Godless by Pete Hautman

Hautman, Pete. (2004). Godless. NY: Simon & Schuster.
ISBN: 978-0689862786
Awards/Honors: National Book Award (Young People's Literature, 2004)
ALA Best Books for Young Adults (2005)
Minnesota Book Awards (2005.01a|Young Adult Fiction and Poetry Winner, 2005)
ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults (Religion: Relationship with the Divine, 2007)
Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award Nominee (2007)
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Religion, Faith, Bullies, Friends, Catholicism, Atheism
Genre: Fiction
Annotation: In one boy's rebellion against his parents Catholicism and quest for faith, a new religion is formed, a creation story written, a God chosen, and a congregation gathered. But then things begin to go wrong and people get hurt.
Summary: Jason Bock, a teen being raised in a Catholic family, is sick and tired of the church. In a streak of rebellion and religious questioning, he and some friends create their own religion. Their religion begins with the Ocean being God, the creator. From which came the town's water tower, a small effigy created to be the Eyes and the Ears of the Ocean. The teen's religion, Chutengodianism, continues to grow. Shin begins writing a bible, and ends up becoming the most devout and serious follower. The group comes up with ceremonies and commandments also. Finally, the families and friends of the group, and even the law, gets involved when things start to get out of hand and dangerous.
Evaluation: I absolutely loved the premise of this book and have been looking forward to reading it for a long time. I think it is a great look at organized religion, for good and bad, and the questions young people have on the subject.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Forman, Gayle. (2009). If I Stay. NY: Dutton Juvenile.
ISBN: 978-0525421030
Awards/Honors: ALA Best Books for Young Adults (2010)
ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (2010)
Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults (2010)
South Carolina Young Adult Book Award Nominee (2010-2011)
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Death, Grief, Music, Love, Family, Finding Hope, Car Accident
Annotation: Mia lies in a coma after a horrific car accident that kills her parents and younger brother. She knows that it is up to her whether she lives or dies. Mia's life was wonderful, but can it still be?
Summary: This is the story of Mia, a young girl shaped by music and the cello she plays so well, as she struggles with the choice to live or die. After a horrific car accident that kills her parents and younger brother, Mia remains alive, but is outside her body and able to see and hear what is going on. As her physical body lies in a coma, Mia reflects on her life, weighing the benefits of staying with those of going. Brought into the picture are her best friend, her boyfriend, grandparents, and other family members and friends. Everything these people do and say affect Mia’s choice and how she feels.
Evaluation: Mia is a smart, talented girl and as she reflects on her life with honest feeling we are easily carried along. The backbone of this story is terribly sad, but the flashbacks forever remind us of the joy in Mia’s life.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Westerfeld, Scott. (2005). Uglies. NY: Simon Pulse.
ISBN: 978-0689865381
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Survival, Betrayal, Secrets, Manipulation
Genre: Science Fiction
Awards/Honors: Golden Duck, Hal Clement Award for Young Adult (2006)
James Tiptree, Jr. Award Long List (2005)
New York Times bestseller (Fiction, 2005)
VA Readers Choice Book (2008)
South Carolina Young Adult Book Award Nominee (2007-2008)
Texas Lone Star Book (2006-2007)
ALA Best Books for Young Adults (2006)
Garden State Book Award (Teen Fiction Grades 6-8, 2008)
Ditmar Shortlist (Novel, 2006)
Florida Teens Read (2007-2008)
ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults (Books That Don’t Make You Blush, 2006)
Iowa Teen Award Nominee (2007-2008)
Aurealis Award Finalist (YA Novel, 2005)
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year (2005)
Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award Nominee (2007)
Abraham Lincoln Award Winner (2007)
Prix Ado-Lisant (2009)
Annotation: Tally Youngblood can't wait for her 16th birthday so she can finally have surgery to be pretty like everyone else. But then she meets Shay, who doesn't want to be a pretty and runs away. Now the authorities want Tally to find and betray Shay before they will let her become a pretty.
Summary: In a future where everyone has surgery to become beautiful, Tally Youngblood is looking forward to her 16th birthday and to finally becoming a “pretty”. Then she meets Shay, also 16, who decides to stay an “ugly”. Shay ends up running away to live with other rebel uglies in a hidden encampment. Tally is disappointed to lose a friend, but remains eager to have her surgery and join her old friend Peris in New Pretty Town. However, authorities discover Tally’s connection to Shay and demand she follow her to the hidden town and betray her, and everyone else. While in the Rusty Ruins, Tally learns the truth about becoming a “pretty”, but what can she do?
Evaluation: I was really excited to read this book because I had heard SO MANY good things about it, and I love Science Fiction. Perhaps because of all the hype, it didn't quite live up to my expectations; however, the premise of Tally's story is very cool. Teens will relate to the desire to be beautiful and repelled by what is really going on.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Cashore, Kristin. (2008). Graceling. NY: Harcourt Children's Books.
ISBN: 978-0152063962
Awards/Honors: Amelia Bloomer List (2009)
Andre Norton Award Finalist (2008)
ALA Best Books for Young Adults (2009)
William C. Morris YA Debut Finalist (2009)
Mythopoeic Fantasy Award (Children's Literature, 2009)
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year (2008)
Locus Recommended Reading (First Novel, 2008)
Locus Nominee (First Novel, 2009, 6)
SIBA Book Award (Young Adult, 2009)
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Independence, Moral Integrity, Survival, Love, Strong Female
Genre: Fantasy
Annotation: At eight, Katsa was able to kill full grown men with a single blow. Now, at 16, she takes fate into her own hands to escape the evil king making her kill and save the kingdom from his tyrannical reign.
Summary: Katsa has been blessed with a powerful “Grace”: an extreme and often feared skill. Her Grace makes her almost invincible, but she is in the service of an evil king, her uncle, and is forced to use her Grace to harm others. With her different colored eyes, the mark of the Graced, she stands out as one to be feared. Then she meets Po, a prince who is willing to look her in the eye with his own mismatched eyes. With Po on her side, Katsa attempts to end her uncle’s tyrannical reign and struggles for redemption from her own Grace.
Evaluation: Katsa and Po are compelling and believable characters; they contain the power of self-reflection and honest emotion in a way that makes us like them all the more. The story they are unfolding is full of adventure, danger, love, and evil too. A great read.

