Unbound: A Novel in Verse by Ann E. Burg Scholastic Press, 2016 Unbound was a book I just happened to stumble upon as we were weeding the Fiction section of our library. It immediately intrigued me because it was a verse novel, one of my favorite genres. As I read the summary inside the book’s jacket, I was struck by the fact that I had no idea what the Great Dismal Swamp was or the fact that it had been used as a hiding place by runaway slaves. Seeing as how this book combines two of my favorite genres, historical fiction and verse novels, I immediately had to read it. What I found was one of the best books I’ve read in a long time that had a lasting emotional impact. The story follows Grace, a young slave girl who is called to work in “The Big House,” leaving her family behind to work in the fields. Grace is blue-eyed and light-skinned, which is an implied reason she is called to work for the Master and the Missus. Grace, of course, struggles with leaving her family. She is a young girl, living in a new house, with extremely high expectations and many more rules than she is accustomed to. What Grace sees living in “The Big House” and her interactions with the Master and Missus, begin to motivate her to run away. She begins to question the fairness of the way she and other slaves are treated, and sees the cruelty that lies in the hearts of her owners. Then, one evening, Grace overhears the Missus make plans to sell her family on the auction block. In order to save them all, Grace runs away from “The Big House” to her family’s cabin. They make their escape that night, heading toward the Great Dismal Swamp. The characters and events in this story are so engaging and unforgettable. The history behind their escape is just as interesting as the story itself, and the author provides historical information as well as acknowledgements for her sources at the end of the book. This is by far one of my favorite books to booktalk with students. I can’t keep it on the shelves when I do! It is a fantastic story, full of wonderful free verse, engaging characters, and a plot that moves quickly and holds interest. I cannot recommend this book enough!
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Bibliography
Hand, Cynthia, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows. 2016. My Lady Jane. New York: Harper Teen. ISBN 9780062391742 Plot Summary All sixteen-year-old Lady Jane Grey wants to do is read her books, not marry a complete stranger and become the queen of England! With elements of historical fiction, fantasy, and comedy, Jane and her new husband (call him G) must work together to save the kingdom of England from a conspiracy plot against her dear cousin, Edward. The only problem is G is an Edian, meaning he spends his days as a horse and his nights as a man. Can Jane, G, and Edward find a way to save England before it’s too late? Critical Analysis This blended genre novel is one of my favorites this year! The authors’ dedication and “historical” notes throughout the story set a humorous and light-hearted tone. Of course, the real story of Lady Jane Grey is not so humorous or light-hearted, but the authors do a tremendous job of re-writing the story with a happy ending for all. This novel is rather long, but reads quickly as the perspective of each chapter changes between the viewpoints of the three main characters. There is a battle for good and evil, reference to pop culture (e.g. Game of Thrones), and a love story that is funny, sweet, and charming. This book hits all the right marks to entice and engage lovers of YA, fantasy, historical fiction, and comedy! The characters in this book, based upon their real-life counterparts, are well-rounded and hilarious! The strong female character of Jane is also empowering. She is incredibly smart and funny, and sets a good example for young girls based on elements of the real Jane’s life. G and Edward are equally interesting, and together, the characters weave a story that is entertaining. The dialogue between the characters shines, as the three friends explore the Edian world, plot their escapes, and banter back and forth. One of the best elements of this book is the play on actual history. The authors are able to take real events and change details to create an entirely new and fantastic story! As I was reading, I would stop to research more about each character and what really happened to them. Although they did not have quite the happy ending as in the story, it was interesting to find out more about the true history and lives of the characters. Overall, this is a great work of blended young adult fiction. It's definitely at the top of my favorites list for 2016! Response This story has so many elements from various genres that blend together seamlessly. The story will make you laugh out loud, hold your breath, and fight alongside the characters as they struggle to save England from the evil clutches of conspirators. This book truly has it all! The one negative that could turn YA readers away is its length. At over 400 pages it can seem like a daunting read. However, if publicized and promoted correctly, even some reluctant readers will see the interest in this multi-dimensional story. Book Trailer: Epic Reads Bibliography Schmidt, Gary D. 2007. The Wednesday Wars. Read by Joel Johnstone. New York: Sandpiper. Audiobook. Plot Summary Holling Hoodhood is a seventh grader at Camillo Junior High School in Long Island, New York. Each Wednesday, Holling’s Catholic and Jewish classmates spend their afternoons at their respective churches in religious instruction. Holling, however, is a Presbyterian, meaning he is doomed to spend each Wednesday afternoon with his teacher, Mrs. Baker. Initially, he believes she “hates his guts.” Mrs. Baker has him reading Shakespeare, cleaning erasers, and writing essays. However, as Holling finds the “Big M” (motivation), he learns more from Mrs. Baker than he could have ever imagined. This coming of age tale combines the feelings of early adolescence with the political and social uproar of the 1960’s seamlessly. You will find yourself rooting for Holling, laughing with (and at him at times), and losing yourself in the feelings of young Holling as he grows up before your eyes. Critical Analysis The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt is one of those great works of historical fiction that truly reads as fiction with history happening in the background. Schmidt is known for seamlessly combining fictional events into an accurate historical context. That is exactly the case in this book. Holling Hoodhood is your typical seventh grade boy, navigating friendship, family, first love, and school. Holling is funny, sincere, caring, athletic, smart, and loyal. His character is well developed and has the ability to make the reader laugh and cry, sometimes in the same chapter! Any middle school age reader, especially boys, will be able to identify with and relate to Holling. Mrs. Baker also plays a key role in the book, helping Holling learn important life lessons and providing a different perspective to the story. Through the context of the story, Mrs. Baker becomes one of those once-in-a-lifetime teachers that motivates Holling and provides him with amazing opportunities (like playing ball with members of the New York Yankees!). The other characters in the book are just as interesting and engaging as Holling. There’s Mr. Hoodhood, Holling’s conservative, successful father, his sister, Heather, a peace loving “flower child,” and Mai Thi Huong, a Vietnamese refugee in Holling’s class. These characters build the context around Holling that make the story come to life. Holling’s first love, Meryl Lee, and his friends Doug and Danny are all characters that complement Holling and bring to life the social relationships of middle school students. Holling lives in a small community on Long Island. Schmidt vividly describes the small town feel from the school, to the community, to Holling’s “perfect” home. At one point in the story, Mrs. Baker shows Holling parts of the town with some historical background that changes the way he, and the reader, view it. Even though the setting is in the 1960s, the picture that is painted is so clear, readers of all ages will have no difficulty imagining what it was like to live in that time. This story is truly a coming of age story for Holling. Within the main plot of the story, however, there are several subplots that draw the reader in. The Vietnam war and the implications it had on the cultural and society of the 1960s is a big part of the subplots. Friendship and navigating junior high issues is another major subplot. Even with multiple story lines weaving in and out together, the story holds firm and is interesting, funny, relatable, and educational for the reader. The Vietnam War and growing up in this time of social upheaval is depicted so brilliantly, you find yourself lost in that time. One interesting piece to story is Schmidt’s interjection of Shakespeare into the narrative. Holling and Mrs. Baker read and study Shakespeare together. Holling even performs The Tempest in the local theater. They both use Shakespeare as an outlet for expressing their feelings, connecting to each other, and describing the world around them. The themes of this story really tug at the reader’s emotions. The Vietnam War and its effect on the culture of he 1960s is a huge theme of The Wednesday Wars. Schmidt does an excellent job providing multiple perspectives from multiple characters to really help the reader feel what the characters felt during that time. Another major theme was, of course, growing up. Holling’s character changes and matures throughout the story, finding himself and realizing he’s stronger than he thought he was. One of the most emotional themes in the story was that of family. Holling realizes through the actions of his father and his relationship with his sister what family and love really means. Overall, this book is a well-written piece of historical fiction that tells the tale of Holling Hoodhood, a seventh grader during the 1960s, in a way that reflects the voices of seventh graders everywhere. It is seamless, interesting, and a great read to engage readers in a text that they can connect with and learn from in many different ways. Response This book was a gem! I enjoyed listening to it in audiobook format, with Joel Johnstone providing wonderful narration. I usually find myself “zoning out” during audiobooks, but Johnstone’s narration really made the story come to life. Seeing Holling’s relationships change over time was incredibly interesting and engaging. I especially loved the relationship between Holling and Mrs. Baker. When Holling describes Lieutenant Baker’s return at the end of the story, I found tears in my eyes, as I did when Mrs. Baker took Holling around their town and showed him the landmarks in a way he had never seen them before. This story touched on so many feelings, emotions, and stages of growing up. I couldn’t help but love it! This is a title I will recommend for years to come! Honors 2008 Newbery Honor Book Reviews “Johnstone brings to life one of the most endearing characters to come along in some time. Holling Hoodhood is starting seventh grade in 1967. It is a time of change, not just for Holling as he begins his journey into adolescence, but for the world around him as well. The war in Vietnam is raging and the deaths of Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy hang heavy on the American consciousness by the end of the school year. And