An Abundance of Katherines

Green, John. An Abundance of Katherines. New York: Dutton, 2006.


I love everything John Green. This book is no exception.

After being dumped by 19 Katherines, anagram-loving and potential child prodigy turned real genius, Colin and his bff Hassan decide a road-trip is the best medicine. The two end up in Gunshot, Tennessee and take over a local history project, recording stories and getting to know the townspeople - including Lindsay, non-Katherine and daughter of the largest employer in town. 

Recommended for high schools and public libraries.


Throughout the story, Colin is working on a formula to predict the the dumper and dumpee in a relationship.  Thanks to the internet, you can plug yourself in: here.


From John Green's website:

"Q. What inspired you to write An Abundance of Katherines?
A. I’m really interested in why we are all so obsessed with mattering–why people in our historical moment are so fixated on fame and notoriety and leaving a legacy. (It says something the word “individual” did not take on its current meaning until the 18th century.) So that was part of it. Also, at some point in your adolescence you become aware that you are not quite so special as you’ve been led to believe, and this is a pretty difficult thing to reconcile, and I wanted to write about a young man who was experiencing that in the most extreme way possible.
Also, I wanted to write a book about getting dumped, because I’d just been dumped when I decided to write the book. But then I started dating the woman who is now my wife very early in the process of writing the book, so I had to write this story of a bitter, angry guy railing against his exes while I myself was falling in love."

Howl's Moving Castle

Jones, Diana Wynne.  Howl's Moving Castle. New York: Greenwillow Books; 1986.
ISBN 9780688062330; paperback; 212 pgs.


Howl's Moving Castle is probably my favorite movie of all time and I'm not ashamed to say I could watch it on repeat forever.  I had seen the movie (many times) before I read the book and love them both for different reasons.  So, let me first explain that I'm a person who likes to watch the same movies over and over again and read the same books several times.  I don't know...I guess if it ain't broke, don't fix it.  Or I'm just lazy and can't be bothered to find something different.  Either way, I often find myself thinking "Ugh! Why can't it just turn out 'such and such' way this time?!" And the thing with books and movies inspired by books, is that it actually does.  At least kinda.  When I read Howl's Moving Castle, it was like getting a whole new story and it was wonderful.




In case you want to feel real classy, here's the theme to the Studio Ghibli film:

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Chbosky, Stephen. The Perks of Being a Wallflower. New York: Pocket Books, 1999.
ISBN 9781435213579; paperback; 213 pgs.



Written from the perspective of Charlie as letters to 'Dear Friend,' Perks documents the freshman school year of a quiet, intelligent, wallflower.

I love that the story is set in the early '90s, something that teens today may not feel too strongly about, but for me it feels like the period in history when people were meant to be teenagers (probably because I was a kid then and idolized any teen I knew).  This book is a classic YA novel and I always see it as a must-read for any teen.


The movie is coming out super soon! Check out the official website!


Movies of books I love are always a little nerve wracking, but this one seems promising.  Plus, Hermione plays Sam and Percy Jackson plays Charlie.  Match made in heaven!

 

Teen Interviews

Rather than only relying on my opinions, I turned to a few teens to find out what they like in YA fiction!

I began my interviews by reaching out to my three teenaged cousins, Adele, Julianne, and Nathan.  I spoke to Julianne and Nathan on the phone and Adele through Facebook.  I then found two girls at my library who were willing to talk to me about reading.  I asked them each questions such as:

What kind of books do you read? Who's your favorite author? What's your favorite book? Is reading cool? Is reading something you share with your friends - like recommending books or talking about books together? Do you use a library, at school or a public one? What genre of books do you read? How do your choose which books to read?  What type of social media do you use?

Here are the results!

Adele P., 14
"I like reading horror books, because its entertaining and keeps me on my feet wanting more. My favorite author would have to be Alexander Gordon Smith. My favorite book is the "Escape From Furnace" series. Yes I love reading but only if its a book I'm interested in if not then its extremely hard to read. I usually don't talk about books with my friends, I don't think I really ever have. I have a kindle so i usually don't go to the library anymore. The genre i like to read is horror. the way i choose the books i read are by looking at other books that are similar to the book i just read, or i see if there are any other books i would want to read by the same author. I use facebook a lot and I just got a tumblr."

