Here is the book on Amazon.
One thing that makes me appreciate a book is when fairly cliche elements are pulled together in new ways. Lovesick does that with conviction. In this book is a car crash, involving a young adult. This young man carries the badge of "drunk driver" and has to learn to face the consequences of his actions. There is a billionaire, a young woman with bulimia, alcoholism, love, lies and college life. While these elements appear in many young adult novels, this book left me without words. I didn't even know how to react. It pulled me in so quickly and then, all of a sudden, it was over. I loved it.
This book presents a coming-of-age story within the confines of a new and different plot. It is powerful and eye-opening without being overly focused on morality. It really makes readers think about the complexity of their actions, especially when those actions potentially hurt someone else. This book has the ability to speak to a wide audience, both male and female. This book was captivating. The voices are clear and full of intensity, and emails keep the story moving.
I would love to use it Lovesick in small book groups in the classroom. I think, between the subject matter and the complexity of the plot, I would like to let students have the option of reading it. I do feel this book would benefit from being used in discussion. It raises a lot of thoughts and questions that I believe are perfectly appropriate for the high school classroom.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Here is the book on Amazon.
I had to review this book. For some reason, I couldn't really leave it alone. While reading, I couldn't put this book down, but after I did, I found myself unhappy with the experience. The book was well-written, there is not doubt about that. The way Asher weaves his words is powerful and the character voices are strong. What really got me was the plot. It sounds almost foolish to say that the plot is the thing that did me in, but it's true. I couldn't imagine using this book in the classroom because personally, I found it disturbing and it sat with me for weeks.
Thirteen Reasons Why is centered around a high school boy who has received a mysterious package in the mail. He eventually decides to open it and discovers he has been sent a series of audiotapes recorded by a classmate, Hannah (and coincidentally, his crush), who has recently committed suicide. As the story continues we come to discover that there are thirteen sides of the tapes to listen to and thirteen students involved. Each one is part of a puzzle that makes up the reasons behind Hannah's suicide.
Obviously, these tapes ripple through the adolescent community, but because there is a heavy sense of guilt and blame, only the holders of the tapes know who they are. Hannah's tale is devastating, but what struck me more was the devastation she caused for the thirteen people "responsible" for her actions. This is why I could never teach this book.
Maybe it is only my personal issue. Maybe I am reading this wrong or am unable to separate my own feelings from my ability to teach, but I feel that this book would be very difficult for me to use in the classroom. I think it would take an exemplary group of students to be able to separate Hannah's blame from the reality of the situation. I would never want students to feel like they could be responsible for someones decision to commit suicide, and I fear that this book to spark that thought.
All in all, it was worth reading, but I wouldn't necessarily be comfortable using it in the classroom.
I had to review this book. For some reason, I couldn't really leave it alone. While reading, I couldn't put this book down, but after I did, I found myself unhappy with the experience. The book was well-written, there is not doubt about that. The way Asher weaves his words is powerful and the character voices are strong. What really got me was the plot. It sounds almost foolish to say that the plot is the thing that did me in, but it's true. I couldn't imagine using this book in the classroom because personally, I found it disturbing and it sat with me for weeks.
Thirteen Reasons Why is centered around a high school boy who has received a mysterious package in the mail. He eventually decides to open it and discovers he has been sent a series of audiotapes recorded by a classmate, Hannah (and coincidentally, his crush), who has recently committed suicide. As the story continues we come to discover that there are thirteen sides of the tapes to listen to and thirteen students involved. Each one is part of a puzzle that makes up the reasons behind Hannah's suicide.
Obviously, these tapes ripple through the adolescent community, but because there is a heavy sense of guilt and blame, only the holders of the tapes know who they are. Hannah's tale is devastating, but what struck me more was the devastation she caused for the thirteen people "responsible" for her actions. This is why I could never teach this book.
Maybe it is only my personal issue. Maybe I am reading this wrong or am unable to separate my own feelings from my ability to teach, but I feel that this book would be very difficult for me to use in the classroom. I think it would take an exemplary group of students to be able to separate Hannah's blame from the reality of the situation. I would never want students to feel like they could be responsible for someones decision to commit suicide, and I fear that this book to spark that thought.
All in all, it was worth reading, but I wouldn't necessarily be comfortable using it in the classroom.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Converting Kate by Beckie Weinheimer
Here is the book on Amazon.
Okay, first of all, I just want to say that I really really liked this book. The plot was unique, it was set in Maine and the writing was really enjoyable to read.
