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.