The Da Vinci Code

Title Da Vinci Code

Author- Dan Brown

ISBN-0-385-50420-9

Publication Information- Doubleday, New York, 2003

 

Plot Summary- Robert Langdon, a professor of symbology at Harvard, becomes embroiled in the death of the curator of the Louvre museum in Paris. He quickly discovers that the curator left him a series of clues that lead him in the quest of finding one of mankind's greatest secrets, the location of the Holy Grail. As he and the curator's granddaughter, Sophie, are sent chasing clue after clue trying to stay one step ahead of the murderer. They discover that the grail is not really a thing- it is a person, the child of Christ and Mary Magdalene. This secret has been kept by the secret society once led by Leonardo Da Vinci, The Priory of Sion. As they get closer to discovering the ultimate truth, the murderer gets closer to them. As is true of all of Brown's novels, all of the artwork and groups discussed are historically accurate.

Critical Evaluation- Although is technically a sequel to Angels and Demons, this novel made Dan Brown a household name. The story of Robert Langdon is a fascinating one. The riddles and puzzles are fun and intriguing, and the pace of the novel is remarkably quick. Opening with the "real" elements of the novel, quickly hooks readers and lends an air of believability to his fiction. However, this style also got him in trouble with the Catholic Church and much of Christian American. If one can set aside the hype and enjoy a good mystery, then this is the one to get you hooked. The protagonist is entertaining and believable, the crime horrific, and the bad guy truly evil, and unless you have read other Brown books before, the ending is a good twist. The decided downside of this and other Brown novels is his habit of writing formulaic fiction. Once you've read two books, it's easy to see the twists coming and the plot evolving. However, even knowing that, his books are still an entertaining read.

Reader's Annotation- What if Christ had a child, an entire lineage. A secret this powerful would fundamentally change the history of the church and some people will do anything to keep it secret.

Author Information- Dan Brown has become an international sensation since the publication of this novel. All of his books are now best sellers. Brown's gift for puzzles and riddles comes from his childhood where puzzles where used for fun.

Curricular Ties- Religious studies

Genre- Mystery, adventure

Book talking ideas- Does it matter if Christ has a child? How does the introduction influence your reaction to the story?

Challenge issues- this novel faced many challenges due to religious conflict. When recommending this novel, I always caution children that if they are deeply religious, they may not like it and that they should speak to their parents before reading it.

1. Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
   
2. Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
   
3. Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
   
4. Review approaches from ALA
   

Interest Age 15- adult- this is a cross-over piece

Why I selected this piece- My students caught wind of the controversy and immediately wanted to read this novel. I loved it and enjoyed the rest of his books. Even today, students get caught up immediately in this novel and follow the other two Langdon books.

It

Title- It

Author- Stephen King

ISBN-0670813028

Publication Information- Viking, New York, 1986

Plot Summary- This novels follows the childhood and later adult story of seven kids, the "Loser's Club" as they battle Pennywise the Clown, a monster who terrorizes the city of Derry, Maine in the sewers. The novel alternates between the late 1950s and the 1980s. In the 50s, each of the children have an encounter with It and come together to fight it off. Their bond is based in their status as outcasts for various reasons. After facing It in multiple forms, they realize they must attack it on It's turf- in the sewers. They succeed and drive it into hibernation and swear a blood oath to return if It ever arises again during their lifetimes. As adults, the monster reawakens and they are called back. All but one of them returns; Stan chooses to commit suicide rather than face the beast again. The rest, whose memories of the event have faded, return and slowly regain their memories of that summer. They finally kill It in the sewers and eventually return to their adult lives, the memories of the second event fading as quickly has the first time.

Critical Evaluation- This behemoth novel (800 pages in hardcover) moves back and forth in typical King form between the two storylines. The characters are and setting are all incredibly detailed as are the secondary characters that only play during a few pages or chapters. This is the novel that draws many kids into the Stephen King world to begin with because of his use of children in the story. It is clearly an adult read- there is language, suicide, sex, and a lot of violence in the novel, but most of it is not gratuitous. Furthermore, the novel fits nicely into the rest of his Derry stories. One of the antagonists from a previous novel makes an appearance- the intelligent car Christine, and this story connects the world of the rest of his stories together. Many readers come to this and find themselves reading all of the Derry stories then the Gunslinger novels- a total of 15 or so other books. That is the power of this novel. The characters, the plot, the setting are all so well written that it delivers readers into a world that many can't easily leave behind.

Reader's Annotation- How does a group of misfit kids defeat a monster that has decimated a town for centuries? They must find a way or more innocent blood will be shed.

Author Information- It's Stephen King- what's there to say? He is one of the most prolific writers of this generation. He has published 65 novels or short story collections and has won a host of award listed below. Although primarily a horror writer, he has crossed into science fiction and fantasy on occasion. Many of his novels have been adapted to film and he is known for having a cameo appearance in all of them.

Awards

• Alex Awards 2009: "Just After Sunset"
  
• American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults
  
  • 1978: "'Salem's Lot"
    
  • 1981: "Firestarter"
    
• Balrog Awards 1980: "Night Shift"
  
• Black Quill Awards 2009: "Duma Key"
  
• Bram Stoker Award
  
  • 1987: Misery
    
  • 1990: Four Past Midnight
    
  • 1995: Lunch at the Gotham Café
    
  • 1996: The Green Mile
    
  • 1998: Bag of Bones
    
  • 2002: "Lifetime Achievement Award"
    
  • 2006: Lisey's Story
    
  • 2009: Duma Key
    
  • 2009: "Just After Sunset"
    
• British Fantasy Award
  
  • 1981: For Outstanding Contribution to the Genre
    
  • 1987: "It"
    
  • 1992: "Cujo"
    
  • 1999: "Bag of Bones"
    
  • 2005: "The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower"
    
• Deutscher Phantastik Preis
  
  • 2000: "Hearts in Atlantis"
    
  • 2001: "The Green Mile"
    
  • 2003: "Black House"
    
  • 2004: International Author of the Year
    
  • 2005: "The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower"
    
• Horror Guild
  
  • 1997: "Desperation"
    
  • 2001: "Riding the Bullet"
    
  • 2001: "On Writing"
    
  • 2002: "Black House"
    
  • 2003: "From a Buick 8"
    
  • 2003: "Everything's Eventual"
    
• Hugo Award 1982: Danse Macabre
  
• International Horror Guild Award 1999: "Storm of the Century"
  
• Locus Awards
  
  • 1982: "Danse Macabre"
    
  • 1986: "Skeleton Crew"
    
  • 1997: "Desperation"
    
  • 1999: "Bag of Bones"
    
  • 2001: "On Writing"
    
• Mystery Writers of America 2007: "Grand Master Award"
  
• National Book Award 2003: "Medal of Distinguished Contribution to American Letters"
  
• New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age 1982: "Firestarter"
  
• O. Henry Award 1996: The Man in the Black Suit
  
• Quill Award 2005: "Faithful"
  
• Spokane Public Library Golden Pen Award 1986: Golden Pen Award
  
• University of Maine 1980: Alumni Career Award
  
• Us Magazine 1982: Best Fiction Writer of the Year
  
• World Fantasy Award
  
  • 1980: "Convention Award"
    
  • 1982: "The Reach"
    
  • 1995: The Man in the Black Suit
    
  • 2004: "Lifetime Achievement"
    
• World Horror Convention 1992: World Horror Grandmaster
  

 

Curricular Ties none

Genre- horror

Book talking ideas- Are children more able to defeat evil than adults? Does the persona of the monster, a clown, speak to you?

Challenge issues

1. Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
   
2. Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
   
3. Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
   
4. Review approaches from ALA
   

Interest Age- 15-adult. This is a cross-over piece though and is really targeted for adult readers.

Why I selected this piece- This is the first novel I read by King when I was in high school, and the first I recommend to my students. The childhood element speaks to kids.

Uglies

Title- Uglies

Author- Scott Westerfield

ISBN-0689865384

Publication Information- Simon Pulse, New York, 2005

Plot Summary- Tally can't wait for the day she turns 16. That's the day she'll become a pretty, surgically enhanced to be perfect, and allowed to party and play as much as she wants. On a daring quest into the pretty city to see her best friend, she meets Shay, another ugly who is out illegally. She and Shay realize that they will both become pretty on the same day except that Shay is not sure she wants the surgery. As the weeks until their birthday wear on, Shay and Tally become best friends and Shay confesses that she plans to run away to another city where she won't be forced to become pretty. Tally chooses to stay behind, but her association with Shay gets her in trouble with the Specials who are looking for the missing children. Tally is blackmailed; either find the city and betray her new friend or remain ugly forever. Tally chooses to find the city, but doesn't count on falling for David and liking her life there. When the Specials come and take away Shay and David's family, Tally must help get them back, but doing so will reveal that she was the traitor that set them up.

