Patrol-

Title- Patrol

Author- Walter Dean Myers

ISBN 0060283645

Publication Information- HarperCollins, New York: 2002

Plot Summary- This is a children's style picture book that is not for young children by any means. The story is one of Myers's poems about Vietnam. It reflects on the land, his platoon, a firefight with air support, an invasion of a village, and the return to his base. The images are in the form of a collage and were created by Ann Grifalconi.

Critical Evaluation- This is a fascinating find. It is rare to have a picture book that is targeted for older children. As a poem, it is worthy of study by itself. The imagery is strong- better than the collage images themselves. The structure is fragmented as one might expect the life of a soldier to be. The poem reflects not only what the soldier would see but what he felt in these situations. He contrasts the beauty of the forest with the fear of death and the sadness of destruction caused by airstrikes. He shows the fear of clearing a village because he doesn't know who the enemy will be in any situation contrasted against the simplicity and quiet of the rice patties.

Reader's Annotation- Miss reading picture books?

Author Information- Walter Dean Myers enlisted in the military at seventeen after dropping out of school

Curricular Ties- History, Art

Genre- War

Book talking ideas- How the art reflect the imagery of the poem? Does the imagery of the poem reflect the realities of war?

Challenge issues- none

1. Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
   
2. Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
   
3. Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
   
4. Review approaches from ALA
   

Interest Age- The book is designated for 10 and above, but the content makes it more applicable to 13 and above.

Why I selected this piece- I'm always looking for good picture books to use with my students and stumbled across this one for a unit on war poetry.

 

Night

Title- Night

Author- Elie Weisel

ISBN- 0030554624

Publication Information- Steck-Vaughn, New York: 1999.

Plot Summary- Night is the classic semi-autobiographical story of Elie Weisel's experiences in several concentration camps during World War II. Eliezer is a fifteen year old who longs to find a life with God. Instead, he finds his life in a virtual hell on earth with his father. Eliezer and his community do not believe the stories they hear about the treatment of Jews until it is too late. Eliezer's family is first forced into a ghetto and then onto trains and into Birkenau where he is forever separated from his mother and sister. They then end up in Auschwitz and eventually Buna where they witness all the atrocities the Nazis have to offer. As the war comes to an end, he is force marched to Buchenwald, where Eliezer's father dies. Shortly thereafter, he is liberated.

Critical Evaluation- This short novel has always attracted teenagers because of the subject matter alone. Students are often attracted to holocaust fiction largely for the same reasons adults are; we all seek to make meaning of this most horrific period in history. The novel is short and from the perspective of a teenager. Many students come to after reading The Diary of Anne Frank. This piece, however, gives them the story that Anne's diary does not- the life inside of a concentration came from an actual survivor. Furthermore, this novel examines the complex relationship between father and son. In the opening, it is a typical relationship, a stressed one between a teenager and his father. However, as the story progresses, the reader is given the other side of this relationship; the bond that is formed between father and son in extreme circumstances. All in all, this novel is always successful with students and often inspires students to read other pieces in this genre.

Reader's Annotation – Night is the overwhelming story of life inside a concentration camp from the perspective of a young man who actually survived it.

Author Information- Elie Weisel is a world renowned leader in Human Rights and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. As a survivor, he believes it is his duty to do all that he can to prevent other genocides from happening in the world today.

Curricular Ties- History- holocaust, English

Genre- Historical fiction, holocaust fiction

Book talking ideas- Discuss how the relationship between father and son change throughout the novel. How does one retain faith in the face of ultimate evil?

Challenge issues- This book is rarely if ever challenged.

1. Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
   
2. Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
   
3. Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
   
4. Review approaches from ALA
   

Interest Age 14 to adult

Why I selected this piece- This is one of my students' favorite novels. It is part of the sophomore curriculum at my school. It is the one piece I never have trouble getting students to read.

Cicada

Title- Cicada

Author- Editor-in-Chief- Marianne Carus

ISBN- Not Applicable

Publication Information- Bimonthly publication from Carus Publishing

Plot Summary- This magazine is devoted to publishing short fiction of interest to teens. Unlike Teen Ink, this magazine has primarily adult author contributing although there are occasional stories from teens too. In the issues I reviewed, there were stories from Ray Bradbury, Roald Dahl and a variety of lesser known authors. Additionally, there are several poems and the occasional non-fiction narrative piece. They cover topics including lost animals, college essay writing, driving, summer school, magic, and being stuck in a hospital on a beautiful spring day.

