For the picks from 2020 click here.
For the picks from 2020 click here.
For older picks click from 2019 click here.
For the even older picks click here.

I Have Lost My Way by Gayle Forman (2018)
​Gayle Forman introduces a story of three strangers who become closely connected by a fateful accident. Freya, a rising star singer, is troubled by losing her voice, but it seems to be her true identity. Harun is a young man who feels trapped and lost between the expectations of his religion, family, and conflicting sexuality. Nathaniel is a lone drifter who is desperate and searching for answers. “I have lost my way,” sounds as a broken record in each of their heads.  These characters’ lives intersect when Freya falls off the small arched bridge on Nathaniel, who is heading toward the Brooklyn Bridge, and Harun witnesses the scene. From this point, the lives of the three characters are entangled into a bond that saves them. 

My students, on the other hand, have their preferences and suggestions. Please, take a look at the pictures below revealing Devin, Justin, and Connor's choices: Yesterday Is History by Kosoko Johnson (2021),  A Spy in the Struggle by Aya de Leon (2020), and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins (2020). All three of the novels seem captivating just by the titles. I cannot wait for my students to share their reactions when we return to class next week.

Nikki Bylina-Streets will be taking over Weekend Picks in February.  

Enjoy your weekend and keep reading,

Leilya

Weekend Picks for January 21, 2022 

Another week of January has passed, and if you want an enjoyable, cozy weekend with a book… or two, we are here to offer you some choices. This week’s selections are presented by my students Alexis K. and Morgan S.  These young adult novels offer us a tour and a glimpse into rich cultures of Japan and Argentina.   
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​Alexis outlines several reasons to attract readers:

• This book is an easy read and is not very long, making it ideal for anyone who doesn’t have much time.
• The novel provides a more accurate representation of Asian, specifically Japanese,  culture because Emiko Jean is a Japanese-American.
• Finally, it is a fun coming-of-age story that is written in 2021, so it has themes that can relate to many readers.

Camilla knows that her family rooted on a traditional view of women in Argentina would not approve her desire to become a professional fútbol player. As is with many young adult stories, there is another complication on top of Camila’s dream. His name is Diego Ferrari, former childhood friend, a professional soccer player who comes back home to Rosario. To find out what happens next, read Furia, suggests Morgan.
Among the most attractive aspects of the novel, Morgan emphasizes the author’s ability to present characters that are believable, relatable, but unique. As a bonus, Mendez creates a story showing the contrast between Argentinian and American cultures and provides a rich sense of place and taste of the communal atmosphere in Argentina.

Hope you'll enjoy these selections.
Till next time,
Leilya

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There are dozens of other novels that carry powerful messages about social justice, acceptance, and embracing diversity.
What are your favorite books to read around this time? Please, share in comments.

Till next weekend,
​Leilya
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Have you made any New Year's resolutions?  I don't make resolutions anymore, but I do keep a great habit of reading and learning from books. I also love sharing books with my students. This Weekend's Picks are suggested by two of my students, Sarah Spring and Lily Navarra. Both are pre-service teachers going into their second semester of residency in local public schools.  They share two phenomenal texts that have already earned their rightful place among young adult novels. 

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang (2006)

​American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang is not only a coming of age story combining a unique and traditional approach to the hero’s quest for identity, an archetype stretching back thousands of years. Both Jin Wang, a contemporary teenager, and the Monkey King, representing generations of the past,  undergo personal transformations, experience supernatural phenomenon, and undergo various other archetypal trials on the way toward their newfound identity. By positing the story in the modern world, Yang forges a new perspective on racism, heroism, stereotypes, and the dangers of pride and conformity. This is an engaging graphic novel that will keep you reading until you reach the final page.

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander (2014)

The Crossover is a first person verse novel that follows twelve-year-old Josh Bell as he must overcome  confusing feelings of jealousy and abandonment and cope with his father’s terminal condition With each section in this novel, the poetry directly interacts with the reader. From the onomatopoeia, to the concrete poetry, to the various intentional poetic forms, Kwame Alexander crafts a novel like no other. Through the eyes of Josh “Filthy McNasty” Bell, the readers are introduced into the adolescent experience of a distinctive individual. In each of the poems, we learn that Josh values his family, looks up to his father, and lives for the game of basketball. Many of the poems serve as a play-by-play of Josh’s basketball games in first-person and real-time. These poems mirror the experience of watching an actual basketball game, having a quick rhythm, and exhilarating tone.  

Welcome to a new year of Weekend Picks! Let 2022 become a year of new discoveries in the world of literature! Let us read and learn from books. Let us share our best encounters with brilliant writers and their diverse characters.
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To begin a new year on a cheerful note, I suggest reading two novels that warm readers’ hearts with teenage love. However, there is so much more to these books that our adolescents, teachers, and librarians can discover in these selections.

Don’t Hate the Player by Alexis Nedd (2021)

In her debut novel, Alexis Nedd tells a story of two teens, Emilia and Jake. A nerdy, almost perfect high school student and athlete, Emilia aims for an Ivy League college to meet her Puerto Rican parents’ high expectations; however, she has another passion – online gaming. She is a member of Team Fury, one of the best and highly competitive e-sports team. Jake is not as academically ambitious as Emilia, but is a devoted gamer himself. He belongs to Team Unity. The adolescent readers will be drawn to both characters learning about their desires, goals, and struggles. The novel feels relevant for young adult readers who enjoy sweet romance and video games, have plans for college, and think about their future.