Diary of a Chav, Grace Dent

Dent, Grace (2008).
Diary of a Chav
New York: Little Brown
9780316034838
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Fifteen-year-old Shiraz tries to imagine a life for herself beyond the limited expectations of family and peers in her working-class English neighborhood.
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Done in diary form as Shiraz has received a diary from her grandmother for Christmas, the author presents us with a very strong and realistic teen voice in the form of Shiraz. Through her diary entries, we see Shiraz and her family and friends for what they are ....“Chavs” (Chavs are the British term for what Americans would call "trailer trash"). But slowly through the persistence of a new English teacher, Shiraz begins to realize that she is capable of much more than smart ass remarks she makes in class. Interestingly, the change comes about realistically with set backs and Shiraz questioning herself and her teacher along the way. It is mostly a two week stint at a food processing plant that causes Shiraz to open her eyes and see what her life would be like if she did not stay in school to further her education and increase her chances of making a better life for herself. Light-hearted at times, Diary of a Chav is pure entertainment; the cover begs the reader to pick it up and check it out!

Saving Zoe, Alyson Noel

Noel, Alyson (2007).
Saving Zoe
New York: St. Martin’s Griffin9
780312355104
Genre: Realistic fiction

High school provides grief and isolation to Echo whose older sister Zoë died a year earlier, but insights gained from Zoë’s diary-a fifteenth birthday gift from Zoë’s boyfriend- about her sister’s life and death change Echo in ways she never expected.
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Fifteen-year-old Echo, is a typical teen trying to survive high school without being totally traumatized by boy trouble, friend drama, and school issues. As if she didn't have enough on her plate, Echo is also still dealing with the murder of her sister Zoë. Although it's been over a year, Echo is still reeling from tragedy that changed everything. Beautiful and full of life, Zoë was the glue that held her family together, and although the two sisters were as different as night and day, they still had a bond that Echo can't let go of. When Zoë's old boyfriend Marc shows up one day with Zoë's diary, Echo doesn't think there's anything in there she doesn't already know. But as she gives in to curiosity and starts reading, she learns that her sister led a secret life that no one could have guessed--not even Echo.
The author has created two very strong character in sisters Zoe and Echo. We meet Zoe through her diary entries, and the reader can totally understand Zoe’s desire to shake off the dust of her little hometown and become famous. Although she has done little to achieve this goal and has no plan in place to achieve this goal, it doesn’t make this dream seem any less real to Zoe or the reader. Unfortunately like many girls her age, she seems to think that just showing up in Hollywood will be enough to guarantee her stardom which makes her tragic end so painfully real. Echo who is the total opposite of her sister (academic straight arrow) who always and a strong sense of herself and never envied Zoe,, reveals her own turmoil as she tries to deal with her sister’s death and the macabre light it sheds on her. As Echo reads Zoe’s diary, she starts trying to be Zoe in the hope that this will ease some of the pain. Will Echo lose her own identity as she tries to become her sister?

Sovay, Celia Rees

Celia Rees (2009).
Sovay
Waterville: Thorndike Press
Genre:Historical fiction
9781410411853

In 1794 England, rich and beautiful Sovay, disguised as a highwayman, acquires papers that could lead to her father’s arrest. Her newly-awakened political consciousness leads her and her compatriot to France during the Revolution.
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Loosely based on an old English ballad, the protagonist is Savoy, the legendary 18th century female British highway robber, who disguised herself as a man. The novel begins when Savoy, 17, dons men’s clothing and robs the coach in which her fiancé rides as a way to seek revenge against his unfaithfulness. Sovay continues to rob coaches as a lark, but when she lifts the wallet of one of England's most powerful men, she finds papers for her father’s arrest for treason along with other politically damaging papers. Savoy soon becomes embroiled in schemes to overthrow the British crown and thwart the rights of the common man. The action shifts from England to France, as Savoy fights to clear her father’s name and save him from the guillotine. The author ambitiously weaves together historical fiction, adventure, and romance.

Despite the many plot twists, dastardly villains, and a brave, a resourceful young heroine the author seems to have tried to weave too much into her story and does not take time to fully develop the characters or the time period known as the Reign of Terror. Only those familiar with the time period and history will appreciate this endeavor.

Perfect Chemistry, Simone Elkeles

Simone, Elkeles (2009).
Perfect Chemistry
New York: Walker and Co.
9780802798237
Genre: Realistic fiction

When wealthy, seemingly perfect Brittany and Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, develop a relationship after Alex discovers that Brittany is not exactly who she seems to be, they must face the disapproval of their schoolmates – and others.
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Wealthy Brittany seems to have it all, the perfect family, the perfect body, the perfect boyfriend- in short the perfect life. At least that is what she wants people to believe as she tries to cover up a less than perfect family. Her mother is obsessed with putting on the perfect image; her father barely communicates with his family living only for his business, and her 20 year-old sister who was born with Cerebral-Palsy is the only family member she feels connected to. Her life slowly starts to unravel at the beginning of her senior year of high school when her chemistry teacher makes her and gang banger Alex Fuentes lab partners for the entire year. Alex, of course, is not who he appears to be either. He is a gang banger who joined only to protect is family and longs to leave the gang life and go to college. At first they can’t stand each other, but after Alex accepts a bet from one of his friends that he can’t bed Brittany by Thanksgiving – things start to warm up. But when they each start to discover the real person hiding behind the others persona, deeper feelings start to develop and flourish. Both Brittany and Alex learn that they must be true to their inner-feelings, hopes and dreams. Perfect Chemistry is a nice love story even if only the two main characters are fully realized. Family and friends seem like one-dimensional clichés, and the author depicts present day gang life using characters and situations that are more in keeping with West Side Story.

The Uninvited, Amanda Marrone

Marrone, Amanda (2007).
The Uninvited
New York : Simon Pulse
9781416939788
Genre: Paranormal Fiction

Jordan's life sucks. Her life once a broken record of boring parties, meaningless hookups, and friend's she couldn't relate to - now consists of her drinking alone in her room as her ex-boyfriend, Michael, waits for the sun to go down and begs her to let him in…to drink her blood!
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Jordan’s life is definitely a mess. She gains notoriety among the high-school crowd as the girl who, when coked up, drunk, or high, cannot say no to anything. But now she is desperately trying to say no to her vampire ex-boyfriend as he begs her to invite him in so he can feast on her blood. Jordan doesn’t understand it; after a “suicide attempt,” Michael Green returns to Jordan’s window the night of his funeral, leaving Jordan confused, agoraphobic and fearful of the night. He didn’t want her before and now she can’t get rid of him. At times of weakness, a depressed Jordan thinks maybe vampirism would not be so bad; after all, she could escape all of her problems. High school itself is okay for Jordan; she spends her time partying with her friends: Rachel, a purple –haired girl, who constantly tries to play psychologist, and her catty, Drama Club friends who exercise their right to regurgitate. But her ex-best friend, Lisa, fresh out of rehab, stumbles upon the secret about Michael. Can Jordan gets the help she needs before she succumbs to Michael’s desires? Will Lisa convince Jordan that life is worth living?

Jordan is funny and likeable and her story is so compelling that vamp and non-vamp fiction readers will devour this book.

Graceling, Kristin Cashore

Cashore, Kristin (2008).
Graceling
Orlando: Harcourt
9780152063962
Genre: Fantasy Fiction

In a world where some people are born with extreme and often-feared skills called “Graces,” Katsa struggles for redemption from her own horrifying grace, the grace of killing, and teams up with another younger fighter to save their land from a corrupt king.
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In the author’s debut Lady Katsa of Middluns was born with a unique skill—that of killing and maiming people. These special talents are called Graces, and the people are known as Gracelings who are recognizable because of their unusual eye color. Since she was eight-years-old, Katsa has unwilling served as her brutish Uncle Randa’s enforcer during daylight hours. He is the feared king of Middluns, torturing and penalizing those who anger him. At night, Katsa is a member of the secret Council, dedicated to righting wrongs. She meets and falls for Prince Po of Lienid during a secret mission; they soon become lovers and partners. Katsa has a fierce need for independence, and Po has an intense sensitivity to those around him. Katsa and Po soon discover that a terrible evil lurks beneath the surface of the Seven Kingdoms. They realize with horror that the powerful and charismatic King Leck of Monsea is also a Graceling with the ability to deceive. His apparent kindness, in reality, hides a terror that threatens the Seven Kingdoms. Will Lady Katsa succeed?

Graceling has plenty of romance and adventure; fantasy fans will enjoy the novel’s political intrigue, intricate plot and appealing character descriptions.

