BEOWULF by Gareth Hinds

BEOWULF by Gareth Hinds

Bibliography: Hinds, Gareth. 2007.  BEOWULF. Somerville, MA: Candelwick Press. ISBN: 978-0-7636-3023-2.

Summary: This epic tale follows the deeds of Beowulf against the terrible monster Grendel.  In the country of Denmark, a king builds a hall worthy of his majesty and his men’s great valor.  The monster Grendel, grew jealous of the men’s world and attacked and killed all within the hall that night.  Henceforth no one stayed in the hall after nightfall.  Beowulf heard of these deeds and sailed with his men to slay the monster.  Beowulf and his men were greeted with joy and stayed the night in the hall.  That night Grendel attacked the hall killing many men.  Beowulf watched from a far and then attacked the monster himself.  The fight was gruesome and Beowulf rips off the monster’s arm.  Knowing the Grendel will probably die they celebrate.  However, the monster’s mother, a “loathsome troll-wife,” avenged her sons gruesome mauling by taking the kings closest sage in the night.  Beowulf goes and fights Grendel’s mother and eventually kills both her and the dying Grendel.  Beowulf goes home with his treasures.  Many years later Beowulf becomes king of his country.  He lives out his days in peace…until one day.  Beowulf is forced to fight one last time against a foe most foul. This fight may well be his last.

Plot Analysis: I have loved this epic since the first time I heard it back in college.  The epic itself is both dark and heroic.  Gareth Hinds’ illustrations in this graphic novel match that feeling perfectly.  The majority of the graphic novel is in muted greens, browns, and greys, evoking very strong emotions in the reader.  I, for example, find the illustrations delightfully scary.  Many of the pages show Beowulf, walls, and everything else covered in blood.  Hinds makes the story come alive with his amazing illustrations and limited writing.  On many pages there is nothing but illustrations making the reader decipher the story on their own.  Many times graphic novels are meant for adults and this one is no different.  The gore and violence is very appropriate for the epic but not so much for children under the age of 16.  My favorite pictures are the ones of Beowulf’s face.  The reader really gets to see the emotion and many times ferocity of Beowulf.  Gareth Hinds’ interpretation of this great epic is both entertaining and accurate.  This was my first graphic novel, but I intend to read many more. 

Review Excerpts:

·      Booklist: “Gorgeous…will have high appeal for many, particularly fans of video games and action movies.”

·      The New York Times Book Review: “A first-rate horror yarn…Hinds stages great fight scenes, choreographing them like a kung-fu master….Visceral.”

Connections:

·      Great book for any fan of graphic novels. A bit scary, so not for children.

·      A great way for high school age kids to get into the epics.

·      Other books by this author:

o   Hinds, Gareth. 2010. THE ODYSSEY. Somerville, MA: Candelwick Press. ISBN: 978-0763642681.

o   Hinds, Gareth. 2009. KING LEAR. Somerville, MA: Candelwick Press. ISBN: 978-0763643430.  

THE SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Stiefvater

THE SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Stiefvater

Bibliography: Stiefvater, Maggie. 2011. THE SCORPIO RACES. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc. ISBN: 978-0-545-22490-1.

Summary: After her parents passed away, Puck Connolly was the head of her household.  Her younger brother, Finn, works around the house and her older brother Gabe works at the local hotel to bring home money.  One horrible day Gabe tells his siblings he’s leaving for the mainland and leaving them behind. Out of fear, Puck enters the dangerous Scorpio Races to race against the terrible, dangerous Water Horses, the capall uisce. Puck refuses to ride one of the Water Horses since they killed her parents so she rides her own land horse, Dove.  Through a series of strange events she ends up being trained by the boy who is the reigning winner of the games.  People die in these races, will Puck?

Critical Analysis: This book was so much fun! I originally picked it because it was billed as like The Hunger Games.  I’m not sure I agree but it’s great nonetheless. Puck is a strong main character that drives the story with her stubbornness, pride, and unyielding faith in herself.  The other main character, who some of the chapters are written from their point of view, is Sean.  Sean is described by Puck as “still.” As a reader you can imagine how his silent, calm demeanor.  Maggie Stiefvater is a wonderful writer.  I was never bored the entire time I was reading this.  I simply could not put it down.

Review Excerpts:

·      Kirkus Reviews: “A taut, chilling, romantic adventure…Masterful. Like nothing else out there now.”

·      The Horn Book: “Stiefvater masterfully combines an intimate voice (think I Capture the Castle) with a fully evoked island setting with sensory-rich language (think Margo Lanagan) with a wealth of horse detail with a plot full of danger, intrigue, and romance…Stiefvater sets not one foot wrong as she takes readers on an intoxicating ride of their own…Stiefvater’s novel begins rivetingly and gets better and better…all the way, in fact, to best.”

Connections:

·      This book is violent so I would suggest a High School age student.

·      A great book for kids who liked Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, or The Percy Jackson series.

