Jumped

 

Author: Rita Williams-Garcia

Bibliographic Info:

Williams-Garcia, Rita. (2009). Jumped. New York: Amistad.

Descriptive Summary:
Violence is on the horizon at inner city school when Trina bumps into Dominique on the wrong day at the wrong time. Leticia is unsure whether to get involved and try to stop the violence, or mind her own business and remain a bystander. Rita Williams-Garcia examines the anatomy of violence from three very different and unique perspectives in Jumped.

Evaluative comments with rating:

5/5 TVs - There's nothing like this on TV!

Jumped is great! Finally something produced by adults that realized that bullying doesn't just happen in a vacuum and a bully is something more complex than just a simple aggressor. Williams-Garcia alternates voices and perspectives with Jumped's chapters and in doing so she creates well rounded, fully formed characters that give readers a better sense of how and why violence takes place and how it affects and afflicts our community all.  The blame is shared in Jumped and like any good book, there are no easy answers. Jumped's somewhat disturbing ending is a good jumping off point for discussions about violence, bullying, and what we can do to avoid these incidents and behaviours. It's not easy, but at least Jumped is willing to be realistic about it and start discussion rather than just suggesting that we "unlike" bullying.

Suggested Audience (age range): 12-18 (some mild language and violence)

Readers’ advisory notes:

Appeal factors: Slang-heavy, dialogue-rich, suspenseful, character-driven, issue-oriented, reflective

Readalikes: Give a Boy a Gun - Todd Strasser, Just Another Hero - Sharon Draper,  The Orange Houses - Paul Griffin, Rucker Park Setup - Paul Volponi

Booktalking hook:
From Page 21:
"Like she don't see I'm here and all the space around me is mines so keep your pink ass on that side of the lane. No. She cuts a knife right through my space then turns. And I slam my fist into my other hand because shes's good as jumped and I say, "Her. I'm gonna kick that ass at two forty-five."

Reason for inclusion:

Familiarity with the author – I had come across the book previously when shelving.

• 2009 National Book Award Finalist
• ALA Best Book for Young Adults 

Category: Realistic/Award-winning

The Giver

Author:  Lois Lowry

Bibliographic Info:

Lowry, Lois. (1993). The giver.  Ember: New York.

Notes: This is a 2011 reprint of the work

Descriptive Summary:
Jonas lives in a well oiled society where differences fear to tread and where the job you will have for the rest of your life is given to you in the Ceremony of Twelve. When Jonas's name is finally called and he learns that he has been selected to receive a high honor. Jonas soon falls under the tutelage of The Giver to prepare him for the honor. Jonas is to receive the collective memories of the community and in doing so he experience feelings and emotions he had never previously encountered. He also uncovers the reasons for the homogenous society. The Giver and Jonas devise a plan to bring change to the community, but that change can only come about if Jonas leaves everything and everyone he knows behind.

Evaluative comments with rating:

5/5 TVs - a modern classic

Stories like this are always important for young adults, teens, and children. It's a great way for children to learn to question why things are the way they are and how a homogenous life can lead to stagnation. I'm not always big on stories like this simply because the characters usually only exist in order to serve a grander issue (and this novel is no exception), but when the writing is as rich and beautiful as Lowry's; it's easy to overlook. The Giver is a nice "big ideas" book that serves as a modern day parable. It's not bogged down by heavy sci-fi settings and because of that it's accessible to a wide array of readers. The ending isn't pedantic and it's a pleasant surprise that it's open ended. Lowry doesn't dumb anything down for her readers. Lois Lowry creates a nice literary touchstone for a new generation of readers and nurtures a healthy questioning attitude in them.

Suggested Audience (age range): 12-15

Readers’ advisory notes:

Appeal factors: Haunting, serious, compelling, world-building, reflective, strong sense of place

Readalikes: Divergent - Veronica Roth, The Chrysalids - John Wyndham,  Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury, Gathering Blue - Lois Lowry, Unwind - Neal Shusterman, Matched - Ally Condie

Booktalking hook:

Show clips from movies like the Village and the Hunger Games featuring similar societies that prize people knowing their place and role.

Reason for inclusion: Recommendations by several blogs.

1994 Newberry Medal winner

Category: Controversial/Award-Winning/Science Fiction/Classic

Abortion: Opposing Viewpoints

 

Editor: Tamara Roleff

Bibliographic Info:

Roleff, Tamara L. (1997). Abortion: Opposing viewpoints. San Diego: Greenhaven Press Inc.

Descriptive Summary:

The series's credo seems to be: "Those who do no know their opponent's arguments do not completely understand their own" and in keeping with that this volume presents both sides of the abortion debate. Some of the leading philosophical and ethical minds of our times present arguments on either side of the abortion debate.

Evaluative comments with rating: 

2/5 TVs - You might find better information elsewhere

It's hard to recommend this book when the majority of resources that are listed are pro-life. The book attempts to present a balanced look at both sides of the abortion debate, but then proceeds to favour the pro-life side when it comes to presenting organizations to contact. Having said that, the book does do a good job of granting equal "air time" to both sides of the debate and presenting some of the less extreme views on both sides.

Suggested Audience (age range): 16 - 18 (reads more like a university text than a high school one)

Readers’ advisory notes:

Appeal factors: Thoughtful, richly-detailed, thought provoking, serious, issue-oriented

Readalikes: Other volumes in the Opposing Viewpoints series, Animal Liberation - Peter Singer, The Fetal Position: A Rational Approach to the Abortion Debate - Chris Meyers, Abortion (Ethical Debates series) - Jacqui Bailey, A Defense of Abortion - Judith Thomson

Booktalking hook: 

With North Dakota signing into law three bills restricting abortion and Canadian Conservative backbencher MPs nearly mutinous over abortion rights this month, there is probably no better time for a crash course on the abortion debate.

Reason for inclusion: Series was recommended by a colleague

Category: Nonfiction - Homework

Homo

 

Author: Michael Harris

Bibliographic Info:

Harris, Michael. (2012). Homo. Toronto: James Lorimar &  Company Ltd.

Descriptive Summary:

Will Johnson has the unenviable task of coming out in Chilliwack, BC. It is never easy and Homo charts Will's coming of age and his coming out as he discovers gay culture and online dating, confronts his fears and homophobia and learns to stand up for his friends. Along the way, Will Johnson learns to accept himself.

Evaluative comments with rating:
4/5  TVs - a new Canadian classic

Homo is at is best when dealing with the inner turmoil of its young lead, Will Johnson. Michael Harris captures his voice and inner workings perfectly and creates a likeable young hero struggling to do right by himself and those he loves. Homo hits snags when it comes to dealing with the characterization of its supporting cast - no one is very fully formed and by the conclusion of the novel the reader begins to feel that there's a few dangling plot lines and unresolved conflicts. Homo may be a tad short, but it covers a lot of ground from AIDS and HIV to LGBTQ solidarity to the problems of tolerance.

Suggested Audience (age range): 16-18 (mild language and depictions of sex)

Readers’ advisory notes:

Appeal factors: Realistic, candid, angst-filled, character-driven, issue-oriented

  
Readalikes/Watchalikes: Queer as Folk (tv series), Rainbow Boys - Alex Sanchez, Boy Meets Boy - David Levithan, What They Always Tell Us - Martin Wilson, Bullied - Jeff Erno

Booktalking hook:
What exactly does it mean to tolerate someone's sexuality or orientation? Is the word tolerate a positive thing or a negative thing?

Reason for inclusion: Striking title and familiarity with the publisher.

Category: LGBTQ/Canadian/Series

Valentine Princess: A Princess Diaries Book

Author: Meg Cabot

Bibliographic Info:

Cabot, Meg. (2006). Valentine princess: A princess diaries book. New York: Harper Collins Publishers.

Descriptive Summary:

The odds are stacked against Princess Mia in this pseudo prequel/sequel of the Princess Diaries ("written" in 2002, published in the real world of 2006, and set after the 4th and before the 5th volumes of the series, but published significantly after both). Grandmere doesn't believe Mia's one true love, Michael is right for her and is set on proving it. Michael, not a fan of Valentine's Day, isn't doing much to prove Grandmere wrong and Princess Mia is in a panic hoping that Michael will come around and profess his love on Valentine's day.

Evaluative comments with rating:
Incomplete - TV's on the Blink and so is this book

I felt like I was walking into this book halfway through. It took a fair amount of searching to discover the backstory to the Princess Diaries and I felt like I needed a scorecard to keep track of all of the characters and their relationships to each other. Meg Cabot's writing is frantic and (supposed to be) funny, but I felt that its idiosyncratic nature (written mostly in the style of a freshman's diary) was a bit hard on the head and the eyes.

Having said all that, I still could see how this would be a good read for someone who is a reluctant reader. The writing is fast-paced, simplistic and, at 86 pages, incredibly short. It would be a good gateway book for someone who is already familiar with the Disney film series of the same name.

I don't feel qualified to rate this book. Its design, use of multiple fonts, and frequent use of all caps made for a very hostile read.

