The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

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

The more things change, the more they tend to stay the same.  Junior is mocked, disregarded, and devalued by members of his Native American tribe.  His immediate family, his rambunctious friend Rowdy, and his cartoon drawings were at one time his only allies and solace.  The prospect of someday joining far too many other adults whose lives were spent gambling and boozing until they destroyed themselves and their families was not appealing, so Junior, in an audacious move, enrolled in a school off the rez where the only other "Indian" was the mascot.  Though already tanked, Junior's popularity among his people bottoms out when he is viewed as a traitor.  He picks up a few new friends along the way, but misses Rowdy, who is out for blood during a rival basketball game.  As opposed to breaking him, the malice only strengthens Junior's resolve.

I am often baffled by the concept of intra-racial discrimination.  The idea that an oppressed people would further alienate one another as opposed to establishing a united front is mind boggling.  Junior's only "offense" was having the nerve to dream; his consequence was to live a nightmare on the rez among those who should have been his biggest supporters.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

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

Silence is the only power a secret possesses.  Melinda Sordino will enter her freshman year of high school completely alone.  Abandoned and shunned by nearly every teenager she once called a friend for derailing an out of control party by calling the police, the outlook for Melinda's social status is bleak. The year appears dismal until she is challenged in art class to give life and meaning to her blindly selected muse (a tree).  Fumbling and failing to create a piece that speaks  to her, she sets off on a different journey of discovery each time a subsequent attempt is made.  The only way to remove the road blocks to her creativity is to free herself from the guilt and shame of allowing herself to become Andy, the Beast's, prey.  Melinda finds that there is strength in numbers when she offers a warning on the door of a bathroom stall to avoid The Beast at all cost.  The admonition reverberates when far too many others echo the sentiment.

I was impressed by the symbolic start-stop-discard-repeat-until-I-get-it-right pattern displayed each time Melinda abandoned an idea she formulated to breathe life into her art project.  It is identical to the process of trying to give a voice to a statement of importance by choosing silence, rehearsing, and mulling the words over until the perfect combination exists to speak our truths.

El Deafo by Cece Bell

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

El Deafo is a poignant tale of a little girl's (rabbit's) struggle to adapt to hearing impairment and altered speech brought on by a life altering bout with meningitis.  Delivered in graphic novel format, Cece takes reader's along on her quest to achieve balance, make friends and simply fit in following her family's relocation to Roanoke, Virginia.  A bit self-conscious about wearing her new, larger hearing aid pack to school, Cece discovers that though unsightly, the device gives her an uncanny ability to hear so clearly that she is privy to private conversations, and can alert classmates of the approach of the teacher which earns her near celebrity status among her peers.  Her hearing is not just good, it's super.  Her new super power can only be complimented by the creation of a super hero persona, thus the birth of El Deafo.  Betrayed by one pseudo-friend (Laura), and pitied by another (Ginny), in the end, Cece strikes a just right balance with Martha and Mike who see and accept her for the super, cool kid she is.

This novel would be a perfect classroom read-aloud and addition to a speech therapist's/counselor's library to encourage students with impediments and ease feelings of inadequacy and promoting peer sensitivity while highlighting the notion that the only obstacles that can't be overcome are those that are not faced.

Annie On My Mind by Nancy Garden

Garden, N. (1982). Annie on my mind. NY: Farrar, Straus, Giroux.

The headmistress of Foster's Private School is on a witch hunt.  Disappointed when Liza Winthrop, popular student body president failed to report an underground ear-piercing practice, she uses the discovery of Liza with an unknown girl (Annie Kenyon) in the home of her lesbian teachers as grounds for dismissal from the school during as school board hearing.  She simply can not have Liza drawing negative attention to the school when donors are desperately needed.  Though it chooses not to take a stance on Liza's revealed sexual orientation, the board rules to terminate the employment of her teachers on the basis of improper influence.  Confused about the slew of events that ensued, Liza and Annie end their relationship.  They graduate from high school and attend college on two separate ends of the country, but the distance does nothing to erase their memories.  Annie has forwarded many letters to Liza that have gone unanswered, but that certainly does not mean that Annie has not been on her mind.  Instead of responding in writing, Liza phones Annie and the two make plans to reunite after the semester draws to a close.

I think this text could easily become a weapon in the hands of homophobic individuals who would argue that when kids are exposed to alternative lifestyles, they are easily led astray by the free attitudes of those deemed as deviants as evidenced by Annie's initial declaration of love in "it's O.K. if you don't feel the same; just thought you should know..." format to a seemingly unassuming Annie who never contemplated her sexuality along with the encouragement of Liza's lesbian teachers.

George by Alex Gino

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

Adolescence is a challenging time to navigate further complicated when a daily farce must be enacted.  The topic of transgender identification is on full display in this novel written from the point of view of a ten year old whose body causes the external world to refer to him by his birth name, George, but whose heart screams "My name is Melissa!"  After reading and discovering that the class play will be a rendition of Charlotte's Web, Melissa approaches her teacher to announce her intention of auditioning.  She is rejected and betrayed in the face of Ms. Udell's reaction and is further taunted by mean-spirited classmates when she develops the strength to begin verbalizing her gender identification.  Though few offer genuine support for allowing the aspiring actress to tell her story, including her contradictory, critical mother and macho older brother, she is confirmed through the total acceptance of her best girlfriend Kelly who challenges her to yell instead of whisper that she is Melissa, not George, and celebrates her with a true girl's day out complete with a gender identifying wardrobe to boot.

The goal and the charge of any worthwhile school library program administrator is to support the notion that our facilities must reflect the interests of all of its patrons.  George is a needed addition to promote a sense of belonging and educate the greater population of the need to accept individuals for who they feel they are without bias, prejudice, discrimination, or malice.  Well done, Alex Gino.

It's Perfectly Normal by Robie Harris

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

Breaching the topics of sex and sexuality with prepubescent children can make most adults a bit squeamish.  Too much information can overwhelm or generate interest in experimentation.  Too little can result in being lead astray due to misinformation obtained from unauthoritative figures, namely peers.  Narrated by "The Bird" and "The Bee", this text is sure to generate tons of questions and promote an open dialogue about topics that can and should not be shunned or shied away from.  The publication is divided into six chapters with an itemized table of contents and index making it possible to focus upon singular topics without losing meaning if the entire text is not completely read.

Vivid pictorial images and dialogue between the cleverly-named narrators seek to destigmatize topics ranging from masturbation, homosexuality, birth control, and surrogacy to STDs and HIV while promoting a positive body image and extolling the virtues of making responsible sexual choices which justify placing this body of work within middle and high school libraries.  It would also be a wise acquisition to include within a counselor/nurse's library and can supplement sex education lesson resources within science curriculums.

Our course text speaks about the importance of adolescents adapting to the changing nature of their physical bodies using Havighurst's Theory of Developmental Tasks.  It's Perfectly Normal seeks to eliminate the wonder, shame, and anxiety felt at this stage and replace them with empowerment.

Monster by Walter Dean Myers

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

Life imitates art imitates life.  There is power in the written and spoken word.  Labels attached to individuals can inspire, enrage, or become internalized.  Most of all, they stick.  Monster.  That's the label that has been assigned to sixteen year old Steve Harmon.  Implicated as a participant in the robbery/murder of a drugstore owner by an acquaintance desiring a lighter sentence, Steve reflects on how he has gotten to this point in journal, narrative and scripted format causing readers to truly think about whether or not having knowledge about the crime that would be committed and failing to disclose it are grounds enough to assert his guilt or decide if we are being duped.  Despicable and sympathetic characters populate the novel like apparent gunmen Bobo Evans and James King, disputed eyewitness Mrs. Henry, and Steve's defense attorney who is not wholly convinced of his innocence even after being found not guilty by the jury. 