Critical Evaluation- This is an interesting novel. Dystopian fiction is among my favorite genres to begin with, so this is a perfect fit. Although we get very little of the government that controls this world or even the structure of the world itself, it is clearly a place where children are brainwashed at an early age to believe in a modified form of eugenics. The novel relies entirely on the characters and their interactions, which works well in this case. Tally and Shay could be sisters given the speed with which they become friends. These two characters are incredibly well written. They could be any of my female students today. The conflict of personal perfection is one that many children deal with on a daily basis and the quest to be pretty is all too real. Opposing that, the desire to be free and natural, is equally problematic with teens today. Very little matters more to them then the ability to do as they choose. Thus, the dilemma the kids face is as real in this world as in the broken world in which the characters live.

Reader's Annotation- Is it better to be perfect or real? Tally must choose between her friends and physical perfection in a world that cannot tolerate both.

Author Information

Curricular Ties- English, Social Studies

Genre – Science Fiction, Dystopia

Book talking ideas Does society's preoccupation with beauty pose problems for its success? Is being Pretty worth losing one's critical thinking abilities?

Challenge issues- Teen Rebellion

1. Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
   
2. Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
   
3. Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
   
4. Review approaches from ALA
   

Interest Age- 15-18

Why I selected this piece- This series was very popular with my students in the past few years. I suspect that it will retain it's readability in years to come

The Lightening Thief

Title The Lightening Thief.

Author- Rick Riodan

ISBN- 0786856297

Publication Information- Hyperion Books, New York, 2005

 

Plot Summary- Percy Jackson has struggled with school for as long as he can remember, but when he is attacked by his teacher, things become increasingly odd. He quickly discovers that the realm of ancient god and goddesses is real and that he is the child of one of them. Percy is eventually forced to seek shelter at a school designed to shelter and train these children. Poseidon claims Percy as his son and Percy soon has to go on a quest to find Zeus's lightning bolt. On his cross-country adventure, Percy and his friends come across all manner of mythological creatures that are sent to either destroy or help him.

Critical Evaluation- This is the beginning of a series and I hope the remainder of the books are as clever as this one. The story functions on two levels. For those unfamiliar with Greek mythology, the story is a nice introduction to it and a fun tale of a young man's adventures as he discovers all of it too. For those more familiar with myth, it is a fun to discover how Riodan manipulates these stories for a contemporary setting. The protagonist and his friends have a good mix of imperfection and fantasy to make the story believable to a younger audience. The lead character is a little young to truly be called teen literature, but like the Harry Potter series, as the story continues, the protagonist is likely to age and series become a little more timely for teens. In any event, my students, many senior college prep students, have found the series fun and entertaining.

Reader's Annotation- Percy wants to have a nice life with his mother and best friend, but when he is attacked by his teacher, the world as he knew it crashes around him.

Author Information- Riodan writes both adult and young adult novels. He is an expert in mythology. His newest series will be based on the Egyptian pantheon.

Curricular Ties- English, mythology

Genre- Contemporary fantasy

Book talking ideas- Is Riodan's use of mythology inventive? What would be most interesting about being the child of a god?

Challenge issues- religious issues that are common to fantasy literature or the study of Greek mythology.

1. Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
   
2. Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
   
3. Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
   
4. Review approaches from ALA
   

Interest Age- 13-16

Why I selected this piece- I wanted to see the movie, but couldn't. I noticed as it was being advertised that more and more of my students were reading the novels.

Little Brother

Title Little Brother

Author Cory Doctorow

ISBN 0765319853

Publication Information Tor Teen

 

Plot Summary Marcus, a self-proclaimed hacker at the age of 17, ditches school with his friends on the same day as a massive terrorist attack in San Francisco. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time lands him in a secret prison under the Patriot Act under interrogation with the Department of Homeland Security. He is eventually released but threatened and warned to not talk about his experiences. Marcus gets angry and decides to get even. He and his friends all set out to disrupt Homeland Security's protocols for spying on citizens.

