1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Johnson, Angela. 2003. THE FIRST PART LAST. New York: Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing. ISBN: 9780689849237
2. PLOT SUMMARY
When Bobby turned sixteen, he expected to have a fun day with his friends and family, not get life altering news from his girlfriend Nia. On Bobby’s sixteenth birthday, his life is turned upside down when he finds out his girlfriend is pregnant. From this point on, the novel follows Bobby and the difficult choices he has to make to help determine what is best for himself, his girlfriend, and their daughter, Feather. With a surprising twist at the end, Angela Johnson has carefully written a very believable novel about teen pregnancy and the effects and ramifications it can have on all involved.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Johnson has written a short yet gripping novel about teenage pregnancy through the eyes of the father, Bobby a sixteen year old African-American male. Johnson lets the reader inside Bobby’s world through brief, one to three page chapters, entitled “Now” and “Then.” Through the constant flashbacks to the past combined with Bobby’s thoughts in the present, the reader is able to get a deeper understanding of what Bobby is going through, how he got to the situation that he is currently in, why he has made the decisions he made, and the bond he is developing with his child.
Furthermore, in writing this story with all characters involved being of African-American decent, Johnson has taken great care not to stereotype these characters. Bobby and Nia, are both well educated children that come from middle class homes in New York City that have both parents heavily involved in their lives. The dialogue between characters in the book is intelligent and though it does include a minuscule amount of slang terminology, it does not over power the book or make the characters seem less intelligent.
Johnson has done a great job of letting readers see the possible ramifications a teen pregnancy that crosses racial boundaries and is relatable to all readers.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY review: “The author skillfully relates the hope in the midst of pain.”
VOICE OF YOUTH ADOVCATES review: “This well-written book is not like anything that I've ever read before. It goes fast and has realistic fiction, romance, and suspense all in one. Most teen pregnancy books are about what the girl goes through, but this one is written from a different, exciting angle. Both girls and boys can read it.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Have former teen aged parents come and talk to students about the struggles of raising a child or the difficult decision made to give up a child for adoption.
*Have health experts come to school and discuss the serious health issues related to teen pregnancy.
*Other books that focus on teenage pregnancy
*Draper, Sharon M. NOVEMBER BLUES. ISBN: 9781416906988
*Bechard, Margaret. HANGING ONTO MAX. ISBN: 9780689862687
*Hornby, Nick. SLAM. ISBN: 9780399250484
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Fiction, Fantasy, and YA Book Review: AMONG THE HIDDEN
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Haddix, Margaret Peterson. 1998. AMONG THE HIDDEN. New York: Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing. ISBN: 0689824750
2. PLOT SUMMARY
In the first novel from the SHADOW CHILDRENS SERIES, AMONG THE HIDDEN, shares the story of Luke Garner. He is the youngest of three boys and lives on a farm with his mother and father. Normally being the youngest of three wouldn’t be a big deal, but in the world Luke Garner lives in, it is the difference between living a life of freedom and one of seclusion.
In Luke’s world, which is set sometime in the future, the government has complete and total power. One of the laws the government created was to limited people to only having two children per family and people who are found to have a third child will suffer dyer consequences from the Population Police. Knowing this Luke’s parents do everything they can to hide him from the outside world. Luke, who is eleven years old, is not allowed to go to school or leave this family’s heavily wooded property. However, when the government decides to take his family’s property to build houses for barons, wealthily individuals and their families, Luke has to go into hiding and is kept in his room and out of site at all times.
When Luke yearning for the outside world get the better of him, he takes to spying on the barons houses from an air conditioner vent in his room. Then one day to his surprise his, after everyone is the baron neighborhood has left for work, he notices that someone is moving around in one of the baron’s homes which turn out to be another third child. Though several exciting chapters, readers find Luke meeting Jen, the third child who lives in the baron’s house. She introduces him to a new way of thinking about himself and the government, and mostly importantly lets him know that he isn’t the only third child in the world. Together they join forces to try and gain rights for third children everywhere, but when a horrible event occurs, Luke is faced with a most difficult decision that will change life as he knows it forever.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Margaret Peterson Haddix writes a wonderful science fiction novel which relies on two basic motifs in the fantasy world: good versus evil and heroism. Luke, the main protagonist, is written as a child, though suffering through extraordinary circumstances, has qualities most readers can relate to. Most readers can easily identify with his feelings of loneliness, discord with older siblings, wanting to be like everyone else, and his efforts to please his parents. The government, which created the Population Police and the two child law, is clearly the evil force driving this story with the very head strong Jen and unlikely Luke has the heroes in the story. When Jen dies, Luke is forced to make the tough decision to assume the identity of a baron’s child to protect Jen’s and his family from the Population Police. In making that decision he also decides to try and help other third children come out from the shadows and be heard. Though this ending is bittersweet, Haddix captures sadness, adventure, and bravery in this tale that will leave readers seeking the next book in the series to find out what happens to Luke and other third children like himself.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “Readers will be captivated by Luke's predicament and his reactions to it.”
