Extra Credit # 5 Love or Addiction?

Schaeffer, Brenda. Love or Addiction? Expert Publishing/Healthy Relationships. Minnesota 2006.

Annotation: This handbook is a powerful resource for teens and adults in understanding love and if they show signs of addiction. There are many steps and advice on what to do; as well as an audio CD that that has teens in their voices sharing their personal experiences.

Justification for Nomination: This book really I feel would be a useful guide for teens and those trying to understand their emotions when faced with love. Love is a touchy subject for some teens when they are already trying to understand why their bodies our changing. This book provides personal stories for each category. Both genders will find this as a powerful tool. There are stories that would be similar to "Chicken soup for the soul" type. Readers will want to have this book around the house when they are raising a teen, working with them or trying to relate from past experiences. the author currently works in Minneapolis, Minnesota for Healthy Relationships. This book is real, it doesn't give artificial hope it gives great advice for ages fifteenth to twenty-two on what to do in certain situations. Signs your in an abusive relationship, that your possessive, your love addicted etc. Plus there are quizzes to take on love and other romance areas. This book touches on key issues that affect teens emotionally. I read many similar type books that are suppose to be helpful but this one sure meets expectation!

Genre: Romance

Extra Credit # 4 Kissing Doorknobs

Hesser, Terry Spence. Kissing Doorknobs. New York Doubleday, 1998.

Annotation: Eleven-year-old Tara Sullivan has always been a worrier. Then one day, before leaving the house, she finds herself kissing the fingertips and touching the doorknob... She shows many signs that she struggles with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and tons of anxiety.

Justification for nomination: This book isn't your typical story of normal behavior, however I think this story is something young adults and adults can relate too. I'm not OCD but I do worry a lot and that's probably why I never sleep literally. In America there is only a small percent reported who have this condition but think of the cases that aren't? This book brings light to symptoms of this case. This book's cover is illustrated beautifully and shows many symbols of the things that made her OCD. It is a disease that needs more awareness. I would recommend this book read in a middle school or high school health class. Know the signs and seek help. I think this book also opens up to other disease that people need need with. Like clepto's those who steal your favorite pen or shoplifters. I think Tara would have been able to have help if there was some sort of support system around her. Her friends weren't supportive and that's unfortunate. The downfall to this book was it was slow paced. This book also has a few common themes relate to this dealing with relationships and understand the body, sex and drugs and teen pregnancy. This book brings the reader to see what Tara goes through day by day. Uncomfortable at times and even stressful, the reader will feel some anxiety going through a lot of these rituals with Tara as if living through her. It makes you think what would you do if this was your daughter, your friend, your student? What would you do to help?

Genre: Coming of age, Realistic fiction, fiction

Extra Credit # 3 The Key to the Golden Firebird

Johnson, Maureen. The Key to the Golden Firebird. Harper Collins, 2004

Annotation: The gold girls May, Brooks and Palmer, lose their father and struggle with his absences while holding the keys to their dad's favorite car the golden firebird. Sisters that are all very different trying to deal in their own way and yet need something to bring them back together.

Justification for Nomination: I read the other cover version of this book. I really enjoyed it for simply that I could relate to the story of losing my birth father when I was their age. I think many young adults and adults could relate because it's always hard losing someone close to you that you love, especially a parent. No matter how close your relationship is it is a hard thing to deal with. While this book reminded me of the movie Grand Torino with Clint Eastwood, because it too had a beautiful classic car that everyone wanted hence the name. The owner of that car also passed away and passed the car on to someone he thought would truly appreciate it. This book really brings out the emotions that the three sister's are facing and the impact that it has on their development. You never know what it takes to bring a family back together and with the adventure of this car it helps them cope with their father's death in ways you may never have imagined. The book has you asking questions and also would help someone who is dealing with this same or similar situation. Just like their mother who worked nights to support the family, my step dad has always worked nights as long as I knew him and I always had to fend for myself. It maked me grow up faster then I wanted, I never really got to experience the teenage life that most have been able to. A lot of my friend and those around me say I take life too seriously. But when you are left to take care of your siblings it changes you. My mother worked all the time so I didn't see her enough either. This book engages the reader in ways I didn't think it would. I am glad I picked up this book.

