One for Sorrow

By Mary Downing Hahn

     This is a very thought provoking story.  I picked it up by happenstance one day subbing in a classroom.  I had just finished a book and this happened to be laying around, once I started reading I was hooked.  The new girl in town inadvertently becomes friends with a very unlikable person. Annie quickly regrets becoming acquainted with Elsie and wants to extract herself from the relationship, but Elsie will not let her go.  Annie gets her chance to remove herself from Elsie's grasp, when Elsie is absent for a week, and quickly shifts her friendship to Rosie's group.  Unfortunately, Rosie and her gang are "Mean Girls"  and belittle and bully Elsie. 

    It seems like overnight that Annie has a new friend group and begins to bully Elsie, and Elsie is left once again friendless.  Things quickly change, however, when a deadly Spanish Influenza hits Mount Pleasant and people begin to die at an alarming rate.  As schools are cancelled and the kids are left to their own devices, Rosie comes up with a plan to get free sweets, why not visit some of the wakes, and pretend to know the individual in the coffin?  They even learn to peruse the obituaries the night before and garner information about the deceased.  On one of these ventures, they happen to run upon Elsie alone in the park.  Elsie is wearing a flue mask, in an attempt to protect her from contracting the flue bug.  Rosie decides it would be fun to harass Elsie and chase her down.  After surrounding her and singing about her getting influenza, stealing her mask, Elsie is left crying in the park;  Annie and the rest of her friends feel bad,yet vow to never speak of this again.  The secret is kept until, they visit one wake with out forewarning and it happens to be Elsie...       Annie believes she is truly done with the worries of Elsie, but is she?  

     An accident that results in a concussion while sledding in the cemetery, another secret and somehow Elsie returns to haunt Annie from the grave.  Elsie is out for revenge!  She wants Annie back as her one true friend and she wants Rosie and the gang to pay for her death.  suffice it to say Elsie is a very angry ghost.  She coerces Annie to do her evil work, and puts words in her mouth that Annie would never say.  Annie's behavior and outbursts reach such a point that she is sent to a convalescent care home, so she can get the rest that she needs to recuperate.  Elsie follows her and continues to make her mind miserable.  Fortunately, there is help in the guise of another patient.  One who claims to be able to see and communicate with ghosts, one who says she can help Elsie transition to her afterlife.  Step one is to get Elsie's friendship, Elsie must believe that her and Annie are best friends.  Will Annie be able to help Elsie move on and reconnect with her mother?  Will Annie be able to return home and be able to get her friends back.  

     This book is very entertaining to read, a fairly quick read.  I think that it would be appropriate for fifth grade and up and even though the main character is female, the content is available to both genders.  I am giving this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars and think that if you like books about the supernatural you would love this book.  

Links 

Author - Mary Downing Hahn

Spanish Influenza 1918 

Dangers of school bullying

Crow nursery rhyme from title

     

Lights Camera Disaster

By Erin Dionne

     I thoroughly enjoyed this interesting book, totally enjoyable.  An entertaining tale about our hapless heroin Hester, Hess for short.  She is on the verge of failing the eighth grade and losing all of her friends with the real possibility of repeating the year.  Hess has a learning disability, which curtails her ability to organize and function in the classroom.  She tries so hard to maintain her focus, but why can't the world be viewed through her camera?  When she is working on her movies and with her friends she is able to focus and is driven to stay on task, how can this be translated to her school work.  

     Just as everything is about to implode around her, her grades are at a new low, her friends are angry and she can not participate in the Hoot;  help comes from unexpected corners.  First of all, the drama teacher offers some insightful words of advice, she reminds Hess that she is the director or her own story (life).  Basically, that Hess is in charge of her actions, the focus that she uses in her films can be utilized in her real life problems.  Secondly, her brother gives her the genius idea of putting her notes and study as if she is prepping a movie, using a story board for organization.  These revelations prove to be the switch that Hess needs.  

     What is so amazing about this book is the insight that it gives the reader to the differences in many of its readers.  Not everyone learns the same way, not everyone has the capability of retaining information in the same manner.  Middle school can be a very rewarding but exhausting time.  A students growth and their potential are limitless, being able to express and learning in different modes is invaluable.  I am giving this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars and think that all students above the fifth grade will enjoy this funny but touching tale.  

