Skim by Mariko Tamaki illustrated by Jillian Tamaki

Tamaki, M. and Tamaki, J. (2008) Skim. NY: Groundwood Books.
ISBN: 978-0888997531
Awards: Ignatz Award (Outstanding Graphic Novel, 2008)
New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book (2008)
ALA Great Graphic Novels for Teens (Top Ten, Fiction, 2009)
ALA Rainbow List (Young Adult Fiction, 2009)
ALA Best Books for Young Adults (2009)
Eisner Award nominee (Best Publication for Teens/Tweens, 2009)
Eisner Award nominee (Best Graphic Album—New, 2009)
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Suicide, Homosexuality, Friendship, Love, Weight Issues
Genre: Graphic Novel, Coming of Age, Fiction
Annotation: Kimberly Keiko, nicknamed Skim because she is not, takes tenth grade on with all the awkwardness of a teen. Skim tries her hand at becoming a Wicca, falls in love, and deals with the school's grief over a students suicide.
Review: Kimberly Keiko, called Skim because she is not, is a Japanese Canadian in an all girl private school. Skim dabbles in the Wiccan arts with bossy friend Lisa and presents herself as a goth. Her falling in love with a female teacher only makes things harder. Skim's story overlays the story of a classmate, Katie, who is dumped by her boyfriend, who then kills himself. Their school rallies together to deal with the grief, much to the dismay of Katie and Skim who end up being friends in the end.
Opinion: I really enjoyed this story. Though dealing with heavy issues of suicide, being gay (or not), and religious choices, author Tamaki manages subtlety and genuine emotion.

Tithe by Holly Black

Black, Holly. (2004). Tithe. NY: McElderry.
Genre: Fantasy
Awards: NYPL Best Book for the Teen Age Mythopoeic Fantasy Award Nominee (Children's Literature, 2003)
Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults 2004
ALA Best Books for Young Adults (2003)
ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults (2005.03|Gateway to Faerie, 2005)
Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award Nominee (2008)
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Homosexuality, Addiction, Friends, Dysfunctional Families
Annotation: Kaye is 16 when she and her mom move back to Kaye's childhood home where she has memories of faerie friends. In a fantastic tale of discovered identity, magic, and great evil, Kaye becomes entwined in the dark and powerful world of the faeries.
Summary: Kaye is a 16 year old dropout who lives, and travels, with her mother’s rock band. After a bizarre attack on her mom, the two move back to Kaye’s childhood home where she has memories of faerie friends. They are only there for a week when Kaye gets caught up in the dark and powerful world of faeries. A dark fantasy with romance, battles, death, and magic forces.
Evaluation: I read this book because I tend to gravitate toward fantasy novels. The appeal of dark and dangerous magic is hard for me to ignore, and I was not disappointed. Definitely a book for teen girls. I like that the characters lives are not middle-class; it really adds to the gritty feel of the story.

Athletic Shorts: 6 Short Stories by Chris Crutcher

Crutcher, Chris. (1991). Athletic Shorts: 6 Short Stories. NY: Greenwillow Books.
ISBN: 978-0688108168
Awards:ALA Best Books for Young Adults (1992)
Michigan Library Association's Thumbs Up! Award (1992)
ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults (2000)
ALA 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-2000
Bibliotherapuetic Usefulness: Homosexuality, Racism, Belonging
Genre: Fiction
Annotation: These short stories all revolve around teenage boys, sports, and the trials that come with being a teenager. Added to the mix are issues such as homophobia, sexism, racism, and more.
Summary: Athletic Shorts contains six short stories revolving around teenage boys, sports, and the trials of teenagedom. While sports create a common thread, the stories all have a coming of age theme in which the main character learns a vital life lesson. There is Angus, the fat boy; Johnny the wrestler, whose father seems to hate him; poor Petey who must wrestle a girl, and more. Many of the stories include taboo topics such as homosexuality, racism, and sexism. All but the first story are about characters that have appeared in other Crutcher novels.
Evaluation:Crutcher has a talent for capturing the lives of teens, and these stories are no exception. He uses a clear and simple approach to some very difficult, but very real, subjects and gives his characters a chance to learn, or as the case may be, redeem themselves.

Annie on my Mind by Nancy Garden

Garden, Nancy. (1992). Annie on my Mind. NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
ISBN: 978-0374404147
Awards: ALA Best Books for Young Adults (1982)
ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults (1997)
ALA 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-2000
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Homosexuality, Lesbians, Love
Genre: Fiction
Annotation: It is the 1970's when high school students Annie and Liza fall in love. Along with the excitement and wonder comes the extra challenge of being gay in a world not ready. They must decide how their choices will affect their lives.
Summary: This is a story of a middle class white girl, Eliza, making her way through a private high school. She is smart, popular, and class president. So, she is confused when she finds herself falling in love with free-natured Annie, a girl she meets at the museum. When the girls discover the love is mutual, they must contend with the many obstacles they face in life.
Evaluation: I had to keep in mind that the book was written in a time when it was much more difficult to be a gay teen. Liza and Annie's trials are one of the reasons our society has moved away from such prejudice, and it makes me thankful that our culture is more and more accepting of different ways of living.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Green, J. and Levithan, D. (2010). Will Grayson, Will Grayson. NY: Dutton.
ISBN: 978-0525421580

Award: ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults (2011)
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Homosexuality
Genre: Fiction
Under bizarre and unlikely circumstances, two boys, both named Will Grayson, lives become intertwined. Tiny Cooper, large and fabulously gay, plays a part in this story of personal growth and recognition.
Summary: The story begins with alternating chapters focusing on the two boys lives. One Will is straight, and tries to keep his mouth shut and not care so he won't get hurt (or have attention). The problem lies in that his best friend is Tiny Cooper, the biggest, loudest, and most fabulously gay teen in the school. The other will (in lower case) is gay, medication grade depressed, and hates just about everything and everyone. His best friend, Maura, who is equally negative, wants more from will, but can't seem to get to him.
The boys have an unlikely meeting under awkward circumstances and from that point on all the characters in the book take a turn for the better. Tiny Cooper's school musical forms the backbone and the clear voice for the teens growth, self awareness, and acceptance.
Evaluation: I chose this book because I find it fascinating that yet another group of under served, and often persecuted, group of people has a place to go to read stories they can relate to. The characters are believable with their awkward teen angst and irrational decision making. The plot developes well, right along with the characters, using both humor and genuine emotion.