Something different

CrossingLines is a little different than the usual Paul Volponi book. Normally, we read about the inner city and how life is hard and unforgiving. This time we head to the suburbs in his latest novel.

Adonis is a football player. He's a jock. He's a great athlete and he has am image to uphold with his his guy friends. Adonis is dating a girl(whose name I forgot and the book is at work!) who is also involved in the fashion club. That's fine, until she starts supporting the new kid Alan who is a gender bending teen.

The football team hates Alan, and Adnois is caught in the middle of their little war. Does he go along with his team to hurt Alan and also destroy his relationship with his girlfriend, or does he do the right thing?

I enjoyed the book, but I'm unsure how many of my male readers are going to pick it up. They love Mr. Volponi's fast paced novels like Black and White or Hurricane Song. I like the message, and think this is an important novel to read.

And the winner is.........

The ALA (American Library Association) announced its book winners for this year. Paul Volponi's book Rikers High was on the list of Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers.

Congratulations to Mr. Volponi! Well done!

A sneak peak at Paul Volponi's new book!

I am a HUGE Paul Volponi fan. His books capture's male readers and holds their interest. That is not an easy task. So whenever he has a book coming out I get excited. Mr. Volponi's latest book is called Crossing Lines and is a bit of a departure from his previous novels.

Summary:
What do you do when bullying goes too far?
Adonis is a jock. He’s on the football team and he’s
dating one of the prettiest girls in school. Alan is
the new kid. He wears lipstick and joins the Fashion
Club. Soon enough the football team is out to get
him. Adonis is glad to go along with his teammates
. . . until they come up with a dangerous plan to
humiliate Alan. Now Adonis must decide whether
he wants to be a guy who follows the herd or a man
who does what’s right.

Expect a review coming soon. This book is released in June 9, 2011.

I would like to thank Mr. Volponi for giving me an ARC.

Author Interview: Paul Volponi

Author, Paul Volponi was kind enough to answer a few of my questions about his latest book Rikers High. Check out what he had to say! Thanks again Mr. Volponi!

Rikers High is your latest novel. What was your inspiration?

I wrote Rikers High to be a mirror reflection on what life was like for teens (1992-'98) in a huge and impersonal jail facility which housed school.

Martin is attacked while in prison and his face is slashed. Can that happen in a real prison?

Yes, the slashing that happened to Martin can occur to teen inmates on Rikers, although that kind of extreme violence is not the norm.

Why do you think Martin's friends abandon him when he is in Rikers?

It's too much trouble to visit him. Normally, your friends cut you loose quick, and only your family stays by your side.

Is Martin based on a real person?

Martin's story represents the journey of several teens I knew.

In all of your novels your characters swear. Why is that?

My characters use the language that people use in tense situations. Otherwise, you book would not be real and that mirror image I mentioned would be distorted.

Are you working on a new book? Can you tell us about it?

Crossing Lines is next, about a macho teen football player who must learn to be around his sisters friend- a boy and classmate who decides he feels more comfortable wearing first lipstick and then a dress. Also, in a few years, I will have part II to Black and White, which I think will be called Marcus and Eddie.

Life ain't easy on the inside...

Paul Volponi's newest book has hit bookstores. I am a huge Volponi fan. My male students eat up his novels. So whenever he writes something I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.

Mr. Volponi was kind enough to send me an ARC of Rikers High.

This novel is different than his other ones because it takes place in prison instead of on the streets. Martin Stokes was arrested when he told an undercover cop where to buy drugs. He then found himself shipped off to Rikers to await trial..a trial that is taking far too long.

What happens next is Martin's experiences in prison. There are so many subjects that are touched upon including loneliness, race relations, how the young inmates feel and their pecking order. What's great about this book is Mr. Volponi taught on Rikers so he saw what happened to these young teens as they struggle to make it out or get caught up in the system. The story is gritty, but the language is tamer in this novel than in previous books. Once again everything is touched upon including the sensitive subject of suicide. Mr. Volponi's characters feel real, which I think is one of the reasons male students like to read his novels.

I enjoyed this book and I think students looking for urban, realistic fiction will enjoy Rikers High.

Free books Oh My!

I have not been on the ball when it comes to the blog. I'm sorry about that. I am settling into a new job as head librarian. I have been dealing with a lot of management issues, but I hope things will settle down soon. Now, for the news...

Paul Volponi was kind enough to give me an ARC copy of Rikers High. I can't wait to read it. This book will be released on February 4, 2010.

Amber Kizer sent a signed copy of her book Meridian along with signed bookmarks for my students. Thanks so much!

I received three copies of the series Louder than Words which includes Emily, Marni and Chelsey. The publisher also said I could give these away to my readers. That rocks.

In a few days I will be reviewing Sisters of the Prophecy.

I'm Paul Volponi's number one fan!!!!!

Or so it feels like it sometimes. I'm a big advocate of his work, and sometimes I feel like I'm the only one. I'm not sure why more people do not know about Mr. Volponi. In my opinion he is one of the best young adult authors out there. Plus his books deal with male issues, which are so hard to find. All of his characters are strong, yet flawed and are very interesting. My male students love his books and even the reluctant readers are drawn into his fast paced stories. Response is Mr. Volponi's latest book and it is great.

Noah is a young black man with some issues. He got his girlfriend pregnant and isn't sure if he loves her. He is a super senior and is in his 5th year of high school. Noah hates working at the local burger joint because it doesn't make him enough money but he needs the job. Noah needs the cash for his baby daughter. He also needs the cash so his nagging girlfriend..or whatever she is..will get off his back.

Deciding he needs to make some quick cash, Noah and his friends decide to jack a car. The problem is things do not go as planned and he runs into three Italian boys. One bashes his head in with a baseball bat.

The community where Noah lives is divided. There are the blacks and the Italians and neither get along very well. The town is divide by this incident. Was it racially motivated? Or were the Italian boys protecting their neighborhood from thugs?

The reader watches as Noah struggles with the issues of race relations, prejudice, hatred, and his own desire to do something better with his life.

As with all Volponi novels this is a quick read. There is some language issues, but to be fair this has to be one of the tamer books by him. I believe the f bomb is only dropped a few times.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I cannot wait for the next one which is Homestrech and comes out September 22.

You have to know when to hold 'em

Huck is a high school student living in Caldwell. His father is one of the best poker players around and has taught his son everything he knows. When his father suddenly dies Huck takes the stills his father has showed him and decides to win the local poker tournament. But in doing so will he lose his identity?

I love Mr. Volponi’s books and I’m always raving about them. This book is good, however I think the subject matter may deter some readers. I wasn’t hooked on this story as I was with Black & White, Hurricane Song or Rooftop. I find poker very dull, and I think this is one reason I didn't like the book as much as I have enjoyed Mr. Volponi's previous books.

I think teens, especially boys, will love this book because of the male characters, realistic dialogue, situations and the poker games. However, for me I just couldn’t get as excited about this book as I did with the others. Still it is a good read and one the guys will enjoy.

A Powerful novel about Hurricane Katrina

No doubt some are thinking "this chick is like Volponi's personal cheerleader!" Well, you'd be right. Anyone who can get my teenage students, especially the boys, to read a book is someone that needs to be talked about. Frankly, I think the man is amazing.

Once again Mr. Volponi creates a fast paced story that will engage readers. Miles cannot stand living with his mother and his new stepfather. The apartment is too cramped, there are too many kids. Miles has to escape..but where can he go? His mother finally allows him to move in with his father, a man he hasn't seen for most of his life. The relationship with Miles and his father is lukewarm at best. Miles’ father doesn’t have an interest in football and only cares about Jazz. Before the two can work on their relationship Hurricane Katrina hits.

The reader is given a vivid and often painful narrative of what life was like in the Superdome. We see these events through Miles' eyes. He is a frightened, confused young man who struggles to understand the inhumanity that is taking place around him. As always, Mr. Volponi does not shrink away from uncomfortable situations and paints a very realistic vision of what happened during those horrible days inside and outside the Superdome. There is some swearing in this novel, but once again it is never done to shock the reader but further the storyline.

Students who want a realistic portrayal of Hurricane Katrina will enjoy this book. For students who enjoyed Mr. Volponi’s other novels I have no doubt they will enjoy this one as well.

This is a very powerful book about a sad chapter in our country's history.