Identity Crisis

Identity Crisis is a perfect example of what makes the graphic novel so great. To have these characters we've loved since childhood involved in this exciting and somewhat mature themed murder mystery might sound insane to many, but it isn't insane, it's beautiful. Green Arrow, Batman and most of all Elongated Man come to life on these pages like old friends. Just like seeing an actor or actress you love in a movie you haven't seen before, experiencing these classic characters in a bold new story adds to the excitement of the adventure. But Meltzer doesn't just cash in on our love of the most popular DC superheroes, he gives sincerity and depth to characters many of us are not familiar with, or have forgotten.

On the Fringe

On the Fringe is a book of short stories compiled by different authors. The stories do contain one central topic, youth that are considered outsiders. These outsiders face many different problems. One story focuses on hygiene problems, one is about a boy that is short, thin, and is nervous around his peers, and yet another is about an outcast who took his anger out with a gun at school. These stories did not all focus on one person; several had a cluster of individuals that were in some way or another disliked by the seemingly perfect in-crowd. The stories definitely opened our eyes to a variety of issues that neither one of us had ever imagined existed. We, as a society, tend to close our eyes to so much that are unpleasant. This book brings out that side, the one that no one wants to realize exists.

Surrender

This is a story about a young man's struggles to overcome an abusive life, and it is told in a narrative style that keeps you guessing until the very end. He has only two friends - his dog Surrender, and the unruly wild boy Finnigan, with whom he made a boyhood pact. When a series of arson attacks grips the town, Gabriel realizes how unpredictable and dangerous Finnigan is. Events begin to spiral out of control, and it becomes clear that only the most extreme measures will rid Gabriel of Finnigan for good .The split between Gabriel and Finnegan begins to grow wider with each passing day, and in the end, it becomes clear that Finnegan will no longer be content watching Gabriel's life from the sidelines. It is a mesmerizing novel full of suspense and dread.

Speak

All teens should read this book. Peer pressure does a lot of bad things: one of those things is convincing victims to feel like they have done something wrong. Speak is a fast-paced read that involves the reader emotionally from the very start. Speak is an accurate depiction of the very common existence of high school cruelty and peer pressure. Everyone should identify with most of what happens in this novel, no matter what there age is. As the reader you will get mad at the good characters as well as the bad. Every page you will turn, it will give you hop that Melinda will somehow find the strength she needs to at last reveal what had happened to her and release herself from the pain and anguish that she is living with.

Don’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey

This book is the journal of Tish, a student in Mrs. Dunphrey’s English class. Tish is living with a mother who is mentally ill and a brother who is eight years younger than she is. Her abusive father left a couple of years ago. Tish is originally hesitant to write anything meaningful or personal in this journal, but after she tests her teacher and makes sure that she really isn't reading the entries marked "do not read," Tish begins to let her feelings show in her writing. Through these journal entries, the reader gets the full story of Tish's life, her struggle to be the adult in her family, and her need to take care of her mom and brother. When Tish's father shows up after being gone for two years, Tish's journal entries get scarier and scarier, and it is more and more disturbing to see that she is not sharing these stories of her life with anyone who could help her.

Love That Dog

Sharon Creech is a magnificent writer. In this book “Love that Dog,” the main character Jack is having a hard time writing poetry. He thinks that it is just for girls, but when then his teacher introduces the class to famous poet Dean Myer’s writings, Jack all of a sudden has a change in heart. Read this short but well written book to see what happens to Jack

The Bad Beginning

The Bad Beginning, the first book in the "A Series of Unfortunate Events," can be classified as clever, dark, and funny. At the beginning of the book, when the author says don't keep reading if you hate bad endings, he is quite right. First the Baudelaire children get the most horrifying news from Mr. Poe, a guy who can't seem to stop coughing, that their parents died in a horrible fire. They have a fortune, but they learn the unfortunate news that they can't have it until the oldest, Violet, who is 14 becomes an adult So their lawyer, Mr. Poe, takes the three children, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny, to the horrible guardian Count Olaf who will stop at nothing to get their fortune. The three orphans seem defenseless against Count Olaf's evil plans as he traps Baby Sunny in the forbidden tower until Violet agrees to marry him. However Count Olaf seems to have underestimated these smart children.

