Book Talk Books Secondary Level

 
TitleAuthorGrade LevelQty AvailableSummaryLesson Plans
Bud, Not BuddyChristopher Paul Curtis4th-7th Grade20Ten-year-old Bud, a motherless boy living in Flint, Michigan, during the Great Depression, escapes a bad foster home and sets out in search of the man he believes to be his father--the renowned bandleader, H.E. Calloway of Grand Rapids.For Book Talk questions, click on the Book Talk Related Lesson/Activities' Link on the left
Define NormalJulie Anne Peters8th -9th Grade40 - at ChurchillWhen she agrees to meet with Jasmine as a peer counselor at their middle school, Antonia never dreams that this girl with the black lipstick and pierced eyebrow will end up helping her deal with the serious problems she faces at home and become a good friend.For Book Talk questions, click on the Book Talk Related Lesson/Activities' Link on the left
If You Come SoftlyJacqueline Woodson8th-9th Grade20 - at ChurchillAfter meeting at their private school in New York, fifteen-year-old Jeremiah, who is black and whose parents are separated, and Ellie, who is white and whose mother has twice abandoned her, fall in love and then try to cope with people's reactions.For Book Talk questions, click on the Book Talk Related Lesson/Activities' Link on the left
If the World Were a VillageDavid J. Smith5th-12th Grade25 - at HammarskjoldThe global village is represented by 100 lively folks who show readers similarities and differences among the planet's people. 
Nothing But the Truth and a Few White LiesJustina Chen Headley8th-12th Grade25 - at ChurchillPatty Ho, an Asian/American 15 year old who struggles to come to terms with where she fits in the world. 
White GirlSylvia Olsen8th-9th Grade25 - at ChurchillIn town, white was the ambient noise, the no-colour background. On the reserve, she's White, and most people seem to see only her blonde hair and blue eyes.For Book Talk questions, click on the Book Talk Related Lesson/Activities' Link on the left
Speed of LightSybil Rosen6th Grade29 - at HammarskjoldAn eleven-year-old Jewish girld living in the South during the 1950s struggles with the anti-semitism and racism which pervade her small community. 
Flight to FreedomAna Veciana-Suarez7th Grade20 - at HammarskjoldWriting in the diary which her father gave her, thirteen year old Yara describes life with her family in Havana, Cuba, in 1967 as well as her experiences in Miami, Florida, after immigrating there to be reunited with some relatives while leaving others behind. 
MilkweedJerry Spinelli7th Grade +27 - at ChurchillFollows a young Jewish orphan in the Warsaw ghetto during World War Two as he slowly understands the horrible reality that surrounds him and attempts to steal in order to help others survive. 
The CheatAmy Goldman Koss5th-8th Grade32 - at HammarskjoldWhen Sarah gets her hands on the answers to the eighth-grade geography midterm and decides to share them with some other students, the consequences are far-ranging. 
Sahara SpecialEsme Raji Codell3rd - 6th Grade30Struggling with school and her feelings since her father left, Sahara gets a fresh start with a new and unique teacher who supports her writing talents and the individuality of each of her classmates. 
RulesCynthia Lord4th - 7th Grade25 - at HammarskjoldFrustrated at life with an autistic brother, twelve-year-old Catherine longs for a normal existence but her world is further complicated by a friendship with an young paraplegic. 
A Boy No MoreHarry Mazer5th - 9th Grade30 - at HammarskjoldAfter his father is killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor, Adam, his mother, and sister are evacuated from Hawaii to California, where he must deal with his feelings about the war, Japanese internment camps, his father, and his own identity. 
LocomotionJacqueline Woodson4th - 8th Grade30Inspired by his teacher, eleven-year-old Lonnie begins to write about his life in a series of poems in which he discusses his feelings about his friends, his foster mom, his little sister Lili, and the death of his parents.Discussion questions in the back of the book
The Sibling Slam Book: What It's Really Like to have a brother or sister with Special NeedsDon Meyer, ed.6th - 12th Grade50 - at HammarskjoldThe Sibling Slam Book is a way that you can find out what's weird, what's fun, what's annoying, and what's cool about having a brother or sister with special needs. Go ahead and answer each question yourself, so the book includes your opinions too!