the cay

TITLE: The Cay by Theodore Taylor

GENRE: Multicultural

ANNOTATION: In a matter of staying alive, the bond between two strangers can mean life or death, regardless of what you can see.

Who hasn't dreamed of being stranded on a deserted tropical island, away from civilization, fending for oneself? Well, the reality can be a whole lot more difficult than the fantasy. Young Phillip discovers this firsthand in The Cay. En route to the United States mainland with his mother during WWII in the Dutch West Indies, Phillip's ship is gunned down and he finds himself alone on a raft with the ship's cat and a rugged old black fellow by the name of Timothy. With little hope of rescue, the trio are washed ashore a desolate cay (i.e. a small coral island) and with Phillip being made blind from a blow to the head, he must rely on Timothy in ways that he would have never imagined. Trials and tribulations bring these two together in a culmination of unforeseeable circumstances.

Taylor's young adult novel illuminates the tensions that exist in a segregated society. Even though Phillip lives on an island where he regularly interacts with "Negroes," the voice of his suspicious mother lurks in the back of his mind, especially during his early experiences with Timothy. "They're different from us, and they live differently." In his blind state, Phillip learns to realize that deep down, he and the old man aren't much different; he even says to him, "Are you still black?" at one point (jokingly, of course, but the heart is still behind the sentiment). This novel does a great job of presenting a picture of clashing cultures in an exciting tale, which definitely will have teen readers (and adults as well) vividly placing themselves on this isolated cay.

sexy

SELECTION: Sexy by Joyce Carol Oates

GENRE: Coming Of Age/Problem Novel

ANNOTATION: Seemingly unshakable and oozing charm, Darren must come to terms with the reality of being a man of integrity and being true to oneself.

REVIEW: 16 year old Darren is the boy that everyone idolizes. His peers think sexy but shy. He's a star performer on the swimming team. Even his blue-collar father wants to see him do better than his older brother. But sometimes the pressures of life can make one's world seem as if it is imploding around him. After an ambigous car ride with his English teacher, Mr. Tracy, Darren wonders how far his looks and presence have taken him.

After their encounter, Darren starts hearing complaints from his teammates about Mr. Tracy's grading, and a dangerous scandal is formulated. In a world where masculinity is held in the highest regard, Mr. Tracy's eccentric manner is brought into question and it is up to Darren to come to the aid of the educator he admires, or keep his struggle internal.

Oates' novel is an aggressive foray into the world of adolescent literature, fully portraying the intense ethical struggle for a teen to do what he truly believes is right. The subject of homosexuality (and teenage sexuality in general) is bravely explored as well. Such a viceral novel deserves any award that it is nominated for, and so I am suggesting it be considered for the Printz award.