Genre 6- The White Darkness

(1) Bibliography
McCaughrean, Geraldine. 2005. THE WHITE DARKNESS. New York: HarperCollins Children’s Books. ISBN 0-06-089036-3


(2) Plot Summary
Fourteen-year-old Symone Wates is a social outcast. Her two loves in life are Antarctica and Captain Titus Oates, her historical crush whose ghost she converses with. Her Uncle, Victor, takes her on a trip to Antarctica on the pretense of going to Paris. The vacation takes an ugly turn when the other passengers become ill and the rescues plane blows up. Uncle Victor reveals his true intention is to locate Symm’s Hole which he believes serves as gateway to an underground civilization. With Titus’s help will Symone escape both her deranged Uncle and the merciless Antarctic?

(3) Critical Analysis
Symone’s character will appeal to teenagers especially girls who have felt awkward about themselves. “Sym Wates is a sad loser,” according to the cruel writing on the school blackboard. She also has a hearing impairment and needs to wear hearing aids. At the end of her harrowing journey and subsequent struggle for survival, Sym realizes that she is stronger than she gave herself credit for. The plot is a bit unrealistic but not improbable. Set in Antarctica, McCaughrean has the arduous task of describing the landscape and conditions. Both the narrative and the dialogue are equally balanced. Filled with unexpected twists and turns, The White Darkness is a must read.

(4) Review Excerpt(s)
Voice of Youth Advocates: “Reading this book is like no other reading experience for this reviewer. The combination of the surreal setting of the Antarctic wilderness, the main character's imaginary friend Oates, and the completely deranged uncle who brings these two things together makes for a text that crosses back and forth between fantasy and reality in a nightmarish way.”

School Library Journal: “…McCaughrean weaves a tale of obsession and personal growth against the backdrop of nature's unrelenting power.”

(5) Connections
* Assign the class to read other books by the same author:
McCaughrean, Geraldine. Not The End Of The World. ISBN 0060760328
McCaughrean, Geraldine. Smile! ISBN 0192719610
McCaughrean, Geraldine. Stop The Train! ISBN 0606333306

* Have students conduct an on-line search on Lawrence “Titus” Oates and share what they discovered with the class.

* Assign the class to do a report on Antarctica (any aspect, any time-period).

Genre 6- Hoot

(1) Bibliography
Hiaasen, Carl. 2002. HOOT. New York: Random House Children’s Books. ISBN 0-375-82181-3


(2) Plot Summary
It isn’t easy being the new kid. Roy Eberhardt finds himself the target of a bully when his family moves from Montana to Coconut Cove, Florida. One morning while being victimized on the bus, Roy spies a strange boy running bare-footed through the neighborhood. He becomes preoccupied with finding out who this boy is and his story. Later Roy becomes entangled in the mysterious boy’s plight to save some burrowing owls from certain destruction. Will Roy be able to rid himself of the bully as well as help his new friend save the endangered owls before it is too late?

(3) Critical Analysis
The character of Roy Eberhardt will be identifiable to some readers. The character is a bit unusual because he is interested in blending in not fitting in; he does not want to be noticed. By the end of the story Roy is willing to be noticed and take a stand in order to protect the burrowing owls, making some unexpected friendships along the way. Roy’s transition is the theme. The engaging plot will have readers wondering about the mysterious boy as well. The description of the setting is light enough that Hoot could very well take place in any small community. The dialogue out weights the narration but it suits the style of the story which offers both a bit of humor and some serious moments. The unhealthy families of Dana the bully and Mullet Fingers and his step-sister, Beatrice are not hidden from the readers. It is rather unsettling that Mullet Fingers’ personal situation remains unsolved. Perhaps Hiaasen wants to address that not everyone gets a fairytale ending. Maybe there is a sequel in the works.

(4) Review Excerpt(s)
Publishers Weekly: "Several suspenseful scenes, along with dollops of humor, help make this quite a hoot indeed."

Booklist: “… the story is full of offbeat humor, buffoonish yet charming supporting characters, and genuinely touching scenes of children enjoying the wildness of nature.

(5) Connections
* Have students read another book by Carl Hiaasen:
Hiaasen, Carl. Flush. ISBN 0375841857

* Assign students to pick an environmental cause, write a report, and share with the class.

Genre 6- Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident

(1) Bibliography
Colfer, Eoin. 2002. ARTEMIS FOWL: THE ARCTIC INCIDENT. New York: Miramax Books. ISBN 0-7868-0855-1


(2) Plot Summary
With his father missing for the past two years and declared dead, our anti-hero Artemis Fowl has been busy rebuilding the family fortune through unscrupulous means. One day he receives an e-mail from some Russian terrorists claiming to hold his father hostage. Artemis and his trusted bodyguard, Butler, embark on a rescue mission. However, before the two are able leave they are accosted by Captain Holly Short of the Lower Elements Police (LEP) and taken to the underground fairy world. Will Artemis be able to set aside his differences and team up with LEP and vice versa? Will the thirteen-year-old arrogant, criminal genius find anyone worthy of his respect along the way?

