Sunday, April 30, 2017

Final Reflection

Final Reflection-Digital Technology for School Librarians

This semester I took 3 classes, and this was the class that I was worried about the most.  The new technology and the quick turnaround made me nervous.  However, it turned out that I loved the class, and I was always sharing my new learning with my colleagues at school.  

For this class and another class, I started Facebook and Twitter accounts.  I will continue to use Facebook to follow what Dr. Lesesne and Dr. Perry are reading each month.  I don't think Facebook really helps a library.  Twitter is wonderful for educational purposes.  In Dr. Lesesne's class, I had my first live Twitter chat.  It was a great experience.  I also like following authors and librarians to get new ideas.  For information ethics, I learned that if there might not be so many problems on an elementary campus, but if I move to a high school campus I might see problems with students trying to "hack" and cause harm to computers.  During our educational technology assignment, I learned more about makerspaces.  I hope that the library that I get a job at will have a makerspace!  Students have access to film-making, arts and crafts, coding, robots, and Legos. I enjoyed doing Flipagram.  I made two quick videos.  I did one to follow our class meeting on how to walk correctly in the hallway and another as a motivational tool for the STAAR test.  Next, I would like to use it to do selfies about what books students are reading.  It is so easy to do, and I love that you can add music.  I felt like a "rockstar" when I made a screencast.  I had never seen these until last semester.  I couldn't believe, that I could actually make one without any tears being shed!  I think that when I am a librarian, I will use these to teach my staff new technology.  It is a time-saver and then teachers can review them as necessary.  I was very excited learning about QR codes.  I think that my library should use them on their Horned Toad Tale books.  They would have book trailers on each code.  I can't wait to try this when I'm a librarian.  I think kids and teachers will be clicking on everything and it will really create excitement about reading. Once again, I felt like a "rockstar" when I made a book trailer using Animoto.  I had seen so many of these book trailers on YouTube, and I couldn't believe how easy they are to make.  I think that students would be excited to make a trailer and share with their class and/or other classes.  This is what makes kids want to read books! I also like making comics.  Comics is not my style, but I was happily surprised with all of the different types of lesson ideas that the sites already had programmed.  I used MakeBeliefComix with my fifth graders.  They wrote about themselves and wrote narratives.  Next, we are going to use the comics during our Multi-sensory grammar lessons.  I didn't like making the podcasts personally, but it is an activity that students will enjoy.  I think podcasts are great educational tools for all subject areas.

The lesson that I felt most uncomfortable about and I feel that I did not do very well was infographics.  When I saw everybody's product and read their comments, I felt that I must have been the only one who struggled with this.  It made me feel inadequate.  

In the article that we were given "Food for Thought," I would have to remember that I serve a community with over 60% of students who are economically disadvantaged.  I have a library budget of $2200.  My students love to come to the library, and I have to do everything I can to encourage them to read and make reading progress.  My students might not have home computers like other students in wealthier parts of our school district, but they have phones.  I can teach them how to use a phone to help them use technology.  I need to work collaboratively with the teachers, so they know the new technology.  Our whole school is being remodeled this summer.  We are getting new paint, carpet, shelving, and furniture.  This fall will be a perfect time to welcome the families into the library.  They need to know the importance of reading every day at home.  If they have time during the week, they can volunteer.  We can have translators to make sure everyone feels welcome and validated.





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Saturday, April 15, 2017

Media (is) The Message?


Media (is) the Message?

Technology can be a great tool for learning.  

I have always been a classroom teacher at a Title 1 school and we have never had BYOD, Bring Your Own Device.  My youngest son is in 7th grade and his math teacher will send out a Remind 101 when they can bring their phone or iPad to class for a special project.  My middle son, is a freshman at a private school for students with emotional problems.  Most of his classes are on-line.  This can be positive because he has trouble with handwritten work and he can work at his own pace.  The negative is that he can feel that he is not as connected to his peers and some teachers.  

I found a great article about BYOD titled, "9 Strategies for Managing BYOD in Classroom." Just as I was taking some notes, I realized that they mentioned my school district Cypress Fairbanks ISD, saying that high school students can bring three devices to school.  Here are the 9 strategies:

1.  Provide teacher training.  Popular teacher items are Google classroom and PollEverywhere (whole class responses).
2.  Provide buying guide for parents.
3.  Provide school devices for students who don't have one.
4.  Have a code of conduct.
5.  Require use of school network.
6.  Allow text and social media between classes.
7.  Use classroom management software
8.  Provide expert technical support.
9.  Remember that devices are tools.


Librarians can help support using technology by providing resources to teachers.  Teachers are very busy and appreciate librarians who can suggest apps, websites, or e-books that match their curriculum needs.  

Budget constraints are always a factor with technology.  It is very expensive, and it quickly becomes outdated. Sometimes, the quality of the technology is not high enough and teachers and students become frustrated.  Also, there needs to be expert, technical support so teachers feel that the technology is reliable.  

In Meyer's Mobile Computing article, she makes this important statement, "Regardless of what happens with BYOD in the classroom, it’s important to keep the focus on education rather than technology. "

Meyer, L. (2016). 9 Strategies for Managing BYOD in the Classroom. T H E Journal, 43(6), 24.
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Saturday, April 1, 2017

Blog 22-27

Saint Anything

Dessen, S. (2015). Saint anything. NY: Speak. Sydney's world has turned upside down when her older brother, the golden child, has been put in prison for drunk driving and is responsible for putting a boy in a wheel chair.  Sydney feels that her family does not see her and she switches to a new school to help save the family money.  At a pizza restaurant, she meets and becomes best friends with Layla. Layla's family welcomes her into their home and she is attracted to Layla's brother Mac who is supposed to be off limits to Layla's friends.  Sydney has to deal with her feelings of guilt over her brother's accident, avoiding the family friend who gives her the creeps, and her growing feeling for Mac.  Readers will like this story of family, friendship, and love. I like the way the author incorporates humor by having Sydney be the pizza whisperer.  She can guess who orders the pizza that she and Mac deliver together. I kept wanting to scream at Sydney's parents to wake up and help Sydney.  This book from the Best Fiction for Young Adult list teaches many lessons for the young adult.  


