Gemma Malley's trilogy, The Declaration, The Resistance, and The Legacy offers a thought provoking series dealing with population control, health, longevity, and human rights.
I came across the series when working with my students, in a literature circle unit (book club). The premise in The Declaration is there is a drug that offers immortality. All adults who take it, must agree to not have any children. Those opting out of the drug can have a child, but can only have one. Any other children born are taken from the parents, and are considered "surplus." They are raised in institutions like orphanages. One young student of mine, who picked this book, struggled with it, due to being raised in an Albanian orphanage. She was adopted at the age of 5, and her parents rightly felt the themes in the book might be a bit much, so she switched to Peak, a novel I have mentioned in another review.
I have been railing against so many trilogy's in the YA market, and it seems most are dystopian, but this trilogy is different because the questions raised are truly thought provoking. Not many authors could pull this off, and I discovered that this author studied philosophy, in London. My older son is currently doing so (as an external student...he lives here), and it is understandable how she is able to offer a variety of themes, that make the reader question their own moral stances.
The second book in the series, The Resistance, had some flaws, primarily in continuity, but also added philosophical queries to ponder. I just finished the third novel, and feel it is a worthwhile series to recommend. It too ends with questions, both in plot and dealing with moral issues that were raised, but it is nice to leave a series thinking.
Showing posts with label YA novels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label YA novels. Show all posts
Monday, January 16, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
How high is height?
We've Got a Job by Cynthia Levinson, was a very interesting book. I had of course heard of the March on Washington, and knew of some events that took place in Birmingham, Alabama, but I didn't know anything about the Children's march, nor the events that took place in Birmingham in May, 1963.
I was a toddler in '63, and as I got older I was exposed through news stories and pictures, of horrible events. I vividly remember seeing photos of Bull Connor, and policemen, using dogs and water hoses on civil rights protestors. At the time I saw these, the events had taken place years earlier, but it made me ill to look at them. The raw hatred on peoples' faces as they looked at the protestors, the evil of using the dogs and the hoses, was just incredibly awful.
This book highlights the children's march, and focuses on 4 children who participated. Essentially, Dr Martin Luther King, Mr. Shuttlesworth, and a host of other adult civil rights' leaders, weren't having a great deal of success getting adults to commit to various protests. This was due to fear of losing jobs, being beaten or losing their lives.
The children united Black Birmingham, and all of this resulted in the nation's increased awareness, and the March on Washington in August of 1963.
Though I thought I knew a great deal, I truly didn't and thus learned a lot from this book. I think my students will find it engaging, and they too will learn a great deal.
We have all heard of discriminatory practices taking place during elections, like taxes and questions that were asked of black voters. I knew this was wrong of course, but had no idea the type of questions that were often asked. One was, "How high is height?"
And we of course know about the Jim Crow laws, and of the segregation that existed just a half-century ago.
When the students had their first protest, on May 2nd, they were called to the park through listening to a local DJ named Shelley Stewart. He said, "Kids there's going to be a party at the park. Bring your toothbrushes because lunch will be served."
This code told the kids to meet at Kelly Ingram Park, and that they would be arrested; hence the need for toothbrushes.
The book starts in an interesting manner, as a girl prepares to go to jail, with her parents permission. She is getting ready to attend a protest.
By the end of May 2nd, between 500-800 kids were arrested. This was 2-3 times the number of adults who had been arrested in all of April!
When they were arrested they were crammed into paddy wagons, and soon the police had to use yellow school buses. Prior to being arrested the children were also attacked by dogs and had water hoses...at a super strength..used against them. The water sheared off the hair of one girl's head.
The kids had no rights as they were interrogated (this was 3 years prior to the Miranda case) and they were exposed to some pretty horrific questioning, and had horrible experiences in jail.
I think this book will hook all readers, and that all, whether a young child or an older adult, will learn a great deal as they read the book.
There are numerous pictures and documents, that highlight the historical events.
All school libraries, and many classroom libraries, should obtain a copy of We've Got a Job.
This book will be published Feb. 1st.
