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!

7. Monster

 Myers, W. D. (1999). Monster. N.Y.: Harper. 

Steve Harmon is a sixteen year old who was at the wrong place at the wrong time.  He went out for mints at the local drug store when he heard gun shots.  Steve went home, only to have the police come knocking later and arrest him.  This is a book about his inner and external struggles as he sits in prison awaiting his trial.  He stands to face 25 years to the death penalty.  He deals with his "new" life by writing journal entries and putting his life into a screen play.  When the end arrives, Steve is found not guilty, but his own guilt will haunt him forever.  

I have a love/hate relationship with books that leave you hanging.  Ultimately, it is the reader's decision to determine if Steve is a monster.  The way it ends with him questioning himself, leads you to believe there's more to the story.  This would be a great book to teach justice and innocence vs guilty and how you determine which.  

Watch Walter Dean discuss Monster.

8. The Knife of Never Letting Go

 Ness, Patrick. The Knife of Never Letting Go. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick, 2008. Print. 

Living in a town of all men who think boys become men at the age of 14.  Todd is turning 14 in 30 days.  He is scared to death to become a "man" because he thinks differently than the others.  He has a kind heart, unlike the evilness of the men.  The men and boys of this town can read everyone's thoughts, including animals.  This is why the men killed the women, so they would not interfere with their thoughts.  As a boy becomes a man, he must kill another man.  Todd does not have the heart to kill anyone.  He decides to run away, with only a machete that was given to him by the men who raised him.  While running, Todd meets a girl who becomes his best friend.  They too can read each other's minds. They are searching for Haven, a place to be safe where they can escape the "noise" in their head.  The mayor's son shoots the Viola and Todd takes her to the town, but can't find anyone to help.  Come to find out, the mayor threatened everyone so that he can find Todd himself.  Todd pleads with the mayor to help save Viola.


Sometimes when teenagers get trapped, they give into temptations because they feel like they have no other choice.  The book does include violence and gruesome scenes that are graphic.  It would be recommended for ages 14 and older.

Here  is a great book trailer!

9. Gabi: A girl in pieces

 Quintero, I. (2014). Gabi:  A girl in pieces. Texas: Cinco Puntos. 

Gabi is a Mexican-American high school senior in California faced with teenager struggles, including a friend who is gay and one who is pregnant.  Her mother is constantly pressuring her to not eat so much and to be careful around boys, because all they want is sex.  Her father had died from a drug overdose and her aunt thought she had witch powers.  The only way she knew how to deal with all the negativity was by binge eating.  She even had secret hiding places for her favorite foods.  Although she thought she would never have a boyfriend because she was too fat, Martin loved her for who she was.  Gabi used her sense of humor and a daily journal to overcome some of the obstacles.  She was unable to go to graduation because she defended one of her friends and exposed the boy who raped and impregnated her friend.  Gabi was very disappointed that she did not get to walk across the stage, but she accepted that there are consequences for your actions. One of her last decisions is about college.  She wants to leave and her mom wants her to stay.  In the end she realizes that everything is going to be alright.  

Gabi is a perfect example for teenagers today in that you should be true to yourself.  Do not let others judge you or tell you who to be.   She is challenging and not afraid to take risks for what's right.  Written as a series of diary entries, this story feels more like an autobiography than a work of fiction.  The characters and plot are so easy to relate to that you feel as if they are real.  

Learn more about Isabel Quintero.

10. Persepolis

Sartrapi, M. (2004).  Persepolis.  NY: Pantheon.

Through a graphic novel, full of black and white comic pictures, Marjane writes an autobiography about her childhood in Iran when she was 6-14 years old.  She witnessed devastation and confusion.  She tried to make sense of her world around her, at home and in public.  Marjane was an independent young girl who became a rebel, eventually getting expelled from school.  Her parents decided to send her out of the country to a boarding school, essentially to save her life.  It was a hard decision, as their family was extremely close, but it needed to happen so that Marjane could be happy.  

The black and white illustrations are able to convey the message and brutality seen by Marjane, without going too far.  The next is very small, making it a little difficult to read.  It is broken down into chapters, making it easier to follow the plot line.  This book is recommended for children 12 and older due to some of the graphic content.

Need some ideas for how to use this graphic novel in your classroom?  Click Here.

11. Brown Girl Dreaming

 Woodson, J. (2014). Brown Girl Dreaming.  NY: Nancy Paulsen Books

Jacqueline Woodson, an African American girl named after her father, was born in Ohio and grew up in the south and north in the 1960s.  In this book, she writes free verse poems about her life in each of these stages.  She came from a strong family heritage with roots as a Jehovah's Witness.  Her grandmother instilled in her family to spread the word and have a strong faith.  As a child, she was subjected to racism and segregation.  She writes about her experiences and memories as a child during these trying times.  There were some in South Carolina who did respect and treat African Americans as equals.  Through this, she came to love Greenville, South Carolina for its beauty and her love of her family, especially her grandparents.  As she gets older, her family moved to New York where life is much different.  She is having to stand up for what she believes in.  While there, the truly discovers that she wants to be a writer and that she is a writer already.

Written as a series of free verse poems, Brown Girl Dreaming is easily understandable, even to readers who do not always understand poetry.  It is simply written as her memories of her childhood, the good and the bad, and how she grew up in the United States, even though she may have been a little different.  It is written in first person point of view, allowing the author to give intimate details and thoughts about herself.  Family is everything to Jacqueline, and that message is vividly portrayed throughout the book.  Recommended for children ages 12 and older.

Check out what others are saying about this book Here.

Chris Crutcher: Deadline

 Crutcher, C. (2007). Deadline. New York: Greenwillow Books.

 Ben Wolf is a senior in high school.  He learns that he has a terminal blood disorder that will take his life within the next year if he does not take drastic treatments.  He decides to forego treatment and live his last year of life to the fullest.  After all, he always knew he would die young.  He decides to keep his diagnosis to himself, even though his doctor advised otherwise.  As part of his handling of the situation, he has "conversations" with Hey-soos, a person who talks to him in his dreams and walks with him through his journey.  Ben tries out and make the varsity football team, along with his brother.  Together, they are a forced to reckoned with on the field.  Ben falls in love with a girl named Dallas, who has a secret of her own.....her "little brother" is actually her son.  She was raped by her uncle when she was 13 and became pregnant.  Ben makes it is mission to help Rudy, the town drunk clean up his act.  He tries his best with Rudy, but is unable to save him.   Ben takes on a huge project at school, one that his teacher does not approve of:  getting a street named Malcolm X in their town.  By the end of the story, Ben tells everyone he is dying and that he is sorry he kept it to himself.   He does not live till graduation.  His brother and Dallas end up getting scholarships to the same college and bond with each other through the remembrance of Ben.  

Though the theme of death is prominent in this story, it keeps readers on their toes, wanting to read more.  This character shows more maturity than most 18 year olds.  The life lessons teach the character how to go gracefully and make peace with his death.  Readers are left wondering if there is something more spiritual with Hey-Soos and when Ben will see him again.

Learn more about Chris Crutcher.

Andrew Smith: 100 Sideways Miles

Smith, A. (2014). 100 sideways miles. New York: Simon & Schuster.

When Finn Easton was young, a horse fell off a bridge, killing his mother and breaking his back.  As a result of back surgery, Finn has epilepsy.  His father is a best selling author, whom Finn thinks that the main character resembles himself, therefore he always struggling to be a normal, "real" boy, not a fictional character.  Finn is a 16 year old boy with normal boy struggles, girls, changing bodies and sex.  His best friend, Cade keeps the story light and humorous.  Finn falls in love with Julia, but she eventually moves away, leaving Finn heartbroken.  The boys decide to take a road trip to visit a college and end up saving a young boy and older man in an accident.  Finn and Cade decided their destiny changed and that they were in charge.  They drove to Illinois to visit Julia, where Finn realized he finally stepped out of his father's character and into his own life.  

