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The Summer Prince
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From: Megan Schliesman <schliesman_at_education.wisc.edu>
Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 13:33:39 -0500
First, I want to note that the publisher of "The Summer Prince" is Arthur A. Levine Books, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc. (yesterday I mistakenly identified the publisher as Scholastic Press).
Also yesterday Hannah wrote: "I also love that June refers to virginity as a sort of pesky thing to just get rid of so you can begin having the fun kind of sex. I don't have a copy of the book on me at the moment, but it's something to the effect of "Gil and I took care of that chore ages ago," which is so fantastically flippant and NEVER expressed in YA ."
I think when we get to next week's book, "The F-It List," by Julie Halpern, we'll see some of the same sensibility, although it plays out much differently. Something else both of these books have in common, in a way that stopped and startled me, is that both of the books have notable masturbation scenes.Both these elements and then made me appreciate once more their honestly and openness in portraying teens as sexual beings.
I find the tension between the "sensual" (I love Crystal's use of that word---exactly right) and the "technical" an intriguing one in "The Summer Prince."Touching and other sensations that are physical, that are part of being human, are such an important part of the story. Connections are an important part of the story too.(The irony being that technology requires "connections" too in order to function properly---wires, wireless there still has to be communication.)
Intellectual connections are also essential in the story. It is on that level more than the physical that June is ultimately bound to Enki as they join forces to create art that makes a statement about social justice.
All of this makes June's struggle when she has to decide whether or not to compromise her vision and ideals an even richer one for teen readers to explore. Because June, for all her artistic abilities and experience, still feels very much like a teenager to me, one who is chafing against rules and regulations and parental pressure as she tries to define herself and her future.
What else struck you about "The Summer Prince," or about some of the comments already made about the book?
Megan
Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 13:33:39 -0500
First, I want to note that the publisher of "The Summer Prince" is Arthur A. Levine Books, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc. (yesterday I mistakenly identified the publisher as Scholastic Press).
Also yesterday Hannah wrote: "I also love that June refers to virginity as a sort of pesky thing to just get rid of so you can begin having the fun kind of sex. I don't have a copy of the book on me at the moment, but it's something to the effect of "Gil and I took care of that chore ages ago," which is so fantastically flippant and NEVER expressed in YA ."
I think when we get to next week's book, "The F-It List," by Julie Halpern, we'll see some of the same sensibility, although it plays out much differently. Something else both of these books have in common, in a way that stopped and startled me, is that both of the books have notable masturbation scenes.Both these elements and then made me appreciate once more their honestly and openness in portraying teens as sexual beings.
I find the tension between the "sensual" (I love Crystal's use of that word---exactly right) and the "technical" an intriguing one in "The Summer Prince."Touching and other sensations that are physical, that are part of being human, are such an important part of the story. Connections are an important part of the story too.(The irony being that technology requires "connections" too in order to function properly---wires, wireless there still has to be communication.)
Intellectual connections are also essential in the story. It is on that level more than the physical that June is ultimately bound to Enki as they join forces to create art that makes a statement about social justice.
All of this makes June's struggle when she has to decide whether or not to compromise her vision and ideals an even richer one for teen readers to explore. Because June, for all her artistic abilities and experience, still feels very much like a teenager to me, one who is chafing against rules and regulations and parental pressure as she tries to define herself and her future.
What else struck you about "The Summer Prince," or about some of the comments already made about the book?
Megan
--
Megan Schliesman, Librarian
Cooperative Children's Book Center
School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison
600 N. Park Street, Room 4290
Madison, WI 53706
608/262-9503
schliesman_at_education.wisc.edu
www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/
My regular hours are T-F, 8-4:30.
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Received on Tue 18 Mar 2014 01:34:11 PM CDT
