First Part Last

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Johnson, Angela. 2003. THE FIRST PART LAST. New York, New York: Simon & Schuster.

ISBN 0689849222

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Bobby is a young man who likes to spend time skipping school, going to the movies and hanging out with his two best friends. On Bobby’s sixteenth birthday, his girlfriend Nia informs him that she is pregnant. With pressure from their parents, Bobby and Nia decide to give the baby up for adoption, but before the adoption takes place, tragedy strikes Nia, and Bobby finds himself keeping their baby girl Feather, and raising her on his own.

3. CRITICAL ANALSYSIS

In the First Part Last, the readers will feel and hear the story through the eyes of sixteen year old Bobby who has been told by his girlfriend Nia, that she is pregnant. Johnson has written this story with alternating chapters between “then” and “now”. The “then” chapters tells about Nia and Bobby’s struggles that the pregnancy presents and the difficult decision of putting their baby up for adoption due to the pressure put upon them by their parents. The “now” chapters are about Bobby’s struggle to raise his daughter, Feather, as a single parent due to a tragedy that takes Nia. These struggles include staying up at night and then having to go to school, bathing, feeding, changing diapers, and getting Feather to the babysitters on time. This story is written with sensitivity but the reality of teenage pregnancy and the obstacles, love and emotions that come with raising a child as a single parent.

The setting of this story takes place in Bobby’s childhood home and neighborhood in New York. The setting helps to set the tone of the story. Although Bobby comes from a home where his father owns his own restaurant and his mom is a photographer, Bobby still has some rough edges about him, for example when he defaces public property by drawing graffiti on a wall. Bobby does a lot of remembering back on his own childhood when he starts to experience things now as Feather’s father such as the nurse that he knew growing up helping him with feather when she is sick, and the babysitter he had growing up is now Feathers.

When reading this story of emotions and struggles the reader will clearly understand the theme which is accepting responsibilities and the true meaning of sacrifice.

The language can sometimes be rough, harsh and can describe issues that are more appropriate for older readers. The concept of the story can be a great way to start discussions on teenage pregnancy and the responsibilities and consequences that come along with it.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Publishers Weekly: “A 16-year-old tells the story of how he became a single dad. In a starred review of this companion to Heaven, PW said, "The author skillfully relates the hope in the midst of pain.”

School Library Journal: “In this lyrical novel, 16-year-old Bobby narrates his journey into teenage fatherhood, struggling to balance school, parenting, and friends who simply do not comprehend his new role and his breathtaking love for his daughter.” Winner of the 2004 SRT Coretta Scott King Author Award and the 2004 YALSA Michael L. Printz Award for literary excellence.

Voice of Youth Advocate: “This well-written book is not like anything that I've ever read before. It goes fast and has realistic fiction, romance, and suspense all in one. Most teen pregnancy books are about what the girl goes through, but this one is written from a different, exciting angle. Both girls and boys can read it.”

5. CONNECTION

Another book about a boy raising a child:

Bechard, Margaret. HANGING ON TO MAX. ISBN 9780689862687

Other books by Angela Johnson:

Johnson, Angela. HEAVEN. ISBN 9780689822902

Johnson, Anglea. IDREAM OF TRAINS. ISBN 9780689826092

Princess Academy

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hale, Shannon. 2005. PRINCESS ACADEMY. New York, New York: Bloomsbury Publishing.

ISBN 9781582349930

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Princess Academy is about a group of mountain girls who have been selected to attend the Princess Academy in order to learn the etiquettes and responsibilities of a princess. After learning these skills, the prince will choose the girl that graduates at the top of the academy to be his bride. Fourteen year old Miri, who has never been able to work in the quarry with the other members of her family will journey to the academy with the desire to learn everything she can and excel to the top so she can make her family proud, only to find that she will encounter bitter competition with the other girls along with her own inner conflict on whether or not she wants to be chosen as the prince’s bride. Feeling as though she is an outcast, Miri begins secretly experimenting with the mysterious language called, “quarry speech” that her people use while mining the linder stones. She will soon realize that this language can be used outside her village and will eventually help save the academy from a dangerous situation that Miri and the other students will be faced with.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This story takes place in a medieval setting that has a hint of magic sprinkled throughout but not enough that makes this world unrealistic. The magic is not overwhelming or unbelievable. It comes from the people of Mount Eskel and the mountain itself. The story is told from the viewpoint of Miri. Miri, who is the central character, along with other girls from her village are selected to attend a princess academy so they may be groomed to become the prince’s bride. There is a fierce competition between the girls that takes place leaving Miri feeling like an outcast. Through secretly experimenting with the “quarry speech” that her people use while working in the linder mines, Miri’s insecurities and adversities that she encounters will soon help her to evolve into the heroine of the story, find her inner strength and develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of her mountain culture. Several underlying themes are present in the story; loyalty, friendship, and choices that are made can affect others. These themes help set the tone and help the reader get a look into the characters themselves.

