Across the Universe

Bibliographic Information: Revis, B. (2001). Across the Universe. New York: Razorbill. ISBN: 1595143971

Plot Summary: Amy, a seventeen-year old girl from Earth is torn between staying with her family, and finishing out her life on Earth.  Amy’s parents have joined a project to be cryogenically frozen and stored on the spaceship Godspeed traveling 300 years to a new planet they hope to colonize named Centauri-Earth.  She reluctantly agrees to join her parents on their 300-year frozen journey, but Amy is woken up fifty years too soon. Elder, the leader-in-training for the spaceship Godspeed stumbles upon Amy’s thawing body, and aids in her rescue.  Amy learns from the disgruntled leader, Eldest, that her presence on the ship is going to pose a threat to the mono-ethnic community aboard Godspeed, and she also has to deal with her grief of waking up 50 years prematurely.  All she wants is to see her parents again, but danger starts permeating the ship.  More frozen bodies are taken out of their cryogenic tanks, left to die.  She and Elder worry that her parents may be next, so they set out to solve the mystery, and catch the murderer.

Critical Evaluation: Beth Revis creates a space thriller told through the perspective of Amy and Elder.  With alternating narrations, Amy and Elder tell their story about the mysterious events that are taking place on the spaceship Godspeed.  The points-of-view in which Revis chose to tell the story provide great exposition in a narrative context.  The main characters, Elder and Amy, must grapple with earth-shattering discoveries.  Elder learns about the lower-levels of the spaceship, something Eldest has kept hidden from him.  He dislikes Eldest’s hesitance to trust him, and properly train him to become the next leader of the ship.  Elder’s discovery of Eldest’s secrets leads him to realize that much of the life he knew on Godspeed has been a lie.  Amy must deal with living as an outsider on Godspeed.  Eldest has convinced most of the ship’s inhabitants that she is a freak and a liar.  Amy is able to provide Elder with some perspective about life on the ship.  She senses that something is amiss, and acts as the catalyst to change the way of life on Godspeed. Across the Universe provides a window to the desperation people suffer when they are far, far, away from home.

Reader’s Annotation: The question isn’t where is she.  She knows she is on a spaceship headed for Centauri-Earth.  The question is when is she?  Amy wants to know why she is here now?  Why did someone wake her up while her parents still peacefully sleep sailing to their destination through outer space.

 

Information about the author: Beth Revis has been a life-long lover of Young Adult literature, and story writer.  She excelled in school, earning a BA in English, minor in history, and a MA in English Literature with a concentration in fantasy literature (Revis, n.d.).

After teaching for six years, a career she loved, Revis retired to focus on her writing.  Across the Universe is her first novel and trilogy, and she has also written a novella and a handful of short stories and Anthologies, which elaborate characters’ histories from Across the Universe (Revis, n.d.).

Genre: Science Fiction

Curriculum Ties: English  (literature)

Booktalking ideas (one or two):

1.    Conversation between Amy and her parents about leaving Earth.

Reading level/Interest age: 15+

Challenge Issues: The novel contains sexuality, attempted rape, and minor language.

To defend challenged material I would:

1.    Read/watch/listen to the material to become familiar with the content.

2.    Familiarize myself with the Arizona Common Core curriculum standards http://www.azed.gov/azcommoncore/teacher/ to defend how the material can support the learning of these standards.

3.    Refer to the Library Bill of Rights: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill

4.    Refer to the collection policy of my library.

5.    Collect reviews from staff/students/patrons who have used the material

Why I included this book: I included this book because of the unique point of view from which the story is told.  Alternating viewpoints between Elder and Amy help readers gather a deeper understanding of the novel.  The storyline is a little like Wall-E, in that humans have left earth to colonize another planet.  The science aspect about cryogenics will interest patrons interested in the science field. 

References:

Revis, B. (n.d.) Beth Revis. Website Retrieved from http://www.bethrevis.com/

The Amazing Spider Man

Bibliographic Information: Arad, A., Tolmach, M., & Ziskin, L. (Producers), & Webb, M. (Director). (2012). The amazing spider-man [Motion picture]. United States: Columbia Pictures.

