Bloody Jack 
by L.A. Meyer.  

Publisher: Turtleback
Year: 2004
ISBN: 978-0613716406

Genre: Fiction/Adventure

Themes: Pirates

Rating: Ages 11 and up 
Awards:  ALA Best Book for Young Adults, Booklist Editor's Choice 
AR Points: 11.0

Fantastic Book for older readers.  Great for boys or girls interested in adventure, pirates and historical fiction.   

Text of Video: Welcome everyone.  Today’s video is all about the novel Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer.  The description on the cover says “being an account of the curious adventures of Mary Jacky Faber, Ship’s Boy.  Mary Faber is the daughter of a school teacher who has come to London to teach.  When his position falls through and the family takes ill, everyone dies except Mary.   Orphaned and alone, Mary is forced out on the streets and is taken in by a gang of street children.  Mary and the gang live on the streets.  They beg for pennies and food.  Sometimes Mary reads the news to the people in the streets and they make money that way.  When they have money, they buy a meat pie and share it between the gang.  When the leader of the gang, Charlie, is killed Mary discovers his body.  Heartbroken and crying, she steals his clothes and shiv.  She cuts her hair and dresses like a boy so she can join a ship’s crew and see the world.  Mary changes her name to Jacky and is accepted to the crew of the Dolphin because she can read.   She tells the crew she is a boy of 10 and bunks down with the 5 other ships boys near the cannons.  Jacky helps prepare the schoolroom for the midshipmen, and takes watch and does all the things the other ship’s boys do.  The British Naval ship the Dolphin travels to Palma and Jamaica in search of pirates, and treasure.  Jacky is growing up during this time and she has to hide the fact that she is becoming a woman.  She also has feelings for Jamie the young merchant’s boy who joined as a ship’s boy with her in London.  Jacky is worried about being thrown overboard when the crew finds out she is a girl, or worse being hanged.  How will Jacky ever share the truth and will she ever become a lady?

 If you love pirate tales, then you are going to love this book.  It has a sequel called Curse of the Blue tattoo.

Jane by Design

Jane by Design – Season One

Network:  ABC Family

Format: Television Show

Genre: Fiction

This show is for Ages: 12 up

Subjects/Themes: Growing Up, Fashion

Plot Summary:   Jane Quimby is a teenager in high school.  Jane applies for an internship at a local design house and through a clerical error is interviewed and hired as an executive assistant.  Jane keeps the two worlds separate and tells no one of her new job.  Jane enlists the help of her best friend and manages to travel to Paris, and Beverly Hills, launch a dress design at a fashion show, and design a wedding gown for a high profile client.  

Review:   If you like fashion then you will love Jane by Design.  The show is fun and flirty with lots of great fashion.  The characters are typical but engaging.  There are lots of cameos by fashion industry celebrities.  Jane by Design is in no way realistic and that makes it fun.  It is pure fantasy wrapped in pink tulle with a funky little black boot to make it edgy.

Secret Life of the American Teenager

Secret Life of the American Teenager - Season One

Network:  ABC Family

Format: Television Show

Genre: Realistic/Fiction

This show is for Ages: 13 up

Subjects/Themes: Sex, Parenting Identity

Plot Summary:  Amy Juergens, a 15-year-old band member, is pregnant as a result of her first sexual encounter with an older boy, Ricky, at summer band camp.  Amy, her family and friends must come to terms with her pregnancy.  She is faced with the difficult decision of choosing adoption, abortion or raising the baby.   Her parents are separating because of her father’s infidelity.  Other high school characters in the show struggle with complicated issues including promiscuity, sexual abuse and abstinence.  The show deals candidly with these issues and offers advice for parents and teens to talk candidly to each other about sex and pregnancy.  

Review:   Unfortunately the physical changes, difficulties of childbirth and responsibilities of a new baby are not realistically portrayed.  During labor right before having the baby Amy eats a hamburger.  The show has a place as a vehicle to promote conversation between parents and children about difficult topics and is entertaining.  Some young viewers may accept the ease and glossiness of the way networks handle teen pregnancy and fail to understand the reality of such a difficult situation.  I recommend this show for show for older teens but every family is different and parents are encouraged to watch the show with their children and evaluate it based on their values. 

Mates, Dates & Inflatable Bras by Cathy Hopkins

Mates,  Dates & Inflatable Bras

Author:  Cathy Hopkins

Publisher:  Bolinda Audio     Year:  2002

ISBN:  1740931351 - Audiobook

Genre: Fiction/ Realistic

This book is for Ages: 12 up

AR Points: 4.0

Subjects/Themes: Friends; Growing Up

Plot Summary: Lucy is lost.  She really looks more like a child than a 14-year-old.  When beautiful Nesta comes to her school, Lucy must share her best friend Izzy.  All while looking for a handsome mysterious boy and trying to decide what she wants to do with her life. 

Review:   This is a fun story about growing up and making friends.   Lucy has a lot to learn about herself.  She like most teens underestimates her talents and potential.  She has a bit to learn about and what it means to be a good friend.  This story is stylish witty and funny.  Amanda Hulme does a great job of bringing Lucy’s voice to life.

If you like this book you may also like other books by Cathy Hopkins in the Mates Dates series.

Ultra Maniac

Title:   Ultra Maniac Volume 1

Genre: Fiction/Manga

This DVD is for Ages: 8 up

Subjects/Themes: Fantasy Magic

Plot Summary: Nina is a witch in training. She comes to school in our realm because she was having trouble in hers.  She meets Ayu and the two become good friends.  Nina uses her magic to help Ayu whenever she can but since Nina is not a very good witch the outcome is usually not quite what she intends.  This set is funny, adorable, cute and full of laughs.  A great manga set for younger fans who like magic, and manga.  

Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo

Midnight for Charlie Bone

Author:  Jenny Nimmo

Publisher:  Listening Library  Date: March 2004

ISBN:  978-1400086146

Audio Book Narrator: Simon Russell Beale

Genre: Fiction

This book is for Ages: 8 up

AR Points:      10.0

Subjects/Themes: Fantasy Magic

Plot Summary:  11-year-old Charlie Bone lives with his Mom, 2 Grandmothers and Uncle.  One day Charlie realizes that he is endowed.  He can hear the thoughts and conversations of people in photographs.  When Charlie’s photograph of his best friend’s dog gets mixed up with the 11-year-old photo of a man and his baby girl, Charlie begins to investigate what happened to the baby and wonders if the girl may be a student with him at Bloor’s academy.  Charlie soon becomes entangled in a larger plot where endowed children good and evil, struggle for control.
 

Review: Jenny Nimmo’s Charlie Bone is a good story that suffers from comparison to the Harry Potter books.  Bloor’s Academy is like Hogwarts and Charlie’s family is both supportive and sinister.  The nice thing about this book is that Charlie is not an orphan.  He has a mother, grandmother and uncle who support him.  Charlie meets other adults he can rely on in this tale and the unusual powers of the endowed children makes for a good read.

If you like this book you may also like:  Any of the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling. 

Boom by Mark Haddon

Boom

Author:  Mark Haddon

Publisher:  Listening Library (Audio); Unabridged edition (May 11, 2010)

ISBN:  978-0739381373

Genre: Science Fiction

This book is for Ages: 10 up

AR Points:      5.0

Subjects/Themes: Friends, Family, Space, Aliens, United Kingdom

Plot Summary:  When Jimbo’s sister tells him he is going to be expelled from school, He and his best friend, Charlie decide to bug the teachers’ lounge.  They hear 2 teachers talking in a completely unrecognizable language and acting in a very alien manner.  Charlie is intrigued and starts to investigate.  When Charlie goes missing, Jimbo knows it is up to him to find and save Charlie and maybe even the Earth.

Review: Marc Haddon’s book is a fun romp good for a giggle.  Jimbo is fun; Charlie is great; the aliens are silly, and scary.  The book is written with a British audience in mind and so readers may encounter some interesting and fun cultural slang.  This book is a rewrite of Haddon’s earlier work Gridzbi Spudvetch! (Walker, 1994).  

If you like this book you may also like:  Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams  although it is for a slightly older audience. 

Airborn by Kenneth Oppel

Airborn

Author:  Kenneth Oppel

Publisher:  EOS          Year:  2004

ISBN:  0-06-053180-0

Genre: Fiction/ Science Fiction

This book is for Ages: 12 uu

Awards:  Canadian Library Association Honour;  Snow Willow Award/Nominee;  Michael Printz Award/Honor Book;  Governor General's Literary Award;  Rocky Mountain Book Award;  BCCB Blue Ribbon Book;  SLJ Best Book;  Stellar Award/Nominees;  Red Maple Award/Nominee;  ALA Best Book for Young Adults;  Red Cedar Book Award/Nominee;  ALA Notable/Best Books;  YALSA Top Ten; Canadian Content-Canadian Content

AR Points:      15.0

Subjects/Themes: Adventure-Travel; Pirates; Traveling in Space; Friends;

Plot Summary: Matt Cruse is in the crow’s nest when he spots a failing hot air balloon floating towards his airship.  Despite all attempts the pilot of the balloon does not respond.  Matt makes a daring rescue swinging like a trapeze artist high in the atmosphere to save the pilot and keep the balloon from crashing into his airship.  The pilot asks Matt if he saw the beautiful creatures, but there was nothing in the air with them, or was there something strange and deadly flying above.

