Anderson, L. (1999). Speak. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux.
Summary: The novel Speak centers around the protagonist Melinda. Melinda is raped at party and calls the police. Everyone believes that her call to the police was to get them “busted” for under aged drinking. Thus Melinda begins her high school life as a total outcast. The rapist, Andy, is good looking and a favorite among his peers. No one would ever believe that he could do something so horrible. Melinda retreats into herself. All of her friends, have turned on her, even her closest friend in the world Rachel. Andy tries to rape her again. This is when Melinda finds her “voice” to speak out.
Reaction: This particular novel is best suited for use with high school age students. COunselors and other educational professionals could use Speak as a “campus read” to open a dialog about the following issues: sexual assault and bullying.
Anderson, M. (1997). Thirsty. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press.
Summary:Thirsty is a basic coming of age story. The protagonist Chris lives in a world in which vampires are real and live among “everyday people” until they are found out. Chris is living a normal life until a fight with a friend reveals that he has no reflection--making him a vampire. Chet a Celestial Being recruits Chris to fight against the Forces of Darkness. Chet promises Chris a cure from the curse of being a vampire. Ultimately, Chris realizes that he is a pawn in a cosmic game. Chet is working for Forces of Darkness.
In the end, Chris has to face the fact that he has lost: his chance to be with the beautiful Rebecca and his closest friends. He begins to wonder if his own family will turn against him. As the book ends, Chris is trying to suppress his bloodlust and thus protect his family.
Reaction: I would recommend Thirsty for students in 8th grade and up, The life issues that Chris is dealing with, may be too complex for younger audiences. Teens especially in upper grades will be more likely understand the subtle humor.
Angel, A. (2010). Janis Joplin: Rise up singing. New York: Amulet Books.
Summary: Rise Up Singing is a biography of rock and roll star, Janis Joplin. Her life and career are chronicled. Janis was quite loud and wild as a young child. She refused to conform to the role that is was ready made for her. During her musical career she was invited to sing with the band, Big Brother and the Holding Company. Her unique sound gained her almost instant success. The music industry at the time were the hippy culture of sex and drugs. Janis Joplin: Rise Up Singing endeavors to relate Joplin’s rise to fame and untimely death.
Reaction: The intended audience is definitely 9th grade and up. The recount of Joplin’s life is very honest and frank. The subject matter includes drug use, sexual promiscuity and abortion.
Block, F. (2008). Blood roses. New York: Joanna Cotler Books.
Summary: Julie’s dying grandmother is trying to tell her something. Unfortunately, she dies before she can tell Julie. Julie is heartbroken. Her grief is compounded by the fact that Julie and her mother have to move. She not only has to move from the home she loves but she has to change schools. She befriends Clark who is also grieving. She and Clark try to use a Ouija board to contact Julie’s grandmother. Instead they come in contact with Grant--Clark’s twin that recently passed away. Julie finds herself attracted to both Clark and Grant.
Canales, V. (2005). The tequila worm. New York: Wendy Lamb Books.
Summary: Sofia is a young Mexican American girl that has a close knit extended family including aunts, uncles and cousins. Her aunt the family storyteller/historian tells that she has inherited her great great grandmother’s “mule kick”. Throughout the story her “mule kick” serves her well. In one instance she encounters a hateful and bigoted young girl that calls her a taco head. She uses her “mule kick” (determination) to kick that girl’s butt in academics. She eventually, earns her way into a very exclusive private school. This private school is culturally a whole new world. She begins to distance herself from family traditions.
In the end, her father’s death solidifies her understanding and helps her to embrace who she truly is. She realizes that she can be a part of both worlds--old and new.
Reaction: As an ESL and a SPED teacher, I would use this particular novel in Social Studies class as supplement to a unit on Mexican Americans. The book gives a unique insight into Mexican American traditions. Students will also be able to relate to the universal themes of family and self discovery.
Cormier, R. (1974). The chocolate war: A novel. New York: Pantheon Books.
Summary: Jerry is student at Trinity High School where a gang The Vigils are in charge. The Vigils give out assignments to students that feel compelled to complete. Jerry’s assignment is to refuse to participate in annual fund raising chocolate sale. When his assignment is done Jerry continues to refuse to join in the chocolate sales. As a result, Jerry is beat up and his homework is stolen. Basically, Jerry’s life is a living hell. Jerry still refuses. Jerry’s defiance ends with a boxing match in which he is badly beaten up. In the end Jerry warns his friend not to be defiant--not to disturb the universe.
