Focus on Realistic Fiction: My Book of Life by Angel

McKenna W. likes to read realistic fiction because the books are "easier to relate to." Hopefully not many teens can relate to the exact hardships that Angel faces in this book but it may open their eyes to things in the world that they didn't know about.  

My Book of Life by Angel by Martine Leavitt

Leavitt, M. (2012). My book of life by Angel. New York: Margaret Ferguson Books.

ISBN: 978-0374351236

Hardback: $14.49

Annotation

Angel is 16 years old and falls for a guy who gives her anything she wants.  After getting addicted to drugs she ends up working the streets but finds hope in a young girl who is in her same position.

Booktalk

Angel is 16 and at the mall, life is normal.  She meets a boy named Call and everything is wonderful.  He gives her anything she wants.  But pretty soon things take a turn for the worse as he gets her addicted to drugs and makes her live with him and work as a prostitute.  She is lost and feels hopeless.  Soon Call brings home another girl and she is even younger than Angel.  As Angel tries to protect the young girl as best as she can, she works on a plan to get out and find her family.  

Other Info

Martine Leavitt is still working on her website but the publisher of My Book of Life by Angel has a great site with booktalks, review and a link to the author's Facebook page.  Check it out! http://us.macmillan.com/mybookoflifebyangel/MartineLeavitt

Altered

Altered by Jennifer Rush

Rush, J. (2013). Altered. New York: Little, Brown.

ISBN: 978-0316197083

Hardback: $13.28

Annotation

Anna escapes a house with four cute boys who are genetically altered and her world changes forever.

Booktalk

Anna lives a normal life, in a normal town, in a normal house with her dad...except that there are four hot guys who live in a locked up lab in the basement. Anna knows her father works for the "Branch" (a firm that works on various new technologies including genetic modification) and that the boys are somehow part of that, but exactly why they are in her basement she isn't so sure. She helps her father with various tasks and comes to know the boys and maybe even love one of them. As things start to unravel and the "Branch" becomes the enemy, Anna escapes with the boys in order to find out the truth about all of their lives. On a dangerous adventure, Anna must face the truth about everything.

Other Info

Jennifer Rush is a writer, blogger and photographer.  Visit her website to learn more about her life and her novels.  www.jennrush.com

Focus on Realistic Fiction: Anna and the French Kiss

Vivica C. likes realistic fiction because they contain "more details about someone's life and it makes you want to read the next one."  

After you read about Anna, you can read Lola and the Boy Next Door.  This book is also by Stephanie Perkins and Anna has a cameo appearance in the book.  

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Perkins, S. (2010). Anna and the French kiss. New York: Dutton Juvenile.

ISBN: 978-0525423270

Hardback: $12.68

Literary Awards

• NPR's Year's Best Teen Reads, 2010 
• NPR's 100 Best-Ever Teen Novels, #53 
• Cybils Award Finalist for Young Adult Fiction, 2011 
• YALSA's Best Fiction for Young Adults, 2012 list 
• YALSA's Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults: Forbidden Romance, 2012 
• TAYSHAS Reading List, 2012

Annotation

Anna is shipped off to boarding school in Paris and she doesn't want to go.  Although, she may meet the boy of her dreams while she is there.

Booktalk

Anna is a senior in high school and can't wait to start the new year with her friends.  And then suddenly she is being sent to a boarding school half a world away...Paris.  She is doesn't want to leave her friends and her maybe boyfriend back home but there is nothing she can do about it.  As she starts her new school year in a foreign place she begins to make new friends and meets the perfect boy with the perfect accent.  There is only one problem....he's taken.  Anna struggles to fit in at a new place, navigate new friendships, and maybe fall in love.  Will she get the boy? 

Other Info

Stephanie Perkins writes novels for teens and is a romantic at heart.  Check out her website for more information about her, her other books and her blog.  www.stephanieperkins.com

Focus on Realistic Fiction: Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass

Paul T. says that sometimes you can "learn things about life" in realistic fiction books.  He says that you may learn about a perspective of someone's life that you didn't know about already and this can be informational.  

