Matthew Mendoza

Professor Warner

English 112B

11/29/11

The Appeal Of The Modern Problem Novel

The modern problem novel has evolved over the years producing numerous works of fiction that mirror the problem that teens might face today. The modern problem novel gives teens a chance to read something real that they can relate to. With realistic characters and settings that better match the kind of things young adults are used to seeing in their daily lives teens will be more engaged in the literature. The modern problem novel deals with multiple subjects that teens mind find themselves facing directly or in directly. With its wide variety of subject matter it allows teens access to different stories that deal with different issues that can range any where from family problems, bullying, sexual assault, eating disorders, racism, suicide, and so on. With these topics being opened up for discussion it gives teens a chance to reach out for help or at the very least a sense that they are not alone with their problems and that other people in the world face similar troubles. This is the power of the modern problem novel it allows validation for the wide variety of problems of teens and acknowledges that teens have real problems that they must face without all the understanding of the world that and adult might have.

The book that I chose to focus on for this project is We Were Here by Matt De La Pena. This novel captures everything the modern problem novel should be it has characters that are from a variety of social and economic backgrounds. It also moves away from traditional suburban settings and place the characters in settings that are far more realistic for a number of teens. The Main character Miguel on comes from a less than traditional home in a less than great area of Stockton. His father was killed on the war this leaves his mother the burden of raising Miguel and his older Diego on her own. For the most part the relationship between Miguel and Diego is strong they are brothers who are like best friends they spend much of their time to together and Miguel in many ways idolizes his older brother Diego. Diego almost becomes a father figure to Miguel, but after Miguel is sent to jail for the accident that killed Diego Miguel has to face a multitude of problems. He now has to live with the pain of his brother�s death and being sentenced to live in a group home. After he decides to break out of the group and start a new life in Mexico Miguel�s journey leads him through obstacles he never had to encounter before in his life. He encounter severe racism, being homeless, broke and on the run from the police and his past.

Annotated Bibliography

De La Pena, Matt. I Will Save You. New York: Delacorte Press, 2010. Print

This is the story of a boy named Kidd who comes from an abusive home. His father used to beat him and his mother committed suicide. He is placed in a group home where he receives counseling, and after some time he is offered a job a summer camp. While at the camp he meets a girl which he develops feelings for, but soon after an old friend from his past shows up at the camp and begins to have a negative influence over Kidd again.

This novel fits in with my topic because it has teens facing the real problems a broken home. It also deals with a teen trying to make the right choices and get onto the right path for himself as he struggles with his negative past.

Myers, Dean, Walter. Monster. Harper Collins Publishers, 2001 print

This is the story of Steve Harmon from Harlem who is on trial for murder. Steve is only 16 and is accused of murdering a store clerk during a robbery. Through out the story it is unclear whether or not he is innocent. The book focuses on Steve�s time spent in prison and in the court room.

This story is relates back to the modern problem novel because it deals with teens from an underprivileged area and the judicial system and how they are viewed. It gives readers a look at what prison life is like as Steve tries to plea his innocence.

Johnson, Maureen. Key to the Golden Firebird. Harper Collins Publishers, 2005. Print

This is the story of three sisters who have to deal with the death of their father. They each have to learn to cope with the loss of their father. Each of the sister has their own problems with which the must confront, in the wake of their tragedy. They are come together around the center piece of their fathers old car a Pontiac Firebird.

This story deals with the problem of losing a parent, and how teens cope with that. As each of the girls goes off into their own way of coping they find that are stronger together. This story shows how teens move on with life after loss.

Sonnenblick, Jordan. Notes From the Midnight Driver. Scholastic Inc., 2007. Print

This is the story of Alex Gregory a young man who in a fit of drunken rage his parents separation decides to steal his mothers car so that he can go give his father a piece of his mind. On the way he crashes the car and is assigned to community service at a nursing home.

This is the story that deals with family problems as Alex struggles to come to terms with his parents separation by drinking. It also takes on the problem of teen drinking and substance abuse.

Cheripko, Jan. Rat. Boyds Mills Press. 2004. Print

This is the story of Jeremy who is 15 and catches the basketball coach molesting a cheerleader. After Jeremy testifies against the beloved coach the basketball team starts to call him a �Rat�. Jeremy is also disabled, he has a withered arm which prevents him from playing basketball. As Jeremy struggles with being shunned by his fellow team mate, he battles with his decision to tell on the coach.

This story deals with the themes of teen molestation, and group acceptance. Jeremy did the right thing by testifying against the coach, but he feels wrong because of the way the basketball team is treating him.

Nolan, Han. Born Blue. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2003.Print

This is the story of Janie / Leshaya who was born to a drug addicted mother. After being bounced around from foster home to foster home she meets an African American born who introduces her to the blues. Shortly after she decides to change her name and identifies her self as African American.

This story deals with the problems of identity and not having parents. It gives insight into how teens choose to identify themselves. It also deals with the problems of having parents that are addicted to drugs.

Dean, Carolee. Comfort. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2004.Print

This is the story of Kenny Wilson who wants to leave his home town of Comfort Texas. Kenny�s alcoholic father was recently released from prison which adds more strain to Kenny�s decision to try to leave because he doesn�t want to leave behind his little brother. Kenny has to choose to stay and confront his problems at home or leave.

This story deals with the problems of teens growing up in a dysfunctional home. As Kenny battles with the idea of running away from his problems or taking a stand and trying to make things better.

Mikaelsen, Ben. Touching Spirit Bear. Harper Collins Publishers, 2002. Print

After Cole Matthews violently assaults one of his fellow classmates he is given an alternative to prison by going the judge. The alternative is a Native American form of justice called circle justice. Cole thinks he is going to get the better of the system by taking this option but after he attempts to assault a spirit bear he is left seriously injured and left to rethink his life.

This story deals with the themes of anger, rage, violence and bullying. Cole must make choice to over come these things inside himself and change for the better.

Lynch, Chris. Who the Man. Harper Collins Publishers, 2003. Print

This is the story of thirteen year old Earl who get suspended for a week from school for fighting. Earl is really big for his age and knows it and uses his size to his advantage. He has lets his anger and rage come out and thinks it makes him a man to beat people up.

This story deals with the ideals of what makes a man as Earl struggles to figure out that being big and strong doesn�t make you a man. Earl is a borderline bully who is struggling with his identity.

Dean, Sis. Racing Past. Holt, 2001. Print

After being bullied on the bus about the death of his alcoholic father Ricky decides he would rather walk to school. Soon though walking turns to running and he finds away to deal with the problems in his life through running.

This story deals with the problems of bullying and the effect it has on teens. Ricky is able to over come his bullying by running. This book also deals with a broken family life and substance abuse.