a writer and, a few years later, "he won a National Gold Award in the Scholastic Art & Writing Competition. Two years after that, he decided to use his writing to channel his discontent as a student. The result was Truancy, a novel that cast the institution of school as the enemy" (para. 1). Fukui currently attends New York University and "Today the author remains a firm supporter of student empowerment, and has continued to write about what he believes in. He is not overly fond of special attention, and considers his life outside of writing to be perfectly ordinary. In his free time Fukui enjoys trolling the internet, playing videogames, and taking long naps on the nearest flat surface" (para. 1).

Genre:
Teen Dystopian Thriller


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up


Books Similar to Truancy:

• Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
• Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

 Awards & Recognition:

• Kliatt starred review: 2008
• ALA Popular Paperbacks: 2011
• Colorado: Blue Spruce Award Nominees: 2011

Plot Summary:
Alan Walker is a very special young man who's arm is a powerful source of power that can destroy demons, called Akuma; Akuma's are dead souls brought back to life by grieving loved ones that are trapped in vessels controlled by the Millenium Earl. In order to combat these demons, Alan becomes an exorcist for an organization called "the Black Order." However, the Earl has called upon the Noah family to destroy the generals since they are immune to Innocence.As the Noah's continue to slaughter generals left and right theya re unable to kille General Cross, who is Alan's mentor and a scoundrel. As part of the order, Alan is joined by his comrades (Lenna Lee, Lavi, Bookman,Aristar, and Kanda) who not only possess their own demon slaying abilities, but they all share one thing: friendship and tragedy. They may not all get along, but they are willing to sacrifice each other to make share the Millenium Earl does not steal any more souls.

Critical Evaluation:
Katsura Hoshino has created a world where evil roams freely praying on defenseless human beings and the art work is just stunning. Hoshino's characters are not only memorable, but their personalities vary, which makes them unique and lovable, especially since most of them happen to be teenagers. Alan Walker is just adorable beyond words; not only is he innocent, he wears his heart on his sleeve, which saddens the readers when they learn about the immense burden he carries. Lavi is the comedy relief of the story whose antics are just astonishing. Moreover, Aristar is a contradiction (he is a vampire that feeds off the blood of Akuma and he cries a lot). Kanda is the stereotypical bad boy, who not only makes fun of Alan, but has a soft spot deep within that hard exterior. Last, but not least, Leena Lee is the den mother who not only keeps all of the boys in check, but is also the only one who can keep her older brother under control since he has a massive sister complex. The plot is not only original, it is puts a spin on the battle between heaven and hell, which makes it intoxicating and hard to put down.

Information about the Author:
Katsura Hoshino was born April 21, 1980. As a manga artist, she has written three manga series and currently lives in the Shiga Prefecture. As the the youngest fraternal twin, she wrote her first manga at the age of twenty-one and she had not made any public appearances until 2008, which left a lot of critics and fans guessing if she was a guy or a girl. However, that same year, all of the questions, regarding her gender, were put to rest when she attended the Animagic convention in Germany as the guest of honor. Unfortunately, due to health problems, the series has been on hiatus several times so readers have been waiting anxiously for new installments.

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up 

Books Similar to D. Gray Man:

• Code Geass by Goro Taniguichi and Majiko
• Bleach by Tite Kubo
• Shaman King by Hiroyuki Take

Awards & Recognition:

• 2006: French Grand Prix Award organized by Animeland  
• 2006: Webotaku's prize for Manga of the Year 2006
• 2006: Prize for Best Manga Series 2006 
• 2006, the second installment was the third bestselling novel in Japan
• 2007-2008: Weekly Shōnen Jump's ninth bestselling manga in Japan
• 2008: The fifteenth volume ranked twenty-second and the fourteenth and sixteenth volumes placed at twenty-seventh and thirtieth respectively

Plot Summary:
Shakespeare Shapiro has endured years of his humiliation starting with his name. His parents are crazy, they drink too much, and are in denial about a lot of things. For Shakespeare, not only is younger brother, Gandhi, cooler than he is, Shakespeare has yet to go on a date with a girl, let alone try to kiss her and than have sex with her. While writing his final project (his memoir), Shakespeare is finally coming to terms with his crush on Celeste and actually works up the nerve to ask her out. Just when everything seemed to be great, reality sets in ans Shakespeare starts to realize that people are not exactly what they seem. While balancing his relationships with his two best friends, who keep "hooking up," Shakespeare's world is turned upside down when people start to notice him; moreover, he starts connecting with Charlotte and learns that his life isn't that crazy, nor is is that bad.

Critical Evaluation:
This book is beyond amazing. Not only is it hysterical, it is thought-provoking and intelligent. Not only do readers get inside the mind of an awkward teenager, this point of view will analyze a variety of problems that adults tend to forget or acknowledge. As an adult, this story took me all the way back to high school where my existence wasn't about working full-time, paying rent, and wanting to start a family...it was about figuring about what college I wanted to go to, what I was doing with my friends that weekend, and if I actually fit in with anyone. Not only is this story cathartic for some teens, it is also an inspirational story where the hero finally learns that it is okay to be who he is. Identity is a huge issue amongst teenagers and, our narrator, is a prime example of a lost teen. However, he embraced his qualities, including his name, and decided to focus on his talents and, in the end, it was his abilities that helped him succeed.

Information about the Author:
According to Random House, his publisher,  Jake Weizner said that :" [...] Shakespeare Shapiro had a lot to say, not just about his name, but also about his crazy parents, his maddeningly popular younger brother, his social ineptitude, and the overall catastrophe of his life. Much of what he said was depraved, disturbing, and utterly distasteful; but it was also really funny to me. And I guess it was funny to other people, too, because Spanking Shakespeare is set to hit the bookstores on September 25, 2007" (para. 2).  Jake Wizner, luckily, was not born on Hitler's birthday; in fact, he was actually born on Freud's birthday, which makes total sense when it came to creating Shakespeare Shapiro. Wentz states, in his personal biography, that his "parents wanted to name me Max, but my grandfather, a Holocaust refugee, strenuously objected, saying the name sounded too German.  My original birth certificate read Baby Boy Wizner" (para. 1). Jake Wentz spent the first ten years of his life living in a college dormitory since his mother was the dean of the college. Not only did he spend his early year outwitting adults twice his age, he explored the school, and had a terrible sleepwalking habit (there we a few times drunk college students would take him back to his dormitory). When it came time to go to college, Wentz attended Wesleyan University and took an English class that would change his life forever; when he turned in his first paper he was extremely proud of his B- and his classmate got an A (turns out this classmate happened to be the famous Lemony Snicket). After college, he moved to New Orleans where he became the "Phantom Bard" as he chronicled his life as a public school teacher in the Teach for America newsletter. Wentz currently works as a middle school teacher, in New York City, with his wife and children. 


Genre:
Teen Lit for Guys, Teen Humor

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to Spanking Shakespeare:

• King Dork by Frank Portman
• Destroy All Cars by Blake Nelson
  

Awards & Recognition:

• Publisher's Weekly Starred Review 9/27/2007

Plot Summary:
The Bennett family is unlike the other families in Hertfordshire. Mr. Bennet is a gentlemen, and a incredibly accomplished zombie killer. After sending his girls to a Shaolin Temple to learn marital arts, and combat, Mrs. Bennett decides that it is time for them to get married, especially Jane and Elizabeth. Jane is quiet, and shy, which comes off as indifferent; however, her sister, Elizabeth is a force to be reckoned. When Mr. Bingley moves into Netherfield, he finds himself instantly attracted to Jane. When Mr. Bingely is invited to a ball, he brings Mr. Darcy, an incredibly rich and handsome man, who wants nothing to do with country folk--until he meets Elizabeth. Elizabeth thinks Darcy is too proud, ungentlemanly, and arrogant, but when she is acquainted with  Mr. Wickham, the whole mystery behind Darcy's persona is revealed. Furthermore, as Elizabeth gets to know Darcy, and his family, she realizes nothing is what it seems, especially her own opinions, which seem prejudicial at some times. As the story unravels, the Bennett's and the Darcy's show they are true equals in the art of Zombie slaying.

Critical Evaluation:
By taking a classic novel, like Pride and Prejudice, and intertwining it with a Zombie Apocalypse is sheer genius. In this version of the beloved tale, not only are the personal strengths of each character heightened, readers will be excited to read what's next. Elizabeth Bennett is a a very independent, willful, rational, and strong girl who, given knives and sword, is the complete opposite of what a "Lady" should be. In these times, women were expected to obedient, educated, talented, and take care of the house. Elizabeth has these qualities, but her purpose is to protect those she loves from the "unmentionables" (aka. zombies) rather than site idly. Moreover, if Elizabeth is going to marry, she will do it on her terms and her terms alone. Darcy, is sexy as ever in this story, is actually a lot more intimidating because not only is his presence powerful, but arm him with all weapons and women will just melt. However, when he isn't slaying, he has this vulnerability when it comes to Elizabeth that makes him that much more endearing.

Information about the Authors:Jane Austen was born on December 17, 1775 in Steventon, Hampshire England. She was the second-youngest of eight children. While she was growing up, society was incredibly rigid where is was divided into the rich and the poor, and, since her father was part of the Parish, he was neither. In other words, Austen's family was in the middle class. When she was old enough, she insisted on going to boarding school with her oldest sister, Cassandra, which, unfortunately, was frowned upon because educating women would be harmful to their health--both Cassandra and Jane contracted Typhus and had to return home. According to Jamie Aronson (2006): "Rev. Austen did not adhere to such beliefs. He tutored Jane and Cassandra at home and opened his extensive library to them, giving them unrestricted access to his entire collection. Jane became an avid reader, enjoying all the current works of the day"(p.1).

While being educated by her father, at home, she started writing her own stories, which later on inspired her future works: "Between 1787 and 1793, Austen wrote several satirical short novels that parodied the unrealistic way that women were portrayed in sentimental novels" (Aronson,2006, pg.1). Unwilling to accept female representation in "sentimental" novels, Austen's works shifted immensely as she matured, which would create a new literary movement entitled "Domestic Realism." Moreover, in 1797, "while recovering from her broken engagement, Austen wrote the first draft of her second epistolary novel, "First Impressions." The novel deals with a heroine who struggles with her prejudice against a proud, wealthy man who is deeply in love with her. She must overcome her prejudice to be truly happy with him, while he must humble himself to be with her. Once again, Austen's characters are very complex and realistic, and the action takes place mostly within the domestic realm" (Aronson, 2006, p.1). 

Seth Grahame-Smith was born on January 4, 1976. Not only is he an accomplished author, he is co-creator, head writer and executive producer of The Hard Times of RJ Berger. Although there is not a whole lot about his personal life: he was born in New York and grew up in Connecticut where he graudated from Emerson College. He currently lives in Los Angeles, California, with his family. Despite the lack or a personal biography, he has one impressive resume. As the writer of The Big Book of Porn: A Penetrating Look at the World of Dirty Movies his debut novel, he also wrote: The Spider-Man Handbook: The Ultimate Training, How to Survive a Horror Movie: All the Skills to Dodge the Kills, and  Pardon My President: Fold-and-Mail Apologies for 8 Years.  Grahame-Smith wrote Pride and Prejudice and Zombies after getting the idea from his editor. According to an article on Wikipedia:

Rekulak suggested that Grahame-Smith mix a zombie plot into the public domain novel, effectively creating one of the first literary mash-ups. Enamored with the idea, Grahame-Smith immediately began working on the novel, first by reading Pride and Prejudice and then by meticulously plotting out where to insert the zombie elements, a process he has described as similar to microsurgery. Though Quirk Books was initially reluctant to publish the book in fear of alienating Austen’s fans, the novel went to press in 2009, with modest sales expectations. In the weeks prior to the release, however, the book’s popularity swelled dramatically as the cover and title of the novel circulated the internet. Anticipation for the book grew so rapidly that in its first week of release, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies surged to #3 on the New York Times Best Seller list. Since that time, the novel has sold over a million copies and been translated into over 20 languages." (para. 4).

