Category Archives: Young Adult Literature

Historical Fiction: “Code Name Verity”

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein  This is a must-read for teens. And for adults. It’s no more only a ‘teen book’ than The Book Thief is a ‘teen book.’ Never mind how the publisher describes it. Read it. Since … Continue reading

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Bullying Books: “Reason to Breathe”

     Reason to Breathe, by Rebecca Donovan I was talking to another teacher at Chaffey High, Mrs. Vanderbeck (who used to work at Colony as well), about the bullying books I was reading this year. She told me about one … Continue reading

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Bullying Books: “Some Girls Are”

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers   Regina has bullied other girls all through high school. She’s popular. She’s Anna’s best friend. And Anna is the queen bee of the Hallowell High, calling all the shots, deciding who’s in and who’s … Continue reading

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“This is What Happy Looks Like”

_ This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith   I’ve already said that I needed to walk away from the bullying books for a couple of weeks. With school starting, I wanted to read something upbeat. I … Continue reading

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Bullying Books: “The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl”

The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga Fanboy puts up with the bullying he receives throughout his sophomore year of high school by hanging on to a few things he regards as good: his friend Cal—a … Continue reading

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Bullying Books: “Bruiser”

 Bruiser by Neal Shusterman  If you loved someone, how much would you be willing to do for him or her? If someone loved you, would you allow him to suffer so that you could succeed? There are a lot questions … Continue reading

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Bullying Books: “Rotters”

  Rotters by Daniel Kraus   Such a weird story! The combination of bullying and horror story compelled me to finish the book, and I think it will appeal to anyone who likes really quirky stuff. Joey Crouch has lived … Continue reading

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Bullying Books: “Shooter”

  Shooter by Walter Dean Myers Myers does his usual good job with a tough topic. The book opens as an investigation of a school shooting ‘last April.’ Various adults (psychologist, police personnel) interview the two best friends of the … Continue reading

Posted in Controversial Issue/Debate, Family Problems, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Read 180, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Summer Reading: Books into Movies

When we think of summer reading, we think of books we choose because we like them—books for fun. In the past I’ve read long lists of YA books over the summer and have encouraged you to read some of them … Continue reading

Posted in Adventure Stories, Fable/Fairy Tale/Fantasy, Fiction, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Mature Readers, Movie Tie-In, Romance, Sci-Fi/Futuristic, Supernatural, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Death Sentence: Escape from Furnace, Book Three

Just a quick note on Death Sentence: Book Three of Escape from Furnace. I read it. It still has the appeal of the first two books, but it does have that middle of the series lag, at least at the … Continue reading

Posted in Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Read 180, Sci-Fi/Futuristic, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , | Leave a comment