Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

Doctorow, Cory. Little Brother.

Tor Teen; 2008,

ISBN: 0765323117.

Reader’s Annotation

Because the day the bridge blew up was the day Marcus and his friends skipped school, they are under suspicion and continually tracked by the DHS, which isn’t really prepared for computer geek Marcus to counter with a resistance movement of his own.

Plot Summary

The afternoon that Marcus and his friends Darryl, Vanessa (Van), and Jolu decide to skip school, is the day that terrorists blow up the San Francisco Bay Bridge.  In the mad scramble with crowds trying to get to shelter, Darryl gets stabbed.  As the four frantically try to help Darryl, they instead get arrested for suspicious behavior by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  Taken to a secret prison as “enemy combatants”  they are subjected to psychological torture and humiliation at the direction of “Severe Haircut Woman”.  When finally Marcus, Van and Jolu are released and threatened if they tell anyone what happeded, they discover that San Francisco has become a police state.  They respond to their ordeal in different ways.  Marcus, upon learning that Darryl has been taken to a secret prison on Treasure Island, gets mad.  Under his code name, W1n5t0n (Winston), Marcus develops and organizes a resistance movement.  During this time he develops a relationship with Ange, who supports him in his efforts.  As the story progresses, the danger and stress level grows.  Marcus finally confesses to Darryl’s  father, and to his own parents, who in turn take him to a reporter.  Marcus again get arrested by the DHS, and this time is tortured, (recorded on video) by waterboarding.  Thanks to the reporter, and consequently the governor, Marcus is rescued, and Darryl is found and saved.  Happy ending except, nothing happens to the DHS.

Critical Evaluation

Doctorow allowed the protagonist, Marcus show complexity.  In the beginning, Marcus seemed the classic hero—he was David, to the DHS’s Goliath.  I was kind of expecting Doctorow to make Marcus a one dimensional good guy.  As the plot progressed, however, the lines blurred.  One way that Doctorow highlighted this was to show how even some of Marcus’ closest friends would not stand with him completely.  On both sides of the security/privacy issue, there was represented a range of gray area.  Marcus’ own code of ethics throughout the book is summed up in the part of the Bill of Rights which he quotes.  When Marcus demonstrated how to reprogram the RFIDs, he dramatically made his point about privacy and surveillance.  The downside of that, was that innocent people were unavoidably hurt in the process.  Some might simply call that collateral damage, but Marcus did begin to squirm as he saw jammers going overboard with the procedure, and he did try to call them off.  When Marcus finally tells the truth to his parents, there was a feeling that he was giving up the fight.  But Marcus finds (especially with his dad), that there’s power in the truth, and he learns that there are appropriate and legal ways to fight back against injustice.  He finds that he has many more allies in the battle by speaking the truth—allies such as his parents, Barbara Stratford—the reporter, and Darryl’s father.  The truth becomes a much more effective weapon in the end. 

Information about the Author

Cory Doctorow considers himself to be much more than a science fiction writer.  Born in Toronto, Canada, he is an activist, journalist and blogger (He is co-editor of Boing Boing).  Doctorow lives in London, and is also the author of For the Win.  For more information, go to Craphound.com.

Genre

Science Fiction

Horror

Curriculum Tie-ins

Civics

Social Studies

Booktalk  Ideas

1. How should we balance our right to privacy with our need for safety?
2. Discuss Marcus’ father’s response throughout the book and contrast that with his response after Marcus confesses the truth.

Reading level/Interest age

Young Adult (ages 13+)

Challenge Issues/Challenge Response Ideas

Political issues

Sexual content

Be ready with a copy of the library’s selection policy

Be familiar with similar works in the collection

Refer to site: YALSA’s Best Books for Young Adults

Why I included this work

The political and moral themes help readers to consider their basic rights, and hopefully not take them for granted.

Other awards and honors:

•  2009 White Pine Award
•  2009 Prometheus Award. and the
•  2009 John W. Campbell Memorial Award
• Finalist for the Hugo Award for Best Novel.

