Module 3: Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Murdock, Catherine Gilbert. 2006. Dairy queen. Boston: Graphia. ISBN-13 978-0-618-86335-8

Fifteen- (almost sixteen)-year-old D.J. Swhenk finds the summer before her junior year filled with working her parents’ dairy farm (as her dad recovers from hip surgery) and unexpectedly training Brian Nelson, a Hawley quarterback, to get ready for the up-coming football season. D.J. lives in Red Bend, Wisconsin, and Brian plays for Hawley, which happens to be Red Bend’s major football rival. Brian’s coach, who happens to be a Swhenk family friend, sends Brian to D.J. for summer training, and at first, Brian seems like a spoiled, lazy, complaining rich kid—totally different from D.J. However, as the summer progresses and D.J. begins to take her role as trainer seriously, D.J. and Brian strike up a truce, then a friendship, and then a budding romance. But all that is put in jeopardy when D.J. realizes how deeply she loves the game of football and decides to go out for the Red Bend high school boy’s football team, which will pit her against Brian. Will D.J.’s decision destroy her friendship and possible romance with Brian? How will her family react? What about D.J.’s friend Amanda who resents her relationship with Brian and is not too happy about her going out for football? Can D.J. achieve her dream of making the football team without destroying all the relationships in her life? Read Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock and find out.

Spoilers ahead. Dairy Queen fits into the Adventure-Sport’s genre category. First of all, the adventure novel tends to have characters undergo a crisis or an ordeal. In this novel, protagonist D.J. undergoes many ordeals. For example, she has to deal with the crisis of living in a family where no one talks, her older brothers are estranged from the family, her younger brother Curtis refuses to talk, and D.J.’s father is recovering from an injured hip so she has to take on the brunt of the physical labor. Thus, she flunks sophomore English and has to drop out of sports. Add to that. she finds out her best friend Amanda is gay and thinks she has been dating D.J. for years while D.J. has been totally clueless and has been developing an interest in her former enemy Brian Nelson.

Another way in which this book fits into the Adventure-Sport’s genre is the wish fulfillment elements to this story. For example, D.J. wishes to make the boy’s high school football team, and she succeeds. She also desires for her family to talk more and become less dysfunctional, and some of this does occur by the end of the book.

A third way in which this novel epitomizes the Adventure genre is through D.J.’s ability to show physical and mental accomplishments. We see D.J. take on the chores of running her family’s dairy farm, which is a job that her father and two older brothers used to do. We also see her successfully train Brian Nelson, and as a result become so physically fit that she is able to try out and make the high school football team. D.J. also shows mental strength by learning how to overcome her fears of what her family and friends may think of her trying out for football and doing it any way.

Readers who appreciate strong female protagonists, humorous dialogue, and football will enjoy this book. A 2008 School Library Journal review says this of the book: “Wry narrations and brisk sports scenes bolster the pacing, and D.J.’s tongue-tied nature and self-deprecating inner monologues contribute to the novel’s many belly laughs.” Murdock has created a story that will capture the hearts of teens and even inspire them to work hard in their own lives and go after their dreams. Murdock deals realistically with family drama, a teen girl’s angst that includes trying to figure out her feelings for Brian Nelson, and just navigating her way through life.

This is a good book for teachers and school librarians to recommend for independent reading and is also a book that could be used in assigned literature circles that are reading sport’s-themed books. The target group for this book is teen girls, “girls who, like D.J., aren’t “girly-girls” but just girls, learning to be comfortable in their own skins” (School Library Journal, April 2008).

Book Cover Art found at Barnes&Noble:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Dairy-Queen/Catherine-Murdock/e/9780618863358/?itm=1&USRI=dairy+queen

Module 3: I'd Tell You I Love You, but Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter

Carter, Ally. 2006. I’d tell you I love you, but then I’d have to kill you. New York: Hyperion Paperbacks. ISBN-13 978-142310004-1

Meet Cammie Morgan, aka The Chameleon. Cammie is a 15-year old student at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, but this academy is no ordinary girl’s private school, and Cammie is no ordinary high school student. Gallagher Academy is an undercover spy training school for girls, and Cammie is a spy-in-the-making. Since Cammie’s mother is the Headmistress of the Academy, and Cammie’s father died in the line of duty as a spy, Cammie is a legacy student who is under pressure to make the grade in spy school. Unfortunately, Cammie’s sophomore year has some unexpected complications. First, she has to deal with her new Covert Operations teacher Mr. Solomon, who does not seem to like her. Throw in an unexpected romance with clueless civilian boy Josh Abrams, and watch Cammie’s sophomore year of school turn into a balancing act as she attempts to lead a double life as a spy and as a regular girl with hottie Josh Abram as a boyfriend. Will Cammie successfully be able to pull this venture off and still pass Covert Operations 101? Read I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You by Ally Carter and find out.

