July 30, 2018

On My Bookshelf: The Whole Thing Together by Ann Brashares

In The Whole Thing Together by Ann Brashares, Ray's mother and Sasha's father were once married, but after a bitter divorce all they have left in common is the beach house and their children. Narration alternates between Ray, Sasha, and their three sisters, offering different perspectives on the same events as they find love, forgiveness, and themselves. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.
The basic plot from Amazon: Summer for Sasha and Ray means the sprawling old house on Long Island. Since they were children, they’ve shared almost everything—reading the same books, running down the same sandy footpaths to the beach, eating peaches from the same market, laughing around the same sun-soaked dining table. Even sleeping in the same bed, on the very same worn cotton sheets. But they’ve never met.

Sasha’s dad was once married to Ray’s mom, and together they had three daughters: Emma, the perfectionist; Mattie, the beauty; and Quinn, the favorite. But the marriage crumbled and the bitterness lingered. Now there are two new families—and neither one will give up the beach house that holds the memories, happy and sad, of summers past.

The choices we make come back to haunt us; the effect on our destinies ripples out of our control . . . or does it? This summer, the lives of Sasha, Ray, and their siblings intersect in ways none of them ever dreamed, in a novel about family relationships, keeping secrets, and most of all, love.
In The Whole Thing Together by Ann Brashares, Ray's mother and Sasha's father were once married, but after a bitter divorce all they have left in common is the beach house and their children. Narration alternates between Ray, Sasha, and their three sisters, offering different perspectives on the same events as they find love, forgiveness, and themselves. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.

Why I liked it: I am a sucker for anything beach house and that is the main setting of The Whole Thing Together. Growing up I spent a week or two at the beach every other summer or so, and there's just something magical about the sun and the sand. I would have love to spend every other week there like Ray and Sasha or the whole summer like their sisters.

Ray's mother and Sasha's father were once married, but after a bitter divorce all they have left in common is the beach house and their children. I liked that the narration alternated between Ray, Sasha, and their three sisters, offering different perspectives on the same events. My favorite parts of the book were the emails between Sasha and Ray as they share a job at the local market.

Classroom application: I'd recommend The Whole Thing Together for upper middle school and up. There is one sexy scene but it is implied rather than depicted. Students who like realistic fiction and romance will love this one.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of The Whole Thing Together for yourself, you can find it on Amazon here.

Note: The Literary Maven is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

July 29, 2018

#2ndaryELA Twitter Chat on Tuesday 7/31 Topic: Technology

Join secondary English Language Arts teachers Tuesday evenings at 8 pm EST on Twitter. This week's chat will be about technology.
Brynn Allison, The Literary Maven, & Lisa Spangler, Mrs. Spangler in the Middle, host #2ndaryELA on Twitter every Tuesday evening from 8 - 8:30 PM EST. #2ndaryELA is a weekly chat for secondary English Language Arts teachers focused on a topic. Every Sunday, we post the topic and questions on our blogs to allow you to prepare for the upcoming Tuesday evening's chat. Thank you to everyone who joined us last week and we hope that you will join us again.

We'd also love for you to join our 2ndaryELA Facebook group, even if you aren't on Twitter. 2ndaryELA is a group of middle and high school English Language Arts teachers looking to share ideas and best practices. This group is an extension of our Twitter chat and a place for collaboration, questions, and encouragement. Feel free to post teaching ideas, success stories, resource links, photos, etc. that will enhance our instruction.

On Tuesday, July 31, our #2ndaryELA chat will be about technology.

Join secondary English Language Arts teachers Tuesday evenings at 8 pm EST on Twitter. This week's chat will be about technology.

The Directions:
1. Log into Twitter on Tuesday from 8-8:30 PM EST.
2. Search for tweets with the hashtag #2ndaryELA in the search bar. Make sure to click “Latest.”
3. Introductions are for the first 5 minutes.
4. Starting at 8:05 (@literarymaven or @2peasandadog) will post questions every 5 minutes using the format Q1, Q2, Q3, etc. and the hashtag #2ndaryELA.
5. Respond to questions using the format A1, A2, A3, etc. with #2ndaryELA.
6. Follow any teachers responding and who are also using #2ndaryELA.
7. Like and respond to other teachers' tweets.

You can schedule your responses to the questions ahead of time using a scheduler like TweetDeck or HootSuite (but don't forget to use A1, A2, etc. and #2ndaryELA). Links are encouraged, so be sure to use a link shortener like tinyurlbitlygoo.gl or ow.ly Just visit one of those links and paste your long link to shorten it for Twitter. Using images is also encouraged when relevant.

New to chats? Here are the rules:
1. Stay on topic & stay positive!
2. Please do not post or promote paid products unless specifically asked.
3. If you arrive late, try to look through other posts before beginning.
4. Feel free to just read, like, and/or retweet.
5. Always use our hashtag #2ndaryELA, including in your replies to others.
6. Make sure your twitter feed is set to public. (Also keep in mind that Twitter is completely public – that means students, parents, and administrators can and will read what you tweet.)

You can also check out a quick video tutorial in this blog post.

Be sure to spread the word to any teacher friends who might be interested in joining us as well. We look forward to chatting with you Tuesday evening and in our 2ndaryELA Facebook group!

Get caught up on past chats here:

July 27, 2018

16 Unexpected Tips for Starting the School Year Off Right

New and seasoned teachers alike will benefit from these 16 unexpected tips for starting the school year off right. Besides advice on what to do and not do during the first days of school, teachers will find words of wisdom about what to wear and how to eat healthy during this hectic time of year.
1. Call all parents on the first day of school.
If that isn't feasible, shoot for at least the first week. This allows me to introduce myself (even if it is just in a voicemail message) and create a positive relationship before any problems arise. This is also how I figure out which students' phone numbers don't work and can start working on finding ones that do work. The first week of school there isn't much grading to do so I have more time then to make a large number of phone calls than I will as the year goes on.
Brynn Allison, The Literary Maven, blogs about teaching and books, and co-hosts the #2ndaryELA Twitter chat and Facebook group.

2. Don’t go over the syllabus on the first day.
Do stations instead. Do a syllabus scavenger hunt, student information sheet, poem analysis, a bulletin board with goals for the year, and other fun stuff. The students will appreciate the opportunity to move around after listening to teachers all day and you can get to know the students better by talking to them as they rotate around. Plus, you’ll be less tired.
David Rickert is a high school English teacher in Columbus, Ohio. He blogs about education.

3. Just be ready for the next day.
When I first started teaching, I would get overwhelmed by all the little things that just seem to add up. My Dad, a veteran teacher, told me that when I feel like this to "Just be ready for the next day," which took some of the pressure off. Once I knew that I was ready for that, I could tackle other little things one at a time.
Lisa blogs at Mrs. Spangler in the Middle about ELA time-savers to reach all learners and creates resources to help others do the same. She also co-hosts the #2ndaryELA Twitter chat and Facebook group.

4. Brush up on your grammar & research skills.
If you’re like me, being an ELA teacher unconsciously signals to colleagues that you know ALL the answers to anything English-related. A few years ago I found myself needing to teach the entire faculty how to use MLA citations during workshop week, with less than a day to prepare for it. It’s flattering that they think we’re experts, but it’s worth a quick review before workshops begin!
Gina from AP Lit & More is a mother of three and full time teacher of AP Lit and other ELA courses for over 12 years. She specializes in producing engaging and creative customizable teaching resources.

5. Always have a plan B, and C, D, and E, if possible.
Lessons flop. Schedules change. Emergencies happen. It's just a part of being a classroom teacher. Being prepared to shift into another lesson can help make your classroom less stressful for you and for your students.
Michele Luck, creator of Michele Luck's Social Studies and author of A Lesson Plan for Teachers, creates resources to help transform classrooms into engaging learning environments and blogs to help teachers learn to make that transition with ease.

