Matched

Bibliographic Information: Condie, Allyson Braithwaite.  (2010).  Matched.  New York: Penguin Audio
ISBN: 978-0-14-242863-4

Plot Summary: Cassia lives in a world where everything is decided, planned, and dictated by an  organization called "The Society." Everything is decided for Cassia, from what she wears, eats, and does everyday to who she marries, or is "matched" to. Cassia, like most people of her community, sees nothing wrong with the way in which things are run, and even accepts her grandfather's eventual and assigned death date at the age of 80.

Cassia has recently reached the age of 17, the age of being matched to her future husband. She attends her ball and learns that she is among the lucky few to be matched to someone in their own town; she is matched to her best friend, Xander. Along with the matching, each person is given a sort of data card that holds further details on the person they have been matched to. When Cassia decides to take another look at Xander's details, even though she knows him, she is surprised to see Xander's face disappear only to be replaced by the face of another young man, Ky. Cassia is suddenly met with so many questions about who really is her "perfect match, doubts about the future, and does not know where to turn. She is told that she can talk to her grandfather about what has happened but is only met with more confusing ideas about whether or not to accept her assigned future.

Soon Cassia is set off in a tailspin of emotions and rebellion in which she must decide to ignore the new face she has accidentally seen or continue a happy, and prescribed, life with Xander.

Critical Evaluation: Poetry, particularly Dylan Thomas' poems, is a recurring motif of rebellion and hope within Matched. Beginning with the poem that Cassia secretly receives from her deathbound grandfather to the poem she receives from Ky upon the hill. The powerful words of poetry are what incite Cassia to pursue the things that feel right, the love that she feels she wants the most. It's the words of Dylan Thomas', "Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night"  that urge her not to accept the way things are and to struggle to see the world for what it really is. Cassia acknowledges that she has never heard words like those of Thomas but still understands their urgency and their message to not accept "the dying of the light." This poem incites the emotion of fighting till the end, of continuing on even if the ending isn't victorious, of not being stopped by the obstacles ahead, of never laying down in defeat. Cassia and Ky, and even Cassia's grandfather, understand this message and are able to see "The Society's" world for the controlling and sneaky ruling power that it is. Cassia's simple act of even having the poetry, of learning to write, of loving Ky are all acts of rebellion in which Cassia is able to "rage, rage against the dying of the light" as she defies the controlling world she lives in.   

Reader’s Annotation: Cassie lives a life of acceptance, until an unexpected face forces her to realize that there may be more options in life than ever known before.
 

Information About the Author: Ally Condie is currently a fulltime writer (Condie, 2012). She spends her time writing, managing her websites and blogs, and spending with her husband and children (Condie, 2012). Prior to writing fulltime, she was an English teacher (Condie, 2012). Condie still keeps her licenses current in case she ever has to teach again (Condie, 2012).

She is currently working on the third book, Reached, from her Matched Trilogy (Condie, 2012). Crossed is the second book in the Matched Trilogy (Condie, 2012). Condie was featured in the YALSA’s 2011 Teens’ Top Ten for her book Matched (Condie, 2012). She has also been featuredin other top literature journals like Kirkus Review and Publisher's  Weekly (Condie, 2012).

The Matched Trilogy Official Site

Genre: Romance, Science Fiction

Subgenre: Utopia/Dystopia, Politics  

Curriculum Ties: Could tie into a discussion on future societies and technology.

Booktalking Ideas:
1). Although Cassia world is "perfect" does it offer the perfect life?
2). Why is Cassia so drawn to Ky?
3).  What does it mean to have a "taste of everything and a meal of nothing?"

Reading Level/Interest Age: Lexile Reading Level: 680/ YA (Follett's Titlewave, 2012). Grades 9-12 (Follett Titlewave, 2012).
 

Challenge Issues: No challenge issues seem to exist in this book.

1) Refer to Library Bill of Rights, see items: I, II, and III (http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill).
2) Refer to San Diego Public Library collection policy - (http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/about-the-library/freedom.shtml).  Original site: The American Library Association (ALA) Freedom to Read/View Statement (http://www.ala.org/offices/oif/statementspols/ftrstatement/freedomreadstatement).
3) Refer to California School Library Association (CSLA), Model School Library Standards - September 2010 (http://www.csla.net/index.php/publications/school-library-standards). PDF: (http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/librarystandards.pdf).

