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.