Mod 9: Poetry, Humor, and New Media – It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini.

Jenny Phengdara

Dr. Patricia Watson

LS 5623.20

5 August 2014

Mod 9: Poetry, Humor, and New Media – It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini.

1.  Vizzini, Ned. It's Kind of a Funny Story: a novel. New York: Hyperion, 2007. Print.

2. Plot summary – After working diligently to gain entry into an elite school, Craig Gilner finds that it’s not what he expected. His friends attend the same school and make everything seem simple, while Craig must struggle to maintain his grades. This becomes the cause of his depression and not to mention losing his crush to his best friend. He admits himself into psychiatric care where he meets a myriad of personalities with different struggles. Only here does he begin to realize that everyone suffers from one thing or another. Some just hide it better than most.

3. Critical Analysis – It’s Kind of a Funny Story is a popular young adult novel that has recently been made into a feature film. The novel is on the Barnes and Nobles bestsellers list and reviews mainly focus on Vizzini’s writing. For example, a Booklist review mentioned, “What’s terrific about the book is Craig’s voice – intimate, real, funny, ironic, and one kids will come closer to hear. Many readers will be familiar with drugs, the sexual experimentation, the language, and, yes, the depression – or they’ll know someone who is” (2007). This is one of the main highlights of the novel. Vizzini is able to connect with young adults and is not afraid to discuss sensitive subjects.

Another highlight is that Vizzini is able to find humor through serious topics. “These are the first calls I’ve made not on the cell phone in a long time – and type in 1-800-SUICIDE. It’s really convenient that suicide has seven letters, I think” (Vizzini 2007). Most readers may just realize this coincidence and find humor in a topic such as suicide. This type of humor is subtle and smattered across the story, but when it does appear, it makes a big impact. As stated by Literature for Today’s Young Adults, “The greater the contrast between the rest of the book and the humor, then the bigger the surprise and the more pleasure it will bring to the reader” (Nilsen, Blasingame, Donelson, and Nilsen 209).

One of the qualms I have with this book is that it didn’t seem as if much happened in the novel. It’s only until about half-way through the novel do we see Craig be admitted into psychiatric care, which is the main conflict of the story. Even then, it didn’t seem as if there were many large events in the story. Most of the time, Craig attempting to get a date with different girls and making phone calls. What readers can take away from this story is Craig’s realization that he did not need to please anyone. “I don’t owe people anything, and I don’t have to talk to them any more than I feel I need to” (Vizzini 2007). Young adults may relate to that line because they may feel subjected to heavy social pressures in their lives.

Another facet of the novel that seemed a bit farfetched is that Craig recovered from his depression in five days. It may have readers wonder if he was truly depressed at all and needed to be admitted to psychiatric care or just continue his medication. As mentioned by Lain, a Goodreads reviewer, “Smoothly written with a strong voice, "Funny Story" is full of vivid, real characters. What rings less true is Craig's almost-miraculous recovery and ability to gain a new lease on life after only five days” (2007). I agree with the commenter because not only does Craig find new meaning, he also gives just about everyone at the care center new meaning as well in only five days.

Overall, I found this novel humorous. It was entertaining, but I could not connect with Craig’s depression and recovery. As the story progressed, readers learn that most of Craig’s friends are “depressed” as well and even wish to be admitted into psychiatric care. In a way, it seems as if Vizzini is finding humor in the idea that teenagers are melodramatic and can’t handle pressure of life. However, at the end of the book, Vizzini confesses that he was admitted to psychiatric care as well so it’s difficult to understand what his true intentions are with this story. I would recommend it for young adults who are struggling with depression, but they should understand that it is not typical for someone to be cured in less than a week.

Works Cited

"It's Kind of a Funny Story." Goodreads, 1 Dec. 2007. Web. 1 Aug. 2014.

<https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/248704.It_s_Kind_of_a_Funny_Story?from_search=true>.

Nilsen, Alleen Pace, James Blasingame, Kenneth L. Donelson, and Don L.F. Nilsen. Literature

for Today's Young Adults. 9th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2013. Print.

Vizzini, Ned. It's Kind of a Funny Story: a novel. New York: Hyperion, 2007. Print.

Vizzini, Ned. "It's Kind of a Funny Story." Booklist, 3 Apr. 2007. Web. 1 Aug. 2014.

<http://www.amazon.com/Its-Kind-Funny-Story- Vizzini/dp/078685197X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406851075&sr=8-1&keywords=it%27s+kind+of+a+funny+story>.

Module 8: Nonfiction – Flesh and Blood So Cheap: The Triangle Fire and Its Legacy by Albert Marrin.

Jenny Phengdara

Dr. Patricia Watson

LS 5623.20

15 July 2014

Module 8: Nonfiction – Flesh and Blood So Cheap: The Triangle Fire and Its Legacy by Albert Marrin.

1.  Marrin, Albert. Flesh and Blood So Cheap: The Triangle Fire and Its legacy. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2011. Print.

2. Plot Summary – On March 25, 1911, The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City bursts into flames with one hundred and forty-six people perished and many injured. The doors were locked to keep workers from leaving their posts because shop owners were more concerned with product output instead of the worker’s well-being. This even was one of the most leather workplace fires in American history until September 11, 2001.

Not only does this book cover the catastrophic fire, but it also showcases the undesirable workplaces in the early 1900s along with what is currently happening today with sweatshops, corruption, and the courage of others to stand up for what is right.

3. Critical Analysis – Flesh and Blood So Cheap is a nonfiction title about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire that occurred on March 25, 1911. Its publication was meant to coincide with the fire’s centennial anniversary. It has won awards such as, “Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Books” and the “School Library Journal Best Books of the Year.” Publishers Weekly says that “this powerful chronicle examines the circumstances surrounding the disaster and Marrin’s message that protecting human dignity is our shared responsibility is vitally resonant” (2011). I agree that the title goes in-depth with how immigrants from Europe flocked over to New York City with ideas of prosperity and freedom, but are then met with unsanitary conditions, expensive housing, and failing working conditions. Marrin is able to convey how unsettling the time was by explaining that “things got so bad that women in the wealthy Beekman Hill section of Manhattan complained about a manure pile twenty-five feet high” (2011). Granted, twenty-five feet of manure may seem outlandish, but with the city holding millions of people and no way of clean sanitation, it could be possible.

Marrin also includes side stories, personal stories, and photos in separate brackets within the text. This gives the events within the book a sense of realism. Instead of just spewing facts, Marrin gives visual learners a way to connect and with actual photos, and it can be an emotional experience after learning about what people went through to find work, defend themselves, or just survive in an unknown place. As mentioned in Literature for Today’s Young Adults, “Literary nonfiction combines factual information with emotional appeal” (292). Marrin understands how to write in a way that pulls the reader’s heartstrings. Especially when he describes the tragic fire in detail. “Cutters flung buckets of water at the smoking pot, without effect. Flames shot up, igniting the line of hanging paper patterns” (Marrin 2011). Readers will be able feel the frenzy that was placed upon the workers when the fire started and also the aftermath.

A negative part of this title is that it covered a copious amount of background story, from immigrants, aristocrats, and the mafia and readers will not find much about the actual fire until five chapters deep in the book. A Goodreads commenter, Jennifer, explains that “this book is more about immigration into New York around the turn of the century and the beginning of labor unions. You do not get information about the Triangle Fire until around page 100. This would be very frustrating to a student wanting to use this book for research purposes” (2014). I would have to agree. Although I understand that background information is needed to fully understand most situations, I felt that it carried on longer than needed. The chapter on the actual fire was brief compared to everything else.

In conclusion, it is amazing that one hundred years ago, companies were not required to conduct fire drills or install sprinklers because it was just too expensive. Doors were also locked to keep workers inside for maximum product output. While we have laws that protect workers from these kind of conditions, if people continue to work in illegal sweatshops, we have no way of guarding them from unsafe environments. Because the book is very descriptive of this event, it would be a wonderful addition to any library that would like to expand its collection about American history, immigration, or working conditions.

 

 

Works Cited

 

"Flesh and Blood So Cheap ." . Goodreads, 19 Feb. 2014. Web. 27 July 2014.

<https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9414509-flesh-and-blood-so-cheap?from_search=true>.

 

"Flesh and Blood So Cheap: The Triangle Fire and Its Legacy." Amazon.com: Books. Publishers

Weekly, 1 Jan. 2011. Web. 27 July 2014. <http://www.amazon.com/Flesh-Blood-So-Cheap-Triangle/dp/0375868895/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406428864&sr=8-

1&keywords=flesh+and+blood+so+cheap>.