Chains, Laurie Halse Anderson

Anderson, Laurie Halse (2008).
Chains
New York: Simon & Schuster.
978-1416905851
Genre: Historical fiction

After being sold to a cruel couple in New York City, Isabel, a slave, spies for the rebels during the Revolutionary War.
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At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, Isabel's owner dies shortly after promising to set her and her sisters free. After the funeral, the owner's nephew breaks the promise and sells Isabel and her five-year-old sister to a cruel Loyalist family. The sisters are shipped from their quiet rural, farm to chaotic New York City. Isabel is heartbroken and determined to find a way to freedom. This includes spying on her new owners in order to help the rebels win the war. New York is dangerous and volatile, and Isabel soon discovers that it is difficult to trust anyone. She is betrayed by both the Loyalists and the Patriots; she suffers harsh punishment. Chains is an exceptional book that effectively portrays a young woman trying to stay true to herself. Readers will appreciate the interesting plot and characters, while the complex issues and rich imagery will allow them to delve deeper into the book. The chapters are short and fast-paced, and each chapter begins with a historical quotation. The Author's Notes provide insight into various issues surrounding the Revolutionary War. The novel deals with the true price of freedom- for Isabel as well as a developing nation.

Torn to Pieces, Margot McDonnell

McDonnell, Margot (2008).
Torn to Pieces
New York: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
978-0385735599
Genre: Realistic Fiction

When her mother mysteriously disappears, seventeen-year-old Anne discovers that her family harbors many secrets.
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Two months ago, Anne lived a normal small town life. She had a hardworking, albeit quirky, mother, a loving grandmother, a best friend and a pet cat. After her mother's sudden disappearance during a business trip, seventeen-year-old Anne learns that her family has many dark secrets. When she stumbles across a letter, Anne learns that she is adopted and that her mother's business is illegal. The history of Anne's family is told in alternating chapters that reveal a hidden life. Anne is horrified to learn that her mother is both a shrewd drug runner and dealer in illicit currency and information. When criminals appear and demand reimbursement, Anne becomes frantic and desperately attempts to solve the mystery. While Anne's tries to figure things out, she meets two very different young men, Tal, the handsome movie star, and Evan, the homeless abused boy; she finds herself attracted to both. But the focus is her dangerous mystery, and Anne encounters much violence along the way: attempted rape and potential incest. Gripping with its frenetic pace, Torn to Pieces is definitely difficult to put down!

All We Know of Love, Nora Raleigh Baskin

Baskin, Nora Raleigh (2008).
All We Know of Love
London: Walker Book Ltd
978-1406315516

Natalie, almost sixteen, sneaks away form her Connecticut home and takes a bus to Florida, looking for a mother who abandoned her and her father when she was ten years old.
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Over four years ago, Natalie Gordon’s mother walked out mid-sentence and never returned. Three days ago, sixteen-year-old Natalie first began to wonder what her mother left unsaid. Natalie lies to her father, telling him she is going on a ski trip to Vermont. Instead, she purchases a bus ticket from Connecticut to Florida in the hopes of finding her mother; she wants to learn what her mother thought was so important about love. During her road trip, Natalie meets a variety of people who share their stories and experiences with love. In addition to finding her mother, Natalie struggles to resolve her obsessive and tumultuous relationship with her boyfriend, Adam, who doesn’t treat Natalie very well. To compound her struggle, Natalie may be pregnant. Anyone who has been infatuated or in love will empathize with Natalie’s obsessive need to check her cell phone for any voicemails from Adam. Ultimately, Natalie learns that she can shed the image of the unloved, abandoned girl. This coming-of-age story examines the meaning of love and the importance of giving love without giving oneself away. Assorted verses about love head each chapter; Baskin takes a well-known plot and constructs it so that it proves engaging—particularly to teen readers who have tried and/or may be trying to come to terms with their own understanding of love.

Daemon Hall, Andrew Nance

Nance, Andrew (2007).
Daemon Hall
New York: Henry Holt and Co.
9780805081718
Genre: Horror fiction

Famous horror story writer Ian Tremblin comes to the town of Maplewood to hold a short story writing contest, offering the five finalists the chance to spend what turns out to be a terrifying and deadly night with him in a haunted house.

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The famous author of horror and ghost stories, Ian Tremblin, comes to peaceful Maplewood to conduct a literary contest and find the next generation of suspense writers. He chooses five finalists and invites them to spend the night at haunted Daemon Hall so that he may judge their writing skills and storytelling. The winner will get published—but only if she or he can survive a night in the haunted house. If anyone leaves, he or she will be disqualified from the contest. The novel’s narrator, Wade, suffers from panic attacks; his fellow finalists include Chelsea, the Goth girl, Chris, a sensitive jock, shy and quiet Kara who hates horror stories, and Demairus, a black teen who tries to be less dysfunctional than the others.
The chapters alternate between reality and each character’s story submissions. Strange activities occur as the finalists read their stories aloud. The plot structure of the stories within a story provide tension as each story reveals each narrator’s secret fears. Chills increase and the tension builds as teens begin to disappear and Daemon Hall unleashes its terror. Readers of the macabre and ghoulish will enjoy the thrills and suspense.

Anything But Ordinary, Valerie Hobbs

Hobbs, Valerie (2007).
Anything But Ordinary
New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
9780374303747
Genre: Realistic fiction

Bernie and Winifred have been in love since they were fourteen, but when Winifred goes away to college, the two must try to forge their own identity.
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Quirky eighth-grader Bernie Federman moves to a new school in New Jersey and has trouble fitting in. He meets Winifred Owens who is also an outsider. They become friends and become inseparable: playing chess, talking on the phone and trading books. The two realize they are more than friends during their junior year; they plan to attend college together. However, Bernie’s mother dies of ovarian cancer which causes Bernie’s father to drink excessively. Bernie loses motivation; his grades drop, and he starts working at a tire shop. Upon graduation, Winifred leaves for college in Santa Barbara without Bernie. Bernie decides he cannot live without Winifred and drives cross-country. He is unprepared for the dramatic changes in Winifred. Winifred has become “Wini” and changed her appearance and field of study. Her behavior and attitude have also changed, and Wini coldly rejects Bernie. Bernie discovers that he enjoys the college environment; he sits in on classes, sleeps in the library and scrounges food. He decides to stay, enroll in classes and get an apartment. On Christmas break, Wini returns home and discovers what is important to her. Anything But Ordinary is a romantic novel about two people who must first discover their own identities before they are able to find happiness as a couple. Hobbs’ portrayal of college life is authentic and believable. College-bound readers will especially enjoy the college life portrayal and romance readers won’t be disappointed.

When the Mirror Lies: Anorexia, Bulimia and Other Eating Disorders, Tamara Orr

Orr, Tamara (2006).
When the Mirror Lies: Anorexia, Bulimia, and Other Eating Disorders
Danbury: Children’s Press
9780531179772
Genre: Non fiction


The title provides a detailed overview of warning signs, dangerous physical and psychological effects, and available treatment for eating disorders
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The book presents a detailed assessment of various eating disorders with an emphasis on bulimia and anorexia. There are between five and ten million people in the United States who struggle with eating disorders. Orr discusses symptoms and effects openly; she discusses lifestyle behaviors that lead to eating disorders and makes suggestions to change attitudes towards food. She also explains warning signs, common misconceptions, and provides comprehensible recent facts, charts and statistics. Orr includes quotations from doctors and other dietary expert interspersed with personal stories and case studies. The book is well-organized and contains an attractive layout. Chapters include eating disorder triggers, physical and mental consequences, and treatment options. The Food for Thoughts sections ask readers thought-provoking questions. A glossary, index, recommended online sites (that work!) and helpline referral conclude the title. Orr provides valuable information in a user-friendly format.

The Rules for Hearts: a family drama, Sara Ryan

Ryan, Sara (2007).
The Rules for Hearts: a family drama
London: Puffin
978-0142412374
Genre: Realistic Fiction

When he reappears in her life after a four-year absence, Battle Hall Davies spends the summer before college with her brother Nick and learns a lot about Nick and herself, in the moving sequel to Empress of the World.
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Complete with a cast of characters and act and scene chapters, The Rules for Hearts plays out as a drama while the content reads as a memoir. The prologue informs readers that 13-year-old Battle idolizes her brother Nick; he is her most favorite person in the world. When Battle is 14-years-old, Nick runs away. The drama, in five acts, explores Battle’s experiences that take place the summer before she starts college. She reconnects with her brother and decides to move in with him and his thespian-ish co-op in Portland, Oregon. The new environment forces Battle to explore her feelings for her brother as well as her own sense of self with respect to responsibility, obligation and sexuality. While some may find her references to her first and only lesbian relationship off-putting (“She turned me into an oyster”), Battle’s voice is insightful, honest and intriguing. She does not struggle with her sexuality; instead, she accepts it matter-of-factly. In the house, Battle struggles with her crush on older housemate Meryl, who consistently sends mixed signals. While they are intimate (Ryan omits the gory details), Battle eventually realizes that Meryl is merely manipulative, and Battle distances herself from Meryl. Perhaps, her greatest struggle is understanding her irresponsible brother who fools everyone. Battle’s frustration seeps through the text into the hearts of readers; her once idol has become someone Battle loathes. Ryan convincingly captures Battle’s hurt and confusion at what her brother has become. Still Battle proves the most responsible as she attempts to save her brother and sends him home to their parents. Even though the ending seems to come out of nowhere and somewhat tacked on, one cannot help but contemplate Battle’s experiences and admire the young mature woman.

