Darwin's Leap of Faith

This was an interesting tale because I knew basic facts about Charles Darwin but to read about his own personal life was interesting. The premise of the novel was his struggle with religion and science. In the beginning, he struggled with the idea on whether or not he would marry and start a family or dedicate himself to his research. He decided to marry his first cousin to keep the family line going and they had kids. They often times got into arguments about religion and science since Emma was very religious. This book also went into detail discussing the evolution theory. It was an interesting read to learn about his thought process and how he became known for this theories. Him and his wife were able to come to terms with their differences about the world and still have complex discussions. This idea is ahead of its time, where others are often shamed for their views against religion. 

This is the love story of two opposing views on the topic of god and science. 

Links:

http://www.biography.com/people/charles-darwin-9266433

http://www.livescience.com/474-controversy-evolution-works.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1QQCVEKIEU

Exit, Pursued by a Bear

This is a must read for young adults and adults alike. This tale of the character of Hermione Winters and her tale of her rape. She is a head cheerleader at her school and for her cheerleadering is everything. Its more than just a after school activity. In the book she focuses her strong persona and the challenges she faces trying to overcome what has happened to her without being another tragic tale. Her rape happened as a result of her going to a summer camp and being drugged by one of her classmates. Throughout the story we see her journey through the legal battles and what she has to face when she goes to school. 

The retelling of the rape from her perspective is hard to read at times. It is said in the book that she doesn't remember the crime happening but reading it, it is clear that she is scarred from the incident. 

One of the elements of the story I enjoyed was all the characters weren't against her. More often than not, I read or watch shows that depict the victim as alone and against everyone around her. It was a relief to read a book where she had her best friend Polly supporting her and not just Polly but also Polly's parents. From my point of view, for young adults, it gives them hope that when they face horrible situations where they don't know where to turn they can still find support with some people. This also creates the idea of standing up for what you believe in, with the strong females in this book it gives me hope for young woman to be able to read about this tale and strive to be that kind of support for each other. Reinforcing that victims shouldn't have to face incidents like these alone helps young adults build their own character to strive to stand up for themselves and those around them

The topic of rape is a difficult one to talk about at times but this book would create a conversation and with the characters in this book it also validates that victims should be able to come forward and try to move on with their lives and heal from the incident.

Links:

http://www.rapevictimadvocates.org/

http://www.icasa.org/crisisCenters.aspx?CenterId=1&PageID=501

https://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/rape/help-for-rape-victims-rape-victims-support

All these links are places where teens and adults can go to find proper support for cases of rape.

Caramelo by Sandra Cisneros

Caramelo

By Sandra Cisneros 

This novel tells the story of Celaya, a Chicagoan being raised by Gunajuatense family, her struggles with being Mexican American and her family. While the novel focuses on Celaya, chapter are alternated between her and her (awful) grandmother, Soledad. Her grandmother chapter focus on her coming of age revealing what life was for a young Mexican woman, the gender roles she was forced to follow. Whereas Celaya also known as Lala grows through the novel enjoying her customs and tradition in Chicago before moving to San Antonio where she is forced into a new reality that deals with classmates bullying her and being unable to adapt. Going to Mexico to see her family, lead her to some love problems and the involves her whole family.

I love reading this book because it is so descriptive you can really see yourself living alongside the characters. This is a great novel that allows a perspective into gender roles, and how sometimes culture help enforce gender roles more than you think. Family, economic, identity problems, it is a novel that everyone can enjoy even if they are not Mexican.

Pros:

·         It is a very vividly descriptive novel about Mexican and Mexican-American culture.

·         Interesting points of views in each chapter.

Cons:

·         Some Spanish language involved that would require translation for students before reading.

Links

Where to buy..

https://www.amazon.com/Caramelo-Sandra-Cisneros/dp/0679742581

Sandra Cisneros in current time..

https://www.instagram.com/officialsandracisneros/

Images of Guanajuato for context

https://www.instagram.com/guanajuato_mx/?hl=en

The House on Mango Street: A good short book to read over the summer

http://nlcphs.net/SummerReadings/Freshmen/HouseOnMango.pdf

The Catcher in the Rye

The Catcher in the Rye

J.D Salinger

In this coming of age novel, Holden Caulfield goes through his life difficulties in descending who is phony and who is real.  At 16, Holden is going through some problems that require mental help, before receiving that help he goes through multiple situations that make him question his sexuality, purpose, and whether he is ready to leave his childhood and entering adulthood.  Holden has interactions with multiple people that he realizes he is unable to relate to them. He views adulthood as a phony stage of life, and childhood holds the realness that life has to offer, he see this through his sister who is the only person who is not phony. This creates a conflict for him because he does not quite fit with the adult world nor is he prepared to join.

What is high school without dealing with phoniness? When teacher tell you what you have to do and constrain you in order to prepare for freedom, seems like life is just a paradox. This novel is aimed for the student who feel stuck in school, being underage you don’t quite have that much control over yourself but you are being force to pick up on adult responsible. They may feel like the weight of the world is on their shoulder, Holden offers a connection that will reader to see that this is a transition. While many do adjust or pretend to adjust nicely, there are some that find it difficult and that’s okay. There are many resources that are available for them,  mental health is something that needs to be discuss. This novel is just the start of a discussion.

Pros:

·         During students high school years, there is a conflict of power they are faced with. Going from 12 years of following rules and regulations and especially their last four years deal with their “last years” of childhood before they are released into adulthood where they no longer have no one else to depend on but themselves, students may feel similarly to Holden. Not feeling prepared to transition from elementary to high school to college, they may feel conflicted and this book opens up a great discussions.

·         Open up a conversation for mental health awareness

Cons:

·         It may be difficult to follow Holden’s stream of thoughts

·         Mild swearing

Links

Where can you buy..

https://www.amazon.com/Catcher-Rye-J-D-Salinger/dp/0316769487

What is mental health?

http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/recognizing-warning-signs

Who is J.D Salinger and what affect did the time period have on him?

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2011/02/salinger-201102

Fences by August Wilson

Fences

by August Wilson

There are many struggles that arose from the civil rights movement. During the late 1950s and early 1960s, every norm that had been set in place would now be put into question. This play “Fences”, deal with the African American family, Troy, Rose and Cory Maxson and the struggles they are faced with, past and present. Troy struggles with roles he had to take a young age, coming of age too soon, the problems of what fatherhood is, the lack of education, racial discrimination and love. Rose is confronted with her roles as a woman attempting to let her voice be heard, motherhood, not being able to move forward, and infidelity. Troy is a teenager questions his relationship with his father, his potential success, and his conflict with accepting history. This play opens up a dialogue to discuss how history continues to have repercussion even when the country is in route to a better system, how this not only affects the ones who have lived through it but the generations to come.  Moreover, there is also the role of fatherhood that is question, how much of the relationship is composed through emotion and obligation? Can either one be excluded?

Focusing on African American family, this play offers and insight to student that may be relatable or completely distinct to their own. How many times to we not read a book and read about a family that is the ideal family, supportive parents dealing with the heartbroken teen? While it may be cliché it is something we described in most play for teenager, however Fences is as real as it gets. What happens when you marry someone who feel like they haven’t prosper with their partner by their side? That what Troy felt with Rose, however Rose let him know, she has been standing in the same spot with him. He not only failed himself but her as well. What about being a father when you are still a child? What if you had your own dreams but society and life has constructed and pushed you into a mold that makes you a provider. Can you feel resentment? It is okay? Is infidelity okay when It makes you feel free? These are just some of the things you can begin to question acting out this play.

Pros:

·         Interesting perspective of what effects the late 1950s and early 1960s had on the African American family.

