This is another book that I wasn't expecting to like, but I found myself really enjoying. It is a nonfiction book (great for Common Core) about a girl named Gaby Rodriguez who comes from a Hispanic family with a long history of teen pregnancy (her mother, brothers, and sisters all got pregnant as teenagers). As a result, she became interested in the role stereotypes and family history play on individuals' decisions to give in to "what is expected of them." She decided, for her senior project in high school, to fake a pregnancy so she could study the reactions she got from friends, family, teachers, and classmates, hopefully encouraging her classmates to (a) refuse to give in to stereotypes and instead pursue a greater future for themselves, and (b) consider the effect their words and actions have on others. The book walks through her family history, decision to do the project (and process of getting it approved), fake pregnancy, and the aftermath of her "big reveal."
There were many things I really liked about this book. First of all, it is a nonfiction book that has the potential to be very engaging to students - it is easy to read and high-interest. Gaby has a background VERY similar to many of our students - she is from a Hispanic family with major financial struggles in a school with demographics very similar to Segerstrom. They should very easily be able to relate to her. There have been teen pregnancies at Segerstrom, so it is a relevant and worthwhile issue for our students to think about. While the fact that it does discuss sex (though not graphically), abortion (from a pro-life perspective), and teen pregnancy (in detail, though again not graphic) may be a concern for some teachers and/or parents, it is very clear that the author is discouraging teen pregnancy and presents a very real picture of the struggles teen parents face. I also like the message that students need to refuse to give into stereotypes and expectations in all areas of their lives - she makes connections to her uncle's struggles with alcoholism throughout the novel, so while teen pregnancy is her focus, it is not the only connection to be made. I think there are many opportunities for crosscurricular classroom discussions and activities, and it provides a good example for seniors of the kind of writing required for personal statements. I would be curious to see how male students respond to the book - I could see it being a turn-off (especially because of the pregnant girl on the cover); however, I think it is a valuable book for both boys and girls to read.
reading this book was very interesting than most books i have read. its shows who your friends are and how all the mean things are being said even when your not pregnant can take an emotional toll. she want to show people that just because you come from a certain family or background you don't have to follow their mistakes. Boys should read this book because there are some point from her boyfriend how he feel about the whole thing and how its affecting him. students who don't like reading will love this book and become interested in it. i would love student to see the perspective of being a teen mom and how their words affect a person
Like Stephanie, I think this book presents a pertinent and gripping central issue. Many students may be able to relate to the author's background, but I wonder if they'll find it off-putting that she's self-identified as a loner who has trouble making friends and who loves school. I think it's also inspiring that it's written by a high school student. It's a quick read. Points against the book: it seems like there is a lot of build-up to the "project," which only ends up taking a small portion of the book. When Gaby's big presentation finished, I was surprised that there were still 50 (of ~150) pages left. The writing style lacked polish at times, and I'd prefer a book that is part of a series. Like Stephanie, I think this book may appeal to males more than females.
This book in my opinion was a bit on the discriminating side. As being of a Hispanic background i found this book, at times, to be a tab to racist at times. This book though did though keep me wanting to read more and made me feel as if i was Gaby. I felt that i could relate to Jorge because guys do get pressure by many different influences to leave when given negative comments but to me he played a big role in this book. This book brought to light a good topic that is important and a problem for most teen age moms. I felt though that it might not be a good book for the summer reading due to it being about a pregnant teen due to the fact that when students first get this book they would be discouraged to read it and is mainly set for women even though it has segments for me in it.
This book has been one of the few that I have actually enjoyed and finished in a short period of time. Gaby, the narrator of this book explains how she comes from a family background of teenage pregnancies. She wants to break this cycle and be differnt than her family. Gaby wants to head off to college and be someone important without any obstacles stopping her.Ever since she was little she grew up having to see her mother take care of her siblings and grandchildren. As she grew older she wanted to show everyone in her family that she would not be pregnant as a teenager, but her family wasn't so certain this would be true. She therefore takes a courageous step into faking her own pregnancy for her senior project.
This book is inspiring because for any teenager reading this book it shows that everyone is responsible of living their own lives. Gaby is a great role model of this because she didnt follow her sterotype instead she rose above it.With faking her pregnancy she helped those around her understand that it is hurtful to gossip about other behind their back.The book should be read by guys in order to get a prespective on what a girl has to go through when pregnant as a teen. I personally loved this book because she elaborated everything very well and explained what this project acually meant to her, she wanted to make a difference in her community and she did.
This is another book that I wasn't expecting to like, but I found myself really enjoying. It is a nonfiction book (great for Common Core) about a girl named Gaby Rodriguez who comes from a Hispanic family with a long history of teen pregnancy (her mother, brothers, and sisters all got pregnant as teenagers). As a result, she became interested in the role stereotypes and family history play on individuals' decisions to give in to "what is expected of them." She decided, for her senior project in high school, to fake a pregnancy so she could study the reactions she got from friends, family, teachers, and classmates, hopefully encouraging her classmates to (a) refuse to give in to stereotypes and instead pursue a greater future for themselves, and (b) consider the effect their words and actions have on others. The book walks through her family history, decision to do the project (and process of getting it approved), fake pregnancy, and the aftermath of her "big reveal."
ReplyDeleteThere were many things I really liked about this book. First of all, it is a nonfiction book that has the potential to be very engaging to students - it is easy to read and high-interest. Gaby has a background VERY similar to many of our students - she is from a Hispanic family with major financial struggles in a school with demographics very similar to Segerstrom. They should very easily be able to relate to her. There have been teen pregnancies at Segerstrom, so it is a relevant and worthwhile issue for our students to think about. While the fact that it does discuss sex (though not graphically), abortion (from a pro-life perspective), and teen pregnancy (in detail, though again not graphic) may be a concern for some teachers and/or parents, it is very clear that the author is discouraging teen pregnancy and presents a very real picture of the struggles teen parents face. I also like the message that students need to refuse to give into stereotypes and expectations in all areas of their lives - she makes connections to her uncle's struggles with alcoholism throughout the novel, so while teen pregnancy is her focus, it is not the only connection to be made. I think there are many opportunities for crosscurricular classroom discussions and activities, and it provides a good example for seniors of the kind of writing required for personal statements. I would be curious to see how male students respond to the book - I could see it being a turn-off (especially because of the pregnant girl on the cover); however, I think it is a valuable book for both boys and girls to read.
reading this book was very interesting than most books i have read. its shows who your friends are and how all the mean things are being said even when your not pregnant can take an emotional toll. she want to show people that just because you come from a certain family or background you don't have to follow their mistakes. Boys should read this book because there are some point from her boyfriend how he feel about the whole thing and how its affecting him. students who don't like reading will love this book and become interested in it. i would love student to see the perspective of being a teen mom and how their words affect a person
ReplyDeleteLike Stephanie, I think this book presents a pertinent and gripping central issue. Many students may be able to relate to the author's background, but I wonder if they'll find it off-putting that she's self-identified as a loner who has trouble making friends and who loves school. I think it's also inspiring that it's written by a high school student. It's a quick read.
ReplyDeletePoints against the book: it seems like there is a lot of build-up to the "project," which only ends up taking a small portion of the book. When Gaby's big presentation finished, I was surprised that there were still 50 (of ~150) pages left. The writing style lacked polish at times, and I'd prefer a book that is part of a series. Like Stephanie, I think this book may appeal to males more than females.
This book in my opinion was a bit on the discriminating side. As being of a Hispanic background i found this book, at times, to be a tab to racist at times. This book though did though keep me wanting to read more and made me feel as if i was Gaby. I felt that i could relate to Jorge because guys do get pressure by many different influences to leave when given negative comments but to me he played a big role in this book. This book brought to light a good topic that is important and a problem for most teen age moms. I felt though that it might not be a good book for the summer reading due to it being about a pregnant teen due to the fact that when students first get this book they would be discouraged to read it and is mainly set for women even though it has segments for me in it.
ReplyDeleteThis book has been one of the few that I have actually enjoyed and finished in a short period of time. Gaby, the narrator of this book explains how she comes from a family background of teenage pregnancies. She wants to break this cycle and be differnt than her family. Gaby wants to head off to college and be someone important without any obstacles stopping her.Ever since she was little she grew up having to see her mother take care of her siblings and grandchildren. As she grew older she wanted to show everyone in her family that she would not be pregnant as a teenager, but her family wasn't so certain this would be true. She therefore takes a courageous step into faking her own pregnancy for her senior project.
ReplyDeleteThis book is inspiring because for any teenager reading this book it shows that everyone is responsible of living their own lives. Gaby is a great role model of this because she didnt follow her sterotype instead she rose above it.With faking her pregnancy she helped those around her understand that it is hurtful to gossip about other behind their back.The book should be read by guys in order to get a prespective on what a girl has to go through when pregnant as a teen. I personally loved this book because she elaborated everything very well and explained what this project acually meant to her, she wanted to make a difference in her community and she did.