ISBN: 978-0-385-74702-8
Wendy Lamb Books, NY
2006
228 pages
Plot Summary
Josie, Nicolette and Aviva all go out with the same boy, a jock and one of the "popular" crowd. He leads all three girls on by telling them how much he likes them when really he's just after one thing.
Josie was so hurt that she went to the school library and wrote in the back of the school's copy of Forever by Judy Blume. She warned other girls to stay away from him. Other girls add to her notes and pretty soon the whole book is covered with warnings about this one boy!
Critical Evaluation
I loved how this book, written in verse from the points-of-view of the three jilted girls, never even names this cad of a boy. And it was great that the girls all regained a measure of their pride by channeling their hurt feelings into warning others.
Reader's Annotation
Josie, Nicolette and Aviva have all dated and been jilted by the same cute, popular jock. They get back at him by warning others that he only has one thing on his mind.
Author's Info
Tanya Lee Stone edited other people's writings as an editor of children's books for thirteen years. She graduated with a degree in English from Oberlin College and received her Master's in Education from Southern Connecticut State University. She has traveled world-wide and now lives in Vermont. She has written children's books but A Bad Boy Can Be Good For A Girl is her first YA novel. Her next novel will be in prose.
Genre
YA novel written in verse
Curriculum Ties
A good book to use in Life Skills discussions on how girls and boys may be looking for different things when dating.
Booktalking Ideas
1. Why does Josie choose Forever as the book to write in?
2. What does the guilty boy do when he walks by where the three girls are talking?
Reading / Interest Level
High School
Challenge Issues and Defense
sexual situations
The point of the book is to help girls deal with dating and the pressure to have sex. Good book for parents (maybe moms) and daughters to read together.
Library's collection development policy
Starred Reviews in SLJ and Kliatt; SLJ Book of the Month and an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers are some of the awards.
Why I Included This Book
Raises important dating issues, wanting to be popular, etc.
Starred reviews in professional library journals.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Girls for Breakfast by David Yoo
ISBN: 978-0-385-73192-8
Delacorte Press, NY
2005
294 pages
Plot Summary
Nick Park has two problems; one he started liking girls way before any of his friends - he became fascinated with Miss January in Playboy magazine when he was only nine, and he's Korean - or at least an American of Korean descent - who hates Koreans and Korean food. He has always had problems keeping friends and by the time he gets to high school he realizes it's because he's the only Asian at his Connecticut school.
Critical Evaluation
This look at a Korean-American boy coming-of-age is told with humor but also with a tinge of sadness because the prejudice is often coming from within - Nick doesn't accept himself - in fact, he's a banana - white on the inside and yellow outside. The story may be partly autobiographical - the author doesn't say but ...Girls for Breakfast is well-written but a little confusing because it's ultimately unclear why Nick remains unpopular. We're left to ponder if race does play a major part in his school and community.
Reader's Annotation
Nick Park loves girls but why don't they want to go out with him? One major problem is that he never gets around to actually asking anyone for a date.
Author Info
This is David Yoo's first novel. He graduated from Skidmore College and earned his MA from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He lives in Massachusetts and loves the music of the Clash, the movie Repo Man and steak burritos. He plays adult soccer and teaches fiction at the Gotham Writers' Workshop. He obviously has a great sense of humor!
Genre
YA coming-of-age
No Curriculum Ties
Booktalking Ideas
1. Nick finally comes to the realization that he can't keep friends because he's the only Asian kid in his school. Is that the real reason? Are the kids that racist?
2. Nick's best friend from the time they were eight has been his neighbor Will? Why does Nick decide not to be friends with Will any more?
Reading/ Interest Level
High school for both
Challenge Issues and Defense
sexual situations, partying, underage drinking, inappropriate language
realistic high school situations
Library's collection development policy
Book jacket says that best for age after 14
Rave reviews from bestselling authors Tom Perrotta and Rachel Cohn and the book was a Booksense Pick and a NYPL Book for the Teenage.
