Elyse Reads!

Hello Readers,

Today is the final day of guest reviews by Dr. Jones’ students. Today, I welcome Elyse who read “Something Like Hope” by Shawn Goodman!

Hi, everyone! My name is Elyse. I graduated from SUNY Oswego in 2010 with a degree in Adolescence Education (Social Studies 7-12). I am currently a graduate student at Nazareth College in the Literacy (5-12) program. If I were to choose which subject I would most like to teach I would choose U.S. Government and Politics. I love to read, although I have to admit I don’t often have the chance to sit down and read something for fun. Usually I read things for school, although this semester has been a lot different because I’ve had the chance to read for fun AND I have to do it for class. I haven’t heard about TBF until this year, but I’m definitely interested in seeing what it’s all about!

I am thrilled to write a review of “Something Like Hope” by TBF author, Shawn Goodman, to share with all of you. This book was chosen for me to read and review, but it also happens to be my favorite so far this semester. Although the main character’s experiences are vastly different from my own, I found that I was able to relate to her more than I originally thought I would. Some of the emotions she experienced throughout the book are pretty common despite her extraordinary situation.

“Something Like Hope” is told from the perspective of Shavonne. She is 17 years old and has lived through some awful things. Her mother — in pursuit of cocaine to satisfy her addiction — neglected Shavonne and her younger brother, Marcus. Shavonne was abused throughout numerous foster care placements, had a baby at 16 while she was locked up, and faces a future overshadowed by the threat of an extension of her time in prison.

Time is running out for Shavonne, who is only months away from her 18th birthday. She begins meeting with a new psychologist at the Center, Mr. Delpopolo, whom she would like to trust but finds it difficult to do so. Through her experiences, she has learned not to trust anyone. Talking to this psychologist seems like her last chance to try to figure out how to get past her issues and change her life for the better so that she might avoid an extended sentence in prison, and maybe even find her little brother who was separated from her years ago. Will she be able to work with Mr. Delpopolo to find a way out, or will she allow her past to determine her future?

“Something Like Hope” is a heartbreaking and honest look at of some of the cruelty and unfair treatment that many people similar to Shavonne have to live through. From abusive guards who are not held responsible for their actions, to support staff and mental health professionals who are careless and corrupt, a place like the Center can be as harmful to the people held there as the places they came from on the outside.

Through all of the difficulties, Shavonne fought to get her life back. She was fortunate enough that there were a few honest and kind people around to help her through the obstacles. Not everyone in facilities similar to the one in the book would be able to say the same. This book definitely raises awareness of some of these very real issues. It seems so genuine. It is incredibly sad, so I would advise anyone who decides to read the book to have some tissues ready to go. For all of these reasons, I think this book is 100% worth taking the time to read! I even read it twice!

I recommend it to everyone, and I can’t wait to see Shawn Goodman at TBF!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Elyse! I agree that “Something Like Hope” sounds incredibly powerful – I’m adding it to my “to read” list!

Casey Reads!

Hi Readers,

The guest blogging continues! Today Dr. Jones’ student Casey takes the stage …

Hi readers! My name is Casey; I am an English teacher in the RCSD and am working on my Masters degree in literacy at Nazareth College. I love to read! My favorite genres are realistic fiction, historical fiction, and magical realism. Though I love reading now, when I was in middle and high school, I did not. I think it’s because my teachers never gave me books to read that interested me or related to what I was going through. If one of my teachers handed me Matt De La Pena’s “We Were Here” and engaged me in it, it just may have inspired my love for reading much sooner.

Matt De La Pena’s “We Were Here” falls into the realistic fiction genre, that being one of the reasons I chose to read it, the other being that I seek out books by Latino authors (Latino literature is written by individuals who were born in the US, but are of Hispanic descent). I find I am continually drawn Latino literature because of a common theme that weaves through the stories. It is a theme of searching for or connecting to an inner self, and often having to forge many identities into one. De La Pena did not let me down! “We Were Here” definitely deals with an inner struggle of identity and a search for personal meaning.

The book is narrated by the main character Miguel’s journal entries; it is his voice that carries us along through the book. While writing in his journal, which he was ordered to do by the court, Miguel describes his recent past: a tough and gritty, impoverished but sunny, and often happy life in Stockton, California. Nostalgic memories of his mother “moms” and older brother “Diego” inhabit this life in Stockton, but we quickly realize Miguel is not in Stockton anymore, and the happy times with his “moms” and Diego are long gone.

Miguel is in “juvi” and being sent to a group home for boys with criminal pasts because of something he did, something so bad he will not even write it in his journal for us to know. What he does tell us in his journal is how alone he feels. How he remembers the way his mom wouldn’t even look at him or speak to him, even to say goodbye as she left him on the front stoop of the group home, his new home for a while.

