A Manga experience

Citation:

Kanzaki, Masaomi. Street Fighter II. Udon Entertainment Production, 2007.

Annotation:

This graphic novel is the sequel to Street Fighter I, although it may be read independently of the first book in the series. There are cartoons and video games available based on the Street Fighter stories, as well as several Manga titles.

Review:

In the struggling global economy, Shad is a huge inhabited land overwrought with poverty, destitution and destruction. A successful world conglomerate comes to the rescue of Shad’s people with hope and prosperity right around the corner, but in the corporate world people cannot get something for nothing. Ryu and Ken must do all they can to help the inhabitants of Shad free themselves from the horrible effects of the depressed economy while staying out of the grasp of the corporation who has is sights set on using the citizens to climb to the top of the global economy.

Genre: Manga

(Image credit: www.wikipedia.com)

the 1950s

Citation:

Kidd, Ronald. On Beale Street. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2008.

Annotation:

This realistic story focuses on several aspects of the American South in the 1950s through the eyes of a teenage boy. The prevalence of class-ism and racism makes the journey of coming of age particularly difficult but the this teenager triumphs as he faces challenge after challenge.

Review:

Part I Black

Part II White

Part III Grey

Memphis in the 1950s had Main Street for whites and Beale Street for blacks. The music scene was explosive and so were the segregated neighborhoods where blacks lived in fear of burning crosses in their yards. Three boys; Lamont Turner, Trey Chapman, and Johnny Ross try to find their niche, will it be black, white, or grey?

Genre: Historical Fiction

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A Mind trip

Citation:

Butler, Octavia E. Mind of My Mind. New York: Warner Books, Inc., 1977.

Annotation:

Mental telepathy and the ability to live on thru a series of host human bodies is the stuff of Science Fiction, or is it? Butler presents society in terms of the supernatural in a very realistic way, often forcing readers to remind themselves that what happens in this story is just that, a story.

Review:

Mary is a teenager who sets herself apart from others her age, but isn’t sure why. When she makes the transition everything becomes a little clearer, but she continues to struggle with her abilities to see into other people’s minds to read their thoughts. Almost involuntarily she begins to call people similar to herself, to her. As they arrive she begins to create a community of telepaths. Will they be able to live together or will they self destruct in the Mind of My Mind?

Genre: Science Fiction

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Graphic Magic

Citation:

Lutes, Jason and Nick Bertozzi. Houdini The Handcuff King. New York: Hyperion, 2007.

Annotation:

This is a graphic snapshot of an incredible event in the life of the magician Harry Houdini. Readers get an inside view of his relationship with the two loves in his life, performing magic and his wife.

Review:

Who was Harry Houdini? How did he perform the unbelievable feats thousands of people around the world saw with their own eyes? Did he keep secrets to the answers of his bizarre skills? This novel in graphic form is sure to provide answers to these questions, but just like the magic in Harry’s performances, will you believe the answers to be true?

Genre: Graphic Novels

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A Royal saga

Citation:

Yolen, Jane and Robert J. Harris. Queen’s Own Fool. New York: Speak, 2000.

Awards:

A Junior Library Guild Selection

Capitol Choices – Noteworthy Books for Children 2000 list

A Wyoming Soaring Eagle nominee

A 2001 YALSA Best Book choice

Annotation:

Nicola is an unlikely person to be one of Mary Queen of Scots’ closest friends since she is an orphaned 12 year old from a family of peasants. However, she possesses more than the ability to create a friendship crossing all class barriers because she has what it takes to be the Queen’s Own fool.

Review:

If you are interested in or fascinated by the historical events of the European royal families, this will be an excellent read for you. The story focuses on Queen Mary of Scotland; however, she began her royal career as the Queen of France. This book is written in descriptive language that transcends the centuries separating the time of the actual events, and the present time. It has a fast paced plot with entertaining characters as well as almost unbelievable events.

Genre: Historical Fiction

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Multicultural vignettes

Citation:

Cisneros, Sandra. The House on Mango Street. New York: Vintage Books, 1984.

