YA Adventure, Mystery, Sports: FALLEN ANGELS by Walter Dean Myers

Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers

Myers, Walter Dean. 1988. FALLEN ANGELS. New York: Scholastic, Inc. ISBN 0-590-40943-3

Richie Perry joins the army and is playing basketball for them until a knee injury. The injury gives him a profile which is supposed to keep him out of combat, however, he finds himself patrolling in Vietnam as any other soldier. He and his squad encounter the stark contrast of extreme boredom and the horrors and terror of war as they continue to hear rumors of how it’s supposed to be over soon. Perry keeps most of the truth out of the letters he writes to his mother and his brother, Kenny, as he also tries to come to terms with the realities of war. As black soldiers, Perry and some of his fellow squad members have even more to deal with. Survival becomes the primary focus, as lines are blurred and crossed, friends are lost, and the local people become more of a mystery than ever.

Gritty and intense action is combined with raw emotion and an unglorified glimpse at war to grip readers and bring them along with the harsh experience of Perry and his squad. Readers are drawn in with the story as it begins with no introduction into Perry’s deployment. ““It wasn’t the wounds that kept us bent, that tugged at our shoulders, so much as it was fatigue. We were tired of this war” (Myers 308).” There is no lack of excitement, though of a darker tone, in this war novel, though the story does seem to drag out due to the portrayal of repetitive army life and authentic, though at times shallow dialogue. The setting is of course vital to the story, as it takes place in Vietnam during the war. The focus of the nearby villages and encounters, both positive and negative, with the locals lend a depth of experience and enhanced tragedy of the story.

Perry has an innocent and endearing nature in comparison to some of his brash and rough counterparts, though readers see his abrupt entrance to the adult world through the multitude of challenges and tragedies, from seeing a kid used as a bomb, to losing friends, to killing for the first time, to multiple injuries. “It wasn’t the wounds that kept us bent, that tugged at our shoulders, so much as it was fatigue. We were tired of this war” (Myers 308).The characters are varied in personality seem to accurately represent the differences of a squad of soldiers from diverse backgrounds. The author uses dialect in dialogue and extensive detail in a short and choppy style of writing. This seems to give the reader the sense of the feelings, emotions, and reflect the character of a young inexperienced man in war. This book would appeal to readers interested in war stories and gritty adventure. “A landmark book offers a logical, gripping, easy-to-follow story about the illogic of war, using Vietnam for the setting and U.S. teenagers as most of the characters” (Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices, 1988).

Classroom Connections:

-        Cross-curricular opportunity with the study of the Vietnam war in a history class

-        Write poetry related to themes from the book such as war, loss, friendship, sacrifice

Best Books:

Best Books for Young Adults, 1988 ; American Library Association YALSA; United States
Best of the Best Revisited (100 Best Books for Teens), 2001 ; American Library Association-YALSA; United States
Core Collection: The Vietnam War in Youth Fiction, 2006 ; American Library Association; United States
Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Eighth Edition, 2000 ; H.W. Wilson; United States
Not Just for Children Anymore!, 1999 ; Children's Book Council; United States
Not Just for Children Anymore!, 2000 ; Children's Book Council; United States
Not Just for Children Anymore!, 2001 ; Children's Book Council; United States
Recommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002 ; California Department of Education; California
Senior High Core Collection, Seventeenth Edition, 2007 ; The H. W. Wilson Co.; United States
Senior High School Library Catalog, Fifteenth Edition, 1997 ; H.W. Wilson; United States
Senior High School Library Catalog, Sixteenth Edition, 2002 ; H.W. Wilson; United States
Young Adults' Choices, 1990 ; International Reading Association; United States

Awards, Honors, Prizes:

Coretta Scott King Book Award, 1989 Winner Author United States
Parents' Choice Award, 1988 Gold Fiction United States
Parents' Choice Award, 2003 Best 25 Books in 25 Years United States
South Carolina Young Adult Book Awards, 1991 Winner South Carolina

YA Adventure, Mystery, Sports: DAIRY QUEEN by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Murdock. Catherine Gilbert. 2006. DAIRY QUEEN. Boston: Graphia. ISBN 0-618-86335-4

The Schwenks are a well known football family in the small Wisconsin town they live in, as well as dairy farmers. D.J. has spent countless hours watching and helping her brothers practice, train, and play, and this particular summer end up reluctantly becoming the trainer for the neighboring town rival’s quarterback, Brian. At the same time, she practically runs the family farm, as her two older brothers are away playing college football, her dad is sidelined with a hip injury, and her mother is juggling two jobs. Brian is sent to the Schwenk farm by his coach to learn the meaning of hard work, and along the way, he and D.J. become friends and a little more. As D.J. struggles to deal with her lot in life, as well as the unspoken issues and feeling of those around her, she decides to do the unexpected and join the high school football team, which touches off even more tension while also leading to healing and understanding.

