LSSL 5385 Book Blog- One of Us is Lying

McManus, K. M. (2017). One of Us is Lying. NY: Delacorte Press.


Addy, Bronwyn, Cooper, Nate, and Simon are in detention together because a teacher found phones in their backpacks that according to them, are not theirs. That is just the beginning of a much more sinister mystery. This is the way the novel One of Us is Lying begins.

Early in the story, Simon mysteriously and dramatically dies right in the middle of detention from an assumed peanut allergy. Knowing about his peanut allergy and the police finding traces of peanuts in his water, the suspicion immediately falls on the others. They are all quite different people in every way, and although not connected to each other, all may have a motive to kill Simon. Simon likes to gossip and spread rumors via an app used and read by many students at Bayview High School.

As the police investigation zeros in on the group, they are forced to work together to find real answers. When the accusations begin to fly, evidence is found, and arrests are finally made, the story will climax in a revelation that the reader won’t see coming.

According to Hainghurst’s Theories of Developmental Tasks, readers in this range are developing more mature relationships with people of the same age, along with developing values and morals that ultimately guide their behavior. In a time where social status is everything, this novel highlights the consequences of spreading rumors. As we have seen in the news, quite a bit over the years, it can even lead to death. McManus does a great job laying out details in a way that keeps the reader guessing. I couldn't put this book down because I thrive on figuring out the answers before the author tells me. I couldn't do it with this one! Who doesn’t love a good mystery and surprising ending? This book would be suitable for upper middle school and high school readers.

**NYT Bestseller 2017


https://twitter.com/writerkmc?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor- Karen McMnaus' Twitter Page

Author Interview

LSSL 5385 Book Blog- Eleanor and Park

Rowell, R. (2013). Eleanor and Park. NY: St. Martin’s Griffin.


Eleanor & Park is the story of two teenagers who are sharing their first love together. They live in middle America, Nebraska, set in the 1980's. Eleanor is the new girl and comes from a broken home complete with an alcoholic step-father who abuses her mother and she lives in poverty, in a tiny home with her four siblings. She is a little heavier than your average teen girl and wears men’s clothes making her sort of an outcast.

Park Sheridan, on the other hand, has a more stable home life, yet not without troubles of his own. He is half-Korean, loves music, and comic books. He is different from his father and doesn't feel accepted at home. He is a bit of a wallflower himself living in a mostly Caucasian city. One day after offering Eleanor a seat on the bus, and after many long silent bus rides together, they strike up a friendship.

While the two characters are very different, their friendship develops into much more and they begin to fall in love, longing for their time together. Eleanor will use Park’s house and his family to help escape her days at home, but once her relationship is found out, she becomes terrified at the thought of her stepfather’s wrath. With the help of Park, she escapes to Minnesota to live with an uncle, which will possibly be the end of their relationship. Although Park writes many letters to Eleanor they go unanswered and he is forced to move on with his own life, until one day he receives a postcard with only three words written on it, but the three words mean everything.

This novel is written in the first-person point of view but in a dual narrative format. Using this format allows the reader to get a more detailed view of the character’s thoughts and feelings. It would also lend itself easily to a lesson on point of view. Several of Havighurst’s Theories of Developmental Tasks are evident in this story including acceptance of one’s physical changes, more mature with members of the opposite sex, and the struggles with parents. This story is beautifully written, and you can feel the anguish as Eleanor and Park experience love and loss. The language and themes in this story make it best suited for the upper range of young adult readers.


**2014 Printz Honor Book

https://us.macmillan.com/static/eleanorandpark/pdfs/Eleanor%20&%20Park%20Reading%20Group%20Questions.pdf – Book Discussion Guide

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LSSL 5385 Book Blog- Please Ignore Vera Dietz

King, A. S. (2010). Please Ignore Vera Dietz. NY: Knopf Books for Young Readers.

Vera is going through a tumultuous time in her teenage life, in more ways than one. She is being haunted by the ghost of her former best friend, Charlie, who died after a fire at the local pet store in town. She is also a closet alcoholic, having trouble dealing with the secrets she knows about Charlie and the fire.

Growing up, Vera and Charlie were inseparable best friends. Charlie suffered from an abusive home life, and found solace in his friendship with Vera. They spent a lot of time in a treehouse they built together, and were as close as friends could be, until Charlie fell in with the wrong crowd. Vera was scared for Charlie when he got wrapped up in selling his underwear to a local pervert.
Once Charlie met a new girl named Jenny Flick, she began to drive a wedge between the two by spreading awful rumors about Vera and her family and also lied to Charlie about her.

Vera finds out later from the ghost of Charlie and letters who actually burned down the pet store. Soon, she goes to the police about what she knows and comes to terms with the death of her best friend. She begins to reconcile her problems by going on a road trip with her father, and lets herself move on with her own life.

Many of the issues that Vera faced are relatable to readers. She is torn between doing what is right, and  what feels right at the moment. A clear example of Havighurst’s Theory of Developmental Tasks is the lack of communication between Vera and her father. During this age, kids start to seek emotional independence from their parents. The topics of alcoholism and death in this story would be most appropriate for high school readers.

**Required YA author


Books with similar themes:

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes  ISBN 978-0060094898
The Perks of Being a Walflower   ISBN 978-1451696196


https://www.as-king.com/ - Author's Webpage

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LSSL 5385 Book Blog- Stick

Smith, A. (2011). Stick. NY: SPEAK/Penguin Group.

Stark "Stick" McClellan and his brother struggle through everyday life. Stick is a thirteen-year-old boy who was born with one ear, under an abusive and often cruel, militant father and mother. His older brother, Bosten, is unable to be open about his sexuality in fear of his parent’s wrath. Although Stick is abused at home and bullied at school for his deformity, he has the love of his brother and his one best friend, Emily who he also loves very much.

Once his parents discover that Bosten is gay, their physical and mental cruelty begins to take its toll. After a severe beating at the hands of his father, Bosten leaves home for their Aunt Dahlia’s house in California. Stick eventually follows Bosten and the book turns from an interpersonal drama to more of an adventure. Along the way, he meets people who are good, bad, and indifferent to him, but he holds out hope for love and finding his brother. In the end, Stick is able to reunite with his brother and they never look back.

The first-person narrative gives the reader an in depth look at Stick and what he and his brother were forced to endure at the hands of their parents. We also see the unconditional love as Stick goes in search of his brother. This novel covers a wide range of topics ranging from family abuse, homosexuality, depression,  and acceptance. However, the most heartfelt theme is brotherly love.

