The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks


By: E. Lockhart


Hyperion Books for Children, 2008

When Frankie enters her sophomore year at Alabaster Preparatory Academy she has a knock-out figure and better hair. In fact, she has changed so much physically that no one seems to remember her. Her good looks, charm, and quick wit earn her a popular and smart senior boyfriend. It doesn't hurt that Matthew Livingston may be the most attractive boy in school. When Matthew starts to ditch her and lie about it she decides to investigate and finds out that her boyfriend is involved in a male secret society; the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds. Frustrated with the way Matthew underestimates her and the fact that he lies, Frankie decides to secretly take over the Loyal Order and plan her own pranks, now that she has the "dogs" to carry out the plans. Students are impressed with the pranks while school administrators are frantically searching for the perpetrators. Frankie Landau-Banks, just your ordinary, underestimated, modern feminist, and criminal mastermind.

Personal Review: This book was a fun read. I was impressed with Frankie and disappointed that not all the characters were as impressed with her as I was. This book made me think of all the kids out there that probably have minds like Frankie's, I envy them. Frankie is a genius and it was a joy to read about the extensive plans she made in order to make a statement that no one understood. We should all be as ambitious as Frankie. Warning: This book talks about sex and has some pretty strong feminist points.

342 pages

The Giver

The Giver
By: Lois Lowry
Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers, 1993



Jonas and his family live the perfect life. They live in a perfect community. No one gets mad, no one is starving, there are two kids in each family, and everything is great. In his community, when you turn 12 years old you begin training to be integrated into society. When the Elders announce that Jonas is given a special job to be a Receiver of Memory things begin to change. First Jonas realizes that his friends treat him differently, just because he is a Receiver. As Jonas' relationship with The Giver deepens he learns the pain of the past. A pain so deep that he and the Giver realize it is only meant to be shared. Will Jonas and the Giver be able to help their community see how much it is missing and how much it needs to learn? Alone, abandoned, and left with little to no survival skills will Jonas and his baby brother Gabriel survive the journey that is the only hope left of their lives being spared?

Personal Review: This book was incredible. I know most kids read this book in like fourth grade, but my school must have skipped that. Set in a dystopian society this book teaches us about the importance of the past and significance of agency. I think this book is great for kids because it will make them think, though I agree that fourth grade is too young to really discuss the book. Warning: Parents are concerned about this book because it teaches kids to question authority. It may have that affect on some readers. The topics of this book may be too mature for the readers' ages it is recommended for.

180 pages

Freewill

Freewill

By: Chris Lynch

Harper Collins Publishers, 2001

After the death of his parents Will moves in with his grandparents and attends a special school. He is very talented with woodwork yet he is disappointed because he is supposed to be a pilot. Will's woodwork shows up at the scenes for teen suicides and he holds himself responsible for the deaths and soon the police suspect him as well. When Will's woodwork begins to disappear and strangers call believing Will to be a prophet he finds himself even more confused. Does Will even have the will to live? Make the title two words, Free Will, and its whole meaning changes. Will he be able to free himself from his grief or will he continue to believe that he is a carrier pigeon for death?

Personal Review: This book is very strange. The main character, Will, talks to himself throughout the book which made reading it confusing at first because I wasn't sure who he was talking to. As I continued to read the book I realized how much Will's grief consumed him. When I finished the book I had a lot of questions. This book was interesting and I recommend it to anyone who likes strange books! Warning: This book has a lot of swearing and the plot is based on death, specifically suicide.

160 pages

Many Stones

Many Stones



By: Carolyn Coman



Front Street, 2000

The murder of her sister, Laura, changes the lives of Berry's family. Death does that. Berry copes with her grief but piling stones on her chest, floating in the water, and making out with her boyfriend, Josh. A year and a half after her sister's death a memorial is built in South Africa where Laura was murdered. Berry and her father travel to Africa to attended the ceremony. Both Berry and her father are left frustrated as they struggle to communicate, understand, and appreciate each other. Set very soon after the apartheid has ended Berry is able to see a perspective of both the whites and the blacks of South Africa and why her father and sister may have cared so much. Finally Berry opens up, but is it enough? Will the memorial built in honor of her sister heal or harm the wound in her heart?

Personal Review: This book was beautifully written. It was also like a poem. I was able to read it quickly because it flowed. Berry is an interesting and realistic character. This book was interesting because it talked alot about Africa before and after the apartheid. This book does have a few swear words though I felt they were strategically placed and only added to the story. Warning: This book has descriptions of violent acts, profanity, minor sexual topics, and racism.

160 pages

This is one of my favorite quotes from the book:
"I wish I could tell Josh. I wish I could open my mouth and talk-- say how I put the stones on me, one by one, like I am the paper and they are the paerweight and they keep me from flying off, right out the window. Tell him how I have to do it--move them, one by one, from the nightstand onto my body, how they start out light but add up to heavy and how they keep me weighted so I know there's something there to be weighted."

John Lennon: All I Want is the Truth

John Lennon: All I Want is the Truth

A Photographic Biography

By: Elizabeth Partridge

Penguin Group, 2005

In this biography we learn about the life of John Lennon. Starting out with his childhood and ending with The Beatles reaction to John Lennon's unexpected death. We learn about the difficult life John Lennon led largely due to the many people he loved and lost. We learn about how The Beatles began and the crazy life they led, John's drug abuse, difficulty with relationships, and his bond with fellow Beatle band members. When The Beatles break up or as John says "divorce" John is faced with an identity crisis. When John starts to get a hold of his life and identity his life ends suddenly. He leaves a legacy of amazing music and art behind.

Personal Review: This book was so interesting. I never got bored reading this book which is what I was worried about reading a biography. One thing I was reminded of while reading this is how much more liberal the U.K. is then us. Warning: This book talks about sex and drugs and is filled with swear words. I do not regret reading this book because it gave me a greater understanding of John Lennon, The Beatles, and the 1960's.

256 pages

Speak

Speak
By: Laurie Halse Anderson
Platinum Edition Published by the Penguin Group, 2006

When 13-year-old Melinda is raped at a high school party her world begins spiraling downward. Her relationships with her friends and her parents begin to fail and her grades follow. She becomes a selective mute to deal with the pain inside her. She finds a creative release in art class as she struggles with the class project to create a tree. When her ex best friend, Rachel, begins dating the rapist she goes into panic mode and attempts to warn her. Just as she feels her attempts are in vain she finds her voice when the rapist attacks her and support from unlikely peers. Will Melinda ever be able to completely open up and move on from her past?

Personal Review: I absolutely loved this book. I practically cried the whole way through. This book was riveting and meaningful. It isn't just about rape it is about depression as well. I like this book because it deals with real life, meaning with real issues that teenagers deal with but are too afraid to think about. Warning: The only warning I can think of for this book is just that it is so sad.

225 pages

Here is a trailer for the movie adapted from this book. The movie is pretty close to the book.

The Mediator Shadowland

The Mediator Shadowland
By: Meg Cabot
Simon Pulse, 2000

Suze Simon is just your average, ordinary teenage girl. Oh, right, except she sees the dead. Suze has been a "mediator" (a liaison between the living and the dead) since before she could talk, though she didn't always know what she saw or why. When Suze moves to northern California with her mom and her step family she's just a bit skeptical. The "new" house is actually centuries old and so is her "new" school. Everything seems to be going great in her new location; she has the beach, a great room, finds out ghosts can have 6 packs, and the boys in California aren't bad either. On the other hand the girls are, especially dead girls. Suze soon finds out she's not the only mediator and maybe her methods aren't the best. When the ghost, Heather, puts the whole school in danger what will Suze do and can she do it on her own? Oh and does she really have a crush on a dead guy?

Personal Review: This book was so fun to read. I wouldn't say it is an amazing piece of literature, but it was entertaining. Meg Cabot is really good at describing adolescent life. It's definitely funny and though about ghosts, not the least bit scary. As I think about it though, maybe it should be more scary. Warning: This book does put to light serious things i.e.; drugs, alcohol, death, and religion. You should also know there is frequent use of the "B" word in this book.

304 pages

War Is... Soldiers, Survivors, and Storytellers Talk About War

War Is... Soldiers, Survivors, and Storytellers Talk About War

Edited By: Marc Aronson and Patty Campbell

Candlewick; Reprint Edition, 2009

This book is a collection of short stories, essays, and well nearly everything there can be about war. This book talks about every part of war, the good, the bad, the ugly, and worse. A section of this book is dedicated to recruitment allowing kids to see the tactics the military uses to get them to join. Another section is dedicated to the Vietnam war. One section is from the viewpoints of women soldiers. There is even a brief script about war and a recently published short story on the subject of war.

Personal Review: I had mixed feeling about this book. It made me feel angry and sad at the same time. I think this book is really good for kids to read because it will provide the information necessary prior to making a decision to join the military, army, navy, or marines. Warning: This book has frequent strong language and very graphic elements. It is not for the faint of heart.
288 pages

Check out the website I made for my English Class on this book

http://www.waris-thenovel.webs.com/

I Know What You Did Last Summer

I Know What You Did Last Summer
By: Lois Duncan
Pocket Books, 1973

You probably identify this book with the teenage slasher film with the same title. The book is very different from the movie.

Julie, Ray, Barry, and Helen. They had all been in the car that night. The night of the fatal hit-and-run accident they were responsible for. They made a pact never to tell anyone what happened that night. But someone knew. When Julie gets a mysterious letter in the mail with no return address and a note with the words "I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER" she must face that horrible memory that haunts her. Someone wants to get even. Will the four friends be able to find out who it is? Will they be able to survive his terrible games? Will they ever break the pact?

Personal Review: I loved this book. It is a quick read because it is so thrilling. It wasn't really like a horror book but read more like a mystery, which I liked. This book was written in the early 1970's and you can tell. It was actually pretty funny at some points because of the time period it is set in. I thought this was great and a real eye-opener for those of us who think "I'll just see the movie" because the movie was nothing like the book (from what I hear, I never actually saw the movie). In fact the author Lois Duncan was not happy when she saw that her book became a teenage slasher film. Warning: The plot of this book (death, murder) is probably not the best for sensitive readers or even readers who may have lost a loved one. One of the main characters in this book is in college so it does talk drinking and cheating on your girlfriend. Honestly, this book is rather harmless.

Here is one kid's English project for the book.

The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp

The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp
By: Rick Yancey
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, 2005

Alfred Kropp is just your ordinary 15-year-old kid. Except that he is large, has a big head, and everyone he loves ends up dead, that's not normal is it? Alfred's life changes when he steals a sword only to find out later that it is King Arthur's sword, Excalibur, and now Alfred may be responsible for the end of the world. Perfect. As Alfred joins the last knight, Bernacio on an adventure to recover the sword he finds that he is extraordinary. What will Alfred do once he finds out the truth about himself? Will he choose a life of kicking bad guy's butts or continue to be ordinary Alfred Kropp?

Personal Review: I loved this book. It is fun and exciting and real. I fell in love with Alfred. At first I felt sorry for him because everyone he loved died and he was forced into foster care. Kids made fun of Alfred at school and he had to get a math tutor. I realized that Alfred was just normal, though dealing with things most kids wouldn't even think of. Alfred is a character kids will love because they can identify with him. When Alfred discovers his true self he is able to do great things. I actually listened to this via audio. It was read by Paul Michael and it was really entertaining! It was actually hilarious at some points and I found myself laughing out loud or grinning broadly, even in public.

Warning: This book has some strong language and lots of violence. A lot of people die in this book, if you are sensitive to any of these things you probably shouldn't read this book.

368 pages

La Linea

La Linea
By: Ann Jaramillo
Square Fish; Reprint Edition, 2008


Miguel and his sister Elena have been separated from their parents for years. Their parents, who have moved to California have been struggling to save the money required to bring their children to America. When Miguel's plans to cross "la linea" go wry will he, Elena, and their new friend Javier be able to survive the infamous train known as the "mata gente" (the people killer) and cross the desert that leads them to America? As you read this book you will find that "the line" Miguel and his comrades must cross is more then just literal. Miguel finds that life in America is not what he expected. Join Miguel, Elena, and Javier on an incredible journey that will teach you how difficult it is to cross the border between Mexico and the United States.

Personal Review: This book was a total eye opener for me. I never realized what immigrants had to go through to get to the U.S. Mostly children attempt this journey on their own. Many people die, if not on the train, in the desert. I think this book should be mandatory in all high school curriculum. Because the issue of illegal aliens is so controversial this book will allow youth to realize how hard and yet important it is for Mexicans to come to America. I loved this book because it taught me so much. Warning: This book is about suffering. It talks about robbery, rape, and death in a gruesome manner.

Ages 9-12
144 pages