Where has the school year gone? When I set up this blog my intent was to use it as a way to recommend book and give opportunities for discussions about books. The good news is we (my classes) and I have been reading more than we have ever read before. The other good news (sort of) is that we are so enthralled in our books we forgot to blog. There is always room for improvement and growth...
The book I just finished was the sequel to Jorden Sonnenblick's Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie titled After Ever After (AEA). AEA updates us on the progress of Jeffrey and his battle with cancer. He is now an 8th grader and his always reliable brother, Steven, has dropped out of college, broken up with his long-time girl friend and moved to Africa to immerse himself in world drumming. This shocking move by the prodigal son has thrown the family for a loop - especially the very dependent Jeffrey. Jeffrey is forced to face his 8th grade year alone including passing the dreaded state mandated math test. The effects of chemotherapy has slowed Jeffrey's processing skills and he sucks (his words, not mine) at math. He is bound to fail the test and will be required to repeat 8th grade. Of course, in addition to dealing with all of this a very cute girl is thrown into the mix and she likes him. Yes, she like-likes him. He comes up with a plan to beat the test and help his best friend at the same time. What he doesn't know is that his best friend and girlfriend are scheming behind Jeffrey's back to help him. This book is a great example about kids helping people who cannot help themselves. As a teacher I identify with the frustrations of requirements forced upon us and I see kids sometimes equate their self-worth by the score on the MCA II's. We know better, don't we Mrs. H's reading lab classes!
I love Sonnenblick's sarcastic voice for it captures the essence of the middle school student. I read his Notes from a Midnight Driver as a read aloud to the 8th graders and we all really identified with Alex. Sonnenblick has a way with weaving in important life lessons about accountability and responsibility without cramming it down the reader's throat. We really picked up on this but didn't feel turned off by it and we often commented while reading this book "What were you thinking Alex!" and "Duh!"
We cannot wait for his next book!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
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