martes, 14 de marzo de 2017

Novel examines social challenges of pre-teens | MercatorNet

Novel examines social challenges of pre-teens



Novel examines social challenges of pre-teens







Novel examines social challenges of pre-teens

Starting middle school can be nerve-wracking.
Jennifer Minicus | Mar 13 2017 | comment 
The Friendship Experimentby Erin Teagan
written for ages 9-12 | recommended with reservations
published in 2016 | HMH Books for Young Readers | 256 pages



Starting middle school can be nerve-wracking. For Madeline Little it promises to be disastrous. Her best friend Elizabeth is going to a competitive private school and her beloved grandfather recently passed away, so there will be no one with whom she can share her love of scientific research. Even her father, a scientist himself, does not really appreciate her interest. If he did, how could he be willing to sell Grandpa’s house, with all his old research equipment?
Madeline’s powers of observation help her identify every flaw in her classmates’ characters. This does not bode well for making new friends. Her sister’s eighth grade attitude doesn’t help either. After managing to alienate nearly everyone in her life, though, Madeline realizes that she is not perfect herself. Can she find a way to make amends and start fresh?
Erin Teagan’s first novel examines the social challenges of pre-teens. Madeline’s dilemma is real and not uncommon, though her approach to dealing with it is somewhat exaggerated. She tends to be highly critical of others and standoffish, cutting off her nose to spite her face, so to speak. Fortunately she matures before the end of the book.
One strange and rather unnecessary feature of the story is the obsession Madeline’s mother has with a painting of a naked woman. While Madeline, her older sister and all their peers find it embarrassing, Mrs. Little insists on calling it art and displaying it publicly, even when they learn that it is a picture of Mr. Little’s mother. This “subplot” has nothing to do with the narrative and leaves the reader wondering, “What was that all about?”
A former teacher, Jennifer Minicus is currently a full-time wife and mother.
- See more at: https://www.mercatornet.com/bookreviews/view/novel-examines-social-challenges-of-pre-teens/19478#sthash.m6nwkGVN.dpuf



MercatorNet



One of the most tedious words in the English language is “equality”. Racial equality, gender equality, marriage equality, economic equality – the chatter about these pious goals is endless. Yet all the while, new inequalities are born.
In our lead article today Jennifer Johnson talks about the real and distressing inequality that she, and many like her, experienced growing up in a broken family – and that many children continue to experience in ways undreamed of at the beginning of the sexual revolution that made it all possible. Until we begin seriously to address this inequality, which causes children so much suffering, we should cease and desist from talking about any other.
A word about the feature asking whether humanity should colonise other planets, assuming it becomes possible. We have run the piece because provides an interesting survey of the literature and film on this theme and poses a valid question. The answer, however, is not one we would agree with – at least not for the reasons given, which suggest a rather low view of our species. We look forward to your comments.
And a STOP PRESS: The editor has just forwarded me an AP story headed, “US applications for New Zealand citizenship jump 70 percent”. I am sure you can guess the reason, and it’s not just our majestic mountains. You can read the details for yourself here.


Carolyn Moynihan
Deputy Editor,
MERCATORNET



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