LS 5623 Module 3: HURRICANE by Terry Trueman

Trueman, Terry. 2008. HURRICANE. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 006000018X

“I think about all of us digging for the dead, digging for food, sharing our water, helping each other in every way we could. I think about finding my courage…I’ll admit it: I am proud of what I’ve done” (p. 133-134)

Printz Honor book author Terry Trueman shares the fictional story of Jose Cruz, a young boy living in La Rupa, Honduras with his parents and five siblings. When Hurricane Mitch hits Honduras while his father and older brother are out of town, Jose must stand in as head of the family to help what is left of his town recover from the storm and subsequent mudslide that took the lives of half of his neighbors.

Trueman has written a simple character in Jose Cruz and, told through his young point of view, Hurricane Mitch and its effects are also told simply, making the horrors of the storm easy to understand for grade school students. Young readers will also find it interesting to read about the very American staples Jose references throughout the story (his brother plays with Star Wars action figures and he talks about Happy Meals from McDonald’s). While these references may help readers connect to the main character, they may also create confusion when identifying the location of the story. Luckily Trueman spends time describing the countryside of La Rupa, as well as the people and housing in Jose’s small pueblo.

HURRICANE is a quick and somber read. The story of Hurricane Mitch is devastating; the storm killed over 5,000 citizens of Honduras. While “Trueman doesn't flinch from the grislier facts (in one scene, José leads a dig for groceries and finds the corpse of the grocer)” (Publisher’s Weekly), he does so through the eyes of a teenage boy who is not sure how to deal with the loss and grief he experiences in such a short time. This novel “offers a glimpse into the horrors and challenges of surviving such an overwhelming natural disaster, leaving students with much to think about” (Romirell).

References:
2008. "Hurricane." Publishers Weekly 255, no. 10: 82. Education Research Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed October 22, 2011).
Romriell, Deanna. 2008. "Hurricane." School Library Journal 54, no. 12: 70. Education Research Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed October 22, 2011).

LS 5623 Module 3: SUNRISE OVER FALLUJAH by Walter Dean Myers

Myers, Walter Dean. 2008. SUNRISE OVER FALLUJAH. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 043991625

“Here it is at last--the novel that will allow American teens to grapple intelligently and thoughtfully with the war in Iraq”- Publisher’s Weekly, starred review

“Uncle Richie, I used to be mad at you when you wouldn’t talk about Vietnam. I thought you were being selfish, in a way. Now I understand how light the words seem…are there really enough words to make them understand?” (p. 282)

Feeling helpless after the events of 9-11, Robin Perry enlists in the United States Army and is deployed to Iraq as part of the Civil Affairs Unit. Robin, who is nicknamed “Birdy” by a fellow unit member, is assigned to the First Squad with the mission to “win over the hearts and minds” of the Iraqi people. Throughout his tour of duty within “Operation Iraqi Freedom” Birdy learns the importance of camaraderie and faith but also discovers the hardships and violence that seem to be a necessity of war.

Birdy and his squad reflect very diverse, and at times stereotypical, attitudes and characteristics often used to describe soldiers. Each of the characters offer different views on war and combat and often present the reader with ideas to reflect upon. Birdy himself “serves more as a lens on the war than as a narrator whose voice surprises or compels the reader” (Publisher’s Weekly). Through Birdy’s story, the audience learns firsthand the gamut of emotions a soldier could face on any given day; that missions could be both terrifying and exhilarating, both heart-warming and sad, both so real yet so unreal.

Author Walter Dean Myers accurately describes the trials and tribulations of the war in Iraq while narrowly escaping the gruesome and violent details of combat that may not be suitable for young adult readers. “Readers will get a sense of the complexities of the war, and of the ways the rank-and-file, as represented by Robin, are slowly drawn into covert or morally dubious engagement” (Publisher’s Weekly). SUNRISE OVER FALLUJAH would make an excellent literature circle or required reading selection that will both expose students to the realities of war without glossing over the ugliness and sadness and elicit thought provoking discussions amongst classmates.

References:
2008. "Sunrise over Fallujah." Publishers Weekly 255, no. 16: 59. Education Research Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed October 22, 2011).
Miller, Jessica. 2008. "Sunrise Over Fallujah." School Library Journal 54, no. 9: 76. Education Research Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed October 22, 2011).