Bliss, Lauren Myracle

Myracle, Lauren (2008).
Bliss
New York: Amulet Books
978-0810970717
Genre: Horror Fiction

Having grown up in a California commune, Bliss sees her aloof grandmother's Atlanta world as a foreign country, but she is determined to be nice as a freshman at an elite high school, which makes her the perfect target for Sandy, a girl obsessed with the occult.
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Fourteen-year-old Bliss moves in with her conservative grandmother when Bliss’ hippie parents seek refuge in Canada from Nixon’s policies. Raised on a commune, Bliss has never used perfumed shampoo or watched television, so her grandmother’s life in Atlanta seems foreign and glamorous at the same time. Bliss cannot wait to start the elite prep school her grandmother has chosen if only to make a friend her own age, and she secretly wonders… will the people be like those on her favorite TV show- The Andy Griffith Show? Myracle creates a naïve young girl who is soon lost amid the catty and superficial girls (from Rhymes with Witches) and the overwhelming campus with its rules and expectations. Bliss, sensitive to the supernatural, immediately hears a creepy voice of a girl who died on campus. Bliss simultaneously befriends some pseudo-popular girls as well as outcast Sandy, who just happens to be obsessed with the occult and death of the student. The novel is set in the 1970s, which may put off some readers, but Myracle includes quotes from the Andy Griffith Show as well as the Tate-La Bianca murder trial (Charles Manson is especially creepy), which foreshadow the action of each chapter and may intrigue some readers. Myracle includes racial issues (and a subplot of the star black athlete secretly dating the white it girl), class issues, prom drama, and the flip of unpopular to popular within months that can only happen in high school fiction. As Bliss matures, she maintains her ideals, witnesses a death at the prom and refuses to offer her blood as sacrifice for Sandy and the ghost that haunts the school.

The Graveyard Book, Neil Gaiman

Gaiman, Neil (2008).
The Graveyard Book
New York: HarperCollins
978-0060530921
Genre: Supernatural/Horror Fiction

Raised since he was a baby by ghosts, werewolves, and other residents of the cemetery in which he has always resided, Bod wonders how he will manage to survive amongst the living with only the lessons he has learned from the dead.
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The man “Jack” has set out to murder the only survivor of a family he has slaughtered; however, once Jack ascends the staircase in the home, he realizes that the 18-month-old toddler is gone. The innocent child has curiously tumbled down the stairs and out the door in an effort to satisfy his curiosity of the world. He wanders into a nearby graveyard where the ghosts, Mr. and Mrs. Owen, who never had children of their own, insist on adopting the child and renaming him Nobody Owens. The residents of the graveyard, including Caius Pompeius, Victor Hugo as well as a young witch and others, vote and decide the Bod may stay and have freedom of the graveyard. Silas, a vampire of sorts, agrees to be Bod’s guardian and travel to the outside to get food for Bod. Inspired by Kipling’s Mowgli tales, Gaiman creates an endearing and still creepy tale which readers will find difficult to put down. Bod experiences many adventures inside and outside of the graveyard from eluding ghouls, escaping thieving pawnbrokers, befriending living and not living beings, to attending school with the living. All the while, Gaiman creates an endearing child who fades into the background when needed as only nobody can. Mysterious Silas intrigues as readers learn that he is fighting the Fraternal Order of Jacks (Jack-of-All-Trades) who is determined to murder Bod, and Miss Lupescu is an especially memorable guardian who shape shifts. The climax occurs when Bod reconnects with an old friend, and they investigate his heritage; the historian who helps them is the man Jack in disguise. Bod confronts Jack, and the result proves that Nobody has indeed grown into a young man who is ready to leave the graveyard and enter the world.

No More Us for You, David Hernandez

Hernandez, David (2009).
No More Us For You
New York: HarperTeen
978-0061173332
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Isabel and Carlos, both seventeen, find themselves growing closer after an unexpected accident forces them to confront both the harshness and the beauty of life.
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Carlos works as a security guard at the Long Beach Museum; he has just found out that his girlfriend, whom his parents adore, is cheating on him. Isabel, whose boyfriend died a year ago in a car accident, walks through life in a cloudy haze as she contemplates hers and everyone else’s mortality. The two narrate the novel in alternating chapters; the narrations converge when they meet through mutual friend, Vanessa-the new girl at school-who also works at the museum and tries to set the two up on a date. Hernandez includes the bizarre, mundane, and tragic of a teens’ life: Carlos’ best friend gets his girl pregnant, his other close friend, Snake, is at risk of suspension and Carlos is saving his money up for clothes, etc. while Isabel tries to decide if her butt is too big and whether she is ready to go partying on the weekends. The two double date with Vanessa and Snake to the school dance. While Carlos and Isabel decide to go into the dance, Snake and Vanessa claim that they will be in shortly so they can finish up their drinks. When Carlos and Isabel return to the parking lot, they realize the car is gone. The next day, amid all the high sschool gossip, Carlos and Isabel learn that Vanessa and Snake have been in a tragic car accident; Vanessa is dead and Snake is in a coma.

Hernandez presents a realistic portrayal of two teens attempting to deal with their grief and still longing for a mutual connection. Both suffer guilt and despair and readers will be drawn into their hearts. Hernandez uses the museum as a vehicle to bring hope and love back into the teens’ hearts and lives together.

Wherever Nina Lies, Lynn Weingarten

Weingarten, Lynn (2009).
Wherever Nina Lies
New York: Point
978-0545066310
Genre: Realistic Fiction, mystery

Two years after the disappearance of her older sister, sixteen-year-old Ellie goes on a quest to find her.
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Ellie has always longed for the day when she and her alternative, artsy sister Nina would be friends, not just sisters. But the novel opens with Ellie explaining how Nina snuck out of the house one night and never came back. Nina has spent 2 years trying to figure out where her sister could be. Ellie works as a barista and has a gay friend named Brad who seems to understand Ellie better than Ellie’s best friend, Amanda. Ellie and Amanda find a picture that was drawn by Nina in an old box of junk. The two girls begin to decipher the clues in an effort to find any info about Nina. After the two end up at a party where the house burns down, Amanda backs out of the search. At the party, Nina meets Sean who encourages and enables her to pursue her quest to find her sister. He claims to have suffered a similar loss, but Sean keeps the details to a minimum. As Ellie and Sean leave the state in search of more clues, traveling from Chicago, to Nebraska, to Denver and then San Francisco, astute readers will recognize that Sean may be a threat as he repeatedly states that meeting Ellie “is fate” and grows more and more possessive of her. Along the trip, Ellie’s flashbacks about her sister reinforce Ellie’s longing and determination to find her sister and detract from the unbelievability of the novel. At one point, Sean tells Ellie that he has hired a P.I. who has found that Nina is dead. A devastated Ellie thinks that they will return to their home state, but when Sean suggests they leave and live on their own, Ellie becomes suspicious. The tension increases page by page…apparently, Sean has been using Ellie to get to Nina, who he thinks he loves and wants to kill because she has never returned the feelings. In fact, Nina was Sean’s brother’s girlfriend, and Sean has killed his brother in an effort to be with Nina. Unbeknownst to Ellie, Nina left to protect her family from Sean. Will Ellie escape Sean's hold? Will Ellie find where Nina lies?
While unbelievable, Weingarten’s clipped dialog, present tense narration and fast past keep readers enthralled. There is some sex but not gratuitous; mentions of tattoos and piercings.

The School for Dangerous Girls, Eliot Schrefer

Schrefer, Eliot (2009).
The School for Dangerous Girls
New York: Scholastic Press
978-0545035286
Genre: Realistic fiction


Sent to a remote, run-down reform school in Colorado, fifteen-year-old Angela is placed with the better girls, but upon learning that her "dangerous" friends are being isolated and left to live as animals, she takes radical steps to join them and help them escape.

