Brianna’s Comments (group member since Jan 16, 2012)

Brianna’s comments from the EDUC 567 Spring 2012 group.

I was shocked when I opened Smile and found out it was a graphic novel. It was not something I was expecting at all. I am posting right now from the library so I dont have my book with me but I remember my favorite graphics were from the scene when Raina was at the dentist office. I like the expression on her face when she was told she had to get braces. I did not love this book because it was so different from what I am used to, but I thought that overall it was not bad. Graphic novels arent my genre of choice, but if I had to read one Smile was a good choice.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. My favorite part of it was its simplicity. There was nothing that seemed overbearing or complicated about it at all. Also, I liked how Lord did not dance around the fact that David had a disability. Too often in literature, especially for this age group, children with special needs are a taboo subject. I think it is because adolescents are trained to not be interested or even fear people with special needs. I am glad that more authors are putting in out their in the form of novels because it lets students know that everyone is different and that is ok.

There were a lot of parts of the book that really touched me. The part where Catherine and David are looking at the fish tank really resonated with me. “...Other things matter, too. Like sharing something small and special, just my brother and me. Kneeling beside David, our arms touching, our faces reflect side by side, in the glass. I let that be enough.” I think this speaks so much about how sometimes you just have to accept that not everyone can be as "normal" as you are. It is actually the differences that make people special and worth getting to know. You can still connect with people if you chose to overlook their shortcomings and find out what is good.

Besides the title, the characters' names are also symbolic. Discuss the importance of names in the book. What is the significance of Stanley's name being a palindrome? Talk about the other names in the book, particularly the nicknames given to the boys at Camp Green Lake. Think about this and jot down some of your ideas. We will be doing an activity with this first thing on Wednesday.

Rereading The Giver presented me with an interesting opportunity to scrutinize the seemingly wholesome and naïve views I had of the book as a middle schooler. I can remember reading The Giver in my 6th grade Language Arts class and thinking about how cool it would be to live in a society like the one in the book. Reading the book this time with a more critical and mature mind, I was shocked as to how the themes were so different than I thought. It scared me to think that people could be so clueless as to the types of lives they are leading. A lot of time, people tend to just trust in those who are in charge and follow their orders without giving it a second thought. The dangers of this mentality were really brought to light for me when Jonas found out the truth of releases. It made me realize that nothing is perfect and the notion of living in a perfect society boils down to be nothing more than a stream of lies. If a person wants to neglect the truth about things that aren’t pleasing, then that is when a utopian society emerges. I know there are a lot of problems and dangers that are associated with living in a free society today, but I would much rather that because at least I am fully aware of the truth behind what is going on. One of the most poignant moments in the book for me was when Jonas was given the memory of Christmas. At times I found myself becoming consumed with the security that followed the utopian society, but when I realized that they did not get to experience love and happiness, I quickly saw the danger. I cannot image having to live in such a way that I cant love and be loved by those around me. In an effort to regulate life to make it better for everyone, the leaders of this community stripped them of the very tenants that make life worth living. The ending of the book made me fear for the wellbeing of Jonas and Gabriel, but at the same time it made me excited to think they would find freedom and a better life. I admire the courage it took Jonas to turn away from what is comfortable and normal to him in hopes of a free life.