Have been reading Young Adult Novels this summer for students ages 12-18. Young Adult novels are often known for their controversial content. These are two award winners that are both touching and sensitive. Here are two reviews:
By the Time You Read This I'll be Dead by Julie Anne Peters
It is a story of a girl who has just attempted suicide and she is under the watchful eyes of her mother and father. She has suffered silently through brutal bullicide and even sexual assault. Her parents don't understand and brush off the fact she is dying inside so she plans her next and final attempt to occur in 23 days with the help of a suicide website. In the meantime her mute silence attracts the interest of a very determined boy with his own secret and she questions her disconnection with humanity. This was a hard read, but very informative and even gives help information at the end of the novel. It was hard to read the WTG described in detail and rated on a pain scale. It is a fact suicide is a major problem when every 100 minutes a young one takes their life.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Junior, I mean Arnold, is a indian boy who grew up on a reservation and has faced the harsh realties of life on the rez. Drinking, abuse, death and a set of rules have laundered over his head for 14 years. He is best friends with one the rowdiest kids around and is the subject of cruel treatment because of his brain treatment. In the face of no future, a teacher encourages him to get out and so he takes a chance and goes to a all white school out of the rez. His parents agree and he faces new challenges such as disownment, prejudice and the reality of being poor. Sometimes walking the 23 miles to school he finally discovers hope, friendship, love in midst of tragedy after tragedy. A hilarious and sensitive tale of a boy coming of age in a cruel world-complete with illustrations.
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