Mrs. Lockhart's YAL Reading List
THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN
Alexie, Sherman. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. 2007.
Despite its title, this novel’s genre is fiction. The story is narrated through the voice of the main character, Arnold Spirit, Jr., a fourteen year old Native American boy who lives on a reservation. Junior, as he is called by his family and friends discovers the vials of racism, poverty, jealousy and death when a series of events occur when he transfers to a predominantly white school in an upper middle class community. The aforementioned themes with its contemporary conflicts make this a compelling read.
Dive Deeper into the Text:
Video - The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3QMxf4yySA
Article - Internalized Racism
http://www.racialequitytools.org/resourcefiles/What_is_Internalized_Racism.pdf
Video - 6 Misconceptions About Native Americans People/ Teen Vogue
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHdW_LVfn28
Video - Racism in Teen Titans https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc-Jh3Oe0Gc
Activity - The Privilege Walk
https://www.albany.edu/ssw/efc/pdf/Module%205_1_Privilege%20Walk%20Activity.pdf
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Other books by the author: You Don't Have to Say You Love Me, The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven
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DIVERGENT 1
Roth, Veronica. Divergent. Katherine Tegen Books/an Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2011.
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Divergent is a dystopian futuristic novel set in Chicago and parallels events centered around sixteen year old protagonist, Beatrice Prior and her struggle to conform to the ways of a seemingly perfect society. The plot takes a turn as Beatrice is faced with a lifelong choice of selecting one of the five factions all sixteen year olds must choose for the good of the society; Candor (honesty), Abnegation (selflessness), Dauntless (bravery), Amity (peacefulness) and Erudite intelligence). Struggling to remain with her family’s faction or be true to herself, Beatrice makes an unexpected choice that lands her into cataclysmic situations. Changing her name to Tris, she conceals a secret that can unravel her very existence. Through a dynamic rollercoaster of events, Tris is faced with finding true friendship, romance and inner trust. Tris has to choose between revealing her secret to save those she loves and possibly destroying herself. Divergent’s central themes are identity, power, societal classes, choices, values and family.
Dive Deeper into the Text:
Video - Divergent Official Book Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu5Erw-posg
Article - Growing Up Digital: How the Internet Affects Teen Identity
Activity - Personality Test
https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test
Activity - The Identity Wheel
https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/inclusive-teaching/2017/08/16/social-identity-wheel/
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Other books by the Author: Carve the Marks. The Fates Divide
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THE HATE U GIVE
Thomas, Angie. The Hate U Give. HarperCollins, 2017.
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Inspired by a rash of police brutality ending in the deaths of young black males, author Angie Thomas wrote this award winning novel giving voice to female activism as seen in the protagonist, Starr. This gripping story spirals into a tale of tension after sixteen year old Starr Carter witnesses the murder of a close friend at the hand of a white police officer. Starr is conflicted as she struggles with telling the truth to salvage friendships and deter racial tensions that rock the community of Garden Heights. Influenced by April Ofrah, an advocate for police accountability, Starr decides to let her voice speak for deceased friend, Kahlil. The themes in The Hate U Give are racism, police brutality, poverty, crime, double consciousness, language, loyalty and community.
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Dive Deeper into the Text:
Video - The Hate U Give Khalil Scene
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we7rQEaZ2Wg
Video - The Hate You Give Scene
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uAQio8olIY
Article - Internalized Racism
http://www.racialequitytools.org/resourcefiles/What_is_Internalized_Racism.pdf
Article - Racism and Police Brutality in America
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12111-013-9246-5
Video - What Double Consciousness Looks Like
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wXyJw5Egwk
Video - Spain Park Students Anti-Black, Pro-Holocaust Racist Rant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8Y9cq_WFGo
Song - “18” - Tribute to Trayvon Martin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YrV18apV-c
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Other Books: Dear Martin, On the Come Ups
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THE HUNGER GAMES
Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. 2008
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A dystopian futuristic story about two teens, Katniss and Peeta who fight together to save their districts and defeat other tributes in an event called the Hunger Games. Katniss, the female protagonist volunteers to fight in the event after learning her younger sister was chosen through a lottery by the controlling government. After battling their rivals, both Peeta and Katniss are forced to fight against each other when the government changes the rules to heighten viewership. The plot takes on an interesting twist as Katniss and Peeta outsmart the government and find themselves entangled in a web of deceit and betrayal as the two fight to the finish to save their lives. The Hunger Games themes are family, friendship, love, survival, corruption and power.
Dive Deeper into the Text:
Video - The Hunger Games Book Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cNPOlHLwGE
Literary Theory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEaVKFOac7E
Karl Marx and Conflict Theory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR3igiwaeyc
Game: Korruption
https://www.kongregate.com/games/Zamol/corruption
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Other books by the author: The Girl Who Was on Fire, The Epidemic
NEVER LET ME GO
Ishiguro, Kazuo. Never Let Me Go. Faber and Faber, 2005.
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A dystopian novel, narrated by Kathy H., a thirty-one year old who recounts her childhood years at Hailsham. This idyllic private school shelters the students, ultimately hiding them from the real world. The enforcement of art and creativity is emphasized at Hailsham and it is not until later in the novel that the reader learns Hailsham students are clones. After Hailsham years, students spend their lives in cottages and eventually realize they are living as human clones with the purpose of donating their organs as young adults. Kathy shares her Hailsham experience with her two friends, Ruth and Tommy in which the three of them all together make up a story of love, friendship, and memory.
Dive Deeper into the Text:
Video - Book Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1SvvxhBUvg
Article - Cloning Fact Sheet - https://www.genome.gov/25020028/cloning-fact-sheet/
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Article - The Pros and Cons of Cloning - https://biologywise.com/pros-cons-of-cloning
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Other books by the author: A Pale View of the Hills, When We Were Orphans
PAPER TOWNS
Green, John. Paper Towns. Dutton, 2008.
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A coming of age story about a teen named Quentin who sets out to find a childhood friend (Margo) who comes up missing after a night of pranking friends that betrayed her. Quentin becomes obsessed with following the clues Margo left behind and sets out with three other teens determined to find Margo. Nine years earlier Quentin and Margo stumble across a dead man who committed suicide, leading Quentin to fear the Margo may have met the same fate. The journey to find Margo turns out to be a topsy turvy adventure that reunites Quentin and Margo who has decided she doesn’t want to return to the superficial life she called paper town in suburban Orlando. Quentin on the other hand discovers more about himself and finds his independence in the process. Paper Towns primary themes deals with friendship, Identity, Death and Coming of Age.
Dive Deeper into the Text:
Video - Paper Towns Book Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUH6GHfN2t8
Video - 10 Differences Between Good Friends and Toxic Friends
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=774HJQ9AdRk
Survey - Good Friend Test - http://www.oprah.com/shiftyourlife/friendship-quiz-are-you-a-good-friend-or-a-bad-friend_1
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Youth Identity and Social Media
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cd0VTn_czk
How Social Media is Affecting Teens
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QWoP6jJG3k
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Other books by the author: The Fault in Our Tears, Looking For Alaska
SHATTER ME
Mafi, Tahereh. Shatter Me. HarperCollins, 2011.
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Through the narration of 17-year-old Juliette Ferrars, who has a killing touch, the reader is taken through a dystopian thriller. One touch is all it takes. Juliette’s lethal touch causes her to accidentally murder a young boy and because of her insanity and threat to society she is sent to asylum by the government or, The Reestablishment. The outside world is experiencing chaos from the spread of disease, famine, and natural changes. The Reestablishment has a shift in thought and eventually sees Juliette as a gift to help turn this place around. Exploring the themes of isolation, resistance to tyranny, hope, and resilience, the novel has become a best-seller in young adult fiction.
Dive Deeper into the Text:
Video - Book Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTM9Uj2TrP4
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Video - Three types of Tyranny - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU5CF7RXjC8
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Article - Principles of Tyranny
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Graphic Organizer - Bill of Rights file:///C:/Users/jlock6/Downloads/Bill%20of%20Rights%20Graphic%20Organizer.pdf
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Other books by the author: Unravel Me. Ignite Me
THIRTEEN REASONS WHY
Asher, Jay. Thirteen Reasons Why. Razorbill, 2007.
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Thirteen Reasons Why follows the story of Clay Jensen, who upon returning home from school finds a mysterious package on his bed. When he opens it, he finds seven cassette tapes he discovers were recorded by Hannah Baker, his crush and fellow classmate ,who recently committed suicide. Hannah Baker is the subject of the novel. She was a female high school student who commits suicide, leaving behind recorded tapes that implicated twelve people as the thirteen reasons why. She leaves maps, clues and detailed instructions on who she wants to receive the tapes next and why each person is a reason she ended her life. If for any reason the tapes don’t circulate properly she threatens to have a separate set released to the public. This story recognizes the prevalence of suicide, depression, and bullying amongst teens today.
Dive Deeper into the Text:
Video - Book Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fHTBpjhIO4
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Video - "I'm Here Too" - A Short Film on Teen Suicide Prevention - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXT2y8G8SDc
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Article - 11 Facts about Suicide - https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-suicide
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Youth Identity and Social Media
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cd0VTn_czk
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Other books by the author: What Light, The Future of Us
WE ARE OKAY
LaCour, Nina. We Are Okay. 2017.
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Young Marin is forced to battle life after the death of her mother, not knowing her father or grandmother, and being left to live with her grandfather. Marin flees to college leaves everything behind except her phone, wallet and a picture of her mother. During winter break, Marin plans to spend three days with her former friend, Mabel, who will confront Marin about her grief and her reason behind leaving home in California. This young adult novel leads the reader through a story of loneliness, grief, and friendship.
Dive Deeper into the Text:
Video - Book trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-yDcb1Wr3k
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Video - Grief Out Loud: Teens Talk About Loss - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgrRoJyljeQ
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Poems: Greif and Loss: Poems for Teens - https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/text/grief-and-loss-poems-teens
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How Social Media is Affecting Teens - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QWoP6jJG3k
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Other books by the Author: Hold Still, The Disenchantments
WE WERE LIARS
Lockhart, Emily. We Were Liars. Dell Publishing, 2014.
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A story of the wealthy Sinclair family who spend their summer on a private island. When Cadence Sinclair suffers a head injury, a group of friends known as the Liars (Cadence, her two cousins, and the nephew of Cadence’s aunt) reunite two years later to evoke her memory of the incident. The novel focuses on the theme of love, family morals, and self-acceptance.
Dive Deeper into the Text:
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Video - Book Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PiL3rW6pnM
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Poems - Teens Poems about Freidnship - https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poems/teen/friendship/
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Video - Teen Mental Health Program - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok3k7tWcCxA
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Other books by the Author: Fly On the Wall: HOw One GIrl Saw Everything