Tag: wndb

You Ought to Do A Story About Me

~ rachelbenzine ~ Leave a comment

Plot:

Ted Jackson is a photojournalist. In 1990, he was working on a story about people experiencing homelessness. When he encountered a man sleeping under the bridge, that man said to him, “You ought to do a story about me.” Jackson had heard this statement a million times, but indulged the man by asking why he should have his story shared. The man responded by telling Jackson he had played in three Super Bowls.

You Ought to Do a Story About Me shares the story of Jackie Wallace, former star of the NFL. It explores his life, from his childhood through his football days, before going into the circumstances that led to his addictions and eventual homelessness. This would be a great book for people who are avid sports fans, as a lot of time is spent discussing Wallace’s football career. It would also be an interesting read for fans of psychology or sociology.

What I loved most:

One of my favorite things of all time is exploring why and how people become the people that they are. I’m fascinated by life circumstances, and how they impact cognitive patterns and the decisions people make. By the measures of our current society, Wallace had “made it”. He was a professional football player. He was living the dream. To go from the peak, the glory, to sleeping under a bridge, is a fascinating transition. I also appreciate that Jackson addressed some cultural/societal factors that impacted Wallace’s circumstances, in addition to discussing Wallace’s choices.

Read this book if you like:

Psychology, sociology, football/sports in general

Book details:

We Could Be Heroes

~ rachelbenzine ~ Leave a comment

Plot:

Jamie and Zoe both have no memory prior to two years ago… when they both woke up in separate apartments, with mysterious notes indicating that they might have extraordinary powers. Now, Jamie is the Mind Robber, stealing money from banks to furnish his dream of retiring to a remote island to read memoirs and play with his cat. Zoe is a fast food delivery person, and also low-key does vigilante work as the Throwing Star. Their paths cross at a memory-loss support group, where they realize the similarities of their memory loss and abilities can’t be a coincidence. We Could Be Heroes comes out in January, and I’m going to call it in advance as one of 2021’s best reads. Make sure you grab a copy when it’s available!

What I loved most:

I heard Mike Chen speak at a virtual library conference, and I was intrigued the moment I heard the concept of his book. There are countless superhero/villain plots out there, but We Can Be Heroes stands out for its unique plot. I loved that the female character was the one with strength and speed powers, whereas the male character had mental powers. I loved the witty banter between Zoe and Jamie. I loved that the two main characters were a male and a female, and that there wasn’t a romantic relationship between them. Basically, I loved everything about this book.

Read this book if you like:

Marvel movies, superheroes, adventures, origin stories

Things to be aware of:

This book is intended for adults, but I think it would also have tons of crossover appeal for kids in high school. There is some swearing, but there isn’t sexual content that would make it inappropriate for a younger audience.

Book details:

Tune It Out

~ rachelbenzine ~ Leave a comment

Plot:

Lou has never liked big crowds, or people touching her, or loud noises. She may not have a life like most other kids, but she knows she’s safe with her mom. In between shows where she has to sing in front of crowds, she and her mom sleep in their truck. They’re staying in a town that Lou likes, and hopefully they will be there for a while. But when an accident happens and Child Protective Services gets involved, Lou has to move to a brand new place, with a family she doesn’t know. Starting at a new school is never fun, and Lou just wants to fly under the radar. But a persistent friend, a school counselor, and a loving aunt and uncle help her realize that maybe things will be alright after all.

What I loved most:

In so many books about neurodivergence, the differently-abled character is a sibling/friend/side character. That’s not the case in Tune It Out – Lou gets to be the heroine of her own story. At the beginning of the book, she’s never heard the term “sensory processing disorder”. By the end, she’s working on coping skills and management strategies, and boldly tells her mom about SPD and what it means. It’s SO important for children to see themselves reflected in the literature that they read – and not just as a side character. Three cheers for differently-abled protagonists!

Read this book if you like:

Contemporary fiction, complicated families, neurodivergent protagonists, music, theater, accepting who you are

Book details:

  • Author: Jamie Sumner
  • Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
  • Date of Publication: Sept 1, 2020
  • Age Recommendation: 5th – 8th graders
  • Look up Tune It Out on WorldCat to find it at a library near you!