This is What I Did by Ann Dee Ellis

This is What I Did. Ann Dee Ellis. Little, Brown and Company, c2007. 157 pages.

Plot: Ann Dee Ellis’ This is What I Did is narrated by thirteen-year-old eight grader Logan Paloney. Logan is struggling to move past a violent encounter he witnessed between his friend Zyler, Zyler’s abusive father, and a girl named Cami the previous year. Though Logan’s family moved Logan and his younger twin brothers across town after the incident and enrolled Logan in a new middle school, Logan’s life hasn’t gotten any easier. His new classmates (and even one classmate’s father) bully him terribly. However, Logan begins to see a counselor and begins a friendship with a girl named Laurel and is eventually able to confront his feelings about what had happened.

Review/personal thoughts:
Ellis’ fragmented writing style and use of almost screenplay-style dialogue accurately portrays, I believe, the thought process of a young boy who has been through something traumatizing. A quick and engaging read, its honesty will appeal to tween readers.

Having done nothing to help his friend Zyler when he witnessed a violent encounter between Zyler, Zyler’s father, and Cami, Logan struggles with feelings of shame. He not only feels guilty because he feels he wasn’t a good friend to Zyler, but he also feels guilty because of the ways in which his family’s life has changed since the incident. When Logan’s parents take him out for a milkshake, leaving his twin brothers behind, he thinks: “I felt guilty they were taking me without the others, at first, but then I realized it made sense since everything was about me: Dr. Benson, me getting the best room, the playoff tickets, and now shakes” (Ellis, 2007, p.124).

Because Logan feels guilty that his parents are concerned about him, he constantly assures them that he is fine. He doesn’t trust that his family won’t judge him if he is honest about what had happened and the way it has affected him. He also doesn’t trust his new friend Laurel will still want to be his friend if she knows the truth about what happened. However, Logan eventually begins to open up and in the end even finds the courage to email Zyler, who he hasn’t spoken to since the incident.

Tweens will relate to Logan's difficulty overcoming his shame, and will benefit from his journey towards forgiveness—towards forgiving himself as well as Zyler.

Genre: contemporary realistic fiction

Reading level: ages 12-up

Awards:
Nominated for Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers
American Library Association - Best Books for Young Adults
Voice of Youth Advocates - 2007 Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers List

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

The Outsiders. S.E. Hinton. Speak, c1967. 180 pages.

Plot:

Narrated by Ponyboy Curtis, a shy, fourteen-year-old boy, The Outsiders depicts the rivalry between the Greasers and the Socs (short for Socials), two groups separated by their socioeconomic status. Ponyboy, his two older brothers, and their tight-knit group of friends are Greasers. When Ponyboy and Johnny (his best friend among the gang) are jumped one night by a group of Socs, Johnny winds up killing one of them. The incident opens Ponyboy’s eyes to the fact that the warring groups really aren’t that different.

Review/personal thoughts:

Though The Outsiders was written and takes place in the 1960’s, I consider it an appropriate addition to a core contemporary realistic fiction collection for tweens as the material isn’t dated. Written when Hinton was just sixteen, the novel tackles issues that are still relevant today.  

For example, tweens will relate to the characters’ need to belong. Though Ponyboy and his friends consider themselves outsiders, they find comfort in their “Greaser” label. Hinton’s characters initially define themselves according to their Greaser or Soc status. In the end, however, they begin to recognize their similarities, in spite of their differences; “Socs were just guys after all. Things were rough all over, but it was better that way. That way you could tell the other guy was human too” (Hinton, 1967, p.118). 

The Outsiders also touches upon such other relevant subjects as friendship, family relationships, and loss. 

Genre: contemporary realistic fiction

Reading level: ages 10-up 


Awards: 

New York Herald Tribune Best Teenage Books List, 1967

Chicago Tribune Book World Spring Book Festival Honor Book, 1967

Media and Methods Maxi Award, 1975

ALA Best Young Adult Books, 1975

Massachusetts Children’s Book Award, 1979

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







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

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

Mockingbird. Kathryn Erskine. Philomel Books, c.2010. 232 pages.

Plot:

Kathryn Erskine’s Mockingbird is narrated by Caitlin, a 10 year old girl with Asperger’s syndrome. Caitlin’s older brother, Devon, has just been killed in a school shooting and Caitlin, with the help of a kind school counselor, struggles with finding closure for her and her father.

