Me and Banksy by Tanya Lloyd Kyi

 This book was given to me by a teacher at school who likes reading similar books to me.  He thought I might like this one, and he was right!  

Me and Banksy is the story of Dominica and her friends in grade 8.  Dom and her friends go to a private school where the motto is "Security breeds success".  Security now comes in the form of cameras in the classrooms, hallways and all other places students interact.  This is concerning to some students, but for others, they don't care.  But when unflattering videos taken from these school computers start to appear in on classmates phones, people start to take notice.   Dominica is embarrassed by something circulating showing her in an unflattering light, but doesn't know what to do.  But she has been reading a book about Banksy, an anonymous graffiti artists, and it is through learning about Banksy that Dominica begins to fight back.  

This is a great story that deals with cyberbullying, security and the cost of constant surveillance.   It's an easy read that I can see kids enjoying.  

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.  

Fish In a Tree

For anyone who is reading this blog who teaches grade 5 or 6- I would strongly suggest you go out and pick up this book immediately and be prepared to read it to your class!! This book has been on the radar for the last while, and it took a friend wanting to know what I thought of it for me to pick it up. I am so glad I did. In this story, Ally is in grade 6 and is in yet another school because her dad's job in the military requires her family to move a lot. Ally is an expert at avoiding work and getting into trouble. She has no friends because everyone thinks she is weird and the Principal is sick of seeing her in the office. Ally's family doesn't think she is a trouble maker, they can appreciate her other strengths such as drawing and her math ability. But at school, Ally just doesn't fit in. Then, when a new teacher comes to school and starts teaching Ally's class, he recognize some of Ally's strengths and believes that every child can learn, but everyone learns differently. Once one person starts believing in her, Ally discovers that school isn't such a bad place to be after all. This story is incredible for teaching or reinforcing the power of a growth mindset, having grit and the idea that everyone has something to offer. Mr. Daniel's is the type of teacher any of us who teach want to be like. We want to be able to not only recognize strengths, but to pinpoint struggles, and to know what to do to help. There is so much to do with this book, the discussions would be amazing! It reminds me a great deal of Wonder, I think reading the two books out loud would really reinforce the idea of "When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind"

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

I've just discovered Courtney Summers this summer, and I'm so glad I did. The stories she writes are about real kids struggling with real issues. The characters are believable, likeable and typical of teenage kids. The first book I read by her was http://whatchareading-kerry.blogspot.com/2011/08/fall-for-anything-by-courtney-summers.html and I immediately ordered Some Girls Are.

Some Girls Are in many ways is like Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, but also reminded me of http://whatchareading-kerry.blogspot.com/2010/01/lottery-by-beth-goobie.html by Beth Goobie
The main character in the story is Regina who is a senior in high school. By all outward appearances she has it all. She has a boyfriend, many close friends and most importantly she is at the top of the social ladder. Her and her group of girlfriends are the ones the rest of the school looks up to and admire. They are untouchable. Regina has always been confident in her place as Anna's best friend, until a party one night when something happens to split the girls apart. Suddenly Regina is frozen out of her place with all of her friends. She really has nowhere to turn. Her former friends bully, threaten and taunt her and encourage the rest of the school to do the same. Regina seeks shelter with one of the boys who she previously tormented leading to a very strange friendship between the two. Regina learns a great deal not only about herself, but also about others' as she is forced to deal with her past behaviour.

I really, really enjoyed reading this book. Regina is unlike any other character who has faced bullying in books. Regina doesn't just take it, she fights back. While there were times I cringed at her methods- I appreciated her strength and courage. There are times when Regina and her friends portray the ultimate mean girls at high school, yet through all of this Regina grows up and has to face her past.

When I first started reading this book I wasn't sure if I could keep it in my grade 7 classroom. There is a lot of sexual references and swearing, but as I read on I realized this is a book girls must read. This book will go into my mature book box, but I know I will take it out and share it with many kids this year. I can't wait to read other books by Summers!

Words That Start with B by Vikki VanSickle

Clarissa is just starting grade 7- she expects it to be her best year ever. Her and her best friend Benji can't wait to start school. She has long awaited the year when she will have Miss. Ross- the best teacher ever. But grade 7 doesn't turn out quite the way Clarissa expects. There are feelings for boys, new friends, new teachers and Benji who doesn't want to stand up for himself. Clarissa needs to deal with all of that at school and then things take a turn at home. Life gets very confusing for Clarissa.

