How to Ruin My Teenage Life by Simone Elkeles

Year Published:2001
Publisher: Flux
ISBN: 0738710199
Pages: 281
Classification: Fiction
Personal Rating: 4 Stars
Interest Level: 7-12
Subjects: School stories, Father-daughter relationship, Interpersonal relations, Chicago (Ill.), Jews. United States, Identity (Psychology), Israelis. United States. Fiction

Reader's Annotation: After Amy returns from Israel with her father, she has a lot of things to deal with in her life - a workaholic and dateless father, no communication with her "non-boyfriend" in the Israeli army, a pregnant and excited mother with her new stepfather, an annoying but cute next door neighbor and her horny dog mutt. How is she going to manage her own teenage life?

Summary: Amy has been enjoying a new religious education and exploration of her heritage, which got a running start during her trip to Israel, but the list of annoyances potentially ruining her life is almost too much for her. Dad needs a date and a life, so she signs him up for a Jewish online dating service using his credit card without mentioning it. Her mom and step dad are expecting a baby, which freaks Amy out. The biggest insult is from Nathan, a geeky-looking but intriguing new guy who completely rubs her the wrong way, but she kisses him anyway. A retaliation kiss from him in the cafeteria is hard to explain when Avi shows up for a surprise visit.

Evaluation: An entertaining book about adolescent angst however, the author uses profanity and vulgarity for her character's voice.

Reviews and Awards: School Library Journal, Voice of Youth Advocates

Author Website: www.simoneelkeles.net

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

Year Published: 2007
Publisher: Scholastic Book Service
ISBN: 0545010225
Pages: 759
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
Interest Level: 5-9
Reading Level: 6
Personal Rating: 5 Stars
Subjects: School stories, Magic, Wizards,
Reader's Annotation: Where are the Horcruxes? Will Voldemort be defeated? What life awaits Harry Potter as he leaves Hogwarts?

Summary: This is the final book for the Harry Potter series. Harry finds out the truth about Dumbledore’s death and searches for the three objects from the legend of the Deathly Hallows. Voldemort gains more strength as more faithful followers join him to defeat the good wizards including Harry. Meanwhile Harry finds out more about his family and other characters mentioned on the other Harry Potter books. The final battle happens in Hogwarts where all the truth is revealed. Harry’s friends and professors join him to fight the evil Voldermort and his allies.

Evaluation: An interesting conclusion of the popular Harry Potter series. The battle of good and evil finally comes to an end. Reference to spells, wizardry and magic. Some may interpret that the characters and events in the story are promoting Wica and other cult practices.

Reviews and Awards:School Library Journal, Starred Review for Publishers Weekly, Starred Review ALA Booklist, Voice of Youth Advocates, Wilson's Children's Catalog, Wilson's Junior High Catalog

Author Information: J. K. Rowling was born on July 31, 1965 in Chipping Sodbury, England. She was educated at Exeter University and has worked as a teacher. The author's full name is Joanne Kathleen Rowling. She is married to Dr. Neil Murray and has two children, a girl named Jessica and a boy named David. Rowling is best known for writing the Harry Potter series. She received an American Book Award in 1999. The first five books in the Harry Potter series have all been ALA Notable Children's Books.

Author website: www.jkrowling.com