Kazumi Reads

Plot Summary:
It's been five year's since Cassie's mother disappeared and no no leads have brought her hope. Cassie and her mother were always on the go because her mother was a self-proclaimed psychic, but, in reality, she taught Cassie everything she needed to know about profiling so reading people is like a sixth sense. One day, while on the road, Cassie returned to her mother's dressing room only to find blood everywhere and her mother had vanished.  It's been five years since that day and Cassie's mother's body has yet to be found and Cassie is still unable to fit in with her father's family except for Nonna. Cassie and her father don't have the same relationship that most girls have with their fathers (her father is in the military and has rarely been around). However, after her mothers disappearance, Cassie is whisked away to her grandmother's home and the family has taken her in so she rarely has to go without. However, something inside Cassie is missing and she misses her mother so Cassie closes herself off to everyone and then Michael walked into her world with a business card that will change her life forever. Michael, like Lia and Dean, is part of an FBI experiment where teens with exceptional abilities (i.e., teens who can read emotions, decipher if a person is lying, a statistician, and the ability to read people) are trained, and evaluated, to use their skills to assist agents with cold cases. Although Cassie thinks she might be able to investigate her mother's case, her handler (Agent Briggs) assures her that there is no new evidence and that her "gift" should be used to help others. Along with Cassie's story, there are sections entitled "You," which contain thoughts and evaluations about different crime scenes that tell a very chilling tale of things to come? Cassie and company may be "Naturals," but do they have the what it takes to track down and capture a real killer before someone gets hurt?

Critical Evaluation:
WOW! This book is amazing! It really is Criminal Minds for teens and I loved it! There is so much that can be discussed here (especially when it comes to the criminology and such), but I want to focus on the story and the characters. It is very obvious that the author has done her research because all of the characters display a variety of talents that are very useful in deducing crimes that require more than the average detective work; these characters are analyzing and solving crimes by some of the most notorious, and evil, people who have committed some exceptionally heinous crimes. Despite the gory details, it's refreshing to see these young people overcome and struggle with the work at hand. As a reader, I think it's important to see that even the most brilliant FBI agent is still human who knows what it's like to feel anger, sadness, and/or vulnerability. Cassie, for example, is not the average teenager who came from a good family. In fact, we find out some disturbing things about her mother's family that shed light on why Cassie was always guarding herself because never knew nothing about her mother's family (or her father) since he barely had the opportunity to be the parent he probably wanted to be. Nevertheless, Cassie has always depended on herself and it troubles her to accept help from Nonna, her aunts, and her uncles. Houghton they may be pushy, Cassie does have people who love her, which is something Michael is always lacking; hence, not allowing Cassie to profile him. For Dean, knowing his father's history, he is constantly struggling with himself because  he fears he will become him. As for Lia, she is a mystery all together because she comes of cool and confident, but there is a side of that refuses to let anyone in.  As for Sloane, she is the type of girl who clearly doesn't have the social skills of most teenage girls. When hyped on caffeine, she turns into a human super computer, which is helpful when necessary. When she isn't crunching numbers, she is kind of a loaner who struggles with relating to others, but, the Naturals project has given her the opportunity to become part of a team, which is a kind of family unit, giving her people to talk to and rely on (the same can be said for Cassie). All of these teens have amazing gifts, but they have paid a serious price for it, which is incredibly unfair because being a teenager is already difficult and they didn't ask for these gifts either. However, these teens managed to keep it together because they realized that they work better as one than against each other. A gripping read and I am definitely sensing a sequel!

Information about the Author:
According to her website:

Jennifer Lynn Barnes (who mostly goes by Jen) was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She has been, in turn, a competitive cheerleader, a volleyball player, a dancer, a debutante, a primate cognition researcher, a teen model, a comic book geek, and a lemur aficionado. She's been writing for as long as she can remember, finished her first full book (which she now refers to as a "practice book" and which none of you will ever see) when she was still in high school, and then wrote Golden the summer after her freshman year in college, when she was nineteen.

Jen graduated high school in 2002, and from Yale University with a degree in cognitive science (the study of the brain and thought) in May of 2006. She was awarded a Fulbright to do post-graduate work at Cambridge, and then returned to the states, where she is hard at work on her PhD.

Genre:
Teen Mystery, Teen Suspense, Teen Horror


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up


Books Similar to The Naturals:

• Paper Valentine by Breanna Yovanoff
• I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

Awards & Recognition:

• Positive reviews from School Library Journal
• Positive review from Booklist
• 2014 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults

From Amazon.com

'A page-turning thrill ride that will keep you guessing right until the very end' Ally Carter, author of the bestselling Gallagher Girls series

Plot Summary:
Quentin has been in love with Margo ever since she stumbled into his bedroom window dressed in black as if she were a ninja. Although Margo is in another social class (popular), he never stopped admiring her, which only escalates when she stumbled into his room, again, many years later. Margo is a free spirit, but also a force to be reckoned with. When Margo's boyfriend is caught cheating, Margo not only makes her boyfriend and backstabbing friend existence a living nightmare, she takes Quentin on a journey of revenge like none other. In fact, this adventure not only involved illegal breaking and entering, it also included a night time jaunt to the city's biggest skyscraper and Sea World. Quentin did not realize the courage and the audacity that makes Margo who she is and that not only makes her much more attractive, but a mystery.  After returning from what seemed like a crazy dream, Quentin believed that Margo would actually acknowledge him, but when she didn't return to school, Quentin knew something was up. Little does he realize, but Margo is the reason why the school bully stayed away from him, and his friends, but Margo is the one who instills courage in him, which allows him to stand up to the bully for the first time in his life. With a renewed sense of purpose, and confidence, Quentin learns that Margo, for some reason, has a habit of running away and, unfortunately, this is the last time her parents will put up with her behavior. According to Quentin's parents, who are are therapists, they believe that Margo is just acting out and seeking attention. Sadly, Margo's parents have had enough and they informed Quentin that Margo is no longer allowed in their home. Although this seems highly unfair, Quentin asks his parents if Margo could stay with them and they would allow it. However, with Margo gone, Quentin must find her in order to make this happen because he doesn't want to lose her again. Little does he realize that Margo wants to be found because she leaves clues just for him, which could easily lead to somewhere magical or utterly terrible.

Critical Evaluation:
 John Green has written yet another prolific tale of misunderstanding, adventure, comedy, angst, and love. In this story, two teens who live next to one another finally come together to create a story all of their own. Although it's a little creepy to begin the book with two kids discovering a dead body, it's the one moment that show them the harshness of life and reality. This gruesome discovery has haunted Quentin for most of his life, but, with that memory, there is the one with Margo decked out as a ninja wanting to know why the man killed himself. This morbid curiosity is not only real amongst teens today, but it's a sign that no matter what we do we cannot shelter our kids no matter where we raise them or how. Quentin, who is the exact opposite of Margo, is a "well-adjusted" teenager because his parents are therapists who don't question his level-head. I think what cracks me up is that Quentin's parents are so involved with their work that they don't even notice their own son's loneliness. All of his life, Quentin has loved Margo for a long and has always kept a vigil for her, hoping that she will see him as more than the boy next door. As for Margo, as I mentioned earlier, is a whirlwind of mystery and intrigue. What makes her that way, one will never know, but one thing that is obvious (to readers) is that she needs Quentin to find her. Granted, they haven't been very close for quite some time, but Quentin is the ones she shares that awful moment when they were younger; therefore, he is the only who understands why she lives her life the way she does. Death is a huge influence in this novel because Margo refuses to let life hold her back and that is why she takes the risks she does. For Quentin, who has lived a rather safe life is starting to see the joy in every moment because all of us could end up like the man from the past. What terrifies Quentin the most is that Margo could end up like the man they found and that is why he must find her. Paper Towns is an amazing story that not only makes the reader think about life, but allows us to reflect on those moments to make the right decisions. 

