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
Showing posts with label Fiction/Fantasy/Young Adult. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fiction/Fantasy/Young Adult. Show all posts
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
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