FLIRTIN' WITH THE MONSTER
Edited by Ellen Hopkins
AR: No
Interest Level: Middle and Upper Grades
This is a compilation of essays written by favorite YA authors as well as a judge, an addiction specialist and other therapists, in response to the books CRANK, and GLASS, which give readers a glimpse into the life of a teenager's entry into and spiral down the tunnel of "the monster," crystal meth. There are also essays written by family members, including "Kristina" herself.
I loved this book, and think it should be read by parents, teens, teachers, probation officers, judges and any other person who might come into contact with this insidious drug, either directly or indirectly. (Which means, basically, everyone should read it!)
The book opens with an introduction from Ellen Hopkins herself. After reading it, and the subsequent first contributed essay, I was so taken with what I read, that I ended up reading my favorite parts aloud to my husband. I was so touched by the books CRANK AND GLASS, and it was amazing to read other peoples' reactions and realize that they were so similar to my own. I also sent an email to Ellen to express my gratitude to her for sharing her story with the world. I truly believe that an untold number of teens will be spared the nightmare of dancing with the monster, because of Ellen's strength and amazing method of getting her personal pain on paper and sharing it with the world. My favorite quote from her introduction is, "Never pray lightly. Someone just might be listening."
My favorite contributed essay is by Niki Burnaham, a popular YA author. Her take on YA literature is one I hadn't considered before. I am one of those librarians who believes that teens want to read books that are relevant to them--this means some of the content of such books might not be content that adults feel are savory or "appropriate" because they might contain situations and language we don't deem as acceptable for our teens to take part in or use. Many people feel that YA authors have a responsibility to limit their writing so it is only about characters who are good role models. In reading only about "perfect" characters, however, teens aren't exposed to characters who are real, or believable. Burnham drove her point home when she talked about popular children's literature...I had never thought about it before, but even small children are drawn to stories about characters who have flaws, or who don't always make the best decisions. The example she used in her essay was a popular children's book about a bunny whose mother loves him even when he misbehaves. The story is believable and desirable to small children because they can relate to the bunny's desire to assert his independence, even if it means he gets in trouble by doing so. By the teen years, Burnham explains, life has become more complex and the stories teens read should reflect that reality. In the real world, people swear, they hurt others, they lie, and they struggle with knowing the right thing to do in situations that don't always have simple black and white answers, and they must learn that actions have consequences. Teens don't learn life lessons from characters who are perfect; they learn from those who are imperfect. When a book is so sanitized that in contains only perfect characters, or characters whose role in the story is only to teach a reader a lesson, that book no longer rings true to the reader. I had never stopped and thought about all the books for young children that are about characters who aren't exactly role models for our wee little ones to base their own choices and decisions on. Teens are drawn to books about broken characters too, and with older characters, naturally the situations they find themselves in because of their brokenness are going to be grittier, and sometimes even harsh. This doesn't mean they're not books that are worthy of being read--it makes them even more worthy of being read--especially if reading them will impart a lesson that might prevent the reader from making the same mistakes as the broken character. As a parent myself, and someone who has established relationships with many of my own teen patrons, I would rather my kids read about unsavory situations than experience them for themselves.
I could write my own essay in response to almost every essay contained in this book, but if I were to do that, then I wouldn't leave you with a reason to read the book on your own. The sections written by family members, especially the essays by Kristian and her son Orion, are essays I will read time and again. This is a fantastic book--fans of CRANK and GLASS will be drawn to it, and will have a hard time putting it down from the time they open it, until the last page is read.
Check out this trailer, created by Analine Johnson, of Laredo, Texas. If you'd like to view her blog, go to: http://centeno.edublogs.org There is an AR quiz for this book and it is appropriate for middle grades (4th-6th) and up.
Check out this trailer, created by Analine Johnson, of Laredo, Texas. If you'd like to view her blog, go to: http://centeno.edublogs.org/ There is an AR quiz for this book and it is appropriate for middle grades (4th-8th) and up.
Check out this trailer, created by Analine Johnson, of Laredo, Texas. If you'd like to view her blog, go to: http://centeno.edublogs.org/ There is an AR quiz for this book and it is appropriate for middle grades (4th-6th and up)
BATTLE OF THE BANDS
ON VINEY'S MOUNTAIN, by Joan Donaldson
Check out this FANTASTIC book trailer for THE CHOSEN ONE, by Carol Lynch Williams. The trailer was created by Sherry Thompson, librarian at Flower Mound High School, in Flower Mound, Texas. There is also a blog entry for this book: http://pettushs.blogspot.com/2009/05/chosen-one-by-carol-lynch-williams.html There is an AR quiz available, and the interest level is for Upper Grades.
ON VINEY'S MOUNTAIN
Check out this trailer for THE GRAVEYARD BOOK, by Neil Gaiman. The trailer was created by Dayna and Karen Green of Comstock ISD in Comstock, Texas. Click on the following link to visit their library page: Comstock ISD Virtual Library This book has an AR quiz and the interest level is upper middle grades (6th-8th) and up. Enjoy!
Check out this trailer for THE LAB, by Jack Heath. The trailer was created by Robin Henry. Mrs. Henry is the librarian at Wakeland High School in Frisco, Texas. Visit their blog at: http://wakelandlibrary.wordpress.com/ AR: Yes Interest Level: Middle Grades
Check out this trailer for the book POISON APPLES, by Katy Archer. It was created by Kristy Unger. This book has an AR quiz and is appropriate for middle grades and up. Enjoy!
Check out this amazing trailer for the book SKELLIG, by David Almond, created by Miss Briggs who is the librarian at Dexter and Brownville-Glen Elementary Schools, which are located in Brownville, New York. There is an AR quiz available for this book and it is appropriate for middle grades (4th-6th) and up.
Check out this trailer for the book MAYBELLE IN THE SOUP, by Katie Speck. The trailer was created by Teacher Tube member "Mubarama" and I will post more info about her as soon as she sends it to me. Enjoy! This book is appropriate for Elementary students and there is an AR quiz.
Check out this book trailer for SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK, created by Rebecca Baker. This book is appropriate for middle school students and there is an AR quiz available. Enjoy!
Check out this book trailer for the book RULES, by Cynthia Lord. The trailer was created by Jill Suarez, who works at Whittier Health Science Academy, in San Antonio, and the book is intended for middle and high school students. Enjoy!
Check out this trailer for THE BOOK OF ONE HUNDRED TRUTHS, by Julie Schumacher. There is an AR quiz available for this book, and the intended audience is 5th grade and up. Enjoy!
LUV YA BUNCHES
WILLOW, by Julia Hoban
Check out this trailer for WHAT I SAW AND HOW I LIED by Judy Blundell Trailer Created by Robin Henry. Mrs. Henry is the librarian at Wakeland High School in Frisco, Texas. Visit their blog at: http://wakelandlibrary.wordpress.com/
Check out this book trailer for WAKE, by Lisa McMann. The trailer was created by Robin Henry. Mrs. Henry is the librarian at Wakeland High School in Frisco, Texas. Visit their blog at: http://wakelandlibrary.wordpress.com/
Check out this book trailer for WINTERGIRLS by Jace Daily. Mrs. Daily is the librarian at Burleson High School in Burleson, Texas. Visit her library website at: http://elklibrary.glogster.com/BHS-Library-Web-site/ 
Check out this trailer for THE AFTERLIFE by Alan Lawrence Sitomoer. The trailer was created by Christine Acosta, the librarian at Taft High School. Visit her blog at: http://tafthslibrary.blogspot.com
Check out this book trailer for THE AFTERLIFE by Gary Soto. The trailer was created by Christine Acosta, the librarian at Taft High School. Visit her blog at: http://tafthslibrary.blogspot.com
Check out this book trailer for PLAYING WITH MATCHES by Brian Katcher. The trailer was produced by Aleathea Brewster, who is the assistant librarian at the high school in Canadian, Texas. 
Check out this book trailer for THE HUNGER games, produced by Robin Henry. Mrs. Henry is the librarian at Wakeland High School in Frisco, Texas. Visit their blog at: http://wakelandlibrary.wordpress.com/ 
Check out this amazing trailer for the book HARMLESS, by Dana Reinhardt. The trailer was created by Christine Acosta, the librarian at Taft High School, in Texas. Check out her blog at: http://tafthslibrary.blogspot.com/
Check out this book trailer for THE LATENT POWERS OF DYLAN FONTAINE, by April Lurie. The trailer was created by Suzanne Severns, who is the librarian at Bowie High School in Arlington, Texas. Visit her library pages at: http://bowielibrary.wetpaint.com/
THE COMPOUND
THE PACT
VIBES 
BAIT
THE CHOSEN ONE 
FLIRTIN' WITH THE MONSTER 
This trailer for ARTICHOKE'S HEART by Suzanne Supplee was created by Mrs. Schauer. It is appropriate for middle grades and up and there is an AR quiz available for the book. 
THE AFTERLIFE
