Adult Books for High School Students

Adult/High School—Max and Owen have just pulled off another "show" at an upscale dinner party, one of many they stage each summer, fencing the jewels and banking the cash they receive as "payment" to live on the rest of the year. Uncle Max, a Shakespeare-quoting gentleman thief in myriad disguises, mysteriously showed up to raise Owen after he was orphaned at age 10 in a car crash. Eight years later, the boy is finishing out the season, after which he wants to become an honest actor and begin studies at Julliard. They are joined by the beautiful Sabrina, daughter of a safecracker Max once knew in prison, and whom Owen has just saved from her bullying, ex-policeman, Jesus-loving boyfriend. When the ruthless Subtractors, who are rumored to remove body parts as they try to extract information, get wind of Max and Owen's last big heist, they follow them to steal the loot. Blunt presents readers with a well-crafted plot and lovable, eccentric characters who are magnetizing from page one. Teens will fall in love with this handsome, insightful 18-year-old and his questionable girlfriend, and will be charmed by this quirky, fast-paced tale.—Ellen Bell, Amador Valley High School, Pleasanton, CA

Adult/High School—When a stranger shows up dying in her family's cucumber patch in the middle of the night, 11-year-old Flavia de Luce expands her interests from chemistry and poisons to sleuthing and local history. The youngest of a reclusive widower's three daughters, Flavia is accustomed to independence and takes delight in puzzles and "what if's." She is well suited to uncovering the meaning of the dead snipe left at the kitchen door, the story behind the bright orange Victorian postage stamps, and—eventually—the identity of the murderer and his relationship to the dying man. Bradley sets the protagonist on a merry course that includes contaminating her oldest sister's lipstick with poison ivy, climbing the bell tower of the local boys' school, and sifting through old newspapers in the village library's outbuilding. Flavia is brave and true and hilarious, and the murder mystery is clever and satisfying. Set in 1950, the novel reads like a product of that time, when stories might include insouciance but relative innocence, pranks without swear words, and children who were not so overscheduled or frightened that they couldn't make their way quite nicely in chatting up the police or the battle-shocked family retainer. Mystery fans, Anglophiles, and science buffs will delight in this book and may come away with a slightly altered view of what is possible for a headstrong girl to achieve.—Francisca Goldsmith, Halifax Public Libraries, Nova Scotia

Adutl/High School—Henry Lee is a 12-year-old Chinese boy who falls in love with Keiko Okabe, a 12-year-old Japanese girl, while they are scholarship students at a prestigious private school in World War II Seattle. Henry hides the relationship from his parents, who would disown him if they knew he had a Japanese friend. His father insists that Henry wear an "I am Chinese" button everywhere he goes because Japanese residents of Seattle have begun to be shipped off by the thousands to relocation centers. This is an old-fashioned historical novel that alternates between the early 1940s and 1984, after Henry's wife Ethel has died of cancer. A particularly appealing aspect of the story is young Henry's fascination with jazz and his friendship with Sheldon, an older black saxophonist just making a name for himself in the many jazz venues near Henry's home. Other aspects of the story are more typical of the genre: the bullies that plague Henry, his lack of connection with his father, and later with his own son. Readers will care about Henry as he is forced to make decisions and accept circumstances that separate him from both his family and the love of his life. While the novel is less perfect as literature than John Hamamura's Color of the Sea (Thomas Dunne, 2006), the setting and quietly moving, romantic story are commendable.—Angela Carstensen, Convent of the Sacred Heart, New York City

Adult/High School—In this second book featuring Chief Inspector Mario Silva, Gage takes readers back to the scene of the original crimes, the gritty streets of São Paulo. The story begins with the discovery of a human bone by a dog out walking with his owner, and Inspector Silva and his team are called in to investigate. This innocent opening soon spirals into a bizarre and creepy investigation fraught with corruption, human-organ theft, and a cemetery's worth of victims. The sweaty, inherently shady backdrop of Brazil's largest city is a fabulous setting for the mystery. The book is characterized by deadpan dialogue and prose that has an almost film noir feel. The simple but riveting style makes this a page-turner and stands in stark contrast to the brutal murders and long trail of dead bodies. Fans of Gage's first Silva mystery will enjoy this one just as much, and it can also be read as a stand-alone title. It's a great example of classic good-versus-evil storytelling, with lots of guts, gore, forensic detail, and intrigue along the way.—Caitlin Fralick, Ottawa Public Library, Ontario

