AFTER by Amy Efaw

The power of denial is examined in this moving story about teen pregnancy. It's not the typical story of young love followed by accidental pregnancy and early motherhood. Instead, AFTER takes readers into the mind of a teen who denies the pregnancy to the extent of hiding the birth and dumping the baby in the trash. According to author Amy Efaw, it is unfortunately an all too common reality and has been since recorded history.

Devon lives for soccer. She has been playing competitively since age eleven. Her position is goalkeeper, an excellent choice for a girl determined to keep her own life under strict control.

For as far back as she can remember, Devon has had to fend for herself. Her own mother gave birth to her at sixteen and never really grew up. There has been a parade of different men and countless dead-end jobs for Devon's mother, with a focus on filling each day with personal pleasure above all else.

Devon, having made an early promise to herself that she would not follow in her mother's footsteps, puts her focus on top-notch grades and error-free soccer performances. When she meets the amazing Connor and lets her guard down for one fateful night, she uses her rigid control to block the event from her mind.

AFTER attempts to explain how a young woman can deny a sexual encounter and the resulting pregnancy so completely that nine months later the birth of a baby can be a total and unexpected horror. Beginning after Devon's arrest and placement in a juvenile facility, the story unfolds as Devon and her lawyer prepare to face the charges of attempted murder. This emotionally charged novel is a must read that will make readers listen to similar stories on the news with a different understanding of the psychological circumstances that trigger such events.

IT'S CONTEST TIME!!

Enter to win a copy of EVERYTHING IS FINE by Ann Dee Ellis.

I reviewed it here awhile ago and happen to have an extra copy, so take a second to read the review and enter by August 31.

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TROY HIGH by Shana Norris

What would happen if you took the story of the Trojan War and set it in a modern-day high school? TROY HIGH does just that as it pits the Trojans against the Spartans starring typical teens in the lead roles of the great old story.

Cassie is a student at Troy High. She keeps herself pretty much out of the action and observes as her two brothers play football and act as big men on campus. Her main interests are playing flute in the band and playing video games with her best friend Greg. They met two years ago when both their schools attended the same band camp.

There has always been a healthy rivalry between the Trojans at Troy High School and the Spartans from nearby Lacede. Things are different this year, however, because the geographical boundary line between the two school districts was changed causing a shift in attendance requirements. Some of the Lacede Spartans are now required to attend Troy High. This change has disrupted the students and school loyalty is being tested.

Elena, formerly a Spartan, is now attending Troy. She already was acquainted with Cassie since she dated Greg’s older brother. However, on her first day at her new high school, Elena discovers Cassie’s brother Perry. She immediately falls for him and decides to dump her Spartan boyfriend.

Cassie would like to steer clear of the romantic mess since she has some of her own to deal with, but Elena insists on turning their casual friendship into more of a best friend situation. At first Cassie thinks it is because Elena likes her older brother, but Elena constantly assures her that she is seriously interested in becoming BFFs.

TROY HIGH is not just about romantic interests. The school rivalry heats up and students from both sides begin playing more and more dangerous and destructive pranks. The administrators are not happy with the escalating level of these pranks and threaten to suspend the involved students. The football season is also affected by the rivalry. Players are out not just to win, but to disable their opponents in order to end with a winning record.

Author Shana Norris explains in her author’s note the amount of research necessary to make the famous Trojan War story come alive in this modern telling. She also lists the character parallels (Cassie/Cassandra, Greg/Agamemnon, Perry/Paris, Elena/Helen) just to name a few. Fans of mythology will appreciate the comparisons, but anyone familiar with traditional high school rivalries will find things to like about TROY HIGH.

KISS OF LIFE: A Generation Dead novel by Daniel Waters

“Wow,” Trent said. “It isn’t . . . easy . . . being young and undead . . . in America.”

The number of undead teens is increasing. At first it was considered a unique, localized event, but now it’s happening everywhere. Tommy Williams and his website Mysocalledundeath.com and the Hunter Foundation are now known far and wide. The undead or “differently biotic” have been accepted by some but are still outcasts to others.

Phoebe’s life has changed. She still loves Tommy, but since Adam died saving her life, she has dedicated all her time and energy to helping him gain his full potential as an undead. His progress is slow and having Tommy acting petty and jealous doesn’t help the situation. At least she has the support of her friends (living and undead) at the Hunter Foundation standing behind her decision to help the two factions of their community adjust to the changing world.

