It is full on back to school season, a time that is somehow equal parts energizing and exhausting. As I'm not returning to my own classroom, I have time and mental capacity to help other teachers. So, how can I help you? Do you need mentor text ideas for a unit? Are you trying to find a certain type of book to recommend to a student? Do you want to put together a book or reading themed bulletin board? Reply to this email and let me know what you need!

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Title: What Happened to Rachel Riley?​

Author: Claire Swinarski

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age range: 11+

Summary: Anna is a new 8th grade student at East Middle School where she quickly realizes that a fellow student, Rachel Riley, has been completely ostracized. Perplexed by how someone could have no friends, and committed to earning admission to a podcasting summer camp, Anna sets out to discover what happened to Rachel. Anna's investigation reveals a deeply hurtful secret, one that threatens to engulf her if she doesn't speak up.

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It's similar to:

🦗 Chirp by Kate Messner (middle school girls dealing with unwanted sexual attention and figuring out how to ask adults for help)

🌎 A Heart in a Body in the World by Deb Caletti (includes a high school girl who is the subject of stalker-like attention from a male classmate)

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Why it's an engaging addition to your classroom library:

This is a spoiler (sorry) but the secret Anna uncovers revolves around male classmates inappropriately touching their female classmates—and considering it a game. The book provides a critical lesson on sexual harassment and boundaries. Because it's told from the perspective of 13-year-olds, it will resonate with your middle schoolers.

The chapters are structured like a case file. There are snippets of text message conversations, copies of emails, transcript of audio interviews, etc., in addition to narrative storytelling. This variety makes the book easier to consume and thus more attractive to reluctant readers.

An additional storyline is that Anna's family has moved from Chicago to Madison, leaving behind her beloved grandma, Babcia. Hand it to students who have moved away from family recently to help them know their not the only ones feeling a bit homesick.

Depending on what your students need, this book could easily be an independent reading selection, part of a book club unit, or even a whole class novel study. Consider reading it as a whole class if sexual harassment or inappropriate touching is a problem at your school. Or, include it in a book club unit where students read different books about bullying. Use these reading questions (created by the author) to guide discussions.

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Literacy Love Notes:

I've got a new thing going on Instagram: weekly tips for teaching with diverse texts. Check out tip #1 on 100% representation and tip #2 on building relationships. Leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Have a good one and learn everything you can,

Hannah

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