Cannery Row by John Steinbeck (Penguin, 2002; Viking, 1945)

GENRE: Classic Lit

HONORS: None

REVIEW: Steinbeck paints a picture of the small sardine strip in Monterey, California during the time of the Great Depression. The story vividly captures the magic of a place off the beaten path, and revolves around "Mack and the Boys" a group who reside in the Palace Flophouse (an abandoned fishing warehouse). Cannery Row is distinctive for the relationships and antics that involve "the Boys", a marine biologist named Doc, a liquor store owner named Lee Chong, and even a gang of whorehouse women. The respect and loyalty to each other are expressed through the series of the zany antics that they get into and the unspoken roles that each had in the community. The time frame is significant because they were all living in poverty, and had a dependence on one another despite their differences.

OPINION: This is a story that builds its charm through the descriptive scenes of the area and attitudes of the time, rather than a dramatic story line. The book isn't the best first story for those who are unfamiliar to the American author, but it is a fantastic portrayal of a period in California.

IDEAS: English curriculum with a focus in local history.

The Giver by Lois Lowry (Bantam, 1993)

GENRE: "Soft" Science Fiction

HONORS:The 1994 Newbery Medal
1996 William Allen White Award
American Library Association listings for "Best Book for Young Adults", "Notable Children's Book," and "100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990–2000."
A Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book
Winner of the Regina Medal

REVIEW: The book appears to contain some kind of age old wisdom, but in this Utopian society all the wisdom in this story is based on what us readers experience in our own world. All members of this society have a purpose and strict guidelines to follow. There are no choices to be made here; food is delivered daily, certain age levels determine how much you know and what you can do (at age 9 one can start riding a bicycle), and the destiny of one's job in society is predetermined. Jonas is assigned one of the most painful and valued roles as being the receiver of memories, so no one in his society has to feel pain, poverty, or loss, while at the same time, they know nothing of love, family, and simple pleasures. The job of holding an entire society's memories is overbearing and isolating for Jonas and the Giver. Not only do they see the grim, but they also see the results of this system that has devalued the meaning of life.

OPINION: The story of a dystopian society is not a new idea, however Lois Lowry renders a perspective on how a system with no grief or pain has to give up its feelings of happiness as well. The Giver conjured thoughts about the things that matter most to us, and teens will relate to Jonas' passionate and independent character. The indistinct conclusion will give rise to a discussion and has similarity to the endings of Robert Cormier.

IDEAS: A great book for a teen book discussion. This can interweave with activities, such as having teens take black & white photos about things that spark memories and sharing these memories and images with peers.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (Farrar Straus Giroux, 1999)

GENRE: Fiction

HONORS:2009 Margaret A. Edwards Award
American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults
American Library Association Quick Picks for Young Adults
Michael L. Printz Award - Honor
National Book Awards - Finalist
Booklist Editors' Choice
Horn Book Magazine Fanfare List
School Library Journal Best Books of the Year (amongst many others)

REVIEW: No one, not even the readers of this book (unless you read the jacket synopsis) know why Melinda Sordino has given up trying to socialize with her peers. She once had friends, but in the start of freshman year, they have all turned away from her. She has become a loner. Her parents seem uninvolved and her grades have dropped. Sometimes she even ditches class to escape. Anderson captures the social pressures of high school, but even more the trauma that occurs to many women when they have been raped. In this case Melinda did not feel like she had anyone to turn to, and it took a long time for her to gain the courage to tell anyone.

OPINION: This decorated book deserves all the awards that it has been given. It shows how tough a young adult's life can be, especially with the fear and isolation that one faces with being sexually violated. Anderson conveys that it is not always the parents or the authorities that can help; sometimes the smallest gestures of peers and outlets of expression can build one's self esteem.

IDEAS: Banned Book Week, as well as Rape and Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.

