Adult Books for High School Students

Fiction

Adult/High School–The author evokes Oklahoma of almost a hundred years ago and peoples it with wonderfully diverse characters with intertwined relationships. Alafair Gunn Tucker, mother of 10 and amateur sleuth, is concerned that one of her daughters is falling for a recently widowed barber who may have killed his wife. Partly in an effort to protect Alice, Alafair pursues the clues left behind by the killer (or victim), and the mystery she unravels seems to tie half of the town to the murder. There are moments of farce and elements of danger. Readers can almost smell the scent of death on the bloodstained rug and taste the homemade butter and potato patties (recipes included). The book provides an entertaining way for teens to appreciate the richness of life in this time and place. The idioms and local color are delightful, and the characters are real enough for readers to fear for their safety.–Will Marston, Berkeley Public Library, CA

Adult/High School–This title marks Cherryh's return to high fantasy. It's been 16 years since the final moments of Fortress of Dragons (HarperCollins, 2000), and Cefwyn now sits on the throne as the just ruler of a tenuously united kingdom. He begins to look toward a future filled with the promise of good things he sees in his two sons: Aewyn, the 15-year-old rightful heir to the throne, and Elfwyn, an illegitimate child of Cefwyn and the dark sorceress Tarien Aswydd. Raised by the good witch Gran, Elfwyn has grown up unaware of his noble lineage. But Cefwyn claims him and takes him to live at the capital, where he becomes fast friends with his half brother. As much as Elfwyn enjoys his new life, the dark side of his parentage constantly pulls on him to release some powerful magic that could destroy everything his father worked so hard to create. Elfwyn's character, teetering so desperately between two very different paths, will draw readers into this dramatic and magical coming-of-age story. Much of the early part of the book relies on political intrigue and constant references to the history of the land; wisely, Cherryh includes a short introduction that provides a quick summary of the backstory. The ending hinges entirely on the strength of Elfwyn's character and his ability to make the right choice between good and evil.–Matthew L. Moffett, Ford's Theatre Society, Washington, DC

Adult/High School–In a voice reminiscent of Alice Hoffman's, Cox weaves a story of love, sex, and scandal in a small Southern town. She deals with the issues of rape and infidelity thoughtfully and sensitively. Like people in many small towns, the folks of South Pittsburg, TN, have known one another for too long. They believe that there is nothing new to learn–until Sophie and Rita Chabot move in. Everyone at the local high school has a thing for Sophie. She is beautiful, artistic, and friendly. Rita, her newly widowed mother, is a provocative influence on both the men and their wives at the local hardware store. Change is good until the teen is brutally gang-raped after a party. And so starts a complicated tale of hidden truths, lost love, and enduring spirit. Cox's portrayal of awkward first love carries the novel beyond its dark subject matter, invoking, as does life, both grief and cheer. Told nonlinearly, the story focuses on the characters, leaving readers to try to predict who committed the vicious crime. Teens will be drawn to Sophie, her boyfriend, and the members of his band. Many will recognize, if not themselves, then people they know in real life.–Brigeen Radoicich, Fresno County Office of Education, CA

Adult/High School–The tumultuous history of Rome from 79 to 64 B.C. comes alive in this fictional biography of Marcus Tullius Cicero, the politician and superb orator who rose to the empire's highest office after starting as an outsider from the provinces. His first legal case drew him into a long battle with powerful Gaius Verres, the dangerously corrupt governor of Sicily. Cicero displayed his wit and talent for oration and strategy to triumph over Verres and other opponents in high-profile cases. Harris has written a fast-paced tale, the first part of a trilogy. He examines the full spectrum of Roman society, including its dark side of corruption, class divisions, betrayal, and cruelty. Cicero, who sought imperium, or ultimate power of the state, is portrayed as a sympathetic figure whose allegiance was to the idea of Republic. The author paints a vivid picture of everyday life, and the courtroom dramas are, at times, riveting. Readers will recognize other famous Romans who pop up in the story, including Julius Caesar and Pompey. They may also recognize the timelessness of the pursuit of power.–Susanne Bardelson, Kitsap Regional Library, WA