Why I Included This Book
Loved the "banana" analogy, looked interesting, and the book jacket is fabulous!
Delacorte Press, NY
2005
294 pages
Plot Summary
Nick Park has two problems; one he started liking girls way before any of his friends - he became fascinated with Miss January in Playboy magazine when he was only nine, and he's Korean - or at least an American of Korean descent - who hates Koreans and Korean food. He has always had problems keeping friends and by the time he gets to high school he realizes it's because he's the only Asian at his Connecticut school.
Critical Evaluation
This look at a Korean-American boy coming-of-age is told with humor but also with a tinge of sadness because the prejudice is often coming from within - Nick doesn't accept himself - in fact, he's a banana - white on the inside and yellow outside. The story may be partly autobiographical - the author doesn't say but ...Girls for Breakfast is well-written but a little confusing because it's ultimately unclear why Nick remains unpopular. We're left to ponder if race does play a major part in his school and community.
Reader's Annotation
Nick Park loves girls but why don't they want to go out with him? One major problem is that he never gets around to actually asking anyone for a date.
Author Info
This is David Yoo's first novel. He graduated from Skidmore College and earned his MA from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He lives in Massachusetts and loves the music of the Clash, the movie Repo Man and steak burritos. He plays adult soccer and teaches fiction at the Gotham Writers' Workshop. He obviously has a great sense of humor!
Genre
YA coming-of-age
No Curriculum Ties
Booktalking Ideas
1. Nick finally comes to the realization that he can't keep friends because he's the only Asian kid in his school. Is that the real reason? Are the kids that racist?
2. Nick's best friend from the time they were eight has been his neighbor Will? Why does Nick decide not to be friends with Will any more?
Reading/ Interest Level
High school for both
Challenge Issues and Defense
sexual situations, partying, underage drinking, inappropriate language
realistic high school situations
Library's collection development policy
Book jacket says that best for age after 14
Rave reviews from bestselling authors Tom Perrotta and Rachel Cohn and the book was a Booksense Pick and a NYPL Book for the Teenage.
Why I Included This Book
Loved the "banana" analogy, looked interesting, and the book jacket is fabulous!
Outside Beauty by Cynthia Kadohata
Audiobook
Read by Sue Jean Kim
ISBN: 978-0-743-572101
Audioworks, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, NY 2008
Running Time: Approx. 6 hours
Plot Summary
Thirteen-year-old Shelby and her three sisters (Marilyn, 15, Lakey, 8, and Maddie 6) are being raised by their beautiful but unconventional mother. They each have different fathers and their mother Helen lives on her beauty and wits to attract new lovers. Yet she is not a bad mother; the girls all adore her and get along with one another (Shelby is "in charge of" Maddie and Lakey has Marilyn to watch over). However, their mother Helen is injured in an accident and the girls must each go and live with their respective fathers while their mother recuperates.
Critical Evaluation
I liked the originality of this story and how the girls knew how to fend for themselves. However, the mother never seems to learn that there are more important things in life than being beautiful and attracting men. The main character, Shelby, is more perceptive at age thirteen than her mom.
Reader's Annotation
Helen is beautiful and draws men to her like honey, but is she a responsible mom to her four daughters by four different men?
Author's Info
Cynthia Kadohata is the Newbery-award-winning author of Kira -Kira and other YA novels such as Weedflower (which won the 2007 PEN Literary Award for Children's Literature). She has also written novels for adults including The Floating World. She has published short stories in literary journals including the New Yorker and Grand Street. She lives in Covina, CA.
Genre
realistic YA novel
No Curriculum Ties
Booktalking Ideas
1. Shelby's feelings for her father change during the course of the book. How does he change in response?
2. Why do the girls run away and do they really think they can get away from their fathers?
Reading / Interest Level
Middle school through high school for both (the main character is a little young for high school age but I still think they could relate to Shelby and her sisters).
