Smile
Telgemeier, R. (2010). Smile. New York, NY : Scholastic.
Summary :
In this autobiographical graphic novel, Raina Telgemeier tells the story of when she was in middle school and knocked out her two front teeth. The event of course had an impact on her, since she was at an age where she was struggling to define who she was and find out who her real friends were. The book takes us on a journey of her getting ready for braces, wearing headgear, etc., all while she has to deal with the drama that accompanies adolescence. In the end, she realizes all the lessons that she has learned and how the whole horrible event made her grow as a person, something she had not expected!
Commentary :
As in her other books, the author has created with Smile a graphic novel that young adult readers will not want to put down. I think the best part of the novel is that a youthful protagonist is created who students will identify with. The struggles that she goes through in her adolescence, such as worrying about how the braces will make her feel and what they will make others think about her, are struggles that many a young reader may also face. The comic book style pictures and humor that is intertwined throughout make it a quick read, and could draw in those reluctant or struggling readers who have a hard time picking a book or series that they like.
Connections :
Other books by Raina Telgemeier :
Drama
Sisters
Ghosts
Ghosts
The Babysitters Club series
Comics Squad Recess
Textbook Connections :
This book fits the slide perfectly in the Graphic Novels powerpoint that talks about how “Graphic Novels Promote Literacy.” It would be a great motivation for those students who LOVE to read comic books, but need a book with a little more depth and complexity. Readers can also see the mood and tone that is being created in the book as Raina goes through her struggles of trying to fit in. Finally, it contains all the elements of literature, such as character development and plot.
Love in the Time of Global Warming
Block, F.L. (2013). Love in the time of global warming. New York, NY : Henry Holt and Company.
Summary :
This post-apocalyptic novel features the heroine of Pan, who has lost all that she has held dear, as well as her hometown of Los Angeles, in an “Earth Shaker.” She must pick up the pieces in order to find out if her family is still alive, so she begins a journey through the ruins that are now the world. Joined by friends she meets along the way, she encounters dangers such as giants and a man out for revenge, as she struggles to find answers. In the end, you find out all that she has love and lost in the process.
Commentary :
The book is set up in a neat way that mirrors Homer’s The Odyssey. In Pen, Block does a wonderful job of developing a character who is forced to become independent and more grown up because of her circumstances, but also retains some of her youthful qualities. The other characters such as Hex, Ez and Ash add to the storyline and are pivotal to its outcome. You go with her on a journey as she learns more about herself, but then are left wanting to know what happens next at the end of the story. It definitely makes the reader want to rush to check out The Island of Excess Love.
Connections :
YouTube trailer for Book
The Island of Excess Love is the sequel to this book.
Textbook Connections :
The fantasy/science fictional aspects of this story grew slowly and more and more events happened as the story developed. Though you knew Pen lived in a fictional world, you rooted for her just the same and waited to see what fantastical creature/circumstance she was going to run into next. The underlying theme of love and finding it in the midst of destruction and chaos is one that readers can connect to other aspects of their lives.
Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top 10 (2017)
Drowned City : Hurricane Katrina & New Orleans
Brown, D. (2017). Drowned city : Hurricane Katrina & New Orleans. NY : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Summary :
This historical graphic novel chronicles the events leading up to Hurricane Katrina and the disasters that happened after in the city of New Orleans. The humanity that resulted from the hurricane is highlighted, and you learn about the rescue workers who risked their lives by going through disease and snake infested waters to save those who stayed behind. But you also learn about the negative side of the hurricane, as people looted businesses, lived in filth in the SuperDome and didn’t receive proper care from FEMA and the federal government. Even today, the city is not back to what it once was before the disaster, and it probably never will be again.
Commentary :
The title of this book, Drowned City, speaks volumes. What a fascinating account of one of the worst events in American history! Through dull tones and colors which mirror the situation, Don Brown portrays the timeline leading up to and after the landfall of Hurricane Katrina in a graphic novel format. Though the time period of the hurricane was so short, the novel and its style give it depth and complexity, and make the reader feel for everyone involved. It leaves you questioning the way that everything was handled by the federal government, its agencies and the state of Louisiana, but also the choices made by those who chose to stay behind.
Connections :
Other books on Hurricane Katrina
Over in the Wetlands : A-Hurricane-on-the-Bayou Story by Caroline Rose
A Storm Called Katrina by Myron Uhlberg
Two Bobbies : A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival by Kirby Larson
Eight Dolphins of Katrina : A True Tale of Survival by Janet Coleman
Marvelous Cornelius by Phil Bildner
A Place Where Hurricanes Happen by Renee Watson
What Was Hurricane Katrina? By Robin Koontz
Another Kind of Hurricane by Tamara Smith
Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere by Julie T. Lamana
Hurricane Song by Paul Volponi
Zane and the Hurricane by Rodman Philbrick
Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink
Textbook Connections :
This novel would be great integrated in the curriculum in various subject areas, as talked about on one of the slides of the Graphic Novels powerpoint. In science, you could talk about hurricanes, their development and the destruction they leave behind. For social studies, it would be a great accompaniment to the text about the events of Hurricane Katrina, and may help some of those lower readers understand better. Finally in art, it would be great to study the choices of color that Brown made and the tools/media he used to produce the book!
