a. Citation
Iloh, C. (2020). Every body looking (Kindle ed.). Dutton Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780525556213
b. Plot Summary
The story of Every Body Looking starts with Ada’s graduation
from high school as she departs home to attend a Historically Black College for
her first year of college. The strict rules of her Nigerian father and the
emotionally unpredictable nature of her mother drive Ada to create her own path
in life. She spends her college days remembering important events from her past
including her hidden scars and first love of dance and the mixed relationship
she had with her family. The memories from her past interweave with her college
experiences as she handles college friendships and religious obligations and
searches for her true identity. Through dance along with friendship and
personal discovery Ada develops self-awareness which enables her to take
control of her body and her future.
c. Critical Analysis
From the beginning the story emerges through Ada's first person
verse which creates an authentic connection between the reader and her
narrative. The beginning of college life triggers Ada to remember childhood
moments which alternate between past and present times. Through this structured
format the readers gain insight into both her past experiences and her current
journey toward progress. The reader finds it simple to connect with her because
she presents her perspective directly without pretenses. The verse style adds a
lot to the storytelling. The lines maintain their short yet forceful nature and
the text arrangement through body like arches or block divisions enhances Ada’s
emotional state. Certain pages use black backgrounds with white text to
indicate when she experiences past memories. Through these deliberate choices
readers can experience the natural flow of her mental processes and emotional
states. Through her words Ada creates a voice that rings authentic for her
young character. She defines words in the middle of poems for the reader to
understand them better. The emotional tone of her experiences evolves from
vulnerable to angry before reaching hopeful before ending in growth. Iloh uses
her style to present Ada's journey in a natural manner which combines raw
emotions with creative expression and deep personal connections.
The honest and vulnerable nature of Ada in the story touched me
deeply because it showed how important it is for young women to tell their own
stories.
d. Review Excerpts
★ “This book is a testament to the beauty of Black
girls, their circumstances, bodies, and cultures.” - Booklist,
starred review
★ “In this stunning debut for young adults, Iloh
crafts succinct, beautiful poems to illustrate the difficulties of navigating
the tangle of family history and obligation, the power of art to heal and
express, and the strength it takes to chart an authentic, independent path.” -Publishers
Weekly, starred review
★ “Iloh uses verse beautifully…[A] captivating, sometimes
heartbreaking, yet ultimately hopeful story.” - Kirkus Reviews,
starred review
“Ada, pronounced Aah-dah!, means ‘first daughter’ in Igbo... Readers will be
left wishing they could accompany Ada as she pursues her passion and finds her
way to a genuine relationship.” - School Library Journal
e. Connections
· Ideal for teen writing workshops, especially
in verse or memoir formats
· Use in class to explore:
First-generation
identity
Trauma and healing
through art
The intersection
of race, culture, and body autonomy
a. Citation
Myers, W. D. (2009). Monster (Kindle ed.).
HarperCollins. ISBN 9780061975028
b. Plot Summary
The story follows sixteen-year-old Steve Harmon who faces trial
for murder after being arrested. The narrative follows Steve's screenplay
thoughts alongside his journal entries to express his fear alongside his
confusion and his hope. Steve faces the possibility of decades in prison
because he is charged with being the robbery lookout who survived the fatal
shooting. Steve keeps his identity intact as a future filmmaker through his
writing despite the prosecutor's description of him as a monster. His thoughts
revolve around his parents as well as his youngest brother and he maintains his
belief about being a decent person. The courtroom trial continues to raise
questions about the extent of Steve's involvement in the crime.
