KellieMI Posted May 4, 2013 Share Posted May 4, 2013 I have the opportunity to work with 8 girls in a group home situation this summer and I was thinking about a book club. Many of these girls are not high level learners, but I thought it could be fun, if I could find the right books. Of course they would prefer vampire books, but I am looking for more quality books. As a mom of boys, I'm at a loss! Any recommendations? ETA: The girls are between the ages of 13-17. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wabi Sabi Posted May 4, 2013 Share Posted May 4, 2013 Age ranges? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted May 4, 2013 Share Posted May 4, 2013 Well, I would personally pick something recent with that situation - something with high appeal but the possibility of good discussion - a sort of hook into the idea that books are worth reading and discussing. The opposite of "school reading" if you know what I mean. Some of this depends on the ages, of course... The first thing that comes to mind is The Hunger Games, of course. But it might be too popular. But you could stay in that same realm... How about Feed by MT Anderson? Very compelling. Very good. Or Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. That one is a bit lighter, but still good and interesting. Or you could go contemporary... The Fault in Our Stars was really good and certainly has a lot to discuss in it. Or how about The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie? Or, how about Code Name Verity? So, so good. Not much romance, historical fiction so it sounds like it would be dull, but it's so compelling and there's a lot in there about friendship and the truth and lies that you could bring out for discussion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted May 4, 2013 Share Posted May 4, 2013 The Witch of Blackbird Pond To Kill a Mockingbird (of course, there is the topic of rape..) Rebecca (met few teen girls who didn't like it) Gone with the Wind The Hiding Place Witch Child Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KellieMI Posted May 4, 2013 Author Share Posted May 4, 2013 Thank you for your suggestions! I was thinking of The Fault in Our Stars, so I'm glad that was recommended! Lots of good choices. I will bring these with me and see if they can agree on a few. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted May 4, 2013 Share Posted May 4, 2013 I find that a memoir-type book that is inspiring and in the end -- uplifting -- can be both exciting and good for the soul. For example, I've read several WWII books that involved teenage girls who have been through very difficult circumstances and overcame them. I wonder if something like that would be good. Wish I could remember the names of those books... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted May 4, 2013 Share Posted May 4, 2013 Jihat's post reminded me of The Book Thief. Pretty heavy, but a great read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1pageatatime Posted May 4, 2013 Share Posted May 4, 2013 How to Save a Life Once Was Lost Christy Little Women Rules of the Road Hope Was Here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
at the beach Posted May 5, 2013 Share Posted May 5, 2013 The Outsiders by SE Hinton. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merylvdm Posted May 5, 2013 Share Posted May 5, 2013 My favorite teen dystopian novel for girls is Matched by Allie Condie. It is also part of a trilogy and I think would lead to interesting discussions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngieW in Texas Posted May 5, 2013 Share Posted May 5, 2013 The Fault in our Stars is excellent, but be warned that it is a heart-ripper. You will be sobbing on the floor by the end. I guess I just don't get books like Feed or The Book Thief. They were both highly recommended and I just barely managed to force myself to finish them. I kept hoping they would get better and have some redeeming value, but they didn't. Not for me. I think they would probably enjoy the Divergent series and there is plenty to discuss in those books. The Hunger Games trilogy is another good choice. Rules of the Road and Hope was Here, both by Joan Bauer are good choices. These are both standalones. Rules of the Road has a sequel called Best Foot Forward which is good, but not nearly as good as Rules of the Road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmgirl70 Posted May 5, 2013 Share Posted May 5, 2013 Just a tip, John Green, author of "The Fault in Our Stars," has a YouTube channel. In one of his series, he talks about literature. If they like his books, you could read the books he discusses on his youtube videos. My daughter (age 19) really enjoyed his commentary on the books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngieW in Texas Posted May 5, 2013 Share Posted May 5, 2013 My 14yo is a HUGE vlog brothers fan. Another thing you might think about is getting them into Pride and Prejudice through The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. The series is complete now, so you don't have to wait for the episodes to air anymore. Here's where you can see links to go through the whole thing in order: http://www.lizziebennet.com/story/ You really need to follow all the links so you can see the whole story as it unfolded on youtube and twitter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted May 5, 2013 Share Posted May 5, 2013 My kids think John Green should be their history teacher. They asked the other day if there was a ... and then they hummed the Crash Course theme... about what we were studying. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyDay Posted May 5, 2013 Share Posted May 5, 2013 My rising 12th grader plans to read: Gulliver's Travels What Jane Austen Ate and What Charles Dickens Knew My rising 9th grader plans to read: Sherlock Holmes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted May 5, 2013 Share Posted May 5, 2013 My rising 12th grader plans to read: Gulliver's Travels What Jane Austen Ate and What Charles Dickens Knew My rising 9th grader plans to read: Sherlock Holmes That's awesome - especially the What Jane Austen Ate book - I had not heard of it and it sounds like a fun read. The thing is, I personally wouldn't suggest any of those books - especially not the difficult to understand political satire of Gulliver's Travels - to kids in a group home who, in the words of the OP, aren't "high level learners." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KellieMI Posted May 6, 2013 Author Share Posted May 6, 2013 I met with the girls on Sat. and they are excited to do a summer book club! Again, thank you for the suggestions. Some of the books are a little above where the girls are-a few are reading at a 3rd grade level according to the staff. I have a great list thanks to you guys, and hopefully they can agree on a few books. I hope we can get through 3 this summer and I'd love to continue it through the school year if they can. All of them are working on remedial skills and it's quite a work load for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KellieMI Posted May 6, 2013 Author Share Posted May 6, 2013 My favorite teen dystopian novel for girls is Matched by Allie Condie. It is also part of a trilogy and I think would lead to interesting discussions. These look great! I read the discussion questions listed and I think the girls would have fun discussing them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KellieMI Posted May 6, 2013 Author Share Posted May 6, 2013 I guess I just don't get books like Feed or The Book Thief. They were both highly recommended and I just barely managed to force myself to finish them. I kept hoping they would get better and have some redeeming value, but they didn't. Not for me. I have tried to read The Book Thief twice myself and I just couldn't get into it either. I keep it on my bookshelf because I keep hearing it recommended. Maybe someday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindi Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 I have been watching this thread in hopes of many, many good suggestions. Anyone else want to chime in? I am hschooling a fc who has a rather dark and difficult past. Books like Hunger Games are not good for her since they set off stressors. I love the classics and we are doing some in school, but since difficult literature is new to her this year, she needs something more relaxing for her summer. Ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 I have been watching this thread in hopes of many, many good suggestions. Anyone else want to chime in? I am hschooling a fc who has a rather dark and difficult past. Books like Hunger Games are not good for her since they set off stressors. I love the classics and we are doing some in school, but since difficult literature is new to her this year, she needs something more relaxing for her summer. Ideas? I think of Sarah Dessen as the ultimate in light, gentle teen girl reading - sort of early teen girl contemporary chick lit - some of them are very issue-based, but others are lighter. But the Joan Bauer books suggested above might be the thing. Or, the lightest girly YA I read in the last couple of years was Anna and the French Kiss - very mild, escapist YA romance. Or, a little more edgy, but still pretty mild and fun - either of the David Levithan/Rachel Cohn mashups - they're both good. Or maybe historical fiction? Like Ann Rinaldi - American history and sometimes mild romance. Or, Jennifer Donnelly is an excellent writer, though less light and easy for a girl new to reading. There have also been several good fantasy books that aren't dark, dystopians recently. Seraphina was especially good - girl, dragons, mild romance, murder mystery. Or The Girl of Fire and Thorns - another fantasy - girl with a secret destiny, finds her way. Or, The Thief - great puzzle of a story where you have to figure out what's true and what's not. All those are very escapist fantasy, not too dark. Or, something by Ally Carter? That's very light teen girl reading. Spies and art thieves. Very silly stuff and not literary at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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