Author: Chris Cleave
Published: 2008 (in Britain)
Genre: Fiction
Age: Adult
Pages: 260
Synopsis: The story of two women, one British and one Nigerian, who meet unexpectedly on a beach and whose lives are forever altered and intertwined as a result.
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed Cleave's writing (a real critic would probably say he "marveled at Cleave's rich prose") and the characters he created, particularly Little Bee. Her unique way of looking at the world was at times poignant, at times entertaining, but always intriguing. The story line was captivating enough, although by the end I began to grow weary.
Although a work of fiction, Cleave based a good deal of his story on actual conflicts and atrocities being committed in modern day Nigeria and the inhuman conditions in UK immigrant detention centers. This inevitably created a great deal of strife throughout the story and while reading about such things usually leaves me depressed, I found myself still able to enjoy the book, which is a credit to Cleave's 'rich prose.'
My Recommendation:
This story contains graphic violence of just about every sort imaginable (rape, suicide, etc.) and so I would only recommend it for adults.
Selected Quote:
"Horror in your country is something you take a dose of to remind yourself that you are not suffering from it."
Friday, March 6, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Author: Jeff Kinney
Published: 2007
Target Age: 9-12
Genre: Children/Graphic Novel ('A novel in cartoons')
Series: First of 3
Synopsis: Greg is a middle school student dealing with the typical issues of adolescence--girls, grades, bullies, siblings, parents, etc.
My Thoughts:
A quick, easy read. The humor is definitely geared toward middle schoolers, but I found myself laughing--particularly at the illustrations. There's not really a plot line, but I guess I shouldn't have expected one from a diary. I think what I liked most about this was the ideas it gave me--this book could be a great launching pad for getting students to write their own diaries, or as Greg would rather have it called, journals.
My Recommendation:
Great for middle school students, especially boys and the 'reluctant reader.' Parents will enjoy reading it with their children.
Published: 2007
Target Age: 9-12
Genre: Children/Graphic Novel ('A novel in cartoons')
Series: First of 3
Synopsis: Greg is a middle school student dealing with the typical issues of adolescence--girls, grades, bullies, siblings, parents, etc.
My Thoughts:
A quick, easy read. The humor is definitely geared toward middle schoolers, but I found myself laughing--particularly at the illustrations. There's not really a plot line, but I guess I shouldn't have expected one from a diary. I think what I liked most about this was the ideas it gave me--this book could be a great launching pad for getting students to write their own diaries, or as Greg would rather have it called, journals.
My Recommendation:
Great for middle school students, especially boys and the 'reluctant reader.' Parents will enjoy reading it with their children.
Monday, February 23, 2009
The Graveyard Book
Author: Neil Gaiman
Published: 2008
Pages: 320
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy
Target Age: 9-12
Other books by Gaiman: Coraline, Good Omens, Stardust, American Gods
Awards: Winner of the 2009 Newbery Medal
Synopsis: When a baby boy's family is murdered, he is taken in and raised by the ghosts in a nearby graveyard.
My Thoughts:
I had high expectations for The Graveyard Book--who wouldn't? It won an award for being the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. Unfortunately, (IMHO) 'distinguished contribution' does not always mean 'enjoyable' (just look at 2008's winner, Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!--or don't look, because it's not worth your time). To be fair, there are some things I like about Gaiman's book--it is rich with literary and historical allusions that provide plenty of opportunities for kids to explore and find meaning (although this could also prove to be a barrier to understanding for some readers). Gaiman acknowledges that his inspiration for the story comes from Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book, and although he states that if you've only seen the Disney film you don't know the full story, the book did feel like the movie in that for most of the book the protagonist, Nobody Owens, was meandering the graveyard having small, unrelated adventures. Not until the last two chapters does the plot really take off, and it's done in such a hurry that the whole reason for Nobody's family being murdered is not even thoroughly (or convincingly, or satisfactorily) explained. Hanging over the entire story like a mist is a melancholy that left me feeling 'blah'--along with the obvious reasons for this malaise (images of death, etc), the book ended with the feeling that, as they say, 'you can't go home again.' I'm not saying children's books have to end all honky-dory, but if a book is going to have a serious ending, I want there to be a compelling reason, or lesson, or message that has lead to it the entire time, and while some might argue that that message is about growing up and reaching your potential in The Graveyard Book, I don't think Gaiman does a convincing job of getting that across.
