Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg

        

Title:  Prom and Prejudice   Author:  Elizabeth Eulberg
ISBN:  9780545240772   Pages:  227
Publisher:  Point, New York, 2011

Readers Annotation:
Scholarship student Lizzie Bennet isn't interested in the prom like most of the girls attending Longbourn Academy. When Lizzie meets the insufferable Will Darcy, she might just change her mind.

Author Information:

Eulberg attended Syracuse University and went to the Newhouse School of Public Communications. Subsequently, Elizabeth started a career in the book business in New York City. Eulberg's passions include traveling, music, and reading. Her first book she wrote is The Lonely Hearts Club, which has recently been picked up by Mandalay Pictures for the movie rights.

Elizabeth Eulberg was born and raised in Portage, Wisconsin. Currently, Elizabeth lives outside of Manhattan along with her musical instruments. Eulberg is presently working on her third novel.

www.elizabetheulberg.com

Plot Summary:
Sharing a similar plot as the classic novel Pride and Prejudice, this story is set in the present day and has a few twists. Lizzie Bennet is an only child with a best friend and roommate Jane, who goes to a very prestigious but very snotty boarding school known as Longbourn Academy. Lizzie is an extremely talented pianist, which earns her a scholarship to the prep school. However, she is mistreated by a majority of the students who seem view her as an outsider. Her only other friend in the school is the second scholarship student, Charlotte. When Charles Bingley returns to London to date Jane, Lizzie accompanies Jane unwillingly to many high-class social events. Lizzie is even more loath to go when she meets Charles' friend William Darcy, the most pretentious and egotistical boy she has ever met.

Suddenly, Jane's relationship goes sour with the kind and gentlemanly Charles, which makes Lizzie miserable. To make matters worse, Lizzie's interest in Wick goes sour, and Jane's younger sister Lydia gets into enormous trouble. As life begins to unravel, Lizzie begins to see Darcy in a different light, and the obvious question arises: Will her pride and his prejudice get in the way of their happiness?

Critical Evaluation:
Reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice, this light and fun read is perfect for Jane Austen lovers. Though the story imitates many of the characters in Jane Austen's work, Eulberg adds some of her own flavor, making the story line more interesting and appealing. The female protagonist is depicted as strong and intelligent, attracting readers who identify with a strong female lead. Although the plot is somewhat predictable, the reader is still taken on a journey highlighting the intense ups and downs of adolescence. The author also includes bullying in the narrative, which can be appreciated by many adolescents dealing with similar problems. Overall, this book is thoroughly enchanting.

Genre:  Romance

Curriculum Ties:  Bullying

Booktalking Ideas: 
     1.  Lizzie's idol is a famous pianist, whom she gets to see in concert and then meet backstage, as a gift from Darcy. If you met your idol, what was or what do you think the experience would be like?
     2.  Lizzie attends a very prestigious and exclusive prep school, where she is somewhat ostracized because of her scholarship status. How do you feel about this snobbish type of behavior?

Reading Level/Interest Age: 13+

Challenge Issue:  none

Why I chose this item: I loved the real Pride and Prejudice, and this book was reminiscent of that wonderful love story. To balance my collection, I chose something that was a play off of a classic work.

 
Prom and Prejudice book trailer

 

The Ruby in the Smoke by Philip Pullman

         

Title:  The Ruby in the Smoke, a Sally Lockhart Mystery   Author:  Philip Pullman

ISBN:  9780375845161  Pages: 230
Publisher:  Alfred A Knopf, New York, 2008

Readers Annotation:
Sally Lockhart is left alone in the world after her father's mysterious demise. When Sally receives a cryptic note related to her father's disappearance, she investigates the truth behind his death.

Author Information:
Pullman is the author of the critically acclaimed His Dark Materials series, and has received numerous awards for the following titles: The Golden Compass, winner of the Carnegie Medal in England, The Subtle Knife, winner of the Parent's Choice Gold Award, and The Amber Spyglass, winner of the Whitbread (Costa) Book of the Year Award. He has also written several other books for children and adolescents, including The Scarecrow and His Servant, I Was a Rat!, and Count Karlstein. In 2002, Pullman won the Eleanor Farjeon Award for children's literature.
 
Philip Pullman was born in Norwich, Norfolk UK in 1946, and was educated in England, Zimbabwe, Australia and North Wales. He became a teacher and taught at various Oxford Middle Schools and at Westminster College. Currently, Pullman lives in Oxford, England.

www.philip-pullman.com

Plot Summary:
Sally is sixteen years old, very pretty, and alone in the world. Her father has died during a shipping expedition, and she is forced to live with her unkind Aunt Caroline, and her maid Ellen. Sally receives a mysterious note regarding her father's death, and determines that there is something more to her father's demise than she first supposed. During her quest to find the truth, she meets up with the kind photographer Frederik Garland. Once she proves her worth as a bookkeeper, Frederik invites Sally to live in his home, along with his sister, and their employee Trembler.  Sally discovers the dangers of clashing with criminals, and learns the truth behind her father's old friend, Major Marchbanks. Together with her new acquaintances, Sally looks for answers surrounding her father's murder, an ancient ruby, and the 'Seven Blessings'.

