Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian

I wanted to include a 4th book this week, even though it is an adult novel. Chirs Bohjalian is one of my favorite authors, from Midwives on down. His books are full of thought provoking situations faced by everyday people and he is an adept wordsmith. I think Double Bind would be a great book to include along with a study of The Great Gatsby. This literary thriller explores mental illness and incorporates details from Gatsby into the story until the reader is left not quite sure what is real. 26-year old Laurel was brutally attacked while riding her bike through a forest. Her story appears to have ties to West Egg, home of Jay Gatsby. She now lives in Vermont where she works at a homeless shelter. Through one of the residents and his photographs, she is drawn into a fantasy world of The Great Gatsby. I'd have students read Gatsby first, followed by Double Bind. The combination would provide material for some deep study and comparison. I read this book last year, from the public library.

Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson

I have enjoyed Laurie Halse Anderson's books for younger readers, particularly Fever 1791 and I think both Speak and Catalyst would be worthwhile books to include in the high school classroom. The struggles of high school senior Kate play out in this story. This over-achiever has only applied to one school--MIT and is under tremendous stress to make it. Her outlook changes dramatically when she receives a "thin" envelope in the mail. Good character development and a high -interest topic for teens would make this one a good choice. I found it at the public library.

Godless by Pete Hautman

I don't know if this would fly in all high school's, but it did win the National Book Award. Jason is a 15 year old atheist who creates his own religion-worshipping the town's water tower. His friends are easily converted and what started out as a joke soon begin to run out of control This an interesting, accessible book that covers some deep topics in a thought provoking way and will challenge students to question what they believe. I found this at the public library

The Guaradian by Julius Lester

This powerful short novel would be an excellent addition to the classroom. Set in the South in 1946, this story looks at lynching from the perspective of a white teen. His friend is black, and they are caught up in the ugly racial injustices of that place and time. The story is fraught with moral dilemmas. Beautifully written, it includes background information on lynching. A good choice for a study of the time period or civil rights, this would be a powerful story to include inteh classroom. I found this one at the public library.

Nutritious Books- YA books in the classroom

I did it again. I must have been totally channeling Barb's vibe and wrote my little ramble about kids hating English class before this week's assignment was posted. Now that I have read the lecture and articles I can put it into better perspective. Gary Salvner says time is the reason teachers hold onto their curriculum and aren't quick to add YA novels. He argues that there are many worthy, contemporary books that would be wonderful to teach, and perhaps but substituting one at a time, teachers can update their syllabi.

My son and his roommates, home for the holiday from Harvard argued that if students aren't liking Catcher in the Rye, it is the result of poor teaching (they all loved the book.) They were not familiar with the term Young Adult Literature and thought they had only read adult books in high school. (Lolita being a favorite.)

When I viewed the top 10 list of works taught in high school English I was surprised to see they were the same books I read in high school English with the exception of MacBeth (we read I Know why the Caged Bird Sings) Nothing new has come along in thirty years worthy to infiltrate the list? Is this canon untouchable?

I think high school teacher would do well to infuse their classrooms with some fresh material. There is a slew of YA lit that has the relevance, interest level and accessibility to capture the minds of todays teens.

Stuck on Classics

In the past month I've had three different conversations with people basically saying the same thing--the books my kids have to read in high school English are making them hate reading. The timing is incredible, since all I'm thinking about these days is YA lit and how to get those darned teenagers to read. Here's what went down:

#1 is a friend who teaches English at an inner city school. She is required to teach Catcher in the Rye to her predominately minority students. They have no interest, don't read it and don't care. Teacher is sad and frustrated, but locked into the book by administration.

#2 Is a parent whose son had to read Catcher and Lord of the Flies for AP English. Hated both. Swore to his mom he'd never take another English class. In his life.

#3 Is a substitute teacher at my school who looking for a sympathetic ear shared that her son had to read Of Mice and Men for 10th grade English. He hated it, and has lost his love of reading.

With so much required reading, many teens don't have time (or make time) for recreational reading. If we are sticking to classics that have lost their relevance in the lives of today's teens, aren't we doing them a disservice? Even King Dork got it--the Catcher Cult. Holding tight to the one book everyone has to read. Having just read books of high quality like American Born Chinese, Unwind, Hunger Games I am sure that these would be of strong interest to teens.

Choosing books that have relevance to today's teens as required reading selections would go a long way to encouraging a love of reading as our teens approach adulthood.

I'm worried about this pattern of readers losing the joy.

The Devouring by Simon Holt

This book was recommended by the public librarian, a friend who answered my plea for help. "Where are the scary teen books" I whined (well, not exactly whined, but every week I've been stopping in and asking--where are the geeky teen books, where are the sexy teen books, etc. She knows just what I need and has been great at showing me what is popular at her library. I think she'll be disappointed when this class comes to an end since I am jacking her circ stats way up.)

"Your body is here, but not your soul" proclaims the cover. A girl finds a journal that details the Vours; smoke like creatures who devour fearful humans and take over their bodies at the time of the Winter Solstice. She soon finds out they are a reality when they devour her brother. Thrilling and chilling, this books looks like it will appeal to horror fans as well as fantasy fans. The first in a series.