Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell July 5, 2013

Listening Library. 2013. Read by Rebecca Lowman and Sunil Malhotra.

When Eleanor and Park first meet on the school bus, it is far from love at first sight. Park sees Eleanor as the new girl who does not have the common sense to try to blend in and not cause any unwanted attention with her crazy clothes and even crazier hair. When other kids refuse to have her sit next to them, Park grudgingly lets her sit next to him, knowing that he is putting himself on the spot as well. To Eleanor, he seems like the weird “stupid Asian kid.” But slowly, Eleanor and Park start talking and falling in love, despite the things that could come between them, like Eleanor’s complicated life and her insecurities.

Told from the alternating narratives of both characters, this is a story about first love and family. But it is not the romanticized version of first love commonly found in teen romance novels. Its characters and story are real, filled with the many awkward, heart wrenching, and scary moments of first love. The story is somewhat bittersweet, more sad than heartwarming, but it is impossible for the reader not to fall in love with the characters. The alternating storytelling, read so convincingly by Rebecca Lowman and Sunil Malhotra, will make the book appeal both to boys and girls and really makes the characters come to life. Rowell’s writing style is simple and lyrical, and brimming with emotion. 

Rating

5 stars.

Reading Level

Grade 9+

Author’s Website:

http://rainbowrowell.com/blog/

Unwind by Neal Shusterman April 27, 2013

Unwind
Shusterman, Neal
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 2007. ISBN: 1416912045

Summary

In the future, teens between the ages of 13 and 18 can be “unwound,” sent to harvest facilities where every part of their body is harvested to be used for transplants. The decision was made to appease pro-life and pro-choice stances, whereas every life will be preserved since conception, but unwanted children can be aborted retroactively when the parents sign the unwind order. Connor’s parents signed such an order after their inability to discipline their somewhat uncontrollable teenager. When he discovers the order, Connor decides that he will not wait around to be unwound. During his escape, his path crosses with Risa, a ward of the state who’s on her way to being unwound, and Lev, a religious tithe who is raised for the purpose of being unwound. The three flee from the police, and their paths diverge and converge again in their determination to preserve their lives.

Critical Evaluation

This is a smart and engaging futuristic science fiction novel, although its premise might be somewhat unrealistic. Most dystopian and speculative sci-fi uses an idea present in today’s society and shows its implications for the future. The idea of the sanctity of life is a valid one, and imagining a society where abortion is completely forbidden does not require much imagination. However, using today’s society as a point of reference, it seems unlikely that a society would stoop to a level of outlawing abortion yet allowing parents to “donate” the bodies of their children to be harvested for organs, and absolutely forbidding them to change their minds once the order is signed. However, it does play to the teens’ worst fears – that their faults and failures as children can be a reason for their parents to practically sign their death order. In her article about young adult dystopian literature  in the New Yorker magazine called “Fresh Hell,” Laura Miller writes that dystopian YA is different from ones written for adults in that it is about the fears  of teens, and this novel fits perfectly into this description.

The novel is also wonderfully written and action-packed, making it into one fast-paced page turner. Shusterman’s unique storytelling style that encompasses lots of subtle references to popular culture, foreshadowing, and complex characters is evident in this book, although a bit more tame than the funky Skinjaker Trilogy (a must-read for those who likes Unwind and Shusterman’s style). For those looking for a book that is as action-packed as The Hunger Games and provides as much food for thought, Unwind is a great choice.

Reader’s Annotation

In a world where life is considered sacred from the point of conception, parents have a choice to unwind their unwanted children to have their organs used for transplants. Running away from his unwinding, Connor meets two other teens who are running from a similar fate, and the three join forces in fighting for their lives.

About the Author

“Award-winning author Neal Shusterman grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where he began writing at an early age. After spending his junior and senior years of high school at the American School of Mexico City, Neal went on to UC Irvine, where he made his mark on the UCI swim team, and wrote a successful humor column. Within a year of graduating, he had his first book deal, and was hired to write a movie script.

In the years since, Neal has made his mark as a successful novelist, screenwriter, and television writer. As a full-time writer, he claims to be his own hardest task-master, always at work creating new stories to tell. His books have received many awards from organizations such as the International Reading Association, and the American Library Association, as well as garnering a myriad of state and local awards across the country. Neal’s talents range from film directing (two short films he directed won him the coveted CINE Golden Eagle Awards) to writing music and stage plays – including book and lyrical contributions to “American Twistory,” which is currently played in several major cities. He has even tried his hand at creating Games, having developed three successful “How to Host a Mystery” game for teens, as well as seven “How to Host a Murder” games.” – About Neal Shusterman

Website: http://www.storyman.com

Genre

Science Fiction

Curriculum Ties

English language/literature

Booktalking Ideas

1. Talk about Connor’s world and about unwinding as a societal choice.
2. Discuss Connor’s decision to escape, mentioning his future infamy as the “Akron AWOL.”

