I first read this novel when I was a junior in high school, and I remember then how I remember now the final impact the novel left with me.
Every now...moreI first read this novel when I was a junior in high school, and I remember then how I remember now the final impact the novel left with me.
Every now and then you come across a few novels that despite being good (plot-wise) are also written beautifully. The Adoration of Jenna Fox is one of them. It reads almost like Speak does, simple, not overdone. The text transcends more than once, connects to the larger picture, and poses questions about life, humanity, and identity. It is overall, thought-provoking. It is almost impossible to go throughout this novel and not at least once question what in reality it means to be human.
The bio-ethics make it all interesting and the scary part being, it’s something you can almost see in our future. It brings in a lot of arguments about science and life. And engages a reader to pose these questions and think about them. Also, there is Jenna’s quest for identity. Before the “re-birth” she’s torn between being the “perfect” child her parents want to be. She takes her new life as a new chance to strengthen herself, her identity. There are so many elements that a teacher can bring in to the classroom. I believe with this novel could easily engage a student to start analyzing broader ideas not only about self-perception but also on how the world sees us.
As of now, I have read this book a number of three times. First time I read it, I hardly remember as to how I reacted towards this book. I think I was...moreAs of now, I have read this book a number of three times. First time I read it, I hardly remember as to how I reacted towards this book. I think I was in middle school when I gave it a shot. I remember liking it, but that was about it. The second time I read it was in high school, it was a book picked out to be read by the school book club. Having already watched the movie and reading the book for the second time, I appreciated the book in a way that I didn’t before. Now that I visit the pages of this world again, the experience was entirely different. Part of the reason is because I’m able to pick out details that otherwise, I wouldn’t have caught before. And second, having gone through high school already, you can’t help but to relate and agree to how school sociality is structured in Melinda’s school. Taking a “teacher point of view,” I can see why this book is so popular to teach in school. It carries all the elements or issues that need to be addressed and discussed with middle school/high school kids. I also loved the way the novel is structured. Very personal, like an internal casual conversation, or like pages taken out of a diary…Melinda is very silent in real life, but inside her head, she speaks her mind. She struggles to find her voice, drown in the entire bustle that goes on around her, but towards the end, it was nice to see that she finally spoke up. The ending is one of the best parts. You don’t need to know what goes on later, those words say it all.(less)
I read this book back in middle school and I can remember liking it but I read it so long ago I hardly remember what happened in the novel at all. I r...moreI read this book back in middle school and I can remember liking it but I read it so long ago I hardly remember what happened in the novel at all. I really enjoyed this book. I especially enjoyed the author’s way of writing and all the different issues and themes he manages to embed in his book without making a sole “bullying” book. I can see how this book can open the issues of bullying and name calling and how that can take a toll on a person’s life. There were also so many tender moments in this book as well as the many humorous ones. It added a nice tone to the book and I kept finding myself more engrossed with it. I think the primary reason to it was that all these relationships and back stories made the characters real. There were realistic, facing real problems, and figuring out a place in the world. Truly a nice little book that even I would love for my children to read. Makes you more aware of the certain things you might call someone else in the future. Good read. (less)
Throughout the book I kept thinking about something you had told the class in the very beginning, Professor. About...moreSuch a beautiful and tender story.
Throughout the book I kept thinking about something you had told the class in the very beginning, Professor. About how students are more than likely going to read and be intrigued by something that that either related to them cultural or locally. Reading this book, I can see why. I read a lot as a kid. And I mean about kids with superpowers, teens battling with “teen issues,” supernatural creatures… But I have never read something that I could relate to. Something about me. I think I was less than 10 years old when I picked up a book called “Faith and the Electric Dogs” which included some words in Spanish. It was so refreshing and exciting for me to see my two languages intermingle in this book. I wanted to read things similar to it, but could never find others. It wasn’t until later on that authors like Sandra Cisneros and Viola Canales were introduced that I found myself happy to relate to a book so much. Sofia is a strong character, choosing to non-conform to her old culture traditions, but decided to venture out more than from where she lives. She does not, however, Americanize in the process but still maintains her roots close to her. She knows where she comes from. I find this story more beautiful than I did then.
It feels nice when you are being represented on a book. Where the customs, sayings, and traditions aren’t entirely foreign to you, they are more than familiar. They are home. Yes, stories like these are my favorite because I can laugh, cry, and understand but not only that, I can connect. And when a connection is made between reader and character through culture, it makes reading more than enjoyable, but something you will want to do again. (less)
I had to re-read this novel for one of my college classes. It was a similar experience, yet different reading I got out of it. First time I read it as...moreI had to re-read this novel for one of my college classes. It was a similar experience, yet different reading I got out of it. First time I read it as a sophomore in high school and four years later, I'm reading it as a sophomore in college. What can be said is that this book is a must read in a lifetime. You have to read it. It's powerful, tragic, horrifying. It evokes so much emotion. I know it did to me. This little novel is powerful. Whether you're young or old, it's a must read.(less)
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