Random Reads

Voya, or Voice for Youth Advocates, is a bimonthly publication that is an essential for all teen librarians to read.  It addresses professionals who work with teenagers.  It contains informative articles and book reviews.  I consider it "my bible" in regards to young adult literature.

The book reviews are rated on quality and popularity.  A book receiving a 5Q means it's hard to imagine it being better written. A 4Q means "better than most, marred only by occasional lapses." (VOYA).   The following titles have received VOYA's prestigious 4Q and 5Q ratings.

My Mother the Cheerleader by Robert Sharenow

  Louise's mother pulls her out of school when the court orders integration of her school in New Orleans.  Everyone in the area believes in segregation because that's the way it's always been.  Louise feels bad for first grader Ruby Bridges because she endures the angry insults from the white crowd who gather each morning.  Louise's own mother is one of the "cheerleaders" who continually harasses Ruby.  New York editor Morgan Miller arrives in town and everything changes for Louise as she begins to see the world differently.  This novel offers a unique perspective of historical fiction during the 1960 integration.

Don't Call Me Ishmael by Michael Gerard Bauer

  I LOVED THIS NOVEL!  Although this novel addresses the issue of bullying (I know you're thinking been there, done that), the author has such a different and unique approach that readers will be laughing and cheering on the underdogs.  I swear if Academy Awards were given to scenes in teen literature, this novel would sweep the category.  Okay, now for the plot.  Ishmael Leseur is named after the famous novel Moby Dick which instantly makes him a target for bullying.  Enter Barry Baglsey, class bully.  Ishmael's ninth grade year (Called Year Nine in Australia, the setting of this book) starts out on the wrong note and he instantly becomes a target.  Enter even bigger nerd James Scobie who claims he had a brain operation and as a result, he isn't afraid of anyone or anything.  He stands up to Barry, befriends Ishmael, begins a debate team and becomes somewhat of a celebrity.  Check out this book for one fantastic read!

Blood Brothers by S.A. Harazin

  Clay is a Med Tech and the youngest employee at a Georgia hospital.  His best friend Joey becomes a patient in an unusual set of circumstances.  One day, Clay discovers Joey, obviously drunk or high, in a psychotic state which causes Clay to strike Joey in self defense.  Joey is rushed to the hospital where he lapses into a coma.  Clay must discover the mystery of what happened to Joey to cause him to act in such a way.  Was he partying?  Who gave him drugs?  Many questions need to be answered so Clay can clear his name and find out the real truth.  This novel was realistically portrayed and the mystery will draw in most readers.

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin

  Naomi wakes up in the hospital with a memory beginning from sixth grade.  Everything before that she forgets.  She fell and hit her head on the steps when she went back for the yearbook camera.  She eventually returns to her life.  She can't remember why she has a boyfriend like Ace, why she loves the yearbook committee, and why her best friend Will is acting differently.  While this novel got excellent reviews, this reader thought certain areas were a little too convenient and a little flat overall. 

The Wednesday Wars by GaryD. Schmidt

  Holling Hoodhood is a seventh grader who must spend Wednesday afternoons with his teacher Mrs. Baker while the rest of his class attends outside religion classes.  He's convinced that Mrs. Baker doesn't like him.  Holling has a tough year ahead: he's cast in a Shakespeare play and has to wear tights, a bully makes demands on him for cream puffs, two escaped rats, and even girls...  The time is during the Vietnam War which provides the backdrop for underlying serious tones of the novel while Schmidt provides comic relief in all the right places.  This novel will stick with readers for a long time to come and the happy ending will delight all!  Everyone should read!

Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

   Tyler spent the summer before his senior year doing manual labor as part of his probation for spray painting the school.  The summer work built up his muscles and his character.  He falls for his father's boss's daughter, Bethany, one of the most popular girls in school.  Once a nerd, Tyler's improved looks and muscle tone attract Bethany's attention.  Secondary characters include Tyler's emotionally detached father, his sister Hannah, and best friend Yoda.  I absolutely loved this novel.  Tyler is a great main character who male readers will identify with and females will want to date.   A mishap at a party spirals out of control and makes Tyler the prime suspect.  My only gripe with the novel was the ending, I wanted more closure with Bethany and Tyler.  Overall, a truly spectacular read!  Another outstanding novel by Anderson. 

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

     Annabel Greene is a model for Knop's Department Store and people think she has it all.  Last year, she did, but then she had a falling out with her best friend over something that happened with her friend's boyfriend.  In addition, Annabel struggles at home with her older sister's eating disorder and Annabel's wish to quit modeling.  Annabel finds herself an outcast during the current school year and she is drawn to Owen, another outcast who is obsessed with music and even hosts his own weekly radio program.  Owen brings out the best in Annabel and encourages her to face the obstacles in her life.  Sarah Dessen delivers another powerful novel and earlier fans will not be disappointed.  New readers to Dessen will immediately become fans and will race to read her earlier novels. 

     Doug Hanson is constantly picked on.  His best friend is Andy and they are complete opposites.  Andy is on the football team, extremely popular, and can date any girl he wants.  On the other hand, Doug is nerdy, obsessed with fire and trains, and very unpopular.  The two teens are next door neighbors and best friends.  A tragic incident that happened three years ago causes Doug to retreat inside himself and he loses his grip on reality.  A series of events lead up to a startling conclusion that is completely surprising to the reader who may or may not have figured out the surprise.  Hautman is the award winning author of Godless that won the National Book Award.  This is an easily read novel that the reader will be able to finish in one sitting.  I am a huge fan of Hautman's other works and readers will not be disappointed.

Guyaholic by Carolyn Mackler

  This novel, the sequel to Vegan Virgin Valentine, has a completely different tone because V. Valentine is the narrator and she is a little more edgy than Mara.   The story begins at a hockey game when a  puck slams into V's head and she lands in the lap of Sam, her soon to be boyfriend.  While V normally hops from guy to guy, Sam seems like the real deal until she messes things up.  She decides to make a cross country road trip to visit her flighty mother in Texas in order to escape.  Will she make it to her mother's house or will she take a detour in a completely different direction?  Readers will love this engaging sequel.