Adult Books for High School Students

Adult/High School—This lovely debut novel takes place in California's Central Valley in the late 1970s. Jeeta Rai is the younger daughter of a Punjabi family living among the orchards of Oak Grove, where her uncle Avtar acquired land some 30 years earlier. She grows up between the American and Indian worlds and learns about the perils of balancing love with family tradition through three different love stories: her own, her sister Neelam's, and Avtar's. As the story opens, Neelam is being hurriedly married off to a promising young man from India, despite the fact that she is in love with a local boy. As Jeeta helps Avtar plan a festival commemorating the founding of the first local gurdwara (Sikh place of worship), she learns about his lost first love and how he came to be married to her Aunt Teji. Jeeta has a crush on Pritam, the son of the local matchmaker, but her feelings for him conflict with her family's desires and her own desire to attend the University of California at Berkeley. These stories merge seamlessly into a portrait of a family maintaining its own culture while blending into a new one. Teens who enjoyed Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake (Houghton, 2003) will find similar themes here, but in a very different setting.—Sarah Flowers, formerly at Santa Clara County Library, CA

Adult/High School—Renowned for his numerous novels and short-story collections, Bradbury has once again created a book that will both entertain and stretch readers' imaginations. Never before published, these 22 selections explore the extraordinary experiences of ordinary people. The author's talent for devising eerie and emotionally moving plots is evident in "The Reincarnate," in which a dead man attempts to reunite with his wife but discovers that he cannot recapture the past, and in "When the Bough Breaks," in which the ghostly cry of an unknown baby challenges a couple's decision not to have children. Much more than traditional science fiction, the collection contains a variety of other genres including chilling psychological thrillers such as "The Murder" and "Ma Perkins Comes to Stay," and bittersweet romances such as "We'll Always Have Paris" and "Doubles." Short-story fans will revel in this superb compilation, which elicits quick yet powerful emotions. Teens who appreciate unique, well-crafted tales will enjoy it. English and literature teachers will find a wealth of instructional opportunities in this book, either as a stand-alone collection or as a companion to Bradbury's other works or the collections of other authors. This is a must-have for short story collections and any school library in which Bradbury is part of the curriculum.—Lynn Rashid, Marriots Ridge High School, Marriotsville, MD

Adult/High School—In his debut novel, Brett catapults readers into a world in which demons rise at night and the human population lives in fear and seclusion. Only those who brave the unsheltered night and survive see what lies beyond their birth town or city. The setting itself is spare and underdeveloped with the focus instead being on the flawed heroes of the tale. Brett spends a majority of the novel—the first of a series—establishing the backstories of the main characters, three humans who come from different towns and backgrounds and are thrown into the battle at a young age. Readers are held in suspense until the three finally meet. Brett uses the demons and magic to examine issues prevalent in our own society, such as religion versus science. The book is captivating and well written, quickly drawing readers in. The Warded Man is a must-read for anyone looking for a new fantasy world to explore.—Kelliann Bogan, Colby-Sawyer College, New London, NH

Adult/High School—Fourteen-year-old Jed is the son of an admired and respected preacher in Defiance, TX. His younger sister, Sissy, soulfully longs for a dog and, with a timid lisp, references Anne of Green Gables and The Velveteen Rabbit. His artistic mother writes daily notes and affirmations on the petals of stolen flowers. What the congregation doesn't realize, however, is that Jed's father is a violent, abusive, and controlling force who permeates his family's sense of self and safety. To further complicate Jed's formidable hardships, his friend Daisy Marie Chance has just disappeared from their small town after he neglected to walk her home. What follows are Jed's Sisyphean struggles to set things straight: protect his mother and Sissy, stand up to his tyrannical father, and find Daisy. His only—and possibly dishonest—companions are Daisy's "loose" and hardened mother, a quirky prophet, and an ex-cult member dying of cancer. Slightly troublesome here is the use of colloquialisms that start to sound too quaint in their frequent overuse. Further, there are a plethora of loose ends and a few awkward time lapses—but this is the first book in a proposed trilogy. Despite these challenges, the intrigue of Daisy Chain will have definite appeal to teen readers of Christian fiction, especially to boys who will appreciate Jed's perspective and attempts to rectify his faith with real life.—Shannon Peterson, Kitsap Regional Library, WA

Adult/High School—Readers are pulled into the mind of a teenage schizophrenic in this dark and intriguing novel. Will Heller believes that he alone holds the key to stopping climate change. One morning, he forgoes his medication and escapes from his "special school," beginning a journey through subterranean Manhattan looking for the right girl to help him save the world. On his heels are his mother and missing-persons detective Ali Lateef, both of whom want to find Will before, in his delusion, he hurts anybody. As he rides the rails, conversing with homeless women and prostitutes and fleeing from the police, Will describes his experiences and the events leading up to them in a kind of organized stream-of-consciousness, revealing the inner workings of a different type of brain. Scenery and emotions alike are described with vivid imagery, allowing readers to truly experience Will's journey. While the teen is at the center of the novel, the two adults who share his story are equally engaging. They are neither absent nor infallible. Comparisons to J. D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye (Little, Brown, 1951) or Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower (MTV, 1999) are inevitable: those drawn to damaged characters or seeking insight into a disturbed human psyche will be deeply affected by the chilling ending.—Karen E. Brooks-Reese, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA

Adult/High School—This guidebook for would-be Mars settlers is equal parts "Mars-humor" and science fiction (the narrator was born on Mars in 2071); a satire highly critical of NASA; and a Loompanics-flavored manifesto of rugged individualism. Fans of vintage Robert A. Heinlein, particularly The Rolling Stones (Del Rey, 1977), will feel right at home here as they enjoy descriptions of practical situations that might actually be encountered: air circulation technologies; choice of "habs"; pitfalls and scams that greenhorns should avoid. Enlivened by witty illustrations, the prose is both humorous and fact filled, with more technical and scientific information set aside in sections marked "Warning: High Science Content." Zubrin's presentation is clear and interesting but some might object that he puts no curbs on content like chemical recipes for explosives, and his Mars-based narrator's views are simplistic on complex Earth-based issues like global warming, bioengineering, and the value of government as a social contract. These topics could spark interesting classroom discussions. Valuable for teachers, this book is enjoyable and attractive for teens and will fascinate, provoke, and delight anyone interested in Mars and space settlement.—Christine C. Menefee, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library, VA

Adult/High School—Following in the footsteps of arguably the greatest traveler in history is no easy task. In accessible, lively text, and with more than 200 striking photographs, Belliveau and O'Donnell make the enormity of the task abundantly clear. The determined explorers follow the long and arduous route Marco Polo took more than 700 years ago, becoming the first to retrace the entire distance on land and sea. The dangers were many: sand storms in the Taklamakan desert, subzero temperatures in the mountain passes of Tajikistan, horribly rough seas off the coast of Sumatra, and suspicious, gun-wielding soldiers at nearly every border and everywhere in Afghanistan. Marco Polo faced many of these same obstacles, but one he did not have to confront was the ridiculous complexity of postmodern bureaucracy. The greatest roadblock to the success of the authors' expedition proved to be the red tape and outright hostility involved in securing visas for travel in Afghanistan, China, India, and especially Iran. The two Americans resorted to some clever, and dangerous, maneuvers to sidestep overly zealous (and gun-toting) officials. In the end, their persistence was well worth the effort. Like Marco Polo in the 13th century, Belliveau and O'Donnell in 1994–'95 witnessed amazing sights, met wonderfully gracious and helpful people, and learned countless valuable lessons. This lavish travelogue in the grand tradition of exotic exploration should find a place in all collections.—Robert Saunderson, formerly at Berkeley Public Library, CA

Adult/High School—The current student generation has never witnessed Leonard Bernstein's creative genius and masterful interpretations firsthand, but this tribute could stir many to seek out CDs, DVDs, and the Internet to hear and watch a master in action. As the title indicates, this is not a comprehensive biography; it focuses on Bernstein's Philharmonic years, his most productive. An introduction by Haws and a foreword by Burton Bernstein are followed by a succession of chapters, each written by a different author. These essayists, ranging from a music critic to an American historian, both reveal and explore a plethora of topics, including life in New York City during these years, Bernstein's music, his use of the relatively new medium of television to entertain and instruct, and his social activism. "A Brother's Recollection" follows, and it is this fusion of the professional and personal that makes this work stand out among other Bernstein biographies. It is also a visual treasure trove, chock-full of black-and-white photographs testifying to Bernstein's intensity, his devotion to his work, his joie de vivre, and his belief that the universality of music could make the world a better place. Those already familiar with Bernstein may discover an unknown aspect of his career or personality in this work. Others will be introduced to an innovative change agent, an indefatigable music advocate, and a true American Master, all personified in this "modern Renaissance man."—Dori DeSpain, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library, VA

Adult/High School—Hensley grew up in a remote Alaskan village in the early 1940s and eventually became a politician and lobbyist for Native affairs. He tells of living in a sod house with no electricity, running water, bed of his own, or medical or dental care, but of being lovingly cared for by his adoptive parents—and the whole village. His early education, conveyed through oral tradition and imbued with a deep reverence for nature, taught him the hunting and fishing skills needed for survival. In contrast, his education at the Bureau of Indian Affairs school endeavored to Americanize the students and to denigrate their heritage. Hensley later attended a Baptist boarding school in Tennessee where he was encouraged to assimilate into the Southern teen lifestyle of the time, further removing him from his beloved Inupiat heritage. With humor and pathos, the author describes his youthful experiences straddling two cultures. At George Washington University, he became interested in civil rights and advocated for Native causes. The frustrations of his people as they tried to maneuver the domestic, political, and corporate complexities of modern life in the then newly formed state are passionately revealed as Hensley details his membership in the National Congress of American Indians and the Alaskan House of Representatives. Students interested in civil rights and Alaskan history and culture will appreciate this work, as will readers of Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (Little, Brown, 2007).—Jackie Gropman, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library System, Fairfax, VA

Adult/High School—From the very first word of this spellbinding diary, readers are transported to Paris, June 1940, with a bright and articulate founder of the Resistance movement. An art historian, Humbert joined forces with her colleagues, creating and bravely distributing an underground newspaper they named Résistance. Through her detailed and intimate diary entries, the author gives a mesmerizing, day-to-day picture of the movement. After being betrayed to the Germans, she was put in a stark, cold cell in a French prison, where she was interrogated; she never betrayed her colleagues, several of whom, she learned, were executed. After many months, she was taken to a labor camp and forced to work for years in horrific conditions on starvation rations, with increasingly poor health. Humbert exhibited spirit, courage, and determination to resist the Germans, sabotaging whatever she was forced to make in the factories they turned into labor camps, never losing sight of her fellow prisoners' needs as she struggled to keep up hope and survive. After being liberated by the Americans, she put herself in charge of her former captors and helped the Americans deal with the initial horrors left by the Germans. The book includes a detailed appendix of documents on the Resistance and 32 pages of translator's notes that put the author's comments in historical context. Humbert's wit and bravery, her charisma, will draw teens into this remarkable account.—Ellen Bell, Amador Valley High School, Pleasanton, CA

Adult/High School—In 1957, Levittown, PA, was known as a remarkable suburb. It was built by the innovative Abe Levitt & Sons, who used the new mass-production techniques for a planned community that could be constructed quickly, included comfortable homes with state-of-the-art appliances, and was affordable for returning veterans. The covenants, however, implied that the community was for whites only, and this policy was backed up by Home Owners Loan Corporation. When Lew and Bea Wechsler, disillusioned Communists and civil rights advocates, decided to challenge this policy and help a black couple, Daisy and Bill Myers, move next door, mob violence immediately occurred, some of which was instigated by outsiders who were members of the KKK. This account centers on the background of the two families and their growing friendship as they endured vicious attacks by their neighbors and the apathetic protection of the police. It is also the story of the Levitt family: Abe, the brilliant and enterprising father; Bill, the egotistical, power-hungry, and controlling son; and his brother, Alfred, the gifted and unconventional architect. This story of a conflicted, fearful neighborhood is told against the wider background of the Civil Rights Movement and the fallout from McCarthyism. Students may know of Rosa Parks and Ruby Bridges and the students of Little Rock, AR. This courageous story is also one that should be heard.—Jackie Gropman, formerly at Fairfax County Public Library System, Fairfax, VA

Adult/High School—A must for any library, this important story tells of the myriad roles women played during the massive U.S. mobilization for World War II. Brilliantly illustrated with black-and-white photos, maps, and posters, and including a well-paced, articulate text based on careful research (the bibliography contains 150 valuable sources), this volume informs readers of an essential truth: victory in war requires effort from the whole population. Readers learn of the critical activities of women factory workers who, while facing discrimination from males, supplied the tools of war for the Arsenal of Democracy. Many women, furthermore, were in uniform, even instructing males in military arts. Noteworthy were the WASPS, who flew almost every airplane in the Army Air Forces inventory, towing targets for gunners to train on, demonstrating the capabilities of aircraft having hazardous reputations, and so on. More than 30 of these brave females died performing their vital missions, and all of them were discriminated against by the Army Air Forces and the chain of command above it until Congress passed legislation, only in 1977, providing earned benefits. Women served in uniform in all three services, in both combat theaters, and their contribution to victory was substantial. This marvelous history tells it all, including the entertainers who raised morale and the war correspondents who were as likely as male journalists to get as close to the fighting as permitted.—Alan Gropman, National Defense University, Washington, DC

Adult/High School—This edition includes new entries, works inadvertently omitted from the 1999 edition, corrections, and some revised opinions. It is arranged alphabetically by title beginning with A. Lincoln—A Story of His Joys and Sorrow and closes with Zoolander. Productions discussed include those in which Lincoln is the main character as well as those in which he makes an appearance or there is only a short reference to him. They present a variety of interpretations and most reflect the times in which they were made (1901–2007). Each entry includes the date of release, cast names, the studio or production company, and length, followed by a brief albeit thorough summary and commentary. Black-and-white photographs are scattered throughout. There is a helpful chronological listing of films and television productions and a 10-page index. This alpha presentation of nearly 300 works is an intriguing read and an informative reference tool. A welcome addition to the flood of Lincoln books in this bicentennial year.—Patricia Ann Owens, Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL

Adult/High School—This title explains how to make felt and includes 25 projects for necklaces, bangles, brooches, etc. The book is filled with detailed, eye-catching color photographs that will aid beginners and inspire the more accomplished felters. Most of the projects have four-page spreads with step-by-step directions. For novices who don't want to make their own fabric, there are projects using ready-made material from craft shops as well as felt made from recycled knitted items. Many of the finished pieces are embellished with beads, buttons, and stitching, so a basic knowledge of sewing would be helpful.—Jane Ritter, Mill Valley School District, CA

Adult/High School—This volume looks like those inviting, intriguing Library of Congress books in the Children's Room (presidents, Civil War, etc.) with a lot of photographs interspersed with just enough text. But it is really geared to older readers seeking extensive information, with illustrations. Drawing on the resources of "Hawai'i's archivists, curators, and librarians," especially the Hawaii War Records Depository, Simpson takes the approach of the islands becoming both a "war front and a home front." He offers extensive detail about the period in six chapters that have an array of sidebars and archival photographs (at least one per spread), with typewriter-style captions reminiscent of the 1940s. The scope is huge, covering Pearl Harbor, life for civilians, military maneuvers, the Red Cross, the problems Japanese Americans experienced, Admiral Nimitz, and much more. Many newspaper articles and full-color ads are reprinted, so the visuals are great. More than 20 pages of "wartime faces" (various military and civilian folk) are included toward the end. The index includes given names but not subjects, events, places, or themes. A goldmine for those interested in this aspect of World War II history, particularly Asian-American or Pacific Islander students.—Linda Beck, Indian Valley Public Library, Telford, PA

Adult/High School—St. John, a New York Times reporter, brought Clarkston, GA, to national attention in 2007 with a series of articles about the changes in the small Southern town brought about by an influx of refugees from all over the world. This book comes out of those articles. It gives more detail about the town and, most particularly, the three soccer teams composed of refugee boys (the Fugees) who were coached by Luma Mufleh, an American-educated Jordanian woman. The book is a sports story, a sociological study, a tale of global and local politics, and the story of a determined woman who became involved in the lives of her young charges. Keeping the boys in school and out of gangs, finding a place for them to practice, and helping their families survive in a new world all became part of her daily life. Engagingly written, this volume will appeal to fans of Larry Colton's Counting Coup (Grand Central, 2000), H. G. Bissinger's Friday Night Lights (HarperCollins, 1991), and Madeleine Blais's In These Girls, Hope Is a Muscle (Grand Central, 1996).—Sarah Flowers, formerly at Santa Clara County Library, CA

Adult/High School—Imagine reading an article in the New York Times about an obscure but talented South Carolina potter named Dave, who was a slave for most of his life, only to learn that your great-great-grandfather had owned him. Todd did just that and then began an involved, lengthy investigation to uncover the truth of his family's past. His book reads like a combination of Antiques Roadshow and History Detectives. Piecing together information gathered from local records, newspapers, family letters, and remaining pottery complete with encrypted verse, the author presents a window into what life was like for a literate slave who eventually became a free man. Photos give glimpses of the pottery. This book provides a real feel for a slave's life and experience. Reading about how often Dave was sold and had to restart his family, no matter how thoughtful his master believed he was being to him, along with the countless other indignities and injuries he suffered, will make a lasting impression on teens.—Joanne Ligamari, Twin Rivers United School District, Sacramento, CA

Adult/High School—Wolff allows that several factors are involved in achieving greatness, but his focus here is on the role of childhood education (roughly toddler to teen) in the success of 12 notable Americans, discussed chronologically from Benjamin Franklin to Elvis Presley. He examines the education, both in school and out, of Abigail Adams, Andrew Jackson, Sojourner Truth, Sarah Winnemucca, Henry Ford, W. E. B. Du Bois, Helen Keller, Rachel Carson, and John F. Kennedy. Employing a lively narrative style and impressive research, Wolff presents the interlocking stories that together form a brief history of what it means to be successful in this country. These individuals range from having no formal education to attending the best schools in the land, from having a reverence for book learning to having a reverence for tinkering, from facing enormous challenges to having specialized interests. But what they all hold in common is that they managed to learn what they needed to know, often against tremendous odds. All were consistently true to themselves and to their deepest interests. And from that starting point they pursued the particular education that best suited their needs. This provocative book is not only an important addition to the history of education in America, but also a valuable contribution to the history and understanding of the country's ideas and culture. It should appeal especially to those teens who wonder where their particular education might lead.—Robert Saunderson, formerly at Berkeley Public Library, CA