I was a toddler in '63, and as I got older I was exposed through news stories and pictures, of horrible events. I vividly remember seeing photos of Bull Connor, and policemen, using dogs and water hoses on civil rights protestors. At the time I saw these, the events had taken place years earlier, but it made me ill to look at them. The raw hatred on peoples' faces as they looked at the protestors, the evil of using the dogs and the hoses, was just incredibly awful.
This book highlights the children's march, and focuses on 4 children who participated. Essentially, Dr Martin Luther King, Mr. Shuttlesworth, and a host of other adult civil rights' leaders, weren't having a great deal of success getting adults to commit to various protests. This was due to fear of losing jobs, being beaten or losing their lives.
The children united Black Birmingham, and all of this resulted in the nation's increased awareness, and the March on Washington in August of 1963.
Though I thought I knew a great deal, I truly didn't and thus learned a lot from this book. I think my students will find it engaging, and they too will learn a great deal.
We have all heard of discriminatory practices taking place during elections, like taxes and questions that were asked of black voters. I knew this was wrong of course, but had no idea the type of questions that were often asked. One was, "How high is height?"
And we of course know about the Jim Crow laws, and of the segregation that existed just a half-century ago.
When the students had their first protest, on May 2nd, they were called to the park through listening to a local DJ named Shelley Stewart. He said, "Kids there's going to be a party at the park. Bring your toothbrushes because lunch will be served."
This code told the kids to meet at Kelly Ingram Park, and that they would be arrested; hence the need for toothbrushes.
The book starts in an interesting manner, as a girl prepares to go to jail, with her parents permission. She is getting ready to attend a protest.
By the end of May 2nd, between 500-800 kids were arrested. This was 2-3 times the number of adults who had been arrested in all of April!
When they were arrested they were crammed into paddy wagons, and soon the police had to use yellow school buses. Prior to being arrested the children were also attacked by dogs and had water hoses...at a super strength..used against them. The water sheared off the hair of one girl's head.
The kids had no rights as they were interrogated (this was 3 years prior to the Miranda case) and they were exposed to some pretty horrific questioning, and had horrible experiences in jail.
I think this book will hook all readers, and that all, whether a young child or an older adult, will learn a great deal as they read the book.
There are numerous pictures and documents, that highlight the historical events.
All school libraries, and many classroom libraries, should obtain a copy of We've Got a Job.
This book will be published Feb. 1st.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
A few titles
I just finished The Limit by Kristen Landon; I thoroughly enjoyed it, until the ending. The first sentence, "An eighth grader was taken today." is clearly compelling, and truly from that point forward the story's momentum continues until the poorly developed ending.
This was another bookfair purchase, and I will recommend it to my students because the plot is so engaging. In a not too distant future, everyone has a debt limit..families can only purchase so much, and if they go over their limit their oldest child is taken to a workhouse to work off the debt.
Matt gets taken and soon discovers all is not kosher in the workhouse. Many of the revelations are rather obvious (what they purchase while in the workhouse is of course counted against their debt..increasing what they owe). I wish the author brought in some historical perspective..sharecropping and child labor would have been easily worked in, but the lack of information doesn't truly take away from the plot development.
The ending is truly my major quibble with this novel. It seemed rushed and not well thought out. The fact that the kids remain in the workhouse, and are now happy, makes the theme of the novel less worthy. I did enjoy the fact that each chapter has a bar code, and that nice touch plays into the theme quite well, however it somehow makes the ending seem even more poorly done.
Two other books I read recently are part of the adolescent book club I run. The first, Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix by Gary Golio, is a true must have. It is simply wonderful: a beautifully illustrated (Javaka Steptoe) picture book about Jimi when he was a child, discovering music and discovering a "rainbow of sounds." One great line, “A truck engine backfired, pounding like a bass drum, as a neighbor’s rake played snare against the sidewalk. . . . The sounds of life were calling out, and Jimmy Hendrix wanted to answer them.”
After the story is told, there are wonderful references to learn more about Jimi, music and substance abuse.
I held off reading, Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson due to the fact that Patterson has essentially franchised his name. I have been very dubious of his writing for sometime now as a result. I ended up purchasing it though, for my group, since a number of students recommended it.
