It's Just a Sad Song That Pulls You Along: Book Review of Divergent

 

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Description

Divergent by Veronica Roth has been out there for awhile, and at the height of its popularity in the 2010s, I was not in a YA lit phase, so I missed all the hype. However, in my current stumble down the rabbit hole of dystopian literature, with its strong, rebellious characters and its unfair worlds, it all begins to feel the same. The same suppression of personality and creativity, the same secrecy and deception from the powers that be, and the strict control of the citizens’ movements. It is difficult not to say, I’ve seen this before, or, this feels familiar.

Divergent speaks a little differently because the main character seems to lean into the dystopian society she’s in, and unlike many other books, she plays mostly by its rules.

In Tris’s world, everyone fits into a faction, which is like a clan, and each faction lives by their chosen outlook on life—Amity promotes happiness, Erudite focuses on learning and research, Candor on telling the truth at any cost, Dauntless is brave and daring, while Abnegation, Tris’s birth faction, serves others and seeks to diminish the self. When Tris chooses to leave Abnegation for Dauntless, she places herself in a world so different from her own, she must brace herself for the ride.

Would I Teach This Book?

Would I teach Divergent? Of the many dystopian novels out there, Divergent does not differentiate itself so much. Matched, Uglies, and The Testing all have strong, female main characters who buck the system. Tris works from within and participates in the violent and often callous culture of Dauntless.

Reading Divergent at the same time I am teaching groupthink and The Wave was an interesting experience. Tris does not waver in her desire to become Dauntless, even when she is asked to be cruel or do dangerous things. There are several times in the book when initiates do not agree with what they are asked to do and they do it anyway. As with the Wave, if enough people stood up and protested that it wasn’t right, then things would change. But they don’t. They go along with it, to the detriment of all. In fact, the violent hand to hand combat is something that they lean into.

So, would I teach Divergent? I could see, in a college course on YA fiction or dystopian literature, including it on the reading list. It is, ultimately, an important part of the YA trend, like Hunger Games, Twilight, and The Clique, it represents a renaissance and a larger commercial viability for the genre. Okay, I’ve talked myself into it—another course on my bucket list of courses to teach—but a Stephen King course ranks ahead of YA lit course. 

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Whodunnit, Christopher?: Book Review of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

 

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

Description

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon opens with fifteen-year-old Christopher holding the neighbor’s dead dog, getting blamed for its death, and subsequently punching a police officer because he tried to touch him.

Christopher has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and social situations are very difficult for him. He lost his mom and his dad is doing his best to hold it together with a son who has specific food requests, sensory challenges, and answers every question honestly and literally, including not responding in a conversation if he has not been asked a question.

When Christopher decides that he is going to solve the case of who killed the dog, Wellington, his father is dead set against it. He does not want Christopher butting into other people’s business, especially since the neighbor already called the cops on him and possibly still believes that he is guilty. Christopher, however, is not only determined to solve the mystery, he is also determined to write his discoveries into a book.

As Christopher investigates, he finds more than he ever bargained for, and he is able to do more than anyone thought he was capable of.

Would I Teach This Book?

Would I teach The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time? The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is told from the point of view of a child whose life is impacted by the flaws of his parents. Unlike other books, where parents are understanding and lovely supporters, Christopher’s father is far from perfect. Yes, he loves his son, but the book also shows him getting frustrated with his son. In real life, parents get frustrated with their children. They get frustrated with their children when they don’t follow directions or do something that they have directly been told not to do. Christopher’s father gets angry in a real way–that is not super careful to protect his son or always showing understanding of him.

People who do not understand ASD may respond in an impatient or unkind way that only makes things worse. Sometimes those that do understand may not always respond in a positive way. However, in the decision of what to teach, and having a choice, this may not be the influence that I would want to bring into my classroom. Allowing students to better understand what it is like for a person who has ASD is important, but it also seems important to show parents who are more understanding and accepting. Perhaps for a college audience The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time might bring important conversations, but for a middle school audience, the parental interaction might be a bit much.

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Don't Drop It Like It's Hot: Book Review of Patina

 

Patina by Jason Reynolds

Description

Patina is the second book in Jason Reynolds' Track series. Patina (Patty) has joined a new track team, and her first meet doesn’t go as she imagined. Her reaction does not garner any admiration from her coach. At the same time, she is adjusting to a new school, a private all girls school that is quite different from her old public school. She feels like she doesn’t fit in with the “hair flippers” and her new group project, she's the only one doing any work. 

These current challenges are built on top of more difficult family wounds. Patty’s father died in his sleep when she was little and her mother’s health problems make it too difficult for her to take care of Patty and her sister. Instead, they live with Patty’s uncle and aunt.

Track is Patty’s reprieve from her life. And at track practice, she has Ghost, Sunny, and Lu—the other newbies on the team who look out for her as she looks out for them. But now, she has been placed on the relay team and she must learn to work--no, run--in tandem. 

Would I Teach This Book?

Would I teach this Patina? I currently teach Ghost, the first book in the series, and it is a student favorite. I can see offering Patina as a choice for students who already read Ghost. Patty has strength and determination as well as vulnerability. Her challenges with fitting in at a new school would resonate with many students. She would be also a great character to focus on her growth. Not to mention that Jason Reynolds is just an all around great writer, and I enjoy reading and teaching his books.

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