Book: Ghost Boys

GHOST BOYS by Jewell Parker Rhodes tells the powerful and timely story of a black boy killed by a white police officer.

The story begins with the death of twelve-year-old African American boy. Jerome shares his experiences with bullying and poverty leading up to his death while playing in a park with a toy gun. In alternating chapters, Jerome’s ghost meets the daughter of the police officer who shot him. He also learns about the history of other ghost boys who met a fate similar to his.

Librarians will find this compelling story is effective in tackling tough issues including gun violence, racial bias, and class differences. The easy-to-read, fast paced story would work well in reading groups or as part of class discussions connected with current events.

Look for this title on the “best of intermediate level books” for 2018.

Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Hachette Book Group on April 17, 2018. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Wolf Hollow

WOLF HOLLOW by Lauren Wolk confronts the truths of bullying and injustice in this unforgettable work of historical fiction.

Set between World Wars I and II in rural Pennsylvania, this powerful tale follows the quiet life of Annabelle whose life changes when a bully named Betty moves to town. When Betty targets a strange and solitary World War I veteran, Annabelle becomes his defender.

Designed for both middle school and high school students, librarians will find this compelling story appeals to young people who may not traditionally read historical fiction. This haunting tale will ring true for many youth who have experienced bullying.

Librarian will find that the well-developed characters and heartbreaking story will have broad appeal in classroom settings. Many reviewers have made comparisons to Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird making it a good suggestion for teachers and students seeking a companion experience.

To learn more about the author, go to http://laurenwolk.com/.

Published by Dutton Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin on May 3, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: Generation On

GENERATION ON is a website exploring youth service projects from around the world.

While to website features it’s own projects, the ideas can be applied to any local service learning organization. The website is divided into resources for kids, teens, and adults.

The Kid’s section begins by providing stories about young people doing good in their communities. Next, students can explore a wide range of service areas including animal welfare, bullying and tolerance, literacy, education, environment, citizenship and civic engagement, emergency preparation and response, homelessness and poverty, health and wellness, hunger, senior citizens, peace and kindness, as well as military and veterans. Within each area students can view dozens of project ideas and examples. The resources section provides specific guidelines and fact sheets to help youth better understand the activities involved in service learning. Links are provided to games and interactives that contain background information about many of the topics such as emergency preparedness and environmental issues. Finally, current opportunities are featured to help jumpstart service learning projects.

The Teen’s section contains similar sections to the kid’s area, but includes more depth and age-appropriate activities and project examples. This section also promotes the idea of service clubs and sharing.

Parent, Educator, and Organizations sections provide information about ways to involve youth in service learning projects and detail upcoming activities.

Librarians will find endless ideas for service learning projects at this constantly updated website. A blog and calendar provide easy access to news and information about upcoming opportunities.

To visit the website, go to http://www.generationon.org/.

Book Review: The Most Important Thing

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING: STORIES ABOUT SONS, FATHERS, AND GRANDFATHERS by Avi shares seven short stories exploring the complicated emotions experienced by boys and their dads.

From a boy meeting his grandfather for the first time to a child interviewing potential stepfathers, each story explores a different aspect of interpersonal relationships. While some stories focus on bullying, abandonment, abuse, and neglect, others explore acceptance, compassion, and discovery.

Librarians will find that these stories provide a nice introduction to Avi’s writing for young readers. Work with teachers to build short stories into a literature circle activities focusing on family relationships.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.avi-writer.com/.

Published April 26, 2016 by Candlewick. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Book Review: Save Me a Seat

SAVE ME A SEAT by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan tells the story of a recent immigrant trying to survive his new American public school.

When Ravi Suryanarayanan moves from India to America, he expects a smooth transition. After all, he’s an excellent student, good at sports, and speaks English. However, classmate Dillon Samreen plans to add Ravi to his torture list along with another student named Joe Sylvester that he’s already bullying. As the story evolves, Ravi and Joe form a unlikely friendship that is often poignant and sometimes humorous.

