THE GRAVEYARD BOOK by Neil Gaiman



BIBLIOGRAPHY: Gaiman, Neil. 2008. The Graveyard Book. Ill. by Dave McKean. New York: HarperCollins Children's Books. ISBN 0060530944

PLOT SUMMARY: Escaping his family's murderer, Bod lives in a cemetery, raised by ghosts, educated by werewolves and hides from the killer.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Teen reader will enjoy this tale of an orphan boy Nobody Owens, who is raised by ghost in a grave yard, after this real family is murdered. The murderer is still after him and to keep him safe, he finds his way to a graveyard, where he is adopted by ghosts. The setting itself will be intriguing to the teen reader. Walking among grave sites, speaking to the inhabitants, sleeping in a crypt and living among the dead may appeal to the teen readers, who are into death, Gothic themes and supernatural elements. The other characters, ghosts as friends, escaping ghouls and having a werewolf/hound of hell as a substitute teacher, add to the mystery of the plot and with entertain the teen reader in this low fantasy/ghost story. Family is important to Nobody Owens, since his real family was murdered, his ghost family/guardian care for him very deeply and try to keep him safe.

AWARDS/ REVIEW EXCERPTS:
Newbery Medal 2009, Hugo Awards 2009, Locus Awards 2009, Audie Award 2009, Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla Award2009, Book Sense Book of the Year 2009, American Library Association Notable Books for Children 2009, Carnegie Medal 2010, Bluegrass Award 2010


From School Library Journal
"...Gaiman has created a rich, surprising, and sometimes disturbing tale of dreams, ghouls, murderers, trickery, and family.—Megan Honig, New York Public Library
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From BookList
This is an utterly captivating tale that is cleverly told through an entertaining cast of ghostly characters. There is plenty of darkness, but the novel’s ultimate message is strong and life affirming. Although marketed to the younger YA set, this is a rich story with broad appeal and is highly recommended for teens of all ages. Grades 6-10. --Holly Koelling


CONNECTIONS:

ORPHANS
CEMETERIES
SUPERNATURAL
GHOSTS

THE BOOK THIEF (audio) by Markus Zusak





BIBLIOGRAPHY: Zusak, Markus. 2006. The Book Thief. New York: Random House Listening Library. ISBN 0739337270

PLOT SUMMARY: Death narrates a story about a young girl whose love for books and story-telling helps her family and herself survive Nazi Germany, and in particularly the Jewish man they are hiding.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Allan Corduner, Broadway and London's West End actor, lends his voice talents as the narrator to audio version to Zusak's The Book Thief. This eleven CD unabridged version, Corduner is single reader who changes his voice with each character. There is no background noises, music or additional sounds, other than Corduner's voice, which adds to the clear reading and great listening experience, given the subject matter of The Book Thief. Corduner changes his voice with each character. switching back and forth from German and Jewish accents, again, adding to the listening experience.
In this realistic adventure fiction, a young girl, Liesel Meminger, who steals to make a living in Germany during World War II, starts to "steal" books. Learning how to read and discovers to joy of storytelling, Liesel helps her foster family to survive and also helps the Jewish man hiding in their basement. Although set in the past, a young reader/listener can get enthralled in this novel. Liesel tries to find her identity in a strange country and with a foster family. Also, the setting in World War II Germany adds to the survival story of Liesel.


AWARDS/ REVIEW EXCERPTS:
Michael L. Printz Award (NOMINATED FOR AN AWARD) 2007, National Jewish Book Awards 2006, Book Sense Book of the Year 2007, Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year 2006, Publishers Weekly Best Children's Books 2006, Garden State Teen Book Award 2009

From School Library Journal
"...Zusak explores behind-the-lines life in World War II Germany, showing the day-to-day heroism of ordinary people. Relevant for class discussions on wars both past and present."
-Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.


From Publisher's Weekly

"The storytelling aspects of this structure include asides to the listener, and lots of foreshadowing about what eventually happens to the various lead characters-appealing features for listeners."
(Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

CONNECTIONS:
DEATH
FOSTER FAMILIES
GERMANY
JEWS
HISTORY
WORLD WAR, 1939-1945
STORYTELLING
BOOKS AND READING

AMERICAN BORN CHINESE by Gene Luen Yang





BIBLIOGRAPHY: Yang, Gene Luen. 2006. American Born Chinese. Ill. Lark Pien. New York: First Second. ISBN 1-59643-208-X

PLOT SUMMARY: In this comic-style book, three seeming unrelated stories: that of the ancient Chinese folktale of the Monkey King, a young boy tries to fit in with his schoolmates and a young man embarrassed every year by his visiting cousin from China; all become intertwined in a surprising ending.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: All three characters, the Monkey King, Jin Wang and Danny have one thing in common; they are trying to fit in and try to find their identity, but get laughed at in the process. With the subtopic of realistic fiction of self, all three characters are searching for a sense of self, exploring the "purpose" in school, at home and with friends and holding on to those friendships. In trying to find their identity each encounter prejudice, discrimination and comments that are on the verge of racism. Aside from ancient China, the setting of Danny and Jin's tale are primarily in school. Although transporting back and forth from ancient China and modern-day high school adds to the style of the book. Chin-Kee, Danny's cousin, character is over-the-top, stereo-typical and almost racist. However, this leads to the over-all charm of the book and the moral of all three stories.

AWARDS/ REVIEW EXCERPTS:
2006 A National Book Award finalist
2007 ALA's Printz Award winner
2007 Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album
2007 Havey Award for Best Colorist (Lark Pien)

From Voice of Youth Advocates
"This graphic novel first appeared as a long running Web comic on http://www.Moderntales.com, where it enjoyed an enthusiastic following. The artwork is clean and distinctive, with varying panel styles and inking that is visually appealing." -Sherrie Williams

From Booklist
Yang helps the humor shine by using his art to exaggerate or contradict the words, creating a synthesis that marks an accomplished graphic storyteller. The stories have a simple, engaging sweep to them, but their weighty subjects--shame, racism, and friendship--receive thoughtful, powerful examination. --Jesse Karp Copyright 2006 Booklist


CONNECTIONS:
CARTOONS AND COMICS
CHINESE AMERICANS
IDENTITY
SCHOOLS