BIBLIOGRAPHY
Freedman, Russell. Children of the Great Depression. New York, NY: Clarion Books, 2005. ISBN 0618446303
PLOT SUMMARY
Russell Freedman offers readers another unique non-fiction experience in Children of the Great Depression. This photo essay gives readers a first hand look at the people, especially the children, who lived through the Great Depression of 1929-1934. Freedman examines the effects of the Depression on the lives and values of those who experienced the events at a critical time in their lives, childhood. Freedman examines the Depressions effect on those who were infants to those who were ready to enter college at the time of the Stock Market crash. Freedman chronicles the crash of hopes and dreams which happened soon after to the children of the United States.
One of the elements which is of special interest and is woven throughout the book, is the letters children wrote to then First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt. Children felt they could pour out their hearts to Mrs. Roosevelt as they and their families struggled to survive. Many of the children wrote asking for special help. Others just wanted her to know of their struggles. Whatever the reason for the letter, the writer's found a listener in the First Lady.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Russell Freedman has a unique way of combining visual images with text to create a brand of non-fiction which can not be duplicated. The pictures of the youngest victims of the Great Depression are candid and leave a vivid impression on the reader. The words of the adults who survived the Depression as children give one a first person account of what it was like to be a child in a country which changed over night. Freedman examines the causes of the Great Depression so that the reader can understand what happened at that point in American History; however, the true purpose of the book is to tell the stories of the era through the eyes of the children who lived them. This book, like other Freedman books, gives a first-hand perspective on history which is fascinating and allows the reader to feel as though they too have experienced it.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Voice of Youth Advocates (June 1, 2006) "Freedman, social biographer and author of such works as Immigrant Kids (Dutton, 1980) and Kids at Work (Clarion, 1994/VOYA December 2004), turns his attention to children and adolescents of the Great Depression. His newest addition to his large corpus of work does not disappoint. Freedman does an exemplary job of making a disheartening and complicated subject in American history approachable and engaging. This book is every reluctant reader and procrastinating student's dream come true-large text, wide margins, and many full-page archival photographs, including one of a nude child. The author makes excellent use of primary sources, quotations from oral history projects, and the aforementioned pictures and provides source notes. It is a fantastic resource for reports and casual reading."
Booklist (December 15, 2005) " 'It's my sister's turn to eat,' a hungry child tells her teacher. Quotes like that one bring home what it was like to be young and poor in Depression America. This stirring photo-essay combines such unforgettable personal details with a clear historical overview of the period and black-and-white photos by Dorothea Lange, Walker Evans, and many others. As Freedman says, these images "convey in human terms the true meaning of economic statistics." His signature plainspoken prose does that, too, on every spacious, double-page spread, whether he is focusing on differences of race and class or on child sharecroppers, factory workers, migrant farm laborers, or boxcar kids. There are many books about particular people and regions during this period--among them, Jerry Stanley's Children of the Dust Bowl 0 (1992); Milton Meltzer's Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (1991); and Freedman's own award-winning biographies of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt--and Freedman quotes from a number of them, as well as from adult sources, documenting everything in a final bibliographic essay and notes that are a rich part of the story, not the usual cramped, dutiful acknowledgments. An excellent starting place for investigating the Depression in middle school and junior high, this eloquent book will also appeal to older readers, including adults who know family stories about how it was or, possibly, lived the history themselves."
School Library Journal (December 1, 2005) "Few authors are as well suited as Freedman to present a clear and understandable outline of this period. His prose is straightforward and easily comprehensible, making sense of even the complexities of the stock-market crash. The use of primary sources is outstanding. This is a book told by chorus, featuring the voices of those who endured the Depression, and is embellished with black-and-white photos by such luminaries as Dorothea Lange, Ben Shahn, Walker Evans, and Russell Lee. Eight chapters cover the causes of the Great Depression, schooling, work life, migrant work, the lives of children who rode the rails, entertainment, and the economic resurgence of the early '40s. Chapter notes and an excellent bibliography round out another superb photo-essay by a veteran author. A wonderful, informed, and sympathetic overview that perfectly complements Jerry Stanley's Children of the Dust Bowl (Random, 1992)."
Monday, November 19, 2007
KING OF THE MILD FRONTIER: AN ILL-ADVISED AUTOBIOGRAPHY by Chris Crutcher
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Crutcher, Chris. King of the Mild Frontier: An Ill-Advised Autobiography. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books, 2003. ISBN 0060502495
PLOT SUMMARY
Have you ever wondered how an author came to write about that subject? Or how much of a story is made up in the author's mind and how much is real (from somewhere)? Chris Crutcher does a terrific job of answering these questions through his autobiography, King of the Mild Frontier: An Ill-Advised Autobiography. Crutcher relays stories from his childhood and relates those stories to the books he has written. Crutcher writes very humorous accounts of the various scenes from childhood which represent the man and writer he later became.
