professornana (professornana) wrote,
professornana
professornana

  • Location:
  • Mood:

school shootings



UNLOCKED by Ryan G. Van Cleave (Walker, March 2011) is novel in verse about Andy and Blake. Andy is the janitor's son. As such, he is the target of some rather mean teasing. He is an outcast. So is Blake who is rumored to have a gun in his locker. Andy steals his father's keys, but there is no gun in Blake's locker. However, the two boys do become friends of sorts. It is then Andy learns that Blake does indeed have a gun and that he knows how to use it. What should Andy do? Should he lose his only friend by ratting him out? Ot should he keep Blake's secret? <12>

I find novels in verse about dark subject matter particularly intriguing. Ellen Hopkins and Eirann Corrigan both tackle difficult subject matter via this rather lyrical form. Somehow, it makes the telling more intense. Given the recent shooting in Arizona, I wonder how many teens will be seeking stories about guns and violence. Tie this one to Nancy Garden's ENDGAME and GIVE A BOY A GUN by Todd Strasser and WHALE TALK by Chris Crutcher.
Tags: guns at school, novel in vverse, ya
Subscribe

  • middle school author list

    Here is the crowdsourced list of middle school authors suggestions: Alexander, Lloyd Anderson, Laurie Halse Angel, Ann Angleberger, Tom Appelt,…

  • watch and laugh and learn

    David Lubar, in addition to writing some terrific books (SLEEPING FRESHMEN NEVER LIE, DUNK to name just two), has an incredible sense of humor. Take…

  • perfect gift for the funny bone at Christmas

    IT SEEMED FUNNY AT THE TIME: A LARGE COLLECTION OF SHORT HUMOR by David Lubar (Kindle 2011) seems to me to be a perfect selection in this…

  • Post a new comment

    Error

    default userpic

    Your reply will be screened

    Your IP address will be recorded 

    When you submit the form an invisible reCAPTCHA check will be performed.
    You must follow the Privacy Policy and Google Terms of use.
  • 2 comments