Alex Award 2010

This Alex Award winning book is a book that can be most appreciated by young adult readers due to the mature nature of the contents. This book is a nonfictional account of the troop surge in Iraq. It follows the Rangers as they live and die in the worst part of Baghdad. The novel shows how the soldiers' beliefs and personalities change because of what they see and do in Iraq. The story does not stop in Iraq, it follows the aftermath of the injured upon their return to America. David Finkel does a amazing job telling their story without bias. This is a truly powerful book.

Best Books for Young Adults

This book won the Best Books for Young Adults award. It is appropriate for students in the upper grades of junior high and high school. Fancy White Trash deals with issues faced by many adolescents such as sex, alcohol, divorce, parental relationships, etc. Humor helps to break up the seriousness of these issues. Girls will be able to relate to Abby as she progresses through her crazy life. Geerling's writing provides a quick easy read for all readers, even the struggling ones. The cover of the book makes it eye-catching for the reader. This book will leave the reader laughing out loud at Abby's adventures and mishaps.

Great Graphic Novels for Teens

This book won the Great Graphic Novels For Teens award. It is totally different version of the fairy tale Rapunzel. This graphic novel is full of sarcastic dialogue. The pictures are wonderful and show emotion along with little details that readers will have to pay careful attention to. This book is great for readers in grades 5-8. It is a quick and easy read. Readers will enjoy the adventures that Rapunzel and Jack have. Jack even has a lucky bean (sound familiar) that helps save them in the end. This book would be great to share with students that are interested in graphic novels or are struggling readers. The pictures will help with comprehension and understanding. One could also use this story to compare and contrast other versions of Rapunzel. Overll, this book was wonderful to read and very entertaining!

Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers

Yes, this is a real book. This book is a great "lure" book for readers that need a bit of prodding when it comes to reading. Some may find this book a bit disturbing, but I feel that as long as students are reading, the purpose is being served. While reading, I was brought to a few chuckles myself. This book can be rather hard to find a libraries, though. In fact, this book was not even on the shelves at the high school. I had to ask for it. The "lead" librarian refuses to put it on the shelves. The book is full of interesting information concerning the way humans release gas. Overall, a very enjoyable book to read!