Bibliography
Na, An. 2002. A Step from Heaven. Asheville, North Carolina: Penguin Group. 9780142500279
Plot Summary
Young Ju and her family move from Korea when she is a child to the United States. Though she has great expectations and hopes that America will be the place her family can thrive and do well, Young Ju’s dreams of a better life are slowly shattered by her father’s drinking, his preference for the son in the household, and her mother’s refusal to pull away from a man who abuses the entire family. Adding to her struggles, Young Ju must find the balance between being Korean and American, a balance that never seems to quite satisfy her family. Told in a raw yet flowing narrative format, A Step from Heaven takes the reader from Young Ju’s life as a child until she is getting ready to leave for college. Young Ju betters herself and eventually defies the father who has held her family in captivity for so long through his alcoholism. Though sometimes hard to read, the bond Young Ju establishes with her mother after her father has left offers hope and beauty rarely seen this clearly in literature.
Critical Analysis
Set first in Korea and then in the United States, A Step from Heaven takes the idea of a child confusing America with Heaven to show how many seeking a life here view the anything is possible optimism of the country. However, Young Ju and her family’s arrival and life in the states proves to be a removed from the celestial paradise expected, and the book reveals the inability to run from problems that exist within a family unit. In fact, though America offers many opportunities, the language barriers and plight of immigrants is painted in vivid colors throughout the pages of the book and complicates the characters already tumultuous lives.
One of the first qualities of this books readers will notice is the way Na writes this novel. Though it is in prose, the narrative format takes on a free verse poetic style that makes the reader feel they are floating through the pages. This style is necessary since the topics dealt with, such as alcoholism, abuse, and being displaced, can be abrupt and hit the reader with emotions that leave them staggering for breath. Na’s style makes getting through a child being kicked in the stomach by their own father and a mother beaten almost to death as her daughter finds the strength to call for help possible.
As Young Ju matures, trying to learn how to be a Korean American girl, she learns that it is okay to question the norms and stand against her oppressor, who happens to be her alcoholic father. Though at first blamed by her mother for the split in her family, Young Ju teaches her mother a lesson in self preservation and survival that can only come through the struggles of growing up in a family where everyday survival is a challenge.
Na treats the Korean culture with care, and though she points out some of the distinctions, she does not particularly spotlight the culture. Na uses the Korean phrases for mother and father and other words, and the reader easily adapts to understanding these terms due to the context in which Na places them. She shows the struggles of a family living with language barriers and the odd transition that takes place when the children are “Americanized” and the parents still trying to adapt to the changes. However, this book could be read by any struggling family, immigrant or not, anyone who has grown up with the influence of drugs or alcoholism, or any child who is ashamed that they live in a run down apartment and lies about their lot in life. The sibling rivalry and love between Young Ju and her brother, Joon, is a portrait of most sibling relationships with the added pressure of the male sibling being the more accepted by the father. However, this acceptance does not save Joon from the wrath or beatings of his father, and the pain both children experience makes Young Ju and Joon’s relationship stronger.
Na does not take the easy way out when it comes to her characters. The father, an obvious villain throughout the book that the reader has no problem seeing suffer, still is not written off by Na as a wasted life. As the book concludes, Young Ju is reminded, as is the reader, of how things started. We are taken back to the beginning when a well meaning father is trying to teach his daughter to face her fears and be brave as they jump waves in the ocean. Young Ju’s mother points out that he has not always been the way he turned out, and this may be the most important lesson of the book. Though the reader will have trouble forgiving the father’s transgressions, Na does everyone a favor by asking the characters and the reader to view lives as a whole, not as one still moment of bad decisions.
Review Excerpts
“…realistically captures this powerful contemporary story and gives authentic crispness to Korean words and phrases.” Publishers Weekly
“In a manner appropriate for all YAs, it deals with relationships, self-esteem, lying, conflict of cultures, poverty, gender differences and abuse as a result of alcoholism.” KLIATT
Connections
*Have students read La Linea, a book about two siblings attempting to move from Mexico to the United States to live because of what it has to offer. Have students discuss Young Ju and the protagonists expectations of the United States and the different experiences they have getting here and once they arrive. Students should share their findings with the class.
*Have students use a map to see where Young Ju lived when she was in Korea. Have students research this area to find out more about Young Ju's Korean birthplace.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Book Review 17
Bibliography
Lord, Cynthia. 2006. Rules. New York, New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0439443822
Plot Summary
Catherine lives with a brother who has autism, which dominates family life and causes her to have deal with moments most other twelve year olds don’t. In an attempt to help her brother, David, and save her embarrassment, she makes rules for him to try to help him fit into the every day world. Catherine meets Jason, who has a disability, and begins forming a friendship with him that surprises her. When Kristi moves into the neighborhood, Catherine longs for a “normal” friendship with her as well, but she finds out that different is okay, and not all situations can be remedied by making more rules.
Critical Analysis
This book undoubtedly deserves the Newbery Honor Book Award it was given and should be considered a must read for adolescents and adults alike. Lord’s own experiences with an autistic child add a level of realism and authenticity to this novel that make it both funny and heartbreaking to read. More than any other emotion, hope permeates through every page as the protagonist, Catherine, matures and understands that normal may not exist for everyone, but that doesn’t mean life can’t be good.
Within a quick 200 pages, Lord tells many stories. The focus is obviously on Catherine and life with her autistic brother, David. She effortlessly shows the feelings of Catherine as her family navigates around his needs and condition leaving Catherine to sometimes feel displaced. Within the pages we also see Catherine trying to develop normal friendships with the typical girl next door, Kristi, and the boy at the therapy office David goes to, Jason. These friendships have distinct differences since Jason is bound to a wheelchair and unable to speak. Catherine’s enjoyment of her friendship with Jason does not ease her uneasiness that it doesn’t fit into her plan for normalcy. However, her realization that “she’s scared” of what people might think of her, not Jason, reveals a truth about human nature that is sobering for an adult or adolescent.
Set in any present time town, Rules is a book that deals with very specific issues, such as autism, but still manages to appeal to the masses because of the universal emotions and lessons found on every page. This is a credit to Lord’s exceptional writing. Lord’s decision to title each chapter one of Catherine’s rules for David demonstrates a style that is both unique and offers insight into who Catherine is and who she is becoming. Though her rules are supposedly meant to protect her more vulnerable brother, Lord uses them to seamlessly reveal Catherine’s weaknesses and fears and show how she is attempting to both fit into society and protect herself from it. Sometimes the rules show Catherine’s maturity or frustration, such as “solving one problem can create another” and “pantless brothers are not my problem.” This style of writing makes the book easily accessible, easy to read, and meaningful all at the same time.
Lord respects her characters and not only develops Catherine but also makes David and Jason three dimensional. Readers get to know these characters beyond their disabilities, and though their differences and others’ problems dealing with them play a role in the novel, characters get to know David and Jason as people, not stereotypes of autism and disability. Lord accomplishes this intentionally, making sure the book does not revolve around Catherine only but includes glimpses of the emotions David and Jason experience in their everyday lives.
Rules is not decidedly a girl or boy book, a task that is not always easy to accomplish in adolescent writing. The subject matter and Lord’s writing style open this book to any audience regardless of age, gender, or culture. The theme can be applied to someone living with an autistic sibling or simply trying to find their identity during an uncertain time. The friendships that develop and deteriorate throughout the pages offer an abundance of lessons, and anyone can connect to the need to fit in.
Review Excerpts
"A rewarding story that may well inspire readers to think about others' points of view." Publisher’s Weekly
"A lovely, warm read, and a great discussion starter." School Library Journal
Connections
*Have students read The Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byars and compare the sisters in the story and how they handle their mentally challenged brothers. Students should compare and contrast Sara and Catherine and share what they discovered with the class or their literature circle group.
*Have students research autism to find out its causes, symptoms, and what the life of someone with autism is like.
Lord, Cynthia. 2006. Rules. New York, New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0439443822
Plot Summary
Catherine lives with a brother who has autism, which dominates family life and causes her to have deal with moments most other twelve year olds don’t. In an attempt to help her brother, David, and save her embarrassment, she makes rules for him to try to help him fit into the every day world. Catherine meets Jason, who has a disability, and begins forming a friendship with him that surprises her. When Kristi moves into the neighborhood, Catherine longs for a “normal” friendship with her as well, but she finds out that different is okay, and not all situations can be remedied by making more rules.
Critical Analysis
This book undoubtedly deserves the Newbery Honor Book Award it was given and should be considered a must read for adolescents and adults alike. Lord’s own experiences with an autistic child add a level of realism and authenticity to this novel that make it both funny and heartbreaking to read. More than any other emotion, hope permeates through every page as the protagonist, Catherine, matures and understands that normal may not exist for everyone, but that doesn’t mean life can’t be good.
