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.

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. 

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. 

The Time Traveler's Wife

Title: The Time Traveler's Wife

Author: Audry Niffenegger


ISBN: 978-0547119793

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Copyright: 2003
 Plot Summary: This story tells the tale of Henry, who has a genetic disorder causing him to involuntarily time travel when he gets stressed out. Clare meets Henry at the library where he works at, but that is not the first time they have met. Henry from the future had been going to visit Clare since she was little and Clare even made love to him on her 18th birthday. They get married, but Henry continues to time jump. Clare wants to have a baby but Henry's genetic disorder causes many miscarriages. Clare finally has a baby who can time travel on purpose and Henry learns something that he may not want to hear.

Critical Evaluation: Niffenegger does an amazing job writing a plot that would be a confusing mess by any other author. Even though the book follows Henry through time, the characters are given time to develop, the plot line continues throughout and the love story is never lost.


Reader's Annotation: Henry involuntarily time travels, can he continue the relationship with the love of his life despite his disorder?


Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Crossover


Author Information: Niffenegger has written one other traditional novel entitled Her Fearful Symmetry. For more information about this author visit her website at http://www.audreyniffenegger.com

Book talks: Love, Marriage, Children, Death, Time traveling

Reading Level/Interest Age:High School/Adult. 14+
Challenge: Miscarriages and premarital sex. This book was written for adults, so it has adult themes. The miscarriages and a vasectomy are mentioned within the book and Clare's loss is felt. However, the miscarriages leading up to the healthy pregnancy are key parts of the. Also Clare has sex with Henry on her 18th birthday before they are married. The sex scene is not that explicit and she choses to have 'premarital' sex because she knows that they will be married someday.
 
Why was this book chosen?:Well-written, beautiful love story.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Title: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Author: Stephen Chbosky

ISBN:  978-0671027346

Publisher: MTV Books

Copyright: 1999

 Plot Summary:  This story is written as a letter from Charlie, which is not his real name, to an unnamed source. It tells how Charlie, a wallflower, deals with entering high school alone, because he best friend had just committed suicide prior to school start. He is taken under the wings of Sam, a beautiful senior, and her gay stepbrother Patrick. The introduce him to so many different things his was missing including drugs and discovering his sexuality. He is mentored by his English teacher intellectually but will it all be enough to help him deal with the loss of his best friend and a frightening realization he makes about a family member?

Critical Evaluation:   This book is so pure, not in content, but in Charlie's character. The reader cannot help but feel for him. Chbosky did an amazing job writing and developing Charlie and the journey he goes on. The reader can almost feel Charlie's emotions including at some points anxiety, depression, and humor. This book is amazingly well written. 

 Reader's Annotation:  Sam and Patrick attempt to pull Charlie away from being a wallflower.

Genre: Sexuality, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Young Adult

 Author Information: The Perks of Being a Wallflower was the only book Chbosky wrote for young adults. He has worked in the entertainment business, most notably writing the screenplay for the film adaptation of Rent.

Book talks: Sexuality, Suicide, Drugs, Sex

Reading Level/Interest Age: High School. 14-19

Challenge: This book talks a lot about sexuality but that is a part of Charlie. Nothing gets grossly explicit and it is crucial to the story as Charlie goes on his journey of maturation. There are drugs and alcohol in this book but it is nothing that a teenager has not heard about before, read about before or seen before. 

Why was this book chosen?: This is a fantastic coming of age story that I really enjoyed in high school.

Whatever Happened to Goodbye?

Title: What Happened to Goodbye

Author: Sarah Dessen

ISBN: 978-0670012947

Publisher: Viking Juvenile

Copyright: 2011

 Plot Summary: This story follows Mclean who, after her parents divorce lives with her father, who moves around constantly for his job. She resents her mother for remarry the coach of her father's favorite basketball team. At each new location that Mclean goes to high school she reinvents herself with different stereotypical teenage girl personality, complete with a new variation of her middle name as her first name.  Mclean and her father just moved to Lakeview, where Mclean is trying something new, being herself, and while working at her dad's new restaurant attracts new friends and even a love interest with her own personality. 

Critical Evaluation:  Sarah Dessen writes stories about teenagers that feel real, living in scenarios that they can relate to. Mclean is suffering from an identity crisis due to her parent's divorce and all the moving around she does and the reader can feel the conflicts Mclean feels being herself. Sarah Dessen's plot lines may not be extremely intricate but her character development is fantastic, the reader feels like they know the characters well before the story is over. 

