Choice - Deadline by Chris Crutcher

Deadline is the story of Ben Wolf and the choice he makes for his life as he races towards the end of it. Ben is entering his senior year of high school when he learns that he has a terminal disease and will likely die before the school year ends if he forgoes treatment. After weighing his options, Ben decides to take matters into his own hands, face his mortality alone, and enjoy the last few months of his life. Crutcher takes us on a journey of strength, courage, humor, teen drama, high school drama, acceptance, and mortality.

As we follow Ben on his journey, together we learn that keeping secret is tough, telling is even tougher, and it really isn't all that simple to go through life as if nothing is wrong. Crutcher brings his trademark, humor, teen angst, sports, and great story to the table in this book. He manages to tell a coming-of-age story that ends in death with a dose of humor and light touch. That's not to say that Deadline is all fluff and no substance. This book could really reach some kids. Kids with parents that are out of the loop, due to work issues, health issues, kids that have lost friends or family, kids that are harboring secrets, and kids that simply do not or cannot see the "ripples" created by their actions. Hopefully, as people, especially teens, read this book they begin to realize the fragility of life, and think about the reality of the "Nothing bad will/can happen to me" attitude so typical of teens.

I really enjoyed this book, as it made me laugh and cry. Ben is such a brave character who wants to do the right thing, protect those he loves, and go out with a bang, and on his terms. I think Deadline will appeal to boys and girls, jocks, the brainy kids, drama kids, really anyone. I feel that due to the intense subject matter, it would be most appropriate for high school students, but the reading level is pretty low, so even reluctant readers would be okay. I thought it was a pretty quick easy read, but really packs quite a wallop. This would be a great springboard book for a variety of conversations. Advanced classes, debate, and psychology classes could talk about the ethics behind Ben's decision to not even tell his parents his medical issues for much of the book, literature classes could use it as a starter for writing a variety of essays. Take a look at Chris Crutcher's website, educator section, for some really nice reading guides for several of his books, including deadline.

For a hook I would consider a couple of things:

1) Crutcher is a an author that has been routinely criticized for being too controversial, addressing topics that are too controversial, or tough for kids, and has had several titles challenged, including Deadline. This alone, as several blogger have noted, generates such great interest. Taking advantage of this during Banned Books Week, or any other time, is a no brainer. This fact alone will bring readers! Kind of makes me think of, "If you build it, they will come." How about, "If it's challenged, kids will read it!"? :-)

2) I found this book talk on You Tube: Deadline Book Talk. No need to reinvent the wheel and I think this will certainly spark some interest.

3) I would read the following passage and see what the students think might be coming.

Early August

My plan was to focus my senior year on information I could use after graduation when I set out for Planet Earth from the Pluto that is Trout, Idaho, population 943. My SATs said I wasn't even close to brain-dead and I was set to be accepted at any college I chose, as long as I chose one that would accept me. A lot of guys use their senior year to coast; catch up on partying and reward themselves for making it this far. Not me. This was my year to read everything I could get my hands on, to speak up, push myself and my teachers to get the true hot poop on the World At Large, so I could hit the ground running. How big a pain in the ass do you think that would make me in Mr. Lambeer's U.S. government/current events class, where Lambeer regularly alters reality with the zeal of an evangelical senator?

I also intended to shock the elite by etching my name atop the winner's board at the state cross-country meet, then come home to take Dallas Suzuki by surprise. Dallas Suzuki may sound to you like a car dealership in Texas, but for the past three years, she has been the single prey in the crosshairs of my Cupid's bow, and she doesn't know it because she is way, way out of my league.

Mr. Ambitious.

Then, about two weeks after my eighteenth birthday, a month and a half before beginning my final year at Trout High, I discovered I'll be lucky to be there at the finish. A warning like that usually comes from the school office, to be ignored until the third notice, but this was from The Office Above The Office and was to be attended to immediately.

Choice - Going Bovine by Libba Bray

I have to start by saying Going Bovine was one of the strangest books I have read in a long time. I really enjoy fantasy, and I know this isn't strictly fantasy, but Dulcie, Balder, Dr.X, and snow globe imprisonment is awfully close to fantasy in my book.