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Fifteen-year-old Angela is enrolled at Hidden Oak, a reform school for girls, when her parents suspect she is responsible for her grandfather’s death. Somewhat unruly and typically teenage, Angela was sent to her grandfather’s because her parents felt they couldn’t deal with her any longer. Once a boys’ reformatory, Hidden Oak consists of two threads of girls- the gold and the purple. The gold thread girls get to go to classes, eat good food and are considered those who can be rehabilitated, whereas the purple thread girls are limited to the basement; they have no classes or order; in fact, the girls fight one another for limp lettuce and bug-infested food. A self-governing bunch, the purple thread girls cannot trust anyone. After a month, Angela is placed with the gold threads, but when she meets her “friends” at the secret hideout, and she sees what they endure, Angela vows to get thrown in with the purple threads so that they can all escape. Throughout the novel, Schrefer includes gruesome details of the girls’ fights, a strict, crotchety type teacher and a few harmless teachers to balance out the score. The writing is mediocre as each chapter ends with a sentence to tease out tension and foreshadow: “I just didn’t know what I lost yet” or “I’d been so close to finding out..but the secret had sealed over.” While a sympathetic teacher and his gorgeous son help Angela and her friends, Angela is disheartened to learn that her “close” friend has lied to her all along, and the teacher is only helping because he plans to save the girl he is having an affair with. A disjointed epilogue ties everything up rather neatly—Angela refuses to see her parents; she’s with the teacher’s son, and she reunites with her other friends from the school. Schrefer leaves room for a sequel which may appeal to a few readers.

The Fold, An Na

Na, An (2008).
The Fold
New York: Putnam Juvenile
978-0399242762
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Korean-American high school student Joyce Kim feels like a nonentity compared to her beautiful older sister, and when her aunt offers to pay for plastic surgery on her eyes, she jumps at the chance, thinking it will change her life for the better.
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Sixteen-year-old Joyce hates feeling inadequate next to her perfect, older sister Helen. Joyce has pimples, chubby knees and no sense of style. Her plan is to work out and transform herself so that JFK (John Ford Kang) will notice her and not confuse her with her ugly Korean lab partner ever again. When Joyce’s wealthy aunt Gomo (who she refers to as Michael because of all of her plastic surgery) wins the lottery, Joyce’s solution seems tangible. Aunt Gomo offers each family member a gift to improve themselves (Father-lifts, mother-tattooed eyebrows, brother-pills to grow taller, and sister-dating service); Aunt Gomo offers to pay for Joyce to have surgery to get a fold in her eyelids. As each member suffers from their improvement, Joyce begins to evaluate her opportunity. Na introduces many cultural values and explores issues of ethnic identity and beauty with respect to Korean vs. Western standards. Joyce’s best friend offers comic relief while also representing those Korean Americans who lack the financial stability to afford the same options as Joyce, the bumbling, likeable Everygirl. As Joyce researches surgery and tries out the new look with cosmetic glue, she loses sight of her true friendships and gains the attention of JFK, if only momentarily. It is her resented, perfect sister Helen- the closeted and soon to be outed lesbian- who helps Joyce recognize that inner strength, confidence and beauty do not exist as a result of surgery. Poignant, insightful and extremely accessible to all-regardless of ethnic origin.

Jumper: Griffin's Story, Steven Gould

Gould, Steven (2008).
Jumper: Griffin’s Story
New York: Tor Books
978-0765357854
Genre: Science Fiction

Hiding a secret ability to teleport to any place he has previously visited, Griffin vengefully remembers the dangerous men who murdered his parents when he was a child and plots to avenge himself against the people who would kill him for his powers.
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Based on Gould’s 1992 novel Jumper, Griffin’s Story provides the backstory for the recent movie. At the age of nine, Griffin witnesses the murder of his parents. Using his ability to “jump” or teleport himself, Griffin escapes, but he quickly realizes that each time he jumps, the assassins track him down. Griffin befriends various people around the world; yet, each time he does so, they are hurt or killed. The novel spans seven years, and Griffin matures as he learns to survive on his own. Griffin creates an underground dwelling, and at one point, gets a girlfriend to share his secret with (and sex, too!). Griffin isn’t certain why people are trying to kill him; he only learns that the people after him kill all child jumpers—Griffin is one of the few who has managed to allude them. After Griffin loses everyone he is close to, he plans to avenge their deaths. The quick pace and constant action are guaranteed to maintain the attention of even the most reluctant reader. The span of seven years seems stilted at times, but Griffin’s predicament overshadows the jump from childhood to young adulthood.

Off-Color, Janet McDonald

McDonald, Janet (2007).
Off-Color
New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
978-0374371968
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Fifteen-year-old Cameron, living with her single mother in Brooklyn, finds her search for identity further challenged when she discovers that she is the product of a biracial relationship.
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Fifteen-year-old Cameron lives in a white working class section Brooklyn with her single mom. Cameron’s concerns revolve around wearing clean clothes and getting to school on time. However, everything changes when Cameron’s mother loses her job at the nail salon and is forced to move into the all minority projects across Brooklyn. Cameron fears culture shock as well as abandonment from her friends. Soon after moving, Cameron discovers a photo album in her mother’s room. The album contains a picture of Cameron’s father—who happens to be black. Cameron never suspected her mixed heritage, and she cautiously questions her biracial identity. Because everyone thinks Cameron is white, Cameron wonders what will happen if she tells them the truth—but then, Cameron doesn’t know what it means to be black. In her confusion, she struggles to tell her old friends while making new friends in the projects. Even though each friend represents a stereotypical caricature of black people (the sassy wise widow, the ghetto fab hood rats, etc), they each allow Cameron the opportunity to contemplate her identity. As Cameron grows more comfortable, many characters admit their own biracial heritage (guidance counselor, Afr Am studies teacher, new friends in the projects) which seems improbable. Still the novel will facilitate thought about biracial individuals. Ghetto speak abounds without much profanity or sex.

ricochet, Julie Gonzalez

Gonzalez, Julie (2008).
ricochet
New York:Laurel Leaf
978-0440239055
Genre: Realistic fiction

When his best friend is killed in a game with a loaded gun, fifteen-year-old Conner finds his perceptions of himself and his relationships with his family, friends, and the other people in his life changed in more profound ways than he could have imagined.
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Cameron and his friends begin by playing Russian roulette, and when everyone survives, they move onto Idiot’s roulette (pulling the trigger on the one closest to you). When Cameron’s best friend is shot and killed, Cameron suffers the consequences: he is convicted of manslaughter and put on probation. While Gonzalez portrays Cameron as a sensitive fifteen-year-old who questions his friendship with Daniel as well as Cameron’s relationship with his brothers, Gonzalez is a bit out of sync with today’s teens: Cameron refers to spending time with his friends as “palling around.” The use of short episodic non-linear narratives which somewhat alternate between before and after the shooting seem jumbed and lack the tension building effect necessary for the novel to maintain readers’ interest. As part of his punishment, Cameron must avoid the other friends who were present at the shooting, get a part time job and check in with his probation officer. Gonzalez accurately portrays Cameron’s family’s and friends’ reactions to the situation. Cameron’s younger brother blames Cameron for the death while his mother doesn’t really know how to relate to her son anymore. Cameron questions himself and doubts his ability to choose friends and, as a result befriends the wrong person who frames him at work. Cameron realizes that because of his record, everyone assumes he is guilty. Cameron turns to his love of music and violin playing to ground him and keep him from succumbing to “the dragon”—Cameron discusses how the dragon haunts him and plays on his insecurities. Only when Cameron becomes completely self-assured and mends the faltering relationships in his life does the dragon disappear.

He Forgot to Say Goodbye, Benjamin Alire Saenz

Saenz, Benjamin Alire (2008).
He Forgot to Say Goodbye
New York: Simon & Schuster
978-1416949633
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Two teenaged boys with very different lives find that they share a common bond- fathers they have never met left them when they were small boys—and in spite of their differences, they become close when they each need someone who understands.
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Ramiro Lopez and Jake Upthegrove both live in El Paso, yet they each live in two completely different environments. Jake lives with his wealthy mother and stepmother and attends the magnet high school for students who plan to be doctors; he despises his parents’ materialistic lifestyle and superior attitude. Ramiro lives with his single mother in a low income neighborhood; he works at Whataburger after school so that he will have money to buy clothes. While extremely different, the two share the fact that their fathers left when they where infants. While Ramiro has never met his father, Jake has spoken to his father on the phone. Still, both fathers have made the decision not to be involved with their sons. Ramiro romanticizes his father (he wonders about his actions, his life and looks) while Jake has become bitter and cynical and usually acts out towards his mother. The chapters alternate between the two boys’ narratives, and I thought each boy could have told his own story in a shorter novel. The narratives are somewhat connected by similar situations that each boy faces; however, it is not until the two actually interact that the novel proves interesting. Each boy suffers a terrible life-changing situation: Ramiro’s younger brother overdoses on heroine while Jake finds his stepfather with another woman. Each boy suffers the guilt-Ramiro wonders if he could have saved his brother while Jake wonders how to tell his mother or if he should. It is only when the two spend time culminating a friendship that they feel comfortable and at peace. Audiences, along with the boys, will come to resent the fathers as Jake’s father calls randomly and offers the boy money, while Ramiro’s father tells Ramiro’s mother, “Tell Ramiro to forget me.” Ramiro’s sidekick Alejandra provides some comic relief and allows readers to witness other sides of Ramiro’s personality. The three teens share a bowl of menudo, and readers will wonder if that is enough.

