Losers Bracket by Chris Crutcher

Crutcher, C. (2018). Losers bracket. NY: Greenwillow Press

Summary: Annie Boots is a great basketball player who loves the game but feels down and out with her family. While she is skilled in basketball, she has many issues with her family. Annie's father is absent from her life, her mother is a drug-addict, her sister is a 19 year old mother who has a 5 year old son who is very difficult to handle and has behavior issues. Annie is quickly placed in foster care with a wealthy family that provides her all that she needs. Her faster father, Pops, is reliving his glory days through Annie having been a ball player himself. Annie cares for her foster parents but gives them trouble when she refuses to stop helping and not giving up on her real family. Annie' nephew turns up missing from a swim meet one day and Annie tries to solve the mystery of where is went and who took him. Eventually the family finds out that Frankie was taken away from her sister and placed in foster care. The goal is to steal Frankie back from his placement. 

Strengths: Losers Bracket handles foster families really well. He explain the relationships between the members of the family and how they can work together or maintain conflict. Annie struggle throughout the book to handle the relationship between her real family and her foster family as well as dealing with her missing nephew. 

Book Trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx3BEWIYyIk

Similar Books:

• Second impact by David Klass
• The Moment by T.C. Anderson
• Pieces of Me by Darlene Ryan
• After the Shot Drops by Randy Ribay

Other books by Chris Crutcher:

• Period 8 
• King of the Mild Frontier
• The Sledding Hill
• Chinese Handcuffs
• Running Loose

LSSL 5385 Requirement Met: Read a book by Chris Crutcher

Winger by Andrew Smith

Smith, A. (2013). Winger. NY: Simon & Schuster

Summary: Ryan Dean attends a prestigious school in Oregon called Pine Mountain boarding school. Ryan Dean is only 14 and has skipped two grade because if his intellect. He is assigned to the O-Block which is a dorm for the trouble makers at the school. Ryan Dean meets Chas whom he does not get along with. Chas forced Ryan Dean to play a game in which Ryan Dean has to drink his first beer. which gets him in trouble with his girlfriend Annie. After this, Ryan Dean meets Chas' girlfriend Megan and they make out. Chas suspects there is something up between them and threatens to beat Ryan Dean up but Ryan Dean's friend, Joey, steps in and threatens to kill Chas is he beats him up. During a trip, Ryan Dean meets Annie in deserted Sawmill and they share a kiss but Annie reveals that she can not love him but during the drive home, Ryan Dean finds himself in a love triangle with Annie and Megan. During a Halloween dare, Ryan Dean admits to has that he involved with Megan and Chas gets upset and leaves the group. After this, Ryan Dean breaks up with Megan telling her that he does so because their relationship with hurt Annie and Ryan Dean comes to terms with Casey and Joey who Ryan Dean previously outed. After the Schoo dance, Joey disappears and is found beaten and killed int he woods which cause a lot grief for all the students at the school. The book ends with Ryan Dean coming to terms with all that has happened during the year. 

Strengths: The hand drawn infographics are what really make this book unique. They help the reader understand the experiences that main character is going through. The pictures are striking and create depictions of the teenager experience while allowing the reader to see the true emotion of the scene.

Book Trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYeQ5HpdApM

Similar Books: 

• I'm With Stupid by Geoff Herbach
• Reality Boy by A.S. King
• Boy 21 by Matthew Quick
• Noggin by John Corey Whaley

Other books by Andrew Smith:

• Stand Off
• 100 Sideways Miles
• Grasshopper Jungle
• The Marbury Lens
• The Alex Crow

LSSL 5385 Requirement Met: Read a book by Andrew Smith

Gabi: A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero

Quintero, I. (2014). Gabi: A girl in pieces. TX: Cinco Puntos

Summary: Gabi is a young Mexican-American girl who is dealing with many issues such as her pregnant friend and her drug addicted father. Gabi is a senior in high school and is finding it hard to deal with all of these situations and questions her belonging to her Mexican culture. At the end of summer Gabi realizes she wants summer to last longer so that she can continue to eat Pepe's chicken wings. She finds out her friend Cindy is pregnant and her friend Sebastian is kicked out of his house after his parents find out he is gay. When School starts Gabi begins dating a boy named Eric even though Gabi frequently believes she is not worthy because she is over weight. This relationship does not last long after Gabi finds Eric kissing another girl at a party. After this she ends up in relationship with a boy named Martin who shares her loves of poetry. Gabi's father continues to struggle with substance abuse; quitting and returning to drugs several times. During this time Gabi's mother becomes pregnant and Gabi is concerned for her family. Her father dies of an overdose and Gabi's mother and Cindi have their babies. Gabi finds out that father of Cindi's baby raped Cindi which is how she ended up pregnant. Gabi confronts German and slaps him causing her to get suspended from school. At the end of the book Gabi graduates high school and realizes that everything will be okay. 