Review:   I really hesitated reading this book.  I did not want to like it.  But it was good.  It reminded me of the adventure books and movies like Indiana Jones, Night at the Museum, Stardust, and the Mummy.  Scientific, strange, wild and enjoyable - Airborn will take you to another world.  

If you like this book you may also like: Leviathan by Scott Westerfield.

Penny Dreadful By Abigail Halpin

Penny Dreadful

Author:  Abigail Halpin

Publisher:  Random House    Year:  2010

ISBN:  978-0-375- 86199-4

Genre: Fiction/ Realistic

This book is for Ages: 8 up

AR Points:      8.0

Subjects/Themes: Family Life, Rural Neighborhood, Friends

Plot Summary: Penny has never been to school.  She has always had private tutors.  She lives in a big house with someone to cook and clean.  Her Dad and Mom are almost never around.  One day, Dad comes home and announces that he has quit his job.  When the family can’t afford their big house anymore and mom inherits a house from her great –great aunt Elsbeth in East Tennessee the family packs up and starts a new life.  Penny has a lot to learn about making friends and living in a small town and what makes a person truly rich.  

Review:  Abigail Snyder’s book explores important questions the ideas of wealth in her wonderful book full of spunk and spirit Penny is anything but dreadful.  A fun story for today’s young people. 

If you like this book you may also like: The Penderwicks a summer tale of four sisters, two rabbits, and a very interesting boy by Jeanne Birdsall

Rules by Cynthia Lord

 Rules

Author:  Cynthia Lord

Publisher:  Scholastic, Inc.    Year:  2006

ISBN:  978-0-439-44383-8

Genre: Fiction/ Realistic

This book is for Ages: 8 up

Awards: Skipping Stones Honor Award; Newbery Honor; Schneider Family Award; ALA Notable/Best Books;

AR Points:      4.0

Subjects/Themes: Friendship, Family Life Growing Up, Disabilities

Plot Summary:  12-year-old Catherine is frustrated with having am 8-year-old brother with autism.  She just wants to have normal friends and do normal things.  Her dad is always at work.  Her mom asks her to watch her brother a lot.  Catherine has rules to help David interact in the world.  When Katherine meets a new friend names Jason, she has to question her rules and her idea of normal. 

Review: Cynthia Lord’s book is about acceptance.  Still it was hard for me to accept that Catherine is as compassionate as she is written.  I liked Jason and David.  The Rules are great.  I especially liked the Davids escapades with the fish tank.  Good book, with a nice story.  

If you like this book you may also like:  Anything but Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin. 

The Manny Files by Christian Burch

The Manny Files  

Author:  Christian Burch

Publisher:  Antheneum Books for Young Readers    

Year:  2006

ISBN:  978-1-4169-0039-9

Genre: Fiction/Realistic       

This book is for Ages: 8 and up

Awards: Josette Frank Children’s Book Award

AR Points:      9.0

Subjects/Themes: Self Confidence; Family Life;  Bullies, Humor

Plot Summary:  Keats is 8-years-old and has always had a nanny take care of him and his sisters.  One day his mom introduces him to Manny the family’s new male nanny.   Manny does things differently.  He sings songs by Alice Cooper, hangs piñatas over their beds and makes breakfast like Pablo Pancake-asso.  Keats thinks Manny is the greatest.   Lulu, Keats’ older sister, doesn’t like Manny, she records everything he does in “The Manny Files” a notebook she could use to get Manny fired just like she did to the other nanny.  What can Keats do to convince his parents to keep Manny.

Review:   This is a witty book filled with pop culture references.  While it is marketed to kids, older teens and even adults will enjoy the humor and love shared by the Keats’s and his family.  The Manny Files is about growing up and growing older.  This book has wonderful and wacky characters for everyone to enjoy.

If you like this book you may also like:  Hit the Road Manny also by Christian Burch.

Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick

Title:   Freak the Mighty

Author:  Rodman Philbrick

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.       

Year:  ©1993

ISBN:  978-0-439-28606-0

Genre: Fiction/Realistic

This book is for Ages: 10 up

Awards:  Judy Lopez Memorial Award Honor Book

AR Points:      5.5

Subjects/Themes: Friendship, School, Family, Identity, Death

Plot Summary:  Max always thought he was a stupid, unlovable giant.  Everyone is afraid of him, even his Gram and Grim (Grandpa) who he lives with since his mother died and his father went away.  One day Max meets Freak, a very small and extremely smart boy.  Together they become Freak the Mighty, avoiding bullies, and performing quests.  Freak shares everything with Max, like the secrets of how to read and what words mean.  Freak is going to get bionic body from the research lab at the hospital.  

Review:    Despite his small size, Freak is a superhero.  He saves Max in this compelling and powerful story by Rodman Philbrick.  This book is full of adventure and on its face is a great story.  For older readers Freak the mighty challenges us to examine the way we look at children of all ages to see beyond the physical into the heart and spirit of the young people we encounter.

Sam I Am by Ilene Cooper

Title:  Sam I am

Author:  Ilene Cooper

Publisher:  Scholastic Press  Year:  2004

ISBN:  0-439-43967-1  

Genre: Fiction/Realistic

This book is for Ages: 10-14

AR Points: 8.0

Subjects/Themes: Family/Religion/Identity

Plot Summary:  Sam’s mom is Christian but his dad is Jewish.  When his dog Pluto knocks over the Hanukah Bush and breaks his mother’s treasured ornaments.  His parents decide to change the way the family celebrate the holidays.  Sam wonders about God and religious tolerance as he searches to define who he is, and what he believes.

Review:   Good book with likeable characters.  Sam has a voice that reflects his 7^th grade self.  He likes, girls, is starting to grow up and is not sure what he thinks about God.   Sam I am acknowledges religious intolerance and racism as it is encountered by the young people in school and the media.  Sam I am is a good book for students to read when studying WWII or the Holocaust.  Ilene Cooper’s book provides insight and answers for some of the questions that many adults and children encounter when struggling with questions about religion. 

If you like this book you may also like: Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass.

Molly McGinty Has a Really Good Day By Gary Paulsen

Title:  Molly McGinty Has a Really Good Day

Author:  Gary Paulsen

Publisher:  Wendy Lamb Books       Year:  2004

ISBN:  0-385-325886

Genre: Fiction/Realistic/Humor

This book is for Ages: 8 - 12

AR Points: 3.0

Subjects/Themes: Family/School/

Plot Summary:  Orphaned, Molly McGinty a 7^th grader at Our Lady of Mercy Middle School lives by the book.  That is her notebook where she keeps track of everything from school assignments and lunch money to when to pay her Grandma Irene’s bills.  Molly loses her notebook the night before Senior Citizen’s Day at school.  Grandma Irene in her purple suede jeans joins Molly and her three friends Mary Margaret, Mary Pat, and Mary Bridget in a day filled with folly. 

Review:   Gary Paulsen author of The Hatchet writes very well. Molly McGinty is not the book on which to judge his career.  This book is silly.  While it imparts a good message about the need for control, Grandma Irene and Molly’s adventures do not display the depth and knowledge of character development that Paulsen delivers in his other books.  Paulsen tosses Molly from black eye to boyfriend in a quick and easy read.

If you like this book you may also like: Desdemona, Twelve Going on Desperate.

Th1rteen R3asons Why by Jay Asher

Title:   Th1rteen R3asons Why

Author:  Jay Asher

Publisher:  Razor Bill            Year:  2007

ISBN:  978-1-59514-171-2

Genre: Fiction

This book is for Ages: 13 up

Awards: YALSA Best Books for Yong Adults; Kirkus Editor’s Choice;

AR Points:      9.0

Subjects/Themes: Friendship/High School/Suicide

Plot Summary:  Clay Jensen receives a box with seven audio tapes in it.  When he listens to the first tape he hears the voice of his most recent crush, Hannah Baker.    Hannah killed herself only two weeks ago.  The tapes list the 13 reasons why she chose to take her life and are being sent to the 13 people who were part of the reason why.  If Clay or any of the others don’t listen to all of the tapes and pass them on to the next person, then someone else will release the tapes for everyone to hear.  Clay visits all the places in his town as he listens to Hannah tell her story.

Review:   I sat down and read this book straight through.  It is a thought provoking novel simultaneously told from two points of view, an interesting concept.  The story is compelling.  Of course you want to know why a young high school girl would take her life.  As an adult, I can look back and see many things that I went through in Hannah’s life.  Bad things happen and sometimes people welcome those bad things into their lives.   They purposely place themselves in situations that they know are dangerous and wrong.   No one knows why.  Asher creates good, bad and human characters.  He captures them where teens live in between adolescence and adulthood.  Teens and young adults have the ability to know right from wrong and sometimes lack the courage to stand up and do what is right or see dreadful consequences looming ahead.   Fortunately being a teenager is not terminal and high school does not last forever.   If you or someone you know is depressed or contemplating suicide please tell someone.  If that person doesn’t listen, tell someone else.  Keep telling people until someone listens and helps. You can find help from www.hopeline.com and 1-800 –SUICIDE.  These were some resources listed in the back of the book.  

If you like this book you may also like:  Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger.