Maddy Lederman's Blog - Posts Tagged "chick-lit"
EDNA IN THE DESERT on an English Honors Summer Reading List
After their cell phone-free experiment (see report below), Carle Place High School has added Maddy Lederman’s debut novel, Edna in the Desert, to their list of summer reads for English Honors 9 students.
Edna in the Desert chronicles a spoiled, tech-addicted teen's summer without cell phone service, Internet or TV.
Long Island High School Students Challenged To Go A Week Without Cellphones
April 4, 2014, CARLE PLACE, N.Y. (Reporter Jennifer McLogan, CBS-NewYork)
(excerpts)
Students at one Long Island school went through withdrawal from Instagram, text messages, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr this week, but they learned they could actually live without their cellphones.
As CBS 2’s Jennifer McLogan reported, the unplugging experiment was held at Carle Place High School. Students in Ms. Melissa Mehling’s English class were studying Ray Bradbury’s dystopian futuristic novel “Fahrenheit 451,” about a bookless, hedonistic and illiterate society distracted and infatuated by mass media.
“I challenged the kids for one week not to use their cellphones and social media,” Mehling said.
And in taking on the challenge, some students admitted that they were distracted and infatuated by electronic devices.
“You don’t talk anymore and you don’t start conversations,” one student said.
“It’s so hard to cut back when you are already so used to it,” another said.
“Some of us are really obsessed with our phones; some couldn’t last one period when we got our phones wrapped,” a third said.
Some students went so far as to call their cellphone, iPad and Internet use an “epidemic,” and wondered whether they had the inner strength to hand over their “obsessed” possessions to their teacher.
“At first, a lot of the kids had a hard time; the shakes – as if they were a drug addict,” Mehling said. “By the third day, by Wednesday, they said, ‘You know what? I feel relieved I don’t have my phone;’ especially the girls — they said they were released from drama.”
Full article here: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/04/0...
More about EDNA IN THE DESERT: http://www.maddylederman.com/news/pro...
Edna in the Desert chronicles a spoiled, tech-addicted teen's summer without cell phone service, Internet or TV.
Long Island High School Students Challenged To Go A Week Without Cellphones
April 4, 2014, CARLE PLACE, N.Y. (Reporter Jennifer McLogan, CBS-NewYork)
(excerpts)
Students at one Long Island school went through withdrawal from Instagram, text messages, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr this week, but they learned they could actually live without their cellphones.
As CBS 2’s Jennifer McLogan reported, the unplugging experiment was held at Carle Place High School. Students in Ms. Melissa Mehling’s English class were studying Ray Bradbury’s dystopian futuristic novel “Fahrenheit 451,” about a bookless, hedonistic and illiterate society distracted and infatuated by mass media.
“I challenged the kids for one week not to use their cellphones and social media,” Mehling said.
And in taking on the challenge, some students admitted that they were distracted and infatuated by electronic devices.
“You don’t talk anymore and you don’t start conversations,” one student said.
“It’s so hard to cut back when you are already so used to it,” another said.
“Some of us are really obsessed with our phones; some couldn’t last one period when we got our phones wrapped,” a third said.
Some students went so far as to call their cellphone, iPad and Internet use an “epidemic,” and wondered whether they had the inner strength to hand over their “obsessed” possessions to their teacher.
“At first, a lot of the kids had a hard time; the shakes – as if they were a drug addict,” Mehling said. “By the third day, by Wednesday, they said, ‘You know what? I feel relieved I don’t have my phone;’ especially the girls — they said they were released from drama.”
Full article here: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/04/0...
More about EDNA IN THE DESERT: http://www.maddylederman.com/news/pro...
What People Say About EDNA IN THE DESERT
"I LOVED the book! It was so dramatic and sweet. I loved the part where Edna was going to try to die by evaporation. I just loved it. I will buy several copies for my school library and I recommend it to students and teachers."
--Karen Casaceli, Gateway Middle School Librarian, 1/8/15.
"EDNA IN THE DESERT really captured the teenage voice...I definitely think more schools should have the opportunity to read it."
--Melissa Mehling, Honors English Teacher, Carle Place High School, 6/24/14. http://www.maddylederman.com/a-great-...
"EDNA IN THE DESERT is the most hilarious and realistic Young Adult book that I have read in a VERY LONG TIME...the precocious but incredibly lovable Edna really struck a chord with me."
--writer Ingrid Hall, 8/17/14. http://ingridhall.wordpress.com/tag/e...
"I enjoyed getting to know Edna, and I’m certain that the lessons for our students will have an impact on their lives today!"
--Dave Flatley, Superintendent of Schools, Carle Place School District, 9/19/14.
"I absolutely loved Edna in the Desert….4 out of 4 stars for realistic characters, solid writing, and moving storyline…..Throughout the book, the author weaves a subtle commentary on modern technology’s impact upon interpersonal relationships……Edna gradually shifts from Beverly Hills brat to considerate young woman."
--Official Online Book Club review, 10/20/14, http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/view...
"The Summer Book Club at Piperton United Methodist Church in Piperton, TN is currently reading EDNA IN THE DESERT. What a great book! So glad we chose it! Can't wait to come together with the readers and discuss it!"
--Debbie Daubenhauser,7/21/14.
--Karen Casaceli, Gateway Middle School Librarian, 1/8/15.
"EDNA IN THE DESERT really captured the teenage voice...I definitely think more schools should have the opportunity to read it."
--Melissa Mehling, Honors English Teacher, Carle Place High School, 6/24/14. http://www.maddylederman.com/a-great-...
"EDNA IN THE DESERT is the most hilarious and realistic Young Adult book that I have read in a VERY LONG TIME...the precocious but incredibly lovable Edna really struck a chord with me."
--writer Ingrid Hall, 8/17/14. http://ingridhall.wordpress.com/tag/e...
"I enjoyed getting to know Edna, and I’m certain that the lessons for our students will have an impact on their lives today!"
--Dave Flatley, Superintendent of Schools, Carle Place School District, 9/19/14.
"I absolutely loved Edna in the Desert….4 out of 4 stars for realistic characters, solid writing, and moving storyline…..Throughout the book, the author weaves a subtle commentary on modern technology’s impact upon interpersonal relationships……Edna gradually shifts from Beverly Hills brat to considerate young woman."
--Official Online Book Club review, 10/20/14, http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/view...
"The Summer Book Club at Piperton United Methodist Church in Piperton, TN is currently reading EDNA IN THE DESERT. What a great book! So glad we chose it! Can't wait to come together with the readers and discuss it!"
--Debbie Daubenhauser,7/21/14.
