The Klipfish Code by Mary Casanova

For your tween readers who want to learn all they can about the Holocaust, this story of the Nazi invasion of Norway will expand their persepective on  both history and sympathy.  Marit faces an internal struggle for courage and acceptance as she fights the enemy and for understanding of individuals whose choices can be life altering and confusing.  The effects of adult choices on children’s lives and the courage it takes for a child to grow into their own adult path is beautifully explored here.  Sadly we are still in an incomprehensible time of war, and the need for humane titles will continue. 

Varmints by Helen Ward and Marc Craste

Once upon sometimes you find a book that truly delights you -  is different and leaves you different too.  That’s what happened with Varmints which feels like a picture book graphic novel.  It’s a book about perspective, loss and ultimately hope. Sharing picture books with teen readers is always a wonderful experience, in the real “wonder” sense of the word.  This book is meant for them; thank Dewey when they discover ‘e’ is for everyone.

Lemonade Mouth by Mark Peter Hughes

If you’re looking for a younger read-alike to recommend to tweens who aren’t quite ready for Nick & Nora’s Infinite Playlist, Lemonade Mouth by Mark Peter Hughes would be a great choice.  An age appropriate read-alike without all the music would be The Schwa was Here for all those kids who consider themselves outside the norm.  For the middle school years, isn’t that everyone?  This is a good story for helping to learn that normal is freaks and  geeks.  Somehow 5 self-identified freaks who meet in detention, mix some frozen lemonade, a ukulele, drums, and a dying cat into their story, and with the help of an ok teacher, find themselves creating a successful band and student protest in this fast paced journal style novel.   I couldn’t  help but imagine Phoebe,  from Friends singing her cat song while I read about Skinny Nancy. 

God of Animals by Aryn Kyle

   God of Animals is a 2008 Alex award winner, and a complex story of love, secrets, loss and how a child becoming an adult is buffeted by the storms surrounding her. The struggle was painful for me, and true horse lovers will find this story alarming at best.  Alice, her sister and husband, her depressed mom, the catfish, the kids at school and at the barn, her grandparents,  the teacher even the horses are fully developed people you can’t help but care about.  This title is is for your mature readers because of the emotional depths explored. You will have to move to adult books for more read-alikes for this reader.

YA NOTES

From today forward, I’ll be sharing my YA Notes on this blog; so you can share your favorite reads and reader’s advisory success!