New Moon
Author: Stephanie Meyers
ISBN: 978-0-316-16019
Publisher: Little Brown 2006
Plot Summary: In this sequel to Twilight, Bella and Edward are about to celebrate her birthday when Jasper tries to attack her after she cuts herself and he is tempted by her blood. After this Edward worries for Bella and within days he tells her they are moving. All of the Cullens. He tells her goodbye, and she feels empty.
Bella goes into a deep depression. She keeps up her grades but is a zombie the entire time. And she finds ways to flirt with death thinking he is coming to her as she sees visions of Edward. Jacob saves her and stand by her and their friendship grows. Jacob belongs to the rivals of the Cullens and he feels attracted to Bella as well. He hates the pain she endures as a result of Edward, but Bella remains focuses on Edward.
Critical thinking: Bella in this book hinges on obsession over Edward. Her dare devil behavior appears almost as suicide attempts. the intensity of their relationship is increasingly like that of Romeo and Juliet. Bella spends time with Jacob and despite the fact that he might offer a safer and healthier relationship, she only wants Edward. In this we see the good guy once again doesn't get the girl.
Annotation: After Edward leaves, Bella feels lost and she cannot find anything to raise her spirits so she continually seeks Edward.
Author: Stephanie Meyer graduated from BYU. She studied English. She lives in Phoenix, AZ with her son and three children. She was a stay at home mom when she thought of the idea for Twilight.
Genre: YA Romance
Age: 15 and up 9th grade and up
Curriculum Ideas: There are none
Challenge Issues: Possibly interpreted as suicide
Defense: In addition, I would explain policies for selection for San Diego County Libraries:
http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.41_material-selection.pdf
If after my working to convince the patron, they still were not satisfied and wanted to file a grievance, I would provide the needed paper work and then it would go to the “Challenged Materials” team for San Diego County and then onward until there is resolution: http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.34_intellectual_freedom.pdf
Selection: As a sequel, I feel that the Native American Folklore make this one even more exciting than the first. I know that with the film, this book would also be in high demand. It seems logical to offer it as well.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
The Chocolate War
The Chocolate War
Robert Cormier
ISBN: 0-440-94459-7
Dell-Laurel Leaf 1974/2000
Plot Summary: At Trinity High School, The Vigils are a secret society controlling and manipulating the school behind he scenes. The even have Brother Leon on their side and he is the Headmaster. Every year there are chocolate sales, and this is the fist year someone challenges the order. Jerry refuses to sell chocolates and at first he is celebrated for speaking against the system, but then Archie the leader of The Vigils decides Jerry must sell chocolates or else...
Mysteriously Jerry is beat up one evening and the next day he is completely ignored, and in addition, he feels he should hide. He is ostracized and an outcast in the school. He feels like giving in at one point, but his father tells him he shouldn't be bullied into it.
After a great deal of humiliation and challenges, Jerry is beat up by Archie. In his head he thinks about how he should have given in. And it appears Archie wins the Chocolate Wars.
Critical Analysis: Jerry challenges the bullies with simple protest, and demonstrates appropriate and respectable behavior. He is initially celebrated for his protest, but once he is labeled untouchable by the Vigils, Jerry is an outcast. The book conveys the profound pain and humiliation caused by bullying, and readers can understand the impact social politics have on teens.
Annotation: Jerry attends Trinity High School and refuses to participate in the annual chocolate sales. As a result a social war ensues also known as the "chocolate wars."
Author Information: Cormier has been called the "single most important writer for YA novels." He was born January 17, 1925 in Leonmister, MA.
Genre: YA novel
Curriculum Ties: English Literature; discuss bullying
Booktalking Ideas:
1.) When they beat up Jerry the first time in the hoods, the book states they wanted to kill him and make him blind. Why is Jerry so threatening to the Vigils?
2.) Why do people fear change and what is different?
3.) Jerry wonders after they beat him up why if they are the ones committing violent acts, is he the one hiding, and behaving like a wanted criminal? What does that say about oppression in society?
Challenge Issues: Violence, Bullying
I would point out the potential lessons regarding bullying available in this book and how teens need to have a chance to talk about this type of bullying with adults.
