Kit's Wilderness
 by David Almond

Bibliography

Almond, D. (2001). Kit's wilderness. London, UK: Random House Children's Books. ISBN 0385729898

Summary

Christopher's (Kit's) family moves to be near his widowed grandfather.  In Stoneygate, an ancient mining community, he meets John and Allie - dark and light - and plays a game called Death.  Kit's Wilderness chronicles the development of Kit's friendships with Allie and John, as well as Kit's relationship with his aged grandfather -- and the spectral beings the descendants of the ancient families see.

Critical Analysis

While reading Kit's Wilderness I constantly felt emotionally unsettled.  The novel is charged with deep emotions throughout and I never knew whether I wanted to put the book down for a while and leave Stoneygate or keep reading!

The character development is incredibly deep on some levels but undeveloped on others.  For example, the relationships between Kit and John and Kit and his grandfather all hinge on the past of the community.  No other aspects are examined, but the reader feels like they are involved in that past completely. The same is true for Stoneygate.  The reader can almost picture the eerie wilderness with beings seen through squinted eyes, but the rest of the town is an unknown.

Almond's writing suits the subject of the novel perfectly and heightens the emotional pull.  At times poetic and others brusque and choppy, the words are always just right for what is happening.  Almond has succeeded in writing a story difficult to read and more difficult to put down.

Review Excerpts

*...establishes Almond as the most exciting new voice in children's books this decade. -- Literary Review

*...this superb piece of lyrically written literary fiction captivates children and their parents alike .-- The Guardian

* Almond offers another tantalizing blend of human drama, surrealism and allegory. -- Publishers Weekly

Connections

* Also available on audio here.

* Get to know David Almond and his work on his website.

* Designed for British classrooms, these resources are excellent for using Kit's Wilderness with students.

*From Kit's Wilderness 

Silky came that night, long after the doctor had gone, long after Grandpa had been put to bed, long after I'd come to bed myself, long after the moon shone in through my window.  Long after the moon had been blotted out and the snow began to fall, long after I'd tried to sleep and couldn't sleep and simply watched the snowflakes thicken on my windowsill.
     Just a glimpse, from the corner of my eye.  A shimmering like silk.  I caught my breath.  "Who's there?' I whispered.
     Nothing.  Then again, nothing but a flickering.  Nothing.  I closed my eyes, saw the boy running away from me, glistening  as he headed down the  tunnel.
     "There he is!" I called.  "After him! After him!"
      I ran. Endless tunnels, heading further and further into the earth.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
by Sherman Alexie

Bibliography

Alexie, S. (2007). The absolutely true diary of a part-time indian. New York, NY: Little Brown and Company. ISBN 0316013684

Summary

Arnold, also known as Junior, decides to leave the "rez" to go to school.  He battles the anger of his people and the suspicions of his new peers to be an overcomer of obstacles once again in his short life.

Critical Analysis

As the title suggests, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian recounts a short span in the life of a teenage Spokane Indian who spends time away from the reservation.  Alexie's portrayal of Junior is brutally honest, witty, and touches on issues faced not only by Indians but many young teenage boys.  Junior must navigate alcoholism, abuse of friends, burgeoning sexuality, bullying, and making tough, life-altering decisions.  Occasionally in a novel the illustrations play a pivotal role.  This is the case here.  Ellen Forney's art, which represent Junior's cartoons, adds to the humor and to the development of Junior as a dynamic character.

 
Review Excerpts

* Breathtakingly honest, funny profane, sad...will stay with readers. --KLIATT (starred review)

* This is a gem of a book.... May be [Sherman Alexie's] best work yet. --The New York Times

* Fierce observations and sharp sense of humor... hilarious language. -- Newsday


Connections

*This book will resonate with teens, but some parents may object to the discussion of masturbation.

* Prefer to listen?  This book is available on audio here.

* Want to discuss this book with friends or your class?  You can find a dreading group guide on the right side of this page.

* Excerpt from The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.

I was fourteen and it was my first day of high school.  I was happy about that.  And I was most especially excited about my first geometry class.
     Yep, I have to admit that isosceles triangles make me feel hormonal.
     Most guys, no matter what age, get excited about curves and circles, but not me.  Don't get me wrong.  I like girls and their curves.  And I really like women and their curvier curves.

Where the Red Fern Grows

Where the Red Fern Grows
 by Wilson Rawls

Bibliography

Rawls, W. (1996). Where the red fern grows. New York, NY: Delacourt Press. ISBN 0385323301

Summary

Billy Coleman is a hard worker:  He spends two years earning money to fulfill his heart's desire -- to own to red hunting hounds.  Where the Red Fern Grows is the story of Billy's dream, its fulfillment, and its conclusion.  Along the way, the reader watches as Billy grows into a man through both joy and pain and learns about the sad legend of the red fern.

Critical Analysis

The characters play the central role in Where the Red Fern Grows.  Billy Coleman starts the book as an eleven year old with a big dream he is willing to work for.  He is surrounded by supportive adults, a father who trusts him, a mom who worries over him, and a grandfather who helps him with his plans.  There are also other archetypal characters who play minor roles, such as the bully who gets his comeuppance.  Billy is easy to identify with even though most who read this story will never walk a literal mile in Billy's shoes.  He lets teens dream of days gone by and also shadows the independence that teens are growing into even though it looks different today than when Billy was a boy.

The setting is also vital to this story which richly protrays the theme of growing up.  It is hard to imagine these events taking place anywhere else than the Ozark Mountains.  The plot is fast paced and engaging, which is likely why this book holds a place in the hearts of teen readers still, even though some readers may balk at the hunting scenes.

Review Excerpts

*An exciting tale of love and adventure you'll never forget. --School Library Journal

*Arguably the greatest boy-and-dog story of all time, this is, for many kids, the book that introduces them to the power of literature. No one, adult or child, gets through this book without weeping, usually more than once, yet it never feels manipulative or trite -- it's a good, honest cry. --Common Sense Media


Connections

* Harrison Earl, age 13, says, "It's a real tear-jerker.  I had a tear jerked and I usually laugh at the sad or scary bits."

* Expert from Where the Red Fern Grows:
      I sat down and called my dogs to me.  With tears in my eyes, I told them that I just couldn't cut the big tree down.
     I was trying hard to make them understand when I heard someone coming.  It was Grandpa in his buggy.
     I'm sure not one in the world can understand a young boy like his grandfather can.  He drove up with a twinkle in his eyes and a smile on is whiskery old face.
     "Hello!  How are you gettin' along?" he boomed.
     "Not so good, Grandpa," I said.  "I don't think I can cut it down.  It's just too big.  I guess I'll have to give up."
     "Give up!" Grandpa barked. "Now I dont' want to hear you say that.  No, sir, that's the last thing I want to hear. Don't ever start anything you can't finish."
     "I don't want to give up, Grandpa," I said, "but it's just to big and my strength's gone.  I'm give out."
     "Course you are," he said. "You've been going at it wrong.  To do work like that a fellow needs plenty of rest and food in his stomach."
     "How am I going to get that, Grandpa?" I asked. "I can't leave the tree.  If I do, the coon will get away."
      "No, he won't," Grandpa said. "That's what I cam down here for.  I'll show you how to keep that coon in the tree."

* Where the Red Fern Grows is also available on audio and as a movie.

How I Live Now

How I Live Now
 by Meg Rosoff

Bibliography

Rosoff, M. (2004). How I Live Now. New York: Wendy Lamb Books. ISBN 0385746776

Summary

With the feeling of being tossed out of her home in New York, Daisy arrives in England to an idyllic setting with her cousins and aunt shortly before terrorists invade England and war breaks out.  At first Daisy and her cousins feel untouched by the war, but this utopia doesn't last.  Completely at home and at peace, Daisy becomes involved in a physical and emotional relationship with her cousin, Edmond. Soon after the relationship begins, Daisy, along with her cousin Piper, are separated from Edmond and the rest of the male cousins.  Rejoining her family and taking care of Piper through the terrors of war become Daisy's focus.  An ending that takes place six years in the future, shows the family together again, though not in exactly the way the reader may expect.

