THE FAULT IN OUR STARS New York Times Bestseller

Green, J. (2012). The fault in our stars. New York: Penguin Group.

Hazel is diagnosed with terminal cancer. After her doctor tells her mother she is suffering from depression and needs to go to a support group.  While at support group she meets a boy, Augustus, who also has cancer.  Augustus uses his wish to take Hazel to Amsterdam to meet the author of the book that started their friendship.  They discover a remarkable bond and fall in love. Hazel seems to have found lasting happiness, but is devastated when Augustus surrenders to his cancer. Hazel stays with him until the end.  At the end Hazel gets the eulogy Augustus wrote and sent to Peter Van Houten, which showed up at Gus’ funeral.  Although Hazel has lost Augustus, she knows at the end of the story that she has experienced a once in a lifetime true love.

A realistic romantic love story is intended for middle school and older. It provides a view of life as a young lady with cancer. Readers will empathize with Hazel and Augustus as teens who spend more time with doctors than with friends from school. More great reads like The Fault In Our Stars, Eleanor & Park by R. Rowell or The Perks of Being a Wallflower by S. Chbosky.

Image of  The fault in our stars.(n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2016, from http://www.amazon.com/

If I Stay NYT Best Seller

Forman, G. (2009). If I stay: A novel. New York: Dutton Books.

A seventeen year old girl named Mia is a very talented cellist. She has everything she could ever want, a loving family, an adoring boyfriend, an amazing best friend, and an amazing career ahead of her in music. All of that changes suddenly as she goes on a day trip with her family. As they are driving a truck hits the families’ car killing both parents and seriously injuring her and her brother, Teddy. Mia believes she is dead as she has an outer body experience observing the crash and everything around her. At the hospital Mia comes out of surgery and placed in the ICU where her grandparents, friends, and boyfriend Adam visit. As she watched everything around her she tried to determine whether she will stay in this world and suffer the pain of not having her family or go with her family who has died. Ultimately she realizes what could be ahead and decides to live. At the end of the story she decides to stay and it leads to the next story.

A fantastic follow up book to If I Stay would be Where She Went.  If you want to know what happens after Mia stays read Where She Went that is told from Mia's old boyfriend, Adam's, point of view on where they are now. Also another good book would be The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder a fiction about the collapse of a bridge in Peru. This book should be for high school students.
Image of  If I Stay.(n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2016, from http://www.amazon.com/ 

Looking For Alaska

Green, J. (2005). Looking for Alaska: A novel. New York: Dutton Children's Books.

Sixteen year old Miles Halter leaves home in Florida to attend Culver Creek boarding school in Alabama. He is determined to find his Great Perhaps away from his parents. He meets Chip, the Colonel, which gives him the nickname Pudge.  His life at Culver Creek is completely different from what he was used to back home. Miles meets a group of friends, Colonel, Alaska Young, Takumi and Lara, (a foreign exchange student) that help him discover what he was looking for. He experiences many new things one of which is falling in love with Alaska, a beautiful and carefree girl.  The group of friends pull a prank, which leads to a game they play best day/worse day.  They find out some personal things about each other.  The story starts one hundred thirty-six days before, and ends one hundred thirty six days after the death of Alaska Young. Miles and his friends are determined to uncover what really caused Alaska’s terrible accident. At the end of the story Miles is doing his finally exam for his religion class and realizes his Great Perhaps in this world. 

