Kensington Publishing. (n.d.). A girl like me [digital image]. Retrieved November 5, 2016 from http://www.kensingtonbooks. com/book.aspx/13320
Simone, N. (2008). A
girl like me. New York: Dafina Books. ISBN: 978-0-7582-2843-7, $14.90
(Perma-Bound).
Elite is the daughter of a drug
addict, which means she’s also practically the mother to her younger
siblings.She’s dating a sleazy guy from
school just because she needs some support, and her best friend Naja doesn’t
always make the best life choices.In
her world, singing might be her only escape.So when she wins free tickets to a concert, the future starts to look
bright.Her favorite recording artist,
Haneef, announces mid-show, “On the radio yesterday I promised I would bring a
hottie onstage with me to sing.Y’all
ready for that?”
The crowd goes wild, including
Elite and Naja.However, the next
sentence makes them really lose their minds: “Elite Parker!Come on and rock this with me!”
“What did he say?” Had he just
called my name?
“Elite,” he repeated.
I looked around.Had he really just called my name?
Elite’s beautiful voice flows out
of her as she croons, “And who knew you would find a girl like me.”Will Haneef realize the amazing opportunity
that lies in front of him, and will Elite’s talent save her from the life she’s
living?You’ll have to find “A Girl Like
Me” and see for yourself.
More info about this book can be found on FictionDB, or follow Ni-Ni Simone on Twitter!
HOMEMADE TEES
Elite is always low on cash, but also wants to look good. Furthermore, her story is essentially hood Cinderella. Therefore, the following shirt would be absolutely perfect for a haute-couture girl whose dreams are all coming true:
BasicTeeShops. (n.d.). Coach est. 1950 [digital image]. Retrieved November 5, 2016 from https://basicteeshops.com/?product=coach-est-1950- unisex-sweatshirts&utm_source=wheretoget.it&utm _medium=referral
Smith, A.G. (n.d.). Lockdown escape from furnace [digital image]. Retrieved November 1, 2016 from http://www. alexandergordonsmith.com/?s=escape +rom+furnace
Smith, A.G. (2009). Lockdown:
Escape from furnace. New York: Farrar Straus Giraux. ISBN: 978-0-13-61193-4; $7.00 (paperback).
What is the most terrifying place you can imagine? Is it a place deep inside the earth where
darkness and echoing screams fill your waking hours? Is it a place run by mutant human-creatures
who breathe through a mechanical apparatus sewn onto their faces? If this is the case, you’ve just pictured
Furnace, a high security prison for juvenile offenders. Alexander Gordon Smith has created a world in
which teens found guilty of murder are sent to life imprisonment in a cavern
hundreds of meters below the surface of the earth. Atop the entrance to the crag sits one of the
most militarized structures in England, and the only exit from the cave is an
elevator guarded by mutant dogs. Alex
Sawyer has been sent to Furnace for the crime of killing his best friend. The only catch is he didn’t do it. Will he survive the gangs, the food, the hard
labor, and the terrors of Furnace? Will
he find a way out of the hell-hole that slowly chips away at his sanity? Will Alex Escape from Furnace?
* 2011 Georgia Peach Book Award for Teen Readers -- Young
Adult (Honor Book)
* 2012 Young Reader's Choice Award -- Senior/Grades 10-12
(Nominee)
HOMEMADE TEES:
This book has a greater following in the U.K., which is where Alexander Gordon Smith calls home. This might make finding t-shirts a bit tricky. But here's a great piece of fan art, available from CafePress:
CafePress. (2012). Escape from furnace [digital image]. Retrieved November 1, 2016 from http://www.cafepress.com/mf/ 68646224/escape-from-furnace-official-logo- female_tshirt?productId=653979210
This next t-shirt is certainly an interesting choice, if you've already read the book and understand two things. (1) Only half of the kids in Furnace are really thugs, but they all have to behave like one to survive. (2) Kitchen duty is really what saves Alex and his friends, in the end. Wear this shirt and if anyone asks, just say, "I'm a fan of Lockdown." (small text: "If I cut myself, you know I'll cut you.")
Robinson, L. (2016). Exceptional kitchen shirts #5 [digital image]. Retrieved November 1, 2016 from http://www.laurensthoughts.com/ kitchen-shirts/exceptional-kitchen-shirts-5- thug-kitchen-shirt/
WANT MORE? If you don't trust my review of the book, then listen to the author in his own words describing his first book in the Furnace series. "Beneath heaven is hell... and beneath hell is Furnace." Ooo... spooky!
