I recommend "Long Way Down" by Jason Reynolds.  It deals with the aftermath of violence involving young Black characters, but not racial injustice per se.  It is now available as the original novel in verse, a graphic novel, and the audiobook read by Jason Reynolds himself, so there are options for differentiated instruction. (And try reading it as a modern retelling of "A Christmas Carol," complete with Ghosts of . . . , for some interesting interpretations.)

Cathy Andronik
(Retired) Brien McMahon HS, Norwalk)


On Tuesday, 7 December 2021, 11:25:51 am GMT-5, Haddad, Christine <haddad.christine@newfairfieldschools.org> wrote:


I would recommend both of these titles.


On Tue, Dec 7, 2021 at 10:53 AM Laureen Anthony <LAnthony@griswoldpublicschools.org> wrote:

 

A book I can’t recommend enough is The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo. This book is written in verse. The main character, Xiomara, is a Dominican girl who finds herself caught between her love of poetry and her traditional immigrant parents, who want her to put aside her dreams of becoming a writer after high school and settle down instead. It’s very touching and extremely well written.

 

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sanchez opens with the main character reeling from the sudden, unexpected death of her older sister in a traffic accident. As her parents retreat into their grief, Julia discovers that her seemingly perfect sister had secrets.

 

Laureen Lemire Anthony  (She/her)

GHS Library Media Specialist

 

I am currently reading The Guilded Ones by Namina Forna and Dry by Neal Shusterman.

 

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From: CASL-L <casl-l-bounces@mylist.net> On Behalf Of KRISTINE P. EMOND
Sent: Tuesday, December 7, 2021 10:38 AM
To: CASL <CASL-L@mylist.net>
Subject: [CASL-L] 10th grade book for the classroom

 

Good Morning!

 

I am in search of some suggestions.  Our 10th grade English teachers are looking to add a YA novel to their classroom reading list. They want a minority character as the main character and a story that isn't focused on racial injustice.  I am creating a list of titles and wanted to see if anyone has a novel like this being taught by their teachers with success.

 

Thank you.

 

Kristine Emond

East Hartford High School

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