My Sister's Keeper

Author: Jodi Picoult

Publisher: NewYork: Atria 2004
ISBN- 978-0743454520
pages: 432
Author's website

Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Contemporary life
Topics: issues, siblings, coming of age, emancipation
Media Type: Book

Grade level: 8-adult

Reader's annotation: Conceived to become a bone marrow donor for her leukemia-stricken sister Anna decides that she has had enough and it is time for her to take a stand and take control of her own life.

Summary: The story takes place when Anna is a teenager, but through flashbacks and memories from all the characters involved in this dilemma we get a complete picture of all the issues and a bigger story about family, loyalty, love and responsibility - to ourselves and to others. Anna was conceived to help her sister Kate, who was diagnosed with leukemia when quite young, it seems certain she will die without this drastic measure taken. It was just supposed to be for the use of some stem cells and then when that didn’t work the doctors started on more aggressive measures. By the time Anna is thirteen, she is ready to hire her own lawyer to take control of her life. Kate seems to understand but her mother is devastated with this turn of events and does whatever she can to stop her. Their brother is no help and he has problems of his own and the father tries to stay calm and supportive of everyone. A riveting story that includes several surprise twists.

Evaluation: Picoult writes books about ethical dilemmas and this one is full of them. Told from several viewpoints this book makes the reader think about right and wrong and what is morally correct. Good book to start a discussion about a variety of issues including loyalty and responsibility versus free will and personal needs.

The Book Thief

Author: Markus Zusak

Publisher: New York: Knopf 2006
ISBN-9780375831003
pages: 560

Classification: Young Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical fiction
Topics: holocaust, coming of age
Media Type: Book

Grade level: 10-Adult

Reader's annotation: As Liesel, her family, friends and Death live through World War II they find distractions in the stories that Liesel reads from the books she has stolen.

Summary: Narrated by Death, this is the story of a foster girl and her anti-Nazi family living in a small town in Germany as Hitler gains control and war erupts in Europe. Liesel’s first stolen book happens almost by accident after the funeral of her little brother. Although her foster parents are disappointed when her mother arrives with only one child, a girl not a boy as promised, they take her in and grow to love her. Struggling to make ends meet doing whatever they can, life in the working class neighborhood is hard-bitten and caustic. The opportunities for more stolen books keep presenting themselves to Liesel and her collection grows. She makes life bearable for herself and those around her including Max, the Jew they are hiding, with the diversion of the books and their stories. There are many “asides” from Death, some that clarify things and others that confuse, which may make it difficult for less strong readers to follow. is heart-wrenching and spell-binding.

Evaluation: This book can be very intense, with the backdrop of the Nazi’s growing control and WWII. The poetic style of Death’s narration is beautiful and thought provoking. Definitely a must-read and make sure you have your box of tissues.

The Golden Compass

Author: Philip Pullman

Publisher: New York: Knopf/Random House 1996
ISBN-978-0679879244
pages: 399
Author's website

Classification: Young Adult Fiction
Genre: Fantasy
Media Type: Book

Grade level: 7-Adult

Reader's annotation: Young Lyra and her daemon Pan leave Oxford in search of the kidnapped children that are rumored to have been taken to the Far North and stories of gruesome experiments chill to the bone.

Summary: When Lord Asriel comes to Oxford to tell the scholars about his discoveries and ask for money, Lyra eavesdrops on her uncle and is fascinated with his stories. Seduced by the lady Mrs. Coulter, Lyra and her daemon Pantalaimon (shape-shifting animals that are invisibly connected to their counterpart human and part of their soul) go to London thinking they will enjoy a different life. Lyra was given the mysterious Golden Compass just before she leaves and told to guard it well. Later when her best friend Roger disappears, Lyra fears the worst - that the Gobblers have taken him to the north to do horrible things. Lyra and Pan take off to save Roger and the adventure grows. They travel with the Gyptians and meet friendly witches, armoured bears, a Texan balloonist on their travels. Lyra learns to use the golden compass to determine what the future holds and what she should do next. What is really happening to the children is too terrible to even think about, but Lyra’s spunk and courage lead the others forward to do what’s right.

