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. 

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.