Great Quote from the Book:

"I can't go underground for a year, ten years, my whole life,

waiting for freedom to be handed to me.

Freedom is something you have to take for yourself."

New Moon by Stephanie Meyer

Meyer, Stephanie. New Moon.

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 2009,

ISBN: 0316075655.

Reader’s Annotation

When Edward decides that he has to leave Bella in order to keep her safe, Bella finds comfort in her friendship with Jacob, then soon finds out a problem--he's werewolf.

Plot Summary

In this sequel to Twilight, Bella and Edward are still together, still in love.  They even host a family celebration of Bella’s 18^th birthday.  While opening a present, Bella accidentally cuts her finger, and the scent of her blood, pushes Jasper out of control.  He tries to attack Bella, and though Edward stops him, Edward decides that his relationship with Bella is too dangerous for her.  He and his family move away, leaving Bella devastated.  Depressed and lonely, Bella manages to get through the next few months.  She grows closer to her friend Jacob Black, and comes to enjoy spending time with him.  However, Bella never stops missing Edward.  She discovers that when she does something risky or dangerous, she can “hear” Edward in her head, and she’s then hooked.  While spending so much time with Jacob, Bella discovers that he, and others on the reservation are werewolves.  When two vampires comes after Bella, they protect her.  Meanwhile, Edward gets it into his head that Bella died, and now he doesn’t want to live without her.  He head to Italy to seek an end to his life in one of the only ways a vampire can die—at the hands of the Volturi, or vampire royalty.  Alice and Bella rush to Italy to save Edward.  But will that make it in time?  And what to become of Bella?

Critical Evaluation

While the sequel has a slower pace than Twilight, some aspects are entertaining.  Primarily, Jacob’s transformation into a werewolf was imaginatively portrayed by Meyer.  She manages to capture the confusion and sadness that torments Jacob.  His personality is his best feature though—with his wit and more cheerful outlook.  He makes Bella keenly aware that vampires and werewolves are mortal enemies, though.  And he’s fiercely protective of Bella.  Much of the novel is spend on Bella missing Edward, which gets pretty old, but as the pace picks up, the story gets back on track.  In true Romeo and Juliet form, Bella races to save Edward from the same fate as Romeo.

Information about the Author

It was a dream that changed Stephanie Meyer’s life.  When she awoke on June 2, 2003, she had vivid characters in her mind that she couldn’t stop thinking about.  This stay-at-home mother of three boys found time her and there in her busy schedule to write the story, and three months later, she finish Twilight.  With only her sister aware that she had written a book, Meyer sent it off to the publisher where it went into a slush.  It was eventually discovered, published and became one of the most talked about books. For more information, go to: http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/index.html

Genre

Horror

Romance

Curriculum Tie-ins

None

Booktalk  Ideas

1. Edward or Jacob?
2. Discuss Bella response to Edward's rejection.
3. How do you think the werewolf/vampire conflict will play out?

Reading level/Interest age

Young Adult

Challenge Issues/Challenge Response Ideas

Violence

• 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 YALSA's 2007 Teens Top Ten

Why I included this work

After Twilight, you kind of want to find out what happens next!

Great Quotes from the Book:

"Time passes. Even when it seems imposible. When each tick of the second hand aches like the pulse of blood behind a bruise. It passes unevenly in strange lurches and dragging lulls, but pass it does. Even for me."

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

 

Meyer, Stephanie. Twilight.

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 2008,

ISBN: 0316038377.

Reader’s Annotation

Bella and Edward are in love, but there's a problem--he's a vampire, and her blood smells delicious.

Plot Summary

There’s something strange, really strange about Edward Cullen.  Or so thinks Bella Swan when she moves to rainy Forks, Washington.  When Bella, and shy, pretty teenager moves there from Phoenix to live with her father, other students take notice—especially the boys.  However, when Bella is seated next to Edward on her first day of school, she’s stunned by his reaction to her.  He seems furious and repulsed by Bella—then he disappears for a few days.  When he returns, Edward acts completely differently—friendly and more talkative.  The plot thickens when Bella is almost hit by a speeding van in the school parking lot.  Suddenly, Edward appears at her side and stops the van with his bare hands.  Bella’s curiosity goes into overdrive.  When the subject of the Cullens comes up with family friend Jacob, he tells her the Native American legend that leads Bella to believe that Edward, and his family are all vampires.  After that, Bella wears down Edward into admitting it.  He confesses that the reason he had a hard time around her is that her blood smells to tempting for him.  He and his family are vampires, but they drink the blood of animals, not humans.  Bella and Edward fall in love, and Bella get to know Edward’s family.  When another group of vampires comes to the area, including a tracker vampire named James, there’s big trouble.  James likes the smell of Bella’s blood too, and unlike the Cullens, he prefers human blood.

Critical Evaluation

Stephanie Meyer developed an intriguing concept in the Twilight series.  The idea of vampires has held a fascination for people for centuries.  The idea of a genuine romance between a human and a “vegetarian” vampire makes for a unique angle.  A bit of literary controversy has arisen over the merits of the Twilight saga, but the bottom line is that Twilight is a romance that readers can sigh over.  Some of the characters were especially compelling.  Carlisle, Edward’s “father”, is the inspiration and guiding force behind the non-human-killing vampires.  His compassion for others, including humans makes him especially appealing.  Alice, Edward’s sister, has personality plus—vivacious and funny.  Charlie, Bella’s dad is suitably gruff and awkward in his love for Bella.  The main characters, Bella and Edward lacked the same originality.  As a protagonist, Bella often seemed to be weak, and in need of rescuing.  But on the other hand, the chemistry they shared was reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet.  Overall the book was a fun romance.

Information about the Author

It was a dream that changed Stephanie Meyer’s life.  When she awoke on June 2, 2003, she had vivid characters in her mind that she couldn’t stop thinking about.  This stay-at-home mother of three boys found time her and there in her busy schedule to write the story, and three months later, she finish Twilight.  With only her sister aware that she had written a book, Meyer sent it off to the publisher where it went into a slush.  It was eventually discovered, published and became one of the most talked about books. For more information, go to: http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/index.html

Genre

Romance

Horror

Curriculum Tie-ins

None

Booktalk  Ideas

1. What do you think of Bella’s character?  Do you think she should become a vampire?
2. How would you say the process of becoming a vampire parallels real life?

Reading level/Interest age

Young Adult

Challenge Issues/Challenge Response Ideas

Violence

• 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 YALSA cite: 2006 Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults.

Why I included this work

It was so talked about that I had to know what the buzz was.

Awards and honors for Twilight include:

• One of the ALA's "Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults"
• New York Times Editor's Choice
• One of Publishers Weekly "Best Children's Books of 2005"
• Publishers Weekly "Best Book of the Year"
• One of School Library Journal's "Best Books of 2005"
• Amazon.com's "Best Book of the Decade...So Far"

Great Quote from the Book:

“Surely it was a good way to die, in the place of someone else, someone I loved. Noble, even. That ought to count for something.”

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Golding, William.  Lord of the Flies.

Penguin Books; 1999 (originally published in 1954).

ISBN: 0140283331 (pbk.).

Reader’s Annotation

When a plane crashes on an island, leaving a group of British schoolboys as survivors, they must decide how they will live and how their “society” will be defined—with deadly consequences.

Plot Summary

A group of British schoolchildren, being evacuated during wartime, crash on a deserted island and must organize themselves in order to survive.  Ralph, the protagonist, finds a conch shell, and blows it in order to gather the other survivors.  He and Jack, the leader of a choir group, are the natural candidates to guide them, but the overall group chooses Ralph to be their leader.  An intelligent and overweight boy, unhappily nicknamed “Piggy”, is Ralph’s first friend on the island and acts as a sort of advisor to Ralph.  Another boy, Simon, proves to be another trusted friend.  Ralph makes lighting and maintaining a signal fire the number one priority, and they use Piggy’s glasses to start the fire.  Jack, in turn, organizes his choir into hunters to find meat.  For a while, all the boys are united in a common purpose, but then things start to go downhill.  Some of the boys become convinced that there is a monster (“the Beast”), on the island.  Jack exploits that belief, and uses their fear to gain more power and control over the group.  Now there are two tribes—Jack’s and Ralph’s. When Simon reaches an emotional breakdown point, he stumbles across the fly-covered head of a pig, mounted on a stake.  It is the hunters’ first kill, offered up to the Beast.  To Simon, it appears that the “Lord of the Flies” talks to him, telling him the real beast is instead them all.  Before the story’s end, the boys have become utterly savage, and the hunt is on.

