Give a Boy a Gun

Title: Give a Boy a Gun
Author: Todd Strasser
Published: Aug 2000
ISBN: 0689811128
Price: 16.00
Genre: realistic fiction
Reading Level: 5th grade
Interest Level: 7-12th grade
Awards: 
Plot Summary: Gary and Brendan attend Middletown High and are the victim of relentless bullying. The football players are especially cruel and no one seems to care what they do as long as they win the game. Well Gary and Brendan have had enough, they don't want to be the victim anymore. The boys are plotting revenge and they can't wait to make everyone pay. They decide that on the day of a school dance to come in, barricade the doors and hold everyone hostage. They have especially cruel plans for one particular football player Sam. He had been the cause of much of the bullying and they wanted him to pay. They planned to have him die slowly and painfully. They had everything planned, they had booby trapped the doors to explode if anyone tried to get out and even wrote their own suicide notes. What they didn't plan for was Emily. Why was Emily there?
Review: Todd Strasser tackles a big issues, school shootings. There are many ways he could have written this book but his multi-view point style makes this story standout. The story is told through different viewpoints, interviews, text messages and news articles. I thought this might make the story confusing or too scattered but instead this really showed the different emotions and feelings happening during the shooting. The one aspect I did find distracting was the footnotes during the story. I wanted to read the information because it was very interesting but I felt it took me out of the story. I think you almost have to read the footnotes afterwards instead of trying to read them as you read the story. The information at the back of the story was also very powerful. To see the shootings that happened while he was writing the story and the brief history of school shootings was sobering. The story really acts as a talking point or a way to open up dialogue about these issues of violence, bullying and gun control. Strasser doesn't offer answers but instead poses questions about how America handle's these problems. Though it is obvious that Strasser supports gun control since the back of the book states that portions of the profits from the book go to support gun control.
Reader's Annotation: Gary and Brendan are what you would call outcasts and they are the victims of bullying. But no one expected they would seek revenge with guns.
Bibliotherapeutic usefulness: This story not only gives insight into the thoughts and feelings of the school shooters but the victims as well. Strasser provides a wealth of information on gun violence and school shootings that might make readers stop and think about how we interact with people and how we deal with guns in society. Sadly, school shootings are something that effects teens, whether it happens at their school or they hear about it on TV, these tragedies effect us all. This story provides a way to open up dialogue and perhaps start to think about solutions.
Issues: The book touches on a very controversial topic of school shootings and gun control. There are many that feel gun control is not the answer and would feel that this book is anti-gun, therefore treading on second amendment rights. The story also depicts violence, especially in the case of Sam who they shoot in the knee caps. There is also the issue that Strasser tries to make Gary and Brendan seem human and at times they come across as the victims, which may upset some people. They may feel that the story glorifies what the boys did or that we shouldn't feel sorry for people who commit violent acts like this.
Book Talk Ideas: For the book talk I think I would read snippets of the story, some of the eyewitness accounts. I could also list some of the most recent shooting tragedies to highlight this issue and it's relevancy today.
Main Themes: school shootings, bullying, violence
Read-alikes: Endgame by Nancy Farmer, Jumped by Rita Williams-Garcia
Author Website: 
Professional Reviews: Publisher's Weekly
Kirkus Reviews
Why this book was chosen: The book was written over 10 years ago but it still feels very timely and current. The issues in this book have not gone away and in the wake of such tragedies like Newtown this book is even more relevant. Also, Strasser way of handling the material is unique and I think it really shows the story in a new way.

The Maze Runner

Title: The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Published: Oct. 2009
ISBN: 0385737947
Page number: 374
Price: $16.99
Other books in the Series: The Scorch Trials, The Death Cure, The Kill Order
Genre: dystopia, fantasy
Reading Level:  6th grade
Interest Level: 6th grade and up
Awards: YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults (2011), Abraham Lincoln Award (2012), Reviewers' Choice Award Nominee for Best Young Adult Paranormal/Fantasy Novel (2009)
Plot Summary: Thomas wakes up to find himself in the Glade with no recollection of life before he awoke. The Glade is home to a bunch of young boys called Gladers who each have a job to do in the Glade. Outside the Glade lies a large maze that closes every night. Every day the boys work to try and get out of the maze but they can't seem to find the exit before the maze closes every night. At night strange and deadly creatures come out of the maze and the boys must retreat to the Glade for safety.  Everyone month a new boy shows up, just like Thomas, and they have no idea of life before the  maze but the day after Thomas shows up a girl appears. That is when everything goes wrong. The maze doesn't close at night and the Gladers are now exposed to the dangers within the maze. Their only choice for survival is to escape but what lies outside the maze? 
Review: The story is fast paced and action packed. The mystery of the maze and why they are all there drives the story. Though it seems that as the story moves along there is more questions than answers. Of course the story is part of a series so many of those question can be answered in later stories. There is quite a bit of violence but the story is one of survival and not every kid in the maze makes it out. The story ends on a cliffhanger with the reader eager to start the next book.
Reader's Annotation: Thomas wakes up to find himself in a maze with no idea of who he is or where he is. Thomas is just another boy who has found himself trapped in the maze but everything changes when a girl shows up.
Book Talk Ideas: The story is built on mystery and suspense so that same feeling should be brought to the book talk. Perhaps using many of the stories unknowns to draw in the audience.
Issues: The story is a dystopian theme with violence, betrayal and government conspiracy.

Main Themes: secrecy, violence, coming of age, survival, betrayal, government conspiracy

Bibliotherapeutic usefulness: The story is one of survival and struggle and teens perhaps gain strength from the characters ability to overcome deadly creatures and other trials in the maze.
Read-alikes: Code by Kathy Reichs and Shade's Children by Garth Nix
Author Website: http://www.jamesdashner.com/
Professional Reviews: Kirkus Reviews

Why chose this book: The series is very popular, especially amont teen boys who love the action and suspense. The story has received some controversy for it's violence.

The Knife of Never Letting Go

Title: The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking #1)
Author: Patrick Ness
Other books in the series: The Ask and the Answer, Monsters of Men
ISBN: 1406310255
Pages: 496
Price: $18.99
Genre: Sci-fi, dystopia
Reading Level: 6th grade
Interest Level: 9th grade and up
Awards: Guardian Children's Fiction Prize (2008), YALSA Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults (2011)
Plot Summary: Todd Hewitt lives in Prentisstown, a town like no other. Prentisstown has no woman, and everyone can hear each other's thoughts, even the thoughts of animals. The noise, as they call it, is a constant part of life. All the woman in Todd's town have died, including his mother. The source of their death was a disease that they caught from the native species on the planet that they refer to as Spackle. The town told Todd that it is this disease that causes everyone to be able to hear each other's thoughts. Todd is the youngest in the town and is on the verge of becoming a man. Though not too long before his 13th birthday, Todd discovers place out in the swamps that is silent, a place where there is no noise. Todd's attempts to keep this a secret fail and his adoptive parents force him to leave Prentisstown due to some fear that they will not share with Todd. As Todd and his dog, Manchee, try to escape they are chased down by Aaron, the resident pastor, who does not have the best intentions for Todd. Todd also finds the source of the silence, a girl who was sent with her parents on a scouting  mission from another planet. Unfortunately, her parents were killed when her ship crashed. Todd can't hear her thoughts and he soon fears that she will catch the disease and die. So Todd and the girl, Viola, take off with Manchee to flee Aaron and see if they can find help. They soon find another village that has woman and Todd starts to learn the truth about Prentisstown. Though the men of Prentisstown come after Todd and take out anyone in their path. Aaron is determined to capture Viola and kill Todd. But how can you escape when none of your thoughts are secret?
Critical Review: The book has a unique feel, in that it has an almost old west type of setting with a sci-fi twist. The storyline is fast paced due to all the action and it keeps the reader very engaged through out the story. The book can be a bit difficult to read at the beginning since the spelling and vocabulary reflects that of the people of Prentisstown. Though after a while it becomes very easy to read. I also liked the way the noise is represented. Each persons thoughts are represented by a different font and at times the noise is so jumbled it's unreadable, which really helps get across the idea of the noise. The book does have quite a bit of violence, but I think the fact that Todd struggles with his part of violence shows just how it can affect a person. Patrick Ness is able to create a story, that while violent still has a lot of emotion.
Reader's Annotation: Prentisstown has many secrets. For instance what happened to all the women? And why can everyone hear each other's thoughts? Todd Hewitt is about to become a man but just before his 13th birthday he discovers the biggest secret of all: silence. What is behind the silence in the swamp and how can you keep a secret when everyone can hear your thoughts?
Book talk ideas: I would focus my book talk on the idea that everyone can hear each other's thoughts. Teens could relate to this idea of being bombarded with constant thoughts since they live in the digital age and it seems that teens are constantly being exposed to a constant stream of media.
Issues: The story is violent and it has it's own unique form of swearing. Also, the religious figure in the story is the stories main villan.
Main Themes: secrecy, dystopia, violence, coming of age, space travel
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Todd was raised with believing things were one way only to find out that he has been lied to. The story shows Todd's struggle to find the truth and to become a man. Teens can relate to Todd's struggle for the truth and his growth into adulthood.
Read alikes: Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card, Divergent by Veronica Roth
Author Website: http://www.patrickness.com/
Professional Reviews: Kirkus Reviews
Why this book was chosen: The story received critical acclaim and has been popular due to it's dystopian themes. It features a male lead character and is action packed which draws in lots of reluctant readers.