Ally Carter’s I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You is a fun adventure story for YAs. If you are the type of reader who enjoys light-hearted spy capers, then this is the book for you. This book clearly falls into the adventure genre. Like the YA Adventure-Mystery genre, this book expects you to suspend disbelief to a high degree. Probably the most appealing elements of this novel are the fun capers that Cammie and her friends embark on as they train to be spies and sneak Cammie out of Gallagher Academy to rendezvous with her new boyfriend Josh. Author Ally Carter also presents the storyline in a clever way by having Cammie narrate the story in first person, but also ever so often making the reader believe that Cammie’s narration is part of an Operations report that will be read by her mother, the Headmistress of the school. Pop culture aficionados will chuckle at Carter’s allusions to pop culture, such as a recurring allusion to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. An August 2006 School Library Journal review says this book has a “unique plot, snappy dialogue, and Cammie’s wry asides maintain the interest” of the audience. However, if you like your books with some depth, fully developed characters, and high-levels of suspense, this is not the novel for you and may leave you feeling unsatisfied after the read.

This book would work well for tweens and teens, 11 years on up. The target audience for this book is most likely 11-15 year old girls. I recommend this novel for those who like spy-adventure, light romance types of stories, and teachers and librarians (school and public) should recommend this book for independent reading. Book talks and trailers would be a good way to introduce this book and author to a bigger audience.

Review Excerpts

• A Publisher’s Weekly (May 2006) review says this is an “entertaining novel” with “fun details,” and “Readers will eagerly anticipate the next installment.”
• A School Library Journal (July 2006) review says that Cammie’s “double life leads to some amusing one-liners, and the invented history of the Gallagher Girls is also entertaining, but the story is short on suspense,” but “the novel has been optioned for a film and will likely attract readers who enjoy lightheared, frothy tales and squeaky-clean movies.”

Book Cover Art found at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Tell-Gallagher-Girls-Library-Binding/dp/B003C0LM16/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1288028779&sr=8-3

Module 2: Angus, Thongs, and Full-frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison

Rennison, Louise. 1999. Angus, thongs, and full-frontal snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson. New York: Harpertempest. ISBN-13 978-0-06-447227-2

Angus, thongs, and full-frontal snogging: Confessions of Georgia Nicolson by Louise Rennison is the first in a series of books about Georgia, a fourteen-year-old British girl.This first book centers around a year in the life of Georgia and spans approximately one year, from late August through July. Through Georgia's various journal entries, the readers get a bird's eye view into Georgia's perspective on her life as well as her desires. Georgia lives with her parents, her three year old sister, and her cat Angus. During the course of the year, she has to deal with a fresh cousin, her sexual awakening, pining for the Sex God (aka Robbie Jennings), fighting with her friend Jas over a boy, confronting school bullies, enduring school, and trying to figure out who she is, what she believes, and how to navigate her life while ending up with the Sex God in the end--at least that is her hope.

This novel, a part of the romance genre, has been categorized as chick lit for teens. A Publisher's Weekly article that came out in November 15, 2004 (Vol. 251, Issue 46) compared this novel to Bridget Jones (as many other reviews have as well) and likened "Angus, Thongs..." as a Bridget Jones for teens. The article goes on to discuss how teen chick lit must be humorous like chick lit written for adults. Also, the article mentions how this type of literature generally "revolves around a girl's angst-ridden but witty foray into womanhood, battling the perils of cool boys who might or might not like them, uncool parents, and other peer and academic pressures." This is a perfect description of "Angus, Thongs..." and the character of Georgia.

Louise Rennison formats the novel as a series of diary entries made by Georgia. The format makes for an easy and fast read, but is also a vehicle for much of the humor in the book as the reader gets insight into the hysterical workings of Georgia's mind. Probably the stand out feature of this novel is the author's style of writing. Rennison does a great job of writing in colloquial language chock full of British terminology. Rennison kindly provides a glossary for the American readers, which is fun to read. However, the British terminology in no way detracts from the storyline, but enhances it. In fact, the British English in the book takes the sting out of some of the "graphic" language for the American audience because it does not have quite the meaning in American English as it does in British English. Georgia cusses a lot, but she does it in Spanish, and she uses French phrases scattered here and there. She may say bloody, bugger, and tosser, but to most of the American audience, this language is not viewed as profane, and when we find out what it means, it is quite funny within the novel's context.

This story also has likable characters. Georgia is funny and gets herself in one mishap after another, such as when she ends up with no eyebrows after trying to groom them with tweezers and keeps trying to even them out until they vanish. Rennison does a good job of creating other stand-out characters, such as her three-year old sister Libby and her Scottish wildcat Angus. Those two characters create some laugh-out loud moments for the reader, such as when Georgia and Libby meet up with one of the boys who Georgia dates, and Libby proceeds to inform him that Georgia had just had a big poo. Too funny! And of course, there is Angus, the bit, fat cat who likes to stalk the neighbor's poodle, capture guinea pigs, eat knickers, and generally bully Georgia, yet Rennison also makes him endearing, which is a testimony to her skill as a writer. This is a great book for a teen audience, especially reluctant readers. A librarian could prepare a book talk on this series to peak student interest, but due to some minor, sexual encounters and some graphic language, this book could be targeted by censors.

Book Cover Art found at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Angus-Thongs-Full-Frontal-Snogging-Confessions/dp/B002Z2TPAW/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1286238175&sr=8-9

Module 2: Before I Die by Jenny Downham

Downham, Jenny. 2007. Before I die. Oxford: David Fickling Books. ISBN 978-0-385-75183-4

Before I Die by Jenny Downham is a novel set in England and tells the story of 16-year old Tessa Scott who is dying of leukemia. The novel spans the last year of Tessa's life and shows how she faces death. Tessa has a list of ten things she wants to do before she dies, and with the help of her friend Zoey, her dad, and later her boyfriend Adam, she accomplishes much on her list. Some of the things on her list are to have sex, take drugs, say yes to everything for one day, break the law, become famous, visit another country and so on. As each month passes and Tessa gets sicker and sicker, the list expands and changes as Tessa re-prioritizes what is important in life.

This is a realistic problem novel that deals with a young girl's death. The central problem to the story is Tessa's fatal diagnosis of cancer and how she is going to spend the last year of her life and meet death. Tessa's journey is written in a believable way. Throughout the story, Downham shows the reader the various stages that Tessa goes through as she grapples with dying. For example, sometimes she won't get out of bed and wallows in depression (rightly so), and other times she is gung-ho about accomplishing the tasks on her list.

The author also does a good job of showing how the supporting characters are dealing with Tessa's diagnosis. The reader can not help but feel for the father who does everything he can to fight for his daughter's life in spite of the fact that doctors have given her a terminal diagnosis. The reader's heart also goes out to Cal, Tessa's younger brother, who has had to live in the shadow of his sister's illness for four years. He loves his sister, but his anger, at times, comes out, such as when Tessa won't get out of bed one day, and he tells her that he hopes she dies while he is at school (p. 42).

Downham treats Tessa's story with respect. She does not sugarcoat her battle with cancer. In fact, she goes into realistic detail about the side-effects of leukemia and its treatment. Tessa has to deal with nosebleeds, passing out, blood transfusions, leg pain, and so on. In spite of some of the dark and depressing moments in the novel, Downham tempers them with Tessa's hope and with her still wanting to be loved and not be alone, even in the face of certain death. Thankfully, Tessa meets and falls in love with Adam, and he helps see her through her illness and sticks around until the end.

I recommend this book for teens and even young adults. It deals with an important subject that is universal to all humankind, and one review in a December 24, 2007 edition of Publishers Weekly describes this book as a "luminous story," and a January 1/15, 2008 Book List book review describes the story as being told in "clear, beautiful words." On March 1, 2008, Booklist followed up its previous review of this novel by calling Before I Die a "fierce, devastating novel" that explores "end-of-life realities with honesty and grace." In spite of my recommendation, I must caution that this book should be used for independent reading and not as assigned curriculum because there are definite aspects to the book that will invite censors to come out of the woodwork, such as Tessa losing her virginity in a one-night stand, and later, her sexual relationship with Adam. Also, some of the language and realistic treatment of death may cause some parents concern.

Book Cover Art found at Barnes & Noble: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Before-I-Die/Jenny-Downham/e/9780375849374/?itm=1&USRI=before+i+die

Module 2: Vegan Virgin Valentine by Carolyn Mackler

Mackler, Carolyn. 2004. Vegan virgin valentine. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press. ISBN 0-7636-2155-2

Mara Valentine on her niece V: “The first thing V did upon arriving in Brockport was fool around with my ex-boyfriend. Well, not the first, but it happened within twenty-four hours of her plane landing at the Greater Rochester International Airport” (Mackler 2004, p. 1).

Meet senior Mara Elizabeth Valentine. Mara is a driven, Type-A student with an early acceptance to Yale in the bag and is seriously duking out the Valedictorian slot with her ex-jerk boyfriend Travis Hart. Enter Vivienne Vail Valentine, aka V. V is Mara’s niece and exact opposite. V is one year younger than Mara and has been dumped in Brockport, NY to stay with Mara and Mara’s parents while Mara’s 35-year old loser sister (and V’s mom) follows her twenty-something year old surfer boyfriend to Costa Rico. V is the antithesis of Mara. She is a slacker, stoner, and a little loose (at least according to Mara). It is January of Mara’s senior year, and the last thing she needs to deal with is V. Once in each other’s orbit, conflict ensues between the two girls, and the fall-out leaves both girls changed for the better and has them re-evaluating their beliefs and direction of their lives.

Vegan Virgin Valentine by Carolyn Mackler is a fun read that falls into the romance genre. The story is told in first-person from Mara’s perspective, but V is also a fully developed character. If Mara is the protagonist, then V is her antagonist. Mara and V are both likable characters in their own way. Some readers will prefer the prickly, driven nature of Mara, and some will prefer the outrageous, rule-breaking, tough-but-vulnerable V. Mackler has done a good job of fully fleshing out the characters of Mara and V and making them relatable to the audience. Readers will come to understand how Mara’s personality and drive has been shaped by living in stable home with two parents who regularly conduct Family Meetings and actively involve themselves in Mara’s life and successes. V, however, was raised by Mara’s flaky 35-year old sister who is unable to settle down. By the time V lands on Mara and her parents’ doorsteps, she has been the new kid in seventeen schools. Her mom sends her to stay with her grandparents while she follows a boyfriend to Costa Rica. V’s life has always been unstable, and much of her shocking behavior has to do with defense mechanisms that she has put into place.

In keeping with the tradition of the romantic genre, though, the problems of Mara and V miraculously begin to get solved as the story goes a long. For example, both girls come to terms with each other in the end and realize they love each other. Mara achieves her goal as Valedictorian, and V begins to shape up under the love and care from her grandparents. There are many more audience pleasing moments such as this, but this reviewer does not want to give too much of the novel away.

Readers of the romance genre are going to like this book—a lot. In fact, in a July 1, 2004 Kirkus Review, the reviewer writes that “warmth and humor suffuse the story.” Also, the story has universal appeal to young women. In fact, in one August, 2004 School Library Journal review, the reviewer writes that “This is a fast, often humorous read with some meat but no bite (although Mara does loser her virginity)-just the universal theme of growing up and figuring out what’s important. This title will have strong appeal for teens grappling with these same questions.”

Mackler weaves a good story, and her writing is strong, descriptive and humorous. She brings her characters and their situations alive for the readers. For example, Mara, upon picking up V from the airport with her parents, describes how V’s “honey-colored hair was long and her bangs hung like a Venetian blind over her eyes…she was wearing a tank top, no bra, and jeans that were mutilated in the butt region” (Mackler 2004, p. 8). A few paragraphs later, Mackler begins to reveal V’s character when V mentions “killer orgasms” (p. 9) in front of her grandparents, and Mara notices “down each finger, from her pinkie to her pointer, she’d scrawled” the f-word, and “On her thumb it said everyone” (p. 9).

School and Public librarians can use this book to recommend for independent reading. However, due to the graphic language and references to drug use and sex, this book would not be suitable to be assigned reading and may invite parental protests.

Book Cover Art found at Barnes & Noble website:

http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?store=BOOK&WRD=vegan+virgin+valentine