Material List

Books 
Across the Universe by Beth Revis
Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yank
Americus by M.K. Reed
Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
Before I Die Jenny Downham
Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating currents of electricity and Hope by William Kamkwamba and Bryah Mealer
Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger
City of Bones Cassandra Clare
Daughter of Smoke and Bone Laini Taylor
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Fire Kristin Cashore
Going Bovine by Libba Bray
Grave Mercy Robin LaFevers
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Lament by Maggie Stiefvater
Looking for Alaska by John Green
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Ordinary People by Judith Guest
Paper Towns by John Green
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman
Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life by Bryan Lee O'Malley
Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Audio Books
Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S King
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Little Brother by Cory Doctrow
White Cat by Holly Black

Movies
The Hunger Games
Easy A
Scott Pilgrim

Databases
Learning Express
InfoTrac Student
Encyclopedia Britannica Online

Magazines
SPIN
Teen Ink
Game Informer

References

All images were retrieved from goodreads.com

Anderson, L.H.(2012). Laurie Halse Anderson. retrieved from: http://madwomanintheforest.com/
Asher, J. (2012). Jay Asher Blogspot, retrieved from http://www.jayasher.blogspot.com/
Bacigalupi, P. (2012). Windup stories. retrieved from: http://windupstories.com/
Black, H. (2012). Holly Black, retrieved from http://www.blackholly.com/
Block, F. (2012) Francesca Lia Block, retrieved from http://www.francescaliablock.com/
Cashore, K. (2012) This is my secret. retrieved from http://kristincashore.blogspot.com/
Bray, L. (2012). Libba Bray, retrieved from http://libbabray.com/
Cassandra, C. (2012). Cassandra Clare. retrieved from: http://www.cassandraclare.com/
Cruz, M.D.L. (2012) Melissa De La Cruz retrieved from http://www.melissa-delacruz.com/
Dessen, S. (2012). Sarah Dessen. retrieved from: http://sarahdessen.com/
Doctrow, C. (2012) Cory Doctrow retrieved from http://craphound.com/
Gaiman, N. (2012). Neil Gaiman. retrieved from http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2012/11/author-meets- world.html
Green, J. (2012). John Green, retrieved from http://johngreenbooks.com/
Hatrack. (2012). Orson Scott Card, retrieved from http://www.robinlafevers.com/2012/12/04/best-book-lists-new-review-and-dark-triumph-countdown/
Kidd, S.M. (2012) Sue Monk Kidd, retrieved from http://www.suemonkkidd.com/
LaFevers, R. (2012). Robin LaFevers. retrieved from http://www.robinlafevers.com/2012/12/04/best-book-lists-new-review-and-dark-triumph-countdown/
Levithan, D. (2012). David Levithan. retrieved from: http://www.davidlevithan.com/
Morgenstern, E. (2012). Erin Morgenstern, retrieved from http://erinmorgenstern.com/
Ness, P. (2012). Patrick Ness. retrieved from: http://www.patrickness.com/
Pearson, M.E. (2012). Mary E. Pearson. retrieved from http://www.marypearson.com/
Revis, B. (2012). Beth Revis, retrieved from http://www.bethrevis.com/
Stiefvater, M. (2012). Maggie Stiefvater. retrieved from: http://maggiestiefvater.com/
Taylor, L. (2012). These are the days of blood and starlight. retrieved from http://www.lainitaylor.com/

Dealing with Challenges

When a patron comes with a challenge it is important to listen to their entire complaint, to ask if they have read the book and then explain the selection criteria for the library and the procedure to file a formal challenge on a book. All the books contained in this database are critically acclaimed or bestseller with huge appeal to teens. The items selected for this database meet one or more of these criteria, which is taken from the ALA Website (2012):

• educational significance
• contribution the subject matter makes to the curriculum and to the interests of the students
• favorable reviews found in standard selection sources
• favorable recommendations based on preview and examination of materials by professional personnel
• reputation and significance of the author, producer, and publisher
• validity, currency, and appropriates of material
• contribution the material makes to breadth of representative viewpoints on controversial issues
• high degree of potential user appeal
• high artistic quality and/or literary style
• quality and variety of format
• value commensurate with cost and/or need
• timeliness or permanence
• integrity

When dealing with a challenge this criteria should be referenced to support why a book has been chosen.

Reference:
ALA, 2012. Workbook for Selection Policy Writing, retrieved from: http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=dealing&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=11173.

Games

Title: Super Smash Bros. Brawl
By: Nintendo
Released: March 9, 2008
Rated: Teen
Description: Super Smash Bros. Brawl is a 4 person battle game that features characters from popular Nintendo games. It is very popular with teen boys and is a great game to play at the library in tournaments.

Title: Mario Kart Wii
By: Nintendo
Rated:  E for everyone
Released: Aug. 27, 2012
Description: Mario Kart is a 4 person racing game that features and fun and unique races courses. It is very easy to play and is great for teens who don't know how to play video games very well. It can also be used in a library setting as a tournament.

Title: Dance Dance Revolution
By: Konami
Released: Nov. 16th, 2010
Rated: E for everyone
Description: Dance Dance Revolution is a two person dancing game. It is very popular and fun to play. Teens can battle each other or dance as a team.

Databases

Learning Express
by LearningExpress LLC
Learning Express Library is an excellent resource for teens. It has practice SATs and other test prep and guides, it also has tutorials on basic computer programs. It also has some homework help with Math practice tests. Learning Express also contains information and study guides on tests for professional careers.
http://www.learnatest.com/LEL/index.cfm/

InfoTrac Student Edition
by Gale

InfoTrac Student Edition is for 9-12th grade students and has newpapers, full text articles, podcasts, reference book and magazine and various education subjects for student research. It is provided through Gale.

Britannica Online

This is an online version of Britannica Encyclopedia with current statistics, links to full text magazine articles and other information. This is a great reference source since many libraries are cutting back their reference section. It is up to date information for teens, perfect for school research projects.

