Fantasy

Title: City Of Bones
Author: Cassandra Clare
Other Books in the Series: City of Ashes, City of Glass, City of Fallen Angels, City of Lost Souls
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance
Publishing Info: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2009
ISBN: 1416955070
Author Info: Cassandra Clare was born in Iran to American parents and spent most of her youth traveling the world. She is a New York Times Bestseller and has written the hugely popular Mortal Instruments series as well as the Infernal Devices series. She has become a staple of the urban fantasy genre. Before the success of her series Cassandra Clare wrote for what she describes as "suspect tabloids". Thankfully she now writes novels full time. She also manages her own blog and Facebook that she uses to communicate with fans.
Plot Summary: Clary Fray is just an average New York City teenager till one night when she witnesses a crime the goes unseen by everyone else. Clary can see Shadowhunters, which is both a surprise to Clary and the Shadowhunters. She witnesses the shadowhunters killing a person at a club, which Clary finds out is a demon. Shadowhunters are humans with angel blood and they protect the world from demons, vampires, werewolves and other downworlder creatures. Usually, the shadowhunters can go unseen by humans as they carry out their jobs but somehow Clary can see them. Clary soon finds out that she isn't as normal as she once thought as she finds more about her life and family and the world of the Shadowhunters. Clary soon joins the world of the Shadowhunters as they try to find out why so many demons are finding their way into the human world. Though joining the Shadowhunters also puts her in danger and her mother disappears after Clary is attacked by a demon. No one knows why she was attacked, or where her mother went or why Clary can see the shadowhunters.
Critical Evaluation: The story features well developed and diverse characters as well as a plot that is full of twists and mystery. The world of Shadowhunters and Downworlders has been well developed by Cassandra Clare with great back stories and a rich history that slowly comes out through the series. There is plenty of action and fighting to appeal to boys reading the series and of course there is romance. I like that Cassandra includes Alec and Mangus who are both gay characters, but she treats them just like all the other characters and their sexuality isn't a big focus but rather them being gay is just a part of who they are.
Reading Annotation: One night while Clary is out a nightclub in New York City she witnesses a murder but apparently no one else saw it happen. But the murderers and not who Clary thinks they are, they are Shadowhunters and they haven't killed a human but rather a demon. But what no one seems to understand is why Clary saw through the Shadowhunter's magical glamour that normal keeps them unseen by human eyes. Clary has stumbled upon a secret world but what has she gotten herself into? What secrets will Clary uncover?
Book talking ideas: City of Bones has the great ability to make the fantasy feel part of everyday life. For book talking focus on the idea of a world that is existing all around us that no one sees, the world of Shadowhunters. Of course there is great action, adventure and romance to pull in teens.
Reading Level/Interest Level: high school
Challenge issues: The series does have teen drinking and risk taking behavior. There is a lot of focus on romantic relations that may be inappropriate for younger teens. The main challenge may be the idea of vampires, werewolves, and humans with angel blood. Some religious parents may feel it's sacrilegious or have objections to the idea of fantasy being weaved into everyday life.
Why included this book?: The Mortal Instruments series is a New York Bestseller and is being turned into a movie.

Title: Fire
Author: Kristin Cashore
Publishing Info: Dial Books 2009
ISBN: 0803734611
Genre: Fantasy (high)
Other Books in the Series: Graceling and Bitterblue (are considered companion novels and can be read as stand alone novels)
Awards: School Library Journal Best Book of the Year (2009), ALA's Teen Top Ten (2010)
Author Info: Kristin Cashore grew up in Pennsylvania as an avid reader and daydreamer. Kristin has an M.A in Children's Literature. Kristin also claims to be fiercely independent and recovering catholic. She has a website and blog that she writes on. Kristin now lives in Florida.
Plot Summary: Fire is the last of the human monsters and gets her name from her bright fire like hair. As a human monster, Fire draws people and animals to her with both adoration and hate and fear. Fire can also read and control the minds of others but rarely uses her gift and tries to hide her bright fire colored hair as to not give away her monster quality. But when the King of the Dells' throne is at risk Fire is called into help despite the fact that Prince Brigan can't stand Fire and King Nash can't control himself around Fire. They ask Fire to find out who is out to take down the crown since she is able to read minds. As she travels away from her home Fire learns about her gift and herself.
Critical Evaluation: Kristin Cashore has created another strong female character that is smart, lethal and independent. The world of Fire is well developed and has many story lines that come together and even expand into other works by the author. The intricate plot, well developed characters and colorful world makes the book an enjoyable and enticing read.
Reader's Annotation: Fire is human monster, the last one. Human monsters draw people to them in an almost addictive manner. This of course brings both adoration and hate to Fire. Fire can also read and control people's minds but Fire is afraid to use her powers because her father, who had the same powers, used his to manipulate and control people. Then, Fire is called upon to use her powers to find out who is trying to take down the king. What will Fire uncover when she uses her powers?
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Book Talking Ideas: The idea of the human monsters is such a unique one that it would be a great focus for the book talk. There is also the the plot to take down the king and mysterious archer that shoots Fire.
Reading Level/Interest Age: high school
Challenge Issues: The book contains some sexual situations, though they are not very detailed but some may object to the inclusion of this in the book.
Why included this book?: Fire is critically acclaimed. It also features a great female character that takes on a strong leadership role. Fire isn't your typical damsal in distress, instead she is intelligent, strong, and even deadly.

Title: Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Author: Laini Taylor
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance
Other Books in the Series: Days of Blood and Starlight
Awards: YALSA's Best Books for Young Adults (2012), Audie Award for Fantasy (2012),

Author Info: Laini  Taylor lives in Portland Oregon with her husband and 3 year old daughter. Her book Lips Touch Three Times was a National Book Award Finalist. She also wrote a series, Dreamdark, about warrior fairies who battle devils. Laini is an artist with her own gift product line called Laini's Ladies. Laini Taylor graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in English and briefly studied illustration. She worked as a travel book editor, bookseller, illustrator and waitress before becoming a writer. Taylor maintains a blog in which she posts pictures and information about her travels. Her blog is it lainitaylor.com. She is also active on Twitter.

