The Espressologist by Kristina Springer

         

Title:  The Espressologist   Author:  Kristina Springer
ISBN:  9780374322281   Pages:  184
Publisher:  Farrar Straus Giroux, New York, 2009

Readers Annotation:
As a hobby, coffee barista Jane Turner keeps a journal that matches personalities with coffee orders. When her boss finds out, he comes up with a matchmaking idea that puts Jane's talent directly in the spotlight. 

Author Information:
Kristina Springer has a master's degree in writing from DePaul University. She began her writing career as a technical writer for a software company, and continued on to freelance writing in 2000. The Espressologist is Springer's debut novel for young adults. Her newest book Just Your Average Princess is due to come out in the Fall of 2011.

Kristina gained her inspiration for The Espressologist from her own experience in people watching at coffee shops. She currently lives in a Chicago suburb with her  husband Athens and her four kids Teegan, Maya, London, and Gavin.

http://www.kristinaspringer.com/bio.html

Plot Summary: 
Seventeen year old Jane Turner is a high school senior in her last semester. All that remains to complete her high school degree are a few easy classes. She's also enrolled in a couple of college courses at Anthony Carter Community College, and works as a barista at Wired Joe's. Jane loves her job at the coffee shop, as she works with her best friend Em and is able to earn money for college. What Jane has noticed while working there is that people's personalities fit with the drinks they order. She even keeps a record of personalities and drink types, and begins to match compatible personalities and drinks.

One day, Jane's manager catches her writing in her journal and demands to know the content of her entries. She tells him her theory of Espressology, and he decides that her matchmaking abilities would be a great holiday promotion for his shop. Before she knows it, Jane becomes an overnight wonder, making many successful matches. After a while, Jane wonders if she can find a compatible match for her own large iced nonfat mocha, no whip.

Critical Evaluation:
This light and humorous novel is a quick and enjoyable read. Though the plot is not complex in nature, the book's premise is extremely clever and entertaining. Coffee lovers will especially be intrigued by this original novel set in a coffee shop. The variety of coffee flavors and mixtures, alongside the descriptions of personalities, create amazing imagery for the reader. The reader will find that the characters are lovable and entertaining, albeit somewhat flat and underdeveloped. Still, the reader will love the romance and matchmaking theme that laces the story line. Reminiscent of a B grade chick flick, this predictable but sweet story will enchant all audiences.

Genre:  Realistic fiction

Curriculum Ties:  N/A

Booktalking Ideas:
     1.  Jane is working as a barista in a local coffee shop in order to earn money for college. When you get to college, will you have to earn money to pay your own way?
     2.  Will comes into the coffee shop a lot, and gets free coffee from Jane after pretending to like her. Has someone ever similarly taken advantage of you?

Reading Level/Interest Age: 13+

Challenge Issue:  none

Why I chose this item:  As a coffee lover myself, and because realistic fiction is popular among young adults, I decided this book would be a great addition to my collection. Additionally, being a quick read, I felt it would do well for reluctant readers. 

Raven Speak by Diane Lee Wilson

        

Title:  Raven Speak    Author:  Diane Lee Wilson
ISBN:  9781416986539    Pages:  247
Publisher:  Margaret K McElderry Books, New York, 2010

Readers Annotation:

Asa Coppermane's father is lost at sea, her mother is dying from the sickness that killed her only two siblings, her tribe is dwindling from the ravages of the never-ending winter, and the manipulative storyteller Jorgen is stealthily trying to become the new chieftain. Asa, next in line to become the Viking clan's chief, looks for her tribe's salvation in a strange old woman she's never met in her life.

Author Information:
Diane Lee Wilson is the author of Black Storm Comin'; the winner of a Spur Award for Juvenile Fiction, a Booklist Editor's Choice, a VOYA Top Shelf Fiction Pick, a Notable Social Studies Trade Book, and a Book Links Lasting Connection. Wilson's second book Firehorse, was a selection of the ALA Amelia Bloomer Project, and a Booklist Top Ten Mystery/Suspense for Youth selection.

