Game Changer by Neal Shusterman

 This book popped up on my twitter feed last week and it was quite intriguing.  So I ordered it and started it yesterday.   I've read a few books by Neal Shusterman and have always found them very interesting and unusual.  They are often quite complex and leave me thinking about the book long after I've finished it, Unwind was like that for me, I still think about one scene in that story.  I think Game Changer will be a book that will live with me too.  

It's a bit hard to describe the plot of Game Changer - the story is about Ash, who is a tackle on his high school football team.  He has some good friends and seems to have a moral compass that helps him accept others.  One Friday night, Ash is hit during the football game and something feels 'off'.  He can't quite figure out what it is, but slowly he realizes that he is an alternative universe, where things are similar, but not quite the same as the one he left.  As Ash tries to revert his life back to what it was, he experiences different situations that cause him to question what he has always believed.  Everything from LGBTQ rights, to racism, to sexism.  Ash is forced to figure out what he really believes and who he wants to be, if he can get the world to right itself again.  

I found that I could not put this book down when I was reading it.  It was fascinating, although there were times when the idea of alternative universes was hard to follow.  The story however was really interesting.  Living with Ash as he tried to navigate new realities and watching him being forced to experience the way others are treated made him question his own life and his own privilege.  I think this book would be great to use in a literature circle since it would be a good to have a conversation with students as they read it.  There are some mature bits to this story, but nothing I wouldn't share with Intermediate students.  

Sara and the Search for Normal by Wesley King

 This book was given to me to read by one of the teachers at my school.  It is the prequel to the book OCDaniel that I borrowed from him a few years ago.  Sara and the Search for Normal is another book dealing with mental health issues that are faced by so many students.  

In this story, all 12 year old Sara wants is to be 'normal', in fact she wants it so much that she has a list of over 100 rules that will help her be normal. Some of the items on her list are things like:  stop having panic attacks,  get back into a regular classroom and stop taking pills.  In her weekly therapy sessions with her doctor, he constantly reminds her that there is no normal, and that she needs to learn to like herself, but Sara has a hard time believing that.  When her doctor recommends group therapy, Sara meets Erin, another girl who has her own issues and who handles her anxiety by pulling out her hair.  Erin becomes Sara's first friend and together they learn that nobody is normal, but lots of people are good at pretending they are.  

I thought this book was amazing!  I could not put it down.  As I was reading it I was thinking about so many kids who need the messages found in this book - learning to accept yourself, flaws and all is so hard for students, and for students who struggle with mental health, it is even harder.  I can see so many students learning from this.  Once again, Wesley King has dealt with a serious issue that impacts so many kids in a way that opens the door for conversation, but most importantly for acceptance.   I will be buying my own copy of this book!

 

Unravel by Sharon Jennings

 I'm not actually sure where I saw this book- but it arrived yesterday and since it is Good Friday and I am planning on reading all weekend long, it was a good first choice.  I'm not sure I've read one of Sharon Jennings books before, but I really enjoyed this book.  

The story starts out with the chapter title "The Day that was the Beginning of the End" and the mystery goes from there.  Rebecca is an eleven year old girl who lives an odd life.  She doesn't go to school, but is homeschooled by her dad.  Her and her dad move often, her dad Joe makes them move whenever strangers get too close and ask too many questions.  At the start of the story, Rebecca is comfortable living in their most recent apartment, she has lots of adults looking after her, teaching her things like cooking, math and other life skills.  Rebecca is well liked and feels loved by the adults in her life.  However she is starting to question things in her life like what happened to her mom, why don't they have any other family, why won't her father allow her to choose her own clothes and reading materials.  As Rebecca starts to question more and more, her father becomes more and more angry with her.  

Then Rebecca meets Phoebe, a mysterious women from their new apartment building.  As Rebecca continues to question her life, Phoebe is there to help her learn the truth about her life.  

This story was a quick read, but mostly because I couldn't put it down.  Rebecca is such a smart, resourceful, strong young women.  I loved all of the references to the books she reads, and I also loved how this story was set in Toronto.  I can see lots of students enjoying this story!

George by Alex Gino

 A few weeks ago I put out a call on Twitter for books that would help support LGBTQ+ students.  I wanted to expand my library so that everyone could find a book that they could see themselves in if that is what they were looking for.  Alex Gino was recommended to me as an author that might work for middle grade students, he is a new author to me, and I'm really glad I found him.  

George is the story of a 10 year old boy who identifies as a girl, however, she hasn't told anyone yet.  When the school decides to put on the play Charlotte's Web, the only part George wants to play is Charlotte, but George isn't sure what the rest of the school or her classmates will accept that.  George's best friend Kelly is a great support, but George is afraid to tell her as well.  

