YouTube, Animoto, and QR Codes

YouTube
YouTube is a popular site among kids of all ages. Even my 2 year old loves to look at videos on YouTube! This video site is a great way to engage students in lessons, as well as promote different events and activities taking place in the library. I have found so many different ways to promote library events by using videos, as well as ways to teach mini-lessons using videos as well. I have visited many YouTube channels and found two videos from each channel that I think will be helpful for students, and one that I feel students would like the best:

Calypso Gilstrap

Most Helpful- This screencast showing students how to use EBSCOHost is very helpful for students researching a topic. The librarian does an excellent job of giving step by step instructions to make the process not as difficult.

 

Students Would Like the Best- This is a really neat video I feel students will enjoy watching. It shows the school mascot walking through the library accessing the different resources and materials that are available to the students. Great way to advocate library usage!

The Unquiet Library

Most Helpful- This page has lots of helpful videos for the students, and quite a few to choose from on how to cite different digital and media files, which I think will be a great help for students.

Students Would Like the Best- Students will love this video that is set to high energy music, and shows images of themselves and their peers utilizing the library. Great way to showcase all of the awesome things taking place in the library!

Pikesville HS Library

Most Helpful- This video gives great information for students who are getting ready to enter college and are needing to apply for financial aid. The live video makes the information more personal and engages the viewers more than just looking at a slide show.

 

 Students Would Like the Best- Just by looking at this school's library YouTube page you can see all of the wonderful and exciting events taking place. It was hard for me to choose just one, as there were many I feel students will enjoy watching, but I decided to go with this one that showcases a Wii party taking place in the library. What student wouldn't love to come to the library for food and video games?!

 

BBMS Media

Most Helpful- This video shows students how to create a citation using a database. Great how to instructions for students to utilize when needing help with making their works cited page for a project or paper.

 

Students Would Like the Best- Another library YouTube page that showcases some awesome events! The video I chose shows a parody of students dancing to a Drake (a very popular rapper with students) video, and at the same time instructs students on how to return books on time so they are not overdue. Great idea!

 

Animoto

Animoto is an amazing website that allows you to create videos for almost any occasion. Great tool that allows you to simply add music, pictures, and videos, and Animoto does the rest. I am so glad I signed up for an account. I can not wait to use this in my library!

I created a book trailer on one of my favorite children's book, Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes.

Chrysanthemum thinks her name is absolutely perfect—until her first day of school. "You're named after a flower!" teases Victoria. "Let's smell her," says Jo. Chrysanthemum wilts. What will it take to make her blossom again?

QR Codes

There isn't a place I can think of that I've been and haven't seen QR codes. These codes can be used to connect people quickly to websites, videos, photos, or other promotional events. This is my first time creating one of my own and I can see it being a huge benefit to library users. These codes could quickly connect students to book reviews, which can help them find a book they are interested in. There are tons of great ideas available on the web of different ways to use QR Codes. You can even be taken to a virtual store, or make payments using these codes. Scan my QR Code below to be linked to the book trailer I created.

Final Reflection

This class has taught me so many new and creative ways to use technology with my students. Before this class, I never realized how many different applications and programs there are that can really enhance a student's learning, as well as an educator's teaching.

All of the technology that I used this summer was exciting for me, but if I had to choose which one I enjoyed the most, it would be the cartoon and comic maker websites, ToonDoo, and Pixton. I can see my students really enjoying themselves with these websites, and they can be used for so many different lessons as well as assignments. I've already planned a lesson for the first week the students come to the library where I will use a comic strip to introduce them to the rules and procedures of the library. I plan on it being a way to engage all of my students no matter the grade level they're in.

None of the technology was too difficult to understand and use. I did have some problems when it came to saving some of my work and uploading it later. But after multiple tries, I think I have become more comfortable with this aspect of technology use.

I can see all of these technology programs being beneficial to my students, but I believe the podcasts websites will truly engage them in the learning taking place. My students love to talk and if they get an opportunity to express their feelings on a book or other assignment, I could see this technology having the greatest benefits to their learning. I can already picture them becoming excited as they work on their podcasts and listen to each others podcast assignments.

This has been one of my favorite classes to take as I work towards my MLS degree. It was very organized, engaging, and useful towards today's 21st century way of teaching and learning. I can not wait to use all of these programs this school year!