for Holling, the world of nascent relationships lies before him, not to mention, baseball, camping and the constant excitement, wonder and terror of being 11 at such a volatile time. Johnstone's first-person narration perfectly captures Holling's progression from an angst-filled yet innocent boy, to a wiser, self-aware young man. His reading is touching, funny and insightful; he manages to bring the listener back to a time—real or nostalgically re-imagined, at least—when the crack of a bat against a ball in Yankee Stadium or sharing a Coke with a girl at the Woolworth's counter was all any boy could want. This is a lovely, heartfelt novel, read with as much care as the author used to create it.” – Publishers Weekly, starred review (audiobook) “On Wednesday afternoons, while his Catholic and Jewish schoolmates attend religious instruction, Holling Hoodhood, the only Presbyterian in his seventh grade, is alone in the classroom with his teacher, Mrs. Baker, who Holling is convinced hates his guts. He feels more certain after Mrs. Baker assigns Shakespeare's plays for Holling to discuss during their shared afternoons. Each month in Holling's tumultuous seventh-grade year is a chapter in this quietly powerful coming-of-age novel set in suburban Long Island during the late '60s. The slow start may deter some readers, and Mrs. Baker is too good to be true: she arranges a meeting between Holling and the New York Yankees, brokers a deal to save a student's father's architectural firm, and, after revealing her past as an Olympic runner, coaches Holling to the varsity cross-country team. However, Schmidt, whose Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy (2005) was named both a Printz and a Newbery Honor Book, makes the implausible believable and the everyday momentous. Seamlessly, he knits together the story's themes: the cultural uproar of the '60s, the internal uproar of early adolescence, and the timeless wisdom of Shakespeare's words. Holling's unwavering, distinctive voice offers a gentle, hopeful, moving story of a boy who, with the right help, learns to stretch beyond the limitations of his family, his violent times, and his fear, as he leaps into his future with his eyes and his heart wide open.” – Booklist, starred review (audiobook) Connections
Other Notable Books by Gary D. Schmidt
Bibliography Schlitz, Laura A. 2015. The Hired Girl. Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press. ISBN 9780763678180 Plot Summary Joan Skraggs, a fourteen-year-old farm girl in Pennsylvania dreams of a better life. After her mother passes away, Joan is left to care for her insensitive and slovenly father and brothers. She does all the work without even a thank you, let alone any pay. Joan finds herself escaping through books, which her father burns as punishment, forcing Joan to make a dramatic choice about her future. Surely life as a hired girl for six dollars a week is better than the life she is destined to on the farm! So, she runs away, lies about her age, and becomes the new hired girl in a Jewish household in an upscale Baltimore neighborhood. Joan must learn to navigate her newfound home, the culture within it, and her changing attitudes and feelings as she grows up to become a young woman. Joan tells her story through her journal, giving the reader and inside look at her thoughts, feelings, and heart, as she writes about her life as the hired girl. Critical Analysis The Hired Girl, from Newbery medalist, Laura Amy Schlitz, follows the life of fourteen-year-old Joan Skaggs through her journal over the summer of 1911. Joan longs to educate herself and make a better life than what she had on her family’s farm in rural Pennsylvania. After a confrontation with her father, which results in the burning of her beloved books, Joan makes the dramatic decision to leave home and run away to be a hired girl. Readers will identify with Joan’s desire to make a better life for herself and follow her dreams. Joan’s character traits, along with her true-to-life emotions, makes her vividly real to the reader. Throughout Joan’s journal, the reader is able to see her becoming a young woman. Her thoughts, attitudes, and ideas mature and change throughout the book. The other characters in the book, although minor to Joan, play a major part in the development and realism of her character. The Rosenbachs, the Jewish family who hire Joan, influence her to better herself, grow up, and force her to face some of the harsh realities of the times. Malka, the cranky, old house maid she is hired to help, even plays a major role in Joan discovering and bettering herself. Even though the characters are from another time and may be from a culture unfamiliar to readers, Schlitz does an excellent job of describing their traits, clothing, and attitudes, as well as using authentic dialog that supports their realism. From Joan’s rural Pennsylvania farm, to the lavish home of the Rosenbachs, Schlitz does a wonderful job of creating vivid imagery that makes the setting come to life. The activities, social functions, and cultural expectations add to this imagery. Joan’s journal, and the plot of the story, are not too complex but are able to deftly deal with some major themes and social conflicts of the time. Joan’s naiveté, intelligence, and wit are well written and the dialog between characters reflects the cultures and traditions within the story. The Jewish culture plays a major role in the book. Schlitz does a wonderful job of using Jewish sayings, Hebrew words, and describing Jewish customs through Joan’s voice in a way that is realistic, yet easily understood by the reader. She avoids stereotyping, and does a remarkable job of describing the way Jewish people were treated during this period in American history. Joan learns