39. Ghost World

Ghost World. Directed by Terry Zwigoff. 111 min. DVD MGM. 2002, ASIN: B00005T30L.









Plot Summary
Enid and Rebecca couldn't be more thrilled that high school is finally over, except for the fact that Enid has to take a remedial summer art class in order to graduate. Rebecca is ready to get an apartment and a job but Enid is stuck in a funk that is holding Rebecca back. From the time they were little kids, they dreamed of getting an apartment together and now it seems like it might not happen. This reality causes their friendship to drift, and because of it, Enid starts to spend more time with her new friend Seymour. Seymour is an eccentric old man, whose life revolves around old jazz records. When Seymour finally gets a girlfriend, Enid feels like a ghost in her own life, and has to make a decision about what to do, and who to become.

Critical Evaluation
The world is changing. Corporate America and modern retro fast food diners litter the skyline in Terry Zwigoff's film Ghost World. His characters Enid and Rebecca wander through this landscape of adulthood and try to find entertainment in the irony. They are a pessimistic breed of teenager who find joy in the lost and eccentric people that inhabit the world around them. Exploring the theme of being lost is something that rings true throughout the film. Enid never quite knows her place, and when she is finally given an opportunity to explore something she's interested in, she ruins it through her own careless decisions.

Enid feels like a ghost in her own life, wandering aimlessly, making the wrong decisions, and losing the people she holds closest. Throughout all the upset and tragedy the film remains darkly humorous because of the witty dialogue and comedic situations the characters are placed in. This coming of age film about a young girl trying to find her place in the world, is something that both adults and teenagers can relate to. This dark look at growing up is a classic representation of the changing American landscape.

Reader's Annotation
While the rest of the world goes through the motions, high school graduates Enid and Rebecca follow satanists, torture their friend Josh, and drift apart when Enid befriends an old jazz enthusiast named Seymour.

Director Information
Film director Terry Zwigoff got his start in the film business after discovering a recording of an obscure blues artist named Howard Armstrong. After extensive research Zwigoff shot a documentary about the musician called Louie Bluie that premiered at Telluride and Sundance before receiving a theatrical run. It wasn't until his work on the documentary about eccentric comic book artist Robert Crumb that Zwigoff would receive the acclaim that he deserved. Throughout his career as a filmmaker, Zwigoff has only worked on smaller films that he has felt passionately about. His film Ghost World was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2001, and remains today an art house favorite.

Genre
dark comedy

Curriculum Ties
adaptation Screenwriting

Reading Level
Grades 10+

Challenge Issues
depression, language, sex, racism

Challenge defense ideas:
1. Make sure you are familiar with your library collection and the book in question.
2. Be familiar with your library collection policy.
3. If possible, speak with the person challenging the material and make sure they feel comfortable. Ask the customer what they disliked or disapproved of in the resource. If they still insist on challenging the material give them instructions on how to file a formal complaint.
4. Research professional reviews that speak to the material's merit, and get input from teen readers on why they found the book important.

Reason For Selection
Ghost World is a groundbreaking piece of cinema adapted directly from the pages of underground comic book writer Daniel Clowes. The quirky and pessimistic teen characters in this film are relatable to teens today, and for that reason I feel that this title is important for review.

40. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian

Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian. ISBN: 978-0-316-06820-8. Knopf. First Edition, 2006.










Plot Summary
Arnold Spirit, known as Junior, upsets the balance on the Welpinnit Indian Reservation by choosing to get a better education at an all white high school 20 miles away. Junior is tired of the impoverished circumstances of his people, and snaps one day in class when he receives a geometry text book with his mother's name inscribed in the jacket. Arnold wants a better life for himself, but in doing so he loses his best friend Rowdy, and the respect of the Spokane Indians. At his new school, Junior makes friends with the school nerd Gordy, manages to make the varsity basketball team, and even scores a girlfriend along the way. In this coming of age tale, Arnold must discover who he is, what he wants in life, and how to maintain his culture in modern society.

Critical Evaluation
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian is a comedic, and heartbreaking look at life on the Welpinitt Indian reservation for a young boy with big dreams. The novel is told from the perspective of a Spokane Indian teenager named junior, who discusses his life through a series of cleverly crafted diary entries, complete with doodles, sketches, and his own personal comedic commentary. The comedic tone of the novel is often interrupted by the harsh realities of reservation life. Junior has to deal with issues like violence, poverty, and alcoholism on a daily basis. He never knows how he is going to get to school or if he is going to have a meal to eat at the end of the day. Alexie weaves these hardships into an outcast character who has nothing but hope to keep him motivated. Junior hopes for a better tomorrow, he wants to see the world, get an education, and become a cartoonist.

Junior displays all of his hopes and tragedies in the pencil and pen artwork of artist Ellen Forney. Forney's simple illustrations capture the essence of teenage life, and add humor to the misfortunes in Junior's story. The themes of overcoming hardship and tragedy will help teens with similar struggles as a means to cope and give inspiration.

Reader's Annotation
Arnold Spirit is the butt of everyone's jokes and fists living on the Welpinitt Indian Reservation. Life gets worse when Arnold decides to get a better education by going to an all white school because his people and best friend feel like he has abandoned them and their culture.

