The Color Purple

Walker, A. (1982). The Color Purple. Orlando, Fl: Harcourt. ISBN: 9780156028356.

Plot Summary:
The book begins with Celie writing to God about her miserable childhood, where she is raped by a man she calls Pa and her children are taken away from her. Even when she’s married off to a brutal man, her living conditions don’t get any better. Her husband, Albert, sends off her sister, Nettie, beats Celie daily, and dares to bring home a woman whom he’s having an affair with, Shug Avery. Celie tells God everything, including the life and troubles of her stepson, Harpo, her daughter-in-law Sophia, and Harpo’s girl friend, Squeak. They all have hardships and sorrow.

Yet despite all this, she finds a way to enjoy the simple things in life, by befriending Shug, who teaches her about love and self-confidence. Celie finds Nettie’s letters, which her husband had been hiding from her, which tell of her children, growing up in Africa with missionaries. Nettie continues to be a source of comfort and her letters reveal major secrets, including news that Celie’s “Pa” was not her father.

Celie begins writing to Nettie instead of God and with Shug's help, she keeps up her faith and eventually leaves her husband. Shug and Mary Agnes move with her to Memphis, find self-supporting careers and a very different life. When she returns home to an inherited house, Celie runs her own business and makes peace with Albert. The book ends with joy at the reunion of Celie and Nettie, who also brings home Celie’s children.

Critical Evaluation:
This book is a gem for many reasons: it’s a snapshot of the lives of the black people in the American South during the 1920's thru the 1940's before the Civil Rights movement; it’s a portrait of injustice, desolation and victimization; and its moving story about a woman’s journey from a miserable childhood filled with pain and struggling transformed into a meaningful life as an independent and wise woman. Celie is a character that no one would ever expect to be heroic and yet she is absolutely remarkable. The writing of this novel is simple, yet powerful, and the story is rich with emotional value. This is a book that teens can easily jump into, then soon become consumed by its evocative, bittersweet narrative. It’s a masterpiece!

Reader’s Annotation:
Two African American sisters, separated as teenagers, remain loyal to one another across time, distance, and silence. Through their letters, we discover how they learn about passion, pain, promise and a love for life.

Information About the Author:
Alice Walker's parents were sharecroppers, and she grew up in a small Georgia town. When she was eight, an accident with a BB gun damaged one eye, resulting in a partial loss of sight. She studied at Spelman College and received her degree from Sarah Lawrence. After college, she worked at the Head Start program in Mississippi and the welfare department in New York City. She married a civil rights lawyer, whom she divorced ten years later. The Color Purple won the 1982 Pultizer Prize and was made into a successful movie, directed by Stephen Spielberg. She is the mother of a daughter and continues to serve as a spokesperson for the value of African-American traditions and culture, and for the common people who cannot speak for themselves.

Genre:
Teen Issues: Pregnancy and Teen Parents, Racism, Physical and Emotional Abuse, Sexual Abuse
Contemporary Life: Coming of Age
Historic Novels: Twentieth Century (1920-1940)
Multicultural Fiction: African Americans
Alternative Formats: Epistolary Novels

Curriculum Ties: English class, Ethnic Studies class, Social Studies class, History class, Book clubs

Booktalking Ideas:
1.) The symbolic value of the book title
2.) The narrative structure and the use of letterwriting in this novel
3.) The significance of Celie and Netties return home
4.) The oppressive life of these African American women during this time and place
5.) The portrayal of male characters in this story

Reading Level/Interest Age: Grades 16 – adult

Challenge Issues/Defenses:

Potential Challenges:
• Depictions of Violence
• Depictons of Sexual Behavior
• Depictions of Homosexuality
• Content includes references to drinking

Defense Strategy:
• Provide our Collection Development Policy (which includes Young Adult scope): http://ww2.cityofpasadena.net/library/collection.asp

• Refer to awards won by this book from reputable organizations:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Walker

• Provide book reviews by actual readers on a publicly accessible website:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Color-Purple/Alice-Walker/e/9780156028356

• Provide discussion questions book clubs have used to address issues or book content:
http://www.litlovers.com/guide_colorpurple.html

• Provide advisory reviews for parents about this book’s content and age appropriateness:
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/color-purple

Why This Book Was Included: I loved the movie version produced years ago and always meant to read the original book version. This story is such a revelation and has so much value in its content. It explores concepts about American history, about women of color, about courage, about forgiveness, about love and life…It would be a wonderful contribution to any older teen (and adult) collection.

Little Brother

Doctorow, C. (2003). Little Brother. Cambridge, NY: Tom Dohery Associates. ISBN: 9780765319852

Plot Summary: Marcus Yallow and his friends love playing Harajuku Fun Madness. But during an in-person game session, a terrorist attack on San Francisco’s Bay Bridge immediately makes him and his friends suspicious targets for authorities. They are mysteriously detained, interrogated for their knowledge about digital communications and encryption techniques and tortured by agents of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Upon his release, Marcus discovers his city has become a police state. He is reunited with two friends, yet a third friend is never released by authorities. Incensed that leaders have taken away the people’s civil liberties, he dedicates himself to fighting back against the DHS, while relationships with his friends and his parents start to erode. While organizing the resistance movement under the assumed identity of Mikey, he develops a new friendship and love interest with Ange. She helps him progress his activities as well as the development of the underground wireless network, Xnet, that allows young people to foil and embarrass their oppressive government.

After finally locating his lost friend and releasing the truth of his identity to a powerful newspaper reporter, a series of events leads to his final confrontation with the DHS. Detained and tortured again, he is rescued by the reporter and the local state patrol who ultimately help him expose and publicly condemn the DHS’ actions.

Critical Evaluation: A very interesting, timely read for teens involved with so much technology today. Doctorow manages to craft a good narrative, realistic characters and a story that doesn’t insult the intelligence of teens. It covers a lot of political, historical and consciousness-raising content that is rare in young adult fiction. We see Marcus begin as a smart-alecky, active and carefree teen, who undergoes a traumatic, unjust event that makes him aware of his own fears, anger and sadness. Rather than repressing the experience, he is able to channel it into a greater sense of outrage and become an activist on behalf of his people, his country, his generation. We see his character make tough decisions as he deceives his well-meaning parents and friends while fostering a mutually respectful love relationship with a new friend. He must think like an adult while he's running scared from a force much greater than one teen would usually be able to contend with. This novel will appeal to both teen genders and especially those intimately familiar with the culture, geography and history of San Francisco.

Reader’s Annotation: Big Brother is watching you. One seventeen-year-old doesn’t think it’s right for the government to pry into the details of your life. He figures out how the system works and uses his computer, his cell phone and his encoding skills to outsmart the surveillance state. He and his friends are winning the fight, but the only problem is he must sacrifice what he loves and run for his life before they catch him…

Information About the Author: Cory Doctorow was born in Toronto, Canada and achieved early career fame for his involvement with the popular blog, Boing Boing. Since then, he launched a free software company called Opencola and has become an highly visible activist for digital rights management and other technology initiatives, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation and other groups who advocate for liberalizing copyright laws. He is currently living in in Canada with his wife and daughter and continues to pursue his newest incarnation as a full-time blogger, journalist and science fiction writer. His book, Little Brother, has won the John W. Campbell Memorial Award, the Prometheus Award and the Sunburst award, all in 2009.

Genre:
Teen Issues: Activism, Crime and Criminals, Missing Teens
Adventure: Survival, Espionage and Terrorism, War
Science Fiction: Utopia/Distopia
Historic Novels: 21st century

Curriculum Ties: English class, History class, Government class, Psychology class, Humanities class, Book Clubs, Technology Clubs, Recommended Books for Reluctant Readers

Booktalking Ideas:
1.) How should a government protect its citizens after a scary terrorist attack? Should they be able to closely watch everyone for signs of trouble?
2.) If you think the government should respect your civil liberties, how would you let them know and what actions would you take?
3.) Can you relate to Marcus or Ange or Jolu or Van?
4.) How much do you know about technology and can you use it for good or evil?
5.) What would you do if you believed in something so much yet had to hide yourself from your friends, your family and live in constant fear of being kidnapped and tortured by nameless people in power?

