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.

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.

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.

Nightshade

Cremer, Andrea. Nightshade. Philomel Books: 2010. ISBN: 9780399254826.

Summary:
The Mountain School in Vail, Colorado has three types of students: humans, Guardians and Keepers. The humans are mostly unaware of the paranormal aspects surrounding the other students. Almost, because the humans are afraid of them and keep their distance without knowing exactly why. Calla is the young alpha in the Nightshade pack. As a Guardian, her job is to guard and protect the Keepers. Ren is the alpha in the Bane pack and is Calla's future husband. The union of Calla and Ren will mark the beginning of a new pack with a special mission. The lives of the Guardians and Keepers are based on specific, complex rules that have been in existence for centuries. A few months before Ren and Calla'a union a new student arrives at Mountain School, Seamus Doran, Shay for short. Calla and Shay have met before, under unique circumstances that could get them killed. Life is about to change for many of the Mountain School students.

Evaluation:
Another paranormal romance with two very different boys fighting over the same girl. Luckily, Calla is a much stronger protagonist than Bella from Twilight. Calla can take care of herself and protect her pack. Written in first person, the reader is privy to Calla's thoughts and insecurities. This convention makes her a stronger character because we see what she must overcome to get through a situation. The story was hard to follow in the beginning, the author just drops the reader into Calla and Shay's world without a lot of explanation. Compared to other books I have read in this genre, Nightshade is bloodier and discusses weightier topics like, sexual abuse and homosexuality. Fans will be excited for the next book in the series, Wolfsbane due out in July.

Reader's Annotation:
One choice can change your world, are you brave enough to make it?

Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
Nightshades' Calla is a strong female protagonist who follows her inner guide. This is a great example for teen girls. Calla must deal with being treated differently because of her gender, something many women have experienced. Calla is also juggling many important issues at once. She makes mistakes, but continues to do what she feels is the right thing.

Genre:
Paranormal/Romance

Why I Included This Book:
When I started this book I was so done with the paranormal genre. The first third of the book was like going to the dentist. Finally, the book grabbed me and I became interested and didn't want to put it down. I am looking forward to Wolfsbane this summer.