Godless
Big Mouth Ugly Girl. 0-06-447347-3. Joyce Carol Oates. 2002. National Book Award Winner. Ages 12-18. Contemporary Realistic Fiction. Caucasian. middle-class.
Jason Bock’s thoughts entice him to think of the town water tower as a god. Jason shares his thoughts with his friend Shin, who is a snail keeper and soon finds himself the head of a new religious sect of ‘Chutengodians.’ They worship the water tank that they call it the ‘Ten-Legged One’ Some of them become so deeply invoved, Henry schemes to make the new faith even more exciting and dangerous. During a mid-night ceremony their passion turns from merely theoretical to dangerous. They get into trouble with authority and Jason realizes that his creation is a big challenge. He is not only faced with the responsibility of developing the religion and recruiting the members but also controlling them and being their leader. Jason’s father and ‘Just Al’ are faced with Jason’s unstable beliefs of God. As the struggles to control his religion continue the members fall apart and continue to violate the city rules.
This novel is honest in the sense that it depicts the strife’s most young people go through in relation to religion. Many times we question the ‘passed down’ religion and never have the courage to confront our parents. Although we may want to look at Jason as being insightful one thing is clear that he is not sure about the religion he is initiating or what it entails.
Critique
Pete Hautman engages very strong characters, they are serious in their struggles and willing to risk their lives all for the sake of religion and I would add adventure. Despite his uncertainty about religion at the opening of the novel, Jason is quite clear in his description of himself, his shortcomings, and his aptitudes. He determined and never gives up even when it is obvious that he is losing his crew. Jason, as his father tells him has his friends listen to him. Henry sabotages Jason’s mission and gives his religion a new name. Shin so ardently believes in Jason’s religion because it gives him some power. He writes a lot on the religions and dedicates so much of his time to draw the pictures of the water representing the various members. As strong characters, with a lack of common purpose, this finally plays to their down fall.
The plot of the novel develops through the main character who is Jason. He is faced with the problem of establishing his new religion. He hopes that by recruiting members for this religion and giving them responsibilities it will have a smooth take-off. In the process he appoints two people for one position which bring a lot of conflict. He tells them his idea of the new religion and Henry pushes it further thus creating problems for the group. With time we realize that Jason is finally isolated and a new group is formed by Henry. Jason’s father and Magda’s parents have them go for church meetings which do not seem to offer them answers to their quest on religion. Jason starts the novel as an atheist and ends as one. In my opinion Godless illustrates a way in which the youth question their faith and their desire to better understand religion.
The main theme in this novel is religion and identity. These two themes further touch on growing up and learning to navigate the world without losing oneself. We are able to see this through Jason Bock's experiment with religion creation and the effect it has on his friends. One of the nice aspects of the novel is that although it raises doubts about the validity of organized religion - especially modern religions such as Scientology or Mormonism - it does not ultimately suggest that everyone should become atheist or agnostic. Rather, though the main character is an agnostic throughout, other characters are religious without condemnation. Even though the novel doesn't condemn religiosity, it does ask the reader to think critically about faith and religion through the creation of Chutengodianism by the main characters.
Style of writing and language used is very unique. Language is simple and makes reading the book very easy and so is the style, use of titled chapters which gives the reader a clue as to what the chapter will be about. I enjoyed reading the opening remarks for every chapter. They gave an insight to the religion as these were not explained into depth in the chapters.
This book provides dramatic moments and is character driven thus making it worth reading. I would read this book with my students because it would provide a strong material for discussion on aspects of religion, friend’s loyalty, understanding parents and creation of ideas.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Big Mouth and Ugly Girl
Big Mouth and Ugly Girl.
Big Mouth Ugly Girl. ISBN 978-0-06-447347-7. Joyce Carol Oates. 2002. Ages 13-18. Contemporary Realistic Fiction. Caucasian youth. Middle-class. Suburban.
Matt Donaghy is a junior in high school; he makes remarks to friends in the cafeteria about blowing the school and killing many people. Unidentified students report to the principal, who in turn informs the police. Matt is interrogated, released (not charged) but is suspended from school for three days. Ursula, an active basketball player goes against her parent’s word and tells the principal that she overheard the remarks and they were just jokes. Matt is struggling to deal with all peers, teachers and even his family, who have sued the school. The media is to blame for all these negative impressions created in these people’s minds. Matt reaches out to Ursula and through emails he shares with her his frustrations, shock and humiliations of the incident. Together they are able to deal with and overcome the hostility of their community at large.
