Breaking Dawn ~ Stephanie Meyer

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (2008)
ISBN: 978-0-316-06792-8
756 pgs

Classification: YA Fiction
Genre: Romance, fantasy, vampires
Age Level: 14+

Reader’s Annotation: Human Bella Swan, vampire Edward Cullen and Quileute werewolf Jacob Black redefine their relationships as they cope with the greatest challenges of their mortal and immortal lives.

Summary: Newlyweds Bella and Edward Cullen face many more dilemmas than the average teen couple. Namely, how to fulfill their promise to the Volturi (the governing body of the greater vampire community) to turn Bella into a vampire; how to preserve peace with the pack of Quileute werewolves with whom they’ve a treaty vowing not to create a new vampire; and how to cope with Bella’s human father who knows nothing of vampires nor werewolves. Then the couple gets the greatest honeymoon surprise of all…and the additional complications that go with it. Narrated from Bella’s and from Jacob’s point of view, this final installment of the Twilight saga is gripping and dramatic, and main character Bella finally emerges as a decent heroine.

Notes: This is book 4 of 4, The Twilight Saga. The series as a whole is entertaining enough, though the strength of the stories lies in Meyer’s depiction of the vampire community, rather than in the characterization of the main female character.
Flags: 4

Does My Head Look Big in This? ~ Randa Abdel-Fattah

Publisher: Orchard Books (2007)
ISBN: 978-0439919470
368 pgs

Classification: YA fiction
Genre: Realistic fiction
Age Level: 12+

Reader’s Annotation: Australian-Palestinian teenager Amal decides to wear the hijab, or Muslim head scarf, full-time, a formidable challenge at her private school in a Melbourne suburb.

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Amal is intelligent, sarcastic, focused and loyal, and she needs to be all that and more when she decides to wear the hijab as a symbol of her commitment to her faith. With the support of her truest friends, Amal copes with the narrow-mindedness of classmates, the stress of preparing for exams, and the complexity of her relationship with crush-worthy Adam. Then Amal’s own convictions are tested when her best friend runs away from home and Amal must confront her own prejudices and ignorance.

Notes: Amal’s wit, insight and self-awareness make her a role model for all time. This novel offers an engaging glimpse into a world seemingly different from—yet surprisingly similar to—that of most middle-class families.
Flags: 5

Eragon (Movie)

Based on Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Studio: 20th Century Fox (2006)
Rating: PG

Genre: Fantasy
Director: Stefen Fangmeier
Main Cast: Edward Speleers, Jeremy Irons

Viewer’s Annotation: Eragon is chosen to be a dragon rider but faces the wrath of King Galbatorix who has for generations suppressed all the riders in his kingdom.

Summary: Simple farm boy Eragon happens upon a strange blue stone that turns out to be a dragon egg. The egg promptly hatches into the majestic Saphria, for Saphira has chosen Eragon to be her rider. This relationship is complicated by the evil King Galbatorix who orders his sorcerer Durza to kill the fledgling dragon rider. With the help of wise former rider Brom, Eragon embarks on a journey to the Varden, a group of rebels who have long waited for the emergence of a new rider who can help them challenge Galbatorix’s reign. Durza, however, proves a formidable foe.

Notes: This movie feels like a poor imitation of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy in every regard from the weak plot to the much less impressive sweeping landscape sequences, and when the token princess in distress calls Eragon “Farm boy” in a pitiful recall of The Princess Bride, the movie condemns itself.
Flags: 2

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows ~ J.K. Rowling

Publisher: Scholastic, Inc. (2007)
ISBN: 0-545-010-22-5
759 pgs

Classification: YA fiction
Genre: Fantasy
Age Level: 13+

Reader’s Annotation: The dark wizard Lord Voldemort has made several bold moves, placing himself in near total control of the wizarding community, and armed only with half-understood insight from their headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasly embark on a journey through the wizarding world that Harry knows must end with Voldemort’s death or his own.

Summary: Foregoing their final year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry, Hermione and Ron set off on an uncharted course with only vague ideas as to what they will do next. Seeking answers to his questions about his parents’ life together and their deaths, Harry wants to visit Godric’s Hollow despite Hermione’s warnings about the dangers they may face there. Meanwhile, Ron, sick with worry over the well-being of his family, longs for a more comfortable existence back home or at Hogwarts. As their fears increase and the weight of responsibility bears down on them, the three friends race to uncover enough knowledge and inner strength to save the wizarding world, their loved ones, and themselves before Voldemort realizes all they have done to undermine his power.

Notes: Book 7 of 7. Truly transcendent, this final novel turns Rowling’s Potter books into a genuine literary achievement that ponders such deep philosophical questions as freedom of will, choice, and destiny.
Flags: 5

Marked ~ P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin (2007)
ISBN: 978-0-312-36026-9
306 pgs

Classification: YA Fiction
Genre: Fantasy, vampires
Age Level: 14+

Reader’s Annotation: Newly Marked vampire Zoey Redbird copes with friends and rivals in her new school, the House of Night.

Summary: Zoey,16, is Marked by a vampire Tracker and leaves her home and high school to attend the House of Night, a boarding school for fledgling vampires undergoing the Change from human to adult vampire. Once at the House of Night, Zoey finds both unfortunate similarities and startling differences between her new school and her old: a Queen Bee named Aphrodite and her sycophants, hot guys like drama buff Erik, classes in fencing and vampire sociology. With the help of new friends, Zoey discovers her powers—gifts from the vampire goddess Nyx—and struggles to follow her grandmother’s advice to balance her unique abilities with responsible behavior.

Notes: Book one of a series. This series is engaging even for those readers who are not especially interested in vampires. Content to be aware of—language, sexuality
Flags: 4

The Seeker (Movie)

Based on The Dark is Rising by Susan Coper
Studio: 20th Century Fox (2007)
Rating: PG-13

Genre: Fantasy
Director: David L. Cunningham
Main Cast: Christopher Eccleston, Alexander Ludwig

Viewer’s Annotation: When he turns 14, Will learns that he is the Seeker responsible for finding six signs in time to prevent Dark from vanquishing Light.

Summary: The Dark is on the rise, the Rider has been biding his time, and American teen Will learns of his true identity: as the seventh son of a seventh son, he is the Seeker who is compelled to search out five signs hidden throughout history. The Seeker must unite the five signs with a sixth in time to prevent the Rider from reaching the height of his powers and destroying Earth. Aided by the “old ones,” Will must embrace his identity and learn to harness his own powers for light to win out over dark.

Notes: While visually spectacular, the movie progresses through the thin plot without engaging characters to create an emotional viewing experience.
Flags: 3

The Silver Cup ~ Constance Leeds

Publisher: Viking Juvenile (2007)
ISBN: 978-0670061570
240 pgs

Classification: YA fiction
Genre: Historical
Age Level: 12+

Reader’s Annotation: In medieval Germany, superstition and prejudice abound, so when young Anna takes an orphaned Jewish girl into her home, she faces open hostility from her entire village.

Summary: The Silver Cup is set in 1095 in a small village of no more than 60 families. The village is half a day’s travel from the city of Worms, Germany. Anna is a hard-working 16-year-old, filled with compassion that shines through her lovely singing voice. Unfortunately Anna’s father Gunther, still grieving for the loss of his wife, is too often away from home to conduct trading to notice much about his daughter. Anna’s Aunt Agnes has nothing kind to say about her late sister’s daughter. To Agnes, Anna is a burden, neither a competent housekeeper nor a worthy match for any of the young men of the village. So there has been little joy in Anna’s life when a horrific massacre takes place in Worms. Anna, stunned by the slaughter, rescues Leah, a young Jewish girl, and takes her into her home. As a result, Anna is completely ostracized by her family and the rest of the village, yet discovers her first friend in Leah. Remarkably, as she heals from her ordeal, Leah brings laughter and hope to Anna and Gunther’s home, and they each find the strength to face an uncertain future.

Notes: This historical novel, with its engaging characters, is a great read that illuminates a kind of prejudice that persists in our modern world.
Flags: 4

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Movie)

Based on The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
Studio: Warner Brothers (2005)
Rating: PG

Genre: Drama
Director: Ken Kwapis
Main Cast: Alexis Bledel, Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera, Blake Lively

Viewer’s Annotation: Four friends find a pair of jeans that somehow fit their four different body types, and they agree to share the pants between them as they each embark on different adventures for the summer.

Summary: Because their mothers met while pregnant, Bridget, Lena, Carmen and Tibby have grown up together. Now 16, the girls are facing their first extended separation for the summer. Just before they part ways, they make a pact to share a pair of jeans and their stories. Having just lost her mother, saucy Bridget heads to Mexico for summer camp and tries to forget her grief by throwing herself at a good-looking coach. Shy Lena visits her grandparents in Greece and meets a guy who helps her realize her own beauty. Tibby gets a job at a local discount store and meets a spunky 12-year-old who ask to help Tibby with her documentary project. Excited to be spending the summer with her dad, Carmen is shocked and devastated to meet his new family. Through letters the girls stay connected and continue to love and support one another despite the physical distance between them.

Notes: A great chick flick, this movie is most endearing because of the love that the characters have for one another. Each girl is a distinct and admirable personality, and any girl would be happy be a part of this sisterhood.
Flags: 4

Someone Like You ~ Sarah Dessen

Publisher: Speak (1998).
ISBN: 978-0-14-240177-4
281 pgs

Classification: YA fiction
Genre: Realistic, chick lit
Age Level: 13+

Reader’s Annotation: In her first serious relationship and with her best friend pregnant, Halley needs to grow up quickly.

Summary: When Halley’s best friend Scarlett finds herself pregnant in the weeks following her boyfriend’s tragic death, Halley suddenly finds herself needing to be strong for the friend she used to lean on. And Halley needs to learn her own strength quickly, since her shady boyfriend Macon is pressuring her to have sex with him and encouraging Halley in behavior that strains the already tense relationship she has with her mother. Balancing family, school and her social life, Halley learns for the first time how tough it can be to reconcile who she is with who she wants to be.

Notes: The emotional depth of the characters is what makes this simple story shine. Halley is a very accessible and believable heroine. Content to be aware of—underage drinking, drug use.
Flags: 4

A Walk to Remember (Movie)

Based on A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures (2002)
Rating: PG

Genre: Drama
Director: Adam Shankman
Main Cast: Shane West, Mandy Moore

Viewer’s Annotation: Jamie Sullivan, with her unfailing faith, inspires classmate Landon Carter to rethink his reckless, self-centered ways and the unlikely couple falls sweetly in love.

Summary: Landon Carter and his friends are the “in” crowd, and others are willing to go to great lengths to be a part of the group, but when a prank goes wrong and another teenager is hospitalized, Landon faces possible expulsion from school. Instead he is assigned to help the school janitorial staff, tutor after hours, and join the drama club. At each of these activities, Landon encounters Jamie Sullivan, daughter of Reverend Sullivan. Irked by Jamie’s independent spirit, Landon mocks Jamie even when she would try to help him. Relenting, Jamie agrees to practice lines with Landon for the school play, on the condition that Landon promise not to fall in love with her. But Landon does find himself captivated by Jamie and when Landon learns the real reason that Jamie has a to-do list for her life, he proves that miracles really do happen.

Notes: This is a tender, sweet story of faith, hope and love.
Flags: 4

Whale Rider (Movie)

Based on The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera
Studio: South Pacific Films (2002)
Rating: PG-13

Genre: Drama
Director: Niki Caro
Main Cast: Keisha Castle-Hughes

Viewer’s Annotation: A young Maori girl, Pai Apirana is committed to helping her community preserve the ways of their ancestors even though her grandfather, the tribe’s chief, refuses to teach Pai because she is a girl.

Summary: Koro Apirana’s visible and devastating disappointment that his grandchild is a girl causes 12-year-old Pai to struggle to hold her head up around the stern man. Though Koro has two sons, he will be the last chief of his tribe unless a new leader emerges. Determined to find such a leader, Koro trains all of the tribe’s boys in the ways of their people, the descendants of Paikea the Whale Rider. Banished from Koro’s school, Pai still learns the chants and skills, surpassing the boys in every area and winning a regional speech contest with an essay about her Maori culture. Unmoved, Koro continues to ignore Pai. When a pod of whales beach themselves, the whole community despairs, for the hopelessness of the whales seems to mirror the tribe’s situation. Only Pai is able to pull everyone, even the whales, through the tragedy.

Notes: With incredible acting from the entire cast, this film is incredibly moving, depicting the tension between tradition and change for a community whose very identity is threatened by modern culture.
Flags: 5