The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
by Sherman Alexie
Fourteen-year-old Junior wants more from life than to epitomize the stereotypical life of a Native American on the Spokane Indian Reservation. He doesn’t want to grow up to be a drunk like his dad or an ex-drunk like his mom. He’s one of the smartest kids in his class, and with a little encouragement, he wants to believe that he can contribute to making the world a better place… so he tells his family that he wants to enroll at a (mostly white, middle- to upper-class suburban, prejudiced) school off the rez. The story follows Junior as he attempts to make his way through daily life as an outsider at his new school, and his struggles to play his role as a member of the rez. With touching authenticity, Junior finds hope in his dreams. Recommended for all teen and adult readers. The illustrations add the best touches of humor to a story that absolutely, truly relates to those from all walks of life.
The Schwa Was Here
by Neal Shusterman
Have you ever wondered what it might be like to be invisible? The Schwa doesn’t need to wonder, because he just is, almost all the time, until he finds his way into Antsy’s life. Antsy and his friends are intrigued by the Schwa (real name: Calvin Schwa) because he can seemingly pop up out of “nowhere,” and just about everyone he comes into contact with ignores him completely or forgets about him immediately. For fun, they decide to test out “the Schwa Effect,” and amazingly it appears that Calvin Schwa really is invisible — at least to teachers and classmates. Could it be possible that money can be made off of the Schwa’s ability to disappear and reappear virtually unnoticed? The course of events that take places are hilarious, but along the way the Schwa and Antsy develop a very serious friendship with each other and with Old Man Crawley and his blind granddaughter, Lexie, all of whom must try to help keep the Schwa from disappearing forever. This book is recommended to all readers, middle school age and older, especially those with an interest in being invisible, first kisses, and ultimate adventures.
Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side
by Beth Fantaskey
Jessica Packwood is a completely normal teenager about to start her senior year of high school, and is very excited about turning 18, her developing crush on Jake, and Math League. The one thing freaking her out is the new foreign guy who she swears called her “Antanasia.” Jessica knows that she was adopted and that her birth name is Antanasia, but NO ONE else (besides her adoptive parents) knows that, not even her best friend Melinda. What freaks her out even more is when Lucius Vladescu moves onto her parents’ property as a foreign exchange student. He tells Jessica that he is a vampire . . . and so is she! She is descended from Romanian vampire royalty and they are destined to be married because of some pact that was signed when they were infants, before their parents were killed, to ensure peace between their families! What?! He’s crazy, right? Jessica and Lucius are no Bella and Edward, but there’s just something about a vampire love story that’s hard not to get sucked into (no pun intended)!
Katherine Vasilik, Teen Librarian
Franklin Lakes (NJ) Public Library
tel: 201-891-2224 x105
fax: 201-891-5102
email: vasilik@bccls.org or kate_thelibrarian@yahoo.com
blog: http://katethelibrarian.blogspot.com