Cracking the Ice

Hendrickson, Dave. Cracking the Ice. Lodi: West Side Books, 2011. Print. ISBN 978-1-934813-55-3. Hardcover. $16.95 USD.

 

Available Formats: Hardcover.

Annotation: The year is 1968 and Jesse Stackhouse has just been given a full scholarship to play hockey at an elite prep school. Jesse is thrilled about the opportunities this school will provide. However, when Jesse arrives at the all-white academy, he is subjected to vicious racism from his coach and teammates because he is African American.

Book Talk: Wrap Back to the Title Technique 

Teenager Jesse Stackhouse, a talented hockey player, has been given a full scholarship to play on an all-star team at an exclusive prep school. Elated, Jesse knows this opportunity will lead to a bright future. One with Ivy League colleges and a shot at the NHL. Sounds like a dream come true right?

Unfortunately, when Jesse arrives at the all-white academy his dreams turn into nightmares. As a black male during the turbulent era of the Civil Rights Movement, Jesse is subjected to vicious racism from his coach and teammates. He is forced to fight for respect and his rightful place on the team. However, the constant brutal attacks begin to wear on Jesse. Alone and scared, he must make a difficult decision; stay and endure the torment or return home with less opportunities.

Follow the courageous Jesse on his difficult journey to learn if he fulfills his dreams in Cracking the Ice.

Awards and Honors:

None yet!

(Image courtesy of BCLS)

Listen to some of the songs that inspired Jesse in Cracking the Ice.

Respect by Aretha Franklin

Say it Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud by James Brown

Additional Author Information:

Visit the author's website here!

Follow Dave Hendrickson on Twitter @DHWriter.

Chains

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Chains. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2008. Print. ISBN 978-1-4169-0585-1. Hardcover. $16.99 USD.

 

Available Formats: Paperback,hardcover, eBook, unabridged audio CD, unabridged MP3 on CD and Playaway. 

Annotation: The Revolutionary War has just begun, but thirteen year old Isabel Finch is fighting her own battle. She is plotting a way to escape the claws of her evil slaver masters. Curzon, a young slave, tells her she can gain her freedom if she joins the Patriot cause and spies on her Loyalist oppressors. Isabel is soon forced to make a difficult decision; risk her life to become a spy or remain a slave.

Book Talk: Open End Technique
What if you had to fight for your freedom?

This is exactly what thirteen year old Isabel Finch must do.

The year is 1776 and the Revolutionary War is just beginning. Isabel and her little sister Ruth are enslaved to an elderly woman in Rhode Island named Mary Finch. Upon her death, she has requested girls be set free. However, this glimmer of hope quickly turns into a miserable reality for the sisters.

When Mary suddenly passes, her wicked nephew ignores her will and sells the girls to the abusive Locktons of New York City. After a period of terrible mistreatment and heartache, Isabel begins looking for a way to rid herself of the Locktons. She longs to gain the freedom that is owed to her and her sister. This opportunity comes in the form of a young man named Curzon; a slave to a Patriot leader. Curzon asks Isabel to spy on the Locktons, who are well known supporters of the English King. He tells Isabel this will be her ticket to freedom. However, this is a dangerous request. One that could threaten her life.

Is there any truth to Curzon's promise? Will Isabel become a spy for the American cause? Will she and her sister escape from the evil Locktons? Will they finally gain their freedom and rid themselves of their Chains?

Awards and Honors:
New York Times Best Seller
National Book Award Finalist
ALA Best Books For Young Adults
ALA Notable Children's Books
Booklist Editors' Choice
IRA Teachers' Choices
New York Public Library's 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
Pacific Northwest Young Reader's Choice Award
Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner
Publishers Weekly Best Books 
Washington Post Best Books

(Image courtesy of BCLS)

Listen to a few of the songs, recommended by Laurie Halse-Anderson, that compliment Chains!

Sailing to Philadelphia by Mark Knopfler & James Taylor

Ashokan Farewell by Jay Ungar & Molly Mason Family Band

Skellig by Loreena McKennitt

Additional Author Information:

To visit the author's website click here!

Follow Laurie Halse Anderson on Twitter @halseanderson. 

Young Adult Interview:

"I mostly read biographies and non-fiction. I like to read books about our presidents. However, I do like historical fiction that deals with American history".

"I read a lot of young adult fiction. I read about one book every two days".

--Quotes from Emily D., age 18. 

Dark Dude

Hijuelos, Oscar. Dark Dude. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2008. Print. ISBN 978-1-4169-4804-9. Hardcover. $16.99 USD.

 

Available Formats: Paperback, hardcover, library binding hardcover, eBook, and unabridged audio CD. 

Annotation: Fifteen year old Rico Fuentes is an outcast in his diverse Harlem neighborhood, due to his fair skin and light complexion. Tired of being bullied, Rico leaves his family in New York to live with his friends in Wisconsin. He hopes this new life will allow him to find his true identity and fit in.

Book Talk: Open End and Snap n' Read Techniques

What is the definition of a Dark Dude?

(Read from book. First page of Part 1: Hanging on the Stoop)

"1.What a male of light skin is derisively called by persons of color. 2. A person considered suspect because of his light complexion, especially in criminal circumstances. 3. Someone who is not considered “streetwise”. 4. A white person considered not to be “hip”. They are “Straight” “Uncool”. 5. An outsider, particularly in the context of ghetto society.

--From the hypothetical dictionary of American slang." (Hijuelos)

This is a label that fifteen year old Rico Fuentes has been battling his entire life.

With his light hair and complexion, people find it hard to believe he is Cuban. Rico's fair appearance makes him an outsider, and target, in his ethnically diverse neighborhood of Harlem, during the late 1960's early 70's.What makes him even more different than everyone else is his passion for books, music and comics.

Rico hopes that he can one day be a famous comic book writer with his friend Jimmy. However, this goal seems nearly impossible since he goes to one of the worst schools in the neighborhood and his friend Jimmy has started using drugs. Discouraged, Rico starts cutting classes. When his parents catch on they threaten to ship him off to his strict uncle in Florida. Feeling scared, angry and helpless, Rico decides to flee. With his friend Jimmy, Rico sets out on a difficult journey to live with is friend Gilberto in Wisconsin. However, Rico's new life proves to be just as challenging as his life in Harlem. 

Throughout the story we follow Rico on his quest to find his true identity. Will he be able to start a new life in Wisconsin? Will he reach his goals? Will he ever be considered anything more than a Dark Dude?

Fun tip: The book is set in the late 1960's, early 70's. There are many references to music and television shows specific to that era. Look up these items, or ask your parents about them!

Awards and Honors:
ALA Best Book for Young Adults
International Latino Book Award Winner

New York Public Library's Books for the Teen Age

Américas Award Honorable Mention 

(Image courtesy of BCLS)

Listen to samples of Rico's favorite music below!

Peace in Mississippi by Jimi Hendrix

Cha Cha Music

El Sol de la Noche by Salsa Céltica.

Additional Author Information:

To learn more about Oscar Hijuelos, visit his official page here!