The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater

A true account of a crime that occurred in a bus on the 57 line in Oakland CA in November of 2013. Sasha, a non-binary white teen from middle-class Oakland, regularly rides the 57 bus to get to their private school. Richard, a black teen from a poverty and crime ridden area, rides the 57 bus to get to his large public school. As Sasha is sleeping on the bus, Richard acts on a dare from his friends to use his lighter to set Sasha's clothes on fire. The singular, impulsive act, will change Sasha's and Richard's life forever. Sasha suffering from disfiguring burns, and Richard charged as an adult with two hate crimes facing a life time in prison.

Dashka Slater unfolds the event in a narrative style, but is very even handed in her treatment of Richard and Sasha. Detailed background information gives a very complete picture of the two youths; of where they come from and who they are. Richard is not presented as an evil demon, nor is Sasha portrayed as the perfect upper-middle class white teen. Both their stories are told with empathy and compassion, but does not take a position that points a finger as to guilt or innocence. 

A truly compelling story that requires thoughtful reading. The wish of Sasha to be referred to with non-binary pronouns in the text make the reading a little more difficult. While there is nothing inappropriate for the middle schooler (except the singular act of violence), because of the content, I would keep this in the high school. Will spark many conversations along a multitude of topics. 

Mark's Book Picks Score: Non-Fiction

Dewey: 920 • Reading Level: 6.5 • Interest Level: 7-12 • AR Points: 8 • Lexile Level: 930 • Publisher: Farrar, Straus, Giroux • Pages: 305 • Copyright: 2017 • ISBN: 978-0-374-30323-5 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding

Ghost by Jason Reynolds

Castle Cranshaw, who calls himself Ghost, knows his game. He's always running from trouble and prefers to be on the basketball court over school. On his way home from school, Ghost is intrigued when he sees a group being coached to run. As he watches, he gets cocky and challenges one of the best runners to a race. The coach, fed up with Ghost allows it. The race was close, and the coach is impressed. So impressed that he offers Ghost a position on the team.

Ghost is reluctant, and knows his mother will not allow it, but the coach is insistent and his mother relents. The relationship between Coach Brody and Ghost is now cemented and it will have a profound effect on Ghost. What the coach doesn't know is why Ghost runs, and what he is running from...

The relationship between Ghost and his coach will frustrate you and warm you. A beautiful coming of age story. Jason Reynolds is a gifted writer. The verse flows and the word choice makes the text melodic. My first Jason Reynolds novel, but not my last. 

Mark's Book Picks Score: 4

Reading Level: 4.6 • Interest Level: 4-7 • AR Points: 6 • Lexile Level: 730 • Publisher: Atheneum • Pages: 181 • Copyright: 2017 • ISBN: 978-1-481-45016-8 • Available in Perma-Bound Binding