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Leanne LoBue

Prof. Warner

Eng. 112 B

4-26-06

Annotated Bibliography

The Modern Problem Novel

The topic of my annotated bibliography is contemporary realistic fiction, as seen in Chapter 4 of Literature for Today�s Young Adults, with a concentration on the modern problem novel. The protagonists come from a variety of social and economic backgrounds and live in a variety of harsh, difficult places. Each faces a variety of challenges with courage and strength The dialogue in all the works chosen feature a realistic way people really talk and interact. The topics of the books chosen are diverse and vary from gang violence, prejudice, forbidden love, adversity, abuse, rape, defending ones rights and the rights of others, bullying and peer pressure. Each book gives a realistic view of teenage life, where every day is a struggle for survival and acceptance. The rich qualities of each story can be considered very close to being tragedies. Each book includes the three traditional elements of a tragedy: 1) There is a noble character, who no matter what happens, maintains the qualities that the society considers praiseworthy 2) There is an inevitable force that works against the character and 3) There is a struggle and an outcome. The reader of a tragedy, as with each of these ten books, is usually filled with pity and fear; pity for the hero and fear for oneself that the same thing might happen. The reader naturally feels an intense connection with the hero and his/her struggles. At the end of each novel I felt drained emotionally. I felt such a connection with each protagonist and their struggles and felt a great sense of pride and happiness in what the human spirit is called to endure. Each book has an important message to send to its reader, which I feel is extremely effective in being a voice to teens everywhere.

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Hinton, S.E. The Outsiders. New York, New York: Penguin Putnam, Inc., 1967.

Book talk presented by Leanne LoBue, Eng 112B, April 5, 2006

Ponyboy Curtis can count on his brothers and his friends. But not on much else besides trouble with the socs (short for �socials�), a vicious gang of rich kids whose idea of a good time is beating up �greasers� like Ponyboy. At least he knows what to expect-until the night someone takes things too far. When Ponyboy and Johnny are jumped by a car load of drunk socs, Johnny kills Bob, the most popular and vicious soc. The murder leads to tragic consequences for friends Johnny and Dallas Winston, which dramatically affect each member of Ponyboy�s tight circle of greasers and teaches him that pain feels the same whether you are a soc or a greaser. From the beginning to the end, The Outsiders is centered on the gang rivalry between the underprivileged Greasers from the east side of town and the rich Socs from the west side. The book centers on the development and experiences of Ponyboy Curtis, the main character and narrator of the novel. The story emphasizes on the futility and tragedy of gang violence as seen throughout the story and works to unify the plot.

The Outsiders is valuable because the development of the plot is as important as the characters. The story is realistic in its brutally honest portrayal of gangs. The character of Ponyboy lets the reader be a part of his harsh and sometimes violent world. It is valuable because the story shows peer groups, family relationships and friendship among its various characters. The story has the power to transport the reader into another person�s thoughts and

feelings while following Ponyboy on his journey of self-discovery and awareness. The theme of

rival peer groups and injustice felt by the characters is easily relatable to all readers and is worthwhile. Ms. Hinton�s use of rich characterization helps the characters come alive and seem believable with a balance of good and negative qualities between the Socials and the Greasers.

The universal appeal of the story is ageless and speaks truthfully and honestly to more than a single group of readers.

Shakespeare, William. Romeo & Juliet. England, 1594.

Romeo & Juliet is structured around the hatred and ancient feud between two rival families in Verona, the Montagues and Capulets. When a party is thrown by the Capulets, it is crashed by a group of young men representing the house of Montague. One such young man is named Romeo, son of Montague. At the party is Juliet, daughter of Capulet. Romeo and Juliet meet and instantly fall in love. Once they learn who�s family each belong to, they know their love is doomed, but it is too late. Their love is a tragedy thwarted by fate. Romeo and Juliet are two young lovers who care more for each other than life itself and tragically die for love. It is not simply a tragedy between two individuals but involves the responsibilities of both families in circumstances that ultimately could have been prevented.

