Thursday, April 21, 2011

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Book Jacket
   
Title:  Perfect Chemistry   Author:  Simone Elkeles
ISBN:  0802798225  Pages:  360
Publisher:  Walker and company, New York, 2009

Readers Annotation:
Alex and Brittany attend the same high school, but come from very different worlds. When they are assigned to be chemistry partners, they learn how difficult it is to break down the stereotypical barriers of their backgrounds.   

Author Information:
Simone Elkeles graduated from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign with a BS in Psychology. Subsequently, Elkeles attended Loyola University-Chicago, where she obtained an MS in Industrial Relations. Simone has written seven books for teens, including the New York Times and USA Today bestseller, Rules of Attraction. She has also received the RITA award from the Romance Writers of America for her work, Perfect Chemistry. 

Simone was born and raised in Chicago, and has two children and two dogs. Recently, Simone has been voted the Illinois Author of the Year by the Illinois Association of Teachers in English. Her latest novel Chain Reaction, is due to come out in Spring of 2011.

http://www.simoneelkeles.net/about.html

Plot Summary: 
Brittany Ellis and Alex Fuentes go to Fairfield High on the outskirts of Chicago. They come from different sides of the city, thus different worlds. Brittany is a cheerleader, gets good grades, lives in a large home, and is very beautiful. It seems that she has everything made. In actuality, her father is always at work, her mother pressures her to put on the perfect appearance but is never pleased, and her older sister is very sick. Alex is a gang member, has many tattoos, works at a mechanic shop, and lives in a small and poor community. However, Alex wishes to go college, is in a gang only to protect his family, and carries the suppressed traumatic memory of his father who was murdered in front of him.


Alex and Brittany could not be any more different. When they became chemistry partners, with an upcoming mandatory project due, they realized they had no choice but to work together. Unexpectedly, the two developed a different type of chemistry. Alex and Brittany go on a journey that leads them through a revelation of their true selves, allowing them to overcome the stereotypes of their communities.

Critical Evaluation:
The relationship between the main characters produce an appealing modern day Westside Story or Romeo and Juliette theme. The chapters oscillate effortlessly between the two main characters, revealing their innermost thoughts. Brittany and Alex narrate their reflections, allowing the reader to gain a more complete understanding of their feelings. Alex, coming from a Latino background, intersperses his thoughts and conversations with Spanish, depicting that type of  upbringing accurately. The reader gains a clearer understanding of the stereotypes found in both of the protagonist's worlds, and the realistic situations found throughout the story create a true sense of authenticity.

Genre:  Romance, Realistic Fiction 

Curriculum Ties:  American Culture, California History - gangs

Booktalking Ideas: 
     1.  Brittany has an older sister who is severely disabled. She helps care for her because her mother cannot handle it. Do you or someone you know have a sibling who is disabled, and how does the family handle it?
     2.  Alex's father was killed when he was young, and he took on the responsibility of caring for his mother and two younger brothers. Have you ever had to shoulder such a large burden? 

Reading Level/Interest Age:  15+

Challenge Issue:  Gang related activity
- The book is written by award winning and bestselling author
- Compilation of teen reviews and the average reader reviews on Amazon.com and Goodreads.com
- Library policy

Why I chose this item:  I wanted to include a book that breaks the barriers of different communities, and how, against all odds, a couple from two different backgrounds can fall in love and stay in love. Since the population in America is so diverse, I felt this book would speak to many adolescents going through a similar situation. 

Further Series Reading:  Rules of Attraction, Chain Reaction 

Perfect Chemistry Book Trailer

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