4) Refer t0 American Association for School, Librarians Standards for the 21st Century Learner (http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/guidelinesandstandards/learningstandards/AASL_Learning_Standards_2007.pdf)

5) Contact Office of Intellectual Freedom for any further support, 800-545-2433, ext. 4223 or oif@ala.org.

6) Refer to legitimate book reviews, such as: School Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Horn Book and others; found on either Academic Search Premier, Follett's TITLEWAVE, or Amazon.com.

Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?: I included this title because it offers a very interesting perspective of what future life could be like. It also plays with the idea of what life would be like if it was completely designed for each person. Teenagers will be able to understand Cassia's struggle as she is forced to live within the rules or face the serious consequences of not conforming to "The Society's" demands.

Reference Page: 

Condie, A.  (2012) Author bio. Retrieved July 27, 2012 from http://www.allysoncondie.com/bio/

Follett's Titlewave. Matched.  Retrieved July 27, 2012 from Follett's Titlewave iPhone App.

cover art: sfaudio.com

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Bibliographic Information: Rowling, J. K.  (1999).  Harry Potter and the sorcerer's stone. England: Listening Library.
ISBN: 978-0807281956

Plot Summary: The story begins with whispers in the streets about a young boy named Harry Potter who has survived the attack of the most villainous of wizards, Voldemort. Having been the only one to survive, Harry is left in the care of his aunt and uncle. Unfortunately, Harry's aunt and uncle, the Dursley family, happen to be the "surliest" of types who do not care for anything magic and hide Harry's true identity from him for the next ten years.

Suddenly strange things begin to happen as Harry's 10th birthday begins to approach. Fearing that the past is beginning to resurface, Harry's uncle begins to withhold the mail and even goes as far as to try to hide Harry and his family on an island. Not being able to outwit the magical world, Mr. Dursley fails as Harry soon finds himself face to face with a past he mostly does not remember. Harry soon learns his true identity and about his awaiting education at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry is then able to escape the clutches of his abusive aunt and uncle and join the ranks of many other young witches and wizards.

Harry Potter quickly meets Ron and Hermoine, his future best friends, and is swept away in a world of classes, potions, quidditch, and magic. All of this is only threatened when a dark figure from Harry's past suddenly returns forcing him to fight for his life once more. 

Critical Evaluation: It is very clear that J. K. Rowling spent a lot of time deciding what to name the characters in her book. A name represents more than a way to remember each person, but as clues to their personality and character traits. To name a few: Harry Potter becomes the "Boy that lived," Voldemort becomes, "he who must not be named," Draco Malfoy is known only as "Malfoy," hinting at his high status in life and connections, and Hermoine Granger as "muggle born." In essence the names become metaphors for the characters, pieces of their identity that clue the reader into important information about the character. These vibrant representations of each character add a complex layer to the story and tell a story on their own. In a way each characters name offers a sort of mini biography on the character further developing their role in the story. These names so carefully crafted, provide a subtext to the story that sometimes becomes as important as the story itself.

Reader’s Annotation: Having spent the last ten years living in a dusty cupboard and catering to the needs of his abusive aunt, uncle, and cousin, Harry Potter's life is suddenly overturned when he finds out the magical truth about who he really is.
 

Information About the Author: J. K. Rowling was born in 1965 in England (Rowling, 2012). She went to Exiter University for her undergrad, where she received degrees in French and the Classics (Rowling, 2012). She got the inspiration for her books while riding the train from Manchester to London (Rowling, 2012). She then spent the next five years working on her plot lines for her books (Rowling, 2012). Rowling then moved to Portugal and taught English (Rowling, 2012). Rowling then married in 1992, had a daughter in 1993, and then moved back to Edinburgh when her marriage ended (Rowling, 2012). Rowling continued working on her novels in England and published her first Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (UK version) in 1997 (Rowling, 2012). Her books were an instant success and have sold over 375 million copies worldwide (Rowling, 2012).

Other books in the Harry Potter series include: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (1998), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (1999), Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2000), Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2004), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2005), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007), and her newest, The Casual Vacancy (September 27, 2012) (Rowling, 2012).

Rowling reading from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy

Subgenre: Heroes and Heroines, Sword and Sorcery

Curriculum Ties: Could be used in a section about heroes, coming of age, and adventure.

Booktalking Ideas: 
1). Do you think bringing up Harry Potter up in a non-magical world was the correct thing to do?
2). What is the role of family and friendships in this book?

