The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

Pearson, Mary E. (2008). The Adoration of Jenna Fox. New York, New York: Henry Holt and Co. 

ISBN: 9780805076684

272 pages

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Science Fiction

Age Level: 15-19

Stars: 5 stars

Subjects: Identity, High School, Relationships, Family, Future, Surgery

Reader's Annotation

Seventeen-year-old Jenna Fox wakes up from a year-long coma caused by a terrible accident unsure of who she is and who she used to be, and as she slowly gains her memoies back, she has more and more questions about who she was and what happened to her. 

Summary

Jenna Fox has been told that is her name. She has been told that she's seventeen years old and that she was in a coma for a year after a terrible accident. But in spite of the questions answered by her friends and family and the home movies she watches of herself before the accident, there are some lingering questions. Why are people treating her so strangely? What really happened on the night of the accident? Why do her arms and legs not feel, look, or move the way they used to? As she slowly starts to remember pieces of her life before the accident, she questions even these memories, and she wonders what she can trust, how she can know who she is and, most importantly- who is Jenna Fox? 

Notes

This has some similar themes to Scott Westerfeld's Uglies Trilogy. Readers who enjoyed this book may want to look into the series. It is equally thought-provoking about what makes you who you are, and how identity is formed.

Awards

A Book Sense "Top Ten" Summer Pick

Other Information

Adoration of Jenna Fox Website

Author Information

Mary Pearson's Website

The Angel Experiment by James Patterson (Maximum Ride, Book 1)

Patterson, James (2007). The Angel Experiment. New York, New York: Little, Brown Young Readers. 

ISBN: 9780316067959

404 pages

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Science Fiction

Age Level: 15-19

Stars: 4 stars

Subjects: New York, Science Fiction, Mutation, Surgery, Identity

Reader's Annotation

14-year-old Max is one of a group of genetically enhanced children with unique talents  on the run from predators called Erasers who seek to destroy any evidence of their existence, but how long will they be able to evade these hunters? 

Summary

When a group of genetically enhanced children escape from a lab with the help of a scientist sympathetic to their cause, they are immediately hunted by a group of predators that are part-human, part-wolf and completely dangerous called Erasers. The Erasers need to catch and return these mutants before the world can find out that they exist. When Angel, a six-year-old, is captured, the other members of her "family" must help rescue her even as they learn more about their pasts and why they were created. 

Notes

Readers might recognize James Patterson as the author of the Alex Cross books, starting with Along Came A Spider and Kiss the Girls, both of which were also made into movies. Readers who enjoyed this book might enjoy those mystery thrillers, but they should check out the other books in this series: School's Out-Forever, Saving the World, and The Final Warning. 

Author Information

James Patterson's Website

School's Out- Forever by James Patterson (Maximum Ride, Book 2)

Patterson, James (2007). School's Out- Forever. New York, New York: Vision Press. 

ISBN: 9780446618892

368 pages

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Science Fiction

Age Level: 15-19

Stars: 4 stars

Subjects: New York, Mutation, Surgery, Science Fiction, Identity

Reader's Annotation

When genetic mutant Fang is injured in a battle against part-human, part-wolf predators called Erasers, his "family" must take him to the hospital, but his strange DNA leads them to contact the FBI, and for the first time, Max and her friends experience what it might be like to live a normal human life, but how long can it last?

Summary

Max is one of a group of genetically mutated children who escaped from a lab and have been on the run ever since. They are in a battle with part-human, part-wolf predators called Erasers that want to bring them back to the lab they left or otherwise exterminate them. When one of the group, Fang, is injured so seriously that he must be taken to the hospital, doctors immediately notice anomalies and contact the FBI. The lead agent, Anne Walker, takes them to her Virginia farm home where, for the first time, they manage to lead normal lives, but when they start to try to seek their birth parents, they begin to realize that Anne might not have been entirely upfront about who she is and why she has taken them to her farm. 

Notes

Readers might recognize James Patterson as the author of the Alex Cross books, starting withAlong Came A Spider and Kiss the Girls, both of which were also made into movies. Readers who enjoyed this book might enjoy those mystery thrillers, but they should check out the other books in this series: The Angel Experiment, Saving the World, and The Final Warning. 

Author Information

James Patterson's Website

Saving the World by James Patterson (Maximum Ride, Book 3)

Patterson, James (2007). Saving the World. New York, New York: Little, Brown Young Readers.

ISBN: 9780316155608

416 pages

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Science Fiction

Age Level: 15-19

Stars: 4 stars

Subjects: New York, Mutation, Identity, Rebellion

Reader's Annotation

Max and her "Flock" have returned to face their ultimate enemy and destroy their creators before they themselves are destroyed, and in the process, save the world from a eugenics plot- but will they succeed? 

