The House On Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros is the story of a young girl in search of home, both literally and figuratively. Esperanza looks to the women in and around the life she has in her small neighborhood in search of the person she wants to become. From her mother to the neighbor who never leaves her house, there are different types of women everywhere she looks. As she observes their lives, she learns what she wants and what she doesn't want in her own life. But can she ever find a sense of home in an environment where there is no one to show her how to be the woman she wants to become?
This is a complex story, told in a way that makes it possible to flip to any chapter and understand what is happening. The focus in this story is all about the women. Some women are shown positively, but most are shown in a negative manner. This could be the intent of the story. Esperanza sees what characteristics are important in life and explains them in a very honest manner. This is a novel worth delving into a discussion over.
Here are two links about the book. The first is an interview with Sandra Cisneros. The second is a link directly to the author's website for more information on her and her works.
If I Stay by Gayle Forman begins with a rare snow day in a small town in Oregon. A family of four, all home together, decide to take a short road trip to visit some relatives when the unthinkable happens. A car accident takes the lives of both parents, leaving the children in critical condition. The oldest, Mia, is thrust from her body and walks around in a state of limbo while watching the events of the day unfold around her. She overhears a nurse explain to her family that she, Mia, will decide if she wants to wake up. She has a bright future ahead of her at Julliard, a loving boyfriend and a wonderful best friend who is there for her through everything. But is it enough?
This is a story full of emotion. The main story is artfully intertwined with Mia's memories about her life and family throughout the novel. Mia is placed on a path that can take her to the afterlife, something wholly unknown, or to a life filled with pain and grief. After losing the people she cares the most about, she can't decide which she would prefer. The journey is an emotional roller coaster from the unique perspective of a girl in limbo. The women in this story are all placed into roles of strong personalities; some even classified outright as feminists. From the very beginning of this novel, the voice of the adolescent is present which gives the story the feel of none I have read to date.
This is a tear-jerker that I, personally, highly recommend.
For this novel I have included two links. The first is from Gayle Forman's website (which has more information on this book and others). This story references music most of the time and is full of people who are musicians. As such, I've included the link to the playlist for the songs that are referenced within this novel. The second is a link to an interview with Gayle Forman about the novel.
Cut by Patricia McCormick is a book about a girl who has been placed into a residential treatment program for self-mutilating, also known as cutting. Her name is Callie and she refuses to say a word. There are several other girls in her therapy group, most of which have anorexia. The group of girls does their best to support each other in their treatment, but Callie chooses not to participate. In one of her solo therapy sessions, the on-site psychiatrist asks her to do an exercise that changes her thinking. From that evening on, she starts to put effort into her recovery. What is behind her silence and self-mutilation?
This is a very fast read that addresses a very real issue. The author does a wonderful job of casting Callie in her broken role without making her a victim. In Callie's flashbacks we see a very caring, nurturing role; in her time within the treatment facility we also see her vulnerability. This is a novel I would recommend for all, especially those who have struggled with insecurities in their lifetime.
Below are some resources with further information on the author and this subject. The first is the author's official website. The second is information on how the author is able to write in different voices.
Jump Into the Sky by Shelley Pearsall is a story about a thirteen year old boy who is sent on a cross-country journey in search of his absentee father. Levi is used to people leaving him but he never expected his aunt to oust him into the world at such a young age. After little preparation, he is sent south on a train into an entirely new culture. The year is 1945 and segregation is the way of life in the south. Upon reaching a U.S. Army post in North Carolina, Levi discovers his father received orders only days before to ship out to another post. Still unsure that his father is even serving in the military, he meets another soldier in the 555th Infantry who takes him in and promises he will help deliver him to his father. Will Levi ever find his father and if reunited, will he only be left behind again?
