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Clare, C. (2007). City of Bones. New York, NY: Margaret K. McElderry Books.

Link for Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/City-Bones-Mortal-Instruments-Book-ebook/dp/B0013TXA5Y/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1543543087&sr=8-3&keywords=city+of+bones

Plot Summary: Demons are an everyday fact of life for the warrior class Shadowhunters. Slice ’em and dice ‘em. But Clary wasn’t raised a Shadowhunter and she’s got a lot of catching up to do. Her mother’s been kidnapped and Clary must learn to fight before it’s too late.

Critical Evaluation: Shadowhunters is a great mix of Harry Potter and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, though maybe not as “epically great” as either of them. It mixes magic with battle as teenagers fight to keep evil at bay. Though the writing is interesting and well paced, the storyline can get a little cliché at times.

Reader’s Annotation: Mundanes. Shadowhunters. Nephilim. Demons. Clary Fray has just been thrust into a world she could have never imagined with a guide she can’t decide if she loves or hates. Will Clary prevail or will she succumb to shadows from her past?

The Author: “Cassandra Clare was born to American parents in Teheran, Iran and spent much of her childhood travelling the world with her family, including one trek through the Himalayas as a toddler where she spent a month living in her father’s backpack. She lived in France, England and Switzerland before she was ten years old.

Since her family moved around so much she found familiarity in books and went everywhere with a book under her arm. She spent her high school years in Los Angeles where she used to write stories to amuse her classmates, including an epic novel called “The Beautiful Cassandra” based on a Jane Austen short story of the same name (and  which later inspired her current pen name).

After college, Cassie lived in Los Angeles and New York where she worked at various entertainment magazines and even some rather suspect tabloids where she reported on Brad and Angelina’s world travels and Britney Spears’ wardrobe malfunctions. She started working on her YA novel, City of Bones, in 2004, inspired by the urban landscape of Manhattan, her favorite city. She turned to writing fantasy fiction full time in 2006 and hopes never to have to write about Paris Hilton again.” Taken from https://www.cassandraclare.com/about/

Genres: #YA #fantasy

Booktalking Ideas: (1) rune tattoos (2) love triangle (3) battle/warrior aspects

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/High School

Challenge Issues: #death #magic

Reason for Inclusion: These novels have been a big hit and have spawned an entire universe within the novels and has inspired spin-off series, a movie, and a TV show. Some teens may have already fallen in love with these other medias and tying the movie or show in with the books will offer them all of the fun information and backstory that the big screen wasn’t able to fit in.

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Colfer, E. (2001). Artemis Fowl. New York, NY: Disney Hyperion.

Link for Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Artemis-Fowl-Book/dp/1368036988/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1543544062&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=artemis+fowl+book+1&psc=1

Plot Summary: Holly Short does not need any more trouble on her plate. As a member of the Lower Elements Police, it’s Holly’s job to chase down magical criminals and bring them to justice. But today, boy genius Artemis Fowl is who the LEPRecon force is after and Holly Short’s fate hangs in the balance. Artemis is holding her prisoner.

Critical Evaluation: The Artemis Fowl books have elements of juvenile fantasy, with the main character being so young. The modern setting speaks to contemporary fantasy and the story bleeds into dark and fairytale fantasy.

Reader’s Annotation: What happens when a teenage criminal mastermind meets a fairy in law-enforcement? Crack this book open and find out!

The Author: “Eoin Colfer (pronounced Owen) was born in Wexford on the South-East coast of Ireland in 1965, where he and his four brothers were brought up by his father (an elementary school teacher, historian and artist of note) and mother (a drama teacher). He first developed an interest in writing in primary (elementary) school with gripping Viking stories inspired by history he was learning in school at the time!

After leaving school he got his degree from Dublin university and qualified as a primary school teacher, returning to work in Wexford. He married in 1991 and he and his wife spent about 4 years between 1992 and 1996 working in Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Italy. His first book, Benny and Omar, was published in 1998, based on his experiences in Tunisia; it has since been translated into many languages. A sequel followed in 1999, followed by some other books (see below). Then in 2001 the first Artemis Fowl book was published and he was able to resign from teaching and concentrate fully on writing.” Taken from https://www.eoincolfer.com/about-eoin

Genres: #YA #fantasy

Curriculum Ties: Because Artemis is so young it would be interesting to read this with a class and ask the students to weigh in on some of Artemis’s less intelligent choices.

Booktalking Ideas: (1) the leprechaun police force (2) boy genius (3) all the adventurous places the story takes place in

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/High School

Challenge Issues: #Magic #kidnapping

Reason for Inclusion: Artemis Fowl is a great book for getting kids interested in reading as like some of the authors previously discussed, Colfer manages to perfectly balance the amount of information the reader is given so to be interesting but not too overwhelming. The story can also offer students a chance to escape to a new world and the fun of deciphering the hieroglyphs at the bottom of all the pages.

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Gilmour, H.B. & Reisfeld, R. (2001). The Power of Two. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.

Link for Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Twitches-01-Power-Randi-Reisfeld/dp/0439240700/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543538782&sr=8-1&keywords=twitches+the+power+of+two

Plot Summary: Camryn Barnes and Alexandra Fielding have no idea what they’re in for when they stumble across each other. Mentored by the young witch with a temper Ileana, and the spritely aging warlock Karsh, the girls must master their magic quickly because they’re not the only ones who know they’ve been reunited. Darkness is coming for them and their magic might as soon get them killed as save them.

Critical Evaluation: The Twitches series somehow manages to pack a whole lot of family drama and lore into a fairly short series. It’s impressive. The stories are well written and accessible for younger audiences. Though the “twin sisters find each other” trope is a little cliché, I’ve found this series to actually be pretty refreshing because it is at times so dark and different. Imagine if a rich family had some redneck members, dirty secrets, and magical powers.

Reader’s Annotation: On October 31, 1986 a set of twins were born, prophesized to be some of the most powerful witches alive. To keep them safe they were separated at birth, but what happens when they finally find each other?

The Author: “Randi Reisfeld is the author of numerous original series and novels for teens, including three New York Times bestsellers. Her series with HB Gilmour, T*Witches, is the basis for two popular Disney Channel TV-movies. Her trilogy Starlet also reflects her life-long obsession with all things Hollywood. Randi lives in Washington Township, NJ.” Taken from https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Randi-Reisfeld/707115

Genres: #YA #fantasy #family

Curriculum Ties: There are multiple points within the story that the girls are forced to choose between blood relations they’ve never known and a family they’ve grown to love. Discussion could be had about families that we make versus those that we’re born into.

Booktalking Ideas: (1) family drama (2) magic (3) twins (4) the magic of Coventry island

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/High School

Challenge Issues: #magic #abandonment #violence

Reason for Inclusion: This book is about family ties and self discovery which are both topics that teens today battle all the time and could use a little escapism from.

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Smith, L.J. (1991). The Awakening: Volume 1. New York, NY: HarperTeen.

Link for Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Awakening-Vampire-Diaries-Vol/dp/0061963860/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1543538557&sr=8-2&keywords=the+vampire+diaries+the+awakening

Plot Summary: Elena Gilbert is high school apple pie. She’s a cheerleader, with good looks, great grades, and popularity in spades. What she can’t seem to get her hands on is the mysterious new addition to her school, the handsome Stefan Salvatore. Unbeknownst to her, Stefan’s got his own struggles. He’s a vampire with baggage and his brother has just landed in town.

Critical Evaluation: Though these novels may seem a little Twilight esque, they’re actually pretty unique in that the universe building and lore amongst the characters goes deeper than Twilight’s own. Each character has a long history that is hashed out in the books and often interconnect with other characters. It is a guilty pleasure though. The Vampire Diaries series involves contemporary fantasy, romantic fantasy, and urban fantasy.

Reader’s Annotation: Love triangles are a lot more difficult to get over when the people involved live forever.

The Author: L.J. Smith is a New York Times #1 Bestselling author of multiple series and has lived all over the country. She’s been a fan of reading and making up stories since she was a young girl and some of her best work was written as a teenager. She currently lives in the Bay Area of California. Summarized from https://ljanesmith.net/author

Genres: #YA #fantasy #romance

Curriculum Ties: Could be used in a classic lore lesson about the many incarnations of vampires.

Booktalking Ideas: (1) the romance (2) the vampires (3) the magic of Mystic Falls and potential for endless monsters

Reading Level/Interest Age: High School

Challenge Issues: #Vampires #Magic #adultrelationships

Reason for Inclusion: Sometimes teens just need a guilty pleasure book to get them interested in reading. Romance or relationship heavy novels are such a good way to pop that gateway drug because they can be as addicting as soap opera television. Novels like this could encourage those who don’t often read to actually read a whole series.

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Ewing, L. (2000) Goddess of the Night. New York, NY: Hyperion.

Link for Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Goddess-Night-Daughters-Moon-1/dp/0786806532/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1543537743&sr=8-2&keywords=daughters+of+the+moon+goddess+of+the+night

Plot Summary: Vanessa, Serena, Catty, Tianna, and Jimena each hold a unique power that makes them a daughter of the moon goddess Selene. Together they use their powers to fight ancient evils while trying not to succumb to that same evil themselves. At seventeen they must all answer the same question, leave their powers behind and become normal again, or ascend to something new.

Critical Evaluation: The Daughters of the Moon series does a great job of taking a huge ecosystem of mythology and narrowing it down to something simple and easily digested for young readers. It includes aspects of contemporary fantasy, heroic fantasy, low fantasy, mythic fantasy, romantic fantasy, and urban fantasy.

Reader’s Annotation: High School is hard enough, but what if you turned invisible anytime you became too stressed or emotional?

The Author: Bestselling author Lynne Ewing began writing as a way to unwind from her job with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services. She is the author of Drive-By, an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers and a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age; Party Girl, an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, an Amazon Editor's Choice, and a Teen People recommended read; and the bestselling Daughters of the Moon series, which was also an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. She lives in Washington, DC. Taken from https://www.harpercollins.com/author/cr-107791/lynne-ewing/

Genres: #YA #fantasy #goodversusevil #mythology

Curriculum Ties: This novel could be used to discuss good versus evil and whether or not it’s wrong to choose somewhere in between.

Booktalking Ideas: (1) mythology (2) powers (3) strong female characters

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/High School

Challenge Issues: #adultrelationships #magic #evil

Reason for Inclusion: These books explore the gray areas of morality and feature strong female characters that fight ancient battles in stilettos and stand up for what they believe in.

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Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

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Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

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Riggs, R. (2011). Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. Philadelphia, PA: Quirk Publishing.

Link for Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Miss-Peregrines-Home-Peculiar-Children-ebook/dp/B004FGMDOQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1543537273&sr=1-3&keywords=miss+peregrine%27s+home+for+peculiar+children

Plot Summary: This novel explores the mysterious children’s home in Cairnholm, Wales that Jacob Portman’s grandfather stayed at as a child. Rumored to house those with peculiar powers and be a safe haven from horrific monsters, Jacob can’t leave his curiosity behind as he investigates the home.

Critical Evaluation: What I love about this series is the haunting nature of it. I don’t know if it’s the writing, the wibbly wobbly time/space, or the creepy photos included, but this book seems to dip into dark fantasy a little for me, as well as juvenile fantasy, contemporary fantasy, juvenile fantasy, low fantasy, and weird fantasy.

Reader’s Annotation: Jacob's grandfather has just died in front of him, his last words cryptic directions. Before Jacob has a chance to mourn he’s swooped into a world he’s only ever heard stories about.

The Author: Ransom Riggs is a young author from the Eastern shores of Maryland. He began writing when he was young and soon after came his passion for photography. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife. Summarized from http://ransomriggs.com/about/

Genres: #YA #fantasy #softhorror

Booktalking Ideas: (1) the individual powers (2) the time warp (3) discuss potential other peculiarities

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/High School

Challenge Issues: #horror #monsters #death

Reason for Inclusion: These novels are a sort of horror for beginners if you will. The odd nature of the characters, the ghastly monsters, and evil characters all make this teen friendly horror for them to try out before they get into the “good” stuff.

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Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children | Official Trailer [HD] | 20th Century FOX

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Tolkien, J.R.R. (1966). The Hobbit. New York, NY: The Ballantine Publishing Group.

Link for Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hobbit-Lord-Rings-J-R-R-Tolkien-ebook/dp/B0079KT81G/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1543527128&sr=1-1&keywords=the+hobbit+book

Plot Summary: Many years ago, the dragon Smaug decimated Prince Thorin’s home of Erebor and killed many of his people. Now, with his people starving and wandering, he yearns to fight the dragon and win back his mountain as King. But first, he must gather his most loyal dwarves, one flighty wizard, and a thief. Follow Bilbo on his journey to Erebor, the Lonely Mountain, to steal from a dragon and begin an adventure that will last a lifetime!

Critical Evaluation: The Hobbit is a classic example of fantasy fiction though it’s no surprise as works by J.R.R. Tolkien are often referenced as grandfather or root pieces of the sub-genre high fantasy.  I would also say it’s an example of heroic fantasy, and sword and sorcery fantasy. It can get a bit long-winded at times, but if you’re a fan of the universe, you’ll love that!

Reader’s Annotation: Bilbo prides himself on being a humble, stay at home gentlehobbit. So why does he agree to follow a company of dwarves on a mission that almost assuredly means death?

The Author: “John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892–1973) was a major scholar of the English language, specialising in Old and Middle English. Twice Professor of Anglo-Saxon (Old English) at the University of Oxford, he also wrote a number of stories, including most famously The Hobbit (1937) and The Lord of the Rings (1954–1955), which are set in a pre-historic era in an invented version of our world which he called by the Middle English name of Middle-earth. This was peopled by Men (and women), Elves, Dwarves, Trolls, Orcs (or Goblins) and of course Hobbits. He has regularly been condemned by the Eng. Lit. establishment, with honourable exceptions, but loved by literally millions of readers worldwide.

In the 1960s he was taken up by many members of the nascent “counter-culture” largely because of his concern with environmental issues. In 1997 he came top of three British polls, organised respectively by Channel 4 / Waterstone’s, the Folio Society, and SFX, the UK’s leading science fiction media magazine, amongst discerning readers asked to vote for the greatest book of the 20th century. Please note also that his name is spelt Tolkien (there is no “Tolkein”).” Taken from https://www.tolkiensociety.org/author/biography/

Genres: #YA #Fantasy #Magic #Quest

Curriculum Ties: Could be used to explore descriptive writing and world building in a literature or English class.

Booktalking Ideas: (1) the magical characters (2) the preface to the Lord of the Rings books (3) classic

Reading Level/Interest Age: High School

Challenge Issues: #death #magic #evil monsters

Reason for Inclusion: Come on, everyone needs to read The Hobbit.

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MacHale, D.J. (2002). The Merchant of Death. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.

Link for Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Merchant-Death-Pendragon-D-J-MacHale/dp/0743437314/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1543543577&sr=8-2&keywords=merchant+of+death

Plot Summary: Bobby Pendragon has only just discovered that his uncle is a Traveler. A wormhole jumping warrior tasked with protecting different planets and cultures from destruction and attacks from demons. The universe depends on these traveler’s success. Now Bobby has been tapped in and must rise to the challenge of defending worlds he never knew existed.

Critical Evaluation: The Pendragon series is an excellent choice for teens as it covers both a fourteen year old’s journey into adulthood, but follows him as he travels between dimensions saving people from different lands from a demon with destructive goals.

Reader’s Annotation: Denduron is just one of the ten territories in the universe that Bobby and people like him, Travelers, must protect, and it’s in trouble.

The Author: “D.J. MacHale is a writer, director, executive producer and creator of several popular television series and movies. As an author, his ten-volume book series: Pendragon: Journal of an Adventure through Time and Space became a New York Times #1 bestseller.

He was raised in Greenwich, CT where he had several jobs including collecting eggs at a poultry farm; engraving trophies and washing dishes in a steakhouse…in between playing football and running track. D.J. graduated from New York University with a BFA in film production.” Taken from https://djmachalebooks.com/the-author/

Genres: #YA #fantasy #adventure #comingofage

Booktalking Ideas: (1) Interdimensional travel (2) demons

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/High School

Challenge Issues: #demons #death

Reason for Inclusion: This is one of those classic, teenager saves the world novels, but without too much cliché. In this series the teenager isn’t the ONLY teen in the WHOLE world that can save the day, he’s one of many, fighting a battle against evil. It’s a classic coming of age story dusted with swashbuckling adventure.

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Nix, G. (2003). Mister Monday. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.

Link for Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mister-Monday-Keys-Kingdom/dp/1338216139/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543538071&sr=8-1&keywords=keys+to+the+kingdom+mister+monday

Plot Summary: Arthur Penhaligon was supposed to die on Monday. Instead he finds himself in contact with the first Trustee, Mister Monday, and must fight to stay afloat in this new and dangerous realm of time and space, The House. As Arthur moves through the different demesnes of The House he will meet a new Trustee and must battle them for their domain and the keys to their kingdom.

Critical Evaluation: Nix has a singular talent for writing YA fiction. His work is in league with Rowling and Riordan in that they all seem to understand just how much their young readers can retain and understand. Nix paints a haunting world in The Keys to the Kingdom that will intrigue young readers without overwhelming them and keep them coming back until the end of the series.

Reader’s Annotation: The Architect has disappeared and the universe has fallen into the hands of seven Trustees. Arthur must find the missing pieces of the Architect’s will and reunite them before it’s too late.

The Author: “Garth Nix has been a full-time writer since 2001, but has worked as a literary agent, marketing consultant, book editor, book publicist, book sales representative, bookseller, and as a part-time soldier in the Australian Army Reserve.

More than five million copies of his books have been sold around the world, they have appeared on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, Publishers Weekly and USA Today and his work has been translated into 42 languages. His most recent book is Frogkisser! Now being developed as a film by Twentieth Century Fox/Blue Sky Animation.” Taken from http://www.garthnix.com/about/

Genres: #fantasy #YA #comingofage

Curriculum Ties: Arthur is twelve in this series and must take on a lot of responsibility in this book and the books that follow it. Classroom discussions could focus on his coming of age story and the choices he’s forced to make for himself and the greater good.