·         Also allows an insight to how parenthood is affected by past experiences

·         Freedom is discuss in multiple ways

Cons:

·         It is a very emotional book that talks about difficult familial situations that may be hard/uncomfortable for students to discuss

Links

Where to buy..

https://www.amazon.com/Fences-August-Wilson/dp/0452264014

Who is August Wilson?

http://www.biography.com/people/august-wilson-9533583

Movie Trailer/ Play acted out however the printed play takes place on stage versus the movie which moves to different places.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2m6Jvp0bUw

Oedipus Tyrannus by Sophocles

Oedipus Tyrannus

Sophocles 

In this Athenian tragedy play by Sophocles, it is a shocking and twisted tale that takes place in media res and challenges the structure of the family. The play which is first created through the prophecy of the oracle that informs  Oedipus’ father, Laius, and Jocasta being told their fate if they are to have child, focus on the adult life of Oedipus who is unaware of his past and future fate. There are multiple themes that focus on fate, religion, being blind- literally and metaphorically- and incest. It is a difficult book to put down, once you are invested in the tale.

I love reading this play because it is so intriguing to see how the family structure is so intertwined, literally. We are so used to seeing the nuclear family in many plays, yet this play demonstrates the effects of being blind, one can come to question whether that blindness is out of truly being blind or avoiding the truth. There is multiple excerpt provided in the book that allow the reader to decide whether or not Oedipus is guilty of his fate. Readers themselves get to explore what fate is and see it’s effect on each character. It is an odd play, incest is never quite the popular theme of most books, nonetheless it is a play I am sure that reader will not be able to compare to anything else they have read.

Pro-

·         You are following the performance as an investigator, there are multiples clues given by different characters, it is up to the reader to place those clues together that can allow them to discover the truth of Oedipus life before Oedipus does himself.

·         The play deals with interesting issues of incest that allow for a truly shocking reaction.

·         The book provides excerpts of Freud’s idea of Oedipus and sex (Oedipus Complex) which allows for in interesting discussion of the family structure.

Con-

·         The play does deal with taboo subjects that may be uncomfortable for students to discuss about.

·         The dialogue between the multiple characters may be hard for students to follow, organizing the character is a must in order for confusion to be avoided.

Links

Where to buy…

https://www.amazon.com/Oedipus-Tyrannus-translated-Berkowitz-Theodore/dp/B0061GOC1A

Oedipus in relation to history..

https://www.jstor.org/stable/292475?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents

Who is Sophocles?

http://www.ancient.eu/sophocles/

What’s the controversy with Freud:?

https://www.verywell.com/what-is-an-oedipal-complex-2795403

March: Book 3

We all know about the Civil Rights Movement and the violence that flared up during this time against blacks, however I doubt you will ever see it as violently and beautifully done as the graphic novel March did.

Don’t let this final book of the March trilogy fool you. A reader can easily jump right into this graphic novel without reading the last two, but I highly recommend you check the last two out anyways. March: Book Three is a heart wrenching biography of John Lewis, a leader in the Civil Rights Movement, and all the turmoil he faced in regards to discrimination. It is also a historical text that highlights the bombing of the Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama which killed four your African American girls, the Freedom Summer of 1964, the presidential election of 1964, and much more.

I was pretty much dumbstruck as I read through March. It’s been quite some time since I read or watching anything regarding the Civil Rights Movement and a lot of the scenes were difficult to get through. It’s not because the pages were filled with violence images, instead it was because the pages were filled with emotion and the character’s faces showed this.

I felt that this was one of the best ways to portray the civil rights struggle because it’s in a form that many young people enjoy. It helps to educate young adults on this important era in our countries history, especially since it stayed true to the historical events. In an educational setting there are plenty of themes to discuss like racism, violence, and perseverance. Overall, I think this should be included in any course that discusses the history of the Civil Rights Movement.

Pros:

-Accurate portrayal of the late 1950s and 1960s.

-Doesn’t just focus on the 1960s, but comes back to our modern time with appearances from former President Obama.

-A new way to learn about this era.

Cons:

-Violent images that may turn off some readers.

-Racist slurs that some people may find offensive.

