I have just recently finished a few teen tomes and found them satisfying. "Sorta like a Rock Star" by Matthew Quick was a fun over the holiday read. I found the main character impossibly hope filled in the beginning maybe because I am surrounded by such pessimists in my current life, I just couldn't believe anyone living such a life could be so happy and helpful and 17 all at the same time. But by the end of the story I was cheering this young woman on in her quest to save her puppy and in the process her life. An interesting exploration of faith and God also takes place, could be a good discussion book for the girls.
Next I read " I Now Pronounce You Someone Else", really I have a few pages left, but it was another one that I see as a good discussion book for the young ladies. The main character here falls in love, she is also determined to remain a virgin till her wedding, Her virginity isn't the issue here, that is just a personal decision of the young lady and doesn't even have religious roots. The falling in love and what to do about it when you are only a junior in high school is where the conflict lies. I love that she makes wise decisions, listens to friends who care, and realizes how big a step marriage is for a high school student. This is definitely a girl book, filled with romance and heart warming moments. The family relationships add to the topics for discussion, what makes a family, what happens when one becomes broken, and can they ever be fixed? Join Bronwen as she journeys through some tumultuous times.
A recent Alex award recipient "The Room" by Donoghue would also make a great book club read. A young lady is kidnapped at 19 and has lived for 7 years in a 12x12 room with her 5 year old son, held hostage by her captor. A daring escape and the repercussions lead to major character changes and not always what you would hope for or expect. The story is told through the eyes of the young son and his perspective colors yours. I found myself being angry at some of the adults but upon review of their actions found them similar to what I might have done in the same situation. Ma, is your hero while in captivity but she becomes a new and unknown person with the advent of freedom, and her focus shifts so quickly from her son to the outside that I was left wondering if it was the same person. Yet upon considering all that took place, and her goals and the success of those goals, she would need to change her focus pretty dramatically, and quickly. What kept her alive, and sane was her son, she no longer had to fight that battle, just learn to live with the memories.
...So little time...
No comments:
Post a Comment