The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith

Love is always unexpected and never happens as you plan.  My name is Lucy and I live in  NYC.  I live on the 24th floor of my apartment building.  It happened because of a blackout.  These aren't unusual for us, but it just so happens, my parents are in London and my twin brothers are in California at college.  It's a good thing our apartment building has a doorman,  but it stinks that I'm stuck on this elevator.  At least I'm not alone.  There's a boy on  the elevator with me.  Awkwaaaaard!  After all the small talk, he may not be so bad.  Owen.  That's his name and his dad is the new super in our building.  He's on his on and I'm on my own...for now at least  So, while the power is out, we figure we may as well be on our own together.  That one night changed my life.  I like him.  I really like him.  Unfortunately, my parents decide to move across the big pond to the UK.  We were over before we begin.  Postcards.  That's our thing.  Nothing like writing an old fashioned letter or postcard.  There's just something about the wait; the anticipation.  Email and texting seem so immediate.  From NYC to Edinburgh to Tahoe to Paris to San Francisco to London to Seattle and back to NYC.  Our story unfolds.  the geography of us:  Lucy and Owen.

Everybody Sees The Ants

My name is Lucky Linderman.  I'm not a memorable guy unless you remember all the horrible crap that Nader did to me!  Nobody is ever around when it's happening.  Nobody, not even my parents, believe me when I tell them.  Somehow it's always my fault.  The only person who believes me is my grandpa and he's M.I.A. He went missing in the Vietnam War. In my head, I escape that neanderthal, Nader, and join my grandpa in the jungles of Vietnam.  If it wasn't for grandpa and his buddies, I would have never made it.  Besides the time with grandpa, my trip to Arizona with mom for the summer has turned about to be kind of okay.  I learned some stuff about myself and for me this is progress.  Nobody deserves to be bullied, big or small.  What gets me is the people who actually do know what's going on and do nothing to help.  Are you going to be a bigger jerk by not getting involved?  Don't act like you don't see it.  If you do, you're just another Nader who is bullying or allowing someone to be bullied...making their life a living hell.

The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schnieder

Hey.  My name is Ezra Faulkner.  Never in a million years could you have told me that I'd be sitting on the opposite side of the cafeteria with the debate team.  I used to be the with the in crowd.  Heck, I was the in crowd!  Everyone followed my lead. The end of everything as I knew it was the beginning of everything:  friendships; clubs; sports; girls.  I was so blind to how the people I used to think were my friends really were?  They just really weren't nice people.  They were never even my friends because of who I am, but who I was...varsity tennis star. Cassidy Thorpe saw right through all of the BS.  She saw me for who I was, even with my shattered leg.  Everything with her is so unpredictable.  All I want right now is to be who I want to be; not who I'm expected to be.    

Coaltown Jesus by Ron Koertge

This would be another book were I am unable to speak from the voice of Walker.  I can tell you this.  I absolutely loved this book!  Written in verse, I found myself chuckling because I can be somewhat of a "smack" talker, even when it comes to talking to Jesus.  I loved that the author kept the story pure, simple and honest.  Authenticity is what we are looking for in all of relationships.  We make Jesus more complicated and unreachable than He really is.  He's always there.  Ever present.  Ever knowing.  All Powerful.  Walker had more power than he gave himself credit for.  Jesus had to show him that in an indirect way.  We may not be able to control all of our circumstances, but we can overcome them.  Let it go.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Normally, I would tell you the summary of this novel from the main character's voice.  However, I find I can't do that this time.  I was so disturbed by the ideals of this fictional community.  People are not allowed to think or choose for themselves.  They are not allowed to experience color, snow, cold or pain. Spouses don't choose each other, but they submit an application for a spouse. Once married, they don't even choose the children they will have.  They are assigned one boy and one girl, and IF that child is imperfect, he/she is "released."  That is simply a nice way of saying that the child is disposed of. When the older people no longer serve a useful purpose, they are "released."  I felt so much compassion for The Receiver (Jonas).  A boy of only 12 years is expected to bear all the feelings, hurts, memories, pleasantries, etc., of his entire community...of the entire world.  Is this the only community left during this apocalyptic time?  Are there really no others?  What really is the harm of one being able to think, to choose, to believe for himself? What if this were you?

Wonder by R. J. Palacio [Realistic]

Hi!  My name is Auggie and I'm 10 years old!  But, wait!  Don't turn around! I don't want you to see me.  If it's okay with you (because I know it's okay with me) I'm going to keep my astronaut helmet on or else.  The "or else" is that you might do that thing that most people do and think I don't see.  You know how you first look at someone and in one-millionth of a second, your eyes drop go big because you're either sad for me or afraid of me.  You might run away.  Anyway, I'm in 5th grade and I've always been home-schooled.  I guess my mom and dad did it because I had to have so many surgeries and they didn't know if I'd be strong enough.  So, now all of the sudden, my mom thinks it's a great idea for me to go to school...real school...with real kids!  Is she crazy?  I don't want to!  I don't want people staring at me!  Do I really have a say in this matter?  No.  I have made a few friends, but people act like I have the "cooties" or the "cheese touch" like that kid in Diary of a Wimpy Kid.  So what's wrong with me?  Nothing.  I just look a little different because I have this craniofacial disorder.  My eyes are where they're really supposed to be, and when I'm smiling, you can't even tell I'm smiling, but believe me, I smile.  In fact, this next year of my life, I'm going to do things I never thought I'd do!

Waiting by Carol Lynch Williams

Waiting and waiting
And I still wait.
I'm still here
I didn't go anywhere
Why won't you love me?
Why won't you acknowledge me?
Zachy, come back!  I need you!
Don't leave me
It's not my fault.
I cry out, "Somebody help me!"
Or I think I do, but maybe I don't.
I have to find my voice.
I'm still waiting.