Links:

Buy the graphic novel new or used here:

https://www.amazon.com/March-Book-Three-John-Lewis/dp/1603094024/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493563554&sr=8-1&keywords=march+book+3

Want to learn more about John Lewis? Read his biography here:

http://www.biography.com/people/john-lewis-21305903

Want to know more about the Civil Rights Movement? Check it out below:

http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/civil-rights-movement

Watch a video on the bombing of the Baptist church here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8r_wUBixlw

A Women Living History by Karen Blumenthal

    This is a biography written about Hillary Rodham Clinton. As a kid Hillary was taught to work for anything she wanted, and that's actually what she did. Hillary has made many accomplishments throughout her life, and always was notice for them. She was always a fan of politics. Hillary was criticized for may things, but she didn't let that get in the way of what she stood for. She was always was committed to public services, and dedicated to health care reform, children issues, and women's rights, which made respected by many people.

I enjoyed reading this biography about Hillary Clinton, because I learned a lot about her, alot of things that I didn't know. For example, that she was involved in alot of things concerning politics. I just thought she was only a first lady. This book is a good read to someone who's interested in politics, or just want to know more about Hillary Clinton as a person. This could also change many people perspective about her, either in a good way or bad.

Can be found on amazon at:
Https://www.amazon.com/Hillary-Roham-Clinton-Living-History/dp/1250060141

Can be found on Barnes and Noble:
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hillary-rodham-clinton-karen-blumenthal/112218687

Book can be purchased and reviews can be read at:
www.goodreads.com/book/show/25664420-hillary-rodham-clinton

Exit by E.K johnston

This book is about a character name Hermione Winters, who is the captain of a cheerleadering team. During the cheer squad summer training camp. Hermione was planning on making herself a legend. But someone had other plans for her. During a camp party, someone slips something in her drink. Hermione felt that everything went down hill, all her hopes and dreams. Hermione was assaulted, and ended up getting pregnant. She didn't know what to do. She struggled to regain the control she always had, and make decisions on how to move on.

I really enjoyed reading this book, it made me very emotional, and I felt very bad for Hermione as if I really knew her. This book gives notice to the issue of rape, and anyone who was ever a victim, or know someone who's a victim can relate, and know actually what Hermione was going through.  I also like the fact that Hermione had a very strong support system, which  was her best friend and parents. Anyone who ever experience rape, know how important it is to have somebody by their side. By the end of the book Hermione ended up getting some closure, by getting help from the police and seeing a therapist. This can be some tips for anyone who's reading this book, and don't know how to respond to their own situation. This is a good read, especially at this time when rape is such a big issue.

You can find this book at in Amazon at:
Https://www.amazon.com/Exit-Pursued-Bear-K-Johnson/dp/1101994584


More information on rape awareness:
Https://www.unf.edu/womens-center/rape_awareness_education.aspx

This Land Is Our Land: A History of American Immigration by Linda Barrett Osborne

This Land Is Our Land: A History of American Immigration by Linda Barrett Osborne

                                                      

The United States is the World’s “melting pot”. It is the home and hope of Immigrants and Refugees!

People’s attitudes towards immigrants are contradictory. Americans either welcome Immigrants or simply wants them back to their Countries. People who extends their arms to welcome Immigrants are the ones who know and understand that they are here by force not by choice. Immigrants leave their home Country attempting to find survival. Oppressed individuals seeking for freedom and democracy.  Some may see these aliens as invaders. People who are in oppose of allowing immigrants to reside in the United States are under the impression that these people will vandalize America, take away job opportunities, and/or hurt the economy.

Immigrants and refugees come to America seeking for a better life, and achieve the “American Dream”.

 Linda Barrett Osborne does a good job in explaining the government policy and popular responses to immigrants groups. She briefly narrates the beginnings – Germans, Irish and Nativist. She also talks about the other Europe arrives - Italians, Jew, and Eastern Europeans.  The other shore focuses on Immigrants from Asia. South of our border is all about the Latin Americans Immigrants. She continues with seeking safety and liberty – Refugees. Linda concludes with, “This land is whose land?” – talking about World War II into the Twenty-First Century. Overall, it is a great book, helpful to educate teenagers about American Immigration.

Readers will learn about “Our Land”, a history of American Immigration. Young adolescents can engage and make connections as of, from where they come from? They will see that the majority of “Americans” are immigrants because at some point, their ancestors were immigrants to America.