Critical Evaluation- This novel is a brilliant alternative to 1984 or Brave New World, which are both common assignments in high schools across the nation. The plot and setting are more realistic for teenagers, and it clearly presents the realities of The Patriot Act as they could apply in another attack on US soil. The characters are intriguing and incredibly real. It would be foolish for Marcus to have no concerns about taking on the federal government or no shame in revealing what happened to his parents or friends. The mix of emotions plays well with teenagers. Because of all of these elements, it is a wonderful dystopian novel for teens who are not yet up to the classics or as an extension of those classics. Furthermore, the novel is just a fun read from beginning to end. Doctorow's understanding and explanations of the technological aspects of the story are engaging but easily understandable, and they do not slow the story down in any way. The realistic nature of the resolution of the story may put some students off, but any other ending would come across as false. While I hope it never happens, this novel reads as a possible response to future attacks if the government does not keep itself in check. As a result, this text give students a lot to enjoy and discuss. Already, it's flying off my shelf.

Reader's Annotation- Marcus ditches school and ends up arrested as part of a terrorist plot to attack San Francisco, but he's innocent. How does anyone, especially a teenager, defeat the Department of Homeland Security?

Author Information- Doctorow has very strong opinions about intellectual copyright and much of his work is openly available for download from online sources. He is primarily a science fiction writer.

Curricular Ties- Social Studies, Constitution, English

Genre- Realistic, dystopian

Book talking ideas- Is it right for Marcus to create havoc in innocent people's lives in order to disrupt Homeland Security? What role does safety play in our lives?

Challenge issues- challenging authority, illegal activity

1. Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
   
2. Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
   
3. Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
   
4. Review approaches from ALA
   

Interest Age- 14-18

Why I selected this piece- I didn't. It was assigned by the class.

Tunnels of Blood

Title – Tunnels of Blood: The Saga of Darren Shan

Author- Darren Shan

ISBN 0007624603

Publication Information- The Book People

 

Plot Summary- In the continuation of the Cirque Du Freak stories, Darren Shan, Mr. Crepsley receives a visit from a vampire general that causes him to leave the cirque with Darren and his friend, Evra, in tow. The three settle in Crepsley's hometown in a hotel for no apparent purpose. Darren and Evra spend each night alone while Crepsley leaves with no explanation. One night, the news reveals the grisly discovery of six people drained of blood. Darren immediately suspects Crepsley, so he and Evra follow him to catch him in the act and kill him. They discover that Crepsley is not to blame; instead, a vampaneze is to blame. The vampaneze kidnaps Evra in a ploy to get to Crepsley to kill him for ruining the town for him. Darren is forced to find a way to defeat the vampaneze and save his friends in the process.

Critical Evaluation

Reader's Annotation- How do you defeat your boss if he's hundreds of years older than you? That is the question Darren Shan must answer before more innocent people die.

Author Information- The author has written two successful series, the Darren Shan saga and The Demonata. He is Irish and writes under a pen name. His real name is Darren O'Shaughnessy.

Curricular Ties- none

Genre- fantasy, vampire novels

Book talking ideas- Discuss the differences between vampires and vampaneze. Are they really all that different? How do vampire stories reflect our society?

Challenge issues

1. Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
   
2. Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
   
3. Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
   
4. Review approaches from ALA
   

Interest Age 13-16

Why I selected this piece- I enjoyed the movie and wanted to see more of the series and I have a student who was furious that all the books were checked out because they are his favorites.

City of Bones

Title City of Bones: The Mortal Instruments book 1

Author Cassandra Clare

ISBN 9787416955078

Publication Information Simon Pulse: New York, 2007

 

Plot Summary- Clary Fray witnesses a murder that no one else can see. This strange event thrusts her into a world she did not know existed, a world of demons, downworlders, and Shadowhunters. Shortly after this strange event, her mother disappears and she if forced to team up with Jace, a Shadowhunter. She quickly realizes that she, too, is also a Shadowhunter, but had no significant memories of her early life because they have been wiped clean by a Warlock. As her memories slowly drift back, she realizes that she must defend her best friend, deal with the emotions of two boys who are interested in her, rescue her mother, and discover her real past.

Critical Evaluation- This novel is one of many newer novels that mixes fantasy with the contemporary world. Clary, the protagonist of this novel, is a typical teenager. She lives with her single mother and is constantly at odd with her because mom wants to know where she is all the time. The male protagonist, Jace, is jaded and hurt by life's events, but he hides it behind a façade of bravado. Clare's ability to develop conflict between these sets of characters is quite realistic and interesting. Add to that the mix of fantasy elements, demons, vampires, werewolves, and warlocks, and the book is destined to be a hit with teenage readers already taken in with novels like Twilight. Some plot elements are somewhat transparent to advanced readers, but they are easy to overlook in light of the rest of the novel.