Author Information
Sherman Alexie was born in 1966 and grew up on the Spokane Indian Reservation in Wellpinit, Washington. He was born with a hydrocephalic brain, which caused seizures throughout his early childhood. Alexie was a voracious reader as a child, was a star basketball player, and transferred to an all white high school to receive a better education. These events in his life inspired his first novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian.

Alexie went to the University of Gonzaga on a scholarship, and then later to the University of Washington where he discovered a passion for writing and poetry. Alexie's first published works, The Business of Fancydancing, and I Would Steal Horses, were the start of a career that would blossom into many different outlets. Alexie has gone on to work in film, as a public speaker, and even as a stand up comedian. Alexie Continues to write from his home in Seattle, Washington.

Genre
realistic fiction, problem novel

Curriculum Ties
reservation life

Book Talking Ideas
Describe reservation life.
Why does the tribe feel like Arnold is abandoning them?
Discuss the therapeutic nature of keeping a diary.

Reading Level
Grades 8+

Challenge Issues
violence, racism, language

Challenge defense ideas:
1. Make sure you are familiar with your library collection and the book in question.
2. Be familiar with your library collection policy.
3. If possible, speak with the person challenging the material and make sure they feel comfortable. Ask the customer what they disliked or disapproved of in the resource. If they still insist on challenging the material give them instructions on how to file a formal complaint.
4. Research professional reviews that speak to the material's merit, and get input from teen readers on why they found the book important.

Reason For Selection
I have never read a contemporary work of fiction written by a Native American author from the perspective of a Native American teenager. This novel gives readers insight to what life is like for a teenager living on a reservation and the struggle between balancing your culture with success in America.

41. The Virgin Suicides

The Virgin Suicides. Directed by Sofia Coppola. 97 min. DVD Paramount. 1999, ASIN: B00003CXH1.








Plot Summary
The Lisbon sisters are an eclectic group of girls who live under the oppressive rule of their parent's conservative values. They aren't allowed to date, to go to school dances, or drive with boys. Without any freedom, the girls are kept indoors and remain a mystery to the boys in the neighborhood. These boys develop a devotion and fanaticism for the girls. The boys document a series of events involving the Lisbon sisters that they will never be able to piece together. Starting with the suicide of the youngest Lisbon daughter Cecilia, the family is sent on a staggering downward spiral from which there is no recovery.

Critical Evaluation
Sofia Coppola paints a staggering picture of conservative, Christian values in her adaptation of Jeffrey Eugenidas' The Virgin Suicides. Viewers witness the lives of the Lisbon daughters through the eyes of the neighborhood boys who are fanatically devoted to them. With each glimpse into their oppressed lives, we see another part of the mystery surrounding their tragic end. The soft cinematography and use of lens flares during montage sequences give the girls an angelic feel to represent the pure nature their parents seek to preserve.

When Lux Lisbon gets drunk and falls asleep with heartthrob Trip Fontaine on the 50 yard line of the high school football field, the girls are all punished. The sisters literally turn into prisoners of their parents values. They miss school, burn their records, and are only able to experience the outside world from the help of the boys who adore them. The film has an ominous tone from start to finish, with an eerie soundtrack provided by electronic group Air. The voice over dialogue from the neighborhood boys sounds like detectives talking over that one unsovled case that has haunted their entire career. This film and its ability to portray a very real and shocking portrayal of American life is an important reminder of the effects our values have on those we force them upon.

Reader's Annotation
The Lisbon sisters were a mystery and an obsession for the boys who knew them. They would know them better if it weren't for the girls' conservative and oppressive parents, and now it seems they might not ever will.

Director Information
Sofia Coppola is the daughter of famed film director Francis Ford Coppola. Growing up the daughter of a film legend, movie making and directing were always a passion for her. Before breaking into the film business on her own, Coppola tried painting, photography, fashion design, and acting. Eventually Coppola followed in her father's footsteps and became a director. In 2003, she became the first female to be nominated for Best Director at the academy awards for her work on the film Lost in Translation. Coppola's script for Lost in Translation would go on to win an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Since Lost in Translation Sofia has gone on to direct the period piece Marie Antoinette, and she is currently involved in the production of the film Somewhere.

Genre
drama, mystery

Curriculum Ties
depression, teenage suicide

Reading Level
Grades 10+
Challenge Issues
suicide, sex

Challenge defense ideas:
1. Make sure you are familiar with your library collection and the book in question.
2. Be familiar with your library collection policy.
3. If possible, speak with the person challenging the material and make sure they feel comfortable. Ask the customer what they disliked or disapproved of in the resource. If they still insist on challenging the material give them instructions on how to file a formal complaint.
4. Research professional reviews that speak to the material's merit, and get input from teen readers on why they found the book important.

Reason For Selection
When I think of a well made movie involving teens, the first film I think of is The Virgin Suicides. The portrayal of conservative American life is as haunting as the chilling ending. Suicide is a serious topic, and this movie has the ability to get teens thinking about the issue.

42. The Hunger Games

Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. ISBN: 978-0-375-83531-5. Knopf. First Edition, 2006.