Evaluation: Excellent fantasy world that is well thought out and very believable despite the improbabilities. The daemons are like having your soul or personality and intuition take form and sit on the outside of your physical body. Of course with an ending like this one, you will want to start on the next book in the series immediately. It is a very popular and involved series.

Series: His Dark Materials - book 1

The Subtle Knife

Author: Philip Pullman

Publisher: New York: Knopf/Random House 1997
ISBN-978-0679879251
pages: 326
Author's website

Classification: Young Adult Fiction
Genre: Fantasy
Topic: parallel worlds
Media Type: Book

Grade level: 7-Adult

Reader's annotation: Will Parry, from the Oxford we know and Lyra from an alternate Oxford, meet in another parallel world and help each other. Will is looking for his father and Lyra is searching for the meaning of “dust” but they find so much more.

Summary: The book opens with Will and his concern over his mother’s safety as they try to avoid the men who are after them. Then Will discovers some information about his missing father and while running away from his pursuers manages to walk through a “window” into another world. It is here in Cittagazze where Will meets Lyra and in an unintentional fight where Will is merely defending himself, he acquires the Subtle Knife. Or should I saw the Subtle Knife acquires Will. This knife is very powerful and has the property of allowing the owner to cut windows into other worlds. The two continue on their searches, now in several different worlds with a large cast of characters including all of the characters from The Golden Compass.

Evaluation: The second installment of this series is just as good as the first and the cliffhanger ending will have you eagerly finding book 3 to read. There are now parallel worlds that the characters are moving through, increasing the complexity of the story while retaining the charm of the characters and the believability of it all. One almost believes that if you had the right knife... you could do that too.

Series: His Dark Materials - book 2

The Amber Spyglass

Author: Philip Pullman

Publisher: New York: Knopf/Random House 2000
ISBN-978-0679879268
pages: 518
Author's website

Classification: Young Adult Fiction
Genre: Fantasy
Topics: parallel worlds, romance
Media Type: Books

Grade level: 7-Adult

Reader's annotation: Will and Lyra have been separated but they find each other and defeat the evil powers that threaten the existence of any life form at all.

Summary: This book picks up right where we left our characters at the end of The Subtle Knife. Will and Lyra are separated for quite a while each focusing on their own tasks. Will is joined by two angels that will help him to complete his mission. Lyra is being held by her mother in a cave, now trying desperately to protect her as her motherly instincts finally kick in. Convinced that Lyra will be killed if she doesn’t keep watch over her, Mrs. Coulter keeps her drugged and hidden. But as it is in Will's destiny to help Lyra, he does manage to rescue her and together find the courage and direction to do what needs to be done. They are joined by some tiny people who fly that protect them by attacking unseen. There is also an extensive side story with the scientist from Oxford who is in a world of very strange creatures. Here she actually finds the “dust” and figures out, through the use of an amber spyglass, what exactly is going on with dust. The final showdown is expected but the resolution is not what I expected.

Evaluation: The epic conclusion to the series, bringing all the previous series's characters as well as quite a few new ones together for the final power struggle that will determine the fate of all the universes. If you haven’t read The Subtle Knife you will be lost in this book. Pullman continues to paint a rich picture of his world that completely absorbs the reader.

Series: His Dark Materials - book 3

Ender's Game

Author: Orson Scott Card

Publisher: New York: T. Doherty Assoc. 1985
ISBN-978-0312932084
pages: 357
Author's website

Classification: Young Adult Fiction
Genre: Science Fiction
Media Type: Book

Grade level: 9-Adult

Reader's annotation: Chosen by the government to go to The special school, Ender leaves home at the age of six. Will he be the savior of the human race?

Summary: After feeling very unappreciated in school and as the youngest child in his family, Ender is chosen by the government after all to attend the special training program at the age of six. Now Ender can excel at what he is good at, computer gaming. He still has to deal with personality issues and competitiveness, something that he would rather put aside. But the training is rigorous and exciting, especially the descriptions of the games in the weightless room. Ender though has strong internal conflicts when he is forced to be brutal in order to survive.

Evaluation: Full of retribution and space age action this book is a real hit with teen boys. Some of the ethical and moral questions are good for teens to think about, especially those related to the value of life. The story is told as if it was happening at the moment which brings an excitement and urgency to it.

