Sold

“My bundle is light.

My burden is heavy” (60).

Sold deals with important concepts such as trust, feminist interests and patriarchy, and the sex industry. From the beginning of the novel, Lakshmi deals with what it means to be female in the patriarchal society of Nepal. Her mother informs her that they are fortunate to have a man in their lives. However, that man, Lakshmi's stepfather, doesn't actually seem to offer any benefit to the family; because of a disabled arm he simply sits in the tea shop and plays cards. The way McCormick tells the story, the stepfather is a negative force on the family, gambling away what little they have will doing little to provide or care for them. But in Lakshmi's mother's eyes, for a woman, “Simply to endure is to triumph” (16). This stepfather is ultimately the force that drives her to leave for the city after her mother told her she should stay home to go to school.

Patricia McCormick uses language skillfully to communicate important and emotional topics tangential to the plot. For example, in “Calendar” she discusses induced abortions, and in “Another Calendar” she discusses the high infant mortality rate by discussing an absence of notches in a wedding trunk for Lakshmi's younger siblings. McCormick's careful use of language – and sometimes lack of language – illustrates Lakshmi's experiences. The first sexual experience Lakshmi had as a prostitute was explained in fairly explicit detail, but as her time as a prostitute progressed, McCormick communicates the complacency Lakshmi developed as she no longer cares about the individual experiences by leaving them out.

I believe the students will be able to relate to Lakshmi's character and understand her experiences.

The language is straightforward (save for some of the names of people and places) and the vignettes are short, painting a clear picture of what Lakshmi perceives to be happening as she tells them. Though the novel contains a rather mature theme of sex slavery, there is excitement in the conflict that would draw a young reader into the narrative. Lakshmi's experiences are so far distant from what most American teenagers have experienced. It is hard to imagine, especially for an urban American, waiting on the rain as a source of livelihood. Yet the reader becomes immersed in these experiences, drawn into Laksmi's hope and muted despair as she encounters hardship after hardship.

The conclusion of the book returns hopefulness to the reader as Lakshmi once again feels she can identify herself to the American men. But the preceding pages communicate the horror that is the sex industry, especially in the third world. This book is a strong example of the way that literature can approach social issues, making them accessible to a wide audience.

Joyful Noise

Joyful Noise is a rather unique read. It contrasts very heavily with the socially conscious and emotionally charged books we have been reading so far. I can honestly say I never thought I'd read a book of poetry told from the points of view of insects.

During my undergrad, I had a strong interest in slam poetry (that interest contributed towards my desire to become an English teacher). Joyful Noise reminded me of the musical nature of slam poetry (which does sometimes include two performers doing a piece together). I found it somewhat difficult to read both parts simultaneously when they diverged. The poems find their merit when read aloud as they are supposed to be, and fortunately there are several recitations available online. The majority of the poems had readers mirror one another or alternate between lines. This created a strong rhythmic effect. There were a few instances in which the readers would say different words or phrases simultaneously. I found this to be particularly effective; the juxtaposition of words created a disharmonious contrast, breaking the pattern of the poem. I also believe that these poems are a good example of nature imagery. Additionally, they effectively bring the reader into the perspective of a bee or a book louse or a firefly.

I think these would be great to include in a poetry unit with students to get them engaged in reading the poems aloud. The duet aspect makes it hard to read alone as an assignment, but it would make for good classwork. The poems could challenge students' preconceptions of what they believe a poem to be or not be, while serving to illustrate how a reader can be brought understand how they can understand the perspective of a narrator, even if they have nothing in common. Ultimately, the poems are lighthearted and fun, and the illustrations help to enunciate the natural imagery found within the text, making the work accessible to a wide range of readers.

Looking for Alaska

Looking for Alaska chronicles the events surrounding a group of students at Culver Creek Preparatory School, a boarding school. The story is told from the perspective of Miles. Author John Green utilizes Miles's unique view as a newcomer to introduce the reader to the new setting, especially in regards to the students' cultures and norms.