Booktalking Ideas: (1) Time (2) Age (3) The Architect and creation of the universe

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/High School

Challenge Issues: N/A

Reason for Inclusion: Novels by Garth Nix are just generally good novels and I would encourage anyone to read them, but this series especially is so interesting and doesn’t assume its readers are slow to catch up. Nix respects his readers and that’s apparent in the complex world of the Architect.

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Paolini, C. (2002). Eragon. New York, NY: Penguin Random House LLC.

Link for Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Eragon-Inheritance-Book-Christopher-Paolini/dp/0375826696/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1543543309&sr=8-4&keywords=eragon+book

Plot Summary: Eragon believes the rock he’s found in the mountains might be worth enough to trade the butcher for food. Plot twist, the rock’s a dragon egg. When news breaks at court that there’s a dragon in the countryside, the evil King Galbatorix sends his loyal Ra’zac to hunt Eragon and his prize down, forcing them to flee. Now they must hope the Varden, Galbatorix’s enemy, will protect them.

Critical Evaluation: Eragon is a book for the long haul reader. It’s a journey novel much like something from Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings universe. Readers must be ready to pack in for adventure, drama, magic, and elaborate setting/world building. Though incredibly well written this novel is best suited for someone who like lyrical prose and thirty thousand ways to describe a sunset.

Reader’s Annotation: Eragon has discovered a dragon, but when the king finds out, he’s enraged. This dragon has cost Eragon everything, but now she might be the only one who can save him.

The Author: Christopher Paolini is a young author from Montana. He began writing his first novel, Eragon, while still only a teenager and over the next few years he would continue to write the next three books in the series. The Inheritance Cycle is so far the only series Paolini has published though it did very well and he’s due to release a collection of three short stories at the end of December 2018. Summarized from https://www.paolini.net/biographies/christopher-paolini-full/

Genres: #YA #fantasy #coming of age #warrior

Booktalking Ideas: (1) dragons (2) swordplay (3) evil kings

Reading Level/Interest Age: High School

Challenge Issues: #fighting

Reason for Inclusion: Eragon is a deep and intricate experience in worldbuilding and the novels can take you for a long ride as a reader. Teens could use this novel to lose themselves in another world.

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Meyer, S. (2005). Twilight. New York, NY: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

Link for Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Twilight-Saga-Book-1-ebook/dp/B000QRIGLW/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1543528293&sr=1-3&keywords=twilight+book+1

Plot Summary: The Twilight Saga revolves around the main character, Bella Swan, and her love interest Edward Cullen, who is a vampire. Edward brings Bella into his world, introducing her to vampires and in turn, the neighboring werewolves.

Critical Evaluation: Twilight is no literary masterpiece, but its received far more hate than is necessary. It’s not much worse than any other sappy teen fantasy romance story, but due to its fame and widespread adoration, the critiques came down ten times harder. Twilight isn’t written for hard-hitting news fans, it’s written for readers that want a sappy and dramatic love story and there’s nothing wrong with that. Something Meyer and the film both did well was building a scene around you. Whether reading the book or watching the movie, one feels like they’re in Forks, Washington, the fog is rolling in, the temperature has dropped and your broody boyfriend is meeting you at your place latter. This book is great for anyone looking for that sappy romance or to set a broody mood.

Reader’s Annotation: Bella has just moved to the misty town of Forks, Washington expecting to be bored and lonely. The local vampire community has some thoughts about that…

The Author: Stephenie Meyer graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in English Literature and currently lives in Arizona with her husband and sons. Though the Twilight series is what she’s most known for, Meyer has also written a novel called The Host, which was made into a movie like the Twilight books. Fickle Fish Films is an independent production company created by Meyer and Meghan Hibbett. Summarized from https://stepheniemeyer.com/bio/

Genres: #YA #fantasy #romance #adventure

Curriculum Ties: Many have disagreed strongly with the way Bella was portrayed as a female character and thought more substance could be brought to her personality. Teachers could discuss the book from a feminist perspective and whether Bella sets the movement back, or whether the movement was built so women could be who they wanted to be.

Booktalking Ideas: (1) Vampires (2) Werewolves (3) Love triangle (4) families we choose

Reading Level/Interest Age: Advanced Middle School/High School

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Crutcher, C. (1993). Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers.

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002OMZTXU/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Plot Summary: Eric has been fat his entire life and this oddity brought him close to another social outcast, Sarah Byrnes who had been badly burned when she was a child. While others have bullied or shunned them, Sarah and Eric found comfort in each other, but when Eric joins the swimteam the weight starts to practically melt off. He tries to maintain the weight fearing the loss of his best friend if he starts to look “normal.” Sarah’s got other concerns though, her dad is posing more and more of a problem. Sarah and Eric must learn to trust in one another before it’s too late.

Critical Evaluation: The book had some genuinely funny moments in it, but for the first few chapters I was mainly rolling my eyes at the fat jokes. We get it. Eric is fat. It just felt like too much. However, it mellows out after the beginning of the book once it’s been established that Eric is self-deprecating and has a dry sense of humor. Mark’s character felt a little too much as well and I say that as someone who has met people like him in real life and even they weren’t as ready to have a literal stroke in class. I know the character exists for a reason, his fervor is sometimes a reality, but it started to feel a little boring and kitschy after a while. However, characters like Lemry, Mr. Ellerby and Carver brought the best surge of hope for the book and worked as encouragement to teens to trust in adults to have their backs.

Reader’s Annotation: Eric is worried that losing weight will lose him his best friend, another outcast like him, but she’s got her own problems to worry about. Her father’s losing the plot and soon he might take her out for good. Can Eric and Sarah get her to safety before it’s too late?

The Author: Chris Crutcher worked for years as a family therapist and child protection specialist which has offered him an inside look into the world of teenagers and family trauma. His numerous novels have been selected as ALA Best Books for Young Adults and he’s also written a number of short stories. He’s won two lifetime achievement awards for his work and currently writes from Spokane, Washington. Summarized from the book jacket of Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes.

Genres: #YA #suspense #highschool

Curriculum Ties: Sarah Byrnes offers a chance for teachers to inspire teens’ confidence in their adult peers. Characters like Lemry, Mr. Ellerby and Carver can remind teens that adults are here to protect, nourish and encourage them. It can also inspire adults to be that shield for teens and remember how scary being a teen was. It can also provide other shoes for teens to walk in by showing them the effects of abuse and bullying.

Booktalking Ideas: (1) talk about the religious aspect (2) touch on the relationship between the teens and adults in this book (3) note some of the controversial topics the book addresses

Reading Level/Interest Age: High School/College

Challenge Issues: #abuse #religion #weight #scars #bullying #abortion (almost forgot that one)

Reason for Inclusion: As I said above, I think this book offers teens a chance to look through the eyes of those that are bullied, abused, or persecuted by religion. It can also bolster the relationship between teens and adults and offer hope to those in similar situations.

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Collins, S. (2009). The Hunger Games. New York, NY: Scholastic Corporation.

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Catching-Fire-Hunger-Games-2/dp/0545586178/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1543378004&sr=8-2&keywords=hunger+games+catching+fire+book

Plot Summary: Katniss Everdeen is competing in a game of life or death, pitted against teenagers her own age and eventually, the government itself. In Katniss’s world, land is sectioned off among “districts” that each have unique landscapes and cultures. Every year, to entertain the masses and ensure complacency, the government randomly selects two competitors from each district to fight in an arena for food and survival. Teens are tasked with killing each other and outlasting the competition, leaving them the last district standing and winning them food and praise for their district. Katniss offers herself as tribute for the competition to save her sister being chosen and must stand side by side with an unlikely accomplice from her district, the baker Peeta Mellark.

Critical Evaluation: The Hunger Games books have been some of the best selling YA books in history. It seems as if everyone has read them or is at least familiar with them. Collins has managed to awe readers with her life or death world of destitution and desperation. While the writing is enticing and the plot steady enough, I found myself having to push forward with this book because there’s a constant sense of darkness in the text. Despite Katniss and Peta’s constant drive to move forward, the writing felt depressed, as though the book had already given up and the characters were now just going through the motions. While this darkness obviously adds to the melancholy and hopelessness many of the characters feel, it didn’t do much for me as a reader but want to give up myself. I think this is a personal preference and not a fault of the writer though. When Katniss and Peeta make it to the other side, the book doesn’t feel triumphant and I think that was a conscious choice because the characters don’t feel triumphant. Is this really winning? I did also question though why no one else but the first few districts ever seemed to prepare at all?? If literally every year two people are chosen for this you’d think people would at least be learning how to build fires or something before they went to the one week training course. I understand that not everyone had the same opportunities as district 1, but man, run a mile every once in a while you know? That just seemed like an odd plot hole to me that the only tools the kids had were the things they “drifted toward” in their one week training course. “Hi, I can make a net, who needs to know about berry picking?”

Reader’s Annotation: Katniss has just volunteered to replace her sister in the Hunger Games, a battle for survival that ends in victory or death. Her sister wasn’t ready, but is she?

