What are Amy and Adam going to do about their love life? Neither Amy's traditionalist Japanese parents nor Adam's snobby, upper-class mother will accept their relationship. To make things worse, Amy and Adam are involved in the "color game" at school, an experiment that's designed to make students aware of class and racial prejudices.
Now the experiment threatens to alienate Amy from her friends and tear her apart from Adam. She knows it's time to rebel against the color game. But will the rest of the class follow her lead?
With a relentless concern about contemporary issues and problems that affect teenagers, Gloria D. Miklowitz (USA, b. 1927) examined such topics as rape, suicide, teen marriage, divorce, AIDS, sexual abuse, and racial prejudice in her novels. She helped teen readers look at underground militias, vigilantism, religious cults, steroid use among high school athletes, and the effects of nuclear war. She enabled readers to view the famous battle of Masada from both sides. She also wrote nonfiction on a variety of subjects, from earthquakes and raccoons to President Harry Truman, civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., and tennis star Tracy Austin.
The concept was kind of interesting--it seems to be a fictional write-up of an actual project some social studies teacher carries/ed out in high school to help students better understand the ways in which they are affected by their own and others' race, class, and sex. The idea is that a whole class is divided into four groups with corresponding colored arm bands. Depending on the group, the members get more or fewer privileges and/or penalties. The teacher rigs the game so that minority and lower class students are assigned to the higher groups and men are deemed the "inferior" sex.
You know me, I'm all for such a project in theory.
The problem is that it's a ridiculous fictional portrayal of how that game would work, with the only thing more common than the ill written love scenes between the Asian lower-class protagonist and her rich, white boyfriend being student epiphanies like "I understand now that when we tell racist jokes, we're actually portraying our true feelings and shaping the reality around us." Okay, that's not a literal quote, but it's close enough.
In short, the book is clearly some teacher's fantasy of what his or students are getting out of what could be an interesting (though potentially problematic) project.
Oh, and does this seem like a random book to read? I'm continuing on with my project of reading all the books in my house that I haven't yet and this one was on the shelf--I think Josh got it in sixth grade.
Disclaimer: I wrote this review for English class a year ago and decided to share it on here, so it’s a bit old
The Topic of the book is quite interesting, as racism and classes are still a big issue in the world, especially in America. However, I didn’t find this book very gripping. It was probably because I didn’t care. I didn’t care about the two main characters. The love between a middle-class minority girl, who always does as she is told and a rich white guy, who is sexist just wasn’t compelling. They probably fit together, as Amy always did what Adam told her and Adam liked telling her what to do. But the problem was Amy’s overall character. She always said yes, never stood up to anyone and was overall a very blunt character. I didn’t like her. Yes, during the book, she changed, and so did Adam, but you never get a second chance to make a first impression. And that impression was of two characters whom I couldn’t care less about. The development of both main characters is overall good, but I felt like it wasn’t a gradual development, especially for Adam, but rather a few Moments, where he suddenly realised, that what he had done was maybe not the right way and with the blink of an eye decided to change. In my opinion, such changes usually take a longer time and are nothing to happen like flicking a switch. Another thing that bugged me during the whole read, was the writing style. The author seemed to have something against the word “said” which lead to her characters crying, exclaiming, bellowing and giggling a lot. I found the extensive use of words like those really off-putting. Generally, the writing style was a bit boring in my eyes, long descriptions followed by long chunks of dialogue, but never a mix of the two. The plot, however, was really good. I liked the main plot with the colour game, as well as the sub-plot about Amy and her family issues. It was interesting, comprehensible and logical (even if I believe, that the changes of mind-sets at the end will not last long, or at least wouldn’t in real-life).
All in all, I personally didn’t like this book a lot. I would only recommend it to people, who like plot-driven stories, and don’t mind if the characters are not so appealing. But if you, like me want to care about the characters and want three-dimensional, likeable characters, then this book is probably not the right one for you.
