The Mud Girl by Alison Acheson

Title: The Mud Girl

Author: Alison Acheson

Publish Date: October 2006

Publisher: Coteau Books

Pages: 328pp

IBSN: 1550503545

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Annotation: Aba Zytka Jones—Abi—doesn’t expect anything from anyone. Her mother has abandoned her and her father, whom remains in his chair. She doesn’t have much, but she wants to figure out her life on her own.

Plot Summary: Aba Zytka Jones (Abi), sixteen, has a long summer ahead of her. Her mother has left and her father remains sitting in his chair, leaving her with several responsibilities to shoulder. With a burning need to figure out her life, Abi has numerous questions. A woman from the Big Sister organization, Ernestine, attempts to befriend her. The cute guy from the paint shop, Jude, becomes her boyfriend. And a girl named Amanda offers offers her a summer job cleaning houses. When Abi discovers that Jude has a son, Dyl, who’s mother has taken off (mirroring her own sistuation), she has is faced with her past pain and forced to deal with her issues by taking care of Dyl.

Personal Response: A poignant story about a girl who was abandoned by her mother and whose father is somewhat useless. The novel is slow-moving with beautiful descriptions of the land, in which play a potent counterpart to the symbolism of Abi’s, the protagonist, pain.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Identity, finding out who you are and what you want in life. Uncovering the past pains of your life by helping another in need.

Age Range: 12 and up

Subjects: Identity, Abandonment, Adult Responsibilities, Relationships, Love, Dysfunctional Family, Outreach, Coming of Age, Realistic Fiction

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Rockbound by Frank Parker Day

No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLead

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The Subway Mouse by Barabra Reid

Title: The Subway Mouse

Author: Barbara Reid

Illustrator: Barbara Reid

Publish Date: May 2005

Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.

Pages: 40pp

IBSN: 0439728274

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Children’s Picture Books

Annotation: A mouse named Nib leaves his dirty, crowed home under a busy subway station and sets out on a long journey to find the dangerous Tunnel’s End. Along the way, Nib meets Lola, a female mouse who joins him.

Plot Summary: Nib is a mouse who lives beneath a busy subway. One day he decides to search for the dangerous Tunnel’s End he has heard so much of. Along his Journey he meets a female mouse Lola, who joins him. Together they explore until they come to the Tunnels End. When they finally crawl out in the open air, they discover a whole new world that is much more dangerous then they expected, yet beautiful and wonderful. They decide they want to stay and make a home together.

Personal Response: This book is all about the stunning pictures by Barbara Reid-- As sweet as the story reads, the illustrations are highly creative, realistic, and engross all the attention.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Exploration

Age Range: 4 to 8

Subjects: Exploration, Relationships, Fables, Journey, Discovery,

Sheep in a Jeep by Nancy Shaw

The Summoning by Kelly Armstrong

Title: The Summoning

Author: Kelly Armstrong

Publish Date: July 2008

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Pages: 416pp

IBSN: 0061662720

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Paranormal/Supernatural

Annotation: Fifteen year old Chloe Saunders is sent to live at Lyle House, a home for mentally-disturbed teens, when she starts seeing ghosts. It is there that she learns the truth about her gift and much much more. . .

Plot Summary: Chloe Saunders thought she was a typical teenager; getting by in high school, waiting for her crush to ask her out to prom, and LOVING movies but then it happened-she saw a ghost. At first Chloe assumes it must be her imagination, but when a mysterious janitor with severe burns chases her at school, Chloe understandably panics and reacts badly, landing her in a home for children with mental problems. The Lyle House is a group home where she will stay along with six other teens to receive counseling. Chloe is determined to recover quickly but instead of things getting better they get worse as Chloe stumbles upon the ghost of an old man desperately trying to tell her something important. The Lyle House turns out to be so much more than it originally appeared to be.

Personal Response: I really enjoyed The Summoning and am looking forward to reading the sequel as there are many twist and turns at the story’s end, leaving an interesting cliffhanger that will almost force readers to continue the ride. I like the way Chole narrates the story from a film director perspective (comparing her life to film). I found this made the story more fascinating as she was a theater arts student before she was admitted to the asylum.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Trust yourself.

Age Range: 12 and up

Subjects: Group Homes, Mental Illness, Ghost, High School, Friendship, Schizophrenic, Art, Movies, Theater Arts, Asylum

Series: The Darkest Powers Series

The Summoning (2008)

The Awakening (2010)

The Reckoning (2010)

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

My One Hundred Adventures by Polly Horvath

Title: My One Hundred Adventures

Author:Polly Horvath

Publish Date: September 2008

Publisher: Random House Children's Books

Pages: 272pp

ISBN: 0375845828

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Annotation: Twelve-year-old Jane is ready for adventures and she finds plenty of it, thanks to the inhabitants of the Massachusetts beach town where she lives.

Plot Summary: Jane Fielding is twelve-years-old and lives an idyllic life on the Massachusetts shore. Her home is a permanent beach house that has doors that are always wide open, no matter the time of day or night, and is always delightful and homey. Jane adores her home and her family--her hopeless romantic mother who writes poetry and her three brothers and sisters. As much as she loves her home life, her day to day routine is almost monotonous and she longs for some excitement and adventure. When a disheveled man shows up for dinner, Jane’s prayers for adventure are answered as she learns from her poet mother that this man is her father.

