Crenshaw (NYT bestseller)

Applegate, K. (2015). Crenshaw. NY: Feiwel and Friends.

Suggested age: 5th grade and up

Summary: Jackson, his little sister Robin, and his parents are facing hard times financially.  Jackson's father was diagnosed with MS (multiple sclerosis) and had to give up his job.  He now finds part time job off and on.  Jackson' mother works two - three different jobs such as waitressing.  Jackson is starting to see all the signs of trouble like he did when he was younger.  During that time the family lost their home and lived in their van for several months.  Another thing that is bothering Jackson is the reappearance of his "imaginary friend" Crenshaw.  Crenshaw is a VERY large cat and usually had plently to say.  He urges Jackson to tell the truth. Finally Jackson is able to express his fears and concerns with his parents.  Even though the family is evicted from their apartment, they are able to find a good part time job for dad and an furnished apartment to stay at for free until they get back on their feet.

http://www.mackidsbooks.com/crenshaw/

https://www.timeforkids.com/news/crenshaw/323591

This book would work in a book study of poverty, homelessness, or dealing with difficult situations. 

Auggie & Me (NYT bestseller)

Palacio, R.J. (2015). Auggie & me. NY: Knopf Books.

Appropriate Age:  3rd grade - 7th grade (8 - 13 years)

Summary:  This is a companion book to Wonder  R.J. Palacio.  Like the original story, each chapter (or short story in this book) is told by a different person; different point of view.  This book follows Julian, who was known as the bully in the first book, Christopher, Auggie best friend since birth, and Charlotte, the girl asked to be Auggie's welcome buddy before school started.  The reader gets to see Julian's side of the story.  We learn of his family history and how he learns from his mistakes.  He was able to redeem his character when he apologizes to Auggie and takes responsibility for his own actions.  The second short story is about Christopher.  The reader is able to understand how difficult it is to be a true friend to Auggie.  The story expands on his families divorce, his activities in school, and how he feel to blame for his mother's car accident.  My favorite of these three stories was entitled, "Shingaling."  Charlotte's character works hard, but is still insecure.  She wants to be accepted by the popular crowd.  She worries about what others think of her. 

Connections:
Like the original story, this book is great for discussing point of view.  I feel that it would be a good lead into for a discussion on taking responsibility for one's own actions.  Many children feel that it is someone else's fault for things that happen.  Using both of these stories, would generate quality discussions and elaborations.  These books used together can be a stepping stone for a writing lesson.  Student can create stories of other characters or chapters of characters in the future.  These could be turned into videos or book trailers.

Red Queen (NYT bestseller)

Aveyard, V. (2015). Red queen. NY: HarperTeen.

Suggested Age: 5th grade and up

Summary:  Mare Barrow lives in a world divided into very distinct classes.  The common people (peasants and soldiers) are called Reds.  They are normal people; no special abilities; red blood.  The upper classes, including the high houses, generals, and king, are Silvers.  They have special abilities just as being able to manipulate water, fire, light, metal, read thoughts, super human strength, etc...  The Silvers believe themselves to be special and rule over the Reds with cruelty.  However, in front of the entire Silver upper class Mare Barrow discovers that she can manipulate lightening. She is more powerful than the Silvers. They force her to live a lie and say that she is a long lost Silver, raised by Reds.  A rebellion is brewing within the Reds called the Scarlett Guard.  Mare finds herself living in to two words with the attention of two Princes.  She learns the hard way that "Anyone can betray anyone." The prince that she is betrothed to double crosses her and his brother taking over the kingdom and tries to kill them.  They escape with the help of the Scarlett Guard, but vow to take him down.

http://victoriaaveyard.com/books

Annie on my mind

Garden, N. (1982).  Annie on my mind.  NY: FSG.

Appropriate age: 7th grade and up (sexual situations - not graphic)

Summary: This story is about Liza and Annie.  They meet accidently in a museum in New York. they quickly become friends.  However, there is a feeling of more.  Their friendships grows until they can no long deny they have feeling for each other.  They are struggling with the idea of being homosexual, of how it will effect others in their lives, and how to spend more time together.  They do eventually "get caught."  The truth comes out.  Liza has to face a school principal that wants her expelled.  Her family tries to be supportive.  Written in 1982,  it is obvious that our culture has changed.  Overall, it is still a young love story that will draw readers in.

Monster

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

Appropriate age:  7th grade and up (There is some discussion in the books about jail violence and forced sexual assaults while in jail, but it is not graphic).

Summary: Steve Harmon is a 16 year old, currently in jail (with adults), awaiting trial for murder.  He is accused of being a look out in a store robbery where the owner was shot and killed.  This books is written in a unique style.  To help cope with his new reality, Steve being writing his current events in movie manuscript form.  Before this incident, he was a part of a audio/visual department where he spent his time making films. Throughout the book, the reader lives through the trial learning the facts of the case just like the jury.  In the end, the jury feels that there is reasonable doubt that Steve is guilty of being the lookout, and he is found not guilty.  However, Walter Dean Myers leaves it open to interpretation...did Steve actively participate in the criminal act or not? The social development of students and the level of their moral development will be seen and possibly tested during the discussions of this book.


Useful information
The back of the book offers a reader's guide, questions/answers from the author, the author's story, etc...

Pre reading activity

Reader's guide

This book would be great for a reading group or class discussion.  It opens up many discussions on morals, the justice systems, etc...

Persepolis

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

Appropriate age range: 7th grade and up

Summary: This is an autobiography of Marjane Satrapi of her life as a child in Iran during the war.  She explains how things in her life change including being separated from the boys in school, having to wear "the veil."  She describes the fear and the pain of losing family to imprisonment and to death.  Her family actively protested against the changes that were going on in their country. It discusses war crimes, dismemberment, forced marriages and murder, and more.  Eventually, it was no longer safe for her to stay with her family.  At fourteen, she was sent to live in Austria.  She never lived with her parents again.

I found this book difficult to read even though it is a graphic novel.  I have very little background knowledge of the area and there were many instances where it discuss things I did not understand.  However, this book would be useful to study the area, the war, and introduce people to a culture they may not be familiar with.  I am not a huge fan of graphic novels.  I felt that this story would have been better told in another format.  However, many disagree.  There are many praises and high reviews for this book. 

Paper Towns by John Green

Green, J. (2009). Paper Towns.  NY: Speak.

Appropriate age range: 9th grade and up

Summary: Quentin Jacobson (Q) has loved his next door neighbor (Margo) since they were children.  Now that they are in their senior year of high school, they barely know each other.  They run in two completely separate worlds.  Margo is a very adventurous and mysterious person.  She often has hard to believe adventures.  One evening, Margo shows up at Q's window. They have an epic night that involves payback for people who have wronged them and breaking into Sea World.  The next day she is gone.  Margo has run away before, but this time is different.  She leave clues for Q.  He becomes obsessed with finding her.  After two weeks of dead ends and following the clues, Q and a group of his friend ditch their high school graduation to make a cross country road trip to find Margo only to discover that she never wanted to be found.  Q and Margo realize that they are on two separate paths in life; paths that do not cross. 

Personally, I found this easy to read and somewhat enjoyable.  I wasn't able to "figure it all out" before the book revealed it's secrets, which was also a plus. 

Websites and useful information  

http://johngreenbooks.com/paper-towns/

http://www.bookrags.com/lessonplan/paper-towns/#gsc.tab=0      Lesson plans for this book to sample or purchase.

https://www.teachervision.com/literature-guide/printable/60191.html
discussion guide.