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!!
On Snowden Mountain
ReplyDeleteAudience: On Snowden Mountain takes place during World War II. Ellen is twelve and her father is away at war. Her mother is severely depressed and unable to take care of Ellen. An eccentric aunt comes to visit and takes Ellen and her mom away to the country. Ellen struggles to fit into small town life and coping with her mom’s depression. The target audience is fifth to eight grade.
Appeal: This book may appeal to students with an interest in WWII, history and nature. It also explores how families are impacted by secrets and mental illness.
Strengths: The descriptions of small town life are interesting. Ellen’s aunt is a strong female character.
Weaknesses: There isn’t much action or story in this book. I’m not sure how I feel about how mental illness is portrayed either. Ellen’s mother barely speaks or gets out of bed, but they never talk to a doctor or get professional help. This might be true to life in the 1940’s though.
Special Considerations: Might be a good choice book for a WWII unit?
Verdict: a bit forgettable and not necessary for your library
Have you read Kizzy Ann Stamps by Jeri Watts? I thought that one was very well written.
DeleteNo, I haven't. I'll have to check it out! I also read Chains & am looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy
DeleteCode Word Courage by Kirby Larson
ReplyDeletea. Audience for whom the book is written: gr 4-6
b. Audience to whom it will appeal: gr 4-6, the main character is in 5th grade. So that limits the appeal of older students
c. Particular strengths of the book: The book has a dog named "Bear" in it. So many kids love books with animals. It is about WWII and the Navajo Code talkers, vital parts of history. It is told in alternating points of view which can help keep a story fresh.
d. Particular weaknesses of the book: This book falls into stereotypes. For example, the Navajo character has a dream/vision of the dog. There is no explanation of Navajo spiritual beliefs.
e. Any special considerations: Debbie Reese (American Indians in Children's Literature) does not recommend this book. As she points out, the author is a White woman in modern times writing about Navajo men in the 1940s. This is an almost insurmountable task for someone to pull off. It's so difficult to capture the mindset, thoughts, feelings of these men.
f. Verdict: This book is not necessary in a collection. Give kids a non-fiction book about Navajo Code Talkers instead.
I haven't read this one, but it was in my media center: https://www.amazon.com/Code-Talker-Novel-Navajo-Marines/dp/0142405965
DeleteSalt to the Sea, by Ruta Sepetys
ReplyDeleteAudience. The audience is grades 8 and up. Even though it is a fictionalized telling, it would be a good choice for content area teachers, with the focus on refugees in East Prussia at the close of WWII and the insight into the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff, a naval tragedy that gets less attention than the sinking of the Titanic or the Lusitania.
Appeal. The book appeals to an older, adult audience in addition to young adults. While this is not a romance novel, a love story slowly develops between Florian and Joana, which may increase the appeal for some readers. The author describes her extensive travel and interview process in the afterward. WWII history buffs will enjoy the journey narrative on the way to the Wilhelm Gustloff and what characterizations tell us about the historical context of WWII. Florian is carrying a priceless artifact that he stole from The Amber Room, a valuable, ornate chamber that was stolen and never found.
Strengths. The journey narrative is a strength. It is that of WWII refugees and represents what thousands of Prussians and Poles endured as they edged their way toward illusive freedom, not knowing if a bomb from above will kill them. The main and supporting characters are also a strength. The chapters alternate points of view among four main characters: Joana, a Lithuanian nurse; Florian, a young Prussian carrying a secret artifact; Amelia, a pregnant Polish girl; and Alfred, a Nazi sailor. The alternating voices keeps the storyline moving and adds to the suspense. There are strong supporting characters too, among them is the “Shoe Poet.” Language use is a strong access point. Good writing!
Weaknesses. Few come to mind. While war stories are not easy to read or contemplate, they are necessary for us to understand our past. It’s hard to read about what some parents needed to do to survive or save their family members during the war.
Special considerations. War is ugly: blood, wounds, death, drowning, cold, hunger, and rape are in this book. Humans make gut-wrenching sacrifices during war-time strife. Readers may have strong emotional reactions. Winner of the Carnegie Medal.
Verdict: This book has a handle on all the access points: story, character, setting, and language. Be familiar with them all for Sepetys’ works and watch your students and teachers devour them. Get Salt to the Sea for your high school library.
--Kendrick Davies, Library Media Specialist Candidate, Earle Brown Elementary STEAM, MN.
Do you think this would pair well with Refugee by Alan Gratz?