My Recommendation:
It saddens me to say I wouldn't recommend a Newbery Medal winner, but I can't find a compelling reason to encourage folks to read this, unless they've read other Gaiman books and enjoyed them or are (like me) on a mission to read all the Newbery winners.
Published: 2008
Pages: 320
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy
Target Age: 9-12
Other books by Gaiman: Coraline, Good Omens, Stardust, American Gods
Awards: Winner of the 2009 Newbery Medal
Synopsis: When a baby boy's family is murdered, he is taken in and raised by the ghosts in a nearby graveyard.
My Thoughts:
I had high expectations for The Graveyard Book--who wouldn't? It won an award for being the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. Unfortunately, (IMHO) 'distinguished contribution' does not always mean 'enjoyable' (just look at 2008's winner, Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!--or don't look, because it's not worth your time). To be fair, there are some things I like about Gaiman's book--it is rich with literary and historical allusions that provide plenty of opportunities for kids to explore and find meaning (although this could also prove to be a barrier to understanding for some readers). Gaiman acknowledges that his inspiration for the story comes from Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book, and although he states that if you've only seen the Disney film you don't know the full story, the book did feel like the movie in that for most of the book the protagonist, Nobody Owens, was meandering the graveyard having small, unrelated adventures. Not until the last two chapters does the plot really take off, and it's done in such a hurry that the whole reason for Nobody's family being murdered is not even thoroughly (or convincingly, or satisfactorily) explained. Hanging over the entire story like a mist is a melancholy that left me feeling 'blah'--along with the obvious reasons for this malaise (images of death, etc), the book ended with the feeling that, as they say, 'you can't go home again.' I'm not saying children's books have to end all honky-dory, but if a book is going to have a serious ending, I want there to be a compelling reason, or lesson, or message that has lead to it the entire time, and while some might argue that that message is about growing up and reaching your potential in The Graveyard Book, I don't think Gaiman does a convincing job of getting that across.
My Recommendation:
It saddens me to say I wouldn't recommend a Newbery Medal winner, but I can't find a compelling reason to encourage folks to read this, unless they've read other Gaiman books and enjoyed them or are (like me) on a mission to read all the Newbery winners.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Wish List II
Some more books on my list...
5. Beloved (1987) by Toni Morrison (Winner of the Pulitzer Prize). "Morrison paints a somber picture of the brutal effects of slavery. It examines both the mental and physical trauma caused by slavery as well as its effect on survivors. The book follows the story of Sethe (pronounced "Seth-uh") and her daughter Denver as they try to rebuild their lives after having escaped from slavery."
6. The Namesake (2003) by Jhumpa Lahiri (Author of Pulitzer Prize-winning Interpreter of Maladies). "The novel describes the struggles and hardships of a Bengali couple who immigrate to the United States to form a life outside of everything they know."
7. Cosmos (1980) by Carl Sagan (astronomer, astrochemist, author, Cornell professor). "Cosmos was first and foremost intended to help the public better understand astronomy and astrophysics. Although the focus of the book is on astronomy and the world outside of the earth, it is also about human perception of the Cosmos throughout history. It is a history of how our matter originated in the stars, how consciousness sprang from that dead matter, and how unique our planet is."
8. Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2007) by Jeff Kinney. "Kinney's popular Web comic, which began in 2004, makes its way to print as a laugh-out-loud 'novel in cartoons,' adapted from the series. Middle school student Greg Heffley takes readers through an academic year's worth of drama."
5. Beloved (1987) by Toni Morrison (Winner of the Pulitzer Prize). "Morrison paints a somber picture of the brutal effects of slavery. It examines both the mental and physical trauma caused by slavery as well as its effect on survivors. The book follows the story of Sethe (pronounced "Seth-uh") and her daughter Denver as they try to rebuild their lives after having escaped from slavery."
6. The Namesake (2003) by Jhumpa Lahiri (Author of Pulitzer Prize-winning Interpreter of Maladies). "The novel describes the struggles and hardships of a Bengali couple who immigrate to the United States to form a life outside of everything they know."
