The truth shall set you free, or in the case of Vera Dietz, allow you to live your daily life without seeing 1, 000 copies of your dead best friend. Vera, a high school senior, is constantly tortured by the thought of hating her dead best friend, Charlie. Not only that, she lives with her father, a recovering alcoholic, and has not seen her mother since she left her and her dad when Vera was just 12 years old. Charlie had been her only true friend, secret love, and companion until a series of events caused their friendship to fall apart, and his untimely death. Vera holds the key to clearing his name, but has to tell the truth about some very dark secrets surrounding Charlie's life. In the end, Vera learns that she can not move forward with her own life, until she learns to deal with her love/hate feelings about Charlie, her relationship with her father, and the all the "ignored" situations in her life. There are a lot of difficult topics discussed in this novel such as drug and alcohol addiction, physical abuse, child pornography, and the death of a young adult. Due to the mature nature of these topics, and the use of obscene language, this novel would be more appropriate for older young adults between the ages of 16-18. The novel is broken up into sections where each main character; Vera, Charlie, Ken (Vera's dad), and even the symbolic Pagoda, reveals their thoughts and the situations that have led them all to the point where they are now. It is through Vera's emotional relationships with her parents, Charlie, and her peers at school and work, that we see her develop a sense of self-reliance and strong spirit (Havighurst) to be able to finally release herself from the guilt she has to deal with since Charlie's death. She learns to believe and trust her own judgement of "right and wrong" (Kohlberg's Theory) to be able to finally come to terms with her best friend's death.
Other YA books by A. S. King: Ask the Passenger, The Dust of 100 Dogs, Reality Boy, Losing It, Me and Marvin Gardens.
Book trailer: Please Ignore Vera Dietz
Teacher Resources Lesson Plan: http://www.shmoop.com/please-ignore-vera-dietz/setting.html
100 Sideways Miles
It is one thing to relate to a character in a book, and another to actually be a character in a book and feel trapped between the covers. This is how Finn Easton feels like ever since his father (an author) used him as the central figure in his novel. Finn Eaton is a 16 year-old (or 14 billion year-old combination of atoms) junior in high school. Finn (named after a Mark Twain book character) has always measured his life in miles instead of minutes or hours. Finn has not had an easy life ever since a dead horse fell (100 sideways miles) off a bridge and landed on him and his mother when he was seven years old. His mother died, and Finn was left with epileptic seizures and a long scar on his back. After an unexpected event, on a road trip to Oklahoma, causes Finn and his best friend, Cade, to become sudden heroes, Finn learns that he can choose his own destiny, and not have to wait for his father to write it in his next book. Young adult readers will appreciate the frank and honest writing from which they will be able to go along with Finn on the path to his journey of coming out from under the shadow of the character in the book he feels trapped in. Finn falls in love for the first time with a young girl named Julia.It is through his relationships with his father, best friend Cade, and his girlfriend Julia, that Finn learns to deal with his epileptic episodes, his trapped feelings, and his insecurities (Havighurst Developmental Theories). This novel would be more appropriate for 15-18 year-old young adults due to obscene language, sexual content, and other serious subjects such as suicide. A different view of how a young adult measures his life by the number of "miles" that have taken him on the path to self-discovery.
Other YA books by Andrew Smith: Grasshopper Jungle, Winner, The Marbury Lens, Drive Education Program.
Book trailer: 100 Sideways Miles
Teacher Resources Lesson Plan: http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-100-sideways-miles/#gsc.tab=0
An Abundance of Katherines
What's in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet (Romeo and Juliet/Shakespeare)... or would it? Not according to Colin Singleton a recent high school graduate who has just been dumped by another Katherine. His girlfriends have all been named, "Katherine"...nineteen Katherines to be exact. What Colin has always wanted, since being discovered as a child prodigy when he was just two years old, is to "matter". Along with this, Colin has always struggled in his relationships with the opposite sex. His obsession with the name Katherine (and it must be spelled that way) comes from his childhood fascination with anagrams which his mind is always trying to figure out. His only friend, Hassan, convinces him to go on a road trip to try and forget being dumped by Katherine number nineteen. While on this trip, Colin decides to come up with a theorem to discover how long people can last in a relationship. Not only does he solve his theorem, but Colin also meets a girl named Lindsey (finally not a Katherine) and falls in love with her. It is through this relationship, and his friendship with Hassan, that Colin learns to deal with the possibility that he may never become a genius or "matter" in the way he thought he would. This novel does contain obscene language and sexual content. This novel would be appropriate for older young adults between the ages of 17-New Adult. Colin's self-discovery journey into adulthood (Havighurst) is easier to relate to thanks to the footnotes provided by the author which are like a window into Colin's thought process. In the end, Colin finally discovers that we are all unique in our own non-unique way.
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Other YA books by John Green: Looking for Alaska, Paper Towns, Dakota Days, Kyle O'Reilly, Wonderful World of Horses, Story of the Crusades.
Book trailer: An Abundance of Katherines
Teacher Resources Lesson Plan: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjNvYfD76bTAhUS82MKHSxVBwAQFggjMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.penguin.com%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Fyr%2Fpdf%2FJohnGreen_Guide_june_2014.pdf&usg=AFQjCNExkC7KckX0AIwVzoWlpL9ZaGGUEg&sig2=t3EvGbyoK29m317wy5-acQ
Crossover
Kwame Alexander. (2015). Crossover. NY. Books for Young Readers.
(2015 Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers)
Although the topic may be about basketball, the book is written in poetic verse and tells the story of two young twin boys, Josh Bell and Jordan Bell, and their love of basketball. It is also the story of their relationship with their father, Chuck Bell, a former basketball player. The novel is divided into six sections which contain a variety of poems full of rhythm and verse. The title of the book, Crossover, not only references a skill in basketball, but is also one of the important themes in the book. The style of this contemporary novel is one written in verse. Although at first, it may seem only a story about the game of basketball, other themes such as the bond and love of a family, and following the "rules" of life, come through. Kwame Alexander's style of writing in which he utilizes poetry, rhyme, and rap, make this novel an interesting and unique reading experience. This novel would be appropriate for young adults between the ages of 14-18 years old, and even older because of the interesting way it is written in poetic verse. Even basketball non-enthusiasts will find this verse novel appealing and enjoyable when reading about the bond that a father and his two sons share through their love of the game of basketball. Told mostly from one of it's characters (Josh Bell) point of view, readers will relate to the story's main theme of the use of "Crossing Over" not only in basketball, but in real life, too.
Other YA books by Kwame Alexander: Kupenda, Booked, Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard.
Book trailer: Crossover
Teacher Resources Lesson Plan: https://www.teachervision.com/novels/crossover-educators-guide
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Albertalli, Becky. (2016). Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. Paw Prints.
(2016 Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults)
Lesson for the day: Make sure you always logout of your Gmail account. At least this is something that 16 year-old Simon Spier will never forget to do again. Simon suddenly finds himself being blackmailed by Martin, another high school junior, who has read Simon's secret emails with another boy named Blue. Simon is gay, but has not "come out" to anyone and therefore would like his sexual identity to remain a secret until he is ready. Martin assures Simon that he will not reveal the screen shots he took of the secret emails from the school Tumblr website named "creeksecrets" to anyone, if Simon helps him get closer to Abby, one of Simon's best friends. Simon is not the only person with secrets at Creekwood High School. Simon seems to be surrounded by friends and family members with secrets of their own. In the end, Simon must decide how and when to "come out" to all the special people in his life. The topics of sexual identity (straight, gay, lesbian, and bisexual), friendship, blackmail, and relationships are written in an open and realistic manner with a teenage perspective. There is obscene language and sexual graphic content which makes this novel more appropriate for young adults between the ages of 16-New Adult. Every character in the novel develops their own identity (Havighurst) through their relationships with their friends and peers. The attention to details and realistic language that is used to depict the characters in this novel will make it easy for young readers to be able to relate to them and their situations.
Other YA books by Becky Albertalli: The Upside Unrequited, Moi, Simon, 16 ans, Homo Sapiens.
Book trailer: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Teacher Resource: https://www.beckyalbertalli.com/
Lumberjanes
Elis, G., Stevenson, N., Watters, S., & Allen, B. (2016). Lumberjanes: Friendship to the Max. CA: Boom.
(2016 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top Ten)
These are definitely not your every day girl scouts, and this is not your average summer camp. Join Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley in the second volume of Lumberjanes to find out how they are able to obtain the different badges at Miss Quinzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet's Camp for Hardcore Lady Types. It is the camp's pledge that assures that every Lumberjane should leave camp with the basic understanding of problem solving. The graphic novel is designed as a handbook/field manual for the intermediate level of the Lumberjanes. After a message from the Lumberjanes High Council, there is a table of contents that are actually chapters that describe how the characters will obtain the following badges: Friendship to the Craft; Jail Break; Friendship to the Max; Space Jamborie, and the Con-Quest badge. The girls face dangerous adventures and have to use their problem-solving skills and especially their friendships with one another to survive. The novel is full of vibrant-color graphic illustrations. The panels are broken up between chapters that provide an explanation of how the the badges will be obtained and their significance. There are speech balloons and even sound effects written on almost every sequence of panels. Although fictitious, this novel teaches wonderful concepts such as teamwork, problem-solving skills, friendship, and success in life. This graphic novel would be wonderful for young adult readers between the ages of 8-13 years old (and not just for girls). A great graphic novel with important ideas and values for young adults.
Other YA books by Lumberjanes: Lumberjanes vol.1 to 19.
Book trailer: Lumberjanes
Other YA books by John Green: Looking for Alaska, Paper Towns, Dakota Days, Kyle O'Reilly, Wonderful World of Horses, Story of the Crusades.
Book trailer: An Abundance of Katherines
Teacher Resources Lesson Plan: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjNvYfD76bTAhUS82MKHSxVBwAQFggjMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.penguin.com%2Fstatic%2Fimages%2Fyr%2Fpdf%2FJohnGreen_Guide_june_2014.pdf&usg=AFQjCNExkC7KckX0AIwVzoWlpL9ZaGGUEg&sig2=t3EvGbyoK29m317wy5-acQ
Crossover
(2015 Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers)
Although the topic may be about basketball, the book is written in poetic verse and tells the story of two young twin boys, Josh Bell and Jordan Bell, and their love of basketball. It is also the story of their relationship with their father, Chuck Bell, a former basketball player. The novel is divided into six sections which contain a variety of poems full of rhythm and verse. The title of the book, Crossover, not only references a skill in basketball, but is also one of the important themes in the book. The style of this contemporary novel is one written in verse. Although at first, it may seem only a story about the game of basketball, other themes such as the bond and love of a family, and following the "rules" of life, come through. Kwame Alexander's style of writing in which he utilizes poetry, rhyme, and rap, make this novel an interesting and unique reading experience. This novel would be appropriate for young adults between the ages of 14-18 years old, and even older because of the interesting way it is written in poetic verse. Even basketball non-enthusiasts will find this verse novel appealing and enjoyable when reading about the bond that a father and his two sons share through their love of the game of basketball. Told mostly from one of it's characters (Josh Bell) point of view, readers will relate to the story's main theme of the use of "Crossing Over" not only in basketball, but in real life, too.
Other YA books by Kwame Alexander: Kupenda, Booked, Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard.
Book trailer: Crossover
Teacher Resources Lesson Plan: https://www.teachervision.com/novels/crossover-educators-guide
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
(2016 Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults)
Lesson for the day: Make sure you always logout of your Gmail account. At least this is something that 16 year-old Simon Spier will never forget to do again. Simon suddenly finds himself being blackmailed by Martin, another high school junior, who has read Simon's secret emails with another boy named Blue. Simon is gay, but has not "come out" to anyone and therefore would like his sexual identity to remain a secret until he is ready. Martin assures Simon that he will not reveal the screen shots he took of the secret emails from the school Tumblr website named "creeksecrets" to anyone, if Simon helps him get closer to Abby, one of Simon's best friends. Simon is not the only person with secrets at Creekwood High School. Simon seems to be surrounded by friends and family members with secrets of their own. In the end, Simon must decide how and when to "come out" to all the special people in his life. The topics of sexual identity (straight, gay, lesbian, and bisexual), friendship, blackmail, and relationships are written in an open and realistic manner with a teenage perspective. There is obscene language and sexual graphic content which makes this novel more appropriate for young adults between the ages of 16-New Adult. Every character in the novel develops their own identity (Havighurst) through their relationships with their friends and peers. The attention to details and realistic language that is used to depict the characters in this novel will make it easy for young readers to be able to relate to them and their situations.
Other YA books by Becky Albertalli: The Upside Unrequited, Moi, Simon, 16 ans, Homo Sapiens.
Book trailer: Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Teacher Resource: https://www.beckyalbertalli.com/
Lumberjanes
(2016 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top Ten)
These are definitely not your every day girl scouts, and this is not your average summer camp. Join Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley in the second volume of Lumberjanes to find out how they are able to obtain the different badges at Miss Quinzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet's Camp for Hardcore Lady Types. It is the camp's pledge that assures that every Lumberjane should leave camp with the basic understanding of problem solving. The graphic novel is designed as a handbook/field manual for the intermediate level of the Lumberjanes. After a message from the Lumberjanes High Council, there is a table of contents that are actually chapters that describe how the characters will obtain the following badges: Friendship to the Craft; Jail Break; Friendship to the Max; Space Jamborie, and the Con-Quest badge. The girls face dangerous adventures and have to use their problem-solving skills and especially their friendships with one another to survive. The novel is full of vibrant-color graphic illustrations. The panels are broken up between chapters that provide an explanation of how the the badges will be obtained and their significance. There are speech balloons and even sound effects written on almost every sequence of panels. Although fictitious, this novel teaches wonderful concepts such as teamwork, problem-solving skills, friendship, and success in life. This graphic novel would be wonderful for young adult readers between the ages of 8-13 years old (and not just for girls). A great graphic novel with important ideas and values for young adults.
Other YA books by Lumberjanes: Lumberjanes vol.1 to 19.
Book trailer: Lumberjanes
Teacher Resources: http://cbldf.org/2016/03/using-graphic-novels-in-education-lumberjanes/
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