Leviathan

Westerfeld, S. (2009). Leviathan. NY: Simon Pulse. Leviathan is a historical sci-fi story with an alternate history for WWI. The two main protagonists Aleck, the heir of the Austrian-Hungary Empire and Deryn, a girl disguising herself as boy in order to fly on a Darwinist air beast against the Clankers. Aleck and Deryn show courage during the dangerous conflicts with the Kaiser’s military forces. The world is split into two fractions which are the Clankers and the Darwinists. The Clankers love technology and will do anything to keep the advancement of machinery in the future. The Darwinists, use the technology but to create Beasties which are fighting machines. Alek and Deryn bravery will assist the mysterious woman scientist aboard the Leviathan on a secret mission to Constantinople. Alek and Deryn help one another overcome the odds in a new world of technology versus nature. Related books: Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld, Goliath by Scott Westfeld, Airborn (Matt Cruse, #1)by Kenneth Oppel, Mothstorm (Larklight, #3) by Philip Reeve, and The Affinity Bridge (Newbury and Hobbes, #1) by George Mann.

Goliath-The conclusion to the Leviathan trilogy

Westerfield, S. (2011). Goliath- The conclusion to the Leviathan trilogy. Simon and Schuster. Alek and Deryn are on a round the world quest to end World War I to reclaim the Austrian throne. Along the way, they rescue Tesler, a madman wanting to share his inventions in New York. They travel through Japan, Mexico and finally into New York on the Leviathan. Alek and Deryn become allies in keeping each other’s secrets and helping one another from being exposed of their secrets. On a trip to Berlin, Tesler was willing to blow up the Leviathan to stop the war and hide the real truth about his findings. Deryn saves Berlin with Alek on his mind. Upon his return to New York he decides to give up his throne to live there rest of his life with Deryn a commoner. This is an alternate history novel, where Westerfield used historical locations to model the setting and connect the historical meteor crash in Siberia in 1908. Related books: World War I by Simon Adams, World War I by Ian Westwell, Flying Machine by Andrew Nah Nahum

Code name Verity

Wein, E. (2012). Code name Verity. NY: Egmont. Queenie gets captured by the Gestapo in France. Her capturers have tortured her and forced her to write down every detail of her mission or there will be consequences. They showed her pictures of her friend Maddie dead which gives her no reason to live. Queenie begins her confession by making them understand that she is not Maddie the air pilot, but rather her friend that tagged along on the flight. Her life expectancy of six weeks or even worse sent to a camp depends on her confession. For the next two weeks, she explains what she knows about the Bristish War Effort, military bases, and spies, lines of code, airplanes, her friendship with Maddie, and her memories. She confronts her conflict by writing and hoping that her confession will be enough to save her life from von Linden. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEz6nPVubck

Shiver the wolves of Mercy Falls #1

Stiefvater, M. (2009). Shiver the wolves of Mercy Falls #1. New York City: Scholastic. When Grace was young, she was saved by a golden eyed wolf from his pack before they dismembered her. With his saving grace, she was able to survive a cold horrific death. She became obsessed with catching a glimpse of him that she observed the wolves every winter. Sam, the wolf that saved her, is a shape shifter. They become humans during the warm months and are wolves during the cold months. Sam and the other wolves have no recollection of their human forms. One winter, Grace found Sam lying naked and shot on her back porch. She gave him the aid he needed and realized he was the wolf she had been seeking for the last few years. The golden eyes gave Sam’s identity away and she realized he was a werewolf. They form a romance built on teenage activities such as listening to music, making dinner, and reading poetry. Sam’s apprehension to tell Grace about his time almost being up and he needing to shape shift back into a wolf forever was disheartening. When Grace discovers his secret, she does everything possible from keeping Sam from changing. They both ignore the world and spend all their time together searching for the cure. Sam explains to Grace that to stay in human form, they need to increase their internal temperature. After much research, they realized that meningitis was the cure to avoid shape shifting. Sam injects himself with this infection and survives. Stiefvater development of Grace and Sam’s characters, help the reader connect with their emotion and actions so well that it strings the reader along through their love story. Grace’s sadness not knowing whether he is alive or dead and if she is ever going to see him after the injection was very heart wrenching. She was able to capture Sam’s longing of being with Grace as he watched every one of her moves, but not being able to reveal himself to her just yet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc3iXeHdv1Y

