Chains

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Anderson, Laurie Halse. 2008. CHAINS. New York: Antheum Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9781416905851

2.      PLOT SUMMARY

With the Revolutionary War as a backdrop to this tale, 13 year old Isabel is also fighting—for her freedom. She is a slave who, along with her sister, was promised freedom after her owner died, but in cruel twist of fate the girls become the property of a cruel New York couple. Isabel meets Curzon, another slave, who encourages her to spy on her owners because they know British plans for invasion. Though at first hesitant, her mind becomes resolved when something unthinkable happens to her sister, Ruth.

3.      CRITCAL ANALYSIS

Chains is the moving account of one girl’s struggle for freedom in a country where black people were things to be bought, sold, and traded. The characters are well developed, and you can feel the frustration and pain their position in life brings them. The situations they find themselves in were so realistic you can tell Anderson really did her homework. This is further shown in the question and answer section at the end of the book.

4.      REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction

Review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Well researched and affecting in its presentation, the story offers readers a fresh look at the conflict and struggle of a developing nation.”

Starred Review in BOOKLIST: “Anderson explores elemental themes of power…, freedom, and the sources of human strength in this searing, fascinating story.”

5.      CONNECTIONS

*Bravery would be a good topic of discussion for this novel. It took a lot of courage to do what Isabel did. Ask the readers if they feel they’d make the same decisions as she, or if they would do anything differently.

*Other novels by this author:

            Anderson, Laurie Halse. Catalyst. ISBN 0142400017

            Anderson, Laurie Halse. Fever 1793. ISBN 0689848919

            Anderson, Laurie Halse. Speak. ISBN 0312674392

Bloody Jack

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Meyer, L.A. 2002. BLOODY JACK: BEING AN ACCOUNT OF THE CURIOUS ADVENTURES OF MARY “JACKY” FABER, SHIP’S BOY. New York: Harcourt, Inc. ISBN 0-15-216731-5

2.      PLOT SUMMARY

Jacky Faber is a teenage orphan running the streets of 18^th century London when the chance of a lifetime falls in her lap. A departing warship is taking on ship’s boys, but the only problem is that Jacky’s a girl. Cleverly hiding this fact, Jacky sets sail on the adventure of a lifetime.

3.      CRITCAL ANALYSIS

Bloody Jack has an interesting premise, though, not an entirely original one. A girl pretends to be a boy in order to gain access to the “boy’s club.” The pirate aspect of the novel, though, is what sets it apart. I haven’t read many young adult novels that are pirate-related, and thanks to the recent Pirates of the Caribbean films, pirates are all the rage at the moment. Boys will like it for the adventure. Girls will read it because not only does it have a little romance, but it also has an empowering message that whatever the boys can do, girls can do just as well.

4.      REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Review in PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: “…mark this one for older readers, who will find the salty tale a rattling good read.”

Review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “…a good story of a brave ship's "boy" with natural leadership abilities and a sense of fair play and humanity.”

5.      CONNECTIONS

*What are the readers’ feelings on a female ship’s boy? What about the ages of the younger members of the ship’s crew—would something like this be acceptable in today’s society? How many of the readers would have done the same thing as Jacky—hiding their gender in order to gain access to a world forbidden to them?

* Other novels in this series:

            Meyer, L.A. Curse of the Blue Tattoo. ISBN 9780152054595

            Meyer, L.A. Under the Jolly Roger. ISBN 0152058737

            Meyer, L.A. In the Belly of the Bloodhound. ISBN 0152055576

Lily's Crossing

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Giff, Patricia Reilly. 1997. LILY’S CROSSING. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN 0-385-32142-2

2.      PLOT SUMMARY

 Lily’s Crossing is the story of one young girl’s struggle to deal with the turmoil of World War II on the homefront. Her best friend has moved away, and her father is overseas, fighting. She meets Albert, a young refugee from Hungary, and they form a bond over the rescue of a kitten. Their friendship is threatened, however, when the lies they’ve told puts Albert’s life in danger.

3.      CRITCAL ANALYSIS

When World War II is mentioned, what automatically comes to mind? Hitler, Nazis, Jewish people, and concentration camps, no doubt. But what about what was happening here in the United States at the time? Giff’s tale of a young girl’s struggle with the war introduces us to another perspective and reminds us that wars happen to children, too. Her writing style is comfortable and makes the characters seem like they could jump right off the page.

4.      REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

1998 Newbery Honor Book

American Library Association Notable Book

Review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Giff's well-drawn, believable characters and vivid prose style make this an excellent choice.”

Review in BOOKLIST: “With wry humor and intense feeling…Giff gets across a strong sense of what it was like on the home front during World War II.”

5.      CONNECTIONS

*What do the readers know offhand about World War II? Did the book offer any insight into what was happening here in the United States during the time of the war? What do the readers think of the ending—satisfying or too convenient?

*Other novels by this author:

            Giff, Patricia Reilly. Eleven. ISBN 0440238021

            Giff, Patricia Reilly. Pictures of Hollis Woods. ISBN 9780440415787

            Giff, Patricia Reilly. Maggie’s Door. ISBN 0440415810

Biggest, Strongest, Fastest

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Jenkins, Steve. 1995. BIGGEST, STRONGEST, FASTEST. Ill. by Steve Jenkins. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0395697018

2.      PLOT SUMMARY

Biggest, Strongest, Fastest is a children’s introduction into world records held by fourteen members of the animal kingdom.