Review/personal thoughts:

Erskine makes a great contribution to young adult literature with Mockingbird for several reasons. In employing a narrator with Asperger’s syndrome, she takes on many challenges. Caitlin’s interpretations of the world around her are absolutely literate and entirely unemotional. However, I found that I quickly began to understand her thought process. By giving Caitlin a voice, Erskine forces her young readers to see the world from Caitlin’s point of view. Readers are made aware of the difficulties of living with Asperger’s syndrome as Caitlin faces them. Mockingbird gives readers the chance to better understand someone who is different, and in doing so gives them the tools for acceptance. 

Erskine’s novel also deals with the issue of grief, demonstrating the different ways in which people deal with grief. Caitlin, for example, remains mostly unemotional, though she does miss her older brother and his patient explanations and guidance. She understands that Devon is dead, yet she still expresses her desire to do the things with him that she used to. This, as does any mention of Devon, upsets her father greatly. In fact, he conceals Devon’s chest (an unfinished Eagle Scout project) with a sheet so that he doesn’t have to see it. He also spends a lot of time crying. Josh, a boy at school, offers readers yet another example of grief. The cousin of the school shooter who killed Devon, Josh deals with his grief by acting out until he finally breaks down at school.

Mockingbird deals with difficult topics, but handles them with “finesse” (one of Caitlin’s favorite vocabulary words). It not only brings its readers an understanding of what it’s like living with Asperger’s syndrome, but also provides a well rounded view of the ways in which a community deals with the aftermath of a traumatic event. 


Genre: contemporary realistic fiction

Reading level: ages 9-12

Awards:
National Book Award for Young People's Literature, 2010

Blubber by Judy Blume

Blubber. Judy Blume. Yearling, c1974. 153 pages.

Plot:

Judy Blume’s Blubber is told from the point of view of Jill Brenner, an average fifth grade girl. When one of Jill’s classmates, an awkward and overweight girl named Linda, gives an oral report on the whale and references the whale’s “blubber,” another classmate, Wendy, passes a cruel note around the class. “Blubber is a good name for her!” (Blume, 1974, p.5), the note says. Wendy is clever and very popular and for these reasons Jill laughs at the note, even though she doesn’t find it particularly funny. Unfortunately for Linda, the name sticks and most of Mrs. Minish’s class (including Jill) joins Wendy in bullying “Blubber.” However, when Jill finds herself the victim of Wendy’s cruelty, she learns what it’s like to be on the other side of the bullying.

Review/personal thoughts:

Though I had read Blubber once when I was a tween, I found the novel almost shocking the second time around. Jill, Wendy, and the others in Mrs. Minish’s class positively terrorize poor Linda. They physically assault, humiliate, and threaten her on a daily basis. In one particularly disgusting incident, Jill, Wendy, and Wendy’s best friend Caroline meet Linda in the girls’ bathroom. While Wendy and Caroline hold her still, Jill begins to strip Linda’s clothes off of her.

While reading Blubber, I found myself aching to intervene and help Linda and felt little to no warmth towards Jill as a character. However, when Jill grows tired of obeying Wendy’s every command and stands up to her, she finds herself the class’ new target. This was an important turn in the plot, as it illustrates to readers how quickly the tables can turn. Though Jill had once been one of Linda’s main tormentors, and had thus gained Wendy’s acceptance, she loses this acceptance as soon as she asserts her independence. Wendy and Linda then team up in bullying Jill, referring to her as “Baby Brenner.” 

Jill’s relationship with Wendy is juxtaposed with her relationship with her best friend, Tracy Wu, in the novel. While Jill must perform for Wendy in order to gain her acceptance, Tracy and Jill can sit and be quiet together; “best friends don’t have to talk all the time” (Blume, 1974, p.133). Their relationship is revealed in the novel as one based on true friendship.

Judy Blume’s Blubber is an important novel for tweens to read as it showcases the often secret and shameful problem of bullying. Though Jill is initially the bully, she winds up the one being bullied in the end and discovers the affect her behavior has had on Linda. Blubber also reveals her relationship with Wendy as both manipulative and destructive, and demonstrates true friendship in her relationship with Tracy.

Genre: contemporary realistic fiction

Reading level: ages 9-12

Awards: 

Arizona Young Readers Award

Young Reader’s Choice Award, Pacific Northwest Library Association, 1977

North Dakota Children’s Choice Award, 1983

Hoot by Carl Hiaasen

Hoot. By Carl Hiaasen. Alfred A. Knopf, c2002. 292 pages.

