Lost in a Maze

Another week and a few more tallies towards my book challenge count. This week, I started reading Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamilo and have nearly finished listing to Maze Runner by James Dashner.  Listening to books in the car has definitely helped to make my commute to and from campus more interesting.  I traveled some this weekend, which also gave me some additional driving and listening time.  

I’m going to solely discuss the Maze Runner.  I’m not sure if it’s because I’m listening to this text, but I have anticipated the book nearing its ending only to find that it continues to keep going and going like the Energizer Bunny!  I am enjoying the book; however, the plot is seeming to continue on past its expiration date, and the clues are slow to reveal themselves.

Throughout this novel, I’ve been viewing the maze through Thomas’s eyes, trying to figure out the puzzle and how ingenious the author has been to place the clues as “breadcrumbs” along the way.  I know at the end of the novel, I’ll use those “breadcrumbs” (analogy only) to find my way back through the novel—realizing missed insights along the way.  

I love how the author uses native terms, “or glader slang,” only known to the Gladers.  It’s sure is a creative way to emphasize voice using nonsense terms, which obviously represent common curse word (i.e. shank, klunk, shuck face).  I’m still on the fence regarding the author’s writing style.  Although straightforward and representative of a 5th-grade reading level, he seems to overuse appositives to the point of distraction to the reader—always starting a sentence with incomplete thoughts.  And, he has the innate ability to leave the reader in a constant state of constant confusion (which I guess is the goal!) 

I feel like the book will have a surprising ending—one that I cannot even begin to predict.  Something with the magic window of disappearance in the cliff?  Something with Gally being a villain perhaps?  I’m wondering how this make-shift environment works – where is this maze and their society within the World?  Also, it seems Thomas has a violent and painful past.  Will this past be revealed?   I’m close to the end and my desire to finish the book is primarily based on getting some answers to all my questions! 

I also find myself while reading thinking about how the plot might be represented in the movie that is out?  It’ll be interesting if I'm able to find time to watch the movie and compare the two texts.   

Dr. Kingsley

A "Wish" a Day . . .

I am so excited about this book for many reasons.  I picked this book up at the school bookfair after parent-teacher conferences with my girls.  

I was told by my middle daughter, Audrey, (the one who reads the same graphic novels OVER and OVER again) that she was reading "too fast"  and often "rushing" through her reading, which in turn, is affecting her comprehension.  I knew it was time to stop having her read independently before bed and pick up a new and exciting book to read together.  

Wish by Barbara O’Connor is about a ten-year-old girl, Charlemagne (Charlie) Reese, who has been sent to the hillbilly town of Colby, North Carolina, to live with an aunt and uncle she hardly knows.   Charlie makes at least one wish a day. She wishes on stars and falling acorns and certain types of birds. She cuts off the tip of a piece of pie to eat last, believing it is good luck, the list goes on.  

What I LOVE most about this book (outside of Charlie's spunky, hot-tempered personality) is how the book shares viewpoints.  We call this critical literacy.  As a parent and teacher, we can use the book to discuss the stereotypes we are exposed to in the book and look at our personal biases and viewpoints compared to the character's and the author's intent.  Sounds deep, but hear me out.  

For example, Charlie is befriended by Howard who she calls the "up-down" boy because he walks with a limp.  Howard is a kind-hearted boy who has 7 brothers and lives in the smallest house Charlie has ever seen. His front yard is littered with rubbish and on Charlie's first visit inside his home, she finds the house, despite the piles of junk and dirt everywhere, filled with love.  Love from the mother who hangs up all the kids' proud school papers on the wall--love when the mother kisses each boys' head while serving dinner--and love through the minute-by-minute laughter and smiles shared.  

Charlie isn't familiar with this love as her mother has severe depression.  Her mother is bedridden and didn't care if Charlie went to school or stayed on the couch all day watching TV.  Charlie's father, Scrappy, is in jail.  Although I haven't yet read about Charlie's daily wish, I'm guessing it is to bring her torn apart family back together.  

So far we are looking and generational poverty, depression, bullies, incarcerated parents, and disabilities through the eyes of a child.    What a fantastic book to read critically with children and building deep discussion!  

I encourage you to add this book to your "Want to Read" list!