Links 

Author - Erin Dionne

Executive Function Disorder

Coping methods for Anxiety

Wonder

By R.J. Palacio 

     This is a great heart warming tale.  It is definitely an awesome feel good read!  I totally enjoyed this one of a kind story.  In this story you meet August Pullman as he prepares to enter school as a fifth grader.  He has never been to school due to health issues and has been home schooled up to this point.  His family is super supportive of him and still baby him a lot, but who can blame them.  He has a severe facial deformity and has had many health related issues since before he was born.
     To help the transition into a mainstream school, the Director of Beecher Prep. calls three students to meet Auggie over the summer.  They are reluctant but agree to give him a tour of Beecher Prep.  One of these becomes a new friend, one becomes his biggest tormentor and the third only does what is appropriate.  On the first day of school August is very nervous and is basically ostracized by the entire school.  Nobody wants to be the friend of the weird looking kid.  Things begin to look up when Summer decides to join Summer at his cafeteria table.
     Throughout the school year, Auggie is bullied by Julian and the popular boys.  They develop a game called the plague, they leave mean letters in his locker, they even start bullying his friends.  Slowly through being kind, August starts winning over his classmates and becomes a friend to all.  Auggie and his family have a lot to deal with, the death of their dog, among other things. 
     Since this is such an incredible read, I do not want to spoil your enjoyment of this inspiring tale.  I definitely give this book a solid recommendation with a 5 Plus star rating.  This is an incredible book and a great teaching tool, on acceptance and empathy! 

Links 

Author : R.J. Palacio 

Teaching Empathy in the Classroom

Treacher Collings Syndrom

Unfriended

By Rachel Vail

     What an eye opening read, I enjoyed this quick read fairly well.  This book has you one enthralled and engaged from the first page.  Meet a group of students in Middle School, they are all trying to either be popular or remain popular.  Middle school everyone is worried about perception and being accepted by your classmates.  Beautiful friendly Brook rules the school, she is friendly and outgoing and has a crush on her best friend Clay.  Clay is mr. Cool, he is athletic and all of the girls like him.  His problem is that his perfect older brother just went away to college and he is struggling with his own identity.  Natasha dated Clay briefly and is very self centered, she wants to be the queen bee and plots to overthrow Brook.  Meet Truly, she was Natasha's best friend until 6th grade, she wants to be liked by everyone, she joins the populars through a Natasha ploy.  Unfortunately, she leaves her best friend Hazel by the wayside, angered and hurt.  

     As  the story progresses other characters come into play, but the mechanizations of Hazel and Natasha destroy Truly's confidence and self worth.  They manipulate circumstances making Truly believe that she is a bad, evil individual, which is far from the truth.  Jack, who has a crush on Truly is one of the fw people believe in her innocence.  What this book really shows is how quickly things can spiral out of control in today's technology laden world.  Cyber- bullying is a very real and dangerous situation.  Smarrt phones and anonymous apps are the rage, and people are feeling emboldened by their hidden identity.  Does everyome back together, who ends up being popular or on the fringe, you gonna have to read the book to find out.  

     This book did a few things extremely well, it highlighted the dangers of apps, social media and cyber bullying which is necessary in today's environment.  It also altered the view point to each of the main characters, each chapter is from a different perspective.  So most of major occurrences you will see from varying characters eyes.  I am giving this book a 4 out of 5 stars, I am marking it down because I felt that the chunk of the climax was missing.  In fact, I thought I missed part of the book and reread the last couple of chapters a few times.  I do think this book is a great read and encourage any student from 5th grade up to give it a try.  

Links

Author - Rachel Vail

Stop bullying

Dangers of Anonymous Apps

Dangerous anonymous apps?

e

6

Auggie & Me three wonder stories

By R.J.Palacio

    I broke one of my personal rules, I read a series book out of order.  This is an extension of the book "Wonder", the story of Auggie Pullman.  Auggie was born with facial deformation and has had a rough beginning to his life.  He has had several surgeries, and is home schooled for the first several years, finally, he is able to go to school for fifth grade.  In this book you meet some people that meet Auggie and read how they react to Auggie as a classmate or friend. 

     The first person we meet is Julian, an attractive young man that will be going into Beecher Prep with Auggie.  Julian is very popular and is considered a leader among his classmates.  He is asked by the school's principal to be Auggie's welcome buddy, so he meets him before the beginning of the school year.  Julian, however, has issues with Auggie's appearance.  In typical bully mode Julian makes it his personal mission to make Auggie's life miserable.  Julian's parents, who donate a lot of time and money to the school, see nothing wrong with his actions.  In fact justify and place blame on everyone but themselves and Julian.  They end up pulling Julian from Beecher Prep, because they are unable to accept Auggie.  Over summer vacation, Julian visits his grandmother and has a change of heart and finally apologizes to Auggie and accepts responsibility for his actions.  Julian matures through his association with Auggie.
     Next, you will meet Christopher, Auggies oldest and best friend.  Christopher has moved away from Auggie and attends school elsewhere.  Christopher, or Pluto, has the ability to see beyond the surface and sees the wonderful, intelligent and funny kid.  He is not perfect, however, and acknowledges that being friends with Auggie can be hard.  Especially, when his new friends make fun of Auggie's appearance.  This short story encompanses one short day, but is rife with flashbacks into their long friendship.  Christopher discovers that even through distance, friendships can endure and that true friends are there for you whenever and however they are needed.
     Finally, you meet Charlotte a classmate at Beecher Prep.  She is struggling with her own drama and tries to remain neutral in the boy battle.  Charlotte loses her longest and best friend to the popular group of girls.  As the boy battle wages on, she is selected to perform in a dance trio with one of the popular girls and Summer.  Summer is incredibly nice young lady, who has befriended Auggie on her own.  As the girls practice over a couple of months they form a unique bond that transcends school social strata.  The lasting lesson is that as kids mature they may form new interests and friendships and although they may retain some of these bonds it's okay to change.  It shows how difficult it can be for people to maintain neutrality when they have friends on both sides of drama.
     Even though these are short stories there is so much content and teachable life lessons throughout each!  All of these are wonderful stories and should be shared with grades fourth and up.  I am giving this book a 5 out of 5 stars, totally enjoyed this quick read and will keep a personal copy with me for years to come.

Links

Author, R.J. Palacio

Childhood facial deformities

Flying Lessons & Other Short Stories

Various Authors 

     This is an awesome selection of some of this generations best authors.  The stories that were brought into this anthology all celebrate some unique aspect.  They give a voice to many different cultures and minorities; I love that they included handicaps and Native Americans into the mix.  

     In today's world of tension among various cultural groups it is vital that we learn that we must work together and celebrate our differences in order to be successful.  We can no longer be bias towards other cultures we have to learn to coexist with everyone.  The growing global community and the ease of instant communication is requiring a new understanding.  Those individuals that can and do work well with everyone will be the ones that thrive.  This book and other books are needed for that reason alone.      Ellen Oh, reached out to some of today's best authors and collected short stories for your pleasure, they are short in nature and can easily be read with in a class period.  These tales are quick reads, but the depth of emotion and the details are flawless.  Readers will enjoy a quick tale about a tall Mexican American youth that decides to improve his basketball over the summer, running with the big dogs at a different gym.  He is going into high school and really wants to make the varsity team.  The lessons he learns sharing sweat with the older men reach far beyond the basketball court.  

     You will meet one young lady who befriends the new girl, who happens to be African American, Of course the predominant white town, frowns upon the friendship and she looses all of her friends  Celeste only stays in town for a year and they two girls vow to meet up again in New York when the turn 18, The reason this short sticks in my mind, is that the main character goes against her classmates and other adults to befriend the girl, she trusts her own judgement and finds a lasting friendship.  She willingly decided to break out of the mold of racism and is better for this bravery.  I feel that a lot of the angst towards many cultures has eased, but new minorities have taken their place.  Keeping an open mind and befriending those around you benefits everyone.  

     A third tale relays a grandmother and her grandson as they have a marvelous adventure in Europe.  The grandson is an incredible student but is being caged and stifled.  His grandmother takes him on this journey to bring life and freedom into his life.  Although he is an awesome student, he needs to learn how to fly.  We all need to learn that not all of the lessons that are worth living are not always taught in the classroom.  