Reading Level/Interest Age: Age 15-25

Challenge Issues/Defenses:

Potential Challenges:
• Negative depiction of government
• Portrayal of rebellious teens involved with sabotage, protest and deception
• Adult language
• Nudity and sexual content
• Inclusion of drug, alcohol or cigarette use
• Depictions of crime and violence

Defense Strategy:
• Provide our Collection Development Policy (which includes Young Adult scope): http://ww2.cityofpasadena.net/library/collection.asp
• Refer to awards earned by this book:
http://us.macmillan.com/littlebrother
• Provide advisory website for parents about this book's content and age appropiateness:
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/Little-Brother.html
• Provide book reviews from readers on a publicly accessible website:
http://www.amazon.com/Little-Brother-Cory-Doctorow/dp/0765319853
• Provide website links that encourage productive activism by teens:
http://www.teenactivist.org/
http://www.gurl.com/findout/guides/articles/0,,653763,00.html
http://www.charityguide.org/volunteer/fewhours/do-something.htm

Why This Book Was Included: I’m glad this book was introduced to me as our class assignment. Most likely, it isn’t a novel I would have immediately selected for pleasure reading. However, it’s a good read, a novel that older teens would enjoy and one that is very timely considering today’s focus on the "War on Terror." I view it as an important, landmark work of young adult literature. It entertains, yet also educates youth. It will leave them thinking about their lives and their government long after the end of this story.

Persepolis (and Persepolis 2)

Satrapi, M. (2003). Persepolis. NY: Pantheon. ISBN: 0375714557X.
Satrapi, M. (2003). Persepolis 2. NY: Pantheon. ISBN: 0375714669.

Plot Summary: The story begins with the precocious and outspoken nine-year old Marjane questioning the changes that occur as a result of the Islamic Revolution in her native Iran. She doesn’t fully understand the fundamentalist assertion of power that forces the veil on women and the imprisons her friends and family members. Clever and fearless, she outsmarts the "social guardians" and discovers punk, ABBA and Iron Maiden. Yet when her uncle is senselessly executed and as bombs fall around Tehran in the Iran/Iraq war, the daily fear that permeates life in Iran becomes very real.

As she gets older, Marjane's boldness causes her parents to worry for her safety. When she is 14, they decide to send her to school in Austria. Vulnerable and alone in a strange land, she endures the typical ordeals of a teenager, including making new friends and becoming the victim of prejudice. She gains acceptance over time, and even experiences love, but after high school she finds herself alone and horribly homesick.

In Persepolis 2, Marjane decides to return to Iran to be close to her family, even if it means wearing the veil and living in a dictatorial society. After a difficult period of adjustment, failed love and a period of deep depression, she enters art school and marries, all the while continuing to speak out against the hypocrisy she sees all around her. At 24, she realizes that while she is Iranian in her heart, she cannot live in this Iranian country. She then makes the heartbreaking decision to leave Iran for France, optimistic about her future and deeply effected by the experiences of her past.

Critical Evaluation: This is a poignant and well-told memoir that really informs us about the effects of the Islamic Revolution upon Iranian culture. We witness Satrapi growing up amidst a progressively oppressive regime, all the while finding comfort in the arms of loving parents and a caring grandmother. She is defiant and energetic enough to find ways around the government rules, yet is always aware of the potential danger of acting against authorities. Her sparse illustrations effectively convey the humor, sadness and isolation she feels during her happy childhood, her tumultuous teenage years in France and her eventual frustration as an adult. These are wonderful graphic novels that depicts every human’s need for freedom, pride in their heritage and the need for the bonds of familial love. Readers will admire Satrapi’s gumption and love of her country, just as they will associate themselves with her occasional mistakes and errors in judgment. A highly recommended series (and movie)!