LS 5623 Module 3: STAYING FAT FOR SARAH BYRNES by Chris Crutcher

Crutcher, Chris. 2003. STAYING FAT FOR SARAH BYRNES. New York: HaperCollins. ISBN 0060094893

Told from the point of view of Eric “Moby” Calhoune, an eighteen year old, overweight swimmer, STAYING FAT FOR SARAH BYRNES focuses on a few dark issues that many readers be curious about. Eric, nicknamed Moby because of his larger than average swimmer’s body, becomes worried when his best friend, Sarah Byrnes, unexpectedly stops talking and is admitted into the mental ward in the local hospital. Eric and Sarah Byrnes became friends because they both were “terminal uglies”- Eric because of his weight and Sarah because she was badly burned by her father as a child. Now that Sarah Byrnes has stopped communicating with the world, Eric believes there may be more to her childhood pain that she lets on. With the help of his friends, some expected and some not so likely, Eric tries his best to show Sarah that the world is made up of decent people.

Author Chris Crutcher creates a cast of characters that exude human qualities, both good and bad who add depth to the story through their interactions with Eric. “Crutcher possesses a novelist's greatest asset: an ability to create people who are real and believable and about whom the reader can care deeply” (Vasilakis). These “people” showcase the evil that exists in society, as well as the well-intentioned and caring that can come from where you least expect it. Through the Eric Calhoune’s narration, readers are offered a realistic glimpse at life through the eyes of an imperfect teenage boy and the effects bullying and abuse can have on many different people.

Readers who are looking for a light-hearted read will not find it in STAYING FAT FOR SARAH BYRNES. This novel is dark and packed with controversial topics. “Although the central issue of the novel is the insidious and far-reaching effects of child abuse, minor characters introduce several other topics of current interest, such as abortion and religious fundamentalism” (Vasilakis). This is not to say that STAYING FAT FOR SARAH BYRNES is not worth reading, on the contrary it would make an excellent novel to start discussions on topics that may seem hard to approach.

References:
N.V. 1993. "Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes." Horn Book Magazine 69, no. 3: 336. Education Research Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed October 22, 2011).

LS 5623 MODULE 2: LOCK AND KEY by Sarah Dessen

Dessen, Sarah. 2008. LOCK AND KEY. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN 0142414727

“That’s just the thing, right? Family isn’t something that’s supposed to be static or set. People marry in, divorce out. They’re born, they die. It’s always evolving, turning into something else.”

Seventeen year old Ruby Cooper is used to taking care of herself. So when her mother disappears for the umpteenth time, she tries her best to pay the bills and go unnoticed by her landlords. But two months and a broken dryer later, Ruby finds herself picked up by Child Protective Services and delivered to her older sister, Cora, who she hasn’t seen in over ten years. Now Ruby is stuck living in a huge house with her sister and brother-in-law and going to a private school where she doesn’t think she fits in. Determined to make it on her own, Ruby plans to escape one night by jumping the fence in the middle of the night. When her plan is thwarted by the family dog Nate, the cute neighbor boy, takes a break from swimming laps in his pool to come to her rescue. Little by little, Ruby learns more about her family’s past and discovers she just may want the future that’s in store for her.

LOCK AND KEY is a story about acceptance, love and family; topics that are explored as Ruby develops her thesis for English class. Required to interview others about the meaning of FAMILY, Ruby, as well as the readers come to find that family means something drastically different to every individual. Readers will connect to the feelings of obligation, trust and loyalty as they journey through the pages and gain understanding of each character.

Along the way, author Sarah Dessen tackles some serious issues, such as abuse and neglect, but does so in a way that seems realistic and hopeful. The relationship between the characters and their internal struggles are complicated, but their voices carry listeners through the story's arc to a hopeful and satisfying conclusion (Gallagher 2010). Through these issues, and the ideas of family and love, young adult readers will have much to think about and discuss.

References:
Gallagher, Genevieve. 2010. "Lock and Key." School Library Journal 56, no. 7: 46. Education Research Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed September 30, 2011).

