First Light

Stead, R. (2008). First Light. New York, NY: Yearling.

This fun-loving adventure is about a boy, Peter, who joins his parents on a expedition to Greenland where his father will study global warming. Peter is thrilled about skipping school, learning how to drive a dog sled, and finally be apart of his Dad's adventure. While Peter is out on the ice he starts to see visions of something he can't explain and it involves a red circular design he found in the ice.
Also, in the story is a girl, Thea, who's never seen or felt sunshine. Her people were suspected of witchcraft and fled for their lives to a secret passage beneath the ice where they have lived for many years. Thea believes and feels within her magic that it's time to return to the surface and that going up there will be important to their survival. Both Peter and Thea don't know that they are searching for the same thing until a certain situation brings them together.

First Light is a amazing story filled with magic and adventure  that any young preteen or teen would enjoy reading. Personally, I loved reading this story and discovering the secrets under the surface of the ice. Peter and Thea are well-rounded characters whose curiosity leads them to find what they're searching for, and some discoveries will blow any reader away. I can't begin to think of another story that is similar to this story, but I'm sure there's something out there. So, take a chance on Peter and Thea's adventure and enjoy the read.

The Crossover

 Alexander, K. (2014). The Crossover. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 

 This story is about twin brothers Josh and Jordan who are both great basketball players and enjoy playing the game. The story is told from Josh's perspective and he uses a free verse form of poetry to illustrate his story. Josh begins to tell how their dad is their inspiration in basketball, because their father was a great international basketball player who was all-star in the states. During the story Josh and his brother begin to notice their father seems to be sick and not himself, but their dad refuses to see the doctor. Not only is Josh worried about his dad but at the same time his brother is dating a girl that Josh happens to like too. Talk about being between a rock and a hard place, but Josh tries to focus all his energy into basketball and not his brother's girlfriend. Josh and his family unfortunately end up in some sad and hard times when their father ends up having a massive heart attack. Even though, Josh is upset by what's happening to his dad he still goes to the basketball final without his brother who rather stay with there dad, and while Josh is playing his heart out their father ends up having major complications and dies before Josh can get back to see him again. Do you think Josh blames himself for leaving his dad to play a basketball game, or do you think Josh is selfish? Read and find out the outcome of the story.

This was tear and heart jerking kind of book which you feel for each character. The free verse form of writing was well done, and even though I had to reread a few passages to understand the textual meaning it was worth it. I feel like older readers in the middle to high school range will enjoy this story.

Lily and Dunkin

Gephart, D. (2016). Lily and Dunkin. New York, NY: Delacorte Press.

This amazing novel is about a boy, Timothy (Tim) McGrother, who really wants to be a girl (Lily) and Norbert Dorfman is a young boy who suffers from a bipolar disorder and being the new kid in town too. Norbert befriends Tim when he spies him up a tree and they become friendly with each other. Tim gives Norbert a new name "Dunkin" to help him feel better about his name, but Tim doesn't tell Dunkin to call him, Lily, in fear of how his reaction. Tim really wants to come out this 8th grade year and become Lily in the eyes of everyone, but his Dad's constant fear for Tim makes it hard to be Lily. Tim knows that being a transgender will be hard especially since his puberty hormones are making themselves known. Once the school year starts, Dunkin is swept up by the basketball team members who happen to pick on Tim because he's different and call him names. Dunkin knows that it's not right to see his friend get picked on, but he's too scared that he won't be liked anymore. Not only is Tim having a hard time at school, but Dunkin begins to stop taking his medicine which causes him to have a mental breakdown. Can Tim and Dunkin overcome these obstacles in their lives and be who they truly are.

Lily and Dunkin is an amazing book about two character who are going through dramatic changes in their lives. I find Tim a.k.a Lily's character enduring and I just wanted to support her and the decisions she wanted to make, and that can be hard for a young transgender kid to go through. Dunkin's character is someone who I can relate with and his mental illness disorder is something that most people don't consider when you're trying to help someone. Both characters can really help young preteens and teens who are confused about their own gender or mental illness, and I believe others can learn not to judge those who are different. I'm glad that Dunkin finally realized that before he lost his friendship with Tim/Lily. 

Annie on My Mind

Garden, N. (2013). Annie on My Mind. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus, Giroux.

This young adult novel is about two young girls, Liza Wintrop and Annie Kenyo, who happen to meet at the metropolitan museum. They instantly become friends even though they live in different parts of  New York they make time to see each other. Their friendship slowly begins to blossom into something more and Liza doesn't know how to handle these feelings she has for Annie. Liza has always seemed a little different even among her private school friends, and she's never been attracted to anyone at her school either. When Liza and Annie are together everything just makes sense which at times scares Liza, but she knows she isn't complete without Annie in her life. One drastic event breaks both Liza and Annie apart due to fear and the unknown, and its not until Liza realizes that the opinions of others doesn't really matter if you're with the one person you love.

