A Great and Terrible Beauty

Bray, L. (2003). A Great and Terrible Beauty. New York, NY: Delacorte Press. ISBN: 978-0385732314 

Sixteen-year-old Gemma lives in India during the Victorian era and yearns for a London upbringing. While at a Bombay market with her mother they happen upon a man and his younger brother. The man says something to Gemma's mother who reacts with frightened agitation and forces Gemma to go home. Angry, Gemma runs away, but has a disturbing vision of her mother's death by suicide, which turns out to be true; soon after Gemma attends Spence Academy near London. 

After a period of being ostracized by her peers Gemma befriends Felicity the most popular girl at school after witnessing an event that could ruin Felicity's life and keeping it a secret. Grappling with constant visions Gemma soon meets with Kartik who insists she block out the visions.

One night Gemma's vision leads her to a diary by Mary Dowd. Gemma, Felicity, Pippa, and Ann learn about a secret group that is called the Order from Mary's diary. The Order was a group of women who could cross over from the human world to other realms and they each possessed powers. The four friends decide to make a new Order and unlock the door to the other realms. The mysteries of the Order unfold and Gemma and company find themselves ensnared in an uncontrollable force.

A Great and Terrible Beauty is one part historical novel and one part Gothic novel. Set in the Victorian era this novel creatively and historically expresses the time period and women's roles therein. Gemma displays flaws that society has put upon her, but she learns to unhinge herself from the conformities of her time. 

Rich and dark this exciting and thrilling novel is the perfect set up to some heavier Victorian reads like Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre and Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights.

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Uglies

wellreadreviews

Westerfeld, S. (2005). Uglies. New York, NY: Simon Pulse.

ISBN: 978-0689865381

Tally Youngblood cannot wait for her sixteenth birthday, so she can become a “pretty” and live in New Pretty Town While frustratingly waiting in Uglyville Tally befriends Shay who is not as keen as Tally to become pretty. Shay tells Tally all about the Smokies. The Smokies are a rebel group living amongst nature outside of the operations of New Pretty Town. Shay plans to run away to the Smokies and wants Tally to come with her. 

Tally declines not wanting to stay “ugly” forever and Shay runs off with out her. On the day of Tally's operation to be pretty, Special Circumstances take her away and force her to infiltrate the Smokies hide out. Once there Tally ends up liking it, but inadvertently flags Special Circumstances. Tally, guilt-stricken, leads a risky rescue mission. 

Uglies raises issues about identity, culture, and resistance. Each of these issues are precisely what teenagers face on a daily basis. Tally struggles because on one hand she wants to be "pretty," but on the other she can see herself living as an "ugly" in Smoke. Like teenagers today Tally undergoes faulty decision-making, which only deepens her understanding of the world around her and brings her closer to coming to terms with who she is. In Uglies Westerfeld expresses the positive effects of resisting an image-obsessed society and how some rebellion is necessary.

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Hunger Games

Collins, S. (2010). Hunger Games. New York, NY: Scholastic.
ISBN: 978-0439023528 

In a post-apocalyptic period where North America no longer exists Panem is the new nation. Panem consists of twelve districts and each year a boy and girl are selected from each district to participate in the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games is televised event, which places the selected youth in an arena where they must fight to the death until only one is left standing. Sixteen year old Katniss volunteers to participate in the Hunger Games in place of her sister, Prim. 

Peeta, a boy Katniss goes to school with, is also a participant. He admits to the audience before the game begins that he is in love with Katniss. Assuming his announcement is a ploy Katniss focuses on her survival. Soon the audience is rooting for the supposed lovers and the Gamekeepers change the rules so members of the same district can pair up to win. 

Katniss nurses Peeta after she finds him wounded. After outlasting all other participants the Gamekeepers change the rules again and Katniss and Peeta must fight each other to the death.
 

Hunger Games is a fascinating look at how a dilapidated nation passes the time. It is harrowing and more often than not brutal. It is a novel that showcases a young girl's resourcefulness and unwavering attitude to defy barbarous authority. This page-turner is an edge of your seat thriller that focuses on survival tactics, corrupt governments, and manipulation.

