Beneath a Meth Moon
For my second novel I read Beneath a Meth Moon by Jacqueline Woodson. This novel is powerful, moving, and relevant. I think the novel does a wonderful job at writing about a topic that can easily be swept under the rug because people are afraid to talk about it. Addiction has become a controversial topic in our society today leaving those who face addiction feeling like a burden to society.
For Laurel meth became an escape from her life, upon her first try she was under the meth spell. Laurel was facing many internal battles with her feelings and all that she was facing on the outside as well. She had moved to a new town, started at a new school, and on top of that was still grieving the death of her mother. When one of her new friends introduced her to meth Laurel's life was changed. It provided an escape for Laurel from the current situations she was in and the past. Even if the escape was short lived at the time Laurel craved it.
In a classroom I think I would recommend the book for students to read but I would not require it. The topic of addiction can hit home for so many students in so many ways. Some students may be recovering addicts, have family members that are addicts or recovering, or have friends that are addicts or recovering. Although the conversations could be good for some students others would be triggered and it could have a negative impact on them.
For Laurel meth became an escape from her life, upon her first try she was under the meth spell. Laurel was facing many internal battles with her feelings and all that she was facing on the outside as well. She had moved to a new town, started at a new school, and on top of that was still grieving the death of her mother. When one of her new friends introduced her to meth Laurel's life was changed. It provided an escape for Laurel from the current situations she was in and the past. Even if the escape was short lived at the time Laurel craved it.
In a classroom I think I would recommend the book for students to read but I would not require it. The topic of addiction can hit home for so many students in so many ways. Some students may be recovering addicts, have family members that are addicts or recovering, or have friends that are addicts or recovering. Although the conversations could be good for some students others would be triggered and it could have a negative impact on them.
Interesting post. How might you go beyond what you "think" you would do to incorporating structures for decision making. Earlier in the term we read and spoke about "edgy" literature, you might refer to those notes. How will you decide? How does your thinking in this post link with your next one about LGBTQ+ history? It is certainly difficult to make decisions about curriculum that extends beyond the accepted cannon.
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