Critical Analysis

Meg Rosoff tells a gripping tale using a distinct first person voice and a unique style.  When we first meet Daisy, she is self-absorbed and uses food to manipulate people in her world. As the story progresses, Daisy grows and matures in slow, but dramatic ways.  Run-on sentences and a conversational, almost stream of consciousness tone provide insight into Daisy's way of thinking. Stylized punctuations and capitalization help show Daisy's emotions.   

I can tell Meg Rosoff lives in England; her descriptions of the villages Daisy lives in or travels through are strikingly realistic, from the small village stores to the countryside and from the hustle of London to the slow pace of village life.  Rosoff is able to write convincingly about a time and place in which traditional moral behaviors are displaced; she creates a realistic world in which war breaks out.  Teens will almost certainly feel as if they have lived through this with Daisy.

When I first read this novel, I didn't like it.  As I have studied it and reviewed it, I realized I do like it, enough that I will read other books by Meg Rosoff.  What I don't like is the age recommendation.  The front jacket cover recommends ages 12 and up and I disagree.  I feel 15 and up is more appropriate.

Review Excerpts

* Kirkus Reviews, "This is a very relatable contemporary story, told in honest, raw first-person and filled with humor, love, pathos, and carnage."

* Kliatt Reviews,"Daisy is an unforgettable heroine--vulnerable and flawed, yes, but fiercely loving and tough as well."

* Horn Book, "This first novel is intelligent, funny, serious, and sweet; a winning combination of acerbic commentary, innocence, and sober vision."

Connections

* Here is an award winning, student created video related to How I Live Now by Expanded Books.

* Multnonah County Library has a book discussion guide for How I Live Now.  It includes a summary, a booktalk guide, discussion questions, and read alikes.  Find it here.

*Meg Rosoff has a website with a bibliography and a script writing contest for How I Live Now!  The contest is open to ages 13-18.  Check it out here.

American Born Chinese

American Born Chinese
by Gene Luen Yang

Bibliography

Yang, G. L.(2006). American Born Chinese. New York: First Second. ISBN 9781415688786

Plot Summary

Three separate yet connected stories make up this award winning graphic novel about the trials and triumphs of being an American born Chinese person.  The Monkey King is dissatisfied with his place in life, Jin Wang must figure out what his place is, and Danny has it all, until his cousin Chin-Kee shows up.  Each story moves forward in time until they meet and become one, ending in a satisfying, if somewhat abrupt, conclusion.

Critical Analysis

Realistic, dynamic characters; magical creatures; immortal battles; an original, exciting plot; and universal truths all rolled into one well written, creatively drawn and colored graphic novel for young adults.  American Born Chinese has it all. No wonder it won the Michael L. Printz Award in 2007. 

Yang creates a believable, consistent world with all the classic earmarks of good fantasy: the Monkey King's quest, excellent dialog, a clearly drawn setting, and those fabulous characters!  The only non-realistic character is the stereotypical Chin-Kee character who is so outlandishly drawn that he is obviously a foil in the story and a statement against stereotyping.

All young adults trying to find there place in this world will identify with Jin Wang and may even see themselves as giving up to much to fit in, as he does. Hopefully, they will also see that they too can remain true to themselves and have a fulfilling life, as Jin Wang and the Monkey King do after many trials and tribulations.

Review Excerpts

* Booklist, "The stories have a simple, engaging sweep to them, but their weighty subjects--shame, racism, and friendship--receive thoughtful, powerful examination."

* KLIATT Review, "It is highly recommended for all graphic novel collections."

* Derek Kirk Kim, "As an Asian American, American Born Chinese is the book I've been waiting for all my life."

Connections

* Here is a very interesting interview with Gene Yang.  If you scroll all the way to the bottom, you can see the original picture that inspired the illustration on the last page of the book.  He also discusses it in the interview.

* Humblecomics.com (Comics and Other Stuff by Gene Yang) is worth the time to visit.  There's educational value with Yang's Master's project on using Comics in Education and Factoring with Mr. Yang and Mosley, which I will be using with my son, no doubts!  There's also fun with Monkey Kingdom, along with other comics by Yang.  This is one of my new favorites.

