Pride and Prejudice

Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Oxford University Press, 2004. ISBN-13: 978-0192802385.

Plot
Elizabeth Bennet is the second oldest of five daughters. Despite being low in fortune and connections, Elizabeth enjoys her life with the help of loving friends, sisters and the extra wit she possesses. However, excitement comes when a new bachelor along with his rich but proud friend William Darcy move to town.

Critical Evaluation
The writing is witty, fact paced and well crafted. Jane Austen is also able to create great characters that have flaws, yet are easily liked and have a lot of depth. Teenagers will enjoy the fun plot and the smart social observations Austen writes. The language of the book can be a challenge for teenagers to get used to at first.

Reader's Annotation
Elizabeth Bennet lives a quiet life with her four sisters at Longbourn. However, a new bachelor Mr. Bingley and his friend Mr. Darcy move into town. At first Elizabeth is snubbed by Mr. Darcy, but some events will soon force her to change her perspectives.

About the Author
Jane Austen was born on December 16, 1775 in Steventon, Hampshire. She is the seventh of eight children. She was educated at home and started writing at an early age.

She wrote her first novel when she was fourteen. She wrote over sixteen literary works during her lifetime. She is often praised for her witty observations on society as well as being one of the most important writers of the nineteenth century.

Genre
Fiction

Curriculum
19th Century society
Family
Romance

Book Talking Ideas
Jane Austen is often praised for her observations of society, did you see any examples of this in this novel?
Do you think first impressions are important?
Why is the art of conversation so important?

Reading Level/Interest Age
12+

Challenge Issues
None

Why Included in Selection
This book is a classic and a personal favorite.

Cracker! The Best Dog in Vietnam

Kadohata, Cynthia. Cracker! The Best Dog in Vietnam. Atheneum, 2008. ISBN-13: 978-1416906384.

Plot
Venus, a German shepherd was given up by Willie and his family to the army. Now renamed "Cracker", she is assigned to Rick, a new soldier. Together they are to be a dog unit sniffing out traps, enemies and booby traps in the Vietnam War. At first Cracker is reluctant to accept her fate as an army dog, however she eventually grows close to her handler and works to make sure he survives.

Critical Evaluation
Cynthia Kadohata is a talented writer. She has a way of writing flowing narrative and creating very real characters that can relate easily to readers. Readers will enjoy the fast pace and lyrical writing of Kadohata. The book also is interesting, since it explores an overlooked aspect of the Vietnam War.

Reader's Annotation
Cracker is a German shepherd with little to worry about. This is until her family gives her up the U.S. Army. She is then assigned as an army dog with a handler named Rick and together they try to survive the Vietnam War.

About the Author
Cynthia Kadohata is a Japanese American author born in Chicago, Illinois. She studied journalism at the University of Southern California. She started writing after staying with her sister in Boston.

She has written seven books for both young adults and adults. She currently lives in California with her son and dog.

Genre
Fiction

Curriculum
Historical Fiction
Vietnam War

Book Talking Ideas
Did it surprise you to learn of the canine unit during the Vietnam war?
What did you think of the treatment of dogs in the book?
Why do you think Cracker was able to change her perspective of her situation?

Reading Level/Interest Age
12+

Challenge Issues
Violence and deals with war

Challenge Answer
The violence is not the focus of the book and it is not described in great detail. The war is depicted as confusing, and again the violence is not explicitly described.

Why Included in Selected
I was interested how the book covered a little known aspect of the Vietnam War.

The Dark Knight

Nolan, Christopher. The Dark Knight. Warner Brothers, 2008. ASIN: B001GZ6QC4.

Plot
A sinister new villain has appeared in Gotham City. He calls himself the Joker and no one knows anything about him. The only problem is that he does not commit crimes for any monetary gains, he lives just to bring chaos and breed fear. Batman now is pushed to the limits in taking on his toughest opponent yet.

Critical Evaluation
Usually with movies it is either a hit and miss with the quality of the sequels. However, this movie has to be one of the most well made sequels for a long time. The plot is intricate and there is no way for viewers to guess what will happen next. There is a lot of action, great characters as well as lot of suspense.

Reader's Annotation
Batman faces his toughest opponent yet, his name is Joker and his only goal is to see the world fall into chaos.

About the Author
Christopher Nolan was born in London, UK in 1970. He started making films at the age of seven. He later attended the University College London and studied English Literature. He still worked in film while he attended college and went on to pursue it after his graduation.

Christopher Nolan has directed nine films to date. He has also written screenplays and has produced several other films. He is married and has three children.

Genre
DVD

Curriculum
None

Book Talking Ideas
None

Reading Level/Interest Age
13+

Challenge Issues
Violence, psychological disturbed villains.

Challenge Answer
There is little gore and actual blood in the movie. The actions of the Joker are disturbing, but they are negatively viewed and the people in the movie are shown to raise above it.

Why Included in Selection
This is an awesome action packed movie. It totally wowed me in the theater. This is the way comic movies are supposed to be made.

Twilight

Meyer, Stephanie. Twilight. Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2008. ISBN-13: 978-0316038379.

Plot
Bella Swan has just moved to Forks, Washington to live with her father. Bored in a small town and with her quiet father, Bella tries to just get on with life. Things change when she meets Edward, her classmate, who at first runs away from her. However she finds out that Edward along with the Cullen's are actually vampires and she cannot seem to stay away from him.

Critical Evaluation
The book is admittedly addicting. The story offers an innovative look at vampires and relationships. The book is fast and the narrative and clear. Although the writing is sometimes choppy and lacks fluidity in some areas, the story alone will keep teens reading.

Reader's Annotation
Bella Swan has just moved to Forks, Washington. There she meets Edward at school who has some odd quirks. It is only later that she realizes he is a vampire and that she needs to be with him.

About the Author
Stephanie Meyer was born in Hartford Connecticut and grew up in Arizona. She attended Brigham Young University and graduated with a degree in English.

Twilight was her first book which quickly become a hit with teenagers. She went on to finish the series with three additional books. She has also written The Host which is for adults.

Genre
Fiction

Curriculum
School
Vampires

Book Talking Ideas
What gave you an inkling that Edward was a vampire?
What do you think of the relationship between Edward and Bella?
Did the book change the way you look at vampires?

Reading Level/Interest Age
12+

Challenge Issues
None

Why Included in Selection
Twilight has become very popular with teenagers.

Things Fall Apart

Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. Anchor Books, 1994. ISBN-13: 978-0-385-47454-2.

Plot
Okonkwo takes care of his family and home traditionally in the Ibo village in Nigeria. However, his way of life is changing with the influx of Christian missionaries. The new religion and way of government are challenging the establishment while Okonkwo desperately tries to reserve his way of life.

Critical Evaluation
Achebe has a talent of telling the story with raw and simple narrative. Although teens will be exposed to complex themes such as traditions being challenged and identity issues, the language of the book will not add any frustration in trying to understand the book. Despite the clear narrative, readers are still able to relate to the inner struggle with Okonkwo, how he tries to stay true to his traditions, but realizes that the world is changing.

Reader's Annotation
Okonkwo is a traditional man in Ibo, Nigeria. However he must deal with changes in his life and society from the arrival of Christian missionaries.

About the Author
Chinua Achebe was born in Ogidi Nigeria. He attended the Government College in Umuahia and then went on to University College of Ibandan. He studied English, history and theology. He taught at Universities and also served as the External Services in charge of the Voice of Nigeria.

Achebe has written two books including, Things Fall Apart. He has also published collections of short stories, poetry and other works for children.

Genre
Fiction

Curriculum
Religious/cultural Identity
Changes in traditions
African fiction

Book Talking Ideas
Despite the taboo, why do you think Okonkwo choose to do what he did?
Did you feel that Okonkwo was justified in trying to preserve his traditions?
Did you feel that changes in traditions are inevitable?

Reading Level/Interest Age
15+

Challenge Issues
The book deals with issues about religion and its role in life and being spread to other countries, spirituality, sexual relations and political conflict.


Challenge Answer
Teens can handle these difficult issues and will have to realize that people do deal with these conflicts.


Why Included in Selection
This book was fascinating and brought up great questions of religion, political issues and traditions.

Teen Vogue

Astley, Amy. Teen Vogue. Conde Nast Publications, 2003-2010. ASIN: B000K0YFW4.

Plot
Teen Vogue is published ten times a year. Its purpose is to bring a version of Vogue to a younger generation. It reviews up and new coming fashions as well as reviews of celebrities and social elite who are sporting daring styles. It also contains fashion and shopping tips so that readers can recreate looks they see in the magazine on their own.

Critical Evaluation
Teen Vogue are for teens that are very serious and interested in the world of high fashion. The clothes and styles they feature are unique and daring, but they are not the type of look that a teen would wear everyday. Also, although they do give shopping tips, they tend to be more expensive in comparison to the suggestions found in Seventeen. It does contain articles that deal with school issues, but they are sparse. It depends on the personal taste of the teen whether they would appreciate this magazine.

Reader's Annotation
Teen Vogue is a teenager's guide to high fashion and styles.

About the Author
Amy Astley graduated from Michigan State University in 1989. She has been the editor of Teen Vogue since the beginning of the magazine in 2003. Previously she served as the Vogue's Beauty Director for nine years.

Conde Nast Publications currently publishes twenty-seven magazines. Its purpose is to produce magazines that focus on fashion, beauty and travel.

Genre
Magazine

Curriculum
None

Book Talking Ideas
None

Reading level/Interest Age
12+

Challenge Issues
None

Why Included in Selection
I wanted to include a magazine for teens that was very serious about teen fashion.

Play

Fiechter, Brady. Play. Fusion Publishing, 2001-2010. ASIN: B0000AFQQY.

Plot
This is a monthly published magazine. It contains editorials of trends in gaming as well as game design. It also reviews new and upcoming games and has interviews with game creators. In addition, it does reviews of consoles, games, equipment and gives news updates in the gaming world and technology.

Critical Evaluation
This magazine is for serious video game fans. Not only does the magazine contain various detailed reviews of games, but they also explore revolutionary artists and creators and how they are changing game programming. Although the majority of the magazine is dedicated to first person shooter games, they do contain information for puzzle games and Role playing games (RPG).

Reader's Annotation
Play is a monthly magazine that reviews, and explores multimedia games. They also write articles about trends in gaming and interviews game creators.


About the Author
Brady Fiechter is the editor in chief of Play magazine.

Fusion Publishing was founded by Dave Halverson in 1999. The goal of the company is to produce magazines that are focused on pop-culture and multimedia for teens to adults. In addition to Play they also publish Geek Monthly.

Genre
Magazine

Curriculum
None

Book Talking Ideas
None

Reading Level/Interest Age
12+

Challenge Issues
Some games featured in the magazine are violent or has disturbing images.

Challenge Answer
The games are not the creation of Play and are featured since they are a part of gaming.

Why Included in Selection
A lot of teens are into gaming, so this magazine was selected to be a way to keep up with that interest.