Book Review: Holes by L. Sachar

When I have seen the movie before I read a book, I have a lot of trouble NOT seeing the characters as the actors who portrayed them on film. I always prefer to read a book first and then see the movie. Unfortunately, I saw this book in film-format several years ago with my kids (who LOVE the story by the way). So Stanley will forever be a young Shia LaBeouf and Warden Walker will always be Sigourney Weaver in my minds' eye.

That being the case, I enjoyed the book. It had a more surreal story line for me than either the Sherman or the Spinelli novels, but I liked how the author wove the themes of destiny and fate and luck throughout the lives of the characters.

I grabbed Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by A. Bechdel to read next and found myself irritated by the comic book format. I think I will read Speak by L.H. Anderson next.

Blog Buddy Response #5

What are some different ways teachers can moderate the digital book circles?

Blog Buddy Response #4

How can digital book clubs or literature circles be utilized in the adolescent literature classroom?

Book Review: Stargirl by J. Spinelli

I LOVED Stargirl. I read it in a day and it was a completely emotional experience for me. I cringed for Stargirl as she was introduced, I applauded when she stayed true to herself throughout the beginning of the book, my heart ached for her as she attempted to conform and was ultimately disappointed, and I cheered  for her when she decided to return to her true self. I was not surprised when she left town at the end of the book. I enjoyed the opportunity to imagine her off somewhere else being exactly who she needed to be. As for Leo, I found his alternately  love-struck and angst-filled  perspective a fairly accurate reflection of teenage relationships.

However, after gushing over this novel I have decided I do not want to read the sequel. I want to just let these characters stay the way they were as this book ended. 

This book would be completely appropriate in an adolescent classroom today and could be used to spark some interesting discussion around individuality and conformity. 

Blog Buddy Response #3

How do Digital Character Sketch Journals help students summarize the text from a character's perspective?

How else might you use VoiceThreads in an adolescent literature classroom?

Book Review: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (part 2)

Several days ago I finished reading the Sherman Alexie text. I liked it. I like the way the author chose to use humor through cartoon drawings to express thoughts and emotions he didn't completely describe with words. Using visual images to broaden his descriptions gave the reader the opportunity to take the message deeper if they so chose.
I think the subject matter was heavy and complicated but the author did a nice job of keeping it within the perspective of the adolescent mind. The author gave the young adult reader the opportunity to feel how these serious subjects affected the main character and yet watch how he processed and handled the realities of his life. I see no reason for this book to be banned anywhere. The issues discussed are real and pertinent to probably more students' lives than we want to openly admit.