Horton Halfpott

Angleberger, T. (2011). Horton Halfpott, or, The fiendish mystery of Smugwick Manor, or, The loosening of M'Lady Luggertuck's corset. New York: Amulet Books.

This book is a witty look at life in the Smugwick manor. One event, the loosening of M'Lady Luggertuck's corset, sets off a string of unprecedented events. The slight loosening of the corset allows everyone in the house to relax slightly. It allows M'Lady to accept a guest and agree to host a ball and which in turn causes the Lump, the family's priceless jewel, to be stolen.
Horton Halfpott, the kitchen boy, gets mixed into this silly series of events and in the end helps solve the mystery with his friends Bump, Blight and Blemish. It turns out that M'Lady's nasty and spoiled son stole the Lump to pay kidnappers to kidnap the girl that his cousin desires. In the end, all is set right as the son ends up in the bog, the jewel is found worthless, Halfpott is taken away from Smugwick Manor, and the corset is tightened. 

This book was comical, light and easy to read. It would be a great read aloud or is an easy enough read that it would be good for reluctant readers in the middle grades. I loved the voice in this book. Tom Angleberger uses the rare 2nd person point of view to address the reader through the story telling, which as the reader, I really like.  

Woods Runner

Paulsen, G. (2010). Woods runner. New York: Wendy Lamb Books.

Set in 1776, in western Pennsylvania, one day Samuel Smith is in the woods hunting when his small settlement is attacked and burned and his parents are taken hostage by British soldiers. He tracks his parents to New York City. Along the way he finds a young girl named Annie, who's parents were killed by soldiers. He and Annie meet a Patriot spy named Abner. Abner helps Samuel and Annie get into New York. In New York, Samuel rescues his parents and gets them and Annie out of New York City. At this point, the family begins their journey back to Pennsylvania. The family makes it safely to Philadelphia where they decide to live, fearful of the woods. At 16, Samuel leaves his family and returns to the war. 

I love Gary Paulsen's books of survival and I love that this one took survival and interwove it with the American Revolution. Students will like this book, particularly students studying the American Revolution. It is an interesting take not he war since we never hear about the civilians, just those actively involved int he fight. 

Deadline

Crutcher, C. (2007). Deadline. New York: Greenwillow Books.

Ben Wolf discovers at the beginning of his senior year, that he has a rare blood disease that he will most likely die from. He is given a year to live, so he declines all treatment and embraces that year, while telling no one. He joins the football team, dates the beautiful Dallas Suzuki, and follows his heart. He challenges his teachers, reads and learns, and follows his passions. Ben does end up dying at the end of his senior year. He leaves a note to his town saying good bye and explaining how he chose to live his life. He has one regret and that is not being honest with those that he loved about his illness. 

Tear Jerker. Ugh. I cried and cried at the end of this book, but I guess that stirring emotion is part of what makes young adult literature popular and moving. This was a great book about embracing and truly living your life. I think this book would appeal to young adults of both genders. 

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation

Anderson, M. (2006). The astonishing life of Octavian Nothing, traitor to the nation (Vol. 1: The Pox Party). Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.

The story of Octavian Nothing is told through many different mediums- 1st person by Octavian, through letters, and articles. It is set in Colonial America at the beginning of the American Revolution. Octavian and his mother are wards of a college, although at the beginning they don't really understand what this means. They are part of an experiment being performed on the intelligence and ability of slaves. As funding changes at the university, and as the British soldiers are moving in, life changes for Octavian and his mother. The nature of their experiment changes and they become more slave like than before. Through experimentation, Octavian's mother dies and he runs away. At this point he becomes a full on slave. He is hunted and retrieved as a slave, and once caught, shackled. 

This story is a unique and disturbing take on slavery. When we think about slavery, we don't think about experimentation, we think about physical labor. The story is also told in a unique way through 1st person accounts, letters, articles, and biblical and educational references. The content of this book is definitely more appropriate for upper grade teens. 

Please Ignore Vera Dietz

King, A., & Knopf, I. (2010). Please ignore Vera Dietz. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

This is a story of Vera and Charlie's (now deceased) friendship and the deterioration of that friendship. The story is told through flashbacks. We learn about Vera and Charlie's home lives and how that impacts their friendship. As they get older, they begin to go their separate ways. Charlie's new girlfriend is jealous of Vera and tells him lies that lead to him acting out against Vera. Right before his death, Charlie reaches out to Vera, giving her information about his new girl friend. She plans on killing him and burning down the pet store. Vera is hurt by Charlie's behavior and doesn't know what to do with this information. In the end, friendship prevails, and Vera goes to the police with everything that she knows. 

This story explores a childhood friendship between a boy and a girl, which is a little different from the other books I've read. Deterioration of childhood friendships are common and can lead to a lot of hurt and angst to those involved. Anybody who has lost their childhood friend, will be able to relate to this story. 

Shiver

Stiefvater, M., & Stengel, C. (2009). Shiver. New York: Scholastic Press.

Shiver is a love story between Grace and Sam. Sam is a wolf who has watched and been watched by Grace for years from the woods behind her house. Sam is able to take on a human form for a brief time each year. As the town is hunting the wolves, Sam gets shot. He arrives at Grace's house in human form where they fall in love.

This story is told from both the point of views of Grace and Sam. Each chapter tells who is the narrator and what the temperature outside is. To me, this is a fairly stereotypical, human/ creature love story, but I think that is exactly why this book would appeal to teens. There is comfort to be found in a book that plays out the way you would expect.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Saenz, B., & Foglia, C. (2012). Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe. New York: Simon & Schuster BFYR.

Aristotle and Dante is about two boys, seemingly very different, who become friends one summer. The boys rely on each other and need each other in their journey between boyhood and manhood. We go through their struggles with relationships with others and with each other. In the end, they both realize what they have been looking for all along is right in front of them, each other.

As silly as it may seem, I chose this book because of the title and the art work on the cover. I did not realize that the book was about two boys struggling with their homosexuality, both in different ways. The book is warm and touching and would help teens struggling and conflicted with these same feelings. It loops back in the familiar theme of acceptance of oneself and of others different from us, which most teens can relate to.

The Juvie Three

Korman, G. (2008). The Juvie three. New York: Hyperion.

The Juvie Three is a story about three boys living in a half way house together. The boys, Gecko, Terence, and Arjay, come from different places and have all committed different crimes which have landed them in juvie. One night everything changes for the boys when during a scuffle, their caregiver, Mr. Healy, is knocked over a railing and falls three stories. Scared the boys drop him off at a hospital and run away. The boys try to maintain the lives they have been living without Mr. Healy. The experience and struggles bring them closer together.

I think this book explores teenage struggles, but in a different way from the others I have read. In this book, the boys are all involved in a life of crime. In addition to exploring the world of teenage youth, this book serves as a cautionary tale to teens. The chapter title numbers are written in a block print on a thick black line that looks like something you'd see in a mug shot. While a majority of kids may not be able to directly relate to the lives of these boys, kids will find the unique circumstances of this book interesting.

Pretty Dead

Block, F. (2009). Pretty dead. New York: HarperTeen.

Pretty Dead is the story of a vampire named Charlotte. She is a teenager who seems to have everything, yet she feels like she doesn't. After a century of being a vampire, she is lonely and discontent. Her maker, William comes back into her life interfering with her and her best friend, Emily. Emily dies and we first think it was suicide, but find out that it was accidentally done by Charlotte, turning her into a vampire. William's powers take away Charlotte's immortality and allow her to be with her new love, Emily's former boyfriend, Jared.

This is a pretty typical vampire book to me. It has the typical elements of romance, lust, and longing. Like with Shiver, I think that it's predictable plot will appeal to most teen readers and will give them what they are looking for in a book like this.

Winger

Smith, A. (2013). Winger. NY: Simon & Schuster.

Winger is the story of Ryan Dean West, a 14 year old junior at an affluent boarding school. Ryan Dean deals with the typical insecurities of a 14 year old, while being in an atypical situation. This story follows him through the trials and tribulations of his junior year. He is a fairly shallow boy, but has moments of depth, particularly surrounding his homosexual best friend, Joey. He unexpectedly loses Joey at the end of the book and he comes to terms with that grief and loss.

