State Kid
Highly innovative online serial fiction about a foster child.
Grade Level: 6-8
http://www.statekid.com
CONTENT: This online serial book is, "The story of a foster child who overcomes abuse and juvenile prison through literacy, communication skills, and media savvy."
AESTHETICS: The site is primarily text with a large easily read font.
ORGANIZATION: A table of contents gives access to the chapters of the book. Each page is linked back to the homepage.
REVIEW: Teachers of middle school English and perhaps counselors can use this book as an opening to discuss the unique problems that face foster children and the character building decisions that are made in the book. It is the story of a foster child, Billy, as he grows into maturity and the problems he faces and decisions that he has to make. Although it is fiction, the emotions are very real and it is based in fact. The author, George Pollock, is an English teacher and author from Boston. He was a foster child from age 5-17. The book is written in the Dickensian format of a serialized novel and is nearing the end. It is written in a style that students can relate to and will enjoy from beginning to end.
