Title Down to the Bone
Author Mayra Lazara Dole
Dole resides in Florida with her partner Damarys. When she is not writing, she has held various jobs including chef, hairdresser, library assistant and landscaper.
ISBN 978006084113
Publisher HarperTeen (an imprint of Harper Collins)
Copyright Date 2008
Reading Level/Interest Age 15+
Genre Issues: Sexual Identity; LGBT Fiction; Multicultural Issues
Plot Summary
Down to the Bone begins with Laura, a 17-year-old Catholic school student, being kicked out of school after her teacher reads aloud a love letter from her girlfriend, Marlena. The action is off to a flying start – after being kicked out of her house by her religious Cuban mother, Laura is taken in by her best friend Soli (short for Soledad) and her mother Viva. We join Laura for a roller-coaster ride as she struggles to figure out what is more important: being loved and accepted by her family, or being true to herself and living her life out loud.
Critical Evaluation
Dole fills the pages of this book with constant, upbeat, melodic descriptions and dialogue. She peoples the novel with a diverse array of colorful characters, from the narrator Laura who is emotional and compassionate, to her best friend Soli who is loud, brash and impossibly loyal and her friend Tazer, a genderqueer girl who prefers to use male pronouns. The story is rich with Laura’s Cuban cultural experiences and the issues that a multicultural teen would face in coming out. Laura is also a truly sympathetic character, vacillating between the unquestioning stubbornness and confidence of a teenager just learning who she is to the uncertain, insecure and confused younger self that she is trying to grow out of. Though sometimes the dialogue seems a little forced, there is a lot of heart in this book. Particularly raw is the fact that in the end, Laura does not win the respect or acceptance of her mother and must learn to negotiate life in a world that does not always love you for the way you are.
Reader’s Annotation
It’s the last day of her Junior year at her awful Catholic school and Laura is about to celebrate her two-year anniversary with her girlfriend Marlena – things couldn’t be better. But they could get much worse!
Curriculum Ties Could be tied into lessons about LGBT issues, tolerance and prejudice.
Booktalking Ideas
1. Read aloud the first chapter of the book and encourage the audience to read the book to learn more to find out what happens to Laura.
Challenge Issues
Please see "Controversy & LGBT Teen Collections"
Why did I include this book?
ALA Best Books for Young Adults 2009, Rainbow List Starred Pick 2009 (ALA); wanted to include a book that dealt with the particular issues of being Latino and LGBT.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Freak Show
Title Freak Show
Author James St. James
St. James grew up in Michigan but spent his high school years in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. During his youth, he became involved in New York's club scene and he is infamous for his involvement with Michael Alig, about whom the novel, film and documentary Party Monster is based. St. James currently resides in Los Angeles.
ISBN 9780525477990
Publisher Dutton's Children's Books
Copyright Date 2007
Reading Level/Interest Age 15+
Genre Issues: Sexual Identity; LGBT Fiction
Plot Summary
Seventeen-year-old Billy Bloom has just been sent to live with his father in Fort Lauderdale and is forced to start his senior year at a very prestigious, conservative private school filled with wealthy, cruel people with names like Bib and Baba and Bo-Bo. But while his initials might match, that’s about the only thing that does. Billy is a drag-queen-in-training, a “gender-obscurist” and a wanna-be-megastar and he is immediately singled-out as an outcast, inviting his peers’ taunts, bullying and even physical violence that puts him in the hospital. Things start to look up for Billy when he is befriended during his recovery by the extremely handsome, but slightly country-bumpkin star football player, Flip Kelly. With Flip by his side, Billy can’t be touched. When their relationship turns sour and Billy is again faced with the prospect of eternal ridicule, he summons the help of his alter ego, Superfreak, to give him the courage he needs to run for homecoming queen and change his high school forever.
Critical Evaluation
James St. James creates one of the strongest voices in LGBT teen literature with Billy Bloom. Endowed with an endearing blend of over-the-top confidence and crippling self-doubt, Billy is not a character you will soon forget and neither is his story. There are no tortuous coming out tales in this book (well, at least not for Billy), no serious questioning of one’s sexual or gender identity. Instead, we are given an unflinching look at homophobia and transphobia in the face of Billy’s refusal to give in, to abide by the cultural and heteronormative standards and to conform to the opinion of his peers. Billy’s voice is at first a bit difficult to get used to and seems a bit exaggerated. But by the third or fourth chapter, it all becomes a part of Billy’s personality which is certainly over the top. At this point, Billy became, for me, a living, breathing character – albeit a somewhat annoying living, breathing character. Regardless, St. James’ novel is a fantastic read that shatters ones expectations and charts new territory for LGBT books for teens. Freak Show would make a great recommendation not only for teens just starting to explore their sexual and gender identities, but also for those who know who they are, know the challenges and are pissed off enough to want to do something about it.
