The Chosen One

Title: The Chosen One
Author: Carol Lynch Williams
Published: May 2009
ISBN: 0312555113
Price: 16.95
Genre: realistic fiction
Reading Level: 3rd grade
Interest Level: 8th-12th grade
Awards: Amelia Bloomer List- Young Adult Fiction, YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, YALSA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults: Sticks and Stones, YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
Plot Summary: Kyra is part of a religious polygamist cult called The Chosen Ones. Their community is isolated from the real world so Kyra spends most her time with her family. Being part of a polygamist family means that Kyra has 1 father, 3 mothers and 20 siblings, with 2 on the way. Kyra is the second oldest sister but due to development issues with her older sister Emily, Kyra acts as the oldest sister. Their cult is overseen by the Prophet, whose word is law. The Prophet that proceeded him allowed families to venture out of the community and allowed more freedom. But things things have changed a lot since the new Prophet took over and not in a good way. Kyra uses books, which are banned, to escape. She meets the book mobile out on the road and gets books from the library that she hides and reads in her favorite tree. One day the Prophet tells Kyra she is to marry her much older uncle who already has many wives. Kyra can't understand how this can be. She is in love with a young boy her age and thinks it's wrong for the Prophet to force her to marry not only a much older man but her uncle as well. Kyra can't hide from this problem nor can she go against the Prophet. But what will Kyra do, what can she do?
Review: I found Williams story to be a fast and engaging read. It could have easily been written as a one sided story that condemns polygamy but Williams really presents the topic in a more dimensional and complex matter. You are able to see the love and support that is in Kyra's family. Kyra loves her father, siblings and mothers. The story shows that her religious cult was not always so oppressive. Kyra talks about how they used to read together and venture into the real world. The story focuses more on how the current Prophet becomes cruel, manipulative and corrupt. I think Williams points out how these types of religious groups can easily become oppressive and dangerous to those involved. The fear that the members feel is obvious by Kyra's father who struggles with protecting his daughter and then risking the safety of the rest of his family. I think the most difficult part of the story was the death of Patrick. It is then in the story that the absolute corruption is obvious. 
Reader's Annotation: Kyra has never questioned her families religion but when her religious leader demands that she marry her much older uncle Kyra feels trapped. 
Bibliotherapeutic usefulness: The story exposes the dangers of religious cults and following a leader blindly. It shows just how easily these families were manipulated into allowing a religious leader to control every aspect of their lives. While most teens will never be exposed to such a cult it they may gain some insight into the importance of freedom and choice.
Issues:  Some may feel that the story is trying to slander certain religious beliefs or practices. While the story never says anything about Mormomism some may feel that it could be attributed to the Mormon religion since some sects of the religion do practice polygamy. The book also has some intense violence such as Kyra being beaten by the Prophet. There is also the issue of the cult killing and abusing babies. The scene in which they hold Kyra's babysitter under water for crying may be very upsetting to some. The cult leaders killed members of the community and even kill non members like Patrick. The portrayal of a polygamy family as loving might also bother those who feel that polygamy is wrong.
Book Talk Ideas: 
Main Themes: polygamy, religious cults, family, corruption, violence, abuse
Read-alikes: Leaving Fishers by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Author Website: http://www.carollynchwilliams.com/
Professional Reviews: Publisher's Weekly
Kirkus Reviews
Why this book was chosen: This book has huge appeal to reluctant readers with it's gripping and emotional storyline. The reading level is not difficult but the themes and issues presented in the book allow for lots of discussion and reflection. Also, this book presents the issues without being slanderous or one dimensional.

