Pam writes: Nope, but an alternative might be Swallowing Stones (not sure of author). I used this with remedial readers in 8th grade (low readability and high interest). The basic plot line is that a young man gets a rifle from his Grandpa and is expected to take care of it appropriately. Long story short - he doesn't. He allows himself and a friend to fire it into the air during the 4th of July celebration of his birthday. Almost a mile away, a man is shot by a stray falling bullet while roofing his house. (you now have a who done it to boot). The man's daughter sees his death. Coincidentally, both the boys and girl go to the same school.
So, there is accidental gun violence w/ all the lies and drama and suspense from the police that entails. There is also an slightly inappropriate sexual relationship - more implied - soft struggles during make out session (same dang bday party) and a torn bathing suit top. Girl is NOT raped, but mistreated and that continues. main character sees errors of ways who way through - he understands that to grow up he has to swallow his pride, his over extended sense of self, etc. He has to swallow some stones & he needs to do it successfully (unlike a previous character who died trying to swallow stones). It is a good boy-girl read as the chapters move from boys point of view to girls point of view. Raises some very good and conversational points of view the whole way through. I enjoyed teaching it and once they were into it, the kids enjoyed reading it/listening me read it. -------------------------------------- Judy wrote Has anyone read Give a Boy a Gun ? I'm interested in reading this with 9th graders, low reading level, but I'm concerned about the dangerous messages about gun violence I may be passing along. How has this book been received by students? :o) Pam/6th gr./FL An education isn't how much you have committed to memory, or even how much you know. It's being able to differentiate between what you do know and what you don't. Anatole France (1844 - 1924) _______________________________________________ The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org. Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive
