Staff Picks for Teens

I’ll admit it: I’m a big Twilight fan. Even though I’m quite far from being a teenager, I love the romance and angst of it all. So when I saw that Stephenie Meyer had written The Host, a book NOT within the Twilight series, I was very skeptical. This was before the Twilight series was done and I couldn’t imagine Stephenie writing anything that didn’t take place in the hallowed Twilight universe or with its beloved characters. So when the book came out, I boycotted it. I knew I would not be able to accept some other world by this great (yes, I said great) author.

Now it’s been a few years since the last Twilight book came out. Last month I saw a trailer for a movie made of this book and decided it was time. Time for me to finally read The Host. So I checked out the enormous tome and dove in. It’s a hefty book! No way a slow reader like me could read the whole thing in three weeks. There was a list of people waiting for it, so I wouldn’t be able to renew it. Because of this, I read the first half and listened to the second half on CD in my car. I was dubious about liking it but, like her other novels, it dragged me right in. The characters are so well-drawn. The plot is intriguing and exciting.

The story takes place in an alternate America. Aliens have landed and have taken over the bodies of almost all of the Earth’s population. The humans act as hosts to these parasitic beings who are much more peaceful than we are. But there remain sects of resistant humans trying to escape being taken over by the peaceful parasites, called “souls.”

I don’t normally read science fiction, but this really drew me in. The story is really about displacement, adaptation, and trying to forge a good life and make everyone happy, which is pretty much impossible. This book is classified as adult fiction, where Twilight was for teens, but I would recommend it for teens and adults. It’s a wonderful story and [dare I say it?] even better than the Twilight series.

The Pregnancy Project by Gaby Rodriguez created a firestorm for the author when it was revealed that she had faked a pregnancy for her senior project.  The book is an inspiring read about a teen who sought a way to give voice to a group of people who are often looked down upon by peers, teachers, and their families.

Teens are taught by adults that teen pregnancy should be frowned upon.  Gaby has grown up in an economically-disadvantaged household where all of her immediate family have been teen parents.  Gaby has seen first-hand how difficult it is to raise children as a teen through her mother and seven siblings.  However, she also wonders if the very stereotypes about teens who become parents perpetuates the problem from generation to generation.

Gaby comes up with an innovative solution to this problem.  She decides to fake a pregnancy to see how her family, friends, and teachers treat her, after they find out she is pregnant.  Once she is done with the project, she will reveal the stereotypes she has seen and hopefully help teens who become pregnant. 

As an honor student, she has been viewed as the hope for her family.  However, there have been naysayers who say she will probably end up a teen mom as well.  What happens when Gaby supposedly becomes pregnant?  How will her friends and teachers react?  How will her family react when they think that their one hope for future salvation is dashed?

Are you and your kids tired of the rain? We got a book to see the sunny side of things when it doesn't look like it called "Rain Brings Frogs."  You follow a little boy named Nate that points out all the good things from every situation. When Dad says, "Mud. Mud. Mud." Nate says, "Rainbow! Rainbow! Rainbow!" Nate can always find something positive in of all his family and friends' unhappy situations. A great short story to share when things are looking gloomy everywhere.

On Wednesday March 21, Sheba Karim, author of Skunk Girl visited the Edenvale Branch Library.   Teens and adults listened to her read excerpts of Skunk Girl as well as excerpts of one of her short stories.   Sheba spoke about many topics, including her childhood, her teen years, and her path to becoming a writer.   People who came to this presentation asked many interesting questions which Sheba was happy to answer.   This event was part of Silicon Valley Reads.   There are several more Silicon Valley Reads  events taking place in March and April.    For more information, check out the Silicon Valley Reads website.

If you haven't yet read Skunk Girl, visit the library to check out a copy.  You're in for a treat!   If you have read and enjoyed Skunk Girl, you may also enjoy Does My Head Look Big in This? and Ten Things I Hate about Me, both written by Austrailan author Randa Abdel-Fattah.

Happy Reading!