THE BOOK THIEF by Marcus Zusak

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Zusak, Markus. 2006. THE BOOK THIEF. Performed by Allan Corduner. Alfred A. Knopf (Publisher): Australia. ISBN 978-0375842207.

PLOT SUMMARY

Liesel is a young girl who watches her younger brother die before her eyes and is given up for adoption to the Hubermans to never see or hear from her mother again. It is not only a tale about Liesel, it is a story about the lives of those around her, her adoptive parents, her friend Rudy, Max the Jewish son of World War I friend of Hans Huberman, and the mayor's wife, as well as all of the later dead people on Liesel's street in Mulching, Germany during the 1930s - '40s. It is about all the oppression and evil of Nazi Germany from the perspective a young girl, whose parents were Communists. The tale is narrated by the omniscient presence of Death, and chronicles Liesel's life from the train ride to the first book she steals and to the final one that Death gives back to her, which is the one that she wrote herself.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This is the most gripping and heartwrenching tales I have ever read or listened to. The tale is quite sad, however, as it should be given the horrible mass murder and oppression doled out by the Nazi Party and Hitler himself. Zusak masterfully captures the anxiety and feelings of dread permeating the citizens of Germany at that time, especially those who had the misfortune of being Jewish. The friendship forged between unlikely characters both young and old brings a tear to the reader's eye. It is even more difficult to hold back the cascade of tears when the death of innocent friends and family members litter the pages like rubble after a bomb has been dropped. The reader cannot help but cry out at the injustice of it all, which reveals how masterfully Zusak has captured all of the elements of this time period and setting.

Corduner speaks with the voice of Death as if he is as timeless as the element itself. His raspy, deep voice unflinchingly describes the chaos and death within the pages. It reverberates through the ears all the way to the bones. I hear his voice when I envision the death of Rudy and Hans Huberman and his wife, as well as the march of the Jewish people through the streets of Mulching. Words are truly the most powerful form of weapon. Zusak's words and the manner in which they are delivered by Corduner haunts me...

BOOK EXCERPT(S)

2006 - Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best Book (South East Asia & South Pacific)

2006 - Horn Book Fanfare

2006 - Kirkus Reviews Editor Choice Award

2006 - School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

2006 - Daniel Elliott Peace Award

2006 - Publishers Weekly Best Children Book of the Year

2006 - Booklist Children Editors' Choice

2006 - Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book

2007 - ALA Best Books for Young Adults

2007 - Michael L. Printz Honor Book^[4]

2007 - Book Sense Book of the Year

2009 - Pacific Northwest Young Readers Choice Master List

"The Book Thief is unsettling and unsentimental, yet ultimately poetic. Its grimness and tragedy run through the reader's mind like a black-and-white movie, bereft of the colors of life. Zusak may not have lived under Nazi domination, but The Book Thief deserves a place on the same shelf with The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank and Elie Wiesel's Night. It seems poised to become a classic."
- USA Today
"Zusak doesn’t sugarcoat anything, but he makes his ostensibly gloomy subject bearable the same way Kurt Vonnegut did in Slaughterhouse-Five: with grim, darkly consoling humor.”
- Time Magazine
"Elegant, philosophical and moving...Beautiful and important."
- Kirkus Reviews, Starred"This hefty volume is an achievement...a challenging book in both length
and subject..." - Publisher's Weekly, Starred

CONNECTIONS

This book is definitely unsettling, but it does provide the reader with an accurate view of the evil and corruption of the past. Perhaps, it would be a good idea to have children write their own stories about their personal lives or just a fictional fantasy they dream up. Teachers and librarians could make a program where kids can do this and provide them with covers and binding materials to make their own books.
Other great books to read:
Lowry, Lois. THE GIVER. ISBN 978-0385732550
O'Dell, Scott. ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS. ISBN 978-0547328614
Zusak, Markus. I AM THE MESSENGER. ISBN 978-0375836671

RAPUNZEL'S REVENGE by Dean and Shannon Hale

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hale, Dean and Shannon. 2008. RAPUNZEL’SREVENGE. Ill by Nathan Hale. New York: Bloomsbury, U.S.A. ISBN 978-1599902883.