 Reader's Annotation: Mclean Sweet is trying something new at her new school, being herself. Will she come to terms with her parents divorce and her identity crisis to recognize the true friendship and love she has found?

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, identity crisis, blended families

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

Why was this book chosen?:  Sarah Dessen writes relatable characters in story lines teenagers understand. 

The Host

Title: The Host

Author: Stephenie Meyer

ISBN: 978-0316043045

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Copyright: 2008

 Plot Summary:  This book focuses on Mel Stryder, one of the few rebel humans who remain after "Souls" take over. "Souls" take over human bodies and use the for information and habitat. Mel is then taken over by The Wanderer who is gathering information for The Seeker. However, the Wanderer grows attached to Mel's family and boyfriend, and begins to help the rebel humans instead of her intended task.

Critical Evaluation: Meyer has a knack for placing the reader inside of the main character's head. She writes this interesting dichotomy of Mel inside her own head fighting with the Wanderer, and the Wanderer dealing with her emotions of inadequacy for not being able to shut out Mel. This is very well thought out plot and includes well developed characters within well developed characters.  

 Reader's Annotation: Mel fights to keep her own mind after it is taken over by an alien "Soul".

Genre:  Science Fiction, Romance

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

Book talks: Aliens, Souls, respecting other beings

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

Challenge: I did not find any of this book challenge worthy. People could find humans experimenting on other humans to remove the "souls"occupying them as something troublesome, but they were fighting to save friends and family and their race. They tried many different things and began to get desperate. 

Why was this book chosen?: This science fiction book seemed less intimidating than others. 

Forever

Title: Forever...

Author: Judy Blume


ISBN: 978-1416934004

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Copyright:1975

 Plot Summary: This book tells the tale of Katherine and Michael. Katherine is a high school senior who meets Michael at a party. The book follows them as they date and begin to explore the idea of sexual intimacy. They ultimately decide to physicalize their relationship, and they decide that this means they will be together forever. However, over the summer they get jobs in different states, they try to hold onto their relationship and make forever last.


Critical Evaluation: Judy Blume is a pioneer in young adult books. This is one of the first stories where a teenager had sex and did not face some kind of great punishment. This broke down walls and allow other authors to do the same. This book is well written and captures the fire that first love holds.

Reader's Annotation: Katherine and Michael are instantly attracted to each other and are convinced their love will last forever, but is forever as long as they think it is?
 
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Classic, Romance

Author Information:  Judy Blume has written 27 other literary works including, Are you there God? It's Me Margaret, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, and Frecklejuice. She was inspired to write this book after her daughter requested a book where two teenagers have sex, and no one died. To learn more about Judy Blume visit her website at www.judyblume.com

Book talks: Sex, first love

Reading Level/Interest Age: High School. 14-16
Challenge: Sexual content. This story is built around first love and Katherine's first sexual experience. It goes into great detail but it is not pornographic. It is a necessary part of the story and not excessive.

Why was this book chosen?:  Judy Blume is one of my favorite young adult authors, and this is one of my favorite stories.

A Walk to Remember

Title: A Walk to Remember

Author: Nicholas Sparks

ISBN: 978-0446693806

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Copyright:2004
 
 Plot Summary: This story is set in the 1950's.  Landon Carter, a senior in high school and a bad boy befriends Jaimie Sullivan the minister's goody-goody daughter. Slowly as time goes on and they continue to spend time together Landon realizes that he is falling for Jaimie. Jaimie is then forced to tell Landon the secret she has been hiding that will change Landon's life forever.

Critical Evaluation:  This book paints a lovely picture of an older version of Landon Carter reminiscing about his life in high school. Sparks writes between the time periods very well. Sparks is able to create this magical love story out of thin air between two people who would not typically end up together. Teens are attracted to love stories with characters like these. Sparks develops that plot and the characters beautifully. The reader even gets a sense of character growth between the two different versions of Landon.

Reader's Annotation: Landon Carter finds himself falling for the minster's daughter, will her secret change him forever?

Genre: Romance, Crossover, Realistic Fiction

Author Information: Nicholas Sparks is famous for his romantic fiction novels such as The Notebook and Message in a Bottle. To find out more about Nicholas Sparks or his work visit www.nicholassparks.com.

Book talks: Young love, Marriage, commitment, love, sickness

Reading Level/Interest Age: High School/Adult. 14+ 

Challenge: Nothing I see that would be challenged. 
 
Why was this book chosen?: This is my favorite Nicholas Sparks book.