Turtles All the Way Down
Green, J. (2017). Turtles all the way down. NY : Dutton Books.
Summary :
Bestselling author John Green’s latest work is sure to follow in the footsteps of his previous novels, as he has once again given us a main character to identify with in sixteen year old Aza. The book opens with the disappearance of a famed billionaire, who seems to have skipped town right before he was to be indicted. Aza and her friend Daisy decide to look for clues, and in turn Aza renews her friendship with her childhood friend Davis, who just happens to be the billionaire’s son. The reader learns that Aza has some secrets of her own, and struggles with an anxiety disorder that seems to control her at every turn and dictate her relationships. In the end Aza learns the values of real friendship and love.
Commentary :
Anxiety is such a hot topic these days, as it is seen more and more in public schools, resulting from such things as peer pressure, body image issues and standardized testing. In Aza, Green has created a character who so many young readers can identify with, as she mirrors contemporary issues. Though she is independent, she still struggles with so much in her life and is trying to find where she belongs and what roles should define her. The plot and characters in the story are developed and keeps readers entertained as it leads up to it’s climax and resolution.
Connections :
John Green discusses his new book on Good Morning America :
Textbook Connections :
I think the most moving part of this story is how the topic of anxiety can relate to modern readers. Schools struggle these days to reach and help children with anxiety before they lose themselves in it, and more books like this would be welcome. It was also a good move on Green’s part to include the Star Wars connections through Daisy, and the popularity of the movie will bring in more readers.
Printz Award (2016)
March : Book Three
Lewis, J., Ayon, A. & Powell, N. (2016). March : Book three. GA : Top Shelf Productions.
Summary :
This award winning historical graphic novel is the last book in a trilogy. Written by John Lewis, it tells more about his involvement in the Civil Rights movement, starting with the bombing of the church in Birmingham in 1963. The events of the movement come to life through the pictures, and he chronicles such happenings as the Freedom Act and the struggles of African Americans to vote in the South. Though those who participated in the movement were applauded for their non-violent demonstrations, Lewis also tells how that was a part of much contention, and ultimately lead to some great divides. The book ends with the march across the bridge in Selma, a turning point in the fight for civil rights in America.
Commentary :
I have read a couple of accounts of the events in this book in the past, but this was the first one in graphic novel format. The black and white images added to the mood and tone of the story, as well as the style in which the illustrator drew the pictures. The first hand accounts of the events of the Civil Rights movement added a depth and complexity that gives readers a new point of view on the whole movement. Even though the positives of the movement were highlighted, it was also nice to see the negatives as well, and the honesty in which they were portrayed by the authors.
Connections :
Teaching points : Compare and contrast this book to other books on the topic, such as The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis, and Birmingham, 1963 by Carole Boston Weatherford.
Textbook Connections :
John Lewis was a central figure in the Civil Rights movement, and he gives this book it’s credibility. Though they are from his opinions and version of things, they seem to be based on fact and the true events of what went on during that time period. The use of visuals almost add another character to the story, and the book would have lost a lot of it’s flair if it was just a regular autobiography.
Goodbye Stranger
Stead, R. (2015). Goodbye stranger. NY : Wendy Lamb Books.
Summary :
Goodbye Stranger begins with the accident of a young girl when she is roller skating, and how that accident shapes who she becomes. We fast forward to Bridge’s 7th grade year, and she still struggles with overcoming the accident, but relies on her two best friends Emily and Tab. The girls have a bond that they never want to be broken, and pledge in the middle of the craziness of junior high never to fight. The book also intertwines chapters with letters written by Sherm, a boy who has caught Bridge’s eye, to his grandfather who has recently left the family, and an unnamed girl on Valentine’s Day, who you know has some sort of connection to the rest of the story!
Commentary :
Goodbye Stranger produces a protagonist in Bridge who is growing up during the rough years of adolescence. She has to learn how to navigate her relationships with friends, family and potential boyfriends amidst the anxieties she has over her accident. As the story continues, you see her grow to be more independent and she comes to a new understanding of what she can learn from her accident. The way the author also uses the chapters to talk about Sherm’s relationship with his grandfather, and Celeste’s journey (though you don’t know it is her until the end), add another element to the story that is new and unique.
Connections :
Website for Rebecca Stead http://www.rebeccasteadbooks.com/index2.html
Textbook Connections :
Like a lot of the other realistic fiction books I have read, this book portrayed a believable character whose struggles readers can identify with. Her journey and learning to define herself apart from her accident can strike a chord with many a reader. The themes of friendship and overcoming adversity would be good ones to address with young adults.
Outstanding Books for the College Bound (2013)
The Notorious Benedict Arnold
Sheinkin, S. (2010). The notorious Benedict Arnold. NY : Roaring Book Press.
Summary :
This biography delves into many aspects of Benedict Arnold’s life that have not been written about before. It starts with his difficult childhood and the challenges he endured being the child of an alcoholic father. You then learn about his rise to power in the Revolutionary War, and the bravery he showed in many battles, which labeled him somewhat of a war hero. His anger and lack of restraint led to his fall, and he made decisions that made many question his moral character and leadership qualities. Ultimately his final decision to conspire with the enemy made him the traitor he is known for in the history books!
Commentary :
I enjoyed this book immensely, as I have Steve Sheinkin other books. It reads so much like a narrative and not just a timeline of events. He does a great job of intertwining literary elements into the story of Benedict Arnold. There is of course Benedict, who starts out as the protagonist in the story and soons becomes an antagonist. Both his character and those of others such as George Washington are developed, and you learn more about them then you probably did before. The suspenseful mood and tone of such events as the British chasing Arnold’s ships keeps you on the edge of your seat, and you can’t wait to see what will happen next!
Connections :
Steve Sheinkin lectures on his book, The Notorious Benedict Arnold
Textbook Connections :
I think with this book the author’s purpose was to tell the reader more about Benedict Arnold’s life than they may have learned about before. At the beginning you feel sympathy for him and all the struggles he endures, and then shake your head when his anger and impulsivity cause him to make the wrong choices and decisions. The author does a great job in creating a character readers feel like they can root for. Like in other works, it is evident that Sheinkin has done his research, and he documents the sources of the quotes, etc. that he found in the back of the book.
Ask the Passengers
King, A.S. (2013). Ask the passengers. NY : Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Summary :
Astrid is a girl who feels lost and has no one to turn to in order to confide her deepest darkest secret. Her relationship with her parents in contentious, and she feels like her sister is the sibling who is cared for the most. She has friends, but they harbor secrets of their own. So she has developed a habit of “talking” to the passengers in the planes that pass in the sky. Instead of giving her love to those around her, she sends it up to them. The reader learns of her struggle to tell others she may have found real love with a girl, and the confusion she feels over that. When things begin to unravel and secrets spill out, she must make decisions that will affect her and ultimately her relationships with those around her.
Commentary :
A moving book that is similar to others such as Annie on My Mind. The inner conflict that Astrid feels over whether or not she is gay is one that some young adult girls may be able to connect with, because it is their struggle as well. The events in the story are believable and could really happen in today’s society, such as the stigma that surrounds homosexuality that she felt in her school and in her own family. The author’s use of the airplane and the additional characters of the passengers gives the novel another element that is unique and adds much to the storyline.
Connections :
Awards for Ask the Passengers
- ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults (2013)
- Walden Award (2013)
- Publishers Weekly Best YA Book (2012)
- School Library Journal Best Book (2012)
- Kirkus Reviews Best YA Book (2012)
- Library Journal Best YA for Adults Book (2012)
- BookPage Best Children's Book (2012)
- Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Young Adult Literature Winner (2012)
- Los Angeles Public Library Best Teen Book (2012)
- Lambda Literary Award Finalist (2012)
Textbook Connections :
The theme of this novel, which could be seen as never stop looking for “real love,” is true on so many levels. It emerges naturally from the story, and the reader really needs to look at the novel as a whole to see it’s scope. The majority of the characters in the story were on the quest for real love, even though what they wanted wasn’t what most of society wanted them to have.
The Marbury Lens
Smith, A. (2012). The Marbury Lens. NY : Square Fish
Summary :
As a result of a bad decision, Jack is kidnapped, an event which haunts him throughout this book. He thinks that he can get away from it all on a trip to London, but things go from bad to worse. In a weird set of circumstances he is given a pair of glasses which allows him to see into Marbury, an alternative universe type of reality where things seem eerily familiar. Once there he must fight for this survival and the survival of the friends he meets, and also decide what to do when his enemy turns out to be his friend. In the meantime, he is falling in love for the first time and trying to navigate that tricky territory amongst everything else that is happening in his life. At the end of the book, Jack’s life has been forever changed and he is uncertain about what the future may hold.
Commentary :
This science fiction novel was very engrossing with a complex storyline that kept surprising you at every turn. Andrew Smith does a great job of flushing out his characters and developing them fully for the reader. Jack is a youthful protagonist who is faced with an impossible situation, and he freaks out over it like so many adolescents would. You feel his inner struggles, especially when he realizes that Conner is trying to kill him, and he is trying to distinguish between truth and reality. The conflict and plot are very suspenseful, and lend themselves very easily to a movie script!
Connections :
A few of the other books by Andrew Smith :
Grasshopper Jungle
Winger
The Alex Crow
100 Sideways Miles
Ghost Medicine
Stand-Off
Stick : A Novel
Passenger
Textbook Connections :
One of the criteria of science fiction books is that they explore universal truths. The bond of friendship is one that was explored here, with Jack and Conner but also with Jack, Ben and Griffin. The bonds of friendship are hard to break, but they can definitely be tested. Another universal truth brought up was what trauma and do to our minds and our bodies. When someone is faced with a traumatic experience it changes them forever. Sometimes they are able to move on from it and sometimes they are not. In The Marbury Lens, Jack was kidnapped and almost raped by Freddie, and it dictated many of the things that he did and thought of for the rest of the book. The event was not something he felt he would ever be able to get away from.
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