Plot Summary
Katniss is a 16-year old girl growing up in the oppressed society of Panem. Panem is divided into 12 districts controlled by the lavish and luxurious rule of the Capital. There used to be 13 districts, but when district 13 tried to rebel against oppression, the capital bombed the district until nothing remained. As punishment to the people and as a reminder of their insubordination, the Capital televises an annual event known as the Hunger Games. Two children from each district are selected to participate in a televised event where they must kill each other until only one child remains. The winner is set for life, bringing wealth and security home to his or her family. When Katniss' sister Prim is chosen for the games, Katniss volunteers to take her place. From this moment on she is forced to use her skills as a hunter to fend for herself in the Hunger Games arena. In the arena, Katniss faces hardship, injury, tragedy, and perhaps a dash of love.

Critical Evaluation
Author Suzanne Collins weaves a tale of survival, government corruption, and media propaganda into a thrilling narrative that evokes the feeling of being the hunter and the hunted. The Hunger Games explores dismal themes about society and human nature when a group of twenty four children are forced to murder one another for the entertainment of the viewing public. This modern gladiator story forces the characters to find a way to be true to themselves, their families, and their districts. This survival tale has the power to get readers questioning their own government, media, and actions. Collins' characters must react and adapt quickly to the harshness of their situation and surroundings, and as individuals they must grow at a pace to match. The Hunger Games proves that no matter the hardship or oppression your actions and your thoughts are your own, and nobody, not even the government can take them away from you.

Reader's Annotation
Welcome to Panam, where the biggest televised event is a fight to the death between 24 of the nation's children.

Author Information
Author Suzanne Collins got her start working on the popular Nickelodeon television series Clarissa Explains it All and The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. Suzanne moved on from Nickelodeon to work for the WB and Scholastic. Her career as an author did not come to fruition until she became inspired by Alice in Wonderland and wrote her first novel Gregor the Overlander. Collins is currently working on the third installment in her Hunger Games trilogy titled Mocking Jay.

Genre
survival fiction

Curriculum Ties
government, survival

Book Talking Ideas
Discuss propaganda in the media.
Discuss gladiators.
How is our society today like society in The Hunger Games?

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 10+

Challenge Issues
violence

Challenge defense ideas:
1. Make sure you are familiar with your library collection and the book in question.
2. Be familiar with your library collection policy.
3. If possible, speak with the person challenging the material and make sure they feel comfortable. Ask the customer what they disliked or disapproved of in the resource. If they still insist on challenging the material give them instructions on how to file a formal complaint.
4. Research professional reviews that speak to the material's merit, and get input from teen readers on why they found the book important.

Reason For Selection
The Hunger Games is a great commentary on how the government can control the people it oversees. It will help to open discussion amongst teenage readers about the power of government, survival, and maintaining your identity through oppression.

43. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Cohn, Rachel and Levithan, David. Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist. ISBN: 978-0-375-83531-5. Knopf. First Edition, 2006.









Plot Summary
When teenage bassist Nick O'leary runs into his ex-girlfriend Tris after a gig in Manhattan, he convinces a flannel wearing Nora to pretend to be his girlfriend for the next five minutes. Nick is a music freak and Nora is the daughter of a famous record executive. With a kiss, they hit it off in their own quirky way. For the remainder of the night, they go on a series of adventures and missed connections until the sun rises and everything seems to come together. This novel is a night of music, love, and adventure told through language and dialogue that teens understand and enjoy.

Critical Evaluation
Author's David Levithan and Rachel Cohn add a unique voice to the genre of teen romance by alternating chapters between both the male and female perspective of a romantic night in Manhattan. The insight from both perspectives adds humor to the novel and gives readers insight to how two people can view the same situation completely differently. Nick and Nora are two heartbroken teens who find love when they least expect it. The theme of unexpected love explored in this title is both refreshing and exciting. Manhattan is the perfect backdrop to this romantic adventure, and Nick and Nora take full advantage of all the city has to offer, from a crossdressing stip show to the ice room in a times square hotel. Teen readers will enjoy the fast paced plot, pop culture references, and painstaking detail to illustrate the underground music scene. Nick and Nora turns an unexpected kiss into a wild adventurous read that can be enjoyed by both teenage boys and girls.

Reader's Annotation
Nick is a bassist in your average high school queer-core band. One night in Manhattan after a gig, Nick runs into his ex-girlfriend Tris who just broke his heart. Nick asks the first girl he sees if she'll pretend to be his girlfriend for the next five minutes, and the rest of the night turns into much more.

Author Information
David Levithan and Rachel Cohn are both YA novelists and friends. Together one summer they created Nick and Nora's infinite Playlist by alternating chapters between the male and female voice. This successful partnership has continued with the publication of their second novel together titled Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List.

Genre
romance

Curriculum Ties
N/A

Book Talking Ideas
How much does similar taste in music reflect compatible romance?
Discuss Nick's perspective and Nora's perspective on the same events.

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 10+

Challenge Issues
homosexuality, sexual content

Challenge defense ideas:
1. Make sure you are familiar with your library collection and the book in question.
2. Be familiar with your library collection policy.
3. If possible, speak with the person challenging the material and make sure they feel comfortable. Ask the customer what they disliked or disapproved of in the resource. If they still insist on challenging the material give them instructions on how to file a formal complaint.
4. Research professional reviews that speak to the material's merit, and get input from teen readers on why they found the book important.

Reason For Selection
Teen romance is a genre I seem to avoid, and the pop culture and music influence in this novel was something I found appealing. I wanted to include a couple of Romance titles in my blog and David Levithan's work kept coming up in our readings.

44. Capt. Hook

Hart, J.V. Capt. Hook. ISBN: 0-06-000220-4-9. Harper Collins Publishers. First Edition, 2002.










Plot Summary
Growing up the Bastard son of Lord B. James Mathew has led the kind of life that only money can buy. He wears fine clothes, has had world class training in fencing, and now he is about to embark on the exclusive Eton Academy. It doesn't take long for James to make a name for himself. During his short stay at Eton, James quickly befriends a boy named Jolly Roger and also becomes the target for upperclassman Arthur Darling. These upperclassmen can beat new students as they see fit and James soon finds himself at the receiving end of the whip. Upon being beaten, it is discovered that James is different, he doesn't scream and his blood bleeds yellow. From that moment onward he is known as the mutant and becomes a hero for the students who feared Darling's wrath. Soon James befriends poisonous spiders, falls head over heals for a beautiful Sultana, and finds himself on a journey at sea that will change his life forever.

Critical Evaluation
Capt. Hook delves into the life of one of literature's most notorious villains and outcasts. This look at a teenage Hook and his outcast persona is something that teenagers today can relate to. As a coming of age story, Capt. Hook is steeped in action and adventure, creating a brisk pace in accompaniment to wonderful pencil illustrations by artist Brett Helquist. These illustrations are presented at each of the chapter heads and at crucial points in the story, giving insight into the world of Victorian England. The novel is suitable for younger readers, but the difficult vocabulary make the title more suitable for older teens. This novel shows that even an outcast can rise to fame and glory, and this message will definitely have appeal to the teens readers who seek it out.

Reader's Annotation
The young adult life of literature's most notorious pirate might not be so villainous after all. Before Captain Hook, there was James Mathew, an orphan child trying to make a name for himself as an outcast at the Eton Academy.

Author Information
J.V. Hart is a critically acclaimed screenwriter, who has worked on films such as: Hook, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Contact, and Muppet Treasure Island. Capt. Hook is Hart's first novel and a portion of the proceeds from the novel's sales will go to the Peter Pan Children's Fund.

Genre
Adventure

Curriculum Ties
Victorian Life, slave trade

Book Talking Ideas
What events in James' life do you think led him to become a villain?
Describe James life, then ask, does this sound like the kind of person who would become one of the world's most notorious villains?

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 7+

Challenge Issues
violence, slavery

Challenge defense ideas:
1. Make sure you are familiar with your library collection and the book in question.
2. Be familiar with your library collection policy.
3. If possible, speak with the person challenging the material and make sure they feel comfortable. Ask the customer what they disliked or disapproved of in the resource. If they still insist on challenging the material give them instructions on how to file a formal complaint.
4. Research professional reviews that speak to the material's merit, and get input from teen readers on why they found the book important.

Reason For Selection
The world of Peter Pan has always interested me. The depiction of a teenage Hook, before his villainous ways, was something I found intriguing and worth reading about. For teens interested in the anti-hero, there is none greater than Captain Jas Hook.

45. Vimanarama

Morrison, Grant. Vimanarama. ISBN: 1-4012-0496-1. DC Comics, 2005.









Plot Summary
Ali is an English teenager nervously awaiting an arranged marriage. He is a student and Artist and his family works hard at a corner shop to support him. Ali has decided that if the woman he is to marry is ugly or dull that God hates him, and that he will kill himself. Then on the day he is to meet his bride Sofia, he gets a call that his brother is trapped in the family shop. The shop floor has collapsed, revealing a secret underground city. To make matters worse, the baby in the family, Imran, has ventured into its depths. Ali takes it upon himself to be the hero and goes after Imran with Sofia's help. They locate Imran, but it is too late, because the baby has accidentally unleashed an ancient army from hell with the technology to destroy the human race. Ali and Sofia then accidentally summon the Ultra-Hadeen, a race of ancient super heroes, to help stop the evil army. The story takes a turn when the leader of the Ultra-Hadeen falls in love with Sofia. Ali must save the world and compete with a superhero for the love of his bride to be.

Critical Evaluation
Vimanarama definitely has appeal for the teenage boy. It's illustrations are bright, loud, and feature an army of hell soldiers determined to destroy the world. There's also a love story that features an attractive young girl, which doesn't hurt. Ali, the stories protagonist, has to deal with his fate and accept the outcome of his arranged marriage. He also has to deal with saving the planet from the chain of events that he is responsible for creating. In doing so, he becomes the hero he has always imagined himself to be. Ali is quirky, funny, and is relatable to any boy anywhere.

The problem with the story doesn't rest with the characters, but with the plot. The illustrations help to visualize Morrison's strange world of godlike superheros and robots, but understanding what is going on is often difficult despite the artists attempt to make sense of the story. Despite it having one of the strangest plots I've ever read, the story is important and relevant because it deals with the issue of arranged marriage. Teenagers living in cultures that practice arranged marriages can read this and explore the same feelings of doubt and apprehension that they might be feeling. Morrison weaves this issue into a story full of explosions and a little love. Vimanarama makes for an interesting read, but don't expect it to creep into any summer reading lists.

Reader's Annotation
Ali is nervously awaiting his first encounter with his prearranged bride to be. This meeting is less than ideal when he accidentally unleashes an ancient army of soldiers who will stop at nothing to destroy the planet and his chance at love.