Gravity, Leanne Lieberman

Lieberman, Leanne (2008).
Gravity
Victoria, B.C. : Orca Book Publishers
9781554690497
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Afraid that there is no way to be both gay and Jewish, Ellie Gold, an orthodox Jewish teenager feels forced to either alter her sexuality or leave her Jewish community until her mother and sister offer alternative concepts of God that help Ellie find a place for herself.
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Ellie Gold is an Orthodox Jew who struggles with her sexual identity. She strictly adheres to all of the tenets of her religion-even when she spends her summer with her grandmother who barely follows the religion. In fact, it is Ellie who says all of the prayers and sings all of the songs and even maintains a kosher diet when she and her grandmother spend their vacation in a rented cabin in the mountains. Ellie’s inner struggle becomes a physical reality when she meets Lindsay, a beautiful, wealthy non-Jewish girl. The two spend time exploring the mountain area and share a passionate kiss. However, Lindsay leaves without saying goodbye. Ellie returns to her home unsure of what actually happened. As time passes, Ellie unsuccessfully tries to contact Lindsay. All the while Ellie torments herself with the conflict of her religion and her feelings; she secretly bites the inside of her cheek repeatedly and pulls out her hair so that she has a bald spot. Ellie’s older sister, Neshama, a liberal student who balks at the family’s adherence to the religion cannot wait to graduate and escape to university. Neshama eventually realizes that Ellis is gay and tries to help Ellie accept herself. As Ellie struggles with her feelings, she reconnects with Lindsay and the two schedule their illicit meetings weekly. They spend time together lovemaking and watching television. Lieberman introduces another plotline to reinforce Ellie’s questioning of her religion as her mother is banished from their temple because she sings too loudly. Ellie’s father, the usual patriarch of the family, forces Ellie and Neshama to tell their mother that she must go to a different temple. Lieberman includes quite a bit of information about the Jewish religion-going into detail about specific rituals. While her characters may question the validity of the religion, Lieberman still maintains respect for the religion. Ultimately, Ellies realizes that Lindsay isn’t truly in love with her. She also realizes that she can take what she needs from her religion to live a fulfilled and complete life. In fact, Ellie is convinced there is a nice Jewish girl waiting to be met by her; why else would she share a secret smile with the girl in temple?

Dark Dude, Oscar Hijuelos

Hijuelos, Oscar (2008).
Dark Dude
New York: Atheneum
978-1416948049
Genre: Realistic Fiction


In 1960s, Rico Fuentes, a pale-skinned Cuban American teenager, abandons drug-infested New York City for the picket fence and apple pie world of Wisconsin, only to discover that he still feels like an outsider and that violent and judgmental people can be found in even the wholesome Midwest.
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Fifteen-year-old Rico is what the Latinos and African Americans call a “dark dude”, someone who is light skinned and not to be trusted in the ghetto community (Dictionary of Slang definition included by Hijuelos). Growing up as a Cuban American in New York, Rico faces his otherness daily as he walks to school and frequently gets jumped. His mother blames him for their financial situation (he was a sickly child and the family incurred unaffordable medical bills), his father drinks daily, and his closest friend Jimmy has become a heroine addict. Rico escapes by reading comic books and dreaming of becoming a writer ala Mark Twain, but when problems escalate at his high school and Rico witnesses a shooting, the comic books and novels are not enough for Rico to forget his problems. The only solace he feels is when he reads the letters he receives from Gilberto, an older friend who writes from Wisconsin- a lottery winner who “escaped the streets of NY.” After much trepidation, Rico decides to run away to Wisconsin; he convinces Jimmy to go with him, and they hitchhike to Gilberto’s farm. Much like Mark Twain’s novel, Rico and Jimmy learn valuable lessons along the way. On the farm, the two boys help Gilberto and the handful of boarders; they befriend one another and help one another out. Rico finds a girlfriend and enjoys the farmland, but after six months or so, he longs for his mother’s cooking and wonders about his parents. He also feels uneasy at the boarders’ decision to grow marijuana. While working at the local gas station, Rico is assaulted because he is thought to be gay. The event combined with his uneasiness at home force Rico to realize that prejudice exists everywhere, and one must face it to survive. Hijuelos presents Rico's realization thoroughly and authentically; the novel will appeal to anyone interested in human nature.

Mistik Lake, Martha Brooks

Brooks, Martha (2007).
Mistik Lake
New York : Farrar, Straus and Giroux
9780374349851
Genre: Realistic fiction


After Odella’s mother leaves her and her sisters and their father in Manitoba to move to Iceland with another man, she then dies there, and the family finally learns some of the many secrets that have haunted them for two generations.
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Mistik Lake is full of secrets, or at least that’s how Brooks portrays the small town and its three generations of women. Odella is a teenager who hides her mother’s alcoholism while trying to explore her individuality; Sally, Odella’s mother, harbors a secret that haunts her to the point she must escape the town somehow and her extramarital affair affords her the opportunity; Gloria, Odella’s lesbian great aunt, keeps all of the family secrets in check-including her own. When Sally unexpectedly dies, Odella must grow up rather quickly; overwhelmed by her familial obligations, Sally attempt to escape her situation; she promptly loses her virginity to a meaningless boyfriend. When Odella falls in love with Jimmy, she begins to mature. While Brooks’ narrators draw readers into the love affair, Brooks creates an intriguing tension as she alternates others’ perspectives amid the love story. Readers learn that Sally was involved in a horrific accident on the Lake; everyone died in the accident except her. In addition, Sally was involved with another man prior to her husband; it seems the whole town has known this except Odella. (Guess what’s coming?) Gloria is the one member of Odella’s family who knows all of the secrets and has kept everything in order—but at the age of 70, Gloria finally comes out to Odella and her sisters, and it seems with time, all of the secrets come to light. Initially a little confusing as they weave back and forth through time from person to person, Brooks’ narrators have honest, true distinct voices which ultimately draw the reader into their story and lives. The pacing is episodic and yet absorbing, and the three divisions of the novel Winter, Spring and Summer reflect the tone and experiences of Odella’s life. A multi-layered love story which will appeal to those who enjoy realistic fiction.

headlong, Kathe Koja

Koja, Kathe (2008).
headlong
New York : Farrar, Straus and Giroux
9780374329129
Genre: Realistic Fiction

High school sophomore Lily opens herself to new possibilities when, despite warnings, she becomes friends with “ghetto girl” Hazel, a new student at the private Vaughn School which Lily, following in her elitist mother’s footsteps, has attended since preschool.
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Lily Noble has attended the Vaughn School since preschool, and now as a junior, she seems restless and unhappy. She’s built a stellar reputation at the wealthy private school and when she meets and befriends Hazel, a girl from a urban public school, Lily’s teachers and parents warn Lily about the friendship and its effects on her reputation. The novel hopscotches back and forth between the beginning of Lily’s junior year and the end of the years. Readers witness the beginning of the friendship as well as its end. The author also includes memos written about the school and Lily’s progress. Readers will be more intrigued by subversive, sarcastic Hazel who initially doesn’t want to attend the Vaughn School. Later Lily and readers will think that Hazel has transitioned and become a representative of Vaughn- yet Koja surprises readers as the two girls drift apart. At points, Lily seems to idolize Hazel and gets caught up in the idea of Hazels’ family which consists of her gay brother and his partner. Astute readers will identify with Lily’s longing to fit in and find her place; superficial readers will probably think that Lily has a crush on Hazel! Koja deftly portrays the life at a boarding school; she captures the tone of the wealthy headmaster and the included memos allow readers to decide who is the best judge of character- the school staff or Lily or Hazel? Ultimately, both Likely and Hazel recognize and embrace their different backgrounds as they drift apart. Readers who look for Disney-type endings will have to look elsewhere!

