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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Summary and Discussion
This book is introduced by the Junior, the main character sharing information about his health condition, some of the medical procedures he has undergone, and his experiences with being bullied by the people in his “rez”, or reservation. He shares his passion for drawing and tells how drawing is his way to escape the reservation. In addition to the hardships brought on by his medical condition, he also has to endure poverty. He shares the hard realities of his life such as the loss of his dog and best friend, Oscar. Towards the beginning of the book, Junior talks about what his parents professions could have been and discusses how the reservation doesn't hold much of a future for him. With this in mind, Junior decides to leave his school in the “rez” and go to a school that offers a better education. The story is heartbreaking, yet has moments that will make you laugh out loud. I enjoyed that this book is told by the main character in a way that invites the reader to really get to know the character. The author’s personal experiences and use of language is relatable in that young adults will enjoy reading. The use of figurative and descriptive language are also great to help the reader visualize. In addition, the illustrations included really convey how the character sees himself and conveys the art created by the character. Overall, this book is such a great read and will surely be enjoyed by anyone who reads it.
Other Books by the Author
Thunder Boy Jr.
Connections
Book Trailer
Required Young Adult Novel
Alexie, S., & Forney, E. (2007). The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Little Brown.
Speak
Summary and Discussion
This novel begins with the narrator, Melinda Sordino, sharing her not so wonderful experience as a ninth grader at Merryweather High School. Unfortunately, she is having a difficult time making friends because she ruined a party over the summer by calling the police. Now, even her best friends do not speak to her, and this of course has Melinda feeling miserable. Melinda stops talking all together and later has to decide whether to speak about the reason she called the police that day, or keep quiet. I found it interesting that the book is divided into the four sections of the marking periods during the school year. Being treated as an outcast at her school causes Melinda to spend a lot of time in an abandoned janitor’s closet. She spends a lot of time in the year escaping her painful reality through an art project. Aside from being disliked by everyone, she must also bear seeing Andy Evans, the senior who raped her at the party. Her parents and school counselor try to help her open up, but she refuses to tell them. Later, Melinda begins to accept what happened to her and tries to warn a friend about Andy. After speaking up, she becomes more confident and is able to defend herself from Andy when he tries to harm her again. As the book unravels, we see Melinda change and begin to find activities that she enjoys. She finishes her art project of a tree and tells her art teacher what happened to her. This novel touches on very controversial issues such as rape and self-harm. In the novel, we see all the changes the character undergoes and also learn about changing relationships with peers and adults. It is surely an unforgettable book that will touch and inspire many.
Other Books by the Author
Chains
Connections
Book Trailer
Required Young Adult Novel List
Anderson, L. H. (1999). Speak. Farrar Straus and Giroux.
Lucky Broken Girl
Summary and Discussion
Ruthie Mizrahi, the main character, lives with her parents and her brother in Queens. They are immigrants from Cuba who like many in that period had to flee from Castro’s rule. Ruthie and her family are coping and adjusting to their new home while feeling homesick from their native country. Her father has to work two jobs and her mom stays at home. Some of Ruthie’s other family members including her grandparents, aunt, and uncle live in her apartment building. All us well until one day, her family is involved in a terrible accident while driving their new car. Unfortunately, this accident leaves Ruthie bedridden in a body cast for over a year due to the injuries sustained from the accident. Ruthie must face her lengthy recovery and the uncomfortable situation of feeling like a burden on her family, especially her mother. She is often bored and is treated awkwardly by family members. A friend named Ramu sneaks in to visit despite his mother’s disapproval of being friends with someone outside his culture. Sadly after the death of Ramu’s brother, he and his family return to India. Although this affects Ruthie, she soon becomes friends with Chicho, a new neighbor that moves into the Sharmas’ apartment. He makes Ruthie's situation more bearable by teaching her art. When Ruthie’s casts finally come off, she now fears never being able to walk again after being in bed for such a long time. However, with the help of friends, family, and Amara, her nurse, Ruthie is able to overcome the fear of walking again. This middle-grade novel will teach readers about family, friends, facing your fears, and the true meaning of being “lucky”. Another book by the author includes Letters from Cuba.
Other Books by the Author
Letters from Cuba
Connections
Book Trailer
Required Young Adult Novel List
Behar, R. (2017). Lucky Broken Girl (1st ed.). Nancy Paulsen Books.
