Slant

Williams, Laura E. (2008). Minneapolis: Milkweed Editions. 978-1-57131-681-3

PLOT SUMMARY

Lauren is Korean adopted into a family with a Chinese younger sister and Caucasian parents. Her best friend is tall, beautiful, and white. They go to a school that is predominantly white, which shouldn't be a problem, but she frequently has encounters with boys who insist on calling her derogatory names such as slant, gook, or chink. She thinks that if she gets surgery on her eyes to giver herself a more western look that she'll finally be happy and normal like everyone else.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Very well written with engaging characters. The main theme is that of social acceptance, which is hard enough for kids, but can certainly make life even more difficult when ethnic slurs are part of the everyday affairs. Readers can sympathize with her situation being bullied by boys who tease her for how she looks, and can root for her to stand up to them to assert herself.

The relationship between the best friends is a very supportive one as is the relationship between Lauren and her father. There's more narration than dialog, but the story still moves along at a steady clip.

READER'S ANNOTATION

Lauren goes to a mostly white school and tries to ignore the names that certain boys call her. She hatches a plan to have her eyes fixed so that she can look more like everyone else, but will it really make a difference in her happiness? She must evaluate who she is, what is important to her, and whether or not getting the surgery will be the way to be accepted.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laura E. Williams was born in Korea and adopted and lived in many different locations around the world. She was previously an English teacher and now is an author and illustrator of children's and young adult books.

GENRE

Realistic Fiction

CURRICULUM TIES

Social Studies/Ethics

Study the diversity of your area. Research how a community can draw together and involve these different cultures to welcome and learn from them.

BOOKTALKING IDEAS

Have you ever been called a racial slur? Would you accept it even if they said it jokingly? How far would you go to be accepted by others?

READING LEVEL/INTEREST AGE

12-18

CHALLENGE ISSUES

Racial slurs

CHALLENGE DEFENSE IDEAS

Know the policies of the library. Know and understand the book, the way the racial slurs are used and be able to defend the way it is used.

WHY INCLUDE THIS BOOK

It has a great message for those who are dissatisfied with their body image.