Godless. ISBN-10: 1-4169-0816-1 (pbk). Pete Hautman. 2004. ALA Best Book for Young Adults Award, New York Public Library Best Book for Young Adults Award, Minnesota Book Award for Young Adult Fiction. Age 12-17. White working class.
Synopsis
Godless is the story of Jason Bock an intelligent, overly imaginative nonbeliever. After being forced into a religious group for teens by his fanatical father, Jason decides to make up a religion of his own. Jason has a “religious experience” after being punched in the face by Henry Staggs under the water tower. After this, it is during one of his Religious group’s meetings that Jason expresses to everyone that he doesn’t believe in God as we know it. Instead he believes in the Ten Legged God (referring to the 10 beams that the water tower stands upon). Jason calls his new found religion Chutenengodianism
After thinking logically about whether or not the water tower could actually be god, Jason convinces himself and a few friends into believing in his idea. Henry, Magda, Dan, Shin and Jason decide to climb the tower as a sign of their “faith,” but each had their own ulterior motives for climbing. Henry climbed to show that he was fearful of nothing. Magda climbed to express interest in Henry, Dan climbed to spite his overzealous father. Shin's first attempted climb and second successful climb were to prove that he is not a coward and to show that he had real faith in the oceans and water towers as supreme beings. Jason climbed on one hand because he thought it was fun, and on the other to prove that if we can believe in one religion based on often ridiculous ideas, then we can believe in a water tower as our God.
When the kids get caught on top of the water tower, each has his/her own personal revelation. Jason realizes that you have to believe in something in order to understand it. So just as many people believe in and understand God, Shin believed in and had a true understanding of the Ten Legged God. It is with Shin's strong beliefs that Jason realizes that Chutengodianism is not the religion for him. He doesn't truly believe in it and therefore does not understand it the way Shin does.
Discussion Topics
1. Power
2. The existence of God.
3. Different Religions - how they came to be.
4. Parental defiance (in what cases is it okay/not okay).
5. Teenage angst, destructive behavior.
6. Reality (literal proof).
Critique
Hautman does a fantastic job with character development in this novel, creating Jason as a young man that the reader can relate to. Jason is very conversational with the reader, making this book a more personal experience. Hautman also does a great job in describing Jason's friends and the reasons each one of them may be interested in worshiping a water tower as their god. For instance Henry wants to worship because he fears nothing and does not care what happens to him, while Jason wants to worship because he is a confirmed Atheist, that finds religion ridiculous.
The plot is gripping. At first the reader thinks that Jason is simply kidding when he introduces his religion in chapter three, but as he continues to make things up the more people get involved. The novel offers an anxious twist when four of the five members decide to climb the water tower and go for a swim. The reader will be holding on to their seat in fear and anticipation, hoping that these kids make it down safely.
The themes in this novel, God and religion, are some that most think are very taboo, especially if taught in a public school. Instead of giving a correct or prescribed answer to the question of who we should worship as our god or what religion should we be, this novel gives students the opportunity to question these things and hopefully establish their own belief system - one that works for them. Jason's father refers to the kids' activities as "teenage idiocy" (133), which climbing in the water tower definitely was. However, Jason and even Shin are far from idiots. They are reasoning logically about God and religion in a way that makes a lot of sense. Perhaps religion as we know it started the way Jason started Chutengodianism. These kids all realize that religion and God are things that are all based on the ideas of individuals, and they choose to question it. This novel displays to the reader that there are many faiths and many gods, and we have no proof of which one is the "right" one. It teaches the reader to be tolerant of many belief systems.
This novel can be used to facilitate many different discussions. It can be used to discuss faith, religion and God - topics adolescents don't often get to address, and may feel conflicted about. It opens up the opportunity to discuss teenage angst, defiance and destructive behavior. It also gives students the opportunity to analyze reality or what they believe reality is. They can discuss whether or not they need to have literal proof in order to believe in something.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
God Would Not Play Dice With The Universe...
Big Mouth & Ugly Girl, ISBN0-06-447347-3, Joyce Carol Oates, 2002. Ages 12 and up. Caucasian upper middle class.
