The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Growing up on a Spokane Indian Reservation, Junior struggles with everything from thick glasses and extra teeth to awful clothes because of his family's lack of money. Even though he admits his brain is a bit muddled and confused, he takes through his life as he moves to a school of the reservation. From struggling with confronting the white students and explaining his decision to parents, Junior's cartoons and humor pull him through his transitions...

Weetzie Bat

Francesca Lia Block's Weetzie Bat is an alternative novel starring Weetzie... she wears taffeta dresses and likes things that sparkle. She is strange and bizarre, but so is the company she meets. Hanging out with Dirk they travel around the town in Dirk's Pontiac and decide to find love. Coincidentally they do and all move into Dirk's grandmother's home and work to live "happily ever after..."

This book is a perfect read for anyone who ever a little "weird" maybe a little different. It's OK to listen to dream about Marilyn Monroe and fall in love in the strangest of ways. If you're looking for a normal Twilight-y teen romance then this book isn't for you... If you listen to 1970's punk and think the rockabilly life might be for you, you need to read this...

The Perfect Boy

Hailey Abbott's The Perfect Boy can be dumped into the pile of those teen novels that are no great work of literary genius, but you managed to read in a couple hours because you couldn't get past the drama and the never ending love triangles. Following Ciara as she leaves behind her famous soap star Mother for a summer with her Dad in Santa Barbara, we get to watch her attempt to land a budding hip hop emcee...along with her best friend. The two of them just so happen to be friends with his ex as well. Trying everything from revealing clothes to some sultry dancing, both girls fail in the end as emcee AJ hooks back up with his ex. In the end all find a love of their own and learn a thing or two about themselves. If you're looking for points to score with your AP English teacher, this novel won't land you that, but if you're looking for a good guilty read, The Perfect Boy and Abbott's other Summer Boys are a start.

Trouble with LGBTQ Literature...

It looked good from the outside...how do you approach someone you are attracted to if you're not sure of their orientation? However past that the novel lost its worth. Rather than addressing the angst, fear, and confusion that comes with being different than your peers when you are a teenager the book spends most of its time focusing on fashion and the shallow materialistic endeavors of a pair of rich New York socialites. Paige and Anthony are chasing the same boy and use Jimmy Choo shoes and designer clothing to lure him in. If you're looking for something with nothing more than pure drama and gossip this is it, if you'd like a reflective read that vaguely mirrors reality, I'd look elsewhere...

Something to think about...

There has been a new wave of literature written by teens for teens and for Latinos by Latinos. Following the lives of teens on death row and adults who barely escaped their lives as immigrants and former gang members, these stories are not only good reads, but something to think about. If there was ever a time you doubted there was an author who wrote something you can directly relate to, I think you need to take a look at these books.

The East Side Dreams by Art Rodriguez

Brothers Torres by Coert Voorhes

Mexican White Boy by Matt de la Pena

No Choirboy: Murder, Violence, and Teenagers on Death Row by Susan Kuklin

Homeboyz by Alan Sitomer

The First Part the Last by Angela Johnson

If You Come Softly

Following Miah and Ellie as they go through their lives moving to a new private school in New York, the two offer different but startling similar perspectives on their relationship with one another as members of different races. As a a biracial couple the two face the questioning of their parents, family, friends, and tackle the stares of those around them. Highlighting the strength and power in love, the story is warm and hopeful with a twist that will leave the reader questioning their own perspective on race and relationships.