I would also share the selection policies for San Diego County Libraries: http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.41_material-selection.pdf If after my working to convince the patron, they still were not satisfied and wanted to file a grievance, I would provide the needed paper work and then it would go to the “Challenged Materials” team for San Diego County and then onward until there is resolution: http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.34_intellectual_freedom.pdf
Selection Reasons: This book illustrates the damage bullying can cause, and also has a strong exploration of hyper masculine behavior. Our society is so harsh on outsiders, and I feel this book is useful in exploring the violence in bullying and showing how it only gets worse if ignored because humiliation, physical abuse, and aggression haunt the victim and shape their experiences for good or bad.
Robert Cormier
ISBN: 0-440-94459-7
Dell-Laurel Leaf 1974/2000
Plot Summary: At Trinity High School, The Vigils are a secret society controlling and manipulating the school behind he scenes. The even have Brother Leon on their side and he is the Headmaster. Every year there are chocolate sales, and this is the fist year someone challenges the order. Jerry refuses to sell chocolates and at first he is celebrated for speaking against the system, but then Archie the leader of The Vigils decides Jerry must sell chocolates or else...
Mysteriously Jerry is beat up one evening and the next day he is completely ignored, and in addition, he feels he should hide. He is ostracized and an outcast in the school. He feels like giving in at one point, but his father tells him he shouldn't be bullied into it.
After a great deal of humiliation and challenges, Jerry is beat up by Archie. In his head he thinks about how he should have given in. And it appears Archie wins the Chocolate Wars.
Critical Analysis: Jerry challenges the bullies with simple protest, and demonstrates appropriate and respectable behavior. He is initially celebrated for his protest, but once he is labeled untouchable by the Vigils, Jerry is an outcast. The book conveys the profound pain and humiliation caused by bullying, and readers can understand the impact social politics have on teens.
Annotation: Jerry attends Trinity High School and refuses to participate in the annual chocolate sales. As a result a social war ensues also known as the "chocolate wars."
Author Information: Cormier has been called the "single most important writer for YA novels." He was born January 17, 1925 in Leonmister, MA.
Genre: YA novel
Curriculum Ties: English Literature; discuss bullying
Booktalking Ideas:
1.) When they beat up Jerry the first time in the hoods, the book states they wanted to kill him and make him blind. Why is Jerry so threatening to the Vigils?
2.) Why do people fear change and what is different?
3.) Jerry wonders after they beat him up why if they are the ones committing violent acts, is he the one hiding, and behaving like a wanted criminal? What does that say about oppression in society?
Challenge Issues: Violence, Bullying
I would point out the potential lessons regarding bullying available in this book and how teens need to have a chance to talk about this type of bullying with adults.
I would also share the selection policies for San Diego County Libraries: http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.41_material-selection.pdf If after my working to convince the patron, they still were not satisfied and wanted to file a grievance, I would provide the needed paper work and then it would go to the “Challenged Materials” team for San Diego County and then onward until there is resolution: http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.34_intellectual_freedom.pdf
Selection Reasons: This book illustrates the damage bullying can cause, and also has a strong exploration of hyper masculine behavior. Our society is so harsh on outsiders, and I feel this book is useful in exploring the violence in bullying and showing how it only gets worse if ignored because humiliation, physical abuse, and aggression haunt the victim and shape their experiences for good or bad.
The Storyteller's Daughter
The Storyteller's Daughter
Jean Thesman
ISBN: 0-395-80978-9
Houghton Mifflin Company 2007
Plot Summary: It is 1933, and during the Great Depression. Quinn is fifteen years old. Her father is Beau John to their town and everyone loves his stories. He is charismatic and knows everyone. He lost his job and now must work at the docks. As a result, he is rarely home, and she misses him, but so does the rest of the family.
One night, Quinn hears he father arguing with a stranger and she is worried. She wonders if her father is in trouble. Then, Donna tells her she must drop out of school because her parents need her to help them make it financially. Quinn feels Donna is abandoning her and wishes for a free moment with her father to confront him with what she heard and to ask his advice regarding Donna.
Quinn worries her father might be part of a smuggling ring after she sees him talking to a man named Mike who is known for his ties to gangsters.
Critical Analysis: Quinn is fifteen in 1933 during the Depression. She is at an age where friends are an important safety net when life is hard at home, and she learns that Donna must drop out. When the book shows Donna forcibly choose to leave school in order to sustain the family, we see sacrifice, and responsibility at a young age. In addition we see an example of how drastically economic times can effect a family, Donna is the child, but she cannot afford school. As we face harsh economic times, it is easy to see how this could happen to a family, and how at times good people make poor decisions to help themselves survive.
Annotation: It is 1933, and fifteen year old Quinn is frustrated when her dad stays gone all the time, and is unsure what to say to him after she hears an argument and suspects he is doing something illegal. She also must deal with her friend, Donna leaving school.
Author Information: Jean Thesman lives in Bothell, Washington, she wrote 40 books in 25 years, and has received ALA Notable Book Honor. She is also married.
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Curriculum Ties: History/ English Literature
Booktalking ideas:
1.)Donna tells Quinn she must drop out of school. Our economy is struggling right now and many people are out of work, what would you feel/ think if a friend came to you and said they had to quit school to help support the family?
2.)How do you think you would confront your father if you thought he was doing something illegal?
Reading Level/ Age Interest: 14 and up 9th grade and up
Challenge Issues: There are no challenge issues.
Selection: I chose this book as it is relevant now even though it takes place in 1933. Our economy is rough and many people are sacrificing luxuries. I feel that this book explores important issues and provides a story where people will listen and try to sympathize with children enduring economic crisis as well.
Jean Thesman
ISBN: 0-395-80978-9
Houghton Mifflin Company 2007
Plot Summary: It is 1933, and during the Great Depression. Quinn is fifteen years old. Her father is Beau John to their town and everyone loves his stories. He is charismatic and knows everyone. He lost his job and now must work at the docks. As a result, he is rarely home, and she misses him, but so does the rest of the family.
One night, Quinn hears he father arguing with a stranger and she is worried. She wonders if her father is in trouble. Then, Donna tells her she must drop out of school because her parents need her to help them make it financially. Quinn feels Donna is abandoning her and wishes for a free moment with her father to confront him with what she heard and to ask his advice regarding Donna.
Quinn worries her father might be part of a smuggling ring after she sees him talking to a man named Mike who is known for his ties to gangsters.
Critical Analysis: Quinn is fifteen in 1933 during the Depression. She is at an age where friends are an important safety net when life is hard at home, and she learns that Donna must drop out. When the book shows Donna forcibly choose to leave school in order to sustain the family, we see sacrifice, and responsibility at a young age. In addition we see an example of how drastically economic times can effect a family, Donna is the child, but she cannot afford school. As we face harsh economic times, it is easy to see how this could happen to a family, and how at times good people make poor decisions to help themselves survive.
Annotation: It is 1933, and fifteen year old Quinn is frustrated when her dad stays gone all the time, and is unsure what to say to him after she hears an argument and suspects he is doing something illegal. She also must deal with her friend, Donna leaving school.
Author Information: Jean Thesman lives in Bothell, Washington, she wrote 40 books in 25 years, and has received ALA Notable Book Honor. She is also married.
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Curriculum Ties: History/ English Literature
Booktalking ideas:
1.)Donna tells Quinn she must drop out of school. Our economy is struggling right now and many people are out of work, what would you feel/ think if a friend came to you and said they had to quit school to help support the family?
2.)How do you think you would confront your father if you thought he was doing something illegal?
Reading Level/ Age Interest: 14 and up 9th grade and up
Challenge Issues: There are no challenge issues.
Selection: I chose this book as it is relevant now even though it takes place in 1933. Our economy is rough and many people are sacrificing luxuries. I feel that this book explores important issues and provides a story where people will listen and try to sympathize with children enduring economic crisis as well.
Coraline
Coraline
Neil Gaiman
Harper Collins 2003
ISBN:0-380-80734-3
Plot Summary: Coraline steps through a wall from a locked door and finds herself in a darker version of her own home. Her "other" parents live there, and her "other" mother at first seems to be exactly what she's always wanted, she cooks whatever Coraline wants, she wants her there all the time, but then Coraline realizes that she isn't quite right. She wants to turn Coraline into a doll-like figure, or an "other" of herself. She tries to sew button eyes onto her face. She also tries to keep Coraline there FOREVER!
She starts to despise the "other" parents, the "other" mother is mean and tries to trap her in the dark garden, and the blob of a dad obeys the "other" mother and chases Coraline.
At the same time, Coraline realizes her real parents are trapped somewhere in between and she wants to return home with them, but cannot. In order to free them, the other mother and Coraline make a deal. Coraline must find the glass spheres or she will have to stay forever, but if she finds them and wins, she can free them and the ghost children trapped by "other" mother in the past.
Coraline travels with a cat, and it talks to her in the "other"world but cannot at home. The cat helps her defeat "other" mother and scratches at her button eyes.
Critical Analysis: This Alice and Wonderland like story takes Coraline on an adventure where she is the heroine. Gaiman's construction is beautifully creepy. Coraline starts out resenting her real parents, but as the story progresses, she misses her family and longs for the stability and normalcy in her real home. She learns the lesson about how as cliche as it sounds, parents have rules to keep us healthy and safe.
Teens can identify with the time in their life when they wanted everything right away, and moving toward adolescence where one appreciates the comfort of home rather than toys and cake.
Annotation: Coraline explores her new home and finds herself on the "other" side. On the "other" side the "other"parents try to spoil Coraline and feed her sweets, and Coraline loves the doting. Then Coraline realizes the "other" mother wants to make her an "other"and keep forever and Coraline must work to escape.
Genre: fantasy
Age Level- Interest Level: 7th grade and up
While this book is for younger children, it is also on the list by YALSA fo Teen Read Week as a great choice. The subject matter is engaging and fun.
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teenreading/trw/trw2004/books.cfm
Booktalk Ideas:
1.) Can you remember a time you wished for different parents?
2.) Does the cat by any chance remind you of a cat in another fantasy book?
3)Gaiman creates haunting images in the "other" mother, why are the button eyes so horrific?
Author Information: Neil Gaiman was born in England, and now lives in Minneapolis, MN. He is forty-ish and has two children; a son and a daughter. He has won many awards and is a best-selling author. To read more, (and there is a lot to read, all interesting) visit his website: http://www.neilgaiman.com/p/About_Neil/Biography
Curriculum: There are none.
Challenge Issues: There are none.
Selection reasons: I agree that it is a great book for teens to read for fun; Go Teen Read Week! While this is a juvenile book, it appeals like many other dark fantasy items, to teens. Hot topic carries Nightmare for Christmas items for teens for this reason. Teens enjoy the macabre and like Gaiman's daughter said at sixteen when she read the book, "you are never too old for Coraline."
Neil Gaiman
Harper Collins 2003
ISBN:0-380-80734-3
Plot Summary: Coraline steps through a wall from a locked door and finds herself in a darker version of her own home. Her "other" parents live there, and her "other" mother at first seems to be exactly what she's always wanted, she cooks whatever Coraline wants, she wants her there all the time, but then Coraline realizes that she isn't quite right. She wants to turn Coraline into a doll-like figure, or an "other" of herself. She tries to sew button eyes onto her face. She also tries to keep Coraline there FOREVER!
She starts to despise the "other" parents, the "other" mother is mean and tries to trap her in the dark garden, and the blob of a dad obeys the "other" mother and chases Coraline.
At the same time, Coraline realizes her real parents are trapped somewhere in between and she wants to return home with them, but cannot. In order to free them, the other mother and Coraline make a deal. Coraline must find the glass spheres or she will have to stay forever, but if she finds them and wins, she can free them and the ghost children trapped by "other" mother in the past.
Coraline travels with a cat, and it talks to her in the "other"world but cannot at home. The cat helps her defeat "other" mother and scratches at her button eyes.
Critical Analysis: This Alice and Wonderland like story takes Coraline on an adventure where she is the heroine. Gaiman's construction is beautifully creepy. Coraline starts out resenting her real parents, but as the story progresses, she misses her family and longs for the stability and normalcy in her real home. She learns the lesson about how as cliche as it sounds, parents have rules to keep us healthy and safe.
Teens can identify with the time in their life when they wanted everything right away, and moving toward adolescence where one appreciates the comfort of home rather than toys and cake.
Annotation: Coraline explores her new home and finds herself on the "other" side. On the "other" side the "other"parents try to spoil Coraline and feed her sweets, and Coraline loves the doting. Then Coraline realizes the "other" mother wants to make her an "other"and keep forever and Coraline must work to escape.
Genre: fantasy
Age Level- Interest Level: 7th grade and up
While this book is for younger children, it is also on the list by YALSA fo Teen Read Week as a great choice. The subject matter is engaging and fun.
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teenreading/trw/trw2004/books.cfm
Booktalk Ideas:
1.) Can you remember a time you wished for different parents?
