
Nat's dad has gotten her a spot on a wheelchair racing team, but when Nat sees a poster for cast tryouts for a production of Wicked, she immediately knows that's what she wants to do. Instead of racing practice, Nat attends tryouts and she succeeds in scoring a spot in the cast. Now she'll have to convince her parents that she can do this.
This is the first role Nat has ever had in a production. Her singing impressed the director and also some of the other cast members. Now she has to show them she can handle the part even with her chair. She's on her way to being part of a group she's always dreamed of. The production is plagued with difficulties that require everyone to be creative. Nat loves every minute of it, even though she struggles with challenges physically and emotionally.
THE CHANCE TO FLY is cowritten by two talented authors with experience in theater. Ali Stroker herself is confined to a wheelchair, but that didn't stop her from winning a Tony Award. Stacy Davidowitz has degrees in drama and acting. Together, they take readers on an inspiring journey with Nat and her new-found friends.
Best friends Helen and Gracie didn't have period equity in mind when they were planning their latest prank. It was almost the end of the year which meant they needed the greatest prank ever. When their "stinky stunt" ends up with them in the principal's office, they find themselves being told they have to find something to care about.
Helen and Gracie end up joining the Community Action Club. They are thrilled when they learn that Madison, their least favorite person, is in charge. During the first meeting, they listen to Madison's idea about providing period products for girls. Since the two friends can relate to this issue on a personal level, they decide to jump into promoting the plan with ideas of their own.
Author Ali Terese takes readers on a wild ride in FREE PERIOD. Helen and Gracie get into hot water more than once, and Madison begins to fear their radical ideas. Full of fun and antics, the general idea behind period equity is a good one and might just be something others would like to embrace.
Esme's family struggles financially. They are very supportive, but money is always tight. Grammy Jean helps out as much as she can and she's always reminding Esme how strong she is. Another area Grammy understands is Esme's body issues. Her breasts have been growing, and they don't seem to stop. She has back pain, and her shoulders are rubbed raw by her bra straps. Grammy makes an appointment with a specialist so Esme can find out her options. Surgery isn't one of the options because she is still growing, but the doctor offers emotional support and suggests Esme wear better bras. Again, Grammy steps up with her credit card so Esme can order new bras.
In the meantime, some of the girls in dance bully Esme, and while she is at a club, a guy actually grabs one of her breasts. Esme is horrified and becomes withdrawn until she is encouraged by some new friends and Todd, a new boyfriend.
TOP HEAVY is a novel in verse by Rhonda DeChambeau. She highlights the issues of self-esteem, personal value, and dealing with family/friends, and being accepted for who you are. As colorful as its cover, I highly recommend it to every teen girl.
Bea is a sixth grader. She loves her school, especially how the older students are role models for the littles. Bea has been paired with a little girl named Josie. Josie is very nervous about school. She reluctantly comes each day, but it takes quite a bit of convincing from Bea to get the little girl to take part.
The day of the shooting is traumatic for all the students. Bea realizes that her wheelchair makes it nearly impossible for her to escape during this terrible event. In the days that follow, Bea learns who was hurt and who died. She also realizes that she didn't even think about Josie who fortunately survived. Guilt causes sleepless nights for Bea and a fear that something else will happen that she won't be able to escape.
Through horseback riding therapy, Bea begins to recover and discover she has a voice that might be able to change things if she speaks up and demands people listen to the issues of gun control.
Addy has one goal - to attend survivor camp and pass all the tests to become certified. The camp is where her parents met, and Addy thinks if she can survive the difficult tests, she will make her parents proud.
Just days before she leaves for camp, a huge superstorm hits the area. The bridge she needs to cross to get to camp is washed out and who knows if it will be repaired in time. Addy heads up the mountain to find a cell phone signal. Her mother has fallen into depression, and Addy hopes to contact her mother's therapist for advice.
Caleb, a neighbor, has a similar idea to find cell phone reception. The two begin to talk. When Caleb hears about Addy's concerns about not getting to survivor camp, he comes up with a way to organize a series of rides to get Addy there on time. When Caleb's plan begins to fall apart, Addy takes matters into her own hands and embarks on a dangerous downriver trip to the camp.
Author Ann Braden takes readers on the adventure with Addy. They will learn about loss, friendship, and the importance of asking for help even when you don't think you need it.
Hello fellow readers! I retired after 40 years of teaching middle and high school English. I still teach at the college level - Children's and Adolescent Literature - and I truly enjoy connecting my students with great books.
For anyone not familiar with my posts, I review mostly YA fiction. My focus is on books for middle grades and high school age readers. I have reserved the right to review only books I feel I can review positively. After all, I believe life is too darn short to read books that don't truly interest me.
Readers will be able to view a brief summary of each book, my quick thoughts on any unique qualities in the book, and a peek at the cover. (I confess - I do sometimes "judge a book by its cover.") I will also post information about Accelerated Reader points since my students will be interested in this information.
I appreciate any comments you would like to share regarding the books reviewed and also suggestions about additional books that readers might enjoy. Always on the lookout for new material to use in my classroom, I'm open to any and all suggestions.
I look forward to sharing many reading related thoughts with interested readers.
Read on!
RJ
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