Books #9-16

Harris, R.  (2009).  It's perfectly normal.   Boston, MA:  Candlewick Press


This nonfiction, informational text discusses and illustrates the many changes that occur in our bodies.  The definition of sex is provided as well as comparisons between the male and female bodies, inside and out.  I would say this book would be good for children entering puberty.  Some additional topics discussed are birth control, safe sex, STDs, and sexual abuse.  Everything was told in a very mature way.  It was interesting to read the section on homosexuality and abortion.  I liked that it was cautious on how they introduced it but also very informative.  The inclusion of using a bee and a bird as part of their illustrations, helped make it humorous.  Overall, this book was very informative and gave some well organized, health information in a friendly manner. 
This is a great resource for parents and counselors to utilize with students to discusses the upcoming changes in their bodies. 







Hautman, P.  (2005).  Invisible.  New York:  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers


The main character, Dougie, is a loner and he is obsessed with trying to build a model train bridge in his basement out of sticks.  His only friend is his neighbor, Andy, who he talks to through their bedroom window.  Though, we realize that Andy is not alive, he died in a fire and lives in Dougie's memories.  Dougie has an infatuation with a girl at school who ends up causing him some trouble.  He ends up being placed in a private school for mentally disturbed boys.  Dougie causes another fire in his basement and is severely burned and then put into mental hospital and continues to seek Andy in his memories for guidance and strength throughout his life. 
This modern realistic story shares how people are often faced with difficult situations in life and at times are not able to cope with them.  This books is great for teachers and counselors to utilize to discuss how we can deal with grief and in what ways we can help to deal with situations that occur in life.  Age group would be 4th grade and up. 
Similar Reads: 
Jenkins, A.  (2003).  Out of order.  New York:  Harper Collins Pub. 

King, A.  (2014).  Glory O'Brien's history of the future.  NY:  Little, Brown and Company.


Glory O'Brien is a high school graduate who doesn't know what she wants to be or do with her life.  She isn't headed to college either.  She lost her mom to suicide at the age of four and has never been able to surpass that depression.  Her and her friend, Elle, drink the remains of a bat, as a dare, which allow them to see the future of others when they look into their eyes.  Part of what Glory sees is the future where women do not have any rights.  She questions her father in regards to her mother's suicide.  She digs through her mother's darkroom and photo albums.  She finds out that there was history between her parents and Elle's mom, who lives on their land.  Glory wants Elle's family to leave and has her father seek legal papers drawn up.  Her visions help her begin and create a life she was suppose to live. 
Found this book as a good use for the middle grades to help girls think about what they want out of life.  There is some political aspects of freedom and feminism.  Life does have some hard time as we grow up and Glory shows how changing and making certain decisions to better her life helped her start living. 
Similar Reads:  Hutchinson, S. D. (2017). We are the ants. S.l.: Simon & Schuster Books.

Kraus, D., & OverDrive, Inc. (2013). Scowler. New York: Delacorte Press.


Ry is a ten year old who lives in a physical and emotional abusive home where his father sews Ry's mom to her bed.  They live in a farm and Ry decides to free his mom and attempts to flee this life with his sister and mom.  This makes his father extremely angry and chases after them through the countryside.  Ry finds comfort in his toys that he brought in his pocket as he finds safety.  His father is taken to jail and Ry uses his toys to comfort himself and copes with this horrible experience.  His father escapes from prison after nine years and goes out to find Ry, now 19.  At the farm there is a meteor strike and as Ry and his father struggle, Ry finds strength through his imaginary childhood toys to conquer his father and the horrible demons he's had to fight all these years of abuse. 
This historical fiction story has good literary references of symbolism throughout and with the horrible murders his father performs makes this book more appropriate for high school readers.  Deep discussions can occur with this book. 


Similar Reads:  Oppel, K. (2012). This dark endeavor (#1). New York: Simon & Schuster BFYR.

Lyga, B.  (2012).  I hunt killers.  New York:  Little, Brown. 
Jazz is the son of a famous serial killer and is determined to help solve a murder in his small town.  He believes that the killer, known as the Impressionist, is copying Jazz's father's murders.  Jazz feels since he lived with his notorious, killer father, he can assist in solving the murders before the Impressionist strikes again.  He is seconds late to finding the next victim, his teacher.  He decides to go see his father at prison to help catch this copy cat.  His father helps, but not without a price.  Jazz, with help of his friends is saved when he comes face to face with the Impressionist. Twist within. Jazz's father escapes from prison and continues his murder crimes. 
There are so many twists and turns in this story.  Very suspenseful and graphic.  It keeps readers on the edge of their seat.  It's intensity makes it a read for high school students. 
Similar Reads:  Lyga, B.  (2013).  Game:  The Sequel to "I Hunt Killers."  New York:  Little, Brown and Company.

Myers, W.D.  (1999).  Monster:  NY:  Harper.
The story begins with Steve,  a 16 year old African American being in prison and scared to death.  He doesn't want to show his fear to his prison mates.  He explains his life through a screen play format providing journal entries, information of his life, and details of his robbery crime.  His prosecutor refers to him as a Monster.  You are introduced to the trial and thoughts he has during the trial.  There are changes is the Monster's moral values from the beginning to the end. Although at the end,  he is found not guilty and is set free, he still has many questions.
This book can be a bit confusing to read and therefore should be read by middle grade students and up.  Classroom discussion can occur about trials, courts, and the legal system.  In addition, this book helps students understand how every choice or decision they make can have consequences in life. 
Similar Reads: De la Pena, M.  (2008).  Mexican whiteboy.  New York:  Delacorte Press.





Ness, P.  (2008).  The knife of never letting go.  Boston, MA:  Candlewick Press.


Todd lives with his adopted parents Ben and Cillian in Prentisstown, an only male populated town.  This town has been infected with a germ called the Noise that enables the men to listen to other's thoughts including those of animals.  His parents encourage him to leave his town and go to Haven.  Through his journey he encounters a girl named Viola and travel together.  He finds out that he cannot infect women and learns that what truly eliminated women was the mayor of his town.  The mayor's pursuit was to create his own utopia.  Todd is being followed by a man named Aaron from his old town.  Todd recalls what his adopted father told him about killing someone in order to become a man.  Todd realizes he cannot kill and Viola ends up killing Aaron. 
This science fiction story with utopian setting will spark interest to middle school students.  Will encourage talks about survival and growing up. 
Similar Reads: 
Lowry, L., & 3M Company. (2000). Giver, The. S.l.: Random House.
Collins, S. (2014). The Hunger Games. New York: Scholastic Press.






Quintero, I.  (2014).  Gabi:  A girl in pieces.  TX:  Cinco Puntos
Gabi lives in California and is a Mexican American, high school girl, who loves to eat.  She expresses her life through her journal entries and allows readers to come into her family struggles including her father's addiction to drugs, her brother's troubles, best friend's pregnancy and gay announcement.  Gabi doesn't receive much help from her mother.  She struggles in deciding whether to leave for college or stay home and help her family. 
These real life topics that are experienced in her life can open conversation with many school aged students. Though it's language is intended more for high school students.  The themes of Hispanic culture, high school pregnancy, and homosexuality are struggles they can relate to and participate more deeply in discussion. 
Similar reads:  Giles, G. (2014). Girls like us. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.