Hi all! This will be a space for discussions about the novel. Also, feel free to share thoughts, questions, and insights about the readings and class discussions. Please check back weekly.
Hi guys... I'm new at blogging. Just wanted to see if this works. I was also wondering if the textbook came in. I plan to check before class tomorrow. See everyone there!
So... I finally got the books and decided to start my reading today of the novel "Diary of a Part Time Indian". I was expecting to read my 4 assigned chapters and SURPRISE! I became truly engaged in the text. It is a pleasant (easy) read and quite funny! If I didn't have so many other things to do today I might have read the whole book in one sitting. I love the author's style and clear voice used in his characterization of Junior. Right away I bought into feeling sorry for this kid - a poor "loser" with no friends except a tough bully. No wonder this book won an award... I can see recommending it to any teen reader (HS because of some of the content/profanity) and already want to give it to my teenage sons to read. It is a great testament to the struggles adolescents face in their middle and HS years - puberty,friends, family relationships, bullying, feeling like an outcast, dating, etc. It is quite interesting to experience this novel written in a sad but humorous way through a teenage boy's eyes.
A wonderful book...one I was able to finish this afternoon...and what a captivating book. If you haven't started it, you are really missing out. I hate to admit that I finished it, but it was one that I just couldn't put down...like re-living childhood in a sense...or another look through the eyes of a student. Anyhoo...I am really just waiting on the questions, but had to say a little bit about how much Sherman Alexie is one of my new favorite authors (a very close second to my all time favorite, David Sedaris). I need a good, heart warming/tear jerking author to bring me back to my days of devouring R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike books. Short of this summer, it's been a while since I've been captivated.
I have read the first couple of chapters and as a dog lover I was heartbroken! I teach in the elementary schools so I don't think I will use this book anytime soon in my classroom....
YES--I CRIED MY WAY THROUGH THE LAST PART OF MARLEY AND ME SO THE SECOND CHAPTER WHERE JUNIOR'S DAD DECIDES TO PUT JUNIOR'S DOG DOWN REALLY HIT ME TOO. MY LAST DOG, "RAISIN" WAS A SMALL COKAPOO (SP?) AND HE USED TO RIDE WAVES ON THE NOSE OF MY LONGBOARD (SERIOUSLY). THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER IN HILO FEATURED A PHOTO OF RAISIN IN THE STUPID PET TRICKS HUMAN INTEREST SECTION ONCE. THEY CUT ME OUT AND ALL YOU CAN SEE IS MY DOG RIDING THE NOSE OF THE BOARD. PRETTY COOL AND I STILL MISS HIM. HE LIVED TO BE 17 WHICH IS A LONG TIME IN DOG YEARS!
I too was upset about the dog part. I have a beagle named Ginger. She is our baby girl and apart of lives. I can't imagine one of my family members hurting her. She is really smart and great with my baby boy. I am about half way done with the book. I too teach in elementary school and would never use this book but as an adult reader it has me interested.
This book is very controversial and many say they won't use it in their classrooms. I guess the fact that it is controversial leads to great conversations, however, that may not be broachable without the use of the text. I would use it as a springboard for difficult, delicate discussions - but NOT with my second graders, that's for sure :)
Hi guys... I'm new at blogging. Just wanted to see if this works. I was also wondering if the textbook came in. I plan to check before class tomorrow. See everyone there!
ReplyDeleteHi Judy,
ReplyDeleteI called the UNLV bookstore yesterday and they did not have the text in yet and were not sure when they would arrive.
So... I finally got the books and decided to start my reading today of the novel "Diary of a Part Time Indian". I was expecting to read my 4 assigned chapters and SURPRISE! I became truly engaged in the text. It is a pleasant (easy) read and quite funny! If I didn't have so many other things to do today I might have read the whole book in one sitting. I love the author's style and clear voice used in his characterization of Junior. Right away I bought into feeling sorry for this kid - a poor "loser" with no friends except a tough bully. No wonder this book won an award... I can see recommending it to any teen reader (HS because of some of the content/profanity) and already want to give it to my teenage sons to read. It is a great testament to the struggles adolescents face in their middle and HS years - puberty,friends, family relationships, bullying, feeling like an outcast, dating, etc. It is quite interesting to experience this novel written in a sad but humorous way through a teenage boy's eyes.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful book...one I was able to finish this afternoon...and what a captivating book. If you haven't started it, you are really missing out. I hate to admit that I finished it, but it was one that I just couldn't put down...like re-living childhood in a sense...or another look through the eyes of a student. Anyhoo...I am really just waiting on the questions, but had to say a little bit about how much Sherman Alexie is one of my new favorite authors (a very close second to my all time favorite, David Sedaris). I need a good, heart warming/tear jerking author to bring me back to my days of devouring R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike books. Short of this summer, it's been a while since I've been captivated.
ReplyDeleteI have read the first couple of chapters and as a dog lover I was heartbroken! I teach in the elementary schools so I don't think I will use this book anytime soon in my classroom....
ReplyDeleteYES--I CRIED MY WAY THROUGH THE LAST PART OF MARLEY AND ME SO THE SECOND CHAPTER WHERE JUNIOR'S DAD DECIDES TO PUT JUNIOR'S DOG DOWN REALLY HIT ME TOO. MY LAST DOG, "RAISIN" WAS A SMALL COKAPOO (SP?) AND HE USED TO RIDE WAVES ON THE NOSE OF MY LONGBOARD (SERIOUSLY). THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER IN HILO FEATURED A PHOTO OF RAISIN IN THE STUPID PET TRICKS HUMAN INTEREST SECTION ONCE. THEY CUT ME OUT AND ALL YOU CAN SEE IS MY DOG RIDING THE NOSE OF THE BOARD. PRETTY COOL AND I STILL MISS HIM. HE LIVED TO BE 17 WHICH IS A LONG TIME IN DOG YEARS!
ReplyDeleteI too was upset about the dog part. I have a beagle named Ginger. She is our baby girl and apart of lives. I can't imagine one of my family members hurting her. She is really smart and great with my baby boy.
ReplyDeleteI am about half way done with the book. I too teach in elementary school and would never use this book but as an adult reader it has me interested.
This book is very controversial and many say they won't use it in their classrooms. I guess the fact that it is controversial leads to great conversations, however, that may not be broachable without the use of the text. I would use it as a springboard for difficult, delicate discussions - but NOT with my second graders, that's for sure :)
ReplyDelete