When You Have a Party and Nobody Comes

At ABM we decided to have an in person meeting so we could say that we met and talked and fought in person which is an outstanding way to do your SMACKDOWN voting. Unfortunately, only four of us were able to make it. Field trips, professional learning, floods, locusts...they all got in the way. In the end Lisa, Andrew, Tammy and I got to talk about Darius and Far From the Tree. Turns out we had a lot to say. Lisa and I are TEAM DARIUS. For us the Tree was a nice light snack but does not come close to Darius.

Lisa and I both loved this quote: “Everyone wants you here. We have a saying in Farsi. It translates 'your place was empty.'  We also loved the unreliable narrator and the quest to find yourself at home when you feel like you are an outsider in both. The writing was beautiful for both of us. Lisa felt Tree was melodramatic, over the top and sentimental but Annabel who has left us for parts south email us this:

The writing didn't even seem like writing - I truly felt I was inside the characters heads living this story with the characters. Obviously a strong difference of opinion though they both could agree on the positive portrayal of adoption. Tammy said Tree resonated with her because of her husband's work in the foster system.  

All of this to say the same message I've been observing all year..the writer writes the book and reader comes to read it and can reach very different endings. Andrew did not get his ending as he didn't finish Tree but felt the other side of the draw (Nevermoor and Poet X) were much stronger so he will abstain this round.

So it is two votes Darius, one vote Tree and one abstention. Here are some thoughts from our non attenders:

Lil:  I believe this book may resonate with some of our demographics and how they may feel and be received during their visits to family and friends overseas. Vote: Darius

Holly: Far From the Tree is my vote. Not because it is the BEST book but because I think it is the one that would be more widely read and enjoyed bu students even though the ending is a little toooo perfect.

Andrea: Far From the Tree 

Ben:  Darius was a treat for me as I resonated with the character on many levels but mostly I loved how his friendship with Sohrab allowed him to understand that his place was empty.  (Editor's note - his comments on Tree were pretty bland so VOTE Darius)

Arlene: Far From the Tree for the Vote. I listened to both . I was much more captivated by Tree. (Editor's note - Arlene and I never agree about books. I like that.)

In the end that looks like:  4 votes each.