Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Jumping Off Swings


America is obsessed with people having babies, plain and simple. When a famous actress shows even a hint of a baby-belly, the media goes wild. When a famous couple welcomes a child into the world, the rights to the first publicized baby photos sends magazines into a frenzy. And even when seemingly ordinary individuals have babies, we throw them baby showers, bestow numerous gifts on them, and many of us "just can't wait" to meet the little one when he or she arrives. Not only is America obsessed with the lighter, happier, more "normal" side of pregnancy, but it is also obsessed with the scandal that sometimes accompanies it. Like when a teenage girl gets pregnant.

Jumping Off Swings by Jo Knowles is about such a scandal. Ellie is barely half-way through high school, but she is quickly forced into the adult world. She was not the most innocent girl in town - she often slept with boys in order to feel some sort of love. But after a one-night-stand with Josh, Ellie becomes pregnant and faces a world full of adult decisions which she is clearly not mature enough to make. Not only is she forced to deal with the pregnancy itself, but she is forced to come to terms with how she got there and how one mistake will affect so many people around her.

Ellie's story is told from four different points of view. Through Ellie we learn that while her family is physically present and able to meet their needs financially, there is an emotional disconnect, or dysfunction, which Ellie has always felt. Through Corinne, Ellie's best friend, we see how even the best of friends can sometimes have a difficult time helping each other, as Corinne often does not know how to support Ellie in her decisions. Through Josh, we get the point of view of the biological father of the unwanted baby, and how his own home life probably greatly attributed to his own careless actions as well as his reaction to the situation. And finally, through Caleb, who is Josh's good friend, we see how even in the worst of circumstances, sticking by someone is often the best thing you can do for them. Other characters play important roles as well. Caleb's mom, Liz, seems to serve as the moral backbone to the story, helping Ellie with love and support during a time when her own parents seem unable to. Also important is Josh's father, who sheds important light on Josh's own life and helps him see through the pain of what has happened.

Jumping Off Swings was an intense, emotional journey that every boy, girl, pre-teen, teen, and parent should read. It has a lot to say not only about actual teenage pregnancy, but also about how such an event can disturb the lives of so many people. This would be an excellent book to use in a sexual education class, and even in an English class when discussing character development. There are very few sexually graphic scenes, which is why I would recommend it to not only high schoolers, but middle schoolers as well. And because it looks at the issue from a female and male point of view, I believe that it would be beneficial for both boys and girls to read it. Ideally, it would be a book that a teacher could use, and also recommend that the parents of the students read as well, in order to open up discussion with their children.

Below is a video of a very interesting interview. The girl in the video was a freshman in high school when she became pregnant. She talks about her decision and how her friends reacted to her situation. The psychologist in the video makes some good points about teenage pregnancy, how parents are probably not taking enough precautions when talking to their teens about such an important issue, and how the media seems to glorify it.


9 comments:

Hutting said...

I wanted to read this book, but haven't got to it yet. I bought it and its on the pile to read. In our school we have two prenant girls, one a senior and one a junior (both unplanned prenancies). I really don't think they fully understand what kind of changes their lives are heading for. I was waiting for your review. I feel this book may help girls and boys see how unprotected and careless sex can effect their lives. I'm glad to hear the book covers the males point of view too, the book jacket didn't really say who the four people were that are involved in the story. Thanks for the review and video clip.

Marcella said...

This book sound really interesting! I like the fact that this book discusses teen pregnancy and sex. I feel like at times we educators skip over those issues because of our own discomfort and these are topics that are real for some of our teens today. The fact that it gives the view points of some of the males involved is great because teen pregnancy is an issue that affects young men and women but often the young women are the central focus.

Marcella said...

This book sound really interesting! I like the fact that this book discusses teen pregnancy and sex. I feel like at times we educators skip over those issues because of our own discomfort and these are topics that are real for some of our teens today. The fact that it gives the view points of some of the males involved is great because teen pregnancy is an issue that affects young men and women but often the young women are the central focus.

Marcella said...

This book sound really interesting! I like the fact that this book discusses teen pregnancy and sex. I feel like at times we educators skip over those issues because of our own discomfort and these are topics that are real for some of our teens today. The fact that it gives the view points of some of the males involved is great because teen pregnancy is an issue that affects young men and women but often the young women are the central focus.

Marcella said...

This book sound really interesting! I like the fact that this book discusses teen pregnancy and sex. I feel like at times we educators skip over those issues because of our own discomfort and these are topics that are real for some of our teens today. The fact that it gives the view points of some of the males involved is great because teen pregnancy is an issue that affects young men and women but often the young women are the central focus.

Amy said...

I'm intrigued that this looks at teenage pregnancy by both a male and female point of view. I think often times we sometimes forget about the male's side of things since the pregnancy part only is solely revolved around girls. And you're right, people get so caught up with babies that they sometimes forget all the hard work and effort that comes along with the cuteness. I like the idea of this book because it is written from so many different sides. I think that helps illustrate that teenage pregnancies affect a lot more people than just the mother.

Krystal Tanami said...

I am intrigued by this book. I like that it talks about a subject that most people are to uncomfortable openly discussing. I also like the fact that it presents the fathers side not just the mothers. I'm definitely going to pick this up.

T. Arnold said...

I like how you addressed the fact that when a teen girl gets pregnant, many people are affected. I think if more teens thought about the fact that the pregnancy involves numerous people, not just the couple, they may think twice.

Alex H. said...

This is a good book to open a discussion on teen pregnancy for both boys and girls. I also think it's great that it gives a boys opinion on the issue, because most of the time they don't stick around to give any input.