Better Late Than Never: Catching Up on This Year's Reading

Building relationships with my students has become a goal that I strive to achieve yearly. As I participated in Professional Development on Twitter last night and responded to questions and provided answers, I realized that I choose to build these relationships differently than my peers. We all have the same goal in the end, but we each go about it in our own manner. I, for instance, like to build my relationships with my students through literature. As a reader, seeing my students make a connection to a book or a piece of literature provides me with such joy. Knowing that my students are becoming captivated as they turn the pages conveys to me that they are experiencing life outside of their realities. I have come to appreciate YA literature these last few years, but have made a point this school year to focus more on YA, to make those connections with my students, strive to build better reading habits, and most importantly develop a passion for reading. 

This school year, I made it a point to focus on popular or newly released YA literature and have possibly been produced into a movie or series on Netflix. I have a rule in my home and my family is not very fond of it. You have to read the book first to watch the movie. With the list of YA fiction that I have read this school year, I have tried to catch up with watching movies or series. Some of the books were read the last 2 years, but I am just getting to the point of watching the movies. Some of the YA literature that I have read are not yet or are not movies. The YA novels listed below I read in either print, ebooks, or listened through audiobooks on our school district OverDrive. 

November 2016

December 2016

 

January 2017

February 2017

March 2017

April 2017

With the school year beginning its closure, my list of YA novels is continuously growing. I plan on spending my summer days reading, whether it is in the car, before bed, having my morning coffee, or any chance possible, I will have a YA novel at my finger tips print or electronic. 

Netflix: New YA Series

Recently, Netflix has come out with a series based on the YA novel, Thirteen Reasons Why. 

Since this series has broadcast, the conversations among my students has increased regarding people's actions and how one may impact another without realizing it. I have been surprised at the responses, varying from truly understanding the main character, Hannah, and the impact her peers had on her to those who acted like it was just another sitcom and didn't think much of the content of the novel or series. In a way, it hit a nerve knowing some of my students did not think the subject matter of teen suicide was a big deal or that their actions or words mattered towards others or that they left an impact on someone else whether they meant to or not. It was an eye opener as to how much they are aware of what and who is around them. Not much. With social media, self entitlement, and everything surrounding them, students are not aware or choose not to be aware of what is happening within our society and to those around them. 

I have seen students checking the book out from the library, putting their names on the waiting list or going out and personally purchasing the book to going to the local library to read it. 

Watching the series, the book is portrayed well. Although language can be harsh at some times, the story of Hannah and her suicide is conveyed to the audience in a true manner and students are able to relate. This series has provided many talking points these last few days and as myself, my students, and other teachers continue this series, the conversations and relationships can become stronger, more in depth, and even create a more emotional connection for many. 

Eleanor & Park

 Rowell, R. (2013). Eleanor & Park. New York: St. Martin's Griffin.
She is overweight and her looks stick our like a sore thumb. Becoming the new target at her new school, Eleanor endures harsh comments and is bullied by her peers. Park is half Korean and feels like an outsider. Eleanor's family is poor with no money, while Park's family is well off and comfortable financially. Their relationship began with minimal interactions, but soon led to a more in depth emotional journey. As each other's true first love, both Eleanor and Park navigate different lifestyles and become cautious as they become more involved with one another. Eleanor's stepdad is easily triggered with anger by Eleanor's actions and he throughs  a twist into end of the story that one would not expect.

This was my first audiobook that I had ever used. I was able to use my school district's Over Drive. I did not like the way this book ended. I found that I felt like I was left hanging. Although I liked the storyline, the way it came to a halt, just irritated me. I was expecting a different ending, more positive. I liked how different personalities were attracted to one another, but the thoughts and some quotes were depressing and harsh. Some of the situations were harsh as well. Such as a mother allowing her children to be around a man who is could be abusive and cause children to become fearful of behaviors or actions. 

This Girl: Slammed Trilogy #3

 Hoover, C. (2013). This girl: A novel. New York: Atria Paperback.
They have made it through the tough times, but find that more are to come. Told through Will's point of view, the audience is able to see why he acted certain ways, hear his regrets, and his story of why he was in the situation he was in when he first met Lake. Although it may be painful for him to bring those memories back to reality, Will knows that it will help Lake understand why he did what he did, as well as a few confessions. Now married, Will and Lake begin their journey in learning to deal with the past situations and move forward to a new future.

This final novel of the trilogy wraps up the storyline of Will's history and the marriage between Will and Lake. It brings closure to the story and the reader who I am sure questioned many things along the way. Although they went through trial after trial after trial, Will and Lake proved that their love for one another, although young, stood the tests that came in their way. Ultimately, their love for one another got them through the most difficult of times and brought them closer together, building a stronger relationship as husband and wife.

Point of Retreat: Slammed Trilogy #2

Hoover, C. (2012). Point of retreat: A novel. New York: Atria Paperback.  

Will and Lake's story of emotional turmoil continues as they struggle to keep their relationship in tacked. Will's past comes to light and puts a toll on their connection. They both go through a point that they separate to figure themselves out and what would be best for them. Should they retreat from one another and focus on themselves and their families or should they fight for the love they have for one another? 

After reading finishing Slammed and reading this within a day, I once again was pacing the house anxious as I needed to get to the next book. The loves story between the two is so captivating and intense that you cannot help but get emotionally involved. You cannot help but become angry at Will for his actions or talk to Lake for her thinking or actions as well. Yes, I talk to my books and the characters within them. I just want to crawl through the pages and talk (or scream) to them for their decisions at times. 

This book is the middle ground or midpoint in the relationship with Will and Lake. Although they want be together, retreating is always there for when things become to heated between the two; personally and emotionally.

