Brown Girl Dreaming

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

2015 Newberry Medal Honor Book
2015 Coretta Scott King Author Award Winner
2014 National Book Award Winner

Born in 1963 Columbus, Ohio was Jacqueline Woodson, whose father had wanted to name her "Jack" after him.  Had he known he would not be part of life for very long he might not have bothered  This moving memoir written in verse follows the childhood of "Jackie" as she, her brother, sister, and mother leave the racially accepting Ohio to live with her grandparents in South Carolina.  In 1960s South Carolina blacks and whites don't mix.  You keep your eyes down and you say "yes sir".  Despite all of the radical changes happening in the country Jackie and her siblings find love and stability with their grandparents.  Later Jackie's family will find a new life in New York with their mother and newest sibling, a baby brother.  The streets may not actually be paved with gold as she expected but on the streets of New York and in the desks of her classrooms Jacqueline discovers a passion for writing that she continues to this very day.

When asked why she wrote her memoir in verse rather than prose author Jacqueline Woodson said that was how memories happen.  Not in long sentences but in a few lines.  She wanted her memoir to be what it was- her memories.  And not just her memories but the memories of all the children of her generation who experienced the things she did.  Brown girl dreaming is a beautiful work of poetry that shows multiple different types of poems (the "How to listen" poems are written as haikus) as well as supplements lessons in life during the fight against segregation in 1960's America.  Other books that cover some of the same times and themes as Brown girl dreaming are Christopher Paul Curtis's Bud, not Buddy and The Watsons go to Birmingham- 1963, The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie, and Julie Otsuka's The Buddha in the attic.

Below is a short interview with author Jacqueline Woodson.

 

El Deafo

Bell, C. (2014). El Deafo. New York, NY: Amulet Books.

2015 Newberry Award Honor Book

 Cece was a normal four year old kid.  She liked to watch TV, sing, listen to music, and play with her brother and sister.  Then one day she got sick.  Really sick. Her parents rushed her to the hospital where she was diagnosed with meningitis which eventually caused her to lose her hearing.  Now Cece is having to learn things all over again.  Things like talking and listening, this time with the help of a huge hearing aid that hangs around her neck.  Cece has trouble hearing and now she looks different from everyone too.  Eventually Cece makes a few new friends, but not all of them are great.  Some are bossy and some yell at her and refer to her as "their deaf friend".  But bad friends are better than good friends?  Maybe not.  That's when Cece creates "El Deafo", her super hero alternate identity that can say whatever Cece is thinking and has bionic hearing that helps others.  With the help of El Deafo, Cece finds that true friendship is worth fighting for and that liking yourself is the real super power. 

Based on her real life experiences, author Cece Bell shows readers what it feels like to suddenly be different and to be suddenly treated differently.  This graphic novel teachers us about dealing with disabilities and how the way we treat those with disabilities makes them feel.  This is an excellent lesson in over coming obstacles and learning self acceptance.  Readers who enjoyed El Deafo and would like to read more books with similar themes should try Wonder by R.J. Palacio and Out of my mind by Sharon Draper.
Below is a short video of author Cece Bell talking a little about her real life experiences as well as her book El Deafo. 

 

Nana In The City

Castillo, L. (2014).  Nana in the city.  New York, NY: Clarion Books.

2015 Caldecott Honor Book

A little boy is going to stay with his Nana at her apartment in the city.  He loves his Nana, he does not love the city.  The city is scary and noisy.  There are people every where and they are not very friendly.  The city is no place for the little boy and it is no place for his Nana.  While the boy sleeps his Nana makes him a magic cape.  When he wakes she places the cape on him and they go explore the city.  The city is not scary! They city has museums and trains and parks.  The people aren't mean, they are just busy and quick.  The boy was wrong, the city is the place for Nana.  as the boy is leaving he gives his Nana his magic cape, just in case she ever gets scared in the city.

Trying new things and having courage are attributes that we try to instill in children.  It isn't always easy facing new challenges but it is sometimes necessary.  Nana in the city is a great companion to this lesson.  Below you will find the link to a great lesson on courage that incorporates this book.  I wish I could take credit for this lesson, but luckily the great brain from which it came is willing to share it with all.  Who ever you are great brain- thanks!

http://engagement.spps.org/uploads/week_5_courage_lesson.docx.

The Adventures of Beekle

Santat, D. (2014). The adventures of Beekle: The unimaginary friend. New York, NY: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

2015 Caldecott Medal Award Winner

He was born on a far away island where all imaginary friends are born.  He waited for his friend.  He waited under the stars and in the sand.  He waited and waited until he was the last one still waiting.  Then He had waited enough.  He did something no other imaginary creature had done before.  He went out into the real world to find his friend.  He searched and searched.  The real world was not what he expected.  He climbed to the top of the tallest tree and waited.  He didn't think his friend would ever come.  Then he heard it- "Hello".  There she was, Alice, his friend!  Finally, Alice was there and she knew his name- "Beekle" she said.  Beekle and Alice were meant to be friends and they shared many snacks and adventures.

  The wonderfully creative and colorful pictures in this book captivates readers and really makes turning the page a small adventure on its own.  The message of waiting and looking for true friendship is one that speaks to children and adults alike.  Doesn't it take us years to realize that having one true friend is an amazing thing?  The adventures of Beekle will sure to be a hit in any elementary library.  There is a YouTube video of the story book being read aloud below.  It is published with the permission of Scholastic Press.

The Right Word

Bryant, J. (2014). The right word: Roget and his thesaurus. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers.

2015 Robert F. Sibert Award Winner
2015 Caldecott Honor Book

Peter Roget didn't like to speak unless he had the exact word he was looking for,  which was not always easy to find.  Frustrated at not being able to find the word he wanted when he wanted it Roget began making lists.  Lists of plants, lists of emotions, hundreds of them.  Of course they were just for him to use- who else would want to lists of words?  As time went on Peter Roget became a tutor, a doctor, and a lecturer.  Impressed by how well he spoke others began wanting to sound like him.  Thesauruses were beginning to pop up in book stores but none were as detailed and easy to use as Roget's.  Persuaded by his children Roget eventually published his thesaurus and viola! The English language hasn't been the same since.

In the same fashion that Melissa Sweet's Balloons over Broadway has been used to introduce young children to biographies so too can The right word.  It is no coincidence that Melissa Sweet illustrated The right word.  Sweet brings her own unique blend of colorful detailed pictures to this story just as she did her own book.  Below is a book trailer for The right word: Roget and his thesaurus, although the trailer does say that Roget created the first thesaurus which does go against the information in the book.  Despite that little indiscretion it is still a nicely done trailer.

The Family Romanov

Fleming, C. (2014). The family Romanov: Murder, rebellion & the fall of Imperial Russia. New York, NY:  Schwartz & Wade/ Random House.

2015 Robert F. Sibert Honor Book
2015 YALSA Excellence in Non-Fiction Finalist

The Romanov family and their deaths have long been a topic of debate and mystery.  Why was a royal family so easily murdered?  Did the youngest two children manage to survive? Was Rasputin to blame or the cause of their deaths?  These questions and more have often surrounded the Romanov Family, despite science's proven answers.  In her biography Candace Fleming answers all of these questions and more.  Readers follow not only the chosen Romanov family from Nicholas II's ascent to the throne to their death but also the common man's plight in a very poor and suffering Russia.  Readers learn about worker's strikes, starving families with pathetic wages and working conditions.  A war is blooming on the horizon- none of these things did Nicholas or his wife Alexandra face head on. They preferred to spend time secluded with each other and their five children.  Alexandra's reliance on the mysterious holy man Rasputin does nothing to calm rumors that she is bad news for Mother Russia.  Conditions eventually rise to a boiling point at which time the Tsar and his family are taken prisoner, led away from prying eyes, brutally shot and murdered (even the family dog), and buried in unmarked graves in the woods only to be found decades later.

Beyond being a great read The Family Romanov is an excellent addition to any unit on World War I.  The book has over 50 pages of pictures and graphics including a family tree for both Nicholas and Alexandra.  Biography lessons would benefit from this inclusion as well.  To further get your students' interest going there is a book trailer below.

