Must Cats Die So Birds Can Live? { non-fiction }

       I read the article "Must Cats Die So Birds Can Live?" by Jessica Pressler over the weekend and it really got me thinking about nature and what humans have done to affect it. Pressler describes the situation as an "animal-lover civil war," cat people on one side and bird people on the other. Pressler pulls apart the cat persona, the good, the bad, and the adorable. It is America's favorite pet, after all. But the issue with the cuddly mammal is that it is also a predator, killing the bird population for sport. She explains the trap, neuter, return strategy that many people use, nicknamed TNR. At first it sound great: trap a stray, bring it to the vet to get it neutered or spayed, and release it back onto the street where it won't be able to produce any more homeless kittens. People even set up colonies of the released cats and feed them periodically. Personally, I support and have assisted in TNR, but I do see how it doesn't help. The colonies of cats become a nuisance, and there will always be those two cats that haven't been caught that build up the whole population again. Pressler also explains the struggle of the bird people trying to get people to notice the horrors befalling the birds. They claim that the cat people are turning a blind eye, and that it is important that the population of is diminished for the sake of the birds. Plus, most strays are just going to be killed anyway by a passing truck or drinking anti-freeze, bird people point out. Why not just kill them now before they end another animal's life? But one cat advocate scoffs, "that's ridiculous... I could get hit by a bus tomorrow. Should I be killed?" Cat people are also asking to see the carcasses of the supposed billions of dead birds slaughtered by cats. It's true, how many times have you seen a dead bird that was not run over by a car or fallen from a nest?

      

       I was really surprised that Pressler could stay so neutral while writing this article, as I was about to jump out of my seat to defend the cats and TNR. The only issue with the article is that it does focus so much on cats, so you begin to forget about the birds and therefore any sympathy for them. Also, after Pressler finishes discussing cats, she pretty much moves on to the cat person vs. bird person aspect, not even the birds themselves. And the problem is, I couldn't empathize with the bird people because I just don't have a soft spot in my heart for birds, and I'm guessing most other readers don't either. In my opinion, cats are just these adorable little fur balls that you would never purposefully murder, and Pressler may have that opinion too. I have reached this conclusion by analyzing the way she writes about the bird people. She writes that cat people believe "conservationists are only targeting them because of a deep hatred for cats." This opens up the reader to the possibility that the bird people/conservationists have a hidden agenda: get rid of cats. This definitely made an impact on me, because I know there is a fine line between cat lovers and people who just can't stand them. Pressler also uses many quotes from cat advocates, which strengthens their argument. One of the only bird people she quotes must have been at a bar or restaurant when he was interviewed, because he was drinking alcohol and cursing in his statements. Because he is representing them, it doesn't make the bird people look very good. I believe Pressler may be showing her bias through her writing craft.

       

       This article was very interesting and thought provoking. I am a die-hard cat person, but I am open to hearing the opposing opinion. I don't like the idea of killing cats, but I do believe that humans caused this problem by abandoning cats, so we have to fix it. I believe that TNR is a way to decrease the feral cat population even if it takes a while and I will continue supporting it. This article was written in June of 2013, so I want to know if there have been any advances in the situation. If they are killing cats to save birds, it probably wouldn't be publicized because of the amount of protest it would cause. But I believe that everyone should have a say in what goes on in our country.

Read the article! http://nymag.com/news/features/cats-and-birds-2013-6/

   

Blog Review { The Stolen Party: Labels and Power Struggle by Ilana Cohen }

       A blog post that I read this week that really stood out to me was on Ilana Cohen's blog, Live Every Day Like it's Book Day. It was about a novel called The Stolen Party, where a maid's daughter has to deal with the labels being thrown at her because of her and her mother's status in society. Ilana discusses one particular event in the book where the girl, Rosaura, has the false idea that she was invited to a party simply as a guest, when she was actually hired for her service. Rosaura's hopes are crushed and reality comes tumbling back when her mother's employer, Señora Ines, hands her the money for her work at the end of the party. Ilana links this critical event in her book to labeling and a power struggle between social classes to create a model blog post. 