Reader’s Annotation
HONEY, let me tell you how to be FAB.U.LOUS! Step one: read this book, seriously, you have to read it because babydoll, this will be the best book about a drag queen senior in an uptight private high school you’ve ever read. Believe.
Curriculum Ties Could be tied into lessons about LGBT issues, tolerance and prejudice.
Booktalking Ideas
1. Read the first chapter and encourage the audience to think about the narrator and then read the book – they might be surprised!
Challenge Issues
Please see "Controversy & LGBT Teen Collections"
Why did I include this book?
Rainbow List Starred Pick (2008, ALA); I wanted to include a book about cross-dressing/drag queens/gender-bending.
Author James St. James
St. James grew up in Michigan but spent his high school years in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. During his youth, he became involved in New York's club scene and he is infamous for his involvement with Michael Alig, about whom the novel, film and documentary Party Monster is based. St. James currently resides in Los Angeles.
ISBN 9780525477990
Publisher Dutton's Children's Books
Copyright Date 2007
Reading Level/Interest Age 15+
Genre Issues: Sexual Identity; LGBT Fiction
Plot Summary
Seventeen-year-old Billy Bloom has just been sent to live with his father in Fort Lauderdale and is forced to start his senior year at a very prestigious, conservative private school filled with wealthy, cruel people with names like Bib and Baba and Bo-Bo. But while his initials might match, that’s about the only thing that does. Billy is a drag-queen-in-training, a “gender-obscurist” and a wanna-be-megastar and he is immediately singled-out as an outcast, inviting his peers’ taunts, bullying and even physical violence that puts him in the hospital. Things start to look up for Billy when he is befriended during his recovery by the extremely handsome, but slightly country-bumpkin star football player, Flip Kelly. With Flip by his side, Billy can’t be touched. When their relationship turns sour and Billy is again faced with the prospect of eternal ridicule, he summons the help of his alter ego, Superfreak, to give him the courage he needs to run for homecoming queen and change his high school forever.
Critical Evaluation
James St. James creates one of the strongest voices in LGBT teen literature with Billy Bloom. Endowed with an endearing blend of over-the-top confidence and crippling self-doubt, Billy is not a character you will soon forget and neither is his story. There are no tortuous coming out tales in this book (well, at least not for Billy), no serious questioning of one’s sexual or gender identity. Instead, we are given an unflinching look at homophobia and transphobia in the face of Billy’s refusal to give in, to abide by the cultural and heteronormative standards and to conform to the opinion of his peers. Billy’s voice is at first a bit difficult to get used to and seems a bit exaggerated. But by the third or fourth chapter, it all becomes a part of Billy’s personality which is certainly over the top. At this point, Billy became, for me, a living, breathing character – albeit a somewhat annoying living, breathing character. Regardless, St. James’ novel is a fantastic read that shatters ones expectations and charts new territory for LGBT books for teens. Freak Show would make a great recommendation not only for teens just starting to explore their sexual and gender identities, but also for those who know who they are, know the challenges and are pissed off enough to want to do something about it.
Reader’s Annotation
HONEY, let me tell you how to be FAB.U.LOUS! Step one: read this book, seriously, you have to read it because babydoll, this will be the best book about a drag queen senior in an uptight private high school you’ve ever read. Believe.
Curriculum Ties Could be tied into lessons about LGBT issues, tolerance and prejudice.
Booktalking Ideas
1. Read the first chapter and encourage the audience to think about the narrator and then read the book – they might be surprised!
Challenge Issues
Please see "Controversy & LGBT Teen Collections"
Why did I include this book?
Rainbow List Starred Pick (2008, ALA); I wanted to include a book about cross-dressing/drag queens/gender-bending.
Freaky Green Eyes
Title Freaky Green Eyes
Author Joyce Carol Oates
Joyce Carol Oates was born in rural New York in 1938. While attending college, she won a fiction contest in Mademoiselle magazine and published her first book in 1963. She is an extremely prolific writer and has published over 50 books, many for young adults. She has received numerous awards and her novel them received a National Book Award. Oates is a professor at Princeton University and lives in New Jersey.
ISBN 9780064473484
Publisher HarperTempest (an imprint of HarperCollins)
Copyright Date 2003
Reading Level/Interest Age 12+
Genre Contemporary Life
Plot Summary
Freaky Green Eyes is the story of Franky Pierson and her stronger, alterego, Freaky Green Eyes. This is the part of herself that she allows to see the truth, to understand what is going on in her life. You see, Franky's dad is a famous sportscaster and he and her mom are having problems. In order to get away, her mom starts spending time at a cabin, working on her art. Though Franky is aware that her dad can be controlling and manipulative, she feels like her mother is deserting her, her older brother and her younger sister. When her mother goes missing, though, Franky realizes that something is really wrong, though she doesn't want to see it for herself. Maybe with the help of Freaky Green Eyes, she'll be able to get through it.
Critical Evaluation
This is a great book about what happens when the people around you are not what they seem and about domestic violence. Franky's character is immediately likeable and the reader is drawn into her world. So much so that it is easy to see both sides of the story, that of her mother - struggling to gain independence and her father - struggling to hold his family together, even if he has to be violent in order to do it. A great recommendation for teens who enjoy realistic fiction that deals with serious life issues. Also a great read for anyone who enjoyed Oates' first YA novel, Big Mouth and Ugly Girl.
Reader’s Annotation
Franky doesn't want to listen to what Freaky Green Eyes has to say. But Freaky Green Eyes and Franky are the same person.
Curriculum Ties none
Booktalking Ideas
1. Do a character sketch of Franky and then of Freaky Green Eyes. Encourage the audience to read more to see what happens.
Challenge Issues
None
Why did I include this book?
Best Children's Books (Publishers Weekly, 2003); Kirkus Book Review, Stars (2003); Oates is one of my favorite authors.
Geography Club
Title Geography Club
Author Brent Hartinger
Hartinger resides in Seattle with his partner, Michael Jensen. He has published many novels including two sequels to Geography Club and even adapted this book into a play for the stage.
ISBN 0060012218
Publisher HarperTempest (an imprint of HarperCollins)
Copyright Date 2003
Reading Level/Interest Age 10+
Genre Issues: Sexual Identity; LGBT Fiction
Plot Summary
When Russel Middlebrook, a gay, closeted teen, meets another gay kid at his high school in a chat room, he can’t believe it turns out to be Kevin Land, a popular baseball player. Struggling with his secret, he comes out to his best friend Min, only to find out that she’s bisexual and has had a girlfriend, a soccer player for years. They get together and discover that they all have the same fears and desires in common, but no way to express them in their conservative town. Then they come up with a brilliant idea: the Geography Club – a club so boring that no one would ever want to join. During their meetings, the LGBT kids get a chance to understand real friendship and togetherness. And Russel gets closer to Kevin. But will they be able to keep their club, and their identities, a secret from the rest of the school?
Critical Evaluation
Told from the first-person perspective of Russel, this book takes on some difficult issues and tackles them with both sensitivity and a strong sense of humor. The plot is fairly straight-forward and the writing propels the action onward in a non-stop fashion. Of particular interest is the kids’ relationship with one another and how their understanding of discrimination grows. As a secondary character who is an outcast at their school gets ridiculed for being gay, the teens must figure out how far their acceptance and tolerance extends and this is an opportunity for teaching teens about oppression, regardless of the reasoning behind it. Finally, Russel’s struggles with trying to remain closeted highlight the issues that many teens may face when they decide that they cannot be open about their sexuality, and how hurtful it can be to those caught in the middle. A good, quick read for kids who might be looking for the courage to live their lives without fear of being outcasted.
Reader’s Annotation
The Geography Club must be the most boring club at Robert L. Goodkind High School, right? That’s what the LGBT members of the club hope you’ll think.
Curriculum Ties Could be tied into lessons about LGBT issues, tolerance and prejudice.
Booktalking Ideas
1. Do character sketches of Russel, Kevin and Min leaving out the fact that they are LGBT until the very end.
Challenge Issues
Please see "Controversy & LGBT Teen Collections"
Why did I include this book?
ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults; Lambda Literary Award Finalist (2003).
Author Brent Hartinger
Hartinger resides in Seattle with his partner, Michael Jensen. He has published many novels including two sequels to Geography Club and even adapted this book into a play for the stage.
