The Grounding of Group 6 by Julian F. Thompson

The people in their group, Group 6, were all sixteen, all five of them and none of them was fat.

Imagine finding out the private boarding school you have been sent to was not where you will study but you will be killed. The members of Group 6 find this out because their teacher has a change of heart and cannot kill them. The group stays together in the woods learning to live off the land, evading killers and dealing with the realization their parents hate them enough to kill them.

Great questions asked of the reader not just what if? but what kind of person are you?

Thompson, J.F. (1997). The grounding of group 6. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.
ISBN: 080505085X

The Adventures of Blue Avenger: A Novel by Norma Howe

Scientists say that in human males, a single seminal emission contains something in the neighborhood of 300 million spermatozoa.

On his birthday, sixteen year old David Bruce Schumacher decides to change his name to Blue Avenger. Blue Avenger stands up for the little guy, fights injustice and does everything David didn't do including boldly pursuing Omaha Nebraska Brown. Throughout the book, free will versus determinism is discussed in a clever, humorous way.

I enjoyed this book very much, falling in love with Blue Avenger's heart. The author was able to wind the free will and determinism discussion within the story so it didn't feel like a dry philosophical discussion.

Howe, N. (1999). The adventures of blue avenger: A novel. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.
ISBN: 0805060626

Book Crush by Nancy Pearl

Pearl, Nancy. Book Crush. Sasquatch Books, 2007. 304 pages. Paperback $16.95. ISBN: 1570615004. Reference.

A list of books for kids and teens of recommended reading by an expert in the field of reader's advisory. The book is split into three reading groups - youngest, middle grade (age 8-12) and teen readers (age 13-18). Each reading group is divided into subject categories and totaling 118 for the entire book.

What makes this book unique is the author's categories. For example, Thanks for Thanksgiving talks about Thanksgiving, of course, LOL: Laugh Out Loud is the title for humorous books and It Might As Well Be Greek for all books Greek. These categories are representative of the author's thought process when advising readers. I think a new librarian would not find this easy to work with when learning.

It is obvious the author has read a lot over her lifetime! I am a list person so the book provides me more titles to read. I like her conversational writing style. I attended a workshop by her on reader's advisory and can hear saying things just as written in the book.

500 Great Books for Teens by Anita Silvey

Silvey, Anita. 500 Great Books for Teens. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006. 397 pages. Hardback $26.00. ISBN: 0618612963. Reference.

500 Books is designed to be a resource for finding great books among the many young adult books on the shelves. The author worked in publishing, was an editor and is a professor of children’s literature so she is qualified to determine the 500 great books. However, she also polled teens throughout the US and included the ALA awards and honor books in her criteria.

The book is organized into twenty one genres: adventure and survival, autobiography and memoir, edgy trendsetting novels, fantasy, graphic novels, historical fiction, horror ghosts gothic, humor, information, many cultures many realities, mystery and thriller, plays, poetry and poetic novels, politics and social conscience, realistic fiction, religion and spirituality, romance, science fiction, short stories, sports and war and conflict.

Within each chapter, essays containing detailed descriptions of each book so both teens and parents would have a good idea of the content. Along with descriptions, recommended age group, publisher, publication date and page length are included. Award winners are noted. Controversy surrounding a book is included within the essay.

Following the 500 books, the author has listed additional titles for each genre that may be of interest to readers. Lists of titles by geographic location, both US and world, and historical time lines are provided by the author along with recommended audio books. There is one index containing title, author and subject information.

A great book for librarians, parents, teens and gift givers. Years worth of books to read can be found within these pages. I have already started making a list for my next visit to the library!

Teen Genreflecting: A Guide to Reading Interests Second Edition (Genreflecting Advisory Series) by Diana Tixier Herald

Herald, Diana Tixier. Teen Genreflecting: A Guide to Reading Interests Second Edition (Genreflecting Advisory Series). Libraries Unlimited, 2003. 251 pages. Hardback $45.00. ISBN: 1563089963. Reference.

Teen Genreflecting is a resource designed for reader’s advisory with a teen population. Additionally, it could be used as a guide for collection development for a teen library. The author acknowledges this isn’t an all inclusive list though it does contain 2000 books within its pages. The author is a leader in the field having been a reader’s advisory librarian and currently serving on committees for ALA ‘s Young Adult Services Association (YALSA).

The first chapter presents details on serving the teen population including do’s and don’ts in reading advisory, publishing trends, generalizations of teens likes and a listing of awards used in teen fiction.

The next eleven chapters deal with a specific genre including issues, contemporary life, adventure, mystery/suspense, fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, historical novels, multicultural fiction, alternative formats and christian fiction. The author begins each chapter with a definition of the genre and discusses potential confusion or crossovers within the library world and describes the specific types or subgenres under this genre. For example, mystery/suspense splits into suspense, contemporary mystery, historical mystery and paranormal mystery. Annotated bibliographies are listed under each type along with age group, awards won, publication date and labeled Adult when appropriate. Bibliographies are not critical as reader’s advisory is about finding similar books to recommend not choose what is good literature or not.

The author includes an appendix full of resources to help connect teens with books, including websites, books, discussion groups, bibliographies, review journals and professional development resources. A second and third appendix list titles for epic fantasy and reluctant readers respectively. Finally, there are three indices for titles, authors and subjects.

An excellent resource for those advising teens or those wanting to read teen fiction. I didn’t use this resource when I chose my books for this contract. However, I wish I had!

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah

There were all kinds of stories told about the war that made it sound as if it was happening in a faraway and different land.

The memoir of a child turned soldier in Sierra Leone's civil war. Ishmael's description of his time as a soldier is disturbing, frightening and eye opening. After 3 years, he is rescued and rehabilitated and returned to live with family. When war reaches him again, he moves to the US.

An amazing account from such a young man. The book would be appropriate for mature younger adults because of the detailed account of a soldier's life. The rehabilitation and transformation of Ishmael would make this a valuable tool in demonstrating hope, belief and the strength of self. I think there was talk of the account being 'fictionalized' and maybe that is true but the story is too compelling not to read.

Over the last few months, I have found many books that are adult but appropriate for young adults and vice versa. This book is an example of this. It is found on the adult shelves but I have come across numerous accounts from young adult librarians that this book flies of the shelves.

Beah, I. (2007). A long way gone: Memoirs of a boy soldier. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
ISBN: 0374105235
240 pages

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

Finishing Becca: A Story about Peggy Shippen and Benedict Arnold by Ann Rinaldi

Merlin heard them first.

The story of Becca serving as the maid of Peggy Shippen during the Revolutionary War. Here, she witnesses the interaction between British soldiers, young girls in Philadelphia and the crossing of lines. More importantly, she witnesses the courtship of Peggy by Benedict Arnold.

I really don't care to read historical fiction set in times of war. However, I did enjoy the story written here. The author's note, glossary and list of resources demonstrate the great deal of research needed to accurately portray this time.

Rinaldi, A. (1994). Finishing becca: A story about peggy shippen and benedict arnold. Orlando, FL: Gulliver Books.
ISBN: 0152050795
362 pages

The World According to Dog: Poems and Teen Voices by Joyce Sidman

I dream of deep-sea fishing: awake to find dog breathing in my face.

A collection of poetry by Joyce Sidman along with dog essays written by teens. Photos accompany the poems and essays and the author includes a page of dog terms.

I am a dog person so this was a hit with me! The poems and essays captured the dog's spirit. I burst out laughing numerous times. Poems were haiku and free verse. I didn't remember how to write a haiku until I saw the three lines on a page and fifth grade poetry came flooding back. Definitely a great gift for dog lovers. It would be a good book to introduce poetry to reluctant poetry readers, like myself.

Sidman, J. (2003). The world according to dog: Poems and teen voices. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.
ISBN: 0618174974
80 pages
Photographs by Doug Mindell

Nineteen Varieties of Gazelle by Naomi Shibab Nye

Three hours after the buildings feel, he took a seat beside me.

A collection of poems about being an Arab American, the Middle East and family. The collection was inspired by the events of September 11, 2001.