c. Critical Analysis
The powerful effect of Monster emerges from the authentic way
the author presents Steve's narrative voice. The story presents two narrative
styles by showing a courtroom drama through screenplay format and Steve's inner
thoughts through journal entries. The narrative structure presents dual
perspectives between how the world views him and his personal understanding of
himself. The quick-moving pace combines intense dialogue with unfiltered
emotional thoughts between each section. The overall mood throughout the book
remains dark and uncertain. The author displays fear through his written words
as he expresses his terror. Through his journal entries he expresses his
powerful thoughts about prison life as well as his family and his identity
search. Myers refuses to reveal whether Steve is innocent thus making the story
more thought-provoking. The story makes us ponder the connection between
judgment and bias while demonstrating how a person's life can transform in an
instant. The straightforward language works effectively with the distinctive
presentation method to create an engaging reading experience. Steve's account
presents a truthful and complex narrative which matches the reality of his
situation. The emotional uncertainty about Steve's guilt or innocence kept me
guessing throughout his story which made his narrative both disturbing and
realistic.
d. Review Excerpts
★ “A novel that in both form and subject guarantees a
wide teen audience.” -Horn Book, starred review
★ “A riveting novel with breathless, edge-of-the-seat
courtroom scenes. Taut and moving.” - Kirkus Reviews
★ “The tense drama of the courtroom scenes will
enthrall readers, but it is the thorny moral questions raised in Steve’s
journal that will endure.” - Booklist
★ “An emotionally charged story that readers will
find compelling and disturbing.” - School Library Journal
“Chilling and engrossing.” - The New York Times
e. Connections
This book would pair well with The Hate U Give by Angie
Thomas or All American Boys by Jason
Reynolds and Brendan Kiely. All three challenge readers to think about race,
justice, and how young people are treated in the legal system. Monster
would work well in classrooms as part of a unit on criminal justice or media
literacy, students could even write their own screenplay scenes based on key
moments in the book. It’s also a great pick for reluctant readers because of
its unique format and intense storyline.
a. Citation
Johnson, A. (2010). The First Part Last. Simon
& Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9781442403437
b. Plot Summary
Bobby from The First Part Last narrates his life story as a
16-year-old father who must single-handedly care for his newborn daughter
Feather. The story reveals two time frames through alternating “now” and “then”
chapters which demonstrate Bobby's current experiences as a young father and
his life before Feather's birth. The authentic tone of Bobby's voice
communicates his complete experiences about lack of sleep and the heavy
responsibility of making good decisions. Bobby and Nia decided on adoption at
first but the reason Bobby raises the baby alone becomes known only at the end
of the story in a touching yet powerful manner. The quiet reflective times
Bobby spends with his daughter alongside his deep parental love demonstrate an
unusual perspective on teenage parenthood which rarely appears in literature
especially when viewed through a young man's eyes.
c. Critical Analysis
The First Part Last stands out because of its intensely personal
tone. The book presents a first-person narrative from Bobby's perspective
through Johnson's basic yet poetic and emotional writing style. Each brief
chapter maintains a concentrated focus that drives the narrative forward with
minimal interruptions. Through the "now" and "then"
alternating structure readers experience both the pre-pregnancy phase of
Bobby's life and the present reality of his daily fatherhood. The language is
natural and realistic, nothing feels forced. Readers find themselves in Bobby's
shoes because of his genuine thoughts about his mother and his friends and the
drastic changes in his life. The initial concept which suggests life would
improve if we experienced the first part before the last section creates an
enduring impression that stays with readers throughout the book. Johnson
presents Bobby's genuine experience without providing educational content or
final resolutions; she simply shares his truth. The genuine emotions and
challenges alongside his deep love for Feather create a powerful impact in this
story. Bobby's silent strength and his love for his daughter left a lasting
impression on me because it made me see teen parenthood in a different light.
d. Review Excerpts
★ “Brief, poetic, and absolutely riveting.” - School
Library Journal
★ “Readers will only clamor for more.” - Publishers
Weekly, starred review
★ “Poetry.” - Booklist,
starred review
“Johnson has carved a niche writing realistically about young people's issues.”
- U.S. News and World Report
e. Connections
· Great for personal narrative or journaling
prompts
· Use in class to explore:
Teen
parenting and emotional growth
The role of fathers in literature
Nonlinear storytelling techniques
· Students could create a “Then vs. Now”
timeline of Bobby’s life or a baby-care survival guide from Bobby’s point of
view
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