7. Cosmos (1980) by Carl Sagan (astronomer, astrochemist, author, Cornell professor). "Cosmos was first and foremost intended to help the public better understand astronomy and astrophysics. Although the focus of the book is on astronomy and the world outside of the earth, it is also about human perception of the Cosmos throughout history. It is a history of how our matter originated in the stars, how consciousness sprang from that dead matter, and how unique our planet is."
8. Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2007) by Jeff Kinney. "Kinney's popular Web comic, which began in 2004, makes its way to print as a laugh-out-loud 'novel in cartoons,' adapted from the series. Middle school student Greg Heffley takes readers through an academic year's worth of drama."
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Wish List
Part of my dilemma is the ever-growing list of books that I want to read--the following are just a few of those that I hope to complete in the near future. I'd love any recommendations you might have--things I should take off my list, move to the top, add, etc.!
1. Heroes of the Valley (2009) by Jonathan Stroud (Author of the Bartimaeus Trilogy, which I loved). "An epic fantasy thriller, featuring murder, revenge and a slightly diminutive protagonist."
2. Guys Write for Guys Read (2005) edited by Jon Scieszka (Author of the Time Warp Trio Series). "Features brief contributions from scores of heavyweight authors and illustrators like Walter Dean Myers, Dan Gutman, Chris Crutcher, Avi, Brian Jacques, Dav Pilkey, Stephen King, Daniel Pinkwater, Jerry Spinelli, Will Hobbs, Chris Van Allsburg, Laurence Yep, and frequent collaborator Lane Smith. If there's one overarching theme here, it's the simple but important message: read what you like, when you like, whatever that happens to be."
3. People of the Book (2008) by Geraldine Brooks (Pulitzer Prize-winning author of March). "One of the earliest Jewish religious volumes to be illuminated with images, the Sarajevo Haggadah survived centuries of purges and wars thanks to people of all faiths who risked their lives to safeguard it. In the hands of Hanna Heath, an impassioned rare-book expert restoring the manuscript in 1996 Sarajevo, it yields clues to its guardians and whereabouts: an insect wing, a wine stain, salt crystals, and a white hair."
4. Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking (2007) by Malcolm Gladwell (Author of The Tipping Point). "Blink is about the first two seconds of looking--the decisive glance that knows in an instant. Gladwell campaigns for snap judgments and mind reading with a gift for translating research into splendid storytelling. Building his case with scenes from a marriage, heart attack triage, speed dating, choking on the golf course, selling cars, and military maneuvers, he persuades readers to think small and focus on the meaning of "thin slices" of behavior."
1. Heroes of the Valley (2009) by Jonathan Stroud (Author of the Bartimaeus Trilogy, which I loved). "An epic fantasy thriller, featuring murder, revenge and a slightly diminutive protagonist."
2. Guys Write for Guys Read (2005) edited by Jon Scieszka (Author of the Time Warp Trio Series). "Features brief contributions from scores of heavyweight authors and illustrators like Walter Dean Myers, Dan Gutman, Chris Crutcher, Avi, Brian Jacques, Dav Pilkey, Stephen King, Daniel Pinkwater, Jerry Spinelli, Will Hobbs, Chris Van Allsburg, Laurence Yep, and frequent collaborator Lane Smith. If there's one overarching theme here, it's the simple but important message: read what you like, when you like, whatever that happens to be."
3. People of the Book (2008) by Geraldine Brooks (Pulitzer Prize-winning author of March). "One of the earliest Jewish religious volumes to be illuminated with images, the Sarajevo Haggadah survived centuries of purges and wars thanks to people of all faiths who risked their lives to safeguard it. In the hands of Hanna Heath, an impassioned rare-book expert restoring the manuscript in 1996 Sarajevo, it yields clues to its guardians and whereabouts: an insect wing, a wine stain, salt crystals, and a white hair."
4. Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking (2007) by Malcolm Gladwell (Author of The Tipping Point). "Blink is about the first two seconds of looking--the decisive glance that knows in an instant. Gladwell campaigns for snap judgments and mind reading with a gift for translating research into splendid storytelling. Building his case with scenes from a marriage, heart attack triage, speed dating, choking on the golf course, selling cars, and military maneuvers, he persuades readers to think small and focus on the meaning of "thin slices" of behavior."