Plot: The story centers around Roy Eberhardt a Middle School student who is new to the town of Coconut Grove, Florida. Roy enters into some unlikely friendships with “Mullet Fingers” a homeless boy and Mullet’s sister, Beatrice. Central to the story is a patch of ground slated to be bulldozed to make way for the 469th location of a Mother Paula’s All-American Pancake House restaurant. At first, the vandalism at the site seems random, but it is discovered that there is a community of burrowing owls on the site whose habitat will be destroyed by the construction and it is the presence and desired protection of these owls that are the focus of the vandalism. Roy discovers this fact through “Mullet Fingers” and is drawn into the cause of saving the owls. Through Roy’s persistence, he discovers the owls are a protected species, that the company knows the owls are there but deny it, that the environmental impact report has been hidden and that city officials have been bribed! The story builds to a great scene at the groundbreaking ceremony which yields surprises that will delight the reader.


Review/Personal thoughts: Hoot is a great read! Many themes are visited and cleverly revealed in the book. Bullying, friendships, parent child relations and middle school life are all part of the story. Also included are corruption, anti-development and the beauty of nature as themes. There are many eccentric characters and many normal characters, all of which are made completely believable. I enjoyed the ineptitude revealed in the well-meaning adults like the police officer and site supervisor. There is an element of humor that runs throughout the book that had me smiling as I read. There are serious and heartfelt scenes in the book as well which offer a great balance and variety to the book. I’m sure my empathy for the fate of the burrowing owls affected my enjoyment of the book and I recommend this title without hesitation.

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Reading Level: 5.1 Interest level: Ages 10 to 13

Awards:
Newbery Medal/Honor 2003
ALA Notable Children's Book 2003
ALA Best Books for Young Adults 2003
Arizona Young Readers Award 2005
Minnesota Maud Heart Lovelace Award 2005
Connecticut Nutmeg Children's Book Award 2006

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo Candlewick Press, 2000. 182 pages.

Plot:
The story centers around 10-year old India Opal Buloni and her move to a small Florida town with her preacher father. Winn-Dixie is the name Opal hastily gives to a stray dog who is running amok in a local supermarket and then takes the dog home as her own. Her loving father needs little convincing to keep the dog and all of the story then unfolds with Opal and Winn-Dixie basically inseparable. This alliance between girl and dog allows for the new friendships that develop between Opal and a shy and gentle guitar playing pet store clerk, a kind librarian, a misunderstood elderly lady, two rambunctious brothers and a small young girl named Sweetie Pea. Opal’s mother is gone and she never knew her and her father is somewhat withdrawn. As the summer unfolds, all of the friendships develop and Opal manages to bring all the characters together for an unforgettable garden party that leads to drama around Winn-Dixie.


Review/Personal thoughts:
It is no coincidence that this book has multiple awards and is on many recommended book lists. It is very well written and has well-developed characters who are all fascinating and believable. The book is entertaining with many humorous as well as heartfelt moments. Opal’s longing for the mother she never knew and her hope that she might one day return is evident throughout the story and ultimately provides the opportunity for Opal to come to grips with her loss and grow emotionally through process. Winn-Dixie will appeal to all animal lovers as he “smiles”, wags his tail, and seems to understand everything that Opal tells him. I felt good after reading this book and definitely recommend it for tweens.

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Reading Level: 3.9 Interest level: Ages 8 to 12

Awards:
Newberry Medal/Honor Book, 2001
Notable/Best Books (A.L.A.) 01/19/01
Young Reader's Choice Award, 2003
Voice of Youth Award, 2001-2002 First Place
Friends of American Writers Juvenile Literature Award, 2001
California Young Reader Medal, 2003

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

 

Bridge To Terabithia. Katherine Paterson, Illustrated by Donna Diamond, Crowell, c1977. 128 pages.

"Do you know what we need?" Leslie called to him. Intoxicated as he was with the heavens, he couldn't imagine needing anything on earth. "We need a place," she said, "just for us. It would be so secret that we would never tell anyone in the whole world about it." She lowered her voice almost to a whisper. "It might be a whole secret country," she continued, "and you and I would be the rulers of it (Paterson, 1977, p38-39)."


