Speak

Written by Laurie Halse Anderson

Bibliographic data

Anderson, Laurie Halse. 1999. Speak. New York: Puffin Books. ISBN 9780374371524

Plot Summary

This story is about Melinda Sordino, a freshman in Syracuse, New York. After going through a traumatic event at a party, she calls the cops and becomes a social pariah. This is her nine-grade year and the story of what she has to overcome to find her own voice and help others.

Critical Analysis

This book is filled with despair, sadness, loneliness, and hurt. Even though the mood of the novel is very depressing, it has a good and honest story. As Melinda, the main character, strives to find the strength to overcome her fears, the mood shows some inspiration and empowerment.

Laurie Halse Anderson provides multiple themes, such as, the strength Melinda has to find to overcome her experiences, the pressure of conforming to the rest, and the difficulties of growing up. Everyone goes through having pressures to join the crowd in high school.

Melinda is a character that some young women can really relate and look up to. Young women who have been through similar events will find comfort in knowing that they are not alone in their feelings, fears, and hurt. Readers are also able to relate to the relationships problems Melinda goes through with her past friends and boys. Most young females go through different phases of friendship once they transition in the high school.

Anderson delivers the story in four marking periods. Each marking period Melinda gives the readers her report card results except for the last one. Anderson simple ends the story with the dialogue between Mr. Freeman and Melinda. As Mr. Freeman gives Melinda her A+ he mentions that she has been through a lot. This is where Melinda shows her trust in Mr. Freeman and her ability to finally breath and speak out by saying, “Let me tell you about it.” It leaves you feeling proud of how far Melinda has come.

Being that rape is a sensitive subject, some readers may find themselves uncomfortable reading this story. It is inspiration but the reality of the situation may be too much for some.

Review Excerpts

• SLJ Best Book of the Year
• Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
• Golden Kite Award winner
• Michael L. Printz Honor 2000
• New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age 1999
• “An uncannily funny book even as it plumbs the darkness, Speak will hold readers from first word to last.” Horn Book
• “In a stunning first novel, Anderson uses keen observations and vivid imagery to pull readers into the head of an isolated teenager.” Publisher’s Weekly
• “This is a compelling book, with sharp, crisp writing that draws readers in, engulfing them in the story.” School Library Journal

Connections

• Intended for young adult readers
• Have students discuss the “The first ten lies they tell you in high school.” See if they agree them, and if they would add anymore to the list.
• Show a male experience of being bullied by having students read Burn by Suzanne Phillips.

The Graveyard Book

Written by Neil Gaiman

Illustrations by Dave McKean

Bibliographic data

Gaiman, Neil. 2008. The Graveyard Book. Ill. by Dave McKean. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 97800605309521

Plot Summary

While his family is being murdered by the man Jack, a toddler manages to escape to the graveyard on the hill. Nobody Owens, known as Bod, is the toddler who is taken in by the inhabitants of the graveyard to keep him safe. As Bod grows up in the graveyard he encounters many ghosts and other supernatural creatures, and overcomes many challenges that face him including the man Jack who murdered his family.

Critical Analysis

Neil Gaiman does a great job in describing the setting of this supernatural fiction story. As a reader, I was immersed in the graveyard as an observer. He also provides a variety of characters from ghosts of several historical periods, an outcast witch, ghouls, hounds of god, a secret killing society, humans, and a human boy who lives in a graveyard. Nobody Owens, the human boy being raised by the ghosts in the graveyard has the traits of a normal human boy. Bod, as everyone knows him, curious boy with a want for adventure and answers.

Although the story is definitely a fantasy, Gaiman writes a creative tale that will hold the reader’s attention. He creates suspenseful adventures for Bod to experience, like his survival of entering the ghoul-gate. I found it interesting that one of the ghouls is referred to as the 33^rd President of the United States. I question why Gaiman wrote him this why, but it throws in a little twist.

As Gaiman draws the reader in to the fantasy world with his world, it is easy to experience the feelings of the characters. I felt sad when Nobody says good bye to his mother, Mrs. Owens, scared when the man Jack has Scarlett by his knife in the hill, and happy when the good guys win. Gaiman throws in some humor with his ghosts characters. They are written speaking in their natural languages of different time periods. It makes an interesting change and difference between all of the ghosts.

The occasional black and white illustrations throughout the story of intriguing and add a little flare to the novel. Dave McKean’s illustrations are dark and have a fluid curve of the lines. They show a direct relation to the ghosts of the graveyard.

