Book Review - The Book Thief

The Book Thief





Zusak, Markus., The Book Thief, Alfred A. Knopf, 2006, New York ISBN- 9780375831003

This is a detailed story narrated by death and mimics poetry.  This novel is about a young girl name Liesel.  The setting takes place in World War II.  Liesel mother is no longer able to care for her and her brother as a result  Liesel and her brother must have foster care, on the way to their new home Liesel's brother dies and has to be buried.  Liesel is encourage to steal for fun by her neighbor Rudy.  Liesel enjoys reading the books that she steals by using them to escape her life.  Zusak uses fiction to introduce a strong young lady that faces uncontrollable situations and use the only coping skills she knows,  Zusak uses the WWII setting but the main character Liesel face some of the same issues that today's teens face.  Zusak reveals Liesel having encounters with a separated family, death, loneliness, violence,racism, finding comfort, and peer pressure "At school , Rudy made a special point of seeking Liesel out during the breaks.  He didn't care that others made noises about the new girls stupidity"Liesel was a victim of people she knew and people she did not know.  The author's story is revealed through reading   a young girl finds the strength to rise above her stressful life and find happiness.  The narrator which is death contributes to a bit of confusion to the novel by entering in and out and presenting his problem of been haunted by humans as he gathers souls of the dead as he continues to tell Liesel's story.  Zusak reveals that both Liesel and Death learn lessons of endurance, inflicting, bestowing, and accomplishing from sadness.  This piece of work  reveals desuetude but offers hope, this is a good read for older teens.




"Outstanding"  Children's Book and Play Review

"Struck with this books uniqueness"  Children's Literature

" Unforgettable Novel"  Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices

" The writing is elegant, philosophical and moving. Even at its length, it's a work to read solely and savor"  Kirkus Reviews

Awards

Parent's Choice Award 2006

American Booksellers Book Sense Book of the Year (ABBY) Award 2007

Garden State Teen Book Award 2009

Indigo Teen Read Award 2010

Essay Questions

1  Why do Max and Liesel become friends?  What do they have in common?

2. When Liesel reads reads aloud to the others in the bomb shelter for the first time, a voice inside her says   "This is your accordion" what does that mean?

3. Why does death tell Liesel that it is "haunted" by humans?

Book Review- Copper Sun

Copper Sun



Draper, Sharon M., Copper Sun, Atheneum Books 2006, New York, ISBN- 9780689821813


Draper does a remarkable job creating this historical fiction novel.  Amari a 15 year old girl experiences slavery in great depth.  Amari is forced from her home and put into slavery, her family murdered.
Amari experiences humiliation through no fault of her own, and is given to her slavery masters son only for labor and sexual exploitation.  Amari experiences rape, verbal and physical abuse senseless killings,and child birth.  Amari become friends with a white girl named Polly and Tidbit and a few more oppressed people that helped Amari cope with her situation.  Even though Amari's life is a living hell she still had hope and a bit of fight in her soul " Amari took a deep breath closed her eyes, and this time it was her turn to spit.  She spat directly in his face.  Clay roared and slapped her so hard that her head bounced back against the tree trunk.  Amari glared at him Amari struggle against the ropes. she had never been so  angry.If he hurt Tidbit, she would kill him she vowed" Amari begins to draw on her strength and will to live and escape.  Draper does a great job producing realistic situations for her fictional characters, she captures racism, abuse, violence, family loss, and relationships the same elements that today's teens face.  Draper presented factual events of slavery holding nothing back.  Draper is very descriptive and leaves nothing to the imagination.  Draper is clever in revealing each characters strengths and weaknesses and using their uniqueness to build friendships.  Although the situation the characters face are extreme the self-worth and visions they have  may be empowering to a teen in a less favorable situation.



" A searing work of historical fiction that will eave readers breathless, even as they consider the story's larger questions about the infinite costs of slavery and how to reconcile history"  Booklist, starred review

"This action packed, multifaceted, character rich story describes the shocking realities of the slave trade and plantation life while portraying the perseverance, resourcefulness, and triumph of the human spirit."  School Library journal, starred review

" Draper has captured the essence of teens caught up in peer pressure who must ultimately live with the results of their actions.  Her characters are deeply human a compelling read."  School Library Journal

Awards

 Coretta Scott King Book Awards 2007
 Heartland Award for Excellence in Children's Literature 2007
 Ohioana Book Awards 2007

Discussion Questions

1. The very first page just before chapter one, tells of a slave sale and hoe it must feel to be fifteen years old, stripped naked, and standing on the auction block.  Describe the feelings and fears of the girl being sold.  What predictions can the reader make about the girl and the rest of the story?

2. Explain the title of the novel.  Why does the title have more than one possible interpretation?  Find several examples of references to "copper sun" within the story.

3. How is the relationship between Amari and her parents, and her brother and how does the strength of her family make a difference in her life?

