Drama High: Second Chance

Divine, L. Drama High: Second Chance.

New York: Kensington Publishing Corp. 2006. Print.

Annotation: This is the second book in the Drama High series. Jayd’s life continues to be filled with drama and it is only the second week of junior year. She is moving on from the fight with Trecee and her break up with KJ. More drama is on its way because her new love interest is a half-Jewish, rich white boy, Jeremy.

Booktalk: Can Jayd really put South Bay High School, a.k.a. Drama High behind her for even a couple of days? Jayd’s view of school quickly changes as starts hanging out with Jeremy. Jeremy is also a student at South Bay High School and dating him brings about many challenges since they are from different backgrounds and he is white and his parents are loaded. It may not hurt to have a rich boyfriend. It is quite and adjustment for both of their families. However, they are both willing to pursue a relationship regardless of other people's opinion. When Jayd’s crew gets word of their relationship, everyone seems to have their own thoughts on why their relationship won't last. This includes KJ, who is Jayd's ex-boyfriend. He is trying desperately to convince her to give him a second chance. But the drama continues, as her nemesis Misty just can't resist spreading more rumors about her. Misty causes trouble for Jayd’s new man by getting Jeremy in trouble and trying to impress KJ. Jayd has a lot on her plate; spiritually work for Mama, keeping up with her homework, not crossing the path of the prejudice Mrs. Bennett, and helping her girls understand her feelings about Jeremy. Jayd must use all her strength to be above the drama and decide if Jeremy can really be her new man. She is a Williams woman -and her grandmother says that means the drama will follow her wherever she goes. So it is just another day for Jayd at Drama High.

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Annie On My Mind

Garden, Nancy. Annie On My Mind

Farrar Straus Giroux, 1982. Print

Annotation: After meeting at a museum in New York a wonderful friendship develops. These two young women discover their attraction to one another and begin to fall in love. This is not without challenges and questions in their own minds and of the world around them.

Booktalk:

“There’s no need for us to pretend to be other people any more, ever again, is there Liza?” Annie said softly. My eyes stung suddenly and Annie touched the bottom lids with her finger, asking, “Why tears?” I kissed her finger. “Because I’m happy,” I said. “Because your saying that right now makes me happier than almost anything else could. No-there’s no need to pretend.”

Seventeen-year-old Liza first meets Annie at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. From Liza’s point of view she tells the development of their relationship of friendship and then the confusion that Liza feels over her new discovered sexuality. These two young people meet in what seems like completely different worlds. Liza attends a private school and has great expectations from her teachers, parents and herself and wants to attend MIT. Annie lives in a lower middle class family and is a talented vocalist who attends public school and hopes to attend college at the University of California, Berkley. Their story is an exploration of the friendship and first love between the two girls. Annie and Liza are both confused and struggle with the possibility that they might be gay or just in love.

Honors & Awards:

• ALA Best Books for Young Adults
• ALA/YALSA Best of the Best
• Booklist Best Booksellers' Choice
• ALA/YALSA 100 Best Books for YAs
• Margaret A. Edwards

http://www.nancygarden.com/books/teens.html

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The Chocolate War

Cormier, Robert. The Chocolate War

Panthoen Books, 1974. Print.

Annotation: Jerry Renault, a high school freshman seems the unlikely hero at his parochial school when he refuses to sell chocolates for the school fundraiser. But his hero status quickly fades to outcast and then victim from the abuses of power as Jerry takes a stand in what he believes in.

BookTalk: Can one freshman at Trinity, an all boy parochial high school really disturb the universe? Jerry is picked by the secret society of elite students, the Vigils to do his “assignment” for initiation. Jerry’s assignment doesn’t seem that bad, just refuse to sell boxes of chocolates for the first ten days of the school-wide fundraiser and then accept his share to sell. Brother Leon has the school committed to sell twice as many boxes and Jerry’s refusal gains unwanted attention. Day 10 arrives but Jerry decides he will continue to refuse to sell the chocolates. This puts Jerry taking a stand now with both the Vigils and Brother Leon. Jerry's simple refusal ends up having far-reaching, violent and unpleasant effects. No matter what the consequences, will Jerry continue to stand up for what he believes in? Does he dare continue to disturb the universe?

Honors & Awards:

• An ALA Best Books for Young Adults
• A School Library Journal Best Books of the Year
• A Kirkus Reviews Choice
• A New York Times Outstanding Books of the Year
• Margaret A Edwards Award

http://yalitgoodbadugly.wordpress.com/2009/05/12/the-chocolate-war-robert-cormier/

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