It's Not Always So Bright

Violet has been shrinking since, well, a tragedy occurred in her life about a year prior to the introduction of this story. Now, she is a confused and lonely HS Senior, drifting from clique to family, contemplating suicide. Enter Finch.

Niven, Jennifer. All the Bright Places. London: Penguin, 2015. 

The description of the book as "The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park" is completely misleading. The protagonist of this story is Violet, who has been shrinking since, well, a tragedy occurred in her life about a year prior to the introduction of this story. Now, Violet is a confused and lonely HS Senior, drifting from clique to family, contemplating suicide. Enter Finch who finds her while he's contemplating the same thing on the ledge of the school bell tower. Finch is the handsome antagonist who quite literally steals the plot. He has bipolar disorder--all the joys and euphoria associated with it, but also the despair and hollowness it leaves in its wake, not to mention the anxiety and neuropathy in between. 

The book has nothing to do with star-crossed lovers, nothing to do with fate. It's about the roller-coaster ride that is bipolar. I'm on the fence about recommending it because I believe teens who experience suicidal thoughts should read more about the effects on the victims left behind. Focusing on the euphoria of highs or the eccentricities of the lows of bipolar tends to depersonalize, stereotype or even glorify the disorder in a way that trivializes the disease as a moral lesson from which shrinking Violets must learn.

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao

Diaz, Junot. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao: a Novel. New York: Riverhead, 2007.

For the past 3 years, this has been on my radar, as everyone in my "library" classes had been going on and on about it. I really didn't like it that much, nor do I care for Diaz' short stories that I pick up here and there. There are some inspired lines, such as, "...when he thought about the way she laughed, as though she owned the air around her, his heart thudded inside his chest, a lonely rada." Sure, what girl wouldn't fall in love with that line? But "a lonely rada" is kind of lost on me. I'm just not that citified, I guess. The only Dominicans I really ever met were at Word of Life Camp when I was a teenager, and they didn't swear or speak in the vernacular Diaz uses in his writings, at least not while they were at Bible camp. I would have to say that I did enjoy the narrative techniques, story within a story within a story, the thread that ran through the narrative, the epiphany when the narrator was revealed-that was fresh. I learned quite a bit about DR history. And this book was so much more enjoyable than How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents. If I was in a school where I was able to teach either book, barring censorship, I would choose Diaz over Alvarez. He's less agenda-oriented and less self-aware, more about the craft.

Winter Is for Reading

Winter gives us the perfect excuse to curl up with a good book, write in our journals or read with our children.  The poet William Carlos Williams challenges the howling North Wind in his poem, “January”:

Play louder.

You will not succeed. I am

bound more to my sentences

the more you batter at me

to follow you.

You can always take shelter from the winter winds in your library.

Over the break, I discovered a fantastic reading app that kept my children entertained on the iPads for longer than they should have been.  Reading Rainbow, a show that aired on the Public Broadcasting System in the US for over 20 years, has now put all their wonderful experience into creating a safe, online environment for kids.  If your kids are like mine, you can never have enough reading apps.  You can check Reading Rainbow out for free.

Snowstorm Huda blasted Amman, but I was prepared.  I finished Season of Migration to the North by Tayeb Salih, I'd save this book for college students, or those familiar with Conrad or Achebe.  I don't know that very many high school readers would catch the nuances of the text, post-colonialism, deconstruction, some existentialism, some great feminist stuff.  You need a lot of lenses to unpack this text, which makes it really good reading for those of us who love to read, but probably a little too confusing and complex for those just starting out.  I really liked it though.  It would be great to teach in World Lit.  

I also read Jane Yolen's collection of short stories, Twelve Impossible Things Before Breakfast. It was interesting, but just that, a collection of fantasy short stories for Young Adults.  There were some "horror" stories, but they weren't very scary compared to what kids read today.  My favorites were "Mama Gone," a story set in Appalachia, wherein the young protagonist must face her vampire mother.  "Winter's King" sticks with me, not because of the plot, but because of its beautiful writing.  It reminded me of Game of Thrones.  I thought it was beautiful.  "The Babysitter," perhaps the most "horrorific" of them all had a nice twist at the end.  

My favorite was Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. My Goodreads reviews are now linked, but I'll repost it here.  I would give one caviat.  In a conservative culture, I would recommend this for 16 and up, no younger, just to be on the safe side with parents.

I wish John Hughes were still alive, because ELEANOR & PARK needs to be made into a John Hughes movie, circa 1986, the year in which it is set in the most unlikely of Midwestern towns, Omaha. Rainbow Rowell, did you make Eleanor into Molly Ringwald on purpose or was it typecasting? It took me two days to read this, and it felt like I was 16 again, hoping, praying, that some boy, any boy, would notice me, but not quite sure how to make it happen. And the bus rides, oh, the bus rides. Wondering what mean girl was stalking you, why you felt ostracized. The music, the Smiths, the Smithereens, U2, Foreigner, the soundtrack of my life. And the quiet, mysterious boy, the one who took martial arts, who probably kept a journal, who didn't talk about it, who melted your insides. Learning to drive. That first kiss. That promise of something more you know will never come true. The golden moment caught in time, like a picture, in your yearbook. Friends Forever, Eleanor & Park. 

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. London: Hachette/Orion. ISBN 9781409120544. Pbk.

One Choice Can Transform You--a review of DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth

Would you be able to leave your home and all you knew behind to start a new life with strangers?  That’s what 16 year old Beatrice does.  After taking her aptitude test “Tris” leaves Abnegation for the Dauntless faction in future dystopian Chicago, to prove to herself that she is fearless.  During her brutal initiation, she discovers that the Dauntless, as well as her former faction, Abnegation, have enemies among the 5 factions, primarily Erudite.  Will Tris be able to survive her Dauntless initiation?  Can a 16 year old girl save the world as she knows it?

For all my young ladies who liked Twilight, this book is for you (Roth’s writing is a bit better than Meyer’s—less schmaltzy). For all my guys who liked the Hunger Games, this book is for you (Collins is a bit of a better writer, but Roth’s story is still interesting). I’m not going to give you any spoilers, but I will tell you that this book has just the right blend of action and romance to keep you reading. I got lost in the vaguely familiar world of the book , and I only put it down when I was so sleepy my eyes wouldn’t stay open. A few warnings, though. There is some pretty graphic violence involved, as the Dauntless must face fears of all kind—physical and psychological—so don’t read this if you’re squeamish or emotionally troubled.

The series itself is part of a genius marketing scheme. I scanned the QR code on the back of the book, and found book trailers and an interview with the author (who is, by the way, a new author). The Bonus Materials in the back of the book include a Divergent play list (nice!) and a Cosmo-like quiz on “What Faction Are You?” which was lots of fun.

This is another one I won’t be able to put in the library because it’s too hot to handle here in Kuwait (and that’s saying a lot because it’s very hot here), but I’m sure going to read the rest of them. Divergent was a great choice for my first summer read. The sequel, Insurgent, is definitely going on my summer list.

Awards and Reviews

Best Book of the Year—School Library Journal

Best Fiction for Young Adults—YALSA

Best Children’s Books—Publisher’s Weekly

Black Eyed Susan Book Award

“There is no doubt readers will respond to the gutsy action and romance of this umpteenth spin on Brave New World”—Daniel Kraus, Booklist, March 2011

“For those who loved The Hunger Games and are willing to brave the sometimes sadistic tests of strength and courage Tris must endure, the reward is a memorable, unpredictable journey from which it is nearly impossible to turn away.”—Publisher’s Weekly, February 2011

Vital Stats 

Roth, Veronica (2011). Divergent. New York: Katherine Tegen Books. ISBN 0062024027.



The Silent Act--a review of SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson

Melinda Sordino is a Freshman at Merryweather High, and she’s just about as isolated as they come.  She had friends before, but something happened last summer—something bad, something unspeakable—and now she is shunned, ostracized and outcast.  What’s going on?  Why won’t Melinda talk?  Is it that she can’t or that she won’t—speak? 

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Anderson’s external portrayal of Melinda is about as real as they come. When I taught in high schools, I had at least one girl like Melinda in every English class. They usually tucked their hands inside the sleeves of their baggy sweatshirts, hid their eyes behind their hair, never looked adults in the eye, liked art class, and seemed to shy away from boys. They were usually disinterested and mildly disdainful of their classes. As a teacher, I always wanted to get inside the heads of these girls, and thanks to Anderson, I feel I have.


From Glee to Gossip Girl to Pretty Little Liars to 90210, portrayal of teenagers is rife with stereotypes. And, while the novel is set in high school, the penultimate stereotype factory, Anderson doesn’t stop with the stereotypes, which is what makes Speak ultra-real. Chosing to share Melinda’s story through a series of diary-like entries rather than traditional chapter divisions, Anderson manages to escape stereotypes by allowing the reader to connect with Melinda’s inner dialogue, distinguishing her as an individual. What helps the other characters avoid being stereotypical is the fact that they are freshmen trying to fit in, so their images are shifting. Rachel, formerly a Plain Jane and formerly Melinda’s friend, becomes a Eurotrash wannabe. Nicole, a female jock. The inability of Melinda to speak is juxtaposed with the ability of her fellow classmate, hero, and possible romantic interest, David Petrakis’ ability to stand up for himself in the face of unjust treatment by a teacher, also avoiding stereotypical treatment. 

Contemporary fiction runs the risk of becoming overtly issue-oriented, and for this reader, Speak is almost marred by its pre-occupation with the issue of rape. It was clear to me early in the book that Melinda had undergone a traumatic experience at the party after which she was ostracized. I was 98% sure she had been raped, but the narrative was compelling enough for me to want the details. What keeps this book from going the way of the After-School Special, however, is the strength of its overall theme which is hinted at in the title: Speak. Like so many high school girls, Melinda needed help finding a voice. If an adult reader keeps in mind that a freshman who had been raped by a very popular jock would undoubtedly find it the central, preoccupying issue in her life, the book can be forgiven for its overtness, and may perhaps, be even more real than an adult realizes. This book is a Young Adult novel. It’s meant for teenage girls. Halse definitely understands her audience, and the adults can butt out if they so choose, thank-you-very-much.

Awards and Reviews
Speak has garnered many awards. The most major awards are listed here, but a full list can be found at the author's site online.

Printz Honor Book
National Book Award Finalist
ALA Best Book for Young Adults
Booklist Editor’s Choice
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Blue Ribbon Book
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

“In her YA fiction debut, Anderson perfectly captures the harsh conformity of high-school cliques and one teen’s struggle to find acceptance from her peers. Melinda’s sarcastic wit, honesty, and courage make her a memorable character whose ultimate triumph will inspire and empower readers.” – Debbie Carton, Booklist (September 15, 1999)

“The plot is gripping and the characters are powerfully drawn, but it is its raw and unvarnished look at the dynamics of the high school experience that makes this a novel that will be hard for readers to forget.” – Kirkus Reviews (September 15, 1999)

“Anderson expresses the emotions and the struggles of teenagers perfectly. Melinda’s pain is palpable, and readers will totally empathize with her. This is a compelling book, with sharp, crisp writing that draws readers in, engulfing them in the story.” – Dina Sherman, School Library Journal (October 1, 1999)

“Readers will easily identify with Melinda, a realistic, likeable character. Anderson portrays a large suburban high school with a fresh and authentic eye. …By using a conversational, first-person narrative, the author takes the reader into Melinda’s world. This story has an important lesson: never be afraid to speak up for yourself.” – Rebecca Vnuk, VOYA (December 1, 1999)

“…the book’s overall gritty realism and Melinda’s hard-won metamorphosis will leave readers touched and inspired.” – Publisher’s Weekly (September 13, 1999)

Lesson Extensions
This book covers extremely sensitive subject matter, and might be best suited for reading in a high school Girls’ PE or Health class.
*Teachers could invite a guest speaker from an emergency room, health clinic, or rape crisis center to speak to the girls about date rape, assault, and rape prevention.
*Local martial artists could instruct girls in methods of self-defense.
*The book could be used as a starting point for a discussion about the dangers of peer pressure and stereotyping in high school.

Free study guide available here.

Vital Stats
Anderson, Laurie Halse. (1999). Speak. New York: Farrar, Straus, Giroux. ISBN: 978-0-374-37152-4.

Control Freak--a review of JOEY PIGZA LOSES CONTROL by Jack Gantos

Joey Pigza’s life is far from “normal.” But, then again, what is normal? His single mom, who supports herself and Joey on a beautician’s income, is stressed herself, even more so when Joey’s ex-con father has decided he’s gotten himself back on track and wants Joey to stay with him for the summer. Enter Joey’s grandmother, an oxygen-dependent chain smoker, who doesn’t really enjoy taking care of her hyperactive grandson or mangy Chihuahua Pablo. Joey is nervous about his summer with his father, and he has a right to be. Joey’s alcoholic father tries to fix his own mistakes by inflicting his unachieved dreams on Joey, including becoming a superstar pitcher. When Joey’s dad decides to ditch his nicotine patch, he forces Joey to give up his Ritalin patch…the only thing that had been keeping Joey from inflicting hyperactive harm to himself and others. Can Joey stand up for himself?


Through his adept characterization of Joey, Gantos has given us a realistic and unapologetic glimpse into the “normal” struggle of a hyperactive kid from a broken family who is trying his best to be good, without much help from the adults in his life. Joey’s antics are funny, when he pretends to be a mannequin in a fancy department store, yet heartbreaking at the same time, when the reader realizes that Joey does this because he has been abandoned by the adults in his life and is wandering the streets of Pittsburg alone and unmedicated for the day. The thing is, every educator knows a kid like Joey. They are scrappy, unkempt, usually friendless because of their behavior, and, at best, dreaded by some teachers.  Yet, somehow these kids find a spot in the hearts of those who root for the underdog. Being an underdog seems to be Gantos’ theme, for everyone in the book is an underdog. Joey’s mother, his father, his grandmother, and Joey all struggle. The reader wants them all to win, but not everyone in Joey’s life does. That’s precisely what makes this book realistic. In real life, not everyone wins, even if you hope they do. Some people don’t change. Life experience has lots of lessons, and not all of them are nice. Gantos doesn’t give us a storybook ending for Joey because real life doesn’t consist of storybook endings. But there is laughter, and there is hope. And that’s all we get sometimes.

Awards and Reviews
Newbery Medal Honor Book, 2001
ALA Notable Book, 2001

“Readers will be drawn in immediately to the boy’s gripping first-person narrative and be pulled pell-mell through episodes that are at once hilarious, harrowing, and ultimately heartening as Joey grows to understand himself and the people around him.”—Starr LaTronica, School Library Journal (September 2000)

“Gantos lifts this account of a kid with a lot of problems well above the stock problem novel: Joey’s view of the world is compelling regardless of what he’s dealing with, and it’s realistic in both its perceptions and their limitations.”—Deborah Stevenson, Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (September 2000)

“Gantos’ skillful pacing, sly humor, and in-depth characterization make it a truly memorable read.”—Susan Dove Lempke, Starred Review, Booklist (September 1, 2000)

Classroom Extensions
One of my favorite suggestions is a Board Game Activity. The start would be Joey’s dad’s house and the finish would be his mom’s house, because throughout the story, all he wants to do is be home with his mother. The pawns could be Joey, his mother, his father, his grandma, and Pablo. The students would roll the die and move accordingly. Landing on a square, they would draw a card. Some of the cards will have questions about the book, which if they get it right they advance two spaces. If they get it wrong, they stay where they are. Other cards will state something that happened to Joey either good or bad. For example, one of the cards might say, Joey’s dad throws away his medicine, go back five spaces, or Joey pitches a perfect game, go forward four spaces.

Another activity suggested at this site is to have the students make postcards from Joey to his mother. These two suggestions may not exactly be new approaches, but they both work very well for this book and the website gives good examples for each.

Keifer, M.J. (2005). “Classroom Activities for Joey Pigza Loses Control.”  Accessed November 27, 2011, from http://kieferja.tripod.com/page3.htm.

Scholastic offers an excellent language arts lesson plan for the book which addresses student understanding of conflict in the novel through personal reflection, class discussion, and poetry writing.  Suggestions for other books about family issues are also given. 

Gold, Lauren (n.d.). “Joey Pigza Loses Control Teaching Plan.”  Scholastic.com. Accessed November 24, 2011, from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/joey-pigza-loses-control-teaching-plan.

Books on Tape offers a free Listening Library Guide, which offers ways to enhance a listener’s experience with the book on audio.  Struggling readers may be able to identify with Joey and his struggles due to the causes of reading difficulties.  Listening to the book may be a perfect way for such students to get into "reading" the novel.

Vital Stats

Gantos, Jack. (2000). Joey Pigza Loses Control. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.