Miguel tells it how it is. He is not too happy to be at the group home and he demonstrates it through his writing and his actions. His first fight occurs not even a day into his stay at the group home. His journal entries are filled with honest and heart sinking insights into how much he really believes that life has given up on him, and how he is not sure he even cares at all that it has. He decides that one night when he wakes to see the kid he fought standing above him just watching him. At first he feels fear, but then he calms and realizes when you feel like you aren’t even alive anymore, when you feel like an empty shell nothing can hurt you anymore, and that is how he feels. The thing is the whole time that we are getting to know Miguel we know he is smart! He reads voraciously while at the group home: Walker Hurston, Salinger, and others. His mind works and works exploring existential questions of existence like what is the point of all of this? Of living? Of life? Demonstrating that as much as he wants to believe he is giving up, he can’t. He is too smart.

Though Miguel does isolate himself from the others in the home, he is approached by Mong, the fearless and chillingly detached Chinese kid Miguel fought on his first day, and asked to escape the home. I think Mong chooses him because he sees the same detached apathetic attitude that he himself has. The duo quickly turns into a trio when they are joined by Miguel’s roommate Rondell: an illiterate, deeply religious, phenomenal basketball player, who can go from calm to a violent fighting rage at the drop of a hat. Mexico is their destination, where they hope a future awaits them: a chance to start over.

As they embark on a journey down the California coast Miguel begins to learn about who he is and who is “friends” are. Though walking for miles and miles each day, the journey contains a poetic quality. This occurs because the coast is always there. The ocean waves beat steadily against the shore day and night, and each evening the sun sets on the horizon. The endless shore and the ocean waves and the beauty of it all that assists Miguel in pondering the significance of it all: his crime, his life, death, and why bad things happen.

This book truly takes you places as you read it. It makes you furious, it makes you question your own life and circumstance, it makes tears stream down your face, and most of all, it makes you want to read it again!

Wow, Casey. What a great review! “We Were Here” is one of the Matt’s books that I haven’t read yet, but I definitely want to read it now!

Katie Reads!

What’s up, readers?

I’m INSANELY busy right now with graduation from college (!) and getting ready for TBF 2012! So it’s a good thing I have some guest bloggers to pick up the slack for me – enjoy this post by another of Dr. Jones’ graduate students, Katie!

My name is Katie Navarro and I am a graduate student at Nazareth College. I am taking a course in young adult literature, and have really been enjoying the opportunity to read some fantastic authors who will be at the Teen Book Festival! I teach in the Fairport School District, and although I have taught at many different grade levels, middle school is my favorite! One of the first novels I read for class was “The Candidates” by Inara Scott. I am a big fan of the “Twilight” series, and this novel has a similar feel which is why I would love to share more about it!

Have you ever felt like you wanted to go to a school where you could just start over and be yourself without so many complications or secrets? Delcroix Academy gives that opportunity in Inara Scott’s novel “The Candidates.” The main character, Dancia Lewis, quite frankly, feels like … a loser. From the very beginning of this novel, we learn quite a bit about Dancia, but there is still a lot to discover.

Here is what we do know:
1. Danca Lewis is a 14-year-old girl
2. Her parents died when she was young
3. She lives with her grandmother in a small two bedroom house
4. They do not have a lot of money
5. She has no friends
6. A school called Delcroix Academy is trying to recruit her, but the school is only for rich students with special talents
7. The student recruiter is "hot" (according to Dancia)
8. She has some sort of special power where she hurts people who are being rude to people she cares about
9. She is worried that the school may know about her power

This novel is exciting and keeps the reader guessing! I found myself asking question after question! What exactly is her power and how does it work? How did she even get a "power" in the first place? Is she going to go to the school? What would happen to her grandmother if she did go to school? Will she make friends? What about the “hot” student recruiter she met?

Dancia may have escaped the “every day” issues of being a teenager in school, but Delcroix Academy has brought on a whole new list of issues for Dancia to face. Her new friends and love interests are just a small part of Dancia’s journey! This is the first novel in a trilogy and is the start to an exciting new series!

I would recommend this novel to readers who also like “Twilight” and “Harry Potter.” The mystery and romance will keep the reader engaged and on the edge of their seat! Enjoy!

Thanks so much for stopping by Carly Reads, Katie!

Caitlin Reads!

Hi Readers!

Dr. Laura Jones’ students are back and guest blogging again! Meet Caitlin and enjoy her review of “The Orange Houses”!

Hi Readers! My name is Caitlin Thomas. I am currently attending Nazareth College in pursuit of a Masters Degree in Literacy Education. Although it may sound as though I want to teach at two very different levels, I would love to teach for kindergarten or Middle School. I would really enjoy educating students in History, as it was one of my majors during my undergraduate career. During this semester at school I have had the opportunity to read a ton of great young adult literature. As the 2012 Teen Book Festival approaches I find myself most looking forward to meeting Paul Griffin, author of “The Orange Houses.”