Scared Stiff

Latta, S. (2013). Scared stiff: Everything you need to know about 50 famous phobias. San Fransisco, CA: Zest Books.

2015 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

Everyone is afraid of something.  Some people have rational fears.  Aviophobia (a fear of flying), Claustrophobia (a fear of confined spaces), or Nosocomephobia (a fear of hospitals).  These are usually linked to a bad personal experience or tales of horror seen on television or passed down by friends and family.  Most of these fears can be conquered with therapy and slowly introducing the one afraid to what they are afraid of in small increments.  Some people however suffer from fears that to most seem utterly ridiculous. Kinemortophobia (fear of zombies), Nomophobia (fear of being out of mobile phone contact), or Pogonophobia (fear of beards).  Whether serious or silly (at least to the reader) chances are your phobia may be in here.  Complete with amusing illustrations and suggestions on how to overcome those fears, Scared stiff: Everything you need to know about 50 famous phobias is a quick and fun read.

Scared stiff: Everything you need to know about 50 famous phobias is great for class read aloud!  My English classes had read out loud Tuesdays and Fridays.  I needed a book that all levels of learners would enjoy as a book that the non-readers could listen to without getting bored too quickly. Enter Scared stiff: Everything you need to know about 50 famous phobias!  My students loved learning about all the different phobias and this book spawned incredible class discussions about whether the fear we read about was logical, whether anyone in the room shared that fear, how did the students think that fear could be overcome, etc.  In the upcoming school year I plan on once again using this book for read aloud, I think October is the perfect month to tie this book in with urban legends, day of the dead, Halloween, etc.

Fake ID

Giles, L. (2014). Fake ID. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

2015 Quick Picks For Reluctant Readers

Nick Pearson and his family have just moved to Stepton, Virginia from Detroit.  Or did he?  Nick Pearson doesn't really exist.  He is just another made up name from another town he has never actually been to.  Nick Pearson is in the Witness Protection Services.  Once upon a time he was Tony Bordeaux, but he shouldn't be telling you that.  All Nick is supposed to do is blend it, fly under the radar and not make any waves.  That's easier said than done when on your first day of a new life in a new town in a new school you meet Reya Cruz, a beautiful goddess among mortals, and her brother Eli, a future journalist sci-fi junkie with a conspiracy theory.  Still, Eli is the only person who has actually befriended Nick in a long time.  Working on the school paper with Eli is actually kind of fun and Reya might have started liking Nick if he hadn't been the one to discover Eli's dead body in the journalism room.  Everyone thinks it was a suicide but Reya knows different and Nick is starting to believe her.  Maybe Eli's conspiracy wasn't a theory, or maybe he got too close to Nick's secret and Eli had to be kept quiet.  Reya and Nick are determined to solve the mystery of  Eli's death but who solve the mystery of theirs if they get too close to the truth?

With all of the acclaim Fake ID is now getting it is hard to believe it was almost never published.  Apparently author Lamar Giles was rejected numerous times by multiple agents and publishing companies.  He eventually put his manuscript on the back burner until such time when he could publish it himself.  Fortunately, that didn't have to happen.  Mr. Giles speaks about his struggles getting the book published as well as his inspiration in writing the novel in an interview for The Brown Bookshelf.  A link to the interview is provided below.  Fans of Fake ID might also enjoy Ripper by Stefan Petrucha.

http://thebrownbookshelf.com/2014/02/08/day-8-lamar-giles/

Hidden: A Child's Story Of The Holocaust

Dauvillier, L. (2014). Hidden: A child's story of The Holocaust. New York, NY: First Second.

Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Book Award 2015

Dounia is an old woman now.  A grandmother, but she is often sad and tonight her granddaughter wants to know why.  Dounia begins the tale of her sorrows in France during the second World War.  She and her parents lived their happily and the changes at first were subtle.  Dounia used to have friends and was well liked by the teachers at her school.  Now her best friend won't speak to her, she is forced to move to the back of the room, and her teachers seem to be ignoring her.  When Dounia is forced to wear the yellow Star of David everywhere things begin to get worse.  Now she and her family try to flee but strangers come in the night to take them away.  Luckily the kindness of Dounia's neighbors saves Dounia, but not her family.  They are separated but Dounia is kept safe and moves to the country to live with a nice lady but she is a stranger.  Every day Dounia waits for her family.  Finally her waiting is over as she is reunited with her mother, but Dounia never learns what happened to her father.  This is the story she shares with her granddaughter.  One that she has never told before, not even to her son.

Originally written in French 2012, but translated into English in 2014, Hidden is an amazing addition to any Holocaust unit.  While the recommended age group is around 3rd grade this book can easily be coupled with other popular novels on the same subject such as Lois Lowry's Number the Stars or The Diary of Anne Frank.  Some history classes may not have time for an entire novel study and could use Hidden as a supplement to their lessons as it is a quick read.  Hidden: A child's story of The Holocaust also works well when paired with videos about real children's Holocaust experiences.  Clips of one such video are featured below.

You Are (Not) Small

Kang, A. (2014). You are (not) small. New York, NY: Two Lions.

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Winner 2015

The brown fuzzy animals think the purple fuzzy animals are small.  The purple fuzzy animals do not think they are small, the brown fuzzy animals are just big.  The brown fuzzy animals aren't big, just ask the rest of them.  Likewise with the fuzzy purple animals being small.  Of course, they could both be wrong.  It would seem so when the appearance of something really huge and something very tiny makes both the brown and purple animals rethink their definitions of big and small.

You are (not) small is a great introduction into perspective and how some things are big to one person aren't so big to another.  Using this book as a discussion starter, divide the students into groups of 4 or 5.  Have them decide which items on a prepared list are big and which items are small.  The groups can create charts to share with the class when everyone is ready.  Discuss why some things are labeled as big for some people but small for others.  To conclude your perspective lesson you can use a suggestion I found on the blog The Classroom Bookshelf to have each group create their own sequel entitled You are (not) hairy. 

For this suggestion and others you can follow the link below:
http://classroombookshelf.blogspot.com/2015/03/2015-geisel-winner-you-are-not-small.html

Batman '66, Vol.1

Parker, J. (2014).  Batman '66, vol. 1. New York, NY: DC Comics.

2015 Great Graphic Novels for Teens

The Dynamic Duo is back!  When Gotham City is threatened they are there.  The Batman and Boy Wonder of 1960's TV have returned in graphic book fashion.  All the villains we remember are there- The Penguin has barricaded the harbor with the help of Mr Freeze, The Riddler is stealing works of priceless art but leaving riddles as to his next target, song bird Lorelei Circe is back to sing her way into the minds of Gotham's men to steal money and jewels from all around them.  When the Commissioner and police force are helpless never fear- Batman and Robin and here to save the day!

Holy Overused Onomatopoeia Batman!  This graphic novel gave me flashbacks you wouldn't believe!  I loved the re-runs on TV as a kid (sorry, too young to watch first runs) and now I love reading them.  Graphic novels are of course an excellent way to get reluctant readers to pick up a book and this will be no exception.  The best part about this graphic novel is that it is just begging to be used as part of a figurative language lesson.  Alliterations and onomatopoeia galore!  Every fight scene is full of "pows" and "bams" while you can't ignore alliterations such as "The pompous Prince of Perilous Plots".  This book would be a great station for students to read and identify the figurative language while you the teacher are conducting one on one interviews and other students are at other stations.  Not to mention you can pair it with a viewing of an old Batman episode or clip like the one featured below.

Grasshopper Jungle

Smith, A. (2014). Grasshopper jungle. New York, NY: Dutton Books.

