Making the Match by Teri S. Lesesne

Are you wanting to learn more about Young Adult Literature?  Look no further!  This book is written in a manner that is so easy to comprehend.  Lesesne is extremely knowledgeable about literature and she shares that knowledge with us all, incorporating some humor along the way.  It is a perfect read if you are having trouble helping students find the right book in a library where there "are no good books!"

Check out my Text Book Analysis

1. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Alexie, S., & Forney, E. (2007). The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian. New York: Little, Brown. 

Junior is a 14 year old boy living on an  Indian Reservation facing many challenges such as poverty, racism, mental and physical challenges, and being bullied by his own people, as well as "the whites".  It was through his wittiness and sense of humor that Junior was able to overcome and deal with these challenges.  What he could not say verbally, he was able to express through cartoons.  Junior stepped out of the box and broke the chain of doing things the same way his family did.  He showed that alcohol is not the answer.  Even though he was bullied by his own people and "the rich white people", he proved that you have to pick your battles to fight and which to walk away from.  He was a young boy with a big heart.  He had a giant determination to change a very negative environment into a positive outcome.  He was able to overcome the barriers of racism, renew a much needed friendship, and deal with the grief of losing a loved one at an very young age.

This is an easy to read book with catchy chapter titles.  The author includes comic like drawings to help the reader convey Junior's thoughts and feelings.  The drawings are done in three different styles:  1. scribbled to convey immediate thoughts, 2.  realistic cartoons to show real thoughts, 3.  penciled portraits for intimate situations.  The title catches readers eye as it seems interesting, after reading the book, readers can understand how Junior felt torn between two worlds, making him feel like a "part-time Indian".

See what The New York Times has to say about The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Here.

2. Speak

Anderson, L. H.  (1999). Speak.  NY:  Penguin.


Melinda is going into eighth grade, yet attends a high school party without her parents knowing.  All of the kids are drinking and the senior, star quarterback, Andy, takes her into the woods are rapes her.  He thinks rules and consequences don't apply to him.  She tried to do the right thing be dialing 911, but she couldn't speak.  Her best friend, Rachel, finds out she's on the phone with 911 and tells everyone that she is ratting them out to the police.  She spends her entire freshman year as an outcast due to this event, except for a special bond that she developed with her art teacher, Mr. Freeman  She never told anyone what happened until Rachel suddenly became interested in Andy.  Melinda felt obligated to tell Rachel about Andy, but Rachel doesn't believe her and starts dating him.  He taunts Melinda everyday, walking by her locker and rubbing her face.  She was unfriended by everyone.  Prom night, he tries to rape Rachel as well and she broke up with him.  Melinda's special hiding place at school is the janitor's closet. Andy finds her there and tries to rape her again.  She finally fights back and is able to tell him NO!  People hear the fighting, and are able to witnesses to the event.

It is important for teenagers to know that there is always someone out there willing to help and listen during traumatic experiences.  They should never feel like outcast.  This book is recommended for teenagers facing similar struggles with rape, bullies, or depression.  It is written in a manor that teenagers can easily relate and comprehend.  A good realistic fiction novel about a high school finally finding her inner strength to speak!.

Want to see the trailer for the movie?

3. El Deafo

 Bell, C. (2014).  El Deafo.  BY: Abrams.

      El Deafo is a graphic novel written as an autobiography of Cece Bell.  She portrays herself as a cartoon rabbit.  When Bell was 4 years old she contracted meningitis, which left her deaf.  This is the story of how she grew up differently than other children and the struggles she faced.  Her family moves away after kindergarten and Cece is determined to fit in with the other kids at school. She meets new friends, all of which have their own flaws, one of them actually bullying Cece.  As result, Cece creates "El Deafo" in her imagination.  Nothing is too difficult for this superhero, who is courageous and is able to stand up for herself.  Cece finally meets a true friend in Martha, who does not treat her differently because of her hearing.  Through ups and downs, Cece and Martha remain friends.  Cece got enough courage to talk to the boy she had a crush on and he helped conduct an experiment with her hearing device.  Through this, Cece finally feels normal and is accepted by her peers.  "El Deafo" helped her to become courageous and make her two worlds come together.  

