How It Went Down by Kekla Magoon

Magoon’s novel is an incredibly engrossing book that presents the many angles of a complicated issue. The tragic death of an unarmed black male teen at the hands of an adult white male brings about questions, confusion, and misinterpretation about what actually happened and how it went down. The writing is genuine and not preachy; the characters have strong individual voices and are absolutely believable. Due to recent events, this book may help students explore their own feelings about racial inequalities and discrimination in our country. I recommend this book to readers who are interested in racial issues and enjoy stories that take place in urban settings with topics related to community, gang activity, violence, and poverty. Although the characters will appeal to both male and female readers, I especially recommend this book to teen males who may not enjoy reading for leisure. 

Your Food is Fooling You by David Kessler

This food was grossly fascinating to me. It is considered a Young Adult adaptation of The End of Overeating. It basically reveals how food companies and restaurants design food to make it so irresistible that we cannot stop eating it. The addictive combination of sugar, salt, and fat retrain our brains so that we are driven to crave these foods, yet never feel satisfied after eating them. The most disgusting part was when the author talked about additives called “binders” that are put into processed food to make it “dissolve” in our mouths and easy to swallow. These additives make us eat more, crave more, want more, and buy more. I could not tear myself away—it was like reading a real-life horror movie. I recommend this book to readers who like informational books about nutrition, our food supply, and perhaps even conspiracy theories. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars—all food is definitely not created equal.

We Were Here by Matt de la Pena

Thanks to a fabulous recommendation by a colleague (shout-out, PTB), I learned about Matt de la Pena’s work. This is the kind of book that you keep thinking about after you have finished it. The characters seem so real and are incredibly well-crafted and developed. Once I got into this book, it completely pulled me under and I didn’t come up for air until the very end. The main character, Miguel, is traveling down the California coast to Mexico after breaking out of a juvie group home with unlikely companions Mong and Rondell Law (I find it funny that his last name is Law, but he is in juvie for getting in trouble with the law and really follows his own law). The story follows Miguel’s journey and adventures while he comes to terms with his past. Give this book to hesitant male readers, especially (but not limited to), boys with Latino heritage, and start them off with some read alouds. I recommend this book to readers who like stories about adventure, friendship, and family/brothers. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars—for the right reader, this book could be life-changing.

Bluefish by Pat Schmatz

This is the start of my Teen Lit Con book binge. In preparation for TLC Twin Cities, I’ve tried to read as many featured authors as possible. Not only is this book a fantastic, well-written young adult book—it should be required reading for every teacher. Travis thinks of himself as a “bluefish,” the dumb-looking blue fish from Suess’s One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish book. Both of Travis’s parents are dead and he lives with his alcoholic grandpa. As if things weren’t bad enough, Travis’s dog runs away and he has to move to a new town—and away from the woods he’s known most of his life. At his new school, he meets Velveeta, who is facing loss of her own. Travis and Velveeta become friends and begin to help each other survive daily life in high school, but each is keeping their own secrets. Through their friendship and with a little kindness from observant adults, Travis and Velveeta find their way. I recommend this book to readers who like to read about lost parents, death/grieving, alcoholism, school struggles, and friendship. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars—Travis and Velveeta are characters you want to cheer for and find out all of their secrets.

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

Jill is a teenage girl who is grieving the death of her dad. He was the parent who really understood her—her “mirror” as she calls him. Now Jill and her mom are trying to move forward without the person they love most. And then Jill’s mom drops a bombshell on her: she’s decided to adopt a baby. 

Mandy is a pregnant teen who is hoping to start a new life for herself and her unborn baby. Mandy wants to give her baby the life and home that she’s always dreamed of, but she doesn’t know how to make it happen. When Mandy connects with Jill’s mom, Robin, through an open adoption website, it seems like the perfect solution. But everything gets complicated when Mandy moves in with Jill and Robin during the last few weeks of her pregnancy, and Mandy’s secrets from the past are discovered. I recommend this book to readers who like to read about family issues, death/grieving, teen pregnancy, and relationships. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars—it grabbed my heart and wouldn’t let go. The characters are both realistic and likable; I had to know what would happen to Mandy and Jill. 

When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds

This book was the greatest. My young, Black male students seek authentic stories with a voice they can relate to, and Reynolds’ book about an admirable character dealing with the real struggles of growing up in an urban neighborhood, family issues, friendship and brotherhood is exceptional. When Ali finds himself at a high school party with his friends Noodles and Needles, he can’t believe they actually got in the door. But Ali’s excitement turns to dread and fear as the events of the evening threaten to change everything for him. As a result, Ali is forced to acknowledge what it really takes to stand up for family and to defend our own. I recommend this book to readers who like realistic problems, urban/inner city settings, friendship complications, fights and brotherhood. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars—it is fast-paced and characters are well-defined. I can’t wait to share this book.

Lovetorn by Kavita Daswani

I loved reading about Shalini and her adjustment to life in the U.S. after moving to Los Angeles, California, from India. Not only does Shalini have the regular worries of any high schooler in a new place—finding friends, fitting in, navigating a new school—she needs to learn an entire culture (American) and maintain her long-distance relationship with her fiance, Vikram, back in India. Shalini has been engaged to Vikram since she was 3 years old; little did she know that she would have the chance to move to the U.S. and develop a serious crush on an American boy. Shalini becomes torn between her old love and new possibilities. I recommend this book to readers who like to read about other cultures, being the new girl, fitting in, as well as family issues. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars—it was a quick, enjoyable read that will appeal to many teen readers.