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!:-)