So much to summarize

Whoa, so all of the reading about "identity" and who we are and the changing of hats and who we are expected to be just came to a halt when I was checking my e-mail (definitely NOT procrastinating doing my homework, no, no!) and felt for the very first time like I was cyber-bullied! A day care parent must have put on a red hat with horns before she sat down to write me the message and it left me wondering what got into her...do I really even know her - alter ego apparently.

My first response was to think of this parent as I know her through our daily interactions of drop-off and pick-up and our funny antidotes (her daughter proclaiming that her favorite vegetable is a jelly bean) that we exchange and the big achievements (little "insert name" washed her hands without being reminded after using the potty today-hooray) that we share...we communicate openly and work together as a team to provide the best care possible for her child. That is the identity that I relate to this parent, but I saw a very different side when I read her e-mail, which brings me to the role identity plays online and within the issues of "screen mean" people. I think everyone is prone to this syndrome, the whole idea that it is easier to say something rude or cutting when you are typing away, feeling frustrated or angry and then you hit "send" and it's too late - you cannot take it back! This is an example of people not thinking as clearly when they react to a situation since their "identities are hidden behind a computer screen" (Elizabeth Winchester). I am probably especially riled about this too because I have been reading up on the topic and came across the above quoted article in Time for Kids and then an article in Teen Voices, that reminded Internet users to "Be ethical: Maintain the same behavior online as in real life. Sometimes people forget that there's a human being on the other side of the computer, and they think that there is a lower standard of ethics or personal behavior acceptable in cyberspace" (Teen Voices).

I feel like the example of the day care parent turned rude and mean behind the shield of a computer screen could translate into a teen doing the same - either easing the ability to bully peers at a safe yet still invasive distance or also for teens who are identified one way to experiment with and exhibit different personas...anyway, I've gone off on a tangent but most simply said:

I think that modern teens who are struggling with the formation of their identity and consumed by others' perceptions of them are faced with very different challenges than I was as a teen 15+ years ago...although the Internet can act as a forum for positive creative expression (The Digital Girls project cited in Literacy & Identity) and identity exploration, it can also serve as a space to experiment with less desirable or more risky identities which can prove hurtful or damaging in a lot of ways. I know that cyber-bullying is a problem that is definitely on the radar of many schools and parents but unfortunately it is one that is difficult to monitor, so this is an important issue to raise with teens and have accessible information about.

Works Cited:
Winchester, Elizabeth. High-Tech Bullies. Time for Kids, April, 2007.
Jean-Baptise, Christa and Jatara Gray, eds. Caught in the Web: What You Need to Know about Online Safety. Teen Voices, vol. 15,no. 2, 2007.
Williams, Bronwyn T. Literacy & Identity - Girl Power in a digital world: Considering the complexity of gender, literacy, and technology. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, vol. 50, no. 4, 2006/2007.

Identity Crisis to the Max

So I have Paris Hilton all figured out, the mystery behind her ways seems so clear now-she is a vampire!! This book takes on so much (hopefully some conclusions will come in a sequel/series...), I had a difficult time figuring out the target audience. I know that De la Cruz has a huge following amongst teen chick-lit fans and I think all of the fashion and high society references would definitely appeal to that genre, but then the history tie-ins with the Mayflower diary and the obscure colony references seem too sophisticated or confusing for that type of light read...it left me wondering if it will find a niche. I personally felt bored and annoyed by all of the brand name dropping and longed for more fulfilling content in the historical area and craved (not raw meat) some answers rather than the thrill of being completely left hanging.

Blue Bloods does address the developmental assets for personal identity, but it was a little too cookie-cutter with the social cliques being made up of the typical outcast (Schuyler/Oliver), jock (Jack), prom queen (Mimi) and the socially mismatched couple (Dylan and Bliss)...the predictability of these characters sort of took away from the intrigue of seeing how their identities would develop. The book touched on many of the typical issues facing teens including: drugs/drinking, sexual relationships, social angst, parental struggles - all of which would appeal to a drama loving teen but would s/he be engaged enough by the plot?! I have no idea, I'm not a vampire fan so it's hard to tell, but I'll be curious to see how others viewed the overall quality of this book.

