Brown girl dreaming

 

Woodson, J. (2014). Brown girl dreaming. Nancy Paulsen Books.

 

 

Brown Girl Dreaming is an autobiographical memoir centering around the author, Jacqueline Woodson.  She gives us a solid view of what life was like in the South and how it compares to New York.  The author gives us a detailed look at life as an African American girl at the time of Civil Rights movement.  Jackie visits her family down South and is able to learn from her grandparents about the treatment of different people, whether it be by class or color of skin. 

 

Jackie immediately notices the differences when her mother moves her family to New York after her parents separate.  While in New York, Jackie meets new friends and she is able to see the differences amongst social classes.  It is in New York that Jackie decides to become a writer. 

           

The book is highly credible due to the fact that it is based on the author’s memoirs.  There is a true sense of reality when the reference to time and place is clear.  The author’s point of view on religion is touched upon, but not judged.  She questions her religion and bases that on what she is seeing in real life. 

           

Havighurst’s Development Task is addressed with the changes that Jackie experiences.  A more mature reading audience would benefit from this book as well as a reader that is aware of social injustice or historical events.  Additional readings might include Kindred by Octavia E. Butler or The Color Purple by Alice Walker.

When you reach me

 

Stead, R. (2009). When you reach me. NY: Yearling. 

Miranda is the main character of this novel.  She is a sixth grader and begins to believe that she is meant to stop a death.  Miranda begins to see mysterious notes that were left there by a younger Marcus.  Marcus has traveled back in time to give those notes to himself and wanted Miranda to pass those notes along. 

Readers from age 8 to 12 would enjoy this mysterious tale of intrigue.  In addition to the mystery, readers can relate to the friendships we experience and how they begin to evolve over time.  Suggested readings include Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead, Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, and First Light by Rebecca Stead.

When You Reach Me meets the social developmental criteria because the novel’s main focus is on the character’s friendships and how they are in relation to each other. The book captures the evolution of friendships.  The story captures how friendships work and how they change over time.

Winger

Smith, A.  (2015). Winger. New York: Simon and Schuster.

 

The main character, Ryan Dean, is faced with a dichotomous issue at his new boarding school.  Ryan is younger than the others, but is significantly stronger than them as well.  He is nicknamed Winger because of his performances on the rugby team.  Ryan falls in love with Annie, but is easily distracted by other girls and must deal with being true to not only her, but to his team and to himself. 


Ryan is surrounded by varying personalities including his bully of a roommate and his very understanding rugby captain.  The author delves into various issues including loyalty, bullying, and death.  Ryan’s friend, Joey, goes missing and is ultimately found beaten to death due to his homosexuality.  Ryan is conflicted and has no idea how to deal with such a heinous crime.  We walk through with Ryan as he struggles to make sense of the world around him.

Winger shows us that Havinghurst’s Developmental Task is needed for this subject matter.  Healthy relationships is the key to this book and readers with maturity to understand the subject matter is best.  Understanding one’s body and sexuality are also key.  Additional readings include Michael Vey:  Prisoner of cell 25 and A separate peace.

Persepolis: The story of a childhood

 

Satrapi, M.  (2004).  Persepolis: The story of a childhood.  New York:  Pantheon.

 

Marjane Satrapi was 9 when the Islamic Revolution uprooted her life.  She enjoyed playing and learning at school, but was quickly put in a situation where she could no longer associate with her male friends.  Marjane strongly believed that she was indeed the last prophet, but kept that a secret and known only to her grandmother.  Marjane was a courageous and strong reader and began to think independently because of it.  Marjane began to see the injustices around her through murder, imprisonment, and protests. 

The key points of the story include keys to paradise and a call to die a martyr.  The bombings in Tehran take center stage when Marjane is moved to live in Australia away from her family.  There is a clever play in words as stereotypes are tackled within the story.

Satrapi’s relationship with her family begins to shift as she begins to learn more about the changes in her world.  Havighurst’s Development Task is addressed with the changes that Marjane experiences.  A more mature reading audience would benefit from this book as well as a reader that is aware of social injustice or current events.  Suggested readings include The complete Persopolis and Embroideries, both novels by Marjane Sartrapi.