Leaving Dirty Jersey: A Crystal Meth Memoir by James Salant

CITATION: Salant, J. (2007). Leaving dirty Jersey: A crystal meth memoir. New York: Simon Spotlight Entertainment.

IDENTIFYING #: ISBN 9781416955115

CLASSIFICATION: NONFICTION

GENRE: BIOGRAPHY

CALL #: 921 SALANT

RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: ADULT

RATING: 5

Annotation: James Salant describes how his fascination for "thug life" led him to reject the world of suburbia and instead seek a sex and drug-filled paradise that ultimately became a personal hell.

Summary: "Dirty Jersey", the name James Salant proudly answered to during his drug days, is cleaning out his closet and exposing truths about himself that most of us would pay to keep hidden. The memoir opens with Salant describing the relatively comfortable upbringing his therapist parents provided him and his older brother. Being therapists, Salant's parents did their best to raise their children in a healthy and supportive environment, but despite their best efforts, they wind up checking their eldest son into rehab while Jimmy is still in high school. Not long after, Jimmy gets busted and shoves acid into his mouth as he tries to outrun the police. Unfortunately, he spends his time in the residential treatment facility his parents send him to networking with other addicts instead of planning to stay clean. Once out of rehab, Jimmy spends all of his time getting high, or planning to get high.

Why is Salant writing a book that shows him at his worst, and reveals how he lied, stole, and used people to gain money, drugs, and sex? Is he glorifying drug use or proud of the things he did in his addiction? No! The book is part of his recovery process. For addicts, one of the most important parts of recovery is moving past denial to "confront the wreckage of your past", so that you never forget that the drugs that offered an illusion of well-being and/or glamour sank you to your lowest point. By laying bare his personal wreckage, Salant begins a new path of honesty that both aids in his own recovery and serves as a warning to others. Salant tells the uncomfortable truths and paints an ugly but accurate picture of how someone lives when drugs rule their life.

Notes: This book is VERY graphic in it's portrayal of drug use and sexual behavior. If you are disgusted or offended by these types of references, this is not the book for you. Read something else!

A Place to Stand by Jimmy Santiago Baca

CITATION: Santiago-Baca, J. (2002). A place to stand. New York: Grove Press.
IDENTIFYING #: 0679446265

CLASSIFICATION: NONFICTION

GENRE: BIOGRAPHY
RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: ADULT

CALL #: 921 BACA

RATING:5

Annotation: Mexican-American poet, Jimmy Santiago Baca, recounts his childhood abandonment by his mother, his youth in and out of "the system", his drug dealing years, the bust that lead to that fatal shooting of a federal agent and how he survived prison and made the decision to turn his life around.

Summary: Jimmy Santiago Baca had a mother who left him and pretended to be white, and a father who couldn't cope with 2 sons and his wife's abandonment. Jimmy spent his youth either running away, or doing time in juvenile hall. By the time he was in his early twenties though, Jimmy had found friendship, love, and a fairly successful career dealing drugs. A friend's betrayal brought it all down though, when Jimmy got busted, and a federal agent was shot. As a result, Jimmy spent several years in prison. Jimmy was barely literate, but learned to write in prison. While incarcerated, he did what he had to do to survive, and developed a gift that would eventually free him from the prison of his own mind.

Notes: This is the autobiographical account of Jimmy Santiago Baca, a Mexican-American poet. Baca narrates the story of his life from childhood through his time in prison, and tells how the experience made him change his life. Many teens (and adults) will relate to the story of growing up through tough times, and be inspired by Baca’s ultimate decision to define his own life rather than allowing circumstances to dictate it for him.

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler

CITATION: Mackler, C. The earth, my butt, and other big round things. (2005). Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press.
IDENTIFYING #: ISBN 0763620912
CLASSIFICATION:FICTION
GENRE: REALISTIC FICTION
CALL #: FIC MACKLER
RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: Young Adult
RATING: 5

Annotation: Virginia Shreves is an outcast in her high school, and even in her own "perfect" family; she's overweight, and lives by the "fat girl code of conduct", but Virginia learns that perfection is often an illusion, and that she is stronger than she thinks.

Summary: If the cover and the title don't, er, grab you, the first page will! Mackler tells a hilarious, yet serious story about a teenage girl’s struggle to find her own sense of identity, and acceptance within her own family. Virginia deals with being overweight in a family of beautiful people, having her best (and only) friend move away, and an ambiguous relationship with “Froggy Welsh the IV” who she makes out with, although they aren’t “boyfriend and girlfriend, or even friends”! Mackler is unflinchingly honest in her portrayal of teen issues with family, friends, teachers, the opposite sex, and self. Chances are, if you haven’t lived all of Virginia’s experiences, you’ve lived some of them, or at least know someone who has.

Notes: Teens will enjoy Virginia’s self-deprecating humor, her unlikely rebellion, and her growth.

Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen

CITATION: Dessen, S. (1998). Someone like you. New York: Puffin Books
IDENTIFYING #: ISBN 0141302690
CLASSIFICATION: Fiction
GENRE: Realistic Fiction
CALL #: FIC DESSEN
RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: Young Adult
RATING: 3

Annotation: High school junior, Halley is thrown into a tailspin when, in the midst of her own problems, the person she's always relied on, her best friend Scarlett, needs to rely on her.

Summary: Scarlett and Michael are in love, and when they decide to have sex for the first time, they use protection. The condom comes off, however, and in a bizarrely tragic twist, Michael is killed in a motorcycle accident the next day. Soon after, Scarlett learns she's pregnant and calls her best friend, Halley. Halley desperately wants to be a good friend to Scarlett. After all, Scarlett has always been there for her. Although Halley feels out of her depth, and is having her own issues that include a forbidden new "badboy" boyfriend, and a now-strained relationship with the mother she's always been close to.

Neither Scarlett and Halley feel they can confde in their mothers; Scarlett's mother tried to force her into an abortion, and although Halley's mother is a celebrated author and teen therapist, she has disappointed Halley by telling her who to date, or rather, who not to. Feeling unsupported in their decisions, Scarlett and Halley rely on their friendship more than ever, but will it be enough to get them through their toughest times ever?

