Tuesday Book Club
I know I’m not the first person who’s said this, but it’s pretty amazing how broad the category of YA is. It encompasses both Meg Cabot and Patricia McCormick. And I’m happy about that.
So this week I read Patricia McCormick’s Sold. DEVASTATING, but in an important and necessary way. The book was a finalist for the 2007 National Book Award, and I can see why. It’s the story of a girl sold into sexual slavery, and Patricia McCormick tells it in a voice so real, so innocent, so hopeful despite the ever-deteriorating circumstances, it really is the kind of book you can’t put down. And not in a train-wreck, “gee, wonder how bad things will get” kind of way. But in a “please let her be all right–please” kind of way. We so identify with this girl. I’ve heard that in talks Ms. McCormick gives at schools, the boys, too, are captivated. This is a story we all need to read, and not just because we need to understand what’s going on out there in the world–it’s simply great literature.
I couldn’t help but compare it to a YA novel I read last year dealing with another serious topic, the Holocaust. The difference is that the voice in that novel–and some of you know which book I’m talking about–seemed so falsely innocent. I just never believed it.
But I believed every word of Sold. At times I wanted to reach right through the pages and save that girl. Which tells me that I need to do something in our real world to help the real girls who are subjected to this. It’s a powerful book that calls its readers to action. Ms. McCormick links to some anti-child trafficking organizations on her website, and yes, they will be getting my money.
Whew. That’s my story. What did you guys read this week?
Technorati Tags: Reading, Books, Reading Clubs, Book Clubs, Tuesday Book Club, 50 Novel Challenge, Reading Lists, Book Reviews, Book Recommendations, Young Adult Novels, Young Adult Fiction, Sold, Patricia McCormick
April 10th, 2007 at 7:04 am
I’ve been a bad boy for the past few weeks — watching lots of TV, writing, reading comic books, but no books!
Nothing new to report this week, as a result, but I am about 2/3 of the way through Cecil Castellucci’s newest book, Beige, which I’m reading in ARC form. Good stuff, and I’ll report in full when I finish it.
April 10th, 2007 at 7:33 am
I didn’t read this week. I wrote and did taxes. I’ll read later.
But, I did meet Patricia at the new York Public Library event a few weeks ago and she’s lovely.
April 10th, 2007 at 7:49 am
I am so glad you enjoyed it, though that doesn’t seem the right word. Maybe better to say that I’m so glad you read it. I am also honored that I was the reviewer who got you to read it, and well pleased that your review will carry it forward. It’s a book that every ADULT should read. And that was the only problem I had with it, and have seen elsewhere noted, is that it seems like a better book in the hands of adults who can DO SOMETHING about the situation. But no doubt that it is an amazing and powerful book.
April 10th, 2007 at 8:07 am
Mother Reader, that’s a really good point about adults reading it so they can do something about it. And I do thank you for finally being the one who got me to read that book. It was really important that I did.
Diana and Barry, I’ve been where you are, so please, no pressure. D, that’s cool that you met Patricia! Barry was on a panel with her last year. I’m still two degrees away, no matter which one of you I count as one.
April 10th, 2007 at 8:12 am
I finished The Robber Bride(yah!)and hope to tackle The Blind Assassin at some point(I’ve had that book lying around for awhile on my TBR pile;mainly in love with the artwork on the cover). Meanwhile,my Easter treat was getting a copy of The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I’ve heard so much about him for years that I figured it was time to give him a try,especially before he talks to Oprah.
Also catching back up with Free Food For Millionaires,which I’ll be reviewing soon. Sold sounds amazing and sad,Robin. YA novels are really expanding their horizons from when I was younger.
April 10th, 2007 at 8:16 am
It is amazing and sad, but not in a slit-your-wrists kind of way. You’ll feel like doing something to fix this. And I can’t emphasize enough how great the book is as literature. Please read it.
Meanwhile, Lady T, sounds like you’ve been reading up a storm, and you haven’t even been snowed in! I’ll be interested in hearing what you think about The Road.
April 10th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Oof. I know I should read Sold, now that I’ve heard from you and MotherReader and Jules how great it is, but… oof. I know it’s going to hurt.
I finished Such a Pretty Face, a YA short story collection by various authors, all about beauty. Very interesting - some stories better than others, of course. It’s an ARC, I think it actually comes out in June.
And I finished So Many Ways to Begin, by Jon McGregor, which was lovely.
