The Giver. ISBN: 0-440-23768-8. Lois Lowry. 1993. Newberry Honor. 12 and up. Classless, race less Utopian society.
Synopsis
The Giver is the story of Jonas a boy who is growing up in what seems to be the perfect civilization - a world free from choices, hardships and feelings. Jonas seems different from others early in the novel, but it is not until he receives his assignment at the age of twelve that he truly learns how to be different.
He is assigned to be the Receiver of Memories where he will undergo a very isolated training. It is in this training that the current Receiver (who Jonas begins calling The Giver) teaches Jonas of memories that his supposed "perfect" community cannot begin to comprehend. Through learning about emotions like pleasure and pain, Jonas realizes that his community is missing out on many things and he begins to question the way things work. He truly sees how wrong his society is when he witnesses the release of a newchild. The release is actually a sort of lethal injection.
Jonas decides he cannot live in a society that has no regard for human life. After he hears that the newchild Gabriel that has been living with his family is to be "released" he immediately acts by taking the newchild away on his fathers bike. When these two venture out into "Elsewhere" Jonas truly begins to live some of the memories that The Giver had given to him. He begins to see that there are upsides and downsides to both the safety and confinement of his community and the beauty and pleasure of Elsewhere.
Topics for Discussion
1. Free will
2. Right vs. wrong
3. Emotions
4. What makes us human
Critique
Lowry does an amazing job with setting in this story. The setting is one of the most important aspects of this novel. The community that Jonas lives in is fictional and entirely different from the world we have grown accustomed to living in. It is quite interesting that most of the characters in this novel believe that they are living in an ideal way, when the reader could interpret their way of life as absolutely horrifying.
It is equally interesting that our true world can be looked at as a terrible place with many atrocities and injustices occurring on a regular basis, but Jonas the main character would rather live in this atrocious world and be given the ability to feel feelings and be able to have free will that not. The things that we find horrible in our own reality are perceived as truly living by Jonas. I find this idea very fascinating and believe that it would bring about a wealth of valuable discussion in the classroom.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
The Golden Compass
The Golden Compass. ISBN: 0-440-41832-1. Philip Pullman.1995. Carnegie Medal (England), The Guardian Prize for Fiction (England). Age 12-17. Caucasian upper class, mythical characters.
Synopsis
The Golden compass is the story of Lyra, a brave and intelligent young girl. The story begins at Jordan College where her life is easy and full of mini adventures with neighboring children. Things begin to change for the worse for Lyra and others around her once the Gobblers begin stealing children.
Lyra's real adventure begins when she is introduced to Mrs. Coulter who offers Lyra the promise of North. Lyra is given the alethiometer by the Master of Jordan College before her journey begins. Once Lyra realizes that Mrs. Coulter is part of the Gobblers (Oblation Board) she is on her own - that is until she meets up with the Gyptians.
It is the Gyptians who explain to Lyra many truths about the Gobblers and their mission to rescue the missing children. Lyra also wishes to rescue her Uncle Asrael (who is really her father) and bring him the alethiometer.
On her journey she meets many mythical characters including witches, and ice bears that seem more like humans than bears.
In what seems like the end of her journey Lyra reaches her father and brings him the alethiometer only to find out that he needed a child to complete his mission. Because he did not want to use Lyra, he uses her friend Roger to cross over to another universe.
Topics for Discussion
1. Fantasy Genre
2. The difference between our world and the world in the novel.
3. Good vs. Evil
4. Right vs. Wrong
5. The presence of our souls and how they can be attributed to Daemons in the novel.
Critique
Pullman is a genius when it comes to creating characters. He creates Lyra as the perfect character for this novel because she is adventurous and knows how to lie (Iorek Byrneson refers to her as Lyra Silvertongue) to get herself out of a difficult situation - which there are many of. He also creates interesting characters like Daemons that seem to be a reflection of their humans better self, ice bears who carry on conversation, and witches that feel emotions entirely differently than humans do.
The setting is also interesting. It mirrors our world in that some locations are the same by name like England and the North, yet they are dramatically different.
