AbrahamsenLENS6

Brynn Abrahamsen Dr. Sherry Literature for Young Adults LENS 6 Reader Response- // The Orange Houses // Paul Griffin’s novel, // The Orange Houses //, is an engaging piece of literature through its unique style and storyline. From reading a couple of chapters into the story I found that this was going to be different from any book that I have read in the past. This is because Griffin decided to tell the three main character’s stories in their own chapters throughout. While I read further into the book I found myself thinking about Fatima and what might happen next while I was reading a chapter on Tamika or Jimmi and vice versa. The fact that the character’s personal stories are in different chapters makes the storyline choppy at times but I think this is what the author is going for. Just like the reading, Jimmi, Tamika and Fatima’s life isn’t smooth sailing. When thinking about // The Orange Houses // in the classroom I believe that young adults will be able to identify with this story. Even though the cultural circumstances may be different from the students there are other aspects of the novel that are relatable. For example, all three of the characters are seen as outcasts in the reading and this is an issue that many youths may face. Being in high school is a time when students often feel different from their peers and // The Orange Houses // is a novel that displays its characters, especially Mik, as being different. Not only is she different but she is also dealing with a hearing impairment and faces a choice to make about possibly getting surgery and eventually new hearing aids. A young adult shares the experience of decision making and pressure that Mik deals with while reading the novel and in their own life. Also, the different forms of art are something that would be relatable to some teens. As for me, I found myself relating to the character of Tamika the most. This is true because just like her, I have tuned out my peers and family in the past. Just not in the literal sense that she has. While growing up, I remember locking myself in my room and blasting music to let the lyrics and instruments take over my hearing. Instead of worrying about school or issues that I might have been stressing about I let the music fill my ears just like Mik lets silence fill hers. I still find myself plugging my ears with headphones to tune out others or silence my thoughts if I’ve been thinking too much. I can definitely understand where Mik is coming from when she clicks off her hearing aids because I remember feeling the same way at times and wishing I could silence people. Instead, I had my music. // The Orange Houses //is a novel that addresses many issues for young adults even if these issues aren’t directly targeted. I think that there are many relatable aspects which readers will pick up on. The novel will engage its readers through the unique genre of writing and encourage students to think more in depth about the characters. I enjoyed this book and I think that many youths would enjoy it as well.