I am an avid book connoisseur, passionate about reading and supporting the underdogs in literature. As someone who struggled with reading and faced bullying and torment from both peers and teachers, I have a personal connection to these stories. Being an underdog, especially one with literacy challenges, is difficult for anyone, regardless of age. This is why I pursued a degree in English and a master's in creative fiction writing. I aim to inspire and support others who, like me, have faced adversity and have found their solace in the written word. I hope these books featuring underdog stories will inspire resilience and determination in you, just as they did for me.
I am recommending this book because it is a profound novel that delves into themes of justice, empathy, and moral growth. Set in the racially charged atmosphere of a small Alabama town during the 1930s, the story is narrated by Scout Finch, a young girl whose father, Atticus Finch, is a lawyer defending a black man wrongly accused of raping a white woman.
Through the eyes of Scout and her brother Jem, readers witness the deep-seated prejudices of their community and the moral courage it takes to stand up for what is right. I loved the book for its compelling narrative and the powerful lesson in humanity, teaching readers about the importance of understanding and compassion in the face of injustice.
'Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.'
Atticus Finch gives this advice to his children as he defends the real mockingbird of this classic novel - a black man charged with attacking a white girl. Through the eyes of Scout and Jem Finch, Lee explores the issues of race and class in the Deep South of the 1930s with compassion and humour. She also creates one of the great heroes of literature in their father, whose lone struggle for justice pricks the conscience of a town steeped…
This is a delightful children’s book set in the captivating Victorian era. It follows the adventures of Wilson, a charming Dalmatian dog. Throughout the story, young readers are taken on a journey with Wilson as he diligently performs his duties to keep his family safe. The combination of historical elements with the heartwarming experiences of a faithful pet adds a special touch to the narrative.
Told from Wilson’s perspective, the book not only engages children but also offers an enjoyable read for adults, especially those sharing the story with young ones. The portrayal of Wilson’s roles and responsibilities provides an enriching learning experience about the past, making it a cherished read for all ages.
He is not a pet. He’s an important part of any road trip. Wilson lives in England in 1841. He paces the horses that pull the Benton family carriage and warns the driver of any dangers on the road.
Wilson takes his job seriously, especially today, because the carriage holds his favorite people: Anne and Robert, the Benton children. They count on him to keep them safe.
Wilson refuses to let the many interesting things on their journey distract him. However, when he smells fear and detects a highwayman lurking on the…
This was a book that I loved reading with my daughter. The protagonist, Jess, was magnificently written, capturing the essence of curiosity and bravery. The story begins with a significant move to a new place, and I thought the author did a wonderful job of portraying the complex emotions of a teenage girl leaving behind her old life.
This book was incredibly engaging and easy to get lost in, making it a delightful read for both my daughter and myself.
A haunting and gripping mystery that you won't be able to put down.
The doorstep was black, shiny as glass. Through the layer of dead leaves and yuck, some words shone through. Words, carved on the doorstep! Scraping the leaves away, I found some symbols, and in English: WHERE -SILON DWELLS
Inside an abandoned cottage on the remote island of Lume, Jess encounters an eerie ghost-like presence. She also finds three locked boxes and, as she earns the right to unlock each, the contents send her mind spinning.
Gradually, Jess unravels the mysteries, guided by the mysterious Epsilon. But is…
I highly recommend this book. It is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that delves deeply into themes of identity, gaming culture, and social justice. The story follows Kiera Johnson, a high school student who secretly develops a virtual reality game called SLAY, designed to celebrate Black culture.
The writing is exceptionally well-crafted, and the characters are richly developed, making it a gripping read that resonates on multiple levels. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in contemporary young adult fiction with a strong, empowering message.
4
authors picked
Slay
as one of their favorite books, and they share
why you should read it.
This book is for kids age
13,
14,
15, and
16.
What is this book about?
'We are different ages, genders and traditions ... but tonight we all SLAY'
Black Panther meets Ready Player One. A fierce teen game developer battles a real-life troll intent on ruining the Black Panther-inspired video game she created and the safe community it represents for black gamers.
By day, seventeen-year-old Kiera Johnson is a college student, and one of the only black kids at Jefferson Academy. By night, she joins hundreds of thousands of black gamers who duel worldwide in the secret online role-playing card game, SLAY.
No one knows Kiera is the game developer - not even her boyfriend,…
This book left me utterly speechless; words alone cannot capture the depth of my admiration and love for it. As a long-time fan of Stephen King’s work, I had stopped reading his recent novels because I felt they didn't measure up to his earlier masterpieces. However, when my daughter recommended it to me, insisting I would love it, she was absolutely right.
I devoured all 598 pages over a single weekend. The story captivated me from start to finish, rekindling my appreciation for King's unparalleled storytelling. I was especially drawn to the characters Charlie and Radar, the dog, whose journey and relationship added layers of emotion and intrigue to an already gripping narrative. This isn't just a book; it's an experience that will stay with me for a long time.
A #1 New York Times Bestseller and New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice!
Legendary storyteller Stephen King goes into the deepest well of his imagination in this spellbinding novel about a seventeen-year-old boy who inherits the keys to a parallel world where good and evil are at war, and the stakes could not be higher—for that world or ours.
Charlie Reade looks like a regular high school kid, great at baseball and football, a decent student. But he carries a heavy load. His mom was killed in a hit-and-run accident when he was seven, and grief drove his dad…
This book delves into the life of Alowishus, an unconventional hero at Browning Academy, a place where magic is both wonderful and perilous. An orphan barred from practicing magic, Alowishus suddenly finds her life turned upside down by the discovery of a mysterious book and key. While she initially lacks magical abilities, the secrets she uncovers awaken a dormant power within her.
This newfound magic, however, comes with a deadly risk—threatening her life and those of her dearest friends. As Alowishus navigates the complex dynamics of Browning Academy, she must confront strict rules, student politics, and an ancient evil, all while trying to master her dangerous abilities. The story is a thrilling journey of self-discovery, friendship, and the high stakes of wielding forbidden power.
I once saw a play at the renowned Oregon Shakespeare Theatre. A play about Sor Juana. It was a good play, but it felt like something was missing like jalapenos left out of enchiladas. The play kept nudging me to look further to find Sor Juana, and so for the next five years, I did so. I read and read more. I listened for her voice, and that is where I heard her life come alive. This isn’t the only possibility for Sor Juana’s life; it is just the one I heard.
Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, this brilliant 17th century nun flew through Mexico City on the breeze of poetry and philosophy. She met with princes of the Church, and with the royalty of Spain and Mexico. Then she met a stunning, powerful woman with lavender eyes, la Vicereine Maria Louisa, and her life changed forever. As her fame grew, she dared to challenge the diabolical Archbishop once too often, and he threw her in front of the Inquisition, where she stood, alone.
Sor Juana's work is studied still today, and justifiably so. Scholars study her months on end; mystics…
This astonishingly brilliant 17th century poet and dramatist, this nun, flew through Mexico City on wings of inspiration. Having no dowry, she chose the life of a nun so that she might learn, so that she might write, so that she might meet the most fascinating people of the western world. She accomplished all of that, and more.
One day a woman with violet eyes, eyes the color of passion flowers, entered her life. It was the new Vicereine, Maria Luisa. As the two most powerful women in Mexico City, the bond between them crossed politics and wound them in…