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Published: 2008
Genre: Young Adult
Target Age: 12 and up
Series: Book 1 of 2 (2nd forthcoming)
Other books by Collins: The Underland Chronicles (See earlier post)
Synopsis:
In the future, the land once occupied by the United States is home to Panem, a nation of 12 alienated Districts ruled by the powerful Capitol. Each year, to remind the Districts of their subjugation, 2 children from each District are chosen at random to compete in the Hunger Games, in which the 24 'tributes' battle to the death as the nation watches. (Warning: slight spoiler ahead.) Katniss, a 16-year old from the impoverished 12th district, volunteers for the games when her younger sister's name is drawn.
My Thoughts:
Even though it's only February, I would venture to guess that this is quite possibly the best book I will read this year. I loved Collins' Underland Chronicles and she has outdone herself in Hunger Games. I finished it last night and would gladly read it again. Much like in the Underland Chronicles, Collins not only tells a riveting story, she also deals with social and moral complexities that add an intriguing and poignant depth to the tale. I am eagerly awaiting the sequel!
My Recommendation:
Everyone should read this! My only caution is that the violence is not appropriate for young children.
Published: 2008
Genre: Young Adult
Target Age: 12 and up
Series: Book 1 of 2 (2nd forthcoming)
Other books by Collins: The Underland Chronicles (See earlier post)
Synopsis:
In the future, the land once occupied by the United States is home to Panem, a nation of 12 alienated Districts ruled by the powerful Capitol. Each year, to remind the Districts of their subjugation, 2 children from each District are chosen at random to compete in the Hunger Games, in which the 24 'tributes' battle to the death as the nation watches. (Warning: slight spoiler ahead.) Katniss, a 16-year old from the impoverished 12th district, volunteers for the games when her younger sister's name is drawn.
My Thoughts:
Even though it's only February, I would venture to guess that this is quite possibly the best book I will read this year. I loved Collins' Underland Chronicles and she has outdone herself in Hunger Games. I finished it last night and would gladly read it again. Much like in the Underland Chronicles, Collins not only tells a riveting story, she also deals with social and moral complexities that add an intriguing and poignant depth to the tale. I am eagerly awaiting the sequel!
My Recommendation:
Everyone should read this! My only caution is that the violence is not appropriate for young children.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Pride and Prejudice
Author: Jane Austin
Published: 1813
Pages: 400 (depends on edition)
Target Audience: Teens and older (women)
Other books by Austin: Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Mansfield Park, Persuasion
Movies: Made into a 6-part television mini-series (A&E, 1995) starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth; also adapted for film in 2005 starring Keira Knightley.
Synopsis:
Set in 19th century England, this story follows Elizabeth Bennett and her sisters on their quest to find suitable husbands.
My Thoughts:
Many of the 'classics' I've had to read for school have disappointed, and so I was worried that Austin's writing would be tedious and difficult to read, but was pleasantly surprised to find it light and witty. The book started off at a quick enough pace but slowed down about a quarter of the way through and had it not been for the promise of viewing the six hour A&E version with a friend, I might have abandoned it. Luckily, at about the half-way point, the excitement resumed and carried me eagerly to the end. Austin's characters are lively and amusing and I particularly enjoyed her word choice (most surprising: "super-excellent"). Several people have recommended that if I liked Pride and Prejudice I should try Austin's other novels, and I believe I will!
My Recommendation:
If you're in the mood for a light-hearted romance novel, Pride and Prejudice is a super-excellent choice!
Published: 1813
Pages: 400 (depends on edition)
Target Audience: Teens and older (women)
Other books by Austin: Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Mansfield Park, Persuasion
Movies: Made into a 6-part television mini-series (A&E, 1995) starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth; also adapted for film in 2005 starring Keira Knightley.
Synopsis:
Set in 19th century England, this story follows Elizabeth Bennett and her sisters on their quest to find suitable husbands.
