1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Haddix, Margaret Peterson. 1998. Among the Hidden. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0689817002.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Margaret Peterson Haddix tells the story of young Luke who lives in a society whose every action is overseen by the “Government” down to the number of children a family can have. The law forbids having more than two children per family. Unfortunately for Luke, he is the third-born child in his family which means his existence must be kept a secret. He is exiled to his attic room with no outside contact with the rest of the world until he discovers that a family who has moved in next door also has a third child. He befriends the girl, Jen, by sneaking over to her house where they communicate with other “shadow children” via the Internet. When his strong-willed friend decides to organize a rally to demand rights for all third children, Luke’s life changes forever.
This is the first in Haddix’s “shadow children” series.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This suspenseful page-turner engages the reader with every moment. The reader empathizes with Luke early in the story when he finds out that because the woods around his house are being cut down, he will be confined to his house and never be allowed to go outdoors again. The suspense begins when Luke discovers that a third child has moved in right next door and subsequently decides to risk his life by sneaking over to her house to meet her. Young readers will also identify with the tough decisions Luke faces as he becomes closer to Jen. Should he follow her on her crusade to fight for the rights of the “shadow children” or stay in hiding to protect himself?
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
VOYA review: “This is an easily understood, younger reader's 1984 or Brave New World, presenting a chilling vision of a possibly not-too-distant future.”
ALAN REVIEW: “Although the denouement is swift and tidy, the fully realized setting, honest characters, and fast paced plot combine for a suspenseful tale of two youngsters fighting for their very existence.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Among the Hidden provides many opportunities for discussion and journal writing as Luke is subjected to making many critical decisions in the story. There are also plenty of opportunities to present “what if” scenarios to the students to consider.
*Students will be anxious to continue reading the story in the following books:
Among the Imposters ISBN 9780689839085
Among the Betrayed ISBN 9780689839092
Among the Barons ISBN 9780689839108
Among the Brave ISBN 9780689857959
Among the Enemy ISBN 9780689857973
Among the Free ISBN 9780689857997
Monday, December 1, 2008
Review: THE FIRST PART LAST by Angela Johnson
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Johnson, Angela. 2003. The First Part Last. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0689849222.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Bobby is a typical teenaged city boy. His life revolves around hanging out with the guys, cutting school to go to the movies, and being with his girlfriend. All of that comes to a screeching halt when his girlfriend, Nia, informs him, on his sixteenth birthday, that she is pregnant. Now Bobby’s whole life is changing and he is faced with very real, very grown-up realities like adoption, college, and a job. As the events unfold, he must make choices that will impact not only his life but the lives of those he cares about most.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The book is organized into short chapter which alternate between the end of the story and the beginning of the story. As the reader nears the end of the book, the beginning and the end come together to tell the whole story. The book is quite poignant in its telling of the moving story of a boy forced to become a man when he is faced with adult consequences to his actions. Johnson’s portrayal of Bobby’s mother as a uncompromising authority provides an alternative view in which this young man finds out that in some cases Mom cannot make everything “all better” and it is now up to him. The sensitivity with which Bobby interacts with his newborn daughter shows the softer side of a “boy from the streets” providing the reader heart-warming moments rivaled only by the visit to Nia toward the end of the book and how Bobby tells Feather about the visit.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Coretta Scott King Award
Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature KIRKUS review: “By narrating from a realistic first-person voice, Johnson manages to convey a story that is always complex, never preachy… It's the tale of one young man and his choices, which many young readers will appreciate and enjoy.
KLIATT review: “Johnson has a way of getting to her readers' emotions with few words, creating characters we really care about. Her young people are thoughtful, conscientious, and loving—certainly with failings, but trying to do better.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*With its many controversial issues, this book will definitely spark some discussion in the classroom. It brings to light many teenage relationships such as parent-child, girlfriend-boyfriend, boyfriend-girlfriend’s parents, friend-friend, brother-brother as well as others. All of these can be incorporated into some meaningful discussions in addition to others inspired by the book.
*Challenge students to continue Bobby’s story. How will things work out for him now that he has decided to move? What does the future hold for him?
