#9 The Glass Castle

                                                     











Walls, Jeannette. The Glass Castle. New York: Scribner, 2005. Print.                            

           




Annotation: In this gripping memoir, Jeannette Walls recounts the trials and tribulations of her most unusual upbringing. Raised by eccentric, 'artistic' parents, Walls describes how she survived a childhood of extreme poverty and family dysfunction and courageously, found the strength to carve out a rewarding adult  life.

Justification for nomination:
Jeannette Walls's emotional and heart breaking tale of her childhood captures the reader within the first few pages. She begins her memoir by describing the moment she spotted her mother, from a taxi window, "rooting through a dumpster".Walls goes on to relate the 'unconventional'childhood she experienced as the daughter of Rex and Rose Mary Walls. Rex, her troubled but brilliant father, could not hold a job for very long due to "a little bit of a drinking situation" and her mother who painted and wrote was not interested in the responsibilities  of family life.

As a child,Walls lived a nomadic life. Whenever her father lost his job or her mother became bored, the children were uprooted to another make-shift home. Walls vividly recalls the Christmas night  her father took she and her three siblings out into the Arizona desert and told them to each choose a star as a gift. Her father was a charismatic man and, when sober, mesmerized his children with his knowledge of geology and physics and taught them to approach life fearlessly.

The memoir goes on to recount some of Walls's most harrowing memories as the family eventually 'settles'  in a small dismal mining town in West Virginia.This marks a low point in Jeannette's life, as her father is drinking heavily and her mother removes herself even further from their lives. Jeannette and her siblings are forced to fend for themselves -scrounging meals from garbage cans and painting their skin so the holes in their pants don't show.

The reader quickly begins to understand that Walls is a brilliant storyteller.She also recounts episodes of neglect and abuse with such a resilient tone.Her writing is filled with honesty and grace. Interestingly,Walls does not vilify her parents, but  emphasises the positive lessons  learned from such a 'challenging' childhood. I can definitely understand why this memoir was chosen to receive the Alex Award. It will resonant with everyone-child or adult. Walls story highlights the basic needs of all human beings ; a need for understanding, compassion and forgiveness. It reminds the reader of the unexplainable ties of unconditional love and the amazing tenacity and determination it takes for a young person to break free from 'cycles of dysfunction ' in order to forge a new path into adulthood.

The Glass Castle is a triumphant and courageous memoir.Walls writes with candor and love. This true story will shock , sadden and surprise you- but in the end affirm your faith in the human spirit.It is a book that stays with you! It speaks from the heart to the heart -It is most definitely on my top ten list!

Genre Category: Memoir/Alex Award Winner
















                                                                                 

#8 Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

Blume, Judy. Are you there God? It's Me, Margaret. New York :   Random House, 1970. Print.



Annotation:
Margaret Simon is turning 12 and gaining on 16! Upon moving from New York city to the suburbs, she meets new friends and joins a secret club in which boys, bras and getting your first period are the main topics. Margaret's friends questions why she doesn't 'have' a religion -so does Margaret!

Justification for Nomination :
As if moving to a new neighborhood and trying to make freinds is not challenging enough, eleven year old Margaret is beginning puberty. Upon entering her new school, she meets Nancy, Janie and Gretchen with whom she forms a secret club. They talk about boys, bras and wonder when they will get their first periods. All of these topics make Margaret feel she is growing up and crossing into new exciting 'adult' territory.

One subject Margaret doesn't discuss too often with friends is  religion- none of her friends can believe that she doesn't have one! Her mother is Christian and her father is Jewish, making Margaret a product of an interfaith marriage. Margaret doesn't go to Sunday school like most of her new friends. Throughout the novel, whenever she is worried or feeling vulnerable Margaret  has her own secret conversation with God. ." Are you there God? It's me ,Margaret" is  the signature title for how these conversations begin !

Judy Blume creates such a realistic view of what it means to be sixth grader ! Apparently, this authentic portrayal of adolescences is why so many of her books have  been criticized and placed on the 'Challenged List'. Specifically, in this novel, her characters discuss getting their first period, applying the sanitary pad and stuffing their bra with cotton balls.  Also, there is a reference to her father's "Playboy" and Margaret goes to a party where the kids play "Two Minutes in the Closet" ( kissing games) .These moments perfectly capture the drama of  a  pre-teens' life, but also spark the controversy Judy Blume has become accustomed to in her long career as a young adult author.