This book can give the reader a better sense of understanding on how different ethnic groups come to the United States seeking from freedom of thought and expression.  

This is Our Land: A History of American Immigration, may persuade readers to respect immigrants and value their efforts. It can also minimize racial thoughts against people from different Countries, and promote acceptance.

Pros: Easy read. The illustrations capture the reader’s attention because are based on portraits or real life events. I love the fact that the book focused on many different ethnic groups.

Cons: (Not really) Maybe, include statistic on Immigrants in the United States. It will reflect that minority immigrant groups are becoming to be a majority.

Beautiful video: “The modern American – America’s Immigration History

https://youtu.be/fxl8qb0klyY

Kirkus review

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/linda-barrett-osborne/this-land-is-our-land-osborne/

More by and about the author

http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-4197-1660-7

Where Did The Americans Come From?

https://youtu.be/9EBknU7D1OI

Explaining the history of Immigration to America

https://youtu.be/lBJcqxI7kas

Ask Me How I Got Here, by Christine Heppermann

Ask Me How I Got Here, by Christine Heppermann



What’s the biggest choice you’ve made in life?

Making a decision is hard, but accepting the decision made can be harder!

Ask Me How I Got Here is about a young lady who is pretty well known as always running, whether is cross country, to her school, to her best friend Claire, or into her boyfriend Nick.  Addie attends a private all-girls Catholic school.  She is the sophomore start of the cross country team. Addie cheated on her alcoholic boyfriend with Nick, a sensitive good guy. Careless of her intimate actions with Nick, Addie ends up pregnant. She makes the hard decision to have an abortion. Addie knows that she made the right choice but does not seem to cope well with her decision. She hides her abortion from everyone except her parents and boyfriend who supported her hard resolution. She lacks interest in the activities that she used to performed, she leaves her team, and ignores her boyfriend. Nothing seems to excite Addie anymore, until she starts a romance with her classmate, Juliana.  Addie regains her sense of balance and acceptance.

This is a great book for teenagers, they can relate to Addie about having to make and accept difficult decisions in life.

Sometimes due to religious beliefs and/or family values, the “right” decision taken may affect the person’s sanity.

Christie Heppermann did a magnificent job writing a free verse poem. She focused on realistic problems that teenagers and women encounter at life. The take away of this novel is, once a decision is made, accept it and move forward.

Pros – is a short and easy read. Teenage pregnancy has always been a controversial topic. It is good that young adolescents read this book to reflect on their actions and become more responsible. The information given to the reader about abortion, pregnancy, and other related issues is of great support for teenagers that are alone, facing similar problems.

Cons – Too short, too many different aspects to focus on, the cheating, the religious principles, family values, teenage pregnancy, abortion, emotional and social problems. I feel the story did not finish a topic, when it started another one.  

Book talk

https://youtu.be/a-YrGFI9tW0

Epic Author Facts: Christine Heppermann

https://youtu.be/fi6XTJvjr7k

Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow

Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow

Have you ever feel in pieces? Can you imagine a teenager harming herself?

Girl in Pieces tells the story of a girl who self-harms to forget painful situations she has experienced in life.  At the age of seventeen, Charlotte Davis is broken by her personal losses: her father drowned himself, the mother simply stop caring, bad experiences from living in the streets, and her best friend, Ellis tried cutting; she cut too deep, and bled out to the point of brain damage. Charlotte has almost no reason to live, she self-harms, including cutting and burning. After surviving a suicide attempt, Charlotte was omitted to a clinic, where she received treatment. She gets released when the insurance discontinued paying for her medical care.  Charlotte opted to leave the Twin Cities and heads to Tucson to meet the guy she likes, Mikey. When Charlotte arrived to Arizona, she realized that Mikey only wanted to be her friend, he liked Ellis. Very disappointed, Charlotte is drawn into a disastrous relationship with her co-worker Riley, who is an alcoholic. As Charlotte tries hard not to cut herself, she makes bad choices by being with Riley. A positive thing that happens to Charlotte during this time, is that she finds her solace in drawing, which leads to display her art in a show. This activity helps her socialized with her surroundings little by little. Charlotte meets good people who cares for her and helps her. She realizes that it is possible to leave behind the people and things that are not healthy and form a family with new people.

