High Fidelity

High Fidelity

Hornsby, Nick. High Fidelity. New York: Riverhead Books, 1995.

Annotation: Rob is a record shop owner who is a grown man stuck in a 19 year old mentality. His girlfriend leaves him and all he can do is obsess over which girl in is his life hurt him the most and blame them for everything.

Reason for nomination: This is essentially an adolescent story using a grown man as the protagonist. The book starts out with Rob as a young teenager trying to make sense of girls and moves up to him as a grown man trying to figure out women. Though out the story he is generally self-obsessed and self-centered. The POV is first person with him telling the story as if he is telling the story to you. The way he tells the story Nick Hornsby creates a character that is questionable in believability as a narrator and generally a jerk. Then throughout he shows little situations that redeem him just slightly. I think for some adolescents they will prefer the more adult character instead of the usual books for teens about teens. This protagonist allows us to be in the head of someone maybe we don’t actually want to be. I do question a little bit how much Rob actually grows in the book, but when you’re as immature as Rob it does not take much to grow up.
Genre: Adult "market" authors, fiction.

The Catcher In the Rye

The Catcher In the Rye

Salinger, JD. The Catcher in the Rye. United States, Little,Brown and Co., 1952

Annotation: Holden has been kicked out of yet another school. Instead of going straight home he decides to bum around Manhattan for a few days on his own.

Reason for rejection: Main reason for rejection is that this book feels dated and out of touch. This book is from 1951 and a lot has happened since then to change the parameters of a relatable youth character for adolescents. I think cases like fantasy, science fiction and horror the books don't always have to be as modern, but with a character as real as Holden I would prefer an updated version that say listens too heavy metal or hip hop instead lame Tin Pan Alley Jazz that Holden listened to. He still is a relatable character that I felt empathy for. I enjoyed reading the book and would still recommend it. JD Salinger had an interesting way of using narration to make Holden a slightly unreliable character. The cynicism was relatable to me and sure many others as I used to probably be about as cynical as Holden. The first person, self centered POV will be connectable to adolescents. Although he had some bad qualities his love for his little sister made him a complex and slightly likable character. Holden tries to act grown up just like a lot of teenagers do. which will make it relable to teens and hated by some adults. Good book, just out of date.

Genre: Censored books, non-fiction.

Fagin the Jew

Fagin the Jew

Eisner, Will. Fagin the Jew. New York: Doubleday, 2003.

Annotation: Master of graphic novels Will Eisner reinterprets the story of Fagin from Charles Dickens's Oliver Twist. This new version of the story is meant to make the caricature of Fagin more realistic and less stereotypical.

Reason for nomination: This book was quite interesting for historical value. Will Eisner takes the time to explain the different Jewish groups that were in London during the setting of Oliver Twist. Particularly he explains how Fagin has been used as a stereotypical character since but got important facial features and other details wrong. Past that Eisner creates a new story from old explaining the background of Fagin and why he did the things that he did. He allows you to have empathy for Fagin's criminal behaviour from a historical/social-economic perspective. I'm not fully sure if all the markers of adolescent lit are intact but graphic novel fans should enjoy this book. My nomination for this book is actually just more of a recommendation. If trying to learn about graphic novels, Will Eisner is a good place to start. In the industry he is was so well respected that there is an award named after him for excellence in comics and graphics novels(Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards). Do you have an award named after you? Here is his wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Eisner

Genre: Graphic novel, fiction and multicultural.

Vampire Loves

Vampire Loves

Sfarm, Joann. Vampire Loves. New York: First Second, 2006.

Annotation: Ferdinand is a friendly and likeable character who prefers just a taste instead of killing his victims. The people he loves don't love him and vise versa. It's a crazy world.

Reason for rejection: Although good, not quite award material. The author has created a complex and interesting world of monsters and ghouls. But, unfortunatley the plot is difficult to follow because the world is presented in small snap shot or serials that are supposed explain the story(or lack there of). The art work is generally good, but feals a little lazy sometimes. Ferdinand does do some search for self that should connect to adolescents, but I'm not sure if he actually grows or learns anything new in the story. The escape portion of this fantasy world will also appeal to some readers. The characters are actually pretty complex and that makes the book more interesting. For die hard graphic novel and/or vampire fans this should be a fun book. Unfortanetly it just doesn't scream good story or essential adolecsent literature.

Genre:Vampire, Graphic Novel.

