Book Review: WHEN YOU REACH ME by Rebecca Stead

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Books in Print (via TWU Databases). Accessed November 13, 2013. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|25425359|23387850&mc=USA

Stead, Rebecca. 2009. When You Reach Me. New York: Random House Children's Books. ISBN 9780385737425

Winner of the Newbery Medal (2010), When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead is written with a unique style that reflects the thoughts of a young girl expressed in a letter. Miranda is twelve years old, living in New York City, and experiences growth and maturity throughout the novel. In a language that reaches within her innermost thoughts and emotions, the author provides a sense of reflection upon the past with hints toward a future that the reader anticipates with each and every paragraph. The protagonist knows something the reader will only discover upon finishing the novel. This provides the element of anticipation that Stead produces with the unknown recipient of the letter. The reader wants to know more and this is a clever writing technique. 

Miranda’s life is a journey into maturity and self-discovery.  Her friends Sal, Anne Marie and Julia are also experiencing the growing pains that life brings on a universal level. Young readers will connect with these characters as they are each unique but credible in their own right. The theme includes a need for family, friends, and the attraction that young boys and girls feel toward each other. Serious things occur, as a mentally unstable adult is killed by an automobile while trying to avoid the death of Miranda’s friend Sal. These are topics that young people face and this novel reveals ways in which people react to such tragedies.


Although realistic in many ways, When You Reach Me takes the topic of time travel and presents the concept in a believable fashion. Even as Miranda’s mother prepares to compete on a game show, the reader will find the process engaging and each word leads to more possible endings for the novel. When You Reach Me can be used to allow young readers the opportunity to discuss many topics, including death, friendship, sorrow and hope. As Caitlin Augusta states in her School Library Journal review, “This unusual, thought-provoking mystery will appeal to several types of readers” (Books in Print 2010).

References:

Books in Print (via TWU Databases). Accessed November 13, 2013. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|25425359|23387850&mc=USA

Stead, Rebecca. 2009. When You Reach Me. New York: Random House Children's Books. ISBN 9780385737425

Book Review: CALAMITY JACK by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale. Ill. by Nathan Hale

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Books in Print (via TWU Databases). Accessed November 13, 2013. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|26710841|25369980&mc=USA

Hale Shannon and Dean Hale. Ill. by Nathan Hale. 2010. Calamity Jack. New York: Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 9781599903736

          Written by Shannon and Dean Hale, and illustrated by Nathan Hale, the graphic novel Calamity Jack is an entertaining adventure. As a high fantasy tale set in an imaginary setting, the reader is introduced to Jack, Rapunzel, Frederick, and even Prudence the pixie. Jack evolves from a sneaky, lawbreaker into an honorable hero. Although filled with monsters, giants and horrific creatures, the story contains the universal themes of love, family and honor. The quest of good over evil is clearly displayed as the evil giants are led by the horrible Blunderboar. Jack’s sense of self-awareness is clear in this young adult novel as he struggles with his own identity.

          The town of Shyport has businesses being destroyed in order to reduce competition. The theme contains complex ideas such as the organized crime of the giants trying to monopolize the city and industry. Calamity Jack is also appealing to youth with illustrations cleverly created by Nathan Hale. These illustrations are in comic book style, with vivid color and detail. The dreaded ant people have bright red eyes, and menacing claws. Although actually giants in disguise, they are drawn perfectly and provide an ominous visual effect. Although the plot is one of fantasy and adventure, Calamity Jack can be used with young adults to address topics such as how good and evil are in conflict, the desire to prove oneself to others, and the basic idea of friendship. This graphic novel includes comedy and young romance, as Jack struggles to express his attraction to Rapunzel.

          This graphic novel can be used to introduce the joy of reading to youth who do not ordinarily read novels. It is high adventure and fantasy with witty commentary by the characters. The illustrations will peak the interest of readers who are attracted to comic books and magazines. In his School Library Journal review, Eric Norton states, " It should satisfy readers who enjoy adventure, fairy tales, and anyone who loves a rogue" (Books in Print 2010). Although Calamity Jack is not an award recipient, it is definitely an entertaining graphic novel that will intrigue many young readers.


References:

Books in Print (via TWU Databases). Accessed November 13, 2013. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|26710841|25369980&mc=USA

Hale Shannon and Dean Hale. Ill. by Nathan Hale. 2010. Calamity Jack. New York: Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 9781599903736

Book Review: SHIP BREAKER by Pete Bacigalupi

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Books in Print (via TWU Databases). Accessed November 18, 2013. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|29180753|28193657&mc=USA

Bacigalupi, Paolo. 2010. Ship Breaker. New York: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 9780316056212

          The science fiction fantasy Ship Breaker, written by Paolo Bacigalupi, is an adventure set in a futuristic setting of the Gulf Coast. Winner of the Michael Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature (2011), this novel is the tale of a young male named Nailer who experiences life as a constant struggle to survive. As part of a crew who scavenge for copper wire, his life is not only scarred with the loss of his mother, but also the physical brutality of his father. In a method that emphasizes his detachment from his father, Nailer refers to his father as Richard Lopez. Everyone else in the novel receives a nickname.

          A universal theme of the need for love and connection, Nailer befriends the young Nita, nicknamed Lucky Girl. He and his friend Pima save Lucky Girl from sure death and their path takes them near death on many occasions. Their world is a dystopia, where the modern world is turned upside down. Cities have been destroyed, and there exists a species of half dog, half man that control others through fear, brutal strength and violence. Bacigalupi creates the character named Tool, who is one of these creatures. With a unique writing style, the author gives Tool a human essence. The reader connects to this character. His fantastic existence becomes reality.

          Ship Breaker is an excellent example for introducing young adult readers to the world of fantasy and science fiction. Many youth are not interested in reading longer novels, and this book will grab and maintain their attention until the last page. The application of this novel to the learning environment can be quite varied. In her School Library Journal review, Barbara Wysocki states, “With an interesting mix of fact and fantasy, this title offers excellent potential for conversations on international child welfare issues” (Books in Print 2011).

References:

Bacigalupi, Paolo. 2010. Ship Breaker. New York: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 9780316056212

Books in Print (via TWU Databases). Accessed November 18, 2013. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2125/DetailedView.aspx?hreciid=|29180753|28193657&mc=USA