BIBLIOGRAPHY
Patron, Susan. 2006. THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY. Ill. By Matt Phelan. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing. ISBN: 100545036143
PLOT SUMMARY
In this book we are introduced to a spunky child named Lucky. She has had a turbulent life for a child that is only ten years old. She lives in a trailer in a small town called Hard Pan. Her mother died when Lucky was eight years old, and her lame father called his ex-wife in from Paris to care for her. He occasionally sends some money to them, but that is about the only time we here about her father. Lucky listens in on some meetings and hears about people finding their “higher power”. Lucky begins a quest to find her own higher power. She is also very worried that her guardian, Bridget, will leave her. She cares deeply for Bridget, but she knows that Bridget is not truly tied to her and could leave at any time. The reader briefly meets many of the quirky people in this little town, but the story revolves mainly around Lucky. She gets it in her ten year old little mind that Bridget is planning on leaving her. Lucky decides to take matters into her own hands by running away first.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This children’s book is well written. It has a beginning, middle and end that flow together very well. Everything does get wrapped up into a happy ending. The setting is a believable small town. The plot is interesting, but I’m not sure that children would be that interested in it. I asked my daughter to read it and after the first few pages she put it down, and never went back to it. The character of Lucky is original and entertaining. The other characters are also very interesting in this story. I often found this story had funny and enjoyable reading moments, and then there were some incredibly dull and boring chapters that made it hard to keep reading. For a children’s book is does touch on some very adult themes, such as alcoholics, gambling and smoking. It is almost written as if it were for adults, but in the simple language of a children’s book. It has some simple illustrations throughout the book that help the reader to visualize the scenes. The illustrations are appropriately done in pen and ink and pencil, and add a nice visual touch to the story.
Lucky is an interesting character. The story is told through her eyes. She is a well developed heroine. She is a good person, but we see that she is not perfect and has her flaws. Lucky has what she calls the “meanness gland” and feels that she likes being mean. She also realizes that this is a flaw in her nature. Lucky had to learn at an early age that life is not always fair, but that one can go on. She personally goes on a search for her own “higher power” to gain control of her life. One of the other characters in this story is very unique. The character of Lincoln is very interesting. He was named Lincoln by his parents in the hopes that he would someday become president. Lincoln sees things differently than most people, which is evident in his “sign changing” act. He sees a sign go up in his town that reads “SLOW CHILDREN AT PLAY”, and he believes that people driving through his town will think that the kids in his town aren’t too smart. Lincoln then “fixes” the sign by adding a colon to it so that it reads “SLOW: CHILDREN AT PLAY”. This type of humor is present throughout the book, and is what makes the book enjoyable to read. Overall it was a good book, but I was expecting “more” from a Newbery Award winner.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
From School Library Journal
"Grade 4-6–When Lucky's mother is electrocuted and dies after a storm, Lucky's absentee father calls his ex-wife, Brigitte, to fly over from France to take care of the child. Two years later, the 10-year-old worries that Brigitte is tired of being her guardian and of their life in Hard Pan (pop. 42) in the middle of the California desert. While Lucky's best friend ties intricate knots and the little boy down the road cries for attention, she tries to get some control over her life by restocking her survival kit backpack and searching for her Higher Power. This character-driven novel has an unusually complicated backstory, and a fair amount of exposition. Yet, its quirky cast and local color help to balance this fact, and the desert setting is fascinating. Lucky's tendency to jump to conclusions is frustrating, but her struggle to come to terms with her mother's death and with her new life ring true. Phelan's cover and line drawings are simple and evocative, a perfect complement to the text."
