Practice at Life
“Life isn’t fair,” Linda Sue Park said in a Ted Talk. “We all need all the practice we can get at facing life’s unfairness with both grace and grit” (“Can A Children's Book Change the World? | Linda Sue Park | TEDxBeaconStreet.”). Pacy Lin is a perfect example of someone who accomplishes this and more in the novel The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin. Throughout the story, seven-year-old Pacy experiences racism, friendship, failure, hope, and more. Though the novel is written about and through the perspective of a 2nd grade student, the way in which she handles her struggles can help readers of all ages and backgrounds. This captivating book has the possibility to light a spark in the hearts of even more readers that it already
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Grace Lin’s novel has a Lexile level of 690 (“The Year of the Dog.”). This places the novel at the typical Lexile level for a 3rd to 4th grader (“Matching Lexile Measures to Grade Ranges.”). While the topics discussed in the book are important to discuss for everyone, the interesting subjects and appropriate reading level can make it easier for elementary schoolers to use to start reading. Furthermore, the Lexile level is not the only reason that The Year of the Dog can coax children read. The novel is also the first book of the Pacy Lin book series. Of the 50 top titles at Pembroke Elementary, 33 are part of a series, showing that titles that are part of a series can help to engage readers (Pembroke Meadows). If students enjoy the first book, they may be drawn towards reading the others in turn. This will help them embark on a reading journey that can continue as long as they have an excellent book that can keep them actively engaged such as this one. The Year of the Dog also fits into the genre of humor, making it apt for an elementary school audience. Several 2nd graders have indicated that humor is one of their favorite genres, and this likely also applies to elementary school students at Pembroke Meadows (“ODS Second Grade Reading Surveys.”). In addition to presumably being a suitable book for the elementary school audience, it can also teach this young, impressionable group several influential lessons that they will continuously
Benjamin Percy uses the title “Me vs Animals” for a specific purpose and chose each word carefully. With only three words, the title conveys competition and comparison, gives the reader a connection to the essay, and instills a fear of the unknown. A title can make or break an entire piece of work. I think Percy contemplated over this title and chose three words that would accurately sum up his whole essay, with success. I would like to learn from this how to create a title that does just that.
Frederick, a children’s book written by Leo Lionni, is considered a classic in this genre. It received the Caldecott Honor, was an ALA Notable Children’s Book, and was a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book of the Year. The book is a fable of a mouse, Frederick, who is the dreamer in a group of tiny field mice. Frederick, the main character, demonstrates the importance of dreams and imagination by giving his fellow field mice a feeling of comfort through his memories of warmth, color, and words during a drab cold winter. Through Frederick’s supply of memories, the mice were able to make it through a hard time. Through the narrative style and structure, Lionni finds a way for children and adults alike to find a message on their own and learn from someone as small as a tiny field mouse.
Anger is one of the hardest emotions to control. Often, people hold it in, allowing it to build until it bursts, causing damage. In Mark Haddon’s novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, the parents of a child with autism struggle to keep their cool around their son. Christopher’s mother fails to mask her emotions around her son, leaving his father to take care of him. Although his father tries to maintain calm, he often yells at Christopher as his son watches on in careful concentration. Haddon’s authorial choice of making Christopher’s parents lash out reveals irony in that Christopher is the one with the disorder yet is calm, analyzing situations objectively.
Senick, Gerard J., and Hedblad, Alan. Children’s Literature Review: Excerpts from Reviews, and Commentary on Books for Children and Young People (Volumes 14, 34, 35). Detroit, Michigan: Gale Research, 1995..
Lowry, Lois. "Newbery Medal Acceptance." The Horn Book Magazine 70.4 (July-Aug. 1994): 414-422. Rpt. in Children's Literature Review. Ed. Linda R. Andres. Vol. 46. Detroit: Gale Research, 1998. Literature Resource Center. Web. 13 Feb. 2011.
The constant changing of technology and social norms makes difficult for different generations to understand one another and fully relate to each other. Diction and slang change as years pass and what is socially acceptable may have been prohibited in the previous generations.
Whilst the concept of autism and what it means to be autistic is still widely unrecognised by many, Mark Haddon’s use of conventions of prose fiction and language amplifies the distinctive qualities of the text. Haddon exemplifies key themes such as the struggle to become independent, the nature of difference and the disorder of life through the strategic placement of literary devices.
Mays, Kelly J. ""Puppy"" The Norton Introduction to Literature. New York: W.W. Norton &, 2013. N. pag. Print.
Children literature is a term that refers to the texts written for children. The artist uses creative ways to ensure that children are provided with educational books, touching on a variety of themes. This paper will include comparison of two characters from the two texts, “Hana's Suitcase: A True Story,” authored by Karen Levine and “Charlotte’s Web,” written by E.B. White, with the aim of understanding ways in which problems are solvable as indicated by selected characters.
The world is plagued with an inseparable mix of good and evil. People make mistakes, but often start out with good intentions. Often times actions live in the grey zone, a combination of good intentions but bad outcomes. In Mark Haddon’s novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time there are many decisions that could be considered morally ambiguous. The story is told from the perspective of an autistic fifteen-year-old, Christopher Boone, who is investigating the death of his neighbor’s dog. His mother, Judy Boone supposedly died two years back, when in actuality she ran off to London with another man and, in turn, has been shut out of Christopher’s life. His father, Ed Boone hides the truth involving Christopher’s mother, pretending
It deals with obstacles in life and the ways they are over come. Even if you are different, there are ways for everyone to fit in. The injustices in this book are well written to inform a large audience at many age levels. The book is also a great choice for those people who cheers for the underdogs. It served to illustrate how the simple things in life can mean everything.
Judy Blume is recognized as a world famous children’s book author after selling over 85 million books around the world. It could be said that, “if she writes it, they will come”, since millions of young girls and young adult women pour over her words with fervor. The Pied Piper of Hamelin is a popular legend based on the town of Hamelin in Germany where a colorfully dressed man plays his pipe to lure rats, then later children, to their doom in the river. Blume has in essence captivated her audience for decades with her “pipe”, which is simple, easy to read texts covering topics for which tweens and teens have an insatiable appetite. However, instead of giving thoughtful, moral and entertaining books to impressionable minds, Judy Blume has
Throughout the short story of “Lady with a Dog” many characters drastically change. Personally, I believe that the person that shows the heavier amount of change is Gurov. Of course, both Gurov and Anna change, but Gurov takes things to a different level considering his past.
“3.3% of 13 to 18 year olds have experienced a seriously debilitating depressive disorder” (“Depression” 3). Living in a world of perfection and happiness as a teenager is not part of the status quo. The ordinary teenager lives a life of depression and loneliness. Teenagers spend their years trying to affiliate themselves with society. This process takes self-sacrifice and abandoning those who love them the most. In The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, a novel written by Mark Haddon, Christopher Boone is the main character. Whereas Craig Gilner is the main character in Ned Vizzini’s novel, It’s Kind of a Funny Story. Both characters must find their way into society by fighting their fears and realizing who they are. As a matter of fact, Haddon’s and Vizzini’s novels realistically portray the life of a teenager by using main characters who deal with depression, gain independence, and progress through Bildungsroman.
From the moment I was able to read, I can not remember a time when I have not been reading. Typically i read purely as a form of entertainment, but as I matured i truly began to recognize the significance of literature and art on my development. To some, children’s literature may serve little purpose other than educating younger generations. For me, Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar has inspired me through it’s vivid illustrations to be the very person I am to today and the person that I hope to be in the future.