Stereotypes, cliques, bullying, and popularity contests represent the uglier aspects of the high school experience. In her fictional account, Vivian chronicles the impact these have on eight young women's lives when the annual "pretty" and "ugly" girl list is displayed throughout the entire school during Homecoming Week. These students along with some of their friends, boyfriends, acquaintances, and family members will not be unscathed by the conclusion of the yearly celebration.
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After getting caught stealing a leg of chicken, Sage, a sly & rebellious teen aged orphan, is taken hostage by Regent Conner, along with three other boys. Conner designs a two week competition to determine which boy will best impersonate the long lost prince Jaron. The stakes couldn't be higher-be chosen or be killed...
If you like Jonathan Auxier's Peter Nimble & his fantastic eyes, you will thoroughly enjoy the False prince. The parallels between Sage and Peter's characteristics and experiences are uncanny. Consider voting for this adventure saga as CHS YA 2012 book of the year. Image located at http://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/12432220-the-false-prince Juliette's isolation in the confines of an insane asylum immediately change when a male is assigned to her cell. She remembers him as Adam, the one boy who cared for her while all others abandoned her as a child. She worries her monstrous being, that unintentionally killed an innocent boy, will harm him.
After an apparent betrayal, Juliette discovers Adam and her captor Warner both desire her for completely different purposes. While Warner wants Juliette to unleash her hateful rage in his quest for power in a Reestablishment world, Adam seeks her unconditional love in a humane society. The battle between love and hate rages forward as Juliette uncovers the dimensions of her true being. Image found at http://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/10429045-shatter-me "Alice" was kidnapped by Ray five years earlier. While Alice remains alive physically, she is mostly dead in spirit from his emotional and physical abuse. Alice faces a moral quandary when Ray insists she help him kidnap a 6 year old girl. Is this Alice's chance to run off with Ray finding someone more desirable? Or will Alice stop this girl from being Ray's next victim? This fast paced page turner will surprise and disturb you. Image located at http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6413444-living-dead-girl Maria Virginia Farinango collaborated with author Laura Resau in telling her story as
an indigenous girl growing in Ecaudor. At around 5-6 years old (the precious age couldn't be determined), Virginia is sold to a mestizo (upper middle class) family. Even though Virginia escapes the impoverished conditions of the her family farm, she must withstand abuse and discrimination before reaching her full potential as an adult. This biography is a fitting and inspiring read by offering another perspective on Hispanic life. Image located http://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/8621850-the-queen-of-water Boaz Katznelson returns emotionally scarred after 3 years of active duty in the Iraqi War. While the townspeople celebrate his heroism, Boaz's family confront the ramifications of his decision. Boaz's family helplessly observe him withdrawing from daily existence. No one is more affected Boaz's younger brother Levi. Levi grew up without his older brother's guidance. Levi now struggles with the man his older brother has become. When Boaz leaves home for parts unknown, Levi, along with his two closest friends, follow him to better understand him. Through this gut wrenching tale, Reinhardt helps us remember how families as well as the enlisted soldiers are impacted by war.
Image located at http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10298358-the-things-a-brother-knows Meghan Chase, a poorer & less than refined girl, is considered a social outcast at her Portland high school. Her only friend Robbie also behaves rather strangely. However, Megahn's life drastically changes after strange forces kidnap her younger brother Ethan. Meghan becomes transported to the land of Oberon and his queen Titania from Midsummer Night's Dream with her old friend Robbie turning out to be Robin Goodfellow, Puck. In her quest to find Ethan, Meghan faces dangers in distant faery lands along with Puck, Grimalkin (the Cat), and Prince Ash, son of Oberon's chief rival Queen Mab. Meghan becomes permanently bound to promises she makes to survive the epic journey. If you experienced a pleasant literary escape through Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream, Percy Jackson & the Olympians, and Princess Bride, you will enjoy the opening book of this fantasy series.
Image from Good Reads I highly recommend reading The righteous Gentiles by Victoria Sherrow with Holocaust Remembrance coming up on Wednesday April 18, 2012. In this part of the Holocaust Library series, Sherrow chronicles ordinary citizens throughout Europe who risked their livelihoods, families, and lives to save Jewish neighbors, who were often strangers, from the deadly clutches of the Nazis. It's one of the few books I couldn't stop reading because the personal stories truly inspired me. I wonder if I could display the courage of this small segment of the population while the majority were gripped with fear.
Image located at Goodreads.com Gaby Rodriguez has witnessed the reprecussions of teen pregnacy who entire life-from her single mom, brother as a teen father, and pregnant sister. Many in Gaby's family hope she will not become another statistic, but fear she probably will. Despite the odds, Gaby excels at her local high school by taking honors courses & getting involved in student leadership. Gaby choses a pretend pregnancy for her Senior class project with the help of her mom, best friend, boyfriend, principal, and a counselor who keep the reality a secret. Gaby uncovers the stereotypes & attitudes towards teen pregnancy from her classmates, teachers, and family members during her six month experiment & after her eye opening presentation. These reactions open up a legi
As 16 year-old Gemma gets a cup of coffee while waiting for her flight for Vietnam at the Bangkok airline terminal, a mysterious, yet familar twenty-something year old man named Ty sits next to her. The next thing she knows, she groggily accompanies this man to a place unknown. When Gemma gains her senses, she finds herself in the distant Austrailian outback with no hopes of escaping. Ty makes it very clear she will always remain there with him.
At first, Lucy Christopher's tragic tale seems straight forward. A teenaged girl is kidnapped by male predator. As the weeks progress and Ty reveals more about himself, Gemma gradually becomes drawn to him. Gemma will uncover unexpected personal insights following a dramatic conclusion. Image located from Goodreads.com Anna deals with the fall out of long distance & new friendships and loves after her father sends her to the American Academy of Paris to complete her Senior Year in high school. Her brief time in a foreign land changes the entire trajectory of her life. Stephanie Perkins tells a heartwarming story of first & meaningful love in the most renowned city of romance.
Image located at http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6936382-anna-and-the-french-kiss In You against me, Downham intimately reveals how an accusation of date rape tears two families apart. College student Tom Parker is charged with raping 15 year old Karyn McKenzie at a unsupervised party at his parent's house. Mickey, Karyn's brother plots revenge against him. Mickey's plan goes haywire when he becomes attracted to Tom's sister Ellie. In the meantime, Ellie struggles with her feelings for Mickey as inner doubts rise over Tom's innocence. The facades of the ideal family life both the Parkers & McKenzies want to portray to the outside world crumble as the court trial approaches.
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AuthorI am Ms. April Geltch, CJUSD Librarian & advisor of the Yellowjacket Literate Book Club. YA Book Sites 50 Young Adult Book Blogs 100 Awesome Social Sites for Bookworms Ms. Geltch's 2009-12 Books of the Year: The Early Years Ms. Geltch's 2013 Books of the Year Ms. Geltch's 2014 Top Ten Books of the Year Ms. Geltch's 2015 Books of the Year Ms. Geltch's 2016 Books of the Year Ms. Geltch's Favorite Books 2017 Ms. Geltch's Reading Possibilities 2018 Ms. Geltch's YA Literature Recreational Reading Guide Nearby Libraries
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