There is a hint of a love interest between Miri and Peder but it doesn’t develop into much. I think because this is a story geared toward older students, I would like to have seen this more developed, because it wasn’t I was a little disappointed and I think the older readers will be too.

Within the story Hale offers a bit of revelation which is “knowledge is a powerful tool.” She show this when Miri has come back from the academy and begins explaining to the villagers that the linder stones they have been mining and selling at low prices are actually very valuable to the lowlanders. She helps them to understand that their trading and selling potential will change their way of living and future for the better.

I think this book overall is a great book about the coming of age and I would recommend it to preteens, teenagers and adults. For those who may get deterred from reading this book because it has the word “Princess” in it, take a chance and read it anyways you will be surprised.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Horn Book Guide: “Hale's writing is clear and her descriptions vivid. Her imaginary world, peopled by strong yet vulnerable characters, is quietly memorable.”

Publisher’s Weekly: “Readers enchanted by Hale's Goose Girl are in for an experience that's a bit more earthbound in this latest fantasy-cum-tribute to girl-power.”

Voice of Youth Advocate: “Although many people who read this book will not have any connection to Miri's way of life (people usually don't tend goats high on a mountainside their whole lives), Hale's writing places you in the book, so you feel you can relate. The plot seems predictable, like any other book of its genre, but it has a twist that sets it apart and makes it all the more enjoyable.”

5. CONNECTION

Other books by author:

Hale, Shannon. THE GOOSE GIRL. ISBN 9781582349909

Hale, Shannon. ENNA BURNING. ISBN 9781582349060

Hale, Shannon. THE RIVER SECRETS. ISBN 9781582349015

Hale, Shannon. A BOOK OF A THOUSAND DAYS. ISBN 9781599900513

Artemis Fowl

1. BIBILIOGRPAHY

Colfer, Eoin. 2001. ARTEMIS FOWL. New York, New York: Hyperion Books for Children.

ISBN 0786808012

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Artemis Fowl is a twelve year-old boy who is both a genius and a criminal mastermind. He comes from a long line of criminals and is the heir of his father’s once billion dollar dynasty. He is technologically advanced and psychologically clever. His father has disappeared and is believed to be dead and his mother hallucinates and has become distraught. Although Artemis’s is still considered a millionaire he sets out to regain his dad’s once billion dollar status that has been lost since the his dad’s disappearance. To regain the money lost, Artemis demises a plan that includes the kidnapping of a fairy and holding her ransomed for an exchange of fairy gold. Knowing that fairies are bound by rules and guidelines from “the book,” Artemis thinks he has an impeccable plan that will be successful. The plan seems to be flawless but unknown to Artemis; he kidnaps a brazen fairy that isn’t one to mess with. When her comrades come to her rescue and stop following the fairy rules, Artemis’s plans are hurled into pandemonium leaving him to deal with devilish dwarfs, raging trolls and deadly bio-boms.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Artemis Fowl is a fantasy novel about a 12 years old criminal mastermind set out to restore his family’s billion dollar dynasty by kidnapping a fairy and asking for a ransom of fairy gold. The setting for this story is primarily set in Ireland at Fowl Manor and in the underworld land where the fairies escaped to, when humans took over the earth. Artemis is the protagonist and comes across as cold hearted with no emotional ties to anyone in the beginning of the story but by the end his character develops and begins showing guilt and compassion for his family. This is seen when Artemis is willing to part with half the fairy gold in exchange for a wish by Holly, to restore his mother’s sanity. The antagonist of this story is Captain Holly Short who is a feisty fairy and part is part of the LEP (Lower Element Police) and she has been abducted by Artemis Fowl. Although the story has a protagonist and antagonist there really isn’t a hero in this story that the reader can cling to by the end. Colfer makes it clear that the underlying themes are greed and the conflict between good and evil. Even though this conflict is throughout the story it never comes across as too intense. This book combines fantasy and science fiction elements giving readers a story that will keep them intrigued and wanting more. These elements include a criminal dwarf, angry troll, fairies and their use of mesmer ( magic used to entrance people), time stop(tool used to stop time using magic), bio-bomb (high tech bomb that kills living tissues and leaves everything else untouched) and many other fantastical elements that bring this story to life. For readers who like to decipher codes, they will notice that Colfer has created a chain of symbols that represent a code that can be cracked by using the website that is presented at the end of the book.

