Great Summer Reads 2020
SLzHS Staff Book Recommendations
Grizzlies - Check out what books are recommended by SLzHS Staff
Ms. Makker
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
Each "chapter" of this book is a poem that could be read on its own, but, put together, the poems weave a story about the author's childhood, family, and learning how she wanted to become a writer. It's a great summer read, especially for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo's 'The Poet X' and Kwame Alexander's 'Crossover'.
Ms. Marks
With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo
I loved Acevedo's second book even more than her first, The Poet X. You feel like you really get to know the main character Emoni, her family, and all of the challenges and tough choices she faces. If you can, listen to the audio book version read by Acevedo herself. She is not only an incredible writer but an amazing performer and National Poetry Slam winner.
Ms. Daly
Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson
This book deals with a teen pregnancy and the choices the two young people make that drastically change the path of their lives. The writing is powerful, and the story stayed with me long after I finished reading it.
Ms. Coughran
This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel
This is such a beautiful book about a family who so desperately wants to do right by their youngest child. Born a boy, but sure he's meant to be a she, Claude's family helps him to discover herself as Poppy and face her world head on. Poppy's misadventures are sometimes beautiful, sometimes painful as expected for a trans-child, but she always has the best interests of her family to carry her through every experience.
Ms. S. Smith
The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater
This book was recommended to me by a former English teacher at SLZ. It's based on a true story of two teenagers who live in Oakland. They are strangers, but their lives become entwined after a tragic mishap on the 57 bus. You learn about the lives of both teenagers and empathize with both of them as they deal with the fallout from the bus incident. Great writing and a good read.
Ms. Bradley
The Life of Pi by Yann Martel
I read this book years ago and picked it up again during my extended time at home. It feels like an appropriate novel right now, since the main character, Pi, unexpectedly ends up isolated on a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean. He is not completely alone, though - he shares his raft with a tiger, and the two embark on an extraordinary journey of survival. I am appreciating the beautiful writing, quirky humor, and fantastical elements that make this a unique adventure story. Give it a try!
Ms. Olivas
The Stike Series - Cuckoo's Calling, The Silkworm, Career of Evil & Lethal White by Robert Galbraith (pseudonym of J.K. Rowling)
The Cuckoo's Calling was recommended by our former counselor extraordinaire Ms. Toni Hart. Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down and couldn't wait to read the next one. It's a detective series with Cormoran Strike as the lead character. He's a private detective that solves murders. Once you think you have the case solved another character comes into the picture and your stumped on who the killer actually is... These books will keep you fascinated from start to finish. I can't wait till the 5th book comes out.
Ms. Krist
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
This is a book that is great because the characters are great! Eleanor is a wonderfully complex character. She is both offputting and lovable and as the book goes on, you understand WHY she is offputting, which makes you love her even more. Speaking of lovable: Raymond is absolutely delightful. Definitely not the typical knight-in-shining-armor, but the "pal" that Eleanor so desperately needs and deserves. The way he seems to understand her from the very beginning of the friendship melted my heart over and over again. And "Mummy" - I don't know if I've ever come across a scarier, more-evil, despicable villain. I would literally shout out loud as I was reading, "Don't listen! She's terrible! She's wrong! You're wonderful!" The mark of a good book is how much you care about the protagonist and Mummy's scenes with her more than any other tugged at my heart and made me care. Overall I cannot recommend this book enough. It is certainly more than completely fine. It is utterly delightful.
Ms. J. Smith
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
Bryan Stevenson is an amazing lawyer and activist who writes about our justice system and how he helps a man wrongly convicted of murder. Without too much effort, the reader learns a lot about U.S. history, our criminal justice system, and efforts made to fix it. Although "Just Mercy" was made into movie a movie by the same name and stars Michael B. Jordan, this book goes into much more depth and interesting detail. Check it out!!!
Ms. Steers
Where the Crawdad Sings by Delia Owens
Where the Crawdad Sings is the heartwarming coming-of-age story of Kya, a girl who essentially grows up alone in a marsh in North Carolina. She faces intense challenges, especially in trying to survive off of the land and attempting to build relationships with others. A murder mystery also comes into the story which adds even more drama to this already compelling story. I loved it and I think you will too!