Synopsis
The Golden compass is the story of Lyra, a brave and intelligent young girl. The story begins at Jordan College where her life is easy and full of mini adventures with neighboring children. Things begin to change for the worse for Lyra and others around her once the Gobblers begin stealing children.
Lyra's real adventure begins when she is introduced to Mrs. Coulter who offers Lyra the promise of North. Lyra is given the alethiometer by the Master of Jordan College before her journey begins. Once Lyra realizes that Mrs. Coulter is part of the Gobblers (Oblation Board) she is on her own - that is until she meets up with the Gyptians.
It is the Gyptians who explain to Lyra many truths about the Gobblers and their mission to rescue the missing children. Lyra also wishes to rescue her Uncle Asrael (who is really her father) and bring him the alethiometer.
On her journey she meets many mythical characters including witches, and ice bears that seem more like humans than bears.
In what seems like the end of her journey Lyra reaches her father and brings him the alethiometer only to find out that he needed a child to complete his mission. Because he did not want to use Lyra, he uses her friend Roger to cross over to another universe.
Topics for Discussion
1. Fantasy Genre
2. The difference between our world and the world in the novel.
3. Good vs. Evil
4. Right vs. Wrong
5. The presence of our souls and how they can be attributed to Daemons in the novel.
Critique
Pullman is a genius when it comes to creating characters. He creates Lyra as the perfect character for this novel because she is adventurous and knows how to lie (Iorek Byrneson refers to her as Lyra Silvertongue) to get herself out of a difficult situation - which there are many of. He also creates interesting characters like Daemons that seem to be a reflection of their humans better self, ice bears who carry on conversation, and witches that feel emotions entirely differently than humans do.
The setting is also interesting. It mirrors our world in that some locations are the same by name like England and the North, yet they are dramatically different.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Human Decency
Number the Stars. ISBN 0-440-40327-8. Lois Lowry. 1989. Newberry Award Medal Winner. Ages 10-14. Danish/Jewish WW II.
Synopsis
During the German occupation of Denmark, Annemarie Johansen learns many lessons about life. The Germans soldiers are taking Jewish families and relocating them to unknown locations and fates. Annemarie is forced at a young age to decide whether or not she would be brave enough to risk her life for her country, her best friend and what is right. In the end all characters in some way make a contribution to human decency helping the Rosen family and other Jews to escape Nazi occupied Denmark to free Sweden.
Discussion Topics
1. Friendship
2. Bravery/Courage
3. WW II/Denmark Resistance
4. Racism
5. Holocaust
6. Humanity/dehumanization
Critique
This is an excellent story of bravery and courage. The author does a superb job of creating each character in a way that contributes to the safety of the Danish Jews. Even without knowing it young Annemarie and even Kirsten aid in the escape of their Jewish friends. The Johansen family is risking their life for what is right and this book has the ability to spur many interesting discussion topics amongst young adult readers.I think it is also a great way of introducing WW II/Holocaust Literature to readers as young as 4th grade.
Synopsis
During the German occupation of Denmark, Annemarie Johansen learns many lessons about life. The Germans soldiers are taking Jewish families and relocating them to unknown locations and fates. Annemarie is forced at a young age to decide whether or not she would be brave enough to risk her life for her country, her best friend and what is right. In the end all characters in some way make a contribution to human decency helping the Rosen family and other Jews to escape Nazi occupied Denmark to free Sweden.
Discussion Topics
1. Friendship
2. Bravery/Courage
3. WW II/Denmark Resistance
4. Racism
5. Holocaust
6. Humanity/dehumanization
Critique
This is an excellent story of bravery and courage. The author does a superb job of creating each character in a way that contributes to the safety of the Danish Jews. Even without knowing it young Annemarie and even Kirsten aid in the escape of their Jewish friends. The Johansen family is risking their life for what is right and this book has the ability to spur many interesting discussion topics amongst young adult readers.I think it is also a great way of introducing WW II/Holocaust Literature to readers as young as 4th grade.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
The Latehomecomer
The Latehomecomer A Hmong Family Memoir. ISBN 978-I-56689-208-7. Kao Kalia Yang, 2008. Ages 13 and up. Hmong refugees/Hmong American working class.
