Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin
Plot Summary: Liz dies in an accident just before turning 16. She wakes up on a boat headed to the island Elsewhere, where she is greeted by her grandmother; her grandmother who passed away before Liz was ever born. In Elsewhere, everyone ages backwards, so Liz must accept the fact that she will never turn 16. Liz will, however, get a job, learn about her grandmother, receive her first kiss, and accept her death before she becomes an infant again and is sent back to Earth.
Significant Themes, Issues, and Perspectives:
-Death and the grief process
-Issues of Growing Up: In Elsewhere, she grows up while growing younger.
Lists of Potential Hot Buttons: Any book that focuses on the topic of death and afterlife can certainly be a hot button issue for students, whether they have experienced a death personally or not. Many students wonder about death, and reading a book from a teenage narrator that passed away might ignite some concerns of their own. For students who have personally experienced death, it may be a good time to talk to the student beforehand and possibly the parents. The book does handle it respectfully though without going too in-depth into her grief (aka, the narrator does not mope the entire story).
-The book very carefully hedges around the topics of God and Heaven. They are not mentioned at all, and the book actually borrows some of the concepts from reincarnation. Therefore, this text is not a Christian book by any means, but some students may feel that the concept of Elsewhere reads like a version of Heaven.
General Strengths and/or Weaknesses:
-Strengths: The story is an original conception of death and the afterlife, having characters live their years backwards in Elsewhere. Additionally, while the topic of death can be hot button issue, I do believe that this book might be beneficial for those concerned about death or dealing with grief because it might provide a slight sense of closure.
-Weaknesses: The story is not very well written over all. It is extremely simple and does not deal honestly with the issues of death and grief; these issues are dealt with superficially.
Necessary Maturity Level: I think both middle school and young high school students will easily approach this text. Since the narrator dies at the age of 15, I believe young adolescents will connect to her desires and thoughts.
Readers who would be most interested in the book: I think middle school and young high school girls will easily identify with the narrator, especially her desire to drive, to have her first kiss, and to pin trouble on her brother.
How and why the book might be read: I would definitely provide this book for my classroom library. The narrator is engaging and is an honest tour guide through Elsewhere. Additionally, I felt it an interesting approach to death and grief, providing both a poignant and lighthearted approach to those issues; for that reason, I think certain students would benefit from reading this text. I cannot, however, see myself using this book in class as a main or secondary text. In my opinion, it is not sophisticated enough of a text for that use.
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Into the Wild by Sarah Durst
Plot Summary: A few hundred years ago, characters from fairy tales broke free from the “Wild” (the world of fairy tales). They have remained safe living in today’s world with Rapunzel keeping the Wild locked up inside her house. However, the Wild finally breaks free after someone makes a wish on the hidden wishing well and Julie, Rapunzel’s daughter, must find a way to save her mother, grandmother, and fairy tale friends.
Significant Themes, Issues, and Perspectives:
-Family acceptance
-Adventure and bravery when your family is in danger
Lists of Potential Hot Buttons: None that I can think of
General Strengths and/or Weaknesses:
-Strengths: It is a unique approach to the concept of fairy tales, especially the portion about characters being locked into their roles within the Wild without any choices of their own.
-Weaknesses: It is not a very sophisticated or deep novel, by any means. It is just pure fun.
Necessary Maturity Level: Middle school or high school students can read this text and enjoy it.
Readers who would be most interested in the book: Girls will probably enjoy this text more than boys, since it is fairy tale related. Students prone to liking adaptations of fairy tales will also be drawn in by this book.
How and why the book might be read: This book really has no place within the school curriculum as a studied text. However, it is enjoyable to read and should be available in the classroom library or could even be read to middle school students out loud.
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Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Plot Summary: An asteroid slams into the moon, catapulting the world into chaos. Miranda and her family must therefore survive the once unimaginable: huge typhoons, Earthquakes, volcano eruptions, severe lack of food and transportation ability, and the freezing cold without electricity.
Significant Themes, Issues, and Perspectives:
-Fear of impending natural disasters and the means in which to survive, an issue becoming more and more common in our society.
