6 more great must reads!

Gephart, D. (2016). Lily and Dunkin. New York: Delacorte Press.

Follow the lives of Lily and Dunkin who seem like ordinary 8^th graders, but deal with real obstacles that not every teen may have. You see Lily is a transgender who has a father who is completely against it and a mother and sister who are very supportive. Then you have Dunkin who is bi-polar and stopped taking his meds recently to improve his performance for the basketball team joined. Lily’s “safe place”, Bob a tree at a park she’s been going to since she was small, is being cut down and as she protests, it draws the attention of Dunkin who conquers his fear of heights with the help of his friends.

Once again a book for the LGBT community to relate too, however many reviews have stated that Lily is too “goody goody” of a character. Though it shows the real life struggles of mixed acceptance from close ones for those who are transgender, it also helps other realize the difficulty teens go through when it comes to puberty especially for those in this case where they are exceptionally different. Also you see the pain of a child trying to be considered normal and how medication can sometimes stifle ones talents, which may not seem like a big deal to an adult but to a teenager who is trying to fit in and new to a school it is exceptionally trying. In the end both characters find a way to cope with their situations and lean on each other. 

Harris, R. H. (2009). It's perfectly normal. Boston, MA: Candlewick Press.

A book with pictures, comics, and everything dealing with preadolescent and adolescent changes covers many questions they may have dealing with puberty. An expository that does discuss the tough subjects of abortion, homosexuality, sex and reproduction with a little sense of humor and detailed illustrations to say a few. This book is intended for the ages of 10 to 15 and does contain graphic illustrations of the human anatomy.  It literally covers almost everything that many parents can be uncomfortable discussing with their children. From planning to masturbating, this is meant to make it more comfortable for teens and parents to have these types of conversations.

This is a crucial point in a teen’s life. They will have tons of questions and this book seems to hit all the nails on the dot. Any uncomfortable parent can easily use this book to help explain what they may not be able too. Making teens comfortable with the subjects, so they make better decisions and are aware of specific topics and changes their body is going through is crucial to their growing as a young man or woman. Being knowledgeable of changes in both sexes is also important for future purposes.    

Myers, W. D. (1999). Monster. NY: Harper.

Steve adapts his real life story into a movie to better cope with the realism of the tragedy he is dealing with. Being in jail for a murder with 3 others which one took a plea bargain, and his father wishing he had chosen a different path, Steven is having a hard time remembering everything. He begins writing everything down as in a journal which of course was advised to be careful for anything incriminating. The death was caused by a gunshot from a robbery from three blacks and one Latino who is in a gang, seeing as the witnesses only saw two people. The prosecution really isn’t focused on Steve, however along with the others he is labeled a “monster.” Due to the evidence pointing towards the other two, Steve is set free and though many are happy one of the lawyers doesn’t share the joy leading him to think why. Steve is left contemplating why.

Winning the Printz Award and Coretta Scott King Award, this book has made a difference in many teens lives especially those dealing with the peer pressure of having to do things that may cause harm to others. The feelings of the teen while he is incarcerated and how he is making it a movie, shows that in the end he is still just a kid dealing with an adult mistake that could cost his life. Having this book will show teens who live in troubled areas that they do not have to succumb to what others tell them, there are other ways to deal with struggles.

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

The first book in the Chaos Walking series, in a dystopia world where only men exist and everyone can hear each other’s thoughts, a young boy discovers the a deep dark secret that his beloved town is keeping. Not being able to live with it he flees the town on the verge of reaching his manhood. When he finds a girl in a place where it is finally silent, he must learn to continue to survive with everything he is dealt.

This book was a great fiction read that can just be read for pure enjoyment. I mean it can show appreciation for women and silence, however, I overall found this book hard to put down. Reluctant readers could possibly benefit from reading this, due to the relation to a teens thoughts and the different fonts. 

Quintero, I. (2014). Gabi, a girl in pieces. El Paso, TX: Cinco Puntos Press.

A book that is the definition of girl power for Latinas of all varieties, follow Gabi who has an overprotective mother, addict for a father, pregnant best friend and another who is gay. All this while trying to still complete her senior year of high school and dealing with all obstacles that she is still going through like losing weight or meeting her mother’s approval. She turns all the obstacles she has witnessed and gone through into a story of resilience. Written in diary form you go through day to day life with Gabi and feel what she is feeling throughout her year.

Winning countless awards, this young adult book helps deal with all the trials and tribulations a teen goes through their last year of school and can relate to it. This also can help Latino readers especially with everything going on in the world right now with Latinos. This also touches on the subject of the important decision of sex and whether following the “wait till you’re married” rule or not. Many teens struggle with this and you go through the pains with coping with food.  Dealing with helping friends through their problems and wanting to be a strong independent woman.

Satrapi, M. (2003). Persepolis. New York: Pantheon Books.

 Originally published in French this autobiography about a girl’s childhood in Iran is depicted in graphic novel format. A young child trying to get through life all while not really agreeing with certain aspects of her culture. This graphic novel about the struggles of the after effects of the Islamic Revolution and the rebellion that ensues inside this little person who from the beginning felt beside herself with the whole situation. Dealing with all the fear and pain that results in war also comes the rebellion which Marji joins even though it is completely against what her family and culture believe in. Death as a consequence is a huge probability for this, but she cannot be contained any longer.

I loved this book because I felt like I was reading a comic book. Also it shows the reality of people from the Islamic culture and the troubles women go through. Of course it also shows the acceptance of what many women feel, but then you have ladies like Marji who just don’t feel things are right with what they have been brought up believing. Many children and adolescents will be able to relate to her knowing how it feels to be trapped and not being able to do things you truly feel is right.