Books 17-25

Book 17

Bibliography:

Zentner, Jeff. 2016. THE SERPENT KING. New York, NY: Penguin Random House. ISBN 9780553524024 

Cover:

 

Summary:

In THE SERPENT KING your admiration for the characters will grow as you take this almost impossible journey with each one as they deal with what life has given to them.  All three characters are seniors in high school and best friends.  Dill is the son of a preacher and is living a nightmare dealing with his father in prison. The father feels Dill should have confessed to his crime and now he expects Dill to quit school and pay off his debts.  Travis lives in poverty with an alcoholic and abusive father.  He loves reading about wizards are fairies, wears a dragon necklace, and carries a staff.  Lydia is more privileged than the other two.  Her father is a dentist and both parents are very supportive.  Lydia dreams of a new life in a big town, so she uses her talents to make sure she gets out of the little town she is in. She is the lifeline for Travis and Dill.  After Travis’ tragic death Dill and Lydia take a hard look at life in general.  Dill takes control of his life and becomes stronger with the help of Lydia and her father. 

        

Commentary:

Zentner’s writes THE SERPERNT KING so vividly.  You feel as though you are living with these characters because she makes the emotions feel so real.  This book is a tearjerker because you get so emotionally involved.  This is a perfect book for Young Adults because there are so many out there that have such similar problems and a small friend group that they can count on.  Also, the way you can count on some parents for help even though your parents aren’t there for you.  Overall, this book was a great read just make sure you have tissues.  This book is a Morris Award.

  

Connections:

I thought THE SERPENT KING was a very deep book that some kids really will be able to connect too.  I also think a lot can connect to it just based on the role of some of the parents.  Another book written by Zenter is GOODBYE DAYS.

Book 18

Bibliography:

Murphy, Julie. 2015. DUMPLIN. New York, NY: Harper Collins.

ISBN 9780062327185 

Cover:

Summary:

Willowdean Dickson, nicknamed Dumplin’ by her mom while others call her Will, has always been comfortable in her own skin.  She is sixteen and lives in a small town called Clover City.  Will’s mom is head of the pageant committee and the official hostess.  Will takes a job at Harpy’s, a local fast-food place, and meets Bo Larson.  She is attracted to Bo and is surprised that he returns the feelings.  Her relationship with Bo begins to produce unwanted feelings.  Bo makes her feel undeserving and causes her to see her flaws.  Will’s weight problem runs in the family.  Mom was overweight in her teens and Lucy, mom’s sister died weighing over four hundred pounds.  Will was close to Lucy and the best advice Lucy gave her was, “Don’t waste your life like I did thinking what people will say or think, you owe it to yourself to give life a chance.”  Thus, Will decided to enter the beauty pageant and her life becomes very interesting. 

  

Commentary:

This book is a good read for anybody having self-image problems.  It shows when you step out of your comfort zone you will gain strength from the experiences you have.  When you find that you can walk your own path and find your own way your self-confidence returns.  Do it really big or go home.  This is a Quick Picks book.

    

Connections:

This book would be an excellent book to have because it can connect to so many girls in high school and throughout college. Even if you are an adult you might be able to connect to it.  I wish they had this book when I was in high school.  The way it talks about owning yourself and being brave is something that a lot of girls need, especially with the way society teaches us how we should look.  Other books by Murphy are RAMONA BLUE and SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY. 

     

Book 19

Bibliography:

Ruby, Laura. 2015. BONE GAP. New York, NY. Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 9780062317605 

Cover:

Summary:

Finn and Sean O’sullivan are brothers living in a strange town know as Bone Gap.  There are gaps in Bone Gap that are somewhere, yet nowhere, where people disappear.  Sean is the oldest and in charge of raising Finn.  He had to give up his dream of medical school when his dad was killed and his mom left home.  Rosa mysteriously appears in Sean and Finn’s barn with signs of abuse.  Sean treats her and she lives with them until she is kidnapped.  The day Rosa is kidnapped Finn is there.  He sees the kidnapper, but cannon describe his face.  Finn tells are the people of Bone Gap that Rosa was kidnapped, but they don’t believe him.  Other people have gone mysteriously missing before.  Finn is constantly searching for Rosa who seems to have slipped through a hole into an unknown world. 

