The Tragedy Paper
By: Elizabeth Laban
2013
A stack of CDs were left behind for Duncan, in his dorm, as he began his senior year at the prestigious Irving School in New York, by the senior who lived there before him, Tim Macbeth. The CDs were said to help Duncan on his Tragedy Paper, the most feared of all the senior projects.
Within the story both Tim and Duncan are going through trials of the heart. Tim loves Vanessa, and Duncan loves Daisy. The story line follows both of these characters going through their senior years but one year apart. Tim's senior experience helps Duncan get through his own, especially when it comes to his dealings with Daisy.
The author does a good job circling the subject "what makes a tragedy?" But, there are times when she is...less then subtle about the name choices. Laban makes it obvious with the Shakespearean connection between Macbeth and Duncan, even making explicit comments in the novel about it. This took the mystery out of their relationship and made less work for the reader.
However, the story line is captivating and instantly grasps your attention with the mystery surrounding the tragedy paper. It turns, what I though would be, a light-hearted drama into a serious drama, involving fitting in with your peers, defiance, and above all, romance.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Sense of Self
The List
By: Siobhan Vivian
2012
The story of eight high school girls as each one of them was deemed either the ugliest or the prettiest girl of their grade. The effects of this "list" is different to every girl. How should they react? How would this effect the people around them? Some of the girls think that their lives have improved while other girls are fully aware of the disastrous repercussions of being selected to be on the list. Whether they were labeled as pretty or ugly, the judgement of the maker of this list has a negative effect on every single one of the girls. These girls learn that you can't let the judgement of another person define who you are.
This is a beautiful story about how the judgement of other people can deeply effect the way that we see ourselves. Some of these girls, who thought that they knew the type of person they were had their lives turned upside-down by this list. Vivian does a remarkable job of capturing the real life everyday problems facing teenagers in high school. It is also helpful for adults because they get the chance to see that maybe these insignificant problems their own teenagers face may not be so insignificant. We as a society are forced to look at how we treat others and how our judgement can greatly effect another person.
I would highly recommend this book to readers of any age.
By: Siobhan Vivian
2012
The story of eight high school girls as each one of them was deemed either the ugliest or the prettiest girl of their grade. The effects of this "list" is different to every girl. How should they react? How would this effect the people around them? Some of the girls think that their lives have improved while other girls are fully aware of the disastrous repercussions of being selected to be on the list. Whether they were labeled as pretty or ugly, the judgement of the maker of this list has a negative effect on every single one of the girls. These girls learn that you can't let the judgement of another person define who you are.
This is a beautiful story about how the judgement of other people can deeply effect the way that we see ourselves. Some of these girls, who thought that they knew the type of person they were had their lives turned upside-down by this list. Vivian does a remarkable job of capturing the real life everyday problems facing teenagers in high school. It is also helpful for adults because they get the chance to see that maybe these insignificant problems their own teenagers face may not be so insignificant. We as a society are forced to look at how we treat others and how our judgement can greatly effect another person.
I would highly recommend this book to readers of any age.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Everyday
By: David Levithan
2012
This novel has a very original topic of a spirit that takes over a different body everyday, but the catch here is that A falls in love with a girl, Rhiannon, while he is inhabiting one body. It then becomes A's sole purpose to find a way to see her everyday within different bodies. This takes his life in a whole new direction, but how will A and Rhiannon ever be together if everyday he wakes up as someone else? This is where the adventure lies. Is love really enough for a relationship? This novel challenges that thought that it can.
This is a book that you need to read for a few chapter until you get connected with the book's concept and plot. The book is written in a way that makes it easy to follow, however it doesn't feel like the content is dumbed down for younger readers. It is something that I was able to read very quickly, but also enjoyed. At the beginning of the book it is a strange idea, not to understand, but to get emotionally attached to, because towards the beginning it almost seems that there isn't a person that you can be attached to. It almost feels that A isn't even real. However, as I read on I became more and more attached to A and his journey to try and win his girl. I would encourage that this book be read.
By: David Levithan
2012
This novel has a very original topic of a spirit that takes over a different body everyday, but the catch here is that A falls in love with a girl, Rhiannon, while he is inhabiting one body. It then becomes A's sole purpose to find a way to see her everyday within different bodies. This takes his life in a whole new direction, but how will A and Rhiannon ever be together if everyday he wakes up as someone else? This is where the adventure lies. Is love really enough for a relationship? This novel challenges that thought that it can.
This is a book that you need to read for a few chapter until you get connected with the book's concept and plot. The book is written in a way that makes it easy to follow, however it doesn't feel like the content is dumbed down for younger readers. It is something that I was able to read very quickly, but also enjoyed. At the beginning of the book it is a strange idea, not to understand, but to get emotionally attached to, because towards the beginning it almost seems that there isn't a person that you can be attached to. It almost feels that A isn't even real. However, as I read on I became more and more attached to A and his journey to try and win his girl. I would encourage that this book be read.
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