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.

Valant: A Modern Tale of Faerie

Black, Holly. Valiant. Simon & Schuster: 2005. ISBN: 0689868227.

Summary:
Val is having a bad day. She was just kicked off the lacrosse team for fighting, again. Her boyfriend is a no-show for their date and she walks in on her mother and boyfriend engaging in some serious foreplay. Unsure of where to go and what to do, Val takes the train to New York City, shaves her head and begins living in an abandoned subway tunnel. Life on the street is uncomfortable and cold, but going home is not an option. Val makes friends with Dave, Lolli and Luis, also street dwellers. These new friends are savvy about living on the streets and share their advice with Val. Even the bit about fairies and monsters.

Evaluation:
This book is part fantasy, realistic fiction, romance and mystery, touching on homosexuality and trans-species sex. Written in third person the reader always has an overall view of the action. The characters are not sympathetic and I didn't make a connection with any of them. The setting, the subway underground and the streets of New York City are the best part of the story. This is not Harry Potteresque fantasy. Think Lord of the Rings mixed with Identical by Ellen Hopkins.

Reader's Annotation:
Sometimes, you should be afraid of the dark.

Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
This book touches on dysfunctional parenting, drug abuse and runaways. At times teens think that drugs or running away will solve their problems. It doesn't, it just creates more, even if no monsters or fairies are involved.

Genre:
Paranormal/Realistic Fiction

Why I Read This Book:
I only read this book for class. Most of the time when I have to read something that I would normally never pick up, I end up being glad I spent the time reading it. This book is an exception. I wanted to stop after the first few chapters and that feeling didn't change by the last page.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

Green, John and David Levithan. Will Grayson, Will Grayson. Dutton: New York, 2010. ISBN: 9780525421580.

Summary:
Both Will Graysons are high school juniors in the suburbs of Chicago. Due to a series of interesting events that involve the teen heart, love and some hormones, the Will Graysons meet at a porn shop in Chicago. Neither of their lives are the same by the end of the story. Being gay in high school can be difficult, but so can being friends with gay students. One Will Grayson is gay and the other straight and both perspectives are explored. Most teenagers' lives revolve around their friends and the Wills are no exception. Enter Tiny, who is anything but. Tiny is important to both Wills in completely different ways, yet the change in each character is similar.

Evaluation:
Told in alternating first person, this is a great read. Laugh out loud funny and touching at the same time. Many parents will object to the language used, but as the parent of teenagers, I can tell you it is authentic. One of the best aspects of this story is the realistic portrayal of family life. These kids are the products of normal homes. Parents who are divorced and hurting and parents who want to connect, but are unsure how. The book has two authors, but the plot is seamless. Each Will's voice is original and believable. Fans of realistic fiction and coming of age stories will love this book.

Reader's Annotation:
Life is not a spectator sport.

Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
Teens who put on a tough exterior will relate to Will's rules of shut up and don't get involved. It may be the safe way to play it, but it will leave you lonely and bored! Also gay and lesbian students will enjoy seeing other homosexual students accepted and successful in school.

Genre:
Coming of Age, Realistic Fiction

Why I Included This Book:
This book was required for class. It also came across my desk to catalog a few months back. The title intrigued me and the fact that two authors collaborated.