6. Have your copies for the first two weeks of school already made.
Those first weeks back can be incredibly exciting, but also stressful, especially if you're switching grade levels or are brand new to teaching. We like to have all of our copies (syllabi, first week activities, all lesson plan materials, etc.) finalized two weeks before school starts. Most of the time, the week before school is dedicated to faculty meetings, retreats, and other various activities, so having your copies all set to go is a huge time saver!
Caitlin + Jessica of EB Academic Camps love sharing ELA ideas for grades 6-8.

7. Get to know your students before the curriculum.
I always start out the year getting to know my students. Short activities that let me in to their personal life and remembering those details will hook your students for the remainder of the year. Students need to know that you care about them more than the curriculum.
Kristin Muse, Samson's Shoppe, blogs about all things teaching and classroom related to make life easier for the busy teacher.

8. Read The First Days of School by Harry K. Wong and Rosemary T. Wong.
The First Days of School has practical advice that you will actually use. This book is essential for first year teachers, but I also think veteran teachers could benefit from reviewing it before heading back to the classroom. I re-read parts of it every year. Like the title suggests, it explains out how to be successful in the beginning of the school year, and gets very specific about routines and procedures. If you need help with organization and general classroom management, check out this book.
Emma Oliver, teacher author at Read Relevant, blogs about teaching ELA and creates resources that help connect kids to meaningful content.

9. When in doubt, just play music.
Music is magical. Always have a list of school-appropriate songs on hand for transitions and student work time (because unexpected and inappropriate surprises in lyrics or commercials are the worst!). Playing music during class can help students make connections, develop language and vocabulary skills, recognize fluency and harmony, build imagination and creativity, and stay engaged in learning activities. When you're stuck in a funk, when you need an exciting lesson hook, when you're buried under a stack of papers, when you have five minutes to spare, or when you need a pick me up - just play music, and be inspired.
Melissa Kruse, Reading and Writing Haven, blogs about best practices and meaningful, differentiated learning in the secondary classroom.

10. Learn all your students' names on the first day.
Print your students' names on name cards. Then run around the first day and take everyone's pictures with their cards. It's SO MUCH easier to learn names as you scroll through at night than to try to learn them with a million other things going on in class.
Betsy Potash of Spark Creativity hosts The Spark Creativity Teacher Podcast, runs the Creative High School English Facebook Group, and blogs about creative teaching strategies for ELA.

11. Smile and acknowledge students.
You are the leader in the classroom and the halls. Students may not have a friendly face at home, and they might not see many smiles at school. Be that reassurance that students need.
Lauralee Moss blogs at LanguageArtsClassroom.com and runs the Facebook group Grammar Gurus.

12. Be hardcore as you train your kids on routines and procedures. 
In October, you will be so glad you did. Classroom management starts with routines and procedures. If students know what is expected and when and you enforce that with every fierce bone in your body, students will learn the rhythm of your class. Discipline issues will be easier to resolve when the expected behaviors for each of your class routines is established. For example, I expect the first five minutes of class to be silent and working on bell work. When two kids are whispering during that time during the second week of school, I march the entire class back out in the hall and we try again. It feels silly and elementary, but I'm telling you, every single day after that I have them trained to be silently working on bell work for the first five minutes!
Amanda Cardenas is the author of the Mud and Ink Teaching TpT store. She writes creative curriculum for high school ELA and hosts the Adventurous Teaching Academy on Instagram #adventurousteaching.

13. Prioritize your passion for students.
If you want students to collaborate and think critically (like me!), make sure your first week is full of opportunities to do just that! For me, that means introducing my course through an Escape Room. For you, maybe it means doing a Peer Interview Project to build empathy and classroom community. Maybe STEM is most important to you and you fill your first week with a project. Whatever it is, speak your passion loud and clear in week one.
Danielle designs teaching resources to foster collaboration and critical thinking. She also loves books and hosts the YA Café Podcast!

