The Day Has Come!

 The final day has arrived to decide on a winner for this year. This was a really tough decision for me but I decided to do what I have done all year, and go with the book I think most of my students would connect with. With that said, I have seen students reading all three of these books at school and enjoying them! There are so many great things to say about The Hate U Give, Holding Up The Universe, and Scythe. 

My final winner is Neal Shusterman's Scythe. The reason I have chosen this book as my winner over The Hate U Give (which was a very difficult decision!) is ultimately because I have seen more of my students connecting with it over the course of the year. I have also found myself suggesting Scythe more often to my students who are avid readers. I read The Hate U Give last summer and I absolutely loved it. It is definitely my type of book to read for personal enjoyment. I also enjoyed Jack and Libby's stories in Holding Up The Universe and I am a fan of the way it was written. However, I have been approaching my blogs and voting throughout the year with what I believe is the best book that I would recommend to my students (grade 8 and 9) opposed to the book I am more likely to read for me.

Throughout the year, I have seen students reading all three of these books. They have approached me excitedly about these unique stories, the way they are written, what the characters are like and of course, the endings. With that said, there has been a significant display of more students walking the halls with a copy of Scythe under their arms. I have had several students excited to read Thunderhead and finding a copy as soon as they have finished the first book. I actually ordered several copies of both for our school library and to use as a grade 9 in-class book club.

I look forward to seeing both Scythe and The Hate U Give when they hit theaters!