My Thoughts:
Many of the 'classics' I've had to read for school have disappointed, and so I was worried that Austin's writing would be tedious and difficult to read, but was pleasantly surprised to find it light and witty. The book started off at a quick enough pace but slowed down about a quarter of the way through and had it not been for the promise of viewing the six hour A&E version with a friend, I might have abandoned it. Luckily, at about the half-way point, the excitement resumed and carried me eagerly to the end. Austin's characters are lively and amusing and I particularly enjoyed her word choice (most surprising: "super-excellent"). Several people have recommended that if I liked Pride and Prejudice I should try Austin's other novels, and I believe I will!
My Recommendation:
If you're in the mood for a light-hearted romance novel, Pride and Prejudice is a super-excellent choice!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
And the winner is...
Monday the winners of the 2009 Newbery, Caldecott, and Coretta Scott King Medals were announced, generally considered among the most prestigious awards for children's literature in the United States.
Thanks to the American Library Association (http://www.ala.org/ala/awardsgrants/booksprintmedia/childrenyngadults/index.cfm) and Amazon.com for the following information!
2009 Newbery Winner: Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book
Synopsis: A spooky tale of a boy raised in a cemetery by ghosts and werewolves.
Other books by Gaiman: American Gods, Stardust, Good Omens, Coraline (coming soon to theaters--auspicious timing...or suspicious?)
In the author's own words:
"It’s a book that I think children will enjoy, but there’s also stuff that’s there for adults too. It’s a book about life and death and making families...this book is really a way of trying to think about the process of growing up, and, of course, the fundamentally joyous tragedy of being a parent, that if you do your job properly, your kids will grow up and leave you.”
Origins of the Newbery:
"The Newbery Medal was named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children."
Comments:
The Newbery Committee has come under fire by some in recent years for being out of touch with what children enjoy versus what adults enjoy about children's books (take for example 2008's Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Schlitz--I've decided to follow the advice of Thumper's father from Bambi: "if you can't say anything nice, don't say nothin' at all..."). Based on what the author has said about his book, it should come as no surprise to detractors that it caught the Committee's attention. (He even describes it as "not a book for children" in his blog. Really?!) That being said, I'm cautiously optimistic that this year's winner will not disappoint, if only because it was already on my list of books to read.
2009 Newbery Honor Books:
The Underneath by Kathi Appelt
The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom by Margarita Engle Savvy by Ingrid Law
After Tupac & D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson
2009 Caldecott Winner: The House in the Night illustrated by Beth Krommes (written by Susan Marie Swanson)
Synopsis: "A spare, patterned text and glowing pictures explore the origins of light that make a house a home in this bedtime book for young children. Naming nighttime things that are both comforting and intriguing to preschoolers—a key, a bed, the moon—this timeless book illuminates a reassuring order to the universe."
Origins of the Award:
The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.
2009 Caldecott Honor Books:
A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever, written and illustrated by Marla Frazee
How I Learned Geography, written and illustrated by Uri Shulevitz
A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, written by Jen Bryant
Other Winners:
The Coretta Scott King Award recognizing an African-American author went to Kadir Nelson for We Are the Ship: The Story of the Negro League Baseball. ("The story of Negro League baseball is the story of gifted athletes and determined owners; of racial discrimination and international sportsmanship; of fortunes won and lost; of triumphs and defeats on and off the field.")
The King Illustrator Award went to The Blacker the Berry, a collection of poems illustrated by Floyd Cooper and written by Joyce Carol Thomas.
Margarita Engle’s The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom won the Pura Belpré Author Award for book best portraying the Latino cultural experience.
Just in Case, illustrated by Yuyi Morales, won the Belpré Illustrator Award.
The Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in young-adult literature went to Melina Marchetta, author of Jellicoe Road.
Thanks to the American Library Association (http://www.ala.org/ala/awardsgrants/booksprintmedia/childrenyngadults/index.cfm) and Amazon.com for the following information!
2009 Newbery Winner: Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book
Synopsis: A spooky tale of a boy raised in a cemetery by ghosts and werewolves.
Other books by Gaiman: American Gods, Stardust, Good Omens, Coraline (coming soon to theaters--auspicious timing...or suspicious?)
In the author's own words:
"It’s a book that I think children will enjoy, but there’s also stuff that’s there for adults too. It’s a book about life and death and making families...this book is really a way of trying to think about the process of growing up, and, of course, the fundamentally joyous tragedy of being a parent, that if you do your job properly, your kids will grow up and leave you.”
Origins of the Newbery:
"The Newbery Medal was named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children."
Comments:
The Newbery Committee has come under fire by some in recent years for being out of touch with what children enjoy versus what adults enjoy about children's books (take for example 2008's Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Schlitz--I've decided to follow the advice of Thumper's father from Bambi: "if you can't say anything nice, don't say nothin' at all..."). Based on what the author has said about his book, it should come as no surprise to detractors that it caught the Committee's attention. (He even describes it as "not a book for children" in his blog. Really?!) That being said, I'm cautiously optimistic that this year's winner will not disappoint, if only because it was already on my list of books to read.
2009 Newbery Honor Books:
The Underneath by Kathi Appelt
The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba's Struggle for Freedom by Margarita Engle Savvy by Ingrid Law
After Tupac & D Foster by Jacqueline Woodson
2009 Caldecott Winner: The House in the Night illustrated by Beth Krommes (written by Susan Marie Swanson)
Synopsis: "A spare, patterned text and glowing pictures explore the origins of light that make a house a home in this bedtime book for young children. Naming nighttime things that are both comforting and intriguing to preschoolers—a key, a bed, the moon—this timeless book illuminates a reassuring order to the universe."
Origins of the Award:
The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.
2009 Caldecott Honor Books:
A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever, written and illustrated by Marla Frazee
How I Learned Geography, written and illustrated by Uri Shulevitz
A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, written by Jen Bryant
Other Winners:
The Coretta Scott King Award recognizing an African-American author went to Kadir Nelson for We Are the Ship: The Story of the Negro League Baseball. ("The story of Negro League baseball is the story of gifted athletes and determined owners; of racial discrimination and international sportsmanship; of fortunes won and lost; of triumphs and defeats on and off the field.")
The King Illustrator Award went to The Blacker the Berry, a collection of poems illustrated by Floyd Cooper and written by Joyce Carol Thomas.
Margarita Engle’s The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom won the Pura Belpré Author Award for book best portraying the Latino cultural experience.
Just in Case, illustrated by Yuyi Morales, won the Belpré Illustrator Award.
The Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in young-adult literature went to Melina Marchetta, author of Jellicoe Road.
Friday, January 23, 2009
The Underland Chronicles
Books (5):
Gregor the Overlander
Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane
Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods
Gregor and the Marks of Secret
Gregor and the Code of Claw
Author: Suzanne Collins
Published: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Target Age: 12 and up
Other books by Collins: The Hunger Games (2008)
Synopsis:
Gregor the Overlander: Gregor's baby sister falls through a heating vent into the mysterious (and dangerous!) world hidden far beneath New York City. There he meets a civilization of people who have been living underground for hundreds of years and believe him to be the prophesied warrior sent to stop the evil king of the rats. In the subsequent novels, Gregor travels back and forth from his world to the Underland to help its inhabitants resolve a series of escalating conflicts.
My Recommendation:
Great for teens, especially fans of Harry Potter, Eragon, or The Lightning Thief. I would even recommend parents/teachers reading it with younger (no younger than 4th grade) students so they can skip some of the violent parts.
Gregor the Overlander
Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane
Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods
Gregor and the Marks of Secret
Gregor and the Code of Claw
Author: Suzanne Collins
Published: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Target Age: 12 and up
Other books by Collins: The Hunger Games (2008)
Synopsis:
Gregor the Overlander: Gregor's baby sister falls through a heating vent into the mysterious (and dangerous!) world hidden far beneath New York City. There he meets a civilization of people who have been living underground for hundreds of years and believe him to be the prophesied warrior sent to stop the evil king of the rats. In the subsequent novels, Gregor travels back and forth from his world to the Underland to help its inhabitants resolve a series of escalating conflicts.
My Thoughts:
Besides being a great story teller, Collins is a strong moral voice without being preachy. What I particularly enjoyed about the Underland Chronicles was the complexity of good and evil that Collins explores; the 'good guys' aren't always blameless and the 'bad guys' aren't pure evil (although some characters come pretty close). Collins even creates a disturbing, yet powerful allegory for the Holocaust in her final book that is provocative and stirring. This was the type of series that as soon as I finished one book I couldn't wait to start the next one.