Critical Evaluation- Cicada is often the magazine children pick up after Cricket, but it does not have the same popularity. This seems to be because it lacks the visual appeal of other magazines that compete for teenager attention. A magazine devoted almost entirely to fiction is generally not where the typical teenager lives. Teenagers tend to expect the visual punch of lots of images. This magazine seems more like computer generation 1.0. The text is entirely monochromatic- images and text. The stories are certainly in line with teenage interests, but if it is not getting picked up, then it seems to be problematic. This text is probably very popular with English teachers. However, for the right student- those interested in creative writing or who prefer short reads over long novels- this magazine will be a hit. The space is maximized for stories and not wasted on advertisements. It also has a nice mix of writers; some are quite famous, but most are younger authors who have a good sense of teen life and issues but the writing experience to put together a good story.

Reader's Annotation- Looking for a good short story? If you enjoyed Cricket as youngster, you'll really love Cicada.

Author Information- Various authors contribute to the magazine.

Curricular Ties- English

Genre- Periodical, Fiction

Book talking ideas- Not Applicable

Challenge issues- would vary by edition, but probably not many

1. Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
   
2. Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
   
3. Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
   
4. Review approaches from ALA
   

Interest Age 14-18

Why I selected this piece- Like Teen Ink, this piece was recommended to me by the librarian.

Teen Ink

Title- Teen Ink

Editor- Stephanie Meyer

Publication Information Newton, MA: monthly magazine

 

Plot Summary- Obviously as a monthly magazine, a plot summary is not applicable. However, this magazine has several sections with articles written by teens and/or for teens. There is a non-fiction, fiction, opinion, poetry, travel and culture, movie/TV reviews, video game review, focus on college and art section. Many of the articles are written by teenagers and address a wide variety of experiences. Some articles in the editions I reviewed included an editorial on safety issues of Facebook, the relative value of the SAT, a personal narrative on a blind school, the problems of the homeless, and a variety of poems.

Critical Evaluation- As evidenced by the title, this magazine is targeted for teenagers and the articles reflect that. I think it's geared for higher grades- perhaps junior and senior year. The intellectual levels of the articles indicate that perhaps the magazine might be more interesting to high level or advanced students. The issues discussed are not always typical of reluctant learners. The magazine is available to purchase as class sets and might be used by teachers. The articles are well-written and several of them are quite touching. The editorials are insightful, and I'm considering using some of them with my class. The only section that wasn't interesting from an adult perspective was the poetry, which would probably glean the most interest from several of my students. All in all, the magazine could be entertaining to the right type of teenager. However, what I noticed most strongly is that it rarely leaves the rack at our school, especially in comparison to Seventeen or several of the video game and car magazines. I think this is due to it's format. The magazine is produced on newspaper print and lacks the glossy shine of the other magazines that students were generally interested in seeing.

Reader's Annotation- Looking to read real teen stories? Teen Ink is the place to be.

Author Information- The magazine is "committed to publishing a variety of works written by teenagers." And readings 350,000 in it's 5,500 schools. The authors themselves are teenagers from all over the country.

Curricular Ties The best option for this is probably English because of the use of multiple genres.

Genre- Periodical- non-fiction, fiction, poetry, opinion.

Book talking ideas Not applicable

Challenge issues Could vary by edition

1. Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
   
2. Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
   
3. Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
   
4. Review approaches from ALA
   

Interest Age – 15-18

Why I selected this piece I selected this piece entirely on the recommendation of my librarian. I was interested to see what magazines for teens would look like outside of the realm of Seventeen, which is the primary magazine I read as a teenager.

Ironman

Title - Ironman

Author- Chris Crutcher

ISBN- 0060598409

Publication Information- Harper-Collins, New York: 1995

Plot Summary- Bo Brewster is forced to attend Anger Management classes after blowing up at his teacher. At the same time, he is training for an Ironman competition. Bo discovers that he is talented but very angry. As he works his way through the class, we learn that he has long standing issues with his father to resolve. While that should be enough for any boy to deal with, he also has to deal with his new girlfriend, the rest of the anger management class, a group of college students that dislike him for his talent, and his teachers. Along his journey of self-discovery, he is also physically challenged with one of the hardest of all possible competitions.