·      Other books by this author:

o   Stiefvater, Maggie. 2012. THE RAVEN BOYS.  New York, NY: Scholastic Inc. ISBN: 978-0545424929.

o   Stiefvater, Maggie. 2006. BOOKS OF FAERIE. Cambridge, MA: Hackett Publishing Co.

FEATHERS by Jacqueline Woodson

FEATHERS by Jacqueline Woodson

Bibliography: Woodson, Jacqueline. 2007. FEATHERS. London, England: Penguin Books Ltd.

Summary: “Feathers” revolves around a little girl named Frannie, who lives in 1971 on one side of the freeway, the other was for the white people.  One day a white boy came to Frannie’s elementary.  “The Jesus Boy” caused quite a stir and Frannie’s friend Samantha, whose father is a minister at a local church, even believes he might be Jesus.  Frannie’s blossoming friendship with “the Jesus Boy” makes her rethink the things she knew and what is right and wrong. 

Critical Analysis: Of all the books I have reviewed lately, this is my favorite.  The way Jacqueline Woodson explains the time, place, and people, the reader really feels like they understand how the characters are feeling.  My favorite character in the book, isn’t even a main character.  Frannie’s brother Sean is the best part of the book for me.  Sean is deaf and everyday society in the 1970’s reminds him of that.  Girls think he’s handsome but when they find out he’s deaf they say, “dang, all that fineness wasted.” I loved that no matter what happened he still hoped that things would get better.  The story’s language is very period appropriate and extremely fascinating. I would recommend this book to ANYONE.

Review Excerpts:

·      School Library Journal: “Woodson creates in Frannie a strong protagonist who thinks for herself and recognizes the value and meaning of family. The story ends with hop and thoughtfulness while speaking to those adolescents who struggle with race, faith, and prejudice.”

·      Publisher’s Weekly: “Woodson’s novel skillfully weaves in the music and events surrounding the rising opposition to the Vietnam War, giving this timeless story depth.”

·      Newbery Honor Book

Connections:

·      This book would be a great book for any middle school or high school student to read when studying race dynamics or the Vietnam War.

·      The discussion questions in the back of the book, are great conversation starters for a class.

·      Other books by this author:

o   Woodson, Jacqueline. 2006. LENA. New York, NY: Speak Publishing/ Penguin Group. ISBN: 978-0142406168.

o   Woodson, Jacqueline. 2010. THE DEAR ONE. New York, NY: Puffin Publishing. ISBN: 978-0142417058.

ALCHEMY AND MEGGY SWANN by Karen Cushman

ALCHEMY AND MEGGY SWANN by Karen Cushman

Bibliography: Cushman, Karen. 2010 ALCHEMY AND MEGGY SWANN.  Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/ Sandpiper.  ISBN: 978-0-547-57712-8

Plot Summary: Set in 1573 London, the story follows a young girl named Meggy Swann as she is sent off to live with her father after her grandmother passes away. Meggy’s legs are crippled and she must walk with two walking sticks.  She is bad tempered and expects to be treated the way she always has, as an outcast.  Meggy is forced to live with her father who isn’t expecting a daughter let alone a crippled daughter.  He sent for his child so he might have help in his laboratory working to find the “elixir of life.”  When Meggy looks to be very little help he abandons her to a pallet downstairs.  Through strange events Meggy overhears a plot most dastardly and fears for her father’s soul.  Meggy is smart and strong and finds a way to save an unknowing baron.    Through the story Meggy makes friends, learns a lot about herself, and learns what family truly is.

Critical Analysis: I loved this story! It was a little slow to get going and the language, old English, made it very difficult to understand some times, but the bones of the story are fantastic.  Readers really become attached to Meggy and her problems.  She is angry and untrusting from too many years of being picked on, called a witch, and having things thrown at her.  The way Karen Cushman writes the character makes the reader want to defend Meggy and to understand why.  My favorite part of the book had to be the players.  Master and Mistress Grimm, their flamboyant children, and Master Merryman are the light point in this story.  They are fun and loving making them a joy to read about.  Roger, Meggy’s one friend, is a lot like a golden retriever.  He is loyal to Meggy and makes her feel good about herself.  His constant grin and carefree attitude make him a loveable knight in shining armor for the story.  Overall, this story is very interesting and you will get engulfed in it just as I have. 

            NOTE: I had to look up some words I didn’t know so this might be frustrating for younger readers.

Review Excerpts:

·      Kirkus Reveiws: “Cushman has the uncanny ability to take a time and place so remote and make it live. Readers can hear and see and smell it al as if they are right beside Meggy.”

·      Publisher’s Weekly: “Cushman’s newest novel has all the elements that have made her earlier books so beloved.”

Connections:

·      This story would be a great short chapter book for children introducing them to London in the 1500’s.

·      The language is very interesting and there may be some words children (or adults) don’t know.  This can open doors for a teachable moment!  It’s a great way to have them be in charge of their learning and to find the answer for themselves.

·      Other books by this author:

o   Cushman, Karen. 2006. THE LOUD SILENCE OF FRANCINE GREEN.  New York, NY: Clarion Books. ISBN: 978-0618504558.

o   Cushman, Karen. 2000.  MATILDA BONE. New York, NY: Clarion Books. ISBN: 978-0440418221. 

HATTIE BIG SKY by Kirby Larson

HATTIE BIG SKY by Kirby Larson

Bibliography: Larson, Kirby. 2007.  HATTIE BIG SKY. New York, NY: Random House. ISBN: 978-0739350515.

Plot Summary: The story follows a 16-year-old girl named Hattie.  Hattie’s parents passed away when she was very young and since then she has been handed off from relative to relative. One day her uncle sends her a letter saying he has left all of his belongings in Montana, including his home, to her.  The only catch is she has till November to “prove up” or she will lose the land.  So Hattie tries her hand at farming and learns from her neighbors as best she can.  She meets wonderful people and comes to love them dearly.  However, many events threaten to take all of that away. A conceited cowboy who wants to expand his land, a hailstorm, blistering heat, little rain, and the Spanish Influenza to name a few.  These events push Hattie to the edge and she worries if she has her, “mother’s backbone” enough to make it work. 

Critical Analysis: This book was a wonderful portrait of the 1900’s Montana.  Kirby Larson created a very loving, strong protagonist that the reader can’t help but admire.  The way the author writes Hattie, the reader really identifies with every obstacle she had to overcome.  My favorite part of the story is when Hattie is first trying to learn to live in Montana.  The writer makes all of her issues with the house and her cow extremely comical.  When Hattie has to run off a heard of wild horses with her petticoat I sat in my room alone and laughed.  My only negative comment I have about this book lies in the last chapter of the book.  SPOILER ALERT: The author has spent the entire book building up Hattie’s life on the prairie only to take everything she wanted away.  Her friends leave, she loses her homestead and she has to start over new.  I loved this book but I felt very let down by the ending.

Review Excerpts:

·      Booklist: “Writing in figurative language that draws on nature and domestic detail to infuse her story with the sounds, smells, and sights of the prairie, she creates a richly textured novel full of memorable characters.”

·      School Library Journal: “Larson creates a masterful picture of the homesteading experience and the people who persevered.”

Connections:

·      This book is a great way to introduce a different aspect of the World War I.

·       A great picture of what life in the 1900’s on the prairie.  This would be a great way to allow students to compare and contrast then and now. 

·      Other books by this author:

o   Larson, Kirby. 2011. THE FRIENDSHIP DOLL. New York, NY: Delacorte Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 978-0385737456.

o   Larson, Kirby.  2010. THE FENCES BETWEEN US. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc. ISBN: 978-0545224185. 

THE GREEN GLASS SEA by Ellen Klages

THE GREEN GLASS SEA by Ellen Klages

Bibliography:  Klages, Ellen. 2006. THE GREEN GLASS SEA. New York, NY. Puffin Books/Penguin Books. ISBN: 978-0-14-241149-0.

Plot Summary: The Green Glass Sea follows the story of two girls, Suze and Dewey, in 1943 to 1945.  Both girls live on “The Hill” in Los Alamos, New Mexico on an army science base.  Suze’s parents and Dewey’s father are all scientists working on “the gadget.” The base is a secret and everything and everyone on the base is a secret. Through a series of events, Dewey goes and lives with Suze’s family for a while so her father can go work at the White House.  There is an accident and Dewey has to stay with Suze’s family for “the duration.” Dewey knows that once the scientists test the gadget they will use it and end the war, leaving her nowhere to live.

Critical Analysis:  I really enjoyed reading this book. However, there aren’t very many high points in the story.  The story is set during World War II making the atmosphere very drudging as was appropriate for that time. The problem I had with the story is that the characters are never allowed to be happy or uplifted until the very last page.  Dewey seems to be the target of every bad thing throughout her life.  The other main character, Suze, is bullied and called horrible names.  Another issue I had was the language.  There was quite a bit of profanity that many parents would find way too strong for their children to read. 

            All this aside, the story very period appropriate and extremely well written.  Take away the profanity and add some high points and I would have enjoyed it immensely.

Review Excerpts:

·      Winner of the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction.

·      Publisher’s Weekly: “The author provides much insight into controversies surrounding the making of the bomb and brings to life the tensions of war experienced by adults and children alike.”

·      Voice of Youth Advocates: “Suze and Dewey have their differences, but they become friends in the center of one of the most debated and notorious places of that era. Poetic and real, this one will keep you reading and leave you thinking.”

Connections:

·      This book depicts the World War II era just exactly how it was, making this book a great supplement to any WWII research or study.

·      The language makes the book more appropriate for older students.  This would be a great way to show students how other children reacted to the events of the 1930’s and 1940’s.

·      Other books by this author:

o   Klages, Ellen. 2008. WHITE SANDS, RED MENACE. New York, NY: Viking Juvenile/ Penguin Books. ISBN: 978-0679962359.

o   Klages, Ellen. 2007. PORTABLE CHILDHOODS. San Francisco, CA: Taychon Publishing. ISBN: 978-1892391452.