a. Audience for whom the book is written
b. Audience to whom it will appeal (might differ from a.)
c. Particular strengths of the book
d. Particular weaknesses of the book
e. Any special considerations (artwork, curriculum links, community values, beliefs espoused, etc)
f. And, in the School Library Journal’s format: Your verdict, supported with details
No plot summaries and no spoilers please. Failure to follow that rule will result in revocation of your authoring rights, guaranteed!!
Now I Rise by Kiersten White (2nd in Conquerer’s Saga trilogy)
ReplyDeletea. Age 15+ who enjoy historical fiction, strong female characters and retellings (Vlad the Impaler retelling taking place during the time of the Ottoman Empire and siege of Constantinople.)
b. Age 15 or older, higher level readers who have an interest in history, strong female characters, complicated relationships including same sex, war and related violence.
c. I chose this book over the 1st in the series because it is the more well-written and developed book. One of the hugest strengths is the all-around character development. The characters are really fleshed out with the two main characters having wonderful, completely different arcs. What is special is how well-developed the side characters are throughout the entire book. None of them feel like plot devices, they all have moral dilemmas and are interesting. This book has diverse relationships portrayed in the historical setting. There is a female-female relationship and a male-swooning-over-male hint of a potential relationship. The strength of this is that it is done in a way that portrays the internal struggle and external judgements that are still relevant today so it makes the situations relatable despite the time period difference.
d. One weakness is that the main character, Lada, who is the “Vlad” character has just slightly less of an interesting plot-line than her brother which is a switch from the first book. The layers of history, religion, different time period, may make the book too complicated to follow for lower level readers.
e. This book is one of the only YA historical fiction books set in the Ottoman Empire so it has regional diversity and provides an opportunity to talk about the history of the area. There is also a lot of exploration and discussion of religion, Christianity vs Islam. Students could look at gender roles in history and how Lada tries to defy women’s roles and also homosexual feelings or relationships and how they were or weren’t accepted during that time period.
f. Verdict: This dark, brutal, historical fiction gem is layered, complicated and well-paced. It may turn lovers of history in to lovers of fiction and vice versa. It is a diverse read that brings up important reflection about sexuality, gender roles and religion. The uniqueness in setting and content makes it a great addition to any library with a higher reading level audience.
Just to clarify, the verdict would be for the whole trilogy to be included not just book 2 in the series =) Also, the audiobook has an excellent narrator if the library has an audiobook collection.
DeleteDo you think the second book in this series was more well written and developed because the plot and setting had already been established in the first book?
Delete"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chobsky
ReplyDeleteA. “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” was intended for high school students.
B. I would recommend this book to upper high school students (juniors and seniors). There is a lot of mature content including sexual content, homosexual encounters, sexual abuse, drugs use, mental health disorders, and language. I would have to be careful with this novel as I am working in a traditional and conservative community and I wouldn’t want to upset parents and community members.
C. I appreciate that the author doesn’t try to sugar coat some of the major issues the adolescents face in the story. It’s honest, and I think certain high school students will appreciate that. In the beginning of the book Charlie is starting ninth grade without his best friend Michael because he committed suicide. Charlie writes a series of letters to an anonymous “friend” during his ninth grade year that tell of his experiences finding new friends and doing his best to “participate” in life. Throughout the year Charlie develops a close friendship with a group of accepting seniors that introduce Charlie to their world. The book takes place in the early 90's.
D. Sometimes a strength can also be a weakness. Due to the graphic content in this book, it would not be good for a wide audience. I would want to provide discussion for some of the scenes from the book and talk about some of the mental health issues addressed.
E. Some mental health / psychological conditions addressed in the book include: suicide, PTSD, drug abuse and misuse, and depression.
F. Verdict: Due to its mature content some discretion should be used when making this recommendation. However, this may be a good read for reluctant upper high school students that are looking for something honest.
I liked your perspective Apryl! Sometimes mature content can be a double-edged sword.
DeleteMy book choice was Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
ReplyDeleteA. The book was written for 7-12 graders.
B. I think the book would be best suited for eighth grade-adult because it does deal with rape, killing, and death.
C.This is a fictionalized story of World War II based on a tragic event that really happened. It presents the stories of four different teens as they battle the bitter cold, soldiers, war, and their own secrets. Joana is a kind Lithuanian nurse who feels guilt over what happened to her cousin. Florian is a mysterious young man who has many secrets about his association with the Nazi’s. Amelia is a pregnant Polish girl who had been sent to live with another family for protection but it did just the opposite. Finally, there is Alfred, a sociopathic Nazi sailor who is trying to deal with his insecurities and the taunting he has received. There are other great characters who the reader connects to; the shoe poet, Claus the abandoned boy, and Ava the giant woman. This small band of refugees slowly makes their way through the frozen and battle-scarred Prussian countryside,trying to get aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff, a German military ship evacuating civilians and wounded soldiers at the tail end of the war. Alfred is stationed aboard the ship but avoids work and danger by hiding in the bathrooms for an hour or to at a time. He thinks up imaginary and boastful letters to a girl back home. The reader becomes attached to the characters and rallies for them to survive, except for Alfred, the sociopath who the reader comes to detest. Readers will feel the horror and heartbreak, but cheer at the rays of hope, love, kindness, sacrifice and bravery. The book is wonderfully thought out and full of detail. It is complex and thought provoking and keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. The ending is wrought with emotion both happy and sad over the outcomes.
D. There is little not to like about this book. Sometimes switching between the different narratives is a lot to keep track of. There are also a lot of details to remember and one needs to know quite a bit of history to understand it all.
E. This book would lend itself well to a study of what life was like during WWII. It would also be great to study points of view and narratives.
F. I highly recommend this book for any high school library. It will take the reader on an emotional journey you won’t soon forget.
Sounds like a good book for those who love the WWII era!
DeleteMy Choice Book was “Outrun the Moon”
ReplyDeleteA) As a media specialist, I believe the author wrote this book for young adults, high school as opposed to middle school, to help them learn about historical prejudice in the United States and reflect on present attitudes.
B) As a media specialist, I think this book would appeal to high school students, but also adults who are interested in the genre of historical fiction. I would also recommend it to any social studies teachers who are teaching about the immigration at the turn of the century.
C) This book is a tragic and inspiring adventure. It allows students to see how racism and prejudice is inherited and unfounded. The author showcases extreme examples of racism against the main character to display how absurd prejudice can be. The book also illustrates how initial prejudice is not always a person’s fault, but it is always a choice.
D) As the book’s main character is female, and she attends an all-girls school, there are few characters with which males could identify. The book’s message is clear and the story compelling; however, male students may not find this book relatable or appealing.
E) This book allows students to learn about an under-taught period and topic of history—turn of the century America and racial divides pre-1960’s. As a media specialist, I would use this book to collaborate with social studies teachers to explore the topic of immigration and racism relating to Asian cultures.
F) Outrun the Moon tackles large historical and current issue. This book provides a window into a divided time in United State’s history that is not focused on in school. The characters are endearing, and students can learn from the tragedy. This book is a great addition to a historical fiction collection.
I thought this book would even be okay for upper elementary and middle school students. Thoughts?
DeleteMy Choice book for Historical Fiction was The War that Saved My Life, by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
ReplyDeleteA-I believe that the intended audience for the book is middle school and older
B-I believe that the book appeals to the audience that was intended by the author.
C-The main strength of the book are the novel’s unique perspective. It is a story of children evacuating London during World War 2 to the countryside of England. The main characters are two siblings that escape from an abusive home to the home of a single depressed woman. The characters are written in a way that their perspectives shine through and their struggles also become their greatest strengths. The book pulled me in and I could literally not stop reading. I felt invested in the story in a way that was compelling to me.
D-A weakness of the book is it’s accurate depiction of the shame, physical and emotional pain and horrors that comes with abusive homes. This book could be triggering to students that come from these situations. It could also be a book that could shine light on these situations. As a teacher or Library Media Specialist (LMS), I would want to be sure to watch for triggers in readers that take this book. If it was used as a read aloud in a classroom, I would also want to support the teacher or listeners with pointing out the hopeful aspects of the book.
E- A special consideration is that there are references to rickets and clubfoot. As a LMS, I would want to explain that to a reader before they checked it out since most students wouldn’t have a frame of reference to those things. The book is set during the onset of WWII and would complement a unit on this time period or supplement a unit on Number the Stars that my school’s 5th grade reads. This book also won a Newbury Honor.
F-VERDICT-The War that Saved My Life is an important, almost urgent book for middle schoolers to read. The point of view of a child that overcomes unimaginable pain with hope and grit is inspiring. The theme of belonging (common in YA books) that encompasses the book is uniquely told and more genuine that other books. Buy the book and read it aloud to 5th or 6th graders.
I recently listened to this book because it won the Schneider Family book award for middle school (books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences). I loved this book, the history, the characters, the plot, the setting, the accents! I agree with you, I would recommend it, but be cautious about vulnerable audiences.
DeleteI have heard that this book is fantastic! I loved how you wrote: "The book pulled me in and I could literally not stop reading. I felt invested in the story in a way that was compelling to me." I LOVE when that happens!
DeleteI did not know that this book contained themes of abuse. Thanks for letting me know!
Did you know that there is a sequel? Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/War-I-Finally-Won/dp/0147516811/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_2/134-3417756-8621813?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0147516811&pd_rd_r=778c2de1-559e-11e9-9f89-0507cd6b0183&pd_rd_w=0tACB&pd_rd_wg=pC6Oo&pf_rd_p=a2006322-0bc0-4db9-a08e-d168c18ce6f0&pf_rd_r=3921HR4SS2H0M6VC9A5N&psc=1&refRID=3921HR4SS2H0M6VC9A5N
I loved this book as well. It was such a good read, I couldn't put it down either. Difficult content about the girl's mother. I wondered why the author would make this part so difficult but it was also a fact that drew me in more as an adult.
Delete“Milkweed” by Jerry Spinelli
ReplyDeleteA) This book was written for grades 6 and up.
B) Milkweed would appeal to middle school students through adults who enjoy historical fiction and who are interested in the history of Warsaw during World War II.
C) Misha, the main character, is very kind and likable. The story is engaging and sad. It tells the truth about what happened to Jews during that time but in a way that is appropriate for middle school students. It is honest without being too gruesome.
D) While reading reviews, I noticed some readers thought Milkweed wasn’t emotionally powerful enough. There are definitely tragic moments that are emotional, but Spinelli could have made it much more so.
E) Milkweed won the “Best Books for Young Adults,” “Golden Kite Award for Fiction,” and “Carolyn W. Field Award for Fiction.” It is a story about young orphan boy living on the streets of Warsaw during World War II. It is a good book to start a discussion with students about what happened.
F) VERDICT: Milkweed is a historical fiction book about Misha, an orphaned boy who lived on the streets of Warsaw during World War II. Misha doesn’t know where he fits in to this world, but he is small, sneaky and fast. Milkweed is a must-have in any middle school and high school historical fiction collection. It will cause the reader to think about our world’s past and how all people deserve to be treated.
I've never read a book my Jerry Spinelli that I didn't like! We have this one in our media center; I may have to check it out!
DeleteWhen I picked it up from the library, my son was with me. He took it and started reading but I needed to take it back. He's planning to read it before it needs to be returned. I think he'll really enjoy it!
DeleteSalt to the Sea by Ruth Sepetys
ReplyDeletea. Audience for whom the book is written: 4.5 grade reading level/written for 13+
b. Audience to whom it will appeal: high school to adult
c. Strengths: A well written, in depth novel told from four points of view. During World War II, refugees from Lithuania, Poland, and East Prussia hurry to the reach a ship leaving from the port of Gotenhafen before the Russian Red Army reaches the area. Joana, a nurse, left Lithuania four years ago and wonders where her family is now. Florian, an art restorer from Prussia, is running after stealing the amber swan from the infamous amber room. Amelia was sent to Nemmersdorf, East Prussia from Poland by her father to keep her safe but the opposite is actually true. The three, along with others, meet on the run and forge bonds of trust and responsibility for one another. Each has their own story of how they ended up running for their lives, and thankfully each gain passage on the Wilhem Gustloff, which is headed for Kiel, Germany. Tensions run high.
d. Weaknesses: There is nothing weak about this novel. If one was to find something then the harsh wartime activities and cruelty can be difficult to read about.
e. Any special considerations: History teachers could use this book to supplement a unit on World War II or any unit having to do with refugees. Maps of Eastern Europe and the Baltic Sea. Discussion questions listed in the back of the book. Interviews with divers, an author and journalist, a curator of a museum, and a survivor in the back of the book add to the history of the era.
f. VERDICT: This book should be in every high school library for students who read historical fiction, war stories, ship stories, and those who enjoy reading nonfiction.
I love books that are told from multiple points of view! So well crafted and they offer such good perspective!
DeleteMy book of choice for historical fiction was Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee. The book is written for a teenage audience and I believe its main draw would range between sixth to twelfth graders. It will have particular appeal for girls and those with an interest in Asian-American history, since it is largely set at a girls’ school full of interesting female characters and focuses on the experience of a Chinese-American girl at the beginning of the 20th century.
ReplyDeleteMajor strengths of the book include a highly eventful plot and a rich early-1900s San Francisco setting, whose sights, sounds, smells and people are captured in engaging detail by the author. The main character is strong and interesting while remaining vulnerable, which makes her easy to root for and sympathize with. As a weakness, I would say that the book often reads as somewhat unrealistic and whimsical. Our heroine, Mercy Wong, faces unrelenting racism, poverty and hardship with an unshakeable resolve and insurmountable obstacles sometimes seem to melt out of her way like magic. In some moments all the tension is pulled out from under the story’s events with an overly convenient deus ex machina. This lightens some of the heavy, dark subject matter and helps keep it appropriate for younger readers, but it can also reduce the emotional stakes and make the story less satisfying as a whole.
The obvious curricular tie-in is for a history or social studies class. The book could be used to talk about racial segregation and cultural clashes in early-20th-century America, and in San Francisco in particular. A huge earthquake becomes a crucial plot point, and that could be used to educate students about the historical event or the science behind these kinds of natural disasters. The book also touches on some elements of Chinese (more specifically Chinese-American) culture which could be useful for Chinese language or cultural studies. VERDICT: A good choice for any middle-grade or high school collection that depicts a strong female protagonist and will appeal to students with an interest in American history or Chinese-American culture.
I agree with you, this book has the widest appeal to girls since that is the gender represented by most of the characters. Did it feel to you like the earthquake part of the story was abrupt? Maybe that was the point?
DeleteI actually listened to the audiobook for this one, so I hadn't read the book jacket or any other plot summaries, and I had no idea the earthquake was coming! It took me completely by surprise. That felt immersive to me in a fun way. I was baffled and frightened just like the characters when the earthquake began, and didn't know how bad it would turn out to be until the characters did. I ended up learning a good amount about the event after reading because I was so surprised and intrigued by the event in the story.
DeleteI knew the earthquake was coming so I wasn't surprised by it. I do think the author made it abrupt to show how shocking it was at the time. No one expected it and it turned their lives upside down. It would have been such a difficult time and place to be with no way of knowing if your loved ones were safe or not.
DeleteI agree Kathy, the details of this book are heartbreaking!
ReplyDeleteThe way this book was designed with the fonts and quotes and use of language make it unique! I am so curious what happens in the rest of the trilogy.
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys.
ReplyDeleteA.Audience: written for young adults, maybe 7th grade+.
B.I think it would appeal to older readers as well with it’s historically and emotionally difficult content.
C.Strengths - lots of character development, different characters from different aspects of the war coming together to survive. They had deep and different levels of trust for each other but they knew they needed each other to survive. The stories are very difficult to hear sometimes but come together beautifully in the end.
D. Weaknesses - sometimes a bit difficult to follow each character’s thoughts and different perspectives and languages. I often found myself going back to see who said what and what country they were from. I wished I would have kept a character journal as I read. This might be difficult for struggling readers.
E. Special considerations: would be incredible for a history class or even art history. This book would definitely be best for advanced readers.
F.Verdict: A must for older middle school or high school bookshelves and libraries, history classes as well. Different levels of trust bring four main characters from very different backgrounds together all struggling to survive a horrible war.