Story of a Girl

Zarr, Sara. Story of a Girl: A Novel. New York: Little, Brown, 2007. Print.

Intended Audience: Ages 14 and older

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Personal Reaction: Story of a Girl is a coming of age story of Deanna Lambert.  Since losing her virginity in the back of Tommy Webber's Buick in eighth grade and her dad finding her with him in the act, her reputation has been shot.  Her father no longer trusts her or even looks at her, boys at school label her as being easy and make horrible comments and she constantly looks at her life in a manner of "if I was a different kind of girl."  The only bright spots in her life is her brother Darren, his girlfriend Stacy, their daughter April, and her two friends Jason and Lee.  The story follows Deanna's life as she eventually grows into being the kind of girl she always wanted to be but wouldn't allow herself to become. 

At points I found myself wanting to yell at Deanna for being so childish and seeming to blame others for her situation in life.  No, it is not fair for boys to grab at you in the mall, but because they have this opinion of you does not mean you need to have it herself.  I was happy at the end of the story how Deanna stopped saying how she would act if she was a certain kind of girl and instead started acting like it.  This was a great coming of age story, one I think any young girls may be able to relate with (even those who were not labeled as being easy).  

Author Facts: Sara Zarr was born in 1970 in Cleveland, OH.  She reads all mail she is sent and even writes back (something not many authors have time to do).  In 2010 she was a judge for the National Book Award. 

Author Website: http://www.sarazarr.com/

My True Love Gave To Me

Perkins, Stephanie, ed. My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories. New York, New York: St Martin's Griffin, 2014. Print.

Genre: Short Stories (realistic fiction and some fantasy)

Intended Audience: Ages 12 and older

Personal Reaction: I read this book alongside several others over the last week, taking in bits and pieces at a time to help prepare myself for the holiday season, finishing it on Thanksgiving.  There were stories taking place everywhere possible.  My favorite was in the North Pole with Natty, adopted by Santa, who has a crush on Flynn one of the elves written by Jenny Han.  Another featured Hanukkah, and a misfit student in college finding home over the Simpsons and latkes on the last day of Hanukkah.  Still others took place on New Years, giving hope and new starts to live.  

Each of these stories has a perfect fit in the collection as they all seem to have that feeling of hope-filled anticipation the holidays often bring.  Amid the longer novels I have been reading for this class and other homework that has been gracing itself with my time it was nice to have a reason for short breaks that I would not get hooked into reading for hours on end.  

Author (Editor) Facts: Stephanie Perkins is an author of teen fiction novels who lives in Ashville, North Carolina.  She counts as both editor and author for this book, as one of the short stories was by her, but she did the editing as well.  She and her husband live in a house that is nearly a hundred years old with many different colored rooms.  They have a cat named Mr. Tumnus. She used to be a librarian before becoming an author and believes stories should always have more kissing.  

Author (Editor) Website: http://www.stephanieperkins.com/books.html

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Riggs, Ransom. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Philadelphia, PA: Quirk, 2011. Print.

Intended Audience: Ages 12 and older

Genre: Fantasy

Personal Reaction: This book was creepy.  I loved it, don't get me wrong, but it was creepy.  There are photographs littered throughout the novel which you find after reading it, are actual photographs.  It is the story of children known as peculiars and their life in a time loop and how Jacob came to find them.  Jacob watched his grandfather die at the hands of a monster only he could see and later finds he is one of very few people who can.  At the end their time loop is broken and Miss Peregrine (their leader of sorts, who turns into a peregrine) is left inhabiting a peregrine's body.  At the end of the story Jacob and the other peculiars go to search for another time loop and leave Jacob's father to stay in the "real world."  Without divulging the entire story I'm unsure of how else to describe my reaction, so read it yourself.  

Author Facts: Ransom Riggs loves to travel, especially to those places not easily found on maps.  He also enjoys scuba diving and telling stories.  When he was much younger he and his friend created videos starring themselves on an old video camera they found.  

Author Website:http://www.ransomriggs.com/

The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Adams, Douglas. The Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy. New York, New York: Ballentine, 1980. Print.

