Lily and Dunkin
Lily Jo McGrother (born Timothy McGrother), meets Dunkin (Norbert Dorfman) the summer before the beginning of their eighth grade year. Two characters with different types of problems, yet connected by a need for acceptance and to be understood. Lily, a girl, born in the body of a boy, struggles with identity issues due to her father's non-acceptance of her being transgender, and constant bullying by some of her peers in school. Norbert, nicknamed Dunkin due to his love of Dunkin' Donuts, suffers from bipolar disorder and hides a painful secret. Although the path to friendship and acceptance is full of trials and tribulations, in the end, each learns that true acceptance and and self-worth comes from within, before it can be found in others. As Lily admits one day, "I guess I'm tired of thinking the truth, but saying a lie." This type of dialogue is a good example of the wonderful insights into the daily lives of the two characters that the author provides the reader as the story line moves along.
The discussion of tough issues such as transgender, bipolar disorder, bullying, and suicide, make this novel appropriate for 13 through 18 year-old young adults. Perhaps what will make young adults able to relate so well with the characters of this novel is the honest and reflective manner in which the author writes about each character's experience dealing with these difficult subjects.
Lily's difficult transition, not only physical (adapting to changing body), but emotional as well, and her need to gain her father's acceptance as a girl (Havighurst's Developmental Stages), exemplifies how difficult the transition can be from childhood into adolescence. Dunkin struggles with the issue of trying to "fit in" by trying to follow the social conventions, and finally learns to recognize that being a true friend through acceptance (Kohlberg's Theory) supercedes society's conventional thoughts and perceptions. A wonderful novel that young adults will enjoy and learn from.
Other YA books by Donna Gephart: How to Survive Middle School, Dead by Toilet Paper, My MotherIs Running for President.
Book trailer: Lily and Dunkin
Lily and Dunkin Reviews: http://www.donnagephart.com/raves-and-reviews1.html
It's Perfectly Normal
Harris, R,H &Emberley, M. (2009). It's perfectly normal. Boston, MA: Candlewick Press.
A non-fiction informative guide about the many changes the bodies of adolescent boys and girls go through. This guide provides updated and factual information about puberty, sex, sexual health, changing bodies, and staying healthy. An excellent resource for a health class, counseling office, library, or curious young adult. It is also a trustworthy resource for any parent wishing to have an open and honest discussion with their child about puberty and the female and male body.
Accuracy: Professional resources are noted. The facts are clearly stated and differentiated from theory.
Organization: The organization and layout of the book provides the reader an opportunity to choose the information needed thanks to the table of contents and index. The reference aids included are useful due to the complicated subject matter.
Design: The illustrations and text communicate the subject matter in a clear and informative manner. Young adults experiencing the difficult stage of puberty and curiosity, not only about the physical changes happening to their bodies, but also the many questions that go along with this transition into adolescence such as, "Am I Normal?" and their views about appropriate sex roles (Havighurst) will find this guide very useful and informative. Due to the graphic illustrations and subject matter, it is definitely recommended that careful consideration be given as to the age and maturity of the students viewing this book.
A non-fiction informative guide about the many changes the bodies of adolescent boys and girls go through. This guide provides updated and factual information about puberty, sex, sexual health, changing bodies, and staying healthy. An excellent resource for a health class, counseling office, library, or curious young adult. It is also a trustworthy resource for any parent wishing to have an open and honest discussion with their child about puberty and the female and male body.
Accuracy: Professional resources are noted. The facts are clearly stated and differentiated from theory.
Organization: The organization and layout of the book provides the reader an opportunity to choose the information needed thanks to the table of contents and index. The reference aids included are useful due to the complicated subject matter.
Design: The illustrations and text communicate the subject matter in a clear and informative manner. Young adults experiencing the difficult stage of puberty and curiosity, not only about the physical changes happening to their bodies, but also the many questions that go along with this transition into adolescence such as, "Am I Normal?" and their views about appropriate sex roles (Havighurst) will find this guide very useful and informative. Due to the graphic illustrations and subject matter, it is definitely recommended that careful consideration be given as to the age and maturity of the students viewing this book.
Other books by Robie H. Harris: Who We Are!, What's So Yummy?, It's So Amazing, Who's In My Family?, Who Has What?, Maybe A Bear Ate It!
Book Trailer: It's Perfectly Normal
It's Perfectly Normal Reviews: http://robieharris.com/?page_id=186#reviews
It's Perfectly Normal Teacher Guide: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiesZjCpcHSAhUi34MKHRoMDEIQFggkMAI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.candlewick.com%2Fbook_files%2F0763626104.mis.1.pdf&usg=AFQjCNGdRAhdKU36EO1VE3bJXoC5qJKUKw&sig2=aA2ma4JQBnBFBAKI93m3Sw
Monster
Myers, W. D.(2015). Monster. NY. Harper, Collins Publishers.
