LSSL 5361
Book Reviews
Culture 6
Book #1
Abdel-Fattah, R. (2008).Does my head look big in this? New York: Scholastic. ISBN 9780439922333
The full review can be found at https://www.giraffedays.com/?p=427
a) The story in this book is about a young Australian-Palestinian girl by the name of Amal. Amal lives in a suburb of Melbourne, Australia and is struggling in her decision of wheter to wear the hijab, a Muslim head scarf, full time. When she attended Hidaya, an Islamic college, the hijab was part of the uniform; but now that she will be attending McCleans Grammar School; the decision is all hers. While going over the pros and cons; Amal decides to wear the head scarf to school. At first the students were quite unaccepting; but when they were able to ask Amal question about the hijab and Amal answering back; they were more accepting and their friendships began to blossom.
b) This book would be ideal for students that must struggle from following the heart or trying to please others. Amal’s struggle to whether to wear something that is part of her life; or risk ridicule from her peers and strangers. She proudly stands by her own decision and is able to teach those around her the reason for her wearing the head scarf. The book also teaches us a little bit about a custom and heritage that we might not be familiar with.
c) A great many stereotypes and misconceptions are confronted, questioned and explored in this humorous book. Amal’s voice is natural and believable, and her story is an open window onto what many young Muslims deal with – and others. Her elderly neighbour, Mrs Vaselli, has estranged herself from her only child when he converted to Jehovah’s Witness; Josh has certain Jewish traditions to contend with; Adam’s mother left when he was young without so much as a word – all he gets are postcards on his birthday. Eileen’s Japanese parents have their own expectations of her, and Simone’s mum constantly tells her she has to lose weight if she ever wants boys to notice her. There’s a whole gamut of what teens go through and put up with in this book, and it may sound like it would be crowded, but it’s not. It may seem kinda pushy and too in-your-face, too, but it’s handled with both delicacy and Amal’s flair which gives things a very fresh look.
d) Readers also enjoyed American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang; Copper Sun by Sharon M. Draper; and p0 by Sharon Flake
Book #2
Lazebnik, C. (2018).Things I should have known. S.l.: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 97813328869340
a) The story of the book is of a 17 year old High School student named Chloe. Chloe is a popular girl who is dating the most attractive guy in school. Chloe seems to be living the perfect life. Chloe has an older sister, Ivy, who is autistic; whom Chloe protects and cares for. Chloe feels that her new mission in life is to find Ivy a boyfriend. She ends up setting her sister up on a date with Ethan who is also autistic. Unfortunately, Ivy and Ethan can not go on a date by themselves; so Chloe and Ethan’s older brother David. David is in the same English class as Chloe, but is seemed as an arrogant jerk. David has no social life and had never dated anyone because he takes great care of brother. Chloe develops feelings for David and must ultimate decide her own romantic choices and become aware of what is normal.
b) This book is quite refreshing to read. Mainly because it deals with a young girl and her autistic sister; that is not depressing and tells it how life is when someone has to take care of a family member with a disability. It is very relatable and heartwarming. The characters seemed real, ones that you can look up their address and go visit. The reader will get a sense of what life is like to live with someone with a disability
c) The complete review can be found at https://www.silverpetticoatreview.com/2017/04/10/things-i-should-have-known-book-review/
Released in time for Autism Awareness Month, the new YA novel, Things I Should Have Known, is a lovely and engaging book about sisters (one of whom is on the autism spectrum), romance, and coming of age. This YA Contemporary is a page-turner that also works as a window into a world of people who are different.
What I loved most about the book was the bond between the two sisters and just how realistic the portrayal is. There’s no sugar coating here. Chloe will do anything for her sister, Ivy, but it’s not always easy. LaZebnik previously co-wrote non-fiction about Autism in books like Overcoming Autism and her experience shows. The knowledge, attention to detail, and research presented on every page of Things I Should Have Known is clear from the beginning to the end. Not that one should mistake this book for non-fiction or even a documentary like style. Make no mistake, the book is also a fun fictional read with quite a bit of romance. LaZebnik has an appealing writing style which will only help her continue to grow in popularity.
d) Readers also enjoyed By Your Side by Kasie West; When We Collided by Emery Lord; and We are Okay by Nina LaCour
Book #3
Levithan, D. (2013).Boy meets boy. New York: Ember. ISBN 9780375832994
a) The story of this book is of a High School sophomore by the name of Paul. Paul is openly homosexual and is well supported by his family and friends. He lives in a town that is LGBTQ friendly. Paul ends up falling in love with a new boy in town named Noah. The book follows Paul’s intention of becoming Noah’s boyfriend. Throughout the story we also get to know some of Paul’s ex-boyfriend (Kyle); his gay best friend (Tony) who lives in a nearby town with homophobic parents and his female friend Joni.
b) This story is a perfect read for students that part of the LGBTQ community because it deals with issues that most are going through. The only thing that might be different; is that the story takes place in a town in New Jersey that embraces homosexuality, bisexuality and people that are transgender. While this is an ideal place to live; most kids live in towns and community that are not quite as accepting as that in this novel. Most kids will be able to relate to the story; because it’s a year in the life of a typical teenager who just happens to be gay.
The complete review can be found at https://www.theguardian.com/books/2005/apr/16/featuresreviews.guardianreview29
The story's central figure is Paul. He's our fallible narrator taking us through his falling in love with new boy Noah, his non-sexual love for gay Tony, his struggles with the end of an affair with bisexual Kyle and the loss of friendship with Joni, who is herself in perpetual stop-go with high school king Ted. The blossoming relationship with Noah is a fragile flower, easily threatened by Noah's suspicions of infidelity. Kyle is all mixed up. He broke it off with Paul. He seemed to be ashamed of his gayness but now needs some kind of reassurance and comfort from Paul. Tony has religious, anti-gay parents and seems to have difficulties in finding a boyfriend. Perhaps his very close brotherly relationship with our narrator is an impediment. Walking in and out of the many scenes of stop-go are Zeke the gaystafarian and Infinite Darlene, the drag queen and the school football team's quarterback.
The book is intimate, feel-good and quick-fire. We dart from kitchen to street, to phone call to bedroom to school. The dialogue is snappy and full of the kind of therapy-talk that is the bread and butter of middle-class American life: "I'll deal with it." "You don't have to deal with it by yourself." The book is full of echoes of Judy Blume and the late Paula Danziger with its loving accounts of private jokes, memories and slang.
d) Readers also enjoyed Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green; Geography Club by Brent Hartinger; and Every Day by David Levithan
Book #4
Baldacchino, C., & Malenfant, I. (2016).Morris Micklewhite and the tangerine dress. Toronto: Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press. ISBN 9781554983476
a) This book tells the story of Morris Micklewhite. Morris is a young boy who enjoys life. He loves to paint, to do puzzles, and of course snack time. He also loves to wear a tangerine dress. He loves the way it makes noises as he walks and sits down; and he loves the color because it reminds him of tigers and his mothers hair. Unfortunately, some of his classmates (both boys and girls) are not as accepting of Morris wearing the dress. They exclude him from playing with them or eating at the snack table with them. They state that astronauts do not wear dress on space ships and boys do not wear dresses. Morris is hurt; and ends up missing school one day because of how the students in his class made him feel. Morris decides to take things in his own hands and when his friends do not him ride in their spaceship; he creates his own. He invites his classmates to take a ride in his new ship; and they realize that what they are missing and invite him back into their circle of friends. And once again when told that boys do not wear dresses; he simply replies “this boy does.”
b) This book is a great book for young students to know that they can be what ever they want to be. They can be brave and stand up to those that are not accepting. Morris endures pain when he is ostracized from his friends and made fun of by his peers. While we are trying to have a world that is bully free; there are still students out there that are unintentionally bullying other kids. Morris is a great example of turning things around. And not to let others bring down your joy. The illustrations are wonderfully done that help convey a vibrant life.
c) This review can be found at https://houseofanansi.com/products/morris-micklewhite-and-the-tangerine-dress
Morris is a little boy who loves using his imagination. He dreams about having space adventures, paints beautiful pictures and sings the loudest during circle time. But most of all, Morris loves his classroom’s dress-up center — he loves wearing the tangerine dress.
But the children in Morris’s class don’t understand. Dresses, they say, are for girls. And Morris certainly isn’t welcome in the spaceship some of his classmates are building. Astronauts, they say, don’t wear dresses.
One day when Morris feels all alone, and sick from the taunts of his classmates, his mother lets him stay home from school. Morris reads about elephants, and puts together a puzzle, and dreams of a fantastic space adventure with his cat, Moo.
Inspired by his dream, Morris paints the incredible scene he saw, and brings it with him to school. He builds his own spaceship, hangs his painting on the front of it and takes two of his classmates on an outer space adventure.
With warm, dreamy illustrations Isabelle Malenfant perfectly captures Morris’s vulnerability and the vibrancy of his imagination. This is a sweetly told story about the courage and creativity it takes to be different.
d) Readers also enjoyed Jacob’s New Dress by Sarah Hoffman; 10,000 Dresses by Marcus Ewert; and I am Jazz by Jessica Herthel
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