Brighter Tomorrows for Youth Book Club

Each quarter, a different book will be discussed-- books will be provided to youth who register in advance if needed. As we hope youth will participate in the discussions with their thoughts, opinions, and perspectives, reading the book before attending is encouraged.

Food will be provided to youth during the club meeting at no cost to participants.

Meetings will occur at the Brighter Tomorrows Center in Gettysburg (2nd floor, rear entrance). This space is unfortunately not handicap accessible at this time--if accommodations are needed, please let us know and we will work with your youth in order for them to participate!

Book List:

October: "Wonder" by R.J.Palacio (recommended ages 8-12)

• August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. Wonder begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, & others.

January: "Into the Vortex" by John Poidevant (recommended ages 12-17)

• Into the Vortex is a fast-paced adventure novel intended to promote hope and resiliency for youth. The plot centers around 12-year-old Kayden Barrett, who disappears on a whitewater river trip. Trapped in an underwater cavern, he must find a way to survive. His friends initiate a risky and dangerous plan to locate and rescue him. His best friend Jenny has developed a strong and special relationship with Kayden and is desperate to save him. As the story builds, the reader learns that Kayden's personal life is complicated and painful on many levels. Why do these tragedies happen to him? Kayden's desire to live and escape from his watery tomb causes him to look deep within himself and he is surprised by what he finds.

April: "New Kid" by Jerry Craft (recommended ages 9-14)

• Seventh grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan is one of the few kids of color in his entire grade.
  As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds—and not really fitting into either one. Can Jordan learn to navigate his new school culture while keeping his neighborhood friends and staying true to himself?

July: "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli (recommended ages 12+)

• Leo Borlock follows the unspoken rule at Mica Area High School: don't stand out--under any circumstances! Then Stargirl arrives at Mica High and everything changes--for Leo and for the entire school. After 15 years of homeschooling, Stargirl bursts into tenth grade in an explosion of color and a clatter of ukulele music, enchanting the Mica student body.
  
  But the delicate scales of popularity suddenly shift, and Stargirl is shunned for everything that makes her different. Somewhere in the midst of Stargirl's arrival and rise and fall, normal Leo Borlock has tumbled into love with her.
  

Host or Publisher Adams County Children's Advcacy Center