Anything But Typical

Anything But Typical, by Nora Raleigh Baskin, is the story of a boy with autism and his struggles to find happiness and peace with himself.  This firsthand look at the difficulties the main character (Jason) faces is an experience I have never had before.  In fact, it almost hurt to read the story because I know that I have been guilty of judging someone on the outside before getting to know them on the inside.  I feel that the key to this book is the first person narration.  Without this very personal look into the mind of someone that feels alienated from the world, I would never be able to connect on such a meaningful level.

            One very important idea called out to me in this story.  So many believe that people with disabilities lack a lot of emotion or feeling.  Everyone in Jason’s life seems to want to press the appropriate emotion on him.  When he is not showing how he feels in conventional ways, everyone around him gets worried and looks to control him in a “normal way.”  However, since I have insight into Jason’s thoughts, I know that he is feeling just like anyone else would.  Early in the story we get a flashback to a time when Jason is a young boy.  His grandmother says to him “ ‘You are so good with your new little brother.  I can tell you love him very much,’ my grandmother said that day.  She said each word very slowly and very loudly.” (23)  In this situation, the grandmother is expecting her grandson to feel how she thinks any “normal” person should feel.  When she realizes that Jason is not feeling the “conventional” way, she worries and backs off.  I think a lot of people would react the same way, but after reading Jason’s side of the story, I can see that he is handling his feelings in his own way.  These feelings are not wrong or bad, they are utterly honest.  Too often, I think we are not open-minded enough.  We are too expectant of the “norm.”  After reading this story, I feel that the unconventional, slightly different ways are just as real and human as anything else we might feel.  It pains me to see all the useless expectations people have for Jason throughout this story.  They seem to dehumanize him when he is in fact just as human as any other person on this planet.

            I have been fortunate throughout my education to be introduced to students of all different backgrounds, traits, etc.  Some students in my high school and middle school had Down Syndrome.  Because we were in the same atmosphere as them, we grew up with them and understood that they were students just like us.  We were all friends or acquaintances in our own way.  I do not think every student has that sort of experience.  Teachers seem to have little respect for Jason in his school.  They do not seem to advocate the fact that he is just like anyone else and should therefore be treated with respect.  I think Jason could have a very different experience if people took the time to be more open-minded.  Seeing this side of people, however, shows me the reality of things.  It makes me want to connect more with Jason and truly understand him for who he is because no one else will.  I think this is a good way to get young readers to feel the same way.  It is a lesson to be learned.  Although I have had positive experiences with inclusion in school, I too have had my moments to judge.  After reading this story and having had classes on the subject, I feel wrong.  I know I was wrong.  I have never been overly harsh and never mean to a person with a disability, but I never gave them the chance to open up to me and show me that they were just like me on the inside.  This book makes me want to go back in time and be the person willing to open my mind to differences.

            Anything But Typical is a fantastic story for young readers who need to understand the diversity our planet offers.  This first person insight has forced me to think about my own life as much as it has forced me to reflect on my actions.  I think our world is starting to understand that differences in people are not a bad or wrong.  This book most certainly teaches that being different and being yourself is the most important thing of all.  Without diversity, life would get very boring.  I am very appreciative of this book because it has made me think in ways that I would have been too uncomfortable to think about before.  I would bring this story into my classroom, and I would pick it up to read for fun any day.  I am a big fan of these inspirational books that challenge me to reflect on my own life.  It is amazing that even at the age of 19 I am finding so much meaning for books meant for students half my age.  I absolutely love it!

Rickshaw Girl

            In a world in which it is believed that men should do the hard labor while women stay in the kitchen, it is difficult for a young girl named Naima to follow the rules.  Rickshaw Girl, by Mitali Perkins and Jamie Hogan, is a book about the Indian culture that is fascinating because the young, strong main character has a heart of gold and courage that most anyone doesn’t always have.  The beautiful art and the encouraging words of this story are what stick out most to me, and I would recommend it to anyone who needs just a little inspiration.