4. REVIEW EXCEPRT(S)

Library Journal: “The quirky characters and delightful humor of his latest work will undoubtedly delight American readers as well.”

Booklist: “The result is sheer mayhem, laced with high technology and magical goings-on. Characterizations and dialogue enhance a rollicking tale that will have readers rolling on the floor and eagerly anticipating the planned sequel as well as the movie in the works for 2002.”

5. CONNECTION:

Colfer, Eoin. THE ARCTIC INCIDENT. ISBN 9780786851478

Colfer, Eoin. THE ETERNITY CODE. ISBN 0786819146

Colfer, Eoin. ARTEMIS FOWL (THE OPAL DECEPTION). ISBN 9781423103998

Colfer, Eoin. THE LOST COLONY. ISBN 0786849568

Colfer, Eoin. THE TIME PARDOX. ISBN 9781423108368

The Barn

1. BIBILIOGRAPHY

Avi. 1994. THE BARN. New York, New York: Orchard Books. ISBN 0531087115

2. PLOT SUMMARY

The Barn is set in 1855. 9year-old Ben has been brought home to help his sister Nettie and brother Harrison to manage their homestead due to their father becoming incapacitated with “palsy.” Ben believes that building the barn that his dad had once dreamed of will be the key to his recovery. Ben must persuade Nettie and Harrison to help construct the barn and to give it as a gift to their father. Together they will accomplish things that they thought were impossible.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

“The Barn” is a historical fiction that takes place in the Oregon territory in 1855. It is a heartwarming story that is about perseverance and what it means to be a part of a family unit. The protagonist of the story is Ben, a 9year-old boy that has been sent to boarding school because of his above intelligence and must come home early due to his father being stricken down by “palsy.” Avi writes this story through the eyes of Ben who is the narrator throughout. His point of view can sometimes be heart wrenching and shows emotions that anyone who has had to deal with a parent that is immobile can relate to. Example of this is when Ben says, “What shame I felt that he should be like a baby to me, who was his youngest son.”

Avi clearly depicts the era by describing the demands of pioneer life and the challenges that the three siblings must face in order to keep their homestead- fixing the house, chopping wood, plowing the fields, planting crops, breaking dirt clods with an ax, and taking care of a father who can’t move and is dying.

The one drawback of this book is too much time is spent on describing the building of the barn, which I think could lose the reader’s interest.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Publisher’s Weekly: "This austere tale set in 1855 tells how the children of Oregon settlers are left to fend for themselves on the frontier," said PW, noting that "it will gratify those who seek a quiet, contemplative read." Ages 8-12.

Kirkus Review: “Ben's spare narrative is lovingly honed, the interaction of the characters drawn with sensitivity and skill. A small, quiet book that may appeal to perceptive readers.”

School Library Journal: “This novel may not have the wide appeal of some of Avi's earlier titles, but it is a thought-provoking and engaging piece of historical fiction.”

5. CONNECTION

Other books by Avi:

Avi. THE ESCAPE FROM HOME (BEYOND THE WESTERN SEA I). ISBN9780380728756

Avi. LORD KiRKLE’S MONEY (BEYOND THE WESTERN SEA II). ISBN 978038728763

Avi. THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF CHARLOTTE DOYLE. ISBN 9780380728855

Elijah of Buxton

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Curtis, Paul Christopher. 2007. ELIJAH OF BUXTON. New York, New York: Scholastic Inc.

ISBN 0439023440

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Elijah Freeman is the first child born into freedom in Buxton, Canada. Buxton is a safe haven for runaway slaves where they can rule themselves and are away from the abomination of slavery that is just across the border in Detroit. This story begins in 1859 when Elijah Freeman is eleven years old and has only known the comfort of freedom where he spends the majority of his time doing chores, fishing, playing and going to school. He spends a lot of time trying to convince his parents and others that he is grown-up but to no avail until a tragic incident happens. Elijah is thrown into a dangerous journey when his friend, Mr. Leroy loses the money he has saved to purchase his family from a slave owner, to the town preacher who is crooked. Elijah must venture over the border where slavery is still present to recover the money. This perilous journey will thrust Elijah into a world that is cruel and full of prejudice that he has never known before.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Elijah of Buxton is a Newberry Honor Book that includes humor, suspense, and heartache. Curtis has written this story in a first person narrative, through the youthful voice of eleven year old, Elijah Freeman. He built this story around elements of realism including the community of Buxton which was actually established in 1849 for runaway slaves, the abuse of slaves, and the separation of families The dialect used captures the true language of the time period and therefore sets the tone beautifully throughout the story. Example of the dialect include when Elijah’s pa is explaining to him that the joke he pulled on his ma will be dealt with when he tells him, Pa said, “ Past a wart or two, I don’t think the toady-frog’s gunn cause you no grieving. But your ma…” He whistled low and long, “ she’s a whole ‘nother story.”