Author Information
For the past 20 years, Grant Morrison has been one of the most influential writers in the comic book industry. He is the author of the Critically acclaimed and best selling graphic novel Batman Arkham Asylum, as well as the groundbreaking original series The Invisibles. He has also won Eisner Awards for his work on the comic series Seven Soldiers of Victory and All Star Superman.

Morrison's use of anti-establishment themes and exploration of counter culture have made him an icon for comic book fans seeking new and innovative work in their favorite format. For more information on the prolific work of Grant Morrison visit www.grant-morrison.com

Genre
graphic novel, superhero, issues

Curriculum Ties
Indian culture

Book Talking Ideas
Discuss arranged marriage in other cultures.
Describe Ali, and his grim look on life.
Why does Ali feel that the gods hate him?

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 9+

Challenge Issues
religion, suicide

Challenge defense ideas:
1. Make sure you are familiar with your library collection and the book in question.
2. Be familiar with your library collection policy.
3. If possible, speak with the person challenging the material and make sure they feel comfortable. Ask the customer what they disliked or disapproved of in the resource. If they still insist on challenging the material give them instructions on how to file a formal complaint.
4. Research professional reviews that speak to the material's merit, and get input from teen readers on why they found the book important.

Reason For Selection
Vimanarama is so much more than a superhero novel. I wanted to include graphic novels in my blog that dealt with serious issues, and then I happened to come across Vimanarama, which discusses the complicated issue of arranged marriage while providing the entertaining action of religious superheros. This sounds like a lot to handle, and it is, but the inside look into the thought process involved in dealing with arranged marriage is beneficial for teenage readers.

46. The Tale of One Bad Rat

Talbot, Bryan. The Tale of One Bad Rat. ISBN: 1-56971-077-5. Dark Horse Comics Inc. First trade paperback edition, 1995.









Plot Summary
Helen is a teenage runaway who is running from the sexual abuse and neglect she received from her father and mother. She hates herself because of how she has been treated and with nobody to turn to she becomes lost in her only fond memories growing up. These fond memories come from reading the tales of Beatrix Potter and drawing her storybook characters. Helen begins her journey with her pet rat to Hill Top where Beatrix Potter wrote the stories she cherishes. Along the way she faces more heartache but in doing so she finds the strength she needs to confront her father and move on with her life.

Critical Evaluation
Bryan Talbot's The Tale of One Bad Rat is one of the most important works of graphic fiction today because of the complex issues that it deals with. It is one of the first comics to deal with incest, molestation, and emotional abuse from the victim's point of view. Talbot set out to create a piece of fiction that felt real, and that depicted the English Lake District. Somewhere along the way he found his story in the same setting that inspired the wonderful tales of Beatrix Potter. Talbot intertwines the life of Beatrix with Helen's in a way that they are one in the same; two separate young woman both escaping hardship in pursuit of the clarity and freedom of the countryside.

Beatrix's story inspires Helen to escape her dangerous living situation in order to discover how to live after abuse. The journey is hard and Helen is homeless most of the time with her only friend, a pet rat. When she finally learns to trust again an older couple helps her get on her feet. She researches how to deal with the complex feelings she has after her 8 years of abuse, and gains the strength and courage to stand up to her abuser.

I can't stress the importance of a book like this for young children who have had to experience sexual abuse. Talbot did his research to make the novel as real as possible. He lists phone numbers for people experiencing abuse to call in order to help deal with their problems and his novel has been incorporated as a resource for child abuse centers in both the United Kingdom and United States.

Reader's Annotation
Helen is a teenage runaway with a history of sexual abuse from her father. Seeking safety, she turns to the only place she feels at home; the scenes from her favorite storybooks.

Author Information
Bryan Talbot is a comic book legend who is credited for bring one of the creators of the graphic novel format. His first illustrations were published in 1969, and he has continued to work both on indie and mainstream publications ever since. In 2000, he received the Inkpot Award for outstanding achievement in Comic Arts. Talbout's work on the graphic novel Tale of One Bad Rat earned him the prestigious Eisner Award in 1996. Talbout is currently working on the British comic book series Grandville, which follows a Badger detective as he uncovers the facts around a political killing in Paris.

For more info check out: http://www.bryan-talbot.com

Genre
graphic novel, realistic fiction

Curriculum Ties
child Abuse, Life of Beatrix Potter, comics as literature

Book Talking Ideas
Why does Helen occupy herself with the art of Beatrix Potter?
Discuss the symbolism that rats have in different cultures.

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 9+

Challenge Issues
incest, violence, sex, language

Challenge defense ideas:
1. Make sure you are familiar with your library collection and the book in question.
2. Be familiar with your library collection policy.
3. If possible, speak with the person challenging the material and make sure they feel comfortable. Ask the customer what they disliked or disapproved of in the resource. If they still insist on challenging the material give them instructions on how to file a formal complaint.
4. Research professional reviews that speak to the material's merit, and get input from teen readers on why they found the book important.

Reason For Selection
I have always been a fan of comic books and graphic novels, but like most avid comic readers, the majority of materials I read involve superheros. I wanted to use this blog assignment to explore the other genres of graphic fiction that exist and I have been pleasantly surprised by the range of genres, publishers, and authors working in more realistic graphic fiction.

47. Tithe

Black, Holly. Tithe. ISBN: 0-689-84924-9. Simon & Schuster. First Edition, 2002.











