LSSL 5385 book blogging WHEN WE COLLIDED

Lord, E. (2016). When we collided. New York: Bloomsbury.

Set in Verona Cove, California, Vivi and Jonah collide in the best way- and they truly fall in love despite the brokenness that they both experience. When they meet at a local pottery shop, it's only the beginning of a love that will move you as you read their story. 

Jonah is broken by the the sudden death of his father, a restaurant owner. His mother is grief-stricken at this loss, and that has left him and his siblings to keep up with the restaurant. As Jonah deeply mourns the passing of his father, he begins to express his emotions through cooking. Vivi is the new girl in town, and she has a zest for life that is contagious and likable, but she is also fighting some demons of her own. 

I love that this story explores what makes us human, and digs into the depths of living with mental illness. Vivi's character is attempting to live with bipolar disorder, and despite her efforts, we see the struggles that her mental illness presents in every situation. Meanwhile, Lord tenderly addresses Jonah’s grief and his mother’s depression. Vivi and Jonah's story is a uncommon one that begs the question, is love enough? What happens when it's not?

The strength of this story was the unconventional love story between Vivi and Jonah, and the tender way that Lord addresses living with mental illness. It is an excellent book to help readers understand mental illness, and build empathy for those around them that deal with it. It's not a typical love story, and truthfully, it's not very romantic. It's real and raw and unique and sad... and that's what pulled me in.

If you enjoyed this book, you may enjoy checking out Emery Lord's website, https://www.emerylord.com/, or following her on twitter @emerylord.

LSSL 5385 book bloggig THE V-WORD

Keyser, A. (2016). The V-word: true stories about first-time sex. New York: Beyond Words.

The V-Word is a non-fiction book of several true accounts of first-time sex, written by Amber J. Keyser. The memoirs are honest and diverse- stretching from planned sex of those in long term relationships, sexual first-time encounters that reflect experiences in LGBT relationships, and the unplanned one-night-stands. The book also encourages safe sex and provides information on how to practice it. The strength of this book is its honesty and truthful accounts that are provided to its readers. 

I searched repeatedly to see if this fit in YA literature, and in fact, it seems that it does. I 100% understand that teens need sources of information... they need truth, accuracy, and open conversation when it comes to sex. I get that. But, to have actual memoirs in written accounts... I'm not sure that I think this is for "young adults." Then again, I have to remember what a wide range of ages YA covers, and how many poor sources of "sex ed" these young adults have, and it does make more sense to me. Young adults are nearly bombarded with unrealistic sex, in the media, school hallways, TV, parties, and simply because they are going through puberty and experiencing new things, so I can see how a source of accurate information is important. I still don't know that I would feel comfortable recommending this to a young adult, but I see the importance of having it in your library. I would NOT recommend this for anyone younger than 16, as there are better sources of information out there for younger ages. This book seems important to share with a female who is considering experiencing her first sexual encounter.

LSSL 5385 book blogging THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO

Ness, P. (2014). The knife of never letting go (#1). London: Walker.

The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking #1) is a sci-fi novel written by Patrick Ness. The content was heavy, but oh-so-good, and I feel like I need to read it again one day... but not today because I'm still a little heartbroken over some of it! 

It's about a boy named Todd Hewitt, who is the youngest boy in Prentisstown, a town of only men. The settlers in Prentisstown were infected with the a germ called Noise, a germ that killed all the females in their town and also allows everyone to hear each other's thoughts.  This germ was sent by Spackle, their enemy who they took over the land from. Todd is on the brink of becoming a man in Prentisstown. Soon, though, Todd only hears silence- there's a hole in the noise, and he is forced by his guardians to flee with only his dog, Manchee. The two stumble upon the source of the silence: a girl named Viola. Who is this creature, and why wasn't she killed by the germ like all the other females in Prentisstown? We find out that Viola has crashed on her journey from another world and she is the lone survivor. 

Together, Viola, Todd, and Manchee run from the enemy army, and particularly Aaron, a man from Prentisstown who is chasing Todd, trying to kill him. The three of them are searching for refuge in a town called Haven which they are told is safe. When Todd finally reaches his destination, after a torturous journey and lives lost, the only person in Haven is the Mayor of Prentisstown, and he is ready to capture Todd.

This book kind of broke my heart, but it was gut-wrenching-ly (is that a word?) good. I cried a lot, and I can't quite forgive Ness for allowing one of these characters to die (I won't spoil it and say who). 

The strength of this book was that it was a science-fiction novel that I really enjoyed. It gives me a great book to recommend for kids ages 14+ who enjoy science fiction, adventure, cliffhangers, and twists. It was pretty mature, and like I said, heart-breaking at times. If you enjoyed this book, then check out the rest of the Chaos Walking series by Patrick Ness.

LSSL book blogging 5385 THIS IS WHERE IT ENDS

Nijkamp, M. (2016). This is where it ends:. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks Fire.

This Is Where It Ends is the story of a school shooting, and it's told from four different points of view during the tragedy that ensues at Opportunity High School. After the principal welcomes the student body to a new semester, the students begin to exit the auditorium and continue on with their normal day. But the doors won't open, and someone starts to shoot, and for the next 54 minutes, gripping, tragic horror ensues. It's our worst nightmare- that one of our own could turn on us the way this shooter has.

The four different viewpoints are told both from the present and the past, flashing back to possible motives and linking each character to the shooter. As you would expect, it's terrifying and horrific to read about. Some of the deaths are very graphically told, and the violence is pretty non-stop from beginning to end.

I'm not sure how I feel about this novel. It was hard at first to keep track of the viewpoints and I never had time to get attached to the characters. That didn't make the death or subject matter any less heartbreaking, it just left me less invested in the "meat" of the story. I think that a story about a school shooting has so much potential for impact, and such an opportunity to honor victims of school shootings by telling a story that mirrors their emotions, heartache, and gives light to the twisted psychosis of someone who turns a gun on innocent people. For me, I couldn't help but feel that this book took a very serious and tragic subject matter and turned it into a best selling book without really honoring the authenticity of those who have been through this. I don't know how to verbalize what I was feeling as I read this, but it was a hard read and I'm not sure if it did what I was hoping it would do. It just... didn't sit well with me. It didn't seem authentic, it seemed forced. This was a heavy read for young adults, and probably not the best classroom read, in my opinion.

I would recommend 19 Minutes by Jodi Picoult if the deep, emotional subject of school shootings intrigues you, but perhaps you would like a more well-developed story and characters.

LSSL 5385 book blogging WHEN YOU REACH ME

Stead, R. (2009). When you reach me. Wendy Lamb Books.

When You Reach Me is a well written book with a mysteriously twisted plot that kept me guessing the whole time. Miranda, the protagonist who gives us her first-person account, is a 6th grade girl who lives in New York City, and she has a best friend, Sal. Overall her life seems fairly normal, but that all changes when Miranda begins to find ominous notes, and Sal abandons their friendship. Whoever is writing the notes, he seems to know what is going to happen before it actually happens, and Miranda just can't figure out how, why her, and what it all means. Suspense builds as Miranda begins to believe that only she can prevent a grave ending.

Speaking back to our recent textbook chapter, this certainly has an element of sci-fi as it is largely based on the idea of time travel. I think this is on the young side of YA novels, but I genuinely loved it, so to me it would certainly appeal to young teenagers. It's amazing to me how novels like this can really have so much impact even for a target age group of 11-13. What a talent it takes to pack a punch like that into 200 pages. 

The strength of this book was just how heartwarming and heartbreaking it was at the same time. I loved how real life it was- the characters just seemed real and Miranda's point of view was expressed really well. It's just... loveable.

When You Reach Me was the 2010 Newbery Medal Winner and a great book to add to the list for your youngest YA/middle school readers.

LSSL 5385 book blogging SISTERS

Telgemeier, R. (2014). Sisters. New York: Graphix.

This is a fun, light graphic novel that would really appeal to middle school kids, I think. Sisters is about, you guessed it, two sisters, Raina and Amara, and their inability to get along. When Raina's (yes, it's based on the author's experiences!) little sister Amara is born, Raina is so excited to have a new sibling to play with. She quickly finds that she is awfully cute, but equally cranky! It's a sweet and funny story about 2 sisters, their mother, and their younger brother, who road trip from San Francisco to Colorado Springs for a family reunion. Just like any good ol' family road trip, many adventures and funny situations ensue.

Why did I love this book so much?! Maybe it's because I read it in the middle of some pretty heavy novels, but it was just funny, sweet, and relatable. I really loved the style of the illustrations, and the writing. I think middle school kids would really love it because of the subject matter- it's something they would likely be highly familiar with. It's funny because it's TRUE!

If you enjoyed this graphic novel, check out the rest of the series. I have a 12 year old niece I want to buy this entire series for. She would adore it. Great summer reading for her! Looking back, this is on the young side of YA, but still applicable, I think.

LSSL 5385 book blogging THE HANGED MAN

Block, F. L. (1999). The Hanged Man. New York: HarperTrophy.

The Hanged Man opens with the unexpected death of the Laurel's father. Laurel, an artsy and unique teenager, lives in a Hollywood with her parents and a pet parrot, Zach, and when her father dies, she doesn't know how to cope. Her mother is weak, and honestly, I pitied her; I wanted so badly for her to protect Laurel on so many levels, but she just didn't. Nonetheless, they are both grief stricken and dealing with his death in different ways. Unfortunately, Laurel beings to battle with anorexia, and it's unclear if this is an eating disorder that is resurfacing from the past or not. Her dreams and ambitions start to dwindle away as her grief, depression, and illness take over her life. Instead, she turns to parties and substance abuse, and she suffers from her eating disorder. 

Eventually, Laurel meets Jack, an older man who she builds and intimate relationship with. Jack comforts her, and tries to make her come to terms with her father’s death, her anorexia, and the traumas of her past. In large part because of Jack, we find out that Laurel was abused, raped, and impregnated by her late father, a man she grieves nonetheless. In the end, we have renewed hope for Laurel's recovery as she mends the relationship with her mother and copes with all of the hurt she has suffered.

The strength of this book is that it's written in a poetic, lyrical way that tenderly presents such a dark subject matter. Block touches on some extremely dark and taboo topics, and I think the writing style lended itself to the tone of the book- sometimes her words seemed as if she was in a bit of a haze, which may have been symbolic of Laurel's life in those moments. There is also a wealth of imagery presented through her tarot card hobby, and while I wasn't familiar with that, I was intrigued by it.

This is a quick read, but it's heavy. It's definitely worth noting its many "trigger-worthy" subjects- death, rape, incest, eating disorder. I think a young adult would love this book, and I would recommend it to ages 16+. 

LSSL 5385 book blogging LOOKING FOR ALASKA

Green, J. (2005). Looking for Alaska. New York, NY: Speak.

Looking for Alaska is a moving, authentic, and thought-provoking novel about a high school male student named Miles ("Pudge") Halter who goes to Culver Creek Boarding School in search of the "Great Perhaps." At Culver Creek, Miles finds a group of friends- the Colonel, Takumi, Lara, and Alaska- and they bring out a new confidence in him, as well as bring adventure to his life- alcohol, cigarettes, sleepovers, sex, and pranks. From the start, Pudge is smitten with Alaska Young- she's wreckless, wild, funny, sexy, independent, and unfortunately, taken. However, that doesn't stop the endless flirting or the deep friendship that grows between them. Aside from Alaska's beauty, wit, and charm, she's also has a lot of demons that haunt her. She's often angry and dark, and she suffers from the terrible guilt and memories of her mother's death when she was a child.

Without "spoiling" the novel, I will just say that after, nothing is the same and no one can move on without some answers. 