Summary

14-year-old Max has returned with her friends in the 3rd book in this series. Now that they have discovered more about who created them and why, the time has come for action. It turns out that it has been decided by their creators that they must be exterminated, but if that happens, then the world as a whole may fall subject to a plot to re-engineer parts of the population and create a superior master race and terminate the rest. With their creators more determined than ever, the group is weak, forced to hide and separated, so this novel begs the question of how they can possibly hope to succeed against such incredible odds. 

Notes

Readers might recognize James Patterson as the author of the Alex Cross books, starting withAlong Came A Spider and Kiss the Girls, both of which were also made into movies. Readers who enjoyed this book might enjoy those mystery thrillers, but they should check out the other books in this series: The Angel Experiment, School's Out-Forever, and The Final Warning. 

Author Information

James Patterson's Website

The Final Warning by James Patterson (Maximum Ride, Book 4)

Patterson, James (2008). The Final Warning. New York, New York: Little, Brown, and Company

ISBN: 9780316002868

272 pages

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Science Fiction

Age Level: 15-19

Stars: 4 stars

Subjects: Mutation, Identity, Rebellion, Science Fiction

Reader's Annotation

This final book (?) in the series finds Max and her friends hiding in Antarctica where they take refuge with a team of environmentalists studying the effects of global warning, and they must battle against corrupt governments, biengineered villains, and nature to survive. 

Summary

Max and her group of genetically mutated friends have sought refuge from predators, governments, and anyone else in Antarctica. There, they find refuge with a team of environmentalists, but surviving in the harsh conditions and staying off the grid is a lot more difficult than it originally seemed, and it isn't long before the adventure picks up again. 

Notes

Readers might recognize James Patterson as the author of the Alex Cross books, starting withAlong Came A Spider and Kiss the Girls, both of which were also made into movies. Readers who enjoyed this book might enjoy those mystery thrillers, but they should check out the other books in this series: The Angel Experiment, School's Out-Forever, and Saving the World. 

Author Information

James Patterson's Website

Flight by Sherman Alexie

Alexie, Sherman (2007). Flight. New York, New York: Grove Press

ISBN: 9780802170378

208 pages

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Fantasy

Age Level: 15-19

Stars: 5 stars

Subjects: Violence, Time Travel, Indian, Identity

Reader's Annotation

Zits is a half-Indian, half-Irish boy with no family who is bounced from one foster family to another until, after a brief time in jail, he is about to commit an atrocious act when he suddenly travels back in tim to other moments of horror in the past that make him question his own actions in the present.

Summary

From the beginning of this novel, it is easy to empathize strongly with the character of Zits while simultaneously become horrified at the way others have treated this outcast and how he has decided to lash out at society. He was orphaned at the age of six when his mother died (he never knew his father), and after getting kicked out of his aunt's house for setting fire to her boyfriend (he had cause), he is bounced around from one foster home to another and countless schools along the way. The slow destruction of his humanity is evident in this narration, and the precipice is reached when, after running away from a foster home and a brief stay in jail, he is about to commit an atrocious act he would never be able to undo when he finds himself thrown back in time. He is forced to witness other acts of horror and terror that force him to examine himself and what he is truly capable of, and ultimately make him reconsider his action in the present. 

Notes

This can be graphic and unsettling at times. It handles violence, death, and sexual encounters with frankness and honesty that avoids deep emotional exploration, leaving that for the reader to contemplate. This book should be read with the understanding that it requires a certain level of emotional maturity to take in. 

Other Information

Readers who enjoy Alexie's style may want to also look at his Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. 

Author Information

Sherman Alexie's Website

Extras by Scott Westerfeld

Westerfeld, Scott (2007). Extras. New York, New York: Simon Pulse. 

ISBN: 9781416951172

432 pages

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Science Fiction

Age Level: 15-19

Stars: 5 stars

Subjects: Popularity, Fame, Identity, Surgery, Relationships, Family

Reader's Annotation

The aftermath of Tally Youngblood's take down of the Uglies/Pretties/Specials regime has left what was once Japan with a new currency, popularity, and Aya Fuse is determined to become famous at any price. 

Summary

It has been a few years since Tally Youngblood took down the social structure dividing everyone into Uglies, Pretties, and Specials, and society has been left to reorganize itself. In what was once known as Japan, Aya Fuse lives in near obscurity. According to her parents, she's too young to undergo surgery, so she's stuck with an ugly face and she's doomed to be a nobody with a famous brother. That's when she discovers a clique of girls who do crazy stunts, and despite their wishes to remain unknown, she plans to kick their story and become famous through them- until they all discover something that is bigger than that. There could be a greater danger that they stumble upon, and when Aya kicks the story, she's launched into incredible fame- and incredible danger, taking those closest to her with her for a thrilling adventure they never expected. 

Notes

Although there is a strong female protagonist, readers of both genders will be drawn into this story of action, adventure, and a futuristic society. It is full of adventure, misunderstandings, and a future that might hit a little too close to home.  

Other Information

This is the fourth book in The Uglies Trilogy. Those who enjoyed this book should read Uglies, Pretties, and Specials to learn the full backstory to the society and better understand the protagonist of this novel. 

Author Information

Scott Westerfeld's Website

Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson

Anderson, Laurie Halse (2006). Prom. New York, New York: Puffin. 

ISBN: 9780142405703

224 pages

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Chick-Lit

Age Level: 15-19

Stars: 4 stars

Subjects: Prom, High School, Relationships, Identity

Reader's Annotation

Ashley is a high school senior who doesn't care about school or prom until the new math teacher steals the prom money and Ashley finds herself trying to save prom so her best friend will have the night she always wanted. 

Summary

Ashley is a normal high school senior who can't wait to finish school (if she manages to graduate), move into an apartment with her boyfriend TJ, and start real life. She doesn't care about school functions, and declares that she couldn't care less about prom. When the new math teacher makes off with the prom money, however, Ashley's best friend Natalia drags her on to the prom committee. Ashley realizes she's capable of more than she thought as she manages to save prom for herself, her best friend, and she creates a night she'll never forget. 

Notes

This is notably lighter than either Twisted or Speak, but it still has strong characters that make this book utterly readable and enjoyable. Girls will likely relate to it more because it is told from a female's point of view. 

Author Information

Laurie Halse Anderson's Website

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Gaiman, Neil (2003). Stardust. New York, New York: Avon.

ISBN: 9780380804559

288 pages

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Fantasy

Age Level: 15-19

Stars: 5 stars

Subjects: Romance, Fantasy, Relationships, Identity, Magic

Reader's Annotation

Tristran Thorn, in love with the most beautiful girl in town, goes on a quest across the boundaries of his world to bring back a fallen star to prove his love, and on the way he learns a thing or two about love, life, and his mysterious past. 

Summary

Tristran Thorn lives in the town of Wall, England, and he lives a fairly mundane life at that. He is in love with the most beautiful girl in town who barely pauses to notice him, but if he goes beyond the wall and into the land of Faerie to retrieve a fallen star and prove his love for her, she will accept his hand in marriage. He sets out on this quest and has help along the way from talking animals, gnomes, and magic trees as he avoids evil witches and a power struggle he inadvertently becomes the center of in his quest to find the star. It is an engaging fairy tale with just enough light-heartedness to pull of what would otherwise be an unbelievable romantic tale. 

Notes

This was originally created as a "story book with pictures" to be published by DC Comics. Once Charles Vess came onboard to do illustrations, it was released in 1997 as a four-issue miniseries, after which it was then released into single book format. In 1999 Gaiman decided to release the book as a conventional novel without illustrations, and that is the version reviewed here. 

Other Information

This was made into a movie starring Claire Danes and Robert DeNiro. Information on the film can be found here. 

Author Information

Neil Gaiman's Website

Tangerine by Edward Bloor

Bloor, Edward (2006). Tangerine. New York, New York: Harcourt Paperbacks. 

ISBN: 9780152057800

324 pages

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Level: 15-19

Stars: 5 stars

Subjects: Blindness, Family, Relationships, Soccer, Identity

Reader's Annotation

This tells the story of 13-year-old Paul Fisher who is legally blind but plays soccer nonetheless, and his ability to see beyond what is visible with the human eye lead him to some conclusions about what is happening in Tangerine- and in his family as well. 

Summary

Paul Fisher is a thirteen-year-old boy who is legally blind. The story told by kids is that it occurred because he stared for too long at an eclipse. He loves to play soccer and, despite his blindness, is able to see much more about people than they realize. When he is unable to play soccer due to an insurance policy issue, he is further deflated until he finds a way to get back into the game, and he suddenly finds that he can be cool. Meanwhile, things in Tangerine are not going very well with vandalism, roberry, and termites causing problems. Paul eventually comes to realize that not everything about his perfect older brother is true, and this leads to some startling revelations of his own about how he became blind in the first place and who his brother truly is. 

Awards

1998 ALA Top Ten Books for Young Adults

1998 Edgar Allan Poe Award nominee

1997 American Booksellers Association Pick of the List

1997 New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

Other Information

Author Information

Edward Bloor's Website