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Life As We Knew It

Pfeffer, S. B. (2008). Life As We Knew It. New York, NY: Graphia.
ISBN: 978-0152061548 

The story starts in the spring with an uncomfortable Miranda Evans reluctantly agreeing to be her unborn half-brother or half-sister's godmother. A few days later there is talk of an asteroid that is on route to hit the moon. Along with her neighbors and family, Miranda watches the event take place. 

The asteroid knocks the moon out of orbit creating catastrophic tide shifts and climate changes. The world loses power, runs out of food, and eventually dark clouds that rain ash cover the sun. Miranda and her family ration out their food and water intake. As the world gets progressively worse and the food runs out Miranda makes a sacrifice that could save her family or kill her in the process.

Written in an epistolary format Pfeffer's novel looks at a natural catastrophe and how one girl scrambles to survive while looking after her family. This gripping and frightening read also points out the ramifications of a society that relies heavily on technology and disregards the environment. How would it be to start over?


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Graceling

Cashore, K. (2008). Graceling. Orlando, FL: Harcourt, INC.

ISBN: 978-0152063962

Katsa lives in a world where a person can have an extreme skill called a Grace. People with Grace are often exploited, which is the case for Katsa. Her skill is the Grace of killing. When she was eight she killed her cousin with one punch. Her uncle, King Randa knows of her power and decides to train her in combat in order to create an exceptionally skilled assassin. Tired of her uncle’s abuse of her Grace Katsa creates a secret group that seeks justice over the exploitation and cruelty of power. 

In the midst of a secret mission she meets Prince Po. He can read minds and Katsa dislikes him instantly. Eventually Katsa agrees to help him free his cousin Princess Bitterblue from her demented father. Princess Bitterblue’s father has a Grace that proves dangerous to all but Prince Po. On her journey to save Princess Bitterblue Katsa discovers something new about her own Grace as well as her feelings for Prince Po. Katsa also discovers a secret that could potentially end all seven kingdoms. Grappling with all these new discoveries Katsa must resourcefully forge onward.

Graceling brims over with adolescent anger and confusion as Katsa struggles to find her own way. The novel is about fighting for what you believe in and standing your ground even if that means going against an adult. In this way Katsa grows and becomes more aware of her true self. There is also a tumultuous awakening in Katsa after meeting Prince Po one that leaves her bewildered and exhilarated all at once. Graceling is a great story that introduces a girl who breaks away from tyrannical constraint to bring on her own righteous uprising. Katsa is tough, quick-witted, and compassionate—in other words a girl to look up to.

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Whip It

Barrymore, D. (2009). Whip It. Fox Searchlight Pictures. PG-13. 111 minutes. 

High school senior Bliss feels directionless, but knows she wants to leave the small town confines of Bodeen, Texas. Her best friend Pash planes on escaping by attending college. Bliss appeases her mother by participating in beauty pageants she despises. 

While shopping at a thrift store with her mother Bliss watches to women roller skate, leave flyers, and roller skate out. Intrigued she notices the flyers are for a roller derby event in Austin. She and Pash sneak out to Austin to watch the event and Bliss is instantly smitten with the rough empowering sport. Encouraged by one of the participants Bliss tries out for the team and gets in. 

Eventually Bliss has to make a decision to defy her parents to keep doing what she loves the most or give it up completely. 

This film shows teenagers that there are various outlets to find a true calling. For Pash it is college, but for Bliss it is Roller Derby. Both paths are legitimate and the film shows how Bliss's unconventional choice is the right one for her. The film also looks at the relationship between parent and teen as well as friendship and heartbreak.

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Luna

Peters, J.A. (2005). Luna. New York, NY: Little Brown. 

ISBN: 978-0316011273

Regan lives her life keeping her brother Liam's true identity a secret. Liam is a transsexual who goes by the name Luna. Keeping her transsexual brother's identity a secret becomes harder and harder for Regan. She first lets him try on clothes and put make-up on in her room after dark, but Liam soon announces his need to be Luna day and night. 

Regan and Luna have to consider the reactions of not only the public, but of their parents. Mom is a career driven woman who does not appear to have time for her family and Dad is constantly pushing Liam into sports. 

