Unwind

Shusterman, N. (2009). Unwind. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Turning 13 years old can be rewarding and looks at as a privilege to some, like Lev. To some, like Conner, it can be scary and overwhelming, with the feeling of betrayal. Being selected to be unwound meant saying farewell to your family and friends and being sent off to be harvested for your organs. Conner wants nothing to do with it and breaks away, but now he is a fugitive. Through out the story, Conner what sees as rescuing a “tithe” where as the government thinks he is kidnapping. Surviving is all that Conner wants to do until he is eighteen years old, but staying undercover for that long will be a challenge.

Unwind presents a dystopian society that decides to unwind selected children on their thirteenth birthday to satisfy both the pro-choice and pro-life debates.  The contents of the novel deal with survival and horror. Teachers should be aware of individuals personal views before offering such a novel to them.

The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery

Sheinkin, S. (2012). The notorious Benedict Arnold: A true story of adventure, heroism, & treachery. New York: Square Fish. The first American traitor known has come to light in this historical novel. The biography reveals who Arnold and his impact on American history. Through first person journal entries, Arnold depicts what he endures as a traitor. What many do not know is how much of an American war hero he really is. 

This historical novel is appropriate for adolescent age 12 years old and up. This novel would be a great pair with U. S. History classes and students can compare historical events between the novel and textbooks. It could also be used as a reference when comparing events and individuals.  Students who like to read about history, this would be a great recommendation.

The Knife of Never Letting Go

Ness, P. (2008). The knife of never letting go. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.

The New World has been hit by the germ released by the Spackle, which has wiped out all of the women and half the men. Those remaining, as a result, are able to hear other people’s thoughts, as well as, animal’s thoughts. Through his journey, Todd, comes into contact with mental and physical trials through the swamps. When he comes upon silence. The silence he finds to be a girl who just landed in the New World. When Todd realizes he is infected with the germ, it is the girl who saves both of them. Taken to a new settlement, but escape to the most advance settlement in the New World that offer a could be cure for the noise. When the girl is harmed, Todd surrenders in order to help the girl.

This science fiction is ideal for adolescent 14 years old and up and offers insight to a dystopian society. This coming to terms with one’s identity is something that boys may find interesting with the continuous journey of escaping the germ.

I Hunt Killers

Lyga, B. (2012). I hunt killers. New York: Little, Brown.

Parents can be strange in one way or another, families can be dysfunctional in more ways than one, and some families are operated with a single parent. One could say that Jazz’s family is dysfunctional on a whole other level; his mother disappeared a long tie ago and his father is a serial killer and Jazz has witness his father’s famous work.  When bodies start to pile up, Jazz help the police look for someone else, a different serial killer besides his father, Jazz begins to secretly wonder, is he becoming his father? After all, his father did teach him how to kill without feeling remorse for the victims, especially women.

Lyga’s realistic novel portrays a severely dysfunctional family that causes the child to question things about his life and himself. Although the topic is horror, the story focuses more on the mental state of Jazz and the impact of living a serial killer for a father.

Male adolescents will like the psychological war that Jazz endures growing up, along with the mystery behind him and in his attempt to help the law.

Annie on My Mind

Garden, N. (2007). Annie on my mind. New York: Farrar, Straus, Giroux.

They first meet at a museum, immediately make a connection and exchange phone numbers. Liza attends a private school and is the school president. Annie on the other hand attends public school. When Liza doesn’t report her friend Sally piercing ears, she is punished with a week’s suspension. As their friendship blossoms, so do their feelings for one another. This story chronicles how Liza and Annie come to be partners in a society that does not accept same sex relationships and how they respond to it.

Annie on my mind is ideal for adolescents ages 12 and up. Students will read this realistic fiction and will identifying one’s sexual identity, tag along with the emotions from both characters, and learn to stand up for what they believe is right, even if it means others look down upon them or disagree with them. With what support that Annie and Liza have, they are able to establish their relationship and set an example for readers who struggle just like them.

Scowler

Kraus, D. (2013). Scowler. New York, NY: Ember.

The hand of his father just continues to come down harder and harder and he grows older.  Nineteen year old Ry even has a near death experience from the abuse.  Through the belittling events, Ry begins to refer to his father as the Monster.  Things begin to change when his father is imprisoned and a meteorite travels towards Earth. 

Scowler is meant for ages 16 years old and up. The protagonist suffers abuse from his father. As he ages, the abuse intensifies. Almost equivalent to Stephen King, Kraus presents a science fiction novel that is a horror story. Teachers should be aware and cautious when highlighting this book making sure they are aware of student’s level of scariness. Students could compare this novel to other sci-fi and complete a cross text analysis.