Glory O’Brien’s history of the future

King, A. (2014). Glory O’Brien’s history of the future. New York: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Book Summary Glory is graduating high school and should be going on to bigger and better things, but she is at a standstill. Glory is undecided about where the future will take her and is stuck in the past. When she was a little girl her mother killed herself. Now, Glory is left with unanswered questions. Why would she ever commit suicide? Will that be Glory’s final destination too?  Everything starts to change for Glory after she drinks a concoction of  dead bat remnants and beer with her best friend.  She now has powers to see the future of others, unfortunately not hers. She is starting to realize a grim future for the female race. Glory will learn to find herself and move pass the past. Book Review Glory O’Brien’s history of the future is a science fiction novel with elements of dystopia in it. This book will bring awareness and promote discussion about many issues we are still facing today including suicide, antifeminism, and mental illness. Self-love and equality is two significant themes in this book many young adult readers will connect with. All about the Author! https://www.as-king.com/ Educational Resource Book Discussion Guide More books by A.S. King

Gabi: A girl in pieces

Quintero, I. (2014). Gabi: A girl in pieces. TX: Cinco Puntos Book Summary Gabi: A girl in pieces by Isabel Quintero is about a Latina girl named Gabi. She is going through an emotional rollercoaster this year and the only thing she has to confide in is her diary. During this last year in high school, Gabi reveals many things about her life including having a traditional old fashion  mom, a father that is a meth head, and her constant thoughts about sex. So many things happened this senior year to Gabi and her best friends Cindy and Sebastian. Cindy confesses that she was raped by a popular guy at their school and now she is pregnant. Sebastian gets kicked out of his parents house because of his sexuality and ends up staying with Gabi. Gabi becomes their support system, but she needs someone to lean on herself. Gabi is struggling with many things from her weight issues to her strict home life. Through it all, Gabi survives her senior year and grows to accept herself while helping her friends overcome their battles. Book Review Isabel Quintero writes this realistic fiction book like a diary that makes readers feel like they are actually sitting in front row seats viewing Gabi’s senior year. In addition, the author creatively integrates artwork and poetry  this book. This book will leave readers reflecting on many issues high school students have to face on a daily basis including teen pregnancy, drug and sexual abuse, self-acceptance, and sexual identity. All about the author! https://laisabelquintero.com/about/ Book Trailer https://youtu.be/Hy_Iwrzy2-Y Awards & Recognitions 2015 William C. Morris Award for YA Debut Novel 2015 Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens 2015 Tomás Rivera Book Award, Works for Older Children

Monster

Myers, W. (1999). Monster. New York: HarperCollins. Book Summary Monster by  Walter Dean Myers is a fiction book that tells a story of a African American teenage boy named Steve from Harlem, New York. He is falsely accused of a monstrous crime, murdering a drugstore owner and gets arrested. He is stuck in prison alone and afraid and doesn’t know what to do. Steve feels like he is stuck in a movie and decides to write a screenplay of his horrible experience in jail. The main character exposes his doubts and fears of his grim reality. At the end, Steve realizes that even when found innocent, it won’t prevent others from judging him. He will always be a monster in the eyes of some people. Book Review This modern realistic fiction book is a recommended read for ages 15 and up.  Students that like to read theater scripts will enjoy this book because Walter Dean Myers writes this book like a screenplay! The book becomes slightly suspenseful making readers question the main character’s innocence...readers will find themselves turning the page until the verdict at the end. Students will be able to connect with the multiple themes in this book such as fear, justice, and isolation. This book will leave readers reflecting on many issues still going on in society today. Interview with the Author https://youtu.be/funK7DKaPwI Awards Michael L. Printz Award Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Honor Book National Book Award Honor for Young People’s Literature New York Times Bestseller Book Trailer https://youtu.be/jlqFm5R3QgM

The knife of never letting go

Ness, P. (2008). The knife of never letting go. Cambridge, Mass.: Cmed Todd. Book Summary A world without women? That is reality for a 13 year-old boy named Todd Hewitt. Prentisstown is very different, it is a small town that is populated by only men. During a war, the town was exposed to a “noise germ”, everyone is able to hear the thoughts and feelings of others including animals. While on a walk in the forest, Todd notices how peacefully silent it is. When he comes back into town, everyone is able to hear Todd’s “silence” forcing him to run for his life. While on the run, he  meets a girl named Viola who was causing the silence. They both end up forming a strong bond, while they embark on this dangerous journey of the unthinkable! Book Review The knife of Never letting go is the first book of this Science fiction dystopian series. Once you read the first book, you will want to complete the entire series! The author makes this a predictable read which is great for reluctant readers.  There are multiple themes readers will be able to connect with in this book including communication, manipulation, and gender roles. Meet the Author https://youtu.be/kAc8pqVv-II The complete Trilogy

