I Am Number Four

YA READS:

Lore, P. (n.d.). I am number four
[digital image]. Retrieved November
22, 2016 from http://iamnumberfour
fans.com/3559/i-am-number-four/

Lore, P. (2010).  I am number four. New York: Harper Collins.  ISBN: 978-0-06-196955-3, $17.99 (hardcover).

In the beginning we were a group of nine.  Three are gone, dead. There are six of us left.  They are hunting us, and they won’t stop until they’ve killed us all.  I am Number Four. I know that I am next.

John Smith is Number Four – a Lorian sent to earth as the alien planet was in its death throes, attacked by enemy Mogadorians.  He and his guardian, or cêpan, Henri have to try and both assimilate on earth as well as stay hidden from the Mogadorians who continue to track them on a new planet.  So while John knows his true identity, he also struggles with the yearning to fit in like a normal earthen teenager.  His two worlds collide when he starts to fall for a human girl named Sarah and has to decide which secrets to keep and which ones to share in the name of love.  Will he be able to keep both himself and Sarah alive?  Or will Number Four fall next?

AWARDS according to Fiction DB:

* 2011 Isinglass Teen Read Award -- Grades 6-8 (Winner)
* 2013 Iowa Teen Award -- Young Adult (Winner)
* 2011 Delaware Diamonds Award -- High School (Nominee)
* 2012 Volunteer State Book Award -- High School (Runner-Up)
* 2013 Grand Canyon Reader Award -- Teen (Recommended)
* 2015 Colorado Blue Spruce Award -- Young Adult (Nominee)

HOMEMADE TEES:

Sure, you can go buy a t-shirt that says, "I am Number Four," or a movie-inspired item of clothing.  But perhaps the better course of follow is something unique that shows your support, but is only obvious to other Lorian Legacies fans.  This t-shirt from Red Bubble would make a great choice!  The charms of all 9 Legacies, proudly displayed.

AmazingFSPH. (n.d.). Lorian legacies [digital
image]. Retrieved November 22, 2016 from
https://www.redbubble.com/people/amazingfsph/
works/22885881-lorien-legacies?grid_
pos=1&p=t-shirt&style=mens

WANT MORE? In addition to having an awesome fan page, this book was also turned into a movie.  Catch the trailer here!

Ichiro

YA READS:

Kirkus. (2012). Ichiro [digital image].
Retrieved November 19, 2016 from
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/
book-reviews/ryan-inzana/ichiro/

Inzana, R. (2012). Ichiro. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 978-0-547-25269-8, $17.53 (PermaBound).

A native of Brooklyn, Ichiro is torn out of his element when his mom announces she’s going on a work trip to her native Japan and taking him with her.  The product of an American dad and a Japanese mom, Ichiro is a bit of an outsider in both countries – and the death of his dad when Ichiro was young doesn’t make finding his identity any easier.  Once in Japan, Ichiro’s practically-a-stranger Japanese grandfather starts teaching him about the history and myths of the small island nation, including how the gods warred with one another and created the islands in their wake. The two also visit Peace Park, the memorial site of the Hiroshima bombing.  As he starts to understand Japan’s past, and the role that war and peace play on the human psyche, Ichiro embarks on an adventure to come to peace with his own warring emotions.  Follow him on his epic journey to find the gods and himself.

AWARDS according to Fiction DB and Amazon:

* 2012 Cybils - Graphic Novel/YA Finalist

* Asian Pacific American Award for Literature - Children's and Young Adult Honorable Mention

HOMEMADE TEES:

A central twist of the story happens because of the actions of a tanuki (shape shifter) in the form of a raccoon.  Show off your advance knowledge of Japanese lore with this Tanuki t-shirt from Zazzle!

TanukiWear (n.d.). Tanuki shirt 
[digital image]. Retrieved November
19, 2016 from http://www.zazzle.com
/tanuki_shirt-235900700639853351

Cardboard

YA READS:

Amazon. (n.d.) Cardboard [digital
image]. Retrieved November 19,
2016 from https://www.amazon.
com/Cardboard-Doug-TenNapel/
dp/0545418739

TenNapel, D. (2012). Cardboard. New York: Scholastic. ISBN: 978-0-545-41872-0, $17.53 (PermaBound).

Cam is living in a tough world.  His mom died unexpectedly, and his single dad can’t find work, which means money is tight.  The neighborhood bully constantly harasses him.  Then his dad gives him the embarrassing present of an empty cardboard box for his birthday.  However, the cardboard box is more than meets the eye, and a little magic brings his cardboard creations to life.  As you can imagine, this type of secret doesn’t stay quiet for long, and before Cam knows it, his world is changing faster than he can keep up.  Will the cardboard monsters of his imagination ruin his life, or will he be forever indebted to the wonder of this Cardboard?

^ Check out the video above for a sneak peek

of my cat... and the artwork within this graphic 

novel by Doug TenNapel!

AWARDS, according to the Junior Library Guild:

* Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Book of 2012

* IRA Children’s Choices, Advanced Readers, 2013

* YALSA Great Graphic Novels 2013, Fiction

* YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers 2013, Fiction

HOMEMADE TEES:

You can show off the friendly side of cardboard with the following t-shirt, available from Zazzle:

Shoppee. (n.d.). Designed for you [digital image].
Retrieved November 19, 2016 from http://www.
zazzle.com/kawaii_cardboard_box_t_shirt-
235571644776659571

WANT MORE?Here are 6 things you can make out of cardboard in just minutes! (P.S. - always be super careful with x-acto knives.  It's hard to read with only 9 fingers...)

Jane, the fox & me

YA READS:

Anansi. (n.d.). Jane, the fox and me
[digital image]. Retrieved November 11,
2016 from http://houseofanansi.com/
products/jane-the-fox-and-me

Britt, F. & Arsenault, I. (2012). Jane, the fox & me. Berkeley: Groundwood Books. ISBN: 978-1-55498-360-5; $19.95 (hardcover).

For any girl who has ever felt insecure or shunned, or who prefers to escape into the world of fictional characters than face people in real life, then let me present Jane, the fox & me.  This achingly beautiful graphic novel focuses on Hélène, a young girl who is constantly teased at school, feels she has no friends, and is becoming irrationally concerned about her weight.  These are the real-life issues many teen girls face today – and this story addresses them head on.  By juxtaposing the story of Jane Eyre with her own life, Hélène seeks to understand why she feels as miserable as she does, and if anyone could ever love her.  Gray and black pencil and charcoal drawings bring Hélène’s world and emotions to life, while pages of vibrant colors and hues intersperse to illustrate the life of Jane and a mysterious fox.  With an ending you might not expect, Jane, the fox & me is an important book for any young female reader to experience.

AWARDS according to the House of Anansi Press:

* Winner of the Governor General's Literary Award for French Language Children's Illustration 2013

* Winner of the Libris Award for Young Readers Book of the Year 2014

* New York Times Best Illustrated Books 2013

* Globe and Mail Best Books 2013

* New York Public Library Books for Reading and Sharing 2013

* YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens 2014

* Best American Comics 2014

* Ontario Library Association Best Bets 2014

* Short-listed for the Amelia Frances Howard‐Gibbon Award 2014

* Short-listed for the Eisner Award for Best Publication for Kids 2014

* Short-listed for the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Young Adult / Middle Reader Award 2014

* Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year 2014

^ Check out the video above to see 

a sneak peek of the artwork and characters within this book!

HOMEMADE TEES:

While he doesn't appear until page 78, the fox's arrival in Hélène's life marks a turning point.  Invite a little fox into your own life with this fun t-shirt, available from Coloradical Shirts:

Coloradical. (n.d.). Fox t-shirt [digital
image]. Retrieved November 11, 2016
from http://www.coloradicalshirts.com/
products/fox-t-shirt-womens

You can also channel your inner strong woman with this Jane Eyre inspired shirt available from Etsy:

Valencia, P. (n.d.). Jane Eyre I am no bird
[digital image]. Retrieved November 11, 2016
from https://www.etsy.com/listing/126923946/
jane-eyre-i-am-no-bird-small-unisex-deep

"I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will."

Ghosts

YA READS:

Goodreads. (n.d.). Ghosts
[digital image]. Retrieved November
11, 2016 from https://www.goodreads
.com/book/show/25903764-ghosts

Telgemeier, G. (2016). Ghosts. New York: Scholastic.  ISBN: 978-0-545-54062-9, $10.99 (paperback).

Some are friendly, some are angry, some are benign.  Ghosts, depending on the story and culture, have many personalities and affect the living in different ways.  Catrina, who has recently moved to the Californian town of Bahía de la Luna with her family, is very frightened by the ghosts who dwell in the local Mission.  Her sister Maya, on the other hand, is enthusiastic about meeting these apparitions and behaves recklessly to get even the smallest peek of the deceased specters.  The big problem is that Maya’s cystic fibrosis flares up when she becomes overly excited, and thus ghost hunting falls squarely in the category of “dangerous activities.”  Can Catarina find a way to embrace her sister’s enthusiasm?  Can Maya participate in the Día de los Muertos festivities without ending up in the hospital?  Ghosts is a delightful addition to Raina Telgemeier’s canon of graphic novels for middle-grade readers, and especially fun for anyone who loves a little bit of otherworldly adventure.

This book is too new to have won any awards yet, but many of Raina Telgemeier's other books have been lauded for their excellence.  Check out her site for more information!

HOMEMADE TEES:

One of the most famous characters associated with the Day of the Dead happens to be a female skeleton, La Calavera Catrina.  Honor both Cat from the book and this classic Mexican icon by getting a shirt that features "the elegant skull":

DaisyO. (n.d.). La Catrina - Dia de los muertos
[digital image]. Retrieved November 11, 2016 from
http://tinyurl.com/hpyjpu6

Or - show your love for Raina Telgemeier in general by wearing her signature shirt all around town! (That's the author, on the left!)

Telgemeier, R. (n.d.). Smile collage [digital image].
Retrieved November 11, 2016 from http://goraina
.com/store/

WANT MORE? Here's a video of Raina Telgemeier talking about her inspiration for her newest book:

Roller Girl

YA READS:

Jamieson, V. (n.d.). Roller girl
[digital image]. Retrieved November
8, 2016 from http://www.victoria
jamieson.com/

Jamieson, V. (2015).  Roller girl. New York: Scholastic.  ISBN: 978-0-545-93497-8, $9.99 (paperback).

Scald Eagle.  Yoga Nabi Sari.  Scrappy Go Lucky.  Rainbow Bite.  What do these names have in common?  They’re all members of the Rose City Rollers – an all-female roller derby team that Astrid desperately wants to join.  Two problems: First, Astrid is only old enough to skate for the junior team, the Rosebuds, and second, she’s a terrible skater.  But make that three problems – her best friend Nicole doesn’t want to come to summer skate camp with her.  Astrid has to decide if she’ll branch out on her own and try something new to follow her dream, or if she’ll stick with the safety of a friend she’s known forever.  Told in rainbow color, and through witty word choice, this graphic novel about a girl struggling to find her place is a sure winner on any shelf.  Will Astrid become a Roller Girl, or a Rose Dud? Find your nearest local library or book store to find out!

AWARDS according to Penguin Random House:

* Newbery Honor book

* New York Times Bestseller

* Spring 2015 Indie Next Pick

* New York Times Book Review Notable Children’s Book of 2015

* New York Public Library Best Book for Reading and Sharing of 2015

* Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2015

* School Library Journal Best Book of 2015

* Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2015

* Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2015

* Texas Bluebonnet Award 2016-2017 nominee

* 2016 YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers selection

* 2016 YALSA Popular Paperback selection

* ALA Notable Children’s Book of 2016

* 2015 Nerdy Book Club Award Winner for Best Graphic Novel

HOMEMADE TEES:

Kaulakis, D. (n.d.). The adventures
of derby girl [digital image].
Retrieved November 8, 2016 from
https://www.redbubble.com/people
/danikaulakis/works/10753504-
the-adventures-of-derby-girl?grid
_pos=11&p=t-shirt&style=womens

First, there are plenty of cool roller derby shirts out there in the world.  This one is available from RedBubble and is bunches of fun!