Critical Evaluation- This book is an interesting dichotomy. Bo's problems are all very real for many teenage boys today: conflict with authority, approaching girls, and adjusting to new groups. However, this protagonist is also training for an ironman triathlon. This is not realistic for most teens and many will not relate to this level of commitment. This could have been easily resolved by involvement in a single activity, which many boys can understand. Some may object to the novel's liberal use of language and the disturbing situations that many of the kids find themselves in, but that is what will make it interesting for teen boys; it's real with real situations and real language. This book has become a staple amongst many teachers in high school especially with reluctant readers because it addresses sophisticated themes in an engaging manner. Like many other authors, Crutcher employs a journalistic approach to a portion of the book writing to Larry King- or Lar as he is referred to- about the events of his life. This is in opposition to the regular narrative and functions to allow the writer to use both 1^st and 3^rd person perspectives effectively. Readers often see an even happen and then see Bo's reaction to that event later in his journal.

Reader's Annotation- So you cussed out your English teacher again. Do you really have to sit in an Anger Management class? How is dealing with "anger issues" going to help you be a better triathlete?

Author Information- Chris Crutcher has written several novels with a similar story structure: troubled teenage boys offset by some athletic competition. Crutcher was a secondary school teacher who taught at-risk students for many years and he holds a psychology degree. These two important elements explain the realistic yet insightful qualities of his novels.

Curricular Ties- Physical Education, English (strong thematic component in this text)

Genre- sports, psychology

Book talking ideas- How do we deal with situations that make us angry? Is the book's use of a Ironman competition effective?

Challenge issues- Language, homosexuality, violence

1. Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
   
2. Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
   
3. Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
   
4. Review approaches from ALA
   

Interest Age- 15-18

Why I selected this piece- This piece was taught in our school for several years. I was interested in reading it then because the teachers felt so passionately about this book.

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging

Title- Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging

Author- Louise Rennison

ISBN- 0-06-447227-2

Publication Information- Harpertempest, New York: 1999

 

Plot Summary- This is the diary of an young British girl, Georgia Nicolson, a 15 year old searching for love and trying to understand her friends, her parents, and her Scottish wild-cat Angus. She struggles with the usual girlfriend issues, appearance issues, and boy issues typical of a 15 year old in any country. She spends her time discovering what is so special about snogging and wonders if her "Sex-God" will ever even notice her. She is also forced to deal with her bizarre father, who moves to New Zealand to take a new job, her odd mother and younger sister who believes "tosser" is a name. All of her adventures are written in her diary- often with multiple entries in a single day.

Critical Evaluation- The novel is often referred to as the teenagers Bridget Jones Diary. This book finds appeal with American teenagers because the problems of the teenage girl clearly cross the Atlantic. She does not like her parents, particularly her nosey mother. She does not know how to kiss a guy and wonders, often aloud with her girlfriends how to know which way to turn her head. She has a falling out with her best friend- over a boy, and has to stand up to peer-pressure from other friends. She feels she is unattractive especially in comparison to her friends. Even though students are often forced to consult the glossary to understand the British slang, they will easily relate to the protagonist. What can be foreign is the setting of the novel and understanding how the British school system works, but students familiar with the Harry Potter stories will be able to work through this confusion. Interestingly, I think because of the epistolary format, it is hard to get a good visual image of the primary character, though the secondary characters and certainly the cat come through loud and clear. The novel has been followed up with at least four others.

Reader's Annotation- What is a girl to do when her cat is attempting to eat the dog next door, her father moves to another country, and she STILL doesn't know how to kiss a boy? Georgia Nicolson shares her diary with us as she journeys through the maze of teenage life.

Author Information- The novel is somewhat autobiographical. Rennison grew up in Leeds and later New Zealand. She is a Renaissance woman. In addition to writing ten novels, she also performs as a stand up comedienne and is acclaimed for her one woman show.

Curricular Ties- none

Genre- confessional literature

Book talking ideas- How do teens deal with parents? Why is this British novel so successful in American?