This work is valuable because the story of Romeo and Juliet transcends time. The play is as important and worthy today as it was in 1594 when it was first performed. The play has a strong, interesting and believable plot centering on a problem that a young person might really have. Some of the lines are so powerful that they have the power to transport the reader into another person�s thoughts and feelings. The reader is able to feel the joy Romeo experiences

when he first looks upon Juliet as well as feeling the pain that Juliet experiences when learning

that Romeo is a part of the rival family. The characterization of the Montagues and Capulets as

well as the minor characters is believable. The setting of Verona Italy transports the reader to an

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exotic time and place that enhances the story. The reader can almost visualize costumes and

decorations of the Capulet ball and be transported to witness the play. The smoothness of style flows steadily and easily carrying the reader along. Throughout each act there is a build up of tension and activity right up to the climactic and tragic end. The universal appeal of star-crossed lovers is so relatable that it speaks to more than a single group of readers. The reader is left to ponder the violence between the two families that unfold in the story and ultimately gain insight

into current society and different groups of people. The different aspects of forbidden love and loyalty to family and friends are so universally felt by so many teens that the appeal of Romeo and Juliet will never fade.

Griffith, Robert E. and Price, Harold S., and Stevens, Roger L. West Side Story. Winter

Garden, New York City. September 26, 1957.

The story is primarily a condensation of the growing rivalry between two teenage gangs of New Yorks West Side, the Jets and the Sharks. Each is uniquely different from each other. The Jets are hood-like, side-burned, longhaired, vital, restless and sardonic. The Jets represent an anthology of what it is meant to be �American.� The Sharks are equally restless and energetic but are Puerto Ricans. The threatening tension between the two gangs erupts in fighting over pointless territorial boundaries and pure hate just because the other exists. The atmosphere of violence and hate, uneasily held in check by authority, is quickly established. When Tony, a Jet, first sees Maria, sister of the leader of the Sharks, they both know that it is love at first sight. But it is also a forbidden love that can only have dire consequences for all close to them.

West Side Story, like Romeo and Juliet, has a strong, believable plot that centers on a problem that a young person might really be experiencing. Through the powerfully realistic and honest dialogue, the lines have the power to transport the reader into another�s thoughts and feelings, like Maria and Tony�s. The characters of the two gangs as well as Maria and Tony come alive through its rich characterization, believable details and balance of its good and negative qualities. The theme of peer group rivalry, peer pressure and forbidden love has a universal appeal that speaks to various groups of teens. The characters have a way of dealing with their problems that help the reader gain insight into society and individuals who are different from us. The style of dialogue and scenes in the play flow steadily and keep the reader

entranced as they follow the journey of the characters that have a feeling of forebode for the

reader. Teens will be able to relate to the youthfulness and impetuosity of the world of Tony and Maria.

King, Stephen. Carrie. New York, New York: Doubleday, 1974.

Book talk presented by Ronan Barbour, Eng 112B, March 2006

Carrie White is not a typical teenager. She lives alone with her mother, who is a wildly deranged religious woman. Carrie has never felt that she fit in at school. She is strangely quiet and very shy. Carrie doesn�t dress like the other kids at school and has no friends to speak of. Her mother dresses her conservatively and sometimes Carrie is forced to wear the same outfit for days. The other kids at school harass and tease Carrie relentlessly. She has always been teased since grade school but because her body is changing, the teens are meaner than ever. They play

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cruel jokes on her and the teasing, insults and mean comments can only be termed as hazing. Carrie has the power to move things with her mind and discovers that when she is under the most

stress and anger the power grows stronger and more violent. Just when Carrie thinks she is

finally accepted, a joke is played on her that is more awful than any other and in her anger, her telekinetic power flies out of control.

Carrie is a valuable book because its plot is believable and centered around a problem that a young person might really have. The bullying and alienation, not the telekinetic powers, of course. The reader is able to be transported into the thoughts and feelings of Carrie White. The characterization is rich and believable. Every teen who knows a bully or someone who is bullied can vividly recognize the characters. The setting could very well be any town in the United States, so it is very relatable. The theme of bullying is a worthwhile and timely especially in light of the Columbine shootings. Most teens should be able to sympathize and

understand the pain and anguish that Carrie is forced to endure and the seriousness that can result from it. The style of the book flows steadily and easily guiding the reader through Carrie�s

painful experiences, right up to the climactic ending. The central subject of bullying has a universal appeal that speaks to all teens and is a valuable topic for discussion.

