Sheinkin, S. (2010). The notorious Benedict Arnold. New York: Macmillan.
The biographical account begins with the execution of Major Andre and followed by Arnold's childhood and how he eventually was appointed by George Washington and eventually death. He was Although he is widely known as a traitor, little is really known about him and his accomplishments. Sheinkin also writes about his family and their deaths and how he tainted his family's name. It also chronicles how he led his troops in the invasion of Canada, how he created the first naval American fleet, and his military decisions in the battles of Valcour and Saratoga. Readers come to understand why Arnold acted rashly by plotting against the colonies by secretly assisting British officer Major Andre to give West Point to the British. Eventually he becomes injured and Sheinkin writes that he felt disheartened because his contributions and acts of bravery have gone unnoticed and how others have just come to focus on his betrayl on America.
Book Commentary:
Genre: Non-fiction
Subgenre: Biography
Suitable for ages13-18
Sheinkin does a wonderful job giving a biographical account on Benedict Arnold's life by utilizing firsthand accounts and quotes. Because he is a textbook writer, he thoroughly researched his life and time period in order to give us a close to an accurate account of Arnold's life. The book is very informative couple with chronological times, images, and maps to provide a succinct picture of his life and the happenings.
Book Connections:
Lesson plans
Interview
Personal Connections:
The book read like a novel and truly gives readers both sides to the story in Seinkin's attempt to portray both sides of Arnold, a hero, but also a notorious traitor. It was really informative and interesting to find out more about Arnold's life, actions, and motives. Overall, Sheinkin's writing style on the life of Arnold was quite unique and enjoyable.
Smith, A. (2014). Grasshopper jungle. New York: Dutton.
This story is about a teenager named Austin Szerba who has a girlfriend named Shannon and best friend named Robbie, who he feels might be in love with him. Austin's struggles with his sexuality all while being with his girlfriend Shannon. What makes things a bit more complicated is that Robbie is gay and he, too, likes him. One day, while both are skateboarding they are ganged up by some boys who beat them and ostracize them and accuse them both of being gay. While they are left beat up in the alley, the bullies after their shoes and skateboards are thrown on the roof. Austin and Robbie decide to try to get their belongings and end up falling into a consignment store. The bullies happen to follow them in and spill a container near them which supposedly holds a virus, mixing with Robbie's blood. Austin and Robbie are devastated and infected by this virus and eventually spreads throughout the community turning humans into blood thirsty preying like mantis creatures devouring humans and procreating. Eventually the three find an underground bunker in a silo with intel about the virus and how to defeat it and save humanity and since it was Robbie's blood was mixed with the virus he is the only one that can deter and destroy the virus. Unfortunately their attempts fail and the world is overtaken by the virus as the three continue on with Austin still being torn between his pregnant girlfriend and his best friend.
Book Commentary:
Genre:Fiction
Subgenre:Science Fiction
Age Division: Young Adult 13+
This is definitely a different and unique book about issues that teenagers deal with, mixed in with sexuality, social issues, the struggle to save humanity, etc. Smith creates a well-rounded plot with well-developed characters. The vivid descriptions allow for great use of imagery.
Book Connections:
Author Interview
http://www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub/2014/10/09/one-thing-leads-to-another-an-interview-with-andrew-smith/
Book Trailer
Personal Connections:
This novel is definitely the perfect formula for a banned book. It contains an unsatiable thirst for the opposite sex, social issues, typical teenage hormonal dilemmas and insecurities. It was definitely a book I personally wouldn't read, but I'm pretty sure there are others out there who could totally relate to the story and characters.
Age Division: Young Adult 13+
This is definitely a different and unique book about issues that teenagers deal with, mixed in with sexuality, social issues, the struggle to save humanity, etc. Smith creates a well-rounded plot with well-developed characters. The vivid descriptions allow for great use of imagery.
Book Connections:
Author Interview
http://www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub/2014/10/09/one-thing-leads-to-another-an-interview-with-andrew-smith/
Book Trailer
Personal Connections:
This novel is definitely the perfect formula for a banned book. It contains an unsatiable thirst for the opposite sex, social issues, typical teenage hormonal dilemmas and insecurities. It was definitely a book I personally wouldn't read, but I'm pretty sure there are others out there who could totally relate to the story and characters.
