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Synopsis: Copper Sun by Sharon Draper is about a girl who lives in a small village in Africa until white colonizers come and invade. She is separated from her family and brought to America on a slave ship. While on the slave ship she grapples with her new reality that she is going to be sold into slavery and talks with her friend. Some of the scenes are difficult to read. When she gets to America she is sold to the Carolinas. There she meets an indentured, albeit white, servant named Polly. Polly talks nastily about African Americans and it seems as though she does this in order to try and see herself as above them when in reality, they have many of the same duties and are regarded by society similarly. The third part of the book is about how Amari and Polly try to escape from slavery in the Carolinas in order to find freedom in Fort Mose, Flordia. Some of my favorite parts are when Amari and Polly are bickering at each other, and sometimes it is more serious. The characters are rich in this book and explore many themes such as what it means to be free and what can be taken from a person.

Analysis: So, according to Sharon Draper, much, if not all, of what was written about in this book actually happened. I think that one of the most important take-aways from this book is the historical context and importance which it may leave on readers. Similar to The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, these books leave more of an impact on me as a reader because it blends the line between reality and fiction. Sometimes that is what is wanted from a reader - the not knowing. I like that this book explores unexpected friendships and the triumphs that come along throughout the journey.

Critique: So there are a few moments that I wouldn’t say are calculated, but seem to try and appease to the audience's taste, maybe just to get them riled up or angry about what happened. I think slavery is a diffuclt topic to write about, and it can come off as over-the-top, but this book isn’t too guilty of that. It seems a little fabricated in order to build a stronger narrative of the atrocities of slavery. This isn’t inherently bad, it is just something I noticed. All in all, it wasn’t my favorite book of the four, but it will be discussed as suggested to my future students.

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Synopsis: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is about Starr who has recently been the witness of her friend Kahlil's death after a fatal shooting by an officer. The opening chapters are about the night of the incident, and then the book ensues the following weeks of the controversy. Starr goes to a mostly white high school (similar to Junior), and has a boyfriend named Chris who is also white. She conceals her role as witness to most of her friends throughout the book but after being on television as an anonymous witness, her boyfriend finds out. She gets into conflict with her friend Hailey who shows some racist behavior. Towards the end of the book, after it is found out that officer one-fifteen is not going to be charged with the murder of Kahlil, there is a riot that breaks out in Garden Heights, and they end up in their father’s store which has caught fire due to the riots. After they are saved, it is revealed that King, a gangster, was the one who tried to burn down the store, and he is arrested. The book ends with them moving to a nicer neighborhood, and a solid message about the deaths of unarmed African Americans.

Analysis: I think this book was a great way of kind of introducing young students to the conception of police misconduct. Similarly to All American Boys (which I would say is the boys version of this same story), it isn’t angry or anything, and for the most part builds unity across races and takes a stance against injustices. I think that this book has a lot of value while not making it too difficult for young students to understand. I think this book shows a great range of person vs. self, person vs. other (Hailey/King) and person vs. Society.

Critique: First of all, again, maybe a lot of YA novels are a little cheesy, but it all felt believable which I really liked. All of the characters were well executed and had more than one dimension. Sometimes this can be a fault when POCs don’t get the full range that they deserve, but being that the protagonist was a POC and that Angie Thomas is as well, I feel like there was a really great attention to world building, and character development. Overall, the book kinda was more fun than anything. Also, funny at times. It gets a little preachy occasionally, and there are a few basic Black History Month moments but I didn’t really mind. It was kinda basic, but I hope that there is an adult follow-up somewhere down the line that digs a little deeper than just the basic surface level question that this social issue asks.

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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

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The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

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Synopsis: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie is about Junior, a half Native American, half white, poor, teenage who lives on a reservation. Junior is told by his teacher that he should try to get off the reservation and he heeds his teacher’s advice and goes to a mostly white high school. The rest of the book explores him really just balancing being a Native American teenager in a mostly white school, and his experiences on the reservation.  He dates a girl named Penolope and plays basketball, and goes to prom. It really has some beautiful (and hilarious) moments such as while Junior is playing a basketball championship against his best friend Rowdy. Other memorable moments are just exploring himself/his identity/family. I think that is what sums up this book, a bunch of kinda memorable, kinda forgetful, beautiful and funny moments. His sister dies, and life isn’t perfect on the reservation, but it has a strong moral of not letting people hold you back, and to try hard regardless of your limitations.

Analysis: This book explores the themes of identity and not fitting in. I think that Junior is a great narrator and protagonist to help the reader fall into his shoes to question and answer what it means to be a teenager. I think that this book takes a light-hearted approach to some of the deeper and harder questions about life. I don’t think this is really a book that needs a whole lot of analysis. I think it just rocks and is one that kids will enjoy reading. The pictures are great, and it’s hilarious, what else can you say?

Critique: So I really really really liked this book. I cared about Junior and his family. I think that the pictures were helpful and a great addition throughout the book. I remember having this booking being read to us in my 8th grade English class and I always wondered how it ended. I think that it is a really great stepping stone, and sometimes the easier books still have a lot to say and are twice as enjoyable (especially for younger audiences who may have trouble reading). My only critique is the controversy around Sherman Alexie and how I will have to explain it to kids. I don’t know the whole story, but it's a bummer that such a great book now has to have a shadow hanging over it.

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Synopsis: Looking for Alaska by John Green is about a student named Miles “Pudge” who has just started boarding school in Alabama, and his roommate “The Colonel” both navigating life before and after the death of their friend Alaska Young. Alaska is an outspoken, ostentatious girl who has a lot of controversy surrounding her. Miles falls for her even though she has a boyfriend. She is an unstable character to say the least. Halfway through the book, after they pull a prank, Miles and Alaska make out. Alaska gets drunk and ends up dying in a car accident. The second half of the novel is about how Miles and the Colonel are trying to process the grief of their friend. This is done through pranks pulled on the school, smoking cigarettes, and essays that they are both assigned. They pull a prank by hiring a male stripper to explain the patriarchy, and write an essay about “finding the way out of the labyrinth” explained through Christianity, Judiasm, and Islam.

Analysis: This book explores the themes of friendship and death. It is through the relationships that Miles makes at his school that he is able to grieve the loss of his friend. I think that friendship is a very important aspect of being young. Although we may not always surround ourselves with the best influences when we are young, it is a vital part of growing up and how we later regard others. At the same time, it is because of Miles’ intimacy with Alaska that he feels so much pain in the first place. It is a very good in-depth analysis of a boy losing a girl that he had feelings for. I really appreciated this novel’s candor. I think that loss and death are “themes” which not every young person goes through early in their lives, but I did, and I see its usefulness. It takes the reader seriously even though they may be young and I appreciate that.

Critique: I think that this being John Green’s first novel, he does an excellent job of pacing the novel, and just a good job at articulating some of the concepts in a simple way. It is well written and consistent above all. I think that there are some corny moments but oh well. I really liked the book in general and it helped me step outside of my “magic” books. I think that it was an important reminder that some YA novels can have serious themes worth exploring. Not everything is a fairytale. I look forward to reading more from him and just found a copy of his second book, An Abundance of Katherines at a thrift shop for a dollar.

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YA Reflection #1: All American Boys by Jason Reynolds

Synopsis: The story follows Rashad and Quinn through a controversial incident in which Rashad experienced police brutality. The book goes back and forth between perspectives of both of the boys. Each of them has their own backstory which builds character. Rashad’s dad is tight laced, while Quinn lost his dad in the army.

In the beginning, the book is from the perspective of Rashad and a first person perspective of the event where Rashad is profiled by a police officer named Paul. It makes it clear that Rashad is an innocent victim who has been profiled because of his race.  Then it follows Quinn through his perspective as not only a bystander, but a person who is in close relations with the officer. As both of the boys navigate what is the right thing to do, they meet characters with interesting perspectives on the subject such as Rashad meeting a nurse who wanted to march in Selma, and Rashad’s father revealing that he paralyzed someone while he was patrolling. Quinn is brought into the situation because of where he stands, and Rashad is the focal point of a controversy which may bring forth change in the community. The book really explores both sides of the story while focusing on themes such as social justice, race, and guilt. In the end of the book, it ends with the two boys seeing each other in a crowd and feeling a sense of solidarity by standing together for what is right.

