Young Adult Materials Research Blog Project

Young Adult Materials Research Blog Project
Melissa Luttrell
San Jose State University
LIBR 265 – Materials for Young Adults Ages 15-18
August 10, 2011

Index

Books

Abandon by Meg Cabot
After by Amy Efaw
Bone: Tall Tales by Jeff Smith with Tom Sniegoski
Boyfriends with Girlfriends by Alex Sanchez
Bras & Broomsticks by Sarah Mlynowski
Crank by Ellen Hopkins
Fat Cat by Robin Brande
Gimme a Call by Sarah Mlynowski
Goddess Boot Camp by Tera Lynn Childs
Hope in Patience by Beth Fehlbaum
If I Have a Wicked Stepmother, Where’s My Prince? By Melissa Kantor
Jane Jones: Worst Vampire Ever by Caissie St. Onge
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs
One of Those Hideous Books Where The Mother Dies by Sonya Sones
Peace. Love, and Baby Ducks by Lauren Myracle
Peeled by Joan Bauer
Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher
Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr
Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith
The Boyfriend List by e. Lockhart
The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by e. lockhart
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
TTYL by Lauren Myracle
Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block
What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

CD

Doo-wops & Hooligans by Bruno Mars
Teenage Dream by Katy Perry
The Fame by Lady Gaga

Magazine

Game Informer
Kiki Ltd
Ride BMX
Seventeen

Movie

10 Things I Hate About You
Clueless
How to Deal
Mean Girls
Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist

Video Game

Glee Karaoke Revolution
Just Dance 2

Subscription Database

BYKI Online
World Book Online Resource

BYKI Online

BYKI Online

Plot Summary
BYKI stands for “Before You Know It.” The database is a user friendly source for learning a new language or bettering the language you already know. The user is given a selection of flashcards that are aimed at learning the language at the users pace.

Critical Evaluation
When learning the selected language the database is placed into five sections. The user can use Review It to learn the language by hearing and seeing the word being taught. Under Recognize It, the user is shown one side of the flashcard and expected to know the equivalent word in the native language. In the Know It section, the user is given the word in their native language and expected to know the foreign language word.
The database also allows users to view the list of words under each section of their learning, view the words they have used, and practice their knowledge in tests and pronunciation. The user will need a microphone in order to test their pronunciation.
The database allows users to visit blogs based in the language they are learning and have a “Word of the Day.” There are several languages that a user can learn and the user is not limited to the language they selected when they signed up.

Genre
Subscription Database

Interest Level
Ages 14+

Why Included
Learning a second language is hard. This website allows users to create flashcards to learn a language. The database is easy to use and very helpful.

World Book Online Reference Center

World Book Online Reference Center

Plot Summary
World Book is an online reference center. The database allows user to search for information via alphabetically, the way the printed World Book allows. The database also has subject search, images and videos, and a dictionary. Users are able to find bibliography information and world newspapers from the homepage. The database helps users learn more about doing research, how to make citations, and an interactive earth section.

Critical Evaluation
The World Book Online is an online reference to the world. Just as the title explains, the World Book allows users to learn anything they could possibly need about the world. Teens will find the database very helpful in their research needs.

Genre
Subscription Database

Interest Level
Everyone

Why Included
When I was a teen the first place I would turn to when I had a research project was the World Book. The World Book includes enough information to get a student started on a research project.

Just Dance 2 by Ubi Soft

Just Dance 2 by Ubi Soft

Plot Summary
Just Dance 2 allows you to dance along to your favorite songs including Kesha’s “Tik Tok,” Jamiroquai’s “Cosmic Girl,” and Outkast’s “Hey Ya!” Players are able to dance solo or with a group. The game also allows for players to compete against each other.

Critical Evaluation
This game is highly addicting. I have seen teens play this game for hours straight. Once you get a group together, teens want to keep playing in order to beat their friends. This game has a great selection of dance songs and the gamer is able to download additional games if needed. The game is very social and allows up to 8 players.
The reviews on this game are very positive. More people enjoy playing this game than not.

Genre
Video Game

Interest Level
Everyone

Why Included
This game contains hip new songs that players will enjoy. They will be hooked on beating their best score and learning the moves included in the game.

Glee Karaoke Revolution by Konami

Glee Karaoke Revolution by Konami

Plot Summary
Sing along with your favorite television cast in Glee Karaoke. The game includes 30 of the chart topping hits from season one. While you sing you can watch some the scenes that go along with the song. The game allows gamers to pick their favorite song and sing karaoke style. It also has the option of picking your favorite cast member to sing along side. There is also an option to have a singing competition with another gamer.

Critical Evaluation
The game only includes 30 songs from the season. There is not an option to download additional songs. If the gamer isn’t happy with the song selection they are out of luck. Another issue with the game is that you are not able to turn off the lead vocals. So even though it is called karaoke, you are actually doing a sing along. Another issue with the game is the microphone. It doesn’t always catch the player singing.
While it seems that everyone is in love with Glee these days, this game falls short. The song selection gets boring quickly and there is no way to download additional songs. I feel that many teens will get bored with this game.

Genre
Video Game

Interest Level
Everyone

Why Included
It seems that Glee has hit a great stride among today’s teens. Teens are buying buttons, posters, and notebooks, basically anything that features the cast. However, this game isn’t as exciting as it first appears.

Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr

Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr, Listening Library, New York, 2008, ISBN 978-0-7393-7133-6

Plot Summary
When Deanna was thirteen she was found in the backseat of her older brother's friend, Tommy's car. For the last three years Deanna has struggled with the implications of her decision. The kids in school call her a slut and say that she is easy. Her father doesn't trust her anymore to be alone with a boy. Her brother is overprotective, trying to make sure that Deanna will never fall into that situation again. Now the summer after sophomore year she has a job that has her having to deal with Tommy, and the fact that her brother and his girlfriend have a young baby.

Critical Evaluation
Story of a Girl is told in first person. The reader is able to get a first person perspective in to the way that Deanna feels about her reputation. Deanna is a plain narrator, she doesn't try to fill in gaps with minor details. She gives the facts of each situation and lets the reader see exactly what it is like to be her.
I listened to this book rather than read it. The author narrates the audiobook and her tone is kind of monotone. It makes the listener feel like Deanna doesn't want to be telling this story but is doing in a theraputic way. I get the feeling that Deanna is sitting in therapy letting out what she has been holding in for the last three years.

Reader's Annotation
When Deanna is found with her brother’s friend when she is thirteen, she must deal with the implications for the rest of her life.

Author Information
From Zarr’s website:
Sara Zarr is the acclaimed author of three novels for young adults: Story of a Girl (National Book Award Finalist), Sweethearts (Cybil Award Finalist), and Once Was Lost (a Kirkus Best Book of 2009, Utah Book Award winner, INSPY winner). Her short fiction and essays have appeared in Image, Hunger Mountain online, Response, and several anthologies. Sara’s fourth young adult novel, How to Save a Life, will be published in October 2011. She lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband, and online at www.sarazarr.com.

Genre
Realistic Fiction/Problem Novel/Sexual Exploration/Bullying

Curriculum Unit
Unit on the implications of having sex too early

Booktalking Ideas
Discuss the reputation that Deanna has in school. Is she able to get away from the things other kids say about her?

Interest Level
Grades 9-12

Challenge Issues
Due to the materials discussed in this novel, it is most likely that the book would be challenged. If the book was challenged, I would turn to ALA's Strategies and Tips for Dealing with Challenges to Library Materials.

Why Included
I picked up this book thinking it would be about something else. Despite not finding what I was looking for in this book, I was happy with having read it. Many teen girls will be able to relate with the character of Deanna. Deanna just wants to help her brother and change the reputation that she has been given.