"Sometimes it feels like I have walked into a movie." This is one of the constant thoughts that haunt 16 year-old Steve Harmon. On trial as an accomplice to a murder, this novel is written from his perspective in a journal he keeps in the form of a filmscript. This is how he is able to cope while being jailed in a Manhattan Detention Center. The novel focuses on how the decisions Steve (a young African-American male) has made have led him to his incarceration and trial for murder. The author's use of a combination of journal and filmscript format writing allows the reader to become involved not only in the court proceedings, but in the thoughts and questions that plague Steve while in jail. Young adults between the ages of 14 and 18 years old will be able to relate to the main character's expression of his many feelings, including that of helplessness, islolation, and the need to believe that we are basically good people who may make bad decisions that have serious consequences. There are many lessons to be gained from reading this novel, especially those dealing with the development of morals and values (Havighurst Developmental Stages) and our changing relationships with our peers, and parents. Through the readings of Steve's questions from his journal writing, we see the conflict he faces between the different views of conforming to society's moral values and rules (Kholberg's Theory). Perhaps, one of the most powerful lines in the novel is when Steve begins to question how his father's perception of him has changed: "It's like a man looking down to see his son and seeing a monster instead." Although Steve is found innocent at the end, the reader is left with questions about his innocence, as does Steve who questions who he really is.
Other books by Walter Dean Myers: Juba! A Novel, On A Clear Day. Invasion, During & Twing, Tags, Just White: Here's How! All The Rights Stuff, Carmen, Kick, Dope Sick, Amiri and Odette, Sunrise Over Fallujah, What They Found: Love on 145th Street, Street Love, Shooter, the Beast.
"Sometimes it feels like I have walked into a movie." This is one of the constant thoughts that haunt 16 year-old Steve Harmon. On trial as an accomplice to a murder, this novel is written from his perspective in a journal he keeps in the form of a filmscript. This is how he is able to cope while being jailed in a Manhattan Detention Center. The novel focuses on how the decisions Steve (a young African-American male) has made have led him to his incarceration and trial for murder. The author's use of a combination of journal and filmscript format writing allows the reader to become involved not only in the court proceedings, but in the thoughts and questions that plague Steve while in jail. Young adults between the ages of 14 and 18 years old will be able to relate to the main character's expression of his many feelings, including that of helplessness, islolation, and the need to believe that we are basically good people who may make bad decisions that have serious consequences. There are many lessons to be gained from reading this novel, especially those dealing with the development of morals and values (Havighurst Developmental Stages) and our changing relationships with our peers, and parents. Through the readings of Steve's questions from his journal writing, we see the conflict he faces between the different views of conforming to society's moral values and rules (Kholberg's Theory). Perhaps, one of the most powerful lines in the novel is when Steve begins to question how his father's perception of him has changed: "It's like a man looking down to see his son and seeing a monster instead." Although Steve is found innocent at the end, the reader is left with questions about his innocence, as does Steve who questions who he really is.
Other books by Walter Dean Myers: Juba! A Novel, On A Clear Day. Invasion, During & Twing, Tags, Just White: Here's How! All The Rights Stuff, Carmen, Kick, Dope Sick, Amiri and Odette, Sunrise Over Fallujah, What They Found: Love on 145th Street, Street Love, Shooter, the Beast.
Book Trailer: Monster
Teacher Resources:
Walter Myers web page: http://walterdeanmyers.net/
Teacher Guide: http://www.uplifteducation.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=8029&dataid=19501&FileName=FinalExamStudyGuide.pdf
The Knife of Never Letting Go
Noise. What would you do if you could hear everyone's thoughts, and everyone could hear your thoughts? Would you crave a moment of silence as does Todd Hewitt, the thirteen year-old protagonist of this young adult science-fiction novel. Full of interesting characters, good and bad, this novel centers around the idea of not blindly trusting or believing everything your told without being able to question what you are told to believe. Todd is about to reach manhood (at the age of thirteen) when he is confronted by the terrible hidden truths surrounding the colony, Prentisstown, in the New World he lives in. To survive, he must escape, along with a young girl he meets, Viola, and his faithful dog, Manchee (whose thoughts he can also hear) to a new safe place, Haven. Along the way, Todd must deal with difficult and dangerous situations. More importantly, he must make difficult and life-changing decisions that will haunt him till the end. Due to the many violent situations vividly detailed, this novel would be more appropriate for older young adults between the ages of 14-18 years old. The author's vivid use of imagery and non-stop action, makes the storyline move very quickly. Todd's struggle to "come of age" from adolescence to manhood allows the reader to see his development and acceptance (Kholberg's Theory) of the morals and values thrusted upon him by his community. A thrilling read and great first book from the Chaos Walking series.