Analysis: This book is a reflection of larger-scale issues from the perspective of two teenagers. This makes it helpful for students to be able to grapple and digest these issues. I found that the book effectively represents both sides to the story of a difficult topic without villainizing either party. I feel that police brutality affecting young unarmed African Americans is a topic that should be talked about in classrooms. This book would help facilitate a possibility for discussion. I think that the characters in this book all have their role, and it would help students see the other side of the coin depending/regardless of their race.

Critique: I found that the ending was a bit rushed. I feel like there could have been a sequel which explores the repercussions of the event instead of focusing on how it changes the individuals in the midst of the commotion. I feel like it needed more resolution. It was simply written which would make it very accessible to young readers. I like the difference in tones throughout the story between Rashad and Quinn and it balances being both serious and funny. I would indeed recommend this book to any young reader, and feel as though it may be a cornerstone to help be a launchpad into more young adult social justice lit.

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Reflection #4: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S Lawis

Synopsis: Four children, Lucy, Edmund, Peter and Susan have gone to live with a professor because of the air raids during the second world war. During a game of hide and seek, Lucy discovers a wardrobe and instead of feeling warm fur in the back of it, she feels a cold powdery substance. Then she realizes that she is in a forest. A Faun named Mr. Tumnus discovers her, and invites her to tea. They enjoy themselves until Mr. Tumnus reveals that he works for the White Witch and would have given Lucy over to her if he hadn’t liked her so much. He agrees to take her back to the forest as quickly as he can. Lucy comes back out of the Wardrobe, and nobody believes her that she discovered a world inside of it. Time passes and eventually Edmund finds his way to Narnia where he meets the White Witch. She gives him Turkish Delights so that he will bring all of his brothers and sisters to her, unaware that she is bad. Finally, all four of them end up in Narnia and they meet Mr. and Mrs. Beaver who tells them that Aslan has risen. They go to find Aslan, but Edmund leaves them on the way and is captured by the White Witch. Also, Father Christmas gives them gifts. They meet Aslan and The Witch Witch arrives for a trade for Edmund. Aslan agrees and Alsan gives himself up willingly. There is a horrific scene of Aslan being hurt but is revived by Deep Magic and they go to fight the White Witch and her army. The battle is won and all the people and animals that she turned into statues are made whole again. Many years pass and the children are the Kings and Queens of Narnia, until they find their way back to the wardrobe to find not a minute has passed.

Analysis: Ok, so remember how I mentioned R.L Stine? Well, this book is so wonderful for forgetting all the issues of the real world. It truly helped me forget about all my worries as I read it and was right there in Narnia next to all of the animals. It has just as powerful lessons as The Magician’s Nephew, but are more accessible without the complicated language. For example, Edumund’s mistrust is a simple moral of doing what is right. And Aslan’s sacrifice, although very biblical, shows that sometimes doing the right thing is harder. Of course, Good will always prevail and it is a very important reminder to stay young at heart, and believe in magic and fantasy.

Critique: So this one is nowhere near as difficult to read as The Magician’s Nephew. It is not complicated, it is shorter and really is just a more lighthearted story with just as much emphasis and importance to a storyline which is beautiful. It is a beautiful story and beautifully written. I really loved this book and it brought me to near tears, just by the goodness of Aslan’s heart, and the nostalgia of being young when I read it. It really brought out the inner child in me and makes me want to be a good person.

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Reflection # 2: Sport by Louise Fitzhugh

Synopsis: This book follows Sport and his father Mr. Rocque through their time in lower-income New York. Sport has a dastardly mother who is very wealthy and her father dies leaving all of the money to Sport. Sport being a 12 year old doesn’t know what to do with himself. Throughout the novel Sport goes back and forth between his parents' houses. At his mother’s house, he is bombarded with pretentious dinner parties, and interrogations from strange men in tuxedos. At his father’s house he feels much more at home. Although he balances his father’s checkbook, which only has about a hundred dollars (money for Pork and beer), he is content. His father meets a lovely woman named Kate, and they get married. The climax of the book is when Sport’s mother decides to lock him up in a hotel room in the Plaza and he has to escape. The ending was very happy as Sport gets to live with his father, and be a relatively normal boy.

