Libros

Autumn and Adonis have nothing in common and everything in common. Autumn is outgoing and has lots of friends. Adonis is shy and not so eager to connect with people. But even with their differences, the two have one thing in common--they're each dealing with a handicap. For Autumn, who has a learning disability, reading is a painful struggle that makes it hard to focus in class. But as her school's most aggressive team wrestler, Autumn can take down any problem. Adonis uses a wheelchair. He has no legs. He can't walk or dance. But he's a strong reader who loves books. Even so, Adonis has a secret he knows someone like Autumn can heal. In time, Autumn and Adonis are forced to see that our greatest weaknesses can turn into the assets that forever change us and those we love. Told in alternating voices, Takedown explores issues of self-discovery, friendship, and what it means to be different.

One year. Nine events. Nine chances to . . . fall in love?Weddings. Funerals. Barbecues. New Year's Eve parties. Name the occasion, and Sophie Evans will be there. Well, she has to be there. Sophie works for the local florist, so she can be found at every big event in her small hometown, arranging bouquets and managing family dramas.Enter Andrew Hart. The son of the fancy new chef in town, Andrew is suddenly required to attend all the same events as Sophie. Entitled, arrogant, preppy Andrew. Sophie just wants to get her job done and finish up her sketches so she can apply to design school. But every time she turns around, there is Andrew, getting in her way and making her life more complicated. Until one day she wonders if maybe complicated isn't so bad after all . . .Told over the course of one year and following Sophie from event to event, this delightful novel from master of romantic comedy Kasie West shows how love can blossom in unexpected places.

Sarah is not unlike other teens; she's interested in shopping, boys, and her girlfriends. However, she is tired of her predictable life and is "looking for something." The "something" she finds is Robin-a defiant, tough-talking girl who smokes, vandalizes, and wears nothing but black. Sharing an affinity to buck authority, the two become fast friends. Even Sarah isn't sure why she has given up her friends and lost herself. She posits, "-I often choose to be the plastic doll on bended knee, throwing other people's words out my mouth. Why do I surrender my voice like that?" When Robin attempts suicide, Sarah slowly returns to her former self, realizing that she may have wanted to be different, but not that different. Hemphill has her pacing and character development down pat. She takes Sarah from August through the end of her junior year, alternating shorter and longer passages effectively, showing a life peppered with despair, romance, and confusion. The teen's friendships (both destructive and healthy) shape who she becomes. In the end, she displays not only hope, but growth, as she invites the destructive Robin to "forge new footprints" with her and turn her back on the "skeletons of disappointment and unhappiness." Readers don't know what will happen, but they do have a better idea of who Sarah is through this telling final poem. A thought-provoking read.-Sharon Korbeck, Waupaca Area Public Library, WI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Two theater-mad, self-inventedfabulositon Ohio teenagers.One boy, one girl.One gay, one straight.One black, one white.And SUMMER DRAMA CAMP.It's a season of hormones, gold lame,hissy fits,jazz hands,song and dance, true love,and unitardsthat will determine their future--and test their friendship.

Four weird friends! Eight hilarious volumes! Join Amelia, Reggie, Rhonda, and Pajamaman (The Gathering of Awesome Super Pals) in the Eisner-nominated Amelia Rules series! Amelia Louise McBride has seen it all: her parents’ divorce, a move to a small town, the terror of Joe McCarthy Elementary, wacky frenemies, a celebrity aunt, and crushing crushes! Plus, that thing EVERY kid has to face at some point…ninjas! But just when she thinks her life is settling down, another surprise hits her like a rogue Sneeze-Barf. But don’t worry. Whatever it is, Amelia can handle it. Hilarious and heartwarming, the Amelia Rules! series features a cast you’ll never forget; especially the clever, whip-smart Amelia who is as relatable as she is lovable. As long as you stay on her good side, that is! This collectible boxed set features paperback editions of The Whole World’s Crazy, What Makes You Happy, Superheroes, When the Past Is a Present, The Tweenage Guide to Not Being Unpopular, True Things (Adults Don’t Want Kids to Know), The Meaning of Life…and Other Stuff, and Her Permanent Record.