R is for Resilient

It’s day 18 of

the A to Z Challenge!

Otherwise known as the letter R Day for my theme

Novels for Young Adults.

Young adult readers can observe resilience in action when protagonists battle and overcome physical or social obstacles. These observations can be called up later when teens face similar problems in their own lives.

Room by Emma Donaghue

Room is an Alex Award winner. The American Library Association confers Alex Awards on books written for adults that young people would enjoy. High school teachers sometimes assign students to find an Alex Award book to read and review. If you’re interested in learning more about Alex Awards, click here. Room is narrated by a five-year-old boy whose mother was kidnapped seven years ago and kept in captivity in one small room. This one small room is the only world Jack has ever known. As the book opens, tension between Jack’s mother and the kidnapper is increasing. Fortunately, living in Room with a wise mother has taught Jack to be resilient for the arduous task ahead. This is one of those books people either seem to love or hate. Lots of 5 star and 1 star reviews. I became a fan of Room and often give this book to students to examine voice and point of view.

Ruined by Paula Morris

A ghost story! Yay! I consider myself a connoisseur of ghost novels. Rebecca feels abandoned by her dad with whom she has lived in New York City when he takes her to live with an “aunt” in New Orleans (who is not an aunt) for a year. New Orleans society does not embrace Rebecca, so she often walks alone in a cemetery near her new house. There she meets the ghost Lisette who is eager to befriend her but who has a deadly request. Rebecca must nurture her resilient nature to navigate the snobby school scene and the demands of her only true friend. Young adults who enjoy ghost lit will learn about the history of New Orleans and its diverse population as well as its history of racial division.

Who is your favorite resilient character? Have you ever taken a lesson from a novel you’ve read?

In case you’re dropping in for the first time, you’ve just entered the A to Z Challenge. Bloggers from all over the world write 26 posts in the month of April, one blog for each letter of the alphabet, six days a week with Sundays off. Anyone who blogs or likes to read blogs can join in. Click here to get started! And be sure to visit other participating blogs and leave comments.