The text deals with different relationships. Kathy Stinson created fourteen short fictional encounters with teens. The situations are in narrative form. Each selection highlights possible interactions. It deals with questions teens may have about sexuality.The relationship brtween "Micheline and Renee" is one that brings out the question of sexuality. A book about a lesbian relationship is passed around in an all girls Catholic School. It's Erica's turn to read the novel. She is amazed at her response and interest in the book.
Another selection shows friendship at the extreme. "Waiting for Brian" shows how the frienship bond can be challenged. Aimee has a strong passion for Brian. As she lusts for him from a distance, she places her friend, Jenn in an uneasy situation. Jenn responds to Aimee's need because she feels the yearning for Brian is so strong, and she feels sorry for her friend.
Each selection has a different theme represented by different characterers. The sensual and emotional encounters are compared to dancing because there are so many ways to experience the bonds between humans.
This was an interesting text. The selections varied in length, and content was simple and captivating. These are issues that are related to preteens and teens. Depending on the school, district, school, and parents this book may not be allowed in middle school. 101 ways to dance is tastefully written. It is a book of today's times.
2 comments:
Thanks May! it indeed does sound like a book for our time--we might even call this the age of sexuality, with all of the various kinds of sexuality now out in the public domain, and various sorts of popular narratives about the same on tv, cable, and in books too.
given all this, its not that surprising that teen books also focus increasingly on this topic?
take care,
tom
Thanks for the detailed and informative review. I like that it has several short pieces as it attempts to address many issues. In fact, I have a few students that I know would enjoy reading this book.
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