DeleteThe Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee
ReplyDeletea. This book is recommended for grades 7 and up.
b. This book would appeal to more advanced middle school readers, high school students, and adults. It would also appeal to readers who are interested in the late 1800s in the south, specifically the impact and treatment of Chinese-Americans during that era.
c. Strengths: This book does a very good job of grounding readers in the time period. Jo’s interactions with others and inner dialogue about her decisions begins to give the reader an understanding of a Chinese-American woman in Atlanta in the late 1800s. Jo writes an advice column anonymously, pushing a local paper to explore more progressive ideas. This explores the idea of the consequences for speaking your mind, when it is worth it, and when the consequences are too great.
d. Weaknesses: In the book, Jo encounters multiple important characters who are mixed-race. The racial background of the characters was mentioned, but readers without a background in that historical era would be pretty lost as to why it is important or how it impacts that character’s role in society. Additionally, Jo’s character was inconsistent. At times, she would have “Ms. Sweetie” moments when she was strong-willed and progressive, while at other times she was meek. This could be attributed to Jo being unsure of her own place in the world, but it reads as an inconsistent narrative.
e. Special Considerations: This book has curricular ties the American history courses and would be a great addition to studies of the 1890s progressive era.
f. Verdict: This is an important addition to any teen collection as it adds a much needed Asian-American perspective to historical American fiction collections.
You might want to check out Outrun the Moon which also features Chinese Americans during a similar time period: https://www.amazon.com/Outrun-Moon-Stacey-Lee/dp/0147516919
DeleteThe Book Thief by Markus Zusak
ReplyDeletea. This is for grades 9 and up.
b. I think that grades 9 and up is appropriate.
c. This is a book that is written from deaths perspective during World War 2 in Germany. I think that this perspective is something you don’t get with a lot of historical fiction and it makes it really interesting. It is also interesting to watch one particular family go through this all and hear from their perspective too. It interlaces some other information about what was going on and I think that would be interesting for students to learn more.
d. I think the big biggest weakness of this books its length, students might not want to read a longer book.
e. This would be a great book to include in units about World War 2. There are images in the book occasionally which give it a nice variety. The book has won a number of awards including the Daniel Elliott Peace Award, Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book, Michael L. Printz Honor Book and more.
f. This novel is a must for any high school media center. The unique perspective of death narrating the book makes it a stand out among other World War 2 historical fiction and something that students will enjoy.
The Book Thief became a movie in 2013 which may increase the appeal, but you are right, thick books can be a deterrent for some readers.
DeleteCode Name Verity
ReplyDeleteBy Elizabeth E. Wein
a. This book is recommended for students in grades 9-12.
b. This book would appeal to students in high school, and adults who enjoy reading stories about World War II and books with strong female leads.
c. Strengths - This book hits all four doorways. It’s is a great combination of mystery and spy novel set in the time of World War II with two strong female protagonists. It’s also a page turner and the reader gets caught up in the Scottish spy Queenie’s detailed confession to the Nazi after she’s captured, and whether the information is reliable and true. The reader continues to guess which friend, the spy or pilot, will ultimately survive until the very end.
d. Weaknesses - There are few weaknesses. Students may not be emotionally ready to read about torture and other horrors of war.
e. Special Considerations - This book won several awards in 2013. It was a Michael L. Printz Honor Book, the Golden Kite Honor, and given the Edgar Allan Poe Award. It would be a great addition to students reading about women in World War II.
f. Verdict - This novel is a fantastic addition to any high school library. Students will love the fast-paced plot, complex characters, and setting of a secret mission for two women behind enemy lines during World War II.
This book sounds outstanding and a great addition to any secondary library.
DeleteThe Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
ReplyDeletea. Audience: This book is recommended for students in grades 9 and up.
b. Appeal: This book would appeal to those looking to learn more about a different era and area of America. It's dark at times, so those looking for a book with a bit more of an edge to it would also find this appealing.
c. Strengths: Relationships, family and otherwise, are crucial and bisect and intersect throughout the story. Author provides maps and family tree-type information to help keep the various characters and families straight. It was a quick read, overall.
d. Weaknesses: It's a particularly slow burn, as it feels like the book is just starting to get its legs about halfway through, once there is enough background on all the characters. It can be confusing at times with where people are and when, even with the aids provided.
e. Considerations: William C. Morris Award Finalist. Attempted suicide and teen pregnancy feature prominently.
f. Verdict: This novel is one that I would not recommend for every high school collection. I think it could be stocked in certain libraries, based on the patrons. I feel like this is a book that would end up sitting on the shelf, or that students would give it 30 pages and turn it back in.