Plot Summary: Karou is a teenager living in Prague, but life is far from normal for Karou. Karou fills her sketchbook with strange creatures but these aren't from her imagination, they are from her life. She's not really sure where she came from, all she knows is that she was left outside a door and adopted by a chimera named Brimstone. Brimstone is a mystery, he sends Karou on errands to retrieve teeth though Karou doesn't know why. Brimstone's door acts as a portal that transports Karou to exotic locales. Though these portals start to have strange handprints burned into them and Karou has an almost deadly run in with an angel name Akiva who is responsible for the destruction happening to the portals. But both are drawn to each other and the reason for this also holds the secret to her past.
Critical Review: Laini Taylor paints a very beautiful world filled with magical creatures like Brimstone and Issa that Taylor describes in such detail they come to life. The mystery behind Karou's past keeps the reader interested and as you start to reach the end of the book and realize that all the loose ends can be tied up you start to wish the book was longer. It's a story that stays with you because of how well developed the characters and settings are developed. It does have the very typical stare crossed lovers story line but it's done in a way that hasn't been done before that it doesn't come across as redundant or overdone but rather as refreshing and new.
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Book Talking Ideas: Teeth play a huge role in the story and it's what Karou is sent searching for in different exotic locales. It would be interesting to bring that into the book talk, whether teeth are a prop or the main focus of the book talk since it's such an unusual and important part of the story.
About the Author: Laini  Taylor lives in Portland Oregon with her husband and 3 year old daughter. Her book Lips Touch Three Times was a National Book Award Finalist. Laini Taylor graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in English. Taylor maintains a blog in which she posts pictures and information about her travels. Her blog is it lainitaylor.com.
Challenge Issues: The book does have demons, angels and dark magic.
Why include this book? The book is beautifully written with exotic locations, interesting plot twists, and unique characters. It will appeal to fantasy fans and since my library is located in Oregon, it's great to promote local authors.

Title: Grave Mercy
Author: Robin LaFevers
Genre: Fantasy (high), Romance, historical fiction
Publication Info: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012
ISBN: 054762834X
Author Info: Robin LaFevers, or R.L. Lafevers, or Robin Lorraine is both a young adult and middle grade author. Grave Mercy was her first book for older teens and has received great praise by critics and fans. She has written 14 books for children and middle grade readers. Robin claims she is a hopeless romantic that loves 19th century poetry, mythology and fairy tales. She is also deeply fascinated with ancient rituals and finding the answers to life's mysteries. Robin lives in Southern California with her husband and cat.
Plot Summary: Ismae, the daughter of a poor farmer, is being forced into a horrible arranged marriage. Unable to go through with the marriage Ismae flees to the convent of St. Mortain, the god of death. It turns out that Ismae is a daughter of Mortain and is taken into the care of the women of the convent of Mortain. At the convent Ismae learns how to become a handmaiden of death by learning to be an assassin. She is then sent out to carry out the will of Mortain. Though, Ismae quickly learns that things are not as simple as the convent had taught her and the perhaps Mortain has a different plan than what she was taught at the convent. Ismae's teachings will be further challenged when her latest assignment requires her to take out some one she loves. What is more important love or duty?
Critical Review: Robin LaFevers has created a great fantasy story that has love, assassins, mystery, treason and a strong and smart female lead in Ismae. The love story between Ismae and Gavriel is well written and keeps the reader on there toes till the end of the story. The love between Ismae and Gavriel is not immediate but instead it slowly grows, matures and changes through out the story. Of course there is many roadblocks on their path to love and it often seems it will never happen. Ismae is challenged by what she believes in her heart to be right and what she has been taught to be right.
Reader's Annotation: Ismae is a handmaiden of the god of death, Mortain. She has been trained by nuns in the art of being an assassin and is to carry out the biddings of Mortain. Though trouble arises when she is asked to choose between her god and love. Can she really kill the man she loves or will she betray her duty to Mortain.
Book Talk Ideas: Nuns, assassins, love, intrigue, the book nearly book talks itself! There is so many different ways to draw readers to the book, it could be through Ismae a strong female lead who isn't afraid to question her beliefs or it could be through the mystery behind who is out to take down the crown of Brittany.
Reading Level/Interest Level: high school
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Challenge Issues: the book deals with the gods of old, assassins, violence and in the first 20 pages Ismae is nearly raped by her would be husband.
Why Include this book? Ismae is a strong female lead and the book has received lots of praise since it's release earlier this year.

Title: Blue Bloods
Author: Melissa De La Cruz
Publication Info: Hyperion 2006
ISBN: 0786838922
Other books in the series: Masquerade, Revelations, The Van Alen Legacy, Keys to the Repository, Misguided Angel, Bloody Valentine, Lost in Time, Gates of Paradise
Genre: fantasy, romance
Author info: Melissa De La Cruz is an award winning and New York Times Bestselling author of the Blue Bloods Series, Witches of East End series, Au Pairs series, The Ashleys series and the Angels on Sunset Boulevard series. She also has written many books for adults. Melissa also worked as a fashion and beauty editor and her resume includes Seventeen, Teen Vogue and Allure magazine just to name a few. Melissa grew up in Manila and moved to California to finish high school. Melissa now lives in California with her husband and daughter. Like many authors Melissa is on Twitter and also has a blog on Tumblr.
Plot Summary: The Blue Bloods are elite group of aristocrates in New York City that have one thing in common, they are vampires. The Blue Bloods live a human life time then cycle out to be reborn into human society. The vampires do not regain their full memories of their passed lives till the their teens. Schulyer Van Alen lives her grandmother in a rundown mansion and attends a prestiges private school but soon Schulyer is acting different and she isn't sure why. Then a girl from her high school is found dead with all her blood drained. Something isn't right in the world of the Blue Bloods and what does Schulyer have to do with it? What does the changes in Schulyer have to do with the strange murder of her classmate?
Critical Review: Blue Bloods is a very unique take on Vampires. The don't hunt down humans but rather they live among humans and are responsible for many of the great achievements of humans. Melissa De La Cruz creates an enticing world that is full of action, suspense and romance. The first book hooks you into the series and as a reader you can't help but get lost in the world Melissa has created. There is a lot of references to historical events and biblical stories that Melissa intertwines with vampire lore.
Reader's Annotation: New York City is infested with vampires and humans are completely unaware. They have lived this way for centuries but something is going wrong in the world of vampires and humans. Schuyler Van Alen is suddenly craving raw food and having strange flashback and when a girl from her high school ends up dead with all her blood drained Schuyler begins to wonder what is going on.
Book Talk Ideas: The book talks about how many famous actors, models and singers are in fact vampires. It would be interesting to bring in that aspect into the book talk by having the teens imagine if all the their favorite actors and singers were in fact vampires living among us.
Reading Level/Interest Level: The reading level is probably upper middler school while the interest level is high school
Challenge Issues: The book has teenage drinking, sex, vampires and dark magic.
Why Include this book? Vampires are still very popular and the series has been a huge success for Melissa De La Cruz.