The friends’ journey is a great example of the emotional and social development of young adult friends. The characters are frequently pushing the boundaries between what is "right" by other people standards and what is right for them.  Due to some mature content such as drinking, smoking, drug use, and sexual content this book should only be included in a high school level. Looking for Alaska is in the New York Best Seller list. Recommend reading Fault in Our Stars by John Green and Glass Sword by Victoria Averyard

Image of Looking for Alaska.(n.d.). Retrieved March 20, 2016, from http://www.amazon.com/ 

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

Angleberger, T. (2010). The strange case of Origami Yoda. New York, NY: Amulet Books.
Dwight is a strange middle school boy, who has a way with origami. Yoda is a paper puppet made by Dwight but soon his friends and classmates begin to realize Yoda may possess special abilities after all.  Yoda is suddenly able to predict pop quizzes and help people avoid embarrassing water spots. Yoda and Dwight might actually be using "The Force".   In a series of short stories from kids at school, Tommy investigates cases where origami Yoda was involved.  At the end of the story it was the monthly PTA dance, Outer Space Fun Night, Tommy was worried should he ask Sara to dance or not. Well when the song the twist comes on he didn’t even have to ask, only a handful knew how to dance the twist and Tommy was one of the handful along with Sara.

This story is for 3-8^th grades.  Fans of Origami Yoda will probably enjoy Darth Paper Strikes Back, also by Angleberger.

Image of The Strange Case of the Origami Yoda..(n.d.). Retrieved March 17, 2016, from http://www.amazon.com/ 

Liar & Spy

Stead, R. (2012). Liar & spy. New York: Wendy Lamb Books

Georges moves into a new apartment in a new place he doesn't really likes, mostly because he has no friends.  His dad lost his job and they had to sell the house.  Georges is somewhat of a nerdy kid and it is hard for him to meet new people, so when Safer and his sister Candy, two kids in his building invites him to be a part of his Spy Club he accepts. Throughout the story Georges and his mom communicates by using Scrabble-tiles. Georges’ first assignment as a spy is to spy on a man in their building. Georges begins to question the motives of those around him.  After discovering that Safer has lied about Mr. X, George is determined to confront him and the other kids who have been bullying him at school. Georges’ mom gets an infection and Georges and his dad goes to see mom in the hospital.  After dealing with their differences, Georges helps Safer deal with his own fears in life by making a list.

Liar & Spy is a great read for students in grades 4-7. The book has a theme of friendship, lies and truth that will help students doing a book study by making predictions based on clues in the text.  This story deals with issues that young adults might deal with in school, such as bullying, and standing up for themselves.

Recommend follow up reading Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja by Marcus Emerson and Spy Factory #1: My School is a Spy Factory by Steven Stickler

Image of Liar & Spy..(n.d.). Retrieved March 17, 2016, from http://www.amazon.com/ 

Winger

Smith, A. (2013). Winger. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster.
Ryan Dean West is a fourteen year old starting his junior year off on the wrong foot At Pine Mountain.  He's living in Opportunity Hall, the dorm for trouble makers, his roommate is one of the biggest bully on campus, Chase Becker. Ryan was place at this dorm because he hacked into a teacher's cell phone account. He does have good friends who eventually help his life get on good footing.  One thing Ryan always looked forward to was spending time with his best friend Annie, whom he had fallen in love with.  Annie finally starts thinking of him as more than just a kid, rugby is in full swing. That's when the bottom falls out and his friend Joey is beaten to death for being gay.  At the end of the story Ryan talks to the police about the death of Joey and about the two boys that killed him.  Ryan is shocked by the lost but finds solace with his friends around him. 
 

Winger is recommended to readers in grades 9 & up because of the mature language and violence.  Readers are sure to relate to the characters with issues of friendship, loss, and love.

Recommend read: Boy 21 by Matthew Quick and We Were Here by Matt De La Pena

Image of Winger..(n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2016, from http://www.amazon.com/ 

Book Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ux35quSH4lk

Reality Boy

King, A.S. (2013).  Reality boy.  NY:  Little Brown. 
Gerald "the Crapper" became a reality star at the young age of 5 by defecating everywhere in his house while being filmed on Network Nanny reality show.  Gerald tries desperately to shake the childhood memories and control his anger which is often sparked by his psychopathic older sister, Tasha. He did not have any friends and did not like his life.  While working at PEC he met Hannah who also worked there.  Their friendship turned into boyfriend/girlfriend.  Hannah helps him realize how great their lives could be together.  At the end of the story Gerald and his dad move to a new place to live and they start a “freeing” relationship. 

