Graphic Novels, Poetry and Drama

Bibliography
Sones, Sonya. 2001. What My Mother Doesn't Know.
New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
ISBN 978-0-689-841-9






Summary
A novel in verse
Sophie is a 15 year old freshman in high school and describes her relationship with her mother, school, her best friends and boyfriends in a series of free verse poems.

Critical Analysis
What My Mother Doesn't Know is a novel written entirely in verse in the voice of a 15 year old girl named Sophie. Sones has captured the voice of a teenage girl so well. The poems flow together and tell a story from Sophie's first crush to her learning what true love is all about. The poems are short and capture all the thoughts, emotions and anxiety of most teenage girls. I remember having similiar thoughts and emotions at that age about my friends, mother and boys. Sharon Korebeck wrote in her review for School Library Journal "Sones's poems are glimpses through a peephole many teens may be peering through for the first time, unaware that others are seeing virtually the same new, scary, unfamiliar things (parents having nuclear meltdowns, meeting a boyfriend's parents, crying for no apparent reason)." It is like reading the personal diary of a teenage girl.

The back cover is a poem written by the protagonist herself describing what the book is about.

"My name is Sophie.
This book is about me.
It tells the heart-stoppingly riveting story
of my first love.
And also of my second.
And, okay, my third love, too."

Sophie falls in and out of love, has a little cyber romance and starts falling in love with a boy who not might not be socially acceptable to her friends. The heart of the novel are the poems Sophie writes about her loves but it is also about her relationship with her mother. Sophie is trying to assert her independence, trying to understand her mother and wants her mother to listen to her. The relationship between Sophie and her mother is one most teenage girls can relate to. The novel concludes with Sophie starting to understand her mother and her mother listening to her. Sophie also takes that leap and follows her heart. It was refreshing to read that despite her confusion and fears about her friends accepting her boyfriend Sophie chose to follow her heart. It is a sweet happy ending.

Awards and Honors
*listed by the American Library Association as one of the Top 100 Most Banned Books of the Decade (2000–2010)
*listed by the American Library Association as one of the Top Ten Most Challenged Books (2004 and 2005)
*winner of the Iowa Teen Book Award (2005–2006)
*Michigan Thumbs Up Award Honor Book (2002)
*unanimously chosen an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults (2002)
*unanimously chosen an American Library Association Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (2002)
*named an International Reading Association Young Adults' Choice (2003)
*named a Booklist Editor's Choice (2001)
*voted a VOYA Top Shelf for Middle School Readers (2003)
*Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award: YA Recommended Title (2003–2004)
*named a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age (2002, 2003, and 2004)
*named a Texas Lone Star State Reading List Choice (2003–2004)
*named a Top Ten Editor's Choice by Teenreads.com (2001)
*named a Bookreporter.com Best of 2001 for Teens
*chosen a Junior Library Guild selection
*chosen a Scholastic Teen Age Book Club selection
*chosen a Scholastic Trumpet Book Club selection
*chosen a Scholastic Book Fair selection
*nominated for the following state awards:
-Volunteer State Book Award (TN) (2004–2005)
-Utah Children's Choice Beehive Award (2003–2004)
-Garden State Teen Book Award (NJ) (2003–2004)
-Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (2004)
-Rhode Island Teen Book Award (2004)
-South Carolina Young Adult Book Award (2003–2004)
-Missouri Gateway Reader's Choice Award for Teens (2003–2004)
-Wyoming Library Association Soaring Eagle Book Award (2003–2004)

Review Reference
School Library Journal v. 47 no. 10 (October 2001) p. 171-2
Korbeck, Sharon, reviewer




Bibliography
Satrapi, Marjane. 2003. Perespolis: The Story of a Childhood. New York: Pantheon Books.
ISBN 0-375-71457-X





Summary
An autobiographical graphic novel about the childhood of Marjane Satrapi in Iran during the Iranian Revolution. The books begins when Satrapi was 10 years old in 1980 and ends when her parents make the difficult decision to send her to live in Vienna for her own safety in 1984.

Critical Analysis
Marjane Satrapi has written and illustrated a memoir of her life in comic strip format. The drawings are simple, the colors are black and white, yet the images are powerful. Her voice is strong, much like her personality. Her point of view of an important time in history for the country of Iran tells a story that is deeply personal and intriguing. " 'Persepolis' was first published to enormous success in Satrapi's adopted France, where adult comic books are a long-favored form. The English edition comes with an introduction expressing the author's desire to show Americans that Iran is not only a country of fanatics and terrorists. The book could hardly have come at a better moment." wrote Fernanda Eberstadt for The New York Times Book Review in 2003. It still rings true today. Satrapi and her family are people who most Americans don't think of as someone who comes from Iran.

There is a second part to Persepolis it is The Story of a Return and it tells about Satrapi's life in Europe and her eventual return to Iran. An animated film of both books was nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated film in 2007.

Review Reference
The New York Times Book Review v. 108 no. 19 (May 11 2003) p. 8
Eberstadt, Fernanda, reviewer





Bibliography
Yang, Gene Luen. 2006. American Born Chinese. New York: First Second.
ISBN 978-1-59643-152-2




Summary
There are three seperate stories told in this book that eventually come together as one. The first story is about the Monkey King and his quest to become a god. The second story is about Jin Wang is Chinese-American boy who wants to fit in and be accepted by his American classmates. The third story is about Danny a blond haired, blue eyed boy with a cousin who embodies a stereotypical Chinese character.

Critical Analysis
The theme of racism and assimilation into American culture is heavy in this graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang. Three seemingly seperate stories are told, which eventually come together to tell the moral of the tale, which is to accept yourself for who you are as well as your culture. Philip Charles Crawford wrote in his review for School Library Journal ".....this novel explores the impact of the American dream on those outside the dominant culture in a finely wrought story that is an effective combination of humor and drama." Yang has cleverly interwoven Chinese folklore, cultural stereotypes and American culture into one story.

The Monkey King tell Jin Wang "You know, Jin, I would have saved myself from five hundred years imprisonment beneath a moutain of rock had I only realized how good it is to be a monkey." In other words, accept who you are and where you come from and save yourself the heartache from trying to fit in and being someone you are not.

Awards
Winner of the Micheale L. Printz Award-2007
National book Award Finalist
Booklist Top Ten Graphic Novel for Youth
NPR Holiday Pick
Publishers Weekly Comics Week Best Comic of the Year
San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of the Year
The Reuben Award for Best Comic Book
The Chinese Americn Librarians Association 2006/2007 Best Book Award
Eisner Wards 2007-Best Graphic Album-New
Time Magzine Top Ten Comic of the Year
Amazon.com Best Graphic Novel/Comic of the Year

Review Reference
School Library Journal v. 52 no. 9 (September 2006) p. 240
reviewer: Crawford, Philip Charles

History, Biography and Nonfiction

Bibliography
Aronson, Marc. 2007. Race: A History Beyond Black and White.
New York: Antheum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 978-0-689-86554-1





Summary
Aronson connects historical people, their philosophies and writings and events as an evolution of racial prejudice in Western culture.

Critical Analysis
"We all make sure to say race doesn't matter. But at the very same time we pass down the message that it matters a great deal." page 257

Marc Aronson has a doctorate in American History. His editor, Ginee Seo, suggested the idea for a book about the history of prejudice and eventualy the book evolved into one about the history of race and racism in Western culture. It is a well researched book. Aronson includes an extensive bibliography of books and websites he used as resources. There is also a comprehensive section of author notes that explains each chapter including the page number showing the "research path" he took and the books he has referenced. Race is a book written for a young adult audience and Aronson admits that the sources he has used "...are almost universally aimed at college level readers." Race is indeed written at a level that most young adults will easily understand. He does not write down to young adults rather he clearly explains and makes connections to historical events and people and their philosophies and writings and how those events and ideas shaped racial prejudice in Western culture.

Simon Rodberg wrote in his book review in The New York Times,"Aronson's focus on prejudice leaves no room for the economic and social legacies of slavery and segregation. To understand the persistence of inequality, a reader would have to go beyond this book. But ‘Race’ would be a good place to start for a young reader who has the energy and patience to take it on." Aronson has included many references and notes to help readers research more about the history of race and prejudice on their own. This book was much more than just black and white. It includes prejudism of several different ethnicities and cultures and Aronson did a thorough job of explaining how the idea of race first began and how it has evolved to what it is today.

The book is organized into seven parts. He begins with a note to the reader and an introduction posing the question "Where do prejudices come from?" and explaining that is comes from "the mind" "the tribe" and "city walls." The first chapter describes slavery in the ancient world and continues with the Christian era, the invention of race as viewed through the Enlightenment period, racial ideas in Europe and America, the Holocaust and race and racism today. A few of the sections begin with a modern day vignette to illustrate and compare the historical ideas of race and prejudism but he fails to continue using the vignettes at the begining of the last three sections of the book. There are also many historical photographs and illustrations interspersed throughout the text to help give readers a visual of artwork, scupltures and photos that display the racial ideas of the time period.

Race is a thought provoking book and an excellent source and resource of information about the history of the idea of race and how prejudice has shaped the way many people think of others who are different.

Review Reference
The New York Times Book Review v. 112 no. 45 (November 11 2007) p. 38
Rodberg, Simon



Historical Fiction

Bibliography
Draper, Sharon. 2006. Copper Sun. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers ISBN 0-689-82181-6






Plot Summary
Amari is a fifteen year old Ahanti girl living in an African village enaged to be married to Besa. One day, strange men with pale skin arrive and her village welcomes them. In the midst of their welcoming celebration, the white men kill the elders and children of the village and take the young adults as captives. Amari is beaten, branded and sold into slavery. She is sent to the Carolinas on a slave ship and mangages to survive the brutality and atrocities on the "Ship of Death."

Amari is sold to Mr. Derby who buys her as a gift for his sixteen year old son. Mr. Derby also buys the indenture of Polly, a fifteen year old girl paying off the debts of her parents.
Amari and Polly work in the kitchen of Derbyshire Farms, a rice plantation, helping Teenie the cook. Polly is assigned to teach Amari English, how to act civilized and be obedient. Mrs. Derby is the only white person to show any kindness to the slaves. When she gives birth to a black baby the slaves try to cover it up for her but Mr. Derby finds out and punishes his wife in the most horrific way and decides to sell Amari, Polly and Teenie's son, Tidbit.

Amari, Polly and Tidbit are given a chance to run by the doctor who is supposed to take them to be sold and he advises them to run North. Amari was advised by another slave to run South to the Spanish Fort Mose because they usually search for runaway slaves going to the North. The trio travel south and meet a few people along the way. Eventually they make it to their destination where they are now finally free.

Critical Analysis
"The depth of research is evident in this detailed account of a 15-year-old girl's journey from life in her African village, capture by slave traders, horrors of the Middle Passage, to life as a slave on a South Carolina plantation. . . . A look at the early history of many European immigrants, with limited freedom in the English colonies, is provided here and is an opportunity for further study and discussion. Young adults will be intrigued by Polly and Amari and will gain understanding of concepts of suffering, hopelessness, and perseverance." This excerpt from a review written by Linda C. Jolivet for Multicultural Review says it all. This historical fictional novel in an engaging book that vividly portrays the horrors of slavery and also shows the courage and strength of a young girl facing adversity. It is also a tale of friendship and survival.

The book begins with the third person point of view of Amari and then introduces Polly, a white indentured servant in Part Two. The book alternates between the point of view of Amari and Polly. This literary device allows readers to experience the point of view of not only an black slave but also a white person, and indentured servant, who is treated much like a slave. The friendship between Polly and Amari evolves as the girls get to know one another and their survival depends on the strengths of each other. Their fears and hopes and emotions are described very well. The characters of Afi, Teenie and Tidbit are well developed supporting characters. Mr. Derby and his son are typical slave owners, beating their slaves and using them for pleasure. There are also characters that don't believe in slavery such as the doctor and Mrs. Derby who was kind to the slaves, and a couple of other minor characters that help the trio on their run to freedom.

The year the story takes place is 1738. There are several settings in the book, the African village, the ship, the plantation, the forests and swamps and Fort Mose. Each setting is described with detail and accuracy that readers can imagine each place. The children are running to an actual true location, Fort Mose, a Spanish colony that was home to many different people. Captain Francisco Menendez, a real person, is a minor character in the book, welcoming the trio. In an afterword by Sharon Draper she explains the history of Fort Mose. She offers a list of many different web sites and books about slavery and freedom for readers who want to conduct their own research about slavery and America during the 1700's.

The horrors of slavery and the brutality and atrocities of the capture, travel on the slave ship and life on the plantation are described with great detail but it is not done in a vulgar way. Despite the oppression of slavery there is hope within Amari and Polly's story. The advise and wisdom Afi and Teenie give Amari, Polly and Amari's developing friendship, and Amari's own will to live makes this a tale of hope, friendship and survival.

When Amari is wishing for death and questioning why she should endure the cruelty, Afi tells her "Because I see a power in you. You know certain people are chosen to survive. I don't know why but you are one of those who must remember the past and tell those yet unborn. You must live." Althougth the character of Amari is only a fictional one, her story tells about the lives of many slave girls of the past. The end of the book contains a section entitled "From the desk of Sharon M. Draper" and she dedicates the book to "...all the millions of girls like Amari..." who survived and died during slavery. "Amari carries their spirit."

Awards
2007 Coretta Scott King Literature award
2007 Ohioana Award for Young Adult Literature
Top Ten Historical Fiction Books for Youth by Booklist
Nominated for the 2007 NAACP Image Award for Literature
IRA Notable Book for a Global Society
Best Book of the Year by School Library Journal
Listed on the New York Times Bestseller List

Review Reference
MultiCultural Review v. 15 no. 3 (Fall 2006) p. 100
Jolivet, Linda C



Biography

Bibilography
Bolden, Tonya.2006. MLK: Journey of a King. Abrams Books for Young Readers. ISBN 978-0-8109-5476





Summary
A biography of Martin Luther King Jr during his time as a minister and activist for civil rights until his death.

Critical Analysis
This biography begins with the death of Martin Luther King Jr. "Oh" is the last word an unnamed witness believes King tried to say before he was shot. The introduction uses the word, "Oh" several times to briefly describe the the possible thoughts he may have had reflecting on his life right before his death. This biography details the life of King during his time as an activist for civil rights.

The story of Kings life is described from the time he is a fifteen year old college student at Morehouse College and ends with his death. The book is divided into three parts, includes an author's note, time line, notes, selected sources, photography credits and acknowledgments. There are numerous pictures, large and small with captions that tell about the life of Martin Luther King Jr. Almost each layout contains a picture or two. Some of the pictures overwhelm the text with their size but they do help tell the story about King's life and his role in the civil rights movement. A time line that contains "Selected moments from the context of M.L.'s life" details moments from every year of his life from 1929 to 1968. The notes credit the source of the information and quotes and the sources are listed in bibliographic form.

Bolden uses M.L. to name King throughout the text, a nickname given to him by his father. She explains in her author's note that she "...means no disrepect by callng him M.L. It's about recognizing that I grew up regarding "the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr." as more statue than man: someone I revered but to whom I couldn't relate, and so I did not truly appreciate him." This was her way of making him human. The text describes King's doubts, fears and struggles as well as the strength and courage he had to make the choices he did that made him a leader during the civil rights movement.

"Do libraries need another biography of King? Yes, if it's as good as this one, which will reach a wide audience. Bolden . . . brings readers close to the great leader and to the civil rights movement through detailed historical analysis and extensive notes." Hazel Rochman wrote in her review for Booklist. Yes, there are many biographies of this great leader but this book is outstanding in the photos and description of King's life.


Review Reference
Booklist v. 103 no. 11 (February 1 2007) p. 50
Rochman, Hazel

Fantasy and Science Fiction

Bibliography
Meyer, Stephanie. Twilight. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2005 ISBN 978-0-316-16017-9.







Plot Summary
Bella Swan moves to Forks, WA to live with her father and meets Edward Cullen. The two are drawn to each other and then fall in love. Bella soon discovers that Edward is a vampire who thirsts for her blood but has fallen in love with her. Another vampire picks up Bella’s scent and wants to drink her blood too and Edward must save Bella from him.

Critical Analysis
The Twilight Saga is a series of four paranormal romance books about a teenage girl who falls in love with a vampire. Bella is a character that could represent any teenage girl. She is a normal girl in high school who just happens to fall in love with a vampire. Edward Cullen is the boyfriend whom almost every teenage girl dream of, loving, protective, good looking and just a little bit dangerous. The theme of choice is heavy in the novel. Bella must chose between a normal life or loving a creature that desires her in every way, including drinking her blood.

Edward and his coven have chosen to live in Forks, Washington due to the mostly overcast rainy weather and large forests. The vampires in this novel don't follow traditional vampire myths such burning in sunlight and the abilitiy to survive on animal blood alone. The vampires get all sparkly and shine like diamonds, adding to their allure. The setting allows the vampires to be able to interact with humans.The overcast rainy weather allows Edward and his vampire family to live a life as normal as possible with jobs and roles such as a doctor and high school students. The nearby forest allows them to hunt animals and drink animal blood instead of human blood.

The first line in the novel, in the preface, is such a great hook. "I"D NEVER GIVEN MUCH THOUGHT TO HOW I WOULD die--though I'd had reason enough in the last few months--but even if I had, I would not have imagined it like this." Immediately the reader wants to know how the narrator dies, what events happened to lead her to the position she is in now. The novel starts off a bit like a mystery. Bella is new to town and is immediately drawn to Edward, she wants to find out who he is, what he is about. Likewise Edward is drawn to Bella but for an entirely different reason, her blood is intoxicating to him and he yearns to drink it, plus he can't read her mind. Edward has the gift of being able to read the minds of others, except Bella's, which intrigues him.