 The full color graphic novel illustrations contribute greatly to what the message that the author is trying to convey, even though they are cartoon rabbits.  The text is straight and to the point, making this an easy read graphic novel.  Readers can relate to this novel, as they too have probably experienced some sort of event in their life where they felt unaccepted.  Creating this imaginary "friend" helped her cope and eventually deal with the problems that she faced in the world.  This book is recommended for children 10 and older. 

Check out this interview with Cece Bell, the author of El Deafo.  Click Here.

4. Annie on My Mind

Garden, N. (1982).  Annie on my mind.  NY:  FSG.

Annie lives in the low income side of New York City.  She attends school where there are security guards to help maintain order.  Eliza goes to an "uppity" independent school on the opposite side of town.  Although they come from different worlds, the girls fall in love with each other.  They both struggle with their own identities and the acceptance of being gay.  The consequences of their actions and getting caught result in Eliza's possible expulsion, family and friends finding out, and the firing of two gay teachers.  The girls go their separate ways to college, allowing Liza to have time to accept herself as being gay.  After months of being apart, they learn that the truth shall set you free, as they accept each other and say "I love you!"

This is a story about following your heart and finding your soul mate.  These girls had a real struggle that they were able to overcome even from prejudice and nonacceptance.  These book is recommended for older teenagers who are struggling with their own existence and acceptance into the uncanny world.  

Check out the Book Trailer Here

5. George

 Gino, A. (2015). George. New York: Scholastic Press. 

George is a little boy who thinks inside he is truly a girl.  His family and friends are very suspicious and think that he is gay.  He continues to tell them that he is not gay, but that he is a girl.  His best friend, Kelly, accepts him for who he is.  The school play for the year is Charlotte's Web and George wants to play the part of Charlotte.  Kelly practices with him for the part and he tries out.  His teacher will not let him get the part because he is a boy.  Kelly and George come up with  a plan to switch places during the play so that George can play Charlotte.  His mother and teacher recognize him, but the audience raves over the great job that "she" has done.  Kelly's uncle takes them to the next town to go shopping.  Kelly helps George pick out clothes to dress as a girl and his uncle has no clue.  George is a perfect example for kids these days who do not need to be ashamed of who they are, but rather accepted for how they are inside.

This book was written by a parent of a trans kid.  It was written to help other kids who are dealing with the similar issues and feelings.  It is easy to read, not too long, and separated into short chapters.  A lesson to be learned is to be true to yourself, no matter what others may think or say.  A follow up reading to George would be Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky. I believe that this book could be recommended to middle/junior high students who are experiencing the same feelings as George.

Click Here to learn more about George and Alex Gino, including interviews.

6. It's Perfectly Normal

Harris, R.  (2009). It’s perfectly normal.  Boston, MA:  Candlewick Press.

Need a way to talk to your children about puberty and sex?  It's Perfectly Normal is the book for you.  It offers children and teens a true picture of their changing bodies and sex.  A cartoon bee and a bird take you through the stages of life, offering accurate illustrations for parts of the human body.  Questions are answered for children in a simplistic, but accurate way regarding sex and sex health.  The books explores puberty, babies, and how to stay sexually healthy.  Some of the illustrations may make you laugh out loud because of their humor, so contain the laughter in front of the children.

This is not a skate over the top of the questions kind of book.  If you want answers, then that's what this gives you, in detail.  The humorous colorful illustrations help keep the tone light for this difficult subject matter.  This is an in depth informational guide to puberty and sex for parents to use to inform their children.  Beware, this book does cover "other types of sex" and homosexuality.  As a parent, you may want to preview the book and decide what you want to share with your child, depending on their age and maturity.  This book is recommended for children 10 and older, due to the nature of the content.

Have younger children?  Check out It's So Amazing!