1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Green, John. 2005. Looking for Alaska. New York, NY: Dutton Books. ISBN 0525475060
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Miles “Pudge” Halter has moved from his home in Florida to a boarding school in Culver Creek, Alabama. Pudge’s main goal is to find the “Great Perhaps” and experience a different life. He befriends several kids at school, including Alaska, Chip “The Colonel,” and Takumi. These friends embark on prank wars, smoking, drinking, and confusing teenage romances. One night, Alaska leaves, gets in a crash, and passes away. The boys are left to cope with the death of their dear friend and trying to figure out if they were partly at fault for her crash. In the end, Miles figures out the importance of friendships and relying on others.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSISJohn Green has created a realistic look at the life of a teenager, with the temptations of smoking, drinking, and sexual activities. Boys and girls alike will connect with Miles, who is trying to find a greater life for himself by moving away from his family. Readers who have ever had problems with love triangles and peer pressure can really connect with the main characters of Looking for Alaska. Green captures the uncertainty and guilt that many people feel after the loss of a loved one, and shows how several characters deal with death in their own way. At times, the first part of the book can seem slow going, but after Alaska’s death, the air of suspense and guilt really capture the reader’s attention. This book is definitely for older readers who are in grades 9 or above.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Michael L. Printz Award Winner
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “The language and sexual situations are aptly and realistically drawn, but sophisticated in nature. Miles's narration is alive with sweet, self-deprecating humor, and his obvious struggle to tell the story truthfully adds to his believability.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Readers will only hope that this is not the last word from this promising new author.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*This would be a great book to use for Reader’s Theater
*Readers can discuss the temptations of high school and how they can completely alter many lives in one instant.
*Other books by John Green:
Green, John. An Abundance of Katherines. ISBN 0142410705
Green, John. Paper Towns. ISBN 0525478183
Saturday, August 8, 2009
PRINCESS ACADEMY
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hale, Shannon. 2005. Princess Academy. New York, NY: Bloomsbury. ISBN 1582349932
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Miri is a 14 year old girl living in the quarry of Mount Eskel. She is smaller than the other girls and is not allowed to work with everyone else. One day the king sends an announcement that the prince is to marry a girl from Mount Eskel. The girls are sent to an academy to learn how to be a proper princess. There is a lot of competition and tension among the girls, and it worsens when bandits take the girls captive. Is Miri able to save the girls and realize her true calling in the end?
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Shannon Hale has created a world similar to our own, with a main country, and territories, including Mount Eskel. The citizens of Mount Eskel enjoy their simple lives, except for Miri, the little 14 year old who wants something more. Readers are able to picture the beautiful mountainside and the connection that the people have with their home. Readers who are about to embark on a new stage in their lives may connect with Miri, who is searching for her true self and how she fits in with the world she knows. There are also subplots of romance and importance of family connections, which will capture many readers. Girls who are different than their peers and feel like they can’t make a difference will especially find Miri’s tale appealing.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Newberry Honor Book
Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Each girl's story is brought to a satisfying conclusion, but this is not a fluffy, predictable fairy tale, even though it has wonderful moments of humor. Instead, Hale weaves an intricate, multilayered story about families, relationships, education, and the place we call home.”
BOOKLIST: “Hale nicely interweaves feminist sensibilities in this quest-for-a-prince-charming, historical-fantasy tale.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*This would be a great book to use for Reader’s Theater
*Readers can discuss the importance of being different and how everyone can make a difference. *Other books by Shannon Hale:
Hale, Shannon. Book of a Thousand Days. ISBN 1599900513
Hale Shannon. River Secrets. ISBN 1599902931
Hale Shannon. The Goose Girl. ISBN 1582349908
Hale, Shannon. 2005. Princess Academy. New York, NY: Bloomsbury. ISBN 1582349932
2. PLOT SUMMARY
Miri is a 14 year old girl living in the quarry of Mount Eskel. She is smaller than the other girls and is not allowed to work with everyone else. One day the king sends an announcement that the prince is to marry a girl from Mount Eskel. The girls are sent to an academy to learn how to be a proper princess. There is a lot of competition and tension among the girls, and it worsens when bandits take the girls captive. Is Miri able to save the girls and realize her true calling in the end?
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Shannon Hale has created a world similar to our own, with a main country, and territories, including Mount Eskel. The citizens of Mount Eskel enjoy their simple lives, except for Miri, the little 14 year old who wants something more. Readers are able to picture the beautiful mountainside and the connection that the people have with their home. Readers who are about to embark on a new stage in their lives may connect with Miri, who is searching for her true self and how she fits in with the world she knows. There are also subplots of romance and importance of family connections, which will capture many readers. Girls who are different than their peers and feel like they can’t make a difference will especially find Miri’s tale appealing.
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Newberry Honor Book
Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Each girl's story is brought to a satisfying conclusion, but this is not a fluffy, predictable fairy tale, even though it has wonderful moments of humor. Instead, Hale weaves an intricate, multilayered story about families, relationships, education, and the place we call home.”
BOOKLIST: “Hale nicely interweaves feminist sensibilities in this quest-for-a-prince-charming, historical-fantasy tale.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*This would be a great book to use for Reader’s Theater
*Readers can discuss the importance of being different and how everyone can make a difference. *Other books by Shannon Hale:
Hale, Shannon. Book of a Thousand Days. ISBN 1599900513
Hale Shannon. River Secrets. ISBN 1599902931
Hale Shannon. The Goose Girl. ISBN 1582349908
RAPUNZEL'S REVENGE
1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hale, Shannon and Dean Hale. 2008. Rapunzel’s Revenge. Ill. by Nathan Hale. New York, NY: Bloomsbury. ISBN 1599902885
2. PLOT SUMMARY
When Rapunzel is 12 years old she finds out her mother, Mother Gothel, is not really her mother and is an evil ruler of their land. Her “mother” locks her in a tree for four years when Rapunzel escapes. She joins up with Jack to combat robbers and find a way to help her mother escape and the land to be free of Mother Gothel. In the end Rapunzel and Jack fight of Mother Gothel and reclaim the land as it once was.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Shannon and Dean Hale, along with illustrator Nathan Hale, have created a new twist on an old story. We find out that Rapunzel was locked in a tree by her evil “mother” and actually escapes on her own to join up with her new friend on a classic good versus evil battle. Rapunzel, or “Punzie,” and Jack travel the dark, desolate land and hatch a plot to stop the evil Mother Gothel. Nathan Hale’s illustrations depict a sad, barren land with unhappy citizens. The story continues, at times, in just pictures, which can be kind of confusing for first time graphic novel readers. Also, the location of some dialogue can be confusing, due to the bubbles’ close proximity to each other. Readers who like comic books as well as fairytales will love this adventure!
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “The dialogue is witty, the story is an enticing departure from the original, and the illustrations are magically fun and expressive.”
BOOKLIST: “Rich with humor and excitement, this is an alternate version of a classic that will become a fast favorite of young readers.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Readers may enjoy reading other versions of classic fairytales
*Readers can create their own versions of their favorite fairytales
*Other books by Shannon Hale:
Hale, Shannon. Book of a Thousand Days. ISBN 1599900513
Hale Shannon. River Secrets. ISBN 1599902931
Hale Shannon. The Goose Girl. ISBN 1582349908
Hale, Shannon and Dean Hale. 2008. Rapunzel’s Revenge. Ill. by Nathan Hale. New York, NY: Bloomsbury. ISBN 1599902885
2. PLOT SUMMARY
When Rapunzel is 12 years old she finds out her mother, Mother Gothel, is not really her mother and is an evil ruler of their land. Her “mother” locks her in a tree for four years when Rapunzel escapes. She joins up with Jack to combat robbers and find a way to help her mother escape and the land to be free of Mother Gothel. In the end Rapunzel and Jack fight of Mother Gothel and reclaim the land as it once was.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Shannon and Dean Hale, along with illustrator Nathan Hale, have created a new twist on an old story. We find out that Rapunzel was locked in a tree by her evil “mother” and actually escapes on her own to join up with her new friend on a classic good versus evil battle. Rapunzel, or “Punzie,” and Jack travel the dark, desolate land and hatch a plot to stop the evil Mother Gothel. Nathan Hale’s illustrations depict a sad, barren land with unhappy citizens. The story continues, at times, in just pictures, which can be kind of confusing for first time graphic novel readers. Also, the location of some dialogue can be confusing, due to the bubbles’ close proximity to each other. Readers who like comic books as well as fairytales will love this adventure!
4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Starred review in SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “The dialogue is witty, the story is an enticing departure from the original, and the illustrations are magically fun and expressive.”
BOOKLIST: “Rich with humor and excitement, this is an alternate version of a classic that will become a fast favorite of young readers.”
5. CONNECTIONS
*Readers may enjoy reading other versions of classic fairytales
*Readers can create their own versions of their favorite fairytales
*Other books by Shannon Hale:
Hale, Shannon. Book of a Thousand Days. ISBN 1599900513
Hale Shannon. River Secrets. ISBN 1599902931
Hale Shannon. The Goose Girl. ISBN 1582349908
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