Claudette Colvin Deserved Every Award!
I am so happy the story of this brave woman is finally out there for young people to read. Claudette Colvin was a teenager during the Bus Boycott in Montgomery. She refused to give up her seat just months before Rosa Parks. She was dragged off the bus, humiliated and abused. The civil rights leaders did not want to use her as the face of the movement for several different reasons. She bravely became part of the lawsuit, Browder v. Gayle. This case ended bus segregation. Colvin became a forgotten figure in civil rights history. She knew Dr. King and remembered Rosa Parks as the secretary of the local N.A.A.C.P. Author, Phillip Hoose couples her fascinating story with plenty of pictures, making this a quick and inspiring read.
Awards: National Book Award, Newbery Honor Book, Amazon.com Top 10 Editor’s Picks: Teens, Booklist Top 10 Biographies for Youth; Publishers Robert F. Sibert Award – Honor
Some ideas for discussing with teens:
Would you have been brave enough to do Claudette did?
Why do you think the civil rights leaders felt she was unsuitable for their cause?
How do you think history would have changed had the bus boycott not taken place?
How do you think Claudette’s bravery would be seen today?
How would the civil rights movement have been different with today’s technology, cable TV, facebook or Twitter?
Good Fantasy Read About Angels
Ever since Meridian was a small child, she remembers the dead animals. They come to her all the time, dying at her feet or on her pillow while she sleeps. Now that she’s 16 she will finally learn what she really is. She’s a Fenestra, meaning she is part angel. She is the window which souls go through to get to the afterlife. Now that’s she’s about to turn 16, human souls are now seeking her. On her birthday she’s separated from her family and sent to live with an aunt who will teach her how to be a Fenestra. There she meets Tens, a gorgeous and complicated boy who will be her protector. Meridian arrives in her Aunt’s small town at a turbulent time. The charismatic, cult-like preacher of a new mega church has turned the town into a place of fear. He has his eye turned on Meridian’s Aunt, turning the town against her in a very dangerous way. The preacher also has a link to the dark angels that are hunting Merdian and the remaining Fenestras.
This is a great fantasy read full of romance, action and moral questions. The angel lore makes it really interesting. Readers who love the Twilight series will enjoy this new series as well. I love how Meridian is both brave and doesn’t shy away from her powers and duties. Amber Kizer’s frightening preacher character uses fear to control the townspeople for his own dark means. I see some parallels between him and some figures in our popular culture. Tens is an interesting character. We get a little glimpse into his background. I hope to learn more as the series continues. Kizer is working on the sequel. No release date is set at this time.
Some ideas for discussing with teens:
Meridian feels like a freak. Have you ever felt that way?
Talk about the preacher. What draws people to him?
Have you ever met someone that charismatic at your school? For example, someone who can make others do irrational things?
Talk about Tens relationship with Meridian. How does it differ from Twilight’s Edward and Bella?
Meridian’s Aunt creates quilts out of the lives she helps transition. What does this symbolize to you?
What do you think will happen next?
Michael L. Printz 2010 Award
Congratulations to Libba Bray for winning this year’s Michael L. Printz Award for Going Bovine!
Printz Honor Books: Charles and Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith by Deborah Heiligman, The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancey, Punkzilla by Adam Rapp & Tales of the Madman Underground: An Historical Romance, 1973 by John Barnes.
House Of the Night Series Still Going Strong With Book Six (Spoiler Alert)
Tempted, Book Six in P.C. & Kristin Cast’s House of Night series picks up right where Hunted left off. Zoey and her friends ran off Neferet and Kalona. After a difficult battle, they must regroup with the help of the nuns and plan their return to the House of Night. If that wasn’t enough, Zoey must figure out her boyfriend situation. Stark is now her sworn warrior, Heath isn’t going anywhere and Eric is as possessive as ever. Stevie Rae comes across an injured Raven Mocker. In a surprise move, she saves his life rather than finishes him off. But he isn’t just any Raven Mocker. He is Kalona’s favorite son. If keeping this secret from Zoey wasn’t enough, Stevie Rae also knows something is going wrong with the red fledglings. She wants to be their high priestess, but they have other plans. Zoey and her friends must travel to Italy to face off with Neferet and Kalona before the Vampyre High Council. But Zoey may soon fall into a trap.
This series still has my attention, even in book six. The twins were not as annoying, for that I am very glad. Zoey finally told possessive Eric where to go so that annoying storyline is done for now. The strange twist at the ending has me hungry for book seven.
Book 7, Burned will be released on April 27th.
Some ideas for discussing with teens:
Talk about the religion. How is the worship of Nyx similar and different than the Catholicism of the Sisters who help them?
Why do you think Stevie Rae felt the need to save the Raven Mocker? Should she have done it?
What will the imprint between Stevie Rae and the Raven Mocker mean?
Why do you think Zoey lost her tattoos?
Did you think Kalona had good in him? Why or why not?
New Spin on Werewolves and Interesting Story Telling in Liar
Micha is a liar! She knows it, everyone knows it. But this time she promises to tell the truth about what she is. Maybe. Justine Larbalestier writes her book in three seperate sections – “Telling The Truth”, “Telling The True Truth” & “The Actual Real Truth.”
