![]() So, the premise of this novel is a little disturbing and may not be suitable for all. it is set in an alternate reality in the future where humans have achieved immortality and must be "gleaned" by Scythes in order to keep the population growth in check. The storyline centers around two teenagers, Rowan and Citra, who have been chosen to by Scythe apprentices and must be taught the skill of "gleaning". The novel includes lots of action and plot twists and kept me engaged. I also enjoyed the interplay between Rowan and Citra. I don't want to say too much about the story because I do not want to give any of the plot twists away, but if you like dystopian novels that are a bit dark in nature, you will likely enjoy this book. My son has read the entire series and gives it a thumbs up. Approximate Reading Level - 7th-10th grade
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![]() Last school year my reading intervention students and I read Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick, and although it did not hold the attention of every students, the vast majority of them loved the book. The book is told from the perspective of Max who is a very large 7th grade boy who has gone through some trauma in his life (the death of his mother). As the story unfolds, the reader learns that Max has been labeled as having a "learning disability" and he has very little confidence in his abilities. Max lives in his grandparents basement and leads a somewhat uneventful adolescence until he gets some new neighbors. His neighbor turns out to be Kevin who is also in the 7th grade and has some challenges of his own. Kevin has Morquio Syndrome which causes him to be small in stature and wear leg braces; however, the reader soon learns that Kevin is a genius. As Kevin and Max become friends, Freak the Mighty is born. This book has a little of everything - friendship, adventure, overcoming obstacles, and dealing with loss. There are some harrowing scenes as Max's father comes back into the picture. There are some topics within this book that may not be suitable for everyone. Max's father is in jail for killing Max's mother (something the reader and Max do not know until later in the book) and there are some "unsavory characters" Max's father pals around with. There are mentions of beer, smoking, and criminal activity so be forewarned. Approximate Reading Level - the reading level of the book would be suitable for students as early as 4th grade; however, I would not suggest it for students under 6th grade simply because of the content. My suggestion would be 6th-8th grade for this one. ![]() As I believe I have mentioned before, I am not a huge graphic novel fan, BUT I really enjoyed New Kid by Jerry Craft. It is well-written and the illustrations help tell the story instead of detract from it (which I feel happens with many graphic novels). In New Kid, Craft covers some themes many students will be able to relate to - changing schools and trying to fit in, pressure from parents, racial stereotyping, and just growing up in general. Seventh-grader, Jordan Banks is the the protagonist of the story, and he loves to draw so much so, that he would like to attend art school. His mother, however, wants him to attend Riverdale Academy Day School which is upscale and prestigious. Jordan must adjust to a much larger school, new friends, and friends who come from money, not to mention, he is one of only a few students of color at the campus. Don't let the fun illustrations fool you, this book is deeper than you might think upon first glance. Approximate Reading Level - The reading level would be appropriate for grades 3rd-6th; however, I think the content will be most relatable for students grades 5th - 8th. ![]() "Stick" is the nickname for talented, wide receiver Brett Patterson who both loves and hates football. Stick loves playing football but hates what it has become which is all about winning and not the love of the game. He is pressured by his coach and his father to be the best and he ends up quitting the team with a little advice from his quirky new friend Preston. But don't worry, things work out by the end of the book. Although this book is about football, it has a lot of layers and weaves in some lessons about acceptance, perseverance, making the right choices, standing up to bullies, and overcoming addiction. I ended up really enjoying this book and think students will as well. I will warn that there is quite a bit of profanity within the text and some abusive scenes as well as underage drinking and alcoholism, so make sure you are ready to encounter these throughout the pages. Approximate Reading Level - The reading level is probably close to 7th grade and up, but because of some of the language and content, I would steer it more towards high school students. ![]() Jude, a young Syrian girl, must leave her homeland and travel with her mother an unborn sister to Cincinnati to stay with family due to the turmoil in her hometown in Syria. Jude leaves behind her father and older brother. Other Words for Home tells Jude's story through poignantly written verse. Throughout the verses the reader discovers Jude's struggles with trying to fit in to middle school in America