Top Shelf Student Book Club - Sept. 2021 shortlist & top pick

The Top Shelf Student Book Club was introduced to these five books for the month of September.  They chose to read The Girl With All the Gifts.  

• science fiction/dystopian thriller -- now a movie adaptation
• opens with a disturbing but intriguing scene: Melanie, an eleven year old girl, is being transported from a locked cell to a classroom in a wheelchair with many physical restraints;  it soon becomes obvious that she's part of a larger group of children in captivity -- but the reveal doesn't happen until several chapters into the story
• teacher-librarian's comments:  main character is well-developed, likeable, and interesting (in fact, she's technically a genius);  plenty of action and suspense keep this book a page-turner;  the writing is sophisticated but not difficult to read
• recommended for readers who enjoy The Walking Dead television series

• Realistic fiction about coming-of-age/challenges of growing up

• Main character is a few years out of high school and mows lawns for a living until he’s suddenly fired and wonders what he’s going to do with his life.

• Plot premise might seem bleak but this novel has been described as "funny", "satirical", and “ultimately inspiring”.

• Won an Alex Award -- awards for best books for teens that are adult level/mature (warning - 23 year old male humor that some readers may find off-putting)

• quote from readers on goodreads.com: "characters remind you of someone you know or are related to”;  “narration is funny, sarcastic and clever, and [the] conversational tone engaged me from the first page”; provided “a chance to view life through the eyes of someone less fortunate than me"

• recommended to readers who enjoy books that focus upon social justice/class issues

• Alex Award winner (Best Adult Books for Teens - American Library Association)

• science fiction/dystopian

• technically a novella (very short novel) at 174 pages

• the fictional story of African American siblings Ella and Kevin.  Kevin is the “riot baby” born during the L.A. riots of 1992, and his sister Ella has all sorts of powers (time travel, teleportation, ability to see the future).  When Kevin is jailed,  Ella faces a choice -- stand back and watch her brother suffer or use her powers to destroy  institutions that  oppress her brother and Black Americans.

• goodreads.com reader comments:  expect “big themes like racial injustice and incarceration in a dystopian setting, but also a beautiful sibling dynamic at the heart of the story that is simply moving.”; Packs a mighty punch for a novella, it hits on many levels at once - phew...Strap in & hang on *gulp*”

• recommended for readers with an interest in social justice themes and issues -- particularly the Black Lives Matter Movement

• Realistic fiction that has won numerous awards, including the Governor-General’s Literary Award for fiction

• Story of five children who grow up in a residential school during the 60s and end up living in the Downtown Eastside Vancouver

• Story follows the paths of these children as their lives crisscross over the decades; Each chapter focuses on one of the characters; readers have a window into each individual’s journey from their childhood experience at the school to their teenage and adult years on the Downtown Eastside.

• goodreads.com reader comments: Story has “greater emotional impact on Canadians than dry, factual news reports”;  "descriptions of substance abuse and sexual abuse could be triggers for some readers”  although one reader described these scenes as “subtle and not overly graphic; “a great introduction to residential schools for those who are unfamiliar with the horrifying subject matter, and in general a good read for even those who are already aware."

• recommended for all readers -- YA and adult

• Another Alex Award winner

• Realistic fiction:  family drama/coming of age story about  two teenage  twins who, after the death of their mother, launch a hugely popular podcast to find the biological dad they never knew.

• What goodreads readers have said:  “It took me a bit to get into the story, but was soon hooked”; “I did like both of these characters and really enjoyed the podcast episodes sprinkled throughout the book.”;  “totally original, quirky,  filled with quirky and heartfelt characters that leap off the page”

• recommended for readers wanting to explore themes such as  privacy, morality, the treatment of women in media, viral culture, loyalty and trust