The Giver

The Giver (Lowry, Lois; Houghton Mifflin, 1993, 180 p. 9780395645666)
 
Lois Lowry establishes a setting without conflict, strife, or other forms of unpleasantness.  It is also a setting of sameness, one in which everything from the weather to collective memories are completely controlled and predictable.  Young Jonas, age 12, is about to receive his life assignment from the Elders in the community.  This ritual bestows a duty to each child based on the skills they have demonstrated, and Jonas unexpectedly receives the rare and prestigious job of being the Receiver of Memory.  Though an important honor, the proclamation terrifies Jonas.

Jonas trades playing games with his peers for training sessions with the man whose job he will take over, the aging Receiver who is now known as the Giver (as he will give the ability to remember to Jonas).  Jonas is surprised and alarmed at much of what he learns from the Giver.  One of the most disturbing things he learns is that when a member is “released” from their society (such as when the elderly become unwell or when members break society rules), they are not sent off to the mysterious “Elsewhere,” but rather they are killed.

Jonas’s misgivings about his new responsibility come to a head when he finds that a young child they have been fostering, Gabriel, is to be released soon for failing to grow at an acceptable rate.  Jonas must make an important decision:  remain faithful to his society and his role as the Receiver knowing that Gabriel will be killed, or attempt to save Gabriel by betraying everything and everyone he has ever known.

Lowry’s book has received many awards, including the Newbery Medal. 
 
--Ages 11-14

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games (Collins, Suzanne; 2008; New York: Scholastic Press; ISBN 0439023483)

If you took the Olympics, reality television, and Roman gladiator fights and mixed them all up, the results might look something like The Hunger Games.  This is the story of Panem, which used to be the United States but now is 12 districts surrounding one powerful capitol.  Years ago, the hungry, oppressed people of the districts attempted to overthrow the capitol but were unsuccessful.  As a yearly reminder of their failed revolution, each district must now send two of its young people to the capitol to participate in the Hunger Games; all residents of Panem are required to view round the clock coverage of the games, and only one of the 24 competitors may live.

Collins tells the story primarily through the experience of Katniss Everdeen, at 16, a contender in the Games.  Katniss has one advantage in the games because her deceased father taught her years earlier how to use a bow and arrow, but those in charge of the games are able to play on each competitor’s weaknesses and darkest fears so Katniss’s strengths may not be enough to help her survive.  Her life at home is a difficult one; since her father’s death in a coal mine accident, Katniss’s mother has suffered debilitating depression and can barely provide for Katniss and her charming younger sister, Prim.  Life in the districts is not easy for anyone, but Katniss soon learns that even that existence is much easier than participating in the cruel games. 

Though the story is wrapped up, the ending of The Hunger Games also leaves readers wanting more.  Fortunately, Collins rounds out the story with two additional tomes, Catching Fire and Mockingjay. Readers of the first title will not be satisfied until they have devoured the whole trilogy.

 

The Outsiders

The Outsiders (Hinton, S.E., 1967, 192 pages, ISBN 9780140385724)

Though it was written more than 40 years ago, The Outsiders remains a relevant and compelling novel for young readers today.  The author, S.E. Hinton, knew a few things about teens and tweens, as she was only 15 when she began writing the novel.  The Outsiders is about two rival groups of teenage boys, the Greasers, poor boys from the wrong side of the tracks, and the Socs, society boys with money and privilege.  Certainly the tension between those two classes has not dissipated since the time of this book.

The protagonist, Ponyboy, is a Greaser living with his two older brothers after their parents have died.  Though he is not terribly violent, Ponyboy finds himself involved in a knife fight that goes awry when Greaser Johnny kills a Soc.  Johnny is on the run but about to turn himself in when he and Ponyboy come upon a church on fire with children trapped inside.  Their heroism ultimately costs Johnny his life, and Ponyboy must face the aftermath of the tragedy and destruction in which he has been involved.

