Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison
This book is a fire cracker! Before reading this book I flipped through the book and found a glossary of terms. These terms as Georgia puts it are "English" terminology and not typical "American" lingo.
A few of my favorite:
Bloke: a member of the masculine gener
Duffing up: female, less violent version of beating up
Fringe: American version of "bangs".
Knickers: panties, "things you wear to cover your girlie parts"
Nuddy-pants: nakedness
Snogging: Kissing.
So, after I laughed uncontrollably, I could not wait to open the book and start reading. The book is broken down into chapters by Months. I am currently on page 55 and do not find this book to be as exciting as I wanted it to be. Georgia the 14 year old girl goes through the regular every day type of issues.She shaves off her eye brows, finds a cute guy that she likes, and just seems to live the life of an average teenage girl. I would recommend this book to any girls as a pleasure read; however, this is not a teachable book.
This book has served its purposes; I laughed and had a glimpse of a teenage romance. Now that my spirits are lifted I am ready to give up on the book for a summer pleasure read.
Who is Angus? Angus is Georgia’s huge cat. He was an abandoned kitten and now loves to intimidate the next door poodle.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Strange Skies by Matt Marinovich
I'm not sure where to being about this book...
I was given this book as a Christmas present because it was on sale and looked good. It is good for the right age level. But then what is the right age level? How do we know what is appropriate for which students? This book has depressed me, even though I have laughed and enjoyed the ride. I am not a fan of the ending. That would be a cool and thought provoking project for my students, have them recreate the ending of the story.
Maybe everything was too picture perfect. For instance, you have two couples who end up divorced, and then find each other and fall in lust which turns into love when they least expect it. There is the stereotypical boy who has leukemia and tries to teach Paul about life. Everything just seems to be too idealistic and real, almost eerie. I am able to connect personally to this story because I was in the north eastern part of the United States (Brooklyn, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and at the end of the book Florida) this past summer. I knew exactly where Paul was.
A quick synopsis of the book:
Paul, married his wife because her mother is a millionaire and about to die. His wife Lee wants kids, but Paul refuses kids because he sees that kids have ruined his brothers life. Paul's father slept with 512 women and kept each name in a little black book. Paul, towards the end of the book compares himself to his father and how he was an awful person. Paul, lies about having cancer so that he can take a break from his life. In his break from reality he meets up with Barb and Jack. Barb was married a possessive guy and gave birth to Jack who has leukemia. She is no divorced. Paul learns various lessons about life from Jack, and then finds out that he actually does have cancer. I won't give away the ending of the book, but I am not a fan!
Maybe you should pick up this book for a good laugh and a different perspective of life.
Funny, but ultimately depressing.
I was given this book as a Christmas present because it was on sale and looked good. It is good for the right age level. But then what is the right age level? How do we know what is appropriate for which students? This book has depressed me, even though I have laughed and enjoyed the ride. I am not a fan of the ending. That would be a cool and thought provoking project for my students, have them recreate the ending of the story.
Maybe everything was too picture perfect. For instance, you have two couples who end up divorced, and then find each other and fall in lust which turns into love when they least expect it. There is the stereotypical boy who has leukemia and tries to teach Paul about life. Everything just seems to be too idealistic and real, almost eerie. I am able to connect personally to this story because I was in the north eastern part of the United States (Brooklyn, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and at the end of the book Florida) this past summer. I knew exactly where Paul was.
A quick synopsis of the book:
Paul, married his wife because her mother is a millionaire and about to die. His wife Lee wants kids, but Paul refuses kids because he sees that kids have ruined his brothers life. Paul's father slept with 512 women and kept each name in a little black book. Paul, towards the end of the book compares himself to his father and how he was an awful person. Paul, lies about having cancer so that he can take a break from his life. In his break from reality he meets up with Barb and Jack. Barb was married a possessive guy and gave birth to Jack who has leukemia. She is no divorced. Paul learns various lessons about life from Jack, and then finds out that he actually does have cancer. I won't give away the ending of the book, but I am not a fan!
Maybe you should pick up this book for a good laugh and a different perspective of life.
Funny, but ultimately depressing.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Winter Girls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Wow! Laurie Halse Anderson is an amazing writer, and she has another great hit out! Wintergirls is a creepy and realistic novel about twos teenage girl named Lia and Cassie. Both girls have eating disorders and Cassie ends up dying. The story is based on Lia and her reactions to the death of her best friend though the torture she puts herself through by starving herself. Lia is an extremely intricate character, and the reader can see her thought process through the use of crossing out words (specifically food) and telling the reader how many calories are in what she is eating. The story of Lia and Cassie will haunt you, and make you question friendship, family, eating, and mental health. This book gives you a sickening winter chill that penetrates down into your bones and moral being. I personally was unable to sleep after reading right before bed! I dare you to go beyond the cold and bitterness and walk with footsteps of the winter girls.
"Let me tell you about it."
I just finished the book, and I couldn't wait to blog about the power of the book. I am not even sure where to begin. I have tears welling up in my eyes, and I want to go and hug Melinda. I want to tell her that everything is going to be okay, and that the healing process takes time.
Even though I am a loud person, sometimes I can't find the words to speak about what I am thinking/ feeling. I also feel that I am the only person dealing with these issues. But Melinda finds the strength in nature and art to help find her roots to start speaking out. When she knows that other girls have gone through similar situations she is empowered and when she knows that someone who is close to her could get hurt she is moved to act.
I am a huge fan of the teacher/student relationship that Mr. Freeman and Melinda have with each other. I love this quote:
" Think about love, or hate, or joy, or rage--what ever makes you feel something, makes your palms sweat or your toes curl. Focus on that feeling. When people don't express themselves, they die one piece at a time. You'd be shocked how many adults are really dead inside--walking through their days with no idea who they are, just waiting for a heart attack or cancer or a Mack truck to come along and finish the job. It's the saddest thing I know" (122).
This quote rings extremely true and personally in my heart. What are we living for? Why don't we truly express ourselves? This reminds me of how Pastor Mark, said that the symbol of Christianity is a mark of pain, hurt, and suffering. Life is not easy. Sharing your feelings and thoughts with others is not easy, but we push through the blockage, because even a stream will find its away around a damn.
My two favorite aspects of the book are Melinda's thoughts and how she uses metaphors and similes to compare people to animals. She paints such a beautiful picture of everything for the reader. Her thoughts are biting, stinging, hysterical, and most of all powerful. I wish that she would have used an animal metaphor at the end of the story to describe her self; however, her growth through nature is beautifully articulated. I am able to related to Melinda because I too grow from observing and being in nature. Trees are life bearing, homes, givers of oxygen, wood, nuts, and shade. They are also strong, stable, and flexible. My favorite yoga pose is the tree.
Melinda's story is extremely powerful, but I know that it rings true in many lives. A story like this would give other girls and guys the power to speak up against what has happened in their lives that they think is wrong or sinful. I have never personally experienced anything like this, but it is imperative to share this book and Melinda's story.
I was laying in bed the other night thinking about the book and I look up and on my bulletin board behind my bed I have a pin that says "Speak up about Speak!" These there is this great website that lets people talk about their thoughts and reactions to the book. http://speakupaboutspeak.blogspot.com/
Even though I am a loud person, sometimes I can't find the words to speak about what I am thinking/ feeling. I also feel that I am the only person dealing with these issues. But Melinda finds the strength in nature and art to help find her roots to start speaking out. When she knows that other girls have gone through similar situations she is empowered and when she knows that someone who is close to her could get hurt she is moved to act.
I am a huge fan of the teacher/student relationship that Mr. Freeman and Melinda have with each other. I love this quote:
" Think about love, or hate, or joy, or rage--what ever makes you feel something, makes your palms sweat or your toes curl. Focus on that feeling. When people don't express themselves, they die one piece at a time. You'd be shocked how many adults are really dead inside--walking through their days with no idea who they are, just waiting for a heart attack or cancer or a Mack truck to come along and finish the job. It's the saddest thing I know" (122).
This quote rings extremely true and personally in my heart. What are we living for? Why don't we truly express ourselves? This reminds me of how Pastor Mark, said that the symbol of Christianity is a mark of pain, hurt, and suffering. Life is not easy. Sharing your feelings and thoughts with others is not easy, but we push through the blockage, because even a stream will find its away around a damn.
My two favorite aspects of the book are Melinda's thoughts and how she uses metaphors and similes to compare people to animals. She paints such a beautiful picture of everything for the reader. Her thoughts are biting, stinging, hysterical, and most of all powerful. I wish that she would have used an animal metaphor at the end of the story to describe her self; however, her growth through nature is beautifully articulated. I am able to related to Melinda because I too grow from observing and being in nature. Trees are life bearing, homes, givers of oxygen, wood, nuts, and shade. They are also strong, stable, and flexible. My favorite yoga pose is the tree.
Melinda's story is extremely powerful, but I know that it rings true in many lives. A story like this would give other girls and guys the power to speak up against what has happened in their lives that they think is wrong or sinful. I have never personally experienced anything like this, but it is imperative to share this book and Melinda's story.
I was laying in bed the other night thinking about the book and I look up and on my bulletin board behind my bed I have a pin that says "Speak up about Speak!" These there is this great website that lets people talk about their thoughts and reactions to the book. http://speakupaboutspeak.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
This week I am diving into another one of Laurie Halse Anderson's books. I will leave a post about Winter Girls as soon as I finish with Speak.
The front graphic of the book, a teenage girl in the midst of a forest or maybe a solitary tree has always made me inquiry about the text written inside. The title of Speak along with the graphic makes me think of a tree whisperer. This sounds corny, I know, but that is what comes to mind. When I opened up to the first page and started reading, I realized that the setting in the typical high school, and that the main character, Melinda, is the victim as she describes herself as a "wounded zebra". Anderson gives Melinda great language to describe her surroundings and the actions of herslf and others. My favorite characteristic of Melinda is her choice of animal metaphors to describe people.