Notes: This book deals with relevant teen issues, and gives an authentic portrayal of the challenges and rewards true friendship offers. Some events however, seem highly improbable, almost to the point of silliness. Scarlett has sex with her first love ONCE, he's killed the very next day, and shortly after, she's pregnant! --I KNOW! How unlucky and tragic can one person be, right?! The end of the book is a bit abrupt, and here again, a bit over-the-top in drama. I highly recommend Sarah Dessen as an author teen girls will love. This particular book however, was for me, only okay.

Heaven by Angela Johnson

CITATION: Johnson, A. (1998). Heaven. New York: Scholastic, Inc.

IDENTIFYING #: ISBN 0439142652

CLASSIFICATION: Fiction

GENRE: Realistic Fiction

CALL #: FIC JOHNSON

RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: Young Adult

RATING:5

Annotation: 14 year-old Marley uncovers a secret that makes her question who she is and whether her whole life has been a lie.

Summary: In Heaven, Angela Johnson's companion novel to The First Part Last, Marley learns that her "parents" have been lying to her for her whole life about who they are, and about who she is. She used to love her parents, but now she doesn't want anything to do with them. After all, they're liars, and talking with liars just gives them an opportunity to tell you more lies. Marley babysits Feather for Bobby, who in his quiet way, comforts Marley and tries to help her understand that even good people, people who love you, can make mistakes and hurt you. Marley gradually learns more about her past, and begins to trust that even though nothing will ever be the same again, She's going to be just fine.

Notes: Although you can finish this book in a day or two, you'll likely be thinking about it long after you're done. The language is simple, but the ideas are complex. My favorite parts were the conversations between Marley and Bobby (hmm...Bob Marley?), and the respectful way Bobby is able to help Marley feel understood, understand others, and find her own way through her pain.

A Different Kind of Heat by Antonio Pagliarulo

CITATION: Pagliarulo, A. (2006). A different kind of heat. New York: Delacorte Press.

IDENTIFYING #: ISBN 0385732988

CLASSIFICATION: Fiction

GENRE: Urban Fiction/Realistic Fiction

CALL #: FIC PAGLIARULO

RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: Young Adult

RATING:5

Annotation: Teenage Luz Cordero is filled with grief and rage after her brother is shot and killed by a police officer.

Summary: Although she is only in high school, Luz Cordero has lived a lifetime of pain growing up in the Bronx. Julio, Luz's older brother, and her "crew" are all she really has, and in one horrible night, while Luz watches, Julio is shot and killed by a cop. Luz burns with rage when her brother's death is classified as a "justifiable homicide", and his killer, Mickey Pesaturo, is cleared by the investigation. Luz's rage earns her probation and residence in the St. Therese Home for Boys and Girls run by an unlikely nun, Sister Ellen. Sister Ellen gives Luz a journal, and through her writing, Luz begins to face the difficult truths about herself, Mickey Pesaturo, Julio, and "how it was", as she tries to let go of the past and to allow herself a future.

Note: If you know what it's like to lose someone you love, you will relate to this story. The grief and anger that accompany this kind of loss are frightening and difficult to overcome. Sometimes sadness and rage are ways of holding on, and it can seem like to let go of that pain would be to let go of that person. If you don't know what it's like to lose a loved one, this book may help you understand someone who has. Teenagers who enjoy realistic fiction will appreciate author Antonio Paliarulo's honest treatment of the problems that arise when people caught up by their circumstances don't see a way out. He uses Luz's story to show that there's no escape from these circumstances; people have to fight their way through in a way that's different from how they've ever fought before.

King Dork by Frank Portman

CITATION: Portman, F. (2006). King dork. New York: Delacorte Press.

IDENTIFYING #: ISBN 9780385734509

CLASSIFICATION: FICTION

GENRE: REALISTIC FICTION

CALL #: FIC PORTMAN

RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: YOUNG ADULT

RATING:4

Annotation: Self-proclaimed "King Dork", Tom Henderson navigates his way through the social minefields of high school.

Summary: Tom Henderson is a witty, music-loving, high school loser who HATES high school. He spends most of his school days trying not to get his you-know-what kicked, and attempting to avoid humiliation. He's reading Catcher in the Rye in school, and oddly enough, finds his dead father's copy, which sets a wacky series of events and discoveries in motion.

Notes: I thought this book was a riot, just because of the way Tom Henderson talks. If you appreciate sarcasm, this book doesn't have any. Just kidding, it's filled with it. Although I really enjoyed this book, it's not for everyone. The story is pretty long and involved, and unless you're totally entertained as I was, by the writing style itself, it kind of rambles. However, if you're one of the students that's had Catcher in the Rye assigned to you by your junior English teacher, and you're a pretty avid reader, you might get a kick out of this story.

Fresh Off the Boat by Melissa De La Cruz

CITATION: De La Cruz, M. (2005). Fresh off the boat. New York: HarperTrophy.
IDENTIFYING #: ISBN-10: 0060545429
CLASSIFICATION: FICTION
GENRE: REALISTIC FICTION
CALL #: FIC DELACRUZ
RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: YOUNG ADULT
RATING:5

Annotation: When 14 year-old "V" (Vicenza) Arambullo's family moves from Manila to San Francisco, she tries to fit in to "the American dream" without looking like a FOB (Fresh Off the Boat).

Summary: This is the fun and hilarious story of a teenage girl who immigrates with her family to the United States. As if the teen years weren't already awkward and difficult enough, Vicenza also has to adapt to a change in her family's economic situation (she now shops at second-hand stores), a new private school where she doesn't fit in with the rich girls (she's there on scholarship), and parents whose cultural blunders (offering to share popcorn with strangers sitting next to them in the movie is just one), embarass her more effectively than most teen parents are capable to do. She can't even confide in her best friend back home, Peaches, because she is so embarassed. Instead, she sends letters about the life she wishes she had, pretending her new life is fabulous with many friends and a hot actor-type boyfriend. After sitting alone--next to the teacher (and what says social outcast more than that?!), V is befriended by zany Isobel from France who seems impervious to the pressure to conform. As Vicenza adjusts to life in a new land, she learns that she's not the only one having a difficult time adapting, and that just maybe, her life will be better than she knows.