        Ilana really analyzed Rosaura's feelings before, during, and after the party. Rosaura had taken her time to look nice for the party, so Ilana concluded that she was trying to rid herself of the label "the maid's daughter" and seen as another girl who looked like she belonged at the party. Ilana also compares her pretty dress to a "defense mechanism", saying that it covers up her identity and shows a wealthier and more socially inclined Rosaura. Lastly, Ilana noticed that Rosaura felt empowered during the party because she was helping cut the cake, and she could decide how big of a piece she would cut for each person. But the power shifts after the party when Señora Ines hands Rosaura her pay and she realizes she was just a maid, not an actual guest. Ilana's analytical eye helps her and the reader of her blog post become more aware of the characters' feelings and the reoccurring themes.  

       Although Ilana recalls the party scene in depth, her blog post still makes me want to read The Stolen Party to get more background information and to find out how Rosaura deals with her situation. It reminds me of a book that I read over the summer called Tell Us We're Home by Marina Budhos, where three girls become friends because their parents are maids for wealthier families. Another strength of Ilana's blog post is that she comes up with an overall theme and takes part of a paragraph connecting it to the world. It helps whoever is reading the post to realize the use of the book and what they are reading in real life. For example, Ilana writes that people are treated differently based on their social class, which is wrong. I definitely agree with her and I think reading books like these will help people realize the problems. 

        Overall, Ilana's post was very good and I think she accomplished the task of writing about power struggles and hierarchies. She had the perfect amount of summarizing and retelling so the reader wouldn't be confused, but enough analyzing and quoted to keep it engaging. Her post was also very organized and made sense when you went from paragraph to paragraph. I will definitely try to use some of Ilana's strategies to improve my own blog posts.

http://bookbybookweekly.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-stolen-party-labels-and-power.html

Perfect Match

       Nina Frost is the main character in the novel Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult. Nina is the assistant district attorney in Maine and prosecutes child molesters day after day. When her five year old son, Nathaniel Frost, shows signs of sexual abuse, Nina's home and work clash when her worst fears are confirmed. Nathaniel goes mute before Nina can get any names out of him, and she struggles to cope and keep calm while trying to pinpoint a suspect. Obviously, sexual abuse is horrible and sickening, but it may have a positive side for Nina because of her work. But, it can also render her helpless to save her son.
       The reason that Nathaniel's case might help Nina in the long run, even though she doesn't realize it now, is because it will make her more empathetic to her clients. As all parents would, Nina freaks out and begs to try Nathaniel's case herself and have her partners run through the whole population of Maine to find the criminal. She thinks, "...now I'm the parent, and it is my child, and that changes everything" (60). This shows that she will go to no limit to help her son, yet admitting that she doesn't always do that with her other cases. But later, when Nina reflects, she might realize how the other parents must feel because she knows what it's like to be in their shoes now. This information might push her to empathize with them and try her best to close the case in their favor. 
       Nathaniel's sexual abuse could also drive Nina mad. She wants to help him and bring the molester to justice, not only as the assistant district attorney but as the parent. But Nina knows that she can't try her own son's case, and that will make her feel helpless because she is used to being the one in charge. When she asked her boss if she could, he gently reminded her that she can't, even though she already knew it. Her boss explains that he looked into another lawyer that is "almost as good as [she is]" (59). Nina's boss was kind and went out on a limb for her, but his words aren't very encouraging, even if it is partially a joke. Nina's a great lawyer, but so many of her cases fail because the opponent proves the young, scared child on the podium incompetent. Nina will have to put her own son's safety in someone else's hands that aren't even as good as hers.
          Therefore, this life-altering event that has happened to Nina can impact in both positive and negative ways. It may make her feel helpless now, but her ability to empathize with grief-stricken parents will last a lifetime.