Adult Books for Teens

These titles are adult titles that would appeal to older teens.

Title: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating currents of electricity and hope

Author: William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer

Published: September 29th, 2009

Genre: Non-fiction

Awards: Alex Award (2010) 

Plot Summary: The true story of teenager William Kamkwamba, the book traces the struggles of his poor African village as it deals with a lengthy and devastating drought. William is forced to drop out of school due to lack of money. While visiting his villages library he comes across a book that has a picture of windmill. William is inspired and through inginuity and determination despite the surmounting odds William builds a windmill from spare parts he pulls from a junkyard. Though despite all his hard work his village is skeptical of Williams invention, until some reports catch notice of it and William's life changes for the better. 

Critical Review: William's life seems quite bleak at the beginning with his village struggling to survive and there are scenes that were difficult to get through. But it paints a very realistic and stark reality of what William went through and the trials he had to overcome. But this stark reality makes his rise and accomplishment even more amazing. William's joy over his eventual accomplishment came through and as a reader you found yourself cheering for his success. The story is very honest and presents a view of a world and culture that not everyone has experience with. 

Reader's Annotation: When drought ravages William's village he is forced to drop out of school. But William refuses to give up on learning and when he finds a book at a library with a picture of windmill, William is inspired. This inspiration will change William's life as well as his small village.

Curriculum Ties: There is a lot of talk of how circuits work and electricity in this book that could easily be connected to a science unit. The book also focuses on science and how some cultures view science that could create some great debates.

Reading Level/Interest Level: High school reading level, but interest level is high school and adult.

Challenge Issues: It deals with a tragic drought in which people die.

Why include this book? William's story is one of hope and inspiration. 

Title: The Night Circus

Author: Erin Morgenstern

Published: September 13th, 2011

Genre: Fiction, Fantasy, Romance

Awards: Alex Award (2012), Locus Award for Best First Novel (2012)

About the author: Erin is an artist and writer who lives in Massachusetts. Erin studied art and theater at Smith College. Erin writes what she calls Flash Fiction pieces every Friday. They are short 10-sentence stories based off a picture that she posts on her blog. Erin is an artist and enjoys painting and selling her work. The Night Circus was her debut novel.

Plot Summary: There is a circus that appears only at night, without warning and in the morning it is gone. It is a circus like no other, but it has a secret. Celia and Marco are magicians who have been pitted against each other by their instructors. What Celia and Marco don't know are the stakes of their game, for their instructor have wagered their lives without their knowledge. But Celia and Marco fall in love and will now have to find a way to save themselves and their love.

Critical Summary: One of the greatest strengths of this story is the use of color. The theme of black, white and red runs through out the whole circus. It paints a visual image of the circus that is very strong in your mind as you read. The descriptions of some of the circus tents are told in great vivid detail. The use of smells is also a strong part of the story, The smell of the food at the circus is often mentioned and it again brings the reader into the story, immerses them in the circus and the world that Erin Morgenstern has created.

Reader's Annotation: It is a circus like nothing you've ever seen, it only appears at night and without warning. What lies beneath the black and white tent is feast for the senses. Behind the scenes, rival magicians have fallen in love but what they don't know is that there can be no happy ending for them, for they are players in a game that can have only one winner.

Book Talk Ideas: There are many themes and ideas; the use of color, of smell, the romance between Celia and Marco, the intricate tents that they create for the circus, all of these would make great book talks.

Curriculum Ties: N/A

Reading Level/Interest Level: upper high school/high school and adult

Challenge Issues: The only possible issue I could see would be the magical aspect of the book.

Why Include this book?  The book is a well written story about love, magic and a circus that has won numerous awards and would appeal to romance and fantasy fans.

Title: The Secret Life of Bees

Author: Sue Monk Kidd

Publication Info: Penguin Books, 2003

ISBN: 0142001740

Genre: historical fiction

Author Info: Sue Monk Kidd was born in Georgia and wanted to write from an early age. But Sue didn't start writing till she was in her 30s. Her books initially started out as religious and Christian works and didn't branch out into fiction until her 40s. The Secret Life of Bees was her first novel and was an instant hit selling over 4 million copies. She followed it up with another successful novel, The Mermaid Chair and is currently working on her third novel. Sue lives with her husband and their dog in South Carolina.

Plot Summary: Lily Owens is 14 and living in South Carolina in 1964. She lives with her father T-Ray and her black caretaker, Rosaleen. Lily lost her mother at four years old and blames herself for her mother's death. Lily's mom and T-Ray had been arguing after her mom had left T-Ray and came back to pack up some things. During the fight Lily's mom picked up a gun and during the fight it ended up on the floor and then in Lily's hand who fired the gun, killing her mother. Lily lives with the guilt and refuses to forgive herself. Rosaleen, was hired to help raise her after her mother passed. One day Lily goes with Rosaleen to town, so Rosaleen can vote for the first time. On her way she is harassed by some white townspeople and spits on their shoes getting both Lily and Rosaleen thrown in jail. Rosaleen is beaten and taken to the hospital while Lily is bailed out by T-Ray. Convinced the Rosaleen will be killed by the men who she spit on Lily decides she has to run away and take Rosaleen with her. Lily has a picture that was her mother's that has a picture of a black Madonna on the front and the words Tiburon S.C.. Lily believes that someone there might have information on her mother and sneaks Rosaline out of the hospital runs off to Tiburon. Lily has no idea what she will find but what she does will change her life forever.

Critical Review: The book really brings the reader into the time period and setting with well developed characters and locations. Tragedy and sadness is a large par to of the book but so is characters ability to overcome and heal. All the characters seem to carry their own wounds that they must let heal and learn from. Lily, while young, has faced a lot of adversity for someone of her age and at times seems quite old for her age. But Lily is also resilient which is what makes her so appealing to the reader.

Reader's Annotation: Lily killed her mother when she was 4 years old. Now at 14 Lily is on a mission to find out about the mother she never had a chance to know. The only thing Lily has to go off is a picture that her mother owned of a black Madonna with Tiburon, S.C on it. It isn't much but it's all Lily has and she is willing to take the risk.

Book Talk Ideas: I have actually book talked this as Lily, with a southern drawl. It helps to set the tone for the story.

Curriculum Ties:  The story is set in the south in the 1960s at the peak of the Civil Rights movement. It would tie in well with a unit on American history and the Civil Rights Movement.

Reading Level/Interest: teen/ older teen and adult

Challenge Issues: There is violence, abuse and racism.

Why Include this Book? The book gives teens an insight to a time period in America that they have never experienced. 

Title: Anansi Boys 

Author: Neil Gaiman

Publication Info: Harper Torch, New York, NY, 2005.

ISBN: 0142001440

Genre: Fantasy

Awards: ALA's Alex Award (2006), Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel (2006), British Fantasy Award for Best Novel (2006)

Author Info: Neil Gaiman is an award winning and New york Times Bestelling author of both children's, teen and adult fiction. Born in England, Neil Gaiman now resides in the United States with his wife and musician, Amanda Palmer. Neil is an active supporter of libraries and credits libraries for his interest in books and writing. He is also active on Twitter and has his own blog. Neil started his career in journalism and broke out as an author with the publication of his groundbreaking graphic novel series, The Sandman. Since then he has written countless books and graphics and has even collaborated with authors like Terry Prachett. Many of his books have been turned into movies, such as Coraline and Stardust. Neil has also written several episodes for the widely popular Doctor Who series and has received great critical acclaim for his episodes. Neil's book The Graveyard Book was the winner of the Newbery Award. His other works are also the winners of countless awards. Neil is considered one of the greatest fantasy and sci-fi writers of today by many critics and readers.

Plot Summary: Fat Charlie hates being called Fat Charlie but his father started calling him that and it stuck. Fat Charlie, is a pretty ordinary and boring guy who has a crazy and often outspoke father. Charlie's father passes away, apparently while out karaoking at a bar and Charlie has to travel to Florida for his father's funeral. Charlie hasn't had much to do with his father and Charlie has been living in England with his fiance, Rosie. When Charlie returns to Florida for the funeral he finds out from his neighbor that his father wasn't an ordinary man and that there is a lot he doesn't know. Charlie's father is the spider god, Anansi and Charlie has a brother, named Spider who was sent away when Charlie was a child. Charlie decides to contact his brother, with the help of a spider and soon Charlie's world is turned upside down by his brother Spider. 

Critical Review: Neil Gaiman is a master story teller and this story is no different. Charlie starts off as a very boring and ordinary character, especially in contrast to his flamboyant and eclectic father. When Spider appears, Charlie's ordinariness is made apparent to Charlie. Through the story Charlie starts to find himself, and discover he is a lot more like his father than he had originally thought. This self discovery I think is appealing to teens who, themselves are in the process of self discovery. Gaiman, also does a great job of weaving folklore into his stories. There is a lot of great information on the history of Anansi in the book that will appeal to teens who enjoy legend and folklore. The story is also funny and easy to read. Charlie is a very likable character despite first impressions. The story has a pretty climatic ending with different story lines coming together in the Caribbean.

Reader's Annotation: Fat Charlie always new his father was different but he never expected to find out that his father was a god. In fact, Charlie's father is Anansi, the spider god. Spider learns of this after his father's funeral and he also learns that he has a brother named Spider. Spider comes into Charlie's life and turns it upside down and now Charlie wants his brother out. But will getting rid of Spider be more than Charlie asked for?

Book Talk Ideas: There is some great characters in the book, Fat Charlie, Spider and Anansi so using those characters as a way to pull teens into the story. After all what teen wouldn't want to read about a guy who finds out his father is a god? This would draw in some older teens who were fans of the Percy Jackson series.

Reading/Interest Leve: Older high school, older high school and adult

Curriculum Ties: The book has a lot of folklore and legend and would work well with a lesson on different folklores. It could also tie into a history class on the place of folklore in history and culture.

Challenge Issues: There is drinking, talk of sex and murder. Plus, the book is written for adults which 

Why include this book? Neil Gaiman is an amazing writer that appeals to all ages. Anansi Boys is a great example of an adult book that works for older teens.

