I am over half way through The Big Splash and although I am entertained, I don't find it to be a book that I have trouble putting down. I like the corky idea that the kids are running an underground business for old tests and hall passes etc. That seems like every middle schooler's dream to me! It is a little concerning that kids keep getting away with the squirt gun crimes and no teachers get involved, but it is all in good fun I guess! You could probably bring up some good conversation about bullying with this book.
I have to be honest, the first chapter or so did not capture my attention at all, but as I got to know Matt a bit more and learn about his family life with his Dad disappearing and his Mom having to work two jobs etc. The little love triangle also made the book seem a little more "real" to me.I hate to stereotype, but I definitely see this book appealing to more boys than girls. I think the mystery and little adventure in it would captivate even some reluctant male readers. It is a fun story that I will most definitely keep on my list of suggestions for students!
Katie, I certainly respect your response to the book. I am curious though what you would say in response to Hansen-Krening's question "what is it in you that evokes this response?". Do you know why you find mysteries or perhaps the plot/characters of this book less appealing than others you have read this semester?
ReplyDeleteWell, I have to admit, and I am ashamed to say that I do think I judged the book too quickly. As I delved deeper into the book I did find myself enjoying it much more. I think it took me a while to get to know the characters because I was a bit turned off by the dialogue? I think? To be honest, until you reminded me of that question, I hadn't really stopped to think about why I felt this way about the book. Now that I am thinking about it a bit more,I think it is because the dialogue between the "gangs" if you will, was a little far fetched for me. I could not picture my middle school students actually talking to each other that way. After getting to know more about the Jack and his family life, I think I felt more relaxed about the situation. I also think I was reading this from a teacher perspective and I was asking myself how teachers did not see all of this going on, and why they did not stop the chaos! I need to make a more conscious effort to read this from the perspective of the audience it was intended for. I also felt like there were a lot of unanswered questions at the end about Jack's mother and her past. I wanted to know more about the "note" left from his dad, and about the relationship between Jack's mother and Mr. Calling. I think it calls for a sequel!
ReplyDeleteBRAVO KATIE! BRAVO!!!! I am so proud of you for recognizing the need to be "flexible" with our stances as we read YA literature. Obviously, as teachers, we MUST consider the instructional value of a text -- especially if we are going to consider using it as a whole class read. However, it is equally important that we find find books that our students will love -- even if, as adults, we don't fully "get it." :-)
ReplyDeleteIf you spend a little time finding out more about the author, Jack Ferriaolo, you will find that Jack thrives on comedy. One other key element of this book which is worth taking into consideration is that Jack uses the "mob theme" as a form of hyperbole here. By placing these "stereotypic mafia overtones" in the book, he is able to bring to light the struggles for identity/belonging that is a common experience for American middle school students.
Oh and one more important item -- he FINALLY is writing a sequel to this book!!!! Yeah!