Going Bovine is the 2010 Printz Award winner.

Overall, I found the premise interesting, the storyline initially funny, but the gratuitous use of foul language, excessive details, extremely long dream scenes, and half formed characters(the family) really made this book bog down for me. Weighing in at nearly 500 pages, I had to struggle to get through it. I wanted to know more about Cameron, his twin and his family. Once I discovered that Cameron is dying, I wanted to learn how his family and friends are reacting. His dream state adventures are fun and entertaining, but even they got old. The more I think about it, I think my reactions to this book come from my experiences as an adult and mother. What I look for in a book is often wildly different than what kids are looking for and this creates a dilemma when reviewing books.

Honestly, I am not sure how to sell this book, maybe that's because I didn't enjoy it, but I know there are teens out there who will. Just take a look at reviews and you find plenty. Bray writes from the point of view of a 16 year old boy. She includes the trifecta of drugs, sex, and music - this often draws teen readers. I would recommend this title for high school students, especially those that are into quirky, artsy type books, and students willing to stick with the book for the long haul. Readers that are easily offended by language, drug use, and sex should steer clear. I don't think there will be a huge audience for this book, but some will really get it and love it. I would read the following as a hook. I think it includes the crazy fantasy aspect, as well as the, "I'm going to save the world." aspect.

“As a kid, I imagined lots of different scenarios for my life. I would be an astronaut. Maybe a cartoonist. A famous explorer or a rock star. Never once did I see myself standing under the window of a house belonging to some druggie named Carbine, waiting for his yard gnome to steal his stash so I could get a cab back to a cheap motel where my friend, a neurotic, death-obsessed dwarf, was waiting for me so we could get on the road to an undefined place and a mysterious Dr X, who would cure me from mad cow disease and stop a band of dark energy from destroying the universe”.

Graphic Novel - Fagin the Jew by Will Eisner

Calling all theater geeks! Where are the Dickens lovers? Find them and tell them about this graphic novel. Fagin the Jew might just catch their eye. Will Eisner uses the graphic novel as the vehicle to tell the story of Fagin from the Charles Dickens classic, Oliver Twist. Theater lovers will also recognize Fagin from Lionel Bart's, Oliver!.

In Fagin the Jew, Eisner gives us an in-depth biography of Fagin. He also address the issues of religious and racial prejudice, the cruelty of fate, and the even greater cruelty of man. Eisner includes very informative foreword and afterword sections that help explain the

author's reasons, intentions, and resources for this title.

As a graphic novel, this is a beautifully done piece of work. The drawings are first rate, characters well formed, London looks as I would have imagined it during the era of Oliver Twist and Fagin, and the sepia wash lends a solemn feel to the pages. This not a story of happily ever after and those looking for a lighthearted tale, need to keep on looking. Fagin's life is portrayed as one of misfortune, prejudice, and betrayal.

While I found this book interesting, it is not one I would read again for fun. I appreciated the gorgeous art and think most students, especially those into art, cartooning, and graphic novels, will appreciate it as well. The storyline, however, is a difficult one due to the issues Eisner addresses. Handselling this novel to theater lovers, artists, European and Jewish history buffs, and Dickens readers may be the way to go. I just don't see you average high schooler checking this title out on a regular basis. Including it in a group of books addressing prejudice, Dickens, and European history would also be a good bet. I am not entirely convinced that

this would be a good stand alone book in a booktalk, I really think it needs to be part of a grouping of books. I would recommend this book for high school students. Finally, Eisner was a well respected, highly honored artist and author, but Ifound no awards specifically for this work.

I would share the first few pages of the book, especially the section where, as a mere tot, Fagin learns to cheat and swindle passersby at the feet of none other than his father. I have scanned these in and included them, so you can see the lovely artwork and read the text, since I cannot do it justice.

Diversity - The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie is the faced paced, no holds barred, semi-autobiographical story about a year in the life of Arnold Spirit, Jr., better known as Junior.