(3) Critical Analysis
Artemis Fowl is a criminal with a zero ounce of respect for anyone and who should be behind bars yet Colfer does a superb job of making the reader care about Artemis and his mission to rescue his father. After all Artemis is only following his father’s footsteps. He is a victim who cannot help the circumstances of his birth. What starts out as a straight forward task becomes more and more complicated along the way keeping the reader engaged in the plot. Set mostly in the underground fairy world, Colfer relies mostly on dialogue to more the action along. In the end Artemis discovers there are people worthy of his respect.

(4) Review Excerpt(s)
Publishers Weekly: "Rapid-fire dialogue and wise-acre humor ensure that readers will burn the midnight oil,"

School Library Journal: “The action is brisk, with fiendish plots, ingenious escapes, and lively battle scenes.”

(5) Connections
* Have students read other novels in the series:
Colfer, Eoin. Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code. ISBN 0786856289
Colfer, Eoin. Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception. ISBN 0786852895
Colfer, Eoin. Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony. ISBN 0786849592

* Have students read the graphic novel:
Colfer, Eoin, Andrew Donkin and Giovanni Rigano. Artemis Fowl: The Graphic Novel. ISBN 0786848812

*Website of interest:
http://www.artemisfowl.com/

Genre 5- The Whipping Boy

(1) Bibliography
Fleischman, Sid. 1986. THE WHIPPING BOY. Illustrated by Peter Sis. New York: Greenwillow Books. ISBN 0-688-06216-4


(2) Plot Summary
Jemmy is Prince Brat’s whipping boy. Whenever the prince misbehaves (and it happens often) Jemmy is punished in the prince’s place with a thrashing. One night claiming boredom, the prince runs away from the castle forcing poor Jemmy to come with him. The pair is later accosted in the woods by thieves. Jemmy hatches a plan to escape leading the villains to believe the he is really the prince and that the prince is the whipping boy. The only problem is Prince Brat has no desire to escape and return to the palace. To complicate matters Jemmy is implicated in the kidnapping because the ransom note is in his handwriting (Prince Brat is illiterate because he never took time to learn his penmanship). Will Jemmy and Prince Brat escape their captors and will Jemmy get to clear his name?

(3) Critical Analysis
Despite the fact the story is set somewhere in medieval Europe, young readers might relate to our protagonist, Jemmy. It is also plausible that a few readers may identify with Prince Brat. The inclusion of having the whipping boy actual whipped as well as the princes adds more drama and authenticity. Fleischman makes excellent use of dialog which intricate to the style. Sis’s black and white illustrations exhibit a lot of detail and provide the reader with a visual reference of the setting. Some of the characters seem a little silly and rather outlandish however they do not subtract from the story.

(4) Review Excerpt(s)
Publishers Weekly: “…things turn out for the best at the story's satisfying close. Colorful types like thieves called Hold-Your-Nose Billy, Betsy and her dancing bear Petunia, et al., increase the fun.”

School Library Journal: “This whimsical, readable story delights in the manner of Bill Brittain's books The Wish Giver (1983) and The Devil's Donkey (1981, both Harper).”

(5) Connections
*Assign the following books sharing similar themes to the class:
Kudlinski, Kathleen V. and Lyn Durham. Marie: An Invitation To Dance France, 1775. ISBN 0606108238
Snyder, Zilpha Keatley. The Egypt Game. ISBN 1416960651
Yep, Laurence. Spring Pearl: The Last Flower. ISBN 1584855193

* The class can participate in a reader’s theater script of The Whipping Boy.

Genre 5- Worth

(1) Bibliography
LaFaye, A. 2004. WORTH. New York: Simon & Schuster Books. ISBN 0-689-85730-6


(2) Plot Summary
Eleven-year-old Nathanial’s life is turned upside down when he breaks his leg in an accident on the family’s farm. No longer able to do farm work, Nate begins to feel useless and unwanted. These feels are exacerbated because Nate’s Pa does not speak to him anymore much less even look at him. The plot thickens when Pa brings home John Worth, an orphan from the orphan train, to work on the farm. Nate gets jealous and begins to hate this boy who gets to spend time with his Pa while Nate has to go to school. John is envious of Nate because he wants to go to school and secure a better future for himself. When a fence war in the community breaks out will Nate and John be able to set aside their differences and work together?

(3) Critical Analysis
The protagonist, Nate, and the main antagonist, John, are both identifiable to young readers. Both boys feel out of their place and element. By showing Ma’s anger and dismay with John, LaFaye keeps the novel very real. Not all orphans from the orphan train were wanted or even treated well by their foster families. It is important to note that Ma is not a bad woman; she is unhappy with the situation her husband has consigned her to. LaFaye also incorporates the death of a sister; the family is still suffering from this loss. Times are tough for Nate’s family. Most of the crops are ruined due to a storm and some renegade cattle and there are bank loans that need to be repaid. Set in the Nebraska plains of the late 1800’s, Worth gives readers a glimpse into the harsh reality of farm life.

(4) Review Excerpt(s)
Publishers Weekly: “The author weaves in a subtle message about the power of story, as Nate builds a bond with John by reading him Greek myths out of a borrowed book.”

School Library Journal: “The author convincingly conveys the boys' gradual realization of the value of one another's friendship. Other themes include the importance of reading and education, meeting challenges head on, relying on and playing a responsible role in your community, and recovering from loss.”

(5) Connections
* Assign the class to read other books by A. LaFaye:
LaFaye, A. Stella. ISBN 978-1416911647
LaFaye, A. Edith Shay. ISBN 0670875988

* Have students visit websites of interest:
The Children’s Aid Society (http://www.childrensaidsociety.org/about/history/orphantrain)
National Orphan Train Complex (http://www.orphantraindepot.com/index.html)

Orphan Trains (http://www.genealinks.com/orphantrain.htm)

Genre 5- Kira-Kira

(1) Bibliography
Kadohata, Cynthia. 2004. KIRA-KIRA. New York: Athenaeum Books. ISBN 0-689-85639-3


(2) Plot Summary
Katie idolizes her big sister. Lynn is a genius, beautiful, and always looking out for her little sister. Katie learns from Lynn to see the Kira-Kira in everything- in the wind, in the water, and in the waves. When the family grocery store goes out of business, Katie’s family moves from Iowa to Georgia where there are hatchery jobs available. In the beginning Katie has a difficult time with the move and subsequent mistreatment by other people. She doesn’t understand why the girls in her class will not play with her and why their mothers will not acknowledge her mother on the street. Lynn becomes very ill and the illness puts an emotional and economic strain on the family.

(3) Critical Analysis
Told through Katie’s point of view, young female readers will identity with Katie. Though her heritage and background may differ, Katie’s experiences and feelings are universal to that of many young girls. Kadohata chooses to included in the story the racism experienced by Japanese-Americans in mid-nineteenth century United States. She could have easily have not disclosed it but doing so would have not given credence and power to Katie’s story. Unfortunately most young people have felt at one time alienated for one reason or another so they are drawn further to Katie. In the end Katie discovered the theme of Lynn’s life (what she was trying to teach her all along), to see the kira-kira (the glitter, and the joy and the beauty) in even the simplest of things.

(4) Review Excerpt(s)
Publishers Weekly: “one sister's ability to teach her younger sister to appreciate the `kira-kira,' or glittering, in everyday life make this novel shine."

Booklist: “The real story is in the small details, never self-consciously poetic but tense with family drama. …Kadohata stays true to the child's viewpoint in plain, beautiful prose that can barely contain the passionate feelings just as heart wrenching as the sisters' story is what Katie knows of her father's struggle, whether it's his backbreaking work in the factory or his love for his family.”

(5) Connections
* Have students read the following books:
Kadohata, Cynthia. Weedflower. ISBN 0689865740
Uegaki, Chieri. Suki's Kimono. ISBN 1553370848
McCoy, Karen Kawaamota. Bon Odori Dancer. ISBN 187996516X

* The class can perform a reader’s theater script. Be sure to switch out the children often so that everyone gets a chance to participate.

Genre 4- The Voice That Challenged A Nation

(1) Bibliography
Freedman, Russell. 2004. THE VOICE THAT CHALLENGED A NATION: MARIAN ANDERSON AND THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUAL RIGHTS. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0-618-15976-2


(2) Plot Summary
Marian Anderson rose from poverty to become one of the greatest singers in the world. Despite the fact that she had sang in the major capitals of Europe, performed for Kings and Queens as well as for President and Mrs. Roosevelt at the White House; she denied the opportunity to perform at Constitutional Hall. The hall owners, the Daughters of the American Revolution, had a ban on black artist and they refused to reserve their stance. Outraged her supporters organized a free concert on the step of the Lincoln Memorial

(3) Critical Analysis
Freedman meticulously documents and cites all of his sources. This biography is beautifully organized and well written. The sequence of information is clear and concise. Black and white photographs are incorporated. Pages 66 and 67 display the Lincoln Memorial performance; these images convey what no words can describe. The following text found on page 1 summarizes the spirit of the book:

“Lord I got a right,
Lord I got a right,
Lord I got a right,
I got a right to the tree of life.”


(4) Review Excerpt(s)
Voice of Youth Advocates: “Freedman creates a masterful biography of Marian Anderson.”

Publishers Weekly: “…most poignant is Freedman's re-creation of Anderson's 1939 performance before 75,000 fans at the Lincoln Memorial, a concert precipitated by the DAR's refusal to allow a black singer to appear at its Constitutional Hall…”

(5) Connections
* Visit the official website:
The Marian Anderson Historical Society
(http://www.mariananderson.org)

* Search for video on YouTube
“Deep River”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktz6WAKCR3g
“Ave Maria”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR95d7yP2Ig&feature=related
“"My Country, 'Tis of Thee"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQnzb0Jj074