I enjoyed reading this book, it reminded me of Egghead for many reasons. It also deals with growing up from a girls perspective. I always like reading books set in Ontario, and I liked how VanSickle dealt with issues of bullying, friendship, school and illness.

Bystander by James Preller

I heard about this book through my new friends on Twitter and I knew I had to buy it. It is much like Egghead but a little darker.

The story is about a boy named Eric who has moved to a new school in grade 7. I can't imagine a worse year to start over. Things for Eric are tough- his dad has disappeared and as much as Eric wants to forget about him, he can't. Eric has slowly started making friends with the 'cool' gang at school- led by Griffin. Eric thinks something is a little off about Griffin, but because he always has lots of people around him, Eric finds himself just happy to belong. Soon Griffin starts picking on David- an awkward boy who also wants to fit in. Eric feels that because he isn't doing anything- he isn't at fault. Deep down, Eric knows it isn't right and slowly he starts to separate himself from Griffin and his friends. By doing this, Eric has isolated himself from the other kids at school, but Griffin is now targeting him. Eric has to figure out how to live a life he can be proud of and still have friends while keeping away from Griffin.

I found the start of this book to be very dark and a bit scary. Teaching grade 7, I really hope the kids aren't like this to each other, but I admit I'm not really sure. The voices of these boys ring very true to kids I know and teach. Reading how the teachers deal with the issues of bullying is a little worrisome too. I'm not totally sure what can be done with these kids that are being bullied when nobody will admit what is happening. Kids are so good at spinning the truth and so many parents can't believe their child would do something like this that it is really hard to know what to do. I can see using this book as a read aloud- although I like Egghead better- and I'm not sure if reading two books on the same topic would be a great idea. It is certainly something to think about. Either way, it is a great book for my classroom library!

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

I have to say, I am on a reading roll right now- I just keep picking books that get better and better. Yesterday I finished reading Thirteen Reasons Why and I LOVED it! This is Asher's first book and I really hope he writes more.

The story line is very unique. There are really two stories going on here. One is Hannah, a young girl who committed suicide two weeks ago, she left a recording of the 13 reasons why she killed herself. The other story is Clay, after he becomes one of the 13 people receiving these tapes to listen to. The story flips between both characters- with Clay listening to Hannah's story and interjecting his thoughts and feelings. You get a fascinating look at how there can be different perspectives from the same event. This story is so compelling, at times it was so sad listening to Hannah's life and how she was treated at the high school. Then, there are the times when Clay was sharing his attraction to Hannah, but at the same time his fear of getting to know her.

This story really shows how words and actions have far reaching consequences. A great read for older readers.

Click Here by Denise Vega

This story totally rocks! Erin is entering grade 7- new school, new kids and she is very nervous. Her and her best friend Jilly have been together since kindergarten and now they are being separated. Erin isn't sure how to deal with things without Jilly. What she does do is write a 'pretend' blog about her problems, issues and things that make her happy. This blog is private- for her eyes only.

Things in grade 7 get pretty crazy. Her nemesis Serena seems to know every little issue that bothers her and brings it up every time she sees her. Her best friend Jilly is really only interested in herself, which is starting to bother Erin. Finally, her new friend Mark only likes her as a friend when she wants more. All of these things get posted to her private blog- until one day it isn't so private anymore! Erin is an amazing character, her strength in dealing with the issues she faces is very inspiring!

Girls in grade 6-8 must read this book. Erin's voice is hilarious, it makes me very glad I'm not in 7th grade again!

Names will Never Hurt Me by James Adoff

Rockville high school is your average high school- with the jocks, geeks and kids just trying to fit in and get through the day. One day at Rockville though everything changes. This story is told through four voices, the reader gets to live a day at the high school through the eyes of four very different characters. We get to see what it is like to be the jock, the loser, the girl and the 'hero'.

A great gritty story!

Poison Ivy by Amy Goldburg Koss

It is a typical high school- 3 Girls have picked on Ivy for years. When their high school civics teacher learns of this- she decides to put the girls on trial. The mock court is held in class with the judge, jury and lawyers all being played by the students in the class. Some are willing participants and some find the whole thing overwhelming. Suddenly, the trial takes on its' own life. This is a great concept for a book- bullying, teachers, students and parents role in bullying situations- however, I was very disappointed in the ending.