The Fault in our Stars

Green, John. (2012). The fault in our stars.  NY: Penguin Random.  This book is about a girl named Hazle Grace Lancaster .  Hazle's mother decides that she is depressed and she needs to go to a support group to help her cope with her illness.  Hazle has cancer.  She meets a guy at her support group who has, Osteosarcoma his name is Gus Waters.  Hazle and Gus begins a great friendship.  Gus loves Hazle, but Hazle doesn’t want to hurt him because she knows she is terminally ill.  Hazle loves this novel called An Imperial Affliction by Peter Van Houten.  Hazle wants to meet the author of this book.  Boyfriend, Gus arranges contact with Peter Van Houten. Peter invites them to go to Amsterdam to see him but the doctors and her parents are against it.  Finally they approve her to go to Amsterdam.  She meets the writer and realizes that the author is not willing to reveal to her about the ending. Gus her boyfriend is strong for her, but she soon finds out he is dying of cancer.  She stays strong and positive but Gus dies and she speaks at his funeral.  This is great emotional love story.  The story teaches us about love and life itself.  It is sad knowing that you have young people dealing with illnesses and having to find truth and love.  Havighurst’s Theory of Developmental Task; Adolescents undergo changing relationships with parents.   Her relationship with her parents is changing as she grows up.  She wants her parents to have a life after her and she realizes that her mom is going to college.  She is very happy about this.

Janis Joplin

Angel, A. (2010). Janis joplin: Rise up singing. NY: Amulet.  

This book is about Janis Joplin, she is the influential figures in rock-and-roll history. Her story is told in detailed about a young girl who struggles with rules and a singer who works hard on her career.  Janis Joplin was born in 1943 and died 1970 at the age of 27.  The book includes photos and quotes from friends and band mates.  I loved this story because, I really enjoy reading about someone’s life.  Janis Joplin is a true icon because of the things she accomplished with a short time on earth.  Havighurst's theory about adolescents must develop morals and values.  Havighurst states that you can reject some and gain others.    

The Tequila Worm

Canales, V. (2005). The tequila worm. NY: Wendy Lamb Books/Random House

A young Mexican American girl named Sophia will learn that her roots and being true to yourself is so important in life. Sophia is a very smart girl who works hard and gets into the top schools.   Sophia wants to live the good life away from heritage.   Sophia dad tells her she will understand one day how important your heritage is.  She soon realizes that family is everything through her trials and tribulations.  This is a great story to show how we can really find the true meaning of family. This book could be a great resource for teachers to expose students to different culture and tradition.  The recommendation age for this book is 14-18. Students can apply this text to their own lives, and ask themselves what sacrifices they are willing to make to in order to improve their lives. Havighurst’s says that teens need to learn how to get along with peers.  Sophia had to accept others differences and learn how to work cooperatively. 

The Chocolate War

Cormier, R. (1974). The chocolate war. NY: Delacorte.

Jerry Renault has been challenged by a gang that runs the school not to sell chocolates in the annual chocolate drive. Jerry decides to rebel against the gang and decides  to sell the chocolate.   In the end Jerry must decide to sell the chocolate because in the words of T. S. Elliot, “disturb the universe”.  This decision will cost him dearly. Jerry becomes in a hero because he stands up against the gang.  I really enjoyed this book, because it took something so juvenile, like selling chocolates and turned into a cause to stand up to something.  Kohlberg’s preconventional is modeled in this book because of the conflict of doing right and wrong. 

Annie On My Mind

Garden, N. (1982). Annie on my mind. NY: FSG.  The story is about high school senior Liza, who falls in deeply love with Annie, whose school is as rough as Liza's is sheltered. Not only does Liza have to come to terms with her own feelings, but she also has to deal with the reactions of her parents and her school's administration.  This book was published in 1982 and it was initially well received, but in 1993 it was burned in Kansas City and removed from school libraries in several districts.  It was part of a First Amendment lawsuit when a group of teenagers fought to have the book put back into the library.  Havighurst’s adolescents have to adapt to their physical bodies and must define their appropriate sex roles.  Because the Liza and Annie are exploring the development of sex roles.

It's Perfectly Normal

Harris, R. (2009). It’s perfectly normal. Boston, MA: Candlewick Press.  This is an informational book about changing bodies, growing up, and sexual health. The book explains body parts for both males and females.  It also explains about sexual behaviors among male and female.  It also explains about having babies.   The book has a lot of illustrations to help aid the reader.   This book is a controversial book because of its topic. I feel this book might be suitable for ages 15 -18.  It says ages 10 and up but I feel like it should be for an older audience.  This is a book that explores physical development. According to Havighurst's  adolescents have to adapt to their physical bodies and this book explains that.  

Monster

Myers, W. D. (1999). Monster. NY: Harper

A sixteen year old boy named Steve Harmon is on trial for murder after he is accused as acting as a lookout during a robbery.  Steve is an aspiring filmmaker who records his events in a screenplay format. Steve tells the story from his point of view.  The end of the story Steve is found not guilty.  This is a great story because it shows how someone can be smart and talented, but get mixed up with the wrong crowd.  This is great for ages 13 and up.  This book can teach your students about making decisions that are wrong and the consequences of the decisions.  It really makes you think about life and choices we make. Havighurst developmental task of morals and values.  Steve has to examine his moral values.