Book Review:

 

Bibliography-

Blume, J. (2014). Forever. Antheneum Books for Young Readers.

ISBN 1481414437

 

Plot Summary-

Katherine and Michael are in love, and Katherine knows it’s forever, especially after she loses her virginity to him. But when they’re separated for the summer, she begins to have feelings for another boy. What does this say about her love for Michael? And what does “forever” mean, anyway? Is this the love of a lifetime, or the very beginning of a lifetime of love?

 

Critical Analysis-

This novel explores the thrills and risks of a teenage couple’s first sexual relationship. Although it has been the topic of many controversial book conversations, I think it is a well written book that can serve as a model of what a healthy teenage sex life could be. The storyline isn’t harsh and doesn’t scold or shame people, so I think it is very relevant to today’s teens. The novel is written in first-person, which makes it feel almost like a diary. Katherine Danziger is the main character, the novel’s narrator, and protagonist. She is a high school senior who is rational, sarcastic, and strong. Katherine’s first-person account of her relationship with Michael, her family, and friends, allows the reader to have a front row seat inside the head of a typical eighteen-year-old girl as she struggles to find her identity and establish her place in the world. What I enjoyed most about the novel was that throughout the story, Katherine’s parents help guide her through her journey of self-discovery and offer her advice and information which she needs to make wise decisions. The question of birth control and protection is also an issue addressed in the novel. Katherine’s mother and grandmother both provide her with information that helps her realize the seriousness of sex and allows her to make her own informed decision. At the beginning of the novel Katherine had no ambitions or goals in life. During her relationship with Michael, she begins building her life around him and making plans around his dreams. In the end she realizes that she is simply too young for a forever relationship and that her relationship with Michael is just a stepping-stone in her life. She is mature enough though to realize that her relationship with Michael helped her embrace and discover her identity as a young woman, which is a lesson that every teenage girl will learn.

 

 Review Excerpts-

“The characters, including adults and friends of the protagonists, are well developed, the dialogue is natural, and the story is convincing; however, the explicit sex scenes will limit this to the mature reader.”- Sally Estes, Booklist Review

“Blume’s story reminds you of first loves and the clumsiness that sometimes follows. It’s an easy and quick read.”- School Library Journal Starred Review

 

Connections-

-Students can create a mind map with the story. Focus on one standard, such as: Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision. For example, students can brainstorm events from the book and reflect on how it affected a character’s decision making.

Kruse, Melissa. “Engaging Post-Reading Activities.” Reading and Writing Haven, Melissa Kruse, 8 Dec. 2020, https://www.readingandwritinghaven.com/engaging-post-reading-activities.

 

-Students can create Book Snaps (with Google slides) on any 3 pages of their choice. First, make sure you have done scaffolding lessons with students to explain Book Snaps.

Kruse, Melissa. “Scaffolding a Booksnap Lesson: Amplify Reading Comprehension.”

Reading and Writing Haven, Melissa Kruse, 12 Nov. 2021,  https://www.readingandwritinghaven.com/scaffolding-a-booksnap-lesson-amplify-reading-comprehension.

 

 

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