Sassy - Little Sister is NOT my Name!

Sassy - Little Sister is NOT my Name! (2009) by Sharon M. Draper. 102 pages

ISBN-13:978-0-545-07151-8

Being the youngest in the family, Sassy has been called "Little Sister", which drives her crazy. Imaginative Sassy wants to change her world and make life a sparkling adventure. Her Sassy Sack is the envy of other girls in school. Besides being shiny and pretty, it contains what she needs to help when things get tough. Meet Sassy, her friends and family in this charming book, which is the first is a series of four.

Sharon M. Draper has written many books for teens. She has won teaching and writing awards including the Coretta Scot King Award; her books are on ALA and VOYA recommendation lists.

The Amazing Life of Birds (The Twenty-Day Puberty Journal of Duane Homer Leech)

The Amazing Life of Birds (The Twenty-Day Puberty Journal of Duane Homer Leech) (2006) by Gary Paulsen. 84 pages.
ISBN: 0-385-90897-0

Duane Homer Leech is in the "Puberty Zone". Frequent thoughts about the female anatomy (which he refers to as "ELBOWS") distract his daily activities and he wakes from having crazy dreams. Duane is disturbed by his name, wishing he was called something else. At home, his parents seem oblivious to his puberty onset and his sister constantly annoys him. He watches a bird family from his window. Keeping an eye on the young bird growing up and learning to fly, Duane's relates similar clumsy experiences.

Puberty has brought zits, hair cowlicks, a voice change and a growing interest in girls. In his journal, Duane recounts his decline caused puberty. His efforst to hide his zits are useless and his attempts to impress girls turn into catastrophes. In one exaggerated incident in the library, Duane falls into a book shelf, knocking over a fish tank and gerbil cage, while reaching for a book on puberty. Duane finds support and perspective from his best friend, Willy. Their phone conversations are brief, almost monosyllabic, but authentically portray boys discussing their issues. Getting perspective and support from Willy, Duane gains some confidence in dealing with the effects of puberty in his life.

This book brings the reader into the daily occurences of a tween dealing with the onset of puberty; with a youth's perspective with funny dialogue and descriptions crazy incidents. Many readers may find themselves relating to this confusing time of life. Good read for 10 to 13 year olds.

More on Gary Paulsen.

The Fashion Disaster That Changed My Life

The Fashion Disaster That Changed My Life (2005) by Lauren Myracle. 135 pages.

ISBN: 978-0-14-220861-2

Alli writes in her journal frequently, recording incidents and conversations with her friends and family, including copies of instant messages and e-mails. Being occupied about how others' see her and figuring out her relationships, Alli records these thoughts in her journal.

On the first day of 7th grade, she's mortified when a pair of her mom's underwear is stuck to her pants by static cling and consequently teased by Jeremy. She hangs out with her closest friends are Kathy, who's not always nice to her, and Megan, a new girl in school. But, Alli has a secret longing to be with the popular girls, Rachel, Mica and Hadley. After being assigned to work on a project with Mica, Alli get her chance to be with the popular girls. This is at the expense of her friendship with Kathy and Megan.

The detailed ruminations of incidents and conversations Alli conveys in her journal slow the reading, but also present the story in an authentic voice of a 7th grade girl who's trying to figure out life. The girls shop and eat at places with familiar names-Claires, Express, Long John Silvers. Good read for 10 to 13 year olds.

Lauren Myracle's website.

Daredevil Club

Daredevil Club (2006) by Pam Withers. 103 pages.
ISBN 10: 1-55143-614-0

Kip is living in Peever, a small town where there's not much to do. He started the Daredevil Club with his only friends - Caleb, Fraser and Vlad - and came up with the series of dares they were to complete. Each dare more dangerous than the last. The dares even gave them status as heroes and popularity at school. Adding to the challenge of completing dares, was to do them before the Wildmen.

During the fourth dare, a jump off a cliff into a lake, Kip smashed his leg on a rock. It's so severe he receives physiotherapy. He's making progress and then finds out that the clinic has to close before his therapy ends. On top of that, completing dares is more difficult and his membership in the club is threatened. Kip struggles with these two realities and discovers who his friends are.

This is a quick and exciting read, bringing the reader through dangerous episodes in a some dares. Although the reading level is 3.9, the plot is not patronizing and story is appropriate for 11 to 13 year olds.

This is an Orca Soundings book. These are high interest, low reading level books with appealing titles and covers and contemporary themes for middle and high school students.

Resource Guide from Orca.

Shrek Forever After

Shrek Forever After -The Final Chapter directed by Mike Mitchell and produced by Dreamworks Animation. Starring Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz.

The twisted fairy tale continues. Shrek is now a family man with three kids and a wife. Dissatisfied with his life, longing for the days of being a scary ogre, Shrek gets a chance to re-live a day from his old life. Signing a contract with the dubious Rumplestiltskin, Shrek finds himself single and experiencing how life would be without being married to Fiona. At first it's fun, but then he becomes concerned when he discovers that the contract he signed was signing away the day he was born, thus he never existed.

Donkey tells Shrek about the contract's escape clause (he needs to kiss Fiona) and Shrek joins the ogre resistance against Rumplestiltskin, to reclaim his life. He has to undo what's he's done. Lots of jokes and humor for kids 9 to 12 years old.

Runway Rose (#9 of The English Roses)

Runway Rose, #9 of The English Roses (2009) by Madonna. 124 pages.
ISBN: 978-0-14-241126-1

The English Roses are "the coolest, hippest, most rockin'" 11 year old girls living a privileged life. They have sleepovers, have butlers and get chauffered to school. Most importantly, they are good friends and cheer for each other.

This episode in the Roses' lives finds Grace being an amazing soccer player and Amy getting a job working at a Teen Fashion Week. Preparing for the fashion show is hectic and exciting.

Expressive and silly pencil drawings enhance the story. A couple incidences of instant messaging text is fun to read. Fun book for 9 to 11 year olds.

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I spotted a short blurb in the Style section of the Sunday, June 27, 2010 San Francisco Chronicle. It mentioned a new clothing line by Madonna, inspired by her 13year old daughter Lourdes, "Lola". Click (here) for the People Magazine's Sneak Peak: "Madonna and Lourdes' Material Girl Line for Macy's".

I'll be curious if this line becomes popular with the tween set.

Smile

Smile (2010) by Raina Telgemeir. New York: Scholastic. 204 pages

ISBN: 978-0-545-24182-3

Graphic Novel, Humor, Autobiography

This autobiographical tale follows Raina from 6th to 9th grade, experiencing the confusions of puberty. After a Girl Scout meeting, she trips and falls; knocking out her two front teeth. Already anxious about getting braces, Raina has to visit the dentist and endodontist. This is just the beginning of the many dental trips, including the orthodontists and periodontists.

She anguishes about dental pain, dealing with retainers and headgear, and what her classmates will think. Raina deals with crushes on boys and her snarky friends, who not always nice.

An earthquake brings an unexpected experience with her family.

The story is engaging and expressive, providing a glimpse into a tween's view of life, dealing with friends and multiple trips to dental professionals. Raina grows through the story, coming to realize and appreciate her artistic abilities and gaining confidence in herself.

The story is enhanced by the illustrations, which are formatted in comic strip form with candid and expressive drawings. Especially fun for San Francisco residents who are familiar with the public schools Raina attends. Appealing to kids 9 to 12, especially girls.

Raina Telgemeir's website.

Bird

Bird (2004) by Angela Johnson. New York: Dial Books. 133 pages.
ISBN: 0-8037-2847-6

Bird is living and hiding in a shed across from a farmhouse; she secretly eats the family’s food and takes baths in their home. Bird has come to Acorn, Alabama from her home in Cleveland, Ohio to find her step-father. The only father she knew, Cecil left without saying good-by.

While living in the shed, Bird is discovered by Ethan. Ethan, living in the farmhouse, has been homebound from illness and heart surgery. Bird and Ethan gradually become friends, helping each other out of their loneliness. Jay, another boy, also discovers bird and has a unique connection to Ethan. Jay’s sadden is relieved through time with Bird. When Bird meets Victoria Pritchard, a lonely widow, she lives with her for a while, enjoying each others’ company and feeling less lonely. While Bird is living in Acorn, she sees Cecil and thinks about talking to him.

This sweet story, told through the eyes of Bird, Ethan and Jay, reflects on peoples’ loneliness and how kindness and friendship alleviate its pain. Cecil is a distant character in the story; the reason for Bird being in Acorn. We see glimpses of him through Ethan and come to understand Bird’s longing for him, how she loved being with him. Nice read for 9 to 12 year olds.

More about Angela Johnson.