A interesting realistic fiction that I would recommend to high school teens because of the mature language and sexual content.  I think teachers could use this book for a lesson on bullying.  Gerald was being bullied by his sister and kids at school.  It shows how someone who is being bullied thinks about themselves.  Also how positive relationships can change their outlook on their selves.  Reality boy is a strong story of self-healing and reflection.  

Recommend reads Everybody Sees the Ants and Ask the Passengers by A.S. King

Image of Reality boy.(n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2016, from http://www.amazon.com/ 

Doll Bones

Black, H. (2013). Doll bones. NY: Margaret K. Elderry Books. 

Doll Bones is the story of Zachary "Zach" Barlow, Alice Magnaye, and Poppy Bell's quest to return a haunted doll to its proper grave site in another town. Alice, Poppy, and Zach have wild imaginations and love telling stories while they play.  Zach quits playing after his father scolds him for being too old to play make believe and throws out his action figures. Alice and Poppy show up saying that they have been cursed by a china doll. The doll is made from the bones and ashes of a dead girl named Eleanor Kerchner who wants to be returned to her proper grave.  The three friends break into the closed library where they research the cemetery and accidentally spend the night when they all fall asleep. They are woken by Miss Katherine, a young librarian who makes them call their parents. The friends vow to find the doll, and complete the quest. The friends escape and Zach finds the doll in a ladies' restroom near a display of Lukas Kerchner's exotic pottery. Zach learns about Eleanor's father and her mysterious disappearance. He tells the girls the truth about the action figures and runs off into the cemetery where he lays sobs uncontrollably by the stone of the Kerchner family. They bury the doll.  As the three friends leave the cemetery, they promise to one another to keep the Story alive.

This story is recommend for young adults in grades 6-8.  Readers might also relate if they have been told to grow up and stop make-believing like the characters in the book. Recommend reading might be Inside Out & Back Again by Tranhha Lai or Paperboy by Vince Vawter

Image of Doll bones.(n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2016, from http://www.amazon.com/ 

Period 8

Crutcher, C. (2013). Period.8. NY: Greenwillow Books. 

One of the students at his high school has gone missing, Mary Wells and Paul Bomb realizes that his “safe” place, Period 8, is not so safe. Period 8 is a time that the students can talk about their problems, concerns and thing that bother them. The one safe haven, where the truth can come out. Hannah, Paul’s ex-girlfriend just broke up with him over another girl. It seems as though everyone is hiding something. Mr. Logs, teacher, coach and confidant tries to help the kids work things out. When Paulie and Mr. Logs come close to discovering his secret, they are chased by a group of men who try to hurt them. Then it seems as everyone is in danger. It turns out that one of their own, Arney and Rankin, a crooked cop are behind it all. At the end of the story, Mary Wells, the so called missing student thinks about calling home but she changes her mind. 

This was a great mystery, thriller that I think would be exciting for ages 16 and up, due to mature language and sexual content. This book is a perfect example of contemporary realistic fiction.  This book kept me on the edge and I couldn’t put it down once I started it.  

Image of Period.8.(n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2016, from http://www.amazon.com/ 

George

Gino, A. (2015). George. NY: Scholastic.

George, by Alex Gino, is a novel that tells the story of a boy that knows he is not a boy.  George can only be Melissa in the afternoon before his mom or brother gets home.  Melissa can come out and look at girlie magazine, brush her hair and dream of being herself.  When George decides to try out for the lead role in the school play Charlotte’s Web. George’s best friend, Kelly understands George and comes up with a plan that George can be Charlotte. After her performance, Ms Maldonado, the principal tells him that he did a great job.  At the end of the story Kelly and George (Melissa) get ready for their big day out and they go to the Bronx Zoo.

This was a hard book to read because of the struggles George was going through.  This book could be very important for students who are struggling with their identity or have siblings that are struggling.  It is for mature audience, maybe middle or high school campus.