Adult/High School—A man is killed in Nepal, and seemingly unrelated murders are committed in Bratislava, Ukraine, and Geneva. To Police Commander Jana Matinova, it begins to look as if they are all part of a multinational conspiracy. Various clues, including a diamond she finds hanging in her living room, lead to her childhood friend, now a Member of Parliament. Jana was a good friend when Sofia was traumatized at age 12, an event involving a prominent government official, the same official who now seems deeply involved with the current conspiracy. Jana becomes romantically involved with Peter, a handsome member of the attorney general's office whose loyalties she begins to question. Jana is logical and perceptive with superb deductive reasoning, putting her on a par with Jeffery Deaver's Lincoln Rhyme and Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta. Genelin's characters are true to life, and the story is well crafted, with all the twists and turns of the best detective fiction. The sometimes-stilted writing style causes the story to read like a translation at times, which adds positively to the Eastern European ambience. Jana's forays into Ukraine and Austria from Bratislava, where most of the novel takes place, ring true culturally and geographically. Teens will especially relate to the friendship thread as well as to the romance, and of course to the element of danger.—Ellen Bell, Amador Valley High School, Pleasanton, CA

Adult/High School—Single mother Grace dotes on four-year-old Sylvie. However, the child's behavioral issues, such as her intense fear of water, screaming fits, night terrors, and unusual social responses, are getting worse. After a meltdown causes Sylvie to get kicked out of her preschool, Grace doesn't know where to turn, until she reads about Adam Winters and the Psychic Institute in a magazine. Adam is a researcher who, among other things, studies troubled children to see if they are experiencing traumas from a past life. Using clues Sylvie has given her—a picture of a coastal Irish town, her fear of water—Adam and Grace manage to find out what may be the source of Sylvie's troubles. Despite a ghostly feel, the book isn't scary so much as mysterious in the way of old gothics like those of Victoria Holt. It unfolds slowly, but somewhat predictably, just like life in the Irish seaside setting. There is quite a bit of suspension of disbelief, much of it based on handy coincidences rather than the past-life angle. However, those who like Victorian gothics will enjoy getting to know Sylvie and Grace.—Jamie Watson, Harford County Public Library, MD

Adult/High School—Disguises, deceit, and double-crossing abound in this barn burner of a first volume of an epic fantasy. Fifteen-year-old Pazel, the son of a disgraced traitor, finds a position as a lowly lad-of-all-work aboard the mighty ship Chathrand, which is bearing newly appointed ambassador Isiq to his post, and Isiq's 16-year-old daughter, willful Thasha, to her arranged marriage with a foreign prince. Also onboard are a band of conspirators plotting to use Thasha's wedding as an excuse to start a devastating war. As Pazel and Thasha realize that danger is brewing around them, they put their heads together to find a way to avert the impending catastrophe. But whom can they trust, when everyone seems to be hiding secrets: the clan of foot-high warriors, despised as "crawlies," who have stowed away for purposes of their own; mysterious Dr. Chadfellow; mild-mannered soap merchant Mr. Ket; a talking rat? What's more, an elderly duchess's cat inexplicably keeps showing up at the most inopportune of times, and one of the passengers or crew is the powerful and evil mage they have been warned against. Mermaids, assassins, pirates, and slavers join the cast of characters as Pazel and Thasha peel away the layers of evil surrounding them, with the result that they face a danger greater than they had imagined. Like many epic fantasies, this book starts slowly, but teens will soon be engrossed in the battle of good versus evil as the protagonists and their allies take on this cunning lot of villains.—Sandy Schmitz, Berkeley Public Library, CA

Adult/High School—Each book includes 50 profiles of prominent figures as well as discussions of 10 major concepts. Medicine discusses "Ancients," "The Body," "Disease," "Pharmacologists," and "Practitioners." People profiled include Hippocrates, Henry Gray, Marie Curie, and Sigmund Freud, and larger topics covered include animal experimentation and a look at cells. Law is divided according to "Early Lawgivers and Law"; "Legal Innovators and Consolidators"; "Jurists, Jurisprudence, and Justice Thinkers"; "Founders of International Law"; and "Renowned Trial Lawyers." Individuals profiled include King William I, Thomas Jefferson, Jeremy Bentham, and Thurgood Marshall. Among the key legal issues examined are separation of powers and natural rights. Profiles have a one-line summary followed by the person's name and a paragraph that provides a quick overview of the individual's most famous contributions. Several paragraphs follow, providing a more in-depth look at the person's life. Each entry also includes a side box with birth and death dates and a sentence on the individual's importance. Some profiles include charts or diagrams that help to explain the person's contribution or discovery. Key concepts also begin with a paragraph that gives a brief overview of the idea and then delves into a more elaborate explanation. All of the entries are clear and concise. These books are good starting places for research.—Kelliann Bogan, Colby-Sawyer College, New London, NH

Adult/High School—Expository writing should always be this compelling, provocative, and intelligent. Biss explores race in America through multiple lenses, examining common issues through uncommon situations and events. She flawlessly weaves present-day experiences with historical research to create 13 essays that combine narrative appeal with fascinating facts. In "Time and Distance Overcome," the telephone pole is used to juxtapose lynching with technological intrusions and advancements. "Back to Buxton" examines the successes, sorrows, and current implications of a racially integrated mining camp in the early 1900s. The book closes with "All Apologies," which explores both the significance and opposing insignificance of national and personal statements of apology. Biss has a talent for pointing out hypocrisy without accusations. Her ability to expose seemingly subtle inequities and injustices forces readers to analyze their own actions, decisions, and relationships. Teens will find this collection both accessible and challenging, and English and social-studies teachers will find multiple ways to use these essays to enhance instruction. Whether students examine the author's craft or analyze historical and social relationships, many will take pleasure in seeing the world through a unique and refreshing perspective.—Lynn Rashid, Marriotts Ridge High School, Marriottsville, MD

Adult/High School—Reveling in failure is the order of the day in this collection of essays. Some pieces are about relationships, as in Sarah Schaefer's "Jared," which describes a love affair and traumatizing breakup, conducted strictly via 11th-grade note writing. Others involve poor career choices, such as Kristen Schaal's account of time spent as a lackluster pink-haired, pink-sunglasses-wearing Miss Peppermint Twist in the F.A.O. Schwartz Sweet Shop. And many of the contributors describe creative endeavors that for one reason or another didn't quite make the cut. These are the meat of the collection, as a who's who in comedy share the work they forced themselves to do to make ends meet, thought they could pull off for easy cash, wasn't timely enough, or wasn't funny. Members of The Kids in the Hall get booed off stage and fistfight on, and writers from SNL's Weekend Update, The State, and The Onion, among many others, share snicker-inducing bits that perished in production or under an editor's red pen. For the mass amount of denial found here, Rejected is surprisingly lighthearted and inspiring. There's something satisfying in unearthing seriously cringe-worthy work or memories of some of the best and the brightest in comedy. There's also relief in realizing that some quality endeavors were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Teens will check out this one for its star contributors and their humor, and appreciate it for its realism and sincerity.—Shannon Peterson, Kitsap Regional Library, WA

Adult/High School—This small book lays out a strategy for successful networking and socializing through a series of simple tips related to a wide array of common business and social situations. The author offers up hundreds of conversation starters designed to elicit thoughtful responses from acquaintances, colleagues, and even complete strangers. Her underlying technique is to ask open-ended questions and to encourage others to talk about themselves. While this book will prove most useful to individuals seeking to overcome introverted tendencies, even expert conversationalists will find useful suggestions for dealing with difficult situations. Written in a simple and engaging style, this practical guide is filled with real-world scenarios depicting job interviews, family gatherings, dating, and funerals. Teens will enjoy role-playing the sample conversations and will develop skills to help them assess a variety of interactions.—Heidi Dolamore, San Mateo County Library, CA

Adult/High School—Frostbite, hunger, infection, and death plague the explorers in this collection of 12 harrowing adventures. The stories range from the familiar epic of Shackleton's 1914 voyage to the amazing two-man trek in 1992 by Mike Stroud and Ranulph Fiennes across the Antarctic. Primarily written in the first person, some of the accounts are diary excerpts and others are selections from previously published memoirs. In some cases the writing is stark and mundane, making some of the accounts more accessible than others. However, readers who enjoy feeling like they are part of the moment will appreciate the effort and discipline it must have taken to meticulously record the expedition while enduring such harsh and threatening conditions. Whether the explorers are facing surprise storms, nursing injuries from falls into crevasses, or eating their sled dogs to stay alive, they all fight the urge to abandon their expeditions. In the end, some are rewarded with immense personal accomplishment, fame, and prestige while others are lucky to survive and get the chance to apply the lessons of failure to future attempts. Teens interested in survival stories will find several inspiring examples here. In addition, teachers may find value in using selections from this collection to illustrate and compare different types of nonfiction writing styles.—Lynn Rashid, Marriotts Ridge High School, Marriottsville, MD

Adult/High School—This superb collection of more than 200 letters ranges widely in time, subject matter, and language, and as a unit it adds immeasurably to the singular story of a people, expressing in the most intimate terms the hopes, fears, struggles, tragedies, and triumphs of African Americans. From slavery to post-9/11, from Phillis Wheatley to Barack Obama, the book gathers correspondence from politicians, writers, and academics, as well as slaves, sharecroppers, servicemen, and domestic workers. Many well-known names are included: Martin Luther King, Jr., Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois, Zora Neale Hurston, Alice Walker. But the most moving entries are the barely literate and astonishingly painful pleas for family, and for simple justice, by otherwise nameless individuals of the Jim Crow era. Here are people with no hope left other than the belief that death will bring the reunion in Heaven of husband and wife, mother and son. The letters are arranged chronologically within broad subject areas such as family, courtship and romance, and politics and social justice. Each section has a brief introduction by Newkirk, just enough to set the stage. There are 16 pages of well-chosen black-and-white photographs, mostly portraits and samples of correspondence. By far, the strength of this volume lies in the indispensable glimpse it provides into the hearts and minds of strong, resilient Americans.—Robert Saunderson, formerly at Berkeley Public Library, CA

Gr 7 Up—Black, Latino, Asian-American, and American-Indian artists, writers, activists, and scholars are quoted in this striking collection. Living in the United States as minorities, these individuals reveal unique perspectives on contemporary American life. Nguyen freely admits in the foreword that this is a subjective collection, a fact that becomes clearer with each passing page. The entries are arranged by subject: "Roots," "Selves," "Relationship," "Work and Play," "Making Change," and "Inner Visions," categories that are further subdivided into sections such as "Education" and "Gender" in "Selves." Despite the fact that many of the quotes contain themes of struggle, disappointment, and pain, the selections are woven into a string of exquisite prose. The lack of an index is somewhat disappointing, but reading the book a section at a time is an enjoyable and thought-provoking experience.—Ivy Miller, Wyoming Seminary Upper School, Kingston, PA

Adult/High School—In the format used in three previous field guides, Sobey once again provides easily digestible explanations of everyday things that are often taken for granted. In straightforward, nontechnical, often witty prose, he helps readers identify items on, inside, and under the car, as well as under the hood, and explains what they do and why. He also painlessly reviews a few principles of science and mechanics here and there. The 130 entries range from basic to complex, from bumper and windshield to differential and constant velocity joint boot. They are all accompanied by serviceable black-and-white photos to help readers identify the items under discussion. Perhaps the most enjoyable feature of the book is the inclusion of interesting facts for most of the entries. For example, at the end of the brief discussion concerning speedometers, readers are told that the first speeding ticket was given in 1896 to a driver in Great Britain who was guilty of zooming along at eight miles per hour in a two-mile-an-hour zone. Most of the material concerns passenger vehicles, but there are also sections on off-road vehicles, motorcycles, buses, and human-powered conveyances.—Robert Saunderson, formerly at Berkeley Public Library, CA

Adult/High School—Uhlberg fondly recounts stories of Brooklyn during the Great Depression and World War II in this memoir of his childhood. He grew up with the beautiful, expressive signs of his father and the equally beautiful spoken language of the hearing world. At a young age, the active, mischievous boy gained the responsibility of acting as translator for his father and sometimes as shield from the often-cruel hearing adults in a less politically correct time. In addition, his younger brother was diagnosed with epilepsy, a misunderstood disease at that time. Uhlberg's emotions toward his family, and especially his father, run the gamut from embarrassment to anger to a deep and abiding love. Sections titled "Memorabilia" pepper the narrative, and many black-and-white photographs are scattered throughout this rich, textured portrait of the deaf community on Coney Island at a turbulent time in U.S. history. Teens who enjoy history, historical fiction, memoirs, or books about people who are differently abled should all enjoy this.—Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI