Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles

 This book has been getting lots of buzz on twitter this summer.  I decided it would be the last official book I would be able to start and finish this summer sitting by the pool. 

Tyler Johnson Was Here is the story of Marvin Johnson and his twin brother Tyler.  Marvin is a boy in grade 12 who has a bright future.  He is passionate about science and hopes to study at MIT after high school.  However, he is worried about his brother.  Tyler is starting to spend more time with the local gang and when Marvin witnesses his brother passing a small baggie to the head of this gang, he is very worried.  Then, when Marvin follows his brother to a party in order to keep an eye on him, things go bad when the police break up the party and gun shots are heard.  Now Marvin has to confront his mother and explain what Tyler was getting involved with and just hope that he is ok as they have not heard from him since the party.  

This was an interesting read.  Much too mature for Intermediate students, I will be sending this book off to my friend who teaches high school.  Watching Marvin and his mother deal with the affects of police brutality and his brother trying to survive with limited choices was hard to read.   It was an interesting book that puts the reader into situations that we only see on TV.  

The Talk Conversations about Race, Love and Truth by Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson

 I don't usually review nonfiction books that I read, mostly because I don't read a lot of nonfiction for kids.  But this book belongs in my Summer 2020 reading journey as I am learning how to address and talk about race and racism with students.  The Talk was promoted by Pernille Ripp on her Instagram page, usually when she promotes a book, I find I have to order it!  

The Talk is a collection of letters/poems/ articles written by award-winning authors to their children about racism, identity and what is like growing up not being part of the dominate culture in the United States.  Many of these stories had me reconsidering my understanding of what it is like being a different colour, religion, culture, race in American.  These stories really hit home as I imagined having to have some of these conversations with my own children.  

This summer I have read a lot and listened to many podcasts trying to learn more about how I can not only have conversations with students, but also to educate myself on how I can be an ally and help promote equality.  I'm not totally sure where this book fits in with that quest, but I am very glad I read it.  

The Summer of Broken Things by Margaret Peterson Haddix

 I've always been a big fan of Margaret Peterson Haddix books, I've read many of her books- even before I started writing this blog.   A few weeks ago a few friends came over to exchange books and Becky shared this one, I had to grab it because I love Peterson Haddix writing.  I loved this book the way I've loved her other stories.

The Summer of Broken Things is a story about two very different girls.  Avery, a 14 year old rich, pretty and passionate about soccer and Kayla 16, who doesn't feel good about herself, has never had money and lives in a very small town.  When Avery's father announces he is going to Spain for business for the summer and that Avery is coming with him, she is very upset.  All she wants to do is spend the summer at soccer camp.  Then, when Avery learns that Kayla - someone who she played with when she was very young, is coming along she is furious.  Avery is mad at both her mother, her father and Kayla and is determined to make their lives miserable.  As they spend time in Spain, Kayla starts coming into her own and when they learn what really connects them, they handle this new information in very different ways.  

I can see lots of kids enjoying reading this story.  Avery is the typical 'spoilt girl' you see on TV and in movies, she isn't really very likeable.  Kayla is kind and caring and so uncertain about herself that you just want to root for good things for her.  I enjoyed reading about how the girls got to spend the summer in Spain and really immerse themselves in the culture and community.  

I'll be ordering this book to have in my library.  

Suffer Love by Ashley Herring Blake

 I'm not sure where I found this book, probably on twitter.  I just received it last week so today when I was looking for a book to read, I grabbed this one right away.   It was a great read, although not really appropriate for kids in grade 7 and 8, maybe mature kids in grade 8.  

Suffer Love is the story of Hadley and Sam, both dealing with the repercussions of a family crisis.  For Hadley, she is trying to live with the fact that her father was unfaithful to her mother.  Hadley doesn't know how to forgive her father for the mess they find themselves in.  Sam is trying to support his sister and deal with his mother's anger towards him as well as his father's absence. Neither Sam or Hadley are looking for a relationship, they are just looking for a way to get through life.  But Sam and Hadley are drawn together and their connection feels right for both of them.  But Sam is hiding a secret that he is afraid will mean the end of this connection.  As Hadley and Sam try and deal with friends, family and each other, they learn lessons along the way about how to really live.  

I thought this story was great, I could not put it down!  Sam and Hadley are both such wonderful, believable characters.  Learning about love through watching their own parents while exploring their own feelings was so realistic.  I can see lots of girls enjoying this story.  But I would suggest for Intermediate students that you read it first because there are mature scenes, although not graphic or explicit, it could be glossed right over by readers. 

 

Send by Patty Blount

 I've read several books by Patty Blount and have always really liked her stories.  The other books I've read have always had a female main character, so this one was a bit different.  I'm not sure why I've not read this one before, I thought it was a new release, but when I looked, this book was written in 2012.  I'm glad I found it!

Send is the story of Dan, whose life changed when he hit send when he was 13 years old.  Now, in his senior year of high school, he just wants to get through this last year and move onto college.  He is starting fresh in a new school, and hopes to just coast through the year.  However, all that changes the first day of school when he sees two students getting into a fight, he steps in to protect the weaker student from being hurt.  It is the right thing to do, however, it doesn't help Dan stay hidden from the rest of the school.  However, Dan knows the consequences of bullying and sees the fear in Brandon eye's.  He also meets Julie- the girl who he can't seem to stay away from, even when everything tells him he should.  Dan is hiding a big secret and his fear is that people will learn who he really is, but as he starts to develop a friendship with Brandon and Julie, he tries to fight being a normal teenager because of a mistake he once made.  

I loved reading this story.  Dan, Brandon and Julie's story were all difficult to read, they are all dealing with trauma and trying to find a way forward.  Reading about Dan's journey to forgive himself was very interesting, his relationship with his parents and grandpa was also really fascinating.  Even though the situations Dan, Brandon and Julie found themselves in were quite unique, I can see many kids relating to the situation and how they tried to handle themselves.  I know many kids are going to enjoy reading this book.  It does deal with mature content, but I wouldn't hesitate to give this to a student in grade 7 or 8.  

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

This book was highly recommended by several people on twitter.  I ordered it last week and yesterday when I was looking for my next book, this was the one that caught my eye.  

Clap When You Land is the story of two girls- Camino living in the Dominican Republic waits all year for the summer when her father comes to visit and Yahaira, who lives in New York City, but whose father goes home every summer and never brings her with him.  When Camino is waiting at the airport for her father, she gets the terrible news that his plane went down over the ocean.  On the same day, Yahaira is called to the principal's office to hear the news that her father's plane went down and they are assuming there are no survivors.  Both girls struggle to deal with the aftermath of their favourite persons death, they also learn that their father had a secret he kept from both of them, but when they learn this secret, the loss of their father brings new family and new relationships into play.  

This story was phenomenal.  I love stories told in verse, and the way this story alternates perspectives gave insight into how the girls were dealing with such a big loss.  I loved learning about life in the Dominican Republic, outside of the very narrow view vistors to local resorts get there.  Camino had so many talents and dreams and the fear that she might not achieve her goals is very hard to imagine.  Yahaira also has an interesting life in New York City and reading about how she navigates her life there was also fascinating.  Yahaira's mother also was quite an interesting character, she clearly knew of her husbands secret, and held a great deal of anger towards him and where does that anger go when the person dies is a question that was addressed through this story.   I know that these two girls are going to live with me for a while after finishing this story.  

Clap When You Land does deal with mature sexual content, but it wouldn't stop me from giving it to grade 8 students.  

Girl Made of Stars by Ashley Herring Blake

This book has been sitting on my 'to-be-read' shelf for about a year.  Yesterday I wanted a different book to read from what I've been reading this summer and so this was the one I picked.  I've not read any books by Ashley Herring Blake before, but I am adding a few of hers to my cart.  

Girl Made of Stars is a story about Mara and Owen- twins who have always been close.  One Monday morning, Mara's best friend/ ex-girlfriend Charlie tells Mara that their other friend Hannah is accusing Owen of raping her.  This event confuses Mara to no end.  How could her brother who she loves and respects be accused of such an awful thing?  Mara doesn't know how to handle this, she has been brought up to understand that you always believe the female, but her mother is taking Owen's side.  Mara believes Owen is telling the truth, but she also knows that Hannah wouldn't make up a lie like this, and so she is torn between these stories.   As Mara navigates her family dealing with this aftermath, she is also forced to remember a past trauma of her own that she has never shared with anyone.  While dealing with this, she is also confronted with Charlie's new relationship and trying to navigate how to be a best friend to an ex.  

Watching Mara deal with all of these issues is really difficult.  She has so much thrown at her and struggles to cope with all of these issues.  I thought this story was really well told.  All of the characters are so believable and real.  The relationship between Mara and Owen is interesting to watch how it changes.  Watching how Mara's mother deals with the accusation is also very heart wrenching.  All in all, this was a fabulous book.  It does deal with a mature topic, but I can see giving this book to grade 8 students without question.  

Ghost by Jason Reynolds

Ghost is the second book I've read by Jason Reynolds this summer and it's another great read!  This one is much more appropriate for Grade 6-8 students too.  

Ghost is the story of Castle Cranshaw, who likes to be known as Ghost.  Ghost lives with his mom and is really struggling deal with the effects of witnessing a violent incident.  Ghost has always known he is a fast runner, but he has never even thought about learning how to run fast.  But when he runs in front of a man who not only trains runners, but also was an Olympic medalist, Ghost is asked to run with the team.  However, learning to be part of a team is challenging for Ghost- he is dealing with a lot of issues from his past that gets in the way of his ability to be a top level racer.  

This was a great read. Ghost is a great character whose own behaviour and attitude stop him from achieving what is possible.  I can see many boys enjoying this book to not only learn about running, but also about growing up and being responsible for your own actions.   

There is a sequel to this one called Patina which is now in my shopping cart to order with my next batch of books.