Book Reviews 1-8

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian

Alexie, S., Forney, E. and Hesse, M. (2009). Sherman Alexie, The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian. Stuttgart: Klett Sprachen.

Summary

The main character Arnold Spirit Jr. lives in a reservation with his family. Many believed than he would not be able to make it through his infancy due to his born condition of hydrocephalus. This caused Junior to be bullied by others. Junior does not live in very family oriented home his parents are alcoholic. When Junior enters high school his geometry teacher advises him to get out of the reservation. Junior takes his advice and enrolls in a school in Reardan. It not easy coming into a new school and Junior encounters a few mishaps, but eventually is accepted by a few students and joins the basketball team. A series of unfortunate events follow Junior such as the reservation turning their backs at him and losing his sister. Junior even loses his best friend Rowdy for he feels betrayed. At the end Junior and his family begin to heal at the community begins to accept Junior again.

Commentary

Junior a Native American boy is living in Spokane Indian Reservation and attending school there. Feeling trapped he decides to take his education into his own hands and transfer to a public school. The book is based on the authors own experiences. It is narrated by the main character and one can feel his frustrations with wanting something and his community not supporting his decisions. He has to deal with an alcoholic family, bully, and the pressures of high school. The book would be great for students starting in middle school and above. Even though this nonfiction novel is lengthy it would be a good choice for ELLs for the many illustrations that come along with the text. The book comes with wonderful illustrations form Ellen Forney. The pencil sketched illustrations made me laugh and reminded me of the notes we would pass during class before phones ruled the world.

Connections to text

While reading this book I remembered how harsh high school and people can be in general. Sometimes when one goes after their dreams and aspirations not everyone is supportive and some even voice their dislike. Junior went for what he wanted and that is something that teaching our students is important. He experienced stereotyping, bullying, emotional, and physical abuse. Even though, Junior went through many obstacles from being bullied by peers and even his community he still managed to keep his goal in mind. Life is not easy and not everyone is born into a privileged life. Though, it is oneself who decides where life takes us. His family dynamic is something I can connect as well. As a teacher our students come from all backgrounds and learning about different cultures can help us relate to them and build a better classroom environment.

Connections: Other books by Sherman Alexie

The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven ISBN 0802141676

Reservation Blues ISBN 0802141900

Monster

Myers, W. (1999). Monster: a graphic novel. New York, NY: HarperTeen, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers.

Summary

Steve Harmon is only 16 years old and on trial for murder. James King, Richard Evans, and Osvaldo Cruz were also accomplices of the crime. Though, Cruz and Evans took plea deals while King as well has to stand trial for the murder of Alguinaldo Nesbitt. Cruz and Evans both with criminal records sell out King and Steve for shortened sentences. The crime occurred while attempting to assault a store and Nesbitt was shot and proclaimed dead. Steve’s attorney Kathy O'Brien had doubts of her client’s innocence. However, she does her best to defend him in trial. Steve writes his story of the events occurring and shares flashbacks of proceedings leading to crime. Innocent or guilty Steve walks while King is convicted.

Commentary

The book covers several topics from peer pressure, racial stereotyping, and faults in the court system. The main character Steven Harmon decides to write about his experience in a diary type format. The story thus reads like a screen play with diary entries here and there. The story takes place mainly in the court room while debating the main characters innocence this made it feel as though the story went by quickly since the environment did not change much. The book would be better perceived by high school students. The ending of the book is unclear and it lets the reader make up their own conclusion of the ending. Personally these types of endings make me feel incomplete and unfulfilled. However, this could be a book used for discussion about main social and criminal topics.

Connections to text

While reading this what came into mind was the phrases guilty by association and tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are. I remembered how many times in middle school I got in trouble for something my friends had done and I had taken no part off. Even though we are not aware there are times we characterize people by the individuals that surround them. Though, that should not be the basis we use to categorize others.

Connections: Other books by Walter Dean Myers

 Slam! ISBN 0590486683

The Knife of Never Letting Go

Ness, P. (2009). The knife of never letting go (Chaos walking Bk 1). Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press.

Summary

Todd Hewitt is told he is the only boy left in Prentisstown and that all women have been killed by the Spackle, the natives to the alien planet. Due to a virus called the Noise the men in the town can hear each other’s thoughts along with animals.  The virus is said to be fatal to women. In an outing Todd finds a swamp in which he is not affected by the Noise and experience silence. Todd reports this to his adoptive parents though accidently projects this information to the whole town. His parents blindside him and urge him to run away. Todd is hesitant, but without no choice he sets out with Manchee his dog and his mother’s diary. Todd encounters Viola the only girl he has ever met and they set out to find the Haven a place mentioned in his mother’s diary. Through Todd’s journey he discovers many things such as how the Noise is not a virus, but natural contagion of the planet. Todd and Viola find themselves in trouble towards the end of the book and have no other choice, but to surrender.

