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.