Junior is 14 years old, a budding cartoonist, and at a crossroads in his life. Should he leave the reservation to attend the white school 22 miles away and maybe, just maybe, have a chance to get off the reservation and out of the extreme poverty, depression, and hopelessness that pervades his world? If he leaves he will get a better education and have a better chance at making something of his life. On the other hand, if he leaves he will betray his roots in the eyes of many on the rez, including his best friend, Rowdy. Diary follows Junior as he deals with first love, angry best friends, losing his Grandmother, family friend, and sister, becoming a basketball legend, alcoholism, poverty, and growing up and becoming a man.

I listened to this book on Playaway as I drove for work and hated getting out of my car! The recording is narrated by Alexie, himself and is roll on the floor hysterical in many places, while breathtakingly sad in others. Alexie manages to skillfully weave the hard truths about life on a reservation, poverty, alcoholism, teenage angst, love, lust, friendship, death, and life with the humor that only teenagers can see. What could have been a dark, dreary treatise on what is wrong with the Native American Community today becomes a swift, funny, and enjoyable ride through Junior's freshman year in school. Somehow Alexie manages to maintain Arnold's sense of hope regardless of the trials and tribulations he encounters. I suspect there is a lot more truth to this book than one might think, or that Alexie has admitted.

I would recommend this book for kids from about 7th grade on up. There are several instances of crude language, but one should expect that when it is told in the voice of a 14 year old. There are allusions to sex, child and spousal abuse, blatant alcohol abuse, drunk driving, death, accidents, poverty, hunger, and any variety of typical teen issues. The author doesn't pull any punches when discussing life on the rez. Students will understand how tough reservation life really is. Many of our students deal with many of the exact same issues and will be able to relate to Arnold with no problem. Sadly, they will know exactly what he is talking about. In respect to the issues that are dealt with and the course language, some of the more sensitive or younger kids might need to be steered away from this book, or at least warned. I can see boys and girls enjoying this book, but I think at risk boys might really be able to relate and enjoy the adventure. When doing a booktalk there would be no shortage of passages to read, because nearly every scene is a hook in itself. Here is one example.

It sucks to be poor, and it sucks to feel that you somehow deserve to be poor. You start believing that you’re poor because you’re stupid and ugly. And then you start believing that you’re stupid and ugly because you’re Indian. And because you’re Indian, you start believing you’re destined to be poor. It’s an ugly circle and there’s nothing you can do about it.

Substitute any racial/ethnic minority for Indian and this passage becomes universal.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian has earned a variety of awards. They are listed below.

2009 Peter Pan Award, Sweden
2009 Odyssey Award for audio version, produced by Recorded Books, LLC
2008 Washington Book Award - the Scandiuzzi Children's Book Award for middle grades and young adults
2008 Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards for Excellence in Children’s Literature in Fiction
2008 Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children
2008 Book Sense Book of the Year Children's Literature Honor Book
2008 Pacific Northwest Book Award
2008 American Indian Library Association American Indian Youth Literature Award
2007 National Book Award for Young People's Literature
2007 Los Angles Times Book Prize Finalist
Publishers Weekly 2007 Best Books of the Year - Children's Fiction
The New York Times Notable Children's Books of 2007
Los Angeles Times Favorite Children's Books of 2007
National Parenting Publication Gold Winner 2007
Barnes & Noble 2007 Best for Teens
School Library Journal Best Books of 2007
Kirkus Reviews Best Young Adult Books of 2007 (pdf file)
Horn Book Fanfare Best Books of 2007
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon Winner
Kansas City Star's Top 100 Books of the Year

Poetry - Jazz by Walter Dean Myers, Illustrated by Christopher Myers

Jazz is an absolutely glorious feast for the eyes, ears, and body! Walter Dean Myers manages to capture the sultry rhythm, staccato beat, and languid purr of good jazz music. His poems are perfectly paired with the fantastic art of his son. I love this book! To me this is an example of literature, music, and art combined to bring out the best of all three. With the free flowing verse that ebbs and flows like the jazz you would hear on Bourbon Street, students will feel the give and take of the verse. They will see that poetry doesn't have to rhyme and most importantly, it isn't always boring!

