Someone Like You

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Chick Lit, Romance

Dessen, Sarah. Someone Like You. New York : speak, 1998.

[Book cover credit: www.alibris.com]

Halley and Scarlett have been best friends since they were eleven years old. Scarlett was always the strong one. After Scarlett’s boyfriend dies, she discovers she is pregnant. Now Scarlett needs Halley to be strong for her.

The summer before junior year, everything changed for Haley and Scarlett. They have been best friends since sixth grade. Halley was known as, “Scarlett’s friend” because she was quieter than her best friend. Scarlett was the responsible one that always knew what to do when things got tough. When Scarlett’s boyfriend dies in a Motorcycle accident, he leaves her alone and pregnant. Can Halley now give Scarlett the support that she has always given her? How do relationships change when you become pregnant at sixteen?

Grade 7-12

Teen Feedback:

Chrissa 14 – “She is a really good author. Lullaby is one of my favorites.”

Kristen 13 – “I am reading her newest book Lock N Key now.”

School Library Journal starred review

The Silver Kiss

Genre: Horror, Romance

Klause, Annette Curtis. The Silver Kiss. New York : Laurel-Leaf, 1990.

[Book cover credit: www.alibris.com]

Zoe’s life is spinning out of control. When her Mother goes back in the hospital, she has no one to turn to. Then she meets Simon, a vampire with his own grief to deal with.

Zoe feels surrounded by the loneliness that death brings: her Mother’s illness, her Father’s withdrawal, and her best friend’s insensitivity. From page 22:

“Lorraine really did care. It wasn’t her fault that people didn’t know how to talk about death. Not Dad, the neighbors, not Mom’s friends. Death’s partner was silence.”

The irony for her is that meeting a vampire like Simon who feels his own isolation in grief, brings new meaning to her life. See how Simon and Zoe help each other to get through their pain.

Grade 7 and Up–

1994 ALA 100 "Best of the Best" from the 1300 in the history of the annual "Best Books For Young Adults" list.

1991 American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults.

1991 American Library Association Best Books For Reluctant Readers

1990 School Library Journal Best Books.

1990 Booklist Best Books, and Editor's Choice.