Other books by Patrick Ness: Monster of Men, The Ask and the Answer, A Monster Calls, The Crane Wife, The Rest of Us Just Live Here.
Book Trailer: The Knife of Never Letting Go
Teacher Resources:
Patrick Ness web page: http://patrickness.com/
Teacher Guide
Gabi: A Girl in Pieces
Quintero, I. (2014). Gabi: A girl in pieces, TX: Cinco Puntos Press.
What makes us who we are? Is it the color of our skin, the language we speak, how we dress, our customs and traditions? Gabi Hernandez, a young Mexican-American girl, constantly questions everything, especially her body image. She finds solace in her journal writing and through her poetry. Gabi has a lot to deal with during her senior year in high school: Her identity crisis (Mexican/White), her self-esteem, her friends' (Cindy and Sebastian) problems and situations, and especially her father's drug addiction which weighs heavily over her family. As she slowly finds answers to her many questions, Gabi begins to gain more confidence and finally realizes that it is important to accept ourselves the way we are, and to accept and celebrate our heritage and all the experiences in life that make us unique and stronger. The topics of sex, homosexuality, drug addiction, and suicide make this novel more appropriate for young adults between the ages of 14-18 years old. The many references to the "dichos", traditions and customs expressed in the Mexican-American culture made me connect with the female protagonist of this novel, having also been raised in this culture. Growing up on a border town, I also remembered being questioned about my loyalty to my Mexican culture and my loyalty to my birth nation, the United States. It did seem as though I was truly caught in the middle of two worlds. Gabi's questions about her relationships with the opposite sex, peers, and parents (Havighurst Development), is something many young adults will be able to relate to. It is not easy for a young adult to try and conform to his/her family's and society's conventions of right and wrong. Gabi's experiences, told through humor and anecdotes, make this novel quite enjoyable to read.
Other books by Isabel Quintero: El Viejo Emigrante, Ugly Cat & Pablo.
Book Trailer: Gabi: A Girl In Pieces
Teacher Resources:
Persepolis
Satrapi, M. (2004) Persepolis. NY: Pantheon
Although written in a graphic comic format, this is the wonderful memoir of Marjane Satrapi, a young Iranian woman who writes and illustrates what her childhood was like growing up in Iran's most troubling times. The story follows Marjane's life from the age of a young child of six years to her early teen years. She graphically details her daily life in Iran and what it was like to grow up in a country where women's rights were practically non-existent (she is forced to wear a veil in school). As a child, she witnesses many atrocities committed to her people by her own government. She is a bright and observant child that loves to read, but her family suffers from the lack of freedom of expression that is evident during these times in Iran. Although heartbroken, her family decides to send her to Austria to study. The illustrations, although very simply drawn, are quite graphic and vividly portray Marjane's many difficult experiences. Due to the topics of violence, torture, and the use of some obscene language, this graphic comic may be more appropriate for young adults between the ages of 14-18 years old. It is a difficult time and place in which Marjane has to grow up and mature, but her relationships with her parents and family, and her exposure to such difficult and tragic events
Although written in a graphic comic format, this is the wonderful memoir of Marjane Satrapi, a young Iranian woman who writes and illustrates what her childhood was like growing up in Iran's most troubling times. The story follows Marjane's life from the age of a young child of six years to her early teen years. She graphically details her daily life in Iran and what it was like to grow up in a country where women's rights were practically non-existent (she is forced to wear a veil in school). As a child, she witnesses many atrocities committed to her people by her own government. She is a bright and observant child that loves to read, but her family suffers from the lack of freedom of expression that is evident during these times in Iran. Although heartbroken, her family decides to send her to Austria to study. The illustrations, although very simply drawn, are quite graphic and vividly portray Marjane's many difficult experiences. Due to the topics of violence, torture, and the use of some obscene language, this graphic comic may be more appropriate for young adults between the ages of 14-18 years old. It is a difficult time and place in which Marjane has to grow up and mature, but her relationships with her parents and family, and her exposure to such difficult and tragic events
lead her to an awakening of the morals and values that a person must abide to (Kohlberg's Theory). A simple format that is full of history and social awareness that will also awaken many opinions and views in the reader. Looking forward to reading, Persepolis 2.
Other books by Marjane Satrapi: Persepolis 2, The Sigh, Embroideries,Chicken with Plums, The Voices.
Book Trailer: Persepolis
Teacher Resources:
No comments:
Post a Comment