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Books to Make You Grateful for Teachers
By Hollie Parry

At this time of thanksgiving and counting of blessings, I am sincerely grateful for a teacher who taught me how to read.  Here are some books that will make you glad you're a reader.

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Middle School is Worse than Meatloaf
by Jennifer L. Holm

This is a delightful easy read about a seventh grade girl's school year.  Written in scrapbook/diary form, readers will laugh as they read Ginny’s antics; from hair color, to homework, to new sweaters, to ballet.  I recommend this book for younger teens that are looking for a quick, light-hearted read.

Second on the November list is, Samurai Shortstop by Alan Gratz.  This story is set in Japan in the late 1800’s.  After three hundred years of isolation, new Western ideas were introduced to Japan.  Although many Japanese people wanted to continue with the old ways, the country realized that in order to progress with the rest of the world, new technology must be embraced by Japanese people. It is within this turmoil and confusion that this story begins.

Young Toyo comes from a long line of Samurai warriors.  Because of the ways of a Samurai, his favorite Uncle Koiji has chosen to commit seppuku (suicide) after he disobeys the emperor and has been sentenced to die.  In the first chapter of this story, Toyo witnesses the death of his uncle, which leaves him confused and angry with bushido (the ways of a Samurai warrior).

Soon after his uncle dies, Toyo is accepted at Ichiko, the elite high school for Japanese boys.  The school is developed to create men who will eventually become the leaders of Japan.  The administration of the school leaves the discipline and punishment to the seniors of the school.  This is done in hopes that peer pressure will teach the boys to put their own self–interests behind and do what is honorable and good for the whole. The rules are strict and the punishments even worse.

Toyo, as a first-year, finds himself at the mercy of harsh treatment by the seniors at Ichiko.   He is especially surprised to find himself placed in left field on the school’s basuboru (baseball) team although he is a master shortstop.  The seniors of the team will not even consider that Toyo could help the team by playing shortstop.  They are determined to teach him and his fellow first years their place on the team and in life.

During this time, Toyo is being tutored weekly by his father, Sotaro, in the art of becoming a Samurai.  Toyo thinks that he will be learning to fight, but is surprised to learn that his training will encompass many things that he does not see as part of being a Samurai.  Despite his best efforts, it seems as if Sotaro is never pleased with Toyo.  The conflict between father and son is as pronounced as the conflict between the old ways and the western ways that are taking over Japan.

The reader must understand that although some of the things that happen in this book may seem harsh or horrifying, this book is in keeping with the culture and times of Japan at the turn of the century in which the characters live.  This is a thoughtful read that the reader will be thinking about for a long time after the last page has been turned.  Just as Toyo faced the opposition of the world versus his family values, teens today also face a sense of family/gospel values vs. the world.  I recommend this book to boys who are interested in baseball, Japan, or Samurai.

Last but not least, One Whole and Perfect Day by Judith Clarke.  This is a story set in Australia about a teen who feels like she must be perfect and sensible in order to make sure that her family does not fall apart.  Lily wishes that her mother would stop bring home “lame ducks,” that her brother (Lonnie) would be responsible, that her Nan would stop talking to her imaginary friend, and that she could be a regular teen and fall in love.   

Lily’s grandfather (Pop) finds his mother’s wedding dress and shows it to Lily’s grandmother (Nan).  Nan gets excited about the dress and sees it as a sign there should be a celebration of some kind.  She decides to have a big family party for Pop’s 80^th birthday. The biggest obstacle standing in front of the party is that there is a huge rift between Pop and Lonnie.  Pop can’t understand why Lonnie can’t just choose a major or a profession and stick with it.  When questioned, Lonnie is flippant and Pop loses his temper, disowning Lonnie. 

Nan desperately wishes that the fighting will stop. She tasks Lily with the job of telling her brother of the upcoming party and asking him to work things out with Pop.  True to form, reliable, steady Lily takes the morning train to deliver the message to Lonnie.  When she arrives at her brother’s flat, she finds that things in Lonnie’s life are different than anyone knew. This coincides with a miraculous chain of events in the lives of the whole family, which eventually leads them all to change and to come together for one whole and perfect day.

This is a great read about a family who is led to the very place they need to be ― a place where although everything is not perfect, families can come together in love and understanding to find not just one, but many whole and perfect days. I recommend this book to readers who have ever felt like their family is strange, different, or not quite the way they think it should be.

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