Most of the first part of the novel is about Edward and Bella getting to know each other, much like a romance story, but then the plot changes and ups the element of danger. Another vampire, James, has smelled Bella's sweet blood and is hunting her. Edward comes to her rescue and destroys James. Edward is the hero who saves Bella.

The appeal of the story is the forbidden romance between a vampire and human. The danger of loving someone who is not of this normal world. Edward's love is so intense and he saves Bella's life. It is a dark, gothic fairy tale of the knight in shiny armor coming to save the damsel in distress. Hillias J. Martin wrote for School Library Journal “Meyer adds an eerie new twist to the mismatched, star-crossed lovers theme: predator falls for prey, hurman falls for vampire. This tension strips away any pretense readers may have about the everyday teen romance novel, and kissing, touching, and talking take on an entirely new meaning when one small mistake could be life-threatening.” It is a book that not only appeals to young adult females but most women of any age that like romance with a bit of danger

Awards
• A New York Times Editor's Choice
• A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
• An Amazon "Best Book of the Decade...So Far"
• A Teen People "Hot List" pick
• An American Library Association "Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults" and "Top Ten Books for Reluctant Readers"

Review References
School Library Journal v. 51 no. 10 (October 2005) p. 166
Martin, Hillias J.






Bibilography
Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. New York: Scholastic Inc., 2008
ISBN 978-0-439-02348-1.




Plot Summary
The United States of America has collapsed and in its place a new nation has risen, Panem. Panem is divided into 12 districts and each year each district must send one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to compete in the annual Hunger Games. The Hunger Games are a televised gladiator type show where the contestants must fight for their life to be able to win the game. The contestants are chosen by lottery. Sixteen year old Katniss takes the place of her twelve year old sister and must use her wits to be able to survive and go back home to her family.

Critical Analysis
The Hunger Games is a trilogy set in a dystopian society. The setting is what once was the United States of America. It is now the country of Panem. Instead of 50 states, there are 12 districts. The exact date is not given, only that is has been 74 years since the new government has taken control of the country and created the Hunger Games as a way to keep the districts in line. The Hunger Games are a televised brutal game where contestants must literally fight for their life in a game with ever changing rules and everyone is out to kill you.

“Collins's characters are completely realistic and sympathetic as they form alliances and friendships in the face of overwhelming odds; the plot is tense, dramatic, and engrossing. This book will definitely resonate with the generation raised on reality shows like "Survivor" and "American Gladiator." wrote Jane Baird in her review for School Library Journal. The protagonist of the story, Katniss, is very caring and strong. She takes care of her mother and younger sister and volunteers to be the female tribute when her 12 year old sister's name is drawn from the lottery. Readers know that Katniss truly loves her sister to willingly take her place in a contest where the risk of death is very high. Readers also feel the fear and uncertainty the Katniss feels before and during the games.

Admist all the horror of killing and fighting to survive there is a love story triangle, Katniss' best friend Gale and Peeta, the male tribute from her district. Katniss cares for Peeta but soon realizes that a romance between her and Peeta brings audience approval and helps with their survival. It is also that romanance that brings about a defiant act against the Capitol and those in charge of the games.

The Hunger Games is an action packed novel full of suprises as Katniss and Peeta fight for survival. This novel may be set in the future but is reflects society today and the popularity of reality television shows, survival type games and violence on TV. We have to be careful before we become so desensitized to violence on TV that it will be real actual violence we witness on the small screen.

Awards
Publishers Weekly's "Best Books of the Year"- 2008
The New York Times "Notable Children's Book of 2008".
2009 winner of the Golden Duck Award in the Young Adult Fiction Category
"2008 Cybil Winner" for fantasy and science-fiction books
School Library Journal's "Best Books 2008"
"Booklist Editors' Choice" in 2008
2011, California Young Reader Medal.

Review references
School Library Journal v. 54 no. 9 (September 2008) p. 176-7
Baird, Henriksen Jane






Bibliography
Westerfeld, Scott. Uglies. 2005. New York: Simon & Schuster ISBN 978-0-689-86538-1





Plot Summary
Tally Youngblood is anxious to turn sixteen and turn pretty. She will get a special operation that will make her pretty and she will get to live a life of fun and parties. But a couple of months before her birthday she meets Shay and Shay doesn't want to turn pretty and runs away to live in the Smoke. Shay leaves Tally so clues as to where she is going just in case Tally wants to follow her but all Tally wants is to become pretty. The government sends Specials to question Tally about the disappearence of her friend and blackmail her in to finding her or she will remain ugly forever. Tally goes to the Smoke and learns about the price she will have to pay to be pretty and changes her mind about turning pretty. She inadvertantly calls the Specials to the Smoke hideout and all the Smokies are captured. Tally rescues her new friends and makes a decision that will help them.

Critical Analysis
Stevenson, Deborah describe Uglies as “…..the classic combat between the dark authoritarian underside of apparent utopia and the outsiders whose greater understanding threatens the protected world.” There is a price to pay for being pretty. "Your personality-the real you inside-was the price of beauty" ( page 406) . Tally is the flawed heroine of the story. She sets out to betray her friend and changes her mind when she gets to know the people of the Smoke and she learns about the brain lesions that are part of the operation to turn pretty. She wrestles heavily with the confusion and guilt she feels about first betraying her friend and then by accidently summoning the Specials who destroy her new friends and their community.

The story is set a few hundred years in the future and the government had a tight control of the people living in the city. But as with any futuristic utopian society there are those individuals who rebel and fight for freedom from the control of the oppressing government.

The story ends abruptly with a decision Tally makes to help her new friends. It is such an ironic twist that cleverly sets up the next novel in the series. It leaves readers hungry for more and wanting to find out what will happen to Tally and if she will succeed in her mission.

Review References
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books v. 58 no. 6 (February 2005) p. 269-70

Adventure, Sports and Mystery

Bibliography
Paulsen, Gary. 2009. Notes from the dog. New York: Random House, Inc. ISBN 978-0-375-73845-3







Plot Summary
Johanna is a young women in her twenties who is fighting breast cancer. She is house sitting the house next door to Finn. Finn is a quiet fourteen year old boy and he doesn't have many friends. This is a story of their friendship and how Johanna helps Finn to learn to connect to people.

Critical Analysis
Gary Paulsen is known for his adventure books but in "Notes from the Dog" he writes about a different type of adventure. Here a young boy learns more about himself while helping someone else. Finn's plans for the summer ".....involved reading as many books as I could right here on my front steps and avoiding people." Finn was quiet and introverted. He only had a few friends, he thought people were "mysterious and high maintenance" He preferred people in books and had planned to speak to fewer than a dozen people that summer, that is until he met Johanna. His friendship with Johanna brings out the best in Finn and he grows and becomes a better person because of it. This book will appeal to most middle school boys who feel like they don't belong like Finn. Plus it is a short book only 132 pages long. The story does deal with the heavy topic of cancer, and a young women with breast cancer at that. Paulsen writes about it with sensitivity and a touch of humor. "Paulsen mixes sorrow and humor, depicting the rough side of chemo realistically, and he shows Finn and his friend Matthew displaying competence and compassion in caring for Johanna in a way that demonstrates to the middle-school audience that taking action to help is much better than turning away." Susan Lempke wrote in her review for Horn Book. This story is not the adventure story that one would expect from Paulsen but it is an adventure in self-discovery as Finn learns more about himself and his own strengths. It is an sweet story that most middle school students, boys as well as girls will enjoy.

Review References
The Horn Book 85 no5 572 S/O 2009
Reviewer: Lempke, Susan Dove




Bibliography
Pratchett, Terry. Nation. New York: HarperCollins, 2008. ISBN 9780061433016






Plot Summary
A tsunami destroys a small island nation. Mau, an island boy and Daphne an aristocratic English girl who was shipwrecked on the island, try to rebuild a community on the island along with a few refugees.

Critical Analysis
In the Author Notes, Terry Pratchett writes that the setting of his book "Nation" is in a "parallel universe", the story is an "alternate history" where there are similarites to actual historical events, peoples and places and other parts are fictional. Sue Giffard wrote that the books was "A rich and thought-provoking read." for School Library Journal. The themes in the story are of an adolescent transitioning to adulthood and an individual versus society. Both are themes most teens identify with as they are learning about what it means to live within a society and are in the midst becoming adults. The story is an adventure story of survival and growth, both as an individual and within a society. The main characters are rich and strong, Ermintrude/Daphne is a smart girl and Mau is thoughful and resourceful. Mau and Daphne, from completely different societies, have to learn to be leaders as they try to rebuild a civilization on the island as other survivors of the tsunami began to come around look to them for help and leadership.

Review References
School Library Journal v. 54 no. 10 (October 2008) p. 158
Reviewer Giffard, Sue

Awards
Micheal L. Printz Honor Book 2009





Bibliography
Werlin, Nancy. 2008. Impossible. New York: Dial Books, 2008.








Plot Summary
After Lucy is raped and she becomes pregnant, she learns that she is the decendant of woman who was cursed by an Elfin Knight. She has to perform three impossible tasks in order to break the curse. Her only clues are the lyrics to a folk song. If she is unable to perform the tasks she will suffer the same fate as her mother and grandmothers before her, going insane after the birth of her daughter and her daughter will suffer the same curse.

