Teen Vogue

Title: Teen Vogue

Published: Monthly

Cost: $10/ 2 years


Format: Print

Recommended Age: 13+


Content: This magazine is primarily focused at teenage girls. It focuses on fashion, and celebrity interviews. 


Challenge issues: Some parents may not like the risque clothing that may be featured within this magazine. However, it is a magazine about fashion, and does show diverse fashion. 


Why I chose this: This magazine is full of fun fashion advice that teenagers will love.


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Seventeen

Title: Seventeen


Published: Monthly


Cost:$10/ 1 yr


Recommended Age: 13+

Content: This magazine is geared primarily towards teenage girl. They do interviews with stars, fashion, make up tips, exercise tips and so much more.


Challenge: This magazine sometimes talks about things like kissing or making out which some parents may not find appropriate for their teenage daughter. Normally it's a pretty mild magazine.


Why I chose it: I read this magazine as a teen and thought it was useful. 

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Th1rteen R3asons Why

Title: Th1rteen R3easons Why

Author: Jay Asher

ISBN: 978-1595141880

Publisher: Penguin Books

Copyright: 2007

 Plot Summary:  Clay Jensen, a high school student, comes home from school one day to find a mysterious package full of cassette tapes. Once he begins to listen to them he hears Hannah Baker's voice, a classmate who had just committed suicide. The tapes list the thirteen reasons why she committed suicide and Clay is one of them. Clay follows Hannah's voice around town all night and in the process discovers some things about himself and Hannah. 

Critical Evaluation:  This book is very well written. There are large passages of Hannah's voice speaking sometimes and other times when Hannah is speaking about something more difficult it cuts back and forth between Hannah's voice and Clay's reaction. Clay's reactions to Hannah's words are heart wrenching at some points. Jay Asher writes the anxiety Clay feels leading up to the tape about him very well, it makes the reader feel the anxiety as well. 

 Reader's Annotation: Clay Jensen finds a mysterious package on his doorstep, full of cassettes that lead him on a journey through the eyes of another. 

Genre:  Realistic Fiction, Young Adult

 Author Information: Jay Asher has written one other young adult book called The Future of Us. To find out more about Jay Asher visit his blog at http://www.jayasher.blogspot.com/.

Book talks: Suicide, Treating others well, Rumors, Not letting rumors affect what you think about someone, how rumors affect someone

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/ High School. 13-18.

Challenge: Suicide, sex, underage drinking, theft. Hannah Baker commits suicide and this book details all the reasons why. It is important to this story that Hannah is gone. It does not detail her death but it is necessary to see what the pain in Hannah's life lead her to. There is some sex is this book at two different party locations, it does not get that graphic and it is a necessary point on the downward spiral. There is underage drinking at a party, it describes what many teenagers do, but it is not written in a glorified way. Finally, Clay steals his friend's old Walkman to play the tapes. Clay did not steal it with malicious intent and it is a necessary part of the story that Clay has a mobile way to listen to Hannah.

Why was this book chosen?: I read this book for a book club recently and could not put it down. It is a compelling work. 

Scott Pilgrim

Title: Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life

Author:Bryan Lee O'Malley


ISBN: 978-1932664089

Publisher: Oni Press

 Copyright: 2004

 Plot Summary: This story follows 23-year-old Scott Pilgrim. He plays the bass in a band and is dating a high school student. He dreams about a beautiful girl on roller skates and later sees her at a party. Her name is Ramona Flowers. While his band is playing a gig, he is confronted by one of her evil ex-boyfriends and challenged to a battle.

Critical Evaluation: This plot is extremely original and plays on the fact that when people start dating they feel as though they are competing with the ex-significant other. O'Malley couples a fantastic storyline with fun, sometimes funny graphics.

Reader's Annotation: Is Scott Pilgrim ready to fight Romona Flowers' 7 evil ex-boyfriends in order to date her?

Genre: Graphic Novel

Author Information: Bryan Lee O'Malley is primarily known for the Scott Pilgrim series however he has also written Lost at Sea. For more information visit the author's website at http://radiomaru.tumblr.com/.

Book talks:Love, jealousy, exboyfriends, superheros

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/High School/Adult. 12+

Challenge: There is no material I can see as challengeable in this text.
 
Why was this book chosen?:This is one of the more popular graphic novels as of late with some young adults due to the popularity of the movie.

Dreamland

Title: Dreamland

Author: Sarah Dessen

ISBN:978-0142401750

Publisher: Puffin Books

Copyright: 2004

 Plot Summary:  Caitlin's older, perfect, 18-year-old sister ran away on Caitlin's 16th birthday. While her parents are focusing on finding her sister, Caitlin becomes a cheerleader, and meets Rogerson. Rogerson and Caitlin begin a downward spiral including doing drugs and having sex. Rogerson starts to hurt Caitlin when he gets mad but will she be able to leave him to save herself?

Critical Evaluation:  Sarah Dessen writes well developed characters in this book. The plot ventures into some dark territory that Dessen broached well but not lightly. The plot is well developed and the reader feels the love that they are caught up in and the betrayal Caitlin feels at the first abuse. 

 Reader's Annotation:  Caitlin has found the love of her life in Rogerson, but what he does when he is angry hurts her in more ways than one. 

Genre:  Realistic Fiction, Romance, Young Adult

 Author Information: Sarah Dessen has written many young adult books including Keeping the Moon, This Lullaby, and The Truth About Forever. To learn more about Sarah Dessen go to her website at http://sarahdessen.com/.

Book talks: Abuse, Dating violence, love, drugs, sex

Reading Level/Interest Age: High School.

Challenge: Drugs, alcohol, sex, abuse. The drugs and alcohol that Caitlin encounter are nothing that typical high school students don't encounter at normal parties. Rogerson's drug dealing is a plot device that shows the reader how bad he is. They decide to have sex but the description of their physical relationship is not very detailed. Finally, Rogerson beats Caitlin more than once, this part of the book is key because teenagers in the same situation can recognize what is happening and possibly get out or teenagers not in the same situation can recognize an escalating situation and get out before it starts. 

Why was this book chosen?:  This book was chosen because Sarah Dessen writes so well about the love they share and then the pain that Rogerson causes. 

This Lullaby

Title: This Lullaby

Author: Sarah Dessen

ISBN: 978-0142501559

Publisher: Speak

Copyright: 2002

 Plot Summary: Remy does not believe in love, especially after watching her mother marry five men. However, she meets Dexter at her stepfather's used car dealership and he starts to bug her. She slowly starts falling head over heels in love, but she does not want to let go and let herself fall into something she does not believe in. Dexter and her break up after she tells someone she wants their relationship to be a summer fling. When she realizes how special of connection they have the reconnect to give their love a shot. 

Critical Evaluation:  Sarah Dessen writes believable, well developed teenage characters that her readers can relate to. Remy's mom has been married many times and so many other teenagers can relate this, and it leads to Remy's outlook. Sarah Dessen's characters and plot lines seem so real and are perfect for teenagers. Remy also is undergoing a well-written self discovery during this novel that many teens could relate to. 

 Reader's Annotation:  Remy said she would never fall in love until she met Dexter. Can this boy change her views?

Genre:  Young Adult , Realistic Fiction, Romance

 Author Information: Sarah Dessen has written many young adult books including Keeping the Moon, Dreamland, and The Truth About Forever. To learn more about Sarah Dessen go to her website at http://sarahdessen.com/.

Book talks: Divorce, love, musicians, self-discovery

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/ High School. 14-18.

Why was this book chosen?: Sarah Dessen's writing style and story lines are perfect for teenagers.

The Pigman

Title: The Pigman

Author:Paul Zindel


ISBN: 978-0060757359

Publisher: HarperTeen

Copyright: 1968
 Plot Summary: This story starts with John and Lorraine making prank phone calls. Mr. Pignati answers one and John and Lorraine pretend to be a charity, to which Mr. Pignati pledges ten dollars. John and Lorraine both come from troubled homes, and when the go to collect their ten dollars from Mr. Pignati they bond. Soon John and Lorraine hang out everyday after school with him, until Mr. Pignati has a heart attack playing tag. While he is in the hospital he leaves John and Lorraine in charge of his home but will they be able to handle the responsibility?

Critical Evaluation:  Paul Zindel makes these teenagers real. They are written in an honest way that makes them feel like real teenagers. Chapters are written from both Lorraine and John, and you get a real sense of the people that they are based on their words, and the emotions lying in the subtext. The reader also feels bad for Mr. Pignati and his loneliness is palpable throughout the text. Even though this book was written in 1968 it is timeless. The ending of this story is well written and surprising to many.