This novel is realistic and complex. These are experiences that many of us would testify to, being an outcast in school, facing difficulties with parents, friends loyalty or just having no one to talk to about a pressing issue. As for the threats to bomb the school or shoot the teachers or students, these are fears that every learning institution takes precautions against because they happen and always unexpected. The book thus takes some common problems and current events and shows how it might impact the youth.
Critique
The author develops the plot that takes us through this time of adolescents where relationships can change in a second, where friendship or partnership is present today and is lost forever the very next day. In this novel we meet students who are in great relationships only until something stirs-the-pot and things turn out differently. Matt a very hardworking, extrovert and loved student is suddenly faced with a situation that he does not comprehend. In less than a few hours he is all by himself rejected by friends and even teachers. This is an accurate portrayal of the society we live in. Ursula feels dejected and is forced to quit her basketball team because of the thoughts of not fitting in. The two eventually discover and offer each other solace. Coupled with the plot, the setting of the novel is adequate and an environment that the reader can relate to; the school environment, the home setting and the park.
Joyce Oates develops relevant themes that are part of teenage adolescence. Body image is a sensitive issue in the book and has a negative influence on their personalities just as it does to the youth today. Ursula, due to her body size finds comfort in being aggressive to avoid being teased. It is very important for the students to fit in and the only way they deem it right is by looking athletic, as for the girls it is more of being beautiful in a trim body.
The author uses an interesting style of writing which brings out the unique structure of the book. It is divided into two perspectives, Ursula's and Matt's. It changes from chapter to chapter, so that the reader knows what both main characters think over a special situation. We learn so much about Matt through the emails he sends Ursula although he deletes some before sending. I think this is a deliberate move by the author to show the conflicts in Matt’s mind as was with Ursula.
The language used is reader friendly and depicts a true adolescent’s language. Alternating between the Ugly Girl and the Big Mouth, we experience their teenage self-absorption mixed with feelings of powerlessness, frustration, and anger as they journey in an investigative adult world and in an equally malicious student population.
The characters are unique yet realistic. These are characters that we see or hear about in our day today world. Ursula represents the girls in the society that walk around feeling inadequate because of their body images yet they find a way of making others recognize their presence or give them the respect they deserve. She lives her life the way she wants to, she does not really have much respect for other people, and she thinks about herself a lot. She dresses the way she wants, acts the way she wants and doesn't worry about having friends. Most of these girls use crude ways or just like Ursula the close out the rest of the world and become introverts. Matt on the other hand represents the students who are popular, hardworking and creative. When faced with an issue they deteriorate and are shattered, thus becoming introverts and periodically thinks of suicide. At the end the novels shows that it doesn't matter how different or similar people's personalities are and that it doesn't affect your friendship.
I think my favorite thing about the book is that I really got to know the characters, they seem like real people. It's one of those books that you miss the characters after it's over. Personally I felt like I was together with them in this journey and each step of the way I gave suggestions.
As a teacher this is a book I would highly recommend for my students. This book tackles a teenager’s daily worries and struggles. It might not give them solutions but will definitely give them ideas regardless of, if they are Matt, Ursula, the twins or the rest of the school population. This book addresses issues of impulsive behavior, peer pressure and parent-child relationship.
Big Mouth Ugly Girl. ISBN 978-0-06-447347-7. Joyce Carol Oates. 2002. Ages 13-18. Contemporary Realistic Fiction. Caucasian youth. Middle-class. Suburban.
Matt Donaghy is a junior in high school; he makes remarks to friends in the cafeteria about blowing the school and killing many people. Unidentified students report to the principal, who in turn informs the police. Matt is interrogated, released (not charged) but is suspended from school for three days. Ursula, an active basketball player goes against her parent’s word and tells the principal that she overheard the remarks and they were just jokes. Matt is struggling to deal with all peers, teachers and even his family, who have sued the school. The media is to blame for all these negative impressions created in these people’s minds. Matt reaches out to Ursula and through emails he shares with her his frustrations, shock and humiliations of the incident. Together they are able to deal with and overcome the hostility of their community at large.
This novel is realistic and complex. These are experiences that many of us would testify to, being an outcast in school, facing difficulties with parents, friends loyalty or just having no one to talk to about a pressing issue. As for the threats to bomb the school or shoot the teachers or students, these are fears that every learning institution takes precautions against because they happen and always unexpected. The book thus takes some common problems and current events and shows how it might impact the youth.
Critique
The author develops the plot that takes us through this time of adolescents where relationships can change in a second, where friendship or partnership is present today and is lost forever the very next day. In this novel we meet students who are in great relationships only until something stirs-the-pot and things turn out differently. Matt a very hardworking, extrovert and loved student is suddenly faced with a situation that he does not comprehend. In less than a few hours he is all by himself rejected by friends and even teachers. This is an accurate portrayal of the society we live in. Ursula feels dejected and is forced to quit her basketball team because of the thoughts of not fitting in. The two eventually discover and offer each other solace. Coupled with the plot, the setting of the novel is adequate and an environment that the reader can relate to; the school environment, the home setting and the park.
