Wishlist Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted over at Pen to Paper. This meme is where you showcase one book that is on your wishlist and that you can’t wait to get off your wishlist and into your hands.
This week’s Wishlist Wednesday is inspired by the latest round of book controversy on the internet.
Climbing to the top of the social ladder is hard–falling from it is even harder. Regina Afton used to be a member of the Fearsome Fivesome, an all-girl clique both feared and revered by the students at Hallowell High… until vicious rumors about her and her best friend’s boyfriend start going around. Now Regina’s been “frozen out” and her ex-best friends are out for revenge. If Regina was guilty, it would be one thing, but the rumors are far from the terrifying truth and the bullying is getting more intense by the day. She takes solace in the company of Michael Hayden, a misfit with a tragic past who she herself used to bully. Friendship doesn’t come easily for these onetime enemies, and as Regina works hard to make amends for her past, she realizes Michael could be more than just a friend… if threats from the Fearsome Foursome don’t break them both first.
Tensions grow and the abuse worsens as the final days of senior year march toward an explosive conclusion in this dark new tale from the author of Cracked Up To Be. ~ Review Courtesy Amazon.com
Why am I itching to get hold of this one?
Part of it is the controversy. Is it going to be that racy, or filled with adult material? Or is it a case of adults overreacting?
Part of me wants to read it because I know that my students will read it. I want to be able to have intelligent discussion with them about these difficult issues.
Part of me wants to read it because of my own curiosity. If everyone says it is so bad/naughty/inappropriate, what is the big deal?
Those are my thoughts. Have you read this one? Would you recommend it?
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OZ and Other Lands 
I just bought this book this week (and her newest book as well) but haven’t had a chance to open it yet. Trying to finish a couple of things I’m in the middle of, then this one is next up!
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Awesome! Let me know what you think please. Also, how do you feel about “heavy” books for middle grades students?
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This looks like a real interesting book. I have never heard of it. Does this author have anything else that you have read and would recommend?
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I have read nothing else by this author. My interest was sparked by the online discussions (via Facebook, Book Riot blog, etc.) regarding the controversy.
I keep feeling like I should just order it, though!
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This book sounds so interesting! Now I kind of want to read it too!
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Let me know if you do read it! I am having a hard time NOT buying it and reading it this weekend.
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First off, I think that it is great that you are staying in the know! As teachers, it’s important to be current on any events that may have an effect on our students. I haven’t read this book myself. However, with a book like this, I think I would read it first, and monitor who is reading it. It wouldn’t be a book I have on my shelf for anyone to read, but if a student expressed interest in it and I thought they could handle it, why not?
I’m curious though…when it comes to books with heavy topics, how do you feel? Do you think students should be able to read them in school, or should we be careful of the books we offer at school?
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I agree with you that I would read first, monitor who was reading it, etc. It looks like it is not an “everyone reads” book!
We as teachers need to consider how we will handle books with heavy topics. I work in a middle school, and this is the age I want to continue to work with. We had a girls reading class last year who REALLY wanted to read “The Fault In Our Stars”. A few had read it, but almost all of these 7th graders had seen the movie. My partner teacher and I ordered a class set, and she, with the advice from another adult in the building, excised the pages with a “romantic scene”. We just told them that we would not be reading those pages, so they were not even there. They could then address that with their parents.
I’m not sure what my policy would be overall in regard to books with heavy topics. I am thinking I fall into the “Donalyn Miller reading choice” philosophy: if they are reading, let them read! I do think I would pre-read anything I put on my shelves (or my if you ask… shelf). I would monitor who wanted to read it, and I would have conversations with them on a regular basis about the concepts and topics they are reading.
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