Marrin, Albert. Flesh and Blood So Cheap: The Triangle fire and Its Legacy. New York: Alfred

A.    Knopf, 2011. Print.

Nilsen, Alleen Pace, James Blasingame, Kenneth L. Donelson, and Don L.F. Nilsen. Literature

for Today's Young Adults. 9th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2013. Print.

Module 7: Historical Fiction – Fallout by Todd Strasser

Module 7:  Historical Fiction – Fallout by Todd Strasser

1. Strasser, Todd. Fallout. Somerville, Mass.: Candlewick Press, 2013. Print.

2. Plot Summary – During the Cuban Missile Crisis, Scott’s father builds a bomb shelter in their backyard. At first, neighbors tease and ridicule his family until the unimaginable happens. The bombs go off and the neighbors make an attempt to raid the shelter. Only a few are able to fight their way in, but with food to last just a small family, how will they survive and what is really happening outside the vault?

3. Critical Analysis – Fallout is a historical fiction novel about the Cuban Missile Crisis. It takes an alternate route and asks the question, “What would happen if the missiles actually launched?” While it may not have won any big-name awards, it still received critical acclaim from readers and professional reviewers. Booklist says, “The titular fallout isn't just the environmental aftermath of the nuclear bomb but the survivors' emotional devastation, believably filtered through Scott's sensitive but well-rendered child's perspective (2013).” Strasser’s prose makes this short book an easy, but thought provoking read

Strasser’s ability to convey fear and uncertainty is impeccable. “I want to beg him to let the others in. But I don’t because this is something I’ve been scared of ever since he first told me about the shelter, since I realized we were the only family on the block who had one (Strasser 2013).” Readers will feel as if they are locked in the vault with both families. One of the largest uncertainties is if Scott’s mother will survive. She is knocked unconscious after falling off the ladder and throughout the story; both families are fighting for the quickly diminishing food. Goodreads reviewer, Ngan, commented, “I found it interesting that the children were the ones staying rational while the adults were busy bickering and going bonkers in the bomb shelter (2013)." I would agree with her. Strasser made it seem that the children were the logical ones and the parents were lost and scared. Perhaps this is because the young characters weren’t aware of what was truly happening, but they seemed to be in a much calmer place.

One of the possible difficulties of this book that young adult readers may face is that the chapters fluctuate often. At every chapter, the time setting changes from the past to the present. Although it makes for a diverse read, it can be somewhat confusing for such a short book.  Another issue, in my opinion, is that there is not much happening in the vault other than the parents’ bickering about who is better than the other or more deserving of supplies. The pacing in the vault seemed very slow compared Scott’s past events.

Since this a historical fiction novel, Nilsen, Blasingame, Donelson, and Nilsen state that, “Historical novels should tell a lively story with a sense of impending danger, mystery, suspense, or romance (2013 p.258).” This holds true for Fallout. Readers will be able to experience all those emotions and then some. Also, due to its historical background, this becomes an excellent opportunity for librarians and educators to teach about the Cuban Missile Crisis and help young readers discern what is fact and fiction in this book.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read and offered great insight in the time period. Todd Strasser ends the book with a personal family photo in which his father built an actual bomb shelter. This allows readers to see the reality of the crisis and how families were concerned and preparing for a possible apocalypse. Although this book is historical fiction, the photo is set to remind readers that it is based on some facts and truth.

Module 6: Mysteries – Paper Towns by John Green

Module 6: Mysteries – Paper Towns by John Green

1.  Green, John. Paper Towns. New York: Dutton Books, 2008. Print.

2. Plot Summary –

One night, Quentin Jacobsen wakes to the sound of his neighbor, Margo Roth Spiegelman, at his bedroom window. She is dressed like a ninja and takes him along for an adventure to commit revenge to those who have wronged her. Quentin has never had an exhilarating night such as this and when Margo runs away from home, he worries and wonders where she is. With a slew of clues hidden throughout her former stomping grounds, Margo hints to Quentin where she might be. Although this is their senior year, Quentin stays diligent in his search for Margo and even convinces his group of childhood friends to tag along. Is Margo actually alive or will his discovery be much darker?

3. Critical Analysis –

Paper Towns is a young adult mystery book that has reached critical acclaim and has won the “School Library Journal Best Book of the Year Award. “ Besides its intense popularity, it has been nominated for the “Young Reader’s Choice Award,” Black-Eyed Susan Book Award,” and the “Volunteer State Book Award.” School Library Journal says, “[John Green] nails it – exactly how a thing feels, looks, affects – page after page.” When it comes to the Green’s writing, I would have to agree that he has an ability to create realistic characters. This is made apparent when Quentin is debating on whether to attend the prom or not, “Absolutely nothing about any of it appealed to me – not slow dancing, not fast dancing, not the dresses, and definitely not the rented tuxedo (Green 16).” I could see and feel Quentin’s emotions as he is struggling with the idea of prom and what that entails. Although being embarrassed about his dancing skills is important, renting a tuxedo takes precedence, which I found comical. He does validate his reason for his dislike of rented tuxedos in that, “renting a tuxedo seemed to me an excellent way to contract some hideous disease from its previous tenant, and I did not aspire to become the world’s only virgin with public lice (Green 16).” I would imagine many teenagers would chuckle at this thought and Green does a fantastic job of making his characters relatable by constructing thought processes that would make sense to a teenager. For example, from Goodreads, Nicole commented, “The characters were fantastic and believable. The dialog between the friends was great and funny as I have come to expect from John Green (2011).”

While Green does make the characters believable, the character of Margo Roth Spiegelman moves from reality to fantasy. Reality because she has been Quentin’s neighbor since childhood and he feels that they are friends, and fantasy due to how the high school students, friends, and even Quentin accept her embellished stories that seem too farfetched to be true. Quentin becomes so enamored with Margo after their frolic in town that he becomes consumed with the need to find her. I found this a bit unrealistic because although they were neighbors for many years, he quickly became obsessed to the point where he was willing to forfeit the moments of high school to find her. Goodreads commenter, Nicole also agrees that “it veers from an amusing and interesting start to the baffling obsession of Quentin in his quest to find the will-not-be-named girl after they had one night of vengeful fun (2011).”  Being that this is a mystery title, I should not have been surprised at Quentin’s ability to disregard just about everything around him because as Literature for Today’s Young Adults notes, "protagonists are likely to be bright and energetic young people, not yet cynical about the world (Nilsen, Blasingame, Donelson, Nilsen 249)." If Quentin were an adult, he may not have had these romantic views of finding his maiden in distress and perhaps, Margo wouldn’t have left such bleak clues around random areas.

Another weakness of this book is that the first quarter of it was rapid, in my opinion. Quentin went on his escapade of revenge with Margo and it seemed very high energy and accelerated. Once the morning after set in, we are left with Margo missing from home and attempting to go through day-to-day life without her. It becomes apparent that Quentin is obsessed with her and the rest of the book is about him finding clues that will help in his search for her. As stated in Literature for Today’s Young Adults, “the victim is often connected to the protagonist - a family member, a friend, an admired adult, a boyfriend or girlfriend - and the protagonist is virtually forced to enter the game and examine the puzzle (Nilsen, Blasingame, Donelson, Nilsen 249)." The book became about Margo’s game instead of the bond that develops and grows between Quentin’s high school friends, which I found to be important as well. There are instances of alcohol infused parties, sexual encounters, and social stratification that teenagers can relate to, but essentially Margo’s disappearance sneaks back into play near the end of the book. It would not be surprising if readers somehow forgot about Margo’s disappearance because of all the events that happen in between the beginning and the end of the book.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. The first quarter’s pace was somewhat misleading, but I found that Quentin’s social events were hilarious and could happen to teenagers today. I thought the ending would be more climactic instead of Quentin and his friends walking right into Margo with more anger than happiness and relief. Especially, after a nineteen hour drive in a minivan that included a close-call with two cows. In my opinion, the cross-country traveling seemed to have the same level of excitement as Quentin’s night with Margo. Although there were parts of the story that I thought were slow, I truly did enjoy this book and will be reading John Green’s other works.

 

Works Cited

Green, John. Paper Towns. New York: Dutton Books, 2008. Print.

 

Nilsen, Alleen Pace, James Blasingame, Kenneth L. Donelson, and Don L.F. Nilsen. Literature

for Today's Young Adults. 9th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2013. Print.

 

"Paper Towns." Amazon.com: Paper Towns. School Library Journal, n.d. Web. 14 July 2014.

<http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Towns-John-Green-ebook/dp/B001ANSS5K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405448611&sr=8-1&keywords=paper+towns>.

 

"Paper Towns." Goodreads, 20 Jan. 2011. Web. 14 July 2014. <https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6442769-paper-towns?from_search=true>.