Stick’s mental struggle to accept his physical deformation fits into Havighurst’s Theories of Developmental Tasks. In addition, the dysfunctional relationship between the boys and their parents matches up perfectly with this age group. Stick’s feelings toward Emily are to be expected as readers in this phase of development establish more mature relationships with people of the opposite sex. With so many sensitive topics addressed, I think this book is most appropriate for eighth grade through high school readers.


**Required YA author


Additional Resources:

http://ghostmedicine.blogspot.com/ - Author’s Blog
http://www.authorandrewsmith.com/Author_Andrew_Smith/Home.html - Author’s Website

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LSSL 5385 Book Blog- Diary of a Tokyo Teen

Inzer, C. (2016). Diary of a Tokyo Teen: A Japanese-American Girl Travels to the Land of Trendy Fashion, High-Tech Toilets, and Maid Cafes. VT: Tuttle Publishing


This graphic novel is part autobiography, part scrapbook, and part comic book. It revolves around the author and her account of her trip to her homeland of Japan. Inzer tells the story, which is sort of more like a guide book, from the point of view of a tourist, even though she spent her first years in Tokyo before moving to America at age six. 

Inzer shows us plenty of illustrations coupled with actual photography. The youthful depictions add an extra layer of light-hearted comedy to the moments within. From her family members descriptions to the trendy people she encounters at the Kashiwa Station, the food and customs of Tokyo, and her account of her interaction with the deer in Nara, you are given a very real feeling of being in these moments. This novel is a great read for anyone interested in travel, Japanese culture, or even Manga and comic book style drawing.

This detailed memoir incorporated Inzer’s hand written drawings and photographs which created a first-hand experience for me as a reader. You could see the shock as she re-entered a world she was once a part of.  Even though she came from Japan, she is all American. Readers that immigrated to America would relate with Inzer because she is kind of caught between two worlds. I don’t have a huge connection with this tale, but I can relate to feeling lost within an unfamiliar culture. Where I am from is completely different from where I now live. I remember feeling overwhelmed when I first moved here because nothing felt familiar. The graphic novel makes this book an enjoyable read for everyone in the YA category.

**YALSA Required List – 2017 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers


Books similar to Diary of a Tokyo Teen:

A Geek in Japan ISBN 978-4805311295
My Awesome Japan Adventure ISBN 978-4805312162

http://christinemari.com/   -Author’s Website

LSSL 5385 Book Blog- The Crossover

Alexander, K. (2014). The Crossover. MA: HMH Books for Young Readers.

The Crossover is an award winning book by Kwame Alexander about brothers whose passion for basketball takes different paths, as they enter junior high school. Josh (Filthy) and Jordan (JB) are twins who both share a love of basketball and have a father who at one time was a European League and Olympic Basketball player. Now a stay-at-home dad, he missed his opportunity due to needing a surgery and a fear of doctors. Their mother is an assistant principal at their school. Josh loves the game of basketball and hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps, while his brother is not as dedicated to as Josh.

The first sign of change in Josh’s life is when JB finds a girlfriend and begins spending more of his time with her than with his family. Josh’s feelings of isolation from his brother, mixed with jealousy, eventually turn to anger. While the distance grows between the brothers, an incident on the court causes Josh to be suspended from playing basketball, which causes great animosity between the two of them. Their father also begins to develop health problems, leading to two heart attacks and finally a third that kills him. This sends Josh into a depression and takes the joy from his life.
In time, the two brothers learn to lean on each other to cope with their problems. They are brought back together, and the divide between them begins to heal. They realize the importance of having family and each other.

Written in verse, this story is a personal account of Josh’s experiences in his life. The theme of family, jealously, and loss are recognizable to most readers. During this age, readers are considering their future careers and seeking emotional independence. The changing relationship between the brothers also fits in with contemporary issues readers face. The Crossover is appropriate for all YA readers. I can relate to the struggling relationship between Josh and JB because my older sister and I had similar issues through middle school and high school. I think everyone can get something out of it.  Even if you are not a basketball fan, this book is about more than that. It’s about the unconditional love of family.


**2015 Quick Pick Top 10


If you liked The Crossover, try:

The Red Pencil   ISBN 978-0316247825
Almost Alive, Volume 1 ISBN 978-0615792965

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LSSL 5385 Book Blog- Code Name Verity

Wein, E. (2012). Code Name Verity. NY: Disney-Hyperion Books.

Code Name Verity is a historical novel for young adult readers. It is a type of dual-narrative, written in two parts and the story of two women, Maddie Brodatt and Julie Beaufort-Stuart. It’s a story about friendship, set amongst the backdrop of World War II.

Julie (AKA Queenie, code name Verity) is a prisoner of war in Germany, after the plane they were in was shot down. She is found to be a spy for the allies, and the Germans torture her to find out intelligence. She thinks Maddie (code name Kittyhawk) died in the crash, but she escaped and is living in hiding in France. As Julie writes her confession, masked as the story of her friendship with Maddie, she is able to stave off her own torture, six week "experimentation," and subsequent execution. After crashing in France, Maddie joined a resistance group called "Damask," and they help hide her by giving her a false identity. In an unforeseen twist of events, a rescue attempt by "Damask" goes awry and Maddie ends up shooting Julie to save her from torture by the Nazis.

                

After acquiring the papers written by Julie from an inside source, Maddie realizes it’s all a farce, hidden in the true story of their friendship, and it hides a code which she begins to decipher. It helps lead them on a mission which allows them to carry out Julie’s original orders to destroy the headquarters of the Gestapo. The book ends with Maddie sending Julies letters to her mother. She responds by writing and relieving Maddie of her guilt.

This book was an emotional read. You can’t help but feel connected to the characters and their story. This book is well suited for all age ranges in the YA category. There are some themes such as death and torture, which might be uncomfortable, but it is not so much to make it inappropriate. Other more prominent themes are friendship and justice. Fitting in with Havinghurst’s Developmental Tasks, this book incorporates ideas such as developing a set of values that guides behavior. 

** Top Ten Best Fiction YA 2013

Discussion Guide:

http://books.disney.com/content/uploads/2013/11/CodeNameVerity-DG-2013-%C2%A6%C3%86.pdf

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LSSL 5385 Book Blog- The Girl From Everywhere

Heilig, H. (2016). The Girl from Everywhere. NY: Greenwillow Books.


Nix and her father Slate are pirates and travel through time to visit lands of the past and present. They can also visit fictional worlds by way of a hand-drawn map. Through their many journeys, Slate has been looking for a particular map, a hand-drawn map of Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1868. During this time, Nix’s mother was still alive before dying while giving birth to Nix.

Nix is worried about the possible consequences, if her dad is able to stop her mother’s death. Will Nix cease to exist? After initially refusing to help her father, he threatens her with the loss of Kashmir. In order to get the map, her father and his crew must put themselves, and her, in harm’s way.

Nix’s character is independent and strong, but also riddled with doubt and guilt. Her goal is to one day sail the Temptation on her own. This desire for independence from her dad aligns with YA literature. Additionally, one starts considering a future career (although, I am not sure is being a time traveling pirate is a career hahaha.) Nevertheless, these changes will lead Nix into adulthood and her destiny. I really liked her character, but sometimes I felt frustrated when she would back down from her father when he treated her poorly. Readers would probably relate well with her character because the early teens years are a big time of transition. The themes of family discord, death, and young love make this novel best for readers ages 14+.


** YALSA Required List – 2017 Best Fiction for Young Adults


Books similar to The Girl From Everywhere:

Where Futures End  ISBN 978-0803741607
Into the Dim #1        ISBN 978-0544602007

Epic Author Facts

LSSL 5385 Book Blog- Ms. Marvel Volume 1

Willow Wilson, G. (2014). Ms. Marvel, Volume 1: No Normal. NY: Marvel Press.

Kamala Khan, a Muslim girl growing up in Jersey City, is obsessed with the Avengers. Being a Muslim in America is already hard, but especially when she doesn’t feel like she fits in within her own culture. She just wants to be like everyone else her age. After a night out without her parent’s permission, and a strange mist, life drastically changes when she wakes up to discover she has super powers.

Learning to control her new powers, Kamala must also get through her everyday life at home and school. When her friend Bruno’s brother gets caught up with someone called “The Inventor” and then goes missing, Kamala knows it is up to her to find him. Using her new powers, she is determined to save the day and possibly the world.

This non-traditional Marvel comic book series highlights diverse and contemporary characters which makes it easily fit into the Young Adult Literature category. In keeping with Havighurst’s Theory of Developmental Tasks, Kamala’s changing relationship with her parents as she seeks emotional independence, her development of morals and values, and accepting her physical changes (her superpowers) all make this book a great choice. Rather than a traditional villain, Wilson chooses Zoe, a popular girl at school that picks on Kamala. I think using bullying was a good alternative in this story. With everything going on in the world right now, showing the struggles someone faces will build empathy. This contemporary issue will be highly relatable to all readers, but I think it would fit best with upper middle school.


**YALSA Required List – 2015 Great Graphic Novels for Teens (Top Ten Pick)


For more information:

http://gwillowwilson.com/ (Author’s Webpage)

                                                               
                                                                  Book Trailer:

LSSL 5385 Book Blog- Go: A Kidd's Guide to Graphic Design

Kidd, C. (2014). Go:A Kidd’s guide to graphic design. NY: Workman

GO: A Kidd's Guide to Graphic Design right off the bat looks intriguing with the bold red octagon that looks like a stop sign, although it says "GO.” Once inside, it starts to draw you in, but that’s what its "designed" to do.

This book is an introduction to graphic design, so as you would expect it has a lot of bold imagery, which purposely plays on your senses. It begins with a short history of graphic design, copyrighting, and how certain techniques came about. Additionally, it includes how graphic design has evolved through the years. It then leads to what the book is all about, which is mostly the author’s analysis and reflection of various design techniques, typography, and how it’s used to grab and manipulate someone’s attention, or peak their curiosity further. He includes samples of his own work, along with others'.

Although some of the terminology can be difficult for younger readers, he uses visual representations of the words such as using selected font as an example of itself. His art is vivid and eye-catching, which will keep readers interested.

This book would be helpful to anyone in the YA lit category, but I could see it being the most appropriate for upper middle school to high school due to some more difficult concepts. It would be helpful for a reader who is possibly looking to use their own art as a career, it’s a definite resource for how art can be used as a commercial tool and a career path. In this stage of development, readers are beginning to consider vocation, so this book is a perfect fit.

**Required YA novel


Other Books About Graphic Design:

Design Dossier: Graphic Design for Kids ISBN 978-0977790524
Maker Projects for Kids Who Love Graphic Design (Be a Maker!) ISBN 978-0778722625

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LSSL 5385 Book Blog- The Hanged Man

Block, F. L. (1999). The Hanged Man. New York: HarperTrophy

The Hanged Man is a book about a lost girl living in modern Los Angeles. It’s a book about loss, grief, addiction, incest, love, and hate, set in a city that is explained in a stylistic manner as both captivating and repellent.

Following the unexpected death of her father, Laurel, named after the canyon, lives with her mother in sort of fairy tale style home in the Hollywood Hills. She is anorexic to the point of losing her menstrual cycle and suffers greatly from anger, guilt, and helplessness. Her mother She tries to use the city as a way to lose herself and cope with her situation.

After a whirlwind of nights in L.A. filled with drugs, sex, and debauchery of every kind, Laurel soon meets a mysterious man named Jack. He becomes a sort of beacon for Laurel, getting her to admit things she is in denial with, like the molestation by her father, and an abortion Laurel had as a result. After a brief but steamy romance with Jack, she eventually comes to terms with what has happened to her. In the end, she makes amends with her mother and slowly begins to regain her health and her life.

The book was filled with taboo topics that could be a bit much for some readers. It seems to have hit all the heavy themes and included them all in one book. The character development was well done and the reader can almost feel the despair in Laurel. Her character is very believable and I think that readers will be able to relate to her on various levels, even if they aren’t experiencing similar issues.

One issue I had was with Jack. He is kept as a sort of laconic character in the story that we don’t really learn too much about, but I didn’t like how he represented this “hero” character for Laurel. Yes, he helped her through a lot, but I see him as this older man that sort of took advantage of a young girl’s pain. She was in the hands of a man that really had no business with a girl her age.  With that being said, this book is not for the faint of heart, but reads in a very poetic way. It has a duality of both beautiful and gritty imagery, that reads as much like a poem as it does a novel. With young adult literature being centered around the modern world with real issues, this book fits in easily. Due to the content, I would say this book is most appropriate for upper high school students.

**YA required author


Other books by Francesca Lia Block:

Violet & Claire ISBN 978-0064472531
I Was a Teenage Fairy ISBN 978-0064408622

LSSL 5385 Book Blog- When We Collided

Lord, E. (2016). When we collided. New York: Bloomsbury.

When We Collided is a first-person narrative, but with a twist. Its told from the point of view of two characters in a dual-narrative format. Jonah is a boy from Corona Cove, California with a large family and a mother. He struggles with the sudden death of his father and his mother suffers from a deep depression, so he tries desperately to hold onto his family’s restaurant, by being the adult in the family. Through cooking, Jonah works through his emotions regarding his father’s death.

Vivi is the new girl in Corona Cove and is bubbly, energetic, and a happy person, although on the inside she is conflicted. Vivi tries to find a way to live with bipolar disorder, but she struggles throughout the book, no matter how hard she tries. She meets Jonah by luck, after she scores a new job at a pottery shop in her new town, and he comes in as a customer with his little sister. Their story is one of unconditional love. While Vivi spends much of the book building up to or in a manic phase of her bipolar disorder, the unlikely romance begins and flourishes. Vivi helps Jonah to come out of his shell and let go of much of the burden he carries. Their love is the one good thing in their lives, but sometimes love can’t conquer all.

This story centers around mental illness and its effects on those the sufferer and their families. This topic is quickly gaining momentum in YA lit. It is not your standard happy ending, and at times, you feel somewhat sad yourself while reading it. The ending doesn’t really resolve anything, but rather focuses on the strength of the characters to endure. Lord did a masterful job showing the readers the inner turmoil of Vivi. The reader can’t help but be caught up in the constant ups and downs throughout this story.

 I think this tale is a solid pick for middle school. This book would be very valuable for a reader experiencing these issues and developing empathy for those without personal experience. My own personal connection is that I have a sister that is bi-polar and I have witnessed the roller coaster ride that happens during these episodes. The book was a little too real for me, but I think it is phenomenal.

**Quick Picks Top Ten


Books with similar themes:

Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley
One Would Think the Deep by: Clair Zorn


Interview with Emery Lord:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/teen/emery-lord-on-when-we-collided-mental-health-and-her-top-choice-vespa/

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LSSL 5385 Book Blog- It's Perfectly Normal

Harris, R. (2009). It’s Perfectly Normal. MA: Candlewick Press.

It's Perfectly Normal is an award-winning book about sexual education and puberty. It's honest, straightforward, and scientific. It is a controversial guide to the body and how to deal with learning about sexuality, reproduction, and the diversity of the human body. It details what to expect as you experience puberty and more. Written as more of a manual than a novel or story, it makes it easy to read in a beginning to end manner or as a referential guide that can be picked up and read from anywhere in the text.

Beginning the first chapters, the book deals with learning about the body, covering everything from puberty, to reproduction and sexual health. Continuing in the next part, it talks about birth control, pregnancy and birth. It then tackles the topics that the book has been deemed controversial for. It teaches about sexual abuse, being gay or lesbian, bi-sexuality and trans-gendered people. Finally, it includes sexual health and the dangers of STD's, HIV and AIDS.

While this book is contentious from the point of view of some, at least there is a resource available that may be a teaching tool for younger readers with questions that might not have someone they can go to for answers. I will say honestly, the pictures are a little iffy and somewhat comical, but I think it was meant to be completely open and left nothing to the imagination. One thing that stands out amongst Havinghurt’s theories of adolescents is the acceptance of physique. I think this book addressed any and all confusion and leaves no stone unturned. It also ties into accepting more mature relations with the opposite sex as it introduces sexual topics that are not a normal topic in most conversations. I am having a hard time assigning this book an appropriate age range. While it addressed puberty, I would not feel like the graphic nature is appropriate for middle school or elementary.


**Required YA novel


Other books to consider for learning about puberty:

What's Happening to Me? A Guide to Puberty by: Peter Mayle

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LSSL 5385 Book Blog- Annie on my Mind

Garden, N. (1982). Annie on My Mind. NY: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux Publishing.

Liza Winthrop is a 17-year-old girl from an affluent residential neighborhood, within the New York City borough of Brooklyn. She attends an exclusive private schoool, Foster Academy and aspires to attend MIT. Annie Kenyon doesn’t come from such a privileged background, living in a lower-income part of Manhattan with her blue-collar mother and father. Annie hopes to attend the University of California, Berkeley to develop her talent as a singer.

Liza and Annie meet by happenstance at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They come from very different backgrounds, but develop a strong friendship that quickly grows into much more for the two girls. They are both afraid to come out about their relationship for fear of the negative reactions they foresee. A volunteer opportunity to house sit for a couple of her female teachers, gives Liza a chance for to spend some alone time with Annie. It is here that they begin to come to terms with their relationship and own sexuality. They also discover another secret relationship; their teachers’. During the holiday, they are discovered by a school administrator, and both secret relationships are revealed. Liza narrowly avoids expulsion, while the two teachers are terminated. Liza feeling guilt and responsibility for what she has caused, breaks off her relationship with Annie.

The two girls wind up going their separate ways and on different sides of the country, although Annie continues to write Liza constantly. Eventually, Liza comes to terms with her feelings. Finally reaching out to Annie, they agree to reunite over winter break and get back together.

Annie on my mind is a poignant story of love found, lost, and then found again. This story is told from the point of view of our protagonist Liza Winthrop, which adds a personal view of the plot’s events. Havighurt’s Theories of adolescents fits in easily as the characters achieve new and more mature relationships of a sexual nature. Understand the development of adolescents is also important with this book. While most struggle through puberty, I think the added struggle with homosexuality makes this book even more relevant. Also prevalent is the theme of morality as both girls struggle when they are questioned about their relationship. The language in this book is not outwardly strong, but I think the sexual tones make this book more appropriate for mature readers in high school. 

**Required YA novel

Discussion Guide

                   https://davidbruceblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/garden-annie-pdf.pdf

Other books about LGBTQ topics:

Dare Truth or Promise by: Paula Boock

Am I Blue: Coming Out From the Silence by: Marion Bauer

Book Trailer

LSSL 5385 Book Blog- Smile

Telgemeier, R. (2010). Smile. NY: Scholastic Press.

Telgemeier shares her own coming of age story through Smile. It can be difficult trying to fit in under normal circumstances, but when Raina knocks out her front two front teeth at the beginning of sixth-grade, life gets even more complicated. Written as a memoir, the reader sees the struggles of a young Raina as she endures dental surgeries, braces, and head gear over a four-year time period. Through this ordeal, she also finds out who her true friends are.  Just when things couldn’t seem to get any worse, the earthquake, Loma Prieta, happened. What follows is a lot of transition from middle school to high school; her first crush and trying to make new friends.

It was very easy to relate to this book. I still cringe when I think of my middle school years and can remember the struggle to fit in and feel accepted. Many readers will relate to the issues with crushes, changing friendships, and feeling socially accepted. I think this book is appropriate for upper elementary and beyond. We do have this book in our elementary library, and our students love it! I think the young readers can still relate to Raina’s experiences as many of them are facing some of the same issues or maybe know someone that is.


