Friday, April 27, 2012

Literature Group #2: Amy Klein, Kelli Newman, Paula Johnson, and Heather Hinz


In the "post comment" section below, please respond to one question from each section: "perspective", "positioning" and "power".  

"Perspective" questions
1) Who could have created this text?
2) Who did the author/illustrator think s/he was making this text for?
3) What kinds of readers might think the same way?
4) What kinds of readers might think something different?
5) What other ways of thinking are not a part of this text?

Choose one question from the "perspective" questions .

"Positioning" questions
1) What kinds of people/lives/experiences/beliefs are in the center of this book?
2) What kinds of readers might feel like "insiders" reading this book?
3) What kinds of readers might feel like "outsiders" reading this book?
4) How does this book position me as a reader--as an insider, outsider, both or neither?

Choose one question from the "positions" questions.

"Power" questions
1) How is the author/illustrator using her/his power in this book?
2) Does the author/illustrator use his/her power to repeat things that already happen a lot in books?
3) Does the author/illustrator use his/her power to show how important things are that don't happen a lot in books?
4) What kinds of people/lives/experiences get attention from the way the author/illustrator used his or her power?
5) What kinds of people/lives/experiences don't get attention from the way the author/illustrator used his or her power?

Choose one question from the "power" questions.
Posted by at

14 comments:

  1. PJMay 3, 2012 at 12:08 PM

    Positioning

    2)I think that teenagers at a whole or those who have been teenagers would feel like insiders to this story. I feel that many people can identify to the feelings and emotions that were identified in this story. They are real life issues and those that many individuals feel in their lifetime.

    Perspective

    2) I think the author illustrator was making this text for young adults and maybe preteens. The way it describes the actions of the kids in the story and the way they speak to each other targets this age group, but also targets those who have experienced these years already. It touches the heart strings of the emotions of the that age group.

    Power
    1)To drive forth the connection of friends and family. To create the understanding of how people are there for each other and care about their lives.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy KleinMay 4, 2012 at 3:27 PM

      I love the power of writing to a put a spin on something. The author chooses to bring out family ties or friendship ties or gang glofication ties.

      Delete
    2. PJMay 4, 2012 at 6:30 PM

      Interesting that you brought up gang ties. My story did not reference anything about gangs. Which book did you read?

      Delete
    3. Heather's Writing PadMay 4, 2012 at 10:36 PM

      I think it is interesting that a reader could be made to feel like an insider or an outsider while reading a book. I understand that books can take many different perspectives that are unlike our own, but in books we are usually privy to information that we would not have in real life situations or are given enough information to see some of their views. After all, we all share the same emotions.

      Delete
  2. Kelli NMay 3, 2012 at 9:24 PM

    Perspective
    1) I think many adults could create this text. Growing up is hard and we all face challenges in adolescence. I also think any kid who has been picked on or bullied could have written this text.

    Positioning
    3) Someone who grew up in an affluent or privileged situation and as part of the "popular" group may feel like an outsider. They may not be able to relate to being uncomfortable or an underdog, someone without a voice.

    Power
    5) People who live or grew up in a rural area don't get attention from this author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy KleinMay 4, 2012 at 3:25 PM

      As someone who grew up in a small town and now teaches in a small town, I just can't imagine the real flavor of life in the big city. There must be a rhythm that you have to get used to.

      Delete
    2. PJMay 4, 2012 at 6:33 PM

      I agree that adults could relate to this text. I think anyone going through or have gone through this time frame of life fits. I think everyone rides the rollercoaster of life and can relate to most situations.

      Delete
    3. Heather's Writing PadMay 4, 2012 at 10:40 PM

      Do you think an adult who grew up without too many challenges and wasn't bullied or picked on could have written this text?

      Delete
  3. Heather's Writing PadMay 4, 2012 at 11:53 AM

    Perspective:
    2) I think the author made this text for teen girls and young women.

    Positioning:
    4) This book positions me as an insider because it is told entirely from the viewpoint of a teen girl who experiencing loss and heartbreak.

    Power:
    2) I think this author uses her power to repeat things that already happen in a lot of books. One can find numerous books on teen girls breaking up with their boyfriends and/or someone close to them dying.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy KleinMay 4, 2012 at 3:22 PM

      I have a distain for Oprah bookclub books because of all the victimized women.

      Delete
    2. PJMay 4, 2012 at 6:35 PM

      I get where your going with the viewpoint. It is focusing on the thoughts and feelings of a girl who struggles to get through and survive on the other side.

      Delete
  4. Amy KleinMay 4, 2012 at 3:21 PM

    Perspective
    4) What kinds of readers might think something different?
    Readers that might think something different who are far from this troubled, teenage, city scene. I know as a white, middle-aged, goody-goody, with no real anger issues, I found myself wonder why my main character always had to react with a fight or a flip of anger.

    Positioning
    How does this book position me as a reader--as an insider, outsider, both or neither?
    I'm an insider and an outsider for my book. I get the troubled youth with anger issues thing because so many of my students think the way he does and have circumstances that can be compared. However, I don't and haven't ever lived that life. I can only imagine.

    Does the author/illustrator use his/her power to show how important things are that don't happen a lot in books? This authors uses power to show the inside of the character that definitely does not come through in character interactions. The reader is privy to the real characters and not just the tough guy.

    ReplyDelete
  5. PJMay 4, 2012 at 6:42 PM

    Nice point with the reaction of fight or a flip of anger. One can find yourself trying to understand or even trying to rewrite a bit sometimes when you see different paths the characters could travel. It is good for us to experience them through characters in stories, so that we are more exposed and conscience to the world and the differences there really is.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Heather's Writing PadMay 4, 2012 at 10:45 PM

    I really enjoy reading books that have multidimensional characters. There can be so many different reasons for people's actions that can not be gathered from brief or one sided interactions.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)