100 Sideways Miles is a novel that truly relates to 16 year old boys.  The humor will make you laugh out loud and squirm at the same time.  The book is divided into three parts, with short chapters in each part.  The chapters are not numbered, but given unique titles that leave the reader wanting more.

Here from Andrew Smith Here.

Tom Angleberger: The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

Angleberger, T. (2010). The strange case of Origami Yoda. New York: Amulet Books. 

Tommy cannot figure out Dwight, a boy who is very different than normal boys and quite simply weird.  He is very creative with paper and not high on the popularity list until he starts making finger puppets of Origami Yoda.  Dwight uses the Origami Yoda to communicate with others, telling the truth about all kinds of things.  Yoda can even predict the future and this begins to draw in other students' attention.  Before too long, Dwight and Yoda are answering all kinds of questions and offering advice.  Tommy has asked Yoda for advice but is unsure if he should take the advice or not because it has to do with Sara, his crush.  In the end, Tommy takes Yoda's advice and they dance together at the school Fun Night.  Tommy decides that he actually likes the quirkiness of Dwight.

What a great story for young boys and girls who are Yoda lovers!  It is written for tweens and young teens, ranging from 9-13.  It is a delightful easy read with some humor and excitement.  The font is typewriter and there are hand drawn illustrations throughout.  At the very end of the book, there are directions for how to make an Origami Yoda.  This book is number 1 in a 7 book series.

If you liked this book, try reading Darth Paper Strikes Back (Origami Yoda #2).

Holly Black: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown

 Black, H. (2013). The coldest girl in Coldtown. New York: Little Brown Books.

 After waking up from a rowdy party, Tana discovers that everyone else had been killed, except her ex-boyfriend, Aiden, and a vampire, Gavriel.  She saves both of them, but is wounded by a vampire on her way out.  They are now in search of Coldtown, the only place that can save them from becoming infected.  On the way,  they meet twin brother and sisters, who are obsessed with Coldtown and vampires.  When they arrive, they are faced with many difficulties, including people trying to kill them.  Coldtown is a mixture of humans and vampires that use media to expose themselves.  Though Tana knows what it's like to be "cold" because of her mom, she does not want it to happen to herself.  Tana does end up getting infected, but Gavriel stands by her side until she is well.  

If you are fan of Twilight or vampire stories, then you will love this fantasy story of a young girl's survival in a cold, dark world.  She faces real internal and external struggles that teenagers can relate to with a twist of adding the "vampire disease."  Recommended for 14 years and older.

Want to learn more about how Holly Black got her ideas?  Check out this Q & A

Rebecca Stead: Liar and Spy

 Stead, R. (2012). Liar & spy. New York: Wendy Lamb Books.

A seventh grader named Georges is forced to leave his house and live in an apartment in Brooklyn when his father loses his job.  There, he meets a new friend named Safer, nicknamed by his parents because he never felt safe..  Safer convinces Georges that his neighbor downstairs in sneaking in dead bodies.  Georges is intrigued by this and agrees to help Safer set up surveillance on "Mr. X."  When at school, Georges is constantly bullied by Dallas, but he doesn't let that bother him.  When Georges finds out that Safer was lying to him all along, he gets angry and refuses to speak to him.  As he comes to truth about his mother's illness, he also comes up with an idea about how to get Dallas to stop bullying everyone at school.  Georges begins talking to Safer again and understands why he chose to make up a lie to George:  he is scared to leave the apartment complex.  By the end, Georges faces his own truths and is then able to help others face their own too, including Safer and kids at school.  George realizes that every experience, good or bad, is part of something much bigger, just as his parents had taught him.

This is a heart-warming story of a good family and how they coped with changes.  
A story built upon lies, it teaches us why and how they came about.  Middle school years are significant years and children can ultimately relate to the lying and figuring out truths.  Recommended for older elementary students to high school.  It starts slow, building to the suspense in the end.

Check out this book trailer.

John Green: The Fault in Our Stars

 Green, J. (2012). The fault in our stars. New York: Dutton Books.