Reader's Annotation:  John and Lorraine enjoy making prank calls until one call changes the way things are forever.

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Classic, Young adult

Author Information: Paul Zindel's bibliography includes a sequel to The Pigman and other titles like, My Darling, My Hamburger, and Pardon me, You're stepping on my eyeball! For more information and other titles by Paul Zindel visit http://www.paulzindel.com

Book talks: Prank calling, love, family, friends

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/High School


Challenge: Alcohol and tobacco use. These are used as a plot device in some ways to illustrate the behavior of troubled teens like John and Lorraine.
 
Why was this book chosen?:  I had to read this book in summer school and really enjoyed it.

The Hunger Games

Title: The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins

ISBN: 978-0439023528

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Copyright: 2008

 Plot Summary:  This book tells the story of Katniss Everdeen, who is living in a country called Panem, which was formally North America. Panem is divided into 12 districts. Every year two tributes from each district are chosen to participate in the Hunger games, a literal fight to the death, that is televised across districts. Katniss is volunteers as her district's tribute in place of her little sister Primrose and an acquainted from school named Peeta is chosen as the male tribute. 

Critical Evaluation:  Collins describes the nation of Panem and the poverty that District 12 is in great detail. This story is well written and the reader is compelled to keep turning the pages to see what will happen next, and who will be the last to survive. There is a particularly compelling death scene within the book that is very moving to the reader.

 Reader's Annotation: Katniss has been chosen to compete in the Hunger games, a fight to the death, will she be the last one standing?

Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult

 Author Information:  Suzanne Collins has written other young adult books such as The Underland Chronicles and the sequels to The Hunger Games. To learn more about Suzanne Collins and her books visit http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/.

Book talks: Family, fighting, Death, Future, government control, fear

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/High School/ Adults. 13-100+.

Challenge: Violence and death. This book is about 24 kids fighting to the death in a televised match. There is some violence and death. It is not too excessive and it is not violence for violence sake. Without these two things there would be no ending to this story.

Why was this book chosen?: This book is a fantastic book and well-written. I enjoyed it very much.

The Giver

Title: The Giver

Author: Lois Lowry

ISBN: 978-0547424774

Publisher:  Bantam Books

Copyright: 1993

 Plot Summary: This book focuses on a utopian society where Jonas, who lives with his parents and his sister, Lily. Jonas is about to get his life assignment at a ceremony because he is turning 12, at the ceremony he is told that due to his special abilities, the ability to see color and hear music, he will become the next receiver of the memory. He is given the information telepathically from The Giver, and Jonas can now feel what sadness is as well as true happiness, and love. He decides, with The Giver, to escape, releasing the memories back into the community.

Critical Evaluation:  Lowry paints an amazing picture in this word where everyone is just existing. No bad things happen, but nothing extraordinary happens either. Lowry leads the reader into this world and then starts to point to the cracks in it. The writing is beautifully done and leads the reader to question, would I really be willing to give up happiness in order to be rid of sadness?

Reader's Annotation: Jonas is about to receive the memories of his community, which exists without bad things, what will he do with his new knowledge?

Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult

 Author Information:  Lois Lowry did not write her first young adult book until she was 40. Lowry has written numerous other young adult books including Number the Stars and A Summer to Die. For more information about Lois Lowry and her work go to www.loislowry.com.

Book talks: Utopian society, emotions, death

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/High School. 12-18.

Challenge: This book mentions things like supressing sexual awakening with a pill, artificially inseminating birth mothers, and being "released" which is a lethal injection and being dumped down a garbage chute. This ideas while controversial, are necessary to this book. This book is a science fiction book where the norm is different. It is meant to make the readers think about certain issues. It is not too graphic for young adults to read.

Why was this book chosen?: This is one of my favorite books so I decided to include it in the database. 

Speak

Title: Speak

Author: Laurie Halse Anderson

ISBN: 978-0312674397

Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux

Copyright: 1999

 Plot Summary:  Melinda Sordino, is a freshman in high school, in a year that should be exciting for her, she is dealing with a great amount of pain. Her classmates won't talk to her because she called the cops at a party she attended during the summer. They won't talk to her so she essentially stops talking to teachers, students, and her parents. The only solace she finds is in her freshman art class. Through this project Melinda starts to deal with why she called the cops at the party. 

Critical Evaluation:  This book covers a heavy topic and it is written very honestly. There are moments in the book that you can truly feel how invisible Melinda feels.  Although the book is about a very serious issues, there are many light moments within the book.  This is a truly well written book, and the readers will be able to relate to and understand Melinda. 

 Reader's Annotation:  Melinda Sordino lost the ability to speak for herself at a party over the summer, will she be able to rediscover it and deal with the issues that took her voice away?  

Genre:  Realistic Fiction, Young Adult

 Author Information: Speak was Laurie Halse Anderson's first young adult novel. She has since written other young adult novels including Wintergirls. To find out more about Laurie Halse Anderson visit her website at http://madwomanintheforest.com/.

Book talks: Abuse, Speaking for yourself, taking power

Reading Level/Interest Age: High School. 14-18

Challenge: Sexual Abuse. This book deals with the topic of sexual abuse however the reader is slowly introduced to what happened and it a crucial part of the story and character development.

Why was this book chosen?: This book is a powerful, well-written book and it was recommended. 

Twilight

Title: Twilight

Author: Stephenie Meyer

ISBN:978-0316038379

Publisher:  Little, Brown

Copyright: 2005

 Plot Summary: After Bella's mom and step dad move to Florida, Bella chooses to move in with her father in Forks, Washington. After starting a new high school, making friends, and trying to fit in, Bella encounters a family from her community called the Cullens. Bella is drawn to a boy from the family that is in her grade named Edward. Soon Bella realized that he too is drawn to her, in a completely different way.

Critical Evaluation:  While this may not be the best young adult book out there, Stephenie Meyer seems to have captured lightning in a bottle with this story line.  Meyer paints a picture of a fantasy world where vampires are real, and sparkle in the sunlight.  Meyer's use of descriptive words along with the relationship she creates between Edward and Bella are what attracts teenagers to this book. 

 Reader's Annotation:  Bella feels attracted to Edward in ways she never knew possible, what she does not realize is the way that Edward is attracted to her.

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy

 Author Information:  Stephenie Meyer has written other young adult books like the sequels to Twilight and The Host. To learn more about Stephenie Meyer visit http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/.

Book talks: Love, First love, vampires

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/High School/ Adults. 14-100+.

Why was this book chosen?: This is a great story line to get involved with including the books that come after it in the series. 

Gossip Girl

Title: Gossip Girl

Author: Cecily von Ziegesar 

ISBN: 978-0316910330

Publisher:Poppy

Copyright: 2002
 Plot Summary: This book, the first in a series, tells the story of New York City socialite teenagers.The main characters in this book are Blair Waldorf, Serena van der Woodsen and Blair's boyfriend Nate. They have money, and always seem to have alcohol. Gossip Girl is someone hiding behind a pseudonym that posts all the latest gossip concerning the socialites onto her website. The girls and boys go to separate private schools and sex, clothes, money, and the opposite sex seem  to always be a topic of conversation.  The book switches between different interactions between the characters and what gossip girl is posting.

Critical Evaluation: This book is written in a way that the reader feels just how shallow they all are. There is not too much character development and the layout provides for a fast read. This book is well-written and the approach to it is different than many other young adult books which makes it hard to put down.

Reader's Annotation: Gossip Girl knows everything about Blair, Serena, Nate and their friends, but do they know anything about her?

Genre: Chick Lit, Realistic Fiction, Young Adult

Author Information: Cecily Von Ziegesar's main body of work is the Gossip Girl series. There are fourteen books in the series and it is the basis for a television show. Gossip Girl's website is real and can be visited at www.gossipgirl.net

Book talks: Socialites, drugs, alcohol, gossip, sex, relationships, money

Reading Level/Interest Age: High School. 15-19
Challenge: Alcohol, drugs, sex. These are all used as plot devices to show just how the rich socialites with no rules behave in some cases it shows the effects of them. The socialites however would not be shown as shallow, and how bad their behavior is without these as tools.

Why was this book chosen?: This is a great book and a great way to start a series, it was hard to put down so I put it in this database.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Title: Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Author: Jeff Kinney

ISBN:  978-0810993136

Publisher:  Amulet Books

Copyright: 2007

 Plot Summary: This book follows Greg through school and family life. He and his friend Rowley play a game where Rowley rides a big wheel and Greg throws a football at him to knock him off over and over again until Rowley breaks his hand. Greg also decides he is going to become a weightlifter to bulk up for wrestling in gym. Another fun adventure Greg goes on is he and Rowley go trick or treating and taunt some older kids and hide in Greg's grandmother's house, the next morning he discovers that his grandmother's house has been toliet papered. This book is full of slightly random stories that sometimes tie together accompanied by funny cartoons. It is written as Greg's diary. 

Critical Evaluation:  The cartoons accompanied with how well Kinney writes Greg as a adolescent male looking for some kind of status symbol make this book funny to read. Young boys especially will be able to relate to the characters and situations that Kinney writes for Greg.

 Reader's Annotation:  Will Greg ever get rid of "the cheese touch"?

Genre: Humor, Realistic Fiction, Young Adult

 Author Information:  Jeff Kinney started these comics and stories online, he then compiled them and published them where they became a hit, and the basis for a book series on Greg and his misadventures.  For more information visit www.wimpykid.com

Book talks: bullying, friendship, family, love, apologizing

Reading Level/Interest Age: Elementary School/ Middle School. 7-14.

Challenge: I did not see any challenging issues.

Why was this book chosen?: This book is funny but honest about Greg's relationships, makes it fun to read. 

Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging

Title: Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging

Author: Louise Rennison

ISBN: 978-0064472272

Publisher: HarperTeen

Copyright: 1999

 Plot Summary:  This books is written as the diary of Georgia Nicolson. She lives with her parents, her little sister Libby, and her wild cat Angus. Her best friend is named Jas. Georgia is dealing with all kinds of teenage girl issues, like breast size, and kissing. During this book Georgia and her friend Jas a working on a plan to get Jas together with a boy named Tom. In the process, Georgia falls in love with his brother Rob, but he is dating a girl named Lindsay.  Georgia's outlook in her diary is many times hilarious but many times she feels like her world is ending in traditional teenage girl fashion. 

Critical Evaluation:  Georgia's diary entries go through an entire school year. Her character is well written and while she is very funny, the reader completely understand the drama that is her life.  The way the diary entries are written the reader feels a little like an intruder in someone else's personal thoughts, which is exactly the way someone should feel reading diary entries. 

 Reader's Annotation: A look into Georgia Nicolson's diary, complete with discussion of the "shelf boob" and snogging classes. 

Genre: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Romance

Author Information: Louise Rennison has written a series of books about Georgia including books like, On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God  and Knocked Out by My Nunga-Nungas.  Lear more about the author and Georgia by visiting http://www.georgianicolson.com/

Book talks: First kiss, love, crushes

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/Early High School.

Challenge:  Some would find some of the topics that Georgia talks about like kissing or getting kissing lessons from a boy inappropriate topics for young girls but this book is nothing teenage girls haven't read about, heard about, or experienced already.

Why was this book chosen?: This well-written book was chosen due to the quality of writing and the humor this book has within it. 

Game Informer

Title: Game Informer


Published: Monthly


Cost: $14.99/12 issues


Format: Print


Recommended Age: 13+


Content: Game reviews, strategies, and looks at upcoming games for all gaming consoles. 


Challenge issues: As with the other gaming magazine a parent might not like their child seeing games that they are not allowed to have. 


Why I chose this: Many teenagers are gamers and want strategies and reviews on current games and to see what's coming out. 


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PC Gamer

Title: PC Gamer


Published: Monthly


Cost: $19.95/ 12 issues


Format: Print


Recommended Age:13+


Content: This magazine targets gamers who use their computers as their gaming system. It has game reviews, strategies and it tells the reader of upcoming games that are coming out.


Challenge: Some parents may not want their kids to see reviews of games they cannot have due to a Mature rating. This gaming magazine is not written solely for teens and must have a diverse selection of games. 


Why I chose this: Many teenagers are gamers and utilize their computers as their consoles.


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Teen Ink

Title: Teen Ink


Published: Monthly


Format: Print


Price: $35/10 month subscription

Recommended Age: 11+


Content: Teen Ink is a magazine for teenagers, about writing and art, written by teenagers.


