The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano

The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano

by Sonia Manzano aka Maria from Sesame Street! (2012)

Three generations of women deal with being Puerto Rican in New York City, the past and present of poverty, politics, and class struggle, and the family drama of being three women. Set in 1969 Spanish Harlem the story is full of true events and shows how larger events change personal daily lives, and how people can also affect larger events. Lots of discussion also for holding on to ethnic roots and traditions.
The newspapers from the story's events can be seen here at the book's website.

Stuck In Neutral

Stuck In Neutral

Terry Trueman (2000)

A narrator with severe Cerebral Palsy describes what he sees, thinks, and longs for, and how he fears his father may end his life out of "mercy" -- not light themes, but lots of humor and personality. Similar to Out of My Mind but Shawn is much less functional, more "trapped" by his disability. The book, and narrator's fate, has one of those he did/did not endings, but there is a recent sequel out so that settles the cliff hanger.
Great review and discussion ideas here at TLT: Teen Librarian Toolbox and an interview with the author, whose son has CP, here at The Hub website.

Flora & Ulysses

Flora & Ulysses
THE ILLUSTRATED ADVENTURES

Kate DiCamillo
Newbery Medal 2014

A fun book, whimsical and cartoony but poignant. A girl with divorced parents, and a distracted, disinterested mother, saves a squirrel from a vacuum cleaner and their adventures begin. Great vocabulary, some of it comic book creative, and parts of the story are shown in comic style panels. Good read aloud.

Extra Credit

Extra Credit

by Andrew Clements (2009)

Pen pals across international boundaries, a Midwestern girl not doing well in school and an Afghani boy excelling in his classes. Good read aloud with lots of ideas for research projects, letter writing, social studies, and of course pen pals.