Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Elkeles, Simone. Perfect Chemistry. Walker Books for Young Readers, 2008. 368 pages. ISBN-10: 0802798233. ISBN-13: 978-0802798237.

Plot:

On the surface, Brittany and Alex couldn’t be more different. She is a popular cheerleader, from perfect family on the rich side of town, and part of the school’s golden couple. He is a member of the Latino Blood gang, poor, and dangerous. When the two are paired up as lab partners, they are both unhappy with the situation. To prove himself, Alex makes a bet with his friends that he can get Brittany to have sex with him by Thanksgiving. As the two get to know each other, they start to see that their perceptions were very wrong. Brittany’s family is actually pretty dysfunctional and her perfect exterior is her defense to hide that. Alex is actually a smart boy who longs to go to college, but is trapped in the gang in order to help his family. As they discover more about each other, they begin to fall in love. Their friends and family aren’t ready to accept them as a couple, however. As Brittany’s family situation spins out of control and Alex is forced to go deeper into the gang life, they’re not sure if their love will survive.

Critical Evaluation:

Perfect Chemistry is a pretty predictable novel. The storyline isn’t especially original. The good girl and the bad boy who hate each other but slowly fall in love has been done many times over. The characters are stereotypical, both on the surface and underneath. She’s the “perfect” girl with the difficult home life. He’s the bad boy who wants to escape his circumstances and better himself. They’re also very frustrating at the start of the novel. The ending of the story isn’t especially shocking or original. Despite all this, Perfect Chemistry is a sweet and engaging read. Presenting it in alternating viewpoints allows the reader insight into each of the characters, especially since they hide so much from each other and the world around them. After the initial frustration, the characters become endearing as they fall in love, almost as if their love is what redeems them both. It’s impossible to not cheer them on as they take on a world that isn’t ready to accept them for who they are and certainly isn’t ready to accept them being together. They encounter what should be extremely dangerous and almost impossible challenges, but the ending is tied up neatly. Rather than being annoying in its lack of realism, the ending is satisfying. This is a touching and romantic read; realism isn’t necessary.

Reader's Annotation:

Brittany and Alex come from vastly different backgrounds, but fall in love after being paired as chemistry lab partners.

Author Information:

Simone Elkeles was born and raised near Chicago, where many of her books take place. She attended the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign where she received a degree in Psychology in 1992. She then went on to attend Loyola University-Chicago to study Industrial Relations. Following graduation, she worked creating diversity programs for a manufacturing company.

Her first book was published in 2006. She writes solely for young adults because she enjoys writing about the excitement of teenage love and romance. She tries her best to make sure her characters and situations are realistic, including actually spending time in a juvenile detention center to research her Leaving Paradise series.

Genre:

Romance

Curriculum Ties:

English: A modern comparison to Romeo and Juliet.

Booktalking Ideas:

• Discuss the idea of stereotypes and first impressions.
• Talk about being trapped by your situations and deciding to break free.
• Discuss the similarities between Brittany's life and Alex's life.

Reading Level/Interest Age:

15 and older

Challenge Issues:

Profanity
Sexual content
Violence
Gang activity
Drug and alcohol use

Challenge Defense Ideas:

• Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
• If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
• Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
• Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.

Reasons for Selection:

I was first attracted to this book because of the alternating narrator style in which is is written. It's a sweet twist on the Romeo and Juliet plot-line, but written for modern audiences.

Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause

Klause, Annette Curtis. Blood and Chocolate. Delacorte Books for Young Readers, 1997. 272 pages. ISBN-10: 0385323050. ISBN-13: 978-0385323055.

Plot:

Vivian’s pack of werewolves is forced to move from their home after a fire that kills her father - a fire they suspect was started by some locals who figured out what they were. After relocating, Vivian meets and falls for a human, a “meat boy,” named Aiden, which is forbidden by the pack. Loving a human leaves the pack open to exposure and it goes against their laws for mating. Instead, the pack thinks she would be more suited for one of her own. Gabriel, a young werewolf who takes over as leader in the place of her father, has his eye on her. When she accidentally wins a competition between the female members of the pack, she ends up named as Gabriel’s mate and new queen of the pack. Despite this, Vivian believes Aiden is the one for her and that she can trust him with her secret. As she contemplates telling Aiden and leaving her duty to the pack behind, a series of murders points to one of the pack being involved. Vivian can’t remember where she was during the attacks. Vivian must decide between Aiden and Gabriel, while trying to figure out who’s been murdering humans and if she’s involved.

Critical Evaluation:

Vivian’s internal conflict is what really drives this novel. Though the plot is entertaining and the other characters are interesting, if one-dimensional, they are secondary to the internal world of Vivian. Her struggle with deciding what she wants, who to trust, and where she fits in with the pack are well-developed. The reader is right there with her as she is torn between the human world and that of the werewolves. We feel her pain, confusion, fear, and shame. The other characters and the action tend further her story rather than stand on their own.

As the two vastly different love interests, Aiden and Gabriel are slightly more developed than the rest of the characters, but they still basically serve the purpose of representing the two sides of Vivian. Unlike the typical paranormal romance, however, the relationship between the human and the supernatural being ends up being unworkable. Despite what one might think, it’s actually refreshing to see a novel that allows the human character to have a negative and fearful reaction to discovering the truth. Though we might initially be supportive of her relationship with Aiden, by the time he and Gabriel both reveal who they really are to Vivian, it’s easy to switch sides. The ending does feel a little rushed, but it’s relatively sweet and satisfying.

Reader's Annotation:

Vivian has never wanted any life other than the one as a werewolf, but everything changes when an attack on her pack kills her father and forces the rest of the pack to move. She falls for a human boy and starts to question everything she’s ever known.

Author Information:

Annette Curtis Klause is a librarian and young adult author. As a child, she was given an assignment to write about what she wanted to be when she grew up and she chose librarian because of her love of visiting her hometown library. After discovering how much schooling was required to become a librarian, she put it aside until after graduating with an English degree in undergrad. With no idea of what to do with her future, she turned again to her dream of being a librarian and pursued her MLS at the University of Maryland. She has worked in libraries primarily in the children and youth departments since 1979 and says that this work and her studies really opened her eyes to the wonders of youth fiction.

She has also been writing since she was a child. She had her first novel published in 1990. She has published 4 novels for young adults as well as a handful of short fiction and poems. Most of her work focuses on the supernatural and also contains elements of romance.

Genre:

Fantasy

Curriculum Ties:

None

Booktalking Ideas:

• Discuss the choice between love and family duty.
• Compare Vivian’s relationship with Aiden to her relationship with Gabriel.
• Focus on the idea of keeping your real self a secret.
• Tell the story of where the loups-garoux originated.

Reading Level/Interest Age:

15 and older

Challenge Issues:

Sexual content
Suggestive language
Violence

Challenge Defense Ideas:

• Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
• If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
• Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
• Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.

Reasons for Selection:

The paranormal romance sub-genre of fantasy is a popular genre for teens at the moment.

Forever by Judy Blume

Blume, Judy. Forever. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1975. 195 pages. ISBN-10: 0670891223. ISBN-13: 978-0027110302.

Plot:

Katherine and Michael first meet at a New Year’s Eve party and begin dating soon after. Their relationship progresses in the traditional manner both emotionally and physically. When the two do decide to have sex for the first time, Katherine visits a Planned Parenthood clinic to get the birth control pill. The two believe they have a love that will last forever, but their parents don’t see it that way. Katherine is sent to help as a tennis instructor at her younger sister’s summer camp and Michael spends the summer working for his uncle. Though they believe it will work, the time apart and Katherine’s friendship with a male counselor have her questioning exactly what forever really means.

While Katherine and Michael’s story unfolds, they are helped along by Katherine’s best friend Erica and Michael’s best friend Artie, who also begin to date. Erica believes that sex is a purely physical act rather than emotional, but reconsiders after hearing about Katherine’s relationship with Michael. She and Artie attempt to have the same kind of relationship, but Artie’s struggle with his own sexuality ends up having tragic results.

Critical Evaluation:

The writing isn’t great, the story isn’t especially compelling, and the characters often seem stilted or stereotypical, but this book is admirable for one important reason: it presents a fairly realistic teenage relationship that is neither overly romanticized nor demonized and which includes a responsible sexual relationship. Katherine thinks through each step of their sexual relationship to gauge whether or not she feels ready. When she decides to have sex with Michael, she does so only after obtaining birth control. This treatment of sex as both something that is a natural part of a relationship and, yet, something that should be carefully considered provides a good message for teenagers. Though some readers might be uncomfortable with the description of the sexual relationship, the descriptions are not lurid, but rather represent what a teenager might be thinking and feeling during those acts. The way the relationship progresses through the end also serves to make the story seem more authentic instead of a sugary romance.

The secondary characters do fill out the story somewhat and present alternate examples of teenage relationships and sexuality. By having a boy struggling with whether or not he is gay, a girl who becomes pregnant and chooses an adoption with very little other consequences, and another girl who changes her views concerning sex and emotions, Blume provides examples of other situations many teens face, but manages to do so in a way that isn’t judgmental or sentimental.

Reader's Annotation:

High school seniors Katherine and Michael explore all the beautiful and exciting experiences of first love, including sex. They believe it will last forever, but will it?

Author Information:

Judy Blume was born February 12, 1938. She spent her childhood in Elizabeth, New Jersey. She loved making up stories as a child, which led to her very prolific career as an author. She attended New York University and graduated with a B.S. in Education. Her first book was published in 1969 and she has since published 28 books for children, young adults and adults. Her writing has won over 90 awards over the last 40 years. She is also the editor of a collection of short stories written by censored authors.

Blume is a vocal supporter of intellectual freedom and the fight against censorship. When many of her books were challenged, some even making the ALA’s Top 100 Challenged Books list, she began to reach out to other authors who had faced the same situation, as well as teachers and librarians. She has worked with the National Coalition Against Censorship since the 1980s. She is also a member of many other organizations fighting censorship in children’s literature and founded The Kids Fund, an educational foundation for children.

Genre:

Romance

Curriculum Ties:

Sex Ed: Healthy Relationships, Responsible Sex

Booktalking Ideas:

• Discuss the idea of first love lasting forever.
• Compare Katherine and Michael to Erica and Artie.
  

Reading Level/Interest Age:

15 and older

Challenge Issues:

Sexual content
Suggestive language
Promotion of birth control
Teen pregnancy
Attempted suicide
Gay character

Challenge Defense Ideas:

• Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
• If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
• Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
• Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.

Reasons for Selection:

Since its publication, this has been a wildly popular book with teenagers.

Dreamland by Sarah Dessen

Dessen, Sarah. Dreamland. Penguin, 2000. 256 pages. ISBN-10: 0670891223. ISBN-13: 978-0670891221.

Plot:

Caitlin has always been second to her older sister Cass, but that never stopped Caitlin from loving her. When Cass runs away, on Caitlin’s birthday, her family is turned upside down, especially Caitlin. In order to make things seem a little more normal, Caitlin decides to join the cheerleading squad and take a photography class with her mother and neighbor, both of which turn her mother’s attention a little more towards her. Something is still missing, however, and Caitlin thinks she’s found it in Rogerson, a dark and mysterious drug dealer who becomes her first serious boyfriend. At first, everything is great. She and Rogerson have fun together, he introduces her to a new set of friends, and she loves being with him. Then the beatings start. Caitlin stays with him, trying desperately to do anything to avoid being hit and to hide the bruises when she is. She withdraws more and more from her family and friends and school as she becomes more wrapped up with the relationship and her fear. She begins using drugs and sex and her love for Rogerson to escape from the physical and emotional pain his anger and abuse is causing. Everything escalates until the day Rogerson decides that she does something unforgivable and he reaches a level of anger and violence he never has before.

Critical Evaluation:

Those who have never been in an abusive relationship often wonder how a person can stay in one. Dessen does a fantastic job of showing the reader just exactly how a smart, normal girl can end up in a situation she feels she can’t escape. She shows us Caitlin’s emotional state and the progression of their relationship in such a way that we can feel the same shock and disbelief that Caitlin feels when Rogerson turns abusive. Her love for him and her fear of him are both vivid in their presentation. Though the reader may not fully understand why Caitlin doesn’t seek help – and most certainly wishes for her to do so – the escalating situation is such a believable one that it’s easier to understand how so many people end up in relationships such as these. The ending does seem a little too neatly tied and somewhat unrealistic, but perhaps that is exactly the type of ending that can give the reader hope.

Reader's Annotation:

Caitlin has spent her life living in the shadow of her perfect older sister, Cass. When Cass runs away, Caitlin finally has a chance to find herself, but she's looking in all the wrong places.

Author Information:

Sarah Dessen was born June 6, 1970 in Evanston, Illinois, but spent most of her life in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Her parents were both professors and she credits her love of reading as being a result of their influence. She studied creative writing and English at the University of North Carolina, where her parents taught. Three years after graduation, she published her first book. A year after that, she was offered a position as a teacher. She took the job, but continued to write.

She has published 9 books for young adults and has another due to be published in May of 2011. She hadn’t intended on becoming a young adult author, but her agent felt she had a strong teenage voice. Much of her inspiration for writing comes from the close group of friends she had in high school as well as continuing to live in her home town, which she says makes it hard to leave high school behind. Her books have won numerous awards.

Genre:

Realistic Fiction: Abuse

Curriculum Ties:

Psychology: Healthy Relationships, Family Dynamic
Health: Drug Abuse

Booktalking Ideas:

• Discuss Caitlin’s use of photography as a way to hide.
• Speak as if it were a letter from Caitlin to Cass about the effect Cass‘s leaving had on her.
• Discuss the downward spiral of Caitlin and Rogerson’s relationship.

Reading Level/Interest Age:

Age 14 and older

Challenge Issues:

Abusive relationship
Drug use
Sexual content

Challenge Defense Ideas:

• Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
• If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
• Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
• Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.

Reasons for Selection:

I was drawn to the realistic portrayal of the progression of an abusive relationship.