Review by Rosario Garcia, Mariela Panzita, Carolina Perez Cibez and Maria Sabrina Vergara
“I was a soldier”, by Brian Turner, tells the story of two foes meeting in the worst scenario possible. In this short and simple story Brian Turner, portrays how a person behaves in extreme situations.
The story takes place during the Iraq War when two enemies face each other in a trench. One of them is wounded. Even though they don’t share the language, they are able to create a bond. Brian Turner, who is this story’s author, was at Iraq war himself. He retells his experiences in a raw manner leaving the reader a sense of being the protagonist of the episode.
The unexpected ending will shock you and will make you wonder about your own life decisions. The story is a great reading to make young adults aware of today´s society´s interests and problems. It’s a must for young adults who are trying to discover themselves.
May 26, 2014
“Chicken”
Written by Kathy Stinson
(Reviewed by Aldana Pires, Eliana Romero and Nicolas Vincenti)
Gone are the days when chicken was a game between car drivers. Canadian writer Kathy Stinson brings a new compilation of short stories for adolescents called “101 Ways to Dance”, and “Chicken”, the third story from the book, presents an innovative version of the game.
Once the kids had finished painting the church basement and everyone had gone home, the main female character and Bram, a boy who was rumoured to be expecting a child, were left alone in the place. Challenging, he asked the girl if she had ever played chicken, and supposing that he was talking about the game with cars, she replied that she had never played it. Certainly, Bram was not proposing a car competition, instead, he was giving it a twist: each of them had to put a finger on the other’s forehead and move it down until one of them said “stop”; whoever said it first was the chicken.
Playfulness takes control from the very first image the tale draws in your mind; then it merges yourself into a stream of consciousness, and finishes up setting a climax for an open ending. Attractive themes such as sexual desire and curiosity are just some of the spicy condiments of the story. Furthermore, chicken will be read in a blink of the eye, which is essential for modern times when young adults’ attention has a short span. As if this was not enough, the story breaks your expectations. Do you think that it is obvious who the chicken will be? Well, don’t be so sure about that.
Nowadays, the law for teenagers is not to read, but we bet they won’t resist this entertaining and catchy story. Its shortness and defying atmosphere provide reasons for its effectiveness. A five-star badge for Chicken!
(Reviewed by Aldana Pires, Eliana Romero and Nicolas Vincenti)
Gone are the days when chicken was a game between car drivers. Canadian writer Kathy Stinson brings a new compilation of short stories for adolescents called “101 Ways to Dance”, and “Chicken”, the third story from the book, presents an innovative version of the game.
Once the kids had finished painting the church basement and everyone had gone home, the main female character and Bram, a boy who was rumoured to be expecting a child, were left alone in the place. Challenging, he asked the girl if she had ever played chicken, and supposing that he was talking about the game with cars, she replied that she had never played it. Certainly, Bram was not proposing a car competition, instead, he was giving it a twist: each of them had to put a finger on the other’s forehead and move it down until one of them said “stop”; whoever said it first was the chicken.
Playfulness takes control from the very first image the tale draws in your mind; then it merges yourself into a stream of consciousness, and finishes up setting a climax for an open ending. Attractive themes such as sexual desire and curiosity are just some of the spicy condiments of the story. Furthermore, chicken will be read in a blink of the eye, which is essential for modern times when young adults’ attention has a short span. As if this was not enough, the story breaks your expectations. Do you think that it is obvious who the chicken will be? Well, don’t be so sure about that.
Nowadays, the law for teenagers is not to read, but we bet they won’t resist this entertaining and catchy story. Its shortness and defying atmosphere provide reasons for its effectiveness. A five-star badge for Chicken!
Chicken (review)
Review by Garay, Lucía, Laprovitta, Anahí and López, Cintia
“Ever played chicken? Bram asks.” Kathy Stinson writes a piquant short story where an adolescent girl is the main character. This girl, of unknown name, is eager to prove her own limits and at the same time is discovering her sexuality. “Chicken” is a game that invites participants to test their boundaries, and at the same time is the word that the author chooses as the title for this short story taken from the book 101 Ways to Dance.