Plot Summary
From the time Kaye was a child she has been able to see things that others can't, but not knowing exactly what these creatures were she called them her imaginary friends. These friends Lutie-Loo, Spike, and Gristle are from the land of Faerie. Kaye is also able to subconsciously bring magic to fruition by visualizing the thoughts in her head. At the age of sixteen she leads a less than picture perfect life. Her mother is an unsuccessful rock star who forces Kaye to travel from town to town and school to school. Kaye eventually drops out of high school and gets a job to support her mother, until one day her mother's boyfriend Lloyd tries to kill her after one of her performances. This event forces Kaye and her mother to move in with their less than enthusiastic grandmother. One night after going to a party with friends, kaye disrupts the balance of the Faerie world by saving the life of Roebin, an injured Faerie Knight. Kaye falls in love with Roebin and she soon becomes a player in a plot to overthrow the evil ruler of the Unseelie Faerie court. Along the way, she reunites with her old imaginary friends, discovers here true identity, and has to deal with heartbreaking tragedy.

Critical Evaluation
Holly Black's urban fantasy novel Tithe plays out like a bad movie, but at least an enjoyable bad movie. Her character's are flat and uninteresting, and some, who are supposed to be important, are not really described at all. The problem with having flat characters is that you are not interested in what happens to them, even when they are drowned at the hands of a mythical creature called a Selkie. Another huge problem in the novel is the complicated plot because Black's world of Faeries has so many different rules, allegiances, and alliances that you almost have to break out a paper and pen to sort everything out.

Despite all of the flaws, I can understand why a teenage girl would find the novel appealing. It deals with unattainable love, living the life of faerie, and controlling boys minds with your magic powers. It also has some fun moments where Kaye makes a carousel horse come to life and when she discovers she was swapped for a human child at birth. The novel also introduces teen readers to the world of Faeries and mythical creatures that they might not be accustomed to, and for that reason alone it is worth while. I wouldn't recommend this book, but I think that there is a place for it for the right reader.

Reader's Annotation
Kaye Fierch can see things her friends can't and she can make things happen simply by using her imagination. Her world changes forever when she falls in love with a Faeire Knight and discovers that she is a Pixie.

Author Information
Holly Black is a bestselling fantasy author for teens and children. She is currently working on a graphic novel series called The Good Neighbors as well as novel about curses called The White Cat. When she isn't drinking coffee, or reading in her secret library, she enjoys playing with her cats, and writing in her journal at: http://blackholly.livejournal.com

Genre
fantasy, urban fantasy

Curriculum Ties
English, folklore

Book Talking Ideas
How would you feel if you found out that you were not human?
Discuss immortality.
How does Black's World of Faerie differ from modern perceptions?

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 9+

Challenge Issues
sexual content, language, violence

Challenge defense ideas:
1. Make sure you are familiar with your library collection and the book in question.
2. Be familiar with your library collection policy.
3. If possible, speak with the person challenging the material and make sure they feel comfortable. Ask the customer what they disliked or disapproved of in the resource. If they still insist on challenging the material give them instructions on how to file a formal complaint.
4. Research professional reviews that speak to the material's merit, and get input from teen readers on why they found the book important.

Reason For Selection
Urban fantasy for teens is a genre that I am not very familiar with. I wanted to use this blog assignment as a means to force myself to become familiar with genres and materials that I am reluctant to read. While I didn't particularly enjoy this novel, I did enjoy the sequel Valiant. Another reason that I included this novel was because it is mentioned in Cole's Young Adult Literature in the 21st century, and because Holly Black just seems like such a cool author.

48. Little Brother

Doctorow, Cory. Little Brother. ISBN-13: 978-0-7653-1985-2. ISBN-10:0-7653-1985-3. A Tor Teen Book. 2008.








Plot Summary
Marcus Yallow is a tech-savvy teenager growing up in San Francisco during a time of heightened security. At Marcus' high school, gait detecting cameras record classroom halls and library cards can set off an alarm. One day Marcus and a group of his friends ditch class in order to play a role playing game called Harajuku Fun Madness, which involves solving clues and puzzles while exploring the city. While searching for their first clue, they happen to be near the site of a terrorist attack on the Bay bridge. The Department of Homeland Security apprehends Marcus and his friends as potential terrorist suspects. The DHS interrogate them and lock them away in a prison on Treasure Island. Eventually the children are all released after being threatened, except for their friend Daryl.

After this event, the DHS takes over the city, arresting and interrogating people at will. This is something that Marcus cannot deal with, especially with his friend still missing. Marcus starts a movement, hacking computer systems, and uniting teenagers with X-boxes in order to fight against the practices of the DHS and the government. He breaks the law and puts his life in danger to stand up for the freedoms and friends he has lost at the hands of the country he loves.

Critical Evaluation
Cory Doctorow's Little Brother is the kind of book that can get kids in the 21'st century reading. It deals with a generation fluent in computer hacking, video games, and spy technology. Teenagers today can relate to the kinds of characters who live in the world that Doctorow creates. The book also has the added bonus of being able to get teens interested in politics and to explore their rights as citizens in America or elsewhere. The only setback in the story is that at times the action can drag, and it definitely could have been trimmed down some, but these minor complaints are what they are, minor, because the novel as a whole is an excellent piece of work.

