Monster- Walter Dean Meyers

This is a multi-genre piece written in the format of journals and a screenplay.  It deals with an under-privileged black boy on trial for murder. I think it could capture the attention of reluctant readers. Especially black males or students who have been incarcerated.  I would use this in an 8th or 9th grade classroom [...]

Twisted- Laurie Halse Anderson

This novel is written from a 17 year old male’s POV. I really enjoyed it. This book seems to do a good job at dealing with the issues of depression, suicide, emerging sexuality, fitting in, and more.  This is definiately a book written for high school students.  It can be used as a classroom [...]

I am the Cheese- Robert Cormier

This novel is sometimes credited as the first YA novel.   It is a mystery type story written in a multi-genre format.  The narrative part of this story engaged me quickly, however the “transcripts” that were interspersed lost me.  I think that students could get into this book because it makes you want to figure [...]

Scorpions- Walter Dean Meyers

I really enjoyed Scorpions.  I think Meyers does a good job of portraying what life can be like for kids living in impoverished neighborhoods.  The reading is pretty easy, and I think that this book can be used successfully in a middle school classroom.  Or even for a class of struggling 9th graders.  It lends [...]

Seek- Paul Fleischman

This is a radio play.  It is about a young boy looking for his father via the radio.  I found it hard to follow and did not get into it at all.  It might be interesting to look at in the fact that it is a different genre.  Boys might get into this book if [...]

House of the Scorpion-Nancy Farmer

This novel was really interesting.  It is futuristic, science fiction, and deals with the moral issues of cloning. It is set in a future, dystopian, Mexico.   I think this book could be used in 8-10th grade.  The issues presented can be linked to science and social studies courses as well.
Awards:
Newbery Honor 2003
National Book Award [...]

Romiette and Julio-Sharon Draper

I have liked every single one of Drapers books that I have read.  This book is great because it plays off of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet by having two teens of different races dating.  It has gangs, some violence, and deals with race issues in a very real way.  Draper catches readers’ (esp teens) attention [...]