The Gates of Zion by Bodie Thoene

Thoene, Bodie. The Gates of Zion.

Bethany House; 1986.

ISBN: 0871238705

Reader’s Annotation

In 1947, a young American photojournalist, Ellie Warne come to Jerusalem and gets caught up in a dangerous web of intrigue, even as thousands of misplaced Jews from all over Europe look for a place to call home.

Plot Summary

After World War II, thousands of displaced Jews across Europe had no place to call home.  Having endured the unspeakable horrors of the Holocaust, they looked toward Jerusalem.  Under the control of the British Mandate, Palestine was a powder keg of tension.  One young American woman, Ellie, is a photojournalist who recently arrived in Jerusalem to stay with her archeologist father.  When some Bedouins arrive one day at their house when Ellie’s father is out, they show her some scrolls they have found and want to sell to the doctor.  Ellie can’t make that decision, but she does photograph the scrolls.  She unwittingly just stepped into a web of conspiracy and intrigue that will threaten her life as “someone” tries to get those pictures.  Meanwhile, David, her American military pilot, sometimes boyfriend, comes to Jerusalem to pursue Ellie.  David claims to love Ellie, but she is torn between David and Moshe, a handsome Jewish archeologist who works with her father.  As the story goes on, the events connected with the scrolls become linked with the events surrounding the founding of the State of Israel. 

Critical Evaluation

Many people are unfamiliar with what happened after World War II and to all the Jews who survived the Holocaust.  Thoene’s remarkable talent for description brings the story alive so that the reader feels like an actual witness.  The Gates of Zion, which is book 1 in The Zion Chronicles, almost immediately captures the reader with the exciting intrigue around Ellie photographing the mysterious scrolls.  As the novel progresses, that is the main storyline.  However, the historical events and background themselves are just as compelling as the storyline. Descriptions of life under British Mandate are eye-opening, and they provide a little more understanding of current events in that region.  Told with an admittedly pro-Israel bent, The Zion Chronicles are an adventure in the purest historical fiction tradition.  A great follow-up read for The Zion Chronicles is Herman Wouk’s The Hope and The Glory.

Information about the Author

Bodie Thoene (pronounced “Tay-nee”) claims that she has always wanted to be a writer.  However, early in school it was discovered that she suffered from the learning disorder, dyslexia.  Thoene’s mother refused to take the diagnosis lying down, and instead retained a young teacher to work extensively with Thoene.  Born in Bakersfield, CA, Thoene was a political science/journalism major when she attended college in San Jose, CA.  She covered much of the unrest in the Bay Area during the turbulent Vietnam era for U.S. News and World Report.  After Bodie married Brock and settled in Waco, TX, where Bodie attended Baylor University, she kept writing.  Bodie describes how she had the opportunity to speak to John Wayne in 1978 about her interest in the event surrounding the rebirth of Israel, and that she’d someday like to write a novel about it.  He told her,  "That’s one you ought to do. It’s the story of the Jewish Alamo!"  For more information, go to Thoene Books. 

Genre

Adventure

Historical Fiction

Curriculum Tie-ins

History

Booktalk Ideas

1. Discuss how the Jewish people were treated by the British under the Mandate.  Do you think those laws were fair?
2. Moshe or David?
3. What did you learn about history that you had never heard before?

Reading level/Interest age

Adult Crossover

Challenge Issues/Challenge Response Ideas

Relgion/Christian Fiction

Why I included this work

This series has a lot of little-known historical background describing what happened to the Jews after the Holocaust.  It also has an exciting plot of intrigue and danger, with a little romance thrown in!

ECPA Gold Medallion Award (Fiction,1987)

Great Quote from the Book:

"Hope" is knowing the truth and acting on it.”

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

Kidd, Sue Monk. The Secret Life of Bees.

Penguin; 2001,

ISBN: 0143114557

Reader’s Annotation

When 14-year-old Lily runs away to discover the truth of how her mother died, she never expects to find a home.