Ironman

Title: Ironman
Author: Chris Crutcher
Published: April, 1995
ISBN: 0060598409
Page number: 288
Price: $4.99
Genre: realistic fiction, sports fiction
Reading Level: 10th grade 
Interest Level: 9th grade and up
Awards: 
Plot Summary: Bo can't seem to please his father or his former football coach and now teacher. Ever since Bo quit football both father and his former coach can't seem to forgive him. Now, Bo is training for the grueling Ironman in which he will have to run, bike and swim his way to the finish line. He trains, maintianes good grades and even holds down a job but still can't seem to earn the approval of his father. Bo is sent to anger management after calling his former coach and asshole and is now forced to spend his mornings with what Bo thinks are the crazy kids of his school. But soon Bo learns that he isn't the only one with some issues in his past or less than perfect relationship with their father. It isn't long before Bo starts to realize that he has a lot of unresolved issues with his father that drive his anger. Will winning the Ironman finally get the approval he needs from his father or will he always be at odds with him?
Review: Ironman is far more than a sports story. While the story does feature Bo training and struggling to prepare for his race the bigger issues is that of his relationship with his father. Bo and his father struggle to communicate and as Bo gets older it only get worse and this manifests itself into anger for Bo which has him sent to anger management. It is here that the story shows how abuse, and difficult pasts can haunt and change a person. Each of the students has had a rough time and struggles to deal with their anger. The characters stories is what draws you into the story and become invested in what happens. The story also features letters written from Bo to Larry King about his life and current struggles. The letters act as a diary of sorts as Bo lays out his struggles to Larry. The ending of course is the race in which Bo has been training for and the support he receives from his anger management classmates is heart warming. I appreciate the fact the story doesn't end perfectly for Bo and his dad but instead ends with things far from perfect but improving. Bo and his dad can't fix their relationship over night but the story shows that things can get better if you work on it.
Reader's Annotation: Bo is training for a triathalon like no other, the Ironman. It will push him to his limits in running, biking and swimming. Bo manages to balance school, training, work and even helping care for his younger brother but none of that seems to make his father happy. Bo and his father have never seen eye but when Bo quits football it only gets worse. Then Bo flips out on his former football coach and gets himself sent to anger management. But does Bo really belong in a class with the schools delinquents? While winning the Ironman finally get Bo the approval he's always wanted? Or will Bo always be at odds with his father?
Issues Present: The book has foul language, ethnic slurs, violence and abuse. It also features a gay teacher.
Bibliotherapeutic usefulness: The story deals with Bo's strained relationship with his father and also the abuse issues with other characters. They all have had parents that have not always been loving and supporting and for some of them their parents have been abusive and neglectful. Readers with similar struggles can relate to the anger that the characters struggle with.
Book Talk Ideas: The letters to Larry King play a large role so I think the book talk should be in a letter format.
Main Themes: father and son relationships, anger, abuse, training, triathlon 
Read-alikes: Keeper by Mal Peet and Bullyville by Francine Prose
Author Website: http://www.chriscrutcher.com/
Professional Reviews: Publisher's Weekly
Kirkus Reviews
Why this book was chosen: The book while sports related is more about relationships with friends, family and even romantic relationships. It shows how the past can affect your present but also that it doesn't have to define you. 

