The Great American Dust Bowl (Great Graphic Novels for Teens)

Brown, D. (2013). The great American dust bowl. NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Recommended Age: 4th grade +

Summary:  The nonfiction graphic novel tells the story of the Dark Thirties, a time in history were there were many struggles.  People over farmed the plains, which caused damage to the land.  Nothing would grow.  For years, the wind carried the dust and dirt across the country.  Many people and animals died due to suffocation or dirt in their lungs. After years of punishment, people began to recuperate.  Grass and trees were planted to hold down the top soil and stop the wind erosion.  

This book contain actual picture that were taken during this time in history.  It also contains a "Selected Bibliography" and "Source Notes" section at the end of the book.  This historical fiction gives readers an idea what living through this disaster felt like.

Resources:

http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.ilfonline.org/resource/resmgr/2015-16_Intermediate_Grade_Resources/GreatAm.DustBowl-Final.pdf

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XpaJBMWd-8GaPmMBPHjHL7yPUjJbVIU7UMBEnUf8i-Q/edit

Period 8 by Chris Crutcher

(Spoiler Alert)

Crutcher, C. (2013). Period 8.  NY: Harper Collins.

Recommended age: 14+

Summary: Paul Baum is a long distance swimmer.  He is honest to a fault.  He admits to his girlfriend that he cheated.  There is much more to the story, but she doesn't want to hear it.  Paulie struggles with his actions, because his dad is a perpetual cheat.  He knows that he is nothing like his father.  He is full of guilt about the whole situation.   Mr. Logsdon is his teacher for Period 8, his mentor, and his swim practice partner.  Period 8 any conversation goes, but what is discussed in Period 8 stays in there.  However, everything is not how is seems.  An upstanding student named Mary goes missing.  Mary is the one that forced herself on to Paulie.  Then the student body president begins to act even more unusual.  In the end, it is uncovered that the student body president, Arnie, some people in high places in town, and even a local police officer were running a sex ring using vulnerable high school girls.  With the help of Mr. Logsdon, Paulie is able to save his girlfriend and take down the sex ring.  

Response: Due to the topic and the language of this book, it could easily be challenged if used in the classroom.  It is very well written.  I was drawn in to the mystery and the action.  Usually, I can figure out where the author is taking the story.  This book was not the case.  I couldn't figure out all the twists in the plot until Crutcher unraveled them for me.  This book takes on the idea of telling the truth and the theory that hormones/biology trump good intentions. It shows that there are really good people out there who can get into some bad situations.  Also, Mr. Logsdon is an example of an archetype.

Gabi, A girl in pieces

(Spoiler Alert)

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

Recommended age: 14+

Summary: Gabi Hernandez is a senior in high school.  As a Mexican American girl, she struggles with her relationship with her mother and who her mother and her culture tells her she should be.  Gabi has so many things going on in her life.  Her father is a meth addict, who is in and out of her family's home.  He even overdoses (dies), and Gabi finds him. Gabi has weight issues, but loves food. Her two best friends also bring in major issues.  One is raped and gets pregnant.  The other is gay.  He comes out to his family and is kicked out of his home. Gabi faces her own ideas of sexuality and relationships.  She wants to go to college, but doesn't believe she is good enough.  Her poetry and friendship/relationships help her to gain confidence in the end.  At the end of the book, she has been accepted to the college of her choice, Berkeley.  She is in love with a wonderful guy, who she loses her virginity to on prom night. Gabi is finally hopeful for her future and has gained self confidence.

Response: This book holds nothing back.  It hits just about every controversial issue it can: teen pregnancy, rape, drug addiction, being gay, abortion, relationships (boy/girl, boy/boy, mother/daughter, friend/friend), family dynamics, religion, being overweight, self esteem... It also shows how writing, poetry in particular, can be an outlet for the stress and struggles of growing up.  This book would be useful to see the perception of a Mexican American teen.  It would also be useful in the classroom to tie in poetry, journal entries, and fiction stories together for a unit of study.

Resources: http://www.cincopuntos.com/files/gabi_a-girl-in-pieces_teachers_guide.pdf

https://teachinglatinamericathroughliterature.wordpress.com/september-2015-gabi-a-girl-in-pieces/

Doll Bones by Holly Black

(Spoiler Alert)

Black, H (2013). Doll bones. NY: Simon & Schuster.

Recommended age: 4th grade +

Summary: Zach, Poppy, and Alice have been friends forever. They play imaginative games using dolls/action figures.  These games center around a bone china doll they call "The Queen."  She resides in a cabinet, and the children are not allowed to touch her at all.  As they enter middle school, Zach's father decides that he is too old for toys.  He throws all of Zach's loved toys in to the trash, ending the game forever, or so he thought.  Poppy begins having dreams about the doll and realizes that the doll is possessed. The doll was made with the bones of a young girl who died.  Inside the doll are the ashes of her remains.  Poppy and her friend go on an adventure to a near by town to bury the doll. Their quick over night trip turns into an adventure that they will never forget.  In the end, the three are able to bury the doll in her empty grave next to her father in the cemetery, and hold on to their long time friendship.

Response;  This book was a decent book, but not one of my favorites.  It didn't hold my attention as well as many of the others I have recently read.  However, it was a bit creepy and one my older elementary students would enjoy. It is full of action and mystery.  It leaves you wondering until the very end if the doll is truly possessed or if Poppy is making it all up.
This book would be good to use as a demonstration of plot in a story.

Similar books:
Coraline by Neil Gaiman, The Egypt Game, by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, by E.L. Konigsburg
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, by Joan Aiken
The Doll in the Garden, by Mary Downing Hanh
The House with a Clock in its Walls, by John Bellairs
Harriet the Spy, by Louise Fitzhugh

There is a link on Holly Black's website for reading guides for her books.  At the time of my posting this, the link was down.  http://blackholly.com/for-booksellers/reading-guides/

The Absolute True Diary of a Part Time Indian

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

Recommended age: 13+

Summary: Arnold "Junior" Spirit is a bright young freshman.  He is unhappy with his life on the reservation.  The school is completely sub par. Most of this family and friends are alcoholics.  There is little hope for the children who live there.  They all know that they will most likely grow up and follow the same path as the rest of the people on the Rez.  Junior takes the courageous step to go to the neighboring school 20+ miles away; the white school.  With this decision, Junior faces racism from the people at the new school and must deal with the fallout from his friends and other members of the reservation.  Along with all of this stress, Junior was born with hydrocephalus.  He stutters, has a lisp, and is small for his age.  He gets through all of this by drawing cartoons.  In the end, he proves himself to the members of his high school and the members of the reservation.

Response: I was surprised at some of the candid conversation between Junior and his friends.  The reality is that boys have conversations and thought of a sexual nature at that age.  Overall, I enjoyed the book.  One of the strengths is that the main character is a Native American.  There are very few books that are written from this point of view.  It also deals with racism, which is still prevalent today.  By overcoming obstacles, Junior teaches readers no matter where you come from or what you are facing not to give up; don't give in to despair.  Keep fighting for change.

Resources:
http://www.shmoop.com/absolutely-true-diary-part-time-indian/teaching.html

http://libwww.freelibrary.org/onebook/obop11/0_Absolutely_True_Diary_Curriculum_full.pdf

Wonder (NYT bestseller)

(Spoiler Alert)

Palacio, R.J. (2012). Wonder. NY: Random House.

Summary: This New York Times Best Seller is about August "Auggie" Pullman who was born with facial deformities and other medical issues.  Auggie spent all of his school career being homeschooled.  His mother believes now that Auggie is entering middle school that it is time for him to face the real world.  This book takes you through the point of view of Auggie and the people in his life.  He faces discrimination and bullying.  Eventually, people see Auggie for more than a person who is deformed.  He is a smart and funny kid who has the same likes as many of his classmates.   In the end, he wins an award at school and receives and standing ovation from the parents, teachers, and students.

Response: I absolutely love this book. I have recommended it repeatedly to many of the students at my school.  It made me laugh and cry.  It would be a fabulous book to teach point of view.  Each character sees a situation differently.  The theme for this book could be several different things: kindness, be yourself, or don't judge a book (or person) by it's cover (or appearance).  There is now a follow up book by the same author,  Aggie and Me.  A similar book that I read with my 5th graders last year is Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick.  Students could also read Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper. 

Resources:
http://rjpalacio.com/for-teachers.html

https://youtu.be/fgB7_KpBDss

Brown Girl Dreaming

Recommended age: 10+

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

Summary:  This biography by Jacqueline Woodson describes her childhood in South Carolina and New York during the 1960's.  She uses poems to describe life events such as moving away from her father and never seeing him again, her brother being born, and her baby brother being hospitalized for lead poisoning.  Jacqueline sees her grandparents as parental figures.  Her grandfather teaches her stability and the love of a father figure. Her grandmother teaches her faith, religion, and a love of helping others.  Her family faces poverty, racism, sickness, and death.  All of this is told in free verse form.  Each of these verses woven together tell a complete narrative of that time in history.

Response: I am not a fan of poetry.  I get lost in the figurative language.  However, this book is easy to read with great descriptions and each poem ties into the story to create a whole picture.  Teachers could use this book for a cross curriculum study (ELAR/SS) of civil rights during the 1960s and poetry.  A follow up reading or a book that could be read together in poetry unit is The Crossover by Kwame Alexander. This book would help students who enjoyed poetry during elementary, but are not ready for adult poetry.  It is on their level of experiences.

