If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Forman, Gayle. If I Stay. New York: Dutton, 2009. Print.

Image Credit: www.goodreads.com

Annotation:  Mia is in a coma after a car accident that kills her whole family, she can hear everything that goes on around her.  Mia has a choice to make should she stay here on earth or go and hopefully join her family wherever they are.

Booktalk:

"This cannot be happening. We are a family, going on a drive. This isn't real. I must have fallen asleep in the car."

I have a great life. I've been accepted to Juilliard to play the cello. I have the cool parents that everyone wants and a little brother I adore and a boyfriend who gets me.  But everything changed one February morning. On a family drive a semi-truck collided with our car.  They say I'm in a coma, I can see myself lying in the hospital bed, I can see and hear everyone who visits.  I have a choice to make.  What happens If I Stay?

"If I Say is one of my favorite books.  I got all my friends to read it."  Lyla S. age 15

Ways to Live Forever by Sally Nicholls

Nicholls, Sally. Ways to Live Forever. New York: Scholastic, 2008. Print. 

Annotation: Eleven year old Sam McQueen is dying.  He is writing a book of facts, stories and experiences before he dies. 

Booktalk:

I am writing a book.  A collection of lists, questions and facts. 

1. My name is Sam
2. I am eleven years old
3. I collect stories and fantastic facts
4. I have lukemia
5. By the time you read this, I will probably be dead

This book is the last thing I want to complete before I die.  Once you read it you will know me, Sam McQueen. This book is one of my Ways to Live Forever. 

Image Credit: Google Books

"Ways to Live Forever was really good.  I cried a lot."  Taylor P. age 12 

Waterstone Children's Book Prize

After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick

Sonnenblick, Jordan. After Ever After. New York: Scholastic, 2010. Print.

Annotation: Jeffrey Alper's is cancer free but not trouble free, his big brother is gone, his best friend is keeping secrets from him and he is struggling with prep for the state tests.

Image Credit: www.goodreads.com

Booktalk:
Ever wondered what comes after Happily Ever After? Jeffrey Alper is living After Ever After.  His cancer is in remission but he still suffers from "late effects", the wonderful things that chemotherapy and radiation do to a body besides kill the cancer.  His big brother who was always there when he was sick has gone off to Africa to join a drum circle and can't be reached.  Despite the bad stuff, (late effects and no brotherly advise) Jeffrey thinks that 8th grade will be his year to be normal, just one of the guys.  There is even a cute new girl who might like him.  But life doesn't always go the way we hope.
"Now I am not just Jeffrey Alper, struggling eighth grader.  Since all this stuff has hit the fan, for the second time in my life, I am Jeffrey Alper, Official Town Cause. Go, me."  Check out this book to discover what comes After Ever After.

Schneider Family Book Award 2011

"I recommend After Ever After because it is funny and sad at the same time."  -Cameron T.  age 13

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Green, John. Looking for Alaska.  New York: Dutton, 2005. Print.

Annotation:  Miles Halter is in his first year at Culver Creek Prep where he meets Alaska, a girl that is perfect in his mind.  Miles wants Alaska to be his girlfriend but that might not be what she wants.

Image Credit: www.goodreads.com

Booktalk:

Miles Halter is new to Culver Creek Prepatory School.  He is immediately drawn to Alaska Young.  Alaska is sexy, mysterious, funny and a bit crazy.  Miles is enamoured of Alaska. She has opened Miles's eyes and now that he has met her he sees the world in a wholly different way.  After Culver Creek and Alaska life will never be the same.  Will Miles be forever Looking for Alaska?

Winner of the 2006 Printz Award
Finalist, 2005 Los Angeles Times Book Prize
2006 Top 10 Best Book for Young Adults
2006 Teens’ Top 10 Award
2006 Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
A Booklist Editor’s Choice Pick
Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Selection
Borders Original Voices Selection 

Walking on Glass by Alma Fullerton

Fullerton, Alma.  Walking on Glass. New York: Harper, 2007. Print.

Annotation:  An unnamed teen is trying to come to terms with his mother's suicide attempt.

Image Credit: www.goodreads.com

Booktalk:

God, Forgive me
The thought of my own mother
dying
shouldn't leave the taste of
freedom
in my mouth

Murder
The unlawful killing of a human
being
with malice
afore thought
I'm thinking about it
Does that make it
murder?

I found her like that, I saved her but maybe it would have been better to let her go.  Dad thinks she will get better. Mom is gone but her body is still tied to the earth. Is setting her free murder or mercy? How do I decide?

"If you like books like Ellen Hopkins you'll like this one." -Jonathan S. age 15

By the Time You Read This I'll Be Dead by Julie Peters

Peters, Julie. By the Time You Read This I'll Be Dead. New York: Hyperion, 2010. Print.

Annotation:  Daelyn has been bullied so much that she is searching for a way to end her life, while she is waiting for the right time to kill herself she meets a guy who won't leave her alone.  She finds herself starting to care for him and maybe finding a reason to live.

Daelyn Rice is counting down the days until her Date of Determination.  She is a member of Through the Light a social network of people planning to commit suicide.  Daelyn has attempted to kill herself 12 times before, she is determined not to fail this tie.  There is only one thing standing in her way, a persistent boy who is starting to get to her.  He is starting to make her feel.  As her Date of Determination moves closer Daelyn has to choose: stay or go. What will she decide?

 An ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2011

 Chicago Public Library’s Best of the Best List 2010

An ALA Popular Paperback for YA: Sticks and Stones category

  An ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults Nomination, 2011

Image Credit: www.goodreads.com

"I liked how you didn't really know what happens at the end, you can decide"

-Jeanie Y.   age 17

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

Doctorow, Cory. Little Brother. New York: Tor, 2008. Print.

Annotation:  The government is watching everyone, Marcus and his friends are determined to stop them no matter the cost.  Using his technology skills he tries to thwart all of their efforts.

Image Credit: www.goodreads.com

Booktalk:
17 year-old computer wizard Marcus and his friends ditched school to play a scavenger hunt game on the streets of San Francisco when terrorists strike.  In the confusion after the explosion Marcus and his friends are picked up and detained by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  In the aftermath of the attacks it turns out that the terrorist are not the greatest threat our own government is.  The DHS has turned San Francisco into a police state.  Marcus is determined bring them down and free the prisoners being held and tortured right in his backyard.  Sometimes paranoia is healthy.

White Pine Award Winner 2009
2009 Prometheus Award
2009 John W. Campbell Memorial Award
 CYBIL Award
Booklist Editors' Choice
 Kirkus Best Book of the Year
 School Library Journal Best Books of the Year
VOYA's Best Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror