Forge

Novel: Forge
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Genre: Y.A. Literature
Other works by Halse Anderson: Fever 1793, Chains, Wintergirls, Twisted, Speak
Please visit Laurie Halse Anderson's website a complete list of works beyond Y.A. literature.

Forge is the second book in the Chains series by Halse Anderson. Chains, the first book, is told in first person narration by a teenaged, African American slave, named Isabelle, but frequently referred to as Country. For the second book, Halse Anderson changes from her female narrator to Curzon, a slightly older teenaged, African American slave. To ensure his freedom, Curzon enlists in the American army during the time of the Revolutionary War. Since this is the second book in a series, I'm hesitant to go into detail for fear that I might give away pivotal information from the first novel.
Halse Anderson is known for her excellent writing of historical fiction. Teaching books such as Chains and Forge would offer students a more engaging way of learning about their country's history than plopping a five-hundred page text book on their desks. At the end of Chains and Forge is an appendix where Halse Anderson answers questions regarding her novel and the accuracy of the information presented. For example, some of the questions she answers are: "Which side did African Americans fight for during the Revolution?" and "How was life different for slaves on big plantations, on farms and in cities?" Also, in some additions of these novels are a list of sources where she received the information regarding the historical time period. And just for you teachers, Halse Anderson has added a section of discussion questions! Fabulous!

Delirium

Novel: Delirium
Author: Lauren Oliver
Genre: Y.A. Literature
Other works by Oliver: Before I Fall, Requiem (to be released in February 2013), Pandemonium
For more information regarding Oliver and her writing, please visit her website.

Delirium was recommended to me last semester by my Practicum mentor teacher, Wendy. She loved Oliver's novel so much, she donated a copy to the middle school's library. I was finally able to crack the pages of this novel eight months later, and I'm so glad I did!
Oliver's novel takes place in Portland, Maine which is one reason why I couldn't put it down. I was thrilled to read about the Old Port, Congress Street and the statue that is erected in Monument Square. Finally Portland, Oregon doesn't receive all the attention!
Who would have thought that in a world that is already infected and plagued by so many diseases we'd have room to add just one more? More terrifying than terminal cancer and more infectious than H1N1: love, or what the people of this new world call the deliria. All citizens of this new society are required by law to receive the cure once they reach the age of eighteen. Until the cure can be obtained, each person is doused with medical books (The Book of Shhh), revised editions of the Bible and terrifying tales that reenact the fatality, that's correct, fatality of this disease.
Leah Holoway is only ninety-five days from receiving the procedure which will secure her place in a safe, painless and predictable world. She's anxious for her chance at safety because she has the disease coursing genetically through her veins. Leah Holoway is only ninety-five days from receiving the procedure when she does the unthinkable: she falls in love. 

I would consider teaching Oliver's novel to a classroom of students. Although it's more obviously geared to young women, there are aspects of this book that young men might find engaging. Although the government boasts a safe community for its citizens, both cured and uncured, there are tremendous amounts of violence on a nearly regular basis, all of which is inflicted by the government. Also, the plot of this novel is quickly paced. You can forget the aspects of dated and cliched teenage love stories. Although this story has Romeo and Juliet peppered throughout it's pages, just remember that this version has fully automatic weapons.
There are some very interesting, conversation-starting essential questions buried among the pages of Oliver's novel:
1. What are the positive aspects of being in love? And the negative?
2. Even with the risk of utter heartbreak and tremendous amounts of unmeasurable pain, would you give up your ability to love?
3. Why would a government choose to become involved in its citizens personal lives?

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Novel: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling
Genre: Y.A. Literature
Other works by Rowling: Tales of the Beadle Bard, the Harry Potter series
For more information regarding J.K. Rowling and her books, visit her website.

It seems almost silly that I should even begin to describe the book that set the Harry Potter craze into motion. Published in 1998, Harry Potter become a sensation unlike any other!
Harry, an orphaned boy, lives with his aunt and uncle, the Dursleys' and their wicked son, Dudley. Before his eleventh birthday, an owl delivers a letter to Harry. The letter contains Harry's acceptance in the Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. At this point in the novel, Harry is completely clueless about the magic that is flooding his veins. After an interesting series of events, Harry finally arrives at Hogwart's where the readers are introduced to many interesting characters, sights and sounds. Harry's adventures during his first year at wizardry school inevitably lead him to Lord Voldemort, the wizard who killed Harry's parents.

There's no question as to why Rowling's novel kicked-off a worldwide craze. The Harry Potter series is full of adventure, mystery and of course magic! I have to admit I haven't read the other six books, but if they're anything like the first one they'll be engaging and terribly hard to put down. I'm not sure I would teach Harry Potter as a whole class book, but it's certainly a novel I would consider book talking and encouraging students to pickup and read.

(Oh, I do plan on continuing the series!)

Fever 1793

Novel: Fever 1793
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Genre: Y.A. Literature
Other works by Halse Anderson: Chains, Forge, Wintergirls, Twisted, Speak, Catalyst
Please go to Laurie Halse Anderson's website for a complete list of works.

Like all of Halse Anderson's historical fiction pieces, Fever 1793 is engaging, enlightening and thoughtfully written. Fever 1793 takes place in, you guessed it, 1793 when the spread of Yellow Fever was rampant. Halse Anderson's story is told from the perspective of a teenaged girl, just coming to terms with the responsibilities of adulthood. Once the epidemic of Yellow Fever begins there's little the people of the newly settled America can do to stop it. Matilda, Halse Anderson's protagonist, is forced to flee her home of Philadelphia with her grandfather once her mother becomes unimaginably ill. Her life becomes entirely chaotic, especially once both she and her grandfather catch the Fever. After what seems like an earthly hell, Matilda returns to Philadelphia to find her mother's coffee shop and house completely abandoned and ram-shacked.

Fever 1793 would be an excellent addition to any history classroom's bookshelf. As I've said in previous posts regarding Halse Anderson's historical fiction, it would be a much welcomed change of pace from the usual five-hundred page American history textbook. This particular novel is an easy and quick read.

Stoner and Spaz

Novel: Stoner & Spaz
Author: Ron Koertge
Genre: Y.A. Literature
Other Y.A. works by Koertge:Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs, Boy Girl Boy, Strays, Deadville, Margeaux With An X, Shakespeare Bats Cleanup, Where the Kissing Never Stops, The Arizona Kid
Please visit Koertge's website for a complete list of works beyond young adult literature. 

Stoner & Spaz is not a book I would typically pick off the shelf, but the title intrigued me because I was interested to see how the story depicted two of the many, many stereotypes found at any given high school. Benjamin Bancroft, Koertge's main character, is a victim of Cerebral Palsy and an over protective grandmother (I've yet to decide which is worse). He frequents a local cinema which is home to many classic horror movie reruns. During one of his routine visits to the theater, he encounters a less than sober Colleen Minou. She's clearly rough around the edges, and the two's glaring differences become even more so as Koertge's story unfolds to reveal a strange and miraculous relationship.

I wouldn't teach Stoner & Spaz to an entire class of students. There are a number of reasons for this, the first being that there's an incredibly uncomfortable sex scene between Colleen and Ben. The second reason is that, although it's pretty evident I'm not opposed to profanity, Koertge's novel is pepper with very strong and vulgar language. It's certainly appropriate for a book with a character like Colleen character to use such colorful phrases and expressions; in fact, Colleen would lost much believability if nearly all her dialogue didn't contain "fuck" and "goddammit" in it. I would, however, have this book available in my classroom. I'm sure I'll come across a future student who will enjoy, or perhaps even benefit, from a story such as Koertge's Stoner & Spaz.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

Novel: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Author: John Boyne
Genre: Y.A. Literature
Other fictional works by Boyne: The Terribly Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket, The Absolutist, The House of Special Purpose, Noah Barleywater Runs Away, Mutiny of the Bounty, Next to Kin, Crippen, The Congress of Rough Riders, The Thief of Time, The Dare, The Second Child
Please visit John Boyne's website for a complete list of works beyond this selection of fiction. 

 I've read so many works of both fiction and non-fiction about the unimaginable happenings of the Holocaust. John Boyne's The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is, thus far, my favorite. He paints a picture of words, creating the life of a child, Bruno, whose father is a ranking officer in Adolf Hitler's army. Due to the obligations of his job, Bruno's father is required to relocate his family from comfortable Berlin, Germany to a location which the reader can later infer is Auschwitz. Since Bruno is merely eight years old his biggest concern is the lack of other children he'll find in the country. Almost immediately,  Bruno discovers a farm from his bedroom window where there are so many children. Despite the very odd fact that all of these children are wearing the same striped pajamas, he can hardly wait meet them. Shortly after moving away from Berlin, Bruno does meet a boy, a boy in striped pajamas name Schmuel. The only problem is that Schmuel lives on the other side of farm's fence. This new friendship will take Bruno on an adventure unlike any other he's yet to be a part of, one from innocence to revelation. Bruno's adventure is subsumed by the cruel and almost daily occurrences on Schmuel's side of the fence.

