Dramarama

Author:E. Lockhart

ISBN:978-0786838172

Publication Information:Hyperion Books CH

Plot Summary: Demi and Sadye are in for the adventure of their lives. They've both been accepted to a prestigious summer theater camp, where is it all theater, all the time. But from the beginning, their friendship is tested. Demi immediately becomes popular and sought after, both on and off the stage while Sadye struggles to carve out a place for herself surrounded by a group of extremely gifted and theatrical teens. As she finds herself jumping through hoops to impress the camp instructors and her friends, she finds herself questioning the instructions and teaching methods of her instructors, and begins to gain a reputation as a trouble maker. Will Sadye be able to create a niche for herself at theater camp, or will the difference in summer experiences ruin Demi and Sadye's friendship forever?

Critical Evaluation: E. Lockhart has created another fun novel with a fearless female that isn't afraid to question authority. Sayde is an extremely realistic character because although she isn't afraid to speak her mind, she has the same self esteem issues and moments of self doubt that any teen goes through during puberty (and really, the same moments of self doubt that any person goes through periodically). Demi, although less developed, is an equally enticing character, and is part of a greatly under represented group in teen (and all) literature, as a gay black male. The reader can't help but feel happy for Demi as he reinvents himself as a successful, popular actor with admirers and suitors. Demi and Sadye's summer camp experience is a great read not only for LGBTQ teens, but for theater kids, and anyone who has dreamed of being on American Idol or Broadway.

Reader's Annotation: Sarah is ready for a reinvention. She is heading to theater camp with her best friend Demi and a new name, Sayde. But creating a new identity isn't as easy as it seems.

Author Information: E. (Emily) Lockhart was born in New York city. In addition to Frankie Landau-Banks, she is the author of the Ruby Oliver books (three in publication and one due to be released later this year), Dramarama, Fly on the Wall and How to Bad. She is a full time writer, a vegetarian, and practices yoga on a regular basis. (Information gathered from the author's website http://e-lockhart.com/main/?)

Curricular Ties: Theater

Genre: LGBTQ

Book talking ideas:

• Why did Sayde have such a difficult time at camp?
• Why did Sarah change her name to Sayde? Have you ever wanted to change your name or identity? Why?
• Was Sayde right to question her instructors? Why or why not?
  

Challenge issues: Underage drinking

• Familiarize yourself with the book and its contents.
• Check the library for specific policies on challenged books.
• Check the ALA website for advice on how to respond and react when a book has been challenged. (http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm)
  
• Find positive reviews from reputable websites.
• Ask the challenger for their specific objections and try to address them using information from the above research.

Interest Age:Grades 8 and up

Why I selected this piece: I really enjoyed The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, so I wanted to read more of Lockhart's work.

The Boyfriend List

Author: E. Lockhart

ISBN:978-0385732079

Publication Information: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Plot Summary: Ruby is having some major problems at school. After accidentally (on purpose) kissing her ex-boyfriend at a party, who happens to now be her best friend's boyfriend, almost everyone at school, including Ruby's best friends, aren't speaking to her. On top of that, Ruby has been suffering from some debilitating panic attacks. Her panic attacks are so bad that her parents insist that she see a therapist. One of her therapy assignments is to create a boyfriend list of every boy that she has had any sort of relationship with, so that during each session they could cover one guy from Ruby's past. Will the boyfriend list help Ruby, or just make her more neurotic?

Critical Evaluation: E. Lockhart certainly knows how to create quirky, neurotic, yet oddly endearing female characters, but doesn't quite pack the same punch as or The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks or Dramarama. While Ruby is certainly going through a difficult time at school, her inability to stick up for herself with her best friends becomes a bit grating after a while. Still, Lockhart seems to capture the neurosis and crisis of teens fairly well in Ruby (and in Ruby's best friend Kim). Reading this book made me remember the mean girls and dramatic showdowns of high school, and also made me happy that I am no longer a part of it. Despite the high drama, the book itself is a fast read and fairly entertaining, one of the better teen chick lit available. Recommended as a summer or beach read, for teen that don't want to think too hard about the storyline or character development.

Reader's Annotation: Ruby is in therapy and has to create a boyfriend list. That could take a while.

Author Information: E. (Emily) Lockhart was born in New York city. In addition to Frankie Landau-Banks, she is the author of the Ruby Oliver books (three in publication and one due to be released later this year), Dramarama, Fly on the Wall and How to Bad. She is a full time writer, a vegetarian, and practices yoga on a regular basis. (Information gathered from the author's website http://e-lockhart.com/main/?)

Curricular Ties: N/A

Genre:Chick Lit

Book talking ideas:

• Why did all of Ruby's friends turn against her?
• Do you think Ruby was completely in the wrong regarding the Ruby , Kim, Jackson love triangle?
• Do you think Jackson as a good boyfriend to Ruby or to Kim? Why or why not?
  

Challenge issues: N/A

Interest Age: Grades 8 and up

Why I selected this piece:I really enjoyed The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks and Dramarama, so I wanted to check out the Boyfriend series.

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

Author:E. Lockhart

ISBN:978-0786838196

Publication Information:Hyperion Books CH

Plot Summary: Over the summer, Frankie Landau-Banks has transformed from a geeky Freshman to an attractive Sophomore, and she is ready to take her private school, Alabaster Prep by storm. She no longer wants to be the unassuming, wall flower student, she wants to make a name for herself in the school. She begins by getting a hot senior boyfriend, but she wants more. She wants to be part of the school's elite secret society the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds. The only problem is that the Basset Hounds is a male only society. Still, that won't stop Frankie as she hatches a genius master plan to trick the Basset Hounds into doing her bidding. How long can Frankie continue her charade until someone catches on?

Critical Evaluation: This Printz Honor book is the perfect recommendation for girls that are looking to break through the glass ceiling, and are fed up with different sexist traditions that our society continues to uphold (e.g. like the gentleman's club or "secret society" in the book). Lockhart has created a fun, fast and entertaining read, with a protagonist that any feminist would be proud of. Frankie is a near perfect role model for young teens to relate to, she is a strong female, but she is still a teenage girl, with all the crushes, insecurities and drama that goes along being a young adult. Frankie's continuous decisions on whether to trust her own instincts or go along with the status quo are spot on conflicts that every teenager faces, and should be instantly recognized by readers. A great recommendation for many teen girls.

Reader's Annotation:Frankie Landau-Banks has big plans for her Sophomore year. She is ready to make a splash and she won't let anyone (especially not some dumb, sexist secret society) get in her way.

Author Information: E. (Emily) Lockhart was born in New York city. In addition to Frankie Landau-Banks, she is the author of the Ruby Oliver books (three in publication and one due to be released later this year), Dramarama, Fly on the Wall and How to Bad. She is a full time writer, a vegetarian, and practices yoga on a regular basis. (Information gathered from the author's website http://e-lockhart.com/main/?)

Curricular Ties: N/A

Genre:Real life, chick lit

Book talking ideas:

• What would you do if a group denied you membership because of your gender?
• Was it wrong for Frankie to trick the Basset Hounds?
• What was your favorite prank? Why?
  

Challenge issues:N/A

Interest Age:Grades 8 and up

Why I selected this piece:I am a big advocate of any girl power books. Once I had heard that this book had a smart, funny, strong female protagonist, I immediately checked out the book, and devoured it in one sitting.