Synopsis
This is the story of Matt and Ursula, or Big Mouth and Ugly Girl as they affectionately refer to themselves. Ursula's problem is that she has become so used to being ugly that she has created an alter ego (Ugly Girl) that will allow her to be ugly (inside and out) without allowing others to hurt her. The result is Ursula's extreme confusion about her own character. She carries herself as if nothing bothers her. Her super hero like alter ego has made people shy away from her. Students find her intimidating more than they find her ugly. Her family also finds her unpleasant and intimidating. Ugly Girl becomes Ursula's wall of protection against anyone who has hurt her in the past or could hurt her in the future. Ugly Girl has a revelation when she is faced with a moral dilemma; whether or not to help Matt Donaghy. She doesn't realize that Matt's dilemma is fate. It is the opportunity to find herself and to form a beautiful friendship.
Matt has a huge problem. He has been falsely accused of threatening to blow up Rocky River High school. Well, actually he wasn't falsely accused, just taken out of context. It is through gossip and poor judgement that people begin to slander Matt's name. His dilemma causes him to become a completely different person. At first Matt is shunned by his friends and becomes completely isolated. It seems his whole family is falling apart because of his big mouth. Once he forms a friendship with Ursula he realizes how "phony" he and the people around him used to be. He learns courage and the value of friendship from Ursula, who in turn learns how to open up and love. Lastly, he learns to control his big mouth.
Discussion Topics
1. Self Esteem
2. Gossip
3. Defamation of character
4. Effects of bullying and isolation of peers.
-Suicide
-Depression and Treatment
5. Negative body image.
6. Fate
7. Media hype surrounding school shootings.
8. Pressure from parents at this age and the struggle to get along with them.
Critique
"The hard part of humanity is history. All that's been done to human beings by other human beings" (263).
This quote is the reason a lot of people feel the way they do in this story and is the reason for the creation of Matt and Ursula's alter egos. Ursula created Ugly Girl as a means of shutting people out. Ugly Girl was her defense mechanism. She is someone that cannot cry and cannot be hurt. She can hurt others without giving it a second thought. Matt creates Big Mouth as his means of acceptance. If he is constantly talking and saying things to amuse others he never has to show them his true self. He will never find out what people really think of him...or so he thinks. Matt has a decent life on the surface in the beginning of the story until his big mouth and the catty gossip of his peers cause him to question who he once was. Matt uses Big Mouth to psychologically punish himself after his false accusation. When Matt is attacked by some of his school mates he thinks to himself, "This is what you deserve. Big Mouth. You know it is." (138). Matt also uses Big Mouth to explain why everyone is treating him so badly, but again this is just a defense mechanism. Matt doesn't really believe that he deserves to be treated badly over what has happened. "He did not know why they hated him so much" (139).
In quiet conversation with themselves, the main characters are in a constant state of judgment, inviting the reader to determine what kind of people they really are. I found myself wondering if Ursula was really "ugly" or had she just forced herself into believing this...did she think she was ugly because of how others had treated her? I also wondered if Matt really had a "big mouth," or was he simply acting as many 16-year-old boys do.
The plot of this story is gripping. On the surface the events look as if they might be happening by chance, but as the story unfolds it is easy to see that the events were destined to happen. The story begins with Matt being accused. Ursula happens to overhear Matt's joke about blowing up the school and decides to act on it. These two events set the story in motion which leads to the two characters becoming great friends and eventually boyfriend and girlfriend.
There are also dimensions of fate in the setting of the story. Both Matt and Ursula hike in the Rocky River Mountain Preserve, their common ground, which is where Ursula finds Matt contemplating suicide. Matt tells his dog Pumpkin that he wouldn't have gone through with it, but if Ursula hadn't run in to hims the story may have ended in tragedy.
After they begin to know each other the two characters realize they have much more in common than they think they do which is alluded to all throughout the book. They are almost mirror images of each other.
