Rules of the Road By Joan Bauer

Bauer, J. (2005) Rules of the road. New York: Speak. ISBN: 014240425X

Plot Summary: Jenna Boller has one true passion- selling shoes. For the last year and a half, she has been one of the top employees at Gladstone’s Shoes. Although things are going well at her job, her alcoholic father has come back into her life and is causing a mess. Mrs. Gladstone, the owner of the company, demands Jenna to drive her across the country. However, Jenna is hesitant due to her limited driving experience. After being convinced by money and the opportunity to see new places, Jenna soon becomes Mrs. Gladstone’s driver and assistant. Spending weeks upon weeks together, Jenna is becoming aware of the challenges Mrs. Gladstone’s company faces. She soon becomes aware of Elden, Mrs. Gladstone’s son, who plans on taking over the business. His plans to make a larger profit by selling lesser quality shoes drives Jenna and Mrs. Gladstone to test their strength and patience. Throughout the trip, Jenna grows into a strong female who doesn’t take no for an answer, just as her mentor Mrs. Gladstone.

Critical Evaluation: The plot was definitely different from any other story I have ever read. The author did a great job at developing Jenna’s character. Readers were able to get an idea of how she was motivated and passionate about selling shoes. Although the book summary seemed a bit bland, the plot was a lot more exciting than I had expected. Traveling with an old crabby lady doesn’t seem like the most exciting road trip, but Jenna was able to learn a wealth of information about the shoe business and about herself. Readers grow to understand the reasoning for Mrs. Gladstone’s frustration and eventually will be supportive of her desires. The other storyline regarding her alcoholic father was very sad, and yet touching. Anyone who has ever had to deal with a loved one with drug abuse problems will definitely appreciate Jenna and her story. The love, frustration, and anger Jenna feels for her dad is quite powerful.

Information about the Author: Joan Bauer has written several books for young adults. Many of her books have won awards such as the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Delacorte Press Prize for First Young Adult Novel, and several more. She currently lives in New York with her family.

Annotation: In hopes of avoiding her alcoholic father, Jenna drives her boss across the country and learns more than she could ever imagine about business, friendship, and life.

Genre: travel and realistic-fiction

Curriculum Ties: business

Booktalking Ideas: : Have teens imagine what it must be like to take an amazing road trip from Illinois to Texas with everything being paid for, as well as some spending cash. Now have them imagine that trip take place with a 73-year-old rich, grumpy woman. Would the experience still be worth it?

Reading Level/Interest Age: 9th-12th grade

Challenge Issues: alcoholism

Reason for Inclusion: Joan Bauer’s Rules of the Road is the winner of the Los Angeles Times Book prize, an ALA Notable Book, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, an ALA Quick Pick, and an SLJ Best Book of the Year.

In the Space Left Behind by Joan Ackermann

Ackermann, J. (2007). In the space left behind. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN: 006072255.

Plot Summary: Colm Drucker is a responsible and good-looking fifteen-year-old boy who lives in Massachusetts with his mom and two sisters. While he is home alone, he discovers the family dog, Chester, has died. With his mom and baby sister in Las Vegas, Colm has no one to tell. Unsure that his mother is going to return due to her fondness of the Las Vegas lifestyle, he plans on buying his family home. One day, he unexpectedly received a phone call from his father who wants him to take a road trip to California and promises seventy thousand dollars. Despite his internal battle, Colm decides to take the trip so he could have a decent down payment for the house. On a road trip with a father he does not know, Colm is annoyed with the lies, dishonesty, and irresponsibility of his father. Eventually, he comes to learn about patience and understanding.

Critical Evaluation: Although Colm Drucker is offered a large sum of money to drive his father to California, readers are led to believe that something very extreme is going to happen. I had assumed that his father was wanted for owing a large amount of money for his gambling problem. However, it turns out that his father’s intentions are quite simple. This book is great for anyone who has lacked a father in his or her life. Even though there was not much of twist, the story was good and simple. The author does a great job at making connections in this father and son relationship. At the end of the story, readers see the significance of Chester, the family dog, and the importance of the road trip for his father. Colm’s character experiences a very subtle evolution. The road trip ended up being an eye opener and changed Colm from being angry to understanding.

Information about the Author: Joan Ackermann is an author, journalist, screenwriter, and playwright. She has written several plays and have recently had her play, Off the Map, adapted as a feature film. She is also the director of a theater, Mixed Company, which is located in Massachusetts. She currently lives in the Berkshires and works as a hiking guide.

Annotation: Although Colm Drucker’s father abandoned his family, he returns to give Colm a seventy thousand dollar offer to drive across the country with him.

Genre: Road travel

Curriculum Ties: United States Geography

Booktalking Ideas: First person narrative from Colm's perspective.

Reading Level/Interest Age: 9th-12th grade

Challenge Issues: Although it is only mentioned briefly, Colm and his father do have a discussion about God and religion.

Reason for Inclusion: This book is great for teens who haven’t had a father in their life. Although most fathers have never given their kids the opportunity that Colm received, readers can get the perspective of how a parent may feel when they make the decision to leave their family.

Zane's Trace by Allan Wolf

Wolf, A. (2007). Zane’s trace. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN: 0763628581

Plot Summary: Zane Guesswind is born into a family with all sorts of problems. His mother was mentally ill and committed suicide while he suffers from epileptic seizures. In order to battle the voices he hears in his head, he uses his sharpie markers to write on the walls, his stolen 1969 Barracuda. When his grandfather dies, Zane is convinced that he is responsible for his death. As a result, he decides to take his older brother’s driver’s license along with the Barracuda on a road trip to Zanesville, Ohio. Zanesville is the site of his mother’s grave and where he plans on killing himself. On his journey, he meets Libba, Libba Ration. Throughout their journey, the talkative Libba helps Zane understand certain aspects in life. The relationship between the two characters is quite interesting and takes a surprising turn. With interwoven stories of people from Zane’s past, the story is intriguing and haunting at the same time.

Critical Evaluation: I was surprised to see how quickly I read through the book. When I first started, the story seemed very morbid and I was a bit skeptical about whether this was something I wanted to include in my genre study. But once I got half way through the novel, I realized how carefully the book was developed. The way the historical characters were interwoven into the story was at first confusing, but once it happened a few more times, readers then realize it is part of the narrative style. As someone who is not a huge fan of poetry, I was able to really appreciate the poetic elements throughout the story. The way the book came to an end was a great surprise, however, I wanted to know more. I found the author’s note really interesting at the end of the story. I love how the story included factual places. It made the story so much more interesting to find out that Zane’s destination was real.

Information about the Author: Allan Wolf is an author, teacher and poet who lives in North Carolina with his wife and three kids. He then became the director for Poetry Alive! which provides theatrical poetry shows across the United States.

Annotation: Zane takes a road trip to Zanesville, Ohio to kill himself at his mother’s grave. On his journey, he meets Libba and experiences changes that will alter his path.

Genre: Adventure

Curriculum Ties: United States Geography

Booktalking Ideas: Read a few stanzas of poetry from the book and discuss the meaning and poetic elements. Explain how the book is a novel but has many poetic features.

Reading Level/Interest Age: 9th-12th grade

Challenge Issues: Suicide, robbery, mental illness

Reason for Inclusion: The mood of the book is very dark, but was included for those readers who want something different. I really enjoyed this book since it has a hopeful ending. The plot and characters are very edgy and definitely a worthwhile read.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Bradbury, R. (1979) Fahrenheit 451. New York: Random House. ISBN: 0345342968

Plot Summary: Guy Montag is a fireman. Not a fireman in a typical sense, but the kind of fireman who started fires- he would burn books. Living in a society that believed books were the cause of trouble and anxiety, owning books was forbidden. Anyone who is caught with books would be in a considerate amount of trouble. One day, he meets a girl who makes him take a different look on their reasoning for destroying information. When he begins to question why he does what he does, his world begins to change. He sees people in his life in a different light. His firefighter partner becomes cold and his wife becomes suicidal. Montag begins to realize that censoring people from ideas and emotions will only create an eternal emptiness. He makes a life-changing decision that will determine the future of his life and his society.

Critical Evaluation: Although many people may have qualms about science fiction, Ray Bradbury takes the story to a whole other level. I find this book absolutely fascinating. Although I have never been a real fan of science fiction, I was enticed by the exciting storyline. At first, you are upset with the Montag for doing being a fire fighter, but then readers realize that the society he lives in is what implements his reasoning. When he meets the young 17 year old girl, I realize how much of an impact a person can have on someone else's life. I would highly recommend this book to those who may think they are not fans of science fiction. This book will really change your mind.

