Into the Wild by John Krakauer

Bibliographic Information: Krakauer, Jon. Into the Wild. Anchor Books, 1997. ISBN 978-0385486804
Genre: Non-fiction, Adventure, Adult crossover books.
Reading Level: Grades 7-12
Curriculum ties: Christopher McCandless, Hitchiking-US, Adventure, Alaska,Wayfaring life, West-Biography, Made into a movie.
Awards:Garden State Teen Book Award, 1999 Winner Non-Fiction New Jersey
Note: Made into a movie in (2007). Author of Into Thin Air (1997).

Reader’s Annotation: After graduating from college, Christopher McCandless embarks on an adventure from Atlanta to Alaska that he has wanted to take for years.

Plot Summary: Christopher McCandless was a typical student athlete who just finished college and is ready to take on the world, unfortunately it is not the world that his parents had in mind. Christopher was never felt that he had to identify with the material things that were provided for him by his family and now was his chance to live life for himself. Christopher cleared out his savings account which totaled about $24,000 and gave it to charity. Abandoning all his possessions, he began his journey to Alaska where he would live off the land and become one with nature. Along the way, he develops a new persona; the real him,  adopts a new name; Alexander Supertramp, and befriends those who he most relates to; other vagabonds trying to find their way. When Christopher finally makes it to Alaska in the Spring, he is filled with a sense of peace and excitement but this is only the beginning of  what proves to be a challenging feat.

Critical Evaluation:  The author uses references to several classic novelists including Jack London, Leo Tolstoy and Henry David Thoreau as Christopher’s guides and references in his life which you can see by his actions and beliefs. Jack London’s book Call of the Wild was Christopher’s inspiration to become one with nature. This Naturalism philosophy is what he lived by in Alaska. Christopher also adopted a Tolstoyan renunciation of wealth and return to nature when he sold all possessions and went off the grid. The most constant influence would be that of Henry David Thoreau’s Transcendentalism, rebelling against what he saw as the current situation and trying to be different than that. A theme seen time and again,  he rebells against his father’s work, his affluent life at home and then proceeds to change his name, identity and ultimately rebells against nature. This is a great way to incorporate some classic literature into a modern story.

Booktalking Ideas:
Do you think that McCandless was properly prepared to go on this journey?
2) Was McCandless of sound mind to go on this adventure? Was he suicidal? Mentally ill?
3) Discuss the significance of the relationship McCandless has with his pen-pal Wayne.
4) What influence does Jack London have on McCandless’ adventure? Survival skills?
Challenge Issues/ Defense:
Challenge Issues: none

Challenge Defense Ideas: There are no apparent challenge issues associated with this book. In the case that a challenge comes up, there are some things that you can do to start. You could read the book and become familiar with the content. Refer to the library collection development policy, and get reviews from reputable sources and teens that have read the book.
Why was this book included?: A gripping non-fiction account full of adventure and wonder.
Author Information: Mountain climber and writer Jon Krakauer was born in Brookline, Massachusetts in 1954. He was raised in Corvallis, Oregon from two years of age.
In 1976, Krakauer received a degree in Environmental Studies from Hampshire College in Massachusetts. He worked as a carpenter and fisherman and wrote articles on mountain climbing throughout the latter half of the 1970s. By 1980, he wrote regularly for Outside magazine and also wrote for such publications as National Geographic, Smithsonian, and Rolling Stone.
Krakauer but may be best-known for his book, Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster. In this book, Krakauer recollected his guided climb of Mt. Everest that was known as the 1996 Everest Disaster. Krakauer is also recognized for his 1996 book: Into the Wild. It spent more than two years on the New York Times bestseller list and became a movie in 2007. He also wrote When Men Win Glory in 2010.
(Bowker Author Biography. Retrieved from: https://sddp.sirsi.net/uhtbin/cgisirsi/?ps=z8ycJMz2mR/CENTRAL/143470071/9#syn_anotes)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

Bibliographic Information: Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Arthur A. Levine Books, 2007. ISBN 9780545010221
Genre: Fantasy Fiction, Made into movie
Reading Level: Grades 6-12
Curriculum ties: None
Awards: ALA Notable Children’s Books – Older Readers Category: 2008, BILBY – Books I Love Best Yearly (Australia) : Older Reader, Booklist Editors’ Choice – Books for Youth – Older Readers Category: 2007, Nebula Awards: Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy, New York Times Notable Books – Children’s Books: 2007, New York Times Notable Books – Fiction and Poetry: 2007,YALSA Best Books for Young Adults: 2008.

Note: Book 7 in the Harry Potter Series. Made into movie

Reader’s Annotation: In this last book, Harry Potter is has the immense task of find and destroy all of the remaining Horcruxes of Voldemort.

Plot Summary:
After the death of Dumbledore, Harry Potter along with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger are forced to flee the evil Voldemort  and his Deatheaters. They decide to hide out in secluded forests never staying in the same place for more than a few days. They continue to search for Horcruxes which are parts of the evil soul of Voldemort in order to destroy them and in turn Voldemort himself. The trio are able to locate some Horcruxes despite the dangerous situations they face, including a bank break-in involving a fire breathing dragon. They believe the last Horcruxe is hidden at Hogwarts School, and return, only to discover that Voldemort and the Deatheaters are planning to attack the school. Harry, Ron and Hermione along with every ally that has helped them throughout the series of books prepare to defend Hogwarts to the death. But the main battle will be between Harry Potter and Voldemort once and for all. And this one will be to the death.
Critical Evaluation:
The highly anticipated finale of the Harry Potter series of books is the best and most violent of all the books.  The battle sequences are epic and deadly to some of the main characters. But how else would you expect this to end, with everyone living happily ever after?  You have to read this book to find out, and this is a long read. Harry, Ron and Hermione face their biggest battle yet when they face off against pure evil. It shows how they’ve matured by the way they handled all the adversity thrown their way. The final battle between Harry and Voldemort  was intense. I knew Voldemort wanted harry dead to fulfill his destiny of being the ultimate wizard. But what I realized is Harry wanted to murder Voldemort to avenge the deaths of his parents and Dumbledore. After I read the book, I was concerned that many parents were going to say that the book was too violent and that young adults should not read it. But I realized that we all grew up with Harry, Ron and Hermione and we all learned from their experiences. As they learned how to defeat the evil Voldemort, we learned how to deal with our own versions of Voldemort. This book should be looked at as a sort of non official guide for young adults to use whenever they need guidance when a parent is not available. WWHPD? What Would Harry Potter Do? I will miss Harry, Ron and Hermione. That’s ok, I can always reread the books. Just knowing that will allow me to live happily ever after.
Booktalking Ideas:
Discuss the epilogue. Was it satisfying? Was it surprising?
Discuss how this was a coming of age story. How did the main charaters change throughout the books?
What evidence is there that Harry and Voldemort are connected aside from Harry being a Horcrux.
Discuss the relationship between Ron and Hermione.