Critical Evaluation:
This exciting and enthralling murder mystery takes place in Victorian England, during the 1870's. The story begins with a gripping hook, compelling the audience to read the entire mystery.  Hair-raising and thrilling, the story of The Ruby in the Smoke is a real page turner. There is a level of intricacy to the circumstances surrounding the mystery Sally sets out to solve. An added emotional layer to the story is the coming together of many lonely characters to create a pseudo-family. The female protagonist is a likeable character, showing bravery coupled with reserve. Readers also feel the difficulties Sally faces as she discovers the truth of her past. 

Genre:  Murder Mystery

Curriculum Ties:  History - Victorian England

Booktalking Ideas: 
     1.  Matthew Bedwell's life had been overrun by an addiction to opium, which directly affected his daughter. Do you know anyone who has had a dangerous addiction?
     2.  Although Sally's Aunt Caroline took her in, she does not love or care for Sally. Were you ever forced to live in a place where the head of the household did not want you there?

Reading Level/Interest Age: 13+

Challenge Issue: none

Why I chose this item:  Murder mysteries are a great addition to a YA collection, and Philip Pullman is a famous and award winning author. Therefore, I included this material in my project.

Further Series Reading: The Shadow in the North, The Tiger in the Well, The Tin Princess 

Am I Blue? edited by Marion Dane Bauer

       

Title:  Am I Blue? Coming Out from the Silence    Editor:  Marion Dane Bauer
ISBN:  0758795963   Pages:  273
Publisher:  HarperTrophy, New York, 1994

Readers Annotation:
This first ever collection of eighteen short stories address the meaning of gay and lesbian identity in the lives of adolescents. 

Editor Information:

Marion Dane Bauer was born at the edge of a small town called Oglesby in Northern Illinois. Marion attended the University of Missouri where she obtained a degree in English literature. Bauer has written many award winning children's picture books, as well as a large selection of critically acclaimed children's books and young adult books.

Marion Dane Bauer taught high school English before she became a writer. She had two children, Peter and Beth Alison, with her ex-husband Ronald Bauer. Marion currently works for Vermont College, teaching part time in a Master of Fine Arts program in Writing for Children and Young Adults.

http://www.mariondanebauer.com/about.html

Content:
Am I blue? / Bruce Coville -- We might as well all be strangers / M.E. Kerr -- Winnie and Tommy / Francesca Lia Block -- Slipping away / Jacqueline Woodson -- The honorary shepherds / Gregory Maguire -- Running / Ellen Howard -- Three Mondays in July / James Cross Giblin -- Parents' night / Nancy Garden -- Michael's little sister / C.S. Adler -- Supper / Lesleá Newman -- Holding / Lois Lowry -- Blood sister / Jane Yolen -- Hands / Jonathan London -- 50% chance of lightning / Cristina Salat -- In the tunnels / William Sleator -- Dancing backwards / Marion Dane Bauer.

Critical Evaluation:
Written by a group of notable children's and young adult authors, this anthology provides a high quality compilation of stories. Although a common theme is shared by every one of the entries, each narrative takes on its own unique viewpoint. Therefore, this variety speaks to many teenagers coming from assorted backgrounds and ideologies. Additionally, the reader is exposed to a motley of genres, including humor, fantasy, reality, and science fiction. The character selection is a great blend of different races, and the settings contain various time periods and places. Interestingly enough, many of the authors are not homosexual themselves, yet were able to write realistic and thought provoking stories dealing with the issue. Overall, the integral concept of survival and hope is apparent throughout the book.

Genre:  Varied - Comedy, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Realistic; Short story collection

Curriculum Ties: English reading - Analyze social influences of LGBTQ

Booktalking Ideas: 
     1.  The main character in the short story Am I blue? is still unsure if he is indeed gay or not, even towards the end of the story. Are you ever unsure if you fit into a category of LGBTQ? 
     2.   In We might as well all be strangers, a girl's lesbianism was surprisingly accepted by her grandmother, a Holocaust survivor . Were you ever in a situation where it took your parents longer to accept you than others?

Reading Level/Interest Age:  13+

Challenge Issue:  LGBTQ themes
- Gay-straight alliance, need more than one viewpoint, serve diverse populace, winner seven awards

- Awards include the ALA Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Award for Literature. Named to the ALA Best Books for Young Adults and ALA Recommended Books for Reluctant Young Adult Readers.
- Recommended book on the LGBTQ Round Table bibliographic list put out by the ALA.

Why I chose this item: I wanted to include a book that speaks specifically to those interested in LGBTQ themes.