Growing Up in Turkey
Written by Özge Samancı
As a social studies educator who is constantly looking for different strategies to foster understanding between different cultural experiences, Özge Samancı’s book Dare to Disappoint offers students a dynamic look into Turkish society and adolescence. Surrounded by a variety of both constructive and vitriolic rhetoric about different non-European societies, students can find it difficult to understand or even relate to their peers across the Atlantic. Özge’s work gives students an insight into Turkish society that reinforces themes such as developing identity, understanding political upheaval, and navigating social nuances that all adolescents face. Simultaneously Özge works to dispel unsettling myths or assumptions about growing up somewhere besides the U.S. Additionally, Dare to Disappoint does not shy away from addressing mature issues such as the complexities of relationships and even assault: subjects that are all too often ignored or avoided in classroom themes and discussion. I look forward to using Özge’s work in my own class not just as written source for studying Global Citizenship but as a foundation for students to create their own projects about navigating adolescent experiences.
Review by Tayler Clough, Social Studies Teacher, Skyline High School
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 8-12
Dare to Disappoint: Growing Up in Turkey
Written by Özge Samancı
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
190 pages
Release Date: November 17, 2015
A review copy was provided by the publisher.
It is good to see a book about a Turkish point of view. These are few and far between. Thanks for the review.