Posts Tagged ‘book response’
Dear Readers–
I don’t know if Suzanne Weyn has four books out yet, but if she doesn’t, I’ll be anxiously waiting for her to write two more so I can add her to the list of Favorite Young Adult Authors for your research projects. I just finished her second book, The Bar Code Rebellion over the snow days last week. It is the sequel to The Bar Code Tattoo. In both books, she does what good science fiction writers set out to do: create a believable future that is not so far from our own. She takes present day concerns and extrapolates them to a terrifying conclusion. In the first book, Kayla must decide whether or not to receive the bar code tattoo when she turns seventeen. The government is requiring everyone to get these tattoos to streamline the flow of information. Cash has not been used in years. Instead, people use an electronic cash card (sound anything like ATM or debit cards?). With the tattoo, people don’t even need to use the card–all the information is tattooed on your skin along with your medical history and insurance and any other information you might need in life. No need to worry about losing a card or expriencing identity theft. But is there a more sinister aspect to the tattoo beyond safety and convenience? Kayla becomes convinced that the tattoo is evil and becomes an outcast by not getting the tattoo. All around her people, including her parents, are having their lives destroyed by the tattoo. What other information is in it?
The Bar Code Rebellion picks up Kayla’s story as she and other resisters travel to a protest in Washington, DC. The protest becomes a trap to round up resisters and tattoo them with the bar code against their will. As Kayla flees across the country on a search for answers, she discovers that there are others like her–one of whom is pretending to be her while speaking for Global 1, the industry behind the government. After meeting the second one, Kayla realizes there is even more to her story:
“Kayla realized that it meant there were four of them, three of whom could see visions of the future. Could the girl in the desert see ahead, too? She moved the picture of the child and the burning house to the bottom of the pile and looked at the next drawing, a desert landscape with a blue tent standing in the middle of the vast desert emptiness. “I’ve had a vision like this, too,” she told Kara. I saw this same scene in one of them, only I didnt’ see the tent.
“Crazy,” Kara mumured. “I should tell you that I’m pretty sure somebody’s looking for me.”
“Your parents,” Kayla guessed.
“No, I don’t know who it is, but someone tried to grab me the other night when I came back late. Another time before that, two men chased me. I can’t let them get me. I have a feeling the know I have visions.”
Kayla recalled her meeting with Eutonah in the Waters Shed jail. She’d warned her that Global-1 was looking for her–and not just because she didn’t have a bar code tattoo or even for her supposed involvement in her mother’s death in the fire. Why, then? And why were the searching for this other girl, Kara, who was identical to her?
Suddenly Kayla’s problems seemed much bigger and more complex than they had been before.” (Wyen 93-94)
Kayla shares many traits in common with these “twins.” All have a talent for art and an innate resistance to the tattoo. Will she discover the evil secret behind the bar code tattoo before it’s too late? Will she have to choose between Mfumbe and Jack, two handsome resisters who both are attracted to Kayla? Yes, there is even romance amid the intrigue.
Weyn has created a fast moving story that explores many complex and controversial ideas. How do you balance a need for information in our society with the need for privacy for individuals? How far should science go in the research and application of cloning and genetic manipulation. These are all concerns we are addressing today. Will our choices lead to the chilling future portrayed by Weyn? I hope not, and through her characters, Weyn suggests that the human will is too strong to give in without a fight.
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Here’s my first attempt at creating a book trailer. Le me know what you think.
This is Banned Books Week–not a week to burn your books, but a week to remember that we are free to read. All across the country, though, books are challenged in schools, libraries, and classrooms. A few people seek to limit the books available for everyone to read. Some of my favorite authors have had protests to remove their books from classroom and library shelves: Madeleine L’Engle, Laurie Halse Anderson, Patricia McCormick, Ellen Hopkins, JK Rowling, Mark Twain. Many of you are reading books that have been challenged. In some places the books have been removed from the shelves. In other places, the books remain. As a teacher, I believe that students should have access to a wide variety of books. Not every book is for every reader, but I think most of you are capable of choosing books that are right for you. I believe that one or two people should not have the right to tell everyone else what they can or cannot read. I believe in the power of words and of story to teach life lessons. If someone reads about a character making terrible choices, they can experience the consquences through fiction rather than real life. Check out this video of frequently banned books. Are there books you are reading? Frequently banned books
If you want to find out what your classmates think about some of these books, check out their blogs. Ellen Hopkins writes novels in poetry that deal with some tough issues. Sierra R. is reading Crank, the story of a girl who gets addicted. Maykayla S and Harley T. are reading Burned, a story of violence and abuse. Lauren L is reading Go Ask Alice, the diary of a drug addict. One of the most popular books right now is Cut, by Patricia McCormick. Ciera O, Amy H, Ciara F, and Allie F are all reading it. Robert Cormier is a tough writer who does not believe in happy endings. Kirsten G is reading his book Tenderness. Cammi S is reading Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, and Kendra E is reading The Color Purple by Alice Walker.