The Author: Suzanne Collins began her professional writing career working for children’s television shows before delving into children’s books. She’s written a number of children’s books and novels for teens, though she’s most well known for her Hunger Games series that spent weeks on The New York Times bestseller list and was released as a film by Lionsgate in 2012. Collins has since continued to write books for youths, including a picture book called Year of the Jungle that focuses on the year she turned six and her father was deployed to Vietnam. Summarized from http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/bio.htm

Genres: #YA #fantasy #dystopian

Curriculum Ties: The Hunger Games books are an excellent opportunity to discuss classism and privilege. How much more likely were the upper districts to survive when their people could afford to send them gifts and medicine and they’d been training for this their entire lives.

Booktalking Ideas: (1) discuss the ring where the games are held and the mysteries/danger it poses (2) talk about Katniss as a warrior (3) talk about the surprising resilience of Peeta (4) could sort people into districts

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle school/High school

Challenge Issues: #death #classism #dystopiandepression #poverty

Reason for Inclusion: As stated earlier, The Hunger Games is one of the most well known series in the world right now and the movies might be even more so. It’s important that people read the novel and get all of the backstory that may have been missed in the films. The books also do a better job at driving home the fact that Peeta and Katniss form a bond over mutual trauma and not necessarily out of romance. Those kinds of relationships can be just as interesting and complex as your more “average” love stories and I think it’s important teens can see that.

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Rowling, J.K. (1998). Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. New York, NY: Scholastic Corporation.

Link for Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Harry-Potter-Sorcerers-Stone-Rowling-ebook/dp/B0192CTMYG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1543527814&sr=1-1&keywords=harry+potter+and+the+sorcerer%27s+stone+book

Plot Summary: Harry Potter has been living in a cupboard under the stairs for ten years now. In the lackluster care of his aunt and uncle Dursley. He cooks, he cleans, and he goes to bed. Until his eleventh birthday, when suddenly he’s being swooped from all he’s ever known into a world of magic and mayhem. Harry Potter is a wizard. He’s off to wizarding school before he knows it and must learn to traverse a whole new world.

Critical Evaluation: The Chamber of Secrets is one of the most well written YA novels I’ve ever read because much like authors Rick Riordan and Garth Nix, Rowling never overwhelms the reader with unnecessary information. The writing is plain enough to understand, but descriptive enough to keep the reader interested. The plot is surprising and unique, but never convoluted and the motivations of the characters are always believable. I first read Chamber of Secrets when I was seven years old and have read it again at twenty-five. The writing and storyline are just as captivating as always, but never misunderstood. Rowling writes for the intended reader and never loses sight of her audience.

Reader’s Annotation: Harry Potter has just discovered he’s a wizard, but the darkness that killed his parents has come for him too. Can he defeat a dark lord when he can’t even float a feather?

The Author: Joanne Rowling is a British author most notably known for her Harry Potter series and its subsequent movies. Rowling admits that she was an active reader as a child and hoped to pursue writing in her adult life. While hopping from job to job, she began writing the Harry Potter novels on notes and scrap paper. After the novels hit the big time, Rowling went on to write her first novel for adults, The Casual Vacancy, and several crime novels under a pseudonym. She continues to write through various mediums in film and websites today and her acclaim seems to only grow. Rowling is linked with a number of charities and has won numerous awards. Summarized from https://www.jkrowling.com/about

Genres: #YA #fantasy #magic

Curriculum Ties: I think this book would best serve the classroom in an emotional capacity if you understand what I mean. It would be great for discussions on chosen families, the effects of fear, abuse and discrimination. Teachers could discuss the perseverance of Hermione and the generosity of the Weasley’s who have nothing, opening up their home and family to Harry.

Booktalking Ideas: (1) talk about the magic (2) bring in some HP treats (3) talk about the sport of quidditch (4) showcase the movie as well

Reading Level/Interest Age: Advanced elementary school readers, middle school, high school

Challenge Issues: #abuse #bullying #magic (non-Christian)

Reason for Inclusion: Harry Potter is one of the most classic YA series in the history of the genre and it can be argued it helped revitalize it for today’s generations. It’s also a great book for discussing the power of love, family, and the fight between good and evil.

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Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

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Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

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Riordan, R. (2005). Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.

Link for Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lightning-Thief-Percy-Jackson-Olympians-ebook/dp/B0036G8IQS

Plot Summary: The Percy Jackson series tells the story of a young demi-god, the son of a human and the Greek god Poseidon, living in modern day New York. When he learns of his heritage he’s thrust into the world of myth and monsters and must travel to a camp for half-bloods like himself to be trained in his newfound abilities. Along the way he finds new friends and enemies that try his courage and his resolve.

Critical Evaluation: What I love about Riordan’s writing is that it never once feels like you’re being talked down to or that this is oversimplified writing, and yet it is still clearly a book written for twelve-year olds. I originally read these when they first came out and reread the first one for this project. I was once again swept away into a well fleshed out world that never felt too grand or unbelievable. Much like Harry Potter, this world feels like one that could easily coincide next to ours and is believable, but still magical. The story is well paced and had I not read it before I don’t think I would have guessed the ending. I look forward to reading the second generation of these books.

Reader’s Annotation: Everyone at some point wishes that they had magic powers or lived in a fantastical world, but the reality of it happening probably isn’t anything Percy Jackson would have asked for. His mom has gone missing and may be dead, monsters are scouring the country for him and oh yeah, Zeus thinks Percy has stolen his greatest weapon. Has he?

The Author: Rick Riordan taught as an English and history teacher in the southwest before his success with the Tres Navarre series put him on the map, winning the Edgar, the Anthony and the Shamus, the top three national awards in the mystery genre. He is most well known for his Percy Jackson series which was made into a film, and he boasts eighty-six million sales of his books in the United States. He currently lives in Boston and writes full-time. Summarized from http://rickriordan.com/about/

Genres: #YA #fantasy #greekmythology #comingofage #warrior

Curriculum Ties: Any of the Percy Jackson and connected books would be great choices for engaging kids/teens with mythology. It could also be used to discuss family connections, but I think enticing kids to learn about classic myths while reading about a twelve-year old warrior is going to be the golden ticket.

Booktalking Ideas: (1) Greek mythology (2) could hand out Camp Half-Blood bookmarkers or buttons (3) talk about some of the magical objects like the invisibility hat, lightning spear, flying shoes, or sword pen

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle school

Challenge Issues: #abandonment #battlescenes #monsters #magic

Reason for Inclusion: This book is one of the greatest books I’ve ever read for “gateway reading.” It’s incredibly enjoyable, even for those who aren’t normally big readers, while also being educational and leaving you wanting more. I think it’s one of those classic treasure books that are just plain good and that everyone should read, so I always make a point of recommending it to people.

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Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief: Museum Fury

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Anderson, L.H. (2000). Fever 1793. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers. ISBN: 9780689848919

Plot Summary: Mattie Cook is an only child living and working with her mother and grandfather in their Philadelphia coffeehouse. When the yellow fever of 1793 sweeps through the bustling city killing thousands, Mattie must learn to fight for her survival from both the city’s fever and its inhabitants. Fever 1793 is a coming of age story that tackles death, disease, and the connections of family whether by blood or circumstance.

Critical Evaluation: Fever 1793 is an excellent choice for middle grade readers as it tackles complex issues such as death, illness, and the struggles that accompany coming of age, while maintaining easy to read text. Often in an historical fiction novel one might struggle to follow period specific words and phrases, however Anderson manages to use colloquialisms that help set the scene and bring the setting to life for readers without becoming too complicated or muddled for readers to follow.

Reader’s Annotation: In 1793, Philadelphia was ravaged by a sickness like never before and thousands were trapped in its clutches. Can Mattie Cook and her family survive until the first frost, or will they too succumb?

The Author: Laurie Halse Anderson is an American New York Times bestseller and has written a number of books for readers of all ages that have received critical acclaim. Many of her books address complex issues and have been recognized for their sensitivity and accessibility for young readers.

In 2009, Anderson was awarded the ALA Margaret A. Edwards Award for her significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature with such books as Speak, Fever 1793, and Catalyst. Her novel Chains won the Scott O’Dell Award for historical fiction in 2009.

Genres: #HistoricalFiction #YoungAdult #ComingofAge #FemaleProtagonist

Curriculum Ties: This book would be a great choice for classes discussing colonial America or the history of those initial east coast states. It’s a good read for learning more about the average way of life in the late 1700s and the realistic tragedy of sickness and less modern technologies. In another class I was partnered with another student to try our hand at a curricular text set for this novel and I’ll include it here.

Booktalking Ideas: (1) Coming of age (2) History (3) Philadelphia (4) It’s set in a coffeehouse, could hand out cookies (4) mosquitoes, something everyone today will recognize but were still fairly mysterious back then (5) Mattie eventually owns the coffeehouse despite being a teenager

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle Grade / High schoolers that struggle with reading.

Challenge Issues: #familydeath #sickness #racism #poverty

Reason for Inclusion: I read this book for another class and decided to include it because I was so impressed with how it managed to dip a toe in each side of the reader fence. I felt that both advanced younger readers and struggling older readers could benefit from this book and could find something to take away from the story without boredom or frustration. It’s a nice fall back book or “safe bet.”