Printz Honor Award 2015

Austin Szerba is a historian.  It is his job to tell the truth about how and why things happened.  He is also a sixteen year old boy stuck in the middle of nowhere Iowa with a menial job, a great girlfriend who he loves, and an awesome best friend who is gay that he may also love.  Austin writes the history of his family, starting with his great-great grandfather coming to America from Poland to his brother loosing his leg and testicles serving America in Afghanistan.  Even though it might be hard or embarrassing he will tell the truth about loving both a boy and girl and being totally confused the entire time.
  What he will especially tell the truth about is the end of the world that started when a strange blue mold infected just five people who then morphed into giant man eating pray mantises.  As if being a teen wasn't difficult enough Austin, his girlfriend Shann, and best friend (boyfriend?) Robby are having to run from gigantic, killing, and now breeding six-foot-tall insects!  As it becomes obvious Austin is now writing the history of the possible demise of humanity he and his friends must try to save themselves and as many others as possible.

Science fictions lovers unit!  Fans of Kurt Vonnegut this book is for you!  Teen angst mixes with man eating bugs?  The history of a Polish immigrant coupled with sexual identities?  This book is about EVERYTHING!  Even after reading the front flap I didn't believe that I was really about to read one book about so many themes and topics.  Yet here it is- Grasshopper Jungle.  It appears I am not the only one, Andrew Smith has apparently been asked about this book more than most of his others.  A short interview with him about this novel is below.

I'll Give You The Sun

Nelson, J. (2014). I'll give you the sun. New York, NY: Penguin Group.

Printz Award Winner 2015

In a world of color and vibrant images 13-year-old artist Noah is struggling to be invisible, wanting to spend every waking moment with his sketch pad.  Jude wants to be seen.  She surfs, has friends, goes to parties and wants only her art to be invisible.  You'd never guess they were twins unless you could see the unspeakable bond the two have.  They can finish each other's sentences, know what the other is thinking from different rooms.  Yet two years later they have completely traded places.  Jude has become the invisible art student seeking a sculpting mentor while Noah has become a faceless member of the local clique who never draws or paints.  Whatever bond the twins had is strained and almost completely broken by tragedy.  Both of them are lost and seeking for something that only finding together can rebuild what they have lost.  Noah is hiding a secret, Jude can tell but only by overcoming it can they find their way back to one another and their lost happiness. 

One of the most talked about novels of the year, I'll give you the sun is told from the different points of views of the twins.  Noah from the age of 13-14, Jude 16-17.  While some may have a little difficulty with the time shifts throughout the novel the story would be incomplete without both. Noah takes us through the beginning, Jude through the end.  With as much hype and conversation as this book has generated it is no wonder that it has already been optioned by Warner Brothers to become a feature film.  Author Jandy Nelson talks about who she would envision in the film as well as different aspects of the novel in the interview found at the following link:
http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/may/01/jandy-nelson-ill-give-you-the-sun-interview

Waiting Is Not Easy!

Willems, M. (2014).  Waiting in not easy. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children.

Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book 2015

Guess what Gerald.  Piggie has a surprise for you.  But Gerald will have to wait for his surprise.  It is not time for the surprise.  Piggie promises it will be worth the wait but Gerald doesn't want to wait.  Waiting is not easy!  But they wait, and wait, and WAIT- GROAN!  Gerald is not going to wait any longer.  OK- he will wait.  And it is a good thing he did because when the time is right his surprise is ready and it was definitely worth the wait.

Mo Willems certainly nailed it- waiting is not easy.  Even as adults we have trouble waiting and yet we frequently expect small children to.  There are many times in teh school year that children will have to wait- waiting in line for food, the restroom, to get a drink.  Waiting for others to finish their work so that the class can move on to the next assignment. Teaching students how to wait is an important part of acclimating them into the learning environment.  Using this book along with a  few other activities can aide in this process.  Lower level teachers can start the year off by explaining when students may have to wait.  As a class create a chart displaying when they may have to wait in one column.  Make sure to leave room for additions throughout the year!  In a separate column the class can brainstorm appropriate activities to complete while waiting.  Examples include reading a book, drawing a picture, looking out the window or at hallway displays, etc.  Of course, read Waiting is not easy to help emphasize that often waiting is worth it.  Finish off your lesson with activities that give students opportunities to wait (i.e. take them to get a drink or have them try to wait while you do a small task).   They may not get it at first but remember teach- it is worth the wait!

Ms. Marvel Vol. 1: No Normal

Wilson, G.W. (2015). Ms. Marvel vol. 1: No normal. New York, NY: Marvel Worldwide Inc.