-A major lack of control over current circumstances and the strength required to survive
-Coming-of-Age: Miranda struggles with being the middle child and wanting to be comforted but also feeling compelled to comfort and protect her little brother.
Lists of Potential Hot Buttons: The fears and concerns of people in today’s society over the changing weather systems and the thinning ozone layer. Some people are extremely afraid of such a disaster happening to the world, so this book could touch upon those issues.
General Strengths and/or Weaknesses:
-Strengths: The science may not be accurate, but it definitely reads as logical and probable. While reading the book, everything made sense to what would occur next within the plot. The characters are also very engaging; you want them to survive and you worry right along with the family.
-Weaknesses: As a lot of young adult literature, it is not the most sophisticated text. It could have been more mature and well-developed, but it seemed to skim the surface of its potential.
Necessary Maturity Level: Middle school or high school students are capable of reading this story and both understanding and enjoying it.
Readers who would be most interested in the book: Given the plot device of the story with the world being thrown into chaos, I think both boys and girls would be interested in this story. It is part of a series, but I have not had the chance to read any of the other books in the series.
How and why the book might be read: I have heard of a class using this book as their main text, but I cannot imagine it developing into great discussions.
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Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor
Plot Summary: Looking Glass Wars revisits the traditional version of Wonderland to switch around the facts readers once acknowledged. Now, Alice is Princess Alyss Heart of the royal Heart Family, whose parents were murdered by her evil Aunt Redd, the traditionally known Queen of Hearts. Alyss is taken through a portal by the Mad Hatter, her bodyguard, for protection and gets lost in London. As a young lady, she is found and reminded of her royal background and brought back to Wonderland to fight her aunt and regain her thrown.
Significant Themes, Issues, and Perspectives:
–Issues of identity: Alyss is convinced over time that Wonderland never existed, only to be brought back there as an adult. She struggles with her own identity, especially as she is encouraged to reclaim her thrown.
-Family jealousy, especially within royal families: Royal families in Wonderland, which include the noble families of the Diamonds, Spades, and Clubs, are very similar to the royal families seen in history.
-Politics: dictators, monarchs, revolutions, etc.
Lists of Potential Hot Buttons: n/a
General Strengths and/or Weaknesses:
-Strengths: The first novel in this trilogy is extremely inventive and intriguing. It is a fresh approach to Wonderland, one that I found more understandable as it mirrors many of the same issues and trends seen in history. The novel is also very enjoyable; a definite fun read for those interested in the stories of Wonderland. The second two in the series are not as creative and well-plotted as the first, but they still remain true to Beddor’s vision of wonderland.
-Weaknesses: It is not an incredibly well-crafted text; the language is fairly basic. Thus, I would not categorize it as good literature.
Necessary Maturity Level: Both middle school and high school students would be able to read and engage in this text. Older students, who have learned more about history, might find the political negotiations more interesting.
Readers who would be most interested in the book: Students who enjoy retellings of traditional stories or enjoy the original Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland will like this story. It is an enjoyable and vivid version of Wonderland. In general, female students would be more interested in this book than male students.
How and why the book might be read: This text could be used in a classroom if discussing retellings or reliable narrators, along with Wicked and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. All of these texts consider stories from different narrators in order to reveal a completely different story. Therefore, I could see this being used on a list of retellings. Otherwise, I cannot see it being used as a classroom text.
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The Maze Runner by James Dashner
Plot Summary: Thomas wakes up in a dark elevator, unsure of his whereabouts and only remembering his first name. He begins to hear strange, unfamiliar voices and finds himself surrounded by a large group of boys. Thomas finds himself in a clearing surrounded by large stone walls, revealed to be the walls of a large, dangerous maze. Every 30 days, one new boy arrives; until a day after Thomas arrived, a girl enters the clearing with a message that change is coming. Thomas has a limited amount of time to figure out his identity, his past experiences with the girl, the maze, and the way to safety for everyone in the Glade. Additionally, whose maze is it?
Significant Themes, Issues, and Perspectives:
-Leading vs. Following
-Rules and Order: the new boy arrives and immediately begins to break the rules, while the new girl completely changes the current order of things. The story struggles with concepts of rules and order, especially through the council’s meetings about the boy’s actions.
