The book Rickby Alex Gino starts off with a boy named Rick who is going into middle school. At his school he meets a group of people called the Rainbow Spectrum. During Rick’s self discovery, he faces fake friends, new friends, reconnecting with family members, and inner conflict.
I really like this book because it gives a strong representation of LGBTQ plus people. This book is good for people who are questioning and in the community, or just anyone who wants to read anything related to the community. This book is heartwarming and is filled with lots of joy. It is also very easy to read and enjoyable for kids.
The book Hatchet by Gary Paulsen is about a 13 year-old boy named Brian who survives alone in the wilderness. The characters in this book are Brian, his mother, his father, the pilot, and the memories Brian has of other people from his life. At the start of the book, Brian’s mother and father are in the process of getting a divorce after Brian’s mother has an affair. Brain gets on a plane to reach his father, who is in Canada, but when the pilot suddenly becomes unconscious, Brian has to try to land the plane himself. He survives the rough landing, but is knocked unconscious. When he wakes up, he realizes that he has to survive in the wilderness all alone using the skills he has. Brian’s only tool during this time is the hatchet his mother gave him and his mind. Brian recalls memories from his friend, his teacher, and his uncle to help him stay alive. Some of the problems Brian has to face are building a shelter, catching food, defending himself, starting a fire, facing the weather and finding water. These are only some of the many struggles he has. Ultimately, Brian needs to find his way back to civilization and his family as well.
This book is different from many books middle schoolers are reading because this book focuses on a man versus nature plot conflict. This conflict is something that all readers should be encouraged to read at some point because it is unique and offers a viewpoint on life that many young readers do not consider.
CBPL Reviews 