Openly Straight: A Review

Oh dang this book was good.



So we've got Rafe, a gay teen from Colorado who is totally just fine with being gay.  He's not harassed, his parents are (maybe a little too) supportive, and he's even had a kind-of boyfriend.  But one day, Rafe decides he's tired of the labels and enrolls in a boarding school in New England.  His parents let him because his parents are ridiculously awesome.

Side note:  I've noticed in YAL the parents are either Lorelai Gilmore Super-Cool or they are menacing, evil villains.  No in between to speak of. 

But anyway.  Rafe decides that he's tired of being known as "that gay kid."  He's over labels.  So at his new boarding school, he conveniently doesn't mention he's gay.  He doesn't lie...at first.  He just takes advantage of heteronormativity.  And it's great.  He has a totally new group of friends, and his label is gone.

Except not.

He quickly is given a new label:  jock.  But that's okay too because he sort of enjoys being a jock. 

However, it's not so easy to hide such a big part of himself.  Especially around Ben.  Of course, there is a love interest.  But that love interest also does not know that Rafe is gay.  I won't spoil what happens between the two of them, but I will say I loved how it was handled. 

Konigsberg has created some great characters here.  I loved the dialogue and thought it was just a bit more teen boy realistic than, say, John Green's.  And they were still so funny and so honest.

The themes of identity and how we label people and how we're all a bit more obsessed with ourselves than anyone else is were right on.  The sexual exploration was addressed with aplomb.  Most kids I know who enjoy contemporary, realistic YAL would really enjoy this book.

I book talked it and students seemed to be interested, especially with the boarding school part.  I admit to being a sucker for boarding school stories as well.  In talking to my kids I gave this a PG-13 rating due to language and some sexual themes.  On Goodreads, I gave it 5 stars.  Due to the lack of a rating system for my blog I'll make one up. 

So, Openly Straight gets 5/5 Lorelai Gilmores!

Bookish (And Not So Bookish) Thoughts: The Crossroads Edition

Lately I've fallen in book-love with Christine at Bookishly Boisterous.  She does a fun segment called Bookish (And Not So Bookish) Thoughts so I'd thought I'd join this week.  Behold, 10 things:

1.  I've never seen the movie Crossroads with Britney Spears, but I wanted to see it so badly when I was a kid!  Alas, my mom thought Brit Brit was a bad influence.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/22/Crossroads_poster.JPG

2.  Despite my lack of 2002 MTV movie knowledge, I am at somewhat of a crossroads personally.  By now it's out that my husband and I are moving to New Orleans in May, and I have all the feels about it.  Mostly, I am excited beyond measure.  But also I am sad.  And anxious.  And so far jobless come May.  Our families are here, and they are wonderful.  It seems a little nuts to be leaving them, along with my secure job, for the great unknown.  But if we're ever going to do it, now's the time.

3.  Due to my personal crossroads of late, the Parks and Rec finale made me cry even harder than I would have normally.  Parks and Rec had become my favorite show, and the finale was just so, so perfect and lovely.  I felt like I was losing friends.

http://www.glamour.com/images/entertainment/2015/02/parks-and-rec-finale-w724.jpg

4.  I am almost finished with Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg.  Best book I've read this year.  I'm so invested in the characters and never want to put it down.

5.  For the Adolescent Lit class I'm in I'm supposed to be doing an action research project, but I haven't actually started the research yet.  This brings me to 6...

6.  I have SO. MUCH. WORK. to do before graduation.  Every time I think about it I have to pop an Ativan.  Three classes, two comprehensive exams, and my full time job.  May, come quickly.  But also slowly because I'm already behind.

7.  Here's a photo of my classroom library before I had to take away the comfy chairs (intense disciplinary action, I know): 

8.  Here it is now: 

9.  So often I complain about reading boring books for my major, but I've actually discovered two of my favorite books through lit classes:  My Ántonia and All the King's Men.

10.  My dog is so cute, y'all, like so cute.

11 of the Best Contemporary Young Adult Books

Reading chapter three of Young Adult Literature in the 21st Century gave me the idea to come up with my own list of best young adult books.  In chapter three most of the books listed are young adult "classics," so my list is specifically contemporary...the things that are great right now.

11 of the Best Contemporary Young Adult Literature Books:

Looking For Alaska by John Green is Green's first and, in my opinion, his best.  The characters are so solid, so funny, and more believable as teens than in some of his other books. Best to go into this one knowing nothing at all.

Every Day by David Levithan is something completely different.  Our protagonist doesn't have his or her own body, he or she inhabits a new body every day and has to live out the day as that person.  Things are going just fine until our protagonist falls in love with Rhiannon and tries anything possible to be with the girl he or she loves.  The only problem...our protagonist looks different every day.  Can Rhiannon love someone who's a black girl one day, a white boy the next?

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell- the sweetest love story in quite a while.  Deliciously 80s with some family abuse issues that will resonate with many kids.

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray- Oh man, this book is funny.  Great satire, rowdy adventure, and a delightfully diverse cast, including a positive trans* character!

Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta- Depression hurts so many.  This books heals.

Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern- more from her, please!  Love these protagonists, one with CP and one with OCD.  Resilience and ostracism and loneliness and first loves all done deftly.

Lovely, Dark and Deep by Amy McNamara is perfectly named.  Also deals with depression and trauma and is just so serene.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein is historical fiction about WWII and packed full of adventure.  I love the strong female friendships as well.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver was a pleasant surprise for me.  Just when I thought I was over dystopian young adult literature, Oliver changed my mind.  Love is a disease in this novel about teenagers...hmm...

Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan- I know, another Levithan, but his gay-friendly world just makes me smile and long for that as a reality.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie- The cartoons, the masterful observations...it's already a classic.

***It should be noted that I observe a lack of works here by writers of color and also a lack of strong, main characters who are people of color.  I am reading a diverse array of literature, but I can see that it's not enough.  Definitely something I'm working on.

Book Talk: Like No Other

I love book talks!  I got the idea from teacher superstars Dr. Katherine Mason and Penny Kittle and have made them a weekly staple in my classroom.  The idea is to show kids what you're reading, introduce them to new books, and basically get them excited about what's out there.  I choose high-interest young adult literature that I've recently read and, on Fridays, I start the class with a book talk.  I've posted an example below.  After I book talk a book, it goes in my classroom library along the back wall for kids to check out.

If I ever forget the kids remind me, and I definitely notice that the books I book talk get checked out more often than the other books in my library.

I highly recommend book talks.  The best way to encourage reading in your students is to be an enthusiastic, vocal reader yourself! 




ps. I kinda sorta like WSU, if you hadn't noticed.

Alternative Book Report: The Actual Assignment

Here's what my kids are up to.  They've chosen their books and will be receiving the assignment today to start thinking about their projects.  I've attached a link to this document in my "Downloadables" page. 

YAL in the 21st Century- Chapters 1 & 2

The official textbook of this class is Young Adult Literature in the 21st Century by Pam B. Cole.  Every two chapters I will post a response to what I've read and answer some discussion questions.

The first chapter of the text is composed of personal stories of adolescence told by authors of young adult literature.  I found Lois Lowry's tale of the Japanese bus driver who decorated the bus for the American children, only to have them tear the decorations down, incredibly moving.  I empathized with the driver for the pain he must have felt after trying to show kindness and also with Lowry as she failed to stand up and speak out.  Many of my childhood memories are of similar moments:  times when I felt something was wrong, but assumed I was too young (or I was simply too cowardly) to speak up.

I remember one particular incident in 8th grade where some girls were making fun of a friend of mine and, not only did I not speak out on behalf of my friend, I actually joined in the mocking.  After all, these girls were cheerleaders.  I had a chance for cheerleaders to like me.  Later I wrote a note about the encounter to my friend, only making the situation worse.  I still look back on that time with shame.  My friend showed incredible maturity to still treat me with kindness.

Chapter 1 ends with an article called "Mrs. Seeton's Whistle" by Jerry Spinelli.  This poignant essay responds to the question "Do you think being a kid helped you to become a writer?"  Spinelli answers with such a rich tribute to childhood that I caught myself tearing up by the end.  His quote "Thank goodness there are plenty of kids out there content enough to let their kidhoods expire in their own good time" particularly moved me.

I was a kid who was content to let her kidhood expire in its own good time.  Sure, I often wished I were older, but I was very cognizant of what I was and was not ready for as a kid and adolescent.  I remember my first kiss at the age of 16.  Many of my friends were already sexually active and, if that was right for them, I have no judgment.  Only they can know that.  But I knew I didn't desire such things yet.  All I wanted was my long-time crush to kiss me.  And one night, he did.  Right in our small town park on a balmy summer evening after the movies.  It was as innocent as a first kiss can get, and, as I drove away, hoping he didn't see my eyes stuck wide and the grin plastered on my face, I knew that I was growing up at exactly the pace for me.

I sticky-noted and flagged the heck out of chapter 2, called "The Young Adult Reader."  This chapter is full of statistics on teen readers, as well as sections on teen reading habits and needs.  I was particularly struck by the comment that reading is a social act.  As teens are about the most social creatures on the planet, this is something I try to use to my advantage.  I have seen them seek out suggestions from their peers; I have seen "non-readers" pick up The Fault in Our Stars because everyone else had read it.

The "Authentic Reading Opportunities" section really hit on what I try to do as a teacher.  Although close reading is essential, I really am cognizant of the question "Am I letting kids just read?"  Worksheets for every chapter, pop quizzes all the time, round robin reading...these strategies are not authentic and often take away the joy of reading for a kid.  I can tell when I'm yammering on too long about a section of a book because kids will tell me.  "Can we get back to reading?" they'll whine.  Well, yes.  Of course you can.

Alternative Book Report- Written Portion

In my previous post, I mentioned that, for my students' alternative book reports, I will expect them to create both a reading and spoken portion.  One option for the written portion is the newspaper front page.  This is not an original idea by any means, but I think it can still be valuable for practicing different forms of writing.  Here's an example I would show my students for The Winter People.