Winger

Smith, A. (2013) Winger. NY: Simon & Schuster. Ryan Dean West attends Pine Mountain Academy a rich boarding school. Ryan Dean is a smart, skinny kid going through the beginning stages of puberty and wanting to change his image this school year from not being a loser. He is a junior and two years younger than everyone else. He has been summoned to sleep in the Opportunity Hall because he stole a teacher’s phone and hacked into it. His rooming situation gets interesting when the stereotypical dumb jock, Chas Becker becomes his roommate. He worries that he may be plummeted by Chas since he is in the lower social status ladder. He documents his emotional feelings and sexual desires through picture and graphs giving the reader a clear image of his roller coaster ride at Pine Mountain Academy. He is in love with his best friend Annie who treats him like a baby. His best friend Joey is harassed or bullied by the football players and ends up being killed. At the end he is comforted and tries to cope with the death of his friend. Ryan’s character is completely described as a teenage horn dog. Ryan completely demonstrates the raging hormones in the way he thinks about girls and his hot teachers and coping with teenage issues. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux35quSH4lk

Persepolis

Sartrapi, M. (2004). Persepolis. NY: Pantheon. Marjane Satrapi grew up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. In her memoir, she describes what her life was like during the changing political and social settings of Iran at that time. She describes how she grew up among the political turmoil and how her family grew up in a privileged Iranian family that was once royalty. She also describes her struggles during her adolescence and how she was sent to Austria for boarding school. She describes in detail of the issues she went through during her time in Austria. Satrapi explains the revolution with enough detail to help readers understand the hardship her family and friends went through during this difficult time. The lively illustrations in black and white help visualize her story come to life. Through the illustrations, the reader can feel her confusion, fear, sadness, and anger. She was raised in a well-to-do family that leaned on Western ideology therefore her hardships were not as extreme as those poorer than her family. Yes, they lived through this political turmoil, but yet some of their actions showed they were still living a comfortable life. Satrap’s battle with the political changes they had to endure was difficult for her to accept. This conflict caused her to be separated from her family for duration of time because even as a young child she was raised to have her own views. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--Hd7FsUC9w

Last night I sang to the monster

Saenz, B. (2009). Last night I sang to the monster. El Paso, TX: Cinco Puntos Press. Zach, is an eighteen year old alcoholic. He comes from a dysfunctional family with a series of issues. His mother is depressed, his father is an alcoholic and his brother is abusive. Zach has found himself in a rehab and doesn’t understand how he got there. Zach is in rehab recovering from his alcohol addiction and learning to relinquish painful memories in order to live and survive in this world. With the help of his therapist, roommates, Rafael, a 53 year old alcoholic and Sharkey, a 27 year old drug addict, he is able to make sense of his feelings and learns that he can trust and love again. Through the recovery effort, he learns to free himself from the hurt and agony because the people who had hurt him are dead. Zach’s big moment was when he realized that he can be happy; there is hope, and a new beginning from all these dreadful secrets. The conflict of fighting and defeating the monster within was Zach’s major struggle. Once he was able to face the secret, he was able to realize that there is happiness after all the hurt he went through. Related books: Crazy by Han Nolan, The Paper Cowboy by Kristin Levine, 15 Days Without A Head By Dave Cousins, Teenage Alcoholism by L.K. Currie-McGhee.

Punkzilla

Rapp, A. (2009). Punkzilla. Somerville, Mass. : Candlewick Press. Jamie, aka Punkzilla, went AWOL from a military academy in Oregon where he was sent by his parents for disruptive and criminal behaviors. He spends five months living on the streets of Portland, Oregon stealing and being exposed to all the sexual and drug activity. Jamie receives a message that his older brother Peter is dying of cancer. His brother Peter was disowned by his family for being gay. Jamie takes a Greyhound to Memphis, Tennessee to see his brother and ends up meeting many weird people and new conflicts. Along the way, Jamie writes letters to Peter sharing his thoughts and feelings about himself, their parents, drug use, being able to understand him Peter, his life on the streets, and ideas. He planned on sharing his adventures and trials with his loving brother Peter, but he arrived too late. At his arrival in Memphis, he finds his brother comatose and passing. Punkzilla couldn’t believe that he didn’t arrive on time to share his thoughts and feelings with the brother that loved him unconditionally. Peter ends up being raised by Peter’s partner who loves and accepts him for who he is. Jamie’s adolescent behaviors of running off and finding yourself in implications such as drug use and sexual acts helped him to grow and understand that he was searching for love and compassion from a loved one. Jamie’s only hope was to find a safe haven and the military academy was not the right place. He had so many questions about himself and no one to turn to. At the end, he realizes the reason his brother left and finding a community to accept you and love you for who you are will help you thrive in the world. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_LY6OFvOag