Other books on this topic: 


https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/saint-anything-by-sarah-dessen/

Everything Everything

Yoon, N. (2015). Everything everything. NY: Delacorte Press. Madeline is trapped in her house because she is allergic to the outside.  Everything changes when Olly moves in next door.  She convinces her nurse to let Olly come over and that leads to Madeline realizing that she is not going to settle for this kind of life anymore.   Madeline and Olly run away to Hawaii.  When readers will think they have the end figured out, there is a huge twist to the story.  Madeline was never sick!  I was so caught up in this love story.  Then I was more that furious with Madeline's mother when I realized that Madeline's illness was all a lie!  Readers will not want to put this book down!  Madeline is a strong character that we root for throughout the book.  Readers may connect with having an illness or Olly's dysfunctional family.  This is a book that will make you feel sadness, happiness, and anger.  This book is on the Best Fiction for Young Adults list and it's a must read!

Book Trailer:

Other books to read:
None of the Above by I.W. Gregorio  – This moving novel is about the experiences of an intersex teen.
Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider – This book is about the bittersweet romance between two teens dealing with a deadly illness.
Kristan thinks Everything, Everything will appeal to Rainbow Rowell fans and also recommends:
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli – This witty glbt romance features stylized emails and other flirty banter similar to Everything, Everything.
I think you’ll also like:
Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern – This emotional read features different types of disability experiences and some romance.
The Last Leaves Falling by Sarah Benwell  – This is my current read, and while I haven’t finished it yet I think it fits here. It’s about a Japanese teen with a fatal disease. He’s isolated somewhat like Maddy and strikes up online friendships.


Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel by Sara Farizan – This humorous lgbt romance also features strong supportive friendships.

Skink 

Hiaasen, C. (2014). Skink. New York: Ember.  Richard befriends an ex-governor, who everybody believes is dead, named Skink.  Skink was defending sea turtles when they met.  Richard quickly needed his help when he learns that his cousin Malley is in danger.  Richard and Skink go to find his cousin who is with an older, dangerous man who she met on-line.  Readers will like the references to Florida turtles and birds, similar to Hiaasen's other books like Hoot. There is a lot of action combined with humor as they fight with alligators to stay alive.  I liked that an old man like Skink could take on young con-artist/kidnapper and all the problems found in a swamp.  Maybe some kids won't be tempted to find a boyfriend on-line. Readers will like going on this adventure with Richard and will be cheering for the good guys all the way!  This book is on the Quick Picks list.

Video with author telling about book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0_8lyBeX2Q

Related reading topics:

https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/skink-no-surrender-by-carl-hiaasen/


Eleanor & Park

Rowell, R. (2013). Eleanor and park. NY:  St. Martin's Griffin. In this Printz Honor book, Eleanor comes from an abusive home and the kids at school make fun of her red hair and secondhand clothes.  Park is from a nice, middle class family and befriends Eleanor on the bus by sharing his comics and music.  They end up falling in love.  Readers will be rooting for their friendship and love story.  It is wonderful to see Eleanor getting to have some normalcy in her life when she visits Park's family.  When things go bad with Eleanor's stepdad, the reader will be crying along with Eleanor and Park.  As soon as I finished reading this book, I wanted to read it again.

Reading Group Questions:

Book Trailer:

Looking For Alaska

Green, J. (2005).  Looking for alaska.  NY:  Penguin.  Away at boarding school, Miles meets a girl named Alaska.  She is the leader of some crazy school pranks.  Alaska gets drunk and dies in a car crash.  Miles and his friends try to find out if it was a suicide or an accident.    Readers will like living vicariously through Miles and his friends as they are living in a boarding school, doing crazy pranks, sneaking cigarettes and booze, and still trying to pass their classes. The book goes from funny, when they get a stripper to pose as their annual speaker, to sad when you learn how Alaska's mother died.  In this Printz Honor book, John Green, the author of The Fault In Our Stars, captures the relationships in young adulthood. Miles and his friends have a great friendship because it is them against the "rich" kids. Miles and his roommate are a "nerdy" cool because Miles knows famous last words and Colonel knows capitals and populations. 

FAQ

Discussion Questions:

http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/292717/looking-for-alaska-by-john-green/9780142402511/readers-guide/