Astrid, however, adores the skater Rainbow Bite, whose name is a play on the popular 80s cartoon character.  Show your true fan colors by wearing a vintage Rainbow Brite tee and strap on some skates for original derby fun!

Amazon. (n.d.). Rainbow brite
and sprites [digital image]. Retrieved
November 8, 2016 from http://tinyurl.
com/p6fbxq8

WANT MORE? Watch this quick tutorial about how Roller Derby works!  Maybe you, too, will become a roller girl!

Aya

Goodreads. (n.d.). Aya (Aya #1)
[digital image]. Retrieved
November 8, 2016 from
https://www.goodreads.
com/book/show/308424.Aya

YA READS:

Abouet, M., & Oubrerie, C. (2007). Aya. Montreal: Drawn & Quarterly. ISBN: 978-1-894937-90-0, $19.95 (hardback). 

For many people, Africa is a faraway place full of turmoil and poverty. Likewise, the 1970s are a bygone era of polyester and disco. However, this graphic novel (or bandes dessinées) by Marguerite Abouet beautifully captures the 1970s in Côte d'Ivoire in such a way that it is real and vibrant and current for readers today. Aya is a young girl living in Abidjan, and she and her friends all long for independence and a taste of adulthood. She tells her friends, “I don’t want to wind up in the ‘C’ series… combs, clothes, and chasing men,” and admits to her father, “I want to be a doctor!” Sliding back and forth between the lives of three different girls, and covering such topics as young love, teen pregnancy, female empowerment, education and cultural taboos, this story will resonate with teen girl readers around the globe. Aya’s problems and aspirations are juxtaposed with the exciting opportunities for and great struggles of the residents of Jop City, and turning the pages through colorful images of the Ivory Coast and its diverse characters is a delightful experience. Don’t miss Aya!

AWARDS according to Drawn & Quarterly:
* 2006 Best First Album - Angouleme International Comics Festival

HOMEMADE TEES:

Aya is very proud of her African heritage, and the author, Marguerite Abouet is as well.  You, too, can rock a shirt to show the pride of Côte d'Ivoire!

YeOldeShirtShop. (n.d.). Ivory
Coast Cote d'Ivoire soccer futbol
world cup [digital image]. Retrieved
November 8, 2016 from http://tinyurl.com/
pw6sg88

Batman: The Court of Owls, Volume 1

YA READS:

Amazon. (n.d.). Batman vol 1:
Court of owls [digital image].
Retrieved November 6, 2016
from https://www.amazon.com/
Batman-Vol-Court-Owls-New
/dp/1401235425

Snyder, S., Capullo, G., & Galpion, J. (2012).  Batman: The court of owls, volume 1. New York: DC Comics.  ISBN: 978-1-4012-3541-3, $16.99 (paperback).

Batman, the Caped Crusader, the Dark Knight – one of comic book history’s greatest heroes.  Reborn again and again in hundreds of comic books, TV series, movies, and books, you might wonder what makes The Court of Owls any different?  In this graphic novel by Scott Snyder, Batman begins to doubt his own understanding of Gotham City – is it really the town he knows to its core?  Or is there a sinister secret lurking in the buildings and alleyways he loves so well?  Clues lead him to believe there is a Court of Owls – trained assassins led by The Talon – tracking his every move.  Beautifully drawn and colored by Greg Capullo and Jonathan Glapion, this volume is sure to captivate any reader who loves to see Batman kicking ass and taking names.  Can the Bat outwit his natural enemy the Owls before they sink their talons in him?  Go grab this graphic novel, and watch everyone’s favorite super hero defend his home once more. 

Amazon. (n.d.). Batman vol 1: Court of owls [digital image].  Retrieved November 6, 2016 from
https://www.amazon.com/Batman-Vol-Court-Owls-New/dp/1401235425

AWARDS according to FictionDB:

* 2012 Publisher's Weekly starred review

HOMEMADE TEES: well... where do we begin?  You could probably find 234,098,234 Batman shirts online - so we're just going to stick with clothing items that apply to this one particular book.

