YA Reading Fair
August 1, 2006
gathered by angel dew
LI 832XR
Maus
Spiegelman, Art
Summary
graphic novel
The story of Vladek Speigelman, a Jewish survivor of Hitler's
Europe, and his son, a cartoonist coming to terms with his
father's story.
Personal Reaction
graphic novel
I can’t say it enough--I loved Maus. The graphic novel juxtaposed
against this historical background made this an easy and spell bounding
read. I just couldn’t put the book down. The gritty drawings paved a
clear road for this story to unfold. It’s images catapult and magnify the
horrors of this time.
Evaluation
I would recommend this book to a 6th grader and above. This book is,
without a doubt, cross generational. Due to the subject matter of WW2
and the holocaust I would hesitate recommending it to anyone under 11.
publisher: Pantheon Books
copyright: 1997
pages: 295
age span: 9th & up
Keeper of the Night
Holt, Kimberly Willis
Summary
Isabel, a thirteen-year-old girl living on the island of Guam, and her family try to
cope with the death of Isabel's mother who committed suicide.
Personal Response
multicultural
Keeper of the Night was a colorful novel. The island background
& cultural undertones served my imagination well. The context,
however seemed to lack depth, as in the book wrapped up much
to easily.
Evaluation
I would recommend this book to a young lady in between grades 6-9.
publisher: H. Holt
copyright: 2003
pages: 308
age span: 76h-9th g
Monster
Myers, Walter Dean
Summary
While on trial as an accomplice to a murder, sixteen-year-old
Steve Harmon records his experiences in prison and in the
courtroom in the form of a film script as he tries to come to
terms with the course his life has taken.
Personal Evaluation
contemporary problem
Monster was hard for me to get through or should I say get going It may
have been the text or the format, but mostly it was hard for me to figure
why the novel had won so many awards & maybe it was hard for me to
believe that a young kid who was just a look out would be considered a
monster simply for “being there”...but then there came the epiphany.
The author is doing something grand with this novel and it disheartens
me to think I almost missed it. He’s shedding light on a system that does
deem young black boys monsters as well as a community that often turns
them into monsters—no matter what. Seemingly, the format itself seems
to reflect upon the idea that us folks living outside of this community only
think that things like this go on, on television or in the movies.
Evaluation
I would recommend this book to both male and female 9th grade and up. I do
Believe it would be best served in a discussion group where young people could
Really decipher what author is trying to say.
publisher: Harper Collins
copyright: 1999
pages: 281
age
span: 9th & up
The Giver
Lowry, Lois
Summary
Given his lifetime assignment at the Ceremony of Twelve,
Jonas becomes the receiver of memories shared by only one
other in his community and discovers the terrible truth
about the society in which he lives.
Personal Response
science fiction
The Giver is a superb novel. The metaphors brought
Forth in this novel can be discussed indefinitely. It’s thoughful, provoking, and menacing all at once. I added this novel
to my home library.
Evaluation
This is a cross-generational novel. I would recommend it to anyone
Over the age of 11.
publisher: Houghton Mifflin
copyright: 1993
pages: 180
age span: 6h & up
The Boy Who Couldn’t Die
Sleator, William
Summary
When his best friend dies in a plane crash, sixteen
year-old Ken has a ritual performed that will make
him invulnerable, but soon learns that he had good
reason to be suspicious of the woman he paid to lock
his soul away.
Personal Response
horror
This novel was packed with over the top notions of
Mystical fear. The backdrop to this novel—cold New York
City, the islands, and an icy lake town works wonders on the
Imagination. William Sleator nails this genre.
Evaluation
I would recommend this novel to any young adult looking for horror
Or mystery. Definetely would be a hit with young men 9th grade and Up.
publisher: Amulet Books
copyright: 2004
pages: 162
span: 9th& up
The Chocolate War
Cormier, Robert
Summary
Jerry Renault is forced into a psychological showdown with
Trinity School's gang leader, Archie Costello, for refusing to
be bullied into selling chocolates for the annual fund raising.
Personal Response
contemporary problem
I listened to the this novel. It was riveting to listen to...I don’t believe
I would have been able to get through the novel otherwise. With the
a male protagonist in an all male world, the novel just wouldn’t have
held my attention past the first chapter. It did, however, have in depth
characters, and to me could be considered a classic of sorts.
Evaluation
Do to the context...i.e. the style of writing and the subject matter of the novel, I
would restrain from recommending this novel to anyone under 15 or 16. I wouldn’t
recommend it to a young lady.
publisher: Random House/Listening Library
copyright: 2004
discs: 5
age span: 10th & up
33 Snowfish
Rapp, Adam
Summary
A raw account of a homeless boy, running from police
with a fifteen-year-old, drug addicted prostitute, her
boyfriend who just killed his own parents, and a stolen
baby.
Personal Response
contemporary problem
33 Snowfish is cutting edge. The character development
is fantastic as is the story. It divulges into a world so unknown
and so horrific with such grace that by the end it almost seems like
a love story. All YA librarians, school media librarians, and Library
instructors should read this novel for it’s honesty, and perspective.
Evaluation
Due to the intense subject matter and graphic language, I would
hesitate to recommend this book to anyone under 16…I would
however consider this book for any teen over 14 considered to be at risk.
publisher: Candlewick Press
copyright: 2003
pages: 179
age span: 11th & up
Crank
Hopkins, Ellen
Summary
Kristina Georgia Snow is the perfect daughter,
gifted high school junior, quiet, never any trouble.
But on a trip to visit her absentee father, Kristina
disappears and Bree takes her place. Through boy
Bree meets the monster: crank.
Personal Response
contemporary problem
I loved Crank. I read it in one sitting—all 500 pages of it. The fact
that this book is written by a mother who experienced the devastation
of this drug made the book linger in my mind long after I put it down.
The style is perfect & seems to reflect upon the idea of simplicity
when dealing with subject matter of this magnitude.
Evaluation
I recommend this book to nearly every teen that walks into the teen room.
I hesitate if they are under 14.
publisher: Simon Pulse
copyright:
2004
pages: 537
span:9th & up
Jason & Kyra
Davidson, Dana
Summary
Handsome and popular Jason tries to come to terms with
his irascible, often absent father and his growing attraction
to the studios, quiet Kyra.
Personal Response
romance
I read this book in one evening. It was sweet and nostalgic. The author
did a good job capturing these characters, and despite the “stereotypical”
idea of the jock and the geek.I recommend this book to every young African
American teen girl that walks into the library & most times they’ve already read it.
Evaluation
Great book for anyone young adult looking for the sweet and sour of high
school love. The characters are all black as it is set in an influential black
community in Atlanta.
publisher: Hyperion/Jump at the Sun
copyright: 2004
pages: 330
age span: 9th & up
Day of Tears
Lester, Julius
Summary
Through a series of first person accounts—from slave
auctioneer—the largest slave auction American History is
dramatized.
Personal Response
historical fiction
This novel is superb. It captures the voice of all
associated with this auction and this time period. It is rare
to find a book so magical with it’s sense of time and spirit.
A massive rain storm sits in the background of this novel &
It seems as if you can hear, smell, and feel as the water shatters
the dust and horror of this auction. And if you can imagine…this
all is based on factual events…even the rain.
Evaluation
This book should be in classrooms. It should be discussed and evaluated.
I would recommend this book to anyone in high school and above.
publisher: Hyperion/Jump at the Sun
copyright: 2005
pages: 177
age span: 9th & up
Not the Only One
Summer, Jane
Summary
Short stories compiled for it’s content and theme involving
characters and storylines revolving around lesbian and gay
issues.
Personal Response
These stories revolve around typical characters
and typical arcs…with a subtle difference of sexual
preference. The stories were all well written.
Evaluation
story collection
publisher: Alyson Books
Due to the nature of these stories, I wouldn’t recommend
it to any teen that comes in…I do however often put it out
on display, for at this age this sort of topic is often explored solo.
copyright: 2004
pages: 302
age span: 9th& up
The Burn Journals
Runyoun, Brent
Summary
Brent Runyon was fourteen years old when he set himself on fire. In
this book he describes that suicide attempt and his recovery over the
following year.
Personal Response
This was a difficult read, but a must.. Brent’s voice is a mixture
of emotion that captures what it must be like to relish in middle
school angst and depression.
non-fiction
Evaluation
Due to subject matter, I would recommend this book to a teen
In high-school. I do believe this book can cross over to adult readers…
Anyone battling depression or recovering from depression may enjoy
The ups and downs of this account.
publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
copyright: 2004
pages: 374
age span: 9th & up
Vegan Virgin Valentine
Mackler, Carolyn
Summary
Mara a straight “A” over-achiever is mortified when her niece,
who is only one-year-younger, moves in with her and her
parents—conflict ensues because of their opposite personalities.
Starting with her niece making out with her ex-boyfriend in the
boys locker room at school.
contemporary problem
Personal Response
I enjoyed this novel. It was witty and made me laugh. The protagonist
and her family seemed at times contrived but more often than not believable,
but it’s definitely a novel you read knowing it’s just a novel. There’s no true
Investment as a reader beyond a good laugh and an interesting perspective on
teenage life. I always wondered what is was like to be the smartest, most focused
girl in class...this book gave me a peek.
Evaluation
Girly book.
publisher: Candlewick Press
copyright: 2004
pages: 228
age span: 9th & up
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Ralson, Aron
Summary
One of the most extraordinary survival stories ever told -- Aaron
Ralston's searing account of his six days trapped in one of the most
remote spots in America, and how one inspired act of bravery brought
him home.
Personal Evaluation
non-fiction
Listening to this account was gut wrenching and almost
unbelievable. Aron’s voice determination literally rings in your
ear—there are no words fit to describe his ordeal. My first thoughts
Were, I’d have never made it out of there...but most of us wouldn’t
Have been there hiking all alone. This is a rare chance to witness
such turmoil and wits.
Evaluation
I would recommend this novel to a young man 6th grade and up, if he were
indeed an avid reader...I would also recommend it to a young lady, but a
bit older...9th grade and up.
publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
copyright: 2004
discs: 5
age span: 9th & up
Fallen Angels
Myers, Walter Dean
Summary
Seventeen-year-old Richie Perry, just out of his Harlem high
school, enlists in the Army in the summer of 1967 and spends a
devastating year on active duty in Vietnam.
historical fiction
Personal Response
Fallen Angels is a book for any time. With all that’s going on in
our world today it’s insight into the horrors of war are alluring
and menacing.
Evaluation
I recommend this book frequently to young men. Due to the
subject matter I would hesitate to encourage it to anyone under
15.
publisher: Recorded Books
copyright: 2004
discs: 7
age span: 9th & up
Summary
The struggle of three brothers to stay together after
their parent's death and their quest for identity among
the conflicting values of their adolescent society.
Personal Evaluation
Patrick Swayze…should I say anything more …classic book
Classic portrayal.
Evaluation
This is a dvd rarely found on the shelf…it’s a classic. If a teen over 14
Is looking for a good movie…this one is a no brainier.
publisher: Warner Home Video
copyright:
pages:
age span:
Resources
All summaries were obtained via the Johnson County, Kansas Library Catalog.