Showing posts with label Book-Fiction-Social Issues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book-Fiction-Social Issues. Show all posts

April 24, 2009

Make Lemonade

Title: Make Lemonade
Author: Virginia Euwer Wolff
ISBN: 0-590-48141-X
Recommended Grade Level of Reader: 7th and Up
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Media Type: Book
Copyright:  1993
Genre: Fiction

Reader's Annotation: LaVaughn dreams of going to college and getting out of her terrible neighborhood, but babysitting for a teenage mom may force her to change her plans.

Plot Summary: LaVaughn, a high school student, is determined to go to college. In order to get there, she must save money to pay to her tuition. After school one day, LaVaughn sees a help-wanted flyer for a babysitting position. Interested, LaVaughn contacts the woman advertising for help. Upon meeting the mother, LaVaughn learns that the woman is actually a young teenage girl much like herself. The difference is that the mother, Jolly, has two young children and is only seventeen. LaVaugh helps Jolly throughout the course of the novel not only by babysitting, but also by enrolling Jolly in school. Jolly isn’t the only person to benefit from the situation, however. LaVaugh learns a few good lessons along the way.

Evaluation: (B) Overall, this book was enjoyable. It is written in steam of conscious style which I had to get used to in order to read the passages fluidly. I really enjoyed the subject matter of teen pregnancy and how LaVaughn got to see the struggles of being a young mother. I believe Jolly’s story helped to reinforce LaVaughn’s desire to go to college and get out her neighborhood. While I was interested in the character’s lives, this wasn’t a book that I just couldn’t put down. Nonetheless, I believe that Make Lemonade is a good book for any teenage girl to read.

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Scorpions

Title: Scorpions
Author: Walter Dean Myers
ISBN: 0-06-447066-0
Recommended Grade Level of Reader: 7th and Up
Publisher: HarperTrophy
Media Type: Book
Copyright: 1988
Genre: Fiction

Reader's Annotation: Jamal’s brother has made a lot of bad choices and is now serving jail time. Will Jamal decide to follow in his big brother’s footsteps by joining the Scorpions?

Plot Summary: Scorpions is a novel about a street gang by the same name. Jamal, the twelve year old male protagonist, is being pressured into not only joining the gang, but also becoming the leader. His brother, the former leader of the gang, has been sentenced to jail for committing a violent crime. Jamal is uncomfortable with the idea of becoming a gang member, but is given a gun anyways by his brother’s friend. Eventually, a bully’s actions at school persuades Jamal into declaring himself a member of the Scorpions. While feeling powerful for a while, Jamal and his best friend Tito find that gang life and using weapons is cause for trouble.

Evaluation: (C) This would be a good book for reluctant readers. It is a short read and the writing is simplistic with the exception of a lot of slang language. Some teenagers may be able to identify with this, however. The plot and content of Scorpions highlight the importance of making good decisions. The reader will see many characters throughout the course of the novel, such as Jamal’s brother Randy, paying the consequence for making poor choices. With this, Scorpions may also be a good pick for freshman as teenagers at this stage of their lives will be faced with many difficult decisions throughout high school and beyond.

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Speak (Book)

Title: Speak
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
ISBN: 0-14-240732-1
Recommended Grade Level of Reader:  9th and Up
Publisher: Penguin Group
Media Type: Book
Copyright:  1999
Genre: Fiction

Reader's Annotation: If only they could hear her side of the story then they would understand why she called the cops. So, why can’t Melinda just say something?

Plot Summary: After a terrifying night at a party, Melinda quickly becomes an outcast at school. Everyone blames Melinda for breaking up an end of summer party, but they don’t know the real reason she called the police that night. Slowly, the terrifying events from that night consume her and Melinda is no longer able to talk. She quickly becomes even more of an outcast. Throughout the course of the novel Melinda finds her own ways to deal with what happened that night and finally makes a shocking revelation. 

Evaluation:  (A)  Laurie Halse Anderson provides for a realistic plot line that results in a timeless story.  The events that unfold in Speak have happened to many high school students and, sadly, will continue.  The author describes Melinda's experiences with an impressive amount of realism.  Additionally, Melinda's thoughts and inner dialogue are surprisingly realistic.  Laurie Halse Anderson must have channeled her inner teenager when she penned this novel.          

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Such a Pretty Girl

Title: Such a Pretty Girl
Author:  Laura Weiss  
ISBN:  978-1-416-52183-6
Recommended Grade Level of Reader:  9th and Up
Publisher:  MTV
Media Type: Book
Copyright:  2007
Genre: Fiction


Reader's Annotation:  He took away her innocence and now he's back for more.  

Plot Summary:  Meredith, the teenage female protagonist, is struggling with the early parole of her father.  Meredith’s father was convicted of child molestation when she was twelve.  Not only was Meredith a victim, but also Meredith’s boyfriend Andy and other children as well.  Now that she is fifteen, she is concerned for her safety.  Since her mother already resents her for reporting her father in the first place, Meredith cannot rely on her mother for comfort, support, or protection.  The main character and her friend devise a plan to catch her father in the act should he choose to violate her once again.    

Evaluation:  (C)  This was an easy read and while it is not a bad story, Such a Pretty Girl is not challenging.  Nonetheless, the material is relevant and will offer hope to adolescents who are dealing with or have dealt issues similar to Meredith's.    

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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Title: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Author:  Mark Haddon
ISBN:  978-0-099-45676-6
Recommended Grade Level of Reader:  7th and Up
Publisher:  Red Fox
Media Type: Book
Copyright:  2004
Genre: Fiction










Reader's Annotation:  Wellington has been brutally murdered and Christopher is about to uncover the identity of the ruthless dog killer.   

Plot Summary:  The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time centers on the main character’s quest to uncover the individual responsible for killing his neighbor’s dog.  Christopher, the male protagonist, finds the dog lifeless and takes on the responsibility of locating the murderer in order to remove the cloud of suspicion over his head.  While trying to solve the mystery, he uncovers information about his mother who he previously thought was dead.  After Christopher’s father confesses to killing Wellington the dog, Christopher sets out on a new adventure to find his mother.  The reader sees how his life is affected by the dog incident as well as his expedition to reunite with his mother. 

Evaluation:  (A)  This is a truly unique story with a very clever premise.  Additionally, it was a brilliant choice to make the main character autistic.  Christopher's outlook provides for a refreshingly innocent perspective on life.  He takes things very literally and with that in conjunction with his innocence the story is unsuspectingly funny.      

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The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Title: The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Author: Stephen Chbosky
ISBN: 978-0-671-02734-6
Recommended Grade Level of Reader: 9th and Up
Publisher: MTV
Media Type: Book
Copyright:  1999
Genre: Fiction

Reader's Annotation:  Through letters to his friend, Charlie's true character is revealed. 

Plot Summary:  Charlie, the male protagonist is a high school student struggling with many issues common to teenagers.  Charlie's story is told through a series of letters to an unknown friend.  Through his letters the reader sees that Charlie is multi-faceted and has a propensity towards creativity.  He writes and reads poems as a creative outlet.  He also expresses a love for music.  In sum, Charlie is a very unique, yet highly realistic and relatable character since he writes to his friend about issues ranging from alcohol and relationships to family and his best friend's suicide.     

Evaluation:  (A+)  Chbosky utilizes a unique method of story telling.  The creativity alone in using letters to tell Charlie's story is captivating and provides for suspense. Additionally, Wallflower provides for believability because the letters deal with a plethora of issues. Charlie doesn't focus on one particular area of life, just as real life teenagers deal with many issues and experiences.  This is a great read and young adults will enjoy Charlie's honesty and the material's relevance to their own lives.   

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To Kill A Mockingbird

Title: To Kill a Mockingbird
Author: Harper Lee
ISBN: 978-0-445-08376-9
Recommended Grade Level of Reader: 9th and Up
Publisher: Popular Library
Media Type: Book
Copyright:  1960
Genre: Fiction







Reader's Annotation:  Through prejudice, cowardice, and bravery, a young girl is able to see that some things aren’t always what they seem. 

Plot Summary: Lee’s Pulitzer Prize winner has become a standard on school reading lists across the country. To Kill a Mockingbird is filled with powerful issues such as racism, rape, and injustice and equally powerful lessons and insights. This novel is from the perspective of Scout Finch, a young African American girl in Alabama. As a child, Scout is able to provide an innocent point-of-view on the activities of the town and its citizens. While simple and childlike, Scout is arguably wise for her age as she contends with prejudice and intolerance and is the daughter of a lawyer who defends a black man accused of raping a white woman. With her astute sense of awareness and understanding, Scout’s account makes for an interesting and inspiring read.

Evaluation:  (A+)  It is evident why To Kill a Mockingbird is a required read for high school students across the nation.  From the plot line and the characters to the lessons integrated into the novel, this book has appeal.  The storyline, set in a racially charged south in the 1930s, is believable.  The idea that Atticus Finch is defending a black man on trial and the notion that Scout is fascinated, yet frightened by Boo Radley is realistic.  Furthermore, Lee does an excellent job at intertwining the plot and the subplot in order to bring together a suspenseful climax and a realistic resolution.  Lastly, the author’s ability to subtly incorporate meaningful, timeless lessons such as, “you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them,” (p. 282) gives the novel depth that is critically important to many lesson plans and is thought provoking and relevant even in today’s society.      

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