WEEK 12 : What Teens Like

This week I read the book Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu, below are 3 more popular YA novels

Book Title: The Grief Keeper by Alexandra Villasante

Grade Interest: 7-12

Publication Date: June 11, 2019

Keywords: El Salvador, immigrant,freedom, murder, asylum, family

Summary: A young girl from El Salvador dreams of what life would be like in America and end up having to flee her home under threat of death and stealing across the US border as “an illegal.”

Why I chose it: timely topic in today’s current climate

Where I found it: 2019 Penguin Teen YA Book Preview!

Book Title: Here we are Now by Jasmine Warga

Grade Interest: 7-9

Publication Date: 2017

Keywords: musician, rock start, paternity, family, Jordan, secrets

Summary: Taliah never knew her father until one day a rock star knocks on her door and she discovers secrets about her family and herself.

Why I chose it: NPR reviewed it as “…reminiscent of Judy Blume novels.”

Where I found it: Boston Public Library YA shelf

Book Title: Dramaby Raina Telgemeier

Grade Interest: 5-9

Publication Date: September 1, 2012

Keywords: graphic novel,middle school, singing, theater, drama, relationships

Summary: Confused about relationships and love,middle schooler Callie, navigates relationships and drama while working as part of the stage crew of her school’s play.

Why I chose it: Was the top book checked out at my middle school library for 2018-2019 school year.  For a 7-year-old graphic novel that says something!

Where I found it: My school library shelves

WEEK 11: NUTRITIOUS BOOKS/ GRAPHIC NOVELS

For class this week I read, Hey Kiddo by Jarrett Krosoczka.  Below are 3 other books to fit this week’s theme

Book Title: Ghost World by Daniel Clowes

Grade Interest: 9 and up

Publication Date: February 10, 2015

Keywords: graphic novel, best friends, coming of age, high school

Summary: coming of age graphic novel about 2 best friends navigating the world after high school. Done in black and white with a blue wash

Why I chose it: the cover intrigued me…loved that it features a realistic looking drawing of two friends.

Where I found it: Boston Public library shelf

Book Title: Glitter Kiss by Adrianne Ambrose

Grade Interest: 9-12

Publication Date: January 15, 2013

Keywords: teen girls, graphic novel, magic

Summary: A teenage girl looking for a boyfriend befriends a “witch” and evokes magic through her lip gloss and any boy who kisses her undergoes a strange fate if they aren’t loyal to her.

Why I chose it: looked different from the other graphic novels on the shelf

Where I found it: Boston Public library shelf

Book Title: They Called Us Enemy by George Takei

Grade Interest: 6-12

Publication Date: July 16, 2019

Keywords: Graphic novel, Japanese Americans, Japanese internment camps, World War II, survival.

Summary: Author and activist George Takei’s memoir of his life as a five-year-old boy in a Japanese internment camp during World War II.

Why I chose it: I saw George Takei speak at the ALA conference in DC this year and I was captivated with his story.  The artist was also at the conference which made me want to see the illustrations as well.  Would be a great book to tie in with a history lesson.

Where I found it: I first heard about it at the conference.