Bone: The Complete Cartoon Epic in One Volume

Smith, Jeff. Bone: The Complete Cartoon Epic in One Volume. Cartoon Books, 2004. ISBN-13: 978-1-888963-14-4

Plot
Fone Bone, along with his two cousins Phoney and Smiley are chased out of Boneville due to Phoney's last failed scam. The three end up losing contact while being lost in a strange valley where they run into Thorn, her Grandma Rose, strange hairy rat creatures, and silly towns people. Everything just seems a bit quirky when things start to get stranger and even dangerous. Thorn seems to be tied up in some sort of prophecy and it seems that the Bone cousins are too.

Critical Evaluation
It is a graphic novel that has everything, well developed characters, a complex plot, great art and laugh out loud moments. Readers will enjoy the honesty of the characters as well as the mystery of the fate of Thorn. This graphic novel is seriously dangerous to start, because readers will not be able to put it down.

Reader's Annotation
Fone Bone finds himself lost in a valley and runs into a beautiful Thorn. First he must find his cousins while trying to figure out why the rat creatures as well as darker characters seem to be after them.

About the Author
Jeff Smith was born and raised in Pennsylvania. He drew comic strips for the Ohio State's student newspaper for four years before he co-founded the Character Builders animation studio in 1986. He also launched his own company in 1991 called Cartoon Books which published his book Bone.

Smith's works have been translated into thirteen languages and has won numerous awards worldwide. When he is not working on graphic novels he is busy promoting art, comics and graphic novels.

Genre
Graphic Novel

Curriculum
Fiction
Fantasy

Book Talking Ideas
With the two outcast rat creatures, do you think that they are truly "bad guys"? Were there any true "bad guys" in the story?
Do you think Grandma Rose was correct in keeping information from Thorn?
What do you think of the contrast between the dramatic plot then huge humor breaks?

Reading Level/Interest Age
12+

Challenge Issues
Violence

Challenge Answer
The violence is from battles and war. There is not a lot of blood or gore.

Why Included in Selection
This is a personal favorite graphic novel. It is so funny and has a great story.

Pretties

Westerfeld, Scott. Pretties. Simon Pulse, 2005. ISBN-13: 978-0-689-86539-8

Plot
Tally Youngblood has finally become a Pretty. She is the toast of the town and has a totally good looking and equally as popular boyfriend. Currently, her only worry is trying to figure out what to wear at a semi-formal party. However, despite all the partying there is something at the back of her mind that is just fighting to come back out. There is a lingering memory that this world is not okay that it is not real. This memory also makes her a prime target or the authorities, since no one wants the truth about Pretties exposed.

Critical Evaluation
Again Westerfeld delivers another fast-paced thriller. He does not waste anytime getting the reader captured in the suspense and thrills as Tally finds herself torn between two worlds once again. New characters are added to the story, but characters from the previous novel are not forgotten. Readers will enjoy another page turner in the series.

Reader's Annotation
Tally Youngblood is a Pretty and has everything that anybody could possibly want. But there is a lingering memory that tells her this place isn't real and she is not safe. This memory is also the reason the authorities must find her and make sure that no one else knows what she does.

About the Author
Scott Westerfeld is a science fiction author that has written three series for teens. He has also written several novels for adults as well. He received his BA in Philosophy from Vassar as well as competing graduate studies in Performance Act at New York University.

Currently Westerfeld is married and has no kids. He and his wife split their time between New York City and Sydney, Australia.

Genre
Fiction

Curriculum Ties
Science Fiction
Dystopia

Book Talking Ideas
Do you think that David's "ugliness" has Tally complete turned off? Or will they able to resume their relationship?
Do you think being a Pretty is something that happens to you or is it something that the person creates for themselves?
Did you think Tally could ever forget? If you had a choice, would you want to remember the past or just leave it alone?

Reading Level/Interest Age
12+

Challenge Issues
none

Why Included in Selection
It is a great sequel to Uglies and a fast, interesting read.

Uglies

Westerfeld, Scott. Uglies. Simon Pulse, 2005. ISBN-13: 978-0-689-86538-1

Plot
Tally Youngblood cannot wait for her sixteenth birthday. This is because she will be able to get the mandatory surgery which makes her a Pretty. Being a Pretty is a big deal, it means no more hardships from seeing natural imperfections in your body and face. It also means that Tally will get to live in Pretty Town and just party and be happy or "bubbly" all day long. That is until her friend Shay comes into the picture. Shay does not want to get the surgery and keeps talking about the Smoke, people who live with their imperfections out in the wilderness. Suddenly Shay disappears and Tally is responsible in bringing her back or she may never become a Pretty.

