The Selection

Cass, Kiera. The Selection. New York: HarperTeen, 2012. Print.

Genre: Dystopia

Intended Audience: Ages 12 and older

Personal Reaction: The Selection is a chance for young women in Illea to win the heart of a the prince and the crown.  America Singer is the star of our novel and despite not wanting to originally enter into the selection she enters and is selected as one of the thirty five girls so seek the hand of prince Maxon.  America is a snarky girl who falls for Maxon and while it seems as though he wants to marry her, she gets jealous of him spending time with the other women as well.  Add in an ex boyfriend, Aspen and America's life is turned upside down.

I was practically forced to read this book by a friend.  While I love chick lit novels, I don't usually gravitate toward books with pictures of girls in dresses on them, but I'm so happy I tried this one.  Cass wrote a beautiful book written with heartache and anticipation and of course, love.  Once I started it I could not put it down and cannot wait to read the rest of the series.

Author Facts: When growing up Kiera Cass wanted to be a performer, she taught theater at a camp and majored in musical theater.  She followed a boy to Radford University where she changed her major many times before settling on History and working on staff at a campus church.  Eventually Mr. Cass wooed her and married her and realized she loved writing and is now a well known author.

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

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 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.  

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/

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 

Boy 21

Quick, Matthew. Boy 21. New York: Little, Brown, 2012.

Audience: Ages 12 and older

Genre: Sports fiction

Personal Reaction: Boy 21 is the story of Finley, Boy 21 (also known as Russ), Erin, and basketball.  At the beginning of the story we know Finley is pretending some part of his life never happened.  His basketball coach asks him to befriend Russ, a new kid in town, who thinks he is an alien and will only go by the name Boy 21.  The three become friends and the basketball season begins. 

This novel flew by.  I read it in one sitting and found it hard to believe how much I truly enjoyed it. In this story Finley helps Russ play basketball again and Erin gets hit by a car, breaking her leg.  When Finley has to choose between Erin and basketball he realizes how much more important the people in his life are in comparison to the sport he once lived for.  This was a book I will recommend to many readers, not only those who love sports.  

Author Facts: Matthew quick was born in PA but later moved to Oaklyn, NJ.  He taught for many years, retiring in 2004 to become a full time writer.  He now lives with his wife Alicia Bessette who is a novelist and pianist in North Carolina.  

Author Website: http://matthewquickwriter.com/

Tiger Lily

Anderson, J. (2012). Tiger Lily. New York, NY: HarperTeen.

Intended Audience: Ages 10 and older

Genre: Fantasy

Personal Reaction: Tiger Lily is the story of Neverland as told by Tinker Bell, Tink for short.  Tink is a faerie and finds herself attached to Tiger Lily, following her wherever she goes, attempting to communicate with and helping her.  Tiger Lily meets Peter Pan and falls for him, but loses track of time when her father becomes sick and loses Peter forever when he moves to London to grow old.

For those who have a love of the Disney version of Peter Pan this is what takes place before Disney's story.  In this we understand how Tiger Lily fits into the storyline.  The greatest moment of the book was when Peter stopped fearing adulthood and Tiger Lily became comfortable with who she was and a member of her tribe.  This was a wonderful story, one I will recommend to others.

Author Facts: Jodi Lynn Anderson loves Russian books (the longer the better).  She plays the banjo and enjoys knitting and riding her bike. 

Author Website: Anderson doesn't seem to have a website she does have a Twitter account, a page at Harper Collins, and a facebook (click on the links to go to these pages)!

Under the Mesquite

McCall, G. (2011). Under the mesquite. New York: Lee & Low Books.

Intended Audience: 12+

Genre: Poetry: Realistic Fiction

Personal Reaction:  Under the Mesquite was a beautifully written story of a young girl named Lupita.  She was the oldest of many children and her mother was diagnosed with cancer.  Throughout the story we learn how she copes with the news and helps her parents care for her siblings.  Lupita uses drama to help express her emotions and finds she has a gift for poetry and writing in addition to acting.

This was a touching novel that was so easy to read.  I could feel the ache of Lupita and annoyance as her mother grew sicker and her siblings lacked maturity.  When her mother died we could feel the brokenness she felt.  Mccall wrote this novel in verse, allowing her to focus on the emotions and plot much more than dialogue and irrelevant setting. 

Author Facts: Guadalupe Garcia Mccall is known as Loop by her friends.  She loves the outdoors, which one may guess after reading her books which beautifully paint pictures of what happens outside.  She loves to think about life and growing up when she writes, trying to give meaning to these experiences.  

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

To Be Perfectly Honest

Sones, Sonya. To Be Perfectly Honest. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2013.

Genre: Poetry; Realistic Fiction

Intended Audience: 14 and older

Personal Reaction: Colette is a liar.  She is also the narrator of this story, telling of her summer in a fancy hotel in small town.  Her mother is a movie star and they go to the town for a photo shoot all summer.  Colette falls in love with Connor that summer.  She and her brother, Will, hang out with Conner all summer as Conner lies to her so he can sleep with the daughter of a movie star.

The story feels like it has many plot lines, as do many teen fiction novels, but the fact it is written in verse helps it flow quickly and tie in all plots.  I really enjoyed this book, much more than I thought I would.  I think the fact it moved quickly despite being almost 500 pages helped.  Not once was I stuck in the book waiting to see what happened next, instead I was reading to find what happened.

Author Facts: Sonya Sones has a background in animation and taught film at Harvard for a time.  She worked and lived in Hollywood after her time at Harvard. When she got married and pregnant she was able to quit her day job and stay at home with their daughter Ava instead.

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

A Wizard of Earthsea

Guin, U. (1968). A Wizard of Earthsea. New York, New York: Bantam Press.

Genre: Fantasy

Intended Audience: Ages 12 and older

Personal reaction to the book: I chose this book because it was a favorite of a friend when he was growing up.  After reading it I find it easy to understand why it made such an impact and why he reads primarily fantasy books.

This book followed the choices of a young wizard, Ged.  It described and acknowledged the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and not being afraid to clean up one's mess.  Ged released an evil force on the world while showing his pride and being pompous.  He puts the lives of his friends and teachers in danger until he later masters the shadow he created.  Earthsea was a very easy novel to follow and the lessons were easy to see.

Author Facts:Ursula Le Guin learned to write at five and never stopped since.  She received many awards for her books. In addition to writing many novels, Le Guin takes time to review novels of others and can be found on her website.

Author's website: http://www.ursulakleguin.com/