Series: Ender Wiggin - book 1

Blaze of Silver

Author: K.M. Grant
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers 2007
ISBN- 978-0802797377
pages: 288

Classification: Young Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Fiction
Topics: horses, Crusades, friendship, adventure
Media Type: Book

Grade level: 7-11


Reader's annotation: The Earl of Heartslove is charged with delivering part of the ransom to free King Richard to the German Emperor when he is double-crossed by his Saracen friend. Can he and Ellie save the King?

Summary: Set in the 12th century, the conclusion of the trilogy, where William de Granville, Earl of Heartslove, ladies Ellie and Marissa and their Saracen friend Kamil discover what loyalty and friendship really mean. Back in England after fighting in the Holy Wars, life at the manor is peaceful and relaxing. Kamil, the Saracen friend who returned from the East with them has settled into manor life as if he was born there. Marissa carries a torch for Will though she knows he doesn’t feel that way about her. Ellie is getting over the death of her fiance, Gavin, who was Will’s brother. They all love their horses and much of life centers on their riding. But someone back in the Holy Land has other plans for Kamil which starts with Ahmal’s delivery of a beautiful horse that King Richard had promised Gavin. The action starts when most of the manor sets off to deliver ransom money to the Emperor of Germany for the release of King Richard. Thinking he is serving his motherland, Kamil is double-crossed by Ahmal, as he is convinced to steal the money, only to discover it is all set up by his old enemy, assassin Old Man of the Mountain. Will Kamil be able to help his imprisoned friends Will and Ellie? Will they be able to save the King? The action-packed story will keep you on the edge of your seat as the twists and turns take you to its conclusion.

Evaluation: Horse lovers will enjoy this series as the main characters’ horses are their companions and much of the story revolves around the animals. Thoughtful issues dealing with revenge, loyalty, and friendship are the themes of this concluding book which makes for a satisfying ending.
Series: Book 3 de Granville Trilogy; Book 1 - Blood Red Horse, Book 2 - Green Jasper

The Devil Wears Prada

Author: Lauren Weisberger

Publisher: New York: Doubleday 2003
ISBN-978-0385509268
pages: 360
Author's blog

Classification: Young Adult Fiction
Genre: Chick Lit
Topics: humor, journalism
Media Type: Book

Grade level: 10-Adult

Reader's annotation: Is suffering under the editor from hell really going to get her a writing job at the New Yorker, even if she is the most powerful? Andrea is going to find out, if it kills her.

Summary: Ivy league graduate Andrea, wants to break into the magazine business but she knows she will have to pay her dues. Although she wants to work for the New Yorker, it is a fashion magazine that will hire her. She walks unsuspectingly into a vipers next of competition and expectation. Although she is clearly being abused in her job, editor Miranda is too powerful to complain so Andrea does the best she can and then does better. We laugh at her escapades and marvel at her creativeness in pleasing her boss.

Evaluation: Very funny book, a great summer reading choice. Teens who read fashion magazines or are thinking of going into publishing will enjoy this chick lit story. The movie was also very funny and stayed fairly close to the book.

The Endless Steppe

Author: Esther Rudomin Hautzig

Publisher: New York: Harper & Row 1968
ISBN-978-0694056088
pages: 243

Classification: Young Adult Fiction
Genre: Biography
Topics: WWII, coming of age
Media Type: Book

Grade level: 5-Adult

Reader's annotation: During WWII Esther and her family were removed from their comfortable house in Poland and exiled to the harsh Asian Steppes until the war ended. Esther recounts the way they make do and find some creative ways to survive.

Summary: This is Esther’s autobiography of the period when her family was forced out of their home in Poland to live an exiled life on the Russian Siberian Steppe during WWII. Life is pretty grim there, first in the crowded barracks filling their days with the back-breaking work at the gypsum mine, and eventually in their own dirt floored hut, farming potatoes to keep from starving to death. Esther eventually goes to school, makes some friends and even becomes entrepreneurial with her knitting business. Though she has been separated from her father for several years, she is afraid to leave this place and go back to the unknown destruction of Poland after the war is over.

Evaluation: The reader will be impressed with her ability to stay so positive in such poverty and find the beauty in life that keeps her going. Girls will enjoy the compassion to the human spirit that is brought out in them when they read her story and will keep her in their minds afterwards.