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-TIme Indian

Title: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Author: Sherman Alexie
Published: Sept., 2007
ISBN: 0316013692
Page number: 230
Price: $16.99
Reading Level: 6th grade
Interest Level: 7th grade and up
Awards: National Book Award for Young People's Literature (2007), School Library Journal Best Book of the Year (2007), American Indian Library Association Award (2007)
Plot Summary: Junior lives on an Indian reservation in Washington with his parents and sister. Like much of the reservation his parents are alcoholics living in poverty. His sister, who had great promise, now hides away in the basement. Junior is an awkward but intelligent teen who stutters and has health issues due to being born with water on the brain. He is often picked on by the other kids on the reservation but his best friend Rowdy always comes to his defense. But when Junior decides that his only hope for his future is to go to school off the reservation his best friend turns on him, along with the rest of the reservation. Things are too great at his new school either since Junior is the only Indian in a see of white faces. As he tries his best to fit in he starts to feel that he is betraying his Indian heritage.
Review: This has been a book I've wanted to read for a while. It's had its fair share of controversy and it delivers with course language, talk of masturbation, alcoholism, racism and abuse. But the story is wonderfully told with humor, sadness and honesty. Junior is struggling with his choice to attend school off the reservation at a nearby school where everyone is white. He is treated as an outcast at his new school and a traitor back home. But Junior is resilient, he doesn't give up, even against all odds and great tragedy.   It is Junior's wit and humour that keeps the book moving and from becoming too depressing. Alexie manages to deliver a lot of heavy subject matters with a healthy dose of humor. The story itself gives a glimpse of how life hopeless life on the reservation can be for young Native Americans. This feeling could easily be translated to poor areas across the country. While many will criticize the story, saying it is a negative portrayal of Native Americans, I feel that Sherman Alexie has told a story that has frank honesty but manages to touch the reader in an emotional way.
Reader's Annotation: Junior lives on a reservation in Washington with his parents and sister. He may be the smartest person on the reservation but in a place that lacks opportunity and hope there isn't much of a future for Junior. So when Junior decides to leave his reservation to go to a white school a town over his decision is not well received by the kids at his new school or the people on his reservation. Can Junior still be an Indian even if he's turn his back on his reservation and will his new school ever accept him?
Book Talk Ideas: Junior loves to draw, so it would be interesting to use sketches or drawings to introduce the story.
Issues: The book has foul language, discussion of masturbation, alcoholism, racism and abuse.
Main Themes: racism, alcoholism, abuse, friendship, family, identity, poverty
Bibliotherapeutic usefulness: The story is very relatable for those dealing with poverty, alcoholism, abuse or racism. For many minorities who live in poverty the struggles that Junior faces when he decides to try and get out of the reservation are very relatable and real life issues. It can help others realize the many problems that plague the Native American population and others living in extreme poverty like Junior.
Read-alikes: Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S King, Eyes of the Emperor by Graham Salisbury
Author Website: http://www.fallsapart.com/
Professional Reviews: Publisher's Weekly
Kirkus Reviews
Why this book was chosen: The book not only features a Native American as the main character but the author is Native American. So often YA lit does not represent diversity so this story is not only great because the author is Native American but because the story is unique in it's honest telling of Native American struggles. It is also a book that has received great praise from critics and readers.

Ship Breaker

Title: Ship Breaker

Author: Paolo Bacigalupi

Published: May 2010

Pages: 326

Price: $16.99

ISBN: 0316056219

Other books in the series: Drowned Cities

Reading Level: 6th grade

Interest Level: 8th grade and up

Awards: National Book Award Finalist, Printz Award, Locus Award

Plot Summary: Nailer is a young boy who lives in the gulf coast which has been flooded by the rising waters. To make money Nailer scavenges tanker ships for copper wiring and other raw goods. It's a long, tireless and dangerous job but it's how Nailer survives. Everyone in Nailer's village is looking for a "lucky strike" that find that will set them up for life and get them out of their job working on tanker crews. Then one day after a storm Nailer's "lucky strike" happens. An expensive and beautiful Clipper ship is shipwrecked on shore and Nailer is the first to find it. The bought could be scavenged for more wealth than he could possible ever make in a year of tanker scavenge. But it turns out there is something far more valuable on the ship, a young rich girl. He know has two choices save the girl and risk his life or pillage the ship for all it's wealth and the the girl to her fate.

Critical Review: Ship Breaker is a gritty, faced paced dystopia novel filled with violence, bleak surrounding but colorful well developed characters. Nailer's grueling life of stripping tanker ships is nothing compared to the struggles he goes through to save himself and Nita, the rich girl from the boat from her tribes who want her dad and Nailer's drug addicted violent father who wants to exploit the girl for her wealth. At times the violence was almost too much, but it really helps tell the story of the how people lived and survived in the story. Without all the grit the story would seem to clean, too happy and the story line wouldn't feel the same, it wouldn't have that grim and desperate feeling.

Reader's Annotation: Nailer is forced to scavenge tankers and risk his life everyday in small dark holes while dreaming of a better life. Then one day his dream comes to him in the form of a crashed clipper ship, but the treasures on the ship go beyond gold, oh no the treasure Nailer finds is something far more valuable.