Curtis begins this story by setting a carefree approach by explaining Elijah Freeman’s life of freedom by fishing, doing chores, playing and going to school and church. Elijah has never known slavery because he was the first child born into freedom in Buxton, Canada. Due to the fact that Elijah has never grown up in slavery, he does not appreciate the hardships and cruelty that his family and neighbors have had to overcome for their freedom. With his mom calling him “fragile” because he cries all the time, Elijah has a hard time convincing everyone that he is grown up. As the story becomes more involved, Curtis begins to change the carefree tone to a darker mood as the crooked preacher steals money that was to be used to purchase Mr. Leroy’s family from slavery. Elijah is kidnapped by Mr. Leroy and begins a dangerous journey that will begin his climb to maturity and reveal the brutality of slavery. Curtis does not sugarcoat slavery but addresses it through Elijah’s point of view, “ But now I could see our playing didn’t have anything to do with the truth. I could see how it was a whole lot harder when things were real and you had to worry ‘bout shotguns and chains and coughing little babies and crying folks without no clothes.” The ending is very powerful and uplifting but may be disturbing to younger readers due to the violent and somewhat graphic subject matter but for older readers it will keep them on the edge of their seats wanting more. The author’s note at the end will provide readers with more information on the authentic Buxton settlement and its establishment. This book is a great tool to use when studying slavery and freedom.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Voice of Youth Advocate: “A fascinating portrayal of history, a strong first-person narrative, and a most remarkable main character make this work perhaps the author's finest to date.”-

Booklist: “Central to the story, these scenes show an emotional range and a subtlety unusual in children's fiction. Many readers drawn to the book by humor will find themselves at times on the edges of their seats in suspense and, at other moments, moved to tears. A fine, original novel from a gifted storyteller.”

5. CONNECTION

Other books to read:

Curtis, Paul Christopher. THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINHAM. ISBN 9780440228004

Curtis, Paul Christopher. BUD, NOT BUDDY. ISBN 9780553494105

Number the Stars

1. BIOGRAPHY

Lowry, Lois. 1989. NUMBER THE STARS. New York, New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0395510600

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Number the Stars is Lois Lowry’s first Newberry Award. It is set back in 1943 during the German occupation of Denmark. Annemarie Johansen lives in Denmark along with her best friend Ellen Rosen, who is Jewish. During this time, political tension begins to escalate and Annemarie’s parents take Ellen in as one of their daughters in order to protect her until her parents can get her to safety. Annemarie’s mother takes both girls to visit her uncle who is a fisherman. Unknowing to Annemarie, her uncle has been working as part of a resistance group who takes Jews across the water to Sweden. As Annemarie’s uncle is about to pull out with Ellen and her family secretly hidden aboard, it is discovered that he has forgotten a handkerchief that is special to their mission, throwing Annemarie into a dangerous undertaking, she must bring the handkerchief to her uncle without being detected to save Ellen and her family.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The backdrop for this award winning story is set in 1943 in Copenhagen, Denmark during the presence of the Nazi soldiers. Throughout the story Lowry makes references about stars which help connect them to the title. Examples include when some of the Jewish community are at Annemarie’s uncle’s house and Peter opens the bible and reads a comforting verse that reads,

“It is he who heals the broken spirit and binds up their wounds, he who number the stars one by one.” Annemarie doesn’t understand this but as time goes on she helps save Jews one by one. It also talks about Annemarie’s promise of keeping Ellen’s Star of David necklace upon her return. Lowry does an excellent job in writing a simple but historical fiction that emphasizes the humanistic concept of what courage and bravery is all about. This underlining theme can easily be identified by readers of all ages. Lowry shows that ordinary people can become heroes whether they are adults or children in a time when warfare is prevalent.

Although Number the Stars is considered fiction there are some fascinating facts sprinkled throughout that Lowry has used to make this story have realism to it. Some of these facts include the shortage of food and electricity, bombings and blackouts, unnecessary killings, Danes sinking their whole navy so that the Germans couldn’t use them to the scientist working on a solution that temporarily hid the scent of hidden passengers from the German dogs. With the combination of facts, fiction, secrets and surprises throughout the story, the reader will stay engaged and enlightened until the end.