while also trying to hold fast to her family and heritage. Jude worries about her older brother and father back home and encounters racism when their is a terrorist attack on U.S. soil, and she must choose whether to wear her hijab or not when she becomes a woman. The book tells a story that students of varying nationalities and ethnic backgrounds can relate to. Approximate Reading Level - Grades 5th-7th ![]() In this novel which is reminiscent of Rick Riordan's mythology-based novels, Charlie Hernandez discovers some family secrets that lead him to his role in Latin American myths. Charlie's abuela raised him on Latin mythologies from Central and South American, and he has always loved them as stories, but over the course of this novel, Charlie learns that the monsters he loved learning about are true. Charlie has to use the knowledge his abuela gave him of these myths and monsters to save himself and his family. This is a fun book with an action-packed storyline. I enjoyed the Spanish words interspersed within the story as they add to the authenticity of the story and help build Charlie's character. This book is the first in a series. Some of the monster's Charlie faces are a little creepy, so be advised! Approximate Reading Level - Grades 5th-8th ![]() I enjoyed this book much more than I had anticipated. Mian does a wonderful job developing Omar as a likable and relatable character. Told from Omar's perspective, the reader follows Omar as he works to fit in at his new school and in his new neighborhood. Students will enjoy the humor and fun illustrations throughout the story. Omar has a great sense of humor and a creative imagination which makes the storyline engaging; however, there are some serious themes in the book as well as Omar struggles with prejudice from others due to his family being Muslim. Mian does a fabulous job of including Muslim culture throughout the book to lend some authenticity to the storyline and characters and to teach non-Muslim readers about some basic Muslim beliefs and culture. Overall, I think students will enjoy this book which is the first in a three book series about Omar. Approximate Reading Level - Grades 3rd-5th (I think it would also be suitable for some 6th graders as well) ![]() In this delightful picture book, Julian loves mermaids and dreams of becoming one. After he sees a group of women dressed as mermaids, Julian pulls some ferns off a plant and ties a curtain around his waist. When his abuela finds him, instead of fussing at him, she embraces him and takes him to see some others dressed in fantastical mermaid and sea creature costumes. This is a lovely story of love and acceptance, and it is absolutely enhanced by the beautiful and fanciful illustrations. There are more illustrations than text, and I think students will enjoy looking at the beautiful illustrations. Approximate Reading Level - Kindergarten-2nd grade (there is no heavy LGBTQ+ stance in this book; this story could help introduce a discussion on gender norms) ![]() Jocelyn Wu has to figure out a way to save her family's Chinese restaurant from impending bankruptcy if she does not want her family to move. She devises a plan to save the restaurant and gets her dad's approval. The first step is to hire someone to assist her. Enter Will Domenici who is hired to assist with their social media marketing, website development, and anything else that needs to be done. Jocelyn and Will hit it off and develop feelings for each other. Everything seems to going well until Will's anxiety and Jocelyn's depression get in the way. This is my Brain on Love is narrated from Jocelyn and Will's perspectives so the reader gets to see how each of the characters deal with their mental illness. Both characters are caring, intelligent, and a little quirky, but they find a common spirit in the other. The characters seem a little more mature than a many of the high schoolers I have encountered, but they are still believable, and I think students will be able to relate to them and find them endearing. The storyline includes some problem-solving, some fun, and a little romance. There are some cuss words interspersed and some light sexual talk, so be forewarned for those of you who might be concerned. Approximate Reading Level: 7th-9th grade (the content would be enjoyed at higher grade levels as well). ![]() The Parker Inheritance was recommended to me by a former colleague, and I am quite glad she recommended it to me because I always have students ask me for mystery recommendations, and I just rarely read mystery books. The protagonist of the story is a young Black girl named Candice who works with her friend Brandon to solve a mystery involving her grandmother. As Candice works to solve her grandmother's mystery she encounters historical information and racism. The plot line bounces from current times to the 1950s seamlessly as the reader learns what is happening with Candice as well as what happened with her grandmother. Students who like a mystery and historical fiction will love this book. There are some discussions of racism in the book as well as a character who is LGBTQ+. Approximate Reading Level: 4th-6th grade |
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