YA Books We Are Thankful For

I asked the teacher librarians of Merced Union High School District to share the YA books that they are thankful for.  Here is what they shared.  

Mr. Harding, AHS Teacher Librarian

I am grateful for The Fault in Our Stars because it was the first YA book I had ever read. It represented a shift in my thinking towards YA literature and was partially responsible for my desire to become a school librarian. I found Green's telling of the tragic but hopeful story of two teenagers with life threatening cancer to be emotionally stirring and thought provoking. In this super popular YA book, I discovered that young adults need stories like the ones John Green tells. I am grateful to The Fault in Our Stars because it opened my mind to new possibilities for my life and career and for the students whom I care so deeply about.

Mr. Doyle, ECHS Teacher Librarian

• The Giver was the first YA novel I read in library school. I am a science fiction fan and it was the perfect entree into YA books. And it's a brilliant story.
• The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. It got totally overshadowed by Harry Potter, but I thought is was better. It's a thinking person's book.

Ms. Cook, BCHS Teacher Librarian

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins was the first YA book I read as a BC librarian. I didn’t realize how amazing YA literature was, now I virtually never read anything else.

Mrs. Edwards, LHS Teacher Librarian

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor. Although this wasn't the first YA I'd read, it was out of my comfort zone as far as style and subject. I thoroughly loved the series and loved the detail the author put into helping me get to know the characters.

Mrs. Woodall, GVHS Teacher Librarian

Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume.  This was probably the first YA book that I read as a kid.  I recall feeling like this was the first book that I read that just felt real.  It felt like the author wasn't talking down to me as a reader.  

All of these titles are available to check out from our library system. 

The MUHSD Teacher Librarians are also thankful for all of our student patrons.  We love helping connecting you with your learning needs.  Enjoy your break!

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Have you ever read a book that focuses only one 60 seconds of the main character's life? Seems kind of crazy, but Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds is a book that is mostly about one 60 elevator ride.

First you need to know that Will's brother Shawn has just been shot. You also need to know that the neighborhood rules are the following:

• Don't cry. 
• Don't snitch. 
• Do get revenge. 

Will is in the elevator on his way down so he can follow the neighborhood rules and get revenge when he is stopped at each floor by ghosts.

This novel told in verse is a quick but powerful read. At its heart, this is a story about grief and a neighborhood. I highly recommend this book to all students, but if you are someone who had witnessed or experienced neighborhood violence, this book may speak to you in a powerful way. This book is currently available at GVHS, ECHS, and BCHS, but students at any school can request it.

Other books written by Jason Reynolds include the following:

• All American Boys
• The Boy in the Black Suit
• Ghost
• Miles Morales
• When I Was the Greatest

Come to your library to check them out or put them on hold!

Books for Teenagers that love Hamilton!

If you love the Broadway show Hamilton from Lin-Manuel Miranda, you should head to your library to read more about the main inspiration. 

Miranda read Ron Chernow's Alexander Hamilton for inspiration.  We have two copies in our district at GVHS and LHS.  If you love history and want to know more about A. Ham, this book is for you.

If you want to learn more about Hamilton but aren't interested in a heavy biography, consider checking out a graphic novel version of his life called Alexander Hamilton:  The Graphic History of an American Founding Father by Jonathan Hennessey.  We have one copy at GVHS, but anyone in the district can request it.

Don't worry!  I'm not going to neglect those of you who want to read a love story!  Alex & Eliza:  A Love Story written by Melissa de la Cruz captures the story between Alexander and Elizabeth Schuyler.  Copies available at GVHS, BCHS, and MHS.