Romance...Blomance----(puke)

AUTHOR: Balog, Cyn
TITLE: Sleepless

In the ever increasing collection of paranormal romances Sleepless falls quickly to the middle of the heap. Told in alternating chapters, Balog introduces us to Eron and Julia. Eron DeMarchelle is a Sandmen, a demure and sophisticated creature that aids in putting helpless humans to sleep and protecting them from themselves. Julia is an innocent human whose long time boyfriend has recently died in a horrible car accident.
After one hundred years of service Sandmen are granted a fresh start, a chance to live the life the lost, only after they train their replacement. Enter Griffin, a brash and abrasive Sandmen in Training, more concerned about sneaking into the bedrooms of his more attractive charges, than fulfilling his duties.
Some readers may be intrigued by the introduction of the Sandmen and the art of putting people to sleep. However, very little of the back story is explained. Eron is perhaps the most well developed character, and readers will be charmed by his

Heavy Metal and You

Heavy Metal and You
By Christopher Krovatin

192p
Push
ISBN-10: 0439743990
ISBN-13: 978-0439743990


Annotation:
A punk rocker falls for a girl not interested in sex or drugs and must make an effort to change.

Summary:

What happens when a guy with massive amounts of heavy metal music knowledge and a history of getting drunk and partying with his friends happens to fall head over heels for the quintessential “good girl”? That is exactly the premise in Krovatin’s novel Heavy Metal and You. How far would you go to impress the girl you "love"? Would you be willing to change your clothes and you attitude?

Sam is a good student, who knows a lot of about classical literature and is incredibly smart, he also loves heavy metal music and will often show up for class wearing a spiked collar. When he falls for the “straight-edge” girl Melissa who doesn’t drink, do drugs, or tends to like the people who do, it is up to Sam to “straighten” up.

Written by Krovatin in his late teens, this book is teeming with teenage angst. This book captures the essence of a guy’s book, perfect for the reluctant reader or the rock music fan. The characters are well developed and have a realness that is uncommon in many young adult novels. Readers will easily recognize aspects of themselves or people they know within the pages.

This novel does include sex, drugs and strong language, so readers beware.

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

By:

Niki Burnham, Terri Clark, Ellen Hopkins and Lynda Sandoval

304p.

Graphia

ISBN-10: 0547014996
ISBN-13: 978-0547014999

Annotation:

An analogy of short stories that explore different break up scenarios written by top Young Adult authors.

Summary:

Four stories that explore different facets of a break-up. Each author has a very specific style, including a story in verse that takes a different perspective on what love is.

Our first story introduces us to Toby a band geek with a girlfriend he refers to as “stacked” who loves his girlfriend but has chosen to refrain from sex, his girlfriend however wants to prove their love by pressuring him into it, forcing a heated argument in the school’s parking lot and a broken heart. Who now must reconcile himself with the idea that he just turned down sex from the hottest girl in school. What is a guy to do?

Our second story has to do with a goth named Dee, who is “head over combat boots” for her football boyfriend until they get into a car accident and due to a bump on the head can now read his thoughts, and that he is cheating on her is only the first thing she learns. Don't mess with a mind reading Goth with a taste for vengance, it a guarantee for disaster.

Our third novel is told through verse form by the extremely talented Ellen Hopkins, author of the novels Burned and Crank. Sending a message of empowerment and comfort to anyone who has ever had someone break up with them.

Lastly, we are introduced to Mia a lesbian who over the summer happened to bag the hottest girl in school non-lesbian Paige. After three months of relationship bliss theirs is challenge when forced by the pressures of peers, Paige refuses to admit their relationship and goes on to imply that Mia is just a stalker. What sets this anthology apart is that the authors approach the idea of break-ups in a lighthearted manner and remind students that it is ok to stick to ones values.

Each of these stories is strong and enjoyable on their own, but extremely more powerful when they are read together. This book will have teens and parents alike racing to check it out, so that they can comfort that special person in their life going through that difficult time, and just think how much healthier it is than a carton of ice cream.