"Memorable Moments" so to speak. From stories of his brother's manipulation of each situation to gain the desired results for himself and humiliation and punishment for Chris to stories of Chris' parents and Grandparents, the book is full of surprises which make beg to be shared with others.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Crutcher gives biographical writing a new style and a new audience in King of the Mild Frontier: An Ill-Advised Autobiography. Not your typical author should come from not your typical boyhood and this book is a celebration of that boyhood. There are times that the reader laughs so hard that tears are streaming down your face. There are times you want to cry from the experiences the boy endured. However great the stories are, the best part of the book is the way Crutcher allows the reader a sneak peek inside his mind to see how his childhood influenced his later novels. Boys and girls alike can relate to the tales told throughout the book. Each chapter represents a different story culminating with the use of the story in his writings. I highly recommend this book for everyone, young and old alike.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Horn Book Guide (October 1, 2003) "Novelist and short story writer Crutcher has discovered his most effective voice in this collection of episodic, autobiographical essays. Most of the stories serve as introductions to his meditations on such subjects as anger or heroism or religion or cruelty--themes that inform all his work. Crutcher concludes that life gives him "a rich pool for stories"; he, in turn, shares that gift with readers."
Booklist (April 15, 2003) "Like his novels, Crutcher's autobiography is full of heartbreak, poignancy, and hilarity. Candid and casual, Crutcher shares stories from his childhood and adolescence in Cascade, Idaho. Reminiscences of some of his youthful rites of passage are laugh-out-loud funny, such as his humiliating initiation into his high-school athletic club. On a more serious note, he discusses his occasionally rocky relationships with his parents and siblings. He talks openly about his struggles with a bad temper that constantly got him into trouble, how he came to terms with questions about God, how he confronted intolerance, and how he found his own place in the world. He also shares several painful glimpses into his work as a child and family therapist trying to help people heal some very broken lives. This honest, insightful, revealing autobiography is a joy to read. Crutcher's fans will relish this intimate glimpse of the author, and the book may win some new readers for his fiction."
Voice of Youth Advocates (June 1, 2003) "Already a favorite with young adults, Crutcher pens an autobiography of his youth that will find an easy audience in a genre that teachers and librarians sometimes find hard to sell. His stories about the anguish that was his childhood are both sad and funny. He suffers from being nearly three years younger than his brother, from living in a small town where invisibility is impossible, and from being totally unathletic in a school where everyone is expected to play. Through a series of vignettes, Crutcher lays bare many painful memories of his childhood, and readers see the source of some of his best stories and characters."
Crutcher, Chris. King of the Mild Frontier: An Ill-Advised Autobiography. New York, NY: Greenwillow Books, 2003. ISBN 0060502495
PLOT SUMMARY
Have you ever wondered how an author came to write about that subject? Or how much of a story is made up in the author's mind and how much is real (from somewhere)? Chris Crutcher does a terrific job of answering these questions through his autobiography, King of the Mild Frontier: An Ill-Advised Autobiography. Crutcher relays stories from his childhood and relates those stories to the books he has written. Crutcher writes very humorous accounts of the various scenes from childhood which represent the man and writer he later became.
"Memorable Moments" so to speak. From stories of his brother's manipulation of each situation to gain the desired results for himself and humiliation and punishment for Chris to stories of Chris' parents and Grandparents, the book is full of surprises which make beg to be shared with others.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Crutcher gives biographical writing a new style and a new audience in King of the Mild Frontier: An Ill-Advised Autobiography. Not your typical author should come from not your typical boyhood and this book is a celebration of that boyhood. There are times that the reader laughs so hard that tears are streaming down your face. There are times you want to cry from the experiences the boy endured. However great the stories are, the best part of the book is the way Crutcher allows the reader a sneak peek inside his mind to see how his childhood influenced his later novels. Boys and girls alike can relate to the tales told throughout the book. Each chapter represents a different story culminating with the use of the story in his writings. I highly recommend this book for everyone, young and old alike.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Horn Book Guide (October 1, 2003) "Novelist and short story writer Crutcher has discovered his most effective voice in this collection of episodic, autobiographical essays. Most of the stories serve as introductions to his meditations on such subjects as anger or heroism or religion or cruelty--themes that inform all his work. Crutcher concludes that life gives him "a rich pool for stories"; he, in turn, shares that gift with readers."
Booklist (April 15, 2003) "Like his novels, Crutcher's autobiography is full of heartbreak, poignancy, and hilarity. Candid and casual, Crutcher shares stories from his childhood and adolescence in Cascade, Idaho. Reminiscences of some of his youthful rites of passage are laugh-out-loud funny, such as his humiliating initiation into his high-school athletic club. On a more serious note, he discusses his occasionally rocky relationships with his parents and siblings. He talks openly about his struggles with a bad temper that constantly got him into trouble, how he came to terms with questions about God, how he confronted intolerance, and how he found his own place in the world. He also shares several painful glimpses into his work as a child and family therapist trying to help people heal some very broken lives. This honest, insightful, revealing autobiography is a joy to read. Crutcher's fans will relish this intimate glimpse of the author, and the book may win some new readers for his fiction."
