11/8 Best Books for Young Adults 2011 Discussion

[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/studentswouldbenefit 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.

 Have fun this week; I did... reading your work.

 

Enjoy.
Pam

[Shelly Fields]

Speaking of libraries...I went to my Catholic high school library and talked with the librarian about some of the books I had to choose from and she told me that none of those books are available in the school's library because they talk about sex, drugs, pregnancy, etc.

I appreciate the Catholic education but at the same time, these kids are missing out on some amazing books because of the strict policies of the school. I have found that many of the kids I talk to don't know about all of these amazing books because they simply don''t know they exist.

After reading "Looking for Alaska", I gave it to my daughter to read. It instantly became a favorite of hers and she has passed it around to many friends at school. This book would never appear in the library of her school. How do these kids find out about these books? Sure, some go to the library (not enough of them) or Borders but there are so many good books that don't even get mentioned because of their content. I think the school is really doing a disservice to the kids. The school should, at the very least, provide a list of the award-winning books or websites where the kids can go and discover these awesome books on their own.

[Adriana]

No, you're totally right Christina. This book is definitely geared towards high school students as it embodies the high school experience very well.

[Rebeka Mirza]

Adriana,

I think your book deals with important issues that go on in high schools that may be ignored. I like how Poe’s character changes. It’s interesting that she goes into the school, expecting it to the same as her old one. I would think that she would be more judgmental of the students, rather than be understanding to those who are suffering. I admire her strength to stand up for what she believes in. I think it’s great that she goes to the school officials for the problems she sees. Her commitment to justice makes her a strong person.

[Adriana]

She is definitely judgmental and very critical actually of a lot of people. It seems that the only people she is ok with are herself, her boyfriend, and "poor" Velveeta. That is actually her flaw, as she sees them from a very stereotypical POV while she hypocritically enough does not want to be judged for her own punk rocker appearance. Slowly though, the characters are seen for who they really are and everyone (including Poe) learns a lesson.

[Monika Andes]

THE REFORMED VAMPIRE SUPPORT GROUP
Catherine Jinks
Graphia Books
Mystery
Hradcover: 9780152066093
Paperback: 9780547411668
372 pages

If certain bestselling novels and hit movies are to be believed, vampires are passionate, glamorous, romantic and downright sexy. Not so, says Nina Harrison, the narrator of Catherine Jinks’s dark comedy, THE REFORMED VAMPIRE SUPPORT GROUP. Nina, who has been a vampire since she was “fanged” at age 15, may write her own series of bestselling novels starring sexy vampire Zadia Bloodstone. However, in real life, Nina and her group of vampire “friends” (a term Nina herself would probably reject) are anything but glamorous or desirable.

Instead, life with Nina and her companions is a lot like an AA meeting. In fact, the loose-knit group of vampires meets regularly at a church in their native Sydney, Australia, in meetings overseen by a (human) priest. (It turns out, by the way, that the whole thing about vampires despising crosses and garlic was a bit of an exaggeration.) Being a vampire, we find out, is kind of like being an alcoholic. The vampires effectively have an infection that’s impossible to cure but possible to control, mainly by using willpower to overcome their desire for human blood and by fanging small animals (in their case, guinea pigs) and taking enzymes that mimic those in human blood.

Nina still lives at home with her mother (who’s now in her 70s), and she socializes by necessity with the other reformed vampires in her group. The only one she is at all fond of is fellow teenaged vampire Dave, a sensitive but moody soul who she likes in spite of herself. Nina can take or leave the other vampires, especially Casimir, the creepy instigator of the group. But when Casimir is staked through the heart and shot with a silver bullet, the Reformed Vampire Support Group must figure out which modern-day Van Helsing was out to get him --- and which of the other vampires might be the next target.



