tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post7922365795168868034..comments2024-03-15T09:26:02.796-05:00Comments on PROJECT MAYHEM: Slaying Dragons: Daily Adolescent Challenges and Middle Grade Literature by Braden BellProject Mayhemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342399869089664noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-17934612985761548512014-02-20T23:29:57.367-06:002014-02-20T23:29:57.367-06:00I wish I had thought of that--it might have entice...I wish I had thought of that--it might have enticed me to practice more :)Braden Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08543019025938404436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-13448670293144126712014-02-20T21:04:40.766-06:002014-02-20T21:04:40.766-06:00I definitely agree! Even if they're not-so-bi...I definitely agree! Even if they're not-so-big-dragons. I remember many a dull afternoon of chores or scary piano recital made easier by courage stolen from my favorite novels. Marissa Burthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13079821721448782710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-24949811087928813272014-02-19T23:39:49.276-06:002014-02-19T23:39:49.276-06:00Thank you, Joanne. I have become convinced over th...Thank you, Joanne. I have become convinced over the years that for teens, social status/not being uncool may be one of the most important needs. It's easy to minimize as an adult, but I really do think some kids would probably die rather than be thought of as lame. Braden Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08543019025938404436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-35030387413649404212014-02-19T23:38:47.128-06:002014-02-19T23:38:47.128-06:00That is a good point, Dee. I'm the same way. I...That is a good point, Dee. I'm the same way. I suppose my own dysfunction as a teen helped me like fantasy so much. Perhaps many of us are trying to write that "right book."Braden Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08543019025938404436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-80769684765257247042014-02-19T23:37:47.919-06:002014-02-19T23:37:47.919-06:00Thank you, Tony!Thank you, Tony!Braden Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08543019025938404436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-77363498362663579402014-02-19T23:37:27.636-06:002014-02-19T23:37:27.636-06:00Thank you, Joseph. "Emotionally visceral"...Thank you, Joseph. "Emotionally visceral" is an excellent term. One I may borrow. I really like that. Braden Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08543019025938404436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-51186702665655309612014-02-19T23:36:51.204-06:002014-02-19T23:36:51.204-06:00Your dinner conversations sound much more exciting...Your dinner conversations sound much more exciting than mine! And, I have to confess, one of the reasons I went into teaching was so I could finally find out about what happened in the teacher's lounge :)Braden Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08543019025938404436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-48622587813525627592014-02-19T23:35:55.254-06:002014-02-19T23:35:55.254-06:00Congratulations on your imminent retirement. I hop...Congratulations on your imminent retirement. I hope it's a good reason. Like lots of writing time. Thank you, Dianne. Braden Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08543019025938404436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-55910967814563456742014-02-19T23:35:09.747-06:002014-02-19T23:35:09.747-06:00Thank you very much, Sheena-kay! I appreciate you ...Thank you very much, Sheena-kay! I appreciate you stopping by and being so affirmative. Braden Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08543019025938404436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-89085258512514219292014-02-19T23:34:47.485-06:002014-02-19T23:34:47.485-06:00LOL! I might be the Grand Duke in that case, Micha...LOL! I might be the Grand Duke in that case, Michael. :) Braden Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08543019025938404436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-43891076126233103542014-02-19T23:34:22.665-06:002014-02-19T23:34:22.665-06:00Thanks, Caroline. As the world's least-togethe...Thanks, Caroline. As the world's least-together, most dysfunctional adolescent, I picked up a few things :)Braden Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08543019025938404436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-62361123951286582712014-02-19T23:33:42.506-06:002014-02-19T23:33:42.506-06:00Thank you, Matthew! Thank you, Matthew! Braden Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08543019025938404436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-84680570911045233612014-02-19T20:24:03.822-06:002014-02-19T20:24:03.822-06:00"... to a young teen, social problems can see..."... to a young teen, social problems can seem equal to, or even worse, than physical danger." Wow! I never thought of it that way before, but you're absolutely right. Adolescence is such a mine field. Great post.Joanne R. Fritzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08076959910493197255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-24455647397929863192014-02-19T16:41:49.362-06:002014-02-19T16:41:49.362-06:00Too funny about the evil teachers. Fantasy stories...Too funny about the evil teachers. Fantasy stories are such a great escape for both kids and adults. In fact, I'm always surprised when I hear about a kid who doesn't like to read fantasy. I always think they just haven't found the right book.Dee Garretsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14533945691880883871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-78922632853590555452014-02-18T21:53:05.073-06:002014-02-18T21:53:05.073-06:00Agreed!Agreed!Tony Yusehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04445418119599274300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-77393267632928638912014-02-18T20:05:58.747-06:002014-02-18T20:05:58.747-06:00Great post! The lens through which this age group ...Great post! The lens through which this age group sees the world is so magical, so emotionally visceral. The themes they experience open up so many opportunities to expand into the imaginative defamiliarization that really allows them to connect and be entertained. Thanks, Braden!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11515723254886059806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-65323430087564917032014-02-18T16:07:44.641-06:002014-02-18T16:07:44.641-06:00Nice! Also: I think I must be stuck in middle grad...Nice! Also: I think I must be stuck in middle grade because I see everything as an epic battle. You should hear our dinner conversations. :)<br /><br />p.s. it also makes me laugh when teachers go in on this, having "rivalries" between Mr. Pinky the History teacher and Mrs. Brain the Art teacher. As an adult, I know it's all in good fun, but I'm sure the kids think they're duking it out in the teacher's lounge. Susan Kaye Quinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00181549902812729866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-55216738993102334582014-02-18T15:55:22.501-06:002014-02-18T15:55:22.501-06:00Brilliant! As a fifth grade teacher (in my last ye...Brilliant! As a fifth grade teacher (in my last year, as it turns out) this is right on the money. And it's why kids love a big, bold adventure. (If only to take their minds off their own mortal enemy, BFF, and evil, plotting teacher.)Dianne K. Salernihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16459839567235304842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-82223452902648025062014-02-18T15:32:05.324-06:002014-02-18T15:32:05.324-06:00Everyone has challenges and whether child or adult...Everyone has challenges and whether child or adult we should be open to their side and discuss a solution. You really know your stuff.Sheena-kay Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17712661419116636671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-73813234156299253942014-02-18T08:44:56.624-06:002014-02-18T08:44:56.624-06:00Absolutely spot on. (And I think I've continue...Absolutely spot on. (And I think I've continued my adolescent sense of high drama into mid-life!!! My wife calls me the Emperor of Exaggeration...)Michael G-Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07947421844294471304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-66092962335445309522014-02-18T07:08:41.383-06:002014-02-18T07:08:41.383-06:00So true! You speak with compassion and knowledge.So true! You speak with compassion and knowledge.Caroline Starr Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04597510685273079757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-77966907642432399512014-02-18T06:47:33.307-06:002014-02-18T06:47:33.307-06:00Well said, Braden. I completely agree.Well said, Braden. I completely agree.Matthew MacNishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03264738483763244969noreply@blogger.com