Please post on your choice of reading in this category. Remember, you are reading like a media specialist, so it is not about your personal likes and dislikes. Include in your post:
a. Audience for whom the book is written
b. Audience to whom it will appeal (might differ from a.)
c. Particular strengths of the book
d. Particular weaknesses of the book
e. Any special considerations (artwork, curriculum links, community values, beliefs espoused, etc)
f. And, in the School Library Journal’s format: Your verdict, supported with details
No plot summaries and no spoilers, please. Failure to follow that rule will result in revocation of your authoring rights, guaranteed!!
CROSSOVER, by Kwame Alexander (2014) is a Newbery winning book written for middle grade to middle school students. Although the topic is basketball, one of the strengths of this book is that it addresses things other than basketball, such as relationships, family bonds, and the angst of living through high school. I was hard pressed to find weaknesses in this book as it does such an excellent job creating a sense of story by only using poetry. When I was finished, I actually forgot it was in the poetry genre because I had found myself so taken with the story. Through poetry, the author was able to create a sense of setting, pacing, and develop characters. VERDICT: A must have in any middle school or high school library as it will appeal to a broad audience looking for a fast paced read.
ReplyDeleteI agree Joan, this book is so well written you forget it's prose! This is a hard one to keep on the shelf; I think it's appropriate for 4th grade and up and certainly middle and high school as you described. It has also been turned into a graphic novel.
DeleteThe Black Flamingo by Dean Atta
ReplyDelete“Don’t come out because you think society expects you to. Come out for yourself. Come out to yourself.” The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta is a story about Michael who is coming to terms with being a mixed-race, gay man in the United Kingdom. Written through poetic verse Michael is faced with a number of challenges in accepting who he really is.
This book hits on a number of different topics, such as racism, gender identity, homophobia, and sexuality and does so in a beautiful way. Throughout the book there is a number of references to sexual intercourse, alcohol, and drug use. Due to the topics and some references throughout the text this book is best fit for high school students; especially those who may be coming to terms with their sexuality. One of the biggest strengths of this book is how these heavy topics are written in a way in which a number of students will be able to relate and reflect. Dean Atta takes these deep issues and embeds them throughout loving moments. The biggest weakness of this book is that some readers may be turned off by the poetic nature.
Verdict: This book takes challenging topics and weaves them into a loving story that will inspire people to be true to themselves and embrace their inner flamingo. This is a fast-paced book that is a must have in all high school libraries.
Hi Andrea, I read this too and loved it! I think Atta did a wonderful job showing the inner/outer conflicts of a mixed-race person and trying to figure out where they "fit in." I think this is done especially well when families are divided--if you are growing up primarily with one race, will you identify more with that? Not necessarily. I think it is especially difficult if the family you grow up with is primarily white and you don't look white so you get stuck between this world of, am I white or am I black? Can you be both? Atta really explored these topics so well. And to throw in there homosexuality on top of it... I noticed that this book had been added to an order list for my middle school and after reading it I emailed the LMS coordinator and said "um, you might want to take this off the list" for the reasons you listed, I definitely think this is for high school students.
DeleteTitlewave has this book listed as YA. Some of the tags include: LGBTQIA+, Multicultural, Novels in Verse, Realistic Fiction.
DeleteThe Poet X
ReplyDelete“Unhide-able” is one of the first poems in this book, and it is a term that serves as an apt description for the everything that is to come in the story. Protagonist Xiorama views herself as someone who stands out no matter the crowd, due to any number of reasons: her height, her skin, her voice. And while there have been times Xio wishes she could blend in, her tale is one of learning to embrace the qualities that make her special and worthy of standing out.
Xio’s story, told entirely in verse, addresses issues familiar to many teens her age. She has a somewhat dysfunctional family, in which her mother and father have a hard time getting along and her twin brother is hiding secrets out of fear of rejection. She is seeing changes in her relationships with once-close friends and potential love interests. After growing up very religious she is starting to question her faith. And through it all, Xio is trying to find a way to express everything. This book is reaching out to a teenage audience who can identify with any of these circumstances in their own lives. Author Elizabeth Acevado offers a strong, unapologetic depiction of a mixed-race young woman in Xio, and no doubt will succeed in appealing directly to readers who also identify in this way.