LGBTQ

Title: Boy Meets Boy 
Author: David Levithan
Publishing Info: Alfred A. Knopf, 2005
ISBN: 0375832998
Genre: Romance, Fiction, LGBTQ
Awards: Lambda Literary Foundation Award (2003), ALA's Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults (2004)
Author Info: David Levithan debuted with his novel Boy Meets Boy in 2003 and has been writing both YA and adult books ever since. David just released his 16th novel this fall and has had great success. His book Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist was turned into a movie and his debut novel broke new ground upon it's release. David claims that he had a terrible well-adjusted childhood and so far adulthood seems to be treating him well. David is also the publisher and editorial director for Scholastic. He also developed PUSH which seeks out new writers in teen literature.
Plot Summary: Paul is a gay high school sophomore who attends a high school like no other. For one thing Paul's high school has a transvestite quarterback named Infinite Darlene. And when the Boy Scouts wouldn't accepting gay members his town formed the Joy Scouts instead. Then enters Noah who is new to the school and Paul falls for him but high school is complicated and relationships aren't easy. Paul struggles to balance his new relationship as well as heal an old one with his ex-boyfriend, Kyle who had spread rumors about Paul after their breakup. To make matters worse, Paul's best friend Joni is barely speaking to him and spends all her time with her jerk boyfriend Chuck. Then there is Paul's gay friend Tony who is struggling to deal with his ultraconservative parents who don't approve oh his gay lifestyle. Can Paul balance all his relationships and still keep Noah?
Critical Review: Boy Meets Boy is a very sweet love story that just happens to feature two teenage boys. The fact that they are gay is just a detail of the story rather than the focus. Instead the book really focuses on relationships like the one between Paul and Noah as well as the other relationships that Paul has with his friends and family. It explores the ups and downs of relationships with all their complications. The book really highlights that no matter what kind of relationship whether romantic, gay or straight they all have problems and all people go through similar problems in their own life. Levithan really makes Paul's issues very relatable and shows that gay teens struggle through many of the same problems as straight teens, it in a way helps normalizes the gay lifestyle. It's refreshing to see a book not focus so much on the issues of being gay but rather just the issues of being a teenager and managing relationships with people. This could really help teens who are may be gay realize that they aren't that different from their straight friends, that they are in deed normal.
Reader's Annotation: Paul is your typical high schooler well if you don't include his transvestite quarterback friend Infinite Darlene, but at Paul's high school Infinite Darlene is pretty typical. Paul falls for Noah, a new student but seems aren't always as easy as it seems. When Paul's ex boyfriend tries to get him back Noah isn't too thrilled. Will Paul loose Noah or can he some how balance his relationships and still get through high school?
Book Talk Ideas: For the book talk I think focusing more on the relationships is important. Some teens might get hung up on that it's two boys rather than it's a love story between two people. So I think it's important to put the focus on the relationship end. Like Paul's relationship with his ex, with his best friend who is drifting away and his new relationship with Paul. Teens will relate to that whether they are gay or straight.
Reading Level/Interest Level: The reading level is not difficult so it would be around middle school to high school. The interest level is also middle school and high school.
Curriculum Ties: The book could be tied into a maybe a program on National Coming Out Day which is in October. The day is to support LGBTQ and educate people in hopes of creating more tolerance to different lifestyles.
Challenge Issues: Any book that features a gay relationship is sure to upset some people who find objections the the gay lifestyle. They may feel the story normalizes the gay lifestyle and that it is some how part of a "gay agenda".

Why Include this book? The book represents a gay high school relationship and shows that it is much like a straight relationship. It can help teens who are gay feel more accepted and normal with their relationships because they are being represented in a positive light in literature. Also, David Levithan wrote a great book that is enjoyable to read and teens looking for a romance will enjoy the love story he has created.

Title: Will Grayson Will Grayson 
Authors: John Green and David Levithan
Publishing Info: Dutton Children's, 2010
ISBN: 0525421580
Awards: YALSA's Best Fiction for Young Adults (2011), Children's Choice Book Award Nominee for Teen Choice Book of the Year (2011)
Genre: realistic fiction, LGBTQ
Author Info: David Levithan debuted with his novel Boy Meets Boy in 2003 and has been writing both YA and adult books ever since. David just released his 16th novel this fall and has had great success. His book Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist was turned into a movie and his debut novel broke new ground upon it's release. David claims that he had a terrible well-adjusted childhood and so far adulthood seems to be treating him well. David is also the publisher and editorial director for Scholastic. He also developed PUSH which seeks out new writers in teen literature.
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: The story focuses on two high school boys named Will Grayson. One Will Grayson is a straight wallflower who tries to get through life by talking as little as possible. Will Grayson believes the more you can blend in the better. Though having your best friend be a giant, loud, flamboyant gay guy name Tiny who often breaks out in song isn't helping Will Grayson keep a low profile. Then there is the other Will Grayson. Will Grayson is also a bit of loner, who spends most of his days struggling with his depression. The only things he looks forward to is talk to a guy namedIsaac online. Will Grayson is gay but has never told anyone. Then one night the two Will Grayson's cross paths outside a porn store in downtown Chicago and their lives are never the same. Can both of them learn to stop out from the shadows and live life or will they both be content to watch things from the sidelines.
Critical Review: The story is told in alternating chapters, going between the two Will Grayson's. John Green is the voice of straight Will Grayson, while David Levithan is the voice of gay Will Grayson. Both characters have a distinct voice and Levithan write's his Will Grayson with no capitalization. This I think helps convey the idea his Will Grayson lives life in a constant feeling of just trying to get by. He is on a number of medicines to battle his depression and the side effect is that he almost seems to never have any emotion, good or bad. The story moves quickly and makes for a fun read.
Reader's Annotation: The last thing high schooler Will Grayson expected to find in a porn store in downtown Chicago is another high schooler named Will Grayson. But that is exactly what happens. Now their lives seems to be overlapping due to the one Will Grayson's openly gay and flamboyant friend Tiny who is everything but tiny and his musical. But when both Will Grayson's are trying to stay out of the limelight how will they deal with Tiny suddenly thrusting them both into it?
Book Talk Ideas: For this book talk it would be great to represent both voices of Will Grayson with either two people doing the book talk or at least two separate view points. The focus should be on how these two lives intercept and seem to keep meeting up through out the story.
Reading Level/Interest Level: The language and content is for older high school student.
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Challenge Issues: The book has quite a few things that some may take issues with. There is a lot foul language, talk of sex, teens with fake IDs, and there is a big focus on gay teens.

Title: The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Author: Stephen Chbosky
Publishing Info: MTV books, New York, NY, 1999
ISBN: 0-671-02734-4
Genre: realistic fiction, LGBTQ
Author Info:
Plot Summary: Charlie narrates the story through letters addressed to Dear Friend. Charlie is an introvert about to enter his freshman year of high school. He feels very much alone since his best friend committed suicide only a few months earlier. Charlie soon makes friends with Sam and her step-brother Patrick. They introduce Charlie to sex, drugs and the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Charlie starts to fall for Sam and struggles with his own mental state. The book deals with Charlie struggling to find his place in the world and how to step out of his shell and participate in life rather than just watching it from the sidelines as a wallflower.
Critical Review: Since the book is told in letters from Charlie is feels very personal, like Charlie is expressing his hidden feelings and thoughts. Charlie deals with a lot of heavy issues in his letters, from depression, anxiety, sexuality, drugs, sexual abuse and his struggle to find out who he is. But the story never feels dragged down by these issues due to the characters in Charlie's life. Sam and Patrick are wonderful characters who despite their own faults and struggles support Charlie and help pull him out of his shell. While Charlie is not gay, Patrick is and his struggle with dating a football player who is still in the closet is a well told story. Charlie watches Patrick as he deals with rejection and the fallout from Brad's dad finding out. The scene in which Charlie stands up for Patrick is one of my favorites because I think it really shows that Charlie is no longer a passive observer but rather he is an active participant.
Reader Annotation: Charlie was content on being a wallflower and just watching life go by. But then Charlie meets Sam and Patrick and it isn't long before they are introducing him to life with all it's highs and lows. But will Charlie be able to deal with life and all that it has in store for him or will he retreat into the background.
Book Talking Ideas: The book talk should be done in letter form, perhaps a letter from Charlie like in the book. There is something very personal about a letter that reader's will gravitate towards.
Reading/Interest Level: highschool
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Challenge Issues: The book deals with lots of hot button topics: sex, drugs, homosexuality, sexual abuse and it contains swearing.

Title: Weetzie Bat
Author: Francesca Lia Block
Publishing Info: Harper Teen, 2004
ISBN: 0060736254
Genre: fiction, magical realism, LGBTQ
Author Info: Francesca Lia Block is known for groundbreaking novels that she describes as "contemporary fairy tales with an edge". She uses magical realism to help deal with the harshness of reality. She is the recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award and the Phoenix Award. Block was born in L.A where she still lives and works. She has written over 30 books and still continues to write both YA and adult books.
Plot Summary: Weetzie is living in L.A with her mother while her dad is in New York. Weetzie doesn't seem to fit in at school but befriends the hottest guy in school, Dirk who comes out to Weetzie. The two become best friends and find a genie who grants them three wishes. Their dreams of a house and a "Duck" for Dirk and a "Secret Agent Lover Man" for Weetzie come true but life isn't perfect for them. Things start to go wrong when Weetzie decides she wants to be a mom despite Secret Agent Lover Man's protests. The book seems to walk the line of magical wimsy and realism and has the reader wondering if Weetzie and Dirk can live happily ever after in Shangri-LA.
Critical Review: The book is a quick and simple read. The book at times can seem almost to superficial, and the characters don't feel quite developed. But despite this the book is an enjoyable read with fun characters. They seem to have a great love for each other and for life. Block addresses some pretty complex issues with a simplicity that seems effortless. Block tends to introduce problems or issues and the just float along to the next part of the story. It's what makes the story enjoyable and frustrating at the same time. Thankfully the book is part of series so the reader can read more to gain more details about the strange life of Weetzie Bat.
Reader Annotation: Weetzie lives in L.A, or she calls it Shangri-LA and when a genie gives her and her best friend Dirk a beautiful house and the loves of their life what else could they want? Well it seems that Weetzie wants not only Secret Agent Lover Man but a baby as well. But when she wants Dirk and Duck to be parents as well Secret Agent Lover Man isn't too happy. Can Weetzie live the life she's always wanted or is happily ever after out of her reach.
Book Talking Ideas: Weetzie Bat is a difficult book to book talk since it is a very unique story. The magical realism of the book is quite unique so for the book talk I would highlight the unique parts of the  story: Secret Agent Lover Man, Duck, the genie, Cherokee and Witch baby. Another theme to focus on is love, which the story focuses on. There is many types of love shared in the book from daughter and father , to best friends and lovers.
Reading/Interest Level: The reading level is middle school but the book will probably appeal to high school students, especially some struggling readers since the book is short and a quick read.
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Challenge Issues: There is drinking, sex and homosexuality in the book which could be found offense for some.

Magazines

Title: Teen Ink

Teen ink is a magazine that features Teen generated works, whether it's short stories, poetry or art Teen Ink is made by teen for teens. Teen Ink is produced monthly and is an excellent resource for teens looking to get their work published and featured publicly. Teen Ink is put on by the non profit organization Young Authors Foundation.

Title: SPIN
SPIN magazine is a bi-monthly music magazine that features the latest in musical artists and trends. It started in 1985 and has been at the forefront of music news ever since. It has mass appeal to teens due to the popularity of the bands often featured on the cover.

Title: Game Informer
Game Informer is a monthly video game magazine that features articles on new games, strategies, codes and anything video game related. This magazine has huge appeal to teens who are enjoying video gaming.

Classics

Title: Catcher in the Rye
Author: J.D. Salinger
Publication Info:  Little Brown and Company, Boston, MA, 1991. (Originally published July 1951)
ISBN: 0-316-76948-7
Genre: Fiction
Awards: National Book Award Nominee (1952)
Author Info: J.D Salinger was born in New York in 1919 to a Jewish father and Christian mother. He passed away on January 27, 2010 at the age of 91. His works have appeared in The Saturday Evening Post, Esquire, and The New Yorker. Salinger went to private and military schools and served in the US Army from 1942-46. Catcher in the Rye brought Salinger critical acclaim and attention. After publishing some works that focused on the Glass family Salinger became a recluse. He was not seen or heard from much after the 1960s and rarely did interviews or published anything, much to the disappointment of critics and fans everywhere.
Plot Summary: Holden Caulfield narrates the story from a mental hospital. He tells the story of how he went mad just before Christmas a year ago. Holden had been attending Pencey Prep in Agerstown Pennsylvannia. Unfortunately he was failing most his classes and had just received a letter of expulsion.  Holden's roommate Stradlater asks Holden to write a composition for him, which Holden does about his dead brother's baseball glove. When Stradlater returns from his date his is upset to find what Holden wrote about and Holden gets in a fight with Stadlater. Upset and tired of Pencey, Holden leaves on a train for New York. He decides he should stay in a hotel there for a few days before going to stay with his family who is unaware of Holden's expulsion. While in New York Holden has a series of events that lead to his breakdown. What is really going on with Holden? Through his very personal and self-deprecating narrative Holden reveals a lot about himself and the struggles of growing up.
Critical Review: The Catcher in the Rye is a coming of age story that shows the dark underbelly of mental illness, teenage angst and the struggles of youth. Holden is far from the perfect youth that was often represented in books before this story. Holden swears, he smokes, he gets drunk and is brutally honest about himself and the people around him. His honesty and struggles can be appealing to teens who may also be struggling or dealing with mental illness. Salinger doesn't sugarcoat things and isn't afraid to write about what isn't pretty.
Reader's Annotation: Holden Caulfied is in a mental hospital but how did he get there? Holden's story is all about how he had a breakdown a year earlier set off by his expulsion from his school.  Before heading home to face his parents Holden spends a few days in a New York City hotel dealing with phoneys and his own demons. But what is truly troubling Holden?
Book Talking Ideas: Holden wears a distinct red hunting cap and has a huge attachment to a baseball glove. I think maybe having those items be a part of the book talk would bring teens into the novel.
Reading/Interest Level: high school
Curriculum Ties: The story is often used as required reading in most high school classrooms.
Challenge Issues: The book has been challenged often due to it's language and content. Some parents feel it is too mature for teens.

Why have this book? The book is a classic and is an honest and sometimes harsh look at the struggle of a teen dealing with mental illness. It's important to have this type of book because of it's importance in modern literature.

Title: Pride and Prejudice
Author: Jane Austen
Publishing Info: Modern Library Classics, 2000
ISBN: 0679783261
Genre: Fiction, Romance
Author Info: Jane Austen was born in 1775, in Hampshire England to a Reverend father and his wife. Jane's parents did not have much in the way of money but supported their girls in education. At 20 years old Jane fell in love with the neighbors nephew Tom Lefroy. Though when Tom's parents found out about the pairing they brought Tom home and did not allow the two to see each other again. Several years later Jane received her first and only proposal from Mr. Bigg-Wither which Jane accepted only to reject it a day later. Jane would never marry or have children. Instead, Jane focused on writing and supporting her family. Despite having her works published and have success her works were originally published anonymously. It wasn't till after her death that her brother publicly attached her name to her writing. Austen gained much of her popularity and notoriety after her death.
Plot Summary:  The story is about the five unmarried Bennet daughters, Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty and Lydia. The Bennet family is not wealthy and jumps at the chance to attend a ball of the wealthy and single Mr. Bingley who is renting a manor near by. At the ball Mr. Bingley and Jane make a connection. Elizabeth overhears that Mr. Bingley's friend, Mr. Darcy refuses to dance with Elizabeth and she foresees him as arrogant and prejudice. As Jane and Elizabeth start to spend time with Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, Darcy realizes that his first impressions were wrong about Elizabeth. He starts to like her wit and strong opinions. Though, Elizabeth is still set on her initial opinion of Darcy though as the story progresses some of Darcy's actions surprise Elizabeth. Maybe, she was wrong about Darcy after all.
Critical Review: Austen has the ability to write a beautiful and touching romance with barely any physical interaction of characters. Everything in Austen's story is told in glances, lingering stares and intricate words. The writing can at times be difficult to read through due to it's old style of writing. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet is one of the great love stories and has the ability to transcend time periods. Also, Elizabeth is a strong female character, especially when you consider the time in which she lived. She refuses to settle for a marriage unless she is in love and she often speaks her mind despite the judgement of others.
Reader's Annotation: Elizabeth Bennet is the outspoken and independent daughter of the Bennet family. Upon meeting the wealthy and good looking Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth finds him to be arrogant and proud. But can first impressions be wrong?
Book Talk Ideas: Pride and Prejudice is a classic love story that has inspired movies and other books.
Reading Level/Interest Level: high school
Curriculum Ties: The book is often used as part of required reading in English. Due to the setting it could also be used in connection with a history class since it gives a glimpse of life in England during the 1800s.
Challenge Issues: N/A

Why have this book? The book is seen as a classic romance that has inspired many other books, parodies, and movies.

