Archive for September, 2011

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

September 4th, 2011

I have a lot of respect for Kathryn Erskine. It takes quite a bit of skill to write from a first-person perspective when the narrator’s autistic. Mockingbird does not come off as gimmicky or disrespectful and Caitlin’s autism is an extremely engaging way to look at grief and loss.

The book starts with Caitlin staring at her brother’s unfinished Eagle Scout project. Since the story’s from her perspective, I was a little lost as to what was going on. The second chapter came quickly and the audience is able to see Caitlin at a funeral for her brother. She’s trying desperately to figure out what’s going on, why people are saying the things they do, and why her brother is dead.

The Eagle Scout project represents Closure (she capitalizes it because it’s so important) and continuing with life despite an event that hurts an entire community. Seeing it through Caitlin’s eyes is really interesting because she does not understand empathy. As she learns how to feel what others are feeling, we as an audience learn more about what happened to her older brother.

It’s a beautifully simple book that had me growing in empathy alongside Caitlin. The short length of the book helps – too much longer would be too much of a good thing (or too emotionally exhausting, depending on your perspective). I’m excited to booktalk this to students. I don’t think the cover sells the book at all, but it definitely deserves a read.

Author Visit: Lisa McMann

September 1st, 2011

We had the great opportunity to host Lisa McMann in our library yesterday. She’s touring with her new book, The Unwanteds. (It’s a great book. Make sure to check out my review (and then go buy the book)).

It’s interesting to compare author visits with some of the others that have come to our school. Lisa was definitely not jumping on tables. That may have been a unique characteristic of Frank Beddor. She did have some of the rebellious attitude of Heather Brewer, which was great. The students applauded many of her statements and had tons of questions for her.

One thing that stood out was that Lisa read the first chapter of her book to start her presentation. I know that authors do readings all the time in stores and coffee shops, but I’ll be honest: I thought reading aloud to 180 students might not go over well. I’ve presented to that many students, but I’m tall and loud. Lisa McMann does not shout, or at least she did not during her presentation. She read with a quiet intensity that I was afraid people would talk over.

Then I remembered that her book rocks. There were students in the audience who were reading along with her, which is pretty cool considering the book only went on sale at the start of this week.

She shared about her own kids and her husband helped run the PowerPoint. It allowed students to see that an author has a real life and is not a completely mythological creature, although hearing that she wrote Wake in seven days leads me to believe that she has some Olympian characteristics.

If you get a chance to have her speak at your school, take it. It definitely boosted interest in reading her book. Check her tour schedule here. It was a worthwhile experience for students and staff. Thanks to Changing Hands for the opportunity and Ms. Redden for making it happen.

Yes, I’m tall.
Yes, it looks like Ms. Redden is photobombing us.