Girl in Pieces is not an easy read. Ms. Glasgow intension is for readers to see Charlotte’s scars as seeking for a way out, not as a cutter. Charlotte cuts herself as a way to ignore her painful life situation. The author brings up issues of self-harm, suicide, sexual abuse, drug abuse, parent neglect and homelessness. Ms. Glasgow narrative description on a Girl in Pieces makes the reader see and feel Charlotte’s struggles as a teenager. The author exposes the reader to experience existing life problems; loneliness, belonging and identity. Teenagers may read the book and gain a sense of clarity, solace and hope.

Author words: “Is estimated that one in every two hundred girls between the ages of thirteen and nineteen self- harms.  Over 70 percent of those are cutters. It’s important to remember, though, that this statistics only come from what’s reported, and they do not account for the increasing percentage for boys who self-harm. Self –harming is the delivery act of cutting, burning, poking or otherwise marring your skin as a way to cope with emotional turmoil.  It can be the results of many things such as sexual, physical, verbal or emotional abuse, buying helplessness, sadness, and addiction. Self-harm is not a grab for attention.  It does not mean that you are suicidal.  It means that you are struggling to get out of a very dangerous mess in your mind and heart and this is your coping mechanism.  It means that you occupy a small space in the very real and very large canyon of people who suffer from depression or mental illness” (pg399).

Pros– Short paragraphs, complexity of the book is appropriate to age level.

Just as Charlotte was going through a rough situation in life, there might be teenagers facing similar problems. The story exposes the reader to see real life problems that affected a person’s life radically, but also it gives hope to seek a way out!

Cons- A lot of swearing! I can understand that the swearing fits to describe the character’s point of view on each given situation, but is a bit too much.

Quotes from the book:

https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/44527044-girl-in-pieces

Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow – INTERVIEW

https://youtu.be/v3xud9TTN6c

Self-harm tips and tricks to help better manage it

https://youtu.be/gXwYFjy-S6k

Get HELP

Text 741741

Safealternativesselfinjury.com

CALL 1 800 DON’T CUT

Great Falls by Steve Watkins

What is the price of war? How do we help people who suffer from trauma? Where is the line when it comes to family loyalty?

Great Falls chronicles the turbulent relationship between Shane, a high school football star, and his Marine brother Jeremy who is recently returned from his third tour overseas.

Jeremy’s behavior as depicted in the book is evidence of PTSD and severe emotional trauma. He turns to alcoholism to deal with both of these issues, and this adds yet another layer of bodily trauma that he endures.

Shane is internally complex, juggling emotions such as, guilt, shame, grief, and anger. He looks up to Jeremy, but he is also critical of Jeremy’s neglect towards his family.He has no healthy outlet for these feelings, and it is clear in the book that he uses football as a means to exhibit aggression he cannot express at home. The Colonel, who is the abusive step father of both brothers, is yet another example of mismanaged emotions manifesting in violence.  

This book is full of toxic relationships, but this adds realism and can work as a catalyst to open up necessary discussion about guilt, trauma, suicide, and domestic abuse.

Pros: Cover many tough topics such as PTSD, toxic sports culture, domestic abuse, and suicide. This story can open up productive discussions.

Cons: There is a lot of swearing which might not be good for less mature classes.

Links:

Shane and Jeremy both seem to suffer from brain damage. In Jeremy’s case, he might have CTE which is highly destructive to the person’s quality of life. This link helps clarify what CTE is and how it affects those who suffer from it.

http://www.protectthebrain.org/Brain-Injury-Research/What-is-CTE-.aspx

This article briefly discusses the difficulties that soldiers experience when they re-enter civilian life. https://www.ausa.org/news/report-army-culture-can-complicate-transition

This link is to a TED talk that discusses suicide. It is highly emotional and would work as a great precursor to discussion over Jeremy’s suicide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1QoyTmeAYw

Devilish   by Maureen Johnson

Would you do anything for your best friend? What if you had to save their soul from the Devil?