Doctorow really hit a home run by writing a relevant novel depicting teenage love, determination, hardship, and discovery. Readers who follow the adventures of Marcus Yallow will find a story that is very cinematic. From start to finish the novel is highly suspenseful. Even upon completion of the story, readers will quickly feel the urge to devour the afterwords, bibliography, and acknowledgements as well. The novel is so well done that even if you are not interested in technology, after completing the novel you will be. Doctorow makes hacking seem fun, and reading about it a thrilling experience.

Reader's Annotation
Teenager Marcus Yallow was in the wrong place at the wrong time and now the Department of Homeland security suspects him as a potential terrorist. There is only one thing left for Marcus to do, take revenge on the government.

Author Information
Cory Doctorow is an acclaimed author, blogger, and technology activist. He is the co-editor of boingboing.net and a contributor to publications such as Wired, Popular Science, and the New York Times. Doctorow's novel Little Brother was nominated for a Hugo Award in 2009, and won the Prometheus Award and Sunburst Award the same year.

Doctorow is a huge advocate of the Creative Commons organization, releasing editions of his novels for free online. Creative commons allows people to remix Doctorow's work, through fan fiction or other outlets as long they are not using his material for profit. Doctorow's first published novel, Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, was published in 2003 by Tor publications

Learn more about Cory at his website: http://craphound.com/

Genre
action, science fiction

Curriculum Ties
Computer hacking, government

Book Talking Ideas
Are Marcus' actions justified? Was breaking the law necessary to achieve what he wanted?
Why was Marcus allowed to leave, and Daryl forced to stay?
What does this novel reveal to readers about the government?
Discuss if it is okay to break the law in order to do the right thing.

Reading Level
Grades 9+

Challenge Issues
language, sexuality, violence

Challenge defense ideas:
1. Make sure you are familiar with your library collection and the book in question.
2. Be familiar with your library collection policy.
3. If possible, speak with the person challenging the material and make sure they feel comfortable. Ask the customer what they disliked or disapproved of in the resource. If they still insist on challenging the material give them instructions on how to file a formal complaint.
4. Research professional reviews that speak to the material's merit, and get input from teen readers on why they found the book important.

Reason For Selection
After reading this novel for class I knew that I wanted to include it for this blog assignment. Little Brother created a kind of suspense for me that I don't think I've every experienced reading. I think this is a great book for teens today because of the heave influence and appreciation of technology presented.

49. The Catcher in the Rye

Salinger, J.D. The Catcher in the Rye. ISBN: 978-0-316-76917-4. Back Bay Books. First Back Bay paperback, 2001.








Plot Summary
Holden Caulfield is a teenager who has been thrown out of every prep school he has attended. After getting kicked out of his most recent school for failing all of his classes, with the exception of English, he decides to spend a couple of days in New York City to clear his head before his parents find out about his expulsion. Holden has a dark outlook on life and the world stemming from the death of his brother Allie. He sees everyone as a big superficial phony and has trouble relating to anything. He spends his three days in the city drinking, meeting people he has little interest in, and spending money with no satisfaction.

Critical Evaluation
J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye is brilliant in that it gives readers insight into the teenage mind. Upon reading the novel, you might think that there is no way that a teenager like Holden Caulfield could be thinking those thoughts or feeling those emotions, but the truth is that many youth are depressed, have little or no interests, and can relate to a story like this. Although this may have not have been the novels original intention, it is definitely the reason why it has had such a lasting impression on those that read it. Teenagers like Holden might need help talking about the issues that bother them, like the death of a family member, but might not know how to ask for that help. If anything, this novel lets people know that they are not alone in feeling lousy or that the world is full of superficial phonies. Readers discover that there are other people out there who feel like running away would solve all their problems.

As readers follow Holden on a three day journey through his adolescence endeavors, they learn about the mistakes that he makes and the problems that he has fails to solve. He is young and figuring out his life, like we all were at some point. Not everyone figures lifes out, and Holden is certainly a long ways from doing so, but his pursuit is real. There isn't a happy end to his story at the end of this novel. Holden is still finding himself, learning to deal with his problems, and searching for meaning and purpose. This novel speaks to the younger generation because it deals with the internal problems of adolescence in a way that is painfully honest. Despite the continued controversy over the depiction of foul language, adolescent drinking, and sexuality, The Catcher in the Rye has earned the right to be considered one of the greatest works of fiction for young adults.

Reader's Annotation
Holden Caulfield has just dropped out of another preparatory High School. His lack of enthusiasm for life has led him on a journey to New York city where he hopes to distract himself with booze, women, and dancing, before his parents find out about his expulsion.

Author Information
J.D. Salinger is considered to be one of the most important American writers since WWII. Despising the fame that came from writing his classic work The Catcher in the Rye ,he spent the last 50 years of his life living in seclusion until he death in 2010. The New York times has a great article about his life and legacy that can be found at: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/29/books/29salinger.html

Genre
realistic fiction, problem novel

Curriculum ties
English, depression

Book Talking Ideas
Discuss themes of depression and loneliness.
Tell story about the death of Holden's brother, and how that would make readers feel.