This book provides a wealth of discussion material for adolescents. It gives examples of how many of them may feel at that age. It also discusses the harmful affects of gossiping, teasing and bullying. It touches on important social issues such as negative body image, suicide and depression. It also goes in depth on relationships with siblings and parents which can be tough to handle with the pressures of school and social life for some adolescents.
Synopsis
This is the story of Matt and Ursula, or Big Mouth and Ugly Girl as they affectionately refer to themselves. Ursula's problem is that she has become so used to being ugly that she has created an alter ego (Ugly Girl) that will allow her to be ugly (inside and out) without allowing others to hurt her. The result is Ursula's extreme confusion about her own character. She carries herself as if nothing bothers her. Her super hero like alter ego has made people shy away from her. Students find her intimidating more than they find her ugly. Her family also finds her unpleasant and intimidating. Ugly Girl becomes Ursula's wall of protection against anyone who has hurt her in the past or could hurt her in the future. Ugly Girl has a revelation when she is faced with a moral dilemma; whether or not to help Matt Donaghy. She doesn't realize that Matt's dilemma is fate. It is the opportunity to find herself and to form a beautiful friendship.
Matt has a huge problem. He has been falsely accused of threatening to blow up Rocky River High school. Well, actually he wasn't falsely accused, just taken out of context. It is through gossip and poor judgement that people begin to slander Matt's name. His dilemma causes him to become a completely different person. At first Matt is shunned by his friends and becomes completely isolated. It seems his whole family is falling apart because of his big mouth. Once he forms a friendship with Ursula he realizes how "phony" he and the people around him used to be. He learns courage and the value of friendship from Ursula, who in turn learns how to open up and love. Lastly, he learns to control his big mouth.
Discussion Topics
1. Self Esteem
2. Gossip
3. Defamation of character
4. Effects of bullying and isolation of peers.
-Suicide
-Depression and Treatment
5. Negative body image.
6. Fate
7. Media hype surrounding school shootings.
8. Pressure from parents at this age and the struggle to get along with them.
Critique
"The hard part of humanity is history. All that's been done to human beings by other human beings" (263).
This quote is the reason a lot of people feel the way they do in this story and is the reason for the creation of Matt and Ursula's alter egos. Ursula created Ugly Girl as a means of shutting people out. Ugly Girl was her defense mechanism. She is someone that cannot cry and cannot be hurt. She can hurt others without giving it a second thought. Matt creates Big Mouth as his means of acceptance. If he is constantly talking and saying things to amuse others he never has to show them his true self. He will never find out what people really think of him...or so he thinks. Matt has a decent life on the surface in the beginning of the story until his big mouth and the catty gossip of his peers cause him to question who he once was. Matt uses Big Mouth to psychologically punish himself after his false accusation. When Matt is attacked by some of his school mates he thinks to himself, "This is what you deserve. Big Mouth. You know it is." (138). Matt also uses Big Mouth to explain why everyone is treating him so badly, but again this is just a defense mechanism. Matt doesn't really believe that he deserves to be treated badly over what has happened. "He did not know why they hated him so much" (139).
In quiet conversation with themselves, the main characters are in a constant state of judgment, inviting the reader to determine what kind of people they really are. I found myself wondering if Ursula was really "ugly" or had she just forced herself into believing this...did she think she was ugly because of how others had treated her? I also wondered if Matt really had a "big mouth," or was he simply acting as many 16-year-old boys do.
The plot of this story is gripping. On the surface the events look as if they might be happening by chance, but as the story unfolds it is easy to see that the events were destined to happen. The story begins with Matt being accused. Ursula happens to overhear Matt's joke about blowing up the school and decides to act on it. These two events set the story in motion which leads to the two characters becoming great friends and eventually boyfriend and girlfriend.
There are also dimensions of fate in the setting of the story. Both Matt and Ursula hike in the Rocky River Mountain Preserve, their common ground, which is where Ursula finds Matt contemplating suicide. Matt tells his dog Pumpkin that he wouldn't have gone through with it, but if Ursula hadn't run in to hims the story may have ended in tragedy.
After they begin to know each other the two characters realize they have much more in common than they think they do which is alluded to all throughout the book. They are almost mirror images of each other.
