A School for Unusual Girls

Bibliographic Information
Title: A School for Unusual Girls
Author: Kathleen Baldwin
Type of Media:text
Publisher: Tor Teen Books
Publication Date: May 19, 2015
ISBN: 9780765376008
Genre: Historical Romance
Curriculum Ties: History,  Book Discussion- provides a great Reading and Activity Guide at the end of the book which can be utilized by English teachers
Reading Level: Grades 3-6 according to Lexile score
Interest Age: 13-17




Plot Summary
Georgiana finds herself being carted off to Stranje House, by her mother who is determined to see her formed into a marriageable young lady, after accidentally setting her father's stable on fire. She begins to realize the House and the residents within may not be what they had originally seemed when she stumbles upon hidden passages and learns of the unique talents that Miss Stranje is imparting on the girls in order to use them in a world of deception. It becomes Georgiana's task to finally discover the formula to an invisible ink which could save the country. When Lord Wyatt becomes her assistant she is drawn to him in ways she cannot understand and together they discover a working formula, or did they...



Critical Evaluation
Baldwin does a great job of creating a setting that is fantastical in nature allowing you to get lost in the story yet realistic enough to keep you connected and allow for an imagination to view this as an alternative historical fiction. The characters are all delightful and quirky with their own selves firmly established. The plot line takes off quickly and you are left wanting more at the end of every chapter because of the fast-paced, adventurous writing style of Baldwin. At points the language in this book does seem slightly juvenile but I believe this makes the book appeal to a wider crowd including some reluctant readers or those with lower reading levels.



Reader's Annotation
Spies, love, and a country in turmoil. You will fall in love with this exciting historical fiction novel.



Author Biography
Retrieved from wikipedia:

Award-winning author Kathleen Baldwin was born and raised in Arizona, and moved 14 times before high school. The constant moving allowed her to meet many different people from many different backgrounds and areas. She gained a love of reading from her mother, who often read her poems and classic stories before bedtime. Her grandmothers, great-grandmothers, and great-aunts frequently related stories as well, so that a young Baldwin believed that women in general were supposed to tell stories. A voracious reader, Baldwin read at a level beyond her years, and was often excused from English classes to read on her own or to write down her own stories.

After earning a BA in Art and Design, Baldwin worked as a freelance artist for several years, designing models for toys while raising her children. During her early years of writing, Baldwin was able to have some of her nonfiction and poetry published, but continually received rejection notices for her fiction submissions. She quit her freelance work to concentrate on her writing and joined the Romance Writers of America. Finally, after 63 rejection notices, Baldwin found a receptive editor at Kensington Books who purchased her novel, LADY FIASCO, a "Regency Romantic Comedy". The editor requested several more novels, and Baldwin was given a deadline of less than a year to complete two more novels and a novella.

Baldwin is married. She and her husband, Brett, have four children, three boys and a girl. She and her family live in Texas. From 2011– 2012 Kathleen served as President-Elect and President of Dallas Area Romance Authors

Book Talk Ideas

• History and alternate possibilities.

Possible Challenges
 I do not see there being any challenges to this book.

Defense File

• Have the library's selection policy and the Library Bill of Rights ready to hand out
• Access to honest reviews from trusted sources
• Know the awards, if any, the book has earned
• Understand the material so you can explain the use of the book as a good talking point for serious and sensitive issues
• A lot of times people just want their concerns heard, so make sure you listen
• If they are still persistent be able to offer them a reconsideration form

 Reason for Inclusion
This is a fun novel that has some intrigue based on what would happen if one event in history had not occurred. With a romance that is endearing and forbidden that will keep you rooting for the characters until the end. This is a book I would recommend for reluctant readers because the language is easy and the story is compelling making it a great addition to any collection.

The First Part Last

Bibliographic Information
Title: The First Part Last
Author: Angela Johnson
Type of Media: text
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Copyright Date: 1st edition - June 1, 2003;
                             Reprint - January 5, 2010
ISBN: 978-0689849220, 978-1442403437
Genre: Realistic Fiction or Urban Fiction
Curriculum Ties: Complex characters, Social Issues
Reading Level: Lexile 790
Interest Age: Grades 7-12

  

Plot Summary
Bobby is a high school kid who likes video games, making graffiti, and hanging out with his friends. He is also a father. The book is written in a unique fashion alternating chapters between the present and the past. When Bobby and Nia find out they are pregnant they struggle with the decision in front of them. They balance opinions from their parents alongside their expectations of their lives. They decide to keep the baby and name their little girl Feather, and then unexpectantly Bobby finds himself raising Feather on his own. The novel follows Bobby through figuring out his responsibilities as a father while still being a kid himself. Meanwhile you are left guessing at what happened to Nia...

Critical Evaluation
The literary merit of this book is definitely worthy of the awards received by book and author. When thinking of this books elements the first things that must be mentioned are the character development, voice, and tone of the book. I do not usually read urban fiction but I found this book endearing and hard to put down. Even though I had very little to relate to at first glance, I'm a female, don't have kids, have never lost someone dear to me, etc. I still felt like I was right there with Bobby feeling all of his hurt, confusion, and frustrations. The fact that I could so closely relate to the character shows how strong these elements were. Johnson's language and writing style are also noteworthy. She does an incredible job keeping the language realistic and simple yet entertaining all the same.

Reader's Annotation
For just a little while come enter the world of a teenage single parent figuring out how to live his new life while still reminiscing on what he has lost. An emotional read that will have you hooked.

Author Biography
Angela Johnson is the author of the Coretta Scott King Honor picture book When I Am Old with You; as well as A Sweet Smell of Roses, illustrated by Eric Velasquez; Just Like Josh Gibson, illustrated by Beth Peck; and I Dream of Trains, which was also illustrated by Loren Long. She has won three Coretta Scott King Awards, one each for her novels Heaven, Toning the Sweep, and The First Part Last. In recognition of her outstanding talent, Angela was named a 2003 MacArthur Fellow. She lives in Kent, Ohio.

Angela Johnson author page. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Angela-Johnson/e/B000APRUUI/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Book Talk Ideas

• Complex and difficult life choices - Is there anything that makes a decision the right choice
• Young adult relationships

Possible Challenges

• Making light of Teen Pregnancy
• Making light of Illegal activity - Vandalism

Defense File

• Have the library's selection policy and the Library Bill of Rights ready to hand out
• Access to honest reviews from trusted sources
• Know the awards, if any, the book has earned
• Understand the material so you can explain the use of the book as a good talking point for serious and sensitive issues
• A lot of times people just want their concerns heard, so make sure you listen
• If they are still persistent be able to offer them a reconsideration form

 Reason for Inclusion
This novel is a short and catching read making it a great choice for reluctant readers. It also won the Printz Award showing the literary merit that this novel has. Even though it is not long it will bring up a variety of social issues which need to be discussed by younger people today.

Upfront Magazine

Bibliographic Information
Title: The New York Times: Upfront
Type of Media: Magazine

Publisher: Scholastic

ISBN: hdbk: 978-0142424179, pbk: 978-0525478812

Genre: News, Nonfiction

Curriculum Ties: Current events, Political Science, History

Reading Level: Grades 9-12 based on publisher information

Critical Evaluation
The New York Time's Upfront Magazine is a news oriented publication specifically written for teens. The stories covered and the language written in are geared to engage young adults in a way that encourages their active participation in current affairs and hot topics. This is great resource because it is not only written at a level which can be easily understood by teens but there are also articles that are more targeted towards teens such as stories on teens around the world who are trying to make a difference through social action or articles on teenage inventors.

Reader's Annotation
Want to catch up on social issues and learn about what teens are doing around the world? This magazine has it all in an easy to read and understand format.

Author Biography
This magazine is published as a collaborative piece between The New York Times and Scholastic Inc. Articles are written by both NYT reporters as well as Scholastic's top editors and writers.

Book Talk Ideas
Although this item is not a book there are many academic links which would lend very well to a variety of discussions from social issues to history talks

Possible Challenges
There are a variety of topics which could end having some articles which could be controversial. It is the nature of social issues to not be easily solved problems therefore topics tend to get people riled up. Due to this there could be a chance of complaints however, due to the fact that this is a news source I do not see there being much of a challenge.

Defense File

• Have the library's selection policy and the Library Bill of Rights ready to hand out
• Access to honest reviews from trusted sources
• Know the awards, if any, the book has earned
• Understand the material so you can explain the use of the book as a good talking point for serious and sensitive issues
• A lot of times people just want their concerns heard, so make sure you listen
• If they are still persistent be able to offer them a reconsideration form

Reason for Inclusion
This is an important resource to include because it really is one of the top publications for news directed at high school students. It makes for a great transition into becoming a more aware and engaged citizen.