Module 5: Science Fiction - Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson

Jenny Phengdara

Module 5: Science Fiction – Robopocaplypse by Daniel H. Wilson

1. Wilson, Daniel H.. Robopocalypse: a Novel. New York: Doubleday. 2011. Print.

2. Plot Summary – The story takes place in the near-future where a global network of machines that the world has become dependent on, has now become a murderous, malicious force controlled by a powerful artificial intelligence known as Archos. In fact, at the beginning of the Robot Wars, Zero Hero was the moment the robots attacked and all of human kind is almost obliterated. Archos uses domestic service robots, pacification units, pleasure dolls, and more to take humans down one by one. With only a small number of human groups left, they must unite and try to fight back to reclaim their land.

3. Critical Analysis – Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson is a near-future science fiction book that takes a look at technology and human nature. This book can be considered dystopian because according to Nilsen, Blasingame, Donelson, and Nilsen (2013) “utopian and dystopian books are usually set in the future, with technology having played a role in establishing the conditions out of which the story grows.” It has received the Alex Award in 2012 and has been nominated for the John W. Campbell Award and the Endeavour Award (Books In Print, n.d.). Since its debut, it has made an appearance on several bestseller lists such as Publishers Weekly, Booksense, New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and Barnes & Noble. Angela Cartensen, a reviewer for the School Library Journal, notes “In this artificial intelligence blockbuster, the heroic actions of a handful of characters are told in the form of briefing reports after the Robot Wars that nearly exterminated humanity. This format with its emphasis on survival in battle and full-throttle action will appeal particularly to those who enjoy science-gone-wrong thrillers” (2011). Cartensen clearly states one the perks of this book in that it does not lack in action scenes. Humanity is in a constant struggle with the robots and when it feels as if humans have the upper hand, Archos, the artificial intelligence that controls the robots, pulls a surprise from up its “sleeves” and humans must inevitably devise another plan.

In reading reviews on Amazon, I have come to realize that this book has received lackluster reviews. Lisa Love, an Amazon reviewer, mentioned, “I personally dislike this style of storytelling. I don’t think it was the best way to tell this story. The character development is poor. Wilson bounces back and forth between too many different characters so fast the read is never quite able to connect to any of them” (2011). What Love is critiquing is the story’s transcript-like dialog. Each chapter, the reader goes back and forth between characters and settings, which may confuse some readers. Each chapter is similar to a short story and it can be difficult to empathize with the characters. I would have to agree with Love’s opinion because although the story was fast paced and action-driven, I could not relate to the characters or their struggle despite how the author’s intentions

Another question that Lisa Love brings to light is the antagonist, Archos and how “the robots (Archos in particular) had no convincing motive for being evil. He’s online for 15 minutes and the first thing he wants to do is destroy humanity. Really?” (2011). I suppose readers should just assume that Archos is inherently evil and murderous because he is afraid his inventor will power him off for good. That, to me, felt as if it was a convenient way for the author to develop an immediate conflict in the story. There wasn’t much of a background story to that plot, It just happened and readers were just meant to digest it.

Overall, if someone were to ask me to read this book again, I would most likely say no. The reason is because I did not connect with the characters in the book and found the story to be more action-driven than what I had hoped. Although this isn’t one of my favorite titles, I will surely recommend it to those who enjoy World War Z, dystopian novels, and near-future science fiction. To conclude this review, a quote from the book did resonate through me and it was, “to survive, humans will work together. Accept each other. For a moment, we are all equal. Backs against the wall, human beings are at their finest” (346).

 

 

Work Cited

 

Cartensen, Angela. “Robopocalypse.” Adult Books 4 Teens. School Library Journal, 6 June 2011. Web. 7 July 2014. < http://blogs.slj.com/adult4teen/2011/06/06/robopocalypse/>

Love Lisa. “Robopocalypse: A Novel.” Amazon. 5 April 2011. Web. 7 July 2014.

< http://www.amazon.com/Robopocalypse-A-Novel-Vintage-Contemporaries/dp/0307740803>

Nilsen, A.P., Blasingame, J., Donelson, K.L., & Nilsen, D.L. Literature for Today’s Young Adults. 9^th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2013. Print.

“Robopocalypse.” Books In Print, n.d. Web. 6 July 2014. <http://ezproxy.twu.edu:3959/DetailedView.aspx?>

Wilson, Daniel H.. Robopocalypse: A Novel. New York: Doubleday, 2011. Print.