A Girl Like That, by Tanaz Bhatena

A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhatena is definitely a story that I can't forget. This book tackles a lot of tough topics and before I go on I want to say these pages do contain bullying, rape, and physical abuse and the author handled them very well.

First of all, this is an incredible read. To me, it reads more like true events than a fictional story and I found it tough to get into and then impossible to put down. I think it was hard to start because there are a fair amount of characters to meet and multiple points of view. Also, this is set in Saudi Arabia. Their culture, language, and traditions are alien to me, so it took longer to immerse myself in the setting. Honestly, I don't think it is possible for me to appreciate the full impact of this story, and that's okay because it wasn't written for me. That did not stop me from enjoying and appreciating Bhatena for showing me a glimpse of this world so different from my own. And I still could relate to a lot of what the characters went through because a lot of what young adults face is applicable in all cultures.

Zarin, the main character is such a tough character. Her parents both died when she was very young and now she lives with an aunt and uncle who don't always appreciate her presence in their lives. Zarin is also a girl who steps outside the boundaries, breaks  through the caution tape and defies the rules. I really loved her fire. Every one of the characters is unlikable and some are downright despicable. Except perhaps Porus, who is just the sweetest friend and protector to Zarin. The muliple points of view into each character's life was really interesting. I didn't feel like I got to know any of them really well but I saw important moments that influenced them. I don't believe that Bhatena ever justified the antagonist behaviors of the characters but she did show us just how complex each life is behind closed doors.

At the start of the book and even in the synopsis we know that Zarin is dead and then the story begins in the past leading up to the accident. I knew what was coming, eventually, but I was not prepared for the journey I would go on with Zarin. Bhatena flipped my expectations over, surprised me, delighted me and broke my heart. *JK*

Someone I Wanted To Be, Aurelia Wills

Someone I Wanted To Be by Aurelia Wills can grab you by the heart and I highly recommend this book to both young adult and adult readers.

The plot is quite original and believable. Leah Lobermier dreams of  becoming a doctor, but it's hard to stay focused on getting good grades when boys make oinking sounds at her in school and her mother spends every night on the couch with a bottle of wine. Leah's skinny and popular "friends", Kristy and Corinne, aren't much better and can hardly be counted on for support. When the girls convince a handsome older man to buy them beer, Leah takes his phone number and calls him, pretending to be Kristy --coy and confident-- and they develop a relationship, talking and texting day after day. Soon, the lie she created grows beyond her control...

Leah basically struggles with self image, her weight, and bullying. Her home life is far from perfect, which adds to her stress. The issues these girls deal with seem what any girls would go through in real life.

This story shares authentic teen struggles with identity and body image and friendship. It addresses tough topics (obesity, alcoholism, teen drinking, assault, depression, poverty, child neglect, cancer and death of a parent) in an approachable way. *JK*

Positive (A Memoir), by Paige Rawl

Positive, is a biography written by Paige Rawl. Her story was simply beautiful and inspiring. It was about being able to move on from the past and about accepting people as they are. Paige lived her life with HIV since birth. Her childhood was bright with excitement and joy until she learned that her and her mother both had HIV.

Paige was at a school slumber party with one of her best friends, Yasmine. Paige tells her about her HIV positive status and later finds out that her best friend has spread it across the school. She was called PAIDS and suffered bullying constantly. This memoir was about her journey staying positive and finding friends that accept her as she is. The message was really inspiring to me, although I was a bit angry by some of the teachers' responses to Paige's HIV status and couldn't believe that they weren't able to do anything about it. She went through struggles but came out strong. I loved this book so much and will definitely recommend to everyone I know. I'm inspired to make a change for anyone being bullied. *JK*

Burn Baby, Burn Baby by Kevin Craig.

Francis Fripp, (France to his best friend Trig), endured years of abuse from his dad, culminating in a horrific burning incident when he was in elementary school. Now he is 17, and his dad cannot come anywhere near him, but France continues to suffer from the relentless tormenting, bullying and name-calling of some of his peers because of the physical scars his dad left him with. Readers will quickly realize that France also has massive emotional scars which seem to cause him even greater harm and put the good parts of his life at risk; he doesn’t think he is worthy of romantic attention from the new girl in school, Rachel Higgins, and that the long friendship and unconditional support of Trig are undeserved.

This is a story of a young man trying to find where he fits in a cruel, but unfortunately all too realistic world, where the school jock/chief bully keeps getting away with his sadistic behavior towards Francis, until one of his own henchman finally sees the truth and speaks up for Francis, in a violently shocking and unexpected conclusion. Readers will be drawn into the relationship between France and Trig, a true friendship between two young men who have grown up together, with a bond that apparently cannot be broken, even when France pushes Trig away for caring too much. The typical older, male teen interests of girls and alcohol are included, but in a believable way; readers will understand why Francis thinks he needs to drink before he can talk to Rachel, and applaud her for telling him not to. The secondary characters are equally well-drawn, especially Trig’s dad, who is a gem of a male role-model to fatherless Francis.

At times this story was so vividly written it was impossible to keep reading; brace yourself for the horrific first-person descriptions of the abuse suffered by Francis as a child. This is a truly unforgettable novel for older teens, with characters that will stay with the reader long after the all-too brief 150 pages have been devoured.
(Burn Baby, Burn Baby by Kevin Craig.Published December 2014 by Curiosity Quills Press. Reviewed by Sian Marshall)

Drama, drama, drama

Normally, I don't read a lot of graphic novels. I've never really gotten the hang of manga (Although I can respect the mass appeal of it). That back-to-front thing is just weird to me. And I tend to favor text over pictures because I like to paint my own images of characters, settings, etc. It's an imagination thing. You understand. But I absolutely loved Raina Telgemeier's Smile, the true story of the author's recovery from an accident in which she lost some permanent teeth and delt with seemingly endless surgeries and drama. It was funny, it was cringeworthy, it was heartbreaking (Seriously! Kids can be so cruel to people who are different), and the drawing style just rocks. To date, Smile is one of the best graphic-format books I've read.

So imagine my excitement when the author released a second graphic just a few weeks ago! I checked it out and found Drama to be just as good as Smile. It's the story of 7th grade theater buff, Callie, and her first fumbling foray into the world of boys and crushes. After her first kiss ends in disaster (the guy totally doesn't like her back), Callie is devistated. Then she meets twins Jessie and Justin, who, at her prompting, become involved with the school's theater production of Moon Over Mississippi, of which Callie is a member of the stage crew. Callie is absolutely smitten with her new friends-who-are-boys. But the road to romance is never easy--especially in middle school!

Drama is believable and funny and possesses the sweet innocence of first love and first crushes (there's nothing heavier than kisses). Combine this with a whole heaping of teen angst, friend drama, family drama, and stage drama, and you've got another winning book from Raini Telgemeier. Oxford doesn't yet own Drama, but if it sounds good, we'll be happy to request it for you from another library. --AJB

Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have

Andrew never felt like he fit in: Not with his family, not with the popular clique, not into his size 48 pants. Andrew is used to being at the bottom of his school's food chain, and mostly he just rolls with it. But then a new girl joins his class and everything changes. April is just the sort of girl Andrew could date (not that he has dated). She's just the sort of girl he could fall in love with. But the awkward fat kid never gets the girl, right? When uber-popular jock Douglas saves Andrew from a bully's wrath, Andrew sees a way into April's heart: He tries out for the varsity football team--and makes the cut. Does Andrew get the girl? Maybe. You'll have to read the book to know for sure. Does Andrew's self-esteem get a huge boost? You bet!

Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have is being featured on this week's Endangered Book display. It's a well-written coming of age story, and readers will relate to Andrew's quest for self-improvement as he learns to stop using his weight as an excuse and start shaping his life into what he wants it to be. Check it out today! --AJB

The Other Ones

On the surface, Bridget appears to be an ordinary teenager. And she does all she can to keep things that way and pass undetected through the halls of her school, a place where mean girls and bullies are particularly vicious. But in truth, Bridget has an extraordinary secret: She can speak with animals, read minds, and see creatures and other things invisible to most people. It isn't until the appearance of Althea, a strange and shy new girl, that Bridget is inspired to accept herself--magical abilities and all--for the first time in her life. Because only Bridget has the power to save Althea from the omnious danger that threatens her life. But is Bridget willing to give up her dream of being "normal" to do so? Because if the world found out what Bridget really is, the consequences could be disasterous!

The Other Ones is one of those "hidden treasures" that gets lost on the shelves and overlooked in favor of newer books. But that doesn't mean it's not absolutely fantastic ('cause it is). Gorgeously atmospheric and populated with witches, shapeshifters, spirits, and terrible villains, this one will stay with you a long time after you've finished it. Reminded me a bit of Franny Billingsly's Chime.--AJB