AWARDS:

Book One: City of Bones, Simon and Schuster, 2007

• A New York Times Bestseller
  
• Finalist for the Locus Award for Best First Novel of 2007
  
• An American Library Association Teens Top Ten Award winner, 2008
  
• A Georgia Peach Book Award Honor Book for Teen Readers
  
• Winner of The 2010 Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award
  
• A Texas TAYSHAS title 2010
  
• Shortlisted for the 2010 Evergreen Young Adult Book Award
  
• Shortlisted for The 2010 Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award
  
• Shortlisted for The North Carolina School Library Media Association Young Adult Book Award
  
• Grand Canyon Reader Award Nominee (Teen) 2010
  
• Iowa High School Book Award Nominee 2009-2010
  
• North Carolina YA Book Award Nominee 2009-2010
  
• New Hampshire Flume Teen Reader's Choice Award Nominee, 2010
  
• Nevada Young Readers' Award Nominee 2010
  
• Ohio Buckeye Teen Book Award Nominee, 2009
  
• Oregon Young Adult Network Book Rave Reading List Title 2008
  
• South Carolina Young Adult Book Award Nominee 2009-2010
  
• The Pacific Northwest Library Association's Young Reader's Choice Award  Nominee 2010
  

 

Reader's Annotation- When Clary Fray witnesses a murder she isn't supposed to see, she finds herself in a world she never knew existed. Can she survive it long enough to save her mother?

Author Information- Cassandra Clare has lead an interesting and amazing life. She has literally traveled the world, including living in her father's backpack as a baby while he was hiking the Himalayas. She has set this novel series in her favorite city Manhattan, but her future series will be set in Europe, where she spent much of her childhood.

Curricular Ties- none

Genre- urban fantasy

Book talking ideas- Is mixing fantasy and reality effective? Why do we find ourselves drawn to novels about the supernatural world?

Challenge issues

1. Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
   
2. Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
   
3. Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
   
4. Review approaches from ALA
   

Interest Age

Why I selected this piece- Honestly, I selected this novel at the store because the cover was interesting and it is the genre I loved as a teenager myself.

Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire’s Apprentice

Title Cirque Du Freak

Director- Paul Weitz

Release Date- October, 2009

Publication Information- Universal Pictures

 

Plot Summary- This film is based on the series of books by Darren Shan. Darren Shan and his friend Steve sneak out of their house to attend an illegal freak show. While there, Steve recognizes one of the freaks as a vampire he has read about. Darren, meanwhile, is obsessed by Madam Octa, a spider that the alleged vampire, Mr. Crepsley keeps. Darren sneaks in back to steal Octa. The next day, however, Octa bites Steve and Darren is forced to return to Crepsley to find a cure. Crepsley agrees to provide the cure if Darren will be his "assistant," which means Darren will be a half-vampire and must leave his friends and family. Meanwhile, the villain of the story, Mr. Tiny, recruits Steve as a vampaneze to fulfill a prophecy involving the two boys. Steve captures both Darren's family and his girlfriend to lure him to a trap. Darren and Mr. Crepsley are forced to fight Steve and Murlough.

Critical Evaluation- This film quite justly received mixed reviews. The adults in the film, particularly Mr. Crepsley portrayed by John Reilly, are exceptional. Crepsley's character matches the novels nicely but even as a stand-alone story he is intriguing and imposing yet kind. The children, however, are not particularly competent in their roles. Certainly there are actors out there that could have been cast that would have made the film excel. The plot holds fairly close to the novel but has enough of a sense of closure to preclude a sequel. The climax of the film is cliché- choosing between a friend and family members – and has been done much better in films like Spider Man. The film is enjoyable enough because of Reilly to recruit readers to the series, but it lacks the quality of a Harry Potter film.

Reader's Annotation- One very interesting spider and a good friend in danger make young Darren Shan willing to become the assistant to a very old vampire.

Author Information- not applicable

Curricular Ties- none

Genre- film/vampires/adventure

Book talking ideas

Challenge issues- Supernatural elements, violence

1. Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
   
2. Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
   
3. Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
   
4. Review approaches from ALA
   

Interest Age 13- 16

Why I selected this piece- I picked this piece for two reasons. First, the movie was on my xbox and I was bored. Secondly, I have a few students who LOVE these books.