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.