THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins

BIBLIOGRAPHY   Collins, Suzanne. 2008. THE HUNGER GAMES .  New York, NY: Scholastic. ISBN 9780439023481.

PLOT SUMMARY
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the other districts in line by forcing them to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight-to-the-death on live TV.

One boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and sixteen are selected by lottery to play. The winner brings riches and favor tohis or her district. But that is nothing compared to what the Capitol wins: one more year of fearful compliance with its rule. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her impoverished district in the Games.

But Katniss has been close to dead before — and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This book was written for the Young Adult audience, but as with many YA books, appeals to a far wider audience.  It is appropriate for sixth grade up.  Adults will find it disturbing, causing thought, and making a statement about people and society.  I found myself wondering what I'd do in the main characters place.  Her very life is at stake as well as the future of her family, by every move made, some of which are plotted and planned, some of which have deep instinctual backing.  How would we react in this situation?  HIGHLY recommended for ANYONE.  I can guarantee I will be leading the adults to this series in a heartbeat.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
#1 New York Times Bestseller
A Publishers Weekly Bestseller
A Horn Book Fanfare
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2008
A School Library Journal Best Book of 2008
A Booklist Editors' Choice
A New York Times Notable Book of 2008
A Kirkus Best Book of 2008
A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice
A USA Today Bestseller

"[The Hunger Games] is a violent, jarring, speed-rap of a novel that generates nearly constant suspense... I couldn't stop reading." — Stephen King, Entertainment Tonight

"I was so obsessed with this book that I had to take it with me out to dinner and hide it under the edge of the table so I wouldn't have to stop reading... The Hunger Games is amazing." — Stephanie Meyer

"[The Hunger Games] is a great book, and very thought-provoking. Read this along with your teen and discuss it." — Charlaine Harris

"Brilliantly plotted and perfectly paced." — John Green, New York Times Book Review
"A plot-driven blend of suspense, science fiction, and romance." — USA Today

"Enthralling, imaginative and creepy." — Los Angeles Times

"{A} superb tale" — Booklist, starred review

"Readers will wait eagerly to learn more." — Publishers Weekly, starred review

CONNECTIONS
Upon finishing this book, it goes without saying that you need to read Catching Fire and Mockingjay.  Immediately.

ELLA MINNOW PEA by Mark Dunn

BIBLIOGRAPHY   Dunn, Mark. 2002. ELLA MINNOW PEA: A PROGRESSIVELY LIPOGRAMMATIC EPISTOLARY FABLE .  Ill. By Tim Brennan.  San Francisco, CA: MacAdam/Cage. ISBN 978-159692990.

PLOT SUMMARY
Ella lives on the fictional island of Nollop, home of Nevin Nollop the man who coined the pangram “the quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.”  The statue of Nollop, which sports his well known phrase is slowly dropping the letters.  The islanders can only communicate using the letters remaining on the statue, which makes for an interesting story, as letters continue to fall.  Told in epistles, the residents communicate in their isolated world, set apart from modern technology.  

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Laugh out loud funny at times, Dunn is uniquely creative.  As one who enjoys wordplay, this novel had me thinking, sorting words in my head, being creative in my spelling and communicating.  Underlying all the fun of the book, Mr. Dunn addresses authoritarianism and abuse of power.
  

A relatively short book, this can be devoured in a couple hours, but will leave lovers of wordplay, language and linguistics thinking and playing with the English language for days.  I found that towards the end of the book, it was a bit easier to read if done so aloud, due to fantastical use of letters and creative spelling.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
"A treasure of a novel. Dunn has an incredibly fascinating and clever way of using the English language, with or without all the letters of the alphabet. This witty satire and moving fable is a must-read for everyone who loves words... and free speech!" Susan Wasson, Bookworks, Albuquerque, NM

"There's the whiff of a classic about Ella Minnow Pea." The Christian Science Monitor

"A love letter to alphabetarians and logomaniacs everywhere." Myla Goldberg

"A curiously compelling...satire of human foibles, and a light-stepping commentary on censorship and totalitarianism." The Philadelphia Inquirer

"This exceptional, zany book will quickly make you laugh." Dallas Morning Herald

"Ella Minnow Pea is a witty fable, but it's also a satire about censorship among other things....[T]he book should give us plenty to think about." Detroit Free Press

“While this is one of the most intriguing books I have read, Ella Minnow Pea is above all very funny.  I’ve read it several times now and it never ceases to amuse.  I’m pleased to be writing about it and I think this book should be on the shelves of anyone interested in language.  I am certain that they will find it an unusual and fascinating read."  Tom Cunliffe, A Common Reader blog

CONNECTIONS
IBID by Mark Dunn.  Told entirely in endnotes, I’ve not read this yet but have heard that is outdoes Dunns prior works in literary audacity.  Sounds like a winner to me.

