This is a novel that I immediately wanted to read as soon as I saw it on the list of recommended books. It is a story that revolves around several high school students involved in a school shooting, presenting the incidents from each of their perspectives. It seems as though several of these stories will also be interwoven, rather than stand-alone viewpoints.
I am by no means far in this book, but what immediately stands out is that this will not merely be a story about a horrifying event that occurs in a seemingly normal high school. It is clear to me that each of these four characters with whom I am becoming acquainted will have their own stories, both about the events that are going to unfold, as well as vastly different lives and experiences. For instance, one character named Autumn seems to be a senior in high school and she is actively struggling with following her dream. She wants to be a dancer, but her dad (who seems to be abusive) does not approve of this path, in that somehow it connects to the death of her mother. To me, as well as many adolescents, this could be an incredibly relatable problem. Although I cannot relate to losing a loved one at that age, I definitely remember being told that my path would not make me successful. I am certain that my students will also be struggling with this issue, and I hope Autumn presents the reader with her own way of dealing with this adversity, so that they may gain some tools to combat it. I also hope to learn about other problems faced by adolescents that I myself have not experienced, for as Brianna Crowley writes, "Teachers can [grow] empathy outside of the classroom by reading books with characters who mirror our students' unique circumstances, challenges, and experiences", therefore preparing me to better understand what my students are going through.
My partner and I, when choosing this book, discussed what we saw in media regarding school shootings. So often the news articles describing them offer us only a glimpse at the victims, and we find ourselves lost in all this bad news. It is hard to keep track and properly pay respects to those who have died because of the frequency of their occurrence, so it will be beneficial to experience a much more personal take on these horrible events.
I think that this book would be an excellent tool for the classroom, in that my students (while developing their beliefs regarding this very present threat to our society) may be stirred to activism by the stories presented here. Additionally, it will paint these atrocities in a very real manner, allowing us to better understand these events as they divide our nation. They are not just new articles; there are human lives being lost, and this book will remind us of that.
To close, I think I chose this book for the same reasons listed above. I often find myself numb to the appalling events that have occurred in our schools and continue to occur, simply because it seem to unfortunately have become a common occurrence. I want to be shocked by this book, so that I can be informed of the consequences of these events as the division widens regarding how to best prevent them.
Andrew,
ReplyDeleteFrom what you've written, this book seems extremely interesting as well as resourceful in a classroom of adolescents. As you said, it can help you help students navigate family and even peer expectations, which is important in its own right. The fact that it also addresses school shootings is something that's also important. Again, they occur all too often, and it's a very real anxiety among students of all ages. Adolescents have enough turbulence and anxiety in their life without the added fear of their school being unsafe, so this book in addressing both can be resourceful when you become a teacher. Can't wait to hear how it is!
Hi Andrew,
ReplyDeleteI was unaware of this novel's existence before reading your post. This novel seems like an excellent tool to use in both the classroom and within our PLC discussions. As you said it is important to talk about many of the issues in the novel within a classroom. The novel can be used to introduce topics, such as school shootings, into the classroom in safe and constructive ways. I am excited to see what else you are able to pull from this book and use within the classroom.
I appreciate the description of why you chose this book; it will be a powerful read. As you continue reading, I would encourage your PLC group to investigate some of the ways that school communities address such horrifying acts in the aftermath.
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