Challenge issues- Language- but it's all British slang, discussions of Lesbianism

1. Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
   
2. Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
   
3. Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
   
4. Review approaches from ALA
   

Interest Age 14-17

Why I selected this piece- I chose this piece because my librarian swore I would laugh out loud. Several of my students have enjoyed it too. I did not laugh out loud, but I did find the character intriguing enough that I might read the next book in the series.

 

The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian

Title- The Absolutely True Stories of a Part-time Indian

Author Sherman Alexie

ISBN 978-0316013697

Publication Information Little Brown, New York, 2009

Plot Summary- True to its name, The Absolutely True Stories of a Part-time Indian is a semi-autobiographical story of the author, Sherman Alexie. The protagonist, Junior, seeks to escape his and his people's fate by attending the white school off the "rez." This courageous step, however, brings nothing but grief for Junior as everyone on the rez, including his best and only friend, abandon him. Even his parents, who support him, are confused by his choices and the conflict it causes them. To add to the grief, all the students in the white school avoid him because he's Indian. The novel follows Junior throughout his freshmen year as he attempts to find new friends, repair old relationships and understand his place in the world.

Critical Evaluation- Readers are immediately drawn into this novel because of the tragic yet humorous account of the protagonist. Junior has already survived against all odds, so it isn't surprising that he rebels against the obvious injustice presented by reading the same textbook as his mother. Alexie also excels in his description of life on the reservation- a life rich in culture but devoid of hope. We see the immense respect of their elders evidenced in the funeral of his grandmother and the futility of trying to break out in the death of his sister. The real attraction in this novel, however, is presented in the cartoon drawings interspersed in the text. The narrator is a self-proclaimed cartoonist, so it only makes sense that his narrative be told in picture along with words. The use of simplistic pencil style drawing contributes to our understanding of the culture, and character. Readers can come to this novel with minimal understanding of Native American culture because of this excellent portrayal. At the same time, many young adults can find a way to connect with the story of feeling outside of a culture and ultimately of rejection from multiple groups regardless of the cultural ties present in the text. Junior's ability to overcome the loss of friends, the rejection of new friends entering high school, the burgeoning relationship with a girl, and the tragedy he suffers as members of his family die is inspiring to young readers, many of whom are suffering through similar circumstances in their lives.

Awards:

2009 Peter Pan Award, Sweden
2009 Odyssey Award for audio version, produced by Recorded Books, LLC
2008 Washington Book Award - the Scandiuzzi Children's Book Award for middle grades and young adults
2008 Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards for Excellence in Children's Literature in Fiction

2008 Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children
2008 Book Sense Book of the Year Children's Literature Honor Book
2008 Pacific Northwest Book Award

2008 American Indian Library Association American Indian Youth Literature Award
2007 National Book Award for Young People's Literature
2007 Los Angles Times Book Prize Finalist
Publishers Weekly 2007 Best Books of the Year - Children's Fiction
The New York Times Notable Children's Books of 2007

Los Angeles Times Favorite Children's Books of 2007
National Parenting Publication Gold Winner 2007

Barnes & Noble 2007 Best for Teens

School Library Journal Best Books of 2007
Kirkus Reviews Best Young Adult Books of 2007
(pdf file)
Horn Book Fanfare Best Books of 2007

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon Winner
Kansas City Star's Top 100 Books of the Year

Reader's Annotation- What happens to you if all of the people you know turn away from you simply because you try to improve your life? This is the fate of Junior, a young cartoonist. Can he survive a world he does not understand without the help of his friends?

Author Information- Alexie's novel is very much true to his young life. He was born with hydrocephalus and was not expected to live. Instead he learned to read by the age of three. He did find his mother's name in a textbook and it was the reason he attended school off the reservation.

Curricular Ties- Sociology- ways we are parts of a group

Genre- Autobiographical, Coming of Age

Book talking ideas- Cultural awareness- the white schools use of the chief as mascot. Coming of age- how does Alexie's story compare to my student's lives?

Challenge issues- language, violence, masturbation

1. Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
   
2. Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
   
3. Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
   
4. Review approaches from ALA
   

Interest Age- 14-15 is ideal as it is the protagonist's age, but as I mentioned earlier, I have 17 and 18 year olds who LOVE this novel.

Why I selected this piece I chose this novel because I'd just read it earlier in the year. It is one of the CYRM award books. Our librarian always orders two dozen or more copies of each book and we offer our students extra credit if they read all of them and vote. I literally flipped open to the rules of fighting section, laughed out loud during tutoring, and had to check it out.

