The Sun IS Also A Star (348 Pages)

I read Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon, and loved it. So, when I saw this book by her, I grabbed it. In alternating chapters, the plot is told by Natasha and Daniel. Both of these teens are pressured by their parents with typical expectations. Both teens have brothers, Natasha's is younger, and she gets along with him. Daniel's is older, and he does not get along with him. Daniel is Asian, Natasha is a black Jamaican. They meet, accidentally, and Daniel is immediately smitten, convinced he's in love with her and that it is a love that was meant to be!  This story is interesting, and might be an idea for some students to imitate. The book takes place in the space of a single day! It is an amazing story to see these two develop their relationship.  Natasha is facing being deported because she is undocumented. The authorities found out about it, when her father was arrested for a DUI. Daniel's older brother can do nothing wrong, in his parents eyes. Until he flunks out of Harvard, that is. I really enjoyed the many themes of the book: family struggles, teen goals, young love. Daniel is a poet, Natasha is science minded. Your students will definitely enjoy this book!

March

Gwendalyn Brooks has written an interesting view of the Civil War as documented by Mr. March, father of Jo, Meg, Amy and Beth and Marmee's husband. Ms Brooks took some freedom in borrowing Alcott's Little Women characters, but the result is a novel that tells just how difficult war is, on the soldiers, on families, and how the ideology that seemed worth fighting for, may be less than ideal! To say that he is constructed to be quite the idealist, is putting it mildly. He "loaned" money to John Brown to invest in property that would bolster his campaign. Actually, he gave all of his money to Mr. Brown who was not honest about how it was being used. This resulted in the March family going from a comfortable life style to a difficult life style. They had to sell most of their furniture as well as their valuables. Meg and Jo had to find paying work, and Mr. March then went off to war as a chaplain in the union army. The book is told in his voice until he becomes very ill and a doctor calls Marmee and tells her she needs to come to Washington D.C. where he has been hospitalized. At this point, Marmee becomes the voice and continues until she is called home to care for Beth. Eventually, Mr. March arrives home. He is not the same man who left before the war. It's a boo worth reading. There are many points that would make it a great boo club read. 

All American Boys ( 310Pages)

It's been a long time since I've posted on this site, but I just finished reading a book of such importance, of such timeliness, of such  a need for discussion between students, that I need to get this information out.  This was not a beach book, or a relaxing, recreational read. It centers on a small group of black and white high school boys. Most of them are members of their school's basketball team. Rashad is friends with several of the boys, but not on the team. His father is a retired policeman who has "issues" with what he deems as necessary behavior for black boys. Quinn, is a white boy and his dad was killed in Iraq. Paul Galluzzo is a white boy whose younger brother has been Quinn's best friend for years. Paul is a member of the town's police force and has been a mentor to Quinn, acting as a surrogate father. One night Quinn is on his way to a Friday night party, but stops at the neighborhood store where kids are often able to get people to buy them beer. As he is about to round the corner, he sees Rashad thrown from the store's door and Paul follows, placing him in cuffs and throwing him to the ground. He then sees Paul pummel Rashad, beating him up beyond belief. SO, what does Quinn do? Rashad is in the hospital with broken ribs, a broken nose, and internal bleeding. BUT, he's alive. The news of this incident spreads like wildfire. This book is written by two authors, one black and one white. It poses the problem to all of us: what must we do about this problem that is so prevalent in our country today. One quote from the text is from Desmond Tutu and it sums up what we must face: IF YOU ARE NEUTRAL IN SITUATIONS OF INJUSTICE, YOU HAVE CHOSEN THE SIDE OF THE OPPRESSOR. Authors Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely have pushed the readers of this book into the necessity of deciding whether to remain neutral to injustice or take a stand on what they believe is the right thing to do.

The Way I Used To Be(367 Pages)

This is a novel about a freshman girl who gets raped by her brother's best friend. She doesn't tell anyone about it, but rather her behavior does a complete 180. I guess that it is not unusual for girls who are raped to blame themselves or at least to think that people will think of them as sluts. Author Amber Smith has written a novel about how a sexual assault can turn an innocent, "good" girl into a victim. And eventually how the victim can become a survivor capable of facing the truth and dealing with it. This is a honestly told journey and Smith gets it right. It is not an easy read, because acting out behavior can be ugly. But it is an important read for girls and boys to be aware of the fact that there is ALWAYS someone to talk to when confronting something horrible.

What We Saw (321 Pages)

Aaron Hartzler's first YA fiction book is an important read. It is a story of a young girl, Kate, and her boyfriend, Ben, who both attend a party where there is heavy drinking going on. It is a story about having the guts to say what is right, what is the truth, in spite of who that hurts. When Ben realizes that Kate is so drunk she can hardly stand up, he drives her home. Unfortunately, he goes back to the party. Several boys are raping a girl, Stacey, who is stretched out on a pool table. Someone is video taping the "event". Of course the boys are basketball players and this takes place just before an important game. One weekend morning, Kate walks in to her brother's room and sees him watching the video on his laptop. It has gone viral. Was Stacey "asking for it" by dressing provocatively? Does she know what's going on in her drunken state? And then Kate recognizes the boys in the video. What happens if she tells the truth? There is much to be discussed after reading this book, and there is much that needs to be discussed! It's and important read.

Salt to the Sea ( 378 Pages)

I recognized Ruta Sepetys' name as I stood in the bookstore. I had read Between Shades of Gray by her. This is an interesting book- also taking place during World War II.  Sepetys has done a huge amount of research in order to meld facts and fiction. Different people "speak" in the chapters. One character, Joana, has some nursing background. She has been allowed to escape Natzi horrors as an acceptable woman because she has the looks of an Arian. Blond hair, blue eyes, she herself admits she could be the poster girl for Hitler's Germany. Florian, a young man who found himself to be suckered by a German art historian who was working for Natzi higher-ups stealing art, assessing it's value, and even cleaning the masters' work of old varnish. And then there was Emelia, a young girl whose father sent her to his brother's farm to be safer from the Germans. Her aunt hated her so when the Russians arrived at the farm her aunt had them spare her daughter, and gave Emelia to them. She was raped multiple times, and as a result she became pregnant. Finally a young, insecure, German boy who dreams of becoming honored by Hitler. His name is Alfred and he is such a jerk I had trouble reading his "chapters." All of these characters end up on the Wilhelm Gustloff, a ship that offers safety and freedom to thousands of people fleeing the Soviets. However, the boat is hit by Russian torpedoes and sinks. Joana, Florian and Emilia's baby escape from drowning. But, in spite of the reader finding this out, the story leaves one gasping for breath. The sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff is true. Much information about what happened and to how many has not been spoken about, for what reason, I don't know. But a boat that was supposed to hold 1500 people went down with over 10,000 people on board, and most of them did not survive. It is another example of an author taking a historical event and creating a story around the event. Interesting.

Girl in the Blue Coat ( 301 Pages)

Monica Hesse has written a difficult book to put down about a difficult subject. As it states on the back cover, it is a powerful, compelling story taking place during World War II in Holland. It is a coming of age story with main characters who are Jews as well as Christians. It tells the story of how important it is to stand up for your beliefs.  Hanneke, the eldest daughter of a Christian family, spends her days finding food in the black market. She makes money selling this food to customers who are willing to pay. One day, one of her older customers asks a favor of her. Hanneke does not immediately agree to help her customer, but as she is making up her mind, the path takes her life in a very different direction. I am going to tell as little of this plot as possible, because the book is so incredible, I don't want to give anything a way. Read it!

The Body in the Woods ( 263 Pages)

This book was described to me by a friend as being a "CSI for YA's". That is a great description, because I am a CSI junkie! Alexis, Nick and Ruby join Portland's Search and Rescue (SAR) organization. All three of the teens are "different" from most other students in their school. Of the three of them, Ruby is the most knowledgeable about CSI "stuff". The first SAR event they are taking part in, involves hunting for a 30 year old man who has gotten lost in Forest Park. The three of them knew that they were sent on a path that most likely the man did not take, but they proceeded as they'd been directed. And then they found a body. And she was about their age. And she was dead! This is a short, easy read. It is interesting to see how the kids try to figure out who killed this girl. And before they knew it, they were looking for the killer of not one girl, but three girls! If your students enjoy CSI, this book will be one they will definitely love!

Shooting Kabul ( 252 Pages)

This is a short, easy read, and is very current. Students will learn many words from the Afghanistan language. But the Afghani words do not detract from the enjoyment of the read! Noor, Fadi, and Miriam are two sisters and one brother. They live in Kabul with their mother and father until Their father sat the children and his wife, Zafooda, down and told them they needed to leave Afghanistan because the Taliban has made life very dangerous. And so the next night they prepare to leave in a truck that is packed with others hoping to escape. Fadi is given the responsibility of holding Miriam's hand as they run after father. Noor has her hands full with their mother, who has not been well. As Fadi and Miriam are about to climb onto the truck, Miriam drops her Barbie and pulls away to retrieve it. At that exact moment, the Taliban screech into the square where the truck is idling, and the driver shouts that he's getting the truck out of there. Miriam is left behind.  The entire family is heartsick about the little six year old alone in a war zone. However, they continue to head towards San Francisco, California in America where father's brother and family live. The rest of the book deals with the various family members trying to find Miriam. They do!:-)

