The 5th Wave

Yancey, R. (2013). The 5th Wave. G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers.  
NYT Bestseller (Aug. 30, 2015 - YA Paperback)

Summary: The 5^th Wave a Science Fiction novel that describes the waves of an alien attack. In the first wave, the electronics were destroyed, the second wave brought catastrophic destruction to all of the coastlines, the third wave wiped out seven billion people with an Ebola virus, and wave four revealed that some humans were hosts to aliens. Cassie and Ben are living separate lives and are now embarking on the fifth and final wave of the attack. Both of Cassie’s parents have died and she is in search of her little brother. During her search, she is shot, nearly dies, and taken in by a boy who she believes is the shooter. Ben is living in a refugee camp and was sick with the Ebola virus until he received medicine to cure him. He became a solider to battle the aliens who killed his sister. Along the way, he finds a small boy who believes his sister is coming to save him. Through a series of events, Cassie finds her little brother on the corrupted military base where him and Ben are staying. They find each other and escape together outrunning and surviving from the people trying to kill them.

Commentary: The 5^th Wave is a novel that consists of dual narratives from Cassie and Ben. It is an intriguing approach to a two stories that become intertwined at the end. A commonality in the characters mistrust they have in others. Because of the resent catastrophic events, survivors are turning on each other, which creates paranoia and suspension in all who remain. This book causes the reader to have a temporary suspension of disbelief and let themselves become lost in the story. These events can become real in reader’s minds because of the extensive description of the setting and events. Without the vivid descriptions, readers would not be able to dive a deeply and emotionally into the story. The ending gives a sense of hopefulness because of the unlikelihood but prevalence of survival in the circumstances that Cassie and Ben faced.

Connection: Books with similar themes: Divergent by Veronica Roth and The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Fangirl

Rowell, R. (2013). Fangirl. St. Martin's Griffin.  
NYT Bestseller (Aug. 30, 2015 - YA Paperback)

Summary: Cath Avery is a Simon Snow fanfiction writing addict who is known to her online fans as Magicath. As she begins her freshman year at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, she finds herself living with someone other than her twin sister, Wren. Being focused on her writing and having a deadline to finish a book by the end of her freshman year, she does not care much about the college social life or doing anything other than writing for that matter. As hard as she tries to stay in her world of Simon Snow stories, there are exterior life experiences that are hindering focus; her professor dislikes her fanfiction writing, her sister’s liking to college life and growing alcoholism, her dad’s bipolar disorder, and the absence of her mother since she was little. Not only is she struggling with all that life is throwing at her, to top it off; she has grown feelings for her roommate’s ex-boyfriend, Levi. As she is dealing with each experience as they come, the novel ends with Cath on the up swing in life. She ends up with a catch as a boyfriend, a sobering up sister, a dad who is trying to work through her issues, and a successful and finished book.

Commentary: This novel is geared toward the older ages of the Young Adult readers as the main character, Cath, is entering college. It discusses very relatable topics such as wanting to focus on something you are passionate about but extenuating circumstances get in the way. Whether it is troubles with friends or family, I believe all teens can relate to the hardships found in this contemporary realistic fiction novel and how difficult it is to overcome them. As Cath battles with her desire to finish the story she is writing, she is continues to have anxiety about the college life.  Her intimidating roommate and Levi help to open her up to a world that she didn’t even know she wanted to be a part of.

Connection: Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYk1H3DV8yk

El Deafo

Bell, C. (2014).  El Deafo.  BY: Abrams. 

Summary: In this graphic novel, Cece, a four-year-old rabbit, is living a normal life with her parents and siblings. When Cece contracts meningitis, she is hospitalized and  loses her hearing due to the illness. At first her hearing device does not bother her because she is able to attend kindergarten with other deaf students who have similar devices. When she enters a public school and in a general education classroom, her self-consciousness about her hearing aide increases. As Cece tries to fit in, she has multiple friends who aren’t quite the right fit for her. Once fitted with a more powerful and larger hearing device, the Phonic Ear, Cece has more of a desire to fit in. Through her various friendships and crushes on boys, she finds camaraderie with her peers when she reveals that due to her hearing aide, she can hear her teacher go to the bathroom, visit in the teacher’s lounge, and go about her daily routines, which she has believed was her alter ego super hero, El Deafo’s, super power. The other students applaud her for her great powers, which make her feel accepted and normal. She has blended her fantasy as El Deafo and her reality as Cece.

