Module 7
Realistic Fiction
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
Bibliography
Forman, G. (2009). If I Stay. New York, NY: Penguin Group.
ISBN 978-0-525-42103-0
Summary
At 17, Mia's life changes in a blink of an eye, it was so fast that Mia doesn't even remember it, if it had not been for the tragedy after it, you wouldn't even think it was real. Mia's life was perfect, for her, she had great parents who every teenager would kill to have, she had a younger brother whom she loved, and a great boyfriend, who loved her family and they loved him. We follow the story, with Mia who is in a coma, and the accident and its 24 hours following it. We are with her as she discovers her father's brain all over the the same road they were just driving on, her mother too. We are with her as she runs to a hand sticking out thinking it has to be of her brother, but instead she is faced with her own broken body, and we are with her as they hurry her younger brother into surgery. And anything else that takes place after this horrible accident, and there when she decides to live or to die, since there is nothing left to live for.
My Impression
I love this book, it is well written, and you find yourself so into the story that you do not want to put it down, maybe hoping it was all a nightmare--in my case. I finished it in a day and I was so emotional the last chapter, which by the way I had to stop myself from going to it in the middle of the book.
Reviews
From Publishers WeeklyStarred Review. The last normal moment that Mia, a talented cellist, can remember is being in the car with her family. Then she is standing outside her body beside their mangled Buick and her parents' corpses, watching herself and her little brother being tended by paramedics. As she ponders her state (Am I dead? I actually have to ask myself this), Mia is whisked away to a hospital, where, her body in a coma, she reflects on the past and tries to decide whether to fight to live. Via Mia's thoughts and flashbacks, Forman (Sisters in Sanity) expertly explores the teenager's life, her passion for classical music and her strong relationships with her family, friends and boyfriend, Adam. Mia's singular perspective (which will recall Alice Sebold's adult novel, The Lovely Bones) also allows for powerful portraits of her friends and family as they cope: Please don't die. If you die, there's going to be one of those cheesy Princess Diana memorials at school, prays Mia's friend Kim. I know you'd hate that kind of thing. Intensely moving, the novel will force readers to take stock of their lives and the people and things that make them worth living. Ages 14–up. (Apr.)
From School Library JournalStarred Review. Grade 9 Up—Forman creates a cast of captivating characters and pulls readers into a compelling story that will cause them to laugh, cry, and question the boundaries of family and love. While out on a drive with her family, 17-year-old Mia is suddenly separated from her body and forced to watch the aftermath of the accident that kills her parents and gravely injures her and her younger brother. Far from supernatural, this shift in perspective will be readily accepted by readers as Mia reminisces about significant events and people in her life while her body lies in a coma. Alternating between the past and the present, she reveals the details and complexities of her relationships with family and friends, including the unlikely romance with her punk-rock boyfriend, Adam. An accomplished musician herself, Mia is torn between pursuing her love for music at Julliard and a future with Adam in Oregon. However, she must first choose between fighting to survive and giving in to the resulting sadness and despair over all she has lost. Readers will find themselves engrossed in Mia's struggles and will race to the satisfying yet realistic conclusion. Teens will identify with Mia's honest discussion of her own insecurities and doubts. Both brutal and beautiful, this thought-provoking story will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.—Lynn Rashid, Marriotts Ridge High School, Marriottsville, MD
Horn Book. . . the stakes are poignantly conveyed through Mia's vivid memories of a rich, rewarding life.
Use in Library Setting
I would say it's for YA or middle and high school readers, or anyone older than 12, only because then they can understand and appreciate the book more, and because of some language in the text, other than that if was a great book and should be available to our YA+ readers. It's a great book for parents, teachers, students and just about anyone who likes realistic fiction (with a twist).
Review. (2002). If I Stay. [Review of the book If I Stay].
Amazon.com.
Available from
http://www.amazon.com/If-I-Stay-Gayle-Forman/dp/product-description/014241543X/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books
Review. (n. d.). If I Stay. [Review of the book If I Stay].
Barnes & Noble.
Available from
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/if-i-stay-gayle-forman/1100060881?ean=9780142415436
Image from
http://www.rallythereaders.com/2012/11/review-if-i-stay-by-gayle-forman.html
Schooled by Gordon Korman
Bibliography
Korman, G. (2007). Schooled. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children.