Julianne M., 13
"I love reading! Anything that's fast and exciting.  Harry Potter and The Hunger Games are my favorites though."
"I go to the library with my friends sometimes and we all pick out books together and hang out there."
"I want to be a librarian because Miss Jill (the Teen Librarian at her public library in Ohio) is so cool and always talks to us and knows the good books."

Nathan M., 15
"I like more fantasy than anything else.  But The Hunger Games was really great.  Anything like Harry Potter, I'll read."

Kelly R., 15
"I usually read series but only when they're already all out or mostly out because I hate to wait."
"I like Facebook and I have a twitter that I use sometimes."

Kali G., 16
"I like books that have some history in them so they're grounded in something real. But I like there to be fantasy in it also."
"I really like John Green but also the Mortal Instruments and Uglies."
"I use tumblr and Facebook everyday and I have a twitter but always forget about it."


My two cousins, Nathan and Julianne, aren't allowed to use social media programs yet and the other three I spoke to used only Facebook, tumblr, and Twitter, if any.

Comparing these responses to my choice to focus on Coming-of-Age and Realistic fiction, it seems that there may be an impact of age on genre choice.  I would like to ask some older teens how they feel about Coming-of-Age and Realistic fiction and compare the results.

Book Talk - The Princesses of Iowa

Backes, M Molly. The Princesses of Iowa. Berryville: Candlewick Press, 2012.
ISBN 9780763653125; hardback; 442 pgs; $16.99.

Annotation:
After a car accident, Paige leaves town for a while and upon her return, everything seems different and Paige must decide if she really wants to continue living the life she had before.  Recommended for high school and public libraries.

Awards:
none yet

Book Talk:
The story begins as Paige returns home from a summer abroad, distancing herself from the drunk driving accident of the previous year.  Now that she's back, she expects life to return to normal and her dream of being on the Homecoming Court, to come true.  But things have changed and she no longer has the adoration of her friends and boyfriend.  With the guidance of Mr. Tremont and some new friends, Paige must decide who she is and if she even wants to be one of the Princesses of Iowa.


Follow the author on Twitter!

Book Talk - You Know Where to Find Me

Cohn, Rachel. You Know Where to Find Me. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young People, 2008.
ISBN 9780689878596; hardback; 204 pgs; $15.99.

Annotation:
After the suicide of her seemingly perfect cousin, Miles spirals out of control and finds herself caught up in drugs and a dangerous lifestyle.  Recommended for high school readers.

Awards:
NYPL "Books for the Teen Age"

Book Talk:
 - Miles vs. Laura - overweight, anti-social, less privileged than perfect Laura
 - Escapism leads to drugs
 - Laura's suicide
 - Mom leaves, Jamal too?
 - Overdose
 - Spiraling effect of these problems

Book Talk - Exit Strategy

Potter, Ryan. Exit Strategy. Woodbury: Flux, 2009.
ISBN 9780738715735; paperback; 303 pgs; $9.95.

Annotation:
Dealing with personal growth, drugs, economic stresses, and teenage love, Zach realizes that there may not be an easy way out.  Recommended for high school and public libraries.

Awards:
none yet

Book Talk:
What is the exit strategy? Set in a Detroit suburb, Zach and his best friend, Tank, realize that they need to get out.  Their rundown town, hyped up on sports, seems like a ticket to nowhere and with their senior year approaching, they've got plans.  But then Zach uncovers the coach's key to success - steroids.  Should Zach expose the coach and risk the wrath of his chemically beefed up best friend?  And on top of it, the girl Zach loves is Tank's twin sister and things are getting more messed up as the days go in for Zach's family.  Should Zach stand up to Tank?  Will Zach get out of this place?  Will he find his Exit Strategy?

Book Talk - Before You Go

Preller, James. Before You Go. New York: Feiwell and Friends, 2012.
ISBN 9780312561079; hardback; 199 pgs; $16.99.

Annotation:
Jude's life was just getting back to normal, after the death of his sister years ago, when the accident happens.  Now, Jude must face grief again and overcome the trauma and upheaval that it causes.  Recommended for high school aged readers.

