The Rose That Grew From Concrete by Tupac Shakur

Shakur, Tupac. The Rose That Grew From Concrete. New York, NY: MTV/Pocket Books, 1999.

176 pages ISBN 978-0671028459 $9.99

Genre, Autobiography, Poetry

This posthumous collection of poems comes from a personal journal that the rap artist created in his late teens (1989-91). The book has 4 different chapter or sections with copies of the artist’s hand-written works –full of errors and doodles - on one side and the typed version on the opposite page. The volume could certainly be of interest to reluctant readers, aspiring artists, and those with difficult and relatable histories.

When reading the poems, the first thing that struck me was the beat/rhythm of it. For example, “In the event of my Demise/when my heart can beat no more/I Hope I Die For A Principle/or A Belief that I had Lived 4” (“In the Event of My Demise” p. 150) it was exceedingly difficult not to fall into the hypnotic cadence of it and even imagining the author performing it. The other thing that struck is his sensitivity and intelligence as the poems explored a wide range of topics from child loss to Lady Liberty.

I have mixed feelings about adding this to a YA collection. Contextually, this book is brilliant. It gives a clear and focused snapshot of who the author was, his music inspiration, and his emotions and passions during his teen years.As a stand-alone volume, the poetry of a 19-year feels more like flawed and lyrical reporting and perhaps a failing on my part but I was neither inspired nor moved when I separated the context –what I know of his life and tragedies – from the actual work. A rose in concrete is a bizarre image if you don’t know who the walking rose is. As an autobiography, the collection falls short of encompassing his rise and the turbulence he encountered before his murder. It is not The Diary of Anne Frank due to its lack of information and detail as some poems such as “Liberty Needs Glasses” require contextual and cultural understanding in order to decipher it. If budget, possible interest, and space were an issue I would most likely forgo this title despite its potential.

Here's an interview from Youtube featuring Tupac. 

Witch & Wizard by James Patterson; Art by Svetlana Chmakova

Patterson, James. Witch & Wizard, Vol. 1. New York:Yen Press, 2011.

ISBN 978-0316204064 259 pages  $12.99

Genre: Manga/Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Thriller
Rated: Teen

Annotation: 

     The Allgood siblings lives get overturned as they are accused of being a wizard and a witch.  Perhaps the crazy part of it all is that Whit and Wisty never knew!  In the confusion and madness of a police raid more mysteries are discovered than answered as their powers are awakened.  The two are quickly thrown into several challenges and unknowns as they finally discover how to use their new gifts and what this new life means for them and the ones they love.

Pros:  James Patterson, the author of Maximum Ride, and Dramacon’s Svetlana Chmakova together in one volume!?  It’s a win-win as the artwork is fun and clean and the story is fast-paced with lots of action sequences.  Patterson's awarded series is exciting enough that you might just forgive Svetlana for not currently continuing her Nightschool series.

Cons:  This is considered an OEL (original English language) manga.  Typically in the publishing world, that means you’ll have to wait a little longer for the next release to be published.  Worth it but when you are used to 4+ volumes a year one tends to get spoiled. In terms of storyline, the plot is a bit fantastic and I thought the trial and hospital scenes to be a bit much.  Overall, this series is an easy recommendation.

If you like the series, you can check out updates from the series at Yen Press or pick up the ALA reading poster and bookmarks here.

Dragon Girl, Vol 1-2 by Toru Fujeida

Fujeida, Toru. Dragon Girl, Vol. 1  Yen Press, 2010.

ISBN 978-0759531673 496 pages $20.99 

Fujeida, Toru. Dragon Girl, Vol. 2  Yen Press, 2010.

ISBN 978-1421523477 494 pages $20.99

Genre: manga/graphic novel, shoujo, romance, school life, gender bender

  

   

Summary:

Ever since she was little, Rinna wanted to be a team cheer captain like her father, the greatest, fiercest captain of the Shoryu Senior High cheer squad.  She finally gets her chance when the all-boy school goes co-ed but the current team captain won’t let girls join.  What will Rinna to do?  Why challenge him of course!  Thus the beginning of a story about friendship, romance, and lots of school spirit.

Pros

The artwork in this series is clean and well-rendered which is great since it let’s you get to the heart of the story. I really appreciate that  despite some typical plot twists you don’t really know who Rinna ends with up until near the story end.  The story is nicely paced with solid characters. This 2 volume series is complete so no waiting years and years for it to develop.

Cons – It’s only 2 volumes long!  lol I have to admit wanting more is not usually a con but the story read quickly leaving a somewhat shallow feeling at times due to the size.  I ended the series craving more.  Luckily, I can also recommend Oyayubihime Infinity by the same mangaka. The other issue I had is the price.  In comparison,  $42 for 5 volumes (nearly 1000 pages)  worth is a bargain but ouch!

Ten Cents a Dance by Christine Fletcher

Fletcher, Christine. Ten Cents a Dance. New York, New York: Bloomsbury USA, 2008.

356 pages 978-1-59990-164-0 $16.95

Genre:  Historical Fiction, coming of age

Awards: 

Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults 
American Library Association Blue Ribbon 
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Jefferson Cup Honor Book 
Virginia Library Association Finalist 
2008 Cybils Award for Young Adult Fiction 

 In Chicago 1941, there is not much opportunity for a young Polish-American girl responsible for her infirmed mother and younger sister. Life seems limited to packing pigs feet with brine until she -like her mother- becomes too broken to work when fatefully Ruby meets her first love. Paulie. The handsome neighborhood bad boy, tells her about the dance halls where men willingly pay to dance with you. Ruby grabs this opportunity only to quickly sink into this new world of taxi dancers. Her resulting struggle to escape from it is a memorable and read-worthy journey.

 Perhaps the biggest failing of this book is that it is very easy to forget just how incredibly amazing and likeable Ruby Jacinski's character is. She doesn’t whine or garner sympathy even when her life is at its lowest ebb. She continually does her best despite the consequences and while her choices make for a good story her motivations are sincere. This book is certainly recommended for its historical perspective of the US during the cusp of war - especially in regards to Jazz and prevalent attitudes and concerns of the time - and subsequential linguist jargon but mostly for its strong characterization and unique coming-of-age plot. 

Read excerpts and more from the author's website.

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Hinton, S. E. The Outsiders. New York, New York: Puffin Books, 1967.

180 pages ISBN 0-51488-00599-5 $5.99

Genre: classic, coming of age, class struggle

Awards: 

New York Herald Tribune Best Teenage Books List, 1967 

Chicago Tribune Book World Spring Book Festival Honor Book, 1967 

Media and Methods Maxi Award, 1975 

ALA Best Young Adult Books, 1975 

Massachusetts Children’s Book Award, 1979

Ranked #38 on the American Library Association’s 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-1999

Ponyboy Curtis is on his way home from the movies when he is jumped by the “Socs” (short for “Socials”). The reason for this attack is simply because Ponyboy is a “greaser” growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma during the 1960s. Being a “greaser” in Ponyboy’s world means having your own code of ethics, being socio-economically trapped, and having an extended family. Ponyboy’s family include his older orphaned brothers and their friends which throughout the book guide and care for their youngest member in their own various ways. The pace of the book continues to move including an accidental killing, an escape/runaway, a fire, and a brawl while still quickly pulling the protagonist through innocence into an adult world he must define and understand on his own.

Historically, this title has been a proven classroom favorite and has earned various awards. The first-person narrative is moving and believable, the plot fast-paced, the issues complex and varied, and as a bonus the language is considerably clean. The Outsiders is an easy recommendation for great characters, coming-of-age, and class conflict collection.

Check out this site to see what happened to the real life Curtis house: Outsider book & movie website

A lot of students have also watched the movie that it can be still be pretty easily found. 

"The guy who played Soda was so cute and I really liked how you can kinda relate to all the characters to your friends in some ways. It's a neat book and movie." -Alondra, 13

Honey Hunt, Vol. 1 by Miki Aihara

Aihara, Miki. Honey Hunt Vol 1. San Francisco, Viz Media, LLC, 2009

978-1421523477 $9.99 192 pages OT

Genres: manga, romance, shojo, slice of life

Summary:     

    Yura Onuzaka is the only child of famous parents and has spent most of her life being invisible.  That was until her parents finally decided to get a divorce and the media decended on the house. While Yura's family had been in shambles for a while our quiet little mouse suffers one heartbreak too many when she comes home early one day.  She then looks to enter her mother's world of acting for redemption.  This series features lots of high drama and romance while Yura tries her best to become a star.

Pros – Fans of Hot Gimmick will recognize the love trapezoid that quickly develops between the main character and her handsome bishies.  The artwork is typical Aihara with clean and polished art. ?? relationship with Q-ta is ripe for heartbreak from the beginning.  It is a little like watching a wreck in progress. You know it’s going to happen but you can’t help but watch either.

Cons – Skip Beat!  does a more believable  revenge via stardom story but this is more the teen version despite it's somewhat lewd name as it focuses more on the Yura's feelings and struggles.  Personally, I found Yura somewhat hard to like as she keeps making some frankly bad decisions.  We can handle stupid and we can handle selfish (for the right reasons) in the shojo universe but the two rarely work together to make a likable character.    As I continued reading the series, I found Yura bouncing from one co-dependent relationship to another.  I hope the story develops further soon because as of Vol. 6, I can't really recommend but there is still time to turn the story around and traditionally Miki Aihara doesn't disappoint.  I'd recommend her other titles: Hot Gimmick & Tokyo Boys & Girls.

     Also there are many fan"scanslations sites with Miki Aihara's other works that haven't made it over here yet.  The sites will often even often have discussion threads of even the licensed works.  Remember, if you like these works please support the mangaka and buy them when they become available in the States.

My Heavenly Hockey Club

Morianga, Ai. My Heavenly Hockey Club, Vol 1. New York, NY: Del Rey, 2007.

ISBN 978-03499042 $9.99 196 pages 

Rated: Older teen

Genres: Manga/graphic novel, comedy, school life, romance, sports, shoujo

Summary:

Hana Suzuki wants nothing more than to sleep.  It’s her passion, hobby, and the reason why she studied so hard to get into a prestigious Merinkan… because it is only 3 minutes away from her bed.  It was on such a walk that she was involved in an accident causing damage to the car driving the elite and handsome hockey club president, Izumi Oda.  She is quickly conned into joining the hockey club as payment for damages and lured into become the team's goalie by her second love: eating. This is where Hana's life begins to get more exciting much to her chagrin.  

Pros:  The art work is clean and interesting.  This book also has a lot of humor and the mangaka is not afraid of making its heroine look less glamorous to get a laugh either.  She is certainly not your typical heroine as one can see here on page 81.

Themes of friendship and school spirit reign as well as the wealthy but clueless club president takes his club to various adventures.

Cons: The story is very similar to Ouran High Host Club.  They even have the gorgeous twins and it’s hard not to compare the two.  Readers are free to speculate who ends up with who but for the first couple of volumes there is more comedy hijinks than romanitic development between our heroine Hana and her handsome teammates.  In all there is much more going for this series than against it.

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