PLOT SUMMARY

The story of RAPUNZEL’S REVENGE revamps the traditional tale into a colorful and vivid tale with a western twist. Rapunzel begins her life in a beautiful Villa living with“Mother Gothel” who is actually an evil sorceress, and surrounded by servants and an imperviously high wall. When she meets her “real” mother expectantly one day outside of the villa, Rapunzel remembers the event of her kidnap by the evil witch. She chooses to rebel against her captor, who casts her into a magically made tall tree that resembles the traditional tall tower. As she escapes the tree by using her abnormally long hair as a lasso, Rapunzel begins her journey of revenge to save her mother and get back at the queen. She runs into a fellow outlaw and soon companion, Jack, who shares in her comical adventures along the way towards the ultimate goal of freeing all of the mine slaves.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This is a witty and sassy take on the traditional tale of RAPUNZEL. The authors create a heroine that doesn’t just remain docile while she is thrust into a tall tower to spend all of her waking days waiting until a gallant young prince arrives to save her. The Hales provide the audience with something more, adventure and courage. The young girl is quick on her feet and does not let such blatant wrongs as slavery and kidnap go unanswered. It offers all children, especially young girls with a positive role model and message that they should take charge, not letting men or old witches decide their fates.

The fantastic art by Nathan Hale (no relation, by the way, to the authors) is amazing and eye catching! The only problem with the art is it takes longer to read the novel because the reader is consumed with looking at all of the masterful drawings. Some of the word bubbles are also hard to follow due to the fact that one cannot tell sometimes where the conversation begins and ends. The caricatures pair perfectly with the jaunty storyline!

BOOK EXCERPT(S)

2009 Leah Adezio Award for Most Kid-Friendly Work

ALA Notable Children’s Book

Cybils Award

Indiebound Next Pick

YALSA Great Graphic Novel for Teens

YALSA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults

“The dialogue is witty, the story is an enticing departure from the original, and the illustrations are magically fun and expressive. Knowing that there are more graphic novels to come from this writing team brings readers their own happily-ever-after.” – School Library Journal

“Hale’s art matches the story well, yielding expressive characters and lending a wonderful sense of place to the fantasy landscape. Rich with humor and excitement, this is an alternate version of a classic that will become a fast favorite of young readers.” - Booklist

CONNECTIONS

Educators and librarians should focus a month or a few class times on the artistry and literary mastery of graphic novels. Perhaps children could pair up together having one write the story and the other draw the cartoons to go with it.

Other great graphic novels:

Hale, Dean and Shannon. CALAMITY JACK. ISBN 978-1599903736

Kibuishi, Kazu. THE STONEKEEPER (AMULET, BOOK 1). ISBN 978-0439846813

George, Jessica Day. TUESDAYS AT THE CASTLE. ISBN 978-1599906447

THE GRAVEYARD BOOK by Neil Gaiman

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Gaiman, Neil. 2009. THE GRAVEYARD BOOK. Illustrated by Claire Rickfield.Voice by Neil Gaiman. Harpercollins: new York. ISBN 978-0060530945.

PLOT SUMMARY

The story begins in an unlikely night, where a baby boy is able to not only get out of his crib, but to crawl down the streets of London to a nearby cemetery. While the child is able to elude his own murder at the hands of the man Jack, thanks in large part to two ghosts (Mr. and Mrs. Owens) and a guardian, Nobody Owens spends the rest of his childhood in the protection of the graveyard. He is able to maneuver through the graveyard like a ghost, fading and slipping through the walls of crypts. Bod, as he is called by his ghostly friends grows and learns with the help of the ghosts around him. He does make a human friend named Scarlett, who discovers the wonders of the hidden parts of the graveyard when they are very young, and returns later to help him vanquish the Jacks who wish to do him harm. His enemies inevitably find young Bod, and attempt to kill him so that he does not fulfill the ancient prophesy that states he will be the ruin of the brotherhood of Jacks of All Trades. His guardian, Silus along with a few others seek to help Bod in his destiny. In the end, Bod cannot remain living in the graveyard when he reaches adulthood, and he says a tearful goodbye to his ghostly friends and family to venture out into the world.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The story focuses on the eccentric life of a young boy growing up in the craziest of all settings, a graveyard. Neil Gaiman artfully crafts a tale that pulls at the heart strings and causes one to laugh at the sweet innocence of childhood. The tale is told from a third party perspective, however, the feelings and thoughts plaguing the main character are recited in the careless tone of an adolescent boy. The setting is the central focus of the tale, and the plot is the background noise. Gaiman describes the various aspects in a graveyard: a ghoul gate, those buried in unconsecrated ground, and the buried treasure of an ancient people. The adventures of bod within the graveyard and even outside of it (like in school or at the pawn shop) are more of the focus in the tale than the major plot, which is the murder of his family and the hunt for him to finish what they started so many years before.

Gaiman’s morbid setting is oddly fanciful and fun-loving. It sweeps the reader into a story of adventure and fantasy, as opposed to the expected prose of death and sadness. It just goes to show that books are not always what they appear to be. While the cover and title itself exudes a tale of morbidity, there is actually much more about family, friendship, help in time of need, and sticking up for others and yourself in the face of danger. It is truly a remarkable tale!

Gaiman’s voice is perfectly crafted for narrating this somber setting and fantastical characters. He is able to easily switch character voices without much effort. The story would not be the same without hearing his rendition. Also, the music played at the beginning and ending of each disc effectively aids the transition and is quite enjoyable to hear when reading a book that is playfully morose as this one.

BOOK EXCERPT(S)

Winner of 2009 Odyssey award for excellence in audiobook production

“His voice ranges from silky to gravelly and gruff to sharp-edged. Those who enjoyed Gaiman's Coraline (HarperCollins, 2002) will be eager to hear his inspired reading of this novel.”Booklist

“THE GRAVEYARD BOOK, by turns exciting and witty, sinister and tender, shows Gaiman at the top of his form. In this novel of wonder, Neil Gaiman follows in the footsteps of long-ago storytellers, weaving a tale of unforgettable enchantment.” New York Times Book Review

“Like a bite of dark Halloween chocolate, this novel proves rich, bittersweet and very satisfying.” Washington Post

“Wistful, witty, wise—and creepy. This needs to be read by anyone who is or has ever been a child.” Kirkus Reviews

CONNECTIONS

It is a wonderful book to engage children in the differences and wonder of the fantasy genre. Perhaps, the educator could introduce other similarly quirky books to open up the eyes of young readers to alternate settings that are at once familiar to them as places they have seen, yet have never given much thought to discussing. They could even look at pictures of places throughout town that are mysterious, like broken down buildings, cemeteries, and old churches, and write a small fantasized tale.

Other great books by neil gaiman:

Gaiman, Neil. Neverwhere. Isbn 978-0060557812

Gaiman, Neil. Stardust. Isbn 978-0061689246

Gaiman, Neil. AMERICAN GODS: A NOVEL. ISBN 978-0060558123

THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE by Jacqueline Kelly

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Kelly, Jacqueline. THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE. 2009. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company. ISBN 978-0312659301

PLOT SUMMARY

Calpurnia Tate or Callie Vee is eleven years old and the only girl of seven children. She lives on a wealthy cotton and pecan farm in Texas during 1899, where they have learned to master the dark but have yet to master the heat. While her mother is set on teaching Callie Vee how to be an adequate lady in the fine art of cooking, cleaning, household management, and piano playing, Calpurnia wishes to explore the nature that surrounds her. Her cantankerous old grandfather is her accomplice in her secret exploration, smuggling out the banned book by Darwin, The Origin of Species. As she navigates her life through her tight-knit family and her want to not be a “lady,” Calpurnia finds that life is what one makes of it. She learns what it is to be a young girl during the Turn of the Century.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Jacqueline Kelly writes an amazingly witty and crisp take on the life of a young girl in the South during the 1800s. She paints a surprisingly conspiratorial pair of Calpurnia and her grandfather that effectively bridges a generational gap through the shared love of the outdoors. While Grandfather Walter Tate is obviously the educator and she the apprentice, he learns just as much from her as she does from him. The conversations, misconceptions, and resolutions are perfectly intertwined with the beautiful learning and personal growth of a young girl in a rustic setting. Kelly accurately captures the feel and visions of steaming Texas heat and the forced mannerisms of a genteel, southern lady.

Small and enjoyable snippets from Darwin’s The Origins of Species provide a visible parallel between the instructive text and the idealism of young Calpurnia. Her inquisitive nature and the social trappings of the period cause an internal conflict in the novel that surpasses the characters themselves. In the form of rebellion and a pinch of feminism, Kelly reveals the impending change brought on by the industrial revolution and the feminist movement.

The jacket of the book pairs perfectly with the yellow, dry grass of the Texas frontier, and contrasts well with the shadowed profile of a young girl in an apron surrounded by bugs and wildlife. The vines creep around the edges seemingly attempting to engulf the child carrying the bug net. It is a truly masterful work of art capturing the naturalistic tone and the era preceding the industrial boom.

BOOK EXCERPT(S)

IRA Children's Book Award

IRA Teachers' Choices

Newbery Honor BookChicago Public Library Best of the Best

Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Choice Award Master List

North Carolina Young Adult Book Award

Texas Lone Star Reading List

TN YA Volunteer State Book Award ML

Vermont Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award Master List

“The book ends with uncertainty over Callie's future, but there's no uncertainty over the achievement of Kelly's debut novel.” — School Library Journal

“Interwoven with the scientific theme are threads of daily life in a large family—the bonds with siblings, the conversations overheard, the unspoken understandings and misunderstandings—all told with wry humor and a sharp eye for details that bring the characters and the setting to life. The eye-catching jacket art, which silhouettes Callie and images from nature against a yellow background, is true to the period and the story. Many readers will hope for a sequel to this engaging, satisfying first novel.” – Booklist

“The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is the most delightful historical novel for tweens in many, many years. . . . Callie’s struggles to find a place in the world where she’ll be encouraged in the gawky joys of intellectual curiosity are fresh, funny, and poignant today.”—The New Yorker

“In her debut novel, Jacqueline Kelly brings to vivid life a boisterous small-town family at the dawn of a new century. And she especially shines in her depiction of the natural world that so intrigues Callie . . . Readers will want to crank up the A.C. before cracking the cover, though. That first chapter packs a lot of summer heat.”—The Washington Post

CONNECTIONS

This is an excellent book to inspire children to explore nature and the conventions of the past.

Other books that would be great for inspiration and conversation:

Vanderpool, Claire. MOON OVER MANIFEST. ISBN 978-0375858291

Lai, Thanhha. INSIDE OUT AND BACK AGAIN. ISBN 978-0061962783

Gantos, Jack. DEAD END IN NORVELT. ISBN 978-0374379933

MATILDA BONE by Karen Cushman

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Cushman, Karen. MATILDA BONE. 2000. New York, NY; Clarion Books. ISBN 978-0440418221

PLOT SUMMARY

Thirteen year old Matilda Bone is brought up in a life of ease within a manor on the hilltop. She is, however, abandoned by Father Leufredus who has educated her in piety and scholarly works to survive in the lower recesses of society. Red Peg becomes her guardian, so to speak. She is the local bone setter and Matilda becomes her assistant. Matilda is forced to do manual labor in exchange for shelter and food. While Matilda believes she is above all of this crude living, she learns to her chagrin that those around her she views with contempt are far superior to those she adored in her studies in high society. Although the tale is in a questioning note of uncertainty, Matilda has visibly grown as character and developed a deeper understanding of the world. She is able to face the future, whatever that might entail.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The story is not so much about a young girl thrust into an unknown and seedy underbelly of society in the 14^th century. It is more about the increasing depravity of the plague and famine gripping the country. Cushman writes in a dry and candid manner. The main character is sarcastic and her distinctly superior tone presents a contrast with setting of sickness and decay of Blood and Bone Alley. The setting of Medieval England is perfectly poignant in the visualization of the historic time period where the everyday people sought the medicinal aid of apothecaries and blood letters and such. Images of medical horror scatter the pages, while the unlikely pair of the two Matilda’s poses contrasting images from their upbringing as a fierce kitchen main and a learned scholar. Cushman presents common people from the Dark Ages in a unique manner, describing their never-ending battle with ailments and waste. The characters are somewhat contradictory, such as the near-sighed apothecary and the ill-trained but well-meaning bone setter. Cushman effectively presents characters that endear themselves to a young reader through their actions and their nature. As the main character learns to not judge a book by its cover, so does the reader learn the historic hardships suffered by the people during the 1300s.