Challenge Issues/ Defense:
Challenge Issues: Wizards, Magic, Beasts, Swearing
Challenge defense ideas:
• Exposure to competing ideas provides us with variety, enriching our society.
• The innuendo is not something I’m worried about because I doubt he’ll notice. Nor am I particularly worried about the swearing, but I felt it was worth mentioning. -Anonymous Retrieved from: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090104165528AA8IHS4.
From an adult viewpoint, the increasing maturity and darkness is actually one of the most appealing aspects of the series and shows a fair amount of skill on Rowling’s part.  It’s an excellent coming of age story about an orphan who has a hard life among uncaring relatives until his tenth birthday when he discovers he has magical skill and ultimately faces off with his parent’s killer.  From the beginning it’s built to appeals to childhood fantasy.  What kid hasn’t wanted to suddenly find out he was special and had the ability to strike back at the Dursleys (bullies) of his world? -Wesley Peck. Retrieved from: http://www.examiner.com/parenting-multiples-in-nashville/what-age-is-harry-potter-appropriate-for
Continue reading on Examiner.com: What age is Harry Potter appropriate for? – Nashville Parenting Multiples | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/parenting-multiples-in-nashville/what-age-is-harry-potter-appropriate-for#ixzz1MxOg14fX
Why was this book included?: This popular saga revitalized the value of reading in around the world among all ages.

Author Information: Author. Born Joanne Kathleen Rowling, on July 31, 1965, in Chipping Sodbury, near Bristol, England. A single mother living in Edinburgh, Scotland, Rowling became an international literary sensation in 1999, when the first three installments of her Harry Potter children’s book series took over the top three slots of The New York Times best-seller list after achieving similar success in her native United Kingdom. The phenomenal response to Rowling’s books culminated in July 2000, when the fourth volume in the series, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, became the fastest-selling book in history.
A graduate of Exeter University, Rowling moved to Portugal in 1990 to teach English. There, she met and married the Portuguese journalist Jorge Arantes. The couple’s daughter, Jessica, was born in 1993. After her marriage ended in divorce, Rowling moved to Edinburgh with her daughter to live near her younger sister, Di. While struggling to support Jessica and herself on welfare, Rowling worked on a book, the idea for which had reportedly occurred to her while she was traveling on a train from Manchester to London in 1990. After a number of rejections, she finally sold the book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (the word “Philosopher” was changed to “Sorcerer” for its publication in America), for the equivalent of about $4,000. The book, and its subseqent series, chronicled the life of Harry Potter, a young wizard, and his motley band of cohorts at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
By the summer of 2000, the first three Harry Potter books, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban earned approximately $480 million in three years, with over 35 million copies in print in 35 languages. In July 2000, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire saw a first printing of 5.3 million copies and advance orders of over 1.8 million. After a postponed release date, the fifth installment, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, hit book stores in June 2003. The sixth installment, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, sold 6.9 million copies in the United States in its first 24 hours, the biggest opening in publishing history. Prior to its July 2007 release, the seventh and final installment in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was the largest ever pre-ordered book at chain stores Barnes & Noble and Border’s, and at Amazon.com.
Rowling, now Britain’s 13th wealthiest woman—wealthier than even the Queen—does not plan to write any more books in the series, but has not entirely ruled out the possibility.
(Author information obtained from Biography.com. Retrieved from: http://www.biography.com/articles/J.K.-Rowling-40998).

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Bibliographic Information: Paolini, Christopher. Eragon. Alfred A. Knopf, 2003. ISBN 9780375826689
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Adapted into a movie.
Reading Level: Grades 5-12
Curriculum ties: Writing
Awards: 2004 – Texas Lone Star Reading List, 2005 – Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award, 2004 – Texas TAYSHAS High School Reading List, 2004 – Wyoming Soaring Eagle Book Award, 2006 – Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Award, 2005 – Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award, 2005 – Colorado Children’s Book Award, 2005- Book Sense Book of the Year, 2005 – Rhode Island Teen Book Award, 2005 – Kentucky Bluegrass Master List
Note: Volume 1 in the Inheritance cycle. Adapted into movie Eragon (2006).

Reader’s Annotation: A fifteen-year-old boy of named Eragon finds a mysterious stone that takes him on a magical journey filled with elves, monsters and magic.

Plot Summary: Eragon , a young  farm boy who lives with his uncle Garrow and cousin Roran in Carvahal, finds a blue stone while hunting in the dangerous mountains known as the Spine. A few days after returning home, he discovers the stone has hatched and a dragon is born. Eragon and the dragon instantly share a telepathic bond and he decides to name the dragon Saphira and raise it in secret. Little does Eragon know that the evil King Galbatorix is aware that a new dragon has been born and sends bug like creatures called Ra’zac to retrieve the dragon. Galbatorix plans to use the dragon to rebuild the legendary Dragon Riders, who were protectors of good, and now use them to destroy the rebels known as The Varden and control all of Alagaesia. With the help of Brom, the town drunk (and former Dragon Rider ), Eragon flees his village to protect his family and Saphira. Through their journey  they have to battle the Ra’zac, the boar like Urgals and Galbatorix’s possessed sorcerer Durza. As they travel, Brom teaches Eragon  the ways of the Dragon Riders and with the help of a stranger named Murtaugh and an Elf named Arya, whom they rescued from Galbatorix, they go in search of The Varden who are the only ones that can protect them.

Critical Evaluation: This book is the first of four books from the young author, Christopher Paolini, who wrote this book when he was 15 years old. It almost mirrors Star Wars in plot and execution. The young orphan looked after by his uncle, the old man who becomes his mentor, the possible revelation of family origin. I take it back…it is Star Wars. Eragon is Luke Skywalker, Brom is Obi-Won Kenobi, Galbatorix is The Emperor and Durza is Darth Vader. It doesn’t get much simpler than that. Either way, Eragon is a great read. It has everything that young adults want in a book and who better to write it than a young adult himself. It incorporates fantasy, epic battles involving elves, dwarves  and dragons, and let us not forget what every teen dreams of…romance. Ahhhh! It also encompasses heart ache(the death of Eragon’s uncle), sacrifice(Eragon leaving home) and responsibility(Eragon knowing he will have to fight Durza). The only difference between Eragon and Star Wars is Eragon uses swords and sorcery while Star Wars uses lightsabers and sorcery. In essence, Eragon is a book that can be read and interpreted by any generation no matter how old you are.