I loved reading Griffin’s “The Orange Houses”! It was a beautiful, heart-wrenching tale about the friendship between three characters, whose lives intersect as a result of unique circumstances. Each chapter is told from the perspective of one of the three characters. Jimmi Sixes, also known as “Crazy Jimmi,” is a street poet and military veteran, dealing with the demons of post war in the Middle East through drug addition. Fatima, a 16-year-old illegal refugee from Africa, wants nothing more than to leave the hardships of her past behind, and to bring her sister by her side in America. Tamika Skyes, also known as “Mika,” is a too-smart-for-school hearing-impaired 15-year-old, who constantly tries to shut out the world around her.

“The Orange Houses” reaches out and grabs you, transporting you on a wild ride through immigration scares, drug abuse, bullying, and artistic beauty up until the traumatic and climatic hanging of Jimmi Sixes. The theme resonates throughout the text in that friendship is the most important thing in the world. This is displayed as each character is willing to risk everything for each other, despite the consequences.

I believe that teens will be able to relate to the real world issues identified throughout the text. The struggles of each character clearly mirror the struggles of everyday teens. Reading the text opened my eyes to the realization of teen violence and bullying. I found it extremely scary to read certain parts of the book. Tamika’s ultimate run in with gang violence forced me to see that bullying is truly a problem both in and out of schools. Such issues as this, as well as immigration and addiction, resonate throughout society. I think that it is important for teens to encounter such text and see it as an opportunity to connect with the world around them. Because of this, “The Orange Houses” could easily be incorporated into a classroom curriculum. It represents real issues and struggles that teens everywhere face. It encourages discussion and the use of critical thinking in asking students what they would do if placed in one of the character’s shoes.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to just about anyone! It is truly a suspenseful, heart-pounding story intertwined with artistic beauty, allowing the reader to look at the world a bit differently when finished.

Thanks so much for blogging, Caitlin! After reading your review, I can hardly wait to read “The Orange Houses”!

Jamie Reads!

Hi Readers!

Remember last year when TBF committee member Dr. Laura Jones had her students write guest blog posts for me here at Carly Reads. Well, they’re back! Help me welcome a whole new batch of guest bloggers. First up is Jamie!

Hello readers! And thank you to Carly for this guest blog spot! :)

My name is Jamie; I’m a certified teacher through the sixth grade, after receiving my bachelor’s degree from SUNY Brockport in Arts for Children and elementary/special education. I currently am a graduate student studying literacy education at Nazareth College; I anticipate completing the program this summer and would be interested in becoming an elementary classroom teacher, or literacy/reading teacher.

Reading YA lit has been a fun adventure, so far. Because of my elementary education background, YA lit is not something I have focused on in quite some time. Since I am a certified teacher through the sixth grade, I am glad I have recently been able to dig into YA lit. Some of my favorite YA books I would recommend include “Stargirl” by Jerry Spinelli, and “A Northern Light” by Jennifer Donnelly. I’m also really looking forward the 2012 Teen Book Festival—this will be my first year attending! I’m most looking forward to meeting Laurie Halse Anderson. I recently read her book, “Fever 1793”; I’m eager to check out her other books!

I have also recently read “How My Private, Personal Journal Became a Bestseller,” a novel by Julia DeVillers, another 2012 TBF author. This was a book that I wish I had read in or right before high school. I was shocked when I went to the library, and they had to get this book sent to me from a different library! After reading it entirely, I know it really should be everywhere. So, here's to spreading the word on this book... :)

Jamie Bartlett became a famous author (pretty much overnight!), all because she accidentally handed in her own journal as her English assignment. After being fed up with rude popular and picture perfect girls, her journal demonstrates a story made for all teen girls—which is based off of Jamie’s true reality as a freshman in high school. The boys, cliques, popularity, family members, they all play a huge role in the lives of everyday teen girls. I don't think people tend to understand the kinds of pressure teen girls are under in our society, at times.

Her main character Isabella transforms into Is —a super girl with superpowers, and it changes everything. A simple motion of a 'flick' can create a balance between her friends and her vs. the Evil Clique of Populors.

Everyone (mainly teen girls – but everyone) goes crazy about this book; even everyone in Jamie’s school. It is top rated, number one! You'd think that Jamie had it all. She was flying to Hollywood and New York City; meeting celebrities, making appearances, doing interviews, and signing books. But, everyone expected Jamie to BE Is. How will she handle this situation?

This book is made for all girls (and boys!), but it really does send a great message. Believe in yourself, stop putting yourself down, try and be positive, be you FOR you. I hope you find this book as enjoyable as I did!

Thanks, Jamie. Hey readers? If you loved Jamie’s review, be sure to check out her blog by clicking here!