Flipped by Wendelin van Draanen



Van Draanen, W. (2001). Flipped. New York: Random House
Plot
Flipped is a two person narrative about two kids coming of age. Ever since the second grade, Juli Baker has been in love with Bryce Loski, unfortunately, Bryce does everything he can to avoid her. When they both enter junior high, everything flips and emotions change and both begin to see each other differently and both need to start over, together.
Review

  This is a great book about growing up and all the ups and downs life gives you. Readers will relate to both Juli and Bryce and they will see how people perceive events and emotions differently. Tweens will relate to the angst of relationships and first love and the feelings that stem from it. Readers will also love the spunkiness of Juli and her absolute love for life despite the laughter she receives from her peers. When Bryce begins to see the beauty inside Julie readers want to shout out " See we told you so!". 

Genre

  Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Age

Tween/ 4-8th grade/ 9-12 years old

Similar Books

Thwonk by Joan Bauer
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Awards

• 2003
  • Won: Virginia Young Readers Program Award
  • Won: South Carolina Children's Book Award
• 2004
  • Won: California Young Reader Medal
  • Won: Nevada Young Readers Award
  • Nominated: Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award







Anything but Typical by Nora Baskin

Baskin, N. (2009). Anything but Typical. Simon and Schuster Publishing: New York.

Plot

  Anything but Typical is written from the point of view of Jason who loves creative writing, literary devices, online forums, and is autistic. Although Jason has found comfort in sharing his writings on an online forum called Storyboard, he is at a loss when it comes to real relationships both in school and at home. His world is turned upside down when his parents want to send him to meet fellow writers at a Storyboard conference and he begins to share his understanding and fear of what society deems as normal and his hope to stay connected despite his handicap.

Review

  Anything but Typical is a well written story full of an extraordinary cast of characters. The main character Jason puts it perfectly when he says "stuff just happens" to explain the ups and downs of life. Despite the fact that Jason is autistic he is still able to write his deep emotions and thoughts in his online forum, something that many "ordinary" people don't have the guts to do. I liked that the author was able to bring to life Jason's family members and explain to readers how autism affects every relationship. This book brings autism to the fore front of typical tweens and first love, true friendships and every day drama.

Genre

Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Level

Tween/ 4-7th grade/ 9-12 years

Similar Books

The Silent Boy by Lois Lowry

Rules by Cynthia Lord

Mockingbird by Kathyrn Erskine

Awards

 Starred review Kirkus
• Starred review Booklist
• Junior Library Guild Selection 2009
• Indie Booksellers for the Summer 2009 Kids' List

The Boy in the Basement by Susan Shaw

 

Shaw, S. (2004). The Boy in the Basement. Dutton Juvenile: New York.

Plot

  Charlie has been imprisoned by his violent father for years because he was "bad". When he accidentally escapes, he is thrown into a world full of holidays and love but he is still struggling to feel safe. Through Charlie's first person account we see an emotionally and physically scarred boy who still longs for the love of his abusive parents and wonders if he will ever be happy despite the new safe life he has been given. 

Review

  This book reminded me of a tone downed version of A Child Called It. It had that same "I want to throw this book against the wall" feeling and tears when you read about the horrors Charlie has to endure yet he still has the ability to forgive and love his abusive parents. Readers scream for justice as the details of the abuse is outlined, you want to cry when good people mend and save Charlie and you want to campaign against the horrors you read about in this book. With the popularity of A Child Called It this book is better suited for the tween level and readers can still learn about survival and hope.

Genre

Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Interest Level

Tween/ 4-7th grade/ 9-12 years

Similar Books

Black Eyed Suzie bySusan Shaw

Gillyflower by Ellen Howard

Promise Not to Tell by Carolyn Polese

Awards

• New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age 2005
• A Junior Library Guild Selection
• Texas Tayshas Reading List
• Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Selection
• Starred Kirkus Review

The Private Thoughts of Amelia E. Rye by Bonnie Shimko

Shimko, B. (2010). The Private Thoughts of Amelia E. Rye. Farrar, Straus and Giroux: New York.

Plot

  Amelia has a mother who hates her, an older brother and sister who have never bothered to meet her, a father who ran off with a younger girl, and absolutely no friends. When Amelia meets Fancy Nelson for the first time, she knows that she has found her first true friend. The fact that Fancy is African American means nothing to Fancy, but unfortunantley, it means a whole lot to The rest of the world in the 1960's. 

  Readers follow the begiining of the beautiful friendship between Fancy and Amelia and the different layers of family and friendship. When Amelia's grandfather suffers a stroke she is left with absolutley nothing to hold onto except for her friend Fancy and Fancy's mysterious neighbor next door. 

Review

  This book was my first love of 2011. The story is so simple, yet so powerful when readers are taken through the turmoil of the 1960's and the terrible upbringing of Amelia E. Rye. Despite this, Amelia is a tween's heroine. She is a smart, fiesty, and determined kid who shoots for the moon regardless of the cards that are stacked against her. Bonnie Shimko brilliantly weaves her cast of characters to develop the instrict storyline into the central theme. A must read of 2011. 

Genre

Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Interest Level

Tween/ 9-12 years/ 4th - 7th grade

Similar Books

One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer Holm

Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool

Awards

The Private Thoughts of Amelia E. Rye was included in the American Library Association's "2011 Best Fiction for Young Adults. 

Olive's Ocean by Kevin Henkes

Henkes, K. (2003). Olive's Ocean. Greenwillow Books: New York.

Plot

  Olive Barstow was in Martha's class, until she was killed in an hit and run accident while riding her bicycle. After Olive's mother gives Martha a page from her daughters' journal, Martha's life will never be the same as she begins to notice the special similarities between the two girls. Both girls want to be writers, both of them want to see the ocean and both are struggling with their everchaging childhood and adolescence. After reading Olive's journal, Martha realizes the uncertainty of death and that life is worth living to the fullest.

Review

  For young adult readers, this book is a powerful look at the affirmation of life and the mysteries of death. Readers don't know Olive, yet her thoughts fill their heads with epiphanies about the uncertainty of life. Henkes words brilliantly, yet subtly, touch on subjects that tweens experience, from first love, preparing for school and the loss and gain of friendships.

Genre

Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Age

Tweens/4-7th grade/ 9-12 years

Similar Books

Love, Aubrey by Suzanne LaFleur

Sun and Spoon- Kevin Henkes

A Corner of the Universe - Ann M. Martin

Awards

ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice ALA Notable Children’s Book Newbery Honor Book

Virginia Young Readers Award ALA Best Book for Young Adults New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age