Genre: Romance, coming of age, realistic

Extra credit # 2 Hard Love

Wittlinger, Ellen. Hard Love. New York: Simon Pulse, 2001.
Annotation:

Justification for Nomination: The most recent version of this book, since the previous edition was published in 1999. A book a fellow classmate nominated from the previous edition for the Mock Printz award. I personally could connect to this book because I too, have experienced growing up in a home where the idea of love wasn't present in my every day life. Most people can't relate to that and I felt this book was able to open up the idea that not all families are always loving. While my parents aren't divorced like the main character John, the situations and emotions are relate able. Growing up in this environment it is easy to turn to others for a boost of support and also important to seek a role model to inspire you. It's good to find something like a hobby that you enjoy so you can find meaning in your life. John finds something that appeals to him, a magazine writer Marisol someone else he can connect to and share his emotions with. This story also opens up to new ideas of attraction and how you never know who will capture your heart. The other thing I noticed which makes this book different from most romance novels is it speaks the truth in the sense that not all love always has the obviously magic that it is for some. Sometimes it takes a bit more to find it and sometimes someone needs to be hurt in order to find it. This story really hits the emotions I've dealt with when trying to find love.


Genre: Honor book, Coming of Age, Romance

Extra credit # 1 Story of a Girl

Zarr, Sara. Story of a Girl: New York, New York; Little, Brown and Company, 2007.

Annotation: The story of one girl, Deanna Lambert, who struggles with those around her peering at her through a microscope of how imperfect she really is. Shouldn't these imperfections make her more beautiful for just living her own life in her small town?

Justification for Nomination: I was glad that someone picked this book for the Mock Printz nomination, I remember reading it earlier in the semester and was once again torn between two edgy books that are realistic in many factors. I think this book is good for girls to read and for boy to understand how girls can be more sensitive with their emotions. This book is easy for teens to relate to because many teens feel they are always being looked at from under a microscope not as an individual. The author of this story captures a teen girl's emotions well, while still sending the message that teens are being treated unfairly just for being a teen. Teens grow at different rates and this book shows that at coming of age is crucial for growing and succeeding as an adult. That no one is perfect and everyone has a right to make mistake in order to learn from them. I think a lot of the problems faced with Deanna are things that teens are being faced all the time. The pressures to have sex, being able to stand your parents who seem they rather ruin your life then allow you to make mistakes. This book does a good job at telling the realities of things as well as the consequences that can happen. The book I feel is inspiring to anyone trying to find a way out of being a teen. This book examined my own past and how I could have handled situations better.

Genre: Coming of age, edgy-problem, realistic, honor book, fiction.

10. Son of the Mob

Korman, Gordan. Son of the Mob. Hyperion Books: New York. 2002.

Annotation: The son of a big time mobster and the daughter of an FBI agent fall in love, but there is more to that.

Justification for Nomination: This story remind me a lot of Romeo and Juliet with how they come from two different worlds and aren't suppose to connect or have contact with each other. I also picked out this book because the cover was appealing he is hiding behind a bouquet of roses for the one he loves. It is a bit humorous that the intent is to hide and not be obvious what he is doing. I nominated this book for different reasons, its not the type of book I would normally read (romance, mixed with humor and adventure) I mostly like mystery or horror. The more I think about it the more I realize that is how life is. It's never going to go smoothly but with the right touch anything is possible. How someone can be feeling when they fall in love with someone they'd least expected. I myself went through this type of love the unexpected, but isn't that why we love? We never know who that person will be. I liked how Vince showed some of the typical emotions a teenager faces while trying to prove to the world he is more mature then others think. I too, am the daughter of an FBI employee and I knew guys were intimidated by that. It's like how some girls are attracted to the "bad boy image" parents don't want their daughters with them, but you are drawn to the hidden fruit. It's natural to be attracted to someone different from you. I lived a similar experience to the main character. I enjoyed this book, I could connect well to Vince and some other characters. This is defiantly a book I would recommend.

Genre: Humor, Romance, Action

9. When the Emperor Was Divine

Otsuka, Julie. When the Emperor Was Divine. Borzoi Book: New York. 2002.

Annotation: A Japanese family during the Second World War. The father was arrested for treason, the mother, daughter, and son are sent to an internment camp, where the girl tells her brother bedtime stories about the desert beyond the barbed-wire fence, and the boy whispers the forbidden name of the Japanese emperor when he thinks no one is listening.

Justification for Rejection: I wasn't expecting to reject this book. I was disappointed that the author didn't go into more depth with the characters, specifically the Japanese family in the internment camps. I felt this book needed to be improved. I felt like this was a rough draft of what the authors intent was. It felt like a shell that with more nurturing aspects it would have grown into a beautiful piece of writing. The story line is so disconnected that it was hard to stay focused. I also felt the ending of the book could have been changed to leave the reader hanging and make for a better sequel by telling more depth to the Japanese family. I did think the cover of this book was beautiful, the leafy green color was the biggest reason I chose this book and it had a traditional Japanese plant as well. The title of the book was also appealing it had a bit of a mystery to it. This book however, gave me more insight on the emotions that is felt in a Japanese internment camp.