This book provides a wealth of discussion material for adolescents. It gives examples of how many of them may feel at that age. It also discusses the harmful affects of gossiping, teasing and bullying. It touches on important social issues such as negative body image, suicide and depression. It also goes in depth on relationships with siblings and parents which can be tough to handle with the pressures of school and social life for some adolescents.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Yop and Yop Activity for Big Mouth and Ugly Girl (group 2)
Literary Report Card
A literary report card is a post reading activity that allows the reader to analyze character traits in an entertaining way. Through this activity students are allowed to issue grades to characters in a reading selection and then provide a rationale for those grades. Traditionally report cards grade academic areas, but this type of report card will ask that the student grade the character on personality traits. The teacher may come up with the subject areas to be graded, but at the upper levels I would suggest having the students make up their own subjects for which their character of choice will be graded. According to Yop and Yop this requires higher order thinking. This activity doesn't translate super well to the blog, but maybe some of you know a little bit more about the technology and you can design a better looking report card.
There are some pretty interesting characters in Big Mouth and Ugly Girl, and I think it is important that the reader reflect on the fact that each of the main characters, Ursula and Matt have alter egos. So here's my assignment for you...I'd like you to create a report card (any format you choose) and grade either Big Mouth or Ugly Girl on three character traits of your choosing. Use at least one example from the text to support your grade and rationale.
Here is my example. Yours doesn't need to look exactly like this:
Rocky River High School
Student: Ugly Girl
Area Grade Comment
Sportsmanship: D “My own team was sabatoging me!” (13). Ugly Girl knows she is a very gifted athlete, and because of this she thinks she is better than the rest of the girls on the team. She is a ball hog that believes her teammates are not behind when really this is just an error in her thinking. She has become so convinced that she is “ugly” and that people don’t like her that she is paranoid.
Courage: A “Ugly girl was no coward, and didn’t give a damn about the future. Ugly Girl, warrior-woman” (12). Although she sees herself as “ugly,” Ugly Girl seems to have a lot of courage. She is willing to stand up to teachers and stand tall and proud even though “Ursula” is self conscious about her height and appearance. Ugly Girl is almost like a super hero.
Morality: A “Ugly Girl was explaining to Mr. Parish that she’d been passing Matt Donaghey’s table at lunch that previous day and she’d heard every word he said, and his friends’ responses and it was obvious – he was joking” (69). Even though Ursula doesn’t know Matt Donaghey and doesn’t like being involved in others’ business she chose to go to Mr. Parish and tell the truth about what she had heard. She knew it was the right thing to do.
Have fun and let me know if you have questions!!
A literary report card is a post reading activity that allows the reader to analyze character traits in an entertaining way. Through this activity students are allowed to issue grades to characters in a reading selection and then provide a rationale for those grades. Traditionally report cards grade academic areas, but this type of report card will ask that the student grade the character on personality traits. The teacher may come up with the subject areas to be graded, but at the upper levels I would suggest having the students make up their own subjects for which their character of choice will be graded. According to Yop and Yop this requires higher order thinking. This activity doesn't translate super well to the blog, but maybe some of you know a little bit more about the technology and you can design a better looking report card.
There are some pretty interesting characters in Big Mouth and Ugly Girl, and I think it is important that the reader reflect on the fact that each of the main characters, Ursula and Matt have alter egos. So here's my assignment for you...I'd like you to create a report card (any format you choose) and grade either Big Mouth or Ugly Girl on three character traits of your choosing. Use at least one example from the text to support your grade and rationale.
Here is my example. Yours doesn't need to look exactly like this:
Rocky River High School
Student: Ugly Girl
Area Grade Comment
Sportsmanship: D “My own team was sabatoging me!” (13). Ugly Girl knows she is a very gifted athlete, and because of this she thinks she is better than the rest of the girls on the team. She is a ball hog that believes her teammates are not behind when really this is just an error in her thinking. She has become so convinced that she is “ugly” and that people don’t like her that she is paranoid.
Courage: A “Ugly girl was no coward, and didn’t give a damn about the future. Ugly Girl, warrior-woman” (12). Although she sees herself as “ugly,” Ugly Girl seems to have a lot of courage. She is willing to stand up to teachers and stand tall and proud even though “Ursula” is self conscious about her height and appearance. Ugly Girl is almost like a super hero.
Morality: A “Ugly Girl was explaining to Mr. Parish that she’d been passing Matt Donaghey’s table at lunch that previous day and she’d heard every word he said, and his friends’ responses and it was obvious – he was joking” (69). Even though Ursula doesn’t know Matt Donaghey and doesn’t like being involved in others’ business she chose to go to Mr. Parish and tell the truth about what she had heard. She knew it was the right thing to do.
Have fun and let me know if you have questions!!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
The Verdict Says Not Guilty, But is Steve Really Fooling Himself?
Monster. ISBN978-0-06-440731-1 Walter Dean Myers, Christopher Myers, 1999. National Book Award Finalist. Age 12-16. Multicultural-all classes.
Steve is a 16 year old boy on trial for murder. During his time awaiting trial he has lost himself. He has become a monster. He claims being in jail is like a movie with no clear beginning and no plot, thus the basis of his story.
Steve is different from the other boys in his neighborhood and it is unclear how he got mixed up with them. Through a series of film directions and journal entries Steve takes the reader through the depths of his struggle to decide whether or not he is guilty. He is not only on trial vs. the State, he is on trial with himself. Only Steve knows the answer, but the reader is invited to decide for themselves...is Steve guilty?
The purpose of the trial is not only to prove or disprove Steve's innocence or guilt, it is to help him find himself after being lost to the overwhelming powers of the street life.
Discussion Topics
1. The Judicial System and how it works (could be taught in correspondence with an American Civics course). Students could perform a mock trial.
2. Film making (could be taught in correspondence with a film or media class). Students can write their own screen play.
3. Keeping a journal. Students would be required to keep a journal while reading this book.
4. Peer pressure
5. Gang affiliation
6. Ethics - what constitutes right and wrong? Was it wrong for Steve to case the drug store, even if he didn't directly cause Mr. Nesbit's death?
"Anybody can walk into a drugstore and look around. Is that what I'm on trial for? I didn't do nothing! I didn't do nothing!" (115). Who is Steve trying to convince here - himself or the reader? By creating Steve as a character that does not know who he is, Myers invites the reader to try and figure it out for themselves. This is what makes this book so intriguing! Steve could be anyone. He could be a gang banger ready and willing to commit this crime without a second thought like Bobo and King, or he could be the "outstanding, talented, bright and compassionate young man" that Sawicki paints a picture of.
The plot of this book takes us through Steve's mind and his most personal thoughts to help us make a decision for ourselves. How could such a compassionate person be guilty of this crime? How could such a liar be innocent? These are the questions Myers forces the reader to ask themselves. When the verdict is read some feel a rush of relief, while others feel that a "monster" has been delivered back out onto the streets. Even in the end O'Brien isn't sure that Steve is innocent. Steve doesn't know either. His last line of the book "What did she see?" (281) proves that he cannot be innocent unless others see him that way.
The setting of this story is terrifying. The reader can almost feel it. From the dark descriptions of the cold and lonely jail cell - the beatings and sexual advances committed by the soulless inmates, to the bleak and unforgiving courtroom, this book takes the reader with Steve through all his feelings of panic and anxiety.
Lastly, the unique format of this book makes it a real page turner. In fact that is an understatement. Myers writes the book as if it is a screen play, so it was more like watching a movie than reading a book. The reader can actually visualize the screen directions in their head. This format offers a great tool to introduce screen writing to students.
Steve is a 16 year old boy on trial for murder. During his time awaiting trial he has lost himself. He has become a monster. He claims being in jail is like a movie with no clear beginning and no plot, thus the basis of his story.
Steve is different from the other boys in his neighborhood and it is unclear how he got mixed up with them. Through a series of film directions and journal entries Steve takes the reader through the depths of his struggle to decide whether or not he is guilty. He is not only on trial vs. the State, he is on trial with himself. Only Steve knows the answer, but the reader is invited to decide for themselves...is Steve guilty?
