The Pike School 2012-2013 Grade Nine Reading List

The Pike School 2012-2013

Grade Nine Reading List

May 2012

Hello 9th Graders,

The Grade Nine reading list is comprised of titles and genres that have depth, breadth, and thematic connections to the 9th grade curriculum. This list will be used not only over the summer, but during the year as well, serving as a resource for independent reading that complements and enriches our study in Humanities.

Please review the information about Pike's all-school summer reading initiative, Pike Reads forward, on the back of this booklet.

This summer we are asking you to read a total of four books as outlined below:

• your Pike Reads Forward book (see back of this booklet), • My Most Excellent Year: A Novel of Love, Mary Poppins, & Fenway Park by Steve Kluger (in paperback and available at local libraries and bookstores), • one book from this reading list, and • one book of your own choosing.

Please don't let these numbers limit you or intimidate you. The goal is for you to enjoy reading.

For each book you read, jot down answers to the following question. 1. Why did you choose the book? 2. What did you like or dislike about the book? In addition, select one passage from the book that you think is particularly well written and representative of what readers can expect from the book.

Please bring your notes and books to class and be prepared to discuss them during the first week of school.

We are eager to work with you next year in Humanities and to be a part of your ninth grade journey.

Warmly,

Mrs. DeVries [email protected]

Mrs. Mellin Ms. Spence [email protected] [email protected]

2 Classics The Big Wave A tidal wave sweeps over a small Japanese island, Buck, Pearl S. destroying the fishing village and leaving Kino and Jiya to struggle for survival. The Great Gatsby The love story of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan – Fitzgerald, F. powered by a love for money. Scott Lord of the Flies The classic story of a group of English schoolboys stranded Golding, William on an unpopulated island who develop their own rules and society. For Whom the Bell Set during the Spanish Civil War, this is a tale of love and Hemingway, Tolls loss. Ernest Their Eyes Were This story of proud, independent Jamie Crawford is a Hurston, Zora Watching God classic African-American novel. Neale The Natural Considered one of the best novels ever written about Malamud, Bernard baseball. The Turn of the A classic ghost story. James, Henry Screw The Catcher in the Discover why the name Holden Caufield has become a Salinger, J. D. Rye cultural icon. Frankenstein Read about the monster created by Dr. Frankenstein. Shelley, Mary The Jungle A gruesome look at the world of the 1900s Chicago Sinclair, Upton meatpacking industry, this novel changed history. Of Mice and Men The tragic story of George and Lennie, best friends drifting Steinbeck, John around California dreaming of owning their own small farm. Native Son Written in 1940, this novel tells the story of Bigger Wright, Richard Thomas, an African-American living in Chicago’s ghetto. After accidentally killing a white woman, his life spirals out of control.

Fantasy The Mists of Avalon A wonderful retelling of the Arthurian legends told by the Bradley, Marion women behind the throne in Camelot. Zimmer Darkhenge Rob’s younger sister is lost in a coma after a riding Fisher, Catherine accident. How is her condition connected to the mysterious new archeological dig in the village? The Eyre Affair In this clever novel, characters in books lead their own Fforde, Jasper lives protected by a government agency. Thursday Next, a LiteraTec special agent must save Jane Eyre from being destroyed. Good Omens: The The end of the world is fast approaching but a fussy angel Gaiman, Neil/ Nice and Accurate and a fast-living demon have pulled out all the stops to Pratchett, Terry Prophecies of prevent Armageddon. Agnes Nutter, Witch The Foretelling Rain is destined to become queen of the Amazons, a fierce Hoffman, Alice tribe of female warriors. But, like any girl, she longs for love from her distant mother. The Night Circus The Le Cirque des Rêves is a circus with black-and-white Morgenstern, Erin striped canvas tents and is only open at night. Behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco. Haroun and the A modern fable about a storyteller who loses his skill and Rushdie, Salman Sea of Stories must find a way to unlock the source of inspiration for all stories. Lord of the Rings The sweeping saga of Frodo’s quest. Tolkien, J.R.R. trilogy Elsewhere After fifteen-year-old Liz Hall is hit by a taxi and killed, Zevin, Gabrielle she finds herself in a place that is both like and unlike Earth, where she must figure out how to “live.”

