The Swap

                                                                                           By Megan Shull

     What happens when you swap bodies with the most popular boy in school?  This is a very engaging tale of star crossed shenanigans!  Ellie has had one best friend since kindergarten, but Sassy has a new friend, and Sassy is well SASSY!  She likes to mock and belittle those around her, and has found Ellie to be a handy target.  Ellie begins 7th grade feeling ostracized and friendless.  The "Prince", Jack, on the other hand is Mr. Popularity, all of the girls have a crush on him and all of the boys want to be like him.  Jack, however, is shy and the youngest of four boys.  His father, "The Captain", is a hard nosed ex military man who runs his home like the army.  It is hard work, and training all day every day in Jack's home.  When Ellie and Jack end up in first aid on the first day of school, things are bound to happen.
     By the end of the day, Ellie is no longer Ellie and  Jack is no longer Jack. They promise each other that they will spend the weekend in the perspective bedrooms and avoid their "normal" lives.  Of course, that would be boring and too simple.  Jack comes face to face with the bully Sassy, and Ellie meets "The Captain".  This story takes, walk a mile in someones shoes to a whole new level.  It is told very endearingly with plenty of charm and humor.  Of  course, the story ends with a twist, that ensures that Jack and Ellie will be friends for a long time.
     This book is a very nice read, very enjoyable, with just enough humor to keep someone totally entertained.  It is a fairly easy read, and appropriate for 5th or 6th grade up.  Although, this book tells both sides of the swap,  it read a bit more on the female side, but would be worthwhile for either gender as a good read.  I give this book a 5 star rating!

Links 

How to avoid being bullied in Middle School

Bullying Facts

Coping with Divorce

Megan Shull books etc

On The Fence

by Kasie West

   Meet Charlie, she is a young woman of 16 years old that from a young age has been raised by her Police officer father and 4 older brothers.  She is an outstanding athlete and an all american tom boy.  Until, her dad forces her to get a job and help pay for her speeding tickets and insurance premiums.  Charlie is thrust into girl world when she procures a job in a women's clothing store.  The proprietor hires her on the  spot, but insists that she buy clothing from the store to work in.  Charlie is also questioned about a parental signature and lies about her mother.  She is over people giving her sympathy because of the death of an all but forgotten mom.  Slowly, Charlie begins to enjoy the clothing and the make up and learns that being a girl is not a bad thing.  

     Meet Braden, the boy next door.  The brother from another mother, Charlie's brothers' best friend.  He is over at the house, constantly.  Braden's life is difficult, he has an abusive alcoholic dad whom Braden wants out of his life.  Charlie and Braden often will sneak out at night and meet at the fence to talk about their problems.  Their friendship grows and secretly Charlie begins to think of Braden as more than a friend.  

     As Charlie begins to enjoy being a girl, she earns girl friends and one night meets up with a boy that she is attracted to.  Charlie, the tom boy, and Charlie, the girl, go to battle.  She is convinced no boy would be attracted to her if he knew about the sports and how competitive Charlie is on and off the field.  Finally, she comes to the realization that she has to be happy with herself and true to who she is meant to be.  

     This is a wonderful coming of age story, that is very identifiable by many young women today.  The dilemma of being yourself, being accepted and how does one fit into the society.  Please only read if you are at least 7th or 8th grade, since some of the content is adult.  

Links

Female Athletes:  http://www.biography.com/people/groups/athletes-female

Raising a teenage daughter:  http://life.familyeducation.com/girls/mothers/54215.html

Kasie West:  http://www.amazon.com/Kasie-West/e/B00MCKM9CS

The Running Dream by Wendelin VanDrannen

This is a beautifully written story about a young girl, Jessica, who is a star track athlete.  She is one of the top runners in her county and is sure to get a college scholarship, but on the way home from a track meet the bus gets in a horrible accident.  One team mate is dead and Jessica is missing her leg from the knee down.  Based on a true story, the tale takes you through Jessica's road to recovery both physically and mentally.

She returns to school, initially in a wheelchair, and befriends Rosa, a girl with Cerebral Palsy.  Rosa's unique outlook on life, gifts Jessica.  Jessica's old track team run fundraisers in an effort to help purchase a "Running Leg" for Jessica, while her family is onset with mounting bills, that the school district refuses to cover.  As she becomes whole again, she devises a plan to gift Rosa with something special.

This is a very heartwarming and beautifully written story.  The surprise ending will leave you with hope and inspiration.  I think this a great book for anybody!


Links

Childhood Amputation

Psychological Implications of Amputation

Running Dream - video trailer - Youtube - this is a short video of the basic premise of the book "The Running Dream".  Most of the video is spent building background for the main character, Jessica.

Wendelin VanDraanen - Biography - This is a brief biography of the author of "The Running Dream" developed by Scholastic.

Other Books by Wendelin VanDrannen - A list by Scholastic books of some other titles written by Wendelin VanDraanen