about anti-Semitism, and sees it reflected through the culture of her own religion. This book explores different religions and viewpoints respectfully, providing a historical background for the feelings of each. The themes of this book are deep, yet easily recognized, throughout the story. One of the major themes is that of growing up and following your heart. Joan experiences this as she steps out in the world and makes a life for herself. She also encourages this in the other characters in the story, especially in her encouragement of the two Rosenbach sons to follow their dreams and stand up for themselves. Another theme that readers will engage with is the persecution and oppression of those who are poor or different. The anti-Semitism discussed in the book, along with the working class conditions of time, will help readers reflect on the current social and cultural climates in which we are living. The theme of the importance of education resonates throughout the book, as well. Joan’s desire to read, learn, and become a teacher, along with Mr. Rosenbach’s encouragement of his own children and his building/founding of a new school in Baltimore bring to light the importance education has in overcoming social and class barriers. This book accurately portrays the social and cultural conditions of the early 1900’s and is written in a way that reflects the voice of the people during that time. The characters are easy to identify with and root for, and all of this is woven together in a rich, engaging story that will leave you satisfied and happy for all of the characters and their outcomes. This wonderful piece of historical fiction is sure to be an instant favorite with young adult and adult readers alike! Response The characters in this story are so well written and engaging! As a reader, I found myself instantly sympathizing with Joan and rooting for her to escape and make a better life for herself. Each member of the Rosenbach family was memorable, well-developed, and added to the fabric of the story. And, of course, dear old Malka, the elderly housemaid, as grumpy as she was, could not help but be loved as she began to care for and mentor Joan. One of my favorite aspects of the book, besides the history behind it, was that it centered on Joan bettering herself. What a great theme for readers of all ages! Joan’s determination and intense desire to create the life her mother dreamed she would have is touching, engaging, and admirable. Joan makes mistakes and learns, she grows up, and she makes herself a better person. What’s not to love about that? The journal format of the story makes it easy to read and provides an insight to the thoughts, feelings, and heart of Joan. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and could not put it down! Honors 2016 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction 2016 Association of Jewish Libraries Sydney Taylor Award Winner 2016 National Jewish Book Award for Children’s and Young Adult Literature Reviews “Written as a diary, the first-person narrative brings immediacy to Joan’s story and intimacy to her confessions and revelations. The distinctive household setting and the many secondary characters are well developed, while Joan comes alive on the page as a vulnerable, good-hearted, and sometimes painfully self-aware character struggling to find her place in the world. A memorable novel from a captivating storyteller.” – Booklist, starred review “The diary format allows Joan's romantic tendencies full rein, as well as narrative latitude for a few highly improbable scenarios and wildly silly passion. Tons of period details, especially about clothing, round out a highly satisfying and smart breast-clutcher from this Newbery-winning author.” – Kirkus Reviews, starred review “The book is framed as Joan’s diary, and her weaknesses, foibles, and naiveté come through as clearly—and as frequently—as her hopes, dreams, and aspirations...by the end readers feel as if they’ve witnessed the real, authentic growth of a memorable young woman.” – The Horn Book, starred review “Coming-of-age drama and deeper questions of faith, belonging, and womanhood are balanced with just the right blend of humor. A wonderful look into the life of strong girl who learns that she needs the love of others to truly grow up.” – School Library Journal, starred review “An enlightening portrayal of a young girl’s struggle to assert herself at a time when women’s rights were just beginning to be established...Joan’s strength and determination, despite the expectations of a young woman’s attitude and behavior at the time, are inspiring to young readers. Readers of all ages will find her an appealing heroine.” – VOYA Connections
Other Notable Books by Laura Amy Schlitz
Bibliography Cushman, Karen. 1995. The Midwife’s Apprentice. New York: Sandpiper. ISBN 9780547722177 Plot Summary A young homeless girl, known only as Brat, finds herself without a family, home, or future in medieval England. She is hopeless until one day she stumbles upon the ill-tempered midwife, Jane, and finds herself thrust into a world she knows nothing about; being a midwife’s apprentice. As Brat’s fortune changes, she finds confidence and a new name, Alyce, as well as the courage to dream of something more for herself. Her dream of “a full belly, a contented heart, and a place in this world,” set against the colorful backdrop of an English village, will tug at your heartstrings, make you laugh, and bring a tear to your eye as Alyce finds exactly what she dreams of. Critical Analysis The first feature of this story that draws the reader in is the main character, Brat. Brat finds herself staying warm in a pile of manure, avoiding the teasing and torture of the village children, and eating whatever scraps she can find. She is an orphan who has no memory of her mother or where she came from. This realization is startling to the reader. How can a child this young live on his/her own without shelter, food, and care?! You feel an instant protection over Brat, who becomes known as Beetle, when the midwife takes her under her wing. The reader sees Beetle enjoying childlike activities, making friends with a cat, and doing whatever it takes to make Jane the midwife happy so that her survival can continue. The development of Beetle’s character as she becomes Alyce (the new name she chooses for herself), demonstrates the theme of growing up, finding yourself, and beginning to think for yourself, as well. Readers can relate to Brat/Beetle/Alyce, and root for her to succeed and find her way. The story takes place in medieval England in an ordinary village. The dialect, language, jobs, living conditions, and clothing are all authentic to the time period. Cushman includes a note at the end discussing midwifery in medieval England, demonstrating her research and commitment to accurately portraying Brat/Beetle/Alyce’s situation and living conditions. Even though the story takes place in a time that may be unfamiliar with most readers, Cushman does an excellent job of using vivid imagery to bring the scene to life. The characters, setting, and events are all described with detail, creating a fictional atmosphere that pulls the reader in and immerses them in the sights, smells, and sounds of the village. The underlying themes of the story will be familiar and relevant to readers of all ages. Alyce’s struggle to find her place in the world and realize her dreams is relatable and admirable. Her struggle to achieve this creates an emotional bond with the reader, who may feel an almost protectiveness over the character. Alyce’s desire to be valued is a trait that most readers will relate to, and one that makes her that much more realistic. The balance of fact and fiction, the vivid and engaging portrayal of Alyce (and all the characters), as well as the detailed medieval imagery create a work of historical fiction that easily captivates readers and has them hoping and dreaming alongside Alyce. Response This book truly captivated me! From the first paragraph to the last, I felt an intense engagement with the character of Brat/Beetle/Alyce. Her character was well developed and reflected a childlike innocence, paired with an immense amount of bravery and determination. Alyce’s character also called to me with her “cheekiness,” (e.g. creating the Devil tracks) and her fierce loyalty to those she cared for. The setting was vivid and memorable, as was the plot of the story. I truly rooted for Alyce to find her place and succeed in her hopes and dreams. The author’s note at the end confirmed the authenticity of the story, as did my research into the author’s background. Cushman is known for her excellent works of historical fiction and this book meets the mark, as well. This is an excellent read with a wonderful balance of history and fiction! Honors Newbery Medal ALA Best Book for Young Adults ALA Notable Book for Children Booklist Editors' Choice Horn Book Fanfare Selection School Library Journal, Best Books of the Year ALA Best Book for Young Adults Hungry Mind Review Book of Distinction Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts Not Just For Children Anymore! Selection (CBC) Parenting Magazine Reading Magic Awards Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Readers Choice Award Short List Parents' Choice Gold Award American Bookseller "Pick of the Lists" New York Public Library, 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing ABC Children's Booksellers Choice Award NYPL Books for the Teen Age List Reviews "This novel is about a strong, young woman in medieval England who finds her own way home. ... Kids will be caught up in this short, fast-paced narrative about a hero who discovers that she's not ugly or stupid or alone." -- Booklist, starred review "With simplicity, wit, and humor, Cushman presents another tale of medieval England. Here readers follow the satisfying, literal and figurative journey of a homeless, nameless child called Brat. ... Earthy humor, the foibles of humans both high and low, and a fascinating mix of superstition and genuinely helpful herbal remedies attached to childbirth make this a truly delightful introduction to a world seldom seen in children's literature." -- School Library Journal, starred review “Having focused on a well-born young heroine in her Newbery Honor debut novel, Catherine, Called Birdy, Cushman returns to a similar medieval English setting, this time to imagine how the other half lived. The strengths of this new, relatively brief novel match those of its predecessor: Cushman has an almost unrivaled ability to build atmosphere, and her evocation of a medieval village, if not scholarly in its authenticity, is supremely colorful and pungent. The protagonist here first appears asleep in a heap of dung; the "rotting and moiling" of the refuse give forth heat enough to compensate for the stench. Homeless and nameless, she can remember no time when she did not wander from village to village. She is rescued from the dung heap by a sharp-tongued local midwife, who feeds her in exchange for work. Gradually the girl forges an identity for herself and learns some timeless truths.” – Publisher’s Weekly Connections
Other Notable Titles by Karen Cushman
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AuthorMy name is Mrs. Scott and I'm a secondary Media Resource Specialist (librarian) in Texas. This blog was created as part of my graduate coursework at Texas Woman's University. All reviews and opinions are my own.
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