Personal Response: I enjoyed this book. I liked how the protagonist, Jane, takes charge of her own self-discovery and becomes the storyteller instead of being the audience.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Self-discovery, along with self-discovery of the world.

Age Range: 8-12

Subjects: Self Discovery, Adventure, Family, Family Relationships, Babysitting, Beach, Coming of Age, Friendship, Brothers and Sisters,

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Masterpiece by Elise Broach

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Another Kind of Cowboy by Susan Juby

Title: Another Kind of Cowboy

Author: Susan Juby

Publish Date: December 2007

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Pages: 352pp

ISBN: 0060765178

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Annotation: Unlikely pair, Alex Ford and Cleo O'Shea—both sixteen--become best friends through horsemanship.

Summary: Alex Ford has loved horses and dressage forever, in fact he even pretends his bicycle is a horse until his father actually wins a real live horse in a poker game. Alex is elated by this. Turnip is not the best horse, but together they become a winning team in Western riding. Having an affinity of dressage, Alex finds out that his father’s girlfriend has a dressage horse that she doesn’t ride. When a stable opens near his home, Alex begins to take lessons in dressage. This is when he meets Cleo, an incredibly wealthy dressage riding student with a colorful background involving drugs and alcohol and plenty of rebellion. Together, they become friends and untangle their life issues: Cleo is looking for love and Alex has been hiding his homosexuality. Cleo helps him gather self acceptance and strength to be who he is. As Alex gains confidence and self acceptance, his aspirations and his personal relationships seem full of promise.

Personal Response: I liked this book, yet I felt it was extremely predictable and everything seemed to happen so easily—the stable opening up near Alex’s house, the dressage horse that Alex’s father’s girlfriend doesn’t ride, the trainers supporting Alex as they are an elder gay couple. At the same time, I felt this was an inspiring story for teens to read—it shows the hardships of hiding who you are and explores an unlikely friendship.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Self-discovery, Fitting in

Age Range: 12 and up

Subjects: Friendships, Homosexuality, Relationships, Humor, Family Relationships, Dysfunctional Family, High School, Horsey, Dressage, Alcohol, Drugs, Self Discovery, Fitting In,

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Ribbon Chasers by Becky Rodgers Boyette

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Little Black Lies by Tish Cohen

Title: Little Black Lies

Author: Tish Cohen

Publish Date: October 2009

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Pages: 320pp

IBSN: 1606840339

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Annotation: Sara Black, the new kid in town, fell into her first lie of being from London, England, when really she is from Lunden, Massachusetts. From then on, the lies escalated, turning from little white lies into big black lies, all in the name of fitting in.

Plot Summary: As the new eleventh grader at Anton High School, Sara Black just wants to fit in, especially because Anton High School is perhaps the most elite public school in the country. She figures by being the new student, she has the ability to fudge her previous life and dually hide her tarnished family past by telling a few white lies. Though, she runs the risk of breaking her fathers heart in doing so as her father is the janitor of the school and suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). When another social climber gets jealous of Sara, she decides to take on Sara’s stories, putting Sara’s reputation on the line.

Personal Response: I think this is a good read as it goes into detail about the pressures of fitting in, and the length teens go to make sure they are part of the in crowd. An interesting aspect of this novel was the description of the “in-crowd” in which were based on intellect, rather then the usual sports, good looking, cheerleader types. The students actions are formatted based on the pressures they face in order to succeed in life. The author keeps the readers engaged with all the predicaments Sara enters and provides meaningful lessons threaded throughout the story.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Awkward new student wants to fit in.

Age Range: 12 and up

Subjects: High School, Dysfunctional Family, Obsessive Compulsion Disorder, Friendship, Lying, Moving, Popularity, Outcast, Privilege, Mean Girls, Cliques, Love, Social Life

Kissing Doorknobs by Terry Spencer Hesser

Addiction by Toni Jordon

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

Title: Some Girls Are

Author: Courtney Summers

Publish Date: January 2010

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Pages: 256pp

IBSN: 0312573804

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Annotation: Regina Afton is part of the mean girls clique but not for long as she becomes ostracized by her clique after her best friend, Anna’s boyfriend attacks her and Anna chooses to believe Regina led him on.

Plot Summary: Regina Afton was a member of the mean girls, the Fearsome Fivesome, until Anna the groups leader, finds out that Regina and her boyfriend slept together. But Regina didn’t willingly hook up with up Anna’s boyfriend, rather she was forced. Anna does not want to hear this so she shuns Regina, all the while Kara, another member of the mean girls clique, is enjoying Ragina’s ban. Together, Kara and Anna set out to destroy Regina with cruel attacks that escalate while Regina chooses to fight back with physical violence. As this is all happening, Regina self-reflects about her former life and behaviors, she realizes that she didn’t always treat people well. Her one source of support is one of her former targets, Michael, whom Regina took part in making his life miserable. Michael see’s the connection they have and although his feelings towards her are full of disdain, he reaches out to help Regina.