Awards:
none yet

Book Talk:
Index-Card Trick -
- Story begins with a car accident
- Part One: Before/Part Two: After
- Jude's sister
- Working at the beach
- Struggle with grief
- Short chapters

Book Talk - Thirteen Reasons Why

Asher, Jay. Thirteen Reasons Why. New York: Razorbill, 2007.
ISBN 9781595141880; paperback; 288 pgs; $10.99.

Annotation:
Hannah Baker's suicide shook the school, some students more than others, and through these tapes, she hopes to explain just why it happened.  Recommended for high school and public libraries.

Awards:

• 2011 - Paperback edition became a #1 New York Times bestseller in the US
• 2010 - Georgia Peach Book Awards for Teen Readers
• 2009 - International Reading Association Young Adults' Choice list
• 2008 - YALSA Best Books for Young Adults
• 2008 - YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
• 2008 - YALSA Selected Audiobooks for Young Adults
• 2008 - California Book Award winner - Young Adult

Book Talk:
Index-Card Trick

- Clay finds a box at his doorstep
- Cassette tapes
- Thirteen stories/Thirteen people
- The map
- Suicide
- Bullying
- Your actions impact people, regardless of the intention


Check out Jay Asher's official site for the book and the Thirteen Reasons Why Project to hear reviews and reader responses to the book.

Book Talk - The Nature of Jade

Caletti, Deb. The Nature of Jade. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2007.
ISBN 9781416910053; hardback; 288 pgs; $16.99.


Annotation:
Facing anxiety and growing family problems, Jade turns to the local zoo's elephant enclosure for comfort where she meets Sebastian (and his young child) and learns that life isn't always as scary as she thinks.  Recommended for high school and public libraries.

Awards:

• Florida Teens Read Master List,
• Grand Canyon Reader Award Nominee (AZ),
• NYPL "Books for the Teen Age"
• South Carolina Book Award Nominee
• Texas Tayshas High School Reading List

Book Talk:
Wrap-back to the Title-
Jade, once again, finds herself sitting in her room, watching the live stream of the elephant enclosure at the nearby zoo.  But who is the boy in the red jacket? The boy who seems to find comfort in the elephants just like Jade?  When a developing panic disorder threatens her stability and confidence, Jade takes action volunteering as an elephant caregiver, and it is then that she meets the mysterious boy and life gets more complicated.  As her family life begins to crumble, Jade faces big decisions but through them, she will find the true Nature of Jade.



Get The Nature of Jade as an eBook from Simon & Schuster online!

Book Talk - Why We Broke Up

Handler, Daniel and Maira Kalman. Why We Broke Up. New York: Little, Brown, and Company, 2011.
ISBN 9780316127257; hardback; $19.99; 354 pages.

Annotation:
Narrating the contents of a box, left at her ex-boyfriend's front door, Min goes over the trinkets and mementos of their short-but-strongly-felt relationship.  Sweetly illustrated and recommended for any high school or public library.

Awards:
2012 Printz Award Honor Book

Book Talk:
The Graphic Form:
Dreamy, film-obsessed Min is done.  She's done with Ed.  The contents of the box she is going to leave at his door are the relics of their relationship (turning pages to show illustrations of the items) and she wants him to know just what went wrong.  This story follows a shining and exciting young love and explores the way young people can grow to understand themselves through the ups and downs of romance.


Daniel Handler, more commonly known as Lemony Snicket, wrote this touching story about a brief but heartfelt romance - the rush and disappointment of teenage love.  Check out the Tumblr for the book at Why We Broke Up Project.

Book Talk - The Maze Runner

Dashner, James. The Maze Runner. New York: Delacorte Press, 2009.
ISBN 9780385737944; hardback; 375 pages.

Annotation:
In this first book of a trilogy, the readers are introduced to Thomas and his new world of uncertainty, metal slugs, and a community of teenage boys set in the center of an impossible maze.  This science fiction dystopian story will leave readers looking for the next installment and is suitable for any middle school, high school, or public library.