 Hazel is an average teenager girl, except that she has cancer.  She has survived a medical miracle that has given her a few extra years to live.  She is a realist and does not let much get to her.  Her parents think she is getting a little depressed, so they send her to a Kids with Cancer Support Group.  While there, she meets Augustus, Gus, and immediately they feel a connection to each other.  The obsess over the same book, An Imperial Affliction, and Gus is able to email the author and set up his "Wish" to visit Amsterdam to meet him.  Together they journey with Hazel's mom, but become very disappointed in who the author turns out to be, a mean drunk.  Gus then tells Hazel that his cancer has returned and he dies not to long after.  Hazel is in shock, but is able to give his eulogy at the funeral.  She then finds out that Gus had mailed something to the mean drunk author.  When she finally is finds out what it is, she is happy and can live the rest of her life without worrying about others around her, such as her parents.  He had mailed her eulogy, which was beautifully written and spoke words of true love.

A story of true love and romance from a teenager's perspective.  The main characters have real struggles that people face when they are dying with cancer.  It can be graphic at times, but the meaning and seriousness of the situation would not be portrayed the same without it.  Be prepared to shed some tears.

You may want to follow up this reading by watching the movie.  See the trailer Here.

2015 Best Fiction for Young Adults: Complicit

 Kuehn, S. (2014). Complicit. New York: St. Martin's Griffin. 

Cate and James' mother died when they were young.  They were adopted by the Henry's, a wealthy family whose children died in a train accident.  Cate becomes a difficult teenager, alledgelly burns down a neighboring family's barn and is sentenced to jail.  While in jail, James struggles with many neurological disorders, including his hands going completely numb when he gets stressed.  After "Crazy Cate" gets out of jail, James is determined to find the truth about his childhood.  James finds out that it was he who shot and killed their mother, he who set the barn on fire, and he eventually pushes Cate to her death as well.  His brain had blocked out all of the traumatic events in his life because he committed them.  It wasn't "Crazy Cate" after all, it was "Crazy James."

What a twisted surprise at the end of this book!  It was an easy book to follow, actually finished it very quickly because I couldn't stop reading it.  I love when I find books that I can't put down!  I would recommend this book to high school children, as they should be mature enough to handle the material.  This could definitely be used in an English class or psychology to learn about how our brain's react differently to traumatic situations.

Check out what GoodReads has to say about Complicit.

2015 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers: Torn Away

 Brown, J. (2014). Torn away. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

 Jersey is a 16 year old junior in high school.  When she was 10, her mom married Ronnie and had a daughter named Marin.  On an ordinary day, Marin wanted to teach Jersey the East Coast Swing, but Jersey didn't have time for Marin.  A tornado came rippling through the town, killing Jersey's mom and sister.  All she had left was her stepdad, Ronnie, whom she did not have a connection to.  He told her they were leaving.  All she could gather was a porcelain kitten, which she received every year on her birthday with no return address, and Marin's purse.  Ronnie took Jersey to her real dad's parents, but they did not treat her well so she ran away.  She called her friend, who called Ronnie to come pick her up.  Then, Ronnie took her to her mom's parents, whom she had never met.  While there, she was able to build relationships with her grandma and grandpa.  She even learned that the porcelain kitten had come from them every year, as a reminder that they loved their only grandchild.  Jersey confided in them that she lost everything and that she regretted not giving Marin more of her time.  One day grandma surprised her by teaching her the East Coast Swing, just as Marin had tried.  Jersey learned that the definition of "everything" could be changed and new relationships could be built.

A suspense filled novel that is sure to catch a teenagers attention.  Readers will have a difficult time putting this book down without finishing it.  It is an easy to read realistic fiction novel.  The author shows readers that one can overcome grief and tragedy.

Want to read reviews from Goodreads?

2015 Printz and Printz Honor Book: And We Stay

 Hubbard, J. (2014). And We Stay. New York: Delacorte Press. 