I admittedly sympathized with the accused while reading the text, backstory, and upbringing of the main character and staring at the cover art.  I saw the faces of many of the promising students I've taught over nearly 17 years in education whose existences are identical.  I have supreme faith in the American judicial system, but I shudder to imagine all the lives that are forever altered when holes and cracks are filled with young people who as a result of poor association, inadequate defense, or improper investigation carry the label Monster when guilty verdicts are returned.

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

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

The first in a three part series, the ending of this text has "insert sequel here..." written all over it.  On the verge of manhood, Todd, must flee his male only homeland when he discovers "silence" which is unheard of following the unleashing of the "Noise germ".  Todd is given a journal written by his mother before all females were exterminated that will lead him to a new land.  The "silence" is revealed to be a girl! named Viola who too is being pursued.  The two determine there is strength in numbers and take flight along with Todd's dog, Manchee.  Conflict and warring follow them to each settlement they approach causing the race for refuge to become urgent.  When it appears that Todd and Viola will make it into the aptly named settlement Haven, an extreme plot twist occurs.  Instead of Todd killing Viola's pursuer as his sacrifice to initiate his transition into manhood, Viola kills Aaron, a preacher from their homeland, herself.  Just as it looks as if they will make it to safety, Viola is shot by the mayor of their land who was a step ahead of them and has already seized Haven.  Todd agrees to surrender in exchange for help for Viola...

Admittedly, I have never been a fan of dystopia.  I force myself to read it to relate to young readers, but I haven't found a text yet that has caused me to sway.  I get that the chaotic, fantastic worlds that abandon conventional rules in favor of alternative realities are an expression of how kids make sense of their emerging understanding of the adult world they are preparing to enter into, but it still doesn't float my boat.

Gabi: A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero

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

There is no way justice can be done to this remarkable body of writing in 250 words or less, but here goes.  Rape. Sex. Pregnancy. How drug abuse destroys families. Supporting friends at all costs. Body image.  Motherly advice (to a fault). Self-worth and assertion. Mexican pride.  "Good" vs. "Bad" girls.  Becoming a statistic.  Rejection brought on by homophobia.  TEACHERS TAKING A STAND TO SILENCE HATRED AND IGNORANCE - YES! And don't forget the beautiful poetry - (sigh)!  One of the most important, enjoyable bodies of work I've read throughout this entire assignment, Gabi is a high school senior whose diary provides readers with a glimpse into her world.  A true friend, confidante, budding activist, student and self-assured young woman, Gabi is the total package.  I was fortunate enough to have a "Gabi" as a best friend in high school, but for those girls who are or were not, the Gabi on the pages of this text would surely volunteer.  Simply put, you've GOT to read this book!  I did...twice!

One of my favorite - and there were many - parts of this book was when Ms. Abernard immediately put a stop to a homophobic rant directed toward Gabi's friend Sebastian.  As educators, we have to be committed to EDUCATING our students.  We cannot turn the deaf ear to notably mean-spirited comments meant to oppress and isolate subsets of our classroom populations.  I held the book up and gave Ms. Abernard a high five!

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

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

Persepolis chronicles the life a young girl trying to make sense of her war-torn homeland through humorous drawings and dialogue in graphic novel format.  Autobiographical in nature, though difficult for a child to navigate the complex world of politics, Marjane Satrapi gives a child's perspective on understanding the changing, turbulent world around her ranging from the introduction of laws that made no sense, witnessing the changing of regimes, fearing violence and upheaval, and choosing to celebrate the unbreakable spirit of her people in the midst of it all, something can be said for the unassuming wisdom possessed by children in the presence of complete tom-foolery on the part of the adults they are expected to someday emulate.

