Speak

This novel was one of my favorites, by far. In this realistic fiction we follow a girl named Melinda, who is coming into her freshman year in high school. The summer before her start into high school, There was a huge party that she went to and meets a friend named Andy. Well something happens and the cops show up break up the party and later they find out that it was Melinda who called the police. No one bother to find out why she did, but for the rest of the following year it is torture for Melinda. Turns out that she was raped by Andy that night and she called the cops to make a report, but she backs down from following through it, which is the reason the cops showed up. Melinda chooses to deal with her troubles by not speaking at all  and voices her problems through an art in her art class where her teacher becomes very aware of her outcry.

Andre the Giant

This biography is written as a graphic novel about Andre the Giant, also known as, Andre Roussimoff. Made famous from his enormous size of his body due to a disease that caused him age prematurely and kept him growing allowing him reach an astonishing 7ft6in. I only knew of him because of his profession as a wrestler, however this novel gives a deeper aspect of the life the giant. I think this was a wonderful book that exploits the details of a historic star of wrestling.

Six of Crows

This fantastic fiction novel was not one of my favorites. Again, not a fan of the sci-fi genre, like of anything. Anyway, gonna give my quick synopses of this novel, so here goes. This is based on six characters that are criminals, lowlife individuals, that have found a way to survive through mischief. They get together and plan the greatest and deadliest heist known to the Grisha. Now, the Grisha is another reason I could not bring myself to be connected to this novel. I had no idea what the Grisha was. Any who, I will say that the author could not have concocted a better combination of criminals to do this wildest crime ever. I also enjoyed the strong connection between the characters.

The Chocolate war

This realistic fiction novel was published back in 1974, however it is still a great read for a mature young reader. Based on a boy named Jerry, who evaluates his actions, all because of a quote that read, "Do I Dare Disturb the World?". Based off this quote is what sparks students to awaken from the order that has been in place as long as The Vigils have been in control. This novel takes place at Trinity High School, a private all boys catholic school, where there is a secret student organization called "The Vigils". The Vigils basically rule the whole student body, by giving them (underclassmen) "jobs".  As the school prepares to undergo their annual chocolate fundraising, the vice-principal, Brother Leon, decides to make all students sell twice as much as they did the previous year. The Vigil tell Jerry to refuse to sell for exactly 10 days, however Jerry decides to refuse to sell no matter what. True colors pour out of this catholic school when the universe is disturbed.

Annie on my Mind

This realistic fiction has so many controversial topics on the LGBT. The main characters are 17 year old Liza and Annie, who meet one day at a museum and spark a quick growing friendship for each other. Even though they come from two very different kinds of background. They begin to realize that they are gravitating towards each other more and more with each phone call or visit with each other. Annie knew all along that she had sexual feelings for Liza, and Liza was slowly realizing that as well. From their first kiss, they intensity of their love grows bigger and stronger. Liza is the student body president and is one day asked to house sit for a couple of teachers, who happen to be lesbians as well, not knowing that Liza is a lesbian. Liza and Annie take this time to be alone and intimate with each other, which forces Liza to tell her secret to her parents. This becomes a huge mess, too much for Liza, and she ends the relationship with Annie. Only to reconnect a few years later and start right where they left off.

Invisible

This realistic fiction novel is based on a 17 year old boy named Doug. Doug is a very troubled individual, he suffers from extreme mental illnesses like, PTSD, autism, schizophrenia, and pyromania. In school he is viewed as a freak and is frequently bullied. He is best friends with Andy, a football star and complete opposite of Doug. Throughout the book it is clear that he is desperate need of therapy. Through these sessions a horrible traumatic event comes to light for Doug. In which it is revealed that his best friend Andy is dead, due to a fire that they both started. This drives Doug crazier. Driving him to burn down the model city/town he built in his parents  basement. Leaving him in a hospital for burn victims. Would recommend this book to high school age students.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

In this realistic fiction, we find a boy that goes by the name of Junior who is 14 years old, who lives on an Indian reservation called Spokane. After discussing with a teacher on the reservation, Juniior decides to leave the reservation and transfer to a public school. Leaving the reservation brings out a lot of anger amongst the Spokane. This brings some turmoil between his family and his best friend, Rowdy. This transition is such a brave move for Junior, because the school he transfers to is all white and he is the only Native American enrolled. This book is filled with so many trails that Junior goes through. I love how the book shows a sort of right of passage for Junior. In the beginning it does not seem that way, none the less, he is tested to stand his ground on his decision. This ultimately, makes him the most traditional member of the Spokane, labeling him as a nomad. A great book for teachers to give some historic information on culture and traditions.

