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Book Club: Lucy, Kristen, Jackie, Rachel

Engage in your book club discussion by clicking on "comments" below. You should include a timeline for completing the book as well as your impressions and reactions to one another.

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Comments (13)

Kristen Kinney Reynolds:

Girls,
I don't know about you all, but I have found the book to be pretty interesting so far. I was not visualizing it to be about a teen dad. It is a pretty easy read, I think. When do you want to say we be finished with it? I am pretty close right now.

Rachel Monroe:

I finished last night and I must say I really enjoyed it! The last couple of chapters were very surprising. Let me know what you think!

Lucy Cook:

After the first page I was ready for more. If the drama in Young Adult lit. is all this good, then sign me up. Finished the book in a day.

Jackie Jenkins:

I have read the first half of the book- I didn't end up getting it through currier until Tuesday. So far I really like it also. I will definitely have it read after the weekend!

lucy cook:

Liked how the format of the chapters switched from "Now" to "Then". I can see how this work well for a quick read and discussion in a classroom setting.

Jackie Jenkins:

I finished the book today during our snow day! I thought it was great also. Very captivating. I agree with Lucy that the switching from Now to Then would be good for discussion. I also think that it really builds the suspense for the story. It would be great for students to predict what is coming up and also to stop at different points in the story to write about how Bobby was feeling. He goes through so many emotions that could be powerful points of discussion or writing.

Kristen Kinney Reynolds:

Jackie- You're right. He does go through a whole lot. When he went and spray painted that wall I was thinking "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" You have a kid at home!" Haha. Then I began to think about what it would have been like for my husband to be a single parent at 16- Yikes! Even though there probably are not many single 16-year old dads, other young adults could definitely identify with that feeling of having parents breathing down your neck and having more responsibility than you ever cared to have. I was totally surprised by Nia's illness/coma at the end. Call me emotional- but I got a little teary-eyed.

Rachel Monroe:

The switch between "Now" and "Then" could also bring about some interesting class discussions on what the effects/emotions of teen pregancy can bring. I love that this book is written from the male perspective because I think many people in society automatically assume the teenage female will be raising the child in this situation. I believe this makes it appeal to young adult females and males, as well as hold their attention.

Lucy Cook:

Rachel has a point, we assume. The obvious question- Why is the guy with the kid? Great class debate, right! Why not? Also, a good educational tool on the risks of teenage pregancy that could lead to a speaker or research. Unexpected ending!

Jackie Jenkins:

I was surprised at the ending also. I think with so many shows/Movies (like 16 and Pregnant) almost glorify being a teenage parent. I think this book is good because it seems to be more realistic. Do you girls think that parents would have problems with using this book in a class? Although it is about pregnancy which is taboo I think they may agree to it if they read it themselves and could see how it was written and the message it gives.

lucy cook:

As far as using this as a class read, informing parents and getting their signature would be the safe move. As a parent of a child in high school, I have received notification that abstinence will be discussed and the new law about leaving a newborn in a safe place.
I like the realistic picture that this book presents as well. I wonder about the fallout of current media, like "The Pregency Pack" and "The Secret Life of the American Teenager."

lucy, jackie, kristen, rachael:

Our book club felt that Young adults could relate to this book and really get into discussing the topic of teenage pregnacy because it is relevant to them. The book is well written and full of emotion as well as formatted to facilitate classroom reading sessions/discussions.

Rachel Monroe:

I was also thinking how the realistic picture painted in this story goes right along with we know about "entry points" especially with boys in the classroom. This could be one of those books that many could relate to about the pressures of high school relationships. It also goes right along with the articles we read about relevance for teen readers.

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This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on January 22, 2010 8:58 AM.

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