Fade to Black by Alex Flinn

Flinn, Alex. (2005). Fade to Black. NY: HarperCollins.
ISBN: 978-0060568399
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Bullies, Friends, Down Syndrom, Violence, Hate Crime
Genre: Fiction
Annotation: Alex Crusan - HIV positive student and victim of a beating bad enough to put him in the hospital. Clinton Cole - Afraid of catching AIDS and angry that his little sister plays with Alex's sister. Daria Bickell - Down Syndrome student who witnessed the attack of Alex. Who is telling the truth? What is the truth?
Summary: Fade to Black alternates between the voices of Alex Crusan, an HIV positive student and victim of a beating bad enough to put him in the hospital; Clinton Cole, a classmate afraid of catching AIDS and known to have tormented Alex on multiple occasions; and Daria Bickell, a Down Syndrome student who witnessed the attack of Alex. Readers hear from Alex as he deals with the ignorance and hate of those around him, and also as he comes to terms with how he contracted HIV. Clinton, we learn, is angry, scared, and not afraid to be outwardly cruel to Alex. He is a classic mean jock. Daria has seen Clinton being mean to Alex and claims to have seen him at the scene of the crime. Clinton is innocent, but can't prove it, especially with his reputation and past actions. Plus, Daria says she saw him do it. Slowly, Clinton realizes his fear is grounded in ignorance, Alex's anger at Clinton and people like him lessons, and Daria admits she was riding high on the attention she was getting.
Evaluation: I really liked how Flinn wrote Daria's chapters like little repetitive poems. The book also deals with a lot of the issues surrounding HIV and the ignorance and fear that people have. I think teens will enjoy ferreting out the reality and arguing about the sensitive issues raised along the way.

The Summoning (Book 1, Darkest Powers) by Kelley Armstrong

Armstrong, Kelley. (2009). The Summoning. NY: HarperCollins.
ISBN: 978-0061450549
Award/Honor: Sunburst Award Nominee (Young Adult, 2009)
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Mental Illness, Secrets, Friends, Romance, Love, Independence
Genre: Fantasy
Annotation: The Lyle House for disturbed teens is not what it seems. Fifteen year old Chloe sees ghosts, but is she really crazy?
Summary: Chloe Saunders is 15, short, and has a slight stutter, but she also can talk to ghosts. Her screaming reaction to seeing a dead custodian at school gets her diagnosed with schizophrenia and sent to the Lyle House for troubled teens. However, it seems that all the kids at the Lyle House have mysterious abilities. Chloe and her new friends slowly learn the truth about the Lyle House and it horrific past. When Chloe discovers the dead bodies of past Lyle House inhabitants, she and her supernatural friends decide that they must solve the mystery of their deaths and in doing so, save themselves.
Evaluation: While I thought parts of the story were, well, silly, I think teen girls will race through this one. Chloe is not a perfect beautiful specimin of a girl, which makes her more appealing right off the bat, and she struggles with normal teen issues. At first anyway. I do enjoy stories involving discovered powers, hidden identities, and magic, and this one fits the bill.

The Awakening (Book 2, Darkest Powers) by Kelley Armstrong

Armstrong, Kelley. (2009). The Awakening. NY: HarperCollins.
ISBN: 978-0061450556
Award: Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award (YA Paranormal/Fantasy Novel, 2009)
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Betrayal, Trust, Friends, Love
Genre: Fantasy
Annotation: Chloe, Derek, Simon, and Tori are running for their lives from the Edison Group, a group that wants to control, and if need be extinguish, their supernatural powers.
Summary: In this continuation of adventure from Armstrong's first book, The Summoning, Chloe and her friends must once again run from the Edison Group and practice controlling their powers. Chloe can talk to ghosts, Derek is a werewolf, Simon can cast spells, Rea can burn people with her bare hands, and Tori is a budding witch. They are a group of supernaturals that are being experimented on by the Edison Group, a group that Tori's mom and Chloe's aunt are a part of. The kids make a run for it, leaving behind the institution that wants to control them, or, if that's not possible, kill them. They know it has been done in the past.
Evaluation: This is a fairly fast paced book chock full of magic, crushes, betrayal, and teens running for their lives with evil right behind them. I think it is better than the first book that seems to set the scene for this continued action. I really enjoyed both of these books and plan on reading the third, The Reckoning.

The Rag and Bone Shop by Robert Cormier

Cormier, Robert. (2001). The Rag and Bone Shop. NY:Delacorte Books for Young Readers.
ISBN: 978-0385729628
Awards: ALA Best Books for Young Adults (2002)
ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults (2006.03|Criminal Elements, 2006)
Kirkus Review Starred Review
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Manipulation, Deception, Trust, Honesty, Violence, Loss of Innocence
Genre: Fiction
Annotation: Jason, twelve years old and wrongly accused of murder, must fight his way through an interrogator's vicious "verbal traps". Jason is innocent! But who will believe him? Does he even believe himself?
Summary: Jason Dorrant is a shy and somewhat introverted 12 year old. After 7 year old Alicia Bartlett is found beaten to death, Jason becomes the main suspect in her murder. She was a friend of his, and the last one to see her alive. In an attempt to wrap the murder up quickly, police call in a top interrogator to get a confession from Jason. What ensues is a dark and manipulative interchange where Trent twists and distorts Jason's words, making him look like a crazy and violent boy. Even when Trent realizes Jason did not commit the murder, he carries through with his cruel interrogation. Soon, Jason begins questioning himself and what he is capable of. Trent finally gets Jason to confess to the murder, but during this time the real murderer is caught. Trent loses everything and Jason has been converted from a peaceful boy into what Trent accused him of being - a murderer.
Evaluation: I want to say this book was awful, but really it was not. I despised the way Jason was manipulated, the way adults took advantage of innocence, and the violence of the murder. However, the story was great. I loved how it lays bare many aspects of the potential darkness of human nature. I think my favorite line is when the interrogation is over and Trent and Jason are walking out of the room and Sarah describes Jason, "He looked broken, as if just lifted down from the cross" (pg 148).

Off-Color by Janet McDonald

McDonald, Janet. (2007). Off-Color. NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
ISBN: 978-0374371968
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Racism, Bi-Racial, Poverty, Friendship, Cultural Identity, Secrets
Genre: Fiction
Annotation: Fifteen year old Cameron can't believe it when her mom has to change jobs and they have to move -- to the projects! How can a white girl like Cameron hope to make friends with the black girls there?
Summary: Cameron Storm and her mother are poor, but happy in their small Brooklyn home. Cameron's dad is out of the picture, but she has great friends and is close to her mom. Then one day her mom tells her that the nail salon where she works is closing and that they have to move. Cameron and her mom have to move to the projects where they will be close to the new job and the rent is cheaper. Cameron is afraid not only to leave her best friends behind, but also about finding a way to fit in with the black kids at her new school. After the move, Cameron stumbles upon a photo album that shows her father as being a black man. Slowly Cameron comes to reconcile the two parts of herself and feel comfortable being herself.
Evaluation: At times the book seems driven by the issues of race and bi-racial kids, but Cameron's genuine emotion, authentic language, and very real life situations pulled me along just fine. I chose this book to read because I haven't read, or even seen, very many YA books that deal with the issues surrounding bi-racial families.

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Anderson, Laurie Halse. (2009). Wintergirls. NY: Viking Juvenile.
ISBN: 978-0670011100
Awards: ALA Best Books for Young Adults (2010)
ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (2010)
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Bulimia, Anorexia, Eating Disorder, Cutting, Death, Grief, Friendship, Family
Genre: Fiction
Annotation: Lia is wasting away; a Wintergirl, with frozen matchstick bones. Her best friend Cassie's ghost is haunting her, and her parents don't understand. Can Lia find the strength to eat and make herself seen?
Summary: Lia has been in a facility because she is anorexic, but is now living with her professor father, step-mother, and half-sister Emma. Her family tries to "manage" Lia's sickness, but fails to notice the truth behind the symptoms. Lia continues to fool her family into thinking she is eating and gaining weight, but really is falling deeper into her illness. To top this off, her once best friend, Cassie, is found dead in a hotel room. Cassie and Lia had been friends since elementary school and competed in a race to thinness; Cassie with bulimia and Lia with anorexia. They have a falling out where Cassie blames Lia for her illness. After six months of not talking Lia gets 33 calls from Cassie in one night, the night Cassie dies. She ignores them. Lia's guilt takes the form of Cassie's ghost haunting her. Through this Lia gets worse, is kicked out of her dad's house and finally ends up in a hospital. Here she realizes that she does want to face her problems and live, but she also knows that it will not be easy.
Evaluation: I thought Lia's story was fascinating. I really liked how we were in Lia's head, hearing her count calories, berate herself, and fixate on her weight. I think Anderson did a great job of portraying a young woman's journey from 93lbs. to deciding to live in a healthy way.

Glass Houses (Morganville Vampires, Book 1) by Rachel Caine

Caine, Rachel. (2006). Glass Houses. NY: NAL Jam.
ISBN: 978-0451219947
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Bullies, Independance, Love
Genre: Fantasy
Annotation: Sixteen year old Claire is brilliant and already off to college in Morganville, Texas. But brutal bullying soon sends her looking for off campus housing where she slowly learns the truth -- that Morganville is run by vampires.
Summary: A story of vampires and teen drama. Claire Danvers is smart, beginning college life in the dorms, and only 16. Her status as smart, young, outsider gets her harassed and bullied by the popular girls at the small Morganville, Texas college. The bullying gets so bad that Claire finds someplace off campus to live. It is here that she falls for a roommate and also discovers that she has more to fear than bullies. Morganville is run by vampires, and Claire needs protection.
Evaluation: As far as vampire stories go, this one is pretty good. Young Claire is faced with danger, terror, and growing up fast; she does so with an independence that will appeal to teens. I did have a bit of trouble believing that college students would behave so immaturely, and with Claire making some bad choices despite her proclaimed intelligence.