This story has an interest level for grades 5 through 8. This is definitely going on my recommendation list. It was a stimulating and suspenseful novel that is an interesting read for all supernatural fans.

Review Excerpts

• Newberry Medal Winner 2009
• “This ghost-story-cum-coming-of-age novel is both bittersweet and action-filled.” Horn Book starred review
• “Although marketed to the younger YA set, this is a rich story with broad appeal and is highly recommended for teens of all ages.” Booklist starred review

 Connections

• Have the students conduct a reader’s theater of a section of the story.

If like this book then you might want to read:

• Coraline. 2002. ISBN 978-0-380-97778-9
• Zombie Tag. 2011. ISBN 978-1-59643-720-3

Lost & Found

Written and Illustrated by Shaun Tan

Bibliographic data

Tan, Shaun. 2011. Lost & Found. New York: Arthur A. Levine Books. ISBN 9780545229241

Plot Summary

This is a book consisting of three previously published stories, “The Red Tree”, “The Lost Thing”, and “The Rabbits.” In “The Red Tree,” a young girl wanders through the darkness to find hope at the end. In “The Lost Thing,” a young boy finds an unusual object and strives to find a place for lost items. In “The Rabbits” (text by John Marsden), rabbits invade and take over a new land that pushes out the current animals.

Critical Analysis

Shaun Tan’s illustrations throughout the three stories are original and unique. He is very imaginative and provides many aspects to his pictures that need more than a quick glance from the reader to capture them all. If the reader really looks hard in “The Red Tree” they will notice that in every scene there is a red oak leaf. The leaf does not stand out, so it is almost like a “Where’s Waldo” search.

Each story has its own unique setting, but all of the stories have a theme of searching for something that is lost, or a place for something that is lost. In “The Red Tree,” the little girl searches for a brightness in her life and finds it at the end. In “The Lost Thing,” the boy finds a very unusual lost creature and searches for a home for it. In the end he finds it a home and seems to not notice lost item anymore. In “The Rabbits,” the rabbits come and take over a land already inhabited by animals. This story does not really have a happy ending because the readers are left with “Who will save us from the rabbits?”

Even though the characters might be a little unusual, the reader can identify with them. In “The Red Tree,” everyone seems to go through a time searching for meaning and a light in their life to brighten things up. In “The Lost Thing,” I imagine connecting it to helping a lost animal find it home. In “The Rabbits,” people could connect with the rabbits that take conquer the land or the fight that the current animals have to keep their home.

At the end of the book there is an Author’s Note where Tan provides some more insight into each story. There is also a note from John Marsden on “The Rabbits.”

The interest level of the book is grades 5 through 8, but these stories can be enjoyed my all ages. Younger students may not understand some of the deep meaning, but they will love all the interesting illustrations.

Review Excerpts

• Parents' Choice Gold Award 2011
• “While they are most assuredly not for young children, these stories representing the visionary work of a master storyteller, illustrator, and designer who cares deeply about his message deserve a place in almost every collection.” Booklist starred review
• “Uniquely sophisticated art extends the relationships between the stories.” School Library Journal

Connections

• Have the students discuss what they think each story is about. Since there are some underlying messages, it will be interesting to see what they come up with.
• After reading “The Rabbits” talk about how this relates to Columbus and the discovery of America.
• Ask students how they handle things that are lost.

Maggie's Door

Written by Patricia Reilly Giff

Bibliographic data

Giff, Patricia Reilly. 2003. Maggie’s Door. New York: Wendy Lamb Books.

ISBN 0385900953

Plot Summary

Nora is the last of her family to leave on the journey to America to escape the famine and disease of Ireland. As Nora and a friend, Sean, travel independently to the ships and America, they overcome many obstacles that seem never ending. As you travel with them, you will soon hope for their success in reaching Maggie’s door in Brooklyn, New York.

Critical Analysis

For the majority of the story Patricia Reilly Giff alternates the chapters between Sean Mallon and Nory Ryan. Each one describes the challenges that they encounter on their journeys to Brooklyn, New York. During each chapter the alternate characters discuss their memories of happier times with family and friends in Ireland. To understand some of the unfamiliar terms in the story, Giff has provided a glossary at the beginning of the book. She also has a list of “The People of Maidin Bay” to help the reader keep up with the characters.