Voice of Youth Advocates (June 1, 2003) "Already a favorite with young adults, Crutcher pens an autobiography of his youth that will find an easy audience in a genre that teachers and librarians sometimes find hard to sell. His stories about the anguish that was his childhood are both sad and funny. He suffers from being nearly three years younger than his brother, from living in a small town where invisibility is impossible, and from being totally unathletic in a school where everyone is expected to play. Through a series of vignettes, Crutcher lays bare many painful memories of his childhood, and readers see the source of some of his best stories and characters."
THE MISFITS by James Howe
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Howe, James. The Misfits. New York, NY: Antheum Books for Young Readers, 2001. ISBN
0689839553
PLOT SUMMARY
The Gang of Five is a group of four kids who attend Paintbrush Falls Middle School. What makes them friends is the fact that they do not fit in with the normal kids at school. Addie is tall and extremely smart. Bobby is overweight. Joe is homosexual. And "Skeezie" is Elvis reincarnate. When school election time rolls around, Addie decides that two parties do not fit all. She wants to create her own party called the Freedom Party. However, the Principal and the teacher in charge of the Student Council decide that the platform of the Freedom Party is no different from the other two parties, so there is no need for a third party in the elections. Thus, the No-Name Party evolves from the Freedom Party. Unlike the Freedom Party the No-Name Party does offer a different platform- to end name calling at the Paintbrush Falls Middle School. Their slogan is "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can break my spirit."
As the elections near, Bobby, who has been called names since the third grade when his mother died and he began eating peanut butter and marshmallow sandwiches, becomes the spokesman for the party. He is able to articulate what name calling has done to him in his life. The worst part being that you begin believing the names. The school erupts in applause as each student is able to relate to the feelings Bobby expresses. After delivering the campaign speech, the No-Name Party must wait to find out the results of the elections.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
James Howe has written a Young Adult novel that "young adults" of all ages can relate. Not only does he tackle the issues of name calling, teasing and fitting in at the middle school level, Howe shows the results of early name calling in the lives of the adults present in the lives of the Gang of Five. The book also explores the relationships of parents to their children, middle school crushes, strong personal support systems and the death of a loved one in The Misfits. The story is told through the eyes of Bobby Goodspeed as he looks back on his middle school experiences with the No-Name Party and how the group made a difference, be it somewhat small, in the middle school environment at the time.
The Misfits book would be a good "Book Club" or class read. The theme of accepting others as well as yourself is universal. The elements of quality Young Adult literature are present. The book deals with coming of age issues in a subtle refreshing manner. Howe uses storytelling through the eyes of Bobby to make the point rather than beating you over the head with it. I would definitely recommend reading this novel.
REVIEW EXERPTS
Horn Book Guide (November 1, 2001) "Though weighed down by its circuitous plot and didactic message, the story is leavened by everyday concerns: middle-school crushes (both straight and gay), romantic intrigues, teacher-student conflicts, and the trials of a first after-school job, all related in Bobby's fresh and distinctive voice."
Publishers Weekly (October 29, 2001) "It is not until softer-spoken Bobby says what's in his heart about nicknames and taunts that people begin to listen and take notice, granting their respect for the boy they used to call "Lardo" and "Fluff." The four "misfits" are slightly larger than life wiser than their years, worldlier than the smalltown setting would suggest, and remarkably well-adjusted but there remains much authenticity in the story's message about preadolescent stereotyping and the devastating effects of degrading labels. An upbeat, reassuring novel that encourages preteens and teens to celebrate their individuality."
Voice of Youth Advocates (December 1, 2001) "The Gang of Five starts the NO-NAME PARTY. Their platform is "End name-calling once and for all!" They make a list of seventy names that they have been called, write each word on paper inside a red circle with a line cutting through, and secretly post these all over the school. The school buzzes; even the principal cannot ignore the name calling any more because, as Bobby says, "Sticks and stones may break our bones, but names will break our spirit." Howe allows the reader to become a fly-on-the-wall spy while these four very real kids chatter away about everyday happenings that should not be normal in this timely, sensitive, laugh-out-loud must-read for all middle school students and teachers. This book is needed."
