Title: ttyl
Author: Lauren Myracle
Summary: This book is composed of instant messaging conversations between 3 sophmore girls named Maddie, Zoe, and Angela. They are best friends and their conversations range from a variety of topics including boysfriends, unfair parents, sex, annoying classmates, and much more. They are able to show their personalities and emotions very successfully through the messages they type to one another. Each character deals with their own problems and issues and rely on their other friends for support. The book is filled with typical teenage gossip and drama that is sure to keep the attention of the reader.
Reaction: At first I wasn't sure about reading a book that was entirely composed of instant messaging conversations. However, I really enjoyed this book. I thought it might be hard to follow the different conversations going on, but I found it really easy to follow. I used to IM a lot so that probably helped me when reading this book. I was very surprised about some of the language and conversations that were brought up in the book. On page 2 of the book one of the characters started talking about a classmate who needed to shave her pubes. I knew this book was an "edgy" book but I thought it might have eased in to some of the controversial issues that parents have a problem with. Though, that was not the case. A few of the surpising topics I read about were having relationships with teachers, sex, penises, and cumming. The girls also used foul language throughout some of their conversations as well. I actually thought the book was really humorous. I was actually laughing out loud when reading some of the conversations. My husband was curious as to why I was laughing so I had to read him the conversations as well. The conversations between the characters seem extremely realistic. Many teenage girls talk about the things I mentioned above. I can see why this book would be appealing to them. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like parents are fans of the book.
Recommendation: I'm not sure I would actually give this to any of the students to read. I would make the book available in the library so students would have access to it, but I would be afraid to recommend the book to an individual in fear that the parents may get upset. I would not put this book in a middle or junior high school. It should definitely be placed in a high school library.
Book talk hook:
SnowAngel: aarrghh :(
zoegirl: well, hello to u 2.
SnowAngel: aarrghh
zoegirl: something bothering u?
SnowAngel: Chrissy dropped my face brush into the toilet!!!
zoegirl: huh?
SnowAngel: my hinoki polishing facial brush--IN THE TOILET!!!
*stomps on picture of Chrissy*
zoegirl: u brush ur your face?
SnowAngel: u r missing the point. my sister dropped my face brush into the toilet, which was, yes, currently in use. by HER. AND she's got strep, so her pee is all orange from antibiotics. *stomp stomp stomp*
zoegirl: i take it ur not happy about this.
SnowAngel: would u be? i use my face brush to wash my FACE. u know, instead of a washcloth. it lifts away dead cells while improving circulation.
zoegirl: u don't say
SnowAngel: AND I JUST THIS VERY SECOND USED IT!!! AFTER SHE DROPPED IT IN THE FREAKIN TOILET!!!!!!!
zoegirl: ewww. why?
SnowAngel: *pulls hair from roots* cuz she didn't TELL me until just now! she thought i'd be mad!
zoegirl: so basically u washed your face in chrissy's stinky orange pee?
SnowAngel: u r not being helpful. *stomps on picture of zoe AND picture of chrissy*
Lauren Myracle's teen books are very popular with my high school girls. I do have some of the seventh & eighth graders checking them out also. TTYL is a favorite. I have book talked it a couple of times to the high school, but not the middle school. Usually, one of the girls brings a friend in and tells her she HAS to read it.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a good book. I love to laugh out loud when reading. I would agree that it would probably be hard to actually recommend it to a student.
ReplyDeleteI am not too familiar with the texting language so would I have a hard time understanding it?
You might use a document camera to present this section. I haven't been able to bring myself to read this book but you make it sound worth enduring the texting :-) Certainly it is popular with students. I heard the author speak about Scholastic Book Fair censoring a book she wrote for younger students because it had a character with 2 mothers (or something like that). She made some other changes but refused to change that. I respected her for that.
ReplyDeleteI agree that a Document camera would definitely aid in the book-talking process. I must say, the section that you included cracked me up! I can see myself really getting a kick out of this book, and know for sure I would have loved it in high school.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about this book not belonging in a middle school library. The school I worked with this quarter just sent all of theirs over to the high school. One of the 6th grade girls had checked it out and informed the LMS that there was a lot of graphic sexual references. We read through it and couldn't believe it. Definitely a book for older readers.
ReplyDeleteI was looking at this one but put it back, thinking it seemed way too trite. I suppose it should be one on my list, though, if it's that popular. I want to make sure I know what the kids are reading firsthand.
ReplyDelete