More Than This by Patrick Ness April 13, 2014

The book starts with a boy drowning. He drowns. He wakes up in his childhood home in England, except it looks like it had been abandoned for decades. Everything is as he remembers, even the prison looming forebodingly close to his house and in his memory, but everything is covered in dust and unusable with age. He believes that he is in hell, forced to wake up every day in the house and in the country his family was more than happy to leave behind. But is there more to it than being his own private hell? When he finds out that he is not alone there, is it because he created others out of his imagination or do they exist independent of him?

More Than This is a thoughtful and entertaining dystopian adventure story that is sure to surprise its readers with its many twists and turns. It beautifully balances great realistic fiction elements with an engaging plot. It addresses the challenges and realities of being a teen and facing difficult choice, being let down and finding hope in unexpected places. It is also a page-turner than readers of science fiction and dystopian literature will devour in  a day. I would also like to note that when I first saw the book design, I was not sure what to make of it. It look cryptic and futuristic,  and does not seem to hint at the contents of the book. However, those who finish the book will join me in admitting that the book cover fits perfectly with the book, and the design is quite ingenious.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Interest Level: Grade 9+

Genre: Dystopian fiction

Similar Titles

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.

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow April 14, 2013

Little Brother
Doctorow, Cory
Tor. 2010. ISBN: 9780765323118

Summary

Marcus Yallow lives in San Francisco in a not-so-distant future. He is a typical teenager, but he is also a computer geek and a hacker always looking for ways to bypass the system, including his school’s unnecessary security systems. When he and his friends skip school to get ahead in the Alternative Reality Game (ARG) called Harajuku Fun Madness, they find themselves in the midst of a terrorist attack on San Francisco. They are taken in to be questioned by the Department of Homeland Security. When he is released after days of questioning, Marcus is warned by the DHS that he will be watched by them and one wrong move will get him back to the DHS holding facility. But Marcus does not go back to the San Francisco he knows, but one that is under strict surveillance by the DHS, where the residents’ privacy and freedoms are violated on regular basis. Now Marcus has to put his hacking skills to use to fight back for his rights and for those of his fellow residents.

Critical Evaluation

Cory Doctorow’s futuristic novel is relevant to teens because of its topics of technology, privacy, and freedom.  Those topics are relevant to today’s world, and also interesting from a teens’ perspective. In Marcus’ world, adults are always coming up with futile ways to be safe, and the teens are always finding ways to bypass those security measures. This raises the question: if a few tech-savvy teens can bypass those securities, what would prevent terrorists from doing the same thing? The book is about questioning authority, whether it is teachers, parents, or the government. Doctorow raises these questions through an engaging story that is a page turner. Because many of today’s teens are so well-versed in technology, the book really speaks to them in a way that other books may not. If the fear of faraway military dictatorships might be too abstract, concerns about privacy and security are all too clear. In a country where freedom is a priority, not many people are concerned with a few privacy violations. However, what would happen if the government found an excuse to collect and view all the information? The book does a good job in showing that in the hands of a corrupt government, seemingly harmless things like bus passes recording everyone’s riding patterns might be a reason to mark someone as a terrorist suspect.

The writing is appropriate for reluctant readers, although the many references to technology create a conundrum. The author wanted the book to be accessible to those who like technology and also to those who are not familiar with the book’s jargon. Therefore, he explains in detail many of the technology references included. However, this might not be  a good solution, as it is possible that those who are not interested in technology might still find the jargon boring, while those who are experts might get inundated by all the explanations.

Overall, the book addresses topics appropriate to today’s world  in a way that is of interest to teens. The subject matter makes the book appropriate for reluctant readers, especially boys.

Reader’s Annotation

In the aftermath of a terrorist attack on San Francisco, Marcus Yallow and his friends are questioned by the Department of Homeland Security as terrorist suspects. After being released, Marcus goes back to a world where anyone can be taken in to be questioned as suspects, and he has to find ways to fight for his rights.

About the Author

“Cory Doctorow (craphound.com) is a science fiction novelist, blogger and technology activist. He is the co-editor of the popular weblog Boing Boing (boingboing.net), and a contributor to The Guardian, the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, Wired, and many other newspapers, magazines and websites. He was formerly Director of European Affairs for the Electronic Frontier Foundation (eff.org), a non-profit civil liberties group that defends freedom in technology law, policy, standards and treaties. He holds an honorary doctorate in computer science from the Open University (UK), where he is a Visiting Professor; in 2007, he served as the Fulbright Chair at the Annenberg Center for Public Diplomacy at the University of Southern California.

His novels have been translated into dozens of languages and are published by Tor Books, Titan Books (UK) and HarperCollins (UK) and simultaneously released on the Internet under Creative Commons licenses that encourage their re-use and sharing, a move that increases his sales by enlisting his readers to help promote his work. He has won the Locus and Sunburst Awards, and been nominated for the Hugo, Nebula and British Science Fiction Awards. His latest young adult novel is HOMELAND, the bestselling sequel to 2008’s LITTLE BROTHER. His latest novel for adults is RAPTURE OF THE NERDS, written with Charles Stross and published in 2012. His New York Times Bestseller LITTLE BROTHER was published in 2008. His latest short story collection is WITH A LITTLE HELP, available in paperback, ebook, audiobook and limited edition hardcover. In 2011, Tachyon Books published a collection of his essays, called CONTEXT: FURTHER SELECTED ESSAYS ON PRODUCTIVITY, CREATIVITY, PARENTING, AND POLITICS IN THE 21ST CENTURY (with an introduction by Tim O’Reilly) and IDW published a collection of comic books inspired by his short fiction called CORY DOCTOROW’S FUTURISTIC TALES OF THE HERE AND NOW. THE GREAT BIG BEAUTIFUL TOMORROW, a PM Press Outspoken Authors chapbook, was also published in 2011.

LITTLE BROTHER was nominated for the 2008 Hugo, Nebula, Sunburst and Locus Awards. It won the Ontario Library White Pine Award, the Prometheus Award as well as the Indienet Award for bestselling young adult novel in America’s top 1000 independent bookstores in 2008.

He co-founded the open source peer-to-peer software company OpenCola, sold to OpenText, Inc in 2003, and presently serves on the boards and advisory boards of the Participatory Culture Foundation, the Clarion Foundation, The Glenn Gould Foundation, and the Chabot Space & Science Center’s SpaceTime project” – About Cory Doctorow

Website: http://craphound.com/

Genre

Science Fiction

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1. Describe Marcus’ life before the attack and his interest in computers and ARGs.
2. Discuss issues of privacy and security.

Interest/Reading Level

Grade 9+/ATOS 5.9

Challenge Issues: sexually explicit

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

Topics relevant to teens (technology, privacy). Appeal to reluctant readers.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson March 28, 2013

The Adoration of Jenna Fox
Pearson, Mary E., Jenna Lamia, narrator.
Audio Book. Macmillan Young Listeners; Unabridged edition. 2008.

Summary

Jenna Fox  has moved to California with her mother and grandmother. Her mother tells her that she has just recovered from an accident that left her in a coma for a year. She cannot remember the accident or her life before it. She cannot even remember her family. But things seem to be more complicated. Her grandmother is very unhappy about something, seemingly with Jenna herself. Her mother is anxious and controlling most of the time, not letting her out of the house. Her mother gives her a series of tapes to jog her memory and remember her past, and through those tapes Jenna sees what she grew up like, as her parents’ miracle, perfect in every way. As her story progresses, she uncovers more and more about herself, her life before the accident, and the accident herself. The shocking discoveries make her question her identity and what makes her human.

Critical Evaluation

The audio book version of Mary E. Pearson’s futuristic science fiction novel is haunting and engrossing.  Jenna Lamia’s voice is perfect as the confused, vulnerable, yet detached voice of Jenna Fox. Many audio books make it difficult to relate to the book, especially young adult books that are told from the first-person point of view. In some audio books, the narration often makes it more difficult to relate to the novel by taking away the reader’s “inner voice.” However, Jenna Lamia’s narration is recognizably different from most audio books right from the start. She makes it much easier to relate to the narrator and to want to hear what she is saying.

The story itself is quite interesting, if not very intricate or dynamic. Jenna Fox’s story is mostly introspective, even though the book is of the normally action-packed futuristic science fiction genre. As Jenna finds out more about herself and her family’s decisions concerning her life, she explores many philosophical questions concerning identity. The book is a great pick for reluctant readers, because it is easy to follow, simple, yet suspenseful.

Reader’s Annotation

When Jenna Fox wakes up from a coma a year after an accident, she cannot remember the accident or her life before it. Slowly, she has to piece together her life and her identity.

About the Author

“I have always been enamored with story and character. My mother tells me I could be the most annoying little kid, waking up each day as a new character. Every morning she would have to ask me “who” I was for that day, because unless properly addressed I refused to answer anyone.

One time when I was about four years old, my parents were out shopping at Sears. They each thought the other had me by the hand when in fact I was exploring my own aisle (translation: I was lost!) Two salesladies found me and sat me on the counter, asking me my name so they could page my parents. I remember their consternation when I would only answer “Little Red Riding Hood.” They couldn’t shake my real name out of me no how, no way. I knew the value of persistence even then. My parents say they nearly fell over, when over the loud speaker they heard, “Would the parents of Little Red Riding Hood please come claim their child?” They knew exactly “who” was lost. These days I mostly wake up as myself, though I do seem to hang out with a lot of characters during the day.

Usually when people mention their education in their bios they only mention their college degrees, but to me, it is just as important what happened way before that. Wow–second grade! I will never forget Mrs. Alsenz. Boy, could she tell a great story! She would make them up and pretty soon have a classroom of wiggly kids exuberantly telling stories right along with her. And then there was Mrs. Bonsey in fourth grade. She always praised my writing and made a shy little girl feel like she might actually excel at something. And finally in twelfth grade came Mr. Kirk, crusty on the outside with a heart of gold on the inside, who loved the English language and taught his students to do the same. (Hey, Mr. Kirk, do you see me waving at ya?)

Later I went on to get a BFA from Long Beach State University in art. I worked for a time as an artist then started the most challenging job of my life–motherhood. Holy smokes, no one told me there would be no coffee breaks. But it is the most rewarding job I have ever had (watch out–I’ll start dragging out the pictures.)

Still later, I went to San Diego State University where I received my teaching credential. I went on to teach many different grades but it was my second grade students who pushed me back into writing. During Writing Workshop I would sit with them and write, loving the process, loving the stories, and lo and behold deciding I would love to return to my first love. That’s a whole lot of lovin’ going on and luckily for me I was able to do just that. Not that writing is easy. I have a huge stack of rejections to prove it, but I still have enough of that Little Red Riding Hood persistence in me to keep on going.

Now I write full time from my home in San Diego. My books to date are The Fox Inheritance, The Adoration of Jenna Fox, The Miles Between, A Room on Lorelei Street, Scribbler of Dreams, and David v. God. More are definitely on the way. “ – Mary E. Pearson Biography

Website: http://www.marypearson.com/index.html

Genre

Science Fiction

Curriculum Ties

English language

Booktalking Ideas

1. Give a synopsis of the book from Jenna’s point of view, after the accident.
2. Describe how Jenna wakes up without her memory, and everyone around her is acting strange.

Interest/Reading Level

Grade 9+/ATOS 3.8

Challenge Issues: mature themes (biotechnology)

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 2009 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults.

Graphic Novel Review: A Wrinkle in Time March 27, 2013

A Wrinkle in Time
L’Engle, Madeline. Hope Larson, adaptation.
Farrar Straus Giroux. 2012. ISBN: 0374386153

Summary

This is a graphic novel interpretation of the classic science fiction novel by Madeline L’Engle. Meg Murry and her brother Charles Wallace get a visit from the mysterious Mrs. Who, Mrs. Which, and Mrs. Whatsit, who send them in search of their father, who has been trapped on a dark planet. Along with their friend Calvin O’Keefe, and with the help of the three mysteries women, Meg and Charles travel to Camazotz, a planet plagued by darkness and evil. Along the way, they travel to different planets and meet an interesting cast of characters, like the Happy Medium and Aunt Beast. It is up to them to use their strengths to free their father from the grasp of the evil being on Camazotz. The graphic novel relays the same essential story but in a different format, through dialog and black and blue illustrations.

Critical Evaluation

The job of adapting A Wrinkle in Time into the graphic novel format would seem challenging to all those who read the novel. There are many concepts, characters, and settings described that are out of the ordinary. Hope Larson’s graphical adaptation of characters and settings is adequate, if sparse. The simple black drawings with blue and white shading take away some of the fantastic beauty and darkness described by L’Engle. Downsizing the story to fit into speech bubbles also takes away much of the meaning of the book, leaving the reader with the gist of the book and without a way to become fully immersed in the book.

However, the graphic novel is far from a failure. It is a new and creative way to look at a novel, and might attract a readership from those who haven’t read the book. Those who read the original as a child might want to pick up the graphic novel as a way to refresh their memory, just as I did. The recent trend of adapting classics into a graphic novel format serves a purpose of acquainting teens with classics they might be too intimidated to pick up. Books like the manga interpretations of Shakespeare or the graphic novel adaptation of The Odyssey by Gareth Hinds (review to come) might attract young adults who like graphic novels, and sometimes prompt them to pick up the novel. Those who enjoy the graphic adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time are encouraged to read the original novel since it is not very difficult to read and not very long. Although the original is many times considered a middle grade novel rather than a young adult one, the graphic novel is quite long and would appeal to all teens.

Reader’s Annotation

In this illustrated adaptation of Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time, Meg and Charles Wallace Murry and their friend Calvin O’Keefe go to the dark planet Camazotz to save Meg and Charles’ father from the evil that has trapped him there.

About the Author

“Hope Larson is the author of Who Is AC? and the author-illustrator of Mercury, Chiggers, Gray Horses, and Salamander Dream, whichPublishers Weekly named one of 2005’s best comics. She won a 2007 Eisner Award, the highest honor for a comic artist. She lives with her husband in Los Angeles. You can visit her at HopeLarson.com.” – Simon & Schuster

“Madeleine was born on November 29th, 1918, and spent her formative years in New York City. Instead of her school work, she found that she would much rather be writing stories, poems and journals for herself, which was reflected in her grades (not the best). However, she was not discouraged.

At age 12, she moved to the French Alps with her parents and went to an English boarding school where, thankfully, her passion for writing continued to grow. She flourished during her high school years back in the United States at Ashley Hall in Charleston, South Carolina, vacationing with her mother in a rambling old beach cottage on a beautiful stretch of Florida Beach.

She went to Smith College and studied English with some wonderful teachers as she read the classics and continued her own creative writing. She graduated with honors and moved into a Greenwich Village apartment in New York. She worked in the theater, where Equity union pay and a flexible schedule afforded her the time to write! She published her first two novels during these years—A Small Rain and Ilsa—before meeting Hugh Franklin, her future husband, when she was an understudy in Anton Chekov’s The Cherry Orchard. They married during The Joyous Season.

She had a baby girl and kept on writing, eventually moving to Connecticut to raise the family away from the city in a small dairy farm village with more cows than people. They bought a dead general store, and brought it to life for 9 years. They moved back to the city with three children, and Hugh revitalized his professional acting career.

As the years passed and the children grew, Madeleine continued to write and Hugh to act, and they to enjoy each other and life. Madeleine began her association with the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, where she was  the librarian and maintained an office for more than thirty years. After Hugh’s death in 1986, it was her writing and lecturing that kept her going. She lived through the 20th century and into the 21st and wrote over 60 books. She enjoyed being with her friends, her children, her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren.” – About Madeline L’Engle

Genre

Graphic Novel. Science Fiction.

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1. Describe the graphic novel adaptation.
2. Describe Mrs. Who, Mrs. Whatsit, and Mrs. Which, and their task of sending Meg and Charles into the planet Camazotz.
3. Describe Camazotz.

Interest/Reading Level

Grade 7+

Challenge Issues: none

Challenge Defense Ideas:

The book presents no apparent challenge issues, but prepare to defend selection by having library’s selection policy at hand.

Reasons for Inclusion

Graphic novel adaptation of a classic.

How to Draw Steampunk by Bob Berry March 17, 2013

How to Draw Steampunk
Bob Berry, illustrator.Joey Marsocci & Allison DeBlasio, writers.
Walter Foster. 2011. ISBN: 1600582400

Summary

This art instruction volume from the Fantasy Underground series teaches how to draw and paint everything “steampunk”. Steampunk is a science fiction genre inspired by writers like Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and Marry Shelley, according to the book. It is a literary and artistic genre that mixes Victorian-era style with technology inspired by the industrial revolution and early scientific inventions. The book contains a brief introduction of steampunk and its history, as well as an introduction to art materials and techniques needed to start drawing steampunk gadgetry and characters. A chapter is devoted to a quick coverage of art concepts and techniques, including basic drawing techniques, creating various textures, perspective, color theory, and working with different kinds of materials. The subsequent chapters include step-by-step instructions on how to draw such curious and detailed inventions such as an infolodeon (a stempunk computer), lightning gun, time machine, and a whole steampunk city. The book also teaches to draw characters like soldiers, steam lady, and villain. The step-by-step instructions are for pencil drawings, and some of the instructions also include coloring sketches in Photoshop, using colored markers and pencils, and painting with acrylic paints.

Critical Evaluation

This beautifully illustrated book will appeal to all teens and adults interested in art and science fiction. The Fantasy Underground series contains such volumes as How to Draw Grimm’s Dark Tales, Fables & Folklore and How to Draw Zombies. These are books that every artist and illustrator in search of new inspiration will find very useful. It might even inspire beginning artists to get interested in drawing and painting. However, the book might not be suitable for the very beginner. Although the instructions at the beginning of the book are simple enough, the drawings are very intricately detailed, and assume that the reader is intermediate or advanced in drawing skill. The instructions for coloring in the drawings by using Photoshop would appeal to teens who are interested in digital illustration. Overall, the book is wonderfully designed and illustrated, with a plethora of interesting things to draw and learn about steampunk. With more than a hundred colorful, glossy pages, even those uninterested in learning to draw will enjoy picking up the book and admiring the beautiful drawings.

Reader’s Annotation

The book contains step-by-step instructions on how to draw steampunk-inspired art using pencils, markers, paints, and Photoshop.

About the Author

Bob Berry Illustration has provided illustration, character design and graphic design to a variety of clients, for over 17 years.

While the mainstay of Bob Berry Illustration is illustration for children’s publishing, and textbooks, the company has also provided illustration and design services for interactive CD’s and the web. We have also designed and produced art for children’s games and toy packaging, as well as character and costume design for the sports entertainment industry. – Bob Berry Illustration

Genre

Non-fiction, art techniques.

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1. Talk about steampunk as a genre of literature and art.
2. Show some examples of the illustrations in the book

Interest/Reading Level

Grade 9+

Challenge Issues: none

Challenge Defense Ideas:

The book presents no apparent challenge issues, but prepare to defend selection by having library’s selection policy at hand.

Reasons for Inclusion

Art instruction with teen appeal.