Literature for Young Adults: Books 17-25

17) The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

List: Best Fiction for Young Adults

Acevedo, E. (2018).The Poet X. NY: HarperCollins.

Summary:

Xiomara is a 15-year-old young girl who feels unwanted. Her twin brother Xavier is smart and attends a private school. Xiomara is attending confirmation classes with her best friend, Caridad. Xiomara doesn't want to be confirmed, but her mom threatens her that is she doesn't do it she is going to send her back to the Dominican Republic. Xiomara's mom always wanted to be a nun, but she was forced to get married. Xiomara starts her first day of her sophomore year with Ms. Galiano, her English teacher. Every day after school, Xiomara does chores at home. She then writes in her journal how lonely she feels and how she wants to disappear. In her biology class, she meets a guy named Aman, who she develops a crush immediately. Although she is not allowed to date, she still sits next to Aman. Ms. Galiano suggests to Xiomara that she should join the poetry club. She wants to join the club, but she doesn't think she can because of her mother. As weeks pass by, Xiomara spends more time with Aman in which she starts to masturbate at night. She then notices her brother texting someone and being unusually giggly. One day after school, Xiomara and Aman go to the park and kiss. One day Twin comes home with a black eye and he won't say what happened. On Monday, Xiomara goes to her brother's school to beat up the person who punched him, but instead, she sees her brother with another boy. She then realizes her brother is gay. On a day out with Aman, they kiss and Xiomara's mom sees them. Her mom is super upset and makes her kneel on rice. Xiomara gets mad because Aman doesn't defend her. Xiomara then decides to be in the poetry club because that is the place where she feels respected and heard. For her birthday, Twin gave her a new notebook for her poetry. Everything is going well until one day, her mom finds her journal and lights it on fire. Xiomara leaves to Aman's house and he comforts her. The next day she gets help from ner friends and family to talk to her mom. Xiomara and her mom begin counseling to work on their relationship. Xiomara attends the poetry slam with the support of her loved ones. As her final assignment, she writes about her favorite verse and says that poetry is like church because it brings people together.

Reflection:

Xiomara's life is something that I know students can relate to. many students go through the struggle of their mom being religious and feeling not wanted and insecure. It also brings up the topic of her brother having to hide the fact that he is gay because of the religious beliefs that the family has. This novel shows the perspective of a young girl in high school who is struggling with family, love, and body image issues. Those are all topics that most of our students go through especially at the age when everything starts changing and their hormones are all over the place. I know that I was able to connect with some aspects of this book because of my experiences and I know that many students will able to connect with Xiomara and her life issues.

Connection

Other Book by Elizabeth Acevedo:

18) Alone by Cyn Balog

List: Quick Picks

Balog, C. (2017).Alone. IL: Sourcebooks.

Summary:

Soon to be sixteen years old, Seda Hunt who lives in a hotel that was a murder mystery themed venue that her mom inherited in Pennsylvania. At first, when the Hunt family arrived at the hotel, the plan was to fix the hotel and then sell it to anyone who wanted to purchase it. After a while, Seda's mom developed an infatuation with the hotel and decided that she would only sell it to someone who was going to keep it as a murder mystery attraction. This decision brought the father to abandon his family in the hotel mansion. On top of staying at the hotel, Seda has an imaginary friend that manifests himself as a voice in her head. Her imaginary friends' name is Sawyer, after her twin brother Seda absorbed in utero. Sawyer would talk to Seda since her childhood and tells her to do bad things. The days pass, and Seda starts to realize that they are about to be cut off from the outside world. Seda starts to feel that she won't be able to handle being alone, and she is scared it's going to bring out some darkness in her. Then to her surprise, a group of young teens show up to the hotel when they got stranded due to a snow storm. At first, she hesitates to let them in because of the danger that lurks in the mansion and herself. As the night passes, Seda fears that her worst nightmare is about to become a reality.

Reflection:

I am not really a person that likes anything scary, from movies to books but this novel really grabbed my attention. I can picture some students reading the book because even though the book had some scary moments in it maybe some students can connect to the character and her struggles. Now in days, many people don't realize that many students struggle with hearing voices and with thoughts that they are not supposed to have. Seda struggles with the fact that she has to move to a new place and leaves her school and friends behind which in term affects her because she feels alone in the new place she is in. As well out students and other young adults struggle with the situation of moving to a new place and having the feeling of being alone.

