Nation

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Pratchett, T. 2008. NATION. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 0061433012.

PLOT SUMMARY
In the aftermath of a devastating tsunami, young Mau, not yet a man, is the only survivor. Left on his own and with seemingly no hope of ever seeing another human being again, imagine Mau’s surprise when he meets a British girl who calls herself Daphne, another sole survivor of a horrible shipwreck. Together, the two must transcend language barriers, rebuild and lead the Nation, and come to grips with a world completely different from anything they’ve ever experienced, all while taking in more and more unexpected refugees and fighting off aggressive intruders. However, their new Nation may not be what it seems, and an ancient secret awaits the two fledgling leaders…

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
NATION, at its heart, is about adolescents becoming adults. This is not an uncommon theme in the young adult genre, but Pratchett manages to find a new and fresh take on the familiar formula and, in the process, creates a fascinating and fully-formed new world in the fictional Nation. Mau and Daphne are both fully-formed characters with all the subtle nuance of humanity; their interaction and chemistry carry the story, and the bond formed between the two, by the book’s end, is truly heartfelt. Their attempts to communicate are not only among the book’s best moments, but encourage understanding between different cultures through mutual codependence and willingness to work together. Mau and Daphne’s struggle for survival seems absolutely realistic, and both are pushed to extremes they have never thought possible for the survival of their new Nation; Mau’s frantic attempts to milk a wild pig are especially memorable. The book as a whole hinges on a large-scale plot twist that occurs towards the end, but fortunately, the twist is handled well, and although it is pure fantasy, it seems downright plausible in the world that Pratchett has created, giving the entire story a deeper meaning. An excellent and original work that warrants repeat readings.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
BOOKLIST starred review: “Quirky wit and broad vision make this a fascinating survival story on many levels.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “The main characters are engaging and interesting, and are the perfect medium for the author's sly humor.”
HORN BOOK starred review: “It is hard to imagine a reader who won't feel welcomed into this nation.”

CONNECTIONS
*This is a story of survival, and encourages greater examination of human will. Invite the class to share their own survival stories. Consider expanding these stories into original fiction as a class.
*Other books about the human will to survive in extreme circumstances:
Editors of People Magazine. AMAZING STORIES OF SURVIVAL. ISBN 1933405244
Griffith, Cary. LOST IN THE WILD. ISBN 0873515897
Doeden, Matt. TRAPPED IN A CANYON!: AARON RALSTON’S STORY OF SURVIVAL. ISBN 0736867759

The Graveyard Book

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Gaiman, N. 2008. THE GRAVEYARD BOOK. New York: Harper Collins. ISBN 0060530944.

PLOT SUMMARY
When the notorious killer, Jack, claims his latest victims, he accidentally allows their infant son to escape… straight into the nearest graveyard. There, he is adopted by the ghostly Owens family, and raised by supernatural residents of the cemetery. Dubbed Nobody by his new parents, because “he looks like nobody but himself,” the boy is taught everything there is to know about being a specter by his new clan. But when life outside comes knocking in the form of a young girl named Scarlett, Nobody “Bod” Owens is drawn back into the world of the living, where he must confront his past and his family’s killer—a killer who, incidentally, is still looking for the boy who got away!

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
THE GRAVEYARD BOOK is Gaiman’s Newbery Award-winning follow-up to the critically-acclaimed CORALINE, and readers experienced with the latter can expect more of the same macabre sentimentality and strange-but-endearing characters here. The story of Nobody Owens is told through short stories, taking place at intervals of once every few years. This narrative style allows the reader to follow the complete growth of Bod from infant to adolescent, without ever dragging or seeming overlong. Gaiman’s unique voice manages to convey deeply mature themes such as death, murder, and the supernatural, in a way that is accessible to younger readers without being too much for their parents to stomach. While those familiar with Gaiman’s previous works, such as STARDUST and the aforementioned CORALINE may spot a recurring pattern in the book’s coming-of-age story and offbeat characters, it is a proven formula, and this may be its strongest iteration yet. Additionally, the book deals with themes such as finding personal identity, the search for self, and discovering one’s place in an adoptive family, all of which are positive messages for younger readers who may well be coping with the same issues in their daily lives.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Winner: Newbery Award
BOOKLIST starred review: “There is plenty of darkness, but the novel’s ultimate message is strong and life affirming.”
KIRKUS REVIEWS starred review: “this needs to be read by anyone who is or has ever been a child.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Gaiman has created a rich, surprising, and sometimes disturbing tale of dreams, ghouls, murderers, trickery, and family.”

