Category Archives: Family Problems

Gender Fluidity: Symptoms of Being Human

Posted on September 18, 2018 by

Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin  Gender fluid teenager Riley Cavanaugh starts an anonymous blog at the suggestion of their therapist. Even this anonymous version of coming out takes Riley some time—as well as a major crisis and a … Continue reading →

Posted in bullying, Family Problems, Fiction, Human Rights Issues, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Ballad of Huck and Miguel

Posted on August 13, 2018 by

A friend who has a daughter working with Friends of the LA River took a few of us on an LA River tour for our birthdays. It was odd to see the sections of the river that have a soil, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure Stories, Classic Fiction, Family Problems, Fiction, Multicultural | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Photographic: The Life of Graciela Iturbide

Posted on November 25, 2017 by

I was excited to learn that Isabel Quintero wrote a new YA book because my students had enjoyed Gabi: A Girl in Pieces so much. (I only use the past tense because I retired; they are most likely still enjoying it.) … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography/Memoir, Family Problems, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

LQBTQ+: “Simon and the Homo Sapiens Agenda”

Posted on October 21, 2016 by

Simon and the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli  Although Simon believes that coming out as gay isn’t going to be a big problem in his life, he is hesitant to do it. His family will still love and support … Continue reading →

Posted in bullying, Family Problems, Fiction, Romance, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

“My Kind of Crazy”

Posted on September 13, 2016 by

My Kind of Crazy by Robin Reul    Hank Kirby comes up with a great idea for asking popular Amanda Carlisle to the prom. How then does he manage, with just a box of sparklers, to light up Amanda Carlisle’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Grief, Humor, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“All the Bright Places”

Posted on July 13, 2016 by

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven   We meet Violet Markey and Theodore Finch out on the ledge of their school’s clock tower. They haven’t gone there together, but rather accidentally run into one another as they as both … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure Stories, bullying, Family Problems, Fiction, Grief, Romance, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Sports Books: “The Final Four”

Posted on July 8, 2016 by

The Final Four by Paul Volponi    The hoop action between the Michigan State Spartans and the (underdog) Trojans of Troy University is nonstop, heart-pounding excitement. While the semifinal NCAA championship game is played, the novel focuses on four players: … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Grief, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Multicultural, Read 180, Sports, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment