43. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Satrapi, Marjane. (2003). Persepolis. New York : Pantheon Books. ISBN 0375422307.

Plot Summary
Persepolis is the memoir and graphic novel of author Marjane Satrapi. It is the story of Satrapi's growing up in Iran in the 1970's during the Islamic Revolution. Satrapi is an outspoken child of Marxists parents which makes life complicated in a world where the government wants to control people's lives with its repressive regime. Satrapi gives the history of Iran and the effects of war with Iraq, political repression, and her colorful and outspoken family.

Critical Evaluation
Persepolis is an important piece of work for both teenagers and adults. Beyond its black-and-white images that tell the story of Satrapi's life in a war torn and politically repressed country there is a story of a little girl who wants to maintain her indviduality. The reader sees her growing up and turning into a depressed woman that still holds out hope for her life to be happy and this makes the story easy to relate to when the political aspects become overwhelming. Persepolis was also made into a film which is equally as stunning and captivating. It is a must have for any library collection.

Reader's Annotation
Marjane Satrapi tells the story of her life growing up Iranian in the 1970's.

About the Author
Marjane Satrapi (born in 1969 in Rasht, Iran) is a contemporary graphic novelist and illustrator. She grew up in Tehran in a progressive family. She attended the Lycée Français there and witnessed, as a child, the growing oppression of civil liberties and the everyday life consequences of Iranian politics, including the fall of the Shah, the early regime of Ayatollah Khomeini and the first years of the Iran-Iraq war.

Satrapi lives in Paris where she works as an illustrator and as an author of children's books.

Genre
Graphic novel, autobiography

Curriculum Ties
World History
Sociology

Booktalking Ideas
1) Discuss the politics of Iran as it pertains the female characters in the book.
2) How would you feel as a child growing up as Satrapi did?

Reading Level/Interest Age
Ages 14+

Challenge Issues
Violence (war), language, some drinking/drug use, politics

Challenge defense ideas
-Become familiar with the politics discussed in the book.
-Become familiar with the book and its content.
-Refer to the collection development policy of the library, see http://sfpl.org/pdf/about/policies/collection-development-plan.pdf
-Refer to reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly available for viewing on amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Persepolis-Marjane-Satrapi/dp/0375714839/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1292303993&sr=1-1
Why Included in Titles Selected
Popular graphic novel, crossover title

42. Generation T: Beyond Fashion 120 New Ways to Transform a T-shirt by Megan Nicolay

Nicolay, Megan. (2006). Generation T: Beyond Fashion 120 New Ways to Transform a T-shirt. New York : Workman Pub. ISBN 9780761137856.

Summary
A Do-it-Yourself (DIY) guide for the creative teenager. The book shows teens how to cut, sew, deconstruct, reconstruct, and transform the everyday T-shirt into customized tees, tank tops, tube tops, handbags, blankets, and much more.

Chapters:
1) Tee Off
2) Tee Time
3) Par-tee On
4) Flir-tee Girls
5) Skir-tee Girls
6) The T-Zone
7) T-Wrecks
8) The Grand Finale

Critical Evaluation
Generation T is a guide for the creative teenager, or even the not-so-creative teen who wants to give it a try. It is for the aspiring fashion designer, or the budget conscious teen who wants to wear something original. Teenagers should not be deterred if they don't know how to sew. Although many of the designs require sewing, Nicolay includes projects that are "no sew" (about a one third). This is a wonderful and creative DIY book that should be included in any nonfiction teen collection.

Reader's Annotation
Learn how to turn a t-shirt into a variety of useful things like purses, iPod holders, and even leg warmers.

About the Author
Writer, editor, photographer, dancer, renegade fashionista, Megan Nicolay, is a seam-ripping, scissor-slinging artist.

Megan lives with her cat Tulu, and her sewing machine in Brooklyn, NY.

Genre
Non-fiction

Curriculum Ties
Art

Booktalking Ideas
1) Did the creations in the book give you any ideas as far as career choices such as becoming a designer?
2) Do you think you could create and sell some of the clothes you make?

Reading Level/Interest Age
Ages 12+

Challenge Issues
None

Why Included in Titles Selected
Title for creative teenagers

41. My Crazy Life: How I Survived My Family compiled by Allen Flaming and Kate Scowen

Flaming, Allen; Scowen, Kate. (2002). My Crazy Life: How I Survived My Family. Buffalo, N.Y: Firefly Books. ISBN 1550377337.

