OVERVIEW:
Othello and Desdemona are perfectly in love, and the thought of breaking them apart is inconceivable. That is, to all except Iago, the trusted friend of Othello jealous for Othello's success and his own lower status. Thus, employing the aid of spurned Roderigo, a late admirer of Desdemona, Iago hatches a plot to drive Othello mad with jealousy. As Othello begins to believe Iago's tricks and doubt the honesty of his faithful wife, the great man must find out the truth and uncover the plot, or allow jealous madness rule and destroy his happy life.
RATING (3 of 5):
Othello is a classic Shakespeare tragedy and I do not rate this lowly because I think no one should read it. On the contrary, I found Othello riveting and emotionally pulling as I witnessed the impact and ingenuity of Iago's clever ruses upon Othello. Despite my love for Shakespeare, though, this play is not approachable by many grade levels. Many students just begin tackling Shakespeare freshman year of high school, but very few grasp the depth and creative use of Shakespeare's language or the many themes until near graduation or college. Othello, I believe, is one such text that can easily be misunderstood or unappreciated by unprepared readers. For this reason, I rate Othello as a three, suggesting it be read closer towards eleventh or twelfth grade, when students have a reasonable understanding of complex language and can delve deeper into multifaceted concepts. As that only includes two out of twelve possible grade levels (2/7 grades if you exclude elementary), I find the text lacking for adolescent readers.
TO PARENTS:
If your student wants to tackle Shakespeare, or particularly Othello, I say bravo. My own mother set me on Shakespeare plays in middle school and I fell in love with his humor and wit. While your young readers may not be able to fully grasp all the themes, occurrences, or unique insights of the play, that should never stop the reader from attempting. Indeed, the wonderful thing about Shakespeare is that his plays are short and enjoyed by all ages, making it all too probable to reread his works at a later date. I will warn that Othello includes murder, suicide, drunkenness, and classic Shakespeare bawdiness. If you think your child is unprepared to grasp or maturely navigate these concepts, you might prefer to place the play back on the shelf for a later date.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Review of "hokey pokey" by Jerry Spinelli
OVERVIEW:
Jack. Jubilee. Destroyer. Just a handful of the inhabitants of Hokey Pokey, a land where children reign and no adult is in sight (except the Hokey Pokey Man and his famous Hokey Pokey snow cones). But why are they there? What's inside the Forbidden Hut? And why is Jack different? Why does he keep hearing the sound of a train whistle when everyone in Hokey Pokey knows there never has been a train? As Jack, his amigos, and his arch enemies band together to learn the secret of Jack's sudden changes, they may discover something beyond their own childish existence: they might just discover the meaning of Tomorrow.
RATING: (5 out of 5)
Spinelli is a genius in describing a world of childhood, a world where Tomorrow is unthought of and only the present is recognized. The memorable characters and their quirky understanding of the world remind readers of their own progression from childhood into adolescence. In a world where wild herds of bikes roam the Great Plains, where a giant screen plays cartoons without stop, and where boys and girls find each other enemies simply because that's the name of the game, how can we not be reminded of that strange yet special world we all once inhabited? That world all children love, yet one day must leave behind.
TO PARENTS:
Hokey Pokey is undoubtedly a favorite of mine, and I believe Spinelli portrays coming of age in a creative and riveting fashion that leaves you hungry for more. This book is a clean and excellent read; no horror, no soppy romance, no foul language. This novel is light yet moving, Spinelli's use of description and language evoking childhood and the fun, simple days of being a kid yet the confusion and mayhem of growing up into something new. Spinelli has also written Star Girl and Love, Star Girl two other favorites of mine that I also suggest for middle and high school students.
PROJECT: Consider looking at a project this novel inspired me to create! You can also find it under Mrs. Bryant's Text Inspired Projects in the upper left column of the blog.
Jack. Jubilee. Destroyer. Just a handful of the inhabitants of Hokey Pokey, a land where children reign and no adult is in sight (except the Hokey Pokey Man and his famous Hokey Pokey snow cones). But why are they there? What's inside the Forbidden Hut? And why is Jack different? Why does he keep hearing the sound of a train whistle when everyone in Hokey Pokey knows there never has been a train? As Jack, his amigos, and his arch enemies band together to learn the secret of Jack's sudden changes, they may discover something beyond their own childish existence: they might just discover the meaning of Tomorrow.
 |
| Hokey Pokey: Jerry Spinelli. PHOTO. Megan Bryant. |
RATING: (5 out of 5)
Spinelli is a genius in describing a world of childhood, a world where Tomorrow is unthought of and only the present is recognized. The memorable characters and their quirky understanding of the world remind readers of their own progression from childhood into adolescence. In a world where wild herds of bikes roam the Great Plains, where a giant screen plays cartoons without stop, and where boys and girls find each other enemies simply because that's the name of the game, how can we not be reminded of that strange yet special world we all once inhabited? That world all children love, yet one day must leave behind.
TO PARENTS:
Hokey Pokey is undoubtedly a favorite of mine, and I believe Spinelli portrays coming of age in a creative and riveting fashion that leaves you hungry for more. This book is a clean and excellent read; no horror, no soppy romance, no foul language. This novel is light yet moving, Spinelli's use of description and language evoking childhood and the fun, simple days of being a kid yet the confusion and mayhem of growing up into something new. Spinelli has also written Star Girl and Love, Star Girl two other favorites of mine that I also suggest for middle and high school students.
PROJECT: Consider looking at a project this novel inspired me to create! You can also find it under Mrs. Bryant's Text Inspired Projects in the upper left column of the blog.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Review of "Boxers" by Gene Luen Yang
OVERVIEW:
The year is 1898 and China struggles between old culture beliefs and their new English inhabitants occupying the cities and enforcing Christian doctrine. Little Bao lives in the country happily, teased by his brothers, but proud of his family. However, Chinese Christian-converts begin harassing his town, leading his village inhabitants to fight back against the unfair English affairs. When his mentor and friend, Red Lantern, leaves the town defenseless, Little Bao takes up his mentor's sword and trains in the mystic arts. Possessing the powers and spirits of ancient Chinese warriors, Little Bao leads the rebellion against the English invaders, fighting to regain the land for China.
RATING: (4 out of 5)
This book was exciting, riveting, and provided an interesting look into the historical event. Mixing history with fantasy, Yang's graphic novel is intriguing for young readers. The composition allows readers intimidated by more traditional or lengthy texts to read like viewers watching a film. The content explores the Boxers' perspective on the war, but I do not believe the text accurately looks into the events of the rebellion. The images are captivating and colorful, quick to read and easy to understand. The images are clean and absent of vulgarity. There are instances of violence that could be either disturbing to sensitive individuals or exciting to adventurist youths. The novel is a companion book and should readers be intrigued to read the other side of the story, they are encouraged to continue reading with Saints, which gives the account through a Christian character's standpoint.
TO PARENTS:
The book contains fairly graphic fight scenes, including beatings and stabbings. Some violent acts are hinted at (as in happens outside of the drawn area/ or off screen if that makes more sense) but the wounds from those violent acts are revealed on the edges of other drawings. If you or your young reader are sensitive with images of head wounds, stabbings, or decapitated persons (regardless of how cartoon-y they may be) you may choose to refrain from this piece of literature. However, if you are comfortable with your child handling such material or need a quick perusal yourself, the graphic novel is brief and consistent in art style, allowing you to quickly determine if this book is acceptable for your young reader.
The year is 1898 and China struggles between old culture beliefs and their new English inhabitants occupying the cities and enforcing Christian doctrine. Little Bao lives in the country happily, teased by his brothers, but proud of his family. However, Chinese Christian-converts begin harassing his town, leading his village inhabitants to fight back against the unfair English affairs. When his mentor and friend, Red Lantern, leaves the town defenseless, Little Bao takes up his mentor's sword and trains in the mystic arts. Possessing the powers and spirits of ancient Chinese warriors, Little Bao leads the rebellion against the English invaders, fighting to regain the land for China.
RATING: (4 out of 5)
This book was exciting, riveting, and provided an interesting look into the historical event. Mixing history with fantasy, Yang's graphic novel is intriguing for young readers. The composition allows readers intimidated by more traditional or lengthy texts to read like viewers watching a film. The content explores the Boxers' perspective on the war, but I do not believe the text accurately looks into the events of the rebellion. The images are captivating and colorful, quick to read and easy to understand. The images are clean and absent of vulgarity. There are instances of violence that could be either disturbing to sensitive individuals or exciting to adventurist youths. The novel is a companion book and should readers be intrigued to read the other side of the story, they are encouraged to continue reading with Saints, which gives the account through a Christian character's standpoint.
TO PARENTS:
The book contains fairly graphic fight scenes, including beatings and stabbings. Some violent acts are hinted at (as in happens outside of the drawn area/ or off screen if that makes more sense) but the wounds from those violent acts are revealed on the edges of other drawings. If you or your young reader are sensitive with images of head wounds, stabbings, or decapitated persons (regardless of how cartoon-y they may be) you may choose to refrain from this piece of literature. However, if you are comfortable with your child handling such material or need a quick perusal yourself, the graphic novel is brief and consistent in art style, allowing you to quickly determine if this book is acceptable for your young reader.