The lighted hearted humor and "when given lemons, make lemonade" approach to the idea of simply accepting absurd rulings without question were perhaps some of my favorite aspects of the text.  "Nuptial chambers" for virgin martyrs, beating the breast to honor the war-dead, defiantly removing the veil and using it as a jump rope or pretend horse rein were all exploited in a humorous fashion to demonstrate the intelligence of young Marjane Satrapi and her resolve to go along with what she believed was right instead of what was popular or senselessly made into law.

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Woodson, J. (2014). Brown girl dreaming. NY: Nancy Paulsen Books

Compelling and completely relatable, Jacqueline Woodson chronicles her formative years in this well-crafted memoir.  When her parents separate following an ugly dispute about geography (her father prefers to live in the Northern state of Ohio; her mother wants to move back home to South Carolina), Jackie, her mom and two siblings migrate to Greenville to live with her mother's parents.  Though racism is ever-present, Jackie falls deeper in love with her grandparents and finds contentment in the Southern region with its pleasantries and faults.  Her mother, Mary Ann, yearns to return north. She leaves alone to prepare a life for herself and her children.  When her mother returns for them, Jackie learns that New York will be their home and of the existence of an additional sibling, a baby brother.  As time passes, Jackie's grandfather dies of cancer, her grandmother concedes to leave the only home she has ever known to move in with Mary Ann and the kids, and Jackie's talent and writing ability are confirmed causing her to "dream" of a day when her ambitions will be realized.  That day has come. 

This tale could have easily been my own.  I am a native of the deeply communal New Orleans, LA and a member of a family that boasts pride in being "Seriously Southern".  Though greater opportunities exist in Houston, we are tethered to the Pelican state.  My husband and I travel "home" often to insure that our children keep their connection to our cultural heritage and our families, especially their grandparents.

Chinese Handcuffs by Chris Crutcher

Crutcher, C. (2004). Chinese handcuffs. New York : Harper Tempest

 

Preston Hemingway engaged into a slew of destructive behaviors:  drugs, motorcycle gang activity, and the subsequent brutal rape of a young girl. Suicide seemed to be his only way out, so he took.  That said, he was Dillon's older brother, he loved him, and he witnessed the tragic event.  Dillon later learned that Stacy, Preston's girlfriend, is pregnant - another stressor that factored into his decision.  To top it off, Dillon's friend (turned girlfriend) Jennifer has and continues to be molested by the men who should protect her at all costs - her father and stepfather.  Dillon plans enter into the Iron Man competition and turns to the adrenaline high produced by running to cope with the onslaught of heavy issues he must confront.  Though he might not have been able to save his brother, he brings about an end to Jennifer's suffering.

 

In my experience, Chris Crutcher novels are perfectly suited for reluctant male readers.  The compact size of the texts does not overwhelm, making the idea of "reading and finishing the book" an attainable goal.  Additionally, the plots woven within many of the titles center around main characters who are young, strong, male, athletic figures creating instant relatability.  All components come together to create a recipe for reading success for teenaged boys who find the thought of independent pleasure reading completely alien.

 

 

 

 

Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A. S. King

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

Though betrayed and abandoned by her lifelong, childhood best friend, Charlie, Vera Dietz is compelled to posthumously clear his name.  Charlie is dead.  Killed in a fire he set at the pet store where Vera volunteered.  That's the story his maniacal ex-girlfriend, Jenny, wants everyone to believe, but its a lie - Charlie left proof.  Maybe Charlie's better off dead.  Now he doesn't  have to endure the sounds of his dad beating his mom, perform strange favors for a perverted man he encountered when he and Vera were eleven years old, or be victimized by evil Jenny whose lies caused him to turn against Vera and expose the open wound caused by her "stripper mother's" abandonment.  Vera shouldn't care about Charlie's absence at all, but he was her best friend.  More so, even in death, he just won't leave her alone.  After retrieving notes left for her from the tree house where the two spent most of their childhood, Vera seeks to insure that Charlie will rest in peace by revealing her findings to the police, repairing her relationship with her father, and working through her personal issues.

