To choose a good book, look in an inquisitor’s prohibited list. ~John Aikin

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Showing posts with label Psychological Warfare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Psychological Warfare. Show all posts

After the Moment, by Garrett Freymann-Weyr (Guest Review)

Title: After the Moment
Author: Garrett Freymann-Weyr
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children; 1 edition
Publishing Date: May 18, 2009
Language: English
Price: Hardcover $16.00
ISBN-10: 061860572X
Classification: Fiction
Genre:
Realistic Fiction
Age Range: Young Adult


Reader's Annotation: Maia Morland is smart but challenged while Leigh, new to town, is popular and totally in love with Maia. What happends after the moment? And what happens if it is a little to real and not like some pretty romance story?

Synopsis: After the Moment is a touching and realistic novel that shows a girl, Maia Morland, who suffers from many aspects of self mutilation (eating disorders, cutting). Leigh Hunter is a popular, smart jock that moves to Maia's town because his half sisters father passed away and needs help coping. When Leigh and Maia meet, he sees past the exterior and becomes immediately attracted and interested in Maia. Overtime, you notice the story unfold and head down the paths of violence, war, failed love, and so on.

Evaluation: The book, to me, was good (not great), but I would still recommend it for people looking for the issues dealt with in this book. It was slightly challenging to follow all the side character's stories, so I kind of just focused on Maia and Leigh's story and allowed myself to become confused while reading about the supporting characters.

Reason this Book was Chosen: The novel is a good, easy read, and touching. Again, not incredible, but it definitely deals with many real life topics that teens may face. It was written by Printz Honor author Garret Freymann-Weyr.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: This book deals with heavy issues that many teens face such as eating disorders, self-mutilation, and the sorrows of failed love. Parental suggestion for mild sexual innuendo.

Teenreads.com brings up an interesting point: “Garret Freymann-Weyr's novels for young adults are inevitably distinct. Her teenagers seem serious beyond their years, deeply invested not only in their own lives but also in the often complicated lives of their adult family members. AFTER THE MOMENT is no exception, and its male protagonist further cements Freymann-Weyr's reputation as a risk-taking author unafraid of tackling topics, and taking perspectives, unusual in young adult literature.”

Author Website: http://www.freymann-weyr.com/

The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier

Title: The Chocolate War
Author: Robert Cormier
Publish Date: 1974
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Pages: 271pp
ISBN: 0394828054
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Range: 12 and up
Price: $8.95

Annotation: In a religious, all boys school, Jerry Renault has decided to not sell the chocolates in the school fundraiser. This may not seem like a big deal, but with the secret society The Vigils teaming up with the headmaster and teacher Father Leon, torturing and bullying has become Jerry's life. Jerry must mow face an all in out school war of bullying and power struggles.

Summary: Jerry Renault is a student in an all boys religious school. Every year they have a candy selling fundraiser. This year father Leon has his mind set to break records and push the students to sell more. He secretly meats with the head of the secret society The Vigils and they agree to a secret plan. When Jerry follows his orders not to sell chocolates anger ensues. Assured that The Vigils has an ultimate plan, Father Leon continues to let them partake in bullying and peer pressure. But when the time comes for Jerry to sell the chocolates again, he defiantly refuses, he ends up challenging both Father Leon and the all powerful Vigils. The act turns the school into an power struggle that turns into a bullying war. Is it worth it?

Evaluation: It funny because as a child I never read this book. I actually thought it was a book about diabetes. Although this is a funny memory, when being introduced to this book I had a residue of disinterest. However, let me stand corrected because this book is a classic in young adult literature for a reason. It's stunning and authentic. It paints a picture of the reality of bullying, peer pressure, religious hypocrisy, and rebellion. It's quite good.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Perspective of bullying and power struggles, abuse of power, religious schooling, religious manipulation, violence, fear, rebellion, standing up to peer pressure

Reason this book was chosen: It's a classic, having been controversial over language and violence (and I am sure having such a hypocritical Father didn't help much-nobody likes commentary on their religion). It was me one of the most important books on this list and although it's dated it's still relevant and entertaining.