Summary
A collection of ten autobiographical stories about teenagers that have grown with dysfunctional families. Cassandra deals with her divorced parents and adjusting to her new families: Mom started living with a woman, Dad dates someone with kids. Peter deals with being a foster kid whose dad is an alcoholic and his mother abandoned him. He's been homeless on and off for years turning to crime, drugs, and alcohol to cope. Wanda grew up in Hungary and was taken care of by her loving grandmother. At six, her parents took her away and soon her mother began physically abusing her and at school she was bullied. The stress of her life resulted in her cutting herself and thinking of suicide. Maria's father died of AIDS when she was twelve. Her life became more difficult as she came to terms with being gay, dropped out of school, and considered suicide. Randy's parents are divorced. In order to deal with the pain of being sexually abused he becomes a runaway and drug addict. Ivannah is the child of immigrant parents from Vietnam. She had enough problems living in America and being from another country especially in an all-white school. Her mom began showing sign of schizophrenia and soon Ivannah was taking care of her brother and sister and being a shoulder to her father. Sajeed's parents sent him from his home in the Caribbean to live with his grandparents in Detroit when he was seven years old. It was because he looked "uncomfortable" but little did they know his "look" was becaue he had been sexually abused by his parents' friends. He became rebellious to the point someone wanted to kill him. Geri's dad died when she was two years old. Her mom raised her as a single parent and Geri family life was inconsistent. She rebelled, got arrested three times for shoplifting, drugs, and assault. Logan was raised in a strict Christian household where he received physical punishment if he stepped out of line. This made him run away and live on the streets where he became involved in drugs and violence. Aislin father is an alcoholic and physically abusive. Her mother was distant and refused to acknowledge the abuse.

Critical Evaluation
The stories told by the ten teenagers in this book are heartbreaking in their content. What makes the stories bearable is the fact that each teenager finds a way to overcome their unfortunate obstacles with the help from friends, supportive relatives, teachers, and other adults and most importantly their own desire to rise above their circumstances. Each story ends with the author giving the reader advice about how they deal with the hardships that have been part of their lives. A lot of teenagers go through the same hardships and this book shows that they are not alone.

Reader's Annotation
Ten teenagers tell their personal stories growing up in families affected by divorce, abandonment, alcoholism, abuse, or mental illness.

About the Editors
Allen Fleming has a master's degree in social work from the University of Toronto, Canada. he has several years' experience in the mental health and community development fields. Allen has served as program director for a number of youth-serving agencies.

Kate Scowen has worked with children and youth for over fifteen years. While completing her graduate degree in London, England, she volunteered with several youth-based organizations, researching street gangs and youth culture. She most recently worked with St. Stephen's Community House, a community-based social service agency in Toronto's Kensington Market.

Genre
Nonfiction, Contemporary issues

Curriculum Ties
Sociology

Booktalking Ideas
1) Which of the stories stood out to you the most and why?
2) Discuss different resources teenagers can turn to in time of need.

Reading Level/Interest Age
Ages 13+

Challenge Issues
Topics such as sexual/physical abuse, alcoholism/drug use, crime.

Challenge defense ideas
-Become familiar with the topics discussed in the book.
-Refer to resources for troubled teens to accompany the book.
-Refer to the collection development policy of the library, see http://sfpl.org/pdf/about/policies/collection-development-plan.pdf
-Refer to reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly available for viewing on amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/My-Crazy-Life-Survived-Family/dp/141762566X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1292306922&sr=1-1

Why Included in Titles Selected
Wanted to include serious topics for troubled teens

40. Mad (Magazine)

Mad. (Magazine). Issued Quarterly. New York, N.Y.: Educational Comics, Inc.
ISSN 0024-9319 1

Summary
Mad is one of the longest running magazines in America. It has been around since 1952. Mad main source of humor is its comic satires on pop culture, politics, and entertainment. Mad has a spokesman in Alfred E. Neuman's red hair and freckled face that graces every cover. The magazine is a no holds barred laugh fest, poking fun at everyone from President Obama to Justin Bieber. One of the most popular features is the Spy Vs. Spy comic which pits two spies against each other, one dressed in all white, one dressed in all black.