Whirligig by Paul Fleischman (Audio Bookshelf,LLC, 2005) - MP3 Audiobook

GENRE: Fiction

HONORS:Books for the Teen Age
New York Public Library
Golden Kite Award
Vermont Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award
Washington Evergreen Award

REVIEW: Whirligig is a bleak story turned bright about Brent, a self-conscious teen who gets behind the wheel after a drunken humiliation at a party from the girl he wanted to swoon. In the mist of his drunken suicide attempt, he hits and kills a girl names Lea, a senior in high school. When the families try to reach a settlement, Lea's mother's wish is for Brent to visit the four corners of San Diego, Seattle, Miami, and a small town in Maine to mound a whirligig. Readers will be attracted to the adventures of a young teen trying to find his way, as well as the transition to the perspectives of the characters in each city. As the story progresses, Brent becomes more skillful at creating the playful ornament, and one sees its random effects on unsuspecting people.

OPINION: Paul Fleischman's stories are distinguishable for their multi-cultural attributes. Lea happens to be of Filipino decent, and on a personal note, I did feel like the way of describing her was a little stereotypical, which is something that I suspected in Seedfolks. The message is still the same, which is that people are good at heart and its the small actions that make a big impact.

IDEAS: A good book for social studies bibliography on multiculturalism.

Birdland by Tracy Mack (Blackstone Audio, 2006) - MP3 Audiobook

GENRE: Realistic Fiction

HONORS: none that I can find

REVIEW: This story is about a Jewish family in New York City that is coming to terms with the death of a loved one. Birdland is told through the eyes of 14-year old Jeb, who is mourning the loss of a brother, Zeke, whom he loved and admired. Jeb finds Zeke's old journal, and decides to film a documentary that retraces his brother's old footsteps in the Lower East Side. The story depicts the neighborhood and its citizens in a detailed, but unmemorable fashion, and Zeke is only characterized by his love of poetry and Charlie Parker. Jeb's curiosity with a young homeless girl that he encounters in his film may lead the whereabouts of Zeke's death. This plot seems enthralling at first, but sets up the reader for impertinence.

OPINION: The audio version of this book has made the family sound African American, rather than Jewish (a detail which I didn't I find out until later). Tracy Mack tries hard to give a hip edge to the story by incorporating artsy interests in big city grit, but the details didn't seem to have any relevancy in the matter. The love of Jeb for his brother is the strongest aspect of the book, but the story line fails to be engaging.

IDEAS: I wouldn't recommend it.

Maus II: A Survivor's Tale: And Here My Troubles Began by Art Spiegelman (Pantheon, 1992)

GENRE: Graphic Novel - Memoir

HONORS: 1992 Eisner Award - Best Graphic Album: Reprint
1992 Harvey Award - Best Graphic Album of Previously Published Work
1993 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Fiction
1993 Angoulême International Comics Festival Awards - Prize for Best Comic Book: Foreign comic
1993 Urhunden Prize

REVIEW: Art Spiegelman continues to interview his father's experiences as a survivor of the Holocaust, and it is in this second part that Art begins to feel some harsh guilt about his parent's past, as well as the present health and will of his father, Vladek. His father's narrative of the events leading to him and Anje's survival run in parallel to his current day behavior and senile attitude that burden Art and his girlfriend's stay with him. Spiegelman is able to elaborate on a very grim event by alternating scenes of the past and present. Art is often found as the one trying to get the facts straight, while his father is the one where readers see the emotion and trauma involved. The reader learns, not only about the torture and ruthless acts of genocide that the Jews had faced, but one also pick's up on Vladek's skill of using his congeniality to make connections and survive.

OPINION: MAUS is an absorbing take on such an unrelenting subject, but Spiegelman has made it deeply alluring to young readers through its presentation and pace.

IDEAS: A must read for a bibliography on the topic of the Holocaust or recommendation of non-fiction graphic novels.

Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History by Art Spiegelman (Pantheon, 1986)

GENRE: Graphic Novel, Historical - Holocaust

HONORS: 1992 Pulitzer Prize - Special Awards, and other international awards

REVIEW: In Maus I, Art Spiegelman, portrays his contemporary life as a cartoonist in New York who documents a story of his father's survival during the overtaking of Jews by Nazi Germany during World War II. Presented in comic book format, the story confronts serious issues concerning the annihilation of the Jewish race, the father's abrasive nature towards his second wife and those around him, as well as the events that lead to the suicide of his first wife and Art's mother, Anja. The characters portrayed in the comic provide a satirical tone to the story where felines are the Nazi's, pigs are the Polish, and mice are the Jews.

OPINION: An engrossing read that vividly captures the tracing of one’s family history. The story touches on how thousands of families were lead to concentration camps or to their deaths for their culture and identity. The comic format and rendered art is visually appealing and conveys a clear dialogue for young people to learn about the tragedy of the Holocaust without plowing through a history textbook.

IDEAS: A great addition to The Diary of Anne Frank, The Sunflower, and Night for high school curriculum about the Holocaust or for libraries to feature during the month of May, which is Jewish American Heritage Month.

The Guerilla Art Kit by Keri Smith (Princeton Architectural, 200)

GENRE: Non-Fiction - Craft

HONORS: none

REVIEW: The Guerilla Art Kit is a carry along reference guide about how to anonymously spread one's message in the world. The spiral bound book begins by stating the value of impermanence because "nothing is life is permanent" and it challenges creators to embraces changes and to become excited about the possibilities how a message has spread in the community. The book provides instructions on how to make homemade stickers, write anonymous love letters, create knitted tags (I have seen these beautiful markers up and around San Jose!), and even organize a scavenger hunt. The book encourages young people to use these crafts to 'beautify', and not cause damage in their neighborhoods, as well as be undercover advocates that challenge ideas and interact freely with the environment.

OPINION: This is another book that expresses a DIY attitude and it will appeal to young people who are bursting with ideas and are looking for a way to express them. This book provides a cleaner alternative to spreading a message without defacing property.

IDEAS: A reference book for a scavenger hunt or teen craft program.

Soulless (The Parasol Protectorate) by Gail Carriger (Orbit, 2009)

Genre: Steampunk

Awards: ALA Alex Awards 2010

Review: Alexia Tarabotti is a spinster, who is too unattractive to find a husband. She also has no soul amongst the society of humans, vampires, and werewolves, which leaves her unaffected by the powers of the supernatural. The accidental murder of an attacking vampire labels Alexia as the prime suspect and responsible for the recent disappearances of other vampires. Older teens will be enthralled with the werewolf, Lord Maccon, who is tempered with a wild side that only Alexia can bring out. The romance aspect of the story wails when they soon discover a surprising and lustful attraction to one another. Without a soul, scientists use Alexia to reprimand the supernatural powers in their experiments, which portrays a humanistic commentary of the misunderstood.

Opinion: The story screams ROMANCE, which may be a selling point for older teens who were once fans of Twlight. Carriger's writing is smart and witty, which makes it extremely enjoyable. The soulless aspect of Alexia and paranormal characters are appealing to those who are over the trend of vampires, and are looking for a different twist of fantasy.

Ideas: A very entertaining transition to adult lit for young fans who enjoy the paranormal romance.

Thomas Riley (Steampunk Novels) by Nick Valentino (Quake, 2009)

GENRE: Fantasy - Steampunk

HONORS: None

REVIEW: Thomas Riley is a celebrated engineer and amateur alchemist who builds weapons for his country, West Canvian, for a war that has lasted over 20 years. His assistant Cynthia Basset is his brilliant mechanic, who has accidentally captured the soul of the daughter of the Duke after an alchemy experiment gone wrong. They are ordered to fix the complication, which send the duo into dangerous territories and bouts with the enemy. A tale full of warfare, pirates, alchemy, and country rivalry is bound to interest any reader in search for an adventure.

OPINION: Steampunk is a fairly recent genre (started in the 1980's), and it is now starting to seep to the surface of the literary world. Nick Valentino is one of the authors out there that is actively writing in the genre, and the small pressings of this book are a sign that this story is for readers with a different knack for fantasy. Although the writing is not well edited, the story is a good introduction to a genre that incorporates fantasy, old technology, and Victorian sophistication.

IDEAS: A good alternative for selectors and younger teen readers who want to read the genre, but are intimidated by length and adult themes of. i.e. Cherie Priest's Boneshaker or Gail Carriger's Soulless.

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Soundtrack by Various Artists (Chop Shop/Atlantic, 2010) - CD

GENRE: Music - Soundtrack

HONORS: none

REVIEW: Every epic movie needs a great soundtrack. Not every teen is (or was) crazy about the Twilight phenomenon, but a significant number were AND are. The Twilight soundtrack had the typical pop class acts, but the New Moon soundtrack was a nice surprise with songs by Thom Yorke, Grizzly Bear, and OK GO!. This time around, they have lightened up the dark mood with a line up that is pleasing and upbeat. Fringe bands like Metric, Bon Iver & St. Vincent, and a collaborative song by Beck and Bat for Lashes are mixed in with the more mainstream, but still cool artists like Vampire Weekend, The Bravery, and The Black Keys. This soundtrack has thoughtful style and an originality that young people can't deem as cheesy as the corresponding movie romance.

OPINION: I have never heard of some of these bands, but the opening song by Metric is a hit. Definitely a soundtrack that is smart and tasteful.

IDEAS: Background music for a Twilight movie showing or book group perhaps.

No Regrets: The Best, Worst, & Most #$%*ing Ridiculous Tattoos Ever by Aviva Yael, P. M. Chen, and David Cross (Grand Central, 2008)

GENRE: Non-Fiction - Costume & Personal Appearance

HONORS: none

REVIEW: "When the hip and affectedly unaffected get a hold of something that belongs culturally to another group, excitement abounds as they then excitedly co-opt it and an open display of competition is set in motion." David Cross opens up this book with a forward that tells the truth about why people behave in such moronic ways. Tattoos may serve as a coming of age mark and a sign of maturity for teens, but this book displays all the "mistakes, bad jokes, and delusions" some have participated in as a permanent sign of insanity. Some of the tattoos are phallic trophies, ugly sayings, and iconic portraits of a bald Britney Spears or Patrick Swayze as a centaur.

OPINION: For many libraries this may be a book ban waiting to happen. I found it in my local library's YA collection with a title about the symbolism of tattoos in urban culture. The tattoos are hilariously lewd and outrageous, and the forward by David Cross is very insightful and equally brilliant. This book serves as a the darker, regrettable side of tattoos that would allow teens to consider the perpetual messages that they tell about a person.

IDEAS: A great book that will give edge to any YA collection. Something that young people will really enjoy, but may have to hide from their parents.

I Love You, Beth Cooper Starring Hayden Panettiere (20th Century Fox, 2009) - DVD

GENRE: Film - Comedy

HONORS: none

REVIEW: An adaptation of the novel by Larry Doyle, this film exploits the aftermath of valedictorian Denis Cooverman expressing his love for wild child Beth Cooper to his graduating class. In addition, he openly comes clean about the truth of some peers in his class. Teens and adults, alike will be enthralled with Heroes star Hayden Panettiere, as Beth and appreciate the 'indie' feel of an unrecognizable cast. Beth is ruthless compared to Denis, where she makes out with a clerk to get liquor and speeds recklessly in her car. Denis, Beth and their friends celebrate graduation as a odd clique, and deal with some dramatic predicaments that result in an amass of unforgettable times.

OPINION: The script is humorous and the cast do a decent job in such a big budget movie. The film may have been produced too cleanly, but the film doesn't fail in creating some outrageous moments. Teens may be drawn to this film because its focus on the cliche "carpe diem" and Denis' film fact driven - ambiguous best friend is also a charmer.

IDEAS: An adult novel that may appeal to teens because of this movie!