Angry Management by Chris Crutcher
This book is made up of three novellas that are related to prior novels and short stories by this author, all related because they are part of Mr. Nak's Angry Management Class, which we first learned of in Ironman.
The first novella involves Angus Bethune from a short story in Athletic Shorts and Sarah Byrnes from Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes. They become friends, go to Reno, and learn the truth about Sarah's mother. I read this novella before I finished the book that Sarah Byrnes is part of, which was both a blessing and a curse. I knew Sarah was going to be ok, but I ruined it for myself.
The second novella is about a young lady named Montana who takes on the school board in her town, the president of which is her adoptive father. I am not familiar with the story or book she comes from, but I want to know more about her.
The last novella reunites readers with Mr. Simet from Whale Talk, and Matt Miller, a minor character from Deadline. They are connected by a young man named Marcus James who is a gay, black high school student in a town where there might be five black people. Needless to say, this is a racially charged and heartbreaking story.
On the whole, I enjoyed this book. I am finding that I really enjoy anything that Chris Crutcher has written, and I hope he keeps it up.
Monday, May 27, 2019
The Things You Do For Friends
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher
Eric Calhoune is a swimmer. He really likes a girl named Jody, but Jody happens to be dating a douchecanoe named Mark Brittain. Eric's best friend is Sarah Byrnes, who is in a mental facility. He goes to see her nearly every day, and she just sits there. She won't talk. Sarah Byrnes has a lot going on and a reason for not talking; if she doesn't talk, she has to go back to her dad. Her dad is a psycho.
How do we know Sarah Byrnes' dad is a psycho? Well, Sarah Byrnes' face is disfigured. First we're told that it is because she pulled a pot of boiling spaghetti on herself when she was three, but we later find out that isn't true.
Eric does everything he can for Sarah Byrnes, all the while getting Mark Brittain riled up. This was a fantastic read, and I got to enjoy it with my 4th period PreAP class. I'd like to believe they enjoyed it as much as I did.
Eric Calhoune is a swimmer. He really likes a girl named Jody, but Jody happens to be dating a douchecanoe named Mark Brittain. Eric's best friend is Sarah Byrnes, who is in a mental facility. He goes to see her nearly every day, and she just sits there. She won't talk. Sarah Byrnes has a lot going on and a reason for not talking; if she doesn't talk, she has to go back to her dad. Her dad is a psycho.
How do we know Sarah Byrnes' dad is a psycho? Well, Sarah Byrnes' face is disfigured. First we're told that it is because she pulled a pot of boiling spaghetti on herself when she was three, but we later find out that isn't true.
Eric does everything he can for Sarah Byrnes, all the while getting Mark Brittain riled up. This was a fantastic read, and I got to enjoy it with my 4th period PreAP class. I'd like to believe they enjoyed it as much as I did.
Friday, May 24, 2019
Mercy Allows for All Things
Ironman by Chris Crutcher
This was one of the books I chose to read to my classes this year. This author is amazing, and writes about real issues facing teenagers these days. Even though there are aspects of this book which date it a little bit, the themes and situations are timeless.
In this book, a young man is training for a triathlon. He also is sentenced to anger management classes at school because he angered the football coach. This is meant to be punishment, but it becomes a part of his life that he cherishes. He is exposed to people who, although his peers, have things going on that help him put his life in perspective. And perspective he does gain. He also manages to make friends with people he wouldn't normally have bothered with, and that may be the best lesson my students could have taken from this book.
I would absolutely read this with my students again. The best comment I got when we finished was "Mrs. Parker, that was an AWESOME book!" If that's not a ringing endorsement, I don't know what is.
This was one of the books I chose to read to my classes this year. This author is amazing, and writes about real issues facing teenagers these days. Even though there are aspects of this book which date it a little bit, the themes and situations are timeless.
In this book, a young man is training for a triathlon. He also is sentenced to anger management classes at school because he angered the football coach. This is meant to be punishment, but it becomes a part of his life that he cherishes. He is exposed to people who, although his peers, have things going on that help him put his life in perspective. And perspective he does gain. He also manages to make friends with people he wouldn't normally have bothered with, and that may be the best lesson my students could have taken from this book.
I would absolutely read this with my students again. The best comment I got when we finished was "Mrs. Parker, that was an AWESOME book!" If that's not a ringing endorsement, I don't know what is.
It's Been a While
Period 8 by Chris Crutcher
I got it in my head that it would be fun to read to each of my six classes. It was. What was different is that I read six different books, all by the same author. I'd read three of the six before, but the other three were new to me. This is the book I read to my 5th period on level/co-teach class.
As is the norm with Crutcher's books, this takes place in the Pacific Northwest/Idaho/Montana area. It starts off in a hotel room with a woman buttoning up her blouse, so you know this is kinda sketchy to start with in a high school classroom. Thankfully, it did not dwell on that too much. Instead, we hear that a young man cheated on his girlfriend and they break up. We see that an "upstanding" young man tries to swoop in and take that girlfriend for his own. We learn about a girl who is referred to as the Virgin Mary fall from grace, and corrupt policemen. This book was a wild ride full of bad language an not so comfortable situations, but my kids liked it. I would absolutely read it again to my classes.
I got it in my head that it would be fun to read to each of my six classes. It was. What was different is that I read six different books, all by the same author. I'd read three of the six before, but the other three were new to me. This is the book I read to my 5th period on level/co-teach class.
As is the norm with Crutcher's books, this takes place in the Pacific Northwest/Idaho/Montana area. It starts off in a hotel room with a woman buttoning up her blouse, so you know this is kinda sketchy to start with in a high school classroom. Thankfully, it did not dwell on that too much. Instead, we hear that a young man cheated on his girlfriend and they break up. We see that an "upstanding" young man tries to swoop in and take that girlfriend for his own. We learn about a girl who is referred to as the Virgin Mary fall from grace, and corrupt policemen. This book was a wild ride full of bad language an not so comfortable situations, but my kids liked it. I would absolutely read it again to my classes.
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
More French Things
In Paris With You by Clementine Beauvais
If it wasn't already obvious, my love affair with all things French is in full swing these days. Between going to Paris for the first time this past November and going back in a few short months, I keep finding myself drawn to books taking place in the City of Lights. This one looked like it was going to be a perfect fit.
I bought this back in January. It was on the young adult shelf at Target, so I thought I would be able to put this one on my classroom shelf when I was done. That last point, I am still pondering, by the way. It sounded like it was going to be right up my alley, but I guess it just wasn't because I kept putting it down to read other things.
A couple of things you should know up front... this is translated from French and it is written in free verse. Due to these things, I have to wonder if something is/was lost in the translation. It wasn't horrible, but it certainly wasn't a must read.
This is the story of Tatiana and Eugene. They knew each other in their teens. Tatiana had a thing for Eugene, but the feelings weren't mutual. Ten years later (when this book begins, actually) they run into each other on a train, and Eugene starts to see what he missed out on. He finds himself infatuated with her, in fact, and must see her again.
Tatiana, on the other hand, is somewhat more cautious. She remembers how things ended when they were young, but is willing to spend some time with Eugene. Just as things are starting to pick up, we find out that Tatiana is leaving in a matter of days to begin a new life in San Francisco. Will Eugene have a chance with Tatiana after all this time? Will she throw away her dreams and stay in Paris? Read to find out.
If it wasn't already obvious, my love affair with all things French is in full swing these days. Between going to Paris for the first time this past November and going back in a few short months, I keep finding myself drawn to books taking place in the City of Lights. This one looked like it was going to be a perfect fit.
I bought this back in January. It was on the young adult shelf at Target, so I thought I would be able to put this one on my classroom shelf when I was done. That last point, I am still pondering, by the way. It sounded like it was going to be right up my alley, but I guess it just wasn't because I kept putting it down to read other things.
A couple of things you should know up front... this is translated from French and it is written in free verse. Due to these things, I have to wonder if something is/was lost in the translation. It wasn't horrible, but it certainly wasn't a must read.
This is the story of Tatiana and Eugene. They knew each other in their teens. Tatiana had a thing for Eugene, but the feelings weren't mutual. Ten years later (when this book begins, actually) they run into each other on a train, and Eugene starts to see what he missed out on. He finds himself infatuated with her, in fact, and must see her again.