Realistic Fiction

Title: Paper Towns
Author: John Green
Publication info: Dutton Books, 2008
Genre: realistic fiction
Awards: Edgar Award for Best Young Adult(2009), ALA's Teens Top Ten (2009), School Library Journal Best Book of the Year (2008).
Author Info: John Green is an award winning and New York Times best selling author. He is runs several successful Youtube channels including the Vlogbrothers. The Vlogborthers is a videoblog between him and his younger brother Hank Green that they started back in 2007. It has lead to the development of the Nerdfighters, a group that celebrates all things nerdy and try to decrease world suck through charitable donations and activism. John also has an educational youtube channel called Crash Course that produces short educational videos on history. John is married with a son and is an extremely interactive author with his fans. He communicates with them through Twitter, Youtube, and his tumbler account. John tours the world talking about his books and his various side projects. Before John's career took off as a write he worked for the magazine Booklist. It was there that he started working on his debut novel and became friends with Irene Cooper, who John credits for his writing success. John's debut novel won him a Printz Award and critical acclaim. Since then John has released 7 books, 2 of those were collaborations with other authors. His most recent book has named by many critics as the best novel of 2012.
Plot Summary: Quentin Jacobsen, is in love with his neighbor Margo, or course she has no idea. When the two were 9 years old they discovered a dead body in the park. Since then the two have grown apart. Then one night Margo comes in through Q's window asking that he help her with a revenge plot, of course Q agrees. He helps Margo seek revenge on her soon to be cheating ex-boyfriend and some of her soon to be former friends. The next morning Q finds out that Margo isn't at school and after a few days Margo is officially reported as missing. This isn't the first time Margo has run away but something is different about this time. Q stumbles across a highlight Walt Whitman poem which he believes are clues left behind from Margo about her whereabouts. So Q starts a quest to unlock the clues and find out where Margo has gone and why.
Critical Review: John Green has created another story that has the reader engaged and interested all the way until the end. Q is a somewhat social outcast who you can't help but relate with and Margo despite barely being in the book is developed through the clues that she leaves behind. The reader learns about Margo in small pieces through out the story. I also enjoyed the whole idea of a paper town, which are a real thing. They are these fake towns put on maps to help protect copyright. It's such an odd and unusual concept to bring into a book and yet it work so well in the story.
Reader's Annotation: When Quentin's neighbor Margo comes through his window late one night asking for his help to seek revenge he of course says yes. He is in love with Margo after all, and he hopes this is his chance to finally reconnect. But one day after their late night shenanigans Margo goes missing and leaves clues for Quentin behind. Where has Margo gone and why has she left?
Curriculum Ties: There is some interesting history with paper towns that could be tied into a history lesson, students could do some research on actual paper towns, see if there are any located in their state or near their own town.
Book Talk Ideas: The book talk could revolve around how Margo appeared to be one thing; popular, happy ect but in reality she was dealing with a lot of negative emotions just like the paper towns on a map appear to be real towns but when you get to the actual town there is nothing there.
Reading/Interest Level: high school
Challenge Issues: Margo runs away, there is some language, vandalism, and teen sex
Why Include this book? John Green writes honest books for teens that don't talk down to them, rather he writes books with wit and humor and an honesty that you can't find in all teen books.

Title: Along for the Ride
Author: Sarah Dessen
Publishing Info: Viking Juvenile 2009
Genre: Realistic Ficiton
Awards: ALA's Top Ten Teen (2010)
Author Info: Sarah Dessen grew up in North Carolina and graduate with a degree in creative writing. She is an award winning, best selling author of 10 teen novels. Before making it as a writer Sarah supported herself by waitressing. She credits her book loving parents for her love of reading and their support of her becoming a writer. She draws inspiration from her own life and friends growing up. Sarah now lives with her husband and daughter and two dogs and continues to write and tweet on Twitter.
Plot Summary: Auden's parents were always fighting in the middle of the night and even though her parents are now divorced and her dad is remarried Auden still has trouble sleeping at night. Before Auden starts college in the fall she decides to spend the summer with her father, her new stepmom and their new baby at their house on the beach. Auden hopes to spend the summer with her dad but finds that he is too busy working on new book and Auden finds herself spending her time helping out Heidi at her boutique. Auden, unable to sleep at night runs into fellow insomniac Eli. The two start to build a friendship as Auden tries to learn to let go and have fun for the first time in her life and Eli tries to get over the guilt of his friend's death. When Eli learns that Auden can't ride a bike Eli is determined to help her learn how.
Critical Review: The story deals with Auden's struggle to regain her lost childhood and Eli's loss of his friend. Both characters have been hurt and carry that pain with them and are unable to sleep. The relationship between Auden and Eli is what drives the story. Slowly, Auden starts to let her guard down and enjoy life and Eli learns to forgive himself and go back to the thing he loved, his bike.
Reader's Annotation: Auden is not your typical teen. She didn't partake in most of the typical childhood activities. In fact, Auden doesn't even know how to ride a bike. Auden is about to enter college and decides to spend the summer with her newly married father, his wife and their new baby. But what Auden finds is not the summer she anticipated. Instead, Auden finds Eli, a fellow insomniac who teaches Auden how to have fun and most importantly, how to ride a bike.
Book Talk Ideas: A lot of the story takes place late at night due to Auden's and Eli's insomnia, the book talk could focus on their late night interactions and relationship.
Reading Level/Interest Level: high school
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Challenge Issues: N/A
Why Include this book? Sarah Dessen's book have high appeal to high school girls due to it's female centered plots that deal with self-acceptance and characters finding themselves.

Title: Wintergirls
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Genre: Realistic Fictio
Publishing Info: Viking Juvenile 2009
ISBN: 067001110X
Author Info: Laurie Halse Anderson is a best selling author of both teen and children's books. Speak and Chains were both National Book Award Finalists. Laurie writes about difficult teen issues and historical fiction novels.  Her novel Speak was turned into a movie and was also a Printz Honor Book. Laurie says she started writing in second grade and worked as a freelance reporter and writer. She was often rejected as a writer and so she joined the Society of Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators and found the support she needed. Laurie now lives with her husband in New York and has four children.
Plot Summary: Lia and Cassie are best friends and eating disorder buddies. The two of them are trying to become the thinnest girls in their grade. But soon Lia is hospitalized for her eating disorder and when she comes home the two girls drift apart. The book starts with the Cassie being found dead in a hotel room. Soon Lia is haunted by Cassie and struggles to deal with her death. Lia also struggles with her own personal demons that cause her eating disorder. Can Lia find out what really happend to Cassie in the hotel room? Will Lia ever be able to defeat her demons are will she succumb to her eating disorder.
Critical Review: Wintergirls is a dark and haunting story of Lia and Cassie and their struggle to overcome their eating disorders. Lia goes to great lengths to hid her issue from her parents to she can get thinner and thinner. The book gives an insight into what is going through Lia's mind and she starves herself to death. It also shows her parents struggle with Lia and how they don't really know how to deal with their daughter's disease. The story can be difficult at times to read because it is so real and honest. You find yourself wanting to yell at Lia to eat and to stop her destructive behavior.
Reader's Annotation: Lia and Cassie are best friends and are both fading away as they starve and binge themselves to practically nothing. But when Cassie dies alone in a hotel room Lia struggles to deal with her death. Haunted by Cassie and her own personal demons, Lia slips even further into her eating disorder.
Book Talk Ideas: For a book talk I would focus on the difficult relationship between Cassie and Lia and their destructive path that their friendship leads them.
Reading Level/Interest Level: high school
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Challenge Issues: The book deals very graphically with eating disorders
Why Include this book? Laurie Halse Anderson writes honest stories about very difficult and often tragic teen issues. This book focuses on the destructiveness of eating disorders which is important for teen girls to be exposed since many teen girls struggle with eating disorders.

