| In addition to being a journalist, Patricia McCormick is | | | | require more teacher direction since their reading |
| also a writer. Until 1999, when her first novel Cut | | | | ability is weaker. |
| debuted, she was a journalist. She has written for | | | | Even though you or I as the teacher may not think |
| numerous periodical publications including The New | | | | the novel is inappropriate, there will be parents with |
| York Times, Parents Magazine, and The New York | | | | different values and beliefs concerning when such |
| Times Book Review. Her first novel, which was | | | | controversial, serious issues should be presented to |
| reviewed in my previous blog, is about a 13 year old | | | | their children. If you are doing a choice novel study, I |
| girl who self-harms. She has written three other | | | | highly advocate using a parent permission form to |
| novels since then: My Brother's Keeper, about a boy | | | | ensure that the parent believes the content is |
| struggling with his brother's drug addiction, published in | | | | acceptable. I have not ever had a parent complain |
| 2005; Sold, about a 13 year old Nepalian girl who | | | | about one of these novels while using this form. |
| becomes a victim of human trafficking-being sold into | | | | When they receive this communication, they get an |
| prostitution, published in 2006; and Purple Heart, | | | | idea of what the novel is about and how it has |
| about a man who is honoured with a Purple Heart but | | | | educational merit; thus, instead of objecting to the |
| does not feel that he deserves it, published in 2010. | | | | content that their child talks about at the dinner |
| All her novels are realistic fiction, and her stories bring | | | | table, they already know that what is being read has |
| these very real-life issues to the forefront. | | | | an educational purpose. If you are doing a group |
| The topics McCormick addresses through her novels | | | | novel study, where the whole class is studying the |
| allow teachers to make connections with real-life | | | | same novel, it could be problematic to chose a novel |
| events and news in addition to further developing | | | | with possibly objectionable material; if you have a |
| reading and writing skills. Although the reading level of | | | | parent who objects, you may be required to provide |
| these novels is most appropriate for grades 7 or 8, I | | | | an alternate novel study for that student. I have |
| would also ask myself if the material is age | | | | seen this happen several times so far in my teaching |
| appropriate. I believe that Sold would be more | | | | career. |
| appropriate as a grade 9 or 10 novel at the college | | | | The issues that McCormick addresses through her |
| (applied) level even though they would be readable | | | | fictional novels are relevant and note-worthy in our |
| to students in intermediate school. Using these novels | | | | modern age, and they are excellent teaching tools to |
| in essential (remedial) high school classes would be | | | | use in the English classroom. |
| high interest to the students; however, it would | | | | |