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1. Bibliographic Information
Colasanti, S. (2008). Take me there. New York: Viking.
ISBN: 978-0-670-06333-8
290 pages
2. Plot Summary
Rhiannon, Nicole and James are best friends in high school trying to deal with life. Rhiannon has just broken up with her boyfriend Steve. She is heartbroken and plans ways of trying to get him back. Unfortunately, Gloria, a girl with a bad reputation, has other plans with Steve. Nicole, a girl who decided to “reinvent” herself in high school struggles with her own relationship issues. Three weeks ago Nicole broke up with Danny, but now she does not know if she still has feelings for him or her 24 year old math teacher, Mr. Farrell. James is trying to deal with his home-life in a small overstuffed apartment and taking care of an elderly neighbor. He has also just broken up with his girlfriend who accused him of hanging out with Rhiannon too much. In the midst of their high school lives, these three friends look after each other, find themselves, and slowly decide what type of person they want to be.
3. Critical Evaluation
While the plot of this story tends to be overused in the Romance genre, Colasanti’s use of different perspectives makes this novel more believable as well as fresh. The reader is able to “see” how each of the three characters view different events in their lives, and thus draw characterization of Rhiannon, Nicole and James based upon what they do or do not say in addition to what aspects of their day is represented and how. For example, sometimes events are discussed in a different way and some conversations are omitted to a specific person’s narrative. This writing style also appears more authentic with Colasanti’s word choice. There is a distinct difference between the three characters’ narratives. For example while Nicole tends to focus on her emotions as she writes her narrative, James tends to simplify events and state them as fact rather than analyzing why something happened and how he felt because of it. Ultimately, Take Me There provides readers with an age-old plot, but well written in terms of an authentic voice and point of view.
4. Reader’s Annotation
Meet Rhiannon, Nicole, and James: three best friends trying to understand themselves while they go through the trials, tribulations, and successes of life during one week of high school.
5. Information about the Author
Susane Colasanti was born in Peapack-Gladstone, NJ. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Major: Astrophysics / Earth & Space Science and a minor in Psychology. She then went to the University of New York obtaining her Master’s Degree in Secondary Science Education with a minor in Physics. She wrote her first book, When It Happens in 2006. She has two other novels which will be released in 2010 entitled Waiting for You and Something Like Fate.
6. Genre
Romance
7. Curriculum Ties
This book would most likely be used as an outside reading book for an English class. However, it might be interesting to use as an example to show perceptions in writing.
8. Booktalking Ideas
- How does Colasanti’s writing allow the reader to judge the truthfulness of eye-witness accounts?
- How accurately does Colasanti’s characters reflect teenagers’ lives in high school?
9. Reading Level/Interest Age
I think that this book would appeal mostly to girls aged 15-17.
10. Challenge Issues
James does use some profanity in his accounts. The book also looks at bullying, sexual abuse, and teenagers having sex.
If anyone wished to challenge this book, I would refer them to the ALA’s website and challenge form found at:
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
11. Why was it selected?
I liked how the book was told in differing viewpoints, so I thought I would give it a try.
12. Citations
Challenges to library materials. (2010). In American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
Colasanti, S. (2010). Susane Colasanti [MySpace]. Retrieved from http://www.myspace.com/susanecolasanti
Picture
Colasanti, S. (2010). Susane Colasanti [MySpace]. Retrieved from http://www.myspace.com/susanecolasanti
Colasanti, S. (2008). Take me there. New York: Viking.
ISBN: 978-0-670-06333-8
290 pages
2. Plot Summary
Rhiannon, Nicole and James are best friends in high school trying to deal with life. Rhiannon has just broken up with her boyfriend Steve. She is heartbroken and plans ways of trying to get him back. Unfortunately, Gloria, a girl with a bad reputation, has other plans with Steve. Nicole, a girl who decided to “reinvent” herself in high school struggles with her own relationship issues. Three weeks ago Nicole broke up with Danny, but now she does not know if she still has feelings for him or her 24 year old math teacher, Mr. Farrell. James is trying to deal with his home-life in a small overstuffed apartment and taking care of an elderly neighbor. He has also just broken up with his girlfriend who accused him of hanging out with Rhiannon too much. In the midst of their high school lives, these three friends look after each other, find themselves, and slowly decide what type of person they want to be.
3. Critical Evaluation
While the plot of this story tends to be overused in the Romance genre, Colasanti’s use of different perspectives makes this novel more believable as well as fresh. The reader is able to “see” how each of the three characters view different events in their lives, and thus draw characterization of Rhiannon, Nicole and James based upon what they do or do not say in addition to what aspects of their day is represented and how. For example, sometimes events are discussed in a different way and some conversations are omitted to a specific person’s narrative. This writing style also appears more authentic with Colasanti’s word choice. There is a distinct difference between the three characters’ narratives. For example while Nicole tends to focus on her emotions as she writes her narrative, James tends to simplify events and state them as fact rather than analyzing why something happened and how he felt because of it. Ultimately, Take Me There provides readers with an age-old plot, but well written in terms of an authentic voice and point of view.
4. Reader’s Annotation
Meet Rhiannon, Nicole, and James: three best friends trying to understand themselves while they go through the trials, tribulations, and successes of life during one week of high school.
5. Information about the Author
Susane Colasanti was born in Peapack-Gladstone, NJ. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Major: Astrophysics / Earth & Space Science and a minor in Psychology. She then went to the University of New York obtaining her Master’s Degree in Secondary Science Education with a minor in Physics. She wrote her first book, When It Happens in 2006. She has two other novels which will be released in 2010 entitled Waiting for You and Something Like Fate.
6. Genre
Romance
7. Curriculum Ties
This book would most likely be used as an outside reading book for an English class. However, it might be interesting to use as an example to show perceptions in writing.
8. Booktalking Ideas
- How does Colasanti’s writing allow the reader to judge the truthfulness of eye-witness accounts?
- How accurately does Colasanti’s characters reflect teenagers’ lives in high school?
9. Reading Level/Interest Age
I think that this book would appeal mostly to girls aged 15-17.
10. Challenge Issues
James does use some profanity in his accounts. The book also looks at bullying, sexual abuse, and teenagers having sex.
If anyone wished to challenge this book, I would refer them to the ALA’s website and challenge form found at:
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
11. Why was it selected?
I liked how the book was told in differing viewpoints, so I thought I would give it a try.
12. Citations
Challenges to library materials. (2010). In American Library Association. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/challengeslibrarymaterials/index.cfm
Colasanti, S. (2010). Susane Colasanti [MySpace]. Retrieved from http://www.myspace.com/susanecolasanti
Picture
Colasanti, S. (2010). Susane Colasanti [MySpace]. Retrieved from http://www.myspace.com/susanecolasanti
13. Awards
No awards known.
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