Assignment 3

Dear Mr. Henshaw

 

Cleary, B., & Zelinsky, P. O. (1983). Dear Mr. Henshaw. New York: W. Morrow.

Textbook Assignment 3

Dear Mr. Henshaw is a Contemporary Realistic Fiction-Family young adult novel about a ten year old little boy named Leigh Botts who enjoys reading and loves his companion dog, Bandit.  He also likes writing but is bothered by his food been stolen from his lunchbox.  When he was in second grade Leigh was given an assignment and that was to write a letter.  He selected to write to a well-known respected author named Mr. Henshaw. “Leigh wishes a lot of things” and not knowing that Mr. Henshaw would reply to him was flabbergasted when he received the letter from him.  Mr. Henshaw was very similar to a father figure for Leigh.  In this book the author tackles the tough topic of divorce and how that affects the life of a young boy in his daily life.  The character in this story is extremely identifiable with children’s own experiences when dealing with tough troubled situations in life.  The author’s theme in this story will allow the young adults to make connectable real-life experiences when dealing with separation, divorce parent issues.

 

The Crossover

 

Alexander, K. (2014). The crossover.

Boston; New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Textbook Assignment 3

The Crossover is a contemporary realistic fiction –sport novel that allows readers to understand the striking beauty of basketball, and how “the game” helps through life lessons that these young boys learn.  This book is about Josh and JB almost 13 year old twins that love basketball.  This book is written in poetry form which enables YA to understand the story’s plot.  Josh and JB parents are professions who desire for their children to also become one themselves.  The twins lives are similar but yet very different.  As the story unfolds it allows the story to demonstrate their strong bond and strengths.  The “styles-poetry” that this author chooses to use enables readers to understand the climax of the story.  The reader can understand the boy’s life and their troubles.  These young African American twins have a pronounced influence on how the author conveyed the cultural markers in this book.  They were phenomenal but yet kept to a minimum that allows readers to understand their upbringing in a way that is inspiring not controversial.

 
GEORGE

Gino, A. (2015). George.

New York: Scholastic Press

Textbook Assignment 3

This is a controversy and contemporary realism novel that its theme and independent identity crisis dealing with the controversial topic of transgender is seen throughout the book.  This book is dealing with people’s perception of who a person might be based on their exterior look.  When George was seen by people, they thought of him as boy. But “she” knows she's not a boy. She knows she's a girl.  George thinks she will never be able to share her secret with anyone.  When her teacher suddenly announces that there will be a class play “Charlotte’s Web” she immediately identifies with Charlotte’s role.  The problem occurs when her teacher does not allow her to play the role because “she’s” a boy.  Her best friend Kelly and George come up with a plan and they are successful not only in allowing her to get the part but with everyone accepting her for whom she really is.  Even though since the beginning of the story readers can pick up the theme “transgender” it still was not given to directly which would have been a little disappointing.  The gender and culture is also seen when one’s person’s identity is being questioned. 

 

 

Orbiting Jupiter

 

Schmidt, G.D. (2015). Orbiting jupiter.

Boston; New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

 

Textbook Assignment 3

This book is a contemporary realistic fiction-self that is narrated by Jack, the 12 year old son of foster parents. When he was 14 years old joins their family, his life is changed in different ways and not all of them are beneficial for him. This story actually tells two stories:  on the one hand, it’s about the influence that friendship has and “having someone’s back”, on the other, it’s about his past lives experiences. In this book’s the setting is crucial in understanding the real characters life journey.  His troubles in life started early on in the book but the settings were really where you were able to connect with the characters life-long suffering experiences.  This book is overpoweringly sad, but yet so interesting that it allows readers to become inspired by the obstacles this person goes through in life.

 

 

Bridge to Terabithia

Paterson, K. (1977). Bridge to Terabithia.

New York, NY: T.Y. Crowell.

Textbook Assignment 3

This controversial and contemporary realism fiction book enables the reader to journey off into the exceptional unique magical kingdom of Terabithia.  In this book Jess Aarons who lived in a farm with his sister MayBelle is transformed by his new next door neighbor.  His life changes when she leads him into the magical kingdom of Terabithia. Leslie's sudden death saddens Jess but he continues to be the King of Terabithia. He even invites his little sister MayBelle along to be the new queen. Now, in Terabithia they both rule and their journey is just the beginning of the new adventurous journeys that await them.  The setting is crucial in understanding the journeys that these children go through.  Having the characters journey off into different settings “magical kingdom” is solely essential in understanding the stories plot. It allows readers to be able to visualize and imagine as if they too will have the ability to join Jess and Leslie into Terabithia.