A Journey into the World of YA: 2011

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Complete List of Young Adult Materials

AccessScience (Database)
American Teen (Feature Film)
Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause
Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz
The Burn Journals by Brent Runyon (Audio Book)
The Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell
The Christopher Killer by Alane Ferguson
CollegeSource Online (Database)
Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock (Audio Book)
The Darkangel by Meredith Ann Pierce
Deadline by Chris Crutcher
Death Note: Volume One by Tsugumi Ohba
The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler
Easy A (Feature Film)
Flawless by Sara Shepard
Forever… by Judy Blume
Fruits Basket: Volume One by Natsuki Takaya
Ghost World by Daniel Clowes
Greenwood Daily Life Online Through History (Database)
Hope in Patience by Beth Fehlbaum
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing by Ann Angel
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
Michael Jackson: The Experience (Wii Video Game)
Monster by Walter Dean Myers
New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii Video Game)
NoveList (Database)
Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
Recovery by Eminem (CD)
Red Riding Hood (Feature Film)
Rolling Stone (Magazine)
The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin
Slam by Nick Hornby (Audio Book)
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Speak Now by Taylor Swift (CD)
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher
Stoner & Spaz by Ron Koertge
Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz
Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Teen Vogue (Magazine)
That Summer by Sarah Dessen
Th1rteen R3asons Why by Jay Asher (Audio Book)
Thrasher (Magazine)
Twilight: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Various Artists (CD)
Wake by Lisa McMann
Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block
Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher
What My Girlfriend Doesn’t Know by Sonya Sones
Whip It (Feature Film)
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

50. What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones

What My Girlfriend Doesn’t Know by Sonya Sones

ISBN: 978-0-689-87603-5

Simon & Schuster, New York, 2007

291 p.

Plot Summary

High school freshman Robin Murphy cannot believe his luck. He has become a running joke throughout the school, resulting in the popular phrases “don’t be such a Murphy” and “you are a real Murphy” being shouted in the halls whenever someone does something stupid or klutzy. The popular kids bully him endlessly, but, somehow, he manages to get one of the popular girls, Sophie Stein, to be his girlfriend. Sophie’s friends try to get through to her and make her choose between Robin and them, and, not caring about the social ramifications, she chooses Robin. Although they are constantly bombarded with rude comments, Sophie keeps reassuring Robin that they should not let anyone else dictate their relationship. Because of his artistic talent, Robin takes an art class at Harvard, meeting fellow students that know nothing of what “Murphy” means and truly accept him. However, he is brought back down to earth when he returns to the bullies that roam the halls at school. When Robin hears the phrase “pulling a Stein” one day at school, he starts to wonder if he is being selfish by keeping the relationship going although Sophie is being pulled into loser-dom with him.

Critical Evaluation

What My Girlfriend Doesn’t Know is a free verse novel written in first person, from the point-of-view of Robin Murphy. Writing the novel in verse creates a fast-paced narrative as readers feel the range of emotions that Robin goes through as he experiences first love. Because the pages contain sparse amounts of words, each word is given a level of importance and the placement of words in the verses gives the novel a rhythm reminiscent of song lyrics. For example, in a verse describing Robin’s surprise at seeing Sophie at his front door after running away from her, Sones writes, “My Heart Catapults Up Into My Throat/Then boomerangs/right back down/into my feet./I never knew a person could feel/like jumping for joy/and jumping off a bridge/at the exact/same/moment” (p. 152). By separating the words “exact same moment” into separate lines, the reader takes a pause between each word, feeling Robin’s shock at seeing Sophie and his worry about what he needs to tell her. The length of the verses conveys Robin’s emotions, as well; when Robin is feeling a high level of emotion, the verses tend to be shorter than the rest. Sones adds a bit of humor when she makes the verses into shapes that relate to the topic a couple of times in the novel, including one reminiscent of Pinocchio when Robin lies to Sophie about his first day in drawing class.

I love the way that Sones writes the character of Robin. Dealing with bullying for many years, Robin has become accustomed to constantly being criticized and picked on, resulting in his extreme lack of self-esteem. However, his freshman year of high school changes everything when his relationship with Sophie and his new friends at Harvard help him gain confidence in himself. In part because of his social awkwardness and flaws, Sones creates a likeable and realistic character that I wanted to see succeed in his relationship with Sophie and overcome the power that the school bullies have on him.

