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.Tuesday, March 29, 2016
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.
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.
Monday, March 28, 2016
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.
Friday, March 25, 2016
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
The Knife of Never Letting Go
Ness, P. (2008). The knife of never letting go. Boston, MA: Candlewick Press
Young Todd Hewitt is the youngest boy living in an all male town called Prentisstown. This is a town without women, and all of the men can hear each other's thoughts, which they call 'noise'. Once Todd becomes a man, his adoptive parents insist that he, and his dog Manchee, leave the house. While out on his travels, Todd meets a girl and also visits towns that have both men and women. His new discovery changes the way he once viewed and thought of the world. Todd soon realizes that the men of Prentisstown are keeping a dark secret. The author's use of simplistic language shows the reader how innocent Todd is, and how much he lacks in educational skills. This dark and compelling story is sure to grab and hold readers' attention from beginning to end.
Young Todd Hewitt is the youngest boy living in an all male town called Prentisstown. This is a town without women, and all of the men can hear each other's thoughts, which they call 'noise'. Once Todd becomes a man, his adoptive parents insist that he, and his dog Manchee, leave the house. While out on his travels, Todd meets a girl and also visits towns that have both men and women. His new discovery changes the way he once viewed and thought of the world. Todd soon realizes that the men of Prentisstown are keeping a dark secret. The author's use of simplistic language shows the reader how innocent Todd is, and how much he lacks in educational skills. This dark and compelling story is sure to grab and hold readers' attention from beginning to end.
Monday, March 21, 2016
Monster
Myers, W.D. (1999). Monster. NY: HarperMyers uses a unique way of writing in this novel. The book is written in the form of a screenplay, with interjections from the main character's imagination. Steve Harmon is a sixteen- year old African- American male who is on trial for murder after being accused of taking part in a robbery that resulted in a store owner's death. After being described as a monster by the prosecutor, Steve struggles with who he really is and if he really is a murderer. Through the distinctive writing of the author, readers get a good feel of the character's emotions. This moving novel also touches on many controversial issues, including, racial stereotyping, peer pressure, and the flaws of the court system. Myers does a great job of showing his young adult audience how one single decision can change your whole life.
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