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