Tag Archives: school problems

“I’ll Give You the Sun”

Posted on March 31, 2015 by Victoria Waddle

I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson “How can love be such a wrecking ball?” Noah and Jude are twins who have distinct personalities but sense that they are two halves of a perfect whole. While both are artistic … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Romance, Young Adult Literature | Tagged artists, book reviews, bullying, child-parent relationships, coming of age, creativity, death, death and dying, family problems, friendship, grief, LGBTQ, painting, parent-teen relationships, Printz Award, risk, romance, school problems, sculptors, Stonewall Book Award, Teen Issues, YA fiction, YA literature | 2 Comments

“Dare Me”

Posted on March 28, 2015 by Victoria Waddle

Dare Me by Eric Devine Ben Candido has known enough about trouble and his former best friend Ricky to stay away for more than three years. But when their senior year of high school finally arrives, Ben can’t help … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure Stories, Controversial Issue/Debate, Family Problems, Fiction, Sports, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, Dare Me, Eric Devine, family problems, friendship, high school students, LGBTQ, parent-teen relationships, reluctant readers, school problems, Teen Issues, YA fiction, YA literature | 1 Comment

“Gabi: A Girl in Pieces”

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Victoria Waddle

Gabi: A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero “My mom says, ‘Ojos abiertos, piernas cerradas.’ Eyes open, legs closed.” This advice, the total sum of Gabi’s sex education at home, gets more ironic (and darkly funny) as the book … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith-Based/Religious Element, Family Problems, Fiction, Romance, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, death and dying, drug addiction, family problems, friendship, grief, grieving, high school students, Isabel Quintero, JLG, Junior Library Guild, LGBTQ, Morris Award, parent-teen relationships, poverty, rape, romance, school problems, Teen Issues, YA fiction, YA literature | 4 Comments

Throwback Thursday: Bullying: “Give a Boy a Gun”

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Victoria Waddle

I’m thinking about my book talks with Read 180 classes tomorrow. I read Give a Boy a Gun for the first time last night–it stands the time of time. Still compelling. Give a Boy a Gun by Todd Strasser … Continue reading →

Posted in Controversial Issue/Debate, Family Problems, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Human Rights Issues, Read 180, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, bullying, Common Core standards, death, family problems, friendship, hi-low reading, parent-teen relationships, Read 180, reluctant readers, school problems, school shooting, Teen Issues, Todd Strasser, YA fiction, YA literature | 1 Comment

“Waiting for You”

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Victoria Waddle

Waiting for You by Susane Colasanti Marisa has had the hots for Derek for a long time and she has the opportunity to pounce when he breaks up with his girlfriend—even though he seems to be still connected to … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Romance, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, geeks, high school students, romance, school problems, Teen Issues, YA fiction, YA literature | Leave a comment

“Twisted”

Posted on January 22, 2010 by Victoria Waddle

Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson I loved Speak and when someone told me that Twisted was Speak for guys, I had to read it. The New York Times Book Review (Oct. 27, 2009) tells us that Anderson’s “novel Speak (1999) … Continue reading →

Posted in Controversial Issue/Debate, Fiction, Young Adult Literature | Tagged parent-teen relationships, school problems, Teen Issues | Leave a comment

“A Gift of Magic”

Posted on May 29, 2009 by Victoria Waddle

A Gift of Magic by Lois Duncan (201 pp.) When Nancy’s Grandmother dies, she gives all her gifts to her grandchildren. Kirby, the oldest, gets the gift of dance. Nancy, the second gets the gift of magic and Brendon, who … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Young Adult Literature | Tagged ESP, parent-teen relationships, school problems, supernatural | Leave a comment

“Crunch Time”

Posted on May 6, 2009 by Victoria Waddle

“Crunch Time” by Mariah Fredericks Mrs. M in our English Department recommended this novel to me, and I just finished it. “Crunch Time” is the story of Max, Daisy, Leo and Jane, who, though very different and socially isolated from … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Young Adult Literature | Tagged parent-teen relationships, SAT, school problems, standardized testing, Teen Issues | Leave a comment

“Stargirl” and “Love, Stargirl”

Posted on April 22, 2009 by Victoria Waddle

“Stargirl” by Jerry Spinelli Mrs. M. tells me that some of her students in READ 180 classes have completed some of the novels available in the course and might like to comment on them. I hope that if you’re in … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Read 180, Young Adult Literature | Tagged nonconformist, Read 180, school problems, Teen Issues | Leave a comment

“Speak”

Posted on November 12, 2008 by Victoria Waddle

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson The summer before she starts high school, Melinda goes to a party where she calls the police. Because of her action, she is ostracized when school starts. Without a single friend, she pairs up with … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Young Adult Literature | Tagged parent-teen relationships, school problems | 1 Comment