Out of My Ordinary

For my final blog post, I have decided to read a novel which I would have otherwise never read. By stepping out of my comfort zone, I will attempt to relay this experience for other readers in hopes to provide advice.

Judy Blume's novel, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, depicts a young girl as she struggles to find her identity amidst her developing mind and body. She faces difficulty regarding buying a bra, having her first period and competition amongst her peers with boys and who can cross the puberty finish line first.

I admit that I could not personally relate to much of this novel but that is because of gender issues really. That is not to detract from the material, I just simply am restricted from experiencing much of the content in the story because I am male. That's ok, though. In fact, 50% of the population therefore wouldn't be able to relate to the novel because of their male disposition. However, this is ultimately not the case.

I am the only boy in a family of three sisters and one mother. To say that estrogen outnumbers testosterone in my house is an understatement. I am familiar with all of the latest fashion trends, female television shows and, above all, the ebb and flow of female behavior and personality. Therefore, while I may not have experienced much of the novel's content personally, I have certainly experienced it indirectly. Reading the story reminded me of growing up in my house as I have seen and witnessed about ten years of grade school/high school female lifestyles. In that sense, the novel was very therapeutic since it created a universal component to growing up through its humor and emotion. I can only imagine how much it spoke to a female who has experienced such events.

Also, even if a male didnt grow up in a house of women like I did, they will inevitably encounter the opposite sex eventually regardless of background. In my opinion, it can only aid in their social growth and development to observe through a window into the life of the female if only to better understand their peers, friends and potential partners.

Recommendation: Of course this novel is speaking directly to young women but I would advise men, if they are willing, to read the novel so they can widen their understanding of the opposite sex. For adults, I think every daughter at least should be given this novel in their young age in order to relate to a wider world of compassion and emotion in girl's their age.

Yes, There are perks of being a wallflower

Stephen Chbosky's novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, is a story written in a series of letters by the protagonist Charlie to an anonymous source. Charlie is a high school student who is shy, pensive, intelligent and stands on the periphery of the social circle. His letters document the struggles encountered in typical high school life such as relationships, family struggles, drugs and sexuality.

The novel is striking in its portrayal of sex, drugs, homosexuality and suicide. For some, this may be a red flag but, personally, it is a benefit of the novel to be championed. It is refreshing in this day and age to have a widely circulated novel deal with homosexuality for its speaks to a very real demographic present in young adults. I have written often about how novels can relate to their readers and many of my comments can be applied to the majority of the population. However, it is the minority which needs relation in novels more than anyone. These are the wallflowers of society and it is the exclusion of material that speaks to them which keeps them on the wall. More novels like this which deal with present yet possibly taboo topics aids in the blossoming of these wallflowers.

Second, and in my opinion more unique to this novel, is its use of other texts. Charlie's teacher mentions various novels which spread across all genres. Some of these example texts are Hamlet, The Great Gatsby, The Stranger, On the Road and Naked Lunch. They run the spectrum from classic to cult favorites. This is the perfect bridge between YA literature. For those readers who are unfamiliar with some of these texts, by picking up this relatively new novel they are thus introduced to the classics via the window of YA literature. What's more, the novel also introduces classic films and television shows such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Graduate and Saturday Night Live. I believe, solely on a cultural level if nothing else, that every generation of young readers should be introduced to the novels as well as these indelibly American iconic materials.

Recommendation: I highly advise young readers to read this novel because it will expand, if nothing else, their knowledge of the bricks which have built a strong cultural foundation. For adults, it could be an enjoyable read with subjects that refresh possibly some of your favorite books and films.

The Most Excellent Year is Now

Steve Kluger's My Most Excellent Year tells the story of high schoolers TC Augie and Alejandra. In their English class, they are asked to write an assignment detailing their most excellent year. All three of them decide to recall their 9th grade year experience. These years are shown through various media such as instant messages, school assignments and diary entries. Meanwhile, a flurry of personal relationship provide the foundation for the writing assignment such as TC trying to get the girl and Alejandra trying to chase the possibility of her calling to sing and dance.

I believe that this novel's greatest importance is in its delivery and narrative. The stories of each characters are told through a stratification of perspectives in their various aforementioned forms. There is no clear, standard story method but rather a conglomeration of narrations. This is critical on many levels and probably one of the biggest reasons I would recommend it to young adults.

First, the varying perspectives of the novel illustrates the varying perspectives of real life. Teenage life is complex and multi-faceted and thus so should the novel's representation. Remaining within a single framed genre would perhaps be too simplistic and idealistic and thus not representative of real life.

Also, removing itself from the material and content of the novel, the way in which the story is told can be a very important stepping stone or teaching tool because it very much resembles the world in which young adults live. With the various social networks, computer dialogue, cell phones, and a multitude of other communication tools, teenagers are constantly in tough but more importantly through a wide array of media. Emotion and communication can take the pathway of a text message or a Twitter post. One is no less important than the other. Therefore, I believe this novel, in its varying voices, can really speak to the lifestyles of the emerging teenager.

Recommendation: The novel is right up the modern teenagers alley and can speak directly to their lifestyle. As for parents (maybe though who are a little technologically illiterate) this can perhaps be a bridge for the generation gap.

We Were Here, Were You?

We Were Here, by Matt de la Pena, is the story of Miguel who is sent to a group home because of an unspoken incident for which his mother will not even look at him for. During this time, Miguel meets Rondell and Mong. Together the three boys hatch a plan to run away towards the border and go to Mexico. All three teens come from different ethnic (Hispanic, Black, Asian) backgrounds and would be unlikely friends under normal circumstances.

First, I would like to voice my disagreements with this novel. I am unfamiliar with the juvenile detention system and have never associated myself with young criminals, so I may be mistaken with this criticism, but I think this novel has a few too many stereotypes. The dialect of the young men seemed a bit too much like people trying to impersonate young hardened criminals. Maybe that makes it seem more real but for me it exuded a sense of "this is what I think these people probably talk like". I could be completely wrong on that point though.

Another criticism I have is with the character of Rondell. There was little original about his character. He is a large, quiet, poor black male who has been on the wrong side of the law his whole life. How often have we seen that depiction? Oh, and wait, he is really talented at basketball? Well that doesn't help dissolve any stereotypes. While this may not have detracted from the merit of the story, it left me feeling a bit uninvolved.

Now, aside from my aforementioned criticisms, I do believe the story has redeeming qualities if only because it is about a world which many, myself included, are so unfamiliar with. It opens the door on a part of society that few realize exists or else choose to ignore. As unfamiliar as these people may be, they are still capable of speaking to us on a level which is both recognizable and reciprocated.

Also, I enjoyed Miguel's reflections on novels that he is reading and well as his journaling. It very much reminded me of Gantos' Hole in my Life which I also liked a lot.

Recommendation: I see many positive aspects in the novel for adults young and old if they have never personally experienced anything or anyone from this region of society. However, my one caveat would be to not immediately accept any stereotyped characters and let any young adults you know reading the novel to do the same.

Finding the Present in a Different Time

Kristin Cashore's Graceling is the story of a girl, Katsa, born with the extraordinary ability to kill people with her bare hands. Set in a fictional world, those like Katsa are said to possess "graces" which are extreme powers. Unfortunately, these powers are exploited occasionally as Katsa is forced to torture those demanded by her uncle, King Randa. Meanwhile, she meets a boy named Po, who also possesses a grace, and the two become extremely close after battling each other.

The main character, Katsa, is a very intriguing protagonist for a YA novel. She is ostensibly female but many of her character traits are ambiguously gendered. She is a lethal weapon with the capacity for instant death. She says that she will never marry anybody because it would compromise her freedom and independence. I am not saying that these are distinctly male or female traits, but it is rare to see a strong female lead in a novel who acts like that.