     My final story that i am sharing has a Native American flavor.  Even though the story that is shared with the children, is entertaining, what is learned beyond the story is the most important.  Uncle Kenneth brings his culture into an important lesson.  This out of all of the tales really celebrates the unique culture of a Native American tribe.  

     This is a very versatile story, and I want to thank a wonderful teacher for encouraging me to read this book, thanks Kate!  I found these stories information, diverse and enjoyable.  I am giving this book a 5 out of 5 stars and encourage everyone to check this out.  This book is absolutely appropriate for anybody over 3rd grade.  

Links

Wheelchair Basketball

Native American Stories

Compiler / Author - Ellen Oh

13 Reasons Why

By Jay Asher 

     This book is not for the faint of heart.  This is a heart wrenching story, please be forewarned, this is not for children, The nature of the book requires a certain level of maturity therefore I strongly discourage anyone reading this book before they reach high school.  I do feel, however, that this story needs to be told and could be thought provoking and earth shattering.  

     First let me explain why I read the book and watched the series on Netflix.  I was encouraged by some young people that I needed to read this, since I am always looking for something to read plus  I had heard some rumblings about this book, I knew I had to find out what the hoopla was about.  Needless to say I was surprised by both the book and the series.  

     This is a story about a beautiful young woman, with loving parents that decides to commit suicide, which is horrible enough, but instead of a letter she makes 13 audio tapes explaining her reasons for terminating her life.  What we read is the first person narrative of Clay as he listens to the tapes and comes to terms with Hannah's suicide.  Clay had very strong feelings for Hannah but was afraid to step froward and proclaim his love.  What he discovers is that Hannah was mistreated, rumored about and hated for no real reason.  Every time something happens, it further weighs on her until she is stifled under its weight and finally wants to end the pain.  She calls for help from the school counselor and he basically tells her to move on, there were other warning signs but no one was paying any attention to stop the unthinkable.  

     Normally, I would give a brief summary of a book, but I think that part of the unknown nature of when and what happens is what makes this book a page turner.  I had a hard time putting it down.  One of the hardest parts for me was the changing voice of the book, it flowed quickly from Clay's perception to Hannah's perception.  That ebb and flow made it difficult to read at times.  I am giving this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars, I am marking it down for the mature nature of the book and the rapid change of point of view.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book and believe it will transcend generations, excellent for opening discussion among teens on depression, suicide and bullying.  Really opens ones eyes as to how the smallest act can change somebody's world.  Remember to be wonderful to others.  

Links

Author - Jay Asher

Suicide Prevention App

Statistics

Inside Out and Back Again

By Thanhha Lai

     This touching story of Ha and her family as they flee the fall of Saigon and the encroaching communist regime is poignant and heart warming.  This  book offers the reader a rarely seen glimpse of American History.  Ha has grown up the the beautiful city of Saigon, even as the Vietnam war comes closer she values her freedom and small treats.  When the family is then forced to flee amid thousands on ships full of squalor, she comes to realize that her life is in for a dramatic change.  Forced to sit still on a crowded ship and reduced to small rations, she hopes to be picked up by a foreign freighter.  Finally, they are found by an American ship and are transported to the United States.  

     This is just the beginning of her journey, they must wait in a refugee camp waiting for somebody to be willing to sponsor her family and give them a job and home.  Families move in and out of the camp while they wait finally someone who is looking for an auto mechanic is willing to sponsor the family and they move to Alabama.  Fitting into rural America is hard when you are from Vietnam.  The family is forced to regress in school, since they do not know the language.  They are viewed as stupid and inferior.  They are forced to conform to Christianity in an attempt to be accepted.  Ha is bullied incessantly and finally fights back.  Slowly and surely with the help from an understanding teacher Ha begins to feel at home and befriend her classmates.  

     This is a beautifully written story in poetic verse.  It is an easy and quick read, but the content is middle school or above.  Although, it is suitable for either gender, it definitely skews feminine.  I loved this story and this view of immigration in the United States and give it a 4.5 stars  I loved this book and encourage anyone to grab a copy.  

