Wonderland: A Year in the Life of an American High School

I really enjoyed this text, it was perhaps the best book I read from our blog. I found myself interested in the characters and I was able to make many connections to my own high school experience and the experiences I know from teaching at the high school. I feel that students would be able to read through this book with ease and enjoy this non-fiction text.

As I read I kept thinking how the Pennsbury High School is like most high schools in the United States. The diversity of students and the reality of what they encountered in their lives made me feel that it could have happened at any high school with just a quick character name change. I liked how each character showed the vulnerable side of themselves. As I read I kept thinking perhaps if all students were more aware that even the prom queen has doubts about who she is, that the kid with a future can make a mistake that costs him his life, and the young couple that are now parents can be so grown up about their situation, they may learn from others.

I think this book is a way to allow students to have a better understanding of the diversity of high school. The opportunities and dreams that should be pursued regardless whether you get the outcome you were looking for. The message I felt I took was, live your life to the fullest and stand by your decisions, your responsible for you.

Rats! by Robert Sullivan

Where to start? I was both fascinated and repulsed by this book! I found myself enthralled, and was constantly amazed at what I learned. I kept wanting to share little tidbits with my family...they were not amused. We had company for dinner last week, and the conversation came around to, as it usually does, what we were reading these days. I mentioned Rats! and immediately everyone was intrigued. Not exactly the best dinner table conversation. One guy had even read Sullivan's other books and couldn't wait to get Rats! next. This led to a discussion of other non-fiction books people were reading. Not being a non-fiction reader myself I was surprised by how much non-fiction people read. I'm glad I am broadening my horizons.

To me, this book, more so than the other two we read so far, best exemplifies the concepts in the article ("Being and Nothingness" SLJ 10/2008) that inspired this blog. I felt the author did an excellent job of modeling, as Aronson says in his article, "...how a book makes an argument from its first page to its last." Aronson also discusses the importance and benefits of introducing non-fiction to students, "...nonfiction books emphasize logic, insightful observations, well-crafted arguments, and a steady flow of provocative ideas." I felt the book does this very well. Sullivan obviously has done a thorough job researching his topic, and throughout the book refers to the research he does in conjunction with his observations. What a concept! :-)

I loved how Sullivan wove history into his topic- the American Revolution and Isaac Sears; the civil right movement and Jesse Grey; workers rights and the union; and even the World Trade Center and 9/11. There are great implications for US History classes. And, to quote Aronson's article one more time- "...nonfiction provides young people with a golden opportunity to develop the kinds of reading and critical-thinking skills that are essential." These skills are essential in all areas of the curriculum!

However, having said all this, I must comment that the reading level of this book was high, it is listed as an adult book. Yet, in spite of that I think it is readable, action-packed, and just gross enough to appeal to the high school crowd. I wonder how much non-fiction is in our curriculum? And how we could perhaps encourage this trend? Personally, I plan to read and book talk more nonfiction. I'll stop here, I am curious to see what you thought...I'll jump back in as the conversations get going.