Finding the Silver Lining (Overcoming Obstacles): Titles for Teens

 

As part of our SB Reads 2021 partnership with the South Brunswick schools, this is a list of books matching the selected topic (silver linings) and everyone in the township is encouraged to find books to read and share in the discussion.  This is a small selection of books for teens.

Below is the link to the podcast if you want to listen:

Alchemy of Genres

This is a small selection of some biographies of individuals who have overcome obstacles

Jim Thorpe was an amazing athlete, making his name in football, baseball and the Olympic games.  Unfortunately due to his Native American  heritage he never received the credit he deserved, and in fact society and white supremacist issues actively worked to discredit him.

Johnson writes a memoir articulating the difficulties of being an effeminate homosexual African American male.  He talks about issues he faced being profiled as a black male as well as the issues within the African American community of being "not macho" and gay.  Johnson points out societal issues (education, bullying and more) as well as personal issues.  I listened to the book, it was really well done and educational.

Jazz Jennings was born male, and this autobiography (written when Jazz was still a teen) discusses the issues and obstacles she faced as she came to terms with being transgender as well as her triumphs as she and society came to terms with her being her true self.

Arin was born female but then became aware that he was born into the wrong body, identifying as male.  This autobiography written when he was a teen discusses the issues he faced as a transgender youth as well as his successes as he came out to the world as his true self.

Darius doesn't ever think that he'll be enough.  He knows he is a disappointment to his dad (not good at the things his father values). He doesn't speak Farsi as well as his younger sister so he disappoints his mother's family (his mother spoke it more with his sister than with him, so he just never learned as much, but if FEELS like it's his fault somehow).  He has clinical depression for which he takes medication, as does his father; but it means that sometimes things get to him and no one seems to understand that, not even his father.  Now they are going to Iran because his mother's father is dying, and while he is frightened he will mess everything up, he is excited to meet his family.  His grandfather's neighbor has a son who speaks English, who becomes his friend and interpreter; showing him around and explaining things.  Somehow he is more confident in this foreign country and he wishes he could find a way to bring this confidence home.  He also needs to find a way to reconnect with his father; but it seems that he father doesn't want him around at all....he has even started watching Star Trek with his younger sister, and that was the ONLY thing left that was just his and his father's......

This story is very touching with a believable character struggling to find himself, express himself and just BE.  The stark factual information about depression explains what it is, but the story isn't about that; it is just one aspect of him.  I love that the character found himself in his mother's home, even if it was difficult to adjust.  

This story is written in journal format (as explained in the title).  Harry is writing it as a way to deal with all the trauma and emotions from the death of his brother and the explosive consequences that death had on his life and his family's.  Nielsen explores the slow process of healing, the guilt a family can feel when a family member does something tragic as well as the issues of handling the outside world & bullying from those who try to paint you as the same because you are related.  Great writing, amazing story; bring tissues!

Matt's brother was killed in action in Iraq.  His dad ignores the trauma and grief (it's for pansies).  Matt finds some personal letters in the effects sent home and finds things he didn't know....like his brother had a girlfriend.  He decides to take the car and travel to meet her and try to find more about his brother's life & maybe share the grief with someone.  He finds that many things were kept secret and as he comes to terms with the disconnect between what he thought vs what he knows; he also is finding a way to process, learn and grow beyond his grief and live his own life.  A very emotional and touching story.

The Misfits are 4 middle school students who are tired of the status quo and decide to embrace who they are and support each other's endeavors against bullies and school politics, as well as anyone else who tries to put them into a box with a one word label.  I love this book and it's exploration of how a person can be so much more than a word, as well as how you can take a word used to insult you and make it a banner you are proud of.  

If you enjoy this book, check out the separate books for Joe, Addie & Skeezie.

When their high school won't allow a GSA group, the teens start a Geography Club as a cover for their illegal support group.  It provides a way for the teens who are, or support LGBTQIA+ students (whether out of the closet or not).  Of course they are discovered when someone actually wants to do geography in this club, and they have to figure out how to fight for the club and their right to exist. 

This is a really good story, and sadly, still apt as there are still places who refuse to acknowledge LGBTQIA+ students and actively allow harassment.  This book was made into a movie on Netflix, which I haven't seen, but if you watch it, let me know if it's good!

