Title: Solo
Alexander, K. (2017). Solo. MI: HarperCollins
Summary
Blade, a young man, who becomes salutatorian is struggling with personal issues. His father is a drunk who crashes his salutatorian speech and loses his mother to a bee sting. To make things more difficult, his girlfriend's mother does not approve of him because she thinks he will end of like his father, a drunk.
After blades graduation, his father is checked into a rehab. He serves his time and returns home to a party. During the party tempers rise and a bomb is dropped on Blade. They tell Blade he is adopted. Blade is shocked and immediately begins searching for his mother. He finds a lead in Ghana and is on his way to meet his mother.
Blade is overcome with all types of feelings, it helps him find his voice to sing. .
Discussion
This book is a YALSA 2018 quick picks for Reluctant YA.
Connections
Another book by Kwame Alexander is The Crossover
Title: Athletic Shorts
Crutcher, C. (1989). Athletic Shorts. New York, NY: Harper Collins.
Summary: This book is composed of six short stories. Each story has an eye opening, realistic lesson for young adults about life.
Discussion: I enjoyed reading this book. The real issues Crutcher writes about are still relatable to teens today. Although the stories are short, they have a huge impact on the reader. Some issues are controversial but I feel it is great exposure so teens begin forming their own opinions about difficult issues in the real world.
Connections: Crutcher has written numerous great reads. If you liked this book check out one of his other books Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes.
Title: The Chocolate War
Cormier, R. (2004). The chocolate war. Ember.
Summary:
Young Jerry Renault refuses to sell chocolates for his school. His school is in a pickle and are forced to sell double the chocolates for the double the price. The school asks The Vigils to help with the school matter. Jerry builds the audacity to stare Brother Leon in the face and refuses to sell for the school fundraiser. The boys at school are given fifty boxes to sell and Jerry and his defiance causes problems with the other boys in the school. The boys are cruel and become violent towards each other, but Renault stands firm on his choice and chooses to stand up for what is right, no matter what others think of him. It is unfortunate and unexpected ending. It is a harsh lesson Renault learns and has to live with.
Discussion:
The very first page draws you in and wanting more. Finally, a book that will engage reluctant readers, especially teen boys and get kids thinking the flipside of situations. Although, the ending is not the ending we expect from a story, it shows that one should not give in to please others. It shows to keep your values and principles. Jaw dropping ending!
Connections:
I would defiantly recommend another one of Cormier's books. Other books he has written are: I am the Cheese, Frenchtown Summer, and Heroes to name a few.
Author A.S. King
King, A. S. (2011). Everybody sees the ants. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Title: Everybody Sees the Ants
Summary: This novel is about a young 15 year old boy named, Lucky Liderman. He is a victim of a bully named Nader. Lucky struggles with the personal heartache at home and more so he struggles with how to deal and handle the bully situation. His mother takes notice of his distress and sends Lucky away to Arizona. In the novel, Lucky escapes the harsh realities of life and holds a secret that has readers in suspense. Lucky goes on a number of rescue missions in which he is able to become who ever he wants for just a while to escape reality.
Discussion: This books depicts the true realities teens go through today. Many teens are going through so much and tend to ignore or push their emotions aside. Bullying is one of those realities kids through and do not know how to handle it. Even bystanders do not know how to help and think someone else will intervene.
Connections: As I was reading this novel I had assigned a readers advisory article to my students. It was named "The Bystander Effect: Why you Don't Stand Up When You Should" by Courtney Lindstrand and the author presented a problem about the bystander effect and how to prevent or solve the issue.
Author Andrew Smith
Title: In the Path of Falling Objects
Smith, A. (2010). In the path of falling objects. Square Fish.
Summary: This novel is about a two teen brothers who forced to fend for themselves after their mother abandoned them, and their father was sent to prison. The brothers decide to leave their home with only ten dollars in their pocket. They know if they stay nothing good will come out of it. They hitch a ride from a couple, but Jonah had an uneasy feeling about them. The couple are on the run and Simon helps Mitch steal a license plate. This causes conflict between Simon and Jonah. To make things worse Lily and Jonah can not resist temptation and sleep together and are discovered by Mitch. On their journey conflicts continue to rise and the boys are involved in other crimes and Lily becomes bitter towards Mitch. Simon and Lily make a run from Mitch. Lily falls ill and is in pain. Mitch shows up and causes more trouble. Tragically, Mitch, Lily, and Walker are killed and burned. To add to the stress, Jonah and Simon's older brother commits suicide.
Discussion: When I saw the book cover I could already feel the hopeless, worried, and defeated emotions of the the characters will endure. It takes me back to think that people will go to great extents because of their desperate and selfishness. I think this book is for mature teen audiences because of the sexual, intense love, and adult problems.
Connection: Another book by Smith is: "Grasshopper Jungle"
Author John Green
Title: The Fault in Our Stars
Green, J. (2012). The fault in our stars. NY: Dutton Books
Summary: Sixteen year old Hazel Graze has cancer since the age of 13. She attends a cancer support group that helps her cope with the struggles she faces with cancer. In this group she finds love with a boy named Augustus Waters. He had cancer and is now in remission, though he lost a leg. They begin to hang out outside of the meetings and Hazel shows him her favorite book. The ending is inscrutable and abrupt. they decide to go to Amsterdam to meet and speak to the author to find out what happened to the character. They share a kiss while in Amsterdam at house of the famous Anne Frank.
Augustus has bad news and breaks it to Hazel that his cancer has come back and has decided to plan for the worst. Unfortunately, the worst has happened. Augustus had written an Eulogy about Hazel.
Discussion
A tear jerker and love story between two young people. I had always seen the book in the library and on store shelves, I can't believe I waiting for so long to read it. Green captures the intensity of cancer and touches our hearts with the overwhelming love and support one needs in times of critical illness.
Connections
The novel was made into a motion picture, which is also filled with laughter and tears.
Author Elizabeth Acevedo
Title: With the Fire on High
Acevedo, E. (2019). With the fire on high. Harperteen, An Imprint Of Harpercollinspublishers.
Summary: The themes respect and perseverance are prevalent in this book. Emoni is a senior who dreams of becoming a chef; she lives a hard life. She become a mother at a young age and struggles with whether or not she should attend college. She decides to study abroad and begins to pursue her dream. Emoni pushes through the stereotypes and adversities of becoming a young mother and takes charge to provide a better life for herself, child, and grandmother.
Discussions: Working in a school I hear similar stories like Emoni. Young ladies are struggling with continuing their education or focusing solely on their family. It is a tough choice to make, but books like these help one put things into perspective. I thought the author did a unique way of structuring her book, beginning with a recipe. I really enjoyed reading this books.
Connections: Acevedo is also the author of The Poet X
Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers
1. Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson
Woodson, J. (2020). Before the ever after. Penguin Young Reader Group.
Best Fiction Young Adult
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