Ya, Ya, Ya

I book talked to the sophomore class this past week. They were required to chose a book for an upcoming book project. Thought I would give you the same list of titles. All in all, it was a very satisfying sight to see an entire class checking out books and settling down to read until the bell rang. . . I love my job!

The Ghosts of War: the true story of a 19 year old GI by Ryan Smithson. Ryan was 16 years old when the Trade Centers were attacked. When he was 17, he joined the Army Reserves as a way to support his nation and help pay for college. By the time he was 19, he was in Iraq. This is the account of his year in Iraq. This is not a political rant, but simply the story of war from the point of view of a teenager.

Life as we Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. The story begins with a prediction of an meteor hitting the moon. For Miranda, it seems to be just an excuse for teachers to pile on homework. Then the collision occurs, altering the earth's weather patterns and changing Miranda's life forever. The book is written in diary form and is hard to put down. A great teen read. . .

Audrey Wait! by Robin Benway. Audrey is a normal teenager who decides to break-up with her musician boyfriend. He then writes a song titled "Audrey wait!" and plays it that night at a local club. Audrey hears it for the first time in the audience, so does a rep for a major music label. The band shoots to instant fame with the song and Audrey's life changes dramatically as she is thrust into the spotlight. A funny story of a girl who is hounded by the paparazzi and just wants her life to go back to normal. . . this one was snatched up instantly. (Actually, two girls played rock, paper, scissors to see who got this book.)

Graceling by Kristen Cashore. I read this book last weekend. It is the story of Katsa, a young girl living in one of seven kingdoms. Some citizens of the kingdoms are born with a special grace, normally discovered by toddler hood. Katsa is orphaned at a young age, taken in by her uncle, the King, and her grace is revealed when she is 8 years old. It is the killing grace. Her uncle begins to have her trained and she becomes his private assassin. The story opens with her as a teenager, questioning her grace and struggling with her uncle's power over her. She has started to use her grace for good, and as the book progresses she discovers that her grace may not be killing, but something else entirely. This was a great read with a very strong female character. It also was taken as soon as I was done book talking. The young girl who took it informed me (after a few pages) that she "loved it already".

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I know, this book is "so last year", but with the sequel due to arrive in my library any day, I decided to book talk this title. It is a futuristic book, set in a different North America. North America has been divided into twelve districts, and each year the Capital hosts "The Hunger Games". . .

Taking the kids from our districts, forcing them to kill one another while we watch—this is the Capitol's way of reminding us how totally we are at their mercy. How little chance we would stand of surviving another rebellion. (p. 18)

Two kids are taken by lottery from each district to fight each other while the nation watches. Katniss from District 12 ( they never win) steps up to take the place of her younger sister who is chosen. This book is impossible to put down. It contains violence (obviously), but it is not the over-all theme of the book. The young man who chose this title visited with me the next day, he had read the entire book in one night. . . It is that kind of book. My waiting list for the sequel is already a page long, and , yes, I am at the top.

Savvy by Ingrid Law. To be honest, I have not read this title, but it is up for several teen awards and has a great cover (very important) . . . it is in my pile of "to-read" books. Will review it at a later date. . .

Other great YA titles that were taken, as I book talked from the stacks:

Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz - this a great choice for a non-reader boy. Action packed, fast moving story - it a sure winner every time.

Deadline by Chris Crutcher. Love this book. The story of a young boy who goes in for his football physical and comes out with the knowledge that he is dying. He chooses to keep the information from his dysfunctional family and because he is 18, the doctor is forced to keep his secret. In typical Chris Crutcher style, this story is gripping and intense.

Bonemaker's Daughter by Tedd Dekker. He is always a popular choice in my library.

Other titles were taken and will be read, but these were the books that were grabbed before I could put them down. Like I said, I love my job.