            The Indian culture is one that I have some experience with.  Still, I know my awareness of the culture is lacking and could be improved upon.  The illustrations in this novel are very meaningful to me because they allow for me to see into this Indian world.  Page 28 of the book shows a detailed drawing of Naima sticking out her tongue at her best friend.  In the picture, the boy is driving off in a rickshaw.  Never before had I even heard of a rickshaw, but seeing the extremely detailed picture combined with an authentic-looking Indian dress made me feel as though I were in the scene with them.   I think this is very important for a story of a different culture because only a few people really know the traditions and ways of life.  For someone like me really searching to understanding the different traditions of different people, I think the illustrations do a great job of allowing for that.  In addition, I had never seen or heard of an alpana painting before.  This beautiful outdoor artwork that the women take up is a tradition that keeps the landscape of homes up-to-date and catchy.  One example of the work is shown on page 49 of the story.  It was helpful for me to understand what sort of characteristics this art entails, and I only wished that I had half as much skill!  Beyond the art, however, is the encouraging message this story leaves.

            Naima lives in a classically male-dominated society, but when she realizes that she needs to help her family, she needs to move past the male domination.  Naima takes her own risks (willing to and understanding that she might fail) in order to save her family.  What is most important to her is the comfort of her father and the contentedness of her mother and sister.  While Naima stumbles along the way (by nearly ruining her family’s rickshaw), she realizes that she has the strength to make up for her own mistakes and bring honor and peace to her family.  I admire Naima because she ventures off into the unknown with an open heart.  She knows that she might fail again, but her love for her family is well worth that risk.  I hope that many girls can be inspired by her.  No one’s life is laid out exactly for them.  Anyone gets to choose their own path and decide what makes them most happy in the end.  This book is a short story with a happy ending that I would read over and over when I need that inspiration.

            The artwork in this story really helped me to become more involved with the words. I think with the two combined, this is a story that will reach out to many children.  Some might not understand the message that is to get out of your comfort zone, and some might be too scared to do so, but Naima is living under very harsh circumstances and manages to make things work for herself.  I think many of us can do the same with the right amount of smarts and courage.  I think this book is important for two reasons: for its seemingly authentic cultural perspective as well as for its message that can reach out to girls all over the world.  Not everything, even in America, is perfectly equal.  There are improvements to be made, and if a girl feels empowered enough to be part of that change, many things can come of it.  Naima is a shining example that change is well worth it.  I hope her story reaches out to people just as much as it did for me!

Perkins, Mitali, and Jamie Hogan. Rickshaw Girl. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge, 2007. Print.

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place the Mysterious Howling, by Maryrose Wood, is a unique story of childhood and second chances.  I immediately fell in love with this story as I felt that I could connect so well to the main character, Penelope, as well as the crazy children.  The wild children are forced to assimilate into society, and that is something that Penelope is dedicated and happy to help them to do.   I love this story for the combined lessons and humor that the author provides as well as the very unique characterization.  I found myself smiling nearly nonstop as I read this well-imagined and unbelievable story.

Written with what I think is the intent to entertain and make children giggle, I think the author succeeds here.  Sometimes it is difficult to imagine a time different from that in which we currently live.  The author does a great job of comparing current times to the time Penelope lived in.  Wood always relates things humorously too.  For example, she says, “although they have fallen out of style, in Miss Penelope Lumley’s day tableaux vivant were all the rage…  no doubt this will sound dull to the modern viewer whose tastes have been shaped by more advanced forms of entertainment…” (213 & 214)  The author can so easily relate to what I am feeling when she makes these comments.  Since she is willing to make such statements, I laugh and become more part of the story even through the differences.  Also, the author mentions hyperbole often.  Hyperbole is a great exaggeration, and every time an exaggeration is made, she points it out.  Oftentimes, such exaggerations are very obvious, but when the author points them out, I giggle a little bit.  To read an explanation of the crazy circumstances makes the exaggeration all the more funny.  One short example is when Wood states, “perhaps Lady Constance was guilty of hyperbole when she said the children were ‘running amok’ or perhaps she was offering an accurate assessment of the situation” (231-233).  These short comments and explanations kept me interested and laughing throughout the entire story.

In addition, the characterization was something I could relate to throughout the story.  I most especially relate to Penelope because she is a young woman looking to achieve and make a name for herself now that she is independent.  She cares so much for the children she is teaching, and I know that I will put a lot into my teaching in the future as well.  In addition, even though the children act like wolves, their pure innocence and sweetness makes me smile every time.  I understand how much they want to please and impress Penelope because when I was little, I always wanted my teachers to notice me and praise me for doing exceptional work.  I wanted to see the children happy and safe throughout the entire story.  I worried when Penelope worried and got angry when she got angry.  I was just so pleased to feel so connected to the main characters.  I want to read the rest of the series because I, like Penelope, want to make sure that the children remain safe and happy through their lives.

I didn’t completely expect to enjoy this story.  In fact, I thought it would be somewhat strange and uninteresting.  In many circumstances, it is hard to relate to wolf children.  I have never been a wolf (obviously) or been abandoned by my parents.  Their innocence and kindness, however, made me care for them and understand, like Penelope, that they too are children.  For that reason, the story became a lot less “weird” to me.  The main characters were more my friends.  They went through any normal struggle that protagonists do in a story, and I was so excited to fight through the challenges with them the entire time.

Wood, Maryrose, and J. ,. Klassen. The Mysterious Howling. New York: Balzer Bray, 2010. Print.

Locomotion

Poetry has never been a favorite of mine.  There have poetry units in nearly every language arts class I have been in, and I have always found myself discouraged and disgruntled.  I never found my words were poetic or anything different from a story I could have written.  It all seemed awkward to me.  Locomotion, by Jacqueline Woodson, however, has helped steer me toward a slightly more positive opinion of poetry.  The way each poem tells a mini story about the main character (Lonnie)'s life is enlightening.  It made me much more open to reading the story because it seemed almost more sincere in the way it was written.  Poetry is known to come from the heart and often express emotion. Lonnie seemed sincere and almost unfiltered in the thoughts he shared throughout the story.  I want to touch on Lonnie's method of sharing his story, the significance of poetry as the method of writing, and lastly the connections I was able to make with Lonnie even though he lived in a completely different place and time than I do now.  All of these pieces I got from the story truly helped to bring poetry alive for me, and I will start with Lonnie and the character he portrayed himself as.

Lonnie does not seem to have much of a filter as he tells his story.  He tells things as he sees them.  On days that he doesn’t like his teacher, for example, he expresses that blatantly in his writing.  Once Lonnie says, “Sometimes Ms. Marcus makes me sick!” (49)  It is almost humorous as much as it is perfectly human and understandable that Lonnie is having a bad day.  I appreciate that he is willing to share his day with us.  The poem shows that writing is not always about the beautiful flowers and love in life.  I think Lonnie gets his messages across so well because he is never afraid to show his true emotions.  There are times when he is lost in sorrow about his parents.  There are times when he is seeking hope to fully reunite with his sister again.  His complete honesty allows me to relate to him much more and feel how he feels.  In the same way, I feel that only poetry can make these emotions clear.

            Lonnie says early in the story that “this whole book’s a poem because poetry’s short and/ this whole book’s a poem ‘cause Ms. Marcus says/ write it down before it leaves your brain” (1).  Poetry is short and to the point.  In so few words, poetry can portray a lifetime of emotion.  Lonnie tells us that early on in life he loses his parents to a fire. Shortly after, he loses his sister to a different foster parent.  As a result, he is forced to start his life over again and find peace within.  The entire story is a sort of window that allows us to watch Lonnie slowly accept his new life with the new people surrounding him.  This progress is revealed with a combination of flashback poems and poems of present situations.  I feel that his artistic flow keeps me motivated to continue reading.  I can feel how much Lonnie is putting into his work.  I can feel how much he cares about what he is writing because there is some sort of system and thought to every word of each poem he is putting to a page.  For this reason, I feel that poetry is the best choice for a story like this.  It keeps me close to the reader and so understanding of the life that he is living.

            I feel that I can somewhat relate to Lonnie because he is an elementary student growing up trying to fit in and find meaning in life.  I always struggled to fit in all the way through my junior year in high school.  I was always looking to find the right friends, and I judged and tried to understand everyone around me in order to do that.  Lonnie seems to do the same throughout this story.  He is also seeking to please his sister in any way he possibly can.  He continues to search for his ultimate belief in God, and it doesn’t always seem to be an easy task.  When I was in elementary school, I also wanted to please everyone around me because I felt accepted and loved.  These little connections I can make allow me to understand the bigger picture of the situation Lonnie is living.  Through his poetry, I can understand that Lonnie just wants his family.  Lonnie wants to be loved.  It is only human to want that love and belonging in the world.  Lonnie has had a tougher life than some of us have, but I appreciate that it all comes down to one fundamental human need: love.  Because I could make such a connection so important to my own needs in life, I appreciate this story all the more because it brings poetry and my heart together as one.

