The Lightning Thief

1. Bibliography: Riordan, Rick. The Lightning Thief. New York: Miramax Books, 2005.

2. Genre and Awards:
Young Adult/Fantasy/Mythology

3. Synopsis:

Percy Jackson (Percival, hmmm) is a misfit. He keeps getting kicked out of schools, and weird things keep happening to him. In fact, he winds up at “Half-blood camp” for the summer where he manages to make some pretty important Greek gods pretty unhappy. In this novel, Percy works on discovering who he is while engaging in a quest of mythic (literally) proportions.

4. Characters:

Along with a host of highly entertaining cameos by many Greek gods and mythological creatures; Percy Jackson is the main character. He is raised by his mom, because his dad is mysteriously absent??? His best friend, Grover, is always wearing a Rasta hat for some reason, and his favorite teacher teaches him all about Greek mythology, and seems to be the only person who really believes that Percy has the capacity to learn it. As the book progresses, my favorite character, Annabeth, daughter of Athena is the girl who travels with Percy on his adventures.

5. Plot:
Percy discovers he is the son of a Greek god. In his journey to find himself and make peace with the gods, he has many hilarious encounters with other mythological beasts. This book is packed with action, and yet it is really relatable. I don’t want to give to much plot away, because much of the this book is in uncovering the plot twists as Percy learns not only who he is, but what he can do.

6. Needs of adolescents:
The Lightning Thief is a great book for middle and junior high students. Boys will love the action and love Percy, but girls will really enjoy Annabeth and the strong portrayal of female characters. This book deals with a single-parent household and many perilous situations that Percy and his friends encounter. It shows in a fantastical way how kids deal with bullying and being an outcast.

7. Possible Classroom Uses:

The Lightning Thief would be an excellent read aloud or small group book as well as a great book for an individual. Of course, it is not on the AR list (wink/wink). This book would be a great introduction to Greek mythology, the Iliad or The Odyssey. It would also be great as an introduction into creative writing.

8. Appropriate Age Range

The Lightning Thief is written for 7-10 graders.

9. Personal Reactions
Holy moly, my boys and I loved this one! It is so exciting and there is so much action, I couldn’t put it down. It is also really funny. If you want to get a 13-year old boy talking, give him this book. Every person I know that has read this that is under the age of 30 wants to talk about it, and everyone has a favorite part. I think it is a great bridge to many classics, and kids won’t even know what they are getting into. Rick Riordan has started something new and exciting, inviting in classic literature in a way that is relatable, entertaining and engaging.

Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie

1. Bibliography: Sonnenblick, Jordan. Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie. New York: Scholastic, 2004.

2. Genre and Awards:
Young Adult/Illness/Siblings
BookSense pick for both fall 2004 and fall 2005, a Booklist Editors' Choice for 2005, and a Borders Original Voices pick; it also placed fifth on the American Library Association's Teens' Top Ten list for 2005

3. Synopsis:
Steven is a super-cool 13 year old who doesn’t even know he is cool. He plays the drums in the All-City Jazz Band and has a crush on a super hot girl. Steven’s only annoyance is his younger brother, Jeffrey. When Jeffrey gets diagnosed with leukemia, Steven has to face all the emotions that charge at him, despite the fact that his little brother seems to handle the news bravely and perfectly, while his family is torn to its limits.

4. Characters:
Steven is a typical 13 year old boy. He loves music and girls. He detests his younger brother Jeffery, but he loves him fiercely as well. Although we are never privy to Jeffery’s interior, he is also a worthwhile character. He seems simple to Steven, but Steven begins to recognize a real ferocity in his little brother that he comes to appreciate and admire. His parents seem real, and Steven’s perceptions of the way they are dealing with Jeffery’s illness are pretty perceptive, although, I am not sure about Steven’s dad. The introduction of Samantha, another sick teen in Jeffery’s hospital who teaches Steven a valuable lesson is a little formulaic, although I think adolescent kids will like her and feel the pain that Steven experiences. She is a good conduit to the morality lessons this book is trying to achieve.

5. Plot:
In this book Steven learns that his brother has a terrible illness—leukemia. The story is told from the first person narration of Steven as he struggles through the school year dealing with his burgeoning hormones, a sick brother, parents on the brink and his love of music. The ending is kind of a twist, at least when I read it; I did not predict what was going to happen.

6. Needs of adolescents:
Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie is a book that will help many adolescences deal with difficult situations at home. While many students may not have to deal with such extreme situations as Steven’s many will identify with feeling like the world is crashing down on them. In a world of fast, faster and fastest, things come at kids really quickly, and this book shows how things can change on a dime, and represents ways in which they might go through the process of dealing with harsh realities.

7. Possible Classroom Uses:

Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie would be good for a small group or as a read aloud. I think kids would get really taken in by Steven’s story. It might also have some implications of bringing in music and discussing ways to express frustration by sharing things they may be passionate about.

8. Appropriate Age Range

Drums is a great book for middle school or junior high readers.

9. Personal Reactions
Time to get personal—oh no! My daughter, Olivia, suffered an experience where she was sick, and they thought she might have had a brain tumor. During this time, although my husband and I were not like Steven’s parents, my adolescent son experienced a lot of things like Steven. This book was really dear to him because from the first page he completely saw himself as Steven. We have recommended this book to people who are struggling with sick siblings or children. I think it effectively walks people through the stages of coming to grips with things that are beyond our control. I loved it, and was hooked by Steven’s language and the style in which it is written. When I was reading this book at a ball game the other day, I had several junior high students come up to me to start talking about how much they had loved it. I think this is a great, simple read to share with kids who other might not like to read, or might feel like reading is too difficult or complicated for them.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

1. Bibliography: Kinney, Jeff. Diary of a Wimpy Kid. New York: Amulet, 2007.

2. Genre and Awards:
Comic/Graphic Novel, Middle School, Relationship/Friendship

3. Synopsis:
Greg Heffley’s mom had the brilliant idea of giving him a journal. Greg starts the journal by clarifying that it is a JOURNAL and not a diary and says, “Just don’t expect me to be all ‘Dear Diary’ this and ‘Dear Diary’ that” (Kinney 2). Greg uses his journal to draw cartoons in order to help him communicate the humor, frustration, terror and the behemoth emotions that kids have to deal with when they are wimpy and starting middle school. In a mix of cartoons and prose, Greg becomes an unlikely champion for kids who deal with being “somewhere around 52^nd or 53^rd most popular” (Kinney 7).

4. Characters:
Greg Heffley is a middle school student who struggles with fitting in and negotiating the new world of middle school. His best friend, Rowley, is his endearing side kick who keeps moving up the social ladder, leaving Greg feeling confused and alone. Rodrick, Greg’s older brother is in a rock band and terrorizes Greg.

5. Plot:
The plot of this book is deceptively simple. Greg simply exists in middle school, trying to figure out how to become immortal. His journey into self-discovery is poignant, but simple. The novel is told through a year long journal of events like Halloween and class plays. The illustrations aid in Greg’s limited narration.

6. Needs of adolescents:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid addresses the fear young people have in meeting new challenges and the world of changing peers and demands. This book is great for kids who are struggling with the emerging social strata of cliques and clubs, athletics and trying to figure out what “cool” is.

7. Possible Classroom Uses:

Diary of a Wimpy Kid would be ideal an individual choice—particularly for students who are reluctant readers. It might work well for small group discussions as well.

8. Appropriate Age Range

Diary of a Wimpy Kid would be a great book for middle school or junior high students.

9. Personal Reactions
I struggle with graphic novels. I was hesitant to read this book, but I am glad that I did. Although I connect better with prose, I could see how young people who are intimidated by “big” books would laugh and connect with Greg’s journey. I think this book is a great bridge to books that seem impossible for reluctant readers. Although it was not one of my favorite books, it helped me recognize that kids who may not think they like reading would be comforted by the illustrations and graphic representations for textual significance.

Uglies

1. Bibliography: Westerfield, Scott. Uglies. New York: Simon Pulse, 2005.

2. Genre and Awards:
Science Fiction/Teen Fiction

American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults - 2006; School Library Journal Best Books of the Year - 2005; VOYA Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers - 2005

3. Synopsis:
In Tally’s world, everything hinges on your sixteenth birthday—the birthday when you are “turned pretty.” Tally’s best friend has already undergone the surgery that has changed him from ugly to pretty, and Tally can’t wait for her transformation so that she can join her community of beautiful people. But as Tally continues to engage in pranks and test the limits of her ugly confinement, she meets a new friend, Shay, who may not want what Tally has always viewed as the pinnacle of her existence. When Shay runs away, Tally is faced with either betraying her friend or loosing her chance to achieve everything she has thought that she wanted.

4. Characters:
In the Uglies, Westerfield does a great job of using minor characters to really make a huge impact. Tally is delightful, she is mischievous and daring, but she also undergoes a transformation during the book. Shay becomes Tally’s friend, but I am not sure I ever really connected with Shay. Even though she is certainly the catalyst for Tally’s journey, I never really believed in her motivations. The people in Pretty Town are great—Westerfield really captures a world that everyone wants to be in, but why? Peris, Tally’s best friend before he was changed seems to have a touch of sincerity in his feelings for Tally, but then again, Westerfield has created a world in which nothing is questioned, so everything should be questioned. When David comes into the picture, for me, the book was made even deeper. David is great, I really loved him, and I wanted the best for him and his family.