The Book Thief

 Zusak, M. (2005).  The Book Thief. NY:  Alfred A. Knopf. Liesel goes to live with Rosa and Hans Hubermann on Himmel Street when Hitler was in power.  She watched her brother die, did not know the future of her mother, and stole her first book.   Liesel's family risk their lives and hide Max, a Jewish man in their basement.  Readers will laugh, cry, and be tormented by the images in this Printz Award winning book. Liesel's character changes so much throughout this story.  At the very beginning, she refuses to get out of the car to meet her new family. However, she quickly falls in love with her new Papa as he saves her from her nightmares and teaches her to read and write.  At first, she is embarrassed in front of her classmates because she is not a fluent reader. She diligently reads to Max when he is ill.  Then, she comforts her neighbor and earns coffee for her family by reading aloud.  During bombings, she keeps everyone calm by reading to them in a basement.  There are many acts of Liesel's bravery.  For example, she gives bread to the Jews walking through town.  She purposely gets herself injured in a soccer game when they are inspecting basements. She is brave when she steals the books.  The description of the book smoking under her jacket is priceless.  What I connect to most is the friendships she made.  She didn't let her past define her future.  She made close friendships with Max and Rudy.  The friendship that she makes the mayor's wife thankfully provides her with a future.  The narration of death makes you wonder about what is fair in death. How can some people survive and others die? The setting is on Himmel Street which means Heaven.  This has an irony that readers must think of throughout the story.  There are loving families on this street, but they are starving, and in fear of bombings. After my first read of this book, I visited the Holocaust Museum in Houston with my son's sixth grade World Cultures class.  I was not able to sleep for days.  Then, I read several books related to the holocaust.  It made me think of my Uncle Nick who wanted to stop me from reading Anne Frank when I was little.  He was Jewish and didn't want me to be sad around Christmas time.  He had a love for me like Papa did for Liesel.   This is one of my favorite books, and I recommend it all the time!

Lesson Plans:

Discussion Questions:

Trailer and Interview:
http://www.randomhouse.com/features/markuszusak/

I Am The Messenger

Zusak, M. (2002).  I am the messenger. NY:  Random House.

Ed Kennedy is a 19 year old taxi driver who becomes a hero when he stops a bank robber.  Then, he gets a playing card with addresses.  Each one leads him to a person that needs his help.  Ed's character changes from a teenager with no ambition to a special person who has changed the lives of many with his messages.  He shows such kindness to an old lady who needs somebody to love.  He demonstrates humor when he tries to get more people to attend church service by advertising "Free Beer!"  He exemplifies bravery when he saves a wife from her abusive husband.  Readers may connect with his dysfunctional relationship with his mother.  The theme is stated at the end of the story when we find out who gave Ed the cards, "If a guy like you can stand up and do what you did, then maybe everyone can.  Maybe everyone can live beyond what they're capable of all."   This is a Printz Honor book and written by the author of Book Thief, one of my favorite books of all time.



http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/196151/i-am-the-messenger-by-markus-zusak/9780375836671/teachers-guide/

Red Queen

Aveyard, V. (2015). The red queen. NY: HarperTeen. Mare lives in the Stilts and is saved from going to war by Cal, the prince.  She discovers that she has lightning powers and assumes the role of the lost silver princess and is betrothed to Prince Maven. She joins the Scarlet Guard.  In the end, she is betrayed by Maven and she and Cal have to fight for their lives in the arena. 

You will find Red Queen on the New York Time's Bestseller's List. This book is beautifully written, so many will enjoy it's aesthetic quality.   Descriptions of the Silvers include, "a pair of nymphs sits by the fountain, lazily entertaining the children with floating orbs of water."  This book reminds me of two of my favorite books The Hunger Games and Divergent. It resembles The Hunger Games by the training scenes and each person with their own unique abilities. Also, the relationship between Mare and Kilorn reminds me of Katniss and Gale.  Both sets of characters are protective of each other and remind one another of home. The way The Red Queen is similar to Divergent is that Mare has a special quality of being stronger than red and silver combined just as Tris has  the characteristic of being divergent. Also, as I finished reading all the books, I couldn't wait to read the sequel!  Readers will want to find out what happens next to Mare!

Q & A with Author:

Book Trailer:

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Friday, March 31, 2017

Podcasts

Podcasts

Podcasts are like listening to the radio, but better because you can listen to them whenever you want.  There are podcasts for every subject nowadays.  Podcasts are popular for people of all ages.  
When looking at how to use podcasts in the classroom, I liked the idea of using it for teaching vocabulary.  I listened to FlowVocabulary and it was about Idioms.  I have been teaching idioms to my ESL students.  This is a hard topic because it they don't make any sense that is why we find Amelia Bedelia books so funny.  This podcast was listener friendly because it taught 3 similar idioms and that was a good amount.  I also listened to a book review.  I loved this so much, that this is the kind of podcast I made.  I listened to a review about Monkey: Not Ready.  I liked that the librarian included a picture of the cover of the book.  That made it more kid friendly.  Another idea was to have students write a script and record their play on a podcast.  This would be a great way to learn about the American Revolutionary War.  One student could be a Patriot and another could be a Loyalist.  Students would have fun making a podcast, while they would really have to understand the historical concepts.  



My podcast, was a book review on The Red Queen and I used Podomatic to make the podcast.  The podcast was very simple to make.  I had already made a review of the book for another class.  So, I read the review into the recorder on my phone.  I saved it to the podcast.  I added a picture of the book.  



I really like the idea of librarians using a podcast to create a book review.  Students always want to read what the librarian talks about.  The librarian could email this out to the teachers to get a "buzz" going about a hot new book!
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Final Blog

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Alexie, S. (2007).  The absolutely true diary of a part-time indian. NY: Little Brown.  Junior lives on an Indian reservation.  He was born with water on the brain and his life didn't get any easier from there.  On the reservation, there is alcoholism, violence, and death.  No one expects Junior to go to college or have a good job, even though he is very smart.  Then, one day he decides to leave the reservation and go to an all white school.  He is considered a traitor, especially by his best friend Rowdy.  Junior loves basketball and becomes a star on the team.  The game of basketball becomes a metaphor for life.  I love that when a series of horrible things happen in his life, he doesn't get beaten down instead he makes a list of things he is grateful for. It reminded me of Oprah's Gratitude Journal.  Who would've though a "Part-Time Indian" would have the key to a happy life? What made me reflect as a teacher is that  he is successful at his new school because people expect more from him. We all need to have high expectations for all our students.  This young adult novel shows a strong protagonist that readers will be rooting for as they read.  The humor that Junior puts into the cartoons that he draws make this a well-rounded book that all will enjoy reading.  This multicultural book is an award winner that will keep readers thinking after they put it down. 