Annie on My Mind can be a controversial book due to its content. When it was first published in 1982, many individuals didn't like the book or its content, and many people were outraged by the idea of two girls loving one another. When I told my mother what I was reading she had this look on her face and I knew she didn't care of the book. Of course, I think when people are raised to believe that homosexuality is wrong its hard to change there mind. I believe that literature like this could help those who are ignorant to better understand the fact of homosexuality isn't something that is weird or sick, but that it's another form of partnership. We all want whats best and it shouldn't matter who we love. I enjoyed the story regardless of its content, and I believe this could help those young teens who are confused about their own sexuality. So, regardless of ones' own beliefs try this book and see how the love for another really does prevail.  

Deadline

Crutcher, C. (2007). Deadline. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books.

Deadline is about a 18 year old boy, Ben, who finds out he has one year to live if not longer. Ben figures that if he has one year to live then he wants to go out with a bang. He tries out for the football team even though he's pint sized among his team members. He begins to read more literature figuring that the opinions and history of others is important to know and even torture his ignorant civics teacher. Ben even goes for the mysterious beauty, Dallas Suzuki, who captures Ben's heart ever since he laid eyes on her. Though, when Ben has it all  he feels like he should tell someone about his impending demise, but it's terribly hard to tell the secret when you know it will hurt those he loves. 

Personally, this story makes one comprehend life and your dreams. I sincerely felt that Ben was so realistic and that these events could have actually happened. I must admit this story can be gut-wrenching at times, but the characters are quite fascinating that makes it worth the read. Deadline is similar to The Fault in Our Stars by John Green where you have two characters, one who has a terminal illness and one recovering from cancer. Ben reminds me of  Augustus Waters and how they both just find the brighter things in life, and their"Carpe Diem"  attitude makes you believe that nothing is impossible. With that being said keep in mind that you may cry or not if you give this book a chance, so have the tissue box close by.

Bone Gap Printz Honor

Ruby, L. (2015). Bone Gap. New York, NY: Balzer Bray.

Bone Gap is a story about a teenage boy, Finn, who's considered quite unusual among his Midwestern town. One thing about Finn is he can't distinguish between people's faces and that of the abductor of his friend Roza. Finn tries his best to remember and figure out how to find Roza which will make his brother Sean who loves Roza happy again. No one believes Finn saw what he saw and its up to him to find the man who took Roza. As Finn walks through the corn field he realizes the town of Bone Gap has mysterious gaps that lead him to another world. Will Finn find Roza or will he get lost himself in the gap.

I enjoyed this book immensely and the characters are fantastically developed. At first the chapters skip between different characters, but this is an important structure due to the fact it shares the viewpoints and thoughts of the other characters which ties back into the story. This story flowed real well and the suspense was killing me towards the end. If anything this book has some mystery and even a supernatural feel to it which snagged my attention. So, give this book a shot and see if you like it as much as I did.

The Knife of Never Letting Go

Ness, P. (2014). The Knife of Never Letting Go. London: Walker Books.

In this desolate world, Todd Hewitt is the last boy in Prentisstown. Prentisstown is not like any other towns and the one thing that makes it different is that there are only men in the town. No women live in the town and Todd is under the impression of the disease that killed all the women in the town. Also, everyone can hear your thoughts which is overwhelming and there's no end to the Noise. Every secret is know and there's no privacy at all. Todd has a month left until his birthday and he's always believed there wasn't a place where the Noise didn't stop until he unexpectedly stumbles into a spot of complete silence. He knows its not possible not to have noise, but the more he explores the more he begins to think that the Prentisstown members have been lying to him. The lies are one thing but now everyone want's to find the cause which happens to be a girl. Now Todd, his dog Manchee, and the silent girl must run or else face the Prentisstown mayor.

I must admit this book was hard to read at first and eventually I listened to the audible version of it. It started off real slow, but then it's full of action and a lot of questioning why this was happening to Todd. Todd seems to be a stubborn child and is reluctant to believe his town members and even his own housemates are lying to him. I also enjoy the comic relief that his dog Manchee provides and his bond with his dog is amazing to see. I must admit there's a part where Manchee ends up dying saving both Todd and the girl, and that part reminds me of Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls where Little Ann and Old Dan save Billy from a mountain lion. That part always gets me and I tear up every time. I suppose this is where literature like this story teaches us empathy and human feelings. 

Speak

                                  Anderson, L. H. (2011). Speak. New York, NY: Square Fish.

Speak is about a freshman girl, Melinda Sordino, who came into high school with a horrible experience. The start of her freshman year hasn't gone so well since she busted up an end-of-summer party by calling the cops. Her friends and strangers seem to all hate her for calling the cops. No body bothered to ask why she did it or even acknowledge her. As the months continue she slowly begins to come out of her shell with the help of her art teacher and her tree creations in his class. Melinda finally feels like she's ready to tell the truth about everything that happened the night of the party. Be prepared for the truth and welcome the change. 

I enjoyed Melinda Sordino's journey to finally open up and tell the truth. Personally, I find this book to be relevant to our young teen's today and the pressures they deal with in high school. It can be tough to fit in and it's even harder to open yourself up. Melinda's experience is a perfect example of what could happen to our own female daughter's, sisters, and female students. This story needs to be used as a guide and made aware for our young female students entering high school. This story is similar to 13 Reasons Why with that being said parents and our young adults would benefit for this read, because of its content and relevance of a teenagers life.