Saturday, May 7, 2011
Module 15 - Olive's Ocean
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| Cover art retrieved from the book's record in worldcat |
Biography
Henkes, K. (2003). Olive’s ocean. New York: Greenwillow Books
Summary
After Martha receiving a journal entry, torn out from Olive’s journal, she couldn’t stop thinking about her. She didn’t really know Olive because she was quiet and shy and now she was dead. The paper gave some insight into Olive’s life and Martha found they had more in common than she originally thought. Olive wrote about wanting to be an writer and wanting to see the ocean. Martha wanted to be a writer, but hadn’t told anyone about her dream and her family was going to visit her grandmother’s house which is located near the Pacific Ocean. While at her grandma’s house, Martha learns about herself and her family while trying to make sense of Olive’s death.
My Impression
I couldn’t help but like this story. It was a sweet story and I couldn’t help but sympathize with Martha. It bothers me that this book has frequently been on the ALA’s challenged and banned book list. There was nothing about this story that was inappropriate.
Reviews/Awards
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2004
Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla Award, 2004 (Honor Book)
John Newbery Medal, 2004 (Honor Book)
“Henkes shows the thought process of a young girl as she struggles internally with issues about growing up.” —Emily (BookHive (www.bookhive.org))
“Like Henkes' Sun and Spoon (1997), this is another lovely, character-driven novel that explores, with rare subtlety and sensitivity, the changes and perplexities that haunt every child's growing-up process. He brings to his story the same bedrock understanding of the emotional realities of childhood that he regularly displays in his paradigmatically perfect picture books. This isn't big and splashy, but its quiet art and intelligence will stick with readers, bringing them comfort and reassurance as changes inevitably visit their own growing-up years.”—Michael Cart (Booklist, Sep. 1, 2003 (Vol. 100, No.1))
“Martha is so memorable, as are the other characters in the story--Henkes is a master at creating people we know engaged in the business of growing up, in all the shaggy wonder that implies. I think middle school girls will like not being talked down to in Olive's Ocean.”—Susan Hepler, Ph.D. (Children’s Literature)
Suggested Activities
Since this book deals with the unexpected death of a classmate, bullying, and a near death experience, it would make a good choice for a book talk ending with a discussion.
Module 14 - Immortal: love stories with bite
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| Cover art retrieved from the book's record in worldcat |
Biography
Cast, PC, Leitich Smith, C., Cast, K., Caine, R., Lee, T., Mead, R., et al (2009). Immortal: love stories with bite. Dallas, TX: BenBella Books
Summary
This is a collection of stories from a variety of popular supernatural and vampire authors. The collection begins with an introduction by PC Cast, the New York Times bestselling author. Her introduction presents the theme of this collection, including what drew her to these character types.
My Impression
Since I recently read first two titles of PC and Kristin Cast’s House of Night Novels, I was drawn to this book. While this is definitely not a book for younger children, the authors are prominent YA paranormal or supernatural themed authors. I liked the fact that the stories were not written by unknown authors because it was easy to find information about their other titles. While I didn't particularly care for all of the stories, I think I found a few new series for my daughter to read since she’s fascinated with vampires. I also thought PC Cast’s comparison between vampires and teenagers interesting. There is definitely some parallels between a vampire’s immortality and teenagers thinking they are immortal and that nothing could hurt them.
Reviews/Awards
“Seven of today's most popular YA vampire and contemporary fantasy authors offer new short stories that prove that when you're immortal, true love really is forever.” —BenBella Books publisher on Goodreads.
Suggested Activities
This anthology would be a good place to have older teens or young adults who like vampire stories start a search for new titles. It would be a nice display piece at the library with the various series or titles from the authors who wrote the stories in the book.
Module 13 - A House of Night Novel: Marked
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| Coverart retrieved from the books record in worldcat |
Biography
Cast, PC, & Cast, K. (2007). Marked. The House of Night Novels. New York: St. Martin’s Griffin.
Summary
Zoeyy is like any other high school teenager. She has problems with her parents, has a boyfriend, and she hates math. In her world though, vampires have always existed as another race that lives an uneasy coexistence with humans. In this first installation of the House of Night Novels, Zoey is marked by a vampyre tracker and forced to leave her family and friends to live in the House of Night academy where she will learn about the life of a vampire while she undergoes the Change from human to vampire. In this school, students are called fledglings but upon awakening in the infirmary next to her grandmother, Zoey learns that she is not like the other first year students and that she was given a gift from Nyx, the vampyre goddess. With the help of her four new friends, Zoey develops the courage and confidence to accept her fate.
My Impression
This is one of my eldest daughter’s favorite series. I was reluctant to read these books when she first bought them because it seemed like a knockoff of the Harry Potter series. I am glad she convinced me to read them and that our instructor allowed me to substitute this series for one of the titles on our list. While there may be parents who will disapprove of these books due to characters and events that suggest the occult, it is a great book about new beginnings, developing friendships, dealing with death, and leadership. The authors developed strong characters who even though they are vampires, people can still relate too. I’ve already read the first two titles of the series and looking forward to reading the rest over the summer.
Reviews/Awards
YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2008
Oklahoma Book Award, 2008
“Although she is a vampyre, Zoey Redbird's journey is one for every teen. Her voice is genuine, and with the exception of a few vocabulary pitfalls, captures the sincerity and frankness of a teenager in search of a new home and a place where she truly belongs. The emotional portrayal of Zoey's troubles and tribulations enhances the quality of these books. True to life, she struggles with issues of trust, loyalty, love, sexuality, and identity and moves through a myriad of conflicting emotions from happiness to confusion to grief. These books will have the reader laughing hysterically and sobbing unreservedly--sometimes all at once.” —Courtney Wika (VOYA, December 2007 (Vol. 30, No. 5)).
“Even in vampire finishing school, there are injustices to be corrected. In this first book of the “House of Night” series, readers are introduced to a world where vampires are known to live and exist. They will be left eagerly awaiting the next installment.”—Kathleen Foucart (Children’s Literature).
Suggested Activities
The House of Night series would be a good lead in to the classic vampire stories as well as a good comparison between the vampire stories made into movies. During a library session, students or patrons could watch the interview with PC and Kristin Cast conducted by CW at the Will Rogers High School Auditorium. In a school setting, students could be asked to draw comparisons between the vampires in this series vs. the vampires in the classic stories or those found on TV and in the movies. Another activity could be to write letters to the authors asking any questions they may have about the series.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Module 12 - The Burn Journals
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| Cover art retrieved from the books record in worldcat |
Biography
Runyon, B. (2005). The Burn Journals. New York: Vintage Books.
Summary
This book is the memoirs of Brent Runyon’s journey through depression, attempted suicide, and the year it took for his ultimate recovery. Brent was fourteen when he doused himself with gasoline while standing in his shower then lit a match. With over 80% of his body burned, for months Brent’s time was filled with multiple skin grafts, breathing tube, infections, and agonizing burn treatments, but that was only the beginning of a full recovery.
My Impression
Our family has experienced the result of a successful suicide so this book holds personal meaning to me. He is frank and sometimes shocking in his language with vulgar words inserted throughout the book, which may be contested by certain groups and individuals, but I think it made the story real. Runyon walked a road that most people will never dream of walking and tells his story in a way that young people can relate.
Reviews/Awards
Children's Book Award, 2005
IRA Children’s and Young Adult’s Book Award, 2005
“Rarely stated but always lurking below the surface is the question of why Brent set himself on fire, because he doesn't know himself. It's a fascinating journey through a teenager's mind, only lacking information about what happened to Brent after he returned to school.”—Kirkus Reviews, July 15, 2004 (Vol. 72, No. 14)
“…the truth of the story gives it an impact even when its telling doesn't, and kids troubled by their own darknesses may find this a compelling argument for hanging in there.”—Deborah Stevenson (The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, November 2004 (Vol. 58, No. 3)).
“This book is an unbelievable story of survival, even more powerful than Peeling the Onion by Wendy Orr (Holiday House, 1997/VOYA October 1997) and Out of the Fire by Deborah Froese (Sumach Press, 2002/VOYA October 2002) for the simple fact that it really happened and because it was something that Runyon brought upon himself. His is a cautionary tale to beat all cautionary tales.”—Kimberly L. Paone (VOYA, October 2004 (Vol. 27, No. 4)).
Suggested Activities
This memoir could be used for discussion group centering on depression. Due to the detailed information regarding his surgeries and grafts, it could also be used by a science teacher to teach a unit on anatomy. It could also lead students to further research topics surrounding the medical procedures performed on Runyon.
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