Booktalking Ideas:
1)What was Eragon’s life like before he found the dragon’s egg in the Spine? How
did his discovery of the egg change his life?
2) Discuss the importance of names in Christopher Paolini’s novels. How does it
affect Eragon to learn that his name was also the name of the first dragon rider?
How does he choose Saphira’s name?
3) Discuss the connection of magic to power in this story. Why does Eragon have to
learn the use of magic so slowly? Who are other characters that can use magic
and what are the limits on their magical powers?

Challenge Issues/ Defense:
Challenge Issues: Monsters, magic, violence.
Challenge defense ideas: Because many decisions in our society are made by the majority, protection of minority rights ensures that the ideas of smaller, less popular groups are not suppressed by the majority. In time, the majority may come to agree with these minority groups.

Why was this book included?: Groundbreaking fantasy book written by a teen.

Author Information: Author Christopher Paolini not only writes about fantasy, he lives it. When he was a mere fifteen years old, he penned a sweeping epic called Eragon, which was eventually discovered by a New York publisher—and by thousands of readers. In 2003 the book nestled comfortably on bestseller lists, and by 2004 a movie based on the magnificent tale of a boy and a brilliant blue dragon was poised to take flight. Paolini was also hard at work writing the second and third installments in the Inheritance trilogy. In a teenreads.com interview, the author and boy wonder promised fans that future books would include the same “breathtaking locations, thrilling battles, and searching introspection as Eragon—in addition to true love.”
In 1984, when Christopher Paolini was born, his mother, Talita, quit her job as a Montessori preschool teacher to devote her time to raising her new son. Montessori is a system of learning developed by Italian educator Maria Montessori (1870–1952); some of its features include a focus on individual instruction and an early development of writing skills. Talita used the Montessori method to teach Christopher at home, and two years later when sister Angela came along, she, too, became part of the Paolini classroom. Since some of the materials in a Montessori school are expensive, Talita experimented and came up with creative alternatives to inspire and educate her children. She was so successful that by the time Christopher, and later Angela, turned three years old, they were both comfortably working at a first-grade level.
When Christopher was old enough to attend public school, his parents were worried that he would be bored by a traditional curriculum, so they thought long and hard and decided to educate him at home. In fact, focusing on their children was such a top priority that the Paolinis made a deliberate choice to live simply, drawing small salaries from Kenneth Paolini’s home-based publishing company. In interviews Paolini has talked about the nurturing environment his parents created for him, and he credits them for being his inspiration. He has also admitted that he was not always a receptive student. A particularly interesting note is that Paolini was a reluctant reader. When he was about three or four, he refused to learn to read, but his mother worked patiently with him until one day a door opened that would change his life.
“I enjoy fantasy because it allows me to visit lands that have never existed, to see things that never could exist, to experience daring adventures with interesting characters, and most importantly, to feel the sense of magic in the world.”
That door was his first visit to the library. In his essay titled “Dragon Tales,” Paolini described going to the library with his mother and being attracted to a series of mystery books with colorful spines. He took one home and, according to Paolini, something clicked. He was spellbound by the characters, the dialogue, and the fascinating situations. “From then on,” wrote Paolini, “I’ve been in love with the written word.” He went on to devour books of all kinds—classics, myths, thrillers, science fiction, anything that seemed interesting. In particular, he was drawn to the fantasy genre and to writers who wrote tales about heroes and elves, swordfights and quests and, especially, dragons.
(Author information obtained from Encyclopedia of World Biographies. Retrieved from: http://www.notablebiographies.com/news/Ow-Sh/Paolini-Christopher.html).

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

Bibliographic Information: Meyer, Stephenie. Eclipse. Little, Brown 2007. ISBN 9780316160209
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Reading Level: Grades 6-12
Curriculum ties: None
Awards: The New York Times Bestseller, Teens Top Ten Winner (2008), Book Sense Book of the year (2008), Children’s Literature Honor Book, 2008) , and Whitney Award Nominee (Romance\Woman’s fiction, 2007)
Note: Book 3 in the Twilight Series. Adapted into movie Eclipse (2010)

Reader’s Annotation: A clan of vampire newborns mysteriously arrive in Washington causing enemies to join forces.

Plot Summary: Edward, Alice, and Bella return safely from Italy with high hopes of resuming their normal routines.  High school graduation approaches.  As a consequence of running way, Charlie places Bella on restriction, especially from Edward. The near loss of Bella intensifies the feud between Edward and Jacob and the passion between Bella and Edward. Jacob challenges Bella to define his role in her life and their relationship. Due to the negotiation with the Volturi, Edward and Bella deal with the decision of transforming Bella into a vampire. Rosalie advises Bella on her transformation and shares her transformation story.  As emotions rise, the number of disappearances and murders increase. Sheriff Charlie Swann and the Cullen family conduct separate investigations. Victoria creates an army of vampire newborns to avenge the death of her lover James in Forks.  The wolf pack grows as more young Quileutes undergo the natural transformation. Jacob learns of his new role in the tribe. The Cullens collaborate with the Quileutes to fight vampire army. As a former member of a newborn army, Jasper provides military training to the troops.

Critical evaluation:  In this book, love prevails as the source of conflict, including the love triangle between Bella, Edward, and Jacob, the reason for Victoria avenge the death of James, the love of a father to keep his only daughter close to heart, and for Rosalie to murder her former fiance. Love is measured and equated to sacrifice. Bella will sacrifice her family and mortality for eternal bliss with Edward. The impulsivity and rash decision to transform reflects Bella’s immaturity. Although Bella has good intentions, she has poor decision-making skills as evidenced by her lack of consideration towards her parents and friends. Bella failed to consider the impact of her transformation on her parents and friends. This can also be interpreted as selfishness. The imagery is rich and powerful, demonstrating the magnification of the emotions and growing power among characters. The tone conveys intense power.  Victoria experiences the increase in power as her hatred towards Bella and Edward grows.

Booktalking Ideas:
Compare Bella’s relationship with Edward versus her relationship with Jacob. How do the ways in which they treat Bella differ? How does Bella’s behavior change when she’s with one or the other?
Discuss the significance of Lea’s transformation into a wolf. Did it change the dynamic of the pack? Did it influence Jacob and Bell’s relationship? Acceptance?
Discuss Jasper’s confession of his past. How does it contradict the Cullen family way of life?
Discuss Bella’s motivation to immortality and fear of the commitment of matrimony. What would you sacrifice for the love of your life?

Challenge Issues/ Defense:
Challenge Issues: Vampires, Werewolves
Challenge defense ideas:
• A majority of the teens expressed a higher level of appreciation for this book.  Eclipse incorporated a fine balance of romance, humor, and action.

Why was this book included?: Eclipse was included in the collection in order to give a more complete view of the Twilight saga.

Author Information: Stephenie Meyer’s life changed dramatically on June 2, 2003. The stay-at-home mother of three young sons woke up from a dream featuring seemingly real characters that she could not get out of her head.
“Though I had a million things to do, I stayed in bed, thinking about the dream. Unwillingly, I eventually got up and did the immediate necessities, and then put everything that I possibly could on the back burner and sat down at the computer to write—something I hadn’t done in so long that I wondered why I was bothering.”
Meyer invented the plot during the day through swim lessons and potty training, and wrote it out late at night when the house was quiet. Three months later she finished her first novel, Twilight. With encouragement from her older sister (the only other person who knew she had written a book), Meyer submitted her manuscript to various literary agencies. Twilight was picked out of a slush pile at Writer’s House and eventually made its way to the publishing company Little, Brown where everyone fell immediately in love with the gripping, star-crossed lovers.
Twilight was one of 2005’s most talked about novels and within weeks of its release the book debuted at #5 on The New York Times bestseller list. Among its many accolades, Twilight was named an “ALA Top Ten Books for Young Adults,” an Amazon.com “Best Book of the Decade…So Far”, and a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year.
The highly-anticipated sequel, New Moon, was released in September 2006, and spent more than 25 weeks at the #1 position on The New York Times bestseller list.
In 2007, Eclipse literally landed around the world and fans made the Twilight Saga a worldwide phenomenon! With midnight parties and vampire-themed proms the enthusiasm for the series continued to grow.
On May 6, 2008, Little, Brown and Company released The Host, Meyer’s highly-anticipated novel for adults which debuted at #1 on The New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. The Host still remains a staple on the bestseller lists more than a year after its debut.
On August 2, 2008, the final book in the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn was released at 12:01 midnight. Stephenie made another appearance on “Good Morning America” and was featured in many national media outlets, including Entertainment Weekly, Newsweek, People Magazine and Variety. Stephenie headlined the Breaking Dawn Concert Series with Justin Furstenfeld (lead singer of Blue October) to celebrate the release in four major markets across the US. Breaking Dawn sold 1.3 million copies in its first 24 hours.
The Twilight movie, directed by Catherine Hardwicke and starring Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, was released on November 21, 2008. Twilight debuted at #1 at the box office with $70 million, making it the highest grossing opening weekend for a female director.
Stephenie lives in Arizona with her husband and three sons.
(Author information obtained from Stephanie Meyer website. Retrieved from: http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/bio.html).

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Bibliographic Information: Meyer, Stephenie. Twilight. Anchor Books, 1997. ISBN 978-0385486804
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Movie adaptation.
Reading Level: Grades 7-12
Curriculum ties: None
Awards: School Library Journal Best Books, 2005, YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2006, YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2007-2008 Georgia Peach Book Award.
Note: First book in the Twilight saga. Adapted into a movie Twilight (2008). Graphic Novel adaptation by Young Kim (2010).

Reader’s Annotation: Bella, the new girls in school, gets more than she bargained for when she try to make friends with the Cullens, a family of vampires.

Plot summary: Bella Swann begins her new life with her divorced father in Forks, Washington. Bella’s arrival in the quiet town creates a buzz and sparks the interest of Edward Cullen.  Bella befriends Jacob, Jessica, Mike, and their group of friends.  Bella notices the Cullen siblings who dine at the same table daily. Bella’s curiosity about the Cullen family, specifically Edward rises daily.  Bella’s curiosity about Edward manifests into a crush.  She is determined to explore the secret behind the cool, handsome, aloof Edward.  During their courtship, Bella and Jacob become better acquainted. Bella discovers the secret of the Cullen’s alluring looks and mystique is due to their vampire heritage.Based on the nature of the killings, the Cullen family suspects the presence of vampires terrorizing the town to satiate their appetite. Bella, the Cullen family, and the Quileutes prepare to defend the town residents and honor the pact to maintain peace and secure their identity. The history of vampires, including the involvement of the Cullen clan, and the werewolves of the Quileutes tribe is uncovered.

Critical evaluation:  The plot of a quiet falling for the desirable bad boy appears cliché, however the paranormal romantic element of a romance between a mortal female teenager and a vampire provides more interest. The storyline is similar to The Silver Kiss by Krauss with more dimensions. The history of the vampires and werewolves in Forks provides a solid historical background. The characters have more depth in their personality and thought processes.  Bella and Edward portray the social misfits in high school. The high school setting reflects the trials of high school related to gaining a sense of belonging, social circles, gender roles, engaging in love relationships, the issue of physical intimacy, and the dynamics of friendship and family relationships.  Edward and Jacob battle for Bella’s affection and title ad boyfriend.  This battle is common in high school.  Their battle transpires from the long history of conflict between vampires and werewolves. Good versus evil is a primary theme. The Cullen family portrays good, whereas James and companions are evil. The Cullen family strives to hold on to their human qualities by living among the humans, attending high school, and modifying their dietary needs.  They seek evolution. Carlisle’s determination to maintain peace with Quileutes is metaphoric for society to learn from past conflicts in order to prevent future battles and seek evolution in a greater being.  James and his friends continue to live as savage vampires as evidenced by feeding on humans and negative emotions of lust, anger, and hatred.

Booktalking Ideas:
Do you think that McCandless was properly prepared to go on this journey?
2) Was McCandless of sound mind to go on this adventure? Was he suicidal? Mentally ill?
3) Discuss the significance of the relationship McCandless has with his pen-pal Wayne.
4) What influence does Jack London have on McCandless’ adventure? Survival skills?

Challenge Issues/ Defense:
Challenge Issues:
Challenge defense ideas: Paranormal activity. Romance between a younger woman and older males. Issue of sexuality in adolescence. Pre-marital sex.
Challenge Issues/ Defense:  Violence portrayed by the murders and the vampire fights. Young women were charmed by the chivalry and old-fashioned nature of Edward, i.e. his thought processes and the way he spoke with Bella.

Why was this book included?: Book was included in the collection to fulfill the request of love-crazed teenagers and satisfy vampire fans.

