2008 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature

Touching Snow
By M. Sindy Felin

If you were an immigrant in this country, what would you endure to stay? This is the story of a young Haitian girl, Karina, who is balancing two cultures. She and her family who have migrated to the suburbs of New York have a secret until social services intervenes. This novel is an excellent way to highlight the realities of immigrant living. It also depicts the double lives some of its first generation Americans experienced. Readers can see first hand, the compromises the family makes to live and achieve the American dream. I think while this book is an emotional read with contents of some brutality and inhumane treatment, will have its audience cheering for the young heroine and provide proof of a resilient adolescent dealing with adversity to find her voice. To me, this book should definitely open the discussion of the line between discipline and abuse.

2008 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (2)

Doing It Right:
Making Smart, Safe and Satisfying Choices about Sex
By Bronwen Pardes

This informational nonfiction book will provide teenagers information they want to know, but are too embarrassed to ask about. Chapters such as “What Is Sex”, and “Doing it Right” will be appealing to teens because of its nature and the developmental stages of natural curiosity in adolescents. Discussion of sexual activity is explicit however it is straightforward and unbiased. I think this fact-based book provides a wonderful guide for those going through adolescence wondering about what all the changes in their bodies mean, and especially for those contemplating having sex for the first time. I’m sure we all remember the awkward teenage years and wished there was a book to provide the accurate information we needed without having to ask those embarrassing questions to our parents or getting the wrong info from friends. If this book is too advanced, I highly recommend to It’s Only Normal by Robie Harris. It provides the same information just a little more simplistic.


Headlock
By Joyce Sweeney

The cover of this book alone will grab readers’ attention of a wrestler jumping into the ring. Young adults with a high interest in WWF, Wrestle Mania, NWO, and WCW will be drawn into the realistic portrayal of wrestling including descriptions of detailed moves. The high school character, Kyle, trains to become a professional wrestler and quickly becomes somewhat of a star. Along the way, Kyle also discovers love and develops relationship with other wrestlers. Everything seems to be going fine until Kyle’s grandmother, who raised him, becomes ill and he halts his dreams to take care of her. Meanwhile, Kyle’s estranged mother returns and he will have to choose between family obligation and professional success. I think this is a great story for readers about making choices, dedication and commitment. There’s a little something for everyone, realistic fiction, sports, family and romance.

Top 10 2008 Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (3)

Tupac Shakur
Legacy
By Jamal Joseph

Let me start by saying, I’m not a huge Rap fan. The lyrics are racy and depict a lifestyle that many are unaware of. However, I must say I enjoyed this book and can see why young reluctant readers would be drawn to it. This nonfiction book chronicles the life of Tupac Shakur from infancy through his untimely death. Readers will be provided a 60 minute CD of Shakur on subjects such as his challenges, movies, and hip-hop rivalries. I was impressed with the realistic scrapbook approach with enclosures of handwritten poetry, high school term papers, an actual composition notebook, a letter from Columbia Pictures about one of his movies, his inmate ID and sooooo much more. After reading this moving book, I think many will walk away with a better sense of who he was and his tremendous impact on music.



Graffiti L.A.
Street Styles and Art
By Steve Grody

Art appears in many forms. Reluctant readers will not only appreciate the illustrations, but the bonus CD with audio interviews and extra photographs. This history lesson provides the explanation of Los Angeles street art that began in the 1930s. Grody explains how graffiti began as marking territory by gangs, but then evolved to “tagging,” ”throw ups,” “pieces,” and “productions.” There are many beautifully photographed pictures and statements from some of the artists. This in-depth analysis of style and technique can serve as inspiration for today’s aspiring artists. I imagine it takes great ability and talent to portray artistry the way these originators of street art have. In addition, it is evident that this gift takes effort, skill, and dedication. I think the best part of this book is the background the artists give to provide voices to their art. I also believe this story will be a precious resource for graffiti fans and artists alike.

THALIA: !BELLEZA!
Lessons in Lipgloss and Happiness
By Thalia with Belén Aranda-Alvarado

This is definitely a girl’s book. Thalia, a Latina singer who has sold over twelve million records, provides beauty tips, but more importantly discusses how to find the beauty within oneself. In revealing her personal beauty secrets, she discusses skin type, foundation application and tools, facial shape, lip care, colors, and much, much more. The well illustrated pages supply techniques and steps to beauty of different hues of women. Before and after photos are sure to inspire readers to find the look that’s right for them. I found this particular book to be a huge plus as all women are not the same. As I say, “One size does NOT fit all,” and so falls true for makeup. As an added bonus, there are quotes from other influential Latina women such as Daisy Fuentes and Gloria Estefan. We all want to look our best no matter what age and I can definitely understand why this book is one of the Top 10 Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers.

2008 Batchelder Honor Book

The Cat
Or, How I Lost Eternity
By Jutta Richter

Everyday an eight-year-old girl named Christine walks to school and passes an alley cat. On one particular day, she passes this same old, white alley cat but she discovers it has the gift of speech. Is the cat really talking or can Christine hear inside her own head the “wisdom” of the cat? This book is a bit deep as the cat talks about “watching the cows in the fields can teach you what you need to know about being alive,” math, loneliness and eternity. The cat also revealed to Christine to always look out for yourself which I thought was quite a concept to leave a child contemplating. Christine eventually decides to part ways with the cat and realizes it actually mean and cruel. I think the message of this book will be difficult for some readers and definitely not suggested for youngsters as it has the appearance of a picture/chapter book. This read left me with questions, like who was the cat? Was it Christine’s alter ego? Was the cat her nemesis? I’m not really sure! However, in the end, she starts to make her own decisions about what she believes is right and wrong.

2008 Corretta Scott King Award

WINNER FOR ILLUSTRATION

Let it Shine
By Ashley Bryan
Illustrated by Ashley Bryan

A celebration of art, music, and history is the theme of this book. The author, Bryan, displays three spirituals "This Little Light of Mine," "Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In," and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands." They are brought to life through wondrous colors, designs and shapes. The characters project a melting pot of individuals in different shapes, sizes, and hues. The songs with sheet music as well as the meaning of spirituals is provided as an appendage which could help those not familiar with this form of expression and its influence in the African American culture during slavery. I think this book is a wonderful way to make a connection between the library and music class, especially in younger grades. Additionally, I feel during Black History Month, Let It Shine would be a wonderful way to show the great effect of African American music in the American musical experience.

2008 Coretta Scott King Award WINNER

WINNER FOR TEXT

Elijah of Buxton
By Christopher Paul Curtis

Christopher Paul Curtis has presented historical fiction through the story of Elijah, an 11-year-old boy who is the first freeborn black in Buxton, Canada. This Canadian town founded in 1849 by a white Presbyterian minister served as a safe haven for runaway slaves. Although life is better in Buxton, most are still disturbed by the horror of slavery. Many have left behind friends and family in order to find freedom. Then when a dishonest preacher (isn’t this an oxymoron?) steals money from Elijah’s friend who had been saving to buy his family’s freedom, Elijah bravely embarks on a dangerous mission to America to help. In America, Elijah comes face-to-face with the atrocities of slavery. This story does come with a historical warning. Be cautioned because after all this is a story told during a different time. Therefore, much of the language is, to many, grammatically unfamiliar, incorrect and/or misspelled. Because of this, younger readers may find this book difficult to read. Overall, I think Elijah's story is a powerful page-turner, full of humor, adventure, sorrow and promise while addressing the subject matter of slavery realistically through a child’s perspective. If this type of genre interests you, may I suggest 47 by Walter Mosley which also provides some fantasy elements.

2008 Belpre Award for Illustration WINNER

Los Gatos Black on Halloween
By Marisa Montes
Illustrated by Yuyi Morales

For those of us who are limited in Spanish, you will still be able to obtain the meaning in this award winner for its illustrations. The author integrates Spanish words throughout the poem, but is careful to make their meanings known through repeated text in English in the next line. The poetry with scattered Spanish words will send chills down your spine in celebration of Halloween. Some of the pictures may seem a bit grotesque but add to the overall “spookiness” of the book. In this eerie parade of witches, skeletons, black cats, and more, is ultimately poetry in motion. Realistic illustrations are portrayed with an equally chilling poem with a shock conclusion. I think this book will open up a HUGE discussion about this holiday, so I suggest pre-reading and use the glossary of terms in the back for pronunciation. This book is little scary than most, so I suggest being cautious in the audience you chose to share it with. This is not a book for those little ones who are afraid of goblins and ghosts or scare easily.