Intended Audience: Ages 13 and older

Genre: Science Fiction

Personal Reaction: This was another book a coworker and friend of mine could not believe I had never read.  In all reality, I find it hard to believe I have made it this long having not read it either, as it is such a popular book with young adults and grown adults alike.  For a long time I knew the answer to the meaning of live, the universe and everything was 42 and this was known through the knowledge Douglas Adams gave us, however I had not known the rest of the story. 

The Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy follows the story of Arthur Dent, human and his friend Ford Prefect, alien as they escape Earth prior to its being blown up.  They learn the Earth was run by mice and had been built by another alien race to solve the question that the answer 42 answered.  If you think of it, we humans do many experiments on mice, who is to say the mice are not experimenting on us!  This book was quite hilarious and I will likely find myself reading more of Adams' stories in the future. 

Author Facts: Douglas Adams was born in Cambridge in 1952.  He founded h2g2, a digital media and internet company.  In 2001 Adams died of an unexpected heart attack while living in California.  

Author Website: http://www.douglasadams.com/

Fables: Legends in Exile

Willingham, Bill. Fables: Legends in Exile. Vol. 1. New York, New York: DC Coics, 2012. Print.

Genre: Comic/Fantasy

Intended Audience: Ages 13 and older

Personal Reaction: I loved these stories. Fables follows the lives of characters in any of the fairy tales and fables we grew up reading.  Snow White is the Director of Operations for the Fable community and finds her sister, Rose Red has gone missing.  Mister Wolf (from the story of the three little pigs) is a detective and is attempting to solve the mystery of her disappearance.  Jack, from Jack and the Beanstalk, Prince Charming and many other characters are included as suspects and characters making an appearance. 

The artwork is beautifully done and colored, making the story easy to follow and a cohesive unit.  When there is a back story, or flashback moment the drawings are done in shades of purple while the rest has bold, but at times, dark colors.  A friend had recommended reading Fables many years ago in my undergraduate degree and at a recent trip to a comic book store I'm glad I purchased this volume. 

Author Facts: As a child Bill Willingham was stationed with his parents in Germany during the Cuban Missile Crisis and after moved to New York City.  He hates receiving mail with improper grammar and punctuation (but who doesn't?). Finally, he loves riding on the Amtrak and has written blogs and books while on it.  

Author Website: http://www.billwillingham.com/

A Wrinkle in Time

Engle, Madeleine. A Wrinkle in Time. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1962. Print.

Genre: Science Fantasy

Intended Audience: Ages 8 and older

Personal Reaction: My boyfriend and my boss both found this to be one of the books that changed their lives.  I think, primarily because it was likely one of the first science fiction/fantasy books they read, helping them get into reading.  It was a well written science fantasy novel (genre categorization found somewhere, but it fits) that reminds me of the BFG in some ways; likely because it seems like a story I would have appreciated more if I had read it when I was many years younger.  

This story follows the journey of Meg, Calvin and Charles Wallace to find and rescue Meg and Charles Wallace's father.  They find themselves on the dark planet of Camazotz where a large brain controls all inhabitants of the planet.  Charles Wallace decides to give in to the brain washing and Meg and Calvin have to rescue her father and eventually Charles Wallace as well.  This is a great first science fantasy novel for any child.  

Author Facts: Madeleine L'Engle was born in 1918 and died in 2007.  She loved writing stories as a child and often found herself writing instead of doing her classwork, resulting in poor grades.  L'Engle was a librarian at the St. John the Divine church for thirty years. 

Author Website: http://www.madeleinelengle.com/

A Little Something Different

Hall, S. (2014). A little something different: Fourteen viewpoints, one love story. New York, New York: Swoon Reads.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Intended Audience: Ages 13 and older

Personal Reaction: This book was so good!  As the title states, it was written in fourteen viewpoints, including a bench, a squirrell, a bus driver, Starbucks barista and even a waitress at a local diner.  This is a cute, innocent love story between Gabe and Lea students in a creative writing class together.  There are the typical misunderstandings and similarities of personality that makes this novel hilarious at times. 