Author Information: Author Information: Stephenie Meyer’s life changed dramatically on June 2, 2003. The stay-at-home mother of three young sons woke up from a dream featuring seemingly real characters that she could not get out of her head.
“Though I had a million things to do, I stayed in bed, thinking about the dream. Unwillingly, I eventually got up and did the immediate necessities, and then put everything that I possibly could on the back burner and sat down at the computer to write—something I hadn’t done in so long that I wondered why I was bothering.”
Meyer invented the plot during the day through swim lessons and potty training, and wrote it out late at night when the house was quiet. Three months later she finished her first novel, Twilight. With encouragement from her older sister (the only other person who knew she had written a book), Meyer submitted her manuscript to various literary agencies. Twilight was picked out of a slush pile at Writer’s House and eventually made its way to the publishing company Little, Brown where everyone fell immediately in love with the gripping, star-crossed lovers.
Twilight was one of 2005’s most talked about novels and within weeks of its release the book debuted at #5 on The New York Times bestseller list. Among its many accolades, Twilight was named an “ALA Top Ten Books for Young Adults,” an Amazon.com “Best Book of the Decade…So Far”, and a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year.
The highly-anticipated sequel, New Moon, was released in September 2006, and spent more than 25 weeks at the #1 position on The New York Times bestseller list.
In 2007, Eclipse literally landed around the world and fans made the Twilight Saga a worldwide phenomenon! With midnight parties and vampire-themed proms the enthusiasm for the series continued to grow.
On May 6, 2008, Little, Brown and Company released The Host, Meyer’s highly-anticipated novel for adults which debuted at #1 on The New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. The Host still remains a staple on the bestseller lists more than a year after its debut.
On August 2, 2008, the final book in the Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn was released at 12:01 midnight. Stephenie made another appearance on “Good Morning America” and was featured in many national media outlets, including Entertainment Weekly, Newsweek, People Magazine and Variety. Stephenie headlined the Breaking Dawn Concert Series with Justin Furstenfeld (lead singer of Blue October) to celebrate the release in four major markets across the US. Breaking Dawn sold 1.3 million copies in its first 24 hours.
The Twilight movie, directed by Catherine Hardwicke and starring Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, was released on November 21, 2008. Twilight debuted at #1 at the box office with $70 million, making it the highest grossing opening weekend for a female director.
Stephenie lives in Arizona with her husband and three sons.
(Author information obtained from Stephanie Meyer website. Retrieved from: http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/bio.html).

Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince by J.K. Rowling

Bibliographic Information: Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince. Arthur A. Levine Books, 2005. ISBN 9780439784542
Genre: Fantasy Fiction, Made into movie
Reading Level: Grades 6-12
Curriculum ties: None
Awards: BILBY – Books I Love Best Yearly (Australia) : Older Reader, Booklist Editors’ Choice – Books for Youth – Older Readers Category: 2005, Golden Archer Awards (Wisconsin): Middle/Jr. High School, New York Times Notable Books – Children’s Books: 2005, New York Times Notable Books – Fiction and Poetry: 2005, Quill Book Awards (2005-2007): Book of the Year, Quill Book Awards (2005-2007): Children’s Chapter Book/Middle Grade, YALSA Best Books for Young Adults: 2006
Note: Book 6 in the Harry Potter series.

Reader’s Annotation: This is Harry Potter’s sixth year at Hogwarts and he is beginning to more deeply understand the power of Voldemort.

Plot Summary: Young wizards in training Harry Potter and his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger are back at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to continue their schooling. While they resume their studies, they continue their fight against the evil Voldemort who has now regained semi-human form. Harry finds a textbook of spells that have notes on the margins that enhance the spells. The notes were written by someone calling them self the Half Blood Prince. Harry tries to discover this persons identity all the while he and Headmaster Dumbledore continue their dangerous search for parts of Voldemorts  soul known as Horcruxes in order to destroy them and defeat Voldemort and his gang known as Deatheaters.  Meanwhile romantic tensions grow when Ron gets a girlfriend and Hermione gets jealous and Harry feels caught in the middle. Harry also has to deal with his rival, Draco Malfoy, who seems to be planning something very suspicious. As the true identity of the Half Blood Prince is discovered, tragedy strikes when a beloved character is killed.

Critical Evaluation: This is the sixth installment of the Harry Potter book series. It is also one of the darkest. This book delves into the darker side of the series. The previous books showed the innocence of Harry, Ron and Hermione as they grew up in the magical world of wizardry. Now they learn about the evils of death and how callous the people are who cause it. Their continuing fight against Voldemort and his Deatheaters begin to take a toll on their innocence. You can feel it in their constant arguing about how to pursue the fight against Voldemort, where to search for the Horcruxes and how to discover the identity of the Half Blood Prince. When all these issues are dealt with, you then see how these once young children are forced into adulthood. I think the most shocking part of it all is that they all seem resolute about it. They know what they must do in order to stay safe and alive and at what cost. In a way, they take their forced transition into adulthood exactly as a responsible adult should do. I admire them and wish them well on their future battles with Voldemort. And despite the heartache they will suffer, I know they will turn out ok.

Booktalking Ideas:
Discuss the relationship that Harry has with the Weasley family.
Describe some of the signs that pointed towards the identity of the Half-blood Prince.
Discuss the significance of Tom Riddle.

Challenge Issues/ Defense:
Challenge Issues: Wizards, Magic, Beasts, Swearing
Challenge defense ideas:
• Exposure to competing ideas provides us with variety, enriching our society.
• The innuendo is not something I’m worried about because I doubt he’ll notice. Nor am I particularly worried about the swearing, but I felt it was worth mentioning. -Anonymous Retrieved from: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090104165528AA8IHS4.
From an adult viewpoint, the increasing maturity and darkness is actually one of the most appealing aspects of the series and shows a fair amount of skill on Rowling’s part.  It’s an excellent coming of age story about an orphan who has a hard life among uncaring relatives until his tenth birthday when he discovers he has magical skill and ultimately faces off with his parent’s killer.  From the beginning it’s built to appeals to childhood fantasy.  What kid hasn’t wanted to suddenly find out he was special and had the ability to strike back at the Dursleys (bullies) of his world? -Wesley Peck. Retrieved from: http://www.examiner.com/parenting-multiples-in-nashville/what-age-is-harry-potter-appropriate-for
Continue reading on Examiner.com: What age is Harry Potter appropriate for? – Nashville Parenting Multiples | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/parenting-multiples-in-nashville/what-age-is-harry-potter-appropriate-for#ixzz1MxOg14fX

Why was this book included?: This popular saga revitalized the value of reading in around the world among all ages.