Pandora's Box

Pandora's Box, by Robert Burleigh, is a story that has been told over and over again through time.  The ancient stories of the Greek gods and goddesses are known to some extent by almost all children and adults.  This version is one that is easy to follow.  Through its pictures, the story gives a vivid picture of the trouble Pandora struggles through.  The illustrations combined with the poetic text in this story help give a feel for the ancient Greek culture while also providing an entertaining tale to get lost in.  I was able to connect to this story as well, and I feel many readers will feel the same as it is easy to understand how hard it is to want something that you know you can't have.

 The illustrations in Pandora's Box have a rustic look to them.  The rich green, gold, and red colors are easy on the eyes as well as warming to look at.  These colors have an almost ancient feel to them.  We are just given a small glimpse into the ancient Greek world that we hear so much about.  The intricate detail given to the characters of the story help to give the impression that we almost know them personally.  For example, a picture of Pandora running away from something troubling clearly shows the worry on her face and her desire to be elsewhere.  The background of the picture is a bit more blurred so that we can truly focus on what the character is experiencing.  This is important because Pandora is from a time that we are not as able to relate to.  Knowing and truly being able to see how she is feeling makes her life much more understandable and easy to relate to.  With each new page I can feel Pandora's excitement when she is near the box or understand her worry as she releases all the bad things into the world.  These pictures combined with the poetic writing create a mood that is easy to get lost in throughout the story.

Page 1 of this story begins with "What was in the jar?  The jar that was closeted tight And not to be opened!  What was in the jar?  It was all Pandora could think of!"  The lines are short and catchy.  They are almost thrilling.  I want to follow Pandora along and know what is in the jar as much as she does.  Since the reading is so fast, it is easy to stay interested as well.  I feel like I am almost singing a song or the story of Pandora's adventures.  It is catchy and moving.  The words leave more of an impact on me because they are easier to remember.  They flow.  There is not an overabundance of words that need to be connected to the pictures.  Instead, the two work together to tell the story.  The poetic phrasing sticks with me as I glance over the pictures.  The two work together.  The pictures express more of the emotions Pandora is feeling, such as her curiosity on page 1 (as she stares intently at the jar), while the words discuss the moment and hand and various actions and thoughts that pass through her mind.  This cultural tale, then, is better understood because as I exist in my culture today, I can still feel as if I am part of Pandora's.
   Most important to the story is my ease to connect to Pandora's emotions.  There have been many times I have been told that I am not allowed to do something.  Perhaps I wasn't allowed to eat another cookie, or maybe there was a secret that a friend trusted me not to tell anyone.  In the instance of the cookie, the thought of another tasty bite in my mouth consumed me.  I didn't ever steal one, and I never told my secrets, but the thoughts did become consuming until I could finally put them out of my mind.  Pandora didn't have as much success as I did, but I can certainly understand and relate to her struggles.  For that reason, the story was all the more interesting.  I wanted to stick by her until she could finally get rid of her curiosity.  Unfortunately she did it the wrong way.  Even so, because I knew the feeling, I felt sympathy for her struggles in the end and hoped that she could make the best of it.
    The story ends with an understanding of how all the bad has come into this world.  It was the releasing of all the horrors in the box that brought greed, jealousy, and other negative things into our lives today.  This cultural tale is one that is catchy and memorable.  Being able to understand that by connecting to the pictures and prose made it all the more enjoyable and meaningful to read.  Pandora's Box is a catchy story that brings out a unique culture and history in a way that I will always remember and enjoy.

Robot Dreams

Robot Dreams, by Sara Varon, is a nearly wordless book on the theme of friendship. Without words, it shows the journey a dog undergoes to find a true, consistent friend. At the same time, his robot is lost and dreaming for the same sort of friendship that guarantees he will always have someone by his side. At times, the story is heartbreaking while at other times it is exciting, humorous, and hopeful. Without words, there is a complex story open for interpretation and deep connection to the protagonists. In this blog, I plan to discuss how the two main characters come alive without any words to describe them. I am also going to share how the robot's dreams make the story deep as well as the ways in which the author makes such dreams clear to the reader. Lastly, I am going to share why this story touched me for being able to relate to such texts is so important for any reader looking to get lost in literature.