The poetry in the book is wonderful and powerful. Readers are made to feel as if in Xio’s poetry, they are reading her diary, and the poetry feels that confessional. Xio’s poetry blends Spanish and English in a reflection of her mixed heritage, which adds another unique element to her writing. Xio is willing to get very personal, describing her fights with her mother, rejection by her crush, and the sometimes impossible cultural expectations set on her. The vulnerability within Xio’s writing, her refusal to hide away from any of it, becomes her story’s greatest strength.
VERDICT: A soul-bearing story of a young woman grappling with her place in the world and succeeding in finding it through poetry, art, and expression; a testament to the strength that comes from vulnerability, and the sense of self that comes from change.
I think you captured the essence of this book well. It is honest and the pages make you feel like you are reading someone's diary. I love the first line of the book: "The summer is made for stoop-sitting," preferably with a book in hand!
DeleteEmily,
ReplyDeleteI just finished this book this past weekend and I really enjoyed it. It has so many layers that I feel the need to reread it to fully comprehend all the themes and issues it discusses. I really honed in on the theme of coming to terms with your own sexuality found in several characters throughout the book. I did find the spanish parts a little troublesome as a reader as I would pull out a translator app to figure out what she was saying. I couldn't wait for the translation to occur in the book.
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
ReplyDeleteGr 5-9. Basketball is the uniting force for junior high twins Josh and Jordan along with their father a former European basketball league champion player. But don’t think that basketball is the focus of the family the twin’s mother is a character to be reckoned with and also happens to be the boy’s assistant principal. The boys must balance academic success with success on the court. However, things beginning to change as the season unfolds and priorities change for Jordan. Josh struggles to accept these changes and feels abandoned by those he was closest to and begins to act out. Josh’s action impacts both the family dynamics and the twin’s ability to play ball together. Will the twins reunite to restore the family relationships as well as their prowess on the court? Written in free verse incorporating a variety of poetic styles from rap to jazz, to vocabulary definitions this engaging story captures your imagination. As fast paced as the game itself the author’s mixing of vivid portrayals of the characters through their reactions to the events of the story keeps you turning the page. The Crossover will appeal to readers especially boys who love sports, have in interest in music and your reluctant readers.
Verdict: This is a must have book for both elementary and middle school libraries. It would make a great read aloud and will appeal to a variety of readers including those who struggle to find a good fit book.
Agreed! It's a must have for sure! Do you think you will read the companion novel, Booked?
DeleteIt is on my list. He needs to write one about hockey!
Delete“The Black Flamingo” is the title of the story about protagonist Michael’s life and his search for his identity, and it is also the name of his alter ego, a drag performer persona that he meticulously crafts throughout the course of these pages. It is a long, arduous journey for Michael to realize himself as the flashy, proud person that he is, because in the beginning, he is held back by many fears and frustrations: confusion over his mixed racial makeup, a rough reputation after getting expelled from school for fighting over his attempts to express himself through song and dance, and judgement from others about his sexuality. It isn’t until college when Michael joins the university’s Drag Society and begins to reconcile who he is and who he may become.
ReplyDeleteThis book is written for audiences 12 and up, as it features some explicit discussion of sex and involves characters mostly finishing up their high school years and heading off to college. It will appeal to readers in that age group and considering their own futures in such terms. It also will speak personally to readers facing questions about their sexuality, their race, and trying to find a way to understand the convergence of all these things. Author Dean Atta is a poet of Greek and Caribbean descent just like Michael, lends his own voices perspective to the conversation on race and identity, and crafts his story in such a way so as to appeal to and reflect these readers in particular.
The story is an unfiltered, uncensored look at the judgment and shame that can come from living outside the “norm” in terms of the way one looks or feels, both from others and from one’s self. One of its strengths is it does not shy away from Micahel’s moments questioning himself or messing up on his journey to accepting himself. It also depicts Micahel’s drag persona The Black Flamingo as a method of coping and understanding himself, offering a look at a creative outlet for expression. It is in some ways a love letter to drag, performance, poetry, and art as a whole.