April 10th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
MotherReader, I think that things that are important for children to read are equally important for adults. In my high school, we had a “one book, one school” program, and one of the books we read was KAFFIR BOY, by Mark Mathabane. It’s a memoir of growing up under apartheid. One of the most powerful books I’ve ever read, and I read it 14 years ago. The faculty at the school felt the same way. I gave it to my mother to read, she gave it to her friends — there was no stigma about it being a book assigned to a child. It was an important book, period. I bet there were MANY, MANY parents at my high school who ended up reading this book because it was assigned to their child.
In addition, the high schoolers who read a book like SOLD this year, will, in a few years, be adults who can do something about it, who have been touched by this issue at an important developmental age. I think about kids in college who join human rights advocacy groups. I think about kids in high school, who spend their summers workign on human rights issues. It’s not JUST something that is important to adults.
Re: The Road. I’ve avoided McCarthy ever since All the Pretty Horses, in high school, but I’ve heard good things.
April 10th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Eisha, sounds like a productive reading week for you! Please don’t be scared off of Sold just because it might be harsh. I’d rather learn about it this way than watch some sensationalist nighttime TV news magazine. I think.
Diana, you’re right–it needs to be a two-pronged approach, both teens and their parents. I love that that’s what happened at your school. Because you’re also right that today’s teens are the ones who will make the difference shortly. They need to understand as much as possible about what issues their world is facing.
April 10th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
Gah! I didn’t read nearly as much this week as I’d have liked to. That’s what happens when I’m home for a week. I get lazy.
I did, however, finish rereading Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer and am now working on Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident (I’ve lost count of the number of rereads, but the copy I’m reading now is the second copy I’ve owned–the first one is in three pieces in my closet). I’m also reading Slander by Ann Coulter and going back through the seventh volume of Fullmetal Alchemist (which, despite the amount of, well, violence, has its deep moments, and that’s what makes it absolutely stunning…though I am still partial to the show). Yes, I reread things constantly.
I’ve seen Sold around, and it looked like something that needed to be read…but I don’t know if I could quite handle it. I read some dark stuff, but some things…I don’t know. So until I’m getting a better vibe from it, I think I’ll leave it be.
April 10th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
See, Miri, that’s what I was afraid of. The topic of the book seems so . . . yucky. And depressing. And dark.
But really, just try it. If you’re not glad you read it, tell me and I’ll send you some chocolate.
I keep meaning to read Artemis Fowl. Aarrgg! There aren’t enough hours in the day to get to all the books I want to read!!! But thanks for reminding me. I do want to try those out.
April 10th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
SOLD is very powerful.
I plan on reading DRAGON SLIPPERS today.
April 10th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
I told you last week what I was going to read this week. I finished it.
April 10th, 2007 at 4:26 pm
What, Patrick, too lazy/shy to retype it? Come on, man! Play!
April 10th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
Well, I’ll tell you that I have decided not to read this week. This is a write week.
Seriously, do you really think I am shy about anything? C’mon! Clearly, I am lazy.
Speaking of SHY, did you notice that Diana has several books read this year listed as *secret*?
Apple-ing!
April 10th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
Robin,
I haven’t read SOLD, and I may yet, once I get through the stack on the floor by my chair. But I’ve had bad experiences with non-children’s books on subjects like this. Here’s my problem, and please, if you (anyone!) disagrees, tell me why I’m wrong and maybe my thinking will straighten out.
Anyway, every time I read an “issue” book about abuse (sexual or otherwise), I get this awful, creepy feeling that I’m somehow just a voyeur to someone else’s pain. Worse than that, I’ve paid money for this experience, and well, it feels like PORN. The pornography of suffering. Do we read these books for the shiver of “OMG…” the same one people get at horror flicks?
I know the authors are (mostly) sincere about their subjects, and that they hope to “raise awareness” but the sad fact is most readers read the book, shiver, and forget. While the author/publisher makes money.
Oh, that sounds so mean, and I’m definitely not saying this about SOLD, especially after you recommended it so highly. What I want to know is, how does SOLD do it differently, from say, A Child Called It (which I refused to read,) or The Kindness of Strangers which I read (with much loathing) for a book club meeting? On the other hand, Octavian Nothing…much, much suffering, but no creepy feeling of exploitation. Why?
Help me here.
April 10th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Sara, I’m SO glad you raised this. I’m going to address it in a separate post tomorrow.
April 10th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
Robin, I like Sara. I think we should keep her.
HEA is the only way to go.
April 10th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
I agree about Sara, but what’s HEA?
April 10th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Happily Eating Apples