ISBN 978-1-4231-0516-9
Summary
This is the story of a Capricorn (Cap) Anderson who was home-schooled by his grandmother Rain, and they lived on a farm community known as Garland, that used to house hippies back in the day but is now just home to Rain and Cap. Cap is not your typical teenager, he has never seen let alone watched television, no computer, no cell phone, ipod or any other fancy technologies teenagers have these days. He had a very simple life up to the day that Rain had to go to the hospital that is. Cap gets arrested by cops for driving her there since he does not have a license, but soon they realize he doesn't even know what a license is. He is forced to live with his social workers family, and attend public school, which is not one of the best places to be when you are as nice and as naive as Cap is. He is ridiculed for his long hair, his hemp clothes and shoes, and he is made into the joke of the class. But to their surprise he survives them all, even with practicing tai chi on the school lawn everyday. Read the book if you want to know how he overcomes public school.
My Impression
I liked this book, even if at times I hated the other kids for doing what they were doing to Cap, and the Administration for ignoring what was going on in their school, year after year, under their nose and they knew about it but never thought to put a stop to it. I found myself cheering Cap on, and laughing through some of the parts of the book. It's a great book overall.
Reviews
From Booklist*Starred Review* Homeschooled on an isolated "alternate farm commune" that has dwindled since the 1960s to 2 members, 13-year-old Cap has always lived with his grandmother, Rain. When she is hospitalized, Cap is taken in by a social worker and sent—like a lamb to slaughter—to middle school. Smart and capable, innocent and inexperienced (he learned to drive on the farm, but he has never watched television), long-haired Cap soon becomes the butt of pranks. He reacts in unexpected ways and, in the end, elevates those around him to higher ground. From chapter to chapter, the first-person narrative shifts among certain characters: Cap, a social worker (who takes him into her home), her daughter (who resents his presence there), an A-list bully, a Z-list victim, a popular girl, the school principal, and a football player (who unintentionally decks Cap twice in one day). Korman capably manages the shifting points of view of characters who begin by scorning or resenting Cap and end up on his side. From the eye-catching jacket art to the scene in which Cap says good-bye to his 1,100 fellow students, individually and by name, this rewarding novel features an engaging main character and some memorable moments of comedy, tenderness, and reflection. Pair this with Jerry Spinelli's 2000 Stargirl (the sequel is reviewed in this issue) for a discussion of the stifling effects of conformity within school culture or just read it for the fun of it. Phelan, Carolyn
Children's LiteratureHow many 13-year-old kids living in America can say that they have NEVER watched television? Probably very few. Cap Anderson can say it, however, with all the honesty in the world! Living on an almost abandoned alternative farm commune, his entire life has provided Cap with a childhood distinctly different from others; he was homeschooled, had no telephone, and was therefore oblivious to the generally accepted ways of the world. When his only companion on the commune (his grandmother, Rain) is hospitalized, Cap is sent to live with a former inhabitant of the commune and her snarky teenage daughter, who is less than receptive to Cap’s unusual ways. Sadly, many of the students at his public school decide to capitalize upon his ignorance by attempting to make a fool of him at every opportunity. Interestingly enough, they turn out to be the fools! Written in an alternating chapter format, this book is engaging even though it plays heavily on such classic characters as the class nerd, the reluctant hero, and well off, popular class bullies. The author has written over fifty young adult novels and lives in Long Island. All in all, this is a recommended read. Reviewer: Cindy L. Carolan
Use in Library Setting
This could be housed in the children's room of a public library but can be enjoyed by all ages, since it is a nice story. It can also be added to elementary and middle school libraries or any teacher's own classroom library, even to high school libraries.
Review. (n.d.). Schooled. [Review of the book Schooled].
Amazon.com.
Available from
http://www.amazon.com/Schooled-Gordon-Korman/dp/1423105168/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354830151&sr=8-1&keywords=schooled
Review. (n. d.). Schooled. [Review of the book Schooled].
Barnes & Noble.
Available from
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/schooled-gordon-korman/1100489396?ean=9781423105169
Image from
http://www.hicklebees.com/book/9780689717383
Schooled by Gordon Korman
Bibliography
Korman, G. (2007). Schooled. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children.
ISBN 978-1-4231-0516-9
Summary
This is the story of a Capricorn (Cap) Anderson who was home-schooled by his grandmother Rain, and they lived on a farm community known as Garland, that used to house hippies back in the day but is now just home to Rain and Cap. Cap is not your typical teenager, he has never seen let alone watched television, no computer, no cell phone, ipod or any other fancy technologies teenagers have these days. He had a very simple life up to the day that Rain had to go to the hospital that is. Cap gets arrested by cops for driving her there since he does not have a license, but soon they realize he doesn't even know what a license is. He is forced to live with his social workers family, and attend public school, which is not one of the best places to be when you are as nice and as naive as Cap is. He is ridiculed for his long hair, his hemp clothes and shoes, and he is made into the joke of the class. But to their surprise he survives them all, even with practicing tai chi on the school lawn everyday. Read the book if you want to know how he overcomes public school.
My Impression
I liked this book, even if at times I hated the other kids for doing what they were doing to Cap, and the Administration for ignoring what was going on in their school, year after year, under their nose and they knew about it but never thought to put a stop to it. I found myself cheering Cap on, and laughing through some of the parts of the book. It's a great book overall.
Reviews
From Booklist*Starred Review* Homeschooled on an isolated "alternate farm commune" that has dwindled since the 1960s to 2 members, 13-year-old Cap has always lived with his grandmother, Rain. When she is hospitalized, Cap is taken in by a social worker and sent—like a lamb to slaughter—to middle school. Smart and capable, innocent and inexperienced (he learned to drive on the farm, but he has never watched television), long-haired Cap soon becomes the butt of pranks. He reacts in unexpected ways and, in the end, elevates those around him to higher ground. From chapter to chapter, the first-person narrative shifts among certain characters: Cap, a social worker (who takes him into her home), her daughter (who resents his presence there), an A-list bully, a Z-list victim, a popular girl, the school principal, and a football player (who unintentionally decks Cap twice in one day). Korman capably manages the shifting points of view of characters who begin by scorning or resenting Cap and end up on his side. From the eye-catching jacket art to the scene in which Cap says good-bye to his 1,100 fellow students, individually and by name, this rewarding novel features an engaging main character and some memorable moments of comedy, tenderness, and reflection. Pair this with Jerry Spinelli's 2000 Stargirl (the sequel is reviewed in this issue) for a discussion of the stifling effects of conformity within school culture or just read it for the fun of it. Phelan, Carolyn
Children's LiteratureHow many 13-year-old kids living in America can say that they have NEVER watched television? Probably very few. Cap Anderson can say it, however, with all the honesty in the world! Living on an almost abandoned alternative farm commune, his entire life has provided Cap with a childhood distinctly different from others; he was homeschooled, had no telephone, and was therefore oblivious to the generally accepted ways of the world. When his only companion on the commune (his grandmother, Rain) is hospitalized, Cap is sent to live with a former inhabitant of the commune and her snarky teenage daughter, who is less than receptive to Cap’s unusual ways. Sadly, many of the students at his public school decide to capitalize upon his ignorance by attempting to make a fool of him at every opportunity. Interestingly enough, they turn out to be the fools! Written in an alternating chapter format, this book is engaging even though it plays heavily on such classic characters as the class nerd, the reluctant hero, and well off, popular class bullies. The author has written over fifty young adult novels and lives in Long Island. All in all, this is a recommended read. Reviewer: Cindy L. Carolan
Use in Library Setting
This could be housed in the children's room of a public library but can be enjoyed by all ages, since it is a nice story. It can also be added to elementary and middle school libraries or any teacher's own classroom library, even to high school libraries.
Review. (n.d.). Schooled. [Review of the book Schooled].
Amazon.com.
Available from
http://www.amazon.com/Schooled-Gordon-Korman/dp/1423105168/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354830151&sr=8-1&keywords=schooled
Review. (n. d.). Schooled. [Review of the book Schooled].
Barnes & Noble.
Available from
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/schooled-gordon-korman/1100489396?ean=9781423105169
Image from
http://www.hicklebees.com/book/9780689717383
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