Though it contains its fair share of football, the real focus of this story is the experience and relationships of the main character and how she faces a most challenging summer. Though light on intense action and adventure, readers are drawn into the story through a more subtle plot. Readers experience a fulfillment of accomplishment through hard work, determination, and charting controversial and new territory. The high levels of responsibility thrust upon D.J. launch her into a much more adult world than that of most fifteen and sixteen year olds as she achieves both physical and mental accomplishments. The setting is interesting in the fact that it takes place on a working farm, which is foreign to most teens today, but sheds light on reality for rural teen life. The cows play an important role as symbolism for D.J. view on the state of life for most and what she is trying to break away from. “Then I start thinking that maybe everyone in the whole world was just like a cow, and we all go along doing what we’re supposed to without complaining or even really noticing, until we die” (Murdock 116).

D.J. is a strong and likeable protagonist that readers can identify with, as she shows an array of emotion, trials, and experiences known to many.  Her character is fully developed in this story she tells from her point of view, and her tough and feisty nature contrasts that of stereotypical female characters. However, her softer side is seen as her relationship with Brian develops and she reaches out to individual family members in different ways, despite the amount of angst, disappointment, and confusion swirling around her. ““You Schwenks, you’re messed up. You might be good at football but you really suck at life. When you don’t talk, you know, there’s a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said”” (Murdock 225). “These characters are all flawed but likable. D.J., in her silence, has a lot of time to ponder who she is and what she wants” (Myrna Marler (KLIATT Review, July 2007). Strong person to person conflicts are constantly changing as the internal conflicts within D.J. are revealed.

The author uses a conversational style with varying tones to create an interesting, though slower paced story, which artfully balances sports as the background for the realities of a struggling family. “In a novel both funny and moving, the author tackles themes of love, friendship, family, gender, and athletics in a novel that strongly conveys a sense of life in a small Wisconsin town” (Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices, 2007).This mix makes the book appealing to a wider audience, reaching out to sports enthusiasts as well as those looking for more drama and romance. The title and cover however, may deter those sports minded readers, as they give no hint of the football focus. 

Connections:

-        Background knowledge research with possible topics of dairy farming, football training, Wisconsin, rural small town life could be presented collaboratively using web 2.0 tools

-        Journaling with focus on family communication and interactions

Best Books:

Best Children's Books of the Year, 2007 ; Bank Street College of Education; Outstanding Merit; United States
Book Sense Children's Picks, Summer 2006 ; American Booksellers Association; Top 10; United States
Children's Pick of the List, 2006 ; NAIBA; United States
Choices, 2007 ; Cooperative Children’s Book Center; United States
Core Collection: Sports Fiction for Girls, 2007 ; Booklist; United States
Kirkus Best Children's Books, 2006 ; Kirkus; United States
Kirkus Book Review Stars, April 15, 2006 ; United States
Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to Ninth Edition, 2007 ; H.W. Wilson Company; United States
Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, May 15, 2006 ; Cahners; United States
Senior High Core Collection, Seventeenth Edition, 2007 ; The H. W. Wilson Co.; United States
Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers, 2006 ; Voice of Youth Advocates; United States
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2007 ; American Library Association; United States

Awards, Honors, Prizes:

Borders Original Voices Award, 2006 Winner Independent Reader/Young Adult United States
Buckeye Children's Book Award, 2008 2nd Place Teen Ohio
Cuffies: Children's Booksellers Choose Their Favorite (and not-so-favorite) Books of the Year, 2006 Winner Favorite Jacket United States
Great Lakes Great Books Award, 2007 Winner United States
Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award, 2008 Winner Young Adult Pennsylvania
Quill Awards, 2006 Nominee Young Adult/Teen United States
Thumbs Up! Award, 2007 Honor Book Michigan

YA Adventure, Mystery, Sports: I’D TELL YOU I LOVE YOU, BUT THEN I’D HAVE TO KILL YOU by Ally Carter

I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

Carter, Ally. 2007. I’D TELL YOU I LOVE YOU, BUT THEN I’D HAVE TO KILL YOU. New York: Hyperion Paperbacks. ISBN 4231-0004-2

Cammie attends the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women which only appears to be snooty school for heiresses in rural Virginia. Behind the façade is actually a legendary training facility for teenage girls aspiring to be top secret spies. Led by Cammie’s gorgeous and lethal mom, the Gallagher Girls deal with the challenges of classes like Covert Operations and Conversational Swahili. Life becomes extra complicated when Cammie, a.k.a. the Chameleon, finds herself deep in dual identities because of a boy who gives her a taste of what life beyond the spy world is like. Battling to balance expectations and perceived destiny with harsh realities and her future path, she and her sophomore friends face their greatest tests yet.