-Experimental standards and ethics
Lists of Potential Hot Buttons: I cannot imagine any real hot button issues with this book.
General Strengths and/or Weaknesses:
-Strengths: The story itself is overall well-written; characters are complicated, plot is suspenseful, and readers are desirous for the answer. The author’s creation of suspense is probably the greatest strength of the book. I tend to figure plots and mysteries very quickly, but this book definitely had me stumped. Just as Thomas awakens in the Glade without any previous knowledge, the readers do as well.
-Weaknesses: The answer given at the end of the novel is confusing and, in my opinion, disappointing. It is part of a series, which I did not know when I began reading the book. You thought the characters were more victorious than they actually were; after hundreds of pages of rooting for these characters, the resolution left me angry with the author. I am resolved to read the next book in the series, however, to see if the author redeems the need for a sequel.
Necessary Maturity Level: I think it would be difficult for young middle school students to stay engaged in the story or follow the story line. Therefore, 8th graders and up would be the best level of readers for this book
Readers who would be most interested in the book: I actually think some boys would be interested in this book because every character except one is male, and the story contains action, danger, and suspense. It is, at the heart of the novel, a survival story.
How and why the book might be read: Overall, I do not think this book is appropriate as a school text. For one, the ending does not create a satisfactory ending for a school text because it leaves even more questions than the reader has at the beginning of the book. Additionally, the writing is not well written enough, in my opinion, to be used as an example for students of good literature. There might, however, be some use in this text as supplementary material, such as in literature circles/jigsaw experiences when students choose a book to read within a small group relating around particular themes.
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Mutiny: A Novel of the Bounty by John Boyne
Plot Summary: John Jacob Turnstile, a 14-year-old orphan, is caught stealing from a rich Frenchman in 18th century London. Turnstile is given two choices: remain in prison or take a position on the ship The Bounty as the captains servant, a position being offered by the very Frenchman he stole from. The ships mission to Tahiti is stressful and ends up taking much longer than expected, but the men are enamored with island life once they reach their destination. The captain wavers between a strict task master and health nut on the island, causing some of his crew to become dissatisfied. On the voyage back, some of the crew stages a mutiny. While the basics of the plot are historically accurate, Boyne focuses more of his attention on Turnstile’s growing maturity.
Significant Themes, Issues, and Perspectives:
-Loyalty
-Mutiny vs. Revolution: When does mutiny become the only appropriate action?
-Coming of Age
Lists of Potential Hot Buttons: I cannot think of any hot buttons within this book.
General Strengths and/or Weaknesses:
-Strengths: The author provides a clear and believable portrayal of life on the ship during that time period. The story follows basic facts of what historically happened, while shaping characters in an embellished, but realistic manner. Reviews say the story does not add much to a growing body of books on The Bounty, but it is one of the only texts found in a brief search that was targeted to young adults.
-Weaknesses: The story is very long and began to drag near the middle, in which readers become restless for the impending mutiny.
Necessary Maturity Level: A strong middle school reader would be able to handle this text because the material does not necessarily require a particular level of maturity. However, the presentation of the material does require a more mature or sophisticated reader. It is heavy in fact and reads very slow.
Readers who would be most interested in the book: Students who are interested in history or sea life would be interested in this text. I found it incredible interesting as someone who strongly enjoys historical novels. Additionally, I think male students could also find this enjoyable based on the primarily male cast.
How and why the book might be read: I believe this text is sophisticated enough to use as a classroom text, especially if dealing with themes of loyalty and rebellion against authority. This text can lend itself to interesting discussions about the positive and negative actions of the captain and whether or not these actions were proper rationale for the mutiny. More likely, I would use this text as a secondary text for units focused on this time period or sea life. The book is extremely detailed and engaging, providing clear descriptions of the narrator’s life on board The Bounty. I might take excerpts from the book to use in the classroom instead of using the whole book; I think the text would be a great addition to the classroom (both English and History classroom) in that manner.
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So B. It by Sarah Weeks
Plot Summary: After living shut way from most of the world with her mentally retarded mother and agoraphobic neighbor (someone who refused to leave her apartment), twelve-year-old Heidi sets out on an adventure to learn who her mother is and thus who she is.
Significant Themes, Issues, and Perspectives:
-Family acceptance
-Coming-of-Age
Lists of Potential Hot Buttons: Heidi’s experiences with her mentally retarded mother and mentally unhealthy neighbor may be a hot button issue. I think most students would not be upset by this, but there are some parents and students who may be upset by Heidi’s situation. Additionally, some may be upset by a twelve-year-old leaving home by herself on an adventure.
General Strengths and/or Weaknesses:
-Strengths: It is respectful to mental illness and mental retardation, which I find redeeming.
-Weaknesses: The plot is really superficial with a lot of holes found within the text. I did not find Heidi’s story compelling at all, which I found surprising since this book was so widely recommended to me. The death of her mother was unsatisfactory and generally unnecessary; losing her mother without a proper goodbye just seems unfair to the young narrator with her response to the death unnaturally cold.
Necessary Maturity Level: Middle school students would be appropriate; it is too childish for high school students.
Readers who would be most interested in the book: Girls would probably find this book appealing, but boys would not find the female narrator and her pursuit of information engaging.
How and why the book might be read: Of all the books I have read so far this summer, this is the first book that I would not even recommend for students to read. Most books I feel are engaging to students, which encourage them to read even if it is not academically stimulating. So B. It, however, is not worth reading in my personal opinion, though I know other people feel very differently.
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Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher
Plot Summary: Sarah Byrnes and Eric “Mony” Calhoune have been friends since they were younger, brought together by the individual traits that make them outcasts. For Eric, it is his weight; for Sarah, it is the burn scars on her face. However, Sarah begins to feel left behind by Eric when he joins the swim team and starts to lose weight. Eric still does what he can to support Sarah though, especially as she deals with a horrific event in her past. His struggles to help Sarah are set against the backdrop of a contemporary issues class, where teenagers debate politics, religion, and school authority.
Significant Themes, Issues, and Perspectives:
-Trust
-Family Dynamics, including abuse and cruelty
-Free speech vs. political correctness
-School authority vs. the rights of the student
-Separation of church and state, namely within schools
Lists of Potential Hot Buttons: This text has a lot of potential hot buttons, such as language, sexual politics and abortion, religious debates, ostracizing of peers, and abusive parents. While I believe they are handled appropriately and respectfully overall, the author definitely has a bias which is presented in the text. Chris Crutcher is more liberal than some of the characters found in the contemporary issues class he wrote, but multiple sides of the issues are presented regardless of his liberal bias.
General Strengths and/or Weaknesses:
-Strengths: Many “issue” books are inherently melodramatic and unintelligent. In my opinion, this book is one of the more intelligent books I have read this summer because it allows teenagers to be intelligent. Chris Crutcher does not dumb down his characters; instead, the students engage in thorough, thoughtful debates about real issues. Additionally, the ending is not perfect, which I think makes it more realistic. Sarah’s mother does not come back to rescue her and chooses her own safety over her daughters, for example.
-Weaknesses: The text seems a tad overdramatic in terms of the main teacher in the book, who finds herself in contention with the vice-principal. In the book, the vice-principal confronts the teacher while the principal is out of the building. I think the role of the vice-principal is just slightly over the top, as the teacher could within her rights call the principal at any time to inform him of what is going on within her classroom and with the vice-principal.
Necessary Maturity Level: While middle school students are not naïve and experience many of the issues debated and discussed in this book, I think high school students are a more appropriate age group for this text. I think they would have the higher level of maturity to handle the issues with grace and intelligence.
Readers who would be most interested in the book: Due to the wide range of debatable issues in this book, I believe it would reach a wide range of readers.
How and why the book might be read: I think that this book is more intelligent than most books found on a young adult literature shelf. I think students would benefit from reading about students engaging in serious debate. However, I think it would never be placed into curriculum because there are far too many hot button issues to upset students or parents.
