An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

The morning after noted child prodigy Colin Singleton graduated from high school and got dumped for the nineteenth time by a girl named Katherine, he took a bath.

After begin dumped yet again by a Katherine, Colin's best friend, Hassan, insists on a road trip to cure Colin's broken heart. They land in Gutshot and are convinced to stay by a cast of locals. While there, Colin attempts to prove a theorem of relationships.

The author created interesting characters that I could relate to and the dialogue had a natural rhythm. Footnotes are found throughout the book offering further explanation to the conversation. I was not distracted by this structure.

Green, J. (2006). An abundance of katherines. New York, NY: Penguin Group.
ISBN: 9780142412022
256 pages

Rats Saw God by Rob Thomas

Though I tried to clear my head of the effects of the fat, resiny doobie I'd polished off an hour before, things were still fuzzy as I stumbled into senior counselor Jeff DeMouy's office.

Slacker senior, Steve York, is short one credit for graduation. His guidance counselor challenges him to write 100 pages to make up that credit. Steve writes of his relationship with his father and the girl who broke his heart his junior year and comes to terms with his pain.

A funny story about a boy's search for identity. I recognized boys from my high school in this story.

Thomas, R. (1996). Rats saw god. New York, NY: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.
ISBN: 0689802072
219 pages

LIfe in the Fat Lane by Cherie Bennett

"Which would you rather be, fat or dead?"

Sixteen year old Lara has it all - thin, popular, smart, perfect family, perfect boyfriend, pageant winner and now Homecoming Queen. Her world is turned upside down when she mysteriously begins to gain weight, almost 100 pounds over her junior year and suddenly life is not as perfect.

I enjoyed this book. My only criticism is I felt the easy road was taken by giving Lara a made up disease to explain weight gain. Otherwise her struggle to lose weight, deal with the gossip and family situation were depicted honestly. I liked that Lara did not lose the weight and live happily ever after but instead found self acceptance and value in her life and relationships. She became a real person.

Bennett, C. (1998). Life in the fat lane. New York, NY: Laurel-Leaf Books.
ISBN: 0440220297
260 pages

Forever by Judy Blume

Sybil Davison has a genius I.Q. and has been laid by at least six different guys.

Seniors in high school, Katherine and Michael, have fallen in love and imagine it will be forever. They begin a sexual relationship and soon college plans and summer jobs test the strength of their relationships.

The author captured the intensity of first love completely. The feelings, conversations and events leading up to beginning a sexual relationships were familiar and accurate. I know this book is challenged frequently but I wouldn't object to a young adult reading the story. It doesn't glorify sex or hide the change in relationship that happens when sex enters the picture. It is a realistic depiction and young adults need to see realism.

Blume, J. (1976). Forever. New York, NY: Pocket Books.
ISBN: 0671695304
220 pages

The Loud Silence of Francine Green by Karen Cushman

"Holy cow!" I said when Sophie Bowman told me she'd be joining me at All Saints School for Girls this year.

Francine becomes best friends Sophie while attending Catholic school in 1949. Sophie questions the norms of society at at time when questioning was considered dangerous. The threat of communism and the "naming of names" in Hollywood sparks events that lead to Francine to question her own thoughts and beliefs.

An interesting time to set this story. I saw parallels between then and a few years ago. The author captures the language, styles and mood aptly, in my opinion. She acknowledges Google, libraries and librarians for research and provides a short history and list of resources.

Cushman, K. (2006). The loud silence of francine green. New York, NY: Clarion Books.
ISBN: 0618504559
225 pages

Feed by M.T. Anderson

We went to the moon to have fun, but the moon turned out to completely suck.

A futuristic novel where computer implants are in each person's head feeding constant advertising, media and commentary based on purchases. Titus meets Violet and discovers her thoughts and experiences are different than his and his friends and he is troubled.

I hated this book at first. The choppiness of dialogue, the advertisements at the end of each chapters and the "slang" used by Titus and his friends drove me crazy! I reread it and found myself still being driven crazy but I was able to find the satirical point to the story and enjoyed it.