Within a quick 200 pages, Lord tells many stories. The focus is obviously on Catherine and life with her autistic brother, David. She effortlessly shows the feelings of Catherine as her family navigates around his needs and condition leaving Catherine to sometimes feel displaced. Within the pages we also see Catherine trying to develop normal friendships with the typical girl next door, Kristi, and the boy at the therapy office David goes to, Jason. These friendships have distinct differences since Jason is bound to a wheelchair and unable to speak. Catherine’s enjoyment of her friendship with Jason does not ease her uneasiness that it doesn’t fit into her plan for normalcy. However, her realization that “she’s scared” of what people might think of her, not Jason, reveals a truth about human nature that is sobering for an adult or adolescent.
Set in any present time town, Rules is a book that deals with very specific issues, such as autism, but still manages to appeal to the masses because of the universal emotions and lessons found on every page. This is a credit to Lord’s exceptional writing. Lord’s decision to title each chapter one of Catherine’s rules for David demonstrates a style that is both unique and offers insight into who Catherine is and who she is becoming. Though her rules are supposedly meant to protect her more vulnerable brother, Lord uses them to seamlessly reveal Catherine’s weaknesses and fears and show how she is attempting to both fit into society and protect herself from it. Sometimes the rules show Catherine’s maturity or frustration, such as “solving one problem can create another” and “pantless brothers are not my problem.” This style of writing makes the book easily accessible, easy to read, and meaningful all at the same time.
Lord respects her characters and not only develops Catherine but also makes David and Jason three dimensional. Readers get to know these characters beyond their disabilities, and though their differences and others’ problems dealing with them play a role in the novel, characters get to know David and Jason as people, not stereotypes of autism and disability. Lord accomplishes this intentionally, making sure the book does not revolve around Catherine only but includes glimpses of the emotions David and Jason experience in their everyday lives.
Rules is not decidedly a girl or boy book, a task that is not always easy to accomplish in adolescent writing. The subject matter and Lord’s writing style open this book to any audience regardless of age, gender, or culture. The theme can be applied to someone living with an autistic sibling or simply trying to find their identity during an uncertain time. The friendships that develop and deteriorate throughout the pages offer an abundance of lessons, and anyone can connect to the need to fit in.
Review Excerpts
"A rewarding story that may well inspire readers to think about others' points of view." Publisher’s Weekly
"A lovely, warm read, and a great discussion starter." School Library Journal
Connections
*Have students read The Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byars and compare the sisters in the story and how they handle their mentally challenged brothers. Students should compare and contrast Sara and Catherine and share what they discovered with the class or their literature circle group.
*Have students research autism to find out its causes, symptoms, and what the life of someone with autism is like.
Book Review 16
Bibliography
Riordan, Rick. 2005. The Lightning Thief. New York, New York: Hyperion. ISBN 9780786838653
Plot Summary
In the first book of this fantasy series, readers are introduced to a boy, Percy Jackson, who believes he has ADHD and that is the reason for his erratic behavior and continued lack of success in school. He soon finds out that the real reason for his problems is much less rational, and he is the son of a Greek god with special powers that cause him to be hunted by other mythological creatures. In an attempt to solve a misunderstanding between the gods and keep himself out of danger, Percy must return Zeus’s lightning bolt. This puts him on the path to adventure with other “half bloods” in a quest to clear his name and find out his true identity while trying to defeat the enemies that hunt him along the way.
Critical Analysis
The voice and style Riordan uses throughout this fast-paced novel will appeal to young adults, male or female. Every page is filled with humor, but the pain of Percy’s fatherless childhood seeps through, and the reader cannot help but feel grief when Percy’s mother disappears. Riordan uses his unique voice to make readers feel they are on this adventure with Percy experiencing the ups and downs of his emotions as they come.
Set in New York and then many places in America as Percy and his friends travel, the real life setting gives this fantasy book an authentic feel, as if Percy could be out there right now trying to return Zeus’s lightning bolt. Though the plot is ever twisting, and some background in Greek mythology helps to understand the different characters, Riordan’s writing and storyline make following pretty easy. This book is a page turner that is hard to put down because of the storyline of a young adult trying to find his identity and realizing his lineage is intertwined with the gods. As Medusa and Hades start to pop up in the pages, the reader wants to travel with Percy wherever this adventure is taking him, learning about Greek mythology or receiving a very thorough review along the way.
The characters within the pages are believable, even if they are turning into half horses or are the king of the underworld like Hades. Riordan weaves the Greek mythology into the book flawlessly, but due to the realism of the characters, the audience feels like they are reading a fiction adventure ride instead of a textbook. Percy is likable, yet flawed in his own ways and Grover is the ultimate best friend. The characters motivations are shown throughout the book in clear yet understated ways making them understandable and also complex, a hard combination.
This is not a boy book because of the male protagonist and the lessons within the pages are not gender specific. There are many themes that are touched on in this book, and it would be naïve to assume that since this book is fantasy and enjoyable that there is no moral. Percy learns what greed and pride can do to people, whether it is Luke’s betrayal or the refusal of the three main gods to let the past be once a vow has been broken. Percy also feels a sense of displacement, whether it is at his own home, at his multiple boarding schools, or at Half Blood Hill where not many people are particularly happy to see him. In his search for identity and purpose, Percy learns that even gods are not always heroes and where we fit in the world is as much our decision as our destiny.
Review Excerpts
"This wild romp of a book will intrigue and amuse middle schoolers, whether they know the Greek myths or not." Children’s Literature
"The sardonic tone of the narrator's voice lends a refreshing air of realism to this riotously paced quest tale of heroism that questions the realities of our world, family, friendship and loyalty." Kirkus Reviews
Connections
*Students should read The Sea of Monsters and continue to follow Percy’s adventures. Students can track Percy’s progress throughout the series and chart how he matures.
*Students should read non fiction pieces about Greek gods mentioned in The Lightning Thief. After reading these pieces, they should compare the accuracy of how they were portrayed in The Lightning Thief.
Riordan, Rick. 2005. The Lightning Thief. New York, New York: Hyperion. ISBN 9780786838653
Plot Summary
In the first book of this fantasy series, readers are introduced to a boy, Percy Jackson, who believes he has ADHD and that is the reason for his erratic behavior and continued lack of success in school. He soon finds out that the real reason for his problems is much less rational, and he is the son of a Greek god with special powers that cause him to be hunted by other mythological creatures. In an attempt to solve a misunderstanding between the gods and keep himself out of danger, Percy must return Zeus’s lightning bolt. This puts him on the path to adventure with other “half bloods” in a quest to clear his name and find out his true identity while trying to defeat the enemies that hunt him along the way.
Critical Analysis
The voice and style Riordan uses throughout this fast-paced novel will appeal to young adults, male or female. Every page is filled with humor, but the pain of Percy’s fatherless childhood seeps through, and the reader cannot help but feel grief when Percy’s mother disappears. Riordan uses his unique voice to make readers feel they are on this adventure with Percy experiencing the ups and downs of his emotions as they come.
Set in New York and then many places in America as Percy and his friends travel, the real life setting gives this fantasy book an authentic feel, as if Percy could be out there right now trying to return Zeus’s lightning bolt. Though the plot is ever twisting, and some background in Greek mythology helps to understand the different characters, Riordan’s writing and storyline make following pretty easy. This book is a page turner that is hard to put down because of the storyline of a young adult trying to find his identity and realizing his lineage is intertwined with the gods. As Medusa and Hades start to pop up in the pages, the reader wants to travel with Percy wherever this adventure is taking him, learning about Greek mythology or receiving a very thorough review along the way.
The characters within the pages are believable, even if they are turning into half horses or are the king of the underworld like Hades. Riordan weaves the Greek mythology into the book flawlessly, but due to the realism of the characters, the audience feels like they are reading a fiction adventure ride instead of a textbook. Percy is likable, yet flawed in his own ways and Grover is the ultimate best friend. The characters motivations are shown throughout the book in clear yet understated ways making them understandable and also complex, a hard combination.
This is not a boy book because of the male protagonist and the lessons within the pages are not gender specific. There are many themes that are touched on in this book, and it would be naïve to assume that since this book is fantasy and enjoyable that there is no moral. Percy learns what greed and pride can do to people, whether it is Luke’s betrayal or the refusal of the three main gods to let the past be once a vow has been broken. Percy also feels a sense of displacement, whether it is at his own home, at his multiple boarding schools, or at Half Blood Hill where not many people are particularly happy to see him. In his search for identity and purpose, Percy learns that even gods are not always heroes and where we fit in the world is as much our decision as our destiny.
Review Excerpts
"This wild romp of a book will intrigue and amuse middle schoolers, whether they know the Greek myths or not." Children’s Literature
"The sardonic tone of the narrator's voice lends a refreshing air of realism to this riotously paced quest tale of heroism that questions the realities of our world, family, friendship and loyalty." Kirkus Reviews
Connections
*Students should read The Sea of Monsters and continue to follow Percy’s adventures. Students can track Percy’s progress throughout the series and chart how he matures.
*Students should read non fiction pieces about Greek gods mentioned in The Lightning Thief. After reading these pieces, they should compare the accuracy of how they were portrayed in The Lightning Thief.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Book Review 15
Bibliography
Erdrich, Louise. 2005. The Game of Silence. New York, New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 0060297891.
Plot Summary
Omakayas is a Native American girl in the Ojibwe tribe who learns that white settlers plan to move her and her family from their land in the Northeast to an unknown new home. Though the book takes place while Omakayas and her tribe wait to hear if the whites truly want to move them from their home, Omakayas story is told day by day as she lives her normal life within the tribe. Her dreams have the ability to predict the future, and she is growing up learning to come to terms with this gift that sometimes proves to feel more like curse than a blessing. With both humor and sadness, Erdrich tales the story of a young girl growing up and the challenges she must face on her path to adulthood.
Critical Analysis
Erdrich does a wonderful job of creating realistic characters, and the interactions between them are real and unforced. From the defiant and sometimes cocky Two Strike, to the annoying yet vulnerable little brother Pinch, Erdrich’s writing encompasses the complicated give and take of childhood relationships. Omakaya’s relationship with the Break Apart Girl and Deydey’s friendship with Father Baraga show Erdrich avoiding the stereotype that all whites are bad and none interested in befriending the Native Americans. Erdrich treats each character as an individual and presents them that way.
Her style is not forced, and the book reads easily transporting the audience into Omakayas’ world and allowing them to experience her fears and journeys. Readers truly understand and feel the emotions as the game of silence stops being a game and becomes a means of survival at the end of the story.
Most of the book focuses on Omakayas maturing and learning to navigate her relationships with others and accept her gift of being able to dream the future. The book is packed with adventure amid important lessons about what it means to grow up and face the life that is before you. Though Omakayas is facing extraordinary circumstances in the 1850s, the way Erdrich writes and the maturity Omakayas attains throughout the story are relatable to any child. The book could be made for an audience of any century.
There is a glossary and pronunciation guide to help readers understand Ojibwe terms, but there is no bibliography. The author’s note only acknowledges places the reader may go to learn more about the Ojibwe language. The lack of a bibliography or sources is disappointing since the presence of one would add authenticity and confirm accuracy of the historical elements in the story. Erdrich does provide maps on the front and back pages, as well as drawings throughout that show characters and the different places characters went on their journeys. The black and white drawings are a nice addition and offer a picture book quality to this easy to read novel.
Review Excerpts
“This meticulously researched novel offers an even balance of joyful and sorrowful moments while conveying a perspective of America's past that is rarely found in history books." Publishers Weekly
“Edrich's graceful, vivid language engages the reader with her interesting characters” …”Riverbank Review
Connections
*Have students read The Birchbark House before reading The Game of Silence to better understand Omakayas and her family. Have students keep a maturity map for one character from both books to track their progress as they read both novels.
*Have students read Light in the Forest by Conrad Richter to examine the different views Erdrich and Richter present of the whites and Native Americans. Have students discuss and compare the books in class.
Erdrich, Louise. 2005. The Game of Silence. New York, New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 0060297891.
Plot Summary
Omakayas is a Native American girl in the Ojibwe tribe who learns that white settlers plan to move her and her family from their land in the Northeast to an unknown new home. Though the book takes place while Omakayas and her tribe wait to hear if the whites truly want to move them from their home, Omakayas story is told day by day as she lives her normal life within the tribe. Her dreams have the ability to predict the future, and she is growing up learning to come to terms with this gift that sometimes proves to feel more like curse than a blessing. With both humor and sadness, Erdrich tales the story of a young girl growing up and the challenges she must face on her path to adulthood.
Critical Analysis
Erdrich does a wonderful job of creating realistic characters, and the interactions between them are real and unforced. From the defiant and sometimes cocky Two Strike, to the annoying yet vulnerable little brother Pinch, Erdrich’s writing encompasses the complicated give and take of childhood relationships. Omakaya’s relationship with the Break Apart Girl and Deydey’s friendship with Father Baraga show Erdrich avoiding the stereotype that all whites are bad and none interested in befriending the Native Americans. Erdrich treats each character as an individual and presents them that way.
Her style is not forced, and the book reads easily transporting the audience into Omakayas’ world and allowing them to experience her fears and journeys. Readers truly understand and feel the emotions as the game of silence stops being a game and becomes a means of survival at the end of the story.
Most of the book focuses on Omakayas maturing and learning to navigate her relationships with others and accept her gift of being able to dream the future. The book is packed with adventure amid important lessons about what it means to grow up and face the life that is before you. Though Omakayas is facing extraordinary circumstances in the 1850s, the way Erdrich writes and the maturity Omakayas attains throughout the story are relatable to any child. The book could be made for an audience of any century.
There is a glossary and pronunciation guide to help readers understand Ojibwe terms, but there is no bibliography. The author’s note only acknowledges places the reader may go to learn more about the Ojibwe language. The lack of a bibliography or sources is disappointing since the presence of one would add authenticity and confirm accuracy of the historical elements in the story. Erdrich does provide maps on the front and back pages, as well as drawings throughout that show characters and the different places characters went on their journeys. The black and white drawings are a nice addition and offer a picture book quality to this easy to read novel.
Review Excerpts
“This meticulously researched novel offers an even balance of joyful and sorrowful moments while conveying a perspective of America's past that is rarely found in history books." Publishers Weekly
“Edrich's graceful, vivid language engages the reader with her interesting characters” …”Riverbank Review
Connections
*Have students read The Birchbark House before reading The Game of Silence to better understand Omakayas and her family. Have students keep a maturity map for one character from both books to track their progress as they read both novels.
*Have students read Light in the Forest by Conrad Richter to examine the different views Erdrich and Richter present of the whites and Native Americans. Have students discuss and compare the books in class.
Book Review 14
Bibliography
Lowry, Lois. 1989. Number the Stars. New York, New York: Yearling Book. ISBN 0440403278
Plot Summary
Annemarie Johansen lives in Denmark and feels the effect of World War II and the Nazis when her best friend, Ellen, and her family, who are Jewish, are in danger. After taking in Ellen and traveling to the country, Annemarie starts to see the work of resistance fighters, though she’s not sure exactly what is happening. With grace and courage, Annemarie knows she wants to help and learns to accept only what she must know to protect those around her. Though she’s only ten, Annemarie fights her fears and helps others targeted by the Nazis escape to safety in Sweden by making a delivery that will save many lives but put hers at risk.
Critical Analysis
Lowry writes about a time in history that is incomprehensible to most adults in a way that children can understand and be engaged by. Annemarie’s story is one of courage and overcoming fear, but Lowry still manages to tell it while acknowledging the thoughts of a child. Lowry does not make the mistake of trying to teach about the entire Holocaust, instead sticking to a story about families and friends affected during this time. Her words succeed in drawing real characters, showing readers the grief of a family who has lost a child, the fear and desperation of a family forced to separate to survive, and the courage of individuals who took it upon themselves to try to help others in need. She spotlights the Danish resistance, which played a huge part in saving many lives throughout the Holocaust, and describes her setting with such detail that readers feel they are in the story.
Lowry does not take the easy way out when telling her story. Peter, a beloved resistance fighter, is executed and “the Nazis refused to return the bodies of the young men they shot” so he could not even be buried where he requested. Lowry shows all the horror of the Holocaust without graphic details or disturbing facts; she simply whispers the truths throughout the pages and leaves the reader in suspense rooting for Annemarie and her family throughout the story. In 132 pages, Lowry teaches the lesson that no matter what age or how small the task may be, everyone has the opportunity to make a difference.
In the afterword at the end of the story, Lowry tells “where fact ends and fiction begins” in the story of Number the Stars. Though the plot and characters are fictional, the historical situations in the book are accurate, and Lowry explains her research and the effect it had on her as she prepared to write this book. From learning about specific resistance fighters to researching how the Danish used the cocaine covered handkerchiefs to fool the search dogs, the historical research makes this book authentic and real to all readers.
Review Excerpts
“The whole work is seamless, compelling, and memorable -- impossible to put down; difficult to forget." Publishers Weekly
“…gripping story of a ten-year-old Danish girl and her family's courageous efforts…” School Library Journal
Connections
*Have students read Night by Elie Wiesel. Compare Elie Wiesel’s first person, non fiction account with Lois Lowry’s historical fiction telling in Number the Stars. Have students discuss and compare.
*Read play version of The Diary of Anne Frank. Have students work in groups to compare the difference in the tone and mood of both stories. Students can also compare and contrast the female protagonist and the situations they faced and share their findings with the class.
Lowry, Lois. 1989. Number the Stars. New York, New York: Yearling Book. ISBN 0440403278
Plot Summary
Annemarie Johansen lives in Denmark and feels the effect of World War II and the Nazis when her best friend, Ellen, and her family, who are Jewish, are in danger. After taking in Ellen and traveling to the country, Annemarie starts to see the work of resistance fighters, though she’s not sure exactly what is happening. With grace and courage, Annemarie knows she wants to help and learns to accept only what she must know to protect those around her. Though she’s only ten, Annemarie fights her fears and helps others targeted by the Nazis escape to safety in Sweden by making a delivery that will save many lives but put hers at risk.
Critical Analysis
Lowry writes about a time in history that is incomprehensible to most adults in a way that children can understand and be engaged by. Annemarie’s story is one of courage and overcoming fear, but Lowry still manages to tell it while acknowledging the thoughts of a child. Lowry does not make the mistake of trying to teach about the entire Holocaust, instead sticking to a story about families and friends affected during this time. Her words succeed in drawing real characters, showing readers the grief of a family who has lost a child, the fear and desperation of a family forced to separate to survive, and the courage of individuals who took it upon themselves to try to help others in need. She spotlights the Danish resistance, which played a huge part in saving many lives throughout the Holocaust, and describes her setting with such detail that readers feel they are in the story.
Lowry does not take the easy way out when telling her story. Peter, a beloved resistance fighter, is executed and “the Nazis refused to return the bodies of the young men they shot” so he could not even be buried where he requested. Lowry shows all the horror of the Holocaust without graphic details or disturbing facts; she simply whispers the truths throughout the pages and leaves the reader in suspense rooting for Annemarie and her family throughout the story. In 132 pages, Lowry teaches the lesson that no matter what age or how small the task may be, everyone has the opportunity to make a difference.
In the afterword at the end of the story, Lowry tells “where fact ends and fiction begins” in the story of Number the Stars. Though the plot and characters are fictional, the historical situations in the book are accurate, and Lowry explains her research and the effect it had on her as she prepared to write this book. From learning about specific resistance fighters to researching how the Danish used the cocaine covered handkerchiefs to fool the search dogs, the historical research makes this book authentic and real to all readers.
Review Excerpts
“The whole work is seamless, compelling, and memorable -- impossible to put down; difficult to forget." Publishers Weekly
“…gripping story of a ten-year-old Danish girl and her family's courageous efforts…” School Library Journal
Connections
*Have students read Night by Elie Wiesel. Compare Elie Wiesel’s first person, non fiction account with Lois Lowry’s historical fiction telling in Number the Stars. Have students discuss and compare.
*Read play version of The Diary of Anne Frank. Have students work in groups to compare the difference in the tone and mood of both stories. Students can also compare and contrast the female protagonist and the situations they faced and share their findings with the class.
Book Review 13
Bibliography
Avi. 2007. I Witness, Iron Thunder: The Battle Between the Monitor and the Merrimac. New York, New York: Hyperion Books. ISBN 9781423104469
Plot Summary
Tom’s father has been killed in the Civil War fighting for the Union, his sister is ill, and money is short for the whole family. As the new man of the house, Tom is forced into the world of an adult at a child’s age when he takes a job on the ironclad called The Monitor. Though many doubt this ship of iron will ever float, Tom respects the inventor, Captain Ericsson, and goes to great lengths to keep the secrets of the Monitor from Rebel copperheads who are threatening his life if he refuses to spy for them. When he decides to sail with the Monitor into war against the Merrimac, a young boy learns how to face fate as a man in a time of uncertainty and war.
Critical Analysis
Tom’s ascent into adulthood is told flawlessly through the voice of an adolescent who is sad and angered over the loss of his father and excited and scared at the prospect of adventure on the horizon. Avi’s telling of this time in history is perfect for young adult readers. The story remains authentic with accurate dates and maps, but it reads like an adventure novel as battle scenes are described. Other themes, such as the importance of friendship, are stressed through Tom’s friends’ willingness to help him as he is threatened by spies, and the style Avi uses builds suspense that keeps the reader from being able to put down the book. The characters jump from the page, and it would be almost impossible for readers not to care about their fates.
Avi stays focused and does not delve into the causes of the Civil War, but rather draws a picture of this one event involving the clash of two never before seen ships at battle, describing the setting and offering maps to guide readers as they imagine these ironclads going to war. Avi’s focus encourages readers to seek more information about this time period since he paints it in such vivid, exciting colors. Tom's adventures in the North colliding with the conflicts in the South are explained in great detail and take the reader on the entire journey via the ocean.
Though the obvious historical information is about the ironclads, the subplot of this story about a family dealing with the loss of family to war, the shortage of money, and the necessity to grow up before one is actually an adult, make the book relevant and readable.
Throughout the book Avi offers visuals that enhance the reading experience. Maps showing where the battles took place or the route the ironclads planned to take appear in many chapters. Other pictures are sketches of what the ships looked like, which complement Avi’s descriptions perfectly. Without the drawings, it’s hard to imagine what the first type of ship of this kind looked like. Sketches of people, such as the foreboding Copperheads threatening Tom, are also in the book, and the front page announcements from a newspaper introduce the chapters keeping the reader well informed of the progress in the war.
Avi adds a glossary to help readers with words they may not know and a bibliography to help interested readers find more about this time in history. Also included is a picture of parts of The Monitor as it was being retrieved from the ocean. Though the bibliography is short, it is obvious that more is available on this little known time in history, and Avi makes the reader want to discover more by the time they finish this story.
Review Excerpts
“This exciting, fast-paced historical adventure will add a bit of drama to Civil War units.” School Library Journal
“…readers may find themselves so absorbed in Tom's exciting narrative that they will seek out for themselves other good works on the Civil War.” Kirkus Reviews
Connections
*Have students choose between reading The Fighting Ground or Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi after reading Iron Thunder together. After finishing the book, put students in groups based on the book they chose to read and have them create a visual representation, such as a Venn diagram or T-chart, showing the similarities and differences of the protagonists in the situations they faced.
*After reading Iron Thunder, have students research a particular battle in the Civil War and share the facts they found with the class. The book will hopefully have caused them to be interested in the topic resulting in an enthusiasm for finding more information.
Avi. 2007. I Witness, Iron Thunder: The Battle Between the Monitor and the Merrimac. New York, New York: Hyperion Books. ISBN 9781423104469
Plot Summary
Tom’s father has been killed in the Civil War fighting for the Union, his sister is ill, and money is short for the whole family. As the new man of the house, Tom is forced into the world of an adult at a child’s age when he takes a job on the ironclad called The Monitor. Though many doubt this ship of iron will ever float, Tom respects the inventor, Captain Ericsson, and goes to great lengths to keep the secrets of the Monitor from Rebel copperheads who are threatening his life if he refuses to spy for them. When he decides to sail with the Monitor into war against the Merrimac, a young boy learns how to face fate as a man in a time of uncertainty and war.
Critical Analysis
Tom’s ascent into adulthood is told flawlessly through the voice of an adolescent who is sad and angered over the loss of his father and excited and scared at the prospect of adventure on the horizon. Avi’s telling of this time in history is perfect for young adult readers. The story remains authentic with accurate dates and maps, but it reads like an adventure novel as battle scenes are described. Other themes, such as the importance of friendship, are stressed through Tom’s friends’ willingness to help him as he is threatened by spies, and the style Avi uses builds suspense that keeps the reader from being able to put down the book. The characters jump from the page, and it would be almost impossible for readers not to care about their fates.
Avi stays focused and does not delve into the causes of the Civil War, but rather draws a picture of this one event involving the clash of two never before seen ships at battle, describing the setting and offering maps to guide readers as they imagine these ironclads going to war. Avi’s focus encourages readers to seek more information about this time period since he paints it in such vivid, exciting colors. Tom's adventures in the North colliding with the conflicts in the South are explained in great detail and take the reader on the entire journey via the ocean.
Though the obvious historical information is about the ironclads, the subplot of this story about a family dealing with the loss of family to war, the shortage of money, and the necessity to grow up before one is actually an adult, make the book relevant and readable.
Throughout the book Avi offers visuals that enhance the reading experience. Maps showing where the battles took place or the route the ironclads planned to take appear in many chapters. Other pictures are sketches of what the ships looked like, which complement Avi’s descriptions perfectly. Without the drawings, it’s hard to imagine what the first type of ship of this kind looked like. Sketches of people, such as the foreboding Copperheads threatening Tom, are also in the book, and the front page announcements from a newspaper introduce the chapters keeping the reader well informed of the progress in the war.
Avi adds a glossary to help readers with words they may not know and a bibliography to help interested readers find more about this time in history. Also included is a picture of parts of The Monitor as it was being retrieved from the ocean. Though the bibliography is short, it is obvious that more is available on this little known time in history, and Avi makes the reader want to discover more by the time they finish this story.
Review Excerpts
“This exciting, fast-paced historical adventure will add a bit of drama to Civil War units.” School Library Journal
“…readers may find themselves so absorbed in Tom's exciting narrative that they will seek out for themselves other good works on the Civil War.” Kirkus Reviews
Connections
*Have students choose between reading The Fighting Ground or Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi after reading Iron Thunder together. After finishing the book, put students in groups based on the book they chose to read and have them create a visual representation, such as a Venn diagram or T-chart, showing the similarities and differences of the protagonists in the situations they faced.
*After reading Iron Thunder, have students research a particular battle in the Civil War and share the facts they found with the class. The book will hopefully have caused them to be interested in the topic resulting in an enthusiasm for finding more information.
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