Genre: Magazine


Challenge: None


Why did I choose this?: A magazine written by teenagers for teenagers about something like writing is a very helpful resource.

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Portal 2

Title: Portal 2

Publisher: EA

Consoles: PC, Mac,Xbox 360, PS3

Recommended Age: 11+


Released: April 2011

Content: This is a puzzle game that can be played on single-player mode or with another play. The game is played by created a portal between two planes to transport people or items through it. This game involves logical thinking and puzzle solving ability. This a fun game that does not involve a lot of violence and promotes logical thinking.

Challenge issues: There is some mild cartoon like violence in this game. It is far less violent than many of the video games that are out there currently for young adults. There is no blood just contact.

Why I chose this: This game is a creative game that allows the user to interact with the game.

Pretty Little Liars

Title: Pretty Little Liars

Author: Sara Shepard

ISBN: 978-0-06-088730-8

Publisher:HarperTeen

Copyright: 2006

 Plot Summary:  Five friends, Alison, Spencer, Emily, Aria, and Hanna, are bound together by a horrible secret that Alison knows. However, after a slumber party in 7th grade Alison goes missing.  Four years later, the remaining girls are no longer friends but all have new secrets to hide, when they start to receive taunting text messages signed only by the letter 'A'. These text messages seem to insinuate that Alison is not dead as everyone assumed, but on a mission to uncover all their secrets.

Critical Evaluation:  Shepard writes this book in such a way that the suspension keeps building and building until the end is revealed. The ending does not resolve much of anything as this is the first book of a series. Shepard has skills writing suspense, but also understanding teenage girls enough to write them in a believable way that teenagers will relate to.

Reader's Annotation: Spencer, Emily, Aria, and Hanna all thought their secrets died with Alison, but was she ever really dead?

Genre: Chick Lit, Series, Realistic Fiction, Young Adult, Mystery

Author Information: Sara Shepard has written many young adult books, many of which are books in the Pretty Little Liars series. She wrote a series following this one called The Lying Game.  To learn more about the author and her work visit http://www.sarashepardbooks.com/.

Book talks: Secrets, Death, Rumors, Texting

Reading Level/Interest Age:
Challenge: One of the girls is in an inappropriate relationship with her teacher, another has an eating disorder and yet another is stifling feelings she has for another female. These may be reasons people would want to challenge this book but there are no explicit details in this book. These characteristics are what give 'A' the ammo that she needs to taunt these girls.

Why was this book chosen?: This book is very suspenseful and overall a good book, and a great opening book to this series.

Hatchet

Title: Hatchet


Author: Gary Paulsen


ISBN: 978-1416925088

Publisher:Bradbury Press

Original copyright:1987

 Plot Summary: This story follows Brian as he journeys to visit his father at his workplace in the oilfields in Canada for the summer. He takes a small airplane, and on the way the pilot has a heart attack. Brian tries to land the airplane but it ends up crashing into a river. Brian was only able to take the hatchet his mother gave him when he escapes the plane. He then has to teach himself how to hunt and gather, and survive in the wilderness completely alone with no help from anything but his hatchet.
 
Critical Evaluation: Paulsen does a fantastic job of painting a picture of how alone Brian is. The interactions between Brian and the wilderness are written beautifully. The reader keeps turning the pages to see if Brian is going to make it out of the wilderness and Paulsen keeps it interesting, especially with the interactions between Brian and animals. Very well written,

Reader's Annotation: Brian's plane crash lands and he is the only survivor. Will he be able to survive in the wilderness with just his hatchet?

Genre: Young Adult, Realist Fiction

Author Information: Gary Paulsen is the author of a multitude of young adult books, most of which concern the wilderness. In addition to Hatchet, Gary Paulsen wrote four other books in Brian's Saga. These books include The River, Brian's Winter, Brian's Return, and Brian's Hunt. To learn more about Gary Paulsen and his work visit http://www.randomhouse.com/features/garypaulsen/index.html. 

Book talks: Plane crash, survivor, wilderness, hunting, hatchet

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/High School. 11-16.


Challenge: I cannot really see a reason to challenge this book.

 
Why was this book chosen?:This is a fantastic young adult novel written in the vane of Robinson Crusoe.