3.      CRITCAL ANALYSIS

This title is basically a world record book for children, with the focus being on animals. And what child wouldn’t be interested to know that an ant is the strongest animal—for its size, that is. Steve Jenkins does a wonderful job of gathering the most interesting facts about fourteen members of the animal kingdom and compiling them into a one stop shop for 4 to 8 year olds.

The illustrations, designed by Jenkins, are paper collage, reproduced in full color. Each animal gets its own page—sometimes even two or three pages depending on its size! This is a fun book to read aloud to children, or for beginning readers to read to themselves. The artwork is simple enough for young ones being introduced to these animals as well entertaining for the older kids to point out and name.

4.      REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Review in BOOKLIST: “Beautiful double-page-spread cut-paper collages illustrate a picture book…”

Review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Large, clear print; fascinating facts; and beautiful, detailed, cut-paper collages make this excellent title a delight.”

5.      CONNECTIONS

*Perhaps lead the children in a discussion about what their favorite animals are, and why.

*Check out other works of children’s nonfiction by this author:

Jenkins, Steve. WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN SOMETHING WANTS TO EAT YOU? ISBN 0618152431

Jenkins, Steve. HOTTEST, COLDIST, HIGHEST, DEEPEST. ISBN 061849488X

They Call Themselves the K.K.K.: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. 2010. THEY CALL THEMSELVES THE K.K.K.: THE BIRTH OF AN AMERICAN TERRORIST GROUP. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 061844033X

PLOT SUMMARY

The history of the Ku Klux Klan is explored through the use of personal accounts, congressional documents, and other primary sources.

CRITCAL ANALYSIS

 Susan Campbell Bartoletti provides us with this well-written account of the formation and subsequent reign of terror of the Ku Klux Klan beginning just after the Civil War in 1866 and ending as recently as thirty years ago. Bartoletti’s writing style is such that it would appeal to all ages ranging from youth through adults.

The visuals in this book are all historically relevant, including political cartoons, photographs and paintings of persons of interest, as well as drawings of all sorts. As you flip through the book you’ll find yourself stopping at an interesting image and reading the captions that come with each. The tidbits of information are just the beginning and will invite the potential reader to start at the beginning and immerse themselves in a small portion of United States history.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “effectively targets teens with her engaging and informative account that presents a well-structured inside look at the KKK, societal forces that spawn hate/terrorist groups, and the research process.”

Starred review in BOOKLIST: “Bartoletti…writes in admirably clear, accessible language about one of the most complex periods in U.S. history, and she deftly places the powerfully unsettling events into cultural and political context without oversimplifying.”

CONNECTIONS

* Book discussion suggestions:

            What are your feelings about the Ku Klux Klan?

Does anyone in the group have ancestors that came into contact with the Klan, or that were a part of the Klan?

           

*More titles by this author:

Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. HITLER YOUTH: GROWING UP IN HITLER’S SHADOW. ISBN 0439353793 *Newbery Honor Book, 2006; *Sibert Medal Honor Book, 2006

            Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. BLACK POTATOES: THE STORY OF THE GREAT IRISH 
           FAMINE. ISBN 0618548831 *Sibert Medal, 2002; Orbus Pictus, 2002

Lives of the Pirates: Swashbucklers, Scoundrels (Neighbors Beware!)

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Krull, Kathleen. 2010. LIVES OF THE PIRATES: SWASHBUCKLERS, SCOUNDRELS (NEIGHBORS BEWARE!). Ill. by Kathryn Hewitt. Boston: Harcourt Children’s Books. ISBN 0152059083

2.      PLOT SUMMARY

The latest book in Krull’s Lives of… series offers up fascinating facts about some of history’s most notorious pirates.

3.      CRITCAL ANALYSIS

Lives of the Pirates is a wonderfully engrossing book about real life pirates. Written for grades 4 and up, children of all ages will enjoy reading the 20 brief biographies about pirates from several different countries and continents. The entries are presented in chronological order from Lady Mary Killigrew in the 16^th century all the way to Benito De Soto in the early 19^th century. There is even a final biography for a famous pirate who many think was a real person…but is really a fictional character.

The book was illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt, whose work is also featured in the other Lives of… titles. Here she used oil paint on Arches paper to create vividly colored artwork in the form of caricatures. Most of the images are, of course, pirate and nautical-themed, but Hewitt also makes sure all of the different cultures of the pirates are represented.

4.      REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Krull vividly presents these swashbucklers and scoundrels, and their dramatic stories will excite the imaginations of listeners. A solid choice for school and public libraries.”

5.      CONNECTIONS

*Possible topics of discussion:

            Which was your favorite pirate from the book?

What do you think of when you hear the word, pirate? Did reading the book confirm your ideas or change your mind?

*More LIVES OF… books:

Krull, Kathleen. LIVES OF EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN: RULERS, REVELS (AND WHAT THE NEIGHBORS THOUGHT). ISBN 0152008071

Krull, Kathleen. LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS: FAME, SHAME (AND WHAT THE NEIGHBORS THOUGHT). ISBN 0547498098

            Krull, Kathleen. LIVES OF THE ARTISTS: MASTERPIECES, MESSES (AND WHAT THE
            NEIGHBORS THOUGHT). ISBN 0152001034