Title: Ordinary People
Author: Judith Guest
Publishing Info: Penguin Books, New York, NY, 1982.
ISBN: 0-14-006517-2
Genre: fiction
Author Info: Judith Guest was born in 1936 in Detroit Michigan. She attended the University of Michigan and received a BA in education. She went on to teach and did not start seriously writing till the 1970s. When she original wrote Ordinary People it was rejected by two different publishers before finally being accepted by Viking Press. Judith says that even after the success of her first novel she struggled to get her other works published. She often had to try multiple publishers before finding one that would accept her books. She continues to write and is in the process of writing sequel to one of her books. She is married and has three children and seven grandchildren.
Plot Summary: A year ago the Jarrett family lost their son Buck to a boating accident. Their only remaining son, Conrad has not dealt well with the death of his brother and has attempted suicide. While in a mental hospital Conrad befriended a girl named Karen, who had also attempted suicide. Upon returning home Conrad starts to see a shrink due to the insistance of his father. Conrad is reluctant to believe that a shrink can help him and it seems that Conrad is not improving. Conrad's parents also struggle with the death of their son and their marriage seems to be crumbling. What really happened to Buck on the day that he died and why does Conrad carry so much guilt? Can the family every recover from Buck's loss or will they continue to drift apart.
Critical Review: The story is a very emotional look at a family torn apart by loss. Each family member copes with the death of Buck in a different way. It really gives the reader an idea of the struggles that a family goes through when they lose a loved one. It also shows that a family that seemed so ordinary, so perfect can still struggle. The Jarrett family was just an ordinary family dealing with immense tragedy. Conrad bears the brunt of the guilt since he was there when his brother died and feels responsible. Readers can really attach themselves to Conrad's feelings as most people have at one time or another felt guilty or inadequate. Of course Conrad's feelings are magnified since the guilt is over a death but the sentiment is one that many can relate to. It also shows Conrad working through his struggles and the story doesn't give Conrad an easy way out but rather shows the slow progress that he makes. For teens it can show them that you can overcome issues but that it does take time and effort.
Reader's Annotation: Conrad was never the perfect son, that was his brother Buck's job. But when Buck dies in a tragic boating accident Conrad finds himself struggling with the loss of his brother and his own guilt about what happend. After a suicide attempt Conrad sees a shrink in an attempt to put himself back together. But can his family ever be the same? How does one recover from the death of family member? After all they are just ordinary people.
Book Talk Ideas: The reader doesn't know all the details of Buck's death till the end when Conrad melts down with Dr. Berger. Pulling teens in with the emotion the surrounds that mysterious night will get teens interested in what happened to Buck and why Conrad is struggling.
Reading/Interest Level: The reading level is probably around late middle school early high school but the content would probably appeal more to a high school student.
Curriculum Ties: Many high schools have this book as required reading for an English class.
Challenge Issues: n/a

Why Include this book? The story is considered a classic due to it's frank and personal look at a family dealing with loss and tragedy.

Title: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Author: Betty Smith
Publishing Info: Harper Perennial, New York, NY, 1998.
ISBN: 0-06-0929880-X
Genre: historical fiction
Author Info:
Plot Summary: The story follows 11 year old Francie Nolan and her family who lives in poor house in Brooklyn in the early 1900s.. Fancie and her brother Neeley are quite poor, being supported by the wages of her mother and whatever there alcoholic father makes from waiting tables and singing. Despite their poverty Francie's mother tries to provide for them and Francie finds solace in school and books. The story documents their struggles, and Francie's struggle to make something of herself despite her humble beginnings.
Critical Review: The story shows a poor family struggling to make it in the slums and how despite setbacks Francie is still able to achieve her dreams of going to college. It also shows how through the death of her father Francie was forced to grow up and face some of the dark aspects of her life and childhood. The story is wonderfully told and it's a story that actually has a somewhat happy ending which is nice considering how much Francie and her family endured. I also like that Johnny was not just a one dimensional character. Even though he was an alcoholic Johnny is very likable, it is obvious that he struggles with his drinking but he still loves his family.
Reader's Annotation: Growing up poor in Brooklyn in the early 1900s is not easy for Francie and her brother Neeley. With an alcoholic brother and working mother Francie still finds happiness in her poor neighborhood in Brooklyn. And just like the tree the grows outside their apartment, Francie finds a way to survive and grow.
Book Talk Ideas: I think using the tree metaphor to introduce the book is a great hook.
Reading/Interest Level: early high school reading level but early and late high school interest level
Curriculum Ties: The story is a classic that deals with life in the slums in the early 1900s. It would be a great way to connect to an American History lesson.
Challenge Issues: The book deals with an alcoholic father, rape, Francie's struggle with religion and the existence of God.

Why Include this book? The book is a classic that depicts poverty in a light that isn't always represented. Francie, while poor, is very smart and resilient.

Romance

Title: The Fault in Our Stars
Author: John Green
Publisher Info: Dutton Books, New York, NY, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-525-47881-2
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Awards: YALSA's Top Ten Teen Books Nominee (2012)
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: Hazel Grace has terminal cancer and despite medicine that has shrunk her tumor Hazel is dying. For now the medicine has prolonged her life for the foreseeable future. Hazel spends her days attached to a breathing machine at home. She occasionally leaves to attend cancer meetings with other teens. But for Hazel she believes that it's best if she interacts with as few people as possible. She is afraid of hurting people with her death so she chooses not to interact. Then Hazel meets Augustus waters, or Gus as she calls him. Gus lost his leg to cancer but with his cancer currently in remission and and 80% survival rate Gus has a different outlook on life than Hazel. Soon, Hazel finds herself falling for Gus despite her attempts to not get attached to people. Hazel and Gus bond over Hazel's favorite book An Imperial Affliction which ends mid sentence. The two deal with falling in love and the problems that come with loving someone who is dying.
Critical Review: This book is on almost every Top Ten Book list for 2012 and it's easy to see why. John Green has written a touching, somber and at time humorous story on what it means to love  and lose. Like John Green's previous work, his teen characters are far more developed and insightful than most teens in YA fiction. He doesn't sugarcoat cancer or how it is to be sick, but rather he tells and honest and poignant story that leaves the reader heartbroken at the end. There are few books that could be compared to this one and the appeal of this book will reach beyond just teen readers. The parents in the story are also well developed and so human in their emotions. They aren't just one dimensional characters like some parents tend to be in YA fiction. Rather Hazel's parents show the heartbreak and struggles that parents of teens with caner go through. For a teen this might give them some insight into the view of a parent.
Book Talking Ideas: There is so many wonderful quotes in the book from Hazel and Augustus that I think using one of them to open up a book talk would be a great idea. Also, the book is about cancer but it truly is a love story and I think using that to appeal to teens would draw in a lot of readers.
Curriculum Ties: The book would be a wonderful addition to a high school English class. It has many  themes that could be discusses, like love and loss and how one lives their life when they know it will be short.
Reading/Interest Level: The reading level is high school. The interest level would probably be older high school and adult. Though, younger teens might be drawn to the book but there is a lot of heavy emotions in the book to deal with so it may be too mature in that sense for middle school readers.
Challenge Issues: The only real challenge issue may be the somewhat graphic nature of the cancer and it's treatments. Some people may find it too graphic.

