A Silent Voice 1
What makes this novel a "good" example of a contemporary young adult novel? How does it represent contemporary literature of today?
A Silent Voice 2
Do you believe in 100 years, this novel will be considered a "classic"? Will it stand the test of time and be something that students will be reading in an English class of the future? Why or why not?
This book is a good example of contemporary young adult literature because it's presented in a way more widely known by younger readers today. The manga style of books caters to kids who are more intimidated by longer novels whose pages are filled with words. It creates a more encouraging story to read for those who can struggle with big pages filled with words or kids who are into different forms of art. The plot line is also good. It incorporates the wide known conflict of bullying, which is something everyone has either experienced or seen first hand, with the childhood ideology of 'fun fun fun'. It allows readers to see inside the mind of someone unknowingly bullying someone while introducing us to the story of a girl who is deaf, an eye-opening plot for sure.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe how the book is written should play a role in if its contemporary young adult lit but for this story I did like that it had pictures even if I'm not a usually a graphic novel reader. I don't know though if I'd consider that Shoya was 'unknowingly" bullying. Even in elementary school when confronted he knew what bullying clearly was and could identify who was and who wasn't doing it, so he knew he was. He should've faced more consequences for his actions.
DeleteI think this book could be good for some people who are intimidated with longer books, but I also disagree, because I just don't see people wanting to pick up this book to read it. Although it does have pictures and is an easier read, I feel like people would still have to enjoy manga style books in order to fully enjoy it.
DeleteIn the past, Western culture has been dominant throughout the world. However, in recent years, a spotlight has been shown on the Eastern world. For example, K-pop, K-dramas, and anime have been translated in thousands of languages and have reached high recognition. That is why manga is a great example of contemporary literature--in how it exhibits this change.
ReplyDeleteThis manga, specifically, draws on themes of social anxiety, depression, and bullying in students--and it portrays it beautifully. Nowadays, mental health is loosing its taboo, and is frequently discussed. This series partakes in that discussion, specifically looking at teenagers.
This series also focuses on hearing disabilities through the character, Shoko. Representing the struggles of disabilities is something that many pieces of media seek to do nowadays, and this book illustrates it wonderfully.
I don't think in this book/the author did a great job of showing Shoko's struggles While they showed her having to use a notebook to communicate, we didn't see how she thought of it or even got her thoughts in general.
DeleteThe reason that you didn't see those yet, is because you only read the first volume. The first volume is only 1/7th of the whole story and it sets a background for the characters. In the way that most manga is made (this story included) character arcs aren't seen until later volumes. I fully recommend you read the rest in the series because the full story is amazing, and all the points I mentioned above are clearly seen.
DeleteFor me this book does and doesn't represent a young adult novel. The elements that make it young adult are the bullying to the point of suicide this has sadly happened to a lot of teens so many can relate to this part of the book. But the part that seems unrealistic and not contemporary young adult lit would be the reactions of the students after finding out Shoko is deaf. While yes bullying can be present for those with disabilities, I don't think in real like the would destroy as many hearing aids as they did or that Shoko would respond the way she did. In the book we never really see her thoughts on being bullied which I dislike all we see is Shoko still being nice to Shoya after he's rude to her. I think this book could have been so much better if we saw those multiple perspectives and I also feel the ending was really rushed and not realistic.
ReplyDeleteI agree bullying is a big problem in today's world, but how it was represented in the book seemed kind of weird to me. I think if someone new came to our school that was deaf no one would take their hearing aids and smash them, and I feel like more people would be willing to stand up to the bully if there was one. I also think it would have been better if it showed multiple perspectives so we could really see how Shoko was really feeling, and how much Shoya was impacting her life.
DeleteI agree that the story was a little unrealistic, but I think they were just trying to exaggerate how bad bullying could be and how the victim doesn't always speak up.
DeleteI agree with this. I think its important to take into account the fact that the characters were in elementary/middle school when all this happened because then their reactions seem more justified.