LS 5623 Module Two: THE EARTH, MY BUTT AND OTHER BIG ROUND THINGS by Carolyn Mackler

Mackler, Carolyn. 2005. THE EARTH, MY BUTT AND OTHER BIG ROUND THINGS. New York: Candlewick Press. ISBN 0763620912

Virginia Shreves is SURE she was switched at birth. What else could explain the fact that she is a blonde, plump teenager in a house full of tall, then brunettes? Not only is every other member of her family thin, but they are also very put together and confident- something Virginia struggles with on a daily basis. But when her perfect specimen of a brother, Byron, gets kicked out of school for date rape, she begins to realize that no one is as perfect as they seem.

In this novel by Carolyn Mackler, readers will develop a connection to Virginia, whether they battle the same issues or not. While a person may look perfect physically, deep down each character is less than perfect. More importantly, in the end Virginia, as well as the audience, discover that it’s okay to have imperfections.

The main issue in this story is weight; an issue that many people, especially teenage girls, deal with at home and at school. “Readers will empathize with very real affronts to Virginia’s sense of self and her own internal battle with her weight versus using food to cope with stress and disappointment” (Perdue, 2011). Mackler does an excellent job of letting the audience into the head of a fifteen year old girl who feels lost, alone and unworthy- emotions that most young readers go through on a daily basis. Readers are also exposed to the not-so-perfect popular girl, to the surprisingly caring boy who sees past weight, and to the beauty of friend who knows just what to say once you look past her stutter.

THE EARTH, MY BUTT AND OTHER BIG, ROUND THINGS is “not your average, “fat girl finds faith in herself” story” (Perdue 2011). Instead, Mackler takes a fresh approach in creating an edgy, spunky character that accepts and embraces who she is rather than taking drastic measures to change, both inside and out. The smart mouthed, charismatic Virginia not only makes the story a fun, easy read but provides the voice of a generation that will no doubt leave readers talking.

References:
Perdue, Julie. 2004. "The Earth,My Butt,and Other Big Round Things (Book)." Library Media Connection 22, no. 5: 72. Education Research Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed September 30, 2011).

LS 5623 Module Two: BEFORE I DIE by Jenny Downham

Downham, Jenny. 2007. BEFORE I DIE. New York: David Fickling Books. ISBN 0385751834

“Dad says, do you want blackberries?”
“No.”
“What shall I tell him?”
“Tell him I want a baby elephant.”
He laughs. “I’m gonna miss you,” he says.

BEFORE I DIE centers around Tessa, a sixteen year old girl who diagnosed with terminal cancer. Instead of giving up on life, Tessa embraces it with the help of her friend Zoey, her family and Adam, the boy next door. Knowing her days are numbered Tessa composes a “to do” list full of various things she feels she will miss out on. Armed with a fierce attitude Tessa checks activities off her list one by one: stealing her dad’s car, shoplifting, experimenting with drugs, having sex and falling in love.

Each character is deep, flawed and very realistic- a connection that any reader can make to BEFORE I DIE. Whether outraged at cancer on Tessa’s behalf, irritated with the friendship between Tessa and her reckless, pregnant friend Zoey or comforted by the growing love between Tessa and Adam, readers will run through a gamut of emotions before reaching the last page.

Downham’s writing style often becomes erratic, mirroring the feelings of the main character as she experiences the ups and downs of her terminal illness. There is very little subtlety to the harsh reality of cancer and how it affects Tessa and the people in her life but young readers will find it refreshing to read this down-to-earth account of living with a terminal disease.

While the tone of BEFORE I DIE is dark and somber, there are moments where Tessa experiences bursts of happiness that accurately portray what it would be like to live with cancer. A strong plot provides the reader with pages of well written text, however, “With its uncompromising reflections on the harsh realities of terminal illness and straightforward descriptions of sex and drugs, this title is most appropriate for a mature teen audience”(Wysocki, 2011).
Although not for everyone, this story is guaranteed to make you laugh, cry and think. Readers will be left with much to discuss and reflect upon.

Awards:
A Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Book of the Year
A Booklist Editors’ Choice
A Book Sense Children’s Pick
A Kirkus Reviews Editors’ Choice
A Publishers Weekly Flying Start Author
An ALA-YALSA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults

References:
Wysocki, Barbara. 2008. "Before I Die." School Library Journal 54, no. 1: 68. Education Research Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed September 30, 2011).