Felton goes from awkward geeky outcast to popular jock when he gets angry in gym class and runs fast as a way to handle his emotions.  The coach convinces him to join the football team because he is so fast.  Now he is lost because his friends are all acting weird and so is his family.  In fact, his family has even more problems and he isn't sure he can fix them all so he is ignoring them......but Felton is pretty sure he can't outrun or hide from everything forever.  This book is amazing with lots of social and family issues and a truly likeable character trying to remain true to himself even if he isn't sure who he is.

Life is Funny spans seven years and features eleven diverse teens.  It shows their very different lives even if they all live in Brooklyn.  Lots of issues/problems/triumphs on a wide array of topics, this is a truly amazing book.

TJ Jones doesn't care about athletics, even though they come easily to him.  He cares about the toxic environment and bullying happening at his school that isn't being addressed.  After witnessing some elite jocks get away with a horrible beating of a developmentally disabled teen, TJ has had enough.  He vows revenge of the best sort....since everyone covets letter jackets, he will make sure all the "wrong sort of people" get one.  He forms a swim team and stocks it with all the misfits and outcasts and arranges a sucker bet that will guarantee all of them get jackets.  What he doesn't expect is how much they will all bond with each other.  There is a lot to unpack in this book; racism, abuse, ableism, and bullying/toxic culture.  Crutcher writes characters that crawl inside you and take root, in the best sense.....

Ned Begay is a 16 year old Navajo and has agreed to join the army as a Code Talker in order to help beat the Germans in WWII.  Bruchac wrote this book based on real experiences of Navajo.  He shows the pride and trauma of being in a war zone so young; as well as how difficult it was to be a person of color in the 40's in the US Military; along with the added issues of the treatment of Native Americans in general.

This isn't an easy read but one worth doing.....

Billy Bloom's family has moved from NYC to Florida and it is a BIG difference.  He is sure he will have a rough time being himself (unapologetically gay, effeminate, theatrical and wearing loud clothes that follow no rules, not even what gender is allowed to wear them).  Billy makes the decision to not change himself and deal with the consequences no matter what trouble the bigots cause him.  Being himself can be dangerous and difficult but it's better than living a lie.

This is one of my favorite books.  Billy Bloom is not a caricature but a fully developed character who tries to find the humor in scary circumstances and who forms his own band of friends who don't follow the rules either.  Netflix made a movie of this book, that I haven't watched; but maybe will one day.

Alton is required to drive his great uncle to bridge club four times a week because his family want to be remembered in his will (as he is quite wealthy).  Alton has no interest in sucking up for monetary gain, but as he spends more time with his great uncle, they find they have much in common and become friends.  Unfortunately, Alton also gets to see the ugly side of money as he sees so many going to extremes in order to gain favor while caring nothing of the person that his great uncle is.  

I love this story as it connects two generations and the lessons both sides learn......sadly too many elderly are cut off and don't get to connect with their families.

Birdy is a new recruit from Harlem; and he is the narrator and the main character of the story.  He is assigned to the Civil Affairs unit, which necessitates working directly with Iraqis to help ease transitions and limit cultural misunderstandings.  Unfortunately in war everything is confusing and death is always final.  This is a good book with a character of color recognizing the racism of how things are done but also recognizing other issues and having few options but doing his best.  

Willow is obsessed with plants and keeping things in order.  Issues arise when she scores an "impossible" perfect score on a state test and is determined to have cheated with no way to prove she didn't.  In addition, she has recently lost her parents in an accident.  How can a girl who loves order keep going  in a world that makes no sense?  Can she find any support or is she truly on her own?  This book is all about overcoming tragedy and all the ways we grieve.  It is also about the struggle to be yourself when who you are isn't what the world has decided is acceptable.

Dragonsong (Harper Hall Trilogy #1) is about Menolly.  She is a talented musician & song writer in a world where girls can't be harpers (professional musicians).  When an injury to her hand is handled badly, it's the last straw.  She runs away and finds dragon lizards hatching at a dangerous time and saves seven of them.  They are now bonded to her, and they help alleviate the loneliness but are a huge responsibility to a girl living alone with no resources or help.  It turns out though that maybe girls CAN be harpers, and she just might stumble upon an answer quite by accident thanks to her dragon lizards.

Keladry is the first female officially admitted to Knight School (the first was there by pretending to be a man until she finished training).  There is lots of bullying, especially from a trainer who actively tries to make her fail; including a forced probationary year that no one else has.  Keladry though is made of stern stuff and is determined to achieve her goal of being a knight; and no one will stop her.