Plot Summary:  When a young Peter Parker walks into his father’s study, he discovers it has been ransacked.  Panicked, his parents take him to his aunt and uncle’s house to stay for a bit, but shortly after, his parents are killed in a plane crash.  Peter grows up and attends Midtown Science High School.  One day, Peter discovered his father’s concealed documents from the night of the ransack.  His father was working with Dr. Curt Connors at Oscorp, so Peter heads there to meet with Dr. Connors.  He and his father were working on a project to cure illness by combining animal and human DNA.  He arrives to find his school crush Gwen Stacy leading student interns on a tour of the facility.  While at the facility Peter is bitten by a genetically modified spider, effectively giving Peter his “spidey senses.”  When he discovers his superhuman abilities, he becomes a vigilante fighting crime street crimes, and starts to attract attention from the police.  Peter and Gwen’s relationship starts to gain speed, but she invites him over for dinner to meet her parents, Peter walks in and discovers Gwen’s father is none other than the police captain.  How long can Peter keep his identity as Spider-Man a secret?

Critical Evaluation: The Amazing Spider-Man is full of conflicts that move the plot along.  The first conflict Peter struggles with is the loss of his parents.  Growing up as an orphan causes him to question how he fits into society.  He knows his aunt and uncle love him, but he still misses his parents deeply.  This desperation is what causes him to become so intrigued in the documents he finds in his father’s old briefcase.  Seeking out Dr. Connors, who was his father’s partner, probably helps Peter feel connected to his father.  Peter’s experience through his physical transformation after the spider bite presented another conflict.  What was he to do with his new abilities?  Peter struggled to figure out his identity and purpose as Spider-Man.  Peter also struggles explaining his transformation and and new-found abilities to his aunt, often leaving her in the dark to wonder what he is up to.  The Amazing Spider-Man  is really a look into Peter’s coming-of-age story, and how he settles into his role as the crime-fighting Spider-Man.

Reader’s Annotation: One teeny spider bite bite transformed Peter Parker into a wall-clinging, web-shooting superhero.  This is going to be amazing!  

Information about the director: Mark Webb has produced and directed many films, but his most successful have been The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), and (500) Days of Summer (2009).  Webb also makes documentaries featuring music artists, and a plethora of music videos.

Webb grew up in Wisconsin, and then attended college at Colorado College where he received a degree in English (Wikipedia (n.d.).

Genre: Action, Adventure, Science Fiction, Romance

Curriculum Ties: N/A

Booktalking ideas (one or two):

1. Where does Peter fit in?

Reading level/Interest age: 13+

Challenge Issues:  This movie contains “sequences of action and violence” (IMDb, n.d.)

To defend challenged material I would:

1.    Read/watch/listen to the material to become familiar with the content.

2.    Familiarize myself with the Arizona Common Core curriculum standards http://www.azed.gov/azcommoncore/teacher/ to defend how the material can support the learning of these standards.

3.    Refer to the Library Bill of Rights: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill

4.    Refer to the collection policy of my library.

5.    Collect reviews from staff/students/patrons who have used the material

Why I included this movie: This movie was very successful in the box office, and it is popular among the young adult population.  The Spider-Man saga has been around for a long time and is appealing to those who enjoy comic books.  

References:

IMDb. (n.d.). The amazing spider-man. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0948470/

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Marc Webb. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Webb

Assassin's Creed III

Bibliographic Information: Ubisoft. (2012). Assassin’s Creed III. United States: Ubisoft Entertainment.

