Valiant: A Modern Tale of Faerie by Holly Black

Valiant: A Modern Tale of Faerie by Holly Black

Summary:

Seventeen-year old Valerie is a runaway living on the streets of New York City. Trying to run from her past hurts, Valerie finds herself living with a group of squatters who reside in New York’s elaborate subway system. But Valerie’s new friends are different, there’s something about them. Valerie’s life changes as she discovers that there is more to the world then meets the eye. Suddenly Valerie finds herself forced into service to a troll named Ravus. As she gets to know Ravus she discovers that not only is there more to the world, there is also more to a creature than what meets the eye.

Review:

Holly Black’s follow up to Tithe is as captivating and intense as it’s predecessor, with characters that are relatable to teens, and a plot that will keep readers invested until the very end. Val is a sympathetic character and her struggles and triumphs throughout the story will resonate with readers. Black is a skilled writer and isn’t afraid to tackle serious issues in her book, as demonstrated by the rampant drug use and violence throughout the book, as well as some pretty significant cursing. The plot weaves together elements of traditional faerie tales and modern life in a big city, and readers will appreciate the creative way that Black has combined the two aspects of the story. This is a dark but magical book and readers who enjoy urban fantasy are sure to enjoy this book.

About the Author:

Holly Black is married and lives in Massachusetts. Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale was Black’s first book, published in 2002. Tithe was named an ALA Best Book for Young Adults.
Books Ironside and Valiant, both of which take place in the same setting as Tithe, followed, Ironside Tithe and Valiant as a separate novel with some crossover. Valiant received the Andre Norton award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature and was a finalist for the Mythopoeic Award for Young Readers.

 

 

UnEnchanted: An Unfortunate Fairy Tale by Chanda Hahn

Title: UnEnchanted (An Unfortunate Fairy Tale)
Author: Chanda Hahn
ISBN: 978-1475070309
Publisher: CreateSpace
Copyright Date: 2012

Plot Summary:
Mina Grime is isolated, clumsy and forever at the wrong place at the wrong time. That is until she saves the most popular boy in school. Overnight her life changes, she attracts the boy, becomes noticed by the community and inherits an ancient family curse. In order to be free of the curse she must live through every fairytale collected by her Grimm relatives. Should she fail, the curse will move on to her brother. And that is an outcome that Mina will not let happen. Mina must follow her Grimm path to the very end.

Critical Evaluation: This book had a very interesting concept. With that said, there is very little character depth, and the book needing better copyediting. The characters did not feel individual, and could have used more explanations and dimension. The premise of the book is very interesting and very current with the current forms of entertainment. One element that I found to be useful is that is shows how fairytales are able to be modern, which I hope would help young adult readers when they read other books to understand character analysis across the board.

Reader’s Annotation: Life changes in a flash when Mina inherits the family curse, and she’s determined to do what it takes to break the curse before it can impact her brother.

Author Information:
Chanda Hahn was born in Seattle, Wa. Her goal in writing books was to create “clean fiction” for teens that was not boring. She currently writes from home and publishes her books directly onto the internet in e-book format for kindles and other e-readers.

Mrs. Hahn has a long history with literature; she has been a librarian, a book seller and recently has completed her third novel. Mrs. Hahn desires to make her books relatable by making her characters feel real, with real flaws, selfish moments, and disappointments. Her books are currently available only on line.

Genre: Fantasy

Curriculum Ties: Current reinterpretation of Grimm Fairytales. An excellent option for a literary comparison.

Book Talk Ideas: How are fairy tales like real life? Who are some people you know that are like the Grimm characters and how does that change your view of fairytales?

Reading Level/Interest Level: Grade 8 and up

Challenge Issues: This book is current in reflecting the entertainment views and options young adults are favoring. It is also more tame then certain books on the market. It is interesting without pushing any sexual limits and places strong boundaries with regard to physical intimacy. It is also informative about Grimm Tales as the author does not detail which tales, the reader is often inspired to go to the Original Grimm Tales to discover which tales Mina has left to complete.

