The Vespertine

Mitchell, Saundra. The Vespertine. Harcourt: 2011. ISBN: 9780547482477.

Summary:
It is 1899 and seventeen-year-old Amelia has been sent by her brother to Baltimore to find a respectable husband. Staying with her cousin Zora, is exciting and Amelia loves the city. The two girls go to dinners and other social engagements that mark the season. One night just as the sun is setting Amelia has a vision of Zora in a beautiful gown dancing with Thomas, the boy she is hopeful will propose. The girls just giggle and carry on until the vision becomes reality. Amelia begins having more and more visions, not all end happily. Unsure of how to use her 'gift' Amelia must face realities that are not of her choosing.

Evaluation:
This book is wonderfully written. The language flows and recalls the time and setting beautifully. Written in first person we see the action through Amelia's eyes. Amelia is thoughtful, caring, vulnerable and a bit rebellious, all at the same time. Her relationship to Zora is central to understanding Amelia. Both girls flirt with romance, it is not just a game, but a life altering experience. This book is a nice mix of historical fiction, romance and paranormal ability. The three blend together with ease.

Reader's Annotation:
The next time you feel the wind on your skin, you will think again.

Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
We all deal with guilt and feelings of regret whether they are deserved or not. Understanding that life has an ebb and flow of its own can release some of the tension we carry around.

Genre:
Historical Fiction, Romance, Paranormal

Why I Included This Book:
The cover really caught my eye, I am a sucker for costume dramas.

Gossip Girl: A Novel

von Ziegesar, Cecily. Gossip Girl: A Novel. Little, Brown and Company: 2002. ISBN: 0316910333.

Summary:
Life is all about perceptions. Blair Waldorf's life is ruined, over, at least that is her perception. To the rest of the world, Blair has it all; rich, beautiful, the most popular boy in school as a boyfriend, and she is the reigning queen of teen society in New York City. So what's Blair's problem? Serena van der Woodsen. Serena is Blair's ex-best friend and rival for Nate, her ever- so-popular boyfriend. With Serena away at boarding school, Blair was the center of attention, and she has no desire to go back to playing second fiddle. Rumor, innuendo and flat out lies make Serena's entry back into society difficult and that is just the way Blair likes it.

Evaluation:
This book is full of two faced, caddy people who I would not want to know. Cecily von Ziegesar does a good job conveying the shallowness of the characters, but her brush strokes stop there. There is no depth or connection with the characters, except maybe to feel sorry for Serena. Even that doesn't work because who feels sorry for a beautiful, rich girl. This book is a gateway to paperback romances. One unique format that is periodically throughout the book a copy of 'gossipgirl.net'. A gossipy website that recaps the action, if you can call it that, and gives predictions. Names of course are not used, but first initials are a complete give-away. This book has its place on the shelf, but with so many wonderful young adult books, it may get crowded out. If readers want a glimpse of New York City society, Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz is a much better read.

Reader's Annotation:
Money doesn't make you nice or even necessarily likable.

Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
This is for girls who think rich girls have it all. Obviously in the world of Gossip Girls, money doesn't buy real friendship or happiness.

Genre:
Contemporary Living, Romance

Why I Included This Book:
My 16 year old daughter wanted to read this book in the 7th grade and I wouldn't let her based on what I had heard about it. That means she probably read it behind my back! But, I wanted to finally see if it was as bad as I thought.

I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You

Carter, Ally. I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You. Hyperion: 2006. ISBN:1423100034.

Summary:
Sophomore Cammie Morgan is not your typical teenage girl. Cammie is a Gallagher Girl. She attends the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, which a a cover name for the super secret spy academy that Gallagher really is. Cammie comes by it honestly, her parents were both CIA operatives. Unfortunately, her father was killed on a mission, but, her mother is the headmistress of the academy. With classes like Countries of the World and Covert Operations, the Gallagher Girls are preparing to serve their country and meet danger head on. Meals are for more than just nourishment, each day a different language is spoken from Mandarin to Portuguese. Just when you think things can't get anymore exciting, a new student arrives that might not fit in, but then again, do they really know who she is?

Evaluation:
This is a quick, easy read. Perfect for a plane ride or a trip to the beach. It is great to see strong, able female characters. The books has it's bit of romance, but it is not the main focus and it serves as a learning experience for the characters. Loyalty and friendship are themes that connect with teen readers. The story has a lot of fluff and fun, but reality creeps in and life lessons are learned. This book reminds me of a female-lite version of the Alex Rider series and the cover is a great draw.

Reader's Annotation:
I could kill you in 64 different ways...

Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
Sometimes we all need a break. This book is a great piece of relaxing mind candy.

Genre:
Adventure

Why I Included This Book:
At least 85 % of my TAG teens have recommended this book. I wanted to know what they like and be able to have a conversation with them.

What My Mother Doesn't Know

Sones, Sonya. What My Mother Doesn't Know. Simon Pulse: 2001. ISBN: 9780689855535.

Summary:
Ninth grader Sophie is almost fifteen and eager to engage life and solve the mystery of love and boys. She's had a couple boyfriends, but the magic fades after a while and Sophie is ready for a new adventure. Sophie even tries her hand at an Internet relationship. Life at home is dysfunctional. Mom and dad fight, don't show any sort of affection to her or each other and her mother is a pro at making Sophie feel guilty. The Halloween dance looms large for the high school freshman. Sophie dances with a masked man who sweeps her off her feet and leaves her breathless. Unable to concentrate at school, Sophie must find out who he is and determine if this is her true love.

Evaluation:
Skillfully written in verse, author Sonya Sones builds characters and setting as much by what she doesn't say as opposed to what is on the page. Also in first person, Sophie is an open book and her thoughts tumble across each page with stark honesty and realism. Teens are changeable and explorers, Sophie explores a new relationship that she is convinced is platonic. We see her mind process and evaluate the importance of friends, loyalty and love.

Reader's Annotation:
Love is not a lightening bolt, sometimes it comes softly like the rain.

Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
Relationships are hard to navigate. Reading about how other teens manage is useful.

Genre:
Romance

Why I Included This Book:
I love books written in verse and this is a popular book at our library.

Harmless

Reinhardt, Dana. Harmless. Wendy Lamb Books: 2008. ISBN: 9780553494976.

Summary:
Anna, Emma and Mariah are freshman at the local private school, ODS. Anna is an only child, and kind of a loner. She is not popular and has been best friends with Emma since 3rd grade. Emma is the sister of one of the most popular seniors at school, Silas. Mariah is new this year and has a bit of a reputation, she is dating a senior, DJ from another school. The girls become friends and with Mariah's urging go to an all night party at DJ's house. To accomplish this the girls must lie to their parents. The party is not what they expected and has life changing results for one of them. But, because they feel pressure to enjoy partying and boys, the girls tell another lie and attend another party. This time, their parents find out that they are not where they said they would be and to avoid punishment the girls concoct a story that grows like Pinocchio's nose and has far reaching effects.

Evaluation:
This story is a great example of how one event can have a domino effect through many lives. It's just one lie. Can one lie hurt? The book does explore the idea of lies that help and save someone's feelings. Written in first person with chapters that alternate by each girl, first Anna, Emma, then Mariah. The reader learns events from a couple of perspectives and this adds to the tension in the plot. This is a morality tale, not just about what is the truth, but underage drinking, rape and coming of age.

Reader's Annotation:
It's just a small white lie, it won't hurt anyone...

Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
Girls who are raped or have sex when they are drunk will find this book healing. Just because you don't say "no", doesn't mean consent.

Genre:
Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age

Why I Included This Book:
I recently found this author and was interested in her other works.

Thunder Over Kandahar

McKay, Sharon. Thunder Over Kandahar. Annick Press: 2010. ISBN: 9781554512669.

Summary:
Fourteen-year-old Yasmine and her parents have moved from a comfortable life in Oxford, England to Herat, Afghanistan. Mother and father are happy to be back in their homeland and hope to make a difference in the tumultuous country. Yasmine is extremely homesick for her room, her grandfather and the life she is accustomed. Now whenever Yasmine and her mother go outdoors their heads must be covered with a hijab and they mustn't look any males in the face, but keep their eyes averted. A big difference from England! While out for a casual walk, mother is attacked by men in masks who accuse her of being a 'daughter of America' and not respecting the rule that women should not be seen in public without a man. Desperate and afraid, Yasmine is unaware that this is the first of many circumstances where she will have to show courage and bravery.