Scowler

Kraus, D. (2013). Scowler. New York: Delacorte. Book Summary 17 year old Ry Burke had a horrible childhood because of an evil man known as his father. His father was like a monster; mentally and physically abusing Ry and his mother every day. Ry’s father was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his crazy behavior. Although his dad is away, he spends time thinking about his horrific childhood wondering if he will grow up to be just like his father. One day, a meteorite collides into the prison and their worst nightmare comes true. All of the inmates escapes including his dad. His worst nightmare returns for revenge. Ry will do anything to protect his mom and sister. With the help of his childhood imaginary friends, Ry finds the monster inside him to defeat this evil being. Book Review ** Disclaimer if you have a weak stomach, this book is not for you. If you easily have nightmares, this book is NOT for you! Scowler is the perfect October horror read! I recommend this book for readers who enjoy reading gruesome graphic details. Krauss’ writing is very intense and disturbing that will have your heart jumping out of your body! This book will bring awareness and promote discussion about many modern issues going on today including domestic abuse and mental illness.Many readers will connect with the  main character's fears and anger in this book. All about the author! http://www.danielkraus.com/bio-contact/ Awards & Honors WINNER of the 2014 Odyssey Award SELECTION to the Junior Library Guild SELECTION to the Best Fiction for Young Adults YALSA’s Top 10 Audiobooks of 2014 More books by the author

I Hunt Killers

Lyga, B. (2012). I hunt killers. New York: Little, Brown. Book Summary What if you had a father that was a famous serial killer? This is reality for Jazz. Jazz is a teenage boy that has a haunting past. He was raised by his father, Billy Dent, and witnessed him kill so many people. Now that Billy is finally in prison, Jazz feels like he is able to  revamp himself and start off fresh although he fears that he will end up just like his father. The only people that he is able to open up to about his fear is his girlfriend Connie and his best friend. His dark past comes back up when a string of copycat murders happen in the small town where he resides. To prove his innocence he begins to work with investigators to try to stop this killer. Jazz will  do anything it takes to prove that he is not his father. Book Review I Hunt Killers is the first book in the trilogy. This book is not for all young adults. Due to the graphic gruesome writing, I recommend this book for ages 15 and up. In addition, this book is the perfect read for students that like thrillers and suspense! Barry Lyga connects the title to what the main character ends up doing!  Many readers will identify with Jazz’s internal battles including fear and self-acceptance. I love how Barry Lyga connects the title to what the main character really ends up doing to prove his innocence. Book Trailer https://youtu.be/0wwRp7Ou53E All About the Author http://barrylyga.com/about/biography/ Read the entire series!!

Feed

Anderson, M. (2002). Feed. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press. Book Summary Feed by M.T. Anderson is a Sci-Fi novel about a teenage boy named Titus. He is living in the future and majority of the population has a chip (Feed) implanted in their brain when they are born. People are now able to roam the world without thinking. Everything they need and want to know is easily accessible in the feed. This is the way of life for Titus until he takes a spring break trip to the moon.   While on vacation, Titus meets this attractive girl named Violet. They form a connection and decide to go out one night and unfortunately get caught up in some type of cyber-terrorist attack that affects their Feed.  They go to the hospital to recover however, Violet never returns back to “normal”. Through this whole ordeal, Titus is slowly seeing how corrupt this society really is. Titus struggles with finding the courage to disconnect from the feed and the meaning of true love. Book Review  If you think that technology is taking over the world then you have to read this Sci-Fi/ Love Story!   M.T. Anderson does a great job in showing readers the reality of today. Technology is consuming our brain and handicapping us! There are many themes that students can identify with in this book from love and friendship to futuristic technology. After reading this book, readers will think twice about picking up their "feed".. Meet the Author! https://youtu.be/k5uE8YwNTnQ Book Trailer https://youtu.be/7O0xw7ni_QE More Sci-Fi Young Adult Books