Why did you include this item: This is a creative tale incorporating old Grimm fairytales into a new modern day environment. I included this because it is an excellent example of how old fairytales are full of characters and situations that are similar to everyday life. While the magic presents an unrealistic element, the reader is still able to glean that human failings such as pride, greed, selfishness and cruelness are indeed human failings. Indeed the heroine of the tale embodies faith, friendship, hope and kindness even at a cost to herself. The heroine may not have a great deal but she is rich in any way that matters. I would hope that readers would read this and find an understanding of what is truly important in life.

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

Title: The Fellowship of the Ring: Being the First Part of The Lord of the Rings
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
ISBN: 978-0-395-48931-4
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Copyright Date: 1982

Plot Summary:
In the first book of the trilogy, Frodo and Sam begin the journey to save middle earth from the Sauron of Mordor. After leaving the Shire they make their way to Rivendell where a fellowship is formed In order to assist Frodo in the destruction of the one ring. Nine members comprise the fellowship representing all the free races of Middle Earth. However, the enemy already knows the goal of the fellowship and the fellowship is pursued at every turn. Allies are few and far between and the fellowship must rely on courage and honor to achieve their goal of saving Middle Earth.

Critical Evaluation: The Fellowship of the Ring is an excellent example of fine writing and creativity. Tolkien invents a complete and complex world that is populated with characters that are archetypes of the values of humanity. Courage, Redemption, Loyalty, and Hope are all collected and can be represented both in tale and in character. This first novel is reminiscent of mythology akin to Greek or Scandinavian origins. One feels that Middle Earth may have truly existed as one reads through the adventures of Frodo and his Fellowship.

Reader’s Annotation: When a hobbit named Frodo inherits a powerful but corrupted ring of power, he and several companions set out to take the ring to safety. They will face many dangers on their journey, and may not survive long enough to see the ring to safety.

Author Information:
J.R.R. Tolkien was born in January of 1892 in England. Tolkien was an English poet, writer and was a professor at Oxford. He is best known for his books, The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings.

Tolkien was a member of the informal literary group the Inklings with his close friend C.S. Lewis. Tolkien’s past occupations in working on the Oxford English Dictionary and his well-known lectures on Beowulf can be seen in his later works. Tolkien received the appointment of a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1972. That same year he received an honorary Doctorate from Oxford University. Tolkien passed away in 1973. Both Tolkien and his wife Edith have engraved on their gravestone the names of Luthien and Beren from Tolkien’s tales.

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy

Curriculum Ties: N/A

Book Talk Ideas: What are the values that are represented in the members of the Fellowship? Would the Fellowship have been more successful if they had stayed together?

Reading Level/Interest Level: Grade 9 and up

Challenge Issues: This novel is a great example of classic literature in a very readable manner. Young readers are able to use their imaginations and fall into Tolkien’s world. This book represents an amazing opportunity for readers to re-engage in the grandeur and excitement that true story telling provides.

Why did you include this item: I included this book because I feel that it is a book that truly captures the imagination of the reader. While reading it time may pass faster before the reader realizes what has happened. It has enough adventure, suspense and excitement to interest young readers of both genders. It is an excellent book to form a young readers book club around and facilitates an increase in reading, as it is only the first book in the series.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Title: The Catcher in the Rye

Author: J.D. Salinger
ISBN: 978-0-316-76953-2
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Copyright Date: 1951

Plot Summary:
Catcher in the Rye is the narrative of Holden Caufield, a young man of seventeen given to a psychoanalyst during a stay in a rest home. His narrative centers around his feelings of inadequacy, loneliness, and his desire to be a hero. It is a coming of age story beginning with hisexpulsion from school, an adventure in New York City, a desire to belong, and a desire to matter. Holden’s only confidante is his younger sister and he seems to only be able to confide in her about his perceived shortcomings. He wanders about New York City, meeting strangers, dealing with a prostitute and her pimp, and old friends. The novel does not include much information with regard to the future, but rather Holden seems to take his story as a lonely tale, missing those that were a part of it.