Image of George.(n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2016, from http://www.amazon.com/ 

Brown Girl Dreaming

Woodson, J. (2014). Brown Girl Dreaming. NY: Nancy Paulsen Books

Brown Girl Dreaming tells about the life of Jacqueline Woodson who was born in 1963, right in the middle of the Civil Rights strife and is stuck between two worlds. She was born in Ohio and was raised in South Carolina and New York and never really feels at home in either place. So she tells her story of what it was like to grow up an African American girl during the 1960s and 1970s. The poems are full of emotion and give us a look into Jacqueline heart and soul as see struggles to find herself. She is not a good reader or writer, but she loves to write her stories. When she shares her stories with her teacher, her teacher tells her that she is a writer.

This is a wonderful autobiography that brings the Civil Rights marches and that time in history real. I liked the fact that it was told through Jacqueline’s poetry. It brings poetry into reading in a different way than students are used to. I think that Brown Girl Dreaming would be good for students who says they do not like poetry. 

Image of Brown Girl Dreaming.(n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2016, from http://www.amazon.com/ 

Persepolis

Sartrapi, M. (2004).  Persepolis.  NY: Pantheon.  

Persepolis is the story of Marjane Satrapi’s life in Iran during the Islamic Revolution.  Her parents realize that Iran is not the place they want their daughter to grow up in.  Marjane grew up in Iran just as things started getting bad. In her school, students were segregated by gender lines, women's rights receded, and family members were executed simply because they were suspected to be spies. They send her to live at a boarding school in Vienna.  Because of her independent personality this is not a good fit for her. She tells the story of the devastation she witnessed during the Iran/Iraq war. She is witty and says what she thinks. She ends up homeless and sick.  When she overcomes this she moves back to Iran and gets married.  While there she is still unhappy.  In the end she spends time with her grandmother says her goodbyes and never returns to Iran. She takes her grandmothers heritage with her.

This book would be great for a lesson on ways other countries live and the struggles they face during war.  Students could compare life in Iran for a teenager to life in United States. The problems that Marjane faced are problems that some people face on a daily basis.  It gives students a look into the harsh realities that people in other countries suffer through even today.  I recommend this book for children between grades 6-12.  Other books like this one Persepolis 2 by Marjane Satrapi and Maus, Vol 1 My Father Bleeds History by Art Spiegelman

Image of Persepolis.(n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2016, from http://www.amazon.com/ 

Gabi: A Girl in Pieces

Quintero, I. (2014). Gabi: A girl in pieces. TX: Cinco Puntos

Gabi Hernandez is keeping a diary of everything that is happening her senior year in high school.  Gabi’s best friend and her mother is pregnant, her best guy friend told his parents he was gay and they threw him out of the house. Gabi’s life isn’t perfect either, her dad is an addict.   A long with everything going on Gabi faces body issues since she is overweight but Gabi does not let this get in her way.  Somehow Gabi finds the good in her life and keeps a positive outlook. She enjoys writing poetry and the chance to express herself that it gives her. It comes time for Gabi to make her decision is she going to go to college and follow her dreams or stay at home like her culture typically does.  In the end Gabi is leaving to go to college.

I recommend this book for grades 10-12.  Read a likes Girls Like Us by Gail Giles or How It Went Down by Kekla Magoon.

Image of Gabi: A girl in pieces.(n.d.). Retrieved March 12, 2016, from http://www.amazon.com/ 

The Knife of Never Letting Go

Ness, P.  (2008). The knife of never letting go.  Boston, MA:  Candlewick Press.  

Todd Hewitt lives in Prentisstown.   He is the only boy left in a town of men infected with a germ called, Noise, which allows everyone to hear your thoughts.  Todd goes for a walk and finds a place where he doesn’t here a thing, the quiet place.  Todd goes tells his foster parents about the place, They tell him that he has to leave Prentisstown with his faithful dog with the men in pursuit of him.  While trying to escape he runs into Viola, who is the soul survivor of a crash landing on the new world.  The two are trying to get away and face many obstacles along the way.   When they get to Haven they were surprised to find Mayor Prentiss from Prentisstown. The town is empty. At the end of the story Viola kills Aaron.  The book ends because this is the first book of a series.

 I would recommend this book to high school student.  I thought it was a highly exciting book to read, throughout the book I had to stop and reread because I was lost.  I thoroughly enjoyed the pervasive theme of survival all through the book.  I would recommend the follow-up books:  The Ask and the Answer as well as Monsters of Men.  After reading The knife of never letting go I had to read the other two books so I would know what happened to Todd and Viola.

Image of The knife of never letting go.(n.d.). Retrieved March 12, 2016, from http://www.amazon.com/ 

Monster

Myers, W. D. (1999). Monster. NY: Harper.

In this story we are presented with the weird life of Steve Harmon. Felony murder is not something most sixteen year old boys deal with, but that is what Steve Harmon is charged with.  Steve can only be comprehended the trial as being a movie played out before his eyes.  He seems to be experiencing it all in the third person, out of body, with little to no way to cope with this unbelievably stressful situation. When everyone else involved in the murder is convicted it seems almost impossible that Steve will go free.  In the film script of his life we see the anguish of his mother, the disbelief of his father and experience the disparaging remarks of the prosecutor’s brutal words, painting him as a monster.  When he receives a verdict of not-guilty it is more than Steve can believe.   

I found it all the more powerful, being that it was written in this format.  It added to the drama and suspense.  I could not imagine living through a situation like this:  the hopelessness, the alienation, the disappointment of loved ones. Monster has quite a bit of mature content.  This book should be recommend for the more mature student, grades 9-12.   It would offer a unique perspective on what being convicted of a crime must feel like, giving rise to powerful discussion.  Readers of this might also enjoy The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer.

Image of Monster.(n.d.). Retrieved March 12, 2016, from http://www.amazon.com/ 

It's Perfectly Normal

Harris, R. (2009). It’s perfectly normal. Boston, MA: Candlewick Press

It's Perfectly Normal is a short book dealing with all normal aspects of sexuality in the human life.  It is geared towards kids to let them know what their body is going through or might be going through soon. The book is divided into 6 different parts.  Each of those parts are broken down into more specific areas of each part.   It is complete with several anatomically correct drawings and stages people go through, descriptions of changes, how to handle them and how long some of the changes take.   Some of the chapters are on:  puberty, the body, decisions, families and babies and staying healthy.  There is also a running side line conversation between a bird and a bee that talks about misconceptions, definitions of words and feelings the reader may be having.  

This book is very realistic and covers a topic everyone will have to know about.  I would have found it helpful to see a book such as this during puberty or when I was telling my children about sex and their body. I think nurses and counselors could use this book to help with small groups and for instructional purposes.  Intended for grades 5-12.   I recommended follow-up books are Changing Bodies, Changing Lives by R. Bell and It’s So Amazing! A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families by Robie Harris  

Image of It's perfectly normal..(n.d.). Retrieved March 12, 2016, from http://www.amazon.com/ 

Annie on My Mind

Garden, N. (1982). Annie on my mind. NY: FSG
Liza Winthrop and Annie Kenyon meet at the museum and quickly become friends.  Their relationship deepens turns into more than friendship.  Despite their worries of disappointing or hurting their families, they continue onward with their relationship going into territory that neither girl has had any experience with.  While her teachers are on vacation, Liza takes care of their cats.  Having the place alone she invites Annie over.  The two girls are caught together and the teachers lose their jobs. In the end, Liza realizes that Annie is more important to her.  

This was a hard book for me to read. It took me several days to read this book. This book is intended for grades 10- 12.   People that like this book might enjoy Keeping You a Secret by Julie Anne Peters and Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth. Books like this one can give young girls the courage to except how they feel.  Liza is at war with how she feels and what she thinks she should feel.  

Image of Annie on my mind.(n.d.). Retrieved March 12, 2016, from http://www.amazon.com/ 

El Deafo

Bell, C. (2014). El Deafo. NY: Abrams

This graphic novel is about a little girl who becomes sick with meningitis.  She loses her hearing because of her sickness.  She gets to go to a special school for children that are deaf.  She has to wear a Phoinc Ear, which CeCe is embarrassed to wear.  At the special school CeCe is taught to read people’s lips.    At the end of the year the family has to move from the big city to a small town.  CeCe notices that her Phonic Ear lets her hear things she should not hear.  Cece uses her Phonic Ear to turn herself into a Superhero names El Deafo.  El Deafo is the superhero that can hear everything with her Phonic Ear.  Everyone at school finds out that CeCe can hear everything they think it is awesome.

I would recommend this book for students in 4^th -6^th grade that is going through something that makes them feel different or an outsider. The strength of this book is that it lets children know that just because you are not “normal”, it is ok. There is always something that makes you unique and there is more important things than being “normal.” Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson, and Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holm can be excellent for follow up reading or lessons. Lessons that might come from reading El Deafo can be that Cece can relate to anyone who might have an impairment. 

Image of El Deafo.(n.d.). Retrieved March 12, 2016, from http://www.amazon.com/ 

Speak

Anderson, L. H. (1999). Speak. NY: Penguin

Melinda Sordino attended a party with her friends and ended up calling the cops because she was afraid.  As she enters high school, Melinda is an outcast because of her actions at the end of the summer party.  All of her friends have abandoned her, believing she was out of her mind for calling the cops and breaking up the party.  They have no idea what she went through that night beening raped by Andy Evans.  She is alone, and her lips are sealed. Melinda struggles socially, academically, and mentally, but she finds shelter in Mr. Freeman's art class. Mr. Freeman seems to be the only one who notices something is actually wrong and bothering Melinda.  Melinda is given the assignment of turning a tree into a piece of art.  Melinda reminds herself that what happened to her was not her fault as she begins to stand up for herself and speak.

Speak is an excellent young adult book for any girl who has been the victim of rape. Speak is for ages 12- 18 years old.   The potential for healing through Melinda’s eyes. Girls will hopefully begin to realize they can speak up for themselves and begin to heal.  Melinda exhibits behaviors of a rape victim, grief, shame anxiety, lack of interest and trouble in school.    If you like Speak, I might also recommend  The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobksy or Dreamland by Sarah Desson.  The strength of this story is a realistic novel that in the end Melinda stands up for herself, This book could also be used to explore different themes, including: social & family issues, sexual abuse, depression & mental illness, and growing up.

Image of Speak.(n.d.). Retrieved March 12, 2016, from http://www.amazon.com/ 

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian

Alexie, S. (2007). The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian. NY: Little Brown.

Junior’s real name was Arnold Spirit, Jr., Junior lives on the Spokane Reservation with his parents and grandmother.  When Mr. P, Junior's geometry teacher, recognizes hope in Junior's future, he advises him to leave the poverty and isolation of the reservation and attend high school in Reardan, the nearest all-white high school.  This causes problems with his fellow Indians, especially his friend Rowdy, who starts mistreating him.  Being the only Indian at Reardan High School, Junior also gets picked on by a jock named Roger.  Junior stands up to Roger and punches him in the nose.  Roger begins to respect Junior and they become friends.  In the end Junior and Rowdy make peace with each other through a game of basketball.  Though Junior had a horrific year losing his grandmother and a stressful freshman year, Junior finally finds his true self by balancing between two worlds.

This book is appropriate for 9^th grade and up.  If you like this book I recommend Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher and True Believer (Make Lemonade, #2) by Virginia Euwer Wolff.  The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian delivers a relatable message of perseverance, reminding its readers to rise above limitations the world may put on them.  This book could also be used to explore several different themes, including: bullying, friendship, sportsmanship, alcoholism, death and grief, and controlling one's future.

Image of The Absolutely tree diary of a part-time Indian.(n.d.). Retrieved March 12, 2016, from http://www.amazon.com/