Fire From the Rock

Fire From the Rock

Bibliographic Information:

Draper, S. (2006). Fire From the Rock. New York: Dutton Children's Books. ISBN: 9780525477204.

Excerpt:

"Dad, listen. When they make a list of Negro kids who get to go to Central High, I want to be on it," he announced. Their father almost choked on his bacon. "Why would you want to do a fool thing like that?" he asked. He looked at Gary as if he had grown a second skull. "Because I deserve to go to a big, modern school, and have new books and desks and the best education in Arkansas," Gary retorted. "It was good enough for me when I was your age,' his father said, his voice tight. "We had strong Negro teachers who taught us pride in our heritage, our history, and our culture. No white school will ever do that for you." -page 20

"Does your mother like teaching the colored children at Stephens Elementary?" the bald-headed man asked. "Yes, sir. I'm sure she does. Very much." I wonder what Mam's job has to do with this. "We hear she pretty good at teaching, at least for a Negro." "Thank you." Sylvia tensed. "Do you think your mama is willing to risk that job? Some members of our community are opposed to integration". -page 128

Plot Summary:

Sylvia Patterson is a 15-year-old black girl growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957. She is about to enter high school and just wants to be a normal teen and fit in. The problem with that is that she is going to be one of the first black students to attend an all white high school.

Critical Analysis:

Fire From the Rock is a historical fiction novel that takes place in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957. Sharon Draper does an excellent job of interweaving the fictional life of Sylvia Patterson with the historical truth of the events surrounding the "Little Rock Nine". This book is told from Sylvia's perspective and in a loose journal entry like form of narration.

Something I really liked about this book is the black perspective that is provided. In this book it is not only whites that are against integration, but also blacks. Sylvia and her family know what is "right", and they know integration is an injustice. But, that doesn't mean they necessarily want to put themselves, their community, or their children in direct harms way.

Sylvia, the main protagonist of this narrative is chosen as one of the first few to integrate the high school. A lot of the book is her deciding what she wants, and if that decision is right for her family and community as well. On the other side of Sylvia deciding if she wants to participate in integration is her brother Gary, who wants to be one of the first and has aligned himself with the NAACP and has been labeled a troublemaker throughout the white community that opposes black and white integration.

Besides for having a black and white perspective, Sylvia's has a friend that is Jewish and considered "unworthy" of mingling with white students. She has to deal with her own kind of racist intolerance.

The actions and perspectives in this book can be shocking and uncomfortable. But, it is the reality of the Civil Rights Movement, the progress made, and the progress to come. Sharon Draper does not shy away from including disturbing truths and stories of violence that happened fictionally, and non fictionally during the Civil Rights movement. For example, Draper included vivid detail of the Emmett Till tragedy, and Sylvia's brother Gary is a victim of a race crime and dropped off badly beaten on their doorstep as a warning.

Something else that proves insightful and helpful is Sharon Draper's inclusion of a list of websites on the subject found in the back of the book for further research.

I think this is an educational and eye opening book for anyone, though I would especially recommend it for older juvenile readers and young adults.

Reviews:
An honor student, Sylvia Patterson is thrilled when she is chosen as one of the first black students to integrate all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957. But the racism in her town is terrifying, and she is not sure she can go through with it. Unlike her older brother, she does not want to be a hero and change the world. Besides, many in her black community are against integration; why not stay with her friends, concentrate on academics, and get to college? With stirring complexity, Draper personalizes the civil rights struggle beyond slogans and politics. There is sometimes too much historical background purposively woven into Sylvia's narrative, including her diary entries. But the surprising turnaround in the plot, as well as the shocking facts, will grab readers and raise the elemental issue: what would I have done? A final note fills in history and provides a list of Web sites.
-Booklist

Sharon Draper marvelously weaves fiction and history with so many twists and catches the only thing you can easily predict is that something will happen you didn't expect. This is a perfect book to help teenagers and tweens to understand not only the social climate that surrounded school integration, but the importance of the struggle for integration. This book should be on the required reading lists of every middle school and junior high across the country.
-Hugh Fletcher, A Reader's Review

Hole in My Life

Hole in My Life

Bibliographic Information:

Gantos, J. (2002). Hole in My Life. Canada: Douglas & McIntyre Ltd. ISBN: 0374399883.