Author Facts: Sandy Hall is a teen librarian in New Jersey.  She has her MLS from Rutgers University and a BA in Communication.  One of her favorite books is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. 

Author Website:  http://www.swoonreads.com/a/Sandy.Hall/Je8wSv

The Chocolate War

Cormier, R. (1974). The chocolate war: A novel. New York: Pantheon Books.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Intended Audience: Ages 12 and older

Personal Reaction: Jerry is seen as a trouble maker by many of the teachers in his school as well as the mob, the Vigils.  He finds himself beaten up, threatened, picked on by many students because he refuses to sell chocolate bars for the school's fundraiser.  As the story unfolds it is easy to feel strongly for Jerry, hoping he will not give in to social pressure.  

This was a difficult book to get into.  I found it hard to devour, though once I was over halfway through I wanted to know what happened.  The corruption in the school system was hard to believe in some ways, though in others-I know it does happen.  I am happy to have finally read The Chocolate War though don't see myself running out to purchase all of Cormier's books.  

Author Facts: Robert Cormier was born in 1925 in Leominster, Massaschutes.  He had seven siblings and while his family moved often they never left their hometown. In seventh grade he realized his desire to be a writer while attending St Cecilia's Parochial School. 

Author Website: Robert Cormier does not have a website, but there is a wikipedia page for him here.

The Fault in Our Stars

Green, John. The Fault in Our Stars. New York, New York: Dutton Childrens, 2012. Print.

Intended Audience: Ages 12 and older

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Personal Reaction: The Fault in Our Stars is the story of Hazel Grace and Augustus.  They both have terminal cancer and meet in cancer support group in a local church.  In time they fall in love and become best friends.  The story follows their courtship and their trek to visit Van Houten, Hazel's favorite author.  

This is one of those bitter sweet books where you love to see the romance blossom between Hazel and Augustus.  However, in the end Augustus dies a slow and painful death and readers have the loss of a favorite character to wrestle with.  John Green wrote another amazing novel, filled with hope and heartache, friendship and grief.  

Author Facts: John Green was born in 1977.  He graduated from high school in Alabama and got a BA from Kenyon college.  He recommends trusting critics and telling friends stories when they get bored in order to become a better author. 

Author Website: http://johngreenbooks.com/

Forever

Blume, Judy. Forever ...: A Novel. Scarsdale, N.Y.: Bradbury, 1975. 

Intended Audience: Ages 14 and older

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Personal Reaction: Forever is the story of Katherine and Michael and of first love.  They meet, fall in love and become obsessed with one another in the way only star-crossed teenagers can.  The controversial part many parents seem to be concerned with is have sex, the first time for Katherine, the second for Michael.  

The story was good, but lacked the depth some other teen fiction stories seem to have-although this may be because while reading it I was searching for reasons I would censor this novel for my class.  I would definitely recommend it to teenagers, though would probably be sure they would not be in trouble if they read it, prior to being the one to give it to them.  All in all, this was a good novel. 

Author Facts: Judy Blume grew up in Elizabeth, New Jersey creating stories in her head, now writing them and having them published.  Blume founded and The Kids Fund, an educational foundation.  She now lives on islands up and down the east coast.  

Author Website: http://www.judyblume.com/

An Abundance of Katherines

Green, John. An Abundance of Katherines. New York, NY: Dutton, 2006. 

Intended Audience: Ages 13 and older

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Personal Reaction: I read An Abundance of Katherines shortly after reading The Fault in Our Stars and while I loved the story, it did not elicit the emotional turmoil of the Hazel Grace and Augustus.  Colin, a child prodigy, has his heart broken by the nineteenth girl named Katherine, not Catherine, not Katharine, but Katherine.  While he hadn't intentionally dated nineteen girls of the same name, somehow he did and after having his heart broken so many times his best friend Hassan decides to take him on a road trip to get over his breakup. 

