YALIT/Crit

Summer Reading

Hello.  It's me again.  I just finished The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.  A great story.  It's very easy to read and it's very interesting to read something being told by a young teen who has autism.  It was neat following his train of thought, which is very precise, because that is the way he needs everything - precise and orderly.  I would recommend this novel.  It's a quick read.  The ending is not overly suprising, but it ends the way it should.  My next novel will either be The Misfits or King Dork - whichever title comes in to the library first, both were recommended by classmates.  I'll keep you posted (I am not sure I am talking/writing to anymore, but that's okay).  Does anyone have any other recommendations?  Anyone?  Bueller?  Bueller?.......

SUMMER READING

It appears that everyone is busy enjoying their summer vacation.  I thought I would check in and see how everyone is doing so far this summer.  I am almost done reading a silly book by Bruce Coville.  It's titled My Teacher Fried My Brain.  I chose it because I had heard so much about this author.  It is really quite silly, but there seems to be a hidden (perhaps not so hidden) message about education.  I know this book isn't quite up to the level of what we read over the spring semester, but it is entertaining.  As we discussed in class, if it gets kids to read - then that is what should matter.  So, I can see where this author's books would get kids to read.  It's just goofy enough.  Anyways, that's all I have for now.  I still haven't decided what to read next. 

Prof. Stearns, I am wondering about the reading list for 506.  I do have a bit more spare time now and I wouldn't mind getting started for the fall.  No news on a job yet, but I am not worried.  I am going to enjoy my time with my daughters for now.  Talk to you all soon.

Book Club- Summer Break Edition

I'm going to try my best to keep reading for Book Club this summer, giving me yet another reason to buy another bookshelf to stock with new books(I just organized my 6 shelf one that's a good nine feet tall, and it is officially full).

At the recommendation of my kid sister and from Ray H. from one of the first Book Club meetings we had this semester, I read Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. I picked it up over breakfast this morning and couldn't put it down until I finished it. What an amazing read! I am in love with the novel's m.c./narrator, a 15 year-old autistic boy named Christopher. The beginning of the novel is jarring (the graphic depiction of how the dog in question meets its fate is not for the faint at heart), but the mystery Christopher devotes himself to solving soon becomes much bigger than he imagined it would be. This novel is definitely worth reading. Thanks for the recommendation, Ray!

Finished Tears of a Tiger

As I posted earlier, I chose to read this book because this is the book that was being used in a couple classrooms that are on the video I watched for my project. After finishing this novel, I will make every attempt to include this in the books I would teach in a high school English classroom. If unable to do that, I would definitely have it available for students to borrow AND I would recommend it to anyone. During this time of year (proms, graduations, etc.) is when it would be especially appropriate. In the first page or two, a young man (17) dies in a DWI accident. The story stems around Andy, who was the victim's bestfriend and who also happened to be the driver. He is so riddled with guilt that he can no longer take it. The author uses many ways to who his feelings as well as the other characters. Sharon Draper uses essays from an English class, newspaper articles, letters between friends, conversations between Andy and his friends, Andy and his counselor, Andy and his parents, younger brother and so on. AN EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT NOVEL. Besides the lesson of responsibilty (DWI), there are lessons on friendship, guilt, discrimination, and so much more. There are a few other particularly important topics in this novel that are especialy appropraite in the high school classroom, but I don't want to say because I certainly don't want to give the ending away. Although the ending is somewhat predictible, it doesn't take away from the compelling issues this young man had to deal wtih at such a young age. I cannot say enough about this novel.

5/10 Book Club

This week for book club, I read You Remind Me of You, a poetry memoir by Eireann Corrigan. I had originally purchased this book as part of my seminar, and I finally had a chance to read it. Corrigan's account of her struggle with eating disorders and a boyfriend's suicide attempt is poignant, unique, and written with such raw honesty and a keen sense of humor. Even though this is a YA title (under the PUSH imprint, whose founding editor is David Levithan), it could easily draw adult readership with the skill, complexity, and grace of Corrigan's voice and poetic style.

5/10 Book Club

Dr. Stearns allows us to use Eagle Blue ( by Michael D'Orso) as our book club reading, and I have read 145 pages so far. The first 50 pages, of course, can be used as the class required reading, and the rest can be used  as book club reading. In this book, Dave is such an inspiring basketball coach who lives in a small place called Fort Yukon in Alaska. He is not some striking-looking guy, yet he is a guy who shines throughout the book. He has always wanted to find a life that means something, and here in the basketball court, he finds the meaning: he can make a difference in a place as small as Fork Yukon. He can inspire the kids to win the games when competing with much stronger teams. It's not my favorite book because I don't play basketball :), yet it can be a wonderful book for those who love sports.

God is Laughing

This week I chose to read God is Laughing by Brittany Luciani Dougherty. I ordered this book because Brittany is also a Mary Kennedy protege. (She and I were in the MAT program together.) This is her first YA title, and I am excited to say, I couldn't put it down! The story is about a 17 year-old girl, Mary Tucker, who comes from Grosz Hill, called "Gross Hill" by the kids from town. Mary has Locked In Syndrome, which is usually a temporary condition. Mary was hit by a car, and her brain is not communicating with her body. All she can do is think and observe, which causes her to reflect on her life as a teenager who is trying to escape the circumstances of being trapped in a place where she is an outsider-the "rural ghetto." The narrator's voice is strong, and the narrative technique is very effective. The reader is the only one who can hear this angry, yet hopeful, teenager's thoughts. Very intimate. I highly recommend it. I can only imagine the discussion it would inspire about socioeconomic place in our society.

5/3 Book Club

5/3 Book Club
My posting was taken away soon after I posted. So here I need to say one more time that my book for this week's book club is A Child Called "It", which I started last week, and I have finished it now. It is such a powerful story that I can't stop wandering: Is there a mother like this? I really want to find out what the legal consequence the mother has after the facts are collected and examined in court. Does anybody know?

The Outsiders

I decided to read the classic YA Text "The Outsiders" for this week.   I have to say that for all the hype I was a little disappointed.  But still the story is interesting, and very engaging at times.   I can certainly understand the  following it has garnered over the years....and the fact that Hinton wrote it when she was 15 yrs old is really amazing.  The narrative does have a kind of raw, and pure life to it, that only a young person could supply.  It just seems like there are many titles today, that deal with the same issues in ways that are more meaningful for today's teens....Though I have always held some fascination for the 1950's urban gang culture story, I did find "The Outsiders" to be a bit dated.   That being said, I am happy to have read it, glad to have it on my shelf, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to a student.  I think it would be of particular interest to a young writer, as a means of inspiration.  Kids can achieve great things, and  Hinton is a testament to that I think.   

Life as we Knew It

This week I read Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. It's about a present-day typical high school junior trying to make it through high school, deal with family relationships, and boyfriend/friend angst. Then one night things change because the moon is hit by a meteor. I thought the book was pretty realistic. The story doesn't paint a glossy picture of this environmental tragedy. You all know the type; everyone joins together to save the human race-usually a baby is born at the end. This book leaves the reader with uncertainty. People are fearful of each other.Everyone looks out for themselves. And the isolation that the family has to endure in order to survive is what ultimately saves them. Hmmm. There is so much more, but I'll let others read it first. I highly recommend this title. Peace.