Okay, folks, we had a very interesting, intense conversation about this book, but after a glass of wine and having been on vacation, I let my secretarial duties slide a little. I pretty much just enjoyed the conversation and didn't really take any notes. However, I know we were all pretty compelled at this story and amazed at how well Joseph Bruchac weaved fictional characters into historical events. It was easy to forget that this was fiction and not a memoir. This book was intense from the Indian Mission School experience to the battle of Okinawa. Eye opening in both areas that few of us knew much about - the Indian Mission Schools and the Pacific side of WWII.
Several expressed interest in seeing this required reading in curriculums. The book offers a selected bibliography at the end and we added a couple others:
Archuleta, Margaret L. Away from Home: American Indian Boarding School Experiences. Phoenix, AZ: Heard Museum, 2000.
Nerburn, Kent. Neither Wolf Nor Dog. California: New World Library, 2002.
Know any other good resources? Have comments? Let's hear the from the rest of our group - especially if you missed the meeting but read the book. Cheers!
Monday, August 27, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Discussion Questions for BOY MEETS BOY
Thanks to Leah for putting these together.
Boy Meets Boy Discussion Questions:
1. Does this story remind you of your first love?
2. How are gay relationships similar to or different than straight relationships in the story?
3. Infinite Darlene is different than any other character in the books, and in young adult writing. How did you react to her?
4. How successful did you find the book in imagining a reality for teens in which queerness is normal? How important is it to do this?
5. Does this book do a good job of portraying a range of sexual orientations?
6. Is this text written more for cultural insiders (queer teens) or cultural outsiders (anyone else)? What made you think this?
7. Is sexual orientation seen as innate in this book? Is it positive or negative? Fixed or fluid?
8. Does this book do a good job of representing diversity outside of sexual orientation?
9. Does this book have something to offer straight teens?
Boy Meets Boy Discussion Questions:
1. Does this story remind you of your first love?
2. How are gay relationships similar to or different than straight relationships in the story?
3. Infinite Darlene is different than any other character in the books, and in young adult writing. How did you react to her?
4. How successful did you find the book in imagining a reality for teens in which queerness is normal? How important is it to do this?
5. Does this book do a good job of portraying a range of sexual orientations?
6. Is this text written more for cultural insiders (queer teens) or cultural outsiders (anyone else)? What made you think this?
7. Is sexual orientation seen as innate in this book? Is it positive or negative? Fixed or fluid?
8. Does this book do a good job of representing diversity outside of sexual orientation?
9. Does this book have something to offer straight teens?
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