Echo (587 Pages)

Pam Munoz Ryan, author of well known Esperanza Rising, has written a gem. The book consists of 4 parts with different characters, times, and places in each story. And yet.... they are all connected in a way, and the reader needs to figure out how! There is magic, mystery, family love, and music. Everything comes together in the final section. My friend read it and said I had to get it and read it immediately! I did, and I loved it as much as she did.

Carry On (517 Pages)

I enjoyed Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor and Park, and also Fan Girl. So, in spite of the fact that I usually avoid books having anything to do with zombies and/or vampires, I decided to give this book a try. Rowell has the ability to draw the reader into the book and make her characters believable! The book certainly hints at being "Harry Potteresque" yet it stands on its own. Simon is supposedly the most powerful magician to ever be, or so the head of school believes. He rooms with Baz at Watford School, an elite school for perfecting Magicians' skills.  Baz is a vampire, and slips away to find various warm blooded animals to feast upon! Simon stays alert around Baz, but is never in danger of becoming a "meal" for his roommate. Readers will discover much about Simon and his missing family life as they read this book. It's a fun read, and an easy read, so the pages fly by. Your students will enjoy it!

The Patron Saint of Butterflies (292 Pages)

A first novel for Cecilia Galante, this book mirrors the communes we have heard about where brain washing techniques have been used to control the members. Agnes and Honey have been best friends ever since they were babies. However, Agnes has become so immersed in religion, striving to be a saint as dictated by the leader of the commune, Emmanuel. As the book progresses, the reader is presented with Honey's point of view that something is not right about the whole set up at Mount Blessing. When Nana Pete, Agnes and Benny's grandmother, arrives at the commune, she learns something so frightening to her, that she decides to "kidnap" the three children. Nana Pete's son and daughter in law (Agnes & Benny's Mother and Father) have changed their names and believe Emmanuel is as close to being Jesus as is possible. They go along with everything he says and does. This is another book that "teaches" about the importance of standing up for what you believe. I believe this is one of the most important lessons we can teach our children!

The Secret Language of Sisters ( 336 Pages)

This is the first YA book written by Luanne Rice, and I believe it should be required reading for all high school students. It includes themes around family, love, and friendship. Ruth Ann McCabe (known as Roo) and her sister Mathilda ( known as Tilly) are best friends and tell each other all of their secrets. Roo is the oldest, a junior in high school, and Tilly is a freshman in the same high school. Roo is an extraordinary photographer. They live on the coast of  Connecticut, just north of the Connecticut River. Roo takes pictures of nature in the area: marshes, woods, the water of Long Island Sound. With her boy friend of many years, she has also taken pictures of the night sky. One day, the light was just perfect, and Roo was taking pictures on her way to pick up Tilly. She was late, and Tilly was impatient. "Where ARE you?" Tilly texted Roo. "5 minutes"  Roo texted back. And that was the last Tilly heard from Roo. This book will have readers on the edge of their seats. It not only is a beautiful story about sisters, but also an important lesson about the dangers of driving and texting!

Bone Gap (354 Pages)

Author Laura Ruby has written an interesting novel about a small town called Bone Gap. She concentrates on Finn and Sean O'Sullivan, brothers who have been left on their own by their mother. Sean is older than Finn and is an EMT. One day a beautiful ,young woman named Roza turns up in their barn. Sean slowly falls in love with her. And then suddenly she disappears. Finn saw her kidnapping by a man who drove a black SUV. He can't describe the man. Why he can't and the mystery of what happened to Roza are covered in this book. It has mystery, romance, and fantasy all wrapped up in wonderful read!