Excerpt:

"Reading On the Road, I felt more like Sal Paradise than Dean Moriarty. Sal was in love with everything and everybody. His eyes were as wide and open as his heart. But, Dean confused me. He just wanted to consume everything. He had to keep moving like a shark, and in the end he was a tragic ghost of a person instead of a stream of milky way jazz under open highways. I wanted to move like Dean, but I wanted Sal's heart and soul." page 41

"It seemed to me that no amount of forgiveness would ever wash away his need to be forgiven every day. He reminded me of the Flannery O'Connor story I loved, "A Good Man Is Hard to Find," where the Misfits shoots the hugely annoying grandmother to death and then says she would be a good woman, if somebody had been there to shoot her every minute of her life." -page30

Plot Summary:

Jack Gantos is an aspiring writer that doesn't have a high enough GPA or the money to go to a college he wants to in order to pursue creative writing. In order to raise that money he is offered a deal where if he assists in smuggling and selling hashish he will get 10,000 dollars and can pursue his dream of being a creative writer, and have some interesting material to write about. Unfortunately, he gets caught smuggling hashish and must go to jail and serve six years in a federal prison.

Critical Analysis:

This short book is the memoir of Jack Gantos. It does not concentrate as much on his time in prison, but on his drug smuggling adventure and explores his aspirations to be a writer. There are a lot of reference to modern literature that the author is able to relate to. For instance, there are a few references to Jack Kerouac's On the Road, which is a pivotal piece of beatnik, outsider literature. This memoir is very interesting because it reveals insecurities and desires that I feel most "artsy, creative writer" types would be able to enjoy.

The memoir is told through self reflection and journal entries that Jack made while smuggling hashish. There is nothing hard or flawed about this character, instead he is reflective and sensitive. Also, this book does not demonize young people who experiment with drug use and drinking alcohol. Instead it provides a very humanist perspective that those activities do take place amongst young adults and it does not necessarily mean that one is an addict or doomed.

Jack is reckless at times, but ultimately wants to live an adventurous life and develop creative material for his writing. I think this book would be a good read for both young men and women. As someone in their late 20's I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to friends my age. I remember thinking that Jack's story did remind me of Kerouac's On the Road, but Jack Ganto's is a loving character that is full of life and not just consuming carnal pleasures (which I found to be the case when reading On the Road years ago). Also, Gantos's thoughts are well organized and poetic at times, whereas I found On the Road to read more like a poetic prose written by a kid with severe ADD. So, I somewhat consider this book to be a more modern and relatable On the Road for today's young adults, and I think reading this memoir would introduce them to other classic outsider authors that Gantos name drops throughout the book.

A good read, and highly recommended to everyone. :)

Reviews:
After penning a number of novels for preteens, including the Joey Pigza books and the Jack series, Gantos makes a smooth transition as he addresses an older audience. He uses the same bold honesty found in his fiction to offer a riveting autobiographical account of his teen years and the events may well penetrate the comfort zone of even the most complacent young adults. The memoir begins with the dramatic image of the author as a young convict ("When I look at my face in the photo I see nothing but the pocked mask I was hiding behind"). The book then goes on to provide an in-depth examination of the sensitive and intelligent boy residing behind a tough facade. Inspired by the words and lives of some of his favorite American authors, Gantos sought adventure after leaving high school. He eagerly agreed to help smuggle a shipment of hashish from Florida to New York without giving thought of the possible consequences. Knowing that the narrator is destined to land in jail keeps suspense at a high pitch, but this book's remarkable achievement is the multiple points of view that emerge, as experiences force a fledgling writer to continually revise his perspective of himself and the world around him. The book requires a commitment, as it rambles a bit at times, but it provides much food for thought and fuel for debate. It will leave readers emotionally exhausted and a little wiser.
-Publishers Weekly

