This book tells the story of Maurice Sendak, the famous writer and artist who made Where the Wild Things Are. It starts with his childhood in Brooklyn, New York, where he liked to draw and make up stories. The book shows how he grew up to become an artist, worked on books and cartoons and made some of the most loved kids' stories. It also talks about some of the hard times he had, like being sick and feeling different from others.
The Secret Year is a realistic fiction young adult novel that follows Colt through his junior year of high school. Labor day weekend, he lost the secret love of his life in a car accident. Although they were in love, no one was allowed to know. He was from the flats, and she was from one of the huge houses up on Black Mountain. Throughout his junior year, Colt faces his grief in secret, reading her journal entries written about their time together, allowing him to relive the best year of his life, the one with Julia.
Stacey Abrams is a strong leader in American politics and works hard to protect voting rights. The book starts with her childhood in Mississippi and Georgia. She grew up in a big family that believed in learning and working hard. It shows how she was a smart and determined student who always dreamed big. The book talks about how Stacey became a lawyer, author and leader. It also explains how she ran for governor of Georgia. Even though she didn’t win, she didn’t give up. Instead, she worked to help more people vote and make sure everyone’s voice is heard.
Hardscrabble by Sandra Dallas is a historical fiction book set during the Homestead Act in 1910. The Homestead Act was signed by Abraham Lincoln and it was an act that stated that anybody who is the head of a house can get 150 acres of land for free. The main character's name is Belle Martin and it follows her and her family's struggle as new homesteaders in Colorado. This is a story that shows the struggle of dry farming, sicknesses and weather issues.
The Outsiders is set in 1965 Oklahoma, centering on two different gangs. This book was loosely based on how life could be during this time and the author wrote this for her friends that were considered the version of greasers in her town. A greaser is a teenager that is considered a delinquent, does not have much money, and is known for their trademark long greasy hair. The gang opposing the greasers is the soc gang. A soc is a rich, socialite privileged person with nice cars, clothes and hair.
Rent is a rock musical about New York City struggles in the 90s with the rise of AIDS. It is a musical written by Jonathan Larson and has many awards. It started off Broadway, made its way to Broadway, and now there is the movie adaptation. Unfortunately, Jonathan Larson passed away before he was able to see its success. This musical is all about love, acceptance, bohemia, drugs, pride, friends and loyalty.
Fantastic Mr. Fox is a cozy, adventure movie full of laughter, stress and love. Mr. Fox is bored with his plain old family life much to the dismay of his wife. He’s an animal and animals need to be wild! So, he hatches a plan to steal from three of the scariest farmers in the town, Boggis, Bunce and Bean, notorious for their violent ways. He only planned to do one heist to feed his family and get that itch out of the way, but once he pulled off the perfect heist he couldn’t get enough. Mr.
Holes by Louis Sachar follows a young boy named Stanley Yelnats. Stanley Yelnats is cursed with bad luck, and his entire family has been cursed with bad luck since his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather broke his promise to Madame Zeroni. Stanley was caught in the wrong place at the wrong time and got sent to Camp Green Lake for a crime he didn’t commit.
This novel contains description of sexual assault.
Beartown by Fredrik Backman follows high schoolers in a small Swedish town with little going for it besides their budding hockey team. The only way that the town can bring in financial opportunities is if their hockey team wins the national championship. However after Kevin, the star player of the team, assaults Maya, the daughter of the head coach of the youth hockey team, the town is ripped apart.
Steven Spielberg is one of the most famous movie makers in the world. This book starts with his childhood. As a kid, Steven loved using a camera to make short movies. He was shy, but had big dreams. The book shows how he grew up and made some of the most famous movies ever, like Jaws, Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park.
