I LOVE YOU, MICHAEL COLLINS by Lauren Baratz-Logsted

 

I remember the moon landing of Apollo 11. I was 13 and excited to stay up late to watch men walking on the moon. I LOVE YOU, MICHAEL COLLINS by Lauren Baratz-Logsted brought many memories.

Mamie is ten years old. Her older sister Eleanor has moved into an apartment. Her other sister Bess is busy with high school and her boyfriend Vinny. Next door is her best friend, Buster. 

As the school year comes to a close, Mamie listens to all the other girls and boys who marvel at Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. No one ever mentions Michael Collins, but Mamie thinks he is the one to admire because without him circling the moon, the other two won't have a way to get back to earth. 

Mamie begins writing letters to Michael Collins. As she does, her own family begins to unravel. Talking with him through her letters helps her deal with the real-life upheaval when everyone else seems to be abandoning her.

I'd classify this as historical fiction with a twist, and highly recommend it for middle grade readers.

BANNED TOGETHER: Our Fight for Readers' Rights edited by Ashley Hope Perez

 

The increase in book bans in recent years has some authors fired up (and many readers, as well). BANNED TOGETHER is a collection of awesome children's and young adult authors who have shared their feelings about this uptick in the attempt to restrict what kids read.

Filled with essays, short stories, personal accounts, graphic narratives, and more, BANNED TOGETHER reveals what many feel is a trend dangerous to free speech and literature today. This collection is perfect for sharing with others concerned about censorship in today's society.

WHEN WE RIDE by Rex Ogle

 

WHEN WE RIDE is Rex Ogle's first YA novel. Written in verse, it chronicles the friendship of two teens. Diego and Lawson have been friends for ten years. Hanging together is what they do, but lately, Diego hasn't been feeling all that comfortable with Lawson.

Diego works hard in school and at his job. He plans to earn good grades and save his paychecks so he can go to college. Lawson, on the other hand, isn't keen on school, and his job isn't exactly legal. He has been selling weed to high school friends and college students. Recently, he has added some harder stuff to his inventory.

Lawson constantly asks Diego to drive him around. Diego is worried that one of these days they will be pulled over and both of them will end up in jail. Lawson promises he won't let Diego go down for whatever he is carrying, but the reassurances don't make Diego comfortable.

What does it take to maintain a friendship when two friends have different goals? Can Diego step away from 10 years of friendship to protect himself, or does he feel too protective of Lawson? WHEN WE RIDE will keep you on the edge of your seat.

TEAR THIS DOWN by Barbara Dee

 

TEAR THIS DOWN by Barbara Dee is another great pick for National Women's History Month. The recommended audience is middle grade readers, but it's perfect for anyone interested in history and women's rights.

Freya Stillman has barely started seventh grade. Her history teacher has already assigned a research project. One day into her research, Freya learns that Benjamin Wellstone, the man whose name appears on buildings, a statue, and even her school's name, is not the man everyone believes him to be. Yes, he worked with President Lincoln to defeat slavery, but he also believed that women should only work in the home, should not be educated, and should not be allowed to vote or participate in government.

Freya can't believe this man gets so much respect in her community. Her immediate reaction is to begin a campaign to have his statue removed and have all the things, including the town, renamed. As her opinions gain ground, some people in town are not thrilled by Freya's opinions. She doesn't really care what others think. Instead, she works to get some friends involved in promoting a message that perhaps the historical suffragists from the town deserve more of their support.

Author Barbara Dee takes current topics and brings them front and center in this novel about a young activist and her passion for making people aware of important facts about her town. Full of discussion opportunities, TEAR THIS DOWN should be in every classroom and library.

ONE STEP FORWARD by Marcie Flinchum Atkins

 

ONE STEP FORWARD is the perfect book for Women's History Month and our current turbulent times. It addresses the fight for the women's vote during the early 1900s.

Readers are introduced to Matilda Young. History says she was the youngest suffragist to actively fight for women's rights. She was one of a family of four sisters and one brother. Her older sisters became part of the protests in Washington, D.C., by the National Women's Party. As Matilda watched, she saw the importance of the movement and began picketing with the women in front of the Whitehouse.

Matilda's parents worried about their young teenage daughter as she put her own safety on the line to fight for change. She didn't picket at first. She helped organize the picketing schedule, prepared the banners the women carried as they walked and stood in front of the White House, and offered them food and drink when their shifts were over.

Matilda eventually joined the women on the front lines of the protest. She was hired by NWP to answer phones and other communication. She was arrested numerous times and joined a hunger strike in jail that threatened her life. 

Author Marcie Flinchum Atkins uses verse to chronicle the years of picketing and protest that eventually led to the successful adoption of the Nineteenth Amendment. It was a hard-fought battle, and Matilda Young was in the thick of it.

EVERY STAR THAT FALLS by Michael Thomas Ford

 

Thanks to a student in my college Adolescent Lit class, I learned about this sequel to SUICIDE NOTES. The story continues after Jeff's 45 days in a psychiatric ward.

Being back home is good, but it is also confusing. He knows his parents are worried about a repeat of his suicide attempt, so he is trying his best to keep them happy. His sister, Amanda, seems to understand him better than anyone else.

Going back to school causes some anxiety, but Jeff insists that he doesn't want to change schools even though his mother pushes that option. He knows there will be gossip, but he is relying on his best friend Allie to help him cross those bridges when the time comes.

Dr. K recommends a Friday evening support group. It is uncomfortable at first, but Jeff meets Chrys and eventually Goldie. They may be just the people to add happiness back into his life.

EVERY STAR THAT FALLS by Michael Thomas Ford is the perfect sequel. It offers answers for readers' questions about what happens next and offers a positive outlook for anyone trying to find themselves amid the chaos and trauma of teenage life.

REZ BALL by Byron Graves

 

Tre Brun is dedicating his time to improving his basketball skills. He has hopes of using basketball as his ticket off the Red Lake Indian Reservation. He is playing JV but hopes to move up to varsity and play like his father and brother before him. Both had goals to win the state championship. His father didn't succeed, and a tragic car accident ended Tre's older brother's life before he could achieve the goal.

 Tryouts Tre's sophomore year don't go as planned. He was sure he played well and would make the varsity team. He is stuck on the JV team, but vows to play hard and make varsity next year. When a couple of varsity players are suspended, the coach moves Tre up. Can he fit in and prove his worth? If he can play like his brother and father, maybe they have a chance to win at the state level this year.

Author Byron Graves's book REZ BALL has edge-of-your-seat basketball action. Memories of Tre's brother keep emotions uneasy in the family as Tre's playing promises to match that of his idol. This debut will have readers eagerly waiting for this author's next book.

RHINO'S RUN by Robert Lipsyte

 

Ronnie Rhinehart's focus is on football. He's captain of the team and plans to play Division I in college. If all goes well, that will allow him to get out of his dying town.

Home life is full of up and down emotions. His parents are usually focused on whatever is happening in their jobs. Rhino only gets attention when he does something wrong or slacks off in his training.

When Rhino lashes out during a school assembly and punches a popular kid, he finds himself suspended and required to attend the Group for counseling. Meeting with the Group does help him feel better. There's also the added benefit of meeting some new people with problems of their own. However, when one of the Group members brings a gun, and Rhino learns he was the target of the attack, his values begin to shift.

Author Robert Lipsyte has written twelve novels for young adults. I was excited to see his latest RHINO'S RUN. It is very relevant in today's very divided culture. The story will have a definite impact on reader's and get them thinking about what is most important in life.