Note: Finally! A FUN book written for Filipinas (although others will certainly enjoy it--I know I did)! It seems that most books I run across that target a Filipino audience tend to be very serious, and honestly, a little depressing. De La Cruz's accounts of the embarrassment teen parents can inflict and the stress so many teens feel over friends and their school image are hilarious. Who has not thought, or would not think, "Kill me now" when caught out at the movies on a Friday night with your dad, who loudly keeps asking why the characters are doing what they're doing, and your mom who brings her microwave-bag popcorn in and loudly offers you another "bag"? De La Cruz has great insight into the teen mind, and the dialogue is hilarious. If you're a Filipino girl, you've GOT to read this book, but other girls (and even some guys) will love this book because there are so many levels teens can relate to that go beyond race and culture, here. If you want a story that will make you laugh, and leave you with a good feeling in the end, this is it!

Buried Onions by Gary Soto

CITATION: Soto, G. (1997). Buried onions. Orlando: Harcourt, Inc.

IDENTIFYING #: ISBN 13: 9780152013332

CLASSIFICATION: FICTION

GENRE: REALISTIC FICTION

CALL #: FIC SOTO

RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: YOUNG ADULT

RATING:4

Annotation: 19 year-old Mexican-American Eddie tries to make his life better, but life gets in the way of life.

Summary: Eddie lives in Fresno, and now that his father and brother are dead, he's pretty much on his own. He wants to do the right thing, and raise himself up, but something always seems to get in the way, and Fresno is a tough place for a poor, Mexican-American male to stay out of trouble. Eddie feels that Fresno's a place where onions might be buried underground, making everyone cry. When his cousin, Jesus is stabbed to death, Jesus' best friend, Angel and his mother want Eddie to help find and kill the guy who did it. Eddie figures vengeance belongs to God and tries to stay out of trouble, but trouble finds him. His employer's car get's stolen while entrusted to Eddie, and his good friend Jose is stabbed because of him. Eddie eventually learns there's more to his cousin's death than he knew, and when he finds out who killed Jesus, he learns he may be next.

Notes: On the back of this book, it says it's written for ages 12 and up. My personal feeling is that it's better suited to older teens, though, because of its dark subject matter. This book is well written with authentic dialogue--English with a sprinkling of Spanish, and very realistic. Gary Soto shows how hard it is to be good when circumstances are pitted against you. The truths of this story are disturbing. You won't end this novel feeling happy, but you will end it thinking. If you appreciate an author who "keeps it real" and talks about how things are, rather than they way they should be, with this book, Gary Soto does just that.

Uglies by Scott Westerfield

CITATION: Westerfield, S. (2005). Uglies. New York: Simon Pulse
IDENTIFYING #: ISBN 13: 9780689865381
CLASSIFICATION: FICTION
GENRE: SCIENCE FICTION
CALL # FIC WESTERFIELD
RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: YOUNG ADULT
RATING: 4

Annotation: 16 year-old Tally's dreams of being transformed from an "ugly" to a "pretty" will come true, but only if she agrees to betray a friend.

Summary: Tally has a new best friend, Shay, and they're both about to have the operation that will change them into "pretties". Tally's waited for this day a long time; more than anything, Tally wants to be pretty. She excitedly shares her plans with Shay, showing images of all the looks she's been considering. When Shay dismisses them as generic, and points out other qualities may be more important, Tally is confused, and wonders if maybe Shay has prettier "pretty" pictures than she does. She demands to see Shay's images, but Shay seems to like individual differences, and has never made one. When Shay runs away, preferring life "on the outside" to a world of sameness, Tally begins to realize that being "pretty" might not be a choice. What would you do if the only thing that stood in the way of you having everything you ever wanted was a friend who wanted to be different. Would you betray your friend or give up your dream? That's the choice Tally has to make.

Notes: Gee, mandatory plastic surgery... Be pretty or else! This is a great novel that speaks about different notions of beauty, and how much of ourselves we're willing to give up to conform to society's standards. Even if you're not a science fiction fan, you'll probably enjoy this book, and it will make you think a lot about ways our society is similar to the one Scott Westerfeld creates.

From a Hard Rock to a Gem: A Memoir of a Lost Soul by Pamela M. Johnson

CITATION: Johnson, P.M. (2003). From a hard rock to a gem: A memoir of a lost soul. San Francisco: Macavelli Press.

IDENTIFYING #: ISBN 0974657212

CLASSIFICATION: FICTION

GENRE: URBAN FICTION/REALISTIC FICTION

CALL #: FIC JOHNSON

RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: ADULTS/OLDER TEENS

RATING:4

Annotation: Born in East Oakland, Diamond strives to attain the only definition of success she knows, but old childhood fantasies pull at her and she begins to wonder if something more is possible.

Summary: Diamond Sterling is a tough, East Oakland girl. She grew up in a labyrinth of abuse, drugs, and crime, but she's a survivor, and sets aside what now seem to be the naiive dreams of childhood--dreams of college and a life outside of the East Oakland Streets and carves out the only success that seems possible to someone with all the odds stacked against them. Diamond becomes a "Queenpin", or basically, a drug boss, and while she has money and power, the success feels empty. She begins a new search for success of a different kind, success where self-respect is more important than the respect you can get on the streets. It's not easy though, because sometimes the person you are gets lost in who you've become. Diamond wonders if she can give up the riches a life of crime has earned her for something that just might be more valuable.

Notes: This book is a favorite with teens at my school. Pamela Johnson grew up in Oakland, CA and knows the allure drugs and crime offer to people who feel they are blocked off from legitmate opportunities. Diamond's story feels a little exaggerated in parts, but the issues are real, and the story is one that will hopefully help young people realize that money isn't the only form of success.

