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Blog Assignment II- Book List

Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen

The Realm of Possibility by David Levithan

Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations by Alex and Brett Harris

I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World by Malala Yousafzai

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

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1) Romance- Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen

Reader's Response:

A. I can relate to this book because of the character of Juli. I've had many people misunderstand me like she was misunderstood. Juli put a lot of love and attention towards Bryce and it wasn't reciprocated, but she learned that she is worth more than that so she stopped giving him as much attention. Although she was young, Juli learned her self worth when it came to her relationship with Bryce and I find that really commendable.

B. This book agreed with my view of the world. Unfortunately, though, many people are not like Juli and will let people walk all over them. Juli's bravery and ability to stand up for herself at such a young age could definitely teach people to speak up for themselves because they deserve a lot better.

C. My opinions didn't really change due to this book but I really loved the perspective of the novel. It was told from the voice of young kids which gives the novel a completely different feel compared to older teens and young adult stories.

Justification:

I think this is a great romance book for any teen reader to love. It has a great "enemies" to lovers storyline and is told from younger kids' points of view, which gives a unique voice to the story. This story is witty, funny, emotional, and all emotions in between.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, I would highly recommend this book as well as the movie adaptation. This tells an amazing story of two kids just trying to figure out life and love at the same time. The writing is great for any age (teenagers and up) and will make you happy and sad and excited on every page.

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2) Poetry- The Realm of Possibility by David Levithan

Reader's Response:

To me and to potential readers of this book, these stories are so relatable because there are so many of them. Twenty stories, in fact. There is something in this book for everyone, even if it's just teens telling these stories. They are all told in different voices, different styles, different verses, making them each unique and distinct to each character. I love this book because there is a lesson in store for every reader out there.

Justification:

I have not read many poetry books, but I really loved this one. I think this is a great poetry book for teens who haven't read much poetry but would like to dive in. These poems are digestible and easy to read yet very well written and enjoyable. They contain personable stories that are written in verse so that teens can enjoy them just as they would enjoy prose.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, I would highly recommend this book, whether or not you enjoy poetry. Each character is beautifully written and tells their perspectively in a creative and emotional way. This book is once again great for teens who are skeptical about poetry because it's a digestible way to read verse.

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3) Christian- Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations by Alex and Brett Harris

Reader's Response:

A. I wouldn't say that this book applies to my own life. In the past, I was influenced by my parents' Christian beliefs and thought they were mine as well. But when I got older and was able to make my own spiritual decisions, I decided that it wasn't for me. I think this book encourages teens to find their own way through believing in God and Christianity at the same time, which is a very different approach to many Christian texts that I have come across.

B. This book definitely challenged my way of thinking about the world, specifically through the lens of Christianity. I have always been wary of Christians, specifically those who believe in Jesus and what he stands for but then guilt people into thinking they will go to hell for their "sins." But this book framed spirituality in an entirely new way that I hadn't seen before because it was written for teens.

C. Although this book did not change my perspective on the institution of religious itself, I am awfully surprised on how much I acquired from this book. I like how it is not like your average Christian book and reads more as a self-help book; encouraging readers to use the word of God and the book simply as guides and find their own way at the same time.

Justification:

Even if you are not Christian or align with Christian beliefs (like myself) I think you can take away some great guidance from this book, no matter what age. I think that the personal anecdotes bring personability to the book instead of being preachy as I have noticed a lot of religious texts are. I think that this book stands out amongst other Christian texts because it encourages individual autonomy as opposed to "blind following" and simply going along with a group because you think it's the right thing to do. I love that the book promotes choices and taking charge of your life through the guidance fo God.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, while I cannot personally relate to this text as it does not align with my spiritual beliefs, I think that this book would be a great one for Christian teens who would like some encouragement while they are going through tough transitions in their life. Spiritual guidance is very important for young people; some higher power or "guidebook" of sorts is something that a lot of people look to for help in the tough moments in life. This book seems like a great motivational, self-help text for kids who need answers to life's problems through religion.

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4) Biography or Autobiography- I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World by Malala Yousafzai

Reader's Response:

A. I do not think that I can personally relate to any of the specific, horrible things that Malala had gone through. She underwent violence, escaping a terrorist-controlled country, and negotiated peace at such a young age.

