The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Bibliography
Gaiman, Neil. 2008. The graveyard book. New York: HarperCollins Pub. ISBN  9780060530945

Plot Summary 

This is the story of a boy named Bod, short for Nobody Owens, who wandered into a graveyard after his family was killed when he was two years old.  He was then adopted by a ghost couple and grew up among the many different characters of a graveyard including a vampire and werewolf.  Bod grows up learning the rules of the graveyard and develops a lack of fear that gets him into many sticky situations and eventually he meets the man who killed his family again.  Bod uses his skills he learned from his caretakers to defeat his enemy and decides to venture out on his own into the real world.  

Critical Analysis

Bod is a very likable and relatable character especially because he humanizes the interesting graveyard setting that readers are transported into.  The setting itself is vividly described by Neil Gaiman which adds to the book's eery and uneasy feeling.  Fog, darkness, thick iron gates, and similar are often used to describe the setting and it gives the reader a sense of dread to make the setting the perfect feel.  

The plot involves different adventures and twists that Bod comes to face including almost going straight through the gates of hell.  Neil Gaiman's style of simple and straight to the point language give this read a fun and dark twist that readers will enjoy. 

Review Excerpts

• Newbery Award Winner
• Kirkus Reviews  “Wistful, witty, wise—and creepy. This needs to be read by anyone who is or has ever been a child.”

Connections

**Check out Neil Gaiman's other works like The Sandman graphic novel set.  ISBN 978-1401238636

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

Bibliography:
Yang, Gene Luen, and Lark Pien. 2006. American born Chinese. New York: First Second. ISBN 978-0312384487

Plot Summary: 

American Born Chinese is a graphic novel that weaves together three different, yet inter-related, stories.  The first story is about a monkey king and his struggles to conquer the world.  The second is about a child of immigrants, named Jin Wang, who finds it hard to fit in with his is American classmates.  The third story is about Danny whose Chinese cousin, Chin-Kee, comes to visit him every year.  Chin-Kee is a stereotypical Chinese teenager and this embarrasses Danny.  In the end all three stories come together and each boy learns how to be happy exactly as they are. 

Critical Analysis

All of the main characters in this book were memorable and strong.  The teen boys go through all the emotions that teens today can relate to such as the need to fit in, embarrassment from family members, love, and more.  The supporting characters are very funny and Chin-Kee will have readers laughing out loud. 

The different plots of all three stories were very heartwarming and funny.  While there was no tragic death or loss, the story was still engaging because we wanted these boys to find peace with their cultures and family.  The setting of the story was also relatable because it took place in American high schools.  We might not all be Chinese, but many of us have attended high school.  

Self -acceptance is a strong theme in this book and is applicable to anyone.  No matter what our backgrounds are, we all go through phases where we wish we were someone else.  This book touches on that nerve in all readers as they go through or remember their own quest for self acceptance.  

Culture is very strong in this book.  This book busts through stereotypes while making fun of them.  Chin-Kee is every single stereotype of a Chinese person that anyone could ever think of and it is clear that Gene Yang is doing this to put the stereotypes out in the open.  

Review Excerpts:

• The Miami Herald-  “. . . brilliantly written and designed, sophisticated and wise.”
• Publishers Weekly- “Yang accomplishes the remarkable feat of practicing what he preaches with this book: accept who you are and you'll already have reached out to others.”

Connections:

**Have students do a writing exercise in which they remember a time when they felt different than everyone else and how they feel about it now looking back.  

**Listen to Gene Yang talk about his own struggle with his cultural heritage.  http://youtu.be/FYCZqt5WSOM

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Bibliography:
Green, John. 2012. The Fault in Our Stars. New York: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated. ISBN 978-0525478812

Plot Summary:

This book is the story of sixteen year old Hazel Lancaster who has terminal cancer.  At a support group for teens living with cancer, Hazel meets Augustus Waters who is in the recovery stage of cancer.  The two quickly fall in love, go on an adventure in Amsterdam through Make a Wish, and return to find out that Augustus' cancer has returned.  Hazel stays by Augustus' side through the last few weeks of his life and in the the end, decides she doesn't regret loving him at all and it helps her come to terms with the fact that her own life would be ending as well. 

Critical Analysis:

There are many unique and lovable characters in this book.  Hazel and Augustus are both very witty and funny.  The supporting characters in this book are also great.  Augustus' best friend, Isaac, makes his loss of eye sight seem funny even though it's so sad and the heartache he feels from his first love are touching.  Peter van Houten, the tragic and cold hearted author, is also an interesting supporting character because of his villainous behavior but the reader will find themselves rooting for him anyways.  

The plot is very strong in this book.  The idea of teens who have cancer falling in love is very plausible so it is easy to imagine this happening but there was unexpected twist.  In the beginning, Hazel was the one we expect to die while Augustus seems so healthy.  It was surprising when Augustus was the one who died.  

The setting of the book is good because it takes place in a country we recognize, America, but also goes to a place many of us have always wanted to visit, Amsterdam.  John Green describes Amsterdam how we would all imagine it.  He even included a scene in the famous Anne Frank attic. 

Death and love are obviously strong themes in the book and one cannot turn a page without being reminded of either one.  This book has both male and female protagonists and readers will find themselves falling in love with them both.  

Review Excerpts:

• New York Times: "a blend of melancholy, sweet, philosophical and funny"
• NPR-  "[Green's] voice is so compulsively readable that it defies categorization,"

Connections:

**Read the first chapter along with John Green by following this youtube link: http://youtu.be/F_vFvbfn9Fs

**Take a virtual tour of the Anne Frank attic at this website: http://www.annefrank.org/en/Subsites/Home/

Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson

Bibliography
Larson, Kirby. 2006. Hattie Big Sky. New York: Delacorte Press.  ISBN 9780385735957

Plot Summary 

This historical novel centers around the adventures of 16 year old Hattie Brooks who after living with various family members for most of her life, moves to Montana when she inherited her late uncle's land in the year 1917.  Hattie learns how to work the land and brave the elements while making close friends with her German neighbors and others in her new community.  During this time, anti-German sentiments were common in the community.  Hattie was often torn between proving she was a loyal American and a loyal friend to her neighbors who have helped her so often during her struggles on the frontier.  

Critical Analysis  

The characters in Hattie Big Sky are well developed and relatable.  Hattie herself is much like many teenage girls.  She is a little shaky on her feet but thirsts for adventure and independence.  She also goes through different periods of self doubt where she questions what she might have gotten herself into.  This is something teenagers face often and although Hattie speaks differently, dresses differently, and lives a much different day to day life, they will still find something in common with her.  

The plot and setting of this book are strong points of the novel.  The plot uses simple terms so that the reader can understand what life was like back in the that time without feeling overwhelmed with facts and other details.  The author does a great job of describing the setting so that the reader can easily paint a picture of what is happening in their mind.  One particular vividly painted scene was when Hattie described her house upon arriving.  "Gaps in the siding revealed black tar paper, like decay between haphazard teeth.  Two wood-block steps led up to a rough-hewn door." This helps readers understand just how bad the house was and just how different it is from what we are used to in our modern times.  

The theme and style of Hattie Big Sky accurately reflect that of the early 1900s.  Hard work, kindness, and hospitality are strong throughout the novel.  The speech patterns and mannerisms are simple and polite reflecting what many of us would imagining when thinking of this time period.  

This novel is authentic in that the author did a lot of research when writing Hattie's story.  She started with letters and journals from her own family history and continued with visits to museums, personal interviews, and research from historical societies.  In the back of Hattie Big Sky, readers will find a bibliography of further readings about the Montana frontier life and World War I.  

Review Excerpts:

• Newbery Honor Book
• School Library Journal- "Larson creates a masterful picture of the homesteading experience and the people who persevered."

Connections:

*Visit an online exhibition of World War I:  http://www.firstworldwar.com/

*Bake a few dozen servings of Hattie's Lighter than Lead Biscuits to share with the class.  Recipe is found in the back of the novel.  

Eyes of the Emperor by Graham Salisbury

Bibliography
Salisbury, Graham. 2005. Eyes of the emperor. New York: Wendy Lamb Books.  ISBN  9780385729710

Plot Summary 

This is a book from the historical fiction genre about 16 year old Eddy, a Japanese American, who lies about his age so that he can enlist in the Army.  After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Eddy and his fellow Japanese American soldiers are given menial jobs and start to see that they are being treated differently because of their ethnicity.  Eddy and his friends are then moved to Cat Island in Mississippi where they are forced to partake in a secret mission that trains dogs to sniff out the scent of Japanese people.  Eddy and his friends are viciously attacked by some of the dogs and the experiments do not stop until government officials come in and see that the training was failing.  Eddy and his fellow soldiers were then finally sent off to Europe to fight in World War II. 

Critical Analysis 

This is a very moving story filled with historical information that readers of any age can learn from.  Eddy and his friends are very relatable characters so it is easy for readers to connect with their emotions and sympathize with the discrimination they face.  The characters seem to act their age and although they are soldiers, they still maintain mannerisms and behaviors of teenage boys. 

The plot and setting of the book are very colorful and intense.  The plot could be summarized as being serious with light airs of humor to break up the somberness.  The setting is a strong aspect of the story because it takes place in Hawaii during the Pear Harbor attack.  The aftermath of the attack is explicitly detailed from the chaos in the streets to the panic in the citizens of Hawaii. 

Racism is an important theme throughout the entire story as readers learn more and more about what Japanese Americans experienced during this time.  Eddy and his friends were true American patriots but treated like threats and then later like they were disposable.  Though they were treated like dirt, they persevered and never lost their patriotism or will to serve their country.

