Review of "I'll Give You the Sun" by Jandy Nelson

OVERVIEW:

The sibling rivalry between Jude and Noah began with their birth, twins vying for the affection and pride of their mother. However, their tight conspiracy is quickly curdled as Noah's artistic feats steal the awe of their mother, while Jude falls in the shadows, too shy to show her mother her own majestic creations. However, while the thirteen year old twins strive to break their ties, three years past finds them regretting the emotional scars formed by their sudden and mysterious separation. While quiet and shy Noah struggles to understand his attraction to his charismatic friend, Brian, Jude tries to wrestle with the ghosts disrupting her peace and the haunting suspicion that she is responsible for everything falling apart.

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson. PHOTO. Megan Bryant.

RATING: (4 out of 5)

This novel is heart breaking and insightful into the stress and confusion of being a teenager. From identity, to acceptance, to forgiveness, I'll Give You the Sun wrestles with some difficult topics of family and growing up. As much as I enjoyed this text, I feel the relationships are overshadowed by the teens' romantic impulses causing a theatrical distortion of love and romance. However, I have had one friend insist it was a fairly accurate depiction of teen perceptions of love. So I will leave it up to you to decide.

TO PARENTS:
This novel discusses sexual identity and discovery among teens--although it is a far cry from a romance novel. Besides this there is extra-marital affairs, teen drinking, suicide and depression. The parents in this novel are not picture perfect, but considering the marital conflict I believe this text gives a fair portrayal of both sides of the story. Nelson avoided creating a villain in this text and relies on the honest struggles of life to unfold the story. I found it insightful and it forced me to stop and reconsider any presuppositions I held before the story. I would consider reading this first if you are unsure whether your child is ready for the topics discussed; but I believe this would be a great text to use as a spring board to begin discussing those difficult topics with your adolescents. For more information I highly recommend you look into my digital essay about the text. You can find it under Mrs. Bryant's Text Inspired Projects along the left column or follow the link.

Review of "Hate That Cat" by Sharon Creech

OVERVIEW:

Hate That Cat follows a discussion between Jack and his favorite teacher Miss Stretchberry. Jack is thrilled to have her as his English teacher again but finds himself facing new struggles with his parents, his Uncle Billy, and the mean black cat in his neighborhood. As Jack's story unfolds, your heart melts and you find yourself questioning, growing, and learning right beside him. And in the end you might see a new side of that mean black cat you didn't understand before.

Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech. PHOTO. Megan Bryant

RATING: ( 5 of 5)

Hate That Cat is the sequel to Love That Dog, and just like the first novel, I was in tears at the end of the second. Sharon Creech has written these novels in free verse and reveals a moving and heart rendering story in such a quick and unique way. I believe many readers can identify with Jack's love for a pet, as well as adapting to new and stranger changes. This text not only deals with learning about poetry and bragging about one's favorite things, but goes deeper into family relationships, taking pride in the things we initially are embarrassed for, and standing up for your loved ones. Though so short and so easy to read, Creech has once again written a novel that strikes to the core and makes you hug the book when you reach the end.

TO PARENTS:

This is another of those texts I have no qualms in suggesting you and child to read. Sharon Creech is a master of literature and evokes empathy for her characters like few authors I have come across. The stories are moving and emotional, but clean and safe to share with any age. I find this to be a novel you read again and again, and each read touches your heart in a new way. You can easily read this book aloud in around an hour; verse novels tend to be quick and easy to read. I hope you enjoy this novel and that it touches your heart.

VLOG Review of "Smile" Raina Telgemeier

Below is a Vlog of my review for Smile by Raina Telgemeier. Smile is a graphic memoir and won the Will Eisner award for Best Teen Publication in 2011. The memoir follows Raina's trials as a youth undergoing extensive dental surgery on account of a terrible misfortune in Middle School. We follow her maturity through Junior High to High School, where she learns that best confidence one can have is to believe in oneself and surround oneself with people who respect and cherish you.

RATING: (4 out of 5)

Enjoyable and relatable, I find this text applicable to many youths' struggles with identity and acceptance. This text is clean, great pictures, no vulgarity or swearing; and this memoir identifies key honest struggles youth undergo growing up.

TO PARENTS:

This is a great non-fiction, and I have no fears or warnings about this text. This novel is appropriate for any middle school or high school student. It is a quick read and highlights empathy, self respect, and over coming common social  conflicts. I enjoy that this novel portrays a positive family structure, one that is realistic and presents caring responsible parents. This is a great novel to give your young readers, and I hope they will enjoy Raina's story.