Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Year Published: 2002
Publisher:
ISBN: 0061139378
Pages: 162
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Mystery, Fantasy
Interest Level:5-9
Reading Level: 5
Subjects: Family, ghost

Reader's Annotation: Coraline ventures through a mysterious door into a world that is similar, yet disturbingly different from her own, where she must challenge a gruesome entity in order to save herself, her parents, and the souls of three others.

Summary: Coraline moves with her family to rainy Portland. She kept herself busy by having an adventure in her new house. She discovers a "mirror" life as she walks through a secret door. She finds similar mom and dad and enjoyed the change for a little bit. When she tried to leave, her "new" mom gets really possessive and threatens Coraline and the people that she loves. Coraline saves her family by playing a dangerous game with her "new mom" and eventually sets everyone free, including herself and her family.

Reviews and Awards: ALA Best Book For Young Adults, ALA Booklist, ALA Notable Book For Children, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, IRA Children's Choice Award, School Library Journal Starred Review, Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review for Publishers Weekly, Voice of Youth Advocates, Wilson's Children's Catalog, Wilson's Junior High Catalog

Author Information: www.neilgaiman.com

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Year Published:1999
Publisher:Viking Penguin
ISBN: 0142407321
Pages: 197
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Drama
Interest Level: 7-12
Reading Level: 5
Subjects: High school, School stories, Rape

Reader's Annotation: Melinda Sordino gets raped during a summer party. She reported the party to the police and gets rejected by her friends. She finds her voice in the arts with the help of her art teacher and friend.

Summary: Melinda Sordino becomes a selective mute as she enters high school. She has been ostracized by her friends for calling the police on one of the summer parties. She finds support and comfort in her art teacher and friend, David Petrakis. Melinda finds her voice to speak about her traumatic summer experience. She learns to cope after being raped.

Reviews and Awards: ALA Best Book For Young Adults, ALA Booklist, ALA/YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, Michael Printz Honor, Publishers Weekly, Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Wilson's High School Catalog, Wilson's Junior High Catalog

Author Information: www.laurieanderson.com

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Year Published: 2003
Publisher: Bantam Book
ISBN:0553213105
Pages: 337
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Drama
Interest Level: 9+
Reading Level: 12
Subjects: Courtship, Marriage, Sisters
Reader's Annotation: Mrs. Bennet wants her five daughters to be married to save their house and property.

Summary: The story is about the Bennet family and the 5 daughters' luck on finding good husbands for their future. A rich gentleman Mr. Bingley visits their town accompanied by Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth falls in-love with Mr. Bingley and makes a promise to marry her but later breaks the promise. An interesting twist happens in the lives of the 5 sisters as they go through challenges about love, gossip, scandals and class.

Almost Home by Nora Baskin

Year Published: 2003
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
ISBN: 0316093130
Pages: 176
Classification: Fiction
Subject: Family problems, Friendship, Stepmother, Self-acceptance
Genre: Drama
Reading Level: 4
Interest Level: 5-9

Reader's Annotation: Twelve-year-old Leah learns to adjust in her new family, new home, new school and new friends.

Summary: Twelve-year-old Leah is shaken after her mother leaves her. She moves in with her father and stepmother, Gail. Leah struggles in her environment – new family, new school, new friends. Things start to change after she meets Will, a new boy in school whom she secretly meets in the school auditorium during lunch. They become good friends. Leah finds the strength to face the challenges in her life through the encouragement of Will.

She learns to have a deeper understanding of herself and the people around her.

Author Information: www.norabaskin.com

Giver by Lois Lowry

Year Published: 1993
Publisher: Dell Yearling
ISBN:0440237688
Pages: 179
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction
Reading Level: 5
Interest Level: 5-9

Reader's Annotation: Jonas is chosen to receive and keep all the memories of the past. He discovers that having all the knowledge is a huge responsibility and even becomes a curse.

Summary: Twelve-year old Jonas receives his assignment as the next Giver. Jonas lives in a perfect society where there is no war, poverty, or family turmoil. In their perfect society, there is no and fear, no hardship, no everyday discontent, no long-term terror. It is protected from all the possible harm and everything is in order.

