Fantasy

Bibliography

Gaiman, Neil. THE GRAVEYARD BOOK. 2008. ILL. By Dave McKean. New York, NY: HarperCollins. ISBN 978-0-06- 053093-8

Plot Summary: 

After his family is brutally murdered, a baby wonders out of his house into a graveyard.  Mr. and Mrs. Owes find the baby and decide to protect and raise him even though they are ghost.  The baby who is given the name Bod, which is short for Nobody, is raised in the graveyard among the dead to protect him from the killer.  Growing up in this strange, world Bod encounters many adventures, from getting kidnapped by ghouls, to attending school with other living children. These adventures prepare Bod for a final conflict with Jack, the man that murdered his family, who has never stopped looking for him.

Critical Analysis:

The Graveyard book is a series of independent but connected short, following Bod from age two to 16.  They many plots in this book intertwine beautifully to seam into on completed piece. 

Bod's love for his graveyard family provides the emotional connection that allows the reader to identify with the character.  As he embarks on the many adventures the reader is on edge through the chilling moments as they are genuinely frightening.  The setting in the story only enhances the dark and eerie feeling the reader gets while partaking in this novel.

Reviewed Excerpts:

Booklist starred (September 15, 2008)

“There is plenty of darkness, but the novel’s ultimate message is strong and life affirming.”

Horn Book (November/December, 2008)

“Warmly rendered by the author, Bod's ghostly extended family is lovably anachronistic; their mundane, old-fashioned quirks add cheerful color to a genuinely creepy backdrop.”

Kirkus Review starred (August 15, 2008)

“Wistful, witty, wise--and creepy. Gaiman's riff on Kipling's Mowgli stories never falters, from the truly spine-tingling opening, in which a toddler accidentally escapes his family's murderer, to the melancholy, life-affirming ending. “

Connections:

*Students can complete a journal entry as Bod.

*Divide students up and have them research the time period of the different characters introduced.

*Complete a story map on the computer

Bibliography

Bacigalupi, Ship Breaker. 2010. ILL. New York, NY: Little Brown. ISBN 978-0-316-05621-2

Plot Summary:  Teenage Nailer lives in a future world that is destroyed by climate change and damage made to the earth by humans.  Nailer who works as a ship breaker makes his living scavenging off other boats when he discovers a girl who is the daughter of ship company owner.  Nailer has to decide if he wants to help this girl or kill her sell her for parts.  Nailer decides to help Nita even though it means losing everything.  With Nailer's abusive father, vicious half-men, and a corrupt shipping company all after them, Nailer and Nita journey to the drowned city of Orleans in the hope of rescue.  Ship Breaker is a non-stop thrill ride from beginning to end.

Critical Analysis:

In this thrilling adventure the world is depicted in a bleak vision; "whole waterlogged world...torn down by the patient work of changing nature."  The setting is almost like another character, giving the reader great visualization into the world that Nailer and Nita live in. 

Filled with hopelessness and despair the characters have the odds stacked against them with Nailer's abusive father, vicious half-men, and a corrupt shipping company all after them.  The two teenage characters manage to triumph over evil despite the scary world that they live in.  The reader can’t help but root for Nailer because he is an extremely likable character. He maintains softness even though his life is hard and the hopeful ending makes up for the dark and bleak story.

Overall, there is a great mix of action and post apocalyptic message, which is clear but not overwhelming.  There is also a very stark portrayal of poverty and an extreme class system.  The message is hidden and not as pronounced as the environmental issue.

Reviewed Excerpts:

Booklist starred (May 15, 2010)

“The characters are layered and complex, and their almost unthinkable actions and choices seem totally credible.”

Horn Book (July/August, 2010)

“This thriller will grab and keep readers' attentions as Nailer and Nita "crew up" in their fight to survive.”

Library Media Connection (August/September 2010)

“The story is gritty with strong language and violent situations, but the adventure is compelling. While slightly post-apocalyptic, this title is still very realistic and will have cross- over appeal for both science fiction readers and adventure readers. Highly Recommended.”

Connections:

*Have students research different environmental issues and in groups try to find ways to solve these problems.

*Students can write a survival handbook for different natural disasters.

*Students can write about what they would have done if they were in Nailer’s shoes.  Would they have helped Luck Girl?

Bibliography

Hale, Shannon. RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE. 2008. ILL. By Nathan Hale. New York: Bloomsbury. 978-1-59990-070-4

Plot Summary:
Rapunzel was raised in a castle by a woman who she believed was her mother.  When Rapunzel gets curious and decides to look on the other side of the wall she is punished by her “mother” and placed in very tall hollow tree.  When she escapes the real story begins when she decides, along with Jack, to free the land from the grip of the witch.

Critical Analysis:

The graphic novel, Rapunzel’s Revenge, takes a twist on the classic fairy-tale with a Wild West twist. Illustrator Nathan Hale Hale mixes the familiar with the quirky settings as the characters go from a deserted villa to a mine with the seven dwarfs.  The illustrations add to the vivid story and help with the pacing of the story. 

Shannon Hale does a fantastic job relating the character of Rapunzel with the young readers.  When Rapunzel learns the truth about her mother’s greed and oppression the reader can relate to the sadness and anger that Rapunzel is feeling.  Like all classic tales, good triumphs over evil and Rapunzel does it with her hair- whip.  The heroine of this story is a role model for all young readers but especially young female readers.  It is great to see that spunky Rapunzel is the ultimate hero who ends up saving the day.

Although, the plot is unbelievable it holds to the classic fairy-tale.  The fast moving action makes the pace of the book almost like the reader is watching a cartoon or movie. 

The writing style of Hale draws the reader in and allows the reader to believe in Rapunzel and her cause.  The readers will find themselves believing that the heroine is the real deal.

Reviewed Excerpts:

Booklist (September 1, 2008)

“Rich with humor and excitement, this is an alternate version of a classic that will become a fast favorite of young readers.”

Horn Book starred (January, 2009)

“The gutsy tale is particularly well suited to its format, with illustrations mixing the familiar and offbeat. High action, sensory thrills, and the wisecracking heroes are clearly conveyed through image cropping, text placement, and facial emotional cues.”

Kirkus Review (August 1, 2008)

“The Hales apply a new twist (or three) to the classic tale, creating a strong, sassy, braid-whipping character who waits for no prince.”

Connections:

*Students can do a compare and contrast with the traditional Rapunzel and Rapunzel’s Revenge.

*Students can pick their own fairytale and turn it into a graphic novel using Comic Life or just drawing it.

Historical Fiction

Bibliography

Williams-Garcia, Rita. 2010. One Crazy Summer. New York: HarperCollins. 978-0-06-076088-5

Plot Summary
Delphine’s father decides that it is time for her and her sisters to visit their mother, who abandoned her family after her youngest daughter was born.  When they arrive in Oakland California it is not what they had been hoping for.  Reunited with a mother who is less than thrilled to she her daughters, “No one told y’all to come out here,” Cecile says. “No one wants you out here making a mess, stopping my work.”  Throughout the summer the girls attend youth programs sponsored by the Black Panthers where they learn about the Vietnam War, race riots, protest marches, canvassing, and handing out pamphlets.  The summer of 68 changed the relationship of the three girls and their mother and the girls’ view of the world.

Critical Analysis

“One Crazy Summer” does a great job of balancing fact from fiction in this authentic historical fiction novel set in the summer of 1968.  Williams-Garcia writing style draws the reader into the time period.  Modern young readers will find the characters are easy to identify with and will get a better understanding about the conflicting views of the African-American community at that time.  Delphine, the main character, is very mature for her young age and is expected to show her two carefree, little sisters how to act and behave. Cecile, the girls’ mother, is consumed by her work and abandoned her children and moved to California. The relationship of this family are easy to associate with students today because a majority of them no what it is like to be raised by only one parent.

The events of the late 1960s are told in first-person narrative Delphine and the details of the Black Panther movement are presented accurately but in a very student friendly way. Event though this time frame is a little sugar coated it does offer and insight to the Black Panthers that gives young readers an overall depiction without bombarding them with the very specific details.

The book’s theme, although set in 1968, are very relevant to students today. Some students may be able to relate to the interactions of the siblings and with the strained relationship with a parent or other family member.   Students may also identify with the details of the protest that happened during the story and the protest that are today, like Occupy America.  She also tells the story using the speech patterns of African-Americans dialect in the book holds true to the culture and students with similar dialects can identify with the speech.

Reviewed Excerpts

Horn Book (March/April, 2010)

“Williams-Garcia writes about that turbulent summer through the intelligent, funny, blunt voice of Delphine, who observes outsiders and her own family with shrewdness and a keen perception of why they each behave the way they do.”