Title: Before I Die
Author: Jenny Downham
Publishing Info: David Fickling Books, 2007
ISBN: 0385613466
Genre: realistic fiction
Awards: AlA's Teen's Top Ten (2008), ALA's Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults(2008)
Author Info: Jenny Downham is a British author and former author. Before I Die was her debut book and has been turned into a film called, Now is Good. She has written one other novel, You Against Me that came out in 2010.
Plot Summary:Tessa is dying from leukemia and is given only months to live. So Tessa decides to make a "Before I Die" list with the help of her friend Zoey. The list includes some risky behavior and the number one thing on Tessa's list is to have sex. Tessa's parents are not too thrilled with Tessa's new quest to engage is what they see has negative and risky behavior. Tessa starts a new romance with her neighbor Adam and seems to be living life before it ends. But as Tessa's health starts to deteriorate her list becomes harder to fulfill and the importance of it comes into question as other things become more important.
Critical Review: Jenny Downham gives an honest look at a teenager dying. Risk taking and many of the things on Tessa's list are considered rights of passage for many teens and the story shows how much Tessa wants to experience all these things despite the consequences. As Tessa's health really starts to fail you start to struggle with the idea that you will loose Tessa. It is an ending that has you crying and leaves you emotional after it is over.
Reader's Annotation: Tessa's battle with cancer is ending with the news that she only has months to live. Tessa decides that she must live life in the short amount of time she has left and she compiles a "Before I Die' list. Though, her list is full of risky behaviors and as her health fails will Tessa be able to finish her list or will somethings be left undone.
Book Talk Ideas: The book talk could center around Tessa's obsession with marking things off her bucket list despite some of those things not being the best thing for Tessa.
Reading Level/Interest Level: high school
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Challenge Issues: The book deals with Tessa engaging in risk taking behaviors including drinking, drugs and sex.
Why Include this book? The book deals with themes of death, family relationships, sickness and dealing with loss.

Printz Award Books

The Printz Award is given by the American Library Association to outstanding books written for teens.

Title: Going Bovine

Author: Libba Bray

Awards:

Genre: fantasy, humor

Author Info: Libba Bray is the author of the popular Gemma Doyle Series, Going Bovine, Beauty Queens and The Diviners. Libba has a gay Presbyterian minister for a father and a high school teacher for a mother. Libba Bray was in a terrible car accident when she was 18 and lost her eye, and now has a glass eye. Libba has a web page, a blog, and of course a Twitter and Facebook account. She currently lives in New York with her husband and son.

Plot Summary:16 year old slacker Cameron finds out that he has contracted mad cow disease and is going to die, which he isn't too thrilled to find out. But then a combat wearing punk angel Dulcie shows up and tells Cameron that he can save himself and the world by finding Dr. X. So Cameron and his video game loving dwarf friend Bonzo set off on an adventure across the country to save the world. During their travels they pick up a talking yard gnome. One begins to wonder if Cameron's crazy journey is just hallucination induced by his illness or if he really is on a road trip to save the world.

Critical Review: The plot is absurd and filled with strange and quirky characters and absolutely insane scenarios, but Libba Bray has a way of making it work. It's funny, adventure filled and at times quite tragic as the reader starts to discover that Cameron's crazy adventure is just all part of his brain's hallucinations as the mad cow disease takes over and Cameron begins to die. Only Libba Bray could write something so tragic seem so lighthearted and fun.

Reader's Annotation: Shortly after Cameron gets the news that he is dying a combat wearing punk angel named Dulcie appears telling him that he can save himself by going on a crazy journey to find Dr. X. So Cameron and his video gaming dwarf friend Bonzo set off on a crazy adventure across the US and pick up a talking yard gnome along the way. But can Cameron truly save himself or is this all part of disease induce dream.

Book Talk Ideas: A book talk can't go wrong with a talking yard gnome, which would make for a great hook in the book talk.

Curriculum Ties: n/a

Reading Level/Interest: High School

Possible Challenges: There is some sexual scenes that some parents might find offensive, especially for younger teens.

Title: Ship Breaker

Author: Paolo Bacigalupi

Publishing Info: Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2010

ISBN: 0316056219

Other books in the series: Drowned Cities

Awards: National Book Award Finalist, Printz Award, Locus Award

Author Info: Paolo Bacigalupi is a fantasy,sci-fi and short story writer. His debut novel Windup Girl was name of the Time's Top Ten Books of the year in 2009. He has one countless other awards for his works. Ship Breaker was his YA debut and was received with great success. Paolo now lives in Colorado with his wife and son.

Plot Summary: Nailer is a young boy who lives in the gulf coast which has been flooded by the rising waters. To make money Nailer scavenges tanker ships for copper wiring and other raw goods. It's a long, tireless and dangerous job but it's how Nailer survives. Everyone in Nailer's village is looking for a "lucky strike" that find that will set them up for life and get them out of their job working on tanker crews. Then one day after a storm Nailer's "lucky strike" happens. An expensive and beautiful Clipper ship is shipwrecked on shore and Nailer is the first to find it. The bought could be scavenged for more wealth than he could possible ever make in a year of tanker scavenge. But it turns out there is something far more valuable on the ship, a young rich girl. He know has two choices save the girl and risk his life or pillage the ship for all it's wealth and the the girl to her fate.

Critical Review: Ship Breaker is a gritty , faced paced dystopia novel filled with violence, bleak surrounding but colorful well developed characters. Nailer's grueling life of stripping tanker ships is nothing compared to the struggles he goes through to save himself and Nita, the rich girl from the boat from her tribes who want her dad and Nailer's drug addicted violent father who wants to exploit the girl for her wealth. At times the violence was almost too much, but it really helps tell the story of the how people lived and survived in the story. Without all the grit the story would seem to clean, too happy and the story line wouldn't feel the same, it wouldn't have that grim and desperate feeling.

Reader's Annotation: Nailer is forced to scavenge tankers and risk his life everyday in small dark holes while dreaming of a better life. Then one day his dream comes to him in the form of a crashed clipper ship, but the treasures on the ship go beyond gold, oh no the treasure Nailer finds is something far more valuable.

Possible Challenges: The story contains some very graphic violent scenes. There is also drugs and alcohol abuse in the story which some find offensive.

Why include this book? 

Title: American Born Chinese

Author: Gene Luen Yank

Awards: Printz Award, National Book Award Nominee, ALA's Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults.

Author Info: Gene Luen Yank started drawing comics in 1996 and received the Xeric Grant for Gordon Yamamoto and the King of the Geeks. His graphic novel American Born Chinese was the first graphic novel to ever be nominated for a National Book Award. Gene Luen Yank has won countless awards for his work and continues to write and draw. He also teaches computer science at a Catholic high school in California. 

Plot Summary: The comic has 3 story lines, one of a monkey king who wants to take work his way up to the gods, Jin Wang who moves to a new neighborhood and is the only Chinese-American student and Chin-kee who is the embodiment of Chinese stereotypes and is ruining his cousins life by embarrassing him at school. While the stories seem unrelated they are far more related then believed at the beginning.

Critical Review: I enjoyed how the three separate story lines came together in the end and create one cohesive story built upon the three story lines. The artwork is also wonderful with bright bold drawings.

Reading Annotation: An action filled modern Fable the story includes three separate story lines that culminate to create a unique twist ending.

Book Talking Ideas: The story centers around trying to fit in and stereotypes, those would be good themes to focus on for the book talk.

Curriculum Ties: N/A  

Reading Level/Interest Level: Middle school/High school

Possible Challenges: The story contains racial stereotypes about the Chinese community which some may find offensive.

Title: Looking for Alaska

Author: John Green

Publication info: Speak, 2006

ISBN: 0142402516

Genre: realistic fiction

Author Info: John Green is an award winning and New York Times best selling author. He is runs several successful Youtube channels including the Vlogbrothers. The Vlogborthers is a videoblog between him and his younger brother Hank Green that they started back in 2007. It has lead to the development of the Nerdfighters, a group that celebrates all things nerdy and try to decrease world suck through charitable donations and activism. John also has an educational youtube channel called Crash Course that produces short educational videos on history. John is married with a son and is an extremely interactive author with his fans. He communicates with them through Twitter, Youtube, and his tumbler account. John tours the world talking about his books and his various side projects. Before John's career took off as a write he worked for the magazine Booklist. It was there that he started working on his debut novel and became friends with Irene Cooper, who John credits for his writing success. John's debut novel won him a Printz Award and critical acclaim. Since then John has released 7 books, 2 of those were collaborations with other authors. His most recent book has named by many critics as the best novel of 2012.

Awards: Printz Honor, School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, ALA's Top Ten Books for Young Adults, Booklist Editor's Choice, YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

Plot Summary: The story exists in two parts: before and after. The before is the story of Miles, who lacks friends and anything very exciting except for his obsession with people's last words. He enrolls in a boarding school in Alabama where he meets Alaska Young. Alaska is beautiful, quirky and unbalanced and Miles falls for her. The before story focuses on how Miles who has never had an exciting life is sudden drawn into the crazy and always exciting world of Alaska. Though Alaska's self-destructive is bound to catch up with her and when it does Miles is left to deal with the after.

Critical Review: Looking For Alaska counts downs to an event that you aren't aware of while reading and this countdown stirs interest, what could possible be the after, what is the before? The reader finally discovers that the book is based on the before and after of Alaska's death. The tragedy that rocks Miles world also rocks the reader. Despite Alaska's faults and her destructive behavior she is an enjoyable character. 

Reader's Annotation: When Miles meets Alaska he finds himself attracted to her despite her obvious unstable mental state and destructive pattern. Alaska is the type of girl who drags you into her crazy world and you find yourself not wanting to leave, or at least that's how Miles felt. But when Alaska's destructive behavior reaches it's tipping point will Miles be dragged down with her?

Curriculum Ties: Some schools have used Looking For Alaska as part of their high school English class required reading.

Reading Level/Interest Level: high school

Challenge Issues: there is drinking, smoking, foul language and sex

Why include this book? The book has received critical praise and John Green is known for not speaking down to teens and writing smart, witty and honest books centered around the lives of teens.