My Brother Sam is Dead

What a powerful book! This story revolves Tim Meeker, whose brother Sam goes to fight the Revolutionary War. The story is also a story on a family and a town torn apart. Some want to fight against the King, and others in the town (and the Meeker family) are against the King. Tim is fighting against the king and his father is fighting for the king. What makes this story so powerful is that its focus isn't on the war itself, but the families that are left behind. When someone fights in a war, they put their life on the line for their country. Then a death has some honor. Well for Sam, this was not so. I won't say how and why Sam had to die, but it was void of honor. This powerful novel also shows the reader what happens to the innocent people. My Brother Sam is Dead also shows what our soldiers did, who were considered the "good guys.”

Prom

Prom! Is it for everyone? Not for me; I’m not the typical “girly girl” type. I play sports, have a lot of guy friends and enjoy just hanging out in comfy clothes I relate to the main character, Ashley, in Prom. She doesn’t really care about the prom. Natalia, Ashleys’ best friend, however, is president of student council, head of the prom committee, and in charge of all of the final decisions for prom. “Natalia ropes Ashley into being on the prom committee.” And before long; Ashley is thinking about prom and graduation makes her realize that her current vision of the future isn’t exactly what she wants for herself. Ashley is a good kid who helps out her working class family, regardless of getting in trouble at school; she is a levelheaded teen who has a lot of redeeming qualities.

They Came From Below

I just couldn’t put it down! This novel by Blake Nelson was a powerful and entertaining story about two average teenage girls who go to Cape Cod for summer vacation. They witnessed some strange and mysterious events: warm sensations taking over their bodies, bringing people back to life, and abnormal behaviors. They were just planning on having a normal boring summer at the beach, but when they meet two “Brad Pitt” looking gentlemen, everything changes.

New Boy

I hate to be the new person in a new school, especially when the school is in a far away place that might be different from what I'm used to. Imagine being the only African-American student in an all white school, in a time when the expensive school you now go to has only ever accepted white students. What an isolating experience! Rob somehow manages to make a friend or two, with people who try not to see their differences as a barrier between them, but something that could potentially bring them together. The worst part about being in such a new surrounding is when Rob tries to go home, and everything seems so different from when he left them. How is a fifteen year old boy supposed to cope with the hardships of school and then again at home?

They Came From Below

Ever had the most amazing summer with your best friend? You get ready for it, saying you definitely won't get sick of each other and you're going to scope for hot boys and attempt to get boyfriends? That was the plan for Emily and Reese, but then these two reallyyyy hot guys showed up and weird things started happening. There was some kind of weird explosion in the ocean and then a radioactive blob showed up on the beach. Emily and Reese of course were too busy trying to figure out these two guys, and although they seemed weird, they were totally ready to date them and finally get what they wanted from their summer: young love. Too bad these guys were definitely out of their league.

My Life in Dog Years

Are you an animal lover? Do you consider your dogs part of your family? In the book, My Life in Dog Years written by Gary Paulsin, Paulsin tells tales of his life story through his experiences with eight of his dogs especially Cookie, Snowball, Josh, Fred, and Caesar.

Paulsin considers his dogs his best friends like many people do. This definitely is a must read book. Paulson singles out one chapter for each of his dogs that have played an important role in his life. Paulsen discusses how his dogs have protected him, hunted with him, played with him, hung out with him, and just have stolen his heart.

This book is a great read for all people who love animals and especially dogs. It will surely make you want to cherish every moment you have with your dog or pet. Don’t miss this book!

Down the Rabbit Hole

Did you ever get in trouble for sneaking around, lying, and breaking the rules? Everybody does at some point in their lives. Down the Rabbit Hole written by Peter Abrahams is a great book for teenagers who always tend to learn the hard way.