A subplot to the story is Ponyboy’s friendship with Cherry, a Soc.  The two develop a sweet though forbidden friendship that helps Ponyboy realize not all Soces are alike.  Through this storyline, Hinton interjects poetry by Robert Frost.  Readers would not expect a Greaser to be fond of poetry, and readers who are not already familiar with Frost benefit by their exposure to the beauty of his words.  The Outsiders will evoke a range of emotions, and the timeless story of a hero who does not know his place in the world is sure to continue to be relevant and universal.

Mockingbird

  Mockingbird (Erskine, Kathryn; Philomel/Penguin, 2010 235 p. 978039925268 $16.99)


Young Caitlin navigates her way through life with much assistance from her older brother, Devon.  But when Devon is suddenly gone and Caitlin’s father is desperate with grief, Caitlin does not understand the situation nor how to cope with it.  This novel deals with two important issues—Asperger’s syndrome and random acts of violence—in a way that is accessible for young readers.

Ages 10-14

Letters from Camp

Letters from Camp

(Klise, Kate; 1999; New York: Avon Books; 178 pages; ISBN 9780380975396)

Nothing helps siblings develop a deep and loving bond like forcing them to spend some quality time at Camp Happy Harmony—or so the parents of the brawling brothers and sisters portrayed here hope.  The premise of unharmonious siblings working on their relationships is already interesting, but the story is enhanced by its format--not to mention the fraudulent camp staff-- as it unfolds in the form of letters, memos, journal entries, even lists and receipts.

Ages 8-12

Homecoming

Homecoming (Voigt, Cynthia; 1981; New York: Simon Pulse; 402 pages; ISBN 9780689851322)
 
A 13-year-old girl, the eldest in a family of four children, assumes responsibility for her siblings when their mother apparently abandons them.  This novel sets the stage for the sequel, Dicey’s Song.

Out of the Dust

Out of the Dust (Hesse, Karen; 1997; Scholastic; 227 pages; ISBN 9780590360807)

Narrated by Billie Jo, a young girl struggling in Oklahoma during the Great Depression, this novel in verse introduces young readers to poetry and history through the voice of a thoughtful young survivor.

(Ages 11 and up)

Woods Runner

 

Woods Runner (Paulsen, Gary; Random;  2010;  164 pages; ISBN 9780385738842)
 
This novel, set during the Revolutionary War, tells the story of young Samuel, who sets out into the woods of Pennsylvania to try to find his family.  It serves as a realistic look at war and at this historic period.
 

View an interview with the author where he talks about why he writes here.

The Blues Singers: Ten Who Rocked the World

The Blues Singers: Ten Who Rocked the World (Lester, Julius; 2001; 47 pages; ISBN 0786824050) 

Award-winning author Julius Lester writes this book, highlighting 10 notable blues singers, as a letter to his granddaughter in order to preserve their stories for this younger generation.

(Ages 9-12)

Fever 1793

Fever 1793 (Anderson, Laurie Halse; 2000, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; 251 p., ISBN 9780689838583)

If the cover art with the close up of a yellowed eye does not grab you, the plot of this gripping novel will.  The story opens with a description of protagonist Mathilda (Mattie) Cook waking up on a sweltering August day in Philadelphia, 1793.  A buzzing mosquito—an ominous sign of the tragedy to come—provides the background noise as Mattie begins her morning routine of dressing and helping her widowed mother with chores.  The Cooks run a coffee house, popular in Philadelphia during this period, as the author explains in the appendix.  Her mother is all work and efficiency with no joy since Mattie’s father died.  Her grandfather, a celebrated war hero, adds humor and the gift of storytelling to Mattie’s life while helping with the coffee house.  But when their assistant, a young, healthy girl, dies suddenly from a fever, things go downhill fast.

The story follows the true account of the yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia that killed 5,000 people in a matter of months.  Each chapter begins with the date (the story moves ver y quickly, in part because the timeline is so short) and a quote from a Philadelphan from that time which corresponds with the progress of the fever’s plague.  These details, along with mentions of actual politicians such as then President Washington, lend vivid color to this story that is already fascinating, thanks to Anderson’s concise, descriptive writing.  Philadelphia was the nation’s capital at this time, and the images of people boarding up and abandoning their homes and, in some cases, their ill relatives, is especially striking given this fact.

In addition to addressing the health epidemic, the story also includes themes of family, budding love, and the emerging role of free African Americans in the country at this time.  As with all of her books, this is a title to add to the bookshelf of any school library.

The Million Dollar Putt

The Million Dollar Putt (Gutman, Dan, 2006, 169 p. ISBN 9780786836413)

Edward “Bogie” Bogard may be blind, but that has never stopped him from participating in any number of activities, including sports. His neighbor Birdie (love the names) is a sighted girl who never tries anything new, until Bogie helps her. In turn, Birdie wants to coach Bogie in a million-dollar golf tournament. Bogie serves as a great symbol of confidence and support compensating for physical handicaps. Gutman also wrote Million Dollar Shot, Million Dollar Kick, Million Dollar Goal, and Million Dollar Strike.

Rules

Rules (Lord, Cynthia; 2006; Scholastic Press; 200 p., ISBN 9780439443821)

Twelve-year-old Catherine narrates this tale of life with her autistic younger brother and the rules she tries to help him live by.  Catherine loves David, but she is also embarrassed by him.  This well-told novel shows how she learns to come to terms with those conflicting emotions.

Coraline

Coraline [Motion picture] 2009, ISBN 0061660167

This 2009 film adaptation of the popular 2002 novel of the same title is a creative, fascinating version of a compelling story.  Coraline is a 12-year-old girl in a new town and a new house waiting to begin a new school year.  With no playmates yet, she turns to her parents for company, but they are buried in their respective jobs.  Coraline is left to explore their new neighbors—none of whom are of her generation—and her new home.  She gives in to temptation and explores a strange doorway that leads her to an alternate world with an “other mother” and “other father” who are utterly appealing in some ways (all the time and attention in the world!  whatever food Coraline would like!) and utterly freaky in others (buttons for eyes?  strange insect snacks?).  Coraline wants to return home to her preoccupied parents, but finds that is no longer an option.

Equal parts creepy and creative, this stop-motion animated film will engage young viewers and the adults who may watch it with them.  The lessons of the book—appreciating family, finding self-confidence in the face of fear, standing up for what is right—are conveyed as effectively in this film version as they are in the beloved book.  The subject matter is scary enough to keep older tweens entertained, but not so much so that younger viewers should not watch.  The title role is voiced by Dakota Fanning, an endearing portrayal of a curious, memorable character.

See a trailer here.

Al Capone Does My Shirts

Al Capone Does My Shirts (Choldenko, Gennifer, 2004, 215 p. ISBN 0142403709 $6.99)

This fictionalized account of a family living on Alcatraz island in 1935 is charming, witty, and abundantly sweet.  Twelve-year-old Moose Flanagan narrates the tale of his family’s recent move that has brought his father to work on The Rock as an electrician and guard.  Moose is not happy about the move, which means he must leave behind his best friend and baseball-playing buddies, but his family is hopeful about getting his sister—who has autism, though that name and diagnosis do not yet exist—into a promising new school in San Francisco.  Moose is frequently torn between wanting to move back to his old, familiar life, and wanting to get help for the sister he loves.

Moose meets up with a new group of playmates, including the mischievous Piper—the warden’s daughter—who is always plotting a new scheme that is sure to land Moose in trouble.  The earnest and endearing Moose will appeal to a wide range of readers, including boys and girls from middle school on.  The author includes delightful details (many of which are probably true, as she explains in the notes) about Alcatraz at that time period, including Al Capone’s mother’s visit that sets off the metal detectors and sets the island abuzz.  It is a lovely tale of family loyalty, friendship, and finding one’s way in the difficult age of early adolescence.