Time travelers wife

Author: Audrey Niffenegger

Publisher: San Francisco CA: MacAdam/Cage Publisher 2002
ISBN-978-1931561464
pages: 560
Author's website

Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Romance
Topics: Time travel
Media Type: Book

Grade level: 10-adult

Reader's annotation: What would it be like if your life was lived out of sequence, that is the fate of Henry as he uncontrollably travels back and forth through time. Sometimes he is an adult visiting his future wife when she is a child, sometimes he is in the future, powerless to change what will be.

Summary: Henry has a problem. He suddenly, without warning or preparation, finds himself, naked, in another time and place. He often finds himself in a field behind his future wife’s home when she is a child. Sometimes he vanishes from his job as a librarian, leaving an empty pile of clothes in the stacks. Somehow, he manages to function in the places he arrives at and covers his actions up from where he left. Throughout it all he manages to have a somewhat normal life that involves falling in love and getting married and having a job. This book is as much about the people and relationships as it is about time travel and the complications of that.

Evaluation: One of the more unusual, interesting and powerful books that I’ve read in a while. One feels their confusion, resignation and love strongly throughout the book. Readers are very invested in the outcome. Teens will enjoy the fantasy, time travel part and will get some insight into a mature relationship.

Whale Talk

Author: Chris Crutcher

Publisher: New York: Greenwillow Books 2001
ISBN- 978-0688180195
pages: 224
Author's website

Classification: Young Adult Fiction
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Topics: bullying, sports, abuse
Media Type: Book

Grade level: 8-adult


Reader's annotation: How does an multiracial adopted boy who refuses to play by the system rules become such a leader in his small town school? He stands up for the down-trodden and becomes the advocates for all those who can’t do it themselves.

Summary: T.J. Jones is an anomaly at his school. Multiracial, adopted, and one of the top students, he stands out from the others. Although everyone knows he is a great athlete he refuses to go out for football, something many of the conservative community members can’t understand. He works hard to keep his temper in check when he sees bullies messing with other students but he doesn’t hesitate to come to the victim's assistance. Then one of his teachers asks him to put together a swim team for the school so that he can be the coach and T.J. pulls together a group of misfits that can finally find something they might be good at. Outside of school T.J. helps out with his therapist when she needs another person in dealing with abuse cases and his family ends of taking in a little girl who has been abused by her step-father, one of the town bullies. What starts out as an act of generosity has grave consequences to everyone in T.J.’s life.

Evaluation: An excellent book about what it means to fit in and how we function together each with our own demons to deal with. Gives perspective to the term “bad things happen”. Anyone who has had to deal with bullying, misperceptions, and prejudice will relate to some part of this book.

47

Author: Walter Mosely

Publisher: New York: Little Brown, 2005
ISBN-978-0316110358
pages: 232
Author's website

Classification: Young Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical fiction
Topics: slavery, SciFi, friendship
Media Type: Book

Grade level:7-Adult

Reader's annotation: Slave #47, a young boy doomed to picking cotton until he dies, meets Tall John, a mysterious stranger claiming to come from a different planet. Together they find new meanings to the concept of freedom.

Summary: There were 98 slaves on the Corinthian Plantation, each named by their number. When one died another just took its place. This is the story of a young boy as he takes position 47 under a cruel slave master in pre-Civil War south, doomed to work in the cotton fields for his entire life. Having been raised by one of the kitchen slaves and allowed to live in relative luxury in the barn his transition to the hard labor of cotton picking was difficult. One day, Tall John, shows up on the plantation. The reader understands him to be a runaway slave but he spins a tale of supernatural powers and tells 47 he was sent there to help him. Tall John is welcomed into the slave community and works with them in the fields. There is a bit of magic around Tall John as he entertains, encourages, and brings confidence and self-worth to the slaves as they toil in the fields. What I took as to be the imagination of 47 in a historical setting as he recounted the almost magical things that led them to rebellion, other reviewers have called science fiction. Tall John does do things and has special healing powers that don’t seem to be able to be explained. The mix between the two genres, historical and science fiction is interesting and casts a surreal quality to the story.

Evaluation: This is a different take on a Southern plantation slave story than I have seen before. There are some very graphic sections of the cruelty, something that made me squeamish but I bet teens would love it. You will find themselves thinking about statements Tall John made long after the story is finished.

Silent to the Bone

Author: E.L. Konigsburg

Publisher: New: York Atheneum Books for Young Readers 2000
ISBN-978-0689836015
pages: 261

Classification: Young Adult Fiction
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Topics: abuse, trauma, family, divorce, mystery
Media Type: Book

Interest Level:
Grade level: 5-Adult

Reader's annotation: When Branwell’s baby sister has trouble breathing due to mistreatment he loses his ability to speak. While being held in a juvenile detention center, his best friend has to figure out a way to communicate and find out what really happened.

Summary: The story opens with the 911 call when Branwell’s baby sister clearly is seriously injured and he can’t speak. We know pretty quickly that Branwell is being wrongly accused and suspect that something he knew or saw is what is keeping him mute. It is now up to his best friend Connor to find out through a bit of detective work what actually happened that is keeping his friend from speaking. This involves renewing his relationship with his older half sister and throughout the process Connor too benefits from the experience. This is a story about families and relationships as well as loyalties and growing up.

Evaluation: The way the story slowly unfolds and the sense of mystery that the author captures in her writing style keeps the reader’s attention right to the end. Issues of divorce and remarriage, sexual attraction and shame will attract the teen reader.

Lirael, Daughter of the Clayr

Author: Garth Nix

Publisher: New York: Harper Collins 2001
ISBN-978-0060278236
pages: 487
Author's website - check out some of the links that are on this page.


Classification: Young Adult Fiction
Genre: Fantasy
Media Type: Book

Grade level: 7-Adult

Reader's annotation: Lirael, the Clayr without the Sight, discovers her life is destined for something much greater. Prince Sameth discovers that his Kingdom is in real danger. Their stories will keep you spellbound with anticipation.

Summary: Lirael hopes and prays that this birthday will bring her the Sight. She is one of the oldest apprentices and thinks that ending her life might be a better solution then going another year without the Sight. However, she is given a job in the library and discovers that she contains very strong magical powers including the ability to conjure up The Disreputable Dog who becomes her best friend and companion. There she learns many things about how to handle magical beings and picks up some tools that will aid her in her future. When the Clayr’s show her the “vision” they have of her in the future she leave her home to follow her destiny. Off in another part of the Old Kingdom, Prince Sameth is trying to get home from school when he and his classmates are attacked by The Dead. Although Sameth makes it home alive he has serious doubts about his ability to follow in his mother’s footsteps as Abhorsen. Struggling to find the strength to do what is expected of him he sets off the help his friend who seems to be headed for trouble. Lirael and Sameth’s paths cross and together they support each other with encouragement and commit to helping each other defeat the coming evil.

Evaluation: Although this is the second book in a trilogy, it picks up many years after the first book and is easy to follow and enjoy without having read the first one. This book won several awards including YALSA’s Best Books for Young Adults. This story is full a exciting magical events and a compelling story with a cliffhanger that inspires one to start the next book immediately.

Series: Old Kingdom Trilogy, book 2

Abhorsen

Author: Garth Nix

Publisher: New York: Harper Collins 2003
ISBN-978-0060278250
pages: 304
Author's website - check out some of the links that are on this page.

Classification: Young Adult Fiction
Genre: Fantasy
Media Type: book

Grade level: 7-Adult

Reader's annotation: Lirael and Sameth set off with their companions, the Disreputable Dog and Mogget, the magical cat to defeat the takeover of death and restore power of the Old Kingdom to Sameth’s parents. They must not let the ancient spirit of the Destroyer become whole again or life will be over for all.

Summary: Now that Lirael has discovered she is actually the Abhorsen-in-Waiting and Sameth is off the hook they form a partnership and prepare for their journey to rescue Sam’s unsuspecting friend Nick. Taken over by the powerful necromancer Hedge, Nick has lost control of his free will and is blindly acting as a bridge between the living world and the dead world. As Sam and Lirael work their way through all the obstacles the encounter they gain confidence and courage for the final showdown.

Evaluation: This book picks up right where we left off at the end of Lirael and concludes the trilogy with a hard traveled journey to defeat evil and death, and restore the world to the living. An exciting gripping conclusion with all the right components of suspense and magic with a strong leading woman.

Series: Old Kingdom Trilogy, book 3