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