My Bio

My Bio
My name is Sharon Levin and I've been reviewing children's literature for 20 years. I founded and run the Bay Area Children's Literature List. My biggest passion (outside my family) is getting books into the hands of children and teens. My favorite thing is getting non-readers to realize that they're readers. I also LOVE t-shirts that have to do with books or literature. As soon as I figure out how to do it, I'll have a click through on the above picture so you can see my entire collection (and where to get them).

January 20, 2015

BRING IT BACK #1, GENDER BLENDER

FINALLY, I'm doing my first 'Bring it Back' post for books that went out of print and should be brought back.



Gender Blender by Blake Nelson (Delacorte Books for Young Readers 2006)is the PERFECT middle school book.  When I booktalk it, it's the one that students ask to borrow (or, keep) the most.  Normally, when I booktalk a book, I use my own words (cuz yeah, that's what a booktalk is) but the jacket copy on this book does my job for me, so I'm putting it here word for word:

Emma:

Wants Jeff Matthews to notice her.
Hates sexist boys.
Wonders when she’ll get her period.

Tom:

Must avoid looking like a wuss.
Must deal with his blended family.
Must get a chance with Kelly A.

Then something freaky happens: Emma and Tom switch bodies. And until they can find a remedy:

Emma:

Can’t believe she has a . . . thingie.
Hates mean girls.
Finds out secondhand that her period has arrived.

Tom:

Must learn to put on a bra.
Must deal with an overachieving family.
Must not be alone with Jeff Matthews.
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Seriously, who could resist this book?  I cannot tell you how much students giggle when I say "thingie" Yes, Gender Blender IS hilarious, but it also has great heart and empathy.  So, Random House, BRING IT BACK!!

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 Anyone notice that I again cheated and barely did any of my own writing for this?  Just used the jacket copy again (bwa ha ha).