A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life (Audio Book)

* Bibliographic information
Reinhardt, D. A Brief Chapter in My Impossible Life. Listening Library, 2006. ISBN: 0-307- 28395-X. Read by Mandy Siegfried.

-2007 Selected Audiobooks for Young Adults by YALSA


* Plot Summary
Simone has a great set of friends and a wonderful family who love and supports her. Simone is just trying to get through high school, like every other teenager. She is a strong young woman who stands for her beliefs and the freedom of others; she also found a boy she likes. Life seems to be going well for Simone, until Rivka calls. Rivka is her biological mother who gave her up because she was just a teenager when she had Simone. Simone never wanted to know the woman who did not keep her, but her parents and friends make her see that she will be happier if she does. After meeting Rivka, Simone starts to bond with her birth mother; they have a lot in common. Simone struggles with this new reality and the connection she feels with Rivka as well as her new found Jewish roots. When Rivka tells her the real reason she finally wanted to meet her, Simone must deal with the startling news that breaks her heart. Simone is making the change to adulthood in the story; she is figuring out who she is. This transformation is reflected in her ability to cope with a new family member and a culture she never knew.


* Critical Evaluation
The author does great in describing what that character is going through with her life being changed so much and in such a short time. The audio book reader, Siegfried, does a great job of getting the words and the tone of the book across the audience; she sounds like a teen girl. This story deals with two issues and does it beautifully. The issue of meeting a mom that is a stranger to you and then finding out that you have roots in a culture you know nothing about can be jarring for a young woman. Reinhardt created a strong character that faces her emotions and deals with the conflict within; Simone is a great role model for young women. Any teen who is going through a problem like Simone, will feel empowered to face their situation with courage and determination. Reinhardt address two complex issues in this story and the end result would be a great read for any young adult.


* Reader’s Annotation
Simone is a normal teenager with great friends and family; it almost seems she has the perfect life. Then Rivka calls, Simone’s biological mother she has never met but now wants to know her.


* Information about the author
The author, Reinhardt, lives in Los Angeles; she has a husband and two children. This was her first book to be published. Before deciding to be a writer she had many jobs including working for PBS and with Peter Jennings on a documentary based on the Los Angeles Police Department. Reinhardt also went to law school. She says where she lives is not important, only that she lives with her husband and kids. She has published two other books; Harmless and How To Build A House. To find out more go to Reinhardt’s website, http://www.danareinhardt.net/About%20Dana%20Reinhardt.htm.


* Genre
Teen Fiction; Issues, Faith-based


* Curriculum Ties, if any
Could possibly be used in studying other religions or for English.

There are no specific curriculum ties, but this would be a great book for showing students the difference between faiths and why one should be open-minded towards faiths or religions that are not their own.


* Booktalking Ideas
1) Why did Rivka wait to meet Simone until she was running out of time?
2) Discuss Simone’s adoptive parents and the way they were portrayed compared to many parents in young adult literature.
3) Talk about why Simone changed her beliefs from atheist in the beginning of the book to believing in a higher power, what made her realize how she truly felt?
4) Why do you think in the end, Rivka’s father Mordechai, still thought he made the right decision in letting Rivka give Simone away?


* Reading Level/Interest Age
7th grade and up/ 14 and up


* Challenge Issues and Defense
Challenge Issues: Unwed parents, Sex between minors, Athiesm, Portrayal of Hasidic Jews.

Defense ideas:
1) Ask the patron about the book and issue in question and find out how much they know about the book.
2) Help the patron become more familiar with the book and its content.
3) Show the patron positive reviews for this book, such as ones found on amazon.com; School Library Journal and Booklist, http://www.amazon.com/Brief-Chapter-My-Impossible-Life/dp/030728395X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258529827&sr=1-1.
4) If available, introduce the patron to people who have read it in the library or tell the patron what you thought of the book if you have read it.
5) Show the patron the collection development policy for that particular library. For example, the one for the San Diego County library, http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.41_material-selection.pdf
6) If they still want to file a grievance about the book begin the necessary paperwork by giving them the forms they need to fill out. In the San Diego County system, the grievance will then go to The Challenged Materials Team. If the committee cannot resolve the issue, it then goes to the County Library Director for a final decision. http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.34_intellectual_freedom.pdf


* Why did you include this book in your titles you selected?
I included this book for the same reason I included many others. The story addresses an issue that occurs and it gives young adults a character they can relate to whether they were adopted or not. Many children are adopted and in many cases they do not look like the rest of their family; like Simone. These children struggle with the decision of wanting to know their biological parents. Some have to seek help from detective agencies while others, like Simone, have the option but choose to not know their other parents. I think this is an important story and it does not get too stuck in the depressing parts; the book keeps the reader interested without bringing them down too much.