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In Real Life by Cory Doctorow and Jen Wang

Posted by BJ Neary on April 29, 2015 at 4:49am
In Real LifeIn Real Life by Cory Doctorow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this graphic novel as part of The 2015 Hub Challenge and Cory Doctorow's depiction of teens, online gaming, and Anda's awakening to the "reality" of Coarsegold Online. As an awkward teen, Anda is recruited in school to play this multiplayer online game. What results is Anda as a gamer under the tutelage of Sarge and the blurred lines of reality and gaming. I loved Jen Wang's illustrations and Anda's two lives as student and gamer. Teens will love this book about gaming, a must read.

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Revolution by Deborah Wiles

Posted by BJ Neary on April 28, 2015 at 1:21pm

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18527498-revolution" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="Revolution" border="0" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1389053622m/18527498.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18527498-revolution">Revolution</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/178856.Deborah_Wiles">Deborah Wiles</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1246795142">5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
I listened to this amazing audiobook as part of the 2015 Hub Challenge and what I enjoyed most was the interspersed Sixties speeches, news stories with Sunny's story of civil rights workers coming to her town in Mississippi and getting blacks out to vote. Seeing it from her teen viewpoint was key- she did not know about racism and segregation other than what she hears (they are invaders) but Sunny learns so much more that summer as events unfold, friendships are made and broken, and families are mended. I will want to get the book to see the pictures, but I loved this audiobook! 
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The Boy in the Black Suit by Jason Reynolds

Posted by BJ Neary on April 28, 2015 at 1:10pm
The Boy in the Black SuitThe Boy in the Black Suit by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am definitely going to be reading anything Jason Reynolds writes!!! His diverse books speak to readers about life, love, and circumstances of teens in Bed-Stuy but Reynolds' words, characters, setting, and plot are all very special. Matt Miller is grieving the death of his mother and while he does not really have many friends; he has a very real sense of who he is. Working for Mr. Ray's funeral parlor helps him deal with the loss of his mother with each funeral he attend/works. I loved seeing the character of Matt Miller evolve with each turn of the page, a must read! We need more diverse books from Jason Reynolds!

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When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds

Posted by BJ Neary on April 22, 2015 at 8:56am
When I Was the GreatestWhen I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jason Reynolds has written a diverse book all teens will want to read. I found this title on #weneeddiversebooks. This book is urban fiction (my students loved urban fiction!!!), involves a black teen with Tourette Syndrome, the toughness of neighborhood and family but also the closeness of community. Ali is a teen who becomes friends with brothers, Noodles & Needles when thyey move into his neighborhood. They hang out on the steps of their Bed-Stuy block but these 2 brothers lives are so much more gritty than Ali's. Ali has a tough, loving mother who works 2 jobs, an 11 year old sister wise beyond her years, and a father who seems to be absent. Ali has scruples and looks forward to his days with Noodles and Needles even calling them The Three Musketeers. But as time goes on, Ali begins to struggle with the way Noodles treats his brother, Needles. It all explodes one night, causing Ali to question if he can be friends with Noodles ever again. The writing is unflinching but also extols family, friendship, loyalty and honesty. I loved everything about this book and am definitely diving right into Jason Reynolds next book, The Boy in the Black Suit. Highly recommended.

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And We Stay by Jenny Hubbard

Posted by BJ Neary on April 18, 2015 at 8:01am
And We StayAnd We Stay by Jenny Hubbard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Emily Beam is a confused girl who has lost her boyfriend (killed himself in the school library), was sent to a boarding school, and must now try to figure out her own feelings and guilt by reading the many poems and biographies of Emily Dickinson. Will she be able to find her voice, make new friends, live with her decisions and navigate a world without Paul. This slim novel was very powerful and part of The 2015 Hub Challenge Printz Award. Emily's journey was slow, introspective, and her poems were as important as Emily Dickinson's. A must read.

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Noggin by Jon Corey Whaley

Posted by BJ Neary on April 13, 2015 at 1:25pm
NogginNoggin by John Corey Whaley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved JCW's first book, Where Things Come Back and Noggin is just as awesome! Even though the premise is as Whaley says, "ridiculous" his writing, his characters, and his words ALL make this book great and a must read. Travis is so believable as a confused teen who has his head re-attached onto someone else's body. Unbelievable, right---but thanks to Dr. Saranson and cryogenics, Travis becomes one of the two patients who come back. With cancer and a body shot to hell with drugs, Travis and his family sign up to have Travis' head frozen and bringing him back...someday. He comes back (a lots quicker than imagined---5 years) to his parents and best friend, Kyle, and girlfriend, Cate, all five years older and moved on. Travis, Kyle, Cate, and new teen friend, Hatton are all characters you like, want to know and very supportive of Travis being back and trying to logically figure out this new life. There were so many wonderful quotes because Whaley is such a tremendous writer--he challenges you with his words and makes you love his characters, their world and their lives.
p. 74 when Travis wants to see his Cate, his soul mate and love "And now I just wanted to see her. I didn't care if she looked different. I didn't care if she had a fiancé and I didn't care if she said she didn't want to see me, because that's bullshit. I was there first, and after seeing Kyle and Audrey an all those kids at school ...all I could think about was seeing and hearing and touching the one person I'd promised to come back for. We had to finish what we started. We got to do that now. No one else could say that. We,,. Lawrence Ramsey could but not one else. We had to go for it. Just like those doctors had done with my head and Jeremy's body, I had to take my old life and mash it together with this new one. That meant there'd probably have to be a few more scars."

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I Was Here by Gayle Forman

Posted by BJ Neary on April 10, 2015 at 10:15am
I Was HereI Was Here by Gayle Forman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, what a gripping read but yet another winner from Gayle Forman!!! Cody was a character perplexed and suffering so much guilt about the death of her best friend (soul mate) Meg. Cody's world revolved around Meg Garcia and her family; since her family is not so great---she calls her mom by her first name; doesn't know who her father is and her mother's men never venture to her home (thankfully). As Cody tries to fathom why her best friend killed herself; the reader follows her dogged pursuit of any kind of knowledge that could help her understand why she never saw any hint of Meg's calculated mission. I liked Cody because she was pushed by love for her best friend but also motivated by anger, a chip on her shoulder, and rants against Meg's one-night stand, Ben, for answers. I loved Forman's families- the Garcia family, Tricia, Stoner Richard's family, and Cody and Ben's conversations about their families. A gripping read that does not disappoint with a hard core female protagonist who is determined to rise to the challenge of whatever life throws at her without Meg.

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I Was Here by Gale Forman

Posted by BJ Neary on April 10, 2015 at 10:15am
I Was HereI Was Here by Gayle Forman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, what a gripping read but yet another winner from Gayle Forman!!! Cody was a character perplexed and suffering so much guilt about the death of her best friend (soul mate) Meg. Cody's world revolved around Meg Garcia and her family; since her family is not so great---she calls her mom by her first name; doesn't know who her father is and her mother's men never venture to her home (thankfully). As Cody tries to fathom why her best friend killed herself; the reader follows her dogged pursuit of any kind of knowledge that could help her understand why she never saw any hint of Meg's calculated mission. I liked Cody because she was pushed by love for her best friend but also motivated by anger, a chip on her shoulder, and rants against Meg's one-night stand, Ben, for answers. I loved Forman's families- the Garcia family, Tricia, Stoner Richard's family, and Cody and Ben's conversations about their families. A gripping read that does not disappoint with a hard core female protagonist who is determined to rise to the challenge of whatever life throws at her without Meg.

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I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

Posted by BJ Neary on April 5, 2015 at 12:47pm

I'll Give You the SunI'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this audiobook as part of an April book discussion with a Goodreads group I joined, YG,MG, Seriously. Since I LOVED this book and did not want to read it again, I choose to listen to this book narrated by Julia Whelan and Jesse Bernstein and this venue DID NOT disappoint!!! I recommend YA and adults should read and then listen to this book. There is so much to totally love about this book- family lies, secrets, jealousies but also deep abiding love, compassion, and artistic brilliance.
You can read my book review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Highly recommended- join our April discussion too!


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The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

Posted by BJ Neary on April 5, 2015 at 12:31pm
The CrossoverThe Crossover by Kwame Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this amazing novel-in-verse about family, basketball, and twins in one sitting. With words that mirror a basketball bouncing, the reader meets the two Bell brothers who are awesome basketball players supported by a Dad who was once a famous basketball player and a mom who happens to be the principal at their school. The reader is treated to an urban delight of words describing one season, in both basketball and their lives. A book for boys and girls alike and the reluctant reader, highly recommended!

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El Deafo by Cece Bell

Posted by BJ Neary on April 1, 2015 at 12:55pm
El DeafoEl Deafo by Cece Bell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read El Deafo because my elementary librarian friends highly recommended I and it won the 3rd round of SLJ's Battle of the Books! Cece Bell's memoir in graphic novel form about her young life, becoming ill and losing her hearing is gripping, funny, and poignant. Cece's illustrations are always bright even when Cece is not happy with her life. She has a phonic ear that helps her hear; sometimes more than she would like- but this aid also make her feel conspicuous too. The reader really learns what it is like to be severely deaf and the many childhood stories El Deafo shares about growing up (sleep overs, friends, being a super hero, and crushes) will stay with me. Highly recommended. This is a book that children, teens and adults should read.

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