Fiction
Miracle's Boys by Jacqueline Woodson
Charlie and Layfayette are orphan brothers growing up on the mean streets of New York with the help of their oldest brother Ty’ree. The streets are making Charlie even meaner. Ever since he returned from a detention facility for boys, he has been bent on exacting his revenge on the whole world. Now he is alienating himself from his family and running with a gang. The more trouble Charlie causes the more likely the family will be torn apart.
NonfictionBad Boy: A Memoir by Walter Dean Myers
Walter Dean Myers is one of the most popular African American Interest authors writing today. This memoir is gripping, heartbreaking, and at times funny. Myers takes the readers along the streets of Harlem in the 1940s and 50s. As a boy he spent a lot of his time getting into trouble and when he wasn't in detention he as playing basketball. To protect his bad boy image Myers only read in secret at night, but he devoured books and knew at a young age he wanted to be a writer. These are his own words retelling the pain of a child struggling toward success.
Picks for Adult Readers
The adult pick for this week is actually a book I would recommend for a high level YA reader. Copies are available in our school media center.
The Color of Water by James McBride
McBride wrote this memoir in honor of his mother and the struggle she faced raising her children through the hardship of poverty and racism. McBride tells of the childhood he and his siblings shared, of his family, and of the issues or prejudice that ultimately colored his life. Race was an issue his mother avoided discussing with her children. When young James asked her what color or race God is she replies with the poignant title of the book. A truly inspiring read for anyone. I can't recommend it enough.
No comments:
Post a Comment