ISBN 0060012218
Publisher HarperTempest (an imprint of HarperCollins)
Copyright Date 2003
Reading Level/Interest Age 10+
Genre Issues: Sexual Identity; LGBT Fiction
Plot Summary
When Russel Middlebrook, a gay, closeted teen, meets another gay kid at his high school in a chat room, he can’t believe it turns out to be Kevin Land, a popular baseball player. Struggling with his secret, he comes out to his best friend Min, only to find out that she’s bisexual and has had a girlfriend, a soccer player for years. They get together and discover that they all have the same fears and desires in common, but no way to express them in their conservative town. Then they come up with a brilliant idea: the Geography Club – a club so boring that no one would ever want to join. During their meetings, the LGBT kids get a chance to understand real friendship and togetherness. And Russel gets closer to Kevin. But will they be able to keep their club, and their identities, a secret from the rest of the school?
Critical Evaluation
Told from the first-person perspective of Russel, this book takes on some difficult issues and tackles them with both sensitivity and a strong sense of humor. The plot is fairly straight-forward and the writing propels the action onward in a non-stop fashion. Of particular interest is the kids’ relationship with one another and how their understanding of discrimination grows. As a secondary character who is an outcast at their school gets ridiculed for being gay, the teens must figure out how far their acceptance and tolerance extends and this is an opportunity for teaching teens about oppression, regardless of the reasoning behind it. Finally, Russel’s struggles with trying to remain closeted highlight the issues that many teens may face when they decide that they cannot be open about their sexuality, and how hurtful it can be to those caught in the middle. A good, quick read for kids who might be looking for the courage to live their lives without fear of being outcasted.
Reader’s Annotation
The Geography Club must be the most boring club at Robert L. Goodkind High School, right? That’s what the LGBT members of the club hope you’ll think.
Curriculum Ties Could be tied into lessons about LGBT issues, tolerance and prejudice.
Booktalking Ideas
1. Do character sketches of Russel, Kevin and Min leaving out the fact that they are LGBT until the very end.
Challenge Issues
Please see "Controversy & LGBT Teen Collections"
Why did I include this book?
ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults; Lambda Literary Award Finalist (2003).
Getting It
Title Getting It
Author Alex Sanchez
Sanchez was born in Mexico City and moved to the U.S. when he was five. He has a Master's degreen in Guidance and Counseling and is the author of the acclaimed Rainbow Boys series.
ISBN 9781416908982
Publisher Simon Pulse
Copyright Date 2006
Reading Level/Interest Age 12+
Genre Issues: Sexual Identity; LGBT Fiction
Plot Summary
Meet Carlos Amorosa, 15 year-old virgin. Every night he dreams about Roxana “Roxy” Rodriguez and every day he loses his nerve and can’t speak to her. All of his friends have had sex and he’s getting tired of their bragging and putting him down. While watching Queer Eye for the Straight Guy one night, it suddenly occurs to him that maybe he could ask a senior at his school named Sal, who is rumored to be gay and is constantly surrounded by girls, for some advice about how to be more attractive to the opposite sex. Surprisingly, Sal agrees, on the condition that Carlos helps him form a Gay-Straight Alliance at their high school. Will learning the secrets to getting girls be worth the chance that his friends will make fun of him for being gay? Or will Carlos give in to the pressure of his friends and remain a virgin forever?
Critical Evaluation
Getting It is a very straight-forward narrative which finds an endearing narrator in Carlos. Alex Sanchez manages to strike a balance between a coming-of-age tale about the development from boy to man and a novel with a very clear message to tell about homophobia in school. Like Luna, positioning the gay (or in the case of Luna, transgender) character in the storyline as a secondary character is a clever narrative device that allows the reader to confront his own homophobia and change his attitudes right along with Carlos. Additionally, the juxtaposition of Sal with his good looks, sense of humor, confidence, intelligence, manners and class against Carlos’ friends – rude, obnoxious, immature and insecure – makes one immediately sympathetic to the fact that treating a person who is LGBT differently is simply prejudiced. Sanchez also does a great job of integrating Carlos’ own development with his evolving relationship with his parents, drawing in readers who can relate to the pain of divorce and the difficulty of forgiving your parents. I would recommend this book to younger readers as mature readers might find the “makeover” aspects formulaic. This would be a great book to recommend to teenagers who are straight but interested in themes of social justice and equality.
Reader’s Annotation
Carlos would do anything to have sex with a girl – but will he risk being called queer to let the gay guy make him over?
Curriculum Ties Could be tied into lessons about LGBT issues, tolerance and prejudice.
Booktalking Ideas
1. Hook the audience with a plot summary, focusing on whether a “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” makeover will help Carlos get the girl.
2. Do a character sketch modeled after the profiles of the characters on the website in the book “Hot or Snot.”
Challenge Issues
Please see "Controversy & LGBT Teen Collections"
Why did I include this book?
Rainbow List (2009, ALA); Top Ten Youth Romances (2007, Booklist); Alex Sanchez is one of the main authors in this genre and this is his most recent book.
Author Alex Sanchez
Sanchez was born in Mexico City and moved to the U.S. when he was five. He has a Master's degreen in Guidance and Counseling and is the author of the acclaimed Rainbow Boys series.
ISBN 9781416908982
Publisher Simon Pulse
Copyright Date 2006
Reading Level/Interest Age 12+
Genre Issues: Sexual Identity; LGBT Fiction
Plot Summary
Meet Carlos Amorosa, 15 year-old virgin. Every night he dreams about Roxana “Roxy” Rodriguez and every day he loses his nerve and can’t speak to her. All of his friends have had sex and he’s getting tired of their bragging and putting him down. While watching Queer Eye for the Straight Guy one night, it suddenly occurs to him that maybe he could ask a senior at his school named Sal, who is rumored to be gay and is constantly surrounded by girls, for some advice about how to be more attractive to the opposite sex. Surprisingly, Sal agrees, on the condition that Carlos helps him form a Gay-Straight Alliance at their high school. Will learning the secrets to getting girls be worth the chance that his friends will make fun of him for being gay? Or will Carlos give in to the pressure of his friends and remain a virgin forever?
Critical Evaluation
Getting It is a very straight-forward narrative which finds an endearing narrator in Carlos. Alex Sanchez manages to strike a balance between a coming-of-age tale about the development from boy to man and a novel with a very clear message to tell about homophobia in school. Like Luna, positioning the gay (or in the case of Luna, transgender) character in the storyline as a secondary character is a clever narrative device that allows the reader to confront his own homophobia and change his attitudes right along with Carlos. Additionally, the juxtaposition of Sal with his good looks, sense of humor, confidence, intelligence, manners and class against Carlos’ friends – rude, obnoxious, immature and insecure – makes one immediately sympathetic to the fact that treating a person who is LGBT differently is simply prejudiced. Sanchez also does a great job of integrating Carlos’ own development with his evolving relationship with his parents, drawing in readers who can relate to the pain of divorce and the difficulty of forgiving your parents. I would recommend this book to younger readers as mature readers might find the “makeover” aspects formulaic. This would be a great book to recommend to teenagers who are straight but interested in themes of social justice and equality.
Reader’s Annotation
Carlos would do anything to have sex with a girl – but will he risk being called queer to let the gay guy make him over?
Curriculum Ties Could be tied into lessons about LGBT issues, tolerance and prejudice.
Booktalking Ideas
1. Hook the audience with a plot summary, focusing on whether a “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” makeover will help Carlos get the girl.
2. Do a character sketch modeled after the profiles of the characters on the website in the book “Hot or Snot.”
Challenge Issues
Please see "Controversy & LGBT Teen Collections"
Why did I include this book?
Rainbow List (2009, ALA); Top Ten Youth Romances (2007, Booklist); Alex Sanchez is one of the main authors in this genre and this is his most recent book.
The Golden Compass
Title The Golden Compass
Author Philip Pullman
Pullman was born in Norwich in 1946 and with his family, lived and studied all over the world including England, Zimbabwe, Australia and North Wales. He has achieved much success with the His Dark Materials trilogy and is the author of many other books, mostly read by children and young adults.
ISBN 9780440238133
Publisher Laurel-Leaf Books
Copyright Date 1995
Reading Level/Interest Age 12+
Genre Fantasy
Plot Summary
The Golden Compass is the first book in Philip Pullman's fantasy His Dark Materials trilogy. Part coming-of-age story and part hero quest, this book tells the story of Lyra Balecqua, who is an orphan that has been raised in Jordan College by the scholars there. In Lyra's world, each person has a daemon, an amimal companion that is an integral part of each person's personality and being. Though daemons take on a fixed form once a person has reached adulthood, Lyra's and other children's are fluid and change forms based on mood and need. Upon sneaking into a private meeting with an explorer, Lyra learns of a mysterious, supernatural substance called Dust and after saving her father (though she doesn't know that's who he is at the time) from assassination, she is propelled on an adventure to the north. She quickly learns that she is not only destined to help solve the mystery of disappearing children, but also to save her own world and the multiple other worlds that exist in other dimensions.
Critical Evaluation
The Golden Compass is a page-turning, fast-paced thrill of a read that is sure to delight most teenagers. Though the book has been marketed for young adults, it is mature and tackles some very complex issues, including sexuality, love, sacrifice and death. The main character, Lyra, is extremely likeable and the reader grows with her as she learns about the dark forces that are controlling her world and others. The concept of the daemon is fascinating as is the description of the mysterious particles called Dust. What starts as a fantasy novel eventually is revealed to be a philisophical book about religion, sexuality and humanity. A wonderful recommendation for readers that enjoyed, but have grown out of, the Narnia series and who devoured Lord of the Rings. It is also a great recommendation for readers looking for something after finishing the Harry Potter series as this is a great challenging read.
Reader’s Annotation
Lyra is about to find out that she is destined to save not only her own world, but other worlds as well.
Curriculum Ties A great way to tie in conversations about the role of religion in politics for an older high school class.
Booktalking Ideas
1. Do a plot summary from the point of view of Pantalaimon, Lyra's daemon.
Challenge Issues
Issue: anti-Christian
Defense: alternative point of view, there is no direct attack on Christianity.
Why did I include this book?
Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults (ALA, 1997); Carnegie Medal (1995); Guardian Children's Book Award; I wanted to include a fantasy title and this is a personal favorite.
Gossip Girl
Title Gossip Girl: A Novel
Author Cecily von Ziegesar
Von Ziegesar lives in Brooklyn with her husband Richard. The inspiration for the Gossip Girl series was her own high school experience at the elite, all-girls Nightingale-Bamford School in Manhattan. She is the creator of the Gossip Girl series as well as The It Girl series.
ISBN 0316910333
Publisher Little, Brown and Company
Copyright Date 2002
Reading Level/Interest Age 15+
Genre Contemporary Life, Romance
Plot Summary
Told from the perspective on an anonymous narrator, known only as Gossip Girl, this first book in the series follows the stories of a group of high school seniors who live in New York’s Upper East Side and attend school at the most prestigious college-prep high schools in the city. Blair Waldorf has enjoyed being the queen bee at her high school since the beautiful, perfect, blonde Serena van der Woodson went away to boarding school. But when she surprises everyone by showing up for senior year, Blair will do anything she can to make sure Serena doesn’t take her old position back. Blair becomes even more fearful and vicious when she learns that her boyfriend, Nate, slept with Serena before she left. How far will Blair go to keep her place and how many hearts will get broken in the process?
Critical Evaluation
Gossip Girl is truly a book with very little substance. But it is fast-paced, full of cultural tidbits, shopping, sex, drugs and alcohol – so you know it’s a hit with the teens. Von Ziegesar does a great job with the dialogue between the teenagers and the short, clipped way in which they observe the world. The descriptions are lacking (unless, of course, it’s a description of a dress that Serena’s wearing), but it is not immediately noticeable as the lives of these teenagers are anything but dull. The gossip-y tone of the whole novel is sure to entice even the most reluctant reader to get into the story and the short blog entries every two or three chapters keeps a consistency that a reader will come to appreciate. Unfortunately, in this book, none of the characters are particularly “good,” leaving the reader feeling a bit left out of the storyline. But this could be intentional as the whole story is told from an outsider’s point of view – perhaps we are not supposed to feel connected to the characters beyond the juicy gossip that their exploits provide. A quick, fun read for teens that will appeal particularly to girls and, though the sex, drugs and drinking is likely not appropriate for younger teens, it will surely appeal to them nonetheless.
Reader’s Annotation
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be rich, beautiful and popular? Join our narrator, Gossip Girl, as she navigates their world and lets you have a glimpse inside.
Curriculum Ties Gossip Girl could be read in an English class to discuss form, focusing on the use of a blog entry as a storytelling device.
Booktalking Ideas
1. Read the first blog entry and then do a plot summary, encouraging the audience to read more to find out what happens next.
2. Write a plot summary in the form of one of Gossip Girl’s blog entries.
Challenge Issues
Issue: sexually explicit, underage drug/alcohol use, inappropriate for intended audience.
Defense: extremely popular with teens, does show consequences.
Why did I include this book?
Many good reviews including Publishers Weekly, Teen People, Booklist and VOYA; Popular Paperbacks for Young Adulst (ALA, 2009); Quick Picks for Reluctant YA Readers (ALA, 2003).
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