Slammed Trilogy #1

 Hoover, C. (2012). Slammed: A novel. New York: Atria Paperback.

This is book one of three. Eighteen year old Lake and her family relocate after her father dies unexpectedly, from Texas to Michigan. It is there that she meets her neighbor, twenty one year old Will, across the street. While out on their first date, they attend a poetry slam. They both have younger brothers who like to play with one another and soon become best friends. They are around each other, you would think they were connected at the hip.  It is not until when Lake enrolls in school that her and Will's world comes to a halt. When it seems that Will is Lakes poetry teacher, turmoil begins. Both has to learn how to balance school and intense feelings before someone finds out. If someone did, Will could lose everything; his little brother, his home, his career, and have to drop out of college.  It is through the poetry that Will creates and assigns his students that he and Lake are able to communicate their true feelings for one another.

The moment I realized that Will was Lake's poetry teacher was a moment that I about lost it. I didn't have anyone to turn to to talk about it (typically the case) and I was about to go crazy! My husband could tell something was going on as I could not sit still while reading, had my eyes glued to the book while in the car, and saw the glow of the flashlight as I read in the middle of the night to early hours in the morning. He has gotten used to it. I became instantly hooked with this love story and was anxious throughout the events of all three books.

I have become such a HUGE fan of Colleen Hoover and every chance I get, I make sure to find a book. Typically, I get one at a time, but not in this case. I got all three. Knowing it was a series, I had to. It would have bothered me to much to wait and have to go back. This is not the first of Colleen Hoover that I have read. I cannot wait til more material is published to continue reading.

I didn't realize that The Advett Brothers was a real band. I got on YouTube and searched for them and instantly fell in love with their music. Listening to them, I became excited hearing the quotes from each chapter in their songs. So thank you Colleen Hoover for introducing me to a new band that I find I can connect to at times and feel not overwhelmed or edgy when listening to them. I am definitely keeping an eye out for tour dates. 

Glory O'Brien's History of the Future

King, A. S. (2015). Glory O'Brien's history of the future: A novel. New York, NY: Hachette Book Group. Life has not been ideal for Glory. Her mother committed suicide when she was four and wonders if her end would be the same. As graduation approaches, she does not have a plan of what life will hold after that.  Until one night things changed for Glory, visions, the power, to see people pasts and future. Overwhelmed with the visions, Glory is scared of what the future will bring; power and greed in many ways. While making notes of the visions, Glory hopes to document enough to leave behind just in case she doesn’t make it back.

Adolescent’s age 14 and older will find the book deals with depression and mental illness and suicide. This science fiction novel allows readers to look into the future and the past to see changes within history. Teachers can use this book to compare real life historical event. Students can analyze both informational an fictional pieces of text.

The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Alexie, S., & Forney, E. (2007). The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian. New York: Little, Brown. When the opportunity comes for Junior to step off the reservation, he is both excited but filled with guilt. As a Spokane Indian, he is faced with abandoning his heritage and faces ridicule for it from his peers on the reservation. With support from his parents, Junior decides to attend another school that is 22 miles away from home. With daily challenges of getting to and from school, being accepted by his peers at his new school, his peers on the reservation, and most important being rejected by his best friend, Junior emotionally journeys through high school knowing he did the right thing in making a bad situation better for himself.

This books is intended for ages 12 year-old and up. While going back and forth between the reservation and his new high school, Junior deals with alcoholism, death of a loved on, tragic accidents, acceptance of his peers and locals, and poverty, while also trying to figure himself out like any other teenage boy, especially when it comes to the opposite sex. Junior handles a lot in this realistic fiction.

The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian would be a good novel for adolescent boys to read as they begin to discover who they really are and learning to do and doing what makes them happy.

Freakshow

James, J. S. (2008). Freak show. New York, NY: Speak. When Billy relocates to his father’s home in the swamps of Florida, he becomes the talk of Eisenhower Academy as a flamboyant drag queen. Being gay and proud of it causes him to be harassed, but it doesn’t stop him from what every other teenager wants in high school; acceptance from their peers. Through his fabulousness, Billy is able to find love and over come the negativity within his community.

This hilarious and captivating story provides the readers with a rollercoaster of events filled with emotion. High school students will enjoy the story told by the main character, Billy. Although the setting is familiar with teenagers in high school, the reader will “walk the walk” with Billy in his small town filled with Bible Belles and Football legends. Freak Show provides insight on other subgroups within society. This book could offer a lesson on acceptance and tolerance of differences among others. A strength that many may find in this book is loving and accepting who you are and who your peers are. With unfortunate events throughout the book, such as assault on a couple of occasions, Billy overcomes in the end when things finally fall into place for him and look up for the better.

This book is intended for young adults, 9th grade and up. Events of violence and sexual identify are within the text as Billy experience hatred from others within his school adn community. Freakshow is a realistic fiction with romanitc friendships, but turn into dark fiction due to the violence Billy experiences. 

Speak

Anderson, L. H. (1999). Speak. New York, NY: Farrar Straus Giroux. Everyday was torment for Melinda when dealing with peers at school. Constantly called names and alone, Melinda lost her voice, unable to speak about that night she called the police. Not until the end does Melida find her voice through her artwork and she begins to reach out to others in hopes someone would here her speak.

The content of sexual abuse, harassment and rape are context that should be considered for students of age 12 or older, depending on the maturity of the individual. The story of Speak is told through the protagonist’s point of view as she describes her harassment throughout her freshman year of high school.  Although the story is tragic in the context and events towards the end, Melinda is able to overcome and speak up for herself.

This book could be used to help adolescents understand that judgment of others is a lack of understanding certain individuals. By judging someone or something before knowing what really happened is setting they up for failure and heartache in the end.