Information about the Author:
According to his website:

John Green is the New York Times bestselling author of Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns, and The Fault in Our Stars. He is also the coauthor, with David Levithan, of Will Grayson, Will Grayson. He was 2006 recipient of the Michael L. Printz Award, a 2009 Edgar Award winner, and has twice been a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. Green’s books have been published in more than a dozen languages.
In 2007, Green and his brother Hank ceased textual communication and began to talk primarily through videoblogs posted to YouTube. The videos spawned a community of people called nerdfighters who fight for intellectualism and to decrease the overall worldwide level of suck. (Decreasing suck takes many forms: Nerdfighters have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to fight poverty in the developing world; they also planted thousands of trees around the world in May of 2010 to celebrate Hank’s 30th birthday.) Although they have long since resumed textual communication, John and Hank continue to upload two videos a week to their YouTube channel, vlogbrothers. Their videos have been viewed more than 200 million times, and their channel is one of the most popular in the history of online video. He is also an active Twitter user with more than 1.2 million followers.

Green’s book reviews have appeared in The New York Times Book Review and Booklist, a wonderful book review journal where he worked as a publishing assistant and production editor while writing Looking for Alaska. Green grew up in Orlando, Florida before attending Indian Springs School and then Kenyon College.

Genre:
Teen Contemporary Fiction


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to Paper Towns:

•  Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey
• The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobsky
  

Awards & Recognition:
From Amazon.com

A Booklist Best Book of the Year
An SLJ Best Book of the Year
A VOYA Best Book of the Year

“Green’s prose is astounding — from hilarious, hyperintellectual trash talk and shtick, to complex philosophizing, to devastating observation and truths.” –SLJ, starred review

“[Green’s] a superb stylist, with a voice perfectly matched to his amusing, illuminating material.” –Booklist, starred review

“Laugh-out-loud humor and heartfelt poignancy.” –Kliatt, starred review

“Green delivers once again with this satisfying, crowd-pleasing look at a complex, smart boy and the way he loves. Genuine—and genuinely funny—dialogue, a satisfyingly tangled but not unbelievable mystery and delightful secondary characters.”
–Kirkus

"Stellar, with deliciously intelligent dialogue and plenty of mind-twisting insights…a powerfully great read." --VOYA 

"Compelling." --The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Plot Summary:
Sophronia Temminick is not the average girl. Unlike most her age, and time, Sophronia loves taking things a part to see how they work and she craves adventure. However, her mother decided to send her of to Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality because there is no way that Sophronia could ever make a suitable bride when she traipsing about the house and hiding in the dumbwaiter. After being spirited away in a coach, Sophronia meet Dimity and her brother, Pillover. Now why would a boy be off to a school that was meant for young ladies? Secondly, why is the carriage being attacked by Flyaway Men? After wrangling the reins of the carriage from the stunned coachmen, Sophronia manages to save everyone, including Mademoiselle Geraldine, from danger. However, why would a coach filled with young women, and one young man, be attacked by Flyaway Men who are demanding the prototype from Mademoiselle Geraldine? Well, here's the problem:  Mademoiselle Geraldine is really a young lady named Monique (incognito) who is on a secret mission to deliver, and protect, an item (aka. The Prototype) of utmost importance. In fact, this journey takes an even stranger turn when Sophronia and company meet a real-live werewolf who helps them aboard a flying apparatus called a dirigible. When Sophronia finally meets the headmistresses, she learns that Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality is really a finishing school, but also trains young women to be intelligencers or assassins; hence, why Dimity refers to Sophronia as a convert recruit. Although this excites Sophronia, these lessons prove even more difficult when she has to learn to curtsy and combat all at the same time. Moreover, she must figure out what the prototype is and why the Flyaway Men want it.

Critical Evaluation:
Etiquette & Espionage is incredibly fun! I absolutely love Sophronia because her quirks and her intelligence just make the story awesome. I will say that this is definitely an original steampunk adventure where young ladies are actually trained to be more that well-mannered ladies. The best part about this story is that Mademoiselle Geraldine has absolutely no idea what's going on her own school, which goes to show that manners and beauty does not replace common sense. As I said earlier, Sophronia is like many of the young ladies that I work with who are not only brilliant, but have a quick whit and the drive, which will help them do great things. Sophronia is criticized and often ridiculed because she likes to take things apart, master the art of dumbwaiters, and takes very little interest in the finer things such as: dancing, curtsying, and manners. With most steampunk stories, the time period is very similar to that of the Victorian era, which is obvious because this is all about a finishing school that teaches girls to be ladies who can wield knives. With that said, upper and middle class girls had no say in their futures and were expected obey and conform to the roles they were born into; hence, why finishing schools were popular. Well, for Sophronia, she is definitely in for a treat since she happens to be the covert recruit where her daily lessons require her to move more than her pinky. Although Sophronia has very little in common with the rest of the girls, she learns that they all possess certain attributes that she grows to admire. In fact, through her lessons, Sophronia can finally be herself where the only ridicule she receives is that of jealousy, especially when it comes to Monique. This is definitely a book for the spirited reader who is looking for the next great adventure.

Information about the Author:
According to her website:

New York Times Bestselling author Gail Carriger writes to cope with being raised in obscurity by an expatriate Brit and an incurable curmudgeon. She escaped small town life and inadvertently acquired several degrees in Higher Learning. Ms. Carriger then traveled the historic cities of Europe, subsisting entirely on biscuits secreted in her handbag. She resides in the Colonies, surrounded by fantastic shoes, where she insists on tea imported from London. Gail's books are published in over a dozen different languages and she recieved the Prix Julia Verlanger from French readers.

The Parasol Protectorate books are:Soulless, Changeless, Blameless, Heartless, and Timeless. Soulless won the ALA's Alex Award and has been turned into a graphic novel. Her young adult Finishing School series begins with Etiquette & Espionage and follows the exploits of Sophronia, a young lady who soon discovers her dreaded lady's seminary is a great deal more than anyone realizes. In the Custard Protocol series, beginning with Prudence, Rue and her crack (or possibly cracked) dirigible crew get into trouble around the Empire on behalf of queen, country, and tea.

Genre:
Teen Steampunk, Teen Adventure


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to Etiquette & Espionage:

• Leviathan by Scott Westerfield
• Iron Thorn by Catlin Kittredge

Awards & Recognition:
From Amazon.com:

"Carriger's YA debut brings her mix of Victorian paranormal steampunk and winning heroines to a whole new audience...with cleverly Victorian methods of espionage, witty banter, lighthearted silliness, and a ship full of intriguingly quirky people."—Booklist (starred review)

* "[A] delightfully madcap espionage adventure..."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

—School Library Journal (starred review)

"Blending intrigue and elements of the school story, Carriger introduces teen readers to a supernatural-meets-steampunk world full of action and wit."—Horn Book

—ShelfAwareness

Plot Summary:
In a letter to his youngest sister, Emmy, Matt recounts the horror that was their childhood. Life wasn't always that terrible, but it was their mother that was the source of their terror. Nikki, their mother, was a walking time bomb; some days she could be kind and thoughtful, but, on the bad days, she was a force to be reckoned with. No one really knows why Nikki is the way she is, but she was used to getting her way and that's probably why she gets so angry. Matt, now fourteen years old, is starting to realize that living with their mother is no longer an option. Matt and Callie (his other sister) spend most of their nights waiting for Nikki to turn their home into a war zone; thus, making  them the only protection that Emmy has. Although hope is a stranger to these frightened children, they meet Murdoch who could be the one to tame their mother and protect them. The only problem with this situation is that Nikki is utterly unpredictable and that leaves Matt with no other choice but to contact his father. Referred to as the "nurse man," Matt and Callie's father was driven away by Nikki and the only link they have with their father is the monthly child support check. However, their father also sends in support for Emmy,who is not his biological child, so that must mean he really cares about them. When Matt contacts his father, he begs him to let him, Callie, and Emmy to live with him, but Matt learns that there is no way a court would never give him custody, especially since Emmy isn't his biological daughter. Just when things couldn't get any worse, Nikki makes up an awful accusation about Murdoch that forces Matt to devise a plan to get away from their mother, which will bring three strangers together to fight for the safety of these three desperate children. 

Critical Evaluation:
I cannot express how difficult it was to read this book. As a reader, it is frightening to know that there are actually adults who behave just like Nikki. It can be argued that Nikki has her own set of problems (some readers will say she exhibits Bipolar Disorder), but the fact that remains is that she is a danger to her children. Matt and his siblings are classic examples of psychological abuse where they literally live in fear of their mother where survivor mode is the norm. What's worse is that they have relations that know exactly what their mother is like and do absolutely nothing. For Matt, who has no choice to be the one to help his sisters, is not only used to his mother's antics, but knows exactly what to expect when his mother gets angry. For Callie, she has to back her brother up because there is no way she could stand up to her mother and all they really have is one another. As for Emmy, who is the youngest, she has a completely different perspective on all of this because she knows she had siblings who will protect her, which brings me back to a statement that Callie made: Emmy know she is safe. When Emmy prays for Murdoch, she does it with joy because she knows that it will anger her mother, but her siblings will be there for her. In this instance, her defiance, and confidence, is not only refreshing, but it's dangerous because Emmy doesn't realize is that her siblings will pay for her actions. Honestly, it was really, really hard for me to not throw the book across the room because Nikki has no business raising children when she, herself, is an overgrown spoiled brat. However, her children are the exact opposite of her, which gives readers hope that they will find a way out of their situation because they know the power of love and devotion. For Nikki, from what we have read, didn't have the greatest childhood either, which leads us to suspect that she has no idea how to raise children. On the other hand, Nikki only thinks about Nikki and constantly needs to be in control of everything because there is something, inside her, that is missing or lacking. The adults in this books, aside from Murdoch, are just as clueless as the kids, but it their saving grace was Murdoch who took a giant risk to help these kids. By enlisting the help of Matt's father, and Aunt Bobbie, these timid adults finally build the courage they need to save Matt, Callie, and Emmy. Although the ending is bittersweet, readers will learn that hope is always there even in the most dire of circumstances.       

Information about the Author:
According to her website:

Nancy Werlin has done a variety of things such as a technical editor for software and internet. She was born and raised in Peabody, Massachusetts, and earned her BA in English from Yale University. She lives near Boston, Massachusetts, and has written eight young adult novels and several of them have won awards and honors. Here is a statement from one of Werlin's fans:

“An Edgar-award-winning author who writes psychological thrillers with the same depth and punch as Ruth Rendell and Minette Walters with the kind of noirish feel that permeates many of my favorite crime novels. A writer who has a keen understanding of how kids react and feel — who goes for the gut and never flinches on true emotions, who creates characters so true they make you cry and feel a little something yourself.

“Chances are, many of you haven't heard of this author. Or if you have, it's because her name has come up in a completely different context. That's because Nancy Werlin writes novels geared for young adults, and so if you were — like me — not as inclined towards YA as to adult crime fiction, then you would have passed her by. And that would be a shame, because she's simply one of the best crime novelists going right now. Period.” —Sarah Weinman (12/06/2006)

Genre:
Teen Contemporary Fiction, Teen Suspense

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to The Rules of Survival:

• Stolen by Lucy Christopher
• Because I am Furniture by Thalia Chaltas

Awards & Recognition:

• National Book Award Finalist (2006)

From Amazon.com:

“Guaranteed to leave readers breathlessly turning the pages.”—Booklist, starred review

“Werlin tackles [this topic] with grace and insight.”—School Library Journal, starred review

“A heartbreaking tale of abuse and love . . . . Beautifully framed.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“The plot moves swiftly and unrelentlessly….”—VOYA highlight 

Plot Summary:
Rabi loves baseball, but the problem is that he is a better strategist than a player. In fact, Rabi does this super human trick where he can use statistics to determine the outcome of a game that not only amazes his fellow players, but rubs his coach the wrong way. The real problem with the team isn't Rabi's lack of batting ability, but Coach Cocoran's inability to put together a logical batting order and general managing all together. What should have been an easy victory ended up being a disaster. Along with a poor batting average, Rabi struggles with the fact that he is the only mixed kid on the team, which his teammates make evident when they bully him by calling him "red dot." Well, after this last game, and escaping the clutches of Sammy and company, Rabi decided that he needed help with his swing so he, Miguel, and Joe went off to practice in a park near Milrow Meatpacking Plant. What was supposed to be a quiet afternoon, ended in chaos when plant workers stormed out of the meat packing facility including Miguel's aunt and uncle. What was said to be as a building maintenance, it was much bigger and worse than that, especially when Coach Cocoran tried to eat Rabi's brains. Furthermore, amidst all of the chaos, Miguel's aunt and uncle were take away by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) since they witnessed the incident that occurred at the meat packing plant.  Although the boys have only seen two zombies, more and more emerge from the plant and when they tried to tell "responsible adults" more poor decisions were made forcing them to run from the authorizes. Is it possible that the zombie apocalypse is real? If so, Rabi, Miguel, and Joe must save their town from imminent destruction, but the problem is how can they get anyone to believe them that zombies actually exist?

Critical Evaluation:
After reading Paolo Bacigalupi's award-winning noel, Shipbreaker, I am so glad to see another side of his writing in Zombie Baseball Beatdown. This story is a lot of fun because not only is there action and zombies, there are a whole set of very real issues that most teen readers will not be familiar with. For example, our dynamic trio are a bunch of misfits who have a lot in common despite their difference. For example, Rabi is part Indian and Caucasian, which makes him stick out like a sore thumb in his quiet little town. Miguel, whose parents (undocumented workers) were deported because they had the courage to speak out about the awful conditions of the meatpacking plant. Lastly, there is Joe whose father is an alcoholic and a single father. Although the boys don't see their friendship based on their family lives, they stick together because they help one another in may ways that solidify this relationship. In fact, it is very apparent when Miguel's aunt and uncle are taken away by ICE  both Rabi and Joe tell him that he can stay with their families because Miguel "didn't ask to be an orphan). Actually, Miguel's family situation is a whole different plot of the story because Sammy's father (Rabi's arch-nemesis) is responsible for their deportation because they were going to bring down the whole meat packing facility, which means Sammy and his family would lose all their money; Sammy's family is the most affluent family in town so rather than doing what is right by the people, Sammy's father reported Miguel's family to ICE so they are no longer a threat to the company. Another thing that I love about this story is that is reminds me of the many wonderful stories by Roald Dahl where the grown-ups are beyond ridiculous and not at all responsible for their own actions.There is a lot going on in this little 292 page book that some readers might find their heads spinning; however, Bacigalupi is able to tie all of this together to create a very serious story, but with a fun twist that make this book difficult to put down.

Information about the Author:
According to his website:

Paolo Bacigalupi’s writing has appeared in WIRED Magazine, High Country News, Salon.com, OnEarth Magazine, 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 three Nebula Awards, four Hugo Awards, and won the Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award for best science fiction short story of the year. 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

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. Internationally, it has won the Seiun Award (Japan), The Ignotus Award (Spain), The Kurd-Laßwitz-Preis (Germany), and the Prix Planète-SF des Blogueurs (France).

His debut young adult novel, SHIP BREAKER, was a Micheal L. Printz Award Winner, and a National Book Award Finalist.

His most recent novel, THE DROWNED CITIES was a 2012 Kirkus Reviews Best of YA Book, A 2012 VOYA Perfect Ten Book, and 2012 Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist.
He currently lives in Western Colorado with his wife and son, where he is working on a new novel.

Genre:
Tween Fiction, Tween Humor, Tween Comedy


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 4-7


Books Similar to Zombie Baseball Beatdown:

• Doll Bones by Holly Black
• The Grimm Conclusion by Adam Gidwitz

Awards & Recognition:
From Amazon.com

"Printz-winning Bacigalupi writing a middle-grade zombie novel? Yes, it really happened, and yes, it's pretty darn good....Simultaneously smart, funny, and icky, this book asks a tough question: Is it worth looking the other way in order to save yourself?"—Booklist

"A high-energy, high-humor look at the zombie apocalypse....a signal alert to young teens to think about what they eat....sure to be appreciated by middle school zombie cognoscenti."—Kirkus Reviews

"Defies the expectations of the comedy-horror genre, turning this zombie novel into an effective bit of social commentary while staying true to the story's grisly and goofy roots....Casual readers will have a blast, and those who look deeper will learn something, too."—Publishers Weekly

"It's a testament to the author's skill that [the characters] express values of courage, friendship, and integrity as naturally as they toss off hilarious observations....[A] fast-paced home run."—School Library Journal

"[Introduces] reluctant readers to activism through literature.... a dark comedy with a bit of heart."—The Bulletin

"Batting comes in handy beating down zombies....Will appeal to reluctant readers."—Library Media Connection

Plot Summary:
Just when everything was quiet and peaceful at Mica High, the student body got a surprise they weren't expecting: Stargirl Carraway. For Leo, everything is always the status quo; everyone looked alike and everyone had their place. When Stargirl showed up in her outrageous outfit, and ukelele, he didn't know what to think, nor did he know what to say. Well, at first, everyone thought that Stargirl was a gimmick and probably a plant by the administration to shake things up a bit. However, when everyone figured out Stargirl was 100% original, and real, things started to change much to the chagrin of Hillary Kimble (the most popular girl in school). In fact, the more the students observed Stargirl, she stirred something inside all of them, which led to a concept they were not so familiar with: individuality. When Kevin kept pestering Leo to interview Stargirl for the school television show (The Hot Seat), he started to become protective of Stargirl simply because he thought the idea was cruel. When Leo found out that he and Stargirl share a common thread, he started asking questions and that is when he started to notice her sweet freckles and sandy blonde hair. Although Stargirl was homeschooled all her life, why did she do the things she did like singing happy birthday to complete strangers, showing up to funerals to pay her respects, and many other random things? Furthermore, what if Leo started developing feelings for someone he just can't figure out? More importantly, what would people think of him if they knew that his heart was captured by an uncontrollable force that is so new and unknown?

Critical Evaluation:
I cannot express how much this book reflected my own life at high school. In fact, I was definitely one of the Stargirl-types and I loved every moment. Although I didn't have a conflicted romance like Leo and Stargirl, I can definitely imagine the heartache they both felt. For Leo, he blew it big time because he was so afraid to do something that would require him to "step outside of the box" and be an individual. If there is one lesson to learn from this story is to never be afraid of who we are and accept others for who they are (and not what they look, talk like, etc). High school is probably the biggest wake up call teens will ever get because they not only have to deal with the pressure of succeeding, they have to stand up for their beliefs and deal with people who don't share the same opinions as we do. Not to mention, they will learn why "fads" and called "fads" and why we should never equate the two of them with people. Ultimately, this book is about respect, kindness, and understanding and that can be a very hard lesson to learn if one is afraid or unwilling to try. For Stargirl, she handled everyone like a champ despite the criticism and bullying. In fact, readers will definitely relate to Stargirl, especially when we meet Hillary Kimble. Sadly, there will, and always, be a Hillary Kimble at every school, but the best way to manage people like her is to not take anything they say seriously and not allow them to bully. Jerry Spinelli has the magic touch when it comes to these topics because readers can really see the heart of the issue and the consequences.  Going back to Leo blowing it (I was really upset that he did), Stargirl made an important decision to stay true to who she is and, although Leo couldn't accept her for who she is, she still smiled and thought of him. Stargirl is the epitome of good and readers will get a further glimpse into this pure soul in the sequel: Love, Stargirl.

Information about the Author:
According to Scholastic.com:

When I was growing up, the first thing I wanted to be was a cowboy. That lasted till I was about ten. Then I wanted to be a baseball player. Preferably shortstop for the New York Yankees.

I played Little League in junior high and high school. I only hit two home runs in my career, but I had no equal when it came to standing at shortstop and chattering to my pitcher: “C'mon, baby, hum the pea.” Unfortunately, when I stood at the plate, so many peas were hummed past me for strikes that I decided to let somebody else become shortstop for the Yankees.

It was about that time that our high school football team won a heart-stopping game against one of the best teams in the country. While the rest of the town was tooting horns and celebrating, I went home and wrote a poem about the game. A few days later the poem was published in the local newspaper, and suddenly I had something new to become: a writer.
Little did I know that twenty-five years would pass before a book of mine would be published.
Not that I wasn't trying. In the years after college I wrote four novels, but nobody wanted them. They were adult novels. So was number five, or so I thought. However, because it was about a thirteen-year-old boy, adult book publishers didn't even want to see it. But children's publishers did — and that's how, by accident, I became an author of books for kids.
Life is full of happy accidents.

Sometimes I'm asked if I do research for my stories. The answer is yes and no. No, in the sense that I seldom plow through books at the library to gather material. Yes, in the sense that the first fifteen years of my life turned out to be one big research project. I thought I was simply growing up in Norristown, Pennsylvania; looking back now I can see that I was also gathering material that would one day find its way into my books.

John Ribble's blazing fastball. Dovey Wilmouth, so beautiful a fleet of boys pedaled past her house ten times a day. Mrs. Seeton's whistle calling her kids in to dinner. The day my black snake disappeared. The creek, the tracks, the dump, the red hills. My days did not pass through, but stayed, filling the shelves of my memory. They became the library where today I do my research.

