Saturday, May 15, 2010
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Title- The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Author- Douglas Adams
ISBN -1400052920
Publication Information- Harmony, 2005 (25th anniversary edition)
Plot Summary- Our story begins with a frustrated Arthur Dent lying in front of his house to keep it from being bulldozed to make way for a new freeway bypass. His friend Ford Prefect urgently tells him that he is from another planet and they must leave immediately because the Earth is about to be destroyed by the Vogons, an alien race, in order to construct hyperspace bypass. They leave just before the world explodes and find themselves on one of the Vogon ships. However, they are discovered and forced off the ship being miraculously saved from instant death by the Heart of Gold, a ship stolen by Zaphod Beeblebrox. Over the course of a most improbable adventure, Arthur discovers that the Earth was actually a super computer designed to find the question that would give meaning to the answer the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything, but was destroyed minutes before its computations were complete. The beings in charge of the computer/earth wanted to dissect Arthur's brain for remnants to the computer of which he was part. Arthur, of course, takes exception to this idea.
Critical Evaluation- This incredibly bizarre tale has been a cult classic among teenagers since its initial BBC radio series in the late 1970s. The novel is equally popular even today. It is part of a "trilogy in five parts." The novel itself drops off suddenly as they characters decide to travel to the restaurant at the end of the universe, which is aptly the title of the second book. The characters are unique and the whole series is a fun alternative to the Star Wars and Star Trek worlds that take themselves so seriously. Arthur is constantly trying to figure out what is going on as he is drug around by Ford. Ford is the keeper of the guide itself. The secondary characters are a riot, particularly Marvin the depressed robot who is constantly discussing suicide but still saves the main characters. Personally, I prefer my science fiction to be a little more serious, but if one is looking for a light read unlike anything they have ever seen, then this is the ideal book to pick up.
Reader's Annotation- Looking for the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything? Look no further than The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
Author Information- Douglas Adams led a tragically short life. He died of a heart attack at the age of 49. He was not a prolific writer by any means. He told his editor that he loved the sound of a deadline as it rushed by his head. At one point, he was locked in a hotel for three weeks in order to finish a book. Nevertheless, he completed various forms of HG2tG, radio script, novel, comic book, and screenplay, the other four installments of the story, and a separate set of novels called the Dirk Gently series. He was a staunch atheist, animal activist, and technology geek of the highest order.
Curricular Ties- none
Genre- Science Fiction
Book talking ideas- How is Adams use of animals important in this novel? How helpful is the guide to any of the characters?
Challenge issues- religious objections
- Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
- Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
- Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
- Review approaches from ALA
Interest Age- 15-adult
Why I selected this piece- I chose this because it is still a book I have to buy every year for my shelf. It walks off every year after several students have read it and loved it.
Of Mice and Men
Title- Of Mice and Men
Author- John Steinbeck
ISBN -0140177396
Publication Information- Penguin, 1983 (my version)
Plot Summary- This is the classic story of George and Lennie. Lennie is mildly retarded and gets the pair in trouble in every place they stop to work in the Depression era California farms. He is particularly enamored of things that are soft to the touch, a dress, a puppy, a dead mouse; it does not matter, but once he is touching it, he does not want to let go. George is his cousin and caretaker. While life would be easier for him without Lennie, he secretly treasures having a real friend in a world where most people have no one. After fleeing their last job because of Lennie, the pair find themselves at a new farm. George makes new friends but keeps a watchful eye out for Lennie. Unfortunately Lennie and the farm owner's son Curly do not get along. Lennie ends up crushing Curly's hand and making a permanent enemy. Later Curly's wife finds Lennie petting yet another dead animal and ends up being killed by him accidently. Curly sets out on the hunt.
Critical Evaluation- This is one of my favorite Steinbeck novels (is there a bad one?). Students like this novel because of the overwhelming theme of friendship. Friends in this novel are treasured and cared for in good times and in bad. Furthermore, Steinbeck's ability to describe the Central Valley is so clear that many of my students have good ideas of where these scenes could take place. Students can usually identify with at least one of the characters in the novel; they even feel great sympathy for Lennie. The tragic death of Candy's dog foreshadowing the ending of the novel touches readers nearly all the time. The secondary concern of racism, which in this novel is still tied closely to friendship, is still a timely theme to discuss and students are often drawn to Crooks as a rejected person. All in all, this is a profound story that stays with readers for years to come.
Reader's Annotation- In the Great Depression the most important thing to have is a real friend- that and the ability to dream.
Author Information- John Steinbeck is one of the giants of American literature and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. He grew up in the Salinas area where this novel is set and knew the countryside and farming community intimately. He also worked frequently with non-fiction. He followed a family during the Great Depression across Route 66 and into California. This trip became the basis for Grapes of Wrath later. He wrote The Moon is Down during World War II, which helped to bolster the Norwegian resistance movement and worked as a news correspondent during both this war and the Vietnam War in which his two sons served. His books are amongst the most studied and banned by schools throughout the nation today.
Curricular Ties- English, Social Studies
Genre- Historical Fiction
Book talking ideas- Would you have taken the same actions as George at the end of the story? How does Steinbeck use animals to reflect the behavior of the characters?
Challenge issues- Racism and language
- Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
- Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
- Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
- Review approaches from ALA
Interest Age- 15-18
Why I selected this piece-. I love this piece, and it is the most cited novel by our seniors in the books I enjoyed survey at the end of the year.
Hatchet
Title- Hatchet
Author- Gary Paulsen
ISBN -1416925082
Publication Information- Simon and Schuster, 2007 (20th anniversary edition)
Plot Summary- Brian Robeson is on a small plane going to visit his father when the pilot has a heart attack and Brian must crash land the plane in a lake. He survives, but the plane sinks and all Brian is left with is a hatchet and his clothing. He is forced to use the hatchet to survive a grueling 54 days in Canadian wilderness with only his wits. He manages to create a fire and learns that he must eat whatever he can find and hope to stave off anything that thinks he might make a good meal. He eventually is able to create an arrow, and some traps and is able to catch and eat meat. However, nature is fickly and he is attacked by a moose and a freak tornado nearly back to back. He loses everything he had created but realizes that he can see a bit of the plane that the tornado somehow lifted out of the water. This is his chance for help before winter sets in.
Critical Evaluation- I've often wondered if all the survivor type reality shows are based on this novel. Sadly for television, the novel is far more entertaining and strangely informative then any of those shows. Brian has no skills, no knowledge, no experience and he manages to survive. Clearly the novel is unbelievable in many respects but is still an amazing and fun read. Brian grows physically, emotionally, and spiritually in his journey. It is the classic example of man versus nature. For boys this is often a big hit. There are no relationship issues except his own problems with his parents' divorce, no other characters to contend with; there is only Brian and his hatchet. Paulsen returns to this story with Brian's Return and Brian's Winter.
Reader's Annotation- Could you survive in the Canadian wilderness with nothing but your clothing, a windbreaker coat, and a hatchet? 13 year old Brian Robeson must, but how long can he hold out?
Author Information- Gary Paulsen is the author of more than 200 novels and 200 magazine articles. As a consummate outdoorsman himself, he tends to write coming of age novels that are set in extreme outdoor conditions. He is particularly knowledgeable about Canadian and Alaskan wilderness conditions having run the Iditarod four times and he still trains dogs for the race. His sense of adventure was sparked when he ran away at the age of 14 and joined a carnival (had to double check this to make sure it is real!!). His website is a cornucopia of interesting Boy Scout information.
Curricular Ties- physical education, boy scouting
Genre- Adventure, Outdoor
Book talking ideas- What, besides the hatchet, is Brian's key to survival? How much of his survival is his skill or luck?
Challenge issues- descriptions of violence and trauma
- Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
- Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
- Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
- Review approaches from ALA
Interest Age- 13-18
Why I selected this piece-. I'm always on the lookout for books reluctant boys will read. While the reading level is lower than most of my students, it's still a safe bet for students who don't like to read.
