Rationales

Rationale #1: TTYL

Myracle, L. (2004). TTYL. New York, New York: Abrams/Amulet.

Audience

Young Adult, ages 12 and up

Summary:

This book is the first in The Internet Girls series, following the lives of three friends through a year of high school, all via their online instant messages and text messages. The girls, Maddie, Angela, and Zoe, are in their 10th grade years of school; as the book opens, they are very close, and refer to themselves as the “winsome threesome”. Angela develops a crush on a boy, and begins dating him; she shares with her friends that she considers having sex with him, only to find out he cheats on her and starts seeing a new girl. Maddie takes on the school’s resident “mean girl”, Jana, which results in them becoming friends. Maddie begins deserting Angela and Zoe for her new friend, only to find herself betrayed by Jana after getting drunk at a party. Meanwhile, Zoe begins attending bible studies and church services with a teacher; the relationship becomes borderline inappropriate, when the teacher asks Zoe to hang out with him in a hot tub; she calls on Angela and Maddie to help get her out of her predicament. Despite the drama throughout the year, the friends continue navigating awkward situations by sticking together.

Value:

It is important that young adult literature provides teen readers with access to stories that feel authentic, and tackle the problems they are likely to face. Owen (2003) explains that as teens continue to use the Internet, and now social media, in increasing numbers, they are more and more likely to discuss topics without adult interference; in order to meet teens; information needs, no topic should be off limit in young adult literature. Young adult collections need to contain materials that cover a wide variety of topics, and present the whole spectrum of viewpoints, not just those with which parents are most comfortable (Creel, 2003).

This book clearly describes the type of peer pressure that teens are likely to face, and the consequences of one’s choices, whether positive or negative. When dealing with issues of sexuality, young adult literature teaches the readers that they have the right to have control over their own sexual activity, free from judgement; it also teaches the consequences, whether physical or emotional, of sexual activity (Kurtz & Schuelke, 2011).  As Stone (2006) points out, we call teens young adults because that is precisely what they are- in between being a child and an adult. Sexuality is a part of the process of growing into an adult, and it is important that teens see sexual growth reflected in their literature.

Potential Problems

Because this book discusses issues of teen sexuality, teen substance use and abuse, bullying, and features an inappropriate relationship between a student and a teacher, it could be potentially be challenged.

Reviews

• The story of three friends’ tenth grade lives is told entirely in IMs, replete with g2gs and CAPS LOCKED SCREAMING. At the start of their sophomore year, Zoe, Maddie, and Angela promise to remain best friends for life. But soon Zoe is spending way too much time  with her vaguely creepy teacher; Maddie abandons her real friends in favor of überpopular Jana; and both Maddie and Zoe tire of Angela’s never-ending Boy Drama. The plot is familiar and often pedestrian, but the girls’ distinctly compelling IM voices are the hook here. Myracle cleverly manages to build rich characters and narrative tension without ever taking the story outside of an IM box. Although some backstory is awkwardly inserted and a few of the pop-culture references are already dated, Chat-savvy readers will identify with these teens and their problems, and Myracle neatly demonstrates how IM can bolster real-life friendships. —John Green, Booklist

• Three high school sophomores, lifelong best friends, are now facing a variety of emotional upsets in their personal and social lives. Angela is boy crazy and emotive, but able to lend support to her friends when they need it. Zoe is the quietest and most self-effacing, considered by some to be a goody two-shoes but in fact headed full speed into a very dangerous relationship. Madigan is the hothead, less certain of how to grow up than she allows anyone, including herself, to see. The entire narrative is composed of the instant messages sent among these three, from September into November, as they each get involved with dating, sort out how to have friendships with others, cope with disasters that range from wardrobe issues to getting drunk, and offer one another advice and defiance. Each character's voice is fully realized and wonderfully realistic in spite of the very limiting scope of the IM device. Page layout mimics a computer screen and each girl IMs in a different font and in her own unique verbal style. (The title is IM jargon for "talk to you later"). Myracle not only sustains all this but also offers readers some meaty--and genuine--issues. Both revealing and innovative, this novel will inspire teens to pass it to their friends and will suggest to nascent writers that experimenting with nonnarrative communication can be a great way to tell a story. -School Library Journal

• Told entirely in instant messages, this modem epistolary tale prompts both tears and LOL (laughing out loud). Best buds SnowAngel (Angela), zoegirl (Zoe), and mad maddie (Maddie) IM with one another constantly when not in school. Tenth grade is tough, with obnoxious trendy classmates, unfair parents, and sex. Friends can help each other get through the year, but only if they manage to stay together. Angela flits through a series of rotten boyfriends, Zoe discovers Christianity while becoming disturbingly close to her English teacher, and Maddie befriends the class bad girl. Since cynical Maddie can't cope with Zoe's emerging faith, and trusting Zoe won't see anything wrong in her growing relationship with Mr. H., the trio might not survive. But best friends are always there for each other, and a series of emergencies pushes them further apart and then brings them back together, closer than ever. After a slow start due to the unusual format (a glossary would probably help), this develops into a surprisingly poignant tale of friendship, change, and growth. Perfectly contemporary. ROTFL. (Fiction. YA). -Kirkus.

