Its a Bird...Plane...No its John Green

Before the commencement of this semester, I had not even heard of famed author John Green. Now having been in a YA Lit class, his name has become a "household" classroom name. Many times with great movies, artist and novels, I often wonder whats the big deal. One person or group thinks highly of their work and then it spreads wildly. However, when I investigate by viewing the movie or reading their work, I'm disappointed. Many times a persons NAME can stump their work, being not what it was perceived to be. Yet this isn't the case for Mr.Green. In fact I feel compelled to call him John. Not to be disrespectful, however from reading his novels and reading his blogs, I've realized he is just like you and I! A award-winning author, however very down to earth. Genius, silly, goofy, cool are all adjectives that were said in my Lit circle about John's personality. Many times( from my perspective) YA authors use various literary styles and word choices to convey messages to their audiences, to urge them to want to read the book. Almost appeal to them with raunchy topics to grasp there attention. However, although unique, John uses a very literary stance and without succumbing to "dumming down" his thoughts to tell his stories. Very realistic stories, which appeals to the readers emotion and intellect. Not only are his novels interesting and his written blogs, John also has video blogs, which in my opinion shows his fans in living color his personality and in some ways contrast his his literary skills. Yet it doesn't deter my motivation to continue to anticipate his future works.

Barbaric Demoracy

Many books came to mind when deciding on a classic Y.A. novel. I concluded upon the Lord of the Flies by William Golding. This is a classic and remains one of my favorite books that I have in my library. Although critics have strongly disliked this novel I still feel that it was ground breaking and very instrumental for many teens during the early 1950’s as well as today. After re-reading analytically I began to think was distinguishes books from not just good, bad, influential, groundbreaking or even a classic? Then it was revealed a book that is critically analyzed important to a generation and yet can still withstand the test of time defines and separates books/novels into becoming a classic. Similarly to the boys in the books, humans are naturally inclined to govern ourselves. Almost instinct, one could argue. Seeing that we have dominance over other mammals, why not demand the same hierarchal status among your own species? From typical group projects in the classroom setting, on your job or even in military settings, leaders always arise and began their “gut” feelings to organize and set up rules and a governing system. It also parallels how conformity is in many cases inevitable. It only takes one doubting moment to cause the strong minded to become weak and change their beliefs and morals. One of the major messages I believe from this novel would be how their innocence was lost in the end. This could be perceived as negative, however being an optimist, we all have to loose (at least a part) of our innocence! It is a necessary part of growth for life.

Wilderness Thoughts

While browsing through the recommended list of Y.A. books to read, I was overwhelmed with a plethora of unfamiliar text. Many of which I had heard, but unfortunately never had to opportunity to read. I then made a list of my top five and was in search for them at SLU’s library. Feeling disappointed, as a result of my finding, the only book that was from my list was Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. I unenthusiastically and hesitantly began reading the book, and after nearly two hours I had completed the book. I really forgot how to read for enjoyment and not for a task. This book was very interesting. Simply summarized a young teen is traveling on a small two person plane in route to visit his father who very recently just concluded their divorce from his mother. After trouble in the air, he is alone with nothing but his sanity lingering to help sustain him in the wilderness for over forty days. Many issues’ which arose resonates in my mind after reading the story. Could I survive that long? Mentally, would I give up? This story caused me to relive similar situations of my parents getting a divorce during my adolescent years. Which similarly, I had to go through the wilderness to find myself and gain maturity to handle the new responsibilities that laid before me now! I too had to transform myself into survival mode to continue to preserve myself during a rough period. In addition, I too had to stop making excuses for myself and move forward with the new challenges and rise to the occasion. I can clearly see how this book is considered Y.A., because many of the issues addressed, both boldly as well as in-directly, parallel situations that teens are forthcoming. Overall this was a enjoyable read and refreshing all while introducing positive approach to handling life’s present and future issues.