Emily the Strange: The Lost Days

Reger, Rob, author/illustrator. Jessica Gruner, co-writer. Buzz Parker, co-illustrator. Emily the Strange: The Lost Days. ISBN-10: 0601452297, ISBN-13: 9780601452291. Harper Collins. 2009.

Summary
In the town of Blackstone, a girl is sweeping out a coffee shop for sandwiches, sleeping in a cardboard lean-to with four cats and has amnesia. She doesn't know who she is, why she's in Blackstone, but she knows there are things that need to be found out, and found out quickly because not knowing who she is is becoming a bother.

Critical Evaluation
Emily is in a town that she's never visited before as far as she knows, but then again she's got amnesia so she doesn't even know that she is Emily or why she's in this strange town. Readers who have read about Emily's other adventures will be caught up in the mysteries that abound in Blackstone, with her barista Raven, and with the other cast of characters that are part of the puzzle. Written in Emily's well-known lists and journal entries, fans will enjoy the ninth book in the Emily collection.

Reader's Annotation
Blackstone is a town that has neither stones nor anything black other than the four cats that follow around a girl who wears the same black dress every day. But all will be explained after the amnesia has expired, and Emily is back to being herself.

About the Author
Emily the Strange is the product of Rob Reger. He started with her image on t-shirts and skateboards and now has over 10 books dedicated to Emily, her cats and her adventures. Emily's iconic image has become a fashion brand known around the world.

Genre
Mystery
Illustrated Novel (not a graphic novel)

Challenges
n/a

Curriculum Ties
n/a

Booktalking Ideas
If you could give yourself amnesia, would you…

Awards
n/a

Reading Level/Interest Age
Ages 13+

Why I included this title...
This book was given to me because the spine was broken by a patron. After ordering a replacement, I started reading because I liked her lists.

More Information
Rob Reger. http://robreger.com/

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. ISBN-10: 0316013692, ISBN-13: 9780316013697.Little, Brown. 2007

Summary
While going to high school on the Spokane Reservation, Junior is issued a math text book that his MOM had used at least 20 years before! He is so frustrated with this book, his life of poverty, hunger, alcoholism and death on the reservation, he makes a decision to attend the nearby, all-white high school—off the reservation. This bittersweet story is peppered with Junior's cartoons, and his strong hope for a future that he's in charge of—not one destined for a kid from a reservation.

Critical Evaluation
Sherman Alexie has chronicled his own experiences as an adolescent growing up on the Spokane Reservation in his first book for young adults. Although, the story is one that could be very heartbreaking because of the harsh realities of the reservation, Alexie adds Junior's sense of humor and his touching cartoons to create a very funny book. Readers will appreciate the contemporary glimpse into Junior's life as he tries to straddle life in and out of the reservation as he feels like an outsider in both.

This book is often challenged and was recently banned in Stockton, MO.

Reader's Annotation
Sherman Alexie writes a tale of a Native American teen from the reservation that chooses to break away from the predestined life he's expected to accept.

About the Author
Sherman Alexie also grew up on the Spokane Reservation, was also given his mother's old math text book, also left the reservation to go to all-white Reardan High School, and also went on to excel academically and on the basketball court. He then graduated from Reardan, and went on to graduate from Washington State University (WSU). While at WSU, he was encouraged by a poetry teacher to pursue his creative writing and leave his ideas of becoming a doctor behind—he was a chronic fainter.

Alexie's career is one that mirrors that teen growing up on the reservation who wasn't afraid to try new things. After college, he received fellowships for poetry, which produced The Business of Bellydancing and other collections of poetry. His first collection of short stories, The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, followed which was well received and lauded. Novels came next for Alexie with the publication of Reservation Blues. And in addition to writing stories and poetry, Alexie has done stand-up comedy, written screenplays (Smoke Signals) and directed films (The Business of Bellydancing).

Genre
Boys and Men
Adolescence
Racial Issues
Illustrated Novel (not graphic novels)

Curriculum Ties
English: writing autobiographies

Booktalking Ideas
Could you leave the only life you've ever known, in hopes of a better life…

Awards
Peter Pan Award - 2009
Washington Book Award - 2008
Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards for Excellence in Children's Literature in Fiction - 2008
Capitol Choices Noteworthy Books for Children - 2008
Pacific Northwest Book Award – 2008
American Indian Library Association American Indian Youth Literature Award - 2008
National Book Award for Young People's Literature - 2007
Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist - 2007
Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year Children's Fiction – 2007
The New York Times Favorite Children's Books - 2007
National Parenting Publication Gold Winner - 2007
Barnes and Noble Best for Teens - 2007
School Library Journal Best Books - 2007
Kirkus Reviews Best Young Adult Books -2007
Horn Book Fanfare Best Books - 2007

Reading Level/Interest Age
Ages 14+

Why I included this title...
After hearing that this book was banned in Missouri, my interest was piqued.