KIRKUS review: “A chilling and intelligent novel.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Research countries that have restrictions on the number of children people can have and the reasons their country has gone to such drastic measures.
*Read the other books in the SHADOW CHILDREN SERIES to follow the adventures of Luke AKA Lee Grant to see if he is able to make a difference for other third children.
*To make children be able to relate to Luke’s situation, set up your class like the society that Luke and his family live in. Assign children parts in the community such as barons, farmers, government officials and population police. Create challenges/situations the students must face and then as a class discuss how it felt to live in Luke’s world.
*Other SHADOW CHILDREN SERIES NOVELS
* Haddix, Margaret Peterson. AMONG THE IMPOSTERS. ISBN: 9780689839085
* Haddix, Margaret Peterson. AMONG THE BETRAYED. ISBN: 9780689839092
* Haddix, Margaret Peterson. AMONG THE BARONS. ISBN: 9780689839108
* Haddix, Margaret Peterson. AMONG THE BRAVE. ISBN: 9780689857959
* Haddix, Margaret Peterson. AMONG THE EMENY. ISBN: 9780689857973
* Haddix, Margaret Peterson. AMONG THE FREE. ISBN: 9780689857997
Haddix, Margaret Peterson. 1998. AMONG THE HIDDEN. New York: Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing. ISBN: 0689824750
2. PLOT SUMMARY
In the first novel from the SHADOW CHILDRENS SERIES, AMONG THE HIDDEN, shares the story of Luke Garner. He is the youngest of three boys and lives on a farm with his mother and father. Normally being the youngest of three wouldn’t be a big deal, but in the world Luke Garner lives in, it is the difference between living a life of freedom and one of seclusion.
In Luke’s world, which is set sometime in the future, the government has complete and total power. One of the laws the government created was to limited people to only having two children per family and people who are found to have a third child will suffer dyer consequences from the Population Police. Knowing this Luke’s parents do everything they can to hide him from the outside world. Luke, who is eleven years old, is not allowed to go to school or leave this family’s heavily wooded property. However, when the government decides to take his family’s property to build houses for barons, wealthily individuals and their families, Luke has to go into hiding and is kept in his room and out of site at all times.
When Luke yearning for the outside world get the better of him, he takes to spying on the barons houses from an air conditioner vent in his room. Then one day to his surprise his, after everyone is the baron neighborhood has left for work, he notices that someone is moving around in one of the baron’s homes which turn out to be another third child. Though several exciting chapters, readers find Luke meeting Jen, the third child who lives in the baron’s house. She introduces him to a new way of thinking about himself and the government, and mostly importantly lets him know that he isn’t the only third child in the world. Together they join forces to try and gain rights for third children everywhere, but when a horrible event occurs, Luke is faced with a most difficult decision that will change life as he knows it forever.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Margaret Peterson Haddix writes a wonderful science fiction novel which relies on two basic motifs in the fantasy world: good versus evil and heroism. Luke, the main protagonist, is written as a child, though suffering through extraordinary circumstances, has qualities most readers can relate to. Most readers can easily identify with his feelings of loneliness, discord with older siblings, wanting to be like everyone else, and his efforts to please his parents. The government, which created the Population Police and the two child law, is clearly the evil force driving this story with the very head strong Jen and unlikely Luke has the heroes in the story. When Jen dies, Luke is forced to make the tough decision to assume the identity of a baron’s child to protect Jen’s and his family from the Population Police. In making that decision he also decides to try and help other third children come out from the shadows and be heard. Though this ending is bittersweet, Haddix captures sadness, adventure, and bravery in this tale that will leave readers seeking the next book in the series to find out what happens to Luke and other third children like himself.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “Readers will be captivated by Luke's predicament and his reactions to it.”
KIRKUS review: “A chilling and intelligent novel.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Research countries that have restrictions on the number of children people can have and the reasons their country has gone to such drastic measures.
*Read the other books in the SHADOW CHILDREN SERIES to follow the adventures of Luke AKA Lee Grant to see if he is able to make a difference for other third children.
*To make children be able to relate to Luke’s situation, set up your class like the society that Luke and his family live in. Assign children parts in the community such as barons, farmers, government officials and population police. Create challenges/situations the students must face and then as a class discuss how it felt to live in Luke’s world.
*Other SHADOW CHILDREN SERIES NOVELS
* Haddix, Margaret Peterson. AMONG THE IMPOSTERS. ISBN: 9780689839085
* Haddix, Margaret Peterson. AMONG THE BETRAYED. ISBN: 9780689839092
* Haddix, Margaret Peterson. AMONG THE BARONS. ISBN: 9780689839108
* Haddix, Margaret Peterson. AMONG THE BRAVE. ISBN: 9780689857959
* Haddix, Margaret Peterson. AMONG THE EMENY. ISBN: 9780689857973
* Haddix, Margaret Peterson. AMONG THE FREE. ISBN: 9780689857997
Fiction, Fantasy, and YA Book Review: THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Patron, Susan. 2006. THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY. Ill. by: Matt Phelan. New York: Scholastic Inc. ISBN: 9780545036146
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Lucky Trimble is unlike any normal 10 year old girl in Hard Pan, California. She loves Charles Darwin, has a best friend named Lincoln who loves to tie knots, and plays with a 5 year old name Miles, and even has a job at Hard Pan’s Found Object Wind Chime Museum and Visitor Center picking up trash after various twelve-step anonymous meetings that she secretly listens to by the Dumpster. Though all of these things would make Lucky unique in her own right, one thing that makes her stand out above all of this is that, at the age of 4 her mother died in a freak accident and instead of being taken in by her father, who she has never met, she is now cared for by her guardian Brigitte, her father’s ex-wife from France.
Though Lucky seems like a self assured young lady, she lives in fear that her guardian will someday return to France and leave in an orphanage all alone. To try to avoid this perceived doom, Lucky is on a quest to for signs of a Higher Power that she hears about constantly in the twelve step meets she eavesdrops on. This quest for Higher Power leads Lucky on a surprising adventure which results in her letting go of her mother and father, and trusting that her guardian, Brigitte will always be there for her.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Susan Patron novel deals with several societal taboos such as the death of parent, divorce, and child abandonment by a father in a touching way that makes the reader connect with the Lucky and her struggle to find her “higher power.” Through her journey we are introduced to the colorful members of the Hard Pan community. From Lincoln’s obsession with knots to Short Sammy’s crazy stories to Miles constantly mooching food off of people, this book has a memorable cast of characters that keep the story balanced with humor and provide much needed comic relief in a book that deals with very serious issues. Matt Phelan’s simple pencil illustrations add depth to this story and help to break up long pages of text with pictures of characters and other props related to the story.
Furthermore, the constant reference to the picture book ARE YOU MY MOTHER serves as more than an annoyance to Lucky every time Miles asks her to read it to him. Patron cleverly uses the book title almost like an underlying question of the entire book: Is Brigitte going to stay in Hard Pan and become Lucky’s mother or go back to France? Sharing this picture book with students before, during, or after the reading of this story might help children see the connection between Miles, Lucky, and how it relates to this book. Overall, Patron has created a cast of memorable characters, that readers from all walks of life can find relatable, so much so that Patron has written another book featuring Lucky and this cast of characters entitled LUCKY BREAKS, which will be released in March of 2009.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “The novel addresses difficult topics such as death, absent parents, and addiction with realism, humor, and wonder, making the overall message one of hope and love.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “Phelan's cover and line drawings are simple and evocative, a perfect complement to the text.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Read other Newberry Honor books and discuss themes prevalent in these award winning books.
*Research some of the various reference Lucky refers to in the book such as the English battle ship, “HMS Beagle” for whom she names her dog, Charles Darwin, cholla burr, and tarantula hawk wasps to see if the connection and facts made in the story are true.
*Read ARE YOU MY MOTHER by P.D. Eastman to the class and discuss it’s relevance to the story.
*Other novels by Susan Patron
* Patron, Susan. LUCKY BREAKS. ISBN: 9781416939986
* Patron, Susan. MAYBE YES, MAYBE NO, MAYBE, MAYBE. ISBN: 9780531054826
Patron, Susan. 2006. THE HIGHER POWER OF LUCKY. Ill. by: Matt Phelan. New York: Scholastic Inc. ISBN: 9780545036146
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Lucky Trimble is unlike any normal 10 year old girl in Hard Pan, California. She loves Charles Darwin, has a best friend named Lincoln who loves to tie knots, and plays with a 5 year old name Miles, and even has a job at Hard Pan’s Found Object Wind Chime Museum and Visitor Center picking up trash after various twelve-step anonymous meetings that she secretly listens to by the Dumpster. Though all of these things would make Lucky unique in her own right, one thing that makes her stand out above all of this is that, at the age of 4 her mother died in a freak accident and instead of being taken in by her father, who she has never met, she is now cared for by her guardian Brigitte, her father’s ex-wife from France.
Though Lucky seems like a self assured young lady, she lives in fear that her guardian will someday return to France and leave in an orphanage all alone. To try to avoid this perceived doom, Lucky is on a quest to for signs of a Higher Power that she hears about constantly in the twelve step meets she eavesdrops on. This quest for Higher Power leads Lucky on a surprising adventure which results in her letting go of her mother and father, and trusting that her guardian, Brigitte will always be there for her.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Susan Patron novel deals with several societal taboos such as the death of parent, divorce, and child abandonment by a father in a touching way that makes the reader connect with the Lucky and her struggle to find her “higher power.” Through her journey we are introduced to the colorful members of the Hard Pan community. From Lincoln’s obsession with knots to Short Sammy’s crazy stories to Miles constantly mooching food off of people, this book has a memorable cast of characters that keep the story balanced with humor and provide much needed comic relief in a book that deals with very serious issues. Matt Phelan’s simple pencil illustrations add depth to this story and help to break up long pages of text with pictures of characters and other props related to the story.