The knife of never letting go

Ness, P. (2008) The knife of never letting go. Boston, MA: Candlewick Press. Noise is all that is heard throughout Prentisstown. When they arrived to the New World, men were able to hear each other’s thoughts. The women of the town all died from the sickness after the war with the Spacks. Todd Hewitt is the last boy in the town and anxiously waiting to turn into a man. One day while in the swamp with his dog Manchee, they stumble in an area of complete silence. They decide to keep it a secret but without thinking, Aaron the town preacher heard his thoughts. This leads the whole town to seek for him and follow him as he is sent away from all that he knows. Ben and Cillian tried to shelter Todd from knowing the truth behind Prentisstown and want to save him from what is to come. Ben leads Todd and Manchee into the swamp while Cillian stays behind to deal with Mayor Prentiss’s son and his army. Todd and Manchee meet Viola Eade along the way and realize that not all women are gone from this New World only in Prentisstown. Todd, Manchee and Viola make a run to see if they can make to Haven ad warn them of Mayor Prentiss and his army. As they make it to Haven, they realize that there is no help and it has been overtaken by Mayor Prentiss. The conflict between the wrong that happened in Prentisstown and Todd Hewitt accepting that he will partake in Mayor Prentiss’s plan is the struggle that Todd has had to deal with throughout the story. The cliffhanger at the end of the book leads you to believe that Todd will not submit to his plans without an ulterior motive. Related series to read would be Chaos Walking Series by Patrick Ness, The Hunger Games series, Ship Breaker #1 by Paolo Bacigalupi, and Ashfall #1 by Mike Mullin.

Yummy: The LAst Days of a Southside Shorty

Neri, G. (2010). Yummy: The Last Days of a Southside Shorty. New York : Lee & Low Books. Robert “Yummy” Sandifer was an 11 year old child living with his grandmother who was a guarding to 20 or so other grandchildren. He was sent to live with his grandmother because his father was in prison and his mother was always in and out of prison, but also very abusive to Yummy. Yummy was a lost child that had no guidance, support, or love from family members. He seeks out for a place to belong and be accepted and lands in the arms of a gang called Black Disciple. In 1994, Yummy killed an innocent bystander while firing a gun into a crowd of rival gang members. Roger a neighborhood boy watches what happens to Yummy and his older brother in the gang. Roger spends his days and nights trying to figure out the whereabouts of Yummy and why he made the choices he made. Roger uncovers that the Black Disciple’s decide to hide Yummy from law enforcement and move him around for three days. Yummy gets scared and is tired and decides to call his grandmother for help. Before she arrives to pick up Yummy, he is murdered by the people who he thought were his “family,” The Black Disciples. They decided that there was too much attention on them and fear that he would become an informant. Gary, Roger’s brother, begins to contemplate on his future with the gang and rides home with his family. Yummy’s story appeared on the cover “Time” magazine. Even though gang related violence hasn’t decreased in the inner city of Chicago, it makes people aware of the impact these gangs have on vulnerable children. Neri depicts Yummy’s life through illustrations seeing the cold-blooded murderer to the boy who loved candy and a teddy bear. He was able to take a national story and intertwine it with fiction to show the perspective of young children that are exposed to these issues on a daily basis. One would hope that with authors like Neri can reach children and sought out alternatives to life rather than finding themselves in the same predicament and the innocent/murderer of Yummy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKRsEDPi32g

Monster

Myers, W.D. (1999). Monster. NY: Harper. Steve Harmon has been accused of being the lookout person to a drugstore robbery going wrong. A film making student having acquaintances such as Bobo Evans and King have left him in a Brooklyn Juvenile detention center and fending for his life in the court of law. The prosecutor has called him a Monster and he is trying to figure out what they see in him. He decides to write out everything happening to him in the detention center and in court as a screenplay. All fingers point to Bobo Evans and King being part of the robbery gone wrong and leaving one man dead, but why would they even consider him as part of it. Steve’s lawyer tries to paint an innocent picture for the jury and remind them that Steve’s only problem was having them as acquaintances. Steve Harmon is found not guilty for his accused crimes and decides not to drift away too far away from home and make better choices on acquaintances. The suspenseful plot of Steve Harmon’s life depending on his testimony and the hands of twelve jurors was nerve wrecking. All those witnesses, didn’t seem to have any true evidence but hear say that Steve was part of the robbery. This book can help young readers to make better choices on acquaintances, friends and avoiding to put themselves at the wrong place at the wrong time. Our choices can have many implications in our life as well as others. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe5XHOwmTWk

Schooled

Korman, G. (2007). Schooled. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. Thirteen year old Capricorn Anderson lives in a farm commune with his hippie grandmother, Rain. He has been raised to reap the rewards from mother earth and homeschooled by his grandmother. He is not familiar with the society outside of the commune or modern world. Due to an unforeseen accident, Cap moves in with Mrs. Donnelley, an ex-member of the Garland Farms, so his grandmother Rain can go to rehab after hip surgery. Cap is enrolled to a public school, Claverage Middle School, and a place he has never attended until now his 8th grade year. He becomes the target of Zach the cool kid in the school. Zach gets Cap elected as 8th grade President to humiliate him for the rest of the year. Instead people like Naomi who is in love with Zach finds comfort in Cap’s kindness and maturity. Cap’s main problem is fitting in with the rest of the students at school. The other students can’t understand why he doesn’t blame them for their rude comments and his coping mechanisms. He uses the all the non-violence techniques his grandmother taught him such as “all you need is love,” to cope with the bullying by the other students. When Cap gets punched during a time he intervenes a fight, he doesn’t return to school for a couple of days. Upon his return he is surprised by the vigil the students created for him, thinking he was dead. After his grandmother’s return, the goal was to go back to the commune and be homeschooled, but instead he embraces the “real world” and returns to Claverage Middle School to continue his education. The themes of bullying and being true to oneself were well depicted in this story. Cap ignored the bullying and posed questions on the bully’s intentions. He taught the adults and students life lessons that changed them for the better. So, at this point you ask yourself who did get schooled? My favorite lesson was how one hurts their own soul when yelling at a person instead of talking to them. His whole approach was seldom effortless and kept his inner peace instead of being disturbed my all the rudeness and ugliness of others. Related books: The Mailbox by Audrey Shafer, Zen and the Art of Faking It by Jordan Sonnenblick, and If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period by Gennifer Choldenko.

Ask the passengers

King, A.S. (2012). Ask the passengers. New York : Little, Brown & Co. Astrid Jones spends a lot of time watching airplanes pass by and sends them love from her backyard picnic table. You see, this is Astrid’s safe haven. She doesn’t have anyone she can open up to about the feelings that she has bottled inside without being judged. Astrid is senior in high school and not quite sure about her own feelings and fearing reactions from her superficially accepting family and openly intolerant community. Astrid’s best friend Christina and her boyfriend Justin, homecoming court candidates, are holding a secret of their own that Astrid keeps for them. One day, Astrid’s cover was blown when she was persuaded to go to a gay club with them and there was a raid. The next day, the rumor mill throughout town and all those judgmental small town people were ready to pin the whole escapade on Astrid. Her girlfriend Dee, told her multiple times to come out without caring about anyone. At the end, Astrid realized that Dee was right that it really doesn’t matter what anybody thinks but how you see yourself. I loved the twist on the homecoming court candidate’s secret. Who would ever have imagined two popular kids dating to keep the common secret of being gay between them? Their secret being revealed as well threw everyone in the community for a loop. Why not Christina and Justin? Related books: Tessa Masterson Will Go to Prom by Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin, Beautiful Music for Ugly Children by Kirstin Cronn-Mills, The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth

The returning

Hinwood, C. (2011). The returning. New York: Dial Books. After twelve years at war, Cam Attling returns to his small village as the only survivor. Cam lost an arm during the war between the Uplanders and Downlanders. His family and friends walk on edge around him because they are curious how he was the only survivor of their homeland. He does remember that he was saved by Lord Ryuu’s son, who is an Uplander. So, he leaves his family and friends and heads to Upland in search for answers. Cam finally gets an opportunity to talk to Gyaar, Lord Ryuu’s son, and gets the answer to his question. Gyaar states the two reasons for saving Cam’s life are because Cam didn’t kill him first and he looks like his older brother. The two become friends and Gyaar offers him a job as an advisor. Cam’s sister Pin searches for him and wishes he would return home. Cam sends a message to her stating that he is not sure how to return. The common theme in this story is guilt and blame. Cam and everyone else carried some form of guilt for blaming everyone around them for the circumstances they are in. Cam carried his guilt about being the only survivor of his homeland and couldn’t stand it and left his family and friends instead of facing it and dealing with it. Related books: Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick and Black Juice by Margo Lanagan.

It's perfectly normal

Harris, R. (2009). It’s perfectly normal. Boston, MA: Candlewick Press. This book is a guide for parents and teens to openly discuss awkward subjects such as sexual activity, birth control, gender issues, body parts, puberty, health, emotional changes and etc. The text is easy to understand and the dialogue between a bird and a bee add some interesting conversation starters for parents and teens. Some of the illustrations may need to be approached cautiously for middle school students, but for high school students that those subjects arise they may be suitable for them. Harris offers health advice and different perspectives on families. Harris presents some challenging topics in this book that has caused uproar and has been placed on the banned list. The controversial topics discussed in this book were thoroughly researched and she even collaborated with doctors to include these sensitive topics in the book. This book has also received a few notable awards such as: An American Library Association Notable Children’s Book, A New York Times Book Review Notable Book of the Year, A Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Winner, An Association of Booksellers for Children Booksellers' Choice, An American Library Association NotableChildren’s Book, A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, and A Will Solimene Award Winner for Excellence in Medical Communications.