Graphic Novels

Title: The Sandman Preludes and Nocturnes
Author: Neil Gaiman
Other books in the series: The Sandman series contains 9 titles.
Publication Info: DC Comics, 1998
ISBN: 1563892278
Author Info: Neil Gaiman is an award winning and New york Times Bestelling author of both children's, teen and adult fiction. Born in England, Neil Gaiman now resides in the United States with his wife and musician, Amanda Palmer. Neil is an active supporter of libraries and credits libraries for his interest in books and writing. He is also active on Twitter and has his own blog. Neil started his career in journalism and broke out as an author with the publication of his groundbreaking graphic novel series, The Sandman.Since then he has written countless books and graphics and has even collaborated with authors like Terry Prachett. Many of his books have been turned into movies, such asCoraline and Stardust. Neil has also written several episodes for the widely popularDoctor Who series and has received great critical acclaim for his episodes. Neil's bookThe Graveyard Book was the winner of the Newbery Award. His other works are also the winners of countless awards. Neil is considered one of the greatest fantasy and sci-fi writers of today by many critics and readers.
Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy
Plot Summary: A group of dark magicians get a hold of a book that they believe will help them capture death. They hope to capture death and therefore control it but things do not go as planned and they capture Morpheus, also known as Dream. Morpheus, the brother of death, is then imprisoned by the magicians for 75 years. Morpheus finally frees himself only to discover that his absence has changed the world and it is no longer how he left it 75 years ago. He also finds that his three tools: his helm, his bag of sand and his ruby have been stolen from him. The story follows Morpheus on his quest to locate and take back his three tools and regain is strength and power that he lost from his long imprisonment. 
Critical Review: The story weaves in many other characters, like the Justice League and John Constantine but Neil Gaiman does it in a way that the reader doesn't feel lost. Rather the pieces fit together quite nice. The story is quite dark but the artwork is beautiful and captures the story well. Morpheus is in interesting character who walks the line between good and evil. He provides both dreams and nightmares and has no problem using his power to seek revenge. The story will appeal to DC comic fans since it references well known DC characters but it will also appeal to fans of folklore. Like much of Gaiman's writing his story is based of some well known folk tales, this one focusing on the Sandman. Of course the story has Gaiman's dark and magical twist.
Book Talk Ideas: For the book talk it might be good to introduce the folklore and myths that the story is based on, The Sandman.
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Reading/Interest Level: Older  high school for both. The story features lots of different story lines, which for younger readers could be difficult to follow. Also, due to the graphic nature of the material the appeal would probably be to older more mature teens.
Possible Challenges: The novel is graphic in it's story and it's artwork. There is sex, death, Satan and demons, dark magic and violence. While beautiful written there is likely to be some objection to the material due to it's mature content.
Why include this book? Sandman is considered groundbreaking for it's time. The story is quite complex for a graphic novel and it shows that just because something is a graphic novel doesn't mean it can't have intricate stories and well developed characters.

Title: Americus
Author: M.K Reed
Publisher Info: First Second, 2011
ISBN:1596436018
Genre: fiction, graphic novel
Author info: M.K Reed is a cartoonist and contributor to the Beat and Publishers Weekly. She currently lives in Brooklyn, NY.
Plot Summary:Neal Barton is a bit of a social outcast in his small conservative town but at least he has his best friend and his favorite series, Apathea Ravenchilde to read. But right before school Neal's best friend is sent off to military school when his parents catch him reading Apathea Ravenchilde. Neal finds some solace in the fact he is now old enough to work as a library page at the city library. Neal and the library love to discuss the Ravenchilde series. Though things start to go downhill for Neal and his library when a group of conservative Christians ask the the Apathea Ravenchilde series be pulled from the library shelves. Neal will have to help the library fight to keep the series as the cries for it's removal grow louder and more intense. Will Neal's favorite series be pulled our will he be able to win over it's harsh critics.
Critical Review: The idea of people trying to pull books from libraries is nothing new and it continues to happen in libraries still. I enjoyed that the plot took on this issue and gave an idea of how a library might have to defend a book before a library board and that sometimes the claims can seem a bit outrageous and that often the people complaining have never read the book. I did feel that the conservative Christians in the story seemed a bit overdone and very one dimensional. It sometimes felt like that at any moment they were going to storm the library with torches. It seemed that Americus highlighted the extreme stories of book banning attempts and not the norm. 
Reader's Annotation: Neal just lost his best friend to military camp and now, his favorite book series is being threatened by a group of angry conservatives bent on pulling it from the library. Neal may have to stand up to save the book he loves.
Book Talk Ideas: It might be interesting to bring up some books that have been banned or challenged in libraries to bring attention to the fact that this is still a problem in libraries. It also may shock some of the teens to see what books have been challenge.
Reading Level/Interest Level: This would be a good book to read during ALA's Banned Book Week. 
Possible Challenges: The book deals with censorship and religious beliefs. Some conservative Christians could feel the book represents them in a bad light or attacks their beliefs.

Title: Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life
Author: Bryan Lee O'Malley
Publishing Info: Oni Press, 2004
ISBN: 1932664084
Other Books in the Series: the series contains 6 books
Genre: graphic novel, humor
Author Info: Bryan O'Malley is a Canadian cartoonist who wrote the graphic novel, Lost at Sea as well as the very popular Scott Pilgrim series. He currently lives in California.
Plot Summary: Scott is a 23 year old slacker in a rock band who is dating high schooler named Knives. Knives loves Scott's band so what could be better? But Scott keeps seeing a girl in his dreams and then she shows up at a party, the library and then as the delivery girl at his door. So Scott asks out his dream girl, Ramona Flowers and falls for her. Though know there is the issue of his still girlfriend Knives and something about Ramona having 7 evil exes that Scott will have to face. But it's all worth it for his dream girl, right?
Critical Summary: Scott Pilgrim is a funny quick read. Scott Pilgrim tends to get in over his head and has no idea what dating Ramona entails and it's entertaining to watch Scott deal with the mess he has mad for himself. The comic has the feel of an old comic or video game with bold graphics, sound effects and over the top fight scenes.
Reader Annotation: Scott is finally dating the girl of his dreams, literally. But things are that easy for Scott Pilgrim. It turns out the his new girlfriend has 7 evil exes Scott Pilgrim will have to defeat each of them.
Book Talk Ideas: The idea of having to battle the 7 exes is a pretty good way to hook readers. 
Reading Level/Interest Level: The book is rated for 13+ and will appeal to high school teens.
Challenge Issues: Scott is older dating high schooler and then there is some suggestive scenes with Scott crawling into bed with Ramona.
Why Include this book? The series is very popular and even lead to a major motion picture being made about the series.