Whale Talk September 8, 2008

Title: Whale Talk

Author: Chris Crutcher

Summary:  Chris Crutcher is one of those unique writers who manages to get his work challenged almost as often as he receives literary awards and lands on best book lists.   Whale Talk  is perhaps one of his most controversial and one of his best.  It’s told from the point of view of T.J. Jones, a black, Japanese, white high school senior born to a hippie, drug-using mom and adopted as a toddler by a loving white couple.  While T.J. may be the narrator, this is not just his story.  It’s also the story of a group of misfit teens who are inspired to achieve something of their own, a little mixed race girl struggling against a brutal home life, a good man who spends every day trying to make up for a 20+ year old horrible accident, and the racism and prejudice that tie their lives together. 

Who will like this book: While the basic plot of this story centers around T.J. assembling and leading a rag-tag swim team populated with the biggest school misfits, this isn’t just a book for sports fiction fans.  This book delves into topics of child abuse, racism, and bullying with a raw honesty that is heartbreaking at times. 

If you like this, try this:Any other books by Chris Crutcher, Speakby Laurie Halse Anderson, Tangerine by Edward Bloor

Recommended by: Jen, Branch Teen Librarian

Zen and the Art of Faking It August 20, 2008

Title: Zen and the Art of Faking It

Author: Jordan Sonnenblick

Summary: Because his dad was a con man (now in prison), San has spent his life moving from school to school. Each time he transfers, San finds a way to blend in: In one school he’s a skater, in another a scholar, and so on. But when he moves to Pennsylvania, he adopts his most curious persona yet. Because he has already learned about Buddhism in social studies at his old school, he knows enough to convince his classmates he might be a Zen master himself. Now, instead of blending in, San stands out - and he likes it. With this new identity, he can fight for the little guys, impress his teachers, and maybe even win the heart of the guitar-playing girl of his dreams, Woody.

But it isn’t easy being Zen - not only does San have to study up with supersized library books on the subject, he has to embody principles like selflessness and tolerance all the time - which is next to impossible when you’re in middle school and you’re still really angry at your dad. How would Woody and the rest of the school react if they find out that San is just faking it?

Who will like this book?: Readers who like a big dose of humor in their stories. Anyone who ever ‘faked it’ a little to win hearts or make friends.

If you like this, try this: Stuck in the Middle, a great graphic novel by Ariel Schrag. Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth.

Recommended by: Nicole, Teen Librarian

Looking for Alaska June 25, 2008

Title: Looking for Alaska

Author: John Green

Summer Reading List: Fairfield Warde High

Summary: Miles Halter is making a major change in his life: He is leaving his home in Florida to attend a boarding school in Alabama. When he arrives, skinny Miles is nicknamed ‘Pudge’ by his new roommate Chip (aka ’the Colonel’), who also introduces him to the girl of his dreams. Her name is Alaska. She is smart, gorgeous, and just a little crazy. Miles falls right into their social circle, sneaking drinks, experimenting with girls and pulling pranks on the school’s strict headmaster and snobby students. He also falls hard for Alaska, even though she has a boyfriend away at college.

But finally falling in love doesn’t make life any less complicated, especially when the person you fall for is Alaska. As the book goes from counting the ‘days before’ to the ‘days after,’ you realize something big is going to happen. When it does, Miles has to deal with the devastating aftermath. This Printz Award-winning book will leave you wondering, as Miles does, about ‘The Great Perhaps’ of your own life.

Who will like this book?: Mature readers who like realistic fiction. It is a funny book, but it is also quite sophisticated in the way it describes growing up, being a guy, and falling in love.

If you like this, try this: Green’s second novel, An Abundance of Katherines. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. King Dork by Frank Portman.

Recommended by: Nicole, Teen Librarian

The Wednesday Wars April 9, 2008

Title: The Wednesday Wars

Author: Gary D. Schmidt

Summary: Not since Stanley Yelnats has there been a more oddly-named character than seventh-grader Holling Hoodhood. That name isn’t the only tough break in Holling’s life - growing up on Long Island in 1967, he is the only kid in class that doesn’t get to leave school early for religion classes on Wednesdays at the Catholic church or Jewish synagogue. That means he gets to spend those afternoons - alone - with Mrs. Baker, his tough as nails, no-fun English teacher. And what torment does Mrs. Baker have in store for poor Holling…reading the works of William Shakespeare! As if life wasn’t complicated enough with the news reports from Vietnam and two escaped class pet rats lurking in the ceiling above his desk…

As the book moves from September to June, Holling discovers a lot about himself, Mrs. Baker, and his town - that you shouldn’t always trust your first impression of someone, that sometimes you have stand up for yourself even when it seems impossible, and that there are some pretty good curses in Shakespeare!  

Who will like this book?: If you have ever had a favorite teacher that you hated when you first met them, this is the book for you. This is a great book for someone looking for something funny but not silly, about friendship, school and family life, and for people who like stories with happy, not sappy, endings!

If you like this, try this: For another funny story about ordinary kids living in complicated times, featuring a guy with a terrible name, try Rex Zero and the End of the World by Tim Wynne-Jones.

Recommended by: Nicole, Teen Librarian

What My Girlfriend Doesn’t Know April 4, 2008

 

Title: What My Girlfriend Doesn’t Know

Author: Sonya Sones

Summary: The good news for Robin: Sophie, the beautiful, popular girl of his dreams, is his girlfriend, even after school break is over. The bad news? Now Sophie is just as unpopular as he is, dumped by her best friends. Even though Sophie stands by Robin, relationships are never easy when you are 14 and all you can think about is kissing your girlfriend and what could happen next…as Robin learns when he begins taking art classes at nearby Harvard, with a group of college kids who accept him for who he truly is: a smart, funny, talented artist.

This terrific sequel can be read on its own. It is a novel in verse - so even though it looks like a long book you can read it in less than two hours. While not many people could stand up to their friends and classmates the way Sophie and Robin do, it’s nice to see that even a guy whose last name is slang for ‘loser’ might secretly be the coolest kid in (the college) class. So don’t be a Murphy - read this book!

Who will like this book?: Fans of the first story about Sophie and Robin, told from her point of view: What My Mother Doesn’t Know, and guys looking for a quick, funny story.

If you like this, try this: Other books by Sones, like One of those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies. Or try something by Ellen Hopkins, if you want something written in the same style, but way, way, way more edgy, dark, and intense.

Recommended by: Nicole, Teen Librarian