Hopper Literature Log

Finished: 8/15/2018

Category: Realistic Fiction

Summary: Jule is unnoticeable and able to blend into any situation, while Imogen is the star of the show, loving and leaving those around her. The fast friendship between the two quickly grows toxic as deception and manipulation bleed into a disappearance, a murder, and a new identity.

Reaction: Lockhart uses psychological suspense in a quietly disarming way that had my eyebrows raising. I think this book could be a good introduction to thrillers for young adults. While the reverse timeline did take some time getting used to, it didn’t throw off the tone or the storytelling too much and showed the expanse of time in an interesting way instead of just interspersing flashbacks between narrations. The use of the third person was smart, as I don’t believe it would have been as believable from first person narration.

How I Would Use with Teens: I would use this book to introduce and/or discuss unreliable narrators and possibly use to introduce a fake news unit or something of that nature. With this book, the reader is getting a limited third-person viewpoint that by the end of the story, might or might not have told the entire story and definitely only told one version of the story. I would also recommend this story for any young adult looking for psychological suspense, a good thriller, or for books with themes about friendship. I could definitely see a display titled “Friends Don’t Let Friends...” with this book as one of the titles used!

Finished: 1/19/18, reread

Category: Whole Class Read

Summary: When Starr witnesses the murder of one of her best friends after they’re pulled over by a police officer, her entire world tilts sideways. As she tries to come to grips with what she saw, Starr begins to see both her home life and her school life in a new light. She struggles to understand the gang violence that shapes her community and the racism that her own friends at school perpetuate. Starr speaks up and tells her story, learning life lessons and more about herself, her family, and her friends in the process.

Reaction: Starr’s emotions when she code-switches are indicative of a society that tells young African-Americans that their culture isn’t welcome. Her experiences within her own community demonstrate how a society perpetuates more of the same as black men buy into the lie that they are only worth whatever their gang status is. Thomas’s narrative broke my heart over and over again, but also opened my eyes to the experiences that those around me might be having on a daily basis that I may never be aware of.

How I Would Use with Teens: I would use Thomas’s book to speak about contemporary issues today, such as racism, police violence and brutality, and to celebrate girls of color. This book addresses everything from gang violence to how teens deal with their parents’ socioeconomic status to basic teen relationships in school. There are so many aspects that teens can relate to in this book, that I would attempt to include it while working with teens every opportunity I had.

Finished: 8/28/2018

Category: Fantasy/Science Fiction

Summary: Zélie has only known a life of violence and the suppression of her people after magic was ripped from their hands and her mother murdered before her young eyes. A visit to a marketplace turns into the fight for her life and a chance to restore magic back to her people once and for all. As Zélie fights against and beside her enemies, she learns the truths of magic that she never knew before. Told from four different viewpoints, The Children of Blood and Bone shows just how grey the battle between good and evil can be.

Reaction: Adeyemi’s fantasy story was a fast-paced and fascinating read, and really highlights the issue of conflict between people groups. The world building was fascinating and told in a way that was not obviously world building, which I appreciated. While the romance seemed a little forced, I believe young adults would enjoy the storyline, or at least, tolerate it. I kept imagining what this book would look like as a movie, because it’s a larger than life story that deserves the silver screen. This book is in the fantasy category, but the characters seemed very realistic with emotions and issues that everyone deals with at some point, from family conflicts to doubting religious beliefs, etc.

How I Would Use with Teens: I would use this book as an example of the kinds of conflicts in literature, such as internal and external conflicts. I’d also recommend it for anyone who enjoyed Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, or just likes short chapters. While the book is large itself, I wouldn’t hesitate to put this novel in the hands of a reluctant reader due to its fast pace and action-packed interactions. I think this book could be significant in starting conversations about the conflicts teens see in the news every day, and relating back to how the characters in the book respond, how the readers could respond differently, etc. It would also be a great book to teach students cultural competencies.

Finished: 8/30/18

Category: LGBTQ Novel/Memoir

Summary: Mateo has been hiding from life, attending online college classes, and staying in the safety in his home with his dad. After Rufus lost his family, he’s spent his days living life with his other foster siblings in their foster home, dubbed with the name Pluto. After Mateo and Rufus get the notification that they’ll die within the next 24 hours, they cross paths and experience a friendship marked by a lifetime.

