Paper Towns

By John Green 

     Do we ever truly know our friends and neighbors, or do we only the persona that they show the world.  This is a very well written and thought provoking book that I totally love!  Quentin has had a crush on the girl next door for as long as he can remember.  They used to be best friends, but they have parted ways and grown into two totally different individuals.  Quentin is now the quiet studious kid, with friends in the band.  Margo is the adventurous cheerleader that is always doing some incredible schemes.  She is the life of the party a beautiful flame that everyone wants to be near.  After years of barely talking, even though they are neighbors, Margo shows up at Q's window one evening, asking for his help.  Of course, Quentin can not refuse to help Margo, what follows is a night full of pranks that definitely push Q out of his comfort zone.  It was the best night of his life, but will she acknowledge him tomorrow in school?  

     The following day, Margo is not in class, but Q figures she is sleeping off their late night and avoiding the consequences of some of the pranks that the two accomplished the previous evening.  When he returns home, he discovers that she is missing, the detective and her parents believe that she has run away.  The policeman let's Q know that she has left before, but she always leaves random clues for people to find her.  Q believes that he is that person, when he notices a poster on the back side of the shade in her window.  It is now his mission to unravel the clues and find Margo.  The Margo that he comes to know from the clues is not the Margo that he knew and loved, this is somebody completely unfamiliar to Quentin.  When he finds the book of poetry by Whitman, and the highlighted sections, add a sense of urgency to his quest.  Will Quentin and his friends be able to find Margo, and can they convince her to return home?  Quentin even skips out on his high school graduation in his hunt for Margo.  His true friends join him on this spur of the moment road trip.  Does Q find Margo?  Does he find the person that he does find?  Or is the illusion of Margo what he really loved ?  

     I found this book very good, and thoughtful.  Especially the line, 

"Margo was not a miracle. She was not an adventure. She was not a fine and precious thing. She was a girl.”

Sometimes the person you present to the world can no longer be maintained and you must be you!  I do feel that either gender would enjoy this book, especially since the main character is male.  I am giving this book a 5 our of 5 stars, and think it is appropriate for 7th grade on up.  This book is a definite treasure.  To all of my educator friends, my copy of the book had discussion questions in the back, that could lead to a lot of great conversations.  

Links 

Author - John Green

Walt Whitman

Do Paper towns really exist?

The Haunting of Sunshine Girl

By Paige Mackenzie 

     This is a nicely crafted coming of age story of a young sunshine, who acquires powers at the age of 16.  Sunshine is adopted by the woman that found her at the hospital, Kat, a neonatal nurse.  Even though they are technically Mother and daughter, they are so much more, they are best friends.  Sunshine will do anything for her mother, even move across the country so Kat can have the job of her dreams!  

     Shortly after Sunshine's 16th birthday they move to a damp and creepy part of the state of Washington, where it always seems to rain.  Sunshine is affected by the dreary weather and something else.  The first night in their rented home is eventful at least for Sunshine, who hears footsteps on the floor above them.  She is convinced the house is haunted, but Kat will not believe in any of that nonsense.  Sunshine then tries to prove her claims by taking photos and collecting data.  She hopes on her first day of school, that she will be able to utilize the dark room and process her film and prove to her mother the strange occurrences that are happening in their home.  

     Sunshine was nervous on her first day of school, new school, kids and teachers, but she was looking forward to her art class and developing her film.  Imagine her disappointment when she discovers that there is no photography or dark room at her new school.  But in walks somebody that she can not take her eyes off and he is sitting right next to her.  This boy becomes her friend and protector and they work together to save Kat.  Sunshine girl has no idea who or what she is and as she grows into her powers and faces the unbelievable she may find a first boyfriend, save her mother and come to terms with her unique abilities.
     This book was a pleasure to read, a very enjoyable page turner.  I am giving this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars and believe it is appropriate for students 7th grade and up.  Even though the main character is female, it does not exclude male readers, especially with the topic being haunting and spirits.  This is an incredible coming of age tale pick up your copy today.

Links 

Guardian Angels

Author - Paige Mackenzie

     

License to Spill

By Lisi Harrison                               

     The second installment from Ms. Harrison continues the story of the Phoenix Five from "The Pretenders."  All of the cliffhangers from the first story are answered, yet the year is not complete so who knows what is to happen to Sheridan, Jagger, Lily, Duffy or Vanessa.  Harrison continues with the journalling of Phoenix Five.  So all of their inner thoughts, concerns and troubles are known to the reader.  