Author Information: Author. Born Joanne Kathleen Rowling, on July 31, 1965, in Chipping Sodbury, near Bristol, England. A single mother living in Edinburgh, Scotland, Rowling became an international literary sensation in 1999, when the first three installments of her Harry Potter children’s book series took over the top three slots of The New York Times best-seller list after achieving similar success in her native United Kingdom. The phenomenal response to Rowling’s books culminated in July 2000, when the fourth volume in the series, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, became the fastest-selling book in history.
A graduate of Exeter University, Rowling moved to Portugal in 1990 to teach English. There, she met and married the Portuguese journalist Jorge Arantes. The couple’s daughter, Jessica, was born in 1993. After her marriage ended in divorce, Rowling moved to Edinburgh with her daughter to live near her younger sister, Di. While struggling to support Jessica and herself on welfare, Rowling worked on a book, the idea for which had reportedly occurred to her while she was traveling on a train from Manchester to London in 1990. After a number of rejections, she finally sold the book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (the word “Philosopher” was changed to “Sorcerer” for its publication in America), for the equivalent of about $4,000. The book, and its subseqent series, chronicled the life of Harry Potter, a young wizard, and his motley band of cohorts at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
By the summer of 2000, the first three Harry Potter books, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban earned approximately $480 million in three years, with over 35 million copies in print in 35 languages. In July 2000, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire saw a first printing of 5.3 million copies and advance orders of over 1.8 million. After a postponed release date, the fifth installment, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, hit book stores in June 2003. The sixth installment, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, sold 6.9 million copies in the United States in its first 24 hours, the biggest opening in publishing history. Prior to its July 2007 release, the seventh and final installment in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was the largest ever pre-ordered book at chain stores Barnes & Noble and Border’s, and at Amazon.com.
Rowling, now Britain’s 13th wealthiest woman—wealthier than even the Queen—does not plan to write any more books in the series, but has not entirely ruled out the possibility.
(Author information obtained from Biography.com. Retrieved from: http://www.biography.com/articles/J.K.-Rowling-40998).

Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz

Bibliographic Information: Horowitz, Anthony. Stormbreaker. Philomel Books, 2001. ISBN 0399236201
Genre: Spy fiction, Suspense, Adventure, Made into a movie
Reading Level: Grades 6-12
Curriculum ties: Science, Spies, Terrorism, Orphans, England.
Awards: Beehive Awards (Utah): Young Adult Books, California Young Reader Medal: Young Adult, Golden Archer Awards (Wisconsin): Middle/Jr. High School, Iowa Teen Award, Rebecca Caudill Young Reader’s Choice Book Award (Illinois), South Carolina Book Awards: Junior Books, Surrey Schools’ Book of the Year Award (British Columbia), YALSA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults: Spies and Intrigue (2009), YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers: 2002.
Note: Book 1 of the Alex Rider Adventures series. Graphic novel adaptation (2006). Made into the movie Stormbreaker (2007).

Reader’s Annotation: Fourteen year old Alex Rider continues on in his uncle’s footsteps doing dangerous work for MI6, a British intelligence agency.

Plot Summary: Alex Rider is a simple teenage boy with a simple life. One day he receives news that his uncle (Ian Rider) whom he was staying with was assassinated. This leads to him discovering that in fact Ian Rider was a spy who worked with special division MI6. MI6 later reveals that Alex was being trained as a spy his whole life, and MI6 wants to recruit him now and participate in a special operation. At first Alex refuses until he is threatened by sending Jack, his guardian, back to her country. MI6 sends Alex on a mission to find out the true motives of Sayle, the donor of Stormbreaker computers, by rigging a contest held by Sayle himself in which the winner would be invited to personally test a Stormbreaker in Sayles’ house. After the infiltration Alex finds out Sayles true motives and is then captured but escapes. Sayle is angered and tries a backup plan, and again is foiled by Alex Rider.

Critical Evaluation: The author explores the human nature of wanting to be free; or freedom of choice. Alex feels most of the time that he is forced into doing MI6’s jobs, something which he resents and strongly opposes. Alex is a unique kid; although many normal children dream of being a spy, Alex is a spy who dreams of being a normal kid. (A recurring theme in all books in the series). An ironic part of this particular book is that in the beginning Alex expresses complete rejection of being a spy for the government; towards the end of the book Alex shows more willingness to continue being a spy only if it means that he can defeat Yassen. Alex is portrayed as a protector and risk taker. He demonstrates his love and protection by undertaking the assigned mission of MI6 to prevent his housekeeper and close friend and guardian Jack Starbright from being deported back to the United States. His love for family is further demonstrated by deciding to continue to participate in the missions to bring justice for his beloved uncle’s death.

Booktalking Ideas:
What is the secret behind Herod Sayles donation of computers to Britain’s schools?
Discuss the facts that make Alex suspicious of the explanation of  his uncle’s death?
What characteristics does Alex have that make him a good spy? Would you want to be a spy?
How do you think Alex feels on meeting his uncle’s killer Yassen? How does this affect Alex?

Challenge Issues/ Defense:
Challenge Issues: Violence
Challenge defense ideas:
•The storyline is reasonably simple and the bad guy/good guy lines are clearly drawn.
Violence is not described in overly graphic detail, but it does occur throughout the book. Alex fires a gun twice and hits a bad guy on one occasion. He also causes the death of another villain by causing a plane crash.
There is no swearing or bad language.
There is a noticeable absence of positive female characters (unless you count the housekeeper who barely appears). There is a reference by the MI5 regarding female agents predominantly being of use if you need to slip someone in as a secretary or receptionist.

Why was this book included?: A fun, clean spy novel. Alex rider is reminiscent of Agent Cody Banks for younger teens.

Author Information: Author and television scriptwriter Anthony Horowitz was born in Stanmore, England on April 5, 1956. At the age of eight, he was sent to a boarding school in London. He graduated from the University of York and published his first book, Enter Frederick K. Bower (1979), when he was 23. He writes mostly children’s books, including the Alex Rider series, The Power of Five series, and the Diamond Brothers series.
The Alex Rider series is about a 14-year-old boy becoming a spy and was made into a movie entitled Stormbreaker. He has won numerous awards including the 1989 Lancashire Children’s Book of the Year Award for Groosham Grange and the 2003 Red House Children’s Book Award for Skeleton Key. He also writes novels for adults including The Killing Joke and The Magpie Murders. He has created Foyle’s War and Midsomer Murders for television as well as written episodes for Poirot and Murder Most Horrid.
(Author biography obtained from Bowker. Retrieved from: https://sddp.sirsi.net/uhtbin/cgisirsi/?ps=90JJYaKGnJ/CENTRAL/150130010/9#syn_anotes).

The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

Bibliographic Information: Cabot, Meg. The Princess Diaries. Harper Collins Publishers, 2000. ISBN 9780380978489.
Genre: Chick lit, Diary novels, Humorous stories, Love stories (Comedy), Made into a movie.
Reading Level: Grades 7-12
Curriculum ties: History, Writing, Princesses, Identity (Psychology), Diaries, Father and daughter, New York City, Grandmother and granddaughter.
Awards: YALSA Best Books for Young Adults: 2001, YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers: 2001, Volunteer State Book Award, 2003 Winner Grades 7-12 Vermont, Young Adults’ Choices, 2002 ; International Reading Association.
Note: Volume 1 of 13 in the “Princess” series. Made into a movie: Princess Diaries (2001), Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004).

Reader’s Annotation: Socially awkward fourteen year old Mia Thermopolis discovers that her father is the Prince of Genovia, and by association, giving her rights to the throne.

Plot Summary: A typical young fourteen year old, Mia Thermopolis faces all of the social awkwardness of being a teenager while living with her artist mom in New York city. Spending much of her time chronicling her life in her diary, nothing is off limits, She wants to pass algebra, she wants to grow breasts, and she wants Josh Richter, the most popular boy in school. All is normal until one day her father drops two bombshells on her simple life: he has Cancer and she is the heir to the throne of Genovia, a small European country. With this news, Mia is thrust into a royal bootcamp of sorts to teach her how a proper princess should look, act and speak taught by her powerful and intimidating grandmother Clarisse. Her once quiet life is now filled with limos, body guards, evening gowns and the paparazzi and she is finding it difficult to find a compromise between both lifestyles.

Critical Evaluation: What was interesting to me about the characters of this book was how they were so accepting of their unusual situations. First, Mia’s best friend friend Lily was really not bothered when it was revealed to her that her brother Michael and Lilly had romantic feelings for Mia. I think best friend’s brothers are off limits, it is a little strange. Next is the very amicable relationship Mia’s parents have. They each live their lives and come together as needed without any conflict or resentment. Grandma Clarisse accepts Mia for who she is and even though her outside appearances changed to fit the situation, Mia never really lost sight of who she was. Lastly, is how quickly Mia accepts her new role as Princess of Genovia. The decision process was fairly short and even though she was not sure at the beginning, clarity came to her rather quickly. The events, as they are described seem too good to be true.

Booktalking Ideas:
What would you do if you were in Mia’s shoes? Would you accept the throne? Why?
2) Discuss Mia’s relationship with her grandmother. Are there any similarities in the two personalities? 
3) Talk about the relationship Mia had with her mom, Lilly, and Michael. What roles did they play in Mia’s decision?
4) Lana was only pretending to be Mia’s friend to be in the spotlight. Have you had any similar experiences?
Challenge Issues/ Defense

Challenge Issues: none

Challenge Defense Ideas: There are no apparent challenge issues associated with this book. In the case that a challenge comes up, there are some things that you can do to start. You could read the book and become familiar with the content. Refer to the library collection development policy, and get reviews from reputable sources and teens that have read the book.

Why was this book included?: Every girl (even those young at heart) will enjoy living vicariously through Mia in this urban fairy tale.

Author Information: Author Meg Cabot is a one-woman marketing sensation. She is a publisher’s dream because she is able to produce novels with amazing frequency. At one point, Cabot, who began publishing in 1998, was pumping out a novel almost every month; by early 2006 she had published forty-four works of fiction. She is also a diverse writer who has found equal success in a multitude of genres, including historical romance, young adult fiction, and contemporary adult fiction. In 2000, however, Cabot hit the jackpot when she penned The Princess Diaries, a young adult novel that quickly caught on with readers primarily because the wryly humorous author was able to accurately capture “teen-speak.” In 2001, The Princess Diaries was adapted for the big screen by Disney and its popularity catapulted Cabot from writer to celebrity. In 2004, the movie The Princess Diaries 2 was released, which further followed the escapades of Mia, the Princess of Genovia. A few months prior, Cabot signed a seven-figure deal with her publisher, HarperCollins, to continue writing the Princess series and to build on her other young adult series. As Cabot told Teenreads.com, “I hope to write about [Mia] as long as people want to keep reading about her.”
(Author biography obtained from Encyclopedia of Notable Biogophies. Retrieved from: http://www.notablebiographies.com/news/A-Ca/Cabot-Meg.html)

Soul surfer : a true story of faith, family, and fighting to get back on the board by Bethany Hamilton

Bibliographic Information: Hamilton, Bethany, Burke, Sheryl & Bundschuh, Rick. Soul surfer : a true story of faith, family, and fighting to get back on the board. Pocket Books ; MTV Books, 2004. ISBN 0743499220.
Genre: Non-fiction, Biography, Sports, Made into a movie
Reading Level: Grades 6-10
Curriculum ties: Surfing, Hawaii, Shark attacks, Amputees, Personal narratives, Made into a movie.
Awards:South Carolina Junior Book Award, 2007-2008
Note: Made into a movie in (2011).

Reader’s Annotation: Surfing has been Bethany’s passion her whole life but after a shark attack  resulting in the amputation of her arm, she doesn’t know if she will ever surf again.

Plot Summary: Surfing is the favorite pastime of the Hamilton’s, they even homeschool their 14 year old daughter Bethany so that she is able to ride the best waves of the day. Bethany has been surfing all her life and has dreams of making a career out of surfing on a professional level. All her dreams are dashed after her and her best friend Alana were out in the water where Bethany as attacked by a 15 foot shark. Nearly losing consciousness at the beach,  she was rushed to the local hospital where doctors had to amputate her left arm but she survived. Bethany never believed that she would surf again but with the help and encouragement of friends and family and an unwavering determination, Bethany was back in the water after only a month. With some modifications to her surfboard, adaptation to her new situation and hard training, Bethany resurrected her pursuit of becoming a professional surfer.

Critical Evaluation: One thing that may detract young readers are the many references throughout this book to the strength that Bethany found in her Christian faith. Raised in a strong Christian household Bethany believes that with out the help of spiritual guidance, she would not have overcome this tragedy. She was helped by many people and her dream became possible when the Lord gave her strength to get back up on the board. Because of this relationship, Bethany really doesn’t seem to be depressed or hateful of the situation that was brought upon her. This part of the story seems somewhat unrealistic for such a young person that has suffered such a life changing event. Instead, she takes the “God has a bigger plan for us” mentality and comes to terms with the attack fairly quickly. Some younger readers may not agree with her religious philosophy but they will be charmed by her perseverance.

Booktalking Ideas:
Discuss what factors contributed to Bethany’s ability to overcoming her physical challenge.
2) Discuss how did Bethany’s view of life change after the attack? 
3) How did her family support Bethany during her stages of recovery?
4) Do you know any other athletes that are amputees or physically challenged and have also overcome a difficult situation?

Challenge Issues/ Defense:
Challenge Issues: Religious references

Challenge defense ideas:
• Bethany uses a religious figure to show how faith helped her in her recovery and acceptance to overcome her tragedy.

• Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

Why was this book included?: This is an emotional story about the courage to overcome any obstacle which will be enjoyed by any teen reader.

Author Information:Bethany Hamilton has become a source of inspiration to millions through her story of faith, determination, and hope. Born into a family of surfers on February 8, 1990, on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, Bethany began surfing at a young age. At the age of eight, Bethany entered her first surf competition, the Rell Sun Menehune event on Oahu, where she won both the short and long board divisions. This sparked a love for surf competition within her spirit.

Out of the water, Bethany has grown from a young teenage girl with aspirations of becoming a professional surfer into a twenty-year old professional surfer with aspirations of becoming a beacon of inspiration and hope. Through the platform of professional sport, Bethany has been able to touch a large number of people with her message, charitable efforts, and overall spirit. Bethany just launched her own foundation, Friends of Bethany, which supports shark attack survivors, traumatic amputees, and serves to inspire others through her life story, and is involved in numerous other charitable efforts.

(Author biography obtained from author website. Retrieved from: http://bethanyhamilton.com/about/bio/)

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Bibliographic Information: Cohen, Rachel and Levithan, David. Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Knopf : Distributed by Random House, 2006. ISBN 9780375835315
Genre: Teen Romance, Comedy, Coming of age, Adapted into a movie.
Reading Level: Grades 10-12.
Curriculum ties: Music, New York, Divorced Parents
Awards: Top 10 Youth Romances 2006, YALSA Best Books for Young Adults 2007,
YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers 2007, Young Adults’ Choices 2008, Cybil Award 2006 Winner Young Adult Fiction United States, Silver Inky, 2007.
Notes: Screenplay of Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist released in 2008.

Reader’s Annotation: Rocker and high school student Nick O’Leary, member of a rock band, asks Norah, a girl he just met, to pretend to be his girlfriend in an attempt to avoid his first love who just broke up with him.

Plot Summary: Nick and Norah have more in common than they know. Nick plays in a rock band an just got out of a bad relationship. Norah is dating an aspiring musician who she begins to discover is just using her to get his CD produced by her famous dad. After a show in a crowded bar in, they are brought together when Nick asks Norah if she would be his girlfriend for the next five minutes, attempting to avoid the shame of being alone when he spots his ex-girlfriend Tris (a girl that Norah knows from school) approaching him with her new boyfriend. They share witty banter, sarcastic comments and insights about dealing with teenage angst. Upon discovery of their mutual adoration for an obscure underground band “Where’s Fluffy?” and begin a wild goose chase around when they hear the band is playing a secret show that night in Manhattan.

Critical Evaluation:  Since music is an important part of both Nick and Norah’s lives, the author uses specific songs as conversations between the two young lovers when they do not know how or if they should let the other know that they are thinking. The obstacles and issues they overcame during their search for “Where’s Fluffy?” is symbolic of their compatibility. The two experience all of the emotionally intense problems that a couple in a longer term relationship find challenging including arguments that end in sincere apologies, discussing future plans like college and careers, spirituality and making connections on a deeper level beyond superficial traits. It is also refreshing that the authors chose to characterize the two main characters as “straight edge” teens meaning that they do not drink or smoke but they do use a lot of profanity to better get their points across. Readers will associate with their eccentricities but also fall in love with the innocence of this new relationship.

Booktalking Ideas:
Music plays such an important role in this story. Do you have a favorite song or soundtrack that reflects your life?
2)Discuss the consequences of Norah putting her life and future on hold for Tai.
3) Which of the characters were you most able to relate to and why?
4) Nick and Norah jumped into their relationship instantly after separating from their significant other. Is this a good way to begin a relationship? Do you think it will last?

Challenge Issues/ Defense:
Challenge Issues: Profanity, Sexual explicitness, Homosexuality 

Challenge defense ideas:
• Nov 24, 2008-Johanna review on goodreads.com
This is one of those books I would have devoured in high school – short, sweet, with characters that reminded me of my friends or people I would want to be friends with. A lot of the reviewers have complained about the copious use of the F-bomb, but that’s how my friends and I talked (and continue to talk …). I give this book kudos for not toning it down, as well as the inclusion of queer characters without tokenizing or sermonizing.

Quite frankly, even with the language and sex, I’d rather teen girls be reading this than the Twilight series – stronger female lead, healthier relationships.(less)

“the one sex scene is more comic than erotic” – Patrick’s review from goodreads.com
David Levithan does not write for a specific age group, instead, he writes about the experience and feelings associated with it. He says that he uses profanity to capture the raw emotion of the situations he writes about. – Personal interview at ALA Midwinter conference (2011).

Why was this book included?: It is a great romantic story that also appeals to guys.

Author Information: Rachel Cohn is the author of the highly regarded young-adult novel Gingerbread and its sequel, Shrimp, among other works. Cohn, who grew up near Washington, DC, knew that she wanted to become an author at an early age. As she stated on her home page, “from the time I learned how to read and write I was always trying to create stories. I grew up surrounded by books and by family who were educators—the desire and encouragement to write came readily in my household.” After graduating from Barnard College, Cohn held a number of jobs before turning to writing fiction, publishing her debut work in 2002.
(Author biography by Jrank.org. Retrieved from: http://biography.jrank.org/pages/1655/Cohn-Rachel-1968.html)
David Levithan has written several novels for teens and young adults, as well as novelizations of movies and television-show tie-ins. Several of his novels actually began as short stories written as Valentine’s Day gifts for friends, a tradition he began many years ago; his novels Boy Meets Boy, The Realm of Possibility, and Are We There Yet? all got their start this way. Along with his work as a writer, Levithan works as editorial director and executive editor at Scholastic, where his responsibilities include editing the entire Push imprint. A line of books focusing on new voices and new authors in young-adult fiction, Push led to Levithan’s editorship of the anthology You Are Here, This Is Now:
(Author biography by Jrank.org. Retrieved from: http://biography.jrank.org/pages/2010/Levithan-David-1972.html)