Glenn, Mel. 2000. Split Image. New York: Harper Collins Children’s Books. ISBN: 9780688162498.
Mirroring the universal teen struggle for independence (if somewhat over dramatized), Glenn’s main character, Laura Li struggles with the expectations of her family. She wants to leave and go to college, but her overbearing and abusive mother traps her. She is expected to care for her disabled brother, and is told that she can only apply to local universities. She is beaten and controlled, but this does not stop her from sneaking out at night to drink, flirt and go to clubs.
Laura Li does not find a way out – there is no happy ending. We are given a picture of her life through the eyes of teachers, friends, Laura Li, her family, police officers, firemen and principals. This book is serious and dramatic and also a quick and easy read – teens love it.
Many of the poems seem to be telling instead of showing (maybe because of point of view), and I think the book suffers because of it.
An interesting poem from the book is one unrelated to the main storyline – it is a poem in two voices.
I hate the books in the library,
Nobody looks in the library,
Nothing but kooks in the library.
I loathe every nook in the library.
I like to be in the library,
Books are for free in the library,
You can cut period tree in the library,
It’s Laura I see in the library.
I’ve become a big bore in the library,
I’d rather snore in the library,
I’ll scream, “No more!” in the library,
Show me the door in the library.
I like to sit in the library,
I love having writ in the library,
I eat a bit in the library,
I’m one who fits in the library.
As I read this I kept thinking about the song “America” from West Side Story (that seemed to be the rhythm of this poem). This poem is two voices arguing about the library (much like the West Side Story song). It is humorous and could be used on orientation day at the library – to welcome students and address some of their biases. Students could also write other reasons (poetically if possible) for loving and hating the library.