First Part Last by Angela Johnson

Johnson, Angela. (2004). First Part Last. NY: Simon Pulse.
ISBN: 978-0689849237
Awards: Printz Award (2004)
Coretta Scott King Award (Author, 2004)
South Carolina Young Adult Book Award Nominee (2005-2006)
ALA Best Books for Young Adults (2004)
ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults (2008.03|What Makes a Family?, 2008)
ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers - Top Ten (2004)
Iowa Teen Award Nominee (2006-2007)
ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (2004)
Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award Nominee (2006)
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Teen Pregnancy, Independence, Grief, Love, Family
Genre: Fiction
Annotation: Bobby is only sixteen but his girlfriend, Nia, is going to have a baby. When she becomes too ill to leave the hospital, Bobby chooses to raise the baby on his own. Can a sixteen year old boy do the job of a man?
Summary: Bobby's story is told in his own voice; the voice of a sixteen year old boy with a new baby living in urban New York. Johnson goes back and forth with chapters from "then" and "now". Readers slowly learn the story of Bobby finding out his girlfriend, Nia, is pregnant, wavering on the adoption choice, and finally Nia's lapse into a coma leaving Bobby with the newborn girl. Bobby's parents are strong and supportive, but insist that he do the real work of a father. Bobby constantly must make choices between his child, Feather, and his regular teen life.
Evaluation: I would label this a sweet book. Frightening things happen in The First Part Last, but Bobby is consistently a good person and loving father. While he does make some poor choices, I was left feeling hopeful for him and for Feather. A quick read.

Eighth Grade Bites (Book 1 The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod) by Heather Brewer

Brewer, Heather. (2007). Eighth Grade Bites (Book 1 The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod). NY: Dutton Juvenile.
ISBN: 978-0525478119
Awards: ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (2008)
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Bullies, Orphans, Friends
Annotation: Vladimir, Vlad for short, is a 13 year old orphan who is also half vampire. While dealing with the normal trials of eighth grade, Vlad also has to hide the fact that he is a vampire, try to find a date for the dance, and contend with the vampire council that is trying to kill him.
Summary: Eighth grade really sucks for Vladimir Tod. He is harassed by bullies, the girl he is crushing on likes his friend, and he has to hide the fact that he is a vampire; well, half vampire. His father was a vampire and his mother human. They both died in a mysterious fire when Vlad was young and now he lives with one of his mom's friends, Nelly. Other than bringing hidden bags of blood to school for lunch, things are pretty normal until Mr. Otis shows up. Bizarre Mr. Otis takes the place of Vlad's regular English teacher and seems to be suspiciously knowledgeable of Vlad. Turns out Mr. Otis is Vlad's uncle and is there to warn him about the vampire council that is out to kill him because of his parent's misdeeds. Vlad and his uncle must fight to keep Vlad alive.
Evaluation: This is a fast and easy read. If you read it while keeping in mind that there isn't much depth then it is a fine, if not simple, story.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Asher, Jay. (2007). Thirteen Reasons Why. NY: Razorbill.
ISBN: 978-1595141712
Awards: Florida Teens Read (2008-2009)
WinnerALA Best Books for Young Adults (2008)
Commonwealth Club of California Book Awards (Young Adult, Silver, 2007)
South Carolina Young Adult Book Award Nominee (2009-2010)
ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (2008)
Sequoyah Children's Book Award (High School, 2010)
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Rape, Depression, Bullying, Suicide, Grief, Regret, Friends
Genre: Fiction
Annotation: Shortly after the suicide of classmate, and crush, Hannah Baker, Clay receives a box of tapes created by her. The tapes are the 13 reasons why she killed herself, to be sent to the 13 people responsible for her decision. But why Clay?
Summary: Clay Jensen doesn't know why he got Hannah Baker's tapes. He didn't do anything wrong. Readers, along with Clay, listen to the voice of Hannah as she tells the story of the events leading up to her suicide. Hannah created the tapes to explain her choice and to let the thirteen people who contributed to her death know what they did. Clay, we learn, had a crush on Hannah, but was too afraid to make a move. Other people on the tapes started rumors about her and didn't see her for who she was, but also there were people who did bad things without remorse. While only a few of the things that happened were truly awful, they all added up to more than Hannah could bear.
Evaluation: I really enjoyed Hannah's story and can relate to her disgust of people who are able to take advantage of others and those who do not take responsibility for their own actions. I also enjoyed Clay as he traveled around the city listening, crying, and being angry at what he heard.

Fat Kid Rules the World by K.L. Going

Going, K.L. (2004) Fat Kid Rules the World. NY: Speak.
ISBN: 978-0142402085
Awards: Young Reader's Choice Award 2006
South Carolina Young Adult Book Award Nominee (2005-2006)Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice (2006)
Printz Honor (2004)
ALA Best Books for Young Adults (2004)
BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (2003)
ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults (2005.02|Own Your Freak, 2005)
ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults (2010.04|Bodies, 2010)
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year (2003)
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Obesity, Depression, Suicide, Acceptance, Friendship, Drugs
Genre: Fiction
Annotation: Troy is 17, almost 300 pounds and seriously depressed. Just as he is about to jump in front of a train Troy is saved by the words of a skinny homeless teen who turns out to be a guitar genius. Troy begins seeing the world in a new light as the two start a rock band.
Summary: Troy and Curt make an unlikely pair. Troy, at 6'1" is near 300 pounds and being raised in a military family. Curt is a skinny semi-homeless teen addicted to prescription medicine. Their bond begins the day Troy is contemplating jumping in front of a subway train and Curt talks him out of it. Curt, it turns out, is THE Curt MacCrae, guitar genius that occasionally attends Troy's school. Much to Troy's surprise, Curt invites him to be the drummer for his new punk band. Fat and insecure, Troy, soon Big T, slowly gains confidence and self respect through his friendship with unreliable and sometimes liar, Curt.
Evaluation: This is the story of one person saving another despite social, emotional, economic, and physical differences. Curt manages to save Troy by ignoring Troy's self loathing and believing in him. The characters in this book are imperfect, but passionate in a way that adds to the stories overall honesty. Great story!

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Alexie, Sherman. (2007). The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. NY: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
ISBN: 978-0316013680
Awards: American Indian Youth Literature Award (2008)
Cybils Finalist (Young Adult Fiction, 2007)
Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist (Young Adult Literature, 2007)
ALA Best Books for Young Adults (2008)
National Book Award (Young People's Literature, 2007
Book Sense Book of the Year Honor Book (2008)
A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book (2007)
Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (Fiction and Poetry, 2008)
Michigan Library Association's Thumbs Up! Award (2008.1|Honor, 2008)
BCCB Blue Ribbon Book (2007)
ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults (2010.02|Hard Knock Life, 2010)
ALA Outstanding Books for the College Bound (2009.2|History & Cultures, 2009)
Odyssey Award (2009|Recorded Books, Narrated by Sherman Alexie)
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year (2007)
Peter Pan Award (2009.01|Winner, 2009)
Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Award (2008)
Kansas City Star's Top 100 Books of the Year
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon Winner
Barnes & Noble 2007 Best for Teens
National Parenting Publication Gold Winner 2007
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Poverty, Racism, Alcoholism, Family, Fitting In, Cultural Identity, Death, Loss, Grief, Violence
Genre: Fiction
Annotation: Arnold Spirit, angry at the poverty and cruelty around him is encouraged by a teacher to leave the reservation. However, at his new all white school, Arnold faces a whole new set of challenges.
Summary: Arnold Spirit, or Junior, lives on a poverty stricken reservation run rampant by alcoholism, ignorance, and lost hope. A single violent event puts in motion a new life for Arnold. In class one day Arnold notices that his textbook is so old that it still has his mother's name in it. In a rage, he throws the book across the room hitting and hurting the teacher. While Arnold is suspended for the act, the teacher comes to him later encouraging him to leave the reservation for a better education. Arnold is the only Indian in the sea of white faces at his new school, except of course for the school mascot. This move causes a whole new set of problems for Arnold. The people on the reservation are angry that he is trying to leave and the white kids at his new school treat him like an outcast. As time passes, Arnold falls for a white girl and joins the basketball team. Tensions reach an all time high when Arnold's new school is set to play basketball against his old school, and his ex-best friend Rowdy.
Evaluation: I had heard so many good things about this book and have waited a long time to finally read it! Now, I can't believe I waited so long. This story is full of honest moments and emotions; some extremely funny and others extremely sad, violent, and horrifying.

Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini

Vizzini, Ned. (2005). Be More Chill. NY: Disney-Hyperion.
ISBN: 978-0786809967
Awards/Honors: Today Show Book Club selection
ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults (2007.01|What’s so Funny?, 2007)
ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (2005)
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Fitting In, Popularity, Being Cool, Friends, Love, Sex, Drugs
Genre: Science Fiction
Annotation: Jeremy Heere is not cool. But he wants to be and will do just about anything to be more popular - even swallow an illegal technology that melds with his brain and tells him how to be more cool.
Summary: Jeremy Heere is probably the least cool guy in high school, but he longs to be more popular and catch the attention of beautiful Christine. When he hears about a new technology that can help him look and act cool, he becomes determined to get it, even though it is illegal. Jeremy does find a place to buy a Squip, which turns out to be a small pill encoded and able to meld with the swallower's brain. But, he has to steal his aunts beanie babies and sell them in order to get the money. At first, everything goes great. Jeremy learns to stand tall, be a smart ass, and wear the right clothes. This new attitude gets him attention from Christine, and other girls, but also the disgust of his old best friend. Then, even when the Squip starts giving questionable advice, Jeremy continues to do what it says.
Evaluation: I both liked and disliked this book for the same reason. Jeremy seems to have a one track mind - sex and girls. His whole motivation for getting the Squip in the first place is so he can get with Christine. So, while I am not a boy and perhaps because of this, I was a little turned off by the focus of Jeremy's life (pun intended). However, it was also interesting to read a book from a point of view so unfamiliar.

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Green, John. (2005). Looking for Alaska. NY: Dutton Juvenile.
ISBN: 978-0525475064
Awards: ALA Best Books for Young Adults (2006)
Printz Award (2006)
Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist (2005)
Booklist Editors' Choice (2005)
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year (2005)
Michigan Library Association's Thumbs Up! Award (2006.1|Honor, 2006)
ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults (2009.04|Death and Dying, 2009)
ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (2006)A
LA Outstanding Books for the College Bound (2009.3|Literature & Language Arts, 2009)Inky Awards (Silver Inky, 2007)
Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award Nominee (2009)
Book Sense Summer Pick Teen Readers (2005)
Genre: Fiction
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Suicide, Death, Grief, Friends, Love, Forgiveness
Annotation: Miles Halter, prep school newbie and loner, is befriended by his genius roommate, Chip, and beautiful but crazy Alaska. Together they pull pranks, become close, and deal with the consequences of a terrible accident.
Summary: Miles Halter, a.k.a. Pudge, longs to live life to the fullest and so transfers to a boarding school in a small Alabama town. Here he meets Chip, "The Colonel", and beautiful Alaska. They become fast friends and Pudge's life takes a turn toward the more daring and adventurous in Alaska's rebellious wake. Drinking and smoking and playing pranks keeps the kids entertained, but readers soon learn of Alaska's great guilt. Alaska blames herself for her mother's death and this burden just might be more than she can bear.
Evaluation: This is one of those books that shows life in all its crazy complexity, uncertainty, and also its capacity for great emotion. I read this one because I had heard so many good things about the writing and heavy topics. While in the end, we might remember the great suffering, I think the story and characters create a world that readers will love and relate to.