Howe, James. The Misfits. New York, NY: Antheum Books for Young Readers, 2001. ISBN
0689839553
PLOT SUMMARY
The Gang of Five is a group of four kids who attend Paintbrush Falls Middle School. What makes them friends is the fact that they do not fit in with the normal kids at school. Addie is tall and extremely smart. Bobby is overweight. Joe is homosexual. And "Skeezie" is Elvis reincarnate. When school election time rolls around, Addie decides that two parties do not fit all. She wants to create her own party called the Freedom Party. However, the Principal and the teacher in charge of the Student Council decide that the platform of the Freedom Party is no different from the other two parties, so there is no need for a third party in the elections. Thus, the No-Name Party evolves from the Freedom Party. Unlike the Freedom Party the No-Name Party does offer a different platform- to end name calling at the Paintbrush Falls Middle School. Their slogan is "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can break my spirit."
As the elections near, Bobby, who has been called names since the third grade when his mother died and he began eating peanut butter and marshmallow sandwiches, becomes the spokesman for the party. He is able to articulate what name calling has done to him in his life. The worst part being that you begin believing the names. The school erupts in applause as each student is able to relate to the feelings Bobby expresses. After delivering the campaign speech, the No-Name Party must wait to find out the results of the elections.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
James Howe has written a Young Adult novel that "young adults" of all ages can relate. Not only does he tackle the issues of name calling, teasing and fitting in at the middle school level, Howe shows the results of early name calling in the lives of the adults present in the lives of the Gang of Five. The book also explores the relationships of parents to their children, middle school crushes, strong personal support systems and the death of a loved one in The Misfits. The story is told through the eyes of Bobby Goodspeed as he looks back on his middle school experiences with the No-Name Party and how the group made a difference, be it somewhat small, in the middle school environment at the time.
The Misfits book would be a good "Book Club" or class read. The theme of accepting others as well as yourself is universal. The elements of quality Young Adult literature are present. The book deals with coming of age issues in a subtle refreshing manner. Howe uses storytelling through the eyes of Bobby to make the point rather than beating you over the head with it. I would definitely recommend reading this novel.
REVIEW EXERPTS
Horn Book Guide (November 1, 2001) "Though weighed down by its circuitous plot and didactic message, the story is leavened by everyday concerns: middle-school crushes (both straight and gay), romantic intrigues, teacher-student conflicts, and the trials of a first after-school job, all related in Bobby's fresh and distinctive voice."
Publishers Weekly (October 29, 2001) "It is not until softer-spoken Bobby says what's in his heart about nicknames and taunts that people begin to listen and take notice, granting their respect for the boy they used to call "Lardo" and "Fluff." The four "misfits" are slightly larger than life wiser than their years, worldlier than the smalltown setting would suggest, and remarkably well-adjusted but there remains much authenticity in the story's message about preadolescent stereotyping and the devastating effects of degrading labels. An upbeat, reassuring novel that encourages preteens and teens to celebrate their individuality."
Voice of Youth Advocates (December 1, 2001) "The Gang of Five starts the NO-NAME PARTY. Their platform is "End name-calling once and for all!" They make a list of seventy names that they have been called, write each word on paper inside a red circle with a line cutting through, and secretly post these all over the school. The school buzzes; even the principal cannot ignore the name calling any more because, as Bobby says, "Sticks and stones may break our bones, but names will break our spirit." Howe allows the reader to become a fly-on-the-wall spy while these four very real kids chatter away about everyday happenings that should not be normal in this timely, sensitive, laugh-out-loud must-read for all middle school students and teachers. This book is needed."
Sunday, November 18, 2007
IN THE NAME OF GOD by Paula Jolin
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Jolin, Paula. In the Name of God. New Milford, CT: Roaring Brook Press, 2007. ISBN
9781596432116
PLOT SUMMARY
Nadia is seventeen years old and living in modern day Syria. She is committed to follow her religion and is saddened that her female cousins do not take the same commitment as seriously as they do exploring the western culture of the United States. She admires her cousin, Fowzi, who is willing to take a stand for what he believes. Following Fowzi's arrest and imprisonment, Nadia is left feeling very sad and angry at those who have done this to her family. She blames the evil United States and the Syrian government who bows down to political pressures from the U. S. for the arrest of her cousin. These emotions guide her in taking a fundamentalist stand. When approached by a friend of her cousin, Nadia is led down a path of action, reaction and destruction in order to make a statement to those around her.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book is an important read for Americans who struggle to understand how young Islams can strap a bomb to themselves and die for a cause not understood. It is not only a statement on radical Islamic fundamentalism, but fundamentalism in any religion and the consequences that follow. American teens will be able to understand their counterparts living in the Middle East and understand the commonality of feelings and struggles in coming of age in the current political climate. Although the struggles may on the surface seem different, the underlying emotions and feelings are common across cultures and boundaries.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Horn Book Guide( October 1, 2007) "Seventeen-year-old Nadia is proud to be a Syrian Muslim. She feels detached from her Westernized female cousins and is incensed after witnessing their brother, Fowzi, being carted away by the secret police. Nadia's zealotry draws her toward an underground extremist movement for which she volunteers to be a suicide bomber. Nadia's first-person perspective is at once illuminating and unsettling."
Publishers Weekly (March 26, 2007) "Readers will see that underneath Nadia's extremist idealism there is also a young woman with a romantic notion of saving her country, who doesn't fully realize the overwhelming consequences her actions will have on her family until it is almost too late. Though at times readers may feel they are being taught, this informative novel will get them thinking about another point of view."
Voice of Youth Advocates (April 1, 2007) "For anyone who has wondered how a suicide bomber can believe in suicide, this book will show the inner thoughts of a Syrian teen. It is told in the first person from Nadia's viewpoint and gives a good sense of what it is like to grow up in Syria. Nadia is a sympathetic character, a regular teen with strong beliefs about her religion, her culture, and her own contributions to both. Like teens anywhere, she is passionate and righteous about her views. It is eye opening to realize how people in other countries view the United States and its involvement in the war in Iraq. Many conversations between Nadia and other characters deal with September 11, the treatment of war prisoners, and George Bush. The well-written prose and short chapters give stories in the news a face and a character. Readers of this book will not be able to read or watch the news in the same way."
Jolin, Paula. In the Name of God. New Milford, CT: Roaring Brook Press, 2007. ISBN
9781596432116
PLOT SUMMARY
Nadia is seventeen years old and living in modern day Syria. She is committed to follow her religion and is saddened that her female cousins do not take the same commitment as seriously as they do exploring the western culture of the United States. She admires her cousin, Fowzi, who is willing to take a stand for what he believes. Following Fowzi's arrest and imprisonment, Nadia is left feeling very sad and angry at those who have done this to her family. She blames the evil United States and the Syrian government who bows down to political pressures from the U. S. for the arrest of her cousin. These emotions guide her in taking a fundamentalist stand. When approached by a friend of her cousin, Nadia is led down a path of action, reaction and destruction in order to make a statement to those around her.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book is an important read for Americans who struggle to understand how young Islams can strap a bomb to themselves and die for a cause not understood. It is not only a statement on radical Islamic fundamentalism, but fundamentalism in any religion and the consequences that follow. American teens will be able to understand their counterparts living in the Middle East and understand the commonality of feelings and struggles in coming of age in the current political climate. Although the struggles may on the surface seem different, the underlying emotions and feelings are common across cultures and boundaries.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Horn Book Guide( October 1, 2007) "Seventeen-year-old Nadia is proud to be a Syrian Muslim. She feels detached from her Westernized female cousins and is incensed after witnessing their brother, Fowzi, being carted away by the secret police. Nadia's zealotry draws her toward an underground extremist movement for which she volunteers to be a suicide bomber. Nadia's first-person perspective is at once illuminating and unsettling."
Publishers Weekly (March 26, 2007) "Readers will see that underneath Nadia's extremist idealism there is also a young woman with a romantic notion of saving her country, who doesn't fully realize the overwhelming consequences her actions will have on her family until it is almost too late. Though at times readers may feel they are being taught, this informative novel will get them thinking about another point of view."
Voice of Youth Advocates (April 1, 2007) "For anyone who has wondered how a suicide bomber can believe in suicide, this book will show the inner thoughts of a Syrian teen. It is told in the first person from Nadia's viewpoint and gives a good sense of what it is like to grow up in Syria. Nadia is a sympathetic character, a regular teen with strong beliefs about her religion, her culture, and her own contributions to both. Like teens anywhere, she is passionate and righteous about her views. It is eye opening to realize how people in other countries view the United States and its involvement in the war in Iraq. Many conversations between Nadia and other characters deal with September 11, the treatment of war prisoners, and George Bush. The well-written prose and short chapters give stories in the news a face and a character. Readers of this book will not be able to read or watch the news in the same way."
THE THIEF LORD by Cornelia Funke
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Funke, Cornelia. The Thief Lord. [sound recording]. New York, NY: Listening Library, 2002. ISBN 030728171X
PLOT SUMMARY
After the death of their mother and to escape an unkind Aunt who plans to separate them, Prosper (age 12) and Bo (age 5) decide to escape to the place their mother always told them about, Venice, Italy. When they arrive in the city they are taken into the care of "The Thief Lord" along with 3 other homeless children. The children live in an abandoned movie theatre. The Thief Lord provides for the children by stealing from the homes of Venice's wealthy patriots, or so one is led to believe.
A mysterious man hires the Thief Lord to steal a wooden wing from an old merry-go-round, reported to reverse the aging process by turning the old young and the young old. At the same time a detective, Victor, has been hired by the boy's Aunt to find the boys and return Bo to her care. She plans to send Prosper to a boarding school. The children unite to steal the wing and the adventure grows adding new characters and twists in the action.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The Thief Lord was originally written in German by Cornelia Funke and translated to English by her cousin, Oliver Latsch. The audio version of the book is especially well done with distinction in voices which leaves the listener wanting to continue listening nonstop. The storyline, while complex, is woven together magically. At times interest may wane; however, these periods are brief and the reader or listener is rewarded for sticking with the journey. The ages of the characters fit the genre requirements for Young Adult fiction and the action holds the interest of children, teens and adults. The book is well written and translates well into English. I recommend this as a family reading experience to unite all ages.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Horn Book Magazine (May 1, 2003) "In this reversal of the lost boys, Neverland is a crumbling movie theater in Venice, Italy, the hero a boy who desperately wants to grow up, and the villain a bloated and bloodthirsty antiques dealer. Two brothers, Prosper and Bo, on the run from an evil aunt and uncle, join the Thief Lord's band of stray children who live by their wits and little else. Simon Jones carefully crafts each of the oddly likable characters, from fatherly private-eye Victor to feisty Hornet, the only girl in the band. Jones's matter-of-fact delivery also helps support the book's gradual transition from daily reality to the moonlit and magical landscape of the ancient carousel where anything can (and does) happen. The book won the 2003 Batchelder Award; the audiobook itself is a rip-roaring success."
School Library Journal (February 1, 2003) "The plot is full of twists and surprises, and the characters are vividly described. The excellent descriptive passages make it easy to picture the characters and setting. Loyalty, honor among thieves, and whether it's better to be an adult or a child are some of the themes explored in this fast-paced, spellbinding tale."
Publishers Weekly (June 24, 2002) "There are a lot of story lines to follow, and the pacing is sometimes off (readers may feel that Funke spends too little time on what happens when the children find the carousel, and too much on the ruse they pull on Prosper's aunt). But between kindhearted Victor and his collection of fake beards, the Thief Lord in his mask and high-heeled boots, and a rascally street kid who loves to steal, Prosper's new world abounds with colorful characters. The Venetian setting is ripe for mystery and the city's alleys and canals ratchet up the suspense in the chase scenes."
Funke, Cornelia. The Thief Lord. [sound recording]. New York, NY: Listening Library, 2002. ISBN 030728171X
PLOT SUMMARY
After the death of their mother and to escape an unkind Aunt who plans to separate them, Prosper (age 12) and Bo (age 5) decide to escape to the place their mother always told them about, Venice, Italy. When they arrive in the city they are taken into the care of "The Thief Lord" along with 3 other homeless children. The children live in an abandoned movie theatre. The Thief Lord provides for the children by stealing from the homes of Venice's wealthy patriots, or so one is led to believe.
A mysterious man hires the Thief Lord to steal a wooden wing from an old merry-go-round, reported to reverse the aging process by turning the old young and the young old. At the same time a detective, Victor, has been hired by the boy's Aunt to find the boys and return Bo to her care. She plans to send Prosper to a boarding school. The children unite to steal the wing and the adventure grows adding new characters and twists in the action.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The Thief Lord was originally written in German by Cornelia Funke and translated to English by her cousin, Oliver Latsch. The audio version of the book is especially well done with distinction in voices which leaves the listener wanting to continue listening nonstop. The storyline, while complex, is woven together magically. At times interest may wane; however, these periods are brief and the reader or listener is rewarded for sticking with the journey. The ages of the characters fit the genre requirements for Young Adult fiction and the action holds the interest of children, teens and adults. The book is well written and translates well into English. I recommend this as a family reading experience to unite all ages.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Horn Book Magazine (May 1, 2003) "In this reversal of the lost boys, Neverland is a crumbling movie theater in Venice, Italy, the hero a boy who desperately wants to grow up, and the villain a bloated and bloodthirsty antiques dealer. Two brothers, Prosper and Bo, on the run from an evil aunt and uncle, join the Thief Lord's band of stray children who live by their wits and little else. Simon Jones carefully crafts each of the oddly likable characters, from fatherly private-eye Victor to feisty Hornet, the only girl in the band. Jones's matter-of-fact delivery also helps support the book's gradual transition from daily reality to the moonlit and magical landscape of the ancient carousel where anything can (and does) happen. The book won the 2003 Batchelder Award; the audiobook itself is a rip-roaring success."
School Library Journal (February 1, 2003) "The plot is full of twists and surprises, and the characters are vividly described. The excellent descriptive passages make it easy to picture the characters and setting. Loyalty, honor among thieves, and whether it's better to be an adult or a child are some of the themes explored in this fast-paced, spellbinding tale."
Publishers Weekly (June 24, 2002) "There are a lot of story lines to follow, and the pacing is sometimes off (readers may feel that Funke spends too little time on what happens when the children find the carousel, and too much on the ruse they pull on Prosper's aunt). But between kindhearted Victor and his collection of fake beards, the Thief Lord in his mask and high-heeled boots, and a rascally street kid who loves to steal, Prosper's new world abounds with colorful characters. The Venetian setting is ripe for mystery and the city's alleys and canals ratchet up the suspense in the chase scenes."