Told through alternating first-person narratives featuring Ravi and his classmate Joe, middle grade readers will enjoy the real-world school situations and empathize with the plight of both Ravi and Joe.

From sitting alone in the lunchroom to dealing with mispronounced names, librarians will find that many children can relate to the characters in this school story. The addition of the glossaries and recipes at the end of the book make this title particularly effective for classroom reading activities.

To learn more about the authors go to http://sarahweeks.com/ andhttps://twitter.com/gitavarad1.

Published by Scholastic on April 26, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Website Review: Bystander Revolution

BYSTANDER REVOLUTION is a website offering advice about things individuals can do to defuse bullying and help change cultural attitudes.

The website explores “simple acts of kindness, courage, and inclusion anyone can use to take the power out of bullying.”

The Videos section features short, informational videos by well-known public figures like author John Green and access Lily Collins. Be sure to start with the overview video featuring thoughts from 28 contributors. Videos are categorized by types of advice, problems, and solutions. A search tool provides access to the video content.

Three sections of the website are designed to help users get started. The Find Solutions area focuses on written advice and tips. The Start a Discussion area provides video playlists and discussion questions. The Weekly Stand area shares how one action each week can have an impact. The Challenges area focuses on using social media for change.

The Help section provides immediate assistance along with other resources to help answer questions.

Social media links including Facebook and Twitter for up-to-date information and resources. Downloads and merchandise are available for those that would like to extend the campaign.

Librarians will find this website useful in planning anti-bullying campaigns. Consider using the videos to jumpstart classroom discussions. Create an interactive display featuring a video playlist or feature the weekly stand ideas in your school.

To visit the website, go to http://www.bystanderrevolution.org/.

Website Review: GirlsHealth.Gov

GIRLSHEALTH.GOV is an informational website focusing on the health and well-being of girls.

Sponsored by the Office on Women’s Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the website’s tagline is “be healthy, be happy, be you, beautiful.”

The information sources are divided into the following sections: body, fitness, nutrition, illness & disability, drugs, alcohol & smoking, your feelings, relationships, bullying, safety, your future, and environmental health. Each section provides an easy-to-understand overview and sub-pages exploring key ideas. Many of the pages include testimonials or experiences of teens that will be of interest to youth.

In addition to the major sections, users can also try quick quizzes, use interactive tools, and explore lists and tips. A search box provides an easy way to locate information by topic.

The website also links to social media. The Twitter feed contains links to youth health topics of interest across government websites. The Pinterest board contains short articles and images related to popular topics.

Librarians will find this website to contain useful information for teens taking health classes along with teens who have questions about specific topics related to personal issues such as relationships and bullying. Teachers will find the self-contained sections match well with health science topics such as fitness, nutrition, and environmental health. The website is also useful for addressing up-to-date topics such as Zika virus.

To visit the website, go to http://www.girlshealth.gov/.

Book Review: In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF CRAZY HORSE by Joseph M. Marshall III tells the powerful story of a Lakota boy who goes on a road trip with his grandfather to learn about his cultural heritage.

Designed for middle grade readers, this compelling story follows Jimmy McClean’s journey to learn about the past in order to understand the present. Jimmy’s grandfather facilitates Jimmy’s quest by taking him to historical landmarks and telling the stories of of his culture heritage using Crazy Horse as the thread that weaves the tale together.

Librarians will find that readers of both realistic and historical fiction will enjoy this story. The novel would be an effective way to immerse readers in Lakota culture and heritage. Consider weaving this text into the upper elementary or middle school reading and history curriculum. The author’s note, glossary, and bibliography add to the usefulness of this outstanding text for classroom use. Also, keep in mind that this book is an excellent addition to the diversity collection.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.josephmarshall.com/.

Published by Amulet/Abrams on November 10, 2015. ARC courtesy of publisher.

Book Review: George

GEORGE by Alex Gino is the heartwarming story of a transgender girl finding her place in the world.

George is a boy on the outside, but inside he’s a girl who wants to try out for a girl’s role in the class play, Charlotte’s Web. When best friend Kelly gets the role of Charlotte, they hatch a plan that will change how George is viewed by classmates, friends, and family.

