Annie on My Mind

Annie on my mind is a story about a young 17 year old girl Liza who falls in love with Annie a 17 year old girl she met in a museum. She is totally surprised by her feelings for Annie and is the happiest she has ever been. Nothing feels the same her presidency, her good grades even her future at MIT. All she can think about is Annie. She seems to be struggling with her feelings trying to decide if the feelings are those of someone in love or of friendship. The situation comes to a head when they are caught in a very questionable situation at the home of a trusting teacher. Her honor is questioned and she must decide whether to tell the truth or say as little as possible to protect her parents and brother from the being ostracized because they have a daughter and sister who is a lesbian. In the end it is about her true feelings and whether she will make the choice to continue the relationship or put it behind her.

DUFF

The designated ugly fat friend is what Wesley Rush informs Bianca she is in her group of friends. Bianca hangs out with Casey and Jessica her blonde friends at Hamilton High and compared to them she is a bit different with some issues caused by not having her mom around and an out of touch dad. When Wesley refers to her as a DUFF Bianca’s world turns upside down and her hate for Wesley grows stronger and stronger. What will Bianca do with all her insecure and low self-esteem feelings?
This book was an interesting read. Everyday young women struggle with their weight and societies perception of how a young girls should look. Thin, blonde hair and blue eyes. How do young girls deal with the issue of being perfect or how do they begin to believe they are good enough by being who they are. 

What happened to Cass McBride

Great book. Easy read and a very quick read. The ending made me tear up, can't imagine being buried alive what a horrific feeling. Living through Cass's eyes being buried alive is scary and unbelievable. Words hurt deep and can cause situations to escalate into something bad. Discovering that you may have played a part in a terrible situation opens your eyes to changing your ways and how you treat your fellow human beings. Will Cass continue being callous like her dad or has this experienc...moreGreat book. Easy read and a very quick read. The ending made me tear up, can't imagine being buried alive what a horrific feeling. Living through Cass's eyes being buried alive is scary and unbelievable. Words hurt deep and can cause situations to escalate into something bad. Discovering that you may have played a part in a terrible situation opens your eyes to changing your ways and how you treat your fellow human beings. Will Cass continue being callous like her dad or has this experience changed everyone involved?

Looking for Alaska

Good Book, started a bit slow but started to pick up when Pudge met Alaska. Pudge a shy, awkward boy meets this out going unstable girl named Alaska while attending Culver Creek Boarding school. His first year at Culver is exciting, unimaginable, life-changing and at times deeply depressing

Inexcusable by Chris Lynch

A popular football player liked by all and loved by his family Keir would never do anything to hurt his friends or loved ones.  So what happen the night he raped Gigi or the night when he hurt another player so bad that the player would never play football again?  Too many people are laughing off his antics and enabling his destructive behavior.  What evil act will he do next?  As long as people accept his behavior he will offer excuses and continue his unacceptable behavior.

Hate List

Five months ago, Valerie’s boyfriend Nick, opened fire and shot classmates that were included on their so called “hate list”  Valerie is shot trying to stop Nick by standing in front of another student in turn saving her classmates life.  Valerie is blamed in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people she and Nick hated was used to choose who Nick would shoot. After being secluded over the summer, Val must step back into reality and face her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved and must also finish her senior year.  She finally must realize the role she played in the massacre ask for forgiveness and continue living her life.

Speak by Anderson

Melinda an incoming freshmen who is excited and giddy about her first year of high school. Along with many friends she decides to go to a high school party. Along with many of her friends she begins to drink. She becomes disoriented and walks outside and runs into an older boy who takes advantage of a young naive drunk girl and forces himself on her. He rapes her and Melinda is shocked, disgusted and in great pain and unable to "speak." She calls 911 but is unable to speak, the police show up and she runs home. As freshmen year begins she is sad, torn and an emotional wreck. Her friends have abandoned her and she becomes isolated living in her own world of chaos. She fights her way through the demons inside her head and learns to "speak" again, saving a friend who had abandoned her.

Personal Reaction:
Wow this book captured my attention from the beginning. It touched me very personally. Melinda brought me with her along the journey of recovery. Rape is an act of violence and is extremely difficult to overcome but Melinda did it. A glimmer of hope for those who struggle with the pain of rape everyday.

Extension Ideas:

Students would be encouraged to write about a time when they felt "silent." A time when they felt they couldn't speak.