Shattered by Paul Langan
ISBN: 978-0-545-45019-5
Langan, P. (2007). Shattered. New York: Scholastic.
Plot Summary
Darcy’s had a difficult several months. Her longtime boyfriend, and first love, Hakeem moved away, her absent recovering alcoholic father returned to the family, her mother is pregnant, her grandmother died, and she was almost raped by an older boy, Brian. When Darcy hears Hakeem is returning, her excitement is mixed with anxiety. What will Hakeem think of her when he hears about Brian? Their first double date with best friends Tarah and Cooper is awkward and strained, their previous closeness a thing of the past. Tarah admits that Hakeem has a secret he needs to share, and Darcy becomes upset, blaming Tarah for keeping secrets and taking sides. After an encounter with Anika, the girl Hakeem was seeing while away, Darcy is hurt and outraged. At home relationships are strained as Darcy’s mother is working too many hours and her father wants to take on the potentially dangerous job of an evening cabdriver. Darcy’s younger sister Jamee also shares that their father is drinking once again. When their father leaves and does not come home the entire evening, the sisters fear the worst. With an alcoholic father, a distant ex-boyfriend, and a multitude of secrets, Darcy does not know what to do, who to talk to, or what her life is going to be like tomorrow.
Critical Evaluation
This novel resumes the story of Darcy, first introduced in book # 1 and then continued in books 2, 7, and 10. Many teens may relate to Darcy and the several challenges that leave her feeling her life has shattered. She is facing family problems and boyfriend drama. It appears there is no safe and calm place for Darcy since her grandmother died, and now her parents are more absorbed with their own problems than comforting Darcy. Darcy is portrayed realistically, as a teen with good and bad moods. She lashes out at friends and parents but later reconciles with them. Her parents are also depicted realistically as flawed individuals and not always doing what’s best for their children. Problems are just a little too neatly solved in the end but this doesn’t tarnish the story’s impact. A generally happy ending also serves to be uplifting, and show that times may be difficult now, but can get better. Darcy serves as a good role model to teen readers, particularly female teens, who see her struggles and her resolution to remain true to herself. The writing and language are simple, specifically to attract reluctant readers. Content may contain mature themes, such as drug addiction and difficult relationships, but also reflect current issues young adults experience. There are only mild instances of explicit language, again, keeping within the street lit/realistic fiction genre, but at an appropriate level.
Reader’s Annotation
As Darcy struggles with the return of her recovering alcoholic father and first true boyfriend, she learns the meaning of true friends and second chances.
About the Author
Paul Langan began writing with the Bluford series after working for Townsend Press. He has written or co-written eleven of the novels. Many of the stories draw from his personal experiences of growing up without a father and the struggles teenagers face in high school.
Born in Philadelphia, Paul Langan moved to New Jersey with his mother as a child. He attended public schools and held a number of unusual jobs, attendant at a horse ranch, a night-shift stockperson, and a landscaper at a mental hospital. He attended Camden County College for a year before transferring to La Salle University. Langan majored in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing. During college he had a Kenyan roommate. He travelled to his friend’s home country, worked as a prison tutor, and found his call to writing. After graduation, Langan was hired by Townsend Press as an Assistant Editor. He taught college English classes as well as contributing to textbooks with TP. Langan recently finished a Master’s in Education from University of Pennsylvania and lives near Philadelphia.
Genre
Street Lit/Realistic Fiction/Social Issues
Curriculum Ties
Life Issues/Health Issues
Booktalking
Darcy has had the worst year, here’s why.
After an impossible year, who can Darcy trust and turn to?
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 4th grade
IL: 6th grade and up
Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues include realistic themes with drug and alcohol abuse, and abusive relationships.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.
Why Included
The Bluford High novels are written at a lower reading level, but contain more mature subject matter. They are particularly attractive to slower or lower-level readers who still want books about people their age.
Others in the Series
Bluford High (Books #1- 20)
References
Scholastic. (2013). Biography: Paul langan. Retrieved from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/paul-langan
ISBN: 978-0-545-45019-5
Langan, P. (2007). Shattered. New York: Scholastic.