* Gene Yang won the Michael L. Printz Award in 2007.  Here is a link the YALSA Michael L. Printz award page where you can view current and past winners as well as information about the award and Michael L. Printz.

Rules by Cynthia Lord

Rules
by Cynthia Lord
Bibliography

Lord, C. (2006). Rules. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 9781428738096

Plot Summary

Catherine has rules, rules for her autistic brother ("A boy can take off his shirt to swim, but not his shorts.") and rules for herself ("Pantless brothers are not my problem.").  She loves her brother, David, but she also desires to be a normal kid with neighborhood friends and her fair share of parental attention. Catherine's friendships with Jason, for whom she creates words not rules, and Kristi, a new neighbor, help her discover some of the unwritten rules of life in this fabulous contemporary realistic fiction novel for middle graders.

Critical Analysis

What a pleasure to grow along with this 12 year old girl as she discovers what matters to her.  The fresh and contemporary language and setting transcend time and place at the same time they feel like the here and now.  The dialog is clean and realistic, absolutely believable.  Catherine is a pretty amazing 12 year old, but definitely 12, with real flaws and real heart and Cynthia Lord does a fantastic job keeping the story perfectly aligned with her character.

Rules could be about any American girl or boy in any town or city.  Young readers will easily identify with Catherine, even if they aren't living with her same challenges. This story is about personal growth, but is never didactic or preachy.  Catherine grows because it is natural to her personality, not because Cynthia Lord wants to teach us a lesson.  The conclusion is satisfying and leaves the reader proud and hoping we would behave similarly, even though we are never told we must.

Review Excerpts

* Booklist, "A heartwarming first novel.

* Kirkus, "Catherine is an appealing and believable character..."

* Horn Book, "The emotions in this fast-paced novel ring true."

Connections

* Cynthia Lord's website is quite comprehensive with a biography, her bibliography, links to interviews (including video and audio interviews), and her journal or blog. Check it out!

* Here is a discussion guide for Rules written by Cynthia Lord.

* Enjoy Rules in audio format from Audible.com.

Island of the Blue Dolphin

Island of the Blue Dolphin
by Scott O'Dell

Bibliography

O'Dell, S. (1960). Island of the Blue Dolphin. New York: Random House, Inc.  ISBN 0440439884

Plot Summary

Scott O'Dell tells the story of Karana, a girl who is left behind on her island home when her people, fearing the return of the Aleuts, leave for safer shores.  She uses old skills and learns new ones as she creates a happy home for herself, protects herself from wild dogs, and finds a family of her own among animals she tames.  She still thinks of and longs for people, though.  When the opportunity for rescue presents itself, does she take it?

Critical Analysis

Somehow, I missed this book growing up, even though I was born 10 years after it was published.  I may not have appreciated the beauty found in the authentically portrayed story then, so I don't regret it.  The author's note at the end tell us that the outline of this story is true, but the details filled in by O'Dell are what make this story worthy of its Newbery Medal.  Karana becomes a real person to us and the island in the Pacific takes on the role of a main character, too.  The tone of the story, Karana's words, and the island setting blend together to portray an unidealized version of what it could be like to live Karana's life.  Both sorrow and happiness, like in real life, are present, but Karana continues to strive to live the best life she can.

This book appeals to that desire in most children to see if they could make it in a situation like Karana's.  I can't imagine this book ever seeming out-of-date even though all the events are obviously in the past.  Like My Side of the Mountain, there is just something about the survival story in Island of the Blue Dolphins that challenges readers to be their best selves when facing hardships.

Review Excerpts

* The Times (London), “A novel of the highest excellence.”

* Library Journal, “. . . a haunting an unusual story.”

* The Chicago Sunday Tribune “This extraordinary book . . .  has the timeless, enduring quality of a classic. ”

Connections

* Scott O'Dell's website has great information on his life and books.  It also has a list of all the recipients of his namesake award, "The Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction."  View the home page here.

* Karana's story is also available in audiobook format.

* Glenco.com provides a fabulous resource for teachers.  Here is a free study guide to use with Island of the Blue Dolphins along with related readings, including poems and folktales.  Fabulous!