As a public librarian, I make it a point to give every book I read the benefit of the doubt. Even if I don't like it to start, I push through to the end. I was asked to read this title for a novels approval committee, that I sit on, for the local school district. I began reading The War Between the Classes and started wondering exactly I could evaluate it. I was struggling with all kinds isssues I had with the book in several different directions. And I just didn't want to keep reading. I only made it halfway through.
I came to realize that I would be very concerned if my child's English teacher chose this book for a class reading assignment out of all the books that have been written since then (and before) about race relations and socioeconomic differences between students. The writing isn't good. The language is dated (1985! Imagine! 🙂) The main character refers to his "Oriental" girlfriend as "honey." The "game" that teacher has them play, in an effort to reveal social injustices is far-fetched. It's a high school setting about a boy and a girl who are "in love" and determined to stay together even though their life roles (in the game) have been reversed--he is designated as "low class" and "poor" and she is now "the very rich." She decides she'd like to "see what it feels like to have money" which means kids in lower classes all have to bow to her when they see her at school and do whatever she asks them to do whenever she asks them to do it. It's just plain weird. The author is unknown. Even the cover is concerning. All to be approved for a middle school classroom (7th grade.) I've created the story in my head that a well-meaning teacher read this book in high school and remembers that it was impactful but doesn't quite remember the details of the story. I don't want to be a lit snob, but this is a tough one for me, especially with all the great books that are being written today addressing issues of social justice. Today's students know too well how the world works to glean much from this book.
This book is about a lower middle class Japanese girl, Amy Sumoto, and her relationship to Adam, a member of the white upper class. They struggle as they move through the four most devastating weeks of their young lives: when the color game is introduced at school by the teacher Ray Otero. Adam is placed in lower class, orange, and Amy is placed in upper class, blue. So Amy plans on rebelling against the color game.
This book is supposed to, and does, connect to real life. The color game is designed to show high school students about real racial and gender prejudices. If it wasn't for the love story aspects I would think that the color game was real and that this book was non-fiction. The lesson was also very realistic, a little over done, but realistic.
I liked this book. I thought it was well written, although a little simple, well thought out, in some parts, and just over all very interesting. I would recommend this book to adults who want an easy read or mature kids. There were parts of the book that used symbolism and a complex sort of thinking that keeps it, in my opinion, from being a pre-teen book. If it wasn't for the love story I think it would be much more respected.
A middle-class Japanese-American girl and her rich white boyfriend are in a class that plays "The Color Game." In this fictional new society there are four colors that correspond to social classes. Amy is in the highest class and Adam is in the lowest. What's more, all six minority students are the only ones in the highest class. I find social experiments like fascinating, so I was happy to read a YA version of one.
First, it's very 80s. Adam actually calls her "exotic," and she worries if he actually likes her or just likes her because she's different. But they're totally in love anyway. And there's the unfortunate instance of the phrase "using black jive" after a black character has spoken. It's already shown, no need to spell it out in such a way.
The effects of the color system are too quick (one day in and feelings have changed, etc.), and their discussion of it feels a little forced--a little too much like the author is speaking through the characters--but I still appreciate the candor overall:
Statements like this: "Money is power. If you have enough of it people won't forget your color, but they'll at least pretend too" (69).
Amy also has a brother who married a white woman, and who also helps clean (!) and cook (!). Females also have the power in this society, and I appreciate that as well. However, one beauty contest (where the girls judge the boys) and just like that boys are learning their lessons.
I had to laugh out loud at the use of the word "kibbitzing." And then I had to look it up. There is no way this Japanese-American character would know this word. I can't believe the author didn't catch it.
Lastly, there's a big lead up to a moment of unity, and then the very next day, everyone is back to their own colors. That was a huge head-scratcher moment for me. Does not make sense at all, plot-wise.
So, lots of issues. But still worth reading. You can also look up the real-life teacher who did this, and I also highly recommend Jane Elliott's A Class Divided Documentary done with younger students and based on eye color.
I got to say that this is a pretty good book for English class but also if you start reading in English. It has a good structure and the message behind it is great to understand. In my mind, I played the game in my head. What color would I get? Would I rebel? Would I avoid my closest friends to get promoted? The only thing I didn’t like was that it got a bit complicated a few times and I had to return to pages. But all in all, it is worth reading.
The War Between the Classes is a book I read to see if I can use it in my teaching. And I think there are definitely enough themes in this one to be able to use it for essay writing - but also for making sure my students think about various social issues.
Onvan : The War Between the Classes - Nevisande : Gloria D. Miklowitz - ISBN : 0440994063 - ISBN13 : 9780440994060 - Dar 176 Safhe - Saal e Chap : 1985
Amy is a Japanese-American student whose boyfriend is Adam. One of their teachers at school has his class divided into artificial groups based on economics and sex. The students are broken up into Blues (rich, powerful), Dark Greens, Light Greens and Oranges (the bottom of the barrel), and each group is subdivided into two groups based on gender, with the girls being given the highest status in each group.
In addition, there is a very wide range of rules they are to follow including bowing to your "superiors," not talking to people outside of your armband's color, etc. The lesson is also scheduled to run for four weeks. There is even a group of students who are designated to spy on the others and can take names and place fines against the students for disobeying the rules, even off the school's campus.
Amy already has difficulty in her life since her dating of a white boy is not looked upon with favor by her parents who want her to stay within her own race when dating.
The lesson has different effects on different students and is taken very seriously by most of them. The purpose, of course, is to teach about discrimination in its various forms and how it can affect people.
Considering only that part, the book is quite effective is showing about the many negative effects of discrimination, although I am wondering somewhat if this book is sort of "preaching to the choir." Basically, I think most of the people who would buy the book are already aware of the various forms of discrimination, and I think that people who are into discriminating against others aren't the kind of people that would buy the book in the first place.
This is also an old book, copyright 1985. I doubt very much that any teacher in today's world would be allowed to spend so much time on one topic; there is too much pressure to prepare students for standardized tests for most teachers to spend very long on any particular topic. I also think in today's litigious world, such an effort by a teacher would probably be met by various calls from "concerned" parents threatening to sue if the project isn't stopped or modified.
I know of one science teacher, for example, who tried to teach science in a way that the students could relate it to their daily world. For example, when talking about animals one of the things he had students do was list animals in their daily lives, including pets, but also animals on cereal boxes, sports teams named after animals, etc. He did a lot of things like that but eventually ran into severe trouble from the department chairman and was even threatened with being fired.
So I think this book is rather dated, although I do give it credit for at least trying to deal with issue of discrimination.
"The War Between The Classes" was a very good book. It is a fictional book by Gloria D. Miklowitz and is influenced by an actual sociology course taught at Occidental College in Los Angeles. The book focused on a game called the "Colour Game" which was played in a highschool sociology class to bring awareness to racism and sexism in a fictional society. The main characters are Amy and Adam. Amy is a 17 year old japanese teenager living in the Unites States and her boyfriend is Adam who is of white culture. Adam parents are rich unlike Amy's parents who are apart of the middle class. Both of their parents have prejudices about their relationship believing that they should stay in their racial and social class. Amy and Adam take part in the Color Game which requires them to randomly pick a color wrist band which will determine their social class. They both play opposite roles of their real life, Amy belonging to the upper class and Adam belonging to the lower class. This difference in social classes resulted to Amy and Adam being split apart, unable to communicate with eachother until the game is over which was in four weeks. The game becomes a problem to their relationship as they cant see eachother any more. Both Amy and Adam not satisfied with their social status, starts to plan an rebellion against the system. Amy puts up posters saying "All Colors Unite" and is demoted to a lower class. Adam helps her organize a rally which includes other people of their class and will include the whole school. The rally is a big success and the whole school participates. When the game is over, everything goes back to normal. Amy and Adam relationship improved and it also changed some prejudices her parents were having. Amy's family became more united and even began to accept Adam. In the end, the game changed the lives of Amy and Adam. Again, this was a very good book that help students realize the seperation of different classes inabling them to inact with eachother. This is a very good game that was created by Ray Otero, the professor of the sociology class at Occiental College. This game should be played more often in sociology class to bring awareness to more students.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I'd had this book on my shelves in my classroom, but somehow I never picked it up. I enjoyed this quick, easy read about racism, classism, and sexism. The story follows the relationship between a Japanese girl and a wealthy white boy. Although their own families don't accept their relationship and even their own friends pass judgment, their love stays strong. The real test comes when they decide to be a part of a social experiment, designed by their teacher to show how minorities are treated.
