Textbook Chart

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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.