The exciting adventure and suspense from the beginning draw readers into the book as though they, too, are a Gallagher Girl on a mission. The efficient story line keeps up the pace, though details allow readers to experience the life of a spy in training. Though, “the plot revolves around more typical situations: she meets a boy in town and falls for him; and a new girl who thinks she is better than anyone else has difficulty fitting in. Cammie's mother is the principal of the school and she is supportive and loving” (Claire Rosser, KLIATT Review, May 2006). The fascinating setting of secret spy school as a hotbed of invention, technology, and protections with secret passages and labs and automations is still relatable to teens, while serving to enhance the action and storyline.

The intriguing and realistic variety of character personalities also adds depth to the story. Cammie is a strong character whose adventuresome and atypical side is balanced with realities of family, friends, school work, boys, and the real emotions of fear, heartbreak, recklessness, longing, and remorse. She has to deal with loss of father, relating to mother, dealing with an unusual and abrasive new comer, and reality of career path, coming to terms with the sacrifices of being a spy. “Is this the world I would choose if I could go back - be ignorant and blissful and happy - if I could live a white picket life on a white picket street and be ignorant of the unpleasant deeds that have to be done in places most people can’t find on a map? I don’t know. Maybe I would if my mind was like an Etch A Sketch and I could shake it and erase all that I know. But I’m in too deep now. I know what goes bump in the night, and I know how to fight it” (Carter 284).

The author’s flowing style is not overly complicated or detailed, with a focus on Cammie and seeing through her eyes. “Written in an easy-to-read, conversational tone, this novel combines the real (learning how to talk to boys) and the unreal (learning how to be a secret agent for the government) in a strangely believable way. Think Alias meets Gilmore Girls” (Stacey Hayman, VOYA, October 2006). The mostly lighthearted tone is coupled with plenty of jargon, language, and terms related to government and spies, which are not always explained but lends to believability in the main character’s first person account. This book is sure to appeal to those who like mystery, adventure, or spy stories, particularly girls. The Harry Potter parallels and a good mixture of adventure, drama, and romance help to broaden the potential reader base.

Classroom Connections:

-        Creative writing/social studies/history - choose a real place and time period, include details from research, and create a secret mission that would need to be done there - could extend into collaborative project, creating video or graphic novel or short story

-        Writing prompt: if you could create your own special school, what would it be? Who would go there? What would they teach? Where would it be?

Best Books:

Amelia Bloomer List, 2007 ; ALA Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT)

Awards, Honors, Prizes:

Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, 2009 Winner Grades 6-9 Maryland
Georgia Peach Teen Readers' Choice Award, 2007-2008 Nominee Georgia
Kansas Notable Book, 2007 Winner

YA Realism and Romance: STORY OF A GIRL by Sara Zarr

Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr

Zarr, Sara. 2008. STORY OF A GIRL. New York: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 0-316-01454-0

Deanna is forever branded the school slut when her dad catches her having sex with her older brother’s friend Tommy. Though it is years after the incident, she is still overshadowed by this reputation. To make matters worse, her home life is in shambles, she ends up working at the same place as Tommy, has fallen for her unavailable friend, and alienates her one girl friend. Though she doesn’t get the escape she is looking for, she is able to come to terms with herself and she and her family begin a slow process of healing.  

This is a raw, emotional story which is distinct in YA realism because of the focus on parent relationships, especially the dad. The setting of summer in a small town for the high school kids contributes to the events of the plot, though marginally. Many problems are the focus of the plot, including underage sex, harmful rumors and reputation, loss of trust, family relations, dealing with the past, and young marriage as a result of pregnancy. The strong and dramatic plot entices readers, though sometimes uncomfortably, in an overall realistic way. The rich characterization of Deanna shows her inner and outer turmoil as though the reader is experiencing it with intense emotional details. “Characters are well drawn, especially Deanna, whose complicated, deeply felt emotions turn the story” (Krista Hutley, Booklist, Mar. 1, 2007).  Very relevant and worthwhile themes, including healing from trauma, learning from mistakes, and knowing oneself despite what others think, give reader much to think about. Zarr’s use of sensory detail draws the reader into the story, like her descriptions of the greasy, filthy pizza joint. Her writing gives insight into the life of a teen with many issues. “Zarr’s story ends on a hopeful but realistic note with everyone taking baby steps toward something approaching normalcy. This involving, touching first novel will resonate with those who have made mistakes and those who have not” (Kirkus, Kirkus Reviews, December 15, 2006 ).Though more likely to be read by girls, it is not an overly girly story. The grittiness and emotion in dealing with the problems and themes will appeal to many teen readers.

