Extra Credit: American Born Chinese

Yang, Gene Luen. American Born Chinese. United States: First Second, 2006.

Annotation: There are fables, really bad stereotypes and real life, when all of this combine for Jin, all hell breaks lose. It is his responsibility to make sure life is running smoothly and when he doesn't, he is made to answer to a higher power, the Monkey of Flower Fruit Mountain; and this monkey knows kung-fu.

Justification: When I began reading this book, I had no idea it was a graphic novel, and had no idea that I would love it! When I began reading it, I thought that I would not enjoy this format at all, but I was completely wrong. I like that Yang has three stories happening consecutively: there is the real Chinese boy, the stereotype Chinese man, and the Chinese fable of the Monkey. I love how each of the stories progress, and because of the graphic novel nature, it is very easy to read and follow along. The end was a little harder for me to understand, it might be difficult for me to understand because I am not a usual comic book reader. All three of the stories came together in the end, in order to teach a moral, but it was confusing to me how each of the was exactly related to one another. However, I liked how there was humor in the book, because you aren't able to accept yourself if you aren't willing to make a joke of yourself once in a while.

I would recommend this book, because it is a different read, and fun to look at! It has a great moral to the story, everything happens for a reason and be yourself and appreciate people for who they are.

Genre Category: Printz, Graphic Novel, Multi-Cultural

Extra Credit: Speak

Halse, Laurie Anderson. Speak. New York, New York: Penguin Group: 2001.

Annotation: Melinda doesn't speak. After she called the cops at a party, no one speaks to her either. She has become someone whom she doesn't even recognize herself, biting through her lip until it bleeds. The party changed her, she will never be the same. She can't trust anyone, but she begins to find refuge in Mr. Freeman, the crazy art teacher. He tells her to become the tree, and she does, and that is where she finds answers and the strength to carry on.

Justification for Nomination: At the beginning, I had a hard time relating to the main character, Melinda because of her pessimistic attitude. Everything was in her head, and to me, her feelings were not justified until the end when you find out the truth that she had been raped. There are signs and indicators to it, but she doesn't come out and say it until close to the end. Then when she comes out and says it, you are able to look back and come on a sort of journey with her, and see how she is growing and becoming a person that people want to be around. I found the teacher, Mr. Freeman a crucial part in this novel, because he makes Melinda identify with her feelings and makes her become the tree. Then at the end you are able to see the metaphor for her life and it's only the beginning of her life. It was hard to understand her attitude at first but then it becomes clear and the end, and the author makes you feel the emotions and fear that Melinda does. The book is great because it shows the struggle a lot of people have when it comes to sexual assault, but in the end it's telling people you need to speak up, be the hero and speak up for yourself, because if you don't, no one will on your behalf.

I recommend this because it shows that sexual assault of any sort, can easily happen to anyone, and it is important that we speak out about it. Sometimes it is hard to come out with the truth, but it is better than living with the hurt and pain; so speak out and you will be able to find people that care about you and will help you overcome this pain.

Genre Categories: Realistic/Edgy, Printz

Extra Credit: Daniel Half Human and the Good Nazi

Chotjewitz, Daniel. Daniel Half Human and the Good Nazi. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2000.

Annotation: For Daniel, supporting Hitler seemed right, almost natural; until he found out he was half Jewish. He hated himself, and his family because they were Jewish and it was everything opposite he learned in school and everything he hated. His best friend was in the HJ, how could they be friends any longer? Who could he turn to, was there anyone left that he could trust with his secret, or would he be sent to a concentration camp like others in his family?

Justification for Nomination: Although this book is fiction, the author says it was based on things that did take place, but has been changed; while reading this book, I felt as if I were back in Nazi Germany. I felt the feelings that the main character Daniel felt when he was trying to keep his true identity hidden and then the relief and anger when it was revealed. There were parts of this book that I had a hard time keeping up with at the beginning, there were parts where it was present day, after the rise of Hitler, and the war, there were a few chapters that I had a hard time grasping on to. But these chapters began to become clearer and clearer as the book went on, and made more sense. This book is about finding truth and peace with who you are, even though it is extremely hard to do as a young adult. In this book Daniel struggles when he finds out who he really is, but finds out that some people do accept him no matter what. This book also highlights the prejudice that people faced, and their struggles just to be human, and live were so huge. There was another aspect of right and wrong that plays out throughout the entire book, and played a large part at the end of the book, that still leaves me a little puzzled as to how I feel about it; I'm not sure whether I thought it was right or wrong, I'm still thinking about it.

