InuYasha Vol. 1 by Rumiko Takahashi
ISBN: 1-56931-947-2
Takahashi, R. (2003). (M. Morimoto, Trans.).  InuYasha. San Francisco, CA: VIZ, LLC.  (Original work published 1997)

Plot Summary
Kagome’s grandfather loves Japanese tales and legends, much to Kagome’s annoyance.  The next morning, Kagome’s cat enters an old building and she goes inside to retrieve her pet.  Instead, a kind of monstrous centipede woman emerges from an old well and attacks Kagome.  Then, Kagome falls in the well, and when she climbs out realizes she is no longer in her time.  Everyone around her is dressed differently, and the buildings are not the same.  The Centipede Mistress returns and Kagome also notices InuYasha, a doglike half demon.  Centipede Mistress attacks both Kagome and InuYasha.  Kagome is cut, and a jewel comes out from her side.  The townspeople and InuYasha realize it is the Shikon Jewel or “Jewel of Four Stones.”  The jewel gives demons immense power, and they will be after Kagome.  InuYasha defeats the Centipede Mistress, but now attacks Kagome for the jewel.  Kagome is able to command InuYasha.  Another demon attacks them, and as Kagome hits the crow, he also hits the jewel and it shatters.  Kagome and InuYasha must now go on a mission to collect all the jewel shards and prevent them from getting into the hands of demons.

Critical Evaluation
InuYasha is read from left to right, much like a regular book.  It was translated and printed differently than traditional manga, but is easier to read for new manga readers.  In both modern times and Ancient Japan, magic and magical creatures are easily accepted.  Kagome’s family understands the importance of her mission, and the Ancient Japanese villagers are easily welcoming to a girl they have never seen and who wears strange clothing.  It is rather unlikely a family would allow their daughter to travel through a well to complete a mission, and that villagers would be welcoming to a stranger.  Kagome is also rather understanding herself.  She has had an impossible day, yet follows along, and fairly willingly agrees to the mission.  Of course it is necessary for the next 55 titles that Kagome accept the mission, but it is rather unrealistic.  It is also rather unclear just how, and why, Kagome is a reincarnation of Kikyo, and what exactly that all entails and means.  The quest to find all the jewel shards also seems to be never-ending journey, as the jewel shattered in to so many pieces.  Also, if Kagome can so easily control InuYasha, why does he remain a threat to her?  There are many more questions that are unlikely to be answered for the next 50-some InuYasha titles.

Reader’s Annotation
Kagome finds out she is the reincarnation of a Ancient Japanese priestess who has sworn to protect a special jewel.  Now, all kinds of demons and legendary creatures are after her.

About the Author
Rumiko Takahashi is a prolific and well-known creator of manga.  She has written InuYasha, Ranma ½, Urusei Yatsura, and The Mermaid Saga, among others.  Many of her manga have been serialized for Japanese television, and have been dubbed into different languages for her fans around the world.  Her manga was first translated into English in 1989, though Uusei Yatsura was not immensely popular.  In 1995, Takahashi sold her one hundred millionth book.  She won the Inpot Award at the 1994 San Diego Comic Convention.  InuYasha is Takahashi’s longest-running title, lasting more than a decade. 

Rumiko Takahashi was born in 1957 in Niigata, Japan.  Though an occasional doodler during high school, Takahashi’s interest in magna did not begin until college when she enrolled in Gekiga Sonjuku, a manga school.  She is a friend with other manga writers including Hanako Meijiro, Kazuo Umezu, and Reiko Hikawa. Takahashi studied for two years under Kazuo Koike, a well-known manga creator.  While studying she learned the important of interesting characters and strives to make her characters unique and interesting.  She also portrays female characters as tough and intelligent as male characters, unlike the traditional view of a docile Japanese woman.  Takahashi has been creating manga for thirty years, is immensely popular, has never married, and is too busy to even enjoy her wealth and success.

Mari Morimoto is the translator of the InuYasha manga series.  Born in Osaka, Morimoto was raised in New York.  She attended Cornell University for nine years and is a veterinarian.  She found her way into magna translations by chance with VIZ Media.  She has translated Naruto, InuYasha, Dragon Eye, and Dragonball, to name a few.  Morimoto has also served as a translator at various Anime and Comic Con events throughout the United States.

Genre
Manga/Fantasy

Curriculum Ties
Ancient Japan

Booktalking
Normal girl is a reincarnation of a warrior priestess from 500 years earlier.  How does one adapt to living 500 years earlier?

Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 4th grade
IL: 8th grade and up

 Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues include time travel, battling mythical creatures, and the comic form.

In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.

Why Included
Manga are very popular and I had heard of InuYasha before.

Others in the Series
There are 56 InuYasha titles in this series.

References
(2013). Mari morimoto.  Retrieved from http://animecons.com/guests/bio.shtml/1073
Acres, H., & Acres, D. (2013).  Rumiko takahashi biography.  Retrieved from http://www.furinkan.com/takahashi/

Bleach Vol. 1 by Tite Kubo
ISBN: 1-59116-441-9
Kubo, T. (2004). Bleach Vol. 1. (L. Caselman, Trans.).  San Fransicso, CA: NIZ, LLC.  (Original work published 2001)

Plot Summary
Ichigo Kurosaki sees ghosts.  His father runs a health clinic, and his sisters can sense spirits, but cannot communicate with them like Ichigo.  When Ichigo is fifteen, his family is attacked by an evil ghost spirit that he is able to attack and end its spirit life.  Ichigo then turns to Rukia Kuchikia, a girl who appeared with the evil spirit, and finds out she is a Soul Reaper.  Unlike Ichigo who has only spoken with good spirits, Rukia deals with evil spirits called Hollows.  As a soul reaper she attacks Hollows and kills them a second time, sending them to the spirit world.  Unfortunately, while attacking a Hollow, Rukia transferred her ability to Ichigo because she was injured.  Now, while Rukia recovers, Ichigo is the new soul reaper.  He is reluctant to risk his life attacking Hollows, but Rukia tells him this is his responsibility.  Orihime, a girl from school with a crush on Ichigo, shows up with Rukia and Ichigo are speaking.  She has many bruises on her arms and legs, and Rukia suspects a Hollow is hurting her.  They follow Orihime home and realize her older brother is seeking her soul and wants Orihime to join him.  Orihime tries speaking with her brother, but he is jealous of her life on Earth and attacks the three.  Ichigo is able to defeat the Hollow, and is now willing to help Rukia.  As they are speaking, Rukia receives a new message telling her where a new Hollow is lurking.

Critical Evaluation
New manga readers will find Bleach is read in the traditional way, from right to left.  Directions in the book are helpful to learn how reading within frames is determined.  Most of Bleach is dialogue between characters, with not much exposition.  The characters themselves share any background information usually by interacting with other characters.  Interactions take the form of either direct dialogue, or actions.  There are a few instances where one of the characters will suddenly interject some kind of information to the reader.  There is no clear reason for this, and may just be an accepted form of information providing.  It is a kind of internal monologue that is written down.  Each new chapter or serial has a drawing and title. The drawing seems to be unrelated to the new chapter, but the title does have some relation.  One of the characters appears to be a teenager living on her own.  Perhaps this is something more common in Japan, but is rather unusual in the United States.  It is unclear if she is actually in a foster home, or how she is able to support herself.  Though an interesting premise, how the series has spread to over 50 volumes is surprising.  It seems a great deal of repetition would come into play after the first couple dozen installments.

Reader’s Annotation
When Ichigo gets in the way of Rukia, he becomes a Soul Reaper, responsible for killing Hollow souls.  Reluctantly he decides to follow Rukia and help for a while.

About the Author
Tite Kubo’s first manga was ZOMBIEPOWDER, a short-lived series for Weekly Shonen Jump.  Bleach is only Kubo’s second title, but he has found great success with this series.  It has been translated into many languages, has been an anime series in Japan since 2004, and has been made into four Japanese language movies.  In 2005, Bleach was awarded the Shogakukan Manga Award. 

Tite Kubo born Noriaki Kubo in Hiroshima, Japan.  At 17, Kubo decided to become a manga artist after reading Saint Seiya.  He was unsure of his writing and while working on ZOMBIEPOWER, often acquiesced to his editor instead of using his own ideas.  In 2008, Kubo attended the San Diego Comic Convention for the first time.  Kubo is married and lives with his wife in Japan.

Genre
Manga/Fantasy

Curriculum Ties
N/A

Booktalking
Ichigo already sees ghosts, now he has to kill them?  How is he going to go to high school?

Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 4th grade
IL: 8th grade and up

Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues include the killing of bad souls, an abusive father, and the ‘simple’ comic form.

In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.

Why Included
Manga is very popular and felt I should include some in this assignment.  I had heard of Bleach before and the library had many of the installments.

Others in the Series
There are 57 Bleach titles in this series, with more to be published.

References
Tite Kubo. (2013, April 20).  Retrieved April 20, 2013 from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tite_Kubo
Simon & Schuster. (2013). Tite kubo. Retrieved from http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Tite-Kubo/47022034

Fear: 13 Stories of Suspense and Horror by R.L. Stine
ISBN: 978-0-525-42168-9
Stine, R. L. (Ed.).  (2010). Fear: 13 stories of suspense and horror.  New York: Dutton’s Children’s Books.

Plot Summary
This compilation of short stories includes some by well-known authors of young adult fiction, and is edited by R. L. Stine.  Welcome to the Club introduces a young man, JJ, who is new to town.  The popular kids tell him their club initiation is to kill someone…they aren’t serious, are they?  She’s Different Tonight takes place a Halloween party where an all-American guy decides to pick up a nerdy girl.  He ends up getting more than he bargained for.  Phil’s family moves to another planet in Suckers, but people keep disappearing.  In The Perfects, Hannah gets a babysitting job the first day in her new house, but the Perfects are decidedly imperfect.  Dax doesn’t believe there are monsters under his brother’s bed, but what if Jon is actually right?  You’ll find out in Shadow Children.  An unnamed protagonist uncovers a crime ring in The Poison Ring.  A school shooting leaves popular Savannah dead, but was she right girl to die?  You decide in Dragonfly Eyes.  Elizabeth babysits one evening in Jeepers Creepers, and will never be the same again.  In Piney Power, Jack ends up in the New Jersey pines where he finds illegal dumping.  When the Pineys take care of the problem themselves, Jack has a secret he can never share.  Nina is kidnapped on the way home from work.  Will the Night Hunter save her, and does she already know this masked hero?  Marlon’s a master safecracker, but he just wants enough money to attend college.  He’ll get that money, and more, in Tuition.  Tagger tells the story of Soo-ling Choi finds out she is part of an ancient Chinese myth.  Ray Gun finds Phil and his scientist father on a train trying to escape from a giant creature, do they make it?

Critical Evaluation
Stine has compiled a list of some of the most-known young adult authors, which leaves some wondering how a few authors and short stories were chosen.  An eclectic mix of horror, mystery, science fiction, and crime fighting stories are included.  The first eleven are the best of the collection, while the final two are clearly weaker stories.  None of the 13 tales are overtly frightening, but do provide some scary moments of suspense.  “Welcome to the Club” starts off the compilation with a bang, literally.  Suzanne Weyn’s “Suckers” has an ending that will leave an impression, with reminiscent tones of “The Twilight Zone” or “Men in Black.”  “The Night Hunter” by Meg Cabot, includes some of her standard romance that leaves readers wanting more.  Another standout is “Tuition.”  Again, while not clearly horrifying, the ups and downs of the story will leave hearts nervous, relieved, and shocked.  With the exception of “Tagger” and “Ray Gun,” clearly the weakest of the collection, the stories are all a good short story length and will provide fun entertainment.  A werewolf versus vampire story is also included, a necessity in these post-Twilight years, but is still an enjoyable read with some ‘girl power’ elements.  All in all, a solid collection of somewhat creepy stories for a group of teenagers at a campfire or sleepover. 

Reader’s Annotation
A collection of 13 horror short stories by some of the most recognized names in young adult literature.

About the Editor
"R.L.'s books are read all over the world. So far, he has sold over 350 million books, making him one of the best-selling children's authors in history.  He was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1943. His mother, Anne Stine, was a homemaker and his father, Lewis Stine, was a shipping clerk. He has a younger brother and sister-- Bill and Pam. No one in his family ever called him R.L. Everyone calls him Bob.  After graduating from Ohio State University in 1965, Bob headed to New York City to become a writer. He wrote dozens of joke books and humor books for kids. And he created Bananas, a zany humor magazine which he did for ten years. In those days, he wrote under the name Jovial Bob Stine.

In 1986, R.L. turned scary!  In 1989 he created the Fear Street series, the best-selling young adult book series in history.  Goosebumps began in 1992. The book series quickly became a hit around the world. Translated into 32 different languages, it made R.L. a worldwide publishing celebrity. The Goosebumps TV show was the number-one kids' show in the U.S. for three years.  R.L. lives in New York City with his wife Jane and his dog Minnie. His son Matthew is a composer, musician, and sound designer."

Genre
Horror/Short Stories

Curriculum Ties
N/A

Booktalking
Murderous clubs, life-changing babysitting jobs, and life on other planets; what else would you want from a collection of short stories edited by R.L. Stine?

Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 5th grade
IL: 8th grade and up

Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues include the horror themes and existence of aliens and monsters.

In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.

Why Included
My cousin, an R.L. Stine fan, recommended this to me.  I was initially interested in the Meg Cabot story, but ended up really enjoying the first 10 stories.

Others in the Series
N/A

References
Stine, R. L. (2013). About r. l.: For book and school reports.  Retrieved from: http://www.rlstine.com/about/.

Alex Van Helsing: Vampire Rising by Jason Henderson
ISBN: 978-0-0619-5099-5
Henderson, J. (2010).  Alex van helsing: Vampire rising.  New York: HarperTeen.

Plot Summary
Alex Van Helsing has been kicked out of one private school and shipped off to a new one in Geneva, Switzerland.  Three days after arriving, Alex sneaks out into the forest and comes across a dead body and what appears to be a vampire.  Using his wilderness training, Alex is able to kill the vampire and return to his room unharmed.  The next day Alex’s English class discusses Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Lord Byron, and John Polidori.  Alex also gets into an altercation with his two roommates and agrees to a fight in Secheron, the nearby town.  That evening Alex feels a kind of vibration in his head, looks out the window, and sees another vampire.  He goes outside again and fights the vampire, but does not kill this time.  However, Alex sees his English teacher, Sangster, outside talking.  Alex’s fight with his roomates is interrupted by Minhi, a girl at a nearby all girl’s school.  Alex, his friends Sid and Paul, and Minhi attend a show at the girl’s school when Paul and Minhi are taken by the Icemaker, a powerful vampire.  Sangster tells Alex he is from a long line of vampire hunters, and they make a plan to save his friends.  

Critical Evaluation
Is there anything fourteen-year-old Alex cannot do? He is smart, brave, adventurous, an expert fighter, and the latest in the famous vampire hunting family.  His super traits are explained as special survivalist training by his father, but he still seems a little perfect for a younger teen.  The inclusion of literary names and characters including Lord Byron and Mary Shelley keep this from becoming just another vampire novel.  The vampires are also purely evil, bloodthirsty creatures, a welcome change from the conscious-stricken and conflicted vampires of late.  There will be no romance between mortals and the undead here.  A possible love interest between Alex and the lone female is not fully explored, but for the 14-year-old protagonists, the friendship is enough for characters their age.  The final battle scene has Alex single-handedly defeating a school of vampires; really, he cannot be any more perfect.  The other teen heroes have decidedly teen interests in vampires (convenient) and manga, and while smart, are not super geniuses.  Easily relatable as ordinary students, they are true friends, and nice guys.  Conversations are peppered with some corny, clichéd teen remarks, but are easily glanced over in favor of the characters and plot.  The requisite school bullies and popular teacher who also belongs to the secret organization are also present.  Teens looking for a more traditional vampire story need look no further than the Alex Van Helsing series.

Reader’s Annotation
Alex Van Helsing, a fourteen-year-old going to school in Switzerland, finds out he is a descendant of vampire hunters.  When a vampire clan takes his friends Paul and Minhi, Alex must use all his skills to rescue them.

About the Author
Alex Van Helsing: Vampire Rising is Henderson’s first novel for young adults.  The novel was included on the 2011 Texas Library Association Lone Star Reading List, a list of the top 20 young adult books published the previous year.  Before his young adult series, Henderson wrote comic books, manga, and computer games.  His comic book titles include Sword of Dracula, Strange Magic, and Soulcatcher.  The Sword of Dracula series also deals with a group named after John Polidori, and likens vampires to terrorists.

He attended the University of Dallas and graduated with a degree in History.  He returned to college, attending Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law and earned a JD in Law.  Henderson is married and lives in Texas with his family. 

Genre
Horror/Paranormal

Curriculum Ties
Literature- Dracula and Frankenstein

Booktalking
Discuss Alex’s decision to go after his friends.
What if Dracula and Frankenstein were partly true stories?

Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 5th grade
IL: 6th grade and up

Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues include otherworldly creatures such as vampires and werewolves.

In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.

Why Included
I needed more books with a male protagonist, as well as a different genre.  Alex and horror fit what I needed.  I also like the vampires are evil in this series.

Others in the Series
Alex Van Helsing: Voice of the Undead (Book #2)
Alex Van Helsing: The Triumph of Death (Book #3)

References
Jason Henderson. (2012, October 11). Retrieved March 28, 2013 from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Henderson 
Jones, Samanta. (2012).  About me. Retrieved from http://www.jasonhenderson.com/