AbrahamsenYALitLENS1

 Brynn Abrahamsen Dr. Sherry Literature for Young Adults Reader Response // King of Shadows //is a novel that I believe many adolescents will be able to identify with because the inner conflict that Nat is going through is very relatable. I found myself relating to Nat at times and reflecting on my own personal experiences. Susan Cooper puts Nat in several situations that reveal an issue at hand. When reading this text I was able to reflect on a time when I was younger and experienced the death of my grandmother during my sophomore year in high school. Nat’s healing experience with the death of his father reminded me of that with my grandmother. I related to Nat in a sense that like he, I kept many of my emotions hidden from my peers. My older sister to me was like William Shakespeare to Nat when it came time to reveal my feelings. Shakespeare aided him when learning to cope with his father’s death as my sister aided me. Not only did I identify with this novel but I believe that many young adults will be able to identify with // King of Shadows // as well. For instance, the fact that Nat has an inner conflict that he is hiding from the outside world is something that many teens may face. Intertwined in the thrilling journey of traveling back to Elizabethan England is an ongoing struggle that Nat is at battle with. He is portrayed trying to forget about his father’s death but it always follows him, even when traveling through an unexplainable time warp. Cooper illustrates Nat overcoming a personal conflict through targeting the young adult audience and engaging them through this exciting novel. Another aspect that young adults may identify with is the passage when Nat first experiences Elizabethan England (Cooper 38-40). It may remind a student of a time they moved to a new state or if they visited a foreign country and had the experience of culture shock. If a reader can relate to this passage in the book it will assist them when making a connection with Nat and putting themselves in his shoes. The excitement of // King of Shadows // is an initial way to become intrigued in the writing but the fact that there is a level of relativity to young adults is where the connection will be made. I think that this novel would be a great choice to teach in the classroom because I believe that it will engage students and they will be able to identify with the character of Nat.