Coming-of -Age
The Cartographers
by Amy Zhang
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Themes: Family & Friendship
Grade Level: Grades 9-12
Summary: Struggling to balance the expectations of her immigrant mother with her deep ambivalence about her own place in the world, seventeen-year-old Ocean Wu takes her savings and goes off the grid. A haunting and romantic novel about family, friendship, philosophy, and love.
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter
by Erika L. Sánchez
Genre: Young Adult Novel
Themes: Secrecy & Family Curiosity
Grade Level: 9-12
Summary: The story is told from the perspective of 15-year-old Julia Reyes as she navigates her grief and struggles with mental health, her familial relationships, and cultural expectations when her older sister Olga unexpectedly dies. This story helps readers understand the aspects of coping with death but also unrevealing truth one may hide to save another from heart break.
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
by Becky Albertalli
Genre: LGBTQ Literature
Themes: Self Acceptance
Grade Level: 9-12
Summary: The story focuses on protagonist Simon Spier, a closeted, gay, high school-aged boy who is forced to come out after a blackmailer discovers Simon's e-mails written to another closeted classmate with whom he has fallen in love. Simon portrays to readers that no matter who you identify never change for anyone and don't be ashamed of who you are.
Fangirl
by Rainbow Rowell
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Themes: Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health
Grade Level: 9-12
Summary:
This novel is essentially a story with two main characters who are twins Cath and Wren. They discover who they are independently of each other. Cath is frightened of their separation, but it turns out to be the making of her as she is forced to face situations that make her uncomfortable, Wren, who was excited at the possibility of escaping the confines of being a twin and doing everything together, throws herself into partying and drinking and lacks a sense of direction. Both discover new sides of themselves but their levels of achievement in their new lives is the polar opposite of what everyone expected. This book helps readers convey the battle of mental health and addiction
The Breakfast Club
Directed: by John Hughes
Theme: Social Norms & Acceptance within Adults
Grade Level: 9-12
Summary: The main theme of the film is the constant struggle of the American teenager to be understood, by adults and by themselves. It explores the pressure put on teenagers to fit into their own realms of high school social constructs, as well as the lofty expectations of their parents, teachers, and other authority figures.
Fahrenheit 451
By: Ray Bradbury
Genre: Science Fiction
Grade Level: 9-12
Theme: Power & Control
Summary: tells the story of Guy Montag and his transformation from a book-burning fireman to a book-reading rebel. Montag lives in an environment that attempts to eliminate all sources of happiness for all its citizens. This can help students enjoy the power of reading and how crucial it is within our society.