Critical Evaluation

This classic novel is so multifaceted that it has become required reading in countless high schools and colleges.  Ripe with symbolism, the story progresses slowly at first, and then steadily faster and faster—you can almost hear the drum beat.  Lord of the Flies has been identified by the ALA as one of the most frequently challenged books.  For some, they cite the violence or profanity.  Others claim that it is racist, or defamatory to disabled, God and women.  One of the more telling reasons cited, however, is that the book is “demoralizing inasmuch as it implies that man is little more than an animal." Ironically, they actually hit on one of the central themes—man’s struggle between civilized and primitive behavior.  For that idea, Golding’s work is likely to remain a classic.  When Golding received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1983, the Nobel Foundation cited: "...his novels which, with the perspicuity of realistic narrative art and the diversity and universality of myth, illuminate the human condition in the world of today".

Information about the Author

Born to a socialist teacher who supported scientific rationalism (his father), and a supporter of women’s suffrage (his mother), Sir William Gerald Golding seemed destined to become a scientist at his father’s request.  However, he later developed a love of literature—first Anglo-Saxon texts and then poetry, which he wrote fervently.  Lord of the Flies was Golding’s first published novel.  For more information, go to:  http://www.william-golding.co.uk/

Genre

Adventure

Horror

Curriculum Tie-ins

Sociology

Booktalk Ideas

1. What do you think the Lord of the Flies represents?
2. Why do you think that Piggy was so obsessed with the conch shell?  What do you think the shell represents?

Reading level/Interest age

Young Adult (age 13-adult)

Challenge Issues/Challenge Response Ideas

Violence

Language

Racism

Defamation of the disabled, God, and women

• 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 Golding’s Nobel Prize in Literature for Lord of the Flies.

Why I included this work

I read it in high school, and it made an impact on me—especially the last page.

Winner of the 1983 Nobel Prize for Literature

Great Quote from the Book:

"Ralph wept for the end of innocence, the darkness of man's heart, and the fall through the air of the true, wise friend called Piggy."

I Know What You Did Last Summer by Lois Duncan

Duncan, Lois. I Know What You Did Last Summer.

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 2010 (originally published in 1973),

ISBN: 031609899X.

Reader’s Annotation

After a hit-and-run accident kills a boy, Julie and three friends agree to never to tell anyone about it.  But a year later, Julie gets a note that simply reads, “I know what you did last summer.”

Plot Summary

Julie, a high school senior, has so much going for her.  And then one day she receives a note, hand written in block letters, that simply read, “I know what you did last summer.”  In an instant, Julie’s safe little world crumbles, and memories of the previous summer come flooding back to her.  She and three friends, Barry, Helen, and Ray, were driving home after a night of partying.  It’s a rainy night, and suddenly Barry’s car struck a boy on a bicycle.  Scared of the police, Barry convinces the others not to stop, and instead get to a phone at a gas station and call the police to report the accident.  The four make a pact to never tell anyone about what happened.  So how could anyone know now?  Then more frightening things happen as each one is contacted, and they still don’t know who is stalking them.  What can they do—what will this threatening avenger do?

Critical Evaluation

If you’ve seen the movie, don’t expect a slasher story to match.  Duncan’s book is much more about character, and relationships, and especially about consequences.  The story is told mostly from Julie’s point of view.  Barry, who could be described as the hottest guy in school, drives the car on that rainy night a year ago when he, Helen, Ray and Julie were come home after partying.  When the car strikes a boy on his bicycle, there’s an argument about stopping to help the boy, but Barry convinces the others that it would be better to call it in anonymously, and avoid dealing with the police.  They make the call, and then make a pact to never discuss what happened with anyone.  That was the end of it—or so they thought.  Duncan’s careful crafting of her story, builds the suspense steadily as the story progresses, until you’re holding your breath near the end. 