I would nominate this book because I feel that it is so much more than a young adult novel, it gives teens a deeper look into what life was life in Nazi Germany and creates feelings for those not present, which is all young adults. I think it is important for teens to see that there was life before cell phones and the internet.

Genre Category: Historical Fiction, Coming of Age, Realistic, Multi-Cultural

Extra Credit: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. New York, NY: Hatchett Book Group, 2009.

Annotation: Being a teenager is hard in any culture. Can you imagine growing up in two cultures, where you are hardly excepted in either, because you made the hardest decision of your life? Junior decided to leave the reservation to go to an all white school. Everyone hated him for it, including his best friend. Junior thought he had a lot to prove and he did. All while trying to grow up and find himself, he goes through so many tragedies that it's hard to imagine, but he continues to keep on and knows that something will eventually happen for him.

Justification: This is one of the best books that I've read in a very long time. The conversational tone of the author promotes an easy and engaging read. I enjoyed that the narrator shared his "drawings" to show his feelings and how he deals with life in general. It seems that his sharing his drawings and comic books, shows a piece of himself and shows that he is willing to be vulnerable in order to share his story, and I really appreciate it! The conversational tone also makes this book so much more relatable and emotional. It was hysterically funny in parts and extremely heart wrenching in others; which is real life, sometimes you just have to laugh or you'll never survive.

I absolutely nominate this book!! Reading this book has changed my first nominee (although I still love Looking for Alaska). Although there is heart break, there is so much learning and growing and laughter in this book, and it makes me think of my own life: there have been tragedies, but the only way to get through it, is to know who you are, appreciate the things you have, and lean on the people you love.

Genre Categories: Humor, Coming of Age, Multi-Cultural

#10 Just Ask Iris

Frank, Lucy. Just Ask Iris. New York, NY: Aladdin Paperbacks, 2001.

Annotation: How are you supposed to save the world, as a woman, without a bra? Iris moves with her family into a new home, without their father. As the summer progresses, she becomes painstakingly aware of her need for a bra. Iris dedicates her summer to coming up with clever schemes in order to provide the funds for her bra purchase. In the meantime, she makes a few friends, a few enemies and saves the world, maybe not the whole world, but some people's world.

Justification: Frank makes this novel easy to read because of it's conversational tone, and realistic experiences. It was funny to read about a girl growing up with a brother in the city, and how everyone notices how badly she needs a bra. This is so embarrassing to her and her brother, that she needs to spend every opportunity working towards obtaining her first bra, because her mother is unable to take her. In the process of creating opportunities for her business, Just Ask Iris, she creates friends, and becomes familiar with who she is, and the kinds of things that are important to her. She makes friends in the building, and even saves the resident cat lady, whom everyone was afraid of. Iris took the chance to help her, by putting herself on the line, along with other tenants and became the resident hero. Who would have thought the need for a bra would help to save your fellow residents, and create a summer that you would never forget?

I would nominate this book, because it's funny and easy to relate to. Everyone has been in that awkward time of puberty and your body is changing, but no one wants to talk about it. I commend Frank on making this obvious and so funny to read about!

Genre Categories: Coming of Age, Humor, Multi-Cultural

# 9 The Kids Are All Right

Welch, Diana; Welch, Liz. The Kids Are All Right. United States: Harmony Books, 2009.

Annotation: There are two sides to every story; in this case there are four sides. The Welch children recall their childhood growing up, the good, the bad and the ugly. They take you on this ride of emotions with them, and it is irresistible to not feel what they feel. Everyone has a different story, and it was important for these siblings to each have their own chance to tell what they remembered from their hard lives growing up.

Justification for Nomination: This memoir is deep. It made me relive feelings from my childhood, and feelings I felt that were so deep and unavoidable when my mom passed away. This book made me cry and it made me laugh. When I was reading it, it made me think of my life, and revisit some things that happened with my brothers when I was younger, and made me revaluate situations that I encountered as a young adult, now as an adult. This memoir looks at four children and how they grew up. The best part of this book, is that everything is looked upon by each of the four children, and told from their perspective; like they all talk about remembering when their father passed away and how each of them dealt with such a loss and how they all tried to get through. This was so touching to me, because I related to it on such a deep level. There are four different narrators, and they each have a different style of telling their version. Having this dynamic group makes this memoir even more relatable and emotional, because I was able to identify with at least one of the narrators, and their outlook on their life and happenings growing up.