The Giver

The Giver

Lowry, Lois. The Giver. New York: Bantam Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 1993.

Annotation: Young Jonas is chosen to be the one who experiences the truth and history. In his supposedly perfect society, he finds out the dark truth of his community and has to make a choice for his future.

Reason for Nomination: This is one of the best books I've read, ever. I am personally a big fan of the distopian branch of fantasy/science-fiction. This one stands out along with 1984 by George Orwell, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Lois Lowry paints of a picture of a tightly controlled society that believes it is nearing perfection. The protagonist is just turning 12 and is dealing growing up and questioning what is around him. The book's use of proper nouns is interesting. For example, anywhere not part of their society is Elsewhere(which is vaguelly death or another location or both). The author manages to make the preposterous, believable. The main character is easy to relate to, even from an adult perspective. The POV, which is third person limited sets us away from the character a little bit, but we experience and feel what he does, which makes the book more interesting. When Jonas is confused by something in his community, so are we. Tools like foreshadowing are present, but don't ruin the story, they do their job making the book mysterious. The book leaves us wondering more the whole way through even after finishing. This book will grab you and not let go.

Genre: Distopian Novel, Fiction.

Monster

Monster

Myers, Walter Dean. Monster. New York: HarperTempest, 1999.

Annotation: 16 year Steve is facing 25 to life or even the death sentence for the murder of a drug store clerk during a botched robbery. He definitely didn't pull the trigger but, if proven to be a look out man he could still be sentenced harshly.

Reason for nomination: I nominate this book a little sheepishly. The main thing that holds me back from a strong nomination is the the book was written in script form. Some people might enjoy the format and youth might connect to it's simply written movie-like style. But, for me personally it was a draw back. None the less I still found it enjoyable for it's use of flashback/timeline, ambiguity, dialect and dialogue. The book puts you in the action and takes it's time to explain the back story. The book kept an interesting pace and left enough room for suspense and surprise. In the story it is revealed that Steve Harmon may have been loosely involved in the crime that he and three others are being charged with. He was trying to find himself and ran into the wrong crowd. The book also good lessons for an ethics class. Such as, even if Steve was involved how could the government morally charge him with felony murder for being a look out during a robbery. During Mayor Giuliani's term his tough on crime stance swept up many people just like Steve, young and full of potential. This book shows the importance of a fair and balanced judicial system, something this country has certainly not obtained yet. I think that some adolescents will connect to the idea of being young and being blamed for something you do not feel responsible for.

Genre: Multicultural, Fiction, Trial/Prison.

A People's History of American Empire

A People's History of American Empire

Zinn, Howard, Mike Konopacki and Paul Buhle. A People's History of American Empire. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2008.

Annotation: This superb blend of cartooning, news articles, historical photos and narration makes this telling of history fun and engaging. World renowned historian Howard Zinn takes part in retelling his version of history related to war and war profiteers of The United States.

Reason for nominated: I couldn't put this book down and wish they had this when I was younger. If you don't time to read Howard Zinn's well known 800+ page history book The People's History of the United States of America, then this version of that book may be a less painful experience. Howard Zinn is well known for his writings, but they are generally lengthy and written at a college level. But, recently he has been republishing some of his work with various collaborators in versions that are better suited for adolescent readers. This version weaves political cartoons of past time along with real news articles, cartooning and real photographs(some well know and others not well enough know). The format is very engaging visually and text wise. Sound bites are used to get the point across quickly. History is presented in a story board, first person point of view that will be relatable and interesting for adolescents as well as adults such as myself. They even involve Howard Zinn as a character to make it more relatable to youth and explain why he's against war(he was actually a bombardier during WW2 and dropped the first napalm on a primarily civilian population). The book tries to connect most of America's history of warfare as unjust and primarily used by business and government for control and profit. Zinn paints a picture a unjust, unmoral and malintentioned involvements from mid 19th century warfare on the Native Americans of the great plains through our malintentions of involvement Cuba, Philippines, WW1, WW2, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Vietnam, Iran and Iraq. This book will work well for history and English teachers. It's chronological timeline creates a story out of history that arouses emotions and causes questioning in authority. What is lacking in "normal" literary tools such as foreshadowing and use of figurative speech(although not completely lacking) is generally made up in ways that graphic novels normally do. But, character development of setting are still crucial in this non-fiction/history read.

Genre: History, Graphic Novel

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Sherman, Alexie. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. New York: Little, Brown and company, 2007.

Annotation- Arnold "Junior" Spririt is 14 and tries to escape the pitfalls of life on his reservation by going to an all white school 22 miles away. Various adventures and life experiences await Junior in his new school.

Justification for nomination: This book was very enjoyable for a variety of reasons. First of all the main character was relatable and felt authentic. The authentic voice may have something to do with that the story was based around some of the author's experiences. The book also gets bonus points for reluctant readers for the pictures and comics that help out the story. If you ever remember flipping through a book to see how many pictures were inside as criteria for picking it up this book is it. It was also written very simple, with short sentences and paragraphs, so it is an easy read, but it never talks down to you. The best part of Sherman Alexie is he allows you to have empathy for the characters and can make you cry with their pain but will always make you laugh afterwards. I also nominate this book based the need for students to hear a voice from the Native American reservation so that people can understand the realities of reservation life for some. Anybody who is going into urban education should especially pay attention to this book. This book authentically deals real teen issues and general real life issues quite well. It should appeal to teens because of Junior's (the main character) adventures of finding self in a complex world, leaving part of youth behind and becoming more and more adult every day. The book is a must read for teens and adults for it's authentic voice, complex relatable character, attention to teen lit genre markers and use of humor and tragedy.

Genre: Coming of age

Ghost World

Ghost World



Clowes, Daniel. Ghost World. Seatle: Fantagraphics Books, 1993.





Annotation:Two sarcastic teenage hipsters try to find their identity and future amongst a surrounding of people that are strange and stranger. This coming of age story shows two post-high school graduates slowly drifting apart and growing up at the same time.

Justification for nomination: This book reminds me of being 16-19 years old, the approximate age of the characters. The main character Enid feels like a well developed character that you can have empathy for. She is going through such issues as awkward teen love, a need to find herself fully, friend issues, college bound decisions, a want to grow up and a need to hold on to the best parts of her youth. The two main characters also spend way too much time at diners(any one remember Perkins?). The graphic novel is very character driven overall. Most of the supporting cast are strange, interesting people that you would probably not want to meet in real life. But, every character feels like they have there own unique personality. Some literary tools are not used here because of the graphic novel format such as imagery and other descriptive tools. But, the attractive and effective visuals help drive a good part of the story and make up for these imagery tools that aren't used in words. It is in a point of view that is third person that is typical of the format with the occasional first person thinking inside of the head. I found the symbolic uses enjoyable, such as her always changing outfits that represent different sub-cultures that in turn represent a form of herself that she could try to be. Many things in her life disappear through out the book which I believe represents growing up and leaving certain things behind (which she does). I believe these are characters that feel real and engaging and the format will particularly attract reluctant readers (which gives the book definite bonus points.

Genre: Graphic Novel(originally a serial but compiled into a graphic novel), coming of age, realistic/edgy/problem novel and non-fiction.

Hole in my Life

Hole in my Life

Gantos, Jack. Hole in my Life. New York: Farrar Straus & Giroux, 2002.

Annotation: The promise of adventure and escape and the opportunity for quick cash was too much to resist for Jack. Follow him as he struggles to find himself as a person and as a writer and tries his best to make the best choices.

Justification for rejection:

This book failed to engage me as a reader. He starts himself out in jail the first chapter so there is a large lack of surprise in what is going to happen to him on his journey. Jack getting caught is only a matter of how and when. Throughout the book there is a constant predictability factor that makes the book less enjoyable. Young readers who are well read might enjoy the constant name dropping of literary heavy weights. But, I found it obnoxious and I believe that this book is written at a lower reading level than the reading level of any student that would catch these references. When borrowing ideas such as the use of the color yellow as a mental condition (which I believe is a reference to "The Yellow Wallpaper") he generally fails to live up to the other writers he is trying to pay homage to. The main thing he wins on is fulfilling the basic laundry list of adolescent literature such as "who am I?", a search for self, a need to break free from adult control and bad decision making. In one of his chapters he makes reference to the cheesy scared straight convict story tellers that visited his high school. That chapter made me think that he was aware of how cheesy he was being, but decided to tell his story in the manner in which he did. Even though this was a memoir/autobiography his voice seemed inauthentic and forced. I personally enjoy Law and Crime novels, but this one fails to live up to the classics he is constantally trying to reference (such as Crime and Punishment).

Genre: Autobiography, Memoir