Beyond Plot

Checking In...

2008-12-15T15:39:00.000-08:00

If you're reading this blog then you may have stumbled across it by accident. Or you may be my professor checking to make sure I've blogged about my 15 books. Either way I would just like to say that there are so many books I still want to read, so hopefully I can consider this a work in progress!

I am by no means a professional at reviewing books but I want to continue to add to this and build a collection of texts that I would like to use in my future classroom!

~Katie Rose

Breathing Underwater by

2008-12-15T15:13:00.000-08:00

Here is the book on Amazon.

This book was defiantly intense. Told from the point of view of an abusive boyfriend in a teenage romance, it was at times difficult to read. Nick and Caitlin seemed like a perfect couple until an altercation brings the truth forward in a quick and devastating way. A restraining order is brought against Nick by Caitlin's family and as the story progresses we can see how the two got to this point.

Nick is an angry young man, but throughout the text he is often unaware of the psychology behind his actions. The reader can see it, but Nick remains unphased for a while. As a reader, I found this frustrating at points, but as an educator I tried to see the greater good in the text. I think it's an excellent story and I think it could really be used as a teaching tool.

In an English classroom I would love to use this as an example of the power of point of view. If this story was told by from the point of view of Caitlin I think the impact would be different. I don't think it would have provided me with as much unique insight. If students can see that and discuss those implications, then I think it's great.

I also think this book would be really good for small book groups. It has a lot of heady issues and I would need to pick my groups carefully, but I think students could generate some great discussion.

This book would also be an excellent pick for a health classroom. Breathing Underwater handles domestic abuse by taking an interesting approach and may help some students cope with demons in their own lives. It is common knowledge that relationships in high school are often less than healthy and this book would be a good way to broach that subject.

Skinny by Ibi Kaslik

2008-12-15T14:39:00.000-08:00

Here is the book on Amazon.

First of all, I would like to say that I don't really think this book should be a young adult novel. It's listed as one but I'm not so sure that's really the greatest category for this...

In all respect, Skinny is a realistic view on anorexia. Not only for the one afflicted but for the family as well. Other than that, I didn't really like this book. It is told from two points of view: Giselle, a young med student suffering from anorexia and Holly, her 8th-grade sister. This book is intricately woven, using excerpts from medical textbooks, and the voices of both girls. It's well-written and poignant, but it leaves me feeling empty. This book doesn't offer hope, and as an educator, I want to do that for my students.

Anorexia is real and it does effect a large population, both adolescent and older, but this book does not illustrate to students the aspects of recovery that are also as real as the disease. I think it's great that Kaslik is able to give a voice to anyone who has a sibling struggling with addiction, but this isn't the kind of encouragement I would want to leave my students with. I don't think I will use this book in the classroom, and it won't be part of my classroom library.

How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff

2008-12-14T17:55:00.000-08:00

Here is the book on Amazon.

How I Live Now may be the book I'm the most excited about right now. In my mind, it's brilliant. Meg Rosoff has found a way to weave together many common themes of adolescent novels into a new and fascinating way.

I would love to teach this book because I feel like it's applicable to an adolescent audience and an adult audience, as well. This book has the potential to be used on an interdisciplinary level, and can be applied to social studies and English alike.

The book centers around a 15-year-old woman named Daisy who lives in England with her aunt. Modern day London is in war and Daisy is quickly swept along with her cousins on a series of adventures and will eventually changer he life drastically.

Daisy begins the book as a rather self-absorbed woman and as the story continues she begins to change. Now I won't tell you if she changes for the better, that's for you to find out, but I will say that the books is incredibly powerful and creates a sense of depth that is somehow contained in only 224 pages.

I think this book is great and it will definitely be part of my classroom library.

You Remind Me of You by Eireann Corrigan

2008-12-14T17:02:00.000-08:00

Here's the book on Amazon.

You Remind Me of You really fascinated me. For one, it is a collection of poetry that also functions as a memoir. It is also a non-fiction account of a woman who has survived an eating disorder and gone on to be a successful author. She has been in and out of treatment facilities and is not expected to have a long life. She has been to the brink of death and back and has been through mental and emotional hell. Her boyfriend has attempted suicide and she needs to learn to cope with his pain as well as her own.

Normally, a story line so dramatic might cause me to put the book down, but the way the poetry cleverly and artistically strings together Corrigan's story makes it a worthwhile read. It is written with a raw honesty and candor that I really appreciate and I think students will too. I will certainly recommend this book to students in my classroom for a free read and, if appropriate, I use the text in the classroom curriculum.

I like that this book can have many applications. It connects to adolescents because of it's incredibly strong voice, but it is also a good example of different literary styles. Combining poetry and memoir is interesting and seems like a good concept to introduce to the class. This book gets my seal of approval for both casual reading and classroom use.

