Bibliography
Johnson, Angela. 2003. The First Part Last. New York: Simon & Schuster.
ISBN: 0-689-84922-2
Summary
Bobby, a teenager, becomes a father of a baby girl, Feather. His life changes completely after her birth.
Critical Analysis
Award winning author, Angela Johnson, has written a young adult novel that is easy to read with her then and now chapters and short, eloquent sentences in her story The First Part Last.
The story is set in contemporary New York City, where the characters are suggestive of today's people. The main character, Bobby is a sixteen year old boy who has just fathered a child with his teen girlfriend, Nia. Minor characters include Bobby's father and mother and his best friends, K-Boy and J.L. After eclampsia leaves Nia permanently disabled, Bobby decides to keep his baby, Feather, rather than giving her up for adoption. During the story, Bobby deals with such things as exhaustion for caring for Feather, skipping school, and getting arrested for spray painting a wall.
Johnson believable storyline creates a plot readers can understand. Throughout the story, Bobby struggles with life as a new father. At the end, Johnson finishes the story with a surprising twist, yet hopeful ending. The theme indicates Bobby's struggles with doing what is right, as many young adults would and provides an extraordinary example of a family, even if the family is different than most.
The First Part Last is a moving story of relationships and the birth of a child from a teenage boy's point of view. Angela Johnson has written a powerful, insightful story.
Review Excerpts
Kirkus Review states, "Told in alternating chapters that take place "then" and "now," Bobby relates the hour-by-hour tribulations and joys of caring for a newborn, and the circumstances that got him there. Managing to cope with support, but little help, from his single mother (who wants to make sure he does this on his own), Bobby struggles to maintain friendships and a school career while giving his daughter the love and care she craves from him at every moment. By narrating from a realistic first-person voice, Johnson manages to convey a story that is always complex, never preachy" (2003).
Booklist announces, "[F]rom the first page, readers feel the physical reality of Bobby's new world: what it's like to hold Feather on his stomach, smell her skin, touch her clenched fists, feel her shiver, and kiss the top of her curly head. Johnson makes poetry with the simplest words in short, spare sentences that teens will read again and again" (2003).
Review excerpts accessed from http://www.titlewave.com/
Connections
Other young adult novels by Angela Johnson:
Heaven
Toning the Sweep
Gone From Home
Humming Whispers
On the Fringe
Other stories by Angela Johnson:
The Aunt in Our House
Do Like Kyla
Daddy Calls Me Man
A Cool Moonlight
The Other Side
Bird
Monday, November 19, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron
Bibliography
Patron, Susan. 2006. The Higher Power of Lucky. New York: Atheneum Books.
Illustrator: Matt Phelan
ISBN: 1-41690-194-9
Summary
Ten year old, Lucky Trimble, in her despair over the thought her guardian will return to France, decides to run away. In her run away event, she finds her higher power, giving herself peace and stability.
Critical Analysis
The Newbery Award winning book, The Higher Power of Lucky, is a heartfelt story about a girl afraid of the possible abandonment of her guardian, while dealing the the loss of her mother.
Patron does an excellent job at portraying the characters in a believable, likable way. For example, Lucky, the main character, is a typical ten-year old. She collects insects and dreams of opening an insect museum. She eavesdrops on twelve-step anonymous meetings. After finding her guardian's passport, she is afraid Brigette is going back to France, leaving her alone. Lucky has a "meanness gland" (34) that erupts a few times when Miles, a 5 year old comes around.
The story is set in Hard Pan, California, where the town is so small there are "no markets or restaurants or even a gas station" (44). While unusually small, and unique in its own way, it is still reminiscent of small town USA. The neighbors know each other, where they support and rely on each other. The residents cope with problems like alcoholism or gambling.
Patron's plot leaves the reader with a satisfied feeling, knowing a Higher Power has found Lucky and she is able to release her mothers remains into the wind. The reader finds Lucky dealing with her situations in a true-to-life manner. Lucky lives her life while dealing with the loss of her mother. Also, she devises a plan to run away. Additionally, the themes of abandonment, loss, fear, and courage in Lucky's story of Lucky are perfectly presented. This presentation helps readers relate to Lucky with ease.
Illustrator, Matt Phelan's simple line drawings help round out the story. His illustrations show the simplicity of Hard Pan life and the depth of Patron's characters. This story is a perfect blend of entertainment and excellent storytelling. The Higher Power of Lucky is a perfect story for all young adults.
Review Excerpts
Horn Book announces, "Author Patron's tale of a grieving, insecure little girl is never heavy-handed or maudlin, due in part to quiet bursts of humor. . . . The book's brief chapters reflect the cyclical, episodic nature of life in Hard Pan, while meandering yet meticulously crafted sentences illustrate Lucky's natural curiosity and the importance of storytelling in her life. Patron's sensory descriptions of Hard Pan and the surrounding desert, supported by Phelan's gentle spot art, animate this unique community" (2007).
Kirkus starred reports, "The plot is not what elevates Lucky's memorable story. Hard Pan may be lightly populated, but every soul is uniquely unforgettable, from 5-year-old Miles, shameless cookie hustler, to Lincoln, serious knot-tying addict. Readers will gladly give themselves over to Patron, a master of light but sure characterization and closely observed detail. A small gem" (2007).
Reviews excerpts from http://www.titlewave.com/.
Connections
Other stories by Susan Patron:
Dark Cloud Strong Breeze
Maybe Yes, Maybe No, Maybe Maybe
Bobbin Dustbobbin
Five Bad Boys, Billy Que, and the Dustbobbin
Burgoo Stew
Patron, Susan. 2006. The Higher Power of Lucky. New York: Atheneum Books.
Illustrator: Matt Phelan
ISBN: 1-41690-194-9
Summary
Ten year old, Lucky Trimble, in her despair over the thought her guardian will return to France, decides to run away. In her run away event, she finds her higher power, giving herself peace and stability.
Critical Analysis
The Newbery Award winning book, The Higher Power of Lucky, is a heartfelt story about a girl afraid of the possible abandonment of her guardian, while dealing the the loss of her mother.
Patron does an excellent job at portraying the characters in a believable, likable way. For example, Lucky, the main character, is a typical ten-year old. She collects insects and dreams of opening an insect museum. She eavesdrops on twelve-step anonymous meetings. After finding her guardian's passport, she is afraid Brigette is going back to France, leaving her alone. Lucky has a "meanness gland" (34) that erupts a few times when Miles, a 5 year old comes around.
The story is set in Hard Pan, California, where the town is so small there are "no markets or restaurants or even a gas station" (44). While unusually small, and unique in its own way, it is still reminiscent of small town USA. The neighbors know each other, where they support and rely on each other. The residents cope with problems like alcoholism or gambling.
Patron's plot leaves the reader with a satisfied feeling, knowing a Higher Power has found Lucky and she is able to release her mothers remains into the wind. The reader finds Lucky dealing with her situations in a true-to-life manner. Lucky lives her life while dealing with the loss of her mother. Also, she devises a plan to run away. Additionally, the themes of abandonment, loss, fear, and courage in Lucky's story of Lucky are perfectly presented. This presentation helps readers relate to Lucky with ease.
Illustrator, Matt Phelan's simple line drawings help round out the story. His illustrations show the simplicity of Hard Pan life and the depth of Patron's characters. This story is a perfect blend of entertainment and excellent storytelling. The Higher Power of Lucky is a perfect story for all young adults.
Review Excerpts
Horn Book announces, "Author Patron's tale of a grieving, insecure little girl is never heavy-handed or maudlin, due in part to quiet bursts of humor. . . . The book's brief chapters reflect the cyclical, episodic nature of life in Hard Pan, while meandering yet meticulously crafted sentences illustrate Lucky's natural curiosity and the importance of storytelling in her life. Patron's sensory descriptions of Hard Pan and the surrounding desert, supported by Phelan's gentle spot art, animate this unique community" (2007).
Kirkus starred reports, "The plot is not what elevates Lucky's memorable story. Hard Pan may be lightly populated, but every soul is uniquely unforgettable, from 5-year-old Miles, shameless cookie hustler, to Lincoln, serious knot-tying addict. Readers will gladly give themselves over to Patron, a master of light but sure characterization and closely observed detail. A small gem" (2007).
Reviews excerpts from http://www.titlewave.com/.
Connections
Other stories by Susan Patron:
Dark Cloud Strong Breeze
Maybe Yes, Maybe No, Maybe Maybe
Bobbin Dustbobbin
Five Bad Boys, Billy Que, and the Dustbobbin
Burgoo Stew
The Giver by Lois Lowry
Bibliography
Lowry, Lois. 1993. The Giver. Boston. Houghton Mifflin.
ISBN: 0-39564566-2
Summary
In a society of sameness, at the age of twelve, Jonas is selected for his life job, the receiver of memories. In his training for his assignment, Jonas realizes the terrible things about his society.
Critical Analysis
Two-time Newberry Award author has written an exceptional modern fantasy story in The Giver.
Lowry's human characters are believable. They differ from humans in that they live in a society of sameness, where they don't have feelings, emotions or memories. The main character, Jonas, is the only one with memories and feelings and has to deal with the idea that his society's ways are wrong. Jonas is well-developed, where we can understand his actions, root for him, and feel his emotions.
The story takes place in Jonas' community, a place where they live in houses, go to work and school, and function as families. The fantasy aspect is noticed when we learn about the way their community functions. For example, married couples are "assigned" two children. Also, at the age of 12, community members are assigned their role as an adult. There is also no inequality, no injustice, and no poverty.
Jonas struggles with the way his community lives and is shocked when Gabriel is going to be "released." His struggles are plausible and maintain the plot through out the story. Also, the plot is also internally consistent, where Jonas stays in his community of sameness until he escapes to elsewhere at the end of the story.
Jonas' love for Gabriel is powerful and an undercurrent theme, until the end of the story, where we learn Jonas has escaped with Gabriel to elsewhere to save Gabriel's life. Additionally, Lowry's writing style helps us believe in Jonas' world. For example, the dialogue among characters is very precise, almost seeming formal. Jonas' world is a world where preciseness is of utmost importance.
Exciting and entertaining, the audio book version narrated by Ron Rifkin makes the story even more enjoyable. Rifkin manipulates his voice to help the reader grasp the emotions and events in the story. The background music played intermittently throughout the story keeps the listener engaged.
The Giver, in book or audio book format, can be enjoyed by adults and young adults. In any format, it is a story well worth your time.
Review Excerpts
Horn Book reports, "The story is skillfully written; the air of disquiet is delicately insinuated; and the theme of balancing the values of freedom and security is beautifully presented" (1993).
Amy Kelleman with School Library Journal reports, "In a complete departure from her other novels, Lowry has written an intriguing story set in a society that is uniformly run by a Committee of Elders. . . . The author makes real abstract concepts, such as the meaning of a life in which there are virtually no choices to be made and no experiences with deep feelings. This tightly plotted story and its believable characters will stay with readers for a long time" (1993).
Review excerpts accessed from http://www.titlewave.com/
Connections
The Giver is a perfect story as a springboard for a class discussion about the value of life. There are two sequels to The Giver by Lois Lowry:
Gathering Blue
The Messenger
Lowry, Lois. 1993. The Giver. Boston. Houghton Mifflin.
ISBN: 0-39564566-2
Summary
In a society of sameness, at the age of twelve, Jonas is selected for his life job, the receiver of memories. In his training for his assignment, Jonas realizes the terrible things about his society.
Critical Analysis
Two-time Newberry Award author has written an exceptional modern fantasy story in The Giver.
Lowry's human characters are believable. They differ from humans in that they live in a society of sameness, where they don't have feelings, emotions or memories. The main character, Jonas, is the only one with memories and feelings and has to deal with the idea that his society's ways are wrong. Jonas is well-developed, where we can understand his actions, root for him, and feel his emotions.
The story takes place in Jonas' community, a place where they live in houses, go to work and school, and function as families. The fantasy aspect is noticed when we learn about the way their community functions. For example, married couples are "assigned" two children. Also, at the age of 12, community members are assigned their role as an adult. There is also no inequality, no injustice, and no poverty.
Jonas struggles with the way his community lives and is shocked when Gabriel is going to be "released." His struggles are plausible and maintain the plot through out the story. Also, the plot is also internally consistent, where Jonas stays in his community of sameness until he escapes to elsewhere at the end of the story.
Jonas' love for Gabriel is powerful and an undercurrent theme, until the end of the story, where we learn Jonas has escaped with Gabriel to elsewhere to save Gabriel's life. Additionally, Lowry's writing style helps us believe in Jonas' world. For example, the dialogue among characters is very precise, almost seeming formal. Jonas' world is a world where preciseness is of utmost importance.
Exciting and entertaining, the audio book version narrated by Ron Rifkin makes the story even more enjoyable. Rifkin manipulates his voice to help the reader grasp the emotions and events in the story. The background music played intermittently throughout the story keeps the listener engaged.
The Giver, in book or audio book format, can be enjoyed by adults and young adults. In any format, it is a story well worth your time.
Review Excerpts
Horn Book reports, "The story is skillfully written; the air of disquiet is delicately insinuated; and the theme of balancing the values of freedom and security is beautifully presented" (1993).
Amy Kelleman with School Library Journal reports, "In a complete departure from her other novels, Lowry has written an intriguing story set in a society that is uniformly run by a Committee of Elders. . . . The author makes real abstract concepts, such as the meaning of a life in which there are virtually no choices to be made and no experiences with deep feelings. This tightly plotted story and its believable characters will stay with readers for a long time" (1993).
Review excerpts accessed from http://www.titlewave.com/
Connections
The Giver is a perfect story as a springboard for a class discussion about the value of life. There are two sequels to The Giver by Lois Lowry:
Gathering Blue
The Messenger
Monday, November 5, 2007
When My Name was Keoko by Linda Sue Park
Bibliography
Park, Linda Sue. 2002. When My Name was Keoko. New York: Clarion Books.
ISBN: 0-618-13335-6
Summary
When My Name was Keoko, is a parallel story told through the viewpoints of a sister and a brother. They relate their difficult lives during the Japanese occupation of Korea.
Critical Analysis
Award-winning author Linda Sue Park, writes an eloquent historical fiction story about a Korean family's life in Korea from 1940-1945. Park's descriptive words help set the scene of the setting, whether taking place in the family's home or out in public.
Also, Park does an excellent job at making the plot believable and the theme universal. Readers can connect with the two narrators. For example, at the start of the story, Sun-Hee and Tae-yul find out the Japanese are forcing them to rename themselves with Japanese names. Tau-yul states, "A different name? I can't imagine it. I look at Sun-Hee and I can tell she's thinking the same thing" (5). The parallel stories of the siblings helps readers connect to the theme. Sun-hee and Tae-yul react differently to situations, displaying the different emotions, feelings, and actions we may all feel.
Park's writing style is indicative of the time period, mixing in a few Korean words to help the story flow. Additionally, Park does an amazing job at weaving true historical events into the story, making the story authentic and accurate. For example, kamikaze pilots, leaflets dropped from an airplane, rose of Sharon trees uprooted and burned, and the changing of Korean names are all part of Korean history during this time period (193-4). Linda Sue Park validates the historical events through Author's Notes and a Bibliography at the end of the book.
A poignant story set in a time period that is not well-known, When My Name was Keoko, is an outstanding story for fifth graders to adults.
Review Excerpts
Publishers' Weekly announces, "A brother and sister alternate as narrators in Newbery Medalist Park's (A Single Shard) well-constructed novel, which takes place from 1940-1945 in Japanese-occupied Korea . . . . Through the use of the shifting narrators, Park subtly points up the differences between male and female roles in Korean society; and the father's process of choosing the family's Japanese name speaks volumes about his strength and intelligence. . . . [T]elling details provide a clear picture of Sun-hee and Tae-yul and their world. Readers will come away with an appreciation of this period of history and likely a greater interest in learning more about it" (2002).
