Teachers as Readers Theme 5

"The Finale" 

 This last few weeks, I actually read a few books. I read the short novels that were part of The Returned by Jason Mott. That book was used as inspiration for the TV series called Resurrection. I also am a Amazon Prime Member for super cheap-- thank you Master's Program-- and this gives me access to not just one free book to loan on their lending library, but one free book a month to keep. Every month, they send you 4-6 options to choose from. Not popular books by all means, but ones that give that author a way to peak interest in people. I chose The Barkeep in the February pick, and just got to reading it. 

But the book that got to me the most was A Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Now I know this book is YA, but wasn't the Hunger Games? Harry Potter? And I could go on for hours about those books. My home library is dedicated to a HP theme. 

So when my younger 25 year old sister told me to read AFIOS, I was like "No, no. Lame." WRONG! I read the book in 36 hours and could not put it down. AFIOS is about a girl named Hazel, who has terminal cancer, and while at support group-- which her mother forces her to go to-- she meets Augustus Waters-- a teenage boy with bone cancer. Slowly Hazel, who normally likes to be a hermit, finds herself connecting to Gus. I won't go more into the plot because it would ruin it, but I do recommend it. 

Readers, I feel, can completely connect to this book-- even if their life has not been touched by cancer in some way. My mother is 3 years in remission of breast cancer, but not once did I really connect this story to her or the experience we all had as a family. This story made you wonder about the strength of people. It made you question how you would react to the news of having cancer. 

Also, without giving too much away, Gus shares his "Wish" with Hazel, since we find out she had already used hers. Which then brings up the question-- what would be the one wish you would ask for-- obviously has to be grantable! 

As I read, I laughed and smiled and cried-- a lot. I really do think this would be a great book to read in the 8th grade and up setting. I feel the questions I  thought of above would be good ones for students to think about as well!