Title: Lament
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publishing Info: Flux, Woodbury, Minn., 2008.
ISBN: 97897387000
Genre: Romance, Fantasy
Author Info: Maggie Stiefvater is a quirky writer who lives with her husband and two children in Virginia. Before becoming a fulltime write Maggie was a calligraphy artist, wedding musician, technical editor and equestrian artist. Maggie debuted with Lament and gained notariaty with her popular wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy. Her book the Scorpio Races gained critical acclaim, winning the Printz Honor award (2012). She recently release The Raven Boys which has already received praise for it's writing.
Plot Summary: Dierdre is a reserved teen girl who is a talented harp player. But one day Dierdre starts seeing clovers everywhere and a mysterious and handsome boy, Luke shows up in her life. Dierdre soon learns that she is a cloverhand, that basically she can see fairies and that fairies are drawn to her. Luke is a fairy assassin who has been sent by the fairy queen to kill Dierdre. The fairy queen fears Dierdre and is afraid that the fey will be drawn to Dierdre through her music and could then overthrow the queen and take the crown for herself. Dierdre has a best friend, James, who is secretly in love with Dierdre and is not too thrilled with Dierdre's new found attraction to the mysterious Luke.
Critical Review: Maggie Stiefvater does a great job of weaving celtic lore and music into a romantic story about fairies. As her debut novel is really show cases her ability to write great characters. At times the plot falls a bit flat, and it seems the reader is just suppose to accept certain parts of the plot without argument but her characters really carry the story.
Reader's Annotation: Dierdre's life is pretty normal, she spends her days working on her music. She loves to play the harp and spends most her time with her best friend James playing music together. Then Dierdre starts to see clovers everywhere and when a mysterious man shows ups Dierdre finds herself attracted to the handsome mysterious stranger. But the stranger turns out to be a fairy assassin sent to kill Dierdre and Dierdre finds herself in the strange world of fairies.
Book Talk Ideas: The love story is between Dierdre and her would be fairy assassin, which of course is a star crossed love story pairing. A book talk could center around this romance and the problems with falling in love with an assassin fairy sent to kill you.
Reading Level/Interest: middle school to high school
Curriculum Ties:  The book references celtic folklore and music and could tie in nicely with a history unit on celtic folklore.
Challenge Issues: The stories feature fairies and magic.
Why Include this book? Fairies are immensely popular and this story weaves a nice blend of traditional celtic folklore with modern day fairies. Maggie Stiefvater is an author growing in popularity and many teens have been seeking out her earlier works.

Sci-Fi

Title: The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking #1)
Author: Patrick Ness
Other books in the series: The Ask and the Answer, Monsters of Men
ISBN: 1406310255
Genre: Sci-fi, dystopia
Author Info: Patrick is an America who now spends his time living in England. He writes fantasy and sci-fi for young adults. He is also a literary critic for The Guardian. Patrick has his own website (www.patrickness.com) and is also on Twitter and Facebook. Most recently he became a British citizen. His books have been well received by critics and fans alike. The movie rights to his series Chaos Walking were recently purchased by Lions Gate and he has high hopes that it will be turned into a movie.
Plot Summary: Todd Hewitt lives in Prentisstown, a town like no other. Prentisstown has no woman, and everyone can hear each other's thoughts, even the thoughts of animals. The noise, as they call it, is a constant part of life. All the woman in Todd's town have died, including his mother. The source of their death was a disease that they caught from the native species on the planet that they refer to as Spackle. The town told Todd that it is this disease that causes everyone to be able to hear each other's thoughts. Todd is the youngest in the town and is on the verge of becoming a man. Though not too long before his 13th birthday, Todd discovers place out in the swamps that is silent, a place where there is no noise. Todd's attempts to keep this a secret fail and his adoptive parents force him to leave Prentisstown due to some fear that they will not share with Todd. As Todd and his dog, Manchee, try to escape they are chased down by Aaron, the resident pastor, who does not have the best intentions for Todd. Todd also finds the source of the silence, a girl who was sent with her parents on a scouting  mission from another planet. Unfortunately, her parents were killed when her ship crashed. Todd can't hear her thoughts and he soon fears that she will catch the disease and die. So Todd and the girl, Viola, take off with Manchee to flee Aaron and see if they can find help. They soon find another village that has woman and Todd starts to learn the truth about Prentisstown. Though the men of Prentisstown come after Todd and take out anyone in their path. Aaron is determined to capture Viola and kill Todd. But how can you escape when none of your thoughts are secret?
Critical Review: The book has a unique feel, in that it has an almost old west type of setting with a sci-fi twist. The storyline is fast paced due to all the action and it keeps the reader very engaged through out the story. The book can be a bit difficult to read at the beginning since the spelling and vocabulary reflects that of the people of Prentisstown. Though after a while it becomes very easy to read. I also liked the way the noise is represented. Each persons thoughts are represented by a different font and at times the noise is so jumbled it's unreadable, which really helps get across the idea of the noise. The book does have quite a bit of violence, but I think the fact that Todd struggles with his part of violence shows just how it can affect a person. Patrick Ness is able to create a story, that while violent still has a lot of emotion.
Reader's Annotation: Prentisstown has many secrets. For instance what happened to all the women? And why can everyone hear each other's thoughts? Todd Hewitt is about to become a man but just before his 13th birthday he discovers the biggest secret of all: silence. What is behind the silence in the swamp and how can you keep a secret when everyone can hear your thoughts?
Book talk ideas: I would focus my book talk on the idea that everyone can hear each other's thoughts. Teens could relate to this idea of being bombarded with constant thoughts since they live in the digital age and it seems that teens are constantly being exposed to a constant stream of media.
Curriculum Ties: n/a
Reading Level/Interest Level: Due to the language and the content I would say that the reading level is 9th grade and up. Because it's dystopia it may appeal to younger Hunger Games fans but I would probably recommend it to older teens due to the violence and language.
Challenge Issues: The book has swearing and violence and Aaron, the town's pastor, is portrayed in a bad light. Some may find his character as an attack on Christian or religious values.

Title: Across the Universe 
Author: Beth Revis
Other books in the series: A Millions Suns, Shades of Earth (release date of Jan. 2013)
ISBN:
Publication info:
Genre: sci-fi
Author Info: Beth Revis is an American author whose debut book, Across the Universe, became a huge hit and has written two more books in the series. Beth wrote a lot of work prior to her debut but they were never published. Beth also maintains a website and her own blog. She is currently writing and touring the United States promoting her books. She also participates in a group blog with other debut dystopian writers. Before becoming a writer Beth taught school for six years.
Plot Summary: Amy and her parents are being frozen and stored on a spaceship called Godspeed. The ship will travel 300 years to another planet and when they reach their destination her family will be unfrozen to help start a new civilization. Though somehow Amy is woken up 50 years to soon to find that things are not how they should be on Godspeed. What she finds is a disturbing society controlled by an all powerful Eldest. She also learns that her accidental unfreezing may not have been an accident and she fears that her parents may be next. She is weary about trusting, Elder, the next in the line of power, but what choice does she have? She is stuck on a ship lightyears away from everything she knows. Can she save her parents or will they die without ever reaching the new planet?
Critical Review: The book has many twists and turns that leave you wondering and it ends with more questions than answers. The plot is complex and at times it can be a bit confusing. I enjoyed the fact that it's told from both the perspective of Amy and Elder, it gives the reader a better idea of how both the characters feel and deal with certain situations.
Reader's Annotation: Would you leave your home and everything you know to start a new civilization 300 hundred lightyears away? That's what Amy is doing, she is being frozen along with her parents to start a new world. But what happens with things don't go as planned?
Book Talk Ideas: The book talk can focus on Amy's choice to leave Earth in hopes of a new world. How does one deal with leaving everything they know behind for something unknown? What will Amy find and what if it isn't what she expected, can she live with her choices. Would you make the same choice.
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Challenge Issues: There is some graphic sex scenes in the book that some may find objectional.