The Black Flamingo won the Stonewall Book Award in 2020, which honors books for exceptional portrayal of LGBT+ characters.
VERDICT: A bold, unflinching portrayal of a young man coming to not only understand his identity but embellish it proudly, The Black Flamingo is a must for encouraging readers to lean into art and expression.
Good to note that this is an #ownvoices novel.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBefore the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson (2020) is written for grades 5-8. Before the Ever After is written in verse and is told by a young Zachariah Johnson Jr., ZJ as he is called. The plot revolves around ZJ's father's professional football career and his downfall from one too many blows to the head. ZJ recounts the caring and tender love his father gave as he now struggles with various medical conditions, including forgetting ZJ in pockets of bad moments. Before the Ever After weaves in themes of family, friendship, and football. This is a quick and easy read. VERDICT: This story puts a spin on the story of football in a real-world and curious way. Praise for Jacqueline for bringing to light the dark side of sports and their effect on a family.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to read this book and reflect upon how far we have come in understanding sports-related concussions. This won the Coretta Scott King Author Award.
DeleteOrdinary Hazards by Nikki Grimes is a memoir written in verse that follows the heartbreaking life of its author. The writing bounces between verses that move the story along and notebook entries from the author’s life.
ReplyDeleteThis book was written for a young adult audience ages 12-17. The mature content of this book makes me think that it will appeal to an older students or adults.
One of this book’s greatest strengths is its unapologetic look at the human experience. For readers who have experienced some of the same hardships as the author, they will cling to the knowledge that they are not alone walking through the fire. For readers who have not experienced the struggles that the author describes in this book the content will humble them. It will make you reflect on how lucky some people are.
One of this book’s weaknesses is how heavy the content is. It is the kind of book that sticks with you long after you close the cover for the last time. As you reflect on the abuse, trauma, cruelness, and ignorance faced by the author it gave me much the same feelings as reading Dave Pelzer’s novel, A Child Called “It”.
VERDICT – This heavy emotional tribute to the unbreakable human spirit is a book that will be checked out over and over again in your media center. Students will flock to this story about a girl who used writing as an outlet for her trauma.
One of these weeks I will figure out how to sign in before I post my blog entry. This one is mine!
DeleteI hadn't thought of connecting this book to A Child Called It, but I will agree with you that its content is heavy! I loved the poem "Library Card," quoted below:
DeleteA magic pass
I used to climb into
other people's skin
any old time
I needed.
(Grimes, 2019, p. 137)
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo is a contemporary teen novel written in verse about two girls with very different lives finding out they have one very important thing in common. Camino lives in the Dominican Republic and treasures every summer when her dad visits. Yahaira lives in New York City and she wonders why her dad goes to the Dominican Republic every year for the entire summer. Both girls are devastated when they find out their dad has died in a plane crash. After his death, they both discover secrets that their father had been keeping- including each other.
ReplyDeleteThis book is written for young adults, but could appeal to adults as well, because there are many people that can relate to finding out a loved one had a surprising secret. It explores the many emotions that come with the grief of losing a parent and discovering new family. Readers will also be able to empathize with Camino and Yahaira as they find out their dad was not a perfect person, but indeed had many flaws.
VERDICT: Everyone should read everything Elizabeth Acevedo writes, and this book is no exception. This book will encourage readers to appreciate the precious things in life and should be in your secondary school library.
Here is Elizabeth Acevedo reading about mud from Clap When You Land: https://youtu.be/r9zwVipEhU0
DeleteThis sounds like an amazing read! I am definitely going to add this to my "to read" list! The mix of (gasp!) drama and serious themes like grief sound interesting. I think a novel in verse would really lend it's self to a two-sided story like this too.
DeleteI've read (and enjoyed) both Poet X and With the Fire on High! I didn't realize they were written by the same person (Elizabeth Acevedo) until now. Thanks for helping me make that connection XD
With a Star in My Hand by Margarita Engle
ReplyDeleteWritten for : Grades 7 and up. (the vocabulary and historical references are a good fit for that age group)
What better way to learn about a unique poet than in a story of his life in verse? With a Star in My Hand, is a novel celebrating the life of poet Ruben Dario(1867-1916). Dario has been credited with breaking the traditional rules of poetry and creating his own form, Modernismo. The novel begins with Ruben’s early childhood and follows him though his evolution as an artist and champion of the people. Engle shares in her notes at the end that the majority of the book is based off of the biography of Ruben Dario. Dario’s story is told in first person. We learn about his feelings of abandonment, anger, first love, discrimination, desire to travel and love of words through all experiences.
