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.