Awards

2004 School Library Journal Starred Review

2004 ALA Quick Pick

Alternate Titles

Confessions of a Boyfriend Stealer, by Robynn Clairday

What My Mother Doesn’t Know, by Sonya Sones

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things, by Carolyn Mackler

The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian, by Sherman Alexie

The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky

Stargirl, by Jerry Spinelli

Rationale #2: Kissing Kate

Myracle, L. (2003). Kissing Kate. New York, New York: Speak/Penguin

Audience

Young Adult, ages 12 and up

Summary:

Kate and Lissa had been friends for years, best friends. Now that the girls are in high school, however, things have changed. The book opens with the girls currently not speaking; the awkwardness is coming to the fact that at a recent party, the two girls kissed. At first, Kate wants to excuse the kiss on the fact that she had been drinking. However, Lissa explores the feelings she has for Kate, and continues to try to discuss the situation with Kate. With the help of her boss, Darlin’, and her new friend Ariel, Lissa begins to realize that perhaps her friendship with Kate was not as ideal as she had imagined it, and that true happiness may be mean Kate is no longer in her life.

Value

Libraries have the duty to serve all patron groups, yet patrons who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) tend to be highly underserved. The American Library Association’s Freedom to Read statement clearly outlines that a variety of experiences should be reflected in the library’s collection, yet a 2014 study of 5002 academic, public, and school libraries found that 15% held no titles from a list of notable LGBTQ titles for youths (Williams & Deyoe).  Teens are increasingly more accepting of a variety of sexual and gender identities, presentations, and experiences; it is important that they books they are reading as equally accepting. If libraries are going to serve teens who identify as LGBTQ, they must have titles in their collections that reflect the experiences of LGBTQ teens (Martin, 2006).

In addition to meeting the information needs of LGBTQ young adult patrons, it is important to have LGBTQ materials as a part of the collection for all patrons to read. Reading diverse works about a variety of experiences leads to increased tolerance. Bullying of LGBTQ teens is still a large social problem, resulting in high rates of suicide and suicide attempts among those teens. Including materials that address the LGBTQ experience allows libraries to spread a message of tolerance to all patrons (Camacho, 2011).

Potential Problems

The book discusses several aspects of teen sexuality, including homosexuality and bisexuality. There are several scenes in the book that involve teen drinking, and a significant portion of the book discusses lucid dreaming, which could be construed as new age philosophy. These could be considered potentials reason for challenging this book.

Reviews

• In a style reminiscent of Sarah Dessen, this fine novel of awakening sexual orientation should be available to older teens. Confused and anxious, 16-year-old Lissa has no one to talk to after the incident with her best friend. When her parents died in a plane crash eight years ago, her bachelor uncle came to live with her and her little sister, Beth. Though Uncle Jerry tries, he’s just too shy to deal with growing girl issues like a first bra or sexual awakening. Lissa met Kate five years ago, and they have been inseparable best friends since then. As opposites, Lissa often wonders how their friendship survives. Lissa is tall and reserved, while Kate is a popular, blond beauty. Their friendship wavers when Lissa unexpectedly kisses a slightly inebriated Kate at a party, and Kate returns the kiss with passion. Now both girls are embarrassed, edgy about their emotions, and afraid of the significance of their kiss. It takes a new friendship with Ariel for Lissa to realize that her feelings for Kate may not extend to other females, or that she may be bisexual. hen teens don’t have adults to talk to, they often find comfort in books. Librarians must meet their professional responsibilities by making this novel available. Though the topic is controversial, it is handled with great sensitivity. Recommended. -Tena Natale Litherland, Director of Upper and Middle School Library, Webb School, Knoxville, Tennessee, Library Media Connections

• “It was one thing for someone else to be gay. It was something else entirely if it was me.” Lissa, 16, has been best friends with beautiful Kate for four years, but everything changes when Kate gets drunk at a party, and she and Lissa passionately kiss. Lissa is desperate to talk about it, but Kate wants to pretend that nothing happened. This first novel does a great job of showing the girls’ surprise at the situation and the way their emotions swing from attraction to denial. Funny and anguished, Lissa’s first-person narrative expresses her hurt, anger, and confusion as she tries to date a guy; searches for an adult to talk to (and for a bra that fits); and downloads depressing statistics from the Net about the high suicide rate among gay teens. There’s some contrivance about “lucid dreaming,” with heavy metaphors and connections, but most readers will skim that for the lively realistic story about friends and lovers. For another, very different take on the subject, see David Levithan’s Boy Meets Boy, reviewed on p.1980. —Hazel Rochman, Booklist

• The kisser is best-friend-since-seventh-grade Lissa. The kiss is no peck on the cheek, and therein lies the rub. Since the fateful event, Kate has been cold to her friend. In this first-person narrative, Lissa, hurt and confused, details her present state of inner turmoil, with frequent flashbacks to the girls' blissful (pre-kiss) days. To complicate matters, Lissa and her younger sister are being raised by an uncle (their parents died in a plane crash), and lack the emotional rudder a maternal figure might have provided. At first Lissa misses Kate dearly, but gradually, through personal insights derived from some new and unexpected friendships (and forays into new-age dream therapy), she finds the strength to confront both Kate and her own sexual identity. While the message is sound, the delivery is seriously flawed. The friendship between Lissa and Kate, the linchpin of the story, is unconvincing. The girls are defined from the get-go by their differences in appearance and personality, but Myracle fails to make the case that opposites truly attract. It seems ungenerous that Lissa and Kate are painted as such stark contrasts, with Lissa being the brave one and Kate in denial of her sexuality; they are, after all, only 16, an age when sexual conflict is the norm.- School Library Journal

Awards

2004 ALA Best Book for Young Adults

2004 Booklist Top Ten Youth Romances

Alternate Titles

Annie on my Mind, by Nancy Garden

Keeping You a Secret, by Julie Anne Peters

Date Truth or Promise, by Paula Boock

Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit, by Jaye Robin Brown

Lies We Tell Ourselves, by Robin Talley

Everything Changes, by Samantha Hale

South of Sunshine, by Dana Elmendorf