We Want You to Know by Deborah Ellis

We Want You to Know by Deborah Ellis is a compilation of stories told by kids who were bullied and bullies.  In each of the five sections, kids from ages 10 through 19 share their experiences and the ways bullying impacted their lives.  This was a very powerful book.  As a result of reading these personal stories, I have decided to make some changes in the way I work with my homeroom students.

Babymouse: Queen of the World by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm

Babymouse: Queen of the World by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm is about Babymouse and her quest for popularity.  She is convinced if she gets an invitation to Felicia Furrypants's slumber party, they'll become best friends.  So, Babymouse tries just a bout everything to get an invite... she bakes cupcakes, recommends books, and even gives Felicia her book report!  Finally, she receives an invitation!  But, it turns out to be the same night as her movie party with her best friend Winston.  Knowing Winston will understand, Babymouse attends the sleepover instead.  What she finds out is that in her quest for becoming queen of the world, Babymouse overlooked the fact that her life was pretty darn good to begin with!

This was a cute story that just about any girl who's attended school will be able to relate to.  Poor Babymouse doesn't realize that she has everything she ever wanted because she is so focused on hanging out with the popular kids.  This is a graphic novel and a quick read.  I'd recommend it to girls from 4th grade through 6th grade.

The Mystic Phyles Beasts compiled by Stephanie Brockway and Ralph Masiello

The Mystic Phyles: Beasts, compiled by Stephanie Brockway and Ralph Masiello, is Abigail Thaddeus's journal.  Abby has lived with her crazy grandmother and her very strict grandfather ever since her parents died when she was a baby.  One day, Abby is contacted by a "Devoted Friend" through a letter delivered by a black cat!  The letter advises Abby to begin researching mythical beasts - some common, such as Bigfoot, unicorns and dragons, but some uncommon such as giant flying bats known as ahools, the bunyip, and the giant spider tsuchigumo.  She has to sneak around to do this research because she knows her grandfather would never approve.  Strange things begin happening as Abby and her close friend Charley delve deeper into the secrets of these beasts.  Abby begins to suspect that her grandfather is keeping some sort of secret and that her grandmother knows more than she's letting on...

This was a really fun read.  I loved the way the story was told through Abby's research and the diary entries about her daily life.  I also really liked the way the story unfolded, and we learned more about Abby, her grandparents, and their connection to the mythical beasts she's been studying.  I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about cryptozoology (the study of strange creatures) and those who enjoy a diary/journal style novel.

Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Smile by Raina Telgemeier is a graphic novel of the story of what happened when the author broke her front teeth in 6th grade. Poor Raina can't catch a break. One her way home from Girl Scouts one night, a friend challenges her to a race. Raina trips and falls, knocking out both top front teeth. Thus begins the painful (both physically and emotionally) middle school experience for Raina. She endures one dental treatment after another in an attempt to recreate the appearance of healthy, normal front teeth. Throughout her three years of middle school and all of these procedures, Raina is plagued by a mean group of friends. While she feels like she fits in with them, they go out of their way to tease Raina and make fun of her. Once, even de-pantsing her in front of the entire school! Fortunately, when she enters high school, Raina is at the end of her dental procedures and close to a perfect smile and she finds a new group of friends who accept her for who she is - crazy teeth and all!

I absolutely loved this book! The author and I are about the same age, so it was easy for me to slip into Raina's shoes. My favorite part of the book was when they were showing off their retainers and Raina's friend had one with a picture of Joey McIntyre imprinted on hers. That's how I knew we were in middle school at the same time period - Joey was my favorite New Kid on the Block, too! My husband and I took turns reading a chapter a night to our son, and all three of us really enjoyed the story. I would recommend it to anyone who is in (or has ever been in) middle school.

Give a Boy a Gun by Todd Strasser

Give a Boy a Gun by Todd Strasser is about Gary and Brendan and what happened to them as a result of constant teasing and bullying. These two boys were bullied by the jocks and popular crowd every single day. Finally, they'd had enough. They stole guns from a neighbor and made homemade pipe bombs from plans thy found on the Internet. They set up an elaborate plan to eliminate everyone who had ever contributed to their misery - and even those who hadn't. On the last night of their lives, Gary and Brendan crashed a dance at their high school and held everyone hostage, intent on exacting revenge for everything they'd been put through just for existing and being different.

This was an extremely powerful story. I really related to it for two reasons: I am a teacher, and have strong feelings about protecting all students from teasing and bullying, and because the Littleton, Colorado school shooting at Columbine High School, where 15 people lost their lives happened on my birthday. The story is told through bits of interviews, text messages, and testimonials from classmates, friends, teachers, and parents of the boys who tried to teach their town a lesson about how people ought to be treated.

