Drown

Junot Diaz’s novel, "Drown", discusses such topics as poverty, immigration, criminal activity, buying/selling and using illegal drugs, prostitution, familial relationships and friendship. All ten stories are written through the eyes of a young boy living in the Dominican Republic and Central New Jersey. The coming-of-age stories are thought provoking, yet simultaneously rough and sensitive.

The author was successful in holding my interest throughout all ten stories. What make this novel different from the others, I have read to-date, is the fact that I did not have a favorite character. I felt disconnected to all of the characters in each story. As the reader experiences the stories through the eyes of the main character, Yunior, at times one may feel revolted, scarred and mind-boggled.

The author would like the reader to get the impression that poverty-stricken immigrants do not have choices. Many of the stories offered little opportunity or hope. However, critical reading will present one universal theme…choice. For Yunior there were times that choices presented opportunity and other times where there were little or no choice. Some of Yunior’s choices may catapult the reader into head-spinning questions pertaining to morality. Yet, despite the author’s attempt to persuade the reader otherwise, coming-of-age choices are presented to individuals regardless of race, class and gender. It is the choices that one makes that will determine the immediate and future action and consequence.

I would not recommend this book to young readers. I would put the book in the category of 18 and older, due to explicit references to drugs and sexual encounters. Overall, the novel was a good read and I would recommend it to anyone who is in desperate need of a reality check.

Esperanza Rising

The novel Esperanza Rising addresses the lifestyle changes people must endure when they are suddenly forced into a different socioeconomic class. The author, Pam Muñoz Ryan, does a marvelous job conveying the psychological and emotional changes that need to take place in order to survive in a drastically different world.

My interest was held throughout the novel. The author’s use of creative imagery allowed the reader to compose a colorful and vivid account of the setting and characters throughout the book. My favorite character was Esperanza’s grandmother (Abuelita). Abuelita was a wise women who’s advice helped sustain Esperanza’s strength through the most difficult and trying times. Abutelita was a source of inspiration and motivation for Esperanza, and her mother, even though they were separated by several hundred miles.

The protagonists in this novel showed perseverance, hope, strength and courage amidst the most desperate moments in their lives. It was in the way that Esperanza and her mother used whatever community resources that were available to them to maintain a subsistence level of existence. The strength found within community resources played a large part in the theme of hope and survival throughout the story.

Readers in middle school through adulthood will find this book interesting and thought provoking. The story touches upon many universal themes such as wealth, poverty, fear, courage, hope, and resolve. As a middle school social studies teacher, I am adding this book to my curriculum; as the historical context of the story will support the eight grade curriculum pertaining to the historical aspects of immigration, distribution of labor and the Great Depression.

BRAVO!

Black and White

Paul Volponi’s novel Black and White addresses a variety of multicultural issues, such as the the desire to posses material goods, friendship, and cultural bias in the criminal justice system.

Volponi was successful in addressing these issues by using an inner-city setting and vividly describing a cross-cultural relationship between two young boys who face a challenge between personal loyalty and criminal justice.

The novel can easily maintain the reader’s interest because it was written in a captivating, and suspenseful way. Every other chapter was written from each boy’s perspective and unveiled their personal account of the challenges, predicaments and decisions each one encountered.

My favorite character was Marcus (a.k.a. “Black”), because of his uncompromising loyalty to his friend Eddie (a.k.a. “White”). Despite being indicted for the crimes for several armed robberies and attempted murder, he never revealed who his accomplice was to the police. Black’s decision to forgo his potential basketball career and serve his jail sentence is a true testament to Black’s character and his unyielding loyalty to the “code of the street” which is the key to survival in many inner-city cultures.

The novel provides opportunity to young adult readers to become more sensitive to the issues of the workings of the criminal justice system. Even though the police knew that White was the accomplice and “trigger” man in the crimes, the evidence against him was sketchy. White’s family was able to hire an attorney to defend him and he will most likely walk. However, Black’s family was not able to afford an attorney and his appointed district attorney convinced him to plea bargain because of an eyewitness identification. Therefore, young readers can see how the U.S. justice system is based on reasonable doubt and how socio-economics can play a large role in obtaining adequate legal representation.

In the end, the novel leaves the reader predicting how each boy’s future will unfold. Therefore, story leaves a lot of room for discussion on the several themes touched upon in the book and allows students to create their own imaginary outcome for each boy’s future. I would highly recommend this book for students in upper middle school and high school. The novel can be used to introduce and support units that focus on multiculturalism, urban studies, legal studies, morals and conflict resolution.