Mrs.+Jack+6



__Right behind You__ by Gail Giles At the age of nine, Kip McFarland is a troubled child. Living with his dad in the Alaskan wilderness after his mother's death, Kip is lonely and jealous of other kids' easy lives. So jealous, in fact, that when his seven-year-old neighbor stops by to show off a brand-new baseball glove, he sets the glove --- and the boy --- on fire. Institutionalized for the next several years, Kip gains a reputation at the juvenile treatment facility, not only for killing another kid but also for being angry enough to snap at a moment's notice. With the help of a patient, wise therapist and the consistent love of his father, though, Kip does eventually get better and is released. At the age of 14, Kip is ready for a new start. But in order to find one, he's going to have to change his name and move to another state. In Alaska, folks have long memories and are short on forgiveness. So Kip, his dad and his new stepmom pack up and move to Indiana, where Kip becomes “Wade Madison.” Indiana, with its "corn fed" football players, shopping malls and house parties, seems a world away from Alaska. Surely, Wade is now far enough away to be able to move past his dark secret. But Wade hasn't counted on the power of the "hungry ghost," as his old therapist calls the hunger for false comforts that bring only temporary relief. Fueled by booze, anger and that old fear of the truth, Wade finds popularity and success, only to jeopardize it all with a huge mistake.
 * Review from Teen Reads:**


 * Why this story is important to me:** This book really drives home the ethical issues of honesty in relationships ...do you "be yourself" with your friends, "come clean" about your past mistakes and hope they will accept you...or create a "New You" who is sure to be accepted. As a high school teacher I see students struggle with these questions every day as they try to fit in with peers. I strive to be an honest person in all my relationships, so this text raises interesting questions for me to condsider.

"To thine own self be true." (Polonius to Laetes in //Hamlet//)
__Thirteen Reasons Why__ by Jay Asher Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker–his classmate and crush–who committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list. Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.
 * Review from Barnes And Noble:**


 * Why this story is important to me:** This story really drove home to me the need for everyone to live by The Golden Rule: Treat others as you, yourself, want to be treated. It also made me realize how helpful or hurtful my comments and actions might be, even if they seem inconsequential to me.

"Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you - not because they are nice, but because you are." ~Author Unknown

 * Lauren Metzinger's Comment~ ** This is one of the best books I have ever read!!! I loved how the book was set up with each chapter being a different story. I also loved //13 Reasons Why// because it teaches a great lesson of how your words affect others.

**Sara Eskandary:** I loved how well the narration kept changing between Hannah and Clay. I agree with Lauren about the lesson that people do not understand how they can affect each other.


 * Emily Winshel: **I agree with Lauren and Sara... I liked that each chapter of this book was a different story and the narrator changed. The author was really creative... coming up with the idea to make each chapter a "tape"... I've never read a book similar to this one before! I think this book leaves readers with a really meaningful lesson, and really gets you thinking about your actions and how you treat other people. I definitely recommend reading this book!