Critical Analysis
This was a very intriguing story, a magical modern love story based on old Scottish ballad. The story is a mystery, a romance and touch of fantasy. The plot was exciting and interesting and the protagonist Lucy was a strong character, a normal teenager who has suffered but has the love and support of her friends and family. Jennifer Montgomery writes in her review for School Library Journal "This unique story flows smoothly and evenly, and the well-drawn characters and subtle hints of magic early on allow readers to enter willingly into the world of fantasy." The story touches on fantasy and magic, an immortal elf who has cursed a line of women, but was very believeable. The women before the protagonist, Lucy, were unable to solve the puzzle and went mad because of it. It is believable because the world thinks the women were insane but once the reader learns of the curse, were they really suffering from insanity or the punishment from not being able to solve the curse in time?

Nancy Werlin was inspired to write the story based on the balled "Scarborough Fair" by Simon and Garfunkel. After she analyzed the lyrics of the song as an adult and learned the history of the ballad as a folksong from the 1670's in Scotland, she came up with the idea for the book. Werlin thought that a young women could indeed prove her love by solving the seemingly impossible tasks in the folksong using technology and research with the help of friends and family. The three tasks "Tell her to make me a magical shirt/Without any seam or needlework...Tell her to find me an acre of land/Between the salt water and the sea strand....Tell her to plow it with just a goat's horn,/And sow it all over with one grain of corn..." were the tasks that were impossible to solve. The tasks are the quest that Lucy goes on, the mystery she must solve to save herself and the future of her daughter. Werlin thought that the lyrics of the song were cruel for a man to ask a women to perform three impossible tasks to prove her love. The love story that Werlin wrote tells how true love and the love of family and friends, was able to solve that mystery and break that curse.

Review References
School Library Journal v. 54 no. 9 (September 2008) p. 194, 196
Reviewer: Jennifer D. Montgomery

Awards
■School Library Journal Best Book of 2008
■Booklist Editor's Choice for 2008
■Kirkus Reviews Best YA book of 2008
■VOYA Editor’s Choice book for 2008
■ABC (American Indepent Booksellers for Children) Best Books for Teens selection for 2008
■"Top 10 Fall 2008 Children's IndieNext" choice from the American Independent Booksellers Association (# 4)
■Publishers Weekly "Cuffie" honorable mention winner for 2009 in the categories "Favorite Novel of the Year" and "Best Novel for Young Readers That Adults Would Love If They Knew About It"
■American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults, 2009
■Texas Tayshas Reading List selection for 2009-2010
■Chicago Public Library Best of the Best reading list selection for 2008
■Georgia Peach Book Award list selection for 2009-2010
■CCBC (Cooperative Children's Book Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Education) Choice for 2009
■New York Public Library "Stuff for the Teen Age" selection for 2009
■Capitol Choices list selection for 2009, District of Columbia metropolitan area
■Boston Authors' Club highly recommended book for 2009
■An ALA Teens' Top Ten nominee for 2009
■New York State suggested reading list for the Charlotte award, in the Young Adult category, for 2010
■Kentucky Bluegrass Award master list, 2009-2010.
■Pennsylvania School Library Assoc. YA Top Ten (or so) list
■Massachusetts Book Award honor book, 2009.
■Tennessee Volunteer State book award master list, YA division, 2010-2011.
■An ALA popular paperback selection, 2010.
■An Oklahoma Sequoyah Master List selection, High School, 2011

Book Trailer

Realism, Romance and Censorship

Bibliography
Lyga, Barry. 2007. The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl. Boston: Graphia, Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0-618-72392-7






Plot Summary
Fanboy is a fifteen year old comic book geek who is writing his own graphic novel and has only one friend. he meets Goth Girk, Kyra, and the two form a friendship that causes Fanboy to learn about himself and his relationships with his family and peers.

Critical Analysis
This book was a good story about a teenage boy who learns more about himself and his relationships with his family, friends and peers. The title was a bit misleading though. I was expecting crazy adventures that Fanboy and Goth Girl would have not a story about a teenage boy as he struggles with his relationships with family, friends and peers. Despite the misleading title, the story and writing are good. Stephanie L. Petruso writes in her review for School Library Journal that "Lyga looks at how teens are pushed to their limits by society. Though he toys with such concepts as teen suicide and Columbine-like violence, the novel never turns tragic. His love of comics carries over into all three teen characters, breathing animation into a potentially sad but often funny story. This is a great bridge book for teens who already like graphic novels." It is a good book to hook fans of graphic novels and help those readers cross that bridge to stories that are told all in text.

The story was published in 2007 and is already a tad bit outdated. Goth Girl has a cell phone that can take pictures and characters communicate electronically but through Instant Message on the computer. Most teenagers today have their own cell phones and communicate via text on phones.

The narrator, Fanboy, is good character with all the thoughts, emotions, fears and anxiety of a teenage boy. Goth Girl was also an interesting character but her character was not as developed and left me wanting to know more about her and what was behind all her words and actions. Barry Lyga did write a book about her, Goth Girl Rising, with Kyra as the narrator, where readers can learn more about Kyra.


Review References
Petrusso, Stephanie L. School Library Journal v52 no11 (Nov. 2006)

Lyga, Barry. 2011 Goth Girl Rising. Boston: Graphia. ISBN 978-0547403083






Bibliography
Anderson, Laurie Halse. 2007. Twisted. New York: Penguin Books.
ISBN 978-0-670-06101-3







Plot Summary
Tyler is a seventeen year old boy who must endure some trials and tribulations during his journey to becoming a man.

Critical Analysis
This is another coming of age novel. Tyler is having problems with his family relationships and relationships with friends and peers. Laurie Halse Anderson gave Tyler a voice that sounds very much like a teenage boy, full of sarcasm and angst. He is an intersting character. He doesn't know what to do or where to go when he is having problems in his life. He has to figure everything out on his own. It is a minor character, who makes a brief appearance that gives Tyler a few words of wisdom that gives him the courage to turns his life around. Tyler finally decides to face his fears and confronts his tormenters in life and alls well and ends well.

While the writing is good, full of methaphors and analogies and a voice that would appeal to most teenage boys, I was expecting a more "twisted" character. The "foul deed" that starts Tyler descent into despair really wasn't that foul in my opinion. I expected something much more sinister, not graffiti. I expected a truly twisted character, not a character experiencing a life of a little bit of bullying and depression. Tyler comes from a two parent, middle class household. Tyler's main problem seems to be that he is in the wrong place at the wrong time and gets blamed for the bad consquences that result from other's poor decisions. The story does delve into typical teenage issues of bullying, underage drinking, internet postings, depression and suicide. It was sad that there was no one in his life that Tyler felt he could talk to about what was going on his life and that he comtemplated suicide. "‘Twisted’ is a story that allows boys their sensitivity. Guys may not admit they need such stories, but they do." John Green wrote in his review for the New York Times. Tyler's story is one that most teenage boys could indentify with because he expresses all those insecurities and angst that they may be feeling but don't know how to express.

Awards
ALA Best Book for Young Adults
ALA Quick Pick for Young Adults
International Reading Association Top Ten of 2007
International Reading Association's Young Adultsí Choices List
New York Times Bestseller List
YALSA Teen Top Ten of 2008
Nominated to 12 state reading award lists

Review References
The New York Times Book Review v. 112 no. 22 (June 3 2007) p. 35
John Green, reviewer




Bibliography
Peters, Julie Anne. 2004. Luna. NewYork: Little Brown and Compnay.
ISBN 0-316-73369-5






Plot Summary
Regan's brother Liam was born to the wrong gender. Regean is the only one who knows his secret true self, Luna. He wants to transistion from male to female. Liam is ready to reveal his true self to his family and friends.

Critical Analysis
This is a touching story that deals with a very controversial topic, transexuality. The story is told in first person narative through the viewpoint of Regan, Liam/Luna's sister. Regan is dealing with her own insecurities with school and herself plus trying to keep Liam's secret and protect him/her from prejudism and ridicule. Cindy Welch writes in her review for Booklist "Peters isn't putting forward a political agenda here. Rather, she's bringing the circumstances surrounding a difficult situation to light, and her sensitively drawn characters realistically encompass a wide range of reactions"

I like how Peter's used Regan as the narrator to tell Liam/Luna's story. It allows young readers to learn more about transexuality without it hitting full force. Transexuality is a very controversial subject and Peters wrote about with sensitivity and explains the difference between homosexuality and transexuality. The use of flashbacks to describe experiences and explain things gives more depth and understanding of the characters of Regan and Liam/Luna.

This book about a transgender teen was considered groundbreaking for young adult literature. In addition to that, the writing and style are good and gives the reader a view of a tough and sensitive topic and it's effects on an individual and family.