3 Historical Fiction The Boy in the Bruno is the nine-year-old son of a German officer Boyne, John Striped Pajamas working at Auschwitz. He longs for a playmate and envies the boy behind the fence who gets to wear striped pajamas all day. A feature film based on the book was released in 2008. People of the Book Book conservator Hanna Heath is hired to restore a once- Brooks, Geraldine beautiful haggadah, a Jewish prayer book. Its story and the stories of its owners and creators are told backwards through time, reaching Sarajevo, Spain, and Venice. The Amazing Kavalier has managed to escape the Nazis and now makes Chabon, Michael Adventures of his living creating comic book heroes in the US. Can he Kavalier & Clay figure out a way to rescue his family? Daniel: Half Human Living in Hamburg, Germany just before WWII begins, Chotjewitz, David and the Good Nazi Daniel lives a comfortable life as the son of a Jewish mother. Suddenly that fact changes his entire life. Revolution is Not a In 1972, Ling is 9 years old living comfortably in China Compestine, Ying Dinner Party with her dad who is a doctor and her mom who is a nurse. Chang During the Cultural Revolution, her parents are labeled as bourgeois and all luxuries disappear. Her father is jailed and Ling and her mother face violence and discrimination. The title of this young adult book is a quote from Chairman Mao. Copper Sun Amari’s life in Africa is brutally destroyed when the slave Draper, Sharon traders arrive. She survives the horrific trip to America, accepting her life as a slave until rescue appears from an unlikely source. The Luxe In 1899 Manhattan, the haves and the have-nots gossip, Godbersen, Anna fall in love, and plot to keep (or lose) their reputations. Sequels: Rumors, Envy, Splendor. In Darkness, Death Set in 18th century Japan, this is the story of 14-year-old Hoobler, Dorothy Seiki, apprentice to Judge Ooka. Together they must unravel the mysteries surrounding the murder of a samurai. Bone by Bone by In 1950s Tennessee, David Church’s father wants him to Johnston, Tony Bone grow up to be a doctor – David’s first gift is a full size skeleton. Learning the names of bones is hard for David but they come easily to his friend Malcolm. They are inseparable except Malcolm is black and David’s father won’t let a “niggar” in the house. Monkey Town: The When her father hatches a plan to bring publicity to their Kidd, Ronald Summer of the small Tennessee town by arresting a local high school Scopes Trial teacher for teaching about evolution, the resulting 1925 Scopes trial prompts fifteen-year-old Frances to rethink many of her beliefs about religion and truth, as well as her relationship with her father. Day of Tears: A Based on the largest slave auction in American history, Lester, Julius Novel in Dialogue this story unfolds through a series of conversations. Private Peaceful Be ready to weep when you read this powerful story of Morpurgo, Michael two brothers during WWI. Too Big a Storm It’s 1969 and while her brother is missing in Vietnam, Qualey, Marsha Sally is stuck in Minnesota. She soon finds herself involved with a radical group whose tactics may be more violent than she’s comfortable with. Kipling’s Choice Inspired by real events, this is the story of Kipling’s son in Spillebeen, Geert the trenches of WWI. After reading this book, watch My Boy Jack, a PBS Masterpiece Theatre production.

Mystery Track of the Cat The first in the Anna Pigeon series. A wild cat is loose in Barr, Nevada Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas or is something else going on? The Alexandria Ex-CIA operative, Cotton Malone, is hunting for the lost Berry, Steve Link library of Alexandria, believing that the Library contains original documents which will reveal the true meaning of the Bible. It’s a race against time as other forces also seek the library. Digital Fortress The National Security Agency’s computers are built for Brown, Dan breaking codes. When an unbreakable code is encountered, the shock waves travel far. Murder on the Hercule Poirot’s skill at solving mysteries is put to test Christie, Agatha Orient Express aboard the fabled luxury train, The Orient Express. Black Ice Lauren Burgess and her team of scientists are drilling in Dickinson, Matt Antarctica ready to settle in for the long winter. A daring rescue adds 2 more members to the base and creates disaster. The House of Silk A new Sherlock Holmes mystery that will lead you into the Horowitz, Anthony criminal world of London, complete with opium dens, danger, and conspiracy. The Historian A complicated adventure as a professor and his daughter Kostova, Elizabeth search for Vlad the Impaler whom they believe still lives. The Boxer and the Terry, an aspiring boxer, can’t believe it when a classmate Parker, Robert Spy is murdered at a local beach. He and his friend Abby uncover a real estate deal gone horribly wrong. The Poe Shadow: A It’s 1849 in Baltimore and Quentin Clark has been drawn Pearl, Matthew Novel into a mystery. He is neglecting his family and his law business to investigate Edgar Allan Poe’s death and final days. The No. 1 Ladies This series focuses on Mma Ramotswe’s detective agency Smith, Alexander Detective Agency in Botswana – her cases range from the simple to the McCall series complex, each one capturing the flavor of African life.

Non-fiction Tasting the Sky: A This memoir chronicles Barakat’s family during the Six- Barakat, Ibitsam Palestinian Day War. Forced to leave Palestine as refugees, they Childhood return to find their farm occupied by soldiers. A Long Way Gone: This is Beah’s story as he is swept up in Sierra Leone’s Beah, Ishmael Memoirs of a Boy civil war. It follows him as he becomes part of the brutal Soldier army and ultimately escapes to America. In These Girls, The Amherst, MA high school girls’ basketball team has Blais, Madeleine Hope is a Muscle experienced five years of disappointment. Finally, they pull together and win the state championship. A Short History of Bryson’s witty look at life, the universe and everything in Bryson, Bill Nearly Everything between. Science Warriors: Did you know that there are more than 6,000 invasive Collard, Sneed The Battle Against species in the United States? Find out how scientists are Invasive Species combating these threats to our environment. All Souls: A Family This is a first-hand look at the anti-busing riots of 1975 MacDonald, Story and growing up in South Boston during the 60s and 70s. Michael Patrick Yell-oh Girls In this collection of personal essays, young Asian- Nam, Vickie (ed.) American women reveal what it’s like growing up in America. The Perfect The English summer of 1911 was a season of extreme Nicolson, Juliet Summer: England heat and day after day of sunny weather. European life 1911, Just Before was on the precipice; the forthcoming horrible years of the Storm war would bring a sudden change.

5 Dreams from My This is Obama’s memoir written before his presidential Obama, Barak Father campaign. It focuses on his family and his search for identity, growing up in Hawaii and Indonesia. Between a Rock The true survival story of Ralston’s 2003 ordeal pinned Ralston, Aron and a Hard Place under a boulder and his drastic measures to escape. Persepolis: The This is a poignant retelling in graphic novel format of Satrapi, Marjane Story of a growing up during the 1970s in Iran as the Shah’s rule Childhood ended and the Islamic revolution swept the country. The Professor and The creation of the Oxford English Dictionary was a Winchester, the Madman collaborative effort led by Professor James Murray, who Simon dedicated 40 years of his life to the project. One of his most prolific contributors was Dr. W.C. Minor, who sent his entries from Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum. Poetry and Short Stories Am I Blue? : A collection of stories chronicling gay and lesbian Bauer, Marion Coming Out from experiences in the world. Dane the Silence Technically, It’s A collection of quirky concrete poems. Grandits, John Not My Fault Interpreter of Nine tales set in India and America. Lahiri, Jhumpa Maladies Black Juice A startling collection of 10 fantasy short stories. Lanagan, Margo Where We Are, This book features art, poetry, stories, and essays created Levithan, David What We See by middle and high school students. Out of Bounds: Seven stories that chronicle living in South Africa under Naidoo, Beverly Seven Stories of apartheid. Conflict and Hope The Freedom An illustrated tribute in poems to African slave Venture Nelson, Marilyn Business Smith. Leaving Home Fifteen contemporary writers focus on growing up and Rochman, Hazel leaving home in this multicultural collection of stories.

Realistic The Absolutely This book offers a powerful look at racism and life on the Alexie, Sherman True Diary of a reservation in Spokane. Junior leaves “the rez” to attend Part-time Indian high school at a wealthier white school where even his basketball star status doesn’t help him fit in. Finding Miracles Ninth grader Milly Kaufman is comfortable living in Alvarez, Julia Vermont until Pablo arrives from South America. Suddenly her adoption and her parents’ time in the Peace Corps seems important. Twisted Tyler started his senior year with unexpected new Anderson, Laurie popularity from his graffiti stunt. But events soon have his Halse life spiraling out of control – why can’t anyone see him as he really is? Best Foot Forward With her trademark wit, Jenna fights against a corporate Bauer, Joan takeover of Gladstone shoes. Sequel to Rules of the Road. Don’t Call Me Ishmael still can't believe his parents named him after a Bauer, Michael Ishmael character in Moby Dick - how can he enter 9th grade with a Gerard name like that? Shark Girl This novel in verse explores life for Jane after she has a Bingham, Kelly devastating encounter with a shark. Diamonds in the Jared Finch did not want to share his home with refugees Cooney, Caroline Shadow from Africa, who are not who they appear to be. There’s a B. killer on the loose, and his family is in danger. Carpe Diem At 16, Vassar Spore is a high achiever, groomed for Cornwell, Autumn academic success. Her plans go awry when she is forced to spend the summer exploring Southeast Asia with her artistic, free-spirited grandmother. What secret is Grandma Gerd using to blackmail her parents?

