# data[].attributes.body
"Drama" is a hot book right now: all my fifth graders have either read it or can't wait to get their hands on a copy. Unfortunately, the school library does not carry it and I believe that is with good reason. While very entertaining, this story about Callie and her middle school drama is just that- a book for middle schoolers who can relate to Callie's drama. Within just a few pages, Greg kisses Callie and it unfurls an avalanche of ~drama~. I didn't feel this book was appropriate for the maturity level of my fifth grade students who desperately wanted me to lend them my copy. Nonetheless, I enjoyed "Drama" for being a story of friendship, determination and young love. I know for a fact older grade level girls are very interested in this book! I would have it in my library, BUT only to be checked out with parental permission. With this book, students could study characters and how their actions affect other characters and the plot. It would also be fun for the students to act out scenes from the book, as the story centers around Callie's experiences as a drama student.

# data[].attributes.body
In this semi-autobiographical account of her own experiences with deafness, author Cece Bell tells the story of her childhood through bunny characters, superhero comedy and honest insights. I love the art in this book as it is a captivating as a comic book, but contains all the drama of a novel. This book would be of interest to students that have special needs, specifically hard of hearing or deaf students. However, it is a funny and interesting story even to students who are not special needs (several of my students borrowed my copy and enjoyed it!). I would love to share this book as a Read Aloud in order to engage students in conversations about Cece and her life with special needs.

# data[].attributes.headline
The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey *HOT 2016* (2/16)

# data[].attributes.subject
The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey *HOT 2016* (2/16)

# data[].attributes.body
"The Bad Guys" is a graphic novel which keeps you laughing on every page, with simple humor and dynamic illustrations. It was a quick read for me, but I generally enjoy this new trend of telling the bad guys' side of stories which has been popularized by films such as "Maleficent". I liked that even though it is geared towards a male audience, my case study as well as her female friends, have all delighted in this book. This book would be interesting to readers who enjoy crude "potty humor" (similar to "Captain Underpants") and readers who enjoy fairy tales characters. I could use this book to teach about characters and character development, as these villains are attempting to correct their image and do "good" things for once. Students can engage in discussions regarding the "goodness" or "badness" of their characters. Opinion writing could be tied in on the theme of judging these Bad Guys. [Read 2/2]

# data[].attributes.headline
Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson *HOT 2015* (2/12)

# data[].attributes.subject
Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson *HOT 2015* (2/12)

# data[].attributes.body
"Roller Girl" was one of my favorite reads for this project. I had already read it, but I reread it with two of my fifth graders. The students (a boy and girl) were greatly interested in the book just by looking at the title! The author, Victoria Jamieson, based this story on her real-life experience as a roller derby girl, and even featured references to her former team. The story follows Astrid and her aspirations to become a great roller derby skater! However, she is also a young adult dealing with the complexities of friendships, crushes and family. I think this book will interest any student, no matter the age or gender. I would like students to relate Astrid's struggles while trying to achieve a goal to their own lives. Students could write about how they will reach a certain goal- perhaps a career or a hobby they want to tackle, like roller derby!

# data[].attributes.headline
Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier *HOT 2016* (1/31)

# data[].attributes.subject
Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier *HOT 2016* (1/31)

# data[].attributes.body
Published in 2016, "Ghosts" was the long-awaited follow-up project by Telgemeier who has garnered many young fans for works such as "Sister", "Drama" and "Smile". I read this book for the first time during the last semester for my Digital Book Talk project and I reread for this project. Both reads took only a few hours and each time the gripping story of Cat and Maya brings me to tears. I connected greatly with the experiences illustrated in the story, Mexican-American and Californian culture. I used this book with the highest reading group in my CT's class that semester, scaffolding their understanding of complex vocabulary. However, all the students in that group spoke Spanish and appreciated the use of Spanish and Spanglish in the text. I would definitely have this book in my classroom library because it appeals to female readers, as well as reader interests such as "the unusual", "interpersonal relationships", "family" and "mystery". Due to subject matter and complexity of the text, it can appeal readers grades 3 to 7 and can be applied to the study of characters, setting and plot. Students can also learn about the art of graphic novels and can write/publish their own illustrated work in the style of Ghosts. [Read 10/31] ;