5. Plot:
The plot of this book revolves around Tally’s quest to become pretty. As readers, we may already be suspicious of a society that turns everyone pretty, but Westerfield incorporates historical data to make the reader (if not agree with) understand how a society like this could be possible in the future. Tally befriends another girl, Shay, who runs away in an attempt to keep her original face. Tally is forced to find Shay or never become pretty. When Tally goes on her quest, she learns about the truth of becoming pretty, and is faced with an impossible dilemma.

6. Needs of adolescents:
Uglies deals with the pressure we all have to conform. It also deals subtly with ideas of societal pressures that seem trifling, but lead to devastation. Although readers will probably root for Tally, it is good to acknowledge that while the idea of changing everyone’s individuality to ensure safety might be deplorably, has it made Tally’s world safer?

Uglies addresses the cost of conformity. It would be a great book for anyone struggling with merging their identity into the identity of their family, community or world. 15-17 year old girls, especially, will connect with Tally’s desire to become pretty and fit in. However, the book is full of action and excitement so that young men will probably also be drawn in to Tally’s journey. Westerfield creates many characters who have many different ideas about conformity, and the best part is, there is no judgment about who is right or wrong, so readers can actively discuss these ideas.

7. Possible Classroom Uses:
Uglies would be ideal for a small group discussion. It would also probably work as a read aloud for freshman or sophomores. I think it would connect really well with Fahrenheit 451 and Brave New World. I think it would also connect with Catcher in the Rye.8. Appropriate Age Range

8. Appropriate Age Range:

Uglies would be a great book for advanced 8^th grade readers, but would work well for 9-12 grades.

9. Personal Reactions
So, I am not much of a science fiction person, but some teachers I know really loved this book. I was skeptical when I picked it up. However, I really liked it. The ending was awesome, and I can’t wait to read Specials. I loved this book because while it could be preachy, it isn’t. It attempts to show the flawed logic behind a society that wants conformity in order to maintain peace. I appreciated the fact that Tally wasn’t originally a true rebel, just a girl out for fun. She is truly a dynamic character and I really thought her relationships with Peris and David were genuine. I think this book could help reluctant readers get into a series and accomplish some serious reading because Westerfield is truly a master of leaving you wanting more!

The Giver

1. Bibliography: Lowry, Lois. The Giver. New York: Dell Laurel-Leaf, 1993.

2. Genre and Awards:
Science Fiction/Teen Fiction
Awards: Newberry Medal 1994

3. Synopsis:
A boy named Jonas lives in a perfect world. At his much anticipated ceremony of 12, he is mysteriously selected to become an apprentice to "the giver." This book is the tale of Jonas's journey into the memories of his people, and into the truth. Once his journey begins, there is no turning back, and in The Giver there is escape for Jonas as he delves into mysteries he didn't even know existed, and once discovery begins, Jonas, and his world, will never be the same.

4. Characters:
Lois Lowry provides few characters, but Jonas is an adolescent, and Lowry delves into not only how he feels once he has been selected for his assignment, but approaches her characters in a way that is real. She gives Jonas feelings of separateness and the pull of a boy trying to fit in and become his own person even before he is singled out. After his selection, we learn more about Jonas's family, and while they are involved in activities that the reader might find deplorable, she helps show how multi-faceted evil is, and how sometimes just being involved in a mindless act can be evil. The Giver himself is wise and pained, yet he seems genuine and human.

5. Plot:
The plot of this book is really about Jonas’s attempt to become the new Giver. He uncovers things about his perfect community that are horrific and sad, and he has to learn what he can deal with and what he must stand up against. The plot is remarkable in that without a lot of action, the reader is drawn into the fantasy the book creates, and the readers are on the edge of their seat as the book rushes to an incredible ending.

6. Needs of adolescents:
The Giver is particularly concerned with individuality and isolation. Jonas longs to be a part of his community and family, and wants to fit in; however, he is faced with an impossible dilemma. He is allowed to lie, something that truly bothers him, but he learns that everyone lies. These issues are particularly difficult for young teenagers as they are grappling with selfhood in the sometime overbearing authority and safety that may not always be what they need.

7. Possible Classroom Uses:
I think this book would work well as a read aloud, a class novel or for a small group. I also think it is a great link to some classic books like 1984, Brave New World and Animal Farm.

8. Appropriate Age Range
The Giver can be read on many different levels. I think it is appropriate for middle, junior and high school readers, and it is a book that can be read multiple times, and each time you will find something new to connect to.

9. Personal Reactions
My son introduced me to The Giver. He read it in middle school, and he was so moved by the book that he wanted to read passages out loud to me (I was shocked!). I have since given it to many of my friends and family, because I think it is truly a wonderful book. I had to read it immediately. I read it in one night, and I laughed and cried. Jonas is so brave, and The Giver is so tragic and sage. This book is truly a classic, and I know that I will read it over and over again.