Push

Title: Push

Author: Sapphire

ISBN: 0679446265

Publisher: Knopf

Copyright: 1996

 Plot Summary:  This heart-wrenching story follows Precious, a teenage, illiterate, pregnant girl who has suffered physical, emotional, and sexual abuse at the hands of her mother and her father. Her mother seems to only care about her welfare benefits. Precious is sent to a school for teenage mothers where she is taught to read and write by an influential teacher, Ms. Rain. Precious gives birth to her second child, whose father is her dad, and begins to work through her issues when she is dealt another crippling blow

Critical Evaluation:  Sapphire writes this book very well. The plot line is difficult to read, but the reader feels a need to try and save precious even though that is not possible. The reader feels rage towards her family, and love towards her and especially Ms. Rain. Sapphire wrote this incredibly tough topic wonderfully.

 Reader's Annotation: Pushed down by life, Precious tries to escape the shackles abuse has put on her.

Genre: Crossover, Realistic Fiction

 Author Information: Sapphire has written one other novel called The Kid. This novel is also directed at an adult audience.

Book talks: Abuse, Rape, Incest, Education, Literacy, HIV, AIDS

Reading Level/Interest Age: Older High School/ Adult. 17-100+

Challenge: This book is full of challenge issues,however, this book was written for adults thus their presence. There is incest, rape, abuse, hiv, aids, teenage pregnancy, homelessness, these are all building blocks that create the torment that Precious experiences. However horrifying it is to read, it is part of the plot, the sexual abuse is described relatively explicitly in the story so it is only appropriate for older teenagers and adults.

Why was this book chosen?: This book is emotionally poignant and well written. 

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. 

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.