I am the least qualified person to talk about poetry. I have spent very little time reading any poetry except Robert Frost. And I only read his works because he was assigned as "my poet" in fifth grade to report on. I admire poets because they are deliberate in choosing words and evoke visions and emotions with these few words. I have been inspired while working on this contract to read more poetry. I

I enjoyed these poems and will purchase the book to read them over again. I believe this book would be appropriate for all ages.

Nye, N. S. (2002). Nineteen varieties of gazelle. New York, NY: Green Willow Books.
ISBN: 0060097655
160 pages

Superman: The Bottle City of Kandor by Otto Binder, et al

A collection of stories about Kandor, the miniaturized city saved from Krypton before it's destruction. Superman keeps the city in his Fortress of Solitude. Most stories take place within the bottled walls of Kandor. Full color printing and illustrated by a number of people but most frequently by Curt Swan. An introduction by Eddy Zeno explains Kandor and brief summaries of each story and how it fits within the Superman lore.

I am not familiar with comics/graphic novels genre. The plots fit my memory of Superman. The illustrations were beautifully done. I admire those who can draw faces. The short length of each story would make it appropriate for readers with short attention spans. The introduction was very helpful for the uneducated in Superman lore.

Binder, O. and et al, (2007). Superman: The bottle city of kandor. New York, NY: DC Comics.
ISBN: 1401214657
200 pages

Avalon High by Meg Cabot

"You are so lucky."

Ellie is forced to live in Annapolis MD her junior year while her medieval scholar parents are on sabbatical. She starts at Avalon High and meets Will. Soon, she starts to notice similarities to her friends at Avalon and the legend of King Arthur.

Cabot, M. (2006). Avalon high. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN: 0060755865
288 pages

The Tarot Cafe Volume 1 by Sang-Sun Park

It's not difficult to guess what happened to my clients in the past.

Four stories that begin with a Tarot card reading to try to solve a problem.

I am both amazed and disturbed at the images. All the characters look female and somehow that seems wrong. However, the artwork is wonderful! The stories are interesting and capture my attention but too short for my taste.

Park, S. (2005). The tarot cafe volume 1. London, UK: TokyoPop, Inc.
ISBN: 1595325557
184 pages

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson by Louis Rennison

Dad had Uncle Eddie around, so naturally they had to come and see what I was up to.

The journal of a year in the life of a fourteen year old British girl describing her quest for the love of Peter, a smaller nose and her controlling her wildcat, Angus.

I didn't like this book because it read like a younger version of Bridget Jones. I guess if someone had not read or watched Bridget Jones it might sound original and interesting.

Rennison, L. (2003). Angus, thongs and full frontal snogging: Confessions of georgia nicolson. New York, NY: Avon Books.
ISBN: 0060521848
234 pages

No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman

When my dad was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, he once rescued eight Navy SEAL's who where stranded behind enemy lines.

Wallace Wallace is sent to detention for failing to write a book review. Wallace begins to make suggestions about the play rehearsal he must watch during detention which coincidentally is directed by the same teacher who sent him to detention. A battle of wills occurs as the actors begin to side with Wallace on changes to the performance.

A funny story that seemed a little young for young adults. I would have characterized it as 8-12 age group. Wallace is an appealing character and an original one too!

Korman, G. (2002). No more dead dogs. New York, NY: Hyperion Books.
ISBN: 0786816015
180 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

Wasteland by Francesca Lia Block

We keep burning in the brown smog pit.

Siblings Marina and Lex have an unusually close bond that results in a sexual encounter one night. Lex cannot live with the guilt and commits suicide. Marina suffers through her grief only to find out that Lex was adopted.

I felt uncomfortable reading the story once I understood the allusions to incest. I didn't see the ending coming which is a compliment to the author. I found the book hard to read at first because there were multiple narrators and journal excerpts.

Block, F.L. (2003). Wasteland. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers.
ISBN: 0064408396
150 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

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff

My name is Elizabeth but no one's ever called me that.

To escape from her father, stepmother and new step sister, Daisy goes to England to stay with her aunt and cousins. War breaks out leaving Daisy and her cousins to fend for themselves. Soon, soldiers split up the cousins by gender but not before Edmond and Daisy fall in love.

Rosoff, M. (2004). How i live now. New York, NY: Wendy Lamb Books.
ISBN: 0385746776
194 pages