Lowry closes the book with an “Afterword” chapter that provides the reader with an explanation on which information in the book was fact and which was fiction. When reading this book, readers will need to have background on the Holocaust and World WarII to get a clear understanding of the significance of the treatment of the Jews and the control the Germans had.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

School Library Journal: “The gripping story of a ten-year-old Danish girl and her family's courageous efforts to smuggle Jews out of their Nazi-occupied homeland to safety in Sweden. Readers are taken to the very heart of Annemarie's experience, and, through her eyes, come to understand the true meaning of bravery.” (Mar. 1989)

5. CONNECTION

Discuss what point of view is with students. Then have students take a character and write what their point of view is with a certain moment in the book.

Examples: Point of view of Mrs. Johansen when Annemarie leaves to take the handkerchief to

the uncle.

Point of view of Annemarie or Ellen when the soldiers barge in their room at night.

Point of view of the Uncle before Annemarie brings the handkerchief

Other related books:

Bordern,Louise. THE GREATEST SKATING RACE: A WORLD WAR II STORY FROM NETHERLANDS.

ISBN 9780689845024

Adler, A. David. WE REMEMBER THE HOLOCAUST. ISBN 0805037152

Abells, B. Chana. CHILDREN WE REMEMBER. ISBN 068806372

Bishop, Claire. TWENTY AND TEN. ISBN 0140310762

Roosevelt, Eleanor. ANNE FRANK: THE DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL. ISBN 9780553296983

The Snake Scientist

1. BIBILIOGRAPHY

Montgomery, Sy. 1999. THE SNAKE SCIENTIST. Photos by Nic Bishop. New York, New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0395871697

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Sy Montgomery’s book, “The Snake Scientist,” is about Bob Mason who is the recipient of the National Science Foundation Young Investigator Award. This book takes a closer look at Mason’s extraordinary study of a phenomenon that has been occurring for fifteen years in the forests of Manitoba, Canada. This phenomenon occurs each spring when tens of thousands of non-poisonous red-sided garter snakes awaken from winter hibernation beneath the ground and come pouring out of these pits to create the world’s largest gathering of snakes.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Sy Montgomery is a well known naturalist, newspaper columnist, documentary scriptwriter and an award winning author who has written both adult and children books. To help write “The Snake Scientist, Montgomery and Bishop were able to be a part and observe Dr. Mason’s field study that was conducted on the red-sided snakes. This book takes readers to the snake dens in Manitoba, Canada where Dr. Mason and his team of scientist conduct experiments that include weighing, measuring marking and observing the red-sided snakes in their natural habitat. Montgomery has written this book in a way that is simple but full of interesting facts that will keep the reader wanting to learn more. The photographs that Nic Bishop provides are clear and compliment the text which helps create a book that any nature lover will love. Montgomery explains about the research being conducted and how these snakes are providing information about pheromones and chemicals that are in their bodies and how they relate to humans pheromones and chemicals and how they affect how people behave through the research of these snakes. Although there is a lot of information coming from these experiments, Montgomery has provided a list in the back of the book of unsolved mysteries that Mason and his teams are still trying to solve that will spark the curiosity of readers. She has also provided information on the location of the Narcisse snake dens along with contact information for anyone who interested in visiting these dens.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Horn Book Guide: “With a research topic whose kid appeal is hard to beat, this is a solid introduction to the ethos of experimental science as seen by a genial scientist. Bib., ind. Horn Rating: Superior, well above average.”

School Library Journal: “Gr 5-8-The excitement of science in action fills the pages of these two books. Montgomery focuses on one man and his research on the red-sided garter snake in Canada.”

Booklist: “Gr. 4^-6. Montgomery, author of several animal studies for adults, tries her hand at one for children and accomplishes the task with great success. Her dual focus is on Oregon zoologist Bob Mason, known as the "Snake Scientist," and on one of his favorite subjects, the red-sided garter snake.”

5. CONNECTION

Other books by author Sy Montgomery:

Montgomery, Sy. THE TARANTULA SCIENTIST. ISBN 9780618915774

Montgomery, Sy. QUEST FOR THE TREE KANGAROO: AN EXPEDITION TO THE CLOUD FOREST OF NEW GUINEA. ISBN 9780618496419

Montgomery, Sy. THE GOOD GOOD PIG: THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF CHRISTOPHER HOGWOOD. ISBN 9780345496096

Montgomery, Sy. THE MAN-EATING TIGERS OF SUNDARBANS. ISBN 9780618494903