I am a children's librarian who read this book and could hardly put it down. I read my (non children's librarian) husband a couple of paragraphs, and he grabbed it the second I was done. He inhaled it and gave it to his best friend, who does not read children's books. The best friend loved it and cannot understand why it is called a young adult novel. He thinks it is great reading for everyone! A wonderful read by an intriguing, and obviously stubborn and incredibly gifted human being.
-Amazon Reader's Review

The Demonata Series: Slawter

The Demonata Series: Slawter

Bibliographic Information:

Shan, D. (2006). The Demonata Series: Slawter. New York. Hachette Book Group USA. ISBN: 9780316013871.

Excerpt:

"Juni kicks one of the demon's legs--no response. She kicks a mouth stalk. It wobbles from side to side, but only from the force of her blow. Slowly, carefully, she pries its main mouth open and peers down its throat. I tense. If the demon's faking, this is the perfect moment to strike. I see the teeth start to come together and I prepare a ball of energy to hurl..." -page 132

Plot Summary:

Dervish, Grubbs, and Bill-E are trying to live a normal life without demons. Dervish is approached by a horror producer who wants to use him as a demon expert on her upcoming film. The film will take place in a town called Slawter. While filming paranormal demonic happenings disrupt the set which leads Grubbs to believe that it is not only actors on the set portraying demons.

Critical Analysis:

Slawter does a great job of mixing the real with the supernatural. The novel takes place in real time and dashes between memory flash backs of demon possession to the present day. I love this literary approach. The reader does not know if it is reality or paranoia and fear that are driving assumptions and accusation.

This book is frightening at times, as well as choked full of off the cuff quirky, sometimes self deprecating humor. Though the characters take on cliche "spooky" stereotypes it only adds to the suspense and drama. For example, Davida the movie producer, when she is described throughout the book she has the likeness of an aged flower child Elvira. She is described as, "Fiftyish, black hair streaked with gray, purple rimmed glasses. Like a giggling granny horror movie meister".

Something about this book that might capture others off guard is how there are a lot of references to the previous two books in the series published. It is assumed that if one reads this book they are familiar with the first which is not always the case. That aspect left me struggling at moments as I tried to put together references to Lordy Loss in the previous novel. If you have not read them you will have a hard time sorting out what previously happened to what characters and demonology truisms that have been established in the series.

Though I think this book could be enjoyable to both a male and female audience, it is definitely catered more towards males. On a positive note, this book does read a lot like a more mature Goosebumps novel, and it is appropriate for juvenile fiction, as well as young adult readers. Though, much like Shan's Cirque Du Freak series, this book would be of more interest to males than females.

Also, this book was very formulaic and the implication that this is only the beginning of a series is apparent early on. So, if you are looking for resolution in your reading, this is not the book for you. I, am one for resolution, and found it frustrating that not much was resolved as I would have liked. Also, it is revealed that the demons talked about and battled are "overgrown ghoulish ants, or monsters with five legs, etc..". When the demons were described in detail they seemed a bit corny and I would imagine incapable of really frightening someone. But, that might be an aspect of what makes this a good read for boys interested in juvenile fiction.

Reviews:

First of all, you have to read the first two books: Lord Loss and Demon Thief. The third book is so action packed and scary. This book is full of foreshadowing and you won't even see it coming you want to read it to the end. Its amazing. These are one of my favorite books, it sucks you into reading other scary books, and i love it. Darren Shan writes with a touch of Stephen King, which makes it a unique way of writing. I am almost finished with "The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon" and it is scary and awesome. I got sucked into this book because of the Demonata series. READ THIS SERIES AND YOUR PERSPECTIVE OF READING WILL CHANGE IN A GOOD WAY! this reading is for all ages.
-Sally Kelly (Reader's Review)

When I got this book I thought it was going to be like the last two. I was wrong; this book is more entertaining and exciting then the last two.