Amazon. (n.d.). White stamped
court of owls [digital image].
Retrieved November 6, 2016 from
http://tinyurl.com/zsaz3mo

Option 1: Court of Owls emblem shirt from Amazon is sure to show that you're not scared of villains.

Amazon. (n.d.). Court of owls
distressed owl mask [digital
image]. Retrieved November 6,
2016 from http://tinyurl.com/zrxlwxp

Option 2: Become one of the Owls with this t-shirt, displaying their signature mask.

WANT MORE?  Are you too lazy to read?  Here's a quick summary of this story-line from the Batman canon, in case you're just a bit overwhelmed by the many Dark Knight options.  Caution: spoilers abound!

The Lightning Thief

YA READS:

Riordan, R. (n.d.). The lightning
 thief: The graphic novel [digital
image]. Retrieved November 5, 2016
from http://rickriordan.com/series/
percy-jackson-and-the-olympians/

Riordan, R. (2010). The lightning thief. New York: Disney. ISBN: 978-1-4231-1710-0, $9.99 (paperback).

For anyone who loves Rick Riordan and his action-packed books about the heroes of Olympus, then this adapted version of the first book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series will be a sure-fire hit.  This graphic novel illustrates the beginning of Percy Jackson’s adventures, including his realization that he is a demi-god and the son of Poseidon.  The Oracle of Delphi sends Percy on a mission to recover stolen goods, and his travels result in terrifying moments of danger, as well as validation of his true identity as a son of the gods. Can this boy and his friends stop a war between the gods?  Is Percy Jackson really the lightning thief?  Check out this graphic novel and see for yourself!

Riordan, R. (2010). The lightning thief [digital images]. Photographs of original artwork taken on November 5, 2016.

Want to know more about this novel and its author?  Check out Rick Riordan's website for more details!  

HOMEMADE TEES:  You can have the same shirt as Mrs. Scott!  It's available from Amazon.com and shows that you, too, are a camper at Camp Half-Blood for demigods and other Greek heroes.

Amazon. (n.d.). Camp half blood
demigods [digital image]. Retrieved
November 5, 2016 from https://www.amazon.
com/Island-Youths-T-Shirt-Shirts-Medium
/dp/B00WT62U1K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF
8&qid=1478384296&sr=8-2&keywords
=camp+half+blood

WANT MORE? The original book was turned into a movie in 2010.  Here's the original trailer in case a print novel and graphic novel aren't enough for you!

American Born Chinese

YA READS:

Yang, G.L. (n.d.) Abc [digital image].
Retrieved November 6, 2016 from
http://geneyang.com/works/
american-born-chinese?portfolioID
=57124

Yang, G.L. (2006). American born Chinese. New York: First Second. ISBN: 978-159643-152-2, $19.95 (hardcover).

The Monkey King seeks to become the most powerful god in the land.

Jin Wang just wants to fit in among his white, American classmates.

Danny wishes his cousin Chin-Kee would stop visiting from China and embarrassing him so much.

Master story-teller and artist Gene Luen Yang creates a tale in which one character becomes another, and circumstances are not always as they seem.  Tackling issues such as racism, stereotypes, and the politics of middle and high school, the multi-ethnic characters in this graphic novel have to grapple with a clash of cultures.  Will Jin Wang ever be at peace with his Chinese heritage?  Will the Monkey King learn from his pride?  You’ll have to check out American Born Chinese to find out!

Yang, G.L. (2006). American born Chinese [digital images]. Photographs of original artwork taken
on November 6, 2016.

AWARDS according to Wikipedia and FictionDB:

* 2006 National Book Awards - Young People's Literature (finalist)

* 2007 Michael L. Printz Award (winner)

* 2007 Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album: New

* Publishers Weekly Comics Week Best Comic of the Year

* San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of the Year

* 2006/2007 Best Book Award from The Chinese American Librarians Association

* Amazon.com Best Graphic Novel/Comic of the Year

* Booklist Top Ten Graphic Novel for Youth

* NPR Holiday Pick

* Time Magazine Top Ten Comic of the Year

* Lark Pien, colorist, received the 2007 Harvey Award for Best Colorist

HOMEMADE TEES:

Whether you're a Chinese American, or just a person who thinks ABC is a fantastic novel, you can show your pride by purchasing the following t-shirt from Zazzle.

SouvenirKattunge. (n.d.). American born
Chinese t-shirt [digital image]. Retrieved
November 6, 2016 from https://www.zazzle.co.nz
/americanbornchinese_t_shirt-235646729290883440 

Or if that doesn't suit your fancy, you can show your super-fan-dom by wearing a Transformers shirt instead.  These changing toys make several significant appearances throughout the novel and are obviously a favorite toy of the author.  Get yours from Amazon!

Amazon. (n.d.) Transformers autobots
logo [digital image]. Retrieved November
6, 2016 from https://www.amazon.com/
Transformers-Autobots-Adult-Heather-T-Shirt/
dp/B00D4BD8BA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=
UTF8&qid=1478379179&sr=8-3&
keywords=transformers+shirt

WANT MORE? Author Gene Luen Yang speaks about his success as a comic artist and author, his novel American Born Chinese and how important it is for children to read without walls.

The Selection

YA READS: 

Cass, K. (n.d.). The selection
[digital image]. Retrieved
November 5, 2016 from http:
//www.kieracass.com/books/

Cass, K. (2012).  The selection.  New York: Harper Teen. ISBN: 978-0-06-205994-9, $14.94 (Perma-Bound).

Have you ever dreamed of a fairy-tale life in a castle with a handsome prince?  Born into the mid-level caste of five, and secretly in love with Aspen, a boy from the lower caste of six, America is relatively happy with her place in life.  However, her mother aspires for more. So when Maxon, the Prince of Illéa calls for applicants for the next Selection – essentially the person who will marry him and become queen – America is coerced into entering. Sitting on her couch, watching the winners called on national TV, America’s life is changed with six small words:

“Miss America Singer of Carolina, Five.”

I whipped my head back around, and there it was.  The picture of me just after I’d found out Aspen was saving up to marry me.  I looked radiant, hopeful, beautiful. I looked like I was in love.  And some idiot thought that love was for Prince Maxon.

Now that she’s one of the 35 Selected, will America be true to herself, or hide her feelings in order to raise the status of her family?  The Selection is not only a test of America’s abilities to be the future queen, but of her determination to fight for what she wants in life.

AWARDS according to FictionDB:
* 2014 Volunteer State Book Award -- High School Winner
* 2014 Volunteer State Book Award -- Middle School Winner)
* 2015 Colorado Blue Spruce Award -- Young Adult (Nominee)
* 2015 Iowa High School Book Award -- Young Adult (Nominee)
* 2015 Louisiana Teen Readers' Choice -- Grades 9-12 (Honor Book)
* 2015 Young Reader's Choice Award -- Senior/Grades 10-12 (Nominee)

HOMEMADE TEES: This chick-lit title of course has many attire choices if you want to show your support.  The entire series has been well received and America seems to be America's sweet-heart. (See what I did there... with her name?)  

Whoviandrea. (n.d.). The selection
[digital image]. Retrieved November 6,
2016 from https://www.redbubble.com/
people/whoviandrea/works/15136727
-the-selection?grid_pos=2&p=triblend-tee

This first option from RedBubble displays one of Prince Maxon's more charming declarations: "Break my heart. Break it a thousand times if you like.  It was only ever yours to break anyway."  How romantic!

FandomShirtsPH. (n.d.).
The selection [digital image].
Retrieved November 6,
2016 from http://skreened.com/
fandomshirtsph/the-selection

This second option from Skreened declares your status as the princess of Illéa.  You just never know...

WANT MORE?  Author Kiera Cass has a delightful YouTube channel with all kinds of fun videos about The Selection, and other books in the series.   Here's one of her more recent videos with some of her own personal thoughts about reading and authors!