Book Trailer:

Lesson Plans:
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/calendar-activities/sherman-alexie-born-1966-20724.html


Speak

Anderson, L. H. (1999). Speak. NY: Penguin. This book about Melinda is divided into the grading periods of the school year.  What happens to Melinda actually happens at an end of the summer party.  She is raped by a popular boy at the party, calls the police, gets scared, leaves before the police get there, and tells no one what happened.  Melinda's friends and everyone at school treat her like the enemy because she called the police.  Her parents don't know what is going on, but they see her dropping grades.  She does enjoy going to art where she is supposed to make a tree.  Melinda's parents and the school don't know what to do with her.  She hides in a closet at school and decorates it to make it her own.  At the end of the story, Melinda discovers that this boy might have done this to other girls and she is willing to tell the truth.  Readers will feel uncomfortable and want to help Melinda.  This is a good book to discuss sexual assault with young adults.

Lesson Plans:

If you like Speak, try these books:
http://www.librarypoint.org/bm_speak


Annie On My Mind

Garden, N. (1982). Annie on my mind. NY:  FSG.  Annie and Liza quickly become friends after meeting at a museum.  Liza goes to a private school. She wants to go to MIT to become an architect.  Liza goes to public school, plans on going to Berkeley, and is a wonderful singer.  Their friendship grows into love and Liza for the first time is thinking that she might be gay. While house-sitting for two teachers, Liza and Annie are caught in a compromising situation.  This puts Liza's future and the future of her favorite teachers in jeopardy because of the narrow mindedness of the leaders at her school.  I found myself wanting Liza and Annie to tell their parents the truth about their sexual orientation.  This is a good story about first love. Young adults may read autobiographically and it may help them navigate issues they face. 

Similar books:

Discussion Guide:


Lily and Dunkin

Gephart, D. (2016). Lily and Dunkin. NY: Delecorte.  Lily's name at birth was Timothy.  Now that Lily is going into the eighth grade she wants to be brave and dress like a girl and use her girl name.  Her mother and sister accept this, but she has to get her father to.  Dunkin, the new kid, is bipolar.  Dunkin wants to be Lily's friend, but the guys on the basketball team wouldn't approve.  This story has two major topics that young adults are facing: transgender and mental illness. I liked both characters very much.  Lily is so brave to be her real self despite the risks. I related to Dunkin's story, because my own son has emotional problems.  I think that the book will make young adults more thoughtful of people who are transgender and the difficulties they face.  For my son, and everyone who faces mental illness, I hope people will be more understanding the hardship of having to deal with being bipolar.  Books like this should evoke empathy.  Readers will like that both characters get the medical treatment they need to make them happy.  Friendship can be the best medicine.

 












Book Trailer: 

Teaching Ideas:




It's Perfectly Normal

Harris, R. (2009).  It's Perfectly Normal.  Boston, MA: Candlewick Press.  This non-fiction book is wonderfully organized with a table of contents and an index to help readers find just what they want.  This book could be read by parents, children 10 and older, or parents with their children to talk about sex, puberty, and sexual healthy. At this age, research shows adolescents are asking, "Am I normal?" and this book answers this question.  I know when I was this age I was too embarrassed to ask certain questions, and this book has answers to everything! The illustrations are very informative and there are funny cartoons with a bird and a bee to lighten the serious information given.  The topics include how your body changes during puberty, birth control, sexual intercourse, sexual orientation, babies, masturbation, intimacy, and reporting sexual abuse.  I like that the book shows bodies of all sizes and shapes. Kids think, "Cool!", "Gross!"  "Really?!", Parents will be thrilled they don't have to come up with all the answers. This is a great book for both boys and girls in young adulthood.  

Related books:

Frequently Banned:

Monster

Myers, W. D. (1999). Monster. NY: Harper.  Steve is in jail and he is on trial for murder.  The prosecutor called him a monster because he is accused of being the look-out while his friends robbed a drugstore and the owner was killed.  The book is written in a very unique movie format because sixteen year old Steve is a film student.  It is a thought provoking book because it shows that a boy from a family with hopes that their son will play football and go to Morehouse College, could instead spend the rest of his life in prison.  The decisions a young person makes about the people they associate with is very important. I was so relieved that Steve was found not guilty and  would not have to stay in jail where he would have to be constantly afraid of being hurt or raped.  Young adults reading this may need help from a teacher or a librarian to help scaffold the themes.

Similar Books:

Lesson Plans:

The Knife of Never Letting Go

Ness, P. (2008). The knife of never letting go. Boston, MA: Candlewick Press.  In this Modern Fantasy, Todd Hewitt lives in Prentisstown and is days away from being a man. There are no women in his town, he is the last boy, and they all hear each other's Noise.  The two men that raised Todd, help him escape when they learn that Todd is in danger.  While he is running to a town that could help him, he befriends a girl, Viola, who lost her family when their spaceship crashed.  Viola can hear his Noise, but she is quiet.  Todd learns that everything he has been taught is a lie.  An army is chasing him.  He has to decide if he wants to be the kind of man who uses his knife to murder someone.  The themes of hope and making choices are intertwined in the story.  At the end, Todd learns that Aaron wants him to kill him so he becomes one of them.  The final twist in the story is when they realize that they have been running into a trap.  The mayor has been waiting for them the whole time.  This book was advertised as a "stay-up-way-too-late book," but I found that I could put it down.  I liked the friendship between Todd and Viola, and I cried when Manchee was so violently killed.  It was too disturbing for me about all the women being killed, and the Noise made me uncomfortable.  This book gives readers an opportunity for philosophical speculation. Serial readers will like reading the other books in this trilogy. 

Author's website including trailers:
http://patrickness.com/

Discussion Questions:
http://www.candlewick.com/book_files/0763639311.bdg.1.pdf
Gabi, A Girl In Pieces

Quintero, I. (2014). Gabi: A girl in pieces. TX:  Cinco Puntos. Gabi is a senior in high school and has all the typical high school drama plus more.  She comes from a Mexican American family and she is irritated when people question her heritage because her skin is too white.  Her father is a drug addict and her young brother gets in trouble.  Her best friend Cindy has been date raped and is pregnant.  Her other best friend Sebastian has announced that he is gay.  Gabi has body issues always thinking she is too fat, but she loves to eat as much as she loves poetry.  She finally gets her first kiss and her first boyfriend.  This is a wonderful, funny, and touching story about a very talented girl who has a bright future at Berkeley being a poet.  When talking about Young Adult books being a mirror to a reader's life, this could mirror many young adults.  I loved the poetry in the book and I'm not a big fan of poetry.  I love that it is a multicultural story.  I had fun reading the little parts of Spanish and the talk of Spanish foods made me hungry. This is a book that I would pass out by the handfuls in a high school!

Teacher's Guide:
http://www.cincopuntos.com/files/gabi_a-girl-in-pieces_teachers_guide.pdf

Persepolis

Sartrapi, M. (2004). Persepolis. NY: Pantheon.  In this graphic novel, we learn about Marjane's childhood as she grew up in Iran during the 1970's and 80's.  I felt a connection to Marj as I read her memoir since we were the same age and I had a friend in middle school who had left Iran and had come to Texas in the 1980's.  I was amazed at Marj's bravery as she tells the story of her friends and family having to go through imprisonment, the loss of their homes, and the fear of being bombed.  She was so eager to learn more about the history of her country and understand her parent's political involvement that she read and read.  Her family refused to let the government change their lifestyle, so they hung dark curtains and continued to have parties.  I was so scared when Marj was alone buying tapes and got stopped.  It is hard to think that normal teenage activities like buying tapes, wearing tennis shoes and jeans, expressing your opinion, could get you imprisoned or killed.  The end, when her parents send her to Vienna by herself, was sad but the best thing that could have happened to her.  This is a great multicultural book to add to a reading list!

Classroom Resources:
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/gaining-background-graphic-novel-1063.html

Staying Fat For Sarah Byrnes

Crutcher, C. (1993). Staying fat for Sarah Byrnes.  NY: Greenwillow Books.  Eric, the fat boy, and Sarah Byrnes, the girl with a scarred face,  have been friends for many years.  Eric joins the swim team and no longer has to be fat to be Sarah Byrnes' friend.  Sarah Byrnes stops talking and is taken to a hospital where Eric visits her daily.  Eric learns that the story of how she was burned is a lie, and her father purposely burned her face when she was a little girl.  The side story is that of Eric and his classmates debating social issues like abortion and religion in a class. Sarah Byrnes' dad becomes violent went his daughter leaves the hospital and stabs Eric.  Sarah Byrnes life turns around when the swim coach adopts her right before her 18th birthday.  We want to share books with young adults that will help them develop empathy.  Reading this book will give them insight on people that have difficult childhoods and being disfigured.  I hope that this will help readers become kinder towards others.  I enjoyed this book and I was so glad it had a happy ending.

Discussion Questions:


https://multcolib.org/staying-fat-sarah-byrnes

Still Life With Tornado 

King, A.S. (2016). Still life with tornado. NY: Dutton Books.  Sarah is not going to school after the art club wrecks her art work. She has always loved art, but she can't draw anymore. She is told that she could be expelled if she does not return to school.  Sarah won't tell anyone what happened to the headpiece that she made for the art show or that she saw a student kissing the art teacher.  Meanwhile, her parents do not communicate and she is having flashbacks to a trip to Mexico that was so bad it caused her brother Bruce to leave home six years ago and never return. Sarah is having a mental episode because she is seeing herself as a ten, twenty-three, and forty year old Sarah.  She has been following a homeless man named Earl, eating out of trash cans, and changed her name to Umbrella.  When Sarah gets to her breaking point, she calls her brother, and he comes to visit.  He tells her of the physical and emotional abuse that their dad caused him and their mother.  Finally, Sarah's mom decides to get a divorce so healing can start to take place.  I found this book confusing.  I thought that Sarah was having multiple personalities, but I couldn't understand why other people could see them.  This is an award winning book, but it is not one that I would recommend. It seemed to me that Sarah should have been hospitalized if this was happening to her.  I think society has to be very careful when talking about mental illness, plus it was just too hard to follow. Students dealing with dysfunctional and/or abusive families might find comfort when reading about themselves in a book like this.  

A.S. King's Book Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNy_HZiCPIc


Winger

Smith, A. (2013). Winger. NY: Simon & Schuster. Ryan Dean West attends a boarding school, where he is two years younger than his friends, he has recently gotten in trouble so he has to stay at Opportunity Hall, plays rugby, and is in love with his best friend Annie.  The reader will have a fun time reading as he has to do a "consequence" when he is the loser of the poker game.  Readers will laugh when he mixes his pee and Gatorade and gets his peers to drink it.  Yuck!  Then there is the love story that develops between Annie and Ryan Dean that will melt your heart because it is so sweet.  Sports fans will like the hard knock of the rugby talk.  What no one expects is the beating death of Ryan Dean's friend at the end of the book.  So, as the book is a fun read about a boy growing to manhood, the end is a terrible tragedy.  The lesson is no one wants to be alone and everyone wants love.  Readers will want to read the next book in the series!

Next book in series:









Reading Group Discussion Guide:

Inspector Flytrap

Angleberger, T. (2016).  Inspector flytrap.  NY: Abrams.  The flytrap is a funny main character who always wants respect given as he insists on being called "Inspector" Flytrap.  He solves mysteries with his associate Nina the Goat.  Thankfully, Nina the Goat is there to push him from client to client on a skateboard since flytraps don't have legs.  This book has three"Big Deal" mysteries to solve.  They discover that there is no mystery substance on a famous painting, it is just a booger. Then, Inspector Flytrap has to find out why there is a stinky shoe damaging a bakery business.  Finally, he risks his life to save a runaway rose.  Elementary students will love the illustrations by Cece Bell.  Boys will love the "booger" and "earwax" humor.  It is a great combination of story, slapstick humor, and graphic novel.

Kids will be excited to know that this is the first book in a series of "Inspector Flytrap" books.  Here is a link to information about Tom Angleberger with more books that they may enjoy reading http://www.kidsreads.com/authors/tom-angleberger.

The next book in the series:












The Darkest Part of the Forest


Black, H. (2015).  The darkest part of the forest.  NY:  Little, Brown, and Company.  Hazel lives in a unique town named Fairfold with her brother Ben.  The horned prince breaks out of his glass coffin after many years.  It is up to Hazel to save her town from the monsters.  Hazel's character drastically changes throughout the book.  When we meet Hazel, she is drunk, kissing boys at a party and seems like she is lost.  Then, we see that she is a caretaker of her brother.  Finally, we learn that Hazel has been dividing her waking and sleeping hours.  At night, she has been a knight.  Hazel saves her prince, brother, and town. Readers will enjoy the setting of the story.  Fairfold is a place of faeries, changlings, and elves. I though the beginning of the story was slow, but as soon as it got past the teen dating, I was hooked. I loved the strong character that Hazel became.


When You Reach Me

Stead, R. (2009). When you reach me. NY:  Random House.
Miranda is in sixth grade and she has to make new friends after Sal decides he doesn't want to be her friend anymore.  She gets anonymous notes about saving someone's life.  The setting of this story is important.  Miranda and her mom frequently talk about staying safe in New York and by their apartment building.  There is some violence, a naked man, and the laughing man.  Miranda's mom makes some major changes in the story.  At first, she practices to be on the 25,000 Pyramid and complains about work.  Then, at the end of the story, she is happier because she is going to marry her boyfriend and she is going to go to law school.  Miranda's character changes because she learns about friendship.  The time travel makes the story appealing to many readers. 

Reading Guide:
http://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/images/9780982350690/StudyguideTeacher/WhenYouReachMe_TE_JLGGuide.pdf

An Abundance of Katherines

Green, J. (2006).  An abundance of katherines. NY: Penguin.  In this Michael J. Printz Honor Award book, Colin Singleton is a child prodigy, recent high school graduate, who just got dumped by his girlfriend Katherine. Colin, a child prodigy, and his best friend go on a road trip and end up in Gunshot.  

Colin's character is one who lacks confidence and always wants someone to love him.  He is an only child who has never had many friends or good social skills. Readers can see his character changing as the story progresses. At first he is so busy making a theorem about dumpee/dumper relationships, he could miss the possible new friendship right in front of him.  Luckily, he learns to start taking risks like learning to shoot a gun so he can go hog hunting.  Lindsey teaches him to tell a story so that it is not only about him.  The author does a great job, showing the importance of being selfless.  We see Colin, who is so smart, but is struggling with how he can become "known." In contrast, Lindsey's mother is doing everything humanly possible to save her town and the workers from losing their jobs.  This trip teaches Colin to readjust his priorities.  

I chose this book because I am a huge fan of John Green.  I think many young adults will want to read all of John Green books.  I know I started with Fault With Our Stars and kept on reading!

Author's Website:
http://www.johngreenbooks.com/

Discussion Questions:
http://www.shmoop.com/an-abundance-of-katherines/quotes-quiz.html


Ghosts

Telgemeier, R. (2016) Ghosts.  NY:  Scholastic.  This graphic novel is about two sisters, Catrina and Maya, who have moved to Bahia de la Luna.  Their family hope that this city by the sea will help Maya's cystic fibrosis.  They soon discover that their neighbor does ghost tours.  Catrina, even though she is the older sister, seems scared of ghost, but Maya is very excited about the possibility and even creates an ofrenda for their late grandmother. During an expedition to see ghosts, Maya becomes very sick and has to be hospitalized an has a breathing tube put in.  I like the information about cystic fibrosis and Dia De Los Muertos that the author includes in the story.  I loved reading about the Mexican American culture. Readers of Telgemeier's Smile and Sister will enjoy reading about these two sisters and how they manage to deal with a scary disease, sisterhood, and a move to a ghost town.

Book Trailer:

Teaching Guide:


Dangerous Angels

Block, F. (1998). Dangerous angels. NY:  HarperCollins.
This book is divided into five short stories about the Weetzie Bat family.  This is a non-traditional California family who makes movies and loves music.  The author does a beautiful job describing the setting of the canyons, plants, and wildlife. Readers will appreciate the aesthetics of "in the garden there were also little butterflies that looked like petals blown from the roses with the almond scent."  The names of the characters, Witch Baby and My Secret Agent Lover Man, are as unique as the characters themselves.  The stories carry the same theme that everyone is searching for how they fit into the world and for love.  My favorite story is the 4th one titled "Missing Angel Juan" because I could go with Witch Baby to New York, roller skate through the city, find a tree house, and find my missing soul mate. I like that letters from family and love letters are included in the text, because there is something special about old-fashioned letter writing.  It is such a personal form of writing that I hope doesn't go out of style. When I was little, my aunt and I wrote many letters to one another and they are treasured keepsakes for me. These Weetzie Bat stories are fanciful and the writing is beautiful.

Author's website:

Interview with author:


Dangerous Angels

Block, F. (1998). Dangerous angels. NY:  HarperCollins.
This book is divided into five short stories about the Weetzie Bat family.  This is a non-traditional California family who makes movies and loves music.  The author does a beautiful job describing the setting of the canyons, plants, and wildlife. Readers will appreciate the aesthetics of "in the garden there were also little butterflies that looked like petals blown from the roses with the almond scent."  The names of the characters, Witch Baby and My Secret Agent Lover Man, are as unique as the characters themselves.  The stories carry the same theme that everyone is searching for how they fit into the world and for love.  My favorite story is the 4th one titled "Missing Angel Juan" because I could go with Witch Baby to New York, roller skate through the city, find a tree house, and find my missing soul mate. I like that letters from family and love letters are included in the text, because there is something special about old-fashioned letter writing.  It is such a personal form of writing that I hope doesn't go out of style. When I was little, my aunt and I wrote many letters to one another and they are treasured keepsakes for me. These Weetzie Bat stories are fanciful and the writing is beautiful.

Author's website:

Interview with author:


Saint Anything

Dessen, S. (2015). Saint anything. NY: Speak. Sydney's world has turned upside down when her older brother, the golden child, has been put in prison for drunk driving and is responsible for putting a boy in a wheel chair.  Sydney feels that her family does not see her and she switches to a new school to help save the family money.  At a pizza restaurant, she meets and becomes best friends with Layla. Layla's family welcomes her into their home and she is attracted to Layla's brother Mac who is supposed to be off limits to Layla's friends.  Sydney has to deal with her feelings of guilt over her brother's accident, avoiding the family friend who gives her the creeps, and her growing feeling for Mac.  Readers will like this story of family, friendship, and love. I like the way the author incorporates humor by having Sydney be the pizza whisperer.  She can guess who orders the pizza that she and Mac deliver together. I kept wanting to scream at Sydney's parents to wake up and help Sydney.  This book from the Best Fiction for Young Adult list teaches many lessons for the young adult.  


Other books on this topic: 
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/saint-anything-by-sarah-dessen/

Everything Everything

Yoon, N. (2015). Everything everything. NY: Delacorte Press. Madeline is trapped in her house because she is allergic to the outside.  Everything changes when Olly moves in next door.  She convinces her nurse to let Olly come over and that leads to Madeline realizing that she is not going to settle for this kind of life anymore.   Madeline and Olly run away to Hawaii.  When readers will think they have the end figured out, there is a huge twist to the story.  Madeline was never sick!  I was so caught up in this love story.  Then I was more that furious with Madeline's mother when I realized that Madeline's illness was all a lie!  Readers will not want to put this book down!  Madeline is a strong character that we root for throughout the book.  Readers may connect with having an illness or Olly's dysfunctional family.  This is a book that will make you feel sadness, happiness, and anger.  This book is on the Best Fiction for Young Adults list and it's a must read!

Book Trailer:

Other books to read:
None of the Above by I.W. Gregorio  – This moving novel is about the experiences of an intersex teen.
Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider – This book is about the bittersweet romance between two teens dealing with a deadly illness.
Kristan thinks Everything, Everything will appeal to Rainbow Rowell fans and also recommends:
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli – This witty glbt romance features stylized emails and other flirty banter similar to Everything, Everything.
I think you’ll also like:
Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern – This emotional read features different types of disability experiences and some romance.
The Last Leaves Falling by Sarah Benwell  – This is my current read, and while I haven’t finished it yet I think it fits here. It’s about a Japanese teen with a fatal disease. He’s isolated somewhat like Maddy and strikes up online friendships.


Tell Me Again How a Crush Should Feel by Sara Farizan – This humorous lgbt romance also features strong supportive friendships.

Skink 

Hiaasen, C. (2014). Skink. New York: Ember.  Richard befriends an ex-governor, who everybody believes is dead, named Skink.  Skink was defending sea turtles when they met.  Richard quickly needed his help when he learns that his cousin Malley is in danger.  Richard and Skink go to find his cousin who is with an older, dangerous man who she met on-line.  Readers will like the references to Florida turtles and birds, similar to Hiaasen's other books like Hoot. There is a lot of action combined with humor as they fight with alligators to stay alive.  I liked that an old man like Skink could take on young con-artist/kidnapper and all the problems found in a swamp.  Maybe some kids won't be tempted to find a boyfriend on-line. Readers will like going on this adventure with Richard and will be cheering for the good guys all the way!  This book is on the Quick Picks list.

Video with author telling about book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0_8lyBeX2Q

Related reading topics:
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/books/skink-no-surrender-by-carl-hiaasen/

The Book Thief

 Zusak, M. (2005).  The Book Thief. NY:  Alfred A. Knopf. Liesel goes to live with Rosa and Hans Hubermann on Himmel Street when Hitler was in power.  She watched her brother die, did not know the future of her mother, and stole her first book.   Liesel's family risk their lives and hide Max, a Jewish man in their basement.  Readers will laugh, cry, and be tormented by the images in this Printz Award winning book. Liesel's character changes so much throughout this story.  At the very beginning, she refuses to get out of the car to meet her new family. However, she quickly falls in love with her new Papa as he saves her from her nightmares and teaches her to read and write.  At first, she is embarrassed in front of her classmates because she is not a fluent reader. She diligently reads to Max when he is ill.  Then, she comforts her neighbor and earns coffee for her family by reading aloud.  During bombings, she keeps everyone calm by reading to them in a basement.  There are many acts of Liesel's bravery.  For example, she gives bread to the Jews walking through town.  She purposely gets herself injured in a soccer game when they are inspecting basements. She is brave when she steals the books.  The description of the book smoking under her jacket is priceless.  What I connect to most is the friendships she made.  She didn't let her past define her future.  She made close friendships with Max and Rudy.  The friendship that she makes the mayor's wife thankfully provides her with a future.  The narration of death makes you wonder about what is fair in death. How can some people survive and others die? The setting is on Himmel Street which means Heaven.  This has an irony that readers must think of throughout the story.  There are loving families on this street, but they are starving, and in fear of bombings. After my first read of this book, I visited the Holocaust Museum in Houston with my son's sixth grade World Cultures class.  I was not able to sleep for days.  Then, I read several books related to the holocaust.  It made me think of my Uncle Nick who wanted to stop me from reading Anne Frank when I was little.  He was Jewish and didn't want me to be sad around Christmas time.  He had a love for me like Papa did for Liesel.   This is one of my favorite books, and I recommend it all the time!

Lesson Plans:

Discussion Questions:

Trailer and Interview:
http://www.randomhouse.com/features/markuszusak/

I Am The Messenger

Zusak, M. (2002).  I am the messenger. NY:  Random House.

Ed Kennedy is a 19 year old taxi driver who becomes a hero when he stops a bank robber.  Then, he gets a playing card with addresses.  Each one leads him to a person that needs his help.  Ed's character changes from a teenager with no ambition to a special person who has changed the lives of many with his messages.  He shows such kindness to an old lady who needs somebody to love.  He demonstrates humor when he tries to get more people to attend church service by advertising "Free Beer!"  He exemplifies bravery when he saves a wife from her abusive husband.  Readers may connect with his dysfunctional relationship with his mother.  The theme is stated at the end of the story when we find out who gave Ed the cards, "If a guy like you can stand up and do what you did, then maybe everyone can.  Maybe everyone can live beyond what they're capable of all."   This is a Printz Honor book and written by the author of Book Thief, one of my favorite books of all time.



Eleanor & Park

Rowell, R. (2013). Eleanor and park. NY:  St. Martin's Griffin. In this Printz Honor book, Eleanor comes from an abusive home and the kids at school make fun of her red hair and secondhand clothes.  Park is from a nice, middle class family and befriends Eleanor on the bus by sharing his comics and music.  They end up falling in love.  Readers will be rooting for their friendship and love story.  It is wonderful to see Eleanor getting to have some normalcy in her life when she visits Park's family.  When things go bad with Eleanor's stepdad, the reader will be crying along with Eleanor and Park.  As soon as I finished reading this book, I wanted to read it again.

Reading Group Questions:

Book Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IicYOZyKqxw

Looking For Alaska

Green, J. (2005).  Looking for alaska.  NY:  Penguin.  Away at boarding school, Miles meets a girl named Alaska.  She is the leader of some crazy school pranks.  Alaska gets drunk and dies in a car crash.  Miles and his friends try to find out if it was a suicide or an accident.    Readers will like living vicariously through Miles and his friends as they are living in a boarding school, doing crazy pranks, sneaking cigarettes and booze, and still trying to pass their classes. The book goes from funny, when they get a stripper to pose as their annual speaker, to sad when you learn how Alaska's mother died.  In this Printz Honor book, John Green, the author of The Fault In Our Stars, captures the relationships in young adulthood. Miles and his friends have a great friendship because it is them against the "rich" kids. Miles and his roommate are a "nerdy" cool because Miles knows famous last words and Colonel knows capitals and populations. 

FAQ

Discussion Questions:
http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/292717/looking-for-alaska-by-john-green/9780142402511/readers-guide/

Red Queen

Aveyard, V. (2015). The red queen. NY: HarperTeen. Mare lives in the Stilts and is saved from going to war by Cal, the prince.  She discovers that she has lightning powers and assumes the role of the lost silver princess and is betrothed to Prince Maven. She joins the Scarlet Guard.  In the end, she is betrayed by Maven and she and Cal have to fight for their lives in the arena. 

You will find Red Queen on the New York Time's Bestseller's List. This book is beautifully written, so many will enjoy it's aesthetic quality.   Descriptions of the Silvers include, "a pair of nymphs sits by the fountain, lazily entertaining the children with floating orbs of water."  This book reminds me of two of my favorite books The Hunger Games and Divergent. It resembles The Hunger Games by the training scenes and each person with their own unique abilities. Also, the relationship between Mare and Kilorn reminds me of Katniss and Gale.  Both sets of characters are protective of each other and remind one another of home. The way The Red Queen is similar to Divergent is that Mare has a special quality of being stronger than red and silver combined just as Tris has  the characteristic of being divergent. Also, as I finished reading all the books, I couldn't wait to read the sequel!  Readers will want to find out what happens next to Mare!

Q & A with Author:

Book Trailer:



















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