8. My Sister's Keeper

Picoult, Jodi. My Sister’s Keeper. New York: Washington Square Press, 2004. Print.

ANNOTATION: As a perfect donor match, Anna the only one who can give her sister Kate what she needs to survive cancer. Like most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she is--but choosing to become her own person may tear her family apart and have dire consequences for the sister she loves.

JUSTIFICATION FOR REJECTION: My Sister’s Keeper is a compelling and thought-provoking book that keeps readers turning the pages. Issues of family, sibling rivalry, death and independence are all themes that young adults can identify with, but most of the story is from the adult and parent perspective; this is an important lens for young readers, but one that some--not most--will be able to resonate with. The setting is mainly at home or the hospital, places that teens may not be that excited about.

Picoult delivers an elegant writing style that is full of imagery and easy to follow, however the voice of thirteen year-old Anna sounds more like a thirty year-old Anna; in her speech she sounds like a teen, but not in narration. She is complex and interesting, but the story is so full of other voices that it is difficult to imagine the book as a young adult novel; it seems a much better fit for parents of teenagers. The central issues are love, choice and freedom, but the context is family--how decisions get made and who gets to make them. The multiple perspectives is a strength, as it allows for diversity of thought around the complex and debated topics such as of stem-cell research and parenting; it makes the reader think deeply about his or her own morals and what they believe is right.

The plot is dynamic with a few ending twists, but not all characters are believable--some are less developed than others, almost prescribed to be liked. They are not shallow, but almost too good to be true--not quite real enough.

I enjoyed reading My Sister’s Keeper, but am unable to recommend this book for a young adult award.

GENRE: Challenged/Coming of Age

7. Paper Towns

Green, John. Paper Towns. New York: Penguin, 2004. Print.

ANNOTATION: Quinton has been in love with the awesome Margo Spiegelman since he was five. Now they’re about is about to graduate from high school, but everything changes when Margo suddenly disappears. No one knows if she is dead or alive, and he is the only one with the clues to find her--but in order to do so, he must find himself first.

JUSTIFICATION FOR NOMINATION: Paper Towns is a quirky and passionate novel that captures the heart of teenage guys and girls alike. A romance at heat, the story explores themes of love, friendship, and the quest for identity. The protagonist, young Quinton, as well as his crush Margo, are much more than their friends assume, and their roles and expectations of each other and the world change as each character explores themes of independence, identity and authority.

John Green displays a casual and authentic teenage voice in his storytelling--his characters are thoughtful and realistic, the bond of friendship believable and active. He develops characters in a slow shedding of fears and expectations, each new discovery a turning point in the plot. The dialogue, mainly friendly banter between nerdy teenage males, is profound, ironic, intellectual and extremely funny all at once; the reader grows to appreciate each character for who they are and what they have to offer the world around them.

Paper Towns is not fast-pased adventure, but a consistent journey of self-discovery. I greatly appreciated Green’s theme of humanity and seeing people for who they are, rather than who we want or believe them to be. Everyone is unique and full of potential, and this novel gives teenagers the insight to see and accept themselves, as well as others, for who they truly are--and to challenge ourselves to become more than we believe we can be.

This readable novel will capture the imaginations of teens and adults alike, giving readers deep and unexpected dive into their fears and shadows.

GENRE: Coming of Age/Romance/Mystery

6. The Seance

Nixon, Joan Lowery. The Seance. Orlando: Harcourt, 2004. Print.

ANNOTATION: Lauren was scared to go to the seance; something wasn’t right. And when her friend is found dead the next morning, her reality turns into a nightmare--and Lauren may be next on the killer’s list.

JUSTIFICATION FOR NOMINATION: One of Nixon’s four Edgar Award Winners,
The Seance is a fast-paced thriller that keeps the teen reader--or adult, for that matter--on their toes from start to finish. Suspenseful and intriguing, each plot twist drives the reader to continue without stopping.

Young readers will find characters believable, flawed and complex, and may resonate with the feelings of insecurity and jealousy embodied by the lead female protagonist, who struggles to find her identity amidst turmoil. The heroine uses her wit to overcome terrifying obstacles--unable to trust the adults in her life, Lauren has to solve the mystery on her own. Themes of love, acceptance, family, romance, fear and finding one’s voice abound in this novel, our lead character forced to test her limits and overcome terrifying circumstances.

Nixon’s writing is poetic and active, her use of metaphor beautiful. The surprise ending leaves the reader satisfied and begging for more.

GENRE: Mystery/Problem/Coming of Age

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