Connection

Other Book by Cyn Balog:

19) El Deafo by Cece Bell

List: Great Graphic Novels for Teens

Bell, C. (2014). El Deafo. NY: Amulet Books.

Summary: A four-year-old little girl has a regular, ordinary life like any other child riding her bike and playing with her friends until the day she received terrible news. One day suddenly she got very ill. She was scared and didn't know what to expect. The doctors diagnosed her with meningitis. In a matter of time, she lost her hearing because of the sickness. She ended up losing her hearing and became deaf. She is given a device that can help hear but she hates it and doesn't want to wear it. She was scared because she didn't want to move schools. She struggled at her new school, at home, and with friends. She created a superhero and named her El Deafo. The superhero is what helped her cope with everything she was enduring in her life. She makes a new friend Martha that accepts her for who she is. She also gets the courage to talk to her crush Mike which uses her Phonic Ear as an experiment to test range which intrigues the other neighborhood kids. In the end, they see her device as a piece of technology rather than being essential to her.

Reflection: The book has a meaning that students will love. It teaches students that deaf people also have many struggles in life. It helps the students have a better understanding of how to be more sympathetic with deaf people and treat then them with more respect. The illustrations help the students visualize and understand the frustration and pain they suffer from the condition they have. By reading this graphic novel students will be able to comprehend that if they don't have that type of illness they shouldn't make fun of people who have a certain disability, they should be there to help them and support them because they are human as well and they want to feel loved and wanted.

Connection

Other Book by Cece Bell:

20) Girl Made of Stars by Ashley Blake

List: Best Fiction for Young Adults

Blake, A. H. (2018).Girl Made of Stars. NY: HMH Books for Young Reader.

Summary:

Mara is a bisexual high school junior who has always had a close relationship with her twin brother Owen. They attend an art magnet program with Hannah, which is Owens's girlfriend and one of Mara's best friend, Charlie, who is Mara's best friend and ex-girlfriend, and Alex, who is Owens best friend ad someone who Mara is starting to like. One night they all attended a party and Hannah accuses Owen of rape. When Mara finds out about what happened, she is devastated and feels like her world was turned upside down. Mara believes her brother wouldn't rape Hannah, but at the same time, she believes that Hannah wouldn't lie about being raped. Mara is the founder of her school's feminist club and she feels she is in a hard situation because she feels torn between her family, friends, and her sense of right and wrong. Mara is feeling lost between what is happening with her brother and she must also face a traumatic event from her past. No matter how much she hides her past, things start occurring that starts bringing that experience back to Mara. Mara is left feeling isolated, confused, hurt, overwhelmed, and betrayed. Mara now has to decide what she is going to do, who she is going to believe, and where her relationship stands with Charlie in the future.

Reflection: I see many students that can connect to book because of similar circumstances that Mara went through that some of the students' have experienced. I know that I was able to connect with the situation of having to choose between who to believe in the rape accusation. I was placed in a position where I had to choose between two friends that attended a party for seniors and one my guy friend was accused of raping one of my other friends. It was a hard situation to handle because I didn't know who to believe and I was feeling sad because I had known them since elementary. The connection I had with the book made me feel like I wasn't alone, even though my experience happened a long time ago. Students will be able to connect with this book on many different levels.

Connection

Other Book by Ashley Herring Blake:

21) Game Changer by Tommy Greenwald

List: Quick Picks

Greenwald, T. (2018).Game Changer. Abrams.

Summary:

Teddy Youngblood is a thirteen-year-old boy who suffered a coma in training camp during the summer football season. Teddy was a popular boy who was recognized as the best football player in the school. Teddy had helped the football team win many games. That summer was when Teddy suffered the coma, which no one could explain how the accident happened. All his family went to the hospital to be by Teddy's side. With Teddy in the coma, his parents start blaming each other for the accident. While in a coma, the doctors told his parents and friends to speak to Teddy because even though he is not awake, he can hear them. At first, the focus is on the injury and the recovery process for Teddy until something unexpected happens. The coach's daughter, Camille, made a social media page to encourage the community and peers to post positive prayers and thoughts for Teddy and his family. One day she notices that some of the posts that are being made give a hint that something other than a tough hit at practice caused Teddy's injury. Throughout the days, a lot of people come to visit Teddy, which leads to more questions about the accident that caused his coma. With many unanswered questions, many emotions are going through and they are working in finding the answers and figure out what happened that day during practice.

Reflection:

This novel will be a great read for students who love sports but with a twist. Teddy suffered an accident during practice that left him in a coma, well it wasn't really an accident. This novel caught my attention because of the sport itself and because of the mystery that caused the coma. I know students will love to read the book because it tells a good story of a boy who was the star player and then suddenly his life took a different turn. Some students can relate to this book because they play sports and some of them have had injuries. This novel brings to light the danger in many sports and how something needs to be done to prevent life-threatening injuries to the players.

Connection

Other Book by Tommy Greenwald:

22) We are Okay by Nina LaCour

List: Printz Honor

LaCour, N. (2017).We Are Okay. Dutton Books for Young Readers.

Summary:

Marin is an 18-year-old girl who lives in San Francisco with her grandfather after Marin's mother died in a surfing accident when she was almost three years old. Years later, her grandfather went missing and was presumed to have drowned. Marin couldn't handle the pain, so she fled to New York, where she is going to attend college. When she left, she didn't take any of her possessions from her house and left without speaking to anyone. For many months she refused to contact or respond to the people from California. December came along and it's time for Marin's winter break to start. Marin's best friend and ex-girlfriend, Mabel, is coming to visit her. That will be the first time Marin will have any communication with anyone from California in four months. With Mabel back, it brought up flashbacks from Marin's former life, especially about her grandfather. Gramp cared deeply for Marin, but she could tell that after the death of his wife and daughter, he changed. Gramp was suffering from a mental health illness. Gramp had hoarded photographs of Marin'smother, which cause her to feel that he had betrayed her. She felt betrayed because, for a long time, she struggled to recall even a single memory of her mother. With the visit of Mabel, Marin was able to open up, which allows her to begin her healing process. Mabel tells her that her parents want to adopt her, but she declines the offer. Mabel leaves but ends up returning with her family to spend Christmas with Marin. That loving and sincere gesture touches her heart, and as a result, she is finally able to remember a beautiful memory with her mother.

Reflection:

The death of her mother and her grandfather caused her to go into a deep hole because she felt like she had no one in this world, especially because she was very young when her mother passed away. She feels sad because she can't recall any memories from her mother which in part adds to the drama of this novel. Students will be able to connect to this book because we all have gone through that experience of losing someone we love. There are students who are in depression because they don't have a family and feel alone because they have lost their family. This novel will help students going through similar circumstances there is light at the end of the dark tunnel and they will find healing.

Connection

Other Book by Nina LaCour:

23) All Summer Long by Hope Larson

List: Great Graphic Novels for Teens

Larson, H. (2018).All Summer Long. Farrar, Straus & Giroux.

Summary:

Summer is supposed to be the best time of the year since it is what everyone looks forward to at the end of the school year is over, but that is not the idea for Bina. Bina is a thirteen-year-old music lover who has a long summer ahead of her. Bina's best friend, Austin, is leaving for a soccer camp for a month, so she doesn't know what she is going to do for the whole month until he comes back. She has been noticing that Austin has been acting kind of weird lately. Without Austin, Bina has to discover herself and make new friendships. While at camp, Austin is ignoring Bina's calls and messages. Bina struggles to keep herself busy and find a way to have fun on her own. Bina becomes friends with Charlie, which is Austin's sister. When Austin returns from camp, he continues to ignore Bina and she doesn't understand why. Austin explains they are growing up and that things are going to change between them. Charlie treats Bina badly and only wants Bina to do things for her. Bina starts to wonder if she has any real friends. Though she is struggling to find who she is, she finds comfort in her family that helps her through her rough time. That summer seemed long for Bina, but by the end of the summer, Bina is more comfortable in her skin, and she is ready to rock her eight grade year.

Reflection:

Many students struggle with these types of issues all the time. Friendship is an issue that a lot of students struggle with at a young age. This book will be a good read for students because it will help them understand the meaning of friendship and that no matter how long you have been friends with someone the friendship will not always last forever. This issue is something that even as adults we struggle with. I have also experienced this is middle school and even know as an adult. Sometimes we think that the friends we have are the only one but then we come to realize that you don't need people who don't want to be with you to be happy. The students will be able to connect with this book on a personal level because a majority of the students have at least been through an experience like Bina's and they need to realize that you can still be happy and love yourself no matter who your friends are.

Connection

Other Book by Hope Larson:

24) Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott with Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis

List: New York Times Bestseller

Lippincott, R., Daughtry, M., & Iaconis, T. (2018).Five Feet Apart. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Summary:

Stella Grant is a teenager with a not so normal life. Stella has cystic fibrosis, which is a disease that causes her lungs to fill with fluid making it difficult for her to be with peers and have a normal teenage life. She is on a waiting list for a new set of lungs. To stay alive, she has to follow strict protocols and take her medications. Stella does her best to stay positive amid the situation. Stella meets Will Newman, who also has cystic fibrosis and they immediately get along. Like they both have cystic fibrosis, they have to stay at least six feet apart from each other to prevent the spreading of the germs. While Stellaawaits new lungs, she has to stay healthy; if not, she won't be a viable transplant recipient. Through that time, she gets to know Will better and they both become emotionally attached, which makes it harder for them to stay physically apart. Stella confides in him so much because he understands the struggle she is going through. Stella and Will have different approaches to dealing with their illnesses. Stella takes her illness seriously while Wil is waiting to turn 18 so he can stop with the treatments and live his best life before he dies. Stella and Will go on a walk where they come across a frozen pond where they held hands and ice skated. While they were skating, Stella received a message that her new lungs are ready. Will begs her to go back to the hospital, but she doesn't want to. During their fight, Stella falls through the ice and Will performs CPR. Stella gets the transplant and does not contract Will's infection. Will no longer wants Stella to see him die while she can live, so he says goodbye and walks away. Eight months later, they run into each other and wonder what will happen next.

Reflection:

While reading this book I shed many tears. It made me sad knowing that they wanted to be together but they couldn't because of their illness. I can see that many students or even adults will like this book because of the life experience that both Stella and Will have gone through. There are young adults that are going through cancer treatments or suffering through a similar illness like the two characters from the story. By reading this book it will give the people who are suffering hope and it will also help other people learn the severity of illnesses. While reading this book I learned to appreciate what I have in life and to be grateful for my health. This book opened my eyes to see this world I live in differently and never take granted all things I have in life especially my family.

Connection

Other Book by Rachael Lippincott:

25) The Boy in the Black Suit by Jason Reynolds

Reynolds, J. (2015).The Boy in the Black Suit. Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Summary:

Matthew Miller is a sixteen-year-old boy who is attending his first day of his senior year. He has been out of school for three weeks due to the recent death of his mother. He also had to miss school to take care of his mother as she died of breast cancer and then arrange the funeral. Matthew only interacted with his best friend Chris, who offers him support and understands that Matt wants to be treated normally after what happened. Matt's father was recovering from being an alcoholic, but after the death of his wife, he relapses and begins to drink heavily. Matt had a job at the bank, but he lost his position due to being out because of his mother's death. He then gets a job at the funeral home where he had his mother's funeral. Matt's father gets into a car accident in which Matt feels more alone than ever. Working at the funeral home makes him feel better because there is always one person at every funeral who griefs openly, which reminds him of himself in his mother's funeral. In one funeral, he meets a girl named Love, and they begin to have a relationship. Love tells Matt that her mother was murdered, and Matt remembers that he witnessed that moment. Matt and Love have a deep connection. Matt spends more time with Mr. Roy and he learns his wife died in a car accident, which makes Matt think about his own life experiences. One day Love asks Matt to meet her outside the funeral home because she has something to give him. Love gives him a plant, and Matt remembered that the plant will not die but continue to grow and live as long he takes care of it. At that moment, Matt was filled with a sense of peace and started to see a way forward for the first time since his mother's death.

Reflection:

At a very young age, Matt had to take a huge responsibility where he had to take care of his dying mother. This book helped me understand that my life has been well and that I should be grateful. I have seen one of my former students experience the loss of her mother and then being abandoned by her father. She experienced a lot of pain and suffering which made me feel like I had to comfort her and give her love that she badly needed. This book will help a lot of people going through similar situations see the work from a different perspective and not feel so alone in this world. I will really recommend this book to any person who is experiencing the same loss that Matt felt. This book also shows that you can find love through the hard times and that you can find peace.

Connection

Other Book by Jason Reynolds: