A Powerful Bullying Video

February 22, 2013 by 3 Comments

If you haven’t seen this powerful poem-turned-video, you really should watch it now.  I’ve seen it pop up a number of times on Facebook and just now watched it.  I’ll most definitely show this to my students and discuss it with them.  Also, since so many of you read and connect with readers, I’m including a list of books that deal with the topic of bullying.  I know I’ll forget/miss books, so please leave more titles in the comments.

Books Dealing with Bullying (to some degree & in no particular order)

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers (Goodreads)
Give a Boy a Gun by Todd Strasser (Goodreads)
Leverage by Joshua C. Cohen (Goodreads)
The Lipstick Laws by Amy Holder (Goodreads)
Speechless by Hannah Harrington (Goodreads)
Shattering Glass by Gail Giles (Goodreads)
Wonder by R.J. Palacio (Goodreads)
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher (Goodreads)
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier (Goodreads)
Breaking Point by Alex Flinn (Goodreads)
Smile by Raina Telgemeier (Goodreads)
Popular by Alissa Grosso (Goodreads)
Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King (Goodreads)
Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt (Goodreads)
If I Lie by Corrine Jackson (Goodreads)
The List by Siobhan Vivian (Goodreads)
Camp by Elaine Wolf (Goodreads)
Butter by Erin Jade Lange (Goodreads)

Filed Under: So Many Lists..., Teaching :) Tagged With: ,

Audiobook Review: Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

December 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Some Girls AreTitle: Some Girls Are

Author: Courtney Summers

Narrator: Katie Schorr

Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin

Interest: Author / Contemporary

Release Date: July 11, 2011 (audio format), January 5, 2010 (paperback)

Source: Purchased audio via Audible

Summary (From Goodreads): Climbing to the top of the social ladder is hard—falling from it is even harder.  Regina Afton used to be a member of the Fearsome Fivesome, an all-girl clique both feared and revered by the students at Hallowell High… until vicious rumors about her and her best friend’s boyfriend start going around.  Now Regina’s been “frozen out” and her ex-best friends are out for revenge.  If Regina was guilty, it would be one thing, but the rumors are far from the terrifying truth and the bullying is getting more intense by the day.  She takes solace in the company of Michael Hayden, a misfit with a tragic past who she herself used to bully.  Friendship doesn’t come easily for these onetime enemies, and as Regina works hard to make amends for her past, she realizes Michael could be more than just a friend… if threats from the Fearsome Foursome don’t break them both first.

Tensions grow and the abuse worsens as the final days of senior year march toward an explosive conclusion in this dark new tale from the author of Cracked Up To Be.

Audio Review:

I have more to say about the actual book than the audio, so this portion of the review will be short.  Overall, I liked it.  It’s not the best audio performance I’ve listened to, but it’s still good.  I don’t want that part of the review, however, to keep anyone from reading the book.  Katie Schorr is a good choice for Regina, but she isn’t as talented at changing her voice for different characters.  Considering the amount of character interaction in Some Girls Are, this became an issue for me because I had a hard time distinguishing when Regina was talking and when, say, Michael or Kara were speaking.  I also don’t know if this is the best choice for audio because of how clipped some of the narration and dialogue are.  I think hearing it, as opposed to seeing it, took away from the effect the clipped, sparse lines were supposed to have.  I recommend reading Some Girls Are traditionally over listening to it.

Book Review:

Courtney Summers is an author who deserves more attention and more of a fan base because she is seriously talented.  I still have to read This is Not a Drill, but I’ve read all three of her other books and in each one she develops characters who are both hard and easy to like.  Regina is the epitome of this.  I did not want to like Regina or feel sorry for her because to some degree she doesn’t deserve pity.  She’s not a nice person–at all.  But I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her because she is treated horribly by Anna, Kara, and all of her old “friends.”  Still, Regina doesn’t completely learn from this because the cycle continues as Regina retaliates and is equally brutal.  It’s alarming how much this hate spreads from person to person in the book.  It’s alarming because this actually happens outside of books.

At times, I wondered what else could possibly happen to Regina.  What more were Anna, Kara, and the rest going to do to her?  How was the story going to end?  But it still went on.  Summers creates this slow, bubbling of brutality on every page.  One question I kept asking myself is “Where are Regina’s parents?”  They are so completely oblivious and out of the picture, it’s sickening.  I want to say it’s unrealistic, but I know that’s  not true.  I can’t tell you how many times I started saying things out loud to Regina like, “Tell your principal!”  These characters are ruthless and horrible and need to be punished by an adult.

I know Regina isn’t forthcoming with her parents because she is embarrassed, but I’m not completely sure why she doesn’t go to another adult or principal or something.  Yes, she fears retaliation, but I think she also fears that no one will believe her.  It’s messed up that we preach against bullying, yet there’s still this fear that no one will believe it when someone accuses another of bullying, especially when the bully is a “good kid.”  I have a lot of say about the reason why Regina is thrown from the group, and I’m not sure if I should say because it’s slightly spoilery, but it’s also right at the beginning of the book, but I’m saving those thoughts for another post I’m currently drafting.  Anyway, Some Girls Are brings up so much about school culture that needs to be addressed and changed.

I’m simply not doing this book justice, but it’s a book that needs to be read and discussed with other people who have read it.  It’s hard to write a review for it because there are so many layers and feelings to discuss.  I hope you read it.  I hope you read all of Courtney Summers’ books.

Similar Books: Speechless by Hannah Harrington, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Leverage by Joshua C. Cohen

Filed Under: Awesome Authors, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Banned Books Week: Give a Boy a Gun by Todd Strasser

October 2, 2012 by 5 Comments

Banned Book: Give a Boy a Gun by Todd Strasser

Where/Why It’s Been Banned: “Retained at the Bangor, Pa. Area Middle School (2007) despite a student’s aunt’s concerns about the book’s depiction of school violence. Source: Mar. 2008, p. 79.” (Source–Quote taken from the ALA banned books resource page)

My Thoughts: Give a Boy a Gun has been part of our sophomore English curriculum since I started teaching at Clio six years ago.  It’s also one of the most successful and engaging units we teach.  Todd Strasser hits many big issues like bullying, violent video games, troubles at home, etc. that students have no choice but to speak up and discuss what they’re reading.  Almost every time we read this book in class I end up hearing from my most introverted students.  It’s a powerful moment when so many students in class are buzzing and engaged and asking to have a discussion.

The story is violent, so I understand concerns about reading Give a Boy a Gun.  My bigger concern is the rising number of violent acts in schools.  They’ve escalated so much we’re now seeing news coverage of shootings near popular tourist attractions and on college campuses.  Todd Strasser makes some valid points in his book in a number of ways.  He includes information he found while researching as footnotes in the story.  He also has the book set up from varying points of view so readers can get a full perspective.  The teachable moments in this book are plentiful, so I hope teachers, librarians, and parents will take it upon themselves to read it and share it.  It’s certainly a book worth discussing.

Student Response: This response comes from one of my YA Lit students and aspiring author, Noah.

“I’m not surprised, but I still think it shouldn’t be banned.  We hear real life stories like this book all the time.  It won’t convince any kid to perform a school shooting and it tells what some kids went through.”

Filed Under: Banned Books Week, Censorship Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Review: Camp by Elaine Wolf

July 3, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Title: Camp

Author: Elaine Wolf

Publisher: Sky Pony Press

Interest: Bullying / Mother-Daughter Relationship

Release: June 15th, 2012

Source: Finished copy received from the author

Summary (From Goodreads): Going to sleepaway camp can be one of the most wonderful experiences for a young girl. But for Amy Becker, it’s a nightmare. Amy, whose home life is in turmoil, is sent away to summer camp for the first time as a teenager. Though she swears she hates her mother, who is unduly harsh with Amy’s autistic younger brother, Amy is less than thrilled to be leaving home. When she arrives at camp, she is subjected to a horrifying initiation and bullying by Rory, the ringleader of the girls in her cabin. Then a cousin reveals dark secrets about Amy s mother, setting in motion a tragic event that changes Amy and her family forever.

CAMP is a compelling coming-of-age novel about bullying, mothers and daughters, and the collateral damage of family secrets. It’s a powerful mother-daughter story for mothers and daughters to share.

Camp by Elaine Wolf is a quiet book that will resonate with many readers.  It’s a fast read; I read it within a couple hours of starting it.  The story keeps a steady pace and held my interest from beginning to end.

Amy Becker doesn’t have a cozy life at home, at least when it comes to her mother.  From the very beginning of the book, Amy’s mother struck me as cold and distant.  Amy does, however, have a very close relationship with her brother who, even though it’s not stated, I believe has autism.  Her father tries to be loving and involved, which is why he signs Amy up for summer camp, but he can’t always do this completely since he’s often “siding” with Amy’s mother.  It’s a tense atmosphere in the Becker home.  Amy’s mother isn’t thrilled about Amy attending summer camp because her husband’s brother is running it.  This raised my first red flag because her reaction wasn’t typical; it was quite guarded and cautious.  Despite all of this, Amy doesn’t want to attend camp, mostly because she worries about her brother.

