I agree with the review in Horn Book that says, "Though the lengthy analyses on everything from female body image to Palestinian food give the book more message than momentum, the girls' thoughts and dreams are authentically adolescent, providing a bridge between cultures -- as the author clearly intends."

Death of Jason Porter

As I mentioned during Jaime Adoff's visit, I picked up this book several times before really getting into it. It wasn't that I didn't like it - it was just that I'd read so many "problem novels" recently that I wasn't in the mood for more misery. Having worked with urban young people recently, I feel their difficulties particularly keenly. But I am glad I finally did settle down and read the book. Jaime's language is always very expressive. This book is well plotted with a satisfying (if not entirely realistic) ending. He has definitely stepped up here - this book is for a more mature reader than his other books and includes some sex and drug use besides the physical abuse and suicide attempt. I'm so glad that you all got to meet Jaime - he is a terrific writer and a fun guy for sure! The Booklist review commented, "It’s a hard book to read, and even harder to put down."

Poetry

I enjoyed preparing for this class. There are so many terrific poetry books available in such a variety of formats. I wish there were more audio recordings of poetry available. Searching the Dayton Metro and OhioLink catalogs didn't yield anything I wanted to listen to.

More historical fiction

I'm listening to Spite Fences by Trudy Krisher, an terrific author who lives in our area. It different than I expected, dealing frankly with strong issues of racism and family abuse. It takes place just before the American Civil Rights Movement in a small town in Georgia. The main character, Magnolia April Pugh (Maggie) is a strong, spunky character.

historical fiction

I'm reading a bit ahead. Just finished Coffin Quilt by Ann Rinaldi. It's about the infamous feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys. It was interesting. The clans, one living in Kentucky and one living just across the border in W.Virginia, carried on open warfare - shooting each other on sight, going on raids, burning houses. We follow the story from the perspective of the youngest McCoy, Fanny. It is a an interesting book with the central organizing motif of the coffin quilt: a quilt that is more of a family record than a bed covering.

I'm not much of a fan personally of "spooky" books but many teens really enjoy them. Unsophisticated readers often enjoy the Goosebump series. I have been wanting to read Coraline by Neil Gaiman because Neil Gaiman is such a huge name in YA lit (he is often mentioned by other writers as being an inspiration). Coraline is a short book and I read it in an afternoon. It IS creepy with the "other mother" and the parallel world she has created. That hand thing at the end probably has resulted in a few nightmares... And those button eyes...

Then there are the vampire books. I like Stephanie Meyers' highly popular Twilight series - but they are really more like romance or suspense than of the horror genre. Klause's Silver Kiss was good too. Am now reading Peeps by Scott Westerfeld. His books are popular with the teens in my family- they refer to them as urban fantasy. I love his Uglies, Pretties, Specials series (broke my rule about only reading one book in the series). But this one - I don't know.

It was a nice change of pace to move from reading edgy problem novels (Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, Fanboy and Gothgirl, Fat Kid Rules the World) to a sweet sports novel: Mike Lupica's New Your Times best selling Heat. This is a terrific baseball story but also a heart warming story of a Cuban immigrant family with lots of good guys.

What am I reading?

Realistic fiction that I have been reading this past week includes Fat Boy Rules the World (Going) and Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging (Nicolson) - very different books. Fat Boy is definitely on the edgy side. Angus? Think Bridget Jones Diary for teens. Just started Postcards From No Man's Land (Chambers).

Student Blogs

I have been very pleased with the blogs that have been started. Last time I taught this course I had students submit book "notes" that I didn't read until they were submitted at the end of the course. I think the use of blogs is going to be much more interactive and should result in some good discussion.
If any of you are having difficulties setting up your blogs don't hesitate to contact me or one of the students who have already "taken the leap"!
Thanks for being pioneers.

WSU EDT763 Blog

I am excited to try using blogging for our class in Young Adult literature. I look forward to reading your blogs!