Realistic Fiction
“Young people continue to find solace in smart contemporary reads about the agony of growing up in a world where they are often confused, misunderstood, and sometimes victimized” (Hayn & Kaplan 21)
“Teens wrestle with issues large and small, struggling to determine the rightness of their decisions and the meaning of their journey” (Hayn & Kaplan 20)
“Today books that speak of horrible but all too realistic truths—such as self mutilation, laceration, and abuse—are books that… remain popular with teens who identify all too well with these brutal accounts of human existence” (Hayn & Kaplan 21)
“Teens wrestle with issues large and small, struggling to determine the rightness of their decisions and the meaning of their journey” (Hayn & Kaplan 20)
“Today books that speak of horrible but all too realistic truths—such as self mutilation, laceration, and abuse—are books that… remain popular with teens who identify all too well with these brutal accounts of human existence” (Hayn & Kaplan 21)
The Fault in our Stars by John Green
*****
Hazel Grace has cancer. Hazel Grace loves Augustus Waters... who also has cancer. Aren't teenage relationships difficult enough without the added complexity of life-threatening illness? These two quirky teens refuse to let their diagnosis rule their lives. They dive head first into a love they know has the potential to break them. The refreshing honesty and depth of this novel makes it an appealing read for teens. Author John Green says, “Maybe some of what’s universal is the intensity of the experience, the intensity of falling in love for the first time, the intensity of asking questions about mortality and meaning for the first time” (Feeney).
Questions to consider:
*****
Hazel Grace has cancer. Hazel Grace loves Augustus Waters... who also has cancer. Aren't teenage relationships difficult enough without the added complexity of life-threatening illness? These two quirky teens refuse to let their diagnosis rule their lives. They dive head first into a love they know has the potential to break them. The refreshing honesty and depth of this novel makes it an appealing read for teens. Author John Green says, “Maybe some of what’s universal is the intensity of the experience, the intensity of falling in love for the first time, the intensity of asking questions about mortality and meaning for the first time” (Feeney).
Questions to consider:
- How would you characterize Hazel and Augustus' relationship? How is it similar or different to how teen relationships are typically portrayed?
- What do you think was the reason for Hazel's obsession with An Imperial Affliction? What meaning did the book have for her life? Why did the book have no ending and why was this so important to Hazel?
- Describe the role of adults in this novel. How were Hazel's parents different or similar to Gus' parents?
- Did you feel sympathy for Van Houten? Or did you think he was simply an evil character? Why/Why not?
- Write a letter to your favorite author about a book of theirs you enjoyed. What would you ask them? What would you want to know more about?
- Writing prompt: What is "the fault in our stars" according to one of the characters (student choice)? What do you think "the fault in our stars" is?
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
**
As soon as Clay presses play on the tapes, his heart drops. It's her, Hannah Baker, the girl who committed suicide weeks before. The novel follows Clay as he makes his way through the 13 tapes Hannah leaves behind as her version of a suicide note. She wants to show her listeners how every little action built up to her ultimate decision to take her own life. The novel is emotionally heavy, yet young readers will identify with many of the troubles Hannah discusses. Rumors, relationships, and revenge are just a few of the reasons she cites for her pain. Hopefully, in reading this novel, teens become more aware of how serious this issue is. It may inspire the desire to reach out to others, look for signs, and stand up to bullying.
Questions to consider:
**
As soon as Clay presses play on the tapes, his heart drops. It's her, Hannah Baker, the girl who committed suicide weeks before. The novel follows Clay as he makes his way through the 13 tapes Hannah leaves behind as her version of a suicide note. She wants to show her listeners how every little action built up to her ultimate decision to take her own life. The novel is emotionally heavy, yet young readers will identify with many of the troubles Hannah discusses. Rumors, relationships, and revenge are just a few of the reasons she cites for her pain. Hopefully, in reading this novel, teens become more aware of how serious this issue is. It may inspire the desire to reach out to others, look for signs, and stand up to bullying.
Questions to consider:
- What did you think of Hannah? What do you think of her decision to send out the tapes? Do you think she was doing a good thing in letting others see the consequences of their actions?
- Did you find the adolescents in this novel realistic? Why/why not?