Personal Response: A very compelling read about the lengths a person will go to fit in and additionally the lengths a person will go to seek revenge. In fact, this story was pretty gritty, I found myself cringing as I read about all the blackmail and fighting. This is a very emotional read and definitely packed with page-turning action.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Fitting in.

Age Range: 12 and up

Subjects: Bullying, Cliques, Revenge, High School, Sexual Assault, Popularity, Friendship, Social Life, Suicide, Mean Girls,

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Shinchi's Canoe by Nicola I. Campbell

Title: Shinchi's Canoe

Author: Nicola I. Campbell

Illustrator: Kim LaFlave

Publish Date: December 2008

Publisher: Groundwood Books

Pages: 40pp

IBSN: 0888998570

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Picture Book

Annotation: Shi-shi-etko is returning to boarding school with her younger brother, Shin-chin, whom is six and has never been away from home before. Being forced to learn a new language and way of life, Shi-shi-etko and Shin-chin find ways to remember their native traditions.

Plot Summary: Shi-shi-etko and her brother Shin-chin are part of the Native people living in Canada. They have to attend boarding school that is far from home. Shi-shi-etko and Shin-chin do not want to go, nor does their family want to send them, but that is the law so they are forced. At school, Shi-shi-etko and Shin-chin are not allowed to speak their native language, or to one another, so they sneak around in order to hold on to their native traditions.

Personal Response: A very touching story that recounts the experiences of Native siblings sent away from their families to attend school. I thought the overall tone of the story was very moving in that it showed the closeness of the siblings and the love of their Native traditions. The illustrations are soft, yet bold with feeling and capture the essence of the story and the bonds of the Native people. I think this is a great read for the history of Native people living in Canada while evoking a heartfelt story about the love of family.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Honoring and remembering your heritage.

Age Range: 4-7

Subjects: First Nations, Native American, Indian, Residential Schools, Picture Book, Brothers and Sisters, Family Relationships, Love, Traditions

Series:

Shi-Shi Etko (2005)

Shinchi's Canoe (2008)

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Parvana’s Journey by Deborah Ellis

Title: Parvana’s Journey

Author: Deborah Ellis

Publish Date: August 2003

Publisher: Groundwood Books

Pages: 199pp

IBSN: 0888995199

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Historical Fiction

Annotation: Parvana is a thirteen-year-old girl disguising herself as a boy in the Tabliban-era in Afghanistan. She sets off from Kabul in search of her missing mother, brother and sister and collects new “family” members, who have all suffered from the war.

Plot Summary: The sequel of The Breadwinner opens with the burial of Parvana’s father and her search for her mother, brother and sister. Parvana, who continues to dress up like a boy, sets out on a journey to locate her missing family members. On this journey, she meets other victims of war whom are around her age. Together, they travel and become each others family, through hunger and sickness. They end up in a camp of refugees and though do not get a happy ending, there remains hope. Mud City is the final installment to this trilogy.

Personal Response: I was so impressed with The Breadwinner, I had to read the sequel and will probably continue the journey with Mud City. Parvana’s Journey continues the theme or glimpse of women’s rights in Afghanistan under the Taliban rule. The story in engaging and at times extremely sad. A great series to open discussions about the affects war has on children and the rights Deborah Ellis is donating a portion of the book price to Women for Women, an organization that supports Afghan women.

http://www.womenforwomen.org/

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Children who have to be braver then they are suppose to be.

Age Range: 10 and up

Subjects: War, Bravery, Afghanistan, Taliban, Survival, Historical Fiction, Independence, Poverty, Family, Government, Culture, Women’s Rights, Children,

Series: Afghan Trilogy

The Breadwinner (2001)

Parvana’s Journey (2003)

Mud City (2004)

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Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel

Title: Silverwing

Author: Kenneth Oppel

Publish Date: September 2007

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Pages: 224pp

IBSN: 1416949984

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Fantasy

Annotation: Shade is a young bat who get’s left behind when his family migrates for the winter. On his journey to rejoin the colony, he meets new friends, discovers enemies, and all the

Plot Summary: A young bat named Shade decides he wants to prove his bravery by catching a glimpse of the sun. In doing so, he breaks an ancient law and the owls retaliate and burn down their roost, forcing the bats to begin their migration. Shade gets caught in a storm and is left behind by his colony during the migration. Full of customs, the imminent war between the bats and birds, and the escapee vampire bat, provides a challenging journey for Shade to return back with his colony.

Personal Response: Love the animal adventure Kenneth Oppel takes his readers on. Sliverwing is an exciting story with dramatic suspense and a thrilling plot and is not a typical fantasy story as the main character is a bat. The ending of the novel leads the reader to the next installment, Sunwing.

~Reader’s Advisory~

Themes: Making your own way and facing your fears.

Age Range: 8 and up

Subjects: Betrayal, Friendship, Fear, Friendship, Enemies, Adventure, Fantasy, Family, Family Relationships, Bullying, Courage

Series: The Silverwing Saga

Silverwing (1997)

Sunwing (1999)

Firewing(2002)

Darkwing (2007)

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