We Were Here

This book was deep and heady. It dealt with bigger issues than most teens deal with, but I think that it is a good book for your kids to read because it really makes you appreciate the small things in life. The story follows three young boys, Miguel, Rondell, and Mong, as they sneak out of home that they were assigned to from the court and travel to Mexico in hopes of finding a new life. Each boy has dealt with more things than I could even imagine dealing with. We follow as the characters open up to readers and each other as they make their way to "freedom". Its a great book for kids to read due to the fact that it shows an entire world that most young adults have never been exposed to. The lives that these three boys have lived thus far have been difficult, strenuous, and emotional. Their problems are bigger than looks and popularity, which has forced them to act certain ways that are not always appropriate. Its a book about finding yourself, facing your past, and overcoming obstacles.

While discussing this book in my YA English class, many people did not agree that the book was appropriate for teens because most people can not relate to the issues that these boys are dealing with. I know that in past blogs I have stated that young adults like to read books about issues that they can relate to, but sometimes it is necessary to read a book that is out of your comfort zone. This book forces readers to come face to face with a lifestyle that so many young kids are living. It shows struggle, pain, heartache,abuse...all of which can make readers uncomfortable. I remember the first time that I read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. I was in sixth grade and had never read anything like it. The gangs that were presented in the book was something completely foreign to me. Although there was no way that a young ballerina going to a charter school could relate to these boys, I found the book completely humbling. It forced me to really look at my life and appreciate the things that I had never thought deserved appreciation. That is the same reaction I have with We Were Here by Matt De La Pena. Yes it is controversial, and yes it may make you uncomfortable, but it is also an eye-opener.

"It felt nice and warm and mellow. Ir made me feel like us three
were on some kind of journey to save America from evil. Like a brand new kind of
war. No fighting, or bombing, or invading other places, just living out in the
open, on the beach. The opposite of being in jail. We were totally free."
(130)

I liked this quote because it showed how these three boys are searching for something that they had never had before. They want to get away from all of their problems and forget about the past. The quote also points out how friendship was a major theme in the book. The boys are going through drastic changes in their lives, but most importantly they are going through them together. They need one another to get to the next stage in their life. The book really made me be thankful for the people that have gotten me through difficult situations.

The book is great for your son or daughter because it will make them really re-evaluate their lives. It makes readers think through situations in their lives and realize that they are not the only ones going though difficult times. Their are others out there who are going through similar or worse problems. Overall its a great read and I encourage you to get it for your kids!

Graceling

Graceling by Kristin Cashore is a incredibly entertaining story that takes you into a completely different world. It is about a young girl named Katsa who is Graced with a deadly gift. She is able to kill anyone with her bare hands, because her Grace allows her to fight better, faster, and more accurate than anyone else. Her uncle uses her grace to his advantage, exploiting her grace as a way of getting back at the people who he feels "did him wrong". The story deals with finding one's true identity in the world, in relationships, and most importantly in yourself. I think that is is a great book to allow your kid to read. There are some more "mature" moments in the novel which would add a bit of controversy if you do not want your child reading books that have sexual scenes in them. Other than that, I feel like this book is great for kids that are simply looking for something entertaining to read. I personally really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel, Bitterblue.

~Spoiler Alert~

Please do not keep reading if you do not want details to be given away!

I feel like girls can relate to the main character, Katsa, which will make them really want to continue reading. I know that I truly enjoyed the book because I found her character to be so fascinating. She is so strong, free willed, courageous, and talented. While I read I found myself slightly wishing that I could be Katsa. She seems so indestructible, it would be nice to be so gifted! I feel like young girls especially will enjoy this book because it not only takes you into another world, but allows you to read about a character that is so unlike the characters in other books. I don't know if I have ever read a book with a female heroin like Katsa. Books usually have a male hero, and a female who needs rescuing. Katsa can not be beaten by any man in a hand to hand combat, which gives a certain appeal to other females because it is empowering to our sex. I definitely think that your daughters will enjoy the story.

One theme that I found very interesting in the novel is Katsa's never-ending need for freedom. She feels trapped and owned by her uncle, Randa, and finally decides to leave his court and once and for all follow her own path. Once she is out of Randa's control, she becomes scared of the feelings she is beginning to acquire for Po (He is also Graced. He has the Grace of fighting...but we later learn otherwise). Katsa is scared to allow anyone in to her life because for so long she has attempted to live her life without any emotions. This was just an interesting part of the book for me because it isn't often that we read about female characters who refuse to allow anyone else into their lives. She is trying to find herself in her search for freedom, but freedom was always within her grasp. This theme makes the book have an interesting twist that I believe your teens will enjoy (because at that age weren't we all in need of "freedom" :).

Overall, this book is just a great read. It is not heady or full of life lessons. It is simply a book that you can start and finish in one or two sittings because it keeps you captivated from the very beginning!

Teens and Reading

Through research I find that most teens enjoy books that they can relate to. High school is full of drama, dating, runaway emotions, and popularity. Throughout these years, teens seem to find out what kind of person they are. There is something about freshman year that is so critical to a child's life. I remember when I was a freshman and my friends began to change, many for the worst. Those early teen years are so important in mapping out the kind of person you will be for the rest of your life. That is why teens like to read books in which they can find something that is familiar. High school is so confusing, and after talking to several teens I realized just how important it was to them to know that they were not the only ones going through those awkward changes.

One teen stated that he only was interested in books which had a male antagonist. His class was currently reading The Catcher in the Rye. It was clear that he could definitely relate to the boy that was struggling in the novel. The book is about a young boy, Holden, that is struggling to find himself in a big and lonely world. The teen with which I was talking to stated that he rarely ready, "any of the books given out in class, but I like this book. Holden is funny, and I can relate to some of his problems." This point showed me that the main reason why he was reading this book, was due to the fact that the author was able to portray the feelings of young teens through his main character.

As a teen, I was very dramatic. I thought that everything I was going through was something that nobody else could possibly understand. I remember my older sisters telling me that they were once in high school and knew exactly what I was dealing with. No matter how many times they told me that, I still strongly believed that they "Just didn't understand!" That is exactly what another teen stated when I asked her what she thought of many books she read in class. "I like the ones that deal with real issues. I really liked the Scarlett Letter because it is about a young girl that made one mistake, but had to carry that mistake around with her every day. We all make mistakes, but we don't have to constantly be reminded of them like the girl in the book. It was interesting cause' we all go through stuff like that..."

Parents, if your teen is not one that likes to read but you are trying to get them interested in it, then look for book with which they can relate. Some books that I am sure they would enjoy include,
~The Catcher in the Rye-Salinger, J.D.
~To Kill a Mockingbird-Harper Lee
~Eragon & Eldest-Christopher Paolini
~Graceling-Kristin Cashore
~The Outsiders-Hinton S.E.
Reading is a wonderful thing and I really think that is is very important to get your kids involved!