Girl Overboard

girl overboard Justina Chen Headley relationships/ stereotyping/identity
Little Brown and Company pp.; 339. ISBN-10- 0316-001129-0


One might dismiss the book as simply about a female snowboarder, but it is much more. It deals with serious issues of family relationships, living with considerable wealth and dealing with people’s own views of you as you endeavor to define yourself. Syrah is from a wealthy Chinese family who disapproves of her snowboarding even though she does so at a professional level. Due to a serious accident, she must learn to trust herself and to establish an identify within a family that seems at every turn not to want her. Struggling to find her voice, she must learn important and difficult lessons. Learning, however, does not come without pain, mistakes, and regrets. This is an excellent story. The characters and their conflicts are well drawn and carefully thought through.

The Lost Conspiracy

The Lost Conspiracy Frances Hardinge fantasy/science fiction
Harper pp., 566 ISBN 978-0-06-088-041-5

Called the new Harry Potter with two strong woman protagonists, this excellent book may well be the genuine item. Set in a volcanic island, Hathin, a Lace, must look after her sister, Arilou, who may or may not be a seer belonging to a group called The Lost who manage the island through their abilities to use their senses to “ see things” and communicate between the various cities. Arliou is examined by “authorities” to determine whether or not she is really a “Lost”. Her sister must translate for her, as what she says is unintelligible. At the final trial the examiners are suddenly murdered, and all of the race of Lost are simultaneously killed. Somehow the Lace Village is accused of the murder and Arilou and Hathin must flee for their lives.
This is a fast-paced adventure story which has a mystery embedded. It is a well-written page-turner that deals with issues of stereotyping and prejudice that has an historical basis. I had a hard time putting this book down, so will its readers.

Tales from Suburbia

Tales from Suburbia Shuan Tan graphic novel/ short stories
Templar pp., 91 ISBN 978-1-84011-313-6

Another stunning book from the artist/writer who gave us The Arrival, his brilliant wordless book about immigration, count on Tan to present a whole new concept. This is a collection of marvelously illustrated tales that leave you thinking about them for days afterwards. One involves a water buffalo left in a suburban vacant lot who always can, when asked, point his hoof at the way for children to go, and they are always “surprised and delighted” by what they find. ‘How did he know?’ Another chronicles the coming together of all of the poetry which people have written and discarded. One could spend, and should spend, hours looking at the whimsical details of his drawings. There is simply no one like him. I can’t wait to see what he will do next. Also don’t miss his website. (www.shauntan.net) It is as unusual as he is.

When You Reach Me

When You Reach Me Rebecca Stead relationships/mystery/time travel
Wendy Lamb Books, pp., 198 ISBN 978-0-385-73742-5

This is a wonderful book with interesting, unique characters who interact with love and care, and occasional misunderstandings. It is above all a well-told story with an unusual twist. Miranda lives in New York with her single mother who is practicing to be a contestant on the $20,000 Pyramid television show. Miranda and her friends are free to roam their New York neighborhood even with the presence of the mentally ill “ Laughing Man”, and the neighborhood boys who make remarks as she walks by their corner. Never without her beloved Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engles, she receives cryptic notes from a stranger. Miranda must figure out what they mean and solve their riddle in order to save her “friend.” Unusual and bright, this is a must read for anyone with imagination who knows, as I do, that time travel is indeed possible.

Half Broke Horses

Half Broke Horses by Jeanette Wallas Memoir/ true life novel 7/8^th/High School

Scribner, 2009 270 pp., $26 ISBN978-1-4165-8628-9

Captivating and disarming, this is the imagined story of the author’s grandmother, Lily Casey Smith. Full of the sense of its time and the grit and determination of its remarkable, memorable character, this novel swallows the reader whole. Born in a dug out and breaking horses at the age of five, Lily possesses fierce passion. At fifteen she rides five hundred miles alone on her pony, Patches, to become a schoolteacher in a small frontier town. Many adventures ensue including a failed marriage to a “crumb bum”. She goes with next husband, Big Jim, to run a ranch and raise her children. She is passionate about cars and planes. Girls will be drawn by her determination and ability to overcome obstacles while still maintaining her dignity if not her temper. This would be an interesting book to have students read before writing their own imagined true-life story about a relative.

Purple Heart

Purple Heart Patricia McCormick Iraq war/ Relationships/trauma

Balzer and Bray 199 pp., 2009 ISBN 978-0-06-17390-0

Waking up in a hospital inside a Green Zone in Iraq, Matt finds a Purple Heart pinned on his blanket. Through the fog of his TBI, traumatic brain injury, Matt seeks to understand exactly what happened that day, and why he is haunted by the death of a young Iraqi boy whom he had befriended. Even with memory loss, headaches and an injured leg, Matt simply wants to return to his unit where his buddies are, and where he can feel understood. Count on McCormick who also brought us, Sold and Cut to write a well-researched and harrowing story of the realities of the Iraq war, and what young soldiers, not much older than our students, must face on a daily basis. An excellent, but not easy read which stays in the reader’s heart and mind long after the last page is re-read.

Child of Dandilions

Child of Dandelions Shenaaz Nanjo friendship/ family/ ethic relations

Front Street 214 pp., 2008 ISBN 978-1-932425-93-2

Richly textured with sensual, colorful vocabulary, this story is set in Uganda during the reign of Dada Amin who has a dream that God told him to expel all Indians from the country. Set against the daily count-down of the ninety day expulsion order, Sabine, the fifteen year-old protagonist of a third generation Indian Ugandan family, begins to realize that this order applies to her and her extended family. Citizenship will not protect them. Her world is shattered when her beloved Uncle is detained, and her relationship with Zena, her best friend, a Ugandan, ends. Sabine must come to terms with her own prejudice as she faces the prejudice of others. Filled with realistic, fully fleshed characters, the tension in this superbly written book never lets up. A stop-your-heart book, Child of Dandelions is about a time in history that should not be overlooked, or forgotten.

Healing Water

Healing Water Joyce Moyer Hostetter Hansen’s disease/ historical/ relationships

Calkins Creek, 217 pp., 2008 ISBN 978-1-59078-514-0

Impeccably researched, this heartrending tale is one of a young boy named Pia who is exiled to the Island of Moloka’i when it is discovered that he has Hansen’s disease.

He hopes for rescue by his mentor and older friend Kamaka who he loves with a fierce and determined passion. As time passes his anger and disappointment grow until they overwhelm him, and he becomes a thief and bitter person whom he barely recognize as himself. Life and death in this colony of “unwanted” is brutal, and yet, there are small acts of kindness that shine as a welcome healing light. When Kamaka and his wife arrive on the island, Pia must come to terms with his inner demons or be destroyed by them. Filled with memorable characters both good and evil, this story chronicles the history of this famous colony. Realistically written, this book is an excellent one both for its accuracy, and its graphic portrayal of complicated and complex relationships.

All the Broken Pieces

All the Broken Pieces ann e. burg novel in verse/Vietnam war/relationships

Scholastic Press, 2009 218pp., $14.99 ISBN 13-978-0-08092-7

This is a sensitive treatment of a Vietnamese boy, fathered by an absentee-American father, who was airlifted to the United States during the last days of the war. Adopted by a loving and well-intentioned family, he lives in a community that has been fractured by the controversy surrounding this war. Matt is haunted by his own memories: his mother, his brother’s injury and his own guilt. He must also face the anger of a teammate who accuses him of “killing his brother.” The verse is well constructed and the imagery leaps from the pages portraying the feel and the horror of war whether experienced in the United States or in Vietnam. A thoughtful and emotional read that effortlessly pulls the reader along.

Summer Reading List 2009

Some Great Reads by Ms. Scott

Here are some wonderful books. Also don’t forget to look at the Saint Mark’s Library Homepage on our website. Go to the teen space and then to recommended reads for seventh and eighth grade. This book list by Mrs. Forrester was one of the reasons I applied for a job at Saint Mark’s. I also added some recommendations. This book list, here, is heavy for boys but girls will like some of the offerings too, and I have included some especially for them. If you want to know more about the books, go to Amazon and read the reviews. Happy reading.

Chocolate Wars, Robert Cormier

Does Jerry Renault dare to disturb the universe? You wouldn't think that his refusal to sell chocolates during his school's fundraiser would create such a stir, but it does; it's as if the whole school comes apart at the seams. To some, Jerry is a hero, but to others, he becomes a scapegoat--a target for their pent-up hatred. And Jerry? He's just trying to stand up for what he believes, but perhaps there is no way for him to escape becoming a pawn in this game of control; students are pitted against other students, fighting for honor--or are they fighting for their lives? Amazon review ( for example)

Staying Fat for Sarah Brynes, Chris Chutcher- This is my all time favorite of his, but he is a master. Try Ironman, or Stoltan, his latest is Deadline which is an interesting read, but ( for me) doesn’t have the soul of his other works. He always deals with serious issues, can be edgy.

The Once and Future King, T.S. White. If you are a Merlin/king Authur junky this it the original biggie.

Watership Down- Richard Adams- About rabbits, but not about rabbits.

Ender’s Game, by Orson Scott Card. This is a series. There is a prequel called Ender’s Shadow. This is a no fail boy read. I thought the ending was really a surprise. Girls like it too, and have been mad at me for calling it only a boy read.

Windsinger, William Nicholson. Fantasy/sci fi. I liked it. I think it is now has a sequel.

Under the Blood Red Sun, Graham Salisbury story about two boys who are friends during the bombing of Peal Harbor. Really good.

Monster by Walter Dean Meyer. All of his books are good, but edgy. This is the story of a boy on trial for murder who writes the trial as a script. Prettyamazing book.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. This is a must read for girls although the content is disturbing. She is an excellent author. She has a brand new book out that I have not read.

Stick Figure by Lori Gottlieb. Another must read for girls. This is about anorexia. Amazing book. Parents of girls should also read this book.

The Wish Gail Carosn Levine. Young read, but interesting concept and easy to read.

Any and absolutely all books by Joan Bauer. Fantastic and funny girl reads. Great characters. Try Footloose or Rules of the Road. Some of them are LOL.

Code Talker, Joseph Bruchac - story of Navajo Marines and their amazing part in WWII. Really interesting.

Cracker! The best dog in Vietnam, Cynthia Kadohata I loved this book. It is way beyond your normal dog book. Great story, well told.

The last Dog on Earth Daniel Ehrenhaft Sci FI book really scary but good.

Rash by Pete Haufman, Sci/fi page turner. He also wrote Godless.

Pety, Ben Mikaelsen amazing story of a man with MS.

Feed, M.T. Anderson. Future book. This will creep you out. A little edgy.

My Sister’s Keeper Jodi Picoult, All of her books always have interesting dilemmas and twist and turns in plot. All are hard to put down. This one is my favorite. Although it has girl protagonist, boys like it too.

The Absolute True Diary of a Part time Indian,Sherman Alexie This book won the YA prize but was written for adults. I loved it. Story of teenager who is Native American and must make some difficult choices. Great book

Book Thief by Markus Zusak Fantastic book. Slow to start, and then you cannot put it down. Story is narrated by Death and set in Germany during the WWII.

The Alchemyst, Michael Scott. Fantastic, page turner series. I have the newest beside me that I intend to read once I finish this list.

Maxium Ride Series, James Patterson Great adventure Sci/fi series. Really hard to but down. Voted one of the best books ( series) by teens this year.

Alex Rider Series, Anthony Horowitz easy read. Fast paced spy series. Great books

The King of Attolia, Megan Whalen Turner series of books. Great fantasy and witty.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Rick Riordan I almost didn’t put this down as I do not know of any kid who hasn’t read this series. It is great about half god half humans. Brand new one out.

Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls. If you only get one book, get this one!!!!

Corner of the Universe, Ann Martin, another good story well told

Uglies, Scott Westerfeld, a super series, read by girls, but also liked by guys. Futuristic.

White Darkness, Geraldine Mccaughrean Okay, this is the creepiest book, I have ever read. I stayed up all night reading it. Girl protagonist, but is joined by a guy towards the end. Super page turner.

Pendragon series-D.J. MacHale enormously popular series. Boy lit.

Little Brother, Cory Doctorow- this was one of the favorite reads for the boys this year.

Graceling, Kristin Cashore, si fi fantasy. This was my favorite read this year. New book comes out in October. I have already ordered it. So will you when you read this book.

Elsewhere, and Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac.Gabrielle Zevin. Okay, maybe I am feeling bad about the girls. These are both wonderful reads. Elsewhere is really interesting. Hard to put down. So is the other. I am waiting for her new book.

Stargirl, Jerry Spinelli. I know most of you (ladies) have read this book, but read it again. You don’t understand it completely until you are in eighth grade ( and beyond) think about it in terms of your relationships with guys.

So be It. Sarah Weeks, a wonderful wonderful story. 5 stars on Amazon

Secret Life of Bees, Susan Monk Kidd. Fantastic story about

finding one’s self.

Have to stop now. Got reading to do… have a wonderful summer. Love, Ms. Scott