When Everyone's Personal Identity is at stake...

So after getting over the culture shock of listening to Anansi Boys versus Born to Rock (extremely different experiences, after all of my raving I'm sure you already know which I preferred) and getting into Born to Rock, I came out with some conclusions about my new "personal identity". Perfect timing for this week's theme!

Born to Rock was not my favorite book this semester (it seemed too contrived...and buttoned up so/too nicely at the end) but I learned a lot from "having to read" this book. With hysteria over the collection development assignment swirling around in my head and the residual glee from our presentations, I was able to center myself on striving to be a librarian dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of the patrons. So although this book was not one that I gained any personal fulfillment from, I realize that it probably appeals to so many teens out there and that is what needs to be kept in the forefront of my mind when selecting resources for a young adult collection...for me there is still the struggle of wanting to offer quality literature that will open hearts and minds.

It was obvious what the messages were throughout Born to Rock, and it was nice to see the characters exploring the depths of their identities and sometimes transforming and growing and sometimes sticking with what felt true and natural, I think teens will certainly relate to the overall experiences presented in this book. I also feel like this is such a popular theme for young adult authors and there are other, more realistic and sincere, books to offer a teen struggling with his or her identity. Which brings me back to the collection development piece, I have to remember to have available a broad variety for a diverse audience, and I cannot let MY own personal identity influence or interfere with the development of my patrons.

Trauma in room THIRTEEN

So after class on Saturday, feeling inspired and empowered by our super class presentations I stopped off at Movie Gallery to rent FREEDOM WRITERS...apparently 15 others did too because all copies were out! Still feeling like I wanted a movie that would connect me to teens I rented THIRTEEN (FOX Searchlight Pictures, 2003) and was left feeling more traumatized than inspired! The movie follows a 13 year old on her quest to fit in, which leads her deeper and deeper into drugs, sex, self-destruction and lies - it was terrifying. I expected the movie to center around the teen-age angst; entering high school and trying to figure out who you are and what you want to be is full of stress and risk...I did not expect such intensity and although I kept reassuring my self that this could not be realistic - most of the reviews praised the film's honesty and accuracy.
So yes teens struggle with peer and parental relationships, and especially in a situation like Tracy's where her own parents are unstable, it is never easy. Throughout the movie I just kept thinking how lost everyone seemed and that there was just so much hurting. The scariest part for me was seeing all of the predatory relationships at work, everyone taking advantage of each other's naivety, trust, guilt, ugh it was so depressing. The other thing that bothered me was the double standard for males and females - the brother was out until all hours, doing drugs too and sex crazed but no one seemed phased by that...anyway I think these are real issues and it was eye-opening for sure.
I still cannot figure out if this is a cautionary tale, are teens supposed to watch this and realize how shattered this girl's life became as a result of her risky behaviors...does that work or do teens just take away what they want from it - how cool it would be to go on a shopping spree with friends using stolen money, what a cheap/easy way to get high with a whipped cream container, the cutting and covering up with bracelets...it just all scares me. As a parent, what I took away from this film was a need to remain a positive role model for my children, keep the lines of communication open, find a balance between trust and protection, and to keep making myself watch and read things like this to keep current on what is going on and what signs to look for.

Such a smart group!

I just have to say that I learned SO much in class today...While working on the developmental assets assignment I was so focused on the challenge of finding diverse and accessible resources, that I didn't stop to think that everyone else was doing that too! It felt so time consuming and overwhelming while I was living it, but now that it is over and I realize that collaboratively we have compiled a powerhouse list of ideas, inspirations and recommendations I am so psyched!

Especially now, at the end of the semester, when I am feeling tired and burnt out and wondering why I would put myself through this torture anyway...along come these invaluable lists of resources, programming suggestions, new and fun technology and an energy and enthusiasm that was tapped out of me! I'm enlightened, empowered, and energized again - and ready to get out there and change lives...the peer networking aspect of this project is such a great reward for all of our hard work, now all I need is to find some time to kick back and explore all of the new knowledge at my fingertips!

When Tragedy brings People Together

I have to say that this tragedy at Virgina Tech. has affected so many people's lives, and it is hard at this point to even comment on the "story". This is a situation that is simply unexplainable, no one can make it right and no one can make people feel better-this is a situation when young adults NEED someone to open up and admit that everyone is confused and scared and that it is OKAY to feel like that. It has been on the news non-stop, we now know more about the student who committed this crime, but we don't know exactly what to do with the other students and families affected by this incident.

When I lived in Ireland, as a peace and conflict mediation student, back in 1997-1998, when the peace treaty was broken and I had to explain to my second grade students WHY this was happening...I felt the same way I do right now-helpless. It is so hard to try to explain the hurt and damage done, there is NO rationalization and NO comfort evident to the people who feel the ripple affects of such actions. The best I could do as an adult working with these children in conflict was to just be honest and talk through what I did know, and express my unease and insecurity with what I was not sure about, I was vulnerable too.

Listening to various media interviews; the one resounding message seems to be that although classes have been suspended and students are expected to flea home to their families...the students interviewed are talking about staying on campus and being together with their friends to work through this...it is amazing to see young adults making a choice to stay and face the grisly truth with their peers rather than running home to an easier comfort zone. The fact that they choose to wear their V.T. gear and stay on to support their peers and live through a very mature situation while relying on the support of one another is a very respectable act- my thoughts are with all of those directly and also rippled by this tragic event.

A Disney movie I really DON'T mind watching with my kids!

So I get it now, what all the "hoopla" is about the movie High School Musical! Besides the fun music ( I was so tempted to try the "dance-along" on disc 2 but my son protested) and fairly diverse cast, for Disney anyway, it sent a very valuable message. I started out thinking it must be a parody of school cliques and thought the "evil snotty twins" were just too over the top, but then settled in and realized that this is what pre-teens want...a day in the life of the cool and glamorous kids their own age or a bit older, but funny rather than too heavy or intense. Disney really hit the mark with the music too-it's great to sing along to in a group, it just invites slumber party viewers for years to come!
The movie contained an emotional storyline that pre-teens could relate to and the ultimate message to be yourself, follow your dreams, break through the social boundaries and expectations didn't seem any less inspirational being told by beautiful and talented actors. I was prepared for maximum cheesiness, but have to admit that knowing a bit more about what the target audience is looking for based on my various student interviews, I really think High School Musical is quality work and deserving of it's insane popularity.
Amongst the other positive messages in the movie, the one I appreciated most was the relationship between Troy and his father. As a parent I am maybe a bit hypersensitive about the typical portrayal of parents in Disney movies-wicked, unreasonable, evil, all-powerful, etc...it was just nice to see a parent portrayed as looking out for their child's best interest and having good intentions-yet realizing that "being yourself and in turn being truly happy" can supercede an all-star win or a sports scholarship. I am fine with my son loving toe-nail polish and don't think twice when my daughter wears a tool belt over her tutu for dance class, but if when they are older and my perspective shifts with their levels of self-expression, I hope I can come back around and step up the support like Troy's dad rather than turning into that weird mer-man/octopus thing from The Little Mermaid...
So I'm sure (at least I hope) it's been done all over the country, but this movie would obviously make a great discussion group opportunity for a library trying to lure in this age group. It is a nice, clean, appropriate yet still immensely popular movie that would draw crowds and also affords lots of dynamic discussion topics. It would be a safe and fun way for the group to broach topics including cliques, stereotypes, relationship issues (peer, parental, boyfriend/girlfriend), aspirations and struggles...hey I'd come with my dancing shoes on-but would leave my tool belt at home!