* no spoilers please! *

Invisible Child { non-fiction critical analysis }

       I read the article "Invisible Child" by Andrea Elliot published in five segments in the New York Times. It follows a homeless sixth grader named Dasani and her six siblings, mother and stepfather. They live in the Auburn Family Residence in Fort Greene, possibly the worst homeless shelter in New York City. Auburn fails to meet the requirements of state health inspectors, yet nothing is done. Dasani and her family share one room in the shelter with no bathroom, mice scurrying in and out of the walls and mold creeping up along the single sink. "Over the last decade," Elliot writes, "city and state inspectors have cited Auburn for more that 400 violations--many of them repeated--including inadequate child care, faulty fire protection, insufficient heat, spoiled food, broken elevators, nonfunctioning bathrooms, and the presence of mice, roaches, mold, bedbugs, lead and asbestos." Not to mention the sex offenders lurking around every corner and every bathroom. People have even filed complaints about being sexually assaulted by security guards, many going unnoticed.  Dasani's mother, Chanel, promises they will move out of Auburn soon. She has been promising that for three years, and here they are. The author explains how Chanel has to fight to keep custody of her children because of her battles with drug addiction and how a little stealing now and then is the norm for this family. Dasani's lifestyle is so different from mine, so this article really opens up my eyes. I believe Elliot wanted to write this article to shed light on the city's homeless, but also to tell a story of survival through the eyes of a young girl.
       Reading this article, you will feel sorry for this girl who must protect her siblings and herself in her rough life, but you will also be in awe. How can this 11-year-old girl smile and laugh when the reality of poverty and adulthood has been dropped on her decades too early? How does she even manage? Elliot uses harsh photos combined with heart-warming ones to show Dasani's life and make readers feel like they are right there, going through the good and the bad with her. Elliot also devotes different sections to different topics. One section may be about Fort Greene's drastic income difference and the other about Chanel and Dasani's stepfather's history, and the next about the unbreakable bond between the siblings. When Elliot writes about Dasani, you see a girl too wise for her years. Dasani likes to look out of her window and see the Manhattan skyline, particularly the Empire State Building, before everyone else is awake. "Her gaze always stops at that iconic temple of stone, its tip pointed celestially, its facade lit with promise," the author writes, "'It makes me feel like something's going on out there,' says the 11-year-old girl, never one for patience." This quote hints that the skyline represents her ideal future, her dream life. Only Auburn, the place her mother promised they would get out of, is standing in her way.
        This article has surely touched thousands of hearts after being published in the New York Times, especially during the holiday season. It makes me realize how lucky I am and how little others have. I had no idea exactly how many homeless children there were in New York City alone, and the numbers are way too high. Elliot writes, "If all of the city's homeless children were to file into Madison Square Garden for a hockey game, more than 4,800 would not have a seat." Those numbers are not for homeless people in general, but children. Children that have been robbed of their childhoods. This makes me wonder what I can do to help. Elliot's article succeeded in raising awareness about the issue, but it is up to the people of New York to make it better.

