Tyrell plays a Dirty Game

Tyrell – where to start? I didn’t think I would like this book – it’s pretty far out of my own experience. As a matter of fact, when I first started it, I got angry at this mother for not caring for her family enough to give them shelter. I was being judgmental, but it turns out she really was not doing her job – that really made me angry as the story continued. But as my anger at Tyrell’s mother grew, so did my affection for Tyrell. In fact, I felt like I could walk right into his neighborhood and fit right in, although I’m certain that’s not the case. With Tyrell hanging by a thread to his “home”, girlfriend, and future, I kept waiting for that thread to snap. Would he get another meal?, would his girlfriend get mad?, would he end up in jail?  I thought that the language would be difficult for me, but once I got reading it was fine.  Dirty Game, on the other hand, is very difficult to read.  The style changes from dialect to my own way of speaking – and every time there is a switch to conversation or description, I have to reframe my sense of the story.  Tyrell’s a keeper, but not Dirty Game.  In general, I would like to have street lit in my library.  The students would enjoy it, even if, like me, they have no experience in that culture.

A magazine challenge?

Here are my thoughts of an imaginary challenge to Rolling Stone – I hope it doesn’t really happen, but it is an interesting thought as I make collection development decisions:

Dear Librarian:

My daughter brought home a copy of Rolling Stone from the school library this past week, and I request that it no longer be in the school library. While I realize that high school students like to read about music, I am disappointed in the language and values represented in Rolling Stone, and do not feel it has a place in a high school library.

Dear Concerned Parent:

Thank you for sharing your concerns about our school library’s collection, including our magazines. This has been chosen as a worthwhile, enjoyable way for students to pass time. While I understand your concerns about some of the pictures and language in the magazine, sheltering teens from that will only make it more inviting. The magazine has in-depth stories about current popular culture; it begins a lifetime of reading and learning about current interests. Our collection development policy does not reject any true material based on language as long as it is not discriminatory.  You are her parent, and have to make the decision about how you will handle your individual situation, but Rolling Stone will remain in the high school library as long as the students enjoy it.

Learning by reading

It took me awhile to realize this, but my opinions have changed a lot since the beginning of this semester. As I explained the other day, these selections have stretched my comfort zone, but now I feel completely comfortable in it. Young adults do NOT live in a bubble, and if I’d like them to be successful grown adults, I need to supply them with reading that might be uncomfortable at first. A racy novel will not make a teenager run out and have sex, and as hard as it might be to read, a novel about school shootings will not make a student copy that activity. And in a perfect world, these books will help young adults make mature decisions – maybe even better ones than they were already considering. I’m still on the fence about what constitutes reading. I ADORE manga, and if I have the time will happily listen to an audiobook or flip through a magazine, but I don’t think these mediums offer the same bang for your buck, say, as a book-book (as my kids cal them). They have their place – the look of glee when the newest manga comes in is a great place – but I feel that their place is a stepping stone to more in-depth reading, not a destination in and of themselves.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

I loved it – it made me (and my husband when I read out loud to him) laugh out loud. The drawings and the tone kept me chuckling, even though the gist of the matter was sad. I’ve read books about ancient Native Americans, but nothing about current Indians. (Am I allowed to say “Indian?”) What a sad state the “rez” is in – the alcohol and non-alcohol related deaths – Junior has seen more deaths in his 15 years than I ever have. And if they don’t die, they live a life, as he says, with no hope. No one has gone to college; they live in absolute poverty. Yet there is his grandmother who lived without a drop of booze, and traveled all over the world. And there’s Rowdy, who lives with his drunk father and is angry at the world, yet is a rock to Junior – a devoted friend. Moments I liked: when Arnold realizes he’s “goliath” after beating the rez’s basketball team; when the billionaire tries to return the powwow dress, only to find out that Junior’s grandmother never danced in a powwow; when Roger offers Arnold a ride home.

This is a great choice for Positive Identity: While Junior feels limited by the reservation, he certainly has control over what happens to him. And again, he has limits due to transportation and money, but makes things happen – his own control. Self-esteem is trickier – Junior is realistic, and acknowledges and appreciates his intelligence; but he undervalues his basketball skills. I was as shocked as Arnold about him becoming the star basketball player.  He is trying to find a purpose in his life by going to Rearden, but just staying Alive isn’t really a purpose.  By the time the book ends, though, it seems he has found one.  But is his purpose being a good friend with Rowdy or making friends in a different world or being a good basketball player, or something else entirely?  Arnold’s view of his future is tainted by his surroundings – in one season he loses his grandmother, his father’s best friend, and his sister.  He pictures himself “wandering” for his future.  Positive?  I don’t know, but it made me feel hopeful for him.

	Personal power	Young person feels he or she has control over “things that happen to me.”
	Self-esteem	Young person reports having a high self-esteem.
	Sense of purpose	Young person reports that “my life has a purpose.”
	Positive view of personal future	Young person is optimistic about her or his personal future.

Good Girls

I want this book in my library! This must be what Amy Pattee was referring to. Girls could learn so much about relationships that they might not find elsewhere. Audrey was lucky enough to have friends she could share personal discussions with, but not all girls do. The trip to the gynecologist was a bit prescribed, but shares valuable information young women might not find elsewhere. I haven’t read Forever by Judy Blume, but from all I’ve heard, I’d want both these books on the shelf right next to each other. (Okay, I know Blume and Ruby wouldn’t be shelved near each other alphabetically, but if we shelved fiction by topic they’d be together.)

Positive values? Absolutely! Well, she doesn’t fight poverty, but she meets all the other criteria. She cares for other people, stands up for her beliefs, tells the truth, takes responsibility for her own actions (She never gets mad about the picture!), and believes it is important to not be sexually irresponsible or use alcohol or other drugs. While the Search Institute might not have had her way of acting in mind for the last category, she is responsible in the situations where there is sex and/or alcohol.

The Pulse at YPulse

Browsing through YPulse this week is, as always, interesting and enjoyable.

Here are some tidbits I learned about this week, and won’t want to forget:

Moomintroll is now in a graphic novel.  I stumbled upon Moomintroll a couple years ago on recommendation from a friend, and my kids loved him!  I’ve read a couple of the chapter books, but considered them children’s books.  Were they already comics also?  Would the YA crowd enjoy Moomintroll?

How about this? “However, Wilson added that multi-tasking had a knock on effect on a child’s reading ability. “Reading attainment is lower among children who own their own televisions, play computer games for three plus hours a day and who read stories and articles on the internet.”" – hmm

YPulse has an interesting post about vampire books – just why are they so appealing?  The author read Interview with a Vampire, and saw its allure, but not enough to read the rest of the books.

Someday this pain will be useful to you

I had a hard time getting into the book, Someday this Pain Will be Useful to You because he started off so pretentious. Eventually, though, he did seem like a real person, and it was clearer that he was just using his tone and grammar to shield himself from the pain he was feeling.

His first therapy session had me wondering “who’s on first.” I couldn’t figure out how that was going to help him, but once he decided he might as well try, he did get somewhere. Go figure!

Again, at first I couldn’t figure out why he went so far in tricking his co-worker? Well, let’s just say that he’s not always honest with his father.

I would put this in my library, even though I didn’t like it that much, because I’m sure some young adults are going through similar issues. Again, this is set in NYC, but the setting is only important in his independence. Suburban and rural teens could still relate to the story; the setting is not overwhelming.

While this does not fit neatly into one single category of the Developmental Assets, it fits in to so many categories, either that it shows James achieving these assets, or clearly lacking in them. It’s alright if he lacks developmental assets; I think it’s a strength to see him overcome them.

Developmental Assets that James exhibits:

Positive family communication, other adult relationships, parent involvement in schooling, safety, positive peer influence (even though John is not a teen), high expectations, time at home, reading for pleasure, and integrity.

Developmental Assets that James lacks:

Family support, family boundaries, adult role models (Dad’s romances, Mom drinking – not the end of the world, but maybe not good models for those issues), achievement motivation, school engagement, homework, bonding to school, honesty, responsibility (keeps disappearing), planning and decision making, interpersonal competence, personal power, self-esteem, sense of purpose, and positive view of personal future.

Fan of fanboy

Lines I liked about The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl:

“He seems to believe that my dislike of the Jock Jerks is passive, as if I just can’t be bothered to go to sporting events. But I actively don’t care about them. I mean, I work at not caring about those morons!” (p. 54) – Yes, I felt that way sometimes in high school.

“I half expect her to break into some sort of rap. Eight, late, don’t hesitate. Something.” (p.100) Alleviate, try not to hate, love your own mate, don’t suffocate (Go INXS).

“Don’t ask me if you’re beautiful. Don’t ask me if you’re beautiful. Because you’re not. You’re not ugly, but you’re not beautiful, and if I call you pretty or cute, I think you’ll probably kill me.” (165)  LOVE THIS – so many female figures are beautiful, or their non-beauty (Could that actually be a word?) is a major part of their character.  It’s great to have a regular-looking character!

“More howls. Wow. The pecking order doesn’t just peck me. Cool.” (255)  This is when Fanboy finally goes out with Cal and his friends and they pick on one of their own.  It’s the beginning of him opening his eyes, and coming out of his self-centered world.

Fanboy and Goth Girl? Loved it! OK – maybe it was all a little to pat and happy at the end, but I was worried I was in for another Nineteen Minutes. I loved that one too, but didn’t think I could handle another book on that topic so soon after. I guess not every bullied kid will shoot up a school, even in literature.  I also liked that it clearly took place outside of NYC; he is dependent on SOMEONE giving him a ride, whether it’s Kyra, his stepfather, or the school bus.  That might even open up some eyes of those city kids.

This (or its equivalent) will definitely go in my library!

Gossip Girl – keep the gossip or ditch it?

I now understand my classmate’s (You know who you are!) obsession with Gossip Girl books. I just read the prequel, It Had to be You, and can’t wait to read the next one; I’m sure young adults will feel the same way. It’s fun, escapist reading, and young women also enjoy reading it. I laughed out loud at the descriptions of people, with all the brand names right there. But then I started discussing it with a friend. He wanted to know why I would put a book that so clearly markets to teens in the library. And I wondered that myself, also. Is the mention of brands in a book the same as a movie flashing on a Pepsi can to advertise? Teens have so much marketing aimed at them, could I possibly give them more? What about the role of the library balancing out what teens see in the rest of their lives? Libraries, in their very nature, cut down on consumerism, why advocate books with it? Then there are the questions of this perfect image that girls should have. Blair and her bulimia; Jenny’s obsession with her breasts; and how about Nate’s description of Serena? “The best thing about Serena was her total lack of embarrassing flab.” Um, is that really what we want to teach teenage girls, that that’s the best possible thing about them? What about the many who don’t have that build? This past week there has been a lot of buzz (in and out of the library community) about a re-release of Sweet Valley High books. Apparently, the twins have been vanity sized from a perfect size 6 to a “perfect size 4,” as described in the book. Really, teenage girls have such a difficult time with impossible standards that surround them, why would I want to promote that? Does having Gossip Girl, or Sweet Valley High books promote this image, or just give girls an escape from reality, and an enjoyable read? Along the points that Amy Pattee makes about fiction being informative, I feel an obligation to provide strength in the characters and books in the library.

On the other hand, IHTBY has redeeming qualities. There are girls like Jenny, who will do anything to get their breasts to grow and should realize that they will eventually do so on their own (Poor Jenny, my heart just ached for her when she was at camp.); and some like Goth Girl/Kyra, who only want to hide them. (Alright, I’m jumping right into The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Gothgirl.) Serena keeps trying to do the right thing and tell Blair how she feels about Nate, but is more worried about her friend than herself.  Also, although I haven’t read further in the Gossip Girl series, there is very little actual sex in IHTBY. The one girl who sleeps around (L’Wren) is looked down on for it, and Blair wants to wait to have sex with Nate, although there is NO thought of not having sex with him. The one sex scene is not explicit, and it is between two people who care deeply about each other; of course he is in a relationship with her best friend, but that’s a different point. And there’s a certain social competency to learn about in Gossip Girl. It touches on almost every one of the individual developmental assets. Planning and decision making – Blair has her (albeit unrealistic) wedding to Nate all planned out. Interpersonal competence – Vanessa, Serena and Jenny all show empathy and sensitivity; everyone in the book, even Dan, exhibits “friendship skills.” Okay, there is not much exposure in IHTBY to those in other cultures, unless Vanessa’s older sister is included. Blair and Serena are so confident with themselves, that they don’t feel peer pressure to act in any negative way; they create the peer pressure to act in negative ways (:. There is not much conflict resolution – we don’t really see it exhibited.

I’m still on the fence about putting Gossip Girl in my library.  I guess I’m leaning towards including it, mainly because I enjoyed reading it, but I do worry about promoting alcohol, consumerism, and “perfect” body images.

Time of being social

Well, I was planning on spending my one hour by myself writing here, but saw my neighbor and asked her how she was. Turns out she had major issues in her life and needed to talk. While I was eager to get home and do some of my own stuff (Yes, there’s also a pile of dinner dishes in the sink), I enjoyed listening to her, and giving her my time and sympathy. And it occurred to me that teens need that also. When they come in to the library and start to tell me about their personal lives, I stop what I’m doing and listen. I ask questions. In fact, I try to ask them questions preemptively. A sports sweatshirt, or a suit on game day (a tradition at our school) will prompt a discussion about their team; a fruity moisturizer sparks another. I model interpersonal competence for them so that they can act with empathy and sensitivity to others in turn.