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Thin Wood Walls by David Patneaude
Plot Summary: Joe Hanada is a normal 11-year-old boy growing up in America; he plays basketball with his best friend Ray, goes to school, and prepares for the upcoming Christmas. Then Pearl Harbor is attacked, and Joe’s own country turns against him and his family. His father is taken by the FBI and moved to an unknown facility, and his family and many of his neighbors are sent to internment camps because of their Japanese heritage. Thin Wood Walls is told from Joe’s journals and tracks his experiences within the internment camp, along with his mother, grandmother, and brother.
Significant Themes, Issues, and Perspectives:
-Story focuses on a much forgotten aspect of the WWII era, internment camps for Japanese-American citizens.
-Patriotism despite all adversity
Lists of Potential Hot Buttons: The fact the United States created internment camps could be a hot button issue for some students, especially those of Japanese heritage or those of Jewish heritage.
General Strengths and/or Weaknesses:
-Strengths: There are a limited number of novels that cover this historical event. Additionally, while the book covers the topic superficially in my opinion, it has some really great observations and moments of imagery.
-Weaknesses: As stated above, the observations and writing is pretty superficial, even for the 11-year-old narrator.
Necessary Maturity Level: It is appropriate for middle school level boys, but not high school students in my opinion because of the unsophisticated writing. It is definitely a lower reading level.
Readers who would be most interested in the book: I think the book can appeal to all students: male narrator, historically rooted, and conflicted patriotism.
How and why the book might be read: I can definitely see using this book in a middle school setting for lower grades in context of WWII, along with Night and Anne Frank. I don’t think it should necessarily replace those books, but it provides an alterative perspective that is often forgotten in that era.
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Uglies by Scott Westerfield
Plot Summary: Appearances rule our society; the more attractive someone is, the more likely they will earn high salaries and be successful. For this reason, a new social order has been created. Far into the future, Tally is about to turn sixteen and she can’t wait, but it has nothing to do with getting a license. Tally is about to turn pretty. Under the new social order, everyone undergoes surgery at the age of 16 to become pretty and to live the exciting life of a new Pretty. But Tally’s friend Shay doesn’t want to be pretty. When Shay runs away to live in a hidden colony, Tally is forced to find Shay and bring her back to society in order to finally have her surgery, or she will remain ugly forever.
Significant Themes, Issues, and Perspectives:
-Vanity and appearances: In order to combat divisions by appearances, this society decides to turn everyone “pretty”, which means they are allowing children to grow up believing they are always ugly. Does this solve any problems in society? Are people really more equal?
-Scientific advancement and the ethics of human surgery: What is too far?
-Plastic surgery: Has this created a new problem within our own society? Is it taken too far?
-Rebellions: why does the outside colony threaten the social order so much, especially when they stay fairly private?
Lists of Potential Hot Buttons: The topic of appearance and plastic surgery could possibly be a hot button issue. For those students that may believe they are “ugly”, the concept of becoming pretty and such may be a hot button issue. However, I think enough points of view on the subject are represented and having surgery to become pretty is not seen in a fully positive light.
General Strengths and/or Weaknesses:
-Strengths: In comparison to some of the other books that I have read this summer, I think the writing is better than most. The writing is not necessarily sophisticated enough to make it good literature, but it isn’t at childish as other young adult literature. I have not yet read the other series, but I definitely want to know what is going to happen next. Additionally, I like that Tally and Shay seem to switch roles throughout the book. It provides more depth to both of their characters, especially Tally.
-Weaknesses: The ending seemed rushed in terms of moving toward a conclusion, especially since the set up of the plot took so long.
Necessary Maturity Level: I think both middle school and high school students will understand the society and the distressing feelings that physical appearances can create in adolescents.
Readers who would be most interested in the book: I believe girls will find this book more interesting, especially with a female protagonist and an emphasis on physical insecurities. I can see a possible interest with some male readers, but I feel like I need to get a better scope on the entire series before knowing for sure.
How and why the book might be read: Like other books I have reviewed, I can see it being used thematically in a book talk or literature circle. Otherwise, I can’t imagine using it for a large class text.
YA Book Blog - ENGL 698 