PART 3 of GEEKTASTIC Stories from the Nerd Herd.

d). I really enjoyed reading the short stories in GEEKTASTIC! There were some more than I liked than others, but that is typical of a book that is a compilation of stories from a wide variety of talented writers. In Junior and High School, I loved Buffy The Vampire Slayer...so much to the point that I reached the title of Geek. I collected everything, tried to dress like Buffy, and even went as far as attempting to bleach my hair with hair bleach (meant for your face) that I found in my mom's cupboard (yeah, that did not work out). When choosing GEEKTASTIC, I thought that the book would be filled with short stories having to do with the trials and tribulations high school cliques could bring, and the embarrassing stories that would ensue years later, when bringing those sensitive subjects to a new fruition and often times comical publication. When I opened up the book for the first time, I started noticing a common theme; RPG's, SCI-FI fandom, Online dating, Costume wearing/ role playing conventions, and the almost secret communities these commonalities produce within each topic matter. Even though I was a bit out of the inner circle of understanding these topics, I still found the book fruitful in the themes produced by the stories told about these alternative reality based lives the young characters experienced in each of these stories. Themes such as first love, identity, bullying, overcoming adversity, and getting revenge still came through just as clearly as the rest of the YA novels we have read this semester. The themes came across in a new view for me which made me appreciate the compilation of short stories even more!
As far as whether or not this book is good in a classroom setting? I think the book would be fit as a further suggested reading, or summer reading list, but the book as a whole does not seem appropriate for one class. I could see a few short stories being read in a High School English class for sophomores and juniors. The comic illustrations between the chapters were especially entertaining, and I could see them used on their own in a 7-8th grade junior high English course as a fun added bonus. Though the subject matter of the short stories is pertinent for the YA audience, I do not think the entire book would fit well in one course curriculum.

**I reposted this because I originally put it in the wrong discussion**

My choice for Best Books for Young Adults is “Into the Wild Nerd Yonder” by Julie Halpern.
This book is a light-hearted coming of age novel about a high school sophomore named Jessie Sloan. Jessie is in search of new friends and a place to belong. Her two best friends, Bizza and Char have changed, and in Jessie’s opinion, not for the better. Her friends “go punk” and start hanging around Jessie’s punk older brother, who is in a band. To make matters worse, Bizza pursues Jessie’s long-time crush, Van (who is also “punk”). Jessie learns through the grapevine that Bizza performed oral sex on Van at a party and contracted gonorrhea in the process (not a rumor, she actually did). Feeling used and betrayed, Jessie sets out to find new friends and herself in the process. She ends up with the Dungeons and Dragons crowd (the ultimate nerds) and falls for one of them named Henry. She frets over being labeled a “nerd” but realizes the friends she makes are more important than being labeled a nerd so she sets off Into the Wild Nerd Yonder.
This book could be the manuscript for the high school experience for the way it shows how friendships grow and sometimes die, high school cliques, teen sex, and the way teenagers define and redefine themselves.
The YA reader faces these same challenges and will feel a connection to the characters. Jessie is a normal teen who experiences normal high school problems. How many of us can relate to that?
I would definitely recommend this book for the young adult reader. It is set in high school but I would recommend it for the 8th grade reader and up. I think it will benefit the junior high reader because she/he can see what they have to look forward too when getting to high school.

Here is a link to the author's website: http://www.juliehalpern.com/nerd.html

The book that I read is entitled, “Gleektastic: Stories From the Nerd Herd.” It was sort of like a “Chicken Soup for Dorks” book, with numerous contributing authors writing in about numerous fictitious experiences—some funny, even some tragedies. The one thing they all have in common? They all fervently consider themselves “geeks.”
    Gamers, anime lovers, band members, choir performers, computer freaks, elvish speakers…each of them are represented in some way or another in this book. The funny thing is, I really identified with these kids. I was into Sailor Moon and show choir back in the day, and this book brought me right back. The stories have that artistic flavor that is so common with creative kids. Many would assume that these students are all unhappy and upset with their reportedly low status in the high school food chain, but this isn’t always the case. Many are satisfied with who they are, and take pride in the fact that they are supposedly different from everyone else. Some, on the other hand, consider it a success if they get through the day. The persecution at school, combined with personal troubles, maybe at home, make life as a whole seem unbearable. Each of these stories came from these types of situations.
    Popular students also get the pressure from their peers, and this book captured that as well. It made it plain that no one, even those who seem to have their lives all figured out, really do not. It reminded me very much of the show “Glee.” I know there is at least one other Gleek in this class (this means you, Monika Andes), and those who know the show would definitely see what I mean. High school is incredibly fickle. Sometimes you’re doing well. You’re generally happy, and everyone loves you. However, that can drop in a total instant. There comes the day when no one wants to be seen with you, and your reputation is shot. These things are glorified in television and film, but they are caricature situations of what really happens to us in high school.
    There was even a story by M.T. Anderson, the author of “the Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing.” His work was about a boy who is into games and comic books—and has a particularly difficult situation at home. He finds out about a family tragedy and must learn how to deal with it amidst his issues with his family. The young adult criteria absolutely apply to these works. The parents always have different positions; some are positive while others are not. These are internal journeys that these students are experiencing, and since most of them are told in limited narration, we are along for the ride.
    I would definitely use this book in a classroom. It’s long, 452 pages in all, but reading excerpts would be nice. It would make for a great discussion as well. There is much room for connections to be made between readers and the people in the book. They can identify with the story.

 

Here is a quirky teen blog website written by teens about being a nerd:

http://www.teenink.com/hot_topics/pride_prejudice/article/49710/A-N...

 

Here is a website for Teens Against Bullying:

http://www.pacerteensagainstbullying.org/