DeleteAgain, read the whole series to understand the story. The "ending" that you perceive isn't the ending at all. Also, you compare the American high school experience with the Japanese Elementary School experience. Both are incredibly different. You say it's unrealistic, but I would have to disagree. In elementary children are much less aware of their actions, and what seems like fun to them, is seen as bullying by others. Also, the breaking of hearing aids is totally realistic. There are many news stories from all around the world of bullying that are much worse.
DeleteI think this book qualifies as a young adult book, but I don't know if I thought it was necessarily good. This book shows struggles of Shoko who has a disability, but also shows more of Shoya's side and how much he bullies Shoko. I think if there was a better split between Shoya and Shoko it would have been better. We only really see Shoya, and we can see how Shoko reacts to everything, but we don't really get how much she is feeling and how much it really is affecting her. It has elements of struggles that people today struggle with such as different disabilities and bullying. I think in today's world those types of things are being talked about less, which I think might have been happening in the book, because I feel like Shoya's teacher should have responded about the situation differently, and Shoya should have been more responsible for his actions and had more of a consequence.
ReplyDeleteI also feel it could've been better if it showed equal parts of the bully and the person who is getting bullied and how they feel.
DeleteI agree. We dont really get a good prospective of Shoko. I also agree with the fact that in todays world we do see bullying and people not completely being held accountable for their actions. I also agree that the teacher should have handled trhing differently.
DeleteA huge theme in this story is understanding. I can understand why you don't like how we can't come to understand Shoko in the first volume, but that is the whole point--the author did that intentionally. The whole series is seen through the eyes of Shoya. Because he doesn't really care to know Shoko as a person, we don't either. He only catches glimpses of her character when he lets himself, and therefor we know as much as he does. Only later in the series when he reaches out to her and tries to understand her, do we also understand her. It's quite brilliant the way the author positioned this because it allows us to understand the mystery of both characters, who at times, don't quite understand themselves.
DeleteI agree with you that the book would be more interesting if it was from Shoko's point of view. I also agree that Shoyo's teacher should've delt with the situation differently.
DeleteI think it was definitely contemporary literature because it deals with student bullying. I feel that kids can probably be able to relate to how Shoko feels. But I also feel that maybe the book could've shown her side more than just the bully. I feel like then it would have more meaning to it, otherwise it has a good lesson in it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this. I kept wanting to see her side of emotions, not just through the notebook. That would've helped the story for me personally.
DeleteI agree. In the world we live in today its not uncommon for people to have differences that end up sadly resulting in bullying. I feel that people could find it easy to relate to the characters. I agree with the fact that I wanted more from the characters than girl who is bullied and boy who bullys her but also gets bullied. I just wanted more character developement but its hard to do in a graphic novel.
DeleteI agree with you. I also think that it would be more relatable if it was from Shoko's point of view.
DeleteI think that this book does represent contemporary literature in a way a lot of us are not used to. It was relatable in some ways and had a good message to provide. I dont know if it would me my example of contemporary young adult literature but it does fall in that category. It goes through modern problems thaat you can see in the world today. However I found some of the story line a little unrealistic. Never the less it is an example of young adult literature but if I was asked by someone what contemporary literature is this would not be the first book to come to mind.
ReplyDeleteI think this book represents contemporary young adult literature because it deals with bullying. I also think so because of the setting and where it takes place in a small school. I think it could've represented it more if it was from Shoko's point of view instead of Shoyo's. I feel like more people would be able to relate to the book.
ReplyDeletea good example of contemporary young literature in this book is that it shows the consequences of bullying. it represents young literature because i think some people can relate to the bullying.
ReplyDeletethis book represents young adult literature in a good way in some areas but not in others. the story does do a great job of humanizing the bully in this case. A silent voice showed how misunderstood a bully can be which I feel is a more modern mindset on the topic. But the idea that Shoko doesn't try to do anything and just takes all of Shoyas torment does not work for me. I felt that the storyline was a bit unrealistic.
ReplyDeletethis book is young adult contemporary lit main because its relavent this book came out not to long ago making it a relevant book this book is just confusing to read which holds it back from being a very good exaple of yacl
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