Now, moving on to the more "professional " feedback. Beckie Weinheimer reminded me, yet again, why I love living in Maine. She was able to capture the sort of "crusty" nature of Mainers while also highlighting the strengths of the people. Kate Anderson is a 15-year-old young woman caught in the middle of a divorce. While her parents split when she was 10, the conflict is still not settled on the battlefield of religion.
After the divorce, Kate's faith weakened and this causes turmoil between her and her mother. The black and white view of her mother's church and the grayscale options of the new world around her cause Kate to examine her life and who she is. This book really looks at a lot of the internal struggles adolescents face -- struggles that others may never really see. I think it's a valuable book and could definitely be used in the classroom. I would like to use it as an example of how important setting is and as a way to illustrate to students that there are many of angles from which to tell a story.
Converting Kate seems like it would be appropriate for almost any age in the high school spectrum. I really liked this because it made me feel like I didn't need to seek a certain audience to teach this text and I could really use it at my discretion without worrying too much about appropriateness. It's a well-written book and I think students would really enjoy it. I think it could also be useful as a bridge to discussions about the moral issues surrounding religion, so this book really has multiple applications.
Okay, first of all, I just want to say that I really really liked this book. The plot was unique, it was set in Maine and the writing was really enjoyable to read.
Now, moving on to the more "professional " feedback. Beckie Weinheimer reminded me, yet again, why I love living in Maine. She was able to capture the sort of "crusty" nature of Mainers while also highlighting the strengths of the people. Kate Anderson is a 15-year-old young woman caught in the middle of a divorce. While her parents split when she was 10, the conflict is still not settled on the battlefield of religion.
After the divorce, Kate's faith weakened and this causes turmoil between her and her mother. The black and white view of her mother's church and the grayscale options of the new world around her cause Kate to examine her life and who she is. This book really looks at a lot of the internal struggles adolescents face -- struggles that others may never really see. I think it's a valuable book and could definitely be used in the classroom. I would like to use it as an example of how important setting is and as a way to illustrate to students that there are many of angles from which to tell a story.
Converting Kate seems like it would be appropriate for almost any age in the high school spectrum. I really liked this because it made me feel like I didn't need to seek a certain audience to teach this text and I could really use it at my discretion without worrying too much about appropriateness. It's a well-written book and I think students would really enjoy it. I think it could also be useful as a bridge to discussions about the moral issues surrounding religion, so this book really has multiple applications.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi
Here is the book on Amazon.
This was my first graphic novel experience and to be honest, I was highly impressed! For some reason, I had this horrible idea that because there were pictures that the text would be minimal. I'll be the first to admit that I was wrong. Marjane Satrapi has written an excellent book that has depth and intensity and truth. It becomes even more powerful when you realize it is an actual autobiography.
Satrapi tells the story of her tumultuous childhood and while the story she tells is often horrific, she never loses the child-like voice of her main character. The illustrations add to this by reminding us that the hell she is in is being taken in by the eyes of a young girl. The death and destruction of the Islamic Revolution cannot be avoided by anyone of any age and the story must be told.
This book offers hope because Satrapi is a successful author who has escaped a terrible ordeal with her pride and love of life intact. I think this novel could offer a glimmer of hope to readers in the high school demographic and remind them that courage and strength can pull one through the most difficult of times.
I will definitely consider using this book in the classroom. It has great cross-curricular possibilities and can be a tool for teachers of art, social studies and English, alike. It is great for reluctant readers because the format is inviting and not the least bit intimidating and may encourage others to read more as there is a sequel to this text, as well.
This was my first graphic novel experience and to be honest, I was highly impressed! For some reason, I had this horrible idea that because there were pictures that the text would be minimal. I'll be the first to admit that I was wrong. Marjane Satrapi has written an excellent book that has depth and intensity and truth. It becomes even more powerful when you realize it is an actual autobiography.
Satrapi tells the story of her tumultuous childhood and while the story she tells is often horrific, she never loses the child-like voice of her main character. The illustrations add to this by reminding us that the hell she is in is being taken in by the eyes of a young girl. The death and destruction of the Islamic Revolution cannot be avoided by anyone of any age and the story must be told.
This book offers hope because Satrapi is a successful author who has escaped a terrible ordeal with her pride and love of life intact. I think this novel could offer a glimmer of hope to readers in the high school demographic and remind them that courage and strength can pull one through the most difficult of times.
I will definitely consider using this book in the classroom. It has great cross-curricular possibilities and can be a tool for teachers of art, social studies and English, alike. It is great for reluctant readers because the format is inviting and not the least bit intimidating and may encourage others to read more as there is a sequel to this text, as well.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