Barbara Scotto with School Library Journal reports, "What is outstanding is the insight Park gives into the complex minds of these young people. Each of them reacts to the events in different ways-Sun-hee takes refuge in writing while Tae-yul throws his energies into physical work. Yet in both cases they develop subtle plans to resist the enemy. Like the Rose of Sharon tree, symbol of Korea, which the family pots and hides in their shed until their country is free, Sun-hee and Tae-yul endure and grow. This beautifully crafted and moving novel joins a small but growing body of literature, such as Haemi Balgassi's Peacebound Trains (Clarion, 1996) and Sook Nyul Choi's The Year of Impossible Goodbyes (Houghton, 1991), that expands readers' understanding of this period" (2002).
Connections
Other stories by Linda Sue Park set in Korea:
Archer's Quest
A Single Shard
The Firekeeper's Son
The Kite Fighters
Seesaw Girl
Park, Linda Sue. 2002. When My Name was Keoko. New York: Clarion Books.
ISBN: 0-618-13335-6
Summary
When My Name was Keoko, is a parallel story told through the viewpoints of a sister and a brother. They relate their difficult lives during the Japanese occupation of Korea.
Critical Analysis
Award-winning author Linda Sue Park, writes an eloquent historical fiction story about a Korean family's life in Korea from 1940-1945. Park's descriptive words help set the scene of the setting, whether taking place in the family's home or out in public.
Also, Park does an excellent job at making the plot believable and the theme universal. Readers can connect with the two narrators. For example, at the start of the story, Sun-Hee and Tae-yul find out the Japanese are forcing them to rename themselves with Japanese names. Tau-yul states, "A different name? I can't imagine it. I look at Sun-Hee and I can tell she's thinking the same thing" (5). The parallel stories of the siblings helps readers connect to the theme. Sun-hee and Tae-yul react differently to situations, displaying the different emotions, feelings, and actions we may all feel.
Park's writing style is indicative of the time period, mixing in a few Korean words to help the story flow. Additionally, Park does an amazing job at weaving true historical events into the story, making the story authentic and accurate. For example, kamikaze pilots, leaflets dropped from an airplane, rose of Sharon trees uprooted and burned, and the changing of Korean names are all part of Korean history during this time period (193-4). Linda Sue Park validates the historical events through Author's Notes and a Bibliography at the end of the book.
A poignant story set in a time period that is not well-known, When My Name was Keoko, is an outstanding story for fifth graders to adults.
Review Excerpts
Publishers' Weekly announces, "A brother and sister alternate as narrators in Newbery Medalist Park's (A Single Shard) well-constructed novel, which takes place from 1940-1945 in Japanese-occupied Korea . . . . Through the use of the shifting narrators, Park subtly points up the differences between male and female roles in Korean society; and the father's process of choosing the family's Japanese name speaks volumes about his strength and intelligence. . . . [T]elling details provide a clear picture of Sun-hee and Tae-yul and their world. Readers will come away with an appreciation of this period of history and likely a greater interest in learning more about it" (2002).
Barbara Scotto with School Library Journal reports, "What is outstanding is the insight Park gives into the complex minds of these young people. Each of them reacts to the events in different ways-Sun-hee takes refuge in writing while Tae-yul throws his energies into physical work. Yet in both cases they develop subtle plans to resist the enemy. Like the Rose of Sharon tree, symbol of Korea, which the family pots and hides in their shed until their country is free, Sun-hee and Tae-yul endure and grow. This beautifully crafted and moving novel joins a small but growing body of literature, such as Haemi Balgassi's Peacebound Trains (Clarion, 1996) and Sook Nyul Choi's The Year of Impossible Goodbyes (Houghton, 1991), that expands readers' understanding of this period" (2002).
Connections
Other stories by Linda Sue Park set in Korea:
Archer's Quest
A Single Shard
The Firekeeper's Son
The Kite Fighters
Seesaw Girl
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