Teacher resources:

http://classroombookshelf.blogspot.com/2014/12/brown-girl-dreaming.html

http://www.penguin.com/static/images/yr/pdf/tl-guide-jacquelinewood.pdf

George

(Spoiler Alert)

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

Recommended age: 4th grade+

Summary: George is a 4th grade boy who feels like he is really a girl.  He hates his body.  He is bullied for not being tough; for being a sissy.  He hides his feelings from everyone.  George has a stash of girl fashion magazines that he loves to pour over.  His class is in charge of putting on a play of Charlotte's Web.  He wants to be Charlotte.  After his teacher refuses to put him in as Charlotte, his best friend hatches a plan to switch with him.  In the end, George is able finally reveal to his family how he truly feels.

Response: I wasn't sure what to expect when I read this book.  It was a quick read with a solid story.  Alex Gino does a good job of explaining George's situation.  The book is told from George's point of view.  It carries the message/theme of be who you are.  There is another book similar to this one entitled Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky.  There is a debate on Goodreads stating that Gracefully Grayson is a better choice for this topic.  I haven't read Polonsky's book yet.  It would be a great follow up read.  Students could compare and contrast the two.  I would love to hear your thoughts on the differences in the two books

El Deafo

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

Recommend age: 4th grade and up

Summary: Author Cece Bell wrote this graphic novel biography about growing up "severely to profoundly deaf."  This book covers her adjustments to leaving a school for deaf children and entering a mainstream school environment.  She struggles with various hearing aids, learning to lip read, and finding friends that will treat her the same as everyone else.  Ultimately, she discovers a secret super power.  With her Phonic ear, she can hear the teacher all over the building.  She uses this ability to make friends with her classmates by playing look out for them when they are suppose to be reading.  She sees herself as a superhero.  It is her way to connect with the students in her class and let them know that even with a disability she is just like everyone else.

Response:  I purchased this book for another class over the summer.  I read it and absolutely loved it! I have donated my personal copy to may elementary library for my students to enjoy.  The illustrations are very appealing.  A few years back, I met a young adult who was deaf.  I always wondered what her life must be like at times.  I realize that this books doesn't tell the story of every deaf child, but it does give some perspective for a person who is not hearing impaired. This is the major strength of the book.  It allows children to feel how others with a hearing loss may feel. It has the power to put the reader in someone else's shoes.  It teaches the lesson that having a disability doesn't change the person, just how they do certain things.

Teaching ideas/guides:  http://www.abramsbooks.com/academic/El_Deafo_TeachingGuide.pdf 

Speak

(Spoiler Alert)

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

Recommended age: 8th grade and above

Summary: This is the story of Melinda Sordino.  The summer before her freshman year, Melinda is raped by a senior boy.  She struggles with her feelings about what happened, her life, how everyone hates her for calling the cops, and feeling alone.  She literally loses herself and her voice.  Through her art class, she begins to work through her turmoil.  Melinda realizes that she wasn't to blame.  She gets the courage to tell her story to a friend who is dating "It" (the boy who raped her).  In the end, she defends herself from this monster who attacks her again at school proving to herself and others that she does have a voice and she does matter.

Reader response: I have owned this book for approximately 9 years, but could not bring myself to read it.  Rape is a difficult, difficult topic for me to handle.  Never would I voluntarily read a book on the topic for enjoyment.  Therefore, I read it first. “If you eat a frog first thing in the morning that will probably be the worst thing you do all day.” – Mark Twain

With that being said,  I really enjoyed the way the author handled the subject.  The wit and sarcasm from the main character was refreshing. A major strength of this book is the relevance to today.  As difficult of a topic as this is, it needs to be addressed. Students can relate to the main character and can put themselves in the shoes of the victim.

Resources:  http://madwomanintheforest.com/  The author's website provides valuable teacher guides for this novel including a compare and contrast unit on Speak and The Scarlett Letter.

Follow up books:  Amandine by Adele Griffin

New Semester...Different books

As a librarian, I realize that I need to look at and be familiar with many types of books.  However, I usually try to focus on children's literature for much of my reading.  After all, I am a librarian at a K-5th grade campus. 

This semester will be an exception.  I will be reading a varied and interesting list of Young Adult books mostly assigned by my graduate professors. Many of these books are controversial in one way or another.  Most of them you would NEVER find in an elementary library setting.  They cover many topics that face our youth, our teens, our college bound, MY BABIES!!!

My blended family consists of 5 wonderfully different and amazing children.  (I am not bias in any way!) As a parent of a 14 year old girl, a 13 year old boy, a 12 year old boy, a 10 year old girl, and a 9 year old boy, I had a difficult time grasping that these "babies" are growing into the target age bracket for these books.  Books on sex, failure, bullying, school stress, and many other more adult themes can't be the ones for my babies.  But they are...

I have managed to read 10 of these books before this semester had even begun.  I realize that this semester is going to be an interesting journey for me as a librarian and a parent.

Let the book blog/reviews begin...

Happy reading!!!

(SPOILER ALERT Warning - as per the directions of my assignment, the next 25 book reviews will contain a summary containing details of the books and their endings).