Commentary: In this semi-autobiographical graphic novel, Cece Bell describes her life when she was younger. She portrays herself as Cece in the novel; a creative and whimsical character that has insecurities strives for acceptance like almost all young adults. This novel describes her interactions with her peers and how she is willing to do almost anything for their friendship at first. She recognizes the dysfunction in many of the friendships but holds on to them regardless of their flaws until they are unbearable. Although this novel seems to appeal to children who struggle with hearing loss at first, as you read the book, there are many themes and relatable experiences that all young adults can confide in.

Connection: Bee-Wigged by Cece Bell and the Sock Monkey series by Cece Bell

Speak

Anderson, L. H.  (1999). Speak.  NY:  Penguin. 

Summary: Melinda Sordino is a socially rejected freshman at Merryweather High School due to her calling the police at a high school party in the summer prior to school starting. Little do the other students know, she is carrying around a terrible secret that is weighing heavy on her heart, emotions, and friendships. She gains an unlikely friend in Heather, a new student at school, who is trying to gain popularity, unlike Melinda. Melinda spends most of her time in an abandoned janitors closet and finding solace in art class, she finally starts to deal with the fact that a senior, Andy Evans, at the very party where she called the cops, raped her. As Andy makes appearances in her life and starts to come close to one of her former friends, Melinda begins to gain the confidence to come out about her rape. As she comes out about her incident, other girls start to speak up about their unfortunate experiences with Andy as well. When Andy confronts Melinda in her, what she thought was her very safe janitor’s closet; she takes a stand and fights back. This gains the respect of many of her peers. The book ends by her returning to her place of solace, art class, and confiding in her art teacher about her traumatic experiences.

Commentary: In Speak, Melina’s experience and struggles are slowly revealed throughout the story. The reader knows at the beginning that she is an outcast and that something has happened to her but they do not know what. This style of writing keeps the reader interested and curious about what experience is truly haunting her to change so drastically. When the truth about her rape is revealed to the reader, most of the other characters do not know about her experience. The reader is able to live through her struggles and just how difficult it is to come out about the sexual abuse to others. Because of this experience, Melinda’s friendships are fractured. She is thought of as a social outcast by the main population of the school so what she thought were her “true” friends followed suit. Even if rape is not the relating factor to the reader, many readers can relate to how she deals with fractured friendships and rejection.  Finally, This book does not finish in a normal happy fairy tale ending. In the end, Melinda is just discovering her strength to recoginize what happened to her was out of her control. After the book ends, she will still have much healing and hardships ahead much like real life. 

Connection: Just Listen by Sarah Dessen, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, and Some Boys by Patty Blount.

Annie On My Mind

Garden, N. (1982).  Annie on my mind.  NY:  FSG. 

Summary: Liza Winthrop and Annie Kenyon are seventeen year-old girls from New York City who, even though they are from very diverse backgrounds, form an immediate friendship after a random meeting at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  As their friendship progresses, they begin to discover a sexual attraction to each other, and not only have to deal the normal emotions of first love,  but also the social stigma of homosexuality and rejection by friends, family and school administrators.  Their relationship is exposed while house-sitting for two lesbian teachers from Liza's private school who were subsequently fired during the ensuing turmoil, which adds even more guilt and confusion as they question their self-identities.  The book is written from Liza's point of view one year after their first meeting and several months after they last saw each other and were then attending colleges on opposite ends of the country.  It took Liza more time than Annie to accept her true feelings regardless of the consequences, but her attempt to revive their relationship gives the book an uplifting and hopeful ending.

Commentary: Since this book deals with early adolescent sexuality, it is meant for teenagers and young adults, but can be enjoyed by older adults as well.  Even though the book is somewhat dated since it was written in 1982, it is relevant in today's society still divided by same-gender morality and legal rights issues.  This is a very character infused book as we learn each girl's unique personalities and desires as they struggle to determine how to deal with their unique bond. I believe the true lesson of the book is not in the sexual nature of Liza and Annie's relationship, but in the need to be accepting of others regardless 0f our differences, and the necessity for each individual to find his or her own identity. 

Connection:  Am I Blue?: Coming Out from the Silence by Marion Dane Bauer

Brown Girl Dreaming

Woodson, J. (2014). Brown Girl Dreaming.  NY: Nancy Paulsen Books. 

Summary: Jacqueline Woodson's autobiography is about her life as an African-American girl.  Born in 1963 in Ohio as the youngest of three children, her parents divorced when she was only one, and her mother moved the children to Greenville, South Carolina where they lived with her grandparents during much of her early childhood.  She had a loving family and wonderful memories of that period, but also witnessed intense discrimination of the South, including vivid memories of sitting at the back of the bus.  Her mother was involved in the civil rights movement, and moved to New York City, eventually relocating her children there after the birth of the fourth sibling. The children were raised in the strict Jehovah's Witness religion, often spending five days a week at bible study or going door-to-door to spread the word. Her sister Odella was brilliant, and brother Hope had singing and artist talents, but Jacqueline struggled in school until she was recognized for her amazing memory and language skills. The book deals with racial discrimination, religion, education and family bonds. She concludes the book with her beliefs in God, goodness, family, friends, nonviolence, and Black and White people coming together.

Commentary: The writing style is unique in it's free-style verse, so is like reading a collection of poems. It has historical references to the 1960's and 1970's, particularly regarding the Civil Rights Era.  It is enlightening to understand how our society has dealt with race issues over the last fifty years, and the message is still relevant today in the evolving racial discrimination concerns. There is humor in the book as it addresses very serious issues. It is a good book for teachers and parents to start conversations about the differences and similarities in each of us regardless of race, and is also a good introduction into poetry for middle school and high school students.

Connection:  Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation by Duncan Tonatiuh

Gabi: A Girl In Pieces

Quintero, I.  (2014).  Gabi: A girl in pieces.  TX:  Cinco Puntos. 

Summary: As Gabi Hernandez enters her senior year in high school, her best friend Cindy announces she is pregnant, and their other best friend Sabastian finally tells his parents he is gay, after which he is kicked out of the house.  Gabi's family is also quite dysfunctional, particularly because her adored father is a meth addict and leaves for weeks at a time to live on the streets. Gabi is a talented writer, and excels in her new poetry class where she meets and falls in love with Martin. She has body issues over her weight, of which her mother continually reminds her, and talks about exercising but instead obsesses on food and binges with every new stress in her life.  She expresses herself in her journal, through her poetry and the letters she writes but never sends. She loves her Mexican culture, and sometimes worries she is too Americanized, but she embraces her intelligence and independence and works hard to get into a good college to break the traditional mold.  She must cope with her father's death from an overdose, her mother's and friend's unplanned pregnancies, helping raise an infant brother along with a rebelish teenage brother, as well as all the drama of high school.  She is placed on suspension from school and not allowed to attend her graduation ceremony after starting a fight with the boy who raped her best friend Cindy, but in the end, celebrates with her family and friends with the optimistic belief her life will turn out all right.

Commentary: This is a fictional account told in first person by Gabi, and you can envision a real teenager in a stereotypical Mexican-American neighborhood through the vivid descriptions.  The book uses humorist, realistic teenage language, and makes it even more interesting in the use of many Spanish phrases as evidence of their bilingual culture.  Gabi is very inspiring in that she makes the best of her imperfect life, stays true to herself with her strong views and independence, but also remains loyal to her friends and family.  There is a strong, loving bond between the characters even while exposing their flaws.  The book is appropriate for ages 14 and up, and provides a great message of supporting those close to you, making the very best of your situation, and staying true to yourself.
Connections: How to Build a Girl by Caitlin Moran and Friendswood by Rene Steinke