Giff does not include a date in the story, so a reader may not know that some of the information is factual unless they read the Afterword of the book. Even so, the Afterword is very helpful in understanding the historical references in the story. I found it interesting that Giff has a personal connection to the Irish immigrants in 1845.

This story is filled with loss, despair, hope, and survival. It is very easy to feel sympathy for the characters throughout the novel. Even with the hopeful end the story is sad and depressing. The struggles and heartache definitely out-weigh the happiness in this story.

Review Excerpts

• “Giff uses vivid language and precisely detailed observation to convey experience and emotion.” Horn Book
• “Giff brings the immigration history to life through the heartbreaking experiences of parting, loss, and, sometimes, thrilling reunion.” Booklist
• “..the book consistently expresses the children's strength and courage-which eventually leads them to one another and, later, to Maggie's door in Brooklyn.” Publishers Weekly

Connections

• Have students research and learn more about the Irish culture.
• Have students investigate different cultures that immigrated to America.

The Green Glass Sea

Written by Ellen Klages

Bibliographic data

Klages, Ellen. 2006. The Green Glass Sea. New York: Viking.

ISBN 0670061344

Plot Summary

In 1943, Dewey Kerrigan, 10, starts on her journey to New Mexico to meet up with her scientist dad. She doesn’t know what he is working on because everything is classified. When she reaches Los Alamos, New Mexico she finds out that her father and many others are working on something to help end WWII. This story continues with her life experiences on “the Hill” and how the Manhattan Project is about to change the world.

Critical Analysis

Ellen Klages does a great job in her description of the setting on “the Hill” and off. It is very easy to an experienced reader to envision what life was like for the characters, and for people who lived in the mid-1940s. Children and young adults of today however, might find it hard to actualize living in those times without a lot of prior knowledge.

Readers who are or have ever been shy or kept to themselves will probably be able to relate to the main character, Dewey. She is extremely smart, caring, and independent. She is a great character for female readers to look up to. The way her mind works with inventing gadgets is incredible. Klages writing allows the reader to feel so sorry for Dewey for everything she has to go through in life, but amazed at how she continues on. Suze Gordon is a little different story. She is a girl who wants to fit in so bad that she bullies and degrades others to stand out. It is actually the influence of Dewey that turns Suze into a more confident, caring, and artistic person.

At the end of the book, Klages provides an Author’s Note that talks about the historical references throughout the novel with additional information on the history of nuclear physics, the atomic bomb, and “the Hill.” On the copyright page there is a mention that even though the story is fictional, the historical events are very real. For readers interested in history this would be a part that might encourage them to read the novel. I appreciated the authenticity and research that Klages did for this story.

For me, the best part of the story was the end. The excitement of the testing of “the gadget” and the discovery of the green glass sea is what drew me in. I was disappointed that it didn’t happen until the end. Even though this is a good historical fiction novel, I don’t think it will be appreciated amongst all children and young adults.

Review Excerpts

• Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction, 2007
• Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children’s Literature, 2007
• “The novel occasionally gets mired down in detail, but the characters are exceptionally well drawn, and the compelling, unusual setting makes a great tie-in for history classes.” Booklist
• “History and story are drawn together with confidence in this intense but accessible page-turner.” Horn Book starred review
• “Klages makes an impressive debut with an ambitious, meticulously researched novel set during WWII.” Publishers Weekly

Connections

• Geared for ages 9 and up
• Have students research more one the atomic bomb by using some of the sources the author provides at the end of the book.
• Have students learn more about life in the 1940’s during the war.
• Have the students discuss reasons why Charlie and the boys let Dewey see the secret tree house they built when there were “no girls allowed.”

Okay for Now

Written by Gary D. Schmidt

Bibliographic data

Schmidt, Gary D. 2011. Okay for Now. New York: Clarion Books.

ISBN 9780547152608

Plot Summary

This story is about a piece of 14 year old, Doug Swieteck’s life. It includes challenges he faces with family, teachers, police officers, and other citizens of Marysville, New York. In what seems like a pretty rotten time, comes a mentor, Mr. Powell and a friend, Lil Spicer, that start to brighten Doug’s life.

Critical Analysis

Gary Schmidt does a fabulous job with the creation of his characters. The reader can really identify with some, envy some, and despise others. As I was reading, I felt every emotion the characters went through. I was especially drawn to the times when Doug (the main character) talks to the reader by saying, “You know what this feels like.” It makes the reader really think about how it would feel. I also loved reading and being a part of Doug’s transformation from a grumpy teenage boy hating everything except baseball, to an appreciative young adult.

