Alien Invasion & Other Inconveniences by Brian Yansky

          

Title:  Alien Invasion and Other Inconveniences    Author:  Brian Yansky
ISBN:  9780763643843  Pages:  227
Publisher:  Candlewick Press, Massachusetts, 2010

Readers Annotation:
Every single person Jesse ever knew was wiped out by the aliens in a single moment. As a result, the aliens assume the remainder of human civilization will be submissive, but Jesse has other plans.

Author Information:

Adopted as a child, Brian Yansky grew up in Iowa. He's earned a BA and MFA in writing from Vermont College. Some of his works include My Road Trip to the Pretty Girl Capital of the World, and Wonders of the World. Yansky has published adult stories in Literal Latte, The Crescent Review, The Nebraska Review, The Palo Alto Review, Chiron, and others.

Brian currently teaches writing as an assistant Professor at Austin Community College, and resides in Austin, Texas. He is married to Frances Yansky, who is also an author and a children's illustrator. Brian recently announced his next book in the Alien Invasion series called Fighting Alien Nation.

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

Plot Summary: 
Jesse starts off his day ordinarily, sitting next to his best friend and taking his usual classes in his very normal high school. Then, in the blink of an eye, his world is shattered. Everyone Jesse knows is gone, as the alien Sanginian nation has conquered Earth. The aliens enslave the remaining humans they call 'product', and communicate to them through telepathy. The evil Lord Vertenomous is the Sanginian's leader on Earth, and has kept many of the slaves for himself.

Jesse is scared, but he is also determined to change his life of slavery. He meets a group of friends during his enslavement: Lauren, a sweet girl that Jesse develops a crush on, Michael, a star athlete who is now Jesse's roommate, and Lindsey, a fashion model. Jesse discovers that his mental powers have been growing, and he meets a girl in a dream that he is able to communicate with. Jesse learns from his dream-girl that there are rebel colonies outside of his prison. Utilizing the advice that his father gave him many years earlier, Jesse and his friends embark on a journey searching for hope in the survival of humankind.

Critical Evaluation:
This entertaining science fiction story is set in the present day. The author explores the possibility of communication via telepathy, which itself is very intriguing. As the story is told from the main character Jesse's perspective, readers can truly understand his struggles. Although a fast paced book, there are heavy underlying themes to pique a reader's interest. This includes slavery, technology, colonization, and relationships. The story is also reminiscent of British Colonialism and Imperialism, and the spirit that lead to the American Revolution and Emancipation Proclamation. Letters from Lord Vertenomous to his people give the audience insight into the alien nation and its hatred for humans. Lastly, the heartbreaking interchanges between Jesse and the memories of conversations with his late father create an emotional depth that is sure to captivate the reader.

Genre:   Science-Fiction

Curriculum Ties:  American History-slavery

Booktalking Ideas: 
     1.  Within an instant, the world as Jesse knew it was totally obliterated by aliens. Do you ever fear that there might one day be this type of  attack or Armageddon?
     2.  After being in the presence of the aliens for some time, Jesse and his friends develop telepathic abilities. Do you believe people who claim they have telepathy?

Reading Level/Interest Age:  13+

Challenge Issue:  none

Why I chose this item: I felt it was necessary to include a science fiction book in my collection to broaden the genre selection.

Further Series Reading:  Fighting Alien Nation

 
Alien Invasion and Other Inconveniences Book Trailer

Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

   

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

Leaving Protection by Will Hobbs

     

Title:  Leaving Protection   Author:  Will Hobbs
ISBN:  0688174752  Pages:  173
Publisher:  HarperCollins Publishers, New York, 2004

Readers Annotation:
Robbie is very excited to be on his first open sea fishing trip during the King Salmon season. He's hired by Tor, a grouchy old fisherman, who is also hunting for a priceless Russian treasure.

Author Information:

Will Hobbs is an award winning author of adventure books like Far North, Jason's Gold, Down the Yukon, Wild Man Island, and Jackie's Wild Seattle. Seven of his books have been chosen by ALA as Best Books for Young Adults. Leaving Protection was inspired by the personal experience Hobbs had as a troller deckhand during a very productive King Salmon season. He is also a nature enthusiast and a former teacher.

Will Hobbs is a graduate of Stanford University. He is considered one of the most notable adventure writers for young adults. He currently lives in Durango, Colorado, with his wife Jean.

www.willhobbsauthor.com

Plot Summary:

Sixteen year old Robbie lives with his family on a houseboat in Port Protection, Alaska, a tiny community. He goes to a public school that has an enrollment of less than fifty children. Robbie is ready to leave his parents and sister to try his hand at fishing in the open sea, and making some of his own money.

Robbie flies to the nearby fishing town right before the King Salmon season begins. He tries to find a job as a deckhand, but this proves difficult due to hard economic times. Finally, Robbie meets Tor Torsen, usually a loner. But, Tor begrudgingly hires him after he catches Robbie looking at an old bronze plaque hidden away on the captains deck. Tor is a difficult person to deal with, and Robbie finds himself working harder than ever before.  When Tor tells Robbie that the plaque is a priceless Russian treasure, and that they would be hunting for more, Robbie suspects that Tor's motivation for hiring him had a deeper and darker purpose.

Critical Evaluation:

Readers are taken on an exciting and thrilling adventure with the main character in this coming of age novel. The dangers of open sea fishing on the high seas are portrayed accurately, lending a sense of authenticity to the story. The author also discusses the topography of Alaska in accurate geographical terms, as well as Alaska's history in relation to Russia, adding another dimension of realism to the story line. Readers become immersed in the story through the use of boating jargon, and through the suspense of  the hunt for treasure. Lastly, the depiction of this classic survival adventure through the protagonists point of view gives the reader a feel for his utter exhaustion on busy fishing days, as well as an understanding of his courage for going on this expedition in the first place. 

Genre:  Adventure Fiction

Curriculum Ties:  History - Alaska, American Culture - Fishing

Booktalking Ideas: 
     1.  At sixteen, Robbie leaves his home for the first time to find a job catching King Salmon on the high seas for a few weeks. When was the first time you left your home to be on your own?
     2.  Tor has Robbie assist him in finding old Russian/Alaskan treasure. How would you like to go on a real treasure hunting trip?

Reading Level/Interest Age:  13+

Challenge Issue: none

Why I chose this item:  This book is for the adventure lover. I felt it was important to have an adventure seeking book with a strong male protagonist.