I was curious to see what grade levels this book is recommended for and tended to find grades 5-9. I decided to look at the Ohio music standards to see if I could incorporable Jazz into the high school curriculum. With little effort I found benchmarks in Historical Culture and Social Contexts, Analyzing and Responding, Valuing Music/Aesthetic Reflection, and Connections, Relationships, and Applications from grade K-12 where this book could be easily used to supplement instruction. Who knew a picture/poetry book could pack such a punch!

Myers includes a very nice, concise history of jazz music, glossary of jazz terms, jazz music timeline to round out the book. I think this book would appeal to all ages from middle to high school, especially to those music kids, those interested in African American music and history, and history buffs in general. Jazz could easily be used as a supplemental text in an English/Language Arts class, Social Studies and History classes, art, and music classes. I just think this is an all around gem of a book!

I think I would read any of the poems and share the artwork to help hook students. Pairing the book with recordings of some good jazz music, and/or videos of famous jazz men and women would help seal the deal. Who can resist the puffed out cheeks of Louis Armstrong, the amazing Wynton Marsalis, or the dulcet tones of Ella Fitzgerald, to name a few of the greats? This book can really open some doors!

The first poem in Jazz is aptly titled, Jazz.

Start with rhythm

Start with the heart

Drumming in tongues

Along the Nile

A black man's drum

Speaks

LOVE

Start with RHYTHM

Start with

the HEART

Worksongs

Gospel

triumph

Despair

Voices

Lifted

From the soul

Nonfiction - A Long Way Gone:Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah

Later on, when Junior went to secondary school, he befriended some boys who taught him more about foreign music and dance. During holidays, he brought me cassettes and taught my friends and me how to dance to what we came to know as hip-hop. I loved the dance, and particularly enjoyed learning the lyrics, because they were poetic and it improved my vocabulary. One afternoon, Father came home while Junior, Mohamed, Talloi, and I were learning the verse of “I Know You Got Soul” by Eric B. & Rakim. He stood by the door of our clay brick and tin roof house laughing and then asked, “Can you even understand what you are saying?” He left before Junior could answer. He sat in a hammock under the shade of the mango, guava, and orange trees and tuned his radio to the BBC news.

“Now, this is good English, the kind that you should be listening to,” he shouted from the yard.

While Father listened to the news, Junior taught us how to move our feet to the beat. We alternately moved our right and then our left feet to the front and back, and simultaneously did the same with our arms, shaking our upper bodies and heads. “This move is called the running man,” Junior said. Afterward, we would practice miming the rap songs we had memorized. Before we parted to carry out our various evening chores of fetching water and cleaning lamps, we would say “Peace, son” or “I’m out,” phrases we had picked up from the rap lyrics. Outside, the evening music of birds and crickets would commence.

A Long Way Gone is the heart wrenching, gut twisting memoir of a child soldier forced to fight in the bloody civil war that ravaged Sierra Leone from 1991 to 2002 and his miraculous escape and transformation. Given drugs, an AK47, and the ultimatum, kill them or we kill you, Ishmael Beah begins his nightmare as a child soldier. Beah tells in gritty, brutally honest detail the atrocities he witnessed and participated in. The story is filled with the simple joys of a child, such as singing, dancing, swimming, and enjoying ice cream juxtaposed with the cruel realities of war.

I found this book to be very difficult to read for a variety of reasons. As the parent of a 12 year old boy and I found myself reacting to much of the story on this level. Ishmael could have been my child and I cannot imagine Alex, my son, in Beah’s situation, nor do I want to. I also reacted very strongly to the images of brutality put forth in the story. I know that these are the reality in a war situation, but being aware of the age of the narrator, makes it that much more difficult. Amazingly, throughout the story, I felt a ring of hope. Somehow, this child found that spot deep within himself that was confident there was hope, somewhere.