Once a King, Always a King: The Unmaking of a Latin King by Reymundo Sanchez

CITATION: Sanchez, R. (2003). Once a king, always a king: The unmaking of a latin king. Chicago: Chicago Review Press.

IDENTIFYING #: ISBN 1556525052

CLASSIFICATION: NONFICTION

CALL #: 921 SANCHEZ

GENRE: BIOGRAPHY

RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: ADULT

RATING: 5

Annotation: In this sequel to My Bloody Life, Reymundo Sanchez struggles to escape gang life.

Summary: Lil Loco gets jumped out of the Kings in a process called a "Violation", but although he is no longer an active member, he is affiliated and the gang even uses his home as "headquarters", kicking him out of his own place when they meet because he is no longer a King. Now known as Rey Rey, he's avoiding the violent confrontations of his days as an active member, but drugs still have a powerful hold on him, and the abuse he has suffered makes him want to escape. Eventually Reymundo goes to prison. Even though he is no longer a King, his affiliation with the gang earns him respect and protection while in prison. When he finally gets out, he falls in love with a different kind of girl, but the cycle of violence is hard to break, and the relationship ends because of his abuse. It's a testament to his character though, that Reymundo doesn't WANT to keep making the same mistakes. He knows it's not right, and keeps working at living differently and to become the kind of man he wants to be.

Notes: This book deals with graphic violence, gang activity, sex and drug use. Sanchez shows us that even getting out of a gang alive doesn't change your life. That only changes through hard work and struggle, and that struggle is a painful one. The great difficulty Sanchez describes though, makes his message all the more helpful, because it shows how even though there were times of failure, he kept trying, and finally did achieve a more peaceful life.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

CITATION: Zusak, M. (2006). The book thief. New York: Knopf
IDENTIFYING #: 9780375831003
CLASSIFICATION: FICTION
GENRE: HISTORICAL FICTION
CALL #: FIC ZUSAK
RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: YOUNG ADULT
RATING: 5

Annotation: A young girl living with foster parents in Nazi Germany makes her life more bearable by stealing books.

Summary: Narrated by death, the story opens with the death of Liesl's younger brother. Liesl's mother sends her to stay with foster parents. We don't know where she's going, or why (until later), but she loves her children and has no other choice. Liesl steals her first book from the cemetery where her brother is buried, and learns to read with her foster father, the kindly Hans. Rosa, Liesl's foster mother yells all the time, calls Liesl a "saumensch" (pig) and threatens Liesl with beatings, but she has a good heart and takes good care of her. This ordinary couple is capable of extraordinary things though. They care for Liesl, although times are hard and they often don't have enough food, and although they are afraid to do it, they risk their lives to hide a Jewish man in their basement. Although the book seems very grim, with Death as the narrator and all, and the backdrop of WWII and the Holocaust, parts of it are surprisingly hilarious. Liesl's misadventures in school and her antics with her friend, Rudy, who uses every misfortune to ask Liesl for a kiss will have you rolling.

Notes: If you can handle a long book, and you like books like The Diary of Anne Frank, this book is a great read. It gets off to a slow start, but once Liesl arrives at her foster home, and the characters are introduced, you're hooked.

Who Hates Whom: Well-Armed Fanatics, Intractable Conflicts, and Various Things Blowing Up: A Woefully Incomplete Guide by Bob Harris

CITATION: Harris, B. (2007). Who hates whom: Well-armed fanatics, intractable conflicts, and various things blowing up: A woefully incomplete guide. New York: Three Rivers Press
IDENTIFYING #: ISBN 9780307394361
CLASSIFICATION: NONFICTION
GENRE: HISTORY/POLITICAL SCIENCE/HUMOR
CALL #: 306.7 HARRIS
RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: YOUNG ADULT/ADULT
RATING: 5

Annotation: Bob Harris breaks down world conflicts across the continents in a humorous and understandable way.

Summary: Ever watched the news and wondered why we can't just all get along? Bob Harris has some answers for you in this book, and he also has some opinions to share, which he makes evident in the book'd dedication: "To the countless millions of innocent human beings who have died because other human beigns were certain they were doing the right thing." You can read this book straight through, or simply use the Table of Contents to focus in on particular areas of interest. Harris introduces the key players, shows maps of key territories, and explains in plain, conversational language what the big deal is so you don't have to be a political analyst to understand it!

Notes: This book is written in an accessible way and you will feel smarter after you read it, and be able to explain things going on in the news to all the other people who don't understand them!

Peeps: A novel by Scott Westerfield

CITATION: Westerfield, S.(2005). Peeps: A novel. New York: Razorbill

IDENTIFYING #: ISBN 9781595140319

CLASSIFICATION: FICTION

GENRE: HORROR/SCIENCE FICTION

CALL #: FIC WESTERFIELD

RECOMMENDED INTEREST/GRADE LEVEL: YOUNG ADULT

RATING: 3

Annotation: After a one-night stand with a girl who infects him with a vampire virus, Cal tracks down every girl he's since kissed in order to rehabilitate them.

Summary: So, after the Twilight series, I was more than ready for another Vampire book, and I picked up Peeps. Peeps has more of a "sci-fi" feel to it, though, and not so much fo the goth/romance appeal Twilight had, but it was a good read.

Cal's one-night stand has some unintended consequences when he contracts a "gift that keeps on giving", yes a sexually transmitted disease, but check it out, this disease gives you a parasite that turns you into a vampire, or a "Parasite-positive" aka "Peep" and gives you "anathema", causing you to hate everything you formerly loved. Cal is one of the lucky ones, though, and has this natural immunity that makes him a carrier with some vampire powers, but prevents him from turning into a bloodthirsty maniac. Unfortunately, before Cal knew he was infected, he kissed a few girls. Now, he has to hunt them down and try to "deactivate" them. Peeps never recover their minds fully, but they can be rendered less dangerous.

Cal completes his mission, but feels compelled to search for Morgan, his one-night stand girl, but the search for Morgan uncovers other unexpected evils...