I was concerned when I started reading it that members of my group would complain that it was inappropriate, and when we meet again in January I might hear comments along those lines, but I suspect those complaints will only occur from people who don't actually finish the book.
The main character sets out to break every school rule there is. Hence, my fear of complaints. However, those who finish the book will recognize there are consequences for his actions, and they will realize the reason he sets out to do what he does. It should make all teachers ponder why students misbehave, and perhaps not merely write off a kid as a "bad" kid.
This was another bookfair purchase, and I will recommend it to my students because the plot is so engaging. In a not too distant future, everyone has a debt limit..families can only purchase so much, and if they go over their limit their oldest child is taken to a workhouse to work off the debt.
Matt gets taken and soon discovers all is not kosher in the workhouse. Many of the revelations are rather obvious (what they purchase while in the workhouse is of course counted against their debt..increasing what they owe). I wish the author brought in some historical perspective..sharecropping and child labor would have been easily worked in, but the lack of information doesn't truly take away from the plot development.
The ending is truly my major quibble with this novel. It seemed rushed and not well thought out. The fact that the kids remain in the workhouse, and are now happy, makes the theme of the novel less worthy. I did enjoy the fact that each chapter has a bar code, and that nice touch plays into the theme quite well, however it somehow makes the ending seem even more poorly done.
Two other books I read recently are part of the adolescent book club I run. The first, Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix by Gary Golio, is a true must have. It is simply wonderful: a beautifully illustrated (Javaka Steptoe) picture book about Jimi when he was a child, discovering music and discovering a "rainbow of sounds." One great line, “A truck engine backfired, pounding like a bass drum, as a neighbor’s rake played snare against the sidewalk. . . . The sounds of life were calling out, and Jimmy Hendrix wanted to answer them.”
After the story is told, there are wonderful references to learn more about Jimi, music and substance abuse.
I held off reading, Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson due to the fact that Patterson has essentially franchised his name. I have been very dubious of his writing for sometime now as a result. I ended up purchasing it though, for my group, since a number of students recommended it.
I was concerned when I started reading it that members of my group would complain that it was inappropriate, and when we meet again in January I might hear comments along those lines, but I suspect those complaints will only occur from people who don't actually finish the book.
The main character sets out to break every school rule there is. Hence, my fear of complaints. However, those who finish the book will recognize there are consequences for his actions, and they will realize the reason he sets out to do what he does. It should make all teachers ponder why students misbehave, and perhaps not merely write off a kid as a "bad" kid.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Black Swans
Caroline Cooney is a staple for any mystery loving teen. Therefore, many of her titles find a home in my classroom library.
I came across Three Black Swans while perusing my school's book fair. The back of the hardcover reads: "Black Swans: events that are hugely important, rare and unpredictable, and explainable only after the fact."
This sets up quite an unusual premise, girls discovering they are part of a multiple birth adoption. Initially I was irritated I hadn't read the first few pages prior to purchasing the book. I found the writing odd, and felt that perhaps Cooney was just writing to meet a deadline.
I gave it time, and ended up enjoying the book despite some plot issues and issues with the characters. The set-up seems implausible. How could girls, who spend as much time with each other as they do, not recognize they are identical? While Cooney does a fair job of explaining this (one girl was quite small when born, and apparently there are cases where identical twins don't look alike until the tiniest grows and catches up)..so okay, I end up buying this.
However there are issues with paperwork and schooling that I don't truly buy, but I go with the flow, because the mystery of it remains intriguing.
That is the only intriguing aspect though. The characters are mere outlines, and that diminishes the novel. Each girl (a third is soon introduced) is only a caricature of what she could be. It is as if Cooney had an outline: this character will react this way, and this this way, and she never got around to developing nuances. The worst by far was the development of the birth parents. While initially it seems plausible they made the decision to do what they did, their reconciliation with ViVi isn't at all plausible.
Nor is it believable that no one in their immediate family recognized what was going on. Cooney should never have mentioned a shower was thrown for the birth parents, because after-all that is done late in a pregnancy, and there is no way a woman giving birth to triplets could pretend she is only giving birth to one, at that stage of the game so to speak.