Audacity (366 Pages)

Melanie Crowder, the author of Audacity, has written in free verse a wonderful book of historical significance. She focuses on Clara Lemlich's life. Lemlich was a Russian Jew who immigrated to the US with her family at the start of the 20th century. Arriving in New York, she found it necessary to get a job in a garment factory. The working conditions were horrible: seven days a week, only two toilet breaks a day, foremen who changed the pay at a whim, sexual advances by the man in charge, locked in the workroom with no way to get out, and any complaint led to immediate firing. Clara became a spokeswoman for women's rights. The labor movement holds Clara gratitude for paving the way to unions for female workers. The book also encompasses information about life in a lower East side Manhattan tenements and the religious values and strict observances of the Jewish men. Clara wanted to become a doctor, but she never realized that dream because of her work to create safe work environments. However, she was definitely self-educated and much of the book deals with her struggle against her father in her her desire to read, learn English, and write.

the thing about jellyfish (334 Pages)

Ali Benjamin, the author of this book, has written a winner that I am going to give to an extraordinary middle school science teacher. I thought of her throughout my reading  of this book. I believe Suzy Swanson probably falls somewhere on the autism spectrum. She is a kid who collects all kinds of information. She knows stuff that is incredible.  Her very best friend, Franny Jackson, loves to hear her talk about all of these fascinating things! But then she and her best friend find themselves in middle school and all of a sudden Franny is not interested in Suzy's information. They drift apart, and Suzy stops talking. She doesn't talk to her family, she doesn't talk in school. When she hears her friend Franny died by drowning when on a summer vacation in Maryland, she becomes convinced that Franny's death couldn't have been a result of drowning because Franny was an accomplished swimmer. So Suzy begins to do research on what could have happened. Her science teacher, Mrs. Thurton is her favorite teacher. She gives her students all kinds of information that is fascinating to most of the kids and certainly to Suzy. Mrs. Thurton requires her students to do a research paper and present it orally to the class. How Suzy handles this is presented in the rest of this book. It's a winner!

The War that Saved my Life (316Pages)

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley has written a wonderful book that reminded me of another similar book, Goodnight Mr. Tom, one of my all time favorite YA books! Ada Smith and her little brother Jamie are living in a very poor part of London. They live with their mother in a one room apartment. Their mother works nights in a pub downstairs. Ada was born with a club foot. Her mother will not allow her to leave the room. Ever. Her mother is humiliated by her. She constantly tells Ada that she is a horrible person, and people would be disgusted if the saw her foot. And then the children of London were evacuated out of the city. Ada and Jamie end up living with a woman named Susan Smith. For the first time in her life, Ada sees green grass and trees. The book continues to see the children not only grow and gain some weight, but Susan gets them new clothes, and allows them to go outside whenever they want. While outside, Ada finds a pony that belongs to Susan. She finds she is able to teach herself how to ride it. Oh, this book has emotional ups and downs. It is worthwhile for students to read it and learn new vocabulary along with Ada and Jamie. They will enjoy it immensely!

The Walls Around Us ( 319 Pages)

This is the first book I've read by Nova Ren Suma. I don't think I'll read another by her. She, herself . says that her books are weird! That's about all I can say about this book. It's just not character driven, as far as I'm concerned. And unlike other books of this same  genre, it doesn't ring true. I didn't like it.

Two Boys Kissing (196 Pages)

David Levithan has written a YA book that focuses on several boys. It is not just about two boys kissing. It is about loyalty, it is about acceptance, it is about rejection, it is about bullying, it is about goal setting, it is about a person's future, it is about love,it is about endurance, it is about true friendship. Harry and Craig once were a couple, but they no longer are. However, they want to set a record for the longest kiss. They are helped by friends, teachers, and some family. Why set this record? To make a statement that  there is nothing wrong with what they are doing. To accomplish this, they choose a special setting of the front of the high school. A friend assists by setting up recording equipment and lights. Another friend is there to help without touching them (that's one of the rules) they must keep their lips touching the entire time and no one may touch them. Their goal is to accomplish this in thirty-two hours, twelve minutes, ten seconds. During "the kiss" they can not go to the bathroom, they can not talk, they can not do anything that separates their lips. One of the most interesting things about the book is that it is told in the first person plural. Those men who died during the height of the AIDS pandemic "speak" to the reader and speak to all of the other characters in the book. What they have to say are incredible lessons about living, even if they can't be heard or seen. The book holds invaluable words of wisdom, without being preachy! It is a winner- in every sense of the word.

The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender (301 Pages)

Just finished reading this book. I believe it is a first write for author Leslye Walton. The Prose flows with such beauty, that at times I wondered if I might be reading poetry. My friend and former student Amy recommended this book to me. Thank you, Amy!! The setting takes place mostly in the Pacific Northwest and that is described perfectly. The characters are "different" looked at by their neighbors as strange and possibly even witches. They are immigrants and they are different, but certainly not witches. I don't want to give too much away, but There were many ideas brought to mind as I read this book. One idea was the importance of family, another was acceptance, lost love, love realized, social injustice, religious imbalance, and finding one's "nitch."  This book is a wonderful read, perhaps geared more towards good readers. But, Oh, please pick it up and read it, then share it!