The Missouri Reader Vol. 38, Issue 1 | Page 24

Young Adults' Choices

Since 1987, the Young

Adults' Choices list has annu-

ally provided new books rec-

ommended for young adults

by young adults. Facilitated by the IRA, approximately 5,000 students in grades 7-12 select 30 new books for inclusion on the list. The 2013 Young Adults' Choices were examined by the same group of Missouri and Kansas reading specialists, literacy coaches, and classroom teachers. This group explored the following titles from that list:

1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (Recommended grade level: 6-8)

Summary:

Hazel, who has terminal cancer, meets a boy named Gus at a Cancer Kid

Support Group. Gus encourages

Hazel to think beyond her sick-

ness to focus on the remaining

part of her life. They decide to

take risks as they embark on a

life-affirming trip to Amsterdam.

During their journey of mutual

understanding, they find friend-

ship, happiness, and love while facing the injustice of terminal illnesses. Love softens and magnifies the reality and sorrow to come.

Meeting the CCSS:

This text contains a very powerful story of these two characters, so it can easily be used to analyze how the events of the story unfold and how the characters develop throughout (RL.6.3; RL.7.3). Further, the text can be used to examine the central theme and how it develops throughout the story (RL.7.2). In addition, the text can be used to examine how specific lines of dialogue or incidents shape the story (RL.8.3).

2. October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard by Leslea Newman (Recommended grade level: 9-12)

Summary:

October Mourning, written in free-verse poetry, follows the true story of Matthew Shepard. Newman poignantly

uses the fence post where

Matthew was tied and left to die

as an evolving symbol to illus-

trate the continuing impact of

this young man and the horrific

hate crime that took his life.

Newman uses many points of

view, including four poems told from the point of view of the fence post. These four poems are arranged chronologically from before the crime to after it occurred.

Meeting the CCSS:

Teachers can use this text to address a wide range of the standards. The format of the text clearly lends itself to teaching point of view (RL.7.6; RL.8.6) and how to analyze how the author's choice of format, dialogue, setting, and other story elements impacts the story (RL.7.3; RL.8.3; RL.11-12.3). Furhter, the text provides students with multiple opportunities to examine various inferences throughout it (RL.7.1; RL.8.1; RL.9-10.1; RL.11-12.1). In addition, students can analyze the structure of the text itself (free-verse poetry) to see how it contributes to the overall story (RL.7.5; RL.9-10.5; RL.11-12.5). Further, due to its particularly raw topic, students can analyze the overall theme and its development throughout the text (RL.7.2; RL.8.2; RL.9-10.2; RL.11-12.2).

3. Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne (Recommended grade level: 9-10)

Summary:

During a storm, Dean and his

brother, Alex, take shelter inside a

giant superstore, along with sev-

eral other children. The group of

children learns from watching the

news that a mega tsunami hit the

east coast, killing people and

causing weather changes and earthquakes across the United States. They learn that chemical gases have tainted the air supply, so they seal the doors to the store and remain inside. The children elect a leader, and they perform everyday tasks in order to survive. They all have to deal with living in a store, relationships, and keeping everyone safe. They take in two adults who indicate that if they can get to Denver, they will be evacuated.

24