B. Malala's story did not necessarily challenge any of the views I currently hold, but it got me to know more details about the horrific things she went through and how that reflects on both her home country and the rest of the world.

C. I think that this book taught me and can teach many others about the power of young girls and women in a society designed to work against them. I think many people, myself included, can be inspired by Malala's story to stand up for themselves, their lives, their education.

Justification:

I love this autobiography. I had heard so much about Malala's story so I chose this book because I think it is so important to read her story and many others who have gone through similar things to her. This book will bring amazing perspective to teenagers' lives and help them learn things through Malala's lens of life.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Malala's story is incredibly heartfelt and inspiring and everyone should read her autobiography. I think that, as an American citizen, it is important to read stories like these to understand the vast amount of privileges that we have. Malala has undergone so much trauma and struggle and stands as an amazing figure for Pakistani women and women around the world who are struggling for their rights. As someone who hasn't undergone the struggles that Malala has, I can still learn so much from her: to keep fighting through no matter what.

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5) Fantasy/Sci-Fi: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Reader's Response:

A. I really relate to the character of Tris Prior and her journey through discovering where she belongs in her world. Her struggle to choose the right faction (or to stay with her family) can be applied to the idea that it's very difficult growing up trying to figure out what you should do with your life, especially if that decision will impact the rest of your life.

B. Although many aspects of this world are not realistic to our current state of the world, I think that the faction system can be comparable to our current society. Most careers and personalities can fit into these distinctions, such as bravery, intelligence, selflessness, and more. However, the beauty of our current world is that you can be a combination of all of these traits.

C. This story did not necessarily change any of my views of the world but it definitely opened my eyes to how much power the government could possibly have when it comes to controlling our lives. With the abundance of apocalyptic novels and stories where the government is overly controlling of its people has to stem from some sort of inspiration from real life. This sort of story could very well be our future, but it also inspires readers to ensure that they are being their best selves and showing who they truly are to the world.

Justification:

Divergent and its following books are amazing science fiction books for teens. The world building is incredibly imaginative and creative and the imagery jumps off of the page. The characters in the book are relatable, funny, emotional, and memorable for readers. There is both amazing action and heartfelt romance and relationships throughout this book and the series so it's perfect for any reader.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, I would recommend this series to anyone who is looking to get into Science Fiction or Fantasy books. If you like post-apocalyptic stories, this is the one for you. It paints an amazing story about how it is up to you to find out how you fit into the world, and you must take charge of your circumstances.

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6) Horror- Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Reader's Response:

A. I think the reason why I like this story so much, and why many other people like it, is because of the relatability to Coraline. While this movie includes some horror aspects that are unrealistic to real life, Coraline's experience in the other flat are very relatable. I think it's because I know what it's like to not feel like you belong somewhere. Also, the idea that you want to have the perfect life, the perfect family, especially as a child, is a feeling that I am not a stranger to.

B.I think an idea from this story that agrees with real life is that everything is not what it seems. Coraline felt that she was stepping into a seemingly perfect world, but then things started to unravel about this world that made it not so perfect.

C. I think this story taught me and can teach many others about how you should appreciate what you have and be grateful for your life. It's important, especially as an adult going through many struggles and transitions in life, to find small things to be grateful about.

Justification:

This book is great especially if you have seen the film adaptation. It is a great introduction into horror that is not too gory or horrifying. It's a digestible yet entertaining read for teens and young adults to enjoy that had great imagery and writing style that anyone would love. Although it's not as scary as the average gory, violent horror story, it will definitely leave you spooked and slightly creeped out.

Conclusion:

This is a great horror book for teens and young adults who may not love the horror genre. As someone who usually does not read horror stories, I really loved it! I think it pairs greatly with the movie and will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat, hoping that no one sews buttons on your eyes in your sleep.

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7) Mystery/Suspense- One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus

Reader's Response:

A-B (combining these because I do not really relate to this book on a personal level so much). I'm not sure if I can say that this book was as relatable as it was thrilling and entertaining, but I definitely see aspects of this book that are realistic in terms of the world around me. In high school, there were all of the typical tropes of students that we see in media; maybe they weren't as dramatized but they definitely existed. These included the athlete, the "nerd" or smart student, the "prom queen" or most popular girl in school, and of course the outcast. These existed at my high school, but I never felt that I fit into any of those tropes; I was kind of just there (which is completely okay with me, the less attention the better).

