Deconstructing Dylan

* Bibliographic information
Choice, L. Deconstructing Dylan. Canada: Boardwalk Books, 2006. ISBN: 9781550026030


* Plot Summary
Dylan’s girlfriend just broke up with him because he is “too freaking weird”. Dylan knows this. He has always known he was different from other teens, and other humans; he just does not know why. Dylan has dreams that feel like memories from a time before he was born. Sometimes he has daydreams or moments when he is awake where he feels immense pain then a feeling of drifting away from himself. When he meets Robyn, Dylan feels like he has met his soul mate. Robyn is very interested in death, like him and she stands out from other teens; they both feel like they do not fit in. When Dylan sees a strange photograph of himself, from before he was born, he starts to wonder if his parents are keeping something from him. Robyn and Dylan investigate his parents and find a secret about him. With the knowledge of his controversial beginning, Dylan does not know if she should tell the world his secret or hide it away so no one will ever know.


* Critical Evaluation
Most young adult books cover the issue of not fitting in because most teens do not feel like they have a place among the crowds in high school. This book is different because not only does he feel like he does not fit in, but Dylan really does not, not with the whole human race. His very existence is so controversial that people may try to kill him if they knew what he was. The story and plot are great but a bit predictable. From the first dream where his parents are younger and it appears he is alive during a time when he should not have been born yet; it is obvious what he is. However, teens will still like it because the story does a great job of conveying how many teens feel in high school. Not fitting in and being teased for it can be very traumatic for from and can even end the way it did for Carla, with suicide. A great story of learning to live life when you feel different from everyone in that life, told with a nice science fiction twist.


* Reader’s Annotation
Dylan loves to read about insects, the Loch Ness Monster, and death but that is not what makes him different from other boys his age. There is a dark secret his parents’ have kept from him and he feels it just below the surface, waiting to be discovered.


* Information about the author
Choyce is a well known Canadian author, his other young adult novels have won many important awards. He was born in New Jersey but not lives in Nova Scotia as a Canadian citizen and writes fiction, non-fiction and poetry. I addition to writing, he says on his website, he is a teacher, musician, surfer and activist. “He's worked as a rehab counselor, a freight hauler, a corn farmer, a janitor, a journalist, a lead guitarist, a newspaper boy and a well-digger” http://www.lesleychoyce.com/.


* Genre
Teen Fiction; Science Fiction, Issues


* Curriculum Ties, if any
Science:
With so many new technologies being developed, human cloning is not a thing of the past but a controversial issue of today. This would be a great book for teaching students about science of today.

English:
This book could also be used for learning about character development. In the beginning of the book, Dylan is very unsure of himself and much like Charlie in The Perks of Being a Wallflower. By the end of the book he has discovered who he is and has gained confidence along the way allowing himself to decide what kind of person he wants to be.


* Booktalking Ideas
1) At the end of the book Dylan says he will tell everyone his secret first so the boy, Graham will know what to expect from people. How do you think people will react and how will Dylan’s life change?
2) Discuss the issues of prejudice in the book. The book takes place in the near future yet there is still homophobia and racism.
3) Why do you think Robyn was acting so strange the morning after she told Dylan “I think I love you”?
4) Carla’s life ended so tragically. Talk about other, positive ways she could have handled her situation.


* Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 9 and Up / 14 and Up


* Challenge Issues and Defense
Challenge Issues: Sex, Drugs, Human Science Experiments, Cloning and Suicide.

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; http://www.amazon.com/Deconstructing-Dylan-Lesley-Choyce/dp/1550026038/ref=dp_return_2?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books.
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 chose this book by wandering through the young adult section at the library, grabbing books and reading the back covers. I thought this book sounded really interesting. I like how the story still deals with normal teen issues such as not fitting and feeling isolated but then adds science fiction to peak readers’ interest. I wanted to include this book because it conveys a good message. No matter how much you feel you do not fit in, there are others out there who feel the same and just because you are different from others does not make you inhuman or wrong for being that way.