Summer Reading Challenge 2017

Summer Reading Challenge 2017 CJH Teacher Recommendations

Mrs. Bieber recommends:

Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin

Why: GSA Club Advisor, Recommended by students

Description: After a more than unpleasant experience at a Catholic high school, Riley Cavanaugh, whose father is a conservative congressman, is looking for a fresh start at Park Hills High. However, when a new classmate spots Riley and asks, "Is that a girl, or a guy?" Riley quickly gets pegged as an "it." Though the protagonist wakes up some mornings feeling more like a girl and other mornings feeling more like a boy and would prefer to dress in a manner that reflects this, Riley must present as androgynously as possible in order to avoid negative attention. Riley is genderfluid but must keep it a secret in order to keep up appearances for their father's political campaign. Taking the suggestion of a therapist, Riley starts an anonymous blog about what it's like to be genderfluid. The blog quickly accumulates followers. But when a reader discovers Riley's identity and starts to make threats, Riley must decide if they are ready to come out as the blog's author. Garvin is skilled at truly encapsulating the feeling of being completely without allies in high school. The isolation is palpable in every scene. Garvin's strengths also lie in his ability not to reveal the assigned gender of Riley without turning it into some sort of trick or novelty. Riley is not just genderfluid: Riley is witty, has a charming sense of humor, is a skilled writer, and is totally capable of getting the girl. Very few YA titles have featured protagonists like Riley, who don't fit into the black and white of the gender binary.

VERDICT Recommended for any library that serves a teen population.—Ingrid Abrams, Town School Library, NY (School Library Journal)

Mrs. Bradley recommends:

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Why: I love WWL because it is a a very fresh, original story that I wasn't expecting. The summertime, summer vacation setting reminded me of family vacations when I was young. And, it has a map in the front (who doesn't love a literary map?). ;-)

Description:

A beautiful and distinguished family. A private island. A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy. A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive. A revolution. An accident. A secret. Lies upon lies. True love. The truth.

We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel fromNew York Times bestselling author, National Book Award finalist, and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart. Read it. And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.

Mr. Brownlee recommends:

The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown

(Mr. Brownlee also recommends Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand)

Why: I love these books because they are historical non-fiction that contain elements of fiction books, like theme and setting. The story telling of each author is really amazing. The themes of persiverance and hope in each are also particularly interesting to me.

Description: For readers of Unbroken, out of the depths of the Great Depression comes the astonishing tale of nine working-class boys from the American West who at the 1936 Olympics showed the world what true grit really meant. With rowers who were the sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the University of Washington’s eight-oar crew was never expected to defeat the elite East Coast teams, yet they did, going on to shock the world by challenging the German boat rowing for Adolf Hitler.

At the center of the tale is Joe Rantz, a teenager without family or prospects, whose personal quest captures the spirit of his generation—the generation that would prove in the coming years that the Nazis could not prevail over American determination and optimism.

This deeply emotional yet easily accessible young readers adaptation of the award-winning #1 New York Times bestseller features never-before-seen photographs, highly visual back matter, and an exclusive new introduction.

Mrs. Ladwig recommends:

The Belgariad Series Why: Exciting and fun to read fantasy series. Garion is the fulfillment of a prophecy, yet he believes himself to be a simple farm boy. As he travels to fulfill the prophecy his life is changed forever.

Description: A fierce dispute among the Gods and the theft of a powerful Orb leaves the World divided into five kingdoms. Young Garion, with his "Aunt Pol" and an elderly man calling himself Wolf --a father and daughter granted near-immortality by one of the Gods -- set out on a complex mission. In the process, as Garion grows into his early teens, he learns to defend himself, grapples with a wild boar, uncovers spies at a king's palace, learns about sorceryand starts to gain a sense of what his own destiny may be.

Mrs. Reed recommends:

Six Feet Over It by Jennifer Longo

Why: I read many books during the year as part of my job, and there were so many I loved, but somehow Six Feet Over It stood out to me as authentic, quietly sad, unique, and funny, too.

Description: No one is more surprised than Leigh when her father buys a graveyard. Less shocking is the fact that he’s too lazy to look farther than the dinner table for employees. Working the literal graveyard shift, she becomes great at predicting headstone choice (mostly granite) and taking notes with one hand while offering Kleenex with the other.

Sarcastic and smart, Leigh should be able to quit this stupid after-school job. But her world’s been turned upside down by the sudden loss of her best friend and the appearance of Dario, the slightly-too- old-for-her gravedigger. Can Leigh move on, if moving on means it’s time to get a life?

Darkly humorous and heart-wrenchingly beautiful, Jennifer Longo’s YA debut about a girl surrounded by death will change the way you look at friendship, love, and life.

Mrs. Self recommends:

The False Prince (first book in the Ascendance Trilogy) by Jennifer Nielsen

Why: This series is one that will definitely keep you guessing until the very end! The characters in these books are funny and lovable and each book ends with a plot twist. Especially for the second half of each book, make sure you have plenty of time to finish because you won’t be able to put them down! Description: In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king's long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner's motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword's point -- he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage's rivals have their own agendas as well.

As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner's sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all of the lies taken together.

An extraordinary adventure filled with danger and action, lies and deadly truths that will have readers clinging to the edge of their seats.

Mrs. Zamira recommends:

The Thing About Jellyfish

Why: The Thing About Jellyfish, by Ali Benjamin, is a great story. As I review my reading list from the past year, this one stands out as a great one for junior high. There's also Soul of an Octopus, by Sy Montgomery, though I think this may be best for kids with a particular affinity for cephalopods. Or marine life and finding one's self.

Description: After her best friend dies in a drowning accident, Suzy is convinced that the true cause of the tragedy must have been a rare jellyfish sting-things don't just happen for no reason. Retreating into a silent world of imagination, she crafts a plan to prove her theory--even if it means traveling the globe, alone. Suzy's achingly heartfelt journey explores life, death, the astonishing wonder of the universe...and the potential for love and hope right next door.