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!