This book is a best fit for primary aged children but may be considered an everybody books, as all ages may benefit and enjoy the content. The Circles All Around Us, refers to the family, friendship and community circles we create and cultivate as human beings. It creates a reference for categorizing people and how close you may or may not be with them depending upon where they are in your circles. Circles closer to you are your family and circles farther away, your community. The book also touches upon inclusion and adding to your circle group and the love it gives to yourself and others.
Tag Archives: relationships
Worthy by: Donna Cooner
Donna Cooner’s novel Worthy does a good job of illustrating how consuming social media can be for teens. Someone at Huntsville High School has created an app that allows users to judge whether or not the females in a dating pair are worthy of their male partner. No one knows who the creator of the app is but everyone seems to have an opinion about each of the couples selected for judgment. The app arrives on the scene at the same time that the Junior/Senior Prom is also being planned. The results posted on Worthy have significant impact upon the couples; some fall apart, others fight even harder. Most important is the mental impact that the results have upon the girls being judged, it’s all consuming – the girls are almost unable to function in other areas of life and school while waiting then are left doubting many aspects of them selves after the results are in. In addition to illustrating the impact that this type of social media has upon society, this book also does a good job of addressing social status and popularity within high schools. It is a fast read that will appeal to students interested in realistic fiction and relationships. Appropriate for upper middle school and high school students.
What Girls Are Made Of
This novel grabbed me from the very start. I do want to warn that it should be given to upper-high, mature readers. The book is told from the perspective of a sexually active 17 year-old girl, who is trying to figure out just how much love and sexuality should and do define one’s true character. The book discusses sex in an upfront, honest way – characters find pleasure in sex, but are also presented with consequences. The main character tries to gain self and peer acceptance, much of which is dependent upon her sexuality and the way she views boys and men treating women. I found it interesting that the author was able to weave in art history surrounding the roles of men and women throughout time and place to help further the character’s understanding for gender roles and expectations. Although many of the scenes are raw, disturbing and even shocking – the novel truly sheds light on the way young females view sexuality and the pressures to be accepted. I was pleased in the end to see the main female character find her own way, not dependent upon anyone else; the book leaves the reader feeling like she will be okay.