Kraus, D. (2013). Scowler. New York: Delacorte.
I don't know what to say about Scowler. It was a difficult read. Don't get me wrong, it IS a GREAT read, but so difficult to get through because it's, I can't even find the right words. We think of a father that provides and supports the family as a good father, as good role model, yet there is so much more to being a good father than to provide for a family. Marvin, provides for his family, but he also brings terror and a sense of hopelessness. He is abusive both physically and emotionally and kills the spirit of the family. When he goes to jail the family can breathe a sense of freedom again, but not without leaving them scared and very broken for life.
A meteor, or a shower of them threaten the earth and also a jailbreak disheartens the family. Marvin escapes. His entire life Ry hopes that he will not be like his father, now that he is back, he might just have to unleash the beast inside him to protect Sara and his mother.
Family violence is no joke and it is definitely no easy manner of handling it. As an educator I have read endless essays in which my students pour their hearts out and explain the fear and agony their parents' abuse has brought to their lives. To think that a Scowler must be born to put a stop to such abuse is heartbreaking, more than anything is because just like Ry, many of these kids fight the statistics that state that children of abusive parents might develop the same tendencies. However; in some cases it's either let it happen or fight it as best as you can. Either way, the outcome is heartbreaking.
I don't know what to say about Scowler. It was a difficult read. Don't get me wrong, it IS a GREAT read, but so difficult to get through because it's, I can't even find the right words. We think of a father that provides and supports the family as a good father, as good role model, yet there is so much more to being a good father than to provide for a family. Marvin, provides for his family, but he also brings terror and a sense of hopelessness. He is abusive both physically and emotionally and kills the spirit of the family. When he goes to jail the family can breathe a sense of freedom again, but not without leaving them scared and very broken for life.
A meteor, or a shower of them threaten the earth and also a jailbreak disheartens the family. Marvin escapes. His entire life Ry hopes that he will not be like his father, now that he is back, he might just have to unleash the beast inside him to protect Sara and his mother.
Family violence is no joke and it is definitely no easy manner of handling it. As an educator I have read endless essays in which my students pour their hearts out and explain the fear and agony their parents' abuse has brought to their lives. To think that a Scowler must be born to put a stop to such abuse is heartbreaking, more than anything is because just like Ry, many of these kids fight the statistics that state that children of abusive parents might develop the same tendencies. However; in some cases it's either let it happen or fight it as best as you can. Either way, the outcome is heartbreaking.
No comments:
Post a Comment