This book will make you ponder life, death, and everything in between. It begs the question, how do we escape the suffering of life, but through death? John Green also explores the inevitability of death, yet he reminds us that it is nearly impossible to prepare for. 

Looking for Alaska involves heavy subject matter and the reoccurring motif of death, so I wouldn't recommend this for kids younger than high school. If you read this book and enjoy it, I would recommend more books by John Green, like The Fault in Our Stars, or perhaps check out The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.

LSSL 5385 book blogging PLEASE IGNORE VERA DIETZ

King, A. S. (2010). Please Ignore Vera Dietz. Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers.

I listened to this book as an audiobook, and it was read by Lynde Houck as Vera Dietz. At first, this book just seemed like pages and pages of pessimistic teenager complaining to me... but by the last quarter of the book, I was very intrigued by the story and what was going to happen. Overall, it was just okay. 

This book is about Vera, a seemingly bitter and dark teenager who is being raised by her somewhat warped, albeit loving, father. Her best friend and love of her life, Charlie Kahn, has recently passed away mysteriously, after allegedly setting a pet shop on fire. The details of his death are unknown to the community, but Vera knows more than she is letting on. Before he died, though, Charlie and her had some major unresolved issues, and Vera is lost between both her love and hate for Charlie. He betrayed her and ruined their relationship, so does he deserve for her to come out and tell the community the truth? Does he deserve for her to clear his name?

We watch Vera continue on with her life without Charlie, a boy she bonded with over their torn family lives and quirky personalities. Now she spends her time delivering pizzas, making out with 23 year old James, and getting drunk, all while mourning the loss of Charlie and flashing back to the memories they have together, some good, some bad, and some oh-so-true.

I think the strength of this book was the developing story and the intrigue it made me as feel- I just had to know what really happened at the mall pet shop and how Charlie Kahn died. However, I thought the story was rather dark, and depressing. At least, that's how the audiobook felt. It just had such a depressing tone to it; I didn't want to pick it up for fear it would put me in a bad mood! Vera definitely had funny, but very dry personality, and the character development was nice. By the end, I felt like I knew these people, and while I didn't love every second of the book, that was the best part.

I'm not super familiar with A.S. King yet, so I hopped on Goodreads for recommendations related to this title, and I landed on On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. Check it out if you enjoyed this read.

LSSL 5385 Textbook reflection- chapter 10- REALISTIC FICTION

It's important to remember that realistic fiction, although realistic, is still "make-believe." It's not a true story from history, but rather a credible, realistic story from the mind of the author who wrote it. That being said, it's something that could happen in real life, hence the word, realistic! This means that the characters are also realistic, they don't have superpowers, and they could exist in our world today, which means aliens and talking animals would NOT be examples of realistic fiction.

When reading a fiction book, ask yourself- Can you relate to the story? Could it happen to you, or someone you know? If so, you are likely reading a realistic fiction book. Perhaps you can relate to the problems the characters face, and the resolution of conflict is authentic.

Several of the books I have read so far this semester are great examples of realistic fiction, for example, Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell. Realistic fiction books can be purely for enjoyment, but they are also an opportunity for learning and growing for our students. Realistic fiction books often act as mirrors and give readers the chance to feel validated, and accepted.

LSSL 5385 textbook reflection- Chapter 11- NONFICTION

As you know, non-fiction is a huge section of your library and covers so many categories and types of books. Non-fiction biographies, autobiographies, expositories, narratives, memoirs, and more, and it's so all encompassing that you will find so many different works in the non-fiction genre. They aren't always what you think, either. One of my favorite non-fiction picture books is What To Do About Alice? by Barbara Kerley. It was humorous, colorful, fun, while still being factually accurate, informative, and historically appropriate. It's a perfect example of a non-fiction book in a format that perhaps you wouldn't expect.

As we talk about non-fiction, it's important to review some of the criteria that we use to evaluate non-fiction, particularly young adult non-fiction books.

First, what are the qualifications of the author? 

It's important to evaluate the author and become well-informed on the authors that are reputable regarding their accuracy and research as they present information in their non-fiction books. You will come to find certain authors, like Kathleen Krull and Steve Jenkins, are reputable, accurate, and excellent at researching their information prior to writing their books. Learn to be familiar with the names that you can trust. It's also a great tool to simply look at the jacket of the book and check out the acknowledgements from the author.

Are the facts accurate?

When we read a non-fiction book, the reality is that you and I may not know if the facts are accurate. We aren't the experts, that's likely why we are reading the book! That's where we have to rely on the authors, and that's why it's important to learn who you can trust. One way you can fact check for yourself is to get several books together on the same topic and read them all. After reading you'll find the information that overlaps and what doesn't. That may help you narrow down what is questionable and what information is repeated in several books.

What is the purpose and scope of the book?

As an educator, decide what you need regarding scope- do you need a broad scope or narrow facts? Figuring out the scope of the book will help you understand the purpose and if the book fits your needs or not. This can apply both to the classroom, and also when helping users/patrons find the correct book during a reader's advisory interview.

How does the organization of the book assist readers in locating information?

Does it have a table of contents, index, or glossary, and does it help students/readers find the information they are seeking?

What role do the visuals play in the book?

Do the visuals, such as pictures, illustrations, and graphics, add to the text and elaborate on the subject matter? Are they relevant and and realistic? Graphs, tables, photographs, and elaborate illustrations add to the intrigue, understanding, and overall impact on the reader.

Non-fiction books are such a huge section of our library and they are so vital for many reasons. Once again, these books can be both mirrors, windows, and doors for our readers. It's so important to make sure that you appropriately evaluate non-fiction books with the criteria above and get the best books on your shelves for our patrons and students.

