How I Live Now

Rosoff, M. (2004). How I Live Now. United Kingdom: Puffin.

Image credit: Perrot Library

Annotation:

A young American girl is sent to England to live with estranged family at the onset of World War III.

Booktalk:

Then...

Daisy lived in Manhattan with her father. Her biggest concern was her evil stepmother who had recently revealed that she was pregnant. Daisy was sure the baby would be just as devilish as Davina.

Now...

Daisy lives with her four cousins in the remote English countryside. Her aunt has been stranded in Norway due to the outbreak of World War III. For a while things are idyllic without an adult around. But, as the war catches up to them, Daisy and her cousins must face a new reality that is violent, hostile, and deadly. Find out what happens to Daisy and see How She Lives Now.

Awards:

• Branford Boase Award, 2005
• Der Luchs des Jahres Book Prize, 2005
• Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, 2004
• Julia Ward Howe Prize (Boston Authors Club), 2005
• Michael L. Printz Award, 2005

The Forest of Hands and Teeth

Ryan, C. (2009). The Forest of Hands and Teeth. New York: Delacorte.

Image credit: Carrie Ryan

Annotation:

In a post-apocalyptic world of zombies a teenager must find courage to protect the ones she loves.

Booktalk:

What lies beyond the fences in the Forest of Hands and Teeth? Mary is like any other teenager; she falls in love, she is rebellious, and she has had a best friend since she was little. But Mary's world is post-apocalyptic and overrun with undead cannibals who threaten her existence. When the village fences succumb to the relentless undead, Mary is forced to flee with a small group of friends. And so begins a journey for truth, safety, and a world long forgotten. Will Mary find what she is looking for in the Forest of Hands and Teeth?

Quote:

I think about how fragile we are here—like fish in a glass bowl with darkness pressing in on every side.


Awards:

• ALA Best Books for Young Adults selection
• Borders Original Voices finalist
• Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book
• Denver Public Library Best Teen Books, 2009
• Georgia Peach Book AwardNomination, 2010-2011
• IndieBound Kids' Indie Next List for Spring 2009, #4
• Junior Library Guild selection
• New York Public Library Stuff for the Teen Age List, 2010
• New York Times Best Seller
• North Carolina School Library Media Association Young Adult Book Award Nomination
• Texas Library Association TAYSHAS High School Reading list, 2010-2011

The Outsiders

Hinton, S. E. (1967). The Outsiders. New York: Viking Press.

Image credit: Wikipedia

Annotation:  

A group of outcasts band together to survive the social injustice present in their small town and high school. 

Review:

The Outsiders is the quintessential young adult novel written by S. E. Hinton when she was just a sophomore in high school. Much of the success of this novel can be attributed to its authenticity in its representation of social class in high schools across the United States. Hinton presents two different social groups in an Oklahoma town; the Greasers are stereotyped as poor, uneducated “hoods,” while the Socs are perceived as rich, superior and perfect. Throughout the novel Hinton proves that appearances can be deceiving and all teenagers, regardless of their social class, experience similar challenges during adolescence. Touching on familiar teenage topics such as popularity, friendship, and identity allow young readers to relate to the main characters and storyline no matter what side of the tracks they reside.

The themes of death and loss are also present in The Outsiders, but Hinton uses both themes in a realistic way that demands empathy from the readers. The development of the relationship between the Curtis brothers is touching and authentic. While their familial issues may not be exactly the same as those of every reader, everyone can relate to growing pains within the family dynamic, especially during adolescence. Another important aspect of The Outsiders for many young adults is the portrayal of friends making a surrogate family for teenagers. As adolescents come of age, they tend to identify more with their peers than their family members. And in such a way, they develop a family as evidenced in the group of greasers that they novel is centered around. The book is most appropriate for young adults ages 14 and up due to the violence and intense scenes.

Awards:

• ALA Best Young Adult Book, 1975 
• Chicago Tribune Book World spring Book Festival Honor Book, 1967
• Massachusetts Children’s Book Award, 1979
• Media and Methods Maxi Award, 1975 
• New York Herald Tribune Best Teenage Books List, 1967

Milkweed: A novel

Spinelli, Jerry. (2003). Milkweed: A novel. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Image Credit: Kidsreads.com

Annotation:  

An orphan child discovers friendship, racism, love, and his identity during the Holocaust.

Review:

“Stopthief” is nameless, homeless, and parent-less. But once he meets a respected street kid, Uri, he assumes a new identity and a new life as Misha Pilsudski. Just as Misha begins to get comfortable as his new self, the rise of Nazism and the Holocaust will once again alter his life course. In Milkweed, Newbery award-winning author Jerry Spinelli demonstrates his ability to interpret a horrible event in history and craft an inspiring historical fiction novel for young adults. The unique title sparks the imagination of the reader as they wonder when the significance will be revealed. The book jacket is hauntingly beautiful with a sepia-toned picture of the back of a stone angel statue, which is another symbol that is present throughout the story. The background and experiences of each of the main characters manage to evoke respect, sadness, laughter, and empathy. 

Spinelli masterfully integrates several themes into Milkweed such as identify, loss, friendship, and coming-of-age that are relevant and appropriate for the intended audience. The themes are flawlessly executed throughout the entire book which makes for a story that is strong, emotional, and inspiring at the same time. Some historical details are present but Spinelli relies more on storyline than facts, which keeps young adult readers interested without sounding like a textbook.This book is appropriate for children 11 and up as it is concise and uses short sentences with intermediate vocabulary. Milkweed reminds all readers that history can repeat itself if we do not learn from past events.

Awards:          

• ALA Best Book for Young Adults, 2004 
• Booklist Top 10 Historical Fiction for Youth Selection
• Book Links Lasting Connections Selection
• Carolyn W. Field Award from the Pennsylvania Library Association, 2004
• Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choice, 2004 
• National Jewish Book Award Finalist, 2004 
• New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age 
• The Golden Kite Award Winner (Fiction), 2003