The Media Debate

The debate on whether or not media has an effect on students' learning has been going on for quite a while. The debate, which is between Richard Clark and Robert Kozma, stems from statements that were made by Marshall McLuhan way back in 1964. McLuhan stated that "media is the message" and "media are extension of man".

I had never read this debate before, but I was very interested in what both sides had to say. I believe it's easy to sum up this debate as Clark having old-school feelings about technology, and Kozma embracing the 21st century way of teaching. Being a student in the 90s and now an educator in the 21st century, I side more with Kozma. Teaching in a low-income school, I have had to teach with limited technology at times. As I grew in my teaching, I realized the positive impact technology had on my students, but I also realized that it is not the only aspect that effects a student's learning. I agree with Kozma when he said "certain media possess particular characteristics that make them both more and less suitable for the accomplishment of certain kinds of learning tasks." Research has also shown that "students absorb information to a greater extent in less time when they are actively engaged by participating in computer based instruction". It has also been proven that "students liked their courses more and had a better attitude in the classrooms where technology was used." I have experienced both of these with my students and I believe that media does effect student learning and attitudes, and that it is a very important aspect of teaching today.

The Media Debate. (n.d.). Retrieved July 19, 2016, from http://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/The_media_debate

 

Savage, A. J., & Brown, D. S. (2014). Examining Past Studies of the Effects of Classroom Technology Implementation in Terms of Student Attitude and Academic Achievement. Global Education Journal, 2014(4), 20-27. Retrieved July 19, 2016.

 

Instagram, Vine, and Screencasts

The two screencasts programs that I found to be easier for me to use were Screencast-o-matic and Jing. I tried Adobe Spark as well, but it seemed to have too much information and not enough step-by-step instructions like the other two. I liked Screencast-o-matic the best out of all of the programs. It was way easier to use and get started. It also gives you more time to do your screen cast, as opposed to Jing, which only gives you five minutes. With Jing I felt rushed to finish what I was trying to show my students. Also with Jing, the audio did not sound very clear to me when I did the playback. Here are my screencasts from both programs:


Screencast-o-matic

Jing
http://www.screencast.com/users/KrisJones14/folders/Default/media/a622312e-8b25-4b02-9ce5-5384d9379807
 For some reason I had trouble trying to upload the video from Jing on to my blog, so hopefully the link will work for you.


Instagram and Vine
I have had an Instagram account for a few years now, and it is one of my favorite social media apps. I could see using Instagram in the classroom by setting up a class page that all of the students have access to. They could post different images that deal with the subject or topic that we are studying at that moment. I could also use Instagram at the beginning of a lesson as an anchor or attention getter for the lesson. It would be a great way to grab and hold the students' attention. Here is a post from my Instagram:

I just signed up for a Vine account, and am still getting used to all of the logistics. I have browsed around and can definitely see the pros of using this app in the classroom. Videos are always a great way to interest a student in the day's lesson. Vine could also be used in the same ways I suggested using Instagram in the classroom.

Message Design & Infographics

Infographics
Infographics are a great way to help simplify a complicated subject, or turn a boring topic in to an interesting one. I can definitely see this tool being used as an effective strategy to engage students during a lesson. With the fast moving pace of technology that our students are used to, this is an excellent way to grab their attention and get right to the point of what you are teaching.

After trying all three infographic online makers (Easel.ly, Piktochart, and Infogr.am) the one I liked the most was Piktochart. In my opinion, this maker was more user friendly than the other two, and a lot easier to understand and navigate while making my infographic. I also liked the fact that this site had ten templates to choose from that made it easier for first time users to get started.

My infographic focuses on the use of social media in the workplace. With the growing popularity of social websites, you constantly see people using their technology devices during the workday, whether for professional or personal reasons. The link to my infographic is: https://magic.piktochart.com/output/14735181-lssl-5391-piktochart

Blogs and Blog Readers

Feedly 
When I first read the term 'feed readers', I felt like I was reading something in a foreign language. I have never heard this term before, and I initially thought that it was like the news feed on Facebook or other popular social media websites.

After reading up on what a feed reader actually is, I was completely impressed with the idea of an app that allows multiple blogs that I'm interested in to be viewed on one screen. This is a great time saver for me, as I am not having to go back and forth between multiple websites to read about different perspectives that are all on the same subject.

The feed reader that I chose is Feedly. I love the way this app is organized, and it is pretty easy to navigate when adding different blogs to my feed. I enjoy it so much that I have two accounts set up: one professional and one for my personal interests.

Two of the blogs that I added to my Feedly are two that I also follow on Twitter: YALSABlog and School Library Journal. I enjoy their tweets and posts so much that when I saw them on Feedly I just had to add them. Their blogs always give up to date information that interests me and gives me ideas to try in my own library.

As a first year librarian, I was always looking for new ways to display books in my library, or to promote them using bulletin boards. This is the reason I decided to add Library Displays to my Feedly. This blog gives so many creative and innovative ways to display books. I am definitely looking forward to trying some this upcoming school year.

I am a big advocate for my library and am passionate about being an advocate for all libraries and the wonderful things that take place in them. This is why I added The Library Voice blog to my Feedly. This blog gives creative ways to be an advocate, as well as new ideas on technology, books, and collaboration with teachers and other staff members.

Although I am currently an elementary school librarian, I might one day decide to move up to secondary, which is why I follow The True Adventures of a High School Librarian. Getting insight on this profession through the eyes of someone who has done it for a while is a great way for me to see if being a secondary school librarian is a good fit for me.

I signed up for a Tumblr account when I was taking another class for my MLS degree. When searching for school libraries on this website, I realized that most of the schools that have a Tumblr use it to promote all of the different and wonderful things that are taking place in their libraries. There are also some pages that simply advocate for literacy and libraries. I follow a few pages, but am still working on adding posts to my account. Here is the link to my Tumblr page.

Facebook and Twitter Exploration

Facebook
I never knew how many school libraries have Facebook pages. When doing the search, I found so many different types of libraries, as well as different types of content on their pages.

The first school library page that grabbed my attention was Houston Middle School Library. Houston Middle School is a public school located in Germantown, Tennessee. This school's librarian has put a lot of time and effort into making this page innovative and interesting to all who visit. The main thing I noticed that the librarian posts are promotions for different reading programs and activities, such as the Barnes and Noble Bookfest that is upcoming. There are also links to different contests and information for the event. The librarian also posts different educational videos that deal with promoting reading literacy and different reading activities taking place on her campus. One aspect of this page that I really liked was using it to advocate for her library, whether it is to get help in the library, or if she needed donations to better her library for her students. I noticed that the librarian posts very frequently on the page, about 7-10 times a day, however there are not many comments or likes on any of the posts. This shows that the librarian is determined to get her library's name out there as well as all of the wonderful things she is doing in her library.

The next page I found grabbed my attention because it belongs to a school that is a suburb of Dallas, and is a pretty big campus as far as student size goes. The name of the school is Mesquite High School, which is located in Mesquite, Texas. I have to say that I was disappointed in what I saw on this Facebook page. There weren't many posts, about 1-2 posts every month. The posts that were made were about things directly related to the school. There were no posts about reading promotion activities/events that were taking place outside of the school. One positive thing about this page was that the videos that were posted showed lots of reading activities that were going on at the campus, which is one way to advocate for the library.

One disadvantage to having a library Facebook page is the fact that it may not be seen by many students or other patrons if it is not promoted regularly. If you work at a low-income school, like I do, you might even run into the problem of students not having access to internet or technology except for when they are on campus. On the other hand, I think having a Facebook page, or any other social media page for your library, is one of the best ways to promote your library in this digital age. When you post on a regular basis, and your posts are beneficial and inspirational for your patrons, you will see the benefits of using a Facebook page.

Twitter 
I recently rejoined Twitter about 6 months ago. I had an account a long time ago, but did not see its appeal or value as far as staying connected with others, as I did with other social media sites. However, over the years, Twitter has become more popular so I decided to give it another try. This time around, I decided to use it only on a professional level and follow those who are in or on the same career path as I am. This has been a great decision for me as I get so many ideas from the many Tweets I receive daily, many from the educational leaders in the library profession. Here are a few of my favorite Tweets from some of the new educational leaders that I just recently started to follow:

I started following Kathy Schrock (@kathyschrock) after reading all of the innovative ways she integrated Bloom's Revised Taxonomy with different technology applications and devices. I have become very intrigued and interested in her tweets. I consider her a master of all things new and improved when it comes to educational technology. Most of her tweets show the importance of educational technology and why it is so important that we all stay up to date on technological advances. I enjoyed reading her latest blog entry about the online tool IFTTT (If This Than That), which allows you to connect 2 online services together to cause another event or task to happen.

Linda Braun (@lbraun2000) is a past president of YALSA. Most of her tweets are directly related to YALSA. She is a huge advocate for the organization as well as reading in general. She retweeted a video from the CL Alliance that was truly inspiring and motivating. The video is about using maker spaces in the hospitals for children who have lengthy hospital stays. This video is truly encouraging as it shows kids dealing with lifelong illnesses getting the opportunity to develop and create hands on projects.

The Daring Librariain (@GwynethJones) is my new favorite blog and Twitter page to visit. Her page grabs your attention and pulls you in as soon as you click on it. This Twitter page is one that young adults and adults can both relate to. One of her recent blog posts about her BYOD (bring your own device) charging lockers that she uses in her library is absolutely brilliant. I could see this type of charging station being very popular in many libraries.

Textbook Chart

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3qFw5e_ojcuX2VWUlFQWTlNenM/view?usp=sharing

Ready for a Brand New Beat: How "Dancing in the Street" Became the Anthem for a Changing America (2014 Outstanding Books for the College Bound)

Kurlansky, M. (2013). Ready for a brand new beat: How "dancing in the street" became the anthem for a changing America. NY: Riverhead Books

Dancing in the Street was a song that came out during a time America was changing with people fighting racial discrimination and fighting for equal rights. Kurlansky writes in his biopic how this song was made, and goes into the history of the artists, producers, and record company that made this song a hit. This book is very entertaining as it discusses how this one song appealed to teens of all races across the country, and became a hit for many years to come. Great read for those interested in knowing more how music had an influential part in America's history during and after the Civil Rights Movement.

Wonder (June 2015 NYT Bestseller List)

Palacio, R.J. (2012). Wonder. NY: Random House

There are so many themes present in this novel: self-acceptance, prejudice, and bullying, just to name a few. R.J. Palacio tells the touching story of August, a ten year old boy who has a facial deformity. In the past, August has always been home schooled by his mom, but now his parents are ready to send him to a private school, Beecher Prep. Although he is apprehensive in the beginning, August begins to make friends and starts to enjoy school. There is one boy, Julian, who can not stand the way August looks, and continuously makes hurtful remarks towards him. Despite all of the verbal and sometimes physical abuse, August ends his school year on a good note and is even awarded the Beecher Award which is given to students who are considered notable in certain areas throughout the school year. Readers in grades four and up will enjoy this lovable story that teaches them how to face their fears and overcome their challenges, no matter what their situation my be.

The Shadow Hero (2015 Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens)

Yang, G.L. (2014). The shadow hero. NY: First Second

This graphic novel is based on a comic series from the 1940s, The Green Turtle. Yang does an excellent job of reinstalling this character for the 21st century. Hank, the main character, is a nineteen year old working in his father's grocery store. After his mother meets a superhero, she is determined to turn Hank in to a superhero as well. After his father is killed by people he owed money to, Hank sets out to avenge his father's death. This novel is full of action and thrills, as well as laughs that will make this a story one will not be able to put down.

Popular (2015 Winner Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults)

Van Wagenen, M. (2015). Popular. NY: Penguin

This funny and touching story tells the true life story of author Maya Van Wagenen as she tries to survive her middle school years. Seeing herself as a social outcast, Maya decides to use a self-help book from the 1950s: Teenage Popularity Guide by Betty Cornell. Maya is completely dedicated to following all of Betty's tips, even if it means more embarrassment for her. The book includes real photographs of Maya and her family as she is going through this particular time in life. Young girls will find this book hilarious as well as helpful as they too might be experiencing some of the same feelings Maya had during middle school.

I'll Give You the Sun (2015 Printz Award Winner)

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

Jandy Nelson uses a distinctive and unique writing style in this breathtaking novel. Here she tells the story of fraternal twins Noah and Jude who do everything together, until they hit puberty and things start to change. Nelson writes the story from both teens perspectives, with one telling the story of when they are early teenagers, and the other telling the story when they are in their older teen years. This style of writing comes together beautifully to tell the whole story of this crucial developmental time in their lives.Noah and Jude find themselves competing for the same things: boys, school, and the affection and attention of their parents. This causes them to grow farther and farther apart. When a tragedy strikes the family, readers will be able to relate to the twins' emotions, and their relationship as siblings.

