I'm trying to get caught back up in reading, well basically in life. I let it overwhelm me as it does from time to time, but now I am back on track. I just finished reading Belle Prater's Boy with my seventh grade reading class. What a great book about overcoming life's hardships, looking beyond appearances, and developing friendships. The majority of my students enjoyed the book nearly as much as I did.
The novel is set in a small town nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. There is a dark twist in the novel; however, it is written in a way that is appropriate for young adults (aka--middle school students), and the novel's humor balances out the seriousness very well. Ruth White is certainly deserving of her Newberry award.
This novel is very appropriate to teach in a Christian school (
as I do). There are many opportunities to discuss specific religious implications; however, discussing overall goodness themes (
as more appropriate in public schools) works as effectively.