 I  read Judy Blume's books as a teenager and remember instantly being able to identify with her character's emotional  reactions. Blume writes from the heart . She delivers a clear authentic voice that tweens 'get' from the first few pages. Are you there God? It's Me Margaret  gives an honest portrayal of what is means to be a twelve year old girl with a changing body and a strong need to fit in . Judy Blume captures the essences of the adolescent experience -with or without controversy!





Genre Category: Challenged Title/Coming of Age/Realistic/Problem

#7 Eight Seconds

                   









Ferris, Jean . Eight Seconds. New York: Harcourt, 2000. Print.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        



Annotation:
  Eighteen- year- old John learns more about himself  than he ever expected at a five day rodeo camp. During this summer he stays aboard a raging bull for 'eight seconds' and learns important lessons about his sexual identity, friendship and the complexity of becoming an adult!

Justification for Nomination:

John Ritchie is excited about summer!-He will be going to a five day rodeo camp to learn how to ride the bulls! His best friend, Bobby, will be there too, and better yet John is looking forward to escape his farm chores, sisters and routine of  everyday life. He has also just broken up with his girlfriend and thinks camp will be a great way to escape the pressures of home and relationships. 

 As John arrives at rodeo camp, he is introduced to the biggest bulls he has ever seen! Along with his new roommate Kit Crowe, John will spend the week trying to stay on the bull for at least ‘eight seconds’. John admires the natural talent, skills and charm Kit seems to possess and enjoys their conversations after long days of  bull riding. They make plans to get together when camp is finished.

Upon returning home from camp, John learns, through the grapevine, that Kit is gay. This revelation creates great emotional turmoil for John, who must now ask himself a myriad of questions. Should he remain friends with Kit? What will others say about him if he continues to be Kit's friend? and is he himself gay?

Jean Ferris presents the issue of homosexuality in a very gradual and innocent way. The reader follows along as John explores his own sexuality in the face of his friend's open and honest confession to being gay. The main character struggles to understand himself and acknowledges childhood feelings of 'being different'. The   novel also illustrates the more negative reactions of John's  friends upon hearing the news that Kit is gay. These reactions contribute to creating quite a complex plot.

I recommend Eight Seconds to teen readers because it so much more than a 'rodeo story'. It is about an adolescent coming to terms with his sexuality, understanding the true definition of friendship and taking great strides in self exploration. In regards to homosexuality,  Ferris focuses more on the journey of  self discovery, than on what it means to be a homosexual person.

Furthermore, I thought  Jean Ferris created a fitting conclusion to this story. She does not 'sugar coat' the ending, but leaves her main character in a perfect spot; a new phase of life with a fresh perspective! This book is much like what you hope to experience from a winning bull ride -absorb the ups and downs of life and land on your feet when time is up! 

Genre Category: Sport/ Coming of Age/ Realistic/Problem

# 6 Rat Life

                                     
         




Arnold, Tedd. Rat Life. New York: Penguin Group, 2007. Print.




Annotation:
14-year-old Todd lives and works at his family's motel in Elmore, NY. Little does he know that a  dead body found in the Chemanga River will draw him into a mystery which will change his life in more ways than one.

Justification for Nomination:
Tedd Arnold delivers a well written plot with developed characters in his first YA novel entitled, Rat Life. Additionally, he  incorporates historical elements into this mystery novel : the year is 1972 and the Vietnam war is underway. The main character, Todd, is a teenager thirsty to discover the world and broaden his horizons. Going to school and working in the family motel describes a typical  day for Todd. His 'normal' all begins to change right around the time a dead body is found in the Chemanga River near his home.  Tedd Arnold dramatically sets the stage for this mystery novel by capturing the reader's attention with a gruesome description of a stray dog's death.  This event is shocking, but also seems to foreshadow the unexpected realities of life that his main character, Todd ,will experience throughout the course of the novel.

Coinciding the dog's death, Todd meets a mysterious male, just a little older than himself, named Rat. Rat later offers Todd a job at the local drive-in theater and he accepts. Rat, a Vietnam vet, who has already experienced much of the dark side of life, is guarded and does not talk about his family. The more time Todd spends with Rat, the more questions he has about his puzzling behavior. Todd slowly begins to piece together revealing clues about Rat's parents and his past.Todd is pushed into a world which is in sharp contrast to his own. The reader  begins to understand the connection between Todd's new acquaintance and the dead body found in the river.