Review of "Ship Breaker" by Paolo Bacigalupi
OVERVIEW:
Bright Sands Beach. Ocean front views, hot tropical sun, and oil tankers creaking and leaking and rusting as far as the eye can see. Nailer is one of many ship breakers, and a member of light crew--so long as he is small enough to fit in the tight ducts of decaying ships to rip out copper wires. But his time is running out, and his options are bleak. He could try and be a fighter like his father, but Richard Lopez is a man no one wants to cross, his fire cracker rage the cause of many deaths. The only hope is to make what breakers call a "lucky strike" gained by either stealing from the big bosses or finding a cache of oil in a tanker. Nailer's "lucky strike" lies in the hulk of a beautiful wrecked clipper. The cargo holds wealth beyond any ship breaker's dream, but the sole survivor could keep that dream from becoming reality, especially if Richard Lopez has anything to say about it.
THE HERO THEME:
Ship Breaker is a fictional post apocalyptic novel focused on the growth of Nailer, a youth living with his father and working among the worst conditions possible. But Nailer's growth from beach wreckage to hero throughout the novel is touching and exhilarating. Our protagonist is not a hero born into greatness, nor is he one raised to glory. Rather he is an average boy, lucky to be alive and survive the trauma's he has undergone. This tale focuses on the hero as a character who endures, an individual who follows his gut, sticks to his morals, and gives everything to do what must--and needs!--to be accomplished. Bacigalupi hones Nailer into a hero we all can relate to--the hero who rises from conflict not for his greatness, but for his ability to overcome the odds.
RATING: (4 out of 5)
Ship Breaker is an exciting and riveting story. Bacigalupi crafts his characters so that they breathe and bleed like any living person. Their actions and words reflect their thoughts and attitudes, causing the reader to truly connect with them. I would recommend this novel to many students, but precaution regarding language. Although the F-word does not appear, many other curse words regularly appear throughout the novel. However, if this is not an issue for you or your young reader, I believe Ship Breaker will have them flipping through the pages in eagerness to discover how the story ends.
Bright Sands Beach. Ocean front views, hot tropical sun, and oil tankers creaking and leaking and rusting as far as the eye can see. Nailer is one of many ship breakers, and a member of light crew--so long as he is small enough to fit in the tight ducts of decaying ships to rip out copper wires. But his time is running out, and his options are bleak. He could try and be a fighter like his father, but Richard Lopez is a man no one wants to cross, his fire cracker rage the cause of many deaths. The only hope is to make what breakers call a "lucky strike" gained by either stealing from the big bosses or finding a cache of oil in a tanker. Nailer's "lucky strike" lies in the hulk of a beautiful wrecked clipper. The cargo holds wealth beyond any ship breaker's dream, but the sole survivor could keep that dream from becoming reality, especially if Richard Lopez has anything to say about it.
 |
| Ship Breaker: Bacigalupi. PHOTO. Megan Bryant. |
Ship Breaker is a fictional post apocalyptic novel focused on the growth of Nailer, a youth living with his father and working among the worst conditions possible. But Nailer's growth from beach wreckage to hero throughout the novel is touching and exhilarating. Our protagonist is not a hero born into greatness, nor is he one raised to glory. Rather he is an average boy, lucky to be alive and survive the trauma's he has undergone. This tale focuses on the hero as a character who endures, an individual who follows his gut, sticks to his morals, and gives everything to do what must--and needs!--to be accomplished. Bacigalupi hones Nailer into a hero we all can relate to--the hero who rises from conflict not for his greatness, but for his ability to overcome the odds.
RATING: (4 out of 5)
Ship Breaker is an exciting and riveting story. Bacigalupi crafts his characters so that they breathe and bleed like any living person. Their actions and words reflect their thoughts and attitudes, causing the reader to truly connect with them. I would recommend this novel to many students, but precaution regarding language. Although the F-word does not appear, many other curse words regularly appear throughout the novel. However, if this is not an issue for you or your young reader, I believe Ship Breaker will have them flipping through the pages in eagerness to discover how the story ends.
Friday, January 30, 2015
Review of Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
I recently read Sherman Alexie's novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. The novel has received several awards, particularly the National Book Award for Young People's Literature in 2007. I read Part-Time Indian as an assignment for an educational course regarding youth and literature, however this was not my first time encountering Alexie's novel. I had previously been suggested this novel by a friend so that I could utilize the text for an annotated bibliography focusing on alienation. I had not had the pleasure to finish reading the novel the first time around and was eager for a second attempt.