The book is about the trouble Ingrid gets herself into due to her bad behavior. Ingrid is trying to get to soccer practice on time and she decides to get there on foot instead of waiting for her mom, however she gets lost in the wrong part of town. There she encounters Katie Kovak, who is better known as “Cracked-Up Katie” around town. Ingrid then reads in the paper that Katie was killed that same night they met. Ingrid knows she was probably the last person to see Katie alive, but she doesn’t tell anybody because of her fear of getting into trouble. Then, things take a turn for the worst when Ingrid remembers that she left her cleats at Katie's house and goes back to get them. Ingrid’s only hope is to find the real killer. Can she do it? You’ll have to read to find out.

The book is a fun read and has many morals that children and teenagers need to learn. This book is great and will have readers wanting to keep reading to figure out the mystery. Enjoy!

Girl 15 Charming but Insane

Teenage years are difficult. Your appearance suddenly matters and you start noticing the opposite sex. You are in a constant struggle to attract the boys and not to be the last one to develop normal body parts. Teenage years are tough, but if you have a sense of humor you can get through it.

Girl 15, Charming but Insane, written by Sue Limb is a book that teenage girls should not miss. It is about fifteen year old Jess Jordan who wants to find her soul mate. She says she wants a soul mate who is a mix between Leonardo DiCaprio, Prince William, and Brad Pitt which today is every teenage girl’s imaginary perfect man. However, in attempt to get boys to notice her Jess becomes mortified and encounters disasters including one event being videotaped.
Jess becomes obsessed with death as her grandmother moves into her bedroom with her grandfather’s remains. Her father lives in Cornwall and is a hypochondriac. He sends Jess very weird daily horoscopes plus acts strange about Jess staying with him this summer. Jess’s has friend troubles, as well. Jess’s world is falling apart, but she is determined to fix it. However, with her sense of humor and her imagination, things get more complicated.

This book is a must read for all teenage girls. It is full of humor and will change your perspective about your own experiences. Laughter is a great way to get through your tough teenage years. This book will show teenagers that they are not alone. Don’t miss this book.

Love That Dog

Teenagers are reluctant when it comes to trying new things. They also tend to give up because the think that they are not able to do a certain task. Maybe they just can’t figure out a way to succeed in doing something. All teenagers want to be the best at everything they do. If you’re a teenager or if you want to figure out a way to engage teenagers in new experiences, then, Love That Dog by Sharon Creech is the book for you.
The book is about Jack. Jack hates poetry. He thinks that poetry is for girls. Every time Jack tries to write poetry, he gets writers block or becomes so cranky and says he can’t write poetry, which is really because he fears that his poetry will be bad. However, his teacher, Ms. Stretchberry, keeps having the class write poetry. Jack can't avoid them and starts to find poems that inspire plus connect to him. He tries to find a way to write about Sky, his dog.
Will Jack get over his fear that his poetry won’t be good? Will he be able to write about Sky and will he learn to like poetry? You’ll have to read to find out.
This book is inspirational and heart warming. It is sure to make you want to try new things because the moral of the story is that by not trying new things, you might miss out on something you enjoy. This book also sends the message to readers that the only way to learn is by asking questions and by being open to trying new things. It also suggests that if you try to connect something you like to the new experience, you might have a better outlook. This is a must read book.

Brave New Girl; Catcher in the Rye; The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Are your teen years frustrating and getting you down? Do you feel like you don’t fit in and are you struggling to find yourself against enormous pressures? Did you like the book, Catcher in the Rye and the book, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn? If so, then, Brave New Girl by Louisa Luna is a book for you.

Doreen is fourteen-years-old and she is sort of a tomboy. She has a hard family life and she seems to be invisible sometimes. It seems as though, everyone wants her to be something she's not and Doreen just wants to be Doreen. Unfortunately, she is struggling to find out who that is and what that really means. Doreen, also misses her older brother, Henry, who her father kicked out of the house when Doreen was young. Doreen hopes that Henry will come back for her. Besides Doreen having to deal with all these issues, her emotions get her into a bigger mess. She finds herself having to deal with issues that no fourteen year old should ever have to deal with.

Doreen is a modern day Holden Caulfield from the book, Catcher in the Rye and a modern day Huck from the book, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. She goes through issues that every teenager can relate to and deal with at one point in their lives. Then, she discusses issues that are more serious just like Holden does in his story. Every reader can relate to Doreen's character in someway, just like readers relate to the characters of Holden and Huck. Doreen struggles with her search for identity just like Holden and Huck do in their tales.

This book is for any teenager who feels that they have obstacles to face and that they are struggling to find themselves with all the pressure placed on them. It will help you get through your teen years and understand that you are not alone.

An Abundance of Katherines

Everybody knows what students goof off in their school. Every high school has these types of students. In the book, An Abundance of Katherines, Hassan and Colin are the high school clowns, although Colin is pretty smart. An Abundance of Katherines refers to Colin’s attempt to understand why he has been rejected by nineteen girls all named Katherine. Colin and Hassan go on a road trip after Colin’s graduation, which turns into a journey into manhood. The book is full of humor as Colin and Hassan travel together because the situations in the book seem to be realistic so that the readers can picture the story happening. Readers will surely connect with Colin’s and Hassan’s characters. This book is perfect for teenage high school students. This book will be enjoyed by male readers, greatly. It’s very funny and is told from a male’s perspective. It is a must read. You don’t need to be a boy to enjoy this book, either. You just need a sense of humor. Readers Beware! You can not read this book without laughing. Enjoy.

Fever, 1793

Just Think! How would you feel if everybody got sick? Would you be willing to leave your home to search for help even if you needed to leave somebody behind and what would you take with you? Wouldn’t that be difficult? In the book, Fever, 1793 written by Laurie Halse Anderson, a teenage girl named Mattie goes through this nightmare where she struggles with all these questions in a devastating situation. Mattie is just fourteen-years-old and is living in Philadelphia during the yellow fever plague. She has to deal with love ones getting sick and worrying about getting the plague herself. She goes off in search of help where she has to deal with being separated from her mother, as well. Fever, 1793 is full of historical facts about the outbreak of yellow fever during the summer of 1793, too. If you like reading books about survival, bravery, historical issues, struggle, hope, and adventure, this historical fiction is for you. It is a great read for teenagers and adults. Readers will be left with a new and positive outlook on their lives as they realize that things could be worse for them after reading this book. It will also give its’ audience ambition to do the best they can and to show appreciation for what they have.

They Came from Below

They Came from Below written by Blake Nelson is a great read for teenagers. This is a science fiction book including mystery, love, adventure, and excitement. The story takes place on Cape Cod and is about a young girl named Emily and her friend named Reese who want to find some cute boys on Cape Cod. They do find two mysterious boys named Dave and Steve. The summer becomes much more exciting for the two girls after encountering Dave and Steve. They Came from Below is a wonderful and exciting book that will keep readers on the edge of their seat because they will want to find out what happens next. The book also sends a message to readers about protecting the environment and a message about how people should limit the pollution on the planet. Dave and Steve are from the bottom of the ocean and created by the pollution, which will get readers wondering. How much do we know about our planet? There could be numerous things that we as humans don’t know or haven’t discovered. This book will make readers wonder what the pollution is actually doing to the environment. This book will leave readers wanting more to read.

Cut

Teenagers always keep secrets and they always analyze their lives. However, there are good and bad secrets, which can impact a teenagers’ life drastically. This book will take readers through the emotional and physical pain that teenagers can face as they examine their lives. Cut by Patricia McCormick is a book about a fifteen-year-old girl named Callie. She had intense pain because everything in her life changed and Callie didn’t know how to express her feelings or thoughts to her family and friends. Callie has been cutting herself in an attempt to relieve some of her emotional pain caused by her anxiety and guilt in secret. Callie soon finds herself in a psychiatric institution with other girls in similar situations. Here she is forced to examine the situation and figure out why she got into such a difficult and harmful mess. Read this book to find out if Callie is able to learn how to release her emotional pain by talking instead of causing physical pain by cutting herself to release it. This is a good book for all teenagers especially for teenage girls because it shows them that they don’t need to bottle up their feelings and emotions to the point where they hurt themselves physically in attempt to release their emotional pain. It also shows them that they are not alone. Teenage girls will definitely get something out of this book.

American Born Chinese

It’s Here! Action! Adventure! Humor! It’s all together in a single book. American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang is a must read if you want a book that you won’t want to put down. The illustrations in this book are remarkable and the story is written in comic strip style, which is a refreshing, fun, and new technique that is sure to get children interested in reading. This book includes fight scenes, a love story, animals doing kung-fu, superheroes, a monkey, and a few people that readers will connect with throughout this book. The readers will also learn about Chinese philosophy as they read. There are three different stories in this marvelous book that are all connected and they come together when the ending is revealed. Readers will become so fascinated when reading this book and they will want to keep reading to find out what happens next. This book is a great book and will get readers interested in reading other books. Enjoy!

Things I Have to Tell You: Poems and Writings by Teenage Girls

Thinking back to your adolescent years makes you remember those good and bad times. Teenage girls have a lot of thoughts no matter what decade they live in or where they live. They worry about appearance. They have fears and questions. They have secrets. They deal with pressure and changes. They deal with different emotions and they are misunderstood. Teenage girls struggle with identity. If you’re a teenage girl, this book is for you! If you have forgotten what you felt like as a teenager, this book will remind you.
Things I have to Tell You: Poems and Writings by Teenage Girls discusses many of these issues that teenage girls deal with daily. The book contains numerous poems and writings by teenage females. It shows readers that they are not alone and tells them that teenage years are difficult. The concerns included in this book are universal so every woman, young and old, will connect with this book.
These are just a few of the pieces in the book. Things I have to Tell You: Poems and Writings by Teenage Girls is an outstanding read for teenage girls. You will surely connect to it and relate to many if not all the works included.

American Born Chinese

If you are ready to take on action, adventure, and humor all wrapped up into one book, then you are ready to read American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang. If illustrations in books are something you crave, then don't suppress your appetite any longer because this book is written completely in comic strips! Do you enjoy fight scenes? Do you like to secretly indulge in the occassional love story? Do animals who know kung-fu and aren't afraid to use it sound interesting to you? In American Born Chinese you will meet new superheroes, a monkey, and a regular kid just like yourself. Mix in some ancient Chinese philosophy, add a foreign exchange student, and stir in a cute girl, and you will have all the ingredients you need for a great journey. Three different stories come together throughout this graphic novel, and are intertwined for an ending you will have to see/read to believe! Did I mention that someone even gets kicked in the...? You will have to dive into this story yourself to find out what happens.

Cut by Patricia McCormick

What if you had a pain so deep, so intense, that it made you unable to speak? What if everything in your life suddenly changed and you were forced to re-examine your life? This is exactly what happend to fifteen-year-old Callie in the book Cut by Patricia McCormick. Callie has been hiding a secret from her family and friends; she has been cutting herself in an effort to relieve all of her anxiety and guilt. However, this teenage girl gets a chance to explore her pain when she is placed in a psychiatric institution with others girls just like herself. And there she must answer the question, "Why?"
Why do teenage girls feel the need to turn their frustrations about life on themselves? Why was Callie so adament about not opening up and talking about her problems? Why did she at first puch away help, the help that she so desperately needed, and refuse to speak to her therapist?
"...you say it's up to me to do the talking. You lean forward, place a box of
tissues in front of me...
'Can you remember how it started?' you say.
I remember exactly."
What was so unsettling in Callie's life that made her want to escape? Will Callie be able to identify the reason why she is hurting herself or will her secret stay bottled up inside her, with no release? Read this story and find out if Callie is able to learn how to release her pain by talking instead of cutting.