This is a fast read, with the titles of each verse providing a preview of what is to come. Written in first person makes the reader feel like they are experiencing Dario’s life right along with him, like a close friend.
The political and historical references provide challenges for those unfamiliar with history in the late 1800’s, especially in South America. The lack of background knowledge may make it difficult to follow or understand the struggles he had overcome.
Verdict: This book will take the reader back in time and to another world. The details shared will create excitement and hope for the power of one’s words. Engle share’s Dario’s wonder and excitement so clearly the reader will want to read his biography right after to learn even more about the poet.
Very interesting that this is a biography but written in first person! I think you will find that the mix of biography and poetry is a common occurance.
DeleteBeauty Mark: A Verse Novel of Marilyn Monroe by Carole Boston Weatherford
ReplyDeleteWritten for YA (9-12); I think it could work for mature middle school students grades 7&8.
"Everyone knows Marilyn Monroe. / But precious few know Norma Jeane." Weatherford tells an intimate, fictionalized story of Norma Jeane Mortenson, aka Marilyn Monroe. The story is told through first-person poems narrated by Norma. Although the tells of her rise to fame as the blond bombshell we all know and love, it is a deeper story that explores Norma Jeane's troubled youth in and out of foster homes and orphanages, teenage marriage, sexual abuse, her difficult relationship with her mother (paranoid schizophrenic), and her desire to have children. It tells the story of a woman who is lonely and can never quite find the love and acceptance she needs or wants, expect when she is in the spotlight, often controlled and underpaid by Hollywood studios. "Marilyn Monroe was their golden girl; / I was trapped inside her."
It is about a woman who puts on a show and hides behind the character she created, but desperately wants people to take her seriously and know that she is intelligent and cultured. Beauty Mark reads like Marilyn's private diary; revealing a tragic life that ended too soon.
VERDICT: It's telling that after 60 years since she died, people still continue to be fascinated and captivated by the mysterious Marilyn Monroe. I highly recommend this verse novel for anyone who is interested in old Hollywood and stardom. Would be a great addition to a high school collection, especially among young adults who have ever felt misunderstood, underestimated, or disrespected.
Hi Kim,
DeleteI was really interested in checking out this book after our discussion about it this week! I don't know much about Marilyn Monroe but I enjoy reading stories that offer a behind the scenes look at the lives of famous people, especially when they reveal the glamour is not all its cracked up to be. Last year I read a poetry collection by the pop singer Halsey called I Would Leave Me If I Could, and that had a similar vein of deconstructing the fabulous facade and showing the loneliness and insecurity that comes with fame. I also liked the book Daisy Jones & the Six, it is a sort of fictionalization of the story of Fleetwood Mac, and talked a lot about the trials of becoming famous and creating music and art. So there are a lot of books to check out in this category, I will have to add Beauty Mark to my list!
Hi Emily!
DeleteThanks for the additional recs! I think you will enjoy Beauty Mark--it was very interesting and a fast read, so even if you don't love it you don't have to worry that you lost too much time ha.
I love reading about the turmoil within Fleetwood Mac! I am not a mega fan or anything but I do enjoy their music and you can't look away from the their weird incestuous self-destruction. You might like the book Storms: My Life with Lindsey Buckingham and Fleetwood Mac. It is a very salacious, bias account from the then-girlfriend of Lindsay Buckingham (soon after his split from Stevie).
It is really interesting to see how some pop culture icons endure throughout time. I think the topic of this book will be of high interest to today's readers.
DeleteShout by Laurie Halse Andersen is a story about the author’s own life. Melinda is the main character in this story. Melinda had a very difficult childhood and then a boy she liked raped her. Melinda really struggled through the beginning of her high school life but slowly began to heal. Melinda continued her healing as an exchange student in Denmark.
ReplyDeleteThis book is at a 7th/8th grade reading level. Due to the content in this book I would even say I would recommend this to high schoolers.
A strength of the book was the fact this was a true story with real experiences that would let the reader know they are not alone.
A weakness is that the story was really hard to follow. It was a very slow read for me.
I has won the ALA award, the Young Readers Literature, and the Michael L Printz award.
Verdict: I would have this book on the shelf in a high school. This book gives readers that have experienced similar situations a feeling that they are not alone, because this is written from a true story.
Do you think this would pair well with Speak, or do you think the maturity levels of the books are too different?
DeleteThe Crossover by Kwame Alexander
ReplyDeleteGr 4-9--strengths … Josh Bell, A.K.A. “Filthy” is a star basketball player on his high school team. His whole family appears successful- his twin is also a star on the same basketball team, his mom is one of the school principals, and his father is a famous pro basketball player from Italy. As the book progresses, the reader learns not all is as it seems. His twin, Jordan, gets a girlfriend and distance grows between the close brothers. After an impulsive outburst, his mother benches Josh and he has to sit out of part of the basketball season. A mysterious condition becomes more and more evident in the father’s behaviour throughout the book. Although this book may initially draw in basketball fans, the book has a wide appeal and is not really about basketball. Themes of family expectations, loneliness, father-son relationships, twin/sibling relationships, and coming-of-age is told through the poetic metaphor of basketball. The book is filled with teachable and relatable poetic conventions (rhymes, alliteration, imagery, metaphor, concrete, and rhythm). This book has real and relatable language that will have a wide-appeal, beyond the typical sports fans. VERDICT A must-have book for all middle grade libraries. Fast-paced, visually appealing book in verse.. --- Jenna Stevens-Royer, 2021
This is really well stated: Although this book may initially draw in basketball fans, the book has a wide appeal and is not really about basketball.
ReplyDeleteThis book has many themes that have wide appeal.
October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard, by Leslea Newman, is written for ages 14 and up. This is also the audience to whom it would appeal: upper teens and adults.
ReplyDeleteOctober Mourning tells the story of the kidnapping and murder of Matthew Shepard in October of 1998 and some of the aftermath of that event. There has been argument over the years whether this was a hate crime or a drug deal gone bad. This book very much takes the stance that it was a hate crime, based on the story the two murderers gave police and during their trials. The events are relayed in a series of poems told from the perspectives of a variety of people, animals, and objects related this crime. Some of these include the fence Matthew was tied to, his cat, the murderers, various participants in their trials, and the candles from vigils that were held for Matthew.
Matthew was gay and was attending the University of Wyoming at the time of his death. Leslea Newman, the author of this book, is lesbian and was at the University of Wyoming the day Matthew died to be the keynote speaker for Gay Awareness Week events. Because of these connections to Matthew and being present to grieve with his community, Newman was deeply affected by this incident. This is a strength of the book, because her sorrow, grief, and anger are clearly felt throughout the story and her use of language is beautiful and powerful. I believe the book accomplished what Newman set out to do, which is to make the reader imagine the truly horrific things that Matthew, his family, his friends, and his community experienced. Many of the poems are accompanied by quotes from various reports and interviews. Each quote gives an idea of the inspiration for the poem that follows it and gives the whole thing a feeling of being grounded in reality, even while some of the poems themselves have a more dreamlike quality to the words.
October Mourning could be considered an own voices book, as Leslea Newman is LGBTQIA+ like Matthew was and she was connected with Matthew’s community mourning him. This book also received a considerable number of awards and recognitions. Notable among these are an ALA Stonewall Honor, a Starred Review from Booklist, and Best Fiction for Young Adults from the Young Adult Library Services Association.
VERDICT: A beautifully written and deeply emotional look at the impact this tragic event had on the community and the world, October Mourning would be an excellent addition to any library at the high school level or higher.
This sounds like a heavy book addressing an important topic.
DeleteBecoming Muhammad Ali, By James Patterson and Kwame Alexander
ReplyDeleteAre you a sports fan? Are you into novels or poems? If so, this novel is for you. Written by two amazing authors. James Patterson and Kwame Alexander do a knockout job telling the story of Cassius Clay and how he became one of the greatest boxing champions, Muhammad Ali! This book is a biographical book, that is written in verse. The writing style in the story paints a beautiful picture of what the characters would have felt during their times of struggle, all the pain and efforts, and the wins. But the best part explained in this story is how Cassius Clay was able to overcome the discrimination and racism that he faced when he was a small child. The authors do an amazing job telling the reader about each fight and who Cassius's opponents are when they fought, and the records of each fight. Cassius never gave up even when he lost, he constantly told people what he was going to accomplish and set forth a very successful career.
I would recommend this book for student's 4th grade and up. Student-athletes and those who love the sport of boxing would also fall in love with this novel. The strengths of this book are how the alternating sections of prose (Patterson) and free verse (Alexander) the novel imagines (but based on oral histories and interviews) the story of the young Muhammad Ali when he was growing up in segregated Louisville in the '40s and '50s. There is not a single thing that causes this book to have any weakness. It is a perfect book for a classroom read-aloud.
Verdict: Students grade 4th – 12 grades (athletes) will relate to the events that are happening in this book. Students may even feel comforted when they see that others have gone through similar struggles. I will be recommending this to my students and colleagues as this is a great book to teach students about perseverance.
I had to look this one up online Kortney because I had yet yet heard of it. What a dynamic duo: Patterson & Alexander! I'm looking forward to seeing what else is created through this partnership.
DeleteOther Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
ReplyDeleteDue to mounting political tension in Syria, 12-year old Jude moves with her mother to the United States, leaving behind her brother, father and friends. Adjusting to life in Cincinnati is difficult, and Jude faces discrimination, language barriers, and homesickness on top of the normal perils of middle school, such as crushes, cliques, grades, and musician auditions. However, as an aspiring movie-star, Jude claims her spotlight and creates a new home for herself, while simultaneously never forgetting her home in Syria.
The lyrical language of this novel-in-verse draws the reader in to Jude’s perspective and overflowing (yet not forced) wisdom.While in-verse, the language is straight-forward and fast-paced. Other Words for Home is partly an own voices story; while the author is a Muslim Middle Eastern American, she is not an immigrant like Jude. (The author explains more on this important difference in her afterword). At some parts, Jude comes across as almost too mature for her age, often sounding more like aN adult author than a middle schooler. The novel lacks an overall solid plot, as it focuses more on Jude’s emotions, readers catching only snippets of her life and train of thought.
This book was written for grades 4-8. I would agree that this is the target audience, although adults would enjoy and learn from the novel as well. This book is a must for elementary and middle school libraries. As an accessible and relatable introduction to topics of discrimination, refugees and immigration, Other Words for Home serves as both as a mirror and window for middle schoolers of all backgrounds.
You may also want to read Poet X if you haven't already.
DeleteBefore the Ever After, Grades 3 and up, is written in verse and told from the viewpoint of young Zachariah Johnson Jr., ZJ as he's called. The plot revolves around ZJ's father's professional football career and downfall from one too many blows to the head. Jacqueline Woodson brings to light the dark side of sports and the effect on a family.
ReplyDeleteZJ recounts the tender, caring, and significant moments between himself and his father yet struggles to deal with the new dad—the broken and hurting dad. He leans heavily on his true friends, not the ones who like him because he's a professional football player's son. The themes of football, friendship, and family weave together in this quick and easy read. Vertict: a gateway book for reluctant readers. Praise to Woodson for this truthful narrative.
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander is a story about basketball but also family, friendships, and figuring out how to fit in. This book was written for middle grades, however, I believe students as young as 3rd grade would enjoy it. I also think that it would serve a purpose in high school classrooms. As an adult reader, this was a quick read. There are many strengths to this novel. It is fun and appeals to readers, as it is sports themed. There are different styles of poetry used.
ReplyDeleteThe Crossover won the Newbery in 2015. This book is a great introduction to poetry and it is able to engage multiple types of readers.
Verdict: This book is a MUST HAVE in upper elementary and middle school classrooms. Though it was published more than 6 years ago, it is still a book that intrigues and engages readers.
~Zoe
Agreed! This book would be a great fit for 3rd grade and up, including HS students. I could never keep this one on the shelf and had to purchase an additional copy!
Delete