As Jonas trains from the Giver, he learns of many things that do not exist in their society. The Giver gives him all the memories, both good and bad, and Jonas feels the weight and responsibility of holding all the information and the truth. Jonas also learns about Elsewhere and the Release of the baby in his family. Jonas and the baby escape the perfect society in search for Elsewhere. They face many struggles and difficulties in their journey – starvation, hypothermia and near death experiences. The story ends without really telling whether they survived but they have reached Elsewhere.

Awards: ALA Best Book For Young Adults, ALA Notable Book For Children, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, IRA Teacher's Choice Award, National Council For Social Studies Notable Children's Trade, Newbery Medal, NCTE Adventuring With Books, NCTE High Interest-Easy Reading, NCTE Your Reading, Voice of Youth Advocates, Wilson's Children's Catalog, Wilson's High School Catalog, Wilson's Junior High Catalog

Author website: www.loislowry.com

A Walk to Remember (Movie)

Cast : Shane West, Mandy Moore, Peter Coyote, Daryl Hannah
Directed by: Adam Shankman
Release Date: January 25, 2002
Distributed by: Warner Brothers Prictures
Running time : 102 mins.
Genre: Drama, Romance
Language: English
Subjects: Teen, High school, Terminal illness
Note: Based on Nicholas Sparks novel (same title). Rated PG for thematic elements, language and some sensual material.

Summary: Landon Carter gets caught violating school rules and as a punishment, he has to do community service. Some of them includes after-school tutoring and performing in the school play. He was forced to work with Jamie Sullivan, a smart minister's daughter. Landon and Jamie as they work together in rehearsing for the play. Landon falls in-love with Jamie Sullivan but Landon's friends did not approve the relationship. A prank was made to Jamie and Landon ends up fighting with his friends and stopped hanging out with his popular friends and chose to be with Jamie. Meanwhile, Jamie's terminal illness was progressing and when she finally she had to confess to Landon that she is dying. Landon stayed with Jamie through her struggle with her illness. Landon's father even paid for her home care. Landon worked on giving all Jamie's list including getting married in the church where her parents got married. Jamie passed away. Four years later, Landon returns to Jamie's father to return the book/diary Jamie gave Landon. Landon reflects on how much his life had changed with Jamie.

Comparisons to novel: Set into 1990 instead of 1950s to draw interest from modern teens. The play was a church play instead of a school play and it was written by Jamie's father, Hegbert. Landon's father is a congressman in the novel while the movie, the father is a cardiologist but they still both paid for Jamie's home medical expenses. The novel, Jamie gives Landon her mother's Bible while the movie she gives him her mother's book/diary.

Awards: Breakthrough Female Performance - 2002 MTV Movie Awards - Mandy Moore; Film - Choice Breakout Performance, Actress - 2002 Teen Choice Awards - Mandy Moore; Film - Choice Chemistry - 2002 Teen Choice Awards - Shane West and Mandy Moore; Film - Choice Actress, Drama/Action Adventure - 2002 Teen Choice Awards - Mandy Moore

Pride and Prejudice (Movie)

Directed by: Joe Wright
Released Date: November 23 2005
Cast: Keira Knightly, Matthew Macfadyen, Donald Sutherland, Talulah Riley
Distributed by: Focus Features, Studio Canal, United International Pictures
Genre: Drama, Romance
Interest Level: 9-12
Run Time: 127 minutes
Subject: Love, Courtship, Marriage, English Class system
Summary: Pride and Prejudice is a love story based on the novel by Jane Austin. The story is about the Bennet family and the 5 daughters' luck on finding good husbands for their future. A rich gentleman Mr. Bingley visits their town accompanied by Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth falls in-love with Mr. Bingley and makes a promise to marry her but later breaks the promise. An interesting twist happens in the lives of the 5 sisters as they go through challenges about love, gossip, scandals and class.

Awards: Nominated for Teen's Choice Awards 2006 for Best Actress
Won : Satellite Award 2005 for Best Costume; London Critics Circle Films Awards 2006 for British Director of the Year and British Supporting Actor of the Year;
Golden Trailer Awards 2006 for Best Romance; Empire Awards 2006 for Best British Film and Best Newcomer; Boston Society of Film Critics Awards 2005 for Best New Filmmaker

Speak (Movie)

Cast: Kristen Stewart, Michael Angarano, Halle Hirsh, D.B. Sweeney
Director: Jessica Sharzer
Release Date: January 20, 2004
Distributor: Showtime Networks
Running Time: 89 minutes
Genre: Drama
Language: English
Subjects: Teen Rape, High School life, Student teacher relationship
Summary: Melinda Sordino becomes a selective mute as she enters high school. She has been ostracized by her friends for calling the police on one of the summer parties. She finds support and comfort in her art teacher and friend, David Petrakis. Melinda finds her voice to speak about her traumatic summer experience. She learns to cope after being raped.

