This post is written by member Amber McMath.
Obi-Wan to Luke. Charlotte to Wilbur. Dumbledore to Harry. The Giver to Jonas.Coach Carter to the Oilers. Mr. Miyagi to Daniel.聽Karl Zielinski to the Hidden Figures.
Where would our young protagonists be without their mentors? Whether they are seeking direction, licking their wounds, or overcoming obstacles, often our beloved characters look to a non-parental adult to fill the void.
As do our students.
鈥淭oday I believe that adverse childhood experiences and the wide-ranging health and social problems they generate are our Nation鈥檚 leading public health problem鈥攂ar none.鈥� , the co-principal investigator of the landmark study on Adverse Childhood Experiences, sat at his computer and wept when he saw the results of his . 鈥淚 saw how much people had suffered and I wept.鈥�
Most educators don鈥檛 need Anda鈥檚 findings to confirm what they already know: too many of our students have seen abuse, traumatic events, household dysfunction, and worse before they step through our doors. It鈥檚 what brought me to tears over Ally [pseudonym]. She didn鈥檛 complete the school year in my seventh-grade reading remediation class due to a drug-related expulsion. This is the same Ally who begged me each day to read a few extra pages of Pax by . The same Ally who requested copies of Orbiting Jupiter by be sent to her while she served several in-school suspensions in the spring.
My Ally could write the book on the adverse childhood experiences that Dr. Anda researched. However, this summer she is reading a book. I had Ghost by shipped to her house. Not only will it pique her sports interest, it features an important character in Coach. The relationship between the protagonist Ghost and his track coach is the narrative equivalent of a winning lottery ticket according to , editor of . 鈥淔rom the earliest pioneering studies for Norman Garmezy and Emmy Werner to more contemporaneous ones, investigators have consistently pointed to the critical importance of strong connections with at least one supportive adult鈥� (544).
I need Ally to discover in the pages of Ghost the hope that awaits her in a relationship with a caring adult. This is crucial for all students whose own resilience will be their saving grace or whose circumstances will be their defeat. Resilience is far more likely to be motivated by a book than another school suspension, therapy session with a stranger, or lecture about addictions.
While most English teachers don鈥檛 also have a degree in adolescent psychology or counseling, they do hold hundreds of stories of resilience. Thankfully, young adult books are no stranger to characters like Coach who model the vital role of a mentor. Here are eight young adult titles published in the last few years featuring powerful mentors.
by Kimberly Willis Holt
Stevie鈥檚 parents die suddenly, leaving her in the care of her grandfather at the motel he owns. The surrogate family she encounters there restores Stevie鈥檚鈥攁nd her grandfather鈥檚鈥攈ope in humanity.
by Holly Goldberg Sloan
When outsider Willow Chance loses her parents, the role of mentor falls to her friend鈥檚 mother and other unlikely characters.
by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
An unexpected teacher in Mr. Daniels guides Ally through facing and fixing her dyslexia.
by Jason Reynolds
The mentor that Ghost finds in his track coach gives him the guidance and confidence to deal with his past.
by Gary D. Schmidt
Joseph鈥檚 foster parents come through for him in surprising ways as he tries to reunite with his daughter.
by Sara Pennypacker
Peter鈥檚 only friend in the world is his fox. When a war separates them, the hardened but wise Vola gets Peter back on track.
by Ann M. Martin
Rose鈥檚 only companion is her dog Rain who got lost in a storm. With an unsupportive alcoholic father, Rose turns to her uncle for understanding.
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
In England during WWII, Ada, her crippled left foot, and her brother are saved from their abusive mother by the lonely Susan Smith.
by Jason Reynolds
Matt is desperate for a job–and a mentor–after the death of his mother. He finds both at the funeral home where his boss Mr. Ray helps him face the truth about life and death.
Other Recommendations:
by Meg Wolitzer
by Megan Jean Sovern
by Amber Smith
聽by Kwame Alexander
产测听Kirstin Cronn-Mills
Amber McMath is a teacher in Owasso, OK. She currently serves seventh-grade students in reading remediation. She previously taught in Mali, West Africa but now enjoys the adventures of being with her incredible math teacher husband and adorable son. Twitter @mrsmcreading聽Blog www.imthatteacher.com/blog