Life on the Refrigerator Door: A Novel by Alice Kuipers

2008-12-14T12:36:00.000-08:00

Here is the book on Amazon.

Claire is a teenage girl who lives with her mother. This book chronicles the way they communicate with each other in the midst of their busy lives. Claire is a young, caught up in the world of friends, school and boys. Her mother is a doctor with a tight schedule and a single parent. The two aren’t able to spend as much time with each other as they would like so they write each other little notes. They tape these notes to the fridge for one another to discover. The notes range from single sentences about the day, to grocery lists, to small quarrels between mother and daughter, but as the book progresses, there is more and more to write about as the women face hardship. In the end, it is these notes that keep the women communicating with one another when things become almost too difficult to discuss. In the end, the notes bring them together and grant Claire a sense of peace that is greatly needed in her life.

While it sounds a little sappy, I really liked this book. I felt it would be appropriate for students to read in the classroom and out. It teaches them about making inferences, the genre of the epistolary novel, and dialogue. The book encompasses the themes of family dynamics, grief, loss, communication and adolescence. It's poignant, but it's not too drawn out or dramatic. I think it would be a great book to use in the classroom and I think students would learn a lot through an easy read.

We Need To Talk About Kevin: A Novel by Lionel Shriver

2008-12-14T10:40:00.000-08:00

Here is the book on Amazon.

I picked up this book because it was highly recommended by my hometown library and was listed as a "young adult pick". I liked the book but I will say it right now: I don't feel that this book is appropriate for young adults in a school setting. Not even a little bit.

We Need To Talk About Kevin is a very introspective read. It stayed with me long after putting the book down. It is disturbing and still manages to avoid unnecessary gore. It is an intellectual read that really tackles some intense moral issues, including the question of who is responsible for the actions of a young killer?

The story centers around a young man named Kevin, but we learn about him through letters his mother sends to his father. We learn about the family dynamic through the letters and the history spans Kevin's entire life, from conception to prison, where we find him at the end of the novel.

As an adult, I appreciated this book but in no way do I feel that it is appropriate for students to read in a classroom setting. A primary focus of the novel is school violence and the effects it has on students, staff, parents and the one committing the crime. While I feel students should be educated about violence like this, I don't think this book is the right way to do that. As a teacher, I wouldn't recommend this book to my students because I wouldn't feel comfortable with that.

This book was in the young adult section of the library I was in, but it is not listed as a young adult book according to the Library of Congress. Because of these reasons I wouldn't read this book in class, but I think it's a book worth reading.

Lovesick by Jake Coburn

2008-11-27T18:50:00.000-08:00

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.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

2008-11-15T12:53:00.000-08:00

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.

Converting Kate by Beckie Weinheimer

2008-11-05T13:26:00.000-08:00

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.

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi

2008-11-01T15:27:00.000-07:00

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.

Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

2008-10-27T12:16:00.000-07:00

Here is the book on Amazon.

After reading Speak I was interested to see what else Laurie Halse Anderson has written. I was not disapointed with Twisted. In the begining we meet Tyler, a former wallflower in his high school. He describes himself as a nobody and really gives us the idea that he has been a nameless face in his institution for a while. From an educators point of view, it appears that Tyler has fallen through the cracks and the way he chooses to climb back into view is to commit a crime.

Tyler makes a mistake that changes his life. What begins as a simple stunt involving spray paint and school grounds, becomes an all-too-familier disaster. Tyler pays his dues but cannot shake the reputation he has earned. This tears the life he's known apart and wrecks havic on his future. This books powerfully illustrates a lot about society and the inner workings of the public education system through the eloquent and honest voice of a young man.

This book, in some ways, disturbs me. High school was not that long ago for me and teaching in one will be in my iminent future. Still, with that in mind, I would really like to use this book in the classroom. I think, as long as the mature subjects are introduced properly, students can learn from this book and cover not only the plot but the literary techniques, too. As a plus this book is written from a male point of view. As always, Anderson's voice is brilliant, strong and true and I think students will appreciate that.

Armageddon Summer by Jane Yolen and Bruce Coville

2008-10-10T18:05:00.000-07:00

Here is the book on Amazon.

One of the first reasons I picked up this book was because it is an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. I wanted to find a book that I could use in the classroom and manage to hold the interest of the majority of the class. In short, the plot is fairly simple. The book is told from the perspective of two young teens, Marina and Jed. At first it seems like the pair have nothing in common, but as we continue reading we discover that each of them has a parent involved in the same cause. Marina’s mother and Jed’s father are both involved in a Millennial cult. They are followers of Reverend Beelson, a cult leader who believes the world will end on July 27th, 2000. What happens beyond this is yours to discover...

