Divergent Response

My book this week I picked to read is Divergent by Veronica Roth. I was recommended this book by my mentor teacher last semester and this seemed to be the perfect week to be able to read it. I was excited when she told me it was similar to The Hunger Games. This book was such a great and easy read. It was complicated at times and I had to reread particular sections to make sure I understood everything. With that being said, I do think that middle school students would enjoy it as well. The story is so different and really can have kids visualizing themselves in the story. I kept thinking the whole story about what faction I would be part of if I could choose. The story was about a girl that is part of a post-apocyliptic world and is a member of a group of people that all decided selfishness was the downfall of the world. The main character, Beatrice, needs to pick which fraction after a test that she will join or stay in at the age of sixteen. She ends up leaving her parents and the story revolves around the changes she undergoes having to adapt to a new way of life. I think students would be able to get lost in this story and would be really excited to read it. I will absolutely recommend this book to all my students and friends alike. I am so happy I was able to relax and read a novel of my choice this week. If anyone has not checked this book out I highly recommend it to all readers.

Anything But Typical Response

I fell in love with this book. Being inside Jasons's thoughts and reading the way he sees the world was so interesting to me. I don't think a lot of people have had the chance to get inside the head of an autistic child unless you are related to someone that is able to tell you about your feelings. I think this would be such a special book to use in a classroom of students that do not understand anything about autism. Middle grade students have a hard time relating to other students that are different then themselves. I think this book would be such a great opportunity for students to learn more about some of their classmates. It also helps that as a teacher I was able to see what life is like for an autistic child because chances are I might have one in my classroom. Jason was so intelligent and most likely if I were to talk to him in person I might not be able to tell that. I think this is a beautiful book because it shows the depth of his personality and feelings that someone might not be able to see in person. I also just think this book is perfect for this age because almost everyone is worried about fitting in. This was Jason's biggest fear and is also the biggest fear of almost all the students that might be in class with him. I just think learning to be confident in yourself is such a great lesson for any student this age needs to learn and experience. I feel in love with Jason and felt his emotions along with him as I read. I would definitely use this novel in my classroom. I thought it was beautiful.