Critical Evaluation: J.D. Salinger’s novel presents the angst of adolescence, the desire to belong, and the dream of mattering in a meaningful way. This novel illustrates that feeling lost in the world is a very real and very normal thing. As Holden moves from place to place, the reader may hope that he finally finds what he is looking for and what he needs. However, this luxury is denied to the reader, and they are pulled into the narrative of loneliness and angst in which distraction after distraction is applied to the problems that face Holden, and all fail to be more than a weak bandage that falls off quickly. There is no resolution for Holden in the novel, rather he is forced to continue on in life. There is no magical cure. This novel is elegant in its suggestions that life is not always easy and there are not always clean happy endings, there is just life and we are here to live it.

Reader’s Annotation: This is the ultimate teenagers book, every attitude that a person feels as a teenager is expressed through the cynicism of Holden Caulfield. He says all the things that teens everywhere have thought privately to themselves.
Author Information:
J.D. Salinger was born in 1919 in New York. He authored several works, such as Franny and Zooey, Raise High the Roof Beam and Catcher in the Rye in 1951. Catcher in the Rye is his most read and famous work with several autobiographical elements, such as private school in Pennsylvania, and growing up in New York. Following the success of his first novel J.D. Salinger withdrew from society and declined to engage in many interviews. He passed away of natural causes in January of 2010.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Curriculum Ties: This is a classic novel and would be appropriate for use in an English classroom.

Book Talk Ideas: Did Holden find a solution to the problems that he faced?
Why do you think that Holden is portrayed as the “hero” of this story?

Reading Level/Interest Level: Grade 8 and up

Challenge Issues: This is a book that has been a timeless example of coming of age. It is likely that parents have read this and may be able to connect with their young adults through Catcher in the Rye and talk about the issues that are affecting young adults today and specifically their young adults.

Why did you include this item: There are so many issues that young adults face where they feel lost and alone. This novel illustrates this issue in a relatable way. Young adults are able to see that no matter what kind of bandage that you try to place on a problem, it does not always last and may not be a permanent fix. There is not a perfect cure for that which ails us in life, but we keep on going.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Title: Uglies (The Uglies)
Author: Scott Westerfeld
ISBN: 978-1-41693-638-1
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Copyright: 2005
Any other information for non-book materials: N/A

Plot Summary:
This story is about Tally Youngblood, a young girl who lives in a futuristic society. In this society the people have been taught to believe that they are ugly until they turn 16 when they are expected to undergo plastic surgery to become pretties. Tally is excited for her operation but her friend Shay dislikes the conformity and encouragement given to undergo the change. Shay wants Tally to come with her to live with the Smoke a group of individuals who have rejected societal norms who live in a settlement somewhere but Tally is looking forward to the operation. When Shay goes missing Tally finds herself in a dangerous situation and must choose between what she’s been taught and what is right.

Critical Evaluation: Scott Westerfeld has created a post-apocalyptic world that teen readers can relate to, a world where beauty defines the culture and society is built on unrealistic expectations. Readers will recognize aspects of our own culture in his story, and will have readers questioning how far they would go to meet the beauty expectations of our society. Westerfeld does an admirable job of creating female characters who are compelling, strong and capable of achieving great things. Readers will relate to and appreciate the hard decisions that Tally and Shay must make, as teen readers themselves must decide whether to conform to society’s beauty expectations or to go their own way. Westerfeld is a talented writer and he’s created a compelling world that will draw readers in and hold their attention until the thrilling end., and will leave them asking themselves if the quest for beauty is worth the price society pays.

Reader’s Annotation: Tally has always wanted to be pretty and she’s almost old enough for the surgery that will launch her into a world of beautiful, privileged people. But when her new friend Shay expresses doubts about becoming one of the pretty people Tally is faced with a difficult decision; betray her friend and become one of the pretty people, or go against society and face the consequences.

Author Information:
Scott Westerfeld was born in Texas. He transitioned into a writing career after years of composing music by being given the opportunity to be a ghostwriter and through the creation of educational software programs for kids.
Westerfeld’s written for both younger readers and adults. Some of his work includes the Uglies series and the Midnighters trilogy.

Genre: Science Fiction

Curriculum Ties: N/A

Book Talk Ideas: What is the real price of beauty? Are you willing to pay it?

Reading Level/Interest Level: Grade 9 and up

Challenge Issues: Parents may object to the violence in this book, which is graphic in some parts, and librarians should be prepared to defend the inclusion of relevant graphic violence in the book.