I really liked how this book was written. Hearing the story told through two voices was really captivating and I could see how this book would be appropriate for all audiences, male and female. Interspersed between the narration of Marina and Jed are F.B.I. files, letters, excerpts from radio interviews, emails and sermons. This breaks up the continuity of the story and yet manages to add depth. I thought this book could easily be taught or used as a free-read because it has so many possibilities. It touches on religion, love, family, relationships, the idea of a Utopian society as well as the experience of being an adolescent in society.

I think the text is strong enough to stand on its own and has great things to offer in the classroom. I would definatly use this book in the classroom, but I am undecided about teaching it on its own, pairing it with another text or using it as an optional free-read. I think it will depend on the needs of my class and my students. In any case, this book is written by two outstanding authors. Jane Yolen has written The Devils Arithmetic and the picture book Owl Moon, so you may have heard of her. Bruce Coville has written many children’s and middle level books, including the “Sixth Grade Alien” series and numerous collections of ghost stories. Both authors are well respected in the writing community so it is just natural that their efforts together are successful. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to exploring the possibilities of using it in the classroom.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

2008-10-02T14:38:00.000-07:00

Here is the book on Amazon.

I really enjoyed this book. Not only was it entertaining, it was thought provoking, too. It dealt with issues of socioeconomic equality, grief, loss, family and heritage without focusing too much on a moral or being overly dramatic. This book was also fun to read. The chapters are fairly short and the whole book is set up like a journal or a scrapbook. There are illustrations that appear to be taped to the pages throughout, ranging from small doodles to full-page pictures and comics.

I feel like I could definitely teach this book. I think would need to introduce this book to my class and remind them to be mature and respectful, due to the use of slang, issues of race and mentions of sexuality, but that standard will hopefully be set in my classroom to begin with. This book proved to be entertaining for me to read, and hopefully it would have the same effect on my students. It could be used to teach a wide variety of concepts and skills.

I think I could use it to teach about voice in writing, for the main character has a very animated voice that makes the story unique. Students could work with this text as they learn to develop characters in fiction writing. I also think this book could be used when teaching non-fiction writing and biographical pieces.

This books deals with a wide variety of "issues" that always seem to be taught with more classic texts. In the story, race is a huge focal point, and because the book is easy to read and comes from an adolescent viewpoint, I think students could really learn a lot about discrimination. This book also explores grief and shows different reactions and viewpoints on death and loss.

This book is written from a male viewpoint, but I feel like it would apply to a wide audience, both male and female. It's a fairly quick read and can definitely serve as a base for discussion and further exploration.

Mind's Eye by Paul Fleischman

2008-09-30T14:20:00.000-07:00

Here is the book on Amazon.

This book is written completely in dialogue, which I love. I think it's a great way to teach students about dialogue and also give them something to read that has a little depth. Mind's Eye is told from the point of view of a young paraplegic named Courtney. She is 16, stuck in a rehabilitation home surrounded by elderly women. She is sullen and withdrawn and clearly hurting, and her roommate, Elva tries to change that by bringing her on a journey through literature.

Together, the two woman travel through Italy in their minds, exploring the city and following stories only they know. By the end of the book, Courtney is a stronger, wiser young woman and the future looks less bleak.

I think this story would be great to use in-class, but I also think it's nice for students for quick book for free choice. It is only 112 pages and I think it can quickly rope in a more reluctant reader. The descriptions are really intense and vivid and I don't feel that the story is aimed at any particular demographic, so any student in high school would be able to tackle this book.

Quaking by Kathryn Erskine

2008-09-28T13:51:00.000-07:00

Here is the book on Amazon.

This book pulled me in from the first line: "Families come in all varieties but with no warranties." I thought to myself "Well, I'm sure many adolescents will be able to relate to this!"

The story that unfolds in this book is quite a triple-threat. It tackles finding one's voice, religion and the varying interpretations of family. It does all that in a way that doesn't feel cliche or predictable. Matt, the young woman in the center of the story. Her real name is Matilda, but as you come to know her, you realize she defiantly prefers to be called Matt. Anyways, the book opens with Matt on her way to a foster home to live in a Quaker community.

Matt is a little rough around the edges and the Quaker lifestyle is a lot for her to adjust to. This book follows her journey as she becomes part of the community and her growth as she becomes part of a family.

This book would be great to use in the classroom for a variety of reasons. I really like the way it includes a look at war and the Quaker's emphasis on peace. I think this book would be a great way to teach students more about religion and also to explore the different interpretations of family. All students have different family structures and I think this book really explores that in a mature and yet accessible way for a variety of ages.

Um, so what are we doing?

2008-09-05T15:46:00.000-07:00

This blog is all about my experiences with young adult literature. I'm going to be a teacher in the near future and so I figure I should be familiar with what my students are reading and the possibilities I can offer them!

It's magical.

And I think that's about all you need to know!