Genre:
Teen Graphic Novels


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Graphic Novels Similar to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies:

• Pride and Prejudice (Marvel Classic) by Nancy Butler
• Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks
  

Awards & Recognition:
Positive Reviews from:

• Library Journal: 2010
• Publisher's Weekly: 2010
  

Plot Summary:
In this graphic novel are three very different stories. The first story about the Monkey King and his journey to become an equal with the rest of the gods. The second story is about Jin who is trying really hard to be like everyone else, especially when it comes to a certain girl. The last story is about Danny who is beyond embarrassed of his cousin, Chin Kee, who happens to the worst Asian stereotype known to American culture. All three of these stories carry very different themes, but they prove that no matter who you are, what you look like, how you talk, and what you do with yourself does not determine one's worth and happiness. Moreover, all of these characters, believe is or not, are all related and teens will come to terms with this discovery.

Critical Evaluation:
Gene Luen Yang is not only the first graphic novelist to win the Michael L. Printz award, but he has made a significant contribution to the world of graphic novels by earning the first National Book Award nomination for graphic novels. American Born Chinese is an intelligent, funny story that chronicles the lives of three characters who are searching for ways to change who they are in order to be noticed. The Monkey King, who wasn't allowed to attend a dinner party with the gods, does everything he can to prove that he isn't a smelly monkey, but a force to be reckoned with. Jing Wang just wants to be seen as any other teenager, but is tired of being made fun off because his best friend is an F.O.B.. Lastly, Danny is completely embarrassed of his cousin Chin Kee from China. Clearly, all of these characters are ashamed of who they are; however, no matter how hard they try to change who they are they come to realize that they are actually very special just the way they are. Yang has not only paved the way for future Asian Americans writers, but has provided readers with a story that they can relate to even if they aren't Asian Americans.


Information about the Author:
Gene Luen Yang started publishing comic books under the name of Humble Comics in 1996 and, a year later, he earned the Xeric foundation. Luen Yang has written a total of nine graphic novels and comics that are suitable for reader sof all ages. According to his website: "American Born Chinese, released by First Second Books in 2006, became the first graphic novel to be nominated for a National Book Award and the first to win the American Library Association’s Printz Award. It also won an Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album – New. The Eternal Smile, a collaborative project I did with Derek Kirk Kim in 2009, won an Eisner as well. And I just received word that my 2010 graphic novella Prime Baby has been nominated for an Eisner! Now, Thien Pham and I look forward to the release of our new graphic novel Level Up in June 2011" (para. 1).  When not working on his graphic novels and comics, he is a computer science teacher at a Catholic high school.

Genre:
Teen Graphic Novels

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to American Born Chinese:

• Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
• Does My Head Look Big in This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah

Awards & Recognition:

• Best Fiction for Young Adults: 2007
• Booklist Editor's Choice: 2006
• Kentucky: Bluegrass Award Nominees: 2008
• Michael L. Printz Award: 2007
• National Book Award Nominee: 2006
• SLJ Best Books for Children: 2006

 Plot Summary:Nick and Alan Ryves have been on the run for as long as they can remember. After the death of their father, and their mother stricken with madness, they have had to move, a lot, in order to escape from a man responsible for their misfortune named Black Arthur. When their home is attacked by a flock of crazy ravens, who happen to be possessed by a demon, under the control of the magician, the boys know that Black Arthur knows where the are. Later that night, two of their classmates sneak up on them and ask for advice; Jamie, the brother of Mae, has been marked by a demon, and in the process, Alan is marked as while trying to save them from the mist. Nick will not let Alan succumb to the demon and, thus, they head for London looking for the next Goblin Market to try an erase the mark. Little do they know, this is only just the beginning of a much larger set of problems.


