SCHOOL STUFF

Lovely readers,

You may have noticed that I'm reading Haddix's "Among the Hidden".  Although I have heard good things, and I'm excited to read it, I thought I should mention that I am reading this along with my 6/7 class.  Feel free to share any ideas for discussion (if you've read it as well).

Thanks,

lj

REVIEW: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Title:  The Catcher in the Rye
Author:  J.D. Salinger
Genre / Pages:  Fiction, Young Adult / 224
Publication: Little, Brown and Company, 1991
Rating:  3rd shelf  
Source:  Chapters Indigo
lj's plot in one pot: A coming-of-age story featuring Holden Caufield, a troubled young man, trying to face his demons after his younger brother dies of leukemia.

Well, I know I said that I would put a hold on this one while I read some other pressing books...but, well it was such an easy read and I was just so eager to be done with it and my shame for not having read it before.

And do I feel the sense of accomplishment...or satisfaction?  Well not so much.  I didn't really enjoy the book all that much.  Obviously it is from another time, and so the language/terms/slang used often jarred me.  I also kept waiting for the climactic moment where things either change for Holden, or he at least perceives himself in a more realistic light.  It never happened...not in any sort of satisfying way.

This is my struggle with reading "classics".  I want to like them, I want to be able to appreciate them for what they are, but I usually have a really hard time getting into them.  I plowed through Salinger, because I had to, not because anything in the book made me want to.  

What do you think?  Are there classics that transcend time?  I don't doubt it, but I've yet to come across one - so please, give me suggestions.

"There's always a dumb horse race, and some dame breaking a a bottle over a ship, and some chimpanzee riding a goddam bicycle with pants on.  It wouldn't be the same at all.  You don't see what I mean at all" p.133

PS - I really want a red hunting hat :)

REVIEW: The Hunger Games by S. Collins

Title:  The Hunger Games
Author:  S. Collins
Genre / Pages:  Fiction, Young Adult / 374
Publication: Scholastic, 2010
Rating:  4th shelf  
Source:  Chapters Indigo
lj's plot in one pot: In a post-apocalyptic/vanity-crazed/Mad Maxian world, the readers follow Katniss, a girl from one of the 12 sectors that must battle to the death against 1 boy and 1 girl from each sector in the aptly named, "Hunger Games".

As far as Young Adult (YA) books go, this one was pretty awesome.  The heroine in the novel, Katniss, is strong and bright and above all, a survivor.  The "Hunger Games" are a brutal way for the government (the Capitol) to maintain control over the people of Panem.  It is a bit science fictiony, but no more so than it's partners in the YA genre (i.e. Twilight).

The plot kept me guessing (more or less) and I was pleasantly surprised at the way Collins wraps up this novel - the first of the trilogy (which I can't wait to read the following books, "Catching Fire" and "Mockingjay").  As far as reading this with Junior/Intermediate students...well, I'm still on the fence.  It is pretty graphically violent and there is definitely some questionable content.   But all in all I really enjoyed this book.  The writing wasn't 'dumbed down' like a lot of YA books I've read, nor was there a super obvious moral to learn.  I think this one is a YA classic in the making.  Enjoy!

"Whenever my father sang, all the birds in the area would fall silent and listen.  His voice was that beautiful, high and clear and so filled with life it made you want to laugh and cry at the same time.  I could never bring myself to continue the practice after he was gone." p.43

Click here for the Hunger Games website, and here for the author's website.