Why item is included: This is a popular series that circulates well at the library and is often requested by patrons.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Type of Material: Book
Title: The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Author: Stephen Chbosky
ISBN: 978-1-45169-620-2
Publisher: MTV Books/Gallery Books
Copyright: 1999
Any other information for non-book materials: N/A

Plot Summary: After his best friend commits suicide Charlie is faced with starting the new year of high school as a loner, but he soon finds a place with a group of older students who see him for who he is and encourage him to embrace life., while allowing him to remain true to himself. Charlie struggles to find his identity even as he’s having adventures with his new friends, and he experiments with drugs, alcohol and cigarettes through out the story, and is exposed to sex in a variety of different situations, including one where he remembers a traumatic experience from his childhood. In the end Charlie must face his own depression and decide whether he wants to sit on the sidelines or whether he wants to get in the game.

Critical Evaluation: This is a well written book about the challenges of growing up and learning how to live in the world. Teen readers will relate to some of Charlie’s feelings about his life and most will relate to his exploration of riskier behaviors like experimenting with drugs and alcohol. Chbosky doesn’t shy away from the real challenges that teens face as they grow into adulthood, and teens will appreciate this honesty. Told through letters to an anonymous recipient, this is a book that helps to define some of the most basic aspects of being a teenager, and has been compared to Catcher in the Rye which has a similar theme of a depressed teenager struggling to find meaning in his life.

Reader’s Annotation: After his best friend commits suicide Charlie struggles to find his place in his high school, and soon finds a place with some older students who aren’t afraid to live life to it’s fullest, risks and all.

Author Information: Stephen Chbosky was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and earned a degree in screenwriting from the University of California. The Perks of Being a Wallflower was his first novel and it is being made into a movie staring Emma Watson.

Chbosky has said that while he can relate to some aspects of Charlie’s feelings about high school he had a different sort of experience in high school. The Perks of Being a Wallflower has been one of the most challenged books and Chbosky has expressed some disappointment that people are so reluctant to try and find common ground, and would rather censor something because they disagree with some aspect of it.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Curriculum Ties: N/A

Book Talk Ideas: What would you do to figure out what your life was meant to be? How would you deal with the struggles that Charlie encounters in the book.

Reading Level/Interest Level: Grade 9 and up

Challenge Issues: There are some potentially controversial themes in this book like suicide, homosexuality, drug use, teen sex, etc., that some parents may take issue with. Librarians need to be aware of the context of these events and should be prepared to provide positive reviews of the book for concerned parents.

Why item is included: This is an important book that deals with issues that many teens are dealing with on a regular basis, and is an important book to include in any library collection.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

Title: The Girl of Fire and Thorns

Author: Rae Carson

ISBN: 978-0-06-202648-4

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Copyright: 2011

Plot Summary:

Elisa is chosen, blessed by God on her naming day with a Godstone – a jewel embedded in her navel that signifies that she is destined for something great. Despite this special blessing Elisa is unhappy, she is the younger of two sisters and feels inferior to her thinner, favored older sister. After marrying the King of a neighboring kingdom she finds herself living an adventure that takes her from the safety of the palace to the edges of the kingdom where people are dying at the hands of their brutal enemy, while their plight is being ignored by Elisa’s husband. In order to save her kingdom and her own life, Elisa must take charge of her destiny, embrace her own power and learn how to be the leader her people need her to be, and in the process she may just discover that she likes herself just as she is.

Critical Evaluation: Carson is a talented writer, and she manages to take a story that could’ve been very predictable and turns it into a story that readers will find both unpredictable and highly enjoyable. The main character, Elisa, is delightfully flawed, and as the plot moves forward, she is forced to adapt and change in order to reach her full potential. Readers will enjoy seeing such a relatable character go through such a transformation, and they will be inspired by her determination to be true to herself. The plot will draw readers in and have them on the edge of their seats as the drama and adventure unfolds, and just when they least expect it they’ll find the story changing in unpredictable ways. The story takes the readers all over the countryside and shows the diversity and richness of the world that Carson has created for her story, and readers will appreciate her attention to detail in her writing.

