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| **Editors' Note: Each of the books recommended here is suited to readers age 12 and up, although some contain more mature themes, and may be better suited to high school readers. | ||
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Night Talk Evie and Janie Louise are best friends at the cusp of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. Along with their mothers, they share the same house, even, secretly, the same room. No one must be allowed to know that Janie Louise shares Evie's room, because it is not considered "appropriate": Janie Louise is the African-American daughter of Volusia, the house-keeper to Evie's mother. Despite these challenges from the outside world, the two girls keep their "night talks" long and active, telling most everything to one another. Eventually, they are divided by the race wars that Evie cannot understand, but are tearing Janie Louise and her family apart. As other mysteries begin to trouble the two girls, their friendship falters, until, as adults, they meet again, to face trouble together once more. Written with simplicity and quiet evocation, this book is recommended for readers 12 and up.
A collection of fine stories that speak to each other and to the reader in the graceful terms of accomplishment, this book gives a portrait of a Japanese-American family, focusing especially on the different experiences of two sisters. Sasaki writes with an simplicity that draws new readers of multicultural literature easily into the book, developing characters with whom most young readers will identify.
Every young person should read this popular and engaging collection of interrelated stories about a young girl growing up in the Latino barrio. Esperanza is a young Chicana who lives among many types of people, and as she grows older, each new short chapter tells the reader more about her discoveries. Struggling against poverty, racism, and the dangers of being a young girl on the streets, the hardy narrator of this modern classic is a true American heroine.
The acclaimed novel by leading Chicano author Anaya, this coming-of-age novel transcends the boundaries of earth, body, and spirit, to bring a young boy and his curandera (healer) grandmother closer together, as the boy finds his way to his own spiritual and worldly homeland. Beautifully crafted and detailed with astonishing grace, this book is sure to delight every teen reader, as well as adults. Another U.S. classic.
A gripping novel of pain, nurturance and forgiveness, this is the story of one Chicano family's tribulations. Set in the deserts of the U.S. Southwest, the imagery here is gritty and intense, as are some of the themes. What does it mean to fail? To want the honor and respect of your family? What damage can secrets really do? Recommended for mature readers, from teens to adults.
A taut and graceful coming-of-age novel set in a small Oregon logging town, in the 1960s, and the 3 main characters are high school students: one of them, Wade, is the quarterback of the high school football team and local hero, because, in a town of that size, there's not much else to think about. The stage that Cody sets is traditional to the point of cliche: the local hero; his girlfriend; and his best pal, "the Indian." At the time that the three of them meet, Jesse ("the Indian") moves into the town, and Wade befriends him, because he's a prankster, not unlike the Coyote Trickster, about whom Jesse often tells stories. Wade's girlfriend Lorna, who is too smart and too independent for her location or generation, becomes a part of the trio reluctantly, because she sees Jesse as someone who squanders opportunity. Against the metaphorical backdrop of the river, revelations and transformations come about, as each of the characters examines their past, their presents, and their futures, understanding that they don't want to participate the roles that the mix of cultures has cast upon them, and the unexpected begins to happen.
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