The Golden Compass

The Golden Compass, by Philip Pullman, tells the story of Lyra Belacqua and her journey to find the truth.  When Lyra begins to suspect that some of her friends have been kidnapped, she begins her trek North to find the missing children.  What Lyra discovers is an orchestrated plan to separate children from their daemons .  Throughout Lyra's adventure, she meets armored bears, witches, and eventually finds the missing children.

If I were to use this book in the classroom, I would use it to further a lesson on science fiction literature.   I would have the class create their own fantasy stories and share with the class. 

The Golden Compass. ISBN: 0-440-41832-1. Philip Pullman. 1995. Carnegie Medal. Ages 13+. Science Fiction. Fantasy.

The Giver

The Giver, by Lois Lowry, tells the story of Jonas and his "structured" Community.  Jonas, age 12, lives in a community created in order to keep its residents safe.  Safe from feelings, experiences, emotions, and most importantly, safe from individuality.  As Jonas nears the Ceremony of Twelves, he wonders what "job" he will be selected for.  When he receives the assignment of Receiver, he is excited, but nervous.  The last Receiver did not finish her training, and elected to be released from the Community.
Jonas meets with the elder (The Giver) who will transmit past memories through hand to skin contact.  Through touch, Jonas will experience color, snow, love, and a plethora of experiences, some of them painful. 
However, Jonas soon realizes that he has been living without free will.  All his choices have been made for him by the Community.  Soon Jonas and the Giver develop a plan that will change Jonas and the Community forever.  Jonas will escape from the community.  His disappearance will lead to all his feelings being left to the community to feel.  Jonas' sacrifice of leaving his home, will in turn, give the community the power of feelings, and making their own choices.  A story of courage and conviction, The Giver envisions what our world would look like if power and control were absolute.

As a teacher I would use this text to further a discussion on power and control mechanisms.  To begin with I would ask a few questions like, "What are your rights of passage?" and "In what ways is Jonas' community similar to ours?"  These questions would be a good starting point to delve deeper into the issue of absolute control and what our world would be like if power got into the wrong hands.  We could then discuss communities and countries in our world that are similar to Jonas' community and what they look like and who they are run by.

The Giver. ISBN 978-0-440-23768-6. Lois Lowry. 1993. Newbery Medal. Age 12-18. Science Fiction.

Number the Stars

Synopsis:

Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry, is the story of ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her life growing up in Nazi occupied Copenhagen.  When the Johansen's discover that the Nazi's are "relocating" the Jews, their efforts with the Resistance progress to help some of the Jews escape to neutral Sweden.  Annemarie and her best friend Ellen, whom is Jewish, must both learn to be brave under the most atrocious circumstances. 

Idea for Lesson Plan:

As a teacher, I would use this book to teach about human decency.  As a class we would discuss the Holocaust, and read about other "less known" heroes during that time.  

 Critique:

Number the Stars is the story of Annemarie Johansen, a ten-year-old girl growing up in Nazi occupied Denmark as a Lutheran.  Annemarie is an inquisitive, comforting, brave young girl.  Lowry shows through dialogue and actions.  Throughout the book, Annemarie questions the motive of the Nazi’s and why they are in her country.  In a conversation with her father, Annemarie questions, “Papa, sometimes I wonder why the king wasn’t able to protect us.  Why didn’t he fight the Nazi’s so that they wouldn’t come into Denmark with their guns (15)?”  Her father then goes on to describe that Denmark has only a few soldiers, and would never be able to stand up to the Nazi’s.  Annemarie then realizes that the Nazi’s are not in Sweden.  This realization will become a pivotal fact to the story.

Annemarie is also comforting.  When Ellen, Annemarie, and Kristi get stopped by the Nazi’s, Annemarie tries to make it sound like it was no big deal when her mother finds out what happened.  Annemarie says, “Don’t worry.  It wasn’t anything (7).”  The text then goes on to explain Annemarie’s actions, “She told her mother and Mrs. Rosen of the incident, trying to make it sound humorous and unimportant (7).”  There are many examples of Annemarie’s comforting ways throughout the novel.  When she comforts Ellen after the Nazi’s have invaded their home, when her mother breaks her ankle at Uncle Henrik’s, and when she tells stories to her younger sister Kristi, among others. 

Number the Stars takes place in Copenhagen, Denmark during World War II.  The setting is integral to the story because it is about two young girls who are best friends; one is Lutheran and one is Jewish.  Since Copenhagen was occupied by the Nazi’s during the war, Annemarie and Ellen would not have been able to be friends.  Ellen would have been at risk to be sent to the concentration camps that were scattered throughout Europe.  The beginning of the novel, paints a picture of idyllic Copenhagen, Lowry describes the scenery as Ellen and Annemarie are racing through the streets, “…past the small shops and cafes of her [Annemarie] neighborhood here in northeast Copenhagen.  Laughing, she skirted an elderly lady in black who carried a shopping bag made of string.  A young woman pushing a baby in a carriage moved aside to make way (2).”  In these few sentences, Lowry describes Copenhagen through the eyes of an unaffected youth.  As the story progresses, the Nazi’s presence is more apparent; they seem to be everywhere!  The Nazi’s are on the train, they are in the country; they are even at the fishing docks.  This shows that Ellen, her family, and all the Jews in Copenhagen are at risk.  True to history, Lowry captures occupied Copenhagen with accuracy.

The theme of Number the Stars is not only bravery, but also human decency.  Thousands of Jewish people escaped Nazi occupied Denmark with the help of ordinary concerned citizens.  Without the bravery and compassion exhibited by “the Resistance” many Jewish people’s fate would have been in the Nazi’s hands.  Courage and acceptance are revealed through the actions of Annemarie, her family, and the Resistance.  Number the Stars teaches an important lesson about tolerance and open-mindedness.   

Number the Stars. ISBN 0-440-40327-8. Lois Lowry. 1999. Newbery Medal. Ages 10+.  Historical Fiction.

 

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, by Mildren D. Taylor, is the story of the Logan family and their struggles in Mississippi during the Great Depression.  Cassie, the only daughter in the Logan family, is a rambunctious, outspoken child.  She is just starting to feel the effect of racism in the South and will not stand for it.  When she is shopping at the local grocery and Mr. Wallace helps a little white girl before helping Stacey, Cassie will not sit idly by.  She steps up to Mr. Wallace.  However, the outcome is not what Cassie had envisioned.  Throughout the story, there are many examples just like this.  Cassie is learning what it means to be Black in the South. 

I would use this book to further a discussion on racism.  This book is a great example of narrative historical fiction.  I would couple this book with other books on the subject of racism.

The Great Gilly Hopkins

The Great Gilly Hopkins, by Katherine Paterson, is the story of 11 year-old Galadriel "Gilly" Hopkins.  The book opens with Gilly entering her newest foster home.  Throughout her young life, Gilly has lived in various foster homes; never able to stay in one place long.  Miss Ellis, Gilly's social worker is bringing Gilly to Ms. Trotter's home.  Defiant and stubborn, Gilly is determined to make life difficult for "Trotter" and her foster brother W.E.
Gilly longs to be with her biological mother, Courtney, who lives in California.  One day, Gilly writes a letter to her mother and dishonestly makes the claim that Trotter is an unfit foster mom and that she lives in an unhealthy home.  However, after Gilly sends the letter, she starts to love Trotter and W.E.
After the letter is sent, Gilly's maternal grandmother comes to take Gilly home with her.  Reluctantly,Gilly complies and leaves the foster family she learned to love.  Through this experience, Gilly learns that family is everywhere, and that everyone deserves love.

If I were to teach this book in the classroom, I would use it to further a discussion on family.  We would discuss the plethora of different families and that biological family is not the only type of family.

The Great Gilly Hopkins. ISBN 0-690-03837-2. Katherine Paterson. 1978. Newbery Honor Book. Age 9+. Fiction.

The Latehomecomer

Synopsis:
The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir, by Kao Kalia Yang, is a beautiful book written by a young Hmong woman from St. Paul, MN.  The story followers her families immigration to the United States and the hardships and triumphs that pursue.  Yang lyrically captures her family history, as well as, their journey through Laos, to refugee camps in Thailand, and finally America.  Along the way, stories are told, lessons are learned, and her family bond remains.

 Idea for Lesson Plan:
After reading this book, I would have my students write their own memoirs.  They would focus on a specific part of their lives.  We would also use this book to learn more about Hmong culture.  Since Minnesota has a large Hmong population, it is important for students to learn about Hmong traditions, beliefs, and personal experiences.  The Latehomecomer is a beautiful and honest example of history as told through the eyes of a young Hmong woman.


Critique:
Kao Kalia Yang reveals her family through candid and heartfelt memories.  From the beginning of her memoir, Yang gives the reader an accurate picture of her family members and how her culture and their experience has influenced her life.  Through dialogue and narration, Yang carries the reader on her family's journey to America.  True to life, Yang and her family have had adjustments to make.  However, it was important to assimilate in America, without losing their authentic culture.
Set in Laos, Thailand, and America, Yang describes the living conditions in her family's original home in Laos, the refugee camps in Thailand, and their meager residences in Minnesota.  In each location, Yang makes it apparent how her family has had to adjust to the best of their ability to each home.
Through description Yang has lyrically captured her experience as a Hmong woman and how intertwined and connected she is to not only her immediate family, but also her very large extended family.  The Latehomecomer magnificently illustrates one woman's experience growing up Hmong, and reveals her close connection with her culture and family.

The Latehomecomer. ISBN 978-1-56689-208-7. Kao Kalia Yang. 2008. 2009 Minnesota Book Award for Memoir/Create Non-Fiction. Ages 15+. Hmong Non-Fiction. Memoir.

Scorpions

Scorpions, by Walter Dean Myers, is an honest look into the life of a poor, inner city youth and the daily struggles he encounters.  Jamel, the main character, is a twelve year old boy who lives in Harlem with his over-worked mother, and younger sister.  Jamal tries to do the right thing, but is heavily influenced by his neighborhood.  Everyday Jamal is surrounded by violence, drugs, and poverty; elements that make it nearly impossible for him to escape. 
The novel opens in Jamal's home while he is waiting with his sister for their mother to come home from work.  Through dialogue and 3rd person narration, the reader enters Jamal's world.  When Jamal is first introduced to Mack, Jamal believes that he must become the leader of the Scorpions in order to get his brother out of jail.  But, as the novel progresses, Jamal discovers the dangers involved in gang life.  Jamal must decide what is more important, protection or personal respect.
When Jamal acquires a gun, he is given a false sense of bravery and safety.  However, the gun seems to be causing trouble for Jamal, and his best friend Tito.  Jamal and Tito soon find themselves in a bad situation, in which Tito winds up shooting the gun to protect Jamal.  However, the release of that bullet cost a young man his life.  Inevitably, Tito winds up leaving Harlem for Puerto Rico.  Jamal stays in Harlem to battle each day as a young man struggling to survive.
 
If I used this novel for a unit in literature, I would focus on several themes throughout the book.  One theme in particular would be friendship.  I would have my students analyze the relationship between Jamal and Tito, and then write an essay on whether or not their relationship was healthy or toxic by giving examples that support their claim.

Scorpions. ISBN-13: 978-0-06-4477066-7. Water Dean Myers. 1988. Newbery Honor Award. Age 14-18. African American Fiction.