Ghost

Reynolds, J (2016). Ghost. New York, NY; Simon and Schuster.

Summary
Castle "Ghost" Cranshaw has been running almost his whole life.  He has a lot to run from. His home life is less than desirable. His father is an alcoholic and he doesn't have much support at home. He dreams of having a better life preferably be become the best at something. He stumbles upon a track team at practice. He doesn't see the purpose because as he sees it running is just something you do. There is no need to practice at it.  Soon Ghost moves from survival mode to surviving mode.  He begins to see a future and develops relationships with his teammates and coach. His coach's life in particular help Ghost realize what potential is. He is a former addict who has turned his life around. He sees that there is a possibility to escape the ghetto by running but not literally running. Just using as a means to get ahead. By the end, Ghost realizes that they is a chance for something better and you can turn your life around.

Commentary
It is hopeful to see males as protagonist in books where they have positive role models. The image of Ghost running from his father when he tried to shoot him is heartbreaking.  It is because events like this are true for many kids in our schools today.  I understand this book is supposed to be the first in a serious. I can't wait to see more. Jason Reynolds saw a need for literature with characters that reflected people that he know or that were like him. Novels like Ghost are needed especilly to encourage young minority boys to read.

Connection
Author Interview

Reading group guide

Connections to text

Realistic fiction should include plot structure that could happen. Young Adult literature should include characters and situations that young people can identify with. Jason Reynolds purposely wrote a book with a young black male as the lead. He wanted characters that looked like him that were involved in situations that black males were familiar with. So the conflict in this book is character vs self and society and character. The main character changes due to the other characters and events. Growth and maturity is shown. This is common for young people at this age. 

Speak

Anderson, L. H. (1999). Speak. New York, NY: Penguin.

Summary

Melina Sordino is having a tough time in high school. The freshmen seems to have lost her friends that she has had since elementary school over the summer.  It seems the whole school is against her because of something that happened over the summer. Melinda meets a new student, Heather. They begin to hang out but soon Heather ditches her to become part of the clique The Marthas. All of these isolation plus an unknown trauma, and disinterested parents are the cause for Melinda to become a selective mute much to her parents' frustration.  A abandoned janitorial closet becomes her refuge and she begins to find her voice as she tries to complete her art project "Tree".  When Andy Evans, a character we find out raped her earlier, attacks her again in her hiding place, she fights back and gets help from the lacrosse team.  At the end of the book, she finds her voice and feels comfortable enough to tell her story.

Commentary

The book is rather predictable.  I was able to figure out on the bus ride in the first chapter when she mentions a party that she was probably raped.  That seems to be the go to for young females when a trauma is needed.  But the story is well written and develops nicely.  After reading the after thoughts by Laurie Anderson I began to see why rape is a common theme for young female characters.  Sexual assault is prevalent in the lives of young girls in the 21st century. Laurie wrote about all the letters she got from girls saying that they were raped or attacked.  It is a shame that our girls are still having to face this. However it is nice that so many found this book something that helped expressed the confusion and hurt they were feeling inside.  It is a very quick read and doesn't try to go to deep into theory. It is just a girl telling her story of the immediate aftermath after she is attacked.  Many victims go through the stages of shock, self-blame, depression, and anger.

Connections

Connections
Finding your voice is a common theme in YA literature. That is why Speak is such an appropriate title.  Of course it works literally, because Melinda will not speak after her attack. But it also comes in to play with what is going on inside of her. She was silent during her attack and didn't speak up.  She was silent after attack and didn't speak to the 911 operator. She is trying to find her voice when it comes to friendships and speaking up for herself against difficult teachers.  All around her it appears others do not have a problem making their voice heard but Melinda does.