Name of Book: Jason & Kyra
Author: Dana Davidson
Illustrator: Elizabeth Clark
Publisher: Hyperion Paperbacks
Audience: Ages 10-17. I feel that both girls and guys can relate to this book equally because it shows the internal and external emotions of both genders. Teenagers are the best keepers of their internal emotions. This book may open the eyes of a teenager to let them know that it is ok to talk to someone and their emotions are normal and understandable. This book may also be recommended for parents who can identify with the plot or the pain their child may be suffering.
Summary: Jason is his high school basketball star and very popular with the girls. Lisa is a very outgoing beautiful girl in comparison to her rival Kyra who is a very brainy, shy girl who believes that she is not very attractive. Jason begins a relationship with Lisa, but, after he and Kyra are paired up for a class project their relationship ignites. This book explores relationships between family, a popular guy, a shy girl, and the reaction of their friends, and the entire school.
Literary Elements at work in the story: Contemporary Realistic Novel
This book is a fictionalized novel well written for teens. It does touch on sexual relationships that are very realistic to our youth. It is a book that will make you think about relationships with the opposite sex, platonic and intimate. This book also deals with familial relationships. One family includes emotional and verbal abuse and the other shows a very loving and supportive family.
The plot of this story begins with centering on Jason and his relationship with a very popular girl, Lisa. Their relationship is one of envy because other girls want Jason and other guys want Lisa. They seem to have a perfect relationship until Jason becomes friends with Kyra. Jason then realizes how shallow his relationship with Kyra which is based on popularity, beauty and sex. After sharing a class project with Kyra, Jason learns to trust Kyra with his emotional pain. From his relationship with Kyra, Jason begins to share with her his emotional turmoil with his father. The plot also moves into the stormy relationship with Jason and his father in comparison with the loving relationship Kyra has with her family.
There is painful emotional conflict within the relationship of Jason and his father. The book also touches on the demons Jason father has which contributes to his emotions and has a domino effect with Jason. Some may characterize it as generational curses. As with many teenage girl relationships, there is also conflict with Kyra and Lisa over Jason. The book does a great job in showing teenagers how conflict can be handled in a mature versus immature way.
The language of the book does describe some sexual activity, but not to explicit for teenagers. The language is written for teenagers in today’s culture also touching on topics such as drug abuse, and partying.
The book is generally in a high school setting. It focuses on the classroom, basketball games, and after school activities.
Theme: Relationships between opposite sex, friends and family.
Perspective: Multicultural. A young girl or guy of any culture could find herself in any of the situations included in the book.
Theology: I believe that God created man for woman and woman for man. From this union they are to populate the earth, if God’s will. I also believe that if they are blessed to have children, as parents God expects them to provide the most loving home possible for themselves and their children. However, this is not always the case. When God and love are not visible displayed in the home, children will look for love and acceptance elsewhere. This book deals with lack of relationship between a parent and a child; sexual activity with teens and how they deal with pain, anger, and hurt in their lives.
Focused Scripture: Genesis 18:19, Deuteronomy 11:19, Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:4, James 3:16, Titus 2:11-12
Faith Talk Questions:
- With which of the main characters do you most identify with? If you see yourself in the characters of Jason, Kyra or Lisa, as a Christian how do you think you would handle the conflict of the triangle relationship of Jason, Kyra and Lisa? Also, how would you try and help Jason with his relationship with his father?
- Both parenting and being a teen-ager are both tough places to be in, in today’s society. As a teen when the pressures come up against you, for example, sexual activity, drugs, parties, friends; do you pray and ask God for guidance? Why or why not: If so, do you find that praying often help you deal with the situation?
- After reading this book, how did God speak to you?
- If you were a friend of Jason, Kyra, or Lisa, what Christian advice would you give them if asked?
Review prepared by Vera Witherspoon, MDiv, Entering cohort Fall 2005
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