On their trip Colin attempts to create an equation to predict relationships and their chance of success.  Both he and Hassan find themselves in the middle of Gunshot, Tennessee and get jobs working to document the lives of residents.  They make friends with Lindsay, Katrina and the other Colin (TOC) and reinvent themselves along the way.  

Author Facts: John Green has a brother named Hank he began communicating with with via videoblogs on YouTube in 2007.  This started a group of nerdfighters who seek to fight for intellectualism and decrease worldwide suck, as well as raising money to help fight poverty.  In school Green was often nerdy and wished to be popular, though never managed to succeed at.  Instead he read a lot, spend a lot of time alone and listened to people's conversations.  

Author Website: http://johngreenbooks.com/

Just Listen

Dessen, Sarah. Just Listen: A Novel. New York: Viking Children's, 2006.

Intended Audience: Ages 14 and older

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Personal Reaction: Since my first Sarah Dessen book, she has become one of my favorite authors.  In turn, Just Listen has become one of my favorite novels, one I will be sure to give to every teenager possible. This is the story of Anabel, how she began to find herself after losing her friends and learned the importance of music, honesty and friendship.  

Anabel starts the school year without any friends.  She had a falling out with Sophie over the summer and now everyone hates her, in part because she doesn't want to tell the truth about what happened.  Anabel becomes friends with Owen and together they become the weird kids who spend so much time listening to music, telling the truth and eating at a diner that smells like bacon.  She learns the importance of telling the truth and being honest, even when she doesn't know how.  

Author Facts: Sarah Dessen grew up in Chapel Hill, NC and has been writing for as long as she can remember.  She wrote her first book after college while working at the Flying Burrito, instead of getting a "real job," probably for the best since it means she is now a best-selling author.  Dessen makes a mean bean salad and loves to play in her garden, though she doesn't always manage to keep her plants alive.  

Author Website: http://sarahdessen.com/

The Sea of Tranquility

Millay, Katja. The Sea of Tranquility: A Novel. New York, New York: Atria Paperback, 2013. 

Intended Audience: Ages 14 and older

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Personal Reaction: The Sea of Tranquility was one of those books you have a hard time letting go of after reading it.  The first time I read it I had a book hangover for two weeks and had to reread it before I could go on.  The book is beautifully written, the language is full of such beautiful descriptions and dialogue I couldn't put it down.

This is the story of Nastya, formerly known as the Brighton Piano Girl, a teenager who will not speak and whose hand will no longer allow her to play piano.  It is also the story of Josh Bennett, a young man whose family is gone, one who loves building furniture in his garage and excels at woodworking.  These two, and others, learn to love, to trust and the importance of family.  They find who they are, but also how they fit in society and fit in the world, despite their brokenness

Author Facts: When Katja Millay began writing The Sea of Tranquility, she didn't plan on it necessarily becoming a book, she simply had a story in her head she needed to write down on scraps of paper.  This is Millay's first book and was originally self published.  In 2013 her novel was published in paperback by Simon/Schuster/Atria Paperback.  

Author Website:  Katja Millay does not have a specific website but her twitter can be found here, her goodreads blog can be seen here, and her facebook is available here.  

A Thousand Splendid Suns

Hosseini, Khaled. A Thousand Splendid Suns. New York: Riverhead, 2007. 

Intended Audience: Ages 15 and older

Genre: Historical Fiction

Personal Reaction: I was recommended this novel by a teenager at the library I work at.  To start, I was hesitant, A Thousand Splendid Suns does not fit in the books I would normally read.  Thankfully, I have much respect for my patrons' recommendations and devoured this book.  

A Thousand Splendid Suns follows the lives of Mariam and Laila to women growing up in Afghanistan.  The story tells of their childhoods, the war taking place, the Taliban and the Soviets taking over their homes and the lives they led, marrying the same man and sharing children.  This is a novel filled with hope but only after times of brokenness.  I have heard and read how closely this book follows the lives of many women who have lived in Afghanistan and surrounding countries, making it even more memorable. 


Author facts: Khaled Hosseini was born in Kabul, Afghanistan in 1965 but moved to the USA in 1980.  In 1993 Hosseini received a degree in medicine years later began to write Kite Runner.  After a visit to Afghanistan he began The Khaled Hosseini Foundation, providing humanitarian assistance to those in Afghanistan. 