They Came from Below written by Blake Nelson is the perfect summer read! The science fiction book is filled with love, adventure and excitement which all take place on popular summer place, Cape Cod. The story is about a young girl named Emily and her best friends Reese, all the two girls want this summer is to find some cute boys. Their search is complete when they find two mysterious boys who are just to intriguing to let get away. After the girls meet Dave and Steve their summer becomes a lot more exciting and they witness both remarkable and dangerous experiences. “He picked up the boy, which made more people scream, the people who hadn’t realized the head was hanging off the body backward…Steve turned to Reese and me. He spoke very clearly and with great authority. He said, ‘I’m going to take this boy into the basement. I’m going to shut this door. I need you to keep everyone out for three minutes. Can you do that?’”
They Came from Below is much more than a good exciting book, the story has a powerful underlying meaning about pollution in our environment. These two boys that the girls meet come from the bottom of the ocean, it makes readers questions how much we really even know about the bottom of the ocean. The boys from the bottom of the ocean have been created by the environments pollutions to our seas and oceans. This is a very interesting and exciting book to read the underlying message combined with an easy read allows the story to attract all ages. Blake Nelson has created a suspense filled science fiction book that makes you crave for more!

Prom Nights from Hell

What’s the one moment in high school most girls look forward to? Being asked to the prom. Prom is a magical night with glittery dresses, streamers, and sweaty kids crowed on a tiny dance floor. For the girls in Prom Nights from Hell, it’s so much more!

For Mary, it’s the one night where she must slay her best friend Lila’s date Sebastian- because he’s a vampire. Sebastian Drake is the son of Dracula, the most infamous vampire in history. He also happens to have turned Mary’s mother into a vampire, and she’s out for revenge. Little does she know what prom has in store for her!

Madison has just moved in with her dad in Nowhereville, USA. She’s been asked to the prom as a pity date by her dad’s boss’s son, and she’s having a horrible time: until Prince Charming, Seth, appears out of nowhere. He’s handsome, he can dance, and he’s suave. Madison and Seth leave the prom and the night could not get any better. That is, until Madison finds out Seth is a Grim Reaper and realizes she’s in a fight to keep her life.

Prom Nights from Hell compiles five stories from different authors about the prom gone seriously wrong. You think you had a problem with your corsage? Try wearing the corsage Frankie gets from a psychic before her prom. It’ll give you what you want, but at a high price- death! The stories in this book are sure to keep the reader hooked, and moving from page to page until all five stories are completed. It’ll definitely keep you coming back for more!

9/11

For Generation Y, the most memorable moment in our history is without question 9/11. Everyone can remember where they were, who they were with, and what took place for the rest of the day. 9/11 popped the bubble that Generation Y was living in; we thought we couldn’t be touched. But what about the ones who can’t remember what happened? Or what about those who weren’t alive yet? How will we teach them about the events leading up to 9/11?

Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colon have taken the 9/11 consumer report and made it into a graphic novel, with pull-out pages depicting the minute by minute action from the morning of 9/11. Their novel not only shows the events leading up to the collapse of the Twin Towers, but it also shows the events which took place immediately after. The intensity and determination of the emergency personnel, the decisions made by the Bush administration, and the changes in homeland security are all details in this graphic novel, making it more accessible to the younger generations.

Although it’s based off the original 9/11 consumer report, this adaptation is clearly biased, and includes many provocative statements and pictures. A book, especially a graphic novel, is a good way to reach out to readers and help them connect with a moment in history. This graphic novel, however, is extremely controversial for a school setting, and I would not recommend keeping it in your classroom library.

BlindSpots by Kyle C. Plye

Anyone who has ever dreamed of being a war hero should read Blindspots by artist and writer Kyle C. Plye. Blindspots is a graphic novel aimed towards young adolescent boys. The story is about a boy named Dean and his three best friends. Together, the boys take on many adventures including playing a game where they fantasize about being soldiers. Unfortunately Dean doesn’t just keep his fantasy game with his friends in the woods; he also brings in to his school. Dean ends up getting in trouble for his inappropriate behavior. School isn’t the only thing that Dean begins having problems with, but also his friends loose interest in his solider games. Dean’s friends start becoming more interested in girls then playing war with Dean. Luckily Dean is able to break away from being trapped in this war fantasy. By the end of the novel, Dean realizes his behavior and gets a fresh start at a new school when his dad is forced to move because of business.
The book reminds readers of the lives of young boys and takes readers into the life of a young military buff named Dean. The illustrations in this book make the story come alive even more; the pictures correspond to the actions on each page. I recommend this book in particularly to teen boys who are interested in war themed novels!

THE FIRST PART LAST

“Bobby, I’ve got something to tell you.” One would imagine that those seven little words wouldn’t be enough to turn their entire world upside down. But for Bobby, those seven words change his entire life. That something he needs to be told is that his girlfriend is pregnant. His sixteenth birthday goes from being the happiest to the most confusing.
At sixteen, his life was nothing more than basketball and the arcade. Now, with his girlfriend Nia pregnant, sixteen means a baby, diapers and bottles. The two are faced with the difficult decision of whether to keep the baby or give the baby up for adoption. They know that at sixteen they will never be able to provide for that child.
Written from a Bobby’s point of view on the whole situation, Angela Johnson’s The First Part Last is perfect for those struggling with a romance or pregnancy in the relationship. Told from a male’s point of view, readers can finally understand the complicity of a teen romance, and realize boys feel just as scared.
You will be able to read Bobby’s story as it switches from past to present. As the events of his life unfold, you are there to laugh with him, and also to cry with him when tragedy strikes. At sixteen will Bobby and Nia be able to do the right thing? And at sixteen what is the right thing? Do they keep the baby, or give it up for adoption? You will truly be moved by Johnson’s novel, and the difficult decision they come to.

THE BOYFRIEND LIST

“Fifteen year old Ruby Oliver has had a rough ten days. In the past ten days she lost her boyfriend, lost her best friend, lost all her other friends, had graffiti written about her on the bathroom wall…” And the list goes on. Anyone looking for a laugh out loud book on teen angst will be a fan of e.lockhart’s The Boyfriend List.

Lockhart takes readers on a humorous journey through the life of Ruby Oliver, who goes from having it all-meaning a boyfriend and three best friends-to suddenly having nothing.

After the stress from being dumped by her first real boyfriend causes Ruby to have panic attacks, her parents insist she talk her feelings out with a “shrink.” Her therapist senses Ruby’s biggest problem is boyfriends and has her write a list of all her boyfriends. Ruby makes the list, but lists every boy she’s basically had any contact with.
The story is told directly from Ruby’s point of view. We go back in time to second grade when she shares a book with a boy, and when a boy puts gummy bears in her cubby, all the way to sophomore year when a guy is still putting toys in her cubby, but with so much more attached to the gifts.
We get to experience Ruby’s first real crush, her first kiss, and then her first good kiss, her first boyfriend, and her first breakup. The Boyfriend List allows you to look at teenage drama and life through the eyes of another. You may finally begin to understand you’re not alone. It seems as if everyone has a bit of boy drama. The Boyfriend list is a hilarious exploration of the complication of dating and friendship in high school. This book is for anyone who knows a crush means so much more.

RULES

“I click the seat belt across me and open my sketchbook to the back pages. 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.”
All twelve year old Catherine wants is a “normal” life. But with an autistic brother she knows that her wish is impossible. Constantly being embarrassed by her brother’s antics she’s created a list of rules in hopes of getting him to act more normal. Her rules are meant to teach David how to act in public but they also teach him the way the world works. “Keep your pants on in public,” “Sometimes people laugh because they like you. But sometimes they laugh to hurt you.”
Over the summer Catherine meets her new neighbor, twelve year old Kristi and finally thinks she’s found the perfect best friend. Someone to laugh and share secrets with and someone to go swimming and hiking with. Things couldn’t be more normal. But then Catherine meets a different sort of friend. Jason is fourteen, in a wheelchair and communicates through a picture book. He too suddenly becomes the perfect best friend. Someone she can laugh and share secrets with, and even someone she can run around outside with.
Catherine’s world is turned upside down with these newfound friendships and she suddenly finds herself asking, “What is normal?” Could normal really just be someone who enjoys life regardless of the situation, or do you need to be fully functional to be normal.
Written through the eyes of a twelve year old girl, Cynthia Lord’s Rules is filled with humor as well as warmth. Through laughter and tears we follow Catherine on her journey towards achieving normalness, and finding acceptance in the most unusual of people. With a little help from two very different people, Catherine may finally see past the rules.