Book Review: Goodbye Stranger

GOODBYE STRANGER by Rebecca Stead takes an authentic look at the challenges facing middle school youth in today’s society.

A work of realistic fiction, the story follows three connected narratives what capture the awkward often complicated friendships of young teens.

From facing cyberbullies to dealing with the unintended consequences of impulsive texts, Stead does a stellar job addressing the issues on the minds of children as they enter young adulthood.

Librarians will find a ready-made audience among Rebecca Stead fans. This well-written novel is likely to swell her already large fan base. Youth interested in books about friendship will be drawn to the quiet humor and authentic dialogue among characters. However, some younger readers may have difficulty following all the characters and dealing with the unusual approach to the narrative.

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

Published by Wendy Lamb, an imprint of Random House on August 4, 2015.

Website Review: Distraction

DISTRACTION at http://www.distraction.gov/ focuses on reducing accidents caused by distracted drivers.

Sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation, the website provides resources for learning about distracted driving.

The “Get the Facts” section of the website highlights facts and statistics, research, state laws, and FAQs about this important topic. These pages would be excellent for nonfiction reading experiences focusing on reading comprehension and information inquiry. For instance, ask students to compare the laws in different states regarding texting and driving. Involve youth in creating infographics based on the information they find. Use these as part of a school-wide awareness campaign.

The “Get Involved” section provides resources for taking a pledge to not text and drive. It also contains lots of resources for educators and community members wishing to host a campaign. Finally, a teen section focuses on topics of specific interest to young adults including social media links.

The “Faces” section features testimonials of individuals whose lives have been impacted by distracted driving. The compelling stories are very persuasive.

Finally, the “DOT Action” section provides information about regulations, awareness, and enforcement. Like the “Get the Facts” section, this area would be an excellent informational reading source for student projects.

Be sure to check out the “Stop the Texts. Stop the Wrecks” campaign from the Ad Council. It contains public service announcement videos, facts, and tips. Go to http://www.stoptextsstopwrecks.org.