Adult/High School–In this collection of five short stories and a brief play, Lehane assembles a disparate cast, yet each individual takes part in a similar search for something elusive. In “ICU,” Daniel is hunted down by assailants and must hide in a hospital waiting room to survive. “Until Gwen” reunites a young man just released from prison with the father who corrupted him. Several of the pieces are set in the South, and their pacing is infused with the slowness of a Southern drawl. The mastery of the author's storytelling lies in his ability to create atmosphere. His characters are defined by the mood of the world around them, a world that is often confining and in which hope is thrown aside in favor of a grim pragmatism. Lehane populates his stories with people who are ordinary and reveals the extraordinary complexity of their lives. The decisions they face are unenviable and their choices somehow unavoidable. The author invents nuanced relationships in which murder and betrayal become acts of loyalty and friendship. Each story introduces a touch of the unlikely or unfortunate into otherwise mundane circumstances, then relays the consequences as events unfold. Haunting imagery lingers long after the book is closed.–Heidi Dolamore, San Mateo County Library, CA

Adult/High School–Two American couples just out of college head to Mexico for a sun- and tequila-filled vacation. They befriend some like-minded Greek tourists and a German man whose brother has followed an archaeologist to the site of her dig. The Americans and one of the Greeks decide to go into the jungle to help Matthias find his brother. Blissfully ignorant, they head off with minimal rations, but lots of tequila. Despite all warning signs, they continue to a desolate Mayan village whose residents seem intent on keeping them away. Once American Amy steps off the path into a patch of vines, things suddenly change. As in A Simple Plan (Knopf, 1993), Smith creates a gripping story in which each character's uncertainties and human frailties are as horrific as the actual horror around them. Though the story is told in the third person, each American spends time as a protagonist, giving readers an understanding of his or her fears and motivations. This also allows readers to second-guess the characters. The book has no chapter breaks, which echoes the long and dreadful adventure. Even though only a few days pass, it feels much longer, as the plot moves minute-by-minute through each day. The ending is highly satisfactory and perfectly tragic. Though there are some brief scenes of gore, most of the suspense is psychological, but no less frightening. Fans of everything from Jurassic Park to Lost to Stephen King will love this book.–Jamie Watson, Harford County Public Library, MD

Adult/High School–In his introductory essay, “Jules Verne in America,” Miller discusses the literary crimes of Michel Verne, son of Jules. It seems that after his father's death, the author's son “transformed substantively all the works published posthumously under his father's byline.” The idea that generations have not read Jules Verne's novels as he wrote them can be both appalling and exhilarating. Appalling because such a hoax affected such a large body of work by a well-known and loved author. But think of the new reading possibilities! Meteor Hunt is a small gem; just two thirds of the volume here is the novel. In a small town in Virginia, two amateur astronomers independently sight the same meteor. Their rivalry complicates the marriage plans of one's daughter to the other's nephew. Further and farther-reaching complications ensue when it is discovered that the meteor is coming to Earth and, more importantly, that it is composed of approximately 1,389,393 tons, or over $781 billion, worth of gold. Verne's mastery of writing and science fiction proves itself as this 1886 story feels fresh and contemporary 120 years later. The satirical comments on greed, both personal and national; marriage; and society can be recognized and appreciated by teen readers. This is a great introduction for anyone who hasn't yet read Verne and an incentive for everyone to find the new translations of his other works.–Dana Cobern-Kullman, Luther Burbank Middle School, Burbank, CA

Adult/High School–An influential family's weekend party is the stage for murder in post-World War II England. On the first night, a major politician is found dead with a yellow Star of David pinned to his chest with a dagger. Daughter of the house Lucy and her Jewish husband had been surprised to be included. Clearly, their invitation was an obvious setup by someone in the Fascist “Farthing Set” who is trying to pin the murder on her husband. An investigator from Scotland Yard discerns that in addition to anti-Semitism, the homosexuality of some of the key figures plays a major role in the crime, and the investigator has his own secret that plays out as a significant factor in the outcome of the case. The accurately portrayed civilian setting will make the novel useful for world history classes, and it's a gripping read for teens who like a good English murder mystery. It's comparable to Agatha Christie's novels with substantial social issues and a heavier dose of history thrown in.–Ellen Bell, Amador Valley High School, Pleasanton, CA