Annie on My Mind
Summary and Discussion
This novel is about two characters named Annie and Liza. The novel begins when both of the characters are seventeen years old. Liza, is the main character of the story, she attends a private school, lives in Brooklyn Heights, and lives in a privileged neighborhood with her parents and her brother. She meets Annie at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan and they become very close friends soon. Although they are from different socioeconomic statuses, and are interested in different career paths their friendship soon turns into a romantic relationship. When Liza’s school becomes at risk of closing down due to financial reasons, gets suspended for 3 days after helping a student raise money secretly piercing other students' ears. The suspension and Thanksgiving break lead the girls to spend a lot of time together leading to their first kiss making Liza realize she is lesbian. Their relationship brings up challenges such as Liza nearly being expelled and losing her role as student body president. However, the Academy decides Liza won't be affected by the matter, but all the stress from the relationship causes Liza to break up with Annie. After graduating high school, they both go their separate ways. Liza constantly thinks about Annie and finally accepts who she is. When they meet again, they pick up their relationship where they left off. This novel is a narrative mostly told by Liza’s thoughts. It teaches readers about love and acceptance.
Other Books by the Author
Good Moon Rising
Connections
Other Related Books
-The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar
Required Young Adult Novel List
Garden, N. (2007). Annie on My Mind (1st ed.). Farrar, Straus, Giroux.
Celebrate Your Body 2
Summary and Discussion
This book is an informational novel for girls that wonder about their bodies and the changes it undergoes. More importantly, it offers support during puberty answering questions girls may have about their bodies during this uncertain time. Celebrate Your Body 2, addresses topics some parents have difficulty discussing with their children. It is an excellent book that teaches this particular audience that they are not alone when it comes to the changes their bodies undergo. Readers will learn to celebrate that every body is beautiful and unique. Another book related to this title includes Celebrate your body: (And It's Changes, Too!).
Other Books by the Author
Celebrate your body: (And It's Changes, Too!).
Connections
Other Related Books
What's Happening to Me? By Susan Meridith
Required Young Adult Novel List
Leff, C., & Klein, L. (2019). Celebrate Your Body 2: The Ultimate Puberty Book for Preteen and Teen Girls (Celebrate You, 2). Rockridge Press.
Monster
Summary and Discussion
Monster is a novel about a young man named Steve, who is being wrongly accused for a crime he did not commit and can send him to prison for the rest of his life. Due to Steve´s interest in filmmaking, he decides to document his experience in prison along with the court trial process in the form of a screenplay. Steve describes everyday differently, from being in his cell alone with his thoughts to the description of horrendous acts by other jail mates. This is a unique approach that depicts the emotions Steve is going through and allows us to empathize with the character. The thought of spending the rest of his life in prison seems more and more likely everyday. We can actually feel through his words and description of the trial how unfair Steve is being treated. The testimonies from criminals along with the many lies takes us to a point at the end of the novel where Steve is sure he will end up in prison. It is not until testimonies regarding his character that Steve feels hope and he is declared not guilty to everyone's surprise.
Other Books by the Author
Blues Journey
Connections
Book Trailer
Required Young Adult Novel List
Myers, W. D., & Myers, C. (1999). Monster (Coretta Scott King Honor Book) (First ed.). HarperCollins.
The Knife of Never Letting Go
Summary and Discussion
This novel is a Science Fiction that takes place in a world where an alien species has taken control of the world and human lives have been changed completely. Todd, the main character of the story lives a life made up of lies unknown to him which quickly begin to unravel when he makes the discovery of silence. In this new world, everyone's minds are connected which means your thoughts are endless noise so this new discovery of silence opens the door to a new life for him. Since women were wiped off the world, Todd's adoptive parents admit things were different before and hand him a letter from his mother that takes him on a journey to discover the many things he never knew. From meeting his friend Viola who is a girl, to discovering communities along the way where both men and women exist. Speckle, the alien species, are atrocious and unforgiving beings which Todd can't get away from as he navigates a journey that eventually leads to tragedy. This novel is the first part of a series and as such we are left with the suspense of Viola being hurt and Todd trying to save her life. Readers will learn from Todd’s passage to manhood, friendship, and survival in this coming of age novel.