I'm certain that fans of texts like Thirteen Reasons Why, Doll Bones, and others containing "voices heard from the grave" will enjoy the journey of Vera Dietz.  The concepts of assumed destiny and breaking the cycle of destructive familial behaviors provide "teachable moments" for students in grades 7 and up.     

Winger by Andrew Smith

Smith, A. (2013). Winger. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Ryan Dean West is a self-proclaimed loser.  Not only is he two years younger and scrawnier than other juniors at Pine Mountain Academy, he's also a wuss who can't voice his true feelings to his best friend/secret love, Annie, or stand up to his hated, hulk of a roommate Chas "Betch" Becker (if just one letter is changed...).  He is, however, at the top of his class, a loyal friend (unless Annie's involved, then all bets are off - ask his once best friend, JP...), an amazing cartoonist, and a kick-ass rugby winger.  A colorful cast of characters are presented, especially those in the dreaded O-Hall for deviant boys ranging from ominous, strict dorm masters Mr. Farrow and Mrs. Singer, to the murderous pair Casey Palmer and Nick Matthews who beat Winger's unapologetically gay teammate and friend Joey Cosentino to death the night of a school dance in hopes of keeping the details of a desired secret tryst from ever surfacing. 

Teenaged girls will appreciate Ryan Dean's sweet endearing reverence of Annie as he works his way up to revealing his true feelings for her.  Teenaged boys, especially reluctant readers, will warm up to the idea of finishing this 439-page novel once the mother-load of cuss words, insults, comebacks, foul, locker-room language and awesome cartooning are discovered that make Winger a winner on all accounts.

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger

Angleberger, T. (201). The strange case of origami Yoda. New York: Abrams Books. 

Inspiration can sometimes come from the oddest, most unlikely sources.  In this instance, the wise, omniscient figure helping to calm the choppy waves among the McQuarrie Middle School sea of misfits is a strangely fashioned finger puppet deemed Origami Yoda.  Through its eccentric puppet master and creator, Dwight, Origami Yoda dispenses surprisingly sound advice as chronicled by multiple middle schoolers who extol the virtue of the digit-master through individual accounts of how favor was found as a result of Yoda's teachings.  Of course, there are skeptics who refuse to be duped into believing in the mystical powers of a paper booger on the finger of a weirdo.  Dwight's classmate Tommy, along with his pessimistic partner Harvey, plan to determine whether Yoda's fortune-tellings are fact or bunk in enough time to decide whether or not he [Tommy] can trust Yoda's advice to earn him a date with Sara to the dance.  Yoda confidently advises Tommy to go for it guaranteeing Sara will say yes.  How can he be so sure?  Sara asked about Tommy weeks ago - Yoda's advice, "Go to the dance and find out"!

Peers are so important to children during the uncertain middle school years.  The words of well-meaning adults - parents, teachers, coaches - do not resonate as loudly as those of "friends".  Misplaced logic is on full display in this novel as kids not only consult, but actively follow the advice of a puppet who's the front man for the strange kid whose voice and finger give it life.  I am immensely thankful that this phase of my life has been successfully navigated and completed - not without my share of foolish followings...

Doll Bones by Holly Black

Black, H. (2013). Doll bones. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books.

All hail the Queen!  Imaginative play permits participants to control their environment and fate when reality does not afford the same.  Three children, Poppy, Zach, and Alice, decide to make an eerie porcelain doll their ruler and assign her the power to dictate the flow of a series of games they dream up.  As they continue to mature, their pretend world is threatened when Zach is forced to "put away childish things" when William the Blade, a toy and key player, is discarded by his father.  William conceals his outrage by pretending that he has become too old for toys and abandons the girls.  Poppy is then haunted by the Queen who is revealed in her dreams to be the ghost of Eleanor Kerchner in limbo, desperately desiring to be buried near her family in Ohio.  The Queen thus commissions a final journey that will reveal actual facts about the Kerchner family, Alice's true feelings about Zach and the real reason why he quit the games before she is finally laid to rest.

