I’ve read a bunch, but nothing worth getting on to write about the second I put it down. So, here’s a run-down: Wait for Me by An Na, Incantation by Alice Hoffman, Theories of Relativity by Barbara Haworth-Attard, Rat Life by Tedd Arnold, The Seance by Joan Lowery Nixon, Thirsty by M.T. Anderson, and Love, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. I will say that many of these had something worth sticking it out for. For instance, Rat Life is a great way to discuss the issue of Vietnam in the likeness of In Country by Bobbi Ann Mason because it’s not really about the direct Vietnam War, but it’s after effects, plus the book is pretty cheeky. The Seance had a great ending (who would have guessed?!) and was pretty thoughtful, but still didn’t bring the scare-power. Incantation is another great history lesson– discussing how Jews were hiding as Christians in Spain and how one girl discovers her family’s true history. Theories of Relativity is much like Can’t Get There from Here by Strasser, but to me, Haworth-Attard pulled more heartstrings. So there’s the quick and dirty. Enjoy!
Tales of Abuse July 23, 2007
There is always one kind of story that I think young adults should read at least one book on and that’s abuse. It’s a powerful topic that gets a lot of talk, but does lecturing about it make a difference? Books, in my experience, do more because they illustrate and visualize the dire situation real people live in when suffering abuse: Alex Flinn’s Breathing Underwater, Anna Quindlen’s Black and Blue, An Na’s A Step from Heaven are the ones that come to mind. What other books have you read that center around abuse that you would recommend?