Check out the book below to see what it is like to be on the wrong side of a fight.  

Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina

Medina, M. (2013). Yaqui Delgado wants to kick your ass. Somerville, Mass.: Candlewick Press.

ISBN: 978-0763658595

Hardback: $12.68

Literary Awards

• A Junior Library Guild 2013 Selection
• Starred review in Kirkus 
• Starred review in The Horn Book
• Starred review in The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books 

Annotation

Piddy Sanchez just wants to live her quiet life but girls in her class have other ideas for her.

Booktalk

Piddy is the new girl at school and is mostly concerned with just keeping her head above water.  She is taking honors courses and has a weekend job at a hair salon.  But everything changes one day when another girl tells her that Yaqui Delgado hates her and wants to kick her ass.  Piddy doesn't even know who this person is but her life changes instantly as she is forced to come to terms with a fight that is bound to happen.  Evan as Yaqui's gang intimidates and scares Piddy, she doesn't tell anyone, especially her mother.  Will Yaqui Delgado kick her ass or will she survive the bullying?

Other Info

Meg Medina is a Latina author who writes books for kids and teens.  Check out her website, www.megmedina.com, for more information about her other books. She also has a link to her blog called Girls of Summer that focuses on books for strong girl readers.  

American Born Chinese

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

Yang, G. L., & Pien, L. (2006). American born Chinese. New York: First Second.

ISBN: 978-0312384487

Paperback: $8.48

Literary Awards

• Finalist for 2006 National Book Awards
• 2007 Michael Printz Award Winner
• 2007 Eisner Award Winner
• Publisher's Weekly Best Comic of the Year
• San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of the Year
• 2006/2007 Best Book Award from the Chinese American Librarians Association
• Amazon Best Graphic Novel/Comic of the Year
• BookList Top Ten Graphic Novels for Youth
• NPR Holiday Pick
• Time Magazine Top Comic of the Year
• 2007 Harvey Award for Best Colorist

Annotation

Jin Wang is the new kid at school and he stands out because he is Chinese-American.  

Booktalk

In this graphic novel, Jin Wang starts at a new school where he is the only Chinese-American student. Hi tries his best to fit in with everyone else and even falls in love with an American girl. There are two other stories interspersed with Jin Wang's story. One about an American boy named Danny and his obnoxious Chinese cousin Chin-Kee who comes for an annual visit and has a tendency to ruin everything. The third story is about a Monkey King who longs to be immortal and doesn't let much get in his way. The three stories come together in the end with a satisfying plot twist.

Other Info

Gene Luen Wang has been creating comics for a long time.  And he has the website to prove it!  At www.geneyang.com you can find all sorts of information about his old and new comic books plus links to other websites he has worked on with information on comics and more.  

Focus On Realistic Fiction: My Life Next Door

Chelsea R. read My Life Next Door and really enjoyed it.  She said she could connect realistic fiction books to her life, she could be the character in the book falling in love! 

Maybe you can too.

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Fitzpatrick, H. (2012). My life next door. New York: Dial Books.

ISBN: 978-0803736993

Hardback: $13.28

Annotation

Samantha lives with her mother who craves peace and perfection.  She falls in the love with the boy next door and his large, somewhat chaotic family.

Booktalk

Samantha is used to things being quiet.  It is just her and her mom living at the house and her mom wants everything to be perfect and manageable.  Samantha has watched the family next door from her bedroom window for most of her life.  One day she finally meets the boy next door and her heart is stolen.  She soon learns that being perfect and living a quiet life is not how everyone does it.  She even learns that her mother has a huge secret that affects both of their families and her love for the boy next door.  

Other Info

My Life Next Door is Huntley Fitzpatrick's first novel.  She has a website all about and even information on her new book coming out in 2014.  You can connect with her in a lot of ways.  Check it out!  www.huntleyfitzpatrick.com 

Chopsticks

Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral

Anthony, J., & Corral, R. (2012). Chopsticks. New York: Razorbill.

ISBN: 978-1595144355

Paperback: $14.48

Annotation

Gloria is a piano prodigy and Francisco is the boy next door.  As they fall in love, their lives change and one night Gloria disappears.

Booktalk

This book is part graphic novel, part scrapbook and part photo essay. Gloria is a piano prodigy touring the world and playing sold out shows. Francisco is the boy next door who she falls in love with. They IM each other late into the night sending YouTube links back and fourth (the links are actual videos on YouTube). As life starts to catch up with her, Gloria becomes obsessed with playing "Chopsticks" and only that on the piano. She soon enters a facility to rest and one night disappears. Where has she gone and will she find Francisco?

Other Info

This is a unique book.  There are links to follow on YouTube and the book has an interactive app you can purchase to read the book in a different way.  Check it all out on the book's website.  www.chopsticksnovel.com

Focus On Realistic Fiction: If You Find Me

Lillie M. likes to read realistic fiction because she "can relate to it more than other books." She says books like Twilight, which would fall into the fantasy or horror genre, are good but they don't relate to her life like a book about a realistic teen and their everyday problems.

Try this realistic fiction book for something new!

If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch

Murdoch, E. (2013). If you find me. New York: St. Martin's Griffin.

ISBN: 978-1250021526

Hardback: $13.28

Literary Awards

• Booklist starred review
• Kirkus starred review
• School Library Journal starred review

Annotation

Carey and Janessa live in the woods with their mother who is addicted to meth.  

Booktalk

What would it be like to live in the woods, far away from everything and everyone?  This is the life of Carey and Janessa.  Their mother moved them to the woods and everything is different now.  Carey must take of her little sister becasue their mother is most often under the influence of some drug.  But finally, someone finds them and their life changes again.  Back to the "real world" that they aren't used to, Carey and Janessa learn to put their haunted past behind them and look to their "new" family to make it through each day.  

Other Info

Emily Murdoch is a writer and lover of horses.  Check out her website for more information about the loves of her life.  www.emilymurdoch.com

Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Happy Heartbreaker

Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Happy Heartbreaker by Rachel Renee Russell

Russell, R.R. Russell, N., & Russell, E. (2013). Tales from a not-so-happy heartbreaker. S.I.: Aladdin Books. 

ISBN: 978-1442449633

Hardback: $7.49

Annotation

Nikki has a crush on a boy, loves her BFF's (most of the time) and keeps track of it all in her very own Dork Diary.

Book Review

OMG! LOL! Squeeee! This installment of Dork Diaries is filled with tween talk. Nikki is in middle school and she is a little bit of a drama queen. She has a crush on a boy who she really wants to ask to the Sweetheart Dance but keeps getting some strange mixed signals from him. One second she thinks he likes her and the next he is hanging embarrassing pictures of her all around the school. Nikki uses her diary to chronicle her feelings about this akward situation and also to talk about her BFF's. She frequently gets annoyed by them. 

This book will appeal to readers of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and the Popularity Papers. It is a quick read with lined pages and many illustrations and will appeal to hi-lo readers. While the topics are fitting for middle school readers, the characters actions often come across more immature than this age would suggest. (grades 4-6)

Other Info

Rachel Renee Russell has a great website filled with book information, music downloads, book trailers and more....all about the Dork Diaries.  Give it a try!  www.dorkdiaries.com

Boyfriends With Girlfriends

Boyfriends With Girlfriends by Alex Sanchez

Sanchez, A. (2011). Boyfriends with girlfriends. New York: Simon & Schuster BFYR.

ISBN: 978-1416937753

Hardcover; $13.29

Literary Awards

• American Library Association "Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers"
• American Library Association "Rainbow List"
• Bankstreet College of Education Children's Book Committee 2012 Best Children's Books of the Year
• Lambda Literary Award 2011 Finalist

Annotation

Lance, Allie, Sergio and Kimiko are four friends who are weathering the ups and downs of new and old relationships.