Upper elementary and middle school language arts teachers could utilize this text to illuminate literary elements like suspense, irony, plot development, characterization, and of course symbolism.  The "burying" of the doll symbolically represents maturation and the closing of one chapter (childhood) to open another (adolescence).

Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead

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

Several lies are told over the course of this well-written novel.  Some well-meaning, some not so much.  Safer, a home-schooled kid who resides within the apartment building where main character Georges' and his family have recently moved lies to rope George into an elaborate plot to expose Mr. X's criminal deeds.  Turns out, Mr. X is a nice, normal man, and Safer made up the scheme to amuse himself because he suffers from agoraphobia fearing the outside world.  Georges convinces a group of "nerdy misfits" to band with him to thwart the efforts of classroom bully Dallas by lying about their reactions on a made-up taste test proving where a person falls on the "weirdness" spectrum.  They all give the same answer and find strength and solidarity within their lie.   Finally, Georges abandons the lie he chose to believe about his mother's absence from home accepting that she wasn't simply working multiple hospital shifts to make ends meet following his father's termination from his job.  Georges' mother was actually ill and had been hospitalized, a fact he couldn't bring himself to accept until the end of the novel.

Great language arts/social studies lessons could be crafted on the topics of bullying, the moral dilemma of lying and the resulting repercussions, coping with changes in the financial security of families in tough economic times, spies in history, spyware/gear/apparatus, etc.  An introduction to art appreciation can also be made by studying the work by Georges Seurat, Georges' namesake, and other post-impressionistic artists.

 

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Green, J. (2012). The fault in our stars. New York: Dutton Books.

Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters would openly refute Cassius' claim by asserting that the ‘fault’ most assuredly IS in their stars NOT in themselves that they are underlings. Both mature beyond their years, the teenaged pair embark on a journey that will certainly end far sooner than either would desire.  The thief commonly known as cancer in her many deadly, varied forms reminds them at every turn that they are operating on borrowed time.  Deciding that “’tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all’” the star-crossed duo surrender and bond over a shared attraction and appreciation for literature, namely Hazel’s favorite text An Imperial Affliction written by a grieving, lonely recluse from which they often quote both in banter and in reverence.  When a scare lands Hazel into the intensive care unit, the reality of imminent death becomes concrete causing Augustus to exhaust his “cancer perk” from the Make a Wish Foundation to fulfill Hazel’s dying wish.  Both the trip and the end of the text defy all expectation for both readers and characters alike when cancer's deadly fist closes and suffocates Augustus instead of Hazel.

Situational irony is my favorite component of a well-crafted text.  I delight in being proven wrong at the unraveling of an intricate plot.  Though relieved that Hazel continued to "fight the good fight" within the final pages, August's passing created a hole in the hearts of all who loved him - fictional characters and actual readers.

Sway by Kat Spears

Spears, K. (2014).  Sway. New York:  St. Martin’s Griffin.

Jesse Alderman was a cold-hearted opportunist.  Numb to feeling anything but greed following the drug and alcohol induced death of his mother, Jesse accepted money for his ability to deliver the goods.  Want drugs, alcohol, schoolwork, hookups?  Done.  His days of caring about anyone other than himself were over - until he met Bridget Smalley.  He didn't want to love her, but he couldn't help himself; everyone did.  One problem, she was a business acquisition - for someone else, Ken Foster.  A deal had been made and he had to deliver to protect his reputation.  Jesse injects himself into Bridget's life by befriending her physically impaired brother, Pete, whom he also grows to care for. Despite his feelings, Jesse extols Kens virtues to Bridget, and the two become an item.  Suspicious of Jesse's motives when he continues to hang around the Smalleys, Ken assaults Jesse who defends himself with a lie that is overheard and ruins his friendship with Pete who reveals the truth to Bridget; all bets were off.  Genuinely sorry for his wrong doings, Jesse makes it right by championing a cause near and dear to Bridget's heart which later leads her back to him. 