Reader’s Annotation:
Growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution is not easy and Marjane must sort out her feelings about the woman she will become. Would it be better to wear the veil and be close to her family? Or would it be better to stick to her convictions and stake out on her own if she must? Read this graphic novel series that tells the true-life story of one teenage girl’s journey through time, different countries and the changes in her heart.

Information About the Author:
Marjane Satrapi was born in 1969 in Rasht, Iran. She grew up in Tehran, where she studied at the Lycee Francais before leaving for Vienna and then going to Strasbourg to study illustration. Her graphic novel have won these distinguished awards: The YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, the Booklist Editor's Choice for Young Adults and the School Library Journal Adult Books for Young Adults. She currently lives in Paris and travels around the world speaking about her experiences and her work.

Genre:
Teen Issues: Death and Deadly Disease, Racism, Outsiders, Acitvism, Politics
Contemporary Life: Coming of Age
Adventure: War
Historical: Mid East Culture (1970-1990), France (1970-1990)
Multicultural Fiction: Iranians
Alternative Formats: Graphic Novels
YA non-fiction: Autobiographies and Memoirs

Curriculum Ties: Social Studies class, History class, Government class, Book Clubs, Filmmaking class, Art class

Booktalking Ideas:
1.) The Islamic Revolution and its effect upon Iranian culture
2.) Women in Iran and symboliv value to wearing the veil
3.) Marjane’s choices and their results
4.) The value of family and love of county
5.) How illustrations enhance or detract from storytelling

Reading Level/Interest Age: Grades 7- adult

Challenge Issues/Defenses:

Potential Challenges:
• Portrayal of teens who live without parental supervision
• Portrayal of political positions and condemnation of government authority
• Depictions of sexual behavior
• Adult Language
• Content includes references to drinking, drug use and smoking

Defense Strategy:
• Provide an overview of the Islamic Revolution and its effect upon Iranian culture:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_Revolution

• Provide our Collection Development Policy (which includes Young Adult scope): http://ww2.cityofpasadena.net/library/collection.asp

• Refer to awards granted to this book (and movie) by reputable organizations:
http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780375714573&view=awards
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0808417/awards

• Provide a link to book reviews by literary journals and media publications:
http://www.powells.com/biblio/17-9780375714573-1

• Provide a link to book reviews by actual readers from a publicly accessible website:
http://www.amazon.com/Persepolis-Story-Childhood-Marjane-Satrapi/dp/0375422307

Why This Book Was Included: I remember when these books were published and made a splash in the arena of graphic novels. I’m glad I had a chance to read them and see the movie. It’s a poignant portrayal of one woman’s unusual life within the overriding framework of political turmoil in her homeland. It’s a job well done and something every teen (or adult) can enjoy. The illustrations are strong, revealing and filled with powerful emotion. The story is captivating, suspenseful and heartwrenching.

When She Hollers

Voigt, C. (1994). When She Hollers. NY: Scholastic. ISBN: 059046714X.

Plot Summary: Tish can no longer endure her stepfather's sexual abuse. As the novel begins, Tish disrupts the family breakfast by pointing a knife at Tonnie, the stepfather, and threatening to attack him if he ever comes near her again. Tish has tried reasonable measures before resorting to the knife, but her mother is in denial and she has no teacher or friend to help her.

She takes the knife to school and the novel focuses on the rest of that single, painful day. Tish is always in trouble at school and cringes at the prospect of the Principal calling her stepfather to pick her up. She runs away from the campus and in a panic, contacts to her friend’s father, who is an attorney, and reveals her story to him as a plea for help. He becomes her only lifeline and source of support as Tish determines her own course of action. In the cliffhanger ending, she goes home to confront her stepfather and opens the door.

Critical Evaluation: This book is gripping, chilling and told with a lot of truth. We understand ow powerless Tish feels and we comprehend the full force of her victimization. Yet the book ends with a positive message aboutTish finds the source of her inner power in order to overcome the ignorance, neglect and disregard that has been exhibited by the adults in her life.

Reader’s Annotation:
Tish has had enough. She will no longer be abused by her stepfather. She will no longer be passive. She will take a knife with her wherever she goes. Today is not going to be like any other day. Today is going to be different.

Information About the Author:
Cynthia Voigt was born in 1942 in Boston and attended Smith College. She has worked for J. Walter Thompson advertising agency in New York City and has been a teacher in Sante Fe, New Mexico. After a divorce in the 1960s, she continued teaching and began writing young adult novels. She remarried and devoted herself to her children and her writing. Since then, she has authored over twenty books and lives in Deer Isle, Minnesota.

Genre:
Teen Issues: Sexual Abuse
Contemporary Life: Coming of Age

Curriculum Ties: English class, Psychology class, Book clubs

Booktalking Ideas:
• How the first chapter reveals much and keeps readers hooked
• Tish’s inner conflicts and range of emotions
• Positive and negative adult role models in Tish’s life
• Statistics of teen sexual abuse and what to do if aware
• What do you think Tish decides at the end of the novel?

Reading Level/Interest Age: Grades 9-12

Challenge Issues/Defenses:

Potential Challenges:
• Depictions of sexual behavior
• Adult Language
• Portrayal of violence

Defense Strategy:
• Provide our Collection Development Policy (which includes Young Adult scope): http://ww2.cityofpasadena.net/library/collection.asp

• Provide Statistics about Sexual Abuse and Teens:
http://www.darkness2light.org/KnowAbout/statistics_2.asp

• Provide book reviews by actual readers on a publicly accessible website:
http://www.amazon.com/When-She-Hollers-Cynthia-Voigt/dp/059046714X

Why This Book Was Included: I’ve always been aware of Cynthia Voigt as a young adult author, but couldn’t recall if I’ve ever read one of her books. This one was recommended on a list and I thought it might be a fast read. It was a short book, but wow, what an intense subject with the potential to make readers feel powerless as well as powerful.

Life As We Knew It

Pfeffer, S. (2006). Life as We Knew It. Orlando, FL: Harcourt. ISBN: 9780152058265

Plot Summary: Sixteen-year old Miranda and her neighbors are excited about watching an asteroid trajectory into Earth’s space. Yet instead of it being a great science lesson, the asteroid knocks the moon out of orbit and causes catastrophic changes to life on Earth. Panic ensues and Miranda’s family prepares for the worst emergency, stocking up on food and supplies.

As the situation becomes worse and people begin fighting for survival, Miranda starts to understand the full gravity of worrying about her father’s new family, the responsibility she must share in looking after her loved ones and the inevitable death of people she knows. Rallying with her mother and two brothers, as well as their beloved neighbor, to conserve resources and adjust their life for a year in order to survive becomes a life lesson in self-sacrifice, courage and enduring family love. Her previous life as a carefree teen mutates into a very adult world in which there is constant uncertainty and her every decision can make a difference between life and death.

Miranda is on the verge of starvation and is convinced that she cannot save her ailing family, yet the story ends on an uplifting, optimistic note when she finally finds help among some remaining people who will provide aid until things get better. It's an ordeal of sadness and loss, yet also a lesson about finding joy in simple things that should not be taken for granted.

Critical Evaluation: A riveting book written as a series of diary entries that I didn’t expect to like as much as I did. Instead of focusing only on the tragedy, this book is well-paced and examines the changes that occur in the main characters. Miranda begins as a typical teen with normal concerns about friendships, finding a boyfriend, dealing with her mixed feelings about family members and enjoying ice skating at the pond. After the catastrophy, the full impact of the devastation is well developed and the fight to survive by her family is poignant and heart-wrenching. We see how Miranda must become a responsible and caring adult much before her time and how she must cope with the everpresent fear of extinction in a world that has become very small, unforgiving and ultimately silent. Her vacillating relationship with her mother and siblings is revealing and readers will relate to her viewpoint. It’s an absorbing, informative and imaginative book that leaves a lasting impression.

Reader’s Annotation: The world seems to be ending for 16-year old Miranda. A freak accident between an asteroid and the moon means that everything on Earth has changed and everyone is afraid there won’t be enough food and supplies. Things get worse and she is starting to lose friends and those she cares about. Will she have the courage and maturity to help her family survive such a catastrophy?

Information About the Author: Susan Beth Pfeffer was born in New York City in 1948. When she was six, her father wrote and published a book on constitutional law. It was then that she decided to be a writer, too. Her first book was published when she was a student at New York University. Since then, she has been a full-time writer of young adult books and has won numerous awards and honors for her lifetime of contributions to the field, including the South Carolina Young Adult Book Award and the American Library Association’s 100 Best Books for Teenagers written between 1968-1993. When not working, she enjoys watching movies, both new and old, collecting movie memorabilia, reading biographies and histories, and eating foods that are bad for her. She lives in Middletown, New York, with her two cats, Alexander and Emily.

Genre:
Teen Issues: Death and Deadly Disease
Contemporary Life: Coming of Age
Adventure: Survival
Science Fiction: Post Apocalyptic
Alternative Format: Diaries and Journals

Curriculum Ties: English class, Book clubs, Social Clubs, Emergency Preparedness Instruction, Natural Science class, Recommendations for Young Adult Female and Reluctant Readers

Booktalking Ideas:
1.) What would you do if the world seemed to be ended by a catastrophic event?
2.) Dealing with fear that you and your family will die of starvation or disease
3.) Learning to appreciate life, friends and family
4.) Imagine a life of solitude, sacrifice and constant worry
5.) How the main characters stop fighting and pull together in order to survive and protect each other

Reading Level/Interest Age: Grades 9-12

Challenge Issues/Defenses:

Potential Challenges:
• Graphic depictions of death and disease
• Depiction of suicide
• Discussions of kissing, menstruation and premarital sex

Defense Strategy:
• Provide advisory reviews for parents that confirm age appropriate and nononjectionable content: http://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/Life-as-We-Knew.html

• Provide our Collection Development Policy (which includes Young Adult scope): http://ww2.cityofpasadena.net/library/collection.asp

• Refer to book reviews and awards earned by this book:
http://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/index.cfm/book_number/1928/Life-As-We-Knew-It
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Life-as-We-Knew-It/Susan-Beth-Pfeffer/e/9780152058265

• Provide the publisher’s Discussion Guide for this book:
file http://www.harcourtbooks.com/images/pdf/guides/life_as_we_knew_it_dg.pdf.

Why This Book Was Included: Susan Beth Pfeffer has been around a long time and I remember reading her books as a teen. I wanted to read a more recent book and this one did not disappoint. It’s a captivating, intense and tearful story but one that is thought-provoking and instructive for teens about how lucky they are in life today.

Weetzie Bat

Block, F. (1989). Weetzie Bat. NY: Harper Collins Publishing. ISBN: 0060205342.

Plot Summary: Weetzie Bat is a tender-hearted, fun-loving teen who is lost in the vast landscape of Los Angeles, which she calls Shangri-L.A. Her parents live apart and she doesn’t like school much, until she meets Dirk, her gay best friend. They visit his grandmother, who gives her a genie lamp that grants three wishes. She says, “I wish for a Duck for Dirk, and My Secret Agent Lover Man for me, and a beautiful little house for us to live in happily ever after."

As the story progresses, each of her wishes come true. Dirk’s grandmother dies and leaves her cottage to the two friends. Dirk meets his love, a boy named Duck, who moves into their house. Weetzie meets a film director, she calls "My Secret Agent Lover Man" and stars in his film as he also moves into the house. Weetzie wants a baby, but her lover refuses. Instead Dirk, Duck and Weetzie secretly impregnant her in a failed plan that her lover will change his mind once the baby is born. Cherokee is born and after some time, Secret Agent Lover Man returns and joins the family.

All is bliss until a strange witchy woman enters their life and claims Dirk as the father to her unborn child. She soon leaves the child with Weetzie, who names her Lily. In the meantime, Duck leaves out of grief that his friend is dying of AIDS. Dirk searches for his lover in San Francisco, the two are reunited and return home Weetzie and her lover. Everyone learns the power of love, acceptance, forgiveness and how to feel good with their own definition of happiness.

Critical Evaluation: I agree with the critics that Francesca Lia Block has a unique style of writing and storytelling. Very interesting. The sparse dialogue and plot descriptions leave room for the imagination and she captures the essence of Los Angeles better than any other YA author I have read. The dreamlike feeling to this modern fairy tale exactly describes the feeling of Los Angeles’ timeless, sun-baked, endless sprawling atmosphere filled with celebrity wannabes and many mixed family configurations. The sparkle and grime of the city is also aptly portrayed in Weetzie’s retro-80s punk look as well as the lingering allusions to Hollywood’s faded 1950s glam. The novel’s magic realism only adds to the allure of Weetzie’s lifestyle and the omnipresent sense of possibility of this city. I appreciated the open and unapologetic descriptions of events that shape Weetzie’s life and portayal of a young character who accepts the sadness, challenges, pain and joys of her life with grace and gratitude. This is not a book that everyone will like, but it’s a valuable addition to today’s YA collections.

Information about the author: Block was born in 1962 in Los Angeles to a poet and a painter. She wrote Weetzie Bat while a student at UC Berkeley and is working on the screenplay for a possible movie version of her fictional Dangerous Angels series characters. Her love of Greek mythology and the creative arts has provide inspiration for the more than 25 novels and nonfiction books she has written for young adults. She is the recipient of many awards, including the 2005 Margaret A. Edwards Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Library Association and her books have been translated into many languages. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her son, daughter and two dogs.

Genre:
Teen Issues: Pregnancy and Teen Parents
Contemporary Life: Romance
Fantasy: Fairy Tales

Curriculum Ties: English class, Creative Writing class, Book clubs, Social clubs

Booktalking Ideas:
1.) How the descriptions of Los Angeles influence the novel and characters
2.) The events of Weetzie’s life and how it affects her outlook and relationships
3.) Does Weetzie and Dirk make good or bad choices? Do we have to see them as “bad” or “good”?
4.) If given three wishes by a genie, what would you ask for?
5.) Teen Parenting and how Weetzie and her friends cope

Reading Level/Interest Age: Ages 16 – 25

Challenge Issues/Defenses:

Potential Challenges:
• Homosexual Characters
• Premarital Sex
• Blended and Unusual Family Configurations
• Alternative Lifestyles
• Content includes topic of Abortion
• Content includes topic of AIDS
• Appropriateness for Teenage Readers

Defense Strategy:
• Provide our Collection Development Policy (which includes Young Adult scope): http://ww2.cityofpasadena.net/library/collection.asp
• Refer to awards earned by this book:
http://www.harperteen.com/book/index.aspx?isbn=9780060736255
• Refer to actual readers reviews:
http://www.amazon.com/Weetzie-10th-Anniversary-Francesca-Block/dp/0064408183
• Provide guidelines book clubs have used to address issues:
http://www.bookrags.com/shortguide-weetzie-bat/topicsfordiscussion.html
• Provide interview with the author regarding challenges to her books:
http://www.ncac.org/KRRP-Interview-with-author-Francesca-Lia-Block

Why This Book Was Included: Teens in the Los Angeles area often ask for books that represent their lives. They sometimes express a dislike for books that take place in more traditional states and other historical time periods. This book’s writing style can be challenging, but I’ve received reports from library readers and staff members that the portrayal of Weezie’s parents, lifestyle, choices and adventures in LA are accurately reflected in tone and characterization. It’s an interesting, alternative work of YA fiction and one of the few that matter-of-factly shows outcomes of acceptance without the expected narrative involving a judgmental community.

Sam Stern’s Cooking Up A Storm

Stern, S. & Stern, S. (2005). Sam Stern’s Cooking Up a Storm. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN: 076362988X.

Plot Summary: A collection of delicious recipes from British teen food enthusiast, Sam Stern. Targeted to young adults, recipes are broken down into categories like “Cool, Quick Lunches”, ”Evening Chill Out”, ”When Friends Stop By”, “Party, Party, Party”, and “School Recovery." Recipes range from traditional classics like scrambled eggs to ethnic-inspired Thai Green Curry and Char Sui Pork. Clear instructions for teens are explained with conversational terms like “slap on a piece of cheese” and “add any herbs you can find in the refrigerator” and include easily found ingredients. A section in the book also offers tips about taking vitamins, getting proper exercise and eating energy-loaded foods during school exam time.

Critical Evaluation: The subtitle for this cookbook is “The Teen Survival Cookbook,” and is endorsed by Celebrity British Chef Jamie Oliver, which will appeal to teens. I have tried several recipes from this book and they were surprisingly tasty, inventive and practical. The book includes recipes for foods like pizza, hamburgers and shortbread cookies that teens like to eat and there are lots of bright photos of the author, his friends and family who have contributed to the book. The tone of the book is meant to seem like one teen speaking plainly to other teens about his adventures in cooking and his favorite creations. It’s a well-crafted and well-planned book with just the right kind of recipes, the right amount of complexity and the right amount of pages.

Reader’s Annotation: You love to eat pizza, pancakes and garlic mashed potatoes? Why not make your own? If high school student Sam Stern can do it, you can, too. Here are his favorite, yummy and easy recipes.

Information About the Author: Sam Stern published his first cookbook at age 15 and has released three more cookbooks for teens in the past four years. He’s become a young celebrity chef in Britain and writes a regular column called “Sam’s Super Kids” in First News. As the youngest of five siblings, he received business and culinary guidance from his co-author mom, Susan Stern. His ultimate dream is to run his own restaurant between treks to the North Pole and China. At age 19, he is currently a sociology and political studies student at the University of Edinburgh.

Genre:
Teen Self-Help: Healthy Eating, Hobbies
YA non-fiction: Cookbooks

Curriculum Ties: Health class, Physical Education class, Homemaking Class, Afterschool Activities, Book Clubs

Booktalking Ideas:
1.) Favorite teen foods
2.) How to be creative in the kitchen
3.) Vocational Guidance: A teen who turned his passion into a product
4.) Book Club Activity: Recipes relating to Book Club readings and activities
5.) British teen experience versus American teen experience

Reading Level/Interest Age: Age: 13-20

Challenge Issues/Defenses:

Potential Challenges: None that I can anticipate. There’s no offensive language, images or references. The recipes represent diversity, the instructions are clear and the tips are sensible. Perhaps a chauvinistic person might dispute the encouragement of young men learning to cook in kitchens, as this may be perceived as a female’s domain and an activity appropriate for gals only.

Defense Strategy:
• Provide a list confirming that culinary arts is an industry dominated by men:
http://www.articleswave.com/articles/famous-chefs.html
• Provide our Collection Development Policy (which includes Young Adult scope): http://ww2.cityofpasadena.net/library/collection.asp
• Refer to book reviews about this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Cooking-Up-Storm-Survival-Cookbook/dp/076362988X
http://www.superchefblog.com/2006/11/sam-sterns-cooking-up-storm.html

Why This Book Was Included: I’m glad to see cookbooks being published particularly for teens. They often have an interest in culinary arts, but get overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of specialty books found in the adult section and their complex instructions assuming readers to be experienced cooks. It really is a good cookbook with tasty renditions and it’s colorful presentation that will appeal to teens. I wish there was a book like this for me when I was a hungry teen!