Stinson presents two characters, Bram who is described as a risk taker and a girl, who is portrayed as a role model to be. After finishing painting the church basement, the girl and Bram decided to play Chicken this brand new, exciting and dangerous game. Chicken’s aim is to see who would be the first one that chickens out; “Now, as slow or as fast as you want, move your finger down until one of us says stop. Whoever says it first is the chicken.” Now the girl has to take a decision, should her go on or should her stop? It is an engaging story until the end because you want to go on reading in order to know what she decides.
Summing up, this story fosters an interesting alternative to deal with a delicate issue as sexuality; it brings also into discussion other significant topics such as trespassing boundaries and taking decisions. We highly recommend this appealing story because it helps young adults to reflect upon aspects of sexuality that many adults would rather avoid and that we know teenagers are urged to explore.
“Ever played chicken? Bram asks.” Kathy Stinson writes a piquant short story where an adolescent girl is the main character. This girl, of unknown name, is eager to prove her own limits and at the same time is discovering her sexuality. “Chicken” is a game that invites participants to test their boundaries, and at the same time is the word that the author chooses as the title for this short story taken from the book 101 Ways to Dance.
Stinson presents two characters, Bram who is described as a risk taker and a girl, who is portrayed as a role model to be. After finishing painting the church basement, the girl and Bram decided to play Chicken this brand new, exciting and dangerous game. Chicken’s aim is to see who would be the first one that chickens out; “Now, as slow or as fast as you want, move your finger down until one of us says stop. Whoever says it first is the chicken.” Now the girl has to take a decision, should her go on or should her stop? It is an engaging story until the end because you want to go on reading in order to know what she decides.
Summing up, this story fosters an interesting alternative to deal with a delicate issue as sexuality; it brings also into discussion other significant topics such as trespassing boundaries and taking decisions. We highly recommend this appealing story because it helps young adults to reflect upon aspects of sexuality that many adults would rather avoid and that we know teenagers are urged to explore.
Chicken: playing with taboos
Review by Mojico, Ana and Trenti, Andrea
Two teenagers in a church basement. A proposal. A risky game that uncovers the deepest fears and fantasies of adolescents. All these pieces have been carefully chosen to become the core of Chicken. Through this provoking and spicy short story, Cathy Stinson must be asking for it.
The female protagonist and teen narrator experiments a dichotomy between wants and prohibitions while she and Bram, her partner, are playing Chicken, a game that tests their limits. The author succeeds in creating an intense atmosphere through a catching dialogue that expresses the adolescents’ feelings towards the unknown. At what point will they say “stop”?
Without any prejudgement, Stinson dares to play with a taboo that hides and even condemns the most natural experience every person goes through: sexuality. Therefore, Chicken is a creative and attractive opportunity for teenagers to go deeper into their own world. Ever played Chicken?
Two teenagers in a church basement. A proposal. A risky game that uncovers the deepest fears and fantasies of adolescents. All these pieces have been carefully chosen to become the core of Chicken. Through this provoking and spicy short story, Cathy Stinson must be asking for it.
The female protagonist and teen narrator experiments a dichotomy between wants and prohibitions while she and Bram, her partner, are playing Chicken, a game that tests their limits. The author succeeds in creating an intense atmosphere through a catching dialogue that expresses the adolescents’ feelings towards the unknown. At what point will they say “stop”?
Without any prejudgement, Stinson dares to play with a taboo that hides and even condemns the most natural experience every person goes through: sexuality. Therefore, Chicken is a creative and attractive opportunity for teenagers to go deeper into their own world. Ever played Chicken?
“Chicken” by Kathy Stinson
Review by Barros Paola, Gulin Rocío and Piceda Laura
“Chicken” by Kathy Stinson is a story taken from the book ‘101 ways to Dance’. This story is about a teenage girl who is painting a church and she finds herself alone with a boy who already has a child and is expecting another one. Although her mother warned her about being alone with a boy like him, she stays there anyway. When the boy suggests playing a game called “Chicken”, in which one puts a finger on the other person’s forehead and pulls away and the first one who says ‘stop’ is the chicken, she accepts and the game begins. This is an engaging story that has different purposes. It could be used to deal with sexuality, to practice English reading comprehension or it could be simply used for the purpose of entertaining.
This story deals with one of the most important topics related to adolescents: sexuality. Most teens have a lot of questions about this matter. This is normal and natural, and It is also normal to feel shy about rising these issues with adults. That’s why the text “Chicken” could serve as a way to teach teenagers not only about English, but also about sexuality. The development of a discussion and an analysis will help them to have this subject clearer. Moreover, they will be able to clear up doubts in a debate among mates.
Another good feature of the story is that it puts on words teenager’s feelings. Therefore, they will feel identified, because they are experiencing the similar frightening unknown emotions. What’s more, the use of simple sentences in this story makes it easy to follow the argument and it is catchy for adolescents, apart from the fact that it leads teenagers to create the scenes vividly in their minds while reading.
We think that, without any doubts, “Chicken” is a didactic story that should be used to work with teenage students. They will like the plot and feel identified with it. Highly recommended.
“Chicken” by Kathy Stinson is a story taken from the book ‘101 ways to Dance’. This story is about a teenage girl who is painting a church and she finds herself alone with a boy who already has a child and is expecting another one. Although her mother warned her about being alone with a boy like him, she stays there anyway. When the boy suggests playing a game called “Chicken”, in which one puts a finger on the other person’s forehead and pulls away and the first one who says ‘stop’ is the chicken, she accepts and the game begins. This is an engaging story that has different purposes. It could be used to deal with sexuality, to practice English reading comprehension or it could be simply used for the purpose of entertaining.
This story deals with one of the most important topics related to adolescents: sexuality. Most teens have a lot of questions about this matter. This is normal and natural, and It is also normal to feel shy about rising these issues with adults. That’s why the text “Chicken” could serve as a way to teach teenagers not only about English, but also about sexuality. The development of a discussion and an analysis will help them to have this subject clearer. Moreover, they will be able to clear up doubts in a debate among mates.
Another good feature of the story is that it puts on words teenager’s feelings. Therefore, they will feel identified, because they are experiencing the similar frightening unknown emotions. What’s more, the use of simple sentences in this story makes it easy to follow the argument and it is catchy for adolescents, apart from the fact that it leads teenagers to create the scenes vividly in their minds while reading.
We think that, without any doubts, “Chicken” is a didactic story that should be used to work with teenage students. They will like the plot and feel identified with it. Highly recommended.
One of Soldiers (review)
Review by Alejandro Tachile and Fabiana Ibañez
Told in just a few words, ‘I was a soldier´ written by Brian Turner, is set in a timeless and in never –mentioned war. The main characters do not have names either. But that lacking of setting s is the most catching and attractive reasons that make the story something to be remembered.
The story tells an encounter that two soldiers have in a hole during a battle. As one of these soldiers jumps into the hole, another is lying with a wounded leg and looks at him with pain in his eyes. Immediately, the healthy helps the wounded taking a field dressing from his kit and manages as well as he can.
Following that act of compassion, they exchange cigarettes and photographs of their families as if they know for ages. But these scenes go against the shocking and unexpected ending that leaves the reader speechless.
With a strong feeling that neither flags nor countries matter when two human beings need from each other, the protagonists bring up to the light inner human feelings as empathy and friendship. To make it even more evident, the act of healing a wounded stranger reveals the most profound of these feelings, compassion.
If you like to read something shocking and short, then you should definitely read this story. Although, it is probably not the most famous of the stories, the effect it has on the reader is worthwhile.
Told in just a few words, ‘I was a soldier´ written by Brian Turner, is set in a timeless and in never –mentioned war. The main characters do not have names either. But that lacking of setting s is the most catching and attractive reasons that make the story something to be remembered.
The story tells an encounter that two soldiers have in a hole during a battle. As one of these soldiers jumps into the hole, another is lying with a wounded leg and looks at him with pain in his eyes. Immediately, the healthy helps the wounded taking a field dressing from his kit and manages as well as he can.
Following that act of compassion, they exchange cigarettes and photographs of their families as if they know for ages. But these scenes go against the shocking and unexpected ending that leaves the reader speechless.