Notes: This was just okay for me. Maybe because it was a vampire story, I had my hopes up for something with more of a Twilight feel, and couldn't quite get into this.

Prep: A Novel by Curtis Sittenfeld

CITATION: Sittenfeld, C. (2005). Prep: A novel. New York: Random House Trade Paperbacks.
IDENTIFYING #: ISBN 081297235X
CLASSIFICATION: FICTION
GENRE: REALISTIC FICTION
CALL #: FIC SITTENFELD
RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: ADULT
RATING: 3

Annotation: High school student Lee Fiora gets a scholarship to attend an exclusive boarding school in Massachusetts where she desperately wants to be liked but doesn't want anyone to know how desperate she is.

Summary: Lee leaves her midwestern home, Indiana, to attend a Massachusetts "college prepatory" school. Lee's family isn't rich, but she wins a scholarship which substantially reduces her tuition. Although the cost is comparitively low, the monthly payment Lee's father makes is, for him, a large amount. When Lee arrives at the school, she feels awkward and is painfully aware of not belonging to the same social class as most of her peers. Continually self-conscious, Lee doesn't want to single herself out by trying too hard to fit in. As a result, many of her peers see her as aloof and unfriendly, further contributing to her social awkwardness. The story follows Lee through her 4 years at this school, while she struggles with classic teen difficulties surrounding a few but significant friendships, her embarassment of her parents, her difficulty with math, and a four-year long obsession with a boy who shows an off and on interest in her. Sittenfeld's wit and ability to hone in on the adolescent psyche kept me interested enough to continue this book, but I was not enthusiastic, and it felt long. The odd detachment Lee showed made her hard to care about, and while that is definitely one of Lee's issues, it was annoying to sympathize more with minor characters than with the narrator of the story.

Notes:
I think this book appeals to a very narrow audience. Many West Coast teenagers will have difficulty conceiving of life in either the midwest OR back east, and when they think "boarding school", Hogwarts will probably be the only example they can call to mind. The book opens with 4 or 5 pages of quotes from reviewers who loved the book, which made me feel I SHOULD like it, but the whole time, I just kept thinking, "this book is never going to get checked out". So, if you're a student reading this, and you DO check it out, and by some miracle, you DO like it, let me know!

ttyl by Lauren Myracle

CITATION: Myracle, L. (2004). ttyl. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.

IDENTIFYING #: ISBN 10: 0810987880

CLASSIFICATION: FICTION

GENRE: REALISTIC FICTION

CALL #: FIC MYRACLE

RECOMMENDED AGE/READING LEVEL: YOUNG ADULT

RATING: 3

Annotation: 3 high school sophomores talk about boys, parents, and social drama in through a series of instant messages.

Summary: Best friends Zoe, Maddie, and Angela discuss daily events in school and in their homelives and make plans via instant messaging. When they're not together physically, they are online, IMing about what happened, and counseling each other in chat rooms. Angela is a serial dater, constantly falling in and out of love, Maddie hates the most popular girl in school, but desperately wants to be friends with her, and Zoe's young English teacher, Mr. H, takes perhaps too much of an interest in her. As the girls attempt to work through their personal issues, the help and advice they give each other isn't always welcome, and at one point, it seems their friendship might not survive the 10th grade.

Notes: Teens will be interested in the problems these 3 friends experience, however they may find the novel somewhat out of touch. Written only 4 years ago, technology outside of instant messaging is treated as non-existent--only one of the girls has a cell phone (yeah, right!), no one has a MySpace, and their style of dress (described in detail) brings to mind the early '90s rather than the new millenium. The dated technology was problematic for me, because this is a novel using technology as its main vehicle. However, the issues the girls grappled with were mostly relatable, so it's still a worthwhile read.

East Side Dreams by Art Rodriguez

CITATION: Rodriguez, A. (1999). East side dreams. Coyote, CA: Dreamhouse Press
IDENTIFYING #: ISBN 0967155509
CLASSIFICATION: NONFICTION
GENRE: BIOGRAPHY
CALL #: 921 RODRIGUEZ
RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: Adult
RATING: 4

Annotation: Art Rodriguez chronicles his gang activity and legal troubles as a youth growing up in San Jose, CA.

Summary: I really wanted to like this book, especially because it's set in San Jose, an area I'm familiar with. Also, the same student who had recommended A Place to Stand for a library recommended this book to me. I was expecting it to be a story similar to A Place to Stand, but was honestly disappointed. The story is about Arthur growing up in San Jose He has an understanding mother, but a harsh and abusive father. This book is about the fights and trouble Arthur gets into while growing up, and hard times with his father, and how he reforms himself and goes on to have a positive life as an adult.

Notes: I couldn't get past the writing style to enjoy this book. I found it stilted, and although many of Rodriguez' life events were interesting, the writing was not expressive, which killed it for me.

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

CITATION: Meyer, S. (2008). Breaking dawn. New York: Little, Brown and Company.
IDENTIFYING #: 9780316067928
CLASSIFICATION: FICTION
GENRE: Horror/Romance
CALL #: FIC MEYER
RECOMMENDED AGE/GRADE: Young Adult
RATING: 5

Annotation: Bella finally begins her married life with Edward, and it is more than she ever hoped for, but their happiness leads to an unheard of event that may doom them all.

Summary: Bella and Edward honeymoon at a secluded and romantic location, where Bella the honeymoon is cut short when Bella becomes strangely ill. Edward is tortured by the thought that his love for Bella may result in her death, and because he knows how important Jacob is to Bella, he declares a truce, and sends for him. Jacob visits Bella daily, but seethes with anger toward Edward, who he blames for Bella's condition just as much as Edward blames himself. When Bella lives, it seems that Jacob might find love after all, but the Voltari are coming, and they want what is most precious to Bella, Edward, and Jacob.