Diane was born in Champaign, Illinois in 1957. She attended the University of Iowa where she obtained a degree in Fine Arts and English. Wilson has always loved horses, and owns an extensive collection of horse books and figurines. She currently lives in Escondido, California.

http://dianeleewilson.com/home.htm

Plot Summary:
It's the year 854, and fourteen year old Asa Coppermane is living through the longest and most difficult winter her clan has ever seen. There is little hope for the Vikings, as there is a deathly sickness among them, and almost no food to eat. The sickness has already killed Asa's two brothers and is ravaging her mother. Her father, the clan's chief, sailed away in stormy weather with the most able bodied men to search for food in other lands. To make matters worse, the clan's diviner and storyteller Jorgen, seems to be manipulating her people in his quest for power. When Jorgen tries to kill the horses that Asa's father specifically requested be left alive, Asa fights back and barely escapes with her favorite horse from childhood.

Asa, too scared and proud to return home immediately, meets Wenda the seer. Cryptic remarks coupled with Wenda's one eye and strange raven-speak, worries Asa. However, this mixture of revulsion and curiosity compels Asa to follow the old woman to her home that is filled with food. Assisted by Wenda, Asa digs deep into her soul to discover a path for herself and her starving clan.

Critical Evaluation:
Beautifully written, but with dark and morbid strains, Raven Speak spins a tale of courage, leadership, and desperate times. The reader acquires a genuine feel of the grim and desperate times of the Vikings, when food and medicine were sparse. As the story is told mostly from the vantage point of Asa Coppermane, the reader is able to sympathize with and admire the strong willed heroine. At times, the narrative is told from either the point of view of Jorgen the shaman or Wenda the seer. This unique narrative presents a more comprehensive picture of the story. The author is careful to utilize the vernacular of the times, which lends more authenticity to the historical elements of the story. In fact, the reader will find that much of Asa's story has basis in Norse mythology.

Genre:  Historical Fiction

Curriculum Ties:  History - Vikings, 800's

Booktalking Ideas: 
     1.  Asa makes a huge sacrifice at the end of the book in order to save her starving clan. If you were in a leadership position, do you think you could make a huge sacrifice for others?
     2.  Jorgen wants to take over the clan for his own selfish reasons, but Asa's father always put the clan's well-being before his own. How do you feel about people who abuse their positions of power?

Reading Level/Interest Age:  14+

Challenge Issue: none

Why I chose this item:  This book is for the horse loving teens. I also wanted to include a book with historical aspects from a foreign culture. Lastly, the book is written by an award winning author.

Skateboarder: magazine

Title:   Skateboarder  Format:  Magazine
ASIN:   B0047QU2X8  Distribution:  Monthly
Publisher:   Source Interlink, California

Content/Audience:

The first skateboarding magazine ever published, Skateboarder speaks to the skateboarding culture, primarily a male adolescent audience. The magazine is filled with spectacular photographs, both stills and action shots. There are in depth profiles and interviews on many professional skateboarding idols. Adolescents will especially love the skateboarding trick demonstrations. The many articles also include skate photography information, letters to the editor, advice columns, gossip columns, and 'Fifteen things you didn't know about'. Furthermore, the advertisements revolve around  skateboarding.

Critical Evaluation:

The magazine does condone the use of profanity and sometimes risqué pictures in their articles. Additionally, many of the articles are written using the jargon of the skateboarding culture.  Although the focus is on one sport, the magazine articles are diverse and interesting.  Their use of photography captivates the reader's imagination, and the product reviews are perfect for the quintessential skateboarder.  As the magazine caters to a male audience, there are no female skating articles, which detracts from the overall quality of the periodical. Additionally, the articles keep skateboarders and retailers abreast of the innovations in the skateboarding industry.

Genre:   Sports, Periodicals

Reading Level/Interest Age:   15 +

Challenge Issue:   Profanity, Risqué pictures.
- This is an established magazine that is currently an industry staple
- 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 magazine that is popular with the male teen audience.

Summer Sisters by Judy Blume

            

Title:  Summer Sisters   Author:  Judy Blume
ISBN:  0385337663   Pages:  399
Publisher:  Delta Trade Paperbacks, New York, NY, 1998

Readers Annotation:
After spending a summer together in Martha's Vineyard, Victoria and Caitlin were determined to forever remain 'summer sisters'. Will the challenges of  growing up ever break that impenetrable bond? 

Author Information: 
Judy Blume received her Bachelor's in education from New York University in 1961. She was also honored as the Distinguished Alumna in 1996 by NYU, and the American Libraries Association gave her the Margaret A. Edwards Award for Lifetime Achievement. Judy Blume has written for a wide audience, including children, young adults, and adults. Blume's books Summer Sisters, Wifey and Smart Women are all New York Times bestsellers. She has sold over 80 million copies of her books and they have been translated into 26 languages. Fans and readers send her thousands of letters every year to discuss their feelings and concerns.

Judy lives with her husband George Cooper on the east coast, and she spends summers with family on Martha's Vineyard, the setting of Summer Sisters. Together they have three children who are grown up, and one grandchild.

http://www.judyblume.com

Plot Summary: 
Victoria Leonard lives with her parents and three younger siblings in Sante Fe, New Mexico. Money doesn't come easy to her family, and that struggle effects Victoria's relationship with her parents. Caitlin Somers is the most popular girl in Vix's class. So, when Caity suddenly invites Vix to spend the summer with her and her family at Martha's Vineyard, away from the suppressed life she has in Sante Fe, Vix doesn't hesitate. She is allowed to go, but her mother has reservations about Vix's exposure to a wealthier lifestyle.

Vix and Caity become immediate friends after their summer together, and vow to spend future summers together in Martha's Vineyard as 'summer sisters'. The Somers grow fond of Vix, and 'adopt' her every summer. Each year brings new adventures for the girls, as they discover the trials and tribulations of being teenagers.  When the time comes for the girls to go to college, Vix learns to balance her everlasting friendship with Caity.

Critical Evaluation:
The author takes the readers on an epic journey of one character, Victoria Leonard, with sophisticated language that flows smoothly throughout the story. The book is written predominantly from the point of view of the protagonist Victoria, and follows the intimate details of her life. Simultaneously, Blume gives the readers insights written from the point of view of other supporting characters, by presenting selections from their perspective at the end of many chapters. During the early years, the settings vary between Victoria's hometown Sante Fe, New Mexico, and Caitlin's vacation home in Martha's Vineyard. The story continues in Cambridge and then New York, once the main character has grown up. Though the reader does not get a full picture of most of the places where Victoria is living, Martha's Vineyard is different as much of the relationship of the summer sisters takes place in that meaningful setting. The emotions of the characters in the story are detailed to the point where the reader can truly understand their depth. Though the mood of the book is not heavy, Blume does help her audience understand the conflicting emotions Vix has for Caity, while also allowing the readers to appreciate her undying love for her friend.

Genre: Realistic Fiction/Coming of Age

Curriculum Ties:  English

Booktalking Ideas: 
     1.  Vix has been 'adopted' by Caitlin, a wealthy classmate, to be her summer sister/friend. Have you ever left your family for an entire summer?
     2.  Caitlin's family is extremely wealthy and always trying to give Vix gifts and scholarships. If someone was always offering you monetary assistance, would you take it?

Reading Level/Interest Age: 14+

Challenge Issue:  Teen promiscuity
- The book is a New York Times bestseller, and the author is an award winning writer
- Compilation of teen reviews, and the average reader reviews on Amazon.com and Goodreads.com
- Library policy

Why I chose this item:  Judy Blume is a famous author, and I thought a teen novel would be a great addition to my project. 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

        

Title:  The Perks of Being a Wallflower  Author:  Stephen Chbosky
ISBN:  9780671027346  Pages:  213
Publisher:  Pocket Books, New York, 1999

Readers Annotation:  
Charlie is just starting high school after the untimely death of his best friend. As he's introduced to new friends, new teachers, and new experiences, he discovers much about himself that he never knew.

Author Information:  
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, is Stephen Chbosky's first novel. Chbosky is known for his film The Four Corners of Nowhere, which won the Best Narrative Feature honors at the Chicago Underground Film Festival, and also premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. He also authored the screenplay for the film adaptation of Rent, which was critically acclaimed, and created the television series Jericho.

Stephen was born in 1970, and grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California's Screen Writing Program. Currently, Stephen is producing and has written the screenplay for The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and the movie is in pre-production. Chbosky now lives in Los Angeles, California.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Chbosky

Plot Summary: 
Charlie begins high school immediately after the tragic death of his friend, Michael. Charlie tells his story through letters to an anonymous friend, revealing his inner-most thoughts. While looking for a friend, Charlie meets Patrick and Sam, step-siblings in the twelfth grade. The letters follows his love for Sam, his understanding of Patrick's homosexuality, and mixing in with their group of friends. Charlie also describes his family, telling us about his relationship with his older sister and brother, both of whom he loves, and both love him back. Additionally, the pain of Charlie's aunts' untimely death is a key emotion that he deals with in many of his letters. Charlie learns a lot about himself during the ninth grade, some aspects that he is happy about, and others that almost tear him apart.