Other Books by the Author
A Monster Calls
Connections
Book Trailer
Required Young Adult Novel List
Ness, P. (2008). The Knife of Never Letting Go: Chaos Walking: Book One (First Edition). Candlewick.
Gabi, A Girl in Pieces
Summary and Discussion
Gabi, A Girl in Pieces, is told through the journal of the main character, Gabi. Through her journal writing we learn that she has a lot to deal with in her senior year of high school with the pregnancy of her friend Cindy, her friend Sebastian’s coming out, her dad’s addiction to methamphetamine, and being under the constant eye of her strict mom and aunt. In the novel, we learn about how Gabi is having a difficult time figuring out who she is in the world. She records detailed and honest events in her life such as her food cravings, boys, her first kiss, sex, and lifestyle. The book contains profanity, mature themes, and establishes a strong voice about Mexican American culture through journal entries and poetry. Readers will enjoy Gabi’s personality and see her change on the path to become a young woman despite the pressure of her family, culture, society, and teenage troubles.
Other Books by the Author
My Papi Has a Motorcycle
Connections
Book Trailer
Required Young Adult Novel List
Quintero, I. (2014). Gabi, a Girl in Pieces. Cinco Puntos Press.
Persepolis
Summary and Discussion
Persepolis is a book with a strong female lead. It takes place during the Iranian Revolution and is told through the point of view of a young girl named Marjane. I enjoyed reading this graphic memoir because the text and illustrations were simple yet conveyed so much. The images included are black and white and the panels include verbal narration, dialogue bubbles, and visual storytelling. This coming of age novel invites us into Marji and her family’s daily life including conversations about cultural identity, religion, violence, repression, justice, tradition and so much more. Readers will be able to make connections and understand this culture during a significant time in the Middle East. It is important to keep in mind that this book contains some language that may be inappropriate for younger readers. Persepolis is a fantastic novel that would be great to pair with other readings to build background knowledge on the subject.
Other Books by the Author
Persepolis 2
Embroideries
Connections
Book Trailer
Required Young Adult Novel List
Satrapi, M. (2004). Persepolis. Pantheon.
The Hate U Give
Summary and Discussion
The Hate U Give is a novel about a young girl named Starr Carter who is a witness of her best friend’s murder by a police officer. It takes place in Garden Heights, a predominantly black and impoverished area. The novel takes us through Star's pain and grief as she finds her
strength and voice to stand up for what happened. The novel was inspired by Oscar Grant, a young man who was killed by police officers as well as many other cases related to police brutality. This novel would have great positive influence on readers who are overcoming difficult situations such as these. It shows that it is important to be hopeful and find a voice in difficult circumstances. The novel touches on activism, injustice, and grief along with many other topics that would be great for class discussion.
Other Books by the Author
Concrete Rose
Connections
Book Trailer
Required Young Adult Novel List
Thomas, A. (2017). The Hate U Give. HarperCollins.
Stamped From the Beginning
Stamped From the Beginning is based on racist ideas in America against African Americans. The book includes a history of the origin of racism. It contains important terminology, people, and places in the history of racism and antiracist ideas. This book gives us an understanding of how racist ideas have historically impacted American history and all the major events that pertain. The book cover is eye-catching and conveys the content of the book. Overall, the book will inform any American or person interested in learning about the history of racist ideas.
Other Books by the Author
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You.
Connections
Other Related Books
How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith
Required Young Adult Novel List
Kendi, I. (2016). Stamped from the Beginning. Nation Books.
Solo
Solo is a novel in verse written about a young man named Blade Morrison. Throughout the novel, Blade has a difficult time finding love due to his famous rock star father’s reputation in love, drugs, and alcohol. In the novel, we quickly learn that Blade resents all the negative attention his father brings and his inability to have an open relationship with his girlfriend because of the paparazzi. He faces difficult circumstances such as the death of his mother, constantly being disappointed by his father, the reveal of a family secret, and a breakup with his girlfriend. Blade takes us on a quest of self discovery when he decides to travel to Ghana to investigate more about the family secret. Because the novel is written in verse, it has a high emotional impact on the reader. Kwame Alexander’s poetic style is lyrical and will wrap any reader up!
