Annotated List of Books for GT Bibliotherapy
For use with Grades 7-12
Shared with permission from: Amanda Kennedy
English Literature Teacher at Merrillville High School in Indiana
1 Bibliotherapy Book Reviews
Bottled Up by Jaye Murray
Summary: Murray discusses theme to an extreme with her novel Bottled Up. The main character
Pip comes from a broken type of a home and has extreme circumstances that could lead him
down the wrong path, he follows the path laid out for him. Despite the challenges that the
character faces throughout the novel he grows as a person and learns to discover who he is as a
human.
Reading Standards for Literature
Grade 7
Key Ideas and Details 2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development
over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
Key Ideas and Details 3: Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (eg how
setting shapes the characters or plot)
Grade 9-10
Key Ideas and Details 2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its
development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by
specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
Key Ideas and Details 3: Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or
conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters and
advance the plot or develop the theme.
Literary Elements: symbolism, setting, character interaction to plot, theme
Reasoning: intensity, social outcast, internal conflict, external conflict
2 Every Last Word by Tamara Stone
Summary: Author Stone incorporates serious issues with social anxiety and crafts a brilliant
novel. The main character has untapped potential that is discovered when she stumbles up a
hidden poetry club in her high school. While working through her own problems she learns of
her hidden talents and struggles to fit in with old friends while she tries to make new friends.
This novel touches on bullies, friendships, and internal struggles of a glorious teenage girl.
Reading Standards for Literature
Grades 11-12
Key Ideas and Details 3. Analyze the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to develop
and relate the elements of a story or drama (e.g., where a story is set, how the action is ordered,
how the characters are introduced and developed).
Craft and Structure 5. Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure specific
parts of a text (e.g., the choice of where to begin or end a story, the choice to provide a comedic
or tragic resolution) contribute to its overall structure and meaning as well as its aesthetic impact.
Craft and Structure 6. Analyze a case in which grasping point of view requires distinguishing
what is directly stated in a text from what is really meant (e.g., satire, sarcasm, irony, or
understatement).
Literary Elements: point of view, setting, character building, irony, a variety of poetry elements
Reasoning: intensity, bullying, hidden talent, social outcast, anxiety
3 We Are All Made of Molecules by Susan Nielsen
Summary: A gifted boy experiences a tragedy but comes out on top. After the death of his
mother the main character moves to a new school in order to experience new things, along with
that move comes a stepmother and stepsister. This novel allows readers to become engrossed in
the world and feel all of the feelings that come of being a social outcast even after putting the
best foot forward.
Reading Standards for Literature
Grade 7
Key Ideas and Details 2. Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development
over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
Key Ideas and Details 3. Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how
setting shapes the character or plot).
Craft and Structure 6. Analyze how an author develops and contracts the points of view of
different characters or narrators in a text.
Grade 8
Key Ideas and Details 3. Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or
drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character or provoke a decision.
Craft and Structure 6. Analyze how differences in the points of view of the characters and the
audience or reader (e.g., created through the use of dramatic irony) create such effects as
suspense or humor.
Literary Elements: point of view, characterization, internal conflict, external conflict, climax,
plot, resolution, dramatic irony
Reasoning: intelligence, bullying, intense feelings
4 It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
Summary: Vizzini develops a novel that takes a very serious issue and breaks it down for the
reader. Everyone has problems and everyone copes in different ways. Craig, the main character,
checks himself into a mental health clinic and is sent to the adult wing as the youth wing is under
construction. Throughout his stay he meets several unique characters which help to build Craig
into the person he becomes while allowing the reader to witness a lighthearted side of mental
illnesses.
Reading Standards for Literature
Grades 9-10
Key Ideas and Details 2. Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its
development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by
specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
Key Ideas and Details 3. Analyze how complex characters) e.g., those with multiple or
conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and
advance the plot or develop the theme.
Grades 11-12
Craft and Structure 6: Analyze a case in which grasping point of view requires distinguishing
what is directly stated in a text from what is really meant (e.g., satire, sarcasm, irony, or
understatement).
Literary Elements: theme, irony, satire, internal conflict, external conflict
Reasoning: intensity, self-doubt, social interaction
5 Counting By 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan
Summary: Willow Chance is a girl genius whose life is turned upside down by a tragic accident.
She makes changes in her life such as making friends, suppressing her passion for learning, and
making a new home for herself. Willow was originally sent to see a therapist due to her
intelligence but ends up making friends and finding a resource in the therapist as she lives in a
shed near her illegal foster home’s nail salon.
Reading Standards for Literature
Grade 6
Key Ideas and Details 3. Describe how a particular story’s or drama’s plot unfolds in a series of
episodes as well as how the characters respond to change as the plot moves towards a resolution
Grade 7
Key Ideas and Details 3. Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (eg how
setting shapes the characters or plot)
Grade 8
Key Ideas and Details 3: Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or
drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character or provoke a decision.
Literary Elements: plot, climax, resolution, setting, characterization, personification
Reasoning: intelligence, social interaction, emotional needs, intensity
6 The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet by Erin Dionne
Summary: Everyday middle school student Hamlet Kennedy is just trying to manage her way
through the eighth grade and her parents’ fascination with Shakespeare when she learns she will
be accompanied by her seven year old sister to school. Taking care of her brilliant little sister
Hamlet attempts to navigate the social waters of school and often finds herself making
challenging decisions. The novel takes a fantastic spin where Hamlet learns what she brings to
her unique family highlighting her place in the Kennedy clan.
Reading Standards for Literature
Grade 7
Key Ideas and Details 2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development
over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
Key Ideas and Details 3: Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how
setting shapes the characters or plot).
Grade 8
Key Ideas and Details 2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development
over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide
an objective summary of the text.
Key Ideas and Details 3: Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or
drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision
Literary Elements: elements of a play, internal conflict, external conflict, setting, plot,
characterization, theme, rising action, climax
Reasoning: intensity, intelligence, bullying, social interactions, emotional responses, self-doubt,
family dynamics
7 Ungifted by Gordon Korman
Summary: When Donnie’s interests result in a change of schools he goes from class clown to
student as he tries to fit into the Academy of Scholastic Distinction. Throughout his short stay at
ASD Donnie meets new “gifted” friends with stunning IQs but lack social skills and the ability to
have fun. Donnie brings out the good in each of these socially awkward students highlighting the
basic stereotypes of gifted students.
Reading Standards for Literature
Grade 6
Craft and Structure 6: Explain how an author develops the point of view of the narrator or
speaker in a text
Grade 7
Key Ideas and Details 3: Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how
setting shapes the characters or plot).
Craft and Structure 6: Analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of
different characters or narrators in a text.
Grade 8
Craft and Structure 6: Analyze how differences in the points of view of the characters and the
audience or reader (e.g., created through the use of dramatic irony) create such effects as
suspense or humor
Literary Elements: point of view, internal conflict, external conflict, characterization, plot
Reasoning: intensity, social outcast, intelligence, discovering hidden talents
8 I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
Summary: A talented artist shows promise but when tragedy strikes she has troubles while her
twin brother gives up completely and goes off the deep end. Throughout the novel the twins
alternate viewpoints telling the most compelling pieces of their stories before and after a tragic
event rocks their young lives. Bullies and social interactions are strong and family support is
shown while the twins navigate what should be the best years of their lives.
Reading Standards for Literature
Grade 9-10
Key Ideas and Details 2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its
development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by
specific details; provide an object summary of the text.
Key Ideas and Details 3: Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or
conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and
advance the plot or develop the theme.
Craft and Structure 5: Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order
events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such
effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.
Literary Elements: internal conflict, external conflict, setting influencing the theme and plot
Reasoning: family dynamics, hidden talents, social outcast, intensity
9 The Giver by Lois Lowry
Summary: Basic science fiction based novel holds ideas for a unique society. Main character,
Jonas, is given a task that will set him apart from everyone else forcing an incredible situation on
a young man. In his time with a very influential person he learns more than he can bargain for
and decides to take matters into his own hands.
Reading Standards for Literature
Grade 8
Key Ideas and Details 2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development
over the course of the text including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide
an objective summary of the text.
Key Ideas and Details 3: Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or
drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.
Literary Elements: characterization impacting plot and theme, setting impacting plot
Reasoning: recognizing differences in ability, intensity, social conformity
10 Millicent Min, Girl Genius by Lisa Yee
Summary: Millie is an 11 year old girl who just happens to be a genius. However when faced
with social outings, volleyball, and tutoring a family friend she just doesn’t make the grade. A
beautiful piece by Yee allows readers to dive into the world of the extremely gifted. Even though
it has embellishments but it shows just how out of place one “girl genius” can be in the world.
Reading Standards for Literature
Grade 7
Key Ideas and Details 3: Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how
setting shapes the character or plot)
Grade 8
Key Ideas and Details 3: Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or
drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.
Literary Elements: characterization impacting plot, setting impacting characterization
Reasoning: intelligence, social and emotional needs, intensity
11 Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt
Summary: Thirteen year old Dicey and her siblings are abandoned by their mother and are left to
fend for themselves as they decide to make the trip to their grandmother’s. The children learn to
work together to achieve their goals while working through tough times. Their resourcefulness
and person belief in one another moves the children from location to location as they make their
way through life.
Reading Standards for Literature
Grade 8
Key Ideas and Details 2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development
over the course of the text including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide
an objective summary of the text.
Key Ideas and Details 3: Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or
drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.
Grade 9-10
Key Ideas and Details 2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its
development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by
specific details; provide an object summary of the text.
Key Ideas and Details 3: Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or
conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and
advance the plot or develop the theme.
Literary Elements: plot, theme, characterization, moral
Reasoning: different skills, social and emotional needs,
12 The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Summary: Katniss is a young girl from District 12 and ends up competing in the Hunger Games
in the place of her sister. While she is skilled with a bow and arrow she also must compete with
others to attempt to secure her own life. Collins shows female strength in addition to a society
that is crumbling at the seams.
Reading Standards for Literature
Grade 7
Key Ideas and Details 2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development
over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
Key Ideas and Details 3: Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how
setting shapes the character or plot)
Grade 8
Key Ideas and Details 2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development
over the course of the text including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide
an objective summary of the text.
Key Ideas and Details 3: Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or
drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.
Literary Elements: irony, satire, plot, characterization impacting plot, plot impacting theme,
setting,
Reasoning: intensity, social and emotional needs, friendships, different abilities
13 Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini
Summary: Jeremy is a high school student who tries to make his life just a little bit better by
taking a magic pill that brings a supercomputer to his life. He wants to change his life but instead
of changing it for the better there is a slight change in events. In addition to a strong male main
character Vizzini shows the world just how challenging it is to give up control.
Reading Standards for Literature
Grade 9-10
Key Ideas and Details 2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its
development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by
specific details; provide an object summary of the text.
Key Ideas and Details 3: Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or
conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and
advance the plot or develop the theme.
Craft and Structure 5: Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order
events within it (e.g., parallel plots) and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such
effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.
Literary Elements: internal conflict, characterization, parallel plot
Reasoning: social needs, bullying, intensity, emotional needs
14 Luna by Julie Ann Peters
Summary: Teenager Liam is a transgender teen who transforms into Luna at night when the
lights are off and no one is able to see. A sensitive subject is tackled by a fantastic author who
dives into this teenager’s complex life. Full of characterization and conflict the novel shows
loneliness and depression at its finest.
Reading Standards for Literature
Grade 9-10
Key Ideas and Details 2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its
development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by
specific details; provide an object summary of the text.
Key Ideas and Details 3: Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or
conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and
advance the plot or develop the theme.
Craft and Structure 5: Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order
events within it (e.g., parallel plots) and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such
effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.
Literary Elements: pacing, theme, characterization, climax, resolution, motivation
Reasoning: intensity, social and emotion differences
15 Impulse by Ellen Hopkins
Summary: Three teenagers’ stories come together in Hopkins’ Impulse. Vanessa, Tony, and
Connor are in a psychiatric hospital due to attempted suicide but this is their second chance.
Even though they are physically together these teens are lonely and depressed as they recount
their lives and what lead them to what they now call home. These teenagers are still young but
saddled with adult problems as they try to work their way through this game they call life.
Reading Standards for Literature
Grade 9-10
Key Ideas and Details 2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its
development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by
specific details; provide an object summary of the text.
Key Ideas and Details 3: Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or
conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and
advance the plot or develop the theme.
Craft and Structure 5: Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order
events within it (e.g., parallel plots) and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such
effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.
Literary Elements: internal conflict, external conflict, elements of poetry, theme, flashbacks,
parallel plot
Reasoning: intensity, social outcasts, different strengths
16 American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
Summary: Yang presents a graphic novel with a promise to be an interesting story. A young boy
struggles to fit into a world he is not sure he belongs in. American Born Chinese is a mix of
mythology, legend, and teenage coming of age piece.
Reading Standards for Literature
Grade 9-10
Key Ideas and Details 2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its
development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by
specific details; provide an object summary of the text.
Key Ideas and Details 3: Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or
conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and
advance the plot or develop the theme.
Craft and Structure 5: Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order
events within it (e.g., parallel plots) and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such
effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.
Literary Elements: theme, characterization, moral, pacing
Reasoning: intensity, social needs, conforming
17 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
Summary: Harry Potter, boy wizard, is thrust into the magical world. Not only is Harry a wizard
but he is a special wizard. While he navigates the world around him he makes two great friends
and tries to settle his differences with the rest of the wizarding population.
Reading Standards for Literature
Grade 7
Key Ideas and Details 2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development
over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text.
Key Ideas and Details 3: Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how
setting shapes the characters or plot).
Grade 9-10
Key Ideas and Details 2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its
development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by
specific details; provide an object summary of the text.
Key Ideas and Details 3: Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or
conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and
advance the plot or develop the theme.
Craft and Structure 5: Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order
events within it (e.g., parallel plots) and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such
effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.
Literary Elements: theme, motivation, plot, resolution, internal conflict, external conflict
Reasoning: intelligence, social outcasts, bullying, hidden talents
18 Love, Lucas by Chantele Sedwick
Summary: Teenage girl loses her brother to cancer and her life seems to end. Depression has
gotten the best of her and she is barely surviving when she is handed letters from her brother.
Sedwick allows the reader to be engrossed in the girl’s world as she works through very difficult
situations all the while trying to maintain her sanity for her mother and make new friends in this
new location even if it is only for a short period of time.
Reading Standards for Literature
Grades 9-10
Key Ideas and Details 3: Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or
conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other character and
advance the plot or develop the theme.
Craft and Structure 5: Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order
events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such
effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.
Literary Elements: theme, plot, characterization, parallel points
Reasoning: intensity, social connection to others, emotional loss
19 Lemonade Mouth by Mark Peter Hughes
Summary: A band of freshmen come together when they are all sentenced to detention for
different reasons. Not only are they freshmen but they do not even relate to the rest of the
freshmen. These unlikely friends come together for the better as they prepare to compete in a
musical contest.
Reading Standards for Literature
Grade 6
Key Ideas and Details 3: Describes how a particular story’s or drama’s pot unfolds in a series of
episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution.
Craft and Structure 6: Explain how an author develops the point of view of the narrator or
speaker in a text.
Literary Elements: internal conflict, external conflict
Reasoning: bullying, friendships, family dynamics, emotional support, differing strengths
20 Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
Summary: She is allergic to the outside world and must stay indoors. After suffering terrible loss
Maddy and her mother try to cope with their loss and Maddy’s illness the best they can. When
Maddy makes a friend with the help of her nurse she begins to question everything and life as
she knows it is turned upside down.
Reading Standards for Literature
Grades 9-10
Key Ideas and Details 3: Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or
conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and
advance the plot or develop the theme.
Craft and Structure 5: Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order
events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such
effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.
Literary Elements: theme, pacing, characterization, moral, motivation, internal conflict,
external conflict
Reasoning: intensity, feelings of exclusion, building friendships, navigating family dynamics
21 All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
Summary: Violet is overcoming a tragedy while Theodore is living in a tragedy and the two high
school students meet at a bell tower when one saves the other. Filled with plot twists and mystery
readers enjoy the complex lives of the two characters while they battle through their own demons
and the scrutiny of teenage society.
Reading Standards for Literature
Grades 9-10
Key Ideas and Details 3: Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or
conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and
advance the plot or develop the theme.
Craft and Structure 5: Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order
events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such
effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.
Literary Elements: pacing, characterization, motivation, internal conflict, external conflict,
flashbacks
Reasoning: intensity, deep interest, social needs
Paperweight by Meg Haston
22 Summary: Stevie is headed for help even though she does not want to go. After the death of her
brother Stevie begins to starve herself, hoping to join her brother in death on his anniversary.
Overcoming the ideas she has in her head is tough enough but add on roommates who might
need assistance and an over protective father Stevie might never reach her goal.
Reading Standards for Literature
Grades 9-10
Key Ideas and Details 3: Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or
conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and
advance the plot or develop the theme.
Craft and Structure 5: Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order
events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such
effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.
Literary Elements: flashbacks, theme, characterization, motivation, internal conflict
Reasoning: intensity, social needs, family dynamics, social support
Maybe One Day by Melissa Kantor
23 Summary: Zoe and Olivia are best friends who did everything together, but when Olivia begins
to suffer from leukemia Zoe is left alone. She tries to stay with her friend in the hospital but is
asked to teach Olivia’s dance class, which for the old Zoe would have been fine, new Zoe
however is bound to have problems. Kantor take friendship to new heights as she write Zoe and
Olivia’s final story.
Reading Standards for Literature
Grades 11-12
Key Ideas and Details 3. Analyze the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to develop
and relate the elements of a story or drama (e.g., where a story is set, how the action is ordered,
how the characters are introduced and developed).
Craft and Structure 5. Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure specific
parts of a text (e.g., the choice of where to begin or end a story, the choice to provide a comedic
or tragic resolution) contribute to its overall structure and meaning as well as its aesthetic impact.
Craft and Structure 6. Analyze a case in which grasping point of view requires distinguishing
what is directly stated in a text from what is really meant (e.g., satire, sarcasm, irony, or
understatement).
Literary Elements: point of view, setting, character building
Reasoning: intensity, social outcast, creating a sense of belonging
24