Commentary

This science fiction adventure novel will have readers on their toes. This story is the first part of a trilogy. The main character is on quest to unveil the lies that have been imposed on him by the people he has known all his life. The book is an adventure story with many good action sequences and is written in the first person by the main character Todd.  The main character does not flourish as much as I would have liked, but I look forward to reading the following books. The antagonists are a bit extreme and there are grammatical errors in the text based on how the characters speak. The book would be best for the older section of young adult readers for the foul language, children doing cruel acts, violence, and murder scenes.

Connections to text

When reading this book I thought of the many book series that I grew up with. I love fiction books especially if they have action or romance scenes. Though, I love my dog more and the killing of Manchee was a downfall for me. It made me feel emotionally thinking I could lose my dog Milo. I think many could relate with this event.

Connections: Other books by Patrick Ness

The Ask and the Answer ISBN 1406310263

Monsters of Men ISBN 1406310271

Gabi a Girl in Pieces

Quintero, I. (2014). Gabi, a girl in pieces. El Paso, Tex.: Cinco Puntos Press.

Summary

Gabi Hernandez is 17 years old and starting her senior year in high school. She like many teenager have troubles. She has a drug addict father, a conservative mother, and low self-esteem. Her closest friends do not help the situation when one has gotten pregnant and the other has come out as being gay. Living in a Mexican-American home Gabi feels pressured to follow traditional Mexican values. Gabi has a lot on her plate such as college, dealing with mean girls at school, and body image issues. Her outlet becomes binge eating whenever she feels pressure or anxiety. Gabi later finds comfort in writing poetry voicing her struggles. She begins to make new friends and becomes more comfortable in her own skin.

Commentary

This nonfiction book is based on the author’s experiences. It is written in the first person by the main character Gabi. The book can be read from middle school students and above. The story encompasses many struggles that teenagers and young adults experience. Topics addressed in the book include teen pregnancy, sexual identification, body image, religion, drugs, and culture. Gabi has to negotiate two cultures that have two very different sets of rules for girls and boys. One can see how Gabi begins to develop as a feminist and finds herself through the help of her poetry.

Connections to text

This story relates to so many Mexican-American students on so many levels. Growing up in a Mexican household is tough especially when many values and traditions imposed prohibit you from talking about sexual preference, pregnancy, contraception, men must be masculine, and women feminine. This a book is a must read for it makes the one feel like one is not alone. The book also addresses body image. In this current time being thin is promoted in every ad, commercial, magazine, and all over the internet that stories like these makes one understand that everyone comes in all shapes in sizes beautiful in their own way.

Connections: Other books by Isabel Quintero

Photographic: The Life of Graciela Iturbide ISBN 1947440004

Lilly and Dunkin

Gephart, D. (2016). Lily and Dunkin. New York, NY: Delacorte Press.

Summary

Timothy McGrother wants to be no other than Lilly McGrother, a girl. Despite that not all her family is onboard with the idea. She knows that even though her anatomy might be of a male that is not who she is. Lilly has to face the scrutiny of her peers for not everyone is as excepting in middle school like her best friend.  Lilly meets Dunkin who is struggling with a mental illness and is new to town. Dunkin want to fit in and be part of the popular crowd so acts like Lilly is not his friend at school. Regardless, they form a friendship even though they are in different social circles at school. When things go south in their lives Lilly and Dunkin lean on each other along with friends and family. The story follows Lilly and Dunkin through the many obstacles that they encounter.

Commentary

Lilly and Dunkin by Donna Gehart is a wonderful YA book. It is an easy read that students starting in middle school would enjoy. This realistic story is narrated between its two main character Lilly and Dunkin. It informs readers about the LGBTQ community and the struggles they go through. This book builds empathy for many do not comprehend the struggles that come with not identifying with traditional gender roles. It opens the door to all the physical and emotional factors that individuals experience in its main character Timothy, who identifies as Lilly. The book not only includes this issue, but mental illness portrayed in its other main character Dunkin. This nonfiction book was derived from part of the author’s life. Dunkin’s character is based on the authors son for he as well had bipolar disorder. This book deals with important issues such as transgender identity, bipolar disorder, bullying, and grief that affect many young adults.

Connections to the text

In this story the reader can see the difficult path of finding oneself and overcoming scrutiny. This book allows the reader to build empathy towards others that are going through similar situations. LGBQT is a topic that is discussed in great length nowadays. People have becoming more accepting as time has passed. Though, they still experience many obstacles by certain individuals that want to impose typical sexual preferences. This book has showed me a glance at all the obstacles these individuals go through to be accepted. It really opened my eyes and it is heartbreaking to think that this is happening to so many people. In the story each of the main characters had their family to support them or at least towards the end they had changed their viewpoints. The importance of family and friends are crucial. As educators learning about this can help us relate to our students that might be going through these types of situations.