SING YOU HOME by Jodi Picoult

BIBLIOGRAPHY Picoult, Jodi. 2011. SING YOU HOME.  New York, NY: Atria Books. ISBN 978-1439102725.

PLOT SUMMARY

When music therapist Zoe Baxter’s latest pregnancy ends in a stillbirth, her husband Max decides he can’t handle any more heartbreak and leaves her. As she picks up the pieces of her life, Zoe is surprised to find herself falling for a school counselor who happens to be a woman. While Zoe is finding happiness with Vanessa, Max falls off the wagon and is helped by a pastor from his brother’s evangelical church. Vanessa and Zoe wed in Massachusetts, and Vanessa offers to carry one of the fertilized embryos Zoe and Max stored. Excited by the prospect of being a mother, Zoe goes to Max to get him to release the embryos to her and is shocked when he instead sues her for custody of them, backed by his church.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Picoult is known for her books that deal with moral and ethical dilemmas and this one is no exception.  What I found interesting in this book is that a number of difficult topics were addressed:  infertility, homosexuality, "the church".  Picoult does well portraying the infertility issue from the male standpoint as well as the female, evoking understanding and empathy for the men and what they deal with, something women often have hard times relating to. 

I almost think that too much is covered in this book, too many issues addressed, however life does come at us rather fast and full of punches at times. 

Being as new as this book is, I'm going to leave the review short and let you know that it's worth a read.  Be prepared, I like controversial books or things that leave people a bit uncomfortable.  This is one book I can see that will do that for some, particularly with the character of lovable Zoe, who is first married to a man then a woman.  Not saying that because it makes me uncomfortable, I can just already hear the comments coming back to me, living in this strong Southern Baptist area of the US.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Booklist: "Told from the perspectives of all three major characters, Picoult’s gripping novel explores all sides of the hot-button issue and offers a CD of folk songs that reflect Zoe’s feelings throughout the novel."

about.com: "Few books are so engaging, so enraging, so sympathetic as to arrest one's attention and demand to be read in one sitting. Jodi Picoult's Sing You Home is such a novel."

CONNECTIONS

What can you say after reading a Jodi Picoult book, but read more.  If you like this one, I'd next recommend: Vanishing Acts, Salem Falls and My Sister's Keeper.  Three of my fav Jodi books.  If you've only seen the movie of the last one, read the book....they are NOTHING alike.

CHALK

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 Thomson, Bill.  2010. CHALK.  Tarrytown, NY: Marshall Cavendish Children. ISBN 9780761455264.

PLOT SUMMARY
Kids at the park, a bucket of chalk....pictures come alive!  Then....the rain comes. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The illustrations in this wordless picture book are crisp, clear, colorful, done in mixed media and very realistic looking.  The pictures alone are enough to grab your attention, but once the book is opened, the storyline will draw you in.  Each reader will have their own version of the story, which is part of its charm.  Thomson does an incredible job illustrating and using the expressions on the characters faces to portray the events.

Highly recommended to everyone, adults as well will enjoy this book.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)  

School Library Journal,  starred review:  "This imaginative story is the perfect showcase for Thomson's extraordinary pictures. Though they look like photos or computer-generated images, each one is actually composed using traditional techniques with acrylics and colored pencils. The artist's clever use of light, perspective, and expression, along with the protagonists' neat solution to their dilemma, creates a completely satisfying experience. Thomson is a master at visual storytelling."

 

Booklist:  "With eye-catching, realistic illustrations, clever details, and some dramatic suspense, this wordless picture book offers a fresh take on the drawings-come-to-life theme. One rainy day, three raincoat-clad children head to the playground and find a bag of chalk. When one girl draws a sun, something amazing happens: clouds break and a sunny blue sky appears. The second kid draws butterflies, which also appear. But when a boy draws a dinosaur, things get almost too exciting. Luckily, a solution is close at hand. Vibrant acrylic and colored-pencil illustrations, rendered with intricate precision, nearly leap off the page, as the expressive, diverse trio experiences magical, exhilarating moments that highlight how familiar materials and settings can inspire rewarding adventures. Varying perspectives, from vistas to close-ups, enhance the drama. A few scenarios, such as those featuring a giant, looming, spiky-toothed T. rex, may be too intense for the youngest children, but many kids will enjoy this testament to the power of creativity and imagination."

CONNECTIONS
Two other wordless pictures books come to mind that would be fun to pair with this, FLOTSAM and TUESDAY, both by David Wiesner.  Focusing on storytelling and how a book does not have to have words to tell a story would make for a fun storytime or basic lesson to the elementary crowd.

CAN YOU MAKE A SCARY FACE by Jan Thomas

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 Thomas, Jan. 2009. CAN YOU MAKE A SCARY FACE?.  New York, NY: Beach Lane Books. ISBN 9781416985815.

PLOT SUMMARY
An interactive book for the preschool set.  The narrator is an indecisive lady bug that leads children in wiggling and being silly.  Nothing but fun!

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

A sight for the eyes, this book is full of simple, brightly colored illustrations, digitally created.  The text is multi-colored and done in various fonts, inside of chat bubbles.  The silly ladybug narrating is easy for children to relate to in her simpleness as she leads them in a game of let's pretend.  This is a phenomenal book for storytime and reading aloud as it causes lots of audience participation.  Be prepared for noise, giggles and lots of action.

Highly recommended to engage even the most reluctant child.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

School Library Journal:  "Adults will enjoy using this title to encourage lively activity and imaginative games. Children will love everything about it—especially the surprise ending."

CONNECTIONS
Pairing this book with Jan Thomas' RHYMING DUST BUNNIES makes for a fun, active storytime involving the children to the maximum.  You could also do a storytime on scary faces and pair it with GO AWAY BIG GREEN MONSTER by Ed Emberley. 

Looking for Alaska - book by John Green, Book Trailer by Sandy Schultz

GOING BOVINE by Libba Bray - Review for TWU course

BIBLIOGRAPHY Bray, Libba. 2009. Going Bovine.  New York, NY: Delacorte Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780385733977.

PLOT SUMMARY

Cameron, a "slacker" high school student whose life seems to be crumbling, finds out he has Mad Cow Disease.  His journey from diagnosis through trying to save the world from the disease is a comedic adventure, often dark.  His companions are entertaining, each in their own right, as they travel his journey together, unwilling to give up simply because he is their friend.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Cameron is a quiet, edgy sophomore with a sharp wit.  While he’s usually over looked and non-descript, contracting “mad cow disease” has tossed him into the center of attention.  His quick witted, sharp comeback personality makes him someone you want to be around, to see what will happen next, as you start to care about him and the fact that mad cow disease is fatal.

The story took an interesting and original look at the progression of the disease and how someone deals with it.  Throughout the reading I often wondered if these things were actually happening to the main character, or if while his mind was being turned to “Swiss cheese,” he was hallucinating the entire thing.  The wild adventure that he embarks on embraces dreams, wishes, and desires that I believe hit people when the frailty of life becomes reality.

Set in today’s world, it is easy to slip into the story and embrace the characters.  The realism is all too familiar in a teenage world, details quite accurate.  Looking at death so blatantly isn’t something that is fun to do, especially for invincible teens, but this certainly hit hard and will create some thought in readers, even though it may not be the type of thinking they want to do, the adult kind.

I completely enjoyed the author’s unique voice in this story.  Fans of her other works will find a fresh new view in this book.  Bray accurately depicts the various teenagers: outcast, popular, jock, druggies, to name a few.  As the mom of teenagers, I found the reality and language to be quite accurate, although shocking for some that are not ensconced in that world.  I think teens will find themselves in a comfortable world that Bray creates while exploring an uncomfortable subject.  Definitely recommend this for teens and their parents.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2009 Children's Book Sense Pick

Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book of the Year 2009

Booklist Books for Youth Editors' Choice in 2009

Michael L. Printz Award Winner 2010

School Library Journal  "Bray blends in a hearty dose of satire on the road trip as Cameron leaves his Texas deathbed—or does he?—to battle evil forces with a legendary jazz horn player, to escape the evil clutches of a happiness cult, to experiment with cloistered scientists trying to solve the mysteries of the universe, and to save a yard gnome embodying a Viking god from the clutches of the materialistic, fame-obsessed MTV-culture clones who shun individual thought. It's a trip worth taking, though meandering and message-driven at times. Some teens may check out before Cameron makes it to his final destination, but many will enjoy asking themselves the questions both deep and shallow that pop up along the way.

Booklist, starred review "An unforgettable, nearly indefinable fantasy adventure."

CONNECTIONS

The most obvious connection is to read Going Bovine, then follow up with Don Quixote, which is referenced throughout the book.  I find that references to other literary works make that referenced work almost irresistible.