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.

*** Follow us on Instagram @griswoldHSlibrary ***

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