MURDERED, MY SWEET by Joan Lowery Nixon
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Nixon, Joan Lowery. Murdered, My Sweet. New York, NY: Dell Yearling, 2004. ISBN 0440419883
PLOT SUMMARY
While Jenny Jakes and her mother, Madeline Jakes, are visiting San Antonio, Texas for the birthday party and reading of Madeline's distant cousin's will (even though he is still alive), someone murders the son of the birthday boy. The family looks to Madeline the mystery writer to solve the case, just like on that TV show with the female mystery writer, alluding to Murder She Wrote. Jenny alone seems to understand that writing mysteries does not translate into solving them. She enlists the help of a bellboy, Carlos in saving her mother's reputation and solving the murder. Carlos also becomes a love interest for Jenny.
As another character is murdered, the stakes seemingly get higher and the story more unbelievable. This addition to the storyline is meant to cause urgency and drama and yet falls very short at doing so. The ending is predictable and sappy. And they all lived happily ever after.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
While normally a fan of Joan Lowery Nixon's writings, this book is not up to her normal high standard. The dialogue is very stiff and boring. No one talks the way the characters in the book do. Madeling Jakes, Jenny's mother is so inept she is unbelievable. The plot development is overly simplified and boring. It was very difficult to finish the book. I would not necessarily recommend this novel to any YA reader. It may be more suited to a Juvenile fiction level, but even at that there are much better offerings in the mystery genre at any level. My advice is to watch Murder She Wrote. It is more entertaining.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
School Library Journal (September 1, 1997) "The whole complicated setup reads like a poor episode of Murder, She Wrote. This is less than adequate fare for an author of Nixon's caliber. Follow Jenny's advice: refer mystery-loving teens to Sue Grafton or Mary Higgins."
Booklist (September 1, 1997) "Combining vacation and family business, Jenny Jakes and her mystery-writer mother set out for San Antonio for the will reading of a millionaire cousin, who owns a candy company. But before even a word is read, Cousin Arnold's son is murdered, and the entire family is in danger. Since Jenny's mom is a mystery writer, all involved assume that she will solve the crime. Only Jenny knows that her mother can write a good mystery but won't have the analytical reasoning necessary to solve the real thing. Another solid Nixon mystery without too much violence and lots of suspense. Young teens will delight in Jenny's deft cover-up of her mother's detective deficiencies and the touch of light romance."
Kirkus Reviews (June 15, 1997) "Nixon treats the San Antonio setting as a place readers know, dropping names without describing the place; meanwhile, the characters simply chase around inside the hotel. For savvy mystery-lovers, the detective work is sloppy: The murder scene isn't sealed off, the real detective puts up with contemptuous witnesses, and he allows Madeline (and Jenny and Carlos) in on his investigation. That no one thinks to protect Logan, a character who announces that he knows all and is then murdered, is irresponsible."
Nixon, Joan Lowery. Murdered, My Sweet. New York, NY: Dell Yearling, 2004. ISBN 0440419883
PLOT SUMMARY
While Jenny Jakes and her mother, Madeline Jakes, are visiting San Antonio, Texas for the birthday party and reading of Madeline's distant cousin's will (even though he is still alive), someone murders the son of the birthday boy. The family looks to Madeline the mystery writer to solve the case, just like on that TV show with the female mystery writer, alluding to Murder She Wrote. Jenny alone seems to understand that writing mysteries does not translate into solving them. She enlists the help of a bellboy, Carlos in saving her mother's reputation and solving the murder. Carlos also becomes a love interest for Jenny.
As another character is murdered, the stakes seemingly get higher and the story more unbelievable. This addition to the storyline is meant to cause urgency and drama and yet falls very short at doing so. The ending is predictable and sappy. And they all lived happily ever after.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
While normally a fan of Joan Lowery Nixon's writings, this book is not up to her normal high standard. The dialogue is very stiff and boring. No one talks the way the characters in the book do. Madeling Jakes, Jenny's mother is so inept she is unbelievable. The plot development is overly simplified and boring. It was very difficult to finish the book. I would not necessarily recommend this novel to any YA reader. It may be more suited to a Juvenile fiction level, but even at that there are much better offerings in the mystery genre at any level. My advice is to watch Murder She Wrote. It is more entertaining.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
School Library Journal (September 1, 1997) "The whole complicated setup reads like a poor episode of Murder, She Wrote. This is less than adequate fare for an author of Nixon's caliber. Follow Jenny's advice: refer mystery-loving teens to Sue Grafton or Mary Higgins."