   

Commentary:

Ruby draws you into this book with just the first few pages.  With the corn talking to the characters and the mystery behind the whispers that Finn hears.  Ruby keeps the readers wanting to move forward with the story to unlock the mysteries involved.  This is a great fantasy to get involved with.   

  

Connections:

I think this book could connect with kids that are a little different because Finn is a little odd, but overall he is just a normal kid. Finn kept telling the truth, but no one would ever believe him.  I think so young adults tell the truth a lot, but no ones hears them.  Other books by Ruby are THE WALL AND THE WING and LILY’S GHOST. 

 

Book 20

Bibliography:

Blake, Kendare. 2016. THREE DARK CROWNS. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 9780062385437 

Cover:

 

Summary:

Blake has sprinkled throughout this novel cold-blooded, barbaric, and heartless acts by the characters to punish those who break the rules.  Fennbirn needs a new queen.  Triplets are born to a queen and she leaves them right after giving birth.  They were raised in a Black Cottage until the age of six.  They had no mother or father, the Temple doctrine decrees.  The sisters are controlled by the Temple and will be forced to kill the weakest sister.  Fights till two are dead and only the strongest sister will wear the crown.  At the age of sixteen, the plotting and planning by each queen and those in charge of their destiny begins.  Each queen has special abilities of magic. Katherine can consume large amounts of poison without ill effects.  Arsinoe, the naturalist controls flowers and lions. Mirabella, the elemental queen, is able to bring forth storms and fire with a snap of a finger.  It is a race to see which sister wins.  A race filled with dark magic, suspense, and the sadistic actions of Geneviene’s cruelty.

         

Commentary:

The author’s plot through out the three kingdoms of Fennbirn gives the reader enough clues to second guess who the winner of the dark crown might be, but this page turner has to be carried out to the end.  This is a series and I can’t wait to jump into the second one.  The book is divided into the three kingdoms.  The imagery in the book is so detailed and the reader doesn’t have to imagine what the author is trying to say.  She paints the picture for you.  This is a New York Times Best Seller.

Connections:

This would be an awesome book for someone that wants to get involved in a series and loves fantasy.  It is like you are escaping the real world when you are reading the book.  Blake makes you not want to put the book down because you want to know which sister is the strongest and if they will actually go through with killing one another.  The next book in the series is ONE DARK THRONE.

Book 21

Bibliography:

Telgemeier, Raina. 2010. SMILE. New York, NY. Scholastic Graphix.

ISBN 9780545132053 

Cover:

 

Summary:

Raina who is an average 7^th grader is experiencing more than her share of problems.  She fell and accidently knocked out two front teeth. She suffered four and a half years with painful trips to the dentist, orthodontist, and one visit to a periodontics. Her so-called friends were not supportive.  They were always teasing and making unkind jokes about her.  She lived through and earthquake, so she felt she could tolerate anything.  In high school she finally stood up to her so called friends and said goodbye.  Raina starts high school and finds a new group of friends.  She starts looking at herself from the inside and life seems to get better. 

Commentary:

Telegemeier does a great job with this graphic novel.  The pictures themselves tell the story.  I read it in one sitting because I was so intrigued by the pictures.  Experiencing all the normal things teens go through with body changes, her first bra, and dealing with acne.  When I read this book I was able to relate to so many years as a young adult.  This book contains so many different experiences young adults can relate to.  Once Raina realizes that the outside doesn’t matter, but its how you feel on the inside and view life.  You start to have a lot more to smile about and are able to enjoy life.

   

Connections:

This would be an awesome book to have because so many girls could relate.  I also love that it is a graphic novel because the pictures convey the pain and misery better than words can express. Other books by Telegemeier are DRAMA and SISTERS. 

 

Book 22

Bibliography:

Levinson, Cynthia. 2012. WE’VE GOT A JOB: THE 1963 BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN’S MARCH.  Atlanta, GA: Peachtree Publishers. ISBN 9781561456277 

Cover:

 Summary:

WE’VE GOT A JOB tells the story about four thousand little black boys and girls ages from elementary up to high school that voluntarily went to jail in Birmingham.  This book focuses on four of the children’s lives before, during, and after the march.  First the book talks about Audrey Faye Hendricks.  She lived in a nice little home, but still her and her family had some troubles during the Civil Rights Movement.  Second, the story talked about Washington Booker III. Wash shared a room with his mother and older sister.  They shared a kitchen and common area with others that lived in the house.  Third, the story discussed James Stewart.  James also lived in a brick home after his first home burnt to the ground.  Both of his parents were well-educated professionals.  Last, the story discussed Arnetta Streeter. Arnetta wanted to become a nun because she loved the nuns at the school she attended.       

       

Commentary:

I really enjoyed all the photographs in this book.  They are real and tell so much of the story on their own.  I also really liked how Levinson had quotes throughout the book in all caps in a white font with a black background.  It really made them stand out.  This was a book on the Excellence in Nonfiction list. 

    

Connections:

I really enjoyed this book because I can use it in my classroom now.  We study all of this when we study MLK.  I think it would be a great book for my students to see because of the photographs.  A lot of the books we use just have illustrations and not photographs.  I also liked that it tells stories that the kids can connect to because of the similar ages.

   

Book 23

Bibliography:

Freedman, Russell. 2016. WE WILL NOT BE SILENT.  New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing. ISBN 9780544223790 

Cover:

Summary:

WE WILL NOT BE SILENT is about a brother and sister, Hans and Sophie Scholl, which were apart of Hitler Youth as children.  They started to believe that what they were apart of was not right, so when they got a little older they formed the White Rose with a few friends risking everything. The White Rose was a movement of active resistance to Hitler and the Nazis.  Even though the topic is very deep the book isn’t too graphic.  The students really stand up for what is right and this book describes it perfectly with the text and the photographs.      

 

Commentary:

Woah! Again, the photographs in the book were also great.  I really enjoy the real photographs because you can really connect to what you are reading with them.  This book would really encourage anyone, not just students to stand up for what is right.  I think this book should be in all middle and high school libraries.    

Connections:

I think this would be a neat book to share with your students when you are studying Hitler.  It could really connect with some kids about standing up for what is right.  This could be a book that gives them courage and strength.  There is also a film called Sophie Scholl: The Final Days from 2005 and one called The White Rose from 1982. 

   

Book 24

Bibliography:

Brown, Brian. 2016.TETRIS.  New York, NY: Holtzbrink Publishing. ISBN 9781626723153 

Cover:

Summary:

Brown begins his graphic novel in early civilization as he reveals the history of how games began.  Two scientists in Moscow are discussing the universe and out place in it.  One is Alexey Pajitnov, a popular inventor, believes puzzles and games reveal a lot about human behavior; they imitate the mind.  Alexey created artificial intelligence and voice recognition software.  In 1984 he created Tetris in his spare time while developing software for the Soviet government.  Every game developer wanted Tetris because it was a huge success all over the world.  Consequently, a bidding war began.  There were close door sessions, handshake deals were made, but no contract was signed.  Robert Stein of Andromeda Software was searching for a game, saw Tetris on a computer, and went to work trying to own the game. Eventually Stein got a signed contract, but he didn’t get everything he wanted. 

     

Commentary:

The illustration is this graphic novel could tell the story itself.  The way it began in early civilization with cavemen and ended with in modern time with people on there gaming devices.  Even though the colors used were only white, yellow, and black the illustrations were very effective telling the story. 

Connections:

I think a teenager would love this book because it is discussing games and is a graphic novel.  I personally chose this book because as a kid I loved the game Tetris and to be honest I still play it on my phone today.