Title: The Adoration of Jenna Fox 
Author: Mary E. Pearson
Publishing Info: Henry Holt and Co., 2008
ISBN: 0805076689
Other books in the series: The Fox Inheritance
Awards: Golden Kite Award for Fiction (2009)
Genre: Sci-fi, Dystopia 
Author Info: Mary E. Pearson lives in California with her husband, two golden retrievers. She has grown daughters and says that motherhood was the hardest job she's ever had. She also credits her teachers for their support and turning her into a writer. Mary graduated with an art degree and worked for a bit as an artist. She eventually went back to school to get her teaching credential and taught school. She said it was teaching that pushed her back into writing stories. She now writes full time from her home in California.
Plot Summary: Seventeen year old Jenna Fox awakes from a coma not knowing who she is or what happened to her. Her parents tell her that she was in a terrible accident that killed her two best friends and that she is lucky to be alive. As Jenna's memories start to come back to her Jenna realizes that something is wrong. Her memories feel all wrong and her parents are not acting right. They seem to be hiding something from Jenna but what? When Jenna starts to search for answers she may not like what she finds. She will soon start to question who she is and just how far her parents went to save her. But have her parents gone too far?
Critical Review: The book asks a lot of big questions, like what makes us human? How far should a parent go to save their child? Should their be restrictions on what science can do to save a human? It really does bring up many talking points. It also shows Jenna's struggle with what her parents did to her. She is disgusted when she thinks about how all her memories were placed on disc till her parents could repair her body. The desperation of her parents is shown through their illegal act to keep Jenna alive yet the author shows that while the acts were illegal her parents did it out of love.
Reader's Annotation: Jenna awakes not knowing who she is or what happened to her. Apparently, Jenna was in a horrible accident that she is still recovering from but Jenna feels like something else happened. When her memories start to come back they don't seem right, so Jenna starts to search for the truth but she may not like what she finds.
Book Talk Ideas: The book deals a lot with ethics and what it is that makes us human. Jenna struggles with being alive and what her parents did to keep her alive. I think the book talk should focus on that idea. What would you do to stay alive or to keep a love one alive? What makes us human, is it our memories or is it something more?
Reading/Interest Level: It's not a difficult read, upper middle school probably on the reading level. The content would have a higher appeal to older high school students due to it's content that deals heavily with ethics, morality and death.
Curriculum Ties: The book would tie in nicely with an ethics discussion in a psychology or science class.
Challenge Issues: There is a lot of talk of ethically choices and how far science should go to prolong a life or save a person.
Addressing Challenge Issues:
Why include this book? The book is both sci-fi and mystery and has the reader turngin pages to find out what really happend to Jenna. It is also very relevant with discussion going on right now about the place of science in keeping people alive.

Title: Ender's Game
Author: Orson Scott Card
Other Books in the series: Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide, Ender's Shadow, Children of the Mind
Publishing Info: Tor Science Fiction, 1994
ISBN: 0812550706
Awards: Hugo Award for Best Novel (1986), Nebula Award for Best Novel (1985)
Genre: Sci-Fi, adult crossover
Author Info: Orson Scott Card was born in Washington and moved around when he grew up. He went on a mission trip to Brazil as part of the LDS Church. He writes sci-fi, fantasy and even some religious works. He also teaches writing and literature at Southern Virginia University. Orson currently lives in Virginia with his wife and his youngest son.
Plot Summary: Andrew 'Ender' Wiggins is child prodigy living with his two parents, his sadistic and cruel brother Peter and his sister Valentine. The government has an agency whose whole purpose is to find young child prodigies to train into soldiers to protect the Earth from another attack by the alien invaders, the Buggers. Initially Peter and Valentine are chosen but they do not make the initial cuts and instead Ender is chosen. Ender is taken away from his family and becomes one of the youngest recruits. Being the youngest prodigy at a school that thrives on competition is not fun for Ender and he struggles to not only deal with his peers but the expectations set on him by his teachers. Can Ender become the great leader they want him to be and if so can he save the world from the Buggers?
Critical Review: The story is one that has you captivated till the end and when the major plot twist is revealed the reader is caught off guard and shocked by what has happend. As you are reading it is easy to forgot just how young Ender is through out the story which when you think of what Ender deals with and what he does it is slightly disturbing. Orson Scott Card definitely shows the ugliness of war and the destruction that can happen when people seek revenge over peace.
Reader Annotation: Andrew 'Ender' Wiggins is take from his home at a very young age to be trained as a soldier in the hopes the he may one day help fight the alien invaders, the Buggers who Earth has been battling. But what seems like harmless games to train Ender turn out to be something more how will Ender react?
Book Talking Ideas: For a book talk the focus could be on a few different things, the relationship of Ender and his younger sister Valentine who he struggles with leaving behind. It could also focus on the aspect of training young children to be soldiers, is this ethical?
Reading/Interest Level: High school
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Challenge Issues: The book is quite violent and Ender kills some of his fellow students, as well as the entire Bugger race.

Movies for Teens

Title: Easy A
Starring: Emma Stone, Amanda Bynes, Stanley Tucci
Produced by: Sony Pictures
Director: Will Gluck
Released: September 17, 2010
Rated: PG-13
Plot Summary: Olive is high school student who decides to let her guy friend spread rumors that he slept with her, even though she is still a virgin. Soon other students are coming to Olive asking for her to pretend things happened between them in exchange for gift cards. Olive's plan to push her up the social ladder ends in her reputation being ruined and  Olive becomes ostracized at her school. Olive's life seems to parallel that of Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter which Olive has been reading in her high school english class. Olive starts to realize the impact her lies are having when if effects the marriage of her favorite high school teacher and Olive has become the resident trollop of the school. Upset by her false reputation Olive tries to clear her name.
Critical Review: At first glance Easy A seems like another silly teen movie but Olive is a great character. Olive is witty, sarcastic and very likable. Teens can relate to Olive's battle with acceptance, school rumors and how vicious some peers can be. It also has a great tie in with The Scarlet Letter. But the movie while have appeal to teens since it focuses on high school life.
Reader's Annotation: Olive thinks it's pretty harmless to let her guy friend tell people that they slept together when they didn't but as the rumor starts to spread along with many other's Olive starts to wonder if sacrificing her reputation was worth it.
Curriculum Ties: The movie is inspired by The Scarlet Letter which is often part of the high school reading curriculum.
Challenge Issues: The movie deals with teen sex and drinking. Even though it has a PG-13 rating some parents may not approve of the content.

