Process & Rationale

Process: I didn't really go through a "process" to find this book, but instead it was recommended in our Adolescent Literature class. Since first hearing about the story, I knew that I wanted to read it, so when I saw that "Realistic Fiction" was listed as a required genre, I knew that this was the book I was going to read.

Rationale: This book is listed on the ALAN website, but aside from that, it's entire context would appeal to any YA reader. The point of view is of a sixteen year old boy which allows young adult  readers, more specifically male readers, the ability to connect more with Nick's character in the book. Aside from the abuse, this book is also about finding yourself, which is what the majority of the adolescent population is striving to do.

In terms of teaching this in the classroom, although I thought that this book was a terrific read, I don't think I would read it as a class because of the violence and amount of foul language contained in the text. I think that it may be too much for some individuals taste, and I feel like some parents would find the violence and foul language excessive and unnecessary. I would definitely recommend it to any of my older YA readers though, and I wouldn't hesitate to add it to my classroom library.

Decision Making Processes

Explanations

As a way of explaning, I created hypothetical situations/reasonings as to why each character chose the websites they did.   

Nick

For Nick, I chose the Miami Herald website, the University of Florida website, the Big Brothers Big Sisters website, the Miami Dolphins website, and an Anger Management website. I chose each website based off of some characteristic of Nick. 

1. The Miami Herald website was chosen because when Nick found out about Leo's death in the story, he was not only blindsided but the fact, but disturbed. Nick looked at Leo's death, and Neysa's murder as an unignorable wake-up call. He also swore to never be blindsided with that sort of news again. From that moment on, Nick has tried his best to stay up to date with what's going on in the world around him. 

2. The University of Florida website was chosen because in the book, Nick mentioned Tom's UF bed sheets that he's had since he could remember. Although not explicitly said in the book, I drew the conclusion that Nick (and Tom) were UF fans, and that's the college that Nick would like to attend once he graduates high school. 

3. The Big Brothers, Big Sisters website was chosen because of Nick's changes. Nick's character grew a tremendous amount from page 1 to page 263. After Nick had decided to continue taking Anger classes, he also decided that he wanted to change his life in other aspects as well, such as becoming a role model to young kids, specifically boys, and teach them all that he has learned. 

4. The Miami Dolphins website is posted because of the fact that Nick never forgot the one time his father took him to a game. It was the only time, but since then, Nick has an undying appreciation and admiration for the team that brought him and his dad together, even if only for a day. 

5. The final website that's posted for Nick was an Anger Management website. Although Nick is currently attending classes and taking steps towards healthier relationships, he still visits the Anger Management website as a tool for resources, and as a small reminder to himself of how far he's come.

Caitlin

1. I chose YouTube as a website for Caitlin because of her passion for singing. Caitlin loved to watch music videos on YouTube and she often contemplated posting her own covers of songs onto YouTube. She never did while dating Nick, but after they broke up, she began to record herself singing. She has yet to post any of the videos, she's a little shy, but each day she gets closer to posting one. 

2. An Advocacy website is listed for Caitlin because of what she went through while dating Nick. Although she attended meetings with a psychologist, she was desperate to reach out to other girls who had gone through the same thing she had. She wanted to connect with someone who could actually understand. 

3. Julliard is Caitlin's ultimate dream. Caitlin's love for singing is indescribable; it's the one thing that has never let her down. Being accepted into a performing arts high school was only the first step she plans on taking to get into Julliard where she can study singing and music theory. 

4. Macys website is also listed under Caitlin's list because in the book it talked about how she loved to wear dresses. Although there are numerous amount of stores that sell dresses, Macys is well known for carrying trendy brand name clothes at reasonable prices, which would have appealed to Caitlin. 

5. The final website I chose was Vera Bradley. Once again, this has to do with the sense of fashion that Caitlin seemed to have throughout the book. She liked to wear pink, dresses, and in general, she liked looking girly. All of these adjectives are encompassed by Vera Bradley products, and aside the fact that they're popular items, they would have appealed to Caitlin's sense of fashion perfectly. 

Mario

1. Due to Mario's job, it was necessary for him to remain up to date with the courts of Miami/Dade County, and for that reason one of his links was for the Miami/Dade Court system and Court House. 

2. The Psychologist Resources link was chosen because of Mario's job as well. Mario lead an anger management group, but he faced issues much deeper than he was equipped to handle. For that reason, he bookmarked a psychologist resource page to provide those of his students who needed it, resources for outside help. 

3. QuoteOasis, or "quote of the day" as listed in the links, is one of Mario's favorite websites. In his meetings, and in his everyday life, he likes to quote the wisdom of his Uncle Gustavo. However, since his Uncle Gustavo doesn't have a quote for everything, Mario visits this website at least once a day for a daily quote to share with others. 

4. The Sun Sentinel is an interest website of Mario because he likes to remain current with what is happening around him. When the newspaper called him to discuss Leo's murder and suicide, Mario wasn't too surprised that they had called because he considers himself to be one who knows the nooks and crannies of the newspaper. He has News Breaking Stories sent straight to his cell phone, and checks the Sun Sentinel every morning and every evening. 

5. The final website listed for Mario was the 1800 Flowers web page, that he so cleverly listed as Wife's Favorite Gift. As mentioned in his blog, and in the book, Mario and his wife have had a roller coaster of a past, and Mario spends every waking moment since "cleansing himself," letting his wife know just how much he loves her. Every month he sends his wife a bouquet of flowers on a random day just as a sign of his love and affection. He also recommends this gesture to all men.   

  

Synopsis

"Nick is one of the chosen few at his high school: intelligent, popular, wealthy. People think his life is pretty easy. Except for one thing. Nick has never told anyone about his father's violent temper. When Nick meets Caitlin, he thinks that she is the answer to all his problems. Caitlin is everything Nick has ever wanted - beautiful, talented, and in love with him. But then it all changes. And Nick must face the fact that he's gotten more from his father than green eyes and money. In a harrowing journey of self-discovery, Nick learns the truth about himself - and that the phrase "like father, like son" can carry terrifying possibilities."

Taken from the inside cover of Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn.

17!

Quite some birthday gift to me today. My dad’s been different since I stood up to him, not nice, but he hasn’t tried to hit me. He even apologized this morning and gave me a new car. I’m not sure if we’ll ever repair our relationship, or if I even want to, but it’s nice not to be his punching bag anymore.

On top of that my poem was published in the school’s newspaper. The one about my Tom – Ms. Higgins agreed to publish it anonymously, but this morning Tom came up and talked to me for the first time in over 9 months.

Cat told him that she though I’d written the poem, and that it was about my him… she also told him about my dad. I guess she ended up switching high schools, and that’s all I needed to hear to know that I’ll probably never see her again.

He wanted to forgive me, and what was nice to hear was that he wanted me to forgive him… It’s in a delicate state right now, but I think I’m gonna get my best friend back.  

Happy Birthday to me! 17 years. 

"As for the future, your task is not to forsee it, but to enable it." - Antoine De Saint-Exupery

I always wait until the last day of classes to share with my students, my own personal struggle with anger, fear, and control. It took the life of my unborn child, and nearly took the life of the one woman I care more about than any other woman in the world. It’s not an easy story to tell, but I think it needs to be heard, and I think it’s a good way to end the classes. Aside from that, what a joyous day today was!

Of course, like every new class, some of my students got more out of it than others, but what was the highlight of my day, was Jacob.

Thinking back to the first couple class days, Jacob was closed off to everyone who tried to help him, and now, he was the one in class this morning to admit to his wrongdoings. On top of that, he has asked if he could come back… to continue coming to classes and continue learning, despite the fact that he is no longer required to do so.

I am excited to continue helping Jacob, and to help the next batch of young people who attend my classes. 

Hello strength

I DID IT! My dad got pissed off again today, he spilled Mountain Dew all over the place and then asked me to clean it up and I said NO.

I knew that denying him would make him even more mad, but I had had it. I will no longer be his punching bag, and today… I told him. I finally stood up to my father. 

Update

So I know it’s been awhile… not too much has changed. School’s out, and today was my last day of anger management class. I finally understand what the entire class was about.

I was a loser. I was a loser who beat on my girlfriend because I was scared. It wasn’t okay, and it is never okay to hit a girl.

Mario told us his own story… he was one of us. He got rid of that voice that’s been stuck in my head for years… the one that tells me I’m not good enough. He did it by continuously coming back to the classes and eventually teaching them.

I wanna do it, and when he asked, he said I could.

I’ll be back next week!