2015 Great Graphic Novel for Teens

Kamala Kahn is your average 16-year-old girl trying to grow up American and Muslim.  She's not part of the popular crowd, mostly because her father's strict views on how proper young Muslim ladies should behave.  Kamala wants to obey her father but surely one night of fun teenage freedom couldn't hurt right?  Wrong!  A strange fog suddenly engulfs the city, including the party Kamala was trying to leave.  When she awakes Kamala finds herself face to face with her hero- Captain Marvel.  Suddenly Kamala has the same super powers as Captain Marvel!  She can even change her appearance to look like the blonde haired heroine.  Kamala struggles to gain control of her new abilities but once she does she can be a super hero too!  Which Kamala finds may not be all it's cracked up to be.  Through her good deeds and awkward transformations Kamala begins to see that being Captain Marvel may not be any better than simply being Kamala Kahn.

In an effort to make their graphic novels reach an even broader audience, Marvel is creating Graphic Audio books.  These audio comics are similar to audio books in that there is usually only one narrator reading the book but how is that appealing when dealing with graphic novels? Easy you show the images of the book  frame by frame along with the voice over.  Full length Graphic Audios are in the process of being released and Ms. Marvel is set to be among the first released on August 17th.  Below is the trailer for Ms. Marvel vol 1 via Graphic Audio.

Little Roja Riding Hood

Elya, S.M. (2014). Little Roja Riding Hood. New York, NY: Putnam Books.

Pura Belpre Honor Award 2015

Little Roja's Abuela is not feeling so good.  Mother has made her some soup but her telenova has just begun so it is up to Little Roja to take it to Abuela's.  Armed with her red cloak and the keys to the family's ATV Roja drives off into the forest to help Grandma.  Along the way she meets a bandana and skull wearing lobo that is more annoying than scary.  While Roja is picking flowers the wolf steals her cloak and runs off to Abuela's house.  But this isn't the grandmother from fairy tales of old- this grandmother is ready to hit the wolf over the head with a statue of Jesus.  Roja arrives just in time to douse the Lobo with her mother's soup, burning him, and forcing him to run away never to return.  For if he does, Abuela's new gun and security system will be waiting!

Elya's blend of familiar fairy tale and Spanish culture are a wonderful way of introducing non-Spanish children to a way of life different from their own.  It is also a great way to make those who Spanish heritage and up bringing feel more included in the Anglo heavy world of Grimm's dominated fairy tales.  The glossary at the beginning of the book gives straight forward definitions and pronunciation guides for the included Spanish vocabulary, however, Elya's context clues within the story almost make the glossary unnecessary.

Other books that blend Spanish with well known children's tales are Rubia and the Three Osos also by Susan Middleton Elya and Tortuga In Trouble by Ann Whitford Paul. 

The Crossover

Alexander, K. (2014). The crossover. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: Boston, MA.

2015 Newberry Medal Winner
2015 Coretta Scott King Honor Award

12-year-old Josh Bell and his twin brother Jordan are masters on the basket ball court.  Their school team is headed to the state championship.  How could they not be with the Bell twins inheriting their retired professional father's skills?  Josh isn't just an amazing baller- Josh  "Filthy McNasty" Bell also has mad rhyme skills!  His verses tell the story of Josh as he and his family deal with the ups and downs of the court and life.  Laughs, love, life, and death are all experienced in rap beat after poetic rap from Josh's point of view. 

The Crossover is an AMAZING use of modern poetry (rap music) and sports- two things that aren't usually used together in young adult literature.  Teachers of grades 6-12 MUST use this book for their poetry unit!  It is guaranteed to catch the attention of teens, especially the boys.  Getting boys excited in poetry is no easy feet!  I used this book this past school year for Poem In My Pocket Day.  I actually rapped (poorly) one of the entries explaining how Josh earned his nickname Filthy McNasty.  My classes went nuts!  They wanted to me to read more and more.  News spread so fast that by the end of the day the principal had come by my room asking me to finish off the day by "rapping" the poem over the intercom for the entire school.  Afterwards I did not see this book back on the "New Releases" shelf for the remainder of the school year.   The Crossover should be a staple in any poetry unit.

