Anderson, L. H. (1999). Speak. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux.
Speak is a novel written by Laurie Halse Anderson. This book is a realistic fiction novel. I recently re-read this book. Speak was introduced to me when I was in middle school by a friend. This book is a childhood favorite of mine. Speak is about a young girl named Melinda Sordino. The summer before her freshman year in high school, Melinda is date rapped at a party. Melinda calls the cops after this incident. Everyone ends up being mad at her and thinks that she is a snitch because the cops break up the party. No one knows why Melinda truly called the cops that night they are all just mad at her. Melinda suffers a lot through high school her freshman year. This novel shows you how it is like for her through her eyes. I loved this book it got me through a lot of hard times and I was also a fan of the movie that was made from this book. Laurie Halse Anderson is a wonderful writer she is well know for many books. Almost every book she has written there has been some controversies that arise from the books. These controversies are because the topics she writes about are tough topics to hear about. Regardless Laurie does a wonderful job writing these books. Winter girls is also another well known book of hers. Speak is a book that I would recommend for middle school students and above. The date rape is not in detail but it is a topic that I feel is not appropriate for elementary children. This book is a great book for realistic fiction you can help your students if you feel that they may be going through something like this or maybe just a hard time. This book will show your students that they are not alone they can relate to the character in the book. Some activities that students can do are, read the book independently and have a book circle to discuss how they feel about the book. The students can also make a play about the book. The students can portray each character and the rest of the ones who do not want to be in it can play the play critics.
Blume, J. (1970). Are you there god? its me, Margaret. New York: Yearling.
Are you there God? It's me Margaret was written by Judy Bloom. This book has always been my favorite book.
I read this book when I was ten years old. I recently read the book again this year and fell in love with it all over again! This book is about a young girl named Margaret Simon, she is almost twelve, and has just moved from New York City to the suburbs. She in anxious to fit in at her new school. When she is asked to join a secret club of girls she jumps at the chance. This book is all about the troubles of growing up as a girl and the things that girls go through. Margaret's friends wonder what kind of religion she is because her parents come from different religious backgrounds. Margaret keeps it to herself that she has someone to talk to when she is having trouble. She talks to God. Throughout the whole book we as readers see things through Margaret's eyes as she talks to God and asks for advice. This book is amazingly well written. It is not difficult to comprehend. I was only ten years old when I read this for the first time and I had no problem. I recommend this book to all teenage girls to read. This book is relate-able, and funny. Because of the time period of when this book was published it can be considered a Historical Fiction book. This book was published over thirty years ago in 1971. Another great book by Judy Bloom is the book called Blubber. Judy Bloom has written many books some more famous ones are, Forever, Double Fudge, and Freckle Juice. For some classroom activities with the students it may be challenging to focus on this one book because the book is aimed more towards girls. What a teacher can do is have the girl students read "Are you there God? It's me Margaret" and have the boys read another one of Judy Bloom's books like "Freckle Juice". The students can do literature circles so they can discuss the books. Also the students could write an essay about there most embarrassing moment as a teenager. Also as a teacher you can help your students talk about the book by asking them what they liked most about the book or what part stuck out to them the most. This book may be old but it sure is a classic for all ages!