The main intrigue of the novel lies in its setting or time and place when considering its intended audience. Here is a world where people are born with special powers and kingdoms clash in violent competition. Certainly something every young adult runs into everyday, right? Thus, some people would argue that the novel is difficult to relate to because of the fantasy setting. Yet this is where I disagree. Imagine a young reader who feels ostracized and alienated as he/she grows up. Surely these feelings are rooted in the sometimes painful experience of adolescence more than most other periods of life. Now, this reader must think that they are totally alone with their respective problems and that nobody on Earth has ever had this problem before.

Now enters Katsa. She is born with this unique ability which nobody around her has. And lo and behold it makes her feel alienated and ostracized as well. Moreover, she lives in an entirely different place and time. If the reader can realize that some of these problems are universal to the human condition and that, yes, even people who lives in a world of make-believe can feel alone and alienated, then maybe there is hope for them yet. Not everything that relates has to come from your own backyard, much less planet.

Recommendation: I think this book would be great for a dream-filled reader who enjoys fantasy (because it is pretty heavy on the fantasy aspect) or someone you might think needs a counterpoint for their own troubles. As for adults, if you like the fantasy genre, then this could be right up your alley.

Relating to Frankie Landau-Banks

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks is a story about a high school girl who undergoes a physical and emotional transformation over the summer. She changes from "a homely child to a loaded potato" as her figure fills out and she gains a high sense of self-confidence. Armed with this new personality, she returns to her school, Alabaster Prep and immediately snags the unattainable Matthew and begins to unload many baffling pranks on the unsuspecting students of the school. She begins to take command of all those around her as she tries to invade the all-male secret society of which her boyfriend is a member. Soon she is controlling its members like pawns in a chess game.

If I had to recommend one demographic to read this novel, I think it would be males (high school boys if young, fathers of young girls if old). The main reason for this is the valuable insight which it gives into the psyche of a young adolescent girl and in a sense all young adolescent girls. While Frankie might have more Machiavellian ambition than most high school females, she still acts like a lot of them. She swoons over Matthew in the same way that many girls do. This would help boys understand that just how different girls may view relationships with the opposite sex and what is really valuable to a high school-aged girl. Also, it could open a whole new field of understanding for fathers. If a young girl's dad just doesn't get why their daughter spends so much time focused on the minutiae of their outfit, looks or boys, perhaps reading this book can let them in on what high school looks like through female eyes.

Of course, that is not to say that girls surely won't get a lot out of this novel. In fact, it is specifically targeted for them. For all females who have ever experienced a double-standard or the unfairness of the opposite sex, they can certainly reap the benefits of Frankie Landau-Banks. But maybe it can unlock a surprising door into the female mind for the male readers.

Recommendation: For many different aforementioned reasons, a good read for each individual demographic.

Nothing is Something

The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing is a superbly crafted historical novel about a black youth in colonial American who is raised in a house of rational philosophy and classical education. As he continues his elite education, he discovers that he is merely a subject of an experiment to determine the intellectual power of Africans. After his mother's death, he runs away and joins the Patriot's cause. However, he is recaptured and brought back only to be forced to wear an iron mask.

There are two major reasons why I would recommend parent's buy this novel for their young adult. First, it has a particularly challenging style. There are differing narrators, 18th century language and multiple forms of narrative including letters and correspondences. While this form will challenge the reader it will also strengthen their interpretive and comprehension skills. Also, there are sections in which Octavian has scribbled over all of his writing in a moment of frustrated storytelling. I especially enjoyed these types of sections because it makes the reader aware of the job which a narrator has in telling their tale. Instead of a single author weaving a narrative, it highlights the notion that there is a human narrator with human behavior and capabilities.

Second, the novel is semi-historical. While Octavian may be a fictional character, he is living in historically accurate times. The racism, patriotism and rebellion of colonial America is all truthful and conveyed in the novel. Hence, I see this as a possibility for young students who may not be particularly interested in American History to learn the subject by means of a fictional story. The characters of the novel can be enticing hooks to bring young readers into the reality of history in a way that a objective textbook cannot. Thus, if you know a young adult who drags their feet through their history class, this novel could possibly provide the spark needed to liven up the subject.

Recommendation: Eye-opening and a great window into history for young adults; equally interesting in the historical aspect for an adult read as well.