Awards
2004 National Book Award Finalist in Young People’s Literature

2005 Stonewall Honor Book, awarded by the GLBTQ Round Table of the American Library Association

An American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults 2005

2005 Colorado Book Award for Young Adult Literature

2005 Lambda Literary Award Finalist

2004 Borders Original Voices Award Finalist

Nominated for the „Buxtehuder Bulle“, a distinguished prize in literature for young people in Germany

Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 2004, Books for Great Teens

Michigan Library Association 2005 Thumbs Up! Award Nominee

Rhode Island Teen Book Award 2006 Nominee

Missouri Gateway Book Award 2006 Nominee

Vermont Green Mountain Book Award 2006 Nominee

New York Public Library Books for the Teen-Age List 2005

An Original Voices selection by Borders Books and Music. Original Voices recognizes innovative and ambitious books from new and emerging talents, as well as outstanding works from established authors.

2004 Book Sense Summer Reading List for Teens

An ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults

2007 New Jersey Garden State Teen Book Award Nominee

2007 Best Young Adult Fiction Award from the China Times in Taiwan

2009 Great Stories CLUB, chosen by the American Library Association. The Great Stories CLUB (Connecting Libraries, Underserved teens and Books) is a reading and discussion program designed to reach underserved and at-risk youth through books that are relevant to their lives.


Review References
Booklist v. 100 no. 21 (July 2004) p. 1834, reviewer Cindy Welch

Classics and Award Winning Young Adult Literature

Bibilography
Peck, Robert Newton. 1972. A Day No Pigs Would Die. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
ISBN 0-697-85306-5

Plot Summary
A twelve year old Shaker farmboy living in rural Vermont during the 1920s comes of age and learns how to take care of a pig and run the family farm.

Critical Analysis
This is a historical fictional novel loosely based on Robert Peck's childhood. The main characters of the story are well developed. The protagonist is a twelve year old boy, Robert Peck. He is attending school and completes his daily chores helping his family tend to their farm. Haven Peck, Robert's father is a hard worker and a simple man. He is a pig butcher by day to earn money to pay for his land but believes his family is rich because they are " ...not worldly people" and they "...suffer the less for not paining for worldly wants and wishes." The relationship between father and son is strong. Haven is a simple man and wants what is best for his family based on his Shaker beliefs and he wants Robert to have a better life by going to school and learning how to be a man to take care of the farm and his family. He doesn't shield Robert from the harsh realities of life and he shows Robert his love for him with his own small gestures that Robert understands.

The novel begins with Robert helping his neighbor's cow give birth to two bull calves. In appreciation for his deed, Mr. Tanner gives him a piglet. Robert names the pig Pinky and raises her to be a sow pig. Mr. Tanner invites him to the county fair to help him show the bull calves and pig. Pinky wins a ribbon. Up to this point the story is reminiscent of E.B. Whites "Charlotte's Web". Robert loves his pig and talks to her and sleeps with her. Unfortunately this is a story about the harsh realities of growing up in poverty during the 1920's. Pinky is sterile and the family falls on hard times and Robert must learn how to run the farm and be a man. His father tells him that 'It's just doing what's got to be done" and Robert has to help his father butcher his beloved pig to help feed his family. Robert's father passess away and Robert is now the man of the family at the tender age of thirteen.

Young readers today will be drawn in with the adventurous beginning when Robert is helping his neighbor's cow give birth and saving her life. Also the fact that this book has been challenged due to its very descriptive scences involving the mating and killing of a pig will make young readers want to read the book.

The dialogue between the characters is simple and different than the language we use today and may turn some readers off. But the strong characterization will hook readers into empathizing with Robert as he goes through the trials and tribulations of growing up on a farm in rural Vermont during the 1920s.

Awards
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year- 1973
Library of Congress Children's Books of the Year-1973
Colorado Children's Book Award-1972
ALA Best Books for Young Adults-1973

Review Excerpts

"A lovely book...Honest, moving, homely in the warm and simple sense of the word....It is small, accepting and loving and it succeeds, perfectly."--Boston Globe

"You'll find yourself caught up in the novel's emotion from the very opening scene...love suffuses every page."--New York Times



















Bibiliography
Canales, Viola. 2005. The Tequila Worm. New York: Wendy Lamb Books. ISBN 0-85-74674-1

Plot Summary
Sofia is a young Mexican-American teenage girl growing up in the barrio in McAllen Texas. Her family is very close and tight. She earns a scholarship to a private Episcopal boarding school in Austin, Texas. Her experiences with her family and at the St. Luke's boarding school helps shape who she is and the relationships with her family, cousins and comadres.

Critical Analysis
The novel is written in first person, the narrator is Sofia, a young Mexican American girl growing up in the barrios of McAllen, Texas. Although her family is poor, they are rich in love, loyalty and tradition. The novel opens up with Sofia describing Doña Clara, a storyteller who introduces the reader to the the characters of the book, the important people in Sofia's life.

The novel continues with a few short humorous chapters about important events in Sofia's life leading up to heart of the novel, Sofia's opportunity to go to a private boarding school in Austin Texas. Sofia is a studious girl and wants to go on a new adventure and "....to see what's out there..." and go to college, make money and become a lawyer. Sofia is conflicted because she wants to stay with her family and learn to be a commadre but she also wants something different for her life that she will not be able to get living in the barrio. The decision to attend the school is not Sofia's alone, her whole family discusses it and involve her godmother, aunts and her mother's commadres.

Sofia does go to school in Austin and experiences some racism and learns to connect to her family by writing stories about them and letters to them and her best friend, cousin and commadre Berta. Sofia excels in school and goes on to Harvard and law school. Inspired by stories told to her in her youth and the memories of her life there, Sofia builds a little plaza as a way to give back to the community that nutured her and to bring back those rituals and experiences to the people who live there now.

Maggie Hommel wrote in her review for Bulliten of the Center for Children's Books "...the novel is notable for its positive portrayal of a close-knit Mexican-American family in which a young Latina uses her brains to get ahead while never losing sight of her heritage." Indeed this story is a positive portrayal of a Mexican American girl, her family and her culture. The book has many cultural markers that make it distinctive to Mexican Americans in South Texas. The text is sprinkled with words in Spanish, the celebration of the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos, cascarones, quinceñeras, eating the tequila worm, cleaning beans, eating tacos and pan dulce.

The begining of the novel seemed more like vignettes but soon the stories all tie together to show how each experience shaped who Sofia was and how those experiences influenced her life. Sofia is a strong character who knows what she wants and loves her family deeply. Young teenage girls would enjoy reading this book but I'm not so sure boys would really care to read it.


Awards
Pura Belpré Award for Narrative 2006
Booklist Top 10 First Novel for Youth-2005
Notable Children's Books for Older Readers: Association for Library Services to Children-2006

Review Reference
The Tequila Worm by Viola Canales
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books v. 59 no. 2 (October 2005) p. 76, reviewer Maggie Hommel




















Bibliography
Christopher, Lucy. 2010. Stolen. New York: Chicken House. ISBN 978-0-545-17093-2

Plot Summary
Gemma is a British sixteen year old girl who is kidnapped at the airport in Bangcok and taken to the Australian Outback. During her time with her captor, Ty, she attempts to escape several times but fails. She gets to know Ty and learns that despite his heinous act, he is human and has some good in his heart.

Critical Analyis
Gemma is writing a letter to Ty. She begins from the moment she first saw him to the the farewell she needs to tell him to begin her healing. The book is written as a second person narrative in the past tense from the viewpoint of Gemma. The style is different and unique but can get old at times because of all the you's written to describe what Ty had done and said. But the plot is what kept me reading. It is a story of survival and twisted love. I wanted to know what Ty did to Gemma and how she will ultimately get away from him. Despite the despicable act Ty had done by kidnapping Gemma the reader can see how Gemma slowly starts to view her captor as a human being, how he truly loved her in his own distorted ways.

"[This is] an interesting book for examining what obsessive Twilight-style approaches to love can mean in a real-life context—but it's all the sadder for its recognition that there's more to Ty than his crime, and yet ultimately that's the only thing that can be allowed to matter to Gemma or the world." writes Deborah Stevenson for the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books. This book gives the reader a glimpse into Stockholm syndrome and all the fear, trauma, anxiety and confusion that a victim can go through.

Awards
Gold Inky Award (Australia)-2010
Printz Honor Book-2011
Southern Schools Book Award (South England) 2010

Review References
Stolen by Lucy Christopher
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books v. 63 no. 10 (June 2010) p. 424-5, reviewer Stevenson, Deborah

Inclusive Literature

Bibliography
Polacco, Patricia. 2009. In Our Mother’s House. New York: Philomel Books. ISBN 978-0-399-25076-7







Summary
The story of a multicultural family that consist of a black girl, Asian boy, a white girl and two mothers.

Critical Analysis
This is the story of one family that is a two parent household but not a traditional nuclear family. All three children are adopted, one black girl, one Asian boy and one redheaded girl. There are two parents in this family, Marmee and Meema and they are in a committed lesbian relationship. Other than that they function like a normal two parent family.

The narrator shares memories of their life together: sliding down the banister, hanging out by the fireplace popping corn, Halloween, building a tree house, dinners with grandparents and family, a neighborhood block party, and a tea party.

The only negative memory the narrator recounts is the looks and comments from a neighbor, Mrs. Lockner, who does not approve of Marme and Meema’s relationship. She glares at them and does not let her children play with them or participate in neighborhood activities. At the first block party, Mrs. Lockner goes up to Marme and Meema and tells them “I don’t appreciate what your two are!” The mothers tell their children “She is full of fear, sweetie. She’s afraid of what she cannot understand: she doesn’t understand us.” It is a bit hard to believe that is the only prejudice they experienced from only one family. But that is not the focus of this book. It is simply a story about the good memories the narrator has of her family.

The block party was filled with neighbors and foods from many different cultures. The illustrations show people from different ethnicities and races as well. There are Jewish, African American, Asian, Greek and Middle Eastern families in this neighborhood.

The children grow up and marry heterosexual partners and have children of their own. Marme and Meema are doting grandparents and grow old together. They pass away within a year of each other and the children place them together on a hillside near a place where they had pledged their love to each other. The house they grew up now belongs to one of the children, Will. The house fills them with peace and good memories of their mothers.

This is a sweet book and most young children will focus on the loving family. I read the story to my four year old daughter and she did not question why there were two mommies. She loved the pictures of all the children in the book. Children who are being raised by same-sex parents will appreciate seeing a positive family like their own in a picture book.

Review Excerpts
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books v. 62 no. 11 (July/August 2009) p. 456
"Polacco's distinctive pencil and marker illustrations abound with strong, warm-toned colors, softened by the pencil linework, and smiling faces. . . . Unfortunately, the lack of coherent storyline and overdose of sweetness make the narrative an uneven and text-heavy stroll down a very selective memory lane. . . . Nonetheless, this might offer a nice balance to the multitudes of heteronormative picture books, and children in similar situations will certainly appreciate seeing their own experiences reflected in their literature."- Quealy-Gainer, Kate

School Library Journal v. 55 no. 5 (May 2009) p. 85-6
This gem of a book illustrates how love makes a family, even if it's not a traditional one. The narrator, a black girl, describes how her two Caucasian mothers, Marmee and Meema, adopted, her, her Asian brother, and her red-headed sister. She tells about the wonderful times they have growing up in Berkeley, CA. With their large extended family and friends, they celebrate Halloween with homemade costumes, build a tree house, organize a neighborhood block party, and host a mother-daughter tea party. The narrator continually reinforces the affectionate feelings among her mothers and siblings, and the illustrations depict numerous scenes of smiling people having a grand time. Most of the neighbors are supportive, except for one woman who tells Marmee and Meema, "I don't appreciate what you two are" Eventually, the children grow up, marry heterosexual spouses, and return home to visit their aged parents with their own children. Is this an idealized vision of a how a gay couple can be accepted by their family and community? Absolutely. But the story serves as a model of inclusiveness for children who have same-sex parents, as well as for children who may have questions about a "different" family in their neighborhood. A lovely book that can help youngsters better understand their world.

Connections
other books about same-sex parents and couples

Richardson, Justin. 2005. And Tango Makes Three. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 9780689878459.

Newman, Leslea. 2009. Mommy, Mama and Me. Tricycle Press. ISBN 978-1582462639

Newman, Leslea. 2009. Daddy, Papa and Me. Tricycle Press. ISBN 978-1582462622

Oelschlager, Vanita. 2010. A Tale of Two Daddies.Vanitas Books. ISBN 978-0981971452







Bibliography
Lord, Cynthia. 2006. Rules. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 978-0-439-44383-8








Summary
Catherine is a twelve year girl who is frustrated with her autistic younger brother, David. She wants a normal brother, one who she doesn’t have to take care of or be embarrassed about by his actions. Catherine meets a new girl who just moved in next door who she hopes will be like a best friend. She also develops a friendship with a boy she meets at the clinic where her brother goes for occupational therapy. Catherine learns a lot about herself and the meaning of friendship.

Critical Analysis
This story focuses on the relationships, perceptions and feelings of a preteen girl about her autistic brother and friendship with a boy in a wheelchair.

Catherine feels like her brother’s keeper and is conflicted about her feeling about him. Most normal girls get frustrated with their brothers, but Catherine feels guilty about it and at the same time yearns for a normal brother. Her brother David is autistic. She is writing a list of rules for him, because he loves rules. She writes them on the back of her sketchbook. She likes to draw and takes her sketchbook everywhere with her. “That’s where I keep all the rules I’m teaching David so if my someday-he’ll-wake-up-a-regular-brother wish doesn’t ever come true, at least he’ll know how the world works, and I won’t have to keep explaining things.” Most of the rules are social skills based on manners and politeness and how to act in most social situations. Catherine even has some rules for herself that she follows as well. Each chapter is titled with a rule that she has written for David.
Some of the rules she writes for her brother are:

“Say “thank you” when someone gives you a present (even if you don’t like it).”

“Sometimes people laugh when they like you. But sometimes they laugh to hurt you.”

“No toys in the fish tank.”

David has some conversation rules of his own. “If you don’t have the words you need, borrow someone else’s. If you need to borrow words, Arnold Lobel wrote some good ones.” Catherine and David had their own way of communicating. David loves to listen to Frog and Toad stories by Arnold Lobel and has them all memorized. He and Catherine repeat lines from the stories that fit their situation much to the chagrin of their mother. David’s mother wants him to learn how to communicate normally. Their way of communicating and understanding each other shows a bond between the siblings.

Catherine makes two new friends and struggles with her feelings and perceptions about them and their blossoming friendship. A girl her age moves in next door and Catherine has hopes that they will be like best friends. She also meets Jason at the clinic where David goes for therapy. Jason is in a wheelchair and cannot speak. Catherine does not know what is wrong with Jason but thinks must be something big. His disability is never revealed in the story. Jason communicates by pointing to words in a communication book. Catherine starts drawing pictures along with the words and adds words to his book that she thinks will help him express himself better. They develop a close friendship but then Catherine’s feelings and perceptions about what other people are thinking puts their friendship to the test.

Catherine’s neighbor, Kristi, wants her to invite Jason to a community dance and Jason invites her to the dance. Catherine comes up with excuses why she can’t go and Jason sees right through it and calls her on it. She feels guilty and wants to apologize for hurting Jason. She invites him to the dance and apologizes and introduces him to her friends. Catherine finally comes to the realization that she has to accept her brother and friends and not care what anybody else thinks.

Awards/Honors
Newbery Honor Medal
Schneider Family Book Award
Mitten Award (Michigan Library Association)
Great Lakes Great Books Award (Michigan)
Maine Student Book Award
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award (Vermont)
Kentucky Bluegrass Award
Great Stone Face Award (New Hampshire)
Buckeye Children's Book Award (Ohio)

Review Excerpts
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books v. 59 no. 9 (May 2006) p. 411
"The book deftly manages to interweave its elements without heavy-handed contrivance. . . . Jason seems like something that would opportunity for her education. Readers will sympathize with Catherine's struggle to explain the world to David through his beloved rules and her frustration at his demanding, embarrassing behaviors and his garnering the majority of parental attention. Jason's expressive limitations will provide considerable food for thought. . . . This is an absorbing tale about valuing people even when it's difficult, and it may encourage readers to consider the benefits and challenges of their own families and friends."- Stevenson, Deborah

School Library Journal v. 52 no. 4 (April 2006) p. 142
Twelve-year-old Catherine has conflicting feelings about her younger brother, David, who is autistic. While she loves him, she is also embarrassed by his behavior and feels neglected by their parents. In an effort to keep life on an even keel, Catherine creates rules for him ("It's okay to hug Mom but not the clerk at the video store"). Each chapter title is also a rule, and lots more are interspersed throughout the book. When Kristi moves in next door, Catherine hopes that the girl will become a friend, but is anxious about her reaction to David. Then Catherine meets and befriends Jason, a nonverbal paraplegic who uses a book of pictures to communicate, she begins to understand that normal is difficult, and perhaps unnecessary, to define. Rules of behavior are less important than acceptance of others. Catherine is an endearing narrator who tells her story with both humor and heartbreak. Her love for her brother is as real as are her frustrations with him. Lord has candidly captured the delicate dynamics in a family that revolves around a child's disability. Set in coastal Maine, this sensitive story is about being different, feeling different, and finding acceptance. A lovely, warm read, and a great discussion starter.”- Connie Tyrrell Bums

Connections
Choldenko, Gennifer. 2004. Al Capone Does my Shirts. Putnam Juvenile. ISBN 978-0756970208.

Martin, Ann M. 2004. A corner of the Universe Scholastic. ISBN 978-0439388818

O'Connor, Barbara. 2003. Me and Rupert Goody Farrar, Staus and Giroux. ISBN 978-0374448042

Abeel, Samantha. 2005. My Thirteenth Winter:A Memoir Scholastic. ISBN 978-0439339056

Lobel, Arnold. 1970. Frog and Toad Are Friends. Harper Collins. ISBN 978-0064440202

Lobel, Arnold 1972. Frog and Toad Together. Harper Collins. ISBN 978-0694012985







Bibliography
Abdel-Fattah. 2005. Does my Head Look Big in This?. New York: Scholastic Inc. ISBN 978-0-439-92233-3








Summary
Amal is a teenage Muslim girl living in Australia. She has decided to wear a hijab as a sign of her faith full time.

Critical Analysis
Amal is Austrailian-Muslim-Palestinian and in the 11th grade. She has made the decision to wear a hijab full time as a sign of her faith and the novel is about how she deals with the reaction she gets from her classmates, family and friends who are also of Arab descent. Her Muslim faith is a big part of her life. She prays five times a day and observes Ramadan. One classmate in particular, Tia, bullies her about her culture and faith. Adam, who Amal has a crush on, is genuinely interested in knowing more about her faith and culture and getting to know her.

The setting of the book is Australia and a few locations are mentioned. Amal lives in a Casmberwell, a suburb of Melbourne Australia and goes rollerblading at St. Kilda beach. She has an uncle who wants to assimilate completely and tries to talk with the Aussie accent and used stereotypical sayings. Other than that, the setting could have easily been anywhere in the United States. There was mention of a few American actors, movies and TV shows.

There are many cultural markers about Amal’s Aussie-Palestinian heritage. Her mother wears a hijab, they have family friends who are also Muslim but from other countries. The family cooks and eats ethnic food such as makloba, mansaf, fatoosh and warak aneb. Amal washes before praying every day, five times a day. Amal is an only child but she has a friend, Leila who is also Muslim and of Turkish descent. Leila’s mother wants her to marry young and doesn’t understand why she wants to study and lets her brother do whatever he wants without question. Amal explains it as a cultural difference not a religious difference. Amal befriends a Greek Orthodox elderly neighbor, Mrs. Vaselli and develops a close relationship with the woman discussing life and religion.

This was a novel about a teenage girl finding her identity as a young Australian-Palestinian Muslim girl. At the end of the book Amal says “….it’s mainly been the immigrants in my life who have inspired me to understand what it means to be an Aussie. To be a hyphenated Australian.”

Awards/Honors
Winner - Australian Book Industry Awards 2006 - Australian Book of the Year for Older Children
Notable Book - Selected as a Notable Book by the Children's Book Council 2006
Long listed for the UK Galaxy Book Awards 2006
Short listed for the Grampian Children’s Book Awards UK 2006

Review Excerpts
The New York Times Book Review v. 112 no. 37 (September 16 2007) p. 18
"There aren't a lot of modern Muslim women's voices in contemporary fiction, so it's refreshing to hear this one. . . . Amal, sassy and spirited, knows a mere piece of fabric isn't a barrier to ambition. . . . Inasmuch as Abdel-Fattah uses Amal to defeat stereotyping of Islam, this is a valuable book, occasionally an entertaining one. But it would have been more valuable and entertaining if it weren't so very clear that Abdel-Fattah is using Amal. The book too often veers into an eat-your-peas preachiness that makes it less of a novel and more of a tract. The author also lacks a genuine ear for high school nuance."- Brooks, Geraldine

The Horn Book v. 83 no. 4 (July/August 2007) p. 389
"Though the lengthy analyses on everything from female body image to Palestinian food give the book more message than momentum, the girls' thoughts and dreams are authentically adolescent, providing a bridge between cultures—as the author clearly intends."- Adams, Lauren

Connections
Abdel-Fattah,Randa. 2010. Ten Things I Hate About Me. Orchard Books. ISBN 978-0545050562

Janmohamed, Shelina. 2010. Love in a Head Scarf. Beacon Press. ISBN 978-0807000809

Kahf, Mohja. 2006. The Girl in the Orange Scarf: A Novel. PublicAffairs. ISBN 978-0786715190

Asian Pacific American Literature

Bibliography
Wong, Janet S. 2000. This Next New Year. Illus Choi, Yangsook. New York: Frances Foster Books. ISBN 978-0-374-35503-6




Summary
A Korean American family prepares to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The family looks forward to all the good luck they hope the New Lunar Year will bring to them.

Critical Analysis
The Chinese New Year is about to begin and the narrator, a young Korean American boy is ready to celebrate it. The narrator begins by comparing the January 1st New Year day with the Lunar New Year. The book is filled with cultural markers that describe Asian customs during the Chinese New Year day and how his American friends celebrate the Chinese New Year too. His family eats duk gook while his French/German friend eats Thai food to go. His Mexican/Hopi friend says the Chinese New Year her favorite holiday because her neighbor from Singapore gives her red envelopes filled with money.

The narrator and his mother clean the house and sweep out last year’s dust. He evens cleans himself extra clean so he can soak up all the luck he and wears his cleanest clothes. He will be brave when they light the firecrackers at midnight and during the parade to scare away the bad luck. And he won’t say one awful thing “because this is it, a fresh start, my second chance.” This must be a reference to making a resolution during the January 1st New Year and now making it again during the Chinese New Year. After all the narrator is American and he probably celebrates both New Year's Day.

The illustrations are colorful and bright and depict many Asian cultural markers. There is a red and gold banner with Chinese writing that is displayed at the family table as they eat with chopsticks sitting on pillows on the floor. There are a couple of pictures of the long dragon that is used during Chinese New Year parades. There are Chinese lanterns lighted outside and his friend Evelyn receives her red envelope from her neighbor. The characters and children are drawn with a diversity of skin coloring and hair color.

The author, Janet Wong includes an author’s note at the end of the book which describes the Lunar New Year, a few customs about how her family celebrates it and what it means to her. This is cute multicultural book that explains a few of the customs of the Chinese New Year and how a Korean American boy celebrates the holiday in America with his family and friends.


Awards/Honors
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award
Nick Jr. "Best Holiday Book[s] of 2000"

Review Excerpts
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books v. 54 no. 1 (September 2000) p. 42
"Unfortunately, Choi's paintings aren't quite up to the standard set by the ebullient text; figures are stiff and doll-like, and her overuse of shortened foreground makes the scenes repetitively flat. Nonetheless, the narrator's joyous obsessions offer a delightful contrast to more staid primary-grade explanations of Chinese New Year."- Bush, Elizabeth, reviewer

MultiCultural Review v. 10 no. 1 (March 2001) p. 102
"This is a perfect book to share with primary students on the lunar new year to help them appreciate Chinese-American culture. By pairing this book with one about the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, it would be easy to note common New Year's similarities of putting aside the past and looking forward to the future."- Lickteig, Mary J., reviewer

Connections

Website Janet S. Wong

Wong, Janet S. 2007. Twist: Yoga Poems. Ill. Julie Paschkis. New York, NY: Margaret K. McElderry Books. ISBN 10-0689873948

Wong, Janet S. 2002. Apple Pie Fourth of July. Ill. Margaret Chodos-Irvine. Orlando, FL: Harcourt Inc. ISBN 10-015202543X

Wong, Janet S. 2000. Night Garden Poems from the World of Dreams. Ill. by Julie Paschkis. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books. 0689826176

Wong, Janet S. 1999. The Rainbow Hand:Poems About Mothers and Children. Ill. By Jennifer Hewitson. New York: Margaret K. McElderberry Books. ISBN: 0689821484






Bibliography
Say, Allen. 1993. Grandfather’s Journey. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0395570352.








Summary
A Japanese American man tells the story of his grandfather’s journey to America and return to his homeland. The grandfather is torn between a love for both countries and the narrator travels to America and experiences the same feelings as his grandfather.

Critical Analysis
The illustrations in this book are incredible and beautiful. It was awarded the Caldecott Medal is 1994, a medal awarded to the artist of the most distinguished American children’s picture book published that year. The story is a about a Japanese man’s journey, the author’s grandfather, and his love between two countries, the United States of America and Japan.

Allen Say draws his grandfather and family in traditional Japanese clothing of their time when they are in Japan and in American clothing when they are in America. The first picture is of his grandfather as a young man dressed in traditional Japanese robes. The next picture he is wearing “European clothes.” When his grandfather returns to Japan, his wife and daughter are illustrated in Kimonos and there is picture of Allen Say as a boy with his grandfather in a green Japanese robe. Another illustration shows his grandfather seated on the floor on a mat, with legs crossed, dressed in grey robes.

The text and illustrations describe the sights and people his grandfather saw in America and the landscapes of both countries. He writes about the conflict his grandfather experienced loving the country he is in while longing for the other one and how he feels connected to him because he now experiences the same thing. This story is a slightly different take of the theme of cross cultural conflict. His grandfather simply loves the country he is in while longing for the other. There is a mention about World War 2 and how his grandparents home was destroyed and but he still longed to see California before he died.

“The funny thing is, the moment I am in one country I am homesick for the other.” Allen Say writes about how he now knows his grandfather. It is a touching tribute to his grandfather and a beautifully illustrated story.


Awards/Honors
Bulletin Blue Ribbon
Caldecott Medal Book
ALA Notable Book
Booklist Editors' Choice
Boston Globe/Horn Book Award
Horn Book Fanfare Selection
School Library Journal Best Books of the Year
New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year

Review Excerpts
Booklist v. 89 (July 1993) p. 1974
"As in the best children's books, the plain, understated words have the intensity of poetry. The watercolor paintings frame so much story and emotion that they break your heart. Looking at the people in this book is like turning the pages of a family photo album, the formal arrangements and stiff poses show love and distance, longing and mystery, beneath such elemental rites as marriage, leaving, and return. . . . Allen Say has traveled and found riches everywhere. He captures what the Jewish American writer Irving Howe calls an 'eager restlessness.'" -Rochman, Hazel, reviewer

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books v. 47 (September 1993) p. 23
"Both the joy in new vistas and the ache of remembrance are captured in Say's large watercolor paintings, fresh perspectives on purple mountains' majesty and amber waves of grain. (Japan looks pretty good, too.) As in Tree of Cranes, which is about the narrator's California-born mother, the paintings are precise, cool portraits and views that fix recollections into images, and the book as a whole is an album where both a picture of a family standing amidst war's devastation and a romantic pastorale of courting lovers find their place in memory."- Sutton, Roger, reviewer

Connections
Other books by Allen Say
Say, Allen. 1991. Tree of Cranes. Ill. by Allen Say. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
ISBN 039552024X

Say, Allen. 1999. Tea with Milk. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 10- 0395904951

Say, Allen. 2010. The boy in the garden. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. ISBN 9780547214108.

Say, Allen. Kamishibai Man. Boston : Houghton Mifflin Company. 2005. ISBN 9780618479542.









Bibliography
Lin, Grace. 2006. The Year of the Dog. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 0316060003.





Summary
A young Taiwanese American girl tries to find herself, her talent and new best friends during the Chinese Year of the Dog.

Critical Analysis
The book starts and ends on the day of the Chinese New Year. It is the Year of the Dog. Dogs are faithful, friendly, honest and sincere. Based on those characteristics it is a year for friends and family and finding yourself. Pacy is a young Taiwanese-American girl who lives in upstate New York. During the course of the Year of the Dog, Pacy finds her best friend and her cultural identity and her calling in life. This is a sweet, funny book. The drawings throughout the text are cute and representative of the drawings Pacy draws. Young girls of all cultures will identify with Pacy and her friends and family.

The book is full of cultural markers of Taiwanese/Chinese culture. Pacy struggles with accepting her dual cultural identity. Her family tries to blend both the Chinese and American cultures and she experiences some cross cultural conflicts. Pacy is her Chinese name, it is the name her family uses. Her American name is Grace, the name her friends use at school. Pacy is not sure if she is to call herself Chinese or Taiwanese. Her parents are from Taiwan and some people think Taiwan is part of China, plus her parents speak both Chinsese and Taiwanese. When Pacy asks her mother what she was supposed to say when people ask her what she is, her mother tells her to tell them she is American.

On the day of the Chinese New Year Pacy cannot fill a dish with only Chinese candy because her sister kept eating the candy. The candy dish needed to be filled with sweet things so they could have a year full of sweet things so Pacy fills the tray with M&Ms. Her father likes the idea and said they should both include both Chinese and American candies since they are Chinese-American. The family celebrates the Chinese New Year with all the Asian customs, cleaning the house, cooking a big meal of shrimp, meat dumplings,and vegetables, giving the children Hong Bao (special red envelopes with money).

The next day at school Pacy gets very excited and quickly bonds with a new student, Melody, who is also of Taiwanese descent. The families also bond together because they are the only Asian Americans in their town.

A family baptism is filled with more cultural markers. The family colors eggs red as a symbol of good luck and fill the baby’s crib with red envelopes of money, there are red banners with Chinese writing and English writing. The family celebrates with a large feast of stir-fried noodles, cooked duck, lychees eggplant, shrimp and vegetables, white rice, pork buns and red meat.

Pacy references the Chinese calendar and the animals that represent each year a few times throughout the book. A friend at school asks her about it and she explains it as “You know how horoscopes use animals for some months? Well for Chinese people it’s for every year.” She tells her new best friend Melody that they are lucky because they were both born the Year of the Tiger and tigers and dogs are friends so the Year of the Dog is a lucky year for them both.

During the year Pacy tries to find herself and what she wants to be when she grows up. She thinks maybe a scientist when she participates in a school science fair but she did not win a prize. Then she thinks maybe she can become an actress and wants to try out for the part of Dorothy in a school play of the Wizard of Oz, but becomes discouraged when a classmate tells her Dorothy is not Chinese. Pacy questions her cultures importance in society and she and Melody have a conversation about it. Pacy tells Melody that Chinese people are not important and Melody disagrees. The girls go to the library and ask for a Chinese book and look at the culturally inauthentic book The Seven Chinese Brothers. Pacy comments that those aren’t real Chinese people. She wants a “real Chinese person book.” Melody tells her to write her own book. So she does. Her class is assigned to write a book that will be entered into a contest and Pacy writes about the vegetables her mother grows in a garden and uses to cook a tasty soup.

Interspersed throughout the book are little vignettes about Pacy’s family history. There is a story about her grandfather, her mother as a child in school, her grandmother walking to school and staying there with the other grandmothers due to the pain of the foot binding and not having to walk back and forth. The stories are used by Pacy's family to explain how they understand what she is going through and that they too have experienced conflict about their own culture.

Pacy becomes painfully aware about how she doesn’t quite fit in again this time with her own culture when her family attends a Taiwanese American Convention with Melody’s family. Some girls call her a Twinkie, yellow on the outside and white on the inside, because she doesn’t know how to speak Chinese or Taiwanese. When Pacy questions why her family had to go to the convention her mother tells her a story about how a Chinese friend helped her when she was experiencing the culture shock of moving to America when she was in college. She tells the importance of staying connected with people of your culture because they understand where you come from and that she only needs to be who she is Chinese-American.

The cross cultural conflict comes up again during the American holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas. The parents don’t quite understand some of the American traditions but attempt them anyways because the kids want a turkey and gifts. Pacy asks for a china doll, like the dolls pioneer girls had. Her parents give her a Chinese doll, that looks and is dressed like a Chinese woman.

The book closes with Pacy realizing that the Year of the Dog was indeed a good year for her. She found a best friend and discovered what she was good at and wanted to be when she grew up. She even won a special prize which made her rich. She is ready for the next year that is coming up, the Year of the Pig.

On a personal note, my 9 year old daughter was very excited when she saw that I was reading this book. She told me it was her favorite book and showed me her journal and what she wrote about it. We are Mexican American but she related to many things in the book and the cultural struggles Pacy went through. I can see why she liked it so much, it is a cute, funny book and it is about struggles all young girls have regardless of their culture.

Awards/Honors
• 2006 Fall Publisher's Pick
• Starred Booklist Review
• 2006 ALA Children's Notable
• 2006 Asian Pacific American Librarian Association Honor
• 2006 National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) GOLD Winner
• 2007-2008 Texas Bluebonnet Award Masterlist
• 2007 Nene Awards Recommended List (Hawaii's Book Award Chosen by Children Grades 4-6)
• 2007 Cochecho Readers' Award List (sponsored by the Children's Librarians of Dover, New Hampshire)
• NYPL 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing 2006
• Kirkus Best Early Chapter Books 2006
•2006 Booklist Editors' Choice for Middle Readers
•Cooperative Children's Book Center Choice 2007
•Boston Authors Club Recommended Book
•2007-2008 Great Lakes Great Books Award nominee
•2007-2008 North Carolina Children's Book Award nominee
•2007-2008 West Virginia Children's Book Award nominee
•2009 Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award (OR) nominee
•2009 Pacific Northwest Young Readers Choice Award (WA, OR, ID)nominee

Review Excerpts
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books v. 59 no. 6 (February 2006) p. 272
"The book is strong in the classic virtues of accessibility and warmth, . . . and it's unusual to see that tradition combined with an insider story of a second-culture family (lively interpolated stories often give glimpses into Grace's mother's very different youth and immigrant experience); it's nice to see a book where second-culture identity is part of an everyday-life narrative rather than a problem novel. Short, easy chapters make this additionally suitable for reading aloud to younger audiences, and readers will find this a comradely, if somewhat bland, look into one girl's year. Tidy, solidly lined drawings, seemingly created by the narrator, pop up in margins and chapter headings throughout and enhance the book's approachability."- Stevenson, Deborah

The Horn Book v. 82 no. 2 (March/April 2006) p. 190-1
"With a light touch, Lin offers both authentic Taiwanese-American and universal childhood experiences, told from a genuine child perspective. The story, interwoven with several family anecdotes, is entertaining and often illuminating. Appealing, childlike decorative line drawings add a delightful flavor to a gentle tale full of humor." - Feldman, Roxanne H

Connections
Website Grace Lin

Other book by Grace Lin:

Lin, Grace. 2009. The Year of the Rat. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 9780316033619.

Lin, Grace.2009. The Ugly Vegetable. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge Publishing. ISBN 9780881063363.

Lin, Grace. 2009. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. New York: Little, Brown and Co. ISBN 9780316114271.