Critical Evaluation
Westerfeld is able to create an entire new society with mystery and great story telling. Readers can visualize the objects or buildings that he describes while getting totally into the plot. The book keeps the readers guessing and details are exposed throughout the fast pace of the plot so that the reader stays interested. This book is a quick and easy read for teen readers to enjoy without having to dissect or be frustrated by the complexity of the story or language.

Reader's Annotation
Turning sixteen means that you get to become a Pretty. Once a Pretty you are granted access to grand parties and an care-free life, this is what Tally Youngblood wants, just like any other normal teen. However, when her friend runs away Tally is sent to get her back or else! While on her journey, Tally sees the other side of being a Pretty and things are not what she first thought they were.

About the Author
Scott Westerfeld is a science fiction novelist. He has written five books for adults in addition to the three set of series he has written for teens. He got his BA in Philosophy from Vassar then completed graduate work in Performance Studies at New York University.

He is married to a fellow writer named Justine Larbalestier. He and his wife split their time between Sydney, Australia and New York City.

Genre
Fiction

Curriculum Ties
Distopia
Science-Fiction

Book Talking Ideas
Do you think becoming a Pretty would make Tally happy?
What kind of beauty David is talking about when he is with Tally?
Why do you think the idea of becoming a Pretty is so sought after?

Reading Level/Interest Age
12+

Challenge Issues
Suggestive material

Challenge Answer
The sexual suggestive material is only mentioned very briefly at the beginning of the book (maybe only one sentence). There is no explicit detail given and it is not a major part in the plot at all.

Why Included in Selection
It is an interesting science fiction distopia novel.

Town Boy

Lat. Town Boy. First Second, 1980. ISBN-13: 978-1-59643-331-1

Plot
Mat is a village boy from a poor family living in a small town in Malaysia. He soon makes a friend Frankie and soon the two are off on adventures and trouble. Soon the boys are adolescences going about life despite all the political and physical changes of the town around them. Soon the two boys now face if they can afford to go for their dream or if they must stay forever in town.

Critical Evaluation
This is a funny and poignant coming-of-age graphic novel. Not only are readers allowed a glance at the upbringing of boys in Malaysia, but also see the universal theme or people going through life and trying to accomplish their dream or accept what others expect of them. The art is unique and perfect for portraying the sometimes silly side in life.

Reader's Annotation
Mat is a poor village boy living in a town in Malaysia. It is when he meets Frankie, a spunky classmate do the two really start getting into trouble!

About the Author
Lat had his cartoons first published when he was just thirteen years old. He then went on to do political, gag, and social cartoons in addition to animation and commercials. His achievements in art earned him the prestigious Malaysian honorific title Datuk in 1994.

Genre
Graphic Novel

Curriculum Ties
Art
Culture
Coming-of-Age

Book Talking Ideas
What themes of growing up is in this graphic novel?
What kind of feelings come up in the tone of the art when Frankie and Mat say goodbye?
What similarities do you see in Mat's life with your own?


Reading Level/Interest Age
12 and up

Challenge Issues
None

Why Included in Selection
This graphic novel was so unique in art and story. It was also able to convey so much emotion in simple drawings.

The Thief

Turner, Megan Whalen. The Thief. Greenwillow Books, 1996. ISBN0-688-14627-9

Plot
Gen boasted that he is the best thief in the world. In fact, it was when he was bragging that he stole the king's seal did he find himself in jail. Once imprisoned he still claimed that the jail could not hold him, but it has held him for a long, long time. Gen then finds himself with another way out, Magnus, the King's scholar is sent out on a mission to retrieve a treasure talked about in myths. Gen has a deal to help Magnus find the treasure or stay rotting in jail. Except, the problem is no one really knows where the treasure is, if anyone has ever seen it, or if it even exists.

Critical Evaluation
This is an older book that deserves more attention from readers than it has received. Turner does a wonderful job creating another world set with its own myths and legends. Readers will enjoy the clear narrative and the very surprising twists that force the reader to look back and rethink the whole plot.

Reader's Annotation
Gen is a master thief that has lost track of how long he has been in jail. It is because the King's Adviser Magnus is seeking a lost treasure is Gen released in order to help him find it. Will these men find what they seek or is it all just a myth?

About the Author
Megan Whalen Turner graduated from the University of Chicago with a BA in English Language and Literature with honors in 1987. She then worked as a bookseller for seven to eight years before writing her first book. She has written a book collection of short stories and three other books in The Thief series.

Turner is married to a Professor of Cognitive Science. They currently reside in Southern California but move around a lot due to his research.

Genre
Fiction

Curriculum Ties
Fantasy
Loyalty
Identity

Book Talking Ideas
How would you describe Magnus when you first met him in the book vs. how he changes in the story later on?
Do you think that myths include a bit of truth in them?
What do you think of "identity" in terms of the characters in this book?

Reading Level/Interest Age
12 and up

Challenge Issues
None

Why Included in Selection
This book came recommended by a friend and was described to have excellent story-telling.

Catching Fire

Collins, Suzanne. Catching Fire. Scholastic Press, 2009. ISBN 978-0-439-02349-8

Plot
The Games are over and Katniss and Peeta surprisingly survive, but the threat is not over yet. They may have won the games, but the manner in which they won makes the Capitol angry and they blame the actions of Katniss for lighting a fire underneath all the Districts wanting to rebel. With the Capital threatening to erase her family, friends and all that she cares about Katniss must take on a new challenge where it's more than her life at stake.

Critical Evaluation
Usually there is a concern that the second book in a series won't be as good or interesting as the first. However it is not the case here. Readers will enjoy the quick pace of the book and great plot twists that will keep them guessing throughout the entire story. Readers will also be treated to more insight to each character and their capabilities as well as life in other districts. It is a page turner from start to finish and will leave readers wanting the third book to come out right away.

Reader's Annotation
Katniss is out the rink but not out of the game. She didn't play by the Capitol's rules so now she must convince them and well as all Districts that her actions were out of desperation, or else. Katniss now tests her own limits of how much she can go to protect all of the people that she loves.

About the Author
Suzanne Collins started out as a writer for TV shows for children. She has contributed to Clarissa Explains it Al and the Emmy nominated Little Bear among many others. It wasn't until she met James Proimos, a children's author that she decided to try writing books.

She has also written the Underground Chronicles in addition to the Hunger Games series. The Third book of the Hunger Games, The Mocking Jay, will be available August 2010.

Genre
Fiction

Curriculum Ties
Sci-fi
Dystopia
Social Rebellion

Book Talking Ideas
Do you think Katniss' actions really determined if the Districts would rebel or not?
Compare and contrast the relationships between Katniss and Peeta, versus Katniss and Gale.
In what ways did you feel Katniss and Peeta and other characters in the book demonstrated that the Capitol didn't "own" them?

Reading Level/Interest Age
12 and up

Challenge Issues
There is violence in the book

Challenge Answer
The violence is brief and doesn't go into graphic detail.

Why included in Selection
I heard a lot about this series and heard it was a good social/sci-fi series. I also enjoyed the first book.

The Fast and the Furious Tokyo Drift

Lin, Justin. The Fast and the Furious Tokyo Drift. Universal Studios, 2006. PG-13. 105 minutes. ISBN 1-4170-1349-4

Plot
Sean Boswell is a teen with a passion for illegal racing, and he has the rap sheet to prove it. In order to avoid trouble, he and his mom has been moving each time he is busted. Not this time, to keep him from serving time in jail his mom sends him to his father, a military man living in Tokyo Japan. It does not take long for Sean to get mixed up with the racing crowd there, except the scene is complicated, the stakes are higher and he has yet to master drifting, a new and dangerous way to race.

Critical Evaluation
I must admit that there was not that much expectations going in, but the movie turned out to be surprisingly entertaining. Of course there is not that much character development or an intricate plot, but the action was non-stop and there weren't any boring breaks in the movie. The drifting in the movie was amazing to watch and the acting was pretty solid all around. Guys will enjoy the movie for the good driving and fancy cars while girls will enjoy the fast action pace of the movie.

Reader's Annotation
Sean Boswell, a kid with a juvenile record for illegal driving arrives in Tokyo. He has no problem finding the racing crowd, only to find higher stakes and a new way to race.

About the Author
Justin Lin is a director hailing from Taipei, Taiwan. He graduated from the UCLA Film School. He has also directed Fast and Furious 4.

Genre
Action

Curriculum Ties
Culture
Peer Pressure mentality

Book Talking Ideas
Why do you think Sean is unable to stay away from trouble?
What do you think of the cultural differences between American and Japanese teens?

Reading Level/Interest Age
13+

Challenge Issues
Scenes of parties, illegal transactions and violence

Challenge Answer
The party scenes and violence are brief and the movie shows negative consequences of illegal transactions.

Why Included in Selection
I was curious about the Fast and Furious movies and was interested in the movie's portrayal of Japanese culture.