Challenge Issues and Defense
The girls' mother uses her beauty to attract men
The book makes it obvious that this isn't a good plan for a stable life
Library's collection development plan
Award-winning YA author
Why I Included This Book
A well-written book by an award-winning author although this book is not her best.
Read by Sue Jean Kim
ISBN: 978-0-743-572101
Audioworks, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, NY 2008
Running Time: Approx. 6 hours
Plot Summary
Thirteen-year-old Shelby and her three sisters (Marilyn, 15, Lakey, 8, and Maddie 6) are being raised by their beautiful but unconventional mother. They each have different fathers and their mother Helen lives on her beauty and wits to attract new lovers. Yet she is not a bad mother; the girls all adore her and get along with one another (Shelby is "in charge of" Maddie and Lakey has Marilyn to watch over). However, their mother Helen is injured in an accident and the girls must each go and live with their respective fathers while their mother recuperates.
Critical Evaluation
I liked the originality of this story and how the girls knew how to fend for themselves. However, the mother never seems to learn that there are more important things in life than being beautiful and attracting men. The main character, Shelby, is more perceptive at age thirteen than her mom.
Reader's Annotation
Helen is beautiful and draws men to her like honey, but is she a responsible mom to her four daughters by four different men?
Author's Info
Cynthia Kadohata is the Newbery-award-winning author of Kira -Kira and other YA novels such as Weedflower (which won the 2007 PEN Literary Award for Children's Literature). She has also written novels for adults including The Floating World. She has published short stories in literary journals including the New Yorker and Grand Street. She lives in Covina, CA.
Genre
realistic YA novel
No Curriculum Ties
Booktalking Ideas
1. Shelby's feelings for her father change during the course of the book. How does he change in response?
2. Why do the girls run away and do they really think they can get away from their fathers?
Reading / Interest Level
Middle school through high school for both (the main character is a little young for high school age but I still think they could relate to Shelby and her sisters).
Challenge Issues and Defense
The girls' mother uses her beauty to attract men
The book makes it obvious that this isn't a good plan for a stable life
Library's collection development plan
Award-winning YA author
Why I Included This Book
A well-written book by an award-winning author although this book is not her best.
Shattering Glass by Gail Giles
ISBN: 978-0-689-85800-0
Simon Pulse, NY 2003
215 pages
Plot Summary
High school senior Simon Glass is the school nerd right down to his plastic pencil case. He is used to being picked on until Rob, the most popular kid at school, decides to use his charisma and powers of persuasion to make Simon popular too. Rob doesn't care who he hurts along the way, and he gets away with it because his friends all need help in one way or another - help they can get from Simon's ability to hack into the school's computers. But what happens when Simon decides to take matters into his own hands - is chilling and disturbing.
Critical Evaluation
I had not heard of this book or author, so I was surprised by the book's intensity. The outcome is told at the beginning but the suspenseful way everything comes together is skillfully told. The mob rule at the end is particularly scary because things can get out of hand quickly and this group of high school boys is no worse (other than their leader) than many kids with no moral compass to guide them.
Reader's Annotation
What happens to a group of high school senior boys when their leader decides to play God and turn the nerdiest kid in school into the most popular?
Author's Info
The award-winning Shattering Glass was Gail Giles first YA novel. She has since written Dead Girls Don't Write Letters. Although Gail is a native Texan (the setting for Shattering Glass), she has lived in Chicago and now lives in Alaska with her husband, two dogs and three cats. She is a former substitute teacher who got the inspiration for the book from listening to high school students talking in the hallways about a nerdy kid needing a make-over.
Genre
realistic YA novel
Curriculum Ties
Could be used to start a discussion in Life Skills about bullying.
Booktalking Ideas
1. The group of popular boys go over to Simon's house and are surprised to learn that his home is big and beautiful. Why do they say then that they feel sorry for him?
2. Coop is basically a good kid. How does he get caught up in the "popularity" contest and what does he do to redeem himself?
Reading/ Interest Level
High school; not appropriate for younger
Challenge Issues and Defense
violence, bullying, sexual situations, sex abuse, foul language
Lots of challenge issues but this would be a good book for parents to read and discuss with their teens.
Library's collection development policy.
Starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist and the winner of many awards including An ALA Best Book for YA, an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers and a Booklist Top 10 Mystery for
Youth.
Why I Included This Book
This was an excellent book for discussing how important popularity is to high school students -
I selected it based on its many awards.
Simon Pulse, NY 2003
215 pages
Plot Summary
High school senior Simon Glass is the school nerd right down to his plastic pencil case. He is used to being picked on until Rob, the most popular kid at school, decides to use his charisma and powers of persuasion to make Simon popular too. Rob doesn't care who he hurts along the way, and he gets away with it because his friends all need help in one way or another - help they can get from Simon's ability to hack into the school's computers. But what happens when Simon decides to take matters into his own hands - is chilling and disturbing.
Critical Evaluation
I had not heard of this book or author, so I was surprised by the book's intensity. The outcome is told at the beginning but the suspenseful way everything comes together is skillfully told. The mob rule at the end is particularly scary because things can get out of hand quickly and this group of high school boys is no worse (other than their leader) than many kids with no moral compass to guide them.
Reader's Annotation
What happens to a group of high school senior boys when their leader decides to play God and turn the nerdiest kid in school into the most popular?
Author's Info
The award-winning Shattering Glass was Gail Giles first YA novel. She has since written Dead Girls Don't Write Letters. Although Gail is a native Texan (the setting for Shattering Glass), she has lived in Chicago and now lives in Alaska with her husband, two dogs and three cats. She is a former substitute teacher who got the inspiration for the book from listening to high school students talking in the hallways about a nerdy kid needing a make-over.
Genre
realistic YA novel
Curriculum Ties
Could be used to start a discussion in Life Skills about bullying.
Booktalking Ideas
1. The group of popular boys go over to Simon's house and are surprised to learn that his home is big and beautiful. Why do they say then that they feel sorry for him?
2. Coop is basically a good kid. How does he get caught up in the "popularity" contest and what does he do to redeem himself?
Reading/ Interest Level
High school; not appropriate for younger
Challenge Issues and Defense
violence, bullying, sexual situations, sex abuse, foul language
Lots of challenge issues but this would be a good book for parents to read and discuss with their teens.
Library's collection development policy.
Starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist and the winner of many awards including An ALA Best Book for YA, an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers and a Booklist Top 10 Mystery for
Youth.
Why I Included This Book
This was an excellent book for discussing how important popularity is to high school students -
I selected it based on its many awards.
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Movie (DVD) ISBN: 25192-02226
Summit Entertainment 2008
Total run time: 122 minutes
Plot Summary
High school junior Bella moves from Phoenix to Forks, WA to live with her police chief dad. The kids at her new high school are nice to her - all except her lab partner, Edward Cullen, who acts like he hates her. However, he saves her from being crushed by a car and they find each other drawn to one another. Edward harbors a deep secret; one that Bella eventually figures out - he and his family are vampires. They have turned "vegetarian" and only drink the blood of animals - the same isn't true of a competing band of vampires who have shown up in the area.
Critical Evaluation
I can certainly see why teenage girls have flocked to this movie (and its sequel New Moon). The boys in the movie are all beautiful, from the vampires to the tribe of Indians who live on the nearby reservation. The story is romantic - Edward has to "keep himself" from losing control around Bella or he might be tempted to drink her blood! The story is actually a pretty straight-forward girl meets vampire but it's beautifully filmed and very entertaining.
Reader's/ Viewer's Annotation
Bella moves to Forks, Washington to be with her police chief dad. Things are hard enough being the new kid at school; why does her lab partner, the handsome but mysterious Edward Cullen, seem to hate her so much?