Clare, C. (n.d.). City of bones [digital image]. Retrieved October 30, 2016 from http://cassandraclare.com/ shadowhunter-chronicles/the-mortal- instruments/
Clare, C. (2007). The
mortal instruments: City of bones. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books.
ISBN: 978-1-4169-5507-8; $11.06 (paperback).
Have you ever looked at something, and by a trick of the light,
think you’ve seen something else? Clary
Fray is at a club with her best friend Simon when she sees several beautiful
teens get into an altercation. This
bizarre fight ends with the death of a boy; yet, he’s clearly not exactly a human
boy since blackish liquid explodes from his body as he dies. Clary isn’t sure if she can believe her eyes –
did she really just witness the death of a demon? City of Bones is the first book in the Mortal
Instruments series by Cassandra Clare, and Clary quickly learns that the world
is not always as she thought it was. Shadowhunters,
runes carved into their skin for protection and power, use their abilities to
fight downworlders. Her mother is
missing, and possibly in the possession of terroristic Nephilim. Her mother’s best friend turns up with a
bunch of werewolves. Hooded figures who
live in an ancient city made of crushed ashes communicate with her without ever
moving their mouths. Can Clary make
sense of her new reality and save her mother before forces converge upon her to
bring about her death? And will her new
mysterious guide, Jace, supply her with answers or only create more questions? Go ahead and journey into the City of Bones!
* 2009 Spectrum Award -- Novel (Finalist) * 2011 Colorado Blue Spruce Award -- Young Adult (Nominee)
HOMEMADE TEES: Now that this book has been turned into both a movie and hit TV show, there are all kinds of options for wearing your approval of the Mortal Instruments.
ModernFanGirl. (n.d.). The mortal instruments infernal devices [digital image]. Retrieved October 30, 2016 from https://www.etsy.com/listing/251296159/ the-mortal-instruments-infernal-devices?ref=market
< This beautiful shirt from Etsy includes some of the Shadowhunter families whose stories intertwine throughout the series.
EsotericRhythms. (n.d.). Shadowhunters looking better in black [digital image]. Retrieved October 30, 2016 from https://www.etsy.com/listing/463092946/ shadowhunters-looking-better-in-black?ref=market
^ This next witty tee
is perfect for any reader who loves the darker parts of City of Bones. Yes... death is involved. Get your own, also at Etsy!
Green, J. (n.d.). The fault in our stars [digital image]. Retrieved October 24, 2016 from http://www.johngreenbooks. com/the-fault-in-our-stars
Green, J. (2012). The fault in our stars. New York:
Penguin. ISBN 978-0-14-242417-9; $12.99 (paperback).
Hazel and Augustus – names that
might sound like your grandparents’ best friends – are really two teenagers
dealing with terminal cancer. Sounds
like a great plot for a book, right? Well
it is. It’s a really delightful story
about two people who decide that even though certain elements of their lives
are out of control (like having cancer), that they will still seek to make
happiness and light a part of what remains.
So Hazel and Augustus bond over their catastrophes, find ways to
strengthen one another and love one another despite the inconvenience of hospital
stays and oxygen tanks. Augustus spends
his Wish (like from the Make-A-Wish foundation) on a trip to Amsterdam with
Hazel so that she can meet the author of her favorite book. While the author visit does not go as
planned, the two teenagers discover along the way that sometimes just a glass
of champagne and a fancy dinner, or the ability to walk up a long flight of
stairs is all you really need in life to be happy. In the end, through all of the emotional ups
and downs of life and love and friendship, author John Green teaches us all that
while there are Faults in Our Stars, there is beauty in those constellations as
well.
* Starred reviews from Booklist, SLJ,
Publisher’s Weekly, Horn Book, and Kirkus
* CBC Awards, Teen Book of the Year
2013
* Book of the Year, Nickelodeon MPN
Awards, Brazil
HOMEMADE TEES: there is no shortage of fangirl shirt art available for this book. Having an awesome movie version starring two good-looking teen actors didn't hurt. But here are some of my favorite FIOS tees:
Green, J. (n.d.). Okay? okay. pullover hoodie [digital image]. Retrieved October 24, 2016 from https://store.dftba.com/products/ okay-okay-pullover-hoodie
This first one was designed by the author himself and is available from his website of fun gear, Don't Forget To Be Awesome. Making fun of two of their gushy friends who promise to "always... always" love each other, Gus and Hazel prefer to remind each other that sometimes, okay is enough.
