I, like others in the class, was not really looking forward to reading this book, but once I got into it I could not put it down. I really liked the way the McNamee developed the characters and the plot of the story. I was particularly scared but eager to learn more about "Roach." I felt that McNamee was able to allow the reader to see inside this character through the journal.
I was a little let down at the end of the book. It seemed to me that the story could have been a little longer and developed that story line a little more. I was disturbed that "Roach" was killed so quickly. I also felt that Duncan should have been allowed a little public glory to rectify the fact that he felt responsible for Maya's death.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat but was not so scary that I would mind reading it in class. The one thing that I didn't like was the sexual language and dialogue in the story line. I felt that the book would have been just as good without it.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Book Review for A Step from Heaven
This review is posted at amazon.com.
An Na writes a wonderful story about a four year old Korean-born girl moves to the United States with her mother and father. Even though, the main character faces many challenges in her young life, including an alcoholic father and physical abuse, she is able to persevere and see many of her dreams and those of her mother come true.
An Na is very deserving of the Michael Printz award as well as the many others this book received.
The reader is able to see Young Ju grow up through the writing style. The beginning of the book is written as the memories of a young child and moves to the thoughts and life events of a young adult. It would open up many conversations about different cultures as well as difficulties that any student may face as a teen in the United States.
An Na writes a wonderful story about a four year old Korean-born girl moves to the United States with her mother and father. Even though, the main character faces many challenges in her young life, including an alcoholic father and physical abuse, she is able to persevere and see many of her dreams and those of her mother come true.
An Na is very deserving of the Michael Printz award as well as the many others this book received.
The reader is able to see Young Ju grow up through the writing style. The beginning of the book is written as the memories of a young child and moves to the thoughts and life events of a young adult. It would open up many conversations about different cultures as well as difficulties that any student may face as a teen in the United States.
Craft Lesson for A Step from Heaven
Irony
To teach this lesson you will need: a definition of irony, a chart of some type divided into two sections, a copy of the book A Step from Heaven.
The purpose of this lesson is to understand the concept of irony. First of all, I will define Irony. It is "an outcome of events contrary to what was, or might have been, expected" (www.dictionary,reference.com/browse/Irony.) The title of the book, A Step from Heaven is ironic in that the life that Young Ju and her family experienced in America is not what I would expect Heaven to be. Let's list some descriptions of what you might expect of Heaven.
Now let's do the same for Young Ju's life in America. Now, with a partner, please write a well developed paragraph(s) about how the title of the book is ironic to the life that Young Ju's family led.
TEKS (9th grade) 7a, 9d, 12a, 13 a-e
To teach this lesson you will need: a definition of irony, a chart of some type divided into two sections, a copy of the book A Step from Heaven.
The purpose of this lesson is to understand the concept of irony. First of all, I will define Irony. It is "an outcome of events contrary to what was, or might have been, expected" (www.dictionary,reference.com/browse/Irony.) The title of the book, A Step from Heaven is ironic in that the life that Young Ju and her family experienced in America is not what I would expect Heaven to be. Let's list some descriptions of what you might expect of Heaven.
Now let's do the same for Young Ju's life in America. Now, with a partner, please write a well developed paragraph(s) about how the title of the book is ironic to the life that Young Ju's family led.
TEKS (9th grade) 7a, 9d, 12a, 13 a-e
Monday, September 22, 2008
Miracle's Boys
What a great success story for a family that should not have made it. I really liked that the book is written from Layfette's point of view. I think that the author did a good job of describing the other characters from Layfette's perspective.
The main characters are defined by the events that take place during their young lives. Ty'ree is assuming his father's responsibilities even before his mother dies and continues raising the family against the odds because he feels responsible for his fathers demise. Layfette feels responsible for his mother's death. Newcharlie is present when either death takes place and that makes him feel like he does not fit in. He is angry, but even though he takes his anger out on Layfette, I think that he is angry with himself for not being there, especially for his mother.
When Layfette describes Charlie in the book, I found it difficult to believe that he was the type to rob a liquor store. However, when I read the reason he did, I saw it as the only way for him to feel like he was helping his family. He was given a second chance when he declined to be in the gang.
When reading this book the characters became very real to me. The author was able to portray each character in a true to life way.
The main characters are defined by the events that take place during their young lives. Ty'ree is assuming his father's responsibilities even before his mother dies and continues raising the family against the odds because he feels responsible for his fathers demise. Layfette feels responsible for his mother's death. Newcharlie is present when either death takes place and that makes him feel like he does not fit in. He is angry, but even though he takes his anger out on Layfette, I think that he is angry with himself for not being there, especially for his mother.
When Layfette describes Charlie in the book, I found it difficult to believe that he was the type to rob a liquor store. However, when I read the reason he did, I saw it as the only way for him to feel like he was helping his family. He was given a second chance when he declined to be in the gang.
When reading this book the characters became very real to me. The author was able to portray each character in a true to life way.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
A Step from Heaven
After reading A Step from Heaven by An Na, I was able to see what an immigrant from another culture might feel trying to fit in. Aside from the family violence, the fact that she was able to learn despite her language barrier and culture differences was amazing. I never thought very much about people that come to America looking for heaven and only find that life here may be harder than it was before back in their native country.
I think that there is Irony in the title of the book. If something were just a step from heaven, then one would think that it would have been much easier than life was for Young Ju and her family. While reading the book, I was thinking that her life as described was much farther away from Heaven that just one step.
I also found many symbols in the book. Beginning with Harry the bird. this bird that Young Ju and Joon try to nurse back to health. The bird dies and Joon says, "It never happens the way we want. Never." (p. 74) I think this statement is not just about the bird, but about the lives of the members of this family. America is not as any of them thought. Halmoni dies before they expect. The father becomes an alcoholic. It seems that everything has got to be very bad before it can be good.
I really liked the style of writing that An Na used. I especially liked the way the memories were written in the beginning of the book. It was very real. After reading once, I went back and reread those chapters again just because It was very well written.
I think that there is Irony in the title of the book. If something were just a step from heaven, then one would think that it would have been much easier than life was for Young Ju and her family. While reading the book, I was thinking that her life as described was much farther away from Heaven that just one step.
I also found many symbols in the book. Beginning with Harry the bird. this bird that Young Ju and Joon try to nurse back to health. The bird dies and Joon says, "It never happens the way we want. Never." (p. 74) I think this statement is not just about the bird, but about the lives of the members of this family. America is not as any of them thought. Halmoni dies before they expect. The father becomes an alcoholic. It seems that everything has got to be very bad before it can be good.
I really liked the style of writing that An Na used. I especially liked the way the memories were written in the beginning of the book. It was very real. After reading once, I went back and reread those chapters again just because It was very well written.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Standing Against the Wind
I really liked the book. Jones was able to allow us to get to know Patrice by her actions, thoughts, and words. I think it is a feel good book with a great happy ending. I think that there are many students that will be able to relate to this book in some way, whether it is having been disappointed by someone, moving to a new school, or perhaps even having lived some of the situations described in the book. I think that the book will relate to males and females alike. A great compare/contrast could be developed based on Patrice and Monty.
My favorite part of the book was when Monty helped Patrice get the money to go see her mother. I was just sure that he stole the money with the sirens in the background at both bus stops. I wanted to believe that he did not steal the money and was very relieved that he sold the watch that his father had given him. After going back to the foreshadowing of that event, Jones states, "Monty looked at her, then at his watch. "Okay. Okay. Wait here. Don't move," he commanded. "I'll fix this."
I think that the character of Patrice seemed very real. However, I struggled with the character of Monty. I guess that I am labeling him as a good guy, but there is no way that I can believe that he is that good. He always makes the right choices, even in front of his friends. My personal experience with this type of person is that no matter what, they always strive to maintain their coolness in front of their peers and would not publicly stand up for an outcast. I really like Monty in the book and am glad that he always did the right thing. I hope that he can be used a an example of a great role model for those students that live in a situation that is not so perfect.
My favorite part of the book was when Monty helped Patrice get the money to go see her mother. I was just sure that he stole the money with the sirens in the background at both bus stops. I wanted to believe that he did not steal the money and was very relieved that he sold the watch that his father had given him. After going back to the foreshadowing of that event, Jones states, "Monty looked at her, then at his watch. "Okay. Okay. Wait here. Don't move," he commanded. "I'll fix this."
I think that the character of Patrice seemed very real. However, I struggled with the character of Monty. I guess that I am labeling him as a good guy, but there is no way that I can believe that he is that good. He always makes the right choices, even in front of his friends. My personal experience with this type of person is that no matter what, they always strive to maintain their coolness in front of their peers and would not publicly stand up for an outcast. I really like Monty in the book and am glad that he always did the right thing. I hope that he can be used a an example of a great role model for those students that live in a situation that is not so perfect.
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