BOOK EXCERPT(S)

American Bookseller "Pick of the Lists"

 New York Public Library, 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

 School Library Journal, Best Books of the Year

 Parents' Choice Silver Award

 Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies

 Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year

 Arizona Young Readers’ Master List

 Maine Student Book Award Master List

“Fiery Peg, her witty husband and her circle of friends will be the characters readers remember.” Publishers Weekly

“Cushman's character descriptions are spare, with each word carefully chosen to paint wonderful pictures. This humorous, frank look at life in the medical quarters in medieval times shows readers that love and compassion, laughter and companionship, are indeed the best medicine.” School Library Journal

“It's the illness and the healing (and the death) that's the focal point here, not pious, whiny Matilda, who takes an inordinately long time to learn that the dependable, hardworking people she comes in contact with are worth more than the fools and cheaters whose learning she admires. Readers will find much of interest here, but it probably won't be the evolution of Matilda.” Booklist

CONNECTIONS

This is an excellent novel for any fourth or fifth grade classroom, and for librarian wishing to create a program focused on the seedy truth surrounding Medieval Europe, not just knights and chivalry.

Other great reads written by Karen Cushman that discuss Medieval Times;

Cushman, Karen. THE MIDWIFE’S APPRENTICE. ISBN 978-0395692295

Cushman, Karen. CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY. ISBN 978-0395681862

ELIJAH OF BUXTON by Christopher Paul Curtis

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Curtis, Christopher Paul. 2009. ELIJAH OF BUXTON. Narrated by Mirron Willis. Unabridged Edition. New York, NY: Listening Library. ISBN 978-0739367193

PLOT SUMMARY

ELIJAH OF BUXTON is told from the perspective of a young free-born boy, whose parents were once slaves in the United States. His inquisitive and clear innocence gets him into trouble along the way; however, more than not he learns and grows through this very inclination to be “fragile.” Elijah’s tale begins from his birth as the first free-born African American child in the settlement of Buxton in Canada. It is a haven to those seeking freedom from slavery in the American South. He must contend with daily chores, fish-head chunking for dinner, school, and a deviously sinful self-proclaimed preacher. As Elijah battles his sensitive nature, trying ever so hard to not be “fragile” he is able to help the adults around him, like Mr. Leroy. Although Elijah does not exactly fulfill his promise to Mr. Leroy at the end, he does succeed in saving an innocent life of a would-be slave girl and facing the evil of slavery head on. Elijah and his free community reveal the true meaning of hope.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

ELIJAH OF BUXTON is both perplexing and blatantly honest at the same time. The setting of the story, both the time and the place is at first confusing. The names of famous figures in African American rights, like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Frederick Douglas are set within the same context of the mid 1800’s. One is hard pressed to figure out when exactly the story is supposed to take place until a few chapters in to the tale.

All in all, Christopher Paul Curtis presents a heart-warming character in a starkly harsh background of slavery. While the child is not raised in these harsh conditions, the subject is inevitably posed in the context of him. He is almost sold into a traveling carnival by the sly preacher, and he ventures into America alongside Mr. Leroy to retrieve his money. Elijah is a wonderful character, and the reader enjoys the honesty in his tone and internal speech. In the end, he rings a metaphoric liberty bell by facing the monster of slavery in all of its naked horror, and rising as a true liberator saving a baby girl from its clutches.