Reader’s Annotation: Princess Elisa is chosen for something great, but she won’t know what it is until it happens. When she has to marry a King she’s never met to unite their two kingdoms against a common enemy she knows that her chosen moment is drawing near, but will she have the strength to face it?

Author Information:

Rae Carson lives in Columbus, Ohio with her husband, two stepsons, and her two cats. She was originally from California, but moved to Ohio to marry her husband novelist C.C. Finlay.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns is her first novel and on the ALA’s Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults list. The sequel to this book, The Crown of Embers, will be released September 2012.

Genre: Fantasy

Curriculum Ties: N/A

Book Talk Ideas: What are you chosen for? How can you change the world? What are your hidden strengths?

Reading Level/Interest Level: Grade 9 and up

Challenge Issues: There is some significant violence in this book that parents may object to, and librarians should be prepared to explain the relevance of violence to the plot of this book.

Why item is included: This is a well-written book in the fantasy genre and is in high demand at the library.

The Will of the Empress by Tamora Pierce

Title: The Will of The Empress
Author: Tamora Pierce
ISBN/any other identifying numbers present on DVD’s: 978-0-439-44171-1
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Copyright: 2005

Plot Summary:
This story takes off where The Circle of Magic Quartet and The Circle Opens Quartet left off, reuniting the childhood friends, mages Sandry, Tris, Briar, and Daja. Sandry’s cousin the Empress Berenene “requests” that Sandry come visit her inherited land in Namorn. Sandry’s old friends agree to accompany her as her guard. Everything is fine up until it becomes clear that the Empress means to keep them from leaving Namorn and Sandry is kidnapped twice by two different men intent on making her their bride. Sandry and her friends must once again reconnect as they did when they were children and merge their powers in order to escape the will of the Empress.

Critical Evaluation: Tamora Pierce is a gifted writer who can take ordinary, every day tasks and items and turn them into some thing magical. She works her magic with this latest book, a book that reunites the characters from her Circle of Magic books. Fans of the earlier books in the Circle universe will appreciate the opportunity to see how the characters have grown and changed over the years, and will be excited to be a part of a new adventure. Pierce has demonstrated on many occasions her ability to write strong, independent female characters, but she demonstrates the same ability with her male characters in the Circle series, and she continues this trend in this most recent book. All readers, whether old fans of Tamora Pierece or new to her work, will appreciate Pierce’s storytelling abilities, and the way that she makes readers feel as if they know the characters.

Reader’s Annotation: Sandry and her friends have no idea what they’re walking into when they go to visit her cousin the Empress but she soon realizes that it’s not just an ordinary visit. Sandry and the rest of the Circle must work together to outwit the Empress so they can return home.

Author Information:
Tamora Pierce was born into a lower income family and raised in Pennsylvania. Although her family was poor Tamora enjoyed her childhood. Her family had a garden and Tamora read the many books her family had.
She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and became a social worker with a little writing on the side. Eventually Pierce published her first book Alanna: The First Adventure and has been on a roll ever since. She has written a total of 25 books and is a New York Times bestselling author.

Genre: Fantasy

Curriculum Ties: N/A

Book Talk Ideas: How would you deal with friendships that had faded or changed over time? Would you try to revive what you’d once had, or would you move on?

Reading Level/Interest Level: Middle school grades and up.

Challenge Issues: This book is fairly tame, although one of the main characters does have a same sex relationship, which may upset some parents. Librarians can be prepared to deal with complaints by being aware of the content of the book, and by providing context for the relationship.

Why item is included: Tamora Pierce is a popular author and her books circulate well at the library. Teens and adults alike enjoy her work, and her books would be an asset to any library collection.

Wildwood by Colin Meloy

Title: Wildwood
Author: Colin Meloy
ISBN: 978-0-06-202468-8
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Copyright: 2011

Plot Summary:
This story is about Prue McKeel and her friend Curtis as the set of to rescue her baby brother from crows who have kidnapped him. Prue and Curtis follow the crows into the Impassable Wilderness, an area on the edge of every map of Portland, Oregon where people go and never return. There in the Impassable Wilderness, Prue and Curtis discover the secret world of Wildwood where the locals are different, some are peaceful and some are dangerous and they are soon swept up in the effort to save Wildwood.