Information about the Author: Ray Bradbury was born in Illinois in 1920. He is a novelist, poet, screenwriter, and essayist. He has four daughters, eight grand children, and he currently lives in Los Angeles.

Genre: Science-fiction

Curriculum Ties: Politics and censorship

Booktalking Ideas: Tell kids to imagine a world where people were not allowed to read, feel, or think for themselves. Describe how Guy Montag lived in a world like this, but did something about it.

Reading Level/Interest Age: 9th-12th grade

Challenge Issues: Censorship and suicide

Reason for Inclusion: Fahrenheit 451 is a book that deals with an issue that has been a problem in the past, as well as in the present-censorship. Readers will have a whole new perspective on what it would be like to live in a world that is strictly censored.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Coelho, P. (1998) The alchemist. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN: 0062502182

Plot Summary: Santiago is a Shepard boy who lives a simple life in his homeland of Spain. He decides to travel from Spain to the desert in Egypt. He does this because of a dream he has. He dreams of a treasure that is buried in the pyramids. During his travels, he meets several people that change the course of his journey. In hopes of accomplishing his personal legend, he experiences bumps in the road when he is tricked by a thief in Tangier into giving him money and possessions. Feeling nothing but frustration and anger, he questions the purpose of his journey. After losing hope and inspiration, he meets a crystal merchant who gives him the opportunity to work and save enough money to continue on his journey. He then moves forward with his travels through Egypt with a caravan. The treasures he finds turn out to be the treasure he least expected.

Critical Evaluation: The Alchemist is one of those books that could be read over and over again and readers learn something new about Santiago and about themselves each time. The writer has a way of writing words that truly inspire. Santiago character is hopeful and determined to find out what lies at the end of his journey. The story is timeless. After reading this book, I was inspired to take my own journey. For teens who need a little push, Santiago's story will give readers a boost to get up and follow their dreams.

Information about the Author: Paulo Coelho was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1947. He has written over two dozen books for adults. He is a prolific writer and a traveler himself.

Annotation: Santiago goes on a journey to follow his dreams and discovers a lot about himself on the way.

Genre: Adventure, travel, spirituality

Curriculum Ties: Spiritual studies

Booktalking Ideas: Ask students about their dreams and how far they would go to achieve them. Describe how Santiago has a dream that sends him on an incredible journey.

Reading Level/Interest Age: 9th-12th grade

Challenge Issues: none

Reason for Inclusion:The Alchemist is a classic that teens would enjoy. It is inspiring and a must-read for both teens and adults.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Lowry, L. (1993) The giver. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN: 0395645662

Plot Summary: Jonas is an eleven year-old boy who lives in a futuristic society where each person is given a job. Due to the way things are run, hate, violence, and pain do not exist in Jonas' society. Jonas' father, a Nurturer of Children, and his mother, a worker for the Department of Justice prepare him for his ceremony. The Ceremony of Twelve is where members of the community are given their assignment when they turn twelve. Unexpectedly, Jonas is given one of the most powerful jobs, Receiver of Memory. As Receiver of Memory, he is responsible for keeping all of the memories that do not exist within the community- pain, stress, war, so that they do not experience it again. The Giver is the person who passes on the memories and tries to help Jonas understand the reasoning of their society.

Critical Evaluation: As a reader who has never really enjoyed science-fiction, I was surprised to see how quickly I fell in love with the story, the plot, and the characters. Although the story takes place in some futuristic society, the emotions are very real and present. I would highly suggest this book to ages 9 to adult. Although the author simply constructs the storyline, it holds such profound meaning. Readers will definitely be stricken with suspense when Jonas makes the decisions he does.

Information about the Author: Lois Lowry has written dozens of books for young adults and received several awards for her work. She has been given the Newbery Medal for The Giver and Number the Stars. She currently lives in Boston and New Hampshire.

Annotation: When Jonas turns twelve years old, he is given the ultimate assignment in this futuristic utopia. How he uses his role will ultimately determine the state of his community.

Curriculum Ties: Communities, Politics

Booktalking Ideas: Describe the utopia that Jonas lives in. Imagine a world with no pain, war, sorrow, anger, etc. Find out what Jonas' role becomes in this exciting science fiction novel.

