Wild Things: YA Grown-Up discussion

I just finished two YA books written by this well established novelist and was blown away!

Big Mouth and Ugly Girl is a great read. Oates' perspective for both her YA books is too look at how teens see themselves. Ursula is tall, a loner and puts out the "don't talk to me" vibe in school. Matt is the class clown. Unfortunately, one day he is clowning about shooting up the school and gets reported.

Freaky Green Eyes is a girl with startling green eyes. She develops this name for herself when a boy tries to rape her and calls her freaky green eyes. This other persona is not shy, has strength she thinks she doesn't have. And she needs it as her parents seem to have more and more fights.

The two books are quite similar in approach but excellent reads.

Thanks for the rec, Lydia! I'll keep on a lookout for Oates :)

Do you think the Oates books are better for High School or could they also be Middle school (12/13/14)?

Christine, I think there is an appropriateness for the end of Middle School - definitely for high school. The reason I think about Middle School is I believe they could really identify with the alter-egos the protagonist develops because that is about the time real students will feel like that. I believe they may have a very easy time connecting with the characters.

Just finished Big Mouth & Ugly Girl. Very good. One of the better YA books I have read lately.

Robin wrote: "Just finished Big Mouth & Ugly Girl. Very good. One of the better YA books I have read lately."

I agree Robin. If you read the other book, though, you will be a definite similarity in structure and theme.

I didn't know Oates wrote young adult. She seems to never stop writing.

I have read several ofher adult books and trully hated them. Are her young adults good?

I just got . I'll let you know what I think.

Thanks

Finished . It starts with Jenna and her mother in a car crash. Jenna is the only survivor. Through a Demerol haze, she tries to remember what happened. After, she goes to live with her aunt and begins to get into trouble. This one I will have to really try to remember that I am not the target audience. I think MS/HS girls will like it. Give it to girls who like Lurlene McDaniel or other life trauma books.

Overall, it was well written and engaging.

humm a mixed review. I may pass. I don't connect with Oates adult books I think I may feel the same on her YA