Summer Reading: My Top 3 Books (so far!)

I've always got a book that I'm reading. Sometimes two. During the summer months I try to intentionally increase my reading volume to read beside my students, offer book recommendations, and for enjoyment and relaxation. With two toddlers, I try to fit in twenty minutes in the early morning and twenty minutes during nap time, and yet I want more reading time! I'm sure other parents relate. I've read thirteen books (so far) this summer. If you're looking for a read to finish out your summer reading, here are my top 3 to share with students this fall!

Firekeeper's Daughter 

by Angeline Boulley

Firekeeper's Daughter is the fictional story of Daunis Fontaine who has graduated high school and trying to find her place in her community and outside world. She has a love and respect for her Ojibwe culture despite one side of her family resenting her biracial heritage (while still loving her). Daunis makes the decision to remain close to her hometown for her first year of college to support her mom; however, she witnesses a murder that hurts her personally and her community deeply, so she is accepts an undercover role to help her community and understand its loss.

This YAL novel made it so easy to decide what was the most engrossing read of the summer. Absolutely deserving of 5 stars. Here is my initial reaction on Twitter: 

When you pick up this nearly 500-page book, it is deceiving how fast it will be read. The mystery makes it hard to put down. The writing makes it easy to follow along. The intricate details bring it all together. I will share a book talk about this novel with my juniors this fall once my copy of the book is returned to me. 

My favorite part of the book is how complex the characters are and Daunis' acknowledgement of how people are viewed, what motivates them, and learning that we can be wrong (in both good and bad ways). It's truly a story about the strength of people, especially the Ojibwe culture.

Restart 

by Gordon Korman

Restart is the most relatable book I've read in a very long-time. It is the story of Chase, an 8th grade football star who has fallen off his roof and his severe concussion has caused amnesia. As he wakes from his four-day coma, he does not recognize his brother or even his mother. He does not remember the thirteen years of his life including his hobbies, friends, school life. He must begin to learn his old life. In his community, he is well-known and so his experience has become town gossip. Chase recognizes that different groups of people respond to his presence in different ways. Some don't even believe that he has amnesia. When he is told to sit out from football for the season, he must find a way to spend his time. Even though everyone else remembers who Chase used to be, does he want to be that person anymore?

This particular novel was recommended to me by the other seventh grade ELA teacher who had it recommended to her by an incoming seventh grader. And now, well this book is now being considered for book clubs for the seventh grade class. Though we haven't met yet to completely decide, this book could be paired with other texts taught in the course such as Freak the Mighty. It could also pair with well-known books such as Wonder or Fish in a Tree. 

This one is also a quick read since the target audience is middle school, but I honestly would recommend this one to other educators and parents too. It allowed me to reflect on how I treat my students, how my own children might respond to me in ten years, and how we treat others. Not only great reflection, but it's also entertaining. There are moments for laughter. There are moments of wonder. There are moments of frustration. Just like life. That's relatable. And the characters are too. If readers don't relate to Chase, they might relate to his friends, old or new, that we meet throughout this book.

Red, White, and Whole

by Rajani LaRocca

Red, White, and Whole is a verse novel that left me in awe as it tells the story of Reha, a daughter of Indian immigrants. Middle school students may recognize her conflicted feelings of trying to fit-in and being American at school while also trying to please her parents and celebrate her Indian heritage. Reha tries to find a way to communicate this to her parents, but before she finds a way, she learns that her mom, Amma, is ill. This changes Reha's perspective and she becomes the daughter her parents have always asked her to be. 

Verse novels that share characters who become so incredibly real amaze me. They do this with limited space on the page in a way that is often lyrical. This one truly does an amazing job of showing readers Reha's internal and social struggles in a way that if students can't relate, they can recognize and hopefully empathize. Readers also get to know her, like her music and tv preferences.

Even though this is a novel intended for middle school students, I see value in sharing it with my juniors as a book talk alongside our unit related to immigration stories. I hope that at least one will pick this story up to see another perspective that is presented beautifully. 

What's up next?

I'm currently reading A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger. My teacher book club is finishing Teaching When the World is on Fire edited by Lisa Delpit. And I need to read my classic book for my friend book club which is Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.