Realistic Fiction

Growing up, I really connected with the realistic fiction genre. That's not to say I didn't enjoy other selections as well, but some of my absolute favorites came from this genre. One of my earliest book series fascinations was Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie. I started reading the books in elementary school--probably second grade or so. I tore through each novel, relishing each word and waiting for the next adventure. As I read, my world was transformed into a simpler time, and I became Laura. I imagined myself running barefoot across the prairie, hot sun beating down on my back, with my faithful dog running alongside. Laura's family somehow became my family, though I realize her story happened hundreds of years before my own. My mother even sewed me a calico dress (and a matching one for my yarn doll, which I carefully crafted from Laura's description of her doll, of course). I became a cardholding member of the Laura Ingalls Wilder fanclub (seriously), and I even bought a Little House on the Prairie cookbook. I still remember trying recipes like griddle cakes and popcorn & milk. With each step, I felt more and more like Laura. After I finished the series, I was thrilled to find books which Laura's daughter and granddaughter wrote. Books like these inspire a lifelong love of reading and learning, and they are of utmost importance in every bookworm's library!

Something Wicked . . .

Hmm, this book was a bit disappointing to me. I was pretty excited about it because Dr. Roberts said we were all going to love it, and up to this point I loved the books about which she said that.

I just thought the writing style was really sporadic and hard to follow, and at the same time I wasn't really interested in the story itself, so reading it was semi-torturous. Like Tom Sawyer, I really couldn't relate with the story. The goings-on of the carnival were so far out there that much of the plot was unrelatable.

But there were some good themes and thoughts--friendship, connecting with others (Will's relationship with his dad certainly improved over the course of the book), and being happy with your current situation in life. These are all important things, and I think we all need to be reminded of the last one. Kudos to Bradbury for weaving in some important messages :)

I'm REALLY excited about The Lightning Thief because I've heard wonderful things about it, and I can't wait to get started on Inkheart, either. I love this class.

The Giver

Wow. The Giver certainly does not suffer from the Tom Sawyer effect. I just re-read The Giver after reading it at age 10.

I realize a lot has changed since I was in fifth grade, and I certainly hope that I've matured A LOT since that time.

However, I found the book to be thought-provoking and extremely riveting. It still resonates with me--I can't stop thinking about it. I can't wait for the seminar to hear my classmates' opinions and thoughts on the text. I want to ask a few questions:

-Is The Giver's Rosemary the same Rosemary as the one who was chosen to be the next Receiver? Does he mean "be with her" in Heaven or is she still alive somehow? Is is possible that she a "real" daughter, not just a "family unit" daughter?

-How is Jonas able to experience the snow/sled/Christmas memories as his own--they were transmitted to him and I don't get that. Were they premonitions instead of memories?

I have to read Gathering Blue and The Messenger, though they're apparently not sequels. Still, I'm sure they're amazing.

Mark Twain

How would Twain define morality?

Thinking about this question after reading Tom Sawyer and listening to Engel's lecture on Twain's life, I think Twain's definition of morality would include acting for the good of humanity but still having fun. I don't think Twain was Kantian in his ethical makeup--Tom's "white lies" and devious behavior throughout the book certainly don't reflect a universal law mentality.

I think Tom envelops many of Twain's own characteristics--for example, Twain's dislike of high society is mirrored in the character Huck Finn. Similarly, Tom's view of morality is probably pretty similar to Twain's. Though many of Tom's antics are less than moral, he still does the right thing when necessary. For example Tom defends Muff Potter during the murder trial, even though Tom is scared of Injun Joe's reaction. Tom also comes to Becky's rescue over the ripped anatomy book and takes the punishment for her. Tom lies to Aunt Polly on several occasions, but never in a dire situation.

I think Twain would describe morality as doing the right thing when it counts and treating everyone with respect. Being of genuinely good moral character and acting selflessly, I believe, would be part of Twain's definition.

What's up with Tom Sawyer?

I remember devouring Mark Twain short stories and loving Tom Sawyer when I was little. This time around, I'm having a difficult time getting interested in the text. I feel so disconnected from Tom's world. I simply cannot relate to a young boy who tricks his friends into whitewashing his fence, who tortures bugs during church, and who steals rafts and turns into a "pirate" with his best buds. My life is too different from his to relate on any level. It's not that I don't appreciate Twain's imagination or his writing style; I'm just not invested in the book.

I didn't have the same problem with either The Graveyard Book or The Trumpet of the Swan. It's not that my life parallels a boy who's growing up in a graveyard or a literate, musical swan, but somehow these books kept my interest far better than Tom Sawyer has.

As I stare at the pile of YA books on my desk, I can't help but wish that we were reading The Giver or The Phantom Tollbooth, both childhood favorites of mine. I remember themes in both of those that I believe will still be applicable to me today, ten years after my initial reading of the texts.

This class is teaching me that perspective really changes one's outlook on anything that person reads--for better or for worse!

Scarlet Ibis pt. 2

What was the most human or universal sentiment expressed in this short story?

-I think love was easily the most universal sentiment. The first example I thought of was when Doodle walked for the first time and his family gathered around, hugging and crying and smiling. Aunt Nicey loved Doodle from the beginning because "he was born in a caul, and cauls were made from Jesus' nightgown." More examples of love include Doodle and the fallen Ibis (I think Doodle was fascinated and drawn to the unique animal and felt an unusual kinship with it) and the brotherly love between Brother and Doodle as they spent time together and came to love each other even though Doodle wasn't the "ideal brother" that Brother was expecting.

a reflection and a question

The one thing I remember about children's literature from last week is . . .

that everyone had such great stories about how they were introduced to reading or which books really affected them when they were younger. I think it's safe to say that the parents of Meredith students likely read to their children quite frequently. Early exposure to literature produces avid readers (which, in turn, creates a passion for lifelong learning). I love how reading affects people differently but profoundly--the same books have such different effects on everyone who reads them.

The one thing I'd like to ask someone about young adults is . . .

How do authors' approaches differ when they are writing to this age group than when they are writing to children or adults? Has anyone figured out the formula for writing mega-hit YA books? Are there similar plot lines, themes, character development traits, etc. that always seem to make #1 hits with young adults?

First seminar

Today our class experienced our first seminar--it covered James Hurst's The Scarlet Ibis.

Dr. Roberts posed a question to start our seminar, and then she allowed a few minutes for each of us to write our thoughts on the topic.

She asked, "Who is the most invested character in this story?"

My response:

I think the person who's most invested in the story is Doodle's brother. Since the story is written in his perspective, Brother shares his thoughts, feelings, and motives through his words. His initial motivation to teach Doodle how to walk was selfish (". . . Doodle walked only because I was ashamed of having a crippled brother"). However, I think that, when Doodle started making real progress and the boys bonded over their time spent together, Brother began to help Doodle for reasons other than selfishness. Doodle's and Brother's camaraderie strengthened as the boys tackled obstacles throughout the story.

Favorite quote: "We never spoke (What are the words that can solder cracked pride?)"

The "soldering cracked pride" just displays such a command of the English language--I love it.

Quiz question: Why did Brother start teaching Doodle how to walk?

Answer: "I did it for myself, that pride, whose slave I was . . . Doodle walked only because I was ashamed of having a crippled brother."

Real-life question: Describe a moment or event in your life where you acted with an ulterior motive, such as that which prompted Brother to start teaching Doodle how to walk.

Characters: Brother, William Armstrong (Doodle), Mama, Daddy, and Aunt Nicey

Significant Influence

As a child, I spent every spare moment engrossed in a book. My love of reading stemmed from my family, who constantly read to me. My kindergarten-teaching mother also greatly influenced my love of language and books.

Growing up, the first books I learned to read were A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh series. Even before I learned to read, I loved Pooh. Mom videotaped three-year-old me as I sat in the hallway with a bowl of popcorn, a glass of milk, and a tale of my beloved bear and his quirky

friends. I was convinced that I knew how to read, but really I was making up the story as I turned each page.

Winnie the Pooh was my first obsession. Pooh books, movies, and stuffed animals filled my bookshelves. After I actually learned how to read, Pooh helped me to discover that books were capable of transforming my world into something completely different. Within moments of turning the first page, I was suddenly playing Poohsticks and having adventures in the "Hunner" Acre Wood. I was so enthralled with Pooh's world that I copied Christopher Robin's outfit--

yellow shirt, jean shorts, and red shoes--nearly every day.

I credit Mr. Milne and his highly exciting creations for piquing my love of reading. Growing older, I have not been able to read for pleasure as much as I want to. Young Adult literature is my favorite genre, so I am eager to explore new texts and find new favorites in this class!!!!