Recommendations welcome

[scotlover]

A few years ago, I participated in a program at a local elementary school called H.O.S.T. (Helping One Student TO Succeed). I was paired up with a hardened little urchin named James. I absolutely adored the time I spent with him each week and I took a real shine to him (which should come as no surprise to anyone who knows how quickly I bond with

Comments

[solitarychele]

You know, if it were a girl.. I'd have tons of suggestions. I don't know much about what boys tend to read... BUT I was looking up Missing The Piano by Adam Rapp on amazon.com (which is a good book, but I don't know if it is appropriate) and I came across You Hear Me: Poems and Writings by Teenaged Boys and thought that it could be an idea.

You're so great with the kids you work with Shells... I admire you. :D

[scotlover]

That looks great, Michy! Thank you so much. I think I'm going to try to find it this weekend and look over it. While I don't see a problem with the coarse language (and it certainly mirrors what I've heard come out of most of their mouths) or the stark reality of the topics (god knows James has had his share of stark realities), I don't know how well received the book would be at the Group Home.

It would be a great book for him though, I think, because he really blossomed during the poetry unit his class did in the 4th grade. He wrote several poems, good ones at that, and even gave me one (which hangs on my bulletin board in my office).

So, this is a perfect suggestion! Thank you so much.

[melange428]

Shel: I will ask my coworkers, who are infinitely more knowledgeable about boy books than I am, and try to get back to you tomorrow.

[scotlover]

You rock, Melissa! Thanks so much for asking around for recommendations. I'm anxious to see what your co-workers suggest. I keep thinking of books I'd love to give him or even books I'd like to read to/with him, but I keep getting stuck with regards to the difficulty level.

There are SO many great YA novels (I share your love of that genre, girlie) and so many of them would be great for him, mirroring his experience. Unfortunately, a lot of them are written on a level that exceeds his ability right now.

I'm so excited about this and I really do appreciate your help.

[scotlover]

I've never ventured into the Chicklit forum, but what a great idea! And ditto that on the library communities.

I forsee very little of my "real" work getting done today in favor of poking around these communities. Thank goodness for government work!