LSSL 5385 textbook reflections Chapter 12- SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY

Science fiction novels are books that don't follow the laws of the physical world that we live in today. These books may have realistic components, but at some point they turn off into fantasy as unrealistic things happen, perhaps in unrealistic settings or situations, like animals talking or toys coming to life. Science fiction is a subgenre of fantasy, and there are many different types of science fiction:

-Apocalyptic/post apocalyptic- the world ending and survivors are left
-Steam punk (named for generations with "steam powered machinery")- Victorian England, etc
-Cyber punk- hacking and cyber issues
-Bio punk- genetic engineering
-Dystopia- propaganda used to control citizens, independent thought being restricted, citizens having to conform etc. Common subject is resistance to government. Example- Hunger Games
-Extra sensory perception (ESP) - concept of second sight, telepathy, clairvoyance, supernatural awareness of objects or events, precognition
-Time travel/parallel universe- books who transfer characters through scientific time travel
-Virtual reality/gaming- in a virtual world, total body immersion in a different reality
-Miscellaneous- doesn't necessarily fit one certain category

Often, the themes of these books, both fantasy in general and science fiction, explore universal truths. The author must maintain consistency even in the most unbelievable situations, which is the one of the most fun and intriguing parts to me. I'll be honest, in the past, I haven't really loved science fiction books, but I really appreciated the YouTube by Karin Perry about science fiction, and it truly got me intrigued by a lot of the books mentioned- I took notes and plan to read some!! Furthermore, I know young adults love fantasy and science fiction books, so I totally see the importance in being well informed on them, particularly when advising readers on what to read, and helping teachers pick books for the classroom.

LSSL 5385 textbook reflection Chapter 13 GRAPHIC NOVELS

Graphic novels have really gained popularity in the last couple of decades, and they are gaining credibility in the classroom as well. Graphic novels present information in a new way for young adults to read and gain interest in the subject matter through comic-like drawings, narration, thought-bubbles, panels, and dialogue. This format can be seen in both fiction and non fiction stories, so it's important to remember that both genres and many categories of books can take graphic novel format.

The scope of graphic novels is wide and can appeal to elementary, middle school, and high school students alike. Often, educators overlook the value of graphic novels in the classroom, but I really see the value in them. They can be educational, but also enjoyable, and I think they're very memorable.  While I think they have the potential to pull in reluctant readers, that's not their only purpose. Graphic novels are for everyone, and for all levels of readers.

The book Persepolis really changed my opinion of graphic novels. Never had I read a novel that presented such moving information and writing in graphic novel format. I had read some really cute stories, like Babymouse and Lunch Lady, but Persepolis opened my eyes to a whole new perspective on the value of graphic novels for all levels of readers.

LSSL 5385 book blogs POISON EATERS

Black, H. (2010). The Poison Eaters And Other Stories. Big Mouth House.

This collection of short stories didn't particularly appeal to me, but that's probably more a reflection of my taste than of the book or writing itself. I don't usually gravitate towards the fantasy category, so this urban-fantasy story just wasn't my cup of tea. 

Each story stood on it's own but they all fell along the lines of the supernatural- vampires, ghosts, devils, and unicorns, to name a few. It's definitely a dark and edgy read- there are always creepy things looming in the darkness, and danger seems to hide around every corner. This book pulls you into another world where werewolves exist, vampires live in a town called Coldtown, and faeries live among us. The opening story, "The Coldest Girl in Coldtown" was my favorite, and I've heard that Holly Black turned this into a full novel, so I'm excited to get my hands on that. Perhaps that book will change my mind on urban-fantasy! 

The strength of this book was the range of characters and settings that it covered, and Holly Black is a great story teller. I'm having a hard time really saying much about the book otherwise, as the short stories, to me, really just broke it up and didn't give anything time to develop. It was a like a sample taste when you want the whole cake! 

If you were intrigued by this book, check out the novel The Coldest Girl in Coldtown. I'm putting it on my "to-read" wish list! Despite my disconnect with the book, I think young adults will love this book if they are into fantasy. Not to mention, the stories themselves are fairly short and pretty quick, easy reads, so teens who have a hard time reading long books will be pleasantly surprised.

LSSL 5385 book blog PRINCESS PRINCESS EVER AFTER

ONeill, K., Yarwood, A., & Chao, F. (2016). Princess Princess ever after. Portland, OR: Oni Press, Inc.

This is another pretty cute fairy tale graphic novel that is a great choice to have in the library as it appeals to some of our youth that may feel that they have no one to relate to. As librarians, we are always going to be looking for novels that help kids feel included, allowing them to use "windows as mirrors," reading about people they can relate to. This book tells the tale of two princesses, one African American, one pleasantly "plump," and they end up falling in love and getting married.

These two unconventional princesses experience adventure together. In Rapunzel-like fashion, Princess Amira saves Princess Sadie from a tower, and then their adventure, and relationship, evolves. Finally, they aspire to defeat the sorceress who put Sadie in the tower, and in the end, the Princesses get married.

Aside from the obvious LGBT appeal, this book also touches on gender equality, peer pressure and the pressures of societal standards when it comes to marriage, beauty, and weight expectations. I really loved the classic cartoon drawings- it kind of reminded me of Super Mario brothers characters mixed with an anime-like style of art. The sweet style of artwork was given a modern twist as the characters themselves were modern- Amira's hair is a perfect example of that!

This is a great graphic novel for middle school kids. If you enjoyed this graphic novel, you should check out any of Katie O'Neill's other books, like The Tea Dragon Society.

LSSL 5385 GIANT DAYS

Allison, J., Treiman, L., & Cogar, W. (2015). Giant Days(#1). Los Angeles: Boom! Box.

Why did I love this graphic novel so much?! I'm normally not much of a graphic novel person, but I kind of want to keep reading this series. It's just lighthearted, fun, and super funny. It's a story of three girls, Esther, Daisy, and Susan, during their first year of college. Esther is a total goth and pretty dramatic, Daisy (my favorite) is nerdy and sheltered, and Susan is confident and outspoken. During their first year of college, they are unlikely friends, but they are bound together by proximity and new experiences, like most are in that unique time of life. They share intimate conversations, hilarious moments, and all the fun, stress, and exhaustion that college has to offer. It is witty and nostalgic for those of us who went to college and felt many of these same feelings. I love the artwork and how it gave the story, and the characters, movement and life. The artwork was adorable, quirky, and charming... just like the story and relationship of these three strong, female friends.

The strength of this graphic novel was the lighthearted tone of the dialogue, and the humor. It's just an adorable novel. 

If you are interested in other graphic novels with female characters, you may enjoy Lumberjanes by Noelle Stevenson,  Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Brooke A. Allen.

LSSL 5385 book blogs STAYING FAT FOR SARAH BYRNES

Crutcher, c. (2018). Staying fat for Sarah Byrnes. S.l.: Greenwillow books.

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes is a book by Chris Crutcher that aims to tackle a lot of the heavy topics that young adults face.

Eric Calhoun, "Moby," is our protagonist, and it’s impossible not to like him right away. Moby: the boy is such a loyal friend that he vows to stay fat for his best friend, Sarah, for a whole year. Sarah Byrnes is outspoken, cool, and ironically, has burns on her face and hands, allegedly from a childhood accident. When Eric starts to lose weight after joining the swim team, he tries to eat as much as possible to stay an outcast like his dear friend, and fellow outcast, Sarah. Inevitably, Eric starts to find friends and popularity, but when Sarah lands herself in the psych ward and completely mute at the hospital, Eric knows something must be terribly wrong. When Sarah opens up to him about the real reason behind her burns, Eric breaks the silence, and risks their friendship by asking others for help. As the book unfolds, we see the menacing truth behind Mr. Byrnes, the horrors that Sarah has had to face, and the loyalty of their friendship through it all.

The best part of this book was the voice, for sure. Crutcher is a great storyteller, and there was so much personality behind Moby's voice that I really felt like I knew him, which really lends itself to the vivid imagery- it was easy to paint the pictures in my head. Sometimes, it was downright hilarious, too.

There was a lot I loved about this book. However, I did think that he had a pretty clear agenda and he wasn’t subtle in it. Every conservative Christian in this book is cast in terrible light, which is less than fair and, well, flat out annoying and lazy writing in my honest opinion. I always prefer to see the characters take an organic journey that flows naturally, while watching their experiences and opinions unfold; the forced agenda behind Crutcher's character development didn’t do that for me. The plot had a lot of untapped potential, because, at times, it seemed like Crutcher ignored his plot and characters to push the agenda. It was obnoxious at some points. That being said, I still liked this book a fair amount, and in our politically charged times today, young adults of this generation likely will, too. I just didn't love the forced agenda and personally the morals seemed twisted to me. 

Many of Crutcher's books have been banned, so if you are interested in reading more like this one, perhaps check out Running Loose or Athletic Shorts, both by Chris Crutcher.

LSSL 5385 book blog 100 SIDEWAYS MILES

Smith, A. (2014). 100 Sideways Miles. Simon & Schuster.

Now, THIS, my friends... this book had every piece you look for in a young adult novel. Yet, it was genuine, authentic, strange, quirky, totally relatable, and HILARIOUS, all without trying too hard. I'm pretty impressed with Andrew Smith's writing and I look forward to reading more by him. Did anyone else look at the cover and think... what the heck is this one going to be about?!? I've come to realize that must be Andrew Smith's thing though... quirky, weird, strange, yet somehow... he makes it normal.

Well, 100 Sideways Miles is a coming-of-age novel centered around Finn, who is the main character and extremely nerdy protagonist... think: epileptic, nerdy, and never-been-kissed. The cover paints a picture of the accident Finn and his mother were in- an accident that has had a lasting impact on Finn. For one, it left him with scars, but it also altered the way he sees and measures time. Alongside Finn, we meet Cade, who is essentially Cade's loveable and hilarious sidekick... and let me tell you, Smith can write teenage boys perfectly. You will laugh out loud.

What's a little young adult literature without a good teen romance? We also meet Julia, who is from Chicago, 2,000+ miles away from where Finn and Cade reside in California. Finn and Julia instantly bond- but their love is anything but cliche, and I loved that. In a way, it's nerdy, awkward, and unexpected, but a love that's intense nonetheless. When Julia returns home, Finn and Cade embark on a road trip. It's a great novel that teenagers will love. It really speaks on a teenage level- angst, sarcasm, humor, sex, and a little foul language.

If you enjoyed this book, pick up The Fault in our Stars or Looking for Alaska by John Green. Andrew Smith reminded me a little bit of him, and these are two great novels by him.

LSSL 5385 book blogs TELL ME SOMETHING REAL

Devlin, C. (2016). Tell me something real. S&S/Atheneum.

This book was intriguing with an interesting twist. Tell Me Something Real is a story of the 3 Babcock sisters Vanessa, Adrienne, and Marie. They are all different, and you will enjoy their well-developed character traits, but despite their differences, they are deeply tied together by their concern for their mother who has Leukemia. Set in 1976, they are traveling to Mexico for an experimental treatment to help their mother. Vanessa knows that her mother’s fate is inevitable, and the family is left to navigate a wealth of emotions and struggles- love, college, and of course, their mother's illness. But, as the story progresses, we find that their mother's illness is not what we thought. The sisters and their father then have to learn to come to terms with this new development- how to cope, what to do, who to trust, and ultimately, how to move forward. The loss that they feel is as real as death, as their mother is not who they thought she was.

I enjoyed this book and thought its strongest asset was the character development of the sisters as well as the twist regarding their mother’s illness. For me, investing in the characters is such a key part of getting me to turn the page, and Devlin did a great job of making me want to know more about each sister and Vanessa's perspective. I also really love the title of this book: Tell Me Something Real hints at the theme of the book before we even open the cover. These sisters are longing for authentic truth and someone they can trust. The pain, followed by betrayal, that they feel daily was a little exhausting and heavy for me, but I couldn't put the book down. I can't tell you any more without spoiling the twist. Pick up the book and see for yourself.

