PARKER'S PICKS
by Kathy Parker, Librarian
submitted by Sherry Neimann
November 25, 2008
PARKER’S PICKS
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
2008
Burned, by Ellen Hopkins
Pattyn Von Stratten has grown up in an abusive restrictive environment. She questions the religion that refuses to acknowledge that her mother suffers at the hands of her alcoholic father. When she rebels against the beliefs of her family and her church she is sent to live in rural Nevada with her aunt. There she finds the love of family through her aunt and romantic love. The poetry actually makes the character of Pattyn seem more vulnerable than I believe that prose would. This would be an excellent book for studying the circumstances of life that just are not fair.
Crank, by Ellen Hopkins
A semi-autobiographical novel written entirely in free verse, this is the first-person narrative of 15-year-old Kristina and her journey from straight-A student to drug addict. A modern “Go Ask Alice,” the story is real and raw, revealing the highs and lows of trying and becoming addicted to drugs. Reading a novel in verse form is a unique experience likely to pull in reluctant readers. The poems often form shapes on the page to emphasize the author’s meaning or create multiple dialogues. This cautionary tale is not preachy in tone but is deeply insightful. The protagonist is so real that the reader quickly comes to not only know her but to love her and hope for a happy ending.
Glass, by Ellen Hopkins
This was a great sequel to Crank. The free verse novel continues the story of Kristina and her addiction to "crank" or "glass". In this book her struggle continues and the story is as gripping and compelling as Crank.
Impulse, by Ellen Hopkins
This is another fantastic, intense story by Hopkins! All of her books are gripping and suspenseful and Impulse is no exception. This is the story of three teens who have tried to kill themselves in various ways for various reasons. Their paths cross at the pysch hospital and although their lives are completely different, they can relate to one another and learn about themselves through one another. Their story is fascinating and surprising!
Identical, by Ellen Hopkins
One family damaged by tragedy. The father, who is a judge, drinks too much. The mother is professionally-driven, who is gone most of the time. Twin girls left in the middle. Kaeleigh and Raeanne are identical twins - each with their own deep, dark secret. One daughter attracts the inappropriate attention of their damaged father. The other daughter, usually ignored, takes part in riskier and riskier behavior just screaming to be heard. Both girls suffer in silence, living behind the facade of a perfect, all-American family.Ellen Hopkins has written another gripping novel in verse that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Ghostgirl, by Tonya Hurley
The book is about an unhappily unpopular girl named Charlotte Usher, who starts the new school year with a plan to become more popular and get the attention of Damien, the boy she adores. Of course, shenanigans ensue, and Charlotte chokes to death on a gummy bear right after managing to get partnered with Damien in physics class. The story follows Charlotte as she tries to adjust to her new afterlife in Dead Ed, the school for dead teenagers. At the same time, Charlotte isn't ready to move on from Damien and we get to see how she plots to get close to him. It's really cute with all the allusions to literature and music, usually with a gothic flavor. Funny story-- I like the chapter set up pages that look like announcements from old movies!
My Most Excellent Year: a Novel of Love, Mary Poppins & Fenway Park, by Steve Kluger
My Most Excellent Year tells, through their own words, the story of TC, Ale, and Augie's ninth grade year. The book is set up in chapters, rotating through the three main characters' perspectives. For a school project, each one has chosen a person to write a diary to, so the novel is set up as journal entries. Interspersed are emails and instant messages between the kids, their parents, and various other characters. Together these three create great synergy during what turns out to be a magical year for all of them. Enormously fun! Never, ever stop believing in magic, no matter how old you get!
The Night Birds, by Thomas Maltman
The author manages to include Indian uprisings, settler craziness, Missouri slave troubles, the Jesse James gang, mental illness, and the effects of war in this coming-of-age novel. It switches between two time periods--the 1870s and the 1850s-1860s. Asa, the young boy in the 1870s, gets to hear the tales of his family from his crazy old aunt who comes to live with them. But she isn't really crazy, he finds out. Aunt Hazel begins telling Asa her story. And what a story it is! German folklore, Midwest plains folklore, and Dakota Sioux legends make the storytelling in this novel fascinating!
Over and Under, by Todd Tucker
In the summer of 1979, Andy and Tom are two fourteen-year-old boys—the best of friends. In rural Indiana they are unaware of the local labor strife surrounding The Borden Casket Company. Andy’s dad is the manager and Tom’s dad is a union laborer for the company. To Andy and Tom this has no bearing on their fun and adventure. This has been compared to Stand by Me and To Kill a Mockingbird. Another coming of age story when growing up comes with a price.
Lucky, by Rachel Vail
Phoebe and her group of wealthy friends are planning the ultimate 8th grade graduation party. Then, her mother loses her job and Phoebe's lifestyle has to change. Will that affect her relationship with her friends and her status as one of the most popular girls in school? Phoebe’s character is funny, and while she isn’t extremely deep, she isn’t shallow either. It was easy to sympathize with her. Lucky was a thoroughly enjoyable book!