Arnold does a wonderful job creating a story that is believable. Descriptions of the small town of Elmore, NY, authentic dialogue between Todd and his best friend, as well as interactions with his parents, all contribute to the authenticity of the characters and plot. The author truly had the young adult audience in mind as he wrote this story!

Additionally, teens will relate to the quest for independence in this novel. Todd is forced to make many spontaneous decisions without the advice of parents or friends. He finds himself in dangerous situations but uses his intuition as a guide,  strengthening his self confidence.

By the conclusion of this mystery , the reader will realize Rat Life is much more than a 'who done it'. It is a story of friendship, loyalty and an examination of  the complexities of growing up. Tedd Arnold presents a YA novel which entertains, but is also rich with 'mystery' of the adolescent experience.

Genre Category: Mystery/ Coming of Age/ Problem/Realistic/Historical

#5 Ties That Bind, Ties That Break

                                                            









Namioka, Lensey. Ties That Bind, Ties That Break.New York: Dell Laurel-Leaf. 1999. Print.



Annotation:
As a young child, Ailin Tao, is determined not to have her feet bound as she has witnessed two older sisters before her.Realizing the conforming limitations placed on females by Chinese society, Ailin forges a new path which requires her to make difficult decisions, in turn creating her own new destiny.

Justification for Nomination:
Ties That Bind, Ties That Break  is an historical YA novel which takes place in Nanjing,China a few years before the outbreak of the Chinese  Revolution. During the early 1900's in China, the tradition of female feet binding was  practiced by upper class families wanting to produce  'respectable' daughters. A young woman with small dainty feet was particularly attractive to their prospective husband. Marriage and a life of domesticity was the ultimate goal for most Chinese girls from reputable families.

The main character of this YA book, Ailin, is appalled by the idea of having her feet bound as her two older sisters have done. She does not understand the sense of this agonizing tradition and would much rather lead the active life she sees  her male cousins enjoying.As she enters adolescence, Ailin begins to realize that Chinese society of her time does not allow women, who deviate from the traditional path, many other respected options.

 Author, Lensey Namioka, concisely constructs a first person narrative which incorporates specific details of  Chinese culture within every page of the novel. Descriptions of  Chinese  food, clothing, education and  religion are all integrated into the daily rituals of Ailin's life. Young readers learn that in the Chinese culture "a person is one year old at the moment of birth and another year is added to everyone's age on New Year's Day."  Namioka's, Ties That Bind, Ties That Break educates as well as culturally transforms the reader!

Characters with strong beliefs and principles give authenticity to this novel as well. The protagonist, Ailin, is surrounded by well developed characters, such as Father, Grandmother, Big Uncle, Second Sister, her English teacher , Miss Gilbertson and a good friend, Xueyan. Toward the conclusion of the book,  Ailin moves to America and the reader is introduced to James Chew, a Chinese American. Ailin, who is sixteen at this time, begins a more adult relationship with James-one based  on mutual admiration and respect.Namiko shows the progression of Ailin's maturity in this male/female relationship.

This historical novel constantly asks questions of identity--Who am I?, Where do I fit in? How do I represent myself on this planet? With courage and advice from other significant adults, the young person forges a unpredictable but definite path through adolescence and into adulthood. I recommend Lensey Namiok's, Ties That Bind, Ties That Break because it shows us that no matter what culture we live in, lessons of self discovery never lose their value.

Genre Category: Historical Fiction/ Coming of Age/ Problem/ Realistic

# 4 The Pigman & Me

Zindel, Paul. The Pigman & Me. New York, Harper Collins Publishers,1991. Print.




Annotation: "Eight hundred and fifty-three horrifying things had happened to me by the time I was a teenager. That was when I met my pigman, whose real name was Nonno Frankie."


Justification for Nomination:
 This autobiography by Paul Zindel, well known author of the popular YA novel , The Pigman,and The Pigman's Legacy, focuses on a very important year in his adolescence. This is the year he meets Nonno Frankie Vivona, who actually becomes Zindel's real life 'pigman'! Zindel ,growing up without a father,  desperately needs a male role model. In this book , Zindel retells humorous and heart- warming encounters  experienced with this discerning father figure, Nonno Frankie,as well as other memories of his mother and the year they lived in the small community of  Travis,Staten Island, New York.

 Paul's mother,raising  two children on her own, moves the family from one apartment to the next, and it is  when the family moves into the small town of Travis that Paul finally finds a bit of stability. Zindel describes the true accounts of his life as he, his mother and  sister, Betty, move into a newly purchased home which they share with another single mom, Connie and her twin toddler boys.It is here where Paul Zindel meets Connie's father, Nonno Frankie (his' pigman').