Personal Thoughts: This book was simple enough for anyone to read with ease, but interesting enough and paced in such a way that even I was caught up in the story despite being an older reader. There was a nice balance of realistic deaths that pulled at heart strings and survivors that left the reader with a feeling of hope. It was nice to come full circle with Mattie stepping into her own at the end of the novel and seeing ends meet with relationships and shifts in family dynamics. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.

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Berry, J. (2013). All the Truth That's in Me. New York, NY: Penguin Young Readers Group.

Plot Summary: In a small colonial American town, a young girl attempts to continue with life after she’s been kidnapped and mutilated. Judith was like any other girl her age before she was taken, she fought with her brother, helped with daily chores, and daydreamed about boys. Now however, now no one speaks to her, her mother can barely look at her and she’s little more than a ghost of her former self. Judith must learn to pick up the pieces of her former life and forge new friendships to overcome the repercussions of her kidnapping and speak her truth for the first time. Will she succeed and who will stand by her side?

Critical Evaluation: The story is nicely written and the characters are all believable, their choices make sense and their voices sound true to who they are. Judith’s relationship with Lucas is neither surprising nor unbelievable and her friendship with Maria makes sense. Darryl’s growth as a character is good for the book and makes the story more interesting to follow. Side characters are often the best voices to listen to. When looking at some reviews I saw that many people complained about the Roman numeral headings, but I felt they helped carry the story along and break up scenes. The plot to this novel constantly kept me guessing and I was genuinely shocked at some of the reveals at the end which was a pleasant surprise. My only real complaint is the way the speaking aspect of the story unfolded. For two years she hasn’t been able to speak because her tongue was cut off, yet when Maria convinces her to just, what…believe hard enough, she can speak? By the end of the novel when she has her dramatic reveal, she’s speaking practically perfect English and it made me question how much of her tongue was even missing. I was also confused as to why she waited until they’d been punished to give her great monologue. Waiting for a push from a little old lady? It just seemed like it was a forced pause in the story to give Judith to ascertain Lucas’s true feelings or something.

Reader’s Annotation: Judith has been mutilated by her former kidnapper and can no longer talk or name him. Will she learn to speak her truth in time to bring her friend’s murderer to justice and save herself or will her silence overcome her?

The Author: Julie Berry is a talented author from rural New York. She spent much of her childhood reading and roaming her farm with her many siblings. Though she was interested in many future career paths, she was always dreaming about writing on the side and eventually after having accomplished her goals of a large family she decided it was time to start on that dream.

All the Truth That’s in Me was Berry’s first young adult novel and was praised by many and nominated for numerous awards. Her subsequent novels have also received high acclaim and she now writes full time from her home. Most of her novels are aimed at children or young adults.

Genres: #YoungAdult #HistoricalFiction #silence #kidnapping #war #mutism

Curriculum Ties: This novel could be used to highlight the silence teens often find forced upon themselves whether through abuse, physical restrictions, or oppression. It could also be used to push teens to see the struggles of others.

Booktalking Ideas: (1) Discuss the interesting setting (2) Judith’s silence (3) Judith’s relationship with her family (4) the romantic relationships (5) twists and turns

Reading Level/Interest Age: This would be a good novel for middle schoolers or high school students that struggle with reading.

Challenge Issues: #kidnapping #murder #isolation #relationships #mutilation

Reason for Inclusion: Though the setting for this novel and the story itself may not be super relatable, the silence and isolation that the story revolves around can reach students from all walks of life, no matter age, gender, or ethnicity. It can also force people to see things outside of themselves.

Personal Thoughts: I didn’t hate the novel. I didn’t love it either. I think I was more forgiving of it because Darryl’s character growth was so nice and because I read this right after This is Where it Ends, which I hated.

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Adeyemi, T. (2018). Children of Blood and Bone. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company. ISBN: 9781250295446

Plot Summary: After the Raid that killed thousands of powerful maji, the remaining diviners, those with the potential for magic, live as second class citizens and slaves for the non-magical kosidan. Children of Blood and Bone follows Zelie, her brother, and Amari a kosidan princess as they fight to bring magic back to diviners and peace to Orisha.

Critical Evaluation: Adeyemi crafted such an engaging and heart wrenching adventure. The story is told from the perspective of three different characters and you can sense that as you read. Each character’s thoughts are unique, their tone different from one another, and by using more than one narrator we’re given a more well-rounded telling of events. However, I found it interesting that the story is told through three perspectives instead of four. Where is Tzain’s voice? He’s one of the main characters and arguably as important to the story as Inan, so why doesn’t he get his own narrative? If I had to pose a guess I’d say it’s because he doesn’t really grow or change much as the story progresses. He ends the story much as he began it. The only real hurdle that would have allowed for growth was his belief that Zelie is constantly messing up, and we see this in action multiple times as Tzain reprimands Zelie’s rashness, but we never really see him move past this hangup, he just forgives her each time he believes she’s made a mistake.

And in the discussion of growth I found myself annoyed with Inan’s character and listening to his perspective. While reading this novel I repeatedly found myself being reminded of Avatar: the Last Airbender. Many of the powers, settings and lifestyle aspects of the book seemed to echo those of the Avatar novels, which I found I actually liked. Inan reminded me much of Zuko in that he was raised as the prince of a nation that had committed genocide for power and his father convinced him and the public that it was necessary for the greater good. Zuko was also desperate for his father’s approval and it motivated him to chase the Avatar zealously, much like Inan chases Zelie. Both characters come to “see the light,” but in Avatar this journey takes a number of books and involves a lot of ups and downs in character development. Inan gets one magical glimpse into Zelie’s life and suddenly forgets a lifetime of training and hands his heart over to Zelie no questions asked. Let me repeat. One glimpse and the man forfeits his father’s approval, forgets a lifetime of conditioning, and possibly gives up his crown while simultaneously falling head over heels in love with a girl he’s known for like a day. ???? When he sees the destruction that can be dealt through maji powers he reverts back to his past views which makes sense as they’ve been his compass his entire life, but then still tries to save Zelie when she’s held hostage in the castle. Then there’s a weird sex dream sequence where they say goodbye to each other. Then he fights against her again. Like he just spends the entire story going back and forth on his views before ultimately choosing the wrong side. Because he chose the wrong side, his isn’t a redemption arc, not really. Which would make me believe that Adeyemi chose him as a narrator not so we can watch his growth, but so we could become attached to him and feel that much more hurt by his betrayal. However, because he was so wishy washy and their whirlwind romance felt so forced, we never really become attached to him and no one is surprised by his choices.

I also didn’t care for Inan’s magic. Why. Why does it exist? Why is it activated by Zelie when that shouldn’t be possible? Why does he only have a little bit of magic? Why is he able to master it quicker than anyone else? Why does it react so much to Zelie’s presence? It just all seems like such an obvious and odd plot hole that’s never explained or discussed. It’s just used to further the story of a character I found problematic already.

The questions I had surrounding Tzain and Inan were frustrating, but I felt both Zelie and Amari were well fleshed out and paced characters. We understood their motivations and choices. They didn’t feel too rushed, the evolution of their friendship was believable, and their character growth left the reader feeling fulfilled and empowered.

Reader’s Annotation: When a scroll is discovered that could return magic to the broken maji of Orisha, those in power will do everything they can to kill those who carry it and prevent the oppressed from rising. Can Zelie, her brother, and a fugitive princess save magic before they’re wiped out by the vengeful monarchy?

The Author: Children of Blood and Bone is the debut novel for Tomi Adeyemi, a Nigerian-American Harvard graduate, and is already set to become a movie. It has been widely applauded in young adult circles and among readers alike. Adeyemi is twenty-five years old, holds an honors degree in English literature and has studied West African mythology in Salvador, Brazil which assisted her in writing Children of Blood and Bone.

When not writing novels, she works as a creative writing coach in San Diego, California and runs her website which caters classes to future writers. Adeyemi has been praised for her work to create and promote powerful and magical black characters that black youth can look up to and idolize.

Genres: #YoungAdult #fantasyfiction #POCcharacters #warriorfiction #slavery #oppressed

Curriculum Ties: This book would be great for classes talking about POC representation or characters and would also be a great option for discussing slavery and oppressed societies in a fantasy setting. This could allow students who may struggle normally with reading or heavy course material to see the degradation and evil of slavery in an engaging book that will keep them at the edge of their seats.

Booktalking Ideas: (1) POC characters (2) Warrior setting/universe (3) magical powers (4) could hand out temporary tattoos that represent the different maji skills so students could choose which power they want similar to Harry Potter houses (5) talk about the uprising of a slave society

Reading Level/Interest Age: Advanced middle grade readers, High Schoolers and even beyond

Challenge Issues: #colorism #slavery #family #romance #classism #abuse

Reason for Inclusion: I’m including this novel in my blog set for a number of reasons. Not only was it wildly anticipated and praised after release, it covers a number of important issues for teens today. Despite being set in a fantasy world, topics like colorism, oppressed societies, classism, and the family dynamics/pressures and abuse that are faced by the main characters are all relevant to teens today. It’s also just a really great novel starring people of color and I think a lot of people could benefit from that “black girl magic” as it were. Though it wasn’t perfect, it was a beautiful story and I can’t wait to see what the characters deal with next.

