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.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Title: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Publisher: Harper Collins 1992 (1892)

Media Format: Book

Genre: Mystery

Selection Source: Textbook p.204

Reading Audience: Junior High+

Reading Recommendation: 4 ****

Curriculum Connection: none

Summary

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is a compilation of 12 short stories. Sherlock Holmes is one of those stories that has been remade, redone, and spoofed so many times that even though I had never read it, I felt like I've known it my whole life. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the stories. Besides being the quintessential mystery series, it's a great friendship book. The cold and rational Holmes has little use for emotions that cloud his intellect (he doesn't seem to have the same worries about cocaine), but his affection for Watson is obvious every time Watson stops by. Holmes is always delighted to see him, and almost always has an adventure for him. Mostly, I was impressed by how fun the stories were. I had imagined them being much more stuffy. I loved an exchange between Holmes and Watson where Holmes told Watson that he needed his help. Watson said OK. Then Holmes asks, "you don't mind going to jail?" Watson replies, "not if it's a good cause." Of course, what really makes the stories is Holmes' ridiculous ability to make grand deductions from the smallest of clues.

Evaluation

These stories are a fun read for anyone 12 or older. I like how they show intellectualism as being a hip and Bohemian lifestyle. The one complaint I have about the short stories is that the clues Holmes uses aren't always available to the reader. I'm willing to overlook it, because Holmes draws from a deep body of knowledge that is also unavailable to the reader, so the reader would have little chance to come to the conclusions that Holmes does. If readers are looking for a modern Holmes allegory they can watch the television program House M. D. which was inspired by the Sherlock Holmes stories. Also, I expect a resurgence of popularity due to the Sherlock Holmes movie which will be released on Christmas of 2009.

The Giver: Lois Lowry

Title: The Giver

Author: Lois Lowry

Publisher: Laurel Leaf (2002)

Media Format: Book

Genre: Dystopian

Selection Source: Text p.24

Reading Audience: 12+

Reading Recommendation: 4 ****

Curriculum Connection: Social Studies

Summary

The Giver is a Dystopian novel for children and young adults. We are introduced to Jonas who lives in a seemingly idyllic society. Everyone gets along. There is no crime. People don't hurt each others' feelings. Families talk about their day at dinner, and discuss their dreams in the morning when they wake up. The reader always has the nagging feeling that the society is too good to be true. The society has many rules, and though the characters in the book don't mind obeying them, they seem silly, if not ominous to the modern, freedom loving, enlightened American. We slowly learn that the characters are not living in an overzealous country club society, but a bio-geo-engineered Dystopia. We find this out, because will has been selected as the receiver. This means that he is honored and burdened by being the one person in the society who holds the memories of the way society was before the "sameness." Will then discovers the horrors that lurk beneath the surface of his idyllic city. He can no longer live with his knowledge, and he is left with only one option.

Evaluation

Great book, easy read, and thought provoking, that's why The Giver is on all sorts of reading lists for young adults. I've reviewed two other Dystopian novels (I know, I'm pushing it), like Feed and unlike A Handmaid's Tale, The Giver does the most important thing a Dystopian novel needs to do, it shows us a terrible society, that we recognize as our own.

The Dragons of Babel: Michael Swanwick

Title: The Dragons of Babel

Author: Michael Swanwick

Publisher: Tor Books (2009)