Notes: Based on Laurie Halse Anderson's novel, Speak. PG-13 for mature thematic material involving a teen rape. The movie is about a teen overcoming rape. There are some profanity and underage drinking scenes.

Awards: 2004 Woodstock Film Festival - Audience Award - Best Narrative Feature
Nominations: 2006 Director's Guild of America - Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children's Programs

Coraline (Movie)

Cast: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Keith David, John Hodgman, Robert Bailey Jr., Ian McShan
Release Date: February 6, 2009
Distributed by: Focus Features
Genre: Adventure, Animation, Fantasy,
Running Time : 100 minutes
Subjects: Family, Parenting

Summary: Coraline moves with her family to rainy Portland. She kept herself busy by having an adventure in her new house. She discovers a "mirror" life as she walks through a secret door. She finds similar mom and dad and enjoyed the change for a little bit. When she tried to leave, her "new" mom gets really possessive and threatens Coraline and the people that she loves. Coraline saves her family by playing a dangerous game with her "new mom" and eventually sets everyone free, including herself and her family.

Prince Caspian (Movie)

Directed by: Andrew Adamson
Cast: Ben Barnes, Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley, Anna Popplewell, Sergio Castellitto, Eddie Izzard (voice), Peter Dinklage, Liam Neeson (voice)
Release Date: May 16, 2008
Distributor: Walt Disney Pictures
Run time: 142 minutes
Rate: PG
Language: English
Subjects: Sibling relationship,
Note: Rated PG for epic battle action and violence. Based on C.S. Lewis' book, Prince Caspian.

Summary: Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy return to Narnia when summoned for help by a Telmarine prince, Caspian. Narnians work together to fight for their existence against the Telmarine leader, Miraz. For years, the talking animals and beast were banished by the Telmarines and forced to live underground and unseen by humans. Narnians with the leadership of Prince Caspian and the Pevensie fight against Miraz soldier but they were too great in number. At some point they were too desperate to get some help to defeat Miraz and his army that they almost brought the White Witch to life but with Edmund's courage, he stopped that from happening by breaking the ice wall.

Finally, Peter challenges Miraz on a one-man-fight. Mirz is defeated but his army still attacked the Narnians. Meanwhile, Susan and Lucy went to search Aslan for help. Aslan helped as well as the Talking trees defeating the Telmarine armies.

Aslan gave a chance for some Telmarines to go back to their ancestral home by crossing to the other side of the tree. For the ones who want to start a new life, they choose to cross while others remain and live in harmony with the Narnians with Prince Caspian as their new ruler. The Pevensies also crossed the to the other side of the tree, returning to the railway station, in England, where all the adventure began.

Comparison to novel: The Castle attack was added to the movie to make it interesting. It did not happen in the book.


Awards: 2008 Teen Choice Award - Choice Movie: Action Adventure
Nominations: 2008 Teen Choice - Choice Movie Breakout Male; 2009 People's Choice - Favorite Family Movie; 2008 National Movie Awards - Best Family Film and Best Performance - Male; 2008 Movie Awards - Best Summer Movie So Far

Stardust (Movie)

Director: Matthew Vaughn
Cast: Robert De Niro, Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rupert Everett
Release Date: August 10, 2007
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Run Time: 128 minutes
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Romance, Fantasy, Adventure
Subjects: Star, Witchcraft

Reader's Annotation: Tristan promises the star to his beloved Victoria. He goes on an adventure and falls in love with the fallen star. He fights for his love and gains his throne, mother and the star.

Summary: Everyone wants to catch the fallen star, Yvaine. Tristan wants to bring the star to his beloved Victoria so she could marry him. Prince Septimus wants the Yvaine’s heart so he could be immortal. Three witches want the Yvaine’s heart for recover their beauty and eternal youth. All want the star for their selfish gain.

The movie is about the journey of Tristan to bring Yvaine to Wall Village for Victoria. They go through magical adventure meeting unicorns, beautiful and enchanting witch, singing sky pirate and many more. Tristan even gets turn to a mouse. At the end of their journey Tristan and Yvaine falls in-love. Tristan returns to the Wall Village to tell Vitoria that he no longer wants to marry her and gives her some strands of hair from the star. Tristan finds the hair turn into dust. He hurries back to Yvaine only to find out that the witches had captured her who wants her heart for eternal youth. Tristan rescues Yvaine. He finds out about his royal blood and ends up rescuing his mother too. Tristan and Yvaine ruled as king and queen of England for many years until they lit the Babylonian candle. The two return to the sky and became twin stars and still lived happily ever after.


Personal Notes: I loved this movie. It reminded me of my father's stories when I was a child about the fallen stars and beautiful beings that were believed to have lived on earth.

Awards: Empire Awards 2008 for Best Sci-Fi/ Fantasy, GLAAD Media Award for Film-Wide Release, Hugo Awards for Best Dramatic Presentation, Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards 2008 for Overlooked Film of the Year

Movie Website: ww.stardustmovie.com

Twilight (Movie)

Directed by: Catherine Hardwicke
Cast: Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Nikki Reed, Taylor Lautner
Release Date: November 21, 2008
Distributor: Goldencrest Pictures
Genre: Action, Mystery, Fantasy, Romance
Run Time: 122 minutes
Subjects: Vampires, Werewolf,

Summary: Twilight has a Romeo and Juliet love-story plot. Isabella Swan moves to Forks, Washington and meets a handsome and smart guy, Edward Cullen. Bella finds out about Edward's real identity but still pursue their relationship. They struggle to keep their relationship as they face the challenges of being accepted by both sides - vampires and human and even the werewolves.

Awards: Young Artist Awards 2009 for Best Performance in a Feature Film

City of Ember (Movie)

Cast: Bill Murray, Saoirse Ronan, Harry Treadaway, Mackenzie Crook
Directed by: Gil Kenan
Release Date: October 10, 2008
Distributor: 20th Century Fox,Walden Media, Playtone
Running Time: 95 Minutes
Subjects: Overcoming challenges, friendship, family
Note: Based on Jeanne DuPrau's book, City of Ember.

Summary: A group of scientist decide to preserve mankind b creating an artificial city in a deep underground before a catastrophe that destroys every living thing on earth. The city has everything for people to survive for the next 200 years. The instructions on how to get out of the city was also given but it was lost when a mayor passed away.

The city of Ember is slowly deteriorating. Two teens discover the instruction box and tries to find a way out of the city. They had to overcome the pessimistic people along the way including the police and the city mayor that tries to cover about the existing problem of the city.

The teens go through the perilous journey to find a way out of Ember and try to save the people of the city.

Nominations: 2008 Satellite Award - Best Art Direction & Production Design and Best Costume Design; 2009 Irish Film and Television Award - Best Actress in a Lead Role in a Film

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

Year Published: 2008
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
ISBN:031606792x
Pages: 754
Classification: Fiction
Media Type: Book
Genre: Action,Romance,Adventure,Science Fiction,Fantasy
Interest Level: 9-12
Reading Level: 4
Subjects: Vampires, Werewolf, Marriage, Childbirth
Warning: Description on the birth process maybe too graphic for some minors

Reader's Annotation: Bella's desire to be a part of the Cullen family and join the immortals is finally fulfilled but her friendship with Jacob, the werewolf, even gets stronger.

Summary: This is the final book for the Twilight Saga. Bella and Edward gets married and Bella conceives a child. Edward turns Bella into a vampire to save her during childbirth. The baby grows up and becomes very close to Jacob. Meanwhile, the other vampire learns about the baby and puts the whole family in jeopardy from the Volturi. The Cullen family prepares themselves for a battle to save their family. The Cullen family brings in more vampires from all over the world. The vampires and the werewolves fight alongside against the Volturi. The novel ends happy with Edward and Bella together. Jacob imprinting on a vampire, and no one dies during the battle. The Cullen family remains in Forks, Washington.

Author website: www.stepheniemeyer.com

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

Year Published: 2006
Publisher: Little Brown and Company
ISBN: 0316024961
Pages: 563
Classification: Fiction
Media Type: Book
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Romance, Action, Adventure
Interest Level: 9-12
Reading Level: 4
Subjects: Vampires, Werewolves, Interpersonal relationship, High school life
Reader's Annotation: The Cullen family leaves Forks, Washington hoping that Bella will be safer without them but later realizes that there are other extraordinary people and events that exist other than them and are willing to stay for Bella.

Summary: Bella celebrates her birthday at the Cullen’s house with Edward and his family. Bella gets accidentally cut in the arm and Jasper gets tempted to drink her blood. Edward finds it dangerous for Bella to have their family around Forks. The family decides to leave for the safety of Bella.

Bella got depressed after Edward and his family left but she befriends Jacob from La Push. Jacob influences Bella to do daring activities such as riding motorcycle and jumping off the cliff. Bella discovers the real identity of Jacob.

Edward gets mistaken that Bella died after her cliff diving so he decided to end his life as well by heading to Italy to see the Volturi clan. Bella saves Edward with the help of Alice and they return to Forks, Washington.

Awards: ALA Booklist, ALA/YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, Horn Book, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

Author Information: www.stepheniemeyer.com

Tears of a Tiger by Sharon Draper

Year Published: 1994
Publisher: Alladin
ISBN: 0-689-80698-1
Pages: 180p.
Classification: Fiction
Media Type: Book
Interest Level:9-12
Age Level: 5
Subjects: African American, Death, High School
Reader's Annotation: Andy Jackson faces the terrible loss of his friend, Rob Washington, while he was driving under the influence during an automobile accident.

Summary: Hazelwood High basketball celebrates their post game victory by drinking alcohol. The night ends with a fatal crash, killing Robert Washington. Andy Jackson, the driver, tries to deal with the terrible loss of Rob in his junior year. He goes through to a lot of remorse, guilt and depression that drives him to commit suicide. The book aims to teach lessons about teen issues such as peer pressure, drug and alcohol abuse, death, depression and suicide. It is a very loaded book. Adult guidance should be given to readers and facilitate discussions for a deeper appreciation of the literature. This is highly recommended book.

Author Information: Sharon M. Draper was born in Ohio August 21, 1948. She earned a B.A. from Pepperdine University and a M.A. from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
Ms. Draper taught junior high and high school students for more than thirty years. She is a public speaker who addresses educational and literary groups of all ages, both nationally and internationally.

Ms. Draper was awarded the Coretta Scott King Award in 1998 for Forged By Fire and in 2007 for Copper Sun. She received the Coretta Scott King Author Honor in 2004 for Battle Of Jericho and in 2008 for November Blues. The author and her husband reside in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Author: www.sharondraper.com

Darkness Before Dawn by Sharon Draper

Year Published: 2001
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN:0689851340
Pages: 276
Classification:Fiction
Media Type: Book
Interest Level: 7-12
Reading Level: 4
Subjects: Rape, High Schools, African American

Reader's Annotation: Keisha Montgomery, the senior class president of Hazelwood High, is coping with her ex-boyfriend’s recent suicide and encounters an older, attractive and dangerous guy in her school.

Summary: This is the third book of trilogy. Keisha Montgomery has a lot of things going on in her senior year while coping with her ex-boyfriend’s death. She is the class president and a track athelete of Hazelwood High. She gets really close to the new tract coach, Jonathan. She develops a serious relationship with him even if he is older and the principal’s son. She soon discovers herself entrapped in this handsome man’s dark motives. This is a fast-paced romantic book that teens will enjoy reading and can also learn valuable lessons about date rape. An easy read book.

Awards: ALA Booklist, ALA/YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, IRA Young Adults' Award, School Library Journal, Voice of Youth Advocates

Author Information:

Forge by Fire by Sharon Draper

Year Published: 1997
Publisher: Antheneum Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 978069806995
Pages: 151
Classification: Fiction
Media Type: Book
Interest Level: 9-12
Age Level: 5
Subjects: Child abuse, stepfamilies, siblings, African Americans

Reader's Annotation: Gerald has to find courage in protecting himself and her half-sister, Angel, from their abusive father.

Summary: This is the second book of the trilogy opens on a terrifying scene of child’s physical abuse in a grocery store, which sets the mood and stage of book. Sixteen-year-old Gerald Nickelby learns that her younger half sister, Angel, is being sexually abused by his step-father, Jordan. He learns to fight through physical abuse and finds courage to save his sister and himself. This book takes you to an emotional experience but triumphant ending. This touches many different tough issues that teens deal with. Some of these issues include abuse, suicide, and drugs. This book can be a great tool to open some discussions for teen issues that they face today.

Awards: ALA Best Book For Young Adults, ALA Booklist, ALA/YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Coretta Scott King Award, Voice of Youth Advocates, Wilson's Junior High Catalog

Author Information: Sharon M. Draper was born in Ohio August 21, 1948. She earned a B.A. from Pepperdine University and a M.A. from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
Ms. Draper taught junior high and high school students for more than thirty years. She is a public speaker who addresses educational and literary groups of all ages, both nationally and internationally.
Ms. Draper was awarded the Coretta Scott King Award in 1998 for Forged By Fire and in 2007 for Copper Sun. She received the Coretta Scott King Author Honor in 2004 for Battle Of Jericho and in 2008 for November Blues.
The author and her husband reside in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Website: sharondraper.com

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

Year Published: 2003
Publisher: Random House
ISBN: 978037582275
Pages: 270
Classification: Fiction
Media Type: Book
Interest Level: 6-8
Reading Level: 5
Subjects: Messengers

Reader's Annotation: Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow, 12-year-old teens, join forces in search for a solution to help their decaying city, Ember. The search reveals many secrets that have been kept from all the citizens of Ember but the two teens are determined to find the answer to what likes beyond the city.

Summary: Ember, a 241-year-old, ruined domed city surrounded by a dark unknown, was built to ensure that humans would continue to exist on Earth, and the instructions for getting out have been lost and forgotten. On Assignment Day, 12-year-olds leave school and receive their lifetime job assignments. Lina Mayfleet becomes a messenger, and her friend Doon Harrow ends up in the Pipeworks beneath the city, where the failing electric generator has been ineffectually patched together. Both Lina and Doon are convinced that their survival means finding a way out of the city, and after Lina discovers pieces of the instructions, she and Doon work together to interpret the fragmented document. Life in this postholocaust city is well limned--the frequent blackouts, the food shortage, the public panic, the search for answers, and the actions of the powerful, who are taking selfish advantage of the situation. Readers will relate to Lina and Doon’s resourcefulness and courage in the face of ominous odds.

Awards: ALA Booklist, ALA Notable Book For Children, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews, Voice of Youth Advocates, Wilson's Children's Catalog, Wilson's Junior High Catalog

Author website: www.jeanneduprau.com

Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman

Year Published: 2002
Publisher: Little, Brown & Co.
ISBN: 0786815930
Pages: 262
Classification: Fiction
Media Type: Book
Interest Level:9-12
Reading Level: 4
Subjects: Organized crime, Fiction

Reader's Annotation: Seventeen-year-old Vince's life is constantly complicated by the fact that he is the son of a powerful Mafia boss, a relationship that threatens to destroy his romance with the daughter of an FBI agent.

Summary: Vince Luca becomes more aware about his family business as he goes through high school. From his discovery of a body in his trunk, football players scared of him and many other unfortunate events, Vince opposes the illegal activities of his family. Vince meets Kendra Brightly, the FBI investigator’s daughter, and falls in-love with her. A Romeo and Juliet plot with mafia and FBI twist ends with a happy ending with Vince and Kendra surviving their relationship against all odds.

Personal Notes: Hilarious novel for teens. Recommended for reluctant readers specially boys.

Reviews and Awards: ALA Best Books for Young Adults, ALA/YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers, Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, Voice of Youth Advocates, Wilson's High School Catalog, Wilson's Junior High Catalog

Author Information: Gordon Korman was born October 23, 1963 in Montreal, Quebec in Canada. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from New York University in 1985, studying film and television production before switching to dramatic writing. He has over 50 middle grade and young adult novels to his credit.
In addition to writing, Korman enjoys music, travel, and sports. He travels approximately 40,000 miles each year visiting schools to talk with students about reading and writing.
He lives with his family on Long Island.

Author website: www.gordonkorman.com