     You will discover Jagger's big secret, but does he spill it by the end of this book?  Everyone's favorite drama queen, Sheridan, continues as Octavia's understudy, and her aspirations of becoming a professional actress.  Will she be able to regain her best friend Audry?  The Stalker, Lily, is she arrested? does she continue at Noble High School? what about her friendship with Blake?  Duffy, the young promising basketball player, what is to become of his budding relationship with Sheridan? does he continue on the path of fashion sales? Finally, what is to become of the Overachiever, Vanessa?  All of these questions are answered in the book, but I refuse to divulge too much because you need to read it!  

     I totally enjoyed this quick read book!  The charm is that I know my own school's version of these characters.  I may have been one of these.  It really does give one an inside glimpse of what many would believe are exemplary role models, yet they struggle like many, they have their own doubts concerns and problems!  I would give this installment a 5 out of 5 stars and would keep it for 6th grade up, just because of some of the mature content.  

Links

Lisi Harrison

Teen Outreach

Teenage Stalking

Teenage Stardom?

     

The Face on the Milk Carton

By Caroline B. Cooney 

     This is one of those what if books.  Could this really happen?  How would you react?  This is a very believable tale in which one young girl, Jane Johnson, happens to recognize herself on the side of a milk carton that illustrates abducted children.  Jane lives in a small town on the east coast of the United States, and by all accounts is a happy and beloved daughter of doting parents.  She has a great group of friends and an older neighbor boy for company.  But the image on the milk carton begins to haunt her.  

     Haunt her to the point that she begins to have daymares aka memories.  Jane could never imagine her loving parents kidnapping a child, so is torn on how to proceed.  She finally, fesses up to her neighbor, Reeve, her worries.  But Reeve has other things on his mind, as he is emotionally attracted to Jane and wants to begin a relationship.  Jane goes to extreme lengths to discover the truth, even skipping school and traveling to New Jersey in search of the Spring family.  She immediately recognizes her siblings but has Reeve drive away, not sure how to proceed.  

     Jane confronts her parents about missing pictures of a young Jane, birth certificate etc. and they explain how Jane came to be with them.  Their daughter Hannah had brought Jane to them, with a story about Jane being their Grandaughter.  She believes them until the evidence continues to pile up against their story.  Reeve calls his older sister, who is studying to be a lawyer and they eventually confront Jane's parents, and decide that their daughter Hannah had abducted a young Jenny Spring.  The story ends on a cliffhanger as to what becomes of Jane.  

     This is a very entertaining tale, gives a great deal of insight told from the perspective of a young, confused girl.  I would rate this story a 4 out of 5 and encourage anybody fifth grade up to pick up a copy.  

Links

About the Movie

Author - Caroline B. Cooney

Child abduction

Facts

The Pretenders

                                                                                    by Lisi Harrison


     This was a very enjoyable quick read.  The author gives incredible insight into 5 young adults lives and innermost thoughts as they enter into Noble Nigh School.  Their teacher has given all of the students in ninth grade the task of journaling at least one page a day for the entire school year.  You are to write your feelings or innermost thoughts.  The journals will never be read and will be locked in a cabinet.  The assignment initially terrifies the students, but they eventually warm up to the concept and quickly pour their feelings and secrets into their journals.  How are we reading these journals?  One of the students has broken into the cabinet and has published the journals, in order to show everyone the truth about the Phoenix 5.  Not everyone is who they appear to be, everyone puts on some sort of front or show, everybody has secrets, including these 3 girls and 2 boys.
     The Phoenix 5 is the most notable of the freshman each year at Noble High School.  These students have been selected and voted by their classmates as having something special.  Meet Sheridan, she is a prima donna drama queen.  She lives for the theater and enjoys a very rich imagination.  She has been the lead character in all of the plays.  She has a best friend Aubrie, they are sole mates.  Aubrie is always the understudy to Sheridan's lead, that is until Aubrie meets Octavia at summer camp.  Sheridan's family is very wealthy, her father owns the local BMW dealership and Sheridan does not lack material things.
     Next meet Jasper, he has had a hard life.  His parents are sitting on death row, for helping stop a bully.  He has been emancipated and cares for himself.  He lives in the back room of a local pet shop, he pays the rent by feeding the animals at night.  He is a loner with no friends.  He catches the eye of Aubrie and they become close.  He has his own secrets, not to be disclosed.  Then there is Vanessa.  She is a straight A student and very academically oriented. She has a troubled home life and views this assignment as non-productive, that is to say, she puts other school work before her journal.  Her parents constantly fight, her brother is constantly in trouble or losing a job and the only peace is at a local restaurant.  Beni's is a place that the family goes to celebrate, good grades, new jobs etc. - no fighting is ever allowed at Beni's.
     Our next two characters are Lilly and Duffy, they are neighbors.  Lilly has had a crush on Duffy for a while and convinces her parents to allow her to attend public school so that she may see more of him.  Duffy and his buddies play basketball all of the time.  He lives for basketball and dreams of making the varsity team.  Lilly and her best friend Blake have been homeschooled forever and try to fit into life at Noble.  Blake, who is naturally very attractive, immediately catches Vanessa's eye.  Only Lilly knows that he is gay and the relationship and her friendship with Vanessa is doomed for failure.
     Where these relationships will end up and the choices that these students make are very believable and entertaining.  I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.  It is a very quick read and enjoyable.  The ending leaves one wanting more.  Which is why I will be reading "License to Spill" very soon.