Personal Thoughts: I mentioned that the novel repeatedly reminded me of Avatar: the last Airbender, even down to having monks that know all of the history and training, but it also reminded me a lot of Disney’s Atlantis. The white hair, colored eyes, dark skin (though Atlantis was more of a light brown than the deep color Adeyemi’s characters boast), and setting continuously brought Atlantis to mind. These similarities are in no means complaints, just curious and fun thoughts/connections I experienced.

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Tomi Adeyemi's Children of Blood and Bone Is an Epic Allegory About the Black Experience

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Danforth, E. M. (2012). The Miseducation of Cameron Post. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers.

Plot Summary: This novel follows teenager Cameron Post as she discovers herself and explores her burgeoning sexuality in the small town of Miles City, Montana in the early 1990s. We watch as Cameron fumbles along in teenage romances and deals with the death of her parents and subsequent new relationship in secret with another girl in town, she’s sent to God’s Promise, a Christian camp focused on conversion therapy. At the camp we’re introduced to a number of teens with lives and stories similar to Cameron’s and can see them all slowly begin to lose pieces of who they are the longer they stay at the camp. So will they stay, or will they leave? Danforth paints a story of sad truths and the moments of happiness that can sometimes be found in the darkest corners.

Critical Evaluation: Cameron Post was really well written. It was never too kitsch-y and the characters though sometimes ridiculous in their own right, didn’t feel overdone. Cam’s aunt was super cliche, but because the character was, not because Danforth couldn’t write. The book also manages to balance what should be a boring story in a boring setting with enough wit and interest to keep you coming back. This isn’t a small book, and it’s essentially about a pretty blase teenager discovering her sexuality with a couple of pretty boring people in rural Montana. Yet I read every page and hardly put it down. That’s pretty impressive to me. My only real complaint about it would be the pacing. We start at the very beginning of Cameron’s sexual journey and then spend many pages watching her go about her everyday life until she’s sent to the conversion camp at page two hundred and fifty-nine…over halfway through the book before anything gripping happens. Then we’re given more of her day to day…to day…to day. The next truly climactic moment is when she runs from the camp AT THE END OF THE BOOK. ????? Do they make it? Where do they go? Why did I just read like seven years of this girl’s life just to have it end when the good stuff begins?? It’s like watching previews for two hours and then getting a minute and twenty seconds of the actual movie you paid to see. I assume it’s meant to be “ambiguous” and give readers “open-ended hope for the future” or some other cotton-candy, but I was not amused.

Reader’s Annotation: Cameron Post doesn’t really think of herself as a “homosexual,” she’s just her, Cam, who happens to be interested in girls. She also likes swimming and weed, but nobody seems to care as much about that. No, God’s Promise wants to pray the gay away, but the people there want to pray themselves away. Will Cam survive this place, or will she disappear piece by piece?

The Author: Emily M. Danforth has earned an MFA in fiction from the university of Montana and a Ph.D. in English-Creative Writing from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Both her fiction and nonfiction have received praise across the literature community and her novel The Miseducation of Cameron Post has recently been made into a movie. Danforth currently teaches creative writing and literature courses at university in Rhode Island and much like her character Cameron Post, collects obscure trinkets and is from Miles City, Montana.

Genres: #YoungAdult #LGBT #discrimination #ruralupbringing

Curriculum Ties: LGBT issues, oppression, mental health, acceptance of others

Booktalking Ideas: I’d touch on Cameron’s time at God’s Promise as these camps are something many people have heard about, but few have actually ever looked into. I’d also talk about people that we trust as being in the same boat as us, who eventually throw us to the wolves because of fear.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Upper level middle school, high school

Challenge Issues: #discrimination #LGBT #religion

Reason for Inclusion: I feel that this book is important because it shows why we make such an effort today for the lives of LGBT teens and adults in general. A lot of people today roll their eyes about cigarette ads with a loud, “Yeah, yeah we get it, smoking is bad.” I think a lot of people take these ads for granted. The reason smoking numbers dropped so much was because we all saw those ads growing up. They changed our perspective and we now we take for granted the fact that it’s common knowledge and don’t understand that kids younger than us still need this information. I believe similar things happen when discussing LGBT culture and acceptance as well. So many of us are open.

Personal Thoughts: Well written, but most of the book felt like the filler sequel book that authors write when they’re trying to make a trilogy but only books one and three are actually interesting.

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The Miseducation of Cameron Post Trailer #1 (2018) | Movieclips Indie

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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

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Alexie, S. (2007). The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company.

Plot Summary: Junior, like his parents and their parents before them, has lived his entire life on the reservation. That’s what you do. You stay. Forever. Everyone on the reservation knows one another and families are often connected through cousins. But Junior starts to feel trapped, starts to feel like he wants to be more, to see more, to learn more, so he leaves the reservation. Kind of. Not really. He just transfers to a neighboring white school, but it causes a ripple effect he couldn’t have ever imagined. His best friend hates him, his neighbors hate him, the white kids hate him, and his sister decides to follow in his footsteps. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian follows Junior Spirit as he learns to walk two paths and reconcile who he’s been with who he’s becoming.

Critical Evaluation: Alexie is skilled at somehow managing to walk the line between engaging, mature language, and staying true to the essence of teenage vernacular and thinking. I was able to enjoy this novel as an adult, but never once felt like I was reading the thoughts of a grown adult. Even when Junior got a little philosophical. It still felt true to who he was. The ending was both understandable, but a little lackluster. It’s one of those *raises fist in the air Breakfast Club style* kind of endings that’s meant to leave us with open-ended hope, and I get it, the ending fits the novel. I just would have liked more.

Reader’s Annotation: Can a rez kid walk the white line? Junior Spirit has mad Indians at his back, mad white people at his front and no gas to get between them, but he’s not letting that stop him. Follow Junior as he enters a new world and learns to reconcile the one he left behind.

The Author: Sherman Alexie is a well known and respected author currently living in Seattle, Washington. His novels have received high praise in literary circles and he continues to write today. He’s caused a lot of people to revisit the question can you separate the artist from their work as it turns out he’s an ass hat, but his books are pretty good. I’ll leave you to decide that for yourself.

Genres: #NativeAmerican #YA #comingofage #race

Curriculum Ties: This book could be used to discuss Native American history, culture, and current living conditions. It’d also work with most general race conversations as there’s an obvious line of division in this book.

Booktalking Ideas: (1) cartoons (2) david (junior) versus goliath (both the white and native populations) (3) chasing dreams, stepping out on one’s own

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle school/high school

Challenge Issues: Native American living conditions, racism, poverty, alcohol, death

Reason for Inclusion: I saw this book included in a lot of lists people were being encouraged to read and felt that I’d decide for myself if it was “all that.” I can definitely see why it was such a hit, but I wasn’t a huge fan. It just wasn’t something that I would have picked up off the shelf, but that doesn’t mean someone else wouldn’t benefit from it and I think it did an excellent job of showcasing and forcing you to look at the living conditions of modern Native Americans and the realities they face every day. It’s also quite the coming of age story. Junior is going on a classic “hero journey” against all odds and to chase his dreams, but it’s more modern and realistic. I think teens could benefit from it.

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Grande, A. Sweetener, Republic Records, 2018.

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Sweetener-Ariana-Grande/dp/B07FGCX8BS

Plot Summary: Sweetener is the latest album from Ariana Grande and features fifteen songs, and three collaborations with artists like Pharrell Williams, Nicki Minaj, and Missy Elliott. Williams also produced a number of the tracks on the album.

Critical Evaluation: Sweetener reads as more personal than any of Grande’s other albums with songs supposedly dedicated to victims of the Manchester attack and entire songs named after her then fiancée, Pete Davidson. Though Grande is already pretty well known for featuring 2000s R&B sounds, a number of the songs on this album seem to hit the mark harder than ever before, though it can be difficult to discern at times because Grande and Williams have done such a great job at melding the old with the new. Ariana also took the lead in writing this album which could account for the more personal feel to the album and how popular it was from the moment it released.

Reader’s Annotation: The perfect blend of 2000s R&B and 2010s pop, Sweetener is Grande’s most intimate and addictive album yet.

The Author: Ariana Grande is a twenty-five year old pop singer from Florida who started her career singing covers on YouTube and working with Nickelodeon as a teen actor. She eventually left Nickelodeon to pursue a career in singing full time and released her first album in 2013 at the age of twenty. She has since recorded three additional albums and has confirmed that she’s working on a fifth.

Genres: #pop #R&B

Challenge Issues: The album does offer some risqué lines that might need to be defended to parents for their sexuality, but that seems to be the only challenge issue.

Reason for Inclusion: Ariana Grande is one of the most well known and liked artists in the music industry. She’s inclusive, fierce, extremely talented and maintains a solid relationship with her fans through social media. An album like this will not only be well received by teens, it’s a good album for those venturing into adulthood.

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Ariana Grande - God is a woman (Lyric Video)

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Eilish, B. don’t smile at me, Interscope Records, 2017.