Tatiana, on the other hand, is somewhat more cautious. She remembers how things ended when they were young, but is willing to spend some time with Eugene. Just as things are starting to pick up, we find out that Tatiana is leaving in a matter of days to begin a new life in San Francisco. Will Eugene have a chance with Tatiana after all this time? Will she throw away her dreams and stay in Paris? Read to find out.
Sunday, March 24, 2019
If You Love All Things French....
Paris by Edward Rutherford
This was suggested to me by a friend and coworker. She knew that I went to France this past autumn and am going back again this summer, and thought that I would enjoy this because many of the places mentioned, I had been to. She was correct. I loved when they mentioned Montmartre and the Lapin Agile, Pont Neuf, Notre Dame, St. Chapelle, the Louvre, Versailles, and so many more places. It's also no secret that I am a sucker for history, and this book is full of history.
What I loved about this book is that it is about the same families over the centuries and how those families interacted in the various time periods in this book. I was partial to the de Cygne family as I was reading, and hated the Le Sourd's. I so wanted Marie Blanchard to end up with Roland de Cygne in the early twentieth century, and it broke my heart when his father died and he wouldn't be able to see her again. I was especially taken with the history of the building of the Eiffel tower, and the intricacies of that amazing landmark.
In truth, the only parts that I didn't love were the chapters that took place during World War I and the ones during the occupation in World War II. Comparatively, those were such a small part of the book, that it was ok that I didn't love it, and didn't take away from my enthrallment.
I had no idea how long this was when I bought it. The day I started reading it, I looked at the time left in the book and it said 29 hours. That was a little daunting, but only a little--I have no fear of long books. This was one I couldn't put down during Spring Break, and didn't want to put down when I went back to my real life as a teacher. I know that this is a author I will revisit soon.
This was suggested to me by a friend and coworker. She knew that I went to France this past autumn and am going back again this summer, and thought that I would enjoy this because many of the places mentioned, I had been to. She was correct. I loved when they mentioned Montmartre and the Lapin Agile, Pont Neuf, Notre Dame, St. Chapelle, the Louvre, Versailles, and so many more places. It's also no secret that I am a sucker for history, and this book is full of history.
What I loved about this book is that it is about the same families over the centuries and how those families interacted in the various time periods in this book. I was partial to the de Cygne family as I was reading, and hated the Le Sourd's. I so wanted Marie Blanchard to end up with Roland de Cygne in the early twentieth century, and it broke my heart when his father died and he wouldn't be able to see her again. I was especially taken with the history of the building of the Eiffel tower, and the intricacies of that amazing landmark.
In truth, the only parts that I didn't love were the chapters that took place during World War I and the ones during the occupation in World War II. Comparatively, those were such a small part of the book, that it was ok that I didn't love it, and didn't take away from my enthrallment.
I had no idea how long this was when I bought it. The day I started reading it, I looked at the time left in the book and it said 29 hours. That was a little daunting, but only a little--I have no fear of long books. This was one I couldn't put down during Spring Break, and didn't want to put down when I went back to my real life as a teacher. I know that this is a author I will revisit soon.
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Inner Mermaid
the mermaid's voice returns in this one by Amanda Lovelace
I have said it before, and I will say it again: Ms. Lovelace's poetry speaks to me in a way that most poetry doesn't. It is entirely to relatable in ways that I hate (because I hate that those things happened to both of us) but helps me remember that I am not alone. If nothing else, I find her poetry empowering.
Another thing I love about this poetry is that by the time you get to the end, things don't seem quite as bad, which is exactly how I feel about this thing called life. Mine hasn't always been sunshine and roses, in fact, there are parts I would never wish on anyone, but it doesn't mean that things can't end up on a good note.
I have said it before, and I will say it again: Ms. Lovelace's poetry speaks to me in a way that most poetry doesn't. It is entirely to relatable in ways that I hate (because I hate that those things happened to both of us) but helps me remember that I am not alone. If nothing else, I find her poetry empowering.
Another thing I love about this poetry is that by the time you get to the end, things don't seem quite as bad, which is exactly how I feel about this thing called life. Mine hasn't always been sunshine and roses, in fact, there are parts I would never wish on anyone, but it doesn't mean that things can't end up on a good note.
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