Reader's Annotation

School loser Robin Murphy cannot believe his luck that he is dating one of the most popular girls in school, Sophie Stein. However, when their relationship causes her to lose her best friends and face the same torment he goes through, Robin begins to wonder if she would be better off without him.

Information About the Author

Sonya Sones was born in Newton, a suburb of Boston. When she was seventeen, she fell in love with making animated films and enrolled in Hampshire College to study filmmaking and photography, while also teaching animation to children. After graduation, she was hired to teach film at Harvard University. She then moved to Hollywood to work for a famous movie director as his personal assistant, but she was fired after only a month. Sones decided to stay in Hollywood and found work as an animator, a production assistant on a Woody Allen movie, and a still photographer and script supervisor on Ron Howard’s first film, eventually finding her way into a job in editing. After getting married to Bennett Tramer, the head writer on Saved by the Bell, Sones quit her job to raise her daughter and started a hand-painted baby clothes company.

Needing something else to satisfy her creative urges after the birth of her son, she decided to try writing books for children. Her first book was a rhymed picture book called Smitty the Hollywood Kitty, which Sones says had wonderful illustrations, but the words were awful. Realizing that she had a lot to learn, she enrolled in a poetry class at UCLA and wrote her first book, Stop Pretending: What Happened When My Big Sister Went Crazy. (information from author’s website: http://www.sonyasones.com/about/about01.html)

Genre

Young Adult – Drama/Romance

Curriculum Ties

English - Reading Comprehension and Literary Response and Analysis

Booktalking Ideas

1. Focus on Robin and Sophie’s relationship.

2. Discuss the bullying that Sophie experiences by entering a relationship with Robin.

3. Talk about Robin’s experience at his Harvard drawing class.

4. Address the ups and downs of first love.

Reading Level/Interest Age

13+

Challenge Issues

The novel has a few brief scenes of teen sexuality.

When confronted with complaints about this novel, librarians should become familiar with the material and its content. Turn to reviews from publications such as Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, and Booklist, as well as reviews from teens that have read it. Also, it is beneficial for librarians to present reasons backed by the ALA in support of intellectual freedom. As stated in the Library Bill of Rights:

I. 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.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

Why Include Book in Selection?

I was browsing through the racks at the library and picked up this novel. After reading the recommendation by Meg Cabot on the cover and seeing that the author wrote it in free verse, I was interested in including it for this project.

49. AccessScience Database

AccessScience Database from McGraw-Hill

Accessed via Los Angeles Public Library Databases

Summary

AccessScience is a database created by McGraw-Hill with the goal of helping make it easier for users to find information on science and technology. The database promotes the motto, “Discovery is the hard part—AccessScience makes learning easy.” Users can begin their search on the main page by selecting a specific topic to explore. Once a topic is chosen, users will find results divided up into different sections, including encyclopedia articles, research updates, images, biographies, multimedia, and others. Should users want more refined results, the main page features a semantic search bar that has a drop-down list of search terms as users type in their keywords. The database contains a wealth of information in the science and technology fields, drawing from the complete contents of the McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology, 10^th Edition, as well as regular research updates from the McGraw-Hill Yearbooks of Science & Technology and headline news from Science News Magazine. The database also includes several media options on many topics, including videos, animations, illustrations, tutorials, and podcasts. Overall, AccessScience is designed to guide users through the clutter of information and find results relevant to their topics.

Critical Evaluation

The website for AccessScience would be a welcome addition to any library’s collection. The extensive amount of information available gives users a central database to turn to for research on science and technology. Also, the site allows for users of all levels to find relevant information by browsing through topics or searching with specific keywords. AccessScience does not only include articles, but the options for media sources provide users with the opportunity to learn even more about any topic, such as watching videos or listening to podcasts. With these options, the database is more attractive to users, such as teenagers, that may find multimedia a more interesting way to learn new information. When looking through results for a topic, I found the breakdown of different types of sources particularly helpful, especially in the case when recent news updates are separated from encyclopedia articles. In addition, there is a section that lists biographies for scientists that were involved in that particular field, allowing users to investigate their studies, as well. Because the database recognizes the difficulty that many have with finding information on a specific topic in science and technology amongst the tremendous amount of information out there, it places a high degree of importance on guiding users to the relevant information. Therefore, AccessScience is a useful database to start with when combing through research.

