Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Wintergirls is at once heartbreaking and terrifying. Within the first few scenes, the reader learns, along with Lia, that Cassie’s dead body was “found in a motel room, alone.” We learn shortly after that Cassie called Lia’s phone thirty-three times just before she died. Lia ignored thirty-three of her calls that night. Lia and Cassie’s friendship faltered over the past few months, shattering years of childhood memories, inseparable summers, and secrets kept close to the heart. Both Lia and Cassie’s families thought the other girl was an unhealthy influence, but the truth is that both girls had their own set of problems. Lia is anorexic, Cassie was bulimic; rivals to each other, challenging themselves.
The story is told beautifully, and will appeal to most older teen girls. Issues of eating disorders, cutting, guilt, and love are handled realistically and honestly. Scenes are at time gut-wrenching, but Lia’s ultimate show of strength and growth, when she feels she has nothing left inside of her, is fascinating to watch.
Laurie Halse Anderson is the 2009 recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award for her contribution to young adult literature. Also try Anderson ’s powerful novels Speak and Twisted, or her historical fiction titles Fever 1793 and Chains.
Alabama Moon by Watt Key
Living off the land for all of your needs is nothing compared to trying to make it in the modern world. It’s the early 1980’s and Moon Blake has everything he needs living out in the forest with his dad — they scavenge and hunt, they have shelter and warmth, and all the medicine or extras they need, they can find, make, or trade for at Mr. Abroscotto’s store in town. Very early in the story, Moon’s dad dies from injuries that he can’t heal and their land has been purchased by a lawyer with development plans. Before he dies, Moon’s dad tells him to keep living off the land and try to make his way to Alaska where he can find people who are just like them, who don’t trust the government and who make their own way living off the land. But Moon is caught before he can get away and because he’s only ten years old, the law plans to send him to a boys’ home. Too bad Moon doesn’t plan on staying caught. The boy has been brought up to distrust the law, and the law doesn’t take all that kindly to him either. Constable Sanders has a particularly large chip on his shoulder, and the friction between the two characters results in much of the action, humor, and progression of the story. This is an extraordinarily original coming-of-age novel, and Moon’s relationships with all of the other characters are heartwarming, frustrating, and ultimately eye-opening. As Moon realizes that there is more than one right way to live and act and that not everything in life is black-and-white, readers learn with him that life is about finding what you believe in, standing up for what’s important, and always keeping an open mind.
Recommended for middle school readers, especially boys who are constantly looking for their next adventure, and young men who wish they could relive their fort-making days.
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Mia has a pretty sweet life. She’s the daughter of used-to-be-punk-rock-stars. She’s in love with a boy in a punk rock band. (He’s in love with her right back.) She has an 8-year-old brother, and they worship each other. Her whole life, she’s been immersed in the Seattle scene, surrounded by music and all types of artistic impression. And, it hasn’t always been super easy, but she is finally coming to terms with shunning her punk rock genes in favor of becoming a talented cellist; she’s even waiting to hear about her audition at Julliard!
But sometimes things are just too good to be true, and this story is tragic. Mia is left in a coma from a car crash; her parents and her little brother die at the scene of the accident. While her body is in a coma, Mia can see, smell, and hear everything going on around her. And it’s up to her to decide if she should “go” or if she should “stay.”
This story will stay with the reader far beyond the last tissue.
Katherine Vasilik, Teen Librarian
Franklin Lakes (NJ) Public Library
tel: 201-891-2224 x105
fax: 201-891-5102
vasilik@bccls.org
kate_thelibrarian@yahoo.com