If you, too, were intrigued by this book and perhaps you enjoyed the sister dynamic, perhaps try The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown. I will tell you that I haven't had the change to read this one myself, but it has been recommended to me and it's on my list! This book is a young adult novel but I really think anyone over the age of 16 will enjoy it. It's a little heavy for middle school, in my opinion. Enjoy!

LSSL 5385 Book Blog- THE CROSSOVER

Alexander, K. (2014). The Crossover (The Crossover #1). Houghton Miffin.

This book of poetry really surprised me. I didn’t expect to be so intrigued by it, and when I opened the book to read it, I didn’t put it down until I was done. I really enjoyed Alexander’s ability to put such vivid words on a page and express the character’s feelings through free verse poetry, and even changes in font and format. 

These two twin brothers, Josh and Jordan, love the game of basketball like it’s a way of life. For them, it is. Their dad was a professional basketball star, who won championships playing for the Italian team, and whose dreams were ended by an injury. Now, he lives for his boys to play the game he loves so much, but he always misses the “swish.” Together, and apart, the brothers experience glory, triumph, division, love, loss, and loneliness… but the game of basketball inevitably keeps them all together. It’s hard for me to go into too much of a summary without spoiling the progression of the story, so do yourself a favor and go read this one. It’s a quick read, but it’s heartwarming, heartbreaking, and downright emotional in every way. Kwame Alexander is extremely talented. I am always completely blown away by writers who can move me with dynamic poetry.  He is a master of setting a tone that moves and flows from one page to the next with seamless transitions. One minute, I was laughing, and in the next, without even noticing it, I was grabbing the tissues: that was the strength of this book.

If you enjoyed this book, check out some more books by Kwame Alexander. The second book in the Crossover series is called Booked. I really want to read that one as well. I think this is the perfect book to entice high school kids into a poetry unit!

LSSL 5385 book blog ELEANOR & PARK

Rowell, R. (2016). Eleanor & Park. New York: St. Martins Griffin.

It’s evident in this writing that Rainbow Rowell remembers what it’s like to be a teen. Eleanor and Park sixteen year old star-crossed lovers; Park is half Korean with a sweet, seemingly normal family and a warm home life. Eleanor, on the other hand, is redheaded, poor, and from a very broken family with a step-father who is truly evil. However, in the midst of their crazy lives, they find each other on the bus and build this unlikely, heartwarming relationship. He needs her, and she lives for him. Their love is built on a deep friendship with a “nerdy” twist, as they read comics together and share mix tapes, too. They both have their own background problems and home issues, but they come together and share such a sweet bond.

The strength of this book is the back and forth shifts of point of view from Eleanor to Park. Rowell draws us in to really feel the emotions of each character throughout each scenario. It gives us insight into their deep friendship that turns into an almost desperate love for each other, yet we see how different their point of view and perspective is.

I love this book as a summer reading book, and I think it would be great to include on summer reading lists for students, particularly ages 13-17. Another young adult romance book to consider is Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry. It’s a little sexier, edgier, and perhaps more mature, and it doesn’t have the “nerdy” love appeal that Eleanor & Park has, but it’s a similar read to consider if you enjoyed this one. This one would also make a great summer read for 9^th, 10^th, or 11^th graders.

LSSL 5385 Textbook reflection 9 HISTORICAL FICTION

When evaluating, critiquing, and choosing historical fiction for children, it's important to remember that history is relative and different generations are going to consider "history" differently. Reading historical fiction will allow children to experience a time period that they were likely not even alive for.

There are many important elements of historical fiction that we can look for when evaluating this type of literature. Sometimes when we say "history," kids are probably a bit turned off and uninterested. However, the great thing about historical fiction is that it reads like a story, but the background information and time period should be factually accurate. It's also important to recognize that the values of the time period are there. For instance, as it pertains to women's rights, civil rights, and religious aspects, you want to make sure the historical evidence portrays the cultural climate accurately. What about the clothing, language, habits, past times, laws? They should be factually accurate relative to the historical period as well. Lastly, is the theme universal, despite the change of time period? Do the lessons ring true for today, as the time period?

By utilizing these characteristics of historical fiction, we can better equipped ourselves and our young readers to explore this genre.

LSSL 5385 Textbook reflection 8 POETRY

I've learned a lot about poetry from this section of the textbook as well as the featured YouTube videos. Poetry is a form of writing, and it can be seen in many genres. Poetry can also be quite intimidating. That fact makes it especially important for us to understand what type of poetry kids enjoy so that we can encourage it and appeal to our audience when necessary.

Research has shown narrative poetry (poetry that really tells a story) is what kids like the most. They typically dislike free verse and haiku poetry, as it has less emphasis on rhythm and rhyme, and that's what children really associate poetry with! Kids really enjoy sound elements in poetry, such as alliteration, and just the sing-song rhyming pattern, which is emphasized by this research. Similar to the novels they enjoy, children really love relatable topics in poetry. I would argue that this is likely true for anyone, at least, it is for me! Kids also show a preference for contemporary poems, which goes hand in hand with it being relatable, as they utilize language that kids understand well. Children also really love poetry that affects imagery with sensory words that make you feel like you are there. For this reason, kids, particularly of elementary ages, tend to really love poems about animals, too.

It's vital to expose them to poetry often. However, don't feel the need to "dumb down" poetry for kids. Remember that some poems are very short and sweet, and it's so easy to incorporate poems into everyday teaching and enjoyment for kids! Also, repeated reading is important. Don't hesitate to read the same poem to them a few times!

I think it's really important to continually expose kids to poetry even if we feel uncomfortable with it and even if they don't like it. Poetry doesn't have to rhyme and there are no rules, surely, kids will love that!



Suggested poetry book for kids: If You're Not Here, Please Raise Your Hand poems about school

Note: I remember reading Many Luscious Lollipops when I was young!

LSSL 5385 Textbook reflection 7- AWARDS

Being familiar with different literary awards and acclaimed lists is so important so that we can recommend the best and most relevant books to those that ask for our help. It allows us to foster a love for reading and create lifelong readers if we can develop a knack for recommending great books. These literary awards and lists can help us do that. 

For example, the annual list "Best fiction for YA" are a list of fiction titles published for young adults in the past 16 months that are recommended reading for ages 12 to 18. The purpose of this is to help us better serve those readers in this age group who are looking for the best fiction novels, and it helps us narrow our choices and go from there.

The Printz Award also really stuck out to me. It's an award that displays literary excellence in young adult literature. The 2017 winner of the Printz Award is the graphic novel entitled March by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell.

Another notable list to utilize is the Readers’ Choice list which is intended to find books that engage a broad audience of educators and teens alike by choosing the most popular teen titles in a given year..  It provides librarians with a easily accessible list and means of identifying popular teen titles on an ongoing basis.

These are literally just a few of the notable lists and awards available for reference. This list of awards, particularly for YA novels, is broad, ongoing, and vastly helpful when it comes to librarians finding great reads for users. The value of these lists is priceless if we have knowledge of them and stay up to date with them. 

LSSL 5385 Textbook reflection 6 LITERARY ELEMENTS

This section of our textbook broke down literary elements and devices to help us better assess the books and novels that we read from a literary perspective. While most of these terms are not new to me and I'm sure my fellow scholars would agree, it's great to have a "refresher" of some of these terms as they can often get mixed up in common conversation.

A few of the terms that I needed a quick review of were archetype, allegory, and theme.

Archetype is something that represents an idea, and has therefore become generally known and reused. For example, Romeo and Juliet are generally known to represent tragic love, and that can convey a lot of meaning to readers when used as an archetype.

Allegory, for me, is a little hard to understand or explain, but the best way I think is to say it is an extended metaphor of sorts. In other words, rather than being a simple comparison, it's an extended comparison throughout an entire plot, almost like a greater, implied message presented by the author.

Theme is such an important term as it relates to literature and while I'm very familiar with it, it's such an important device to revisit often. A theme is a global idea, presented in a full sentence, that doesn't just apply to the story you are reading, but is an underlying message or lesson learned by the entire body of literature. For example, "Love conquers all," or "War strips us of our humanity" are examples of possible themes.

Among these terms there are many others, so I won't go into detail about each one, but these are the terms that I needed a review of. In addition, there was one term I had never heard of, and that is Deus ex machine. This refers to a situation where the author presents an unlikely character or even a supernatural solution to resolve a conflict, in order to present a favorable outcome to the story. It's often frowned upon. In what I've gathered, it seems like a lazy, unrealistic way to tie the loose ends of the plot.

It's so important for us as students and future librarians to be able to properly asses literature from a technical perspective, removing opinions and bias and just breaking down the body of work using these literary elements and devices.

LSSL 5385- IT'S PERFECTLY NORMAL

Harris, R. H., & Emberley, M. (2004). It's Perfectly Normal: A Book about Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health. Candlewick Press.

It's Perfectly NormaI provides scientific information regarding sex and puberty that answers questions for teens and young adults regarding sex, contraception, physical changes, STDs, and more. It's an important guide for parents to discuss difficult subject matter regarding staying healthy and making hard decisions facing the pressures of teenage life. The best part of this book is the light-hearted but scientifically accurate approach. The illustrations set a tone that make it less awkward to open up about very personal subject matter, and I think it's so important to open up these discussions with teens and young adults so that they have all the answers to their many questions regarding sex and puberty.

I definitely think this book is for home, and not for the classroom, unless perhaps it's specifically for sex education courses and parents are aware of the content discussed. It's so important that these subjects are covered thoroughly, but also that we make sure parents have the ability to discuss them at home. I think some of the more graphic depictions were a little distracting from the content, and while I understand the importance of being up front with kids about the truth and realities of sex, I'm not sure the step-by-step pictures are necessary. That being said, I appreciated the cartoon nature. Another book to consider in regards to this subject matter is What's Happening To Me? A Guide to Puberty by Peter Mayle. When discussing these topics, I think it's important to not rush the subject matter and take it day by day, over the course of some time, and to allow kids to ask questions without judgment. This book does a good job of providing a guideline of how to do that.

LSSL 5385- LILY AND DUNKIN

Gephart, D. (2016). Lily and Dunkin. New York: Delacorte Press.

Lily and Dunkin are both going through a lot of emotions and identity issues- Lily, born Timothy, is transgender. Dunkin, born Norbert, is bipolar. They’re both in middle school, which is a time of identity crisis anyways, so the changes and emotions they are experiencing are truly deep and difficult. These two unlikely friends meet and change each other’s lives. We go on a journey through their lives and interactions with others, some who support them, some who have a hard time understanding, and some who flat out ridicule them. It’s an, emotional book that will open your eyes and your heart to a realm you may not have had personal experience with otherwise. I think it will encourage compassion among its readers.

When we talk about reasons that we share books with kids, we talk so much about building empathy and allowing them to use windows as windows to see into the lives of other experiences that they otherwise would not have. To me, this book provides that opportunity. It allows kids to develop their own opinions as well, and decide how they feel about some of these important issues that are prevalent in our world today.

I love this book as a middle school read- it’s funny how this age group has such touching novels that I love as an adult. Another book to connect to is This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp, it’s another middle school book about a school shooting, perhaps an issue worth discussing with that age group as well. The reviews don’t seem great, but I’m intrigued by it.

LSSL 5385 PERSEPOLIS

Satrapi, M. (2008). Persepolis: The story of a childhood. London: Vintage Books.