Micha is a werewolve, but this is not your cute Twilight werewolve. Micha shares with us the painful transition between girl and wolf and what causes her to change. She refers to her secret as the family illness. She was born covered with fur. The story begins with Micha’s after hours boyfriend, Zach is killed. He is an after hours boyfriend because at school they don’t talk to each other and only meet up when no one else is around. They both like to run. Because of what she is, Micha is wicked fast. The author peels away the layers of the lies until we finally get an idea of what happened to Zach.
I really like the way Larbalestier doesn’t suger coat the change from human to wolf. It is extremely painful and the ritual her family puts her through is humiliating. I enjoyed the three layers of storytelling and we get closer to the truth with each version of her story. There is a part where we see being a wolf from her perspective and what she’s thinking as she advances on her prey. It is very chilling.
Some ideas for discussing with teens:
How does Micha differ from other werewolves you’ve read about?
Talk about lies. Share stories about when you told one and how did it affect you.
Did you believe Micha’s lies at the beginning of the book?
Did you think she killed Zach?
Talk about Zach’s relationship with Micha.
Talk about the part near the end where Micha as a wolf stalks her prey. Talk about the wolf perspective.
Micha feels like a freak. Many people do. Have you ever felt like a freak?
Interesting Teen Read About Death And What Comes After
Madison wants to be clear. She is dead. She is stuck in a dark place pulsing with energy. The only things she sees are lost items from her life. Each one takes her back to a moment when she was alive. A lost orchid takes her back to getting to know Gabe, her boyfriend. A rattle takes her back to when she was an infant. Only when she revisits a hair clip she lost at a slumber party does she encounter another ghost. As the girls play with a Oujia Board, Madison realizes she is not the only spirit watching this scene. Using the board, the ghost reveals she’s Tammy and that she’s sorry Madison is dead. Madison has no idea what happened to her, but she does not have any memories past the age 17. Her lost physics homework takes her to Gabe, who she soon realizes is also dead. Together they witness what ended Madison’s life. Only then can they move onto the Everafter.
I really liked how the author uses lost items to connect Madison back to her life. The nonlinear story telling keeps us guessing about what happened to Madison. It also gives us glimpses about Madison as Huntley slowly builds her as a character. I love it when a young adult writers use the classics as their muse. Huntley shares the Emily Dickenson poem, “My Life Closed Twice Before Its Close.” Madison uses this poem to write an English paper, somehow forshadowing what is to come.
“My life closed twice before its close;
It yet remains to see
If Immortality unveil
A third event to me,” – Dickenson
Some Ideas For Discussion With Teens:
If appropriate, talk about how the teen’s beliefs about the afterlife differ from the author’s idea. Or maybe they are the same.
Talk about the Emily Dickinson poem and about how that forshadows two deaths. What could the third even be?
Why do you think the author chose lost things as a way to reconnect with life?
Which lost item affected you the most?
Think of a lost item from your own life that is significant.
Discuss the Ouiji Board and how the game is played.
It took a while for the cause of Madison’s death to be revealed. How did you think she died? Did you expect what happened?
Christmas Romance With Cheerleaders and Tea Cup Pigs
Popular teen authors, John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle write three intertwined short stories about Christmas romances. Maureen Johnson starts with “Jubilee Express.” Jubilee (yes, that is her name) is heading to her grandparents after her parents are arrested on Christmas Eve for taking part in a riot at the Flobie Santa Village factory. Jubilee is upset that she’s missing Christmas with her overachiever boyfriend, but even more upset that he doesn’t have time to listen to her troubles. On the train, she meets Jed, who we’ll get to know better in the third story. Jubilee’s train gets stuck during a snow storm, forcing her to schlep over to the Waffle Hut with 14 perky cheerleaders. There she meets Stewart. We also meet the interesting “tin foil guy” who makes other appearances as the next two stories unfold.
In John Green’s Cheertastic Christmas Miracle, we find out how the guys at the Waffle Hut feel about being invaded by cheerleaders. It’s a Christmas Miracle!! Kuen phones friends, JP, Tobin and “The Duke” and tells them to get there, pronto and bring the game, Twister. The story is filled with John’s signature hilariously witty friend banter. There is also a great car race in the snow between the friends and two lopsided twins. Tobin realizes he should have been thinking about the girl sitting next to him, instead of perky cheerleaders.
In The Patron Saint Of Pigs, Addie is heartbroken because she ended things with her boyfriend, Jed. (You’ll remember Jed from the train, he is also moping at the Waffle Hut in the 2nd story.) Addie is a bit of a drama queen, as her two friends subtly remind her. Jed is not the boyfriend Addie wants him to be. She would like him to be more romantic (Edward Cullen-like, I am assuming.) After Addie’s huge mistake, Jed is supposed to meet her at Starbucks. When he never shows, Addie suspects the worst. Addie’s friend, Tegan has a pig obsession. Enter the world’s cutest pig, a tiny tea cup pig named Gabriel and lewd boy named Charlie and a bus full of senior citizens and the cast of interesting characters grows even larger.
Some ideas for discussing with teens:
Addie wants Jeb to change. She doesn’t think he’s romantic enough. Talk about how drama can get in the way of a good relationship.
Why are the guys so obsessed with the cheerleaders? Talk about how the cheerleaders pay attention to them at first and why the guys are disappointed later.
Jubilee thinks she has a great relationship with her overachiever boyfriend. Talk about how she may have lost herself along the way.
What drew Jubilee & Stewart, Addie & Jed, Tobin and Angie to each other?
Tobin and the Duke (Angie) are good friends. The Duke likes Tobin, but he is afraid to ruin the friendship. Talk about making that transition between friends and more than friends.
Can Vampries Become Human Again?
I love Francesca Lia Block! I was so excited to see her write about vampires! Pretty Dead follows vampire, Charlotte Emerson. After her human companion’s untimely death, Charlotte starts to notice chinks in her perfection. It starts with a broken nail, then she can cry and sweat. Can a vampire become human again?
The author uses her beautiful dreamlike writing to show Charlotte’s travels through the decades of her 100 years. She travels from posh city to city with a fabulous assortment of clothes. We get the sense from Charlotte that it is not that great to be a vampire, which is a departure from many other teen vampire books.
Ideas for discussing with teens:
Talk about Francesca Lia Block’s magical realism writing. How does she differ from other authors that write about vampries?
Why would Jared and Emily want to become vampries?
Talk about Charlotte’s transition and her loss of perfection.
What would you choose?
Fantastic Prequel to Graceling!
Fire is the exciting prequel to Kristin Cashore’s Graceling. I am a huge fan of Graceling and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one! Fire lives up to Graceling beautifully! The only character in both books in Leck, only in Fire he is a young child instead of a king. The first chapter gives us King Leck’s much anticipated background story.
Fire is the last of her kind. She is a human monster. There are monster versions of all kinds of animals. She was the only child of the human monster, Cansrel, a dangerous man who used his powers for his own greed and pleasure. Besides her unnatural beauty and hair the color of fire, she has the ability to enter and control the minds of those near her. Now Cansrel is dead. She lives in the estate of Lord Archer, both her lover and protector. Human monsters have a hard time surviving. Monster preditors such as raptors and leopards hunger for their flesh more than any other human. She must be guarded at all times. Fire is uncomfortable with her mind control powers, and keeps her hair covered whenever she leaves her home. The very sight of her can be so shocking to humans, they can’t control themselves around her. They either want her for their own or want to kill her.
Fire is summoned to King’s City to use her powers against the king’s enemies, making her question how she lives, who she should love and what she should do with her powers.
Although the characters are different from Graceling, the book has the same feel and excitement. I love that Kristin Cashore has created another strong female character for teens! She tells us just enough of what a “monster” is and lets is fill in the blanks with our own imagination. How I picture Fire may be very different how another reader will imagine her. The introduction to the child version of Leck is brilliantly creepy! I really can’t wait for book three, Bitterblue.
Some ideas for discussing with teens:
What makes Fire monsterous? What about Cansrel?
Does she have a right to probe and control people’s minds? Would you want that power?
Fire does not want to have children. She wants the monster line to end. Is she right? If you were her, what would you do?
If the teens have read Graceling, talk about the character of King Leck as both a king in Graceling and a child in Fire.
Discuss Fire’s relationship with Archer.
Discuss Fire’s secret involving her father.
Do you see Fire as a strong female character?
Compare her with other female characters in young adult fiction.
Fire uses music to comfort herself. Do you have a similar talent that makes you happy?
More Fallen Angel Fantasy!
After reading Eternal I was hoping for more fallen angel fantasy. Lauren Kate is writing a new series about just that. The first book is called, Fallen. All her life, Luce has been tormented by shadows that seem to follow her everywhere. It kind of reminds me of the movie, “The Sixth Sense.” She’s sent to reform school because a mysterious fire killed a boy she liked. She’s implicated in the crime even though she can’t remember what happened.
At school Luce meets Daniel. Not only is he supernaturally gorgeous, Luce feels a familiar longing, making her believe they have met before. Although Cam, another attractive boy, is clearly interested in her, Luce only wants Daniel, the boy whose interest runs both hot and cold. Daniel tries to keep Luce at a distance, telling her the truth would kill her as it has many times before. The first chapter is fantastic! But I was disappointed that it took so long in the rest of the book to get back to the supernatural. But this won’t stop teens from loving it anyway!
Unfortunately Daniel falls into that familiar theme of “boy is mean to girl” so “girl becomes obsessed with boy.” We never find out what really caused the fire that killed Luce’s friend. It also seems strange that Luce and Daniel are able to go off into the woods. I would think a reform school would have more security. The cover is fantastic! It is dark, dramatic and beautiful! Teens will love it!
Some ideas for discussing with teens:
What is appealing about fallen angels vs. vampires and other characters in fantasy?
What do you think caused the fire that killed the boy?
Why do you think the “boys are mean and girls love them anyway” is so popular in teen books?
Talk about Luce’s shadows. What do you think they mean?
