The Fault in Our Stars

Green, J. (2012). The fault in our stars. NY: Dutton Books.

Media Type: Hardcover book

This book contains 318 pages, including the acknowledgments.

Summary:

Hazel  is a teenager with stage IV thyroid cancer. Her mother convinces her to join a Support Group. There is where she meets Augustus. They start liking each other and soon develop a very close relationship spending a lot of time together talking about everything. Hazel shares with him her favorite book An Imperial Affliction. Together they begin to obsesses about the ending of the book. Somehow they manage to contact the author and he invites Hazel to come to Amsterdam to talk about the ending of the book. Augustus surprises Hazel by telling her that he will be using his "wish" to take her to meet Peter Van Houten in Amsterdam. After many obstacles they manage to take the trip. However, when it's time to meet the author he turns out to be a grumpy old drunk. They end up leaving and Hazel is very upset. The assistant feels bad and takes them both to explore the city. They even get to visit Ann Frank's house where they finally kiss. Later Augustus tells Hazel that his cancer is back. Soon after his health begins to deteriorate and he doesn't have a lot of time left. Hazel stays with him through it all. When he died it was Hazel who gave the eulogy. She is filled with grief until she finds out that Augustus has written a letter and he sent it to Peter Van Houten. The novel ends with her reading the letter and being happy with the choices she has made.

Response:

This novel deals with the fear of loosing loved ones and the fact that one day, we will all die. We all have to deal with the fact that we are going to die one day and with our obsession of leaving our mark on this planet when we go, how will we be remembered? This novel is also a cruel reminder of just how devastating cancer is and that it affect many young people as well.

Connection to textbook:

Chapter 10- Realistic fiction for children is modern times. It could be defined as a story where real kids with real problems solve them in a realistic manner in a real world setting. Characters are engaging and believable and the setting is true to life. Problems faced by the characters are honestly portrayed.

Other books by the author

       

Teaching Tools

Author's Website

http://www.johngreenbooks.com/

Video Book Trailer

http://www.penguin.com/static/packages/us/yreaders/books4boys/mult_faultstars.php

Discussion Questions for LitLovers

http://www.litlovers.com/reading-guides/15-young-adult-fiction/8711-fault-in-our-stars-green?start=3

Roller Girl

Jamieson, V. (2015). Roller girl. New York:  Dial Books.

Media Type: Paperback book

This book contains 240 pages.

Award: Great Graphic Novels for Teens 2016

Summary:

This a graphic novel about growing up and facing challenges. Astrid faced many changes during the summer before entering middle school. When Astrid becomes fascinated with roller derby, she thinks that her best friend Nicole will want to go to roller derby camp with her. Instead their friendship ends when Nicole tells Astrid she doesn't want to go to derby camp because she wants to go to dance camp instead. Astrid goes on her own to derby camp and she learns just how strong she is. She undergoes many changes while finding herself, including dying her hair blue. The ending is positive although Astrid and Nicole's no longer have a close relationship, and they seem to have moved on.

Response:

This graphic novel is an unexpected treasure. It helps young readers to see that their confusing emotions are normal and that even when things don't turn out the way we expect, that doesn't always mean its a bad thing. I think that this would be a great book to teach pre-teens about the weird transition phase they are in. I think that it would be especially helpful to students who are having friendship struggles. It would be great for a class discussion about friendship arguments and how to be a good friend.

Connection to textbook:

Chapter 13- Graphic novels can be fun to read while at the same time offer a wealth of information for a wide range of readers. Graphic novels can help readers make a smooth transition from picture books to chapter books.

Other books by the author

Teaching Tools

Author's Website

http://www.victoriajamieson.com/

Author's Blog

http://victoriajamieson-illustration.blogspot.com/

Discussion Question from Unleashing Readers

http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=6150

Smile

Telgemeier, R. (2010). Smile. NY: Scholastic Graphix.

Media Type: Paperback book

This book contains 214 pages.

Summary:

This is an autobiographical novel about Raina during her adolescence. It focuses mainly during her middle school and high school years. When she first found out she needed braces to correct an overbite, she didn’t want them. Then one night after a Girl Scout meeting, she falls and knocks her two front teeth out. Suddenly braces are the least of her problems! Over the next few years, her dentist tries every trick: he fuses her teeth to her bone; they don’t take. He pulls them and gives her fake teeth on a retainer. She gets headgear that thankfully she only has to wear at night. She gets braces and they attempt to shift her teeth and make new front teeth. Meanwhile, Raina is desperately trying to be normal and fit in at school, get a boy to notice her, and find friends who accept her for who she is.

Response:

I think many people can relate to feeling insecure in both appearance and relationships during the middle school years. This is an accurate, cute story of finding yourself through all the teenage drama. Throughout the book the illustrations help tell the story and add to the presentation of the book. This book brings up a lot of issues that our students face everyday including relationship troubles. I would focus on the writing trait ideas for this book to help students understand they are not alone.

Connection to textbook:
Chapter 13- Graphic novels can be fun to read while at the same time offer a wealth of information for a wide range of readers. Graphic novels can help readers make a transition from picture books to chapter books.

Other books by the author

    

Teaching Tools

Author's Website

http://goraina.com/

Author's Blog

http://goraina.livejournal.com/

Lesson Plan from Kruger's Literature Thoughts

http://kruger-literaturethoughts.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/smile.html

The Island of Excess Love

Block, F. (2014) The island of excess love. NY: Christy Ottaviano Books, Henry Holt and Company.

Media Type: Audiobooks

Length: 4 hours 50 minutes

Narrated by Julia Whelan

Release Date: August 26, 2014

Summary:

This novel is a sequel to "Love in the Time of Global Warming." The story picks up with Penelope, her friends and brother making a life for themselves in the pink house on the beach. Although it seems the world has ended they have managed to survive. That is until a mysterious ship ends up on the shore of their beach and they begin to have strange visions. Hex had been reading "The Aeneid" by Virgil and believes that everything that is happening could be part of a prophecy. They board the ship in hopes of finding answers but instead they begin to turn on each other. Then a storm tears the ship apart separating the group. When Pen regains conscious she finds herself in a strange island with the corpse of Hex. Soon after, Hex appears still alive and tells he that he discovered her corpse too. They bury their doubles and begin searching for the others after Pen had a vision that they were alive. In the days to come they arrive to where the king lives and he lets Pen know that he has been waiting for his queen (her!). He restores her vision and asks her to marry him. Under what appears to be a trace Pen sleeps with the king and becomes pregnant. Soon after the king is killed by his harpies. The harpies attack Pen and her friends as they try to get away. On their way they find Hex and flee on a boat. They soon arrive at another island where they are taken to the Queen of the Shades. She turns out to be the king's dead sister. The dead king pleas for their freedom and they manage to escape. In the end Pen has a vision of her unborn child and hopes that Hex will forgive her and stay by her side.

Response:

This book had adventure, fantasy, mythology and romance. Not having read the first book I thought I would be completely lost and not understand the characters. However, Block's description of the characters and events pulled me in immediately. I found this book to be so well written that it could stand alone. I would recommend this novel to mature readers as it does have some graphic sexual scenes.

Connection to textbook:
Chapter 12- This book would fall under post apocalyptic science fiction category. The characters are trying to survive in this new world.

Other books by the author

Teaching Tools

Author's Website

http://www.francescaliablock.com/

Author's Blog

http://loveinthetimeofglobalwarming.blogspot.co.uk/