14. Wear comfy shoes.
The temptation to wear cute shoes is strong. After all, you're making your first impression too. Just be sure those shoes are comfortable. You'll be up and walking all day more than you might normally. Don't break in a new pair of shoes on the first day of school. Go for comfy.
Rachel Cummings creates curriculum for teachers, often for YA books that have a connection to history or current events.

15. Keep a stash of snacks in your classroom.
Teaching is busy, and you never know when you will have time to eat! Keep a stash of healthy snacks that you can munch on when you need a little energy. I try to keep small bags of trail mix, granola bars, and apples in my desk drawer. Sometimes I prep refrigerated snacks at the beginning of the week so I have easy access to individual portions of carrots, fruit salad, and breakfast items. These snacks are also handy for hungry students who may not have gotten something to eat at home.
Kim, the OCBeachTeacher, creates instructional materials for educators and blogs to share best practices in the secondary classroom.

16. Learn to love your crock-pot.
Dust off that Crock-Pot or Instant Pot and get cooking. The first few weeks of school are busy, but you still need to eat. Both of these options are low on prep, high on healthy eating.
Kristy Avis, 2 Peas and a Dog, blogs about teaching and creates resources for middle school teachers.

July 23, 2018

On My Bookshelf: I Was Here by Gayle Forman

In I Was Here by Gayle Forman, it is impossible not to sympathize with Cody's reaction to her best friend's suicide. Who wouldn't be hurt or angry or even feel guilty? Cody can't believe Meg would do something like this and even worse that she had no idea what Meg was going through. On a trip to clean out Meg's college dorm room, Cody begins to look for reasons why her friend ended up in such a dark place. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.
The basic plot from Amazon: Cody and Meg were inseparable. Two peas in a pod. Until... they weren't anymore.

When her best friend Meg drinks a bottle of industrial-strength cleaner alone in a motel room, Cody is understandably shocked and devastated. She and Meg shared everything - so how was there no warning? But when Cody travels to Meg's college town to pack up the belongings left behind, she discovers that there's a lot that Meg never told her. About her old roommates, the sort of people Cody never would have met in her dead-end small town in Washington. About Ben McAllister, the boy with a guitar and a sneer, and some secrets of his own. And about an encrypted computer file that Cody can't open - until she does, and suddenly everything Cody thought she knew about her best friend's death gets thrown into question.

I Was Here is Gayle Forman at her finest, a taut, emotional, and ultimately redemptive story about redefining the meaning of family and finding a way to move forward even in the face of unspeakable loss.
In I Was Here by Gayle Forman, it is impossible not to sympathize with Cody's reaction to her best friend's suicide. Who wouldn't be hurt or angry or even feel guilty? Cody can't believe Meg would do something like this and even worse that she had no idea what Meg was going through. On a trip to clean out Meg's college dorm room, Cody begins to look for reasons why her friend ended up in such a dark place. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.

Why I liked it: In reading I Was Here, it is impossible not to sympathize with Cody's reaction to her best friend's suicide. Who wouldn't be hurt or angry or even feel guilty? Cody can't believe Meg would do something like this and even worse that she had no idea what Meg was going through. On a trip to clean out Meg's college dorm room, Cody begins to look for reasons why her friend ended up in such a dark place. This leads to even more anguish for Cody. Why didn't Meg's roommates know her? How could Ben, the guitar player Meg had a one night stand with, just write her off? While there is little feel good in the book, I actually appreciated that, since there is no happy ending when someone commits suicide. I also liked that Cody's character was far from perfect. In addition to having a whole range of emotions, she took risks and made mistakes, but tried to take a stand and remain loyal to her friend's memory.

Classroom application: Since the novel deals with depression and suicide, it would be a good springboard into research and further discussion of those topics. Teenagers should be able to recognize the signs of both and know who to turn to for help if they or a friend should need it. The novel could also be used as a choice in literature circles themed around mental illness (you can find other suggested titles here).

I'm a big fan of the quote, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about” (author Wendy Mass) and I Was Here reminded me of that idea. After reading, I would love for students to create a kindness or "take what you need" board, where students post positive messages and words of encouragement for others to take when they need a pick me up. Students could also brainstorm other ways to spread happiness. (Certainly these efforts in no way cancel out serious mental health issues, but we want our students to share hope and positivity, not post encouragement in an online suicide support group.)

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of I Was Here for yourself, you can find it on Amazon here.

Note: The Literary Maven is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

July 22, 2018

#2ndaryELA Twitter Chat on Tuesday 7/24 Topic: Back to School Planning

Join secondary English Language Arts teachers Tuesday evenings at 8 pm EST on Twitter. This week's chat will be about back to school planning.
Brynn Allison, The Literary Maven, & Lisa Spangler, Mrs. Spangler in the Middle, host #2ndaryELA on Twitter every Tuesday evening from 8 - 8:30 PM EST. #2ndaryELA is a weekly chat for secondary English Language Arts teachers focused on a topic. Every Sunday, we post the topic and questions on our blogs to allow you to prepare for the upcoming Tuesday evening's chat. Thank you to everyone who joined us last week and we hope that you will join us again.

We'd also love for you to join our 2ndaryELA Facebook group, even if you aren't on Twitter. 2ndaryELA is a group of middle and high school English Language Arts teachers looking to share ideas and best practices. This group is an extension of our Twitter chat and a place for collaboration, questions, and encouragement. Feel free to post teaching ideas, success stories, resource links, photos, etc. that will enhance our instruction.

On Tuesday, July 24, our #2ndaryELA chat will be about back to school planning.

Join secondary English Language Arts teachers Tuesday evenings at 8 pm EST on Twitter. This week's chat will be about back to school planning.

The Directions:
1. Log into Twitter on Tuesday from 8-8:30 PM EST.
2. Search for tweets with the hashtag #2ndaryELA in the search bar. Make sure to click “Latest.”
3. Introductions are for the first 5 minutes.
4. Starting at 8:05 (@literarymaven or @2peasandadog) will post questions every 5 minutes using the format Q1, Q2, Q3, etc. and the hashtag #2ndaryELA.
5. Respond to questions using the format A1, A2, A3, etc. with #2ndaryELA.
6. Follow any teachers responding and who are also using #2ndaryELA.
7. Like and respond to other teachers' tweets.

You can schedule your responses to the questions ahead of time using a scheduler like TweetDeck or HootSuite (but don't forget to use A1, A2, etc. and #2ndaryELA). Links are encouraged, so be sure to use a link shortener like tinyurlbitlygoo.gl or ow.ly Just visit one of those links and paste your long link to shorten it for Twitter. Using images is also encouraged when relevant.

New to chats? Here are the rules:
1. Stay on topic & stay positive!
2. Please do not post or promote paid products unless specifically asked.
3. If you arrive late, try to look through other posts before beginning.
4. Feel free to just read, like, and/or retweet.
5. Always use our hashtag #2ndaryELA, including in your replies to others.
6. Make sure your twitter feed is set to public. (Also keep in mind that Twitter is completely public – that means students, parents, and administrators can and will read what you tweet.)

You can also check out a quick video tutorial in this blog post.

Be sure to spread the word to any teacher friends who might be interested in joining us as well. We look forward to chatting with you Tuesday evening and in our 2ndaryELA Facebook group!

Get caught up on past chats here:

July 16, 2018

On My Bookshelf: The Pearl Thief by Elizabeth Wein

Set in Scotland before World War II begins, The Pearl Thief by Elizabeth Wein follows Julie on her misadventures the summer she returns to her grandparents' estate to help clear it out before it becomes a school. On the day she returns, Julie is knocked unconscious and spends most of the rest of the summer trying to piece together what happened to her. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.
The basic plot from Amazon: Before Verity . . . there was Julie. When fifteen-year-old Julia Beaufort-Stuart wakes up in the hospital, she knows the lazy summer break she'd imagined won't be exactly what she anticipated. And once she returns to her grandfather's estate, a bit banged up but alive, she begins to realize that her injury might not have been an accident. One of her family's employees is missing, and he disappeared on the very same day she landed in the hospital. Desperate to figure out what happened, she befriends Euan McEwen, the Scottish Traveller boy who found her when she was injured, and his standoffish sister, Ellen. As Julie grows closer to this family, she experiences firsthand some of the prejudices they've grown used to—a stark contrast to her own upbringing—and finds herself exploring thrilling new experiences that have nothing to do with a missing-person investigation. Her memory of that day returns to her in pieces, and when a body is discovered, her new friends are caught in the crosshairs of long-held biases about Travellers. Julie must get to the bottom of the mystery in order to keep them from being framed for the crime. This exhilarating coming-of-age story, a prequel to the Printz Honor Book Code Name Verity, returns to a beloved character just before she first takes flight.
Set in Scotland before World War II begins, The Pearl Thief by Elizabeth Wein follows Julie on her misadventures the summer she returns to her grandparents' estate to help clear it out before it becomes a school. On the day she returns, Julie is knocked unconscious and spends most of the rest of the summer trying to piece together what happened to her. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.

Why I liked it: I loved Code Name Verity and Rose Under Fire, so I was thrilled to find that  The Pearl Thief was a prequel to the two. Set in Scotland before World War II begins, the novel follows Julie on her misadventures the summer she returns to her grandparents' estate to help clear it out before it becomes a school. On the day she returns, Julie is knocked unconscious and spends most of the rest of the summer trying to piece together what happened to her. I loved how plucky Julie was, constantly curious and determined to get the bottom of the mystery, as well as her ability to enjoy life and good company. She is daring and welcomes new experiences, where another girl of her social status might be much more restrained and formal. I also liked that the novel had a mix of elements: some mystery, some romance, and some history.

Classroom application: The novel deals with class issues and sexuality in subtle ways. On several occasions, Julie is mistaken for a Traveller (an ethnic minority in Scotland) and suffers both physical and verbal abuse, which is in stark contrast to her usual privileges as a titled young lady. Comparisons could be made to the treatment of minority groups in America or other countries during any time period.

Julie takes great pleasure in the power she seems to have over an older man supervising the work at her grandparents' estate, but also relishes attention from Ellen, a Traveller close to her own age. There is a scene in the novel where she is mistaken for a boy and takes advantage of the opportunity to kiss another girl. These aspects of the novel could lead to discussions about gender and sexuality. What role does gender play in sexuality and who we are attracted to? How is our gender and sexuality determined?

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of The Pearl Thief for yourself, you can find it on Amazon here.

Note: The Literary Maven is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

July 13, 2018

10 High Interest Nonfiction Titles to Recommend to Your Secondary Students

As teachers, we hope that every book we put in the hands of our students is a great one, but some students prefer that great story to also be true. For these students, the story takes on greater meaning because it actually happened to a real person. Here's 10 high interest nonfiction titles that I've recently read and would recommend to secondary students.
As teachers, we hope that every book we put in the hands of our students is a great one, but some students prefer that great story to also be a true one. For these students, the story takes on greater meaning because it actually happened to a real person. Here's 10 high interest nonfiction titles that I've recently read and would recommend to secondary students. Click the title of each to read my full review and ideas for using it in the classroom.

Author William Kamkwamba describes his life in Africa in a way that does not make the reader pity him or look down upon the differences in his culture. Many of his experiences are ones the average child can relate to, but are set against the backdrop of third world struggles. 

2. Alexander Hamilton: The Graphic History of an American Founding Father by Jonathan Hennessey
This graphic novel is as detailed in narration as it is in illustration. Every moment of Hamilton's life from birth to death is meticulously recorded in this visual biography.

Two men with the same name, born in the same place, and roughly the same age, but with very different fates. One grows up to be a Rhodes Scholar, decorated veteran, White House Fellow, and business leader, while the other ends up a convicted murderer serving a life sentence for a crime he claims he didn't commit. For middle school students, get the young reader's edition.
The text focuses on the discovery of Nazi Adolf Eichmann in Argentina and the work of Israeli spies to capture him and bring him to trial in Israel. Despite several hiccups, with extremely careful planning, the team is able to successfully complete their mission. 
An 11-year-old's research project becomes a quest to clear a Naval captain of wrong doing. The sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the rescue of her men four days later are all part of this fascinating nonfiction piece. 

This is the riveting, true story of the victims, accused witches, crooked officials, and mass hysteria that turned a mysterious illness affecting two children into a witch hunt that took over a dozen people’s lives. 
The text focuses on a little known event in American history. This narrative nonfiction novel is a fascinating story of the prejudice and injustice that faced black men and women in America's armed forces during World War II. 
This literary nonfiction reads like a spy thriller. America's efforts to build the atomic bomb, the sabotage of German weapon manufacture, and the Soviets attempts to steal American secrets are woven together in this action packed story. 
This is a wonderful mix of history lesson and biographical narrative. The text explains the challenges of African Americans from roughly the 1940s through the 1970s, but makes the information personal through the stories of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden. For middle school students, get the young reader's edition.

This nonfiction biography reads like a great narrative. Louis Zamperini survives unbelievable odds as a POW during WWII. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom use. For middle school students, get the young reader's edition.

July 9, 2018

On My Bookshelf: Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley

Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley, despite being focused on a serious anxiety disorder, was refreshingly funny. and full of charming characters. Solomon, despite not leaving the house in three years, is surprisingly social once he warms up and has a great sense of humor. Lisa, who befriends Solomon so that she'll have juicy material for her college essay, is an endearing perfectionist with a boyfriend, Clark, who turns out to share many of Solomon's interests, making him an even better fit as a friend. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.
The basic plot from Amazon: Sixteen-year-old Solomon has agoraphobia. He hasn't left his house in 3 years. Ambitious Lisa is desperate to get into a top-tier psychology program. And so when Lisa learns about Solomon, she decides to befriend him, cure him, and then write about it for her college application. To earn Solomon's trust, she introduces him to her boyfriend Clark, and starts to reveal her own secrets. But what started as an experiment leads to a real friendship, with all three growing close. But when the truth comes out, what erupts could destroy them all. Funny and heartwarming, Highly Illogical Behavior is a fascinating exploration of what makes us tick, and how the connections between us may be the most important things of all.

Why I liked it: Highly Illogical Behavior, despite being focused on a serious anxiety disorder, was refreshingly funny. The novel is full of charming characters. Solomon, despite not leaving the house in three years, is surprisingly social once he warms up and has a great sense of humor. His parents are kind and understanding despite the burden of having a child suffering from agoraphobia. Similarly Solomon's spunky grandmother is sensitive to Solomon's issues, but is his biggest cheerleader when it comes to overcoming his fears. Lisa, who befriends Solomon so that she'll have juicy material for her college essay, is an endearing perfectionist with a boyfriend, Clark, who turns out to share many of Solomon's interests, making him an even better fit as a friend.
Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley, despite being focused on a serious anxiety disorder, was refreshingly funny. and full of charming characters. Solomon, despite not leaving the house in three years, is surprisingly social once he warms up and has a great sense of humor. Lisa, who befriends Solomon so that she'll have juicy material for her college essay, is an endearing perfectionist with a boyfriend, Clark, who turns out to share many of Solomon's interests, making him an even better fit as a friend. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.

Though much of the novel is light, it is not without typical teenage issues. Lisa and Clark struggle with their relationship as the impact of college separation grows closer and closer. Solomon must deal with rejection and Lisa and her best friend fight and make up. There is also a scene that serves as a strong reminder that even if teenagers want to "fix" each others' problems, there are times when the help of a medical professional is needed.

Classroom application: There are some mature themes (sex and sexuality) and profanity, but nothing extreme, so this book is one I'd recommend to upper middle school and up. Although the characters are in high school, Solomon's fears are ones middle school students could relate to as well. Students who appreciate humor and books like Me and Earl and the Dying Girl will like this book too.

The novel could be offered as a choice in literature circles themed around mental illness, especially if you are looking for something that is on the lighter side (you can find some other suggestions, most of them not so light, here).

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of Highly Illogical Behavior for yourself, you can find it on Amazon here.

Note: The Literary Maven is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

July 2, 2018

On My Bookshelf: In Sight of Stars by Gae Polisner

In Sight of Stars by Gae Polisner is a bit disorienting at first, but intentionally so. Klee has just entered a psychiatric hospital, is heavily medicated, and is trying to piece together the events that landed him there. Through his therapy sessions, Klee's relationships with his parents, particularly his father who recently committed suicide, and Sarah, Klee's love interest, are revealed. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.
The basic plot from Amazon: Seventeen-year-old Klee’s father was the center of his life. He introduced Klee to the great museums of New York City and the important artists on their walls, he told him stories made of myths and magic. Until his death.

Now, forced to live in the suburbs with his mom, Klee can’t help but feel he’s lost all the identifying parts of himself—his beloved father, weekly trips to the MoMA, and the thrumming energy of New York City. That is until he meets wild and free Sarah in art class, with her quick smiles and jokes about his “brooding.” Suddenly it seems as if she’s the only thing that makes him happy. But when an act of betrayal sends him reeling, Klee lands in what is bitingly referred to as the “Ape Can,” a psychiatric hospital for teens in Northhollow.

While there, he undergoes intensive therapy and goes back over the pieces of his life to find out what was real, what wasn’t, and whether he can stand on his own feet again. Told in alternating timelines, leading up to the event that gets him committed and working towards getting back out, Gae Polisner’s In Sight of Stars is a gorgeous novel told in minimalist strokes to maximal effect, about what makes us fall apart and how we can put ourselves back together again.
In Sight of Stars by Gae Polisner is a bit disorienting at first, but intentionally so. Klee has just entered a psychiatric hospital, is heavily medicated, and is trying to piece together the events that landed him there. Through his therapy sessions, Klee's relationships with his parents, particularly his father who recently committed suicide, and Sarah, Klee's love interest, are revealed. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.

Why I liked it: In Sight of Stars is a bit disorienting at first, but intentionally so. Klee has just entered a psychiatric hospital, is heavily medicated, and is trying to piece together the events that landed him there. Through his therapy sessions, Klee's relationships with his parents, particularly his father who recently committed suicide, and Sarah, Klee's love interest, are revealed. 

Klee is one of just four patients at the psychiatric hospital for teens and while his experience at such an exclusive facility might not be representative of mental health care, I appreciated how normal all of the patients seemed and the kindness of the staff. Too often these depictions are sensationalized in books and film. I also thought his road to recovery was realistic. Medication in combination with solo and group therapy were utilized and even when he was released from the facility, he was self-admittedly still fragile.

Classroom application: Because of the mature themes in the novel (sex, drug and alcohol use, suicide/mental health), I would recommend this one to high school and up. If students are put off by the start of the novel, encourage them to keep reading. Things will start to make sense.

The novel would be a great addition to literature circles themed around the issue of mental health (you can find some other title suggestions here) or around teenage relationships. Klee and Sarah like each other, but Klee's intensity and his issues with his parents make it difficult for Sarah to have a relationship with him. The novel would be an example for teens of how to deal (or rather how not to deal) with a boyfriend or girlfriend who needs more support from a relationship than the other can provide. It certainly reinforces the idea that teens, even if they are well-intentioned, can't "fix" someone who needs help from a professional. 

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of In Sight of Stars for yourself, you can find it on Amazon here.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The Literary Maven is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.