Most essential to the connections we make in this story is the development of the two main characters: the dog and the robot. Their deep desires for friendship are evident even on the cover of the novel. Every time the pair is together, they are smiling. They are also working together. For example, on page 10, the two get the oil and kernels to make a batch of popcorn for one another. Early on, however, the dog and robot get separated. The one thing that makes them happy (their friendship) is taken away when the robot is unable to move. At this point, Varon must characterize the two beyond just their need for friendship. I'll first share my impressions about the dog and next my impressions about the robot.

We learn much about the dog as we watch his progression of other friendships. At first, he is always eager and happy to make new friends and try new activities. However, none of them work out quite as well as they did with the robot. On page 95, the dog is smiling as he begins to try new activities with his new snowman friend. However, on page 131, the dog is frowning has his snowman friend has melted and he has no one to play with once again. The dog goes through a variety of relationships like this one, and each follow the same sort of pattern. We find that the little dog is persistent as well as open to new friendships. He never gives up. These qualities are easily relatable for young children, and they are qualities that are perhaps important to learn early on as well. There is always someone out there willing to be your friend. We find happiness at the end of the novel as the dog is walking off with his new friend while whistling the tune of his old friend at the same time (208). There is always room in his heart for that friendship.

The robot undergoes a much more difficult journey. He is forced to lay alone on the beach and wait and wait and wait. One very strong quality the robot possesses is the fact that he never loses hope. His dreams are very clear pictures of this. For example, on page 102, the robot has a relaxing dream with a new flower friend. He knows that at some point, someone will come find him and take him to a better place. In addition, we know he is a loyal friend because he constantly thinks about returning to the dog. On page 87, he knocks on the door of his old friend in one of his dreams in hopes that he will be there to take him back once more. This loyalty and hope sticks with him even as the robot struggles. People take his leg, throw him into the junkyard, and more, but he has a happy ending as well. After he becomes a newly made part radio/part robot, he makes new friends with his maker and sends music to his old friend the dog (pages 201, 208). His redeeming qualities prove that there is hope for everyone at the end of the journey. Beyond the robot's qualities, however, his dreams are a story in itself, and I want to touch on that next.

Varon makes the robot's dreams distinct from the present story. Picking up on that wasn't difficult, and it was exciting to get a break from the actual story to look into the poor robots mind. With the wavy lines, it was easy to tell that the pictures within were the dreams. Whenever the robot was drawn as faded into the snow, I was also able to tell that he was dreaming. His dreams of finding new friendship and returning to his friend gave the story an entirely new side. Instead of only seeing the poor robot stuck on the beach, we see into his mind. We see his dreams and aspirations. We want what the robot wants because he seems so sincere and persistent in his thoughts. It is a relief to know that both the dog and the robot miss one another. Having these key parts of the story help us to relate to how the two friends are feeling even while they are apart. The robot can only do so much, but his dreams speak as much as the dog's actions do. For that reason, the pair is still united throughout the story, and there is always hope and connection to each. Having this constant connection helped me to relate the story to my own experiences as well!

This story touched me because I can relate my elementary years of friendship so perfectly. I, like the dog, fought hard to find the right friends. With each new year in school, I found myself trying to find a group to fit in with. It is difficult sometimes because it is hard to tell early on who you can make connections with. Sometimes it was really heartbreaking for me when friendships didn't work out because I had no idea what to do next. Who would I fit in with? In the end, however, the dog finds a friend that can stick by him. I found a few of them myself, and we are still friends to this day. The robot went through the same situation. Almost every child has trouble finding the right friends early on. They might go through two different groups, or they might go through eight different groups. In the end, everyone finds their niche and place in life. This story shows that process in an exciting way. Through dreams and a variety of different friendships, we see both the dog and the robot find their way through different processes. In the end, they are both happy. It shows hope and reality for all children without so many words to preach and guide them. I truly enjoyed reading Robot Dreams!



Varon, Sara. Robot Dreams. New York: First Second, 2007. Print.