School Library Journal (March 1, 2010)

“Emotionally challenging and beautifully written, this book immerses readers in a time and place and raises difficult questions of cultural and ethnic identity and personal responsibility. With memorable characters (all three girls have engaging, strong voices) and a powerful story, this is a book well worth reading and rereading.”

Publishers Weekly (January 4, 2010)

“Delphine's growing awareness of injustice on a personal and universal level is smoothly woven into the story in poetic language that will stimulate and move readers.”

Connections:

*Have students do a Venn diagram comparing protest from the 1960’s to modern day protest.

 *Students work in groups to draw out a timeline of the events in “One Crazy Summer” and conduct research to fact check the author.

 *In a journal, have students write entries based on the main character.  Include the emotional feelings and thoughts that Delphine is telling in the story.

Bibliography

Holm, Jennifer L. 2010. Turtle in Paradise. New York: Random House. ISBN:  978-0-375-83688-6.

Plot Summary When Turtle’s mother gets a job as a housekeeper she is sent to Key West to spend the summer with her cousins.  Life in Key West is very different than what Turtle is use to.  Scorpions in pajamas and walking around with no shoes, this witty young lady easily fits in with her boy cousins.  With a discovery of a treasure map and the reconnection of family this depression era tale is fast moving and very enjoyable.

Critical Analysis Jennifer L. Holm engages readers of every age with the very witty main character, eleven-year-old Turtle.  Many young readers will relate to Turtle who has moved to Key West in the depression era.   Young boys will identify with Turtle’s adventurous cousin and all the wild adventures they have.

Although the story is from the Depression era and can be a little heart breaking the story is filled with lots of humor.  Many of the references may be out of context for the targeted audience. When Turtle compares herself to Little Orphan Annie and mentions a Shirley Temple movie, many young children will not know this reference. Overall, Holm does a great job of naturally integrating details, events, and figures from history.

Reviewed Excerpts:

Booklist starred April 15, 2010

“Turtle is just the right mixture of knowingness and hope; the plot is a hilarious blend of family dramas seasoned with a dollop of adventure.”

Kirkus Review starred (April 15, 2010)

“Turtle is winning and authentic--that of a practical, clear-eyed observer--and her nimble way with dialogue creates laugh-out-loud moments. Sweet, funny and superb.”

Connections:

*Have students draw and label their own treasure map or map of the school.

*Students can research the cause of the Great Depression.

* Watch a Shirley Temple movie and research the life of Shirley Temple. 

Bibliography:

Giff, Patricia R. 1997. Lily’s Crossing. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN:  0-385-32142-2.

Summary: 

Lily’s summer is torn apart with the outbreak of World War II.  Lily’s summer is not what she expected when her father is sent overseas and her best friend moves away.  When Albert, a refugee from Hungary, moves to town Lily makes an unlikely friend.  When Albert and Lily help rescue a kitten their friendship grows.  The lies that both characters have told may tear this friendship apart.  Eventually, the reader will enjoy families and friends being reunited and a heart warming “happily ever after”.

Critical Analysis:

In this quickly paced and heartwarming story Lily is like many young children who suffer from low self-esteem.  Lily describes herself as, “a last-row, last-seat kid in school with terrible marks... [who] told lies every other minute."  Young readers who family members are currently fighting in wars will identify with the feelings that Lily has when he father is sent overseas.  She is angry and frustrated and refuses to tell her father goodbye. 

Giff accurately recreates what it is like on the home front during World War II.  She uses her own memories of what it was like to grow up during this war stricken era.  The details of the war are enough for young readers to grasp the heartache and turmoil that happened during WWII without being overly graphic. 

Booklist (Vol. 93, No. 11 (February 1, 1997))

“Gr. 5-8. With wry comedy and intense feeling, and without intrusive historical detail, Giff gets across a strong sense of what it was like on the home front during World War II.”

Kirkus Review (1996)

“Details are woven with great effect into this World War II home front story.”

Publishers Weekly (January 21, 1997)

“Exceptional characterizations and a robust story line turn this WWII home front novel into far more than a period piece.”

Connections

 *Students can create a character web about Lily.

*Assign groups different WWII topics and conduct research.

*Have students partner up and write letters back and fourth as if they we Lily and Albert.