Little Brother

Doctorow, Cory. Little Brother. A Tom Doherty Associates Book: 2008. ISBN: 9780765323118.

Summary:
In the blink of an eye the world can change. High school senior, Marcus Yallow, aka Winston, has his world turned upside down after being falsely arrested for supposed involvement in a terrorist plot that blew up the Bay Bridge in Oakland, California. After resisting for weeks Marcus can't take the torture and games any more and gives the Homeland Security agents the password to his cell phone. Finally released, Marcus finds that his city of San Fransisco mirrors a police state. The police are everywhere watching for terrorist around each corner, to the point regular citizens are treated guilty until proven innocent. Marcus is smart and tough. He has had enough and uses his available resources to launch his own counter attack against the unfair treatment of the government. With old and new friends at his side, Marcus shows the difference one person can make.

Critical Evaluation:
Cory Doctorow has written a fabulous book on many levels. The plot line is exciting and suspenseful, we want Marcus to be successful. As a protagonist, Marcus is able and willing, but not without his insecurities. While Marcus is dealing with fighting terrorism in the form of an over exuberant government agency, he is also dealing with teenage hormones and his first sexual experience. Dealing with the government, a girlfriend and lots of geeky computer stuff, there is something for almost everyone. The computer stuff is not so technical and over the top that it is inaccessible. The majority of teens should understand what is being talked about; adults, maybe not. The title is a great play off of the term, 'big brother'. We live in fear of this bigger brother, but in this story, the little brother rules!

Reader's Annotation:
Teen voices are important and needed. When the time is right will you lift your voice?

Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
Teens can be powerful people. This book proves that one person can make a big difference!

Genre:
Issue Novel/Activism

Why I Included This Book:
I like Cory Doctorow's stand on free access to his materials.

Getting the Girl

Zusak, Marcus. Getting the Girl. Scholastic Inc: 2004. ISBN: 043938950x.

Plot Summary:
Cameron Wolfe has a lot going on inside of his head. Nobody who knows him, even his family would guess that. Cameron feels like he lives in the shadow of his older brother, Rube. But, that's okay, Rube and Cameron are best friends. As different as black and white, the brothers share a bond with the neighbor's dog named Miffy. They walk her each night and make fun of her, but deep down, she is their pet and they love her. Rube is a ladies' man. He goes through girlfriends quickly. He hooks up with one, sleeps with them and after a few weeks loses interest and moves on. Cameron is appalled by his brother's behavior, especially when he meets Olivia. Olivia is a street musician and is nice to Cameron, unlike many of Rube's other girls. Predictably Rube and Olivia break up, then the unexpected happens.

Critical Evaluation:
This book does a great job contrasting the two brothers. They are starkly different, but they're family. As the story progress, they each learn important lessons from one another and are better for the experience. Growth can be painful and embarrassing, Marc Zusak handles the dialogue with warmth and care. Cameron, who no body believes has any interests writes stark and honest poetry. Other boys physically act out, like Rube, Cameron writes what he is feeling. Full of family dysfunction, the glimpse of the Wolfes is not unlike many families. They are not bad people, just human. Sometimes hurting each other and sometimes uplifting and standing by each other. Told in first person, we are privy to all of Cameron' thoughts. His voice is full of self doubt, vulnerability and teenage angst. Rube is portrayed as capable, confident and ready for anything. As the story unfolds Cameron learns that both portrayals are incorrect and makes peace with a more realistic version.

Reader's Annotation:
It's hard to live in someone else's shadow. Do yourself a favor and take a step into the light.

Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
Growing up and finding your own way is hard. Cameron made choices that seemingly drew him away from his family, but in the end brought them closer. Teens can read this book and find themselves and learn from Cameron's example.

Genre:
Contemporary Living

Why Book Included:
I really liked The Book Thief and wanted to read something else by Marcus Zusak

Shattering Glass

Giles, Gail. Shattering Glass. Roaring Book Press: 2002. ISBN: 0761315810.

Plot Summary:
Simon Glass is a nerd. He is at the very bottom of the high school food chain. Every day he is the butt of someone's joke or bullied physically. Enter the most popular boy in school, Rob. Rob likes a challenge and more importantly, likes to be in charge. Rob decides to make Simon popular. With the help of his posse, Rob begins changing Simon from school outcast to ultimately very popular. The posse, Young, Coop and the Bobster are vital in this transformation. Each helps Simon with an issue and Simon reciprocates. As Simon comes out of his shell and gains confidence, a side of his personality emerges that surprises his new friends. The friendship with Simon is tenuous and not authentic. If it weren't for the challenge, these boys would not give him the time of day. Rob orchestrates and calls the shots, but in the end something goes awry and everyone's life is changed.

Evaluation:
This book is masterfully written. Told in first person by Young Stewart, we get his perspective throughout the story. This is in contrast to paragraphs at the beginning of each chapter from the perspective of various characters talking about Young after the tragic event occurs. The reader doesn't know what this event is and must piece together what happened while reading about what lead up to it. Even though the reader knows the ending contains something awful, it is a surprise when the last page is turned. Gail Giles does not wrap the story up neatly, the reader must piece things together themselves. Much of the story is relayed in dialog and quick chapters, this convention makes this a great choice for reluctant readers.

Reader's Annotation:
It's never too late to take a stand, just be prepared for the consequences.

Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
Bullying is a major problem for youth. This is not a new problem, but one that is finally being address. In the past society just accepted that boys will be boys and bullying behavior was ignored. This book sheds light on what it's like to be at the bottom of the high school social ladder and be bullied. The character of Lance is important because it shows the experience of someone who was well liked and/or popular, and fell from grace. Many high school students can gain from reading this book. The author touches on incest, parents in jail, neglectful parents, abuse and the list could continue. When youth can see their situation in a novel, it helps them gain understanding and perspective.

Genre:
Issue Novel

Why I Included This Book:
Initially, I almost put this book down. I just couldn't connect or keep up with the characters. After a while, I couldn't put it down and read way past my bedtime! This book was on the required list of reading. I never would have picked it up otherwise. I am so glad it was included on the list and plan on reading another book by this author.

Whale Talk

Crutcher, Chris. Whale Talk. Greenwillow Books: 2001. ISBN: 9780061771316.

Plot Summary:
The Dao Jones or T.J. for short is part Japanese and part African American. His life started out with neglect and abandonment. T.J.'s mom was a meth addict and did not take care of him, only feeding him when she was hungry and leaving him alone in soiled diapers for days. When he was two, she finally walked away for good and T.J. was adopted by a strong, loving family. With the help of a therapist named Georgia, T.J. has been able to work through many of his demons, but as a senior in high school, he is still not in complete command of his emotions. Disgusted at the jock culture and the administrations obvious support, T.J. and English teacher, Mr. Simet start a swim team with students who are unlikely athletes and with issues like mental retardation, serial killer tendencies, obesity, and one leg. The goal is to earn a coveted letter jacket and bring the stud football players down a peg or two. Plans don't always work out accordingly and the Cutter High School Mermen are no exception. The swim team grows and learns in ways they did not imagine and get to know themselves and each other better.

Evaluation:
T.J. is a really likable protagonist. He is honest, moral and has a strong sense of justice. Told in first person, we always know what T.J. is thinking and get to know him really well. Being seventeen, his sense of justice isn't always carried out in the safest or smartest ways. Growing up as a minority defines T.J.'s life, he is one of a few citizens that are 'of color' in the entire town. This book is a great example to people who claim racism is not a problem in America any more. Unfortunately, there will always be bigots among us, and our job is to remain steadfast and strong. There is a lot of wisdom about life and understanding people throughout this book. It is easy to see Chris Crutcher's background as a therapist. There was so much heartache and trauma in the novel, that I knew something awful had to happen and the ending would not be happy.

Reader's Annotation:
Life is full of good moments and difficult moments, our character is based on which moment we store in our hearts.

Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
Any high schooler can connect with the jock mentality in this novel. Not every school is as bad as Cutter High School, but many campuses elevate athletes to an unhealthy status. This is just as detrimental to the athlete as to the rest of the student population. Many themes are covered in this story of unlikely students earning coveted letter jackets: loss, abuse, racism, neglect to name a few. T.J. shows us that we can overcome our past experiences and not let them define us and make our present choices based on who we want to be, not who we were.

Genre:
Issue Novel

Why I Included This Book:
I heard Chris Crutcher speak at an Iowa Library Conference a few years ago. He related the incident with Heidi trying to scrub the color off of her arm and it has stuck with me since.

Identical

Hopkins, Ellen. Identical. Margaret K. McElderberry Books: 2008. ISBN: 9781416950059.

Summary:
Identical twins Kaeleigh and Raeanne have a happy, normal childhood until tragedy strikes. Daddy swerves into the path of an oncoming truck and the world is a completely different place. Mom was hurt seriously and won't forgive Daddy. Now, eight years later, mom is gone most of the time pursuing her political career and Daddy is at home and in charge. Daddy's reach is everywhere and unstoppable, especially for Kaeleigh. The longer mom stays away, the worse it gets and Kaeleigh won't stand up to him. Raeanne is sure that Daddy doesn't mess with her because she would fight back, not like compliant and passive Kaeleigh.
Kaeleigh works at a senior center and escapes her pain by binging and purging. Raeanne drowns her pain through getting high and risky sexual behavior in addition to purging. Life is difficult, confusing and doesn't always seem like it's worth living.

Evaluation:
Sometimes we read a book and it stays with us for a very long time. This is that type of book. Teens who have experienced the same pain and horrors will find solace and understanding. Teens who have not had to endure such circumstances will gain an education and understanding, and possibly be a better friend to someone in need. Written is verse with small amounts of text on each page, this format makes the story available in contrast to the width of the book. This novel is a dichotomy. It is horrible and painful, yet the writing is masterful and beautiful. Identical is the perfect book for a book challenge, it has bad language, sex, drugs, difficult content and their aren't many positive adults in the story. Those same reasons make it an important book for our library shelves.

Reader's Annotation:
Numbing only works for a short time, we must deal with our demons to survive.

Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
This book should be on every public library, school counselor and mental health professional's shelf. Teens that read this book will realize they are not alone and that other people have been in similar circumstances and survived. Recovery can be a long road, but with support and perseverance, it is attainable.

Genre:
Issue Novel

Why Include This Book:
I only read this because it was required. I have picked up Ellen Hopkins books in the past and was told I wouldn't like it, that they were dark. I am so glad this book was required and I finally read it.

The Chocolate War

Cormier, Robert. The Chocolate War. Alfred A. Knopf: 1974. ISBN: 0375829873.

Summary:
Bullying use to be accepted as a right of passage, a part of growing up. The Chocolate War is the story of an all boy Catholic school that uses bullying as classroom management. Father Leon, the assistant headmaster and Math teacher uses his position to his advantage without remorse or concern for the students and their education. A secret student organization known as "The Vigil" operates with his blessing as long as their goals are not at counter purposes with Father Leon. Motivated by financial need the school sells boxes of chocolates each year as a fund raiser. This year the need is greater and students are asked to sell double the usual amount. Jerry Renault a freshman who is trying to find his place in the high school hierarchy is chosen for a Vigil assignment including the chocolates. Jerry finishes the assignment and begins to take a stand for himself against the numbness of life. Once you start reading, putting the book down is not an option.

Evaluation:
This book was written 37 years ago and is just as applicable today. Human suffering and the effects of corrupt leadership are universal themes. When placed in a high school setting they become more upsetting. Full of many different webs, characters become victims, lackeys and aggressors interchangeably. Archie is the main teen aggressor, but also is Father Leon's lackey for the chocolate sale. Archie is at the top of the social ladder because the other boys fear him and are continually hoping and plotting for his downfall. The ending has received a lot of attention because the ending is not neat and tidy and happy. As a young adult novel the ending is very fitting. Life is not neat and tidy and having an ending that is unrealistic would change the validity of the story. Many references are made to masturbation; the author portrays teenage boys as frequently observing the practice. This aspect of the story makes adults uncomfortable and apt to challenge the book.

Reader's Annotation:
Good doesn't always win over evil.

Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
A student who has had a difficult time fitting in at school will benefit from reading this book. Sometimes no matter how hard you try, you just can't fit in. This is not your fault, there is nothing wrong with you! It is important for teens to see that standing up and being true to yourself is valuable even if the outcome is not perfect.

Genre:
Issue Novel/Coming of Age

Why Book Include:
I am interested in young adult literature. Understanding the past history of the genre is important to understanding today's works.