Awards:

The American Book Award from the Before Columbus Foundation (1985)

This book has been translated into many languages and has sold more than two million copies since its first publication date. It is considered a classic and taught in many middle and high school curriculums world wide.

Annotation:

The plot is about Esperanza Cordero and her struggles growing up on Mango Street in a poor Latino neighborhood in Chicago. The title refers to the house that Esperanza and her family move into at the beginning of the book.

Review:

This story is presented in a vignette style of writing. The story flows through 44 vignettes written in the first person narrative voice of a teenage girl. It is an inspiring tale readers may enjoy from cover to cover. It is also the kind of story one can pick up to read a single vignette and feel satisfied with food for thought for quite some time. The format is unusual but serves its purpose well.

Genre: Multicultural

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A modern view of Russia's Revolution

Citation:

Rabin, Staton. The Curse of the Romanovs. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2007.

Annotation:

Alexi Romanov is heir to the Russian throne, a hemophiliac, and unbeknownst to him, a time traveler. This is the story of a boy’s devotion to his family, his country, and his destiny.

Review:

The true life events of the Romanov family during the Russian Revolution combined with a fictional story of time travel make this historical fiction novel an exceptional read. Alexi Romanov was the son of the Tsar of Russia. His family had ruled Russia for more than 300 years when the people revolted and gave power to the Bolsheviks. I recommend this book because it offers readers insight into the royal world in Russia in the early 1900s during a time of social unrest. It is fact blended with fiction at its finest, very, very good.

Genre: Historical Fiction

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Historical High Society in NYC

Citation:

Godbersen, Anna. The Luxe. New York: Harper Collins, 2007.

Recognition:

Although this book has yet to win any literary awards, it has enjoyed huge popularity. You may discover more about The Luxe world and the author at Luxe Books.

Annotation:

Elizabeth Holland is the “it” girl of the social elite in New York City circa 1899. She is everything a well bred rich girl should be, and she can do no wrong. Until, her secret is exposed and New York’s high society is turned up side down.

Review:

The descriptions of New York City and it’s elite at the turn of the 20^th century draw the reader into a world I can imagine much like today. Don’t be intimidated by the length of this novel because once you start reading it, you will not be able to put it down. The Luxe is the first book in a trilogy written by Anna Godbersen. All I can say is, I can’t wait to read the second and third installments of the dramatic cut throat world of high society teenagers living in New York City.

Genre: Historical Fiction

(Image credit: http://theluxebooks.com)

A realistic Fantasy

Citation:

Lowry, Lois. The Giver. New York: Delacorte Press, 1993.

Awards:

This book has received many awards and lots of recognition from the literary world. Listed below are some of the more notable awards The Giver has received.

The 1994 Newberry Medal

The 1996 William Allen White Award

American Library Association listings for: Best Book for Young Adults,

Notable Children’s Book, 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990 – 2000.

A Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book

Winner of the Regina Medal

Booklist Editor’s Choice

A School Library Journal Book of the Year

Annotation:

Sixes wear the back zip jackets to learn interdependence. Sevens have front button jackets to practice independence. Eights have pockets on their jackets to learn responsibility. Nines get to ride bicycles and do not have to wear hair ribbons. When you turn twelve you get your assignment. Adults live in family units or with the other childless adults. When it is time they go to the House of the Old. Ultimately one by one, everyone will be released. This is the world of The Giver, or is it?

Review:

If you have not read this book, make it the top title on your “What to read next” list. This story is sure to make you reconsider how you think about the world you live in, the relationships you have, and the choices you make. Lowry expresses a fascinating approach to living in a programmed society through the eyes of a young man named Jonas. Although the book focuses on issues such as euthanasia, isolation, love, and independent thought, it ultimately shares a hopeful message. The Giver is a must read.

Genre: Fantasy

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A Horror-fying tale

Citation:

Stine, R. L. Dangerous Girls. New York: Avon Books, 2003.

Annotation:

Twin sisters are trying to escape the reality that their Mom killed herself a year ago, by spending the summer at camp. They escape their reality only to find a world of darkness and hunger they do not want to be a part of. Can they make it out alive, or will they continue to live their lives as Dangerous Girls?

