Review of "Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky

OVERVIEW:
An epistolary novel, the reader receives letter after letter from Charlie, a ninth grade teen with an abounding curiosity and a crippling understanding of relationships. Although he is a sweet heart, Charlie is told up front by his crush, Sam, that she is too old for him and should not allow his feelings to get the better of him. He'll try, but of course emotions and love are never that simple. The torment and complexity of love, friendship and family are expressed in his letters--letters that reveal a dangerously troubled mind and anxious denial of the painful truth. In his attempts to overcome his vaguely described problem--one that sent him to the doctor as a child and has teachers still carefully observing his every move--Charlie seeks comfort and acceptance from his misguided friends. And while their kindness and true affection dull the pain, their own troubles might reawaken something he dearly hoped to forget.

RATING: (4 out of 5)
This story is a very emotional and provocative text. Charlie's thoughts are so rich and relatable for teens, especially though struggling with anxiety, depression, finding acceptance. However, not all teens may be able to empathize with the intelligent strait A tormented student. This text is definitely for highly mature readers on account of language, topics, and themes. I would not give this to my middle school child, and possibly not even my young high school child. I think 11th or 12th grade would be a safer age to suggest this text, but I would certainly advice caution to the reader about what is in store.

TO PARENTS:
As noted above, I do not think this is an acceptable text for middles school aged students. This text is consistent in foul language and sexual topics. Such sexual topics addressed are teen sexuality, teen sexual activity (including masturbation), abusive relationship, teen pregnancy, abortion, teen substance abuse, rape/molestation, depression and anxiety. I highly recommend taking the time to read this text before concluding to give this to your young reader, especially if you have any qualms or concerns. This text can really provide insight to the dark and painful truths of teens trapped in unhealthy relationships and habits, as well as the cognitive stressors mentors and parents might be unawares of. My feelings are very mixed about this book, but I found this text to be an impactful experience.

Review of "Zel" by Donna Napoli

OVERVIEW:
Mother. Zel. Conrad. Three people. Three perspectives. One story. For as long as Zel can remember it has just been her and Mother. But when a visit to town introduces Zel to Conrad, their brief interaction leads to love that will persevere through years of trial. Trial brought about by Mother, whose only desire is to keep her beloved daughter apart from the world and offer her a happiness she never knew in her own youth. But Mother will do anything to fulfill this wish, even if it might hurt the one she loves.

RATING: (4 out of 5)
Another fantastic retelling of the beloved fairy tale, Repunzel. This novel tells the story from three narrators: Zel--the young, spirited girl with a gift for animals; Mother--who has no other name as well as a dark secret; and Count Conrad--the star struct youth who is determined to follow his heart regardless of all obstacles. This story is told at an easy reading level and is a fun read for anyone. The psychological take on this novel challenges readers to consider the many sides of love, and how sometimes love pushes you to irrational decisions.

TO PARENTS:
This novel is a great read and one of my favorites as a young adult (~13 yr/old). The first person narration makes the story a quick read, one I just made in a day. The topics though, may need considering, as this story deals with spiritual trials (dealing with the devil), witchcraft, teen sex, and psychological distress. Wow! This book sounds for a much higher age than middle schoolers-but it's not as bad as you may think. Allow me to ease some concerns. I think 7+ grades would be fine handling this text, as Napoli handles these topics sensitively and does not go into depth. All of these are briefly insinuated and do not descriptively appear in the story (think Breaking Dawn but better). I didn't even realize the depth of this text until I could analyze it at an older age and recognized the subtle clues. As I always say: When in doubt, check it out! This quick read will allow you to quickly determine if your young reader is ready for this book, all the while  allowing you an enjoyable and thought provoking retelling of the stories we all grew up with.

Review of "Jellicoe Road" byMarlina Marchetta

OVERVIEW:
Hannah has been Taylor's saving grace since the day Taylor's mother left her at the 7-11 in Jellicoe. The last thing Taylor needed this year was for Hannah to up and disappear without a simple good bye. As Taylor is struggling to care for the girls in her House at the Jellicoe School, she has bigger problems demanding her attention. For one, she's been selected to lead the Jellicoe School underground unit in a decades long war for territory against the Townies and Cadet units, all the while attempting to avoid a coup from her unsatisfied House leaders. Second, the leader of the Cadets happens to be, Jonah Griggs, the boy who helped her run away three years ago to find her mother, but never explained why he called home behind her back calling off the whole trip. Thirdly, who is the boy in the tree haunting her dreams; who was the Hermit who whispered "Forgive me," before killing himself in front of her; who is the serial killer kidnapping kids by the pairs these past few years; and why do they all seem to have something in common with Hannah's novel? Hannah's story is just a story, right? Or do the five best friends in those tearful pages hold more truth than Taylor is prepared to know?

"Jellicoe Road" by M. Matchetta. PHOTO. Megan Bryant.

RATING: (4 out of 5)
This novel was heart-wrenching and kept me guessing around every corner. Taylor's story drew me in and Marchetta's story crafting is powerful. For a teen mystery I found this text exceptionally well written and multi-layered; I was continually uncovering secrets hidden throughout the text revealing themselves piece by piece. This text is really emotional, though, and handles heavy material not appropriate for some adolescents, which is why I'm noting giving this a five star blessing. Overall, I believe this is a must read when readers are ready, and I hope it touches their hearts regarding the joys and pains of relationships between family, friends, and lovers.

TO PARENTS:
As I mentioned, this text deals with some very mature and difficult topics. These topics include teen sexual relationships and pregnancies, children recalling and describing moments of abuse (as children by adults), drug and alcohol (influence/destruction in family), suicide and homicide. These are not described in great detail but with enough that the reader gets the gist. There are also several moments of language during emotionally intense conflicts, (I believe the F* bomb appears less than five times--I forgot to count; all the same it appears). I heavily suggest reading this novel with or before your young reader to prepare for any questions, as well as to determine whether this is a good fit for them. I think this is a moving story and subtle enough for many high school students. I would not hand this to middle school students unless you are certain they are prepared and confident handling such a read.

Review of "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson

OVERVIEW:

The sibling rivalry between Jude and Noah began with their birth, twins vying for the affection and pride of their mother. However, their tight conspiracy is quickly curdled as Noah's artistic feats steal the awe of their mother, while Jude falls in the shadows, too shy to show her mother her own majestic creations. However, while the thirteen year old twins strive to break their ties, three years past finds them regretting the emotional scars formed by their sudden and mysterious separation. While quiet and shy Noah struggles to understand his attraction to his charismatic friend, Brian, Jude tries to wrestle with the ghosts disrupting her peace and the haunting suspicion that she is responsible for everything falling apart.

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson. PHOTO. Megan Bryant.

RATING: (4 out of 5)

This novel is heart breaking and insightful into the stress and confusion of being a teenager. From identity, to acceptance, to forgiveness, I'll Give You the Sun wrestles with some difficult topics of family and growing up. As much as I enjoyed this text, I feel the relationships are overshadowed by the teens' romantic impulses causing a theatrical distortion of love and romance. However, I have had one friend insist it was a fairly accurate depiction of teen perceptions of love. So I will leave it up to you to decide.

TO PARENTS:
This novel discusses sexual identity and discovery among teens--although it is a far cry from a romance novel. Besides this there is extra-marital affairs, teen drinking, suicide and depression. The parents in this novel are not picture perfect, but considering the marital conflict I believe this text gives a fair portrayal of both sides of the story. Nelson avoided creating a villain in this text and relies on the honest struggles of life to unfold the story. I found it insightful and it forced me to stop and reconsider any presuppositions I held before the story. I would consider reading this first if you are unsure whether your child is ready for the topics discussed; but I believe this would be a great text to use as a spring board to begin discussing those difficult topics with your adolescents. For more information I highly recommend you look into my digital essay about the text. You can find it under Mrs. Bryant's Text Inspired Projects along the left column or follow the link.

Review of "Hate That Cat" by Sharon Creech

OVERVIEW:

Hate That Cat follows a discussion between Jack and his favorite teacher Miss Stretchberry. Jack is thrilled to have her as his English teacher again but finds himself facing new struggles with his parents, his Uncle Billy, and the mean black cat in his neighborhood. As Jack's story unfolds, your heart melts and you find yourself questioning, growing, and learning right beside him. And in the end you might see a new side of that mean black cat you didn't understand before.

Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech. PHOTO. Megan Bryant

RATING: ( 5 of 5)

Hate That Cat is the sequel to Love That Dog, and just like the first novel, I was in tears at the end of the second. Sharon Creech has written these novels in free verse and reveals a moving and heart rendering story in such a quick and unique way. I believe many readers can identify with Jack's love for a pet, as well as adapting to new and stranger changes. This text not only deals with learning about poetry and bragging about one's favorite things, but goes deeper into family relationships, taking pride in the things we initially are embarrassed for, and standing up for your loved ones. Though so short and so easy to read, Creech has once again written a novel that strikes to the core and makes you hug the book when you reach the end.

TO PARENTS:

This is another of those texts I have no qualms in suggesting you and child to read. Sharon Creech is a master of literature and evokes empathy for her characters like few authors I have come across. The stories are moving and emotional, but clean and safe to share with any age. I find this to be a novel you read again and again, and each read touches your heart in a new way. You can easily read this book aloud in around an hour; verse novels tend to be quick and easy to read. I hope you enjoy this novel and that it touches your heart.

VLOG Review of "Smile" Raina Telgemeier

Below is a Vlog of my review for Smile by Raina Telgemeier. Smile is a graphic memoir and won the Will Eisner award for Best Teen Publication in 2011. The memoir follows Raina's trials as a youth undergoing extensive dental surgery on account of a terrible misfortune in Middle School. We follow her maturity through Junior High to High School, where she learns that best confidence one can have is to believe in oneself and surround oneself with people who respect and cherish you.

RATING: (4 out of 5)

Enjoyable and relatable, I find this text applicable to many youths' struggles with identity and acceptance. This text is clean, great pictures, no vulgarity or swearing; and this memoir identifies key honest struggles youth undergo growing up.

TO PARENTS:

This is a great non-fiction, and I have no fears or warnings about this text. This novel is appropriate for any middle school or high school student. It is a quick read and highlights empathy, self respect, and over coming common social  conflicts. I enjoy that this novel portrays a positive family structure, one that is realistic and presents caring responsible parents. This is a great novel to give your young readers, and I hope they will enjoy Raina's story.

Review of "Fake ID" by Walter Sorrells

OVERVIEW:
   Chastity Pureheart. The first female name in a novel Chass' mom pulled from the library book shelf. The name Chass has gone by for the past few years because she doesn't even know her real name. For as long as Chass has lived, she and her mother have lived town to town, suitcase to suitcase. She doesn't know when or why her mother chooses to ditch town. But on Chass' sixteenth birthday, her mom decides it's time to disappear again. Except this time, Chass is left behind. With the threat of foster care looming over her, mysterious drive-bys and investigators, Chass has only one week to figure out who she is, where her mom went, and what they have been running from for all these years. It might lead her to the truth. It might lead her to her death.

Fake ID: Walter Sorrells. PHOTO. Megan Bryant.

RATING: (2 out of 5)
   This book was exciting, I will give it that. I wanted to know what was happening, who Chass really was, what her mom had gotten them into. However, the language, the lack of positive adults, and the overwhelmingly cheesy plot line outweigh my surface enjoyment. The characters underwent little growth and all the adults in the novel were deceitful, incompetent, or malicious. And I mean ALL THE ADULTS. There was little reason for some of the characters' actions, and the entire plot could have been resolved before the story even began. For a mystery, it entertained me. But as a piece of literature I am disappointed. I certainly would suggest a better written story with more positive role models.



TO PARENTS:
   As I said: Language. Poor Plot. Incompetent and Deceitful Adults--ALL OF THEM. And overall a poorly written novel. While the mystery is exciting and as a work of fiction keeps you wondering, I can't help but suggest this for mature and light reading. I would not give this to adolescents who need little encouragement imagining that every adult in their life is ignorant or evil. I believe that more positive role models are necessary in YA literature to encourage appropriate perspectives of the real world as well as seeking help from adults in times of need. This book certainly is not one that encourages positive adult-child relationships. If your child is mature and confident in the adults in his/her life, then I admit it is a catchy read. But if you choose to glance over this novel in choice of something more polished and realistic for your young reader, then I can promise they are not missing much.

Review of "Civil War Spies: Behind Enemy Lines" by Camilla J. Wilson

OVERVIEW:
   The Civil War is brewing and one nation is struggling to hold together under the contested authority of Abraham Lincoln. Young adventures, heroes putting their life on the line for their beliefs struggle to provide pivotal information to their leaders, information that could help keep their comrades alive and progress the ideas they stand by. Although these spies come from different sides and different stories, they each face the threat of certain death should they be captured. Such threats do not stop them from following their heart, from protecting their lifestyles or families. When you are willing to give your life for others, labels such as Good and Evil drop away and leave us with bare heroism shining in the darkest times.

Civil War Spies: Camilla Wilson.
PHOTO. Megan Bryant.

RATING: (5 out of 5)
   Camilla Wilson provides a simple but insightful view to spies during the civil war. Providing heroes from both the Union and Confederate army, Wilson emphasizes the courage, excitement, and tragedy that accompanied these spies in their efforts to protect and serve their family, their community, and their comrades at arms. Exploring the variety of spies, men and women, black and white, Wilson's narrative is quick and exciting for all readers. The novel is aimed for a younger or less experienced audience, but the content and presentation is done so well that advanced readers can enjoy the light and informational text--perhaps even be emotionally touched by the stories shared.


TO PARENTS:
   This text is appropriately written for a younger audience and presents positive and honorable recognition of spies from either side of the war. The text is an easy read, larger font and short chapters, so the text appears friendly and approachable for struggling or new readers. I would even suggest this book even for upper elementary students. Wilson writes a clean and inspiring narration of the cunning individuals, presenting in depth information and character traits that make the spies come to life before the reader. As an adult I found the text delightful, informational, eye-opening, and even emotional considering the trials and hopes many of the spies held for their nation. I would definitely suggest allowing your children to enjoy this text, perhaps even reading it aloud as a family!

Review of "Othello" by William Shakespeare

OVERVIEW:
Othello and Desdemona are perfectly in love, and the thought of breaking them apart is inconceivable. That is, to all except Iago, the trusted friend of Othello jealous for Othello's success and his own lower status. Thus, employing the aid of spurned Roderigo, a late admirer of Desdemona, Iago hatches a plot to drive Othello mad with jealousy. As Othello begins to believe Iago's tricks and doubt the honesty of his faithful wife, the great man must find out the truth and uncover the plot, or allow jealous madness rule and destroy his happy life.

RATING (3 of 5):
Othello is a classic Shakespeare tragedy and I do not rate this lowly because I think no one should read it. On the contrary, I found Othello riveting and emotionally pulling as I witnessed the impact and ingenuity of Iago's clever ruses upon Othello. Despite my love for Shakespeare, though, this play is not approachable by many grade levels. Many students just begin tackling Shakespeare freshman year of high school, but very few grasp the depth and creative use of Shakespeare's language or the many themes until near graduation or college. Othello, I believe, is one such text that can easily be misunderstood or unappreciated by unprepared readers. For this reason, I rate Othello as a three, suggesting it be read closer towards eleventh or twelfth grade, when students have a reasonable understanding of complex language and can delve deeper into multifaceted concepts. As that only includes two out of twelve possible grade levels (2/7 grades if you exclude elementary), I find the text lacking for adolescent readers.

TO PARENTS:
If your student wants to tackle Shakespeare, or particularly Othello, I say bravo. My own mother set me on Shakespeare plays in middle school and I fell in love with his humor and wit. While your young readers may not be able to fully grasp all the themes, occurrences, or unique insights of the play, that should never stop the reader from attempting. Indeed, the wonderful thing about Shakespeare is that his plays are short and enjoyed by all ages, making it all too probable to reread his works at a later date. I will warn that Othello includes murder, suicide, drunkenness, and classic Shakespeare bawdiness. If you think your child is unprepared to grasp or maturely navigate these concepts, you might prefer to place the play back on the shelf for a later date.

Review of "hokey pokey" by Jerry Spinelli

OVERVIEW:
Jack. Jubilee. Destroyer. Just a handful of the inhabitants of Hokey Pokey, a land where children reign and no adult is in sight (except the Hokey Pokey Man and his famous Hokey Pokey snow cones). But why are they there? What's inside the Forbidden Hut? And why is Jack different? Why does he keep hearing the sound of a train whistle when everyone in Hokey Pokey knows there never has been a train? As Jack, his amigos, and his arch enemies band together to learn the secret of Jack's sudden changes, they may discover something beyond their own childish existence: they might just discover the meaning of Tomorrow.

Hokey Pokey: Jerry Spinelli. PHOTO. Megan Bryant.

RATING: (5 out of 5)
Spinelli is a genius in describing a world of childhood, a world where Tomorrow is unthought of and only the present is recognized. The memorable characters and their quirky understanding of the world remind readers of their own progression from childhood into adolescence. In a world where wild herds of bikes roam the Great Plains, where a giant screen plays cartoons without stop, and where boys and girls find each other enemies simply because that's the name of the game, how can we not be reminded of that strange yet special world we all once inhabited? That world all children love, yet one day must leave behind.

TO PARENTS:
Hokey Pokey is undoubtedly a favorite of mine, and I believe Spinelli portrays coming of age in a creative and riveting fashion that leaves you hungry for more. This book is a clean and excellent read; no horror, no soppy romance, no foul language. This novel is light yet moving, Spinelli's use of description and language evoking childhood and the fun, simple days of being a kid yet the confusion and mayhem of growing up into something new. Spinelli has also written Star Girl and Love, Star Girl two other favorites of mine that I also suggest for middle and high school students.

PROJECT: Consider looking at a project this novel inspired me to create! You can also find it under Mrs. Bryant's Text Inspired Projects in the upper left column of the blog.

Review of "Boxers" by Gene Luen Yang

OVERVIEW:
The year is 1898 and China struggles between old culture beliefs and their new English inhabitants occupying the cities and enforcing Christian doctrine. Little Bao lives in the country happily, teased by his brothers, but proud of his family. However, Chinese Christian-converts begin harassing his town, leading his village inhabitants to fight back against the unfair English affairs. When his mentor and friend, Red Lantern, leaves the town defenseless, Little Bao takes up his mentor's sword and trains in the mystic arts. Possessing the powers and spirits of ancient Chinese warriors, Little Bao leads the rebellion against the English invaders, fighting to regain the land for China.

RATING: (4 out of 5)
This book was exciting, riveting, and provided an interesting look into the historical event. Mixing history with fantasy, Yang's graphic novel is intriguing for young readers. The composition allows readers intimidated by more traditional or lengthy texts to read like viewers watching a film. The content explores the Boxers' perspective on the war, but I do not believe the text accurately looks into the events of the rebellion. The images are captivating and colorful, quick to read and easy to understand. The images are clean and absent of vulgarity. There are instances of violence that could be either disturbing to sensitive individuals or exciting to adventurist youths. The novel is a companion book and should readers be intrigued to read the other side of the story, they are encouraged to continue reading with Saints, which gives the account through a Christian character's standpoint.

TO PARENTS:
The book contains fairly graphic fight scenes, including beatings and stabbings. Some violent acts are hinted at (as in happens outside of the drawn area/ or off screen if that makes more sense) but the wounds from those violent acts are revealed on the edges of other drawings. If you or your young reader are sensitive with images of head wounds, stabbings, or decapitated persons (regardless of how cartoon-y they may be) you may choose to refrain from this piece of literature. However, if you are comfortable with your child handling such material or need a quick perusal yourself, the graphic novel is brief and consistent in art style, allowing you to quickly determine if this book is acceptable for your young reader.

Review of "Ship Breaker" by Paolo Bacigalupi

OVERVIEW:
Bright Sands Beach. Ocean front views, hot tropical sun, and oil tankers creaking and leaking and rusting as far as the eye can see. Nailer is one of many ship breakers, and a member of light crew--so long as he is small enough to fit in the tight ducts of decaying ships to rip out copper wires. But his time is running out, and his options are bleak. He could try and be a fighter like his father, but Richard Lopez is a man no one wants to cross, his fire cracker rage the cause of many deaths. The only hope is to make what breakers call a "lucky strike" gained by either stealing from the big bosses or finding a cache of oil in a tanker. Nailer's "lucky strike" lies in the hulk of a beautiful wrecked clipper. The cargo holds wealth beyond any ship breaker's dream, but the sole survivor could keep that dream from becoming reality, especially if Richard Lopez has anything to say about it.

Ship Breaker: Bacigalupi. PHOTO. Megan Bryant.

THE HERO THEME:
Ship Breaker is a fictional post apocalyptic novel focused on the growth of Nailer, a youth living with his father and working among the worst conditions possible. But Nailer's growth from beach wreckage to hero throughout the novel is touching and exhilarating. Our protagonist is not a hero born into greatness, nor is he one raised to glory. Rather he is an average boy, lucky to be alive and survive the trauma's he has undergone. This tale focuses on the hero as a character who endures, an individual who follows his gut, sticks to his morals, and gives everything to do what must--and needs!--to be accomplished. Bacigalupi hones Nailer into a hero we all can relate to--the hero who rises from conflict not for his greatness, but for his ability to overcome the odds.


RATING: (4 out of 5)
Ship Breaker is an exciting and riveting story. Bacigalupi crafts his characters so that they breathe and bleed like any living person. Their actions and words reflect their thoughts and attitudes, causing the reader to truly connect with them. I would recommend this novel to many students, but precaution regarding language. Although the F-word does not appear, many other curse words  regularly appear throughout the novel. However, if this is not an issue for you or your young reader, I believe Ship Breaker will have them flipping through the pages in eagerness to discover how the story ends.

Review of Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

     I recently read Sherman Alexie's novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. The novel has received several awards, particularly the National Book Award for Young People's Literature in 2007. I read Part-Time Indian as an assignment for an educational course regarding youth and literature, however this was not my first time encountering Alexie's novel. I had previously been suggested this novel by a friend so that I could utilize the text for an annotated bibliography focusing on alienation. I had not had the pleasure to finish reading the novel the first time around and was eager for a second attempt.

REVIEW:
     While I would not assign such a novel to my middle school students (at least not without proper admittance by parents and administration), I would like to discuss my reflection of this novel as a potentially intriguing, insightful, and informational work to give to your young readers. Alexie leads his narration through the inner thoughts of an adolescent indigenous reservation student transferring to a white school in the modern day. Arnold, our main character, suffers from prejudice within his own community due to health issues, even more so when he follows the advice of his teacher to pursue education off the reservation. Attending Rearden Arnold is initially perceived as someone foreign and exotic, but wild and ignorant. Unaccustomed to the social interactions of middle class white society, Arnold struggles to find his identity between two cultures that would deem him be two different persons. The novel speaks in the voice of an adolescent allowing for an easy read, while comical drawings add breaks for those intimidated by long blocks of writing on page; yet Alexie's writing reveals more than an interesting read. Part-Time Indian reveals complex, emotionally moving insights to the inner thoughts of a young man struggling with identity while discussing common and uncommon topics of the average American adolescent. Arnold's story allows the reader to identify with the confusion, yearning, and conflicts many adolescents feel during those important identity forming years.

TO PARENTS:
     While Alexie does well in eliciting sympathy for Arnold in Part-Time Indian  I found myself struggling with the same impressions as from my first contact. Call me old fashion, but I find topics such as explicitly sexual descriptions or unrealistic and unhealthy (and seemingly encouraged) relationships taboo and problematic for secondary education students (6-12). (Pretty Little Liars, Twilight Saga, Nora Roberts/Janet Evanovich, and Nicholas Sparks come to mind when I say this.) I recognize such things may be allowed to many of my students by their parents, but am equally aware that other parents would prefer such topics are with held until a later date.
    As to Part-Time Indian, the instances discussing bolemia and masturbation in which they are blatantly discussed and accepted by the characters have the potential of disgruntling parents uncomfortable with their 11-14 year-olds perusing.  While such things as sexual activity and emotional/health disorders are commonly discussed or read about in students' personal reading, I hesitate to provide such material in regard to literary limitations placed on students by their respective guardians/parents. Although I am the teacher, I currently stand by my belief that parents are the first and foremost educational advisers in any child's life. The inclusion and important participation of guardians' in their young charges' upbringing is critical to the students' overall understanding and comprehension of lesson materials in their own personal worlds. One must remember that the child belongs to the influences, customs, and beliefs of their parents and chosen social circles until the child has come of age to accept or disregard those beliefs and social influences for himself.