5. Octavian Nothing

Anderson, M.T. The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing: Traitor to the Nation. Cambridge: Candlewick Press, 2006. Print.

ANNOTATION: Raised by a group of puzzling philosophers, Octavian is given a first-class education, but still has little knowledge of who he is or where he came from. The mystery lies behind a forbidden door, and only when he dares to open it will he discover the ugly truth of their experiments, and what he has to do to escape them.


JUSTIFICATION FOR NOMINATION:
M.T. Anderson has taken Historical Novels to a new level. Intense, mysterious, and beautifully written, Octavian Nothing satisfies on all levels; it has the perfect balance of page-turning and poignancy. A lively story filled with danger and tragedy, Anderson offers readers a flawed and human protagonist, struggling to find hope and a future.

Based in colonial America, the story takes place in the years leading up to the Revolutionary War. The events and ideologies are displayed accurately, depicting a time of extreme racial discrimination and tension; news articles and images of real tools of torture bring the reader into a sudden terrible reality. Anderson uses authentic forms of language, and infuses Greek, Latin, the arts and logic to illustrate the high expectations of classical education offered to the upper classes.

The reader is presented with uncomfortable ideas regarding race, class and education, and Anderson makes it easy to trace the lines between the past and present; Octavian Nothing is incredibly relevant to teen readers today, and demands readers to think critically about the systems of power around them.

GENRE: Historical Novel/Problem/Coming of Age

4. John Lennon: All I Want is the Truth

Partridge, Elizabeth. John Lennon: all I want is the truth: a biography. New York: Penguin Group, 2005. Print.

ANNOTATION: “There is something wrong with me because I seem to see things other people don’t see. Am I crazy, or am I a genius?” By the time John Lennon was fifteen, his world had already been turned upside down; rock n’ roll became his salvation, but in his quest to find his own artistic voice, his music became an anthem to a new and changing world.

JUSTIFICATION FOR NOMINATION: John Lennon: all I want is the truth is a profound and realistic portrayal of the life of musical legend John Lennon. Biographer Elizabeth Partridge writes in a clear narrative voice, willingly exposing Lennon’s genius as well as his faults; in a causal yet familiar style, she skillfully makes John’s story accessible, one that many teenagers can relate to. Although short, Lennon’s life is full of many universal themes; power, freedom, rebellion, love, perseverance, deception, pain, jealousy, insecurity and redemption were all aspects of John’s various relationships with his friends, family, lovers and fellow band members. The book devotes many pages to the struggle of growing up and finding ones place in the world, a necessary part of young adult literature.

Although filled with facts, John Lennon is far from dry and boring; the drama it illuminates is incredibly real and tangible. Partridge’s use of pictures makes this book a perfect candidate for music, history or socially-conscious students, and brings to life the story of a man far removed (yet well known) from many contemporary teens. Although filled with photographs, the story is well-balanced with thoughtful narrative. Partridge writes with clarity and focus, and with respect and fairness, illustrates Lennon with little bias.

John Lennon provides young adults an opportunity to explore a broad range of experiences and challenges of difference, education, family, citizenship, political dissonance, fame and fortune. A quality and intriguing read, John Lennon is a highly recommended for both teens and adults.


GENRE: Biography/Nonfiction/Coming of Age

3. Valiant: A Modern Tale of Faerie

Black, Holly. Valiant: A Modern Tale of Fairie. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2005. Print.

ANNOTATION: Sixteen year-old Val runs away to New York City after catching her mom sleeping with her boyfriend. Picked up by a group of street kids, Val’s life takes a sharp turn--down into a dark, magic world she never believed existed.


JUSTIFICATION FOR NOMINATION: Dark, edgy and mysterious,Valiant is the ultimate urban fairy tale. Holly Black writes with a pristine hand--an amazing display of gripping suspense and beautiful imagery sweeps the reader down a rabbit hole into a world of addiction, fantasy, debauchery and charm.

Val, the young protagonist, is an ordinary girl from Jersey who runs away from one dark reality only to discover another. In the underworld of New York City, Val is confronted with magical drugs, murderous monsters and human betrayal. Black’s realistic portrayal of addiction, sexuality and despair may cause discomfort in readers, but may be a breath of fresh air to many teens; the book presents questions about parenting, friendship and identity, and what it means to courageously fight for those you love.

GENRE: Realistic/Edgy/Problem, Coming of Age

2. Locomotion

Woodson, Jacqueline. Locomotion. New York: G. P. Putman's Sons, 2003. Print.

ANNOTATION: Lonnie seems to be an average kid, but he has many secrets. Through the power of poetry, Lonnie discovers his own voice and tells the story of how his life was changed forever.

JUSTIFICATION FOR NOMINATION: Woodson digs deeply into the vulnerable side of teens in this unique novel. Through a diary of poems, we are consumed by the life of Lonnie Motion, a reflective and compassionate young man who struggles to secure the family and home he desperately needs. Woodson's story haunts the reader; through the use of various poetic forms and time leaps, she creates a moving narrative between beautiful images and emotional pains. Locomotion not only encourages young adults to write poetry, it also demonstrates the power that a poetic novel can have on both an 'author' and an audience.

GENRE: Prose Novel