Student Saturday: Crush by Svetlana Chmakova

 

Student Reviewer - Sariah S.

Genre: Middle Grade, Graphic Novel

If you are interested in a teen romance graphic novel, Crush by Svetlana Chmakova is a book that I would recommend. While this book is relating to teenage relationships the author makes good points relating to adults. "Strength is a resource. If you have a lot and someone doesn't, you gotta share yours." I can connect to this book  becausewhen I was younger I would always stand-out because I was tall and muscular. I always helped kids out with bullies even when I wasn't feeling my best. People could come and tell their problems to me and I would try and help them. The main character Jorge always helped everyone around him, but when it came to helping him no one had the time or energy to help him. 

I would recommend this book to any teenager who feels like they have to be the friend or person that gives pro-tips and helps everyone, but doesn't have anyone to help them. I would like them to know there are multiple people that go through this.

The Altruism Trial by Christopher Francis

 

Genre: Upper Elementary, Middle School, Science Fiction

Source: Purchased

Riley Pickering is a young man who thinks of no one but himself. He behaves as if the world owes him everything and exists for him alone. What was funny about this is that I see kids like this in my classroom every year. Some leave middle school for high school the same way they entered school. They believe they are the most important person to exist and everyone else exists to do their bidding. In this book Riley receives a package with an unassembled plane. He makes his parents put it together. When the day comes to display their project he is called first. He steps into the plane and starts it up. He has read no instructions so he doesn't know how to fly it. The plane takes off and he crashes into an island. Here he meets two other kids who are just like him.  The story is all about change. But can Riley learn or be willing to learn important lessons to get off the island?  Like all of the other books this author has written, I loved this book. They are not only fun to read, but they are also full of life lessons.  I highly recommend all of his books.

Stoneway by Christopher Francis

 

Genre: Middle Grade, Young Adult, Supernatural, Realistic Fiction
Source: Purchased

For the first time reading a book by Christopher Francis, I found myself crying. This was probably one of my favorites of all of his books. Maybe it is because I am a teacher and see the effects of bullying at school. This last year was particularly hard on a couple of students. I tried really hard to be there for some of them. It is one thing to have a teacher in your corner and another to have true friends stand up for you. That is what this book is truly about. Yes there is a ghost in this story. He is there because his ties the bullied to the bully. He makes an appearance to get help. This is not a ghost story. I have read reviews about this book that thought the "ghost story" was lacking. Because a ghost appears it doesn't mean it is a scary ghost story.

The author did a great job of keeping the story flowing and letting us see how the characters changed over time. Does everyone change? No, just like in real life not everyone changes. I read this as an ebook. I have since purchased it for my classroom. That is how good I feel this book and its message is. Well don Mr. Francis, Well done!