6 Gym Candy Mick, a talented linebacker, wants to live up to his father’s Deuker, Carl football legacy and win a spot in the starting line-up. How far is he willing to go? End Game Told through flashbacks, this powerful book looks at the Garden, Nancy events leading up to a school shooting. Gray Wilton had problems before and things are not looking up at his new school. The Lottery Usually, winning the lottery is good news, but at Sal’s high Goobie, Beth school, the “winner” is shunned by every student for a year and is a slave to the power Shadow Council. Why was she chosen for this “honor”? A Thousand The past 30 years of turmoil in Afghanistan is seen Hosseini, Khaled Splendid Suns through the lives of two women, Mariam and Laila. Their violent marriage to Rasheed is set against a backdrop of war and changing political climates. Over A Thousand Jeanne survived the genocide in Rwanda but the Jansen, Hanna Hills I Walk With memories haunt her. You The First Part Last Bobby is only 16 and the last thing he expected to be is a Johnson, Angela father. Real Time: A Novel While sixteen-year-old Thomas is spending his summer on Kass, Pnina Moed a kibbutz outside of Jerusalem, he is swept up in the violence swirling in Israel. The Bean Trees: A Taylor wants to get out of Kentucky. Her drive to Arizona Kingsolver, Novel brings her many surprises, including a friend and an Barbara abandoned baby. Son of the Mob Vince Luca doesn’t want any part of “the life” – his father’s Korman, Gordon crime racket, but once he falls for Kendra, he’s got a surprise coming. Sold This is the heart-wrenching story of Lakshimi who is sold McCormick, into prostitution in India. Hope enters her life when she Patricia finds someone to teach her to read. Between Mom & Jo Nick loves both his moms. When Jo moves out, he’s torn. Peters, Julie Anne Why can’t he live with her? My Sister’s Keeper: Anna is not sick but she’s undergone countless surgeries – Picoult, Jodi A Novel all to keep her older sister Kate alive. Now she’s tired of it. Does she have the right to say no to more medical procedures? Does that mean she’s condemning Kate to death? Under the Najmah is happy in her village until her father and brother Staples, Suzanne Persimmon Tree are forced to join the Taliban. When her village is Fisher destroyed, she must flee to Pakistan where she meets an American teacher searching for her missing husband. Marcelo in the Real The summer before his senior year, Marcelo is pressured Stork, Francisco World to work in his father’s law office. Navigating this world proves to be a huge set of landmines for someone who has Asperger’s syndrome. The Rules of Matthew knows how to protect himself. Can he teach his Werlin, Nancy Survival brother and sister how to survive their mom? So Yesterday Immerse yourself in the world of cool in NYC. Are you a Westerfield, Scott trendsetter or a follower? Parrotfish Angela has never felt right as a girl. Now she’s decided to Wittlinger, Ellen live as a boy – will it make her/his life any easier?

Science Fiction Feed Television and Internet are hardwired directly to your Anderson, M.T. brain – Does it sound good to you? Find out what Titus thinks. Oryx and Crake Civilization has crumbled. Why is Snowman still alive? Atwater, Margaret Naughts & Crosses Sephy and Callum were best friends as kids but now they Blackman, Malorie are forbidden to be together – she is part of the Crosses, the ruling elite, while he is a Naught. Fahrenheit 451 In this future, books are illegal and firemen don’t put out Bradbury, Ray fires – they set fire to books wherever they find them. The Andromeda Follow the path of a horrible scientific crisis. Crichton, Michael Strain Little Brother Marcus and his friends are in a San Francisco subway Doctorow, Cory when a bomb goes off. They are immediately under suspicion. This is a post-2001 take on the classic sci-fi novel, 1984, where “Big Brother is watching you.” The House of the Matt is a clone, considered a monster by all except El Farmer, Nancy Scorpion Patrón. Can he ever escape the land of Opium and his horrible fate? Stranger in a A cult classic from the 60s, this book explores the Heinlein, Robert Strange Land meaning of being human as a young man who has been raised on Mars tries to become acclimated to life on Earth. Epic In this futuristic society, all violence is banned and Kostick, Conor problems are solved by Epic, a massive multi-player computer game. To save his family, Erik must play the game to win, and defy the ruthless Central Allocations Committee. The Secret Under In the year 2368, the environment has been destroyed by McNaughton, Janet My Skin the technocaust. Technology is feared. When Blay Raytee is given a new opportunity she discovers secrets that change the world. Double Helix Eli discovers a shocking secret when he goes to work at a Werlin, Nancy genetic engineering firm. Uglies series Imagine a world where appearance is everything. Westerfeld, Scott