A story that illuminates the concept of character evolution, Sway is heart-breaking, heart-warming, and generally full of heart.  Students who can identify with and appreciate this text might also enjoy The Bridge from Me to You by Lisa Schroeder and The Fine Art of Pretending by Rachel Harris which both boast similar storylines.

The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang

Chang, I. (1998). The rape of Nanking : the forgotten holocaust of World War II. New York: Penguin Books.

As a learned person, I am ashamed to admit that I was ignorant to the existence of this horrific global atrocity.  The invasion of Nanking, China by Japanese soldiers must be called and seen for what it is - a sickening attempt at genocide.  Disturbing, graphic images like those of the severed heads of Chinese villagers skewered on Japanese invaders' rifles along with first person diary accounts of nausea-inducing gang rapes and torture, though difficult to stomach, only scratch the surface of what must've been the longest, darkest, most hopeless six weeks suffered in the lives of these oppressed people.  Divided into chronological "chapters" detailing the path to and fall of Nanking, a non "Judgement Day" for the offenders, and how quickly the Nanking Holocaust was covered up and forgotten in a chapter dubbed "A Second Rape", among many others, the compelling truth is told in blaring clarity.

Classroom/campus libraries will be strengthened through the addition of this compelling text to be featured alongside important titles like Night and others focusing on the Jewish Holocaust as well as texts exposing the nightmarish period of African enslavement in America.  This text could also serve to support important units on global citizenship detailing who the actions of a few can change the course of history for the masses through examining the efforts of the brave foreigners who put their lives on the line to create the Nanking Safe Zone and broadcast to the world the unspeakable violence being committed in Nanking, China. 

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

Applegate, K., & Castelao, P. (2012). The one and only Ivan. New York: Harper.

The One and Only Ivan, with its cast of loveable animals as main characters, will appeal to upper elementary audiences and animal lovers alike.  Ivan, an intelligent, protective silverback gorilla makes a vow to care for Ruby, the surrogate daughter of long time fellow circus friend Stella before she dies from an aggressive foot infection.  When Ivan observes the neglectful owner of the circus, Mack, beating Ruby with a stick to train her to replicate Stella's act, he uses paints secured from Mack's daughter, Julia, to communicate his concern.  The gorilla's painting becomes a magnetic draw and event attendance increases.  When the media reports and depicts the instruments used to train the animals, they are rescued and a home is made for them at the zoo where they are exposed to other animals within their species and are safer than they were with Mack.

This would be a wonderful class reading preceding a field trip to the local zoo.  Students could learn and prepare questions to ask zoo keepers about animals in captivity especially those mentioned in the book.  Research projects on zoos, circus practices, elephants, gorillas, co-habitation, animal rights and the actual mall gorilla, Ivan, on whose experiences the text was based could easily be initiated following the reading of this sweet text.

Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

Draper, S. M. (2010). Out of my mind. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Though loved immensely by her parents, the round-the-clock care that must be provided for Melody, a cerebral palsy sufferer, leads her to feel as if she is a burden.  When her parents discover that they have conceived another child, both they and Melody worry if the baby will inherit its sisters condition.  Penny's healthy delivery and development are a relief, and she is a joy for the entire family.  Though dependent to a fault and unable to verbalize her thoughts, Melody is a far from a vegetable.  In fact, her discovered intelligence affords her placement in a regular education class at school, and along with an educational aide, she makes great strides.  Her greatest feat being earning a perfect score on a qualify exam and subsequently helping to land her class a spot in the national trivia competition.  Though underestimated and physically limited, Melody proves that she has the spirit of a champion.

I have a mentally challenged relative whose mother is much like Melody's neighbor, Mrs. V.  Though not in denial that her son will forever be in her care, she exposes him to art, culture, and language and makes no excuses for his condition.  Hers is an "it is what it is" attitude, and she is determined to continue teaching and expecting great things from Albert.  It is such a delight to celebrate with them when he achieves milestones he was never "supposed" to reach.  Limitations are the burden of limited thinkers!

Wonder by R. J. Palacio

Palacio, R. J. (2012). Wonder. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Wonder is a stand up and cheer, root for the underdog, feel-good novel.  After undergoing multiple surgeries to correct unsightly facial deformities, August prepares to enter public school for the first time as a fifth grader.  Kids being kids, most shun him due to the abnormalities, but he does acquire a few friends and begins to enjoy his new environment.  August's feelings are hurt when one such friend, Jack, admits to some classmates that he has no real interest in being August’s friend which places a strain on what was believed to be a genuine relationship.  August is later surprised and humbled when his classmates unite to shield him from mean-spirited remarks hurdled by strangers during their class retreat causing the dynamics of the group’s relationship to be positively altered. The year ends on a high note with August's arrival being celebrated during the fifth grade graduation ceremony and referenced as a catalyst for change and the abandonment of narrow-minded thinking.

Fans of Wonder looking to read a text with similar themes will enjoy the novel Sway by Kat Spears.  Though intended for a slightly older audience due to references to drugs and other unethical behavior, an identical instance in which one character is overheard bashing another who was once considered a true friend results in regret and feelings of abandonment and loss.  Wonder would serve as a great read-aloud at the middle school level to teach tolerance, acceptance, and launch anti-bullying campaigns.

The Care and Keeping of You by Valorie Schaefer

Schaefer, V., & Bendell, N. (1998). The care & keeping of you: The body book for girls. Middleton: Pleasant Company Publications.

Broken into seven sections addressing basic body appreciation, care, and hygiene, The Care and Keeping of You would be a great gift to young, pre-pubescent girls.  Topics tackled within the text range from building a positive body image to answering questions about menstrual periods and hygienic practices during this time.  In keeping with the American Girl franchise effort to depict girls of varying ethnicities in a positive light, the text is filled with multicultural graphics to promote relatability for a large audience of adolescent readers.

This text would be well-placed within a school nurse's and counselor's office for girls who might not have a clear understanding of how to properly care for their changing bodies, especially if a positive, proactive female role model does not exist within their lives.  I was pleased to discover that there is a sequel to the text written for an older audience to address topics relevant to teenaged girls. 

Parents can support the growth and development of a children of both genders with frequent discussions about the changing body and issues concerning moods, attitudes, and curiosities through the acquisition of texts like these and those written for developing boys too.

Counting by 7's by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Sloan, H. G. (2013). Counting by 7s. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.

Seven is Willow Chance's number.  She observes that many noteworthy things center around the number seven which is why she always recognizes it.  It is no coincidence that when her 7th grade year ends and her eighth begins, medical supply truck #807 collides with her adoptive parents' vehicle killing them in a tragic accident.  Willow stops counting by 7's.  There is no longer joy surrounding the number.  Two, however, might become a number with some promise.  Willow meets two Vietnamese siblings, Mai and Quang-ha, and because she takes an immediate liking to them, she learns their challenging language, confirming her questionable counselor, Dell's, suspicion that hers is a brilliant mind.  Concern for their friend prompts the siblings to convince their struggling mother, Pattie, to temporarily care for Willow too in their tiny, ill-equipped, basement apartment.  By the end of the text, we learn that Pattie's frugalness was a not for naught.  She was actually saving money made from her small business to purchase the entire apartment building - a goal she achieved.

I enjoy that the book challenges readers to abandon the conventional definition of family.  Willow did not know her birth parents, had lost her adoptive parents, but found a home within a family with whom she has no obvious connection.  This would be a good read-aloud to further explore the concept of familial bonds, teach cultural respect and appreciation (Willow was willing to learn another language in the name friendship), and emphasize the importance of goal-setting.