William Paul Young
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
Friday, April 10, 2015
Non-Fiction
Warriors Don't Cry
By: Melba Pattillo Beals
1994
The story that everyone is familiar with, the Little Rock Nine, but with an actual face behind the story. This story puts human emotions and reactions behind an event that we, as a culture, have become numb to. Learning about history is easy until you hear from the real people involved. This memoir is a heart breaking story about a young girls strength and courage in the face of so much hate in America during the times of integration. Throughout the story you will read about different events that took place during the integration of Central High School in the 50's, but you will hear it through one of the African American student's perspective of the event.
While reading I got the sense that Melba was trying to keep her emotion out of the book so she could just write the facts about the events. However, behind the straight facts of what happened, you cannot help but feel her pain as you read through her diary excerpts scattered within the book. The nine students who attended Central High School had so many negative feelings in association with white people after this time, but eventually had a chance to resolve some of those feelings in an interview years later.
This memoir is an unbelievably powerful and emotional read. I believe that this memoir speaks more about the racism that exists in this country more than a lot of literature that adolescents are reading today. This is a book that can open the door rich discussion in whatever setting you may find yourself in; a classroom, book club, or family.
Watch the interview with Oprah -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAsh_PDr1cc
Another blog on this book --http://lifelaughterliterature.weebly.com/blog/the-importance-of-nonfiction
More about the students -- http://www.littlerock9.com/
Article from Life Magazine -- http://life.time.com/history/little-rock-nine-1957-photos/#1
Video from the History Channel --http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/civil-rights-movement/videos/little-rock-nine-rev
Excerpt from the Encyclopedia of Arkansas -- http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=723
An Interview with Melba Pattilla Beals -- http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/interview-melba-pattillo-beals
More about Melba and her Experience -- http://www.democraticunderground.com/11383264
Article from Stanford.edu -- http://mlk-kpp01.stanford.edu/index.php/encyclopedia/encyclopedia/enc_little_rock_school_desegregation_1957/
By: Melba Pattillo Beals
1994
The story that everyone is familiar with, the Little Rock Nine, but with an actual face behind the story. This story puts human emotions and reactions behind an event that we, as a culture, have become numb to. Learning about history is easy until you hear from the real people involved. This memoir is a heart breaking story about a young girls strength and courage in the face of so much hate in America during the times of integration. Throughout the story you will read about different events that took place during the integration of Central High School in the 50's, but you will hear it through one of the African American student's perspective of the event.
While reading I got the sense that Melba was trying to keep her emotion out of the book so she could just write the facts about the events. However, behind the straight facts of what happened, you cannot help but feel her pain as you read through her diary excerpts scattered within the book. The nine students who attended Central High School had so many negative feelings in association with white people after this time, but eventually had a chance to resolve some of those feelings in an interview years later.
This memoir is an unbelievably powerful and emotional read. I believe that this memoir speaks more about the racism that exists in this country more than a lot of literature that adolescents are reading today. This is a book that can open the door rich discussion in whatever setting you may find yourself in; a classroom, book club, or family.
Watch the interview with Oprah -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAsh_PDr1cc
Another blog on this book --http://lifelaughterliterature.weebly.com/blog/the-importance-of-nonfiction
More about the students -- http://www.littlerock9.com/
Article from Life Magazine -- http://life.time.com/history/little-rock-nine-1957-photos/#1
Video from the History Channel --http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/civil-rights-movement/videos/little-rock-nine-rev
Excerpt from the Encyclopedia of Arkansas -- http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=723
An Interview with Melba Pattilla Beals -- http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/interview-melba-pattillo-beals
More about Melba and her Experience -- http://www.democraticunderground.com/11383264
Article from Stanford.edu -- http://mlk-kpp01.stanford.edu/index.php/encyclopedia/encyclopedia/enc_little_rock_school_desegregation_1957/
Saturday, April 4, 2015
I'll Give You the Sun
By: Jandy Nelson
2014
A story where twins are separated by time and emotion, but why? We see both halves through both twins but from different time points. One twin, Noah, we get his story when he is 13 and we get the other half of the story from the other twin Jude when they are 16. Slowly while the book goes on we get all the little pieces of the story put together through the different viewpoints. This is an instantly captivating read that had me hooked from beginning to end. Nelson has writing style that will keep you interested while not being too easy a read. There are so many details to this story that you have to pay close attention while you read or you will miss something. While reading you think that there are so many lose ends to all of the stories the twins are telling but they end up all tying together in an unexpected, but remarkable way. By the end, the book definitely takes a piece of you heart and soul with it. I highly highly highly recommend EVERYONE read this, young or old, male or female.
By: Jandy Nelson
2014
A story where twins are separated by time and emotion, but why? We see both halves through both twins but from different time points. One twin, Noah, we get his story when he is 13 and we get the other half of the story from the other twin Jude when they are 16. Slowly while the book goes on we get all the little pieces of the story put together through the different viewpoints. This is an instantly captivating read that had me hooked from beginning to end. Nelson has writing style that will keep you interested while not being too easy a read. There are so many details to this story that you have to pay close attention while you read or you will miss something. While reading you think that there are so many lose ends to all of the stories the twins are telling but they end up all tying together in an unexpected, but remarkable way. By the end, the book definitely takes a piece of you heart and soul with it. I highly highly highly recommend EVERYONE read this, young or old, male or female.
Monday, March 30, 2015
I Am the Wallpaper
By: Mark Peter Hughes
2005
A thirteen year old girl who feels invisible in comparison to her older sister is suddenly finding herself the center of attention, why? The secrets of her diary have been exposed to the pubic and now all eyes are on her. She is trying to deal with this embarrassment of being in the spotlight and finds that maybe being ordinary isn't so bad after all.
This book is a very quick read but definitely provides entertainment. It brings me back to the time when I was thirteen years old and anything bad that happened felt like my entire world was caving in. Hughes does a very good job capturing the voice of an adolescent teen during the time of great trial, for her. Though the main character, Floey, is dealing with a lot of trouble in her life during this time, she attacks it with unwavering optimism that a lot of teenagers do not have. It is a very encouraging read, telling that something may seem bad but it may not be all that bad.
By: Mark Peter Hughes
2005
A thirteen year old girl who feels invisible in comparison to her older sister is suddenly finding herself the center of attention, why? The secrets of her diary have been exposed to the pubic and now all eyes are on her. She is trying to deal with this embarrassment of being in the spotlight and finds that maybe being ordinary isn't so bad after all.
This book is a very quick read but definitely provides entertainment. It brings me back to the time when I was thirteen years old and anything bad that happened felt like my entire world was caving in. Hughes does a very good job capturing the voice of an adolescent teen during the time of great trial, for her. Though the main character, Floey, is dealing with a lot of trouble in her life during this time, she attacks it with unwavering optimism that a lot of teenagers do not have. It is a very encouraging read, telling that something may seem bad but it may not be all that bad.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Individualism
Lucky Child
By: Loung Ung
2005
A memoir about a girl trying to find who she is in a world completely new to her. Loung Ung immigrates to America from the war ridden Cambodia when she is just ten years old. It is a story of struggle as you see young Loung trying to fit in to American culture while trying to please her older brother, Meng, who is her caretaker. She wants to forget about all the violence that she has been exposed to in Cambodia, but her roots keep bringing her back to that love of her native country.
While reading along with Loung's story you are also reading about her sister, Chou's, story while she is still living in Cambodia at the same time. This creates a very interesting juxtaposition about the privileged life that we live in America and the not so privileged life lead in Cambodia.
This book is definitely not a light-hearted read, it will leave you with a wide range of emotions throughout the memoir. This is a book that makes you think of the world outside our tunnel vision of American life and we are let in to the struggles of a young girl trying to become her own version of the "American Dream."
By: Loung Ung
2005
A memoir about a girl trying to find who she is in a world completely new to her. Loung Ung immigrates to America from the war ridden Cambodia when she is just ten years old. It is a story of struggle as you see young Loung trying to fit in to American culture while trying to please her older brother, Meng, who is her caretaker. She wants to forget about all the violence that she has been exposed to in Cambodia, but her roots keep bringing her back to that love of her native country.
While reading along with Loung's story you are also reading about her sister, Chou's, story while she is still living in Cambodia at the same time. This creates a very interesting juxtaposition about the privileged life that we live in America and the not so privileged life lead in Cambodia.
This book is definitely not a light-hearted read, it will leave you with a wide range of emotions throughout the memoir. This is a book that makes you think of the world outside our tunnel vision of American life and we are let in to the struggles of a young girl trying to become her own version of the "American Dream."
Thursday, February 19, 2015
All About Love
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.
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 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.
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