Wednesday, October 18, 2006
memories of teen love
As library professionals, many of us are a bit removed from our teen years. Did this book bring up old memories and feelings? Did it help to transport you back to those high school days? After all, that's one of the best things about books: their ability to put you in another place/time/frame of mind. Does this book help you better interact with the teens in your life? Care to share some of your teen love memories? We'd love to hear them.
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3 comments:
Yes, reading this well-written book did bring up memories and feelings. I felt the fear of the teens as well as the wonderful exhilaration of first love. I think that their fear was on a primal level since they knew that they weren't safe being lesbian and gay in the high school world and the greater world. But I do think that fear was certainly a common feeling for me and others when I was in high school.
What Geography Club reminded me of is that we were all "hiding" in high school. I remember wondering if it was ok to kiss on the first date, or if that would label me as a "slut". Or if I didnt, then was I "frigid" (I think that was the term that kids called each other.) No one talked about it, because no one wanted to admit they didnt already know. High school can be very lonely, which Geography Club portrays, and then the delight when you can finally be yourself and feel accepted.
Geography Club is a great read even though it took me kicking and screaming down the halls of long ago, nearly forgotten jr. high and high school. The memories regarding issues of moral integrity, the treatment of fellow students from jocks to geeks, and those that had his/her place in between, along with the pursuit of love/sexual experiences came back to me as clearly as my reflection in the highly glossed linoleum floors of those old buildings. Growing pains, Ugh! BUT, it was here in this messy,
hormonally charged, brain-altering environment that I developed courage, compassion and integrity. It's in observing someone getting beat down physically, and spiritually that gave me a real close look at my self, and how I resolve to be in the world. It's in getting in the line of fire that made me question whether or not taking the high road is/was worth the consequences. This book seemed to cover it all with likeable characters, and the ending is really a great start.
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