What do you think? Should you have access to these and other books? Why?
Laurie Halse Anderson (author of Speak, Prom, Fever 1973 and more) has a very thoughtful post on her blog in response to some of her books being challenged in schools and libraries.
What book are you reading (or just finished)? What do you think of it? Write a short post that tells about the book and what you think of it. Don’t forget to tell the author’s name. Then tag someone else in your post. Look at your classmates’ responses and comment on them, too. Did you find a book that sounds interesting?
I just started reading The Mailbox by Audrey Shafer. Gabe moved in with his uncle, a reclusive (that means he hides from everybody) Vietnam vet. One afternoon he comes home from school and finds his uncle lying dead on the floor. He doesn’t tell anyone about it and goes to school the next day. When he gets home, the body is gone and there is a note in the mailbox that says, “I have a secret. Don’t be afraid.”
What is going on? I can’t wait to find out who sent the letter and what Gabe decides to do about all of this. It is definitely a strong beginning that has me hooked. I’ll let you know what happens later!
Tag…you’re it: Sierra R. Taylor M.Briana S. Josh M. Stacia S. Becky M. Rebekah W. Kyle D. Allie F. Harley T. Braden R. Megan S. Chris C. Taylor D.Brad H. Lauren L. Jason S. Ali K.,
Hunger Games book trailer on YouTube By far one of the best books I’ve read in a long time, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins gripped me by the mind and didn’t let go until I turned the last page. Katniss Everdeen lives in District 12, the farthest and poorest district from the Capitol. On the day of the Reaping, her biggest fear comes true: her little sister’s name is drawn for the Annual Hunger Games. Katniss knows that Prim would never survive, so she volunteers to take Prim’s place.
As one of two representatives from District 12, Katniss must travel to the Capitol with Peeta, the baker’s son, and Haymitch, the only other survivor of the Hunger Games from District 12, to fight to the death on national television.
I put this in at home and I’m afraid that you won’t be able to see the video at school. Rather than embedding the video, it just gives a link to YouTube. I may have to beg the filters to allow at least the book trailers. If not, browse book trailers at home. They are very cool…hint, hint…you may be creating some later in the year!
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Friendship, jealousy, moonshine, and basketball combine to create a classic Hoosier story in Kristi Collier’s Throwing Stones. Living in southern Indiana during the 1920’s, Andy Soaring is trying to find his place. Oldest brother Pete was killed by the Spanish influenza after running away to fight in World War I, and the family has never gotten over it. Andy longs to bring some happiness back to his family by leading his high school basketball team to the state championships. Unfortunately, Andy breaks his arm and collarbone whiletrying to outdo his chief rival on the court and for the girl. While sidelined from play, Andy discovers a talent for words as he covers the basketball games for the local paper and slants the facts his way.
Throwing Stones raises many questions about truth and jealousy. Just as in real life, the answers are not neatly wrapped up and solved at the end. Readers are left to wonder at the secrets that still remain partialy hidden and unanswered.
Like the thousands of immigrants before him, Kek comes to America in hopes of finding a better life. After witnessing the murder of his father and brother and becoming seperated from his mother, Kek finds himself getting of a flying air bus in the middle of a Minnesota winter to live with his aunt and cousin. As he adjusts to this new land with its new language and strange ways, he seeks to find a place to belong. He makes friends with a girl in foster care and an old lady with a run down farm. His mishaps with new ways of doing things (such as trying to wash dishes in the washing machine) made me laugh out loud while his undying hope against all odds to reunite with his mother made me cry. Through it all, Kek always manages to see his way through and keep smiling.
In Home of the Brave, Katherine Applegate paints the heartbreaking story of Kek, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. The poetry of Kek’s voice shines a light of hope for all of us.
At first I was surprised and disappointed that Lawn Boy made the Young Hoosier book list for 6th through 8th graders. It is a short, easy read that is a better fit for elementary students rather than middle school. In spite of that, Gary Paulsen has created a modern day tall tale that kept me laughing out loud as I read it.
It all starts when they narrator receives a lawn mower for his twelfth birthday–not just any lawn mower, but his dead grandfather’s ancient machine. After mowing a few lawns, things quickly spin out of control as lawn boy takes a crash course in capitalism. Before he knows it (or has time to tell his parents), he has gone from mowing a few lawns to earn money for a bicycle tire to managing a lawn-care business with employees and owning his own prizefighter. What will his parents say when they find out their son has grossed nearly half a million dollars, all from one used lawn mower?
Bethany has grown up with over-protective parents who gave her everything she wanted. After driving all day and half the night, her parents drop her off with Aunt Myrlie, a total stranger to Bethany. Now she finds herself nearly alone in a strange town with more questions than answers. Her parents have seemingly disappeared–no cell phones, no record that they ever existed. No one will talk about the mysterious Elizabeth or why people look at Bethany like she’s a ghost. Bethany’s questions increase after receiving a mysterious package from her father. It contains four birth certificates, each with a different last name and Bethany’s birthday, and $10,000 in cash, in case Bethany needs anything. Who is Bethany? What secrets are her parents hiding? Where have they gone? Who is the strange man following her around? As Bethany searches for answers, she must answer questions about herself, face secrets no one is willing to discuss, and find courage to speak for herself.
As in many of her other books, Margaret Peterson Haddix creates a suspenseful plot with unexpected surprises. Not only does she explore just-out-of-reach developments in science, but she also explores deeper questions of faith in this book. Myrlie’s daughter, Josie, is minister who has asked all the questions even if she hasn’t found all the answers.
I had grand intentions of posting reviews of all the books I read this summer, but I’m reading too many too fast to keep up. The books are too good to keep to myself, though, so here are my reactions to my favorites so far. In no particular order….
March by Geraldine Brooks – I found this treasure on our family vacation to Pennsylvania during the day we spent in Gettysburg. Brooks shares a love for one of my favorite childhood classics, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. In March, she imagines what might have happened to Mr. March, who was absent ministering to the Union troops during the Civil War during Alcott’s book. She creates a complex history and present for Mr. March, who is torn in his struggle to live up to his own high expectations for moral courage. Like most of us, he never quite reaches his goal of perfection. His experiences in the war force him to face his shortcomings and acknowledge the world is never simple and never divided easily into black and white, good and bad. I knew that Little Women was inspired by Alcott’s family and childhood (the charcter of Jo is based on Louisa) and that the Alcotts were friends with Thoreau and Emerson in Concord, but I had not realized just how radical they were for their time. Now I’m inspired to read Brooks’ People of the Book that is sitting in my pile and to reread Thoreau’s Walden.
Blink by Malcolm Gladwell – I don’t usually read much nonfiction, but I’ve run across Malcolm Gladwell’s name several times recently with very favorable reviews. I found several of his books on a sale table at a bookstore and picked up Blink: The Power of Thinking without Thinking. Gladwell understands the power of story in relating scientifc theories about how our brains work in making snap decisions–both when it works and when it backfires. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down and devoured it in one day. I tried to push it on my family during vacation, but no one took me up. I’m still thinking about the implications of decision making. How can I harness this power of the brain?
Hawkes Harbor by S.E. Hinton – Hinton is all grown up. This mystery/horror story is her first book in more than fifteen years (as of 2004). Jamie Sommers is brought to a mental hospital as a patient, suffering from depression, partial amnesia, and fear of the dark. He tries to patch together the fragments of his life as he searches his past as an orphan and sailor to find clues to his present and future. In some way, his life is tied up with that of his wealthy employer, Grenville. Just who–or what–is Grenville, and what does he want from Jamie?
Lessons Learned from the Classroom: A Memoir by Liz Murphy – A friend of mine wrote this book that reflects on her rich teaching career. I came away from this book both impressed and inspired. I hope I am able to have half as much impact on my students throughout my career.
A Lion Among Men by Gregory Maguire – This third book in the Wicked Years both backtracks over and expands upon the tale of Elpheba. Sir Brrr (otherwise known as the Cowardly Lion) seems to find himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. His earliest memories are of wandering alone in the Great Gillikin Forest with no family at all. He searches for a place to belong and fails the first person he encounters. As he seeks to correct the wrong he has done, he finds himself blamed for a massacre of trolls and banished from human society as a result of the anti-Animal laws. In order to escape prison, he agrees to work for the war-mongering Emperor of Oz. He ends up accused of collaborating with both the Wizard and the Wicked Witch of the West. Will his interview with Mother Yackle reveal the anwers he seeks or just stir up old memories better left alone?
Another Faust by Daniel & Dina Nayeri – At first this book bothered me. Faust is such a depressing tale (about a man who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for money, fame, and power). Depending on the version you read (Marlowe or Goethe), Faust may or may not have a chance for redemption at the end. In this version, five children (all who desperately want something they can’t have) are taken by Madame Vilroy. As their governess, she presents them to high society on New York, where they all reach to be the best. Vilroy gives them exceptional gifts, but the gifts are never free. Will any of them see the truth about Vilroy and have the courage to stand against her until it is too late. At first I didn’t see any way out, but the Nayeri’s create many twists and turns throughout the unfolding events.