Johnson, Angela. 2003. The First Part Last. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0689849222.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Bobby is a typical teenaged city boy. His life revolves around hanging out with the guys, cutting school to go to the movies, and being with his girlfriend. All of that comes to a screeching halt when his girlfriend, Nia, informs him, on his sixteenth birthday, that she is pregnant. Now Bobby’s whole life is changing and he is faced with very real, very grown-up realities like adoption, college, and a job. As the events unfold, he must make choices that will impact not only his life but the lives of those he cares about most.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The book is organized into short chapter which alternate between the end of the story and the beginning of the story. As the reader nears the end of the book, the beginning and the end come together to tell the whole story. The book is quite poignant in its telling of the moving story of a boy forced to become a man when he is faced with adult consequences to his actions. Johnson’s portrayal of Bobby’s mother as a uncompromising authority provides an alternative view in which this young man finds out that in some cases Mom cannot make everything “all better” and it is now up to him. The sensitivity with which Bobby interacts with his newborn daughter shows the softer side of a “boy from the streets” providing the reader heart-warming moments rivaled only by the visit to Nia toward the end of the book and how Bobby tells Feather about the visit.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Coretta Scott King Award
Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature KIRKUS review: “By narrating from a realistic first-person voice, Johnson manages to convey a story that is always complex, never preachy… It's the tale of one young man and his choices, which many young readers will appreciate and enjoy.
KLIATT review: “Johnson has a way of getting to her readers' emotions with few words, creating characters we really care about. Her young people are thoughtful, conscientious, and loving—certainly with failings, but trying to do better.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*With its many controversial issues, this book will definitely spark some discussion in the classroom. It brings to light many teenage relationships such as parent-child, girlfriend-boyfriend, boyfriend-girlfriend’s parents, friend-friend, brother-brother as well as others. All of these can be incorporated into some meaningful discussions in addition to others inspired by the book.
*Challenge students to continue Bobby’s story. How will things work out for him now that he has decided to move? What does the future hold for him?
Review: RULES by Cynthia Lord
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Lord, Cynthia. 2006. Rules. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0439443822.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
In Rules, we meet Catherine, a twelve year-old who struggles to maintain some normalcy in her life even though most of her life revolves around the needs of her autistic younger brother. A ray of hope beckons when she finds out that the family who is moving in next door has a daughter her age. She imagines having someone with whom she can swim with and share secrets.
One day on a trip to the therapist’s office, Catherine befriends a young boy in a wheelchair who is also a patient at the clinic. She is now faced with trying to develop friendships with two very different individuals.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Lord presents a humor-filled, yet thought-provoking story in this novel. The protagonist is a helpful, understanding young girl who is doing the best she can to teach her younger brother all of the social do’s and don’ts while also trying to grow up herself. She is faced with many problems throughout the book. First, it is difficult for her to establish friendships because of the embarrassing actions of her brother. She also struggles with her conflicting feelings about the responsibilities of helping out with her brother and also having time for herself. Finally, she is faced with the dilemma of telling her “popular” friend about her “handicapped” friend and how the secret may come back to haunt her.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Newberry Honor Book
Schneider Family Book Award PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: “A rewarding story that may well inspire readers to think about others' points of view.”SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “Lord has candidly captured the delicate dynamics in a family that revolves around a child's disability. Set in coastal Maine, this sensitive story is about being different, feeling different, and finding acceptance.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Students could write letters of encouragement to Catherine to help her deal with the difficulties entailed with having a brother like David.
*Have students develop their own list of rules for a child who is autistic.
*Investigate further the disorder of autism to give students a more in depth understanding of the disability.
Lord, Cynthia. 2006. Rules. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0439443822.
2. PLOT SUMMARY
In Rules, we meet Catherine, a twelve year-old who struggles to maintain some normalcy in her life even though most of her life revolves around the needs of her autistic younger brother. A ray of hope beckons when she finds out that the family who is moving in next door has a daughter her age. She imagines having someone with whom she can swim with and share secrets.
One day on a trip to the therapist’s office, Catherine befriends a young boy in a wheelchair who is also a patient at the clinic. She is now faced with trying to develop friendships with two very different individuals.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Lord presents a humor-filled, yet thought-provoking story in this novel. The protagonist is a helpful, understanding young girl who is doing the best she can to teach her younger brother all of the social do’s and don’ts while also trying to grow up herself. She is faced with many problems throughout the book. First, it is difficult for her to establish friendships because of the embarrassing actions of her brother. She also struggles with her conflicting feelings about the responsibilities of helping out with her brother and also having time for herself. Finally, she is faced with the dilemma of telling her “popular” friend about her “handicapped” friend and how the secret may come back to haunt her.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Newberry Honor Book
Schneider Family Book Award PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: “A rewarding story that may well inspire readers to think about others' points of view.”SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL review: “Lord has candidly captured the delicate dynamics in a family that revolves around a child's disability. Set in coastal Maine, this sensitive story is about being different, feeling different, and finding acceptance.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Students could write letters of encouragement to Catherine to help her deal with the difficulties entailed with having a brother like David.
*Have students develop their own list of rules for a child who is autistic.
*Investigate further the disorder of autism to give students a more in depth understanding of the disability.
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