Halo: ODST

Title- Halo 3 ODST

ISBN- Not applicable

Publication Information- Bungie Games and Microsoft Games, Washington, 2009

 

Plot Summary- Players are introduced to the team- the Rookie (the player character), Dare, Romeo, Dutch, and Mickey. All four men are Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (ODST), elite members of the United Nations Space Command which exists in the 26^th century and are at war with the Covenent, and alliance of alien races. During their drop to Earth, their HEV is hit by a shockwave from an escaping ship and they collide and crash. They are diverted from their original mission and must regroup. The rookie meets up with Dare and must discover what the Covenent is looking for before they find it and use it to control the Halo superweapon, which they believe would serve to destroy the human race.

Critical Evaluation- I have a hard time playing any console video game because they make me dizzy, but the overwhelming popularity of the Halo series make it a virtual requirement to understand. It was not initially meant to be a fully developed game; it is titled to look more like an expansion to the previously released Halo 3. However, the developing team for the now cancelled movie was reassigned to this game and the result is a nearly fully developed game in and of itself. Players are given several hours of narrative game play and lots of upgrades in Xbox LIVE play. Many were initially concerned that playing the main character, the Master Chief, was consigning the game to virtual nothingness, but the play of the unnamed Rookie turns out to be intriguing. Unlike previous games, players are alone through most of the narrative. Instead of interaction with other characters, the designers created and nicely used a musical score alone. The player, like the Rookie, is alone with only your thoughts about what is going to happen. The setting is also unique because while it is set on Earth, the world has been overrun by the Covenent and appears as foreign as any of the previous Halo games that take place in the far-reaches of space. Overall, adding a new character gives the series new depth and interest as they work on the next game in the storyline.

Reader's Annotation- It's the 26^th century and you are a member of the Elite ODST. Your mission is to discover what the Covenent is really after in New Mombassa and to stop them at any and all costs. Along the way, can you find your friends and stay alive?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IklqPx3unjs

 

Author Information- Not an author per se, but Bungie games has made their fame and fortune entirely off of this series. It has taken on a level of interest similar to Star Wars and Star Trek

Curricular Ties None

Genre- First-person shooter, Science Fiction

Book talking ideas- not applicable

Challenge issues- not applicable

Interest Age- 13 and above (my husband is 39 and loves these games)

Why I selected this piece- If you teach boys, you've heard about Halo. I also happen to live with a larger version of one (a boy) who is a game fanatic. I've sat through all the Halo series with them. I find the stories interesting and just as compelling as many novels. The interactive nature of the game make it interesting for teenagers in particular since they can compete with others across the nation.

Sunrise Over Fallujah

Title- Sunrise over Fallujah

Author- Walter Dean Myers

ISBN- 978-0439916240

Publication Information Scholastic Press: New York, 2008

Plot Summary- Robin Perry, nephew of Richie Perry (from Myer's Fallen Angels) is part of the first wave of soldiers into Operation Iraqi Freedom. Birdy, as he comes to be known by others in his company, enters the military after the attacks of September 11^th. However, now as he enters foreign territory, he is confused and scared. It is hard to tell who the enemy is and what the rules of engagement for any given situation are. Frequently, he cannot tell the difference between friend and foe in country and finds himself increasingly terrified of his possible death and the deaths of those around him. To compound matters, his family has been less than supportive. Like many in the United States, he does not understand why we are there and what the goals are. Myers uses his storytelling abilities to clearly reflect many of the questions we have all asked ourselves since this invasion began. As he moves deeper and deeper into enemy territory, Birdy comes to understand what war really means, what he risks, and what he values.

Critical Evaluation- I have very much enjoyed this book. It is gritty and realistic without being overly graphic. The book has clearly avoided language realism in order to be sold to and taught in schools, but the novel is successful nevertheless. The book continues the story of the Perry family from his previous and very successful novel, Fallen
Angels, which will make it even more attractive to students who are familiar with Myers work.

Reader's Annotation- Like so many others, Robin Perry volunteers to serve his country after the 9/11 attacks, but is he ready for the realities of war? As he gets to know his team, Marla and Jonesy, how will Perry respond to what he discovers in Iraq?

