Off the Shelf 0607-2

A Fate Totally Worse Than Death

By Paul Fleischman

© 1995

Amusing and delightfully fun, this humorous satire focuses on three conceited high school senior girls and their plan to de-rail a beautiful exchange student’s attraction to the popular guy in the class. Through the clever plot, the three romp without care for anyone but themselves…until the tables are turned and they become the victims of … “a fate totally worse than death.”

Not realizing the book was a horror novel parody, I was a bit disturbed by the opening chapter; but after catching on to the ghostly farce, I enjoyed this page-turner immensely! A humanistic message underlies the entertainment if you go beyond the face value. It is short and sweet – a good one when you need a laugh!

My recommendation: 4 out of 5 stars

Submitted by M. Coleman, Media Specialist

What's in a Name?

Ever wonder about the rarity of your name? Lorenzo Walker certainly appears to be unique, but there are surprisingly more in the US than I would have guessed!!

HowManyOfMe.com

There are: 118 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Off the Shelf 0607-1

Fade to Black
By Alex Flinn
© 2005

Engaging and enlightening, this book is an intersection of three primary characters involved in a hate crime:

• Alex, the victim and HIV-positive, was attacked by an assailant with a baseball bat
• Daria, the witness, is a special education student (Down Syndrome)
• Clinton, the alleged perpetrator, has never approved of Alex and admits to some teasing and minor pranks, but claims his innocence to this event.

The story is told from each character’s perspective and reflects the Ramon de Camponamor (1817-1901) quote included by the author

And it is that in the treasonous world
nothing is truth nor lie;
Everything is according to the color
of the crystal through which it is seen.

This book introduces both familiar and controversial topics in a personal and realistic manner that invites the reader to question and reveal their own thoughts and feelings. Though the content is sometimes deep, it is an easy read with a narrative focus.

* 2006 Florida Teen Read book

My recommendation: 4 out of 5 stars

Submitted by M. Coleman, Media Specialist