GOOD DIFFERENT by Meg Eden Kuyatt

 

Selah has felt at home at Pebblecreek Academy, but now that she is entering seventh grade, things seem to be different. Selah is filled with feelings and words that she has been taught should stay hidden inside her. Her mother tells her she must be "normal" until she gets home. Lately, that is becoming harder and harder.

As seventh grade begins, those who have been Selah's friends are acting differently. Her best friend is hanging out with new friends and doesn't have time for Selah's talk about dragons. Other kids have started making fun of Selah like they never have before.

Selah knows she is different but doesn't know how to explain it or communicate how she feels. She keeps hearing people mention autism, and when she does some research, she thinks there might be something to it. When she reacts to her friend Addie attempting to braid her hair by flailing out, hitting Addie, and giving her a bloody nose, the principal of Pebblecreek suspends her and tells her she'll have to leave if she breaks another rule.

Author Meg Eden Kuyatt takes readers into the mind of Selah as she struggles to fit in and still be herself. Readers will better understand autism as they witness Selah, her mother, and her grandfather. GOOD DIFFERENT, a novel in verse, is a fast-paced read sure to touch readers' hearts and help them recognize the differences in all of us.

TWO TRIBES by Emily Bowen Cohen

 

Mia is pulled in two directions. She lives with her mother and step-father and attends a Jewish day school. Her father lives in Oklahoma and is a member of the Muscogee Nation. Recently, a boy at school teased her by saying she is adopted because she doesn't look like her Jewish parents. She corrects him by telling him that she looks like her father who is Native American.

After a dinner when the local Rabbi makes an upsetting comment referring to Native Americans, Mia begins to question her heritage. Since her parents divorced when she was only three years old, she hasn't spent time with her father. She begins to plan a trip to visit him and his new family.

With the help of a friend Mia decides to purchase a bus ticket and sneak away to Oklahoma. She tells her mother she is attending a Jewish weekend field trip, but instead heads off to get some answers from her father.

Mia's visit to Oklahoma is amazing. She begins to understand more about her Muscogee heritage, and she makes plans to learn more. When her secret trip is discovered, she has a lot of explaining to do. Will she be able to explain her reasons for tricking both her parents? Will they understand enough to allow her to keep learning about her Native American background?

Author Emily Bowen Cohen uses her own Jewish/Muscogee background to create Mia's story. Written as a graphic novel, it allows readers to see as well as read about Mia's struggles. TWO TRIBES is perfect for classrooms and libraries looking to share diversity with teen readers.

SKY ROPES by Sondra Soderborg

 

Breanna has a reputation to uphold. She is known for her guts and toughness. Planning and playing pranks have earned her respect from friends and classmates. Now that she will be in sixth grade in a school that combines kids from a bunch of elementary schools, she'll have to make new friends and make sure they recognize her talents.

All summer she has been dreading the teambuilding camp that takes place the week before school starts. Informational pamphlets have been arriving in the mail. As long as her mother doesn't know about it, she won't be forced to attend so she has been gathering the pamphlets and burying them in the backyard. When the final week of summer vacation approaches, her mother mentions shopping for camp supplies. Oh no! How did her mother know? How will she get out of it?

Now she is at camp faced with new people, uncomfortable situations, and worst of all, the prospect of having to tackle the Sky Ropes. Breanna's fear of heights is all twisted up with the most terrifying event of her life. It involves her father who now has a restraining order that prohibits him from getting anywhere close to her, but that doesn't keep her from nightmares about him and what happened.

How will she keep up her rep as a tough, brave, prankster if she is constantly worried about the Sky Ropes? The camp counselors keep preaching that the camp challenges are by choice, but what if she is the only one who chooses to say "no" to the frightening Ropes?

Author Sondra Soderborg's debut book SKY ROPES explores personal challenge, bullies, and trauma in a way that will have readers connecting to Breanna and her friends. With breath-taking adventures, quirky characters, and fun camp moments SKY ROPES is sure to keep readers turning pages from start to finish.

PLAN A by Deb Caletti

 

Ivy didn't even know you could get pregnant that way. Now she is trying to figure out who to tell and how to deal with the problem. Living in the state of Texas means her options are basically non-existent. If she tries to get an abortion, even by traveling to another state, she could be prosecuted.

With the help of her mother and a boy she's only been in a relationship for a month, Ivy's plan is to travel from Paris, Texas, to the state of Oregon where choice is still an option. Her grandmother has made an appointment at a clinic for her. Thus begins a road trip that could end with both Ivy and Lorenzo in jail.

Before they leave, Ivy learns just how opinionated her supposed friends and community members are about the topic, but she knows it is the right choice for her. As they plan and then begin the trip, Ivy and Lorenzo try to enjoy the adventure even though the dark nature of their trip hangs over each mile. They get to know each other more, as well as the choices and sacrifices so many others have made. 

Author Deb Caletti taps into current struggles over a woman's choice to manage her own health care. The Texas restrictions are clearly contrasted with those of more liberal opinions. Readers will experience Ivy's fears and reservations as they also learn about how many women through the centuries have dealt with choice or lack of choice in the decisions they have had to make. PLAN A is a powerful book that speaks to an important issue our country faces. Reading it may or may not change minds, but the experience will make at least one position known. 

GATHER by Kenneth M. Cadow

 

Dorian "Ian" is stumbling through life as best he can. He used to spend time with his grandfather learning about hunting, fishing, and fixing things. His grandmother held things together at the house even when his father left and his mother had trouble with drugs and alcohol. Now his grandfather is dead and his grandmother has moved. His mother returned from rehab and did pretty well for a while, but then everything fell apart.

When he's not in school, Ian wanders the woods and finds odd jobs repairing things for neighbors. He agrees to watch out for an elderly woman neighbor in exchange for enough money to get groceries and fuel oil. He also befriends a huge, stray dog he names Gather. 

Any security Ian enjoys is ripped away when his mother overdoses. He may have to leave the only place he's ever called home. When he finds out Gather will not be welcome where he's going, he decides his only recourse is to return home despite those who insist he can't

Author Kenneth M. Cadow beautifully captures the voice of a young teen struggling to protect his life and everything dear to him. Readers will connect with Ian on page one and root for him every page thereafter. 

DEAR MEDUSA by Olivia A. Cole

 

Alicia is sixteen. She is feeling alone, sad, and furious. She spends most of her time in ISAP (in-school suspension) because she falls asleep in class, uses inappropriate language, and skips art class. Her life is consumed with avoiding the Colonel. She thinks of him as the predator, the wolf, who took away her innocence and changed how she looks at the world.

It is clear from the beginning of Alicia's story that this teacher, beloved by many, crossed a line behind his closed door, and although she has told no one, the changes in her life have earned her nicknames like slut, hoe, and whore. When she isn't working at the fast-food restaurant Meat Palace, hiding out in her room, avoiding her mother and brother, she is meeting up with random boys/men and trying to feel normal.

When her best friend abandons her, Alicia wishes she could confide in someone, but her brother is distracted by his crappy friends and her mother is searching for the place she fits after her divorce. Alicia finds two new friends, Geneva who is the new girl, and Deja who spends just about as much time in ISAP as Alicia. It takes time, but eventually Alicia comes to trust these two and thinks she might have a chance to open up. She is also receiving mysterious notes in her locker that hint she is not the only victim of the Colonel. 

Can she rise above the trauma that has taken over her life? Will she learn to use her voice to speak up loud enough to be heard over those who condemn her?

Author Olivia A. Cole unique, direct, no-nonsense verse takes readers on a journey with Alicia that is both frightening and courageous. I highly recommend DEAR MEDUSA for teen girls and adults whose lives are sometimes too busy to listen to voices clamoring to be heard.

SPIN by Rebecca Caprara

 

SPIN is a retelling of Arachne's story. The story is told from her POV and promises to tell the story and let readers decide the identity of the true villain.

Arachne was born with many physical flaws, but she was deeply loved by her parents. Her mother was a talented weaver and set about teaching Arachne. It wasn't an easy task, but Arachne practiced long and hard to improve her skill. Her father was known for the beautiful purple dyes he created and the yarn he produced. Arachne hoped to please him with her skill so she could earn the privilege of weaving with his incredible yarn.

Sadness filled Arachne's life. Her beloved younger brother died in a tragic accident and then she lost her mother. It was then that Arachne and her dear childhood friend Celandine decided to leave their small town and seek adventure in the city.

Arachne impressed people with the amazing tapestries she created. Her pieces brought great prices in the marketplace. Unfortunately, Arachne's pride and outspoken personality often made her unpopular. When the goddess Athena heard of Arachne's bragging, she was not pleased with the young girl's hubris. 

Author Rebecca Caprara's novel in verse deftly tells this well-known story from mythology. It tells of art, talent, hope, and heartbreak.