Author Information- Walter Dean Myers follows up his highly acclaimed story Fallen Angels with another story about an equally confusing and difficult war. Myers is himself a veteran of the army and his understanding of military mentality is portrayed accurately here.

Curricular Ties- Current Events, Social Studies both American history and World history

Genre- Military/War novel

Book talking ideas- Is the war in Iraq justified?

Challenge issues- War and depictions of violence, some language

1. Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
   
2. Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
   
3. Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
   
4. Review approaches from ALA
   

 

Interest Age- High school

Why I selected this piece- I'm always on the lookout for contemporary issues handled well by YA authors. Because I have several students who are entering the military, I thought this would be an interesting read to recommend to them. I am also studying Myers for my Author/Genre study

Monster

Title- Monster    

Author- Walter Dean Myers    

ISBN
9780061782893

Publication Information
Harper-Collins, New York, 1999

Plot Summary- Steve Harmon, 16, is awaiting trial for the felony murder of a convenience store clerk. Steve was supposed to act as the scout in a robbery that goes terribly wrong when one of his "friends" kills the clerk. Can he really be guilty of murder if he was not even in the store at the time? Who could have predicted that the store owner would have a gun? Is it fair that he is on trial while one of the boys in the store has been cut a deal? Has Steve been unfairly targeted because he is black? Steve uses his director's sensibilities to attempt to make sense of his predicament, its possible outcomes, the people he is living with, and whether or not he is the monster that he is accused of being. He sees his own story through the lens of a film maker, and the novel reads as a movie script. The story is told through a combination of film techniques, voice overs, close-ups, and reaction shots, and a journal style that reveals his innermost thoughts. When we are done reading this unique style, we feel part of all the elements of the criminal justice system and feel sympathy for this young man whose very life is at risk based on poor teenage decisions.

Critical Evaluation- The awards list for this novel pretty much speaks for itself. The book has an engaging story to begin with; add the perspective of a film script mixed with journal entries and sporadic images that could have come from a film or news clipping and you have a sure-fire story. I very much enjoyed the novel and know that many of my students have also enjoyed it because of the intelligent perspective of a good kid in a bad situation.

Awards

• 2000 Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Literature for Young Adults
  
• 1999 National Book Award finalist
  
• 2000 Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book
  
• 2000 Edgar Allan Poe Award nominee, Best Young Adult
  
• 1999 Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book
  
• 2000 L.A. Times Book Award nominee
  
• 2000 ALA Best Books for Young Adults
  
• 2000 ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
  
• 1999 New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
  
• 1999 Notable Children's Book, The New York Times
  
• 2000-2001 Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award nominee in high school category
  
• 2002 Booksense 76 list
  
• 2002 Kentucky State Award Nominee
  
• Booklist Editors' Choice
  
• BCCB Blue Ribbon
  
• Heartland Award for Excellence in YA Literature Finalist
  
• "Fanfare:" The Horn Book Honor List
  
• New York Times Notable Book of the Year
  
• PW Best Books of the Year
  
• Riverbank Review Children's Book of Distinction
  
• Tayshas High School Reading List (TX)
  
• Awarded Outstanding Achievement in Books Honor by Parent's Guide to Children's Media
  

Reader's Annotation- "The best time to cry is when the lights are out and someone is being beaten up and screaming for help." 16 year old Steve Harmon is on trial for robbery and murder of a store clerk but should he go to prison for the rest of his life for only being the "lookout?"

Author Information – Walter Dean Myers grew up in Harlem and many of his novels focus on life in this difficult place. He could have easily found himself in the position of his protagonist in this novel as a high school dropout himself.

Curricular Ties- English, Criminal Justice- prison life and trial system, Government- trial system, Sociology-racial profiling

Genre- Courtroom drama

Book talking ideas- Racial profiling, Peer pressure, writing styles

Challenge issues- Some parents might object to language, and violent images. To address these concerns I would:

1. Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
   
2. Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
   
3. Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
   
4. Review approaches from ALA
   

Interest Age- 14-18. This book has been taught at my school with remedial juniors who very much enjoy the text.

Why I selected this piece- Myers is one of the favorite authors of our male students at my school, and I haven't read nearly enough of them. I've been wanting to read this for some time after it was recommended to me by another teacher, and I've selected Myers as my author for Author-Genre paper.