Wednesday, September 10, 2008

First Meetings!

Per the sidebar to the right -- please join us for our first HHS Reads meeting on Thursday, September 11, and for our second meeting to discuss our first book, Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher!

On September 11, we're meeting to eat some of Mrs. Bennett's delicious Better'n Anything cake, discuss the Teen Top Ten nominees and how teen award nominating processes work, and activities throughout the year. Come to hear more about book club through the year! Freshmen are welcome!

On October 2nd, HHS Reads discusses Whale Talk for Banned Books Week. Chris Crutcher has the interesting honor of being one of the ten teen authors most targeted by banning and censorship efforts, and Whale Talk in particular is one of the top challenged books of the last five years. This book is the story of The Tao 'T.J.' Jones, a terrific biracial athlete who doesn't like team sports, and is so a constant source of frustration to his championship-sports-obsessed school, its coaches, and certain redneck elements within the school booster organization. When T.J. is badgered into helping a teacher create a swim team, a different incident inspires him to recruit a team of misfits in an effort to thwart the school's ridiculously strict policies on lettering in sports.

Much like last year's ...Part Time Indian, this is a book that's about much more than its summary, touching on family dynamics, past mistakes, race and class issues, violence, forgiveness, and the emphasis on sports over academics in schools. It's funny and unexpected, and we hope to see you come to discuss it with us!

9 comments:

Haley said...

i am excited, it is great to have book club again i really missed it over the summer. what are we reading after whale talk?

Haley said...

Why are his books banned? if they are banned books why are we reading them??? Hmmmm!!!!!!

Haley said...

Is whale talk a funny book? What makes it a good book. How do you choose the books for bookclub? I can go on and on but talking to myself is not all that interesting.

Haley said...

I had so much fun thank you for having this meeting. Can hardly wait until the next one.
1

Haley said...

Martha we have to talk about Whale Talk soon i really enjoyed it and i was a little suprised that i did.
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Haley said...

Martha what is our next book? I would really like to get a head start on it. Thanks a lot
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Haley said...

The next book is not the graphic novel one yet is it. please tell me that we are not reading a picture book.
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Haley said...

Never mind Martha I answered my own question. by looking onthe sidebar. its not the silly picture book.
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Haley said...

What will we be reading after Twilight? I have finished the picture book and now need something else to read.