Nonfiction

Adult/High School–As with all titles in this series, readers can expect to find far more than what people ate, how they dressed, and what work they undertook. The authors dig deep into the religious, economic, and political structures of the given societies. The arts, crafts, education, and family patterns are all thoroughly represented. Readers who come to Byrne's book with a vague notion of some bad sickness spreading across Europe during the Middle Ages will put it down with a full awareness of the horror of the flesh-destroying pestilence of the Plague, or “King Death.” The second title is arranged geographically, starting with the peoples of the eastern woodlands and working westward through the Ohio Valley, the Southwest, and on to California and the Pacific Northwest. The Native American story is one of constant adjustments to ever-more-pressing dangers and adversity. And in that respect it is similar to the story of Europeans during the era of the Black Death. Both books expertly portray the lives of peoples under enormous strain to maintain a semblance of the normalcy implied by the term “daily life.” Each volume comes with a full complement of strong scholarship, including extensive notes, bibliographies, chronologies, illustrations, and excerpts from original sources. The prose and general composition suggest a laudable and consistently high level of editing. These volumes are both recommended for teens with strong reading skills and a background in history.–Robert Saunderson, Berkeley Public Library, CA

Adult/High School–The Flaming Lips have been a cutting-edge rock band longer than today's teens have been alive, yet, in the last few years, they've been able to attract new young fans. They defied conventional wisdom by making their best album nearly 20 years into their career. Using interviews with most of the key players and his own experiences, music critic DeRogatis takes readers on a journey that goes around the world with the Lips, but always back to their home base of Oklahoma City. Though the author is obviously a fan, he doesn't fawn, and he allows true personalities to shine through. Singer Wayne Coyne is portrayed as a visionary, but also as a bit of a tyrant. Bassist Michael Ivins is his perfect complement–an introvert to Coyne's dynamic showman. The Flaming Lips toured relentlessly, rarely turning down gigs, and made phone calls, sent out demo tapes, and finally signed to a major label, where they outlasted countless other '80s and '90s groups that had more immediate success. Teens should find it eye-opening to learn how a band promoted itself before the Internet. Several photographs show the performers in all their incarnations, and there are even some reproductions of Coyne's early artwork. The book is well indexed, but lacks a discography. However, each album is discussed in great detail and fans will love hearing the stories behind the songs. Luckily, the original albums have been rereleased.–Jamie Watson, Harford County Public Library, MD

Adult/High School–The information in this title could take a lifetime to fully absorb, which is a good thing. Fleming starts with a basic introduction: the care of the instrument, tuning, how to hold it, various accessories. The lessons cover hand positions, scales, and chords, and illustrate the basics of music theory and style with examples from famous songs. Mini-biographies of great guitarists and a discussion of their instruments and what they brought to their music are also included. The styles cover rock and roll, jazz, blues, classical, country, folk, funk, and salsa–a little something for just about everybody. The author backs up the profiles with easy-to-find song examples. There is also a handsome section with portraits of important guitar models and lists of musicians who have used them. Beginners will learn much from this book. It is a thorough immersion into the subject and a great starting place. It reads like a big glossy cookbook to which guitarists may return to sample the instrument's many possibilities.–Will Marston, Berkeley Public Library, CA

Adult/High School–At only 15 percent the size of The 9/11 Report: The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States (St. Martin's, 2004) and more than four times the price, is this adaptation worth purchasing? The answer is an unequivocal yes. Jacobson and Colón intend this adaptation to bring to the commission's report readers who would not or could not digest its nearly 800 pages, and they have the blessing, acknowledged in this book's foreword, of the commission's chair and vice-chair to do so. Neither lurid nor simplistic, it presents the essence of the commission's work in a manner that, especially in the opening section, is able to surpass aspects of any text-only publication: the four stories of the doomed flights are given on the same foldout pages so that readers can truly grasp the significance of how simultaneous events can and did overwhelm our national information and defense systems. The analysis that follows in the subsequent 11 chapters cuts cleanly to the kernels of important history, politics, economics, and procedural issues that both created and exacerbated the effects of the day's events. Colón's full-color artwork provides personality for the named players–U.S. presidents and Al-Qaeda operatives alike–as well as the airline passengers, office workers, fire fighters, and bureaucrats essential to the report. This graphic novel has the power and accessibility to become a high school text; in the meantime, no library should be without it.–Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley Public Library, CA

Adult/High School–Among other things, Jordan was an activist, poet, teacher, and author. Through her poetry, she sought to transcend limiting labels like black, bisexual, divorced, poor, and female, and she encouraged others to do the same. Using letters, interviews with Jordan's relatives, her poetry, and her other writings, Kinloch delves into the woman's personal life so that readers might better grasp the depth and intent of her work. This is an intimate introduction to a variety of historical events and noteworthy people. Jordan's ideas, life, and poetry are described in rich, dense passages that teens might find too academic in flavor. Some chapters are a blur of faces, activities, and outrages, making her life seem like a daunting river too deep to wade through. However, Kinloch ultimately saves the book by liberally spreading examples of Jordan's poetry throughout and remaining focused on her subject's passionate fight against oppression. This biography is not an easy introduction, and readers without any previous knowledge of Jordan's life may feel lost. Still, she is familiar to many advanced high school English students. Kinloch's study will be of special importance to young women forging their place in the world as writers and activists.–Joy Murphy, Berkley Public Library, CA

Adult/High School–A follow-up to the author's Understanding Comics (Kitchen Sink, 1993) and Reinventing Comics (DC Comics, 2000), this volume uses the same graphic style and narrator to explain the technical aspects of creating comics. From the layout of each frame and the placement of words and characters to creating facial expressions, symbolism, and more, this highly detailed resource is for serious artists wishing to gain further technical knowledge. Every concept is broken down into its individual elements and thus is probably more than most casual readers would want to know. The book is well organized with a specific table of contents and an annotated bibliography and suggested reading list.–Corinda J. Humphrey, Los Angeles Public Library

Adult/High School–For writer and world traveler Montgomery, the grounding force of her New Hampshire home was a 750-pound pig. This book is not merely a chronicle of her love for and life with Christopher Hogwood, but also a testament to the lessons learned through her 14-year relationship with him. Usually preferring the company of animals to most people, Montgomery developed an extensive network of friends who were willing to cache and freeze their food scraps for the always grateful, bottomless pig. In turn, these friends witnessed an enjoyment of life's bounty as only a pig can experience–with utter abandon. Montgomery's delightful anecdotes about Christopher's personality, neighborhood wanderings, and haute skin care à la Pig Spa are entwined with biographical details about her family life and fascinating animal-research projects. Christopher was undoubtedly Montgomery's muse for this introspective account of personal growth and her underlying mantra of caring for all the Earth's creatures. He also helped her weather the pain of intractable parents who would not accept their Jewish son-in-law. Like Montgomery's earlier books, this title blends facts about animal behavior, natural history, geography, and culture with myths, legends, and a large helping of adventure. The color photographs of Christopher from runt to virtual behemoth are an added attraction. More importantly, the author's engaging writing style will captivate even the most uninspired teen readers.–Claudia C. Holland, Chantilly Regional Library, Fairfax County, VA

Adult/High School–The enormous variety of things that people do for survival and sustenance is impressively represented in this book. Neither doctor nor lawyer is included, and only a small number of white-collar jobs make the cut. Instead, readers see clover collectors in Yemen, bootblacks in Portugal, ice fishermen in Russia, coal miners in West Virginia, and salt miners in Ukraine. The volume is arranged in geographic sections: Europe, Asia, Africa, Middle East, Americas, and Islands. Interspersed among them are three thematic portfolios: agriculture, extraction (mining), and manufacturing. Protzman contributes engaging and helpful introductions to each geographic section, as well as brief notes introducing the thematic portfolios. With few exceptions the photos are captivating and of high technical quality. Most were taken within the past 20 years, although some are historical, including a few early-20th-century images by Lewis Hine. Many of the images display poverty, hardship, and oppression (especially of children). A few are whimsical, including a workhorse keeping cool in Spain with the aid of a tiny umbrella. The message that work can be tedious and dangerous, as well as rewarding and enjoyable, is thoroughly established.–Robert Saunderson, Berkeley Public Library, CA

Adult/High School–Part travelogue, part primer, Road meanders through the often-overlooked “stans” of Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, with occasional excursions into the Xinjiang province of China, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. From 1997 to 2002, Rall endured a series of treks through the deserts and mountains of Central Asia. He had a knack for showing up at exactly the wrong time: he traveled through Kashmir just as the Taliban entered Pakistan as part of General Pervez Musharraf's 1999 coup, only to return a year later to lead a group of tourists into the middle of a siege as the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan invaded Osh. Interspersed throughout this text, Rall's editorial cartoons provide breathing spaces in the form of graphic novellas. The author's travels are rife with indigestion, extortion, and 120-degree heat. Nevertheless, his awestruck descriptions of the region's natural beauty, crowded bazaars, and chaotic sporting tournaments will make adventurous readers want to see it all firsthand. The author takes a serious subject and infuses it with humor, examining the corruption, poverty, and political struggles that define Central Asia. Each page includes at least one illustration–photographs and maps as well as cartoons–and the volume includes historical summaries and country profiles that contextualize the events depicted.–Heidi Dolamore, San Mateo County Library, CA

Adult/High School–Rhoden's provocative thesis is that today's black athletes are akin to pre-Civil War plantation slaves, because slavery had as much to do with power and control as it had to do with wealth. The big-money sports in America–football, baseball, basketball–are owned and controlled almost exclusively by white men, and yet each has a disproportionately large percentage of black athletes. They are well paid, but they have no direct power over the current and future direction of these sports. More than that, they lack any real control over their roles within these sports. The author supports his position with a well-researched and thoughtfully rendered survey of the history of the black athlete. From plantation-born jockeys and boxers of the early 19th century, to the NBA of Michael Jordan and Larry Johnson, Rhoden remains focused on prevailing structures of racism. He notes the accomplishments and frustrations of several well-known figures, including Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Jesse Owens, and Willie Mays, as well as others who have faded from our collective memory. In doing so, he examines the damaging effects of what he calls the “conveyor belt” in the contemporary sports world, where children as young as 11 and 12 are pegged as “prospects” and viewed as potential sources of income through middle school, high school, and college. This book will no doubt spark controversy, but will also prove to be a lasting contribution to the history of race relations in America.–Robert Saunderson, Berkeley Public Library, CA

Adult/High School–This compilation of odd and fascinating tales will appeal to those many teens who enjoy being masters of trivia while delighting those with a spark of curiosity about the Lowlands and Highlands north of Hadrian's Wall. Rosie deftly employs wit, acumen, and love of country as he explores elements of Scotland's history left untouched by academic and tourist-board accounts. Arranged chronologically, from the era of King Arthur to the great ring-road controversy of mid-20th-century Edinburgh, the book sheds light on such topics as the rightful legacy of John Knox; the turbulent struggles of the Macleod clan of the Hebridean island of Lewis; Daniel Defoe's life as a secret agent; blasphemy hunters; witch hunters; Cherokee Indian Chief John Ross; drug barons of the opium trade; the Scottish leadership of the Ku Klux Klan; top-secret biological warfare experiments during World War II; and the age-old war against the unstoppable Highland midge (biting fly). Given their light and pithy treatment, these curiosities will draw in readers. While Rosie is not afraid to acknowledge the downsides of Scottish history, he enjoys a chuckle at the expense of Sydney Smith, who in 1855 referred to Scotland as “the knuckle-end of England, that land of Calvin, oat-cakes and sulphur.” Readers will see not only the absurdity of Smith's characterization, but will also realize that much of our popular science and literature heritage is rooted in Scottish characters, both real and imagined.–Robert Saunderson, Berkeley Public Library, CA

Adult/High School–Shields takes on the elusive writer in this first-ever biography of her. Without direct input from his subject, the author's extensive research combines sources in local-history collections, interviews and correspondence with Lee's acquaintances, and Internet resources to piece together the details of the writer's life. Starting with Lee's childhood in Monroeville, AL, Shields depicts the people and events that inspired To Kill a Mockingbird's characters. A picture develops of a girl who would face down any bully, a nonconformist whose sorority roommates kicked her out after one semester but who made an impact on the campus with her presence, a woman with a wicked sense of humor and a writer with a voice and themes of prejudice and justice that resonate. Students and curious fans alike will find material here to further their understanding of her work and life. Extensive source notes and a student-friendly bibliography are included.–Charlotte Bradshaw, San Mateo County Library, CA

Adult/High School–This well-written book presents a thorough picture of department stores from their beginnings in the late 19th century through their heyday. Readers are treated to all aspects of the stores' histories, from financing to marketing to merchandising; their employment of women, layout, display windows, and architecture; store competition; and, particularly, the move from home sewing to ladies' ready-to-wear. These independent establishments were instrumental in defining and catering to a rising middle class and an integral and hugely important part of urban centers. Then, around 1970, Sears and Penney's stores and discounters in suburbia made the going too rough. Now the big independents with the proud old names are hardly recognizable. The illustrations include photos of store exteriors and interiors and copies of ads. Chapters are broken up by topic. This is an invaluable resource for students of marketing, fashion design, and U.S. history/social studies.–Judy McAloon, Potomac Library, Prince William County, VA