A main piece of this story is the relationship Doug finds in the Birds of America book by John James Audubon. In a new town where everyone is a stranger, the Arctic Tern, Plate CCL, is the start of Doug’s fascination with bringing things back together and making them whole again. With a little encouragement from Mr. Powell at the public library, Doug learns that he can draw. This is a starting point to Doug’s life turning around.

Schmidt’s description of the setting in 1968 is very detailed and alive. When Doug is delivering groceries in the heat you can really see the sweat dripping off of him. In the winter months the reader can imagine the frigid air and the snow soaking through Doug’s shoes and pants. Through every part of the novel, I could actually envision the town, streets, and houses that Schmidt describes.

The story is written in the first person of Doug with quotes, inner monologues, and talking to the reader. Schmidt wrote this story with such grace and elegance. On the book jacket Schmidt provides information on the images throughout the book. He notes that the images are from John James Audubon’s Birds of America. I would definitely recommend this book to adults and students in secondary to get them interested in historical nonfiction.

Review Excerpts

• ALA Notable Children’s Books 2012
• “[A] stealthily powerful, unexpectedly affirming story of discovering and rescuing one’s best self.” Booklist starred review
• “There are laugh-out-loud moments here, and passages that will move a reader to tears; it’s brilliant, and beautiful, and very nearly a perfect book.” Library Media Connection
• “Schmidt’s masterful characterization and balance of humor and pathos make this coming-of-age novel so memorable.” School Library Journal

Connections

• Intended for Grades 6-9
• Have the students write about what they think is happening to the birds in the Audubon prints.
• Since the story was set in the late 1968, the students can research articles from that time to find out more about the Vietnam War and other events of the time.
• In groups have the students describe how the different characters transform throughout the book.

What to do about Alice?

Written by Barbara Kerley

Illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham

Bibliographic data

Kerley, Barbara. 2008. What To Do About Alice? Ill. by Edwin Fotheringham. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780439922319

Plot Summary

Alice, the daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt, “was hungry to go places, meet people, do things!” This book talks about the problems she caused her father by breaking the rules to become her own person. Through her journey of life she “charmed the world” by ways that were unconventional for women. This biography is a fun an energetic way to display life of an influential woman.

Critical Analysis

This picture-book biography of Alice Lee Roosevelt is fun and entertaining, as well as, informational. The whimsical cartoon-like illustrations are eye-catching and help guide the reader through the book. Barbara Kerley’s text is easy to read and fun. She uses different sizes and fonts to emphasize quotes and facts.

This book is far from ordinary. With the interesting arrangement of the text and the comical illustrations, the reader can experience pieces of Alice’s busy and robust life. The sequence of the story is very simple and easy to understand. Kerley starts the story of Alice as a little girl and continues through her life experiences in sequential order. Following the end of the story are Author’s Noes, credits, and copyright data. Kerley is thorough by making note of who was responsible for fact checking of the text and artwork for the book. The question throughout the book that is consistent is that Theodore Roosevelt never figured out “What to do about Alice?”

I would recommend reading this story aloud to a young audience. They will enjoy the colorful illustrations and Alice’s hunger for life.

Review Excerpts

• Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor 2009
• "Irrepressible Alice Roosevelt gets a treatment every bit as attractive and exuberant as she was....The large format gives Fotheringham, in his debut, plenty of room for spectacular art." Booklist starred review
• "Theodore Roosevelt s irrepressible oldest child receives an appropriately vivacious appreciation in this superb picture book.... Kerley s precise text presents readers with a devilishly smart, strong-willed girl who was determined to live life on her own terms and largely succeeded." Kirkus starred review
• "Kerley s text gallops along with a vitality to match her subject s antics, as the girl greets White House visitors accompanied by her pet snake, refuses to let leg braces cramp her style, dives fully clothed into a ship’s swimming pool, and also earns her place in history as one of her father s trusted advisers. Fotheringham s digitally rendered, retro-style illustrations are a superb match for the text." School Library Journal starred review

Connections

• Have the students research other children of US presidents.
• Introduce the students to other books on Alice Roosevelt, like Mind Your Manners, Alice Roosevelt! by Leslie Kimmelman.
• Have the students think about what hey would like to do or accomplish is they were the child of a president.