Booktalk

Have you ever wondered the difference between bisexual and gay?  And what that may mean for either you or your friends?  Lance is gay and his best friend is Allie, who is straight.  Sergio is bisexual and his best friend is Kimiko, who is gay.  The lives of these four interweave as they all become friends and struggle with relationships.  Allie meets Kimiko and is immediately drawn to her but she has a boyfriend and is confused about her feelings.  Lance really likes Sergio but he doesn't believe anyone can be bisexual like Sergio claims to be.  Join these four as they openly talk about their feelings, struggles, and heartache with sexuality and relationships.  

Other Info

Alex Sanchez's website is full of information and resources for teens who may be going through a hard time dealing with their sexuality. Give it a look! www.alexsanchez.com

Twilight

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

Meyer, S. (2005). Twilight. New York: Little, Brown and Co.

ISBN: 978-0316160179

Hardback: $14.78

Here is a book trailer that blends the book and the movie together.  (from CrossFireGundam)

Literary Awards

• School Library Journal Best Books List of 2005
• Publisher's Weekly Best Books List of 2005

Annotation

Bella and Edward are in love.  There is only one problem...he's a vampire.

Booktalk

Forbidden love and vampires...it's what Twilight is all about.  Bella is your normal, somewhat angsty teenager who just happens to fall in love with a vampire and she is ok with that.  She finds Edwards world compelling and of course she can't resist his perfect everything.  But not everyone likes the fact that a human is so familiar with the vampire world and trouble begins.  Twilight is a great romance story filled with the uniqueness that is a vampire.

Other Info

Visit Stephanie Meyer at www.stephaniemeyer.com to learn all about the making of the Twilight books and the movies.    

The Lucy Variations

The Lucy Variations by Sara Zarr

Zarr, S. (2013). The Lucy variations. New York: Little, Brown.

ISBN:  978-0316205016
Hardcover: $13.93

www.sarazarr.com

Literary Awards

• Junior Library Guild Selection, Spring 2013
• A Publishers Weekly Best Summer Book, 2013
• Kids’ Indie Next Pick, Summer 2013

Annotation

Lucy has played the piano all her life but one day she walks away.  Next comes lessons in life and love with the big question of if she will ever play the piano again hanging over her head.  

Booktalk

Lucy Beck-Moreau is a piano prodigy. Or at least she used to be until she walked away...literally.  During a performance she leaves the stage before she even begins playing, making the piano world wonder why.  Her family knows why and she has let her grandfather down greatly.  Lucy must figure out if she wants to play ever again and if her feelings for her brother's new piano teacher are real.  Will Lucy ruin her relationship with her family or come back to the world that they all love so dearly? 

Other Info

Sara Zarr has a great website where she shares information about her books and her writing.  Check it out: www.sarazarr.com

Also her podcast is chock full of information on writing and interviews with other authors.

Podcast archive

Wrapped

Bradbury, J. (2011). Wrapped. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.  
ISBN: 978-1-4169-9007-9 
Hardback: $16.99

Literary Awards

• 2013-2014 Utah Beehive Book Award Nominee
• 2012 Amelia Bloomer Project Selection

Annotation

Follow along as Agnes attends a mummy unwrapping party and discovers a mystery that will take her on an extraordinary adventure.

Here is a 60 second recap of Wrapped.

www.60secondpicks.com

Review

Agnes Wilkins is a soon to be debutante in 1815 London.  She has enjoyed her life of privilege and education but yearns for adventure.  Then comes a party complete with an Egyptian mummy to be unwrapped to discover the jewels and antiquities buried inside the linen.  Little does Agnes know that as she uncovers a tiny treasure, her life is about to change.  Agnes' artifact contains a message that must be deciphered and a story that brings her adventure and intrigue.

Bradbury weaves a historical tale of adventure, nobility and love.  Readers will yearn for more as the plot unravels to reveal yet another clue in the mystery. The setting of 1815 London and the unwrapping party will pull reluctant historical fiction readers in right away and they will want to stick with it as the adventure builds and relationships grow.  (middle school and high school) 

Learn more about Jennifer and her books at www.jennifer-bradbury.com