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.
I read the book "A Matter of Trust" by Anne Schraff.
ReplyDeletePerspective: What other ways of thinking are not a part of the text?
The story is mostly told through the thinking of Darcy. It is very clear how she feels about her boyfriend Hakeem, her dad coming back into her life, her Grandma and the care she needs, etc. It isn't clear how the mother feels about the dad coming back, how Hakeem feels about Darcy, why her friend Brisana doesn't talk to her, etc. Some of the worries and feelings Darcy has do not match how I would imagine other characters feel about the situation. For example, when her dad returns home from being away for five years, the younger sister is excited and Darcy is hesitant. The reader only gets the side of Darcy and why she is hesitant but not the side of Jamee who wants him back.
Positioning: How does this book position me as a reader--as an insider, outsider, both or neither?
As I read this book, I definitely felt like an "ousider." The dialogue of the kids was very different; it took some getting used to. The talk about gangs was not something I've ever had to deal with. The fact that the family's dad left was something I am not familiar with. The one thing I could relate to was the Grandma. The Grandma lived with Darcy, her mom, and her sister. There had to be someone with her at all times. There was talk of sending her to a nursing home because it was too much to deal with. A year ago my family was going through the same thing with my grandma. This is the part of the story I could relate to.
Power: What kinds of people/lives/experiences don't get attention from the way the author/illustrator used his or her power?
There was one character in this story that was the "bully." When reading a book, most people automatically hate the bully. But what you don't know is what the bully's story is. Later you find out that his dad beat him as a kid. His mom works long hard hours and there are four younger siblings to take care of. Is he a bully just for fun or is it a coping mechanism for him. It's something that is sort of ignored and I'd like to find out more about this character!
I agree with you about wanting to find out more about this bully character. I think this is very true with every bully. I have a student in my class that is a bully and he has told me the reason that he is mean to others is because he doesn't care about himself. :0( It all stems from something else.
DeleteI read “Secrets in the Shadows.” It is not well written, and the ending was kind of predictable. Still, I found myself wanting to finish it and actually I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeletePERSPECTIVE) This is a wonderful book for the kids I think they were written to reach: black, inner-city boys who live in apartment jungles, come from broken homes and have to contend with crime and drugs all around them.
(POWER) The author was pretty blatant about helping kids to think about why they do things by having the main character think out loud. Kids don’t know why they do things, and sometimes they don’t even know that their behavior is not acceptable. The author draws kids into the story and tries to get them to identify with the main character, then BAMB! She hits them with the reflective thoughts of the character that might make kids reflect on their own behavior and probable outcomes of that behavior. She maneuvers kids to choose the better course. And she doesn’t just leave them hanging out there on their own. Guess what? Mom goes to church and has a Bible. Gee, I don’t know, but that strikes me as a pretty good place to start looking for some ideas about how to behave and who can help you choose a better path. The author is definitely using her power to sway kids to take that path.
(POSITIONING) I suppose kids who have a more affluent life might not relate as well to the characters of this book because of the setting. However, they can relate to the thinking, and the dumb, teenage decisions made by the main character. After all, it’s common of all humanity that kids the world over must go through the same developmental stages, whether they live in Pakistan or Peru.
I agree with you Christine about the books being kind of predictable and not being the best written but there is something that intrigues you to keep reading. Which, is what we want for young adults to do!
DeleteI read "Someone to Love Me" By: Anne Schraff
ReplyDeleteI found myself enjoying this book, not sure if it was just something different from what we have been reading or if I really just enjoyed it. I think I might have also enjoyed it because I didn't have to think about the book, my mind is pretty tired!
Perspective: What kinds of readers might think the same way?
I feel that this book was created for young adult readers that like to surround their lives in drama. This reader would most likely be in middle school or high school and is experiencing many of the same drama events that are happening during this young girls life in this book. For example: falling in “love”, finding true friends, figuring out who you can trust, dealing with family issues and trying to fit in, not receiving much attention, and trying to find one self.
Positioning: What kinds of people/lives/experiences/beliefs are in the center of this book?
The kinds of characters that are in this book are people that are trying to find themselves and their purpose in life. These characters lives feel like there thrown together with nothing stable.
Power: Does the author/illustrator use his/her power to repeat things that already happen a lot in books?
Anne Schraff does a great job with repeating things over in this book. Some of the things that she repeats in this book is the relationship that this young girl has with her mom and her mom's boyfriend. Anne also expresses how this girl is always trying to figure out her feelings and how she feels like she isn't worth anything and she has nothing to live for.
SHATTERED by, Paul Langan
ReplyDeletePerspective: What other ways of thinking are not a part of the text?
My perspective flipped at the very end of the book. Even the last sentences of the book. After Darcy’s dad informed the family of him being n and committed to A.A. she awoke to a shatter... Her dads beer bottles being shattered in the garbage but thank heavens he was just emptying them into the yard and then throwing them away. My perspective was flip flopping till the end of the book!
Positioning: How does this book position me as a reader--as an insider, outsider, both or neither?
As I read the book, I felt like an insider. I felt like I was Darcy’s best friend being there for her in the bathroom stalls or having a sleep over at her parents house.
Power: What kinds of people/lives/experiences don't get attention from the way the author/illustrator used his or her power?
There was one character who was portrayed in a way that made him seem very different than what he ended up to be. Darcy’s dad ended up being in Alcohol Anonomous.
In the beginning Darcy had no idea if they ‘Would they survive as a family or not?’ In the end “Yes they became stronger than Darcy realized!”. Due to Darcy’s father commitment to his wife, children and soon to be children this family became closer than ever. Like Darcy’s grandma said “Sometimes even the worst things can be a blessing in disguise.”
I read Shattered by Paul Langan.
ReplyDeletePerspective: I believe the author was writing this book for youth/teens who can relate to this lifestyle and culture. I found myself confused throughout this novel, simply because the lifestyle and culture of the inner-city is so different from how I grew up in small-town USA. I found myself having a difficult time "listening" to the girls talk about the boys and their "charm." I thought the boys sounded rude, tough, and I got the impression that the boys saw the girls somewhat like property...as if they "owned" these girls simply because the boys may have dated them once before. Since there was little detail on the history of these characters, I feel as though the book series is written for those who live a similar lifestyle and can easily relate to this culture, with little mention of the details.
However, Lynsey is right that the "drama" would be easy for any teenager or middle schooler to relate to in this book. The girls swoon over the guys and the guys act as though they don't notice or care. I would agree that my novel had a similar "dramatic" feel, in relation to the book Lynsey read.
Positioning: I would have to agree with Heidi that I was left to feel like an "outsider" reading this book. As I mentioned above, I had a hard time relating to this book, culturally. Listening to her father open the fridge, grab a beer, and proceed to pass-out; isn't something I can easily relate to. Having my friends bossy me around and put me in my place; is not something I can easily relate to. More than one boy being interested in me at one time...is not something I can easily relate to. Etc. I also struggled with understanding "gang slang" and also the characters disregard for education and challenging themselves to succeed. I know, I sound like an old woman, but it is something I take for granted in life, often believing that everyone "sees" life the way I often do.
Power: OOOOO, power was ALL over this book! There was a potential rape scene in this novel which, unfortunately, most teenage girls can relate to quite easily. Darcy, the main character, finds out that a popular boy named Brian has a crush on her. They had an innocent date, movie at Darcy's house. Darcy was excited because of his status at school and made sure to wear a "hot" outfit. Anyway, the innocent kissing went a little too far, she said "No!" and he didn't listen. She tried to push him off but he was too strong. Luckily, her father walked in and yanked Brian off of Darcy before things took a turn for the worse. THIS is an event that many girls can relate to...some are as lucky as Darcy...some are not. Some are the victim and some are the sister or friend of the victim. Regardless, the power in this book is present and easy to find. There is also power in how Darcy's friends want to "handle" the situation...with harm toward Brian. Also, a somewhere typical reaction of teenage boys who want to protect and defend women.