Tommy’s efforts to help his fellow undead members of society adjust have him deciding to take his show on the road. With more and more differently biotic needing a support system, he realizes that many do have internet access to get help from his blog. His decision to travel to spread the word means he will need assistance from those he is leaving behind. Phoebe and her friends agree to manage the website and blog about things from their perspective.

Prejudice and intolerance of the undead teens is increasing making the job of protecting them even harder. Since the fire at the Haunted House, they are in more danger than ever. There are mysterious white vans traveling the countryside and groups of violent haters threatening everyone’s peace and safety. Law enforcement including the FBI are incarcerating differently biotics and not even attempting to recognizing any rights they might be due.
KISS OF DEATH continues the adventure begun in GENERATION DEAD. With all the vampire/zombie novels available to today, author Daniel Waters gives the genre a new twist. Combining the paranormal with the concept of prejudice against this new generation, provides a bit of depth to the usual zombie

"TEASER TUESDAY"

Here's my TEASER TUESDAY #8.

Once again the idea is the original creation of SHOULD BE READING.

1. Grab your current read.
2. Let the book fall open to a random page.
3. Share with us two "teaser" sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
4. You also need to share the title of the book that you're getting your "teaser" from. That way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you've given!
5. Please avoid spoilers!
6. Than add yours to the list at Should Be Reading.

KISS OF LIFE: A Generation Dead novel
by Daniel Waters
p. 92

"Easy," he said, kissing the top of her head. "Aren't you worried that all of your zombie friends will see you hugging your uncool dad?"

LIPSTICK APOLOGY by Jennifer Jabaley

All that Emily has left of her parents is a last minute message hastily written on an airplane lap tray in lipstick – “Emily Please Forgive Me.”

She barely had time to feel guilty about the party she had planned while her parents were gone on a quick trip to San Francisco when the news broadcast announced their plane had crashed. Three months later and Emily is arriving at her new home - her Aunt Jolie's beautifully designed New York City apartment.

Used to a nice quiet life in a small town compared to NYC, Emily has to adjust to city life and now a new private school where most students are from privileged families who will probably not look twice at her. Thanks to some advanced preparation, her welcome at the new school is warm and friendly. Unlike in her old high school, she is not on the fringes of the popular people, but instead she finds herself right in the middle of the cool crowd.

It's not long until Emily has found good friends in Lindsey and Anthony, and much to her surprise, highly popular Owen seems interested in her as girlfriend material. Time will tell whether he is sincere in his feelings toward her, or a "player" as her aunt's friend and fashion consultant Trent seems to say.

Readers will quickly come to sympathize with Emily's likeable and less-than- confident character. Plot lines like adjusting to the loss of both parents, life in a fast-paced new world, and attempting to understand her mother's strange apology help keep the action flowing in LIPSTICK APOLOGY. This is the first novel of author Jennifer Jabaley, but hopefully not her last.

JUST ANOTHER HERO by Sharon Draper

JUST ANOTHER HERO is the final book in Sharon Draper's trilogy THE BATTLE OF JERICHO and NOVEMBER BLUES. It takes readers inside a Cincinnati high school to follow the lives of a group of students who are now seniors finishing their high school careers and heading on to whatever their futures may hold.

This group of friends has experienced a lot over the years. They have watched out for each other, fallen in love, and had disagreements that changed the course of their relationships. Now in their final year together, they are dealing with personal challenges, family issues, and the usual academic hassles of high school.

Arielle, having realized the error of her ways, is making her way back into her old circle of friends. November is returning to school after the premature birth of her daughter Sunshine. Kofi receives a letter of acceptance to MIT but now must worry about how to pay for the privilege of attending the prestigious school. Jericho and Olivia have a strong relationship and are the envy of everyone.

Running alongside the stories of this group of friends are some potentially explosive situations. Osrick continues to be the target for practical jokes and harassment. Crazy Jack creates chaos in the halls and classrooms and is no doubt the reason for all the fake fire drills disrupting the school day. Eddie has returned from juvenile detention, causing more unwanted tension. And everyone is completely frustrated by a rash of thefts plaguing students and teachers alike.

Author Sharon Draper is an expert at capturing the high school spirit and making her characters come alive. Her ability to create entertaining and believable high school scenarios makes her books popular with many teens.