The Society of S

Hubbard, S. (2007). The Society of S. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Paperbacks.
ISBN-13: 9781416534570

•Plot Summary
Ari Montero has always had a different life than kids her own age. For one thing, her mother disappeared only a few days after she was born, and no one seems to know why. She's been home schooled due to her health, which borders on anemia, and her father has lupus. Still, for all that, Ari has always been happy with her father, and he's given her the best classical education available. She does not truly miss not having a television, jeans or the other things that most teens covet, at least not until she begins making friends with the housekeeper's children, especially Kathleen. The two girls become fast friends, both able to offer the other a piece of an existence never had before, and Ari becomes romantically linked to Kathleen's older brother, Michael. Everything goes smoothly, until Kathleen is murdered, and there aren't any likely suspects. The FBI has become involved in the investigation, because Kathleen had begun dressing differently, and was a participant in a live action role playing game with vampires and werewolves, and with young people that the authorities might be part of a cult. As a result, Ari and Michael can no longer speak freely, and Ari has a new need to understand her background. Her father, Raphael, is a vampire. Tales of coffins, shapeshifting, and stakes through the heart are nonsense. Being capable of invisibility is due to physics, not the supernatural, vampires simply having more control over their molecular composition than humans have. Their forgetting to lessen the effect results in their often being blurry, or absent, from mirrors or photographs. Vampires are each drawn to certain types of patterns, like paisley or stripes, some encountering a form of dyslexia around patterns to which they aren't attuned. They eat food, usually meats, and colors have individual scents. Shortly after his wedding, Ari's mother had encouraged him to go to England for his work, and he'd been turned by Malcolm, one of his colleagues. His own colleague, Dennis, had been with the family for years. Ari had believed him to only be her father's research assistant, working to create medical cures for blood diseases, but in fact helps her father keep his own condition a secret. Ari's mother, Sara, had had a difficult pregnancy, and Raphael had refused to make her a vampire. She would have been the only mortal, because she already knew Ari had inherited her father's condition. Excited by her new knowledge, Ari tracks her mother to Homossasa, FL, able to do so because her mother believes the letter "S" to be lucky-she always looked for the letter in her daily life as a sign. Sara has become a vampire, and explains that Malcolm made her into one, for agreeing to stay away from Raphael and Ari. She is a horse breeder and bee keeper, living in a town primarily composed of other vampires who live off commercial blood substitutes and food additives. News arrives that Ari's father is dead, which she does believe, and the two trace Raphael to Saratoga Springs. He has entered into new dealings with Malcolm, because Raphael (now known as Arthur Gordon Pym) wants to keep an eye on his maker, while Dennis pleads with Ari to make him a vampire too. Malcolm and Dennis had been the ones to smuggle Sara away, and for it, Raphael tells them both to leave. It's established that Malcolm murdered Kathleen, and he also tries to burn down the condo where Raphael and Ari are staying, despite being in love with Raphael. Sara returns to her regular home in order to retrieve her possessions, before the arrival of Hurricane Barry. The hurricane does wipe out much of the area, but Ari is reunited with her parents, whether or not they choose to become a couple once more. The FBI investigator on the case makes a visit, and Ari accomplishes throwing him off course, and embarks on keeping a journal of what it means to be a vampire.

•Critical Evaluation
Hard to make an objective evaluation of this novel. So much of what was written in it, spoke to me. I rarely read fiction, but when I do, it's almost always a novel of mystery or about vampires. The affinity for Poe, especially Annabelle Lee (which I used to construct my daughter's name), and several other of Raphael and Ari's favorites authors, is here. The fondness for the letter "S" is one I share, and use often in my own role playing game (online), due to my character's name. The loss of a mother at an early age, and not truly understanding the "whys" of the situation, especially knowing she is still alive-just not coming back. The attachment to bees, because my own name means "honeybee".

Still, the references to literature in this novel are many, and therefore make it more readable for younger teens of advanced learning, and older teens. The plot line is tight, and Ari is a smart girl, with good sense of self. The ethics of the family are sound, and this novel is the first in a series called "The Ethical Vampires" series.

•Reader’s Annotation
Suitable for readers that possess a solid background in literature, because many of the references that are used as plot ties, simply won't make sense without an understanding of the individual bodies of work.

•Information about the author
Susan Hubbard was born in New York, but currently lives in Florida with her husband. She is now a professor of creative writing at the University of Central Florida, and in 1999, won a Janet Heidinger Kafka Prize for best prose book by an American woman. In addition to her position at UCF, she had been given teaching awards from Syracuse and Cornell universities.

The sequel to The Society of S, The Year of Disappearances, was released in May 2008. A third volume in the series, entitled The Season of Risks, is scheduled to be released this year. Susan is part of the Anam Cara Writer's and Artist's Retreat, and will be teaching classes in Ireland this year as well.

•Genre
Fantasy

•Curriculum Ties
Biology
Folktales
Literature

•Booktalking Ideas
Vampires, literary references in teen fiction, physic's role in folklore

•Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 10-12/Ages 15-19

•Challenge Issues
N/A

•Why did you include this book in you’re the titles you selected?
This was one of the first books I picked up for this course, but one of the last I read. I think it's because I knew, somehow, that this one was going to be special (maybe with a capital "S"). The idea of a coming-of-age vampire story intrigued me. As someone who was appalled by the lack of real content (particularly literary or historical) in the "other teen vampire series", I was glad to see it present here.

Green Witch

Hoffman, A. (2010). Green Witch. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.
ISBN-13: 9780545141956

•Plot Summary
In the sequel to Green Angel, Hoffman brings us back into the world of Green. In the previous novel, Green reclaimed her name, and was astounded as her tattoos took on lives of their own. She helped her nearby neighbors cope, and kept them fed, but lost her love-the boy she called Diamond. In this book, Green sets out to record the stories of the villagers, and those in the city that lost their loved ones. She crafts special paper for each story, especially for a group of women that have been dubbed witches since the bombing, and those papers are magically transformed.

When she discovers that Heather, her former schoolmate and a girl she tried to help after the disaster, is alive, and trapped by the ones responsible for the bombing, she also goes on a rescue mission. Aided by Heather's younger brother, Green saves some of her own people, those of the terrorist that rebelled against the methods their leaders were using, and Diamond.

•Critical Evaluation
A fantastic sequel. Green grows, and we're privileged to watch her story unfold. She's bright, and has a new serenity that was lacking in the chaos of the first book. During the rescue, she is a cool customer, and afterward, something of a mother figure to her new family.

•Reader’s Annotation
Whereas much of Green Angel was about destruction, and the seeds of possibility, Green Witch is about growth.

•Information about the author
Alice Hoffman was born in New Jersey in 1952, and was an avid actress in school plays until the age of 20, when she discovered writing. She received a B.A. in English and Anthropology from Adelphi University, and an M.A. in creative writing. By the age of 25, she has written her first novel, Of Property.

She has written for several television series, published almost twenty-five novels for adults, hand six novels in the young adult genre. Her novels are based primarily on historical or paranormal themes. She lived in New York City from 1983 to 2003, but currently lives with her husband and children in Boston.


•Genre
Fantasy

•Curriculum Ties
Current events

•Booktalking Ideas
Terrorism, crafts (specialty papers), planting

•Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 8-12/Ages 13-18

•Challenge Issues
N/A

•Why did you include this book in you’re the titles you selected?
Again, Hoffman was my author for the study and genre paper, but I just enjoy her books. Green Witch is a perfect sequel, lacking none of the charm that was present in the first book.

Green Angel

Hoffman, A. (2010). Green Angel. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.
ISBN-13: 9780545204118

•Plot Summary
When Green's family goes to the city to sell the vegetables grown in their village garden, Green is left at home to further work the land, a fact she resents until she witnesses the city being bombed. Made partially blind by the rain of embers and ash in the air, she renames herself Ash as she struggles to survive in a house alone. Confronted by theft, and unable to drag herself out of her depression, she hides under a table with the family dog. Eventually, she pulls herself out, cuts off all her hair, places nails in her shoes, and thorns on her father's old cloak in order to trade with the locals. She tattoos thorns, bats, and other dark creatures on her body with pins and ink, the marks eventually evolving into sprouting roses as she helps her neighbors, local children, and mute boy she names Diamond, readjust to the world around them.

•Critical Evaluation
Green begins as a questionable character, but blossoms into one that is truly astounding. With its pointed allusions to the events of 9/11, this small book contains a marvelous heroine, and does not succumb to over emotional jargon to convey the lives of people trying to learn to live again after the deaths of their friends and family.

•Reader’s Annotation
Green is fifteen when the book begins, but makes a good role model for teen girls of any age. Characterizations are solid, and believable.

•Information about the author
Alice Hoffman was born in New Jersey in 1952, and was an avid actress in school plays until the age of 20, when she discovered writing. She received a B.A. in English and Anthropology from Adelphi University, and an M.A. in creative writing. By the age of 25, she has written her first novel, Of Property.

She has written for several television series, published almost twenty-five novels for adults, hand six novels in the young adult genre. Her novels are based primarily on historical or paranormal themes. She lived in New York City from 1983 to 2003, but currently lives with her husband and children in Boston.


•Genre
Fantasy

•Curriculum Ties
Current events

•Booktalking Ideas
Terrorism, mourning

•Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 8-12/Ages 13-18

•Challenge Issues
N/A/

•Why did you include this book in you’re the titles you selected?
I wrote my author and genre study on Alice Hoffman, and this was one of her teen titles, but I would have included it anyway. It's a small book, but has huge impact, and the whole story is brilliant. Hoffman has a way of expressing even the saddest of events in a way that is bold, and grabs you.

The Boy Who Couldn't Die

Sleator, W. (2006). The Boy Who Couldn't Die. New York, NY: Amulet Books.
ISBN-13: 9780810987906

•Plot Summary
Just two weeks ago, Ken's best friend (Roger) died in a plane crash. Now Ken is terrified of dying as well, and is determined to become invulnerable. Meeting with Cheri Buttercup in her New York apartment, he pays her fifty dollars to make it so that he can never die. Almost immediately, Ken starts having odd, graphic dreams. He doesn't know what they mean, but has managed to not be burned by a pot taken straight from the oven or have anything broken after being attacked by the school bully and his friends for taking the guy's girlfriend (Kaitlin) out on a date. He notices that food now lacks most flavor, and he doesn't derive real satisfaction from anything anymore, but hears about a shark attack near St. Calao and is determined to come face to face with one himself. Convincing his parents to take the trip, the trio journey to the island, where Ken and his father take lessons to earn their diving certification. Once Ken has his certificate, he goes farther into the water than he is supposed to, and finds his shark. Yet, he had not planned on one of the diving instructors, a girl his own age (Sabine), following him. The shark tries to bite his leg off, but is unsuccessful, and Ken must explain to Sabine the truth about his meeting with Cheri. Horrified, Sabine explains that Ken has been duped, that Cheri has made him an astral zombie using voodoo magic of a bad kind. Equally worried now, Ken goes to meet with Cheri when he returns to New York, but finds out she wants fifty thousand dollars to return his soul to him. Knowing there is no way for him to get that kind of money, even with his wealthy parents involved, he consults Sabine via email. She has already told him to take something personal, but not magical, from Cheri's apartment. Together, the two make a plan based on dreams Ken has had, finding the location where his soul may be kept. They travel to the Adirondack Mountains, and must dive into a frozen lack in order to infiltrate the cave where Cheri has hidden Ken's soul. Ken has had another dream, and realizes that the innkeeper (Mrs. Harding) where they are staying is also one of Cheri's zombies, one that tries to attack Sabine in the middle of the night. She is thwarted by Sabine, but the time is running out, and they find that they guardian awaiting them in the cave is Roger. Successful in pinning the chain binding him, to the wall, they begin to search all the bottles Cheri has hidden in the cave. Their air tanks are running out of oxygen, and when Ken locates his soul in a Calvin Klein perfume bottle, he is as vulnerable as Sabine. They slowly ascend, and are concerned when they realize they have to remain another night at the inn. Ken awakens at 4 am, wondering why Mrs. Harding hasn't tried to attack again-Cheri believes she still has his soul, because it is still in the bottle. After searching the house, they realize the Hardings are gone, and that they were only present on an astral level. Like Ken, they have been doing Cheri's bidding, only as a pair. After a delay in their return due to snow in New York, Ken and Sabine call his mother. Cheri has put in a call claiming that she has Ken in her possession, and has demanded one hundred thousand dollars for his return. Plotting with Ken's dad, although his parents just believe he was gullible and convinced his soul was taken, the pair involve the police. People have claimed before that they were forced to commit murders, then disappeared before the police could do anything about it. Believing Ken must know what he is doing, it is agree that Ken's father will leave a briefcase of "money" for Cheri to pick up. Just as Cheri emerges, so do two Kens, the one released from the bottle fusing with the physical version. Cheri is arrested, and receives a life sentence, not to mention a restriction from the other voodoo practitioners for her work as a bokor (practitioner of bad voodoo magic). Ken and Sabine, along with his parents, return to the cave when Summer arrives. They must free Roger, as well as the other zombies. When they reach the cave, Roger is gone, replaced by a man Ken had killed early on in a dream. He fights with Sabine, and pieces begin to fit together. Sabine is a zombie as well, also of the astral variety, and now Ken must wonder if a whole human can ever love a zombie.

•Critical Evaluation
Swift, clever novel, only occasionally mired down by too much description of things such as money spent on Ken's trip, and similar situations. Were Ken's parents not wealthy, the actual circumstances would have been very different, as much of the story does hinge on Ken's easy access to funds.

•Reader’s Annotation
Suitable for all teens. Nothing to violent or graphic, and language is mild.

•Information about the author


•Genre
Fantasy

•Curriculum Ties
Religion
Social Science

•Booktalking Ideas
Voodoo, zombies

•Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 9-12/Ages 14-18

•Challenge Issues
N/A

•Why did you include this book in you’re the titles you selected?
This novel seemed to have an imaginative plot, and a lot of action.

Twilight

Meyers, S. (2005). Twilight. New York, NY: Little, Brown, and Company.
ISBN-10: 0316160172

· Plot Summary
When Bella Swan's mother remarries, this time choosing a minor league baseball player, Bella decides to move back in with her father so that her mother can go on the road with her new husband. A lover of sun, and having been living in Phoenix, Bella is ill prepared for the cold, rain, and snow of Forks, Washington. As the new girl, she becomes immediately popular, but is more interested in the local Cullen family than anything else. This is especially true of Edward Cullen, with whom Bella has a tumultuous relationship at the onset, but with whom she falls in love by the end of this first installment of the teen series. Edward's secret, and the reason he cannot stay away from Bella are intertwined, the Cullens being a family of vegetarian vampires. Bella's mother is supposedly kidnapped by the leader of a gang of non vegetarian vampires that come to the area, and when the Cullens kill the leader to save Bella, it sets off a chain of events that will go through into the next novel.

· Critical Evaluation
Even as a teen novel, this one could have been much better with small additions to the content, and had Meyer's writing style been more developed. Instead, her writing is simplistic, and her heroine goes from being her mother's self-proclaimed guardian and protector, to someone that can barely think for herself.

· Reader’s Annotation
Not recommended for teens that might have self esteem issues. Bella is not a strong central character, and Edward comes across as something of a control freak/emo.

· Information about the author
Stephenie Meyer was one of five children, and born two days before Christmas of 1974, in Hartford, CT. Like Bella, however, she grew up in AZ, and attended Chaparral High School in Scottsdale. She received a B.A. in English from Brigham Young University in 1997, and is a member of the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints. She and her husband, Christian, have three sons.

The Twilight series was the result of a dream Meyer had about a girl in love with a vampire that thirsted for her blood. The dream would become something more, when Meyer's sister insisted she submit the draft she'd written in just under three months, to literary agents. Before becoming an author, Meyer had only ever worked as a receptionist, but for 2008 and 2009 could claim to be the biggest selling author worldwide. Time magazine named Meyer one of its "Most Influential People of 2008". Currently, two of the Twilight series novels have been made into films.

· Genre
Fantasy, Fiction

· Curriculum Ties
Popular Reads

· Booktalking Ideas

· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 8-9/Ages 15-16

· Challenge Issues
Some parents might have issues with the vampire content in the novel, as many of these types are deeply embedded with sex or sexual overtones. Meyers has intentionally stayed away from that type of material. I think more serious debate should be had over Bella as a heroine, a sixteen year old that loses her ability to think for herself, when a one hundred and seven year old vampire falls in love with her. Edward reads as more of a supplemental father figure to Bella's own father, Charlie, who is unused to having a teenage daughter in his house. This increases throughout the series, and problems such as actual mind control, possible near suicide attempts, teen pregnancy, etc enter into the books by the end.

· Why did you include this book in you’re the titles you selected?
I included this novel, because a friend gave me a gift certificate to a local bookstore, and I wanted to know if these novels would be suitable for my daughter at a later age.