Sparks, Nicolas. A Walk to Remember. New York, New York: Warner Books, Inc., 1999.

In Beaufort, North Carolina, Landon Carter is a seventeen-year old senior. His father is practically non-existent in his life and his mother is not the kind of mother people dream about; sweet and gentle. Because Landon doesn�t have manly influence in his life, he is something of a rebel and a little wild. When Landon takes the risky chance of asking Jamie Sullivan, the preacher�s daughter, to the Homecoming Dance, he risks humiliation and taunting from his peers. Jamie stands out because she is different and doesn�t care what people think about her. She wears her hair in a tight bun, not a stitch of makeup, never wears different or new clothes and carries her bible everywhere she goes. Because she acts different from everyone else, this gives the schoolmates an excuse to tease and berate her. When Landon starts dating Jamie he also becomes a target of their harassment and taunting. As his feelings for Jamie grow, he begins to not care about what people say. When Jamie reveals to him that she is dying, it only increases his feelings for her and less care about what people think.

A Walk to Remember is a valuable book because it has a strong believable plot centering around a problem a young person might really have. Since the story is told in the first person through the eyes of the main character, Landon Carter, it is easy to transport the reader into his thoughts and feelings. The balance of good qualities of Jamie coupled with the bad boy qualities of Landon help with their characterization. The setting takes place in 1958 but could easily take

place now. The theme of acceptance, fitting in and tolerance are worthwhile themes that leave the reader with something to think about. The style of the writing flows easily and carries the

reader along. The story is much more interesting and personal since it is told through Landon�s eyes. The appeal of the story can speak to different groups of readers. Readers will recognize the strength that Landon has in standing up to his friends when he is teased for seeing Jamie as well as Jamie�s strength in not conforming to other�s idea of how she should look and act. Her confidence is a good lesson to readers about not being afraid to be different and will leave them with a lesson in dealing with people and acceptance of those who are different and giving them a chance.

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Anderson, Laurie Halse. Speak. New York, New York: Puffin Books, 1999.

Book talk presented by Lindsey Marino, Eng 112B, April 5, 2006

Melinda Sordino busted an end of the summer party by calling the police. Now her old friends won�t talk to her and people she doesn�t know hate her. She can�t make any new friends. The safest place is to be alone inside her own head. But even that�s not safe because there is something she�s trying not to think about, something about the night of the party that if she let it in would blow her carefully constructed disguise. And then she would have to speak the truth of what really happened to her that night, about how she was raped and doesn�t know how to tell someone.

Speak is valuable because it has a strong, interesting, believable plot centering on a problem that a young person might really have. Since the story is seen through Melinda�s eyes and written in first person like a series of journal entries, it has the power to transport the reader directly into Melinda�s thoughts and feelings. The reader feels the frustration, pain and angst right along with Melinda. The characters are true and real. Each social class are seen in this

story as experienced in every high school and is easily relatable. The characterization of the

teachers are rich in detail and realism. They are written exactly as a teen would view their teachers. The setting if the dreaded high school and relief of escaping at home is a connection that all teens are able to have a clear picture of and relate to. Since it is written like journal entries and follow Melinda�s experiences from the first day of the school year to the end in June, the book has a smooth style that flows steadily and easily, carrying the reader along. Melinda�s experiences of being treated as an outcast and struggling with the secret of being raped have a universal appeal that speaks to more than a single group of readers. Many teens will either know of someone or be directly effected by what Melinda goes through and this book could really help teens struggling like Melinda does. Melinda�s strength in confronting the truth in the end will hopefully give teens courage to face this terrible ordeal. By examining the way Melinda deals with her problems, the reader is left with insight into ways of dealing with these type of problems and individuals.

Crutcher, Chris. Whale Talk. New York, New York: Dell Lauret-Leaf, 2001.

Sports is all that matters at Cutter High School and having a varsity jacket is almost considered holy to some jocks at the school. But not to T.J. Jones. T.J is convinced that a varsity jacket-an exclusively revered symbol and unattainable by most-is what is screwed up at Cutter High. Despite his athletic ability, T.J refuses to try out for any organized sports at school. This brings down the wrath of faithfully committed jocks on him. T.J also refuses to stand by and allow people to be treated unjustly and goes out of his way to protect those treated badly. When T.J decides that the school needs a swim team he organizes a group of kids who struggle to find their place in a school that has no place for them. By forming the Cutter All Night Mermen, he creates an atmosphere where the boys start to trust for the first time and gradually allow them to open up with each other and grow. They finally have a place where they belong.

Together they find dignity and acceptance. T.J�s bond bond with the Mermen is accompanied with laughter, tragedy and heartache as he comes to grips with prejudice, social issues and cruelty.

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Whale Talk is valuable because it has a strong, interesting and believable plot centering around a problem that a young person might really have. T.J has a lot of problems that teens

could relate to. He is multiracial so he must cope with the frequent racial taunts. But he is also

adopted and has a childhood history of extreme violent abuse and abandonment that has taken a

lifetime to overcome. There are many teens that can relate to his troubles. The story is told through T.J�s eyes as he explains the experiences of his senior year in high school. The characterization is so rich that the characters come alive on the page. By the end of the book, the reader feels such a strong bond with the characters that it is disappointing to finish the book. Whale Talk is a rich combination of equally good and bad characters. The setting of the little town, sports obsessed high school and pool where the Mermen train are easy to picture and rich with detail. The pool where the Mermen train is described so well that the reader can almost smell the chlorine in the water. The themes of prejudice, abuse, acceptance, trust, cruelty and violence gives the reader a great deal to think about. The style of writing is smooth and carries the reader along. The story is gripping and painfully heartbreaking. Its universal appeal has the ability to speak to more than a single group of readers. The characters have a way of dealing with their problems that the reader is left with different insights into society.

McCormick, Patricia. Cut. New York, New York: PUSH Publishing, 2000.

Callie is 15-years old. Callie cuts herself. Never too deep and never enough to die. But enough to feel the pain. Enough to feel the scream inside. Callie is admitted to Sea Pines, a

�residential treatment facility� filled with girls struggling with problems of their own, like drug addiction, eating disorders and mental illness, like Callie. Callie doesn�t want anything to do with anyone. She refuses to speak, especially during Group Therapy. She refuses to talk about the stresses which led to Callie�s disorder, but she can only remain silent for so long.

Cut is a very valuable book because of it�s strong, interesting and believable plot centered around a problem that a young person might really have. Since it is written in first person through the eyes of Callie, the book has the power to transport the reader directly into her thoughts and feelings. The rich characterization of each girl at Sea Pines helps the characters come alive as believable. Throughout the story, the reader follows Callie�s progress and setbacks as well as the other girl�s struggles. Since the setting of the story takes place nearly entirely at Sea Pines, it helps enhance the story and its descriptions to help the reader clearly understand the events as they unfold. The smoothness of style helps the story flow steadily and easily to carry the reader along through Callie�s days. The theme of cutting is extremely worthwhile and not only leaves the reader with something to think about but has a universal appeal that speaks to more than a single group of readers. By blocking out mental anguish and frustration and dealing with problems, cutting is an epidemic that is on the rise among teenagers. Through this book, a reader with this problem or ones who know someone with this sickness can gain insight and awareness.

Bennett, Cheri. A Heart Divided. New York, New York: Laurel-Leaf, 2004.

Kim is a happy teen with lots of friends. She has discovered that her goal in life it to be a playwright. Kate lives in New Jersey and loves being a part of Manhattans Young Playwrights Showcase, a special program where four high school playwrights are selected to work with a

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selected group of actors for six months. When her father gets a new job and announces that they will move to Tennessee, Kate is convinced that her life is over. Kate is forced to give up her city

friends and her elite writing workshop to start junior year as the new Yankee at Redford High, pride of the South. Redford lives up to Kate�s low expectations. The school team is called the Rebes and she compares the racist Confederate flag, which is flown proudly everywhere in

this town, to the swastika. She couldn�t feel more out of place. Kate meets and falls in love with Jackson Redford, whose ancestor the town is named after. When a petition to replace the school�s Confederate flag and team name symbol stirs up trouble, Kate dives right in, not afraid to attack what she sees as racist and offensive. But getting involved means making enemies and unlikely allies.

A Heart Divided is valuable because it has a strong, interesting and believable plot centered around a problem that a young person might really have. By experiencing the story through Kate�s eyes the reader can be transported into another person�s thoughts and feelings. The characters are rich and interesting and come across as believable with a balance of good and

negative qualities. Jackson emphasizes the �southern gentleman� and shows qualities of goodness and kindness but is at the same time a defender of the old south bigotry thinking. The setting is a great resource for the story. Set in a small southern town in Tennessee, Redford is described so well with its town folk that it enhances the story so that the reader can get the intended picture. The story is told in first person, by Kate, so the writing style flows easily and steadily, carrying the reader along through her�s experiences. The worthwhile theme of standing up and fighting for what is right against all odds is an important message to send and leaves the reader with something to think about. Kate never backs down from the fight, even though she is an outsider and not one of them. She experiences a backlash of hatred for defending her beliefs against the ugly bigotry and racism that she believes the Confederate flag represents. Kate�s fight against what she believes is wrong and having the courage to never give up and stand up for what she feels is right has universal appeal that speaks to more than a single group of readers. A Heart Divided has a subtlety that stimulates the reader to think about the various aspects of the story and examine different ways of dealing with problems with both society and individuals.

Cormier, Robert. The Chocolate War. New York, New York: Dell Laurel-Leaf, 1974.

Jerry Renault attends a boy�s Catholic prep school, where school spirit is defined by how many items are sold, whether it be calendars, Christmas cards or chocolates. The school classmates are controlled by intimidation and fear by Archie Costello, leader of a secret school society called the Vigils. The Vigils, Archie and all students in turn are controlled and intimidated by a manipulative, mean instructor named Brother Leon. When Jerry refuses to be bullied into selling chocolates in the annual fundraising event, he becomes a threat to the Vigils and a hero to the classmates. But in the inevitable showdown, Archie�s skill at intimidation turns Jerry from hero to outcast to victim.

The Chocolate War is of value because it has a strong, interesting and believable plot centering around a problem that young person might really have. Though written in third person, the reader can be transported into Jerry�s world and experience the story through his thoughts and feelings. The story is a rich blend of characters that appear believable. Archie Costello and the Vigils and Brother Leon are a vivid adaptation of bullies. Jerry�s character is very realistic and believable as he is forced to struggle with the defiant decision he has made. The setting of the Catholic prep school enhances the story since most of the occurrences in the story take place

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in the confined location and is described so that the reader can get the intended picture. Even at home, when Jerry receives the late night crank calls, the reader can almost sense the claustrophobic atmosphere Jerry must have felt and the fear as the hostile rings bounce off the

walls. The theme of bullying and peer pressure and standing up for one�s rights are worthwhile

themes that leave the reader with something to think about. The story has a smoothness of style

that flows easily and steadily carrying the reader along from Jerry�s first meeting with the Vigils and his defiance to them and Brother Leon, right up to the climactic and sad ending. The subject has such a rich universal appeal that has the ability to speak to more than a single group of readers. The bravery Jerry has to defend his actions against a barrage of harassment from the entire school never falters. The retaliation he receives is horribly cruel and mean. Even when Jerry is beaten up, ignored as if he doesn�t exist by student and teachers alike, pushed down a flight of stairs and vandalized of his property, he doesn�t give up his fight. The chocolates are ultimately a symbol for the corruption and injustice that takes place at Trinity Prep School under the iron fist of Brother Leon and the Vigils. The story has a way of dealing with the problems of

bullying and peer pressure so that the reader is left with insight into both society and individuals

With the mean, daily humiliation that Jerry has to endure everyday, one can easily understand how years of this treatment can turn any teen into another Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. The Columbine tragedy was a result of the consistent bullying Harris and Klebold experienced and could have been prevented.