Monday, Oct. 30 Moderator: Nija Brancahttp://www.jenniferniven.com/
Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her small Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.
When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school—six stories above the ground— it’s unclear who saves whom. Soon it’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink. . . .
“A do-not-miss for fans of Eleanor & Park and The Fault in Our Stars, and basically anyone who can breathe.” —Justine Magazine
“At the heart—a big one—of All the Bright Places lies a charming love story about this unlikely and endearing pair of broken teenagers.” —The New York Times Book Review
“A heart-rending, stylish love story.” —The Wall Street Journal
“A complex love story that will bring all the feels.” —Seventeen Magazine
I enjoyed the book and felt it was a perfect book for teenagers and health class. First of all the book addressed the issue of the popular students vs. the outcasts. Students often write about the system type casts in school. In SOTA, students feel separated by Art majors, sports, and AP vs. Regular education. Students often talk about how some majors get more field trips and attention than others. These attitudes separate students and leave some students feeling slighted.
ReplyDeleteI loved how the book addressed the highs and lows of a manic depressive person. It's easy for people to like Finch when he's at his high moments but avoid him at the low. Violet was afraid to be seen with him due to his mental illness "oddness".
If I were using this book in class, I would ask the following questions:
What is normal? Define it for me? Would you define Finch as normal? Why or why not?
Have you ever been in Violet's shoes, where you are friends with someone but you don't want others to know? Was that a hurtful action? Why did you do it? Why was Finch so forgiving of Violet when she did this? Do you consider this a form of bullying?
Do you feel that Finch committee suicide? Why or why not? What are the signs of suicide? Did you see any in the novel?
How can you help a friend who maybe like Finch? Explain in detail.
I loved the book - and really didn't want to, like really didn't want to.
ReplyDeleteThe book was a syrupy: everything fit together too well, there was a predictable arc (intrigue, love, schism, reparation), there was the split narrative, outcast finds the girl who is cool but can appreciate him for his eccentricities - but I thought teens would connect easily with the story and find it a very enjoyable read, and with that said I loved the story and I fell for Violet and Finch.
My issue with the book was the portrayal of Finch's suicide; I leave the book feeling like Finch's actions were understandable/heroic - and without a sounding board/venue to discuss the book I feel like a teenager can leave the book with a message that I have trouble endorsing. However, I still think this book was well written, engrossing, and approachable - and given the right framing is a great book for students to look into.
The book could easily be used in classrooms, it brings up discussions of relationships, mental health, and suicide that fit well within a Health class. I also really enjoyed the assignment that brings Violet and Finch together - I thought that could be a cool end of the year assignment for a Social Studies/English class.