Posts Tagged ‘realistic fiction’
Keisha has finally made it to her senior year, and she hopes things are finally looking up. She is still haunted by the suicide of her ex-boyfriend Andy and the death of their friend Robby (Tears of a Tiger), but her friends, old and new, help her get through and thrive. Rhonda and Tyrone fall more in love. Gerald (Forged by Fire) has a serious crush on the new girl Jalani. Little sisters Joyelle/Kiara and Angel are finally freshmen.
Then there is Jonathan Hathaway, the twenty-three-year-old track coach and principal’s son. He is a “lemon drop wrapped in licorice” whose interest in Keisah has her feeling more like a college woman than a high school girl. Their secret relationship eventually takes a frightening turn, and Keisha must learn to lean on her friends to find her way out of the darkness and back to the light.
I first learned of Sharon Draper when several students–all boys who didn’t like to read–brought me a copy of Forged by Fire and whispered, “This is the best book. You have to read it.” They were right, and many students since then have read and enjoyed their first book with one of Draper’s titles. Darkness Before Dawn (Simon Pulse, 2001) will not disappoint those fans.
There are many things to love in this book: the hope that life goes on after tragedy is a powerful message. The characters are relatable and believable, down the the smallest appearance. My favorite character is Edna, the homeless woman who appears twice in the novel. Despite her brief role, she causes me to stop and look–to really see–the person she is and not just the caricature of a homeless person.
Which Sharon Draper book or character is your favorite?
Sometimes young adult books address hard topics–drugs and alcohol, abuse and crime, eating disorders and cutting. Some of my students face this same hard stuff in their own lives. Sometimes when the right books drops into the hands of the right student, something powerful can happen as a book offers a lifeline. A student discovers that “I am not alone.” A student realizes that “someone gets where I’m coming from.” A student gains empathy and understanding for others.
I received three of these books last week. It all started when an adult complained to a library about Scars by Cheryl Rainfield and asked the library to remove it from their collection. To show support for Cheryl, another author, Beth Felbaum, hosted a giveaway of two books–Rainfield’s Scars and Fehlbaum’s Hope in Patience. I won the contest, and Beth was gracious enough to send me her first book, Courage in Patience, as well. They came in the mail last week, and once I started, I couldn’t put them down. I devoured one a day until I turned the last page. I want to share them with you. All three are powerful, intense stories.
Kendra is haunted by her hidden memories of sexual abuse. Through counseling, she is remember the crimes committed against her, but she can never see her abuser’s face. As the memories become stronger, so does the danger she is in. Her abuser is following her–threatening to kill her if she remembers and tells. Even though her mom is afraid to confront the truth, Kendra finds support from a variety of people: her counselor Carolyn, family friend Sandy, art teacher Mrs. Archer, and new friend Meghan. A gifted artist, Kendra paints the truth in her pictures. When everything gets to be too much, Kendra turns to cutting her arms to relieve the pain.
I meant to save Scars (WestSide Books, 2010) to read over Spring Break, but once I peeked at the first few pages, I couldn’t put it down. I read it straight through that evening. Cheryl Rainfield weaves tension through every page. Kendra jumps at every sound and constantly looks over her shoulder. The terror increases as the hidden abuser draws closer and closer right until the dramatic revelation. Even though Rainfield gives a close look at the devestation sexual abuse can cause, I found this to be a hopeful book in the end. Kendra is strong. She will inspire and give hope to readers that they can survive their tragegies, too.
Both Courage in Patience (Kunati, 2008) and Hope in Patience (WestSide Books, 2010) by Beth Fehlbaum tell the story of Ashley Asher. After years of escalating abuse by her stepfather, Ashley finally finds the courage (through the support of her theater teacher) to tell her mother what has been going on. Instead of providing safety and support, Ashley’s mother turns away and blames Ashley for destroying their family. Ashley begins a new life with the father she never knew (her parents divorced when she was a baby, and her father never made contact except for child support payments) and his new family. Unlike Ashley’s mother, her dad and stepmom are eager to build new relationships that provide safety and support. With their love and the work of a therapist, Ashley begins the difficult task of rebuilding her life.
Like a good Chris Crutcher novel, Beth Fehlbaum packs much into these two books: sexual abuse and survival and recovery are front and center, but she also tackles racism, religious bigotry, violence, censorship (of a Chris Crutcher novel, no less), homophobia, and the power of a dedicated teacher.
I found all three of these novel compelling reading. I am grateful that my parents were able to love and support me. I hurt for those children whose parents hurt instead of help them. I hope that each of them can find the support to grow and thrive. Just maybe, these books can help them feel less isolated point the way to adults who care.
What books have inspired you to make a difference in your life?