Plot Summary

Lily Owens is fourteen years old and has fragmented memories of the day her mother died.  Lily can only remember they were arguing, a gun fell to the floor, and she, a four-year-old picked it up.  Set in 1964, in South Carolina, The Secret Life of Bees tells the story of Lily’s determination to find out what really happened to her mother that day.  Lily now lives with her neglectful father whom Lily will only call T-Ray (for Terrence Ray), and her black maid Rosaleen.   When Rosaleen takes Lily and goes to register to vote after the passing of the Civil Rights Act, she ends up getting harassed and beaten by three white men. After getting into an argument, T-Ray tells Lily that her mother abandoned her.  Infuriated, Lily packs up and runs away, stopping at the hospital to sneak Rosaleen out.  Following a clue left by Lily’s mother leads them to the Boatwright Sisters—August, June, and May—makers of “Black Mary Honey”.  Staying with the Boatwrights, Lily comes to feel loved and included in a warm household.  She learns about their own unique religion that centers around a black Madonna figurehead from an old ship.  She also learns to care for the bees, along with Zach, August’s godson, with whom Lily shares her dreams—she wants to write short stories, and he wants to be an “ass-busting” lawyer.  He and Lily are attracted to each other, but recognizing the dangers of interracial relationships in the South, they resist.  When Zach and his friends get falsely arrested for “injuring” a white man, May is so distraught, that she commits suicide.  T-Ray finally catches up with Lily, and ends up leaving her to live with the Boatwrights.  For Lily, it’s bittersweet—she’s glad to get to live where she’s loved and wanted, but sad that T-Ray’s last words to her are “Good riddance.”

Critical Evaluation

The character of Lily Owens comes alive in this poignant novel.  Her quest for closure about her mother’s death, and even more, her longing to be loved makes for a gut-wrenching, but satisfying story.  The quirkiness of the Boatwrights at first seems peculiar, but then feels just right.  The Sisters have created a religion and a home for themselves that serves as an oasis in the midst of a harsh and unloving society.  Kidd does a wonderful job at using the bees and honey symbolically.  The image of the hives, with a whole world hidden within, is a lovely illustration of how society judges on appearances, and remains ignorant of the world beneath the surface.  August’s strength ultimately gives Lily the peace she craves. 

Information about the Author

Sue Monk Kidd graduated from Texas Christian University with a B.S. in nursing in 1970, and worked as a registered nurse and as a college nursing instructor throughout her twenties.  When a personal essay she wrote for a writing class was published in Guideposts, and later reprinted in Reader’s Digest, Kidd really got her start in writing.  She later went on to become a contributing editor at Guideposts.  The Secret Life of Bees, Kidd’s first novel became a phenomenal success.  Kidd later wrote The Mermaid Chair.  For more information, go to Sue Monk Kidd. 

Genre

Historical Fiction

Curriculum Tie-ins

History—Racism and Civil Rights

Domestic violence

Booktalk  Ideas

1. How do our actions as very young children affect us throughout our lives?
2. Discuss Our Lady of Chains, and what she meant to the Boatwright sisters.

Reading level/Interest age

Adult Crossover

Challenge Issues/Challenge Response Ideas

Violence

• Present the library’s selection policy
• Be familiar with similar works in the collection
• Refer to ALA Intellectual Freedom resource

Why I included this work

• ALA Best Books for Young Adults (2003)
• ALA Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults
• ALA Outstanding Books for the College Bound
• School Library Journal Best Books of the Year (2002)

Great Quote from the Book:

“People who think dying is the worst thing don’t know a thing about life.”

Number the Stars by Lois Lowery

Lowery, Lois. Number the Stars.

Laurel Leaf; 1998,

ISBN: 0440227534.

Reader’s Annotation

Annemarie and Ellen are friends, but when the Nazis in Denmark begin arresting Jewish families, Ellen must become Annemarie’s sister in order to hide her true identity and save her.

Plot Summary

Annemarie Johanson and Ellen Rosen are best friends living in Copenhagen Denmark in 1943.  World War II has begun, and the Nazis are already in Denmark.  One day, Annmarie and Ellen are racing in the streets when a German soldier stops Annemarie and questions her.  Her parents warn her to avoid that route to and from school from now on.  Annemarie has a little sister Kirstie, and she had an older sister Lise, who was struck by a German soldier’s car and killed before the beginning of the story.  Lise’s fiancé Peter, has become active in the Danish Resistance, and he comes to the Johanson’s and warns them that Jewish businesses are being taken by the Nazis, and Jewish families are being rounded up and killed or taken away.  Peter takes Mr. and Mrs. Rosen into hiding and Ellen comes to live with Annemarie’s family, posing as Lise.  When soldiers come one night to question the Johansons about the Rosen’s whereabouts, Ellen is almost killed then and there when a soldier is suspicious that the Johansons have two blonde daughters and are claiming this dark-haired girl is their daughter.  Mr. Johanson quickly shows them a labeled picture of Lise as a baby with dark hair like Ellen’s.  Soon the Johanson go to Annemarie’s Uncle Henrik’s house by the sea.  After one peaceful day there, Annemarie’s mother tells them that Great-aunt Birte died and that they were going to have a funeral—only Annemarie knows that there is no Great-aunt Birte.  The funeral, complete with a coffin filled with warm blankets and clothes, is a cover in order to prepare Jews, including the Rosen family, to be smuggled out of Denmark and taken by boat to Sweden.  Annemarie tells Ellen goodbye and goes to bed.  When she awakens, she sees her mother on the ground outside.  Annemarie runs to her, fearing the worst, but her mother has just broken her ankle.  But her mother has a package that must get to Mr. Rosen on Uncle Henrik’s boat.  It’s up to Annemarie to take it, despite the danger of the Nazi soldiers all around.  Annemarie has just become part of the Danish Resistance Movement.

Critical Evaluation

Number the Stars is a story of the Holocaust, chronicling the Rescue of the Danish Jews—The rescue that allowed the vast majority of Denmark's Jewish population to avoid capture by the Nazis and is considered to be one of the largest actions of collective resistance to repression in the countries occupied by Nazi Germany.  Lowery puts a human face on the event, and tells the story through the eyes of Annemarie.  The novel has a gripping pace, with Annemarie, at the beginning completely innocent of the atrocities being perpetrated, and as the story progresses, becomes more and more aware and eventually involved herself.  Ellen’s Star of David necklace, which was broken when it was ripped from Ellen’s neck in order to disguise her, becomes symbolic as Annemarie works to repair it after the war ends a few years later.

Information about the Author

Lois Lowery began her career as a photographer and a free lance journalist.  Lowery, who was born in 1937, has written more than 30 books for children and published an autobiography. Two of her works have been awarded the prestigious Newbery Medal: Number the Stars in 1990, and The Giver in 1994.  She especially enjoys writing about difficult topics such as the Holocaust, terminal illness, and murder.

Genre

Historical Fiction

Curriculum Tie-ins

History (the Holocaust)

Booktalk Ideas

Do you think that Annemarie’s parents should have told Annemarie more about what they were doing?

What do you think that the Star of David symbolizes in the book?

Reading level/Interest age

Ages 10-Adult

Challenge Issues/Challenge Response Ideas

None

Why I included this work

This story tells a story of the Holocaust from a unique aspect.  It was included on Goodread's Best Book for Young Adults. 
Awards and honors include:

• An ALA Notable Book
• Newbery Medal (1990)
• A Horn Book Medal (1990)
• A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
• American Bookseller “Pick of the Lists”

(show all 10 items)

 Great Quote from the Book:

"Now she was ten, with long legs and no more silly dreams of pink-frosted cupcakes. And now she - and all the Danes - were to be bodyguard for Ellen, and Ellen's parents, and all of Denmark's Jews."

A Voice in the Wind by Francine Rivers

Rivers, Francine. A Voice in the Wind.

Tyndale; 1988,

ISBN: 0842377506.

Reader’s Annotation

The Roman army destroys Jerusalem and teenage Hadassah is captured and sent as slave to Rome, where she serves as a maid in the Valerian family, but how safe is a Christian slave in first-century Rome?

Plot Summary

When the Roman army swept in and destroyed Jerusalem in 70 A.D., they killed indiscriminately.  Most of those who survived were taken as slaves to Rome—Hadassah was one.  Just a teenage girl, Hadassah had lost her whole family, and was now alone.  She had her faith, but as a Christian, she had to be very careful to guard her beliefs in a time when Christians were being fed to the lions in the arena.  When Hadassah reaches Rome, she is purchased as a maid for the daughter of the household—a pampered, rather spoiled girl named Julia.  Hadassah believes that it was now her duty to do her best serving her new family.  Loyal even to Julia, Hadassah’s kind nature, generous spirit, and beautiful voice quickly endeared her to them, despite her bedraggled appearance when she first arrived.  When Hadassah meets Marcus, however, she feels less serene, and he too feel the attraction for this slave girl.  Meanwhile, Julia grows more and more petulant and self-indulgent, and she falls into a thoroughly corrupted lifestyle.  After several disastrous marriages, she plunges into an affair with a German gladiator named Atretes.  Still loyal to Julia, Hadassah does her best to influence Julia.  When Marcus finally declares his feelings for Hadassah, even knowing that she is a Christian, Julia overhears.  When Hadassah tearfully informs Marcus that though she loves him, she won’t marry someone who doesn’t share her faith, Julia becomes enraged.  Marcus leaves in anger and disappointment, but Julia devises a way to punish that slave girl for daring to reject her brother.  You see, Julia also knows that Hadassah is a Christian…

Critical Evaluation

In A Voice in the Wind, which is part 1 of the Mark of the Lion triology, Francine Rivers brutally describes the setting of the Fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.  Graphic descriptions show the destruction of the temple, men, women and child being cut down by the sword, and in one of the most chilling images in the book, a huge field with hundreds of crosses bearing people being crucified. Hadassah’s journey begins to reveal her character.  Already a shy person, she is now terrified to death, traumatized, and all alone.  As Hadassah begins her new life in Rome, Rivers’ research and attention to detail paint a picture of life in that city, and especially in an upper-class household.  The over-the-top indulgence of the upper-class citizens bears stark contrast to the harsh realities taking place all around them.  The scenes surrounding the arena—for both the gladiator fighting and those being executed for the amusement of the crowds—come alive in a horrifying way.  By the end of the book, though, Hadassah’s character bear little resemblance to the shy terrified girl—she is strong, confident and braver than imaginable.

About the Author

Long before her success as a writer of Christian fiction, Francine Rivers enjoyed great success as an established romance novelist.  She started out her career at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she received a B.A. in English and journalism. Francine grew up in a Christian home, but did not truly establish a relationship with Christ until much later in life.  At that point she turned her efforts to writing Christian fiction, and has enjoyed a highly successful career in that genre.  A mother of three grown children, Francine and her husband Rick live in Northern California.  For more information, go to: Francine Rivers.com

Genre

Historical Fiction

Christian Fiction

Romance

Curriculum Tie-ins

World History

Religions

Book Talk Ideas

1. What parallels in our society today do you see with the Roman society?
2. Discuss Hadassah’s character—do you think she was a strong person?  Do you think she made the right choices?

Reading level/Interest age

Adult crossover (ages 16-Adult) 

Challenge Issues/Challenge Response Ideas

Violence; Abortion; Christianity/religion

• Be ready with a copy of the library’s selection policy.
• Understand the history of challenges for this particular work.
• Be familiar with similar works in the collection.
• Refer to ALA’s Intellectual Freedom resources

Why I included this work

As a multiple-award winning author, Francine Rivers sets the bar at writing high-quality Christian Fiction.  The Mark of the Lion series vividly depicts life in the Roman Empire in the first century.

Although originally written for adults, this series is extremely popular with Christian teens, many of whom are drawn to the romance.

Great Quote from the Book:

"True beauty is rare, and seldom recognized by the one who possesses it."

The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers

Rivers, Francine. The Last Sin Eater.

Tyndale House; 1998,

ISBN: 0842335706.

Reader’s Annotation

Because Cady did something horrible, the guilt is eating her alive, so she desperately looks for the one person she thinks can take burden away from her—the evil, mysterious, sin eater.

Plot Summary

Ten-year-old Cady Forbes has a terrible secret, and she desperately wants to be free from the guilt that haunts her.  When Cady’s grandmother dies, Cady and the other mourners stand with baited breath and their backs to the grave, waiting for the sin eater—the one person who would willingly take on the sins of the deceased, in order for them to rest in peace.  Despite being forbidden not to, Cady sneaks a peek at the Sin Eater, and from that moment on decides that he and only he can take her secret guilt away.  Along with 14-year-old Fagan, who has secrets of his own, Cady hunts for the Sin Eater.  But even when they close in on the sin eater,a mysterious outsider comes into their midst, a preaching strange things that bewilder and captivate Cady and Fagan.  They end up sharing what they learn with the sin eater himself  With the help of Fagan and the sin eater, Cady uncovers a secret in the community that far surpasses her own personal guilt.  But it’s the words of the stranger free Cady and the others in a way they never anticipated.

Critical Evaluation

The roots of this story come from a tradition that was common in the early nineteenth century in England, the lowlands of Scotland, and the Welsh border district.  The tradition came to America with some immigrants, and was practiced in remote areas of the Appalachian Mountains.  Rivers weaves an intriguing tale that has many dark twists and turns.  Cady's role as the catalyst for change in her small community as each person she talks to confesses worries, guilt and doubt of their own.

 

About the Author

Long before her success as a writer of Christian fiction, Francine Rivers enjoyed great success as an established romance novelist.  She started out her career at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she received a B.A. in English and journalism. Francine grew up in a Christian home, but did not truly establish a relationship with Christ until much later in life.  At that point she turned her efforts to writing Christian fiction, and has enjoyed a highly successful career in that genre.  A mother of three grown children, Francine and her husband Rick live in Northern California.  For more information go to: http://francinerivers.com/

Genre

Historical Fiction

Curriculum Tie-ins

History

Booktalk  Ideas

1. Why do you think Fagan befriends Cady?
2. Do you think that Bledsoe should have “gotten on with her life”?
3. How do you feel about Cady’s mother and how she acts around Cady?