Author Website: http://khaledhosseini.com/

Something Like Fate

Colasanti, Susane. Something Like Fate. New York: Viking, 2010. Print.

Intended Audience: Ages 12 and older

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Personal Reaction: I truly enjoyed Something Like Fate.  I have a feeling a part of my heart will always be a teenage girl, because it seems as though no matter what I find myself drawn to these chick lit stories.  In this one Erin finds herself interested in Jason and they begin dating, but Jason thinks Lani is dating Blake who doesn't like girls.  Once Jason realizes Lani is single, and they hang out often because Erin and Lani are best friends, the drama and heartache begins. 

This is a typical tale of betrayed friendship, broken hearts, and romance.  The story ends happily, but it takes awhile for the characters to reach a resolution.  Obviously, few boys would likely be interested in this novel as it is a romance, but the story was filled with normal angst and emotion many teenagers go through. 

Author Facts: Susane Colasanti grew up in New Jersey in a small town in the mountains.  She appreciates the rural life when she visits now, but growing up in it was difficult as she always wanted to live in the city.  In middle and high school Colasanti was an outsider, picked on for being a geek, she often uses these experiences when writing her novels for young adults. 

Author Website: http://www.susanecolasanti.com/

Copper Sun

Draper, Sharon. Copper Sun. New York: Antheneum, 2006.

Intended Audience: Ages 12 and older

Genre: Historical Fiction

Personal Reaction:  Copper Sun is the story of Amari, a young girl looking forward to her marriage with Besa.  Instead of marriage, Amari finds herself stolen into slavery, finding herself living the horrible life of a slave girl as she attempts to find herself free.  After being raped, beaten and destroyed in many ways, Amari escapes slavery to freedom. 

Living life as a slave is not a place you would expect hope to exist, but somehow there is.  It is a book that leaves you with the realization of looking forward to what lies ahead, not simply being stuck on the past and the horrible things that have happened.  This is an amazing story, showing the need to live and look forward to what may come, not necessarily what has happened.

Author Facts: Sharon Draper is an educator as well as an author, having won the teacher of the year award in Ohio and an NCNW Educator of the Year award.  Draper's literary achievements began when challenged by a student to submit a short story to a contest.  Draper sees herself as a poet, a dreamer and an innovator. 

Author Website: http://sharondraper.com/

Maus

Spiegelman, Art. Maus A Survivor’s Tale: My Father Bleeds History. New York: Pantheon, 1992

Intended Audience: Ages 13 and older

Genre: Historical Fiction

Personal Reaction: Maus was a difficult read. Not because of the topic, though the Holocaust is never an easy topic to read about, but because it was a graphic novel.  One of the first pages it shows Jews being drug from their homes and children "not screaming anymore" when they would not stop crying.  Even though Jews were portrayed as mice and Nazis as cats it was not difficult to see how their horrible the living conditions for survivors, and those who did not make it, was.  

I have always had an interest in books about the Holocaust but I hadn't read many showing the life of a survivor after the war.  Seeing how difficult it was for Vladek to throw anything away made sense, as not having enough would always be a consistent thought in his mind.  As difficult as it was to read, this is one book I would recommend for others to read as well, the graphics are very well done and brings history to life.   

Author Facts: Art Spiegelman began cartooning in high school and decided to go against his parents wishes of becoming a dentist.  He believes that comics are on the rise, as they are often the way the brain works.  With this mentality he gave a lecture titled "What the %@&*! Happened to Comics?" a historical journey through the history of comics.  

Author Website: http://barclayagency.com/spiegelman.html

Persepolis

Satrapi, Marjane. Persepolis. New York, NY: Pantheon, 2003. Print.

Intended Audience: Ages 13 and older

Genre: Nonfiction Graphic Novel

Personal Reaction: Persepolis was a beautifully written, though hard to digest, book about the Islamic Revolution and the life of Marjane Satrapi.  As one who grew up in "white bread America" I found myself easily lost in the story of Satrapi's life, realizing how little I know about the Islamic Revolution and the life of those in the Middle East.  