Joyce Oates develops relevant themes that are part of teenage adolescence. Body image is a sensitive issue in the book and has a negative influence on their personalities just as it does to the youth today. Ursula, due to her body size finds comfort in being aggressive to avoid being teased. It is very important for the students to fit in and the only way they deem it right is by looking athletic, as for the girls it is more of being beautiful in a trim body.
The author uses an interesting style of writing which brings out the unique structure of the book. It is divided into two perspectives, Ursula's and Matt's. It changes from chapter to chapter, so that the reader knows what both main characters think over a special situation. We learn so much about Matt through the emails he sends Ursula although he deletes some before sending. I think this is a deliberate move by the author to show the conflicts in Matt’s mind as was with Ursula.
The language used is reader friendly and depicts a true adolescent’s language. Alternating between the Ugly Girl and the Big Mouth, we experience their teenage self-absorption mixed with feelings of powerlessness, frustration, and anger as they journey in an investigative adult world and in an equally malicious student population.
The characters are unique yet realistic. These are characters that we see or hear about in our day today world. Ursula represents the girls in the society that walk around feeling inadequate because of their body images yet they find a way of making others recognize their presence or give them the respect they deserve. She lives her life the way she wants to, she does not really have much respect for other people, and she thinks about herself a lot. She dresses the way she wants, acts the way she wants and doesn't worry about having friends. Most of these girls use crude ways or just like Ursula the close out the rest of the world and become introverts. Matt on the other hand represents the students who are popular, hardworking and creative. When faced with an issue they deteriorate and are shattered, thus becoming introverts and periodically thinks of suicide. At the end the novels shows that it doesn't matter how different or similar people's personalities are and that it doesn't affect your friendship.
I think my favorite thing about the book is that I really got to know the characters, they seem like real people. It's one of those books that you miss the characters after it's over. Personally I felt like I was together with them in this journey and each step of the way I gave suggestions.
As a teacher this is a book I would highly recommend for my students. This book tackles a teenager’s daily worries and struggles. It might not give them solutions but will definitely give them ideas regardless of, if they are Matt, Ursula, the twins or the rest of the school population. This book addresses issues of impulsive behavior, peer pressure and parent-child relationship.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Monster
Monster, 978-0-06-440731-1, Walter Dean Meyers, Christopher Myers, 1999, National Book Award Finalist, Coretta Scott King Award, Michael L. Printz, 13-18years, African-American.
Steve Harmon in Monster, who was directly involved in the pre-meditated robbery of a drug store, faces trial with his neighborhood acquaintances for the murder of Mr. Nesbit. Walter Dean Myers tells the story through Steve’s own writing. Mrs. O’Brien, Steve’s lawyer, fights to show the jury that Steve is innocent. Sometimes he wonders if his defense lawyer thinks that he’s guilty or innocent. Steve is finally acquited.
Monster is an emotionally-charged story that is both compelling and disturbing. I would recommend this book to young people with the hope that they would learn from Steve's experiences. The story describes what it is like to be in court at a young age. It also describes the loneliness of life in prison.
This book is written like a movie with some breaks for Steve's journal entries. The movie is written as dialogue, with the characters' names in typewritten boldface followed by their remarks in regular type. The journal entries provide flashbacks to around the time of the murder and also the conflict going on in Steve’s head. These handwritten notes tell of his terror in prison and convey his thoughts about events.
In addition to the format, character development in Monster is also effective. Throughout the story readers learn that Steve loves creating films and understand that he feels connected to his neighborhood. In contrast the prison setting is realistically frightening.
The author uses highly realistic writing. Both poor and proper grammar is used appropriately for each character. The photographs add to the realistic atmosphere. The movie script depicts creativity and the courtroom realism portrays contemporary culture.
This book would make an ecellent read for students struggling with issues of victimization either because of race, color, sex, religion or age. It is also adequte for use with students from poor families or students who live in neighborhoods so full of crime. Students woud be asked to write down instances when they might have felt the same way as Steve. I would use the book with students in creative writing. They would have to write their own movie script.
Steve Harmon in Monster, who was directly involved in the pre-meditated robbery of a drug store, faces trial with his neighborhood acquaintances for the murder of Mr. Nesbit. Walter Dean Myers tells the story through Steve’s own writing. Mrs. O’Brien, Steve’s lawyer, fights to show the jury that Steve is innocent. Sometimes he wonders if his defense lawyer thinks that he’s guilty or innocent. Steve is finally acquited.
Monster is an emotionally-charged story that is both compelling and disturbing. I would recommend this book to young people with the hope that they would learn from Steve's experiences. The story describes what it is like to be in court at a young age. It also describes the loneliness of life in prison.
This book is written like a movie with some breaks for Steve's journal entries. The movie is written as dialogue, with the characters' names in typewritten boldface followed by their remarks in regular type. The journal entries provide flashbacks to around the time of the murder and also the conflict going on in Steve’s head. These handwritten notes tell of his terror in prison and convey his thoughts about events.
In addition to the format, character development in Monster is also effective. Throughout the story readers learn that Steve loves creating films and understand that he feels connected to his neighborhood. In contrast the prison setting is realistically frightening.
The author uses highly realistic writing. Both poor and proper grammar is used appropriately for each character. The photographs add to the realistic atmosphere. The movie script depicts creativity and the courtroom realism portrays contemporary culture.
This book would make an ecellent read for students struggling with issues of victimization either because of race, color, sex, religion or age. It is also adequte for use with students from poor families or students who live in neighborhoods so full of crime. Students woud be asked to write down instances when they might have felt the same way as Steve. I would use the book with students in creative writing. They would have to write their own movie script.
Scorpions
Scorpions. 13: 978-0-06-440623-9. 10: 0-06-440623-7, Walter Dean Meyers, Andy Bacha, Steven Scott HarperCollins Publications, 1988, Newberry Honor Book, 13-17, African-American, Hispanic.
Jamal Hicks, the main character, is pressured to become leader of the Scorpions gang after his brother goes to jail. He is harassed and bullied by an older, bigger boy at school and labeled a trouble-maker and loser by his school principal. As he faces tough decisions, Jamal gains a new level of respect from his enemies after they realize that he has a gun. This also gives him a false sense of courage and security. Jamal and his best friend Tito find themselves in a dangerous situation when trying to get rid of the gun, leaving one boy dead and another in the hospital. This event has dire consequences that force Jamal and Tito’s lives to change.
Scorpions is an energetic book because of the writing style used by the author. The characters in Scorpions are very diverse. The author uses well-drawn characters that are real, who have a powerful emotional impact on the reader. The characters are called upon to be courageous, being strong when life is confusing and survival is difficult.
The use of realistic dialogue also helps us learn a lot about the characters' feelings and fears.The language used is colloquial but very effective. The language of inner city youth is here, complete with attitude, flair, and humor.
The dynamic plot gives a realistic portrayal of the problems young people face. Some of these problems are making choices about friends, their activities, and their interactions with others. The characters' decisions affect their own and others' lives, which mirrors what happens in real life.
Scorpions is a book I would use with students who have tough times in making concrete desicions. It will challenge them to consider their own decisions as they come of age in a complex and a fairly frustrating world. Students from single-parent families would be able to identify with some of the events in this book, therefore it would be helpful for them to know that there are others out there going through the same. The book clearly depicts issues of Peer pressure, thus it would help such students make choices/decision carefully reflecting on the out come.
Jamal Hicks, the main character, is pressured to become leader of the Scorpions gang after his brother goes to jail. He is harassed and bullied by an older, bigger boy at school and labeled a trouble-maker and loser by his school principal. As he faces tough decisions, Jamal gains a new level of respect from his enemies after they realize that he has a gun. This also gives him a false sense of courage and security. Jamal and his best friend Tito find themselves in a dangerous situation when trying to get rid of the gun, leaving one boy dead and another in the hospital. This event has dire consequences that force Jamal and Tito’s lives to change.
Scorpions is an energetic book because of the writing style used by the author. The characters in Scorpions are very diverse. The author uses well-drawn characters that are real, who have a powerful emotional impact on the reader. The characters are called upon to be courageous, being strong when life is confusing and survival is difficult.
The use of realistic dialogue also helps us learn a lot about the characters' feelings and fears.The language used is colloquial but very effective. The language of inner city youth is here, complete with attitude, flair, and humor.
The dynamic plot gives a realistic portrayal of the problems young people face. Some of these problems are making choices about friends, their activities, and their interactions with others. The characters' decisions affect their own and others' lives, which mirrors what happens in real life.
Scorpions is a book I would use with students who have tough times in making concrete desicions. It will challenge them to consider their own decisions as they come of age in a complex and a fairly frustrating world. Students from single-parent families would be able to identify with some of the events in this book, therefore it would be helpful for them to know that there are others out there going through the same. The book clearly depicts issues of Peer pressure, thus it would help such students make choices/decision carefully reflecting on the out come.
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