With a strong feeling that neither flags nor countries matter when two human beings need from each other, the protagonists bring up to the light inner human feelings as empathy and friendship. To make it even more evident, the act of healing a wounded stranger reveals the most profound of these feelings, compassion.
If you like to read something shocking and short, then you should definitely read this story. Although, it is probably not the most famous of the stories, the effect it has on the reader is worthwhile.
May 8, 2014
Follow your star (TV proposal)
Dear Mr. Yankelevich:
We are writing to propose a new project to fill the gap in the demographic group of young adults.
As it was requested in the terms and conditions of the call, we thought of a reality show consisting of a musical competition, where teenagers from 12 to 18 years old will have the possibility to become their favourite singer or band for a day. And at the end of the season, the winner of the competition will be awarded with the chance to meet the artist he or she has chosen. The show’s title will be “Follow your star”.
The candidates will send an e-mail or video message explaining why they are their biggest fan and what it would mean to meet the singer. After the participants are chosen, in each chapter the teenagers will go through a transformation of their appearance to look more like the famous character. . At the same time, they will record a song and film the song´s music video.
When each programme is over, the videos will be uploaded to the social media, where the viewers will be able to vote their favourite one. At the end of the season, the video that gets the higher score wins the competition.
Yours sincerely
I.S.F.D N°30 Productions
We are writing to propose a new project to fill the gap in the demographic group of young adults.
As it was requested in the terms and conditions of the call, we thought of a reality show consisting of a musical competition, where teenagers from 12 to 18 years old will have the possibility to become their favourite singer or band for a day. And at the end of the season, the winner of the competition will be awarded with the chance to meet the artist he or she has chosen. The show’s title will be “Follow your star”.
The candidates will send an e-mail or video message explaining why they are their biggest fan and what it would mean to meet the singer. After the participants are chosen, in each chapter the teenagers will go through a transformation of their appearance to look more like the famous character. . At the same time, they will record a song and film the song´s music video.
When each programme is over, the videos will be uploaded to the social media, where the viewers will be able to vote their favourite one. At the end of the season, the video that gets the higher score wins the competition.
Yours sincerely
I.S.F.D N°30 Productions
May 5, 2014
John’s diary (TV proposal)
14 April 25, 2014
Dear Sir /Madam,
We are writing to express our idea for a new television show for teenagers. It was designed by us based on our knowledge about them.
We would like to begin by informing you that we are a group of teachers that see our students’ fears, doubts and problems. So, we are aware of their worries and we would like your company to produce a TV show dealing with teenagers’ interests based on our ideas. At the same time, this show would help them to realize about the decisions they make and the consequences they will bring in their future.
Taking into account these reasons, we thought about a comedy-drama show about a group of friends that are 17 years old. The group is made up of a girl, Sarah, and three boys, Thomas, Kevin and John. They met in the kindergarten, but they stopped seeing each other at the age of twelve. Life met them again when Sarah, Thomas and Kevin were informed that John has a strange disease and needs a huge amount of money to begin a medical treatment. In order to help him to get money, these three teenagers decide to make sales and organize festivals and concerts. Meanwhile, the characters will enjoy funny moments together and help each other to face certain problems such as adolescent pregnancy, drugs, death and the pressure of their parents to decide a future profession. Therefore we consider that a good name for the program would be "John’s diary" owing to the fact that John keeps a diary in which he writes about the difficulties that he and his friends have to overcome in their daily life.
To put it briefly, we are sure that our show will be enjoyed by all the families, not to mention the fact that would be appealing to teenage viewers.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
Fabiana Ibañez
Paola Barros
Rocío Gulin
Dear Sir /Madam,
We are writing to express our idea for a new television show for teenagers. It was designed by us based on our knowledge about them.
We would like to begin by informing you that we are a group of teachers that see our students’ fears, doubts and problems. So, we are aware of their worries and we would like your company to produce a TV show dealing with teenagers’ interests based on our ideas. At the same time, this show would help them to realize about the decisions they make and the consequences they will bring in their future.
