Junot Díaz

I wanted to like this book more than I did. I could see on an intellectually level what was being done. The contrast that's drawn between Oscar, the decidedly irregular Dominican man, and Yunior, the clear authorial stand-in and ultimate player is engaging at times. Clearly there's a lot to uncover there about masculinity, stereotypes and expectations, but I just wasn't that into the language and the voice, particularly the chapters narrated by Yunior.

Glad I finally read it though, it is interesting even if I didn't necessarily enjoy it all the way through.… (lisätietoja)

It has elements that appeal to me, but there are two big problems with the novel from my perspective. The narrative voice became more grating as the story went on; strong in machismo and a tone of ironic distance, Yunior’s voice was not the voice to tell this story for me. How much this is affected by the controversy surrounding Díaz’s own behavior and a sense that this voice is how Díaz likes to see himself, as a Don Juan who sees himself a bit above it all, I’m not sure, but I feel I would have enjoyed the novel more told in Oscar’s voice. There’s a reason the novel isn’t called The Continuing Irritating Life of Yunior.

Secondly the novel’s structure impeded my enjoyment. This is a personal preference to be sure, but in general I prefer not to hop around between characters and time periods back and forth, forth and back, in lengthy sections. In some novels it works great but generally I like a more time linear construction.… (lisätietoja)

This book featured fabulous illustrations! It was about a little girl from an island she doesn't remember who has to write about her home country for a school assignment. Since she doesn't remember, she asks her family and community about the island and what life was like. She learns not to be ashamed that she cannot remember her home, but realizes that her home lives in her heart even if she can't remember.
This would be a super cool book to read and talk about where everyone is from! Even if students are from the same town we are currently in, it would be so wonderful for students to be able to share their connection with the place they live. They could do a similar project as the student was assigned in the book. This is probably appropriate for 1st and 2nd grade students.… (lisätietoja)