This morning I observed an eighth grade language arts class finish up a Book Club unit on Immigration Stories. The students were analyzing quotes to create presentations about their character's immigration journey: their obstacles and dreams, losses and gains. I was reminded that with some student choice, a bit of teamwork, and a whole lot of meaningful content, our students will become intrepid readers and writers.

And now on to our featured book this week: a must-have for your high school classroom.

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Title: Baby & Solo​

Author: Lisabeth Posthuma

Genre: Realistic fiction

Age range: 15+

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Joel (aka “Solo”) has his first shot at a “normal” teenage life after dealing with the fallout of a tragedy when he was a kid: he’s going to work in a movie rental store. There, he forms a quick friendship with Nicole (aka “Baby”) and together they face their present-day challenges—all while gaining the strength to confront the lingering trauma of Solo’s past.

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It's similar to:

• ​The Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks by Mackenzi Lee (young man must address his mental health before it prevents him from having a future)
• ​Looking for Alaska by John Green (teenage boy must come to understand and ultimately accept how tragedy has changed him)
• ​A Heart in a Body in the World by Deb Caletti (high school senior trying to cope with the after-effects of trauma)

How I'd teach it:

If I were a high school health teacher, I would keep Baby & Solo on my shelves at all times. It non-judgmentally addresses teenage pregnancy and abortion. It centers on a character dealing with intense mental health issues—including stays in a psychiatric hospital—and shows him learning to thrive despite that. And it has a slowly developed LGBTQ+ theme that’s sure to cultivate empathy and compassion in readers of all ages.

Learn more:

A helpful group of book lovers and educators helped me create this list of books that feature transgender characters. If that’s the element of Baby & Solo that a student loves, use the list to find more great titles.

Posthuma’s Author’s Note is well worth a read—especially if you’re a millennial reflecting on how growing up in the 90s has shaped you.

My final two cents: Come for the 90s pop culture, stay for the reveal that will break your heart and make you swear to be better.

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Literacy Love Notes:

I appreciate the Real Talk discussion strategy outlined here and you, too, may find it be something that elevates student conversations in your classroom.

I’m still wrapping my mind around ChatGPT—both what it is and implications for the classroom. If you’re in the same boat, check out Truth for Teacher’s ChatGPT Guide. (And then let me know if you use it in your classroom!)

Have a good one and learn everything you can,

Hannah

PS: Do you know another teacher that would enjoy learning about the books featured in this newsletter? If so, invite them to read past issues and sign up for future ones. ​

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