The Big Splash by Jack D. Ferraiolo

The Big Splash by Jack D. Ferraiolo is about Matt Stevens, Franklin Middle School's one and only private investigator. Things at the Frank are run by a particularly foul bully named Vinny, who has a whole host of "employees" to do his bidding. Up until recently, one of these employees was Nikki Fingers, hit-woman extraordinaire. Her aim and speed with a cat-pee filled squirt gun was unparalleled at the Frank, sending many a victim to join "The Outs" after having been sprayed in the pants. At the beginning of 8th grade year, Nikki went back to being Nicole and tried to leave Vinny's crew - supposedly to set a good example for her 6th grade sister. Too bad she took something of Vinny's with her when she went. Vinny hired Matt to retrieve the item, a hula girl good luck charm. Unknowingly, Matt only served as a distraction... when they were talking, someone snuck up on them and "hit" Nikki with the squirt gun. The crowd in the hall was thrilled at seeing the most feared member of Vinny's crew taken down - Nikki was no longer feared, in fact, she was immediately a member of "The Outs", the shunned group of kids at the Frank. Now Matt's job is to find out who put the hit on Nikki... suspects include nearly everybody at Franklin Middle School! In the midst of his investigation, Matt discovers he may have feelings for two different girls, considers his old elementary school friendships with both Vinny and his new right-hand-man Kevin, and wrestles with how to do the right thing for himself, Nikki, and the Frank.

This was a really funny mystery! It reminded me of The Sopranos for adolscents! Vinny was the big boss-man who controlled all of the illegal activity at school (writing phony passes, selling candy, etc.) and took down anyone who crossed him using cat pee and a squirt gun. The author used a lot of hilarious similes to describe the situations.

The Shadow Club by Neal Shusterman

The Shadow Club by Neal Shusterman is about Jared and Cheryl, best friends who share a similar problem: they are both ALWAYS second best. For Jared, he is always beat out in the track meets by his teammate and long-time foe, Austin Pace. For Cheryl, it's her cousin, Rebecca, who is a better singer and actress. Not only do these "Number Ones" always beat out Jared and Cheryl, they both can't seem to help rubbing their faces in it. One day, Cheryl and Jared have had enough. They form the Shadow Club and invite other second-best kids from their school to join. The purpose of their club is simple - revenge. They each take delight in pulling simple practicle jokes on the other club members' archrivals. Unfortunately, just when the kids decide to quit their pranks, someone else has different ideas. Someone has infiltrated their club and begins pulling pranks on the "Number Ones" that are more serious, and even dangerous. Jared, Cheryl, and the other club members think they know who it is, and do their best to pull the confession out of him. However, things start to get out of hand, people start getting seriously hurt, and the school vice-principal gets involved.

I really liked this book! I can easily see how kids who never live up to their own expectations for themselves and are constantly taunted can think only of revenge. I thought the ending had a few twists I wasn't expecting. There is a sequel, The Shadow Club Rising, that I will be reading soon. I really like Neal Shusterman and this book didn't let me down!

Chess Rumble by G. Neri

Chess Rumble by G. Neri is about Marcus, a tough teen growing up in the inner city. His life is turned upside down when his sister dies of a heart attack. Suddenly, Marcus is extremely angry. He gets into fights all the time, at home and at school, picks on his younger twin brothers, and even threatens his own mother. His father eventually leaves the family, and Marcus feels alone. Things escalate at school, where Latrell, a long-time rival of Marcus's, picks on him and beats him up. One afternoon while playing basketball, Marcus stumbles upon some tough old guys playing chess in the park. One challenges him to a match. Not wanting to back down, Marcus tries, but loses badly to his opponent. CM, the chess master, helps Marcus realize that chess, like life, is all about knowing your moves in advance and anticipating the outcomes before doing anything. As Marcus becomes better and better at chess, things in his life start getting better - he even invites Latrell to play with him!

This was a quick read for me. I really enjoyed the story and how the author portrayed all of the characters. The character of Marcus seems so familiar to me. I also enjoyed the way the author used street vernacular. It makes the story seem believable. I think this would appeal to a wide audience.

The Ghost of Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen

The Ghost of Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen is the sequel to Touching Spirit Bear. In Touching Spirit Bear Cole and Peter were sent to Alaska by the Native American leaders in their Circle as a way to heal and work through their inner demons. Cole was a violent bully who beat Peter badly enough to give him a head injury. Peter, after the beating, became suicidal and explosive. Eventually, they became friends on the island. In the sequel, Cole and Peter return from Alaska to use what they've learned in the real world. Both have a hard time adjusting. They are both plagued by bullies, anger issues, and a desire to return to the island, where life was easier. Eventually, they find something to work toward and put all of their positive energy to use.

I loved Touching Spirit Bear when I read it several years ago. I was excited to read the sequel, but was disappointed. I found it a little "preachy" and somewhat boring. I had a hard time investing in the ideas Peter and Cole had. Some of the ways the boys dealt with the bullies at their school seemed very unrealistic.