Issues Present: The story contains some very graphic violent scenes. There is also drugs and alcohol abuse in the story which some find offensive.

Main Themes: poverty, survival, greed, abuse, addiction, friendship

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Nailer lives a life of poverty, abuse and bleak surroundings. A teen living in similar situations can relate to Nailer's struggles and those who are more fortunate can develop empathy for those who have to struggle to survive.

Read alikes: Ashfall by Mike Mullin, The Carbon Diaries 2015 by Saci Lloyd, Trash by Andy Mulligan

Author Website: http://windupstories.com/

Professional Reviews: Kirkus Reviews

Publisher's Weekly

Why Chose this Book? While the book is set in the future it deals with some very current issues of poverty and survival. The bleak environment shows how rough life is for the children who are forced to salvage inorder to live. The book is an award winner and has an action packed plot that pulls the reader in.

Please Ignore Vera Dietz

Title: Please Ignore Vera Dietz 
Author: A.S. King
Published: Oct 2010
ISBN: 0307942104
Pages: 336
Price: $16.99
Reading Level: 8th grade
Interest Level: 9th grade and up
Genre: realistic fiction
Plot Summary: Vera has always been in love her neighbor Charlie but now Charlie is dead and Vera is forced to deal with all her mixed feelings the surround Charlie and his death. Charlie and Vera had a falling out and were no longer on speaking terms before Charlie died. In fact Vera hates Charlie almost as much as she loves him due to something Charlie did to betray and hurt Vera. Vera lives with her father who despite his best efforts still struggles with being left by his wife and being left to raise Vera on his own. He knows part of Charlie's secrets but chooses to ignore it like Vera. But as Charlie's secrets start to eat away at Vera she realizes she can't ignore it any longer.
Critical Review: The story is mainly told from Vera's point of view but a few chapters are told by Vera's dad, the Pagoda that looks over the town and even from dead charlie himself. The changes in view points provides the reader with a better understanding of the characters and the story. In the case of Vera's dad it provides teen readers with a better understanding of how the parent feels. Vera's dad is obviously struggling with raising Vera and his viewpoint better explains why his relationship is the way it is with Vera. Vera herself is a teen who is forced to grow up to fast. The story is heartbreaking and very raw and you find yourself wrapped up in the lives of Vera and Charlie and the secret that Vera is hiding. This unknown keeps the story moving and the reader interested.
Reader's Annotation: Vera is in love with her friend but Charlie died and Vera holds all his secrets. Vera has her own secrets, but will she come to terms with all her secrets and Charlie's secrets? Or will Vera just continue to ignore her problems and Charlie's secrets.
Awards: Printz Honor  (2011), YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults (2011)
Book Talking Ideas: I would perhaps do a book talk from the Pagoda's point of view, with it talking about all the things it sees.
Issues: The book deals with abuse and a older male that is most likely a sex offender. Vera also drinks and engages in reckless behavior that some parents could find inappropriate.
Bibliotherapeutic usefulness: Vera is dealing not only with the death of her best friend Charlie but also with feelings of guilt, rejection, and depression. Teens who have had a friend isolate them or bully them will relate to Vera and her tumultuous relationship with Charlie. The book also shows how people are afraid to be involved in others problems, like in the case of Charlie and his mom being abused by his father. This could maybe help teens who are afraid to speak up and see that ignore problems does not make things better and could, like in the case of Vera, make things worse.
Main Themes: death, depression, friendship, secrecy, abuse
Read alikes: Paper Towns by John Green, Where Things Come Back by John Whaley
Author Website: http://www.as-king.com/
Professional Reviews: Publisher's Weekly
Kirkus Reviews
Why Choose this Book? The book is not only an award winner but it is one that deals with many heavy topics such as betrayal, abuse, death and depression. The story is not sugarcoated and will appeal to teens who want an emotional realistic fiction story.