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Title: I Am One of You Forever
Author: Fred Chappell
Age level: High School
Recommended by: Rod Cameron, Abraham Lincoln High School, Council Bluffs, Iowa Summary:
Jess, an eight-year-old boy in the south, relates his experiences growing up during the years of WWII. The book is an episodic novel in which each chapter revolves around stories brought on by various family members, many of whom are temporary visitors in this rural household. The stories often cross the line from realism to fantasy with subtle transitions. The chapters are connected thematically, generally focusing upon Jess' developing identification with his father and other male figures in the family.
Teaching suggestions: This is a wonderful book to explore symbolism, storytelling, regionalism, gender issues, and history. The chapters provide wonderful prompts for personal essays and fictional stories.
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