The characters in this story are well developed. The reader can relate to the characters which helps carry the story along. Ryan Dean is a self proclaimed loser, making him relatable by most teen readers. His character is further developed with his humorous infographics and sketches through out the book.

I personally did not feel like Joey's death fit into this story well. Unlike in Looking for Alaska, there is not time devoted to processing the death, which just makes it seem like it does not fit. Up until the very end (Joey's death), I did enjoy the story.

The Surrender Tree

Engle, M. (2008). The Surrender Tree. NY: Holt.

The Surrender Tree tells the story of Rosa, a nurse with healing powers, in the late 1800's. The story is told through verse which allows the story to flow in a unique fashion. Rosa creates hospitals across the countryside to help all of those involved in the war. She is hunted relentlessly by Lieutenant Death.

It is a universal story of oppression and the fight for freedom, but  told in Cuba, a place we rarely hear stories set in or from.

The unique way in which this story has been written and told makes it a powerful and moving piece of literature.

It's Perfectly Normal

Harris, R. (2009). It's Perfectly Normal. Boston, MA: Candlewick Press.

This book is a thorough and great resource. It has a typical table of contents and index and illustrations rather than photographs. It delves into topics of the human body, growth, sex, and reproduction. The illustrations and info graphics keep the book light hearted, while still be factual and informative. There are a bird and bees which interject information through out in a comic like style. The book is straight forward with it's content. It talks about different types of family dynamics and addresses the stresses and difficulties that come with sexual activity and having children.

I appreciated the straight forward nature of this book and the light hearted illustrations. I read a forward from the author talking about the need for a book like this and the various experts that were consulted during it's creation. It's an uncomfortable topic and, but a necessary one to be addressed and discussed to avoid ignorance in our society.

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood

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

Persepolis is an autobiographical graphic novel, retelling childhood events of the author Marjane Satrapi. It delves into the social, political, and religious views of Iran during this time period. Satrapi addresses the imprisonment and loss of family members, frequent bombings, and demonstrations. It looks at how the people coped with strict rules that they did not understand being forced upon them.

This was a great book. I really love graphic novels. They can take complex topics and make them more obtainable and easy to understand. The stark black and white illustrations seem to represent the 2 sides of the conflict with no allowance for middle ground. Since the graphic novel does depict torture and more grown up content, it is probably most appropriate for high school aged kids. I also especially loved the topic of this book. We read so many stories set in times of war, but I have never come across a book set in the middle east. It is a place many of us will never see first hand, and we need to be reminded that their are children growing up and learning there, amongst all of the dissension.

The Book Thief

Zusak, M. (2006). The book thief. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

New york Times Best Seller List

Reminiscent of The Diary of Ann Frank, The Book Thief is set in Nazi occupied Germany. Liesel is sent to live with a family in Molching, Germany. This family is sympathetic towards the Jews and hides one, Max, in their home. Throughout this journey, Liesel's foster father is taken into service and Max leaves their home. Liesel faces loss of family and friends through out the course of the war. Through this story books are a common theme. In the beginning Liesel cannot read, but steals a book regardless. Her foster father teaches her to read and she continues to steal books. In the end, she writes her own and death takes hers. 

Death is the narrator in this story, which is an unusual and surprising element to the story. Students will be sympathetic to Liesel's plight and will find the running theme of the book stealing intriguing. 

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Riggs, R., & McGurk, J. (2011). Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Philadelphia, PA: Quirk Books.

New york Times Best Seller List

This story tells about the beginning of a journey for Jacob Portman. He is struggling to understand stories his grandfather has told him. They are not realistic or believable, yet Jacob cannot fully accept that they are fictitious. He travels to a Welsh island in an attempt to resolve his conflicted feelings, only to find that his grandfather had been telling the truth all along. He now finds himself caught between two worlds and has to decide which to be a part of. He chooses to continue the work of his grandfather started many years before. 

This book reminded me of Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book in the sense that it was an unexpected, fantastical journey. It is a right of passage story, but with twists into a magical world, which I did not expect. I found this book to be riveting and I was shocked when it unexpectedly ended. This would be a great book for high schoolers. It could be done as a class assignment, and the abrupt ending would encourage kids to continue to the second book on their own. 

