Fallout (258+ Pages)

I think I've read almost every YA book Todd Strasser has written. The Wave and Give a Boy a Gun are two of my all time favorite YA books, not just for the read itself, but for the terrific discussion both books This book is no exception. It not only deals with the question, "Why War?" but also took me back to my days in the early 60's when The Cuban Missile Crisis occurred and scared everyone in the United States. What Strasser has done in this book is to fictionalize a historical event ( The Cuban Missile Crisis ) and has varied his plot structure with pre-bomb and post-bomb chapters. The story is told in the voice of Scott, a middle school student. Scott's father is one of the few people in his town to build a bomb shelter in their back year. He is ridiculed by most adults who hear about it. The shelter is built to offer shelter to four people Scott, his brother Edward, his mother and his father. There is food and water for the four of them to last for two weeks, when the radiation levels should be low enough for them to survive above ground. The book opens with Scott being roughly shaken awake by his father as the country is under attack. The text is frightening, as it moves forward in time. Strasser adds an author's note at the end of the book, and in three and a half pages explains what happened to him and his younger brother when his own father had a bomb shelter built in their back yard. This book offers so many questions for students to ask about appropriate ethics, about family values, about friendship, and about "Why War?"

Golden Boy ( 340 Pages +)

For any of you who are attempting/considering teaching a unit on tolerance or prejudice,thisis a book you should definitely consider! Author Tara Sullivan has researched the situation in Tanzania, and therefore the facts that are interwoven with the fiction. Habo is a 13 year old boy who was born to a very poor family. He has two brothers and one sister. Habo is an albino, and I learned so much about the albanism. Because he was born an albino, his father deserted the family. Eventually his family is kicked out of their home, because of the severe drought, they are unable to farm and therefore, cannot pay their rent. They run to the mother's sister's home which is located in Mwanza where there are poachers anxious to capture an albino. These horrible men then cut up the albino and sell body part for huge sums of money, as it is thought that an albino will bring luck to the family who has some aobino parts in their home. On the way to their aunt's. The man who drove the family to Mwanza, is evil, and he eventually comes back to capture Habo. Habo escapes and makes his way to,  Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania.There his luck changes as albinos are protected there. The book is an exciting, fast paced read. Students should be told not to worry about correctly pronouncing the names or expressions (although the is a glossary in the back of the book). It is a heart-warming, powerful read, and was named by Yalsa as one of the top ten young adult books in 2014 .

Being Henry David (304 Pages)

Another debut of a YA author's book, and it is a delight. So many opportunities for discussion, and for reader response; this could also make a great book club selection.  Cal Armistead has written a coming of age book in which a 17year old boy has lost his memory following an automobile accident in which he was the driver and his little sister was the passenger. He remembers nothing: not his name, not his address, not his telephone number, not what he is good at, none of his talents. It's a bummer. He finds himself suddenly sitting on the floor of Penn Station in New York City. He has been robbed, and all he has is the clothes on his back, the book Walden, and $10 in his pocket. Quickly exposed to homeless life in The Big Apple, he meets a brother and sister(Jack and Nessa) who seem to know the ropes, but following their daily routine, leaves him absolutely sure this is not where he belongs. He gets some money from Jack and buys a train ticket to Concord, Massachusetts. This destination has been sparked by his reading of Walden and his belief in Henry David Thoreau's ideas. He takes the name of Hank Davidson and starts out "camping" at Walden Pond in Concord. The reader is then taken on the journey with Hank to recall his past. It's a fun read, and will strike a chord with those students who have ever struggled with being honest, resisting impulses, and facing the consequences of their own actions. "Hank" has a photographic memory and is able to quote passages of Walden, frequently throughout the book . This is a winner!

I'll Give You The Sun ( 371 Pages)

This is the first book I've read by Jandy Nelson. It won't be the last. This book made me laugh and made me cry. It's a coming of age book of twin- a brother and a sister. There are twists and turns that make the reading speed up- just when I wanted to have it slow down. There are books that I just want to keep reading; like then what happens to "them"? Noah is an artist. His sister,  Jude is an athlete. Noah doesn't think his Dad likes him. Jude doesn't get along with her Mom. While the twins have always been close, suddenly they are not only not close, they hate each other. What happened and how do they become a unit once again? This is the road the reader travels. Noah realizes that he is gay, and he falls in love with a guy who is home  only when prep school lets him out. Jude has several relationships- some wonderful, some horrible. There is sex in this book, much of it in Noah's mind and Jude's mind as well. But this is an important read, and I believe it sets the bar for other authors. I'd LOVE to hear from some of you about your reactions to this book!

Loud Awake and Lost (289 Pages)

The author of this book, Adele Griffin, has written a journey book. Within these pages, the reader follows Ember's journey to repair her emotions following a horrendous automobile accident. As the reader continues with Ember, her long-time best friend, her over protective parents, and her former boyfriend ( who seems like an absolutely wonderful guy- in spite of his obnoxious family ), and her new boy friend who seems equally wonderful. Ember  had been a dancer and gave it up before the accident. She was also was a talented cook, known for Friday night Follies- where she cooked a meal for her family and friends. The trick of this read occurs almost at the end of the book when the reader is shocked to discover that the new boyfriend is the same as the one who was riding in the front passenger seat when she drove her car over a bridge during a icy rain storm, killing her passenger. This is quite a read and a teary end may be expected.

Pieces (168 Pages)

Chris Lynch has written a a book that is a real guys' book! First of all, it's short. Secondly it is written with guy humor...I even laughed at several parts. Eric's older brother has always been his idol. But Eric dives into a quarry, breaks his neck, and is brain dead. His parents want to take him off life support, but Eric is fighting them on this. He just doesn't want to let go. But he does, and Eric's ashes end up on the mantel in his family's living room. The family decided to give Duane's body parts to several people. One person received his ear bones, another got his liver, and another received his kidney. Eric decides he wants to meet these three people, and they become a major part of his healing. The relationship between the three recipients and Duane's former girlfriend provide some very funny scenes. So, this is a quick, good book for those guys who are reluctant readers.

Atlantia (298 Pages)

I chose this book, because I have loved everything the author, Ally Condie, has written. For those not familiar with her name, she is known for the Matched trilogy. This book is all about family. It takes place in a dystopian setting of a city that has been constructed beneath the ocean. This occurred after The Divide. The Divide created a civilization above the ocean (known as the Above) and the city Atlantia beneath the ocean (known as the Below. The Above is responsible for keeping the Below supplied through the use of special transports with everything necessary for its survival. The Below is sophisticated in its structure and its ability to provide residents with clean air. Rio and Bay are twin sisters whose mother is the Minister of the Below. There is a secret that all three of them keep from everyone and that is Rio's real voice. She must hide it, for if anyone hears it, they will know she is a Siren. Sirens  are like a cult of people who once were adored and now are feared. They are known as the first miracle, the bats that arrived some time later are the second miracle. Then, all of a sudden, Rio's and Bay's mother dies. She has been poisoned by members of the ruling council. Although Rio has always wanted to go to the Above, she has promised Bay that she will not. And then Bay goes to the above. Rio is devastated. The mystery of their mother's death and Bay's sudden departure make for some exciting reading. Condie is a master of character and setting development. It's a good read!