Now is the Time for Running
by Michael Williams
“The soldiers drive past us. In the front jeep, a soldier sits with
his boot up on the dashboard. He
wears a red beret and sunglasses.
He raises his hand, and the jeep stops with an angry spurt of dust. The soldiers standing behind him grip
the crash bar. One nearly topples
to the ground. The other jeeps
pull up behind. Red Beret climbs
out and walks toward us. His face
is a mask. I notice his black
belt, his revolver in a leather holster, his heavy boots, and shiny
sunglasses. I do not see his eyes
but see myself twice in his glasses.
I look small and bent out of shape, just a scrappy kid in blue shorts
wearing a no-longer-white shirt and standing in the dust.”
Michael Williams’
story of two brothers forced to flea Zimbabwe to South Africa is a story of
soccer, survival, and two brothers devoted to each other during a time of
political unrest. This powerful
historical fiction story deals with difficult topics of refugee abuse, drug
addiction and homelessness but is appropriate for Middle School readers and up.
To find out about the Homeless World Cup
Soccer Tournament
and how it is helping to end homelessness
visit
Monster
by Walter Dean Myers
Written as a film
script from the eyes of 16-year-old African American, Steve Harmon who is on
trial for his part in a murder felony in Harlem, New York. The reader/listener is taken on his
screen-by-screen journey from the courtroom, to jail, and through the events
leading up to the murder. This
winner of the 2000 Michael L. Printz Award and Coretta Scott King Award Honor
was also nominated for the National Book Award in 1999.
Some jailhouse
scenes depict some sexual content and the violence may seem graphic. This book allows its reader to question
what is the path they should take and will leave them wondering what is the
truth.
Star Girl
By Jerry Spinelli
Stargirl is a
breath of fresh air; she has smiles and cheers for all, birthday cards, and her
ukulele is just a few of the things that make her unique and have a profound
effect on her school mates for many years to come. Her free spirit and genuine kindness should be an example
for all to follow to find the road to happiness.
“Live today. Not yesterday. Not
tomorrow. Just today. Inhabit your moments. Don’t rent them out to tomorrow”
