Welcome to Litsy!

This was a great novel in verse. Poems are aligned left and right along with other spacing to highlight aspects of the story. It has wonderful literary references, figurative language, and football details. It‘s all wrapped up in the story of Kareem figuring out his own way as a Syrian American. It‘s set in 2016 & 2017 with the executive order banning international travel from Syria and other countries directly impacting Kareem‘s family.

Sometimes you just need to enjoy a book with your supper. I‘m already in the middle of several books, but I picked up this one that came off my holds list. It‘s a novel in verse about a middle school Syrian American boy who wants to be on the school football team. It‘s full of football and bookish references.

#TRS2025 #ReadAndEat #NovelInVerse #MiddleGrade

Beautiful, sad, and inspiring novel in verse centering on a young teen with an eating disorder that surfaced after being bullied.

To go along with this book, I would have students write in their daily journal responding to self-appreciation prompts. This will encourage students to be open about their feelings, recognize if they need to reach out for help, and encourage creative writing.

This book would be an excellent pick for a middle or high school ELA classroom. I would just make it abundantly clear, that if the book does have triggering content, and it's okay to opt out of reading it. Meaning, there would be an alternative assignment/book available to students who are uncomfortable. For students who are eager to read the book, they would gain valuable knowledge about eating disorders, and further, empathy.

“Me: I love when teachers read aloud.
Ms. Burns: Reading aloud is love.
Ms. Burns: May I hold your hand while you read to me?
Me: Yes, Ms. Burns.
Ms. Burns: Jake, are you OK?
Me: Yes.
Mrs. Burns: I can feel something is wrong. I can sense it. Teachers know these things, Jake“ (pg.s 60, 61).
This... really hits. One of my teachers was one of my saving graces while I was in recovery. We aren't just teachers to teach; we are here to support kids.

While I read this book, I keep on circling quotes that resonate with me over and over. As someone who experienced anorexia, I appreciate and treasure this book. Schu is speaking for those who are often too timid to speak on their trauma. Bringing attention to a very real, and all too common, issue that teens and adults suffer. This could be the most important book I keep in my class, it could save a life.

My #BookSpin and #Doublespin are both middle grade books I'm looking forward to this month!
@TheAromaofBooks

You are invited to watch me talk about 10 books in my latest booktube episode. They include picture books, audiobooks, fantasy, essays, historical fiction, contemporary literary fiction & the science of wellbeing

https://youtu.be/PQoEGcUxB3M

Megan E. Freeman's book Alone is one of my favorite MG reads. I was so excited when I found out she had a companion novel. While Away was a good read, and I couldn't pinpoint anything wrong with it, it just wasn't as good as Alone. I didn't connect with the character as much and found myself a little bored at times.