A boy in Regan's chemistry class sparks an attraction she never allowed herself to have and as Regan struggles to accept her brothers identity she soon starts to develop one of her own; one she always discarded in order to better aid her brother. While grappling with identity and the reactions of family and friends Liam makes a choice to not only free himself, but Regan too. 

This is a story to introduces young adults to transgender identity and in Liam/Luna's case transsexualism. Rather than speak from the point of view of Luna, Julie Anne Peters does something more authentic and has the narrator be Luna's sister Regan. 

By doing this Peters allows readers to experience the process of being transgender by the mouthpiece of a non-transgender; in other words a narrator who most readers can identify with. Regan is confused, but protective. She loves Luna, but in the end she discovers the adverse affects of compromise and starts recognizing the exciting possibilities in her own life.

Not only do readers develop a sense of what being transgender is, but also the difficult process of finding and openly acknowledging your true self.

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The Golden Compass

Pullman, Philip. (1995). The Golden Compass. New York, NY: Knopf.

ISBN: 978-0-375-84722-6

The story begins in Oxford where 11 year-old Lyra and her dæmon Pantalaimon (a shape-shifting animal extension of Lyra’s soul) sneak into the Retiring Room at Jordan College to hide and snoop. Her mischievous behavior helps her save her intimidating Uncle Lord Asriel’s life after she watches the Master pour poison into the ceremonial wine. Once she stops Lord Asriel from drinking it he quickly hides her in the wardrobe where she overhears him discuss the mysterious Dust with the scholars. 

Fascinated with Dust Lyra makes it her mission to find out what this mysterious substance is. However, some kids in her neighborhood are being kidnapped and when the infamous Gobblers take her best friend Roger she intends to find them and rescue all the kids! Her attentions are temporarily diverted when she meets and later works for the stunning Mrs. Coulter.

Before she leaves with Mrs. Coulter the Master gives Lyra a mystical device called an alethiometer. Unsure on how to use it the Master simply tells her to learn it and keep it away from Mrs. Coulter. But Lyra’s journey doesn’t end there! After Mrs. Coulter shows her true colors Lyra does some investigating and runs away to the North Pole with the Gyptians who also want to rescue the missing children. 

En route Lyra meets Iorek a talking armored bear with great wisdom, who is hired by the Gyptians to aid them in their voyage. Close to their destination and traveling by hot air balloon Lyra and the rest meet with danger, excitement, and witches! Will Lyra succeed in saving the children, out run the deviously cunning Mrs. Coulter, find Lord Asriel, and discover what the mysterious Dust is? Pick up this book today to find out!

The Golden Compass is the first book in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy. Readers will attach themselves to the plucky heroine Lyra and her beloved Pantalaimon as they did with Harry Potter and his beloved Hedwig. Lyra is older beyond her mere 11 years and experiences extreme cases of danger and adventure. Lyra is an orphan who uses her wit and bravery to get to the bottom of the mysteries surrounding her. 

Though “tough as nails,” Lyra is also very compassionate and loving to all the good people and animals that aid her in her journey. Readers can easily sink into Lyra’s world of magic and mystery without feeling so far from home. And yet, there’s just enough distance to want to escape there on more than one occasion.

Cover art link: amazon
Alethiometer image link: publicradio
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Midnighters 1: The Secret Hour

Westerfeld, S. (2005). Midnigthers 1: The Secret Hour. New York, NY: HarperTeen.
ISBN: 978-0060519537 

Fifteen-year-old girl named Jessica moves with her family to Bixby, Oklahoma. Shortly thereafter she wakes up in the middle of the night and discovers that time has frozen. The next night she wakes again and begins to investigate outside her room. Seeing her family frozen Jessica becomes even more confused and frightened. She sees a cat in her living room and follows it outside. 

Once outside the cat transforms into a snake and with a group of other snakes begins to attack Jessica. Her rescuers are three individuals: Dess, Rex, and Melissa. They call themselves the “Midnighters.” They explain to Jessica what the secret hour is and the dangerous creatures that inhabit it. Each Midnighter possesses a special ability. Eager to find out what Jessica's ability is Rex takes her to the Snake Pit in the badlands; also home to the darklings. A battle proceeds, and Rex discovers Jessica is a flame-bringer.

Identity is key element in Westerfeld's Midnighters 1: The Secret Hour. Jessica is the new kid who also finds out she is a part of a separate world where a group of her peers have special abilities. These abilities are a part of thier identity, which is highlighted in Jessica's struggle to find her identity. The search for identity begins in the tween/teen years and Westerfeld is smart to incorporate that issue within a fun, sci-fi, young adult novel.

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How I Live Now

Rosoff, M. (2006). How I Live Now. New York, NY: Wendy Lamb Books.

ISBN: 978-0553376050

In the not-too-distant future a fifteen-year-old girl named Daisy arrives in England to stay with relatives. Her cousin Edmond picks her up and takes Daisy to the family's isolated farm. Daisy derives from Manhattan and must slowly acclimate herself to farm living. 

Once settled into her unassuming and rather peaceful surroundings everything is upturned as England is taken over by terrorists. She falls in love with Edmond, but after soldiers take over the remotely located farm they send her and her cousin Piper away. As the effects of terror, war, and paranoia take over the nation, Daisy undergoes reclamation from snooty city girl to survivalist.

This novel takes a look at a modern day war and the effects of it on society and specifically Daisy. The travesties of war are described by Daisy with such sharpness and sadness. Although the war is a significant event, Daisy's comeuppance, struggle, and ultimate survival makes this coming-of-age tale a profound read.

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Saved!

Dannelly, B. (2004). Saved!. United Artists. PG-13. 1 hour 32 Minutes. 

Mary is a great Christian. When acting Mary always stop to think WWJD. Her seemingly normal Christian life takes a sharp turn when her Christian boyfriend, Dean, confesses he is gay. Directed by her faith Mary decides to sacrifice her virginity in order to save Dean. Unfortunately her sacrifice does not help Dean and his parents ship him off to a "degayification" camp. 

As the school year begins Mary finds out she is pregnant. Mary detaches herself from her uber-Christian friends, Hilary-Faye and Veronica. Alone, depressed, and struggling to keep her pregnancy a secret Mary and Cassandra, the school's foul-mouthed rebel, have an altercation that leads to real friendship. Mary then finds solace with a new group of friends. Hilary-Faye makes Mary a pariah and constantly looks for ways to get Mary and her new set of friends in trouble.

 
This film is a critique on the hypocrisies of Christianity--that being said it is not an anti-religious film. Instead, this film looks at the various levels of faith. Mary's faith is a bit naive at first, but after seeing Hilary-Faye use her Christian beliefs as a weapon Mary begins to understand how faith can sometimes lead to acts of pretense. The film is about acceptance of faith, individuality, and humanity.

Cover art link: wikimedia
Movie still link: movie 

The Folk Keeper

Billingsley, F. (1999). The Folk Keeper. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

ISBN: 0-689-82876-4

Only a boy can be a Folk Keeper. Through cunning and devious behavior Corinna Stonewall changes her name to Corin in order to train and gain the position of Folk Keeper of Rhysbridge Home. Keeping the Folk at bay requires various charms and in depth knowledge of the Folk and their malicious ways. Corinna prides herself at what she does, but worries about growing up and losing the ruse. Mysteriously her hair grows two inches every night. She also has the ability to tell time. 

A dying man visits her and hires her to be the Folk Keeper at his estate called Marblehaugh Park. Excited by this new endeavor Corinna finds more than she bargained for at the now deceased man’s estate. Surrounded by the sea Corinna develops an interesting craving for fish, befriends the deceased man’s son, and learns of the hidden secrets of Marblehaugh Park. 

In grappling with the mysterious of Marblehaugh Park Corinna begins to open up to her true identity and link to the sea. Understanding what she is she must now make the decision to stay the Folk Keeper or relinquish her role in order to embrace the sea.