Critical Evaluation:  
This powerful book is masterly written, and tells the story of the male protagonist through his letter-writing to an unknown person. Charlie's narrative accurately captures the fluctuating emotions of a teenager, appealing directly to young adult readers. There is an added layer of angst from his depression,  corresponding to the  abuse he repressed from his past. One adult character in the book looks beyond Charlie's wallflower-like behavior, and taps into his intelligence. This relationship of acceptance and understanding is inspiring, especially to a wavering adolescent. Chbosky does not address many details in his writing, such as Charlie's last name, or the city he lives in. This direct and no frills style of writing allows the readers to be immersed in Charlie's life completely, joining him during his times of suffering and happiness. Both beautiful and painful, Charlie's story can be enjoyed by the young and the old. 

Genre:  Fiction, Coming of Age, Epistolary Novel

Curriculum Ties:  English - Journal or Letter writing

Booktalking Ideas: 
     1. Charlie's best friend Michael commits suicide. Do you or anyone of your peers know of someone who has committed suicide?
     2. Charlie loves Sam, a girl who does not return his affections immediately. Have you ever loved someone who has not loved you back?

Reading Level/Interest Age: 15+

Challenge Issue:  Molestation issues, Teen sexuality, Drug use, Homosexuality
- Part of YALSA's Outreach to Young Adults with Special Needs Committee list of 'Related Reading for Participating Teens' by The Great Stories CLUB
- Compilation of teen reviews, and the average reader reviews on Amazon.com and Goodreads.com
- Library policy

Why I chose this item:  I discovered this to be a popular book among teens from class readings, and I felt a classic YA book like this would be great for my collection.

Choosing Up Sides by John H Ritter

           

Title:  Choosing Up Sides    Author:  John H Ritter
ISBN:  0399231854    Pages:  166
Publisher:  Philomel Books, New York, 1998

Readers Annotation:
All his life, Luke has been told by his father the preacher that being a lefty is the sign of the devil. But, when Luke accidentally throws a perfect pitch with his left arm, he soon realizes that he has a life altering decision to make. 

Author Information:

John Ritter always enjoyed the sport of baseball, writing for The San Diego Union as Sports Editor. Eventually, this love for baseball led him to write his first of five novels, Choosing Up Sides, which won the International Reading Association's Children's Book Award. He was also honored with the Judy Blume Award by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators in 1994. Some of his other work
has appeared in journals, including Spitball: The Literary Baseball Magazine and The Christian Science Monitor.

Ritter attended University of California San Diego, where he joined the baseball team and met his future wife Cheryl. John currently lives in San Diego, CA with his wife. They are parents to a grown daughter, Jolie.

http://www.johnhritter.com/bio.html/

 

Plot Summary:

Thirteen year old Luke Bledsoe and his family recently moved to a small town, where his father had been relocated to be a preacher. Luke loves his father, but the preacher's shortcomings create a rift between the two. Luke's father's has a terrible temper, and would often physically abuse his son. Additionally, Luke was born left-handed, but his father tied that arm to his side to make it useless. Luke's father, motivated by a misconstrued religious belief, felt that being left-handed was a sign of the Devil.

One day, while doing chores outside, Luke hears loud shouting nearby. When he goes to check on the ruckus, he sees a large group of boys playing baseball - or as his father calls it, 'the Devil's playground'. But to Luke, it looks like everyone is just having fun. While he is standing off to the side watching, a ball lands his way. He throws it back to the players only to find that they are silenced by his aim and strength, and he is shocked by the wrongful use of his left hand. Luke is also shocked to find that the beautiful Annabeth has become enamored with him because of his shameful talent, and that his Uncle Micah now wants to write a newspaper piece on him. Conflict rages within, as Luke battles between the antiquated religious desires of his father, and his own desire for the freedom to be himself.

Critical Evaluation:

The reader can feel the author's love of baseball translated in the prose of the book, especially in the description of the importance of baseball to Americans in the 1920's. Small town life is accurately portrayed, and the reader can get a glimpse of this period in history through the jargon and vernacular used by the characters. Luke Bledsoe, the male protagonist 'speaks' to his audience, telling us his thoughts and emotions throughout the narrative. The audience can feel his conflict between wanting to do the wishes of his overly strict father, and wanting to live his life in freedom. Additionally, the reader is acutely aware of the romantic feelings the main character has for the beautiful and vivacious Annabeth. All in all, the book has a compelling story line for those adolescents who have suffered physical abuse at the hand of a parent or struggle with their religious upbringing.

Genre:  Sports Fiction, Historical Fiction

Curriculum Ties:  History - America and baseball

Booktalking Ideas: 

     1. When Luke's father found out that he had used his "Devil's arm" for pitching in the "Devil's playground" of baseball, he got so angry that he whipped him six times, and broke his arm. Do you feel that religious beliefs condone violence in any form?

     2. Luke's Uncle Micah takes him to see the famous Babe Ruth play in a charity event. What would you do if you had a chance to see the most famous baseball player of all time?

Reading Level/Interest Age:  12+

Challenge Issue: none

Why I chose this item:  This book is a great addition as a sports story for younger male adolescent readers. Furthermore, I included this book for those who might have experienced some form of physical or mental abuse. 

Simply Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

        

Title:  Simply Alice   Author:  Phyllis Reynolds Taylor
ISBN:  0689826354    Pages:  222
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, New York, 2002

Readers Annotation:

Alice begins her ninth grade year busy with homework, the school newspaper, and the drama club. Will her responsibilities and involvement leave her any time for her friends, or even finding a new boyfriend?

Author Information: 

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor started her writing career as a sixteen year old, when she was asked to write a story for her church magazine. Since then, Naylor has authored over one hundred books, including books for both children and adults. Her Alice series is one of her most popular and successful endeavors. However, she is best known for her masterful novel Shiloh, which has won the Newbery Medal.

Phyllis was born on January 4, 1933, in Anderson, Indiana. Currently, she lives with her husband Rex in Bethesda, Maryland. Her two grown sons are married as well, and she has two granddaughters, Sophia and Tressa.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phyllis_Reynolds_Naylor

Plot Summary:  
Alice, who very recently broke up with her boyfriend, is now in her second semester of the ninth grade. Her best friends Pamela and Elizabeth want to do everything together. But Alice is still hurting, and trying to find her own way in her new high school environment.

She joins the school newspaper, where she is busy with meetings and article writings; and the drama club, where she meets two new friends Molly and Faith. Alice's extra-curricular activities, along with the loads of homework every high school student has, keep her extremely busy. As a result, Alice's two best friends start treating her differently, which hurts Alice. Home life is better, with a supportive older brother, and a newly engaged father. Alice learns how to juggle all aspects of her life as a teenager, including a new interest in the stuttering Eric.

Critical Evaluation:
This fourteenth book in the Alice series presents a new exciting and compelling tale in the life of a teenager. The reader follows the female protagonist easily through a first person narrative. Readers can identify with Alice's struggle after her recent breakup, the difficulties of friendship, and her feelings toward a new, yet endearing, stepmother. All of these experiences lend a note of realism to the book. Alice's relationship with her new boyfriend Eric, a stutterer, is another intriguing aspect of the story. There is no complete resolution to most of the story lines, in keeping with true life. Additionally, this allows a continuation of Alice's story, providing a hook for the next book in the series Patiently Alice. The book is fast paced and the prose itself is written in a simplistic manner. Simply Alice will delight and enchant the Alice series reader with new antics and fun-loving characters. 

Genre:  Fiction/Coming of Age

Curriculum Ties:  English - Coming of age theme

Booktalking Ideas: 

     1. Alice and her two best friends began drifting away from each other until Alice fixed the situation. Did you ever get into a fight with your friends and try to do something about it?

     2. Alice's mother died when she was very little and her father is engaged to another woman. How would you feel if one of your parents got married to someone new?

Reading Level/Interest Age:  12+

Challenge Issue:  none

Why I chose this item: As a child I read Shiloh, so I was interested in reading a book by the same author. Additionally, this is a popular series among all teens, as well as reluctant readers.

Further Series Reading: The Agony of Alice, Alice in Rapture, Reluctantly Alice, All But Alice, Alice in April, Alice In-Between, Alice the Brave, Alice in Lace, Outrageously Alice, Achingly Alice, Alice on the Outside, The Grooming of Alice, Alice Alone, Patiently Alice, Including Alice, Alice on Her Way, Alice in the Know, Dangerously Alice, Almost Alice, Intensely Alice, Alice in Charge,