Jumped

 

Author: Rita Williams-Garcia

Bibliographic Info:

Williams-Garcia, Rita. (2009). Jumped. New York: Amistad.

Descriptive Summary:
Violence is on the horizon at inner city school when Trina bumps into Dominique on the wrong day at the wrong time. Leticia is unsure whether to get involved and try to stop the violence, or mind her own business and remain a bystander. Rita Williams-Garcia examines the anatomy of violence from three very different and unique perspectives in Jumped.

Evaluative comments with rating:

5/5 TVs - There's nothing like this on TV!

Jumped is great! Finally something produced by adults that realized that bullying doesn't just happen in a vacuum and a bully is something more complex than just a simple aggressor. Williams-Garcia alternates voices and perspectives with Jumped's chapters and in doing so she creates well rounded, fully formed characters that give readers a better sense of how and why violence takes place and how it affects and afflicts our community all.  The blame is shared in Jumped and like any good book, there are no easy answers. Jumped's somewhat disturbing ending is a good jumping off point for discussions about violence, bullying, and what we can do to avoid these incidents and behaviours. It's not easy, but at least Jumped is willing to be realistic about it and start discussion rather than just suggesting that we "unlike" bullying.

Suggested Audience (age range): 12-18 (some mild language and violence)

Readers’ advisory notes:

Appeal factors: Slang-heavy, dialogue-rich, suspenseful, character-driven, issue-oriented, reflective

Readalikes: Give a Boy a Gun - Todd Strasser, Just Another Hero - Sharon Draper,  The Orange Houses - Paul Griffin, Rucker Park Setup - Paul Volponi

Booktalking hook:
From Page 21:
"Like she don't see I'm here and all the space around me is mines so keep your pink ass on that side of the lane. No. She cuts a knife right through my space then turns. And I slam my fist into my other hand because shes's good as jumped and I say, "Her. I'm gonna kick that ass at two forty-five."

Reason for inclusion:

Familiarity with the author – I had come across the book previously when shelving.

• 2009 National Book Award Finalist
• ALA Best Book for Young Adults 

Category: Realistic/Award-winning

The Giver

Author:  Lois Lowry

Bibliographic Info:

Lowry, Lois. (1993). The giver.  Ember: New York.

Notes: This is a 2011 reprint of the work

Descriptive Summary:
Jonas lives in a well oiled society where differences fear to tread and where the job you will have for the rest of your life is given to you in the Ceremony of Twelve. When Jonas's name is finally called and he learns that he has been selected to receive a high honor. Jonas soon falls under the tutelage of The Giver to prepare him for the honor. Jonas is to receive the collective memories of the community and in doing so he experience feelings and emotions he had never previously encountered. He also uncovers the reasons for the homogenous society. The Giver and Jonas devise a plan to bring change to the community, but that change can only come about if Jonas leaves everything and everyone he knows behind.

Evaluative comments with rating:

5/5 TVs - a modern classic

Stories like this are always important for young adults, teens, and children. It's a great way for children to learn to question why things are the way they are and how a homogenous life can lead to stagnation. I'm not always big on stories like this simply because the characters usually only exist in order to serve a grander issue (and this novel is no exception), but when the writing is as rich and beautiful as Lowry's; it's easy to overlook. The Giver is a nice "big ideas" book that serves as a modern day parable. It's not bogged down by heavy sci-fi settings and because of that it's accessible to a wide array of readers. The ending isn't pedantic and it's a pleasant surprise that it's open ended. Lowry doesn't dumb anything down for her readers. Lois Lowry creates a nice literary touchstone for a new generation of readers and nurtures a healthy questioning attitude in them.

Suggested Audience (age range): 12-15

Readers’ advisory notes:

Appeal factors: Haunting, serious, compelling, world-building, reflective, strong sense of place

Readalikes: Divergent - Veronica Roth, The Chrysalids - John Wyndham,  Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury, Gathering Blue - Lois Lowry, Unwind - Neal Shusterman, Matched - Ally Condie

Booktalking hook:

Show clips from movies like the Village and the Hunger Games featuring similar societies that prize people knowing their place and role.

Reason for inclusion: Recommendations by several blogs.

1994 Newberry Medal winner

Category: Controversial/Award-Winning/Science Fiction/Classic

21: The Story of Roberto Clemente

Author: Wilfred Santiago

Bibliographic Info:

Santiago, Wilfred. (2011). 21: The story of Roberto Clemente. Seattle: Fantagraphic Books.

Descriptive Summary:

A beautifully illustrated look into one of baseball’s greatest icons, 21 is not a pedestrian and cursory summation of Clemente’s career. Wilfred Santiago looks at the boy who would grow into one of Latin America’s most inspiring heroes and examines Clemente as a whole. From Clemente’s beginnings in Puerto Rico to his World Series win with Pittsburgh’s beloved Bucs to his unforgettable 3,000^th hit, 21 looks at every facet of the namesake of Major League Baseball’s humanitarian award.

Evaluative comments with rating: 

 5/5 TVs – Worth throwing out your TV for.

Santiago’s storytelling blends Clemente’s most historic public moments with private and personal experiences that did just as much to shape his humanity and his sense of justice. It’s this full-bodied approach to Clemente and his journey that conveys to the reader just how important Clemente was, not only to baseball, but the people of Latin America. 21 is never fully historical or personal and it moves between the two types of storytelling without too many hiccups – blending fact and anecdotes. Never pedantic or preachy, 21 mirrors the grace and style that Clemente displayed on and off the field, coupled with the substance that made him an everlasting legend.

Suggested Audience (age range): 14+ (for some mildly offensive language)

Readers’ advisory notes:

Appeal factors: character-driven, bittersweet, inspirational, richly detailed, moving

Readlikes: The Golem’s Mighty Swing – James Sturm, King – Ho Che Anderson, Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow – James Sturm

Booktalking hook: Read the introduction of the book aloud to teens and show them the illustrations from Clemente’s final game.

Reason for inclusion: Familiarity with the subject material, positive online reviews, and a beautiful design.

• One of Library Journal's Best Books 2011: Graphic Novels
• One of Booklist's Top 10 Graphic Novels: 2012 (for 2011 books)
• Finalist for the 2011 CASEY Award for Best Baseball Book from Spitball: The Literary Baseball Magazine
• One of ALA/YALSA's Great Graphic Novels for Teens 2012

Category: Award-winning, Historical, Graphic Novel