2.) Does the cat by any chance remind you of a cat in another fantasy book?
3)Gaiman creates haunting images in the "other" mother, why are the button eyes so horrific?
Author Information: Neil Gaiman was born in England, and now lives in Minneapolis, MN. He is forty-ish and has two children; a son and a daughter. He has won many awards and is a best-selling author. To read more, (and there is a lot to read, all interesting) visit his website: http://www.neilgaiman.com/p/About_Neil/Biography
Curriculum: There are none.
Challenge Issues: There are none.
Selection reasons: I agree that it is a great book for teens to read for fun; Go Teen Read Week! While this is a juvenile book, it appeals like many other dark fantasy items, to teens. Hot topic carries Nightmare for Christmas items for teens for this reason. Teens enjoy the macabre and like Gaiman's daughter said at sixteen when she read the book, "you are never too old for Coraline."
Dogtown and Z Boys (film)
Dogtown and Z Boys (film)
Director: Stacy Peralta
Release Date: January 3rd, 2002
Documentary
Plot Summary: Sean Penn narrates the documentary about Venice Beach, CA's Z boys. The film explores 1970's surf culture and the evolution of skateboarding in "Dogtown" and interviews with Tony Alva, Jay Adams, and Tony Hawk. The documentary explores how surf culture fueled skateboarding and when surfers were out of the water they practiced "shredding" on the concrete. Revolutionary board shaper, Jeff Ho describes his exploration of surfboard shaping, and they also describe the way they used to construct their own skateboards.
Peralta interviews Tony Alva and Jay Adams and discusses how skateboarding went from being completely recreational to a team sport, and then to competition and sponsorship. They also describe how surfing and skateboarding were counterculture sports and the culture of the sports was not like the modern day representations like Kelly Slater for surfing for example. The Zboys were aggressive and would go out of their way to find swimming pools to skate and they mention in the film how even when they were caught, they would try the next day to find a way back into the backyard.
Critical Analysis: Stacy Peralta provides an in-depth exploration of the surf and skateboard culture of Venice Beach, CA. In the interview with Jay Adams, he confesses how he wishes he would have made better business decisions and also stayed away from the drug aspect of the skating culture. This honest interview is useful for teens to see the benefits of surfing or skating but how even legends of the sport regret their negative choices.
Annotation: Former Z boy Stacy Peralta interviews his peers in an honest exploration of Venice Beach's skate and surf culture.
Genre: Documentary
Curriculum Ties: English: California youth culture
Discussion Points:
1.) Jay Adams explains how once he was sponsored and had to compete as a teen, the sport lost its fun, can you see his point?
2.)What is different about skating and surf culture today versus the 1070's when skateboarding emerged.
Selection Reasons: This documentary is important to Southern California's culture, and for teens interested in skateboarding or surfing, it is a great film.
Director: Stacy Peralta
Release Date: January 3rd, 2002
Documentary
Plot Summary: Sean Penn narrates the documentary about Venice Beach, CA's Z boys. The film explores 1970's surf culture and the evolution of skateboarding in "Dogtown" and interviews with Tony Alva, Jay Adams, and Tony Hawk. The documentary explores how surf culture fueled skateboarding and when surfers were out of the water they practiced "shredding" on the concrete. Revolutionary board shaper, Jeff Ho describes his exploration of surfboard shaping, and they also describe the way they used to construct their own skateboards.
Peralta interviews Tony Alva and Jay Adams and discusses how skateboarding went from being completely recreational to a team sport, and then to competition and sponsorship. They also describe how surfing and skateboarding were counterculture sports and the culture of the sports was not like the modern day representations like Kelly Slater for surfing for example. The Zboys were aggressive and would go out of their way to find swimming pools to skate and they mention in the film how even when they were caught, they would try the next day to find a way back into the backyard.
Critical Analysis: Stacy Peralta provides an in-depth exploration of the surf and skateboard culture of Venice Beach, CA. In the interview with Jay Adams, he confesses how he wishes he would have made better business decisions and also stayed away from the drug aspect of the skating culture. This honest interview is useful for teens to see the benefits of surfing or skating but how even legends of the sport regret their negative choices.
Annotation: Former Z boy Stacy Peralta interviews his peers in an honest exploration of Venice Beach's skate and surf culture.
