Likeable characters

I have found something very likeable in all of the main characters of the books we've read so far. First of all, I liked how inquisitive and mechanical Hugo was. I liked the fact that he was good at tinkering with gadgets because of what he learned from his father. I think this made him interesting and different for me, as I haven't read a lot of books about anyone who was mechanically inclined.

Secondly, H.F. and Bo were incredibly likeable because of the humor that they always showed and the love that they had towards each other. I could relate to H.F. because of her strong emotions and her humor, and Bo was just a great and lovable sidekick because of the grief and support that he simultaneously gave H.F.

Crispin was not quite as likeable as H.F. and Bo, but I did find him likeable because he was absolutely genuine. He was so ignorant at first, but so earnest. That, along with his caring nature, made him a great character that I was able to like and identify with.

Out of all of these characters, Bo and H.F. win the contest for most likeable in my opinion. They are just too funny, and because the setting that they exist in is much closer to my own, I was able to relate to them more easily, which made me like them even more.

Lesbian protagonist? fine with me....

I really enjoyed reading a story with a Lesbian protagonist because I had never read a book like that when I was growing up. I think that now, at a time when there are so many different types of people and lifestyles in our society, it's great to give young people exposure to difference in a positive way. Even then, the point of H.F's story is not that she likes girls, or that her friend Bo likes boys. The most important aspect of her story (and Bo's story) is that she discovers that it is important to be herself and respect herself for who she is, while doing the same for others. She and Bo also realize the importance of friendship. H.F's story is unique because of her sexual orientation, but at the same time, it is a classic hero(or heroine) story of her journey to find herself and to grow into her identity.

Current thoughts on Children/YA lit...

I think that comparing my thoughts about children and YA lit before this semester and now just shows me that I didn't really think about it that much. It has really become an exciting new genre in a way that I wouldn't have put much effort into finding out about before...
Especially in regard to YA novels, I find that now, I am excited to continue reading them and find out about more good authors and titles... Since high school I have been so caught up (like most other people at Agnes Scott, I'm sure) in trying to read the classics and novels that would be considered "high" literature, and then not reading anything but scholarly articles and textbooks. I am realizing now that children's books and YA novels are really opening up a whole new space for me to just read and enjoy good stories and illustrations (something that I am not too often exposed too when reading!)
Compared to what I thought before about children and YA literature, I would say I am developing a much deeper love and respect for this type of literature than I had before. I really believe in what this class is all about: reading, responding to, enjoying, and sharing great children and YA literature. Before this class, I would have thought of it as a thing of my past, or of the future only when and if I have my own children. Now, I know that I can just embrace my inner child or young adult, sit down with a good book and just enjoy.