In Honor of Banned Books Week

#3 Challenged Book of 2013

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
by Sherman Alexie, Ellen Forney (Illustrator)

In his first book for young adults, bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot. Heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, which is based on the author's own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings by acclaimed artist Ellen Forney, that reflect the character's art, chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he was destined to live.

(summary retrieved from goodreads.com)

If ever you, jaded humans, need a slap in the face of perspective, this book would be a good place to start. An absolutely beautiful tragic story. Full of love and loss and life and cold hard reality, this is an important book for teens and adults alike. Junior is such a great character and it was great to see his development and how he handled incredibly challenging situations.

This book’s most frequent challenge was because of “Drugs/alcohol/smoking”. Alexie wrote about drugs and drinking. And his book was challenged. Because nobody drinks excessively or does drugs, so teens don’t need to know about their devastating and deadly consequences, right? This isn’t Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, there is no glory bestowed on the consumption of illegal substances. Characters that the main character Junior loves are taken away from him because other characters made incredibly poor choices. Choices teens can learn about in order to avoid repeating themselves.

The View from Saturday

by E.L. Konigsburg

Mrs. Olinski, paralyzed in a car crash ten years ago, returns to teaching and chooses four unlikely sixth-grade Academic Bowl team, who become unlikelier champions, in more than the state competition. Julian, the strangest one on the school bus, invites Noah, red-haired Nadia, and silent Ethan, to tea.
(Summary retrieved from goodreads.com)

This book stood out to me when I read it as a tween, but it meant even more to me when I reread it as an "adult" two years ago. I wish I could have been as thoughful and introspective as the characters in this book when I was their age. I loved that, at age approximately 11, these characters were able to make such deep meaningful friendships with each other, find beauty and patience in the ugly and hectic, and give hope to so many younger folks at a challenging transition--socially and developmentally--in their lives. A must for children and inner-children alike.

Nation

by Terry Pratchett

Alone on a desert island — everything and everyone he knows and loves has been washed away in a storm — Mau is the last surviving member of his nation. He’s completely alone — or so he thinks until he finds the ghost girl. She has no toes, wears strange lacy trousers like the grandfather bird, and gives him a stick that can make fire.
Daphne, sole survivor of the wreck of the Sweet Judy, almost immediately regrets trying to shoot the native boy. Thank goodness the powder was wet and the gun only produced a spark. She’s certain her father, distant cousin of the Royal family, will come and rescue her but it seems, for now, that all she has for company is the boy and the foul-mouthed ship’s parrot, until other survivors arrive to take refuge on the island. Together, Mau and Daphne discover some remarkable things (including how to milk a pig, and why spitting in beer is a good thing), and start to forge a new nation.

Encompassing themes of death and nationhood, Terry Pratchett’s new novel is, as can be expected, extremely funny, witty and wise. Mau’s ancestors have something to teach us all. Mau just wishes they would shut up about it and let him get on with saving everyone’s lives!
(Summary retrieved from goodreads.com)

I loved this book--obviously. I had so much fun reading it and finding the dramatized version of it on BBC Radio 4 Extra. Mau and Daphne are such great characters and it was great to see them grow and develop because of--and in spite of--quite dire circumstances. Seriously great book.

Wonder (Wonder #1)

by R. J. Palacio

I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.

August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?

R. J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is accessible to readers of all levels.
(summary retrieved from goodreads.com)

What I loved most about this book, aside from everything, was the wonderful sense of perspective the author gave us. It wasn't just Auggie's story, but the story of his sister, her boyfriend, some of his classmates, etc. Even a character that never comes around to accepting Auggie's difference is treated with compassion. I would recommend this book to any person of any age.

Thirteen Reasons Why

by Jay Asher (Goodreads Author)

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier.

On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.

Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.
(Summary retrieved from goodreads.com)

I haven't even finished this book, I'm about halfway through, and I needed to share it.

This book is extremely powerful and I'm completely consumed by it. Young adults and "regular" adults alike could learn a thing or two--or ten--from the lessons the main character, Hannah, is trying to communicate.
I'm completely hooked and will definitely spend the rest of my day diving into this captivating read.

Bone, Vol. 1: Out from Boneville

by Jeff Smith

After being run out of Boneville, the three Bone cousins, Fone Bone, Phoney Bone, and Smiley Bone, are separated and lost in a vast uncharted desert.

One by one, they find their way into a deep, forested valley filled with wonderful and terrifying creatures...

Humor, mystery, and adventure are spun together in this action-packed, side-splitting saga. Everyone who has ever left home for the first time only to find that the world outside is strange and overwhelming will love Bone.

(Summary retrieved from goodreads.com)

One of the best parts of looking after other people's kids was reading books with illustrations again. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed it and how much I'd missed after I stopped. This graphic novel has it all and I would recommend it to any child, young adult, or adult-y adult. 

Let the Right One In

by John Ajvide Lindqvist

It is autumn 1981 when the inconceivable comes to Blackeberg, a suburb in Sweden. The body of a teenage boy is found, emptied of blood, the murder rumored to be part of a ritual killing. Twelve-year-old Oskar is personally hoping that revenge has come at long last—revenge for the bullying he endures at school, day after day.

But the murder is not the most important thing on his mind. A new girl has moved in next door—a girl who has never seen a Rubik’s Cube before, but who can solve it at once. There is something wrong with her, though, something odd. And she only comes out at night....

(Summary retrieved from goodreads.com)

So my flight had been delayed by about 4 hours and I tried desperately not to loose my mind. I felt like getting violent when all of a sudden... I spotted this book in the Waterstones bookshop in Heathrow Terminal 4. I figured it would be safer and legal-er for a [hopefully] fictional character to kill people instead of me resorting to such things. I loved the two main characters and the dark new take on vampires. This is the perfect example of fiction featuring young protagonists that was definitely not intended for the young. Absolutely captivating, regardless of the fact that I was trapped in Heathrow forever.

Tithe (Modern Faerie Tales #1)

by Holly Black

Sixteen-year-old Kaye is a modern nomad. Fierce and independent, she travels from city to city with her mother's rock band until an ominous attack forces Kaye back to her childhood home. There, amid the industrial, blue-collar New Jersey backdrop, Kaye soon finds herself an unwilling pawn in an ancient power struggle between two rival faerie kingdoms - a struggle that could very well mean her death.

(Summary retrieved from goodreads.com)

Back to fantastical realms. Like the title says, this is a modern take on old fairy tales. It's a great combination of fairy, faerie, and faery elements from many different places in a modern setting. A great combination of fun and dark.

Graceling (Graceling Realm #1)

by Kristin Cashore

Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight - she's a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king's thug.

(Summary retrieved from goodreads.com)

The journey Katsa follows is wild. It was wonderful to accompany her on the physical journey, but also her character's journey of emotional development as well. She works damn hard to live the life she doesn't know she deserves and tries to rise above the stereotypes people with her abilities face. She's a very strong and brave character and is a great role model for young women who may not always feel allowed to be powerful too. 

The other two books in the series are a must as well: Fire and Bitterblue. Both are available at most bookstores and libraries. You won't have to wait on the edge of your seat like I did for the next one to come out.