CC: RR: Prompt 1: Normalcy
For the kickoff week of Chapter Chat’s reading of “River’s Rowan“, we read the Intro and the first four chapters, pages 1-53.
In these chapters, we are introduced to River and a few of the girls. River, Brielle, Eden, Sierra and Willow all go to Covenant High and, despite each of their very unique personalities, each of them has at least some level of discomfort at school.
In Chapter 1, the quarterback on River’s team tells him about an email that was supposedly sent “to the entire team” about a birthday party; River doesn’t find the e-mail and it’s later revealed that Willow did not invite him. River says, “What bothers me is: how do you invite the whole team except one person?” Clearly, he feels left out.
In Willow’s chapter, we see an energetic socialite–even manages to snag a performance by a current celebrity, and she’s excited about receiving a lavender-colored car for her 16th birthday. Recounting these things, Willow says, “Everyone at school will talk to me now.” She also stresses that she knows all the secrets because she has to. As she explains in the video, she has to keep a pulse on others because, while people like her right now, “beauty is like boys: fickle“.
In Sierra’s chapter, she’s followed around and River calls her a “darkie.” She also notes that, at River’s party, she’s out of place; one of the only African-Americans there.
Our prompt for the week: Do you think these incidences and feelings portrayed by the characters are normal for the teenage years or do they speak to a larger problem at Covenant High?
We also took part in a Word Cloud exercise. The Word Cloud will be active until February 17. To participate, simply click here or scan the QR code below. You’ll see a word related to the first week’s reading. Record the first three phrases or words that come to mind upon seeing the word.
Share your thoughts in the comments!
Tiffini Johnson 
Teenagers are trying to figure out who they are. They compare themselves to each other more often than mature adults do. Willow seems like a normal sixteen year old kid worried about normal sixteen year old girl things.
What about River?
I can’t tell yet lol.
Race definitely impacts Sierra. In general, do you think teens are more or less likely to exploit any vulnerabilites than adults?
High school is nightmare. Kids are really rough. They are sneaky though and rarely just say it to your face. If you are not on the football team or popular you are vulnerable.
What makes someone popular?
Popularity is a shot in the dark. Doing stuff with clubs, parties, games will get you noticed. kids that have money, or play a sport, or date around, or are just visible have a better chance at being called popular
It’s interesting how you said, “are just visible…”