Old Hickory: Andrew Jackson and the American People: Albert Marrin

Title: Old Hickory: Andrew Jackson and the American People

Author: Albert Marrin

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (2004)

Media Format: Book

Genre: Biography, Non-Fiction

Selection Source: Text p. 296

Reading Audience: High School

Reading Recommendation: 3 ***

Curriculum Connection: American History

Summary

This biography tells the story of our first populist president. All the presidents before him, and most after him had elite educations, and came from aristocratic backgrounds. Jackson was the first president who rose up from the dirt to hold the highest office in the land. Despite being poor, Jackson seemed like a special child with a feel for horses, an adventurous streak, and toughness that got him in a lot of fights. Jackson's ambitions stayed with him through adulthood as he thrived in each position he held and hungered for more. Despite having extremely insensitive racial views, and pre-feminist movement thoughts about women, Jackson was a loving husband, and had a special relationship with his wife. After enduring a bitter presidential campaign, Jackson became the seventh president of the United States. His presidency was a success in terms of accomplishing what he set out to accomplish. Unfortunately, one of those things was driving Indians off their land. For better or worse, Jackson is the quintessential American president. His narrative fits perfectly with the American myth. Even his flaws are part of the American story.

Evaluation

This book does what a biography is supposed to do. It engagingly tells a person's story. It draws us in by talking about Jackson's adventurous boyhood. It shows us his humanity by documenting his relationship with his wife. Finally, it lets his actions speak for themselves without passing judgement. It allows the reader to judge Jackson for what he was, a flawed human, living in less sensitive times, who rose to the White House, and did what he felt was right.

The primary use of this book would be in connection with an American History course. Not too many YAs are going to read it for pleasure, but if they are forced to read it as part of a class, many might find it more interesting than they had expected.

Boy Meets Boy: David Levithan

Title: Boy Meets Boy

Author: David Levithan

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (2005)

Media Format: Book

Genre: Homosexuality, Speculative Fiction

Selection Source: Teen Reads

Reading Audience: Junior High+

Reading Recommendation: 3 ***

Curriculum Connection: Tolerance

Summary

This novel is different from most teen novels that deal with homosexuality. By working within the speculative fiction genre, Levithan bypasses most of the issues that teenage homosexuals are faced with; grappling with one's sexuality, coming out of the close, guilt, and isolation. By normalizing homosexuality in this one town, he allows us to consider the way things could be. Paul is gay. He has known he was gay since kindergarten. His parents accepted the news that he was gay with the same disinterest some parents might feel if the kindergarten teacher told them their son prefers soccer to dodgeball. It doesn't end in Paul's household. The star quaterback is a transvestite who gives new meaning to the the phrase homecoming queen. Against this backdrop we read about the love story between Paul and Noah. The most unusual thing about it is how normal it is. We are allowed to forget about the homosexuality and take it for what it is, a romance between two individuals who have strong feelings for each other, but their immature love leads them to do things that have the potential to alienate each other.

Evaluation

This book works. It does what it sets out to do which is to make a "normal" love story about two gay boys. It also does what all books offering a minority viewpoint should do, it allows us to feel what the protagonist feels, and see the world as the protagonist sees it. In my view, books like this are more powerful than divisive arguments about homosexuality. It appeals to our sense of empathy rather than intellect, and in the end we are happy when Paul inevitably gets the boy.

Autobiography of my Dead Brother: Walter Dean Myers

Title: Autobiography of my Dead Brother

Author: Walter Dean Myers

Publisher: Amistad

Media Format: Book

Genre: Urban, Ethnic Experience

Selection Source: National Book Award Finalist

Reading Audience: Jr. High+

Reading Recommendation: 3***

Curriculum Connection: Black History Month

Summary

Jesse has always looked up to his older friend and blood brother, Rise. They were raised together, and have spent a lot of time talking about life, and the problems of the city. They are a part of a club called The Counts, and when one of their members gets in trouble with the law, the fissure of their diverging world views becomes apparent. Rise begins to see little value in living the straight life, and views people who live it to be either suckers or weak. He adopts a fatalistic attitude towards drug use in the neighborhood to justify his desire to start peddling. The shift really shakes Jesse up, and he realizes that he needs to decide what he believes in and what is important, so he can walk his own path clearly.

Evaluation

This book tackles an important issue for inner city youth, the notion of selling out via success. This is the idea that by doing well and school and trying to get to college are examples of acting white; not keeping it real. Myers does a great job of creating a protagonist that cares about his street reputation, but also cares about living a successful life. He illustrates the tension within youth that have to walk that tight rope. He shows that he is sympathetic to the allure of the more rebellious position, but also shows that when viewing the big picture the choice is an easy one to make. Youth who enjoy reading this might want to move on to the more complex television drama The Wire (ages 16+) which addresses many of these issues in a terrifyingly realistic representation of the inescapability of urban life.

10 Things I Hate About You

Title: 10 Things I Hate About You
Director: Gil Junger
Produced: Touchstone Pictures (1999)

Media Format: Movie
Genre: Romance, Humor
Selection Source: YALSA Fabulous Films for YAs
Audience Recommendation: High School
Watching Recommendation: 3 ***
Curriculum Connection: Literature, Drama

Summary
New kid Cameron is being shown around the school by fellow dork, Michael when he immediately falls in love with the popular Bianca. Bianca is being sought after by jock and top-jerk, Joey. The problem for both Cameron and Joey is that Bianca's over protective father does not allow her to date. Bianca's older sister Kat has no interest in any of the boys in her school. She is simply counting the days until she graduates and can move out East in order to attend Sarah Lawrence. Knowing that Kat doesn't date, the father tells Bianca that she can start dating as soon as her sister does. Cameron hears about his, and hatches a plan to get the school rebel, played by the late Heath Ledger to ask Kat out. As one can imagine all sorts of hijinks and misunderstandings ensue.

Evaluation
This movie is a modern retelling of Shakespeare's Taming the Shrew. I don't know much about Shakespeare, so I didn't catch it, but it could be a great way to introduce Shakespeare to a skeptical class of young English students. There is a little bit of harsh language and sexual situations, but it's pretty pg-13. It's a pretty typical romance in many ways. Girl discovers dorky guy is better than dumb jock. The rebel starts a romance for the wrong reasons, but then falls for the girl who finds out about his alterior motives, dumps him, he then figures out how to show girl that he really cares. But, it is quite funny, and the characters communicate with sophisticated language that is rarely seen in teen movies.

Hatchet: Gary Paulsen

Title: Hatchet
Author: Gary Paulsen
Publisher: Aladin (1996)

Media Format: Book
Genre: Adventure, Coming of Age
Selection Source: Newbery Honor Book
Reading Audience: Jr. High+
Reading Recommendation: 4 ****
Curriculum Connection: Boy Scouts, Hunter's Safety

Summary
This is a story about a boy who survives a plane crash, only to be stranded in the Canadian wilderness with nothing but the clothes on his back, and the hatchet his mother gave him. Brian uses his determination and his wits to survive in the wilderness. He overcomes swarming insects, large bears, no fire (until he figures it out), and no food. He gathers berries, and learns how to fish using a hand crafted boy and arrow made from a tree and his shoe laces. He eats turtle eggs, and stalks wild grouse. It's fascinating to read how Brian uses his resources to stay alive, and even thrive, while marooned in the harsh bosom of mother nature.

Evaluation
This works very well as an adventure story, and would be a good book for reluctant boy readers. The intensity of the plane crash grabs readers' attention right away, and the book is almost a mystery in the sense that the reader is always guessing and anticipating how Brian is going to solve the next inevitable obstacle that confronts him. It's an inspirational adventure story that readers won't want to set down.

The P.L.A.I.N. Janes: Cecil Castellucci

Title: The P.L.A.I.N. Janes

Author: Cecil Castellucci

Publisher: Minx (2007)

Media Format: Graphic Novel

Genre: Female Protagonist, Friendship

Selection Source: MDPLS Staff YA picks

Reading Recommendation: 3***

Audience Recommendation: JR High +

Curriculum Connection: Art

Summary

The Plain Janes is a graphic novel about dislocation, friendship, and art. Jane moves from the city after a terorrist attack frightens her parents into taking refuge in the suburbs. She is dismayed by how tragically unhip the kids in her new school are, especially the cool kids. Then, she comes across the nerd table, where three outcasts named Jane are sharing their lunch. The three plain Janes don't seem to interested in Jane until she comes up with an idea to become an art terorrist. They begin a friendship by creating public art in unlikely places, and they begin to gain quite a following, including from local law enforcement. When the heat gets turned up, they get an oportunity to see what friendship is really about.

Evaluation

This is a graphic novel aimed at a primarily female audience (although it's quite readable for males). It's a fun, light hearted book, that can easily be read in one sitting. The female lead, Jane is likable and believable, and plenty of people can sympathize with the desire to establish connections with others in a seemingly superficial world. It's primary a leisure reading book, but could be read in connection with an art class. Although, the teacher probably wouldn't want to be seen as encouraging acts of vandalistic art.

Title: The Perks of Being a Wallflower Author: Steven Chbosky
Publisher: MTV (1999)


Media Format: Book
Genre: Coming of Age
Selection Source: YALSA Popular Paberbacks for YAs
Reading Audience: High School
Reading Recommendation: 4 ****
Curriculum Connection: none


Summary
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a coming of age story inspired by The Catcher in the Rye. It deals with issues such as homosexuality, sexual abuse, drug abuse, and friendship. The main character, Charlie has a relatively typical family life and caring parents. In school he's not really disliked, he just kind of blends in. This story is about him meeting his first real friends, and how having friends brought both love and pain into his life. He struggles to overcome his passivity, so he can participate in life and friendship. He also develops an apprentice-like relationship with his English teacher Bill, who gives Charlie books to read, so Charlie can write reports on them, including of course, The Catcher in the Rye.


Evaluation
This is a very engaging novel, and although I'm not a sensitive emo type like Charlie, so I didn't necessarily identify with him, I found him very endearing, and I got a lot of vicarious pleasure out of reading about him establishing very real connections with his friends. This book deals with mature issues, but is meant to be read by young high schoolers (the protagonist is a freshman). It's an enjoyable read for anyone, but it's a perfect read for adolescents who feel alienated, and it has an added bonus of suggesting many great works of literature and music to young readers.