My Recommendation:
Great for teens, especially fans of Harry Potter, Eragon, or The Lightning Thief. I would even recommend parents/teachers reading it with younger (no younger than 4th grade) students so they can skip some of the violent parts.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Author: Philip Dick
Published: 1968
Pages: 210
Genre: Science Fiction
Target Age: Adult
Movie: Adapted for the big screen in 1982 as Blade Runner, starring Harrison Ford
Other works by Dick: A Scanner Darkly, Minority Report
Synopsis:
Set in the not-so-distant future, this story takes place in the fallout of a nuclear war that has left the earth barely inhabitable. People are encouraged to colonize nearby planets, with the incentive of a personal android servant for those who emigrate. Protagonist Rick Deckard is a bounty hunter of sorts, charged with hunting down escaped androids who return to earth after killing their masters. We meet Deckard as he is attempting to 'retire' the largest group of escaped androids while grappling with his own unsatisfying life.
My Thoughts:
The title Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is a bit misleading; yes, the story is about androids and even has an electric sheep (or two), but to me, it implies a more...whimsical...tale, not the dystopia (isn't that a fun word?) that Dick creates. As dreary as he paints the future I still found the intricacies of his imagined world to be fascinating, from the tests created to distinguish androids from humans to the black market for 'real' (versus electric) animals. I particularly enjoyed Dick's treatment of what makes us human: our empathy. The basis for religion and spirituality in Rick Deckard's world is the ability to care for other living things and, quite literally, feel their pain. (Followers of 'Mercerism'--the empathic faith--commune with its founder via machine as he struggles up a hill and is pelted with rocks. When a rock hits Mercer, the faithful are struck as well. It's all very deep and symbolic.) While I enjoyed these details of Do Androids Dream, the overall plot was disappointing. It felt like Dick was trying to take the story in different directions at the same time and at parts left me confused. For those who have read previous posts, you're probably aware of my need for a satisfying conclusion, and while this story had one to a degree, I couldn't shake the general malaise and sense of impending doom inherent in Dick's writing.
My Recommendation:
Read this if you enjoy science fiction and/or the common elements of short stories mentioned in my review of Nine Stories.
Selected Quote:
"...victims of the despotic force of time..."
Published: 1968
Pages: 210
Genre: Science Fiction
Target Age: Adult
Movie: Adapted for the big screen in 1982 as Blade Runner, starring Harrison Ford
Other works by Dick: A Scanner Darkly, Minority Report
Synopsis:
Set in the not-so-distant future, this story takes place in the fallout of a nuclear war that has left the earth barely inhabitable. People are encouraged to colonize nearby planets, with the incentive of a personal android servant for those who emigrate. Protagonist Rick Deckard is a bounty hunter of sorts, charged with hunting down escaped androids who return to earth after killing their masters. We meet Deckard as he is attempting to 'retire' the largest group of escaped androids while grappling with his own unsatisfying life.
My Thoughts:
The title Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is a bit misleading; yes, the story is about androids and even has an electric sheep (or two), but to me, it implies a more...whimsical...tale, not the dystopia (isn't that a fun word?) that Dick creates. As dreary as he paints the future I still found the intricacies of his imagined world to be fascinating, from the tests created to distinguish androids from humans to the black market for 'real' (versus electric) animals. I particularly enjoyed Dick's treatment of what makes us human: our empathy. The basis for religion and spirituality in Rick Deckard's world is the ability to care for other living things and, quite literally, feel their pain. (Followers of 'Mercerism'--the empathic faith--commune with its founder via machine as he struggles up a hill and is pelted with rocks. When a rock hits Mercer, the faithful are struck as well. It's all very deep and symbolic.) While I enjoyed these details of Do Androids Dream, the overall plot was disappointing. It felt like Dick was trying to take the story in different directions at the same time and at parts left me confused. For those who have read previous posts, you're probably aware of my need for a satisfying conclusion, and while this story had one to a degree, I couldn't shake the general malaise and sense of impending doom inherent in Dick's writing.
My Recommendation:
Read this if you enjoy science fiction and/or the common elements of short stories mentioned in my review of Nine Stories.
Selected Quote:
"...victims of the despotic force of time..."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)