CONNECTIONS
*Bod has an incredibly unorthodox family; this book is an effective lead-in to discussions about diversity in the home.
*Other critically-acclaimed fantasy novels by Gaiman:
Gaiman, Neil. STARDUST. ISBN 0061689246
Gaiman, Neil. CORALINE. ISBN 0380977788
Gaiman, Neil. M IS FOR MAGIC. ISBN 0061186473

The Odyssey (graphic novel)

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hinds, G. 2010. THE ODYSSEY. Somerville, MA: Candlewick. ISBN 0763642681.

PLOT SUMMARY
After the fall of Troy, Odysseus is left with the deceptively difficult task of simply making it home to his love, Penelope. When Poseidon takes notice of Odysseus after blinding his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus, he takes it upon himself to personally torment the poor hero, throwing him and his men into an epic adventure across the sea that is to last a full decade. As Odysseus determinedly attempts to make his way home, he must thwart the Poseidon’s various attempts to destroy him, escape the dreaded Sirens, and even journey through the underworld, in the ultimate test of will and the human spirit.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Homer’s Odyssey is painstakingly and accurately recreated in 250 pages of stunning, fully-painted art, in one of the most ambitious graphic novel adaptations of all time. Hinds is the master of the graphic novel epic, having played a large part in pioneering it as a form through his previous efforts, including BEOWULF and KING LEAR. That being said, his expertise is on full display, and THE ODYSSEY may be his strongest effort yet—at very least, it is his longest and most ambitious. Hinds prides himself on the accuracy of his works, declaring confidently that his ODYSSEY is “based on several different translations,” and “extremely faithful to the original text.” Despite his flair for accuracy, though, Hinds never allows the language in his graphic novels to speak over the heads of his target audience, and strikes the same balance of accessibility and faithfulness that made his Graphic Shakespeare series such a success—even for those who can’t read verse. Make no mistake, this is the most accessible the Odyssey has ever been, and is a perfect introduction for younger readers to one of the greatest stories ever told.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
BOOKLIST starred review: “The mythic trials have seldom felt more grueling or genuine.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Hinds's work will be a welcome addition for fans of Homer's original work and for newcomers to this classic story.”
HORN BOOK starred review: “A timeless long-ago past comes alive in these images of gods and heroes, monsters and enchantresses.”

CONNECTIONS
*Hinds’ graphic novels can be used to introduce readers to many classic legends, as well as Shakespeare.
*Graphic novel adaptations of classic works by Hinds and others:
Hinds, Gareth. BEOWULF. ISBN 0763630233
Hinds, Gareth. KING LEAR. ISBN 0763643440
McDonald, John. MACBETH: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL. ISBN 1906332444
McDonald, John. ROMEO AND JULIET: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL. ISBN 1906332622

Review: Turtle in Paradise

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Holm, Jennifer. 2010. TURTLE IN PARADISE. New York: Random House. ISBN 0375836888

PLOT SUMMARY
It is 1935, and with the Great Depression in full swing, times are tough. It is here that we meet Turtle, a tough-as-nails eleven-year-old girl, who can’t stand other kids. When her mother’s new employer shares these sentiments and forces her to choose between her daughter and her job, Turtle is sent to Key West to stay with her Aunt Minerva and, much to her chagrin, her male cousins. Turtle’s new life turns out to be far more exciting than she expected, though, and soon, she is hunting smuggler’s treasure, dealing with the nefarious Diaper Gang (her cousins’ all-boys babysitting society), and trying to solve the mystery of a lifetime.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
As with many Depression-era stories, this one deals with the concept of escapism; from an old life, from the mundane, and from the Great Depression itself. What differentiates Holm’s work from others of its type, however, is character. Turtle herself is immensely likeable, if a little rough around the edges, and she almost immediately becomes an engaging protagonist for this type of fish out of water tale. Holm’s writing manages to straddle the fine line between authenticity and readability, which is one of the book’s greatest strengths. Turtle, although clearly a product of the 1930s, is relatable to readers of all ages, achieving a fine balance between sarcasm and sincerity. Tertiary details, particularly the prevalence of Shirley Temple, are a welcome addition to the story, adding greatly to the book’s strong sense of immersion. Holm manages to make the Great Depression seem real; not as a period of complete sadness, but as something that people persevere through together, finding good times where they can and coming together when they have to. In doing so, she has crafted one of the most sincere, believable, and most of all, human accounts of Depression-era life available in the historical fiction genre.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
BOOKLIST starred review: “the plot is a hilarious blend of family dramas seasoned with a dollop of adventure.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Readers who enjoy melodic, humorous tales of the past won't want to miss it.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Infused with period pop culture references, a strong sense of place, and the unique traditions and culture of Key West natives…”

CONNECTIONS:
* This book would make an excellent lead-in to a unit on the Great Depression, as it humanizes the people of the time and demands further exploration as a class.
*Other books dealing with life in the Great Depression:
Lied, Kate. POTATO: A TALE FROM THE GREAT DEPRESSION. ISBN 0792269462
Moss, Marissa. ROSE’S JOURNAL: THE STORY OF A GIRL IN THE GREAT DEPRESSION. ISBN 0152046054
Sorenson, Margo. NOTHING IS FOR FREE. ISBN 0789102307

Review: Elijah of Buxton

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Curtis, Christopher P. 2007. ELIJAH OF BUXTON. New York, Scholastic Press. ISBN 0439023440.

PLOT SUMMARY
Elijah is the first free child born of runaway slaves in Buxton, Canada. Labeled “fragile” for his tendency to cry, Elijah once made quite the impression on one Frederick Douglas, by vomiting on him—a fact that his friends and family are quick to remind him of. Elijah lives something of a charmed life in Canada, until the theft of his friend Mr. Leroy’s freedom fund, which is intended to buy passage for his family back in the United States, is stolen. This kicks off a journey to the States for Elijah, and into the former lives of his parents, as he pursues the thief. There, he is subject to the rigors of life as a second-class citizen, as he comes to know first-hand why he was born in Buxton, and how not to be “fragile.”

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Elijah narrates his own story, and in doing so, will immediately form a close bond with most readers. A charming, endearing, and deceptively brave lead character, he forms the perfect lens through which to observe a seldom talked-about period in history; the lives of free former slaves across the Canadian border. Curtis manages to find the inner voice of a character in Elijah who, despite his fictitious origins, seems real, and is entirely too easy to become attached to. The world of Buxton is fully-realized, and demands further inquiry, perhaps even its own series. Additionally, Elijah’s philosophy and Buxton-style witticisms are welcome, refreshing, and charming diversions from the main plotline, serving to lighten the mood and provide additional characterization. While the book may be criticized by some for its flighty narrative, one must keep in mind that the inner thoughts of a young boy are seldom linear.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Newbery Honor Book
BOOKLIST starred review: “Many readers drawn to the book by humor will find themselves at times on the edges of their seats in suspense...”
KIRKUS REVIEWS: “many readers, young and old, will finish and say, "This is one of the best books I have ever read."
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “The powerful ending is violent and unsettling, yet also manages to be uplifting.”

CONNECTIONS:
* This title’s first-person narrative is an ideal lead-in to journal writing as a class. Make Elijah’s life observations teachable by asking students to record some of their own after each session.
*Other books dealing with slavery and the Civil War
Hopkinson, Deborah. FROM SLAVE TO SOLDIER: BASED ON A TRUE CIVIL WAR STORY. ISBN 0689839669
Allen, Thomas. HARRIET TUBMAN, SECRET AGENT: HOW DARING SLAVES AND FREE BLACKS SPIED FOR THE UNION DURING THE CIVIL WAR. ISBN 0792278895
Murphy, Jim. THE BOYS WAR: CONFEDERATE AND UNION SOLDIERS TALK ABOUT THE CIVIL WAR. ISBN 0395664128

Review: Catherine, Called Birdy

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cushman, Karen. 1995. CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY. New York, Harper Collins. ISBN 0064405842.

