Brown Girl Dreaming

Jacqueline Woodson tells of the struggles she faced as a child in Brown Girl Dreaming.  Growing up in this time period was a challenge for an African American child.  She shows her triumphs while trying to find a place where she fits in the world, with her family, and with her future.  She wants to succeed in her own dreams of becoming a writer, but so much is in her way.  I felt like I related so much to Jackie's desire to follow her dreams.  It is so difficult to get to a point of comfort in your life, and like Jackie, I am still on that road.  It is hard to continue when so many people are trying to knock you down.  Jackie wants to so badly fulfill her dreams, and the lesson of persistence is a great theme to teach high school aged students in this novel, while also incorporating civil rights, and the need of support from others to follow your desires.  Similar to Jackie, this has been a trying year for me, but following my dreams and persisting is of the utmost importance for me right now.  I don't want to give up and I want to prove those who told me I can't wrong!  I could not have done any of this without my family, and neither could Jackie. 


Lesson Learned:
Never give up on your dreams, and accept the help from, and the need for, those around you!

Who Killed Mr. Chippendale?

I have never been a fan of poetry, however reading Who Killed Mr. Chippendale? grabbed my attention and held it to the very end.  The free-verse style breaks the story up into different poems, each written in a different character's perspective.  This gives insight for the readers as to the lives of those in the high school.  The characters we are introduced to are commonly found in a typical high school setting, and these viewpoints show what the students of the school deal with on a daily basis, and the reality, struggle, and challenge they face.  I enjoy novels that are told from different perspectives.  Some of my favorite books follow this same style, including books my Jodi Picoult, and a novel entitled 13 Reasons Why.  Because of the individual poems in Who Killed Mr. Chippendale, high school students can easily read and relate to the characters.  They will find themselves in the lives of these high school students, and realize they are not the only ones struggling with these plights.  I wish I had read this in high school because it really does show the common issues found in high schools, and Glenn is able to tie this in to a murder mystery, which I love to read!

Lesson Learned:
You are not the only one fighting a battle, and you can find solace and comfort in the lives of characters in literature!

An Abundance of Katherines

Being a "child prodigy," Colin, the main character in John Green's An Abundance of Katherines, spent a majority of his young adult life in search of his "eureka moment."  He believed that unless he had this epiphany-type moment, he would be a meaningless and worthless adult.  A road trip with his best friend results in a lot of self reflection.  He believes he has found an equation of sorts that explains his past relationships with all girls named Katherine, but there are some things science cannot answer, and love is one of them.  Colin falls in love with Lindsey, someone not named Katherine, and while in Tennessee on this trip, he comes to the conclusion that he may not need to "matter," and have this "eureka moment," in order to be something to someone.  Being a fan of John Green, I recognized his style of writing, and enjoyed this story of self-discovery.  At the start of the book, he was living in a state of depression, after breaking of with Katherine XIX and not mattering, but eventually, he learns that life isn't about the big things, but the little things that make life worth living.  I found myself thinking of one of my favorite quotes while reading this book, "enjoy the little things in life, for one day, you'll look back and realize they were the big things."


Lesson Learned:
If you spend life chasing an unattainable or trivial dream, you may miss the incredible journey!

Just One Year

After falling in love with Gayle Foreman's Just One Day, I could not wait to read the sequel, Just One Year.  I usually pick books that are part of a series, because I always become so invested and connected to the characters, that I want to read more!  I loved the way Foreman told the same story, but from a different perspective.  It gave a world of insight to the reader as to what happened that morning, and why Allyson woke up to find Willem absent.  Willem seemed to be a lost soul, wondering and traveling for years without a steady home or family.  I can't even begin to imagine what that must be like, considering how close I am with my family and friends.  While living "life after Lulu," Willem reflects on his past and the losses he has suffered.  When he has reached his breaking point, he goes back to his mother, who appeared to have left him in a previous period of her life.  The reader learns the love Willem's mother has for him through her actions and not her words.  They always say you have to love yourself before you can love someone else, so I feel like Willem spent this year without Lulu/Allyson finding and loving himself, his flaws, and his past.  This eventually results in Allyson and Willem's reunion.  Had he not been given the opportunity to rediscover himself over that period of time, he may not have been successful in a relationship with Allyson.


Lesson Learned:
It is never to late to go home, and embrace what or who has made you the person you are today!

Just One Day

I truly enjoyed reading the young adult novel, Just One Day, by Gayle Foreman.  Having read books by her in the past, I was eager to get started! This was definitely the type and style of book I enjoy reading, and have already recommended it to friends of mine.  I found a lot of myself in Allyson as she broke out of her shell and started to make her own decisions.  I consider myself a rule follower, and living my life as expected.  Reading this book showed me that sometimes, it is ok to take risks and step out of the "norm" or what is expected of you.  My friends know me to be a rule follower, and when I step out of my comfort zone, they are always surprised, hence why I felt a connection between myself and Allyson.  I loved the relationship between Allyson and Willem.  It is comfortable and realistic.  Seeing how her life continued after this major decision to go to Paris with a complete stranger, proved that life goes on.  When she decided to go after what she wanted and return to Paris, Allyson showed a confidence she did not have prior to meeting Willem or going on that great adventure.  Whether the decision you make is as big as Allyson's, or as small as trying a new restaurant, your life will not end.  This book showed me that life is short, and you need to do what makes you happy and shows you what life has to offer!  You can't let other people's expectations of you hold you back or let you live a life you are not proud of!  You could miss out on some of the most amazing experiences in your life.

Lesson Learned:

A lot can happen in just one day, so make the most of it and embrace the opportunities life gives you!