Multimedia Corner – read the play, watch the performance.

A Raisin in the Sun The first Broadway play written by a black woman, this Hansberry, play is the story of the Youngers, a struggling African- Lorraine American family dealing with poverty and racism. • 1961 movie starring Sidney Poitier • 2008 USA TV production with Sean Coombs The Crucible This classic play is centered on the Salem Witch Trials Miller, Arthur and is a powerful parable of 1950s McCarthyism. • 1996 movie with Daniel Day-Lewis & Winona Ryder The Importance of This witty comedy of manners is set in the English Wilde, Oscar Being Earnest countryside and follows the exploits of Algernon and Jack as they maneuver through assumed identities and Victorian flirtations. • 2002 movie with Colin Firth & Reese Witherspoon Our Town Set in Grover’s Corners, a fictional town in New Wilder, Thornton Hampshire, this play explores life, love, and death in small town America. • 1940 movie starring William Holden • 2003 PBS Masterpiece Theatre production with Paul Newman

8 MatchBooks – contrasting points of view; modern twists on classics.

Historical Guterson, David Snow Falling On In 1957, on San Piedro Island in Puget Sound a fiction Cedars local fisherman has been murdered and a Japanese- American is standing trial. Historical Patneaude, David Thin Wood Walls It’s 1942 and Joe Hanada’s life is turned upside fiction down. Pearl Harbor has been attacked and suddenly his family faces suspicion from their neighbors. Historical McKernan, Shackleton’s View Shackleton’s experience through the eyes of fiction Victoria Stowaway an 18-year-old stowaway in this fictionalized account. Non- Lansing, Alfred Endurance: A detailed account of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s fiction Shackleton’s journey to Antarctica. The ship is trapped in the ice Incredible Voyage and destroyed but miraculously all 27 crew members survive. Classic Alcott, Louisa Little Women The classic story of the March sisters growing up in May Concord, Massachusetts.

Historical Brooks, Geraldine March Follow Mr. March as he volunteers during the Civil Fiction War.

Non- Fradin, Judith The Power of One: Daisy Bates was a part of history in 1957 as nine fiction Bloom Daisy Bates and the black students were integrated into Little Rock’s Little Rock Nine Central High School.

Realistic Draper, Sharon Fire From the Rock A fictional retelling of the events at Little Rock’s high school in 1957.

Classic Dickens, Charles Oliver Twist The story of Oliver Twist’s life from living in a miserable orphanage to roaming the streets of London with Fagin’s gang to finally finding happiness. Graphic Eisner, Will Fagin the Jew A graphic retelling of Oliver Twist from the point of Novel view of Fagin. Mystery Doyle, Arthur The Hound of the Enjoy the master of detection as Sherlock Holmes Conan Baskervilles and Dr. Watson unravel the mystery at Baskerville Hall. Mystery King, Laurie R. The Beekeeper’s Sherlock Holmes has retired and is leading a quiet Apprentice life until he meets Mary Russell, a teen with a nose for detection. Fantasy Baum, L. Frank The Wizard of Oz Read the original classic story of Dorothy’s visit to the land of Oz.

Fantasy Maguire, Gregory Wicked Discover the person behind the Wicked Witch of the West. Think how your life would have been shaped if your skin were green. Fantasy White, T.H. The Once and Future A wonderful retelling of the Arthurian legends and King the glory of Camelot.

Science Twain, Mark A Connecticut Yankee Hank Morgan wakes up to discover himself in the fiction in King Arthur’s Court midst of King Arthur’s court and sets out to right injustice.