PLOT SUMMARY
Birdy, an unfortunate denizen of medieval England, finds herself doubly unfortunate when her father sets about to finding her a potential husband. While she does not rule out the possibility of marriage some day, each of her suitors is worse than the last. Using her fine acting skills and a little bit of trickery, Birdy manages to repulse each… that is, of course, until the arrival of the equally repulsive Shaggy Beard, her most unappealing, and also her richest, suitor to date. Can Birdy avoid a nightmare of a life as Shaggy Beard’s wife, or is her latest suitor too much for even her to handle? Find out in Karen Cushman’s Newberry Award-winning masterpiece.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Written as a journal, the first thing one will notice in Cushman’s work is the immense level of detail. Medieval life is documented with startling accuracy; furthermore, this factual information is presented not as a history lesson, but as a way of life, as interesting as it is intricate. Birdy herself is an immensely likeable protagonist, one whom the reader will support wholeheartedly from the start, triumphing along with her as she thwarts the advances of her father’s hand-picked suitors. She is a powerful female lead and an excellent role model, a brave girl who stands up for herself in an age when women were property. Of course, this would all be for naught if Cushman’s narrative fell short. However, as with virtually any book bearing the Newbery Award on its cover, one can approach this title with confidence, knowing that this is hardly the case. Cushman presents an engaging, exciting, dramatic read, with a strong female lead and historical accuracy to spare.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Newbery Honor Book
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “A feminist far ahead of her time, [Birdy] is both believable and lovable.”
BOOKLIST review: “Birdy's is the only real voice. Fortunately, it's a sprightly voice, complete with its own brand of cursing ("God's thumbs!"), that moves the action."
KIRKUS REVIEWS: “at once comic and thought-provoking, this first novel is a delight.”

CONNECTIONS:
* This title is a quintessential work of feminist literature, and a cornerstone of any unit involving women in books
*Other Karen Cushman books about the lives of women in difficult times
Cushman, Karen. THE MIDWIFE’S APPRENTICE. ISBN 006440630X.
Cushman, Karen. MATILDA BONE. ISBN 0440418224

Book Review: Mr. Sam

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Blumenthal, Karen. 2011. MR. SAM: HOW SAM WALTON BUILT WALMART AND BECAME AMERICA’S RICHEST MAN. New York: Viking Juvenile. ISBN 0670011770

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Sam Walton was a remarkable man who pioneered a remarkable business model, creating the biggest and most successful retail chain the world has ever known. In Karen Blumenthal’s Mr. Sam, she takes us through his journey from rags to riches, and everywhere in between, in Mr. Walton’s pursuit of the American Dream. Supplemented by plenty of visuals, including black-and white photos, charts and graphs, and even a silly cartoon or two, Blumenthal sets out to make the world of business accessible and fun for children.

Blumenthal distills Walmart’s business philosophy into terms that are accessible to a young audience, making sense of the corporate world and those that operate it in a way that they can understand. Underneath the somewhat controversial superstore, there is a very human story of American triumph in the face of adversity, one which makes it seem attainable by anyone. Readers are invited to watch Mr. Sam’s Walmart grow from a single Ben Franklin variety store in Arkansas to an entire country of Walmart, reminded all along of the virtues of hard work, determination, and most importantly, a clever business model.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Blumenthal exercises her considerable strength as a writer to craft a narrative that younger readers will easily understand, even when dealing with such complex concepts as business growth and distribution of income. The ample charts provide useful visual aids for readers still learning charts and graphs, and help to make sense of some of the more advanced aspects of a book that, at its core, is about economics as much as it is about people.
Black-and-white shots, interspersed liberally throughout the text, give the history surrounding Walmart a sense of humanity and realism. However, while the book does thoroughly cover Sam Walton’s business pursuits, it is somewhat sparse in information about his life away from work.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
NEW YORK TIMES review: “Smart, funny, full of good stories and telling detail…”
BOOKLIST review: “… compelling reading—particularly for would-be entrepreneurs.”

5. CONNECTIONS
*Invite children to work in groups designing their own businesses, complete with business plans.

*Other works of business-related literature by Blumenthal:
Blumenthal, Karen. THE WALL STREET JOURNAL GUIDE TO STARTING YOUR FINANCIAL LIFE. ISBN 030740708X
Blumenthal, Karen. STEVE JOBS: THE MAN WHO THOUGHT DIFFERENT. ISBN 125001445X.