Booklist (September 1, 1997) "Combining vacation and family business, Jenny Jakes and her mystery-writer mother set out for San Antonio for the will reading of a millionaire cousin, who owns a candy company. But before even a word is read, Cousin Arnold's son is murdered, and the entire family is in danger. Since Jenny's mom is a mystery writer, all involved assume that she will solve the crime. Only Jenny knows that her mother can write a good mystery but won't have the analytical reasoning necessary to solve the real thing. Another solid Nixon mystery without too much violence and lots of suspense. Young teens will delight in Jenny's deft cover-up of her mother's detective deficiencies and the touch of light romance."
Kirkus Reviews (June 15, 1997) "Nixon treats the San Antonio setting as a place readers know, dropping names without describing the place; meanwhile, the characters simply chase around inside the hotel. For savvy mystery-lovers, the detective work is sloppy: The murder scene isn't sealed off, the real detective puts up with contemptuous witnesses, and he allows Madeline (and Jenny and Carlos) in on his investigation. That no one thinks to protect Logan, a character who announces that he knows all and is then murdered, is irresponsible."
THE CHOCOLATE WAR by Robert Cormier
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cormier, Robert. The Chocolate War. New York, NY: Dell Laurel-Leaf, 2000. ISBN
0440944597
PLOT SUMMARY
Jerry Renault is a freshman at an all boys Catholic high school. He dreams of playing football, making friends and fitting in, just as all freshmen boys do. When he makes the team it seems as if he is on his way to achieving his goals and making his dreams a reality. But nothing in high school is that easy, especially when the school is controlled by a bullying gang and overseen by dishonorable instructors.
When the school is in need of extra finances, a routine chocolate fundraiser turns into a moral struggle between Jerry and the rest of the school. In the end the struggle becomes more than moral and may actually cost Jerry his life. Can a high school freshman make a difference or is the cost too high to pay?
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Robert Cormier's classic book originally written over 30 years ago has a timeless appeal through the use of theme's and experiences to which many high school students past and present can relate. Peer pressure exists at many levels and takes many forms leaving no one untouched by it's effects. Young Adult audiences can relate to the feelings of the main character as he tries to take a stand, not sure of why yet compelled to do so. Jerry's experiences have a commonality felt by many, yet the severity of the outcome may be more extreme.
The Chocolate War has been surrounded by controversy from the beginning. The original publisher's decision to publish the novel as a Young Adult book rather than an adult fiction title was simply the beginning. While many readers feel the book is negative, violent and very one sided, many times this is how life feels to high school students. Teens can relate to the themes and pressures placed upon them by peers and those in positions of authority. Yet, reader's of all ages continue to read Robert Cormier's offering and find a commonality with the book even after more than three decades.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Booklist (September 1, 1997) "Bullying is at the center of this grim YA classic about a teenager who tries to stand up to the corrupt school authorities and the ruthless school gang."
Horn Book Guide (March 1, 1998) "The masterful account of freshman Jerry Renault's own lonely battle against the ruling powers of his school is as provocative and disturbing today as it was to readers over twenty years ago."
Cormier, Robert. The Chocolate War. New York, NY: Dell Laurel-Leaf, 2000. ISBN
0440944597
PLOT SUMMARY
Jerry Renault is a freshman at an all boys Catholic high school. He dreams of playing football, making friends and fitting in, just as all freshmen boys do. When he makes the team it seems as if he is on his way to achieving his goals and making his dreams a reality. But nothing in high school is that easy, especially when the school is controlled by a bullying gang and overseen by dishonorable instructors.
When the school is in need of extra finances, a routine chocolate fundraiser turns into a moral struggle between Jerry and the rest of the school. In the end the struggle becomes more than moral and may actually cost Jerry his life. Can a high school freshman make a difference or is the cost too high to pay?
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Robert Cormier's classic book originally written over 30 years ago has a timeless appeal through the use of theme's and experiences to which many high school students past and present can relate. Peer pressure exists at many levels and takes many forms leaving no one untouched by it's effects. Young Adult audiences can relate to the feelings of the main character as he tries to take a stand, not sure of why yet compelled to do so. Jerry's experiences have a commonality felt by many, yet the severity of the outcome may be more extreme.
The Chocolate War has been surrounded by controversy from the beginning. The original publisher's decision to publish the novel as a Young Adult book rather than an adult fiction title was simply the beginning. While many readers feel the book is negative, violent and very one sided, many times this is how life feels to high school students. Teens can relate to the themes and pressures placed upon them by peers and those in positions of authority. Yet, reader's of all ages continue to read Robert Cormier's offering and find a commonality with the book even after more than three decades.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Booklist (September 1, 1997) "Bullying is at the center of this grim YA classic about a teenager who tries to stand up to the corrupt school authorities and the ruthless school gang."
Horn Book Guide (March 1, 1998) "The masterful account of freshman Jerry Renault's own lonely battle against the ruling powers of his school is as provocative and disturbing today as it was to readers over twenty years ago."
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