In 1915 England, during WWI, everyone is expected to "do their part" in the war effort. 17-year-old Sasha's older brother Edgar enlists in the Royal Army as an officer. Sasha has always been able to see the future, but the only thing she can predict is death. While working as a volunteer at the hospital this ability frightens her, but nothing can compare with the moment when she sees Edgar's death. Following Edgar's death in France, brother Thomas also joins the Royal Army, even after Edgar's last plea for him to become a doctor to help the wounded instead. When Sasha also sees Thomas' death, a bullet while in High Wood, she knows she must do something to prevent it. Impersonating a nurse, she leaves for France in search of Thomas' unit, refusing to believe that her premonition cannot be altered. Found out as a freud and accused of being a spy, a man known to her as "Hoodo Jack" who also has visions of the future, helps her escape and search for her brother. One wonders if perhaps he has had a vision about Sasha? This easy-to-read historical fiction story will most appeal to girls in grades 9 and up. The brutality of war and the place of women in society are continual themes throughout the book, as well as the connection between Cassandra of Greek myth and Sasha's abilities to see the future, while no one believes them.
Twilight is the first book in the Twilight saga, a teen romance series following the life of Bella, a teenage human girl, and her romance with Edward, a teen vampire. Edward finds the smell of Bella maddening, almost too delicious to keep him from attacking her. However, his love for Bella is stronger than his lust for her blood. Bella realizes the danger she faces by being with Edward, but loves him so much that she is even willing to become a vampire so they can be together always. Both know that their relationship is dangerous for both of them and their families, yet their desire for each other is too great to stay apart. This ultimately causes a crisis of nearly catastrophic proportions when another vampire finds Bella attractive too. The book is a page turner. Once you start reading Twilight you won’t want to stop until the last page, which, of course, will leave you hanging. New Moon, the second book in the series, picks up where Twilight leaves off.
Being the butt of everyone’s jokes is not funny but is reality if you are a fat kid. Seventeen year-old Troy billings, at nearly 300 pounds, finds high school miserable. Not his academics, but the social isolation he feels from always being laughed at by the others. Troy is contemplating killing himself by jumping in front of the subway train when he is “rescued” by a filthy homeless teen that is a legend at his high school. Curt makes Troy buy him food at a local diner for “saving” him and the two discover they both love punk rock. Curt is a gifted guitarist and Troy played drums in seventh grade, so when Troy’s strict retired Marine turned security guard dad questions what the teens have been up to, Curt tells him they are forming a band. What little Troy knows of Curt is not encouraging; besides being homeless and filthy he is constantly popping pills, is often sick, and his family lives locally but does not want him. Yet it is great to finally have a friend. Troy goes along with the band idea but panics when Curt schedules both drum lessons for Troy and a gig. The night of their band’s debut Curt is awesome but Troy humiliates himself by vomiting all over the stage in front of the audience. Troy goes home in disgrace and vows to give up all fantasies of being a musician, yet despite the disaster, Curt still wants Troy to be in a band with him. Troy discovers Curt is abusing over the counter and prescription which causes a huge moral dilemma; should Troy let Curt continue to self destruct or get help for him at the risk of their friendship.
This novel was named a Michael L. Printz Honor book, an award for outstanding Young Adult literature. Fat Kid Rules the World is most appropriate for older teens because of the mature themes and profanity.
