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(3)
4-6
Hyde's original adult novel inspired a movement, a movie, and now, fifteen years later, this young readers edition. Responding to a teacher's challenge, twelve-year-old Trevor helps three people, asks each to help three people, and so on. He thinks his scheme is a failure but eventually learns of surprising results. This is a compelling and touching portrayal of human interactions. Curriculum guide appended.
(3)
YA
Lonely Elle meets her new neighbor Frank and immediately develops an intense crush. Her devotion to Frank is tested by the discovery that he is transgender. When Frank is critically injured in a car accident, Elle must decide what's important to her. Hyde enriches this coming-of-age story with a candid, compassionate treatment of transgender issues.
(3)
YA
Following the drowning death of his brother, Will is more sensitive than ever to taunting by the school jocks. His best friend Ernie, the story's narrator, has problems of his own, but Ernie finds the strength to intervene before Will takes things too far. The intriguing setup and suspenseful ending should keep readers hooked.
212 pp.
| Knopf
| May, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-375-84158-3$16.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-375-94158-0$19.99
(4)
YA
Theresa knew that James had a crush on her but had no idea that her indifference could trigger his suicide. Convinced that she killed James, Theresa assumes a new identity and splits from reality until some unlikely characters help reassemble her life. The premise is intriguing, though the text, written as journal entries interspersed with narrative, leaves much unexplained.
(3)
YA
Cynthia's mother's alcoholism forces Cynthia's grandparents to assume custody of her beloved three-year-old brother who has Down syndrome. Thirteen-year-old Cynthia starts drinking, but court-ordered AA meetings slowly introduce her to a new life. Hyde's blunt first-person prose captures the anger, grief, and deep humanity of this memorable protagonist. The cast of equally damaged but supportive secondary characters is also noteworthy.