From Booklist
"Lucky, age 10, lives in tiny Hard Pan, California (population 43), with her dog and the young French woman who is her guardian. With a personality that may remind some readers of Ramona Quimby, Lucky, who is totally contemporary, teeters between bravado--gathering insect specimens, scaring away snakes from the laundry--and fear that her guardian will leave her to return to France. Looking for solace, Lucky eavesdrops on the various 12-step meetings held in Hard Pan (of which there are plenty), hoping to suss out a "higher power" that will see her through her difficulties. Her best friend, Lincoln, is a taciturn boy with a fixation for tying knots; another acquaintance, Miles, seems a tiresome pest until Lucky discovers a secret about his mother. Patron's plotting is as tight as her characters are endearing. Lucky is a true heroine, especially because she's not perfect: she does some cowardly things, but she takes pains to put them to rights. Francisca Goldsmith"
CONNECTIONS
Do a “Brown Bag” book report – (gather artifacts related to the book)
Write “Part II” – Students can write about Lucky’s future, and how her life turns out.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Genre 6: Fiction, Fantasy & Young Adult: LOOKING FOR ALASKA
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Green, John. 2005. LOOKING FOR ALASKA. New York, NY: Dutton Books. ISBN: 0525475060
PLOT SUMMARY
This young adult fiction book is the story of Miles Halter as he begins boarding school. He meets several people along the way who change his life. The story begins with Miles leaving his parents and going off to boarding school. Boarding school is his choice since he is unhappy with his life at his current school. This is also the school that his father attended. He is also on a quest to find his “Great Perhaps”. He makes new and interesting friends at this school. His new roommate is Chip, who is super intelligent, but also an extreme prankster. He comes from a poor background. Chip is already friends with a girl called Alaska, and the three of them become good friends. Miles is nick named Pudge, and the story revolves around the interactions of these three main characters. The main plot of the story is told through the thoughts of Pudge. We have a foreboding that something bad is about to happen throughout the book because of the Chapter Titles. Chapter 1 –One hundred thirty six days before, and the book is divided into two parts, before and after. The whole book moves toward the life changing event of one of the main characters.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book could be considered young adult literature and contemporary realistic fiction. It is set in the present time, it could really happen, and it is a work of fiction created by the author. The book deals with the very real issues that adolescents are dealing with such as acceptance, drugs, alcohol and death. This young adult fiction story is very intriguing and somewhat mysterious. The author does well with character development. We know a lot about the main character from the beginning of the story, and the whole story is told through his eyes. The other characters are developed slowly through their interactions with the main character of Pudge. The daily lives of the characters are seen through Pudge’s perspective on things. The dialog is believable and contemporary. The characters seem real and endearing. The plot moves along nicely with the friendship between the characters being believable. The consequences of alcohol abuse are written into the story, but in a realistic way that is not preachy. The tragedy of the story occurs when an intoxicated Alaska dies in a car accident. The author then takes us through the characters recovery of the loss. The ending is well done and we see that even though these young people have experienced a tragedy that they will continue to go on. Most importantly we see that Pudge has not given up on his search for his “Great Perhaps”. It was a very good book that I think many young adults would also like to read.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
From School Library Journal
"Grade 9 Up—From the very first page, tension fills John Green's Michael L. Printz Award-winning novel (Dutton, 2005). Miles Halter, 16, is afraid that nobody will show up at his party because he doesn't have many friends. He loves to read biographies and discover the last words attributed to famous people. He's particularly intrigued with the dying words of poet Francois Rabelais: "I go to seek a great perhaps." Miles is leaving his loving Florida home for the "great perhaps" of the same Alabama boarding school attended by his father. Ominous chapter headings (40 days before, 10 days after) reveal that something tragic may happen."
From The Horn Book
Review Excerpt: Title: Looking for Alaska[2005; Green, John; Dutton Books]
"Miles and his friends investigate Alaska's crash, question the possibility that it could have been suicide, and acknowledge their own survivor guilt. The narrative concludes with an essay Miles writes about this event for his religion class--an unusually heavy-handed note in an otherwise mature novel, peopled with intelligent characters who talk smart, yet don't always behave that way, and are thus notably complex and realistically portrayed teenagers."
CONNECTIONS
Book discussion of the tough subjects in the book such as alcohol and death
Write a different ending to the book
Green, John. 2005. LOOKING FOR ALASKA. New York, NY: Dutton Books. ISBN: 0525475060
PLOT SUMMARY
This young adult fiction book is the story of Miles Halter as he begins boarding school. He meets several people along the way who change his life. The story begins with Miles leaving his parents and going off to boarding school. Boarding school is his choice since he is unhappy with his life at his current school. This is also the school that his father attended. He is also on a quest to find his “Great Perhaps”. He makes new and interesting friends at this school. His new roommate is Chip, who is super intelligent, but also an extreme prankster. He comes from a poor background. Chip is already friends with a girl called Alaska, and the three of them become good friends. Miles is nick named Pudge, and the story revolves around the interactions of these three main characters. The main plot of the story is told through the thoughts of Pudge. We have a foreboding that something bad is about to happen throughout the book because of the Chapter Titles. Chapter 1 –One hundred thirty six days before, and the book is divided into two parts, before and after. The whole book moves toward the life changing event of one of the main characters.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book could be considered young adult literature and contemporary realistic fiction. It is set in the present time, it could really happen, and it is a work of fiction created by the author. The book deals with the very real issues that adolescents are dealing with such as acceptance, drugs, alcohol and death. This young adult fiction story is very intriguing and somewhat mysterious. The author does well with character development. We know a lot about the main character from the beginning of the story, and the whole story is told through his eyes. The other characters are developed slowly through their interactions with the main character of Pudge. The daily lives of the characters are seen through Pudge’s perspective on things. The dialog is believable and contemporary. The characters seem real and endearing. The plot moves along nicely with the friendship between the characters being believable. The consequences of alcohol abuse are written into the story, but in a realistic way that is not preachy. The tragedy of the story occurs when an intoxicated Alaska dies in a car accident. The author then takes us through the characters recovery of the loss. The ending is well done and we see that even though these young people have experienced a tragedy that they will continue to go on. Most importantly we see that Pudge has not given up on his search for his “Great Perhaps”. It was a very good book that I think many young adults would also like to read.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
From School Library Journal
"Grade 9 Up—From the very first page, tension fills John Green's Michael L. Printz Award-winning novel (Dutton, 2005). Miles Halter, 16, is afraid that nobody will show up at his party because he doesn't have many friends. He loves to read biographies and discover the last words attributed to famous people. He's particularly intrigued with the dying words of poet Francois Rabelais: "I go to seek a great perhaps." Miles is leaving his loving Florida home for the "great perhaps" of the same Alabama boarding school attended by his father. Ominous chapter headings (40 days before, 10 days after) reveal that something tragic may happen."
From The Horn Book
Review Excerpt: Title: Looking for Alaska[2005; Green, John; Dutton Books]
"Miles and his friends investigate Alaska's crash, question the possibility that it could have been suicide, and acknowledge their own survivor guilt. The narrative concludes with an essay Miles writes about this event for his religion class--an unusually heavy-handed note in an otherwise mature novel, peopled with intelligent characters who talk smart, yet don't always behave that way, and are thus notably complex and realistically portrayed teenagers."
CONNECTIONS
Book discussion of the tough subjects in the book such as alcohol and death
Write a different ending to the book
GENRE 6: Fiction, Fantasy and Young Adult: THE GOLDEN COMPASS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Pullman, Phillip. 1995. The Golden Compass. New York, NY: Dell Laurel-Leaf. ISBN: 0440238137
PLOT SUMMARY
This is a very complicated story of a young girl, who is basically abandoned by both of her parents. She grows up in the care of the scholars of Jordan College. In this mystical fantasy all humans have a daemon. A daemon is basically a part of the human. It takes the form of an animal and is a constant companion. It is sometimes referred to as a part of the human’s soul. A person cannot live without their daemon, and a daemon cannot live without their human. The main character is Lyra, and her daemon is Pantalaimon. The story tells of the journey that Lyra is on. She believes that she is on one type of journey, yet things never turn out as she plans. She encounters many remarkable and original humans, animals and creatures on her journey to the North.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This story has all the necessary elements of a good fantasy/adventure novel. The story moves a bit slowly in the beginning, but picks up speed at around chapter three. The introduction of so many characters, as well as names of places is a bit tiresome in the beginning. Once the story begins to unfold though, it is very gripping. The writing style is basic and easy to understand which makes it a good choice as a young adult book. The main character has a true and soft heart, yet is strong and brave. There are many significant creatures in this story. The descriptions of the creatures give the reader a good visual representation. When the author describes the character of Lord John Faa we are able to visualize the this character in the story. This is the description of Lord John Faa “He was stern and massive and expressionless, more like a pillar of rock than a man.” Through this description the reader can form a picture of this enormous man in their mind. This book would be described as “high fantasy” since it meets the criteria of not having the possibility of being in the present day. It also has the elements of a special universe, a good versus evil theme, heroism, special characters types and fantastical objects. The main character Lyra is often in peril and has many choices to make concerning how to do the right thing. She is also able to read an instrument called an alethiometer. It is also called the golden compass and only a very few people in the world own one, or are able to read one. It was given to her and when she asked what it did she was told “it tells you the truth”. The writing is very fast passed and dramatic. The author writes in a way that shows vivid imagery throughout the book. Each place that our heroine encounters is graphically described. The story is well written and appropriate for a young adult audience, but would also be suitable for adults. It has a conclusion that leaves the reader wanting more.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
From Publishers Weekly
"If Pullman's imagination dazzled in the Victorian thrillers that culminated with The Tin Princess, in this first volume of a fantasy trilogy it is nothing short of breathtaking. Here Earth is one of only five planets in the solar system, every human has a daemon (the soul embodied as an animal familiar) and, in a time similar to our late 19th century, Oxford scholars and agents of the supreme Calvinist Church are in a race to unleash the power that will enable them to cross the bridge to a parallel universe. The story line has all the hallmarks of a myth: brought up ignorant of her true identity, 11-year-old Lyra goes on a quest from East Anglia to the top of the world in search of her kidnapped playmate Roger and her imprisoned uncle, Lord Asriel."
From School Library Journal
"Grade 7 Up?A novel set in London and in the Arctic regions of a world that is somewhat like our own. Lyra, apparently an orphan, lives among the scholars at Jordan College, Oxford. She becomes aware of a nefarious plot to steal children and transport them to the far north. As Lyra is drawn deeper and deeper into this mystery, she finds that the children are being made to suffer terribly. What she does not?and must not?know is that she is the keystone in an ancient prophecy. Her destiny is to save her world and to move on into a parallel universe. She dives headlong into harrowing adventures, totally unaware of her importance."
CONNECTIONS
Students can read the next two books in the trilogy: THE SUBTLE KNIFE, and THE AMBER SPYGLASS.
Students can discuss the various themes such as good versus evil.
Students can write stories about their favorite characters from the story.
Using characters and setting from the book students can create board games
Pullman, Phillip. 1995. The Golden Compass. New York, NY: Dell Laurel-Leaf. ISBN: 0440238137
PLOT SUMMARY
This is a very complicated story of a young girl, who is basically abandoned by both of her parents. She grows up in the care of the scholars of Jordan College. In this mystical fantasy all humans have a daemon. A daemon is basically a part of the human. It takes the form of an animal and is a constant companion. It is sometimes referred to as a part of the human’s soul. A person cannot live without their daemon, and a daemon cannot live without their human. The main character is Lyra, and her daemon is Pantalaimon. The story tells of the journey that Lyra is on. She believes that she is on one type of journey, yet things never turn out as she plans. She encounters many remarkable and original humans, animals and creatures on her journey to the North.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This story has all the necessary elements of a good fantasy/adventure novel. The story moves a bit slowly in the beginning, but picks up speed at around chapter three. The introduction of so many characters, as well as names of places is a bit tiresome in the beginning. Once the story begins to unfold though, it is very gripping. The writing style is basic and easy to understand which makes it a good choice as a young adult book. The main character has a true and soft heart, yet is strong and brave. There are many significant creatures in this story. The descriptions of the creatures give the reader a good visual representation. When the author describes the character of Lord John Faa we are able to visualize the this character in the story. This is the description of Lord John Faa “He was stern and massive and expressionless, more like a pillar of rock than a man.” Through this description the reader can form a picture of this enormous man in their mind. This book would be described as “high fantasy” since it meets the criteria of not having the possibility of being in the present day. It also has the elements of a special universe, a good versus evil theme, heroism, special characters types and fantastical objects. The main character Lyra is often in peril and has many choices to make concerning how to do the right thing. She is also able to read an instrument called an alethiometer. It is also called the golden compass and only a very few people in the world own one, or are able to read one. It was given to her and when she asked what it did she was told “it tells you the truth”. The writing is very fast passed and dramatic. The author writes in a way that shows vivid imagery throughout the book. Each place that our heroine encounters is graphically described. The story is well written and appropriate for a young adult audience, but would also be suitable for adults. It has a conclusion that leaves the reader wanting more.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
From Publishers Weekly
"If Pullman's imagination dazzled in the Victorian thrillers that culminated with The Tin Princess, in this first volume of a fantasy trilogy it is nothing short of breathtaking. Here Earth is one of only five planets in the solar system, every human has a daemon (the soul embodied as an animal familiar) and, in a time similar to our late 19th century, Oxford scholars and agents of the supreme Calvinist Church are in a race to unleash the power that will enable them to cross the bridge to a parallel universe. The story line has all the hallmarks of a myth: brought up ignorant of her true identity, 11-year-old Lyra goes on a quest from East Anglia to the top of the world in search of her kidnapped playmate Roger and her imprisoned uncle, Lord Asriel."
From School Library Journal
"Grade 7 Up?A novel set in London and in the Arctic regions of a world that is somewhat like our own. Lyra, apparently an orphan, lives among the scholars at Jordan College, Oxford. She becomes aware of a nefarious plot to steal children and transport them to the far north. As Lyra is drawn deeper and deeper into this mystery, she finds that the children are being made to suffer terribly. What she does not?and must not?know is that she is the keystone in an ancient prophecy. Her destiny is to save her world and to move on into a parallel universe. She dives headlong into harrowing adventures, totally unaware of her importance."
CONNECTIONS
Students can read the next two books in the trilogy: THE SUBTLE KNIFE, and THE AMBER SPYGLASS.
Students can discuss the various themes such as good versus evil.
Students can write stories about their favorite characters from the story.
Using characters and setting from the book students can create board games
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Genre 5 Historical Fiction: THE FIGHTING GROUND
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Avi. 1987. THE FIGHTING GROUND. New York, NY: HarperTrophy. ISBN: 0397320736
PLOT SUMMARY
This is a historical fiction story. The main character, Jonathan, is A thirteen year old boy. This is his story of how in one short time period he makes some hasty decisions and ends up going off to fight in the American Revolutionary war.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This children’s book is written in a simple yet direct and straight forward style. It does not sugar-coat history. It is written in a way that a child reading this story would be able to understand and relate to. It is written through the main character’s perspective. The story is told only through Jonathan’s eyes. The reader can see, hear and feel Jonathan’s thoughts and emotions. There are plenty of other characters in the story, but we only can understand and feel the things that Jonathan is experiencing. The story is a day and a half period in Jonathan’s life. Up until this point in his life his experience with war has only been through what he has seen and heard from his family and people around him. His view of the war is very simple and idealistic. At the beginning of the story he hears a bell in the town, and runs off to find out about what is going on. He is just supposed to gather news for his family, but instead ends up actually going off to fight in a battle. The book is not broken into chapters, but is broken down into time segments. The book then tells the story of how Jonathan goes off to a battle and what happens to him. It is a thought provoking story with interesting details worked into the plot about this time period.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
From Publishers Weekly
The compelling story of a young boy's first encounter with war and how it changes him. Ages 9-up
From School Library Journal
“Avi has accomplished his intent: to have readers experience, minute by minute, what it’s like to be involved in war.”
CONNECTIONS
Students could read other historical fiction novels by the author Avi.
Set up an area of the classroom that represents this time period
Develop a writing area where students can write their own stories about what they think it would have been like to live in this time period. Use writing prompts such as: “How did news travel without cell phones?”
Avi. 1987. THE FIGHTING GROUND. New York, NY: HarperTrophy. ISBN: 0397320736
PLOT SUMMARY
This is a historical fiction story. The main character, Jonathan, is A thirteen year old boy. This is his story of how in one short time period he makes some hasty decisions and ends up going off to fight in the American Revolutionary war.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This children’s book is written in a simple yet direct and straight forward style. It does not sugar-coat history. It is written in a way that a child reading this story would be able to understand and relate to. It is written through the main character’s perspective. The story is told only through Jonathan’s eyes. The reader can see, hear and feel Jonathan’s thoughts and emotions. There are plenty of other characters in the story, but we only can understand and feel the things that Jonathan is experiencing. The story is a day and a half period in Jonathan’s life. Up until this point in his life his experience with war has only been through what he has seen and heard from his family and people around him. His view of the war is very simple and idealistic. At the beginning of the story he hears a bell in the town, and runs off to find out about what is going on. He is just supposed to gather news for his family, but instead ends up actually going off to fight in a battle. The book is not broken into chapters, but is broken down into time segments. The book then tells the story of how Jonathan goes off to a battle and what happens to him. It is a thought provoking story with interesting details worked into the plot about this time period.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
From Publishers Weekly
The compelling story of a young boy's first encounter with war and how it changes him. Ages 9-up
From School Library Journal
“Avi has accomplished his intent: to have readers experience, minute by minute, what it’s like to be involved in war.”
CONNECTIONS
Students could read other historical fiction novels by the author Avi.
Set up an area of the classroom that represents this time period
Develop a writing area where students can write their own stories about what they think it would have been like to live in this time period. Use writing prompts such as: “How did news travel without cell phones?”
Genre 5 Historical Fiction: THE GREEN GLASS SEA
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Klages, Ellen. 2006. THE GREEN GLASS SEA. New York, NY: Penguin Group. ISBN: 0670061344
PLOT SUMMARY
This is a historical fiction novel. The place is set in Los Alamos, New Mexico, during World War II. The main character is a young girl named Dewey. It is 1943 and eleven year old Dewey goes to live with her father at a rather secret place called “The Hill”. During her stay on The Hill we hear about all the scientists that have been pulled out of various prestigious universities and are working on the “gadget”. The story is about Dewey’s experience here and how this place is seen through the eyes of a child.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is a well written historical novel that is easy to read. The young heroin “Dewey” draws us into the mystery of the story. We slowly find out about the war and the way life was back in the fortys during this time. We find out about how secret the building of the atomic bomb was, and how desperately people wanted this war to end. It is well written in a way that students would be interested in it as a fiction novel. The story is very original with interesting characters. History in this story is not sugar-coated, but at the same time it is not a gruesome war story. It is more of a “behind the scenes” type of story, about how the people back home were trying to contribute to the war effort. The author does a good job of showcasing the spirit of the times. The language is clear and easy to understand, and we get the sense of the time era by the descriptions of the items used in daily life. In the story we often see them listening to the radio, and telephones are scarce. Letters are a main form of communication. We also see that even in times of war children are still children. They play, they have cliques and they read comic books. Children will always want to fit in and have friends, no matter what is going on in the world, and that the author portrays this through her characters adds strength to the story.
Also included in the book is an Author’s Note page. On this page she gives some history of the actual “Manhattan Project”, and the development of the atomic bomb. An Acknowledgements page discusses the research she did into Los Alamos and this time period.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
From School Library Journal: "Many readers will know as little about the true nature of the project as the girls do, so the gradual revelation of facts is especially effective, while those who already know about Los Alamos's historical significance will experience the story in a different, but equally powerful, way."–Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library
From Booklist: "Feynman's presence in this finely wrought first novel is the first clue that Dewey is headed for Los Alamos. The mystery and tension surrounding "war work" and what Dewey knows only as "the gadget" trickles down to the kids living in the Los Alamos compound, who often do without adult supervision. Although disliked by her girl classmates, "Screwy Dewey" enjoys Los Alamos. There are lots of people to talk with about radios (including "Oppie"), and she has the wonderful opportunity to dig through the nearby dump for discarded science stuff. However, when Dewey's father leaves for Washington, she is left to fend off the biggest bully in Los Alamos. 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." John Green
CONNECTIONS:
Read other books about Los Alamos and the atomic bomb, such as: TALES OF LOS ALAMOS: LIFE ON THE MESA 1943-1945
Discuss the ramifications of the atomic bomb, and the lasting effects it had.
