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.