  

Gabi, A Girl in Pieces

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

Morris Award 2015 Winner

Sixteen year old Gabi is finally a senior and it can not come soon enough.  Gabi rarely fits in.  She is not Mexican enough for her family, not white enough for the kids at school.  She has always been a little on the chubby side.  Combine all of that with one of her best friends getting pregnant, another best friend coming out of the closet, and her meth addicted father you would think that Gabi would be either really angry or an emotional mess.  What you really get is a witty, talented, driven young lady who has romance and college on the brain.  Not even Gabi's Tia Bertha's super religious views will slow her down.  By the end of her senior year Gabi not only finds a way to succeed she finds her voice and the talent of poetry to use it.

Told from the perspective of Gabi's diary this novel is a wonderful was to cross genres and cultures.  Dealing with several issues facing young people today (teen pregnancy, homosexuality, body issues, drug use) Gabi, a girl in pieces can provide the background for class or book club discussions.  The publisher of this novel has also prepared questions that align with common core standards that can be found online.  The questions are broken down by whole novel or by months following Gabi's diary entries.  The teacher's common core guide can be found at http://www.teachingbooks.net/media/pdf/CincoPuntos/Gabi_TG.pdf

Gabi, a girl in pieces can also be used to introduce small pieces of poetry before beginning an actual poetry unit in a fun and illustrated way that may inspire and excite students to follow in her footsteps.

Popular: Vintage Wisdom For A Modern Geek

Van Wagenen, M. (2014). Popular: Vintage wisdom for a modern geek.  New York, NY: Dutton Books.

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction Winner 2015.

Maya is perfectly happy being invisible.  She and her friend Kenzie have been flying under the radar at her junior high in Brownsville for the last two years with no complaints.  This, her eighth grade year, will however be very different.  Upon cleaning out her father's office Maya stumbles across Betty Cornell's teenage popularity guide  from 1951.  As an experiment and possible writing prompt Maya decides to follow all of Betty's guidelines for the next school year, 2013-2014.  Yes, ALL the guidelines- down to the panty hose, white gloves, and girdle.  Can 60 year old advice still make Maya popular today?  Maya begins a mission to find out.  What she discovers may not be popularity so much as herself.  By the end of junior high Maya not only has more friends and people to dance with she also has more confidence and a better appreciation of who she is.

Popular  is a great way to get teenagers familiar with memoirs, a genre I find they often struggle with. This amazing young author speaks the language of the 21st century teenager.  Thanks to this book there has been a resurgence in popularity for the original guide Betty Cornell's teenage popularity guide.   More teen girls are beginning to follow in Maya's footsteps.  Below is a link to a Tumblr account I found that is for such young ladies to share experiences and offer support while following Betty's guide.

https://www.tumblr.com/tagged/betty-cornell

A Boy And A Jaguar

Rabinowitz, A. (2014). A boy and a jaguar. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

2015 winner Schneider Family Book Award.

Alan can hardly talk.  When he opens his mouth he struggles and stutters so much that he is labeled a disruption at school.  He feels broken and alone.  Except when he speaks to animals, then Alan is quite vocal and plans to use his ability to speak to the animals to one day be their champion.  After seeing his favorite animal, a jaguar, enclosed in a small bare cage at the Bronx Zoo Alan promises all the animals that if he ever finds his voice he will be their voice and keep them from harm.  As he grows Alan finds his voice and keeps his promise. He fights for animal rights, especially the rights of jaguars.  Alan eventually fights and wins to establish the world's first and only jaguar preserve.

A wonderful story about overcoming obstacles, A boy and a jaguar can inspire any kid struggle with speech problems to continue to reach for their dreams.  Speech impairments are often overlooked when speaking about disabilities and this book would be a wonderful way to begin a conversation about them with young students.  As it is an autobiography it is also an excellent introduction to that genre as well.

To find more literature featuring characters with speech impairments readers can go to https://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/kuster/Bookstore/childrensbooks.html to find a list of titles.