Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freahman

Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freahman

"She said I need that fancy Ivy League degree.
And I mean, she right. Life would be so good then. If I got a
good enough job with that Wooddale degree, we could even move. Mama
wouldn't be worried about crime or nothing. Bet wherever we move
then, the pizza people would deliver all the way to the doorstep."
Savannah, protagonist of Kristen R. Lee's Required Reading for
the Disenfranchised Freshman, lives in a not so safe neighborhood.
Her mother wants much better for her. She's worked long, hard hours
and sacraficed to make higher education possible for her daughter.
Savannah herself has sacrificed her high school social life to focus
on challenging classes and SAT prep. So it would seem that a full
scholarship to a prestigious college would be a dream come true...
...until it turns out to be a nightmare. Not long after
Savannah arrives on campus the statue of Wooddale's first Black
president is defaced. The administration opens an investigation that
amounts to sound and fury signifying nothing. They overlook evidence
that a rich and powerful fraternity is behind the crime. When she
tries to get justice the racism gets personal. She finds a message
offensive enough that I won't quote it painted on her dorm room door.
Even though she catches the frat golden boy, Lucas, with the same
color paint on his hands the dean just promises to check into the
incident. More sound and fury signifying nothing.
As if that isn't more than enough to upset anyone, there's
evidence that Lucas, not the brightest bulb in the chandelier, has,
with the aid of his family's money and connections, bought and is
cheating his way through school.
Savannah had intended to just work her way to the degree that
would be the key to her future. But she soon realizes that she can't
stay silent in the face of so much injustice. Her coming of age
narrative is eye opening and engaging, perfect for teens getting close
to the college transition.
On a purrrsonal note, UMaine had a very successful blood drive. The
Red Cross harvested 142 pints which gives the Black Bears an
achievement to really be proud of. I volunteered both days in canteen
for a total of 12 hours. By the end people were calling me Canteen
Mom because I unofficially run that show. Tis more blessed to manage
than to be managed. We had some really good new volunteers who caught
on very fast. I think everyone had a good time. The Red Cross nurses
were very pleased with how the drive went. Of course I brought home a
bunch of snacks and drinks both days. The Red Cross can't use the
ones that were put out on the tables. I got lots of bottles and cans
to cash in for Tobago's emergency fund. The second day I was able to
bring Eugene a whole pepperoni pizza all for him. (Jules).
Did you know some cats donate blood to other cats? Not me! I don't
like needles. (Tobago)
A great big shout out goes out to everyone who helped make the blood
drive such a success.
Tobago and Jules Hathaway



Sent from my iPod