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Relationships in both books
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From: Ginny Kruse <gmkruse>
Date: Thu, 14 Sep 1995 19:20:00 -600
The settings of Scorpions and Fallen Angels are literally so different from each other - yet, so similar in certain ways, as you already observed. However, my readings of both books compel me to reflect on the friendships Myers developed in each. I value the variety of Richie Perry's friendships and alliances in Fallen Angels: the ways Myers uses each to unfold Richie's personality and evolving maturity concerning himself, his responsibility to his brother Kenny, his relationships with various soldiers, certain officers and fleetingly - even with Judy Duncan.
These impressions were underscored during a morning in 1993 while I observed a suburban classroom of mostly white 8th graders who had read Scorpions. Earlier they had written individual responses, from which their teacher Kathy developed questions for discussion. Then they talked in small groups and later - as a large group - about themes and ideas important to them. They were passionate about the friendship of Tito and Jamal, and they also interested in talking about the relationship of Jamal and Sassy. They did little talking about mothers, by the way. Mostly as they expressed thoughts about Scorpions, they talked about friendship, which - for me - is a prominent theme in each novel.
Thinking about that causes me to comment on the vivid characters in Fallen Angels, especially Peewee, who - if Myers were not such an expert writer - might have taken over the story. Which friendships, alliances or characters in either book are memorable to you? Ginny
******************************************************************* Ginny Moore Kruse CCBC-NET e-mail: gmkruse at ccbc.soemadison.wisc.edu Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) A Library of the School of Education University of Wisconsin - Madison 4290 Helen C. White Hall, 600 N. Park St. Madison, WI 53706 U.S.A. CCBC e-mail: ccbcinfo at mail.soemadison.wisc.edu CCBC fax: 608&2I33
Received on Thu 14 Sep 1995 08:20:00 PM CDT
Date: Thu, 14 Sep 1995 19:20:00 -600
The settings of Scorpions and Fallen Angels are literally so different from each other - yet, so similar in certain ways, as you already observed. However, my readings of both books compel me to reflect on the friendships Myers developed in each. I value the variety of Richie Perry's friendships and alliances in Fallen Angels: the ways Myers uses each to unfold Richie's personality and evolving maturity concerning himself, his responsibility to his brother Kenny, his relationships with various soldiers, certain officers and fleetingly - even with Judy Duncan.
These impressions were underscored during a morning in 1993 while I observed a suburban classroom of mostly white 8th graders who had read Scorpions. Earlier they had written individual responses, from which their teacher Kathy developed questions for discussion. Then they talked in small groups and later - as a large group - about themes and ideas important to them. They were passionate about the friendship of Tito and Jamal, and they also interested in talking about the relationship of Jamal and Sassy. They did little talking about mothers, by the way. Mostly as they expressed thoughts about Scorpions, they talked about friendship, which - for me - is a prominent theme in each novel.
Thinking about that causes me to comment on the vivid characters in Fallen Angels, especially Peewee, who - if Myers were not such an expert writer - might have taken over the story. Which friendships, alliances or characters in either book are memorable to you? Ginny
******************************************************************* Ginny Moore Kruse CCBC-NET e-mail: gmkruse at ccbc.soemadison.wisc.edu Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) A Library of the School of Education University of Wisconsin - Madison 4290 Helen C. White Hall, 600 N. Park St. Madison, WI 53706 U.S.A. CCBC e-mail: ccbcinfo at mail.soemadison.wisc.edu CCBC fax: 608&2I33
Received on Thu 14 Sep 1995 08:20:00 PM CDT
