Andersen, R. (2014). Walter Dean Myers. New York: Cavendish Square Publishing.
Summary: Steve is sixteen years old and on trial for robbery and murder. Although he was just the lookout guy, the robbery goes horribly wrong and the drugstore owner is killed while struggling to defend his store. During the trial the prosecuting attorney refers to Steve as a monster and he struggles within himself questioning if he really is a monster. Written in journal and screenplay format, Steve describes being incarcerated and courtroom scenes of being on trial awaiting the verdict that could change his life forever.
Strengths & Connections: Although this book would be considered realistic fiction, the format is quite unique as it is a mixture of journaling and screenplay giving the reader an unusual point of view. Many things can be left to speculation in this book and it would be great for lessons on inferring. Also, because Steve is on on trial for murder this provides a window for many students to look into and perhaps relate with relatives, friends, or others who they know who may have been in a similar situation.
Connections:
Alexander, K. (2016). Booked. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Summary: Nick and his best friend, Coby, love soccer but soon become rivals when Coby joins another soccer team across town. It’s not the end of the boys’ friendship, but things turn upside for Nick when he learns that his parents are getting divorced, the school bullies won’t stop bothering him, and a surprisingly medical emergency pops up that may make him miss one of the biggest games of the year. Written in verse, this story is a sweet mixture of dealing with parents divorcing, friendship, bullies, and love. The icing on the cake is Mr. Mac, the school librarian and ex rap artist, who helps Nick through it all.
Strengths & Connections To The Text: I love how the cover of this book may grab the attention of readers that like sports or soccer, but it’ packed with so much more than just sports. This book would be great for students who are hesitant when it comes to poetry and figurative language. Due to Nick’s father being a linguistic professor he knows tons of words and they are written into the story and defined in footnotes in a way that the reader can also learn the words. I would also recommend this book to students who may be struggling with their parents going through a divorce.
Connections:
Rowell, R. (2013). Eleanor & Park. New York, NY: St. Martin's Griffin.
Summary: From the very first day of school Park saves Eleanor when the other kids on the bus deny her a seat. There busride routine develops more and more as though go from just sitting next to each other, to sharing comic books and music, and eventually into a relationship. Park is Eleanor’s escape from her abusive stepfather, Richie, and her protector against anyone who tries to bully her. The abuse from her stepfather continues to worsen and threatens to separate her from Park forever.
Strengths & Connections To The Text: The language and points of view used in this book would be great teaching points. Because we get to see both Eleanor and Park’s perspectives teachers can use this book to model the importance of point of view or how a story might differ, the mood/tone, and many other factors based on the character. Teachers could also have students find literary devices used within the story and create lessons surrounding certain devices such as metaphors, motifs, and symbolism.
Connections:
Barnhill, K. R. (2016). The girl who drank the moon. Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin Young Readers.
Summary: It’s an annual tradition for the people of Protectorate to leave a baby as a sacrifice in the woods for the witch in order to protect their town. Unknowing of the real reason the babies are being left behind, the kind witch rescues the babies and gives them to a loving family. However, the witch makes the mistake of feeding one baby moonlight instead of starlight which gives her magical powers that will prove dangerous in the future, so she decides to keep the baby and name her Luna. As it is almost time for another sacrifice the next set of parents do not want to give up there baby and devise a plan to kill the witch.
Strengths & Connections To The Text: I would recommend this book to teens who may be skeptical about reading fantasy. Although the setting is in another world, it still holds true to the criteria of fantasy and is an entertaining read that will keep readers interested while exploring universal truths such as memories, lies, and male domination.
Connections:
Block, F. L. (2000). I was a teenage fairy. New York: Joanna Cotler Books.
Summary: Barbie’s mother is constantly forcing her into the spotlight to make up for her own dreams that her mother didn’t accomplish, but Barbie’s mother pushes to hard as she pushes her right into the arms of Hamilton, a photographer who is also a pedophile and molests Barbie. Barbie only has one real friend, Mab, a tiny fairy, until she becomes involved with Todd and his best friend Griffin who also happens to be in the modeling world and has had an encounter with Hamilton. Headed on a path of destruction, Barbie struggles to find herself and her voice.
Strengths & Connections To The Text: This book speaks to challenging relationships with parents. Due to Barbie’s mother obsession with trying to make her a model she puts her daughter in harm’s way to be abused and it’s soley her mother’s fault. In addition to her mother’s drunken rants and undercutting emotional abuse such as the Barbies she gives her daughter each year for her birthday and the diets she puts her own, this models a mother-daughter relationship that seems almost unbearable for a teen to deal with. Other subjects such as homosexuality, drugs, and sex should be considered when recommending this book to students who may not be mentally developed enough to deal with the content.
Connections:
Stead, R. (2013). Liar & spy. New York: Yearling Books.
Summary: When Georges’s family is forced to moved into an apartment due to his dad being laid off, he meets a new friend, Safer, who is holding a meeting for spies. Safer has his suspicions about one of the apartment tenants Mr. X, who Safer believes is sneaking dead bodies in/out of his apartment. As Safer’s demands during his spy routines get a little outrageous, Georges discovers that Safer made the entire thing up. On top of that Georges also has to deal with a school bully named Dallas and his mother’s illness that he hasn’t fully acknowledged. As Georges confronts his issues and devises a plan to stop Dallas, he gains friends and help others around him, like Safer, who are battling their own demons.
Strengths & Connections To The Text: The use of symbolism in reference to Georges’s friend Safer is one that I didn’t immediately recognize, but is surely a teachable moment once students make that realization. Even the title itself, Liar & Spy, holds a deeper meaning that can be discussed with students. Georges calls Safer a liar, but Georges also lies to himself in a way about the reality of his mother working nights at the hospital.
Connections:
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