Notes: People seem to either love or hate the ending of this series, but if you've read all the other Twilight books, you can't leave this one untouched and will read it if only to decide for yourself whether this was the right ending to Bella, Edward, and Jacob's story. The part dealing with Bella's illness does drag a bit, but the action really picks up near the end, and most readers will enjoy the intrigue provided by several new characters.

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

CITATION: Meyer, S. (2007). Eclipse. New York: Little, Brown and Company.
IDENTIFYING #: 9780316160209
CLASSIFICATION: FICTION GENRE: Horror/Romance
CALL #: FIC MEYER
RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: Young Adult
RATING: 5

Annotation: Bella wants more than anything, to be with Edward for an eternity, but Edward isn't so sure that the sacrifices she'll make are worth it.

Summary: As Bella prepares for her high school graduation, she plans to have Carlisle "change" her, so that she can join the Cullen coven and spend an eternity with Edward. Although Bella is determined, leaving her father--maybe forever, and abandoning Jacob, who insists that Bella's change will violate an ancient treaty, make the decision hard to bear. Even more unbearable to Bella though, is the thought of a life without Edward. When a series of vampire murders happen, tension mounts, and Bella's life and loves hang in the balance.

Notes: Teens will enjoy the suspenseful, rising tension of the third novel in the Twilight series as the conflict between Bella, Edward, and Jacob intensifies and strange alliances are formed.

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

CITATION: Meyer, S. (2006) New Moon. New York: Little, Brown and Company. IDENTIFYING #: 9780316160193
CLASSIFICATION: FICTION
GENRE:Horror/Romance
CALL #: FIC MEYER
RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: Young Adult
RATING: 5

Annotation: Bella Swan's relationship with Edward Cullen grows increasingly dangerous, and Edward will do anything to protect her, even if it means breaking her heart.

Summary: As Bella's relationship with Edward progresses, the danger they pose to one another intensifies. Bella feels she cannot exist without Edward, but their love threatens that very existence, as well as Edward and his family's. Bent on protecting Bella at all costs, Edward makes a drastic decision that will change everything and have some unintended consequences.

Notes: This is where the love triangle comes into play, and Bella begins to wonder if the love you feel for a friend might grow into something more. Teens will relate to the predicament of feeling less for someone than they feel for you, especially when that someone is a beloved friend.

Humming Whispers by Angela Johnson

CITATION: Johnson, A. (1995). Humming whispers. New York: Orchard Books

IDENTIFYING #: ISBN 0531068986

CLASSIFICATION: FICTION

GENRE: REALISTIC FICTION

CALL #: FIC JOHNSON

RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: YOUNG ADULT

RATING: 5

Annotation: 14 year-old Sophy worries she will become Schizophrenic like her older sister.

Summary: Sophy's older sister Nicole started hearing voices, "humming whispers", when she was 14. Sophy fears she will end up just like Nicole, who goes in and out of mental hospitals, trying to overcome her mental illness. This story is rich in supporting characters, like Miss Onyx, and old woman who was a dancer like Sophy, before she was put in a concentration camp as a young woman. Together as a family, Sophy, Nicole and their Aunt Shirley (who has raised their girls ever since their parents were killed in a car crash), survive and overcome the difficulties of their lives.

Notes: Angela Johnson writes another winner! Mental illness is an issue that affects many families. Despite it's frequency, people rarely discuss this difficult issue. Humming Whispers presents the fears and challenges families go through when a family member becomes ill.

The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls

CITATION: Walls, J. (2005). The glass castle: A memoir. New York: Scribner

IDENTIFYING #: ISBN 0743247531

CLASSIFICATION: NONFICTION

GENRE: BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR

CALL # 921 WALLS

RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: ADULT

RATING: 5

Annotation: Jeannette Walls remembers growing up with idealistic-to a fault-parents, being homeless much of the time.

Summary: Rex and Rose, Jeannette's parents, are dreamers. Rex is a genius and an inventor, charming and fun to be with, when sober, and Rose, trained as a teacher, is an artist who believes in letting children basically raise themselves and learn from harsh, natural consequences. In fact, when 3 year-old Jeanette is boiling hot dogs by herself, she is severely burned and spends weeks in the hospital getting skin grafts. Rose doesn't believe in the drudgery of holding a steady job--her paintings are much more important, and Rex can't keep a job because of his drinking hobby. Despite all their troubles, Jeannette's parents are free-spirited, and instill in their children a sense of adventure. In fact, every time something bad happens, Rex talks about how being on the run, or the next new place is going to be a great adventure. The greatest adventure Rex promises though, is the one they will have when he builds the glass castle he promises they will all live in. As Jeannette gets older, she comes to realize that Rex's promises are as transparent as the glass house he'll never build.

Notes: This book is not yet in our library, but it is on order. A friend loaned it to me, and it's one of the best books I've recently read. I was stuck halfway between admiration and horror for these shocking parents who loved their children, and yet seemed to have a dangerous lack of common sense and concern for their safety. The idea that two people like this existed, and actually found each other amazed me, and Jeannette's ability to survive their reckless upbringing and to become a successful writer, was inspiring.

Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn

CITATION: Flinn, A. (2002). Breathing underwater. New York: Harper Tempest.
IDENTIFYING #: ISBN 0064472574
CLASSIFICATION: FICTION
GENRE: REALISTIC FICTION
CALL #: FIC FLINN
RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: YOUNG ADULT
RATING: 5

Annotation: Bitter about his forced membership in an Anger Management group--he only slapped his girlfriend--a slap, not a hit, 16 year-old Nick chronicles the events that led to the restraining order against him, his Anger Management counseling, and a court-assigned journal.

Summary: High school sophomore, Nick Andreas, had it all-money, popularity, and Caitlin, the hot girlfriend who worshipped him--and he wasn't going to let any of it get away. But it did. Nick knows he may have lost control once--or twice--but that was only when people were way out of line with him. That doesn't make him a criminal. That doesn't mean he deserved to lose his girlfriend. It doesn't mean he deserved to lose his best friend. And it doesn't mean he needs "Anger Management", or needs to write a stupid journal. After all, everyone gets angry and "loses it" once in a while, right? And it's not as if he would ever really hurt Caitlin. All he's ever wanted to do is protect her and be everything to her, like she is for him. If he can just make her understand that, Nick knows everything will be okay again.