Interest/Reading Level

Grade 9+/ATOS 5.0

Challenge Issues: violence

Challenge Defense Ideas:

1. Have a copy of the  American Library Association Library Bill of Rights to show/give to patron.
2. In addition to, or in place of the above, explain library policy of inclusion of information that might be controversial. For example, Pasadena Public Library, Philosophy of Selection. Have a printed copy ready, with appropriate sections highlighted.
3. Explain the parental rights and responsibilities with their children’s library use. Explain the different card designations and the parents’ right to monitor or restrict borrowing of materials.
4. Depending on the library’s policy, either have  paperwork to fill out for formal challenges, or the contact information of those who handle challenges.
5. Give examples of book reviews from School Library Journal,  Library Journal, or BookList. Note any awards that the book received.

Reasons for Inclusion

Popular pick for reluctant readers. YALSA Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers.

Blink & Caution by Tim Wynne-Jones February 17, 2013

Blink & Caution
Wynne-Jones, Tim
Candlewick Press. 2011. ISBN: 0763639834

Plot Summary

Brent, nicknamed Blink, is a 16-year-old runaway living in the streets of Toronto and getting by on his street smarts. One day, on a venture to feed himself by stealing leftover room service food in a hotel room, he witnesses a sharply-dressed businessman leaving a hotel room with four thugs, and cannot resist entering the room and finding a cell phone that he decides to steal and sell. When he finds out that the man he saw was the CEO of a large company, presumed to be kidnapped, he finds himself involved in the situation. Hoping to use what he saw to his advantage, and also to help the CEO’s pretty daughter who he contacts with the cellphone, he embarks on a journey, where his path crosses with that of Caution, another teen who is on the run from her abusive drug-dealer boyfriend. When Blink realizes that the situation he is involved in might be beyond his control, he will need Caution’s help to get himself out.

Critical Evaluation

Aside from the simple plot, this novel has many merits, including character development and teens facing real issues. Both Blink and Caution are runaways from home because of their past. Blink has an abusive stepfather, and Caution is running away from a deed she cannot forgive herself for. She runs away once from home, then from an abusive drug dealer boyfriend. Even though they are still children, they face grown-up problems, and have to act like grown-ups in order to survive. Even though it is a mystery and thriller focused on action, the author explores issues like family, domestic violence, gun violence, and drugs, making this a well-rounded teen novel. However, the plot is unfortunately not complex like the characters. It is not entirely predictable, but it lacks a serious punch. Those looking for an intense thriller might be disappointed by the lackluster turn of events and the quiet conclusion.

The story is told from alternating third person points of view. Blink’s chapters are written in a unique way, as if Blink is talking to himself, or the author is talking to Blink. “You’re on your way, Blink, you clever monkey, you. You’ve played this breakfast game for a month or so, but it only ever lasts a few days.” Initially, this writing style can seem quite strange, but it soon stops being a distraction. This book will appeal to teens who like to read light thrillers and mysteries. There are a number of sexual and drug references in the book, so it is more appropriate for older teens.

Reader’s Annotation

When the runaway Blink finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, he decides to use the information only he possesses to his advantage. He meets another runaway, Caution, who might ultimately help him in more ways than he thought he needed.

About the Author

“A Brief Introduction

I live near Perth Ontario, Canada. We moved to Eastern Ontario from Toronto in 1988; we being my wife, Amanda Lewis, and our three children: Alexander (Xan), Magdalene  (Maddy), and Lewis. The kids have grown up and moved away to Toronto, London, England, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Amanda’s still around, although she’s in Ottawa a lot, where she is Artistic Director at the Ottawa School of Speech and Drama.

We live on 76 acres of rough and tumble land. It’s a landscape that has figured prominently in my writing over the last twenty years. I designed the house we live in, finally putting to use three years of architectural training received at the University of Waterloo back in the late sixties and early seventies. That was before the school decided that maybe it would be better if I didn’t design anything that people were actually going to enter…

I left Waterloo and joined a rock band in Toronto. To find out more about my days with Boogie Dick, check out the autobiographical sketch for some of the painful details.” Time Wynne-Jones A Brief Introduction

Website: http://www.timwynne-jones.com

Genre

Mystery, thriller.

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1. Describe  Blink’s scheme for stealing breakfast from the hotel.
2. Talk about the nicknames for Blink and Caution.

Interest/Reading Level

Grade 9+/ATOS 4.3

Challenge Issues:  Drug use, language

Challenge Defense Ideas:

1. Have a copy of the  American Library Association Library Bill of Rights to show/give to patron.
2. In addition to, or in place of the above, explain library policy of inclusion of information that might be controversial. For example, Pasadena Public Library, Philosophy of Selection. Have a printed copy ready, with appropriate sections highlighted.
3. Explain the parental rights and responsibilities with their children’s library use. Explain the different card designations and the parents’ right to monitor or restrict borrowing of materials.
4. Depending on the library’s policy, either have  paperwork to fill out for formal challenges, or the contact information of those who handle challenges.
5. Give examples of book reviews from School Library Journal,  Library Journal, or BookList. Note any awards that the book received.

Reasons for Inclusion

YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults.