:)

@ChrisXu_ I agree! Not to mention how many different memories were tied to the cassettes and how their value changed. When he danced to them for the village leader w/o happiness it felt like a true turning point #285WLU10

"I still believed in the fragility of happiness" stood out to me b/c it showcases how the traumatic experiences Ishmael endured during his tweenhood impacted so much of his life, yet he held the strength to write his memoir (Beah 173) #285WLU10

@engundercover21 I agree! I really enjoyed how Woodson highlighted the emotional value attached to her interactions with her grandparents. It made her reflections on her time in South Carolina much more meaningful. Memories of her grandparents became attached to innocence and safety #285WLU9

#285WLU9 I have such a deep appreciation for how the book, brown girl dreaming portrayed the importance of a grandparent role in a young adolescent’s life. The words and wisdom that come from those who have been here longer than us adds value to the kids

"Be ready to die [...] for everything you believe in" are hard-hitting words for a tween reader, but they bring the reality for Woodson's family alive (68). To think about yourself at that age trying to grasp concepts of death and social injustice is thought-provoking #285WLU9

@ChrisXu_ So insightful! The way Ms. Owens reminds Bod that one day he'll leave the graveyard and she won't be able to follow him is reflective of the relationship many parents have w/ their growing children. It's the idea that we can always come home, but home cannot follow us. #285WLU8

Faranoz's statement "religion does not give men the right to beat us, and now we can prove it" is strong after she notes the abuse women endure b/c they're told it's just (Ellis 18). To read & write can be taken for granted, but they're sources of power for these women #285WLU8

@MeganCruzEN285 Definitely more gory than other novels. I noticed in the first bit of this novel, Bod is completely unaware of his original family compared to novels where the hero’s journey is rooted in avenging his/her parent(s). To him, the Owens and Silas are his true family #285WLU7

A story starting with parents dying is very typical. We have seen it before. Here a man is walking around with a knife shows it is a darker book. I was surprised that the author could pull that off in a way that still is child-friendly. Did anyone find it inappropriate? #285WLU8

While Silas says "wherever you go, you take yourself with you" in passing, I feel it's an important message for tweens (Gaiman 104). You can't outrun parts of your identity, but you can grow, change and learn to accept yourself for who you are. #285WLU7

@carter_heer Absolutely, I think this issue delays the formation of identity for tweens when they're being advertised and told what they want/need instead of figuring it out themselves. #285WLU6

#285WLU6 I think the problem with marketing towards children so heavily is that it spoils innocence for them. When from the moment you can read you're bombarded with ads coercing you to buy crap you don't need, you've seen what the rest of your life is going to be like.

While feeling misunderstood is part of the tween experience, the belonging tweens feel when engaging w/ Swift's diary-like site makes it a safe haven. Swift's appeal is that she's more of a long-distance friend than a celebrity that provides the comfort tweens desire #285WLU6

@Areejkhalid99 I agree! I feel like Ella's coming-of-age journey gave so many opportunities for her true-self to shine when interacting w/ others and making friends. A great lesson for tweens #285WLU5

Ella did not try to change herself for Char. Throughout all their interactions, it seemed she was consistently in-character and there was a sense of mutual respect. This was an impt example for tweens of a healthy relationship and remaining true to yourself. #285WLU5

@lauryn_reibling I agree! I feel like it's supposed to set the narrative of a protagonist who endures a life-shattering event but remains optimistic. IMO, this depiction is esp. problematic for female protagonists and the standard it sets. There are easily other tropes that work! #285WLU4

Despite the terrible circumstances Ella endures her character is consistently selfless and persistent in her journey. I think this emphasizes the power of courage and strength for tweens, especially ones dealing with difficult circumstances, to not diminish their "light" #285WLU4

@nonameforyou I agree! I feel like his abilities come from developing a connection between reader & narrator through all the small teaching moments present outside the storyline, whether it be on vocabulary or manners, and that's what makes the otherwise unfortunate plot appealing #285WLU3

“In this book, not only is there no happy ending, there is no happy beginning and very few happy things in the middle.” This book amazes me because Snicket is able to tell the dark tale of the Baudelaire children in an entertaining and humorous way. #285WLU3

I liked how Snicket drops definitions mid-sentence. For tweens who're unfamiliar w/ the vocab., it aids their understanding. It also feels like a private side conversation between the reader & the narrator that made the experience more pleasant than the storyline itself #285WLU3

@AlexiaGalloro While their presence in Harriet's life after Ole Golly's departure increased, it's sad to see that Harriet became lonelier than before. Lack of understanding from authoritative figures is a common theme in tween culture #285WLU2

When Harriet's parents saw her writing in her notebook, they left the room instead of using it as an opportunity to get to know her better. This felt like a scene that resonates w/ tween readers who may feel misunderstood or disconnected from parents who don't engage #285WLU2

Harriet was considered a strong female character which was rare for tween novels at the time. Do you consider Harriet to be a independent female tween or a bully who got a “taste of her own medicine”? #285WLU1

@ilonkam5445 I agree! I feel like Harriet's obsessive need to take notes on her surroundings also gives her a sense of control over others by knowing personal details about them. This exercise almost substitutes the lack of control she has over her parents' infrequent presence. #285WLU1

It is interesting how Harriet sticks to the same routine everyday and how strict she is about it. We notice this especially with her tomato sandwiches. For me this was a way to have rules or structure in place to follow without having her parents doing that for her. #285WLU1