Genre: Adult "Market", Historical fiction,

8. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Schwartz, Alvin and Stephen Gammell. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Scholastic Inc: New York, 1987.

Annotation: This book will appeal to any age, for listening, viewing the drawings or for telling. This collection of folklore retold by Alvin Schwartz has twisted and chilling stories.

Justification for Rejection: Unfortunately I decided to reject this book for mixed reasons. This book is targeted for late elementary and junior high age. I feel this book would be appropriate for early teenagers but not really for adult readers. There was only a handful of stories in this book that gave me chills and the illustrations were eerie. I think the illustrator did an awesome job portraying the stories. The stories were short and I thought they could have had more details and more depth to them. I do feel these stories are important to tell and to past on. I don't feel this book should be on the list of banned books. None of the content of this book I feel is something readers should not be exposed to. This use to be one of my favorite books when I was thirteen, I still think this is a book for that age. It was weird back in May 2009, I saw a lady talk about this particular book on Yalsa and how her children loved it. This book is in a series of scary stories and I think they are apart of our culture and whether or not they are fable they should be told.

Genre: challenged/banned, horror, folklore, fiction.

7. I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You

Carter, Ally. I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You. New York: Hyperion books. 2006.

Annotation: They speak 14 languages, but they don't know how to talk to boys. They are students at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women. While the name implies the epitome of snooty girls’ private school, it is anything but. A school that trains you to be a spy...like James Bond but for girls. They have all the high-tech gadgets, they can blend and infiltrate anywhere, hack any database, mix deadly poison. But there is one code they can't crack.

Justification for Nomination: This isn't your typical romance novel where you find a damsel in distress. It takes place in a private high school for young girls. A compelling young adult book that features appeal to adventure, action, and romance readers. Here and there it could also fill the coming of age or edgy/problem genre. The characters deal with lots of emotions and the typical idea of who am I? These geniuses don't have the social skills to talk to boys. This book fills the romance genre because one character falls in love with a boy out of her league and totally off limits. Is she willing to risk it all for love? This book is from a series. It reminds me of what it was like to be that age, the panic feeling of talking to a crush. Hoping that he too felt the same way. Readers will be able to connect to the characters and relate to their emotions. It might even bring up past crushes. For me I wished I was in the story because it would be cool to be able to learn fourteen different languages, and learn high tech, top security codes for such agencies as the CIA. I really enjoyed this book and I think anyone who is attracted to adventure will too.

Genre: Romance, mystery, action, adventure, coming of age, edgy/problem

6. Famous Crimes: Stories of Law and Order in Minnesota

O'Meara, Sheri. Famous Crimes: Stories of Law and Order in Minnesota. Minnesota: The Minnesota Series. 2008.

Annotation: Take a look back in time to Minnesota's famous crimes, eight stories in all. These stories will have you ask questions while sending chills down your spine. If you happen to visit Saint Paul, Minnesota you may have crossed paths with some of the crime scenes in these stories.

Justification for Nomination: This book is in a series, which showcased a small number of crimes that occurred in Minnesota. Anyone who is interested in real crimes, especially related to their very own state should read this book. While its unfortunate that these crimes occurred it's important for readers to be able to know more about them. It gives insight that not every perfect little community is safe. This book is spread out over several decades and there are vivid photographs from the crime scenes and cases. It uses lots of vivid details that can leave even a uncommitted reader's attention captured.

Genre: mystery, non-fiction.

5. Mississippi Trial 1955

Crowe, Chris. Mississippi Trial 1955. Speak: New York. 2002.

Annotation: Can you imagine growing up in 1955, a grandson to a cotton plantation owner being forced to stand by while African Americans are mistreated just for being darker? A visitor to Greenwood, MS, Emmett Till, befriends Hiram not long after Till's body was found floating in the river. Hiram plans to find the truth but at what cost? What would you do if you hid a big secret that could change your life forever?

Justification for Nomination: This book was written well, here and there had twists and turns that kept me wanting to read more. It had vivid details, I felt I was submerged back in time to 1955 in the deep south when blacks were owned by whites. Within the pages I could sense and feel the emotions that the characters were feeling. The characters throughout the story were well developed. The reader could develop connections to them, and tie emotions to them. The story would switch between the past and the present. At first I thought the main character was African American but as I read he was Caucasian and the grandson to a cotton plantation owner. His father couldn't stand racism and taught his son that hatred wasn't to be tolerated. It makes the reader think, makes you want to ask questions but in order to get the answers it draws you in and it leaves you to ask more question. The different perspectives of the father, grandfather and Hirman made for an interesting story. It's not what I would have expected. The story is built up well from beginning to end. There is no confusion and it's clear what the intention of the author was. It gave insight to life back then and how not all Caucasians supported racism. It provided information connected to Emmett Till murder. What a way to capture an unfortunate event in a young boys life. I would also recommend this book to those who have an interest in knowing or learning more about segregation, equality, and The real life murder of Emmett Till. There is a follow up book this author wrote in regards to Emmett Till's murder. I think because this event happened to Till I believe it's important to share. While I didn't like the language they used to refer to blacks I did think this book had a powerful message.

Genres: Historical Fiction, fiction, ALA, romance, mystery.

4. Hole in my life

Gantos, Jack. Hole in my Life. New York: Farrar Straus & Giroux, 2004.

Annotation: Young adult, Printz award winner reflects on trying to improve his writing skills and his life both in and out of prison.

Justification for Rejection: Throughout the pages the author mentioned a lot of well known books. This book reflected a lot from his teenage youth to being in prison amd his present age was hard to read, and it didn't hold my attention. I am surprised this book won the Printz award. While it holds some interesting points of taking risks, the thrill of being arrested and not realizing the consequences it overall didn't have a nice flow. I really didn't enjoy reading it as it seemed a bit disorganized as it went on. However, I did like how he discussed his need to practice writing and to improve you need to challenege yourself.


Genre: autobiography, memoir, fantasy, realistic/edgy/problem novel.

3. Hanging on to Max

Bechard, Margaret. Hanging on to Max. New York: Simon Pulse 2003.

Annotation: Sam Pettigrew is seventeen, a senior in high school, and a single father to Max. He battles being a good father to his son while trying to finish school.

Justification for Nomination: This book is original, and realistic. Usually you hear about single, teen mom's but this is the perspective of a teen father. My younger brother was a teen father and was on his own while attending high school, working and sports. This book gives a positive outlook that not all teen dads are dead beats but can be just as loving and responsible. Sam is a good student who finds ways to balance his responsibilities as well as keeping his priorities straight. I think many teens and even young parents could relate to this story and feel connected to the emotions brought out from it. While I'm not a parent, I am an educator and I feel this book while it goes from past to present it reflects the life of a teen from the age of thirteen to Sam's current age of seventeen. It also discusses crushes, sex, romance, common relaties of teenage life. I original read this book when I thought it was a honor book, however, it wasn't but still should be nominated for this award.

Genre Categories: fiction, realistic, edgy, and problem.

2. Viva La Vida! (Long Live Life)

Bernier-Grand, Carmen. Frida: Viva la Vida! (long live life) New York: Marshall Cavendish Corp. 2007.

Annotation: Long live life. Frida's paintings capture the poets patience, flow of words, using vivid details and enriched in color. It also captures the long life that Frida endeared.

Justification for Rejection:
The reason I am rejecting this book has nothing to do with me not being a huge fan of poetry but this book wasn't what I expected. The book was quite short. The poems were about Frida's life growing up in Mexico. It was hard at times to read let alone understand because of the occasional words in Spanish used within the poems. There wasn't a translation to the words so I felt disconnected from the poems. I do know some Spanish,but not all that was in the book. I did however, enjoy her paintings, specifically her watermelon one which was the title of the book Viva la Vida. Summer is approaching and watermelon is my favorite summer fruit. I would recommend this book to others who enjoy modern art or can understand Spanish. It also shared insight about her life growing up.

Genre: Poetry, modern art, and biography.

1. Fat Kid Rules The World

Going, K. L. Fat Kid Rules The World. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. 2003.

Annotation: Seventeen year old Troy Billings is six-foot-one, 296 pounds. He befriends the popular, skinny, homeless, punk rock singer, Curt MacCrae. Thought they are complete opposites they shared a sacred bond while still living similar lives.

Justification for Nomination: While this book does use explicit language, sexual reference, and drug use it fits the typical teenager striving to belong to something. Troy Billings, battles issues with his weight, has to compete with his perfect, athletic, little brother. He is self-conscious of people staring at his fat. He makes fun of being fat with these catchy headlines. He talks about suicide as if it was as natural as breathing. He befriends this punk rock, homeless popular guy that everyone admires. The more time he spent with this guy the more he realized he too could belong to something special. Besides the relationship Troy shared with Curt he also shared a sometimes complex one with his retired marine father. Like most parents they then tend to forget what it was like to be a teenager and how their emotions can affect them. Thought I never had over-weight issues, I can relate to Troy. The feeling of being too thin at his age and how I thought people perceived me. I also had a complex relationship with my father but knew deep down he still loved me. I haven't read a novel in over five years and this book caught my attention that I couldn't put it down.

Genre Categories: Honor book, fiction, challenged, censored, coming of age, realistic, and edgy