Link 

Author: Lisi Harrison

Dealing with teen peer pressure - wanting to fit in.

Teen Journaling

Teen Help line
   

A Time to Dance

                                                                                                     By Padma Venkatramen


     This is a beautiful story, told in verse.  A young Indian girl, Veda, has just won a prestigious dance competition; and is in a horrible accident.  The tragedy results in Veda losing part of her leg.  This devastates the young dancer, and she swirls into a pit of despair.  Through the aid of an American Doctor, Veda attains a prosthetic limb and is convinced that she may be able to return to dance.
After some work and practice, she returns to her old dance instructor.  Only to be turned away without a thought.  This does not sway Veda, she continues to work and with the help of Jim, the American Doctor, and her Grandmother, Veda finds an enlightened instructor that is willing to help her rekindle and find her love of dance.

     At the new dance school, she meets Govinda, the beginning dance instructor.   He is very handsome and passionate about dance, which Veda finds very attractive.  Their bond begins to flower and deepen, but Govinda's parents want him to be an engineer, not a dancer.  He eventually has Veda teach one of his classes so that he may study for his college entry exams. Veda is an accomplished dancer, the technique,  and mechanics of dance, but she does not become the dance.  After the death of a loved one, she finally begins to understand the nuance of drawing the audience into her dance, and her passion for her craft is rekindled.

     This is a beautiful story of a young girl not only coming to grips with a tragedy but blossoming and inspiring those around her, through her dance.  This book is a great read for those that love to dance from 5th to 6th grade and beyond.

Links

Childhood Prosthetics

Bharatanatyam Dance

Indian Caste System

Padma Venkatraman

Prosthesis and Athletics

On The Fence

by Kasie West

   Meet Charlie, she is a young woman of 16 years old that from a young age has been raised by her Police officer father and 4 older brothers.  She is an outstanding athlete and an all american tom boy.  Until, her dad forces her to get a job and help pay for her speeding tickets and insurance premiums.  Charlie is thrust into girl world when she procures a job in a women's clothing store.  The proprietor hires her on the  spot, but insists that she buy clothing from the store to work in.  Charlie is also questioned about a parental signature and lies about her mother.  She is over people giving her sympathy because of the death of an all but forgotten mom.  Slowly, Charlie begins to enjoy the clothing and the make up and learns that being a girl is not a bad thing.  

     Meet Braden, the boy next door.  The brother from another mother, Charlie's brothers' best friend.  He is over at the house, constantly.  Braden's life is difficult, he has an abusive alcoholic dad whom Braden wants out of his life.  Charlie and Braden often will sneak out at night and meet at the fence to talk about their problems.  Their friendship grows and secretly Charlie begins to think of Braden as more than a friend.  

     As Charlie begins to enjoy being a girl, she earns girl friends and one night meets up with a boy that she is attracted to.  Charlie, the tom boy, and Charlie, the girl, go to battle.  She is convinced no boy would be attracted to her if he knew about the sports and how competitive Charlie is on and off the field.  Finally, she comes to the realization that she has to be happy with herself and true to who she is meant to be.  

     This is a wonderful coming of age story, that is very identifiable by many young women today.  The dilemma of being yourself, being accepted and how does one fit into the society.  Please only read if you are at least 7th or 8th grade, since some of the content is adult.  

Links

Female Athletes:  http://www.biography.com/people/groups/athletes-female

Raising a teenage daughter:  http://life.familyeducation.com/girls/mothers/54215.html

Kasie West:  http://www.amazon.com/Kasie-West/e/B00MCKM9CS