Furthermore, the constant reference to the picture book ARE YOU MY MOTHER serves as more than an annoyance to Lucky every time Miles asks her to read it to him. Patron cleverly uses the book title almost like an underlying question of the entire book: Is Brigitte going to stay in Hard Pan and become Lucky’s mother or go back to France? Sharing this picture book with students before, during, or after the reading of this story might help children see the connection between Miles, Lucky, and how it relates to this book. Overall, Patron has created a cast of memorable characters, that readers from all walks of life can find relatable, so much so that Patron has written another book featuring Lucky and this cast of characters entitled LUCKY BREAKS, which will be released in March of 2009.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “The novel addresses difficult topics such as death, absent parents, and addiction with realism, humor, and wonder, making the overall message one of hope and love.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “Phelan's cover and line drawings are simple and evocative, a perfect complement to the text.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Read other Newberry Honor books and discuss themes prevalent in these award winning books.
*Research some of the various reference Lucky refers to in the book such as the English battle ship, “HMS Beagle” for whom she names her dog, Charles Darwin, cholla burr, and tarantula hawk wasps to see if the connection and facts made in the story are true.
*Read ARE YOU MY MOTHER by P.D. Eastman to the class and discuss it’s relevance to the story.
*Other novels by Susan Patron
* Patron, Susan. LUCKY BREAKS. ISBN: 9781416939986
* Patron, Susan. MAYBE YES, MAYBE NO, MAYBE, MAYBE. ISBN: 9780531054826
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Historical Fiction Book Review: THE FIGHTING GROUND
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Avi. 1984. THE FIGHTING GROUND. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 0397320736
2. PLOT SUMMARY
When Jonathan woke up on April 3, 1778, he expected to follow his boring normal daily routines: help is father on the farm and daydream about being a solider, but what he didn’t know was how just 24 hours can drastically change a person’s life. Just about everyone in his family had been a solider, and at the age of 13, Jonathan was ready to take up a gun and fight against the British and the Hessians (Germans). The only thing standing in his way of becoming a solider was his father, who had already been to war, came back injured and didn’t want his son to go. However, has warning bell rings over his town to warn of a possible attack, Jonathan, with his parents blessings to only go to town to hear the news, gets thrown into a makeshift regiment of men lead by Corporal to fight against incoming Hessians.
Jonathan’s excitement quickly turns into horror during the first battle when he gets separated from the regiment and captured by a group of three Hessian soldiers. Communication between the soldiers and Jonathan is strained because the soldiers only speak German and Jonathan only speaks English. With both parties really unable to understand each other, lets both sides be able to speak freely about what is happening, which reveals that even in the midst of war the Hessians are just as frightened and scared of Jonathan has he is of them. Captured by the Hessians, Jonathan is forced to follow them where they find an abandon house, where they take shelter for the night.
At this house they find a murdered family and a frightened little French boy. Jonathan immediately thinks the Hessians killed the family and plots a way for him and the boy to escape capture. During the midst of Jonathans escape, he has the opportunity to kill the Hessians, while they sleep, but Jonathan was unable to do it. He grabs the boy and runs until he finds part of his regiment that had retreated before. Jonathan then leads his regiment to the Hessians who lay asleep in the cottage. Jonathan’s regiment kills the Hessians, and later Jonathan finds out that the Hessians did not kill the French family, it was actually the Corporal who did because the thought they were spies for the British. Jonathan then returns home 24 hours later with a greater understanding of war, why his father did not want him to fight, and happy to be alive.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Avi has written a gripping historical novel, told over a 24 hour time period on the days of April 3 and 4 in 1778. One of the most compelling parts of this book is the fact that when Jonathan is captured by the Hessians and they are unable to communicate due to the language barrier, this allows the characters to really talk freely about their feelings and lets the readers know what they characters are thinking about their current situation. This reveals to the readers that both Jonathan and the Hessian soldiers have the same feeling about the war. Jonathan and the Hessian solders are both scared, confused and feel all alone. To help the readers feel Jonathan’s confusion, Avi used German writing to in the text in the places where the Hessians are talking amongst themselves and to Jonathan. However, the reader has the benefit of the German translation that Avi put at the back of the book, so the reader can understand both the Hessian and Jonathan’s point of view. For the reader to get a sense of time passing by, Avi elected to use time stamps, like 9:58 and 10:15 as chapter headings. This gives the reader a chance to see how quickly or slowing events can happen in a war and how in just 24 hours a person’s life can change forever. This book can help readers see that war is not all glory and parades, but to experience the underlying confusion, fear, and senselessness of it all.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “Avi has accomplished his intent: to have readers experience, minute by minute, what it’s like to be involved in war.”
THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILEREN’S BOOKS review: “A small stunner.”
5. CONNECTIONS
* As students are studying the Revolutionary War in Social Studies/History class, have students read this story to gain perspective on the hardships and difficult choices that have to be made during war.
