Crutcher,
C. (1993). Staying fat for
Sarah Byrnes. NY: Greenwillow Books.
Sarah Byrnes is the hospital not moving or speaking
to anyone, not even her best friend Eric who has been visiting her constantly. Seen
as outcasts due to Sarah’s tough attitude because of her burns and Eric being
overweight though he’s losing it from swimming, formed a secret newspaper, Crispy Pork Rinds. As Eric tries to
discover the truth about Sarah Byrnes, he turns to Dale Thorton a former bully
turned friend to her. He reveals that the burns weren’t an accident, but
intentional from her father. When mentioned to her, she finally reveals the
truth, fearing for her life. Eric with the help of others close to them such as
his swim coach and Thorton’s father are able to have Sarah escape the madness.
Some suffered, but the safety of Sarah was vital.
A sensitive subject, that many teens may not be able
to discuss and are usually once again quiet such as in the book Speak. Many
times they are ashamed or scared, such as Sarah, making them feel safe or
having someone to turn too is important to encouraging them to talk. Sharing
this book with teens will show the struggles some people have and perhaps shed
some light on those who are suffering from abusive parents. We want those kids
to speak up and hopefully they will be inspired with this book. I know I was.
King, A. S., (2011). Everybody
sees the ants. NY: Little Brown Books.
Lucky is a boy who comes from a dysfunctional
family. Dad is passive; grandpa is a Vietnam Vet, Mom and Nader who is his
biggest problem to date. Nader is his bully that he can’t escape unless it’s in
his dreams. His dreams involve his grandfather’s Vietnam days where the prison
is and he is a valiant hero completely opposite from his reality. Soon he gains
strength to stand up to his bully as he soon realizes no one is going to be
able to solve or stop this problem but him.
Much like the book Monster, a teen is trying to escape the reality of his life which
is isn’t happy. Lucky goes to his a prison in Veitnam as a hero who is brave,
which is completely different from how he deals with the constant bully.
However, those dreams give him strength to cope with the bully he has been
dealing with all the time. Bullying has become such as huge problem in today’s
society. Books such as these help bring out discussions and a feeling of I’m
not the only one, especially since this is a boy and usually boys don’t come
out with it. Most of the adults are so involved with their own lives they
forget that this child is going through something major. We as adults need to
remember that something minuet to us is something gigantic to them.
Almost everyone has been drunk before just like
Jack, and sometimes you need some air to walk it off. As he takes a little
break in a park, he wakes up the next morning with a man In scrubs to ends up
being his undoing. The man kidnaps and does unimaginable things to him. As Jack
escapes he runs and confesses all that happened to his best friend Conn.
Revenge ensues and is successful. They travel to London to get away from things
and that’s when Jack is given an odd gift, purple glasses. He soon realizes
that when he puts them on he is transported to another world, where there is
war and his best friend is now his enemy. Chaos is everywhere and he is trying
to survive. Jack is having a tough time distinguishing the post-apocalyptic world
to reality.
Graphic and probably not as appropriate for a school
setting, this book deals with serious issues such as kidnapping, rape and heavy
violence. Kids who enjoy post-apocalyptic settings would love this. Reluctant
readers who enjoy video games would probably benefit from this type of book. I
interpreted this book in a different way. To me the Marbury was a way for him
to get away and deal with the traumatic events that occurred to him, even
seeking revenge doesn’t really make those issues and feelings go away. As an
adult people have trouble dealing with that, I couldn’t imagine an adolescent
who is more sensitive to certain things. Transporting to another world to just
free yourself of having that internal battle that victims of these crimes go
through is what he is really fighting in Marbury.
Angleberger, T. (2014). Princess labelmaker to the rescue awards. NY: Amulet Books.
Book number five of the Origami Yoda series continues
with the fight against standardized testing. This time they are trying to get
the principal to change her views against the school board. Yoda and the rebel alliance
receive information that could change everything, Princess Labelmaker, sneaks
off and delivers it to the principal hoping it will seal her decision to side
with the rebels rather than conform to the likes of the school boards support
in testing. This book is written with a Star Wars theme, involving characters
such as Jabba the Puppett and Art2-D2.
Making light of the situation of the ongoing battle
between standardized testing and the education world. Covering the decision
many teachers and administrators deal with whether they are for or against and
will actually make that public. Seeing this through the eyes of children who
are the rebels and their fight against testing. A huge stick it to the
standardized testing supporters and how it affects students the most. Many
children may be able to relate to this story.
Stead, R.
(2009). When you reach me. NY: Random House.
A sci-fi novel about a teenager who begins receiving
notes from the future who is trying to save someone’s life. Miranda, continues
on with life all while following what the notes say which are to keep a sort of
diary of what is going on in her day to day life. Markus, a bully who cause some
chaos throughout the story and had something to do with her best friend Sal not
speaking to her anymore. As life goes one, she slowly begins to realize that “the
laughing man,” a man who repeats four words and laughs often is from the future. When he does
indeed save the life he intended to save by sacrificing his own all is right in
the world.
Winner of the Newbery Award this book shows how
simple bullying can have a negative effect on a child and the turn of events
can cause tragic endings. This is proof that things have a domino effect, and
because of one situation that happened it affected this kid so much that he
found a way to travel back in time to change the mistakes he made. This book
will teach children to be careful what they do because the consequences can be
dire.
Black, H.
(2013). NY : Scholastic.
Three best friends Zach, Alice and Poppy have pretty
serious problems they have faced, however together they have been there for
each other. Zach’s father throws out some of his toys and it affects Zach
tremendously as he tries to pull away from his friends. Not so fast, they
refuse and an adventure ensues. Poppy has been having dreams of a girl trapped
in a doll’s body which is in the house she now lives in, but wants to be placed
back in her empty grave. The three set out to do just that and along the way
they encounter a few mishaps and break a few laws, however they are successful
in returning the doll to her peaceful resting place.
Winner of the Newbery Award, this story is once
again as I have been interpreting it, is about children escaping from their
worries and problems. What many parents see as perhaps rite of passage,
throwing away toys because they are considered “baby,” can seriously affect a
child if he or she isn’t ready as you can clearly see with Zach. This also shows kids that it’s okay to be
upset and talk about your feelings.
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