Critical Evaluation
The great thing about Mad is that in its humor it is never raunchy nor does it go for the shock factor. It is all straightforward, ironic humor poking fun at the sometimes ridiculous world of pop culture, politics, and entertainment. It says the things we wish we all could at one time or another.

Reader's Annotation
Funny parodies of popular culture done it comic form.

Genre
Humor

Curriculum Ties
N/A

Booktalking Ideas
1) Discuss how Mad uses humor to dissect pop culture, politics, and entertainment.

Reading Level/Interest Age
Ages 12+

Challenge Issues
N/A
Challenge defense ideas

Why Included in Titles Selected
I loved Mad as a teenager and wanted to see if it was still funny as an adult.

39. The Basketball Diaries by Jim Carroll

Carroll, Jim. (1978). The Basketball Diaries. New York: Penguin Books. ISBN 9780140100181.

Plot Summary
Carrol's diaries chronicle his life growing up on the streets of New York City. At thirteen he is a promising basketball star who uses a fake birth certificate from his coach to play in a twelve and under basketball tournament. When not playing basketball Carroll and his friends wreak havoc by sniffing cleaning fluids to get high, stealing, and getting drunk. As his life progresses he attends a Catholic school although he is not Catholic. Carroll begins to experiment with other drugs like marijuana and heroin. As his drug use spins out of control he loses his job and begins to have sexual encounters with different girls but still maintains his skills as a talented basketball player. Soon his drug addiction spins out of control and he begins selling his body to men to make money to support his habit. Carroll eventually ends up in prison for a month at Rikers. All his experiences do not cure him of his addiction. In the end he is still searching for something that is missing in his life.

Critical Evaluation
The Basketball Diaries is not an easy book to read because of its controversial subject matter. The pages are filled with Carroll's messy life including descriptions of his drug use, sexual encounters and crime sprees. The book is a dark and serious look into the deep hole the character falls into because of his drug use. Readers will want to find a silver lining in the hopes that Carroll will recognize his talent as a basketball star especially after he receives a scholarship to go to a private school based on his talent, but even that bit of hope is ruined because of drugs. The only positive message here is that drugs will destroy your life no matter how smart and talented you are. Carroll's book has been questioned by several school and library boards and many want to see it banned. Although the subject matter is controversial the author merely tells his own personal story and neither condones or supports the use of drugs. It is considered a classic in some literary circles and should be supported and included in collections.

Reader's Annotation
A rebellious young boy chronicles his coming-of-age on the streets of New York City. He is an all-star basketball player and a heroin addict.

About the Author
Jim Carroll (August 1, 1949 - September 11, 2009) was an author, poet, and punk musician. His most famous work is The Basketball Diaries. He led a interesting life working with the likes of Andy Warhol writing film dialogue and inventing character names. He also formed the punk band, Jim Carroll Band in the late 70's. He also wrote poetry and the titles The Book of Nods and Fear of Dreaming.

The Basketball Diaries accounts his teenage life growing up in New York City while battling a heroin addiction which began when he was only thirteen years old.

Genre
Memoir, crossover

Curriculum Ties
Sociology

Booktalking Ideas
1) Discuss why you think the author began taking drugs.
2) Discuss the effects of drug use on teenagers especially promising athletes.

Reading Level/Interest Age
Ages 16+

Challenge Issues
Violence, strong language, sex, drug use, homosexuality

Challenge defense ideas
-Become familiar with the author and the serious subject matter
-Refer to the collection development policy of the library, see http://sfpl.org/pdf/about/policies/collection-development-plan.pdf
-Try to get reviews of the book from teens and adults who have read it.
Why Included in Titles Selected
One of my favorite books

38. The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart

Lockhart, E. (2005). The Boyfriend List. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN 9780385902380

Plot Summary
In the past ten days Ruby Oliver, nicknamed Roo, has lost a boyfriend, is fighting with her friends, got caught by her mom drinking a beer, failed a math test, and that is only the beginning. When the panic attacks begin her parents question if she's suicidal, or maybe she has an eating disorder. She tells them it is neither so they decide she is troubled and send her to see a psychologist, Doctor Z. Roo begins to discuss some of the things she's going through most of them concerning boys so Doctor Z. convince Roo to make a "boyfriend list" and think about what each boy on the list means to her. Not only does Roo have to deal with the list, but also a home life where her parents are constantly fighting over her and a social life where she's been turned into the social outcast. To makes matters worse her list becomes public after she throws it in the trash. As Roo discusses her list with Doctor Z. she also begins to understand the pain she's feeling over lost friendships, self-acceptance, and what really matters in life.

Critical Evaluation
The Boyfriend List is a book that teenage girls will definitely love. Each chapter is dedicated to one of the boys Roo's list from Ben, who didn't even realize she considered him a boyfriend, to Angelo, who she only went on one date with. The book is full of teenage angst which most teenagers can relate to. How do you get over kissing a boy you like who no longer wants anything to do with you? How do you win back your friends after one of them thinks you stole her boyfriend? The book is a fun read, but does get distracting because Roo's character uses footnotes to elaborate on certain topics such as in chapter 8 when she talks about how annoying her mother is acting. There is three paragraph footnote describing what is annoying Roo. The footnotes take the reader away from the story and would be better placed within in the story itself.

Reader's Annotation
Fifteen year-old Ruby Oliver has been having panic attacks. The last ten days have been a nightmare. Does she have too many boyfriends?

About the Author
E. Lockhart is the author of three Ruby Oliver books: The Boyfriend List, The Boy Book, and The Treasure Map of Boys — plus a fourth, Real Live Boyfriends, that comes out December 28, 2010. Her other books include Fly on the Wall, Dramarama, The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks and How to Be Bad.

Lockhart grew up in Cambridge, MA and Seattle, WA. She went to college at Vassar and graduate school at Columbia. She has a doctorate in English literature.

Genre
Fiction, Chick-Lit, Romance

Curriculum Ties
None

Booktalking Ideas
1) Discuss the relationship between Doctor Z. and Roo? Is the boyfriend list a good idea?
2) Discuss the reasons Roo's relationship with her friends fell apart.

Reading Level/Interest Age
Ages 12+

Challenge Issues
None

Why Included in Titles Selected
Wanted to include a "chick-lit" title

37. Lily Dale: Awakening by Wendy Corsi Staub

Staub, Wendy Corsi. (2007). Lily Dale: Awakening. New York: Holtzbrinck Publishers. ISBN 0802798438.

Plot Summary
After Calla's boyfriend breaks up with her via text message she doesn't think life could get any worse. Weeks later her mother dies in an accident. Calla is sent to live with her grandmother in the town of Lily Dale while her father heads to California for a new job. Calla is surprised to discover that Lily Dale is a town whose residents have a long history of being psychics. Calla begins to experience strange things like seeing the ghost of a missing girl. Soon she begins to realize that maybe her mother's death wasn't an accident and that Calla may be next in the line of the family of psychics.

Critical Evaluation
The book, the first in the Lily Dale series, is well-written story perfect for teens who enjoy the supernatural. Calla must deal with the loss of her mother while discovering new things about herself. The topic is one that many teens can relate to. Staub throws action and romance to keep the reader hooked and connected to the stories characters.

Reader's Annotation
Seventeen year-old Calla goes to stay with her psychic grandmother after the death of her mother. She soon discovers secrets about her mother that shake her to the bone.

About the Author
New York Times bestseller Wendy Corsi Staub is the award-winning author of more than seventy published novels and has sold more than three million books worldwide. Under her own name, Wendy achieved New York Times bestselling status with her single title psychological suspense novels. Those novels and the women's fiction she writes under the pseudonym Wendy Markham have also frequently appeared on the USA Today, Barnes and Noble Top Ten, and Bookscan bestseller lists.

Wendy now lives in the New York City suburbs with her husband of nineteen years and their two children. A 1986 graduate of the State University of New York at Fredonia, she proudly delivered the keynote commencement address at her alma mater in May 2008 and is serving a three-year appointment to the Dean's Advisory Council for the College of Arts and Sciences.

Genre
Mystery, supernatural

Curriculum Ties
N/A

Booktalking Ideas
1) Discuss the moments when Calla begins to realize her psychic abilities.
2) Discuss the history of the town of Lily Dale. Is it a real place?

Reading Level/Interest Age
Ages 12+

Challenge Issues
Psychic phenomenon

Challenge defense ideas
-Become familiar with the book and its content.
-Refer to the collection development policy of the library, see http://sfpl.org/pdf/about/policies/collection-development-plan.pdf
-Refer to reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly available for viewing on amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Lily-Dale-Awakening/dp/0802798438/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1292314345&sr=1-1
Why Included in Titles Selected
Wanted to include a mystery title