Danny Walker must once again prove his stuff on the basketball court. Even though he may be the shortest guy out there, he has “the eye” and knows more about the game than anyone else. After being cut from the travel team and forming his own team of “rejects,” Danny led his team of underdogs to the national championship in Travel Team. Mike Lupica continues Danny’s story with Summer Ball (Puffin Books, 2007).
Now that he is at the prestigious Right Way Basketball Camp run by Josh Cameron, he’s not so sure he has what it takes to play with the big guys. Due to a computer mix-up, he’s stuck in a cabin with the ten to twelve year old campers. His coach, Ed Powers hates him because of past history with his dad. His biggest rival from the championship game, Rasheed, is on the same team and is out to get Danny, along with his bigger, badder friend Lamar. At least Danny has Will and Ty to lean on, but things are just not the same with Tess since tennis superstar Scott came to town.
Now instead of loving a summer of nonstop basketball, Danny questions if he even belongs here anymore. Fans of Lupica’s other sports books will enjoy this one. There is plenty of conflict both on and off the basketball court as the underdogs fight to prove their stuff.
What is your favorite basketball or underdog sports story?
Josh turns thirteen, and you know what that means. His parents are a complete embarrassment. Mom’s not too bad, but she sends Josh to live with his dad in Chicago so she can look after Grandma in Florida. Josh should have known it would be bad when he saw his dad’s new look–jet-black hair, thick sideburns, and a Hawaiian shirt with orange parrots. The news just gets worse. After losing his job as a shoe salesman, Josh’s dad is starting a new career as an Elvis impersonator complete with jiggling legs and swaying hips. Doesn’t he know that he is about to ruin Josh’s life?
All Josh wants is to fit in with the right crowd at his new middle school. A single homerun in gym class gets him an invitation to sit at the table by the vending machines with the cool guys. Only a few things stand in his way from keeping his new-found popularity. One is Ivory, the daughter of his dad’s new girlfriend. The other is an invitation for his dad to perform–as Elvis–at a fifties concert at his school. It is time for Josh to take control with desperate measures. Is there any way for him to get out of this mes withouth hurting anyone? Probably not.
I agree with Ivory’s assessment of Josh: “It’s always about you.” In spite of Josh’s self-absortion, he is a likeable character. His unspoken notes to himself and various characters–mainly his dad–add humor to the story. In the end, Josh learns something about himself and his dad and friendship–all thanks to the King. I enjoyed the quotes from Elvis’s hits that begin each chapter. All that was missing is the soundtrack. Reader’s will have to provide that for themselves as they dance their way through All Shook Up (Alfred P. Knopf) by Shelley Pearsall.
What would you do if your dad decided to become Elvis?
*Image of book cover from Titlewave.
All Josie wants is to fit in. She hates walking into Room 204 for Special Ed, but her cerebral palsy makes her stick out at middle school where taunts follow her down the hallway and on the bus. At home, her single mom is as demanding of Josie as she is herself. Grandma doesn’t mind sharing her opinion. Their once prosperous family farm has shrunk to not much more than a garden plot.
Then Jordan moves into one of the new mansions nearby and walks into Josie’s life. A bit different himself, he sees past Josie’s differences to a friend.
Short poems, spoken in Josie’s voice, reveal Josie’s life one glimpse at a time. I enjoyed this quiet, moving story. The short lines of poetry make for a quick read. The vivid imagery and haunting emotion reveal Josie’s desire to belong and the growth she shares with her family and Jordan. I think you will like Reaching for Sun (Bloomsbury Children’s Books) by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer if you are looking for a believable character you can relate to.
I rescued The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver from the discard rack in the library. I first read Kingsolver’s nonfiction book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (a very thought-provoking look at where our food comes from), and have wanted to read her fiction ever since. I might as well start with her first novel.
Taylor Greer wants to escape her dirt-poor life in Kentucky without getting pregnant. As soon as she earns enough money working in the hospital lab, she buys an old Volkswagon Bug and heads West. She keeps driving until she her tires give out at the Jesus Is Lord Used Tires repair shop. Along the way in Oklahoma, she picks up a three-year-old Cherokee child named Turtle. With Turtle in tow, Taylor meets life head on with pluck and courage.
She moves in with Lou Ann (who sees disaster at every turn) and baby Dwayne Ray and works for Mattie at Jesus Is Lord Used Tires, which is also a sanctuary for Central American refugees. With help from their neighbors, grouchy Virgie Parsons and blind Edna Poppy, Mattie, and refugees Estevan and Esperanza, she and Lou Ann make a life together that fills with heartbreak and laughter.
As Taylor grows into her new life, she encounters evil and love in the human condition and must come to terms with her past and future. Just as life hides in the Arizona desert, Taylor discovers sources of strength in the empty places of her life.
I liked this book, but I’m not sure what to do with it now. Does it sound like somethiing you want to read? Would you like it on my shelf, or should I pass it on elsewhere?