In this story, George has to worry about the reaction of his mother and brother, his classmates- especially the two class bullies and his friend.  I really liked how Alex Gino dealt with the issue of someone who is transgender and the complex emotions and reactions that come from different people.  Even though the main characters are in grade 4, I think this book would be of interest to students in older grades.  I'm looking forward to showcasing this book in some way.  

The Barren Grounds by David A. Robertson

 On Thursday, Pernille Ripp announced the next book for her Global Read Aloud for middle school students.  I had just said that my new focus was going to be on reading books by and about Indigenous authors and then this book came up on my feed.  I ordered it right away and it was at my house the next day.   

I could not put this book down!  The Barren Grounds is the story of two Indigenous youth who are living in foster care in Winnipeg.  Morgan is in grade 8 and she has been living in an endless series of foster home, and is not only unhappy herself, but ends up making everyone around her unhappy as well.  Eli is in grade 7 and has just entered the foster care system.  He is trying to adjust to his new reality, while missing his home.  

Morgan and Eli find a secret room in the attic of their home and are surprised to discover that it leads to a portal that takes them into a different reality.   This new land is a place where it is always winter, and when the pair meet up with Ochek, who is the only hunter in his village desperate to find a way to keep his people alive they join him in his fight for survival.  Ochek recognizes that the children are needed to end the endless winter and as he teaches them the traditional ways of living off the land, they set out on a dangerous mission to bring food and warmth back to the community.  

I understand why this book was selected for the Global Read Aloud, I am so amazed that it is a Canadian author and set in Winnipeg.  What a wonderful connection for our students.  I cannot wait to introduce this to teachers and students! 

 

What Kind of Girl by Alyssa Sheinmel

 What Kind of Girl is a book that arrived at my house last week.  I must have preordered it, but it was a nice surprise to see in my mailbox!  

What Kind of Girl is a very interesting story that deals with domestic violence and the impact that has on the victim / romantic partner, friends and family.  There are some mature parts to this story, but the message is a very important one, I think it would be appropriate for  mature grade 8 students and secondary students.  

The story begins when the most popular student and track star - Mike Parker's girlfriend tells the Principal that Mike has hit her and she has the bruise to prove it.    But the rest of the school is confused.  Why would she stay with him if he was hitting her?  Why didn't she go to the police?  Will this have an impact on Mike's scholarship potential?  How could such a great guy do something like this.  As a result of this, the school becomes divided.  Some of the girls want him expelled from school, his friends are defending him and accusing his girlfriend of lying.  And his girlfriend?  She is conflicted as well, why did she stay?  What will she do without him?  How will she move forward from this?  What kind of girl does this make her? 

I really enjoyed reading this story.  Sheinmel has a really interesting way of writing these different characters and I like how complex the story was.  The characters seemed so real and interesting, and they are not perfect.  They are all dealing with flaws and the stress of being a teenager.    

Just as a warning, this story does deal with mental health issues such as: bulimia, self-harm (cutting) drug use.  I think it is a great book, I would just be aware of the audience who is reading it.  

Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas

 I've read all of Angie Thomas's books, and when Concrete Rose came out, I knew I would need to read it.  Then, when one of my students asked me if I have read it yet, I had to order it!  

Concrete Rose is the prequel to The Hate U Give where we learn about Star's parents, but mostly where we learn about her dad Maverick.  We meet 17 year old Maverick at a time when his life is just about to change forever.  Once you've read The Hate U Give, you know what is going to happen, but while reading it, I was hoping for a different outcome.  

This story is about how Maverick needs to determine the way his life is going to be.  Maverick needs to decide if he is going to continue to be part of the gang that landed his father in jail and his uncle dead, or if he is going to become a man of honour and who makes an honest living.  It isn't easy for Maverick, he is faced with decisions about school, making money and living up to the expectations of his friends who are all part of the gang.  Maverick has a great support system, but the reality of his life means he needs to make some very difficult choices.  

 This story was so compelling, I found myself hoping the story would go a different way because I knew how challenging Maverick's life was going to be. I loved learning about Maverick and Lisa's relationship and about Maverick's relationship with his friends and other family members as well.  

I heard an interview last week with Angie Thomas and the interviewer mentioned that she wanted to give 17 year old Maverick a copy of the Hate U Give so that he knew that his choices would work out.  It makes me think of conversations I have with kids often, the idea that challenges you face seem huge and life altering when you are young, but pushing through and making the right choice can have a long lasting impact on not only you, but others as well.  

I hope Angie Thomas is not done with these characters yet. There is still so much story to tell between the end of Concrete Rose and the beginning of The Hate U Give.  Now the big decision is when people have not read either book, which one do you give them first?  I feel like Concrete Rose is the place to start now that it is out....but I would love to be convinced otherwise.