Emily Bean is a 17 year old girl who was sent to boarding school.  She struggles to let people into her life and get close to her.  Through poetry, she is able to express herself and her feelings about what happened.  She became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.  Her ex-boyfriend, Paul, wanted to keep the baby and her, but Emily did not think that was what was best, so she broke up with him.  Paul ended up committing suicide, with Emily watching.  She went on to have the abortion before going to boarding school.  Emily slowly becomes friends with KT, her roommate.  Emily's teacher encourages her to enter a poetry contest.  As she places her poems in the order she wants them, Emily realizes that her life does not have to be defined by that one moment, her abortion.  She knows her life will go on and that she can treasure the memories through her poetry.  As she lets KT in her life, Emily finds a best friend that will last her a lifetime.

This is a book that many teenagers can relate, whether it be an abortion, suicide, or depression.  The many underlying issues are things that typical teenagers struggle with on a daily basis.  And We Stay is a story of overcoming hardships and looking towards the future, even if you do not know what that holds.  Recommended for teens 15-18 years old.

See what Teenreads has to say about this book.

2015 Finalist for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults: Laughing at my Nightmare

 Burcaw, S. (2014). Laughing at my nightmare. New York: Roaring Book Press.

In this memoir, Shane Burcaw goes through the story of his life.  He is a 20 year old living with spinal muscular atrophy, a disease that weakens your motor nerve cells.  He has been in a wheelchair since he was 2 and has slowly deteriorating muscles throughout his body, including his face.  This book tells how Shane has overcome struggles that normal people take for granted, such as using the restroom.  He does this in a delightfully funny way, lightening the mood and tone of the book.  Shane shares tips and tricks for everyone, including how to get rid of the "crabbies" by blowing them into a wine bottle and corking them up for good!  He came from a strong and supporting family who taught him that happiness is a choice and he chose happiness over depression and giving up on life.  Shane Burcaw teaches us to live for the moment and enjoy every day of life.

This book is recommending for teens ages 14-18.  It does contain some profanity, which he uses in a joking manner, but is not extreme and nothing that this age group probably hasn't heard.  Children and adults with and without disabilities can relate to this hilarious, uplifting memoir of Shane Burcaw.

Want to know more about Shane, follow him on Tumblr.

2015 Great Graphic Novels for Teens: Sisters

Telgemeier, R. (2014). Sisters. New York: Graphix. 

Sisters is a graphic novel, depicting the author's true story of growing up with a sister.  It starts as Raina becomes a big sister.  She is excited, but that quickly changes as she gets to know her sister and all her crankiness.  As they grow up, they still fight constantly.  Then, they must take a road trip to Colorado.  The story is set around their many adventures during their car ride, some good and some not so good!  Along the way, their car breaks down and mom goes for help.  This is when the sisters figure out that they must get along in order to survive this trip!

It's the typical family road trip that everyone can relate too.  This is the perfect book for readers who have sisters themselves, as they will be able to laugh so hard they may cry because of their own similarities with the characters.  A feature that is added at the end of the book is real pictures of Raina and her sister from their childhood.  Recommended for children, over 8,  through young adults.  If you liked this book, you will like the next book, Smile.  

Check out Scholastic's ideas for how this can be used in your classroom.

2015 ALEX Award List: Confessions

 Minato, K. (2008). Confessions: A novel (S. Snyder, trans. 2014). New York: Little, Brown and Company. 

Set in Japan, a teacher's 4 year old daughter "accidently" dies by drowning in the school pool.  Authorities rule it as a drowning, however the teacher, Moriguchi, isn't convinced that this is what happens when she finds further evidence.  She is able to get two of her students to confess.  The story is narrated by the different characters, each telling their point of view.  On the last day of school, Moriguichi tells the class why she is retiring and that two of their classmates were actually the ones of killed her daughter.  She proceeds to tell them that she put the blood from her ex-fiance, which contained HIV,  in their carton of milk so they would have some repercussions for what they did.  One of the students, Naoki, isn't able to handle the fact that he actually killed her by throwing her in the pool.  He is unable to return to school the next year and becomes mentally unstable.  He eventually kills his mother also.  The other student, Shuya, is mad that his plan to electricute the little girl with his home made zipper pouch did not work to make him famous.  He builds a bomb and plans to detonate it during a ceremony in order to kill many people.  Moriguichi finds out and removes the bomb, planting it at a university where Shuya's mother works.  He detonates it, not knowing it had been moved.  It is at that point that Moriguichi feels that she got her revenge on the two boys, without them going to jail.

This was a difficult book for me to read.  The narrator was switching back in forth in different times.  Each chapter was written about a specific person involved in the story, whether it be the mother of the accused, or the sister. The intended audience is high school students, although I am not sure I would want my child reading about these dangerous children.  I can absolutely see this book being used in a psychology class, picking apart the characters and their actions.  It does contain some graphic words near the end that definitely help the reader visualize what is happening.

See the book trailer Here.

2014 Outstanding Books for the College Bound: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

Lockhart, E. (2008). The disreputable history of Frankie Landau-Banks: A novel. New York: Hyperion.

Frankie, a fifteen year old girl living in Massachusetts, is starting her sophomore year at an elite boarding school.  Over the summer she has "blossomed" into a young woman, gaining the attention of many young men.  She begins dating the boy she's had a crush on, Matthew.  When she finds out that he is in a secret, all male only society at school called the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds, she gets a little jealous.  Frankie wonders why the boys can do things that girls can't and why her boyfriend keeps lying to her.  She takes it upon herself to impersonate the leader of the society, sending all the members out to do pranks.  When things get out of hand, she confesses to being the mastermind behind everything.  Matthew breaks up with her and goes to the headmaster of school.  She is put on academic probation and now has a reputation around the school, some that respect her and others that shun her.  

A book full of mystery, jealous and typical teenage issues, this book is a perfect book for teenagers who are curious about secret clubs and what really goes on.  Taking "no" for an answer is something teenagers can relate too, even if they don't think that way of themselves.  This is a story of mischief and how a sweet young girl changed to be that way.  

Check out what Goodreads has to say!

2015 Popular PaperBack: Tiger Eyes

 

 Blume, J. (2013). Tiger eyes: A novel. New York: Random House.

Davey Wexler, a fifteen year old girl from New Jersey is faced with something that no child should face, her father's death.  It was not expected, sending the family into a state of shock and denial.  In order to move on with their lives, Davey's mom decides to move the family to New Mexico to live with their aunt and uncle.  It is there that Davey, also know as Tiger Eyes, meets a boy who calls himself Wolf.  Together their friendship helps Davey understand and deal with her own grief, until Wolf's father dies of cancer and he leaves.  She meets another friend, Jane, who is an alcoholic, and desperately tries to get her help.  Davey goes to therapy where she is eventually able to grieve properly and this helps her tremendously.  Near the end, Davey's mom decides they are ready to go back to New Jersey, where they start over.  Davey feels as though she has changed so much, but wonders if people will notice back home.  

This is a story of survival for the Wexler family.  Dealing with the struggles of losing a member of the family is something that unfortunately some people must face.  This is a perfect book for young adults who are put in a similar situation.  It shows the real emotions that one must face and that you can overcome them with time.  Part of the theme is overcoming your fears, which Davey is eventually able to face, thanks to her therapist.  Recommended for early teens or older.  Good read that is not like most Judy Blume's books. 

Tiger Eyes has also been made into a movie.  See the trailer here.

A.S. King: Glory O'Brien's History of the Future

King, A. (2014). Glory O'Brien's history of the future: A novel. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

Glory is a senior in high school, with no plans regarding her future.  She has struggled since she was 4 years old with her mother's suicide and finding a sense of normalcy.  Glory and her "so called" best friend, Ellie, have a bonding moment when they drink a dead bat's ashes.  Afterwards, when they look into people's eyes, they can see people's past and future.  It really scares Ellie, but Glory thinks it's pretty cool.  Glory is able to see a civil war breaking out in the country and she is determined to make a difference.  After finding the truth about her mom, and meeting a boy, Glory finally feels "normal" and like she can live her life without guilt or wondering "if".