Plot Summary: Don’t be fooled by the III, this is the 6th release of the Assassin’s Creed franchise.  Assassin’s Creed III leaves old Rome and heads to the New World as you play as a new type of assassin.  Developers spent more than 2 years creating an America ready to revolt against England.  The main character is Connor.  He has a Native American mother and a British father.  Watching as the American Revolution impedes on his people’s frontier, Connor decides to fight for freedom and liberty.  This path weaves through multiple storylines and historic events.  The game also tries to put a different perspective on the American Revolution – as you fight to stop the slaughter and burning of villages.  The theme of this game follows the same idea as the ones before it – Fight for what is right, even if you are overwhelmingly outnumbered.

Critical Evaluation: N/A

Reader’s Annotation: Born to a Native American mother and a British father, Connor’s fight during the American Revolution isn’t going to be easy.  

Information about the maker: Ubisoft was founded in 1986 by Yves Guillemot and his four brothers from Brittany, France. It currently has 26 studios in 19 countries, which makes it the second largest in-house development staff in the world (Ubisoft, n.d.). The brothers shared an interest in creating fun educational games.  Their first game, Zombi, was released in 1989.

    Some of their most successful gaming franchises include Ghost Recon (2000), Assassin’s Creed (2007), and Just Dance (2009), and  Prince of Persia (2010).

Genre: Action-adventure

Curriculum Ties: The closest curriculum connection is History.

Booktalking ideas (one or two):

1. Connor’s heritage (family tree).

Reading level/Interest age:

Challenge Issues: This video game contains graphic violence and killing, strong language, and hints of sexual themes.  

To defend challenged material I would:

1.    Read/watch/listen to the material to become familiar with the content.

2.    Familiarize myself with the Arizona Common Core curriculum standards http://www.azed.gov/azcommoncore/teacher/ to defend how the material can support the learning of these standards.

3.    Refer to the Library Bill of Rights: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill

4.    Refer to the collection policy of my library.

5.    Collect reviews from staff/students/patrons who have used the material

Why I included this game: Assassin’s Creed is a very successful franchise, and despite it’s violent nature, it does contain a story embedded in history, which can be beneficial to the players.

References:

Ubisoft. (n.d.) About Ubisoft. Retrieved from https://www.ubisoftgroup.com/en-US/

about_ubisoft/index.aspx

Boy Meets Boy

Bibliographic Information: Levithan, D. (2003). Boy meets boy. New York: Knopf.

Plot Summary: Paul, an openly gay sophomore, leads a pretty good life.  He lives in a town where people accept his homosexuality.  One night when he and his friends, Joni and Tony, venture to a local bookstore, Paul meets Noah, and they instantly make a connection.  Luckily for Paul, Noah is new in town and attends the same school.  After enlisting his friends to help him track Noah down, he finally sees him again at the school pep assembly.  Noah and Paul begin to lay the foundation for a strong relationship, that is until Kyle, Paul’s ex-boyfriend, starts talking to him after spreading rumors that Paul had “tricked” Kyle into being gay.  This change in Kyle confuses Paul, and combined with his best friend Joni’s new relationship with Chuck and her slow disappearance from the group (and his life), he finds himself on the verge of losing his new-found love.  Before Paul can get his “happily ever after” he needs to reconcile his feelings for Kyle, and the odds are stacked against him.

Critical Evaluation:  The setting and characters in Boy Meets Boy provide a fresh perspective through the eyes of a gay character.  The story takes place in a community that is open and accepting to homosexuality, and transvestism.  In elementary school Paul ran a campaign for class president with the slogan “Vote for me, I’m gay,” and the high school quarterback, Daryl Heisenberg, is a cross-dresser who now goes by the name Infinite Darlene (she is also the homecoming queen).  The community also has a strong PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) organization.  Pauls’ community is an ideal place for lesbians, gays, and transvestites to flourish, which provided him the environment needed to become the confident person he is.  Paul’s friend, Tony, juxtaposes his life entirely.  Tony lives in a neighboring town and goes to a different school.  Tony’s homosexuality isn’t embraced by his community, and it is abhorred by his severely religious parents.  As a result, Tony’s life isn’t as easy as Paul’s.  His parents openly pray for his soul and forbid him from friendship with Paul when they are caught hugging by one of his mother’s friends.  Boy Meets Boy is not only a story about love, but it shows how lesbians and gays are affected by the acceptance of their communities.  David Levithan broke the mold of novels about gay teens by not turning the main character into a victim of homophobic abuse.  Instead, the main character thrives as a homosexual teen, as do many of his peers in the book. 

Reader’s Annotation:  Boy meets boy.  Boy loses boy.  Can boy win boy back?

Information about the author: Boy Meets Boy was David Levithan's first book, and he wrote it as a gift to his friends for Valentine's Day.  He aimed to write a book about homosexuality that broke the reputation many homosexual-themed books had- that of a gay teen who suffered horrific prejudice and bullying from his peers. Levithan has published many other successful novels like Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (which was also made into a movie), and Will Grayson, Will Grayson, co-written with John Green (Levithan, n.d.). 
Earlier in his career, Levithan worked on The Babysitter's Club series while he was an intern at Scholastic Corporation.  He is the founding editor of PUSH.  Levithan received the Lambda Literary Award in 2003 for Boy Meets Boy, and in 2006 for The Full Spectrum (Wikipedia, n.d.). 

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Curriculum Ties: English (literature)

Booktalking ideas (one or two):

1.    Notes from Paul and Noah

Reading level/Interest age: 14+

Challenge Issues: This book includes homosexuality, but no references to sex.

To defend challenged material I would:

1.    Read/watch/listen to the material to become familiar with the content.

2.    Familiarize myself with the Arizona Common Core curriculum standards http://www.azed.gov/azcommoncore/teacher/ to defend how the material can support the learning of these standards.

3.    Refer to the Library Bill of Rights: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill

4.    Refer to the collection policy of my library.

5.    Collect reviews from staff/students/patrons who have used the material

Why I chose this book: This book is evidence of the evolution of gay literature.  No longer do gay characters have to be chained to the expectation of bullying and prejudices.  Boy Meets Boy tells the story of an accepting community, which is symbolic to the transformation society is undertaking with their acceptance of homosexuality.  

References:
Levithan, D. (n.d.). You probably think this page is about me. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/-pUhraVG7Ow

Wikipedia. (n.d.). David Levithan. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/-pUhraVG7Ow

Britannica Annals of American History

Bibliographic Information: Britannica Annals of American History. http://america.eb.com/failedlogin?target=/. Encyclopedia Britannica.

Plot Summary: Britannica’s Annals of American History is part of the Encyclopedia Britannica, and contains some materials dating all the way back to 1493.  The database chronicles the American story through more than 2,100 entries containing speeches, biographies, poems, editorials, photographs, essays, and sound clips.  America’s rich history is full of stories to be discovered.

Critical Evaluation: N/A

Reader’s Annotation: Follow the story of America, from discovery to present day with Britannica’s Annals of American History.  

Information about the database: Content in Britannica’s Annals of American History can be traced back to Edgar Allan Poe, President Barack Obama, Malcom X, Madeline Albright, and many other important figures in our nation’s history.  The Encyclopedia Britannica has led the educational publishing world bringing knowledge worldwide through various media (Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d.).  

Genre: Database

Curriculum Ties: This database can be used in any class in which research is conducted.

Booktalking ideas (one or two): N/A

Reading level/Interest age: Middle and High school grades

Challenge Issues: N/A

Why I chose this database: I chose this database because of their longevity.  The Encyclopedia Britannica has been around a long time, so the brand is pretty well-known.  The Annals of American History will offer a focus on American History that will be useful to students of all ages.  

References:
Encyclopedia Britannica. (n.d.) Britannica Annals of American History. Retrieved from  
http://america.eb.com/failedlogin?target=/
 

Catching Fire

Bibliographic Information: Collins, S. (2009). Catching fire. New York: Scholastic.

Plot Summary: After leaving the 74th Hunger Games as co-victor with Peeta Mellark, Katniss Everdeen’s battle with the Capitol has only just begun.  Before she and Peeta embark on their victory tour through the districts of Panem, Katniss receives a surprise visit from the President Snow, Panem’s president.  His visit warns Katniss; she and Peeta must convince him they are truly in love, or face consequences.  What Katniss doesn’t know is her courageous act in the arena at the end of the games has sparked a rebellion; a rebellion she didn’t mean to start.  As the Quarter Quell approaches, Katniss is relieved that she will never have to enter the Hunger Games arena ever again.  Her relief is short lived, however.  The tributes for the 75th Hunger Games will be chosen from amongst all the living victors in each district.  As the only female victor in her district, Katniss will inevitably compete in the Hunger Games again, and this time against the strongest who have ever played.  Adding to her horror is entering the games with either Peeta or Haymitch, two people who have become like family.  Is the Quarter Quell the Capitol’s attempt to rid themselves of Katniss, the Girl on Fire, and extinguish the rebellion she has ignited? 

Critical Evaluation: Catching Fire is the thrilling sequel to Suzanne Collins’ best-selling novel The Hunger Games.  The conflicts in the story keep readers at the edge of their seat from the first sentence to the very last page.  Katniss, the hesitant hero, struggles with a love triangle, a mending relationship with her mother, recovering from the Hunger Games, adjusting to her new life in Victor’s Village, and avoiding run-ins with the Capitol.  Living next to Peeta is difficult for Katniss because of the history they shared in the arena.  She is still trying to figure out her feelings for Peeta and Gale, but both Peeta and Gale have become a bit distant since the arena.  Katniss’ relationship has been strained ever since her father died, but she is slowly starting to trust her again.  One of the most heartbreaking moments in the novel is when Katniss learns she will return to the Hunger Games arena for the Quarter Quell.  Her pain, agony, and anxiety are felt by the readers, as she prepares herself to face some of the strongest and smartest players in Hunger Game history.  Throughout the novel, Katniss starts to feel the responsibility of the rebellion rest on her shoulders, but she must figure out who to trust.  With an action packed ending readers will be waiting anxiously to read the third, and final, novel in the trilogy, Mocking Jay.

Reader’s Annotation: Winning the Hunger Games once was lucky enough for Katniss, but can she do it again?  May the odds be ever in her favor.

Information about the author:Suzanne Collins began her writing career writing for children’s television shows like Clarissa Explains It All, The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo, Little Bear, and Oswald. It was during her work on Generation O! when she received encouragement from James Proimos, a children’s author, to try her hand at writing children’s stories.  Her first series was The Underland Chronicles, which was followed by the international bestseller trilogy The Hunger Games (Collins, n.d.).

Collin’s inspiration for the novel came through the classical Greek myth Theseus and the Minotaur, Roman gladiator battles, and our current obsession with reality television (Scholastic, n.d.).

Genre: Dystopian, Science Fictions, Action, Adventure

Curriculum Ties: English (literature)

Booktalking ideas (one or two):

1. President Snow’s perspective

2. Gale’s perspective (love triangle)

Reading level/Interest age: 13+

Challenge Issues: The novel contains violence, killing, and death.

To defend challenged material I would:

1.    Read/watch/listen to the material to become familiar with the content.

2.    Familiarize myself with the Arizona Common Core curriculum standards http://www.azed.gov/azcommoncore/teacher/ to defend how the material can support the learning of these standards.

3.    Refer to the Library Bill of Rights: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill

4.    Refer to the collection policy of my library.

5.    Collect reviews from staff/students/patrons who have used the material

Why I included this book: Catching Fire is the second book in the successful Hunger Games series.  The book has garnered numerous positive reviews, and has a strong female protagonist.  The book is a sort of a social commentary on our obsession with violence and reality TV.  

References:

Collins, S. (n.d.) Webpage. Retrieved 15 March 2013 from

 www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/bio.htm

Scholastic. (n.d.) The hunger games. Video. Retrieved 1 May 2013 from

http://www.scholastic.com/thehungergames/videos/mockingjay.htm