Awards:
    •    New Hampshire Isinglass Teen Read Award (2010-2011)
    •    Kentucky Bluegrass Award (2011)
    •    Missouri Truman Readers Award (2011-2012)
    •    New Jersey Garden State Teen Book Award (2012)
    •    Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award (2012)
    •    Georgia Peach Book Award for Teens (2012)
    •    NYSRA Charlotte Award (2012)
    •    Florida Teens Read! Award (2011-2012)
    •    Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award (2011-2012)

Wrap back to the title:
Thomas wakes up in a dark room, moving rapidly upward.  He is pulled out and into a new world without any memories of his past life and must earn the trust of his fellow Gladers when his arrival coincides with others unusual happenings.  As Thomas seeks out information about the mysterious Glade and the moving maze that surrounds it, with vicious Grievers threatening at every turn, he begins to question his lack of memories and his involvement with the strange community.  To escape the Glade and seek vengeance on The Creators, Thomas must become The Maze Runner.

Book Talk - A Contract with God

Eisner, Will. A Contract with God. New York: DC Comics, 1996. Print.
978-0393328042; Paperback; $10.00; 181 pages

Annotation: 
Semi-autobiographical look at the life of Will Eisner, prominent cartoonist and forerunner in the Graphic Novel field, told in four parts.  Recommended for high school libraries and public library YA sections.

Awards:
none yet

Index-card trick:
-Often called 'the first graphic novel'
-Semi-autobiographical, told in four stories: A Contract with God, The Street Singer, The Super, Cookalein
-1930s, Bronx
-Tenement life
-Stories deal with death, poverty, religion, and the struggles of life

Book Talk - The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. New York: Hachette Book Group, 2007.
ISBN 9780316013697; paperback; 230 pages; $8.99.

Annotation: 
Born to a poor family on a reservation, Junior, with his medical conditions, glasses, and scrawny physique, is a magnet for bullies.  It seems like everyday he has to face a new challenge, but none have been as hard as his decision to leave the rez and stand up to the people who turned against him.  Recommended for high school libraries and public library YA sections.

Awards:
    New York Times Bestseller
    2007 National Book Award for young People's Literature
    2008 Boston Globe-Horn Award, Fiction and Poetry
    2009 Odyssey Award
    2010 California Young Reader Medal
    "Best Books of 2007", School Library Journal
    2008 "Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults", YALSA
    "2009 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults", YALSA

Wrap-back to the title:
Junior was born with water on the brain - which is basically a poetic term for having literally too much fluid under his skull.  Junior also wears glasses, can't hold his own in a fight, and is determined not to end up like all the others.  After accidentally assaulting a teacher, Junior is convinced to transfer schools off the rez where he faces a whole new set of problems, among them being the resentment and mockery of his people.  Junior lives a half life on the rez and a half life off, but his identity crisis is only the beginning in this Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.

Book Talk - Harvey

Bouchard, Herve and Janice Nadeau. Harvey: How I became invisible. Toronto: Groundwood Books, 2009. ISBN 9781554980758; hardback; 168 pages; $19.95.

Annotation: 
This beautifully told and illustrated story follows young Harvey and his brother as they face their father's death.  Recommended for any middle school, high school, or public library.

Awards:
The Canadian Council Governor General's Literary Award

The Graphic Form:
Harvey is a young French-Canadian boy, ignored and pushed aside by many of his peers.  (Open to first page with text - bookmarked).  But his imagination and his younger brother are enough to keep him entertained.  At the first sign of Spring, (turn to page with children running in the street - bookmarked) the neighborhood children play in the street, and when Harvey and his brother return home, they see a crowd gathered around and an ambulance out front. (Turn through pages).  Harvey must face the uncertainty and disbelief he feels about his loss and while doing so, try not to lose himself.


Ready to practice your French? This is a super beautiful little video announcing the book, but it includes a list of awards in French at the end.

Book Talk - The Princess Diaries

Cabot, Meg. The Princess Diaries. New York: HarperTeen, 2001.
ISBN 9780380814022; paperback; $8.99.

Annotation:
When her dad comes to visit, Mia is completely surprised to learn that she is the heir to the throne of a small European nation.  Now the stresses of princess lessons and paparazzi are added to her already busy life and Mia must learn to balance her new responsibilities with a potential love life and her rebellious best friend.

Awards:
    •    ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
    •    New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age
    •    Tennessee Volunteer State TASL Book Award

Index Card Trick
 - Mia is an average, if slightly dorky, girl
 - In love with the most popular guy in school
 - Father shows up - reveals she is a princess
 - Mom dating a teacher
 - Papparazi
 - Tensions with best friend
 - Series!

Check out the author's, Meg Cabot's, Princess Diaries website!

Book Talk - The Coldest Winter Ever

Souljah, Sister. The Coldest Winter Ever. New York: Pocket Books, 1999.
ISBN 9781416521693; paperback; $7.99.

Annotation:
Winter is used to the finer things in life and her drug dealing father providing everything she could ever need.  When things get shaken up, Winter must fend for herself and face the realities of the drug world.

Awards:
none yet

Book Talk:
Winter Santiaga, the daughter of a well connected drug dealer, is the princess of Brooklyn.  Everyone knows her and all the girls are jealous of her - just like she wants it.  When the police raid her house, Winter is forced to scheme and steal to maintain her lifestyle.  Will she accept the help that is offered her? Or will she become The Coldest Winter Ever?




Sister Souljah is an activist, a rapper, and an author.  She chose to include herself in her novel, The Coldest Winter Ever, doing what she does in real life. In the '90s, when the novel is set, Sister Souljah was speaking out about Black culture and the racial tensions in the US.  She hosted concerts and gave classes and lectures to spread her ideas.  Many teens today are unfamiliar with the politics and societal trends of the '90s, but Sister Souljah's music will give a glimpse into that time in US history.

Book Talk - Ruby Red

Gier, Kerstin. Ruby Red. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2011.
ISBN 9780805092523; hardback; $16.99.

Awards:
none yet

Annotation:
When Gwen suddenly finds herself falling into 1800s London, she realizes that her family has been training the wrong cousin.  Gwen must now embark on adventures with her counterpart - Gideon - woefully under-prepared.  But even more harder, is deciding who to trust.

Book Talk:
-Set in contemporary London
-Gwen is the normal girl and cousin, Charlotte, has 'the gene'
-Suddenly finds herself in the 1800s
-Family secrets revealed
-Mysteries and conspiracies
-Haughty Gideon may be more than he seems
-Who do you trust?
-First in a trilogy!

Book Talk - Coraline

Gaiman, Neil. Coraline. New York: Harper Perennial, 2006.
ISBN 9780061139376; paperback; $12.99.

Annotation:
Coraline finds more than she expected while exploring her new home.  Recommended for any middle school, high school, or public library.

Awards:
 - Hugo Award for Best Novella
 - Nebula Award for Best Novella
 - Bram Stoker Award for Best Work for Young Readers

Book Talk:
What's the best way to pass the summer vacation when your parents have no time for you and your new apartment is filled with bricked up doors and mysterious neighbors?  Exploring of course.  But explorations are also what get Coraline into more trouble than she ever imagined.  When other mother turns out to be just as tricky as she is creepy, Coraline must enter the parallel world to save her parents. But then, who will save Coraline?



Check out the website for Coraline, the movie, and watch the trailer! The movie was written and directed by Henry Selick of A Nightmare Before Christmas fame.

Book Talk - I Am J

Beam, Cris. I Am J. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2001.
ISBN 9780316053617; hardback; $16.00.

Annotation:
J faces the truth about his identity and explores the impact it has on his relationships with family, friends, and himself.  Recommended for high school and public libraries.

Awards:
• Junior Library Guild Selection, 2011
• Kirkus, Best Books for Teens, 2011
• American Library Association Best Fiction for Young Adults, and Rainbow List Top Ten, 2011 
• Amazon Best books of March, 2011

Book Talk:
Swimming in over-sized clothes and layers of shirts used to conceal his shape, J has spent his whole life feeling trapped.  He is a boy inside a girl's body.  Growing up in New York City, half-Jewish and half-Puerto Rican, J faces physical and verbal harassment in school and in his neighborhood, after all, they knew him when he was Jeni.

Armed with his camera and his best friend, Melissa, J faces life as a transgendered teen, complete with girlfriends, binders, and the magical drug T.

Can he pass the test?  Can he be seen for what he is inside?  He must first accept himself and embrace his quirky group of friends who become more like family, only then can he open up and tell the world "I Am J."

To learn more about this book and the topic of transgender teens, check out Cris Beam's website.

Here's a short book trailer for I Am J:

Book Talk - The Fault in Our Stars

Green, John. The Fault in Our Stars. New York: Dutton Books, 2012.
ISBN 97805525478812; hardback; $17.99.

Annotation:
Hazel has been fighting cancer for some time when she meets Augustus, a dreamy cancer survivor, and the two develop a relationship that takes them father than they could've thought.  Recommended for any high school or public library.

Awards:
 - #1 New York Times bestseller

 - #1 Wall Street Journal bestseller
 - #9 The Bookseller (UK) bestseller
 - 
#1 Indiebound bestseller

 - New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice

 - Starred reviews from Booklist, SLJ, Publisher’s Weekly, Horn Book, and Kirkus

Book Talk:
Where does the fault lie?  For Hazel Grace, with tumors in her lungs, and Augustus Waters, who only has one leg left, the question is hardly worth considering.  At a support group meeting in the "literal heart of Jesus" for teenagers with cancer, Hazel and Augustus meet and become friends.  Over a few short months, their live change rapidly and through hospital stays and travels abroad, they face their fates - also their hopes and dreams.

Their acquaintance with a mysterious and miserable author brings clarity and closure while Hazel and Augustus prove to be each other's strongest supports.

What can be blamed for their tragic situations but fate?  And how can such young people face life and death and not feel compelled to sit around and watch reruns of America's Next Top Model all day, every day?  For Hazel and Augustus, it is themselves - their hope, devotion, and love for each other, their families, and their friends, that guides their experiences and lives, that allows them to live not as "cancer kids" but a real people.  Does the fault lie within ourselves? Or within our stars?



 Here's a video of John Green reading the first chapter of The Fault in Our Stars.  Also, check out The Vlog Brothers on YouTube to see more updates and fun videos from John Green and his brother, Hank.  Take part in the fun and become a NerdFighter yourself!

 

Also check out this great review from NPR Books called "The Fault in Our Stars: Love in a Time of Cancer" by Rachel Syme.

From John Green's website:

"Q. What kind of soundtrack do you envision for the TFIOS movie?

A. Mountain Goats, Mountain Goats, Mountain Goats, Mountain Goats, Mountain Goats, Laurena Segura, Mountain Goats, Mountain Goats."

I particularly love this because TFIOS is an amazing book and The Mountain Goats are an amazing band.  Here's some mood music: 

Fancy vocab

Hey check out the 'Word of the Day' I just found in my email!  How fitting - I was just looking up Coming-of-Age books!

Bildungsroman

Bil·dungs·ro·man  [bil-doongz-roh-mahn; Ger. beel-doongks-raw-mahn]

noun, plural Bil·dungs·ro·mans, German Bil·dungs·ro·ma·ne  [-mah-nuh] 

a type of novel concerned with the education, development, and maturing of a young protagonist.

Origin:
1905–10;  < German,  equivalent to Bildung  formation + -s  noun ending in compounds + Roman  novel

Book Talk - The Fault in Our Stars

Actual book talk to follow once I've stopped sobbing.

Book Review - Fun Home: A family tragicomic

Bechdel, Alison.  Fun Home: A family tragicomic.  New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2006.
ISBN 9780618477944; hardback; $19.95.

Awards:
 - 2007 GLADD media award for Outstanding Comic
Book
  - finalist 2006 National Book Critics Circle Award

Fun Home is an autobiographical graphic novel set in Central Pennsylvania.  Covering the span of the authors early childhood through young adult years, the reader is introduced to the dysfunctional Bechdel family who live in a restored Gothic Revival home complete with gilt ornamentation and leather-bound library.  Although Bechdel narrates, arguably the main character is her father (whose full story comes out slowly, leaving the reader as in the dark as Bechdel was) who was an English teacher and mortician.  Father and daughter bond over books and eventually through their individual experiences with sexuality and gender identity.  Choosing the format of a graphic novel (the illustrations were all done by herself) was a perfect fit for this story and brought a little lightheartedness to the serious topic.