This book is written for older teenagers, possibly even early college years.  It does contain some graphic sexual content, therefore I recommend it for older young adults.  Psychology teachers may find this useful in their classes as this girls are able to "see" things that others cannot and it focuses on human relationships.  The book is well written and easy to read.  The "transmissions" from others is always stated and in italics so as to not confuse the reader.

Read more about A.S. King Here.

The invention of Hugo Cabret

Selznick, B.  (2007).  The invention of Hugo Cabret.  NY:  Scholastic.

Hugo Cabret, a young boy who's father died in a mysterious fire and was forced to go live with his uncle in a train station, was a remarkable maker of things.  His uncle left one day and never returned, leaving Hugo alone, in the walls of the Paris train station.  Too scared to leave, Hugo continues doing his uncle's job, setting and fixing all of the clocks in the station, twice each day.  He studies his father's secret notebook of mechanical drawings of clocks and gears.  Hugo gets caught stealing in a toy store and the owner takes the notebook from him.  He relentlessly tries to get the notebook back, as it is more than just drawings to Hugo.  His new friend, Isabelle, has the magic key that makes Hugo's mechanical man write.  After many tribulations, Hugo is able to get the mechanical man to work again and he grows up to be a famous magician, Professor Alcofrisbas.  This fantasy story incorporated realistic characters that children can relate to and are interested in.  The plot and setting are interesting, as most of it takes place in the walls of a train station.  The drawings are original black and white sketches.  The book is composed of many pages of drawings, that tell the story without the need of words.

A big guy took my ball!

Willems, M. (2013).  A big guy took my ball!  NY:  Hyperion.

Piggie was playing with a ball, when along came a big guy and he took it.  Pig goes to his friend, Gerald, an elephant, and asks him to help.   Gerald goes to the big guy, who turns out to be a BIG WHALE, but is too scared to get the ball back.  Together, Pig and Gerald go to the whale, who is sulking because he has no one to play with.  They all become friends and start playing together.  This book is a 2014 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor book.  It is a simple picture book for emergent readers.  The illustrations are in color, with a lot of white space in the background. They are hand drawn and colored illustrations.  

How they croaked

Bragg, G. (2011).  How they croaked:  The awful ends of the awfully famous.  NY:  Walker.

How they croaked, is a non-fiction book that reveals the gory details of how many famous people died, before the use of modern medicine.  For example, President James A. Garfield was shot two times, once in the arm and once in the back.  This happened before x-rays were invented, so doctors used their fingers to dig out the bullet.  They never found the bullet and he died almost three months later from an infected wound, blood poisoning, and a heart attack.  Now those are details that you never knew.  Some of the other people featured at Einstein, Pocahontas, Edgar Allen Poe, and many more.  The organization of this book is clear and concise.  The table of contents will direct you to the appropriate page if you are looking for someone specific.  The author uses her on sense of style to convey the information in a light, almost humorous way.

Rapunzel's Revenge

Hale, S. (2008).  Rapunzel's revenge.  NY:  Bloomsbury.

Mother Gothel, steals Rapunzel from her birth mother, who works in the mines outside the walls of the castle, and raises her as her own.  When Rapunzel finds out the truth, Mother Gothel takes her far out into the forest and locks her up in a tree.  Many years go by and Rapunzel's hair never stops growing.  She is able to get free from the tree by using her long hair.  She searches many villas for her birth mother and finally finds her.  Mother Gothel also finds Rapunzel and cuts her hair off.  They get into a fight and Mother Gothel gets trapped inside the growing, magic tree.  Rapunzel meets a boy named Jack and they fall in love.  This is a spin off of a tradional tale in a comic book setting.  The characters are true to how you would picture them and the setting follows the plot.  The comic book is written as dialogue and Rapunzel thinking in her head.  It is easy to follow and a humorous twist to the classic, Rapunzel.

Rules

Lord, C. (2008).  Rules.  NY:  Scholastic.