Taking into account these reasons, we thought about a comedy-drama show about a group of friends that are 17 years old. The group is made up of a girl, Sarah, and three boys, Thomas, Kevin and John. They met in the kindergarten, but they stopped seeing each other at the age of twelve. Life met them again when Sarah, Thomas and Kevin were informed that John has a strange disease and needs a huge amount of money to begin a medical treatment. In order to help him to get money, these three teenagers decide to make sales and organize festivals and concerts. Meanwhile, the characters will enjoy funny moments together and help each other to face certain problems such as adolescent pregnancy, drugs, death and the pressure of their parents to decide a future profession. Therefore we consider that a good name for the program would be "John’s diary" owing to the fact that John keeps a diary in which he writes about the difficulties that he and his friends have to overcome in their daily life.
To put it briefly, we are sure that our show will be enjoyed by all the families, not to mention the fact that would be appealing to teenage viewers.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
Fabiana Ibañez
Paola Barros
Rocío Gulin
Crossed Positions (TV proposal)
´Dear Sir/Madam
We are writing in order to present you our brand new idea for a television show. As we have been informed, you are looking for an entertaining, exciting and catchy programme directed to teenagers, and we are sure we have just what you are looking for.
Mainly, the show would be a weekly hot debate held by teenagers. We believe that the programme will create a sense of belonging among adolescents because it is meant to be a free space for them to express any idea they want.
As it is already known, teenagers can get really passionate in their stands, so we suggest having a presenter who will act as a mediator when the debate gets too heated. The name of the show would be “Crossed Positions.” Besides, we have thought of a slogan to be said by the presenter; it would be, “Crossed Positions: the only place without restraints.”
Furthermore, we are strongly concerned with the power and influence that social networks have on teenager’s lives; and we are aware of the popularity of these communicative tools, so we would propose our young adults to choose the topic of each debate online. They would be also able to join the debate and share their ideas through Facebook and Twitter, among other communicative channels.
Although our main objective is to make an enjoyable, pleasant and relaxing show, we wish the topics of the debates to be related to common problems concerning a teenager, such as ethical values, dysfunctional families, eating disorders, development of sexuality, substance abuse and bullying, and so forth.
We look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible. Any suggestion or idea will be evaluated with gentle and positive disposition.
Yours faithfully,
the ideas-producers company.
We are writing in order to present you our brand new idea for a television show. As we have been informed, you are looking for an entertaining, exciting and catchy programme directed to teenagers, and we are sure we have just what you are looking for.
Mainly, the show would be a weekly hot debate held by teenagers. We believe that the programme will create a sense of belonging among adolescents because it is meant to be a free space for them to express any idea they want.
As it is already known, teenagers can get really passionate in their stands, so we suggest having a presenter who will act as a mediator when the debate gets too heated. The name of the show would be “Crossed Positions.” Besides, we have thought of a slogan to be said by the presenter; it would be, “Crossed Positions: the only place without restraints.”
Furthermore, we are strongly concerned with the power and influence that social networks have on teenager’s lives; and we are aware of the popularity of these communicative tools, so we would propose our young adults to choose the topic of each debate online. They would be also able to join the debate and share their ideas through Facebook and Twitter, among other communicative channels.
Although our main objective is to make an enjoyable, pleasant and relaxing show, we wish the topics of the debates to be related to common problems concerning a teenager, such as ethical values, dysfunctional families, eating disorders, development of sexuality, substance abuse and bullying, and so forth.
We look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible. Any suggestion or idea will be evaluated with gentle and positive disposition.
Yours faithfully,
the ideas-producers company.
The young voice (TV proposal)
28 Harbour road
St. Ives
Cornwall
TR26 2AJ
President,
BBC Network
Shipstreet
Newquay
Corwall
TR72PQ
Dear Sir,
We are writing to introduce you an amazing idea for a new television show. We are a group decided to change the concept people have about teenage reality programs. The title of the program will be “the young voice”. Every now and then, when it comes to musicals realities the judges have always been successful adults that in most of the cases do not understand teenagers at all. Our idea is to present a TV reality in which adolescents will be judged by famous teenager’s pairs. At first, this idea of broadcasting a show hosted and judged by teens my sound hilarious, because experts will argue that teenagers cannot decide or judge what is good or bad for them. However, if we want to gain viewers, we need to show young adults that we rely our trust on them.
The “young voice” will be a TV reality show searching for the most talented singer. The winner will be part of a world tour with young musical artists such as One direction, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, etc. The TV program will last no more than 20 episodes and every 2 episodes a participant will be eliminated. The judges, who will be famous teen singers, will decide who has done the best performance and who will leave the show.
We would welcome the chance to work as part of the channel network where we could make a significant contribution to the entertainment industry. We hope you consider our idea.
Yours sincerely,
Anahí Laprovitta, Cintia López and Lucía Garay
St. Ives
Cornwall
TR26 2AJ
President,
BBC Network
Shipstreet
Newquay
Corwall
TR72PQ
Dear Sir,
We are writing to introduce you an amazing idea for a new television show. We are a group decided to change the concept people have about teenage reality programs. The title of the program will be “the young voice”. Every now and then, when it comes to musicals realities the judges have always been successful adults that in most of the cases do not understand teenagers at all. Our idea is to present a TV reality in which adolescents will be judged by famous teenager’s pairs. At first, this idea of broadcasting a show hosted and judged by teens my sound hilarious, because experts will argue that teenagers cannot decide or judge what is good or bad for them. However, if we want to gain viewers, we need to show young adults that we rely our trust on them.
The “young voice” will be a TV reality show searching for the most talented singer. The winner will be part of a world tour with young musical artists such as One direction, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, etc. The TV program will last no more than 20 episodes and every 2 episodes a participant will be eliminated. The judges, who will be famous teen singers, will decide who has done the best performance and who will leave the show.
We would welcome the chance to work as part of the channel network where we could make a significant contribution to the entertainment industry. We hope you consider our idea.
Yours sincerely,
Anahí Laprovitta, Cintia López and Lucía Garay
What would you change? (TV proposal)
Mr President:
I am writing this letter to suggest some ideas about the televisión show your are planning to broadcast for next year. As we all know adolescence is a special and rather controversial time in our lives. All teenagers have an inner human potential that eagers to come to the light, so as president of a network you have not only the privilege, but also the responsibility to let the potential of your audience keep on developing.
A good television show for teenagers must not follow any structural format. It should be something new for them, in other words, it should be something they have never experienced before. The tittle is important and the name that I have in mind is: “What would you change?”. If you have such a tittle, the idea behind it can trigger a completely new vision of the world.
What better thing could there be for an adolescent to be asked “what would you change?” The show can begin with little flashes of interviews showing adolescents from different places of the country answering that question. We can discover a whole new world of ideas if we only ask them” what would you change?”. Obviously, this is not the only idea. Then, the show will continue with a collage of adolescent production such as music made by them, a real sport event covered by a teenager without experience on the field, real rock concerts, political speeches etc.
A whole new world commented by teenagers would share valuable information on the views they have about the world. I hope my suggestions come in handy for the show you want to broadcast.
I am writing this letter to suggest some ideas about the televisión show your are planning to broadcast for next year. As we all know adolescence is a special and rather controversial time in our lives. All teenagers have an inner human potential that eagers to come to the light, so as president of a network you have not only the privilege, but also the responsibility to let the potential of your audience keep on developing.
A good television show for teenagers must not follow any structural format. It should be something new for them, in other words, it should be something they have never experienced before. The tittle is important and the name that I have in mind is: “What would you change?”. If you have such a tittle, the idea behind it can trigger a completely new vision of the world.
What better thing could there be for an adolescent to be asked “what would you change?” The show can begin with little flashes of interviews showing adolescents from different places of the country answering that question. We can discover a whole new world of ideas if we only ask them” what would you change?”. Obviously, this is not the only idea. Then, the show will continue with a collage of adolescent production such as music made by them, a real sport event covered by a teenager without experience on the field, real rock concerts, political speeches etc.
A whole new world commented by teenagers would share valuable information on the views they have about the world. I hope my suggestions come in handy for the show you want to broadcast.
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