Reading Level/Interest Age: 6th-adult

Challenge Issues: The assignment of Jonas' father, to care for babies and to give them injections when they are ill brings up a very heavy issue.

Reason for Inclusion:The Giver is not only a Newbery Medal winning book, but a book that people of all ages can relate to. It will make teens think twice about the motives of people within our society.

So B. It by Sarah Weeks

Bradbury, J. (2008) Shift. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9781416947325

Plot Summary: Heidi is a home-schooled 13 year-old girl whose past is a mystery. Her mother is mentally ill and is not able to answer all of the questions Heidi has. One of the few words her mother repeatedly says, Soof, urges Heidi to find out more about her mother’s life. With the support of her neighbor Bernadette, Heidi manages to take care of her mother and herself through her unusual streak of good luck. One day, Heidi discovers a roll of film that may possibly answer many of her questions. The young and brave young teen decides to take a bus from Reno, Nevada to Liberty, New York. On her journey, she does her best to “fly under the radar” by meeting mother-like figures. Readers know that Heidi’s character is strong-willed and determined through her courageous life-making decisions. Heidi soon finds out information about her past and questions whether knowing the truth is as important as just living in the present.

Critical Evaluation: Heidi’s character is incredibly strong and persistent. Since she has a strong urge to learn about things, it was disappointing to see how she was stuck in an apartment with a mentally disabled mother and an agoraphobic motherly neighbor. Aside from her interaction with the neighbor boy, Zander, she doesn’t have much interaction with anyone outside her home. However, Heidi’s decision to take a bus trip across the country independently made the story all the more exciting. Her experiences were quite simple. Except for the fact she had incredibly amazing luck that got her out of impossible situations. Although her journey was not action packed, the trip itself allowed her to grow emotionally. I was surprised to see how quickly I read through the book. The writing was simple and easy to comprehend. The title of the book is quite confusing, but once readers get about two-thirds of the way through, the title makes perfect sense.

Information about the Author: Sara Weeks is an accomplished author, singer, and songwriter. So B. It was her first YA novel and was placed on the ALA Best Books for Young Adults. The author lives in New York with her two sons and visits schools throughout the country to promote her books and reading.

Annotation: After Chris and Win come up with the brilliant of idea of biking cross-country, the two friends experience both highs and lows. But when Chris returns home by himself, he is questioned by the FBI and his life is no longer the same.

Genre: Mystery

Curriculum Ties: United States geography

Booktalking Ideas: Ask teens to imagine what it would be like to not know their past, to imagine what it would be like to have a mother that you could not communicate with because of her mental disability. What lengths would you go through to find out? Explain how Heidi took a leap of faith to discover her past.

Reading Level/Interest Age: 6th-12th grade

Challenge Issues: The book repeatedly uses the term retarded to describe the state of Heidi’s mother.

Reason for Inclusion:Sarah Weeks is a great character that lives in an unusual situation that not many teens find themselves in. But she uses her luck and guts to pursue something that she so strongly desires.

Shift by Jennifer Bradbury

Bradbury, J. (2008) Shift. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 9781416947325

Plot Summary: After Chris and Win (short for Winston) spend four inseparable years of high school together, they slyly convince their parents to allow them to travel across the country, on bike. They set a date right after graduation to make their departure for Seattle, Washington from their home state West Virginia. Chris and Win meet hospitable people on their journey. Chris is the more organized and thought-out friend, while Win is the irresponsible, reckless kid whose life path is determined by his father’s desires. The journey is a bonding experience for the two friends. They learn so much about themselves and about each other. However, Win isn’t the friend Chris thinks and ends up ditching Chris towards the end of the trip. When Chris returns home back to his regular life, still angry at Win, he finds out that Win never made it home. Now being the man of question, Chris is determined to find out how and why Win’s journey went askew.

Critical Evaluation: Having experienced the feeling of being done with high school, most teens, and some adults, will relate to need to break out and explore other parts of the country. The author, Jennifer Bradbury, writes a vivid account of Chris and Win’s journey that is inspiring and entertaining. The story was fast paced and keeps readers enticed. The switch from chapter to chapter with scenes from the past and present was clever and well done. The mystery portion of the story was a bit predictable, but nonetheless, the storyline resembles that of a Law and Order episode. Aside from the interesting plot, the friendship between the two boys was well developed with just the right amount of emotion. I would highly recommend this book to both girls and guys who are up to a down-to-earth and exciting story. Bradbury manages to depict the changes that the teens experience within themselves and the evolution of their friendship.

Information about the Author: Jennifer Bradury lives in Burlington, Washington where she teaches English. She and her husband experienced bike riding across the country for their honeymoon. Shift is her first published novel. An interesting fact about Bradbury is that she was a one-day winner on the game show Jeopardy.

Annotation: After Chris and Win come up with the brilliant of idea of biking cross-country, the two friends experience both highs and lows. But when Chris returns home by himself, he is questioned by the FBI and his life is no longer the same.

Genre: Mystery

Curriculum Ties: United States geography

Booktalking Ideas: Show clips of road trip photos to spark discussion about cities that were visited by the characters throughout the book. The librarian can then explain a brief story of how two friends visited these places on a journey to find themselves and a bit of adventure.

Reading Level/Interest Age: 9th-12th grade

Challenge Issues: Aside from Win disobeying his parents’ wishes, the characters were decent kids who did not get into much trouble. The book does not have any controversial subject matters.

Reason for Inclusion: Most teens dream of crazy ideas to do after their high school graduation. Shift is a great story about two friends who choose to take the risk of making a journey that will change their lives.

Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver

Kingsolver, B. (2001). Bean trees. Harper Torch. ISBN: 0061097314

Plot Summary: Missy is stuck in Kansas where girls are getting pregnant and marrying in their early teen years. Not wanting this for herself, she saves enough money for a windowless car, she changes her name to Taylor, and heads west on a road trip that will change her life. She unexpectedly is given a child when she stops for food on an Indian reservation. She is given no other choice but to take responsibility for the three-year-old girl whom she names Turtle. As she continues her journey, she and Turtle end up in Tucson, Arizona. With the little resources she has, Taylor manages to build friendships and get back on her two feet. She learns about the hardships of life through the stories of the new people in her life. Never having the intentions of becoming a mother, Taylor is faced with having to make a decision with will determine the path of her life, as well as the new child in her life.

Critical Evaluation: Kingsolver’s Bean Trees is a great story about a young woman who sets out on her own journey across the United States. The first couple chapters capture readers’ attention when Taylor is placed in a very uncomfortable situation which involves taking in an unwanted and abused young child when stopped on an Indian reservation. Although the story is quite genuine, the plot develops very slowly. The author develops more on the friendships Taylor builds with Lou Anne and Mattie, the two women who provide her the support when her resources run dry. Although this book is suitable for 7th through 12th graders, the story seems like it would attract older adults or mature teen readers. Taking on the responsibility of an abandoned three-year-old child is probably not most teenagers’ idea of exciting. But the decision to get up and get out will definitely be an idea teens can relate to.

Information about the Author: Barbara Kingsolver was born in Maryland. She writes fiction books and poetry. She established the Bellwether Prize, which is given to outstanding literature.

Annotation: When Taylor Greer decides to leave her hometown of Kentucky and take a road trip west, she hits a bump in the road when given the responsibility of an abandoned child. Faced with life changing decisions, Taylor experiences a growth with the support of her new circle of friends.

Genre: adoption, Indian reservations, and automobile travel

Curriculum Ties: United States geography

Booktalking Ideas: Asks students how many of them would love the idea of taking a cross-country road trip. Then ask how many of them would take on the responsibility of an abandoned child on their road trip. This was the situation Taylor was put in. So read and found out what Taylor decides to do.

Reading Level/Interest Age: 9th-12th grade

Challenge Issues: One of the heart-breaking truths readers find out is how 3-year-old Turtle is sexually molested. Although the author does not describe how the molestation takes place, the mentioning of the topic could be disturbing.

Reason for Inclusion: Although Taylor starts out with the exciting plan to take a road trip, this story shows how some roads have obstacles. Sometimes the decisions teens make will define their future and Taylor’s story is the perfect example.

2. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Alexie, S. (2007). The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian. NY: Hatchet Book Group USA. ISBN: 978031613680

Plot Summary: Junior is a high school student who grows up on the Spokane Indian Reservation in Seattle. Although he was born with health problems and is constantly bullied, he still has a positive take on life. He realizes that he will be able to receive a better education if he were to attend the white school which is located miles away. His decision to make the move changes the way his best friend, Rowdy, and the rest of the people on his rez feels about him. He is seen as a traitor. Although he goes through extreme measures to attend his new school, he meets certain people that give him the confidence to be the person he wants to be.

Critical Evaluation: I love the way the author incorporates illustrated comics to match highlights in each chapter. Not only are the illustrations hilarious, but his writing is constructed in such an articulate manner. His writing style is honest and straight to the point. Readers will really feel as if they are reading straight out of somebody's journal. Many people do not get the perspective of a teen's experience on the reservation. This book is great for anyone who has been outcast for what doing what they love and believe in. Junior's story is inspiring and will make you laugh until you cry and cry until you laugh.

Information about the Author: Sherman Alexie has won several awards for his short stories and poems. He is also a filmmaker who wrote the screenplay for Smoke Signals. He currently lives in Seattle.

Annotation: Junior experiences life outside of the reservation at his new high school, but is shunned by his friends and community for doing what he feels is best for his future.

Genre: Diaries and Identity

Curriculum Ties: Ethics

Booktalking Ideas: Ask students what they know about Indian reservations. Explain how and why Junior wants study at a school outside of the rez and how it changes him as a person.

Reading Level/Interest Age: 9th-12th grade

Challenge Issues: treatment of people on Indian reservations and male masturbation

Reason for Inclusion: The author has a wonderful talent for writing and has the gift of capturing the interest of readers young and old. He is a great storyteller and incorporates humor kids can relate to.

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

Doctorow, C. (2008). Little brother. New York: To Doherty Associates. ISBN: 0765319853

Plot Summary: Marcus Yallow, a senior at San Francisco High School, is called into the vice principal’s office and being accused of hacking the school computer system and stealing test information. Without any proof, he innocently returns to class and he convinces his best friend, Darryl, to ditch the rest of school. Along with their friends Van and Jolu, they find themselves in the streets seeking clues to their favorite Alternative Reality Game, Harajuku Fun Madness. Interrupted by an earthquake, the teens realize that the cause of the movement was due to the terrorist bombing of the Bay Bridge. Having been at the wrong place at the wrong time, Marcus and his friends are taken away by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Once he was released and found out that one of the friends was missing, Marcus has become determined to find his friend and take down the DHS. Marcus’ world has become a place with extreme security devices since the attack. His city, including is family, now live in fear of potential terrorists. Marcus must use his hacking skills and guts to battle a giant, the DHS.

Critical Evaluation: The author does a fantastic job at developing Marcus’ character. After only the first couple chapters, we see that is more than just a typical teen. He is brilliant when it comes to computers, witty with adults and peers, and the daring students who does not fear ditching class. He is knowledgeable of technology, from getting around the Gait recognition system to his start of the underground Xnet using a simple game console, the Xbox. His ambition is what keeps the book suspenseful and exciting. There are times readers may feel frustrated with his illogical decisions to hold back information from the DHS, but he values his rights to privacy. Towards the end of the book, the idea of Marcus leaving San Francisco with Ange and his formal rival to escape his problems seemed a bit unrealistic considering the Department of Homeland Security is a national system. I thought it was a bit funny how in the end, he is only charged for stealing a cell phone.

Information about the Author: Cory Doctorow is a Canadian science-fiction author and blogger for various newspapers and magazines. He is co-editor of the weblog called Boing Boing. Other works of his include Overlocked: Stories of the Future Present and Futuristic Tales of the Here and Now. He recently became a father of a little girl names Poesy Emmeline Fibonacci Nautilus Taylor Doctorow.

Annotation: Marcus Yallow is a bold 17 year-old kid who knows the ins and outs of computer hacking and gaming. Soon after a deadly terrorist attack on the Bay Bridge in San Francisco, Marcus and his friends are caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Genre: Adventure/Terrorism

Curriculum Ties: Technology and social sciences

Booktalking Ideas: Ask students how many of them have used online social networking to communicate. Marcus Yallow creates an underground social network to access the ability to not be watched by the DHS who believes he was responsible for the bombings on the Bay Bridge.

Reading Level/Interest Age: 9th-12th grade

Challenge Issues: Sexual content, rebelling against authority

Reason for Inclusion: Technology and authorities play a heavy role in the lives of teens. Readers will be able to relate to the characters and understand that flaws do exist in the system.