Persepolis is Marjane Satrapi’s memoir, written in graphic novel format, about growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. She is the only child of a wealthy, progressive family, and she is outspoken and witty. Marjane’s autobiography gives us a peak into her childhood and the history of Iran during a time when personal freedom took a step backward, and religious extremists revolutionized the lifestyle in Iran. Her family protests the changes, while still maintaining normalcy at home, and we watch this shape Marjane to be strong, opinionated, and literally, rebellious. It’s a very interesting book about a young girl in the midst of wartime- and while it isn’t a history lesson, the reader gets a realistic perspective of her childhood during the revolution.

My connection to the textbook was simple- this is a great example of genres and formats, as typically when I think of a graphic novel, I think of fiction. Persepolis, on the other hand, is in graphic novel format, but it is a non fiction autobiography. That's a great teaching lesson for the classroom as well! I think this would be a fabulous read for 9^th or 10^th grade students in conjunction with a history class during their discussions of the Islamic Revolution. It gives so much insight that I, even as an adult, never knew at all. Another similar book to consider is Epileptic by David B. It’s also an autobiography and written in graphic novel format. Watchmen by Alan Moore is a Hugo Award-winning graphic novel about super-heroes plagued by their all-too-human failings.

LSSL 5385- MONSTER

Myers, W. D. (1999). Monster. Amistad.

16 year old Steve Harmon is on trial for murder, and this novel unfolds in a dynamic fashion as it is written like a screen-play. It wasn’t my favorite format, but it did keep it more interesting, I suppose. I kind of wish I had listened to it as an audiobook. Walter Dean Myers brings many questions to the forefront, and leaves the reader to decide on their own what they believe in regards to faulty court systems, racial prejudice, and justice. The truth to Steve Harmon’s past is never fully revealed and we are left to decide- victim, or criminal? I will say, I had a hard time trusting Steve, and for me, characters are what really pull me into a story. I wish I could’ve trusted Steve more, but some of the story just didn’t add up for me, and I badly wanted him to prove that he should be vindicated in the end. The strength of this book, in my opinion, is that it has the potential to really pull in young adults who do not necessarily love to read. The format of the writing makes it quick and helps it read more like a movie. The mood and the tone of this novel is fitting for the subject matter, and it is certainly suspenseful, which will keep you reading. I just couldn't fall in love with any of the characters and for me, that's everything.

Monster provides young adults with a good opportunity to explore that post-conventional thought process regarding morals and ethics where they step away from their child-like thoughts of rewards versus consequences, and operate more based on humanity and what they feel in their heart to be right or wrong. I think it would be a great book for high school readers to debate- have the class split by who believes Steve is guilty, and who believes he is innocent. It could be a great debate for mature high school students! Perhaps consider letting the class listen to it as an audiobook, as well. The Beast by Walter Dean Myers is a similar book to consider reading if you enjoyed this one. 

LSSL 5385 GABI, A GIRL IN PIECES

Quintero, I. (2014). Gabi, a girl in pieces (First ed.). El Paso, TX: Cinco Puntos Press. ISBN 9781935955948

This funny, charismatic, and extremely relatable protagonist, Gabi, brings a light to many issues and pressures teenagers feel every day. From body image, to teen pregnancy, addiction, and homosexuality, Gabi takes us on a humorous, lovable journey through her experiences as a senior in high school. Her Hispanic heritage is prevalent and offers the reader a look into the expectations of her Hispanic mother, su hermano Beto, and her crazy tia Bertha. All along the way, her best friends, Cindy and Sebastian, help her navigate the halls of high school during her senior year, boys, college applications, food, and friendship. I loved Gabi's voice- she really is the perfect protagonist. I laughed out-loud throughout this book, and as a female, I think she is so relatable on so many levels. For me, that is the strength of the book. Isabel Quintero does an amazing job of painting a picture for you and providing detailed imagery- I feel like I was watching a movie in my head. The downfall, for me, was that it was a bit pushy, as well as being a little unrealistic- who goes through all of those hardships in one year? I think Quintero would've done well to pick one theme and develop it throughout. Still, I enjoyed this book for the humor and character it provided.

I found a lot of similarities to this and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian: different cultures, but similar struggles. Gabi has a really funny and unique voice, and I think teen girls will really enjoy that. They will find her relatable and I think the “diary” format will keep them reading. While I think it’s important to bring up contemporary problems in society, I also think it’s important to allow our youth to form their own opinions about these issues. Overall, I think this book was pretty pushy about a lot of modern day disputes- the author was certainly not subtle. I would keep that in mind before putting it on a “required reading” list for high schoolers.

LSSL 5385 Textbook reflection 5- How adolescents develop

Understanding how adolescents develop and the stages that they go through physically, mentally, and emotionally is so important to us as teacher librarians. Whether they are dealing with the physical changes of puberty or the emotions of their teen years, if we can dive into a deeper comprehension of where they are developmentally, we can provide them with tools and books that will aid in their development in a positive way.

Starting with puberty, kids are in such an uneasy time of change. Physically, new things are happening that often lead to feelings of insecurity, clumsiness, and awkwardness. Books can be a great resource for kids to reassure them that they aren't alone in this time, and that the things they are going through are completely normal.

Adolescents also go through an intellectual change, where their thoughts and capacity for mature thought processes start to evolve. When kids are young, they operate on a very "concrete" basis: facts, base level thinking, and they do what they are told. As they start to grow and reach those teen years, they can adopt a more "abstract" level of thinking: i.e. "what is the theme of this book?" They start to understand purpose and motivation behind actions, and they start to develop their own thoughts, feelings, and beliefs on a moral level.

Relationships change, as we often see in literature. Adolescents start to develop a different relationship with friends, as well as with members of the opposite sex. They choose a "vocation," and develop specific interests that give them purpose and passion. It's a perfect opportunity to provide them with books that can validate their feelings, expand their growing imaginations, or just give them a break from the stress of everyday life! Allowing them to read simply for aesthetic enjoyment is a huge part of why we want to develop lifelong readers- it can evoke emotions, provide an outlet for creative thought, and encourage empathy.