Catherine is an average twelve year old girl from Maine, who has a brother with autism.  Her life tends to revolve around her brother's need.  She feels as though she is always trying to teach him the rules of life, such as chew with your mouth closed.  As a new neighbor moves next door and Catherine meets a paraplegic boy, she discovers that maybe the rules also apply to her.  She doesn't really know what "normal" is and changes her perspective of differences among people.    This is a Newberry Award Winning realistic fiction story.  The author gives a true glimpse of what life is like for a family who has someone with a disability, how they cope and find their own sense of normalcy.  The plot is life like and readers can easily relate to this story and the theme of acceptance.  

Bridge to Terabithia

Paterson, K.  (1972).  Bridge to Terabithia.  NY:  Crown.

Jess Aarons is a ten year old boy who earns the title of "sissy" in the eyes of his father and classmates because he is an artist who loves to paint and draw.  He is adamant about proving everyone wrong.  Jess finds that he is good at running and practices everyday, with the hopes of being the fastest boy in fifth grade.  On the day of the race, a new girl, Leslie Burke, decides to race the boys and beats them all.  Jess and Leslie become best friends and together they create Terabithia, a made up kingdom.  There they cannot be harmed by the outside world and use the time to imagine, create, tell stories, and draw.  Leslie helps Jess with his insecurities and Jess leads Leslie to God, for the first time in her life.  Jess is invited to go to an art museum with his teacher and when he returns from the trip he learns that Leslie has drowned in the creek leading to Terabithia.  He is completely broken inside and doesn't know how to move on.  Finally, he decides to live in Leslie's honor and he invites his sister, May Belle, to take Leslie's place in Terabithia. The characters and plot line in this story are believable and children can relate to imagination and creative play.  Readers are kept on the seats as the plot rises.  The author's choice of words helps readers visualize the setting in an appropriate way.

The Watsons go to Birmingham, 1963

Curtis, C. P. (1995).  The Watsons go to Birmingham, 1963.  NY:  Delacorte.

Kenny is an average ten year old African American boy from Flint, Michigan. His parents have had enough of his older brother's naughty behavior and decides to go to Birmingham, Alabama, so that grandma can discipline him.  While there, Byron starts being nice and following the strict rules of grandma.  He actually saves Kenny from almost drowning.  Their little sister, Joey, attends church with the neighbors.  While there, a bomb goes off and the Watson's rush to the church to find Joey.  They can't find her anywhere.  It turns out, she left the church before the bomb went off because she thought she saw Kenny outside.  They all find each other and are very thankful that she is not hurt.  Kenny has a hard time dealing with the fact that he could have lost his sister and he hadn't thanked her.  The Watson family learns about racism, hatefulness and overcoming some of the darkest times in America.  The Watsons go to Birmingham is a realistic fiction story that accurately depicts Southern America in 1963.  The characters are almost life like in their actions and words.  The plot thickens when the family leaves for Birmingham and has it's climax near the end, during the bombing.  This very well could be a real American family and their story from Birmingham, Alabama.

The Underneath

Appelt, K. (2008).  The Underneath.  NY:  Simon and Schuster.

A chained up dog, Ranger, and a calico cat found themselves together, as friends and family, underneath the porch of the old tilted.  The calico cat had two kittens, Puck and Sabine, whom she warned never to go out in the open, always stay underneath.  One day they ventured out, and the mother and son were caught by Gar Face.  He threw them into the bayou, where the son, Puck, was able to escape, and eventually find his way back to his family.  Meanwhile, thousands of years before, animals could become humans, but if they ever chose their animal skin again, they would forever be the animal.  There lived a snake, Grandmother Moccasin, whose heart was scared by betrayal from many.  It tells the story of her life and being stuck in a jar, underground for thousands of years.  When lightening strikes, the tree falls, and jar busts open.  She is able to get free, and slithers out, only to find Ranger, Puck and Sabine.  She is extremely hungry after being locked up for thousands of years, but does the right things and chooses love, for the first time in her life, breaking the chains that are around Ranger's neck.  This is the story of survival, friendship, and love.  The setting in this story is deep in the Texas Piney Woods and swamps.  It is full of adventures and some magic, which keep readers interested.  The story flips back and forth between thousands of years and readers must anticipate where the plot is going.  The overall theme of "you pay a price for everything" and "love" is something that readers have connections to in their own lives.