Boy Toy, Barry Lyga

Lyga, Barry (2007).
Boy Toy
Boston: Houghton Mifflin
9780618723935
Genre: Realistic Fiction

After five years of fighting his way past flickers of memory about the teacher who molested him and the incident that brought the crime to light, eighteen-year-old Josh gets help coping with his molester’s release from prison when he finally tells his best friend the truth.
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Eighteen-year-old Josh is getting ready to play the biggest baseball game of his career, graduate from high school, and decide on which college to attend when he learns that the teacher who molested him when he was twelve years old is soon to be paroled. He avoids talking about his feelings until his former best friend Rachel forces him to share what happened before their disastrous game of spin the bottle when they were thirteen. When Josh turned thirteen, he had a small party with his close friends, Zik, Michelle and Rachel. An awkward game of spin the bottle and a few minutes in the closet with Rachel ensue. When Rachel kisses Josh, Josh responds in a much more aggressive manner, and Rachel runs crying to her parents. When a nervous and confused Josh responds that “Eve likes it,” Josh’s experiences and situation are brought to the attention of his family and the whole town. As Josh tells Rachel how everything happened, readers learn that Josh’s young, attractive, married history teacher Eve befriended a twelve-year-old Josh and his family. Josh thinks he has fallen in love with Eve, and even though he knows what he is doing is wrong, he follows his heart and hormones. In fact, Josh thinks he has seduced Eve when in fact it is she that has preyed upon him. Josh’s twelve-year-old voice captures the innocence and sexual awakening of an adolescent who is experiencing puberty. Even though Josh undergoes years of therapy, it is his confession to Rachel which allows him to face his past so that he may pursue his future. The novel contains many riveting scenes: Eve’s distraught husband attacks and beats twelve year old Josh to a pulp; Josh confuses a middle aged woman with a child as a newly released Eve and his possible child; his coach taunts him into running faster by exclaiming “you didn’t sleep with me!” and Josh punches his coach out; Josh experiences many “flickers” or memories of what happened with Eve on many different occasions and confuses his memories with reality; however, the most riveting scene is when Josh confronts a recently released Eve. The narrative is well-paced and tightly written with the shorter “present” chapters versus the longer “past” chapters. The inclusion of Josh’s baseball prowess and future career lightens the material while demonstrating Josh’s need for control and escape.

Confessions of a Serial Kisser, Wendelin Van Draanen

Van Draanen, Wendelin (2008).
Confessions of a Serial Kisser
New York: Alfred A. Knopf
9780375942488
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Chick-Lit

After reading her mother’s secret collection of romance novels during her parents’ difficult separation, seventeen-year-old Evangeline Logan begins a quest for the prefect kiss.
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Music–loving Evangeline used to be happy-go-lucky until her father had an affair, and her parents separated. After months of wallowing in depression, Evangeline finds her mother’s secret stash of romance novels, and Evangeline decides to change her attitude. In particular, Crimson Kiss grabs Evangeline’s attention and after a do-it-herself makeover and the advice from one of her mom’s self help books, Evangeline decides to turn her fantasy into reality and seeks the passion of a crimson kiss. Unfortunately, Evangeline kisses one too many people- from the popular jock at school, the bookish quiet guy, the random guy at Starbucks, her best friend’s brother and even, unbeknownst to Evangeline, her best friend’s crush. As she flounders through her innocent kisses, Evangeline cannot understand why such perfect looking guys cannot deliver the crimson kiss and why she gains a bad reputation- even her teachers are talking! All the while Evangeline refuses to forgive her father even though her mother seems to be reconciling with him. Only when Evangeline’s best friend refuses to forgive her does Evangeline see any parallels between the two situations. Two thirds into the novel, I worried Evangeline was perpetuating dismal female stereotypes- the hysterical, emotional non-thinking female and/or the promiscuous whore. However, Van Draanen restores my faith as she reunites Evangeline with her love of music via the local record storeowner. Evangeline learns to channel her passion, forgive her father and regains her best friend. Van Draanen’s open ending with respect to two possible love interests for Evangeline is extremely realistic, and readers will overlook the didactic message because Evangeline’s voice is so endearing and likeable.

Streams of Babel, Carol Plum-Ucci

Plum-Ucci, Carol (2008).
Streams of Babel
Orlando: Harcourt
9780152165567
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Six teens face a bioterrorist attack on American soil as four are infected with a mysterious disease affecting their small New Jersey neighborhood and two others, both brilliant computer hackers, assist the United States Intelligence Coalition in tracking the perpetrators.
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Meet Cora Holman. Her heroin addicted mother experiences flu like symptoms and then mysteriously dies within the first few pages of the novel. Cora, who has never really known her mother, has nobody to call, and wonders what to do as she, too, begins to feel as if she has the flu. The paramedic who retrieves her mother is Scott. He and his brother Owen also begin to experience symptoms. When their mother dies within days of Cora’s, Scott, a paramedic, begins to wonder if perhaps there is more to the situation especially when Rain, whose father happens to work with a special unit that deals with bioterrorist situations, too, becomes ill. Travel overseas to Pakistan and meet Shahzad, a sixteen-year-old computer prodigy who is working with the FBI as a virtual spy and has deciphered mention of something called Red Vinegar destined to kill thousands. While the storyline is obvious, Plum-Ucci deftly captures the fear, frustration, and confusion of her characters. Her split narrative only enhances the plot and creates a tension, which creates an intense page-turner. Initially hesitant to leave Pakistan, the asthmatic Shahzad decides to relocate to New York to work undercover with the FBI and get better health care. When a young Asian American computer hacker figures out Shahzad’s true identity, Shahzad is fired from the FBI. However, Shahzad cannot return to a mundane life, and as the teens in N.J. worsen- all are hospitalized-, Shahzad and his new found hacker friend decide that they can and will solve the mystery of the Red Vinegar. The climax occurs when the two boys come face to face with the terrorists! Internet spying and hacking along with bioterrorism guarantee to interest the most reluctant reader while the insecure Cora, good-hearted Scott and prom-obsessed Rain will appeal to those not usually interested in espionage and terrorism type reads.

The Chosen One, Carol Lynch

Williams, Carol Lynch (2009).
The Chosen One
New York: St. Martin's Griffin
9780312555115
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Raised in an isolated polygamous community where she secretly reads mobile library books and wonders about her father's three wives and her twenty siblings, thirteen-year-old Kyra is forced to make a desperate choice when she is selected to be her sixty-year-old uncle's seventh wife.
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Kirkus claims this book is “intensely gripping and grippingly intense,” and I have to agree. Williams’ thirteen-year-old protagonist, Kyra, opens the novel with the statement, “If I was going to kill the Prophet, I’d do it in Africa.” Williams then maintains the readers’ attention as Kyra’s predicament unfolds. Traveling back and forth in time (before the decree and after), Kyra describes her life amid The Chosen Ones. Her father, three mothers and 21 siblings live among others of the same belief system of which Prophet Childs is the leader. Kyra believes her secret visits to the bookmobile, the books she’s guiltily and hungrily read as well as her innocent relationship with Joshua, a teen member of her cult—all of which are illegal—have led to the proclamation that she must marry her sixty-year-old uncle. While she tries to resist the decree and begs her non-violent father to help her, Kyra also begins to notice her family’s situation: Why does her mother have to have so many children? Why can’t her mother get medical help? Why is Dr. Seuss so bad? and where have the other members, the members who questioned the Prophet, disappeared to? When Joshua appeals to the Prophet, Joshua is beaten and given time to escape; Williams alludes to violent torture and murder as the boy, with others, runs for his life. Williams increases the tension as readers wonder if Kyra will have the strength to escape, knowing her family will lose everything, or if she will dutifully carry out her obligations.
Williams’ final harrowing 30 pages will hold the attention of even the most reluctant reader: will Kyra live with the fact that she knows the Elders killed the bookmobile driver? Can she, will she, try to escape once more? Will she be successful? While there have been many cult novels, Williams’ offers a very real and positive ending for Kyra.

