What Would They Read: Glee Edition, Part 2

Since I got so much positive feedback from last month’s Glee edition of “What Would They Read?,” I thought I would continue with a few more characters.  I actually had some recommendations in the comments section which I plan to include in this post.

Last month I tackled reading options for Finn, Rachel, and Quinn.  In order to include as many characters as possible, I’m going to do a quick Reader’s Advisory for several more people.

Santana Lopez – I’m going to start this off with one of the recommendations left in last month’s comments section.  While Santana does not appear to be a very big reader, she would definitely find some common ground in Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina (2014 Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers).  In Medina’s book, Piddy discovers that Yaqui, a girl she doesn’t eve know, has decided to target her in an aggressive bullying situation.  Santana would like the book not only because of the strong anti-bullying sentiments she developed while protecting Kurt, but also because of the strong Latina characters with whom she can relate culturally.

Tina Cohen-Chang – As we all know, Principal Figgins has revealed his dislike for Tina’s wardrobe, stating that it makes her look like a vampire.  I assume Tina would appreciate a few vampire novels once in a while.  In particular, I would give her Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber.  While this is a bit of an oldie in the YA perspective (it came out in 2003), I believe that Tina would breathe new life into the title.  In Vampire Kisses, Raven is an outcast who dresses in all black and dreams of someday becoming a vampire.  When new neighbors move in next door, Raven can’t help but notice that they do not venture out during the daytime and Alexander, the teenaged son, hangs out in the cemetery quite frequently.  This could be Raven’s chance to embrace the afterlife of a vampire.

Kurt Hummel – There are so many titles that I would love to give to Kurt specifically to hear his thoughts after reading them.  One of the recommendations from the comments section of my last post was Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz (2013 Printz Honor Book and 2013 Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults ).  In this book, Ari and Dante engaged in a new friendship during summer vacation in which they share many secrets with one another, including Dante’s preference for boys over girls.  I would also love to here Kurt’s thoughts on Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan (2004 Best Books for Young Adults).  Levithan creates a perfect high school in which everyone is accepted for who they truly are.  Boy Meets Boy specifically follows the relationships of Paul, both platonic and romantic.

Artie Abrams – While it may be obvious to give Artie a book about overcoming disabilities, like The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen in which a girl with a prosthetic limb following an accident learns to run once again, I would rather give him a book about music and performing.  The first title that comes to mind is Fat Kid Rules the  World by K.L. Going (2004 Printz Honor).  In this book, an overweight, depressed boy finds his calling as a drummer in a band.  This book shows that things aren’t always how they appear.  Music can live inside anyone.

Sam Evans – In my last post, there was a suggestion from the comment section for Sam as well.  That recommendation was for books by Simone Elkeles.  Sam is definitely a romantic at heart and he knows what it’s like to live on the wrong side of the tracks.  I would agree that Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles (2010 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers) would be a good choice for him.  I would also like to appeal to his nerdy side as well.  In order to cover all of his nerdy interests, I would recommend Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd, a short story  anthology edited by Holly Black and Cecil Castellucci (2012 Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults).

Mercedes Jones – Mercedes wants to make it big in Hollywood and become the next big thing, like Beyonce.  I would recommend Pop Princess by Rachel Cohn.  In this book. Wonder Blake gets discovered and becomes the newest pop music sensation.  But, like in most situations in life, things are always what they appear to be.  Wonder has a difficult time in her new role and misses her normal life.

Brittany Pierce – Two of my biggest reluctant readers on this list are probably Brittany and Puck.  I feel like I could find a book to interest Brittany, even if I would have to trick her into taking it.  Without a doubt, I would give Brittany Cat Girl’s Day Off by Kimberly Pauley.  In this book, Natalie’s talent of speaking with cats helps her uncover a mischievous plot in which a celebrity has been replace by an imposter.  We all know Brittany’s love for her own cat, Lord Tubbington, it seems fitting to give her a book about a girl talking to cats.  Not to mention, the far-fetched plot definitely sounds like something Brittany would think up.

Noah “Puck” Puckerman – There are a few titles I would give Puck.  First, I would appeal to his raunchy sense of humor and give him Spanking Shakespeare by Jake Wizner.  This book includes several off-color jokes and even a few blush-worthy poems.  To appeal to Puck’s more serious side, I would recommend Slam by Nick Hornby.  Like Puck, Slam tells Sam’s story of unexpected fatherhood and how life continues after the baby is born.  While Puck did not get to keep his baby, he made it fairly clear that he would have done anything to be a good father.

That’s about all I can fit into this edition.  I know I’m missing a few.  Feel free to add your own suggestions in the comment section.

-Brand Smits, currently reading The False Prince by  Jennifer A. Nielsen and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling