Selecting and Incorporating YA Literature into the Curriculum, Selection #5

Tamaki, M. & J. Tamaki (Illustrator). (2014). This one summer. New York, NY: Roaring Book Press.

This One Summer
Written by: Mariko Tamaki
Illustrated by: Jillian Tamaki
Published in 2014 by Roaring Book Press.

ISBN: 978-1-59643-774-6

Grades 8 and Up

2015 Caldecott Honor Book
2015 Printz Honor Book

Book Review

This Caldecott and Printz Honor graphic novel chronicles the summer adventures of two young girls, one on the brink of womanhood, and their quest to discover who they are, and who they want to be.  Rose is almost a teenager, and she's fascinated by the drama of the older kids that she encounters.  As she struggles to understand her parents' relationship, Rose risks alienating her closest friend, and ruining her relationship with her mother.  This novel explores relationships between friends and family, and young women of all ages will find someone within the story to identify with.

Teaching Ideas

English 8
8.5 The student will read and analyze a variety of fictional texts, narrative nonfiction, and poetry.
b) Make inferences and draw conclusions based on explicit and implied information using evidence from text as support.

Students will participate in a library lesson regarding making inferences prior to reading This One Summer.  Because this text is a graphic novel, many key elements of the plot are implied or illustrated, forcing students to rely more heavily on the skill of inferences.

After reading This One Summer, students will share the inferences they were able to make and discuss what was explicit and what was implied using evidence from the text. 

Health
8.3 The student will undertake health-promotion activities that demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between nutrition, physical activity, and emotional and physical health.
m) Justify and encourage safe, respectful, and responsible relationships.  

Students in eighth grade health classes will read This One Summer as part of their health curriculum.  After reading the novel, students break into groups and discuss the relationships between Rose & Windy, Rose & her mother, Windy & her mother, Rose's mother & father, Jenny & the Dud, etc.  After discussing these relationships, students will brainstorm ways to improve these relationships.  Each group will be responsible for creating a presentation after attending a brief introductory presentation on different platforms that they can use.  The librarian will be on hand to present and assist students.

Art
8.20 The student will analyze purposes, values, and meanings of works of art.

As a class, students will participate in an analysis of the illustrations in This One Summer.  The teacher will lead the discussion and explain expectations.  Next, students will visit the library and select a book that interests them and contains illustrations of some sort.  Students will analyze the illustrations in their selected book and create a presentation that they can share with their classmates.

Family Life

8.4 The student will identify the issues associated with friendships.

Descriptive Statement: The student accomplishes this by reviewing the characteristics of 

appropriate and inappropriate friendships, by discussing the qualities of a good friend, and 

by relating the characteristics to changes as one continues to advance through the growth 

and development process.

8.5 The student will recognize the nature of dating during adolescence.

Descriptive Statement: Content includes the need for belonging, love, and affection, and the

search for one's own identity.  In addition, students examine the difference between love 

and infatuation and become aware that one learns about oneself from every relationship, 

and these experiences prepare one for the challenges and responsibilities of marriage. The 

student will also recognize warning signs and characteristics of 

potentially abusive dating relationships and negative mental health practices.

Eighth grade students who are taking Family Life classes will read This One Summer.

Students will discuss friendships and relationships that are appropriate and common at

their age level.  The librarian will attend class on the last day of the unit and will give book 

talks about other books that could guide students through adolescence.

English 8
8.7 The student will write in a variety of forms, including narration, exposition, persuasion, and informational.
h) Use computer technology to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish writing.

Students will complete a writing project.  They will begin by writing a story.  Next, they will format their writing in the form of a graphic novel, illustrated story or comic.  Next, students will attend a brief presentation of different online platforms that students can use to add illustrations to their stories.  Finally, students will use their knowledge of these platforms, as well as the story they have already written, to write and publish an illustrated story.

Further Explorations
This One Summer Book Trailer - This book trailer will garner student interest and give students an idea of what they will encounter in This One Summer.  Complete with audio, video and subtitles, this resource is accessible to all learners.

We Read To Challenge Ourselves: Students who are curious about the author's motive will enjoy this interview.  Also, students who are interested in banned books and freedom of speech will find this interview fascinating.

Teen Line - This website provides students with the opportunity to reach out and talk to some one about issues that they are experiences.  With an extensive message board, and the opportunity to chat via call, text, or email, students can find help and discuss problems with peers that they might not feel comfortable talking with an adult about.

Everything You Need to Know to Plan the Best Summer Vacation Ever - This article is a fun resource for students who are interested in planning, or dreaming, about their own summer vacation.  This novel evokes a very real summer vacation situation, and students could benefit from this information or teachers could use this article as a prompt for students to complete research or a writing assignment.

Reproductive Health: Teen Pregnancy - One of the many issues explored in This One Summer is teen pregnancy.  Students who are curious about this issue can refer to the CDC's Reproductive Health: Teen Pregnancy site.  This portion of the website is geared toward teen audiences and answers questions that students might have after reading.

It's Your Sex Life - In a perfect world eighth grade students would not be sexually active, however, many are.  This website, published by MTV, provides students with information pertinent to the topic.  Students are able to pose questions for immediate feedback and can access a variety of information.  This site is linked with the CDC's website.

Make Beliefs Printables - This website is perfect for budding cartoonists or graphic novelists.  This resource provides students with pre-drawn cartoons that allow them to fill in the blanks.  This is a valuable resource for students and teachers.

Partner Titles

Telgemeier, R. (2014). Sisters. New York, NY: Scholastic.
Students who enjoyed This One Summer will also enjoy Sisters, the Eisner Award-Winning graphic novel that explores the relationship between two young sisters.  Students who identify as struggling or reluctant readers, as well as ELL students will benefit from the graphic novel structure.

Bell, C. (2014). El deafo. New York, NY: Amulet Books.
This 2015 Newbery Honor Book, written and illustrated by Cece Bell, is a graphic novel memoir that tells the story of Cece's gradual loss of hearing and her resulting struggle to find her place in her school community.

Shen, P., &  F.E. Hicks (Illustrator). (2013). Nothing can possibly go wrong. New York, NY: Roaring Book Press.
This graphic novel documents high school clique warfare.  Geared towards a slightly older audience, teens who feel as though This One Summer doesn't really apply to them anymore, will enjoy Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong.  Again, ELL students, reluctant readers and struggling readers will benefit from the pairing of illustration and text.

Glatter, L.L. (1995). Now and then [Motion picture on DVD]. New Line Cinemas.
Nominated for the 1996 Young Artists Award, Now and Then tells the story of four 12-year-old girls who are navigating some tricky situations in 1960's suburbia.  Touching on puberty, changing relationships with boys, and navigating relationships with changing family dynamics, this movie depicts life in a by-gone era, but showcases a universal coming-of-age story.

Alexie, S. (2007).  The absolutely true diary of a part-time indian.  New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company.
Sherman Alexie's National Book Award-Winner, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian tells the story of Junior, a young man who decides to leave his school on the Spokane Reservation to attend the all-white school down the road.  Featuring fun cartoons and heartbreaking humor, students of all ages and ability levels will enjoy Alexie's award-winner.

References

Center for Disease Control. (2016, March 03). Reproductive health: Teen pregnancy. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/teenpregnancy/teens/index.htm

Doran, G. (2015, November 27). This one summer book trailer. Retrieved July from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msZMngd5okQ

MTV. (2017). It's your sex life. Retrieved from http://www.itsyoursexlife.com/

Speelman, T. (2016, June 24). We read to challenge uurselves: An interview with Mariko Tamaki. Retrieved from http://comicsalliance.com/mariko-tamaki-pride-week-interview/

Teenline.org. (2017). Teens helping teens - Connect, talk, get help! Retrieved from https://teenlineonline.org/

Webster, E. S. (2017, May 25). Everything you need to know to plan your best summer vacation trip ever. Retrieved from http://www.teenvogue.com/story/summer-vacation-travel-guide

Zimmerman, B. (2017). Make Beliefs Printables. Retrieved from http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Printables/