The authenticity of this story seems very sincere to readers.  In the author's note, Graham Salisbury thanks the 26 Cat Island veterans he interviewed to help gather information for his novel.  He also took a personal tour of Cat Island and offered a follow up to some of the soldiers in the book, some of which who were later killed in action.  The novel also includes a list of resources for further information about the Japanese Americans in World War II.   

Review Excerpts

• Leslie Bradshaw Award for Young Adult Literature
• School Library Journal- "The immediacy of the writing allows readers to imagine themselves as one of the boys. A story with huge implications for observers of current events."

Connections

*Read Graham Salisbury's book Under the Blood-Red Sun which also takes place during this time period.  ISBN 978-0553494877

*Visit the United States War Dog Association website and learn more about the roles dogs have played in our military.  http://www.uswardogs.org

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos

Bibliography 
Gantos, Jack. 2011. Dead end in Norvelt. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux.  ISBN 9780374379933

Plot Summary 

This semi-autobiographical, historical fiction novel takes place in 1962 and centers around a young Jack Gantos after he is grounded for the whole summer for mowing down his mother's corn crop.  He is then forced to help his elderly neighbor, Miss Volker, to write their small town's obituaries.  Jack ends up truly enjoying his time with Miss Volker and through the obituaries, he experiences lessons in history and adventure, including a town murder mystery.

Critical Analysis
There are many colorful characters in this novel that readers will find themselves rooting for as the story develops.  The main character, Jack, is especially relatable from the very beginning when we see an interaction with him and his mother.  Jack is relieved school is finally out and ready to begin his summer until his mother comes out and starts hassling him to be careful with the weapons he is playing with and informs him that he must help Miss Volker this summer.  Jack is not happy about this and readers will sympathize with his dilemma.

The plot and setting of this novel are very strong and make it easy for the reader to transport their imaginations to the early 1960s as they read along.  The plot is simple and mostly realistic in that it is possible for readers to imagine the same scenarios happening to them.  The setting is strong because it vividly paints a picture of the typical 1960s life in small-town America.  World War II weapons, drive-in movie theaters, Hells Angels, and typewriters are among the many items in this book that take the reader to a different time when things like this did not just sit in museums.

Death is a strong theme in this book and is something all readers can relate to no matter what time period they are living in.  From the writing of obituaries to the slow death of Jack's home town, readers are constantly reminded that life and other things do come to an end eventually.  Readers today will be able to relate to this theme because it is still something we see in our time.

The style of this book is strong because readers are hearing the stories of young Jack Gantos from adult Jack Gantos.  When reading the novel, it feels like hearing the words straight from his mouth giving it a personal and sincere touch.  The language used in the book is not so different from today which makes it easy for readers to connect and understand the story. This also lends to the authenticity.  There are no citations or recommendations for further reading but because the author wrote this book loosely based on himself, the descriptions of life in the early 60s are believable.

Review Excerpts

• 2012 Newbery award winner
• School Library Journal- "A fast-paced and witty read.”

Connections

*Take a few minutes to watch this interview from Jack Gantos where he discusses Dead End in Norvelt. http://youtu.be/neiTB_YvTPo

*Explore Norvelt through this website that focuses on Pennsylvania history.  http://explorepahistory.com/hmarker.php?markerId=1-A-2D6

Charles Darwin by Kathleen Krull

Bibliography
Krull, Kathleen. 2010. Charles Darwin.  Ill by Boris Kulikov. New York: Viking.  ISBN  9780670063352

Plot Summary 

This book is a biography about the great science innovator, Charles Darwin.  Author Kathleen Krull creates an incredible personal look in Darwin's life and shows the reader a side of him that we might not know such as his shy nature and love for his children and grandchildren.  This book covers Darwin's life from birth to death as well as his personal and professional life. 

Critical Analysis 

Kathleen Krull is a well known author and has a strong reputation for writing children's books about science.  Accuracy is supported in this book by a bibliography section in the back pages.  The book is organized in a simple, sequential way so that it is easy to follow and it also contains a table of contents in the beginning. 

The design of this book is also simple and easy to follow with well-detailed, and often times humorous, illustrations to accompany the texts.  The illustrations show Darwin carrying bugs in his mouth or riding on the shell of a tortoise.  These illustrations add to the idea that Darwin was a typical guy just like the rest of us by showing him in silly situations. 

The style of the book showed Charles Darwin in a light that many may not think of him in.  The author made sure to humanize him by focusing on his personality and family life.  This was refreshing and readers will find themselves rooting for his success and happiness as they read through the book.  The book explains Darwin's theories in ways that are easy to understand and also helps to clear up some of the misconceptions we might have about him.     

Review Excerpts

• Voya's Nonfiction Honor List 2010
• School Library Journal-"Krull does a fabulous job of making Darwin real, from boyhood to adulthood."

Connections

*Visit this website devoted to Charles Darwin.  Users can read his complete works as well as more personal items such as marriage notes and journal entries.  http://darwin-online.org.uk/

*Read more biographies in Kathleen Krull's Giants of Science series such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Isaac Newton, Sigmund Freud, Marie Curie, and Albert Einstein.