Links

Vietnam War

Vietnam Immigration

Fall of Saigon

Thanhhia Lai - author

Falling Over Sideways

                                                                                          By Jordan Sonnenblick


     What an awesome story and a great way to look at a family tragedy.  Claire is definitely a character full of middle school drama.  It's hard to be the youngest with a perfect older sibling.  Nothing seems to go Claire's way, school, dance, friends and family life.  Nothing ever seems to go the right way for Claire, But her world is forever changed when her outgoing, creative dad the author has a stroke right in front of her. and she is alone.  She can not contact her mother and she has to call 911 and help her dad.  Due to her quick actions her father lives, but a stroke can be a debilitating health condition.
     Now on top of all of the other middle school drama, Claire has lost her father, he is a shell of what he used to be.  The emotions are overwhelming.  Claire's father is unable to communicate in a normal fashion, and has other deficits.  His road to recovery is going to be long and difficult.  He does slowly begin to recuperate, but has a second health crisis when he contracts pneumonia from attempting to swallow his Thanksgiving "Feast".  Of course Claire happens to be in her crazy Science class and they are in a lockdown when she gets the text message.  This does not go over well with the teacher who takes Claire's phone away, among some straight up rebellion from her classmates.  The teacher slaps Claire and the whole group has to meet with the principle the following day.
     Eventually, Claire's father returns home from the hospital, a little bit healthier and Claire becomes his inspiration for rehabilitation.  She is instrumental in motivating him to try to do his rehab exercises.  The school year ends and Claire normally would be looking forward to her dance recital and her first participation in the father daughter dance, but how can she look forward to something that is not going to happen?  How can she expect her father to dance, he can barely walk.  Her brother volunteers for the duty and Claire is able to participate in the number, but not how she had envisioned this landmark event.
     This book was a great read.  I really resonated with me on multiple levels.  As a realistic fiction story the characters and events were spot on.  The author, did an incredible job describing feelings and circumstances in a careful and touching voice.  As an individual that has had a loved one suffer a stroke, I was touched with how close the descriptions were to reality.  I am giving this book a 5 out of 5 and feel that it is appropriate for anyone over 5th grade on.  This is an incredible empathetic read and multifaceted in tone and nature, many teaching points.

Links 

Author: Jordan Sonnenblick

Symptoms of a stroke

Stroke Rehab

What is a stroke?

Booked

                                                     By Kwame Alexander 

     Middle school is a tremendous time of growth and maturity.  A time of new interests, old friends new friends and romance.  Nick has a highly developed lexicon due to a father that is a professor of linguistics.  In fact, his father has even written a dictionary of interesting words.  Nick loves to play soccer, hang out with his best friend Coby, he is shy around the girl of his dreams, has a great relationship with his mother and friction with his father.  He has a marvelous mentor in the school's librarian, former rapper Mac. Nick seems to be muddling through his 8th grade year pretty well until strife between his parents makes his home life strained and until the class bullies come back to school.  One of the twins likes Nick's dream girl, which leads to even more turmoil.  

     When Nick's parents openly disagree and dad ends up sleeping on the couch, his life really starts shifting to a new normal.  Nick's mother decides to have a trial separation and moves out of state to further her career has a horse trainer.  This leaves Nick with an exacting father with extremely high expectations.  Nick's father forces him to read his dictionary daily and Nick hates to read even though his romantic interest is in the school's book club.  Nick's love of soccer and his best friend Coby are really his saving grace and they are looking forward to a large tournament with college scouts, but in a rival soccer match, when Coby is on the opposing team. Nick is injured and he suffers a burst appendix.  The tournament is out and Nick is devastated.  When Nick is injured his mom returns home and thinks seems to return to normal, until she packs to return to Kentucky.  Nick learns that the written word is his life-save; a new activity, book club, communicating with his mother and using his words to avoid confrontation.  Nick does return to health and his life has changed. 

     I absolutely love this book and give it 5 out of 5 stars.  It was amusing fast paced and highly entertaining.  I think that it is very appropriate for any student 5th grade and higher.  I could not put this book down and will be one of those books that I will keep for a long time.  I especially liked the thought  that was put into the the font size, the footnotes and the care for the total package.  I never knew that poetry could be this incredible!  This book is awesome! 

Links

Kwame Alexander

Soccer rules

What to do if you are bullied.

