New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

Year Published: 2006
Publisher: Little Brown and Company
ISBN: 0316024961
Pages: 563
Classification: Fiction
Media Type: Book
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Romance, Action, Adventure
Interest Level: 9-12
Reading Level: 4
Personal Rating: 4 Stars

Subjects: Vampires, Werewolves, Interpersonal relationship, High school life

Reader's Annotation: October, November, December ... just three months but seems like eternity. These were short pages that filed three empty pages but painted the longing and sadness that Bella felt when Edward left Forks for good. Will she able to move on? Will Bella stop loving Edward?

Summary: Bella celebrates her birthday at the Cullen’s house with Edward and his family. Bella gets accidentally cut in the arm and Jasper gets tempted to drink her blood. Edward finds it dangerous for Bella to have their family around Forks. The family decides to leave for the safety of Bella.

Bella got depressed after Edward and his family left but she befriends Jacob from La Push. Jacob influences Bella to do daring activities such as riding motorcycle and jumping off the cliff. Bella discovers the real identity of Jacob.

Edward gets mistaken that Bella died after her cliff diving so he decided to end his life as well by heading to Italy to see the Volturi clan. Bella saves Edward with the help of Alice and they return to Forks, Washington.

Personal Evaluation: The main character's depression and suicidal acts maybe something that readers may idolize and maybe admire.

Awards: ALA Booklist, ALA/YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, Horn Book, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

Author Information: www.stepheniemeyer.com

Giver by Lois Lowry

Year Published: 1993
Publisher: Dell Yearling
ISBN:0440237688
Pages: 179
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction
Reading Level: 5
Personal Rating: 3 Stars
Interest Level: 5-9
Subject: Utopian society

Reader's Annotation: Do you want to be chosen as the beholder of all the knowledge? What is you learn about everything including events, people and even feelings that pleasant and unpleasant? How will you live your life after learning everything?

Summary: Twelve-year old Jonas receives his assignment as the next Giver. Jonas lives in a perfect society where there is no war, poverty, or family turmoil. In their perfect society, there is no and fear, no hardship, no everyday discontent, no long-term terror. It is protected from all the possible harm and everything is in order.
As Jonas trains from the Giver, he learns of many things that do not exist in their society. The Giver gives him all the memories, both good and bad, and Jonas feels the weight and responsibility of holding all the information and the truth. Jonas also learns about Elsewhere and the Release of the baby in his family. Jonas and the baby escape the perfect society in search for Elsewhere. They face many struggles and difficulties in their journey – starvation, hypothermia and near death experiences. The story ends without really telling whether they survived but they have reached Elsewhere.

Evaluation: An interesting science fiction book about Utopian society where the hero is a typical teenage boy. The book touches on controversial topics such as euthanasia and suicide. Jonas' quest for the world outside his known,perfect society brings a tragic ending.

Awards: ALA Best Book For Young Adults, ALA Notable Book For Children, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, IRA Teacher's Choice Award, National Council For Social Studies Notable Children's Trade, Newbery Medal, NCTE Adventuring With Books, NCTE High Interest-Easy Reading, NCTE Your Reading, Voice of Youth Advocates, Wilson's Children's Catalog, Wilson's High School Catalog, Wilson's Junior High Catalog

Author website: www.loislowry.com