11/29 Teens Top Ten Best Books Discussion for Read 339/439

[Pam Goble]

PART 3 - PARTICIPATION CRITERIA FOR THE NING.

1. Since all of you are reading different books, the idea is to share the many reads students can experience from reading YA literature. For each list you, will get
reviews on approximately 20 or more books.

2. What must be included in your posts are:

            a. A short summary

            b. A connection to YA Lit criteria

            c. A link to a resource for further information about the book/novel( these may include author information, reviews, insight or information
about issues the text references.

            d. Your opinion/recommendations of the book/novel relating back to criteria. A key
question to consider is whether the book is
classroom appropriate, and, if so, what reading
level/grade/students would benefit from reading the text. If it is not
suited for the classroom, if students are reading the book, what is the
appeal?           

3. Lastly, you must respond to at least 2 other posts in detail.

Again have fun...after the
class is done you can still keep those reviews coming on the NING and
talk to each other about what your are reading for the year.
on people of the week!!!

[Nicole Priester]

I want to say high school, but being in a junior high for observations in another class and seeing them truely focus on bullying and things it made me wonder if this text could work in a junior high. I really am not sure where I would use it or IF i would use it. I did enjoy it though, even though I do think it could be MORE powerful if it was written differently

[Adriana]

It's really sad that nothing really changed after such a tragedy. I know you wrote that adults played a large role in the story, how did teachers/faculty handle the tragedy? I can't help but wondering if they might have been able to handle the situation better.

[Rebeka Mirza]

Nicole,

This book seems like a very interesting read. I could understand why it may be a little difficult to teach about violence in the classroom. School shootings happen and they can be scary. Therefore, I might feel a litlle uncomfortable teaching the text. On the other hand, I feel like it addresses very important issues. I think this book would be insightful to teach to both junior high and high school students. They would realize the consequences that may come along with bullying.

I think it would be important for students to learn how bullying is such a negative thing. It may even be a good idea to teach it in junior high like you said, just before they go to high school. They will unfortunately have to deal with situations. By reading this book, they can prevent themselves from bullying others and tell someone in authority if they are getting bullied. After teacihng this book, you could probably tell these students how to deal with bullying situations in a positive way.

Maybe it would be useful to be a requirement in school districts. I think students can take a lot away from it, and know how to behave, as well.

[Tiffany Shreve]

I was just curious about why you felt the language used would be above what teens would understand. I dont question your judgement I am just curious. The reason I am curious is because I might have to pick up this book and I just want to be prepared.

[Heather Olson]

Thank you for lending this book to me!  I'm over 100 pages in so far and can't stop reading!!! :)

[Rosalind Engerman]

This sounds like a book I need to read.  The whole idea of school shootings as a new phenomena in the 2oth century fascinates me.  The impact each of these horrific events touches everyone is some way.  The people that experience them 1st hand, the actual shooters themselves, the family's of the victims/the shooter(s), and the world that has changed significantly because of school shootings.  I went to Colorado State University (though I grew up in Chicago) which was situated about 40 miles away from Columbine in Littleton Colorado.  I had many friends that attended Columbine during the shooting; some of them were not in the building, but needless to say affected in an adversxe way.  Some of my friends still suffer post tramautic stress syndrome from being in the building during the shooting; having lost friends, almost losing their lives, knowing the shooters....the week of the anniversary of the shootings at Columbine, this specific group of my friends will not even attend classes...heck, they will not even leave their houses.  The way in which the rest of the world sits glued to the tv during these school shootings, and thinks and feels about what is happening is another fascinating aspect of these seriously negative adverse events.....

In saying that, I am very interested in reading this book because it forces the reader to look at the situation from the other side.  Does this book do this perspective justice?  Would this book invite all those reading it to start an open discussion?  Do you think victims or students that have been in a school shooting situation would appreciate and benefit from reading this book?

[Samantha Carter]

As I was reading your summary I was thinking that it might be interesting to read what the girls did to Regina. However, once I started reading your entire post that thought went out the window. I do not like reading books that are too depressing. Some people can be dealt a life where all is good then it gets really depressing to hear or read about but it still is realistic. For you to say this book is not realistic turns me away from reading it. The example that give makes your statement more than true. No school in the US will tolerate that type of bold bullying. I did a presentation on bullying and I know that 12% of the teachers that work in schools turn a blind eye to bullying, however to put whore on a locker is too extreme. There would have to be some type of discipline in that situation. I agree with you in saying that this in not appropriate. I would not let any student read this book. From what you wrote this book seems to promote this type of behavior. I do not think that a teacher would let students read this then say "But we know this does not happen in real life." YAL is suppose to be about things that would happen in real life. I could see some parts of this book happening but for the most part it is a stretch.

[Nicole Priester]

I agree with you that some of the parts of the book may seem unrealisitc, but I feel like they are minor things from everything else you state is going on. This book sounds in my opinion pretty amazing and possibly something good to use in junior high. I was in a Junior High doing observations and they had a bullying week with movies and assembly to get the point across of what Bullying really does. This book in many ways is very realistic. I think I would definately use this book in a junior high, it sounds like it would have true value to it, even if some parts arent as realistic.

I wanted to ask, "why do you not like that it doesnt show students how to handle their problems but through retaliation. I feel like that is one of the most realistic parts of this book. As for teachers ignoring whats going on its said, but kids are smart about hiding bullying. Was the bullying between the three girls pretty obvious or were they cunning and secretive about what they were doing?

[Nicole Priester]

Thanks I value ur opinion. I would definately look into it some more if you really believe it is that controversial.

[Pam Goble]

Depressing is the "thing" right now in YA realistic fiction. When we read books like this we do have to suspend reality.

[Heather Olson]

What does that mean about YAs if depressing literature is "in" right now? Is this a concern as it could be saying something about the mental health of our teens today or is it popular so they can escape from their own problems by reading about the problems the fictional characters face? And if the latter, perhaps that in itself is a good teaching tool on the big picture perspective that I feel so many teens today lack.

[Heather Olson]

Thanks, Amber. I actually have both on my to-read list thanks to your reviews. I'm interested in checking them out (if I ever find the time!). :)