Animal similies and metaphors thus far:
-describes her self as a "wounded zebra" (5).
- hairwoman (English teacher), "I can't decide if she had pissed off her hairdresser or is morphing into a monarch butterfly" ( 6).
- "Mr. Freeman is ugly. Big old grasshopper body..." (10). Mr. Freeman is the art teacher.
- "...Heather geeking around me like a moth" (19). Heather is the only person who is nice to her at school.
- Speaking about Rachelle her ex-bestfriend. " She waves her hand in the air and you find yourself thinking of young chimpanzees" (20).
- On multiple occasions Melida refers to an animal in her stomach. "An animal noise rustles in my stomach"(28). " There is a beast in my gut, I can hear it scraping away at the insides of my ribs" (51).
Melinda also has a hysterical personality who always likes to point out the irony of situations. I find myself laughing hysterically at the depiction she gives. Describing her art class she states, "He'll rant for the rest of the period, forty-three minutes. The room is warm, filled with sun and pain fumes. Three kids falls dead asleep, eye twitches, snores, and everything" (31). I am amazed at her sarcastic attitude towards much of school life; yet, I am predicting that this is just a cover. Something happened over the summer where multiple people got arrested and it is all her fault. She hasn't come out and said what exactly it is yet though.....I am dying to find out!
There are other seens when Melinda describe her teachers, I just need to make sure that I do not wear hideous dresses or have multi-color hair!! This makes me want to know what my students think of what I wear!!
With in the first 10 pages, the reader finds out what the tree represented on the front comes from. Mr. Freeman, the ugly artsy grasshopper, states, "Welcome to the only class that will teach you how to survive" (10). He then continues and says,
"Why not spend that time on art: painting, sculpting, charcoal, pastel, oils? Are words or numbes more important than images? Who decided this? Dose algebra move you to tears? Can the plural possessive express the feelings in your heart? If you don't learn art now, you will never learn to breath!!!" (11). What a powerful statement. I would argue that an English class would teach a student more about survival than an art class; yet, I am biased!
I can't wait to read more.
I will leave off with this quote, which is becoming my new facebook status!
"Homework is not an option. My bed is sending out serious nap rays. I can't help myself. The fluffy pillows and warm comforter are more powerful than I am. I have no choice but to snuggle under the covers" (16).
The front graphic of the book, a teenage girl in the midst of a forest or maybe a solitary tree has always made me inquiry about the text written inside. The title of Speak along with the graphic makes me think of a tree whisperer. This sounds corny, I know, but that is what comes to mind. When I opened up to the first page and started reading, I realized that the setting in the typical high school, and that the main character, Melinda, is the victim as she describes herself as a "wounded zebra". Anderson gives Melinda great language to describe her surroundings and the actions of herslf and others. My favorite characteristic of Melinda is her choice of animal metaphors to describe people.
Animal similies and metaphors thus far:
-describes her self as a "wounded zebra" (5).
- hairwoman (English teacher), "I can't decide if she had pissed off her hairdresser or is morphing into a monarch butterfly" ( 6).
- "Mr. Freeman is ugly. Big old grasshopper body..." (10). Mr. Freeman is the art teacher.
- "...Heather geeking around me like a moth" (19). Heather is the only person who is nice to her at school.
- Speaking about Rachelle her ex-bestfriend. " She waves her hand in the air and you find yourself thinking of young chimpanzees" (20).
- On multiple occasions Melida refers to an animal in her stomach. "An animal noise rustles in my stomach"(28). " There is a beast in my gut, I can hear it scraping away at the insides of my ribs" (51).
Melinda also has a hysterical personality who always likes to point out the irony of situations. I find myself laughing hysterically at the depiction she gives. Describing her art class she states, "He'll rant for the rest of the period, forty-three minutes. The room is warm, filled with sun and pain fumes. Three kids falls dead asleep, eye twitches, snores, and everything" (31). I am amazed at her sarcastic attitude towards much of school life; yet, I am predicting that this is just a cover. Something happened over the summer where multiple people got arrested and it is all her fault. She hasn't come out and said what exactly it is yet though.....I am dying to find out!
There are other seens when Melinda describe her teachers, I just need to make sure that I do not wear hideous dresses or have multi-color hair!! This makes me want to know what my students think of what I wear!!
With in the first 10 pages, the reader finds out what the tree represented on the front comes from. Mr. Freeman, the ugly artsy grasshopper, states, "Welcome to the only class that will teach you how to survive" (10). He then continues and says,
"Why not spend that time on art: painting, sculpting, charcoal, pastel, oils? Are words or numbes more important than images? Who decided this? Dose algebra move you to tears? Can the plural possessive express the feelings in your heart? If you don't learn art now, you will never learn to breath!!!" (11). What a powerful statement. I would argue that an English class would teach a student more about survival than an art class; yet, I am biased!
I can't wait to read more.
I will leave off with this quote, which is becoming my new facebook status!
"Homework is not an option. My bed is sending out serious nap rays. I can't help myself. The fluffy pillows and warm comforter are more powerful than I am. I have no choice but to snuggle under the covers" (16).
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