Classroom Connections

-        Write poetry using the emotions of Deanna as an inspiration

-        Create a soundtrack of songs that reflect the themes of the story

Best Books Lists:

Booklist Book Review Stars , Mar. 1, 2007 ; United States
Capitol Choices, 2008 ; The Capitol Choices Committee; United States
Choices, 2008 ; Cooperative Children's Book Center; United States
Notable Books, 2008 ; International Reading Association; United States
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, January 2007 ; Cahners; United States
Senior High Core Collection, Seventeenth Edition, 2007 ; The H. W. Wilson Co.; United States
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2008 ; American Library Association; United States
YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2008 ; American Library Association-YALSA; United States
Young Adults' Choices, 2009 ; International Reading Association; United States

Awards, Honors, Prizes:

      National Book Awards, 2007 Nominee Young People's Literature United States

YA Realism and Romance: THE ASTONISHING ADVENTURES OF FANBOY AND GOTH GIRL by Barry Lyga

The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga

Lyga, Barry. 2007. THE ASTONISHING ADVENTURES OF FANBOY AND GOTH GIRL. Boston: Graphia. ISBN 0-618-91652-0

Fanboy is a comic-loving, highly intelligent geek with some serious angst. He’s frequently bullied, feels constantly threatened, even carrying a bullet for comfort and regularly adding to The List. Fanboy turns to his own graphic novel creation for hope. His only friend Cal is split between two worlds, but he soon makes a new friend in the Kyra a.k.a. Goth Girl who shares his anger with the world and his isolation. Through their rocky friendship, they discover things aren’t always as they seem, impossibilities can be possible, and teen life is not easy for anyone.

This book is distinct in YA literature because of the detail and focus of comics and the comic world. This setting creates some uniqueness in the plot, but the overall setting of high school drives the plot with its cliques, peer interactions, and trying to fit in. The pace of the plot is fairly slow, but intriguing, and somewhat predictable in some of the events, the geek hooks up with the hot girl who’s tired of the jocks. Though some things seem somewhat far-fetched and stereotyped, it is overall believable and realistic. The problems of bullying, isolation, not fitting in, teen frustrations, and friendships are the overwhelming focus of the story. These issues and themes of obstacles of ambitions, sexuality, and dealing with divorced families are presented in a non-preachy way and inspire the reader to think of other’s situations while also seeing how perception can be skewed. The main character of Fanboy is richly characterized which allows the reader to put themselves in his place. “Barry Lyga includes countless hilarious anecdotes about Donnie’s life as a comic book lover and high school geek. With this excellent characterization of Fanboy and Gothgirl, readers cannot help but laugh out loud at the witty dialogue and the sarcastic inner thoughts of Fanboy” (Angela Sinisgalli , Children's Literature).He is an intriguing contrast of morals.  Lyga presents a realistic insight into the mind of a geeky teen boy and his perceived life. ”Fanboy's whip-smart, often hilariously sarcastic voice skillfully captures a teenager's growing self-awareness, and adds a fresh, urgent perspective to age-old questions about how young people cope with bullying and their own feelings of helplessness, rage, and being misunderstood as they try to discover themselves” (Gillian Engberg, Booklist, Sep. 1, 2006).His use of details from the comics world clearly show his background in comics. This story would not necessarily be universally appealing, but could appeal to both genders, those with similar life experiences of Fanboy, particularly outsiders and those into comics.

Classroom Connections

-        Create your own graphic novel or comic, could be related to class book study, historical event, etc.

