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From: Megan Schliesman <Schliesman>
Date: Tue, 02 Jun 1998 17:35:05 -0500
I agree with Nina Lindsay that one of the interesting aspects of the book is the way in which one's feelings about the character change. To add to Nina's comments about the fact that she found Gemma least appealing at the outset and most hopeful at the end, I found the juxtaposition of Tar's and Gemma's situations quite interesting at the outset--it offers a lot for readers to think about and discuss given what happens later on. Tar's reasons for running away are understandable from my adult perspective--it was based on the need to survive. But Gemma...well, this girl was bored, and feeling self-righteous, but did she have real reason to run? Certainly in her own mind, but certainly not in mine. It's one of the reasons Gemma is so unappealing at the beginning--she's so self-involved and selfish. Now those are pretty human traits, but when seen in comparison to Tar's situation, and when compared to Tar's sweetness, her actions are inexcusable. I wonder how young adults read Gemma--does anyone have feedback from ya readers?
As for the ending, which is so very chilling as Tar's failure to save himself or be saved is revealed...what a powerful but hopeless feeling that left in me. To see that sweet sweet boy come so close to kicking the heroin and methodone only to discover that he isn't strong enough--at least not at the point we leave him--is heartbreaking, all the more so as we see him continue to rationalize that he is in control.
It made me appreciate something about Gemma for the first time--the self?ntered edge that made her hard to like is perhaps the same trait that allows her to stand on her own at the end (albeit she has gotten to that point with a lot of support).
Megan Schliesman (schliesman at mail.soemadison.wisc.edu) Cooperative Children's Book Center School of Education UW-Madison 600 N. Park St., Room 4290 Madison, WI 53706 608&2?03
Received on Tue 02 Jun 1998 05:35:05 PM CDT
Date: Tue, 02 Jun 1998 17:35:05 -0500
I agree with Nina Lindsay that one of the interesting aspects of the book is the way in which one's feelings about the character change. To add to Nina's comments about the fact that she found Gemma least appealing at the outset and most hopeful at the end, I found the juxtaposition of Tar's and Gemma's situations quite interesting at the outset--it offers a lot for readers to think about and discuss given what happens later on. Tar's reasons for running away are understandable from my adult perspective--it was based on the need to survive. But Gemma...well, this girl was bored, and feeling self-righteous, but did she have real reason to run? Certainly in her own mind, but certainly not in mine. It's one of the reasons Gemma is so unappealing at the beginning--she's so self-involved and selfish. Now those are pretty human traits, but when seen in comparison to Tar's situation, and when compared to Tar's sweetness, her actions are inexcusable. I wonder how young adults read Gemma--does anyone have feedback from ya readers?
As for the ending, which is so very chilling as Tar's failure to save himself or be saved is revealed...what a powerful but hopeless feeling that left in me. To see that sweet sweet boy come so close to kicking the heroin and methodone only to discover that he isn't strong enough--at least not at the point we leave him--is heartbreaking, all the more so as we see him continue to rationalize that he is in control.
It made me appreciate something about Gemma for the first time--the self?ntered edge that made her hard to like is perhaps the same trait that allows her to stand on her own at the end (albeit she has gotten to that point with a lot of support).
Megan Schliesman (schliesman at mail.soemadison.wisc.edu) Cooperative Children's Book Center School of Education UW-Madison 600 N. Park St., Room 4290 Madison, WI 53706 608&2?03
Received on Tue 02 Jun 1998 05:35:05 PM CDT
