Tag Archives: parent-teen relationships

“Beautiful Boy” and “Tweak”

Posted on February 25, 2010 by Victoria Waddle

“It hurts so bad that I cannot save him, protect him, keep him out of harm’s way, shield him from pain. What good are fathers if not for these things?” Thomas Lynch, “The Way We Are” David Sheff begins Beautiful … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography/Memoir, Controversial Issue/Debate, Non-fiction, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

“Twice Told: Original Stories Inspired by Original Art”

Posted on January 29, 2010 by Victoria Waddle

Twice Told: Original Stories Inspired by Original Art has stories by many wonderful YA writers and drawings by Scott Hunt. When a teacher asks you to read short stories, check this book out. Each section has art work–a pencil drawing. … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure Stories, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Short Stories, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

“Twisted”

Posted on January 22, 2010 by Victoria Waddle

Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson I loved Speak and when someone told me that Twisted was Speak for guys, I had to read it. The New York Times Book Review (Oct. 27, 2009) tells us that Anderson’s “novel Speak (1999) … Continue reading →

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“A Gift of Magic”

Posted on May 29, 2009 by Victoria Waddle

A Gift of Magic by Lois Duncan (201 pp.) When Nancy’s Grandmother dies, she gives all her gifts to her grandchildren. Kirby, the oldest, gets the gift of dance. Nancy, the second gets the gift of magic and Brendon, who … Continue reading →

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“Slam”

Posted on May 21, 2009 by Victoria Waddle

“Slam” by Nick Hornby I finished “Slam” recently, and it’s one of my favorite YA books of all time. The premise and outcome are realistic, but there are some fantasy aspects to Sam’s life that will make this book interesting … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , | 2 Comments

“Hatchet”

Posted on May 15, 2009 by Victoria Waddle

“Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen 195 pp. Brian’s parents have divorced and he is going to visit his father in Canada, flying in a small Cessna with a middle-age pilot whose name escapes him (Jim or Jake) The trip is alternately … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure Stories, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Read 180, Young Adult Literature | Tagged | 5 Comments

“Crunch Time”

Posted on May 6, 2009 by Victoria Waddle

“Crunch Time” by Mariah Fredericks Mrs. M in our English Department recommended this novel to me, and I just finished it. “Crunch Time” is the story of Max, Daisy, Leo and Jane, who, though very different and socially isolated from … Continue reading →

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“Creature of the Night”

Posted on April 21, 2009 by Victoria Waddle

Creature of the Night by Kate Thompson Bobby’s mother recently moved the family to a cottage in the country, far from his “bad influence friends” in Dublin. Bobby laughs at the simple country folk, such as old Mrs. Dooley, the … Continue reading →

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“Speak”

Posted on November 12, 2008 by Victoria Waddle

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson The summer before she starts high school, Melinda goes to a party where she calls the police. Because of her action, she is ostracized when school starts. Without a single friend, she pairs up with … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , | 1 Comment