*If possible, have a military veteran come and speak to students about his experiences during war and have students compare them to Jonathan’s experiences during this day in the war.
*Other books that focus on the Revolutionary War
*Collier, James Lincoln and Collier, Christopher. MY BROTHER SAM IS DEAD. ISBN: 9780590427920
*Hanson, Peter E. and Roop, Peter. BUTTONS FOR GENERAL WASHINGTON. ISBN: 9780876144763
*Moore, Daniel O’Leary. IF YOU LIVED AT THE TIME OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. ISBN: 9780590674447
Avi. 1984. THE FIGHTING GROUND. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 0397320736
2. PLOT SUMMARY
When Jonathan woke up on April 3, 1778, he expected to follow his boring normal daily routines: help is father on the farm and daydream about being a solider, but what he didn’t know was how just 24 hours can drastically change a person’s life. Just about everyone in his family had been a solider, and at the age of 13, Jonathan was ready to take up a gun and fight against the British and the Hessians (Germans). The only thing standing in his way of becoming a solider was his father, who had already been to war, came back injured and didn’t want his son to go. However, has warning bell rings over his town to warn of a possible attack, Jonathan, with his parents blessings to only go to town to hear the news, gets thrown into a makeshift regiment of men lead by Corporal to fight against incoming Hessians.
Jonathan’s excitement quickly turns into horror during the first battle when he gets separated from the regiment and captured by a group of three Hessian soldiers. Communication between the soldiers and Jonathan is strained because the soldiers only speak German and Jonathan only speaks English. With both parties really unable to understand each other, lets both sides be able to speak freely about what is happening, which reveals that even in the midst of war the Hessians are just as frightened and scared of Jonathan has he is of them. Captured by the Hessians, Jonathan is forced to follow them where they find an abandon house, where they take shelter for the night.
At this house they find a murdered family and a frightened little French boy. Jonathan immediately thinks the Hessians killed the family and plots a way for him and the boy to escape capture. During the midst of Jonathans escape, he has the opportunity to kill the Hessians, while they sleep, but Jonathan was unable to do it. He grabs the boy and runs until he finds part of his regiment that had retreated before. Jonathan then leads his regiment to the Hessians who lay asleep in the cottage. Jonathan’s regiment kills the Hessians, and later Jonathan finds out that the Hessians did not kill the French family, it was actually the Corporal who did because the thought they were spies for the British. Jonathan then returns home 24 hours later with a greater understanding of war, why his father did not want him to fight, and happy to be alive.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Avi has written a gripping historical novel, told over a 24 hour time period on the days of April 3 and 4 in 1778. One of the most compelling parts of this book is the fact that when Jonathan is captured by the Hessians and they are unable to communicate due to the language barrier, this allows the characters to really talk freely about their feelings and lets the readers know what they characters are thinking about their current situation. This reveals to the readers that both Jonathan and the Hessian soldiers have the same feeling about the war. Jonathan and the Hessian solders are both scared, confused and feel all alone. To help the readers feel Jonathan’s confusion, Avi used German writing to in the text in the places where the Hessians are talking amongst themselves and to Jonathan. However, the reader has the benefit of the German translation that Avi put at the back of the book, so the reader can understand both the Hessian and Jonathan’s point of view. For the reader to get a sense of time passing by, Avi elected to use time stamps, like 9:58 and 10:15 as chapter headings. This gives the reader a chance to see how quickly or slowing events can happen in a war and how in just 24 hours a person’s life can change forever. This book can help readers see that war is not all glory and parades, but to experience the underlying confusion, fear, and senselessness of it all.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “Avi has accomplished his intent: to have readers experience, minute by minute, what it’s like to be involved in war.”
THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILEREN’S BOOKS review: “A small stunner.”
5. CONNECTIONS
* As students are studying the Revolutionary War in Social Studies/History class, have students read this story to gain perspective on the hardships and difficult choices that have to be made during war.
*If possible, have a military veteran come and speak to students about his experiences during war and have students compare them to Jonathan’s experiences during this day in the war.
*Other books that focus on the Revolutionary War
*Collier, James Lincoln and Collier, Christopher. MY BROTHER SAM IS DEAD. ISBN: 9780590427920
*Hanson, Peter E. and Roop, Peter. BUTTONS FOR GENERAL WASHINGTON. ISBN: 9780876144763
*Moore, Daniel O’Leary. IF YOU LIVED AT THE TIME OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. ISBN: 9780590674447
Historical Ficition Book Review: NIGHTJOHN
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Paulsen, Gary. 1993. NIGHTJOHN. New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 0440219361
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Sarny is a twelve year old slave for Celel Waller a viciously mean cotton plantation owner in South Carolina. Sarny doesn’t really know who her true parents are, but calls Delie, her mammy. Delie takes care of all the young children on the plantation, including Sarny. Then word spreads throughout the plantation that a new slave, Nightjohn, is coming. During his first day at the plantation, Sarny meets Nightjohn and they make a deal. She’ll give him tobacco and he will teach her how to read, which was highly illegal. Nightjohn agrees and during the night Sarny and Nighjohn meet. Nightjohn teaches Sarney letters and numbers. During the course of the story, the reader learns that Nightjohn has escaped to the North, but returned to the South to teach slave children how to read and write.
