Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Grades 6 and up--

Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix tells the story and events prior to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911. It tells the story through the lenses of three young women: Yetta, a Russian immigrant who’s passionate about women’s suffrage; Bella, an Italian immigrant, who feels lost without her family close by; and Jane, a girl with means but no real relationships to speak of. The story begins with Yetta and other women in the factory getting the idea to strike against their employers and ends with the fire, the rest you’ll have to find out on your own.

Intended audience: Young people interested in history, likely female, as all of the protagonists are girls.

Audience to whom it may appeal: This book would be an excellent companion text to a historical unit of study, in which case it might appeal to boys and girls if given in context. I also think that this book appeals to adults, male and female. It is not particularly challenging in regard to reading level, but the history significance and the subject has a wide appeal.

Strengths: Three interwoven stories from varying perspectives made for an interesting read, especially those from very different backgrounds. The historical aspects were very accurate from what I’ve researched and the writing is accessible, but not at all dull.

Weaknesses: Some parts move a bit slow and those with little or no knowledge of the women’s suffrage movement might struggle given the lack of context provided. At the end--without giving anything away--there were a few too many plotlines that were wrapped up in a neat little “bow,” which contrasted with the overall style of the novel.

Special considerations: Could be an excellent compliment to a history unit on women’s suffrage or the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. Also promotes open and honest discussion about laborers rights as well as rights for immigrants.

VERDICT: I would absolutely add this to a middle or high school collection for its historical value, its unique style and the way it helps reveal the struggles of immigrants, women, and the working class in a way that is still extremely relevant.

Addie on the Inside by James Howe

Grades 6 and up--

Intended audience: Middle school girls, GLBT tweens.

Audience to whom it will appeal: I think that much of this text could be relatable to boys as well as girls, though the initial interest would be difficult to attain given the cover and title. In order to promote this book to a wider audience, I would post some of the engaging, edgy poems from the book up in the Media Center. I think this book would also be an excellent and enjoyable read for parents or teachers of tweens or teens.

Strengths: Addie on the Inside realistically portrays the inner thoughts and emotions of tweens, both male and female. Addie calls middle school “purgatory…when so many things that never mattered before and will never matter again, matter.” Addie is outspoken, yet self-conscious, happy to be different, but wants badly to fit in; just like most of the middle schoolers I know. The anti-bullying sentiment sends a positive message and gives those wanting to speak up some literary courage. The author also incorporates a fair amount of homages to other YA novels and pop culture references, both of which give the opportunity to make connections outside of the text.

Weaknesses: For those who aren’t fans of poetry, the style of the novel may be a turn-off, although it alternates between free verse and rhyme-scheme poetry. Although I think the thinking, emotions, and experiences of Addie seem to be relatable to both boys and girls, the female voice of the narrator might be less appealing to male readers. The pop culture references are great, but they might be too specific to be accessible to readers in the next few years.

Special considerations: This novel is a companion to an anti-bullying series including The Misfits and Totally Joe that focuses on homophobia and GLBT issues. The books also cite and are supported by GLSEN (Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network). This would be a great book to use with a Gay-Straight Alliance in preparation for the National Day of Silence.

VERDICT: This is a book I would stock multiple copies of and would promote a large or small group reading of it for an anti-bullying group,GSA or even teacher PLC. This is a true middle school book and should grace the shelves of any and all middle school libraries.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Grades 8 and up--

E. Lockhart’s mysterious coming of age novel begins with Cadence Sinclair Eastman in her seventeenth summer on her family’s private estate, Beechwood Island. The novel bounces back and forth between this summer and “summer fifteen” during which a mysterious accident has happened that she can barely recollect. The book is a series of half remembered moments in her quest to figure out what happened before her accident.

Intended audience: Similar to E. Lockhart’s Printz winning novel The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks and John Green’s Looking for Alaska, this novel is definitely geared towards a upper-middle-class white high school audience. The setting is a private island near Martha’s Vineyard and its character's cousins who are living off the wealth of their bigoted grandfather.

Audience to whom it may appeal: Although the references often feel a bit highfalutin, the characters still cope with some of the same issues many teens do including: the desire to be autonomous of their parents, wanting to right worldly injustices, and falling in love with the one person their family disapproves of. I think male and female high schoolers of various backgrounds, as well as adults, could find connections, if minimal, in this novel.

Strengths: Given the mysterious nature of Cadence’s accident, I found the book to be a quick read because I wanted to find out what happened. Some strengths of the story include: memorable characters, descriptive setting language, and an engaging plot line with a haunting climax. I also appreciated "the liars'” self-awareness of privilege and their willingness to challenge their grandfather’s bigotry.

Weaknesses: This novel seems geared towards a very specific audience with little invitation for those with varying socioeconomic and racial backgrounds. Knowledge of the privilege lived by those who have experienced “life on the vineyard” seems relatively critical to understanding and enjoying the novel. I imagine this book on a "take a book, leave a book" shelf at the country club I worked at for many summers.

VERDICT: Although the book seems to have a minute intended audience, the mystery of it has the potential to appeal to a wider audience. I would include one copy of this novel in a high school library and promote it as a “haunting mystery about a teenage girl living in a dreamlike state on the fantasy world of her family's private island."

I Remember Beirut by Zeina Abirached

Grades 6 and up--

This stunning graphic novel is compact, but powerful. The artwork is similar to the stark black and white drawings of Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis and illustrate the divided world in which she lives: Beirut, Lebanon in the 1980s and 1990s. Written like a list poem, with each page or so beginning with “I Remember,” Abirached tells the story of her life growing up in a war zone.

Intended audience: Young adults interested in history.

Audience to whom it may appeal: I think this book could appeal to upper elementary students to grandparents, of all genders, races and religions. Its universal themes of memory and perseverance through struggle have the potential to provide connections for many.

Strengths: The artwork is visually very appealing. The solid black and white images are simple but captivating. The poetic style and repetition makes it accessible for a wider variety of audiences.

Weaknesses: Without much historical context, this book might be hard to understand, but it can also stand on its own as a story of a young girl’s life and all of the things she experienced. Although the prose and dialogue are relatively simplistic, there are historical and cultural references that will likely be missed by students with little background knowledge.

Special considerations: The book is a companion to A Game for Swallows which focuses on one particular night during war time.

VERDICT: This book would make a great addition to either the graphic novel or history section of any upper elementary through high school media center. The accessible format will appeal to lower readers, while the historical content might entice higher level readers to try a new format: graphic novel.

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

Grades 5 and up--

Written entirely in rap-style poetry, The Crossover by Kwame Alexander is a quick, enjoyable read. The story follows Josh and Jordan, junior high basketball superstars who also happen to be twins. The poems echo the rhythm of the sport; the book is even divided into four quarters. Along the way, the twins experience the rollercoaster that is adolescence: sibling rivalry, athletics, friendship and what it means to be a family.

Intended audience: Upper elementary and middle school African-American boys, especially those interested in sports, specifically basketball.

Audience to whom it may appeal: This book has the potential to reach a variety of people of all races, male and female, athletes and non-athletes. The unique poetic style of the book would also make for a fun read-aloud for younger students. Young people or adults interested in poetry will be inspired by the distinct writing style that incorporates free verse, slant rhyme, onomatopoeia, and shape poems.

Strengths: Pacing is quick, like adolescents’ attention spans, and its realistic themes of rivalry and relationships will appeal to young adults. The author incorporates high level vocabulary throughout the novel in a creative way that makes it accessible for readers of all levels. Winner of the Coretta Scott King Award and the Newbery Medal.

Weaknesses: Some of the basketball jargon may be lost on those lacking experience with the sport. Sometimes the poetic structure makes the narrative choppy and hard to follow. For dialogue, the author uses italics instead of quotation marks, which might confuse those unfamiliar with that style choice. Very few female characters.

VERDICT: Alexander shoots...and scores! This book deserves a spot in every media center: upper-elementary through high school. Reluctant readers, athletes and poets alike will enjoy this realistic, creative, accessible novel.