Read other historical fiction books about this time period
Klages, Ellen. 2006. THE GREEN GLASS SEA. New York, NY: Penguin Group. ISBN: 0670061344
PLOT SUMMARY
This is a historical fiction novel. The place is set in Los Alamos, New Mexico, during World War II. The main character is a young girl named Dewey. It is 1943 and eleven year old Dewey goes to live with her father at a rather secret place called “The Hill”. During her stay on The Hill we hear about all the scientists that have been pulled out of various prestigious universities and are working on the “gadget”. The story is about Dewey’s experience here and how this place is seen through the eyes of a child.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is a well written historical novel that is easy to read. The young heroin “Dewey” draws us into the mystery of the story. We slowly find out about the war and the way life was back in the fortys during this time. We find out about how secret the building of the atomic bomb was, and how desperately people wanted this war to end. It is well written in a way that students would be interested in it as a fiction novel. The story is very original with interesting characters. History in this story is not sugar-coated, but at the same time it is not a gruesome war story. It is more of a “behind the scenes” type of story, about how the people back home were trying to contribute to the war effort. The author does a good job of showcasing the spirit of the times. The language is clear and easy to understand, and we get the sense of the time era by the descriptions of the items used in daily life. In the story we often see them listening to the radio, and telephones are scarce. Letters are a main form of communication. We also see that even in times of war children are still children. They play, they have cliques and they read comic books. Children will always want to fit in and have friends, no matter what is going on in the world, and that the author portrays this through her characters adds strength to the story.
Also included in the book is an Author’s Note page. On this page she gives some history of the actual “Manhattan Project”, and the development of the atomic bomb. An Acknowledgements page discusses the research she did into Los Alamos and this time period.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
From School Library Journal: "Many readers will know as little about the true nature of the project as the girls do, so the gradual revelation of facts is especially effective, while those who already know about Los Alamos's historical significance will experience the story in a different, but equally powerful, way."–Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library
From Booklist: "Feynman's presence in this finely wrought first novel is the first clue that Dewey is headed for Los Alamos. The mystery and tension surrounding "war work" and what Dewey knows only as "the gadget" trickles down to the kids living in the Los Alamos compound, who often do without adult supervision. Although disliked by her girl classmates, "Screwy Dewey" enjoys Los Alamos. There are lots of people to talk with about radios (including "Oppie"), and she has the wonderful opportunity to dig through the nearby dump for discarded science stuff. However, when Dewey's father leaves for Washington, she is left to fend off the biggest bully in Los Alamos. 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." John Green
CONNECTIONS:
Read other books about Los Alamos and the atomic bomb, such as: TALES OF LOS ALAMOS: LIFE ON THE MESA 1943-1945
Discuss the ramifications of the atomic bomb, and the lasting effects it had.
Read other historical fiction books about this time period
Genre 5 Historical Fiction: ELEANOR ROOSEVELT: A LIFE OF DISCOVERY
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Freedman, Russell. 1993. ELEANOR ROOSEVELT: A LIFE OF DISCOVERY. New York, NY: Clarion Books. ISBN 0899198627
PLOT SUMMARY
This is a biography of Eleanor Roosevelt. It is a book about the life of Eleanor Roosevelt that covers her life from the very beginning to the very end. Her life story is told in this book as the story of her life, and not just the highlights of life in the public eye. We see her in the good times and also the bad times. The reader sees her as a real person.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is a well written story of the life of Eleanor Roosevelt. The writing is simple and easy to read. The author tells the story in a way that is interesting and informative at the same time. It begins with a brief introduction of the Eleanor Roosevelt that most people know through her public life and then goes into the story of her childhood. It starts with the story of who her parents were. One very interesting fact that is brought up is that her maiden name was also Roosevelt, and that when she married Franklin she married her distant cousin. This book is full of very unique and interesting facts that are told as part of the story of her life. The book is also has an abundance of black and white photographs that compliment the story. Many people may be surprised by the fact that her mother was a beautiful socialite. The photographs help to tell the story of her life. The book is well laid out with the story going from her childhood to her death. The author is also well known and respected for the research that he does before writing a book.
REVIEW EXCERPTS:
From Publishers Weekly
"A natural follow-up to Freedman's biography of FDR, this impeccably researched, highly readable study of one of this country's greatest First Ladies is nonfiction at its best. As a role model for girls and an inspiration to both genders, Eleanor Roosevelt remains unsurpassed. Freedman relates how she transcended both an unhappy childhood (her parents separated when she was six; her mother died when Eleanor was eight, and her father, an alcoholic, died two years later) and a timid nature to become one of the most outspoken, vigorous, highly regarded women in history."
From Kirkus Reviews
"A timid child from a dysfunctional family, Eleanor Roosevelt became a courageous woman whose career was propelled by a series of devastating events: FDR's polio, his relationship with Lucy Mercer, his election to offices that doomed his wife to supportive roles, his death; each time, with energy, determination, and an eye for the essential, Eleanor found new outlets and broke new ground with her accomplishments. Giving up her Democratic Party office when FDR was elected governor, she became his eyes and ears--a role she expanded as First Lady, touring the country and the world to observe and ask questions, winning over critics, reporting, advising, and acting as bellwether for forward-looking ideas on social policy and women's rights. After FDR's death, she chaired the UN commission that drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. And always, she wrote--articles, books, a daily column; presided over a large family with its share of troubles; and kept in touch with an ever-growing circle of close friends. In this generously full history (longer than his Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1990, and with more numerous, equally fine b&w photos), Freedman focuses, properly, on the public life more than the personal one, as Mrs. Roosevelt herself did."
CONNECTIONS
Students can read the biography of Franklin Delano Roosevelt also written by Russell Freedman
Students can write their own autobiographies
Freedman, Russell. 1993. ELEANOR ROOSEVELT: A LIFE OF DISCOVERY. New York, NY: Clarion Books. ISBN 0899198627
PLOT SUMMARY
This is a biography of Eleanor Roosevelt. It is a book about the life of Eleanor Roosevelt that covers her life from the very beginning to the very end. Her life story is told in this book as the story of her life, and not just the highlights of life in the public eye. We see her in the good times and also the bad times. The reader sees her as a real person.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is a well written story of the life of Eleanor Roosevelt. The writing is simple and easy to read. The author tells the story in a way that is interesting and informative at the same time. It begins with a brief introduction of the Eleanor Roosevelt that most people know through her public life and then goes into the story of her childhood. It starts with the story of who her parents were. One very interesting fact that is brought up is that her maiden name was also Roosevelt, and that when she married Franklin she married her distant cousin. This book is full of very unique and interesting facts that are told as part of the story of her life. The book is also has an abundance of black and white photographs that compliment the story. Many people may be surprised by the fact that her mother was a beautiful socialite. The photographs help to tell the story of her life. The book is well laid out with the story going from her childhood to her death. The author is also well known and respected for the research that he does before writing a book.
REVIEW EXCERPTS:
From Publishers Weekly
"A natural follow-up to Freedman's biography of FDR, this impeccably researched, highly readable study of one of this country's greatest First Ladies is nonfiction at its best. As a role model for girls and an inspiration to both genders, Eleanor Roosevelt remains unsurpassed. Freedman relates how she transcended both an unhappy childhood (her parents separated when she was six; her mother died when Eleanor was eight, and her father, an alcoholic, died two years later) and a timid nature to become one of the most outspoken, vigorous, highly regarded women in history."
From Kirkus Reviews
"A timid child from a dysfunctional family, Eleanor Roosevelt became a courageous woman whose career was propelled by a series of devastating events: FDR's polio, his relationship with Lucy Mercer, his election to offices that doomed his wife to supportive roles, his death; each time, with energy, determination, and an eye for the essential, Eleanor found new outlets and broke new ground with her accomplishments. Giving up her Democratic Party office when FDR was elected governor, she became his eyes and ears--a role she expanded as First Lady, touring the country and the world to observe and ask questions, winning over critics, reporting, advising, and acting as bellwether for forward-looking ideas on social policy and women's rights. After FDR's death, she chaired the UN commission that drafted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. And always, she wrote--articles, books, a daily column; presided over a large family with its share of troubles; and kept in touch with an ever-growing circle of close friends. In this generously full history (longer than his Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1990, and with more numerous, equally fine b&w photos), Freedman focuses, properly, on the public life more than the personal one, as Mrs. Roosevelt herself did."
CONNECTIONS
Students can read the biography of Franklin Delano Roosevelt also written by Russell Freedman
Students can write their own autobiographies
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