Suggested Audience (age range): 12 - 18 (though younger readers may not pick up on some of the pop culture references)

Readers’ advisory notes:

Appeal factors: Character-driven, fast-paced, funny, romantic, conversational

Readalikes: Princess Diaries series, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - Ann Brashares, Gossip Girl - Cecily Von Ziegesar, Pretty Little Liars series - Sara Shepard, How Not to be Popular - Jennifer Ziegler

Booktalking hook:

From page 51:

Ode to Michael
Oh, Michael, can't you see
You and me were meant to be?
Just like Britney's got her Justin
For you I will always be lustin'
You're the best I ever had —
I'm your Jennifer, you're my Brad.

Reason for inclusion: Familiarity with the series due to its high profile

Category: Chick-Lit/Romance/Series

Star Wars: Red Harvest

Author: Joe Schreiber

Bibliographic Info:

Schreiber, Joe. (2012). Star wars: Red harvest. New York:

Ballantine Books.

Descriptive Summary:

A Sith Lord intent on creating a formula that grants immortality steals a rare orchid from the Jedi and in doing so unleashes a cannibalistic zombie plague on the Sith academy and hundreds of dark side apprentices. A bounty hunter and a Jedi horticulturalist are all that stand in their way in this prequel to Schreiber's Death Troopers - the first Star Wars horror book since the Galaxy of Fear series.

Evaluative comments (rating):

3/5 TVs - Worth reading instead of watching the Phantom Menace

Schreiber spends a lot of time jumping around from character to character without ever giving the reader much of a chance to care about them before they inevitably end up dead. The book suffers from a lack of familiar characters and settings — there really isn't much to connect for newer Star Wars readers (no primary, secondary, or even tertiary characters from the films make an appearance).
The concept is great and the writing is suitably creepy, but whereas Death Troopers featured Han Solo, Chewbacca, and 21B, Red Harvest doesn't have much beside a nod to the 'fake' working name of Return of the Jedi (Blue Harvest - used to confuse curious onlookers looking for a sneak peak at the then new Star Wars movie). Red Harvest is good, but it could have easily been so much better.

Suggested Audience (age range): 12-16

Readers’ advisory notes:

Appeal factors: Action-packed, fast-paced, bleak, creepy, menacing

Readalikes: Marvel Zombies series, World War Z - Max Brooks, Death Troopers - Joe Schreiber, The Keep - F. Paul Wilson, The Enemy - Charlie Higson

Booktalking hook:

Show any kid with a pulse this cover and tell them it's about zombies with light sabers and watch their brains explode.

Reason for inclusion: 

Eyecatching and somewhat graphic cover coupled with a soft spot for the Star Wars series.

Category: Science Fiction/Horror

Pop

Author: Gordon Korman

Bibliographic Info: 

Korman, Gordon. (2009). Pop. Toronto: Scholastic Canada.

Descriptive Summary:

Marcus Jordan moves to a new town and has designs on being named his school's quarterback. In a stroke of luck, he manages to find himself being mentored by former NFL linebacker, Charlie "Pop" Popovich — father of Marcus's chief rival. All isn't quite right with Charlie and his son Troy appears dead set on keeping Charlie away from Marcus. Marcus realizes that Charlie's problem isn't an overprotective son, but Alzheimer's brought on by football injuries. Marcus does his best to help Charlie, but their schemes put them at odds with a family on the edge of heartbreak and tests the limits of their friendship.

Evaluative comments with rating:
3.5/5 TVs - Better than Brian's Song (tv movie), not better than I Am Third (autobiography that it was based on)

Pop is at times a little corny, a little out of date, and a little lacking, but overall it's a sweet and often sad story about a complex issue that affects more than just former NFL players. The hook (former NFLer befriends and mentors young boy) might seem a bit far-fetched, but the issue - what do with a loved one when Alzheimer's sets in - is sadly relateable to many. Not necessarily a Korman classic, but worth a read for teens looking for something realistic and melancholic.

Suggested Audience (age range): 12-18 (all ages)

Readers’ advisory notes:

Appeal factors: Realistic, serious, character driven, bittersweet, moving

Readalikes: Bleachers - John Grisham, The Cardturner - Louis Sachar, Extra Innings - Robert Newton Peck, Stupid Fast - Geoff Herback, Leverage - Joshua C. Cohen

Booktalking hook:

With concussions in sports becoming big news, Pop and its story of a former NFL linebacker battling Alzheimer's brought on by numerous tackles throughout his career is incredibly relevant, especially in light of the deaths of athletes like Junior Seau.

Reason for inclusion: Familiarity with the author’s prior works.

Category: Canadian