Author Info
Author Stephenie Meyer hit on the right formula for her blockbuster series of romantic vampire books. Twilight, her first book and the first one to be made into a movie, may not be as critically acclaimed as the Harry Potter series, but they are proving to be very popular, especially with women from 12- 90.
Genre
romance
No Curriculum Ties
Booktalking Ideas
1. Why does saving Bella from being crushed by the car put Edward and his family in jeopardy?
2. Discuss why Edward's room is so unusual.
Viewing/ Interest Level
Mostly middle school to high school girls
Challenge Issues and Defense
I really didn't see any for high school age - maybe some people wouldn't approve of vampires or the violence.
Rated PG13 - kids under 13 should not watch it without a parent
library's collection development policy for the book
Why I Included This Movie
Because it's such a phenomenal best-seller. The book is always checked out at our school library.
That doesn't mean it's great literature but everyone needs a little escapism!
Summit Entertainment 2008
Total run time: 122 minutes
Plot Summary
High school junior Bella moves from Phoenix to Forks, WA to live with her police chief dad. The kids at her new high school are nice to her - all except her lab partner, Edward Cullen, who acts like he hates her. However, he saves her from being crushed by a car and they find each other drawn to one another. Edward harbors a deep secret; one that Bella eventually figures out - he and his family are vampires. They have turned "vegetarian" and only drink the blood of animals - the same isn't true of a competing band of vampires who have shown up in the area.
Critical Evaluation
I can certainly see why teenage girls have flocked to this movie (and its sequel New Moon). The boys in the movie are all beautiful, from the vampires to the tribe of Indians who live on the nearby reservation. The story is romantic - Edward has to "keep himself" from losing control around Bella or he might be tempted to drink her blood! The story is actually a pretty straight-forward girl meets vampire but it's beautifully filmed and very entertaining.
Reader's/ Viewer's Annotation
Bella moves to Forks, Washington to be with her police chief dad. Things are hard enough being the new kid at school; why does her lab partner, the handsome but mysterious Edward Cullen, seem to hate her so much?
Author Info
Author Stephenie Meyer hit on the right formula for her blockbuster series of romantic vampire books. Twilight, her first book and the first one to be made into a movie, may not be as critically acclaimed as the Harry Potter series, but they are proving to be very popular, especially with women from 12- 90.
Genre
romance
No Curriculum Ties
Booktalking Ideas
1. Why does saving Bella from being crushed by the car put Edward and his family in jeopardy?
2. Discuss why Edward's room is so unusual.
Viewing/ Interest Level
Mostly middle school to high school girls
Challenge Issues and Defense
I really didn't see any for high school age - maybe some people wouldn't approve of vampires or the violence.
Rated PG13 - kids under 13 should not watch it without a parent
library's collection development policy for the book
Why I Included This Movie
Because it's such a phenomenal best-seller. The book is always checked out at our school library.
That doesn't mean it's great literature but everyone needs a little escapism!
Girl Goddess #9 by Francesca Lia Block
ISBN: 0-06-447187-X
HarperTrophy, NY 1996
181 pages
Plot Summary
This book is composed of 9 separate short stories: Tweetie Sweet Pea, Blue, Dragons in Manhattan, Girl Goddess # 9, Rave, The Canyon, Pixie and Pony, Winnie and Cubby and Orpheus. Even though each is a stand-along story, they have common themes of sexual identity confusion, longing for acceptance and looking for beauty in a sometimes-ugly world. Most of the main characters are young girls or women who live in the city (usually LA) and are drawn toward the unusual - in partners, clothes, cars, music and houses.
Critical Evaluation
Francesa Lia Block's voice is like no other - you immediately know that you are reading one of her stories by her descriptive passages. Everything and everyone are composed of colors and textures and smells - softness and light, laces and punk rock. These stories were written 15-20 years ago so there are many references to AIDS (people dying from loving one another as she call it).
Reader's Annotation
Everyone searches for love and acceptance. These nine stories show some of the different paths we can take in finding acceptance in ourselves and others.
Author Info
Francesca Lia Block lives in LA and has written lots of critically-acclaimed YA literature. She also wrote Weetzie Bat, one of the other books in this blog.
Genre
LGBT short stories
No Curriculum Ties
Booktalking Ideas
both from "Dragons in Manhattan"
1. Tuck travels from NY to SF to LA looking for her father. How and where does she finally find him?
2. How is Tuck, who is obviously underage, able to stay by herself in a hotel like the Pink Gingerbread?
Reading/ Interest Level
High school and up for both
Challenge Issues and Defense
LGBT themes, alcohol and drug use, offensive language
the sex isn't graphic and these are fairy tales of life in La-La land
Make sure that you are familiar with the whole book - passages taken out of context can be misconstrued.
Library's collection development policy
Acclaimed YA author
Why I Included This Book
This is the only short-story collection in the blog; Francesca Lia Block is an important YA author with a unique voice. Highly recommended by the head librarian where I work.
HarperTrophy, NY 1996
181 pages
Plot Summary
This book is composed of 9 separate short stories: Tweetie Sweet Pea, Blue, Dragons in Manhattan, Girl Goddess # 9, Rave, The Canyon, Pixie and Pony, Winnie and Cubby and Orpheus. Even though each is a stand-along story, they have common themes of sexual identity confusion, longing for acceptance and looking for beauty in a sometimes-ugly world. Most of the main characters are young girls or women who live in the city (usually LA) and are drawn toward the unusual - in partners, clothes, cars, music and houses.
Critical Evaluation
Francesa Lia Block's voice is like no other - you immediately know that you are reading one of her stories by her descriptive passages. Everything and everyone are composed of colors and textures and smells - softness and light, laces and punk rock. These stories were written 15-20 years ago so there are many references to AIDS (people dying from loving one another as she call it).
Reader's Annotation
Everyone searches for love and acceptance. These nine stories show some of the different paths we can take in finding acceptance in ourselves and others.
Author Info
Francesca Lia Block lives in LA and has written lots of critically-acclaimed YA literature. She also wrote Weetzie Bat, one of the other books in this blog.
Genre
LGBT short stories
No Curriculum Ties
Booktalking Ideas
both from "Dragons in Manhattan"
1. Tuck travels from NY to SF to LA looking for her father. How and where does she finally find him?
2. How is Tuck, who is obviously underage, able to stay by herself in a hotel like the Pink Gingerbread?
Reading/ Interest Level
High school and up for both
Challenge Issues and Defense
LGBT themes, alcohol and drug use, offensive language
the sex isn't graphic and these are fairy tales of life in La-La land
Make sure that you are familiar with the whole book - passages taken out of context can be misconstrued.
Library's collection development policy
Acclaimed YA author
Why I Included This Book
This is the only short-story collection in the blog; Francesca Lia Block is an important YA author with a unique voice. Highly recommended by the head librarian where I work.
The Long Night of Leo and Bree by Ellen Wittlinger
ISBN: 978-0-689-83564-3
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, NY
2002
111 pages
Plot Summary
Everything spiralled downhill for Leo's family after the brutal murder of his 17-year-old sister, Michelle. She had been such a good kid, working in a hospital gift shop. She was the calm one in the family, the one everyone depended on to keep their emotions in check. On the 4th anniversary of Michelle's death (at the hands of her abusive boyfriend), Leo's mother is worse than ever. She can't work, doesn't even change out of her pajamas, she just gets drunk and yells at him, blaming him for his sister's murder. Leo can't take it anymore and goes out driving; he thinks that Michelle wants him to kill another girl to make up for her murder - he's so confused that he kidnaps a girl right off the street. She's dressed sexily but it turns out that Bree is just a kid -seventeen, the same age as Leo. The decisions the two of them make during the night change their lives.