Boyne's novel is a quick read and would work perfectly in a unit about the Holocaust. Pair this piece of literature with The Diary of Anne Frank. The two books would offer an incredible opportunity for students to learn and study perspective. From Boyne's novel, students will get an eight year old German boy's perspective who is unwittingly a victim of the Holocaust. From the pages of Frank's diary, students will receive the perspective of a teenaged girl, also victimized by the Holocaust, but in an entirely different manner.

The Hunger Games

Novel: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: Y.A. Literature
Other works by Collins: Mockingjay, Catching Fire
For a complete list of Collins' works, please visit her website.


Where does one begin when discussing The Hunger Games series? Should I start by mentioning the prospect of almost certain death? The first book of Collins' trilogy takes place in Panem, a place that was once known at North America. There are thirteen districts in Panem, and each district is required to send two tributes, a boy and a girl, between the ages of twelve and eighteen, to fight to the death for the Capital's entertainment. There can be but one winner, securing the deaths of the twenty-three other tributes. The Games are a reminder to the people of Panem that the government is very much in control. Katniss, the main character, and Peeta are the two chosen tributes from District 12. Unfortunately for Katniss, her plans to remain unfeeling and stone-cold crumble after a startling confession before the tributes enter the Arena. How will this confession change the course of the Games?

Collins' novel would be an excellent book to grip reluctant young readers. Her novel moves at a perfect, page-turning pace that will keep kids coming back for more. The Hunger Games will make for terrific practice for students who need to learn how to identify symbolism, themes and characterization. Collins' novel also allows for the reader to gain a knowledge of perspective and point of view. Katniss is constantly trying to get into the heads of her fellow tributes, trainers, and sponsors.
Although this book is graphic and violent, I would encourage almost anyone to read it, especially if he or she is looking for a book to finish in one sitting, perhaps during a long car or airplane ride. Keep in the mind the suspense doesn't end with the turn of the last page. Collins has written two more novels which are equally as exciting. This trilogy is a must read!

Wintergirls

Novel: Wintergirls
Author: Laurie Halse Anderson
Genre: Young Adult (Y.A.) Literature
Other works by Halse Anderson: Twisted, Prom, Catalyst, Speak, Forge, Chains, Fever 1793
Please go to Laurie Halse Anderson's website for a complete list of works.

I've ready most of Halse Anderson's novels, so picking up Wintergirls seemed like a no-brainer.

“'Dead girl walking,'” the boys say in the halls.
'Tell us your secrets,' the girls whisper, one toilet to another.
I am that girl.
I am the space between my thighs, daylight shining through.
I am the bones they want, wired on a porcelain frame."

Lia, a seventeen year old struggling with her own weight-obsessed, food addicted mind, is the main character of Halse Anderson's most recent novel. The first page of Wintergirls announces the death of Lia's bulimic ex-best friend, Cassie. The cause of her death is withheld for nearly half the novel, giving it an essence of mystery. Several times a day Lia is visited by the cruel and taunting ghost of Cassie. While she struggles with these frequent and brief appearances from Cassie, she also struggles with the concept of her death. A few days after the discovery of Cassie's body at a motel, Lia is contacted by an employee, Elijah, with information regarding the final moments of her childhood friend's life. Elijah and Lia form a strange relationship, the foundation of which is Cassie's death. Throughout the novel, the reader is one-hundred percent aware of Lia's inner thoughts, feelings, and struggles. This novel is an accurate and beautifully written portrayal of addiction, regardless of how uncomfortable the topic may be. Halse Anderson's book concludes in an unexpected manor, with Lia and Cassie having one final conversation about the loveliness of being alive. Does Lia ever manage to recover from the death grip her anorexia has on her? Or  is seventy-five pounds still too heavy? 

Wintergirls would be ideal for an after-school reading group for teen girls. The topic of negative body image runs rampant in our culture. Eating disorders and food addiction are not uncommon in today's society. Turn on MTV and you'll most likely catch the latest rerun of "True Life: I Have an Eating Disorder" then scan a few channels up to catch the latest episode of "American's Next Top Model". Janice Dickson will most likely be lecturing a size 00 model on her love handles and double chin.
Laurie Halse Anderson's novel has such a powerful message. When reading this book I was focused more on the message she was presenting than I was on the plot development of the actual story.