Connections: Other books by Donna Gehart

Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen ISBN 0385740522

How to Survive Middle School ISBN 0385737939

Speak

ANDERSON, L. (2017). SPEAK. [S.l.]: FARRAR, STRAUS & GIROUX.

Summary

If high school was not tough enough already Melinda has to go through more that your average teen. Melinda is an outcast for calling the cops on an end of the summer party. It’s her freshman year and she is trying to cope with what she has gone through. Melinda was raped by an upper classman during that summer party. She has no friends and becomes alienated from the rest. Her friends from middle school have all gone their separate ways and she has no one to confide in. Melinda fines an outlet in her art class and slowly begins to mend. Unluckily, her offender begins to date someone Melinda considered a friend once. Events lead to Melinda having another encounter with her offender though this time she is able to stand up for herself. Melinda discovers she is not alone and that her offender has a past of taking advantage of others.

Commentary

This realistic fiction book has many relatable experiences. Melinda is the main character of the story that has gone through a traumatic experience. The reader is immersed in Melinda’s mind and her thoughts.  She is caught having to recover from this alone and unable to accept what has happened to her till almost the end of the story. The character develops and grows as the story progresses and comes to terms with her sexual assault. She stands up for herself and speaks out about what happened to her. Topics covered in the story range from bully to sexual assault. The book clearly outlines many of the pains and troubles of high school. This book is intended for high school students or even 8^th graders.

Connections to text

Assault is a topic that should be talked about more often. It’s not okay for anyone to do anything without ones consent. I came from a very sheltered home, but when I became a teacher I saw things in a different perspective. This is something that happens too many, but not all speak out about it books like this could give individuals the courage to find their voice.

Connections: Other books by Laurie Halse Anderson

Wintergirls ISBN 067001110X

Go: A Kidd’s Guide to Graphic Design

Kidd, C. (2013). Go: A Kidd's Guide to Graphic Design. New York: Workman Publishing Company.

Summary

In this book the author begins with a history of graphic design. He covers the importance of graphic design and how it affects our daily lives even though we might not take it into account. The author explains as well the development of graphic design through the times for cave writing to Photoshop. The chapters within the book cover form, typography, content and concept. The author discusses important points in each category such as cropping and layering text in form. While stating typography he mentions iconic fonts and in concept uses Louis Sullivan’s theory to guide the reader in a certain direction. Kidd Chip addresses the many concepts that are used to create marvelous designs and how they influence our way of life.

Commentary

This book simplifies graphic designing that anyone can benefit from it. In a technology driven society one is expected to create presentations with captivating visuals. This book makes it easy to comprehend what it takes to create appealing designs. The integration of technology is a big aspects in school systems nowadays that this book should be in all school library collections. The content is appropriate for all levels from middle school and up. The author makes the topic relevant and interesting and provides many visuals for the readers.

Connections in text

This book can relate to developing better graphic designs to acquire my students’ attention. The book can also be used when covering the scientific method for students must create intriguing PowerPoint Presentations with many visuals.

Connections: Other books by Chip Kidd

Batman: Death by Design ISBN 1401234534

Annie on my Mind

GARDEN, N. (2017). ANNIE ON MY MIND. [S.l.]: OPEN ROAD MEDIA TEEN & TW.

Summary

Liza Winthrop is living in upscale Brooklyn, Heights and attending Foster academy. On an outing to the Metropolitan Museum she meets singer Annie Kenyon. The two girls are 17 years old and even though they are from opposite sides of town they form a friendship. That friendship develops into something more. The girls fall in love though Annie is more in touch with her sexual orientation. Liza volunteers to take care of her teachers cats while their away on vacation. The girls keep growing closer and use the house as their escape. Though things take a turn when they are discovered by another teacher. This creates turmoil and Liza is almost expelled from her school. After this Liza distances from Annie and they both continue with their separate lives. At the end Liza realizes that she does love Annie after they both have gone off to college she reaches out to make amends.

Commentary

This realistic fiction is a wonderful romance story even if it’s not the typical storyline between a male and female character. It is a great read especially for students struggling with their sexuality. It’s a coming of age book that demonstrates when one if discovering oneself. This book would be recommended for high school students and above for a bit of sexual content. The book is written in Annie’s perspective one of the main characters. Annie struggles with accepting her sexual preference, but the readers can see how she grows throughout the story.  One can expect to come across subjects like sexual orientation, peer pressure, society stigma, love, and acceptance.

Connections

This romance story will touch your heart. It makes one understand that love comes in all shapes and forms. This book was first published in 1982 and for many it was a story made them feel like they were not alone. This book I can relate for many of my students begin to discover who they are and being able to recommend books like this can make a difference.

Connections: Other books by Nancy Garden

Good Moon Rising ISBN 0595347673