C. In my opinion, and compared to how I view the world, this is one of those stories that serves as entertainment for me, since I do not find it very relatable. But, I think it can serve as a lesson for others who are still in high school and are aware of the presence of bullying, cliques, and other "harmful" aspects of high school.

Justification:

This is not necessarily a book I would recommend for the classroom, but I would recommend it as an entertaining, emotional, thrilling book for teens and young adults to enjoy. This is a great book to introduce young readers to thrillers and mystery because it presents digestible tropes such as high school, as I mentioned above. The book is well written and the characters are just as amazing as the mystery itself.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, I would highly recommend this book! I'm not too into mystery and thriller novels, but this book made me want to read more of them. I love some good high school drama (I say as a graduate student) but this book is really well written and has an incredible plot and twist. This will surely leave you on the edge of your seat and you won't want to put it down until you figure out what really happened.

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8) LGBTQ+- Heartstopper by Alice Oseman (graphic novel series)

Reader's Response:

A. Not only does this graphic novel and the other ones in the series paint a beautiful picture (literally) of the struggle with sexuality and the beauty of figuring it our, but it also deals with mental health in a digestible manner for teens and adults. I found the aspects of the story where the main character, Charlie, struggles with anxiety and an eating disorder very relatable. While I have not been diagnosed, I have had similar struggles and reading his story made it feel like I wasn't alone.

B. This book pretty much agrees with my view of the world. There were references to Charlie being bullied by his classmates once he was outed at school, and I feel that these circumstances happen quite often, even though we have come a long way with acceptance of the LGBTQ community. Even for those who are not in school, hate crimes are far too common and can affect any LGBTQ individual, particularly those who are BIPOC.

C. I don't believe this book and its series really taught me anything new or changed my outlook on life. I find so much comfort in these books because they help me feel like I'm not alone in my struggle with mental health or sexuality. I also love these characters to death and seeing them happy makes me happy. For someone who doesn't think that mental health is a big deal (since there is still such a stigma around it), this can teach them that it affects some of the youngest people and can easily be hidden due to this stigma. We never know if someone is struggling so we should always check on the ones closest to us.

Justification:

As I mentioned before, I love this series because of how digestible the issues of sexuality and mental health are presented. I think a graphic novel is a great way for teens and young adults to be exposed to content like this. I feel that graphic novels do not get enough recognition and are not taken seriously by scholars and in education because they are seen as comics that are purely for entertainment. However, I feel that for students, these types of books can teach valuable lessons while giving amazing visuals through the illustrations.

Conclusion:

Whether you are young or older, these books are amazing for you to read. I think they are a great introduction into graphic novels, especially if you love traditional romance or coming-of-age novels. These characters will stick with you and you will definitely fall in love with them.

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9) Printz Winner or Printz Honor Books- I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

Reader's Response:

A. This is truly one of my favorite books because of how much I can relate to both of the main characters, Jude and Noah. Noah struggles a lot in his younger years with his identity, particularly his sexuality. I will admit that I have struggled with this aspect of my identity too, and although I am much older than Noah is in the book, it felt really comforting to see a character grappling with identity while growing up, undergoing various struggles as well. As for Jude, she struggles with figuring out what she wants to do in life, which I had a lot of issues with during my undergrad experience. Right up until my last semester of college, I had no idea what I truly wanted to do, and Jude's experience once again reassured me that it's okay to be confused about life; I am still young and have lots of time to figure it out.

B. In a lot of ways, this text agreed with the way that I view the world. I love books that are told in first person for this reason; you get to see exactly how certain character view the world and their own experiences, unbiased by a third person perspective. Like I said in the first bullet point, I really agreed and felt comfort in the struggle to find who you truly are through Noah and Jude.