Strengths: This deals with a Mexican-American girl who is constantly at war with who she is and where she fits in the world. Gabi deals with many prevalent and timely issues such as drug addiction, eating disorders, sex, cultural norms and many other things that young readers will identify with. 

Book Trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy_Iwrzy2-Y

Similar Books: 

• How It Went Down by Kekla Magoon
• Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez
• Rani Patel in Full Effect by Sonia Patel
• Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina

Other books by Isabel Quintero:

• Photographic: The Life of Graciela Iturbide
• Mi Papi Has a Motorcycle
• Ugly Cat and Pablo

LSSL 5385 Requirement Met: Read Gabi: A Girl in Pieces

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

Ness, P. (2008). The knife of never letting go. Boston, MA: Candlewick Press

Summary: Todd is the last boy in his home of Prentisstown. In his village, boys become men when they are 13 and Todd is almost 13. Todd lives on a planet called New World where there are only men and all of them have been afflicted by a Noise germ, a germ that allows all of the men to hear what each other are thinking, that was released by an alien population. Todd goes out on a walk one day and comes upon a place where there is no noise and he meets a girl named Viola. He returns home and tells his parents that he has stumbled upon this and they force him to leave home for his own safety. Todd leaves with his dog Manchee and his parents are killed for sending him away. As Todd travels with Viola he learns that everything he has been told is a lie and that his village is looked down upon for starting a war with an alien race and believe that they are an army of god. Todd and Viola visit a mixed gendered city called Farbranch that is quickly over taked by the Prentisstown army forcing Todd and Viola to run away in search of Haven. They eventually make it to Haven only to find out that Prentisstown has over taken the city and Todd surrenders in order to help Viola who was shot by Aaron, a man who was tracking Viola and Todd. 

Strengths: This books does a great job of showing the psychological and sociological impacts of hearing other's thought and what happens when you find out a secret that shatters your world view. 

Book Trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPIhj9hVARM

Similar Books: 

• Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
• Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
• Matched by Allie Condie
• Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Other books by Patrick Ness:

• The Ask and the Answer
• Monsters of Men
• More Than This
• The Rest of us Just Live Here

LSSL 5385 Requirement Met: Read the Knife of Never Letting Go

It's Perfectly Normal by Robie H. Harris

Harris, R. (2009). It’s perfectly normal. Boston, MA: Candlewick Press

Summary: It's Perfectly Normal is an informative book about sex, sexual health and changing bodies. This books does not sugar coat any of the information that it covers. The text is knowledgeable, to the point and accurate. Pictures and diagrams are provided for the reader to truly grasp the concepts. The book is separated into sections such as: What is Sex?, Our Bodies, Puberty, Families and Babies, Decisions and Staying Healthy. 

Strengths: This books handles sexual health and sexual issues while respecting the young readers that will use this book. This book provides up-to-date answers and explanations on contraceptives, STDs and puberty. This book does a great job of providing information and health facts that will truly benefit young people without treating them like children. 

Robie Harris Interview:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eE4jT48_2uo

Similar Books: 

• Let's Talk About Sex by Michael Emberley
• What's Happening to My Body by Lynda Madaras
• Where Did I Come From?: Peter Mayle
• The Care and Keeping of You by Kara Natters

Other books by Robie H. Harris:

• It's So Amazing
• It's Not The Stork
• Who's In My Family?
• Who Has What? All About Girl's Bodies and Boy's Bodies

LSSL 5385 Requirement Met: Read It's Perfectly Normal

Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart

Gephart, D. (2016). Lily and Dunkin. NY: Delacorte. 

Summary: Lily and Dunkin are both kids who are very different form their peers. Lily is a boy who identifies with being a girl. She wants so badly to be accepted by her peers and is often made fun of or harassed by her classmates. Lily is very kind and treats everyone nicely. Although Lily wants to keep a low profile, she can't wait for the day when she is able to legally change her name from Timmy to Lily. Lily's day doe snot accept Lily and makes her life more difficult. Dunkin is a young boy is facing struggles with Bipolar Disorder. Dunkin has a hard time making friends as he just recently moved into town. Unfortunately the only boys who are his friends are the ones who give Lily a hard time. Dunkin in turn believes that this isn't right but he does not want to be alone and friendless, so he stays friends with the boys. Both students face many issues along their way. Lily asks for hormone replacement therapy but her dad refuses to allow it. Lily's friend Dare become distant and Lily believes that she is a lesbian, which she is but isn't ready to admit it to Lily. Lily also still dresses like Tim when she is at school and dresses as Lily outside of school. Eventually Dunkin meets Lily outside of school and does not recognize that she is Tim from school. Lily tells Dunkin who she is and accepts her for who she is. They both begin to truly understand each other and tell each other to accept them for who they are. Dunkin joins the basketball team and is told to dump Lily and Dunkin refuses accepting the fact that they are who they are and he likes her. 

Strengths: Lily and Dunkin deal with themes that are extremely prevalent in the time we are living in now. Lily is a transgender girl and Dunkin is dealing with Bipolar Disorder and other mental illness. The books does a great job of showing the struggle that can come with being different and how these young people navigate through life and friendships. 

Author Book Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07KniLJp7q4

Similar Books: 

• The Other Boy by M.G. Hennesey
• Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky
• Falling Over Sideways by Jordan Sonnenblick

Other books by Donna Gephart:

• In Your Shoes
• Death by Toilet Paper
• How to Survive Middle School
• Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen
• The Project Paris

LSSL 5385 Requirement Met: Read Lily and Dunkin

Annie On My Mind by Nancy Garden

Garden, N. (1982). Annie on my mind. NY: FSG

Summary: Liza and Annie first meet at the Met in New York City. They begin to talk and suddenly become friends. Both girls come from very different backgrounds with Liza attending private school, living in an upscale, wealthy community and hopes of ateending MIT and Annie coming from public school and living in a lower income area of New York. Even though they are very different they become fast friends and end up falling in love. Liza's school is having difficulty staying open due financial issues. One day, Liza becomes involved in a school scandal that causes her to become suspended for 3 days. During this 3 days, Annie and Liza are able to connect and spend time together. During their Thanksgiving vacations, Annie and Liza fall in love an begin talking about their sexual orientation. Both girls admitting that they feel different from the rest of their friends. Liza and Annie end up house sitting for Liza's teachers who live together and are gay. Annie and LIza stay together at their home and are discovered by the dean of Liza's school and the two teachers are found out to be gay. Liza goes in front a review board and is granted the permission to stay at school but the two teachers lose their jobs. The teachers reassure the girls that it is okay and they don't blame them. Eventually Liza breaks up with Annie and they separate, going to different colleges on opposite coasts. Eventually, the two girls come back together and start a relationship.

Strengths: This book deals with themes that will benefit the LGBTQIA+ community. Two young women deal with their sexuality and love for each other during a time when social norms were not so accepting. Students who re questioning their sexuality or their relationships with benefit from this timeless book. 

Author Interview:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22xrf0Ffu28

Similar Books: 

• Keeping You A Secret by Julie Ann Peters
• Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour
• Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown

Other books by Nancy Garden:

• The Year They Burned the Books
• Good Moon Rising
• Dove and Sword
• Holly's Secret

LSSL 5385 Requirement Met: Read Annie on My Mind

Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar

Behar, R. (2017). Lucky broken girl. NY: Delacorte

Summary: Ruthie Mizrahi is a young girl who has recently immigrated to the United States from Cube with her family and her new life in Queens, NY. Ruthie has difficulty adjusting to her new school because she is in remedial classes. Ruthie is not dumb but does not speak good English and it therefore placed in remedial classes. She is able to practice English with her friend, Ramu and hopes to do well enough that they take her out of remedial classes and place her in to the "regular" ones. She has a hard time adjusting but understands why her family left; the revolution in her country. Eventually she is moved out of the remedial class but unfortunately Ruthie is involved in a wreck with her father and breaks her leg in multiple place. This leaves Ruthie in a full-body cast and she is bed ridden for months. To keep up with her studies, her family hires her a tutor named Joy. Ruthie witnesses her grandparents and father able to practice their religion freely in their home and her friend Ramu gives her a Shiva statue from his religion. Ruthie becomes frustrated with her situation and is angry with her friends for not visiting. Ruthie is assigned a physical therapist to help with her legs and her parents become stresses due to the financial burden placed on them because of her condition. The story ends with Ruthie being able to walk again with the help of her therapist even though she will have a limp for the rest of her life. Her friend Ramu moves to India and they correspond through letters and Ruthie begins to live her life again.

Strengths: Lucky Broken Girl allows readers to understand the struggle if immigrants that have left their homes due to violence and war in their own country. It also deals with issues of immigrating to a country with a different culture. Culture shock, language gaps and friendships are explored. 

Book Trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etCLlFl1jnw

Similar Books:

• Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia McCall
• The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya
• The Vulnerable Observer by Ruth Behar

Other books by Ruth Behar:

• Traveling Heavy: A Memoir in Between Journeys
• An Island Called Home: Returning to Jewish Cuba
• Translated Woman: Crossing the Border with Esperanza's Story

LSSL 5385 Requirement Met: Read Lucky Broken Girl