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,

Similar Titles:

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Boys, Girls and Other Hazardous Materials by Rosalind Wiseman

The Everafter by Amy Huntley

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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Sunwing by Kenneth Oppel

The Capture by Kathryn Lasky

Stellaluna by Janell Cannon