**Required YA author

Other books by Raina Tegemeier:

Sisters ISBN 978-0545540605

Ghosts ISBN 978-0545540629

Smile Book Trailer

Raina Telgemeier Interview

LSSL 5385 Book Blog- Monster

Meyers, W. (1999). Monster. NY: Harper

Walter Dean Myers shares the story of sixteen-year-old Steve Harmon, as he faces trial for the pre-meditated murder of a drug store owner, during a robbery. he was initially accused of being the lookout during the robbery, a possible 25 years to life prison sentence looms over him during the trial. As both sides present evidence for their case, it is hard to tell which way things will go. The defense does a good job creating reasonable doubt as we hear the testimony of the witness Steve. Steve is ultimately acquitted, but the questions about justice will remain.

Told through Steve’s eyes, in the form of a screenplay, adds a personal touch to the book. The reader can see everything play out from Steve’s perspective as he shares his story while waiting for his trial to end. We see two sides of Steve. One as an outside observer and one that is deep and personal. You can almost feel his inner turmoil as he contemplates his possible fate. The book has the reader in constant suspense as you anxiously await the outcome of the trial.

There are many themes present in this novel such as: racism, judicial equality, death, and justice. These are all very relevant topics right now, and therefore fit easily into the YA category. During this stage of development, readers are moving to more complex thinking and understanding of consequences. Although some of the topics are difficult, I would say this book is appropriate for upper middle school to high school students. I actually did a book study with my 8th grade students, using this book. My students loved it and many related to some of the themes found in Monster.


**Required YA novel

Teacher's Guide

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/119268/monster-by-walter-dean-myers/teachers-guide

Walter Deam Myers Discusses Monster

LSSL 5385 Book Blog- Lily and Dunkin

Gephart, D. (2016). Lily and Dunkin. New York: Delacorte Press.

Timothy “Lily” McGrother, an eighth-grade boy, believes he should have been a girl. Although his mom and sister support him, being a transgender is not easy, especially when his father is worried about him being bullied and beat up.  Dunkin, Norbert Dorfman, a new kid in town suffers from bipolar disorder. By luck, Lily and Dunkin meet before school starts. After school starts, they forge a friendship as they each embark on a difficult journey of acceptance. After Dunkin makes the basketball team, their friendship starts to suffer. One night of compassion brings their friendship back together and allows them to truly acknowledge who they are.

This emotional story pulls you in as you see life through the eyes of these two characters, as they face their own struggles. Even for a reader with minimal to no experience with these themes (bullying, depression, and homophobia) can’t help but feel the pain as they try to find themselves. These topics can be confusing for a young reader, especially if they are experiencing them in real life. Despite the negative themes, Gephart also showed self-acceptance and friendship through these characters.

YA literature focuses on relevant issues and helps the readers experience both real and difficult scenarios through the safety of a character’s eyes. Some of the ideas presented in this category might not be something a reader would otherwise encounter. This helps to build empathy, which is a big part of development. Although these topics might be uncomfortable for some, this book would be appropriate for middle school students.


**Required YA author

                                            Donna Gephart discusses Lily and Dunkin

Lily and Dunkin Educator Guide

https://www.perma-bound.com/static/TPR/000457607.pdf

LSSL 5385 Book Blog- Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes

Crutcher, c. (2018). Staying fat for Sarah Byrnes. S.l.: Greenwillow books.

Eric Calhoun and Sarah Byrnes are longtime friends. They understand each other and have a strong connection. Eric is overweight, and referred to as "Moby" by his peers, and Sarah is disfigured after a childhood accident which left face and hands burned. They are outcasts and are glad to have each other.

Throughout the story, Eric reminisces about their underground newspaper, "Crispy Pork Rinds,” and the subject of a lot of their stories, a bully Dale Thornton, who unknown to Eric shares a secret with Sarah about her childhood. As they transition into their high school years, Eric begins to shed his weight while competing on the swim team and making lots of friends.  He struggles to maintain his heavyset body, as a type of loyalty to his friend Sarah so she doesn’t feel alone. One day, Sarah becomes catatonic and ends up in a mental ward, leaving Eric feeling sad and a deep desire to help his dearest friend. Dale finally shares Sarah’s secret of her abusive father, Virgil Byrnes, and the source of her scars. He realizes that Sarah’s catatonia may not be genuine, but more of a ruse to keep her in a hospital and safe from harm at the hands of her father.

Soon, with the help and advice of his swim coach Ms. Lemry, they devise a plan to help Sarah escape the ward and hide from her father in Ms. Lemry's apartment attic. While Sarah and Ms. Lemry try searching for her mother for help, Eric is confronted and stabbed by Sarah's father in his search for her. The story comes to an intense climax as Dale once again steps in to help his friend, "Moby,” and Sarah's father gets what’s coming to him. He eventually is found guilty and sentenced to 20 years in prison, and Sarah gets a second chance at a happy life.

Crutcher does a good job keeping the story suspenseful as the events play out, especially the scene where Virgil is chasing Eric. The reader can tell that Virgil mistreats Sarah, but the depth of his depravity is slowly revealed throughout the story. The characters are well-developed and are relateable to a lot of young adult readers. Most teenagers have felt unhappy with themselves to some degree.  Both Eric and Sarah are funny, smart, and caring. Their friendship is unbreakable, and their loyalty to each other is inspiring.The ending did leave a bit to be desired because it felt rushed. There were some loose ends left unanswered and Sarah’s adoption seemed like an afterthought.

I also felt like Crutcher’s voice was evident in the book through some of the content. It came across as a bit opinionated. It’s ironic to me when someone is pushy for tolerance, but meanwhile is not tolerant of other’s beliefs. The themes present in this book are both strong and somewhat controversial. It includes child abuse, abortion, and religious intolerance. It wasn’t my favorite book, but I think the contemporary issues are suitable for readers in the high school range of YA Lit. Readers will be able to relate to the characters and some of their experiences.


**Required YA author


Other books by Chris Crutcher:

Deadline   ISBN 978-0060850913
The Sledding Hill   ISBN 978-0060850913


                              Interview with Chris Crutcher about inspiration for Sarah Byrnes

LSSL 5385 Book Blog- Gabi, a Girl in Pieces

Quintero, I. (2014). Gabi, a girl in pieces (First ed.). El Paso, TX: Cinco Puntos Press.

Gabi, a Girl in Pieces, is a coming-of-age story, written in a diary form, about the trials and tribulations of our main character, as she stumbles her way through her senior year of high school.
Our protagonist Gabi Hernandez, is a Mexican-American teenager, living in Southern California. Like most teenagers these days, Gabi's life is not perfect. Her life consists of her father, who is a meth addict, her mom, and her best friends, Cindy and Sebastian. Early on, Cindy finds herself pregnant and Sebastian wrestles with coming out to his family about being homosexual, only to end up getting kicked out. Gabi reflects in her diary about helping her friend, Cindy, through her pregnancy and her thoughts on her own sexuality.

She struggles with her weight issues, its effect on her love life, and dealing with the ups and downs of her own home life. Her mom is always very critical and tells her to be a “good girl,” yet she ends of pregnant herself. Her tia gives her relationship advice, meanwhile having an affair with a married man. All the while, her family is struggling with her father’s addiction. Gabi knows she has to get out and hopes to get into Berkley.

From delivery rooms to abortion clinics, the right decisions about staying with your family or going away to college, to a love affair with food and poetry, Gabi learns what life is about. Being a teenager is awkward, but knowing who you are and what you are about is everything.

The reader can’t help but feel a connection with Gabi. She is hilariously funny and you can’t help but be in awe of her resilience. We get to see two sides to her as she tries to support her friends, but shares her honest thoughts and feelings with the reader. Quintero masterfully created a strong voice within Gabi that hooks the reader.

The content in this book is suited to a more mature audience, like upper high school. Pregnancy, abortion, almost suicide, and drug use is throughout the book, so I think a younger reader would struggle with the content. While the themes present in this book are contemporary issues, it was a little overwhelming in a sense. There was so much going on, considering it takes place all in one school year. Regardless, I think girls will absolutely love Gabi’s character and this book!

**Required YA novel

Book Trailer

Teaching Guide

http://www.cincopuntos.com/files/gabi_a-girl-in-pieces_teachers_guide.pdf

LSSL 5385 Book Blog- Looking for Alaska

Green, J. (2005). Looking for Alaska. New York, NY: Speak.

Looking for Alaska is a book that builds suspense from the very beginning by being split into a before and after storytelling point of view. The “before” is the story of Miles "Pudge" Halter. He is a kid, who decides in his junior year of high school to go to a boarding school in Culver Creek, Alabama.

There he meets his roommate known as “The Colonel” who becomes his closest friend, along with a troubled girl named Alaska Young, who he falls head over heels in love with, not so much from a superficial attraction, but a much deeper and meaningful one. Unfortunately, she is already taken. Despite this, they seem to gravitate toward each other because of the loss of Alaska's mother and Miles’ low self-esteem, from hazing he receives from the others.

“Pudge” Halters’ days are filled with a lot of cruel pranking from the “Weekday Warriors,” who are the rich kids at the academy. As he and Alaska team up for a little revenge, they develop a bond and closeness which forms a special type of friendship.

The “after” part of the story comes during a stormy night, when in drunken desperation, a tragic accident occurs. Pudge and The Colonel can’t help but feel responsible and desperately seek answers. In the end he is faced with writing an essay for his World’s Religions class based on a story written by Alaska, regarding the “Labyrinth of Suffering.” He ultimately comes to terms with his own suffering and finds forgiveness for himself.

Although you feel a connection and sympathy for Miles, the protagonist, you can’t help but be drawn to Alaska’s story. There is a dark suffering inside her that draws you to her. While the themes in the story are more appropriate towards the upper end of the YA Lit spectrum, this novel could also be read by some older middle school students. The strong, likable characters in this story will undoubtedly make connections with readers of varying ages. Ultimately though, with the strong theme of death and strong subject matter (alcohol and her mother's death,) throughout the story, high school would be the most appropriate. I think this would be a great addition to any high school collection.

**Required YA author

John Green's Webpage:

http://www.johngreenbooks.com/


Other books by John Green:

The Fault in our Stars     ISBN 978-0525478812
Paper Towns                   ISBN 978-0525478188


                                        Author John Green talks about Looking for Alaska

LSSL 5385 Book Blog- The Knife of Never Letting Go

Ness, P. (2014). The knife of never letting go (#1). London: Walker.


This story, set on an alien planet recently colonized by humans, fourteen year old Todd Hewitt is the only boy left in Prentisstown, a small colony in the New World.   A war with the natives known as the Spackle, left all the women dead due to the release of a germ called the Noise, which also gives all the men the ability to read each other’s thoughts.

One day, while picking apples, he and his dog, Manchee, happen upon a swamp in which there isn’t any “noise” from the thoughts of others. He discovers a lone girl named Viola, which is the source of the quiet.  She is the only survivor of a crash, from another planet.

Fearing punishment, Todd’s guardians force him to try and escape as fighting breaks out. After a harrowing journey of death and despair, and being chased by the Prentisstown army, Todd finally reaches his destination, Haven, only to find it inhabited by the dreaded mayor, Prentiss.

Realizing everything he has ever known is a lie, he is forced to make an unforeseen and climactic decision. In a desperate act, Todd will surrender to save the girl he loves.

This adventure filled, science-fiction novel will capture the attention of any reader. This book is the first in this new dystopian series by Patrick Ness. Although the protagonist is young, the violence and death might be a bit more appropriate for a more mature audience. The background Ness gives about Prentisstown is also very dark which also seems more appropriate for an older reader. As in keeping with stories about dystopian societies, this novel features a strong character that stands up against the majority, no matter the consequences. The reader watches his rapid journey into manhood as he is forced to live through the consequences of his decisions.

**Required YA novel

                                                                   Book Trailer

Other YA Lit books about dystopian societies:

http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2216.YA_Dystopia_Novels

LSSL 5385 Book Blog- Speak

Anderson, L. H. (1999). Speak. Farrar, straus & giroux.

The beginning of freshman year for Melinda Sordino did not start out as a journey of new beginnings. For her, it was a journey into dark emptiness and depression. After suffering a traumatic rape that she keeps to herself and an event that leads to her being alienated by her peers over a misunderstanding, Melinda becomes non-communicative and completely isolated.

As Melinda struggles to come to terms with what happened to her, and attempting to help a friend who could become the next victim, she begins to find a voice through her gardening and an art project at school. Little does she know, eventually she’ll be confronted again by her offender, and will get the chance to face her fears and be a savior to other girls. Deciding to no longer be a victim, she stands up for herself and is vindicated.

It is a story of trauma, and an uncomfortable coming of age, but also a story of redemption and empowerment. With the mature content, I think this book is more suited for the upper level of the YA range. I think high school students could relate to this character and book vs. a younger reader on the spectrum. The issues presented in this book are easily real issues teens may face either personally or through friends.

