Novel Review for Contemporary Realistic Fiction/ Module 4

Novel Review for Contemporary Realistic Fiction-If you come softly/ Module 4 Bibliographic Citation: Woodson, J. (1998). If you come softly. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons. 181 pages. Summary: This novel revolves around pertinent issues in the lives of any adolescent: relationships, religion and race. The two main characters Jeremiah and Ellie meet by chance in the hallway at school as he helps her to pick up her books that have fallen. This chance meeting leads to a relationship in which their individual differences no longer matter. Their world becomes a place in which issues of race and religion are replaced by friendship, love, and their feelings for each other. Analysis: Relationships, dating and young love are issues that are such an integral part of the life of any young adult. An adolescent’s first encounter with love becomes such a strong presence, almost to the point of taking over thoughts, actions and decisions. Romance has been described as the wish to love and be loved, often with the successful pairing of a likable young couple. However, Woodson has brought together two individuals from two different worlds to form an unlikely, yet solid relationship. Their journey of discovering each other is told from each of their vantage points as they compare their unique relationship with the somewhat dysfunctional relationships of each of their family members. Their special bond also explores the issue of race and dating someone of a different race. While the majority of the book focuses on how the two main characters interact with each of their own families, the reader is left in the dark concerning the how the families would react to the issues of race and religion within the dating relationship of Ellie and Jeremiah. While these two characters confide their hopes, dreams and fears about their connection with each other, these feelings are confined for fear of the prejudice that could be shown because of their choices to love each other. Nilsen, A., Blasingame, J., Donelson, K., and Nilsen, D. (2012). Literature for today's young adults (9th ed.). New York: Pearson. Awards: Texas Lone Star book 2000-2001 ALA Best Book for Young Adults 2001 Detroit Public Library Author’s Day Award

Novel Review of Printz Award Winner-Module 3

Novel Review of Printz Award Winner-Monster/ Module 3 Bibliographic Citation: Myers, W.D. (1999). Monster. New York: Scholastic Inc. 281 pages. Summary: This riveting story about a young man fighting for his life is written in two different formats. The character of Steve Harmon views this struggle as a film of his life, with each of the characters playing a crucial role in the determination of his future. While the majority of the novel is written as if one is reading a screenplay, the true feelings are presented as if Steve is writing in a journal. It is through the combination that the reader is left to determine guilt or innocence. Analysis: The subject matter in this novel would be a traumatic event for an individual of any age. The character of Steve is forced into a very adult world due to questionable influences in his life. Questions concerning peer pressure come to mind: why did I let someone talk me into doing something that I know is wrong or how did I get into this mess? Walter Dean Myers allows the reader to become part of the Steve’s inner struggle to face what could be life in prison or a second chance to make better decisions. The addition of different individuals in the jail sharing about their struggles with law enforcement helps to reinforce the need to make better decisions, regardless of how it is perceived. Myers uses his own life experience of growing up in Harlem to convey the rough, brutal lifestyle of those adolescents who struggle each day not to become a statistic on the evening news. He shows that the perceived abrasiveness of the characters is softened by the insight of wanting a better life, not a life in prison. Awards: *Nominated for the 1999 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature *Michael L. Printz Award-2000 *Coretta Scott King Award-2000

Novel Review for Speak-Challenged/ Module 2

Novel Review of Speak-Challenged Novel/ Module 2 Bibliographic Citation: Anderson, L. (1999). Speak. New York: Scholastic Inc. 198 pages. Summary: The first year of high school is the source of anxiety for anyone. However, the events from a late summer party leave the character, Melinda, alone in a sea of those searching for their place. Speak is the story of Melinda’s journey to regain her self-confidence, as well as her voice. Analysis: Most individuals may find this book difficult to comprehend due to the subject matter, however, the topic of date rape is handled in an incredibly understanding manner. The main character of Melinda feels that she is alone with absolutely no one who would understand what she had to endure, including those that she once considered to be her best friends. This book helps the reader to feel just small portion of the pain and torture associated with horror that a victim must endure. Anderson also allows the reader to understand the isolation an individual can encounter when immersed in the dynamics of the high school social hierarchy, a winding journey that can take one to the highest of highs, and to the lowest of lows. The issue of date rape or a type of physical attack is a volatile topic, yet necessary to discuss. Yet, Laurie Halse Anderson uses the medium of art as a type of expression. This allows the character of Melinda to work through the pain, shame, and isolation that often accompanies such attacks. This book gives the victim a voice in which they can turn a horrible and senseless act into something positive and helpful. Awards: 2000 Printz Honor Book 1999 National Book Award Finalist Edgar Allan Poe Award Finalist ALA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults ALA Quick Pick Publisher’s Weekly Best Book of the Year Booklist Top Ten First Novel of 1999 BCCB Blue Ribbon Book SLJ Best Book of the Year Horn Book Fanfare Title

Novel Review for Module 1-Classics

Novel Review of The Pigman-Classics/ Module 1 Bibliographic Citation: Zindel, P. (1968). The Pigman. New York: Harper & Row. 182 pages. Summary: The Pigman by Paul Zindel is the story of two high school friends, John and Lorraine, each with their own distinct personality quirks. Their friendship is unusual because their unique character traits work to balance each other. Their friendship and love of playing practical jokes and pranks leads them in the strange, yet fun-filled world of Mr. Pignati, who is known as the Pigman. Adventures with the Pigman help the characters discover areas of their own lives in which they feel unsatisfied and lacking emotion. Analysis: The overwhelming theme throughout this novel is loneliness. John and Lorraine seem to be searching for their own level of happiness, instead of the meaningless and depressing existence of the parents in each home. Mr. Pignati suffers from extreme sadness due to the loss of his wife. Regardless of the unusual manner in which their friendship develops, the threesome find solace, happiness and even joy with each other. The author does an excellent job of telling the story from both the perspective of John and Lorraine, allowing the reader to understand the family dynamics of each character. The story of the threesome is continued on in The Pigman’s Legacy. The evidence of the author’s own dysfunctional childhood is shared through the difficult relationships between John, Lorraine and their parents. I think it would be interesting to know more about the relationship between the author and his morning, in order to fully appreciate the feelings of John and Lorraine. Each young adult had distinct struggles within their own family and may relate to these characters more if they understand the point of view from which the author is writing. Mr. Pignati represents an attempt at discovering true happiness and their own identity apart from the family. Time with him is an escape from their own dismal homelife. After reading The Pigman, I feel compelled to read the sequel.