Reaction: I deem this book a coming of age story--a very realistic one. The strength of the novel is that, it depicts the life of mean and control kids from the “right side” of the tracks. The characters are not the stereotypical “thugs”--but act in kind.
Crutcher, C. (2007). Deadline. New York: Greenwillow Books.
Summary: Finding that he has about one year to live Ben Wof decides to make the most of that year. Ben has decided that no one should know that he is dying, not even his own parents. He threatens his doctor with legal aaction if he tells anyone that he is dying. Ben joins the football team and sets about to have a street named for Malcolm X. As the school year presses on Ben decides to share his condition with his parents and teacher. Then a classmate dies in car accident. Ben starts health really deterioartes. After his death his goal is achieved --Malcolm X Avenue.
Reaction: Crutcher’s character development is the true strghth ogf this book.
Engle, M. (2008). The surrender tree: Poems of Cuba's struggle for freedom. New York: Henry Holt
Summary: Rosa is a young la curandera--one that heals. Many believe she is a witch. In the first part of the book Rosa describes the runaway slaves and the man (and son) that charged with bring back the runaways. At one point the slave catcher calls her to heal his son’s arm. He tells his son not to call her a witch girl--just call her a witch because calling a girl may make her think she is human. She heals both the slaves and the slave catcher. The book is a novel in verse.
Reaction: This book could definity be used in a Latin American history course. It chronicles Cuba’s long struggle for freedom. The author’s notes, chronology, and historical notes are an excellent resource.
Garden, N. (1982). Annie on my mind. New York: FSG.
Summary: Annie On My Mind is a coming of age story. Annie and Liza are from totally different backgrounds but soon have a very close bond. The novel is written as a series of flashbacks as Annie tries to pen a letter to Liza. Annie is now a freshman at MIT and is sorting through emotional memories of her senior year-- a year of great change and triumphs. As Annie and Liza’s lesbian relationship blossoms, Mrs. Poindexter (a faculty member at Annie’s school) finds them out. Mrs. Poindexter wants to have Annie removed from school because of her sexual orientation. In the end, Annie was allowed to stay in school, graduate and go on to attend M.I.T.
Reaction: The strength of Annie On My Mind is the overall character development. Each character is portrayed with an element of compassion. Even if one is totally appalled by the character’s opinion, the author skillfully allows you to see them in their humanity.
Green, J. (2005). Looking for Alaska: A novel. New York: Dutton Children's Books.
Green, J. (2014). The fault in our stars (Unabridged. ed.). New York: Penguin Group. NYT
Hale, S., & Hale, D. (2008). Rapunzel's revenge. New York, N.Y.: Bloomsbury.
Summary: Nathan Hale transforms the fairytale character of the helpless Rapunzel to a modern superhero. Rapunzel lives in a beautiful villa that is behind a huge stone wall. As Rapunzel comes of age, she peers over the wall and discovers the truth about her real family. Finding that her real mother has been enslaved.
Her adopted mother Gothel is enraged. In turn she imprisons Rapunzel in a magical tree. As in the original story her hair grows long and she is able to use it escape. She meets Jack (of beanstalk fame). Along with Jack, and his pet goose, Rapunzel faces down wild animals and gun toting villains to free her mother. And as in any good fairy tale the end finds Rapunzel and Jack in love.
Reaction: I would recommend this graphic novel for ages 10 and up.
Jay, A. (2007). Thirteen Reasons Why. New York: Random House.
Summary: The premise of the novel is a young woman’s suicide. Hannah does not leave behind a typical suicide note. She leaves behind a recording giving the 13 reasons why she has taken her own life. She also leaves a list asking each person to mail the the recording to the next person on the list. As the main character (of sorts) listens to the recording he becomes aware of all of the situations that Hannah encountered leading to her taking her own life. Clay is most horrified by the recorded conversation between Hannah and her guidance counselor Mr. Porter. Mr. Porter’s half hearted counseling session is the final straw. Clay is compelled to mail the tapes to the next person on the list.
Reaction: I recommend this book for older teens. Suicide is a difficult subject to broach and this novel is the perfect way.
Myers, W. (1999). Monster. New York, N.Y.: HarperCollins.
Summary: Steve Harmon is a 16 year old accused of murder. As he awaits trial and the subsequent verdict Steve decides to chronicle the events taking place. To make matters worse the prosecution has labeled him a Monster. In the end, though acquitted murder, things have changed. His relationships, his view on life, everything has changed.
Reaction: Suggested audience 7th grade and up.
Neri, G., & DuBurke, R. (2010). Yummy: The last days of a Southside shorty. New York: Lee & Low Books.
Summary: Roger is a young boy that has to make sense of what is absolutely senseless. A young boy nicknamed Yummy is accused of murdering an innocent young lady. The graphic novel, chronicles Roger’s quest to understand Yummy. In Roger’s eyes Yummy is almost two totally different people. One day playing with a frog, the next stealing cars, all
the while carrying a teddy bear. Yummy’s troubled life is weighed against the pain that he has brought upon an innocent family. Roger’s inner conflict is fed by the fact that everyone around him has an opinion. Yummy’s tragic life is ended by the very gang that promised to be his brother to the end. The story’s secondary conflict is brought to an end when Roger’s gang member brother-- seems to want out of gang life. Thus Yummy’s tragic end has some meaning.
Reaction: I would recommend this novel to students in 7th grade and above. Though the setting is 1994 Chicago (I remember this incident well), I believe it will resonate with today’s teens.
Ness, P. (2008). The knife of never letting go. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press.
Summary: Todd is living in Printisstown, a town full of noise. The noise is the thoughts of every other living thing in and surrounding the town. Printisstown is populated totally by men. All of the ladies and girls died off years ago, as a result of a virus. Young men come of age at 13 years old. Todd is the youngest and the last of the young men to become a man. One day in the swamp Todd encounters something he has never experience--silence. He finds that the silence is a girl. He and Alice experience many ups and downs. In the end she is shot by the President of Printisstown. In an effort to save her, Todd gives in.
Reaction: As follow up I would recommend
Saenz, B. (2008). He Forgot To Say Goodbye: The things our fathers left unsaid. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Summary: He Forgot To Say Goodbye is written from the point of view of the two main characters: Ram and Jake. Jake is from an upper middle class neighborhood and lives with his mother and stepfather David. Jake sees his stepfather with another woman. Ram is from a lower working class neighborhood and lives with his mother and brother TIto. Tito overdoses and is placed on life support. The thing that the two characters share is the lack a father. It is the conflict in their lives and a common friend Alejandra that bring them together. The young men both face a crisis at the same time. Jake’s mother repeatedly slaps him at his birthday party in front of everyone--a result of seeing her husband David’s mistress. Ram has to watch as his brother is taken off life support. In a matter of a few days both young men come of age. They both realize that their hatred and love of their fathers is weighing them down.
Reactions: The major strength of this novel is its fluid transitions between the characters points of view. It would as serve as a wonderful model text for students learning character development.
Smith, A. (2013). Winger. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
Summary: The main character Ryan Dean West is a 14 year old junior at a private school. Ryan Dean is quite intelligent. In fact, his intelligence (and the fact that he reprograms a cell phone that he has stolen) lands him in O-Hall. The novel follows his ups and downs with his friends/enemies. He is in love with Annie and she (the older woman) eventually returns his affections. Everything in Ryan Dean’s life seems revolve around sex, Each situation he encounters in some way has a sexual overtone. Even meeting Annie’s pug--that happily humps Ryan Dean’s leg. In the end the tragedy of a friend’s murder renders him speechless for a time.
Reflection: The strength of this novel the characters. Ryan Dean’s voice is truly authentic. I believe that it is a book that young adult males will be able to relate to. I would definitely use this book to model author’s/character’s voice.
Westerfeld, S. (2005). Uglies. New York: Simon Pulse.
Summary: Set in a future utopia the Uglies,Tally, the main character is waiting to turn sixteen so that she can make the transformation from ugly to pretty. The pretty people live and enjoy a life that the ugly people can only watch from afar. While Tally is waiting to join her friends in the pretty side of life she meets Shay. Shay is ugly and wants to remain that way. Shay is a part of a secret group of uglies and invites Tally to join them.
On Tally’s birthday, she is taken in by the authorities and told to betray the secret uglies or she will never become pretty. Tally sets out to find the uglies--but once there she decides to stay. She falls in love with David. Unwittingly Tally sets off the homing device. The authorities manage to capture all of the Smoke (the uglies) except for Tally and David. Shay returns to save Tally. In the end Tally returns to Pretty Town to save Shay.
Reaction: I would recommend the Uglies to 6th grade and up. I would also recommend the next book in the series Pretties.