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Kate, Lauren. (2009). Fallen. NY: Delacorte Books for Young Readers.
ISBN: 978-0385738934
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Biblioterapeutic Usefulness: Independence, Love, Ttust
Annotation: Lucinda Price has dealt with the shadows her entire life, but panic and terror still grip her when they come. Now, after the terrible accident, she is placed in a reform school where she falls for a mysterious boy.
Summary: Lucinda Price, or Luce for short, is sent to the secluded and Gothic like reform school Sword and Cross after a terrible accident. A boy died a fiery death while with Luce and she is suspected of murder - only she can't remember a thing. However, she has been haunted by mysterious shadows that bring panic and terror whenever they hover about her. At Sword and Cross Luce becomes inexplicable attracted to handsome but uninterested Daniel. Then there is Cam, the attractive boy who pursues Luce to excess. In a strange triangle of Luce, Daniel, and Cam, readers come to learn that Sword and Cross is no ordinary reform school. Daniel, Cam, and other residents are actually fallen angels stuck in a repetitious pattern revolving around Luce. Struggles between good and evil, a Gothic graveyard backdrop, and obsessive love create the backbone for this story.
Evaluation: The premise for this book is promising, but the action falls short. Perhaps it is because I am not a teenage girl, but the obsessive love doesn't appeal to me. I do think there will be plenty of girls who will find this quite enjoyable.

Cut by Patricia McCormick

McCormick, Patricia. (2002). Cut. NY: Push.
ISBN: 978-0439324595
Awards: South Carolina Young Adult Book Award Nominee (2002-2003)
Isinglass Teen Reads Award Winner (2004)
Gateway Book List (2002-2003)
Arizona Young Readers' Award Nominee (2005)ALA Best Books for Young Adults (2002)
ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers - Top Ten (2001)
ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (2001)
Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award Nominee (2005)
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Cutting, Easting Disorders, Mental Illness, Family, Depression, Self-Acceptance
Genre: Fiction
Annotation: Fifteen year old Callie is in a mental hospital because she self-mutilates and refuses to speak. While we get to hear Callie's inner dialog, she fights the therapists attempts to help her.
Summary: The story begins with fifteen year old Callie in Sea Pines mental hospital with a group of other girls. Among eating disorders, substance abuse, and other cutters, Callie keeps silent. Through her inner dialog, readers slowly learn about Callie's severely asthmatic brother, a fearful mother, and an absent drunk father. Day after day, Callie sits through individual and group therapy silently observing the other girls, but saying nothing. Finally, after being threatened with being sent home as a lost cause, Callie starts speaking to her therapist. With her therapist, Callie comes to realize that she is not the cause of her family's dysfunction.
Evaluation: I picked this book to read because I don't know very much about people who self-mutilate, but understand that it is a fairly common way some choose to express inner turmoil. Keeping that in mind, I enjoyed Callie's progression from silent and ill, to wanting to get better. I also liked the other girls whose stories were equally as moving and disturbing, if not as developed as Callie's.

Blue Bloods by Melissa De la Cruz

De la Cruz. (2006). Blue Bloods. NY: Hyperion.
ISBN: 978-0786838929
Awards:ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers - Top Ten (2007)
ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (2007)
Genre: Fantasy
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Escape, Independence, Orphan
Annotation: Schuyler Van Alen is young, beautiful, attends a prestigious private high school, and is a vampire. She and her human friend, Oliver, are racing to solve the mystery of the death of another young vampire, because everyone knows - vampires can't die.
Summary: Schuyler Van Alen doesn't quite fit in with the other kids at her prestigious private New York high school. While all the other teens are obsessed with name brands, knowing the "right" people, and being in the "right" places, Schuyler is wearing layered thrift store clothes and hanging out at home with friend Oliver. Then, on her 15th birthday, everything begins to change. Intricate blue lines appear on her forearms, she begins craving raw meat, and has dream like visions of a time long ago. Soon, Schuyler discovers that she is a Blue Blood, a vampire, like most of the other kids in her school. While Schuyler struggles to grasp this reality, a young vampire is killed and no one knows why, or how. Schuyler, Oliver, and friend Bliss rush to solve the mystery before another vampire dies.
Evaluation: I enjoyed this story. While I think it is a little heavy on the name brand dropping, the historical and religious themes wound in with vampire lore is fascinating.