The taking of room 114: A hostage drama in poems by Mel Glenn

Bibliographic Information:
Glenn, M. (1997). The taking of room 114: A hostage drama in poems. New York, NY: Lodestar Books. ISBN# 0525675485

Plot Summary:
The story is told in the form of poems. It starts out following the students of Room 114 as they start their school day by picking up their yearbooks. After each student is introduced, the school day starts with the principal receiving a call regarding a teacher refusing to open his locked classroom door. As the story continues we learn that the teacher, a veteran history teacher, has a gun and refuses to let his students leave. The police, reporters, and concerned parents arrive while the principal tries to figure out what to do and why Mr. Wiedermeyer would be holding his students hostage. Each of the students has a poem devoted to each of his/her years of high school, along with the day in question, which show the students’ emotional changes during these four years. A couple of notes are delivered to the principal from Mr. Wiedermeyer which partially explain what has gone wrong in his life leading up to this moment of potential violence. This incident starts out as the top, breaking story on the local news, but as the day continues the news station finds other “breaking” news more important.

Critical Evaluation:
This is a timely story with Columbine, Virginia Tech and the other school shootings that have happened in the last decade. It is interesting to see the changes in not only the principal, but especially the media as day in question progresses. Glenn tells this story in the form of poems. By being written in this poetic form, the subject matter is less threatening. It keeps the reader on the outside of the story as an observer. If it were written as a standard narrative, the reader would have more of a chance of being drawn into the story. While drawing the reader into the story is usually advantageous, I would argue that keeping the reader somewhat distance, makes this story easier to read. The reader feels safer and can more easily discuss the subject matter. Furthermore, having a poem for each student for each year of high school provides insight into their personalities, showing how each student has changed and grown.

Reader's Annotation:
Told in the form of poems, this book follows the thoughts and actions of the students, staff, authorities, and reporters after a veteran high school history teacher pulls out a gun during one of his classes and refuses to let the students leave.

Information about the author:
Born in Switzerland, but reared in Brooklyn, New York, Mr. Glenn obtained his English degree in 1964 from NYC. Through the Peace Corp. he taught English and history is Sierra Leone, Africa for two years. Upon returning to NY, Glenn went back to school and earned his master’s degree. After that, he taught English at his high school alma mater in Brooklyn, New York for 34 years before retiring in 2001. He has written 12 books, many of which have received awards. Currently he gives talks and presentations at schools, libraries, and community centers. Married since 1970, Glenn and his wife have two adult sons.
http://www.melglenn.com/

Genre: Poetry; Realistic Fiction

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts; Social Studies; Current Events

Booktalking Ideas:
• Discuss point of view/writing in different voices.
• Discuss the concerns of the main characters and how those concerns change as the situation progresses.
• How does the principal’s opinion of the teacher change? Why?
• Discuss how the students of Room 114 change from when they are Freshmen to Sophomores to Juniors to Seniors.
• Which of the students in Room 114 are you most like? Why?

Reading Level/Interest Level:
According to the reviews, the widest age range is 10 – 18.

Challenge Issues:
School shooting; hostage situation;

If the book is challenged:
• Listen calmly to the complainant.
• Ask if s/he has read the entire novel.
• Show positive reviews of the novel.
• Show the selection policy.
If the complainant still has issues with the book:
• Request that the complainant read the entire book if this has not already occurred.
• Have the complainant fill out a reconsideration form.
• Set up a reconsideration meeting.
• Provide the reconsideration meeting members with:
 Positive reviews
 Selection policy
 Reconsideration policy

Selection Process:
I did a search on Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database with the following criteria: Award winner, reviews available, and age range from 15 – 18.

Six reviews, four of which are positive, two of which are marginal

Awards/ Best Books Lists:
• Appears on four Best Books Lists
• Appears on two state/provincial reading lists
• Received one award

Reading/Interest level, selection process information, reviews, and Awards/Best Books Lists were accessed using the Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database at http://clcd.odyssi.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~avOEUM:1 accessed through SJSU and not available to everyone.