This week we put on our Nancy Drew hats and did some investigating: what do REAL teens REALLY like? In case anyone has some preconceived notions about teens liking "fluff" — those notions can be forgotten immediately. Today's teens are interested in social justice, anti-bullying, and more. Judging by these books, I think the future is in good hands.
Yousafzai, Malala. (2013.) I Am Malala. New York City, New York: Little, Brown and Company.
Plot summary: Malala Yousafzai bravely fought for her right to an education under Taliban rule. As a result, when she was 15, someone tried to execute her — by shooting her in the head. Despite all odds, Malala survived, and has become an international symbol of human rights, and a speaker at the U.N.
Where I found it: A friend’s teen daughter recommended I am Malala, as it is her favorite book.
Why I chose it: Malala is many things, including brave, eloquent, and the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner. She is a role model for all teens and I love that a friend’s daughter said that it is her favorite book.
Spinelli, Jerry. (2000.) Stargirl. New York City, New York: Knopf/Everyman’s Library.
Plot summary: Stargirl is a proud nonconformist who places love at the root of her actions: she sends secret cards to lift people’s spirits, she sings happy birthday to students at her high school, and she cheers for all teams at sporting events - not just the people who are on her side. Stargirl covers Stargirl’s tumultuous high school career at Mica High School, where popularity is a fickle and fleeting thing, and where standing out often means that you will be left out.
Where I found it: My teen cousin named this book as her favorite!
Why I chose it: I’ve always loved the quote, “Don’t mistake my kindness for weakness” - and it seems like Stargirl embodies that message. Most times, kindness is the evidence of a deep strength.
Lippincott, Rachael. (2018.) Five Feet Apart. New York City, New York: Simon & Schuster.
Plot Summary: Will and Stella are both 17 years old and patients at the same hospital, where they are both receiving treatment for cystic fibrosis. The hospital’s rules require that they maintain a distance of six feet (and then downgraded to five feet) from people around them. Sparks fly between Will and Stella as they grow a relationship. From the publisher: “Living on borrowed time means making every moment count, and as the challenges mount, Will and Stella will discover a strength within themselves and each other that transcends the distance between them.”
Where I found it: I found Five Feet Apart on the NYT bestseller list, where it has held a spot for 35 weeks.
Why I chose it: Millions of teens can’t be wrong...right? I also find it remarkable that this book is actually based on the screenplay, which was written by Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis. The book was released in November 2018, and the movie was released in March 2019. I would love to know the strategy behind this two-pronged effort, and if it was successful. Was the goal to boost movie viewings? Or did they always intend to release a book, in order to make as much money as possible? Regardless of the motivation, it appears that the book and the movie were both successes.
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