Psyche in a Dress by Francesca Lia Block

This is a short haunting book full of sensual imagery and exquisite diction. The first book I have ever read by Francesca Lia Block, Psyche in a Dress is perfect for mature teens who may also be dreamers, poets, artists, mystics, etc. This book is not for those in search of plot; although, the plots of several classic myths lie buried beneath Block’s prose. As I read, shifting perspectives caused confusion; but, then I’d get caught by a distinctive image or phrase. Some chapters are enticing, others should have been edited. I would have liked more specific details about the modern lives of Psyche, Echo, Persephone – just a few of the goddesses/gods described in the book. Overall, Psyche in a Dress is a quick and dreamlike read – perfect for those who enjoy fantasy, magic, love, and poetry.

"Life on the Refrigerator Door" by Alice Kuipers

I was predisposed to like this book...cute cover, cute idea, etc. I expected it to be a glimpse inside the pell-mell schedules of a modern American teen and her mom and the way seemingly innuocous words can tell volumes. Imagine my surprise to find myself reading the chronicles of a woman dealing with cancer entirely via notes with her daughter--who is quite possibly the most self-involved character in modern literary history! Though to be fair, the mother is no prize either...an ob-gyn(an attempt at irony perhaps?) who has little to no physical contact with her daughter.
The writing is shallow and immature and the characters are painfully one dimensional. The book, in fact, reads like a high school literary magazine submission gone horribly public.
Is this really what we're inflicting on YA readers(and their parents?!).
Bad writing aside, the book does leave us with this question: Are our children really raising themselves? Because, if families are operating like the one in this book, our future is bleak indeed.
I definitely do not recommend this one--in fact I'd rather see kids reading "Gossip Girl". At least those parents are involved!!

How to Teach Filthy Rich Teen by Zoey Dean

Well known for her "A-List" series( which I have not--will not-- read) Dean has written a cute novel about a struggling Yale graduate hoping for a career in journalism(yes, you see shades of "The Devil Wears Prada") but sadly can't find a job she feels worthy of her talents and winds up an SAT tutor (yes, you see shades of "The Nanny Diaries") to a pair of debutantes. However, with appealing characters who learn not to judge a book by it's cover, How to Teach Filthy Rich Teens manages to hit some very genuine notes. I hope to see this author continue to develop her talents for realistic (and just fluffy enough for school vacation!) stories.

Chuck Dugan is AWOL

You may recognize the "look" of this book (not quite a graphic novel--"a novel with pictures" according to the author) if you are a fan of Wes "The Royal Tenebaums" Andersen's movies. Yes, they are brothers and Eric has served as Art Director for his brother on his film work. Chuck Dugan is what you would expect: offbeat, oddly charming, and full of clever dialogue. It's not a new book but since I just re-read it while waiting to see "The Darjeeling Limited", I thought I'd send the recommendation out to the blogosphere.
Not quite like seeing an Andersen movie but close...

What My Girlfriend Doesn't Know by Sonya Sones

I just love all of Sonya Sones' books and this one is awesome. Robin and Sophie finally hook up but Robin has no idea why Sophie likes him! In free verse, popular Sophie choses weirdo Robin "You're a real Murphy" as the love of her life. Only problem is, not one of Sophie's friends and all the other students at High School seem to understand what Sophie sees in the Murphster. But Robin is young, sweet, amorous and totally ga-ga about Sophie, her eyes and her heart. Robin is also an artist with real talent and I loved the classes he audits at Harvard and the great art students he becomes friendly with. You will laugh, you will cry--this is the guy's take on first love and it is amazing.

Stephenie Meyer books

I am the kind of person who reads and loves almost everything I read, but I was never a reader of horror fiction- vampires in particular. But students kept asking for the books after Twilight in the spring and since Twilight was on the Reading Olympic list for '08 I decided to take it home for the summer, read it and make up questions. Well, I am hooked! I read Twilight in July and I couldn't put it down, Meyer has a unique way of writing seductively and from the teen perspective. There is so much angst with Bella and Edward Cullen, you just have to keep reading to learn more about their very different, yet alluring love. My students never minded that the books were 400-500 pages long- they were clamoring for the next one and the next one! I am now halfway through New Moon and once again, the suspense, fear and unrequited love keep me reading! Now I am learning more about Bella and Jacob's friendship/realtionship and boy is this different. When I went to Borders last week to purchase New Moon, my neice told me I just had to buy the 3rd one because it was 30% off and I would be saving money so I purchased Eclipse as well. I don't really booktalk these books (because reluctant readers would see the size and not touch them), the students who are readers come and ask for them in groups so I am more than happy to get these vampire books for our library because they are very read-worthy! So to become an ardent fan of Stephenie Meyer, pick up Twilight and I guarantee you will be seduced!

Behind the Mountains by Edwidge Danticat

What a wonderful, poignant story about a Haitian family whose father, Papa, now lives in New York, toiling for years to bring his family to live with him. Told in first person by Celiane in entries to her notebook, we meet her family who has remained in Haiti, Celiane's mother, Manman, her older, artistic brother, Moy and the many relatives who provide support as they wait for approval to make the move. There is government turmoil and Celiane and her mother are injured in a pipe bomb attack in Haiti. It is a wonderful Christmas present to move to New York to finally be with their father. Once there, Moy and Celiane go to school, which is difficult because of the language barrier, strange surroundings and no friends. We see through Celiane's eyes the joy, sorrow and harshness of being in a new land. We see the beauty of Celiane's house on a mountain and New York through a child's eyes. This is a great multicultural story of how families remain close during separation and make a new life in a new land.

Eclipse

Eclipse - Finally! I couldn't put it down, but I never wanted it to end. This is Book 3 of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. Fast-moving, engaging story romance in which Bella has to make some difficult choices.

-- Sesheta

Enter Three Witches

Enter Three Witches by Caroline B. Cooney is a novelized version of Shakespeare’s MacBeth. It is narrated from the point of view of Lady Mary whose future is changed when her father is hanged for treachery and she becomes a maid in the household of the ruthless Lord and Lady Macbeth.
--Sesheta

.:: thirsty ::.

"Thirsty" by M T Anderson

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Chris is turning into a vampire; each day his blood-lust growing stronger and harder to deny. With the promise of a cure, Chris agrees to help a strange creature named Chet, who claims to work for the Forces of Light. But as Chris is drawn further and further into his mysterious quest, he begins to doubt just which side he is working for. While struggling to do the right thing (and trying to ignore his increasing appetite), Chris is dealing with so much more: his dysfunctional family, his feelings for a young lady, trying to keep his best friends from drifting apart, and avoiding the violent mobs patrolling the streets looking to destroy any and all vampires in their midst.

This book acts as an often funny, often distressing metaphor for teenage life: puberty, sexual awakening, friendship, cliques, parents, siblings, temptation, and the awkward learning curve of learning how to fit into society. Teens will enjoy the vampire theme and the will most likely relate to the frustrations that Chris experiences with his 'problem-filled life.' The story seems a little disjointed at times and I didn’t find the ending to be overly satisfying, but it definitely had me turning the pages and biting my fingernails.

.:: perfect ::.

"Perfect" by Natasha Friend

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Isabelle's life is falling apart. Her father is dead, her mother is an emotional wreck, and her kid sister April is a brat. When Isabelle is feeling particularly helpless or depressed, she retreats to her bedroom closet and binges on chocolate, chips and pop and then purges it all into the bathroom toilet. After her mother finds out about her little secret, Isabelle is forced to go to "Eating Disorder and Body Image Therapy Group." Isabelle is mortified to enter Group on her first day to discover that she is surrounded by other girls she has nothing in common except the annoying shrink that makes them talk about their 'feelings.' Until Ashley Barnum walks in. Ashley is the most popular girl in school, desired by boys everywhere, and has perfect hair, perfect clothes, perfect grades and a perfect family. She is everything that Isabelle wished she could be. But Isabelle soon learns that no one is ever truly perfect, and that trying to be something she isn't could cost more than she ever imagined.

The author tackles some pretty emotional topics in this book, in a way that is suitable and appealing to teens. The book provides a sympathetic portrayal of eating disorders (without being preachy or condescending), while giving insight into the raw frustration and confusion that follows in the wake of a family member’s death, and how these issues can effect surrounding people. A well developed story and believable characters had me completely absorbed into Isabelle’s life and concerned for how the story would end. Highly recommended.

The Secret Twin

The Secret Twin by Denise Gosliner Orenstein and Dan McCarthy (illustrator) is a beautifully-written, spell-binding story narrated from the perspectives of 13-year-old Noah, and Grace, the health-care worker who is taking care of him. Noah, the sole survivor of the surgery separating him and his conjoined-at-the-heart twin brother, lives with his self-absorbed grandmother and the secret guilt of surviving his brother. Grace comes to take care of him when his grandmother goes into the hospital for more plastic surgery. Their stories unfold as they reveal their secret losses to each other. Intense characterizations and extraordinary writing make this book memorable with great potential for discussion.

-- Sesheta