Back into the Groove- Hayden Budofsky
Throughout the first half of this school year, I've noticed something quite strange. Something that hasn't happened to me since early Middle School. Something that I thought would never resurface in my life. Against all odds, I started reading again.
Now, I know what your thinking, this isn't very unusual. A lot of kids stop reading in their teenage years, either because they think it's a waste of time; or they believe that they have more important things to do instead. Trust me, I know, because that's exactly how I felt on this day, exactly one year ago. But it seems something has changed in me recently when it comes to reading. I actually find joy in sitting down somewhere comfortable and picking up a book. I can attribute this newfound enjoyment of reading to our English class, specifically to two separate reading assignments that we were given earlier this year. These books are Tell the Wolves I'm Home and The Ledge.
The Ledge by Kevin Vaughan was the story that I chose for our Hero Book Choice Assignment, mainly because it had a very clearly defined hero journey. What I didn't think when I first picked it up was that I would actually enjoy it, since I had never really found interest in autobiographies. By the end though, I was really glad that I had chosen this novel. The story basically follows the journey of accomplished mountaineers Jim Davidson and his long-time best friend, Mike Price, who decide to climb Mount Rainier in the state of Washington. They successfully climb to the top, yet on the way back down, tragedy strikes. Jim missteps and opens up a massive glacial crevice, dragging them 100 feet down into the earth. Mike is killed as soon as he strikes the glacial floor. The rest of the novel chronicles Jim's struggle to survive as he arduously attempts to climb out of the crevice.
The biggest reason why I enjoyed this novel is that it was intent on showing the reader how special Jim Davidson's and Mike Price's relationship was. It goes through how they first met along with all the adventures they had together before this horrible disaster. By the time Mike is killed and Jim must come to terms with his death, the reader is left fiercely rooting for Jim's survival and his fight against Mount Rainier's unforgiving slopes. I liked how The Ledge clearly highlights the themes of perseverance and fortitude; that humans will do anything to survive, even up until their final moments. In all, this novel really convinced me that there are a plethora of influential true-stories out there that maybe I should give a try one day
The other book I read was a work of fiction called Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt. This is the story that I chose for our Flipgrid Book Review, as it dealt with the themes of social injustice and finding the truth. It follows the life of fourteen-year-old Westchester native, June Elbus, who is portrayed as being different from most kids her age. She is treated as a social outcast and never had many friends, other than her uncle, Finn. June feels as if she can only be herself around Finn, and believes that he's the only one who has ever really cared about her. But when Finn dies after losing a hard-fought battle with AIDS, June is absolutely devastated. Yet, this death introduces a man named Toby into her life, someone who supposedly was important in Finn's life, and someone who turns out to be just what June needed most in these troubled times.
Now, I absolutely loved this novel, not only because its characters felt so very real, but because it nailed what it was trying so hard to convey. What I enjoyed the most about it was the development of the main character, June. The novel focuses on her relationships with every important person in her life such as her mother, father, sister, Finn, and Toby, and how June finds the truth within these relationships. For example, by the end of the story, June finally figures out how Finn really thought of her, something she was never sure of when he was alive. By the end of the novel, it's clear that June is a changed person, with a new view of her own life and the lives of others. Other than that, the story was fantastically written and its underlying themes were even more rewarding.
In all, both of these novels really changed my outlook on reading in general. While The Ledge convinced me that nonfiction books could be a great read, Tell the Wolves I'm Home really got me back into fiction with its deeply enriching story and endearing characters. Next year I hope to continue reading even more books and maybe even more into the near future!
Now, I know what your thinking, this isn't very unusual. A lot of kids stop reading in their teenage years, either because they think it's a waste of time; or they believe that they have more important things to do instead. Trust me, I know, because that's exactly how I felt on this day, exactly one year ago. But it seems something has changed in me recently when it comes to reading. I actually find joy in sitting down somewhere comfortable and picking up a book. I can attribute this newfound enjoyment of reading to our English class, specifically to two separate reading assignments that we were given earlier this year. These books are Tell the Wolves I'm Home and The Ledge.
The Ledge by Kevin Vaughan was the story that I chose for our Hero Book Choice Assignment, mainly because it had a very clearly defined hero journey. What I didn't think when I first picked it up was that I would actually enjoy it, since I had never really found interest in autobiographies. By the end though, I was really glad that I had chosen this novel. The story basically follows the journey of accomplished mountaineers Jim Davidson and his long-time best friend, Mike Price, who decide to climb Mount Rainier in the state of Washington. They successfully climb to the top, yet on the way back down, tragedy strikes. Jim missteps and opens up a massive glacial crevice, dragging them 100 feet down into the earth. Mike is killed as soon as he strikes the glacial floor. The rest of the novel chronicles Jim's struggle to survive as he arduously attempts to climb out of the crevice.
The biggest reason why I enjoyed this novel is that it was intent on showing the reader how special Jim Davidson's and Mike Price's relationship was. It goes through how they first met along with all the adventures they had together before this horrible disaster. By the time Mike is killed and Jim must come to terms with his death, the reader is left fiercely rooting for Jim's survival and his fight against Mount Rainier's unforgiving slopes. I liked how The Ledge clearly highlights the themes of perseverance and fortitude; that humans will do anything to survive, even up until their final moments. In all, this novel really convinced me that there are a plethora of influential true-stories out there that maybe I should give a try one day
The other book I read was a work of fiction called Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt. This is the story that I chose for our Flipgrid Book Review, as it dealt with the themes of social injustice and finding the truth. It follows the life of fourteen-year-old Westchester native, June Elbus, who is portrayed as being different from most kids her age. She is treated as a social outcast and never had many friends, other than her uncle, Finn. June feels as if she can only be herself around Finn, and believes that he's the only one who has ever really cared about her. But when Finn dies after losing a hard-fought battle with AIDS, June is absolutely devastated. Yet, this death introduces a man named Toby into her life, someone who supposedly was important in Finn's life, and someone who turns out to be just what June needed most in these troubled times.
Now, I absolutely loved this novel, not only because its characters felt so very real, but because it nailed what it was trying so hard to convey. What I enjoyed the most about it was the development of the main character, June. The novel focuses on her relationships with every important person in her life such as her mother, father, sister, Finn, and Toby, and how June finds the truth within these relationships. For example, by the end of the story, June finally figures out how Finn really thought of her, something she was never sure of when he was alive. By the end of the novel, it's clear that June is a changed person, with a new view of her own life and the lives of others. Other than that, the story was fantastically written and its underlying themes were even more rewarding.
In all, both of these novels really changed my outlook on reading in general. While The Ledge convinced me that nonfiction books could be a great read, Tell the Wolves I'm Home really got me back into fiction with its deeply enriching story and endearing characters. Next year I hope to continue reading even more books and maybe even more into the near future!
You have no idea how happy this makes me! This is one of my most important goals as an English teacher.
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