Claire Rosser (KLIATT Review, November 2000 (Vol. 34, No. 6))
This catchy title has surefire appeal for YAs and their librarians. Bodart is a librarian in the Denver Public Library System, and probably has helped many YAs over the years with just this problem of finding a book to read at the last minute. About 90 books are included, each under 200 pages in length. She devotes about two pages to each book--all known YA choices and/or common assignments in middle school and high school classes (e.g., Of Mice and Men; The Face on the Milk Carton; The Outsiders). Here are some caveats: most of the choices included in the 90 books are at least 10 years old, and many are close to 20 years old; a devious student could probably write a simple book report using the two pages Bodart provides without actually reading the book. She includes booktalk ideas, which will help teachers and librarians introducing books, and she also has some ideas for book reports, which will help students with their assignments. KLIATT Codes: JS--Recommended for junior and senior high school students. 2000, Scarecrow, 216p, index, 23cm, 99-38615, $16.95. Ages 13 to 18.

Diane Masla (VOYA, February 2001 (Vol. 23, No. 6))
This book is basically the same as Bodart's 100 World Class Thin Books or What to Read When Your Book Report Is Due Tomorrow! (Libraries Unlimited, 1993/VOYA August 1993). That earlier book was a wonderful reference tool; Bodart selects excellent books, and her booktalk synopses are well crafted. This reviewer's hope, upon seeing the new edition, was that Bodart was bringing a fresh batch of captivating booktalks to supplement the first edition. Instead, she basically has reprinted the book, and without explanation removed some titles previously included. Most titles in this new book were published in the 1980s, so timeliness is not a major criterion for inclusion, and some of the titles included are out of print. The only significant addition is an appendix called "Recent Titles Popular with Teens." Here Bodart introduces some newer titles but without any of the fabulous treatments included in the first book. Instead she provides their VOYA reviews. So Bodart does give us some new thin books to suggest, but without the elaboration that made her earlier edition such a treasure. So should libraries purchase this new book? Certainly, if they do not own the 1993 hardcover edition. Bodart has such a lively writing style; her booktalks really hook the reader. The indexes are also wonderfully thorough. If a library's copy of the older book looks weathered and worn, it is definitely time for a replacement! Despite the disappointment of recycled material, Bodart's book is still a one-of-a-kind resource. 2000, Scarecrow, 217p. Index. Appendix. pb, $16.95. Ages adult professional.