Dasani's family at Auburn

Picture Perfect { Social Action Inquiry Question #2 }

       The fiction novel Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult follows a young woman recovering from amnesia. Early in the book, Cassie Barret realizes she is a paleontologist is hit with the shocking news that she is married to the world-famous actor Alex Rivers. From then on, her struggle to remember her past leads her on a journey of self discovery.
       In the beginning of the book where Cassie remembers little to nothing about her past life, a clear perspective is missing: The perspective of her husband, the award-winning actor. Alex knows everything they've been through, but Cassie is oblivious. As the readers, we too only have Cassie's thoughts and feelings on this issue, meaning we often feel as frustrated as Cassie trying to remember her life. Because of this, Alex has a huge advantage over Cassie and the readers. He can manipulate the past in our minds because we know nothing of it, changing events and characters to benefit him. When Alex first picks up Cassie at the police station, it is like the title of the novel, "picture perfect." Any woman would trade places with Cassie without a thought, if that would mean being married to the wealthy, world-famous, unbelievably attractive Alex Rivers. "She apparently led a storybook life." (32). Perhaps Cassie wasn't happy with Alex, but until she got her memory back, she would have to believe she was. Alex even says, "If you don't get your memory back... I'll just make you fall in love with me all over again." (31). This almost sounds like he wouldn't mind if she never got her memory back, which hints that there is some dirt he would like to cover up. I know if I were in his place, I wouldn't be able to face the fact my wife might lose her memory forever. I would want her to remember all of our good memories together, especially our wedding. Alex has a huge advantage over Cassie, and he can literally make her believe anything now. 
       Jodi Picoult must have left out Alex's perspective for a reason. If we had known Cassie's past before she did, we wouldn't have been able to take the emotional journey with her. We wouldn't have been able to question Alex with Cassie or empathize with her. It was important we learn Cassie's past at the same time she did so we could understand what she was going through. 
       Missing perspective is important in trying to figure out the meaning of a novel. The readers join Cassie in discovering herself and her past life, coming away with a sense of accomplishment when she remembers even the slightest detail. Jodi Picoult's decision to eliminate Alex's perspective makes Picture Perfect even more meaningful.

* I'm not done with the book so no spoilers please! *

It's Kind of a Funny Story {Social Action Inquiry Question #1}

In the young adult novel It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini, the main character is a teenage boy named Craig faced with depression. Craig explains that it started after he got into his dream high school he had spent years studying for, when he is introduced to drugs and his crush starts going out with his best friend. It escalates, and Craig stops eating and sleeping and convinces himself he’s failing school and therefore, failing in life. Craig’s smart move is checking himself into the hospital instead of jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge, which was scheduled for that very night. There, in the hospital, Craig is severed from his “tentacles”, or “evil tasks that invade [his] life." Instead, he has “anchors”, which, Craig says, are "things that occupy my mind and make me feel good temporarily." In this book, there are many complex and difficult issues.

One complex issue is teen suicide. I think It's Kind of a Funny Story is a realistic portrayal of teen depression, even though many teens probably wouldn't check themselves into the hospital the same night they scheduled for their suicide. Even so, Craig is a role model for getting help and is repeatedly told so during his stay at the hospital. This would suggest to any person with depression reading this book that suicide is not the answer--Craig was pretty much cured after only 4 days. At the end of the book, he even says "Jeez, why was I even trying to kill myself?", showing that his whole attitude changed throughout the book. Suicide is a difficult issue because you realize how many people suffer from depression, and the steps they to to end their own life but how you can get better. 

Another issue in this book that is not as noticeable is being able to do what you love versus what you've worked so hard for and will get you somewhere in life. When Craig gets into the school of his dreams, he is happy at first but then he falls into his depression and every task is another "tentacle" threatening to pull him under. But at the hospital, he is reconnected to his passion for art and begins drawing everyday and realizes that this is what he wants to do with his life. When Craig's father visits, he is taken aback by Craig's seemingly outrageous idea to transfer to an art centered school and is a little skeptical. All of Craig's family know how hard he worked to get into the school he is at now, so they are surprised that he wants to switch. At the beginning of the book, Craig explains that the school was "set up to create the leaders of tomorrow" and "you can come out of Executive Pre-Professional High School and go right to Wall Street." He says that someone could be President after going to EPP, and he secretly dreams of being exactly that. This shows how amazing and important this school is/was to him. Now, Craig wants to switch schools to become something much less ambitious, like a therapy artist to help people in hospitals. This is why the choice he has to make between Executive Pre-Professional and an art school is an issue. 

Like many other books, It's Kind of a Funny Story has many complex issues and teen suicide and important life choices are only two examples. Craig learns and grows throughout the story and so does the reader. Everybody must make choices that will affect their lives everyday, and Craig's decision to do what he loves influences the reader and leaves them feeling satisfied with his choices.

Argument Essay Final Draft

            Over the past decade, young adult literature has become increasingly darker, violent, and more profane. But that doesn’t mean in any way that teens should stop reading these books, as they are simply portraying reality. The term “gatekeepers” refers to the people who challenge books in hope to get them out of the hands of the kids who want them and need them—the very books that provide comfort, hope, and a way out for young teenage victims. This is why young adult books dealing with issues where teens are victimized should not be banned.

            YA books can act as a friend and role model to teens in need of hope and comfort. Sherman Alexie, an acclaimed teen fiction author, admits that he wishes he had the chance to read the YA fiction being published today in his essay “Why the Best Kids Books Are Written in Blood.” Alexie also says that he read books because they “were the most loving and trustworthy things” in his life [Alexie 26]. Alexie was a victim of poverty, racism, and sexual and physical abuse, so it is safe to say that he knows what teens with the same or similar issues are feeling. This is why Alexie, in a sense, represents the teens of today, which is why we can trust him—he is speaking for our teens. Shelly Wilhelm, a bookseller in Denver, explains in the article “Teen Fiction Plots Are Darker and Starker” by William Porter that although kids want fantasy when they’re younger, they start to want darker books that are altogether more realistic as they mature. This is because books contain the same issues they are dealing with. This is how young adult books provide comfort.

            But YA books don’t just stop at comforting victims and giving them hope—they serve as role models for teens struggling with ways to make their lives better. By reading these books, teens will get a better sense of what does and doesn’t work to make their situations better. In the same “Darker and Starker” article, the best-selling author Levithan tells Porter, “when you feel the world is broken, as an author you create an alternative world to try and fix it… It’s a way of grappling with the present.” Sherman Alexie agrees, describing his problems as “monsters” and his words “weapons”. He knows it is too late to protect teens from the terrible things in life, so he writes for them so they have something to fight their monsters with. In other words, victims will better know how to cope with their problems after reading YA books. An example of a lesson teaching YA book it Nancy Werlin’s The Rules of Survival. The main character, Matt, and his sisters are abused by their mother until she starts dating a man Matt believes will help end the abuse. But when he leaves, Matt realizes he must take matters into his own hands to save himself and his sisters. This is an important message for victims sitting around waiting for something to change. Maybe it will and maybe it won’t, but if you speak up for yourself, you can ensure it. This is more support for why books concerning these issues should not be banned: they give teens insight on how to cope with their problems.

            Gatekeepers may argue that YA books with “fairy tale” endings are unrealistic portrayals of how it will most likely turn out, and they make empty promises of a dream world that nobody can actually achieve. But what these people don’t understand is that most YA books don’t end perfectly, and the ones that do are only trying to motivate victims reading them to change in hope of obtaining something better than what they have. “Teens read because they believe… that books—especially the dark and dangerous ones—will save them,” says Alexie. If a teen struggling with self harm reads an entire book about another teen facing the same thing and finds out that at the end of the book the teen commits suicide, they will not feel motivated to feel better. It is the job of young adult fiction to make problems to seem possible to overcome. It is fiction, after all. Even so, not all YA books end perfectly. For example, in The Rules of Survival, Matt’s mother still sends him and his sisters letters (some threatening, some sincere), even after a restraining order and the creation of new, loving families. The letters are a constant reminder of Matt’s abusive, hating mom. This is so much more realistic than, say, Matt’s mom being killed by a passing van or disappearing in a cloud of smoke. YA books are down to earth but still motivating enough to push victims reading them to a better future.

            Overall, banning YA books in which teens are victimized is wrong because they can be comforted by them and learn so much from them. These books are a way for teens to learn for teens to learn how to fix their situations, which is important in this changing, darkening, world.