Reading level/Interest age

Young Adult

Challenge Issues/Challenge Response Ideas

• Religion/Christianity
• Be ready with a copy of the library’s selection policy
• Be familiar with similar works in the collection
• Refer to site: http://www.christianbook.com/the-last-sin-eater/francine-rivers/9780842335713/pd/35714?item_code=WW&netp_id=106878&event=ESRCN&view=details

Why I included this work

This story felt almost gothic to me, and yet anyone can identify with Cady’s struggle guilt.

1999 Gold Medallion Award winner

http://www.christianbook.com/the-last-sin-eater/francine-rivers/9780842335713/pd/35714?item_code=WW&netp_id=106878&event=ESRCN&view=details

Dictionary of American Young Adult Fiction 1997-2001

Great Quotes from the Book:

Miz Elda: “Don’t matter though. No matter how deep the truth gets buried, it always comes to light.”

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief.

Alfred A. Knopf; 2006,

ISBN: 0375842209.

Reader’s Annotation

The story of Liesel, a nine-year-old foster child growing up in a working class neighborhood in Nazi Germany, is skillfully narrated by Death himself, who describes her strange habit of collecting stolen books and her eclectic assortment of companions.

Plot Summary

When nine-year-old Liesel Meminger arrives at the door of her foster parent’s house in Molching, Germany, she has just witnessed the death of her little brother, and has just stolen her first book, The Gravedigger’s Handbook, which she cannot read herself.  Feeling lost, lonely and afraid, Liesel has nightmares about her brother until her foster father, Hans, uses the Gravedigger’s Handbook as a way to connect with Liesel, and to comfort her with his compassionate presence.  Growing up in the shadow of a Nazi death camp, Liesel collects an assortment of odd companions including: her classmate Rudy—the boy her befriends her, and who idolizes Jesse Owens; Max--a Jewish refugee Max hiding in her basement, who creates his own book with writing and artwork; and the reclusive wife of the town mayor, who allows Liesel to steal books from her large collection.  Death itself narrates the story in frank detail, without much sentimentality (although Death seems to have a soft spot for Liesel).

Critical Evaluation

At first, the prospect of having “Death” serve as the narrator is a little disconcerting.  However, Zusak manages to create a character in Death that is quite complex and interesting.  In The Book Thief, Death has a way of offering just enough tidbits of information to keep you hooked, without spoiling the story.  Liesel’s response of stealing books is almost endearing way, and yet it speaks to the depth of what she has already suffered by the time she reaches Molching. Zusak creates a cast of characters worthy of any Hollywood movie—each with their own quirks, gifts and foibles.  For example, Hans and Rosa Hubermann, the foster parents who take Liesel in, become critical characters in the story.  Rosa persists in calling Liesel “saumensch” (“pig” in German)—and you are shocked.  But as the story progresses, you come to understand Rosa’s gruff, irreverent, no-nonsense brand of love.  Hans melts your heart as he provides the nurturing love that Liesel so desperately needs.  The story is wonderfully crafted, and just when you’re hardly aware you’re near the end of story, the end comes, and it takes your breath away.

About the Author

Markus Zusak was inspired to write The Book Thief, after hearing many stories from his German mother about life in Germany during World War II, including seeing Jewish prisoners marched through small towns.  Zusak was born in Sydney, and is the youngest of four children.  He started writing when he was sixteen, and published his first book, The Underdog, seven years later.  He now lives in Sydney with his wife and daughter.  For more information, go to: http://www.randomhouse.com/features/markuszusak/

Genre

Historical Fiction

Curriculum Tie-ins

History:  World War II/Holocaust

Booktalk  Ideas

1. Describe the relationship between Liesel and Max…
2. How does Death really feel about Liesel, and why?
3. Do you think that Hans did the right thing when the Jewish 

Reading level/Interest age

Young Adult (15+)

Challenge Issues/Challenge Response Ideas

Violence; Anti-Semitic language

• Present the library's  selection policy
• Refer to YALSA's site:  http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/yabookshelf.cfm

Why I included this work

This book caught my attention because I am fascinated by the relationship between people and books. 

2008 Ena Noel Award - the IBBY Australia Ena Noël Encouragement Award for Children's Literature

2007 Michael L. Printz Honor book by the Young Adult Library Services Association

2006 Kathleen Mitchell Award 2006 (literature)

Great Quote from the Book:

“He was the crazy one who had painted himself black and defeated the world.

She was the book thief without the words.

Trust me, though, the words were on their way, and when they arrived, Liesel would hold them in her hands like the clouds, and she would wring them out like rain.”