I have posted book recommendations on two websites. I now place these the Books section of the Colton High School Library since that's redundant. Please click on http://yeljack.weebly.com/books.html for these postings. I will place noteworthy information on the main page.
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In a fictional account, Paul Volponi chronicles the lives of four basketball players during the months and days leading to the pinnacle of their athletic careers-the NCAA final four epic battle between the Cinderella Trojans from Troy, Alabama and Goliath Michigan State Spartans.
The moment-by-moment suspense of big time game integrated with commentary of NCAA brings complexity to what is perceived as a rather simple game. Image from https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11699202-the-final-four A face from Schindler's list emerges in this traumatic tale. Leon (American name) is the youngest son of a Jewish family residing in Polish country side. His idyllic childhood is shattered after the Nazis occupy Poland in WWII. The rules of human decency change as Leon and his family must find ways to survive the horrors of the Holocaust. Leon's family fortunately gains employment from a man who will save their lives-Oscar Schindler. While Leyson's account concentrates mostly on their day-to-day struggles for survival, he finds normalcy after the war. Image from https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/17415480-the-boy-on-the-wooden-box High school junior Jessica must overcome enormous odds to run again after losing her right leg from a tragic car accident. Van Draanen includes the viewpoints of all who were affected by Jessica's circumstances: her family's emotional & financial struggles, coach's determination, doctor's encouragement, best friend & teammates, support, etc. Rosa, a classmate who suffers from cerebral palsy, surprisingly makes the most resounding difference towards Jessica's recovery. Image from https://www.goodreads.com/work/editions/13207578-the-running-dream
On the surface, Parker's life is filled with possibilities at the end of her senior year of high school. However, she must answer the question posed in Robert Frost's "Road Less Traveled" after stumbling upon a Julianna's journal, a girl who tragically lost her life ten years earlier. Parker realizes she must make life changing decisions she uncovers intimate details of Julianna's final day. Image from https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/12578313-golden Ashleigh attempts to fulfill common psychological needs in sending a nude picture of herself on a camera phone: coming through on a dare, getting the man she loves to notice her. Unfortunately, a picture speaks a thousand words. Ashleigh and her family pay a high price when her ex-boyfriend shares it online. A must read on cyber safety Image from http://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/15790870-thousand-words Even though Karl Stern didn't look nor consider himself a Jew, it made no difference in Hitler's Nazi Germany. Karl meets a boxing champion through his father's connections. At the Berlin Boxing Club, Karl gains self confidence and physical strength. However, the only way he can continue training and competing is by keeping his Jewish heritage a secret. Karl's abilities become even more critical as anti-Semitic measures puts his and his family's lives in danger.
Image from https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/9266762-the-berlin-boxing-club Obesity is a worldwide epidemic with physical & emotional ramifications. Ever Davies understand this completely. As a 300+ lb teenage girl, she is either ridiculed or ignored. She also faces long term risks to her health. Yet, like so many others, she has failed at every weight loss attempt for one primary reason. Food serves as a comfort in coping with the death of her mom and living with her new beautiful & thin stepsisters. However, her biggest adversary is the voice in her head "Skinny".
Ever's life will begin to change after gastric bypass surgery. However, it turns out to be a mixed blessing. As the weight melts away, Ever gains confidence & social acceptance. Yet, the few comforts of Ever's previous life start slipping away. "Skinny" also strives to deflate Ever's growing sense of worth. Will Ever achieve her weight loss goal & overcome her personal demons? Image from http://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/11958583-skinny Ron Suskind chronicles Cedric Jennings' journey in urban Washington D.C. neighborhood through his sophomore year at Brown University. As a young African American man, Cedric overcame incredible odds to earn a college degree from an Ivy League College. Suskind opens up discussions on the ways poverty, incarceration, violent neighborhoods, and dysfunctional schools hinder the possibilities for many African Americans. Take a look at my in-depth Capzle on this thought provoking non fiction work
http://www.capzles.com/5340a471-7199-4e71-b26a-4ee33f3c2689 Image located at http://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/69559.A_Hope_in_the_Unseen |
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