The fault in our stars

Green, J. (2012). The fault in our stars. New York : Dutton Childrens Books. Hazel Grace a sixteen year old with thyroid cancer and mets in her lungs attends a weekly support group to comfort her parents. One day, Hazel meets Augustus a seventeen year old who had osteosarcoma a year and a half ago, but is attending to support his friend Isaac. Hazel and Augustus begin a flirtatious friendship and discuss everything in their lives. Hazel shares her love for her favorite book, An Imperial Aflliction. They both obsess about the unsolved ending. August surprises Hazel with a trip to Amsterdam to meet Peter Van Houten who has agreed to meet with her to discuss the ending using his “Wish” that they grant for dying children. Hazel, Augustus, and her mother set off on adventure to finally get closure on the book. When they meet Peter Van Houten, he is rude and disrespectful. He is a mean drunk and doesn’t answer any of her questions. He had only agreed to meet with her because he never thought she would make it to Amsterdam. Lidewij, Van Houten’s assistant, takes them out to explore Amsterdam and see Anne Frank’s house. Hazel and Augustus finally kiss and have sexual relations when they get back to the hotel. Augustus reveals that his cancer has returned. Once, they return to Indianapolis, Hazel realizes that his health is deteriorating and he doesn’t have much time. Hazel and Isaac share the eulogies that he had requested. Peter Van Houten attends Augustus funeral where he reveals that he wrote the book because his daughter had died of cancer. She realizes why he summons himself to alcoholism to cover up the hurt he carries from his daughter’s death. Isaac reveals to her that before Augustus death, he had been writing something. She searches for his writings and contemplates on the issue that he may have been writing an alternative ending to the book. She contacts Lidewij and finds out that he had actually written her a eulogy. She reads the eulogy stating that he hopes that she’s happy with the choices she made. Hazel and Augustus strength in coming into terms of their terminal illness and making the best out of life sends out a clear message. The courage that they have to embrace to get through their daily lives of doctors, medicines, hospitals, and inevitable death teaches the reader that they can conquer anything that comes their way with the strength of family and friends. It takes a lot of courage to get through difficult times, but when you have the support of others, it makes nothing impossible. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PEepfswJWs

Looking for Alaska

Green, J. (2005). Looking for Alaska. NY: Dutton. Miles “Pudge” Halter has always lived a bubble wrapped world. His junior year, he decided that he would leave his world in Florida to venture to Culver Creek Boarding School in Alabama. Here he finds that his fascination of last words of important people is just the tip of the iceberg. He immediately makes friends at the boarding school something he is not used to, but you see they all have their little quirks just like Pudge. Colonel, his roommate and buddy, teaches him the ropes around Culver Creek and introduces him to his inner circle. The group studies together, plan pranks, blow off steam, and get into mischief together, while Miles is falling in love with Alaska, who has a boyfriend. As the chapters count down, it makes you wonder what‘s the life change that is going to happen to this inner group. Then it happens. One evening after blowing off steam, the sudden death of Alaska turns the life of the inner group upside down. It leaves them with unanswered questions, and coming to terms with their loss, grief, guilt and the need to keep on living. Alaska’s character helped develop Miles independence and find himself. He was finally able to make friends and speak up for himself. Alaska Young thought him to live life, rather than searching for the great perhaps. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZEnlWIuA3U

Annie on my mind

Garden, N. (1982). Annie on my mind. NY: FSG. Liza Withrop is a young college student at MIT reminiscing on her relationship with Annie. Liza and Annie met in a New York museum and their relationship bloomed from just friends to love. The girls try to cope with their secret relationship and feelings in hopes of not hurting their family member’s feelings. Over spring vacation, Liza was cat sitting for two teachers. The girls decided to take advantage and spend each day together at the lesbian teacher’s house. One eventful evening, one thing lead to another and the girls were caught in the sheets by a prudish secretary. This set the wheels in motion by society where her personal life and those of her teachers were on display and their future decided by them. Through the guidance of her lesbian teachers, Liza realizes to accept her love for Annie. The theme of acceptance of homosexuality was difficult for both Liza and Annie. They were not afraid of loving one another, but the reaction of society and the implications if may have on their life. The theme in this story to be accepting of who you are sends a strong message to teenagers having difficulty with any personal issue. Related books: Dare Truth or Promise by Paula Boock, grl2grl by Julie Anne Peters, and Am I Blue?: Coming Out from the Silence by Marion Dane Bauer

