How Do You Live?
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| Abstract |
How Do You Live? is narrated in two voices. The first belongs to Copper, fifteen, who after the death of his father must confront inevitable and enormous change, including his own betrayal of his best friend. In between episodes of Copper’s emerging story, his uncle writes to him in a journal, sharing knowledge and offering advice on life’s big questions as Copper begins to encounter them. Over the course of the story, Copper, like his namesake Copernicus, looks to the stars, and uses his discoveries about the heavens, earth, and human nature to answer the question of how he will live. This English-language translation of a Japanese classic about finding one’s place in a world both infinitely large and unimaginably small is perfect for readers of philosophical fiction like The Alchemist and The Little Prince, as well as Miyazaki fans eager to understand one of his most important influences. (Amazon.com) |
| Year of Publication |
2021
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| Publisher |
Algonquin Young Readers
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| ISBN Number |
978-1-61620-977-3
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Reviews
Please login to review this resourceA moving reflection on empathy and personal responsibility
How Do You Live?"begins as a fairly typical coming-of age story, exploring a young boy's experiences and emotions as he begins his first year of middle school. The opening scene begins on a rooftop in Tokyo, where our main character (Copper) first begins to question his place in the world. He–like many of us–grapples with feelings of insignificance, and wonders what kind of impact he could possibly have, given his smallness. This theme plays out slowly, passing from season to season through Copper's first year at his new school. His experiences mirror the struggles we all face—making friends, dealing with bullies, and finding our balance between fitting in and standing out. The story digs into heavy moments like poverty's impact on education, tackling bullying, feelings of failure and shame, and the importance of honesty and friendship. These moments definitely make Copper more relatable as the story progresses.
I ended up giving this book a 4-star rating, for a few reasons: It might be more appropriate for high schoolers, since every other chapter digs into some fairly deep philosophical musings from Copper's uncle. Their correspondence adds a lot of depth, but I definitely think it would be too challenging for younger readers. With current concerns about learning gaps in ELA and reading skills, I worry that some of the more difficult words and concepts would frustrate some students. I think it could work, but it would likely take some heavy lifting in preparatory lessons, to keep them engaged. That, or a lot of creativity and time for supplemental activities, thought experiments, etc. as "hooks" for those chapters. There are also opportunities to discuss Japanese culture by looking at some details about education, food, and attitudes towards personal and social responsibility. Also, it is no wonder why Miyazaki was heavily influenced by this book. Like a lot of his well-loved films, the main theme in How Do You Live? is one of personal responsibility. That being the "best" version of oneself–rather than trying to be the best version of someone else–is what allows humanity to flourish. Even though we are imperfect, and we will make mistakes, our small acts of goodness and kindness towards others have value in a bigger world.
Overall, it is worth the read, even if you don't use it with your classes.