Synopsis
The Latehomcomer begins as the story of a family's journey through war torn Laos to the unwelcoming refugee camps of Thailand and further to a very foreign America that would eventually become home. It is in Thailand that a very brave girl makes her journey from the clouds where she will enter her family in constant search of self and a place to call home. She begins her story before her birth starting with the experiences of her parents and the experience of her grandmother - a beautifully spirited woman who made the survival of the family possible. The story continues in America where the author and her family struggle for acceptance and freedom from the lives they had left behind.
Discussion Topics
1. The Vietnam War
2. The Secret War
3. Geography of Laos and Thailand
4. The Hmong culture/traditions
5. The American Dream
6. What it means to be American
7. Arranged Marriages
8. Death
9. Finding ones voice
Critique
This is by far one of the best books I have ever read. It was almost as if I knew Yang. Her beautiful story of war, fear, courage motherhood, the struggle for self and home made me feel an emense range of emotions. She writes beautifully about the characters of her life. The reader can practically see the family as they make their way across the Mekong River to the unknown. The use of Yang's family photos further invites the reader to truly know her family experience.
Not only does this book teach us of the struggles one family faced, it educates us about a culture we may have never known and a one sided war that's history is kept a secret from us. It is a wonderful resource for the classroom. I wish it had been around when I was in high school. It has the ability to teach many lessons about self, life, death, family, history and home. I absolutely love this book!!!
Synopsis
The Latehomcomer begins as the story of a family's journey through war torn Laos to the unwelcoming refugee camps of Thailand and further to a very foreign America that would eventually become home. It is in Thailand that a very brave girl makes her journey from the clouds where she will enter her family in constant search of self and a place to call home. She begins her story before her birth starting with the experiences of her parents and the experience of her grandmother - a beautifully spirited woman who made the survival of the family possible. The story continues in America where the author and her family struggle for acceptance and freedom from the lives they had left behind.
Discussion Topics
1. The Vietnam War
2. The Secret War
3. Geography of Laos and Thailand
4. The Hmong culture/traditions
5. The American Dream
6. What it means to be American
7. Arranged Marriages
8. Death
9. Finding ones voice
Critique
This is by far one of the best books I have ever read. It was almost as if I knew Yang. Her beautiful story of war, fear, courage motherhood, the struggle for self and home made me feel an emense range of emotions. She writes beautifully about the characters of her life. The reader can practically see the family as they make their way across the Mekong River to the unknown. The use of Yang's family photos further invites the reader to truly know her family experience.
Not only does this book teach us of the struggles one family faced, it educates us about a culture we may have never known and a one sided war that's history is kept a secret from us. It is a wonderful resource for the classroom. I wish it had been around when I was in high school. It has the ability to teach many lessons about self, life, death, family, history and home. I absolutely love this book!!!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
"Stories Lead to other Stories"
The Invention of Hugo Cabret. ISBN-10:0-439-81378-6. Brian Selznick. 2007. The Caldecott Medal. Age 9-12.
Synopsis
A young 12 year old boy's life takes an unexpected turn for the worst, he scarcely realizes that he has set out on a journey that will give meaning to his life. Hugo's life changes suddenly when his father is killed in a fire inside of the museum he works at. Before his death he introduces Hugo to the automaton (mechanical man) he had been working on.
Hugo is forced to move with his drunken uncle who mistreats the boy and makes him quit school. When his uncle disappears, Hugo resorts to stealing for survival which is where he meets Melies Georges and his goddaughter Isabelle. It is when Melies Georges takes Hugo's notebook away that the journey really begins.
Hugo will stop at nothing to get the notebook back. He goes to work for Georges in hopes that he will give him his notebook back (meanwhile he has found the automaton that his father had been working on in the pile of ruble of the museum). Isabelle ends up helping Hugo by steeling the notebook from her godfather. It is then they discover what the automaton's message had been. It was not only a message from Hugo's father, but a cry for help from Georges.
Hugo ends up going to a cinema library where he discovers that his fathers message (a picture from a movie his father had loved as a child) had been created by Georges. Georges had been amongst the first film makers, and he was greatly admired. Then Hugo and Isabelle make it there mission to reintroduce Georges to his long lost love of film making. In the end Hugo not only helps Georges rediscover himself, he also finds his calling.
Discussion Topics
1. Movies and the invention of dreams
2. Historical Fiction
3. Right vs. Wrong
4. Art/movies and the ability of a picture to tell the story.
Critique
I loved this book! In the beginning the author makes the characters remarkably mysterious, (using tactics like not giving us there names or purposes) which makes the reader eager to find out what will happen next. Then once they are introduced they all have intricate personalities, especially Hugo and Isabelle. Hugo is a sweet smart boy who's purpose is "fixing things" according to Isabelle. Hugo is very good at fixing things. He even "fixes" Papa Georges in the end.
I love the format. The book looks like a movie, although that might not be entirely clear to the reader until the theme of movies is introduced, but then it all makes sense. It as if the reader had been watching a movie all along. The pictures are absolutely gorgeous!
There were a few themes in this book, but I really like the fact that it is loosely based on a real person that had really experimented with the creation of automata. I also like the theme of movies and how they "invent dreams." I agree very much and have always been very passionate about movies for this reason.
There are several themes that can be discussed with children throughout this book. They can discuss the history behind the book (who is Melies Georges and what did he do). Students can discuss movies and how they "invent dreams." They can discuss right vs. wrong (was it right or wrong for Hugo to steal if he was doing it for survival? Was it wrong Of Georges to take Hugo's notebook? Was it wrong of Isabelle to steal it back?) They can also discuss historical fiction and its purpose.
Synopsis
A young 12 year old boy's life takes an unexpected turn for the worst, he scarcely realizes that he has set out on a journey that will give meaning to his life. Hugo's life changes suddenly when his father is killed in a fire inside of the museum he works at. Before his death he introduces Hugo to the automaton (mechanical man) he had been working on.
Hugo is forced to move with his drunken uncle who mistreats the boy and makes him quit school. When his uncle disappears, Hugo resorts to stealing for survival which is where he meets Melies Georges and his goddaughter Isabelle. It is when Melies Georges takes Hugo's notebook away that the journey really begins.
Hugo will stop at nothing to get the notebook back. He goes to work for Georges in hopes that he will give him his notebook back (meanwhile he has found the automaton that his father had been working on in the pile of ruble of the museum). Isabelle ends up helping Hugo by steeling the notebook from her godfather. It is then they discover what the automaton's message had been. It was not only a message from Hugo's father, but a cry for help from Georges.
Hugo ends up going to a cinema library where he discovers that his fathers message (a picture from a movie his father had loved as a child) had been created by Georges. Georges had been amongst the first film makers, and he was greatly admired. Then Hugo and Isabelle make it there mission to reintroduce Georges to his long lost love of film making. In the end Hugo not only helps Georges rediscover himself, he also finds his calling.
Discussion Topics
1. Movies and the invention of dreams
2. Historical Fiction
3. Right vs. Wrong
4. Art/movies and the ability of a picture to tell the story.
Critique
I loved this book! In the beginning the author makes the characters remarkably mysterious, (using tactics like not giving us there names or purposes) which makes the reader eager to find out what will happen next. Then once they are introduced they all have intricate personalities, especially Hugo and Isabelle. Hugo is a sweet smart boy who's purpose is "fixing things" according to Isabelle. Hugo is very good at fixing things. He even "fixes" Papa Georges in the end.
I love the format. The book looks like a movie, although that might not be entirely clear to the reader until the theme of movies is introduced, but then it all makes sense. It as if the reader had been watching a movie all along. The pictures are absolutely gorgeous!
There were a few themes in this book, but I really like the fact that it is loosely based on a real person that had really experimented with the creation of automata. I also like the theme of movies and how they "invent dreams." I agree very much and have always been very passionate about movies for this reason.
There are several themes that can be discussed with children throughout this book. They can discuss the history behind the book (who is Melies Georges and what did he do). Students can discuss movies and how they "invent dreams." They can discuss right vs. wrong (was it right or wrong for Hugo to steal if he was doing it for survival? Was it wrong Of Georges to take Hugo's notebook? Was it wrong of Isabelle to steal it back?) They can also discuss historical fiction and its purpose.
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