Critical Evaluation: In his premier book Colin Meloy has created a world that is mysterious and imaginative, where wondrous and horrible things can and do happen. This is a book that all readers of fantasy will enjoy, and while it is aimed at a slightly younger audience it is a book that can be enjoyed by all. This is an original story set in the Pacific Northwest, and Meloy makes the location as much of a character as the others, which will delight readers who are familiar with Portland, OR and the Pacific Northwest in general. Meloy has a very distinctive writing style and though the book gets off to a slow start the pace slowly picks up and by the end of the book readers will be hanging on every word. This is a large book in terms of the number of pages, 541 to be exact, and may be intimidating to some readers, but it’s worth the time.

Reader’s Annotation: When Prue’s baby brother is carried away by crows she must venture into the mysterious I.W. to retrieve him, even though no one has ever come back from the I.W.

Author Information:
Colin Meloy is a well known musician best known as the lead singer and songwriter for The Decembrists. Wildwood is his first novel although he knew he wanted to write early in his childhood.
The illustrations in Wildwood were done by his wife, Carson Ellis. The sequel to Wildwood, Under Wildwood will be released September 2012.

Genre: Fantasy

Curriculum Ties: N/A

Book Talk Ideas: What would you do if you were the only one who could save a family member from a terrible fate? How would you prepare yourself to enter an unknown wilderness?

Reading Level/Interest Level: Middle school and up.

Challenge Issues: There is some violence in this book, although it is written with children in mind, so the likelihood that a teen’s parents is going to complain is relatively small.

Why item is included: This is a book that brings to mind some of the fairy tales that people hear as children, and there’s something magical at revisiting that place as a teen or adult. Everyone should read the occasional book for tweens.

The Naming by Alison Croggon

Title: The Naming

Author: Alison Croggon

ISBN: 978-0-7636-2639-6

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Copyright: 2005

Any other information for non-book materials: N/A

Plot Summary:

This book follows the adventure of a girl named Maerad who is a slave, taken as a child after her family is shattered by the war. But when Maerad is found by Cadvan, a Bard of Lirgon, she learns that she has inherited a powerful gift and that her girt makes her a member of the School of Pellinor, allowing her to see the world like no one else. Her and Cadvan set out on an incredible journey to fulfill her destiny and fight off a Darkness that threatens to destroy the world. soon discovers that there’s something different about her.

Critical Evaluation: Reading Croggon’s The Naming will have readers drawing comparisons between her style and the style of J.R.R. Tolkien, which may help or harm her depending on the reader. This is a true fantasy in the same vein as The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and readers will appreciate the intricate world building that seems to follow in the footsteps of Tolkien. While elements of her style reveal her familiarity with Tolkien’s style, her story stands on its own, and readers will appreciate the elements of her story that make it unique, particularly the main character Maerad. Maerad is a normal young girl at the start of the story, and her evolution from powerless slave to heroine will inspire readers. This is a quest book, and as such follows certain expected plot lines, but Croggon makes each step her own, and makes the world feel real to readers. This is a wonderful book and fans of Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and Ursula Le Guin will revel in this story.

Reader’s Annotation: Maerad’s life is irreversibly changed when she escapes from slavery and discovers that she has magical abilities and is possible the prophesied hero who will save her world from the dark forces trying to destroy it.

Author Information:

Alison Croggon was born in 1962 in Austrailia. She is a theater critic for The Austrailan, the national newspaper. She is a poet, a play write, a critic, and storyteller.

Croggon is the author of The Books of Pellinor, which has been released in several different countries including the UK and the US.

Genre: Fantasy

Curriculum Ties: Could be used in a discussion about high fantasy books and J.R.R. Tolkien.

Book Talk Ideas:  If you were a slave and you suddenly discovered you had powers would you use those powers to avenge yourself on those who had wronged you?

Reading Level/Interest Level: YA

Challenge Issues: This is a fantasy book and as such has both violence and magic in it. Some parents may object to this sort of thing, and librarians need to be prepared to defend the book by providing additional information about

Why item is included: This is a well written book and is in a genre that is in high demand by teens, and is likely to circulate well.