The book, intended for a high school audience, deals in particular with the struggles Miles faces as a socially awkward introvert as he seeks a fresh start and acceptance from those around him. Miles finds himself latching on to his roommate's group of friends, but they themselves seem to be outsiders in the face of the monied and popular “Weekday Warriors.” As high school is a time when adolescents seek to find their identity and seek acceptance, they may be able to relate to Miles.

When viewed from an objective standpoint, Miles is shallow and self-interested. Alaska is hypocritical and overly self-righteous. None of the main characters are especially likable, and they can be seen as making life hard on themselves by unnecessarily antagonizing those around them. But the characters themselves are not what the reader relates to. Rather, the reader relates to the characters' experiences. For example, even if a reader would more closely associate with the Weekday Warriors in terms of their personal traits, they still understand what it means to be picked on and face exclusion from a particular group. The experiences make the characters universal.

The experiences the reader relates to change as the book transitions from “before” to the “after.” Even if Miles is unlikable, the reader has to feel sympathy for him at the loss of a friend. Even if Alaska was reckless and self-absorbed, there is still sadness that her life came to an end at a young age. And the guilt that Miles and Chip feel becomes tangible.

I found the second half of the book to be very accessible in regards to the characters coming to terms with loss and coping with grief. I was drawn in as Miles and Chip searched for the reason that Alaska died, trying to clear their conscience. It is in this respect that Looking For Alaska finds its merit. I think the book does a good job of dealing with the topic of death in a realistic and engaging way.

While the characters themselves may only be accessible to a small portion of the audience, the emotions and experiences the characters face are universal. In this regards, John Green captures the adolescent experience within Looking for Alaska, and it is through this reflection of humanness that the book finds value as a work of young-adult literature.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian approaches a variety of topics, including medical problems and disability, racism, poverty, tradition, and the dangers of alcohol. these problems are depicted through the experiences of Arnold Spirit, a young Indian on the Spokane Reservation, who faces a number of hardships though his childhood and early teenage years.

The book is not sanitized in the same way many young adult novels are. Rather, it approaches topics realistically, often resulting in gritty situations and language. At some points this crosses over into the offensive, such as when one of Arnold's white schoolmates asked “Did you know that Indians are living proof that niggers fuck buffalo?” However, this type of language usually functions to illustrate important concepts such as racism.

This type of candor allows Alexie to approach important subject matter, such as the dangers of alcoholism, especially among the Indian population. The role of alcohol is a recurring theme throughout the book. Eventually, Arnold's sister, grandmother, and father's best friend all die in ways that somehow involve alcohol.

Additionally, the book illustrates the impact of poverty through emotional language such as, “Sleep is the only thing we have for dinner,” or saddening imagery such as Arnold's dog being shot because his family cannot afford to take it to a vet. Further, Alexie is not afraid to demonstrate the reciprocal relationship between the issues of alcohol and poverty.

While the book functions to illustrate these various social problems, making them accessible to an audience that may not have experienced them directly, racial identity seems to be the largest theme of the book. Arnold, having left the reservation to seek out an education from a higher-quality school, faces the conflict of preserving his own heritage while trying to successfully integrate into an all-white setting. Arnold illustrates this conflict by stating, “Life is a constant struggle between being an individual and being am member of the community.” Initially, Arnold is rejected by both the students at his new school as well as the Indians back on the reservation. He is viewed as a traitor for leaving, and his best friend, Rowdy, blames him for his sister's death, arguing that she would have never left the reservation and would still be alive if Arnold had not inspired her by doing the same. However, Arnold is eventually accepted at his new school, in no small part due to his recently discovered athletic prowess. Further, Arnold seems to come to terms with his Indian heritage, embracing the nomadic tradition his people formerly held.

The book allows the reader to see Arnold's growth as he comes to terms with these issues in his life. The illustrations further demonstrate this thought process. By vicariously living through Arnold, Alexie allows us a glimpse at the life of a young, impoverished Indian. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, while potentially controversial, would be beneficial in a young-adult classroom as it illustrates how writing can be used to share perspectives of others without sacrificing the approachableness of the material.