Prep: A Novel by Curtis Sittenfeld

Sittenfeld, Curtis (2005). Prep. New York, New York: Random House. 

ISBN: 9780812972351

448 pages

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Level: 15-19

Stars: 3 stars

Subjects: Popularity, High School, Cliques, Relationships, Sex

Reader's Annotation

Lee Fiora, a fourteen-year-old, leaves her hometown of South Bend, Indiana for Boston's prestigious Ault School, not realizing the difficulties that lie ahead of her, including dealing with the disadvantages of not being wealthy, trying to fit in, a secret relationship, and difficulties with teachers and other students as she both tries to fit in and loathes the person she must become to do so. 

Summary

Female readers will immediately be taken in by 14-year-old Lee Fiora's account of her years at Boston's prestigious Ault School. She left her hometwon of South Bend, Indiana, without fully explaining to her friends or family why she so desperately wanted to get away. When she arrives at Ault, however, her low family income, self-doubt, and behavior immediately mark her as an outsider. She works hard to conform to the standards set by other students, but constantly finds herself on the outside, scorning other outsiders as well. She struggles with her roommates, her teachers, and her peers are carefully described in this narrative. Her dissatisfaction with Ault leads her to take action and causes her to be a public pariah scorned by all, leaving her to wonder if she did what she did because of what was wrong with Ault or what was wrong with her.

 

Notes

Readers familiar with books or TV shows such as Gossip Girl or The Clique will recognize familiar sterotypes of high school life. In this case, everything is exaggerated because in addition to going to school together, they also live together, and this brings with it a new set of issues. Younger and older readers will find a familiar voice in Lee Fiora as she explores her own insecurities and her identity as she struggles with fitting in, relationships, and school. 

Awards

New York Times "10 Best Books of 2005" 

Nominated for UK's Orange Prize

Other Information

There are rumors that this may find its way onto the big screen, although whether or not that will happen anytime soon is unclear. Sittenfeld has since published two further books, The Man of My Dreams and American Wife, both of which have strong female protagonists who explore their own identity as they make their way in the world. 

Author Information

Curtis Sittenfeld's Website

Geography Club by Brent Hartinger

Hartinger, Brent (2004). Geography Club. New York, New York: Harper Teen. 

ISBN: 9780060012236

240 pages

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Level: 15-19

Stars: 5 stars

Subjects: High School, Sexuality, Popularity, Outcast, Relationships

Reader's Annotation

Russel is convinced he's the only gay student at GoodKind High until he discovers others who are in the closet, and together they found the Geography Club- but will this be the answer to their problems, or the cause of new ones? 

Summary

16-year-old Russel Middlebrook is a typical high school sophomore plagued by insecurity and self-doubt, but with a huge secret: he's gay. He doesn't want to be an outcast so he hides this aspect of himself. Then he learns that his online chat buddy is also a student at his school, but is in the closet so the members of his baseball team will not treat him any differently. Russel joins the baseball team, too, to be closer to him, and over the course of the year, they discover other students who, like them, are different but afraid of being known as such. Together, they form a Geography Club where they discuss their problems and issues, but rather than make everything better, this brings up new problems altogether. 

Notes

This is a brilliant novel that sheds some light on what it means to be gay and in high school. Fear of others, fear of being outed, and fear of not being accepted all come together in this novel that is more than just about a group of gay students- it's about the high school experience as a whole. This novel explores the ins and outs of the high school world, and although sexuality is the key to the fears of this group, it could just as easily be about any number of other marks of "otherness". This is a book about what it means to be on the outside and it explores why one group of teens don't want to acknowledge any difference between themselves and their peers. 

Awards

Book Sense 76 Pick

Banned Books Book Sense Top Ten Pick

USA Today "Great High School Book"

Children's Book Award "Notable Book"

2003 Lambda Literary Award Finalist

IRA "Notable Book"

ALA "Popular Paperback"

New York Public Library "Book for the Teen Age"

Booklist "Top Ten Best First YA Novel"

Author Information

Brent Hartinger's Website

The Clique by Lisi Harrison

Harrison, Lisi (2004). The Clique. New York, New York: Poppy. 

ISBN: 9780316155779

220 pages

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Chick-Lit

Age Level: 15-17

Stars: 3 stars

Subjects: Popularity, Cliques, School, Relationships

Reader's Annotation

Summary

Claire Lyons is in seventh grade and when her parents move from Florida to Westchester County, NY, her family stays with Mr. Lyons' old friend who has a daughter the same age as Claire. Claire doesn't have the right clothes, the right attitude, or the right background, so Massie, a queen-bee in the making, decides to make her a target of her clique's pranks from the more innocuous insults to the cruel pranks. Claire doesn't know how to respond to any of this, and when she attempts to defend herself, the tormenting gets worse. This novel is filled with designer references and trendy spots that readers will identify with, but it will also seriously date the series and make it merely humorous to read in years to come. 

Notes

For readers looking for a more satisfying depiction of high school life, Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld might be an interesting choice. Younger female readers are the target audience, and with a direct-to-DVD movie released earlier this year, the series as a whole will be likely to gain in popularity, however short-lived it might be. 

Other Information

This is the first book in a series of at least 9 books that describe the adventures and insults of this particular clique. It can be horrifying and gruesome at times, but ultimately it lacks the punch held by other novels, and the redemption that you wish would happen never seems to arrive.

Author Information

Lisi Harrison's Website

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Westerfeld, Scott (2005). Uglies. New York, New York: Simon Pulse. 

ISBN: 9780689865381

448 pages

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Fantasy

Age Level: 15-19

Stars: 5 stars

Subjects: Surgery, Popularity, Outcast, Future, Dystopia, Relationships

Reader's Annotation

In a futuristic society where, at the age of 16, everyone becomes a "Pretty", Tally Youngblood wants nothing more than to undergo surgery herself, until she meets Shay and a fringe society and explores the idea that she might be okay just the way she is. 

Summary

Tally Youngblood is like any other teenager- she is filled with doubts and insecurities about herself, and she is desperate to be beautiful- but in this society, that wish is granted to everyone at the age of 16. Her best friend and almost everyone she knows is already in Pretty Town, partying all day and having fun being beautiful, while she has been left behind in UglyTown to wait for her 16th birthday. Before that date, however, she meets Shay, a young girl who plans on running away and joining a fringe society that accepts individuals who don't want to undergo this transformation. As Tally is pulled into this idea, she is forced to examine society and the ideals she has been forced from birth to believe and she begins to question everything. 

Notes

Although there is a strong femal protagonist in this book, it is highly readable for guys or girls. The underlying commentary on our current society's values is intriguing because Westerfeld has taken it to the next level, where everyone is beautiful and happy. This asks the question: at what cost does this perfect society exist? 

Other Information

This is the first book in the Uglies Trilogy. Those interested in the fate of Tally Youngblood, Shay, and their friends, should check out Pretties, Specials, and Extras. 

Author Information

Scott Westerfeld's Website

Pretties by Scott Westerfeld

Westerfeld, Scott (2005). Pretties. New York, New York: Simon Pulse. 

ISBN: 9780689865398

384 pages

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Fantasy

Age Level: 15-19

Stars: 5 stars

Subjects: Surgery, Dystopia, Future, Relationships, Popularity

Reader's Annotation

Tally Youngblood is now one of the "Pretties", but although she has gained beauty, she wonders if maybe she has lost something else, and she continues to battle against the rules of society.

 

Summary

This is the sequel to Westerfeld's Uglies, and is the second of four books in the series. At the start of the book, Tally Youngblood has been made into a Pretty against her wishes, but she can't seem to recall any of her problems with being a Pretty- or any of her friends in the Smoke, either. It seems that becoming a Pretty has some side-effects that people might get angry about if they find out about them. After a former friend from New Smoke delivers two pills, Tally begins to continue her battle against society. With the help of her new boyfriend, Zane, who wants to stay alert and aware at all times, they and their friends try to find a way out of Pretty Town and a way to return to who they used to be. 

Notes

This is the second book in the trilogy, and although it continues to focus on Tally Youngblood, guys and girls alike will relate to the characters in the story. They are fearless, brave, and their determination to expose the problems with society will win the heart of any readers. 

Author Information

Scott Westerfeld's Website

Specials by Scott Westerfeld

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

ISBN: 9781416947950

400 pages

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Fantasy

Age Level: 15-19

Stars: 5 stars

Subjects: Dystopia, Surgery, Relationships, Popularity, Future

Reader's Annotation

After being captured by her former friend, Tally Youngblood has been made into a "Special"- a pretty with incredible strength, intelligence, and reflexes- but with all of society being policed by the Specials, who will police them? 

Summary

Again, Tally Youngblood has been forced to turn against her former ideals. With a new surgery that has made her super-tough, super-strong, and super-cold, she has become what she formerly despised: a Special. She and the other special group of Specials, "Cutters", stay especially sharp and fearless by cutting themselves to focus and maintain clarity. They are seeking to find and destroy New Smoke, but in the process, they realize that, as before, there might be something terribly wrong with their world, and it is up to them to make it change. Tally stays a Special as long as she is sure Zane is safe, and ends up following him to New Smoke, but it is nothing like what they had thought, and this forces them all to realize that they must put an end to the Specials, once and for all. 

Notes

This is the gripping conclusion to the Uglies Trilogy that will have readers turning page after page, unable to put this fast-paced novel down. Tally must yet again face her past and try to forge a future in a world that doesn't seem to accept people for who they are. Now that she is one of the Specials, normal rules don't apply, and she is amazed to find out what she- and other Specials- are truly capable of. Readers who enjoy this book should explore Uglies, Pretties, and Extras, also by Scott Westerfeld. 

Author Information

Scott Westerfeld'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

Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

Anderson, Laurie Halse (2007). New York: New York: Viking Juvenile Press. 

ISBN: 0670061018

272 pages

Classification: Fiction

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Level: 15-19

Stars: 5 stars

Subjects: High School, Crime, Popularity, Relationships, Alcohol, Abusive Home

Reader's Annotation

After a summer of community service, Tyler Miller starts his senior year with a body that gets the attention of Bethany Millbury, his social and economic opposite, and things are looking up… but as with everything else in Tyler's life, happiness is short-lived and he soon finds himself accused of a crime he didn't commit. 

Summary

Tyler Miller had been a nobody- he didn't play sports, he wasn't rich, and he spent most of his time playing video games  -until he sprayed graffiti over his school. He was forced to do community service over the summer and so he entered senior year with a chiseled new body that got the attention of Bethany Miller, a rich social queen bee who is his opposite on many levels. Her brother is his nemesis, and her father is his father's boss. So when he rejects her drunken advances at a party and then nude pictures of Bethany start circulating, and Tyler is facing charges again. He finds no support from his home life or from people at school, and he starts circling the drain, wondering how to get out of the mess he didn't create. 

Notes

This is a book that can be rather dark at times, and the resolution isn't totally satisfying, but overall, it presents a realistic portrayal of high school life for those who are on the outside. 

Awards

ALA Best Book for Young Adults 2008

ALA Quick Pick for Young Adults 2008

International Reading Association TOp Ten of 2007

New York Public Library Best Books for the Teen Age

New York Times Bestseller List

Tayshas High School Reading List 2008 (Texas)

Heartland Award Nominee (Kansas)

Georgia Peach Book Award Nominee

Thumbs Up! Award Nominee (Michigan)

Amazon Editor's 2007 Pick for Teens

Borders YA Book Club Pick

Starred Review, KLIATT

Starred Review, Kirkus

Other Information

Readers who enjoyed the realism of Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak will find that this book has similar resonance. It hits at some dark issues without shying away from the darkness, which can be somewhat scary. Ultimately, there is resolution within this story. It is also available in audiobook. 

Author Information

Laurie Halse Anderson's Official Website