Ok, I need to submit my books lists by the end of this week, but I really have been in a quandary of what to do with this little class. My classes could be as small as 2-10 students. Here is my new idea: do something with a theme. We read two to three books over the month. Since most of them will probably be freshmen or sophomores, I am totally ok with doing adolescent lit books--particularly if they have some good meat. I NEED HELP knowing what would be good, since I really haven't ever taught a class like this. Read through my two themed list and PLEASE TELL ME WHICH list and which books would most interest YOU. Let me know of other books you would suggest as well. Here are my ideas:
THEME: WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AMERICAN:
House on Mango Street by Sisneros
The Absolutely True Diary of a part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie*
Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin*
Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neil Hurston
Sony's Blues by James Baldwin (short story)
Parts of Invisible Man by Ralph Waldo Ellison
something by Gary Soto (Jesse or Living Up the Street)*
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
THEME: COMING OF AGE or GROWING UP:
The Chosen by Chaim Potok
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
An Indian Boy's Story by Daniel LeFrance*
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd (would this fit?)
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
I am the Cheese by Robert Cormier
one of Robin McKinley's (Blue Sword probably)
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse (ok, I know this is young, but SO good)
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Something by Chris Crutcher (like Ironman*)
The Things they Carried by Tim O'Brian (lots of language)
Go Ask Alice by Anonymous (lots of language)
PS: pretty please, leave a comment. I want your feedback! Thanks :)
*I haven't actually read this yet (but heard good things)
9 comments:
well I have to admit I haven't read most of the books on your list (can I come to your class??) but I really like Out of the Dust and Speak was a good book as well. I think that is pretty much all I have read off your list. But I think they are good picks.
Okay, I am fan of list #2 (Coming of Age or Growing up.) Now, I am not an English Major person at all, so take that with a grain of salt. But, the first list was a little boring for me. But, I thought there were a lot of good books on list #2:The Secret Life of Bees, Blue Sword, Ender's Game, are all favorites of mine. I hadn't read a lot of the others, so couldn't help you there. But, I also think the second theme would relate to more High School aged students anyways. But, that is just me. Good luck Carly making these tuff decisions!
I vote for list #1. I read many of those books during High School and they really impacted me. Their messages taught me to take a broader and less judgmental view of others and helped me to look outside of myself. (Excellent lists, both, by the way).
Thank you for your opinions and ideas! I am leaning more toward the top list, myself. With the realization that most of them are coming-of-age stories at the same time. Does anyone have favorites off that list to recommend or vote for?
I will probably do House on Mango Street the Sherman Alexie for sure (I need to read it first, however). But I have a hard time picking an African American one. I think we would only be able to do three... dang! Maybe the short story (which is Af. Am.) and Out of the Dust. What do you think?
I guess I am just mostly thinking aloud (on my blog). I shoudl maybe just go through the whole thought process of my teaching blog and spare you all! Sorry! Thanks for listening :)
haha, we WAVED TO YOU?! haha, thats awesome...dude, I wish lived in the Wizarding world!
Eek! I feel so unread after reading your lists. I have only heard of some of the books on your lists and haven't read any of them. I'm sure they are all good. I think the "what it means to be american" could have some more deep and meaningful sub-themes than coming of age tales generally do. I'm sure your class will be awesome either way!
it seems like you have more options with #2 but #1 might be more impacting? i dunno. you could add to kill a mocking bird to #1 and catcher in the rye to #2. jeremy suggests up from slavery by booker t. washington (an autobiography) for #1 and bless me ultima by rudolfo anaya for #2
Ooh--Good suggestions! THank you to you and your husband!
I'll be honest, I haven't read many of these books. Oh wait--none of them! (does owning one count if I haven't opened it yet?!)But I like the theme of the first list better. I'm reading "The Words We Live By: Your Annotated Guide to the Constitution" right now (Linda Monk) so I'm a little preoccupied with American-ness.
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