Poor Amy is at a disadvantage as soon as she gets to the bus leaving for camp.  Her aunt and uncle sent a list of things to bring, and it said nothing about clothes from home, so she’s in her camp uniform.  Lots of giggling from other campers ensues.  At this point in Camp, the reader gets to see more of Amy’s insecurities.  Amy’s mother is very concerned about appearances, so it was considered appropriate that Amy attend camp appropriately.  For a girl who didn’t want to attend camp in the first place, this is a horrible way to start that experience.  On the bus ride to camp, quite a bit of foreshadowing is included to give us an idea of the bullying Amy’s going to face.

The bullying in Camp is a prominent theme in Elaine Wolf’s novel, but it wasn’t the primary focus because all of it ties to Amy’s relationship with her mother.  It is important to note, however, that the majority of Camp takes place during Amy’s stay at summer camp and how she deals with Rory.  There were so many times while reading that I became angry because of what Amy goes through.  It was a good kind of angry though because my feelings were a direct response to the story.  Rory has some serious and disturbing issues which influence her actions.  On the other hand, I just wanted Amy to get a backbone and stand up for herself.  This is where her relationship with her mother ties in.  Amy’s “bullied” by her mother on a regular basis.  Her mother fixates on Amy’s appearance and weight.  She makes comments about Amy needing to lose weight, especially if she wants boys to pay attention to her.  Amy feels like she can’t do anything to make her mother happy, and almost the entire time she’s at camp she’s “hearing” her mother’s criticisms and judgments.  How can Amy possibly stand up to Rory when she can’t stand up to her mother?

Camp becomes more complex as serious family secrets are revealed, mainly about Amy’s mother.  We get more insight to her background and why she’s so cold.  The only problem I had with this, is that many of the major secrets are revealed at the end of the book.  I know, it makes sense for secrets to be revealed at the end, but the way they were revealed didn’t work for me.  Without spoiling the book, something goes on with Amy’s mother and the Beckers which instigates the revelations.  It felt like this portion of the book was rushed, or like some parts were added to the story for convenience (primarily regarding Amy’s mother).  These are my only qualms with Camp.

Camp by Elaine Wolf is definitely a book that should be read and discussed.  It’s intense, surprising, and chock full of emotion.  It could easily be added to units on bullying and/or familial relationships.

Filed Under: 2012 Debut Author Challenge, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Review: The List by Siobhan Vivian

April 11, 2012 by 2 Comments

The List Book CoverTitle: The List, 332 pages

Author: Siobhan Vivian

Publisher: Push (Scholastic)

Release Date: April 1st, 2012

Interest: Multiple POV / Bullying

Source: ARC Received at NCTE Convention

Summary (From Goodreads): An intense look at the rules of high school attraction — and the price that’s paid for them.

It happens every year. A list is posted, and one girl from each grade is chosen as the prettiest, and another is chosen as the ugliest. Nobody knows who makes the list. It almost doesn’t matter. The damage is done the minute it goes up.

This is the story of eight girls, freshman to senior, “pretty” and “ugly.” And it’s also the story of how we see ourselves, and how other people see us, and the tangled connection of the two.

I haven’t read any other books by Siobhan Vivian, but she has been on my radar.  When I saw The List at the Scholastic booth at NCTE, I decided that was going to be my first Siobhan Vivian book.  It’s a fast read and one that kept me turning the pages, but I have mixed feelings about it.

What Worked:

  • Siobhan Vivian created some very real characters.  Danielle is one of my favorites because she really came alive on the pages.  She’s voted as the ugliest in her class and dubbed “Dan the Man.”  She’s a gifted swimmer, especially as a freshman.  She has a new boyfriend, and now that the list has been released she fears he won’t see her as beautiful anymore.  I was a swimmer in high school and worried about my body, my shoulders in particular, becoming too masculine.  This wasn’t something that Danielle worried about until the list was released because she was wrapped up in her boyfriend and hoping to make the varsity team.  Her insecurity and everything else that happened as a result of the list really resonated with me.  A few of the other characters stuck with me as well, but Danielle’s character is still on my mind.
  • Even though I think The List would have been a stronger book with fewer characters, the constant switch from character to character made this a fast read with some added mystery.  Most times one character’s section would end at a point of intrigue and then switch to the next character leaving me wanting more from that particular character.  I can see The List being a high interest and popular book in my classroom, especially since a few of my girls in class were already showing interest while I was reading it during SSR.

