Persepolis: the Story of a Childhood - Marjane Satrapi

Satrapi, M. (2003). Persepolis: the story of a childhood. New York: Pantheon Books.

Summary 
Persepolis: the Story of a Childhood is the autobiographical story of Marjane Satrapi's childhood in Iran, told through black and white comic strips. Beginning with the fall of the Shah, and continuing through the Islamic Revolution and the war between Iran and Iraq, we see Marjane's and her parents' everyday life, as well as the hardships they face during this period of history.

Evaluative comments 
This is an extremely well written and drawn graphic novel. Satrapi draws the reader in, both through the writing of each episode, and through her stark images. Appropriately, the book does not shy away from heavier topics, but there is a certain level of humour that prevents the book from becoming overwhelmingly dark. Not only is the story captivating, but it also presents an informative point of view on this particular period of Iranian history.

Suggested audience 
Grades 9-12

Reader’s advisory notes  
Appeal terms - Plot-driven, strong sense of place, disturbing, though-provoking
Read-alikes - Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return, Marjane Satrapi (sequel); Maus: A Survival's Tale, Art Spiegelman

Booktalking hook 
Read the last paragraph of the Introduction about Satrapi's reasons for writing Persepolis. Read and show "The Party" episode, pp. 40-46

Reason for inclusion 
Awards and Honours - Harvey Award, ALA Alex Award, 2004; Prix du Festival d'Angoulême for Alph-art du coup de coeur, 2001

Category 
Graphic Novel, Realistic, Award-Winning

The Pigman - Paul Zindel

Zindel, P. (1968). The Pigman. New York: Harper Trophy.

Summary 
John and Lorraine are two high school friends, both of whom struggle with their home lives. In The Pigman, they tell the story of their experience befriending a lonely old man. Mr. Pignati lives alone in a house full of oddities. John and Lorraine spend an increasing amount of time with Mr. Pignati, whom they christen The Pigman.

Evaluative comments 
The Pigman is a classic young adult novel, having retained its popularity for 40 years. Its most interesting aspect is that it switches back and forth between John and Lorraine as narrators. As a result, the two characters are both given a clear, developed voice, and readers gain insight into both of their perspectives. The contrast between their narrative styles also gives the book a fresh tone. The story is interesting, but suffers from its short length. It feels as though as the reader is being drawn in, the story ends quite abruptly. Despite this, it is interesting to read for the portrayal of the characters alone. 

Suggested audience 
Grades 7-10

Reader’s advisory notes  
Appeal terms - Offbeat, sarcastic, amusing, conversational, experimental
Read-alikes - The Pigman's Legacy, Paul Zindel (sequel); John Belushi is Dead, Kathy Charles

Booktalking hook 
Read prank phone call with Mr. Pignati passage: pp. 22-28

Reason for inclusion
Enduring classic; included in YALSA's "Ultimate YA Bookshelf"
Awards and Honours - ALA Best of the Best Books for Young Adults; New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year

Category 
Historical/Classic, Realistic

Ask the Passengers - A. S. King

King, A. S. (2012). Ask the passengers. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

Summary 
Astrid is intent on keeping the different parts of her life separate. At school, she is entrusted with the secret that her two friends, whom everyone thinks is the perfect couple, are actually gay. At home, she struggles with an overbearing mother, an disengaged father, and a perfect little sister. At her work, she is falling in love with another girl. As Astrid tries to define herself and figure out how to fit neatly into the labels she abhors, she lies on a picnic table in her backyard, sending her love to the passengers on the planes overhead. 

Evaluative comments 
Ask the Passengers is a thoughtful novel, which is lyrically written. Astrid's imagined version of "Frank" Socrates and the short passages about airplane passengers successfully add a distinguishing element to the novel. King wisely avoids trying to give easy solutions to Astrid's struggles with her family and her sexuality, allowing for development in individual characters and their relationships without unbelievably neat resolutions. Astrid's reluctance to label herself provokes an interesting examination of discovering sexuality and the prejudices that arise from multiple communities. Within a novel with compelling characters and an interesting narrative structure, Ask the Passengers presents a fresh perspective of self-discovery.

Suggested audience 
Grades 9-12

Reader’s advisory notes 
Appeal terms - Character-driven, issue-oriented, leisurely paced, reflective, thought-provoking, experimental
Read-alikes - The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Stephen Chbosky

Booktalking hook 
Read prologue on p. 1

Reason for inclusion 
Awards and Honours - Library Journal Best YA Lit for Adults, 2012; School Library Journal Best Books, 2012; YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults, 2013; Finalist, Lambda Literary Awards, 2013

Category 
LGBTQ, Realistic

Boy Meets Boy - David Levithan

Levithan, D. (2003). Boy meets boy. New York: Ember. 

Summary 
Paul is a high school sophomore, very involved in his school, and spends his free time with his close group of friends. When he meets Noah, a new boy at school, Paul quickly falls for him. But when things get complicated with Paul's ex, he has to find a way to win Noah back.

Evaluative comments 
Levithan creates an ideal high school, where sexuality and gender identity are not an issue and don't affect students' popularity. As a result, his book is upbeat and positive in a way that many LGBTQ books are not, giving a refreshing new perspective. The characters and their relationships are well developed and the humour in the novel hits a perfect note. The only shortcoming is that the story seems almost too short, and consequently feels a little rushed at times. Despite that, this book is well worth reading and sharing with teens.

Suggested audience 
Grades 9-12

Reader’s advisory notes
Appeal terms - Character-driven, amusing, romantic
Read-alikes - Absolutely, Positively Nice, David LaRochelle; My Most Excellent Year: a Novel of Love, Mary Poppins, & Fenway Park, Steve Kluger

Booktalking hook 
Read Paul meeting Noah at the bookstore for the first time (pp. 3-4) 

Reason for inclusion 
Awards and Honours -  Lambda Literary Award - Children/Young Adult, 2004; Booklist Best Books for Young Adults, 2004

Category
LGBTQ, Realistic, Award-Winning

Parrotfish - Ellen Wittlinger

Wittlinger, E. (2007). Parrotfish. New York: Simon & Schuster.

Summary 
Grady knows he's a boy, but almost everyone still insists on calling him Angela. His family treats his transition as a phase, and his former best friend shuns him at school. As others at school begin to torment him, Grady discovers new friends who accept his true identity.

Evaluative comments 
Parrotfish is one of the few teen books with a transgender main character. Through Grady, Wittlinger reflects on issues such as gender identity, transphobia, and gender stereotypes in a sensitive manner. The characters are fully developed, and while Grady's transition certainly provides the primary context for the novel, there are episodes and events that are not directly related. This wider focus lends the book more depth and saves it from becoming preachy.

Suggested audience 
Grades 9-12

Reader’s advisory notes 
Appeal terms - Issue-oriented, character-driven, leisurely paced, angst-filled, emotionally intense, reflective, thoughtful
Read-alikes - I am J, Cris Beam; Luna, Julie Anne Peters

Booktalking hook

Read Grady's imagined dialogues between his sister and mother (pp. 7-8) and between him and his former best friend (pp. 14-15)

Reason for inclusion 

Awards and Honours - Finalist, Lambda Literary Awards, 2008; NYPL Books for the Teen Age list, 2008; Nominated: ALA Stonewall Awards, 2008; Advocate Top Picks for Trans YA Fiction
ALA Rainbow List, 2008; Nominated: Cybils, 2007

Category 
LGBTQ, Realistic, Award-Winning

A Summer to Die - Lois Lowry

Lowry, L. (1977). A summer to die. Toronto: Bantam Books.

Summary
Meg, her older sister Molly, and their parents are moving to the country for one year, so that their father can write his book. Meg and Molly share a room, and their relationship becomes more and more strained as a result. When Molly gets sick, though, Meg, with the help of her new neighbours and friends, begins to gain a new perspective on their relationship.

Evaluative comments
Lowry is an incredible versatile writer, having written both very bleak and very funny books. A Summer to Die, her first novel, reveals yet another facet of her writing, as it deals with tragedy, but with a hopeful, sensitive tone. Her writing effortlessly draws readers in, and her imagery is well expressed and effectively adds a layer of depth to both the story and the characters. 

Suggested audience
Grades 7-10

Reader’s advisory notes

Appeal terms - Character-driven, atmospheric, reflective, bittersweet, moving,

Read-alikes - A House Like a Lotas, Madeleine L'Engle; Jacob Have I Loved, Katherine Paterson

Booktalking hook
Read the beginning passage, which introduces Meg and her relationship with her sister, Molly (pp. 1-3)

Reason for inclusion
Lois Lowry is a well-established YA author with many award-winning books to her name.
Awards for A Summer to Die - An ALA Notable Book for Children; An International Reading Association Children’s Book Award; A School Library Journal Best Book for Spring

Category
Historical/Classic, Realistic

Adam and Eve and Pinch-Me - Julie Johnston

Johnston, J. (1994). Adam and Eve and Pinch-Me. Toronto: Stoddart.

Summary 

Fifteen-year-old Sara Moone has been in the foster care system for most of her life. When she turns sixteen, she will be able to leave foster care, and she plans to head north, the most remote location she can think of. Her final placement is on a farm in Ontario, with the Huddleston and two other foster sons. As she counts down the days until her sixteenth birthday, she writes about her daily life on her only friend, her computer.

Evaluative comments
Adam and Eve and Pinch-Me is well written, with very developed characters. It is given a voice through Sara's narration, and the honesty and cynicism that show through her entries into her computer help achieve an impressive balance of humour and seriousness. Many readers will be able to relate to Sara's sense of isolation.

Suggested audience 
Grades 7-12

Reader’s advisory notes 
Appeal terms -  character-driven, leisurely paced, amusing, bittersweet, moving, reflective,                       sarcastic, conversational, 
Read-alikes - Pinballs, Betsy Byars; Alice, I Think, Susan Juby

Booktalking hook 
Read the passage where Sara is explaining why she has no interest in finding her birth mother and her own future plans (p. 27)

Reason for inclusion 
Awards and Honours - 1994 Governor General's Award; 1995 CLA Young Adult Book Award

Category 
Canadian, Realistic, Award-Winning

The Fault in Our Stars - John Green

Green, J. (2012). The fault in our stars. New York: Dutton Books.

Summary 
Hazel is a teenager living with terminal cancer. At her cancer support group, she meets Augustus, who has lost his leg to cancer. The two grow closer, bonding over their shared experience and Augustus' discovery of Hazel's favourite book. 

Evaluative comments 
This is an extremely moving book with an unexpected sense of humour. The premise of the book runs the risk of becoming cliche and trite, but Green's excellent writing and vivid, real characters transcend cliche. The characters are very frank about their illnesses, unafraid to consider and discuss their more serious thoughts about dying. However, they do so with a certain degree of humour and optimism, allowing the book to retain a bittersweet mood. The result is a story that will touch readers, and leave them with many things to think about.

Suggested audience 
Grades 9-12

Reader’s advisory notes  
Appeal terms - Character-driven, moving, bittersweet, emotionally intense, engaging
Read-alikes -  How to Say Goodbye in Robot, Natalie Standiford; Before I Die, Jenny Downham

Booktalking hook 
Read episode in park behind the museum (pp. 85-90).

Reason for inclusion 
Awards and Honours - Booklist Editors' Choice - Books for Youth - Older Readers Category, 2012; Goodreads Choice Awards, 2012; Great Lakes, Great Books: Young Adult category; School Library Journal Best Books, 2012; YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults, 2013

Category 
Realistic, Award-Winning

Stephen Fair - Tim Wynne-Jones

Wynne-Jones, T. (1998). Stephen Fair. Toronto: Groundwood.

Summary 
Stephen Fair is having strange dreams. The strangest thing about them, though, is that they're the same dreams his brother had before he ran away. Stephen is sure that these dreams mean something, but his mother is growing more and more mysterious about why his father and brother left. Fortunately, Stephen has his friends, who have named themselves the "usual suspects," to keep him distracted from his growing sense of unease.

Evaluative comments 
Stephen Fair is an extraordinarily well-written novel, making excellent use of setting and imagery to add further depth to the story. The characters are fully formed, with their own particular quirks, but still very real. The references to the film "Casablanca" throughout the novel are well integrated, and serve to heighten the atmosphere of the story. This is a book I would highly recommend, and would be a very interesting book to read for a second time after knowing how it ends.

Suggested audience 
Grades 8-12

Reader’s advisory notes
Appeal terms - Character-driven, reflective, amusing, compelling, 
Read-alikes - Zack, William Bell; Mistik Lake, Martha Brooks

Booktalking hook 
Read Stephen's dream in the prologue

Reason for inclusion 
Tim Wynne-Jones is an award winning Canadian author.

Category 
Canadian, Realistic

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Smith, R., Halfon, L. & Malkovich, J. (Producers), & Chbosky, S. (Director). (2012). The perks of being a wallflower [Motion picture]. USA: Summit Entertainment.

Summary 
Based on Stephen Chbosky's novel of the same name, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is about Charlie's first year of high school. Charlie is very shy, and still recovering from his friend's suicide. At his new school, he makes friends with Sam and Patrick, who take him under their wings. As Charlie grows closer to his friends, especially Sam, he begins to come out of his shell.

Evaluative comments 

This is an excellent movie, and an impressive adaptation of Chbosky's widely popular book. Chbosky's own involvement in the movie was a very smart choice, and his influence clearly shows. The performances are all extremely well done and nuanced. Especially impressive are the three actors playing Charlie, Sam, and Patrick, who successfully carry the movie. Though this movie does delve into some more disturbing issues, it ultimately balances this with an inspirational and uplifting tone. I would highly recommend this movie to any teen.

Suggested audience 
Grades 9-12

Reason for inclusion 
Based on a very popular YA novel; critically acclaimed

Category
Video, Realistic