This is a book that I feel should be carefully “sold.” Sophisticated readers in a high school would benefit from the story. The themes of death, desperation, war atrocities, drug use, child killers, and murder are rampant throughout the story and really necessitate the need for caution when circulating this title. I believe that the book holds a story that must be told, or we are bound to repeat past mistakes, but some vigilance with this title is necessary. Children that are living a life of violence, drugs, and no apparent way out will be able to relate. I think those students will be able to see themselves in Mr. Beah. Sadly, there are children in our schools, especially those in depressed urban areas that will be all too familiar with the kill or be killed refrain. I think the quote from the beginning of this post will help students connect with the author and hook students.

Additionally, there has been some question as to the validity and accuracy of Beah’s story, but no conclusive proof has been put forth. Additional information can be found at the book's website: http://www.alongwaygone.com/

Historical Fiction - Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

Fever 1793 is the first of three historical fiction thrillers from the pen of Laurie Halse Anderson. Fever features 14 year old Mattie, resident of Philadelphia, where she chafes under the ever watchful eye of her mother, grandfather, and beloved Eliza. Like so many 14 year old girls, both of yesteryear and today, Mattie dreams of bigger and better things. The coffeehouse her family owns needs sprucing up, it needs to be made better, there is way too much work to be done, and there are boys that look so much more interesting! The world Mattie wakes up to on August 16, 1793 is not the same as it was the day before, and Mattie is about to begin her journey into adulthood.

“Where’s Polly?” I asked as I dropped the bucket down the well. “Did you pass by the blacksmith’s?”

“I spoke with her mother, with Mistress Logan,” Mother answered softly, looking at her neat rows of carrots.

“And?” I waved a mosquito away from my face.

“It happened quickly. Polly sewed by candlelight after dinner. Her mother repeated that over and over, ‘she sewed by candlelight after dinner.’ And then she collapsed.”

I released the handle and the bucket splashed, a distant sound.

“Matilda, Polly’s dead.”

August 1793. Fourteen-year-old Mattie Cook is ambitious, adventurous, and sick to death of listening to her mother. Mattie has plans of her own. She wants to turn the Cook Coffeehouse into the finest business in Philadelphia, the capital of the new United States.

But the waterfront is abuzz with reports of disease. “Fever” spreads from the docks and creeps toward Mattie’s home, threatening everything she holds dear.

As the cemeteries fill with fever victims, fear turns to panic, and thousands flee the city. Then tragedy strikes the coffeehouse, and Mattie is trapped in a living nightmare. Suddenly, her struggle to build a better life must give way to something even more important – the fight to stay alive.

There are many aspects of this book that could be incorporated into a booktalk. There are themes of post Revolutionary War America, the US capital, Yellow Fever and medical practices of the time, women in society, families, death and mortality, and "The American Dream" to name a few. I think the above passage and back cover blurb would be a great way to get students' attention. I think this book would most appeal to girls, especially those who are unhappy with their lot in life and dreaming of bigger and better things, as well as those with an interest in the post Revolutionary War time period, medicine and its history, and students living with extended family members. Even thought he setting is Philadelphia in 1793, Laurie Halse Anderson does a nice job of balancing 1793 with the mindset of the modern girl. I feel readers today can easily make a connection with Mattie. They can sympathize and commiserate with her about her mother, and cry her tears of frustration when Mattie is faced with some very difficult decisions, decisions no 14 year old should ever have to make.

I think this book is appropriate for readers from middle school and up. The themes are mature, but handled gently, there are no language, obscenity, or sex issues present. I think the only hang up some kids will have is that Fever 1793 is historical fiction and to so many that equates boring! This is a fast paced book, that does not bog down in the nitty gritty details, and this should help keep the more reluctant reader going. I found it to be a quick, easy, and engaging read with well rounded, likeable characters. I felt sadness and sympathy for Matttie, but did not feel emotionally overwhelmed. For teachers, there are some really nice discussion questions in the back of the Scholastic edition, as well as an appendix that succinctly discusses the historical basis for the book in a Q & A format. Laurie Halse Anderson's website has some really nice links for teachers as well. Check out: http://madwomanintheforest.com/teachers/historical-fever/

Fever 1793 is a well recognized book and here is a partial list of some of the awards and recognition earned for the title.