What Didn’t Work:

  • My biggest issue with Siobhan Vivian’s newest book is that too much was thrown into one book that takes place within a week.  We have bullying, eating disorders, self-esteem issues and more.  These are all important issues to write about, but I was left feeling like Siobhan Vivian wanted to write a book about all of these issues and couldn’t decide on just one.  I think it can be done, and I appreciate what was attempted, but it missed the mark.  Maybe if the book took place for longer than a week I would have bought into this more.  I can see how this list changed how people viewed the characters and how the characters changed because of the list, but some of it was pretty drastic.
  • Another problem I have is that there are so many stereotypes portrayed in The List.  The List features a pretty girl who isn’t very smart, the ugly “freak”, the jock, the mean girl and so on.  Honestly, we get a deeper characterization than some of these stereotypes, but the stereotypes are still present.  The List would have packed more punch with fewer or none of these stereotypes.
  • The ending. I’ve read mixed reviews about the ending of The List, many of which I’ve thought myself.  Personally, I didn’t like the ending because it leaves so many loose ends.  Others appreciate the ending because it’s not realistic to have an ending with closure when the book takes place within a week.  Without spoiling the story, I understand what those reviewers are saying because it makes sense.  My problem is that some of the characters could have had a better ending because their issues weren’t as problematic as others.  On the other hand, one or two of the characters were facing such large problems and suffered so much during the week, I didn’t believe their endings because by the end of their part of the book I had the feeling that their affliction took place over a longer period of time.

Other Reviews:

Reading Everywhere
A Blog About Nothing
Stacked

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Review: Leverage by Joshua C. Cohen

January 31, 2012 by 3 Comments

Title: Leverage, 425 pages

Author: Joshua C. Cohen

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (Penguin Group)

Released: February 17th, 2011

Interest: Cybils Y.A. Fiction finalist / 2011 Debut Author

Source: Purchased

Summary (From Goodreads): The football field is a battlefield

There’s an extraordinary price for victory at Oregrove High. It is paid on – and off – the football field. And it claims its victims without mercy – including the most innocent bystanders.

When a violent, steroid-infused, ever-escalating prank war has devastating consequences, an unlikely friendship between a talented but emotionally damaged fullback and a promising gymnast might hold the key to a school’s salvation.

Told in alternating voices and with unapologetic truth, Leverage illuminates the fierce loyalty, flawed justice, and hard-won optimism of two young athletes.

Joshua C. Cohen is an author to watch!  Leverage is an edgy, emotional, gripping debut.  It will appeal to those who enjoy sports, but it’s about more than sports.  It’s about loyalty, courage, and standing up for what’s right, even when the odds are against you.

Kelly at Stacked has been telling me to read this for months, but I can’t say why I put it off for so long.  I’m actually made at myself for waiting so long to read Leverage.  When I told my students about the Y.A. Cybils finalists, one of my Y.A. Lit students asked if he could read it for his project (sports in Y.A.).  He reported back to me as he was reading it, and eventually another student in class went to our library to get himself a copy.  Once my student finished Leverage, he came into class telling me all about it and preparing me for some of the events/scenes in the novel.  After this interaction with him, I started it right away.  Just like my student, I came into school and kept up our conversation, this time sharing my thoughts about the story.  This kind of interaction/relationship with my students is why I love sharing books with them.

I’m happy one of my older students read Leverage first because it’s a mature read.  I knew something bad was going to happen as the prank war escalated, but even after my student’s warning, I never expected it to get as bad as it did.  Without spoiling the novel, one scene in particular is horrific and haunting.  I had a feeling something like that might happen, but I hoped it wouldn’t.  It’s a graphic scene, so if you’re working with younger students, you  might want to read Leverage first before you hand it to one of them.  Or at the very least, let these readers know that it’s a mature and sometimes graphic novel.  While I was heartbroken after this event, I understand why Cohen included it.  It really sets up the characterization of Danny and Kurt.

I really enjoy novels that switch points of view, because it allows for more understanding of the events in the story.  Kurt and Danny are written so well, that I couldn’t choose which character I preferred more.  Both characters are flawed and motivated by their emotions.  Kurt has a past  no person would wish on another, and Danny is searching for praise and perfection.  Kurt’s goal is to leave his past behind, so he’s working out constantly in hopes for a football scholarship.  Football also allows him to release his anger and frustration.  His helmet helps him speak without a stutter, which makes him feel more powerful and in control.  He can also hide his scars, both physical and emotional.  Danny’s mother died, so now it’s just him and his dad.  His dad doesn’t seem to take Danny’s sport seriously, he sees gymnastics as a hobby.  Danny’s hoping to become captain one day and receive a scholarship, but he also wants his dad’s approval and recognition.  Danny and Kurt may play different sports and be vastly different physically, but both have similar aspirations.  It’s not really until the heartbreaking scene that these two characters come together and work towards justice.  It’s this scene that really shows how flawed Danny and Kurt are, but even while I was yearning for them to do something, I understood their hesitation.  Joshua C. Cohen not only created complex characters, he has written a novel that makes the reader question what he/she would do if placed in Danny or Kurt’s position.  Once you think about this from the character’s perspective, it’s difficult to judge them for their actions and/or inaction.

Leverage isn’t a novel for the faint of heart, because like Kelly told me, it will devastate you.  And while much of the novel is dismal, I knew there would be some hope towards the end.  Although the ending itself, I’m not so sure about.  Parts of it didn’t feel very believable to me, but that might depend on the reader.  If you decide to read Leverage, be prepared for an intense reading experience and an emotional connection to the characters.  Leverage is a story about bullying to the extreme, and it’s one that I highly recommend.

Filed Under: 2011 Debut Author Challenge, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King

August 26, 2011 by 6 Comments

A.S. King Everybody Sees the Ants

288 pp.  Little, Brown and Company  2011

Source: ARC gifted by a friend

Release Date: October 3, 2011

Summary (From Goodreads):

Lucky Linderman didn’t ask for his life. He didn’t ask his grandfather not to come home from the Vietnam War. He didn’t ask for a father who never got over it. He didn’t ask for a mother who keeps pretending their family is fine. And he certainly didn’t ask to be the recipient of Nadar McMillan’s relentless bullying, which has finally gone too far.

Lucky has a secret—one that helps him wade through the daily dysfunction of his life. Grandad Harry, trapped in the jungles of Laos, has been visiting Lucky in his dreams—and the dreams just might be real: an alternate reality where he can be whoever he wants to be and his life might still be worth living. But how long can Lucky remain in hiding there before reality forces its way inside?

Printz Honor recipient A. S. King’s distinctive, smart, and accessible writing shines in this powerful novel about learning to cope with the shrapnel life throws at you, and then taking a stand against it.

I need to say this first–Everybody Sees the Ants is one of the BEST books I’ve read.  I was completely engrossed in this novel and couldn’t put it down.  Pre-order a copy of this book, ask your librarian to get a copy for your library, mark its release on your calendars.

Lucky Linderman is an underdog that deserves so much more from life.  He’s constantly bullied by Nadar McMillan, he feels misunderstood by his parents, and he’s haunted in his dreams by his POW grandfather whom he’s never met.  Nadar’s bullying actually gets pretty extreme, so Lucky’s mom decides to take him to Arizona so they can stay with her brother and sister-in-law.  This is when we learn quite a bit about Lucky and just how layered and troubled he is.  He’s on the innocent side of the spectrum when it comes to teenage boys, which makes him even more endearing.  Lucky isn’t oblivious to what people say about him either.  His aunt openly says how she worries about him being at-risk.  I loved it when Lucky had a witty comeback for her, whether he said it aloud or to himself.  Lucky Linderman is a character that I cheered for throughout the entire novel.  He needs self-esteem and the confidence to speak up for himself.

A.S. King did something different by having Lucky see the ants.  I can’t say for sure what the ants are exactly, but I pictured them as Lucky’s cheering squad that he could imagine during tough situations.  The ants weren’t present throughout the whole book, but by the time they entered the story I knew how badly Lucky needed them.  He doesn’t really have any friends or people he feels he can rely on until he gets to Arizona.  There, along with the ants, he bonds with his uncle and meets the mysterious girl next door.  After one scene about 3/4 of the way into the book, I was so shocked and heart broken I had to put the book down; this scene took my breath away and I needed a minute to digest what I read.  I was already impressed by A.S. King as I was reading this book, but these scenes really impressed me.

I pictured so many of my students when I read this book.  I can think of quiet students who I know have a lot to say that will want to read this book.  I can picture some of my students who love a great contemporary/realistic fiction novel that will love this book.  I can picture my students who have been bullied who will connect with Lucky.  I really hope you’ll read Everybody Sees the Ants when it releases in October.

Filed Under: Reviews, Upcoming Releases Tagged With: , , , , ,