I would absolutely recommend this, like I said, it is very deep and emotional, so be ready to be able to objectively look at your childhood, and a life and relationships with your siblings.

Genre Category: Memoir, coming of age, ALEX

#8 Native Son

Wright, Richard. Native Son. New York, NY: Harper & Brothers, 1940.

Annotation: Bigger Thomas gets a new job driving for a white family. While a night out, the boss's daughter gets drunk with her boyfriend, and Bigger tries to care for her. Scared of what the consequences will be for being seen with a white girl, he makes a wrong decision and kills her and his life changes forever.

Justification for Nomination: Although this book was written in 1940, it looks at race issues that are still prevalent today, and it addresses them head on, without sparing anyone or anything! Richard Wright, examines the life of an African American male trying to make ends meet, and trying to be the best he can. Once he gets a job with a white family - the family is involved in the "betterment" of African Americans, so they think they are doing Bigger a favor by giving him work. So many young adults can identify with what is going on with Bigger: he is trying to take care of his own business and get a job and take care of his family all while trying to grow as a person and be accepted by society. Bigger was so afraid to be alone with a white girl, although he was trying to help her, he kills her by accident. He denies what happened and goes on the run. Race plays a huge part in this book, because he knows that things could have been different for him if he was different.

I nominate this book because, it addresses rights and wrongs with issues that are still happening today. Young adults know of things happening like this today, because of the news. So giving young adults the opportunity to learn about the main character and be able to relate to him can possibly prevent things like this from happening in life.

Genre Category: Banned/Censored, coming of age, realistic/edgy.

#7 Hard Love

Wittlinger, Ellen. Hard Love. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1999.

Annotation: After his parent's divorce, John has no feelings left; his mother refuses to touch him or look at him, his dad is busy conquering women to even notice him. Believing he is incapable of emotions, he finds the strongest emotion: love. Although it is a hard and very unlikely love, John falls for someone who may not have the same feelings and could easily break his heart, but he is finally able to feel -- something.

Justification for Nomination: Wittlinger's portrayal of an adolescent boy looking to find himself, is exact. It seems that every young person goes through this type of heartache and self discovery. He does a lot of writing, and eventually writes his feelings in a "zine" a homemade magazine and starts to find friends, other than Brian. The style of this novel is very interesting. There are many poems and song lyrics throughout, and most of them are hand written, making you feel that the characters actually had written the page, which is something I haven't seen in other novels. At the beginning of each chapter the text is slanted, and easily grabs your attention. I think it also shows that the narrator's continued perspective of uncertainty and confusion in his journey of self discovery and search for feelings. The journey the main character goes through is so important, because it describes all the emotions that most teens go through: the feelings they have toward their parents and the needs to be self sufficient, the importance of friendship and finding love, either platonic or romantic both are important in life. And love is always the hardest emotion no matter what age you are.

I recommend this book because love is hard and this book shows how important love is and that everyone needs it, even though it can easily destroy you, in seconds; it's worth every second.

Genre Category: Coming of Age, Romance

#6 Jade Green: A Ghost Story

Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds. Jade Green: A Ghost Story. New York: Simon Pulse, 1999.

Annotation: Judith, a recently orphaned teen, goes to live with her last remaining relative: Uncle Geoffrey, under one circumstance: nothing green. But the last photo of her mother is in a green frame, which is something that she is unable to live without. Unable to live without it, she sneaks the green into the house and she learns the hard way why the color is not allowed in the house. Judith desperately tries to remove it, but it might be too late.

Justification for Nomination: Naylor makes it almost impossible to put this thriller/mystery book down. This book was set in the late 1800's, and the book stayed true to that era with the language, and descriptions of the dress and setting. There were many different themes running through this book as the plot progressed. The main character was in first person narrative, and she was growing as a person throughout the book, on her trek to find the truth. Along with finding the truth, she also stumbled across love with the neighbor boy. This thriller was about a girl that died in the house that Judith had moved into, but had "died at her own hand." Judith feels she starts to go crazy while she searches for the truth of why Jade Green took her own life, and begins to question if it was just the house that made her feel that way. Will she be able to find the reason for her death, all while balancing her household duties, her 40 year old cousin that seems to always be lurking in the shadows, her new job at the dress shop, and her new romantic interest.

I nominate this book, because it stayed true to it's time, and really embodies a young adult thriller, while including important themes throughout, such as romance, and self discovery. It also makes you think and guess what is going to happen around the next turn!

Genre Category: Mystery, thriller, coming of age, romance, edgy

#5 Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman?

Updale, Eleanor. Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman? New York: Orchard Books, 2003.

Annotation: A near death experience changed his life, and gave him time in prison to devise a master plan for thievery. When Montmorency gets out, he has to become two people: a rich, high class man, and a dirty, stealing scoundrel. He must calculate every move he makes perfectly to prevent his capture by Scotland Yard. Everything he stole was familiar and recognizable items, would it be worth it, even though he can't turn a profit?

Justification for Nomination: This book was unlike any other book I have read. I found it distracting that the character had two personalities, one a rich man and the other a poor man, whom was a servant of his rich self. It was interesting, however, that the character was always in trouble, and running from the police, but was always able to get away with his schemes. It was suspenseful, and easily kept me turning the page in order to find what would happen to him next. I think this would be able to relate to young adult readers because it is suspenseful and enticing with the life of crime and the life of riches in the same book. I think it would also be interesting to them because of the split personality because a lot of people can see themselves as different people in one day. The life of crime is not something that interests me, but it was an enticing story, it was just hard for me to relate to sometimes. I was hoping that I would be able to envision myself back in the late 1800's, but this book lacked a little bit of sensory descriptors that I would have liked to have seen, maybe if these were included, I would be able to relate more to it.

I would not recommend this book because it lacked the detail that I was hoping, making it difficult for me to completely grasp it.
Genre Category: Historical Fiction

#4 John Lennon: All I Want is the Truth

Partridge, Elizabeth. John Lennon: All I Want is the Truth. New York, NY: Penguin Group, 2005.

Annotation: "I'm not the Beatles, I'm me." John Lennon, a star of the Beatles, was born the night of a air raid during World World II in Liverpool, England. All through his adolescent years he knew he was different, and he was; music found him and his life would never be the same. All I Want is the Truth, is Lennon's story from adolescence to adulthood, life of rock and roll, and learning who he is: "I want people to love me, I want to be loved."

Justification for Nomination: Partridge explores John Lennon on levels that have never been seen before. She shows his life throughout the text, but includes a lot of pictures of John and the other Beatles throughout their lives. The reason I nominate this book, is because it is truthful, and show Lennon as he actually was, a mischievous child that was looking for something to keep him busy, until he found rock and roll. Partridge tells how Lennon always knew he was different and a lot of young adults feel that way, but have a hard time finding an outlet for their difference.
It is interesting to see rock stars, and famous people as themselves, and the truth about their lives. As young adults, or even adults, we envision rock stars as God-like people, we see them up on a pedestal, as un-human. BIographies, especially this one of Lennon, shows that he was just a "regular" person that found a passion and followed it, and would refused to give up. Sometimes we forget that rock stars are normal people and some came from the same environments we did.

I recommend this book because it's truth and honest. It shows that John Lennon from the Beatles, was just like you and me.

Genre Category: Biography, Autobiography, Memoir

#3 Shooting Monarchs

Halliday, John. Shooting Monarchs. New York, NY: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2003.

Annotation: Macy committed crimes because prison was the only place that felt like his home. After a bad storm, a detour takes him through the quiet town of Shiloh, a place that has never seen someone like him. It doesn't take long for him to make a stir: one resident becomes a hero, while the visitor becomes a serial killer.

Justification for Nomination: John Halliday embodies literary excellence in his first novel Shooting Monarchs. The entire novel comes from a third person perspective, but the author describes the characters so well, that you feel that you know them on a personal level. Halliday makes it easy for you to feel what the characters are feeling, making the book a quick and easy read, because it keeps you hanging on in anticipation. This genre of writing has a darker side than what I was expecting. It shows that humans can be dark and edgy, but according to this book, there is a reason for this action, and if things were different, the outcomes would be different. Although it seems pessimistic, I think in the end the genre is optimistic, because it has a moral to the story to make a difference for someone else. Even the "bad guy" earns a soft spot from the reader; if only things were different for him, he wouldn't be this way and his life would be different in some way. The characters are relatable to young adults because they are young adults themselves. They are dealing with issues that are endured by every teen: falling in love, loving someone who doesn't love you back, getting a first job, prom, being teased, going to high school and most importantly becoming a hero.

