Deadline

My classmates and I are reading Chris Crutcher's Deadline. I am not as far along as my peers but this book is remarkable so far. Ben is a senior in high school living his life to his full potential because he is supposed to have a short time to live. I find Ben to be extremely brave because he has chosen not to tell anyone of this to spare his family the sadness and stress as he feels this is what his life was destined. I would be in need of a support system and especially someone to tell...I appreciate these characteristics in Ben although it might seem crazy. Because he is living his last days as he would want them it is making the book almost suspenseful. I'm curious of he will win his dream girl,Dallas, or tell anyone about what he is going through. I am excited to keep reading...keep you updated soon, fellow bloggers! :)

How My Journal Became a Bestseller...

Today, I read the first two chapters of How my Private, Personal Journal Became a Bestseller by  Julia DeVillers.  This book was a recommendation from my professor, and without a doubt, I already think it's a great text for teens (especially girls =] ).  


At first, I felt as if I may not make a connection to the story-- but, as I continued to read, I couldn't stop making text-self connections.  The main character (coincidentally is also named Jamie), who is a girl that is true to her feelings.  Many of the experiences that she explains within these two chapters can relate to many girls, not just myself.  I wasn't part of the 'popular crowd', and can relate to being overwhelmed with the demands of high school and how girls are expected to 'think'. Girls often have unrealistic expectations of themselves (not skinny enough, not popular enough...) and reading this text and putting myself in Jamie's shoes, makes me think about the same experiences I went through.  One of Jamie's biggest fears--sitting alone at lunch; mine was too. 


I am interested to read the rest of this book, especially because now Jamie is famous from her journal writing, and VERY popular.  I am anticipating reading to see how she evolves and develops as a character... does she still have the same attitudes?

Welcome!

Welcome to my first blog! I am taking a course on young adult literature and will be posting on many of the  books we will be reading.  I'm very excited to read some of these books and become familiar with them-- I'm hopeful you'll get great insight to these books, as well! :)