The Curiosities: a collection of stories by

This is exactly what it says it is, a collection of stories. Three comrade authors decide to collaborate their short stories and turn them into a book collection. Crazy stories, like vampires locked away for good luck, or a world where fires never go out. Loved the short stories and little side note pictures.

Period.8 by Chris Crutcher

This realistic fiction is by far my least favorite of all the novels. Based on the story of a boy who is on the swimming team and a large majority of the story takes place during period 8. However, there were characters that appeared throughout the novel, but never stuck around to the end of the book. This book for me was kind of all over the place and honestly just not for me. If teachers could use this novel for something, I believe it would have to be core writing techniques that could makes stronger writers.

Bruiser by Neil Shusterman

This realistic fiction is based on a young boy named Brewster, AKA "Bruiser". He is a big guy that could come off as looking like a bully at first glance, however he is like a teddy bear. Bruiser keeps to himself because he has a very special power. He has the ability to take any type of pain that someone might be experiencing and make it his own. Some other characters of the story are Bronte, a girl who becomes friend with Bruiser. Tennyson, who is the twin brother of Bronte, is not on the up and up with the fact that his sister is now in a relationship with Bruiser. I would really classify this as more of a sci-fi, because of Bruiser's super powers that ultimately hurt him in the process. Great book, it's just not a book for me. Teachers can use this novel as a jumping point to understanding figurative language, character development, theme and structure.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

This realistic fiction novel, a great book for young readers of the middle school and high school age range. Cath is a freshman in college, an internet queen, and devoted fan of Simon Snow. Cath has an identical twin sister named, Wren, who decides as soon as they get to the college dorms wants to be on her own and goes off to be roommates with someone else. Leaving Cath alone, which is something Cath does not do well. Since socializing is not something she is into, she keeps herself busy with her fan fiction stories. Her roommate, Reagan and Reagan's boyfriend Levi, decide to take Cath under their wing and show her how to put herself out there. I think that this friendly support is what made her braver. It kind of opened her eyes to what people around her were doing to her, and she allowed it. Awesome book, not quiet as good as Eleanor & Park but it's up there. Teachers I think could use this book as an introduction to fan fiction, and why socializing is such an important part of young adults today.

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

In this contemporary realistic romantic novel, Eleanor is a young high school student who comes from a severely broken home. Her step-father being the root cause of her strife and troubles, the bullying at school, she attempts to ignore it and just be a sort of misfit among st the outside world. So, Eleanor is a out of place redhead, who wears men's clothes that don't fit her. Very different from the other kids her age. Her boyfriend, Park, is the complete opposite, being half Asian, quiet, but gets along very well with the popular kids. They meet on the bus on the way to school and in some of the same classes. From there, they begin to realize that they had things in common, like comics and music. I loved the growth of Eleanor's character. They way she matured, and it was only through Park that it could've been possible. Waiting for the sequel.

Code name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

This historical fiction, of two young women who get caught by the Gestapo and is forced to give up all information that she had in her possession or face her deadly execution. In an attempt to stretch out the inevitable, she begins giving information in the form of a story. By telling her story of her  friendship and bond that she and a pilot named Maddie. Filled with so much history, any teacher can be sure to use this book for any history assignment on the Holocaust. Be advised that there is language issues and some dark under tones, so of course, I would highly recommend that a warning be sent out to students and parents before using this book as part of your lesson.

And We Stay by Jenny Hubbard

In this realistic novel, a young girl of 17 years old named Emily, witnesses her boyfriend, Paul, commit suicide and begins to feel like it is all her fault. Even though it is not actually mentioned, it's insinuated, that she may have been committed to a mental hospital. As an attempt to live her life again, she transfer to an all girl boarding school, and she comes to feel a connection to Emily Dickenson. With that connection, she begins writing poetry as some way to cope and try to understand why Paul would take his own life. Could see teachers using this book to analyze symbolism, theme, and etc., for students in the high school age range.

Freak Show by James St. James

Okay, I totally loved this book! This realistic fiction novel for young adults in the high school age group is a great way to get teens out there thinking if they are really living for themselves or what people want them to be. This book is based on a boy, Billy, who has just moved to Florida with his mother, who possibly suffers from bi-polar, and has to go to a brand new school filled very conservative types of students. However, this doesn't stop Billy being exactly what he wants to be in his life, a teenage, gay, drag queen. That being said, it's quiet obvious that his choice of coming out in a high school that is not open to the idea of having a gay, drag queen. None the less, believe it or not, Billy does manage to become friends with none other than the football quarterback, Flip Kelly. They  become very close that Billy attempts to make the move on Flip, but no dice for Billy. However, the plot gets better when Billy decides to run for homecoming queen. The sarcastic attitude from Billy almost becomes annoying throughout the book. Would totally recommend this book to teacher and counselors for lessons on being the person you want to be and not just follow what everyone else is doing.

Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith

Talk about weird, this book is straight up crazy. I would categorize this book as a contemporary, sci-fi novel, because of the more modern talk about sexual identity and the crazyness of mutant killing grasshoppers. Anyway, Austin is a 16 year old and his best friend Robby, who kinda start a plague of some sort that infects people all over with a grasshopper that begins to grow inside their bodies until they were ready to hatch. Freaky! So, throughout the book you are in Austin's head, his thoughts, and this allows you to really connect with Austin versus any other character in the book. I personally did not like it, however I am not a big sci-fi/horror type a girl. I would have to say that this book would be more of high school only kind of range. Teachers could weave into a lesson on reflection.

The notorious Benedict Arnold by Steve Sheinkin

This biography on the most famous traitor of all time, Benedict Arnold, is based on the background of Benedict. Obviously, not what made him famous, but more on who he really was. As a hero to the Revolutionary War is what no one remembers him as. Sheinkin brings out all the great accomplishments that Arnold had and receives no credit for it. I love reading about history, especially a topic that no one really knows about since this information is left out of today's history text books. Clearly, this would go hand in hand with any social studies lessons. Looking up the history and trying to place his role. And asking how did he become the most unreliable person in world.

Gabi: A girl in pieces by Isabel Quintero

In this young adult fiction novel, a Mexican American girl named Gabi from California, shares her diary of her senior year in high school and all the troubles she goes through. Sharing her concerns of her family, an over obsessed mother and troubled father. The worries and problems of her friends, from rape, pregnancy, and sexual identity. Of course there is everything Gabi is going through and being able to handle it all. I really enjoyed this book. I particularly enjoyed the poetry that was throughout the novel. Since this book is written as diary entries, Gabi uses a variety of language profanity. Students would have to be warned before using this novel in any lessons. I would definitely keep this novel in the high school range due to language, sexual identity, drugs, and rape talk throughout. Great book, must put this on your wish list for reading.

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

This science fiction novel is based on a boy named Todd who lives on another planet where all the woman have died due to an infection/germ. This germ has also allowed all men to have a certain power to hear each others thoughts. Todd becomes aware of a secret power that he beholds through his dog and is immediately told to leave. In his travels he encounters a young girl, which confuses Todd, because his whole life he was told all women had died. Afraid that he might infect her with the germ and risk killing her he tries to keep his distance from her, however he soon finds that what is, has not been what is real at all. Overall, I felt that the novel was all over the place, being that it follows a young boy that is illiterate. Another result of this is all the grammatical errors throughout the book. Very hard to follow. I would have teachers use this book for lessons on the basics of chapter books and novels for students of the middle school and up age range.

Inexcusable

This young adult novel is based on a made famous high school  football star, getting the nickname Killer Keir. The books intro begins with the two main characters, Keir and Gigi, having an argument about the night prior and Gigi is accusing Keir of raping her. However, what makes this book different is that the entire book is given in the perspective of the accused. Keir, tries to recollect every event his senior year that could have lead to his "Inexcusable" actions. This book is filled with minors involved in sex, drugs, and alcohol. Not something I would push to be read, however this is what happens now and days, sad but true. I would recommend the book to anyone that is attempting to give a lesson on drug awareness, particularly the date rape drug. This can actually be a great lesson for maybe a Junior/Senior level student, of course making students aware of the sensitive topics that will be discussed.

Glory O'Brien's history of the future

In this dystopian contemporary fiction novel, Glory a girl who is at a lost after graduating high school and still coping with the lost of her suicidal mother. Throughout the book you get convinced that she is also contemplating the idea of suicide, as much as she says that's not true. Until one night she begins to experience certain powers, she is able to see a persons past going back to their ancestors to their future. The future that she sees is terrifying from a tyrant leader, lack of women's rights, disappearing young girls, to a whole new civil war. Unsure if she has a place in this future, Glory still makes it her mission to make sure that this future does not come to past.

Scowler

This horror fiction novel is beyond creepy, and I am not one for creepy. This was a hard read for me, however the more I read, the more I had to know, and the more creepy scary it got, the more I just wanted to finish it. Anyway, the book is based on a 19 year old named Ryan(Ry) Burke, who lives in the middle of Iowa on his family farm with his mother, and sister. His monster of a father, who is abusive as a husband and father, ends up in jail only to escape and end up back in their lives. Ry was not happy about the return of his father, after going through therapy to help him realize that he would not end up like his father, and ridding himself of protective childhood toys that he created in his mind. Mr. Furrington, Jesus Christ, and the Scowler. However, once Ry sees that his father is bringing back his good old habits of abuse and torture to his mother and sister, Ry brings out the dark and brutal Scowler to fend off the monster he calls father.

Monster by Walter D. Myers

This book is incredible! I absolutely loved this book. This book is about a 16 year old boy named Steve Harmon, who is sitting in a jail cell awaiting his trail for murder. The trail goes back and fourth between Steve and three others who are being accused of being an accomplice. When really Steve had nothing to do with their plan of robbery. This novel is written differently from others, written almost as a diary, but laid out as a film script. Great book, think it could help young adults realize that the choice that we make everyday could be game changers for us. Totally would recommend this book to any high school student.

We Were Liars

Awesome novel with a twist! Other than the language and the underage drinking that was the root cause of the whole story, it is actually a really good book. I found the themes of the book like, peer pressure, family morals, and self-acceptance, to be just a dash unrealistic. Since the story follows a young girl who spends every summer on the families private island with close cousins and a friend. The group together are called "The Liars", unclear why, but whatever. Every summer was filled of great memories that created a bond between the four and even sparked a relationship between the main character Cadence (Caddy) and Gat, a close friend to her cousin Johnny. The whole story is really a blur until the end, when everything that happened the summer she turned 15, is revealed. That summer, the four of them began ranting about how they could fix all the family issues by burning down the main house, but things go terribly wrong. Teachers probably would not use this book for any one type of assignment.

Feed

This dystopian novel was, I have to admit hard for me to stay attentive with. The story follows a a boy named Titus, who lives in this highly evolved new world that now requires everyone to have a brain chip installed that would directly connect them to "Feednet", what we know as the Internet. With that kind of connection the possibilities of control are endless. Another character in this novel is Violet who has a romantic relationship with Titus, however she begins to resist the feed and begins to malfunction, slowly her parts begin to shut down. This is not something that I would have picked on my own, not to mention its fowl language throughout the book. Due to it's language, I would not see any teachers becoming involved with this particular novel.

The Living

I absolutely loved this novel! Maybe because of it's Latino culture that kept me engaged in the story. In this story a young college boy decides to go and work on a cruise ship to earn a substantial amount of cash for being a summer job. The idea that it could have been someone like me, and later thinking to myself, why didn't I think of going and working for a cruise ship out of high school. Obviously, I would not do that now, for fear of a Tsunami coming and sinking the ship and left in the ocean. this would be a perfect novel for any student in the middle school and up range. Teachers could use this as a class reading to  introduce dramatic literature to their students. The language was perfect and not too obscene, very suitable for students.

I Hunt Killers

This crazy young adult novel about a young man named Jasper or Jazz for short, son of a serial killer, witnesses the local law enforcement investigating a crime scene and begins believing that after seeing his fathers extra-curricular activities, he could solve the crime and take matters into his own hands. Instead of using the rules that his father taught him to kill and to abide by in order not to get caught. I found the book rather interesting in a dark and creepy way. Kind of reminded me of young Dexter, killing for greater power and giving back peace of mind to the victims of his killers. I don't know why I was surprised to see that it made the banned book list. I find this topic of novels interesting, guess that is why I was surprised. However, I could see young readers engaged in this sort of genre of literature. It's hard to say if it is something a teacher or librarian should recommend literature of this nature. I would push for my students to have a choice in their right to intellectual freedom, but where does the line of boundaries begin and end. None the less, this is great book, and I highly recommend it.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown

This fantasy fiction novel brings to life a crazy world of vampires that have infected and taken over towns everywhere. After Tana goes to a party with friends and wakes up to her world turned upside down, she begins her journey to Coldtown in order to get her life back in order along with her friends. Filled with the perfect amount of suspense that is suitable for any young reader from middle school to high school range. Not clear if I would recommend this book for teachers to collaborate in a lesson, but I could see young readers gravitating towards this type of story line.

My Friend Dahmer

This biography written out as graphic novel was fantastic. Written by a school mate of the serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, gives a play by play of Dahmer's slow growing insanity. Even though the story is given in a different perspective and only from his high school years and realizing how dark and morbid his life really was, and how no one cared. I found the book to be very interesting. I enjoy reading books that have some factual sense to it. However, I would recommend this book to any one in the middle school age and up. Teachers might not find this book to have any value in a classroom, however, they might be able to use as a lesson in being an outcast, and not encouraging one's misery to another persons entertainment.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

A New York times Bestseller by Ransom Riggs is filled with a crazy world of freaky imagination. I actually heard about this book through a student of mine and I asked her if I could borrow it. I am glad I did, such a great book. I like books that really get a hold of me from page one. This is one of those books. I can't explain the weirdness of it all. The more I read of Jacob(main character) and his grandfathers stories, I wanted more. Of course the pictures helped create that wild world built with every word that was read. This is one book that needs to be on every ones wish list.