One day Waller, catches Sarny writing words in the dirt, this makes Waller go into a vicious rage and he is hell bent on finding out who taught Sarny how to read and write. He immediately accuses Delie and mercilessly whips her until Nighjohn confesses to teaching Sarny. Waller punishes Nightjohn by cutting off two of his toes…one on each foot. With only four toes on each foot, Nightjohn runs away fro Waller’s plantation and things return to normal. Then one night Nightjohn returns to the plantation at night to get Sarny and take her an underground school to teach slave children how to read and write.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Gary Paulsen, paints a vivid picture of slavery and what life was like as a slave in his novel NIGHTJOHN. Told from the perspective of twelve year old Sarny, readers have a chance to experience the life of a child slave on an active plantation. Since the story is told from Sarny’s point of view, Paulsen chose to write the entire book in broken English. This sometimes made the book difficult to understand, but let the reader fully experience how salves talked during this historic time period.
Furthermore, Paulsen doesn’t shy away from the brutality of slavery. He graphically shows the depths of what masters like Waller go through to prevent what were then illegal activities done by his slaves. Paulsen recounts beatings received by Delie and the amputation of Nightjohn’s toes and how slaves used grease and salt to help stop bleeding and heal up wounds. With vivid recounts of such brutal acts, as punishment for doing something that all children in the United States take for granted, learning to read and write, readers can’t help but feel sympathy for Sarny, Nightjohn, and Delie and admire the courage all three showed, especially Nightjohn, to make sure Sarny and other slaves learn how to read.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
KIRKUS review: “A searing picture of slavery, sometime in the 19th century at an unspecified place in the South… the compelling events are ineradicably memorable.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: “Among the most powerful of Paulsen's works, this impeccably researched novel sheds light on cruel truths in American history as it traces the experiences of a 12-year-old slave girl in the 1850s.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*After reading the book NIGHTJOHN, watch the Disney adaptation of the book and make comparisons between the book and movie adaptation.
*Use book to prompt discussion about the treatment of slaves and the cause for such treatment.
*Read the sequel to NIGHTJOHN called SARNY: A LIFE REMEMBERED and discuss the evolution of her character.
*Other books that discuss slavery and/or life after slavery
Paulsen, Gary. SARNY: A LIFE REMEMBERED. ISBN: 9780440219736
Stowe, Harriet Beecher. UNCLE TOM’S CABIN. ISBN: 9780486440286
Draper, Sharon M. COPPER SUN. ISBN: 9781416953487
Rinaldi, Ann. NUMBERING ALL THE BONES. ISBN: 9780786813780
Paulsen, Gary. 1993. NIGHTJOHN. New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers. ISBN: 0440219361
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Sarny is a twelve year old slave for Celel Waller a viciously mean cotton plantation owner in South Carolina. Sarny doesn’t really know who her true parents are, but calls Delie, her mammy. Delie takes care of all the young children on the plantation, including Sarny. Then word spreads throughout the plantation that a new slave, Nightjohn, is coming. During his first day at the plantation, Sarny meets Nightjohn and they make a deal. She’ll give him tobacco and he will teach her how to read, which was highly illegal. Nightjohn agrees and during the night Sarny and Nighjohn meet. Nightjohn teaches Sarney letters and numbers. During the course of the story, the reader learns that Nightjohn has escaped to the North, but returned to the South to teach slave children how to read and write.
One day Waller, catches Sarny writing words in the dirt, this makes Waller go into a vicious rage and he is hell bent on finding out who taught Sarny how to read and write. He immediately accuses Delie and mercilessly whips her until Nighjohn confesses to teaching Sarny. Waller punishes Nightjohn by cutting off two of his toes…one on each foot. With only four toes on each foot, Nightjohn runs away fro Waller’s plantation and things return to normal. Then one night Nightjohn returns to the plantation at night to get Sarny and take her an underground school to teach slave children how to read and write.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Gary Paulsen, paints a vivid picture of slavery and what life was like as a slave in his novel NIGHTJOHN. Told from the perspective of twelve year old Sarny, readers have a chance to experience the life of a child slave on an active plantation. Since the story is told from Sarny’s point of view, Paulsen chose to write the entire book in broken English. This sometimes made the book difficult to understand, but let the reader fully experience how salves talked during this historic time period.