Review:

Horror is not my genre, but since it is so popular these days, I wanted to give it a try. This book is a quick, entertaining read. The story is fast paced and the characters are well developed. For a veteran horror reader, the plot may be a little light on the terror factor. I recommend this book for anyone easing into the horror genre that isn’t looking to be too scared to fall asleep alone at night.

Genre: Horror

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Historic Philadelphia

Citation:

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Fever 1793. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2000.

Annotation:

Mattie is 14, independent and ready to experience what the city of Philadelphia has to offer her. She works hard for her family’s business and spends her limited amount of free time exploring the city with her friends, until suddenly her world rapidly changes when people start getting sick in the Fever 1793.

Review:

I currently live in Philadelphia and that was initially what drew me to this story. I enjoyed reading descriptions of places in the late 1700s that I can walk by today. It may look totally different, but it was fun for me to make the connection between the historic city in this novel to the modern city I live in. Aside from the subject of historic Philadelphia, this novel touches upon issues that each of us face through the course of growing up.

Genre: Historical Fiction

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A personal revolution

Citation:

Rinaldi, Ann. The Fifth of March: A Story of the Boston Massacre. New York: Gulliver Books, 1993.

Annotation:

Rachel is a thoughtful teenage girl in colonized America who wants more from life than what her station of being a servant to John Adams’ family will allow. Orphaned with no other kin than an uncaring uncle, Rachel matures beyond her years in the tumultuous circumstances of British occupied Boston.

Review:

I really enjoyed this book because it relays the details of the Boston Massacre through an engaging personal story of an endearing fourteen year old girl. If you are a reader who is interested in learning about the history of Boston during the year or so before the revolution began through historically accurate details intertwined with a fictitious character’s emotional response to her situation, this book is for you.

Genre: Historical Fiction

(Image credit: www.annrinaldi.net)

A view of WWII

Citation:

Lowry, Lois. Number the Stars. New York: Laurel-Leaf Newberry, 1989.

Awards:

Newberry Medal winner 1990

Annotation:

Annemarie is not a Jew, therefore in her mind she has nothing to fear… until her best friend Ellen’s family is under inspection by the Nazi police occupying their neighborhood in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Review:

Would you put your life on the line to help a friend? Seriously? That’s what I loved about this story. It is the story of the holocaust through the eyes of a girl who is safe simply because she is not Jewish. This thought provoking novel asks each reader to really ponder what length one would be willing to go to in order to help those in need of it at the most desperate time. I also liked Number the Stars because it illustrates the strength and triumphant nature of humanity in the face of total despair.

Genre: Historical Fiction

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A GLBTQ recommendation

Citation:

Wyeth, Sharon Dennis. Orphea Proud. New York: Delacorte Press, 2004.

Awards:

Texas TAYSHAS High School Reading List Winner 2005

Lambda Literary Award Nominee 2005

Annotation:

This is the story of a teenager who is a dramatic, expressive, loving, empathetic, dynamic, confidant, scared, daughter, orphan, sister, lesbian, niece, and loyal friend named Orphea Proud.

Review:

I loved this book because it is presented as a performance piece like one you would see and listen to in a theater. The story of Orphea’s life is told by her through a cast of characters, and often the reader is reminded that indeed they are simply part of the audience. The audience follows the main character through one trying situation and event after another. I won’t spoil the end for you, but I will say it is satisfying at the end of quite a dramatic ride.

Genre: GLBTQ

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A Realistic novel

Citation:

Frank, E. R. America. New York: Atheneum, 2002.

Awards:

Garden State Teen Book Award Nominee (NJ)

German Youth Literature Award Nominee

Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults

Annotation:

Where is America? You can find America in a mall, in a dirty rat hole of an apartment, and on any number of dark city streets. America may be with a foster parent, a group of friends, or isolated in a strange place. America also exists in Central Park and in a rehabilitation center. But you must read this story in order to answer the question; who is America?

Review:

America is a blunt, in your face, on the edge of totally disturbing, read. I recommend it because you haven’t read anything quite like it until you read it. On the other hand, it isn’t pretty. It is however, well written. And, it is a story that transcends experience in order to speak to each reader with a personal voice.

Genre: Realistic/Issues

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Historical Fiction can be riveting

Citation:

Spinelli, Jerry. Milkweed. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2003.

Awards:

The Golden Kite Award winner

An ALA Best Book for Young Adults

A National Jewish Book Award Finalist

A Booklist Top 10 Historical Fiction for Youth Selection

A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age

A Cooperative Children's Book Center Choice

A Book Links Lasting Connections Selection

Winner of the Carolyn W. Field Award

Annotation:

There is not much of a past to recall, and the future is uncertain. All certainty lies in finding food, staying warm, not getting caught by the Jackboots and above anything, the avoidance of being identified as a Jew.

Review:

The main character in this survival story set in Nazi occupied territory during World War II is a young boy. Is he an orphan? Is he a Gypsy? Is he a thief? Is he a Jew? Can he survive the unyielding torture brought to his land and people by the Nazis? Jerry Spinelli creates a vivid world where children and adolescents are faced with adult situations and responsibilities during one of the darkest times in the modern world. Where Anne Frank’s story is documented truth from the mind of a teenage girl, Milkweed provides a riveting vision of the same era from a fictitious character that I believe may have truly existed in reality through countless children and their war torn experiences.

Genre: Historical Fiction

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A Biography not to be missed

Citation:

Frank, Anne. The Diary of a Young Girl. New York: Bantam Books, 1993.

Recognition:

The original publication of Anne's diary was in Dutch and it took place in the Netherlands in 1947. The first English publication was produced in 1952. Since then there have been a number of films made based on the diary, both feature length and made for television, as well as a feature length play that won the Pulitzer Prize in 1955. Shelly Winters won an academy award for her portrayal of Petronella van Daan in the feature length film The Diary of Anne Frank in 1959.

Annotation:

This is Anne’s real diary which she created from June 1942 through August 1944. Anne and her family were Jews hiding from the Nazis in Holland during World War II.

Review:

If you haven’t read this book, go get a copy from your local library, your school library, or the bookstore near you. Ask a friend, a teacher, or a family member to borrow a copy. Whatever you do, don’t waste any more time without familiarizing yourself with Anne’s story. I guarantee reading this book will have a prolonged effect on your view of yourself, the people closest to you, and the world you live in.

Genre: Biography/Non-Fiction

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Another young adult Classic

Citation:

Anonymous. Go Ask Alice. New York: Simon Pulse, 1971.

Awards:

Although this book never received any formal award recognition in the literary world, it has enjoyed widespread popularity and is considered to be a classic in young adult literature.

Annotation:

Go Ask Alice is the diary of a fourteen year old girl that covers two years of her exploration into a world of drugs, peer pressure, intimate relationships, and ultimately her family’s acceptance.

Review:

This is a quick and fascinating read regardless of whether you can buy into the idea that it is really a diary written by some anonymous teenage girl. Go Ask Alice is also the story of the harsh reality of drug addiction and the ugly side of running away from home. I recommend this book because it provides readers with a gritty view of teens, sex, drugs, parents, runaways, and the family dynamic of a “normal” middle class American family in the early 1970’s. Whether this book is a real diary or not, it grapples with real life issues that concern us all.

Genre: Classics

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A young adult Classic

Citation:

Hamilton, Virginia. M. C. Higgins, the Great. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1974.

Awards:

This is the only book to win all three of the following awards;

Newberry Award Winner 1975

National Book Award

Boston Globe-Horn Book Award

Annotation:

M. C. is a teenager in the hills of the rural south with some adult responsibilities. Through his family relationships, a friend, encounters with outsiders, and his greatest possession, we follow M. C. as he comes of age.

Review:

Although this book was first published in 1974, it is written with a timeless quality. The story remains just as applicable to life today, as it was in the mid ‘70s. Readers will gain a sense of themselves by getting to know M. C. and the issues he faces as a young adult. I was surprised by the depth of character development and the sober maturity M. C. relies on to face his reality. I highly recommend this book to any reader interested in a triumphant story of an isolated existence in the poverty stricken rural south.

Genre: Classics

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