      -        Socratic circle discussion about bullying, its affects, and how to help prevent

Best Books Lists

Book Sense Children's Picks, Fall 2006 ; American Booksellers Association; United States
Booklist Top 10 Art Books for Youth, 2006 ; American Library Association; United States
Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to Ninth Edition, 2007 ; H.W. Wilson Company; United States
School Library Journal Best Books, 2006 ; Cahners; United States
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, November 2006 ; Cahners; United States
Senior High Core Collection, Seventeenth Edition, 2007 ; The H. W. Wilson Co.; United States
Teen Books, 2006 ; Bank Street College of Education; United States
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2008 ; American Library Association; United States

YA Realism and Romance: RULES OF THE ROAD by Joan Bauer

Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer

Bauer, Joan. 1999. RULES OF THE ROAD. New York: Scholastic, Inc. ISBN 0-439-13737-3

Jenna is a crack shoe salesman with a knowledge and passion that exceeds her age. When offered a job driving the company owner, the elderly and feisty Mrs. Gladstone, on a six week road trip from Chicago to Dallas, she jumps at the chance to escape her family problems caused by her alcoholic father. Along the way she uses her expertise to help save the company from a bad business deal, while forming special bonds with adults who come to Mrs. Gladstone’s defense who have a profound impact in her life.

This story is distinct in how the main character, Jenna, is confident, outgoing, ambitious, and caring despite the obvious trials in her life. “It's downright wonderful these days to find a teenage protagonist who is smart, moral, funny, confident (mostly), and open-minded about grown-ups. Not that hulking Jenna Boller doesn't have her share of problems” (Stephanie Zvirin, Booklist, February 1, 1998). The characters are slightly exaggerated, but strongly characterized, especially the supporting characters like Mrs. Gladstone.  The intense focus on her job and job related experiences in the unusual work environment of a shoe store is also unique, especially in how much it influences the character.  There is detailed description with the various shoe stores, but other aspects of setting less so. The end destination of the road trip, Texas, impacts the characters, their personalities and actions. The plot is different and unpredictable, though a bit of a stretch with some situations. Though it is slow moving at times, especially in the middle, it has a strong ending. The themes of being strong in adversity, dealing with alcoholism and disease in families, sibling relationships, and divorce, are universally appealing to most teens, as they likely have dealt with more one or more of these issues. Although some conclusions are drawn for the reader, they still inspire personal reflection. “I always wondered why I had a father who was an alcoholic. Now I knew. It made me strong. It made me different. It showed how to say no to the darkness” (Bauer 200). Bauer’s subtle humor and smooth style lead readers along, while the observational perspective given to Jenna and her headline-like quips add interest. “Sharp dialogue and caustic commentary from Jenna mark the journey” (Kirkus, Kirkus Reviews, 1998).

Classroom Connections

-        Use Google Maps to collaboratively plot Jenna’s journey. Information for each destination could be entered, such as something she learned in each place

-        Reflective writing about a job or something you would like to be skilled in or passionate about

-        Create a sales pitch  using a web 2.0 tool

Best Books Lists:

Adventuring with Books: A Booklist for PreK-Grade 6, 12th Edition, 1999 ; National Council of Teachers of English; United States
Best of the Best Revisited (100 Best Books for Teens), 2001 ; American Library Association-YALSA; United States
Books in the Middle: Outstanding Books, 1998 ; Voice of Youth Advocates; United States
Bulletin Blue Ribbons, 1998 ; Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books; United States
Children's Book Sense 76 Picks, Spring/Summer 2001 ; Book Sense 76; United States
Children's Literature Choice List, 1999 ; Children's Literature; United States
Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Eighth Edition, 2000 ; H.W. Wilson; United States
Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog, Ninth Edition, 2005 ; H.W. Wilson; United States
Notable Children's Books, 1999 ; ALSC American Library Association; United States
Recommended Literature: Kindergarten through Grade Twelve, 2002 ; California Department of Education; California
School Library Journal Best Books, 1998 ; Cahners; United States
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, March 1998 ; Cahners; United States
Senior High Core Collection, Seventeenth Edition, 2007 ; The H. W. Wilson Co.; United States
Senior High School Library Catalog, Sixteenth Edition, 2002 ; H.W. Wilson; United States
Senior High School Library Catalog, Supplement to the Fifteenth Edition, 1999 ; H.W. Wilson; United States
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 1999 ; American Library Association; United States
YALSA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults, 2001 ; American Library Association; United States
YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 1999 ; American Library Association-YALSA; United States

Awards, Honors, Prizes:

Golden Kite Award, 1999 Award Book Fiction United States
Los Angeles Times Book Prize, 1998 Winner Young Adult Fiction United States
Society of School Librarians International Book Awards, 1998 Honor Language Arts - Novels, Grades 7 - 12 United States
Thumbs Up! Award, 1999 Honor Book Michigan United States