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dont-smile-at-Billie-Eilish/dp/B077ZS3T4P

Plot Summary: don’t smile at me is Eilish’s debut album and features some of her most popular songs such as “ocean eyes.” “bellyache,” and “COPYCAT.” (The song titles have been stylized to replicate how they’re written on the album.) don’t smile at me has nine songs and the song “&burn” includes a feature with Vince Staples.

Critical Evaluation: The album has received exuberant praise from teens who relate to its laid back and chill vibes. Eilish’s music could be described as a more modern version of Lana Del Rey’s music, which is ironic as Lana herself is only thirty-three years old. The songs on this album all have deep bass undertones, but Eilish tends to sound almost haunting at times which is an interesting juxtaposition.

Reader’s Annotation: With haunting vocals and raw lyrics, don’t smile at me is the mainstream pop album that Gen Z has been looking for.

The Author: Billie Eilish is sixteen years old and was raised by an actor/musician family in Los Angeles. She’s been singing all her life, but really started to make waves when she began working with her older brother’s band. Through her success her brother has continued to work with her often being featured as a writer on her songs. Eilish is currently on an extremely successful world tour.

Genres: #pop

Challenge Issues: Eilish’s album deals with depression and loneliness which might be a challenge issue for parents.

Reason for Inclusion: I included this album, not because I’m a fan of it, but because every teen I know seems to be. Eilish has managed to satisfy adults just listening to the radio as well, but teens seem to feel her music on another level and that’s where she makes her biggest impact. Eilish’s music has been an escape for a lot of teens that otherwise feel forgotten or misunderstood and I think including it could be beneficial to those that hear it.

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Billie Eilish - ocean eyes (Official Music Video)

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Lamar, K. DAMN., Aftermath Entertainment, Interscope Records & Top Dawg Entertainment, 2017.

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/DAMN-Kendrick-Lamar/dp/B06Y4DGVZC

Plot Summary: DAMN. is the fourth album by rapper Kendrick Lamar and includes features by Rihanna, Zacari, and U2. There are fourteen songs on the album, many of which Kendrick is the lead writer on. A running theme of the album is the hardships faced by young black men in America today and battling to raise one’s self from poverty, depression, or oppression.

Critical Evaluation: DAMN. is a perfect example of an artist and beat complimenting each other. Often in rap songs, the beat will be too good for the rapper or the rapper will be too good for the beat but in this album, the two are perfect for each other. Lamar seems to almost be dribbling the beat. It’s not a dance, nothing about this album is light-footed or soft, but Lamar’s control over the beat is graceful, the power behind his voice is forceful, yet his mastery feels almost like a game. Lamar’s lyrical talent has pushed him ahead of his peers and with the release of this album Kendrick has managed to firmly slot his place in rap history as one of the greats.

Reader’s Annotation: Kendrick’s got something to say and you’re going to listen.

The Author: Kendrick Lamar is thirty-one years old and has released four studio albums, all of which have been received positively. Lamar was born in Compton, California and grew up in poverty that would someday inspire much of his music.

Genres: #rap #hiphop

Challenge Issues: DAMN. features a lot of discussion about violence, oppression, Black Lives Matter, and poverty.

Reason for Inclusion: DAMN. has been hailed as one of the best albums of the past ten years and Kendrick himself has been called one of the greatest rappers of the modern rap game. Not only is his work worth noting for its accolades and finesse, it touches on a lot of the realities that teens face today and can help them feel empowered and understood.

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Kendrick Lamar - HUMBLE. - (CLEAN BASS BOOST)

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Davis, J. (2011). Teen Wolf. [Television Series]. Atlanta, GA: MTV.

Plot Summary: Teen Wolf is an MTV series that spans six seasons. The show revolves around protagonist Scott McCall and his best friend Stiles Stilinski as they navigate Scott’s newfound werewolf abilities. The first two season were meant to just be a fun show about teen werewolves, but around season three you can tell that the producers decided to go down a more complex and detailed road. The characters face everyday problems like medical bills, schoolwork, family ties and friendship while also tackling werewolf specific problems.

Critical Evaluation: Teen Wolf’s best seasons are the first two when it was just a show about fun. The dialogue is funny, the problems aren’t too serious, and the lore is pretty interesting. When they received positive feedback from fans, creators decided to build grander story arcs, which was ultimately not great for the show. In later seasons of the show viewers are meant to believe that the otherwise peaceful town of Beacon Hills has always had a mental institution that housed supernatural criminals, that robot doctors were also in the town for many years, and that Japanese fox demons were a normal part of werewolf lore. Fans felt that the creators started to veer to far from what made the show special, the small connections between the characters and the local werewolf pack. The show eventually became too convoluted and ended with low viewership.

Reader’s Annotation: Scott McCall’s just been bitten by a rogue werewolf and the only person around to teach him the ropes? His dorky best friend Stiles who trips over his own lacrosse stick.

Genres: #YA #fantasy #comingofage

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/High School

Challenge Issues: #magic #sex #violence #monsters

Reason for Inclusion: While Teen Wolf is your average teen show with drama and late parties, it’s also about the importance of family, inner strength, and a moral code. The show is both engaging and educational.

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Whedon, J. (1996). Buffy the Vampire Slayer. [Television Series]. Los Angeles, CA: The WB.

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Buffy-Vampire-Slayer-Season-1/dp/B000HCYN18

Plot Summary: This series was masterminded by Joss Whedon and spans seven seasons. Buffy Summers is a blonde teenager in California that also happens to be descended from a long line of “Chosen Ones” destined to be the only vampire slayer for a generation. When one falls, another rises. Buffy must balance schoolwork and extracurriculars with battling vampires and fighting off monsters. The series follows Buffy through high school, college and then to her life after school. It also spawned a spin-off series, Angel.

Critical Evaluation: BtVS manages to be both heavy and light-hearted. Buffy cracks jokes while killing badies, the show never taking itself too seriously, but also handles the deaths of loved ones and the brevity of heartbreak. Whedon’s creation of a sassy blonde cheerleader that fights back at the things that go bump in the night spawned an entire generation of little girls wanting to battle the forces of evil.

Reader’s Annotation: “In every generation there is a chosen one. She alone will stand against the vampires the demons and the forces of darkness. She is the slayer.”

Genres: #YA #fantasy #feminism #comingofage

Reading Level/Interest Age: High School

Challenge Issues: #Monsters #Magic #death #sex

Reason for Inclusion: BtVS is not only an exceedingly well executed show, it was one of the first of its kind and it could be argued that many of teens’ favorite fantasy tv shows of today were inspired by BtVS. It delivers teen approachable content, hilarious wit, feminist icons, and lessons about all the darkest parts of life.

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Turner, B., Turner T., & Mark Brazill. (1998). That 70s Show. Los Angeles, CA: Fox.

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/That-70s-Show-Topher-Grace/dp/B00BUWD7Y8

Plot Summary: That 70s Show catalogs the life of Eric Forman, a geeky nice guy, for eight seasons. The series showcases his growing relationship with cool girl next door Donna, his group of quirky friends, and his no-nonsense white middle class family.

Critical Evaluation: This show has been a hit among viewers for years for its dry humor set in the house of a “classic American family.” It’s funny, smart, and seemed to find a niche that allowed it unique shots and a sitcom vibe juxtaposed with raunchy humor.

Reader’s Annotation: Eric Forman can’t catch a break, he can’t get a girlfriend, his friends abuse his couch and his dad thinks he’s a twerp. Will buying his dad’s old station wagon bring him the jolt he needs to change his life?

Genres: #comedy #comingofage #sitcom

Reading Level/Interest Age: High School

Challenge Issues: #sex #drinking #drugs

Reason for Inclusion: That 70s Show is on the raunchier side of teen comedy, but the fact that it still incorporates family values, life lessons, and consequences to bad decisions means that it’s going to reach kids that relate to this. There are kids already living the lives depicted in this show, but without the lessons and morality. This show can reach them where a more PG show wouldn’t and possibly deter them from making any similar decisions in the future.

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Site Link: https://www.seventeen.com/

Plot Summary: The magazine Seventeen has been around since the early 1940s and has always believed in discussing and promoting the betterment of teen girls. Whether through relatable cartoons, informative advice columns, or photographs of the latest trends and where to get them, Seventeen aims to empower young girls to aim high.

Critical Evaluation: Seventeen has shifted quite a bit over the years from being life focused to fashion focused and now feminist focused. While the magazine still contains fashion tips and tricks it has incorporated more boys into its pages and has a “get active” section that covers gun violence, protesting and how to stay safe while fighting for your rights. The magazine also contains comprehensive sex discussions that encourage safe sex and open communication. It may still have a bit of work losing the stereotype for being a flighty teen trash magazine, but it’s making the steps. Current editions are always looking at the needs of teens from all angles and keeping their GenZ target audience in their sights, adapting as times change.

Reader’s Annotation: Though Seventeen has a reputation for not being hard-hitting news, it’s taking itself to the pavement to prove you wrong.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/High School

Challenge Issues: #sex #drugs #drinking #abortion #gun violence

Reason for Inclusion: Seventeen has always been concerned with what their audience needed. Whether that was lifestyle advice, fashion advice, or sex advice intermingled with feminist politics, and they’re constantly evolving. I’m including it as one of my magazine options because it genuinely cares about its audience and always has teens at heart.