Reaction: I appreciated the deeper message behind this novel: that life is worth living to the fullest. I really liked Mateo’s character, because I related to him the most. Silvera manages to weave a lot of stories into one unified narrative that doesn’t feel too unrealistic, and I think young adults wouldn’t mind it even if it did feel a little cheesy at some points. I guess we would all get a little cheesy if we knew we had only one day left on earth!

How I Would Use with Teens: While the obvious use for this book would be for LGBTQ+ teens or questioning teens, I would also use this for any young adult struggling in life. I feel like this book would be a great resource for suicide awareness, because it offers a glimpse into why people should live their lives. I would also use the book to discuss friendships and possibly even gang violence. There are so many areas where this book would relate, that I would keep it close as a book to recommend!

Finished: 9/1/18

Category: Non-fiction

Summary: Sasha is a nonbinary teenager, with a bright mind interested in Russian literature, creating their own languages, intense mathematics. Richard is struggling to keep his grades up after being enrolled in Oakland High School. The two cross paths on the 57 bus in Oakland, California, and their lives are changed when a flick of a lighter makes Sasha’s skirt go up in flames.

Reaction: This book was a really harrowing story about what happens when we don’t think through our actions as teenagers. We often feel as if we need social acceptance, and sometimes that leads us to committing actions we wouldn’t have otherwise committed. Richard’s decision to light Sasha’s skirt on fire was a decision made from his teenage brain, but it was one that he would have to pay for well into adulthood. Slater’s telling of the facts remains mostly unbiased and the change up in viewpoint from third to second in various parts of the story kept the narrative interesting. The short chapters were also helpful in digesting small pieces of information at a time.

How I Would Use with Teens: I would use with teens to discuss acceptance of others and the consequences of our actions, even when our brains still aren’t fully re-wired for adulthood. I’d also use to demonstrate what can come out of the research process, since the book is non-fiction. I’d also use it for recommending stories of love for others, for anyone interested in urban literature (even though this is non-fiction, it has elements about the Oakland area and incarceration that I feel would interest curious teens), and for male young adults specifically looking for a non-fiction read that will be more than just a history lesson.

Finished: 9/3/18

Category: State Book Award Title

Summary: There are three rules. One, don’t cry. Two, don’t snitch. Three, get revenge. Will’s brother Shawn has been shot. Will must follow the rules. The morning after his brother is murdered, Will wakes up and gets on the elevator in his building as he heads out to fulfill his duty. What he encounters on the way down will have him second-guessing his ideas of what he’s supposed to do.

Reaction: Reynold’s story was so impactful. Will’s story is surreal and realistic, halting, heartbreaking and inspiring. Everyone needs to read this. The images of his mother scratching her arms to blood, the feelings Will experiences in the elevator, the images of loved ones the reader has never met but feels as if they’ve known all their lives – this story is a story that deserves a second, third, fourth, and fifth read.

How I Would Use with Teens: I would use this book to introduce students to narratives in free verse and poetry in general. Reynold’s story is so gripping that the format itself only makes it stronger instead of an awkward hurdle to jump over. I would recommend to any hesitant reader, as well as anyone looking for urban influenced literature. I’d also use this book to discuss culture differences, gang violence, grief, and the roles we believe we’re assigned to within society.

Finished: 9/8/18

Category: Group YA Author Presentation Title

Summary: Mau is on his way back to his island to become a man, while Ermintrude is on the way to visit her father. A tidal wave of epic proportions interrupts both of their paths and their lives are changed forever. As Mau salvages what is left of his homeland, Ermintrude – now Daphne – tries to survive in a foreign land with no one to help her. As they make a life for themselves on a remote island, Mau and Daphne grow to understand and respect each other, leaving a legacy that is not forgotten by time.

Reaction: Pratchett’s novel seemed very off to me from the beginning, but when I finished, I was very impressed by his writing. He explores a deeply complex problem with Mau and Daphne that I didn’t expect – it’s insightful to me that he explores how people in the minority like Mau feel when their land is overtaken by a more powerful people, but he doesn’t put a word on it. He just explores the emotions and feelings of his characters in these complex situations, with all types of themes floating to the top. From humor to internal and external conflicts, Pratchett doesn’t shy away from anything and leaves you with an understanding of why he’s such a renowned author.

How I Would Use with Teens: I would use with teens to discuss foreign nations and cultures, internal and external conflict (man vs. self, man vs. man, man vs. nature) as well as to recommend to male readers or readers looking for survivalist or action/adventure fiction. I'd recommend Nation for a book that throws off any stereotypical roles of men and women in society today.

Finished: 9/16/18

Category: Audiobook

Summary: Jude has been raised in the High Court of Faerie after her parents were murdered before her eyes, and the legacy of bloodshed and violence of Faerie has shaped her world. At seventeen, Jude is tired of being a powerless human in a world that sees mortality as a disease. In what begins as a quest for power and protection, an unlikely twist of secret ties and vicious murder leads her to become one of the most powerful humans Faerie has ever known.

Reaction: Listening to the audiobook of The Cruel Prince put Jude’s emotions and struggles into a new light for me – I could almost feel her gritting her teeth, could almost smell the dirt and metallic blood, could almost feel the sweat running down her neck when she finally fights Madoc for the first time. Black doesn’t spend time world building; she gets right into the details and emotions of Jude. The main character’s perspective is so strong and emotional, but is still limited and unknowing, which makes for a narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

How I Would Use with Teens: I would use with teens when talking about conflict, suppressed peoples, and mythology. Jude experiences a rush of heavy emotions that I feel like most teens can relate to, and the faerie element of the story removes a certain heaviness from the story that would be there if it were a fully human story. As teens look for books about worlds completely different from their own, I would definitely highlight this as a book to explore.

Finished: 9/19/18

Category: Free Choice

Summary: Jane's aunt Magnolia has passed away, leaving her filled with grief. With little money to her name, Jane dropped out of college only to work at the campus bookstore to get by. Kiran, an old tutor and friend with an illustrious family and fortune, happens to spot Jane working at the store and invites her to her family’s mansion, Tu Reviens. Once she arrives, Jane is jumbled together with a cast of characters that will change her life forever. She just has to decide how that change will happen.

Reaction: After reading Jane, Unlimited, in which Cashore presents her main character with five choices, then plays them out as a sort of “choose your own adventure” story, I thought it was pretty ironic that I chose this book as my free choice. The novel is inspired by Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca, and the gigantic mansion with rooms and people to get lost in definitely communicates a love for the classic. I really enjoyed the twists and turns, and found Jane likeable and relatable, but I felt the last two choices that Jane made were so unrealistic that I felt like I should have been presented with them first instead of last, just so I would be in a mindset for alternate dimensions and dogs that communicate through telepathy.

How I Would Use with Teens: I would use with teens who are interested in Science Fiction or Fantasy, as well as those interested in main characters who are bisexual or gay. Jane’s sexuality isn’t a focal point of the book, but it could provide a sense of inclusivity to a young adult reader who might have an intersection of genre interests and who may be questioning their own sexuality at the same time. I’d also use Jane, Unlimited to promote a “choose your own story” kind of read. I’d also try to use it in a discussion about life choices, but I’d try to approach that with care, because I’d feel like most teenagers’ eyes would glaze over if I presented it in that light.

Finished: 9/29/18

Category: Edgar Award Winner

Summary: Darcy’s small Maine town hasn’t been the same since a girl went missing the year before. The missing posters have been taken down, but there are still whispers and rumors of what happened. As she starts another summer raking blueberries for a local farmer, Darcy finds out that her promiscuous reputation won’t earn her any respect along the way. While trying to cover up her cousin’s secret and make it out of town after high school in one piece, Darcy learns that keeping her mouth shut can lead to even more trouble than if she reported what she knew from the beginning.

Reaction: French’s writing is fast-paced and captivating, and I was reminded of a Hemingway style of short dialogue and brisk narration. The storyline stays moving and tackles issues of sexual assault, sexually active women and society’s views of them, violence against women, anti-immigration vs. pro-immigration viewpoints, special education students and even tension with law enforcement. I was impressed by French’s ability to interweave these tensions while keeping a storyline believable and engaging.

How I Would Use with Teens: I would use this with teens who are looking for books about characters who don’t stick to the status quo – Darcy’s a fighter and I would promote this book as reading with a strong main character who sticks up for their family. I would also use this to introduce students to the effects of gossip and to introduce a character who is exploring her own sexuality with boys. Finally, if students wanted a good suspense novel laced with family tensions, this would definitely be something I’d recommend.