Inexcusable

Inexusable

By Chris Lynch

Published by Simon Pulse 2005 165 pages

Genre: New Realism, and Sexual Abuse

Reading Level: Young Adult

Summary: According to Keir, he is a good guy, but Gigi says differently. She says that he did something horrible, something completely inexcusable.

Response: This is a very difficult book to follow. It jumps from place to place. I'm not sure if I like this book or not. It's rather confusing.

Cautionary notes: sexual abuse, alcohol abuse, drug abuse and mild language

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

Published by Candlewick Press 2008 277 pages

Genre: Nonfiction, Short Story Collection, and Historical Fiction

Reading Level: Young Adult

Summary: This is a non fiction book that accurately depicts all of the horrors and complications of war. It covers all of the major wars that the US has been since World War II.

Response: I learned a lot from this book. I learned there is a lot more to war than meets the eye. I never liked war and I know that it was a horrible thing, but there are so many more facets to war than I realized.


Cautionary notes: Brief strong language, intense scary moments, and graphic descriptions of violence

Getting Away with Murder: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case

Getting Away with Murder: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case

By Chris Crowe

Published by Dial Books 2003 120 pages

Genre: Biography, Prejudice and Racism, Race relations and Social Issues

Reading Level: Young Adult

Summary: This is factual account of brutal act that triggered the civil Rights movement. In 1955, Emmett Till, who was visiting his great-uncle in Money, Mississippi, was kidnapped and then brutally murdered because he was accused of whistling at and hitting on, a white woman. The woman's husband and half-brother were tried for the act but were acquitted by an all white jury.

Response: I think that this book was very well written, but I think that the subject is repulsive and outrageous that someone could get away with such an act because of the color of their skin.

Cautionary notes: Graphic pictures, and racism

Love is Never Enough

Love is Never Enough

By Bianca Bradbury

Published by Scholastic 1971 208 pages

Genre: Love, Social Issues, and Teen Pregnancy

Reading Level: Young Adult

Summary: This is a book about a young couple named Carey and Hank, who are constantly struggling through every day. The biggest theme in the book is that everyone is trying to get Carey to go back to school as she was not able to finish high school because she got pregnant. They have some severe communication problems.

Response: This is just sort of blah. There is not significant plot and the dialogue could certainly use some help. My biggest problem with this book is that Carey keeps leaving her baby outside every time she goes into a store. What kind of person does that.

Cautionary notes: Possible child neglect

The Day it Snowed Tortillas

The Day it Snowed Tortillas

Folktales told in Spanish and English by Joe Hayes Illustrated by Antonio Castro L.

Published by Cinco Puntos Press 2003 127 pages

Genre: Bilingual, Short Story Collection, Folklore, and Mythology

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Summary: This is a collection of Short stories that are traditionally told in New Mexico and Mexico.

Response: I really liked this collection of stories. Reading them was wonderful.

How Joe Succeeded

How Joe Suceeded

By Mary Morrison

Published by David C. Cook Publishing Company 1905 64 pages

Genre: Time period, Drama, Humor

Reading Level: Young Adult

Summary: This is a very short story about a young man named Joe who at first works in a lumber camp and then moves up in life.

Response: I honestly hated this book. Joe is completely self-centered and unfeeling towards his family especially his grandmother. I think that Joe is a big jerk.

Cautionary notes: Gambling

The Seventh Son

The Seventh Son

ByOrson Scott Card

Published by Tor Books 1987 241 pages

Genre:Science Fiction, Fantasy and Magic.

Reading Level: Young Adult

Summary: In the first book of this alternate history series, We are presented with an entirely different version of American history. Where folk magic is very powerful and is practiced by devout Christians. In the center of this is Alvin, the seventh son of the seventh son, which is very magical birth.

Response: I loved this book so much. It presents such a side of history that could have been, which is so fascinating.

Cautionary notes: Moments of extreme violence, and uses of magic

Ender's Shadow

Ender's Shadow

By Orson Scott Card

Published by StarScape 1999 467 pages

Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy,Adventure and Thrillers

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Summary: A parallel novel to Ender's Game, it contains most of the same premises. However, this story is told from Bean's point of view. This book gives us more background information on Bean and much more details than you will find in Ender's Game. They are still fighting the Buggers, but Bean sees many things that no one else, not even Ender sees.

Response: I really liked this book. It puts a more human spin on Ender's Game.

Cautionary notes: Murder, moments of extreme violence and language