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 9+

Challenge Issues
language, adolescent drinking, sex, prostitution, violence

Challenge defense ideas:
1. Make sure you are familiar with your library collection and the book in question.
2. Be familiar with your library collection policy.
3. If possible, speak with the person challenging the material and make sure they feel comfortable. Ask the customer what they disliked or disapproved of in the resource. If they still insist on challenging the material give them instructions on how to file a formal complaint.
4. Research professional reviews that speak to the material's merit, and get input from teen readers on why they found the book important.

Reason For Selection
After reading about how Catcher in the Rye shaped young adult literature, and actually having never read it, I knew that it was a must have for this blog. I have always heard about Holden Caulfield, and now I feel like I know him personally

50. Anansi Boys

Gaiman, Neil. Anansi Boys. ISBN-13: 978-0-06-051518-8. ISBN-10:0-06-051518-X. Harper Collins. First Edition, 2005.









Plot Summary
Fat Charlie is a nickname that stuck for Charles Nancy growing up in Florida. He was raised by his mother and colorful father who fished by day, told stories, boozed, and sang Karaoke by night. This unorthodox behavior from Mr. Nancy led to a childhood full of embarrassment for Fat Charlies and also to the eventual separation of his parents at the age of 10. Fat Charlie later moves to London where he eventually lands a job he hates at an accounting agency. While preparing for his wedding, Fat Charlie finds out that his father has passed away due to an incident involving karaoke and beautiful women.

Still holding a grudge after all these years, he reluctantly attends the Florida funeral. From conversations with his father's chatty and elderly neighbors he discovers his magical past. He learns his father is the manifestation of the African spider god Anansi, and also that he has a brother he never knew he had. This information is hard to sink in, but one drunken night in London soon after Fat Charlie tells a spider that if he ever sees his brother to tell him to come over for a visit. Never in his wildest dreams did he think this drunken conversation would come to fruition. Fat Charlie's brother Spider is everything Fat Charlie is not. He is a true pleasure seeker like his father, confident, charming, and can use magic at will. Spider soon disrupts Fat Charlie's life when he assumes his identity and takes over his relationship with his fiance and his job. If that wasn't enough, Spider refuses to leave, and when Fat Charlie makes a deal with the gods to get rid of his brother for good, the events that follow weave a web of discovery and enlightenment that allow him to find his true voice as son of the god of stories.

Critical Evaluation
Neil Gaiman is a master storyteller and the genre of fantasy is where he excels. In his novel Anansi boys, he draws on the characters and stories of African folklore and weaves them into a modern tale making them relevant for a new generation. The story's plot is wildly complex detailing the struggles of several characters with intertwining fates, but the way that the story unravels doesn't leave the reader feeling confused or unsatisfied. The complexity of the situations and circumstances are presented in a way that is humorous, entertaining, and easy to understand. This memorable plot deals with ghosts, karaoke, money laundering, and even a police chase to the island of St. Andrews. One of the things that makes this novel so great is that you don't need to have any previous knowledge of African folklore to understand the plot, or to enjoy it for that matter, because where the novel really shines is with Gaiman's memorable characters.

The stories protagonist, Fat Charlie, who is not actually fat at all, goes through the beautiful transformation from a boy without courage or dreams to a man who has accepted his family and faced his fears. Fat Charlie's father Mr. Nancy is charming and hilarious man who also happens to be an immortal God. Fat Charlie's brother Spider can use magic to disguise his identity and can teleport himself to anywhere he can see in his imagination. This is not your typical family, and not by any means your typical story. The combination of folklore in a modern setting, an exciting plot, and memorable characters, make this novel one that is sure to be memorable for adults and teens for generations to come.

Reader's Annotation
Fat Charlie leads an ordinary life, works an ordinary desk job, and has resented his father since his parents divorce when he was 10 years old. His whole life changes at his father's funeral when he discovers that he has a brother he never knew, and that the man he has resented is a god.

Author Information
Neil Gaimin is a critically acclaimed author writing for children, adults, motion pictures, television, comics, and the stage. He has won numerous awards including: 3 Hugos, 2 Nebulas, 1 World Fantasy Award, and most recently the Newberry Medal for his Novel The Graveyard book.

Gaiman teamed up with artist and director Dave McKean to write the screenplay for the Jim Henson Company production of the visually spectacular film Mirrormask. Gaiman also co-wrote the screenplay for the film Beowulf with film icon Robert Zemeckis. Gaiman is also well known for his original work on the Vertigo comic book series The Sandman. The Sandman is the only comic book series to ever win a World Fantasy award.

Genre
fantasy, urban fantasy

Curriculum Ties
English, African folklore

Book Talking Ideas
What would you do if you found out that you were the son of a god?
Discuss different Anansi stories, or Anansi history.

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 9+

Challenge Issues
violence, sex

Challenge defense ideas:
1. Make sure you are familiar with your library collection and the book in question.
2. Be familiar with your library collection policy.
3. If possible, speak with the person challenging the material and make sure they feel comfortable. Ask the customer what they disliked or disapproved of in the resource. If they still insist on challenging the material give them instructions on how to file a formal complaint.
4. Research professional reviews that speak to the material's merit, and get input from teen readers on why they found the book important.

Reason For Selection
Anansi Boys was the first title that jumped out at me from the Young Adult Titles List that was given in class. I have read most of Neil Gaiman's graphic novels, but for some reason I had never got around to reading any of his novels for adults. I think that Gaiman's popularity amongst teen audiences because of his work in the comic book industry will make Anansi Boys a popular Adult Crossover title for teens.