I recommend this book because it shows there is good and bad in everyone, but it's important to have someone show you there is a different way. All teens need a little guidance, even when they don't accept it. This book has underlying morals that are important for all people to read and know.

Genre Category: Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age, Realistic/Edgy

#2 Make Lemonade

Wolff, Virginia Euwer. Make Lemonade. New York: Scholastic, 1993.

Annotation:
When life hands you lemons, make lemonade; you don't really have any other choice. This statement cannot hold more true than it does for Jolly and LaVaughn. Forced into an early adulthood with two children at 17, Jolly takes life as it comes to her, in less than desirable circumstances. LaVaughn, her much younger and immature nanny, only 14, shows her and her children compassion like no one else ever has and teaches her to take her lemons and turn them into lemonade.

Justification for Nomination:
Although this verse novel was coming of age and fit many of the categories and expectations of young adult literature (emotional, teens are in control, finding yourself, fast paced, variety of subjects), I did not find it to be very entertaining. It was easy to read and follow along with, the pages and text were short, for a quicker read, but my adult eye was having a hard time adjusting to accept this particular style of writing. Not to mention that the story was very sad and depressing. Although the emotions were easy to identify with, I don't feel that there was enough description of the characters or the setting. I guess a strategic look to this, is letting your audience think for themselves and create their own visual of the story. Two teenage girls, one a mother, the other her nanny, take life as it comes, trying to make each other better people and figure life out. It's the struggle of life for all young adults, except one is forced to become an adult much quicker. When she does, she does not except herself for what she is worth, and her nanny takes the time, effort and compassion no one else has shown her. Jolly's faith in people is not easily restored, but with the help from LaVaughn, they will get there.

To be honest, although it fit most of the requirements of young adult literature, I was not a huge fan of this novel or style of writing.

Genre Category: Verse Novel, Coming of Age, Realistic/ Edgy

#1 Looking for Alaska

Green, John. Looking for Alaska. New York: Dutton Books, 2005.


Annotation:

Unable to find the Great Perhaps in public school in Florida, Miles Halter, decides to attend preparatory school in Alabama. During his stay, he learns the importance of friends, fun and pulling pranks. While he searches for the Great Perhaps, he searches for the answers to life, love, death and most importantly who he is.

Justification for Nomination:

Author John Green, exemplifies literary quality in this novel. Throughout the novel, he is a 16 year old boy, and it is believable with the language and tone. He never talks down to the audience and believes in using language that is thought provoking and descriptive. The setting and the characters are deeply examined, easy to relate to and have genuine feelings for (whether it's like or dislike).

All of the developmental needs of adolescence is acknowledged and embraced within the novel.
-Point of view: The point of view is a 16 year old boy, he is searching to find and understand himself, all while trying to make friends, and adapt to a new place in boarding school
-Teens are in charge: The opening of the book is Miles Halter with his parents, and how he is moving away. It's his first time away from home, and he is on his own, responsible for his own actions and sometimes the actions of others. Parental figures are mostly distant, he only speaks with his parents once a week, when he promised he would call. The "head master" of the school is present, but easily tricked and manipulated by the teens.
-Literature is fast paced: I feel that novel was paced well. It was hard for me to put down because it was suspenseful and as the plot developed, it took unforeseeable turns and continued to build suspense.
-Variety of genres and subjects: I think there were a few topics that were addressed in the novel. It was a coming of age story, and it included love and heartbreak, friendship and loneliness, life and death, etc.
-Inclusion of ethnic and cultural groups: There is a lack of representation of different groups because only Caucasian and Japanese are represented here.
-Optimistic, making noteworthy accomplishments: Throughout the book, when something negative happens, the answer and solution brings much knowledge and a brighter future than the characters thought there could be.
-Emotional, with regard to young adults: All adolescents are emotional, and it's important that the literature they are reading helps them to identify what they are feeling, and Looking for Alaska, seems to identify a lot of emotions that made me remember how I felt when I was 16.

I recommend Looking for Alaska because it identifies with all of the characteristics of adolescent literature, is authentic in it's writing and language, making it easy for people to identify, whether they are teens while reading, but it helps older readers to remember their feelings of love, friendship and mischief from when they were 16.

Genre Categorie: Printz