The Hunger Games

Title: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Published: Sept. 2008
ISBN: 0439023483
Page number: 374
Price:$10.99
Other Books in the Series: Catching Fire, Mockingjay
Reading Level: 7th grade 
Interest Level: 6th grade and up
Awards: ALA Notable Children's Book for Older Readers (2008), School Library Journal Best Book of the Year (2008), Cybils Award for Young Adult Fantasy and Science Ficton (2008), ALA's Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults (2009), New York Times Notable Children's Book (2009), Publisher's Weekly Best Books of the Year (2008), Horn Book Fanfare (2008)
Plot Summary: North America is now known as Panem and consists of 12 districts that are all controlled by The Capitol. Years before there was a war and the 13th district was completed destroyed and after that The Capitol started the Hunger Games to remind the people of Panem of how violence destroyed them. The Hunger Games are a yearly game that has teens from the ages 12-18 fighting for their life until only one emerges as the sole survivor and winner. The tributes as they are called are chosen at random every year and each district choses a boy and girl to compete. Katniss is from one of the poorest districts and when her sister is chosen she volunteers to go in her place. Now Katniss is part of the televised spectacle that is The Hunger Games. She may not have the training or powerful backing that some of the other tributes has but Katniss is determined to win and come back to her family. But can Katniss survive or will she just be another in a long line of those who fall victim to The Hunger Games.
Review: The story is exciting and suspenseful with lots of action at every turn. But Suzanne Collins does a great job of showing just how manipulative The Capitol can be. While there is plenty of violence in the book there is also lots of remorse and emotion associated with the deaths. I believe this shows the appalling nature of such violence rather than glorifying the violence. I also think that Collins has created a great character in Katniss. Even though Katniss at times can come across as too practical and emotionless she exposes a softer side at times, especially in the case of Rue that readers will find appealing. 
Reader's Annotation: Every year The Capitol holds The Hunger Games, a fight to the death with only one winner. Every year each of the 12 districts of Panem will chose 2 tributes that are 12-18 years old. But when Katniss's little sister is chosen to be apart of the games she volunteers to take her place. Now Katniss must outwit and kill her opponents and survive the games but will the odds be ever in her favor?
Bibliotherapeutic usefulness: The book can allow teens to see someone they relate to overcome great odds and survive. They can be inspired to overcome their own challenges. It may also show how corrupt people with control can become and that you have to fight for what is right even when it is difficult.
Issues: The book is a very bleak depiction of the future that includes a corrupt and overly powerful government. There is quite a lot of violence and death of young children and teens that many may find to be over the top or offensive.
Book Talk Ideas: 
Genre: dystopia
Main Themes: survival, government control
Read-alikes: Divergent by Veronica Roth, Blood Red Road by Moira Young
Author Website:http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/
Professional Reviews: Kirkus Reviews
Publisher's Weekly
Why this book was chosen: This series is widely popular with teens and adults especially since the series has been turned into movies. It has hooked a lot of reluctant readers into reading again and with it's popularity has brought about controversy with it's violence and bleak depiction of the future.