Weekend Pick for January 12, 2024

Weekend Pick for January 12, 2024

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Hello, friends! My students continue to introduce the young adult novels of their choice. Today's presenter is Bobbie Griggs. Bobbie is a creative writing major and hopes one day to publish a novel that will attract attention of young adults. While not a teacher candidate, Bobbie thinks about the potential benefits of her choice novel for adolescent readers and possibilities for some explorations in the English classroom.
Bobbie's choice for this weekend is They Both Die at the End by ADAM SILVERA.

​They Both Die at the End by ADAM SILVERA

​About the Author:
​• Born June 7, 1990 (33 years old)
• Started writing when he was 10 years old
• Worked as a barista and bookseller before becoming a published writer in 2015, published “They Both Die at the End” in 2017
• Open about his sexuality and struggles with mental health, hopes to find likeminded individuals and to inspire readers through his work.

Adam Silvera

Not to give out a huge spoiling summary, I just want to relay the gist of the novel in one sentence. ​Two strangers, Mateo and Rufus, spend their last day together after a service predicts their deaths, forming a deep bond and living their last day to the fullest.
​
Why would you choose this book?
It provides a unique perspective of facing one’s last day.
It reveals a strong emotional connection between characters.
It unravels a realistic, yet mysterious and frightening look at mortality.
It presents relatable protagonists. Their stories are timeless and explore a universal human experience. The perspectives switch creating a multifaceted representation of characters and their actions while connecting them to readers.

​The novel examines various themes and concepts, among which are:
• Mortality: How awareness of death affects life choices. This could create discussion amongst students; they could write a journal from the perspective of a character that knows their life is ending soon.
• Friendship and connection: The impact of meaningful relationships, relationships that transcend romance and friendship. Could encourage students to learn different types of relationships.
• Living vs. existing: Teachers could have students create poems that capture the essence of 'living' versus 'existing', using metaphors and imagery.
• LGBTQ+ themes through Rufus and Mateo’s short but impactful romance. Students could “save” the protagonists by rewriting their own endings for Rufus and Mateo’s stories.

Come back for more book suggestions next Friday.

Happy reading,
​Leilya