Going Bovine

Title: Going Bovine

Author: Libba Bray

Published: Sep 2009

Pages: 480

Price: $17.99

Reading Level: 5th grade

Interest Level: 9th-12th grade

Awards: Michael L. Printz Award, YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, Booklist Editor's Choice

Genre: fantasy, humor

Plot Summary:16 year old Cameron is a self declared slacker who is happy just skating by in life and school. But it turns out his life is going to much shorter than he expect. It turns out that he has contracted mad cow disease and is going to die, which he isn't too thrilled to find out. I mean who dies of mad cow disease? The doctor tells him the disease will slowly attack his brain and he will go crazy and then die, not the best outlook. But then a combat wearing punk angel Dulcie shows up at the hospital and tells Cameron that he can save himself and the world by finding Dr. X. So Cameron and his video game loving dwarf friend Bonzo set off on an adventure across the country to save the world. During their travels they pick up a talking yard gnome and hilarity ensues. This is like no road trip, quest you've ever seen. But one begins to wonder if Cameron's crazy journey is just hallucination induced by his illness or if he really is on a road trip to save the world.

Critical Review: The plot is absurd and filled with strange and quirky characters and absolutely insane scenarios, but Libba Bray has a way of making it work. It's an epic road trip/quest story with sarcasm, wit and a bit of magical fantasy thrown in. Though the book is also slightly dark as Cameron faces his death. The reader starts to realize that his hilarious adventure might not be more than just Cameron's very sick brain hallucinating as the mad cow disease takes over. Cameron goes through a sort of coming of age growth as he nears his death. It really adds to the complexity of the book that without would just make the story too silly, too out of control. The reality of Cameron dying allows for the story to have more impact on the reader. Only Libba Bray could write something so tragic that seem lighthearted and fun till the end.

Reader's Annotation: Cameron just found out he is dying of mad cow disease. Which he didn't even think was possible. But then a crazy angel shows up and convinces him to save the world and possibly himself.

Bibliotheraputic Usefulness: Cameron goes through a great deal of growth through the book. He starts his quest as a complete slacker who never does anything to someone who is out to save the world. While teens won't have such epic adventures it does show that you can change your life and that you don't need to sit on the sidelines of life. Teens will also be able to contemplate death and what it means when you are very young and facing your own death.

Book Talk Ideas: A book talk can't go wrong with a talking yard gnome, which would make for a great hook in the book talk. Maybe even see about bringing a yard gnome as prop. Ask what does a yard gnome, video games and mad cow disease all have to do with saving the world? Ask Cameron.

Issues: There some foul language in the story including a lot of the word fuck and shit. There is also the issue of Cameron dying which might be seen as too mature. Cameron also has sex, with an angel who wears combat boots and has pink hair. Not exactly what most people think of when it comes to angels.

Main themes: death, coming of age, friendship, love, quests, road trips

Read Alikes: The Last Summer of the Death Warriors by Francisco X. Stork

Author Website: http://libbabray.com/

Professional Reviews: Publisher's Weekly

Why include this book? This book is a unique take on the road trip novel. Libba Bray has an amazing wit and humour in her writing. It's also a book that will have great appeal to male readers because of it's male protagonist, sarcasm and video game loving character.

The Fault in Our Stars

Title: The Fault in Our Stars
Author: John Green
Published: 2012
ISBN: 978-0-525-47881-2
Price: 17.99
Pages: 313
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Romance
Awards: YALSA's Top Ten Teen Books Nominee, YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults, Booklist Editor's Choice-Books for Youth-Older Readers, School Library Journal Best Book, Goodreads Choice Award
Reading Level: 6th grade
Interest Level: 9th-12th grade
Plot Summary: Hazel Grace has terminal cancer and despite medicine that has shrunk her tumor Hazel is dying. For now the medicine has prolonged her life for the foreseeable future. Hazel spends her days attached to a breathing machine at home. She occasionally leaves to attend cancer meetings with other teens. But for Hazel she believes that it's best if she interacts with as few people as possible. She is afraid of hurting people with her death so she chooses not to interact. Then Hazel meets Augustus Waters, or Gus as she calls him. Gus lost his leg to cancer but with his cancer currently in remission and and 80% survival rate Gus has a different outlook on life than Hazel. Soon, Hazel finds herself falling for Gus despite her attempts to not get attached to people. Hazel and Gus bond over Hazel's favorite book An Imperial Affliction which ends mid sentence. The two then get the opportunity to travel overseas to finally ask how the story ends. But things don't go as planned and when you have cancer you can't really afford to be optimistic.
Critical Review: This book is on almost every Top Ten Book list for 2012 and it's easy to see why. John Green has written a touching, somber and simultaneously humorous story on what it means to love and lose. Like John Green's previous work, his teen characters are far more developed and insightful than most teens in YA fiction. He doesn't sugarcoat cancer or how it is to be sick, but rather he tells and honest and poignant story that leaves the reader heartbroken at the end. There are few books that could be compared to this one and the appeal of this book will reach beyond just teen readers. The parents in the story are also well developed and so human in their emotions. They aren't just one dimensional characters like some parents tend to be in YA fiction. Rather Hazel's parents show the heartbreak and struggles that parents of teens with caner go through. For a teen this might give them some insight into the view of a parent. This book could have easily become an after school special about cancer but Green's writing brings about layers to the story and great insight into the issues facing those who face death terminal illness.
Reader's Annotation: Hazel is dying, she has terminal cancer and has prepared herself for short future. What she didn't prepare herself for was Augustus Waters.
Book Talking Ideas: There is so many wonderful quotes in the book from Hazel and Augustus that I think using one of them to open up a book talk would be a great idea. For instance Hazel and Gus talk about cancer perks, the things you get because people feel bad that you have cancer. This list would highlight the sarcastic humour of the story. Also, the book is about cancer but it truly is a love story and I think using that to appeal to teens would draw in a lot of readers.
Bibliotheraputic Usefulness: The story deals with death, loss, grief, cancer, disappointment, and love. Teens who are struggling with grief or loss will be moved by the story. The story also provides and honest look at cancer and dying that teens will connect with. Green doesn't sugar coat the problems but instead shows them honestly.
Issues: The book details some graphic cancer related health issues. There is also some mild language and Gus and Hazel engage in premarital sex. Some may take issue with the books dealings with death and dying and the jokes about cancer and there is some religious jokes as well.
Author Website: http://johngreenbooks.com/
Read Alikes: Just One Day by Gayle Foreman, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
Professional Reviews: Publisher's Weekly
Kirkus Reviews
Why include this book? This book has been on the New York Time's best seller's list basically since it's release. It has been included in almost every Best of 2012 book list and has received glowing reviews from readers and critics alike. John Green writes with an honest wit that resonates with teen readers and at times get's parents feathers ruffled. His work is a must have for ever library because of it's perspective and the connection that Green has with his readers.