Tomboy: A Graphic Memoir (2015 Top Ten Quick Picks)

Prince, L. (2014). Tomboy: A graphic memoir. San Francisco, CA: Zest Books

This graphic novel tells the story of author Liz Prince's childhood and how she grew up as a tomboy. The story tells how she struggled to fit in with other kids her age, seeing as how she wasn't a girly girl, and she wasn't one of the guys either. This novel shows young readers that it's ok if you don't fit in and you don't have to conform to what the "norm" is. It teaches them that what's most important is that they are happy with who they are. This will also make a good read for parents who are trying to understand what they're child might be going through that doesn't dress the way they may particularly like. The true story being told through comic strips makes this book appealing to young readers of different ages.

The Crossover (2015 Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults)

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

Josh and Jordan Bell are twin brothers who have played basketball together for years. As they enter junior high school, they encounter many changes that puts a strain on their relationship. The story is told through the eyes of Josh as he depicts the many emotions he goes through as his relationships with his brother and parents weaken due to different obstacles he is facing. When the family is pushed to the point of having to come together and be strong, Josh realizes the importance of family and begins to work hard to make his relationships strong again. The author does a great job of describing real situations that real families face every single day. Young adults and adults will be able to relate and enjoy this story from beginning to end.

The Fault in Our Stars

Green, J. (2012). The fault in our stars. NY: Penguin

Hazel is a sixteen year old living with cancer that has spread to her lungs. After attending a support group, she meets a young boy named Augustus who has lost one of his legs to cancer. The two strike up a quick friendship and decide to read each others favorite books. Augustus becomes frustrated with the way Hazel's favorite novel, An Imperial Infliction, ends and decides to track down the author. After meeting the author and being disappointed to see how he truly acts, Augustus' health begins to decline so they return home. Augustus confesses his love for Hazel and after he passes away, Hazel finds out that Augustus was in the process of writing a sequel to her favorite novel. This young adult novel will make you smile and then make you cry. A wonderful book to teach young readers what true love is and how it can be exhibited no matter what your circumstances may be.

When You Reach Me

Stead, R. (2010). When you reach me. NY: Random House

This story is told through the words of the protagonist, Miranda. A homeless man, who is always laughing, lives on the corner of Miranda's street. The main soon starts to send Miranda letters. The first three were instructions to Miranda to write down future events. In the beginning, Miranda is unaware of who is sending the letters, but becomes intrigued in what they are saying. It is later revealed that the homeless man is actually a time traveler that was sent to save a life. The theme of friendship is prevalent throughout the book as Miranda both loses and gains new friends.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown

Black, H. (2013). The coldest girl in coldtown. NY: Little, Brown, and Company

Fans of paranormal novels will love this book. Seventeen year old Tana wakes up from a party and discovers that everyone in attendance has been slaughtered by vampires. She soon finds her ex-boyfriend, Aidan, alive and chained, along with another vampire that does not wish to kill his victims. Tana realizes that Aidan has been bitten, which means that he carries the vampire curse inside him. With vampires still on the hunt, Tana has to quickly think of a plan to get all three of them out of this cold town. Black does a great job with developing the main characters. Tana is a determined and strong character who never gives up, while Gavriel is mysterious and helpful. Readers will definitely love the suspense of the book, as well as seeing Tana and Gavriel's relationship bloom.

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

Angleberger, T. (2010). The strange case of origami yoda. NY: Amulet Books

Dwight is considered strange and weird by most of the kids in his sixth-grade class. One day Dwight decides to bring an origami finger puppet that is made to look like Yoda from Star Wars. Dwight uses his origami puppet to give words of wisdom and advice to those who otherwise would never talk to him. Seeing as how this puppet is saying things that are not normally said by Dwight, some of the kids in the class begin to believe that his finger puppet has a connection to the "Force" and possesses special powers. One of the popular boys in his class, Tommy, becomes intrigued with the Yoda and decides to set up a case against it to see if it really does have powers. Angleberger does a great job of developing the plot and the characters in this novel. Young adult readers get a good look at the many emotions that preteen boys go through as they encounter middle school life.

Grasshopper Jungle

Smith, A. (2014). Grasshopper jungle. NY: Penguin

Andrew Smith holds back nothing in this novel as he addresses many topics such as homosexuality, sex, and drugs. This novel is narrated by the main character, Austin, who is having sexual thoughts and feelings about his best friend Robby, as well as his girlfriend Shannon. After Austin and Robby are attacked while skateboarding, they discover a vile of poisonous liquid that is shattered and mixes with some of Robby's blood on the concrete. Not thinking anything of it, the boys drive off, not realizing the scary changes this accident is going to have on everyone in their neighborhood. The boys and Shannon discover that the liquid is changing everyone into praying mantises, and the only way to stop them using Robby
's blood. Although the trio are very courageous in trying to battle these creatures, their efforts are not successful.

Carrie

King, A.S. (1974). Carrie. NY: Random House


Carrie White is a social outcast at her high school in Maine. Her mother is a devout Christian who believes sin is all around, and does not educate Carrie on the changes she will experience as a teenage girl. After being bullied by girls in her gym class, Carrie starts to realize that she has telepathic powers. At first she can not control the powers, but with more time and practice Carrie gets a good handle on her powers. Tired of hearing her mother constantly preach to her about sin, she decides to accept a popular boy's offer to take her to the prom, believing that this will be a new beginning for her. Carrie is having a good time at the prom, until one of her former bullies humiliates her in a horrible way. This sets off her telepathic powers, resulting in her killing most of the people at the dance, as well as destroy most of her town while on her way home. This young adult novel will definitely keep its audience's attention from beginning to end, as they are drawn in to the powerful and dramatic scenes that are throughout the book. This is a classic novel that will continue to be around for years to come.

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes

Crutcher, C. (1993). Staying fat for Sarah Byrnes. NY: Greenwillow Books

Eric and Sarah Byrnes have been friends for years, as both are seen as outcasts by their peers due to their outward appearances. Eric is overweight and Sarah has scars on her face and hands from an accident in which she was badly burned. Eric eventually starts to lose weight after joining the swim team at their high school. Afraid of losing his friendship, he continues to overeat in hopes of staying fat so that he stays an outcast with Sarah. Eric feels there is more to Sarah's past than he knows, and after learning the horrible truth of how she got burned, and the pain she is still enduring, he sets out on a plan to save his best friend. This novel is filled with many emotions: rejection, fear, love, and acceptance to name a few. Crutcher does an amazing job of telling the story of how two outcasts can come together to find their voices and have the courage to stand up for what is right. A great read for adolescents and adults.

Brown Girl Dreaming

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

Jacqueline Woodson allows readers into her personal life as she details for them what it was like to grow up during the time of the Civil Rights Movement. Through the  use of powerful and emotional poetry, Woodson describes living through the last years of the Jim Crow laws as well as the many changes her and her brothers went through while moving from city to city. Woodson was not a strong reader as a young girl, but she found a love for words and writing, which led to her writing her first book of haiku poems. This moving book would be a great read for students in middle school, especially for girls who are looking for ways of expressing themselves. I would recommend this book to anyone who is trying to find out what they want to contribute to this world.

Persepolis

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

Persepolis tells the story of author Marjane Satrapi's childhood through the use of black-and-white comic strips. Readers get a glimpse of Satrapi's life from ages six to fourteen, and get a chance to see what life was like for her in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. Once living situations become too dangerous, Satrapi's parents send her to live in Austria. Although she does not want to leave her family, she understands that this is the best choice for her and her parents. Readers who have experienced love, loss, and separation will definitely be able to relate to this genuine and emotionally compelling novel.

Gabi: A Girl in Pieces

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

Gabi takes readers through her diary as she documents her senior year of high school, from the first day of school, all the way to graduation. Through her diary, Gabi expresses her true emotions on many of the situations that she is currently facing, like her friend's pregnancy, her other friend coming out, and her dad's meth habit. Gabi also writes poetry in her diary that shows how she feels about some of her past relationships with boys, as well as her views on sex before marriage, which is strictly looked down upon by her mother. Readers can easily relate to the characters in this novel, as well as the controversial issues that many of them might be facing as well. Young adult readers will find the struggles that Gabi encounters are some of the same ones they deal with every single day.