Reading Level/Interest Age: Lexile Reading Level 880/5-8 (Follett's Titlewave, 2012)

Challenge Issues: This book may not be accepted in religious teen library's due to its witch and wizard subject matter.

1) Refer to Library Bill of Rights, see items: I, II, and III (http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill).
2) Refer to San Diego Public Library collection policy - (http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/about-the-library/freedom.shtml).  Original site: The American Library Association (ALA) Freedom to Read/View Statement (http://www.ala.org/offices/oif/statementspols/ftrstatement/freedomreadstatement).
3) Refer to California School Library Association (CSLA), Model School Library Standards - September 2010 (http://www.csla.net/index.php/publications/school-library-standards). PDF: (http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/librarystandards.pdf).

4) Refer t0 American Association for School, Librarians Standards for the 21st Century Learner (http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/guidelinesandstandards/learningstandards/AASL_Learning_Standards_2007.pdf)

5) Contact Office of Intellectual Freedom for any further support, 800-545-2433, ext. 4223 or oif@ala.org.

6) Refer to legitimate book reviews, such as: School Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Horn Book and others; found on either Academic Search Premier, Follett's TITLEWAVE, or Amazon.com.

Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?: Although, sources like Publishers Weekly and Booklist recommended this book for younger ages in 1999 when it hit the U.S, I do not think either at the time grasped the impact this series would have on readers of all ages (Follett Titlewave, 2012). Although this book may have been geared for the younger reader, it has also had a series impact on the teen audience that has grown up with the series. This book began an adventure that children, teens, and adults could and can share throughout any period in life. Rowling was able to create a strong, courageous character that can be role model for a reader of any age. Also, the wide array of characters of all ages and races appeals to a broad audience of readers.

Reference Page:

 Rowling, J. K.  (2012).  Biography.  Retrieved July 18, 2012 from http://www.amazon.com/J.-K.-Rowling/e/B000AP9A6K/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Follett's Titlewave.  (2012).  Harry Potter and the sorcerer's stone. Retrieved July 16, 2012 from the Follett's Titlewave app.

Rowling, J. K.  (1999).  Harry Potter and the sorcerer's stone cover art. Retrieved July 16, 2012 from http://evenire.blogspot.com/2010/08/harry-potter-audiobooks-itunes-format.html

Lord of the Flies

Bibliographic Information: Golding, W.  (2005).  Lord of the flies [CD]. New York: Listening Library. ISBN: 978-0-307-28170-8

Plot Summary: Taking place during a time of war, a plane full of young British boys is dropped off on a remote island after their aircraft is attacked. Realizing that they have been abandoned without a single adult, all the boys ban together to create a small society with rules, leaders, and responsibilities. This semblance of peace frailly lasts for a short period of time.

As time passes the boys begin to form allegiances which swiftly turn to full on war and anarchy. The conflicts between the boys only continue to escalate until almost reaching the point of no return.

Critical Evaluation: "...maybe there is a beast...maybe it's only us." - Simon, chp. 5 p.98

The Lord of the Flies is jam packed with symbols, metaphors, motifs, and a variety of other literary riches. If I had to pick a single one to discuss it would be the metaphor of "the beast" that haunts each and every boy throughout the story. 

Although the boys have created a small society in which there is some semblance of order, many of the boys often feel that there is a "beast" lurking out in the jungle; waiting to get them. The beast, in a way, becomes a metaphor of their fear of the unknown, of the scary, and of the illogical nature of mankind. As time passes, the imagined presence of the "beast" creates so much tension that the boys become convinced that it does exist.

The boys fears become even more elevated when they see the black parachute of a dead parachutist at the top of the mountain giving them "visible proof" of the "beast." They never find out that it is nothing more than a parachute because they are too scared to get close enough to check. This "tangible" proof that the "beast" is out there sets all the little boys in a panicked frenzy. All their actions, whether conscious or not, are then fueled by their fear and irrational need to act. Their need to overcome and shutdown the "beast" makes them easily influenced. This, in turn, creates a violent panic that soon turns into a mindless mob as relations between different factions become strained.

As time passes and the boys actions become more and more brutal as they work to ward off the "beast," it becomes very apparent that the only beast (s) to be found is within the boys themselves. As Simon realizes, the only beast they should fear is the beast within each and every one of them. Even though the boys attempted to establish a society, the beasts were set free by the chaos and brutality of them rapidly losing their hold on civility.

Reader’s Annotation: A group of young British boys find that sometimes the only beast to fear is the one within you.
 

Information About the Author: Sir William Golding was born in Cornwall, England in 1911 (nobelprize.org, 2012). His father was a school master and his mother suffragette (nobelprize.org, 2012). Golding was was pushed towards becoming a scientist, a subject that he did not love (nobelprize.org, 2012). Golding soon found himself turning to literature and finding a love for Anglo-Saxon literature in particular (nobelprize.org, 2012). Besides being a student and a writer, Golding also joined the Royal navy and participated in the D-Day invasion (nobelprize.org, 2012). Golding wrote his first novel, Lord of the Flies, soon after leaving the service in 1954 (nobelprize.org, 2012). Lord of the Flies was then turned into a film in 1963 (nobelprize.org, 2012).

Along with Lord of the Flies,Golding wrote many realistic and notable works of literature. Golding went on to receive the Nobel Price for literature in 1983 (nobelprize.org, 2012). Golding passed away in 1993 (nobelprize.org, 2012). 

William Golding introducing Lord of the Flies

William Golding Official Site 

Lord of the Flies - Educational Game - nobelprize.org 

Genre: Contemporary

Subgenre: Coming of Age, Death and Deadly Disease, Assault

Curriculum Ties:Tie into lesson on war, survival, and coming of age.

Booktalking Ideas:
1). What characters represent civilization, savagery, and anything in between?
2). Is Jack as preoccupied with going home as Ralph is?
3). What do the conch, fire, and spear represent?

Reading Level/Interest Age: Lexile 770/YA (Follett's Titlewave, 2012)

Challenge Issues: Book contains graphic images of violence and murder.

1) Refer to Library Bill of Rights, see items: I, II, and III (http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill).
2) Refer to San Diego Public Library collection policy - (http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/about-the-library/freedom.shtml).  Original site: The American Library Association (ALA) Freedom to Read/View Statement (http://www.ala.org/offices/oif/statementspols/ftrstatement/freedomreadstatement).
3) Refer to California School Library Association (CSLA), Model School Library Standards - September 2010 (http://www.csla.net/index.php/publications/school-library-standards). PDF: (http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/librarystandards.pdf).

4) Refer t0 American Association for School, Librarians Standards for the 21st Century Learner (http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/guidelinesandstandards/learningstandards/AASL_Learning_Standards_2007.pdf)

5) Contact Office of Intellectual Freedom for any further support, 800-545-2433, ext. 4223 or oif@ala.org.

6) Refer to legitimate book reviews, such as: School Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Horn Book and others; found on either Academic Search Premier, Follett's TITLEWAVE, or Amazon.com.

Why did you include this audiobook in the titles you selected?:  This book portrays a very sharp picture of what it means for a society to fall into anarchy. Many of the themes and passages in this book can be used to discuss government, leadership, and their importance in community survival.

Reference Page:

Follett's Titlewave.  (2012).   Lord of the flies [CD]. Retrieved July 13, 2012 from Follett's Titlewave iPhone App.

nobelprize.com.  (2012).  William Golding. Retrieved July 13 from http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1983/golding-bio.html

cover art from: http://www.audiobooksonline.com/Lord_of_the_Flies_Sir_William_Golding_unabridged_compact_discs.html

Walk Two Moons

Bibliographic Information: Creech, S.  (2006).  Walk two moons [CD]. New York; Harper Audio ISBN: 978-0-06-171909-7

Plot Summary: Salamanca's (or Sal or chickabiddy) life is covered in mystery most of which surrounds her mother's current location-- Lewiston, Idaho.

As a means of trying to understand why her mother is in Idaho, Sal goes on a trip throughout the U.S with her Gram and Gramps. Together they relive Sal's mother's trip, stopping at each stop before arriving at their last destination. It is through this trip, and the telling of her friend Phoebe’s parallel life story, that Sal is finally able to understand her mother's decisions and accept her own life.

Critical Evaluation: An important motif in this story is the figure of the mother. Sal, the main character, watches her friend commit many of the same mistakes that she (Sal) made before her own mother left. By telling her grandparents Phoebe's story, Sal is able to draw parallels of the relationship she had with her mother. Sal marvels how simple it is to see what others are doing wrong, while she was not able to change her actions when her mother was still in her life. By closely studying Phoebe's mother, who seems lonely and unappreciated, Sal is better able to understand why her mother may have left her to travel alone to Idaho.

Sal previously felt that her mother leaving was because she no longer loved her (Sal) or cared enough to stay. Sal also felt that it was her fault her mother left because she felt she caused her mother's tragic loss. After carefully studying Phoebe's mother, Sal realizes that mothers, like anybody else, must also be set free. Sal finally understands that her mother didn't leave because of her (Sal), her mother left because she had to do it for herself. 

Reader’s Annotation: Sometimes taking the journeys that others have taken is the only way to understand one's own life.

Information About the Author: Sharon Creech was born in South Euclid, Ohio where she grew up with three brothers and a  sister (Creech: Meet Sharon Creech, 2012). Creech was lucky enough to go on several cross country roadtrips with her parents (sharoncreech.com: Meet Sharon Creech, 2012). These books later influenced her books, like Walk Two Moons (Creech: Meet Sharon Creech, 2012). As a child Creech also spent a lot of time on family farm in Kentucky (Creech: Meet Sharon Creech, 2012). This is why Kentucky appears in many of her novels, including Walk Two Moons. Creech's Walk Two Moons received the prestigious Neberry Medal in 1995 (Follett Titlewave, 2012). 

Along with Walk Two Moons, Creech has also written: Absolute Normal Chaos, Love that Dog, The Wanderer and many others (Creech:Novels, 2012). Creech hopes to continue inspiring and writing novels for years to come.

Sharon Creech's Website

Genre: Contemporary

Subgenre: Coming of Age, Death and Deadly Disease

Curriculum Ties: Can tie into discussion of the loss of loved ones or the impact of mothers.

Booktalking Ideas:
1). Why does telling Phoebe's story help Sal understand her own?
2). What is the importance of the mother figure in Sal's story?

Reading Level/Interest Age: Lexile Readling Level: 770/5-8 (Follett's Titlewave, 2012) Suitable for ages 15+.

Challenge Issues: Does discuss the loss of a loved one. I would use the following items to defend this book if it was challenged:
 

1) Refer to Library Bill of Rights, see items: I, II, and III (http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill).

2) Refer to San Diego Public Library collection policy - (http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/about-the-library/freedom.shtml).  Original site: The American Library Association (ALA) Freedom to Read/View Statement (http://www.ala.org/offices/oif/statementspols/ftrstatement/freedomreadstatement).

3) Refer to California School Library Association (CSLA), Model School Library Standards - September 2010 (http://www.csla.net/index.php/publications/school-library-standards). PDF: (http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/librarystandards.pdf).

 4) Refer t0 American Association for School, Librarians Standards for the 21st Century Learner (http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/guidelinesandstandards/learningstandards/AASL_Learning_Standards_2007.pdf)

5) Contact Office of Intellectual Freedom for any further support, 800-545-2433, ext. 4223 or oif@ala.org.

6) Refer to legitimate book reviews, such as: School Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Horn Book and others; found on either Academic Search Premier, Follett's TITLEWAVE, or Amazon.com.

Why did you include this audiobook in the titles you selected?: This book really highlights the importance of the mother figure in a teen's life which is often overlooked in books. Teens can use this book to understand their own complex relationships with their mothers. Although some consider this book for a younger audience of 5th to 8th grade (Follett Titlewave, 2012). Due to its emotional depths sources like, Booklist, consider this book an excellent choice for children as old as in 9th grade (Cooper, 1994).

Reference Page: 


Cooper, I.  (1994, November 15). Books for you - general fiction - fiction.  [Review of the book Walk two moons by S. Creech].  Retrieved July 13, 2012 from http://www.booklistonline.com/Walk-Two-Moons-Sharon-Creech/pid=240976

Creech, S.  (2012).  Meet Sharon Creech. Retrieved July 12, 2012 from http://www.sharoncreech.com/meet/meet.asp

Creech, S.  (2012).  Novels. Retrieved July 12, 2012 from http://www.sharoncreech.com/novels/15.asp

Follett's Titlewave.  (2012).  Walk two moons. Retrieved July 12, 2012 from IPhone App. 

cover art: http://www.audiobooksonline.com/Walk-Two-Moons-Sharon-Creech-unabridged-compact-discs-Harper-Audio.html