This book allows the reader to watch how such a trauma could play out through someone else’s eyes or it could allow someone to find their own voice that has experienced a similar situation. While I ultimately think high school is more appropriate, I would be naïve to think that an older middle school reader might also relate. I can’t help but think of a former seventh grade student I had eight years ago. She had confided in me that she had been raped at a party by a classmate. As much as we wish these events were just fictional, they can happen to people of all ages. The courage to speak out and/or ask for help is a valuable message for readers of all ages. 


**Required YA novel

                                                               (Book Trailer)

http://madwomanintheforest.com/  (Author’s Webpage)

Other books by Laurie Halse Anderson:

Twisted. ISBN 9780670061013

Wintergirls. ISBN 9780670011100

LSSL 5385 Book Blog- When You Reach Me

Stead, R. (2009). When you reach me. Wendy Lamb Books.

Miranda is twelve years old and lives in New York, during the late seventies. She lives with her mother, and while they do not have a lot, she has her best friend Sal, and gets by. Everything is normal until a new kid, Marcus punches Sal while they are walking home from school.

After the punch, Sal becomes distant and stops talking to her. Miranda starts making new friends and meets Anne Marie, who just lost a friend too. One day she decides to confront the boy named Marcus, and finds that they have a lot in common, like their interest in time travel.

Miranda also begins to receive mysterious notes from a stranger who somehow seems to know the future and appears to be leaving a warning, with instructions for her. As things progress and come to a head, the people and circumstances become intertwined into a powerful crescendo that could mean life or death for someone close to her.

When you reach me is a book of many things. It is a book of coming of age, of Science Fiction, fantasy, and also a sort of period piece. This book easily fits into the Science Fiction genre with the inclusion of time travel, along with some fantasy elements. The author, Stead, cleverly builds suspense in mystery by showing small snippets of the future as it plays out in the story.

I can also see how this book fits into YA Lit because it tells the story from Miranda’s eyes. This allowed me to feel connected with Miranda, which is the point of YA lit. The subject matter of friendship and how quickly things can change, reflects common issues that are appropriate for this age range. I would recommend this book to middle grades because I think they will relate to the theme of friendship in this book. Since A Wrinkle in Time plays a big role in this book, I think it would be a great text-to-text connection if it was read too.

**Required YA author


http://www.rebeccasteadbooks.com/  (author’s webpage)

                                                         
                                                                  (Book Trailer)

LSSL 5385- Chapter 15 Textbook Reflection and Summary

With this list of questions, Peck offers us a tool to use when guiding students. These questions will help the students understand the text in a more critical way. They can be used for a discussion group or as a reflection. Rather than just identifying the usual elements found in text, I think these guiding questions will allow the reader to interact more with the text. This would be a great resource to include in student's reading response journal to use regularly.

As librarians/educators, it is our job to increase literacy and foster a love of reading. I think the way to achieve this is not only encouraging reading for pleasure, but also teaching students how to navigate through text, no matter what the genre. Creating critical thinking questions such as these for all genres would be beneficial. I have always considered that my job was to not only prepare my students for the right now, but for the future. Helping them understand text connections and complex thinking while reading, will be beneficial throughout their education and beyond.

It would also be a great extension activity to have students create their own questions that they can use when evaluating and comprehending text.

LSSL 5385- Chapter 11 Textbook Reflections and Summary

Realistic fiction is one of the most popular genres in our library, and I feel like it’s the most easily understood. Both contemporary and modern realistic fiction are stories that could happen in real life.  The settings and plot elements could all occur in today’s world and do not include unrealistic elements. Because the text is so real, students seem to make connections easier and see themselves in the characters. These books incorporate universal themes that gradually reveal themselves throughout the text. 

One thing that might be confusing for students is the name of the sub-genre itself. When I teach this genre, we discuss the word realistic vs. fiction and take note that they almost contradict each other. The word “real” in realistic is what throws them for a loop. After we read through some picture books together, they catch on quickly. We say fiction is fake stories. So, putting it together, we call it realistic fake stories.

It’s a believable, realistic story that the author made up. The characters is this sub-genre are also realistic, meaning they don't have magical powers. With students, I use non-examples when discussing characters and plot elements within this category. For example, we discuss well known characters from a variety of genres and identify what make them believable or unbelievable characters. We do the same thing for plot elements.

When evaluating fiction, consider whether the characters are relatable. Could the events happen in real life? Are the events consistent with the real world? The theme should slowly reveal itself through the text, rather than a more abrupt one as seen in some fables. Finally, how does the theme relate to modern readers?

While realistic fiction is the most popular when reading for pleasure, it also allows for a lot of text-to-self connections. One of the most touching books I have read was, Patricia Palocco’s Junkyard Wonders. Every time I read it, it make me tear up. It is about a little girl that struggles with reading throughout school and finds herself in a class that is different from the other kids. In the story, we see her experiences as kids tease her and the emotions she goes through as she struggles to find herself. All of the events are realistic and a lot of readers could probably relate to her struggles.

LSSL 5385- Chapter 14 Textbook Reflections and Sumamry

Graphic novels have really gained significant popularity, with students and teachers. They present information in a new format that appeals to readers of all ages. This format incorporates comic-like drawings, thought-bubbles, panels, and dialogue. Graphic novels are seen in both fiction and non-fiction, so it is important to remember that is a format, rather than a genre. One thing to note is that the text might be more complex when compared to a more traditional format.

 Fictional graphic novels tell entire stories, while nonfiction conveys information through the text.  Just as with any text, students may need support when learning how to read graphic novel. The text bubbles might be confusing initially if they don’t understand how to read from box to box. They have illustrations which are attention grabbing, but can also include complex text. I saw this when reading Persepolis. I dare anyone to say that book cannot stand up to any traditionally formatted book! It had vivid imagery and amazing details that helped carry the reader right along the main character throughout the story.

Graphic novels can be used in the classroom to support literacy, just as any other text can be used. I do know that some teachers have discounted their value, considering them to be just comics. I challenge even that being an issue because I feel like the purpose is to read, no matter what it is. In addition, why limit the student’s access to high interest text. As educators, we want to encourage a love of reading. We need to take our own personal biases out of the equation. Graphic novels can have just as big an impact as any other type of text. I personally enjoy mixing up my reading. I view it as cleansing my pallet in literary form.

In our library, we have a limited selection of graphic novels, which I hope to remedy as the new librarian. We have Lunch Lady, Babymouse, and Roller Girl. I would love to find out more information in order to build a stronger collection. I heard Max Axiom is a great book and incorporates science. Through the slide share, I was surprised to find out that 67% of teachers don’t read graphic novels. Thinking about the teachers that don’t value the GN’s as a library book choice, it made sense. They haven’t given the books a chance, so they don’t know what great things lie within the pages.

I was surprised to see how many elements were included in the descriptions. I never realized that the thought bubbles and dialogue bubbles were different. It makes sense to me why they would be, now that I think about it. I think those pages in the slide share would be a great tool to use when teaching students how to read graphic novels.

LSSL 5385 Ch 13 Textbook Summary and Reflection

Science fiction is futuristic fiction usually incorporating technology, space, and time travel. Science fiction does include some realistic elements, but they also incorporate fantasy. This is why science-fiction is a sub-genre of fantasy. Fantasy is set in a fictional universe and includes magical elements that are not possible in reality. Fantasy includes talking animals, and other magical elements like personification.

There are a lot of sub-genres of fantasy. Some include, apocalyptic/post apocalyptic, steam punk, dystopia, parallel universe, and many more. Both genres incorporate universal truths/themes in their text. In these genres, characters still behave in ways that are believable to the reader no matter what the situations presented in the text.

Post apocalyptic is one of my favorite sub-genres, whether it's books or movies. The book One Second After held me prisoner for two days. As noted in this chapter, what hooked me was the fact that everything that happened seemed possible. I could envision myself experiencing everything the character was going through.

This is one of the most popular genres amongst the boys at our school. I find that they will read a lot of the same ones over and over again, and it really seems to ignite their imagination. I personally don't gravitate toward science fiction, but I do love the broader range of fantasy. A really cute book called, Milk Goes to School is a great example of fantasy. In the story, it is Milk's first day of school. In some prior reading, I learned that personification helps students experience events more easily by using these fun characters.

As an elementary librarian, I think it is important to be familiar with all genres in order to be able to guide students to books. This is an area that I will look into further. It was helpful to hear so many titles along with their sub-genres in the video. The miscellaneous category intrigued me. I am drawn to books that don't fit into just one category. I think these types of books will be a good pick for kids that don't have a specific type in mind. This will be helpful when recommending books and choosing some new books for myself to read. Starters is next on my list!

LSSL 5385- Chapter 12 Summary and Reflection

Non-fiction is a very popular genre and covers many topics and types of books. We evaluate nonfiction differently than other genres. Non-fiction includes biographies, autobiographies, expository text, narratives, memoirs, and others. The credibility of the author is very important.  Since non-fiction contains informational text, it is key to evaluate the author's research for quality of information. Reviewing the bibliographic information and the acknowledgements will help you to evaluate the author's content. When questioning students about nonfiction text, it will look different than questions about fiction. Are their visuals to support their understanding?  What is the purpose of the book and for their reading? Fiction includes characters, a plot, and a resolution to a problem. In order to support student understanding, as educators, we need to make sure that students understand the text in a deeper way.

One of my favorite books is What if I Had Animal Teeth! I love that these books provide a mixture of non-fiction and fiction text. I always use this series when discussing the differences between the two genres. These dual formats are becoming more popular every year. Non-fiction itself is always an easy choice for most kids. I have noticed that they get caught up with the pictures and don't evaluate the text as much as they do with the fiction. This is where the questioning helps ensure that the students can truly understand what they are reading.

Checking if the information is factually accurate it also important. You can fact check by cross referencing information found in the books. It should also reflect a balanced view. I feel like these days, it is important to consider the author's purpose when writing the book. Bias can affect the credibility of the text. I think that is an extremely important skill to teach when evaluating resources.

It is also important to note that the book should be user friendly. To assess this, look at the text features that are available. A glossary, index, and table contents will help the students navigate through the text. Text features are always a huge lesson in fourth grade. We look through each one and discuss how they help the reader. When the students read non-fiction, I have them identify text features to facilitate their learning. Pictures, illustrations, and graphics add a lot to students' understanding. They add a visual component that helps the reader see the content. It is important to evaluate these for relevance and quality. Are they student friendly? All of these features can either add to the students' learning or take away from it.

Just like when you are considering your library selection, purpose is important. Do the books support your curriculum? Are you needing an overview or are you looking more topic specific? All of these questions will be the same ones you use to guide students through their research. Kids really do struggle with research. A lot of time is needed to teach them how to effectively conduct research. Evaluating the sources and their purpose will ensure better results for the student.

In our library, I have noticed more kids looking for non-fiction than fiction. On that note, it can be a struggle to help guide students to the right book. This genre allows readers to see things they might not normally have the opportunity to see. Using the guiding questions will allow you to develop a purposeful collection that will benefit all readers. The guiding questions in the textbook will help you to match the students to the right book.

LSSL 5385 Book Blog- Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood

Satrapi, M. (2008). Persepolis: the story of a childhood. London: Vintage Books.

Summary:

Persepolis is the memoir of author, Marjane Satrapi. Using a graphic novel format, she describes her childhood in Iran during the late 1980’s. She is the outspoken daughter of a wealthy, progressive family and struggles with her opposing views of tradition such as wearing a veil, during the revolution. As social injustice wages around her, she suffers through the execution of her uncle Anoosh and finds that she does not agree with the same beliefs of her government. Her family must be secretive with their beliefs and even send Marjane away to Vienna after an incident at school, fearing for her life. Marjane struggles to fit in there too, but her outspoken nature does not go away. She eventually returns to Iran and the revolution continues to wreak havoc on the world around her. After being forced to leave for good, she finds that home isn’t always where you belong.

Connections:

I think Marji’s character is very relatable and a lot of readers would see themselves in her outspoken, rebellious ways. She shows the importance of standing up for yourself despite oppression. The reader watches Marjane find herself despite living in a war-torn country. The graphic novel makes this book easier to follow, while it shows the reality of what life was like in Iran in the 80’s. The simplistic black and white images add to the childlike point of view of Marjane. The strong theme of oppression takes the reader on a journey through cultural differences from one country to another. Keeping in mind that it is important for books to reflect cultural diversity, this book would be a good choice to promote empathy and appreciation of our differences. YA literature centers around contemporary issues, and while this story plays out in the 80’s, both class and social equality are still current issues plaguing society.

**Required YA novel

Book Trailer:

Books with similar themes to Persepolis: 

Eisnar, Will. (2005.) The contract with God trilogy: life on Dropsie Avenue. W.W. Norton & Company.

Spiegelman, Art. (1986).The complete maus. Penguin Books.