Center Field

I'm not the biggest fan of baseball, but I enjoyed the underlying story in Robert Lipsyte's Center Field.  Mike had everything going for him, friends, sports, and the perfect girlfriend.  But all of that changes when Oscar shows up.  He gives Mike a run for his money and is a threat to his center field position.  One of the things I really enjoyed in Center Field was the fact that Mike had someone to look up to.  Mike always kept in mind the center fielder for the Yankees.  I feel as though it is so important for children, even high school children, to have a role model to look up to.  He also looks up to his coach, hoping he will get back on track after falling in with the wrong crowd and making some bad decisions.  However, the people he considers his role models are unfortunately just a facade.  Billy Bud and His couch let him down, because in reality, they are nothing special, and even a fraud.  Now being at the bottom of the totem pole, Mike learns how it feels to be one of the "pukes."  He had seen himself as above everyone else, but circumstances have opened his eyes and these life lessons teach him to be humble.  Mike learns to be his own athlete and not rely on Billy Bud, his coach, or his teammates.

Lesson Learned:
No matter how much better your life seems than someone else, you have to be humble because it can be taken away in a heartbeat.

Eleanor and Park

The truth is, opposites attract.  This is most definitely the case in Rainbow Rowell's high school, star-crossed lovers novel.  Eleanor and Park are opposites in every sense of the word, different family backgrounds, different appearances, and different lives in school.  But all it takes is a bus ride for these two social outcasts to fall in love.  Sitting on the bus together allows them the briefest period of time to get to know each other.  However it's not that easy.  Eleanor's abusive step-father drives her to want to leave home and move back to her uncle's house, which she does with the help of Park.  After finding solace in each other, they are now forced to live separate lives.  I feel as though readers in high school will be able to relate to these very detailed characters.  Both outcasts, Eleanor is the focus of ridicule from bullies where as Park tries to stay hidden and unseen.  The ending of this novel had me begging for more and left room for so many different scenarios inside the reader’s head.  Overall, I really enjoyed this book, because I love love stories, and rooting for the underdog, which in the case are Eleanor and Park.  After hearing about their troubles, I wanted to see their happy ending!

Lesson Learned:

It is a blessing that opposites attract, because you can learn so much from someone who is not like you!

Wonder

R. K. Palacio has done with words what so many others cannot.  I loved the characters he created in Wonder, and the courage they possess.  Auggie, who was previously home schooled, finds himself in a fifth grade classroom and unknown to him, is assigned a friend, Jack.  Summer, however, is a character I truly admire and chooses to befriend Auggie.  She looks past Auggie's "deformities" and sees the real Auggie.  Summer's character reminds me of a quote about butterflies and their beauty, "Butterflies can't see their wings.  They can't see how truly beautiful they are, but everyone else can.  People are like that as well." It does not matter what is on the outside, but inside that shows who a person is.  Just because Auggie looks different, does not give boys, like Julian, the right to bully someone.  It takes a lot of bravery for Auggie to walk into school each day, and also for Summer and Jack to be seen with him.  Not many of his classmates can see past the exterior, but Auggie's first school year results in success thanks to Summer and Jack.  It's proof that it's not the quantity of friends that you have, but the quality.

Lesson Learned:
Have courage to be your true self, and find those who will support you no matter what, "Be careful who you call your friends.  I'd rather have 4 quarters than 100 pennies."

19 Minutes

Jodi Picoult, a favorite author of mine, is the writer of the riveting novel 19 Minutes.  This story puts the reader in the heads of those involved in a high school shooting, both students and parents.  Reading this novel reminds me of the bullying and unkindness that unfolds in the halls of a high school.  My heart broke for Peter's parents, who struggle to come to terms with their son's actions.  On one hand, shooting and killing is unforgivable, but on the other, so is the tormenting and bullying those individuals put Peter through.  The truth of what happened in the locker room is unclear until the final chapters of the book.  However, when the truth comes out, it stuns many.  This book shows how words can truly hurt someone and cause scars that some people will never see. Peter wanted revenge on those who harmed him and caused him so much pain throughout his life.  I loved reading this book, which is why I have re-read it so many times, seeing and learning different things each time.  The more I read, the more I learn.  After the first time I read this novel, I was a little nervous to go into the locker room for gym......


Lesson Learned:
Some people are experts at hiding their scars from others and continually adding to the hurt, but is the revenge truly worth it?

Two Boys Kissing

There are some topics that are a true challenge to address in schools, homosexuality being one of them.  Levithan's story of true events focuses around the goal of setting a world record.  The novel follows the lives of Harry and Craig, as well as others dealing with their own identity.  We hear the story of Harry and Craig, determined to set this record for longest kiss, from other individuals, some struggling to find out who they are, and others who are confident in their relationships.  This is one of those novels that really needs a mature audience.  However, the words of this novel could really help a young boy struggling with who they are and what society wants them to be.  It also offers some sort of solace to readers by introducing couples at different stages in their relationships, almost a preview to what the future can hold for readers.  For me, this book was inspiring because these boys are so accepting of who they are and are prepared for the life of an individual who is gay.

Lesson Learned:
Everyone is their own person, unique and special, and it is no ones job to undermine that individuality or try to change it, which seems to be society's goal.

Father Water, Mother Woods

This non-fiction selection by Gary Paulsen is a great addition to a library that wants to attract male readers, based on the connection to fishing and the outdoors.  For me, hearing his discussions about fishing and hunting made me think about my own experiences with these activities.  It definitely promoted reflection for me, however, I definitely think these short stories are more well suited for a male reader who maybe partakes in these outdoors activities more frequently.  Topics aside, Paulsen is such a great writer when it comes to creating imagery and details.  His words really put a beautiful picture in your head and have you feeling like you are really there.  Back to my point on reflection, I often thought about The Hunger Games in "Working in the Ditches" when he was describing the challenges of shooting with a bow and arrow.  Also, the detailed description in "The Ninth Street Bridge" showed the thought process and detail in going fishing and when to drop your line.  There was even comedy intertwined in "Running the River" when so much time spent on planning is wasted when their boat sinks.  Again with the reflections, I instantly thought of one of my family's camping trips.  We all went, set up huge tents, my cousins and I played while the parents worked, they got a fire started... and then rain. Lots and lots of rain, which resulted in everyone sleeping in their cars.  Sometimes, no matter how much you think it through or plan it out, it just isn't going to turn out the way you had dreamed.  But in my case, it turned out even better, because I now have such brilliant memories of running around in the rain without a care in the world.  Paulsen's words really brought back so many memories of spending time outdoors for me, and for that reason alone, I did enjoy this collection of short stories.

Lesson Learned:
There is so much beauty in nature, that sometimes you just need to stop, look around, and see what has been created without answers, and appreciate it for the beauty that it truly is.

Son

Lois Lowry has touched many people through her novels, including Son, part of The Giver series.  Because I have never read any of the books form this series, I felt lost sometimes in remembering who characters were and what their roles have been.  This aside, I really was touched by Son.  The theme of sacrifice was so strong and apparent, especially in the "between" section of the novel.  Claire essentially gives up her own life and future, as any mother would do for their child. She is turned into an old woman.  Reading this really opened my eyes to the sacrifices parents make for their children on a day to day basis.  Even the small things, like cooking a meal their child likes over what they like, or what music they listen to in the car.  I have always been told I am a selfless person, and I related to Claire's eagerness to help others, including the child she birthed and wasn't allowed to know.  She found ways to see her son, Gabe, as a child and in the "beyond" section of the novel, eventually has the "old lady curse" reversed.  She set a true example for selflessness, and the love and loss she felt without her son.  This is a great novel to read and teach these themes with in a high school setting, and after reading this novel, I plan to read the other books connected to it.  I wish I was introduced to them earlier!

Lesson Learned:
Being selfless is one of the rarest and most special characteristics for someone to have, but one must be cautious to not let others abuse it.