TN #7: Scrawl

So after I last wrote, I took off with my two little girls, the latest book on the list, and my little green post-it note and headed off to the gym/swimming pool to get them to their swimming lessons (and my version of punishment - aerobics class in 85 degree weather).  Before class, I had a chance to read about 5 pages of Scrawl and somehow knew that I would like it already.

Why?

Was it because the story wasn't really chapters and more like a journal.  If you remember one of my first posts about Life as we knew it, the book was more of a journal which gave it a voice.  And while I like stories with a personal voice, that wasn't the reason.  It was how this book was laid out.

You see  Scrawl is an example of a style of learning and teaching that I have been studying about in school.  You write, I respond, you write some more.  Now don't get scared, I don't have permission yet to implement this, but my future classes will probably see this.  I like this technique, it is a way to get to know you, while also giving you an inside to my thinking at the same time.  The goal of this kind of writing isn't just to get you to write, but to be honest and open with yourself.  Who knows, we may get to play around with this idea.

Anyway, I liked this book.  Not just from the teaching aspect (oh you bet I have plans for it), but because it takes you through a whole range of emotions.  You feel different things for Tod (our bully).  Sometimes good, sometimes bad.  It's not sugar coated and why should it be?  Do I think all bullies think this way?  No, everyone has something different that pushes them to do what they do.

At least I have a book I can really recommend especially for my guys, not that the girls won't like it too.  Not as much I expect, but maybe the different emotions might interest them.

Well, here is a little video about the book:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYYk6t4EcWM

As for the author, Mark Shulman, this is his first novel, even though he has written several children's stories (at least this is what wikipedia has to tell me).  Unlike most of our authors, there is not much on Mark, so I suggest you read the description of the author in the book.  Let me know if you need help finding it.

Question for you:  If you were told to write anything for 45 minutes, what would you write about and why?

Well, I have to go.  More books to read.  One programming note:  I can't get a hold of the next book on the list Soccerland until sometime in August so I guess I will have to come back to that.

"Mark Shulman." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 06 Dec. 2012. Web. 14 June 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Shulman>.

Clasurdo. "Scrawl Book TRailer- Mark Shulman." YouTube. YouTube, 05 Mar. 2012. Web. 14 June 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYYk6t4EcWM>.

Shulman, Mark. Scrawl: A Novel. New York: Roaring Brook, 2010. Print.