Tag: teen fiction

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Peas and Carrots by Tanita S. Davis

Peas and Carrots by Tanita S. Davis, a Coretta Scott King Honor Winner, is the story of a journey of trust.

 

Fifteen-year-old Dess—white, rebellious, defensive—who long ago learned that she had to depend on herself has accepted the necessity of becoming a foster child. Not that she couldn’t make it on her own, but this foster family also cares for her half brother Austin (age four) whom she hasn’t seen for three years. She will do anything for him.

Fifteen-year-old Hope—African-American, a compliant kid most of the time who wants to please—accepts that the foster kids in her home have had it rough. She should be kind. Until she meets Dess. It’s awfully hard to be kind to Dess.

.Hope doesn’t realize the terror that follows Dess in the form of a criminal birth father. Dess doesn’t understand that some people are trustworthy. Like Hope and her parents.

In spite of the initial antagonism, both girls gain compassion for one another as each sees the neediness in the other.

Pros

The author gets her characters’ voices just right. Real teens with all their flaws and their idealism. Since Davis grew up in a family who truly cared for their foster children, it’s no wonder that both Hope and Dess seem like real people. And Davis would understand that not all foster homes were as loving as hers was, which allows Dess to be a totally sympathetic character.

Cons

What cons? Peas and Carrots is one of those books that I couldn’t put down, not even to make supper!

Discussion Questions

  1. If Dess were the new kid in your school, what would be your first impression?
  2. If Hope attended your school, do you think you would be her friend? Why or why not?
  3. How did Dess use her talents?
  4. Why was Dess willing to throw away her happiness near the end of the book?

Conclusion

If you haven’t read Peas and Carrots, do it. Dess and Hope teach us the pithy truth about families—their flaws and their beauty.

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Refugee by Alan Gratz

 

Refugee is a book about three families searching for a new home. It is appropriate for older teens as it has mature themes.

Synopsis

Three kids travel to find refuge…

JOSEF is a Jewish boy living in 1930s Nazi Germany. After his father is released from a concentration camp his family must board a ship to flee to the other side of the world…

ISABEL is a Cuban girl in 1994. With riots and unrest plaguing her country, she and her family set out on a raft, hoping to find safety in America . . .

MAHMOUD is a Syrian boy in 2015. With his homeland torn apart by violence and destruction, he and his family begin a long trek toward Europe . . .

They all face terror and death but they believe that there is something better out there. A place where they can live in peace. And although these children are separated by continents and time their stories of hope are bound together.

Pros:

  • amazing stories that show the humanity behind the word “refugee”.
  • well paced, riveting book that kept me turning the pages.
  • had many historical details in it which is good for students to discuss.
  • each one of the three voices are unique.

Cons:

  • traumatic experiences are had by all the children and may be hard for the more sensitive reader.
  • the story jumps between three points of view which some people may find annoying.

Conclusion:

Honestly, I would recommend this book to everyone. It really helped me see past the generic term “refugee” and acknowledge the people/victims behind this very real crisis. Although this is a piece of fiction the author has remained true to the historical catalysts that set each of the great voyages in motion. Although at some points in time it is hard to read it is a story of hope and it really blessed me.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Did this book change your idea about what a refugee is? Why or why not?
  2. Many people in both the Canada and the US have refugees in their family tree. Talk to your family/friend and find out more about their trip to find a new home.
  3. Brainstorm some ways that we can help refugees as they travel and when they arrive to their new homes.
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The Bitter Side of Sweet by Tara Sullivan

 

The Bitter Side of Sweet is a book that shows the darker side of chocolate production as told through the eyes of a young teenager. It is appropriate for older teens as it has mature themes.

Synopsis

Fifteen-year-old Amadou counts the things that matter. For two years what has mattered are the number of cacao pods he and his younger brother, Seydou, can chop down in a day. This number is very important. The higher the number the safer they are because the bosses won’t beat them. The higher the number the closer they are to paying off their debt and returning home to Moke and Auntie. Maybe. The problem is Amadou doesn’t know how much he and Seydou owe, and the bosses won’t tell him. The boys only wanted to make some money during the dry season to help their impoverished family. Instead they were tricked into forced labor on a plantation in the Ivory Coast; they spend day after day living on little food and harvesting beans in the hot sun—dangerous, backbreaking work. With no hope of escape, all they can do is try their best to stay alive—until Khadija comes into their lives.

She’s the first girl who’s ever come to camp, and she’s a wild thing. She fights bravely every day, attempting escape again and again, reminding Amadou what it means to be free. But finally, the bosses break her, and what happens next to the brother he has always tried to protect almost breaks Amadou. The old impulse to run is suddenly awakened. The three band together as family and try just once more to escape.

Pros:

  • an accurate and thorough portrayal of what the chocolate trade looks like
  • believable characters that make you think and feel.
  • educational (learn about how the chocolate we consume is made)
  • action moves the story line forward.
  • the feelings of Amadou are accurate and well done for a male protagonist.

Cons:

  • there is some language during stressful times (about five words for the entire book).
  • graphic violence/abuse against children (this book is not for the more sensitive reader)

Conclusion:

I really enjoyed this book. It opened a whole new world to me and made me more conscientious of the chocolate I consume. The characters were rich and unique and the author did a great job of drawing you in to the danger. This book is definitely best for an older or more mature teen as it deals with some difficult truths. A great book for discussion. The loss of the half star is due to the language and violence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. If you were in Amadou’s place would you have done the same as him? Write a pros and cons list to leaving the farm.
  2. Have an in class debate for and against consuming chocolate based on the information that you learned from this book.
  3. Research the process of making chocolate from start to finish.
  4. Research what “fair trade” chocolate is and where people can obtain it.
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Once a Princess by Sherwood Smith

Once a Princess by Sherwood Smith is an epic adventure fantasy with magic and swords, pirates and princesses, and a conniving villain.  It is appropriate for ages 12 and up.

Synopsis

Many people on Goodreads dinged this books as a cliff-hanger, but that is not the author’s fault. Blame the publisher, instead, for trying to wring every groat from a story they could easily sell as two books. You must plan to read the second part of the story in Twice a Prince, the second book in the “series,” Sasharia en Garde!

This so-called series is set in the beloved world of Crown Duel, one of my all-time favorite books. While this story is much lighter fare, it still sweeps you along.

Pros

This is a fun book with lots of clever conversation.

Politics reign. If you like political intrigue, scheming villains, and even craftier heroes, this is the book for you.

Pirates and princesses.

Also, this is a clean story that doesn’t revolve is light on romance.

Cons

Sometimes, I wished for a grittier, harder-hitting plot. However, it is entertaining, and that’s great for a rainy day.

It has a silly cover, but who doesn’t love a heroine who loves books?

Personal Thoughts

Plan to read both books: Once a Princess and Twice a Prince Duh. I know, it should go without saying, but readers should know what they are getting into when they start the first book. And raspberries to the publisher that artificially separated two parts of one story.