I also get material from my own kids. Along the way I married another children's writer, Eileen Spinelli, and from our six kids have come a number of stories. Jeffrey and Molly, who are always fighting, have been especially helpful.

Ideas also come from everyday life. And from the newspapers. One day, for example, I read a story about a girl who competed on her high school wrestling team. A year later bookstores carried a new book with my name on it: There's a Girl in My Hammerlock.

So there you are. I never became a cowboy or baseball player, and now I'm beginning to wonder if I ever really became a writer. I find that I hesitate to put that label on myself, to define myself by what I do for a living. After all, I also pick berries and touch ponies and skim flat stones over water and marvel at the stars and breathe deeply and grin from ear to ear and save the best part for last. I've always done these things. Which is to say, I never had to become anything. Or anyone. I always, already, was.

Call me a berry-picking, pony-touching star-marveler.

Genre:
Teen Contemporary Fiction, Teen Romance

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 8 & up

Books Similar to Stargirl:

• This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen
• Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

 Awards & Recognition:
From Amazon.com:

“A magical and heartbreaking tale.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred

An ALA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults

A Publishers Weekly Choice of the Year’s Best Books

Plot Summary:
After coming home from the war, Hayley's father is constantly haunted by the memories and the visions of the war that ravaged his mind, body, and soul. What appears to be Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Hayley's father isn't coping well where he can no longer hold down a job and self-medicates with drugs and alcohol. Hayley, who is seventeen years old, wakes up every day fearing what lies behind her father's bedroom door. After years of moving around, Hayley and her father moved into her grandmother's home, which would require her to finish high school with other teens her age. For Hayley, this attempt at normalcy has not only made things worse for her father, her heart and her mind won't let anyone in because her thoughts are constantly occupied by her father. Rather than trying to fit in, Hailey sleeps through class, refuses to do her homework, and barely socializes with the people she calls friends and then she met Finn. Finn is a a tall, skinny guy with shaggy hair who refuses to take "NO!" for an answer; Finn wants Hayley to write an article for the school newspaper because he knows how smart and eloquent she is. Despite Hayley's bad attitude, she really is a bright young girl who could go places if she applied herself. Well, after making a pretty sweet deal with Finn, Hayley ends up writing that article, which was not only fun but gave her an escape from all of the worrying and stress. Moreover, the more time that she spends with Finn, the more her feelings grown for him. Hayley wants nothing more than to be happy and for her father to be healthy, but will his pain overcome his will to fight?More importantly, will Hayley be able to keep it together or will she fade away just like her father?

Critical Evaluation:
Lauire Halse Anderson has written yet another riveting story about an issue that society has yet to really understand. Unfortunately, unless you live with someone with PTSD, insight to this disease is very limited and Halse Anderson provides readers with a fairly accurate portrayal. Although most people are aware how devastating PTSD can be for person who has it, we tend to forget the people that have to help and live with their loved ones illness. Despite all of the stress and the heartache that she must endure, Hayley is given a once in a lifetime opportunity to be a normal teenager and that opportunity is named Finn.  I have to say this, granted it may not be an important observation, but the way that Finn arranged his date with Hayley was absolutely adorbs! Honestly, I squealed!What's important about this relationship is that Finn is going through his own set of family dysfunction because his sister happens to be a drug addict. When Hayley finally opens to up Finn, and vice versa, these two teens find the common ground they have been longing for. Although Hayley and Finn are the main characters, all of the teens in this story are struggling with their own amidst their parents' issues as well. I can't tell you how many times my heart broke for Hayley and her father because no one should have to suffer from the horrible disease because it destroys everything in its path. Hayley's father may have survived several tours of duty overseas, but the biggest battle he has yet to face is transitioning back into civilian life and taking control of his illness. The ending will blow your mind. A very, very compelling read and difficult to put down. Bravo, Laurie Halse Anderson!

Information about the Author:
According to her website:

Laurie Halse Anderson is the New York Times-bestselling author who writes for kids of all ages. Known for tackling tough subjects with humor and sensitivity, her work has earned numerous national and state awards, as well as international recognition. Two of her books, Speak and Chains, were National Book Award finalists. Laurie was honored with the 2009 Margaret A. Edwards Award given by YALSA division of the American Library Association for her “significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature…”. Mother of four and wife of one, Laurie lives in Northern New York, where she likes to watch the snow fall as she writes.

Genre:
Teen Contemporary Fiction, Teen War Stories

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up


Books Similar to The Impossible Knife of Memory:

• Purple Heart by Patricia McCormick
• Porcupine by Meg Tilly

Awards & Recognition:
From Amazon.com:
"As in Speak, Anderson provides a riveting study of a psychologically scarred teenager . . . absorbing" —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Compelling, powerful, and timely . . . This is challenging material, but in Anderson's skilled hands, readers will find a light shining on the shadowy reality of living with someone who has lived through war" —Booklist, starred review

"The book offers an eloquent portrait of the effects of both war and family legacies, and many readers will find reflections of their own struggle to keep family connections while obtaining their independence.” —BCCB, starred review

"With powerful themes of loyalty and forgiveness, this tightly woven story is a forthright examination of the realities of war and its aftermath on soldiers and their families. One of Anderson’s strongest and most relevant works to date.” —School Library Journal, starred review

"Anderson's novels . . . speak for the still-silent among us, and force all of us to acknowledge the real and painful truths that are too dangerous to ignore." —New York Times

“The Impossible Knife of Memory isn’t always an easy read-Anderson’s gritty, authentic look at PTSD is by turns painful and heartbreaking-but it’s an important one." —Entertainment Weekly

“Andy comes home from the war in Iraq honored for his service, and haunted by it.  The war still goes on inside of him and threatens to make Hayley another causality. Laurie Halse Anderson is one of the best known writers of literature for young adults and children in the world. ” —Scott Simon, NPR Weekend Edition

“Laurie Halse Anderson has been lauded and awarded for her ability to channel the teenage mind (and heart) dealing with tough issues. In The Impossible Knife of Memory, she takes on PTSD through the story of a girl coping with her troubled veteran dad.” —Family Circle

"At turns heartbreaking, at turns funny, the narrative in this book is so spot on I wanted to give Hayley my phone number so she would have a friend in times of crisis.  Seriously—does ANYONE write troubled teen characters with the realism, grace, and soul of Laurie Halse Anderson?" —Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of The Storyteller and Between the Lines

“Laurie Halse Anderson serves the families of veterans with the same honor, dignity, and respect that the veterans, who serve us, deserve. With her trademark hope, humor, and heart-breaking realism, Laurie Halse Anderson has given us a roadmap to heal. She is a treasure.” —Stephen Chobsky, New York Times bestselling author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Hello, everyone!

It's me and I just wanted to share with you a rather interesting proposition called the 2014 Hub Reading Challenge. The Young Adults Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is sponsoring a reading challenge for everyone to read more! In fact, all you have to do is read 25 books by June (not too difficult since the challenge allows you to read graphic novels, books, manga, or listen to audiobooks). The best part is that anyone can participate in this challenge including you!

All you have to do is visit their site and follow the instructions. If you accomplish the goal, not only will you get mad props for participating, you will have the chance to win some serious swag. So what you waiting for?! Sign-up today!