Information about the Author

Lois Duncan is an award-winning author of more than 45 books—from children’s picture books, to adult novels, but she is best known for her mystery and suspense novels for young adults.  Duncan taught in the journalism department at the University of New Mexico, and also wrote more than 300 articles for magazines such as Redbook, Good Housekeeping, Reader’s Digest, and Seventeen. For more information, go to: http://loisduncan.arquettes.com/index.htm

Genre

Horror

Mystery

Suspense

Curriculum Tie-ins

None

Booktalk Ideas

1.  What would you have done if you had been in the car with Barry?

2.  Were you surprised to find out who the killer was?  Why or why not?

Reading level/Interest age

Young Adult

Challenge Issues/Challenge Response Ideas

Violence

• Present the library’s selection policy
• Be familiar with similar works in the collection
• Refer to an interview Duncan about censorship and her work: http://www.absolutewrite.com/specialty_writing/lois_duncan.htm

Why I included this work

I read a review that said it was great suspense novel—not like the movie.

Duncan received the Margaret A. Edwards Award for a Distinguished Body of Work for Young Adults, from the Young Adult Services Committee of the American Library Association and the School Library Journal-- l992.

Great Quote from the Book:

"Aloud she said, ‘Why not you, Ray?  You were involved in this as much as the rest of us.  Why is it that Bud never tried to do anything to you?”  His armed tightened around her.  ‘He knew the worst thing for me was a world without you.'"

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games.

Scholastic; 2008,

ISBN: 0439023521.

Reader’s Annotation

Katniss voluntarily takes her sister’s place in the Hunger Games—a violent fight to the death imposed by the Capitol of Panem for the entertainment of the viewing public, on the children from the outlying districts, as a punishment for past rebellion and to discourage future uprisings.

Plot Summary

Katniss Everdeen is a survivor, and in her country of Panem (in what used to be the United States), she also works tirelessly to help her family (her mother and sister Prim) survive.  Katniss enjoys her illegal hunting time because she can get out into the wild and also spend time with Gale, her handsome, close friend.  Panem consists of twelve outlaying districts (and a rumored thirteenth), surrounding the all-controlling Capitol.  Because the Districts once rebelled against the Capitol, the government now forces the Districts to participate in gladiator-style Hunger Games—each district must select by lottery one boy and one girl.  When 12-year-old Prim’s name is chosen, Katniss doesn’t hesitate to take her place in the Hunger Games.  What follows is Katniss’ journey with fellow District 12 contestant Peeta, the baker’s son, to the Games which are nationally televised for the Capitol’s amusement, and the Districts’ punishment.  Throughout the Games, Katniss must make choices—who to trust for now, who to kill, and how to survive until the end.

Critical Evaluation

Once the names are drawn, the plot takes off, and you can’t put the book down.  Collins has created a dystopian society where the children are made to bear the punishment for previous generations.  The psychological agony of being forced to watch children fight for their lives, being presented as a form of entertainment is unimaginable. Katniss is at first bewildered as the events surrounding the Hunger Games, but with their advisor Haymitch, a drunken, cynical older man, Katniss and Peeta begin to talk strategy.  Katniss doesn’t want to work with Peeta—she doesn’t want to know him or care about him because she knows that ultimately she will have to kill him or be killed by him.  Her resolution falters though, when Peeta admits in a pre-game, televised interview that he loves Katniss.  As the games progress, Katniss and Peeta are drawn together, and eventually find a way to rebel.