The narrator Mirron Willis does an excellent job in his interpretation of the various character voices. The audio version is more entertaining, making the reader laugh and cry out loud in response. His voices reverberate throughout the story. I cannot imagine ever reading the actual book without hearing Willis’ voice ringing in my ears.

BOOK EXCERPT(S)

Newberry Medal Honor 2008

Coretta Scott King Award Winner

Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award 2008

"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." Booklist

"Mirron Willis delivers depth of emotion as he shapes the story's rhythms and pacing. He successfully shifts from a light comedic tone of much of the story to a tone of chilling determination when Elijah becomes involved in a dangerous mission to free a group of slaves." AudioFile

CONNECTIONS

This is a perfect book to introduce the history of slavery in this country and the eventual fight of the Civil War that ultimately united our states. It should be treated with much care, so as not to lead to anything more than a discussion of the evil of slavery and not a race war.

Other historic fiction books to read that might spark discussion:

Ryan, Pam Munoz. ESPERANZA RISING. ISBN 978-0439120425

Lowry, Lois. NUMBER THE STARS. ISBN 978-0547577098

HITLER YOUTH: GROWING UP IN HITLER'S SHADOW by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. 2005. HITLER YOUTH: GROWING UP IN HITLER’S SHADOW. New York, NY: Scholastic Nonfiction. ISBN 978-0439353793.

PLOT SUMMARY

Susan Bartoletti provides an encompassing tale of the young people living in Nazi Germany in the 1930s – 1940s, highlighting twelve of them. These 12 young adults or children come from various backgrounds, but they have one singular tie drawing them together, Adolf Hitler. While she outlines the rise and fall of the infamous tyrant, Bartoletti focuses on the sentiments and perceptions of the young people serving in the Hitler Youth group, and those fighting to subvert it. The book also touches on the persecution of the Jewish people, and the feelings gripping those who suffer at their hands along with their families. The book portrays the fanatical brain washing techniques by the institution of the “Hitler’s Youth” on the young people in Germany, and their saddening end of their self-sacrificing dogma to fight to the bitter end.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The nonfiction book offers a window into the lives and their surrounding world of chaos during Adolf Hitler’s rise and fall during the infamous World War II. Bartoletti’s writing is powerful and raw, providing a voice to the faces on the pages, as well as those that remain faceless. The seamless flow of teenage voices, whose sentiments are sometimes contradictory to one another or complimentary, provide the reader with an accurate sensation of confusion.

Baroletti titles each chapter with a well-phrased quote closely followed by an explanation. One can hardly pull their gaze away from reading each line, and then finds it even harder to remove it from the mesmerizing pictures adjoining the paragraphs.

The black and white images dominate the pages, and appear to take on a size larger than their measurements. In particular, the images and text describing the horrific Night of Broken Glass causes chills to trickle down the spine. It is the truth and well documented evidence alone that brings this artfully worded text to life.

BOOK EXCERPT(S)

Newberry Honor Book

Robert F. Sibert Award

Bccb Blue Ribbon Nonfiction Book Award

“The handsome book design, with black-and-white historical photos on every double-page spread, will draw in readers and help spark deep discussion, which will extend beyond the Holocaust curriculum. The extensive back matter is a part of the gripping narrative.” – Booklist

“The final chapter superbly summarizes the weighty significance of this part of the 20th century and challenges young readers to prevent history from repeating itself. Bartoletti lets many of the subjects' words, emotions, and deeds speak for themselves, bringing them together clearly to tell this story unlike anyone else has.” – School Library Journal

CONNECTIONS

Encourage open discussions with young people on their perceptions of the book, and focusing on particular chapters or characters they found unforgettable or notable. Perhaps they could research more on that particular person or aspect for further activity or personal interest.

Read other books written by Susan Bartoletti:

THE BOY WHO DARED. ISBN 978-0439680134

THEY CALLED THEMSELVES THE K.K.K.: THE BIRTH OFAN AMERICAN TERRORIST GROUP. ISBN 978-0618440337