Furthermore, Paulsen doesn’t shy away from the brutality of slavery. He graphically shows the depths of what masters like Waller go through to prevent what were then illegal activities done by his slaves. Paulsen recounts beatings received by Delie and the amputation of Nightjohn’s toes and how slaves used grease and salt to help stop bleeding and heal up wounds. With vivid recounts of such brutal acts, as punishment for doing something that all children in the United States take for granted, learning to read and write, readers can’t help but feel sympathy for Sarny, Nightjohn, and Delie and admire the courage all three showed, especially Nightjohn, to make sure Sarny and other slaves learn how to read.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
KIRKUS review: “A searing picture of slavery, sometime in the 19th century at an unspecified place in the South… the compelling events are ineradicably memorable.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: “Among the most powerful of Paulsen's works, this impeccably researched novel sheds light on cruel truths in American history as it traces the experiences of a 12-year-old slave girl in the 1850s.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*After reading the book NIGHTJOHN, watch the Disney adaptation of the book and make comparisons between the book and movie adaptation.
*Use book to prompt discussion about the treatment of slaves and the cause for such treatment.
*Read the sequel to NIGHTJOHN called SARNY: A LIFE REMEMBERED and discuss the evolution of her character.
*Other books that discuss slavery and/or life after slavery
Paulsen, Gary. SARNY: A LIFE REMEMBERED. ISBN: 9780440219736
Stowe, Harriet Beecher. UNCLE TOM’S CABIN. ISBN: 9780486440286
Draper, Sharon M. COPPER SUN. ISBN: 9781416953487
Rinaldi, Ann. NUMBERING ALL THE BONES. ISBN: 9780786813780
Historical Ficition Book Review: THE RIVER BETWEEN US
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Peck, Richard. 2003. THE RIVER BETWEEN US. New York: Puffin Books. ISBN 0142403105
2. PLOT SUMMARY
On the eve on World War I, Howard Hutchings accompanies his father, Dr. William Hutchings and his twin brothers to visit his grandparents Dr. William and Tilly and great aunt Delphine and great-uncle Noah in the town of Grand Tower, IL which lies on the Mississippi River. During the family’s time Howard can since the history of the house and the people living there, and Tilly is all but happy to share the past with him.
Told through Tilly’s point of view, Howard hears all about his Great Aunt Cass, Tilly’s younger sister who had visions of the future which left her haunted, Great Uncle Noah, Tilly’s twin brother and his Great Aunt Delphine’s arrival to Grand Tower via riverboat from New Orleans, and the mystery that surrounded her and her travel mate Calinda, whom everyone thought was Delphine’s slave. Many people in the town thought that because Tilly’s mother Mrs. Pruitt took Delphine and Calinda into her home, that they were traders to the north, but this did not worry the Pruitt’s who continued to let Delphine and Calinda stay at their home. During their stay at the Pruitt home, Tilly’s twin brother Noah falls quickly for Delphine, but as the beginning of the Civil War is close Noah decides to go and fight for the North, which upsets the entire family.
Tilly’s mother quickly falls into a depression, when she gets a vision that Noah is sick. She tells Tilly to go and get Noah and bring him home. Tilly and Delphine quickly gather the necessities they need to survive and go to Cairo, IL to get Noah. There they meet Dr. Hutchings and he leads them to a place to stay and Noah, who is gravely ill. While in Cairo, Tilly and Delphine nurse Noah and a group of other soldiers back to health. During this time it is also reviled that Delphine is actually of mixed race. Her father is white and her mother is black, and Calinda is actually her sister. Tilly and Dr. Hutichens are surprised by the revelation, but continue to work with Delphine to help the soliders, keeping Delphine’s secret. Soon after the soldiers are healthy they go into battle, where Noah looses his arm. Tilly and Delphine again nurse Noah back to health and return home to find that their mother had killed herself and their long lost father had died in the war, fighting for the South. Soon after their return Calinda decides to leave for California leaving Delphine with the Pruitt family.
Howard was surprised at the many revelations that he discovered during his time with Tilly, but that was nothing compared to what his father told him on their way back home to St. Louis. His father let him know that he was going to join the Army as an Army doctor for World War I and that Howard was going to have to become the man of the house. Howard understand that his father wants to follow in his father’s footsteps, but soon finds out that Dr. Hutchings is Tilly aren’t his father’s parents, but in fact Noah and Delphine are his true parents. Given the time period, Howard’s reaction is actually surprising. Instead of being horrified that he is black, he is actually proud of his heritage.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Richard Peck, has intertwined romance, adventure, mystery, and history together in this novel which keeps the readers guessing until the very end. Peck’s writing focuses on an aspect of the Civil War that is a very interesting and not really talked about in most middle school/high school history books: passing. The fact that a huge part of the plot deals with Delphine and the secrecy of her heritage and the culture of New Orleans helps bring a serious issue to the forefront of readers who might have never been made aware of this part of U.S. History. To help make Delphine and Calinda more realistic as people from New Orleans, Peck has them speak not only English, but he mixes their language with French-Creole as well. Peck also includes, a section entitled “A Note on the Story” which details his research of the Civil War, New Orleans, Grand Tower, and Cairo so he could portray each place and the characters from these places with historical accuracy. Overall, Peck has written a great story, which will open the eyes of several readers to this issue of passing for white. This book can be the catalyst to discussion of the issue of race in the war and it’s effects on people in the past and today.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLEY review: “The author crafts his characters impeccably and threads together their fates in surprising ways that shed light on the complicated events of the Civil War."
VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES review: “Peck spices up his stew with showboats, apparitions, romance, battle, and twists around every corner in this great read, even for those who dislike historical fiction.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Use the book to explore the decision Delphine and Noah made to have their son appear to be Tilly and Dr. William Hutchings son.
*Use the book to discuss why people who were born of mixed race, but looked white would make the discussion to pass for white.
*Other historical fiction books by Richard Peck
*Peck, Richard. ON THE WINGS OF HEROES. ISBN: 9780803730816
*Peck, Richard. Amanda/Miranda. ISBN: 9780141312170
Peck, Richard. 2003. THE RIVER BETWEEN US. New York: Puffin Books. ISBN 0142403105
2. PLOT SUMMARY
On the eve on World War I, Howard Hutchings accompanies his father, Dr. William Hutchings and his twin brothers to visit his grandparents Dr. William and Tilly and great aunt Delphine and great-uncle Noah in the town of Grand Tower, IL which lies on the Mississippi River. During the family’s time Howard can since the history of the house and the people living there, and Tilly is all but happy to share the past with him.
Told through Tilly’s point of view, Howard hears all about his Great Aunt Cass, Tilly’s younger sister who had visions of the future which left her haunted, Great Uncle Noah, Tilly’s twin brother and his Great Aunt Delphine’s arrival to Grand Tower via riverboat from New Orleans, and the mystery that surrounded her and her travel mate Calinda, whom everyone thought was Delphine’s slave. Many people in the town thought that because Tilly’s mother Mrs. Pruitt took Delphine and Calinda into her home, that they were traders to the north, but this did not worry the Pruitt’s who continued to let Delphine and Calinda stay at their home. During their stay at the Pruitt home, Tilly’s twin brother Noah falls quickly for Delphine, but as the beginning of the Civil War is close Noah decides to go and fight for the North, which upsets the entire family.
Tilly’s mother quickly falls into a depression, when she gets a vision that Noah is sick. She tells Tilly to go and get Noah and bring him home. Tilly and Delphine quickly gather the necessities they need to survive and go to Cairo, IL to get Noah. There they meet Dr. Hutchings and he leads them to a place to stay and Noah, who is gravely ill. While in Cairo, Tilly and Delphine nurse Noah and a group of other soldiers back to health. During this time it is also reviled that Delphine is actually of mixed race. Her father is white and her mother is black, and Calinda is actually her sister. Tilly and Dr. Hutichens are surprised by the revelation, but continue to work with Delphine to help the soliders, keeping Delphine’s secret. Soon after the soldiers are healthy they go into battle, where Noah looses his arm. Tilly and Delphine again nurse Noah back to health and return home to find that their mother had killed herself and their long lost father had died in the war, fighting for the South. Soon after their return Calinda decides to leave for California leaving Delphine with the Pruitt family.
Howard was surprised at the many revelations that he discovered during his time with Tilly, but that was nothing compared to what his father told him on their way back home to St. Louis. His father let him know that he was going to join the Army as an Army doctor for World War I and that Howard was going to have to become the man of the house. Howard understand that his father wants to follow in his father’s footsteps, but soon finds out that Dr. Hutchings is Tilly aren’t his father’s parents, but in fact Noah and Delphine are his true parents. Given the time period, Howard’s reaction is actually surprising. Instead of being horrified that he is black, he is actually proud of his heritage.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Richard Peck, has intertwined romance, adventure, mystery, and history together in this novel which keeps the readers guessing until the very end. Peck’s writing focuses on an aspect of the Civil War that is a very interesting and not really talked about in most middle school/high school history books: passing. The fact that a huge part of the plot deals with Delphine and the secrecy of her heritage and the culture of New Orleans helps bring a serious issue to the forefront of readers who might have never been made aware of this part of U.S. History. To help make Delphine and Calinda more realistic as people from New Orleans, Peck has them speak not only English, but he mixes their language with French-Creole as well. Peck also includes, a section entitled “A Note on the Story” which details his research of the Civil War, New Orleans, Grand Tower, and Cairo so he could portray each place and the characters from these places with historical accuracy. Overall, Peck has written a great story, which will open the eyes of several readers to this issue of passing for white. This book can be the catalyst to discussion of the issue of race in the war and it’s effects on people in the past and today.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLEY review: “The author crafts his characters impeccably and threads together their fates in surprising ways that shed light on the complicated events of the Civil War."
VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES review: “Peck spices up his stew with showboats, apparitions, romance, battle, and twists around every corner in this great read, even for those who dislike historical fiction.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Use the book to explore the decision Delphine and Noah made to have their son appear to be Tilly and Dr. William Hutchings son.
*Use the book to discuss why people who were born of mixed race, but looked white would make the discussion to pass for white.
*Other historical fiction books by Richard Peck
*Peck, Richard. ON THE WINGS OF HEROES. ISBN: 9780803730816
*Peck, Richard. Amanda/Miranda. ISBN: 9780141312170
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