Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing by Ann Angel

“Forty years after her death, Janis Joplin still fascinates.”

Generally, biographies written for teens can be boring. They often contain a few black and white photographs with information presented in such a stale way that teens will only want to skim through them to attain information needed for school reports. Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing certainly breaks the mold of humdrum biography. First of all, each page border is beautifully decorated with colorful swirl patterns making it an attractive book to explore. Furthermore, author Angel writes in a conversational style that is sure to appeal to teens. Using quotes from various interviews by and about Joplin during her heyday, helps to make this an engrossing read. Angel tackles Joplin’s Texas childhood, college days and drug use as well as her various relationships, and concludes by discussing her untimely death caused by an accidental drug overdose. For those who want an honest look into 1960’s rock and roll, as well as intimate details on music icon, this is not a book to be missed.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

Mia comes from a very tight-knit, fun loving family which consists of her ex-punk rocker turned teacher father, travel agent mother and charismatic younger brother, Teddy.  One fateful morning when school is canceled because of snow, they all decide to take advantage of the day off and visit their grandparents.  While traveling along a wet Oregon highway the unthinkable happens – the family is involved in a horrific car accident.  Before Mia knows it, she is floating above the scene of the accident and witnessing her rescue from their mangled car.  Mia is the only survivor.  This touching book shifts between the past and present while Mia struggles with deciding whether to fight to live or give up and join her family in death.  This is one heart wrenching story I highly recommend to teens and adults alike.