Paul Zindel relies on his skillful writing  to create a sometimes humorous, sometimes heart wrenching glimpse into an extremely important year in his life. His novel also includes family photos and special moments of his life growing up in Staten Island. Jennifer Wolupopski, a Polish girl in the neighborhood, becomes  Zindel's best friend and they share many talks in his favorite hang-out, the apple tree.

 The use of humor and the fluid writing style are tools which Zindel uses to extend this personal message to a teenage audience. His chapter headings are cleverly descriptive and get right to the heart of the matter. For example, Chapter 2, The Day it Rained Cockroaches is just as comically descriptive as Chapter 8,School Should Be a Big Pot of Juicy Meatballs! 


Above all, Pigman and Me, is a book about friendship, self discovery and possibilities. Nono Frankie , when not cooking fantastic Italian meals, becomes a true friend to Zindel. Nono Frankie teaches Paul how to fish for 'killies', how not to become a zombie and how to win his first fistfight.

Even more importantly, this autobiography/memoir also points out the importance of  realizing how many opportunities there are in life. Teens can learn by observing the choices others have made, in order not to make the same mistakes in their future. Zindel presents the reader with a difficult , but pivotal time in his adolescence. Life's secrets are never easy to uncover, but having a pigman by your side never hurts!

Genre Category: Autobiography/Memoir/ Coming of Age/

#3 Staying Fat For Sarah Byrnes

                                                                  

Crutcher, Chris. Staying Fat For Sarah Byrnes. New York: Harper                       Collins, 1993. Print.

Annotation:

Eric Calhoune or Moby( as most kids at school call him) and Sarah Brynes are best friends. Both of them are picked on in high school  for their differences; Sarah has hideous scars on her face from a supposed childhood 'accident' and Eric is grossly fat.Crispy Pork Rinds  is the name of the  paper they write together; "Sarah Byrnes is crispy, I'm a porker, and rinds are the part that's left-that no one pays attention to" is how Eric explains the meaning of the title. As Eric joins the swim team and begins to lose weight, he is determined to hold on to the one thing that means the most to him-their friendship.

Justification for Nomination:

Staying Fat for Sarah Brynes by Chris Crutcher is a book which almost every teenager will be able to relate to in one way or the other. It is filled with so many adolescent themes;searching for identity, peer pressure, gaining emotional independence and understanding family relationships are just a few. Reading the brief  blurb summary on the book's back cover does not prepare the reader for the enormity of teen issues found inside this novel. Most of the action takes place at high school and at Sacred Heart Hospital where Sarah is in the psychiatric unit. Her father's abusive behaviour has forced Sarah into silence and Eric desperately wants to help her escape this terribly defeating situation.

Throughout the book, there are a variety of supporting characters who have well developed roles. Dale Thorton is the neighborhood bully who was never able to pass eighth grade, Steve Ellerby is  Eric's loyal friend who drives him around town,and Mark Brittian, a conservative christian is one of Eric's rivals on the swim team. Sarah Brynes, however, has been Eric's closet friend since grade school and he is determined to keep it that way. This is the reason he wants to stay fat, hence, the book's title-Staying Fat for Sarah Brynes-becoming thin could change his image and jeopardize their friendship!

Crutcher also provides a sampling of very supportive adults in these teens lives. Mrs. Lemry, the  fair and compassionate high school teacher and swim coach, Carver, the Vietnam vet and boyfriend of Eric's mother  and Mr. Ellerby, Steve's father and Episcopal minister are part of the adult cast of characters who bolster the narrative. Crutcher delivers moral messages through the adults actions which helps structure the dynamic plot. He also touches on  larger issues of abortion and religion by incorporating them into Mrs. Lemry's senior Contemporary American Thought Class(CAT) discussion groups. 

I recommend this YA book to teens and adults because it shows that self discovery is a process not a destination. Importantly, teens can make a difference in their own lives, as well as others, by having the courage to reach out to others in need. On more than one occasion, Crutcher writes the phrase,"Boy, ain't it a trip where heroes come from" to point out an admirable act of courage delivered by one of the characters. 

Staying Fat for Sarah Brynes is a story of friendship, accountability and courage.Chris Crutcher never lets us forget what being a teenager really means!

Genre Category: Realistic/ Problem/ Edgy/ Coming of Age