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Jennifer Holm

Turtle in Paradise

In 1935, jobs are hard to come by, and Turtle’s mother is lucky to find work as a live-in housekeeper. When she learns that her employer can’t stand children, she sends her 11-year-old daughter from New Jersey to Key West to live with relatives. Turtle discovers a startlingly different way of life amid boisterous cousins, Nana Philly, and buried treasure. This richly detailed novel was inspired by Holm’s great-grandmother’s stories.
Tweak
Nic Sheff

Tweak

Age Level:
YA

Nic Sheff is destined for a rich life and career until he is derailed by drugs. This wrenchingly honest account of life as a meth addict is the companion book to Beautiful Boy.

Charles Smith

Twelve Rounds to Glory: The Story of Muhammad Ali

This sophisticated biography briefly examines the life of Muhammad Ali. Born Cassius Clay, Ali changed more than just his name through his confidence and convictions. A staccato rhythm emulates a rap and Ali’s words to combine with illustrations for a memorable look at a unforgettable figure.
Twins
Varian Johnson

Twins

Genre:
Fiction
Age Level:
Middle Grade

Black identical twins Francine and Maureen Carter are best friends, but as they start middle school, one is more ready than the other to grow as individuals.

Laurie Halse Anderson

Twisted

After a summer of community service for a graffiti stunt, Tyler goes from being a pariah to popular, attracting the attention of the sister of his nemesis. The humor is cutting but on-target as it deals with real-life issues confronted by teens.
In Two Worlds
Ido Kedar

In Two Worlds

Genre:
Fiction
Age Level:
YA

Seven-year-old Anthony has autism. He flaps his hands. He makes strange noises. He can’t speak or otherwise communicate his thoughts. Treatments, therapies, and theories about his condition define his daily existence. Yet Anthony isn’t improving much. This debut work of fiction sheds light on the inner and outer lives of children with nonspeaking autism, and on their two worlds — and how they navigate their way through the multitude of theories about autism that have affected the lives of many children and their families. As one of the few works of fiction written by a person with non-speaking autism, it offers readers an insider’s point-of-view into autism and life in silence, with warmth, humor, and sharp intellect.

Blog: Shanahan on Literacy

My Two-Handed Opinion on Teaching with Novels

[I recommend] balancing the needs for sustained attention and stamina and the possibility of exposing kids to some really great novels against exposing kids to a broader and more varied experience with elements of literature, literary works, and racial, ethnic, and gender sources.