The Giver
Title- The Giver
Author- Lois Lowry
ISBN -0385732554
Publication Information- Delacourte, 2006
Plot Summary- Jonas lives in the perfect world. He has two loving parents and a sister. He and his friends are rapidly approaching the Ceremony of Twelve, where each child is assigned the job they will do for the rest of their lives. In order to help the Elders decide which job is best, the children cycle through a series of places to see where they fit best. At the ceremony, Jonas is given the position of Receiver of Memory, a rare and dangerous job. Only one person in the community is allowed to hold it, the Giver, and Jonas quickly understands why. All the memories associated with emotion are telepathically given to him- sadness, happiness, love, beauty, adventure, etc. Jonas is also able to see color for the first time. As he continues, he realizes that the community he lives in is devoid of all of these feelings- controlled to avoid them because they cause problems. People's lives are strictly controlled from their birth to death. When a baby, Gabe, is brought to his home for a short time because he cannot sleep peacefully with the other children, Jonas realizes that he must leave. Jonas knows that Gabe is to be "released" or euthanized soon and cannot stand to see that happen. The Giver also agrees that he should go.
Critical Evaluation- This is a wonderful and touching novel. Lowry sets up a world that seems pleasant enough until a little detail is revealed here and there. It is not until Jonas is with the Giver that the reader discovers the full nature of this society. There are scenes of great beauty and great horror almost back to back. The characters are all caring individuals who do their best in the world. No one is overtly cruel, but the nature of the society is emotionless at the same time and therein lays the horror. The Giver is a traditional benevolent guide figure and Jonas. The story, however, feels so alien in many respects that it is hard to take in completely on a single read. Thematically, the value of freedom and choice become clear as one reads. None of the characters except the Giver are allowed this ability and even he is clearly resentful of the society in which he lives. Choice, as Jonas discovers, is worth risking everything, including your life.
Reader's Annotation- Wouldn't it be nice to live in a perfect world? A world with no pain or suffering? How about no freedom?
Author Information- Lowry did not publish her first book until the age of 40, but has still managed to write over 30 novels since then. Many of her books deal with similar themes, the intertwining nature of humanity- how we all affect each other daily. As such, her novels have earned her high acclaims and severe criticism and censorship. Because she married young to a military man, she was unable to finish her degree until late in life after all their moving had settled down. Her story is inspiring to anyone who has a dream deferred.
Curricular Ties- English
Genre- Science Fiction, Dystopian
Book talking ideas- Does Jonas survive? Is a society with no suffering worth abdicating your freedom?
Challenge issues- violence, sex- though not explicit but still very intense
- Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
- Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
- Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
- Review approaches from ALA
Interest Age- 13-18
Why I selected this piece-.I have taught this with freshmen who find it very appealing. Many of my seniors cite this as one of their favorite reads in high school.
The Book Thief
Title- The Book Thief
Author- Marcus Zusak
ISBN -0375842209
Publication Information- Alfred Knopf, 2007
Plot Summary- We start this tale as death tells us about the book thief and his meetings with her throughout her lifetime. The first of these is the tragic death of her little brother. Death does not like to pay attention to the living because they are too heartbreaking. Instead he focuses on the brilliance of the colors around him, but Liesel Meminger calls his attention and he is riveted by her. Liesel's father is taken from them in Austria because he is a Communist, though Liesel does not understand why, and her mother disappears too, but not before leaving her with a foster family who agrees to take her at great risk to themselves. Liesel finds a new family with her foul-mouthed "mother" and kind father. Her habit of stealing books is interesting because she is unable to read them until her foster father teaches her to read in the middle of the night. Liesel becomes friends with Rudy who is obsessed with the German Olympics and Jesse Owens performance there. As the story progresses, the Nazi influence becomes stronger and more dangerous for everyone in the neighborhood.
Critical Evaluation- The book is marketed in the US as a young adult novel, but was sold in Australia, its country of origin, as an adult novel. The book is riveting for any audience. This book is brilliant, if for no other reason than the point of view of the story. It is told by Death, who is clearly irritated that he is fascinated by the life of this young book thief. The characters are intriguing and very realistic. As a teacher of the holocaust, this book is inspiring for the courage of an average family to take in multiple people that the Nazi party is hunting. Thus, the moral of the story- to do what is right even at great peril to one's self, is communicated too. There are several motifs and symbols that weave their way through the story. All in all, it is among the best novels I have ever read on the Holocaust.
Awards
2006 - Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best Book (South East Asia & South Pacific)
2006 - Horn Book Fanfare
2006 - Kirkus Reviews Editor Choice Award
2006 - School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
2006 - Daniel Elliott Peace Award 2006 - Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book of the Year
2006 - Booklist Children's Editors' Choice
2006 - Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book
2007 - Boeke Prize
2007 - ALA Best Books for Young Adults
2007 - Michael L. Printz Honor Book
2007 - Book Sense Book of the Year
2009 - Pacific Northwest Young Readers Choice Master List
Reader's Annotation- Each person finds different ways to survive the impossible. For Liesel it was stealing books during her time with her foster family in World War II.
Author Information- Part of this story is biographical from his grandmother's experiences in a small German town. She witnessed the other side of Nazism, the side that objected and hid families to save them. He knew he wanted to tell that story. At the age of 32, Markus Zusak has penned several novels and established himself as a gifted writer. The novel was intended to be a small book, 100 pages or so, but after three years of working, became much longer and clearly much better.
Curricular Ties- History, English
Genre- Historical fiction
Book talking ideas- What is the effect of Death as the story-teller/narrator? How are colors important in the story?
Challenge issues- Violence, language
- Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
- Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
- Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
- Review approaches from ALA
Interest Age- 15-18
Why I selected this piece-.I teach the holocaust to students every year, and I'm always on the lookout for good novels in this vein. This is one of the very best of the books I've seen.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Suspicion
Title- Suspicion
Author- Kate Brian
ISBN -1416958851
Publication Information- Simon and Schuster, 2009
Plot Summary- Reed and her wealthy friends go to St. Barths for winter vacation. All the girls "dream guy", Upton falls for Reed. However, a series of attempts on her life begin to plague her (again). Her horse tries to throw her, her jet ski explodes. She gets pushed off a boat and kidnapped for six days. She eventually discovers that Mrs. Ryan is behind the whole debacle and finds herself attacked once again.
Critical Evaluation- This is the tenth book in the Private series. Having not read the others, I was a bit lost, but the book does move very quickly. It starts with her stranded in the water and moves quickly from there. The character is either an incredible survivor or the most unlucky human being ever to exist. She is constantly under attack. The additional great selling option of these novels is her use of the cliff-hanger, not only from chapter to chapter, but also from book to book. This book picks up precisely where the previous left off and sets itself to continue in the next novel. For girls, these novels deal strongly with issues of jealously, and loyalty amongst girls, especially friends in groups where loyalty is often challenged and moves with the secrets of their lives.
Reader's Annotation- Reed has Upton fawning over her at every turn, but someone is set on making sure she is out of the picture- for good.
Author Information- Kate Brian is a pen name for Kieran Scott (which I think is a much nicer name). She has published several series of books all of which fall under the chick-lit category of young adult literature. Her life reads as if it could have come from one of her series. She grew up as a singer, cheerleader, and actress in New Jersey.
Curricular Ties- none
Genre- mystery, romance
Book talking ideas- What predictions can you make about Billings House? Why is Reed always the center of attention with the boys in the series?
Challenge issues- Violence
- Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
- Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
- Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
- Review approaches from ALA
Interest Age- 15-18
Why I selected this piece-. Several of my teenage girls swear by it. This is one of the books that was donated to my class library. The school library cannot keep them in stock so I couldn't read the first one.
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