This is the million-dollar question in Maureen Johnson’s young adult fiction novel, Devilish.

 

Jane and her best friend Allison are embarking on their senior year of high school. Jane is confident and even a little rebellious, while Allison is introverted and awkward. Their mission to get a “little” ( a freshman that does whatever they want for them) on their first day of school creates enough anxiety in Allison to cause her to vomit on the first freshman she sees. Embarrassed, and now more unpopular than ever, Allison heads home in tear, but not before a freshman named Lanalee mysteriously shows up and volunteers to be Allison’s little. Jane feels very sorry for her friend, knowing she would be a laughing stock at school. However, the next day was completely fine. Allison showed up looking and feeling more confident than ever. Everyone in the class notices and they start to respect her. Allison’s sudden transformation baffles Jane; she became more and more popular each day. Allison stops hanging out with Jane and even starts to date Jane’s (ex whom she is not over yet.) Jane finally confronts Allison about her betrayal and finds out the truth: Allison sold her soul to the devil for popularity and she has to do what the devil says. And by the way, the devil is Lanalee—Allison’s “little”!  In order to get Allison’s soul back, Jane must make her own contract with the teen devil. If she fails, Jane and Allison will lose their souls forever. Does Jane have what it takes?

This is a very witty story mostly about typical teenage girl-stuff—until the Devil comes into play. Johnson seems to juxtapose the genres of comedy and the paranormal quite nicely in this entertaining story of good vs. evil. I think this would be a great read in middle and high schools to get reluctant readers interested in fiction. Young girls will relate to many themes in the story which include popularity, boyfriends and best friends.

 

Pros: fun read, interesting themes, plot twists, simple/colloquial language

Cons: Kind of a long read (but it’s such a page turner I don’t think reader will mind)

 

Pick up Devilsih, here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0071I0FQS/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Check out more books from New York Times Bestselling author, Maureen Johnson:

https://www.amazon.com/Maureen-Johnson/e/B001IODMSY

 

Breaking Night; A Memoir of Forgiveness, Survival, and My Journey From Homeless to Harvard

Liz Murray’s memoir is one of the most harrowing stories I have ever read. This memoir is eye-opening, thought-provoking, and will inspire everyone who reads it.

When Murray was born, her father was in jail for drug trafficking and her mother was a cocaine addict since she was 13 years old. Murray and her sister Lisa grew up in an apartment in the Bronx that she described as “containing blood-spattered walls and an odor that could be smelled from the hallway.”  Her parents (Murray’s father eventually gets out of jail) would blow their welfare check every month to fund their drug habit. This left Murray with the burden of fending for food and taking care of her little sister; They even had to resort to eating toothpaste and Chapstick to stave off hunger pangs. This led to Murray leaving high school.  Murray’s parents also exposed her to some very sleazy people in their drug binges; one interaction sadly led to Murray being molested as a young girl. This causes Murray to leave and become homeless at only 15 years old where she said she actually felt safer and happier.

The death of Murray’s mother serves as a wake-up call and motivates her to go back to high school. Being homeless, she had to do her school work in the hallways and subway stations where she slept.  Even under such atrocious conditions, Murray managed to complete four years of high school into two. She even won a New York Times scholarship and was accepted to Harvard.  Murray was then able to rent an apartment with her sister, finally providing a real home for them. Murray eventually graduates, even after taking off time to care for her dying father. Breaking Night is the unforgettable and inspirational story of Liz Murray’s indomitable spirit to survive against all odds.

Adults, young and old, can benefit from reading Murray’s moving story. I think this would be a great read for high school students. Many students suffer similar circumstances and can relate to Murray’s life. This memoir can provide a wealth of hope and motivation for such students. This book is kind of a lengthy read in terms of page numbers, but the story is such a page turner, I doubt readers will notice.  Furthermore, this memoir will definitely attract young reader’s interest in the genre of autobiography/biography.

 Pros: Interesting and inspirational thematic content, familiarizes students with bio genre

Cons: Kind of a long read

 

 Liz Murray now does motivational speaking, check her out on Tedx:

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=liz+murray&&view=detail&mid=45F19A0BA194A87080A445F19A0BA194A87080A4&FORM=VRDGAR

Murray’s memoir was adapted into a movie, watch it for free on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGe3u5rLGQc

 

 

The Sun is Also a Star

 

This book was a perfect read for anyone who loves cliche romantic novels. I am personally a fan of reading anything that I find romantic. This book takes place in the matter of a day but it is wonderfully told from the viewpoint of our two main characters Natasha Kingsley and Daniel Bae. One of the things that I enjoyed reading what the connection Daniel tried to desperately convince Natasha of. I enjoyed reading a book where the female character wasn't the one desperately trying to pursue the guy, she was more concerned with her own well being and dealing with her situation which was her deportation.

One of the elements of the book I enjoyed was the characters, even the attention to the support characters. Hands down, I enjoyed Natasha's character for her uniqueness to the characters in the genre of romance novels. She is a firm believer in logic and facts that she isn't easily convinced of the idea of love at first sight. Daniel is the opposite because he follows her around hoping to convince her it was love at first sight. The contrast between these characters was nice to see unfold. Eventually she did fall in love with him but it was a nice build up from her original stance of justifying her feels with facts and logic to settling for the idea that she also fell for him too.

What made the story cliche but also cute was it was written in the course of a day. Natasha could not find a way to be able to stay in the country so towards the end she had go back home with the promise to Daniel that they would try and keep in touch. Alongside the two characters' own development in the story, the focus on the support characters such as the Irene who had set up to end her life but didn't after she received a letter of thanks from Natasha towards the end of the book. The book goes on to say that Irene became a flight attendant and was thankful to Natasha for helping her out of her state of depression.

This book felt like I was reading a movie script for a cheesy love film, but it was still very well done. It talked about the two charter's lives giving the readers the point of view of each character with some sections dedicated to supporting details. My only complaint would be the the way they meet at the end. After they were apart for ten years they find each other on the same flight were they recognized each other after being apart for so long. I would say I am a harsh critic when it comes to books of romance but this one definitely captures your attention on a love at first sight type of romance.

Links:

• http://www.nicolayoon.com/bio/
• This is a link to the bio on the author. Its is always interesting to know the person behind a story
• http://www.rd.com/true-stories/love/ 
• This is a website that has a bunch of articles about stories of love, this is worth a read if you want to kill time and read some cute love stories
• http://www.yourtango.com/20071315/10-greatest-love-stories-of-all-time-2 
• This is also another fun source for cute love stories.

Mighty Jack

 

This was a fantastic retelling of the classic jack and the bean stalk but the Ben Hatke retelling made this story come alive with its vivid illustration. This is about a boy named Jack who lives with his autistic sister and their mother who struggles to make ends meet.  He recognizes the struggle that his mother must face to make ends meet. Jack as a character is easy to love because he is able to understand the situation he and is his family are in. 

Unlike the character from the original Jack and the beanstalk, he understands his circumstances and his kindness and compassion is shown through this book. The Jack from the original story is selfish and this leads him to make a poor choice but Jack makes his choice based off what he thinks is right for his family. This leads hims to contemplate getting a summer job to help his mother around the house. Instead his sister brings up the idea of selling their mother's car to buy beans. These beans create a magical garden where Jack, his sister and Maddy take charge of fighting off the garden.  The strong female characters made this book even easier to love, even with Jack's little sister dealing with autism ,his love for his sister was shown throughout the book. It was beautiful to see a young boy work hard to keep his sister safe and try and help his mother.

This book did leave off with a cliffhanger but it is definitely worth the read. It was a quick read but it is worth the adventure it illustrated with the many creatures it showed.

This graphic novel was written with a contemporary feel which makes it easy for anyone to pick up and read.

He also has a second book after this one which I will be reading after this class. 

This is an image I was able to find from the book just so you can see what Ben Hatke's art style is like.

Links:

• https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/world-autism-awareness-day
• http://us.macmillanstaging.supadu.com/author/benhatke
• http://www.povertyusa.org/the-state-of-poverty/poverty-facts/