Title: The Hunger Games
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth
Produced by: Lions Gate
Director: Gary Ross
Released: Aug. 18th, 2012
Rated: PG-13
Plot Summary: Every year the 12 districts of Panem must present 2 tribune, one girl and one boy, to compete in the annual Hunger Games. The Hunger Games are a fight to the death with the last one standing declared the victor. When Katniss's little sister is chosen Katniss volunteers to go in her place.  Katniss and the baker's son Peta will represent their district and hope to come back alive. But when Peta reveals his true feelings for Katniss will it change the game? And will Katniss make it out of the games alive?
Critical Review: The Hunger Games was a much anticipated movie, given the hype around the book series. The movie lives up to quite a bit of the hype with great action scenes and a movie that follows pretty true to the book story line. Though, at times the movie can get a bit boring if you have read the book. Jennifer Lawrence does a great job of portraying Katniss and she has the same strength and determination that Katniss exudes in the book. The movie is PG-13 though it still contains a lot of violence. For the most part the director cuts away at the most violent parts, otherwise this movie would probably have ended up with an R rating for violence. The Hunger Games movie had a huge debut and  with two more movies to follow it is sure to have continued appeal to teens.
Reader's Annotation: What would you do to save your sister? Would you volunteer to take her place in a fight to the death? Well, that's what Katniess Everdeen has done. Every year The Hunger Games are held an 2 teens are chosen to represent their district in a fight to the death. In the Hunger Games there can only be one winner. Will Katniss triumph? Or will she be yet another victim of the games. May the odds be ever in your favor.
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Challenge Issues: the movie is quite violent and features children killing other children

Title: Scott Pilgrim VS The World
Starring: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Kieran Culkin
Director: Edgar Wright
Rated: PG-13
Released: Aug. 13th, 2010
Plot Summary: Base of the graphic novel series, Scott Pilgrim is the story of 23 year old Scott Pilgrim who falls for mysterious and edgy Ramona Flowers. While it seems everything is going well for Scott he quickly learns that in order to date Ramona he must defeat her 7 evil exes. Of course he is also trying to win a battle of the bands competition with his band all while this is going on.
Critical Review: The movie is done in a style much like that of a comic book or an 8 bit video game. It's has a very unique style that works very well for the movie.
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Challenge Issues: there is violence so sexual situations and a bit of swearing to earn it a PG-13 rating

Audiobooks

Title: Thirteen Reasons Why 
Author: Jay Asher
Published: Oct. 23rd, 2007 by Listening Library
Read by: Debra Wiseman and Joel Johnstone
ISBN: 073935650x
Genre: realistic fiction
Author Info: Jay Asher was in born in 1975 in California and has spent most of his life there. He is married to JoanMarie and they have a son together. JoanMarie is a musician and her music is featured on Jay Asher's blog. Prior to becoming a writer Jay worked in different bookstores and even a few libraries. Now Jay writes full time and tours schools and libraries to talk about his books and writing. Jay has a Facebook and Twitter account and also keeps a blog, Jayasher.blogspot.com. He has also written "The Story of Us" with Carolyn Mackler in 2011.
Plot Summary: Clay Jensen is left with a series of audio cassette tapes by a fellow classmate, Hannah Baker. Hannah Baker recently committed suicide and left behind tapes that contain the 13 reasons why she killed herself. The 13 reasons are connected to 13 people and each person is suppose to listen to the tapes and pass them along to the next person on the list. Clay isn't really sure why he is on the list, since he doesn't know Hannah very well. They had worked together one summer at a movie theater and he even kissed Hannah once but things never went anywhere. Clay never got the chance to tell Hannah that he liked her and now he struggles with the fact that he is part of the reason Hannah killed herself. With the tapes is also a map that Hannah has placed stars on to mark different places where things took place. She instructors the listener to go to the places as she discusses her reasons why. As the tapes go along each person on the list is brought up, along with what they did to put them on the tapes. Clay listens to the tapes on a walkman as he travels around town reliving Hannahs life as she talks on the tapes.
Critical Review: The audiobook really brings the story to life. It features two separate voices; one for Clay and another for Hannah. The plot draws the reader in as Clay goes through tape after tape, trying to find out how he plays into Hannah's suicide. Jay Asher does a great job at giving a bit of incite into the mind of Hannah and of Clay. As a reader I wondered, why would a teenager want to kill themselves? While it seems that nothing truly horrible happens to Hannah the story shows how multiple issues combined lead to Hannah feeling depressed and hopeless. I think that the story provides the reader with some great talking points. A teen might not think their one act can impact a person but in the story the one act of many people lead to Hannah's suicide. This idea may prompt teens to think about their interactions with others and how their actions can impact another. I feel this story stands out from other stories on suicides because it feels real. Jay Asher does a great job of not coming across as an after school special or too preachy. The story seems very believable and natural. Also, the uniqueness of a dead character playing such a large role in the story through the tapes is something new and it adds to the realism factor. The reader is able to hear Hannah's voice and thoughts despite her being dead. However, there was times when I found myself frustrated with Hannah. I kept thinking that her suicide could have been prevented and that it was unneccesary, which I think was part of Jay Asher's messsage. All the things that happened to Hannah were things that I think she could have dealt with and moved on. As an adult it was frustrating to read, but I feel that a teen might relate to Hannah's feelings of hopelessness. Often times, teens can't always see that there is more to life than what happens in high school.
Reader's Annotation: Clay Jensen has a crush on his fellow freshman student Hannah Baker, problem is Hannah killed herself and soon after left Clay tapes which contain the 13 reasons why Hannah committed suicide. Why did Hannah send the tapes to Clay? And what secrets are hidden in these tapes?
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Awards: New York Times Bestseller, YALSA Best Book for Young Adults, Selected Audiobooks for Young Adults
Book Talking Ideas: A great book talk idea would be to give "13 reasons why you should read this book". The reasons would focus on the great story line, the mystery surrounding why Hannah killed herself and the great characters made by Jay Asher.
Reading Level/Interest Level: the reading level is about 8th grade but the interest level I would say is high school level, since it deals with high school students and some difficult subject matters.
Challenge Issues: The book deals with a teen suicide, drinking and sex which some may find to be too mature for teens.
Addressing Challenge Issues:
Why Include this book? The book deals with teen suicide which is the second leading cause of teens. Many teens can relate to Hannah's feelings and her issues with school.

Title: Please Ignore Vera Dietz 
Author: A.S. King
Published: April 26th, 2011 by Listening Library
Read by: Lynde Houck
ISBN: 0307942104
Genre: realistic fiction

Author Info: A.S King's real name is Amy. The A.S is just her first and middle initial. A.S has a degree in photography. She also has a blog that she talks about everything from her writing to things that bother her like internet spam. She also has a Twitter and Facebook account. Amy was born in Pennsylvania and spent a decade living in Ireland before returning to the United States. She now lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and children.

Plot Summary: Vera has always been in love her neighbor Charlie but now Charlie is dead and Vera is forced to deal with all her mixed feelings the surround Charlie and his death. Charlie and Vera had a falling out and were no longer on speaking terms before Charlie died. In fact Vera hates Charlie almost as much as she loves him due to something Charlie did to betray and hurt Vera. Vera lives with her father who despite his best efforts still struggles with being left by his wife and being left to raise Vera on his own. He knows part of Charlie's secrets but chooses to ignore it like Vera. But as Charlie's secrets start to eat away at Vera she realizes she can't ignore it any longer.
Critical Review: The story is mainly told from Vera's point of view but a few chapters are told by Vera's dad, the Pagoda that looks over the town and even from dead charlie himself. The story is heartbreaking and very raw and you find yourself wrapped up in the lives of Vera and Charlie.
Reader's Annotation: Vera is in love with her friend but Charlie died and Vera holds all his secrets. Vera has her own secrets, but will she come to terms with all her secrets and Charlie's secrets? Or will Vera just continue to ignore her problems and Charlie's secrets.
Awards: Printz Honor  (2011), YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults (2011)
Book Talking Ideas: I would perhaps do a book talk from the Pagoda's point of view, with it talking about all the things it sees.
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Challenge Issues: The book deals with abuse and a older male that is most likely a sex offender. Vera also drinks and engages in reckless behavior that some parents could find inappropriate.
Addressing Challenge Issues:
Why include this book? The book has received a lot of attention from all it's awards.

Title: Little Brother 
Author: Cory Doctorow
Read by: Kirby Heyborne
Genre: science fiction
Awards: Hugo Award for Best Novel, Nebula Award Nominee for Best Novel, Locus Award Nominee for Best Young Adult Book
Author Info: Cory Doctorow is a Canadian writer and blogger who also the co-editor of the blog BoingBoing. Cory is a believer in less restrictive copyright laws and many of his works are available for free through Creative Commons License. He is also active on Twitter and is a tech geek. He currently lives in London with his wife and daughter.
Plot Summary: Marcus is a 17 year old hacker who is trying to stay off his principal's radar. One day while out skipping school with his friends his hometown of San Francisco is attacked by terrorist and he and his friends are mistakenly taken in by the department of homeland security as suspected terrorists. Despite their pleas that they are innocent the government keeps them detained in a secret prison and interrogates them for days. When Marcus is finally released he finds out the his friend Daryl who was taken prisoner with them wasn't released and is missing. DHS tells Marcus that he can tell no one of the ordeal and that he will be under surveillance  Determined to get back at DHS Marcus helps form an underground movement to bring down the DHS, but can a group of teenagers really bring down a government agency?
Critical Review: Cory Doctorow has written a book full of technology terms and gadgets that is still easy to understand to those who aren't tech geeks. His book raises the question of how much should one sacrifice their freedom for the sake of security. For teens who may not realize the importance of their intellectual freedom the book could open their eyes to why their freedom and privacy should be protected.
Reader's Annotation: Marcus is just an average 17 year old tech geek until his hometown of San Francisco is attacked by terrorist and homeland security somehow thinks he and his friends were involved. Now Marcus has to rescue his friend who has been taken by DHS and get back his freedom that has been taken by the new police state he now lives in. But can a 17 year old take down the DHS?
Book Talk Ideas: Some of the themes that the book talk could cover would be protection of privacy vs safety, government overstepping it's reach and abusive government, terrorism, technology and how it is effecting privacy and safety.
Reading Level/Interest Level: high school
Challenge Issues: The book contains foul language, teen sex and drinking, disrespect for authority, terrorism and torture.
Why include this book? In a post 9-11 world this book is very relevant to the issues that face the world. The book while science fiction could easily become reality and I believe it talks about some very important issues of freedom and privacy and the role of the government in keeping people safe.

Title: Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls) 
Author: Maggie Stiefvator
Other books in the series: Linger and Forever
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy
Author Info: Maggie Stiefvater is a quirky writer who lives with her husband and two children in Virginia. Before becoming a fulltime write Maggie was a calligraphy artist, wedding musician, technical editor and equestrian artist. Maggie debuted with Lament and gained notoriety with her popular wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy. Her book the Scorpio Races gained critical acclaim, winning the Printz Honor award (2012). She recently release The Raven Boys which has already received praise for it's writing.
Plot Summary: Grace has always been fascinated with the wolves that live in the woods behind her house. Maybe it has to do with the fact that she once was attacked by one of the wolves as a child. One wolf in particular grabs her attention, the one with the yellow eyes. What Grace doesn't know is the the wolves are really humans that turn into wolves every winter and after a period of time they just remain wolves. Sam is the yellow eyed wolf that Grace can't stop looking at and Sam has noticed Grace too. When Grace and Sam finally meet in person the attraction is apparent but Sam can't seem to figure out a way to stay human and stay with Grace. And when the people of Mercy Falls start to talk about hunting down the wolves will Grace lose Sam forever?
Critical Review: The audiobook is done with two voice actors, one for Grace and one for Sam. This really helps connect the reader to the characters. The story is a new take on a love story and it's enjoyable to finally not have a love triangle in a paranormal romance. The story tries to still maintain some realism, despite the fact there is humans turning into wolves. I also liked that the when the humans turn into wolves they behave very much like real wolves not like a werewolf that you find in other fantasy stories.
Reader's Annotation: There is something strange about the wolves of Mercy Falls, Grace can't help but notice how human like their eyes are, especially the yellow eyed wolf that keeps showing up in her backyard. But when Grace runs into a boy named Sam at a bookstore she can't help but notice his hauntingly beautiful yellow eyes and she wonders why they seem so familiar.
Reading Level/interest Level: high school
Book Talking Ideas: The book talk could be done from two viewpoints, one from Grace and one from Sam to reflect the style in which the story is told.
Challenge Issues: I don't believe there is much that would warrant a challenge in the first book but the romance between Grace and Sam intensifies in the rest of the series. And the introduction of new characters brings in some other issues like drugs and violence.
Why Include this book? The series is very popular among teens. It is also a unique take on werewolves, it seems a bit more realistic and focuses a bit more on the love story of Sam and Grace then the fact that Sam turns into a wolf, which does still play a large role in the story.

Title: Black Cat (The Curse Workers) 
Author: Holly Black
Other books in the series: Red Glove and Black Heart
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Read by: Jesse Eisenberg
Author Info: Holly Black is the best selling fantasy author of both adult, teen and children's book. Her children series that she wrote with Toni DiTerlizzi, The Spiderwick Chronicles, was turned into a movie. Her books have also received critical acclaim, her book Tithe was named one of ALA's Best Books for Young Adults. She is actively writing books and she also maintains a livejournal and Twitter account. Currently Holly Black lives in Massachusetts with her husband.
Plot Summary: Cassel Sharpe comes from a family of curse workers, they can change your memory, effect your emotions, rob you or even kill you all from a touch with their hands. Curse working is outlawed and most people where gloves to protect themselves. But Cassel isn't like the rest of his family, it seems he was not give any of his families abilities. Though, Cassel has his own dark secret, he killed his best friend Lila a few years ago. Recently, strange things have been happening to Cassel, like waking up in his underwear on rooftops with no idea on how he got there. And then there is the issue of the white cat that seems to keep showing up everywhere. Cassel's family can't be trusted, they are a bunch of con artists after all but why would they be behind all the strange things happening to Cassel?
Critical Review: The book is a mix of a mobster and magicians that only Holly Black could come up with. The audiobook has a great reader in Jesse Eisenberg, who conveniently is related to Holly Black. Jesse is an excellent voice for Cassel who seems lost in his family of magically con artists. There is lots of unknown and mystery in the story which of course leave you guessing through the entire story. Since it's a series not every question is answered and the story seems to build in it's complexity as questions are answered.
Reader's Annotation: Everyone in Cassel's family is a Curse Worker. They have the ability to kill a person or change their memories or even their emotion just by touching you with their bare hands. Cassel can't do any of it, he is the oddly normal member of his magical con artist family. But lately stronge things have been happening to Cassel and he wonders if they are linked to his best friend Lila who he killed 3 years ago.
Reading Level/Interest Level: High School
Book Talk Ideas: The book has very strong magical Sopranos vibe that could be used in a book talk. Each one of Cassel's family members has a sorted history of illegal activity that could be used to grab a reader's attention.
Challenge Issues: dark magic, violence, criminal activity
Why Include this book? One of the most refreshing things about this book is that it's an urban fantasy with a male character for the narrater. Also, Holly Black is an amazing story teller with a very unique and often dark take on teen fantasy.