Nicky Deuce: Welcome to the family

Shirripa, S.R. and Fleming, C. (2005). Nicky Deuce: Welcome to the Family. New York, NY: Delacorte. 

Interest level: Grades 4-7

Reading level: 3+

Twelve-year old Nicholas Borelli is supposed to be spending his summer at Camp Wannameka while his parents are on a cruise, but when the camp suddenly floods an alternate plan emerges. Nicholas is sent to stay with his father's family in Brooklyn, a family he's never met. His Uncle Frank renames him Nicky Deuce and is determined to make him into a proper goomba. One of the local boys, Tommy, befriends Nicky and soon the two are getting into a little bit of trouble on their own. But what really concerns Nicky is the stuff he found in Uncle Frank's bag. He's pretty sure he's a mobster and up to no good.  As Nicky and Tommy investigate they find themselves in trouble only to be saved by Nicky's Uncle Frank and Nicky's dad.

This novel, authored by Steven Schirripa, an actor on The Sopranos is no serious read. But Nicky is a character that makes you laugh. The stereotypes abound in this short book, but they are mostly debunked at the end, when you see that Nicky interpreted cultural mannerisms and talk in a way based on his sheltered upbringing. In the end, this book is about family. Reluctant readers will eat this up be happy to hear that there is a second installment chronicling Nicky's adventures with The Family. Some of Grandma Tutti's recipes are included at the end, something young cooks will enjoy.

The running dream

Van Draanen, W. (2011). The running dream. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.

Interest level: Grades 7+

Reading level: 4+

Sixteen-year old Jessica is a runner. She can't really remember a time when she hasn't been a runner. It's not just what she does, it's who she is.  After setting her personal best record at an away track meet the school bus she's on is involved in an accident. One of her teammates died in the crash. Jessica's leg was crushed and 3/4 of it has been amputated. She wishes she were dead instead. Upon returning home from the hospital everything is a challenge. She can't get to her upstairs room, she can't shower on her own, and she can't run. Jessica spirals into depression, pushing everyone out as she learns to navigate on crutches and eventually on a prosthesis. When she returns to school she is behind on everything and to add to it, her math teacher puts her in the back of the class with Rosa- the girl in the wheelchair who has cerebral palsy and can hardly be understood. Jessica has to confront her own prejudices about the handicapped and figure out her place in the world.

Van Draanen has crafted an amazing story here. Readers can't help but empathize with the loss, pain and depression Jessica experiences even if they themselves aren't athletes. Rosa is a great addition to the story, tutoring Jessica in math and helping her to strive for all with handicaps to be seen as more than that. Jessica's discomfort at becoming a poster child so that she can get a runner's prosthesis is also realistic, but in the end she accepts it with grace and inspires many. This is a good book for anyone in need of inspiration, and aren't we all? It isn't preachy, just a real story about real like. Readers who enjoyed Sorta like a rock star by Matthew Quick will enjoy this one as well.

The Misfits

Howe, J. (2001). The Misfits. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Interest level: Grades 5-8

Reading level: 5+

This is the story of four seventh-grade students who call themselves the "Gang of Five" to keep people on their toes. None of these kids really fit in with anyone else, but managed to find each other because they are the kids who get picked on and called names at school. Bobby, the narrator, is overweight, Addie is made fun of for being tall and for her love of school, Skeezie is seen as a hoodlum because of his style of dress and his lack of hygiene and Joe is coming to terms with his sexuality. All they want to do is survive middle school, but the other students don't seem to be on board with that. They decide to fight back and form the No Name Calling Party during student council elections. Although they lose the elections they are successful in instituting a "No Name Calling Day" at their school. Companion novels Totally Joe and Addie on the Inside were recently released, giving another dimension to the story.

This book is for anyone who has ever been picked on at school, called names, or made to feel as if they didn't belong. Howe creates likeable characters who take charge of their lives (even if it is under Addie's pressure), try to make and succeed in making a difference. This book spurred the No Name Calling Week movement, adding to its importance in middle schools. I was fortunate enough to have James Howe visit my school this fall to talk about bullying and being different and to read some passages from Addie on the inside. He's as phenomenal of a speaker as he is a writer and has dedicated his life to helping kids who feel like they are outcasts find their voice. Give these books to anyone who has ever experienced or will experience middle school. The discussions that will ensue if used as a class novel are guaranteed to be enlightening.