Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Sounds Like a Great Read...My Top 5
Acceleration by Graham McNamee
This is a book is about a boy who finds a deranged man's diary in a subway station where he works. During this fast pace thriller, a pair of teenage boys are in search of a possible serial killer. The teenagers travel through Toronto on a puzzle-like journey in order to answer the questions concerning the lost diary. This book was mentioned in Don Gallo's "The Very Best Possibilities".
Twilight by Stefanie Mayer
In Don Gallos's Sci-Fi and Fantasy article, he recommends the Twilight series. This is one series I would not hesitates to recommend to any girl. It is about a Bella, a girl who moves to Forks, Washington and finds herself head over heels in love with her classmate, Edward. Edward just happens to be a vampire. Bella and Edward find themselves in the throws of vampire politics and an undying love for each other that can only be experienced by reading these incredibly entertaining books.
Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr
Don Gallo offers the hunting take of Story of a Girl in his "Summer 2008" article. After reading the description of a girl who is labeled a slut after having sex with her seventeen- year- old boyfriend. I believe this would be a very powerful book for teens. This book is about the protagonist's attempt to rebuild her relationships with family and friends after her father finds out about her promiscuity.
Yellow Flag by Robert Lipstyte
I also uncovered Yellow Flag in Don Gallo's "Summer 2008" article. I've never seen my boyfriend read a book in his life and I think this might get him to think twice. I'm always trying to help boys find the fun side of books and Yellow Flag is just this ticket. It is about a boy who has to make the hard decision to take his brother's place on the car racetrack when he is injured in a crash. The protagonist must struggle with family expectations and those of his own in this sports novel.
Keesha's House by Helen Frost
Don Gallos addresses This novel in "The Very Best Possibilities: Part Two". This novel is told through the eyes of three teenagers, one gay, one pregnant, and one abused. The novel is written in sestinas and sonnets from the eyes of these troubled teens. I believe students can really connect to this book and the characters through their struggles.
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Caitlin, I also liked the description of "Story of a Girl when I read through the articles, but ever since I became a mom, I'm much more conservative in my selections. Even though I'm well aware of teens and their activities in middle school and high school, I don't think I could recommend this to middle school students. I even think it would be on a case-by-case basis at the high school level as well. Again speaking as a mom, I think I'd be upset if someone recommended a book about any kind of questionable content without first getting my approval.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you! I think this book breaches some very touchy subjects. Like you said, I would only recommend this book on a case by case basis and I do not see this book suitable for middle schoolers. However, I do think this book covers issues that many girls are worried about in high school and could be a powerful read!
DeleteThanks for recommending "Keesha's House" -- it's a title I wasn't familiar with, but I like the cover, and I love the "Booklist" review on Amazon that suggests it would be a great book to use for Readers' Theater. And it has a great start:
ReplyDelete"My parents still think I'm their little girl.
I don't want them to see me getting bigger,
bigger every week, almost too big to hide it now.
But if I don't go home, where can I go?
Jason said, "You could get rid of it"....
"Acceleration" has been added to my To Read list. I love thrillers!
ReplyDeleteI had a feeling you were going to recommend "Twilight." Like you, I would recommend it to any girl who likes a good love story :)