Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan
ISBN: 0-375-92400-0
Levithan, D. (2003). Boy meets boy.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Plot Summary
Paul has known he was gay since childhood, and his teachers and friends know it too.  He’s had a few boyfriends here and there, but when he sees Noah in a bookstore something is different.  Paul finds out they go to the same school and agree to see each other the next day.  There is also Joni, Paul’s best friend, and Tony, his other best friend.  Tony is also gay, but his ultra-conservative Christian parents are not accepting.  Kyle has not spoken to Paul in months, but suddenly decides to mend fences.  A kiss between Paul and Kyle spreads and Noah hears about it.  Afraid of being hurt again, Noah decides to distance himself from Paul.  The school dance is coming up and Tony wants to go, but knows his parents won’t let him.  Paul wants to take Noah, but Kyle wants to take Paul.  Joni has a date and new boyfriend, but no one likes him.  Paul decides he is going to get Noah back, and Kyle is going to the dance no matter what.

Critical Evaluation
Hailed as one of the first positive teen novels about gay relationships, Boy Meets Boy is a modern classic of LGBT literature.  The setting is wonderfully accepting, nearly utopic, of all sexual orientations, dressing preferences, and relationships.  Some characters, including a boy’s Christian parents, are not accepting of homosexuality, but they are the exception to the rule.  The accepting surroundings allow the characters to explore not their sexuality, but relationships with other people.  There is no need to ‘find themselves’ or struggle with ‘coming out’ because they are already free to do so.  At its heart, Boy Meets Boy is a sweet book.  There is no rampant use of crude language, sexual situations are limited to mild kissing, and relationships are honest and mean well.  Even the homophobic Christian parents act as they do because they are sincerely afraid of their son’s soul, and want him to live a good life.  Infinite Darlene is the most outwardly different character, but she lives her life as she is most comfortable, and is happy with the choices she makes.  As with other young adult novels, Paul and his friends can sometimes act more mature than their years, and speak as if they are college graduates.  However, this is a minor criticism to a book that is otherwise well-written and important for young adults who want equality and acceptance in their lives.

Reader’s Annotation
Paul has fallen in love, but a single kiss with someone else might ruin the whole relationship. 

About the Author
David Levithan’s first novel Boy Meets Boy started as a kind of Valentine’s Day present for his friends.  Levithan wrote Boy Meets Boy as a book he wished he would receive as an editor.  The gay characters in the novel are not outcasts or ostracized for being gay.  He has authored or co-authored a total of sixteen books including collaborations with Rachel Cohn and John Green.  The Lover’s Dictionary is his first book written specifically for adults, although Levithan says all his books are also for adults.

David Levithan was born in 1972, graduated from Brown University in 1994, and published his first book in 2003.  He had a happy childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.  Levithan also works at Scholastic as a publisher and editorial director and was the founding editor of PUSH.  He had edited or published many well-known authors including Suzanne Collins, Garth Nix, and Gordon Korman.  He has also edited over 100 Star Wars books.  In 2001, Levithan decided to take one photograph a day for a year, he still is.

Genre
Social Issues

Curriculum Ties
Social Issues-Gender Identity

Booktalking
What would you do to convince someone you love him?  Paul is going to find out.

Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 5th grade
IL: 9th grade and up

Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues include relationships, including homosexual relationships, are a major focus of the novel.

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 read Boy Meets Boy for class and enjoyed it.  Also felt it was important to add an LGBT novel.

Others in the Series
N/A

References
Levithan, D. (2013). You probably think this page is about me.  Retrieved from http://www.davidlevithan.com/about/

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
ISBN: 0-02-770130-1
Paulsen, G. (1987).  Hatchet. New York: Bradbury Press.
Read by Peter Coyote
Produced by Blane and DeRosa Productions Listening Library

Plot Summary
Brian Robeson’s parents are newly divorced and he is headed off on a small plane to visit his father in Canada.  The pilot suffers a heart attack and suddenly dies, leaving Brian alone to pilot the plane.  He manages to land suddenly, but is alone, out of range of the plane’s radio, without any resources.  Brian immediately despairs, but has a hatchet to help.  He makes a small shelter against a boulder and finds berries to pick and eat.  A few days after landing, a plane flies overhead, but leaves without seeing Brian.  Brian understands it was a search plane, and likely will not return.  He concentrates on making a bow and arrow as well as a spear for hunting.  Just as Brian is feeling comfortable and getting a handle on life a moose attacks him.  Days later a tornado hits and his shelter and food reserves are destroyed.  When Brian recovers he finds that the plane is now in the water, and remembers there is a survival pack.  What is in the survival pack?  Will there be food, a sleeping bag, a radio?