So...plot holes, lack of character development would normally make for a poor review. And it does, if you are an average reader. But, if you are the parent of a daughter who is "aliterate" someone who can read but chooses not to, than you might want to buy this and give it to her.
The pacing is great; the honing in on how teen girls think, what they fantasize about, how a moment in time with an impulsive decision can have huge ramifications, the whole "I think I am adopted" fantasy many teens have (tripled here) will be a huge draw for those girls who simply can't find a book that meets their criteria.
I know the students I am going to recommend this novel to, as well as a particular 8th grade niece.
I came across Three Black Swans while perusing my school's book fair. The back of the hardcover reads: "Black Swans: events that are hugely important, rare and unpredictable, and explainable only after the fact."
This sets up quite an unusual premise, girls discovering they are part of a multiple birth adoption. Initially I was irritated I hadn't read the first few pages prior to purchasing the book. I found the writing odd, and felt that perhaps Cooney was just writing to meet a deadline.
I gave it time, and ended up enjoying the book despite some plot issues and issues with the characters. The set-up seems implausible. How could girls, who spend as much time with each other as they do, not recognize they are identical? While Cooney does a fair job of explaining this (one girl was quite small when born, and apparently there are cases where identical twins don't look alike until the tiniest grows and catches up)..so okay, I end up buying this.
However there are issues with paperwork and schooling that I don't truly buy, but I go with the flow, because the mystery of it remains intriguing.
That is the only intriguing aspect though. The characters are mere outlines, and that diminishes the novel. Each girl (a third is soon introduced) is only a caricature of what she could be. It is as if Cooney had an outline: this character will react this way, and this this way, and she never got around to developing nuances. The worst by far was the development of the birth parents. While initially it seems plausible they made the decision to do what they did, their reconciliation with ViVi isn't at all plausible.
Nor is it believable that no one in their immediate family recognized what was going on. Cooney should never have mentioned a shower was thrown for the birth parents, because after-all that is done late in a pregnancy, and there is no way a woman giving birth to triplets could pretend she is only giving birth to one, at that stage of the game so to speak.
So...plot holes, lack of character development would normally make for a poor review. And it does, if you are an average reader. But, if you are the parent of a daughter who is "aliterate" someone who can read but chooses not to, than you might want to buy this and give it to her.
The pacing is great; the honing in on how teen girls think, what they fantasize about, how a moment in time with an impulsive decision can have huge ramifications, the whole "I think I am adopted" fantasy many teens have (tripled here) will be a huge draw for those girls who simply can't find a book that meets their criteria.
I know the students I am going to recommend this novel to, as well as a particular 8th grade niece.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Grief, beautifully told.
As I read, A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, I was drawn back to one of my last conversations with my father. I so wish I had had this book then.
The book tells the tale of Conor, and the very real monster he is dealing with. The book is beautiful, with a unique structure. The pictures of the Yew tree monster are incredible, and the narrative is simply beautiful. This book will haunt you. It will make you laugh, make you cry and leave you awestruck.
Grief is the dominant theme, but forgiving yourself (and others) is a close second.
My favorite line of all is, "Stories are the wildest things of all," the monster mumbled. "Stories chase and bite and hunt."
There are three tales interwoven in the novel, that take off in unexpected, but ultimately wonderful ways.
I am sure this book will win numerous awards, but don't read it only for that reason. If you have lost someone close to you, this book can be a welcome salvo.
If you enjoy traveling through the lens of a novel, and are hungry for a unique voice, read this book.
The book tells the tale of Conor, and the very real monster he is dealing with. The book is beautiful, with a unique structure. The pictures of the Yew tree monster are incredible, and the narrative is simply beautiful. This book will haunt you. It will make you laugh, make you cry and leave you awestruck.
Grief is the dominant theme, but forgiving yourself (and others) is a close second.
My favorite line of all is, "Stories are the wildest things of all," the monster mumbled. "Stories chase and bite and hunt."
There are three tales interwoven in the novel, that take off in unexpected, but ultimately wonderful ways.
I am sure this book will win numerous awards, but don't read it only for that reason. If you have lost someone close to you, this book can be a welcome salvo.
If you enjoy traveling through the lens of a novel, and are hungry for a unique voice, read this book.
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