The purpose of the trial is not only to prove or disprove Steve's innocence or guilt, it is to help him find himself after being lost to the overwhelming powers of the street life.
Discussion Topics
1. The Judicial System and how it works (could be taught in correspondence with an American Civics course). Students could perform a mock trial.
2. Film making (could be taught in correspondence with a film or media class). Students can write their own screen play.
3. Keeping a journal. Students would be required to keep a journal while reading this book.
4. Peer pressure
5. Gang affiliation
6. Ethics - what constitutes right and wrong? Was it wrong for Steve to case the drug store, even if he didn't directly cause Mr. Nesbit's death?
"Anybody can walk into a drugstore and look around. Is that what I'm on trial for? I didn't do nothing! I didn't do nothing!" (115). Who is Steve trying to convince here - himself or the reader? By creating Steve as a character that does not know who he is, Myers invites the reader to try and figure it out for themselves. This is what makes this book so intriguing! Steve could be anyone. He could be a gang banger ready and willing to commit this crime without a second thought like Bobo and King, or he could be the "outstanding, talented, bright and compassionate young man" that Sawicki paints a picture of.
The plot of this book takes us through Steve's mind and his most personal thoughts to help us make a decision for ourselves. How could such a compassionate person be guilty of this crime? How could such a liar be innocent? These are the questions Myers forces the reader to ask themselves. When the verdict is read some feel a rush of relief, while others feel that a "monster" has been delivered back out onto the streets. Even in the end O'Brien isn't sure that Steve is innocent. Steve doesn't know either. His last line of the book "What did she see?" (281) proves that he cannot be innocent unless others see him that way.
The setting of this story is terrifying. The reader can almost feel it. From the dark descriptions of the cold and lonely jail cell - the beatings and sexual advances committed by the soulless inmates, to the bleak and unforgiving courtroom, this book takes the reader with Steve through all his feelings of panic and anxiety.
Lastly, the unique format of this book makes it a real page turner. In fact that is an understatement. Myers writes the book as if it is a screen play, so it was more like watching a movie than reading a book. The reader can actually visualize the screen directions in their head. This format offers a great tool to introduce screen writing to students.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Scorpions
Scorpions. ISBN0-06-440623-7. Walter Dean Myers, 1988. Newbery Honor. Age 12-18. African American, Hispanic - working class.
Twelve Year old Jamal can't seem to escape the pressures of life. His mother sometimes works late hours, leaving him mostly responsible for his sister Sassy. The kids at school are constantly picking on him, the teachers and administration of his school don't think he will amount to anything and to top it all off his brother Randy has just been sent to prison for murder.
Mack, one of the antagonists of this story, successfully attempts to get Jamal and his best friend Tito involved in the gang life after Randy is put in jail. Because Jamal can't seem to find a place where he can truly fit it in, this lifestyle looks appealing to him on the surface. Jamal sees his gang initiation and the possession of a gun as power. Tito, Jamal's wise and overprotective friend, follows Jamal relentlessly in an effort to keep an eye on him.
In the end being in the gang isn't all it's cracked up to be. The gun makes things go from bad to worse for Jamal and Tito. When a gang fight ultimately leads to another murder both Jamal and Tito realize how strong their bond is to one and other. Although the boys lose each other in the present the ending keeps the reader hopeful that they will have brighter futures because of their mistakes - and perhaps they will find each other once again.
This book is multifaceted and could stimulate many different discussions.
1. Children can talk about gangs in their communities (if applicable) and the pressures to join these gangs
2. The strength and weakness of familial bonds.
3. Children feeling the need to take over the parental role.
4. The affects of bullying on victims (Jamal as Dwayne's victim and what this leads Jamal to do).
5. The strength of friendships - what one would and would not do for a friend.
6. Peer pressure
7. The possession of weapons in school and in general, and the harm it can cause.
In chapter seven the students watch a movie in science class about water pollution. Myers writes, "One part showed birds covered with oil on a beach. The oil was so thick that the birds couldn't fly." (p. 68) The birds symbolize Jamal, and the oil all his faults, all the people he believes he will disappoint, and all the people that have the potential to hold him back. These intense characters fuel this story.