Reader's Annotation

AccessScience helps guide users to information on science and technology that is relevant to their topic. Through the inclusion of videos, animation, illustrations, and podcasts, the database works to bring the most up-to-date technology to users.

Information About the Company

Around the world, The McGraw-Hill Companies provides people with the information and insights they need to adapt and grow in changing times. Founded in 1888, it is a leading global financial information and education company that helps professionals and students succeed in the Knowledge Economy. Leading brands include Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, Platts energy information services and J.D. Power and Associates.

By working together with their customers and partners, these brands are laying the foundation for a smarter, better world. Harold McGraw III serves as Chairman, President and CEO of the company. The corporation is headquartered in New York and has more than 280 offices in 40 countries with a worldwide employee total of approximately 21,000. (information from company’s website: http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/site/about-us)

Genre

N/A

Curriculum Ties

Students would find this database useful for science classes throughout their high school and college years.

Booktalking Ideas

N/A

Reading Level/Interest Age

This database would be especially suited for students in high school and college.

Challenge Issues

N/A

Why Include Database in Selection?

The Los Angeles Public Library rated AccessScience the Electronic Resource of the Month for April 2011 and I wanted to include a database that covered other topics than I have previously written about.

48. Fruits Basket: Volume One by Natsuki Takaya

Fruits Basket: Volume One by Natsuki Takaya

ISBN: 1-59182-603-9

TOKYOPOP Inc., Los Angeles, 2004

204 p.

Plot Summary

After her mother dies in a car accident, high school student Tohru Honda moves into her grandfather’s house. When her grandfather has the house remodeled in preparation for his daughter and her family moving in with them, Tohru decides to live in a tent and support herself, not wanting to burden her friends. One day, while walking to her tent, her classmate Yuki Sohma and his cousin Shigure spot her and bring her back to the house, inviting her to stay with them until the renovations are complete. When another member of the Sohma family, Kyo, enters the picture, the conflict between Yuki and Kyo leads them to constantly fight each other, causing Tohru to worry because she likes them both. Soon after Kyo comes to the estate, Tohru discovers that the Sohma family is plagued with an ancient curse and she vows to keep their secret and earn their trust.

Critical Evaluation

This shojo manga is a quick, fun read that incorporates elements of several different genres. The story has a lot of dramatic moments, but the use of comedy and a bit of romance helps break up the tension. It also helps the story appeal to readers of all types, giving everyone something that they will enjoy. Also, the wide range of characters creates the opportunity for readers to find someone to which they relate. Some may associate themselves with Tohru’s kind heart and ditzy qualities, while others may recognize themselves in Yuki’s confidence in his abilities, but low self-esteem in social situations. Even more may relate to Shigure and his calm and mature nature mixed with sarcastic humor. In addition, just as every character has a different personality, the Sohma all are different signs of the Chinese zodiac, giving readers the chance to relate to the character that represents the sign they were born under. While I do not have much experience with manga, I found the illustrations in the novel incredibly effective at conveying the emotions in the scene. For instance, explosions are used to coincide with fights or someone losing their temper and the shadowing of the characters’ faces tell what emotions they are feeling, especially the shadowing used for Tohru’s eyes. The content may seem a bit too immature for some older teens, but the exciting storyline and interesting characters will definitely appeal to many.

Reader's Annotation

Tohru Honda moves in to the Sohma estate, discovering the ancient family curse that haunts them.

Information About the Author

Natsuki Takaya is the pen name for the Japanese manga artist best known for creating the series Fruits Basket. Born on July 7, 1973 and raised in Tokyo, Takaya has wanted to be a mangaka (author of manga) since she was in the first grade.

Takaya has created several manga series after her debut in the early 1990s. Her series include Phantom Dream, Tsubasa: Those with Wings, Fruits Basket, Hoshi wa Utau, and her current series, Liselotte to Majo no Mori. Fruits Basket has become the second best-selling shojo manga of all time in Japan and the top selling shojo manga in North America. In 2001, Takaya received a Kodansha Manga Award for shojo manga for Fruits Basket. (information from author’s Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natsuki_Takaya)

Genre

Manga – Shojo/Drama/Romance/Fantasy

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1. Focus on the importance of the Chinese zodiac to the story.