Just Listen

                                                                                  By Sarah Dessen 

     This is an incredibly powerful and well-crafted story.  Sarah Dessen approaches a current often hidden aspect of life unfortunately for many women.  Anabel appears to have everything that most teens crave, but one night her life crumbles and she did not know how to deal with her new reality.  Left to begin the upcoming school year with no friends and hated by Sophie, she tries to become invisible.  An unlikely friendship with the school's "bad boy", assists Anabel in dealing with her anger and remaining honest with herself and those around her.  

     Not until Anabel is confronted with  her own memories and another victim, and Owen asks for an explanation that she is not ready to give, does Anabel learn to just listen.  Anabel's friendship with Owen is in a shambles and she finally decides to listen to the CD's that he made for her.  Then a confrontation with an old friend forces Anabel to tell Owen the whole truth, all of her secrets. His understanding and encouragement has Anabel calling the detective and telling her family, what happened.  Finally, Anabel has righted her life and discovered that the truth has set her free that and the power of music.  

     I really enjoyed this story but feel that it is very mature in its content.  It is beautifully crafted and the character development is excellent.  I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars and would say it is appropriate for girls in high school.  This was a nice departure for my reading and I would encourage you to read it.  

Links 

Author: Sarah Dessen

Bullying

No means no

Anger Management

License to Spill

By Lisi Harrison                               

     The second installment from Ms. Harrison continues the story of the Phoenix Five from "The Pretenders."  All of the cliffhangers from the first story are answered, yet the year is not complete so who knows what is to happen to Sheridan, Jagger, Lily, Duffy or Vanessa.  Harrison continues with the journalling of Phoenix Five.  So all of their inner thoughts, concerns and troubles are known to the reader.  

     You will discover Jagger's big secret, but does he spill it by the end of this book?  Everyone's favorite drama queen, Sheridan, continues as Octavia's understudy, and her aspirations of becoming a professional actress.  Will she be able to regain her best friend Audry?  The Stalker, Lily, is she arrested? does she continue at Noble High School? what about her friendship with Blake?  Duffy, the young promising basketball player, what is to become of his budding relationship with Sheridan? does he continue on the path of fashion sales? Finally, what is to become of the Overachiever, Vanessa?  All of these questions are answered in the book, but I refuse to divulge too much because you need to read it!  

     I totally enjoyed this quick read book!  The charm is that I know my own school's version of these characters.  I may have been one of these.  It really does give one an inside glimpse of what many would believe are exemplary role models, yet they struggle like many, they have their own doubts concerns and problems!  I would give this installment a 5 out of 5 stars and would keep it for 6th grade up, just because of some of the mature content.  

Links

Lisi Harrison

Teen Outreach

Teenage Stalking

Teenage Stardom?

     

The Pretenders

                                                                                    by Lisi Harrison


     This was a very enjoyable quick read.  The author gives incredible insight into 5 young adults lives and innermost thoughts as they enter into Noble Nigh School.  Their teacher has given all of the students in ninth grade the task of journaling at least one page a day for the entire school year.  You are to write your feelings or innermost thoughts.  The journals will never be read and will be locked in a cabinet.  The assignment initially terrifies the students, but they eventually warm up to the concept and quickly pour their feelings and secrets into their journals.  How are we reading these journals?  One of the students has broken into the cabinet and has published the journals, in order to show everyone the truth about the Phoenix 5.  Not everyone is who they appear to be, everyone puts on some sort of front or show, everybody has secrets, including these 3 girls and 2 boys.
     The Phoenix 5 is the most notable of the freshman each year at Noble High School.  These students have been selected and voted by their classmates as having something special.  Meet Sheridan, she is a prima donna drama queen.  She lives for the theater and enjoys a very rich imagination.  She has been the lead character in all of the plays.  She has a best friend Aubrie, they are sole mates.  Aubrie is always the understudy to Sheridan's lead, that is until Aubrie meets Octavia at summer camp.  Sheridan's family is very wealthy, her father owns the local BMW dealership and Sheridan does not lack material things.
     Next meet Jasper, he has had a hard life.  His parents are sitting on death row, for helping stop a bully.  He has been emancipated and cares for himself.  He lives in the back room of a local pet shop, he pays the rent by feeding the animals at night.  He is a loner with no friends.  He catches the eye of Aubrie and they become close.  He has his own secrets, not to be disclosed.  Then there is Vanessa.  She is a straight A student and very academically oriented. She has a troubled home life and views this assignment as non-productive, that is to say, she puts other school work before her journal.  Her parents constantly fight, her brother is constantly in trouble or losing a job and the only peace is at a local restaurant.  Beni's is a place that the family goes to celebrate, good grades, new jobs etc. - no fighting is ever allowed at Beni's.
     Our next two characters are Lilly and Duffy, they are neighbors.  Lilly has had a crush on Duffy for a while and convinces her parents to allow her to attend public school so that she may see more of him.  Duffy and his buddies play basketball all of the time.  He lives for basketball and dreams of making the varsity team.  Lilly and her best friend Blake have been homeschooled forever and try to fit into life at Noble.  Blake, who is naturally very attractive, immediately catches Vanessa's eye.  Only Lilly knows that he is gay and the relationship and her friendship with Vanessa is doomed for failure.
     Where these relationships will end up and the choices that these students make are very believable and entertaining.  I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.  It is a very quick read and enjoyable.  The ending leaves one wanting more.  Which is why I will be reading "License to Spill" very soon.

Link 

Author: Lisi Harrison

Dealing with teen peer pressure - wanting to fit in.

Teen Journaling

Teen Help line
   

The Watsons go to Birmingham - 1963

                                                 by Christopher Paul Curtis

     This is a beautifully crafted historical fiction story told with a great deal of humor and insight.  One is introduced to "the Weird Watsons" as they sit bundled together on the couch, in the freezing cold Flint winter.  Kenny, the narrator, is a very intelligent child who is bullied by everyone at school, even his older brother Byron.  Byron is a bully that is constantly getting in trouble at home. Their little sister Joetta, is loved by everyone and is very religious.  Their parents Wilona (Mom) and Daniel (Dad),  met in Alabama and moved to Flint MI, where Daniel worked in the automotive industry.
     Kenny is very cautious around his brother Byron, because he is constanly getting in trouble or bullying Kenny.  Byron's cohort and buddy is Buphead a neighboring boy who encourages and helps By's bad behavior.  In one chapter Byron charges a bunch of food at the local market and engorges himself on cookies.  He tries to embroil Kenny in the fiasco, by sharing his misgotten goods.  In another chapter, Byron, who likes to catch things on fire, is caught, lighting things on fire in the bathroom.  Finally, however when he gets a conk, Mom and Dad decide it is time for some drastic measures.  It is decided that they will deliver Byron to Grandma Sands in Alabama.  Mom and Dad devise and plan their way through a long car trip.  Daniel getting the family car ready for the trip, and mom making lists and borrowing coolers etc. from neighbors.  It is decided that they are ready when Daniel purchases a car record player, that will allow the Watsons to listen to their own music through the south.
     The trip that Mom thought they should be able to finish in 3 days, Daniel decides he will drive straight through without stops.  The family shows up to Alabama, very excited to meet Grandma Sands.  All of the Watsons are amazed by the heat in Alabama, the children even try to go swimming, but Kenny almost drowns when he swims where he does not belong, near a whirl pool.  Surprisingly enough, his savior is non other than Byron.  Joetta, continues to go to church and attends Grandma Sands church with neighbors.  On one fateful Sunday, the church is bombed and many children are killed or injured.  Joetta is saved, however, because she follows someoone that she claims is Kenny.  Kenny is permanently damaged by the atrocity of seeing the results of the bombing and this horrendous example of racisim.  To protect their children and to avoid, having to discuss the hatred around Birmingham, the Watsons return to Flint.  Kenny is once again saved by Bryon's interference, when By tells him to get on with life and move on, instead of wallowing in the magical Pet Hospital.
     Initially I read this book becuase I live close to Flint, MI, but I really enjoyed this book, the story telling and the humor that was used made the tale very entertaining.  I would give this book a 4 out of 5 stars and encourage it for fourth grade on up.

Links 

Alabama Church Bombing -

American Civil Rights Movement

History of Flint MI

Christopher Paul Curtis     

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