Young+Adult+Lit+Book+Talk

====//**Context**: One of the "mini-projects" for Young Adult Literature was to give a book talk on the young adult novel we would be using for our culminating unit plan. The book talk was to be no longer than five minutes, but still had to capture the essence of the book. We were also encouraged to use any technology needed; I decided to create a Glog for my visual aide for the book talk. Along with the information from the book talk itself, I have also included the subsequent plans and reflections for this assignment//. ==== = = =Book Talk Planning = I actually read //Purple Heart// three times- twice to just read it and the third time to read for information/learning/preparation for my project. Pre-writing has become an important part of my planning for projects and writing assignments because I can make it exactly how I want it and it doesn't have to make sense to anyone except me, and I want to instill that feeling about writing (and learning) to my students.

  

Book Talk Handout
**//Purple Heart//** by Patricia McCormick

ALA Booklist about //Purple Heart//: “ [Its] gripping details of existence in a war zone bring this to life.”

**A Y.A.L.S.A 2010 “Best Book for Young Adults”**

__About the Author__ Patricia McCormick is a former journalist who lives in New York City. //Purple Heart// is written in honor of several Army and Marine soldiers who did and did not make it home from combat. McCormick researched those men and collaborated with military officials in order to create a “faithful rendering of life in Iraq.” After attending a peaceful demonstration with other Iraq War veterans and seeing the “Eyes Wide Open” exhibit (a moving exhibit in 46 states organized by the American Friends Service Committee) comparing military and civilian deaths in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, McCormick was inspired to mesh the two stories together to contrast the ideals with the realities of war.

__Main Characters__ Matt Duffey – private in Army (protagonist) Ali – a young Iraqi boy whom Matt befriends Justin, Wolf & Charlene – Matt’s squad mates Meaghan Finnerty – Matt’s military evaluator

__Major Thematic Questions__ · How do we determine who (or what) is right/wrong? · How does one cope with killing other humans? · When is collateral damage “acceptable”? · How does language help us interpret situations? When is it not enough? · Does loyalty ever end? Why/why not? · By what process do we place blame? · How do we interpret the idea of truth? · What makes someone a hero? · What are the true costs of war? · How does one gauge innocence/guilt during war?

Extra Information on //Purple Heart// __Considerations__ · Profane language · Graphic details of violence · War violence · Military terminology (acronyms/concepts which may require prior exposure) · Intense dialogue

__If you like this, you might also like…__ //Fallen Angels// by Walter Dean Myers //Soldier Boys// by Dean Hughes //Under the Blood-Red Sun// by Graham Salisbury //Under a War Torn Sky// by L.M. Elliott

Book Talk Glog
I used Glogster to create a glog for //Purple Heart// because it gave me a chance to give a concrete representation of Matt's experience and how writing became important to his discovery of the truth during the novel. I had some issues with it the first couple rounds of book talks, but I finally got it to work!

[|Purple Heart Glog]

**Book Talk Feedback**
I got great feedback from my classmates! Several people brought up the issue of girls being drawn and interested in reading a book about a topic of this nature, and as I said in my presentation, I don' t think the fact that it is considered a war novel hinders a reader's ability to connect to the characters, especially Matt. I found my heart truly breaking for him in his situation simply because he is such a realistic, and likable, character. His struggles, even in the hospital and combat, are things that young adults still deal with as "normal" citizens - the concept of truth, right and wrong, guilt and innocence. I'm truly glad I read this book because it is going to be a great bridge between //The Forever War// and the journals I received from my friend Seth for my research project.