CRISS CROSS

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Perkins, Lynn Rae. 2006. CRISS CROSS. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 9780060092726

PLOT SUMMARY
A combination of coming of age and love story, Criss Cross follows three adolescents as they look for romance. There’s Debbie who makes a wish that "something different would happen. Something good. To me.” Hector that suddenly decides to learn guitar in hopes of building confidence and attracting girls, and Lennie the mechanical gear-head type that falls for Debbie. Each chapter alternates between the three narrators as we get a closer glimpse into their lives and witness how our lives “criss cross” daily with each decision we make.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The setting is realistic and could take place anywhere in any time. The recurring theme of young teens looking for romance and flirting awkwardly is something any reader can relate to. The writing includes poems, haikus, and prose as well as the author’s own illustrations fills the novel. The author’s own pen and ink drawings appear frequently. The varied vignettes are shown through a typical teen point of view. Adolescents can certainly relate to the self-conscious wonderings. The characters of Debbie, Hector, and Lennie are typical kids. They don’t quite know how to express themselves nor truly understand themselves at this point. They are all interested in other people, but are somehow still connected to their childhood friendships. Each character finds comfort in knowing that each will be there, yet struggle to find their place in the in the world and the teen social scene.

REVIEW EXCEPTS
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Young teens will certainly relate to the self-consciousnesses and uncertainty of all of the characters, each of whom is straining toward clarity and awareness.”
KIRKUS: “A tenderly existential work that will reward more thoughtful readers in this age of the ubiquitous action saga.”

CONNECTIONS
Another novel by Lynne Rae Perkins:
ALL ALONE IN THE UNIVERSE. ISBN 0380733021

Other Newberry Medal winners:
Curtis, Christopher Paul. BUD, NOT BUDDY. ISBN 0553494104
Kadohata, Cynthia. KIRA-KIRA. ISBN 0689856407
Picture credit: Barnes and Noble.com

ARTEMIS FOWL

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Colfer, Eoin. 2001. ARTEMIS FOWL. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786817879

PLOT SUMMARY
Twelve year old criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl has concocted a plan to reclaim the family fortune. To do so he must simply steal gold from a fairy. However, this fairy, Holly Short, is also a member of LEPrecon, a high-tech organization that will protect its gold from the Mud People (humans) with great diligence and fire-power. Soon, Artemis finds himself tangled in a battle with centaurs, gnomes, and trolls.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The underground world of fairies depicts a setting that lures in today’s young reader. This high fantasy novel captures the magical world beautifully as well as adds a touch of science fiction with its use of time stop, mesmer, and bio-bomb. The beautiful Irish countryside is home to Fowl Manor, Artemis’ “evil lair.” The character of Artemis is complex and enjoyable. One moment he is showing himself to be cold-hearted and ruthless, the next you sense vulnerability in him during the scenes with his mother. His never-ending quest to regain his family’s billionaire status suggests a greed that may be his undoing. Captain Holly Short is the first female to be in recon and has a great deal to prove to her male co-workers. Female readers will like the strong female role she portrays. The theme of desiring a mother’s love and attention is something in which all readers can relate. The story is rich in folklore and mythology. Readers will enjoy trying to crack the code that Colfer has added to the bottom of each page and playing along on the website.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
KIRKUS REVIEWS: "Savagely funny page-turner."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Colfer's anti-hero, techno fantasy is cleverly written and filled to the brim with action, suspense, and humor.”

CONNECTIONS
Other novels in the series:
Colfer, Eoin. THE ARTIC INCIDENT. ISBN 0786851473
Colfer, Eoin. THE ETERNITY CODE. ISBN 0786819146

Picture credit: Barnes and Noble.com

LOOKING FOR ALASKA

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Green, John. 2006. LOOKING FOR ALASKA. New York: Dutton. ISBN 0142402516

PLOT SUMMARY
Sixteen year old Miles Halter is in search of “the Great Perhaps.” Bored and unchallenged, he decides to enroll in an Alabama boarding school. While at school he befriends his roommate, Chip, and the beautiful Alaska Young. Together they experience love, life, and loss, all while trying to prank the rich kids.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This coming of age story involves the usual teen angst of smoking, drinking, sex and pranks. Finding himself with friends for the fist time in his life, Miles searches for his place in the world and learns too late how the lives of others affect us. The characters are likeable and realistic. They enjoy “wreaking havoc,” but don’t want to get in trouble, worry about getting good grades, and pulling off the perfect prank. This high school tale is geared for grades 9 and up, and rightly so. The mature subject matter might not be appropriate for the junior high set, but the lessons learned about loyalty to friends and underage drinking are important. The plot takes a few twists, which helps move the story along. The chapters are short and have titles such as “one hundred and thirty six days before” and “twenty days after” which foretell of a tragedy to come. The fun-filled tone is sometimes overshadowed with Alaska’s moody darkness, but her character represents the sadness and depression that does affect so many teens today. The setting, time, and place are fairly generic and could take place most anywhere. The only thing that dates this piece is the boys’ playing Play station 2 and Miles’ baggy shorts. The story is told through the point of view of Miles. We get to experience his first drink, his first girl, and his first kiss. We also experience his heart-break and guilt after the accident. Each character is allowed to deal with the tragedy on their own terms, in their own way. Teens may appreciate not having a happy ending.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “This novel is about real kids dealing with the pressures of growing up and feeling indestructible.”
KIRKUS REVIEWS: “What sings and soars in this gorgeously told tale is Green's mastery of language and the sweet, rough edges of Pudge's voice. Girls will cry and boys will find love, lust, loss and longing in Alaska's vanilla-and-cigarettes scent.”

CONNECTIONS
Read Alikes:
Rosoff, Meg. HOW I LIVE NOW. ISBN 0553376055
Anderson, Laurie Halse. SPEAK. ISBN 014131088X
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