2. Discuss Tohru’s sense of independence.

3. Identify Tohru’s relationship with each of the Sohma boys that she meets.

4. Talk about the conflict between Yuki and Kyo.

Reading Level/Interest Age

13+

Challenge Issues

I do not believe that there will be any challenge issues with this selection. There are a few instances of violence, but they are not graphic.

However, should complaints about this novel arise, librarians should become familiar with the material and its content. Turn to reviews from publications such as Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, and Booklist, as well as reviews from teens that have read it. Also, it is beneficial for librarians to present reasons backed by the ALA in support of intellectual freedom. As stated in the Library Bill of Rights:

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

Why Include Book in Selection?

Having included a manga directed toward teenage males, I wanted to include one that would interest teenage females.

47. The Christopher Killer by Alane Ferguson

The Christopher Killer by Alane Ferguson

ISBN: 0-670-06008-9

Viking, New York, 2006

274 p.

Plot Summary

Seventeen-year-old Cameryn Mahoney knows what she wants to do with her life and that is to become a forensic pathologist, just like her father. Although her grandmother disapproves of the macabre subject matter, Cameryn constantly studies books on forensics, intrigued by the stories that corpses can tell. When her father, Patrick, expresses his need for an assistant, Cameryn jumps at the chance to get some real experience and, after some convincing, her father agrees to hire her. On her first case, Cameryn spots a bit of evidence that helps lead her father to determine that it was a natural death. Believing that his daughter is a genius at noticing the small things, Patrick picks Cameryn up from school on his way out to examine a murder case. However, they soon discover that the victim is her friend from work and, when conducting the autopsy, evidence shows that it was the work of a serial killer that leaves a St. Christopher medal on the victims. Intent on finding the killer, Cameryn begins to realize that her snooping may cause her to be the next victim.

Critical Evaluation

The Christopher Killer by Alane Ferguson is such a gripping story that I could not put it down. I have read reviews that compare it to an episode of CSI and that is exactly how it felt to me, as well. Just as with the detective television shows, readers are taken on a journey along with the protagonist, sorting through the clues as Cameryn finds them and constantly reevaluating which character they believe is the killer. The author incorporates many scientific facts in the novel, especially when writing the autopsy scene. This helps to make the story more realistic and allows readers to accept parts of the storyline that are harder to believe. I especially enjoyed the way Ferguson wrote the character of Cameryn. Even though she is still a teenager, she is sure about what she wants to do for a living and she is not afraid to go after it. Also, when she believes that something important is being overlooked in the case, Cameryn does not bow down to the intimidation that adults employ, instead trying her best to make herself heard. However, her intelligence and strength do not mean that she is infallible and the mistakes that she makes throughout the novel solidify the realness of the character. Because this is the first of four novels in the Forensic Mystery series, I am interested in how Cameryn’s character will grow in the following novels as she gains more confidence in her abilities and what types of cases she will be faced with next.

Reader's Annotation

Cameryn Mahoney wants to be a forensic pathologist more than anything and when she gets the opportunity to be the assistant to her father, the county coroner, she looks forward to the chance to get some real experience. However, when one of her first cases is the murder of a friend, Cameryn must learn to separate her emotions from the facts if she wants to find the killer.

Information About the Author

Alane Ferguson was born in Cumberland, Maryland, in 1957. She attended the University of Utah and Westminster College where she studied journalism. Later, Alane became interested in writing for children, mostly, she says, to follow the example of her mother, successful author Gloria Skurzynski. Her mother has written over fifty-seven books for children, while Alane is currently completing her thirty-second. Alane and her mother co-authored a series for National Geographic. Their novel, Wolf Stalker, was the first work of fiction National Geographic had published in its as of then 109-year history. Wolf Stalker was nominated for the 1998 Mystery Writer's of America's Edgar Allan Poe Award and the newest and 13th book in the series, Night of the Black Bear, was launched in spring of 2007.

A recipient of the 1990 Edgar Allan Poe Award as well as the Belgium's Children's Choice Award for her young adult novel Show Me the Evidence, Alane was also a nominee for her third young-adult mystery, Poison. She received a 2007 Edgar nomination for her young adult novel, The Christopher Killer, the first in the Sleuth Forensic Mystery series. Alane won the Children's Crown Classic Award for Cricket and the Crackerbox Kid, the American Bookseller's Association's "Pick of the List" for her picture book entitled That New Pet, and has been on numerous ALA Recommended Books for Reluctant Young Readers and Young Adult's Choice list. (information from author’s website: http://www.alaneferguson.com/About_Alane.html)

Genre

Young Adult – Mystery

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1. Address the author’s extensive research in forensics for the novel.

2. Focus on the relationship between Cameryn and her father.

3. Discuss the conflict Cameryn feels between science and belief in psychics such as Dr. Jewel.

4. Talk about the impact that her mother’s abandonment has had on Cameryn.

Reading Level/Interest Age

13+

Challenge Issues

The novel contains graphic descriptions of corpses and the steps in an autopsy, as well as violence.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

Why Include Book in Selection?

I first heard about this novel in the Author/Genre presentations for class and, when looking to add different genres to my collection, I decided to choose this novel.

46. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii Video Game)

New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii Video Game)

Nintendo of America Inc., Redmond, WA, 2009

Summary

New Super Mario Bros. Wii is a video game for the Wii console that resembles an updated version of the original Super Mario Bros. games from the nineties. The game allows for up to four players to play simultaneously, choosing from the characters of Mario, Luigi, and two Toad characters. As with other Super Mario Bros. games, there is a storyline that drives players to complete levels and move forward on a map. Bowser and his children have kidnapped Princess Peach and Mario and his friends must make it to Bowser’s castle to defeat him and free the princess. While the main story mode has players completing levels to move forward on the map, there are also two dedicated multiplayer modes. In the “Free-for-All” mode, players can choose to challenge each other on any course with the winner determined by the score, number of coins, and enemy kills. For the other mode, “Coin Battle,” players race through the course, collecting coins along the way, and the player with the most coins wins. To help players that are having a difficult time in single-player mode, the game has a “Super Guide” function that activates a computer-controlled Luigi to show a safe path to the end of the level.

Critical Evaluation

New Super Mario Bros. Wii is a fun game to play either in single-player mode or with a group of friends. The game is challenging, keeping players interested as they try to complete the levels and move on to the next world. It is extremely unique in that the game allows four players to play simultaneously, increasing the level of excitement as players help each other get past obstacles and defeat enemies. One of the best parts is the ability to press a button and put your character in a bubble, letting your more skilled teammate get further into the level without slowing them down. However, it can also be frustrating when players accidentally bump each other off of platforms, sending them falling below the screen to lose a life. Nevertheless, when playing with two friends, I had a much better time than when I played in single-player mode as we all yelled and laughed together when faced with challenges. With the hidden areas and secret bonuses, the game is one that players can go through several times over. One drawback is that the game does not include online play, which is something that has become very popular for gaming teens. Because the game is perfect for multiple players, it seems that it would only be natural for online play to be a part of it, but Nintendo did not include this option. Overall, New Super Mario Bros. Wii is a challenging game that teens will find enjoyable to play solo, but the most fun will come when they enlist friends to use the multiplayer mode.

Reader's Annotation

Players encounter obstacles as they attempt to bring Mario and his friends to fight Bowser and save Princess Peach in this game for the Wii console.

Information About the Company

Nintendo first began with its release of the Nintendo Entertainment System. Introduced in 1985, the NES was an instant hit. Over the course of the next two years, it almost single-handedly revitalized the video game industry. Selling over 60 million units, people brought games like Mario and Zelda into their homes for the first time on the NES. The portable system, Game Boy, which came out in 1989, was closely associated with the classic game Tetris when it debuted. Game Boy is the most successful video game system ever released. Since its introduction in 1989, Game Boy has sold well over 150 million systems worldwide.

Building on the success of NES and Game Boy, Nintendo came out with several more upgrades, including Super NES, Nintendo 64, Nintendo GameCube, and the most recent Nintendo Wii. In 2006, Nintendo introduced the Wii and with it several advanced, revolutionary features. Wireless motion-sensitive remote controllers, built-in Wi-Fi capability, and a host of other features have made the Wii the best-selling latest generation console system in the world. (information from company’s website: http://www.nintendo.com/corp/history.jsp)

Genre

Video Game – Platform/Adventure

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

N/A

Reading Level/Interest Age

This game is rated for everyone.

Challenge Issues

I cannot think of any challenge issues that this game would have.