Critical Evaluation
Paulsen could easily have written a thrilling, fascinating adventure story about survival in the forest, but Hatchet is much more than that. Paulsen covers the dual themes of survival and isolation, both physical and emotional.  Just as Brian learns to survive in the wild forest he learns to survive his parents’ divorce.  This one-person story balances the adventure and survival aspect with Brian’s growth as a young man who is prepared to deal with the disintegration of his family.  Because of the divorce Brian has a self imposed emotional isolation from his parents as he does not want to reveal the hurt and anger he feels. Now, stranded on the island physical isolation threatens his life.  When Brian is rescued the reader will recognize that he has come to terms with both threats. He is no longer a whiny, helpless teen, but a stronger and more mature young man.

Coyote's reading of Hatchet is a solid effort.  There is not much need for varying voices and tones, but Coyote manages to make a one-person story interesting.  At times the reading sounded awkward and stilted, but it also may have been the written book not translating well to spoken narration.  The background music was often distracting and unnecessarily ominous.  The book is already dramatic enough without overdone music or background noise.  Individual chapters in the novel were not spoken, which created a flowing listening experience, but also made finding a stopping point difficult.  At the same time, track changes were seamless, preventing a break in the story.  Overall, an enjoyable audiobook that likely increased the suspense and investment to Brian.

Reader’s Annotation
After Brian crash lands in the wilderness, he must somehow learn how to survive alone until someone can save him.

About the Author/Reader
While working in California Paulsen realized he wanted to be a writer.  He quit his job and spent a year proofreading magazines in Hollywood.  Paulsen moved to the woods in Minnesota and wrote his first novel.  Hatchet came about from his survivalist experiences living in the woods.  He received so many letters from readers about the sudden ending in Hatchet that Paulsen decided to write Brian’s Winter, an alternate ending that continues Brian’s adventure in the wilderness.

Gary Paulsen was never a strong student, but after a visit to the library, he became a lifelong reader.  He ran away at 14 to join a carnival, and held a variety of jobs including engineer, construction worker, ranch hand, truck driver, and sailor.  Paulsen became interested in dog sled racing and participated in the Iditarod twice.  After becoming ill, Paulsen stopped racing and turned his efforts to writing instead.  He has written more than 175 books, 200 articles and short stories, has had three Newbery Honor books, and his books appear on American Library Association’s best book lists.  Paulsen is married to Ruth Wright Paulsen and live part-time in New Mexico and a boat.

Peter Coyote was born Rachmil Pinchus Ben Mosha Cohon in New York.  At sixteen, Coyote began acting classes at the Neighborhood Playhouse.  He attended Grinnell College and became an activist organizer.  He graduated with a BA in English Literature and then attended San Francisco State University for Creative Writing.  Coyote continued to be a part of San Francisco’s counter-culture.  In the late 1970s he returned to acting and has now been part of 70 films.  In the 80s, Coyote began doing voiceovers and won an Emmy in 1992.  Other than Hatchet, Coyote has read several other audiobooks.  Coyote has two adult children and married Stefanie Pleet in 2000. 

Genre
Action & Adventure/Survival
Audiobook

Curriculum Ties
N/A

Booktalking
Brian is fourteen, alone in the wilderness, without food, water, or shelter.  What does he do?

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

Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues include the survivalist and independence Brian experiences away from adults.

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 had never read Hatchet, but it is a popular book and on school reading lists in my area.  Additionally, it was a 1987 Newbury Honor.

Others in the Series
Brian’s Winter (Book #2- Alternate Ending)
The River (Book # 3)
Brian’s Return (Book #4)
Brian’s Hunt (Book #5)

References
Coyote, P.  (1998) Biography.  Retrieved from http://www.petercoyote.com/biography.html
Random House. (2004).  About gary.  Retrieved from http://www.randomhouse.com/features/garypaulsen/about.html

Butter by Erin Jade Lange
ISBN: 978-1-599907-802
Lange, E. J. (2012). Butter.  New York: Bloomsbury

Plot Summary
Butter is a 400lb teenager who has decided he wants to end his life.  However, Butter’s not just going to quietly die, he is going to tape himself live as he eats himself to death.  The creation of his website has unexpected consequences, as Butter becomes instantly popular the next day at school.  Suddenly, the most popular students at school are including Butter in their activities and sitting with him at lunch.  The website grows in popularity and bets are being made on what the final menu will be.  Butter is delighting in his newfound friends, as his parents become increasingly concerned with his behavior.  His only friend through all this is Anna, the girl he’s been talking to online, but who doesn’t know who he really is.  At Butter’s doctor appointment he finds out he’s lost 14lbs, a new experience.  He is pleasantly surprised, but asks his doctor if it’s possible to eat yourself to death.  During the final month of his life, Butter compiles his list, including high levels of alcohol and strawberries (he’s highly allergic).  Butter loses more weight, and realizes he enjoys having friends and a possible future.  As the end creeps closer, Butter is not so sure he wants to die, but he can’t back out now. 

Critical Evaluation
A unique and intense premise that covers hot topic issues of teenage obesity, cyberbullying, and suicide.  One cannot help but like Butter, his sense of humor and saxophone playing.  At the same time, it is difficult to understand how he became so heavy.  His parents offer little support in the way of parenting, and it is left to Butter to figure out how to manage his weight.  Nearly all characters seem to be under a cloud of haze where weight management is ignored.  Butter’s solution is shocking, but for the exception of just a handful of people, accepted and encouraged.  The notion of encouraging one to commit suicide might just be enough to force teens to take a second look at cyberbulling, and the very real consequences.  Even as Butter begins to question his plan, he is determined to go through with it in order to fulfill the wishes of the popular students.  The lack of communication between Butter and his parents is also alarming.  The first-person narrative allows readers to go inside Butter’s head, but the internal dialogue is not quite as dramatic or traumatic as one would imagine.  The last chapter is dramatic, real, and frightening.  Suicide would be too tragic, while a complete recovery too easy.  Instead, Lange leaves the decision open to Butter.  His life has been saved by someone who really does care, but it is up to Butter to decide what he wants to do with it. 

Reader’s Annotation
A 400lb teenager decides he is going to eat himself to death on New Year’s Eve, and record it live for his classmates.

About the Author
Butter is Erin Jade Lange’s first published novel.  She wrote one novel previously and describes it as a ‘big mess’ but proved she could finish a book.  Her second book, Dead Ends, is to be released later this year, and is about bullying. 

Lange grew up an only child in northern Illinois near the Mississippi River.  Growing up, Lange needed to entertain herself, and frequently turned to her imagination.  She credits this time as leading her towards writing.  Lange’s day job is as a journalist, but she enjoys her evenings writing fiction.  The real-world issues she encounters as a journalist inspire her fiction writing for teenagers.  When not writing, Lange likes trying snowboarding and playing guitar, though she’s not good at either, and planning her wedding.  She now lives in Arizona, and cannot decide between deserts and rivers.

Genre
Realistic Fiction

Curriculum Ties
Bullying

Booktalking
Alcohol, pancakes, strawberries, and butter are on Butter’s last meal menu.  What would be on yours?

Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 6th grade
IL: 9th grade and up

Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues include themes of suicide and bullying.

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 felt this was one of those controversial, but realistic teen fiction novels.  It looks at high school relationships and online bullying, though in a different sense.

Others in the Series
N/A

References
Lange, E. J. (2013). Bio.  Retrieved from http://erinlange.com/about/