Notes: This insightful story will appeal to teen boys and girls alike. The characters are realistic and multi-layered and the story helps us understand the cycle of violence. All of the abusers have good and likable qualities, and almost everyone in the story struggles with seeing the truth about themselves. The novel makes no excuses for abusers, but does help us understand some of the thinking behind violent behavior. Also, if you've ever known a victim of dating/domestic violence and thought, "Oh, why doesn't she/he just leave the situation", this novel shows how hard that very necessary decision can be.

Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen

CITATION: Dessen, Sarah. (2000). Keeping the moon. New York: Puffin Books.
IDENTIFYING #: ISBN 0670885495

CLASSIFICATION: FICTION

GENRE: REALISTIC FICTION

CALL#: FIC DESSEN
RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: YOUNG ADULT
RATING: 4

Annotation: With her "fat girl" title recently replaced by "slut", 15 and friendless, Nicole "Colie" Sparks, sets off for a dreaded summer with a kooky aunt she barely knows, finding unexpected friendships, self-knowledge--and maybe even love-- in a small, North Carolina beach town.

Summary: Thanks to her fitness guru mother, Colie has lost 45 pounds. Although her exterior "fat girl" image has been transformed, Colie's self-image has yet to catch up, and people who knew her as she was won't let her forget that she will never truly "belong". When Colie's formerly obese, and now wildly successful fit "it" girl mother gets a chance to promote her program in a worldwide tour, Colie is shipped off to her oddball Aunt Mira's for the summer. When Aunt Mira sends Colie to the Last Chance Bar and Grill on a run for her favorite Chicken Caesar Salad, the errand leads Colie to a summer job and her first friend, Morgan, an overly dramatic waitress. Morgan takes to Colie right away, but Morgan's roomate, longtime best friend, and fellow waitress, the beautiful Isabel, is rude and critical, and openly hostile to Colie. What Colie doesn't know is that she and Isabel have something in common, and that Isabel has something to teach her.

Notes: Teen girls will relate to the "mean girl" syndrome, rumors, gossip,"reputations" and issues with self-acceptance, and self-confidence.

The First Part Last by Angela Johnson

CITATION: Johnson, A. (2005). The first part last. New York: Simon Pulse. IDENTIFYING #: ISBN 13 9780689849220

CLASSIFICATION: FICTION

GENRE: REALISTIC FICTION

CALL #: FIC JOHNSON
RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: YOUNG ADULT
RATING: 4

Annotation: 16 year-old Bobby struggles to be a good man and the best father he can be to the infant daughter he loves with all his heart.

Summary: Bobby is a normal, happy-go-lucky teenager living in New York. He has two parents who love him. He knows all about safe sex, and his mom stores a basket of condoms underneath the bathroom sink for him. His parents never expected something like this, and neither did Nia's. This never should have happened, but it did. Nia got pregnant, and now Bobby's a father. Through a series of flashbacks, Bobby describes his love for Nia, and how they struggled to make the right decision. But there came a time when Bobby had to decide what to do on his own. Bobby wants to be a good man, and a good father, but he's still a kid himself. Although he has support, in many ways, Bobby is all alone, and he finds that sometimes doing the right thing is the hardest thing you'll ever do.

Notes: Not your typical "teen parent" story. Bobby's memories open our eyes to the issues surrounding teen pregnancy beyond "the decision" and breaking the news to one's parents. Although it is an easy read (short, and quick), it's not an easy story, and one particularly shocking revelation is quite emotional. Teens will probably enjoy the uncommon perspective of the father's (Bobby's) point of view on a topic normally dealt with from the mother to be's view.

Tupac Shakur: Legacy by Joseph Jamal

CITATION: Jamal, J. (2006). Tupac Shakur: Legacy. New York: Atria Books
IDENTIFYING #: ISBN 9780743292603
CLASSIFICATION: NON-FICTION
GENRE: BIOGRAPHY
CALL #: 921 SHAKUR
RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: ADULT
RATING: 5

Annotation: Slain rapper/poet/actor, Tupac Shakur's life and art are chronicled in this book containing photos and reproductions of his personal mementos and handwritten work.

Summary: This is a great pictorial biography of Tupac. You get the sense you are reading through a personal scrapbook of his life. There are photos from all stages of his life, and removable reproductions of his poems, journal writing, and songs that enable us to see what the originals looked like. Some look like he just handed it to you out of his back pocket! We see pictures of him attending a prom, and clowning around with Jada Pinkett Smith at Performing Arts school. I loved how interactive this book was, and how personal it felt!

Notes: If you're a Tupac fan, this is a must-read! I'm always having to track students down to get this book back! Don't lose it! It's expensive!

The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah

CITATION: Souljah, S. (1999). The coldest winter ever. New York: Pocket Books.
IDENTIFYING #: 0671025368
CLASSIFICATION: FICTION
GENRE: URBAN FICTION/REALISTIC FICTION
CALL #: FIC SOULJAH
RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: Adult
RATING:

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

CITATION: Golden, A. ( 1999). Memoirs of a geisha: A novel. New York: Vintage Books
IDENTIFYING #: 0375400117
CLASSIFICATION: FICTION
GENRE: HISTORICAL FICTION
CALL #: FIC GOLDEN
RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: ADULT
RATING: 5

Annotation: Sold by her father to an okiya, Chiyo prepares to become a geisha, hoping to one day gain the attention of the man she's loved since childhood.

Summary: The story of Chiyo is told through her own eyes. As a young child, her poor father, whose wife is dying,l sells her and her sister. Chiyo is taken into an okiya where she is prepared to become a geisha. Her life is not easy, and the most popular and successful geisha of the okiya hates her and tries to ruin Chiyo's chances of becoming a geisha. Hatsumomo's rival, another geisha, Mameha takes an interest in Chiyo's future in order to spite Hatsumomo, and adopts Chiyo as a younger sister. Under Mameha's guidance, Chiyo's name is changed to Sayuri. Mameha introduces Sayuri to the men and activities of Gion and Kyoto. All the while, Sayuri waits and hopes for the chance to meet the handsome man whose kindness to her as a child captivated her.