   

Book 25

Bibliography:

Gephart, Donna. 2016. LILY AND DUNKIN.  New York, NY: Penguin Random House. ISBN 9780553536744

Cover:

Summary:

Timothy McGrother born in a girl’s body living with an understanding, sympathetic mom and a dad who chooses to ignore Tim’s problem.  Tim, an 8^th grader, needs to begin hormone blockers before it’s too late. Dad’s idea is to let nature take its course. Mom already refers to Tim as Lily, even when discussing the matter with dad.  She said she knew Lily knew as early as age five.  Dare, his best friend, encourages him to be true to himself.  The first day back to school Lily is bullied.  Norbert “Dunkin” Dorfman has a bipolar disorder and loves donuts.  His new friend Tim gave him the nickname of Dunkin.  He has to take two pills everyday, but thinks if he cuts down to the one that shows up in his blood.  He wants to be successful in basketball, but being friend with Tim causes problems for him.  He begins to ignore Tim to please the members of the team. He begins hearing voices in his head, talks to his dad, and begins to act weird.  Finally, police take him to a psychiatric hospital. 

         

Commentary:

This story is narrated by Lily and Dunkin.  I liked it because there told the story about themselves.  It was very straightforward and open about how they felt inside.  The really expressed how they cared what there parents thought.  I really liked the way the story was written because I think it would be easy for kids to understand and follow. 

  

Connections:

I think this book would really connect with kids in middle school or high school because they are going through similar situations or have friends going through similar situations.  I really like how they were open with their parents and their parents wanted to help them. I know this is not the case all the time, but maybe this would be encouragement for a student to go find help and support.  Another book to look into by Gephart is HOW TO SURVIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL.   

Textbook Readings Chapters 10-13

Realistic Fiction

Realistic Fiction is one of my favorite types of books to read.  I think I really enjoy it because you can always find someway to relate to the book.  It might be that you are like someone in the book, was in a similar situation, or going through some of the same problems.  It is set in contemporary or modern time.  Everything should be just like how it is in our world.  The characters, setting, events, and behaviors are all real and consistent.  It should avoid stereotyping.  Realistic Fiction could deal with hardships such as death, sexuality, sexual orientation, and changing family structures.  One book that came to mind when I was reading about realistic fiction was ANNIE ON MY MIND.  It came to my mind because this is such a real situation that young adults struggle with.  The way the two girls were classmates, in school, there were teachers that were gay.  I can remember when I was in school and there were teachers that were gay.  I also have a really good friend that was scared to come out because of how he thought people would treat him.  As a 2^nd grade teacher it took me a second to think about different ways I can incorporate realistic fiction. Yes, I read a lot of book that are, but how can I really make sure they are connecting with my students.  Considering the first of the year is right around the corner I thought about all the books I will read at the beginning.  Different books about how we act at recess, bullying, feelings, rules and books about how we are all different.  Our students go through similar situations all the time.  One that I share at the beginning of every year is ENEMY PIE.  ENEMY PIE is about bullying and how we should treat others.  If you have not read it you should check it out.

Nonfiction   

“We define it as what it is not.”  First of all I need to purchase NONFICTION FOR YOUNG ADULTS FROM DELIGHT TO WISDOM.  Even though it’s for young adults I think there is still some goodness in there that I can use in my 2^nd grade classroom.   I have never thought about how we do describe everything that a nonfiction book is not.  Even when I am teaching nonfiction we talk about everything it does not have.  When I came across that nonfiction should be half your library I was shocked because I don’t think ours is that big.  It is a good size, but I think it could be bigger.  My students are always looking for different animal books and sometimes we don’t have them and it makes me sad.  Nonfiction needs to be taken very seriously because the information needs to be accurate.  I loved all the books you and Dr. Perry shared throughout the video.  Some of the social studies books that I want to check out are AMERICAN BILL OF RIGHTS and the series WOMAN WHO BROKE THE RULES.  I loved all the talk about the Steven Jenkins books because my students always love the different nonfiction animal books.  I also want to purchase ANIMALS THAT MAKE ME SAY EWW.  I wrote down a lot more, but those were a few I thought I would mention because I want to look in getting those books for my classroom this year.  Another set of books that you mentioned that I already have and use a lot is the Scholastic nonfiction books.  My kiddos like these a lot because of the photographs, the captions and their favorite part is the little jokes that are in the books.  We do a lot with nonfiction in the classroom.  We read, write about, and create little nonfiction books of our own.  I loved that y’all added the “Questions to ask Students about nonfiction.” Makes me want to get the book even sooner.  Some of the questions are so simple, yet I have never heard of them or seen them anywhere else.  I think it would be really neat to make cards with the questions on them then students can draw a card.  I am really excited to do this in my classroom because I think it will get kids more excited about nonfiction books. For myself I would love to purchase that fashion book.  I thought that looked pretty interesting and funny.

