The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui - 3 stars

[Amy]

God help me, I think I am going to get myself in trouble with my comments. And yet I cannot seem to stop myself. The book itself was well done, though I wouldn't usually pick up a graphic novel. In fact, I would do incredible things to avoid one. However, the story was well done and evocative. On its own merit, I have great appreciation for both the book and the author's experience and journey.

My problem is not with the book itself, which I would even say I found compelling and somewhat enjoyable. It is with what is picked as 9th grade curriculum reading. I managed to somewhat hold myself back during my 9 minutes of conversation with the English teacher on this point - but really? Students these days are reading less and less, and I believe it is the school's prerogative to choose books that are yes going to teach something of value, and naturally there is value in these diverse experiences. But it is also mean (seemingly in my eyes alone) to give students an interest in reading. To give them books with the very few opportunities we have, to be interested in reading in general. This failed with my first two sons, and as far as I am concerned the choices are getting worse, weirder, and more outlandish. My son's reaction is that he doesn't care for graphic novels, (great news!) and that its not completely uninteresting. As far as I am concerned, this is the fourth book of the year, and not one of them has been a hit. Catcher in the Rye appears to be hit or miss with these kids. For my son it was a miss. Eleanor and Park? House on Mango Street? Not one of these has been a compelling read for a 14 year old boy. I am told 9th grade English, the theme is supposed to be Coming of Age and Stories of Diversity. Fine. I have no problem with that. But this book opens up with an entire chapter of Childbirth and that is one of two chapters that entail the harrowing nature of childbirth. Really? What did my male 9th grader really take from this? Again, the book on its own has merit and value. The school system's ability to teach kids how amazing reading can be? C Minus.

[Theresa]

Lordy, Amy this book is so not for 9th grade! Or young teens in general, not just boys!

[Joanne]

I agree with you, Amy, that Graphic Novels are not a favorite of mine, and that this one was inappropriate reading for a 9th grader. There are so many other books out there that could have replaced this one in the "theme" that it stymies me to understand how and why it was chosen. Did you ask? Perhaps this is the first place to start as a proactive mother who is looking to promote reading with her child. I am sure other parents would agree that knowing how these books are chosen is the place to begin to give them some type of insight and perhaps input.

When my daughter was in AP English their reading list was sent home the summer before school. Students, with parental guidance and approval, were allowed to opt out of a book and pick one of the alternatives. I always engaged my daughter in this activity If I knew the book I gave her my opinion of how I thought she would like it. I believe this was a parent's suggestion after arguments ensued about certain reading material. This was not a "ban the book" crusade but a concern about the enjoyment and the appropriateness of the material for the age group.