Notes: Although this book is written for adults, teen girls who enjoy historical fiction will be fascinated by this beautiful and intriguing story.

True to the Game by Terri Woods

CITATION: Woods, T. (2004). True to the game. New York: Warner Books
IDENTIFYING #: ISBN 9780446581608
CLASSIFICATION: FICTION
GENRE: URBAN FICTION/REALISTIC FICTION
CALL #: FIC WOODS
RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: ADULT
RATING:3

Annotation: Gina, the girlfriend of a Philadelphia drug boss, tries to keep it all together when tragedy strikes.

Summary: Gina and Quadir are livin' large with Cocaine money paying the bills. Quadir gets caught up in a dangerous side of the game though, and Gina stands to lose everything. Set on the streets of Philadelphia, Teri Woods, tells a story similar to From a Hard Rock to a Gem about people in tough urban areas, playing the game and trying to survive. Johnson's message, though, in From a Hard Rock to a Gem, is ultimately more hopeful, but both authors deal with similar circumstances.

Notes: Students aren't going to agree with my rating of a 3 for this book, but it was only okay for me. I felt like it glorified the dangers of this lifestyle and took a more fatalistic approach. This is a favorite book among Jefferson students, so go ahead and read it, you know you want to, and tell me why you think it's better than a 3!

Shame on it All by Zane

CITATION: Zane. (2001). Shame on it all. Brooklyn: Strebor Books International.
IDENTIFYING #: 0743480953

CLASSIFICATION: FICTION

GENRE: URBAN FICTION/REALISTIC FICTION

CALL #: FIC ZANE

RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: ADULT
RATING: 3.5

Annotation: Zane, a popular writer of “urban fiction” tells a humorous, realistic, and gritty tale of 3 sisters, their family life, their relationships with each other, and their raunchy escapades.

Summary: Harmony, Bryce, and Lucy Whitfield fight, confide, and comfort each other in that way sisters do. The three girls all find themselves entangled in over-the-top sexual adventures, but through it all they support each other and confide in each other, becoming closer in the knowledge that when one of them falls apart, the others will always be there to pick up the pieces, and help them laugh even when they want to cry.

Notes: This is no Nobel Peace Prize winner, but it's a popular hit with teens who like urban fiction and those who aren’t shocked by the graphic language and sexual content will love the hilarious interactions between family members and the uproar of their family arguments.

Push by Sapphire

CITATION: Sapphire. (1996). Push. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
IDENTIFYING #: 0679446265

CLASSIFICATION: FICTION

GENRE: URBAN FICTION

CALL #: FIC SAPPHIRE
RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: ADULT
RATING:4

Annotation: Horribly abused by both of her parents, 16 year-old Precious begins a journey of learning and self-discovery, when she experiences kindness for the first time.

Summary: Sapphire’s urban fiction novel opens with a young girl who is pregnant, for the second time, with her father’s child. Not for the faint of heart, this book deals with controversial subjects such as, incest, rape, illiteracy, and lesbianism. The author mentions The Color Purple as an inspiration, and the parallel themes are noticeable. The main character finally learns to read when a caring principal and an activist teacher take an interest in her.

Notes: Although disturbingly graphic for some, teens who like books such as, A Child Called It, or They Cage the Animals at Night, will connect with this. Reluctant readers who want a short, but compelling read will gravitate towards this, as will teen readers who prefer more “realistic” stories.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyers

CITATION: Meyers, S. (2005). Twilight. New York: Little, Brown.
IDENTIFYING #: ISBN 9781904233657
CLASSIFICATION: FICTION
GENRE: ROMANCE; HORROR
CALL #: FIC MEYER
RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: YOUNG ADULT
RATING:5

Annotation: Bella moves out-of-state to live with her father and encounters a strange environment, and a fascination with Edward Cullen that she is unable to resist.

Summary: When teenage Bella moves from Florida, "The Sunshine State" to gloomy and rainy, Forks, Washington to live with her father, she’s inexplicably drawn to Edward. She eventually makes friends with Jacob, who helps her realize Edward’s true nature, but even then, Bella is unable to deny her feelings. Edward knows he's dangerous for Bella, but

Notes: Teen girls, especially those who enjoy fantasy, horror, and love stories love the Twilight series, and this is the book where it all begins. More and more though, teen guys are discovering the appeal of this series, which has not only a love story, but humor, mystery, and action as well. The theme of forbidden love is a familiar one, and if you've ever felt inexplicably drawn to someone under what seem to be impossible circumstances, you will relate to Bella and Edward.

Guyaholic: A Story of Finding, Flirting, Forgetting--and the Boy Who Changes Everything by Carolyn Mackler

CITATION: Mackler, C. (2005). Guyaholic : a story of finding, flirting, forgetting-- and the boy who changes everything. Cambridge: Candlewick.
IDENTIFYING #: 9780763625375

CLASSIFICATION: FICTION

GENRE: REALISTIC FICTION

CALL #: FIC MACKLER

RECOMMENDED AGE/INTEREST LEVEL: YOUNG ADULT

RATING:5

Annotation: In her sequel to Vegan Virgin Valentine, Carolyn Mackler follows the adventures of man-hopping V who panics and flees the scene when the guy she's been seeing falls in love with her.

Summary: Mackler strikes a winning chord again in this book about boy-crazy, somewhat “slutty” V, who after a period of reform, returns to her wayward ways, and loses Sam, the guy who loves her, when she's busted making out in the bathroom with another guy at a party. Unable to face Sam after sabotaging their relationship, V sets off on a road-trip to find her flighty mother, but ends up finding herself.

Notes: Teen girls will appreciate the complexity of this character who is looking for love, but at the same time, has been taught by experience, to be afraid of it.