Feed by M.T. Anderson

I love dystopian novels, including Feed, by M.T. Anderson. Though I am typically attracted to dystopian novels like The Hunger Games or Divergent, I was interested in this book because it is a story of a failing futuristic society that is controlled by a larger corporation. Thankfully, compared to most weeks where we have to blog on the first half of the book, I am able to rate this book an A based upon the entire book!

What I enjoyed most about this book was the way in which its themes can relate to young adolescents. From the beginning of the book, people are taught to value object, money, and entertainment, which is why they have the feed, or system-like devices installed into their brains to communicate directly to that person. The first theme I want to focus on is the theme of identity. Considering people within this book have the feed installed into their brains, often times it was difficult as readers to identify the difference in identity between characters. For example, considering the feed provides a constant stream of info on what people should buy, what to like, or what to listen to, it made it difficult to find the difference in identities between the characters (like Marty and Link).

The next way in which this book relates to adolescents is with the theme of power. As people read dystopian novels, its usually about a community or society that is in either undesirable or frightening in some sort of way. Within this book, we read on how the feed controlled everyone’s thoughts from the time they were born, to their time of death. The way the feed works tends to allow the readers and the characters within the book to know exactly who is in charge. People grow up on kids programs and attending school, and eventually become brainwashed into decisions based upon what the feed provides them with. As a reader, I enjoyed the imagery we almost see when we read about the brutality of people when they rebel against the “power.” For example, we read about the corporation’s power and brutality when the rioters were beaten into submission, which reminded me of the similar events in Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins.

Relating back to the first theme I mentioned, identity, I want to touch on the role of technology and modernization. Considering the feed controls everything within an individuals mind, why would people even bother to think for themselves? Even today, in our society, I feel that technology is controlling us. Although it doesn’t make decisions for us, it seems that we overly rely on it or overuse it. It bothers me how much time my generation spends on electronics, especially cell phones. Though I fall into modern technology myself, it seems that some people wouldn’t be able to live their lives if Apple products weren’t created! Anyways, besides my rant, I feel that these technology advancements that we read about within Feed may help students realize how much we use technology. Obviously, this theme of technology and modernization would be used to stop being on electronics so much, but more of a theme to help students become more aware.

As I mentioned above, I rate this book an A because not only do I love dystopian novels, but I think this book can really help students within modern culture become more aware of technology and the ways they can find their own identity. I would really be interested to see how much of an impact this book could have within a middle school or high school classroom.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Though our posts are supposed to be related to the book, I initially want to mention the fact that much of this book was based upon the real-life experiences of the author, a Spokane Native, Sherman Alexie. His intention in writing this young adult novel was to be able to portray a life-like depiction of what reservation life was truly like. By presenting an autobiographical depiction, Alexie was able to relate many themes within this book to the experiences that happen within adolescents lives.

            Compared to some of the other books we have read in this class, I felt that there were more themes than just one or two within this book that need to be discussed. Arnold Spirit Jr, or even the readers, are taken through a roller-coaster of themes and ideas that young adolescents need to be exposed to. Although some reviewers or book critics may be against these themes, I believe that Sherman Alexie wrote about masturbation, racism, drugs and alcohol, bullying, poverty, death, and even anorexia for a reason. Although I think limiting a theme could possibly help students really understand an issue or topic easier, I felt that many themes were included to possibly reach more kids than just a selected group of individuals struggling with a problem. Random thought, it seems like differentiated instruction. He seems to use a variety themes throughout the book to get all kinds of readers involved and interested.  Because of this, I absolutely would teach this book within a classroom, and yes, it absolutely relates to young adolescents. However, let me take a step back and say that although I would enjoy teaching this book, I would find it quite challenging at the same time. For example, I would hate to overstep my boundaries. I think as teacher you just need to make sure you do not disrespect any students that struggle with some of these issues.

            What I found interesting about this book was the way that Alexie introduced themes. If anybody other than the professor is reading this, don’t you agree that majority of the issues and themes throughout the book are discussed or brought up through Juniors ideas or thoughts of stereotypes? With this question in mind, I think the idea of finding ones self needs to be discussed. It seems that the role of identity was considered throughout the book based upon which themes that I listed above were encountered by specific characters. It seemed to me that students that read this book could do the same. Considering that I believe that this book has many themes that can relate to several young adolescents, I rate this book and A (which is my highest grade given yet). One way, personally, that I loved this book was because we were reading about two characters. Not only the life of Junior, but the real life of Sherman Alexie. Though some young adults could struggle finding the connections between the character and the author, I think that as a teacher, an authors biography lesson would be relevant and very beneficial before reading this book, or maybe even after.

*This book was fantastic. An “A” book, my favorite book yet, and a book that can shine within the hearts of many young adolescents.

American Born Chinese

Before I begin, let me first announce that I rushed this weeks reading due to the fact that I thought we were supposed to blog on The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. With that being said, let me begin.

Although this reading began with the story about the Monkey King, I believe that majority of this book was written with intention to focus on the character of Jin Wang. Even though I would say I am a bit ahead of the game, I like the connections that students could make between this book, American Born Chinese, and the book, The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. One plot within the story is about how Jin Wang fits into the new school among the white students, similar to Arnold Spirit Jr. However, let me focus this blog on American Born Chinese. As I mentioned, Jin , a Chinese boy, suffers through the themes of racial stereotypes along with the understanding of identity. As far as identity, we read the switch of roles between the Monkey King and the character of Jin Wang. Through some extensive research, I found that this book is a good resource to help students that are academically challenged. The pictures help students relate to the text, and to help them find a motivation to learn. Although in quick terms, this book is about a Chinese student that struggles to find his identity as a minority, it also helps students find hope within themselves and their own identity.

            Though I do believe this book can relate to young adolescents, it was difficult for me to follow the different stories or characters that Gene Yang writes about. I feel that I still need to discuss the theme of finding ones identity. What I found interesting within this book is the “sort-of” concept of love. Jin had a crush on Amelia Harris, a popular white girl (which raises some problems). I felt that after reading this book and the key theme within it, it helps students find hope. Although bullying as another key theme within the book, I felt that although Jin was a misfit, he was trying to pursue a better life (this is just my opinion, others may think different).

Because I felt that this book was hard to follow among the character changes and difficult Chinese names, I will rate this book a B. I enjoyed it merely because it will help and relate to so many young students and their struggle to find their identity; especially with the ability to adapt to a new environment and the struggle of fitting in. The only part that I really want to critique is the struggle of following the storyline. I would not consider myself a strong reader, so I won’t tear on it too much, but I did enjoy how they were able to be pieced together in the end. Lastly, I enjoyed this book because of its graphics and pictures. Some readers may skip over them, but I feel like they can really make that struggled reader become closer or relatable to a specific character.

If someone wants to go beyond this blog, you can read my blog on “fitting in” that I had written from a previous class I had taken. It also includes other articles and texts that may be used along with this book.