On Friday, February 3, Mrs. Michelle Schnell’s Women Writers class went to the Alliance Public Library to present to the Brown Bag Book Club two books: Room by Emma Donoghue, and Sleeping with the Enemy by Nancy Price.
To present the novels the class split into two groups. The first group consisted of four students: senior Delta Wilson; freshman Carlie Neville; and juniors Elena Reza and Bethany Hess. Following a video presentation, created by Elena Reza, and a Martina McBride music video depicting abuse in an American home, the first group discussed the main concept of Sleeping with the Enemy, a book about an abused wife which was later made into a popular movie starring Julia Roberts. They also discussed the impact the book had on each of them. Marissa Slinger learned from Sleeping with the Enemy that, “Abuse in a relationship is a cycle; it never ends. Sleeping with the Enemy often times reflects relationships in [real] life and [the need] to be careful. I think Sleeping with the Enemy and Room are wonderful, especially for teenagers our age because we can learn so much.”
The second group included sophomore Sofia Lunbery-Fox and seniors Sara Latka and Marissa Slinger and it focused its portion of the presentation on the book Room, which is about a little boy named Jack who is locked in a small shed a long with his abused, kidnapped mother. Jack has been in the shed for five years, his entire life, and does not know there is a world outside. After another video presentation, this one created by Marissa Slinger, the second group discussed the purpose and facts behind Room.
Once the second group finished the entire class made its way to the front of room to answer questions about both novels and to take turns describing which book was their favorite and why it was their favorite. They also discussed whatever book they have chosen to read independently this semester while the audience members asked questions, offered comments, and requested titles and authors.
“I think the girls did a fantastic job. It is nice for the community to see high school students enthusiastic about reading and for them to have the chance to interact with high school students in a positive way. I like people to see for themselves what fantastic, bright students we have at AHS,” said Mrs. Schnell.
Women Writers students were invited to be presenters at the program by Maryetta Lymann, a member of the Friends of the Library who coordinated this year’s Brown Bag presentations. She offered the class the opportunity to discuss novels of their choice and to format the presentation however they wished. Adult Services Librarian Steve Gerth worked with Mrs. Schnell to finalize the details of the presentation. For those who are interested, both Room and Sleeping with the Enemy are available at the Alliance Public Library.