Evaluation:
This book is a work of fiction, but much of the information presented is right out of the news headlines. Author Sharon McKay does a wonderful job of bringing this faraway place up close and personal. Careful not to support one particular agenda, the author shows the complexities of the region in a fair-handed manner. Yasmine, her mother and Tamanna are great role models for girls of any nationality. The intense love of one's country is something many teens don't understand. Not patriotism or nationalism, but true, heartfelt love for a place. Adding to the connection, each chapter has a black and white photograph of something related to Afghanistan.

Reader's Annotation:
There is something to the clique, "Home is where the heart is."

Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
War is ugly. It takes a toll on everyone, soldier and civilian. This book shows the effects of war on a macro level and a micro level. Fortunately, pain and suffering do end and the sun will come out to shine.

Genre:
Realistic Fiction

Why I Read This Book:
I have an interest in reading about the effects of war on normal people. I want to understand more of what I read about the daily news headlines.

The Clique Summer Collection: Kristen

Harrison, Lisi. The Clique Summer Collection: Kristen. Little, Brown and Company: 2008. ISBN: 9780316027526.

Summary:
Kristen has just finished eighth grade and is facing the worst possible situation ever, a summer stuck at home babysitting/tutoring. All of Kristen's BFFs from the Pretty Committee are spending their summers traveling to exotic places or having delicious romances. But Kristen is stuck, stuck, stuck. Luckily, Ripple, Kristen's charge has an older brother, Dune, who is a skateboarder and gorgeous. Now things are looking up! Kristen wants so badly to impress Dune that she acts like someone she is not and loses sight of how important it is to be yourself.

Evaluation:
This book is major fluff! Every time an article of clothing is mentioned, the brand is given. The main character, Kristen, talks in annoying teenage slang, ehmagawd! But for all the shallowness, an important message is woven into the plot. Kristen changes who she is depending on who she is hanging around. She thinks this is the way to get friends and her 'crush'. Ultimately Kristen learns that she needs to be herself, whoever that may be. Adults will roll their eyes at this book, but teenage girls will relate and let's fact it, that is who the book was written for. Think Danielle Steele for teens.

Reader's Annotation:
It is important to always be true to yourself.

Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
Teens are obsessed with fitting in and not bringing undue attention to themselves. In doing so, many teens act differently around different people. Kristen shows us that your friends may be happy with this situation, but it is more important to be true to yourself.

Genre: Romance

Why I Included This Book:
Some parents won't let their girls read these books, I was curious what they were like.

Raised by Wolves

Barnes, Jennifer Lynn. Raised by Wolves. Egmont USA: 2010. ISBN: 9781606840597.

Summary:
Bryn is a typical teen, of sorts. She strains hard against the boundaries placed around her and she delights in rebelling against authority. The difference for Bryn is that she is a human that is being raised among Weres (Werewolves). Only one of two humans in the pack and only one of three females, Bryn doesn't feel the connection to the pack. Callum, the alpha saved Bryn when she was four years old from a Rapid Were. This wolf killed her parents and was poised to kill her until Callum and his pack showed up. Life has never been typical for Bryn, but now the pack is taking extra measures to protect her. Convinced that everyone knows a secret but her, Bryn embarks on a path that changes her life and that of the people she loves most.

Evaluation:
Finally a paranormal book that is not heavy with romance. Bryn is a strong character in her own right without a boy to pine over or fill up her thoughts. The convention of first person makes the story much stronger and powerful. It seems that typical Weres can not read others thoughts, but they can send out emotions to each other. Bryn is constantly reliving bits of memory from her parents murder. We see, hear and experience everything she does. This allows a strong connection with her character and makes the reader really care about Bryn. This book is a 'smart persons' paranormal book. The author gives much detail about how the Were society works and Were lore. The reader must pay attention and connect the dots, they are not handed to you on a silver platter. The only negative is the cover, the image is bland and boring.

Reader's Annotation:
Monsters exist in every species and universe.

Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
Bryn is a good example of a character who refuses to remain a victim and let it define her. Raised by Wolves shows that the journey to wholeness is difficult and painful, but worth the effort.

Genre:
Paranormal

Why I Included This Book:
I had to read from the required author list and I just couldn't bring myself to read a zombie book. Also, I liked Nightshade and wanted to give werewolves another try.

Cirque Du Freak: Vampire Mountain

Shan, Darren. Cirque Du Freak: Vampire Mountain. Little, Brown and Company: 2002. ISBN: 0316608068.

Summary:
The world is full of many creatures, not just humans, vampires, half-vampires and vampaneze to name a few. The Cirque Du Freak series is the story of teenager, Darren, a half vampire who is the assistant to Vampire, Larten Crepsley. Book 4, Vampire Mountain is about their journey to Vampire Mountain to present Darren to the Vampire Princes. The journey is long and perilous with Darren making steps toward maturity. The series is about Darren coming of age as a teenager and a vampire. Mr. Crepsley makes a great mentor/parental figure. He realizes that Darren is young, but also sees him as strong and capable.

Evaluation:
Written in first person, we get to know Darren quickly. He is respectful, impatient and open to learning. The plot is pretty simple, a portion of a quest. The author gives enough detail that the story is not boring. The ending is a huge cliffhanger and will have readers starting book 5 as soon as possible. As a girl I enjoyed the book even though there is only one female character. The book has a great appeal to boys and takes place in a male dominated world. Females are not put down or belittled, they just don't choose to be vampires. This book is a paranormal version of the Alex Rider novels by Anthony Horowitz.

Reader's Annotation:
You never know where life's journey will take you.

Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
Teens need adults who believe in them and trust their abilities. Darren shows the readers that even though he is scared, he can overcome and achieve. Darren also trusts the adults in his life. It is important for teens to know that there are trustworthy adults out there.

Genre:
Paranormal

Why I Included This Book:
This books are very popular and wanted to see for myself what they were like.

The Sorceress

Scott, Michael. The Sorceress. Delacorte Press; 2009. ISBN: 9780385735292.

Plot Summary:
The Sorceress, Perenelle Flamel and her husband, Nicholas the Alchemyst are over 600 years old. They owe their long life to the Codex or the Book of Abraham which they have meticulously protected. The English Magician, Dr. John Dee has chased the Flamels for 500 years trying to steal the Codex for his masters, the Dark Elders. Long before humans inhabited the earth, the Dark Elders lived and thrived. With the knowledge contained in the Codex, the Dark Elders could return to the earth and rule once again. Dr. John Dee has managed to steal most of the Codex. He is missing the last two pages, incidentally, the two most important pages.
Fifteen year old twins Sophie and Josh lived normal teenage lives up until a week ago. Everything they took for granted and thought was normal has changed. The Flamels claim they are the twins in an ancient prophecy that can either protect or destroy the world. Confused and unsure of who to trust, the twins try to learn to control their magical powers and abilities.

Critical Evaluation:
The Sorceress is book three in the series, The Secrets of the Immortal
Nicholas Flamel.A wonderful blend of mythology, fantasy and adventure, the
books appeal to boys, girls, and adults alike. Author Michael Scott has
given us a new take on the dilemma of good verses evil, sometimes the lines
are not completely clear. Sophie and Josh have had to completely and blindly
trust Nicholas and Perenelle. Seeds of doubt grow for one twin, but not the
other. Relationships can be complicated and unclear, even close family
connections. This friction between Sophie and Josh and the Flamels is an
effective plot device that extends the suspense and makes the characters
more believable. The story is set in modern times, with characters from the
past like the bard himself, William Shakespeare. It is entertaining as a
reader to observe the authors perception of how historical figures would
interact with the modern world.

Reader's Annotation:
What if you had magical powers that could save or destroy the world? Would you use them?

Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
Do we have a purpose? Why are we here? Teens begin to question many abstract ideas and want answers.

Genre:
Fantasy/Mythic Reality

Why I Included This Book:
I like books that show personal power. Many people don't realize they can have an affect on the world.