~Deb

Plot Summary:
Sawako Kuronuma is an outcast and, in fact, everyone she looks in the eye runs away. In fact, she is nicknamed Sadako because she looks exactly like the evil girl from The Ring. Although Sawako is nothing like Sadako, she is socially awkward and people mistake her willingness to help for curses and witchcraft. Now that she is in high school, Sawako wants nothing more than to make friends and be liked, but she didn't anticipate Kazehaya. Kazehaya is the most popular guy in school and Sawako had the pleasure of bumping into him before the start of the school year. Sawako admires everything about him because he is nice, smart, handsome, and well-liked by everyone. Little does Sawako know, but her meeting with Kazehaya will set off a chain of events that she never expected. By acknowledging her existence, Kazehaya tells all oof their classmates that Sawako is not the loathsome Sadako. In fact, Kazehaya points out to everyone that she works harder than everyone else and takes on extra duties so no one else has to. With his help, Kazehaya helps Sawako come out of her shell and show everyone that she can't see ghosts or put curses on people. Granted, not everyone takes an instant liking to Sawako, it's the little things that get people to notice how special she is. Not to mention, when she captures the attention of Chizu and Ayane, there kidness to move their desks next to her leads to a special friendship filled with many adventures that allow Sawako to blossom and grow. The only problem with this transformation, is that Sawako will inadvertently make enemies with girls who will terrible things to make her the laughing stock of the school and rip her relationships apart. Furthermore, Sawako's insecurities also pose a threat to her relationship with Kazehaya.  This is truly, and utterly, a sweet tale of first love and friendship where anything is possible.

Critical Evaluation:
It's been a while since I have a read a manga that has made me smile from ear to ear. This manga is about a girl who is so unbelievably shy and awkward that is scares people away. Although I have yet to meet someone like this, I am sure the intention was not to terrify, but to be pleasant. Sawako has been misunderstood her whole life so making friends hasn't always been the easiest thing to do. However, when Sawako meets Kazehaya, she sees everything she wants to be in him. As for Kazehaya, he is such a pure soul that everyone just falls in love with him. For Sawako, Kazehaya is the first person to see her for who she truly is and that makes her feel special. Although Sawako knows she has to do a better job of standing up for herself, Kazehaya gives her the strength and the courage to make everyone notice her (without them running away). What's even more awesome is that Ayane and Chizu actually go out on a limb and befriend Sawako despite all of the obstacles that lay ahead of them. Granted, Chizu and Ayane are also a bunch of misfits with less then reputable reputations, Sawako doesn't let the gossip influence her decision to befriend then because she sees the good in everyone, just like Kazehaya. Although Sawako insists that she wants to be more like Kazehaya, in reality, they are both very alike. My heart skips a beat with every volume because the closer Kazehaya and Sawako get, the more I beg for a happy ending. This really is for the those looking for an sweet and virtuous story about love and happiness.

Information about the Author:According to Amazon.com:

Born October 23rd, Karuho Shiina’s favorite movies include The Apartment, The Shawshank Redemption and My Neighbor Totoro. Her previous series, Crazy for You, was also published in Germany. Kimi ni Todoke is her latest hit manga.

Genre:
Teen Romance Manga, Teen Humor Manga

Number of Volumes:
20-ongoing

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to Kimi Ni Todoke:

• Fruits Basket by Natsuki Takaya
• Otomen by Aya Kanno

Awards & Recognition:

• Top selling Manga in Japan (2013)

Plot Summary:
It all started with Dwight and his Origami Yoda. Tommy, Kellan, Mike, Cassie, Lance, Quovondo, and Harvey have written down their experiences with Yoda/green paperwad. Although Dwight is a bit of a weirdo, his origami Yoda might have special powers to not only tell the future, but provide some pretty solid advice. For example, it was Yoda who helped Tommy make the right decision about whether or not he should ask a girl to dance at the PTA dance. Yoda also helped Kellan take care of the water fountain and pants issue while Mike was able to break his strikeout streak. As for Sara, well Yoda provided his advice that not only was not only weird, but ended up with her having a great time with her lonely grandmother. Although Origami Yoda seems like the real deal, the group skeptic (named Harvey) always has to add his own commentary to each story, which leads to the argument about Dwight and how every character sees Dwight. Although Harvey is a jerk, he does make a reasonable assessment of Dwight who is a genius on minute and a complete weirdo the next; Sara, who has known Dwight her whole life, testify to Dwight's eccentricities (he would dig holes and sit in them because Origami Yoda said to). Well, one day, when Tommy, Kellan, Mike, and Harvey got into an argument about Dwight, the mission to document the success of Origami Yoda has revealed a very important question: Is Dwight be weird on purpose or is her really weird? In this hilarious tale of a group of friends who want nothing more than to fit in and be liked, are they so desperate that they will consult Origami Yoda and Dwight to make crucial decisions about life?

Critical Evaluation:
The Strange Case of Origami Yoda is amazing. Along with the tween humor, and issues, readers go on a journey to prove the power of Origami Yoda or his maker, Dwight. The best part about this story is that every character has an individual story where they are so desperate that they confess their fears to Origami Yoda and Dwight. Dwight is the hero of this story because he has endured countless insults for walking around school with a finger puppet, but, at the same time, everyone is seeking Yoda's advice. I can honestly say that Harvey annoyed me sooooo much because he had absolutely nothing nice to say about Dwight or anyone else in the story. Although it sets up the next story, and Harvey is the villain, each character does something remarkable: they allowed themselves to be vulnerable. As we read each case study, all of these tweens have a fear or a concern. Granted, the last person they want to share their problems with is Dwight and his finger puppet, they needed to hear someone, or something, to tell them that everything is going to be okay. Although I don't condone fighting, I was impressed with Dwight when he hears about Caroline's problem with Zack Martin; he was her Knight in Shining Armor not because she was a girl, but because she was being picked on. One thing about this age group is that words really do hurt so I definitely felt Dwight's pain when people would call him weird or a loser. Furthermore, other than standing up for Caroline, he would deny his "friends" access to Yoda because they would be mean to him and expect him to help them. Readers of all ages will realize just how difficult these years are because everything is new: school, liking the opposite sex, making friends, and fitting in. I am happy to say that this book had the perfect ending and I am looking forward to the sequel!

Information about the Author:
According to his wordpress:

Tom Angleberger NOT Anglebooger!!!!!!!!
Age: secret
Birthday: Oct. 24
Location: secret
Toothpaste: secret
Home state: Virginia
Security Clearance: AlphaShadow1
Pen of Choice: Pilot G2 gel roller! 1.0 used for everyday doodling, .7 used for illustrating the Origami Yoda books.
Previous occupations: newspaper reporter and columnist, juggler, weed boy, lawn mower part assembler, biology research assistant (bug larvae and plant diseases)
Current occupation: author and illustrator, keeper of origamiyoda.com (with Webmaster Sam)
First novel: Begun in 8th grade, never completed.
Published or about to be published novels: Qwikpick, Stonewall, Origami Yoda, Horton Halfpott, Darth Paper, Fake Mustache, Secret of the [[top secret]].
Spouse: author and illustrator Cece Bell!
Tom sez: “I’m not necessarily all that creative. I’m more of a puzzle putter together. I take all these little puzzle pieces — Yoda, middle school problems, Cheetos — and I fuss and fuss with them until I fit them together.”
Inspirations: Star Wars, Fumiaki Kawahata, Daniel Pinkwater, my own personal social disasters…
SuperPower: Aspergers!
 

Genre:
Tween Fiction, Tween Humor

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 4 & up

Books Similar to The Strange Case of Origami Today:

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley's Journal by Jeff Kinney
• NERDS: National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society by Jeff Buckley
  

Awards & Recognition:

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

Plot Summary:
In the midst of WWI, Mary Shelley is on the run from the Spanish Influenza Epidemic while her father has been imprisoned for treason for helping young men dodge the draft. After making her way to San Diego, Mary must start all over knowing that her father, or Stephen (her best friend and first love), may never come back home. Named after the great author, Mary Shelley, Mary, just like her mother, has a fascination with inventions, science, and electricity, which most people find a strange except for Stephen. When Stephen's family moved to San Diego, Stephen and Mary would write letters to one another and, when Aunt Eva moved to San Diego, Mary was thrilled because she finally had a way to see Stephen. However, when Mary arrived, she saw that Julius (Stephen's troubled brother) has transformed the family's honest photography business into a business of deception and thievery. What's worse is that Mary has no idea that Stephen enlisted in the Army and will be shipping off to the very war she, and her father, despise. After the incident in the parlor that left a permanent rift between the brothers, Mary must to Stephen's home to pick package from Stephen. Sadly, the home that she admired so much was crawling with grieving families who are waiting to see their dearly departed loved ones. With the passing of Uncle Wilfred, Aunt Eva has become obsessed with Julius' work and doesn't allow Mary to say one bad thing about him. However, Mary's world is shattered when tragedy strikes and the only way she is going to cope with it is to find some sense of normalcy. The only catch is: what is normal when you can see, and speak, to the dead.         

Critical Evaluation:
It was very, very hard to not give the whole plot away in my summary because there is so much going on, but in an awesome and mysterious way. Mary Shelly is misfit who, like Dr. Frankenstein, has a fascination for everything scientific. What makes Mary Shelly a great main character is that she is an exceptionally bright young lady who, beneath the oddities she explores, is just like any other teenage girl. When I first read this story, I was dreading the romance, but this is definitely not a love story, but a story about love. Mary, who is struggling with the loss of her father, amidst a senseless war, is trying her best to make sense of the mess that she is living in. Her guardian, Aunt Eva, who is only ten years older than Mary, is also struggling with issues where her obsession, and fear of the flu, are driving her to the point of insanity. What I appreciate the most about this book is that the women in this story are undeniably strong and are true survivors. It was such a breath of fresh air to witness a young girl stand up for her beliefs and was willing to risk hell and high water to find the truth. Although I was put off by her attempt to electrocute herself (after finding out about Stephen and her father), the Winters had a reason behind this action because it was her momentary "death" that has allowed her to step in between the realm of the living and the dead. More importantly, has she not done this crazy thing, who knows what would have happened if she didn't. In the Shadow of the Blackbirds is a memorizing tale of a courageous girl who is deperately trying to fight for the ones she loves. Furthermore, it's a hunting portrayal of our own world that could easily repeat itself and let's hope that it will never happen again.

Information about the Author:
According to her website: 

Cat Winters was born and raised in Southern California, near Disneyland, which may explain her love of haunted mansions, bygone eras, and fantasylands. She received degrees in drama and English from the University of California, Irvine, and formerly worked in publishing.

Her critically acclaimed debut novel, In the Shadow of Blackbirds, was named a 2014 Morris Award Finalist, a 2014 Best Fiction for Young Adults pick, a 2013 Bram Stoker Award Nominee, and a School Library Journal Best Book of 2013. Her upcoming books include The Cure for Dreaming (Amulet Books/Fall 2014) and The Uninvited (William Morrow/Publication date TBA), and she's a contributor to the 2015 YA horror anthology Slasher Girls & Monster Boys.

Cat lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and two kids.

Genre:
Teen Historical Fiction, Teen Horror

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 9 & up

Books Similar to In the Shadow of the Blackbirds:

• The Diviners by Libba Bray
• Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
  

Awards & Recognition:

• 2014 William C. Morris YA Debut Award Finalist
• School Library Journal Best Books of 2013
• YALSA's 2014 Best Fiction for Young Adults
• 2013 Bram Stoker Award Nominee for Superior Achievement in Young Adult Fiction
• Booklist's 2013 Top Ten Horror Fiction for Youth
• Booklist's 2013 Top Ten First Novels for Youth
• Nominated for the ACL of Northern California's 2013 Distinguished Book List
• Starred reviews, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, School Library Journal
• Highlighted review, VOYA Magazine

Plot Summary:
It's Leonard's 18th birthday and, instead of celebrating adulthood, he is planning to kill Asher Beale and himself. Ever since his parents' divorce, Leonard has felt abandoned and the person he used to called his best friend has made his life a living hell. Leonard is at his whit's end and he believes that the only way he can ease the pain is to die and to take Asher with him. Before committing this last act, Leonard has wrapped four gifts to give to people he cares about. The first gift he gave was for Walt (his chain smoking, Bogart loving next door neighbor). The second gift he gave was for Babak (his Iranian, violin virtuoso friend). The third gift he left was for his favorite teacher, Herr Silverman (Holocaust expert and one who never wears short sleeves). The last gift he gives went to Lauren (the Jesus freak whom he forced his first kiss upon). As Leonard gives away his most precious treasures to, his mission to kill Asher Beale starts to wane; at first, Leonard was ready and willing to end his life, but, after re-living the moments he has spent with those who matter the most, and why he wants to kill Asher, he starts to realize the core of his problems. As the countdown begins, Leonard's plan falls into the place and when he is in front of Asher Beale's window, the inevitable occurs and Leonard's life changes forever.


Critical Evaluation:
I can honestly say that I had to take my time reading this book simply because it hurt so much to hear about Leonard's life. This story is a raw and gut-wrenching story of a guy who had just about every awful happen to him and there was no one he could turn to.  For the last six years of his life, Leonard has had to shoulder an immense amount of pain and his own mother and father couldn't take the time to notice that their once happy son is nothing but an empty shell. The quote that shook my soul the most was:

These people we call Mom and Dad, they bring us into the world and they don't follow through with what we need, or provide answers at all really--it's a fend-for-yourself free-for-all in the end, and I;m just not cut out for that sort of living.

I cannot express how terrifying and painful it is to hear that so many young people, like Leonard, are  out there, all alone, exposed to the evils of this world, and have no one, or no where, to turn to. The reason why Leonard wants to kill Asher Beale is because adults not only warped, and ruined, noth Asher's and Leonard's innocence, it was the adults who turned a blind eye to everything that was happening to these children. After the abuse, Leonard has been slowly dying inside and it literally takes an almost murder/suicide for him to realize that that the people who should have protected, loved, and supported him throughout this whole ordeal weren't there. I thank God for people like Herr Silverman because it is their strength, love, patience, compassion, and faith is what gives teens like Leonard a way out. Although Leonard has a long way to go, he can now do it knowing that he doesn't have to endure the pain any more and hope for a better for life and a better future. This book will live with me for the rest of my life because I never, ever want this to happen to my own children and readers will feel the same way when they come across someone who is suffering like Leonard. If you know someone who is hurting, or wanting to hurt themselves, DO NOT IGNORE THEM and get them help. More importantly, if you are a victim of abuse, you did not deserve this and nor are you to blame. If you feel like hurting yourself, please seek help because you are precious to those who love you and and everyone around you.    