REVIEW:
While I would not assign such a novel to my middle school students (at least not without proper admittance by parents and administration), I would like to discuss my reflection of this novel as a potentially intriguing, insightful, and informational work to give to your young readers. Alexie leads his narration through the inner thoughts of an adolescent indigenous reservation student transferring to a white school in the modern day. Arnold, our main character, suffers from prejudice within his own community due to health issues, even more so when he follows the advice of his teacher to pursue education off the reservation. Attending Rearden Arnold is initially perceived as someone foreign and exotic, but wild and ignorant. Unaccustomed to the social interactions of middle class white society, Arnold struggles to find his identity between two cultures that would deem him be two different persons. The novel speaks in the voice of an adolescent allowing for an easy read, while comical drawings add breaks for those intimidated by long blocks of writing on page; yet Alexie's writing reveals more than an interesting read. Part-Time Indian reveals complex, emotionally moving insights to the inner thoughts of a young man struggling with identity while discussing common and uncommon topics of the average American adolescent. Arnold's story allows the reader to identify with the confusion, yearning, and conflicts many adolescents feel during those important identity forming years.
TO PARENTS:
While Alexie does well in eliciting sympathy for Arnold in Part-Time Indian I found myself struggling with the same impressions as from my first contact. Call me old fashion, but I find topics such as explicitly sexual descriptions or unrealistic and unhealthy (and seemingly encouraged) relationships taboo and problematic for secondary education students (6-12). (Pretty Little Liars, Twilight Saga, Nora Roberts/Janet Evanovich, and Nicholas Sparks come to mind when I say this.) I recognize such things may be allowed to many of my students by their parents, but am equally aware that other parents would prefer such topics are with held until a later date.
As to Part-Time Indian, the instances discussing bolemia and masturbation in which they are blatantly discussed and accepted by the characters have the potential of disgruntling parents uncomfortable with their 11-14 year-olds perusing. While such things as sexual activity and emotional/health disorders are commonly discussed or read about in students' personal reading, I hesitate to provide such material in regard to literary limitations placed on students by their respective guardians/parents. Although I am the teacher, I currently stand by my belief that parents are the first and foremost educational advisers in any child's life. The inclusion and important participation of guardians' in their young charges' upbringing is critical to the students' overall understanding and comprehension of lesson materials in their own personal worlds. One must remember that the child belongs to the influences, customs, and beliefs of their parents and chosen social circles until the child has come of age to accept or disregard those beliefs and social influences for himself.
REVIEW:
While I would not assign such a novel to my middle school students (at least not without proper admittance by parents and administration), I would like to discuss my reflection of this novel as a potentially intriguing, insightful, and informational work to give to your young readers. Alexie leads his narration through the inner thoughts of an adolescent indigenous reservation student transferring to a white school in the modern day. Arnold, our main character, suffers from prejudice within his own community due to health issues, even more so when he follows the advice of his teacher to pursue education off the reservation. Attending Rearden Arnold is initially perceived as someone foreign and exotic, but wild and ignorant. Unaccustomed to the social interactions of middle class white society, Arnold struggles to find his identity between two cultures that would deem him be two different persons. The novel speaks in the voice of an adolescent allowing for an easy read, while comical drawings add breaks for those intimidated by long blocks of writing on page; yet Alexie's writing reveals more than an interesting read. Part-Time Indian reveals complex, emotionally moving insights to the inner thoughts of a young man struggling with identity while discussing common and uncommon topics of the average American adolescent. Arnold's story allows the reader to identify with the confusion, yearning, and conflicts many adolescents feel during those important identity forming years.
TO PARENTS:
While Alexie does well in eliciting sympathy for Arnold in Part-Time Indian I found myself struggling with the same impressions as from my first contact. Call me old fashion, but I find topics such as explicitly sexual descriptions or unrealistic and unhealthy (and seemingly encouraged) relationships taboo and problematic for secondary education students (6-12). (Pretty Little Liars, Twilight Saga, Nora Roberts/Janet Evanovich, and Nicholas Sparks come to mind when I say this.) I recognize such things may be allowed to many of my students by their parents, but am equally aware that other parents would prefer such topics are with held until a later date.
As to Part-Time Indian, the instances discussing bolemia and masturbation in which they are blatantly discussed and accepted by the characters have the potential of disgruntling parents uncomfortable with their 11-14 year-olds perusing. While such things as sexual activity and emotional/health disorders are commonly discussed or read about in students' personal reading, I hesitate to provide such material in regard to literary limitations placed on students by their respective guardians/parents. Although I am the teacher, I currently stand by my belief that parents are the first and foremost educational advisers in any child's life. The inclusion and important participation of guardians' in their young charges' upbringing is critical to the students' overall understanding and comprehension of lesson materials in their own personal worlds. One must remember that the child belongs to the influences, customs, and beliefs of their parents and chosen social circles until the child has come of age to accept or disregard those beliefs and social influences for himself.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)