If I Stay

Forman, G. (2014). If I stay. New York, New York :, Viking, an imprint of Penguin Group. Mia and her family are enjoying the unexpected holiday of a snow day. As her family plans out the day, Mia thinks about her boyfriend’s band in which she was planning on attending their concert that evening. As a gifted cellist, a future Julliard student, plans on practicing with a pianist but her cello is back at school. Mia’s family decides to go for a drive and later meet up with her grandparents for dinner. During the drive, the family battles out the music on the radio station. Mia wakes up to a totaled vehicle and sees her dead parents. She rushes to the aid of what she thought was her brother, but comes to find that it is her that the paramedics are working on. Mia finds herself in a coma with a conscience mind. She reminisces about her life and sees her grandparents and family members visit. With the passing of her brother, she realizes it is too difficult to live a life without her family, and the suffering she will endure. As she decides to slip away, her boyfriend, Adam reaches out to her by making her listen to a piece from her favorite cellist and decides on a choice to live. Even though she has endured loss, there is hope for the future. Mia’s difficult decision on staying or joining her family was a hard decision to make. The possibility of love and success in her future gave her the strength to make the difficult decision to live. Having all those memories of her loved ones will help her battle out the recovery she has up ahead. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrpMNXdEl3Q

The Surrender Tree

Engle, M. (2008). The surrender tree. NY: Holt. This story is written in poem versus describing the attempts the Cuban people struggling for Cuba’s independence. It was written from several characters perspectives from both sides of the revolution, which showed the rounded view of conflicts and struggle of war. The story line revolved around Rosa who was a nurse who used natural remedies to help cure the sick and injured. She didn’t discriminate when it came to helping people and never asked for payment. Rosa’s skills were needed in Cuba’s wars. Her husband, Jose, a free slave, helped Rosa and tried to avoid the concentration camps, the military leaders, and the former slave catchers. The poems also described Lieutenant Deaths role in hunting down slaves and bringing them dead or alive. He also described the payment for each and how the slaves were more valuable alive. The struggle among the people in Cuba was heard through all the voices in these characters. They were able to paint a picture of how the people wanted to be free and enjoy the land they once knew and how each country that tried to overpower Cuba would destroy a little bit of them and their land. Through the descriptive words of these characters, it gives a vivid image of the hardships they were enduring during this difficult time. Related books: The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights by Russell Freedman, Carver: A Life in Poems by Marilyn Nelson, The Great Fire by Jim Murphy.

Period 8

Crutcher, C. (2013). Period 8. New York : Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Period 8 was created by Logs as a safe haven for students to hang out during their lunch and talk about what is on their minds. He opened his home and shared his phone number with the students, so they are able to confide in him about any issues or problems they may need a resolution. The only rule Period 8 has is that they must keep it real and tell the truth about what they are sharing or are experiencing. Paulie decides to share with his girlfriend Hannah that he cheated on her with the mysterious girl, Mary. Paulie’s life begins to change immediately after revealing his secret to Hannah. With this secret, other secrets begin to rise within the group of Period 8. Some of the issues that rose from this revelation were Mary’s disappearance and then reappearance that was never discussed or even resolved, the relationship issues, parent problems and Arney’s issues. The group of Period 8 discovered that they didn’t know each other as well as they thought. The character building and relationship of the group in Period 8 is like a comradely until Paulie’s betrayal and all the lies are exposed. At that point, the Paulie, Hannah and their friend’s hesitate about the real truths in their issue. The issue of “trust” has been lost and finding out that there is a bully within the group intensifies their relationship. Related books: Second Impact by David Klass, The Murmurings by Carly Anne West, and Manicpixiedreamgirl byTom Leveen.

The Chocolate War

Cormier, R. (1974). The chocolate war. NY: Delacorte. Jerry Renault has disturbed the universe. Stunned by his mother’s death, he is in no way interested in abiding by others pleas. The pain inflicted during football tryouts is nothing compared to coping with his mother’s death and father’s daily sulking. The Trinity Catholic School is having their annual candy sale fundraising event and Jerry refuses to accept the 50 box challenge. Brother Leon is appalled by his refusal and seeks the assistance of the Vigils to see this candy sale goes smooth. The Vigils threats don’t seem to make Jerry change his mind. Students in the school start seeing him as a hero for his stance and that infuriates the Vigils and Brother Leon. At the end, Jerry is left fighting for his life and alone. The themes of this story of standing up for yourself or your beliefs on a cause are seen throughout the story. Jerry Renaults cause almost cost him his life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbYjgcbTYQQ

The Tequila Worm

Canales, V. (2005). The tequila worm. NY: Wendy Lamb Books/Random House. Sofia is a Mexican American growing up in barrio in McAllen, Texas. Sofia loves her family connections, but longs to fulfill her dreams of the great beyond from the Rio Grande Valley. Each chapter describes Mexican American traditions that Sofia experiences with her family such as preparing for Día de los Muertos, cousin’s quinceañera, Las Posadas, making tamales with her family during Christmas, and etc. Sofia wins a scholarship to attend a predominately white school, an Episcopal boarding school in Austin, Texas which is about five hours away from her family. She has mixed emotions about leaving her close knit family and friends to fulfilling her dreams of going to college and making sufficient money to make her mom and dad a stable home. Her father supports her on this decision and her mother has mixed emotions because she won’t b e a good comadre to her friends and family. Her godmother, teaches her to be a long distance comadre to her family and friends to keep her rooted. She flourishes in school regardless of her homesickness and racism. She pushes through these difficult conflicts by staying rooted to her traditions, being proud of who she is and continuing her education regardless of all the animosity of classmates. Even though, Sofia ate the worm at the bottom of tequila, she wasn’t promoting underage drinking, it was more of custom to cure homesickness and accepting that she is maturing and growing up. Related books: Cuba 15 by Nancy Osa, The Poet Slave of Cuba: A Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano by Margarita Engle, Call Me Maria by Judith Ortiz Cofer or La Linea by Ann Jaramillo.

Love in the itme of Global Warming

Block, F. (2013). Love in the time of global warming. New York: Henry Holt and Company. Penelope has lost her mind and her family during the grand, apocalyptic event of the Earth Shaker. Penelope finds shelter in her home until it is invaded by the interlopers. A stranger among the interlopers gives her his well fueled vehicle and mysterious map heading toward Las Vegas. Along her journey she finds herself in these strange events that mimic the copy of Odyssey that she found. Through her journey, she intertwines her personal memories with the mythology of Odyssey not making any sense. Pen is determined to find her loved ones and becomes what she must in order to join her family again. Along the journey, she meets people who are in similar situation as her, which is beyond their control and discovers love and friendship along the way. Pen’s flashbacks of her life before the tragedy and her paralleled story with that of Odysseus help tell her story. Related books: Marco Impossible by Hannah Moskowitz, and Diverse Energies by Tobias S. Buckell.

Fake Mustache

Angleberger, T. (2012). Fake Mustache. New York: Amulet Books. Casper gets the mustache that he has desired the Heidelberg Handlebar #7. When Casper dons on the mustache he realizes he has special powers and can convince others to do as he says. These special powers help Fako Mustacho take over the world and it is up to Lenny to stop him. Lenny acquires the help of television star Jodie O’Rodeo to stop Casper. Lenny is the only one in the world that can see through Fako Mustacho’s disguise and it is up to him and his side kick to stop him from his mission. Angleberger uses unique word choices that offer students an opportunity to analyze word choice. They are also able to decipher the tone of text based on word choice they’ve selected. Related books: Double Dog Dare by Lisa Graff, The Power of the Parasite (Squish, #3) by Jennifer L. Holm, and Mr. and Mrs. Bunny—Detectives Extraordinaire! (The Bunny's #1) by Polly Horvath.

Janis Joplin: Rise up singing

Angel, A. (2010.) Janis Joplin: Rise up singing. NY: Amulet. Janis Joplin was raised in Port Arthur, Texas. From a very young age, she desired adventure in her life. She always knew that she didn’t want to stay in Port Arthur, Texas because there was more out there. This biography reveals the inside of Janis Joplin’s struggle to invent herself as an artist. Her parents helped her spread her wings by sending her off to live in California with two aunts, but she wanted to fully experience the life of a struggling artist. This book described her struggle with herself, seeking for approval and being almost a perfectionist. She sought out love and experimented with her sexuality. This very open book about her life concluded with her untimely accidental death by drug overdose. Angel depicted the era that Joplin was growing up in very well where students are able to seek further information about the issues that Joplin stumbled on. Angel was able to paint a perfect picture how drugs and desire to be loved led to her accidental death. Students and teachers may want to display books or create an informational pamphlet of the many of tragic deaths using drugs of movie stars and artists during Red Ribbon Week to show the school environment that everyone struggles with life, but drugs are not a solution.

Thirsty

Anderson, M.T. (2005). Thirsty. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press. Christopher is a high school freshman that has been having some uncomfortable urges and moods. It is not puberty, but he is actually turning into a vampire. Christopher realizes he is going through the changes when he couldn’t see his own reflection in the day, uncontrollable third for blood, sleep during the days and now he is afraid of hurting his family, friends or possibly his crush Rebecca. His community is preparing their annual special ceremony to keep the evil Vampire Lord defeated and unable to enter our world. Chris’ help is sought out by Chet to the Celestial with an offer to cure his vampirism. Chris agrees to infiltrate the local vampires and avoid them from raising an evil ancient idol. The Vampire Lord tries to make return and is killed. Chet reveals to Chris that he lied to him and there is no cure for vampirism. Chris is all alone since he is alienated from all the other vampires due to his act. Christ realizes he is out of options. This story ends with a cliff hanger, not knowing whether he suffers from not drinking blood or his thirst overpowers his beliefs and kills someone to fulfill his thirst. Chris’s feelings of not wanting to submit to a vampire’s lust are stereotypical of any young vampire wanting to find a cure and not killing others. His decision to go to his room and locking himself up is one example of how they try to keep themselves away from the outside world and not hurt them. Related books: Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, #1) by Richelle Mead, Marked (House of Night #1) by P.C. Cast, and Vampire Knight, Vol. 01 (Vampire Knight, #1) by Matsuri Hino.