- Was Mr. Porter at fault? Did he handle the situation incorrectly? Why do you think the author portrays the adults in the novel this way?
- What was the effect of having dual narrators (Hannah and Clay). Did you find one more reliable than the other?
- Rank the contributers. Have students make a list of who they feel is most to blame on Hannah's list ordered from 1 (most blame) to 13 (least blame). Have them write why and what this character could have done to prevent the outcome.
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
****
“It is easier not to say anything. Shut your trap, button your lip, can it. All that crap you hear on TV about communication and expressing feelings is a lie. Nobody really wants to hear what you have to say.”
Melinda Sordino choses silence. Maybe silence will keep her parents fragile marriage from disintegrating. Maybe silence will keep her old friends from realizing how much she has changed. Maybe silence will erase the memories, so she can pretend it never really happened. This novel brings us inside the poignant voice of a girl who has been hurt and wants nothing but to get by. She shows us high school through her eyes, with its crazy teachers like Mr. Neck and Hairwoman. She shows us the cliques and the injustices and the hypocrisy. And in the process, she potentially shows adolescent readers that they are not alone.
Questions to Consider:
****
“It is easier not to say anything. Shut your trap, button your lip, can it. All that crap you hear on TV about communication and expressing feelings is a lie. Nobody really wants to hear what you have to say.”
Melinda Sordino choses silence. Maybe silence will keep her parents fragile marriage from disintegrating. Maybe silence will keep her old friends from realizing how much she has changed. Maybe silence will erase the memories, so she can pretend it never really happened. This novel brings us inside the poignant voice of a girl who has been hurt and wants nothing but to get by. She shows us high school through her eyes, with its crazy teachers like Mr. Neck and Hairwoman. She shows us the cliques and the injustices and the hypocrisy. And in the process, she potentially shows adolescent readers that they are not alone.
Questions to Consider:
- Did you find Speak to be a realistic depiction of high school life? Were some aspects more realistic than others?
- What are the flaws with the adults in this novel? With the school in general? What did you think of the schools inability to settle on a name?
- Why does Melinda say David Petrakis is her hero? What makes him a hero for adolescents?
- Melinda says, "Fifth grade was easy—old enough to play outside without Mom, too young to go off the block. The perfect leash length." What is the perfect leash length to you? Why?
- Create your own version of Melinda's tree in the medium of your choice.
- Create a map of the lunch room at Melinda's school. Where would all of the characters be found?
A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin
****
There are not many people who dare to lift the corners of the universe, but Adam is one of those people. Hattie had never met Adam. In fact, she didn't even know he existed until the summer of her twelfth birthday. Adam is Hattie's twenty one year old uncle who was born with a mental disability that gives him the spirit of a child. The two become fast friends and Hattie's world grows beyond what she ever imagined. This story is ideal for a younger teen audience, but all readers will be moved by the honest account of a unique friendship and the ways in which society come to react to those who are "different." This novel has the potential to force us to reflect on the things we define as "normal" and the people we may be hurting in doing so.
Questions to Consider:
****
There are not many people who dare to lift the corners of the universe, but Adam is one of those people. Hattie had never met Adam. In fact, she didn't even know he existed until the summer of her twelfth birthday. Adam is Hattie's twenty one year old uncle who was born with a mental disability that gives him the spirit of a child. The two become fast friends and Hattie's world grows beyond what she ever imagined. This story is ideal for a younger teen audience, but all readers will be moved by the honest account of a unique friendship and the ways in which society come to react to those who are "different." This novel has the potential to force us to reflect on the things we define as "normal" and the people we may be hurting in doing so.
Questions to Consider:
- Do you think Hattie's parents were right in keeping Adam a secret?
- Describe the relationship between Hattie's mother and her Nana. How is it similar or different from the relationship between Hattie and her mother?
- What does it mean to lift the corners of the universe? Do you know someone who lives life this way?
- Write a letter of response to Hattie from Leila. Think about the kind of person she is. How would she respond to the news? What would she be currently doing?
- Create a collage of Hattie's summer with Adam. This can be hand drawn or made on a computer. Consider how the characters would look in certain situations. What would their facial expressions be like during a dinner at Nanna's or at the carnival?