This week, my freshmen English students began reading Homer's The Odyssey, the story of Odysseus' long journey home after fighting in the Trojan War. Many students are really engaged with the story; it has a hero, monsters, and plenty of action. Other students are turned off by the elevated style and language and the fact that it was written a few thousand years ago. It just isn't relevant to their lives. When teaching the epic poem, I try to get them thinking about journeys, both literal and metaphorical, in their own lives, and it's effective in engaging them, but it only goes so far, especially with reluctant readers.
This year, in order to battle the disengagement, I thought I would have my Intensive Reading students (who I also have for English) read a novel called Shift by Jennifer Bradbury. It is the story of two teenage boys who decide to go on a literal journey -- a bicycle trip across the country -- the summer after graduating high school. During the course of the trip, they learn about themselves, their relationship with each other, and what it is they really want out of life. In essence, they also go on a journey of self-discovery. However, one of the boys disappears, and the other is questioned by authorities and is blamed for his disappearance.
Shift is engaging for students because it has action and mystery, and I think that kids can really relate to it, because they are all trying to find themselves and decide what path they want their lives to take. The characters and situations are realistic, and I think that some students really appreciate being able to read realistic fiction. I highly recommend the novel to anyone -- kids and adults -- looking for a story about adventure and self-discovery, especially those who would rather not read a 3,000-year-old epic poem!
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