· American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults

· International Reading Association Teacher's Choice

· Parent's Guide to Children's Media Award

· Junior Library Guild Selection

· Children's Book-of-the-Month Club selection

· The New York Public Library's Best 2001 Books for the Teenager

• Starred review - Bank Street College of Education's The Best Children's Books of 2001
• American Bookseller Pick of Lists
• Starred review - School Library Journal
• Publishers Weekly Bestseller

Sci-Fi - Firestorm by David Klass

"Name's Jack Danielson. Eighteen. As of right now, not quite sure I'll live to see nineteen. Always been a pretty good guy, easy-going, laid back, friend to all and enemy to none. Smart, but not too smart. Athletically inclined, but never enough to be the best. Now my whole world is falling apart. Seems my father isn't my father. My mother isn't my mother. The fact that my dad who isn't my dad shot off his own foot to prove his point should be strange enough. It isn't. There are weird bat-like creatures chasing me, and things called Gorms. I've somehow ended up on a motorcycle with a humongous mongrel dog named Gisco, who happens to be telepathic, riding in a sidecar. Now there's a woman named Eko kicking my ass on a daily basis to make me stronger. Why? Because I have to find Firestorm so that I can save the Earth. And no, I have no idea what that is. And yes, I'm a fan of sentence fragments. Look it up, my friend, but not right now. Right now I have to save the world, before there's no future on Earth for me to come back from."

Firestorm is book 1 of the Caretaker Trilogy by David Klass. Set in the present, Klass takes readers for a nonstop ride as Jack discovers the truth and carefully fabricated untruths about his life. This is a well crafted ecological science fiction novel that gives an unvarnished look at what could happen to our world if we continue abusing the environment as we currently do. Klass creates a unique fantasy world that is quite believable. The action moves at a super fast clip and there is never a dull moment. Kids who might not typically read sci-fi may well find this to be a keeper.

I really enjoyed reading Firestorm, even though I am not usually a science fiction fan. I found Jack, Gisco, Eko, and the supporting characters to be interesting and fun. I really enjoyed the fast paced action and the twists and turns to the story. I think this book would be appropriate for middle and high school students, especially those with an ecological or environmentally friendly bent. Boys can relate to Jack, enjoy the adventure, and love the action packed storyline. Girls will have no trouble falling for the sports hero hottie with a soft spot for kids and dogs. There is some talk of a sexual nature, but it is not gratuitous and what 18 year old boy can go through too many hours without thinking of that?!

Firestorm has been honored with the following: ALA Best Book Citation, starred review in School Library Journal, starred review from Publisher's Weekly and it was the first book endorsed by Greenpeace.

I would definitely booktalk this book. The passage I used at the beginning of this post would be a great hook, but there are countless other that would do just as well. I think a tie in with Earth Day, climate change units or projects, and environmental issues activities would be great opportunities to sell this book as well as the other two titles in the trilogy, Whirlwind and Timelock.

Realistic Fiction #2 - Kendra by Coe Booth

Kendra, Coe Booth's sophomore YA novel, is the story of 14 year old Kendra. Kendra dreams of leaving the projects of the Bronx, designing great architecture, and most of all, finally living with her mother, Renee. Renee has been absent for the majority of Kendra's life, growing up, she had Kendra when she was just 14. Now Kendra, struggling under the loving, yet controlling thumb of her grandmother, is dealing with her budding sexuality, hunger for a real relationship with her mother, first love/lust, friendships, and the urge to become more than her surroundings. Told in straight forward street talk, Kendra drops you smack dab in the middle of the Bronx and right back in high school. The characters are typical teens, trying to figure out their place in the world.

I found Kendra to be a quick, easy read. I would recommend this book for high school students, and would suspect that the girls will be much more receptive to it than the boys. Overall, I enjoyed the book, but was frustrated by Booth's handling of Kendra's boyfriend, Nashawn. Nashawn exploits Kendra's lack of experience and desire to remain a virgin while persuading her to allow him to sodomize her and have oral sex with him. Neither act is explicitly explained, but the signs are all there. Comparing Kendra to Boy Meets Boy is like comparing apples and oranges. Sure, both books are teens exploring their sexuality and relationships, but Kendra is most definitely a more intense, raw experience.

On the positive side Kendra features, Renee, a well educated, PhD. from Princeton, woman who has pulled herself out of the projects and is trying to build a better life for herself, along with Kenny, Kendra's father who is still in her daily life and helps support her both financially and emotionally. So often teen parents, especially the fathers are portrayed to be deadbeats that want nothing to do with their offspring. Kendra works to defeat this stereotype.

While looking up information for Kendra I found a lot of reviews and discussion by school librarians and most commented that they could not keep it on the shelf. I know this is a sign of a well written, YA friendly book that speaks to many teens, but I would be cautious. While kids will enjoy it and relate to the street talk (even our "country" kids), as well as the relationship issues. As a school librarian I would make sure I had all of my paperwork on this book at the ready. While Kendra has not won any major awards that I could find, it was reviewed in Booklist, YALSA, and School Library Journal, and by several others.

The following is an excerpt from Chapter 1 of Kendra. I think this would capture the interest of many girls. How many times have they been told to go back and change their clothes before going out? I bet there are a lot that can relate right off the bat!

There’s nothing really different about today. At least that’s what I’m sitting here trying to tell myself. Adonna is late, the way she always is, even though I called her twice already to tell her I’m about to leave her if she don’t get down here now. Nana’s in the kitchen probably waiting for me to come outta my room so she can make sure I’m dressed decent for school. Like if she left for work before me, the first thing I’d do is change into the skankiest outfit I could find or something.

Like that’s even who I am.

Finally, the bell rings. I hear Nana open the door, and all she says is, “Babe’s in her room,” like she can’t even be bothered to say hi.

By the time Adonna gets down the hall, I’m standing up with my book bag on my shoulder and I can’t wait to get outta here.

“You ready?” Adonna asks, like it’s not obvious.

“I been ready.”

She drops her book bag on the floor and I see her looking on my desk, at some of the new house plans I sketched. I know she thinks I’m wasting my time doing them, but she don’t say anything. Probably because she can see I’m not in the mood today. Instead, she turns to my full-length mirror and stares at herself like she’s ever gonna look anything but perfect. I mean, today she’s wearing her tight black jeans and a red cami with these cute little triangle cutouts around the neckline. Nana would never let me leave the apartment wearing something like that.

Realistic Fiction - Boy Meets Boy David Levithan

Do you remember meeting "The One"? What about the relationship drama in high school? If you have forgotten, take a few hours and read Boy Meets Boy, it will come flooding back!

Boy Meets Boy is the story of Paul's budding relationship with Noah and the requisite drama that comes with any high school in the country. Through a cast of quirky characters, complete with Infinite Darlene (formerly Daryl), Paul's straight best friend Joni, his ex, Kyle, and buddy Tony, Levithan reminds adults and teens of the agony and ecstasy of teen age love, be is straight or gay. He speaks clearly to the teens this book is written for. No matter the reader's orientation, they will find a character to latch on to, relate to, laugh with, and cry with. I think featuring this book with a variety of other relationship novels during Valentine's season would be one way to get this book in front of students. Choosing any passage that talks of the angst of finding, losing, and winning back "the one" is sure to draw curious readers. The beauty of Boy Meets Boy is that it could easily be Boy Meets Girl.

I think this book is appropriate for high school students. It is an easy read, but I think the subject matter and some characters may be a bit much for many middle schoolers. I think students will find the story engaging and entertaining while reminding them that everyone has drama in their relationships and in that respect they are not alone. The portrayal of a very open and accepting school and community is not one that I find terribly realistic, but for the sake of the story is quite appropriate. Morals, religion, friendship, breaking up, hooking up, and sexuality are all part of the package. I think girls would really enjoy this book, as would boys that are open minded and/or gay or searching. I question whether most straight high school boys would appreciate the book.

Boy Meets Boy was awarded the 2003 Lambda Literary Award in the Children/Young Adult section.