Module 8: Fantasy and Science Fiction

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Cashore, K. (2009). Graceling. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Summary

Katsa has been blessed with a Grace, or special skill since she was born: the ability to kill with her bare hands. Trained and controlled her whole life, Katsa has always resented her role as the King’s mercenary. Her status as a paid killer weighs heavily on her and she has come to resent her Gift and hate what it has made of her. When Po, a neighboring prince from arrives, Katsa discovers she is not the only one graced with the ability to fight. Po’s acceptance of his Grace forces Katsa to look more closely at her duties to the King and her purpose in the kingdom. As Katsa travels across the seven kingdoms with Po, searching for the origins of impending war, she also discovers more about her own abilities. Katsa’s involvement teaches her about the true purpose of her grace and she is faced with decisions that will change the fate of all seven kingdoms.

My Thoughts

Graceling achieves a great balance between adventure, romance, and self-discovery. Katsa and Po's journey through the seven kingdoms is filled with intrigue, adventure and companionship. When the book first begins it is difficult to understand Katsa and the reader only sees the surface of Katsa. As the story progresses and Katsa learns more about herself the reader sees her transformation and the knowledge that Katsa gains from meeting Po. I liked that although there was a romantic relationship and love between Po and Katsa, she still maintains her independent and strong personality. Her status as a fighter exists easily alongside her role as Po's romantic interest. I like that Cashore was able to bring romance and adventure together so well. However, I think the romance aspect of this book limits its appeal to a more female audience. It would be best used in a presentation on romance for the young adult age group, or as an example of a strong female protagonist.

Review

Highly acclaimed around the world, Cashore’s fantasy centers on gracelings, gifted beings who use their supernatural abilities for both good and evil. Katsa, an unusually strong fighter, has been controlled by her uncle, rey Randa, who manipulates Katsa to intimidate and even kill others. Then Katsa meets Po, a young prince, whose special gifts and friendship convince her to use her fighting skills for better purposes. The fast action, convincing protagonists, and intriguing setting create an engrossing read. Schon, I. Booklist, 2009.

Module 4: Newbery and Printz Award Winners

Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson

Paterson, K. (1980). Jacob have I loved. New York: Harper Trophy.

Summary

Louise has always resented the angelic, perfection that is her twin sister Caroline. She feels that she is constantly overshadowed and pushed aside by not only her family, but also the rest of their small fishing town. Louise only wants to be appreciated for herself, not her value in comparison to Caroline. As she moves through adolescence and seeks her own individual identity, Louise makes new friends and begins to understand more about those around her. She soon learns that although she can be her own person, she will never escape the effects of her sister's existence because they are inevitably intertwined as twins.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed Louise's character because she is real and struggles to find the parameters of her own identity as she moves through adolescence. Although at times you want to tell Louise to appreciate the fact that she has a sister who is kind, it is also easy to sympathize with her desire to escape the constant comparison to Caroline. The desire to be your own person appreciated for your unique qualities is something everyone experiences, so Louise's struggle to live under the shadow of her perfect, talented sister is easily appreciated. There were many poignant moments in this book, but I really liked that even though her life ended up going a completely different way than she thought, Louise was ultimately happy. I'm not sure how this book could be used in a library setting other than as an example of an award winner or perhaps as part of presentation on books about family and relationships, especially sisters.

Review

Gr. 7—up. In this story set on an island in the Chesapeake Bay in the early 1940s, Louise, the strong and independent narrator, is jealous of her sickly fraternal twin, Caroline. Louise struggles through adolescence and eventually discovers happiness as a midwife, wife, and mother in a story that parallels the biblical tale of Jacob and Esau. Scales, P. Booklinks, 2006.

Module 8: Fantasy and Science Fiction

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Collins, S. (2008). The hunger games. New York: Scholastic Press.

Summary:

Set in the future, The Hunger Games is a science fiction novel about Katniss, a sixteen year old girl who has been selected to participate in her country Panem's annual "hunger games". Years ago the 13 districts of Panem revolted against the control of the Capitol. The 13th district was destroyed and the remaining districts were forced back into submission. As punishment for their rebellion, the Capitol selects a boy and girl between the ages of 12 and 18 from each of the twelve districts to compete to the death in the annual hunger games. These survival games are watched by the whole population and used as a sadistic reminder by the Capitol of the consequences of dissent. Like all of the 24 competitors, Katniss' goal is to come out alive, as the winner. Her struggle for survival forces Katniss to learn more about herself and her inner strengths and only serves to increase her resentment of the power of the Capitol.

My Thoughts

Collins does an incredible job portraying both the inner and outward struggles Katniss faces as she seeks to the be the sole survivor of the games. The reader is kept on the edge of their seat as they follows the twists and turns of this fast paced and engaging plot. Katniss as a character is both complex and easy to relate to, and the reader is easily drawn into cheering for her and encouraging her throughout the games. I absolutely loved this book and think it may be one of the best books I have read this year. I read it in a day because I simply could not put it down and I think most readers will have a similar experience. This book would be a great addition to a focus on books about dystopias. It is such an excellent example of the warping of power and totalitarian governments. I think it would be interesting to compare to books like The Giver or Welcome to the Monkey House (although that is for older audiences).

Review

Gr 7 Up --Suzanne Collins's first book (Scholastic, 2008) of a planned trilogy introduces an easy-to-imagine, cruel future society divided by wealth and obsessed with media and celebrity. The controlling Capitol broadcasts the Hunger Games, mandatory watching for all citizens of Panem. The annual event pits 24 Tributes-a girl and boy teen from each of the 12 Districts surrounding the Capitol-against one another in a desperate battle to the death. When 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen steps forward to take her younger sister's place as District Twelve's girl Tribute, she is thrown into a media frenzy, complete with stylists and costumes, literally fighting for her life in the arena. Intense, graphic action, along with a touch of romance, makes this dystopic adventure a great choice for older reluctant readers. Although the plot mimics both Stephen King's The Long Walk (Penguin, 1999) and Running Man (Signet, 1999) as well as Koushon Takami's Battle Royale (Tokyopop, 2007), Collins creates a fascinating world and Katniss is a believably flawed and interesting character. Carolyn McCormick ably voices the action-packed sequences and Katniss's every fear and strength shines through, along with her doomed growing attraction to one of her fellow Tributes. Osborne, C. School Library Journal, 2009.

Module 7: Realistic Fiction for Young Adults

3 Willows: The Sisterhood Grows by Ann Brashares

Brashares, A. (2009). 3 Willows: the sisterhood grows. New York: RandomHouse Children's Books.

Summary

3 Willows is about three 13 year old girls who used to be best friends, but have grown apart in the past few years. As they go their separate ways the summer before ninth grade, they all learn about themselves and grow to realize the value of each others friendship. The problems each of the girls face are typical of girls that age: learning to fit in, discovering what really matters to each of them, learning how to deal with challenges and figuring out what makes a true friend. Poignant and real, this book depicts the growth and realization that takes place at this time in life for many girls.

My Thoughts

The friendship and relationships between these three girls is so real and genuine. The struggles each of the girls' face are things that many readers would deal with and this book does an excellent job showing how true friendship can help individuals. The rich characterization and development of individual personalities helps the reader to understand and relate to each of the girls. Leaving middle school and entering high school is often a time of change and growth for many people and this book does a great job portraying that. The changing friendship between the girls is something that many people have experienced and Brashares does a fantastic job creating a real and believable relationship between the three girls. In terms of using in a library setting, this could be a good addition to a presentation on friendship, or even summer vacation.

Review

A new Sisterhood is here! Ann Brashares brings us another delightful story of friendships. Polly, Jo, and Ama, friends since kindergarten, are facing the summer before their first year of high school. They have shared many things together, but this summer they are off to new adventures on their own. Ama, who hates the outdoors and loves libraries, has received a scholarship to a wilderness adventure camp. Jo is spending the summer at the beach house with her mom and learns that her parents are separating. Polly is left behind and missing her friends, so she convinces her Mom to send her to modeling school. Polly decides that she must lose weight and is on the verge of becoming anorexic, when her single mom is hospitalized for alcoholism. In the midst of all these difficulties, the three friends come back together and are able to help each other while celebrating their friendship once again. This reviewer hopes that this is the beginning of a new Sisterhood series, as will the girls who will be lining up to read this latest by Ann Brashares. Highly Recommended. Morris, B. Library Media Connection, 2009.

The original Sisterhood is now the stuff of legend; in this fast-paced, readable novel, the story moves on to a new circle of friends, one with a strong past but a shaky present. Ama, Polly, and Jo sealed their friendship in third grade by planting three tiny willow trees together; but by their last year of middle school, the girls have drifted apart. The start of summer finds them awkwardly returning all the items they’d once borrowed, until “what little they’d still had of each other they didn’t have anymore.” As in the original series, the novel traces a single summer in which each girl experiences her own set of challenges. Bookworm Ama winds up on a wilderness trip, horrified by the prospect of hiking boots and no hair products; Polly, who has outwardly changed least since grade school, develops a dangerous obsession with becoming a model; status-conscious Jo takes a job at a beachside restaurant with the cool high school girls and has a fling with a gorgeous boy that ends in hurt and humiliation. Each girl finds herself longing for the other two and a return to their friendship. The characters are well developed, and their struggles (including more serious family issues of divorce and alcoholism) feel real. The end-of-summer resolution is a satisfying formula for middle-school readers, and a closing visit to the flourishing willow trees promises more to come. Adams, L. Horn Book Magazine, 2009.

Module 7: Realistic Fiction for Young Adults

Son of the Mob by Gordon Korman

Korman, G. (2004). Son of the mob. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.

Summary

Son of the Mob is about 17 year old Vince Luca, son of a vending machine king aka mafia boss. Vince struggles to separate himself from his father's business but somehow it always manages to reassert itself in his life. When he starts dating the daughter of the FBI agent in charge of watching his father, Vince does his best to keep it a secret and keep those parts of his life separate.

My Thoughts

Funny and addictive, this page turner keeps the reader intrigued as to how the mafia life with continue to sabotage Vince's attempt to lead a normal teenager's life. Vince's sarcastic view of his father's business and his status as the son of a mafia boss keeps the reader entertained. Vince has the problems of every high schooler: juggling a girlfriend and guy friends, passing his classes and finding something to do on a Friday night. His balancing act of keeping his father and family situation secret from his girlfriend makes Vince's life extra dramatic and entertaining. I thought this book was funny and Vince's character was a great example of a teenager just trying to live a normal life. His interactions with his family and the mob guys that hang around his house were humorous and believable. Korman took a fantastical concept, being the son of a mob boss and made it believable and , creating a great book in the process. I think this book would work well as an example of humor for the young adult age group. It would also be a good book to recommend to a more reluctant male reader, simply because it is a fairly easy, quick read and presents the life of a teenage boy in such a funny way.

Review

This is light reading at its best. The opening chapter sets the stage for the rest of the book; it is at once laughing out-loud funny and at the same time draws the reader into empathetic identification with the central character, Vince Luca, and his dilemma: how to live as a normal teenager while being the unwilling "son of the mob." Korman sustains the momentum of witty one-liners and comic situations throughout the story, while deftly leading us through Vince's adolescent attempts to conduct a love affair with the daughter of the local FBI agent at the same time as he inadvertently becomes involved with the mob. There is plenty of teen angst here as well as humour. The obvious problems that attend youthful romance, such as dating and meeting the parents, as well as the need to define an identity separate from one's family, are handled sympathetically while maintaining the humour promised in the opening. Korman's achievement here is to make us care about Vince as much as we might care for a character in a more serious novel. At the same time, he manages a wickedly funny send-up of the idea of the mob "family" that carries with it an undercurrent of darkness. No glamour attaches to the mob; in fact the sleeziness of the underworld is all too apparent. Yet Vince must move warily between the revelations he uncovers about the mob and his affection for his family. While we may reasonably predict Vince's ultimate escape from these dilemmas to a happy ending, there are enough twists and turns on the way to keep us interested and amused. Acton, C. Canadian Literature, 2005.

Seventeen-year-old Vince wants to stay out of his family's mob business, no crooked sports
deals, no stolen gifts, no scary family reputation, and certainly no complications with his love life.
The problem is, his girlfriend's father is the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation agent in charge of investigating the Luca crime family. --. Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, 2004.

Module 6: Realistic Fiction for Younger Readers

Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look

Look, L. (2008). Alvin ho: allergic to girls, school and other scary things. New York: Schwartz and Wade Books.

Summary

This book follows Alvin Ho, a second grade boy who is afraid of many things. The book begins with Alvin listing all of the things he is afraid of including elevators, substitute teachers and wasabi. As Alvin begins second grade he must face many of his fears and learn how to deal with them and eventually overcome them. Alvin's first person perspective and unique voice make this a funny book that many young readers can relate to as well as a book that adults would greatly enjoy for its frank and individual perspective.