Written for the middle grades, Gino does a stellar job introducing young readers to the battle facing transgender youth. However from the rainbow poster in the school office to sympathetic educators, the author also shows glimmers of hope and understanding.

Librarians will find a strong demand for this candid examination of a transgender girl seeking acceptance. Add this title to your “We Need Diverse Books” collection. For slightly older readers, suggest Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky.

Learn more about the author at http://www.alexgino.com/.

Published by Scholastic on August 25, 2015.

Website Review: StopBullying.gov

The STOPBULLYING.GOV website provides a variety of useful resources to help educators develop programs to prevent bullying.

Managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the website contains major sections including “what is bullying”, “cyberbullying”, “who is at risk”, “prevent bullying”, “respond to bullying”, and “get help now”. The content includes definitions, examples, statistics, strategies, and additional information.

In addition, there are sections specifically aimed at parents, educators, community members, teens, and kids. The website blog and newsroom contains up-to-date information and resources including articles, research findings, and strategies.

Of particular note are the media sections. The images page contains appealing photos and infographics that could be used in library displays. The video page includes dozens of short videos focusing on specific issues such as LGBT bullying and cyberbullying.

For youth working on research projects related to bullying, the resources page and policies and laws page would be particularly useful.

Kick off the school year with a library promotion that encourages friendship and positive relationships. Weave in resources to help young people address the issue of bullying before it starts.

To visit the website, go to http://www.stopbullying.gov.

App Review: Choose Your Path

CHOOSE YOUR PATH from the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is an engaging app focusing on bullying prevention. This interactive learning experience was designed as part of the museum’s Power of Children exhibit.

Youth choose from three settings: online, playground, or classroom. Before getting started, users have the option of setting up their own name and avatar, a friend, and an adult. Users are then faced with a dilemma that’s shown on the screen and also read aloud. The audio aspect can be turned on or off. Participants are given four choices and instructed to drag their choice into a box. The user is then provided informative feedback about their selection. After the challenge, users are asked whether they’d like to choose a different path within the same challenge or select another challenge area.

Because the app only contains three dilemmas, it won’t take long for youth to complete the activity. However, the experience is an fun and effective way to review at the completion of a lesson on bullying prevention.

To download this free app, go to https://itunes.apple.com/…/childrens-museums-ch…/id920112377.

Book Review: We Are All Made of Molecules

WE ARE ALL MADE OF MOLECULES by Susin Nielsen is an authentic work of realistic fiction examining an emerging, 21st century blended family.

Thirteen-year-old Stewart and fourteen-year-old Ashley are thrown together when their parents decide to move in together. Their story is told through alternating chapters that feature nerdy Stewart and bitchy Ashley describing their frustrations dealing with this new arrangement and their encounters with family and friends. Along the way, the story incorporates timely characters including a gay father, a complex bully, and multifaceted friends.

Nielsen’s well-written story combines humor with realistic situations to create a convincing, positive tale for today’s teens. She’s successful at making her story uplifting without becoming preachy.

Librarians will find a broad audience for this funny, yet moving young adult novel. Nielsen’s work is a welcome relief to the many heavy YA realistic fiction books published this year. Add it to your list of lighter summer reads.

Learn more about the author at http://susinnielsen.com/.

Published by Wendy Lamb Books and Random House Teens on May 12, 2015.

Book Review: Undertow

UNDERTOW by Michael Buckley tells the story of a clash of civilizations and the families caught in the middle.

Thousands of evolved sea creatures have landed on the shores of Coney Island. Met with fear and distrust, many citizens from the governor to street gang members want to drive them back into the sea. However, others prefer them to quickly acclimate themselves and join society. This near-future fantasy will keep readers wondering whether intelligent beings from different species can live together or will explode into violence. The exciting conclusion sets readers up for the next book in this highly anticipated dystopian fantasy trilogy.

