Othello-themed YA Novel Literature Circle Reads

As a student in Ms. Cerra's, Ms. Krueger's, and Mrs. Henry's sophomore English classes at Capuchino High School you will be participating in a cross-class discussion of your chosen lit. circle book. (Ms. Rutigliano's students may also be joining us for some of the book discussions.)

During the last six weeks of the semester:

• you will be expected to make at least 10 posts to the blog of your YA novel. (Five of these will be comments to other posts where your responses demonstrate thinking about theme, characterization and imagery in your YA novel. The remaining 5 posts need to be under- the-surface questions you pose to others about theme, imagery and characterization.)
• you must post on at least 10 separate days.
• you may earn bonus points after the required 10 posts if the additional postings demonstrate insightful thinking.

Below you will find indvidual postings for each of the Othello-themed YA novels being read.

Shattering Glass by Gail Giles

Within the opening paragraph, the narrator tells us that 'one person had the power to change so many lives'. Is Young Stewart referring to Rob or Simon? Simon Glass is definitely an outsider at the beginning of the book. Is it his choice? Or does Simon allow Rob and the others to exploit him because he wants to change his reputation? How much is Simon in control of the manipulation? How do Young's flaws control his participation in Simon's rebirth? How is Young able to suppress his jealousy and suspicions about Simon and Young's girlfriend, Ronna? Why does Young suffer the most in the end? Why were all of the boys unable to see the reality of Simon's manipulation of them? Start blogging about this book. As you get into it, you may want to check out the discussion guides at the author's website.

Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn

Why does Nick need to promote the illusion that it was 'just a slap' because Caitlin pushed him too far? Is this the only illusion Nick needs to believe to survive? Why is it important to him that he feels Caitlin is controlling his behavior? Who or what is really manipulating the situation? Is it Nick's tragic flaws of jealousy and suspicion? Is control/abuse a way for him to overcome his feelings of being an outsider? Or does his father as a role model contribute to his feelings that the male must have the power in the relationship at all costs? Start blogging about the Othello theme connections. Once you have read most of the book, you may want to check out the discussion guide for the book. Be careful, it may spoil the book if you read it too soon.

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Annabel Greene, as she appears in the Back to School commercial for the local department store, creates the illusion she is living the 'perfect' life. Like her model sisters, the reality of her life is so different from the illusion created for the public. How has jealousy and suspicion led to Annabel's new reputation as the novel opens? Has Annabel always been an outsider, or is this a new role for her? Owen tells only the truth, while Annabel rarely tells her true feelings. Which character suffers more as the result of their flaws? Why is Sophie so successful with her manipulation of others? Start finding the connections to the Othello themes.

Inventing Elliot by Graham Gardner

Elliot Sutton wears many masks to change his reputation and become one of the popular people instead of the outsider he is. When you live under illusions, how do you know what the reality is anymore? If you need to change yourself, are you allowing yourself to be exploited by others? Or are you exploiting yourself? Can your desire to fit in to the crowd be a tragic flaw? What power does Louise give Elliot in his struggle with illusion versus reality? Start blogging about the Othello themes in this novel.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Melinda opens the novel telling us, " I am an outcast"(4). How has the theme topic of Reputation/Gossip contributed to Melinda's status as an outsider? When Melinda states,“It’s easier not to say anything . . . Nobody really wants to hear what you have to say” (9), is she using the power of her silence to control the situation? Melinda feels 'flawed'; yet, is it really her former best friend, Rachel/Rachelle and Andy that are the truly flawed characters? How does Rachel use jealousy as a weapon? Start blogging about the relevant Othello themes as they appear in this novel.

Dreamland by Sarah Dessen

How does Cass' disappearance control and manipulate Caitlin's choices? Caitlin felt like an outsider in her own family before Cass' departure. Is this perception accurate, or does Caitlin become an outsider as the result of her own flaws? Or does Rogerson, with his tragic flaws of jealousy and suspicion manipulate and control Caitlin's decision to reject her former life? Why do her parents need to keep their illusions about both daughters alive? Start blogging about how these Othello theme topics connect to Dreamland. As you get more into the novel, you may want to look over several of the discussion guides, including the one at the publisher's website.

Shades of Simon Gray by Joyce McDonald

Simon, Kyle, Devin and Danny have all been living an illusion. What really caused Simon's accident? What do all of the crows and frogs symbolize? How has the theme of gender power shaped Simon's decisions? How do the out of body encounters with Jessup Wildemere change Simon? In what ways are the characters flawed? If reputation is so important to the characters, why have they made decisions that may alter their own reputation? Check here for more discussion ideas.

Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

Dana's life has been pretty normal up until her 26th birthday when she is suddenly sent back in time. How does Dana's gender affect her power both in the present time and her travels to the past? Who is more in control--Rufus or Dana? Is it Rufus' flaws, or some other force that manipulates Dana's travels? Is she more of an outsider in the present or in her slave past? Does Kevin struggle more with jealousy and suspicion or with illusion and reality when his wife disappears for periods of time? Start blogging about the theme connections to Othello.

Tithe by Holly Black

In Tithe, we meet Kaye Fierch, a young woman who is not at all who she thought she was. How have the Faeries manipulated Kaye to create the illusion of Kaye's identity to not only Kaye, but the outside world? Does Kaye create her own outsider identity, or has it been controlled by the faeries? How does jealousy and suspicion affect her relationship with Janet? Is Kaye completely powerless, or is she actually the one in control? How is Roiben similar to Kaye? Who is more flawed? Start blogging about your book as it relates to the themes in Othello.

As Simple as Snow by Gregory Galloway

The story of Anna Cayne, as told by our unnamed narrator, so thoroughly touches on all of our Othello themes. Is it simply Anna's gender that gives her so much power over everyone in the town? Or as an outsider is she so in tune with people's illusions and realities it makes it easy for her to manipulate everyone around her? Did Anna use jealousy and suspicion to manipulate the narrator? Who is more flawed--Anna or the narrator?

Once you get into the book, you may want to check out the As Simple as Snow website to more fully understand Anna by learning more about the authors and musicians that intrigued her.

Looking For Alaska by John Green

Does the Colonel (Chip) give himself and Pudge (Miles) new names to counteract their feelings of being outsiders at Culver Creek? Or is he hoping the new identities will change their realities and/or enhance their reputations? How easily is Pudge/Miles manipulated by Chip and Alaska? Does Alaska have power over the boys because she is attractive or is it simply because adolescent males with raging hormones are ripe for manipulation by any female? Is it their flaw? Does jealousy/suspicion make it difficult, if not impossible for males and females to be good friends? Start blogging about this book as it relates to the theme topics in Othello.

Running Loose by Chris Crutcher

Louie Banks has finally made the football team. By being on the team, what does Louie learn about illusion and reality? Does making the team help him with his feelings of inadequacy? Or does it place him in the position of being more of an outsider? How does the coach exploit or manipulate the football team members? How do Boomer's flaws affect his choices and outcomes? Is jealousy involved in Boomer's dislike of Louie? Who has the power in this book? Start blogging about how this novel connects with the themes in Othello.