Realistic Fredericks, Head Games Judith transforms into Gareth when she plays the Mariah online game Hell’s Mouth, but she’ll need to be much more shrewd about her identity after she unexpectedly meets one of the players for real. Realistic Tashjian, Janet The Gospel According Everyone’s talking about to Larry thegospelaccordingtolarry.com at Josh’s high school – his friend Beth has even started a Larry fan club to support the anti-consumerism site. But who is Larry, really? Classic Shakespeare, Macbeth One of Shakespeare’s tragedies. William

Historical Cooney, Caroline Enter Three Witches: A novel version of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Lady fiction B. A Story of Macbeth Mary is the narrator watching Macbeth’s rise and fall and the surrounding violence and murder. Non- Larson, Erik Thunderstruck Unravels the connection between Guglielmo fiction Marconi, inventor of the wireless telegraph, and Hawley Crippen, a London doctor. A tale of murder and scientific discovery. Non- Wheeler, Tom Mr. Lincoln’s T-Mails During the Civil War, the telegraph was new fiction – How Abraham technology and President Lincoln was an “early Lincoln Used the adopter.” Lincoln personally sent out 1,000 Telegraph To Win the telegrams during the Civil War, learning along the Civil War way what was or wasn't effective. At times, he was so reliant on rapid communication that he spent nights at the War Department's telegraph office. Realistic Anderson, Laurie Wintergirls Lia’s friend Cassie has just died, leaving Lia with Halse tremendous guilt that causes her eating disorder to spin out of control. Non- Shivack, Nadia Inside Out: Portrait The author chronicles her decades-long struggle fiction of an Eating Disorder with anorexia and bulimia with candid prose and arresting drawings. Science Orwell, George 1984 The classic dystopian novel, written in 1949, fiction explores the consequences of absolute governmental control at the beginning of the atomic age. “Big Brother is watching you.” Science Doctorow, Cory Little Brother Marcus and his friends are in a San Francisco fiction subway when a bomb goes off. They are immediately under suspicion. This is a post-2001 take on 1984, where technology takes governmental surveillance to a new level.

“A good book is the best of friends, the same to-day and forever.”

Martin Tupper

10 Book Notes

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An All-School Summer Reading Experience

This summer, all Pike students, faculty, staff, and administrators will read a book that deepens their appreciation of the differences and similarities between people. “Forward” is the informal name of “Future With Diversity,” an Upper School diversity group. A small group from Pike’s Diversity Committee reviewed many children’s and young adult novels and chose contemporary realistic fiction titles that touch on many aspects of diversity.

In the fall, the entire Pike community will gather in small groups for book discussions led by adult facilitators. Upper School students will focus on areas of social awareness and justice. To help students prepare for this meeting, questions to think about will be available later this summer on the library web site.

We hope this experience will generate interesting discussions both at school and at home. If you are interested in exploring this topic further, please visit the library web site where you'll find multimedia links and more book suggestions.

Abdel-Fattah, Does My Head Look Big in Year Eleven at an exclusive prep school in the suburbs Randa This? of Melbourne, Australia, would be tough enough, but it is further complicated for Amal when she decides to wear the hijab, the Muslim head scarf, full-time as a badge of her faith--without losing her identity or sense of style. Available in Arabic on 6/5/2012

Alvarez, Julia Return to Sender After his family hires migrant Mexican workers to help save their Vermont farm from foreclosure, eleven-year- old Tyler befriends the oldest daughter, but when he discovers they may not be in the country legally, he realizes that real friendship knows no borders. Available in Spanish as Devolver al remitente.

Bloor, Edward Tangerine Twelve-year-old Paul, who lives in the shadow of his football hero brother Erik, fights for the right to play soccer despite his near blindness and slowly begins to remember the incident that damaged his eyesight.

Draper, Sharon Romiette and Julio Romiette, an African-American girl, and Julio, a Hispanic boy, discover that they attend the same high school after falling in love on the Internet, but are harassed by a gang whose members object to their interracial dating.

Rhuday-Perkovich, 8th Grade Superzero Reggie, who is known as "Pukey" McKnight at his Olugbemisola Brooklyn middle school, attempts to refine his image and social status, and when he gets involved at a local homeless shelter, two clients help him believe he is making a difference, which could help him in the world and at school.

Yang, Gene Luen American Born Chinese Alternates three interrelated stories about the problems of young Chinese Americans trying to participate in the popular culture. Presented in graphic novel format. Available in Chinese.