St. James, J. (2007). Freak show. New York: Dutton.
This story's about a seventeen year old boy named Billy Bloomwho has been kicked out by his mom and moves to live with his father in Florida. He enters a new private school in Florida. Billy happens to start his new school with a band with his eye-catching get-ups, which happens to be a little over the top for the school community. His first day of school he dresses up as a pirate the only "male" look he owns in his closet. He is quickly alerted by the school and his peers that that behavior and his fashion are not acceptable. He begins to dress in drag attire and things worsen for him, all while trying to seek acceptance, he gets beaten up and sadly ends up in the hospital. The boy who he is in love with, Flip Kelly, happens to be his hero, who helps him and visits with him at the hospital. Billy who also is humorous, daring and has a thing for being dramatic returns to school and decides to run for Homecoming Queen in hopes to gain acceptance by starting a campaign that gains national attention and makes progress with his peers. In the end, he does not win, but ends up winning when he has an epiphany about his life and learns to accept himself as he is.
Book Commentary:
Genre: Fiction
Subgenre: Modern Realistic
Age Division: Young Adult 13-18
James does a wonderful job highlighting issues that teens face such as sexuality, social issues, homosexuality, social pressure, acceptance, etc. He also does a great job shaping Billy as such a likable character. Towards the end, James has his readers cheering and rooting for Billy in hopes that he receives acceptance and is liked by others.
Book Connections:
Read Alikes
http://www.goodreads.com/book/similar/423566-freak-show
Personal Connections:
James did a fantastic job pointing out issues homosexual, transgender teens face. It does raise awareness about how all they want is acceptance and how their need to fit in and be loved by others. Throughout the novel, one cannot help but to like Billy and want for him what he desires. James also adds just the right of humor to help the readers through Billy's story.
Wein, E. (2012). Code name Verity. New York: Hyperion.
This story is set in WWII times. During the times of war, young girls and women had unlikely jobs. This novel is about two young ladies named Maddie (codename Kittyhawk) and Julie (codename Verity) and their beautiful friendship. Maddie, a bike mechanic ,who eventually becomes a pilot transferring planes from base to base as well as transferring pilots to undisclosed locations. Julie, a Scottish aristocrat who also speaks German becomes a translator and a special agent who assists in ending Hitler's regime. While on a secret mission, Julie's plane is hit and parachutes her way down, while Maddie navigates the hit plane onto enemy territory. Julie is captured, tortured, and is forced to fess up all about the British war plans. Julie agrees to write all about it but in her way and about her special friendship with Maddie, knowing she will get killed anyway. Maddie is rescued by a French resistance group and is in hiding, while waiting to get rescued and taken back to England. She eventually hears word that Julie is also ok and seeks out to rescue her. Unfortunately, the Germans intervene again when Julie decides at that moment that she will die and will not give in to the Germans. She speaks to Maddie in code and asks her to take her life . Maddie agrees only because she is suffering.
Book Commentary:
Genre: Fiction
Subgenre: Historical fiction
Age Division: Young Adult 13+
Wein does a beautiful job depicting a historical account of a tale of two girls, their loyalty and bravery and most importantly their friendship. This novel also highlights women and young girls during WWII and their unlikely part in the war. It is definitely for a more mature audience due to the content, language and the darkness Hitler's regime was.
Book Connections:
Lesson Plans
Book Trailer
Personal Connections:
This book was definitely a page turner and a great read about how women were brave and courageous during these times of war. I really enjoyed the beautiful friendship Hein developed.
Rowell, R. Fangirl. New York, NY: St. Martin's Press.
Cath and Wren are twin sisters that have been obsessed with Simon Snow everything since they were young girls, perhaps that was a distraction to help them cope with their mother's abandoning them. Now that they are grown up, things have surely changed and they begin to grow apart as they are college bound. Wren no longer wants to associate, nor room with Cath. Cath would rather stay in her dorm and write fan fiction, like the introvert that she is, while Wren falls into the college party scene. Cath does well in school, while Wren is a constant hot mess, trying to stay afloat. Cath is befriended by a girl named Reagan who introduced her to Levi, who Cath instantly falls for. Just when Cath decides to come out of her comfort zone and finally live life, she gets her heart broken by Levi and her father has another bipolar episode. Not to mention, Wren takes the party scene too far and is hospitalized for alcohol poisoning. Things eventually progress for Cath as she continues with college as well as mending things with her father and twin, as well as Levi. She finally decides to move on with life as she resorts to writing as her form of discovery.
Book Commentary:
Genre: FictionSubgenre: Realistic Modern
Age Division: Young Adult
Rowell's both is sure to reel in any reader that can relate to the college life in the case of Wren or to Cath who happens to be the introvert that does not want to take a chance at life due to fear. The story flows smoothly with both live's and how difficult life can be when confronted with adversity.
Book Connections:
Teaching Guide
Book Trailer
Personal Connections:
I really enjoyed reading Rowell's realistic description of the characters, college, and real life issues. I also appreciated the fact that although this is fiction, most if not all issues were real and shed light on the fact that no family is normal and every family has flaws.
Shusterman, N. (2009). Full tilt. New York: Simon & Schuster Childrens Pub.
Sixteen year -old Blake is the golden child who in a very dysfunctional single-parent family. He has so much going for him, for instance acceptance into an Ivy League school. He is the more responsible one between he and his brother Quinn who is polar opposite to Blake. One night, Blake, Quinn and his friends attended the carnival where Quinn almost lost his life and he meets a very intriguing and mysterious girl named Cassandra that invites him to another kind of carnival. So, he and his friends decide to entertain the idea and visit this theme park where they curiously enter and find that they can no longer escape and must ride 7 rides and survive them. They discover that the park is indeed very different than any other carnival they've entered. These rides are deadly, intense, and downright evil. As he and his friends ride, he learns that each one represents different fears that he and his friends must overcome in order to survive. One in particular helps him overcome his "only survivor" guilt. He and his friends finally escape the terror and is finally ready to live life and take chances.
Book Commentary:
Genre: Fiction
Subgenre: Science Fiction
Age Division: Middle School
Shusterman really knows how to whip up a story of twists and turns that has readers on the edge of their seat. He digs deep in the story filled with meaningful symbolism and imagery. The story truly is captivating and knows how to engage and keep the reader's interest throughout.
Book Connections:
Book Trailer
Lesson Plans
Personal Connections:
I really enjoyed this story and all that it symbolized in Blake's life. It was definitely captivating. Shusterman has the ability to draw the reader and empathize with the characters, as my deepest fears were surfaced and allowed me to face them as Blake did in order to truly live. Powerful book that any reader of any age will enjoy.
St. James, J. (2007). Freak show. New York: Dutton.
Book Commentary:
Genre: Fiction
Subgenre: Modern Realistic
Age Division: Young Adult 13-18
James does a wonderful job highlighting issues that teens face such as sexuality, social issues, homosexuality, social pressure, acceptance, etc. He also does a great job shaping Billy as such a likable character. Towards the end, James has his readers cheering and rooting for Billy in hopes that he receives acceptance and is liked by others.
Book Connections:
Read Alikes
http://www.goodreads.com/book/similar/423566-freak-show
Personal Connections:
James did a fantastic job pointing out issues homosexual, transgender teens face. It does raise awareness about how all they want is acceptance and how their need to fit in and be loved by others. Throughout the novel, one cannot help but to like Billy and want for him what he desires. James also adds just the right of humor to help the readers through Billy's story.
Wein, E. (2012). Code name Verity. New York: Hyperion.
This story is set in WWII times. During the times of war, young girls and women had unlikely jobs. This novel is about two young ladies named Maddie (codename Kittyhawk) and Julie (codename Verity) and their beautiful friendship. Maddie, a bike mechanic ,who eventually becomes a pilot transferring planes from base to base as well as transferring pilots to undisclosed locations. Julie, a Scottish aristocrat who also speaks German becomes a translator and a special agent who assists in ending Hitler's regime. While on a secret mission, Julie's plane is hit and parachutes her way down, while Maddie navigates the hit plane onto enemy territory. Julie is captured, tortured, and is forced to fess up all about the British war plans. Julie agrees to write all about it but in her way and about her special friendship with Maddie, knowing she will get killed anyway. Maddie is rescued by a French resistance group and is in hiding, while waiting to get rescued and taken back to England. She eventually hears word that Julie is also ok and seeks out to rescue her. Unfortunately, the Germans intervene again when Julie decides at that moment that she will die and will not give in to the Germans. She speaks to Maddie in code and asks her to take her life . Maddie agrees only because she is suffering.
Book Commentary:
Genre: Fiction
Subgenre: Historical fiction
Age Division: Young Adult 13+
Wein does a beautiful job depicting a historical account of a tale of two girls, their loyalty and bravery and most importantly their friendship. This novel also highlights women and young girls during WWII and their unlikely part in the war. It is definitely for a more mature audience due to the content, language and the darkness Hitler's regime was.
Book Connections:
Lesson Plans
Book Trailer
Personal Connections:
This book was definitely a page turner and a great read about how women were brave and courageous during these times of war. I really enjoyed the beautiful friendship Hein developed.
Rowell, R. Fangirl. New York, NY: St. Martin's Press.
Cath and Wren are twin sisters that have been obsessed with Simon Snow everything since they were young girls, perhaps that was a distraction to help them cope with their mother's abandoning them. Now that they are grown up, things have surely changed and they begin to grow apart as they are college bound. Wren no longer wants to associate, nor room with Cath. Cath would rather stay in her dorm and write fan fiction, like the introvert that she is, while Wren falls into the college party scene. Cath does well in school, while Wren is a constant hot mess, trying to stay afloat. Cath is befriended by a girl named Reagan who introduced her to Levi, who Cath instantly falls for. Just when Cath decides to come out of her comfort zone and finally live life, she gets her heart broken by Levi and her father has another bipolar episode. Not to mention, Wren takes the party scene too far and is hospitalized for alcohol poisoning. Things eventually progress for Cath as she continues with college as well as mending things with her father and twin, as well as Levi. She finally decides to move on with life as she resorts to writing as her form of discovery.
Book Commentary:
Genre: FictionSubgenre: Realistic Modern
Age Division: Young Adult
Rowell's both is sure to reel in any reader that can relate to the college life in the case of Wren or to Cath who happens to be the introvert that does not want to take a chance at life due to fear. The story flows smoothly with both live's and how difficult life can be when confronted with adversity.
Book Connections:
Teaching Guide
Book Trailer
Personal Connections:
I really enjoyed reading Rowell's realistic description of the characters, college, and real life issues. I also appreciated the fact that although this is fiction, most if not all issues were real and shed light on the fact that no family is normal and every family has flaws.
Shusterman, N. (2009). Full tilt. New York: Simon & Schuster Childrens Pub.
Sixteen year -old Blake is the golden child who in a very dysfunctional single-parent family. He has so much going for him, for instance acceptance into an Ivy League school. He is the more responsible one between he and his brother Quinn who is polar opposite to Blake. One night, Blake, Quinn and his friends attended the carnival where Quinn almost lost his life and he meets a very intriguing and mysterious girl named Cassandra that invites him to another kind of carnival. So, he and his friends decide to entertain the idea and visit this theme park where they curiously enter and find that they can no longer escape and must ride 7 rides and survive them. They discover that the park is indeed very different than any other carnival they've entered. These rides are deadly, intense, and downright evil. As he and his friends ride, he learns that each one represents different fears that he and his friends must overcome in order to survive. One in particular helps him overcome his "only survivor" guilt. He and his friends finally escape the terror and is finally ready to live life and take chances.
Book Commentary:
Genre: Fiction
Subgenre: Science Fiction
Age Division: Middle School
Shusterman really knows how to whip up a story of twists and turns that has readers on the edge of their seat. He digs deep in the story filled with meaningful symbolism and imagery. The story truly is captivating and knows how to engage and keep the reader's interest throughout.
Book Connections:
Book Trailer
Book Commentary:
Genre: Fiction
Subgenre: Science Fiction
Age Division: Middle School
Shusterman really knows how to whip up a story of twists and turns that has readers on the edge of their seat. He digs deep in the story filled with meaningful symbolism and imagery. The story truly is captivating and knows how to engage and keep the reader's interest throughout.
Book Connections:
Book Trailer
Lesson Plans
Personal Connections:
I really enjoyed this story and all that it symbolized in Blake's life. It was definitely captivating. Shusterman has the ability to draw the reader and empathize with the characters, as my deepest fears were surfaced and allowed me to face them as Blake did in order to truly live. Powerful book that any reader of any age will enjoy.
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