Bronx Masquerade
By Nikki Grimes
This novel is a celebration of slam poetry. Bronx Masquerade is the story of eighteen inner city kids who learn to express themselves in their English class. Each vignette is a different student's point of view written in poetry or narrative form. As the novel progresses, the students discover new things about their peers and themselves.
I suggest this novel for anyone in need of a fresh story and style. The short chapters progress the plot quickly, keeping the reader's attention and curiosity. Although there is references to teenage pregnancy, drug use, and gang violence, I believe any high schooler could handle the content with maturity.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Brown Girl In The Ring
Brown Girl In the Ring
By Nalo Hopkinson
This was, by far, the book I've read most outside of my normal taste. It takes place in the future with a Caribbean-Canadian woman as its protagonist. Ti-Jeanne had recently had a baby after the economic crash and the city of Toronto is run by the gangster Rudy. The father of her baby is supposed to kill a stranger to steal organs for the corrupt Premier of Ontario, leading him to turmoil, especially knowing it would be against Ti-Jeanne's wishes. Mixed in with this story are rich cultural details, duppies (ghost-like spirits), and witchcraft.
I suggest this book to anyone interested in Caribbean culture, science fiction, or novels with strong female leads. At first, I did not fully appreciate the book, but with proper background knowledge and a little research, Hopkinson's novel is an entertaining and rich read.
By Nalo Hopkinson
This was, by far, the book I've read most outside of my normal taste. It takes place in the future with a Caribbean-Canadian woman as its protagonist. Ti-Jeanne had recently had a baby after the economic crash and the city of Toronto is run by the gangster Rudy. The father of her baby is supposed to kill a stranger to steal organs for the corrupt Premier of Ontario, leading him to turmoil, especially knowing it would be against Ti-Jeanne's wishes. Mixed in with this story are rich cultural details, duppies (ghost-like spirits), and witchcraft.
I suggest this book to anyone interested in Caribbean culture, science fiction, or novels with strong female leads. At first, I did not fully appreciate the book, but with proper background knowledge and a little research, Hopkinson's novel is an entertaining and rich read.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
To Kill A Mockingbird
To Kill A Mockingbird
By Harper Lee
This is by far one of the most classic novels of all time. The first time I read it, I was in ninth grade. I didn't catch everything in it and remembered some of the vocabulary was hard to tackle. Now, reading it about 6 years later, I have a new appreciation for the book.
Not only do I find it more interesting the second time around, but it was far less intimidating. The length and difficulty were easily overlooked. The story is of Atticus Finch and his two children. Atticus is the attorney to a black man accused of raping a white women and the family journey through the trial. The unseen Boo Radley, whom has never left his home, is also an ongoing mystery throughout the novel.
Although this novel is taught in ninth grade, I would suggest it to tenth graders. Some of the language and content is very mature, but is a critical part of our past. It appeals to history buffs, justice seekers, and the everyday reader who enjoys a young protagonist. This is also a great novel to analyze, with endless symbolism and racial issues to pick apart.
By Harper Lee
This is by far one of the most classic novels of all time. The first time I read it, I was in ninth grade. I didn't catch everything in it and remembered some of the vocabulary was hard to tackle. Now, reading it about 6 years later, I have a new appreciation for the book.
Not only do I find it more interesting the second time around, but it was far less intimidating. The length and difficulty were easily overlooked. The story is of Atticus Finch and his two children. Atticus is the attorney to a black man accused of raping a white women and the family journey through the trial. The unseen Boo Radley, whom has never left his home, is also an ongoing mystery throughout the novel.
Although this novel is taught in ninth grade, I would suggest it to tenth graders. Some of the language and content is very mature, but is a critical part of our past. It appeals to history buffs, justice seekers, and the everyday reader who enjoys a young protagonist. This is also a great novel to analyze, with endless symbolism and racial issues to pick apart.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War
World War Z- Max Brooks
This book, written at the beginning of the zombie apocalypse hype, will continue to be an engaging and entertaining read. Written in an interview format, Brooks has enabled readers to analyze what a war with zombies could potentially be like.
What fascinates me about this book, after carefully reading the military-esque accounts, is the great deal of thought Brooks put into the book. He clearly did his research, making responses from the US government, Korea, Iran, and every day people very plausible.
I highly recommend this book for juniors and seniors. Anyone younger should be ready for a challenge with vocab and technical writing. This book will surely not bring you disappointment.
This book, written at the beginning of the zombie apocalypse hype, will continue to be an engaging and entertaining read. Written in an interview format, Brooks has enabled readers to analyze what a war with zombies could potentially be like.
What fascinates me about this book, after carefully reading the military-esque accounts, is the great deal of thought Brooks put into the book. He clearly did his research, making responses from the US government, Korea, Iran, and every day people very plausible.
I highly recommend this book for juniors and seniors. Anyone younger should be ready for a challenge with vocab and technical writing. This book will surely not bring you disappointment.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Maus I: My Father Bleeds History and Maus II: And Here My Troubles Began
Maus I & Maus II by Art Spiegelman
These two novels about the author's father were the first graphic novels I have ever read. I found it an interesting and effective way to portray a Holocaust survivor's story. It is written as a flashback and jumps between the the WWII era and the late 80's.
The first volume is about Vladek Spiegelman's experience hiding from Nazi Germans. His son, Art, is a comic artist and author of the book. The tension between father and son is heavy throughout the novel. As the interview progresses, Art learns about his father's endeavors and relationship with Art's mother, who killed herself years before the interview takes place.
The second volume focuses on Vladek's life after arriving at Auschwitz and his poor health in the present day. As his illness progresses, his story ends after his emancipation and return home. The most interesting part of this novel was the present day struggles between father and son and how the Holocaust may have permanent changed Vladek's personality.
I recommend this novel to any high school student. I especially recommend it to students who enjoy graphic novels or enjoy comics. I like that these two novels go against what you would think a graphic novel would be. I also think they would be appropriate for an interdisciplinary course or even a History class.
These two novels about the author's father were the first graphic novels I have ever read. I found it an interesting and effective way to portray a Holocaust survivor's story. It is written as a flashback and jumps between the the WWII era and the late 80's.
The first volume is about Vladek Spiegelman's experience hiding from Nazi Germans. His son, Art, is a comic artist and author of the book. The tension between father and son is heavy throughout the novel. As the interview progresses, Art learns about his father's endeavors and relationship with Art's mother, who killed herself years before the interview takes place.
The second volume focuses on Vladek's life after arriving at Auschwitz and his poor health in the present day. As his illness progresses, his story ends after his emancipation and return home. The most interesting part of this novel was the present day struggles between father and son and how the Holocaust may have permanent changed Vladek's personality.
I recommend this novel to any high school student. I especially recommend it to students who enjoy graphic novels or enjoy comics. I like that these two novels go against what you would think a graphic novel would be. I also think they would be appropriate for an interdisciplinary course or even a History class.
Night
Night by Elie Wiesel
Wiesel's story of his struggle through concentration camps as a young Jewish boy is truly heartbreaking. Being such an honest account of the Holocaust, it is sometimes a difficult story to read. Even after reading it for a second time, I am surprised by the lack of emotion some of the characters experience. As Wiesel explains, it was as if they had cried all of their tears early in the war and had none to shed as their family and friends died in front of them.
The scene that sticks out in my mind the most would be the young boy the guards hanged in front of all of the prisoners. The cruelty of the act, to me, encompasses the who genocide. It was unjustified, violent, and inhumane. It was one of the moments that Wiesel truly lost his faith.
I recommend this book for 8th graders and up. This memoir is an honest look into the lives of a Jewish family during WWII. Although it has pretty graphic stories, it is an important story and a significant piece of history.
Wiesel's story of his struggle through concentration camps as a young Jewish boy is truly heartbreaking. Being such an honest account of the Holocaust, it is sometimes a difficult story to read. Even after reading it for a second time, I am surprised by the lack of emotion some of the characters experience. As Wiesel explains, it was as if they had cried all of their tears early in the war and had none to shed as their family and friends died in front of them.
The scene that sticks out in my mind the most would be the young boy the guards hanged in front of all of the prisoners. The cruelty of the act, to me, encompasses the who genocide. It was unjustified, violent, and inhumane. It was one of the moments that Wiesel truly lost his faith.
I recommend this book for 8th graders and up. This memoir is an honest look into the lives of a Jewish family during WWII. Although it has pretty graphic stories, it is an important story and a significant piece of history.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Power
Power by Linda Hogan
Although this is not one of my favorite books I have read so far, it is still well written. It is heavily saturated in description, so there is not much dialogue. It is the story of Omishto and Ama and their experience killing an endangered species, a panther. Trapped between the modern and traditional worlds, Ama and Omisto is on trial for killing a panther.
What I do like about the novel is that it emphasizes the importance of nature. Most of the description is centered around things Omishto finds in nature, how the wind is a living breath, or how the plants wait for the redemption of rain. Obviously, the importance of the panther is also help tell the story of a healthy and balanced nature.
I would recommend this book to tenth grade and up. The novel is a little bit longer and its descriptions might be a little bit much for ninth graders and younger. I also recommend it to anyone who likes Native American novels, especially ones centered around the modernization and disappearance of traditions.
Although this is not one of my favorite books I have read so far, it is still well written. It is heavily saturated in description, so there is not much dialogue. It is the story of Omishto and Ama and their experience killing an endangered species, a panther. Trapped between the modern and traditional worlds, Ama and Omisto is on trial for killing a panther.
What I do like about the novel is that it emphasizes the importance of nature. Most of the description is centered around things Omishto finds in nature, how the wind is a living breath, or how the plants wait for the redemption of rain. Obviously, the importance of the panther is also help tell the story of a healthy and balanced nature.
I would recommend this book to tenth grade and up. The novel is a little bit longer and its descriptions might be a little bit much for ninth graders and younger. I also recommend it to anyone who likes Native American novels, especially ones centered around the modernization and disappearance of traditions.
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