My Thoughts

Within the first page of this book I was laughing. Look does a great job presenting life from the eyes of a unique and one of a kind second grader. Alvin's opinion and understanding of the world around him is not only funny, but also an excellent representation of any child that age. His relationships with his parents, grandparents and siblings is typical and believable. One of my favorite parts of the book was Alvin's explanation of the historical homes of Nathaniel Hawthorne and Louisa May Alcott in his hometown of Concord, Massachusetts. This book and Alvin is a great work because it addresses typical worries of a seven year old and I think many elementary readers would not only find Alvin's adventures funny, but would also gain benefits from the things that Alvin experiences and learns from. The illustrations and graphics within the book also help draw the reader in and involve him/her more in the book. When reading this book I immediately thought that it would be a great read aloud either in the classroom setting or at home. It would be appreciated by a lot of kids because it is funny and easy to relate to.

Review

In the vignettes that make up what Kirkus called an "exuberantly funny slice of Alvin's life," Lenore Look portrays the world from the viewpoint of a wildly creative but undeniably neurotic second grader, captured in LeUyen Pham's simple yet expressive line drawings. The hero, a chatterbox at home, "[doesn't] make much noise whenever [he is] scared out of [his] wits," and therefore can't utter a sound at school, which introduces some comical predicaments. "Doing a boy book was really hard for me," says Look. "I had the germ of an idea for Alvin from observing a friend's son who suffered from selective mutism, but then I had to find my inner boy before I could write the story. I spent two years coaxing, bribing and trying to get that boy to come out, but he remained obdurate. Then a friend of mine, whose inner boy is never far, told me a funny story of how he'd put a baseball through a neighbor's window once. When his dad asked him about it, he denied all involvement. But unfortunately, the ball carried his autograph. Suddenly Alvin sprung to lift. It was magic." Even reluctant readers will find magic in these pages. (Ages 7-10). --. Kirkus Reviews, 2008.

Gr 2-4 --Second-grader Alvin Ho is determined to make friends, even though he is afraid of any number of things and can't talk-at all-in school. Episodic chapters feature events at home, at school, and in his Concord, MA, neighborhood. Everyday adventures include being left stranded by his siblings during stretching exercises that leave him upside down in a tree, being sent alone to the scary piano teacher's house, and deciding whether or not to hang out with the classroom bully. Although Look resists providing a tidy ending, readers will be sure that Alvin is on the right road when he surprises even himself by suddenly speaking to his psychotherapist. And they won't have to understand the Shakespearean curses that come out of his mouth to know that this time he has a good reason to be afraid. Whether they are fearful or brave, kids will smile at Alvin's scrapes and empathize with his concerns. Aspects of his Chinese-American background are seamlessly integrated into the story and add richness. The book is chock-full of well-placed illustrations. Martin Bridge, make room for Alvin Ho. Brautigam, F. School Library Journal, 2008.

Module 5: Picture Books

Diary of a Fly by Doreen Cronin and Harry Bliss (ill.)

Cronin, D. (2007). Diary of a fly. New York: Joanna Cotler Books.

Summary

This wonderful, funny picture book follows the life of fly as he enters school and goes about her daily routine. She talks about school projects, her adventures with friends and her 327 siblings, and her discoveries about the food chain and finally what it means to be a superhero. The unique perspective and diary format of this book make it quirky and engaging. The illustrations are also humorous and contain little details that make the overall experience more enjoyable.


My Thoughts

Cronin's take on the daily life of fly and her thoughts and machinations make for a great read. The illustrations are funny and support the witty thoughts of the fly. What makes this book so appealing is that the fly goes through the same experiences that many children do such as being nervous about the first day of school, behaving for the babysitter and learning new things with friends. The fly has a very distinct voice and character which helps make her easy to relate to for the reader. The diary format and short, funny entries make this book a fun, quick read for younger readers. I think this would be a great storytime read or even as a funny addition to a science lesson about insects.

Review

PreS-Gr 3-- A young fly documents many everyday situations in her diary, from fitting in on the first day of school to having trouble with the babysitter, in this book (HarperCollins, 2007) by Doreen Cronin. Fly has 327 brothers and sisters and must learn things like landing on moving targets. Fly wants to be a superhero, but she's worried that she isn't special enough. Worm and Spider, Fly's friends, help her learn that "the world needs all kinds of heroes." This humorous tale includes lots of amazing facts about flies. Illustrator Harry Bliss narrates the characters with appropriately high-pitched voices. All of the text in the illustrations and on the end papers is also narrated, including the dialogue in the comics Fly is reading. Subtle sound effects and occasional music enhance the telling. Youngsters will adore Bliss's detailed, humorous illustrations. Young readers will love this imaginative recreation of a fly's world with a human twist. Wittmann, T. School Library Journal, 2009.