However, should complaints about this game arise, librarians should become familiar with the content on the video game. Turn to reviews from video game magazines and on Amazon.com, as well as reviews from teens that have played it. Also, it is beneficial for librarians to present reasons backed by the ALA in support of intellectual freedom. As stated in the Library Bill of Rights:

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

Why Include Game in Selection?

I included this game because it is an update on a classic Nintendo game that has incredible graphics that teens will enjoy.

45. Michael Jackson: The Experience (Wii Video Game)

Michael Jackson: The Experience (Wii Video Game)

Ubisoft Entertainment, San Francisco, 2010

Licensed by Nintendo

Summary

Michael Jackson: The Experience is a dance video game for players of all levels, allowing for either individual play or group play for up to four people. A challenge option is also available for dancers to take each other on one-to-one or two-to-two. The game includes twenty-six of Michael Jackson’s most famous songs to dance to with the lyrics on the screen for players to sing along. While holding the Wii remote, players follow the dancer on the screen, mimicking the movements of both the upper and lower body. Several of the dance moves are reminiscent of moves that Michael made famous in his music videos and concerts. Players are rated based on their ability to follow the rhythm of the song and hit the correct movements, as well as the energy they put into the dance. There is also the option to practice the moves in Video Training mode, allowing players to learn the moves that they will face in the game.

Critical Evaluation

Although it has been nearly two years since Michael Jackson passed away, his music and performances are still popular around the world. With Michael Jackson: The Experience, players can learn the moves to some of his most famous routines and that is exactly what makes the game so fun to play. The game is extremely user-friendly because of the different skill levels from which players can choose. Also, the instructional videos are helpful in getting even the least coordinated people to gain a basic understanding of the moves. In contrast to some other dance games, players cannot fail out of the round, allowing everyone the same chance to get through the level. However, I had some issues with the remote not recognizing moves a few times, but that could be the fault of the Wii system. Also, I can imagine getting tired of it after a couple of rounds with the inability to purchase more songs. It would definitely be a blast to set up at a party or to borrow from a friend, but it seems to be more of a novelty item for fans of Michael Jackson. However, this would make it an attractive game to include in a library collection because of the interest in trying the game out before investing in the high list price of $49.99.

Reader's Annotation

Michael Jackson: The Experience gives fans of the King of Pop the chance to dance along to his most famous routines.

Information About the Company

Ubisoft is a leading international developer, publisher, and distributor of interactive entertainment products. Founded in 1986, the company is led by CEO Yves Guillemot and bases its headquarters out of Montreuil-sous-Bois, France. As of the end of the 2009-2010 fiscal year, Ubisoft accomplished 1.038 billion euros in sales.

In addition to Michael Jackson: The Experience, Ubisoft has produced many video games over the years. Some of the games have become the best-selling franchises worldwide, including Assassin’s Creed with 29 million units sold, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six with 23 million units sold, and Petz also with 23 million units sold. (information from company’s website: http://www.ubisoftgroup.com/index.php?p=65&art_id=)

Genre

Video Game – Dance

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

N/A

Reading Level/Interest Age

10+

Challenge Issues

The game asks players to copy one of Michael Jackson’s suggestive moves and Michael Jackson is a controversial figure in many areas.

When confronted with complaints about this game, librarians should become familiar with the content on the video game. Turn to reviews from video game magazines and on Amazon.com, as well as reviews from teens that have played it. Also, it is beneficial for librarians to present reasons backed by the ALA in support of intellectual freedom. As stated in the Library Bill of Rights:

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

Why Include Game in Selection?

I have noticed that many teens enjoy playing dance games on game systems and, with the release of this game, it seemed that teens would be drawn to this one, as well.

Monday, May 16, 2011

44. That Summer by Sarah Dessen

That Summer by Sarah Dessen

ISBN: 978-0-14-240172-9

Speak, New York, 1996

198 p.

Plot Summary

Fifteen-year-old Haven has always felt a bit out of place. Quickly approaching six-feet-tall, she towers over her petite mother and sister, as well as nearly everyone she meets. For Haven, the summer is about to lead to even more alienation with her sportscaster father getting married to the weather girl that broke up her parents’ marriage and her sister, Ashley, getting married to boring Lewis Warsher. Feeling abandoned by her father and constantly fighting with her sister, Haven longs for the days when her family was whole and happy. When she runs into Ashley’s first love, Sumner Lee, Haven remembers the family vacation to the beach that Sumner came along on and the laughter that they all shared. Everything was perfect until one Halloween night when Haven watched out her window as Ashley broke up with Sumner. Soon, her father left the house for good and Ashley was no longer the sister that she knew. Even worse, her best friend comes back from 4-H camp as a different person with a newly found confidence and a long distance boyfriend. Feeling that no one understands her, Haven starts spending time with Sumner, hoping that he can help make everything right.

Critical Evaluation

Written in first person from Haven’s point-of-view, That Summer gives the reader a look into the mind of a teenager that is learning how to deal with all of the changes going on in her life, especially the changes that she wishes never happened. The opening paragraph, as well as the title, reveals that Haven is looking back on the summer that stands out to her as the time when everything changed. With her father’s remarriage to his mistress, her mother’s friendship with Lydia Catrell, and her sister’s upcoming nuptials, it is as if everyone is moving on without her. This is all magnified when the one person she could count on, her best friend Casey, returns from camp changed, as well. Sarah Dessen was able to write the character of Haven as incredibly relatable. Although I have not experienced what it feels like to deal with a broken home, I found myself pulling for Haven throughout the novel. One scene in particular stands out to me; when Haven’s father sits in his car and honks the horn for her to come out to him, she sits just out of view, willing him to come up the walkway to the house and come get her. After turning around in the driveway and honking a couple more times, he ultimately speeds off, leaving Haven with her dashed hopes. His inability to walk up to the door broke my heart as I felt Haven’s pain over her father’s abandonment. As the nice girl, Haven keeps everything inside, pushing it all down whenever she feels wronged. The more that her sister patronizes her and her father dismisses her, the more I wanted her to speak up and get her feelings out. However, when she finally releases her feelings, it seems more like she is having a tantrum and not really dealing with the issues, but simply blowing up at everyone. Nevertheless, as a teenager resisting the changes before her, Haven cannot really be expected to know how to handle her feelings until she starts to mature and comes to terms with the truth about Ashley and Sumner’s breakup. While That Summer may stand for the summer that Haven lost control of her life, it can also stand for the summer that Haven learned to adapt to change and recognize the people that are there for her no matter what.

Reader's Annotation

With both her father and sister having weddings, Haven’s summer has been taken over by weddings and she begins to feel alienated from her whole family. When Sumner Lee returns to town, Haven finally has someone that understands her and listens.

Information About the Author

Sarah Dessen was born in 1970 in Illinois and grew up in Chapel Hill, NC. Her parents were both professors at the University of North Carolina. She’s been writing for as long as she can remember and got her love of reading from her parents. When she was around eight years old, her parents gave her an old manual typewriter and a little desk to type up stories. She attended college at UNC, where she studied creative writing and graduated with a degree in English, and then worked as a waitress, giving her time to write at night. She sold her first book, That Summer, three years after graduating and has since published six more novels for young adults.

She finds a lot of inspiration for her novels from her group of girlfriends that she has had since high school, making it easier to put herself back into that mindset. Also, she credits living in her hometown with giving her inspiration because she can bump into guys she had crushes on or people she had classes with while just running around town. Although she did not intend on being a YA writer, she feels drawn to that part of her life and still has more memories to share. Dessen recognizes the books she read as a teenager as the ones that had the most impact on her and, when she found a book that connected with what she was feeling, it stuck with her. Although she has her good days and bad days writing, she still loves it and hopes that her books resonate with teens in the same way that the books she read as a teen did. (information from author’s website: http://sarahdessen.com/press-kit/#full-bio)

Genre

Young Adult – Chick Lit

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1. Focus on the relationship that Haven has with each of her family members.

2. Talk about Haven’s disappointment once her best friend returns from camp a changed person.

3. Identify what Sumner Lee represents for Haven.

4. Discuss the sense of isolation Haven feels with specific attention to her height and her place in the family.

Reading Level/Interest Age

12+

Challenge Issues

I do not believe that there are any potential challenge issues for this novel.

However, should complaints arise for this novel, librarians should become familiar with the material and its content. Turn to reviews from publications such as Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, and Booklist, as well as reviews from teens that have read it. Also, it is beneficial for librarians to present reasons backed by the ALA in support of intellectual freedom. As stated in the Library Bill of Rights:

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

Why Include Book in Selection?

I read a few Sarah Dessen books when I was younger and loved them, so I wanted to include one that I had not yet read for this project.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

43. Death Note: Volume One by Tsugumi Ohba

Death Note: Vol. One by Tsugumi Ohba

ISBN: 978-1-4215-0168-0

SHUEISHA, Inc., Tokyo, 2003

200 p.

Plot Summary

Bored with his life in the Realm of the Shinigami, Ryuk drops his Death Note into the Human World, hoping that some human will entertain him once they find it. Meanwhile, in the Human World, Light Yagami spots a notebook on the ground at school and it turns out to be Ryuk’s Death Note. The rules included in the notebook state the owner call kill anyone by writing down their name and thinking of their face. Also, if no cause of death is written down within forty seconds of writing the name, the person will die from a heart attack. Five days after finding the Death Note, Light gets home from school to find Ryuk there waiting for him and he explains that the Death Note has sealed a bond between them. Finally believing the power of the Death Note, Light initially feels hesitant about using it, but reasons that killing people that are evil would help humankind. Feeling that he is the only person that has the guts to follow through, Light starts to cleanse the world of criminals. The International Police Organization wonders about the increasing number of criminals dying from heart attacks and they enlist the help of the mysterious detective, L, to find the person responsible.

Critical Evaluation

As one of twelve volumes, Death Note: Volume One is an exciting manga drawn in black and white that tells the story of a teenage boy from Japan that acquires a notebook that gives him the power to kill anyone as long as he knows their name and what they look like. The story brings up several questions regarding the ethics of taking someone’s life. Feeling power hungry, Light Yagami wants to use the weapon he has found, but he doesn’t want the guilt that comes along with killing. He then decides that criminals and evil people are less worthy of living and pose a threat to humankind, so he selects a man that is holding up a nursery school to test out his weapon. When the man dies from a heart attack, Light then tries it on a man that is bothering a woman in the street, writing that he will die from a crash and that happens, as well. At first, Light starts to regret killing the two men and ponders throwing the notebook away. Of course, his ego then kicks in and he believes that the Death Note will give him the ability to rid the world of evil. This leads the reader to think of what he or she would do in the same situation. Also, it raises the question of whether anonymously killing a criminal is actually beneficial to society. One of the members of the International Police Organization points out that the crime rate has decreased since the killings started. While there are certainly justifications for Light’s actions, the novel points out that murder is still murder, no matter the morality of the person targeted. In addition, if one person is deciding what constitutes a moral person, there is an increased danger for the murders to extend beyond convicted criminals and start to include innocent people that have different beliefs from the owner of the notebook. Overall, Death Note: Volume One is a fast-paced manga that leaves readers wanting more and it definitely makes me want to go out and get the second volume.

Reader's Annotation

Light Yagami finds the Death Note, a notebook that allows the owner to kill anyone by writing their name in the book and thinking of them. Intent on riding the world of evil, Light makes it his mission to kill the criminals that threaten the safety of society.

Information About the Author

Tsugumi Ohba is a writer best known for the manga, Death Note. Very little is known about the author aside from the short tidbits he includes at the beginning of each Death Note manga. The facts state that he was born in Tokyo and collects teacups. He also develops manga plots while holding his knees on a chair, similar to the habit of his character, L. Ohba has released two manga series, Death Note and Bakuman, both illustrated by Takeshi Obata.

Based on the two authors’ similarities, some people believe that Tsugumi Ohba is a penname and his real name is Hiroshi Gamo, a manga writer known for his works at the magazine Weekly Shonen Jump. However, the similarities between Gamo’s Tottemo! Luckman and Ohba’s Bakuman may merely be coincidental. (information from author’s Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsugumi_Ohba)

Genre

Manga – Shonen/Action

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1. Discuss the debate that Light has over whether he should use the Death Note or not.

2. Focus on the impact that L has on Light’s actions.

3. Talk about the reason that Ryuk dropped his Death Note down to Earth.

4. Address the style of the illustrations used in the manga.

Reading Level/Interest Age

13+

Challenge Issues

This manga contains violent scenes.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

Why Include Book in Selection?

I wanted to include a manga to help diversify my collection and this one was recommended a lot in the chat area during our Author/Genre presentations.