Call Me Calliope. (n.d.). Stars I can't fathom into constellations [digital image]. Retrieved October 24, 2016 from https://society6.com/ product/stars-i-cant-fathom-into-constellations _t-shirt#s6-2215716p15a4v104a5v17a11v49
Then there is beautiful shirt available from Society Six that includes one of my very favorite quotes from the book. John Green has a way with words, and really captures the teen experience - sometimes your mind really is just too scattered to be anything other than random and beautiful.
Want more gear? Just peruse Pinterest - it's everywhere!
WANT MORE?
If you don't want to read this book by the end of this trailer, there is nothing I can do to help you... seriously. Read it. THEN go see the movie...
Amazon. (n.d.). Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe [digital image]. Retrieved October 24, 2016 from https://www. amazon.com/Aristotle-Dante-Discover- Secrets-Universe/dp/1442408936
YA READS:
Sáenz, B.A. (2012). Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets
of the universe. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-0-605-53288-5; $16.50
(Perma-Bound).
Have you ever felt unsure of yourself or uncomfortable in a
room full of people? Have you ever felt like
communicating with your parents is more difficult than taking a trigonometry
test while blindfolded? Have you ever
kept a secret because you were afraid to admit the truth? If so, then you will be able to commiserate
with the characters in this coming of age novel. Aristotle and Dante are both Mexican American
teenagers growing up in the southwest in the 1980s, and both have their fair
share of struggles. Ari has a father who
doesn’t talk much, and especially not about his experiences in Vietnam. Ari is much like his father: emotionally
closed off. Dante, on the other hand, is
an open book, but this makes others uncomfortable. Their friendship comes to a turning point
after Ari saves Dante’s life by pushing him out of the path of an out-of-control
car, taking the brunt of the hit himself.
Dante realizes his true feelings for Aristotle: feelings of love. Both boys must eventually come to terms with
their own identities. So while Dante and
Aristotle attempt to Discover the Secrets of the Universe, they’ll end up
discovering secrets within their own hearts as well.
* Stonewall Book Award for Children’s and Young Adult
Literature (2013)
* Michael L. Printz Award Nominee (2013
* Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award Nominee for Young
Adults (2015)
* Lambda Literary Award for LGBT Children's/Young Adult (2013)
* Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award (ALAN/NCTE) Nominee (2013)
* Pura Belpré Award for Narrative (2013)
HOMEMADE TEES: There are many shirts to be had in the genre of LGBTQ pride. However, a true fan of this particular book would stick to one of Saenz's beautiful quotes - the man is, indeed, a nationally recognized poet for good reason! This one is available at RedBubble:
Shannell C. (n.d.). All of the mysteries of the universe [digital image]. Retrieved October 24, 2016 from http://tinyurl.com/hhh5jnp
Blumenthal, K. (2012). Steve Jobs [digital image]. Retrieved October 9, 2016 from http://www.karenblumenthal. com/books/yngppl/bk_stevejobs.html
YA READS:
Blumenthal, K. (2012). Steve
Jobs: The man who thought different. New York: Feiwel and Friends. ISBN: 978-1-250-01557-0; Hardcover; $16.99.
Most of America is familiar with Steve Jobs and the products
he helped to create. However, fewer
people probably know the story of the man behind the incredible devices that
drive thousands of people to wait in lines outside of Apple stores when a new
gadget releases. Jobs was visionary
about his products, but blind to his own weaknesses. He was enthusiastic about the ideas of others
only after hurtful initial reactions of revulsion. Furthermore, he was driven to succeed even
when others discounted his contributions. Steve Jobs was not an easy person to
manage or collaborate with, but can still be considered one of the greatest
innovators of the twenty-first century. Anyone
reading this book will find themselves wondering what more the world might have
seen had Jobs not lost his battle to cancer before his creativity ran dry.
While this book is categorized as YA, there were times as I
was reading that I felt it was a bit long for some teen readers unless they
were really interested in Steve Jobs
individually. Interspersed throughout
the book were pictures that helped provide glimpses into Steve’s life, and
little end-of-chapter summary boxes designed to look like an open tab on a Mac
computer added interesting bonus information.
From an aesthetic stand-point, I wish the pictures were in color;
however, the end notes are strong, with a complete time line of Jobs’ life, a
thorough bibliography and notes, and a glossary and index. All in all, the most valuable takeaway is the
historical background about the development of computing technology, and the
lesson about how flawed people can still provide great value to our
community. By the last few chapters, we
see that his genius was vindicated and his legacy lives on.
* YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award, 2013 finalist * American Library Association Children's Notable List * Booklist Editor's Choice list, 2012 * Junior Library Guild Selection * Kentucky Bluegrass Award Middle School list * Librarian's Choices, 2012 * New Jersey Garden State Teen Book Award for Nonfiction * Texas Lone Star List
HOMEMADE TEES:
There is no shortage of people who want to claim vintage Apple products. However, even the thrifty-Apple-loving-couch-shopper can grab fun t-shirts from a variety of locations. Amazon sells a witty "3 Apples Changed the World" tee, and JB Originals carries a tribute to Jobs' personal motto of "Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish."
Universal Apparel. (n.d.) Three apples changed the world [digital image]. Retrieved October 9, 2016 from https://www.amazon.com/gp/ product/B00O2PR1QA/ref=pd_sim _193_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID =B5MK7X2EPVNBW5QN7T6J
JB. (n.d.). Stay hungry stay foolish [digital image]. Retrieved October 9, 2016 from http:// jboriginals.wordans.ca/t-shirt /stay-hungry-stay-foolish- steve-jobs-465037
WANT MORE?
Woven throughout the narrative of Blumenthal's book are excerpts from Steve Jobs' commencement speech at Stanford University in 2005. Here is the original video footage of that speech:
Burg, A. (2013). All the broken pieces [digital image]. Retrieved October 1, 2016 from http://www.annburg.com/books.html
YA READS:
Burg, A.E. (2009). All
the broken pieces. New York: Scholastic. ISBN: 978-0-545-08093-4; paperback;
$6.99.
Matt Pin is a child born to a Vietnamese mother and an
American father during the Vietnam War.
However, his mixed-race status is enough to put him in danger as the
U.S. draws out of his native Vietnam. Therefore,
his birth mother sends him to the United States as part of Operation Babylift
in hopes that he’ll find a better life in America. Matt is adopted by a loving family and starts
to find ways to deal with his past.
Piano lessons, trips to the park, meeting with veterans, and joining the
school baseball team are all steps in the right direction; however, he cannot
bring himself to talk about the horrors he witnessed. Furthermore, some of his classmates and those
impacted by the conflict overseas can’t quite find it in their hearts to accept
Matt into their community. One boy in
particular, Rob, is especially cruel to Matt, and takes the opportunity to harass
him during every baseball practice. When
the tension amongst the team reaches a breaking point, a wise coach decides to
pair the players in a trust exercise.
Before the end of the practice, both Matt and Rob have to come to grips
with how the war has affected them, and find common ground in finally talking
about the loss of a sibling. Told in poignant
verse poetry form, All the Broken Pieces
speaks truth about the power of love to overcome pain, and the importance of
sharing your story to find acceptance.
After all, “Words are messy, but sometimes, words are all you’ve got to
show what matters most.”
The format of this novel might be an initial turn-off to
some middle school readers. The first
few pages are a bit tricky since the verse poetry form is condensed and the
language about Vietnam relies heavily on symbolism and imagery. However, for those readers willing to endure
through the first thirty pages, a powerful story develops to which most kids
can relate. While the story is set in a
specific historical period, the larger themes still ring true today. It is a very difficult thing to put one’s self
in someone else’s shoes. Yet those who
travel with Matt and Rob, and the other characters affected by the Vietnam War,
are sure to find that out of the broken pieces, something beautiful emerges. Recommended for grades 6-10.
* ALA Best Books for Young Adults
* Booklist Best of Editor’s Choice
* 2009 Booklist Top Ten First Novels for Youth
* 2009 Booklist Top Ten Historical Fiction for Youth
* NYPL 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
* Cybils Awards Finalist
* Winner of the 2010 Jefferson Cup
Sewwhimzy. (n.d.). Super adopted shirt [digital image]. Retrieved on October 1, 2016 from https://www.etsy.com/shop/ sewwhimzy?ref=l2-shopheader-name
HOMEMADE TEES: for other kids who have been adopted, this book will resonate with the many emotions and struggles that happen when you are a part of two families. Show your pride in your adoption with this Superman tee, available from Etsy.
PioneerThrift. (n.d.). 1980s vintage "good morning Vietnam" movie title [digital image]. Retrieved on October 1, 2016 from https://www.etsy.com/ shop/PioneerThrift?ref=l2-shopheader-name
ProfHarshman. (n.d.). Tim O'Brien, the things they carried [digital image]. Retrieved on October 1, 2016 from https://www.redbubble.com/people/ profharshman/works/13991578-tim-obrien -the-things-they-carried?p=tote-bag
WANT MORE? Listen to Mrs. Scott read the first few pages of this novel for her students.
