The Winner's Curse

Rutkoski, M. (2014). The winner's curse. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.  
Best Fiction for Young Adults (2015 Winner)

Summary: Kestrel, the privileged daughter of a general of the Valorians, was with her friend Jess when she purchased a Herrani slave, Arin, at an auction. Arin was once one of the privileged Herrani descendants but the war took his parent’s lives and captured him as a slave. She took him back to her manor to be a blacksmith and at first had no interest in making friends but as time passes, a friendship and eventually attraction forms. All the while life goes on for the Valorians, Arin is making plans with other Herrani slaves to start a revolution. As Kestrel and Arin grow closer, he starts to accompany her to outings and will take her to the ball that the revolution is to start at. As they leave the ball together and share their first kiss, but at the same time there is an explosion at the ball. Even with Arin’s objection, she has been taken as a slave by the other Herrani slaves, she and Jess escape and are returned to the general of the Valorians. The general overtakes the Herrani and makes a deal to let them be free but live under the rule of the Valorians. Kestrel delivers the news to Arin along with the news that she is to marry the prince and eventually rule the kingdom. She hurts Arin with this news but he doesn’t know that she is only doing it because it was part of the deal and she knew he wouldn’t agree to the deal if he knew.

Commentary: In this first book of the three part trilogy, Kestrel is a domineering character who begins the novel as a naïve, privileged girl but transforms into a compassionate, understanding, and level headed woman. Her relationship with Arin is an unlike one but against all odds and stereotypes, she sees his wonderful qualities. Although this is a fantasy story, and the setting is in a fictional land, there are no magical elements in this novel. This makes it all the more believable and relatable for the reader. The plot continues to be unpredictable with different twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. Even though there are two more books that follow this one, I was truly shocked by the ending and did not expect that turn in events. It is a cliffhanger that keeps the reader hanging on to every word of the stories to come.

Connection: The Selection Series by Kiera Cass

Also Known As

Benway, R. (2013). Also known as. New York: Walker Books.  
Quick Picks (2014 Winner)

Summary: Maggie and her parents are secret spies in an organization called The Collective that goes all around the world to solve problems. Maggie is a sixteen year old who is gifted at picking locks but has never had a case of her own until she is assigned to follow a boy in a New York private high school. Jesse, the boy who she’s assigned to, has a father who has been tipped off about the Collective spies and could possibly threaten their identities. Maggie is capable of accomplishing all types of outrageous missions but when it comes to high school, she’s clueless as to how to go about making friends or how to act. She makes friends with an unlikely outcast of a character named Roux who the reader can’t help but love. Through all of her endeavors and new experiences in high school, she remembers her mission but struggles with the desire to have a normal life as she starts to fall for Jesse, her main reason for being there. As her feelings for Jesse grew, her case also grew more intense. With the help of Jesse, Roux, her parents, and mentor Angelo, she was able to solve to case and end up with her first official love interest!

Commentary: One of the first things I noticed in this novel is the humor Maggie displays as she tells the story. She is an intriguing character who readers can relate to but also be astonished by because of the strange life she leads. She forms great relationships with many of the characters in the book starting with Roux. Although not the best choice of a friend to instantly fit in due to Roux being an outcast in her school, they learn how to be good friends together and have a comical relationship. Maggie also has a magnificent relationship with her parents. They are very supportive of all her endeavors and help her through every step of the way. Like in many young adult novels, they don’t disappear in the background because of the main characters problems; Maggie’s parents are present for all of her decisions and stand by her through many tough times. Finally, her relationship with Jesse was a bit predictable but it is always captivating to read about a girl’s first real love and relationship. The mixed emotions, feelings, and insecurities she portrays in the book are very relatable to readers of her age.

Connection: Gallagher Girl Series by Ally Carter

I'll Give You the Sun

Nelson, J. (2014). I'll give you the sun. Dial Books. 
Printz and Printz Honor (2015 Winner)

Summary: Noah and Jude Sweetwine are fraternal twins who were raised by a conservative scientist father and a liberal artist mother. Growing up in a relatively stable home Noah and Jude always got along until the age of thirteen. At age thirteen Noah is focused on his art and getting into the art school, CSA, while Jude is focused on her friends who are concerned with their clothes and makeup. When Noah doesn’t get into CSA, he starts a secret relationship with a boy named Brian who is also trying to hide the fact that he is gay. When that doesn’t end well, tragedy strikes again at the age of fourteen when they learn their mom having an affair and planning to leave their father. Before she can make that happen, she is killed in a car accident.  Noah lies to his sister and dad telling them that she was planning on mending their broken marriage. At sixteen, after reeling at the loss of their mother Jude focuses on her art and gets accepted into CSA where she meets Guillermo Garcia, the man who had an affair with her mother. She does forgive him and falls in love with Oscar, a student he is mentoring. After having some daredevil experience, Noah faces the fact that he is still in love with Brian and comes out to his father who accepts him. Him and Jude reconcile their differences and come back together as a close-knit family.

Commentary: This novel is about coming of age and growing into whom you are. As Noah and Jude grow up, they mature and accept themselves at different rates and go in different paths. At a young age, Noah acted as the responsible and ambitious artist but when tragedy strikes, he reverts back to a more immature response and behavior until his life was taking a turn for the worse and he began to accept who he was. Jude, on the other hand, chose to ignore her responsibilities at a young age but then realizes her potential when she is faced with hardships. She becomes a driven, loving, and forgiving person because of it. Both experiences, although different, made them stronger and more accepting people.

Connection: The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Everything I Never Told You

Ng, C. (2014). Everything I never told you. Penguin Books.  
ALEX Award List (2015 Winner)

Summary: Set in the 1970s in Ohio, The Lee family finds out that there middle daughter, Lydia, has drowned in a lake. After her death, secrets about the family’s dysfunction come to light. Between her dad’s insecurities about his Chinese-American heritage and her mom’s reluctant attitude in their marriage, there were problems festering way before the birth of their children. These problems develop into mom leaving but then coming back in the earlier years and dad having an affair with his teacher assistant after the death of their daughter. After Lydia’s death, we learn of her older brother, Nath’s, frustration over her being the golden child and Lydia’s friendship with their neighbor Jack. Nath detests Jack but Jack secretly is in love with Nath. When Lydia tries to initiate a romantic connection with Jack, she is rejected and learns of his interest for Jack. This along with the pressure of becoming successful, distaste from Nath, and problems with her parents, push her into the idea that she has had enough. She decides to row herself in a boat to the middle of a lake a step off, knowing she couldn’t swim. This realization to her family is hurtful but in turn brings them closer together as a loving family.

Commentary: From the beginning, Lydia is as much of a mystery to the reader’s as she is to her family.  The reader learns more about Lydia and her family as the plot thickens and includes flashbacks throughout the story. This gives the reader insight to information that is not freely given by any of the other characters. The theme of this book understands that there is true danger in keeping your silence and never voicing how you feel. Because Lydia kept her feelings of overwhelming pressure, family turmoil, and rejection to herself, she was not able to handle her feelings in a more helpful way. The plot of this story is truly unpredictable and you cannot expect what is going to happen next. It keeps the reader guessing and on the edge of their seat throughout the story.

Connection: Land of Loving and Drowning by Tiphanie Yanique and The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez

Ella Enchanted

Levine, G. (1997). Ella enchanted. New York: HarperCollins. 
Popular Paperback (2015)

Summary: When she was born, the fairy, Lucinda, grants Ella the gift of obedience. As the years pass, Ella’s mother realizes how detrimental this gift really is, if anyone tells Ella to do something, she must obey no matter the risk to herself or others. Before her mother dies, she tells Ella to keep the gift a secret so no one misuses it. When she is distraught about her mother’s death, she runs into Prince Charmont (Char) who is kind to her. Soon after, her father decides to send her to finishing school with two horrid sisters named Olive and Hattie. Hattie quickly realizes Ella’s gift and begins to mistreat Ella by using it against her. Once she returns home and finds that her father has remarried the horrid sister’s mother because he has lost all of his money. Her new stepmother makes her a servant in the house but she continues to stay in contact with Char through letters. Secretly attending the ball, Ella realizes Char wants to ask Ella for her hand in marriage. She knows this is a bad idea due to her obedience and potential of becoming a threat to Char. After running out of the ball and losing her slipper, he finds her and orders her to marry him. She uses all her strength to disobey and say no which in turn breaks the curse. Now free, Ella happily marries Char and enjoys her life with him forever.

Commentary: Immediately, readers can connect this novel with the classic, Cinderella. As most know, there are hundreds of versions of the Cinderella story, this one being one of my favorites. The characteristic that Ella must be obedient is a huge twist in the story. This substantially adds to the obstacles similar to the original tale.  In this fairy tale filled with ogres, elves, and giants in a different world, the reader can travel to a faraway place and let their imagination go to a world of balls, magic, and happily ever after. As all Cinderella versions, this is a timeless story that will live on and be relevant forever.

Connection: Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix

The 5th Wave

Yancey, R. (2013). The 5th Wave. G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers.  
NYT Bestseller (Aug. 30, 2015 - YA Paperback)

Summary: The 5^th Wave a Science Fiction novel that describes the waves of an alien attack. In the first wave, the electronics were destroyed, the second wave brought catastrophic destruction to all of the coastlines, the third wave wiped out seven billion people with an Ebola virus, and wave four revealed that some humans were hosts to aliens. Cassie and Ben are living separate lives and are now embarking on the fifth and final wave of the attack. Both of Cassie’s parents have died and she is in search of her little brother. During her search, she is shot, nearly dies, and taken in by a boy who she believes is the shooter. Ben is living in a refugee camp and was sick with the Ebola virus until he received medicine to cure him. He became a solider to battle the aliens who killed his sister. Along the way, he finds a small boy who believes his sister is coming to save him. Through a series of events, Cassie finds her little brother on the corrupted military base where him and Ben are staying. They find each other and escape together outrunning and surviving from the people trying to kill them.

Commentary: The 5^th Wave is a novel that consists of dual narratives from Cassie and Ben. It is an intriguing approach to a two stories that become intertwined at the end. A commonality in the characters mistrust they have in others. Because of the resent catastrophic events, survivors are turning on each other, which creates paranoia and suspension in all who remain. This book causes the reader to have a temporary suspension of disbelief and let themselves become lost in the story. These events can become real in reader’s minds because of the extensive description of the setting and events. Without the vivid descriptions, readers would not be able to dive a deeply and emotionally into the story. The ending gives a sense of hopefulness because of the unlikelihood but prevalence of survival in the circumstances that Cassie and Ben faced.

Connection: Books with similar themes: Divergent by Veronica Roth and The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Fangirl

Rowell, R. (2013). Fangirl. St. Martin's Griffin.  
NYT Bestseller (Aug. 30, 2015 - YA Paperback)

Summary: Cath Avery is a Simon Snow fanfiction writing addict who is known to her online fans as Magicath. As she begins her freshman year at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, she finds herself living with someone other than her twin sister, Wren. Being focused on her writing and having a deadline to finish a book by the end of her freshman year, she does not care much about the college social life or doing anything other than writing for that matter. As hard as she tries to stay in her world of Simon Snow stories, there are exterior life experiences that are hindering focus; her professor dislikes her fanfiction writing, her sister’s liking to college life and growing alcoholism, her dad’s bipolar disorder, and the absence of her mother since she was little. Not only is she struggling with all that life is throwing at her, to top it off; she has grown feelings for her roommate’s ex-boyfriend, Levi. As she is dealing with each experience as they come, the novel ends with Cath on the up swing in life. She ends up with a catch as a boyfriend, a sobering up sister, a dad who is trying to work through her issues, and a successful and finished book.

Commentary: This novel is geared toward the older ages of the Young Adult readers as the main character, Cath, is entering college. It discusses very relatable topics such as wanting to focus on something you are passionate about but extenuating circumstances get in the way. Whether it is troubles with friends or family, I believe all teens can relate to the hardships found in this contemporary realistic fiction novel and how difficult it is to overcome them. As Cath battles with her desire to finish the story she is writing, she is continues to have anxiety about the college life.  Her intimidating roommate and Levi help to open her up to a world that she didn’t even know she wanted to be a part of.

Connection: Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYk1H3DV8yk