Title: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Author: Sherman Alexie
Genre: Multicultural/International
Awards: National Book Award for Young People's Literature (2007)
Publishers Weekly starred (2007)
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books starred (2007)
School Library Journal starred (2007)
Horn Book starred (2007)
Notable/Best Books (A.L.A.) (2008)
Plot Summary:
Arnold Spirit, known on his tribe's reservation as "Junior", is a 14 year old Spokane Indian boy with issues. He was born with too much cerebral fluid which only "mucked up the works" inside his brain and the surgery to relieve the pressure that should have killed him presented him with abnormalities and life challenges. He had ten extra teeth, eyes that were visually opposite, a slender body and abnormally large feet. Along with his physical challenges, Junior also stuttered and spoke with a lisp. This combination made him a prime target for teasing, bullying and a charter member of the "Black-Eye-of-the-Month Club".
Junior has a best friend named Rowdy who is known as an angry bully on the reservation. He is not afraid to fight anyone, but to Junior he is a protector and confidante. Rowdy and Junior have hopes of playing basketball together as they approach their freshman year of high school, despite Rowdy's constant beating by his father and the behavior that often ensues after these beating. Rowdy's father, like most of the adults that live on the reservation, is a drunk. Being drunk and being poor are the two most prevalent demographics among people on the Spokane reservation.
Junior, however, has something that most other reservation dwellers do not, HOPE. He hopes that his future is brighter than his parents and that he can overcome the deflating circumstances that plight the Spokane Indians. After a run-in with his high school geometry teacher, Junior decides to ask his parents if he may transfer to a new school off the reservation. He believes that the source of success is found in a "white" surrounding. He struggles with acceptance in his new school and tries especially hard to hide his poverty and unusually difficult commute to school.
In the midst of his freshman year finds himself competing against his former schoolmates and once best friend on the basketball court. This hostile situation lands Arnold (as he is now known) in the hospital with a concussion and a struggle he believes is worth fighting. After a victorious rematch, Arnold realizes that skin color doesn't give you an automatic winning ticket. Sometimes community is as important as the amount of money in your wallet.
My Reaction:
I really enjoyed this book. Previously, I would not have selected a multicultural book as a favorite, so I thought. Its quite obvious as to why this book has attained so many accolades. Despite the protagonist's difficulty in being dealt many blows, the reader does not get bogged down and overwhelmed with sadness and drama. The cartoon illustrations help to keep things lighthearted, even when dealing with very serious matters. You can't help but to root for the protagonist from cover to cover.
Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for both boys and girls who are in high school and slightly more mature. Caution against young readers as there are instances of adult language and mentions of masturbation. This book is a great champion story identifiable for any student facing alienation, particularly minority or students of color. It is delightful to see a protagonist with spirit and the will to overcome despite adversity.
Book Talk Hook:
Have you ever been in a situation where you felt different from the rest of the crowd, the oddball, the outsider? Have you ever felt frustrated with the life you have, your parents, your friends, your school? These were all issues that Junior faces in "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian". Experience a few laughs and empathize with Junior as he bravely challenges the status quo of his culture to fulfill his dreams and aspirations.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
The Pain Tree: and Other Teenage Angst-Ridden Poetry
Title: The Pain Tree and Other Teenage Angst-Ridden Poetry
Author: Esther Pearl Watson and Mark Todd collected materials and created the illustrations,
while the poetry was completely teen generated.
Genre: Poetry
Awards: I was unable to find any awards presented for this book.
Plot Summary:
Included within The Pain Tree and Other Teenage Angst-Ridden Poems are 25 poetry selections written by teenage poets. As you can imagine, teenage poetry can and does address the full spectrum of human emotion, in addition to the unique emotions experienced by adolescents. This particular collection of poems addresses the darker emotions which teenagers experience. Some of the poems are rhythmic in form while others are more of a free verse format. Content clearly focuses on the young adult and the issues typically faced in young adulthood. Friendship, frustration, trust, hate, conformity, school, time, pain and being different, are all emotions which are confronted in the poems within this book.
My Reaction:
I read several poetry titles focused on the young adult reader before I selected this book. My eyes were opened to the degree to which teens will open up and spill their emotions onto the page while writing poetry. In this sense, I think poetry in not only educational but also may be therapeutic for young adult students to read and write. The selections in other YA poetry books which I read, had incredible emotion, language inappropriate for school, sexuality, and expressions of immense pain.
The Pain Tree and Other Teenage Angst-Ridden Poetry contains poems which I think nearly all teens can relate to, without being on the verge of being edgy. The poems are well written and the reader can clearly understand the poets' perspective and point of reference. I enjoyed reading the poems in this collection.
My Recommendation:
I would highly recommend this book to any young adult to read. Although the content is serious and slightly depressing, it is real to teens and their typical emotions, and experiences. I would however suggest that (like other genres) librarians and parents research works of poetry titles carefully and to be aware and familiar with the content addressed, as some of the content may not be appropriate for younger students. In most cases our young adult students have emotionally surpassed the Shell Silverstein ("There's Too Many Kids In This Tub") poetry that we all fondly remember from elementary school. Therefore, it is our responsibility to make available the best of young adult poetry so that our students can continue to enjoy poetry, at their emotional level, as they grow and mature.
Book Talk Hook:
I would first read a couple of poems to the students. Then, I would ask, "Have you ever been frustrated with the schools' rules, with your friends, with your boyfriend/girlfriend?" Read The Pain Tree and find out what students your age have expressed about these issues and more in their poetry.
Author: Esther Pearl Watson and Mark Todd collected materials and created the illustrations,
while the poetry was completely teen generated.
Genre: Poetry
Awards: I was unable to find any awards presented for this book.
Plot Summary:
Included within The Pain Tree and Other Teenage Angst-Ridden Poems are 25 poetry selections written by teenage poets. As you can imagine, teenage poetry can and does address the full spectrum of human emotion, in addition to the unique emotions experienced by adolescents. This particular collection of poems addresses the darker emotions which teenagers experience. Some of the poems are rhythmic in form while others are more of a free verse format. Content clearly focuses on the young adult and the issues typically faced in young adulthood. Friendship, frustration, trust, hate, conformity, school, time, pain and being different, are all emotions which are confronted in the poems within this book.
My Reaction:
I read several poetry titles focused on the young adult reader before I selected this book. My eyes were opened to the degree to which teens will open up and spill their emotions onto the page while writing poetry. In this sense, I think poetry in not only educational but also may be therapeutic for young adult students to read and write. The selections in other YA poetry books which I read, had incredible emotion, language inappropriate for school, sexuality, and expressions of immense pain.
The Pain Tree and Other Teenage Angst-Ridden Poetry contains poems which I think nearly all teens can relate to, without being on the verge of being edgy. The poems are well written and the reader can clearly understand the poets' perspective and point of reference. I enjoyed reading the poems in this collection.
My Recommendation:
I would highly recommend this book to any young adult to read. Although the content is serious and slightly depressing, it is real to teens and their typical emotions, and experiences. I would however suggest that (like other genres) librarians and parents research works of poetry titles carefully and to be aware and familiar with the content addressed, as some of the content may not be appropriate for younger students. In most cases our young adult students have emotionally surpassed the Shell Silverstein ("There's Too Many Kids In This Tub") poetry that we all fondly remember from elementary school. Therefore, it is our responsibility to make available the best of young adult poetry so that our students can continue to enjoy poetry, at their emotional level, as they grow and mature.
Book Talk Hook:
I would first read a couple of poems to the students. Then, I would ask, "Have you ever been frustrated with the schools' rules, with your friends, with your boyfriend/girlfriend?" Read The Pain Tree and find out what students your age have expressed about these issues and more in their poetry.
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