Young Adult Fiction Has Many Great Canadian Content Options For Young Readers Like Susin Nielsen9/1/2018 Susin Nielsen, a Canadian author of several award winning Young Adult books, came to my Language Art Curriculum and Instruction class February 2017. It was a wonderful experience, she spoke to us about literature, how she got into writing, and her books. I bought her library and got her to sign my copies, which included a yet to be released copy of Optimists Die First. With my practicum on the horizon and my work load quite heavy, I was unable to dive into her books right away, but my daughter, who is in grade 6, devoured the five books I brought home and loved them. I have since read We Are All Made of Molecules and Optimists Die First. As an English Language Arts educator in training and a Canadian, it is great to be able to promote wonderful Canadian content and I highly recommend checking out her books. Her subject matter deals with children and youth dealing with exceptional circumstances caused by changes that are out of their control. Her protagonists have to deal with these changes and make new lives for themselves. These changes deal with divorce, new relationships, death, and substance abuse, among others. In just the short time I have been in the schools I have already come across students processing through some of these very issues. In my own experience I had to process through some of these issues before I left grade school. Nielsen’s books are relevant for our youth. These books are a great way to open up the dialogue with children who are experiencing these life changing events, and to create better understanding with their peers, who are lucky enough to escape their youth without having to grow up prematurely. In We Are All Made of Molecules, Nielsen introduces us to Stewart and Ashley, two kids close in age, that have had to deal with major changes in their lives. Stewart lost his mother to cancer eighteen months ago, and around the same time Ashley’s parents separated and divorced, now Stewart’s father and Ashley’s mother have become a couple and Stewart and his dad are moving into to Ashley’s home. Stewart is a very loving and lovable character who only wants to fit in and connect with this new family, and to never forget his mother. Stewart is an intelligent, but socially awkward kid, but his heart melts the reader from the first moment he is introduced. Ashley is not as lovable, but I feel she is identifiable, and represents more of how most of us would react if we are perfectly honest. Ashley is a popular social diva, who has been hurt by her once perfect world, where she was always the centre, and now another change out of her control is being thrust upon her. Nielsen weaves a two viewpoint story of Stewart and Ashley to a satisfying conclusion where healing and acceptance can rebuild these protagonists’ lives. Nielsen uses a good blend of realism and humour to spin a wonderful tale, with believable characters, full of pop culture and literary references that will appeal to young readers. In Optimists Die First, the protagonist, Petula and her family are suffering from the tragic death of her infant sister, who was an unexpected addition, but a welcome one, but ultimately, untimely taken from them. Petula’s mother is now the crazy cat lady, her father avoids home and has thrown himself into his work, leaving Petula to process through her sister’s death in her own unique way. Petula has a more phobias than she has normal behaviours, is enrolled in an art therapy group who are only united in their equal disdain of having to be there and suffer the juvenile, but well intentioned therapy, of a counselling practicum student. The group dynamics changes when a new member joins the group, Jacob, a kid with his own secret, content to mask his own story by helping the others. Nielsen uses her humour and witty references to pop and literary culture, to craft a tale about the way these kids are coping and how they seek to rebuild their lives. This book ends, not with a solid resolution, but with possibilities and hopes for the future in the face of a world that can never be fixed, but could be coped with in a healthy manner through love and friendship. Other books by Susin Nielson aer: Word Nerd, Dear George Clooney: Please Marry My Mom, and the Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen. More information on Susin Nielsen can be found on her website susinnielsen.com Susin is also a very active participant in social media.
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AuthorI am a lifelong reader, writer, and learner. Avid Reader, Avid Mind is an exploration of reading and writing about literature. In this blog I will navigate many worlds and discover new frontiers. It is a journey of discovery, where one would otherwise never possibly visit in one lifetime. ArchivesCategories |