Jamal, an intelligent undervalued youth, seen as a failure by almost all the adults who know him, is surrounded by a tug o' war of characters constantly pulling him in opposite directions. Momma is an emotional wreck that means well, but is too preoccupied trying to earn a steady income and get her oldest son out of jail, to notice her youngest son is in trouble and her daughter Sassy (appropriately named) is "fresh" beyond her years. Randy, Jamal's imprisoned brother, has left Jamal with the burden of his influence. Mr. Davidson, Jamal's prejudiced principal, creates for Jamal a sort of self fulfilling prophecy - he expects Jamal to fail and projects this negativity onto Jamal. Mr. Davidson has no faith in Jamal, making it easy for Jamal to have no faith in himself. Dwayne, the bully, disempowers Jamal with his constant teasing and threatening, causing Jamal to resort to what he thinks is his only way of regaining power - using a gun as a means of intimidation. Tito, Jamal's best friend, has a much better sense of right and wrong than Jamal, but still displays childlike thinking. In chapter 7 when Jamal convinces Tito to join the gang, Tito thinks that they have the power to convince the gang to do some good. While this displays his naivety, it also displays his compassion. He would do anything for Jamal and this has the potential to get him into trouble. Lastly, the Cheshire Cat of the gang world, Mack, is always speaking in rhymes and empty rhetoric. Whether on purpose or because he is high, his words have the power to trick Jamal into thinking that being in the gang will help him and his family.
While the plot is engaging, it never seems as if Jamal has truly learned how to solve his problem. He joins the Scorpions in the first place as a means of getting money to bail Randy out of jail. While he knows what he is doing is wrong, he continues to hold onto the gun he is in possession of. Myers uses this gun as the sort of epicenter of all Jamal's problems. For Jamal the gun symbolizes power. Without it he is powerless. It is only when Angel is killed that Jamal hesitantly disposes of the gun, having second thoughts about it as he walks home. It is Tito that learns more than Jamal. It is almost as if Tito is Jamal's conscience. He is constantly trying to talk Jamal out of his bad ideas, yet follows along when Jamal makes the wrong decision. He sacrifices a lot for Jamal by listening to him, but in the end Tito breaks away and does what is right even though it costs him his friendship with Jamal and his home in America. When the two friends last meet Tito rushes to Jamal, hugs him and kisses him on the face. He is grateful for Jamal's friendship because he has learned a lot from his mistakes.
Jamal and Tito's differences are brought to light in the end. While Tito confessed to what he had done in order to move on with his life, Jamal chose to live with the guilt. Myers writes, "He had wanted to say something about the gun, about not throwing it away when Tito had said they should. But he hadn't been able to bring the words to his mouth. They had lain in the bottom of his stomach like rocks weighing down his whole life" (213).
Twelve Year old Jamal can't seem to escape the pressures of life. His mother sometimes works late hours, leaving him mostly responsible for his sister Sassy. The kids at school are constantly picking on him, the teachers and administration of his school don't think he will amount to anything and to top it all off his brother Randy has just been sent to prison for murder.
Mack, one of the antagonists of this story, successfully attempts to get Jamal and his best friend Tito involved in the gang life after Randy is put in jail. Because Jamal can't seem to find a place where he can truly fit it in, this lifestyle looks appealing to him on the surface. Jamal sees his gang initiation and the possession of a gun as power. Tito, Jamal's wise and overprotective friend, follows Jamal relentlessly in an effort to keep an eye on him.
In the end being in the gang isn't all it's cracked up to be. The gun makes things go from bad to worse for Jamal and Tito. When a gang fight ultimately leads to another murder both Jamal and Tito realize how strong their bond is to one and other. Although the boys lose each other in the present the ending keeps the reader hopeful that they will have brighter futures because of their mistakes - and perhaps they will find each other once again.
This book is multifaceted and could stimulate many different discussions.
1. Children can talk about gangs in their communities (if applicable) and the pressures to join these gangs
2. The strength and weakness of familial bonds.
3. Children feeling the need to take over the parental role.
4. The affects of bullying on victims (Jamal as Dwayne's victim and what this leads Jamal to do).
5. The strength of friendships - what one would and would not do for a friend.
6. Peer pressure
7. The possession of weapons in school and in general, and the harm it can cause.
In chapter seven the students watch a movie in science class about water pollution. Myers writes, "One part showed birds covered with oil on a beach. The oil was so thick that the birds couldn't fly." (p. 68) The birds symbolize Jamal, and the oil all his faults, all the people he believes he will disappoint, and all the people that have the potential to hold him back. These intense characters fuel this story.
Jamal, an intelligent undervalued youth, seen as a failure by almost all the adults who know him, is surrounded by a tug o' war of characters constantly pulling him in opposite directions. Momma is an emotional wreck that means well, but is too preoccupied trying to earn a steady income and get her oldest son out of jail, to notice her youngest son is in trouble and her daughter Sassy (appropriately named) is "fresh" beyond her years. Randy, Jamal's imprisoned brother, has left Jamal with the burden of his influence. Mr. Davidson, Jamal's prejudiced principal, creates for Jamal a sort of self fulfilling prophecy - he expects Jamal to fail and projects this negativity onto Jamal. Mr. Davidson has no faith in Jamal, making it easy for Jamal to have no faith in himself. Dwayne, the bully, disempowers Jamal with his constant teasing and threatening, causing Jamal to resort to what he thinks is his only way of regaining power - using a gun as a means of intimidation. Tito, Jamal's best friend, has a much better sense of right and wrong than Jamal, but still displays childlike thinking. In chapter 7 when Jamal convinces Tito to join the gang, Tito thinks that they have the power to convince the gang to do some good. While this displays his naivety, it also displays his compassion. He would do anything for Jamal and this has the potential to get him into trouble. Lastly, the Cheshire Cat of the gang world, Mack, is always speaking in rhymes and empty rhetoric. Whether on purpose or because he is high, his words have the power to trick Jamal into thinking that being in the gang will help him and his family.
While the plot is engaging, it never seems as if Jamal has truly learned how to solve his problem. He joins the Scorpions in the first place as a means of getting money to bail Randy out of jail. While he knows what he is doing is wrong, he continues to hold onto the gun he is in possession of. Myers uses this gun as the sort of epicenter of all Jamal's problems. For Jamal the gun symbolizes power. Without it he is powerless. It is only when Angel is killed that Jamal hesitantly disposes of the gun, having second thoughts about it as he walks home. It is Tito that learns more than Jamal. It is almost as if Tito is Jamal's conscience. He is constantly trying to talk Jamal out of his bad ideas, yet follows along when Jamal makes the wrong decision. He sacrifices a lot for Jamal by listening to him, but in the end Tito breaks away and does what is right even though it costs him his friendship with Jamal and his home in America. When the two friends last meet Tito rushes to Jamal, hugs him and kisses him on the face. He is grateful for Jamal's friendship because he has learned a lot from his mistakes.
Jamal and Tito's differences are brought to light in the end. While Tito confessed to what he had done in order to move on with his life, Jamal chose to live with the guilt. Myers writes, "He had wanted to say something about the gun, about not throwing it away when Tito had said they should. But he hadn't been able to bring the words to his mouth. They had lain in the bottom of his stomach like rocks weighing down his whole life" (213).
For Those of You That Think Literature is Boring...
English Essayist Charles Lamb said, "I love to lose myself in other men's minds. Books think for me" - hence the title of my blog. To me literature has always been an escape from reality - the opportunity to lose myself in the mind of someone else. No matter what impediment life may throw at you, you can always bury yourself in a story and possibly even find meaning from it. So, the next time you pick up a book and gripe because you find literature mind-numbingly boring, remember to change the way you look at it. Instead of looking upon a piece of literature as tedious, think of it as an escape - the chance to lose yourself in the mind of others.
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