Genre: Documentary
Curriculum Ties: English: California youth culture
Discussion Points:
1.) Jay Adams explains how once he was sponsored and had to compete as a teen, the sport lost its fun, can you see his point?
2.)What is different about skating and surf culture today versus the 1070's when skateboarding emerged.
Selection Reasons: This documentary is important to Southern California's culture, and for teens interested in skateboarding or surfing, it is a great film.
Punkzilla
Punkzilla
Adam Rapp
ISBN: 978-0-76363031-7
Candlewick Press 2009
Plot Summary: Jaimie is a fourteen year old boy with ADD. He just went AWOL from military school and took Crystal Meth. He then decides he must board a greyhound bus and travel to see his dying brother Peter. Peter we learn has cancer and Jaimie hopes to get to Peter in Memphis Tennessee before he dies. Jaimie boards the bus in Portland, Oregon.
The book is a series of letters from Jamie to Peter, or "P"as he addresses his brother in he letters, and the letters document Jamie's experiences on the way to Memphis. Jamie explains how he did meth to his brother candidly and tells his brother he realizes its wrong but that he know Jamie wanted the truth. He also talks about how he met a transgender man that used to be a woman. He talks about gender performity with the young man, and asks how his parents felt about his conversion from physically female to male.
He also explains how he used to beat up runners and steal their ipods, and gives his brother an in depth explanation of his experiences in military school and his decision to go AWOL.
Jaimie also gets beat up at the train station and the muggers steal everything but his notebook. He is relieved to have the notebook as it is his only comfort as he writes to his brother. The letters continue and most are addressed to Jaimie while the rest are to friends. His family also writes to him encouraging him to turn his life around while in military school. Jaimie refers to his father as "The General" in his letters to show how strict he is.
Jaimie's arrival in Memphis is bittersweet and Rapp shows Jaimie find hope that he might stay with Jorge, Peter's lover, to start over.
Critical Analysis: Adam Rapp writes a gritty and urgent story through Jaimie's letters where readers are both sympathetic with Jaimie and repulsed by him as well. His parents seem to be too stringent to understand that Jaimie has different needs as a child with ADD, and they favor his brother Edward conveying a lack of tolerance for Peter as a homosexual, and Jaimie as a defiant child. While Jaimie's opening letters are supposed to be him writing on meth, the urgency continues conveying Jamie's desire to get to Peter as well as showing his internal thought process as rushed and anxious as a boy with ADD. The story is relevant and raw putting forth topics which evoke discomfort but need a voice. Rapp's style is unique and the book reads as fast as Jaimie thinks.
Annotation: Jamie sets out to visit his dying brother. Peter or "P" has cancer, and lives in Memphis, Tennessee. Jamie hopes to get to Peter before he dies via a Greyhound bus. Along the way he catalogs drug use, feelings, people he meets, his past transgressions, and his feelings of alienation with a Military father and submissive mother.
About the Author: Adam Rapp is a playwright and writer. He is an acclaimed writer of Young Adult Novels. He was raised in Joliet, IL, with his brother, actor Anthony Rapp, and sister, Anne. His parents divorced when Rapp was five, and he and his siblings were raised by their mother, who died in 1997. He graduated from Clarke College, where he played varsity basketball. He also completed a two-year playwriting fellowship at The Juilliard School.
Rapp is the author of numerous young adult novels, including Missing the Piano, The Buffalo Tree, The Copper Elephant, Little Chicago, 33 Snowfish, Under the Wolf, and Under the Dog.
Genre: YA novel, fiction
Curriculum Ties: English: This book is useful even in spite of the material as the "stream of conscious" writing style employed by Adam Rapp is useful element to explore for high school Creative Writing courses or English classes.
Challenge Issues: Drugs, Transgender, Sex
Book Talking:
1.) What does the last letter mean for the whole book? Did any of this happen? Or was the letter simply written before Jamie went AWOL?
2.) What do you think it was like for Jaimie growing up with "The General?"
3.) When Jamie starts to take meth, do you believe it is a way of self medication since he stopped taking his ADD medication?
Age/ Reading Level/ Interest: 9th grade and up 14 and up
Defense: I would explain that while this book is gritty and provocative, it deals with many issues teens face; identity, sexual feelings, and grief. It is also noteworthy that Jaimie has ADD and his drug use may be a way of self medicating. I would invite adults challenging this book to read it, to discuss it with parents which find it a useful tool for discussion, and direct them to the YALSA site where it is on there list for 2009 Best Young Adult Books.
http://www.examiner.com/x-11029-Young-Adult-Literature-Examiner~y2009m6d7-YALSA-best-book-nominations-released-2009
In addition, I would explain policies for selection for San Diego County Libraries:
Adam Rapp
ISBN: 978-0-76363031-7
Candlewick Press 2009
Plot Summary: Jaimie is a fourteen year old boy with ADD. He just went AWOL from military school and took Crystal Meth. He then decides he must board a greyhound bus and travel to see his dying brother Peter. Peter we learn has cancer and Jaimie hopes to get to Peter in Memphis Tennessee before he dies. Jaimie boards the bus in Portland, Oregon.
The book is a series of letters from Jamie to Peter, or "P"as he addresses his brother in he letters, and the letters document Jamie's experiences on the way to Memphis. Jamie explains how he did meth to his brother candidly and tells his brother he realizes its wrong but that he know Jamie wanted the truth. He also talks about how he met a transgender man that used to be a woman. He talks about gender performity with the young man, and asks how his parents felt about his conversion from physically female to male.
He also explains how he used to beat up runners and steal their ipods, and gives his brother an in depth explanation of his experiences in military school and his decision to go AWOL.
Jaimie also gets beat up at the train station and the muggers steal everything but his notebook. He is relieved to have the notebook as it is his only comfort as he writes to his brother. The letters continue and most are addressed to Jaimie while the rest are to friends. His family also writes to him encouraging him to turn his life around while in military school. Jaimie refers to his father as "The General" in his letters to show how strict he is.
Jaimie's arrival in Memphis is bittersweet and Rapp shows Jaimie find hope that he might stay with Jorge, Peter's lover, to start over.
Critical Analysis: Adam Rapp writes a gritty and urgent story through Jaimie's letters where readers are both sympathetic with Jaimie and repulsed by him as well. His parents seem to be too stringent to understand that Jaimie has different needs as a child with ADD, and they favor his brother Edward conveying a lack of tolerance for Peter as a homosexual, and Jaimie as a defiant child. While Jaimie's opening letters are supposed to be him writing on meth, the urgency continues conveying Jamie's desire to get to Peter as well as showing his internal thought process as rushed and anxious as a boy with ADD. The story is relevant and raw putting forth topics which evoke discomfort but need a voice. Rapp's style is unique and the book reads as fast as Jaimie thinks.
Annotation: Jamie sets out to visit his dying brother. Peter or "P" has cancer, and lives in Memphis, Tennessee. Jamie hopes to get to Peter before he dies via a Greyhound bus. Along the way he catalogs drug use, feelings, people he meets, his past transgressions, and his feelings of alienation with a Military father and submissive mother.
About the Author: Adam Rapp is a playwright and writer. He is an acclaimed writer of Young Adult Novels. He was raised in Joliet, IL, with his brother, actor Anthony Rapp, and sister, Anne. His parents divorced when Rapp was five, and he and his siblings were raised by their mother, who died in 1997. He graduated from Clarke College, where he played varsity basketball. He also completed a two-year playwriting fellowship at The Juilliard School.
Rapp is the author of numerous young adult novels, including Missing the Piano, The Buffalo Tree, The Copper Elephant, Little Chicago, 33 Snowfish, Under the Wolf, and Under the Dog.
Genre: YA novel, fiction
Curriculum Ties: English: This book is useful even in spite of the material as the "stream of conscious" writing style employed by Adam Rapp is useful element to explore for high school Creative Writing courses or English classes.
Challenge Issues: Drugs, Transgender, Sex
Book Talking:
1.) What does the last letter mean for the whole book? Did any of this happen? Or was the letter simply written before Jamie went AWOL?
2.) What do you think it was like for Jaimie growing up with "The General?"
3.) When Jamie starts to take meth, do you believe it is a way of self medication since he stopped taking his ADD medication?
