Nation

Author: Terry Pratchett
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins; Reprint edition (September 22, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780061433030
ISBN-13: 978-0061433030

Synopsis: Mau is just returning from his rite-of-passage voyage to his island home, Nation, when a great tsunami hits, nearly destroying everything and everyone. Caught between man and boy, Mau must struggle to keep what is left of his home together, and find more strength when he discovers he isn't the only survivor - and has somehow become their chief! Also caught up in the wave is young Ermintrude, an English girl of gentile breeding who was sailing to meet her father in his post of governor of a tropical island. Ermintrude - who rechristens herself Daphne because she hates her given name - is the sole survivor of her ship (or so she thinks) and must quickly learn a new language, a new culture and a new way of life.

Review: I could not put this book down. I've been a fan of Terry Pratchett since I read his collaboration with Neil Gaiman ("Good Omens"), but had read more of Gaiman's works than Pratchett's. The tagline on the book cover reads "When much is taken, something is gained." These wise words were spoken by an old man in Mau's village, and they set the theme for the entire novel. I heartily enjoyed everything about this book - romance, sacrifice, humor, peril, science - as well as the fact that the author states it took place in a parallel universe that had some of the same people in it as ours and many similar features, but not exactly the same. Within a few moments of opening the book, I was hooked and had suspended all disbelief. The characterizations were rich and lush. The animals and scenery were not just backdrops to the story, they were part of the fabric of the book and integral to everything in it. I recommend this book for "children" of all ages!

Awards/Reviews:

§         School Library Journal Best Book

§         Horn Book Fanfare

§         Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Book

§         Bulletin Blue Ribbon (The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books)

§         Publishers Weekly Best Book

§         Michael L. Printz Honor Book

§         ALA Notable Children’s Book

§         ALA Top 10 Best Book for Young Adults

§         ALA Best of the Best Books for Young Adults

§         ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice

§         Kirkus Reviews Best Young Adult Book

§         Chicago Public Library Best of the Best

§         Horn Book Fanfare

§         Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Book

§         Bulletin Blue Ribbon (The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books)

§         Publishers Weekly Best Book

§         Michael L. Printz Honor Book

§         ALA Notable Children’s Book

§         ALA Top 10 Best Book for Young Adults

§         ALA Best of the Best Books for Young Adults

§         ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice

§         Kirkus Reviews Best Young Adult Book

§         Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 

"The main characters are engaging and interesting, and are the perfect medium for the author's sly humor. Daphne is a close literary cousin of Tiffany Aching in her common sense and keen intelligence wedded to courage. A rich and thought-provoking read." - School Library Journal, starred review

"Critics praised Nation as a hybrid, deeply philosophical book aimed at young adults, but one likely to appeal to adults as well, much like Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy or J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. With echoes of William Defoe and William Golding, Nation takes the form of a “classic Robinsonade,” notes the Washington Post—that is, a book in which characters on a desert island recreate civilization. As his characters grapple with questions of leadership, humanity, and survival, Pratchett explores fundamental ideas about religion and culture. This might all sound rather heavy, but there is plenty of originality and humor—and cannibals, spirits, and secret treasures—to go around. In the end, Pratchett offers a vision of a deeply humane world." - Bookmarks Magazine review

"It is hard to imagine a reader who won’t feel welcomed into this nation." - Horn Book, starred review

Connections:

After reading the novel, give students print outs of Terry Pratchett's essay on the inspiration for "Nation" at http://www.harpercollins.com/author/authorExtra.aspx?authorID=7848&isbn13=9780061433016&displayType=bookessay. After reading, look up the Krakatoa and Indonesian tsunamis and compare news/history accounts with how Pratchett described it in his book. What was different? What was similar? Turn this into a journal entry.

On page 1, the fable of how Imo Made the World is told. In their journals, have students write prose or poetry of their own creation myth. What would the god(s)' name(s) be? How did the create the world? What did they put in it?

After students have done this, have them write a story of what happens in this imagined world. Is it like our world, or completely different?

Lunch Lady and The Cyborg Substitute

Author: Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 96 pages
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (July 28, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780375846830
ISBN-13: 978-0375846830

Synopsis: Lunch Lady is not only serving up meals in the cafeteria, she's serving up justice so she can make sure the students are safe! Follow the adventures of Lunch Lady and her faithful assistant Betty, along with student sleuths Hector, Dee and Terrence as they discover there's something fishy about the new substitute, and it isn't just the daily special they're smelling!

Review: This graphic novel was a quick read, but a very fun one. As would be expected, there's lots of action and humor. I especially enjoyed all of Lunch Lady's weapons disguised as ordinary cafeteria fare and utensils! Although the only colors in the graphic novel are black, white, gray and yellow, this does not detract from the plot line in the book - in fact, it seems to point the reader to where the focus needs to be, without a lot of background "clutter" to get in the way. I especially enjoyed the cliff-hanger ending of the book, sure to send readers scrambling for the next installment.