Anderson, M.T. (2002). Feed. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.
ISBN: 0763617261
237 pages

The Giver by Lois Lowry

It was almost December, and Jonas was beginning to be frightened.

Jonas lives in an ideal world with no crime, poverty, conflict, individualism or unemployment. On his twelfth birthday ceremony, he is given the job of memory receiver and finds out the horrible truths to this ideal society.

I liked the book but was not shocked by the storyline which may be more of a comment on the content of today's media and not the author.

Lowry, L. (1993). The giver. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.
ISBN: 0395645662
180 pages

Twilight: A Novel by Stephanie Meyer

I'd never given much thought to how I would die - though I'd had reason enough in the last few months - but even if I had, I would not have imagined it like this.

Seventeen year old Bella moves to Washington and falls in love with her lab partner, Edward, a mysterious boy who turns out to be a vampire. Their courtship is interrupted when a "hunter" vampire goes after Bella and Edward and his family fight back.

I read numerous reviews prior which concluded the book was poorly written and dragged in places. With that in mind, I began reading the book. I would agree the writing is not as good as Chris Crutcher's novels. However, I found the story so compelling that I completely forgot about the writing, slow pacing, etc. I read it in one cold afternoon and closed the book wanting to read more. The author has captured that undefinable characteristic of a best seller.

Meyer, S. (2008). Twilight: A novel. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company.
ISBN: 0316038377
498 pages

The Way A Door Closes by Hope Anita Smith

A book of poems told from the perspective of C.J describing his family and the emotional upheaval caused when his father leaves temporarily. The poems are accompanied by lovely illustrations that depict the content perfectly.

The author captures the emotions felt by C.J. and his family so clearly, especially the words of hope. I am continually amazed when reading poetry. How do they get those words to come together so right?

Smith, H.A. (2003). The way a door closes. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.
ISBN: 080506477X
Illustrated by Shane W Evans

Eight Cousins or The Aunt Hill by Louisa May Alcott

Orphan Rose Campbell is living with her aunts while awaiting for the arrival of her guardian, Uncle Alec, on Aunt Hill. Rose is nervous and skittish child mourning for hte loss of her father and definitely not ready for the company of her boisterous seven boy cousins. Under Alec's care, Rose becomes a caring, healthy giving child able to keep up with her cousins.

A classic book that I haven't read since I was a child. I imagine the language might be outdated and potentially offensive if not understood it was representative of the culture and society at that time. I loved the book and Rose learns self-acceptance becoming a strong female character.

Alcott, L.M. (1958). Eight cousins or the aunt hill. Garden City, NY: Nelson Doubleday, Inc.
No ISBN
Illustrated by Ruth Ives

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Ten year old orphaned Harry Potter is forced to live with his aunt, uncle and horrible cousin. He is treated like a thorn in their side until his 10th birthday when a special message arrives by owl and his life will never be the same again.

I hadn't read this book until now. I loved it so much that I had to read the rest of the books. I am completely in awe of the author. As Harry ages, his language and situations he encounters become more complex just like any child. How did she do that so well? I understand why children and adults lined up for each new book.

Rowling, J.K. (1999). Harry potter and the sorcerer's stone. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.
ISBN: 059035342X
Illustrated by Mary Grandpre

My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln Collier & Christopher Collier

Tim is torn when the Revolutionary War comes to his home and his brother and father are on different sides. Tim isn't sure his brother is on the right side and sides with his father. The consequences of war are felt by the family on both sides.

Heart-breaking story. I do not enjoy reading history and especially not military history. However, this book captured my attention. I can imagine it would be a hit with boys especially reluctant readers.

Collier, J. L. and Collier, C. (2005). My brother sam is dead. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.
ISBN: 0439783607

The Fighting Ground by Avi

Thirteen year old Jonathan runs off one day to serve his country in the Revolutionary War against his father's wishes. Twenty four hours later he returns home physically unharmed but grown in many ways.

A quick picture of what life might have been like for a boy like Jonathan.

Avi, (1984). The fighting ground. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers.
ISBN: 0064401855