This coming-of-age tale looks into one girl’s struggle for self-identity. Borrowing from the selkie myth this novel highlights Corinna’s self-denial and self-discovery by figuratively and literally shedding her skin. The Folk Keeper is a dark tale that includes murder, secrets, magic, and love. Corinna’s acknowledgement of her true self is a gripping climax that keeps readers going to the revealing end. 

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Selkie image: orkneyjar 

Shiver

Stiefvator, M. (2009). New York, NY: Scholastic Press. 

ISBN: 978-0545123266 

When Grace was nine a wolf pack attacked her; however a wolf with startling yellow eyes saves her. Captivated by this event seventeen-year-old Grace has a sneaking suspicion the yellow-eyed wolf she spies in the woods behind her house. 

A teen is found dead due to a wolf attack and a hunting party goes out into the woods to take down the wild animals.

Frightened Grace runs after them. Instead of finding her wolf she finds a wounded, shivering boy on her porch. When she looks at his startling yellow eyes she makes the connection that this is her wolf in the form of a boy. Sam is the wolf and he can only maintain his human form for so long before the winter has him shivering back to a wolf. Sam and Grace's relationship deepens, but their time together is ephemeral

This novel is reminiscent to Romeo and Juliet as well as contemporary favorite Twilight. Stiefvator's well written story involves an unconventional love affair that will entice tweens and teens. Their is also a wonderful weaving of mythology surrounding the wolves. 

Unlike the aforementioned titles the female lead, Grace is tough and daring. She lives with her parents, but they are not around as much as she would like. Although this saddens her she is resilient and brave not weepy or weak. The novel is suspenseful, thrilling, and heartbreaking with intelligent and resourceful characters.

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Juno

Reitman, J. (2007). Juno. Mandate Pictures. PG-13. 96 minutes.  

Juno is a sixteen-year-old who ends up pregnant after having sex with her long-time friend Paulie Bleeker. Independent and strong-willed she decides to have an abortion, but while at the clinic she has a change of heart and decides she wants to give it up for adoption. With the help of her best friend Leah she finds the perfect couple, Mark and Vanessa, to give her child to. Vanessa cannot have child and Juno assures her the baby will be hers. Juno forms a friendship with Mark who has similar tastes in music and movies. 

Juno's indifference to Paulie Bleeker leads him to ask another girl to prom, which infuriates Juno. Confused and hurt Juno visits Mark only to find him trying to come on to her. He tells her he plans to leave Vanessa. Worried about the future of her baby Juno storms off, but on her emotional way home she pulls over to cry. That moment is a turning point for Juno and she decides to confront all the feelings she has had for the people in her life.
 

This film looks at issues of teen pregnancy and high school life. Juno is a unique character in that she makes her own choices and suffers the consequences in a mature way. For young adults this film shows how their decision-making skills matter and although mistakes happen there are ways to rectify them.

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Speak

Anderson, L. H. (1999). Speak. New York, NY: Speak.

ISBN: 978-0142414736

After experiencing a horrific event, Melinda enters high school ostracized from her peers. She makes the choice to not speak about the event and in doing so slowly withdraws from communicating all together. She befriends a new girl named Heather who obsesses about fitting in. After finding out that hanging out with Melinda hinders her status Heather breaks their friendship. 

Falling deeper into her depression Melinda discovers an unoccupied janitor's closet and takes it over as her refuge. She finds a small outlet for expression in her art class taught by Mr. Freeman. Soon the tragic event that happened to Melinda is realized: an older student named Andy during a party in the summer raped her.

Once she finds out her former best friend, Rachel, is dating Andy she can no longer keep silent and tells Rachel what happened at the party and why she called the cops (the reason her peers blacklist her). At first Rachel is outraged and insists Melinda is lying, but soon she accepts the truth and breaks up with Andy.

The events of the party are leaked and Melinda is no longer considered an outcast. As the school year comes to a close Melinda returns to the janitor's closest only to be violently accosted by Andy. Her former friend Nicole and the lacrosse team hear her screams.They immediately come to her aid. 

This book takes on a heavy issue: rape. Anderson's story is both poignant and an important work for young readers. The book is a great source for young adults because it demonstrates the significance in speaking out about sexual assault and not allowing social indifference to hinder their communication.


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