This book reminded me a bit of The Wave, and I think it would be interesting to read the two back-to-back to compare.
I enjoyed several of the ideas in this book, but I couldn't really get behind the main character, Amy. She seemed too soft too often. I'd rather follow an outspoken female lead through a story.
We read this for a school assignment once and now I’ve reread it and it’s so bad and problematic. First of all we have extremely stereotypical parents and having lived in Japan for years it’s kind of offensive and the characters over all aren’t well rounded. Emiko keeps getting very hotheaded and changing her mind between being independent from Adam but then being submissive again and it’s so annoying. It’s like she’s not making any progress at all. And then Adam is supposedly realising how he’s never thought about what it’s like to be treated by your ‘colour’ but then he does exactly that. His whole relationship with Emiko seems extremely toxic and controlling and I was very uncomfortable. I do not recommend this at all. It’s a terrible representation of culture and even though the whole Color game is a good concept, it is handled so badly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I thought the book was really boring, uneventful, and very predictable. The characters were very fake and booting, therefore I couldn't really relate to any of them. Also the plot was very week and the end result was very predictable. Overall the novel was okay, but I did learn a few things from it. For example people personalities are based on the environment they group up in and the people they surround themselves with. Also I learned that people can be different then who you see them as, so pretty much don't judge a book by its cover. I don't recommend this book to anyone because I didn't like it and I don't think others would too.
Students are involved in a "color game" experiment at school that is supposed to make them aware of class and racial prejudices in "The War Between the Classes." This experiment threatens the relationship of Amy and Adam. Amy is from a traditionalist Japanese family, and Adam is from a white, upper-class family. Further, the "color game" begins to alienate Amy from her friends. This book could be used in a classroom to discuss issues of class, race, and relationships are perceived by students. Many students could relate to the themes in this book because they experience these things in their own school experience.
Wir haben das Buch im Englisch Unterricht gelesen und ich muss leider sagen, dass ich vieles sehr unlogisch fand. Es wurde versucht viele verschiedene Themen wie Rassismus, Sexismus,… anzusprechen, dich das hat sich für mich sehr krampfhaft angefühlt. Die Geschichte ist nicht wirklich tief durchdacht. Manches in der Geschichte war einfach unnötig und unrealistisch. Zudem ist der Schreibstil auch sehr basic und für mich einfach zu langweilig. Ich finde trotzdem die Idee hinter den ganzen gar nicht so schlecht, aber man hätte es noch viel besser umsetzen können. Letztendlich bin ich aber trotzdem interessiert in Zukunft im Englisch Unterricht mit diesen Buch zu arbeiten.
I think that this book is a really good book.I also think that it shows how many people think of racism.The best part of the book was when the game had begun and everything changed.One part about the book that i was disappointed about was when Amy decided to have a raffle.I was disappointed cause i thought that the raffle was going to be bigger than it was.To me they talked about it and had all types of meetings about it and it didn't even play a huge role in the book.But overall The War Between the Classes was a good/great book.
This book was great! The book was about how there was this color game that Amy and Adam played in school. The came had different classes. The game showed different social classes. The game split people up and put the people in different social classes. Amy thought it was unfair and that the game needed to stop. She and a bunch of other people came together and tried to take a stand to stop the game. At the end, they won and did what no other class did. That was the whole lesson. The book made me feel like I was in the book.
The book is setting with the idea of discrimination. You will see love and discrimination together in this story. It is most appropriate for teenagers and young adults, because it is a little simple book for old adults. Also, I don't think small children can understand the book about discrimination et cetera. It does not includes a lot of events. Story is growing up slowly, but it gives more delight. I really liked this book and I recommend you to read.