(I have already gotten my copy of Hollow City, ready to read for when I have time again to read for fun!) 

Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: One Dead Spy

Hale, N. (2012). One dead spy: The life, times, and last words of Nathan Hale, America's most famous spy. New York: Amulet Books.

Great Graphic Novels for Teens 2013

One Dead Spy is a graphic novel that tells about the beginning of the American Revolution from the point of view of the famous spy, Nathan Hale, as he is awaiting his execution at the gallows. This graphic novel tells about how Nathan Hale came to be a part of the American Revolution. Through his retelling, and occasional supplements from a British soldier, the reader learns about the significant events that led up to Nathan Hale becoming a spy, being caught and up to his execution. 

I personally love graphic novels. I also really like historical fiction. I like hearing about a familiar topic from the point of view of someone who was there. Hale also followed the story up with brief biographies of historical figures mentioned in the book as well as some clarification on what is considered to be fact and which parts were embellished or interpreted by the author. 

A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel

Larson, H., Engle, M., & Farrar, S. (2012). A wrinkle in time: The graphic novel. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux.

Great Graphic Novels for Teens 2013

Through the use of blue, black and white illustrations, author Hope Larson retells Madeleine L'Engle's famous story A Wrinkle in Time. This is the story of Meg Murry and her own coming of age journey. She and her family do not fit in and her father has been missing for several years. She and her brother along with an acquaintance, Calvin O'Keefe, are sent on a fantastical journey through space to save her father and fight the darkness. Through this journey, Meg discovers more about herself and her family and finds strength she didn't know she had. 

I don't know that I have ever actually read A Wrinkle in Time, although I am familiar with the characters of Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which. I loved the telling of this story through a graphic novel. This is a great way to allow students to read a classic story in a modern way. 

Navigating Early

Vanderpool, Clare. Navigating Early. New York: Delacorte, 2013. Print.

Printz Honor 2014

Navigating Early is about the right of passage journeys for two boys, Jack Baker and Early Auden. Jack has just lost his mother and his father who has been away at war for the last several years has uprooted him from his life in Kansas to a boarding school in Maine. There, Jack befriends the quirky Early Auden. Early has suffered his own losses, and as a way to find answers takes Jack on a quest to find the Great Appalachian Bear. What stars out as being Early's journey and adventure, becomes a coming of age journey for both boys. Both boys come to terms with their own losses and find an even deeper friendship and strength in each other.

One thing I absolutely loved about this book was that the boys' journey mirrors that of the number pi. I was tempted more than once to start calculating pi. It was such a clever and intriguing idea to think that numbers could tell a story of their own. That seems like it would be a great cross curricular connection to make and a fun extension activity to accompany this book. 

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy

Schmidt, G. (2004). Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster boy. New York: Clarion Books.

Printz Honor 2005

Turner Buckminister III has just moved from Boston to Phippsburg, Maine where his father is going to be the minister at Phippsburg's First Congregational Church. Turner finds the towns' inhabitants to be inhospitable and unwelcoming. He finds solace in Lizzie Bright, a resident of the island of Malaga which is home to former slaves and their descendants. The towns people of Phippsburg see the inhabitants of Malaga to be a blemish on their town and they order them to leave. The elders of the town get Turner's father to stand with them, leaving Turner to defend Lizzie and her people alone. 

This book would be good for middle school age kids. It's themes of injustice and tolerance interwoven with religion along with the historical elements of the story will pull kids in and give them food for thought.

Code Name Verity

Wein, E. (2012). Code Name Verity. NY: Egmont.

This story is about two teenage girls, Julie and Maddie, during World War II. The first half of the story is told by Julie who has been captured and imprisoned by the Nazi's. The second half of the story is told by Maddie, who Julie believed to be dead. Maddie joins the resistance group Damask. Damask sets up an ambush to rescue Julie, but the ambush goes awry, so Maddie ends up shooting Julie so that she will not be at the hands of the Nazi's.

This is another great work of historical fiction. The plot is unique in that it is about girls fighting in World War II, rather than men. I think that aspect alone would draw female readers to this book. The girls' personalities and the plot are deeply developed through the use of their thoughts, their actions, their memories and their writing.