UNDERTOW is likely to have broad appeal with young adult audiences. With just a hint of cross-creature romance reminiscent of the Twilight series and enough violence and conflict for dystopian lovers, this fast-paced novel is sure to be a hit.

Librarians will find this book to be perfect for book clubs or class discussions. From racial (or in this case species) discrimination and class wars to bullying, Buckley examines real-world social issues within the context of a fantasy environment. Teachers will identify endless social studies and history tie ins.

Keep in mind that Michael Buckley is known for his children’s books. While UNDERTOW is not inappropriate for middle grades, it’s clearly aimed at the young adult audience.

To learn more about the author, go to http://michaelbuckleywrites.com/.

To find out about the trilogy, go to http://undertowtrilogy.tumblr.com/. Be sure to watch the movie trailer.

Published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Young Reader on May 5, 2015.

Book Review: Blackbird Fly

BLACKBIRD FLY by Erin Entrada Kelly tells the authentic story of a filipina child facing the real-world drama and dilemmas of the middle grades.

From racial slurs to disloyal friends, Apple finds herself seeking solace in the world of music where she discovers new friendships and a renewed sense of identity.

The realistic banter between classmates and genuine emotional responses to typical tween experiences will make this a popular book for youth who enjoy realistic fiction featuring home and school settings.

This quiet work of realistic fiction explores critical issues related to popularity, bullying, and racism without the need for over-the-top plot twists and unnecessary subplots.

The titles of each chapter include subtitles featuring songs from the Beatles. These songs closely tie to the contents of each chapter adding to the musical aspect of the story. Be sure to check out the Apple Yengko’s playlist at http://www.erinentradakelly.com/the-apple-yengko-playlist/.

For libraries involved with the WE NEED DIVERSE BOOKS initiative athttp://weneeddiversebooks.org/, this book would be an outstanding addition to your campaign collection.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.erinentradakelly.com/.

Published by Greenville Books/HarperCollins on March 24, 2015.

Book Review: Catch You Later, Traitor

Avi has written dozens of outstanding works of historical fiction, CATCH YOU LATER, TRAITOR focuses on the McCarthy Era in 1951 and is one of his best.

With accusations flying and the FBI on his tail, twelve year old Pete Collison must become a detective like Sam Spade and get to the bottom of a real-life mystery. The issues of family loyalty, bullying, friendship, and individual rights will be sure to activate classroom discussions.

CATCH YOU LATER, TRAITOR would be a great way to introduce students to historical fiction. Avi’s writing style draws youth into the child’s world of family and school, while introducing important historical themes. English teachers will enjoy how Pete writes detailed observations like his favorite detective. Get youth involved with “writing like a detective”.

Students will easily connect the powerful messages of individual freedom to contemporary issues and discussions. To learn more about the history of U.S. Government Surveillance, go to http://www.trackedinamerica.org/.

To learn more about Avi, go to http://www.avi-writer.com/. Read his blog athttp://www.avi-writer.com/blog/.

Book Review: Gracefully Grace

GRACEFULLY GRACE by Ami Polonsky is filled with well-developed, believable characters who represent the spectrum of authentic reactions to Grayson’s gender identity issues. While Grayson faces bullying, rejection, and ridicule from some, “she” is also surrounded by caring friends and an understanding teacher. Polonsky does an outstanding job helping readers see these different points of view from Grayson’s perspective.

From the first page, readers become immersed in sixth-grader Grayson’s secret life. The first person, conversational style helps readers see the world through “her” eyes. Grayson’s bravery in trying out for the girl’s lead in the school play is a powerful statement that leads “her” on a path to self-discovery.

The frustrations and insecurities of middle school children are realistically portrayed through short chapters that keep the story moving and build empathy for Grayson’s situation.

I’m happy to see the subject of gender identity being addressed in a developmentally appropriate way for middle school youth. In addition, there are many parents and teachers who would benefit from this realistic story about a timely topic.

The e-pages of this book flew by. This unique work is a book I’ll be thinking about long into the future.

Learn more about author Ami Polonsky at http://www.amipolonsky.com/ 

NetGalley ARC used for review