Analysis: So, I will try my best to not make too many literary references during my time in this class, but R.L Stine, author of the Goosebumps series (To be read soon!), said that he never put anything that kids might actually face in his books such as divorce, loss of a parent, child abuse etc. because he wanted books to be an outlet where kids could escape. I feel that Louise Fitzhugh was maybe a bit before this philosophy in children’s books and decided to write about issues that kids may actually face in a lighthearted way. None of it necessarily seems like something that a kid couldn’t handle, but I did think that some of the themes were a bit heavy such as divorce, and custody. It does a great job of making light of a bad situation, but it is also a little unrealistic which makes it easier for the reader to enjoy.

Critique: I don’t think that I would recommend this book to a high schooler unless they were struggling very hard with basic reading. It is written very, very simply, but it also is a bit clunky. It took me the longest to read of all the books for this assignment and I don’t know if it was just poorly written, a little uninteresting, or perhaps user error and I had a lot going on, but it isn’t perfect. I will also mention that Fitzhugh was born in 1928, and there are some…racy perspectives that would under no circumstance pass today. I did like it, but it is one of those books that you look back on and go, “Oh yeah. I did enjoy it.” Maybe it is better than I thought, but while you’re reading it, you are looking forward to the ending most nights.

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Reflection #3: The Magician’s Nephew by C.S Lewis

Synopsis: A young boy named Digory and a young girl named Polly start playing with each other in their little town. One day they are up to no good, and end up spying on Digory’s uncle Andrew. They find out that Uncle Andrew has been practicing magic and has discovered these rings that can make whoever wears it go between worlds. However, Uncle Andrew uses Digory and Polly as guinea pigs to test it out. There they end up, I believe, in a forest first, with pools of water, and then to a world in ruins in which there are really large (but not giant) sorcerers. One of them is a madame, and she is awoken from a slumber and they end up going back to London with her. Now, uncle Andrew becomes flushed with emotion over the very large woman, saying to himself after getting all dressed up, “A fine Madame, indeed. A fine Madame.” Which I thought was rather funny. Then they all go back to Narnia, because everyone was touching each other when Polly put on the ring and then Aslan appears. He sings and brings life to Narnia. Then Aslan tells Polly and Digory to go to a mountain on a winged horse to go retrieve an apple. Digory is told not to eat it, but the Witch tries to cajole him into doing it. He returns it to Alsan, and Aslan tells him to plant it. Alsan makes a Cabby and his wife from London the King and Queen of Narnia. Then Alsan allows Digory to let his sick mother eat the apple and it heals her. The apple tree grows in London, which made me smile and think of the book, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn for some reason. Then a storm hits the tree many years later, and it is fashioned into a wardrobe.

Analysis: I was reading up on this book and some say that it is allegorical? I don’t know if I would go that far. I think it is just fantasy with a few religious symbols mixed into it. I like it, but as I was going over the synopsis, I realized there were a lot of things that I overlooked or forgot. It was a really good read. A read, and right of passage of every young (or old) reader. In a famous line from a letter that C.S Lewis wrote to his niece for The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, he said, “You are now too old for fairy tales, but soon you will be old enough for them again.” Which makes me smile. I think that the book represents the importance of patience, and proper instruction when using magic, but the lessons are timeless. That is what makes a good book into a really good book. If it has a lesson without being all preachy. It doesn’t come across that way. It is simple morals that even a child can understand.

Critique: Ok, so other than the fact that now I want to reread all of the Narnia Series, this one is just plain difficult. On a reading level, it is super British. It just doesn’t flow in the way that I normally think. I think that is an excellent exercise and will make me a much better reader, but this is a level 2 book and for the most part, I feel that it is best to keep children in the Level ones. My best explanation of this is that the book is a bit old, and C.S Lewis was a bit smart. Those two combinations make it that old language is inherently a little more complicated, and smart people don’t always know when they are writing something that a child will have difficulty reading. All in all, I think you’d have a hard time finding anyone disliking Narnia though.

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Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning

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Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning

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I am reading this series and it is such simple, yet hilarious language. Highly recommend.

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The Twilight series will make you look smart since they are such big books but are in fact, rather easy! Very good young-adult romance fiction.

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I think everyone should read Harry Potter. It truly is canon for my generation. Really fun, funny, and helps us keep magic in our hearts.