Awards/Reviews:

- WINNER 2009 Kid's Indie Next List "Inspired Recommendations for Kids from Indie Booksellers"
- WINNER 2010 Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices

"Yellow-highlighted pen-and-ink cartoons are as energetic and smile-provoking as Lunch Lady’s epithets of 'Cauliflower!' and Betty’s ultimate weapon, the hairnet. There is a nice twist in the surprise ending, and the kids’ ability to stand up to the school bully shows off their newfound confidence in a credible manner. Little details invite and reward repeat readings with visual as well as verbal punning." - Booklist review

Connections:

Get students to make their own superhero weapon for Lunch Lady to use. Print handouts of a page from the book at  http://www.lunchladycomics.com/llfinishthestory.pdf and let students write and draw their own dialouge and superhero gadget!

Print out more gadget blueprints for students from http://www.lunchladycomics.com/bettysblueprints.pdf and let students make their own blueprints and gadgets. Then have students write a journal entry about how Lunch Lady uses the new gadget(s). If students are artistically inclined, they can write it in graphic novel form. If not, prose is fine.

Prior to using this book in class, download and peruse the teachers' resource on the use of graphic novels from Random House  http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/teachers_guides/9780375846830.pdf. There are great ideas for integrating graphic novels into the classroom!

Joey Pigza Loses Control

Title: Joey Pigza Loses Control
Author: Jack Gantos
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (March 5, 2002)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9780064410229
ISBN-13: 978-0064410229

Synopsis: In the second book in this series about mixed up, tumbled-about, hyperactive Joey Pigza, Joey and his dog, Pablo, go to visit his father for the summer - A father Joey doesn't remember. Carter Pigza turns out to be just like Joey, only bigger and in denial that he has problems. Carter insists that Joey doesn't need medication to control his ADD, he just needs willpower. Just when Joey had a handle on his ADD, Carter comes into his life and flushes all Joey's medicine down the toilet. As Joey feels his control slipping away and all his old bad habits coming back, he wonders (as does the reader) if he will ever find his way back to control again.

Review:  As the parent of a child with ADHD (although not nearly as severe as Joey's), my heart hurt reading this book. Carter's insistence that all Joey needs to be "normal" is more willpower is so familiar to me. The fact that my son is medicated to help him focus has been questioned (and re-questioned ad inifinitum) by family, friends, and even people who are virtual strangers. Joey is a fully formed, multidimensional character. He practically leaps off the page; however, the same cannot be said for some of the adult characters. At times, the adults in Joey's life seem more like caricatures than real people. Because the books are aimed at middle schoolers, this is not detrimental to the story. As it should be, the main focus is on Joey and his internal dialogue. While in some parts the book was depressing, it was also by turns uplifting and hilarious.

Awards/Reviews:

 - Newbery Honor Book

 - ALA Notable Book

 - Publishers Weekly Best Book

 - School Library Journal Best Book

 - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon Book

 - New York Times Book Review Notable Book

 - Booklist Editors' Choice

 - Horn Book Fanfare Book

"Hilarious, harrowing, and ultimately heartening." - School Library Journal, starred review

"A truly memorable read." - ALA Booklist, starred review

"Like its predecessor, this high-voltage, honest novel mixes humor, pain, fear and courage with deceptive ease. Struggling to please everyone even as he sees himself hurtling toward disaster, Joey emerges as a sympathetic hero, and his heart of gold never loses its shine." - Publishers Weekly

"Jack Gantos's second book about Joey Pigza is just as delightful and soulful as his first. Joey's attempts to keep the fragile peace in his life intact are touching, and his intense longing to just be normal will mirror the feelings of most preteens, whether they have ADD or not. Joey Pigza may sometimes lose control, but he never loses his heart. This is an exceptional sequel." - Amazon.com

Connections:

Read students the passage on page 52 in which Joey talks about "becoming two Joeys" — "one Joey for Mom and a different Joey for Dad."

As a class, discuss what Joey means in the above quote. Ask students: Have you ever felt this way? When? Why? They may wish to share their personal stories of feeling like two different people; for example, a student may feel like one person with their friends and a different person with their parents or teachers. What problems does this cause for you? What problems does this cause for Joey?

As a follow-up to this discussion, have students write a journal entry (prose or poetry) about a time in their lives when they felt like they had to be two different versions of themselves.

Ask students to further explore the idea of dual identities. Ask students to imagine the "two Joeys" having a dialogue or conversation. What would they say to each other? What is on the mind of "Mom's Joey"? What is on the mind of "Dad's Joey"? Make a list of the different thoughts, concerns, and opinions of the two Joeys.