I didn't exactly 'enjoy' Fun Home, but I'm glad I read it.  It's an intense, rough story that came off less hopeful and more just as a documentation of the struggles people can face who do not fit into the right social mold.  Bechdel's father is a totally tragic character (as is her mother although she does not receive as much attention in the book) and the reader is only able to feel good that Bechdel was able to live her life in a more open and accepting society.  Dealing with themes of sexuality and identity, the graphic novel portrays the experience many young people have while growing up and questioning themselves. Because of this, Fun Home would be a valuable addition for high school libraries (although the content may be seen as too racy by some) as well as public library YA collections. 

Book Review - The Outsiders

Hinton, S.E. The Outsiders. New York: Speak- Penguin Group, 2006. 208 pages. Paperback. $10.00. ISBN 9780142407332

Awards:
 - New York Herald Tribune Best Teenage Books List, 1967
  - Chicago Tribune Book World Spring Book Festival Honor Book, 1967
  - Media and Methods Maxi Award, 1975
  - ALA Best Young Adult Books, 1975
  - Massachusetts Children’s Book Award, 1979 

S. E. Hinton's The Outsiders seems to be required reading for most U.S. high school students.  Set in the mid 1960s, the story follows Ponyboy and his gang of friends and brothers while they grapple with being young, poor, and directionless.  The conflict between the Greasers and the Socs is a somewhat forced representation of the socio-economic clash felt in many areas throughout the country - the kids from the wrong side of the tracks versus the preppy, rich ones.  After tensions reach a breaking point between the two gangs and a tragic accident upturns the Greaser's world, Ponyboy is left to face the chaos and decide what he wants out of life.  Stay gold, Ponyboy.

Hinton wrote the book when she was a teenager and it is laughably obvious at points - why else would every male character in the story be described as more handsome than the last? - but it is also this perspective that has allowed The Outsiders to become a YA classic, still feeling very relevant to teens today.  After first reading The Outsiders in ninth grade, I've probably reread it about a dozen times and have sobbed during each and every one of them.  The characters are interesting, the story is heart-wrenching, and every teen (and adult) should be familiar with The Outsiders because it offers a humanizing and sympathetic glimpse into the life of a teenager growing up in a troubled environment.  This book should be in every public and school library, without exceptions.

Although no where near as good as the book, the movie is pretty rad, too.

Book Review - Clockwork Angel

Clare, Cassandra. Clockwork Angel. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2010. 479 pages. Hardback. $19.99. ISBN 9781416975861.

Awards:
   - Winner of 2011 YALSA Teens Top Ten Award
   - Winner of 2011 Silver Inky Award

Clockwork Angel is the first book in the Infernal Devices series which is set about 150 years before Cassandra Clare's other popular series, The Mortal Instruments.  The story is set in Victorian Era England and the aesthetic is reminiscent of the steam punk movement - all cogs, gears, and dark colors.  The story begins with Tessa, the main character, traveling to England to meet up with her brother but things quickly go wrong and she is introduced to a magical world filled with vampires, warlocks, demons, and those who fight to protect the ordinary humans from those creatures.  The story is an entertaining mix of fantasy, historical fiction, romance, mystery, and teen drama, with a groan-inducing cliff hanger for an ending.

Although it took me about a quarter of the book to get excited about the story, by the end I was way too into it and I can't wait to read the next installment.  I'll admit that I'm a little over the whole vampire thing but they were not a huge part of the story and the new fantastical 'creature' she created - the Shadowhunters - are pretty cool.  Despite the obvious Harry Potter rip-offs (a magical castle that Muggles - I mean Mundanes - can't see because they're too preoccupied with themselves?) I think Clare was able to bring some originality to the genre and the story can hold its own among historical fiction and fantasy alike.  I would definitely label this book YA due to the age of the characters and the themes of growing up and self-realization.  This and Clare's other series have gained immense popularity and I think they have earned a place in any public library or school's YA collection.

 Here's an absurdly cheesy book trailer put out by the publisher!

If you're interested in the author, Cassandra Clare, you can follow her on Twitter @cassieclare!