I often found myself sympathizing with Satrapi's unwillingness to conform, to wear tennis shoes, a denim jacket and purchase music, though it was not allowed.  I have a hard time imagining living as she did, and believe I too would have protested against the way the country was run.  After reading the book I long to know more about the Islamic Revolution and the people who have lived through this time. 

Author Facts: Satrapi was born in Rasht, Iran in 1969.  She currently lives in Paris where many new wave comic book artists have settled.  Satrapi wrote Persepolis about her childhood and life through the Islamic Revolution at the insistence of fellow artists. 

Author Website: http://barclayagency.com/satrapi.html

Sunrise Over Fallujah

Myers, Walter Dean. Sunrise Over Fallujah. New York: Scholastic, 2008. Print.

Intended Audience: Ages 14 and older

Genre: Historical Fiction

Personal Reaction: Sunrise Over Fallujah was an extremely difficult, but good, read.  In it the life of Birdie is followed through his time spent serving his country.  The story takes place in Iraq, Fallujah, and Baghdad at the time when Saddam Hussein fell.  The title comes from when Birdie killed the first time, knowing for sure it was his bullet that did the damage.  

Since I vividly remember watching on the news the day Saddam Hussein fell and fearing friends would be drafted if the war became bigger than it was, this story was close to my heart.  I have friends and family who have seen combat, and several who are currently serving in our armed forces who are not currently in combat zones.  It helped me appreciate what our service men and women do to protect our country, and gave understanding to what many must deal with upon returning home.  

Author Facts: Walter Dean Myers lived 76 years, passing from this world in July of 2014.  He wrote more than 100 books in his 45 years writing.  He was born in West Virginia but eventually settled in Jersey City, New Jersey. 

Author Website: http://walterdeanmyers.net/

Goose Girl

Hale, Shannon. The Goose Girl. New York: Bloomsbury, 2003. Print.

Intended Audience: Ages 12 and older

Genre: Fantasy

Personal Reaction: Goose Girl is the story of Ani, the princess of Kildenree a young girl who finds she is able to speak with and understand birds.  She has been betrothed to the prince of Bayern to form an alliance between the countries and leaves her home to marry.  She was accompanied by Talone and a company of soldiers, men and her lady in waiting for the several month journey to her betrothed. On the way Selia, her lady in waiting, and much of the company kill those who supported Ani.  Selia took the place as princess when Ani went missing and when arriving in Bayern Ani finds she is without a throne, or home.  

This story tells of how Ani became a goose girl, making a living taking care of the geese and making friends with those who lived in the Forest prior to working for the King.  She meets a man named Geric who she falls in love with and eventually loses to the palace. This is a wonderful story, filled with unexpected plot twists, one many should enjoy.  I found myself unable to put down this book, as I could not wait to see what Ani would do next and how she would stay safe with Selia wanting her dead. 

Author Facts: At age ten Shannon Hale began writing books and now holds a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.  This novel, Goose Girl was her first to be published.  She is a mean dance instructor for her son. 

Author Website: http://www.squeetus.com/stage/main.html 

Four

Roth, Veronica. Four. New York, NY: Katherine Tegen, 2014. Print.

Intended Audience: Ages 13 and older

Genre: Dystopian Fiction

Personal Reaction: For those who have read the Divergent trilogy I highly recommend reading Four.  It is a series of short stories following the life of Tobias, one of the main characters in the trilogy.  I loved seeing how Tobias became Four and how he realized he was divergent and became Dauntless, despite his home in Abnegation. These stories gave extra life to the relationship between Tobias and Tris, something that is appreciated by many readers.  It could be well read after reading Divergent before reading Insurgent. 

Author Facts:This past July Veronica Roth went to Framingham, MA discovering it was a square dance.  She has a dog she loves very much and grows herbs at her home.  Roth also went to the San Diego Comic Con in July.

Author Website: http://www.veronicarothbooks.com/