Welcome to this post featuring YA and MG titles.
Dear Medusa by Olivia A. Cole
- Concept: This novel-in-verse by Olivia A. Cole explores the tortured high school experience of Alicia Rivers. Alicia is the girl everyone talks about: the girls call her names; the boys simply call her. Alicia explores how her early sexualization by males and a dysfunctional home life make her vulnerable to exploitation by random males, a beloved teacher at school, and male schoolmates. Alicia’s own conflicting feelings about her sexuality and her difficulty making friends are explored and contribute to the resolution where she is able to reclaim parts of herself.
- My Take: This one is hard. It’s a YA book that makes me pray that the real lives of my adolescent students are not this traumatic. Unfortunately, I know this is wishful thinking on my part. The double standards judging females for sexual experience are alive and well in this novel and still alive and well in real life. Alicia is a victim, searching for connection in dysfunctional ways and rejected or overlooked by those closest to her, who should be the ones to help and protect her.
The first wolf I remember was bagging my mother’s groceries.
I was fourteen and we’d just come from the pool.
(That doesn’t mean I was wearing a bathing suit.
That doesn’t mean I was wearing shorts.
People always wonder what I was wearing.
Why
when it comes to girls and wolves
do we let our brains look for reasons
why she deserved to be prey
before we notice his fangs?) (15)
- Recommendation: Yes, I would include this novel in verse on my high school classroom library shelf. Part of our guidance to students in selecting independent reading is to choose books of interest that they and their parents or guardians are comfortable with. If a book includes content that they do not want to read, they can change books. I don’t want to let fear of some students being uncomfortable with the topic and choosing not to read it to keep me from providing access to a book that may be a needed source of light and a pathway to healing. School Library Journal recommends the novel for grade 10+, which fits the age of the protagonist when her story begins. Kirkus Reviews – Ages 14-up. Booklist – Gr 9-12. The Horn Book Guide – Rating 2 (Superior, well-above average). Publisher’s Weekly – Ages 14-up.
Projekt 1065: A Novel of World War II by Alan Gratz
- Concept: During World War II, 13-year-old Michael O’Shaunessey and his parents, diplomats from neutral Ireland, are really spies embedded inside Nazi Germany. Like all boys in Germany at this time, Michael belongs to the local Hitler Youth. He must dress, speak, and act like he believes the ideology pushed by the Nazis to keep him and his family safe and more importantly learn needed information that will be passed to the Allies.
- My Take: I enjoyed the historical adventure aspect of this middle grade selection. Michael’s observations of the dangers of having any contrary opinion in Nazi Germany and how easy it becomes to accept the Nazi propaganda is thought-provoking. He is especially horrified by how those who are attacked by the Nazis for insufficient fealty to the Fuhrer will later become the most vicious of Nazis. This would be a great book club selection for middle school units that focus on the Holocaust.
“And you,” Horst said. He poked Fritz in the chest. Hard. But his voice was soft. “Someday when you truly believe in that uniform [Hitler Youth] you’re wearing, you won’t hesitate. You’ll burn books, you’ll turn in your parents, you’ll give your life for Germany. And on that day, you’ll finally understand the freedom, the joy, that comes with giving yourself completely to the Fuhrer.” (43)
- Recommendation: Yes, I would love this book in a middle school unit that focuses on Holocaust era stories, and I would definitely have it on my classroom library shelf. School Library Journal’s review recommends for grade 7+ and says, “Gratz has also crafted a suspenseful mystery that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. With short, action-packed chapters, it is a great choice for reluctant readers as well.”
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