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Site Link: https://www.rollingstone.com/

Plot Summary: Rolling Stone magazine is a veteran magazine, having started in the mid-sixties in California. Originally focused on music and politics it has since adapted to include movie and television reviews and interviews. Though historically it has shifted its intended audience from adults to teens, it now enjoys a nice mix of content.

Critical Evaluation: Rolling Stone has managed to stay afloat in a business that is slowly dying out as many companies move to being strictly available online or quitting the business entirely. Rolling Stone is not only still making numbers, its content is considered highly respected and making it on the cover is usually a milestone in a celebrity’s life. It also has maintained its standards as the writing is talented and the content is relevant and topical.

Reader’s Annotation: Rolling Stone – The Last Man Standing

Reading Level/Interest Age: High School

Challenge Issues: #Sex #Drugs #Drinking #Politics

Reason for Inclusion: Rolling Stone takes what’s relevant about showbusiness and the industry and brings it to readers with fantastic photos and writing. Because its mix of audiences this magazine tends to be a good option for those transitioning from adolescence to adulthood.

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Site Link: https://www.teenvogue.com/?verso=true

Plot Summary: Teen Vogue, a sister magazine to the more mature Vogue magazine does just as the title says and focuses on teens. For the most part the content is similar between the two, but Teen Vogue focuses on more teen issues, concerns and fashion. They announced in 2017 that they would only be publishing online in the future to save on costs.

Critical Evaluation: Teen Vogue has managed to maintain an impressive line between intimate hot topic issues and maintaining the more mature feel of its parent magazine Vogue. Teen Vogue and Seventeen cover a lot of the same topics and have the same audience age range, but they seem to speak to two different types of teens. Teen Vogue has begun to incorporate issues like sexuality and politics into their editions to adapt to the changing needs of their audience, but they still speak to a more mature teen.

Reader’s Annotation: Teen Vogue is for the teen that dreams of Chanel, D&G, and YSL.

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/High School

Challenge Issues: #Sex #Politics #Sexuality

Reason for Inclusion: Teen Vogue is a nice option for the more mature teen and discusses some of the adult topics teens may be starting to notice as they advance into adulthood.

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Fallout. Interplay Entertainment. 1997.

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Fantasy-Flight-Games-ZX02-Fallout/dp/B075B1WNDG

Plot Summary: Fallout is a series of futuristic dystopian first and third person role-playing games that are generally set in wastelands or nuclear fallout areas. Despite usually being set two to three hundred years in the future, the style choices and atmosphere of the game are reminiscent of a space era steampunk vibe and could easily fit into the world of the TV show Firefly or in Han Solo’s grittier version of Star Wars.

Critical Evaluation: Each version of Fallout is different, with unique storylines and entirely new settings for players to become familiar with. Because players are thrown into a world of desperation and survival of the smartest, they’re forced to defend themselves through the use of weapons and must strategize their moves to meet the unique objectives of each version. While seasoned players may feel comfortable with the ins and outs of your average first person shooter game, each version of Fallout poses its own obstacles and demands players think out of the box.

Genres: #dystopian #shooter #space

Booktalking Ideas: (1) dystopian setting (2) the different storylines/versions of the game (3) open world possibilities

Reading Level/Interest Age: High School

Challenge Issues: #death #violence #guns

Reason for Inclusion: Fallout not only offers players a unique perspective of future outcomes we ourselves might face, it provides users with a chance to exercise their strategic skills and decision making through a medium that’s been extremely popular with teens. Though fake survival in a game is not nearly the same as paying car insurance, Fallout gives teens an opportunity to experience responsibility and weighing the positive and negative outcomes of their choices.

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Ark Survival Evolved. Studio Wildcard. 2017.

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/ARK-Survival-Evolved-PS4/dp/B0753XYC5T

Plot Summary: Ark Survival Evolved is a survival focused game set in a freeform world that allows you to travel essentially anywhere and do anything. The only rule is to keep living. Every time you die, you lose all of the supplies you’ve managed to acquire in the game and in a world where resource management is key, you cannot afford to lose supplies. The game features beasts of all shapes and sizes ranging from dinosaurs to abnormally large rodents, the setting a terrifying and beautiful mix of Jurassic Park, Avatar, and Mars. Unsurprisingly that cocktail of an environment can kill you in this game, as can other players and the same beasts that are so valuable once tamed.

Critical Evaluation: Ark Survival Evolved offers a myriad of pros for potential players and very few cons. The prehistoric animals and beautifully realistic settings entice players to simply travel the landscape exploring, but the ability to tame beasts, build fortresses and fight other players for their loot provides challenges that are difficult, but not insurmountable. Maintaining survival in a game like Ark where everything is out to kill you is today’s version of having the highest score in Pacman. It’s a virtual badge of honor that can offer up the same adrenaline rush of old, but with today’s lifelike animation.

Genres: #fantasy #survival

Booktalking Ideas: (1) dinosaurs (2) landscape (3) freeform world that offers you endless possibilities

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/High School

Challenge Issues: N/A

Reason for Inclusion: Most video games require a base level of strategic abilities, but Ark takes this skill to a new world and pushes players to test all of the experience they’ve accumulated through past games. Taking into account the realistic building requirements and wealth of animal information, the game also provides an informal but educational narrative. This is a game that reaches not only younger audiences, but those transitioning from youth to adulthood and beyond as well.

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Evolve. Turtle Rock Studios. 2015.

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/Evolve-PlayStation-4/dp/B00HKCIT0O

Plot Summary: Evolve has a unique plot to it in that it has your average four member team pitted against a monster or beast, but with a twist. Four players must work together to battle and defeat the beast, but unlike most games, the beast is a fifth player. While the team is hunting and attempting to kill this monster, the beast’s main goal is to eat as much as possible and become stronger in order to defend itself and take the team out.

Critical Evaluation: This idea was unique enough that I’d never heard of it before a friend suggested it to me and I found it both interesting and challenging in practice. The story of one versus four strategically pits the individual against the team while showcasing the skills of both.

Genres: #fantasy #shooter

Booktalking Ideas: (1) unique plot (2) chance to be the beast

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/High School

Challenge Issues: #shooting

Reason for Inclusion: Evolve is an opportunity for players to practice both their team and individual combat skills in the game, while also being able to switch out the word combat with literally any other skill. The ability to work as a group or individual is a massive boost in the real world and by teaching this to kids at a young age, we’re preparing them to start their adult lives with a running head start.

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Site Link: https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databases

Plot Summary: EBSCOhost is one of the best subscription databases to have access to because it offers such a wide range of material once you’re in. You can find research articles for business, educational purposes, or for personal interest and the database holds literally thousands of articles.

Curriculum Ties: This site could be used with any number of assignments that require research based articles. Or the lesson could entirely revolve around searching EBSCOhost and becoming familiar with it.

Booktalking Ideas: (1) the versatility of the site (2) how vast the records are

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/High School

Challenge Issues: Could be difficult for younger audiences to learn and new users of all ages would have to be trained on it.

Reason for Inclusion: This is one of the most versatile, well-stocked, and widely used databases among high school students going into college.

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Site Link: https://www.jstor.org/

Plot Summary: Along with EBSCOhost, JSTOR is one of the most well known subscription databases and is widely used by students doing academic research for an assignment. It holds thousands of scholarly articles relevant to a large range of topics.

Curriculum Ties: This site could be used with any number of assignments that require research based articles. Additional lessons could involve comparing JSTOR results with that of EBSCOhost or the lesson could entirely revolve around searching JSTOR and becoming familiar with it.

Booktalking Ideas: (1) could do a live demonstration using the site to find an obscure or interesting article

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/High School

Challenge Issues: Could be difficult for younger audiences to learn and new users of all ages would have to be trained on it.

Reason for Inclusion: If a student has access to either JSTOR or EBSCOhost they’re set with thousands of scholarly articles and well-researched information, but if a student has access to both, the possibilities are endless. If I were to recommend databases to upcoming students, I would choose JSTOR and EBSCOhost.

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America's Historical Newspapers - Subscription Databases

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America's Historical Newspapers - Subscription Databases

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Site Link: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/iw-search/we/HistArchive?p_product=EANX&p_action=timeframes&p_theme=ahnp&p_nbid=T4FU50EDMTU0NDUwOTYyMi45OTAxMTE6MToxNDoxMzAuNjUuMTA5LjE1NQ&p_clear_search=yes&d_refprod=EANX&d_collections=

Plot Summary: America’s Historical Newspapers is a subscription database that holds thousands of newspapers from all different eras and states in America. One can choose to limit their search by specific newspapers, specific times, languages, or state. It’s a valuable resource.

Curriculum Ties: This database would be great for students participating in a history project. They’d not only have a wealth of information they’d be able to narrow it specifically to their project topic or area.

Booktalking Ideas: (1) Being able to read newspapers from your state 100 years ago (2) Being able to read headlines from famous events or places

Reading Level/Interest Age: Middle School/High School

Challenge Issues: Some of the newspapers could have graphic images or text

Reason for Inclusion: This has been a great tool for me, I’ve genuinely used it multiple times in three different classes while participating in the MLIS and I think other students could benefit from it as well.