Fantasy/Science Fiction 

All science fiction falls into the fantasy genre, but not all fantasy falls into science fiction.  In this genre characters must behave in consistent and believable ways.  This hasn’t been one of my favorite genres to read, but after watching Dr. Perry’s slide show and hearing her talk about some different books there are a few that I really want to read.  There are quite a few different categories and a lot of them blend together.  The first category she talked about was the Apocalyptic; these types of books are about the end of civilization.  A few that I would like to check out are THE TESTING, TUMBLE AND FALL, and A MATTER OF DAYS.  Another category that I want to read more of is the Dystopia.  Yes, THE HUNGER GAMES is good, but some of the other ones she mentioned sound pretty great.  I also would like to check out time travel books.

Graphic Novels

Wow! I love graphic novels.  What’s kind of funny is who instilled this in me.  It was my students.  When I saw how much some of them loved them it got me pretty interested and I started checking them out.  There are a few major types of graphic novels and they are Manga, Superhero, Personal Narratives, and nonfiction.  Superhero is the most popular as I would assume.  “They are not just for unmotivated readers with disabilities.”  I loved reading this because when I first started to check out graphic novels, one of my first thoughts was that this could motivate kids that don’t love reading.  When really we need to share this goodness with all our kiddos.  I had one student this past year that absolutely loves graphic novels.  She loved reading period, but graphic novels were her favorite.  Some of my other students also love the BABY MOUSE series and the LUNCH LADY series.  I have read a couple of both and I think they are cute and such a fun read.  There aren’t a lot of graphic novels in my school library though, which is kind of sad.  One idea that came to mind when I was learning more and more about graphic novels was that it would be so easy for the students to create their own little graphic novel.  I think this would be an excellent writing activity.  I want to do some research and find some nonfiction graphic novels.  I want to really start incorporating graphic novels more in my classroom and I think this would be one great way to do it.  I also think graphic novels would be great partner reads.                       

Books 9-16

Book 9

Bibliography:

Crutcher, Chris. 2013. PERIOD 8.  New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN 9780061914805 

Cover:

 

Summary:

Paul Baum known as Pauly Bomb in school is a high school senior who always tells the truth no matter the consequences or how it hurts.  This is the code for all who attend the sessions during Period 8.  They must tell what is true and what you tell stays in the room when you leave.  Bruce Logsdon called Mr. Logs by his students over sees the meetings.  The students all bring their lunches and problems to the sessions.  Pauly, Hannah, and all who participate felt it was a non-threatening environment and a way to make sense of their problems.  A classmate, Mary Wells also known as Virgin Mary goes missing and someone is telling lies, which almost gets Mr. Logs killed.  Mr. Logs begins each session with “What’s Up?” He thrives on helping his students.  It keeps him grounded and gives him a reason to look forward to his job.  The suspense really kicks in when Mary Wells is missing for the second time.  Pauly receives a disturbing text from her.  Pauly tells his father and Mr. Logs that he needs help.  In the end Mary Wells has a big secret that no one knows.   

Commentary:

This was an interesting book that you had to read between the lines.  Once some students started disappearing you really started to wonder why and where were they going.  I think this would kind of be a tough read for some young adults because it discusses some pretty deep things.  The language is okay, but it has a lot of criminal activity that still happens today.  I thought it was neat that the teacher, Mr. Logs had a good relationship with some of the students.  The students could go to him whenever they had a problem and he was always there for them.    

     

Connections:

One way I though this really connected to the textbook was that it related to so many experiences that young adult students might be having.  With the secrets and how we go through something that we don’t know how to express.  There are some parts that I would assume most young adult don’t go through, but still can relate to hard times.  Other books by Crutcher are RUNNING LOOSE, WHALE TALK, and STAYING FAT FOR SARAH BYRNES. 

Book 10

Bibliography:

Black, Holly. 2011. REDGLOVE.  New York, NY: Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing. ISBN 9781442403390 

Cover:

 

Summary:

REDGLOVE, is a suspenseful page turner of organized crime, curses, and magic.  The characters have abilities unlike ordinary humans.  They are known as workers.  With a touch of their naked hand, they change people into objects, manipulate them with false memories or take memories away.  This is the reason they all have to wear gloves.  Cassel Sharpe, was a rare transformation worker everyone wanted, but the problem was Cassel was good and he did not want to join the criminal world.  His mom was an ex convict and emotion worker.  Cassel did not approve what his mom did, but helped her scam people when he was younger.  He always felt the need to protect her, but he wanted out.  When Cassel’s brother Philip was killed Cassel began searching for answers.  The only clue is a video image of a woman wearing a red glove.  The other clue Cassel finds in the Garbage House is a cracked amulet he made for a family member.  Cassel’s character is one to admire, he works hard to break free and become as normal as he can with his magical abilities. 

    

Commentary:

Black makes you not want to put the book down because she keeps drawing you in with all the clues she provides.  This is a fun page turning mystery full of suspense that keeps the readers on their toes.  Black does an amazing job at making Cassel the protagonist.  She does this by him following through with all the clues and solving the murder.  The only time he uses his power is to help others.  Overall, Cassel’s character is one to be admired! I really enjoyed this book.    

    

Connections:

I think this would be a great book to discuss different types of literary language.  It has a great protagonist and an antagonist.  I just thought this book had an awesome plot, conflict, mood and tone, and flowed so nicely.  You really just didn’t want to put it down.  I can totally see what she is a New York Times Best Selling author!  Other books by Black are THE COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN, DOLL BONES, and WHITE CAT.  

Book 11

Bibliography:

Stead, Rebecca. 2015. GOODBYE STRANGER.  New York, NY: Random House Children’s Books. ISBN 9780385743174 

Cover:

 

Summary:

GOODBYE STRANGER is the story of 7^th and 8^th graders doing what is normal for that age.  They bond, make packs, form clubs, encounter bullies, disagree, but are friends forever.  The author has developed a true to life and believable characters.  You laugh with them, cry with them, feel their joy, pain, and uncertainty as to what choice to make in life.  Bridge, who is the main character, survived an accident at the age of eight.  Her heart stopped and when she finally came to a nurse told her that she was alive for a reason.  Bridge and her friends, Emily, Tabitha, and Sherman spend all of their time together supporting and encouraging each other through their junior high years. This book goes through the lives of each character and the choices they make.  

Commentary:

This book is an easy read because Stead makes a connection with the children.  One of the characters says that she was put on the earth for love.  All the characters show this throughout the book.  Stead divides this book into 5 sections.  Each section is divided with topics about the lives of the characters.  This story would relate to junior high students because it is just friends doing typical junior high stuff.  They get in trouble, they disagree, and they love each other.  They do have one rule and that is no fighting.  I think junior high kids probably would struggle with the no fighting part, but it might be good to see that it kept this group of friends together.   

  

Connections:

I think this story is great for early young adults.  Kids would really be able to relate to this book in some way shape or form because there are different characters to relate to.  I like how there are hardships in this book that the character make the best of.  She lives her life with love! Students would be able to relate to different experiences.  Other books by Stead are WHEN YOU REACH ME, PLAN B, and LIAR AND SPY.  

Book 12

Bibliography:

Smith, Andrew. 2014. 100 SIDEWAYS MILES.  New York, NY: Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing. ISBN 978144244495 

Cover:

 

Summary:

Finn Easton feels like he is made up millions of atoms and molecules.  He is almost seventeen years old trying to feel like a normal boy.  He wants so badly to feel like a regular human teenage boy and not like a character from his dad’s science fiction book.  He feels he has been invented by someone else, mainly his father.  Everything in his fathers book points to him.  His life has been written in his father’s book, The Lazarus Door and there is nothing he can do about it.  Finn had a best friend, Cade Hernandez; he felt he was a God because he could convince anybody to do anything.  Cade was an expert teacher button pusher.  Finn was different then the other kids due to his seizures he had.  When he was younger he and his mother were walking beneath a bridge when a truck overturned overhead.  When the truck overturned a dead horse fell 100 sideways miles killing his mother and breaking his back.  Cade and Finn took a trip and after their experiences on this trip he felt like he was in charge of his own destiny. 

        

Commentary:

I think this book would defiantly be for older young adults because of the crude language and it didn’t leave much to the imagination. I can’t see this book being in a school library even though it did have a good message for young people to seek their own destiny.  A lot of teenagers follow and do whatever other teenagers are doing.  This book might encourage young adults to go after what they want without the influence of others. 

I liked how the author divided the book into to events of Finns life.  Every event in Finn’s life helped him become who he was in the end.  This would also help teens see that everything happens for a reason, even if they don’t see the why right away.  

 

Connections:

This book was really interesting to me.  Students would be able to relate to it and connect.  I didn’t love the language in it though. The way the boy has seizures and feels like he doesn’t fit in is the way a lot of adolescent boys feel.  Not all boys have seizures, but different have other things going on.  Other books by Smith are THE ALEX CROW, GRASSHOPPER JUNGLE, and WINGER. 

Book 13

Bibliography:

King, A.S. 2012. ASK THE PASSENGERS. New York, NY: Hachette Book Group. ISBN 9780316194686 

Cover:

Summary:

ASK THE PASSENGERS is the moving story of a seventeen-year-old girl in search of love and answers about her feelings for her girlfriend, Dee.  Is it real love, is she gay, can she admit the truth to her family, and will they begin to love her?  Since she does not feel she has anyone to ask she spends her time lying on a picnic table talking to passengers in the airplanes overhead.  They cannot see her or judge her so she sends her loves to them. They get caught in a gay bar and this is the beginning of events that help Astrid open up to her family and friends.  Astrid also has an imaginary friend, Frank S, which she talks to in her mind to help her figure out what the answers are.  She wants to be her own pilot in charge of what happens and when it happens to her.  When she finally accepts the idea that she is gay she doesn’t need her imaginary friend anymore, Frank S walks out the door.  

      

Commentary:

I think this story would be good for any young adult that is struggling with something that they don’t want to admit to others.  She finds outlets and people to talk to without taking her frustrations out on other people because she just wants answers.  Astrid wants to break free of all the labels.  I feel that a lot of high school kids want to do this same thing.  Astrid was that she is gay, but someone else’s might be that they have problems with their body image.  The author does a good job at showing the true feelings of what its like to struggle on the inside while being afraid to let other people see it.   

Connections:

This book kind of reminded me of ANNIE ON MY MIND.  This would really connect with a boy or girl having the same problem.  I like how she finds different ways to talk to people and get out her feelings.  I think its neat the way she accepts it and doesn’t need her imaginary friend anymore.  This book might make it easier to discuss because it shows you that more are going through the same situation then you think.  Other books by King are I CRAWL THROUGH IT, EVERYBODY SEES THE ANTS, and PLEASE IGNORE VERA DIETZ.  

 

Book 14

Bibliography:

Satrapi, Marjane. 2003. PERSEPOLIS.  New York, NY: Pantheon Books. ISBN 9780375714832 

Cover:

 

Summary:

This graphic novel is all about growing up in Iran.  They are just like us more than you think they would be.  The people who run the country are evil, but not the ones who live in it.  Marjane grew up in Iran right when it started to get ugly.  She went through a lot of horrific things such as bombings.  She also went through a lot of protests, through it all she just kept living as normal as a life as she could.  She is able to leave Iran, go back, and then leave again.  You learn a lot of history in this book and a lot about her family.   

  

Commentary:

This is an amazing graphic novel.  The black and white pictures along tell such a story.  I think that this is a great book to have because it shows another culture than our own or ones that we are very familiar with.  When you hear Iran you think bad, but they do some of the same things we do.  It is an eye opener along with a great read. 

Connections:

This is such a “window” book.  I think it was so neat to read someone else’s experiences in a story format.  For kids that really like graphic novels this is a great one to show history and another culture.  Another book by Satrapi is BRODERIES.  I though this YouTube video about her book and how she felt about making a movie was pretty cool. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9onZpQix_w

   

Book 15

Bibliography:

Ness, Patrick. 2008. THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO.  Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN 9780763645762

Cover:

 

Summary:

Todd is a boy in a town called Prentisstown full of men, no woman.  His ma and pa died when he was a baby, so Ben and Cillian look after him.  He will be a man very soon, so he’s not the only boy in town.  He can hear everything they are thinking and they can hear everything he thinks.  He can also hear all his dog, Manchee’s thoughts too.  He doesn’t really want Manchee, but he keeps him.  Todd knows something isn’t right in the town.  Even though you can hear everything and basically know everything that is going on there is still a really big secret.  Todd goes down to the swamp and heard silence, which turns out to be a girl.  Todd and Viola, the girl set off away from Pentisstown and start a new journey.  They keep trying to get further and further away, but they run into some complications and its like they can’t get away even though they are getting further and further.  

      

Commentary:

I listened to some of this book on audio.  Nick Podehl who performed it did an amazing job.  He is so animated and you just don’t want to turn it off.  I read some chapters and that was still great because it is such an intriguing and imaginary book.  The way you hear everyone’s thoughts really brings the book to life.  This book is very deep and can be kind of dark in some places, but overall it is an excellent page-turner that you aren’t going to want to put down.  This book is the first book is a series, so that makes it even more fun!    

Connections:

Woah! This book has so much imagery going on.  I think this would be a fun read for older young adults.  There is some language in it and I think it would just be a better fit for older.  When you finish this book you can read the second in the series, THE ASK AND THE ANSWER, then the third, MONSTERS OF MEN!

Book 16

Bibliography:

Green, John. 2005. LOOKING FOR ALASKA.  New York, NY: Penguin Group. ISBN 9780525475064 

Cover:

Summary:

Miles Halter left his family in Florida to attend boarding school in Alabama to seek a Great Perhaps.  There he met his roommate Chip Martin better known as Colonel because he was know for his military style planning because of the pranks he planned.  Colonel introduced Miles to Alaska who lived 5 doors down in the same dorm.  Alaska sells cigarettes to the two.  They would meet at a lake to smoke and drink cheap liquor.  Miles feels he might have stumbled into what his mother refereed to as “the wrong crowd.”  Alaska suffered problems silently.  Alaska felt she was a failure in life and was always searching for a way out of the labyrinth of suffering.  She needed to find a way out of the maze.  She felt suffering was universal.  The only way out was straight and fast.  Alaska spends her holidays on campus because there are too many ghost at home.  Alaska didn’t leave enough of herself behind for her friends to know her after her death, but she left Miles enough to rediscover the Great Perhaps. 

      

Commentary:

I think this would be a good story for young adults.  It was full of friendship and heartaches that some young adults face today.  Some of the problems were much more severe, but some are still relatable.  It teaches them that awful things that happen to us are survivable.  The author organizes the book around Alaska’s death.  All before the death Green counts specific number of days before.  Then he starts to do the specific days after her death.  I loved the way Green did this because it really built up the anticipation of the book. 

    

Connections:

I really enjoyed this book.  I think this would be great book for an older young adult that is about to head to college.  I felt that it shows that you are going to meet different people when you go off to school then what you were surrounded with at home.  I think it also show that you can’t handle everything on your own; sometimes you need to ask for help.  Other books by Green are PAPERTOWNS, THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, and AN ABUNDANCE OF KATHERINES.