Media Format: Book

Genre: Fantasy

Selection Source: Alex Award

Reading Audience: Older YAs who have read other fantasy titles

Reading Recommendation: 3 ***

Curriculum Connection: none

Summary

For lack of better terms, this book gets labeled a fantasy novel, but it's definitely a next generation fantasy. The post-industrial fantasy aesthetic is nourishment for the imagination. It takes place on Earth in an alternative present. Where Babylon is the leading empire on Earth, and the great Tower of Babel is the center of it all. The orphaned protagonist, Will's village is attacked by a metal, magical dragon, who declares himself king. He chooses the half-mortal Will to be his lieutenant. Of course, being the Lt. of a tyrannical, dictatorial dragon alienates Will from his friends and family. Even slaying the beast does not redeem Will, so he is forced to exile, where his adventures begin. If this ever becomes a movie, it has to be directed by Guillermo Del Toro who would absolutely delight in making the array of fabulous creatures that Will encounters. Potty mouthed centaur mares are the first indication that we're not in Narnia. After half adopting an immortal child who sold her memories for eternal good luck, he heads to Babylon, where he meets up with a donkey eared prankster who plans on putting Will on the Obsidian Throne of the long lost king. Meanwhile Will becomes Lt. of an underground leader who is an elf of high blood who suffers from the ennui of being immortal and perfect, so he conjures up an underground army. After escaping detail he falls in love with a high blooded elf-punk, who could never love him back, because it would put her in a coma. As in most fantasies, Will learns more from the voyage than he does by reaching his destination.

Evaluation

This is really a niche read. Of all the books I've reviewed this one has the narrowest appeal. This book is for kids who've read Lord of the Rings, and its R. A. Salvatore offspring, but are looking to branch out. That doesn't mean it's not good. It's a beautiful story, and some of the plot lines have obvious parallels to modern society. The author does a great job of imagining an alternative world, albeit one where slobs still throw Pepsi bottles on the streets. It does feature strong language and sexual situations.

Nation: Terry Pratchett

Title: Nation
Author: Terry Pratchett
Publisher: HarperCollins

Media Format: Book
Genre: Speculative Fiction
Selection Source: YALSA Top 10 Books for YAs 2009
Reading Audience: All YAs+
Reading Recommendation: 4 ****
Curriculum Connection: none

Summary
Nation is set in a parallel universe with similarities to Victorian Age England. Almost all of it takes place on an island in the Pacific, known to its inhabitants as The Nation. After a tsunami wipes out everyone on the island, but a boy who was away on his manhood journey. It also wrecked a ship that killed everyone and everything on it except for a young girl and her Victorian sensibilities. It's one of those classic tales that must appeal to humans on a deep level, because they're always being retold. It's a tale of two civilizations meeting, a tale of rebuilding a nation from the ground up, and a friendship tale about two people from alien civilizations who learn to communicate and understand each other.

Evaluation
This story of two cultures meeting and of friendship should appeal to many readers. It allows us to relive and rewrite our tragic history of the meeting of civilizations. We realize that things might have worked out better if those people who met in 1492 had the sense and curiosity of young people. It is really a leisure reading book, but one that has the potential to teach and provoke thoughts.

Bridge to Terabithia: Katherine Paterson

Title: Bride to Terabithia
Writer: Katherine Paterson (novel)
Director: Gabor Csupo
Produced by: Walt Disney (2007)


Media Format: Book
Genre: Realistic with elements of fantasy
Selection Source: Newbery Medal
Reading Audience: Older Children & Young YAs, but the book/movie deals with mature themes
Watching Recommendation: 3.5 ***
Curriculum Connection: Dealing with death/dying


Summary
I, like the person who reviews this movie in the video above, and many others, was surprised to find out, upon watching this movie that it was not a fantasy. It was really marketed as a fantasy like The Chronicles of Narnia. It didn't bother me as much as some people, but it was something I noticed when the movie was about three quarters of the way over. This is not a fantasy movie. It incorporates elements of fantasy into a realistic story about two junior high school students who form a deep friendship. The protagonist is a boy named Jess. At first, he was dismayed by the new girl, Leslie who beats him in a foot race. She's quite persistent in pursuing his friendship, and it turns out there is a lot he can learn from her. She learns from him too, but she is the one who brings the energy to the relationship, and opens his eyes to the world and to himself. Unfortunately, beautiful friendships to not always last as long as they could/should, and Jess has to figure out how to move on without forgetting the magic that Leslie brought into his life.


Evaluation
This story is primarily aimed at junior high students, but it's possible that mature children could watch it, as well as older YAs. It's an archetypal friendship story. It's about two people who recognize that life is better, because they can share it with each other. They work together to help the teacher, thwart bullies, do chores at home, and create a magical kingdom which they rule from an abandoned tree house.
----Spoiler Alert----
It's primary use is to teach young people about dealing with the death of a friend, and how to move on from that tragic situation without forgetting that person.