Before, After and Somebody in Between, Jeannine Garsee

Garsee, Jeannine (2007).
Before, After, and Somebody in Between
New York: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
9781599902920
Genre: Realistic Fiction


SUBJECT: Alcoholism, drug abuse, problem families, high school, poverty fiction

After dealing with an alcoholic mother and her abusive boyfriend, a school bully, and life on the wrong side of the tracks in Cleveland, Ohio, high school sophomore Martha Kowalski expects to be happy when she moves in with a rich family across town, but finds that the "rich life" has problems of its own.
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Martha Kowalski is a intelligent and beautiful girl who suffers because of her environment. She has an alcoholic mother who resents Martha’s love of music, in fact, Martha’s existence; she clothes herself from the Goodwill box in the hallway and eats whatever happens to be in the kitchen when her mother remembers to go grocery shopping. And her mother has a knack for picking losers as boyfriends. So when Martha and her mother move in with Wayne, an abusive alcoholic who rents his upstairs to a single black mother with 3 kids, Martha wonders why her mother can’t do something differently- get sober, pick a better man and live somewhere decent. Martha befriends Jerome one o the boys who lives upstairs and the two forge a friendship. But it doesn’t allow her to escape her life. Martha suffers taunting from the kids at school and, in one crucial scene, Martha pulls a knife on her tormentor. Garsee includes so many crucial scenes: Jerome’s cousin steals Martha’s cello; Martha steals Jerome’s drug money to pay for it, and when the cousin cannot pay his debts, the drug dealers commit a drive by shooting; Jerome’s baby brother is killed. The same night all of this happens, Martha’s mom kicks Martha out of the house in a drunken stupor. When mom ends up in a rehab, again, Martha is sent to live with foster families. After a bad experience, she ends up living with a wealthy lawyer, his wife and daughter. The story becomes a fairy tale as Martha desperately tries to change her life and identity. However, Martha learns that she has to face who she is once her mother completes rehab and Martha must return to her poverty stricken life. Garsee descriptions are gritty and raw-- from the stained clothes that Martha wears to her Martha’s mom strung out on the couch with her rehab friends to Martha’s longing for a chance at a new life with a music scholarship. The fairy tale stereotypes of the wealthy family are realistic in that the family hides their own secrets of alcoholism and drug dependency. Martha, and readers alike, are afforded the opportunity to witness the effects of drug abuse in the poor and wealthy alike. When Martha returns and her mother relapses, Martha leaves the house and readers are left with the image of Martha calling her social worker from a pay phone, and readers will wonder if Martha will make it.

Secrets of My Suburban Life, Lauren Baratz-Logstead

Baratz-Logstead, Lauren (2008).
Secrets of My Suburban Life
New York: Simon Pulse.
9781416925255
Genre: Realistic Fiction

When Ren discovers that her biggest enemy at her new school, Farrin, has been conversing with an older man on-line and they are planning to meet, she knows that she cannot let Farrin go through with it.
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Harry Potter killed Ren’s mom. Not Harry Potter himself, but thousands of the books, explains Ren, a popular Manhattan teen. After her mother’s death, Ren’s father decides the two of them should relocate to Connecticut. Ren’s new school is culture shock for Ren; she desperately tries to fit in with all of the wealthy kids, but Farrin, the “it girl” thwarts Ren’s every attempt. As Ren blunders her way through each day of high school, she writes letters to her deceased mother in an effort to sort out her feelings. When Ren and Farrin accidentally switch pink fur-trimmed binders, Ren learns that Farrin has an ad on an internet dating site, and Farrin has been emailing an older man. Ren takes on Farrin’s online identity and suspects that Farrin has been emailing her father! Ren decides to save the young girl from disaster and confront her father; she plans to meet the man at a seedy hotel. The climactic scene (no pun intended) demonstrates that Ren has made a few friends who actually like her for who she is and that Ren should have never doubted her father’s morals. Now her English teacher is a different story…. Ultimately Ren is able to conclude her letters to her mother and look forward to school and her new life. Baratz-Longstead captures the drama and confusion of high school rather well; Ren is a kind hearted, well-intentioned girl who really doesn’t understand that Farrin is simply jealous and threatened by her. I kept thinking it was Gossip Girl Lite; SLJ too referenced Gossip Girl- only Secrets of My Suburban Life will most likely be more accessible to the younger at heart.

The Unspoken, Thomas Fahy

Fahy, Thomas (2008)
The Unspoken
New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers,
1416940073
Genre: Horror Fiction, Paranormal



Six teens are drawn back to the small North Carolina town where they once lived and, one by one, begin to die of their worst fears, as prophesied by the cult leader they killed five years earlier, and who they believe poisoned their parents.

Think Forbidden crossed with I Know What You Did Last Summer. Allison and her 5 friends have been estranged since they survived the mass murder/suicide of a cult almost 5 years prior. They planned to kill the cult leader; however, before he dies the prophet prophesizes that within 5 years the world will end and six will die, and the whole congregration is poisoned-except Allison and her friends. When Harold (the prophet’s son) drowns in a desert area, Allison and the remaining 4 reunite at his funeral. An epileptic, Allison experiences seizures in her sleep; these seizures provide her with visions of the future and, in this case, she witnesses bits of her friend’s gruesome death as each one suffers his/her greatest fear and is murdered. Three of the five are murdered leaving Allison and David, her love interest, to solve the mystery before they, too, die. The two seemingly solve the mystery, but the open ending begs for an obvious sequel. Allison is surrounded by flat characters who only serve to propel the episodic chapters. The book will appeal to reluctant readers, but more sophisticated readers will find it difficult to take Allison and her friends’ situation seriously.

Making Faces, Kevin Aucoin

Aucoin, Kevyn. (1999).
Making Faces.
New York: Little, Brown and Company.
978-0316286855
Genre: Non-Fiction

Make-up artist to the stars, Kevin Aucoin offers techniques and instruction for cosmetic application.
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Imagine going to prom and looking like Marlene Dietrich or Marilyn Monroe? Aucoin gives readers the option as he transform many popular entertainers (Drew Barrymore, Gwenyth Paltrow, Demi Moore, etc) into iconic figures via makeup and hair design. Aucoin promotes individual beauty and offers techniques for readers to achieve their own special look. The first section introduces techniques and basic information as far as skin types, foundation, eyeliner, etc. The most intriguing section features “styles” for readers to imitate: the Siren, the Vamp, the Diva as well as many others. Step by step instructions as well as large clear images make Aucoin’s book a must for those who want to transform themselves for prom.

Prom Night: Youth, Schools and Popular Culture, Amy L. Best

Best, Amy L. (2000).
Prom Night: Youth, Schools and Popular Culture.
Florence: Routledge.
978-0415924283
Genre: Non-Fiction

Best evaluates the significance of prom in American culture.
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Best provides an in-depth look at the prom-what it means in American culture and how it has affected society. She traces its role in film as well as how it is represented in other forms of media such as magazines. She conducts student interviews to inform readers about the effects of prom. Best’s text is provides an academic discussion about the prom. Readers may find a particular interest in the actions of students who challenged the stereotypical norms of prom: boycott of a segregated prom, creation of alternative proms (morps, gay proms, etc) as well as subversion of gender symbols.

Princess in Pink, Meg Cabot

Cabot, Meg. (2004).
Princess in Pink.
New York: Harper Collins.
0060096101
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Chick-Lit

In a series of humorous diary entries, high school freshman (and Genovian Princess) Mia tries to get her reluctant boyfriend to take her to the prom.
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In the fifth installment of the Princess Diaries, Mia, once again, struggles with her royal family. Her father wants her to go to Genovia for the summer but that would take her away from Michael. Besides, before summer, Mia has to convince Michael to take her to the prom even though he hates the idea of it. Grandmere adds to the drama when her dog gets loose at Mia’s birthday party, and the mishap leads to a citywide food services strike inspired by Mia’s best friend! Mia is torn between her family loyalty and her friend’s actions…and with the strike, there is no venue for the prom. While Grandmere refuses to take responsibility, she does assist Mia in saving her friendship – and the prom. Mia’s antics always amuse and her honest voice guarantees to keep audiences coming back for the next installment—Princess in Training.

Fake Boyfriend, Kate Brian

Brian, Kate. (2007).
Fake Boyfriend.
New York: Simon & Schuster.
9781416913672
Genre: Realistic Fiction/ Chick-Lit

Vivi and Lane create an online “fake boyfriend” so that their best friend Isabelle will not return to her despicable boyfriend. When Isabelle becomes interested in her new online friend, Vivi and Lane have to devise a plan to make the fake boyfriend exist in real time.
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This teen soap opera is a page-turner! Isabelle just got publicly dumped by her slutty boyfriend (aka Sluttig)—right before the prom. Isabelle’s BFFs, somewhat pushy Vivi and shy Lane decide to create “Brandon” on myspace to distract Izzy from going back to her ex. When Isabelle wants to meet Brandon, Vivi and Lane have to find someone to act the part. Vivi finds Jonathan, who goes to a different school, to play Brandon. The plot thickens as Vivi starts to fall for Jonathan, and Lane’s fallen madly in love with her other best friend, Curtis. Each character narrates alternating chapter for a fun, sweet, look at the love triangles and friendship foibles that happen right before prom.

Prom Kings and Drama Queens, Dorian Cirrone

Cirrone, Dorian. (2008).
Prom Kings and Drama Queens.
New York: HarperTeen.
9780061143731
Genre: Realistic fiction, Chick-Lit

Being caught between a relationship with the boy of her dreams and planning a prom with her rival causes Emily Bennet to examine her values and make a difficult decision.
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Emily Bennet doesn’t buy into the superficial mindset of the rich kid prep school she attends. She has wanted to stand out and show everyone she can make a difference. She decides to go for the editor-in-chief position for her school newspaper, but her nemesis, Daniel, also vies for the position. At the same time, Emily has to figure out how attract the attention of her gorgeous basketball-star neighbor Brian. Not only will he notice her, but he may also take her to the prom. Emily bonds with Daniel when the two would-be editors witness Daniel and his teammates commit a shocking act of vandalism; the two reporters are shut out by school administration and unable to inform the community of the vandals’ identity. Emily and Daniel decide to take action and push for an alternative, less costly prom and donate the monies to a nursing home. Emily’s realization that looks can be deceiving is told through a refreshing, intelligent and witty voice. Definitely recommended—teens will enjoy Emily’s relationship choices as well as the inclusion of the social consciousness aspect.

Some Like It Hot: An A List Novel, Zoey Dean

Dean, Zoey. (2006).
Some Like It Hot: An A List Novel.
New York: Little, Brown and Company.
978-0316010931
Genre: Realistic fiction, Chick-Lit

Each of the A-list girls experiences the fast-paced world of Beverly Hills and high school as they prepare for prom.
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Fast-paced and brimming with intrigue, the sixth volume of the A-List series focuses on the glamour, the stress and drama of being an A-lister in high school during prom. Anna loves that Ben has come back for the summer but can she trust him with soon-to-be transformed Maddy? Cammie searches for her mother and enlists the help of her boyfriend, Adam, yet she becomes embarrassed and overwhelmed by her findings. Will Adam tell? Dee gets a hall pass from the hospital to attend prom and immediately falls for Jack, Bens’ roommate, but things are never easy on the A-list…Sam, the only one who shuns the prom, becomes involved in saving prom when a fire claims the ideal prom location-an L.A. landmark. Although they each have their own drama to contend with, the A-listers stick together amid the twists and turns of high school romance, Hollywood drama and couture fashion. Zoey seamlessly weaves teen issues of love, psychiatry, and popularity throughout the contemporary series; readers will clamor for the next title to see what the girls do next.

Cindy Ella, Robin Palmer

Palmer, Robin. (2008).
Cindy Ella.
New York: Puffin.
9780142403921
Genre: Realistic fiction, Chick-Lit

Sophomore Cindy Gold writes an anti-prom letter to the school newpaper, but as she develops crushes on various boys, she begins to question her convictions.
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Cindy Ella Gold lives in L.A. and although her family has money, Cindy Ella doesn’t like to shop. She has a cosmetically altered stepmother, popular twin stepsisters (the Clones), a younger stepbrother and father-all of which she gets along with even though her name causes everyone to link her a fairytale princess. When Cindy Ella writes an anti-prom letter to the school paper, she creates an uproar among the student body and instructors! It seems her best friends Malcolm and India are the only ones who get Cindy Ella. But when her two best friends go to prom, long time chat-buddy Bklyn Boy seems to be Cindy Ella’s only confidante. Cindy Ella is a clumsy, blundering, likeable girl who believes strongly in her convictions. Readers will relate to her inner voice and her intense unrequited crushes. But when she confides in her chat-buddy on prom night, she gets a shocking surprise which will inspire readers to cheer her on. Palmer’s modern interpretation of the classic fairytale lacks any of the fantasy (no godmother, no mice, or pumpkins!), and readers will enjoy it all the more for it.

Prom Anonymous, Blake Nelson

Nelson, Blake. (2006).
Prom Anonymous.
New York: Viking.
0670059455
Genre: Realistic fiction, Chick-Lit

Three childhood friends reunite to attend prom and gain some surprising insights into themselves.
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Nelson captures the voices of three distinctly different girls in this lively novel. Even though they have drifted apart since they started high school, Laura decides that prom would be the ultimate if she triple-dated with her two best friends, Chloe and Jace. Only the girls are so different now: sexually active Laura is the ultimate chic prom-planner even if her boyfriend doesn’t want to go; artsy Chloe seems to care more about being an outcast and on the fringe more than anything else; and athletic, shy Jace has a mad crush on the star tennis player at school. Lauren tries to plan it all from the dates, to the clothes and even accessories. The novel’s focus is prom and the flame of fierce friendship is rekindled as the girls bond. Readers who liked The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants will devour Prom Anonymous in a liquid minute!

21 Proms, Dave Levithan

Levithan, Dave. (2007).
21 Proms.
New York: Scholastic.
9780439890298
Genre: Short Stories, Chick-Lit

In a collaboration that brings together an impressive array of 21 authors, Levithan and Ehrenhaft have produced a worthy collection of memorable prom stories.
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Starred in Library Journal, this collection of 21 short stories from various young adult fiction writers has it all—from the most innocent to the most vulgar happenings at prom. Told from both the male and female perspective, these tales will celebrate the good, the bad and the ugly about prom: the drinking, the dancing, the unrequited love and the most passionate sex. Included are selections from Libba Bray, Holly Black, Dan Ehrenhart, Adrienne Vrettos and Cecily Von Ziegessar to name a few. A great read for those anticipating prom as well as those who have their own fond, and not so fond, memories!

Top 10 Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress, Tina Ferraro

Ferraro, Tina. (2006).
Top 10 Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress.
New York: Delacorte.
9780385903837
Genre: Realistic fiction, Chick-lit

When she is stood up for the prom, high school junior Nicolette works on a top ten list of things to do with her unworn dress while also trying to help her divorced parents and deal with her best friend and potential boyfriends.
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It’s right before prom, and Nicolette just got dumped by the hottest guy at school. She can’t decide what to do with the perfect, albeit expensive, pink vintage dress she bought. She can’t bring herself to return the dress, so she starts her list of the Top 10 Uses for her beloved dress. The costly dress weighs heavily on her because money is an issue; Nicolette might lose her sports scholarship to pay for college while she and her mom are on the verge of losing their home. It seems the only one who can help is Nicolette’s best friend’s hot brother, Jared, who just happens to be a whiz with numbers. Nicolette has a lot on her plate as she struggles with her feelings for her ex, her family’s finances, her “friendship” with Jared, and what to do with that adorable prom dress. Nicolette is spunky with just the right amount of naivete. Readers will definitely identify with Nicolette, especially as she grapples with such timely issues.

24 Girls in 7 Days, Alex Bradley

Bradley, Alex. (2005).
24 Girls in 7 Days.
New York: Dutton.
0525473696
Genre: Realistic Fiction. Chick-Lit

Jack Grammar, average American senior, has no date to the prom, but havoc ensues when his so-called best friends post an ad in the classified section of the school newspaper. Jack has just seven days to date and choose one from the list and try to figure out the identity of his secret advisor.
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Seventeen-year-old Jack Grammar, a self-proclaimed dork, has just been turned down for the prom. So his two best friends, Natalie and Percy, place an ad in the online school newspaper to find Jack a prom date. Bombarded with over 100 responses, the two decide to weed the list down to 24 girls. While Jack is initially upset, he agrees to participate in the plan. Jack meets and dates every imaginable type of girl: the jock, the prom queen, the rebel, the actress, etc. But when mysterious FancyPants starts to offer advice via email, Jack can’t help but wonder, is it Natalie? Multiple escapades, a short-lived romance, and late night conversations allow Jack to make his surprising decision about his prom date and learn the identity of FancyPants. Twists and turns, lies and truths abound as Jack gets to know himself and gains self-confidence. Bradley’s poignant romantic comedy is sure to entertain boys and girls alike.

Prom, Laurie Halse Anderson

Anderson, Laurie Halse. (2005).
Prom.
New York: Viking.
0670059749
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Chick-Lit

Eighteen-year-old Ash wants nothing to do with senior prom, but when disaster strikes and her desperate friend, Nat, needs her help to get it back on track, Ash's involvement transforms her life.
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Starred in Booklist, Anderson’s Prom offers a warm and amusing story about practical eighteen- year-old Ashley who lives in a working class Philadelphia town that is obsessed with the prom. The catch is Ashley is completely anti-prom; she’s more focused on graduating and getting an apartment with her nineteen-year-old boyfriend, TJ who happens to be a high-school drop out. In an authentic voice, Ashley shares the details of her humdrum and, at times, mortifying life: her job as a character at EZ-CHEEZ-E, her gorgeous but loser boyfriend TJ, her wacky family, including her pregnant mom. When the math teacher at her high school steals the prom fund and Ashley’s prom-obsessed best friend Nat breaks her leg, the true bonds of friendship become clear: Ashley pairs up with Nat (who heads the prom committee) to make prom happen in just eleven days! If that isn’t enough, Ashley’s detentions and grades may keep her from attending the prom she is so desperately trying to plan. Anderson’s energetic, quick-paced novel is sure to keep anti-prom and pro-prom readers enthralled as they witness Ashley’s heroic behavior and success at saving the prom. Readers will appreciate Ashley’s realistic perspective as she realizes that living with her boyfriend is not her only option after high school. Young adults will enjoy this modern, realistic, fun take on a fairy tale.