Cut

Cut

Specifics

APA Citation: McCormick, P. (2000). Cut. Asheville, NC: Front Street.

Meets EDU 333 Blog Requirement For: Diverse protagonist, Engaging middle school readers

Lexile Level: AD660L

Audience: I would recommend middle school students and up to read this book. It is not a difficult text in ways such as language, however, it deals with intense topics and should be read by a mature audience. I don't think I would assign this in a classroom, but it is a book I'd like to have on my shelf for students to read independently. If I saw a student reading it, I would let them know I'm happy to talk with them about it afterwards if they have any questions. 

Summary

Cut is about a young girl, Callie, who has been put into a mental institution full of girls with disorders, such as bulimia, because Callie cuts herself. The book deals with many different disorders, and brings up topics that are not as common in literature. In the beginning of the book, we learn that Callie is a runner, but also cuts herself, and has a sick brother. For her first bit of time at the institution, she does not speak to anybody including her friends, her therapist, or her family. She writes that she physically cannot speak, the words catch in her throat and no noise comes out. As the novel goes on, she eventually finds her voice again, resists the urge to self harm, and has an important discussion with her father, that ultimately will help her get well enough to go home. 

Evaluation

Throughout the novel, Callie is quite the observant character. She does not speak, and often finds herself tuning out of conversations and paying attention to other things. During group discussion one day, Callie cannot stop watching fly caught between the window and the screen, "I can't really make out what she is saying, though. All I hear is the zzzzzt-zzzzzt of the fly banging into the window (McCormick 10). Using onomatopoeia here shows the reader how distracting that fly is to Callie, to the point where she can't hear anything besides that.

McCormick also uses foreshadowing throughout the novel. When Callie watches Becca hide the brownie to later throw it away and is aware of her throwing up in the bathroom, readers could infer that something was going to happen to Becca later on.

She also uses a lot of hyperbole and personification throughout the novel. In times of stress, Callie describes how she feels the world is spinning or the room is closing in on her, "The door frame of the tiny booth quivers. It narrows, then expands...The floor of the phone booth pitches up, then swims away (McCormick 48). Using hyperbole and personification here created strong imagery.

There are no illustrations in this novel.

According to the criteria for reviewing children's books, I would say this is a pretty decent novel. The protagonist is a female and is going through a conflict with self. She then helps herself get better, with help from her female therapist and some friends she makes. For the criteria about the effects of a child's self and social identities, I think this book can give students going through personal struggles like this could relate to Callie, even if their situations are not exact. This book does not have pictures, and it does not specifically state the race of any of the characters, so it could be anybody. It does not portray stereotypes. 

Mini Lesson

For a mini lesson, I would have the students write about a time where they felt like things were hopeless, and how they over came them. I would like them to also consider the people who helped them as well as what others could have done to help them. This relates to the story because while struggling to read, many teachers did not realize (or did realize but didn't do anything about it) how badly she was struggling. The students in her class teased her and we get the sense she didn't have any friends. While students reflect on how others may have helped them through rough times, maybe they will realize that they can do more to help those they notice going through something difficult.