Plot Summary
Darcy’s had a difficult several months. Her longtime boyfriend, and first love, Hakeem moved away, her absent recovering alcoholic father returned to the family, her mother is pregnant, her grandmother died, and she was almost raped by an older boy, Brian. When Darcy hears Hakeem is returning, her excitement is mixed with anxiety. What will Hakeem think of her when he hears about Brian? Their first double date with best friends Tarah and Cooper is awkward and strained, their previous closeness a thing of the past. Tarah admits that Hakeem has a secret he needs to share, and Darcy becomes upset, blaming Tarah for keeping secrets and taking sides. After an encounter with Anika, the girl Hakeem was seeing while away, Darcy is hurt and outraged. At home relationships are strained as Darcy’s mother is working too many hours and her father wants to take on the potentially dangerous job of an evening cabdriver. Darcy’s younger sister Jamee also shares that their father is drinking once again. When their father leaves and does not come home the entire evening, the sisters fear the worst. With an alcoholic father, a distant ex-boyfriend, and a multitude of secrets, Darcy does not know what to do, who to talk to, or what her life is going to be like tomorrow.
Critical Evaluation
This novel resumes the story of Darcy, first introduced in book # 1 and then continued in books 2, 7, and 10. Many teens may relate to Darcy and the several challenges that leave her feeling her life has shattered. She is facing family problems and boyfriend drama. It appears there is no safe and calm place for Darcy since her grandmother died, and now her parents are more absorbed with their own problems than comforting Darcy. Darcy is portrayed realistically, as a teen with good and bad moods. She lashes out at friends and parents but later reconciles with them. Her parents are also depicted realistically as flawed individuals and not always doing what’s best for their children. Problems are just a little too neatly solved in the end but this doesn’t tarnish the story’s impact. A generally happy ending also serves to be uplifting, and show that times may be difficult now, but can get better. Darcy serves as a good role model to teen readers, particularly female teens, who see her struggles and her resolution to remain true to herself. The writing and language are simple, specifically to attract reluctant readers. Content may contain mature themes, such as drug addiction and difficult relationships, but also reflect current issues young adults experience. There are only mild instances of explicit language, again, keeping within the street lit/realistic fiction genre, but at an appropriate level.
Reader’s Annotation
As Darcy struggles with the return of her recovering alcoholic father and first true boyfriend, she learns the meaning of true friends and second chances.
About the Author
Paul Langan began writing with the Bluford series after working for Townsend Press. He has written or co-written eleven of the novels. Many of the stories draw from his personal experiences of growing up without a father and the struggles teenagers face in high school.
Born in Philadelphia, Paul Langan moved to New Jersey with his mother as a child. He attended public schools and held a number of unusual jobs, attendant at a horse ranch, a night-shift stockperson, and a landscaper at a mental hospital. He attended Camden County College for a year before transferring to La Salle University. Langan majored in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing. During college he had a Kenyan roommate. He travelled to his friend’s home country, worked as a prison tutor, and found his call to writing. After graduation, Langan was hired by Townsend Press as an Assistant Editor. He taught college English classes as well as contributing to textbooks with TP. Langan recently finished a Master’s in Education from University of Pennsylvania and lives near Philadelphia.
Genre
Street Lit/Realistic Fiction/Social Issues
Curriculum Ties
Life Issues/Health Issues
Booktalking
Darcy has had the worst year, here’s why.
After an impossible year, who can Darcy trust and turn to?
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 4th grade
IL: 6th grade and up
Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues include realistic themes with drug and alcohol abuse, and abusive relationships.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.
Why Included
The Bluford High novels are written at a lower reading level, but contain more mature subject matter. They are particularly attractive to slower or lower-level readers who still want books about people their age.
Others in the Series
Bluford High (Books #1- 20)
References
Scholastic. (2013). Biography: Paul langan. Retrieved from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/paul-langan
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