What would you say to an "unbeliever" who tried to convince you that children's and young adult authors are "inferior" writers?

I would first say you should have taken EDU 320! I honestly feel that this course has opened my eyes and allowed me to see young adult and children's literature in a whole new light.

I will say that before I started this course I was not much of a reader. I could not seem to find anything that would keep my attention long enough to get past the first page. By taking this course I think I realized that I was in the wrong section of the book store. I should have been in the YA and CHILDREN'S LIT section.

These books are incredible. The text is so well thought out and truly committed to helping the reader engage in the story. I feel that this literature is relatable for all ages. We were all young adults and children at one point in time and reflecting on the past through someone else's story is a wonderful experience. To me these books are like memory enhancers; they truly bring out the good and the bad from the good ol' days.

This type of literature also helps you to escape and enter a realm of freedom. These books challenge you to leave the adult world and use a little bit of your inner child and imagination. Reading these books has definitely been that escape for me. As I have been reading them, I could channel everything out and just enjoy the magic, symbolism, and and heightened imagery involved in the story, but when I closed the book I was back in the real world.

I am happy to say that I am an official fan of YA and Children's Literature!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What signifcant symbols do you notice in Alexie's novel?

Throughout most of the books we have read this semester, I have noticed a lot of symbolism. I think one big misunderstanding is that because they are children or young adult books, there are no real meanings. That is not the case. These books are amazing and really make the reader analyze the text. The symbolism truly adds another dimension to the story.

One symbol that I see throughout Alexie's book is honesty. I say this because I feel that Alexie is being very open and honest about being a Native American and the actual culture involved. A lot of times people including myself have a common misconceptions about Native Americans. We see them as living in tipi's and wearing cloth etc. I think Alexie does a very thorough job of trying to symbolically show the reader how Native Americans live on a day to day basis. In a way it seems he makes fun of it because of how simple their culture actually is.

Another symbol I see throughout the novel is struggle. I think that Alexie is trying to show the reader how hard it is growing up, being a part of a very different culture, and making ends meet. He does a great job making these struggles light hearted because of the comedy involved. I feel that ultimately, Alexie is proving to the reader that struggle comes from all directions and effects everyone, but you have to determine how to handle it.

What scenes from The Giver do you think you will remember five years from now?

I think one scene that I will remember from the Giver, is the ending scene. At the end Jonas and Gabe are on the sled, getting ready to see what lies below the hill and what has come of their journey. At this point the reader is not quite sure what to expect. In a sense we are just as lost as Jonas. As they are going down this hill, Jonas realizes that something or someone is waiting for he and Gabe. He says that he can hear music. I think this scene is so important because even though it is the end, the reader does not feel that the book is over. We are still left with some questions. Did they die? Was he imagining it? Even though there is not a specific ending I definitely feel that the closure that was presented was very realistic for this book.

The next scene that I will remember is the scene where Jonas realizes that "release" means death. This scene definitely pulled on my heart strings. I put myself in Jonas position and I tried to imagine what it would be like if I was just realizing what it meant. To find out by seeing it rather than hearing is so much more painful. Lowry is very descriptive in this scene. She gives the reader a mental picture of every moment, from the needle going into the forehead to the father pushing the body into the darkness. This scene is one of those scenes where after you read it, you don't just continue on to the next chapter, but you reflect.

"Signifyin"

There is definitely a common vernacular found amongst most African-Americans. Moore very plainly states this among other things in the "Black Aesthetics" section of his book. Then he dives into the concept of double meaning, saying that in black literature this is mostly seen as a type of metaphor; it says one thing but means another. After reading The First Part Last, I was trying to find this relationship and after discussing the book with the class I understood it some what better. "Signifyin" represents the double meaning, or double voice found within black literature. Even though I can see some of what Moore is talking about in The First Part Last as it relates to his concepts, I do not feel that it is necessary nor is it 100% applicable. To me this is just a theory that he came up with. I find it very awkward that he puts a racial label on a book based on how it is written. I hate to disagree with him, but I feel that his theory is merely an assumption that can not be proven. With all that being said, I would not apply "signifyin" to this book, but I would say that there is language throughout the text that is found predominantly in African-American culture.

What makes What I Saw and How I Lied a book that might be worthy of the National Book Award?

Blundell does an excellent job with this book. First, with her language she creates a very mature and thought provoking setting. As soon as I began reading the book I pictured a scene from the "Notebook." It was a very nostalgic book that really draws you in. This was definitely National Book Award worthy. Blundell used imagery and language that, to me, is very relatable to any age. Her creation of relationships and how they interact throughout the book is very easily understandable and I am sure many of the young readers can relate. The book is also a page turner, with every page she creates new detailed imagery or brings in new characters that always keep the reader on the edge.
I definitely enjoyed this book and feel that it is worthy of the National book award. She created a great story that is mature and relatable.

What were your reactions to reading a novel written in verse, like Make Lemonade?

When I first glance at the book, I just thought there were a compilation of poems that were similar to one another. Boy was I wrong. I did not feel a sense of connection with the book like I do others. I think this has to do with the fact that I might not be used to this style yet. I tried to see what the poems were like individually and I was not to pleased. I felt like pieces were missing when I did that. On the other hand, a couple of them I found could stand alone. I think this book is a great teaching tool and if exposed early enough students could get alot from reading in this style.

I think the author is challenging her audience in a very abstract way. You can almost think of this book as a masterpiece that you can't quite figure out, but you know all then elements are there; it's just going to take some time. I am sure young readers enjoy this style because it is new and almost refreshing. It is not like sitting down and reading a long over analytic novel. The pages seem to invite you, but it is up to the reader to accept the invitation. I definitely commend any author is writing in this innovative and complex style.

The most oustanding character award goes to...

I feel the character that is most likable is H.F. She is a replicate of most girls at that age and what is going through their minds about school, relationships, and friends. She grabbed my attention by being someone who is easily read and easily relate able. She was charming and very humorous. Her personal thoughts that she shared with the reader brought her character to another level. I was able to not only see the story, but what she was thinking about the story and maybe things she wanted to say, but could not out loud. At some point in time we all feel this way. That brings me to my next point, YA literature is so important and amazing because it is so relate able. Even for adults who read the books, I am sure they can remember feeling the same as a character at some point in time. I feel that I can also use some of the characters' stories as metaphors for my own life. Then, I can maybe solve the situation the way they did or not. I really think these books are amazing testimonials for bits and pieces of every one's life.

What are your feelings about a book for teenagers that features a lesbian protagonist, like Finding H.F.?

I think books like these are for special readers. The reader has to have an open mind and a certain maturity level. Since characters like these are viewed differently based on culture and beliefs, I would not say that this type of book is for everyone. Not having some of the same characteristics of H.F, I found myself very uncomfortable when she encountered new experiences, but I could find some way to relate those experiences to my own personal life. If I was a teacher I would not necessarily assign this book just because of the controversy that it could possibly cause. I personally enjoyed the book, but when I think about the age group for this particular story I do not know if they would feel the same. To me, the stage that H.F is going through is that very awkward one and many of the readers are probably going through the same thing. Stories like these definitely raise questions and help people to see life from another perspective, which I think is great!

When you compare your views about literature written for children and young adults before this course began to what you are thinking now...

I was definitely a bit narrow minded about the concepts of children and adult literature until now. I always thought of children's book as being these easy to read fantasies that were literally only for children. I never thought of being able to apply them to my own life because I never thought that there was any depth to them. Adult literature to me was, in my world, a book that used words to abstract to understand with no meaning. All of this has changed for me. The more I have been reading the more I realize my ignorance. Children's books are so applicable to our lives today and our lives in the past. Sometimes I see the fantasy stories as a metaphor for bits and pieces in my life. I truly enjoy reading them now. I feel that being exposed to several different styles of children's literature has also helped me to see the readings in a new way. I feel that this experience will help me to choose books wisely now, not just based off of the cover, that goes for adult and children lit.

What would you say to someone who might think of children’s picture books as “lesser” literature?

I feel that many people have poor misconceptions about the intelligent legitimacy of many children's books. I for one never really saw the importance of these books until I began taking this education course. The first thing I would say to someone who felt this way would be, "have you ever read The Invention of Hugo Cabret". This book and so many others like it allow not only children, but adults to explore their imaginations a create a temporary realm of fantasy. 

 To anyone who feels that picture books are a lesser literature I would have to say these books are the exact opposite. They are full of enrichment. Reading and truly comprehending these books takes a great deal of attentiveness and concentration. The pictures are telling you a story that you as a viewer are to determine. To me, this challenges the mind to see new concepts, evaluate situations, and discover a new way of learning. I feel these challenges are needed and appropriate for all ages. Besides, whose to say that the knowledge you gain from an adult novel you can not gain from a children's picture book?