B. Even though Nina is technically fifty-one (she was changed in 1973) she is in the body of a fifteen-year-old, qualifying her for YA age appropriate. In the book, she even says that she's upset about looking her age, because she can never get a license. The book also deals with many adolescent issues. She has to accept who she is. There is no cure to being a vampire, so she must come to terms with it. Nina's a writer. She writes books about a superhuman vampire that kicks butt on a daily basis. We all do this at some point. We fantasize about being different, superhuman. Our dreams help us become us. Nina has to reconcile her dreams to her actual abilities. Also, there is the issue of family. Like it or not, Nina's support group is pretty much her family (in addition to her zany mother). Therefore, she has to find a way to get along with them and not go entirely insane. Nina is also in love with her friend Dave, which is adolescent appropriate. She constantly talks about how she doesn't want Dave to see her in bad situations or misunderstand what he sees. The book is also a fast read, and it is very entertaining. One thing that I think many adolescents will like is how Catherine Jinks deconstructs the "typical" vampire. This group has no superhuman strength or speed, they can't go into the sunlight, and they are frequently ill. Nina also constantly makes fun of other vamps, like those in Twilight.



C. For more information about the book, go to http://catherinejinks.com/default.asp?PageID=166



D. This book is age appropriate, although I don't know how you coud really teach it in a classroom. I love the discussion questions that I was coming up with. It's a great book to discuss. I think that if you were going to teach it, freshman/sophomore classes would benefit the most by reading it. The appeal of the book is that it's inviting, and it is so unlike other vampire books. There is no glorifying becoming a vampire or a werewolf. I loved that the most in the book. Finally, there is a book that doesn't make being a vampire sound at all appealing. For that I am greatful.

[Zia Jusufi]

Monika-
You know I loveeee Twilight, and because it is a vampire book, I would totally read it, even though it does make fun of vampires. Nowadays all preteens and teens are addicted to vampire novels, and even TV shows, and since a book like this parodies the intense theme vampire books usually revolve around, it would be very entertaining to compare and contrast the twilight series Vamps, to the ones in this book :)

[Samantha Carter]

This books sounds like it is an interesting read. I do not know if I would like a book like this. I am not really into books on vampires but this one might be an exception. I find it very interesting that Nina is actually in her 50's. Do you know if Dave is the same age or is he just a younger vampire? Does Nina mother know about what happened to her? I am sure that she would have something to say about her daughter that doesnt age. You say that Nina has to come to terms about who she is. Would you say that she accomplished that in this book? I like that even though Nina is so old she still is young in body and she still have issues that face YA.

[Rebeka Mirza]

Monika,

This looks like an interesting take on vampire stories. I like how this story depicts these people as being real vampires, rather than twilight-like vampires. They seem to be dealing with more serious problems, than the characters in Twilight. I think this would be great for teens to read on their own after reading the Twilight books. They could compare and contrast the two, while deciding on which author creates more realistic vampires.

[Heather Olson]

That sounds hilarious! As a lover of vampire-type novels, I think I'd enjoy this book. I like reading them, all of the stereotypes and I also LOVE making fun of them. For example, even though I love Twilight, I constantly make fun of it because of course it's not that good! :) As far as classroom benefits, perhaps it may not work as you said, but could it/would it be a good choice for a reading circle/after-school book club? I'm interested in reading it myself! Would you be willing to share some of the discussion questions you have?

[Pam Goble]

Vampires are very "in" now; some colleges are offering Vampire courses in their curriculum. They generate tremendous appeal for kids.

[Alexander Wm. Evers]

I find this interesting because, having taken a course on Gothic Literature and researched the Dracula character, I wonder if YA's are attracted to anything more than the idea of perpetual youth (i.e. immortality); and, maybe, the sexuality. Regardless, if you can get them interested in a text, motivations aside, the ball is in our court- it is our job to capitalize on, elaborate, and build upon their interest and prior knowledge/experience.

Personally, I'm a "Zombie" enthusiast; my girlfriend would say fanatic. I have been into Zombies since childhood, before they were "in", but am still thrilled by their recent popularity. I hope they continue to increase in popularity so, one day, I may teach a "Zombie" -themed curriculum.

[Pam Goble]

Max Brooks??? I would be interested to know how he got involved in zombies.
My son and I used to watch "Zvenguli" (sp)together because he liked the horror genre of movies.
I also believe that whatever gets the kids to read is a good thing.