Critical Evaluation
This is an interesting premise for a story - two 17-year-olds from completely different walks of life find they have common bonds - but it's a little far-fetched that Leo just happens to kidnap a girl who also has a dead sister. However, the way the author depicts their changing emotions during the night feels real. Bree is scared at first but realized that Leo doesn't really want to hurt her - and Leo starts out all macho but starts letting down his guard. Both changes are realistic.
Reader's Annotation
Leo's life has spiralled out of control since his sister's murder. On the 4th anniversary of her death he decides to kidnap and kill a girl who deserves it - unlike his sister who was a good kid. But what happens when Leo kidnaps Bree, a girl who is just another 17-year-old - a kid not so different from himself?
Author's Info
Ellen Wittlinger is the author of many acclaimed YA novels, including Hard Love, another book in this blog. She's also written Razzle and What's in a Name, Noticing Paradise and Lombardo's Law. A former children's librarian, she lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two children.
Genre
Realistic YA novel
No Curriculum Ties
Booktalking Ideas
1. Leo is driving around looking for a "bad" girl to kidnap. Why does he choose Bree?
2. Leo tells Bree that her boyfriend shouldn't tell her what to wear or boss her around. What gives him the right to tell her those things?
Reading/ Interest Level
High school for both
Challenge Issues and Defense
murder, kidnapping, alcoholism
none are graphic and the story definitely doesn't glamorize the violence or alcoholism
Library's collection development policy
Award-winning author
Why I Included This Book
Hard Love was an excellent book so I wanted to read another by the same author. This book was well-written but not on a par with Hard Love.
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, NY
2002
111 pages
Plot Summary
Everything spiralled downhill for Leo's family after the brutal murder of his 17-year-old sister, Michelle. She had been such a good kid, working in a hospital gift shop. She was the calm one in the family, the one everyone depended on to keep their emotions in check. On the 4th anniversary of Michelle's death (at the hands of her abusive boyfriend), Leo's mother is worse than ever. She can't work, doesn't even change out of her pajamas, she just gets drunk and yells at him, blaming him for his sister's murder. Leo can't take it anymore and goes out driving; he thinks that Michelle wants him to kill another girl to make up for her murder - he's so confused that he kidnaps a girl right off the street. She's dressed sexily but it turns out that Bree is just a kid -seventeen, the same age as Leo. The decisions the two of them make during the night change their lives.
Critical Evaluation
This is an interesting premise for a story - two 17-year-olds from completely different walks of life find they have common bonds - but it's a little far-fetched that Leo just happens to kidnap a girl who also has a dead sister. However, the way the author depicts their changing emotions during the night feels real. Bree is scared at first but realized that Leo doesn't really want to hurt her - and Leo starts out all macho but starts letting down his guard. Both changes are realistic.
Reader's Annotation
Leo's life has spiralled out of control since his sister's murder. On the 4th anniversary of her death he decides to kidnap and kill a girl who deserves it - unlike his sister who was a good kid. But what happens when Leo kidnaps Bree, a girl who is just another 17-year-old - a kid not so different from himself?
Author's Info
Ellen Wittlinger is the author of many acclaimed YA novels, including Hard Love, another book in this blog. She's also written Razzle and What's in a Name, Noticing Paradise and Lombardo's Law. A former children's librarian, she lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two children.
Genre
Realistic YA novel
No Curriculum Ties
Booktalking Ideas
1. Leo is driving around looking for a "bad" girl to kidnap. Why does he choose Bree?
2. Leo tells Bree that her boyfriend shouldn't tell her what to wear or boss her around. What gives him the right to tell her those things?
Reading/ Interest Level
High school for both
Challenge Issues and Defense
murder, kidnapping, alcoholism
none are graphic and the story definitely doesn't glamorize the violence or alcoholism
Library's collection development policy
Award-winning author
Why I Included This Book
Hard Love was an excellent book so I wanted to read another by the same author. This book was well-written but not on a par with Hard Love.
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