Other Books by the Author
Booked
The Undefeated
Connections
Book Trailer
YA Readers List
Alexander, K., & Hess, M. R. (2017). Solo. Blink.
King of the Mild Frontier
Summary and Discussion
King of the Mild Frontier is a book with an adventurous nature. It is a humorous autobiography in which Chris Crutcher walks us through his life. It begins as young Crutcher tells about his childhood, dealing with his bad temper, family, and everything else that shaped his childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. It includes stories about his adventures as a child, interest in girls and failed attempts to impress them, as well as his lack of talent as an athlete. Finally the novel ends with Crutcher as an author and therapist working with his patients. The novel is authentic. Readers will certainly relate to the content, connect with the characters, and laugh as they read the book. I love that the book will appeal to readers that may feel like they don’t fit in, have trouble with sports, or anyone who fears not having a successful future.
Other Books by the Author
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes
Whale Talk
Losers Bracket
Connections
Other Related Books
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
YA Readers List
Crutcher, C. (2004). King of the Mild Frontier: An Ill-Advised Autobiography. HarperTempest.
The Chocolate War
Summary and Discussion
The Chocolate War is about a struggle between a boy and a student gang called the Vigils. Jerry, the main character, is a student at Trinity Catholic High School who is struggling with the death of his mother and his father’s grief. As part of the football team, Jerry becomes friends with a teammate named “The Goober”. At school, the Vigils organize and play tricks on the teachers forcing students such as “The Goober” to go through with the task. When Brother Lean becomes the school leader, is left in charge of a chocolate fundraiser and gets the vigils to make the kids at school sell more chocolates to double the previous year's sales. When Jerry becomes the gang's new target, he stands up to them and faces unfortunate circumstances. The Chocolate War includes topics such as bullying, gangs, and violence. The book doesn’t condescend to its audience. I can definitely see why this book is well known in YA literature.
Other Books by the Author
The Rag and Bone Shop
Heroes
Connections
Book Trailer
YA Readers List
Cormier, R. (2004). The Chocolate War (30th Anniversary ed.). Ember.
Please Ignore Vera Dietz
Summary and Discussion
Please Ignore Vera Dietz revolves around Vera and the recent, mysterious death of her best friend Charlie, who she secretly had a crush on. Vera is a well grounded teenager and Charlie was a bad boy, who was getting into some trouble at school. They both come from different family dynamics, different personalities and as a result, their relationship falls apart. In the novel, Vera is trying to come into her own again after her friend's death, but begins drinking as an escape to her troubles. As the novel unfolds, we get to see the relationship between Vera and her father grow. I found the form of writing of this book very interesting because it includes multiple perspectives. Some of which include Vera, her father, and Charlie. At times, the plot was a bit difficult to follow due to the novel going from past to present and them back. The book teaches about family, death of a loved one, grief, and choices.
Other Books by the Author
Everybody Sees the Ants
Ask the Passengers
Connections
Book Trailer
YA Readers List
King, A. S. (2012). Please Ignore Vera Dietz (Illustrated ed.). Ember.
Winger
Summary and Discussion
Winger’s main character is Ryan Dean West. He is a 14 year old who is forced to go to a boarding school and faces common teenage troubles. The book revolves around teenage male relationships, especially due Ryan staying in a dormitory where there are a lot of troublemakers. The novel also introduces us to Annie, the girl he is in love with and his friend Joey who is gay. Ryan and Joey are teammates in the school’s rugby team and after becoming close friends, Joey is murdered by two homophobic teenagers on Halloween. The audience is intended for young adults, especially boys. Some topics included in the novel are coming of age, relationships, friendship, self-esteem, LGBTQ, violence, and loss.
Other Books by the Author
Grasshopper Jungle
100 Sideways Miles
Connections
Book Trailer
YA Readers List
Smith, A. (2013). Winger. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
YA Readers List
Smith, A. (2013). Winger. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
The Fault In Our Stars
Summary and Discussion
The Fault In Our Stars’ main character is Hazel Grace Lancaster, a cancer patient who has less than favorable odds in surviving thyroid cancer now metastasized in her lungs. Hazel’s biggest fear is the pain her mother will experience after she loses her battle and thus refers to herself as a grenade. While attending a cancer patient support group, she meets a teenage boy named Augustus Waters. She and Augustus meet through a mutual friend and soon become friends themselves. Hazel learns that Augustus had osteosarcoma and has been cancer free since his leg was amputated. After spending some time together, they exchange books. Hazel recommends a novel she identifies with because its main character, Anna, is a cancer patient who shares similar experiences as her. Intrigued by the novel's abrupt ending, they set out to Amsterdam to meet the author of An Imperial Affliction hoping to get some answers about Anna. They were disappointed to find that he was a rude alcoholic. Towards the end of the trip, Augustus shares that his cancer is back and has spread everywhere. The Fault In Our Stars will make any reader laugh and tear. Green does an excellent job writing about such a sensitive and heartbreaking story in an uplifting way. Readers will learn about friendship, love, family, loss, and cancer among many other themes.
Other Books by the Author
Looking for Alaska
Connections
Book Trailer
YA Readers List
Green, J. (2012). The Fault in Our Stars. Dutton Books.
The Poet X
Summary and Discussion
The Poet X is a novel in verse written in free verse poetry. It tells the story of Xiomara Batista, a girl growing up in Harlem who is trying to find herself in a home with strict religious parents and in a world that suppresses and objectifies women. She writes poetry in her journal to express emotions, questions, and anger. She thinks about things and does things that her parents would never approve of including having feelings for a boy in her class named Aman. The Poet X is a book that will make its audience fall in love with reading. The words are powerful and meaningful making it easy for readers to connect. The book touches on topics such as family, love, religion, finding your voice, sexuality, and sexual assault.
Other Books by the Author
With the Fire on High
Clap When You Land
Connections
Book Trailer
YA Readers List
Acevedo, E. (2018). The Poet X. HarperCollins.
The Stars and the Blackness Between Them
Summary and Discussion
In The Stars and the Blackness Between Them, Audre is caught by her mother making out with the pastor's daughter. Appalled by her daughter's behavior, she sends her off to live with her father in Minnesota. While living there, Audre meets Mable when she and her father go to dinner with her father’s friend. Although from different backgrounds, these two teenage girls fall in love and their relationship becomes very close as Mabel becomes diagnosed with a rare life-threatening illness. As readers we get to experience reading through the viewpoints of Audre and Mabel and get to meet these girls on a very personal level. Some explicit scenes in the novel include make-outs and drug use. The book teaches the audience about love, family relationships, understanding, morality, empathy, and culture. It involves topics such as romance, LGBTQ, and homophobia.
Connections
Other Related Books
From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun by Jaqueline Woodson
Book Trailer
Best Fiction for Young Adults
Petrus, J. (2019). The Stars and the Blackness Between Them. Dutton Books.
Long Way Down
Summary and Discussion
In Long Way Down, fifteen year old Will faces the decision of taking matters into his own hands by avenging his brother’s murder. He takes his brother's gun from their room and goes to take the elevator down to the lobby to find the person he is sure took his brother’s life. In the “long way” down the elevator, he sees the ghosts of family members and friends who have been victims of gun violence. This novel is excellent for any reader who hasn’t yet found a book that thrills them. Long Way Down is a novel written in verse that is powerful and beautifully written. The words are simple, yet meaningful and symbolic. It shares messages about family, violence, and loss.
Other Books by the Author
Ghost
Connections
Book Trailer
Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
Reynolds, J. (2017). Long Way Down. Atheneum.
Award Winning Young Adult Books
In addition to the 20 books listed above, I also read We are Okay, Hey, Kiddo, Dragon Hoops, An Absolutely Remarkable Think, and The Book Thief. I really enjoyed these books, and overall appreciate that the books I read were written for young adults to connect and identify with. Some of the titles listed above really serve as mirrors that reflect young adults everywhere. They are also great examples of the importance of diversity, inclusion, and equal representation of all voices. As a teen, I would have benefited from reading many of these books and as a future librarian, I now these readings will be important in helping me place the right book in my patrons’ hands.
Bibliographic Citations
Craft, J. (2019). New Kid. HarperCollins.
Green, H. (2019). An Absolutely Remarkable Thing. Dutton.
Krosoczka, J. (2018). Hey, Kiddo. Scholastic.
LaCour, N. (2017). We Are Okay. Dutton Books for Young Readers.
Zusak, M. (2007). The Book Thief. Alfred A. Knopf.
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