C. I learned a lot from reading this book. Although these characters are much younger than I am now, I feel that the life lessons they learned can apply to me as well. The twins, Noah and Jude, were very close growing up as preteens but grew apart in their late teen years. Thus, they were "forced" to figure things out and grow up on their own, without their mother in their lives. This story taught me that sometimes, you can't rely on people to help you figure out every answer, but sometimes it's okay to ask for help.

Justification:

I chose this title for my blog because I feel that it's one of the best coming-of-age novels out there. The prose is funny and witty and emotional all at the same time. Jandy Nelson really knows how to write intriguing, relatable, heart-wrenching characters and plots. I like that this book shows the good, the bad, and the ugly of growing up, the emotional rollercoaster that loss and grief take on young minds, and how we grapple with romance and love at a young age.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, I think that everyone, from teens to adults, should read this book. It is so incredibly well-written and I couldn't put it down. Everyone who is either sure of their future and life where it is, or if they are figuring things out, will find joy and relatability in this novel. Five stars!

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10) National Book Award Winner- The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Reader Response:

A. There are a few obvious things that I relate to in this book, including the racial, spiritual, and gender issues that the main character, Xiomara, experiences throughout the book. But the main thing that drew me to enjoying this book so much is the fact that Xiomara has the amazing opportunity to share her passion and emotion through the discovery of slam poetry. I have always had many things to say but could never get the courage. This book has taught me to speak up for myself, especially in the face of adversity.

B. This book mainly agrees with my view of the world. The way that Xiomara grapples with her role in society as a women, struggling to find her identity under the male gaze, is almost painfully accurate for any woman in the real world.

C. One of the things in the book that actually challenged and perhaps changed my way of thinking is the aspects of religion. I have never really been religious myself, despite the fact that I have been surrounded by religion my whole life, but it never truly spoke to me. Xiomara's mother appeared to love God over her own daughter and this led to many circumstances where they clashed. While the "resolution" of their conflict felt inorganic and forced, I feel that even some of the most cruel people can change.

Justification:

I chose this title because I think it is an interesting take on a teen coming-of-age story. The fact that it is written in verse gives the story an intriguing twist that, although many people do not enjoy, I actually liked. I'm usually not the biggest fan of poetry (not that I don't love it, but I usually don't gravitate towards it), I feel that the themes of this story, through Xiomara's slam poetry and the other aspects of her life, are told beautifully in this way. Additionally, I really like the way that misogyny in our society is framed through Xiomara's experiences with her identity and changes in her body. These issues are extremely relevant in out society, where women's bodies are constantly policed and criticized under the male gaze and a white male-dominated world.

Conclusion:

This book should be on every high school teacher and librarian's shelves. It's an amazing poetry-style story about female identity and how the patriarchy affects our lives growing up. I would highly recommend this novel for anyone who is looking for inspiration to speak up for themselves as well as relatability in how Xiomara and the other female characters find their identity in the world.

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Blog Assignment I: Book List

It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny by Marilyn Sadler

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka

Pouch! by David Ezra Stein

My Tata’s Remedies by Toni Capin Rivera-Ashford

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Los Gatos Black on Halloween by Marisa Montes

Finding Winnie by Lindsay Mattick

Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary

Phoebe and Her Unicorn by Dana Simpson

A Tree for All Seasons by Robin Bernard

Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judy Barrett

Who Was William Shakespeare? by Celeste Mannis

In a Dark, Dark Room by Alvin Schwartz

Sunday Chicken by Patricia Polacco

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1) It’s Not Easy Being A Bunny by Marilyn Sadler

For my easy reader picture book, I chose It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny. This book is about a bunny named P.J. Funnybunny wishes not to be a bunny anymore, so he tries to hang out with other animals in order to try being like them. This story reminds me a lot of The Wizard of Oz in which P.J. tries to learn who he is by leaving what he knows and attempting to become someone else, but learns that he should love himself for who he is: a great bunny.

The illustrations in this book are both full page and just simply features along with the words on a white page. The drawings are fun and bright while also matching the style of the dialogue and words on each page.

I feel like kids will be able to connect to this book because at a young age, many kids are figuring out who they really are. They try to fit into certain groups and try having different kinds of friends, when in reality, finding who they are takes some looking within. Obviously children who read this book will not figure out exactly who they are after finishing this book, but it can help them realize that the person that they are or are evolving into is pretty amazing.

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2) The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka

For my Bluebonnet Award winning book, I chose The Stinky Cheese Man. This book is a hilarious retelling of classic fairy tales, with stories such as “Little Red Running Shorts,” “The Princess and the Bowling Ball,” and more. I think that these stories would be great to read in a classroom when learning about the structure of a story (i.e. exposition, conflict, etc.) while also enjoying the traditional fairy tail parodies.

The illustrations in this book are what make it so intriguing as well. The words also create illustrations as well, as they fall to the side and are shown crinkled on “paper.” The text is in various sizes and colors in order to emphasize certain words on the page. The way that the pictures are displayed on the page are different on every page (e.g. one page text, one page color; text at the bottom of the page; pictures surrounding the text, etc.).

I chose this book because I think children would love this book more than the original fairy tales they are based off of. When I was in elementary school, I would have love to read this book and because of how different and hilarious the stories are. My favorite was the Stinky Cheese Man because he reminded me of the Gingerbread Man story. While these stories don’t provide a ton of insight into the outside world for children, they are a fun and entertaining way for kids to learn about “traditional” fairy tales and how stories can be changed as they are retold.

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3) Pouch! by David Ezra Stein

For my Texas 2x2 Award Winner book, I chose Pouch. This is a story about a baby kangaroo who takes his first steps out of his mother’s pouch, experiencing the world for the first time. The kangaroo discovers new things and animals. The important part of the story is that his mother is never too far from him and will offer him support through his adventures.

I like how this book depicts the theme of family. This story shows that even when you move through life without the guidance of your parents, they can still be by your side through those big moves. Although this unfortunately is not the case with every child, this story can offer hope to those who feel scared about venturing into new things.

The illustrations in this book are simple but unique to Stein’s style. The watercolors contrast really nicely with the white borders around the pictures, making the illustrations pop off of the page. There are also pages that are full of color, which is also a contrast that catches the eye.

I chose this book because I think the themes would resonate greatly with young children, especially on the first day of school. Many children experience new changes in their life and are not sure what to do, or are scared of the unknown. Even we as adults experience this. But this book can help children learn that sometimes a little bravery can get you far in life and can show you so many new experiences and opportunities.

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4) My Tata’s Remedies by Roni Capin Rivera-Ashford

For my Tejas Star Award winning book, I chose My Tata’s Remedies. This is a picture book about a little boy named Aaron who asks his Tata to teach him about his homemade remedies for mental and physical healing. I really like that this book has a glossary at the end of the book explaining all of the remedies and various terminology used throughout the story, with accompanying pictures. This helps readers break down words and phrases they may not understand due to cultural differences or reading level.

The illustrations in this story are one of the most beautiful aspects of this story. They are both realistic and animated in the illustrator’s unique style. They accompany really well with the words on the page and bring them to life in a way that would not happen without them present in the book.

I chose this book because I think the traditional ways of indigenous Americans, specifically indigenous Latinx people, are not taught enough in schools (at least not in an accurate, culturally appreciative way). Indigenous people are usually depicted in American history as undergoing colonialism including disease and genocide. These are important topics to teach but I also think that children should learn about the ways that their culture should be celebrated. At home, this could be a great book for children to learn to actually make these remedies while still respecting the cultures of the people who created them.

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5) Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

For the Coretta Scott King Award winner, I chose Brown Girl Dreaming. This book is about the author, Jacqueline Woodson, and the events that she went through in her childhood. The book is in the form of poetry, where Woodson depicts her struggle living in two places at once, as well as her struggles as a black woman in the 60s and 70s. I like that this book is able to frame life in a post-Civil Rights era world from the perspective of a child who was directly living through this. I think that for children to read this, it makes the story and the events that unfolded during this time more digestible and understandable. Children can read Woodson’s verse knowing that she personally went through those struggles. They can understand how difficult it was for the author but can also be given hope that she came out of those struggles and became a successful writer.

I chose this book because I think that it is important for kids to be exposed to nonfiction stories, specifically concerning people of color and their experiences in our country’s history. Memoirs are rarely read in early school years, and this story is a great way for students to be exposed to biography style stories while also reading verse and poetry.