This book is centered around mostly men and their interactions. Based on the time period it is set in, I expected women to be place in the background and into a demeaning role. Fortunately, the author does a great job of placing women into a role of respect. Levi's aunt appears mostly in the beginning of the story and is shown as nurturing but stern; exactly how one would picture a "typical mother." Later in the story, Peaches is depicted in the same way. Both are placed in roles that give a good representation of the time. This is a story full of possibility. There are lessons that can be learned both in the classroom and out. This story shows the level of hope possible in teenagers, even in situations where hope has been dashed.
Below are some resources for further research and information. The first is the website for Shelley Pearsall listing other books and information on those books. She writes only historical fiction at this time. The second is more information on the Triple Nickels (555th Infantry).
The Giver by Lois Lowry is a novel about a community built for the purpose of keeping peace and order at all times. The community lives in a state of Sameness; everyone lives lives that are basically the same with few variations. Jonas, an Eleven, is approaching Twelve and apprehensive about what he will be assigned to do with the rest of his life. Unlike many Elevens, he does not have a chosen area of preference for his required volunteer hours, nor does he have a strong opinion on where he should be placed. In his world, everything is assigned: family unit, career, and even mode of transportation. There is no such thing as animals, and there is required sharing of feelings each evening. When he is unexpectedly chosen as the community's new Receiver of Memories, he faces the challenge of isolation and secrecy unlike any he has ever experienced. It is only when he truly learns the community's secrets and receives the memories of those before him that he begins to question his way of life. Is Jonas willing to overlook the questionable events taking place in the community, or will he crack under the pressure?
This novel strongly leans toward placing power in the hands of the elders of the community, both male and female equally. There are few women mentioned; however, the women in the novel are shown in a positive, caring light. Fiona, another Eleven, has a loving personality that attracts Jonas' appreciation. She strongly prefers to care for the Old and shows great love and respect for each person she encounters. Jonas' mother is depicted in much the same way. She is assigned to the Department of Justice and is required to issue punishment to the same member of the community twice, something that saddens her because a third offense requires Release. This is a powerful novel, well worth the read.
To read more about the author, I've included some information. The first is a biography with other books by this author. The second is an article about the novel itself which includes some of the controversy involved with this novel.
Eve & Adam by Michael Grant is a novel about a teenage girl, Eve, who is hit by a car and gravely injured. From the moment she wakes up in the hospital, she comes into contact with Solo, one of her mother's cronies. He is kind and gentle toward her, but something boils just under the surface. During Eve's recovery her mother Terra Striker, owner and operator of a large pharmaceutical company, tasks her with creating the perfect boy. Eve creates Adam using a simulation program in a painstaking process. Her hope is to finally create someone who will live up to her impossible standards while constantly reminding herself that Adam is only a simulation, not the real thing. Aislin, Eve's best friend, is the thorn in Terra Striker's side. She is a constant distraction for Eve and can't seem to stay out of trouble. How will this story play out?
In this story, Eve is immediately placed into a position of power simply because of who her mother is. We soon find out that she lives up to the position and even uses it to her advantage. She has moments where she comes off as tad dense; however, they are few and far between. Eve is intelligent and clearly has a lot going for her throughout the novel. Aislin on the other hand is not as fortunate. Aislin is often the victim of neglect, not unlike Eve in some respects; unfortunately, in Aislin's case, she responds to the lack of attention and accountability with a gusto for life that often gets her into highly dangerous situations. Aislin is the damsel in distress in this story and though she seems to be shamed by her constant need, she doesn't seem to know how to change it. This story is interesting and well developed. It is a fast easy read that I would qualify more as a pleasure read. There are references that place book in parallel to the bible at points, as the title suggests.
For those interested in more about this author, who also wrote the Gone series, you can visit the sites below, which give more information on the author and another series written by the author. I've also included an interview with Michael Grant, which isn't necessarily about Eve & Adam, but is interesting nonetheless.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a book about teenagers trying to find their place in the world. Charlie, a freshman, integrates himself into the world of seniors Patrick and Sam. He is introduced to things he had not previously considered and, in turn, finds an eccentric group of friends. Charlie lives the good times with the joy of a child and the bad times in a bout of depression enough to destroy him. He is hesitant to allow the full bond of friendship to take root without understanding his own hesitation. When everything comes to light with the help of Sam, who he has loved almost from the beginning, it is almost too much for him to handle. Will Charlie be able to accept not only his friends, but himself as well?
This novel is a realistic portrayal of what it means to be a teenager. It admittedly shows a very controversial side to Charlie, Sam and Patrick's world; however, it is exactly this reason that I would recommend this book to be read and taught to teens today. The novel is written in the format of a compilation of letters from Charlie to an anonymous friend and does a wonderful job of capturing the voice of an adolescent. Though some of the subject matter shows the darker side of teenage life, the novel is a fast read and flows easily. Below I've included an interview with the author and another blog post from another reader.
In Sarah Dessen's Lock and Key, Ruby is torn away from everything she has ever known after her mother abandons her. She is thrown into an alien world and sent to live with her estranged sister. Far from being grateful or relieved from her daily struggles to provide herself with meager meals, Ruby rebels and yearns for familiarity. Though she soon understands her mother's long-time deceit, she learns that changing a lifetime of habits is harder than she could have ever anticipated. Her neighbor, Nate, is determined to not only befriend Ruby, but encourage her to take on a more positive outlook to her life. But as Ruby soon learns, she is not the only one in need of a new outlook on life. Will Ruby succeed in turning her life around and, in the process, gain Nate's trust?
In this novel, Ruby is shown as a strong willed young woman with a distinct fight or flight instinct. Ruby shows some great moments of vulnerability, though she keeps a hard facade in place most of the time. She cares deeply for her sister and longs for a connection with her; however, the environment she grew up in taught her not to trust anyone or be willing to receive anything without feeling indebted to them. When focusing on Ruby, I believe Sarah Dessen does a good job of representing the female character in a positive light without casting her into a "damsel in distress" role. Though Ruby does go through several issues, she never asks to be saved and, in fact, resents everyone constantly making choices for her. It takes some concessions on her part and some growing up before Ruby understands that she could save herself if she is only willing to accept that she is worth saving.
This novel does a good job of representing female characters (and male alike) in a positive way. Each character has positive and negative aspects, as do most normal human beings, that would make for good discussion. Included below are a links to two separate blogs giving some more heavily opinionated outlook on the novel as well as a fan video of how a reader views the book:
"Extra Virgin" is a short story by Joan Bauer. It can be found in an anthology of short stories called Love & Sex: Ten Short Stories of Truth Edited by Michael Cart. It includes several stories about different sexual situations all types of teenagers in today's world may face. "Extra Virgin" is the first in the anthology and is told from a sixteen year old Elizabeth's point of view. Elizabeth sees the world as overly sexualized and has made the decision to abstain from sex until marriage. When she meets Cal, her resolve is challenged.
In this story, emotions are well depicted. As a teenager, emotions are often overwhelming and this story does a good job of representing how a young girl with little sexual experience would react to a young man's attentions. The author does a good job of giving some strong, but not overwhelming images to help fuel the story. However, at times I believe there is too much uncertainty and sugary-sweetness about the characters. Elizabeth's mom seems almost too perfect in her willingness to talk with her about her relationship with Cal, even if their conversation is somewhat awkward.
Overall, I believe this is a good story for teenagers to read. Elizabeth is a strong female character in that she doesn't sway from her difficult decision, even under pressure from her college boyfriend. She feels emotions and desires like every other teenage girl, but because she created a goal for herself and has strong family support, she knows she can can reach her goal. I will be continuing to read this anthology to discover what other hidden treasures it has in store.
If you're interested in more from this author, I've listed some sites that may interest you. The first is Joan Bauer's official website with more information about her as well as more material she's written. The second is a video interview that gives some insight into who she is as an author and what she wants to achieve with her stories. The third is Joan Bauer's blog.