About the Author

As a successful writer for several children’s television shows including Clarissa Explains It All and The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo, Suzanne Collins has established a range of writing experience.  It was with her writing of the bestselling Underland Chronicles, however, that Collins really made her mark in children’s literature.  In the award-winning The Hunger Games trilogy, Collins explores the effects of war and violence on young people. Collins lives with her family in Connecticut. For more information, go to: http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/index.htm

Genre

Science fiction

Fantasy

Action

Horror

Curriculum Tie-ins

None

Booktalk Ideas

1. Peeta or Gale?
2. Describe Katniss’ relationship with Haymitch.
3. Are there any parallels to the Hunger Games in our society? Have there ever been?

Reading level/Interest age

Young Adult (grades 9-Adult)

Challenge Issues/Challenge Response Ideas

Violence

• Present the library’s selection policy
• Be familiar with similar works in the collection

Why I included this work

Collins wons innumerable awards and honors for The Hunger Games including:

• An American Library Association Top Ten Best Books For Young Adults Selection
• 2008 CYBIL AWARD--Fantasy & Science Fiction

Great Quote from the Book:

Katniss Everdeen: “It’s not a fair comparison really. Gale and I were thrown together by a mutual need to survive. Peeta and I know the other’s survival means our own death.”

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Collins, Suzanne. Catching Fire.

Scholastic; 2009,

ISBN: 0439023491.

Reader’s Annotation

Katniss and Peeta, unprecedented co-victors of the Hunger Games, begin their victory tour, only to discover that the country is teetering on the brink of revolution, and they are the catalysts.  Will they survive the demands placed on them, as well as yet another trip to the Hunger Games arena?

Plot Summary

After skillfully forcing the organizers of the nationally televised Hunger Games to let both her and her friend Peeta survive, Katniss Everdeen now faces even greater battles.  The Hunger Games, a gladiator-style fight to the death, has been hosted by the government of Panem (a country in what used the United States) as a way to punish the outlaying districts for past rebellion and to discourage any future attempts at rebellion.  The story begins with Katniss and Peeta beginning their victory tour of the districts, only to be stunned by an unexpected return to the Hunger Games arena.  Will Katniss survive again, and will she rise to the mounting calls to become the “Mockingjay”, or the symbol of the rebellion?

Critical Evaluation

Once again, Suzanne Collins delivers on a fast-paced, compelling story that grabs readers and draws them into the action.  In this sequel to The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen’s eyes are opened wide by the brutal reality of the Capitol, and its tyrannical grip on the twelve districts.  When she and Peeta make their victory tour, several incidents with rebellious overtones happen, and it the merciless response that shocks Katniss.  She discovers that more and more people look to her as their symbol of the resistance, but Katniss just isn’t sure she can rise to be their “Mockingjay”.  But when the devious President Snow steps up the action by creating a special Hunger Games of all the former victors, Katniss finally gets it.  It is in the abbreviated Hunger Games that we really see Katniss’ strength of character come through.  She works with other victors as she can, protects Peeta at all costs, and always looks for a way to fight back against President Snow.

About the Author

As a successful writer for several children’s television shows including “Clarissa Explains It All” and “The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo”, Suzanne Collins has established a range of writing experience.  It was with her writing of the bestselling Underland Chronicles, however, that Collins really made her mark in children’s literature.  In the award-winning The Hunger Games trilogy, Collins explores the effects of war and violence on young people. Collins lives with her family in Connecticut.   For more information, go to: http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

Genre

Science Fiction

Horror

Curriculum Tie-ins

None

Booktalk  Ideas

1. Discuss the various relationships between Katniss, Peeta and the other victors.
2. How would you characterize Katniss’ friendship with Cinna and with her stylist team?

Reading level/Interest age

Young Adult (12+)

Challenge Issues/Challenge Response Ideas

Violence

• Refer to YALSA's Teen's Top Ten
• Present library's selection policy
• Be familiar with the work, and with comparable works in the collection 

Why I included this work:

After the thrill of The Hunger Games, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Catching Fire

Great Quote from the Book:

President Snow to Katniss:  "Katniss Everdeen, the girl who was on fire, you have provided the spark that, left unattended, may grow into an inferno that destroys Panem," he says.

"Why don't you just kill me now?" I blurt out.

"Publicly?" he asks. "That would only add fuel to the flames."