Book Review- 33 Things

Book Review - 33 Things Every Girl Should know




Bolden, Tonya., 33 Things Every Girl Should Know, Crown Publishers, 1998, New York, ISBN- 9780517709368

This title is  very catchy and misleading however the book's cover offers a better understanding of the  by listing the names of 33 women who share their personal information.  This creatively well put together collection of information offers a wealth of diversity, through a collection of poems, essays, short stories, photos, drawings, and humor.  Judith Ortiz Cofer's Seize The Day provides thought provoking moments that can relax and revitalizes ones mind a passage that stood out was "step outside and breathe deeply.  Take in the smells of life, good and foul.  Remember this day is a gift" Cofer  gracefully showed us how  to seize the day in this passage.
Envision by Vera Wang shares her experiences having vision, working through obstacles, and entrepreneurship.  Mary Catherine Bateson reveals her views on loneliness in her work of Some Solitude Is Good " A lot of girls are taught to feel vulnerable when they are alone, even at home.  A lot of girls grow up expecting to find to find fulfillment only in being with others.  But being alone is apart of being your own" Bateson holds no punches in revealing a bit of self worth.  Bolden displays humor, honesty, wisdom, self worth, education, and relationships through the eyes of 33 women.  Bolden shows how famous and successful women struggle and explored coping magnetisms to help with the teen years. The author created a realistic collection of information by using real people with real problems and concerns.  The information shared was empowering to  the lives of teens and young adults alike.  The author did a splended job at gaining the audience's attention and keeping it.

"This excellent collection brings together the voices and art of some of our time's best and brightest."  Booklist

"A terribly earnest collection of advice that ranges from preachy to peachy"  Kirkus Reviews

" It's a mixing bag of inspiration, advice, fiction, and personal history be a wide variety of notable women"  KLIATT Review

Winner 1999 ALA Best Book for Young Adults

Actvities

1. Before reading the book keep a journal for two or three weeks about visions, plans, obstacals, relationships, self-worth and reflect.

2. After reading the compare the information shared by these 33 women to your information.  What are some simiularties and diffierences?  What can you relate to on a personal level?

3.  Choose a piece of your work and have your classmates to do the same and create a book simular to this  to share with other teens.

Elsewhere

Book Review

 

Zevin, Gabrielle,. Elsewhere, May 2007, Square Fish, ISBN- 9780312367466

 

Liz is a teenage girl that is killed in an car accident.  Liz founds herself somewhere that reminds her of earth but it is not earth.  Liz is confused but  this place is very pleasant and no one appears to be growing old but Liz know this is strange and not to happy about this situation all Liz has on her mind is turning sixteen,  Liz meets family members died before they was born.  Liz misses her friends and life as she knew it.  Liz asks about God and is told he is the same she never really gets complete answers or clarity.  The characters are realistic and Liz just wants who other teens wants and that's to have another birthday and the be with friends and in control.  Zevin revealed some common teen issues even for a teen after death.

 

 

 

 

Awarded- Best Book of the Year - School Library Journal

 

 

 

 

"Even readers who have strong views on what happens after death may find themselves intriged by the fascinating world of Elsewhere" Janis Flint- Ferguson 

 

"Loosely reminiscent of Greek myths"- School Library Journal

 

"Gabrielle Zevin has constructed a fascinating 'what if?' Great humor and speculation, on pets as well as people." - Chicago Tribune

 

 

 

 

Activity before reading the book

 

Imagine that you have experienced an out of body experience explain what you think would happened.

 

Discuss any information you are familiar with about life after death,such as your believes, thoughts, etc..

Pretties

Book Review

 

 

 

Westerfeld, Scott,.Pretties, Simon Pulse, May 2011, ISBN- 9781442419803

 

This novel has a title that just grabs you Pretties this title prompts you to wait for more.  Westerfelds

character Tally is a very typical teen who just wants what most young girls want and that's to be pretty.  Tally let her want rule her and has to remember what back when things were not so pretty. Tally goes through the extreme to fit in.  After a life change Tally begin to behave like the in crowd by drinking and partying.  Westerfeld  presents some common teen issues such as peer pressure, low self-esteem, transformation, drinking, partying, and maturing.  Westerfeld lays out real life issues and situations with an interesting plot of a teen having  the ultimate goal of having fun.  Although the novel has action and an interesting plot I really had to focus to read this book.  Engaging the reader was not easy.  This story reminded me of the ugly duckling stories year after year. 

 

 

Discussion questions before reading

 

1.  Why is self-esteem important?

2. How do you feel about others perception of you and why?

3. What issues have you faced based on the views of someone else?

 

" Exceptional book"- KLIATT

" Westerfeld has built a masterfully complex and vivid civilization"- Caestecker Public Library

 

 

 

Breaking Dawn Book Review

Meyer, Stephenie.,Breaking Dawn, August 2008, Little, Brown Young Readers, ISBN 9780316067935

Stephenie Meyer graciously presents the giddy Bella a teen who falls in love with  Edward a vampire and  Jacob a werewolf.  Bella chooses the to marry the vampire although she continues to have feeling for the werewolf.  Bella agrees to let her human nature go and become a vampire for the near future, shortly after the wedding Bella discovers that she is pregnant.  Bella's vampire husband is a bit uneasy about the pregnancy and thinks the child inside of his wife may be a demon.  Bella comes near to death upon giving birth and to save her, Edward takes drastic measures.  The child of Bella and Edward faces danger from other vampires when the misunderstand how Bella's child became a vampire. Meyer dose a wonderful job with the vampire, werewolf, and human relationships.  Meyer presents Bella with many aspects of an ordinary teen even thought she is everything but ordinary.  Meyer reveal friendships, love, sex, marriage, childbirth, transformation and misconceptions which is often experienced by teens and young adults.  The story line stayed strong and had no problem capturing the readers attention. This novel is very long but engaging. This novel was full of action and had hints of a great love story.

Discussion questions  after reading this novel

1.  Was Bella really ready for all of her life changes/? What made her ready or unprepared?

2.  What are some similar issues to today's teens the Bella faces?

3 What common issues Edward and Jacob experience that are similar to today's teens?

"This isn't about happy endings it's about gratification"  - Publishers Weekly

British Book Award - 2009