Critical Evaluation:
Sarah Rees Brennan is a brilliant writer. Not only does she hook her readers, immediately, but she keeps them begging for more. In the Demon's Lexicon, is a start of an amazing journey where two brother must put aside their "normalcy" in order to survive. At the core of their problems is the fact they are being chased by their mother's (Olivia) ex-lover who bestowed an amulet of great power. Unfortunately, this man, Black Arthur, drove Nick's mother mad just after she had met his father because of the amulet. In many respects, Nick blames his mother for the death of their father and the fact they cannot live simple lives (there is a lot of animosity). However, Alan is the glue that holds this broken family together since he had to step into their father's shoes. Not only is the adventure awesome, but the vulnerability of each of these characters is easy to relate to and incredibly moving.

Information about the Author:
Born and raised in Ireland, Sarah Rees Brennan spent much of her youth reading books by Jane Austen, Robin McKinley, and Diane Wynn Jones rather than learning the Irish language (not Gaelic). According to her website: "[[a]fter college she lived briefly in New York and somehow survived in spite of her habit of hitching lifts in fire engines. She began working on The Demon’s Lexicon while doing a Creative Writing MA and library work in Surrey, England" (para. 2). After writing Demon's Lexicon, she returned to Ireland where she will continue to write about her future endeavors.

Genre:
Teen Fantasy


Reading Level/Interest:Grades 9 & up


Books Similar to Demon's Lexicon:

• Sabriel by Garth Nix
• City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Awards & Recognition:
Positive reviews from the following review sources:

• Booklist
• Horn Book
• Kirkus
• School Library Journal
• V.O.Y.A.

Plot Summary:
 Nailer is a ship breaker who scavenges ships that have run a ground and collects copper wiring, or anything valuable,  to be sold. His life is not easy since, especially since he has to go through tight spots, which are incredibly dangerous. Nailer belongs to a crew that swear blood oaths that each member will "have each other's backs" whatever the situatioin is. One day, after a big city killer (hurricane), Nailer and Pima see a clipper ship stranded by "the teeth" and find the biggest scavenge they have ever seen and think they have found their lucky strike. However, as the explore the ship, they find a swank (a rich girl), named Nita, alive and Nailer decides to save her rather than let her die. Little does he know, this girl is not just any swank, but Nailer's one way ticket out of Hell. Although it sounds like a good idea, Nailer has to escape the clutches of his doped up father, half men, and the world's strongest ship known as the "Pole Star."

Critical Evaluation:
In this distant future, the world has been destroyed by mother nature. Oil has run out, hurricanes run rampant, and the people are forced to live in the remains of the disaster. The only people who are able to overcome the disasters are those with money, which leave everyone else destitute; poverty is so bad that it has driven people to sell their blood and woman sell their eggs for genetic engineering purposes where human DNA is mixed with animal DNA. Whatever the case, humanity has turned into a Darwinian state where life is no longer seen as precious. Bacigalupi has created a world that is not only our worst nightmare, but has brought "Hell on Earth" to life. However, the hope for humanity lies in the heart of Nailer who not only saves Nita (the Swank), but forces himself to put his own needs aside for the greater good. What readers will learn in this story is no matter how bad things get, there is always hope at the end.

Information about the Author:
Paolo Bacigalupi is not only a well-known science fiction author, he has taken a new direction in his career by writing books for teens. According to the author bio, on his website, "His debut novel THE WINDUP GIRL was named by TIME Magazine as one of the ten best novels of 2009, and also won the Hugo, Nebula, Locus, Compton Crook, and John W. Campbell Memorial Awards. His short story collection PUMP SIX AND OTHER STORIES was a 2008 Locus Award winner for Best Collection and also named a Best Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly" (para. 2).  Not only is well known for his science fiction novels, but his short stories have are also critically acclaimed: "Paolo Bacigalupi’s writing has appeared in High Country News, Salon.com, The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, and Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine. His short fiction been anthologized in various “Year’s Best” collections of short science fiction and fantasy, nominated for two Nebula Awards and four Hugo Awards, and won the Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award for best sf short story of the year" (para. 1). Unfortunately, there is not a lot of personal information avilable at Paolo, but he currently lives in Colorado with his wife and son.

Genre:
Teen Dystopian Thriller


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up


Books Similar to Ship Breaker:

• Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick
  

Awards & Recognition:

• ALA Notable Children's Books: 2011
• Best Fiction for Young Adults: 2011
• Best Fiction for Young Adults Top Ten: 2011
• Michael L. Printz Award: 2011
• National Book Award Finalist: 201o

Plot Summary:
Rose sees, and lives, in black. After losing her best friend, she believes she will never fit in or make friends. Not only has her world turned upside down, she lives in a neighborhood where the Soviets and the Americans are incredibly suspicious of one another. According to Rose, the Cold War hasn't ended in the Bronx, especially when one can notice who is a KGB agent and who is CIA. However, one night, Yrena, her Soviet neighbor knocks on her window and invites herself in. Little does Rose know, that in just one night Yrena would become her best friends for life despite their political differences. In fact, they are both accomplished dancers who have two very different point of views about their talent. As Rose, Yrena, Maurice, Calisto, Caitlin, and Caleb come together to show their Russian friend what Americans do they learn that she will be returning to the Soviet Union in a matter of days.

Critical Evaluation:
Rose Sees Red is a touching tale of two young women who became the best of friends in one night. Castellucci provides readers with an intelligent story that not only breaks down the silliness of political ideology, but provides us with an amazing example of what being human is all about. In this story, six teenagers put aside their political affiliations and enjoy each other by sharing their passions, opinions, and cultures. This story is set in a tumultuous time where neighbors could not even trust one another because they feared the consequences from the government. Readers will definitely feel the power of love and kinship between these characters as they roam the New York City showing Yrena the wonders it holds. Moreover, readers will walk away with an important lesson about people and that no matter who we are, where we come from, or what/who we believe in, we all shed the same blood and and want to live freely and in in peace.

Information about the Author:
Cecil Castellucci has one heck of an impressive CV. Not only does she write young adult novels, she writes graphic novels, children's short stories, librettos for famous operas, a scholar, a fellow, a performer, an actor, a playwright, and the occasional singer. In other words, she is a "Jill of Many Trades." According to her website, Cecil: " was the recent recipient of a Macdowell Fellowship where she completed a new novel The Year of the Beasts due out in 2012." Along with her writing achievements, she also spends a lot of time sharing, and practicing, her craft as well adventuring out into other art forms:

"[Cecil] has participated in the Lincoln Center Directors Lab West and the Banff Centre for the Arts “Writing with Style” program and had both writing and directing assistantships at the Taper. Cecil was a founding member of the Alpha 60 film club. Alpha 60 was a club dedicated to discovering narrative voice and encouraging creative endeavors in film. Other activities included field producer on MTV’s Big Urban Myth Show and Director of Recreating Radio at the Museum of Television and Radio (now known as the Paley Center). In 2006 she wrote and directed her first feature film “Happy Is Not Hard To Be.”  It debuted in Los Angeles at the Alternative Screen series at the Egyptian Theatre" (para. 8).

Among all these activities, she runs a literary series in Los Angeles at Skylight Books called "The Lit Thing."

Genre:
Teen Historical Fiction


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up


Books Similar to Rose Sees Red:

• Dash and Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn
  

Awards & Recognition:

• Positive reviews from VOYA, School Library Journal, Kirkus, Booklist, and Publisher's Weekly

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: