Smack by Melvin Burgess

Burgess, Melvin. Smack. Avon Books, 1996. ISBN 0-380-73223-8

Plot Summary

Tar and Gemma are a teenage punk rock couple in Bristol that run away together. Gemma, is a brat who does not want to live with her ‘overbearing’ parents while Tar leaves his abusive father and alcoholic mother. They begin to live there lives as squatters where they are introduced to Lily and Rob, heroin addicts who take Tar and Gemma under their wings. Tar and Gemma are looking for adult figures in there lives to feel a sense of family. Lily and Rob fall deeper into heroin and often doing anything for money, such as selling drugs or her body to afford it. This is not the life they really wanted but they do not care as much since they are not living with there parents anymore. Gemma gets a job at a health parlor making decent money. Tar and Gemma begin to do heroin as well but it is not all fun and games. Gemma loses her job as the customers can see her track marks and Tar gets arrested for drug possession. The foursome realizes the toll that drugs are taking on them and try to quit but that cannot handle the pain of the withdrawal symptoms, so they continue there drug use. Lily ends up pregnant and has a baby while she is addicted to heroin so the baby comes out addicted as well. Lily has to rub heroin on the babies gums to keep it from crying. The four of them are living these destructive lives of addiction but they do not care anymore until a traumatic event happens where they all are apart from one another. Will this separation help them stay clean?

Critical evaluation

Depicts heroin addiction in its most rawest form often times becoming vey descriptive and shocking. Tar and Gemma were an innocent couple at home but once the squatting began they were introduced to one of the most hardest drugs on the market. Burgess does not glorify the use of drugs at all in this novel. He purely states everything the way it when one dwells deeper and deeper into drugs. Drugs are seen as destructive forces that do not have any cool connotation to it. It often has descriptions that are disgusting but true for heroin addicts. The life of heroin addicts not pretty and Burgess makes that quite clear. The novel starts off slow but picks up after the couple begins to do heroin. The book goes back and forth between being clean and sober which is annoying but at the same time realistic. There are no hit it and quit its when it comes to heroin. This is a raw portrayal of heroin abuse that will have the reader cringing and never wanting to do smack.

Readers Annotations

Gemma and Tar are a punk rock couple that runaway together to escape there parents and enter a life of squatting and drugs. While squatting they meet another couple, Lily and Rob who introduce them to heroin. There heroin addictions cause there lives to fall apart and might cost them there lives.

Information About the Author

Burgess is the winner of the Carnegie Medal and Guardian Prize for Fiction

Genre

Drugs use and Abuse

Curriculum Ties

English

Booktalking Ideas

1) Gemma first person narrative

2) Effects of heroin

Reading Level/Interest Age

13+

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas

Drug Usage

Does not glorify drugs, explains the horrors of addiction.

Why Book Included

I loved this book as a teen and wanted to know if I still felt the same way about it now that I am older.

Luna by Julie Anne Peters

Peters, Julie A. Luna. Little, Brown Young Readers, 2006. ISBN: 0316011274

Plot Summary

Regan is a teenager attending high school who is trying to live a normal teenage life but finds it difficult since she has taken it upon herself to keep her brother, Liam, happy. Liam, is not your ordinary teenager because he is dealing with an issue that very few people his age understand. Liam, feels alone in a world that would not accept his secret, his only confident is his sister Regan, but this might be something that she cannot handle on her own. Regan, was always making sure that Liam was doing fine but no one was making sure if Regan was. A boy in her school has some interest in her but Regan finds it hard just too even hang out with him. Liam’s secret is causing her to miss events in her life that she desperately wants. Regan wants to break free from her brother and create a life for herself but Liam needs someone to help through a transition. There relationship becomes more difficult after Liam’s secret is not so much of a secret anymore after he begins to dress like a girl in public.

Critical evaluation

Liam feels that he has to act like a boy by dressing and acting the part because he was born a boy. If he were to act differently from his given role people would not accept it. Liam had to fake who he was in order to be accepted but in doing so he was not accepting himself. Liam felt like a “freak” and felt that “he didn’t fit anywhere” as if he were an alien to this world. The idea of language and gender roles caused Liam to feel shame for the person he really was. Liam’s true self of wanting to be a girl caused him to change his name to Luna and had the strength of taking the next step to transitioning from a man to a woman. Luna would be able to reflect the gender role and language that was the true Liam without any question from others or him self. She would fit perfectly into the “gender scale” and she would feel accepted rather than a “freak.”

Readers Annotations

Regan is trying to make it through high school while Liam is trying to be more of the girl that he was born to be. Regan has always helped “Luna” but this time Luna needs more from Regan who may not want to be there for her anymore.

Information About the Author

Peters was inspired to write this novel after a girl kept waking her up telling her to write her story. Peters was annoyed because she was trying to sleep but finally asked her what in which the girls response was ‘im transsexual.’

Genre

Transgender/Transsexual Fiction

Curriculum Ties

English

Booktalking Ideas
1) Regan first person account

2) Describe Lunas struggle

Reading Level/Interest Age

Gr. 9+

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas

Transgender/Transsexuality

Chosen by the American Library Association for their 2009 Great Stories CLUB

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

Doctorow, Cory. Little Brother. Tom Doherty Associates Book, 2008. ISBN 0-7653-1985-3

Plot Summary

Marcus and his friends Jolu and Van are seniors in high school living in San Francisco. Marcus finds out that there is going to be a game of Harajuko Fun Madness so he gathers his apprehensive friends and they escape to the city. While they are out San Francisco experiences a terrorist attack and they are right in the middle of it. Jolu gets stabbed as massive mobs of people being to scurry throughout the city. Marcus attempts to get someone for help but all the cop cars were passing him by. A truck is the only one that stopped but Marcus soon regrets it. They are roughly thrown into the car with bags over there heads. After this incident Marcus life would never be the same. He wakes up and does not know where he or his friends are. Marcus undergoes brutal interrogations for what seems like forever. Marcus is believed to be part of the terrorist because of the technologies they found in his bag. Marcus is later released into a world that he does not recognize or want to be part of. San Francisco has turned into a prison where no one has freedom or personal space. Marcus is once reunited with Van but Jolu is still missing. He is willing to do anything to find him. Marcus meets a girl over the internet, Ange, which he quickly falls for. Marcus is willing to risk everything to find his friend and bring back the city to the people rather than the government’s hands.

Critical evaluation

A combination of 1984 and Hackers for this generations fear of terrorism. Marcus is the ordinary hacker who wants to bring down a system that treated him and is treating others like animals. The plot is excellent because this is an underlying fear that some Americans have, especially after 911. After 911, the Patriot Act became a threat to peoples privacy but the government believed that it was infringing on others peoples lives was to protect billions of lives. How far would they go to keep Americans “safe” though, who monitors those who are monitoring? This novel opens up a can of worms of what ifs? It is a thought provoking novel that entertains.
Readers Annotations

Marcus and his friends, who are hacker, are treated as terrorist after they are found near the attack in San Francisco where “suspicious” items were found in there bags. Marcus is willing to bring down the government to find his lost friend and restore privacy to San Francisco.

nformation About the Author

Cory Doctorow's Little Brother won the 2009 Campbell Award for "Best Science Fiction Novel of the Year"

Genre
Science Fiction

Curriculum Ties

English

Booktalking Ideas

1) Patriot Act. Think its ok?

2) Can little brother be a reality?

3) Marcus after inerrogations. First person narrative

Reading Level/Interest Age

Gr. 8-12

Why Book Included

I enjoyed reading this book for class

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Peter Sollett

Sollett, Peter. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. Columbia Pictures, 2008. PG-13. DVD. 90mins. ASIN: B001MM3AZM

Plot Summary

"Where's Fluffy?" Nick is heartbroken after his ex-girlfriend left him and does not want to go out but when he hears that the band "Where's Fluffy?" would be playing a secret show he is ready to hit the streets of NY. Norah is also a "Where's Fluffy?" fan and goes a quest to find the secret show. Norah is instantly attracted to Nick which she first spots while he is performing on stage with his band. Nick sees the girl that broke his heart and is struggling whether or not to talk to her but before he has a change Norah grabs and kisses him to prove to her mean friend Tricia that she does have a boyfriend. Nick turns out to be Tricias ex-girlfriend, she is shocked but goes along with it since Tricia was mean to Nick throughout there relationship. Norah feels as if she knows Nick because of the mix CD’s he made Tricia all the time but gave to her instead. Nick, Norah, and friends go on an adventure throughout NYC looking for Fluffy. Nick and Norah are both emotionally involved in relationships with people who like the idea of them but do not like them for who they really are. Norah is a daughter of a famous musician while Nick is a musician but Tricia wants now because Norah has him. Nick and Norah grow closer together as the night ends but there old relationships are still present!

Critical evaluation

Nick and Norah are two teenagers that are looking for love in all the wrong places. Nick is in love with Tricia mainly because of her looks while Norah is with a guy who uses her for her connections in the music industry. This movie is a simple teenage love story that has a great soundtrack. Both main characters are into music so there is no surprise that the soundtrack is a delightful treat to the indie ear music scene. The on location shooting also adds to the just of the movie. NYC is a great and lively city which this movie conveys through its many local locations that they visit. The only part of the movie that I thought was unnecessary was when they were both in the recording studio doing something dirty. Nothing is shown but is heard but the scene is not really necessary to have. It kind comes of nowhere and ends abruptly. NYC, teenage love, and a great soundtrack, create one of the most unforgettable movies of the 21st century.

Readers Annotations

Nick and Norah search for “Where’s Fluffy?,” Norah’s friend, and love throughout NYC.

Information About the Author

Sellett shot NNIP everything on location in a course of 29 days.

Genre

Comedy/Drama/Music/Romance

Curriculum Ties

Music

Booktalking Ideas

1) New York City Music Scene

2) Nick after he leaves Tricia by herself

Reading Level/Interest Age

13+

Why Book Included

The music in this movie is the main reason why and also my crush on Michael Cera.

The Wackness by Jonathan Levine

Levine, Jonathan. The Wackness. Sony Picture Classics, 2008. R. DVD. 99 mins. ASIN: B001J9KJ48.

Plot Summary

Luke Shapiro is a recent high school graduate from Manhattan, NY who deals pot. One of his clients, Dr. Squire, a psychiatrists, gives him session in exchange for pot. Luke believes that he is depressed and needs some sort of medication to help him. Squire does not want to give him any because he thinks that Shapiro is just afraid to experience life. Dr. Squires, step daughter, Stephanie, is Luke's crush. Luke was unpopular in high school so he has no friends to hang out with during the summer. Like begins to deal more after he finds out that his parents cannot afford to pay the rent. Luke has to deal with his dysfunctional parents and money problems. Luke encounters many interesting characters during his exchanges. Stephanie begins a relationship with Luke since all her frinends and left for the summer. Luke begins to fall in love while Stephanie is enjoying her summer. Luke also forms a tighter bond with Squire, who he feels is his only friend. Luke finds his first love and a good friend in the summer of 1994 in this coming of age story. A side story, Squire reevaluating his life and relationship with his wife.

Critical evaluation

Has all the elements that make it a nostalgic teen movie, love and lost, great music, and that adult guidance that is needed to survive. Luke sells pot at school but that still does not make him popular. Luke falls in love with a girl that he shouldn’t of had fallen in love. Stephanie clearly showed that she did not have any real interest in him but Luke wanted so badly to believe that they had a chance to be a couple, which was what he wanted. Luke had to grow up fast: his parents were immature, and Stephanie broke his heart. The plot of the movie is fantastic and captures heartache and summer flings. The best part of the movie is the soundtrack. It features underground east coast hip hop of the 90s. The soundtrack flows great with the movie.

Readers Annotations

Lukes life in the summer begins to become interesting when he starts spending more time with Dr. Squire and Stephanie. Luke learns about love and growing up in Manhattan, NY in the summer of 1994.

Information About the Author

Levine wanted to do a movie that was focused in 1994 because that was the year he graduated. He felt that if he did a movie in present time it would not be the same since he feels disconnected to this generation.

Genre

Comedy/ Drama/ Romance

Curriculum Ties

Music

Booktalking Ideas

1) first person narrative of Luke when he walks away from Stephanie
2) Hip Hop in the 90s

Reading Level/Interest Age

17+

Why Book Included

Heard it was a great coming of age story that had a great soundtrack.

Kids by Larry Clark

Clark, Larry. Kids. Lions Gate, 2000. R. DVD. 91 mins. ASIN: B00004YA6G

Plot Summary

It's summer in NYC and teens are bored so what are the suppose to do for fun...have sex, drink, and do drugs. Telly, a 16 year old boy, loves to deflower girls, the younger the better. Telly, his friend Casper, and all the rest of there friends skate, tag, smoke pot, and drink alcohol. Jenny is a 16 year old girl whose only sexual partner was Telly but they do not speak to each other anymore. Telly and his friends discuss sex when the issue of AIDS arises. The boys hate condoms and would rather risk getting AIDS then use them. They also believe that AIDS does not really exist since they do not anyone personally that has it. Jenny and her friends discuss the issues of sex as well, each contradicting one another. A week ago Jenny accompanied her friend Ruby to a clinic to get tested for STDs. Ruby has had many partners compared to Jenny. In one day the lives of these urban American teenagers would change forever. The choices they make have consequences that are beyond there understanding.

Critical evaluation

This movie shows teenagers in a raw setting that is not sugar coated what so ever which Larry Clark does well. This movie goes into the mind of the teenager that do not just act they share with the audience why they do things. Clarke wanted teens that did not have any acting experience so it gives a portrayal of teens that are just acting like themselves. These teenagers look like they are really just acting like themselves, like a documentary. The film quality is not impressive, since the film is not high quality and camera moves around a lot. There are teenagers who did or do believe that AIDS is not a threat but this movie makes a stance saying that it is. Teenagers and adults would be shocked by this movie.

Readers Annotations

A hot summer day in NYC unravels into a night of discoveries and unfortunate events for Telly, Jenny, and Casper.

Information About the Author

Clarke only wanted kids that did not have any prior acting experience. He was looking for those who were most like “street kids.”

Genre

Drama

Curriculum Ties

Health/Sex Ed

Booktalking Ideas

1) Consequences of unprotected sex

2) Discuss scene when caper rapes Jenny

3) Jenny after she finds out she has aids, first person

Reading Level/Interest Age

17+

Controversial Subject Matter and Defense of Ideas

Teenage Sex

Rape

Drugs

Alcohol

Won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival

Considered “a wake up call” – New York Times

Why Book Included

I think this movie shows a raw portrayal of Teens and the issue of sex.

Girl Next Door by Luke Greenfield

Greenfield, Luke. The Girl Next Door. 20th Century Fox, 2004. NR. DVD. 108 min. ASIN: B00005JMX6

Plot Summary

Matthew Kidman focused more on his grades rather than having gun living as a teenager. His senior year and he feels as if he has nothing to show for it. He is involved in a lot of activities at school but he has never gone to a school party or ditched class before. Matthew wants to break out of his shell but is afraid to do so. Matthew gets a new neighbor, Danielle, a beautiful girl who he is very attracted to. Danielle help him live his last high school year to the fullest. Matthew feels more alive then he has ever felt. Matthews’s friends, Eli and Clitz, experience this new high school that they never had before Danielle came to the picture. Danielle helps Matthew gain self confidence which he never had. Eli shows Matt a video that exposes Danielle to be a porn star. Matt begins to look at Danielle differently which he later regrets. Danielle’s old porn producer, Kelly, shows up and invites her to join the industry again. Matthew is willing to win her back thought but he needs the help of his friends to do so.

Critical evaluation

This is an entertaining movie about the sex industry and that one person that can change your life entirely. This movie has a lot of nudity but it is not raunchy because many scenes are for comedic purposes. Matt was letting his teen years slip him by but Danielle was able to revive him and created one of the best years possible. Matt’s friends are humorous in almost every scene they are in because they are not as serious as Matt is. They display teenagers having fun and there eagerness to grow up sexually. This movie explores teenager’s issues with sex but all for comedic purposes.

Readers Annotations

Matthew Kidman is the average teen by the book but when Danielle moves next door his life would forever change. Danielle’s secret changes Mat’s perception of her and causes her to return to her old lifestyle. Matt want to get back with her and is willing to do anything.

Information About the Author

Luke did not purposefully make a “teen comedy” movie and was surprised about the praise that it got.

Genre

Comedy/Drama/Romance

Curriculum Ties

Lifestyle

Booktalking Ideas

1) Perceptions of Porn Stars

2) Sex in teen movies

Reading Level/Interest Age

17+

Why Book Included

I heard that it was a very funny movie.