As I started reading this book I felt instantly that it was a good choice for me. I liked right away that it
seemed "real." The main character Miguel instantly seemed like many teenagers I met teaching in the RCSD. I think often when I read YA fiction the characters do not seem real, they seem like the author is trying to hard to be a teenager. Honestly, it seems strange, but I really liked that the character swore and used foul language, it seems natural, but I was thinking, I hope he changes in a way throughout the book that won't encourage kids to act like him. If kids look up to Miguel then they too will think it's cool to fight, swear, and be in "juvi." I do think kids will relate to him and that is understandable, but I don't think it's good for kids to want to be like him. I think age is important in determining who will read this, I think early middle school may be to young and kids may think it's cool to be like him in the beginning. I also felt that this book will resonate with many kids, as it has already started to with me. It offers up opportunity for deep thinking and I am only 20 pages in. Ideas of God and Identity and relationships have already surfaced that I think will spark the minds of almost anyone.
seemed "real." The main character Miguel instantly seemed like many teenagers I met teaching in the RCSD. I think often when I read YA fiction the characters do not seem real, they seem like the author is trying to hard to be a teenager. Honestly, it seems strange, but I really liked that the character swore and used foul language, it seems natural, but I was thinking, I hope he changes in a way throughout the book that won't encourage kids to act like him. If kids look up to Miguel then they too will think it's cool to fight, swear, and be in "juvi." I do think kids will relate to him and that is understandable, but I don't think it's good for kids to want to be like him. I think age is important in determining who will read this, I think early middle school may be to young and kids may think it's cool to be like him in the beginning. I also felt that this book will resonate with many kids, as it has already started to with me. It offers up opportunity for deep thinking and I am only 20 pages in. Ideas of God and Identity and relationships have already surfaced that I think will spark the minds of almost anyone.
I think the reason I was instantly pulled in to this book is because of what I already stated, it's real. I do not like things that are sugar coated or made to seem all happy and good. I like truth and struggle, I like conflict and overcoming, and this seems full of it. It's not as if my life has been full of conflict and struggle, though I have had my share, I just can relate to this idea of internal conflict, and fighting to be true to yourself and people you love, even when you are not sure of what that means. I really like the idea of thinking about larger, philosophical ideas and the impact they have on the way one lives there life. I think it is very important for people to evaluate beliefs, stereotypes, and ideas they hold in order to be their true self, and Miguel seems to be someone who is doing that.
WOW! This sounds like an interesting book. I agree that sometimes writers "try too hard to be a teenager." I am not really a fan of that either, but when a writer is able to truly capture the essence of a teenager it is a real treat. It sounds as if this may be the case in this book. I am glad to hear that.
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