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Youth Leaders for Literacy BooklistWinners of the NEA/Youth Service America program Youth Leaders for Literacy
come from diverse backgrounds and different parts of America. These youth, ages
8 to 18, all heard the call to service and all had books influence and shape
their lives. Below are some of their own thoughts on books special to them,
followed by a booklist featuring titles recommended by some of these young
people. Jenna Bush, Cincinnatus Central School, Cincinnatus, New York
"I liked Tears of a Tiger by Sharon M. Draper because it copied my life exactly. It was about a sports star that gets into a drunk driving accident. it realy made the lesson not to drink hit home with me." Ronald Coleman, Romulus High School, Romulus, Michigan
"The Lord of the Rings series by J. R. R. Tolkien were the best books that I have ever read. They had adventure, excitement, and such reality! The Lord of the Rings affected the way I think about life itself. It made me cherish how small I am and how much I can make a difference. The books showed me that you should never give up, no matter what the circumstances are." Cory Rose, 4-H Spotlight Drama Club, Pueblo, Colorado
"My favorite book is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. This book is about a young girl growing up in an impoverished town. Francie, the young girl, fights through the problems she faces with true courage. She has to guit high school in order to go to work, but her determination ultimately gets her to college. This gives me much hope for my future. The book teaches life lessons for every generation and teaches teenagers with problems that life can always get worse. Francie's optimistic attitude throughout the book has inspired me greatly." Kelly Looker, Lakeland High School, Lakeland, Florida
"The book I most enjoyed reading is The kid Coach by Fred Bowan. I enjoyed reading this book because it has to do with baseball and I love baseball! The other reason I enjoyed it is because a kid takes over to be the baseball coach instead of a dad. The team won every game when the kid started coaching. The book made me think that if there was a dad that was too busy to coach the team the right way, I could take over. I think I could be fair and create a winning team." Brandon Gold, Benjamin Franklin Elementary School, Westfield, New Jersey
"A book that really impacted me was The Quiltmaker's Gift by Jeff Brumbeau. It told the story of a rich king who was very unhappy. By the end of the story, the king realized that material possessions don't guarantee happiness. He learned how fulfilling it is to give to others. The story ends with the king feeling that he was the richest man on earth because of all the happiness his generosity had brought to others." Robyn Strumpf, Viewpoint School, Calabasas, California
"A Rose that Grew from Concrete by Tupac Shakur is a book I enjoyed immensely. It taught me that life can be hard or easy depending on what you do. Also, it taught me even if you live in a horrible place, life can be wonderful." Monica Wilson, north Davis Junior High, Clearfield, Utah
Learn something, find inspiration, and enjoy! These books were recommended by the winners in the NEA/YSA Youth Leaders for Literacy program. The winners are ages 8 to 18. All Together Now by Sue Ellen Bridgers Animal Farm by George Orwell Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery Ask Me Anything About the Presidents by Louis Phillips Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey The Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Winthrop The Cay by Theodore Taylor Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul by Jack Canfield (Editor) Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden Don't Look Behind You by Lois Duncan Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine Flowers in the Attic by V. C. Andrews The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand Frindle by Andrew Clements Girl of the Shining Mountains: Sacagawea's Story by Connie Roop The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein Go Ask Alice by Anonymous Go, Dog. Go! by P. D. James Goosebumps series by R. L. Stine Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling Helen Keller: Crusader for the Blind and Deaf by Stewart Graff The Hero of Varya (The Varyan Memoir, No. 2) by Rick Shelley The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom Holes by Louis Sachar The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans How to Be a Wicked Witch by Patricia Telesco Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell James the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl The Jolly Postman by Janet Ahlberg Jump Ship to Freedom by James Lincoln Collier Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix Les Miserables by Victor Hugo The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett Little Women by Louisa May Alcott The Lord of the Flies by William Golding Macbeth by William Shakespeare Montana 1948 by Larry Watson My Dragon's Father by Ruth Stiles Gannett The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway Olive, the Other Reindeer by J. otto Seibold and Vivan Walsh One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss Richard Wright and the Library Card by William Miller The Scarlet Letter by Nathanial Hawthorne Stuart Little by E. B. White Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston The Third Eye by Lois Duncan Titanic Crossing by Barbara Williams To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Upchuck and the Rotten Willie series by Bill Wallace A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle Send comments to readacross@nea.org |
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