Age/ Reading Level/ Interest: 9th grade and up 14 and up
Defense: I would explain that while this book is gritty and provocative, it deals with many issues teens face; identity, sexual feelings, and grief. It is also noteworthy that Jaimie has ADD and his drug use may be a way of self medicating. I would invite adults challenging this book to read it, to discuss it with parents which find it a useful tool for discussion, and direct them to the YALSA site where it is on there list for 2009 Best Young Adult Books.
http://www.examiner.com/x-11029-Young-Adult-Literature-Examiner~y2009m6d7-YALSA-best-book-nominations-released-2009
In addition, I would explain policies for selection for San Diego County Libraries:
If after my working to convince the patron, they still were not satisfied and wanted to file a grievance, I would provide the needed paper work and then it would go to the “Challenged Materials” team for San Diego County and then onward until there is resolution: http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.34_intellectual_freedom.pdf
If the Witness Lied
If the Witness Lied
Caroline B. Clooney
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers, May 12, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-385-73448-6
Plot Summary: Jack Fountain is living with the death of his parents. He tries to help take care of his baby brother, Tris, and work with his sisters, Madison, and Smithy. Meanwhile his aunt Cheryl lives with them now and tries to arrange for there to be a documentary about the Fountain family. The Fountain siblings want to keep Tris,a two year old safe and out of the limelight and work hard to do so. Also looking out for Tris is Diana, his babysitter and Jack's classmate at high school. She also worries for Tris, and alerts Jack to aunt Cheryl's dangerous behavior. As the siblings and Diana watch Cheryl try to exploit the family, they also start to see what she is truly capable of.
Critical Analysis: The concept of the teens caring for the toddler and doing it well, is interesting. Clooney writes Jack as an intelligent and considerate teen when she shows his concern for Tris. Jack refuses to feel sorry for himself and give up, and while it is a hard message, he demonstrates the potential a person can have when they stay focused and make the important things in life their priority.
Readers Annotation: Jack Fountain faces the responsibility of watching after his siblings after the death of his parents and when his Aunt Cheryl comes to help, but it becomes apparent that she does not have their best interest at heart and she may in fact be dangerous!
Information about the Author: Caroline Clooney is the author of many YA titles and has been on the YALSA book list for best books for Driver's Ed. She lives in Connecticut and New York City
Genre: YA Mystery/ Drama
Curriculum ties: For this novel there are no apparent curriculum ties.
Booktalking Ideas:
1.) What must Jack feel after his parents die and he now must care for Tris?
2.) What does it show about Jack, Diana, and Madison and Smithy that they all want to keep Tris safe? Are they doing a good job?
Reading Level/ Interest Age: 9th grade and up
Challenge Issues: none
Reasons for selection: The strength and responsibility Jack shows is refreshing and positive and in spite of the tragedy, he is a character which conveys their immense intuition.
Caroline B. Clooney
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers, May 12, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-385-73448-6
Plot Summary: Jack Fountain is living with the death of his parents. He tries to help take care of his baby brother, Tris, and work with his sisters, Madison, and Smithy. Meanwhile his aunt Cheryl lives with them now and tries to arrange for there to be a documentary about the Fountain family. The Fountain siblings want to keep Tris,a two year old safe and out of the limelight and work hard to do so. Also looking out for Tris is Diana, his babysitter and Jack's classmate at high school. She also worries for Tris, and alerts Jack to aunt Cheryl's dangerous behavior. As the siblings and Diana watch Cheryl try to exploit the family, they also start to see what she is truly capable of.
Critical Analysis: The concept of the teens caring for the toddler and doing it well, is interesting. Clooney writes Jack as an intelligent and considerate teen when she shows his concern for Tris. Jack refuses to feel sorry for himself and give up, and while it is a hard message, he demonstrates the potential a person can have when they stay focused and make the important things in life their priority.
Readers Annotation: Jack Fountain faces the responsibility of watching after his siblings after the death of his parents and when his Aunt Cheryl comes to help, but it becomes apparent that she does not have their best interest at heart and she may in fact be dangerous!
Information about the Author: Caroline Clooney is the author of many YA titles and has been on the YALSA book list for best books for Driver's Ed. She lives in Connecticut and New York City
Genre: YA Mystery/ Drama
Curriculum ties: For this novel there are no apparent curriculum ties.
Booktalking Ideas:
1.) What must Jack feel after his parents die and he now must care for Tris?
2.) What does it show about Jack, Diana, and Madison and Smithy that they all want to keep Tris safe? Are they doing a good job?
Reading Level/ Interest Age: 9th grade and up
Challenge Issues: none
Reasons for selection: The strength and responsibility Jack shows is refreshing and positive and in spite of the tragedy, he is a character which conveys their immense intuition.
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