Information about the Author:
According to his website:

Matthew Quick (aka Q) is the New York Times bestselling author of THE SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK, which was made into an Oscar-winning film, and three young adult novels: SORTA LIKE A ROCK STAR; BOY21; and FORGIVE ME, LEONARD PEACOCK. His work has been translated into twenty-eight languages, received a PEN/Hemingway Award Honorable Mention, was an LA Times Book Prize finalist, a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice, a #1 bestseller in Brazil, and selected by Nancy Pearl as one of Summer’s Best Books for NPR. His next two novels for adults, THE GOOD LUCK OF RIGHT NOW and LOVE MAY FAIL, are forthcoming from HarperCollins. All of Q’s books have been optioned for film.

Q spent the first few years of his life in Philadelphia before being raised just across the Delaware River in Oaklyn, New Jersey. He graduated from Collingswood High School (class of 1992) and La Salle University (class of 1996), where he double-majored in English and secondary education. He taught high school literature and film in southern New Jersey for several years, during which he coached soccer and basketball, chaperoned trips to Peru and Ecuador, initiated a pen-pal exchange with students in Namibia, and counseled troubled teens.

In 2004 Q made the difficult decision to leave teaching and pursue his dream of becoming a fiction writer. He received his Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Goddard College in 2007 and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from La Salle University in 2013. He lives with his wife, novelist/pianist Alicia Bessette.

Genre:
Teen Contemporary Fiction


Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 10 & up

Books Similar to Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock:

• Th1rtreen R3asons Why by Jay Asher
• More Than This by Patrick Ness

Awards & Recognition:
From Amazon.com

"Books like Quick's are necessary...We should be grateful for a book that gets kids, and the leaders they'll become, thinking about the problem now."—The New York Times

*"Quick's use of flashbacks, internal dialogue, and interpersonal communication is brilliant, and the suspense about what happened between Leonard and Asher builds tangibly. The masterful writing takes readers inside Leonard's tormented mind, enabling a compassionate response to him and to others dealing with trauma."—School Library Journal, starred review


—Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Over the course of one intense day (with flashbacks), Leonard's existential crisis is delineated through an engaging first-person narrative supplemented with footnotes and letters from the future that urge Leonard to believe in a "life beyond the übermorons" at school. Complicated characters and ideas remain complicated, with no facile resolutions, in this memorable story."—The Horn Book

"...the novel presents a host of compelling, well-drawn, realistic characters-all of whom want Leonard to make it through the day safe and sound."—Kirkus

"Quick is most interested in Leonard's psychology, which is simultaneously clear and splintered, and his voice, which is filled with brash humor, self-loathing, and bucket loads of refreshingly messy contradictions, many communicated through Leonard's footnotes to his own story. It may sound bleak, but it is, in fact, quite brave, and Leonard's interspersed fictional notes to himself from 2032 add a unique flavor of hope."—Booklist

Plot Summary:
Ivan has been at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade for most of his life. Things were a lot more exciting when Mack and Helen would treat him as their human child, but Ivan is older and yearning for the life he had before the Mall. Although he dreams of being with other gorillas, Ivan has a few friends who keep him company: Bob (the sarcastic, stray dog who sleeps on Ivan's Belly at night) and Stella (the wise and caring elephant and storyteller). The best part of Ivan's nights are when Julia, and her father, George, come to clean the Mall; George is the janitor and Julia helps when she can. Julia is an artist and Ivan loves art. Ever since he was a baby, Ivan always loved looking at colors, shapes, and even using mud to make his own drawings. Life for Ivan, before Mack, was perfect until he and his sister were taken from his troop and sold off. Although Ivan used to be the star of the Exit 8 Big Top, business has been slow and Mack has become more and frustrated. What's even harder is that Stella's past injuries are taking it's toll, but real problem is: Mack has bought a baby elephant and is bringing her to the Mall. Stella, furious and sad, takes the baby, named Ruby, in her care and acts as her surrogate mother. However, when Stella was unable to recover form her injuries, she made Ivan promise that he will care for Ruby. Ivan knows absolutely nothing about raising babies, but he knows everything about being a protector: silver back Gorillas have it imprinted in their DNA. In this story, a disillusioned Gorilla does the impossible to not only save an innocent elephant, but to convey that animals, just like humans, know what it's like to love and care for one another. 

Critical Evaluation:
Katherine Applegate has given a voice to one of the Earth's mightiest creatures and did it very well. The One and Only Ivan is actually based on a true story about a silver back gorilla, named Ivan, who was held captive for 37 years in a mall in Washington. After National Geographic aired a special on "The Urban Gorilla," the public was outraged and even young children wrote letters to have Ivan removed from the Mall. Eventually, the Mall went bankrupt and Ivan was moved to Zoo Atlanta where he lived out the rest of his lifedin harmony with his own kind until his death in 2012. Ivan was 50 years old and he continues to paint until his last breath. I absolutely loved what Applegate said about writing this book: 

"When I started to write about the grim facts of Ivan's solitary existence, a new tale slowly began to take shape. At least on the page, where anything is possible, I wanted to give Ivan (even while captive behind the walls of his tiny cage) a voice of his own and a story to tell. I wanted to give him someone to protect, and the chance to be the mighty silverback he was always meant to be." 

What we human tend to forget is that animals have their own consciousnesses, their own identities, and their very unique abilities. When I hear about animals, like Ivan, it is incredibly upsetting because these animals were not made to be pets nor side show attractions; wild animals are a part of this world for a specific person and we, humans, have only one purpose: observe and learn. As readers find out what happens to Ivan's families, they will be in for a shock at the current reality that all of the world's gorillas face. As Ivan re-lives these awful remembers, he becomes determined to not let Ruby waste away in the mall like he has. Unlike the Ivan, the story's Ivan is given the opportunity to be just like his father and protect little Ruby. In fact, Ivan and Ruby have so much in common, it was inevitable that he would predict Stella's wish for him to protect Ruby. The ending is absolutely beautiful so be sure to have the tissues handy. 

Information about the Author:
According to her website:

I've written many books for children and young adults, including The Buffalo Storm (a picture book), Roscoe Riley Rules (a chapter book series), and Animorphs (which I wrote with my husband, Michael Grant.) My novel Home of the Brave was awarded the 2008 Golden Kite Award for Best Fiction, the Bank Street 2008 Josette Frank Award for children's fiction, and was a Judy Lopez Memorial Award honor book.

I live in California with my husband, two children, and assorted pets.

Genre:
Tween Fiction

Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 4-7

Books Similar to The One and Only Ivan:

• Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel
• Tale of Desperaux by Kate DiCamillo

Awards & Recognition:
From Amazon.com:
School Library Journal Best of Children's Books 2012

Kirkus Reviews Best of Children's Books 2012

Amazon 2012 Best Books of the Year, Middle Grade

Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 2012

New York Public Library 100 Books for Reading and Sharing, 2012

Cybils shortlist, 2012 middle grade fantasy (Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards)

Texas Bluebonnet Award, 2013-14 Master List

2012 Nerdies Book Award, middle grade fiction

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews:
"How Ivan confronts his harrowing past yet stays true to his nature exemplifies everything youngsters need to know about courage.”

Starred Review, School Library Journal: 
“The characters will capture readers’ hearts and never let go.  A must-have.”

Starred Review, Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books: 
“Extraordinary.”