Plot/ Description: Fifth grader, Jess Aaron has practiced all summer to become the fastest kid in the fifth grade. All of his classmates know him as the boy who draws all the time and he is ready to shed that reputation. But Leslie; a new student and a girl beat out Jess. Leslie and her educated parents move from the suburbs to rural West Virginia to enjoy the simple life. Leslie is an outcast at school, but soon Jess and Leslie become close friends. Leslie encourages them to create their own secret land in the woods called; Terabithia. The two tell and act out stories in Terabithia. Jess and Leslie are very influential on each other; she gives him her Narnia books and teaches him about saving endangered species, while he teaches her compassion for the school bully. After a rainy season, the creek bed they swing across to enter Terabithia is dangerously full of water, Jess is afraid to cross and feels embarrassed to tell Leslie not to go to Terabithia. One day, he is invited by his favorite teacher to go to the National Gallery, while he is away; Leslie is killed after the rope they use to swing across breaks. Jess goes through a myriad of emotions; including denial, anger, and guilt as he deals with her death. Jess resolves to build a bridge to Terabithia and to share Leslie’s secret world with his little sister.

Review: Bridge to Terabithia is a work of realistic fiction about two lonely kids who create a magical forest kingdom. The novel deals with the subjects of boy and girl relationships, children and death, country life, imagination in children, ten year-olds and friendship. Leslie and Jess are both outcasts at school; Leslie does not wear dresses and runs as fast as the boys, while Jess likes to draw and enjoy music.  Leslie and Jess accept each other for who they are and they make each other better people; they communicate, they are honest, and loyal. They share an exemplary friendship. Both children are good role models for boys and girls because their friendship and personalities do not follow typical gender roles.  The book deals with the topic of death, when Leslie, the story’s heroine dies. Jess, who is still a young child, must learn to grieve and accept his best friends death. This plot twist can benefit children who have and have not experienced a death of a family member or friend by relating to and learning from Jess’s grieving process.

Personal Thoughts: I read this book in the fifth grade and it is the first book, that I remember affecting my emotions. Leslie is the heroine, I loved Leslie just as much as the character; Jess Aaron. And I remember grieving for Leslie with Jess Aaron too. This book was my first introduction to death and grief, which are very taboo subjects but facts of existence. Great friendships and death are common occurrences throughout a person’s lifetime, which is why this novel is a core piece of contemporary realistic fiction. This story is valuable to any one who has ever experienced love and loss.

 
Genre: Non Sexist Literature, Realistic Fiction 

Reading Level: Ages 9 - 12

Awards:

Newbery Medal

Virginia Readers’ Choice Award: Elementary School (Grades 3- 5)

Pictures of Hollis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff

Pictures of Hollis Woods. By Patricia Reilly Giff. Wendy Lamb Books, c2002. 166 pages.

Plot:
The main character is Hollis Woods, a twelve year old orphan who was abandoned as an infant and shuttled through countless foster homes. The story unfolds with Hollis’ time with Josie, an eccentric and aging retired art teacher. Throughout her life Hollis has found solace in drawing pictures. Her relationship with Josie gives meaning, purpose and acknowledgment to her art. Hollis, rather than running away, as she has done from so many other foster homes, finds joy in her life with Josie and takes on a sense of caring for her as she starts to lose the ability to care for herself. Interspersed among the chapters with Josie, Hollis flashes back to the Regans, the only family that ever wanted to adopt her and who she longed to be a part of.

Review/Personal thoughts:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters are well-developed and the themes of abandonment, family, foster care, self-worth, acceptance and belonging are present and also well-developed. This is a very touching story that ultimately holds hope for its readers. I was especially moved by a scene in which Hollis had brought in a picture to represent the letter W and her teacher is recalled: "She was the one who marked in the X, spoiling my picture. She pointed. ' This is a picture of a family, Hollis. A mother, M, a father, F, a brother, B, a sister, S. They're standing in front of their house, H. I don't see one W word here, young lady.' "I opened my mouth to say: How about W for wish, or W for want, or W for 'Wouldn't it be loverly,' like the song the music teacher had taught us? "But Mrs. Evans was at the next table by that time, shushing me over her shoulder." Powerful...

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Reading Level: 4.4 Interest level: Ages 9 to 12

Awards: Many including;
John Newberry Medal, 2003
Christopher Award, 2003 Winner Ages 10-12
Notable Children's Books, 2003 ; ALSC American Library Association
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2003
Great Middle School Reads, 2004 ; ALSC American Library Association
California Young Reader Medal, 2005-2006