Speak

Anderson, L.H. (1999). Speak. NY: Penguin. Melinda Sordino had everything such as friends and popularity until one summer party everything changed. Melinda went to the end of the summer party with her best friend Rachel. What she wasn’t expecting was to be turned into the school outcast. She busted the party by calling the cops after she was raped. She finds herself disappearing and shuts the world out. Rather than speaking up about the incident, she closes herself in and finds the art room her safe haven. Melinda finds relief in her art project and keeps her from thinking about what happened to her. She tortures herself with the idea that the animal still lurks out in the halls and there are potential prey if she doesn’t speak up. Her ex-best friend Rachel accuses her of jealousy when she finally opens up about the incident and makes things worse because the animal is Rachel’s boyfriend Andy. The tree symbolism in Melinda’s art project read volumes that in order to heal, you need to speak out and feel growth in one’s power to speak out! For more information on rape, abuse, go to https://www.rainn.org/.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuFR9f9s6Gw (book trailer)

The Absolutely True Diary of a parti-time Indian

Alexie, S. (2007). The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian. NY: Little Brown. Arnold “Junior” Spirit has defeated the odds of survival, even though he was born with life-threating hydrocephalus and to a poor Spokane Native American family. Junior is smart as a whip and loves to learn. He notices that everybody on the reservation stays there and doesn’t move on. Just being fourteen years old, he has been to 42 funerals and many of them related to booze. He tries to change his future and transfers out of the reservation high school and enrolls in Reardan High School 22 miles away where he is the only Native American except the mascot. Junior learns that ropes of the high school where everybody was suspicious of him. He finally gets the education he wants, friends, made the varsity basketball team, got a girlfriend, and was not considered the weak link like on the tribe. Along the way of his freshman year at Reardan, he has many family loses. His best friend Rowdy, stops talking to him because he becomes a trader, his grandmother gets struck by a drunk driver, his dad’s best friend got shot in the face, and his sister is burned to death in her trailer while she was passed out. Through all these devastations he learns that booze is evil and not something to take lightly and to make dreams happen you need to become nomadic like in the ancient tribes. Through all the devastations he adhered in that past year, his friend Rowdy comes around and tells him that he admires him for his strength. I admire Junior for putting himself at odds with his own tribe in an effort to break free of the future he knows he would have if he stayed at the school on the reservation. Courage to change the future is such a scary thing to do, but this theme was read throughout the book because it seems that Native Americans like other family oriented races seem to stay together and not leave each other. It took courage for Junior to drive 22 miles away for school and see that his tribe turns their backs on him. A kid at fourteen years old shouldn’t go through something like this, but he had the strength and support of his own family to help him carry out his dream. Related books: Mexican WhiteBoy by Matt de la Pena, The First Part Last (Heaven #2) by Angela Johnson, and A Step from Heaven by An Na.

A Game for Swallows To Die, To Leave, To Return

Abirached, Z. (2012). A game for swallows : to die, to leave, to return. Minneapolis : Graphic Universe. Zenia and her brother live with their parents in an apartment in Lebanon in 1984. During this time, Lebanon was going through a Civil War that had lasted for over 9 years. They live in a second floor apartment on the splitting line of Beirut into the Islamic west and Christian east. They always had to be cautious of possible bombings and snipers, so they would seclude themselves to the foyer of their apartment since it is the safest place should a bomb hit the building. The neighbors even find their foyer as a safe haven during the bombings. One evening, the parents had not made it home from their grandmother’s house on the other side of Beirut during one of the bombings. They receive word that they had left an hour ago and the children begin to worry because it shouldn’t take them long to get home from their grandmother’s house. Zenia and her brother wait for their parents in the safe spot in the apartment and one by one, the neighbors begin to trickle in to check up on them, comfort them, and share food with them. The parents arrive safely back home and struggle with the idea of starting all over, leaving their community and friends, but living a safer and comfortable life. The family receives their papers to leave the country and ultimately making the decision that it is in their best interest to move on. Abirached description of her personal accounts during these turbulent times gives the reader an insight of the struggles that people in Lebanon had to endure during the Civil War. Her accounts also through the pictures and conversations, display the culture and traditions of family and neighbors helping one another to survive the violence. Related books: War Brothers: The Graphic Novel by Sharon E. McKay and The Great American Dust Bowl by Don Brown.