Grubbs Grady is trying to get his life on track after saving his brother from turning into a werewolf. His uncle Dervish is almost back to normal after fighting lord loss. In this book Dervish is called to do a movie with a famous horror director. It turns out it is a trap set by lord loss. I can't believe that Dervish and Grubbs escaped from the grasps of lord loss for the second time in a row but in return many civilians were slaughtered.

This book is a great book for young adults, but I am not sure about children because there is a lot of graphic violence. I can't wait until Darren Shaw comes out with the fourth book Bec.
-Amazon Kid's Review

The Dead & The Gone

The Dead & The Gone

Bibliographic Information:

Pfeffer, S. (2005). The Dead & The Gone. New York. Harcourt, Inc. ISBN: 9780152063115.

Excerpt:

"..."Things must be all right if there's so much food," Bri said, putting the groceries away in the cabinets, making them look full and normal again. "Oh, Alex. Powdered eggs! They're almost as good as real eggs." "Did you have real eggs on the far?" he asked. The temperature in the apartment was about fifty degrees, which was where he'd set the oil burner thermostat, but Bri made things feel warm and sunny again."

Plot Summary:

Alex Morales was looking forward to college and enjoying regular teenage life until his parents disappear after/during a series natural disaster. Now, Alex is thrust in to the position of caregiver of his two sisters, one of which is ill with severe asthma and he must fight for his families survival.

Critical Analysis:

The Dead & The Gone is the follow up to Susan Beth Pfeffer's Life As We Know It novel. The difference is that this novel takes place in the apocalyptic, dystopian future of New York City. Alex is the main protagonist who is thrust to the position of caretaker for his family after his parents assumed death in a tidal wave or other natural disaster which is caused by a meteor hitting the moon and bringing it drastically down closer to Earth which sparks a series of natural disasters.

In this novel catastrophic, life threatening events are a norm of everyday life. Also, issues such as starvation, hysteria, and people losing all moral compass are a lot of the challenges that Alex is faced with. What separates this novel from other dystopian YA fiction is that all though situations seem bleak, the themes of loyalty, family, and morality are reinforced instead of abandoned or only realized towards the end of the novel.

Alex and his sister are Catholic and of Puerto Rican descent. As one that also grew up more culturally than traditionally Catholic I found the characters to be relatable and an accurate depiction of cultural Catholicism. Also, the novel is written through journal entries which makes the story seem reflective and does an excellent job of reinforcing the narratives themes. A lot of dystopian narratives are cutthroat, whereas The Dead & The Gone is reflective and compassionate, and there are a lot of "good" characters with redeeming qualities, which separates itself from other books of the same genre.

I would recommend this book to both a male and female audience, though I think it is more catered towards young women. The only problem I have with this novel is that I think it is a bit longer than necessary and the lack of much change in settings was distracting and did not keep me fully engaged.

Reviews:
The characters in this book are vastly different than the first, which some reviewers don't seem to like. But to me it makes sense - the author is exploring how a worldwide event is affecting people from all walks of life. The "Life as We Knew It" characters aren't especially religious, but Pfeffer chose to sketch a Puerto Rican family that takes faith very seriously in "The Dead and the Gone." Obviously, the world is made up of people from all sorts of backgrounds - so why shouldn't the author take on different types of characters? It might have been interesting if she had chosen to write about characters in another country, instead of basing her two books in the United States. But my overall point is, I think Pfeffer made a great decision in exploring how the same event would affect people with a different worldview.

If you're looking for a happy ending, these are not the books you want to read. They're more character studies in a short period of time, but there is no real conclusion. There's hope at the end, but the story's not really "finished" - kind of like real life.
-Amazon Reader's Review

I love this series of books. The premise isn't scientifically valid - but it is a reasonable representation of where we might be headed if global climate change continues. This is a young adult novel, but I wouldn't recommend it for pre-teens as it has violent and disturbing aspects. The whole series is a story of hope and perseverance regardless of the horrors that happen. It talks about extreme bravery, love and loyalty despite adversity. I also like it because you never know what will happen next.
-H.M.S. (A Reader's Review)

Elsewhere

Elsewhere

Bibliographic Information:

Zevin, G. (2005). Elsewhere. New York: Holtzbrinck Publishers. ISBN: 9780312367466.

Excerpt:

"I'm sure you'll find that whatever quarrel you and Owen have had will quickly mend itself," Aldous says. "I doubt that," Liz says. "Owen's wife has arrived from Earth." "My that is a bump," says Aldous, momentarily fazed by Liz's revelation. -page 208

Plot Summary:

15-year-old Liz is your average teen. She has a boyfriend, a best friend who is about to attend prom, and is in the process of getting her drivers license. Life is looking good for her, until she dies suddenly in a hit and run car accident. That is where Liz's new life begins, an after life in a place called Elsewhere.

Critical Analysis:

Elsewhere is a fantasy novel that takes place in what some would term heaven. In Elsewhere one grows younger instead of old, and once one is in a newborn state they are transported back to Earth to start a new traditional life cycle. The problem is that Liz was just beginning her traditional life as a teen. She was considering college and is unhappy with her fate.

The novel pretty much starts off with the death of Liz, a promising student who wants a serious relationship, and a future outside of your family life; the last thing she could ever want is death or a regression to a younger self.

This book is so much better than I would have initially thought. Themes such as loss, love, family, and friendship are explored, but not in a traditional sense, which makes this book enjoyable. There are also a lot of strong characters throughout the novel. Liz is reunited with her grandmother Betty in Elsewhere, and does end up falling in love with a man that would have been twice her age in Earth terms but, is simply a year apart in Elsewhere. His name is Owen, and he was previously married on Earth to a woman named Emily. As Liz and Owen are falling in love Emily dies, is transported to Elsewhere, and it seems as if their relationship is doomed since Owen's loyalties lie with his wife. But, there is a twist.

Emily is by far my favorite character in this novel. When she comes to Elsewhere she is in her 30's, where as Owen is stunted at 17. She plays a strong female character with depth who ends her relationship with Owen because they are no longer who they used to be. What I love about that scenario is that it is a realistic and grounded adult conclusion. Emily is not villianized for her actions and it is in the long run the best decision for everyone.

Rarely do I find that type of depth or insight in YA fiction, especially from a female perspective. I feel that this book does a good job of explaining loss and redemption, but in fantasy terms which makes hard hitting subject matter such as the ones mentioned more palatable.

The only problem I have with Elsewhere is that I feel there are a few unanswered scenarios and questions. Such as what happened to Liz's grandfather and why is he not with Betty, Liz's grandmother in Elsewhere. But, I feel that is a constant problem in fantasy, so many rules are made up about the environment that it is hard to address everything.

I would recommend this book especially to young women. Though the initial idea of love in an afterlife seems to me like a plot that could be easily exhausted and corny, Zevin does a good job of keeping the reader engaged and not applying a pedestrian approach to the characters or their scenarios.

Reviews:
What happens when you die? Where do you go? What do you do? Zevin provides answers to these questions in this intriguing novel, centering on the death of Liz Hall, almost 16 years old and looking forward to all that lies ahead: learning to drive, helping her best friend prepare for the prom, going to college, falling in love. Killed in a hit-and-run accident, Liz struggles to understand what has happened to her, grief-stricken at all she has lost, and incapable of seeing the benefits of the Elsewhere in which she finds herself. Refusing to participate in this new life, Liz spends her time looking longingly down at the family and friends back on Earth who go on without her. But the new environment pulls her into its own rhythms. Liz meets the grandmother she never knew, makes friends, takes a job, and falls in love as she and the other inhabitants of Elsewhere age backward one year for each year that they are there. Zevin's third-person narrative calmly, but surely guides readers through the bumpy landscape of strongly delineated characters dealing with the most difficult issue that faces all of us. A quiet book that provides much to think about and discuss
-School Library Journal

Zevin has left no stone unturned. Her tale covers: what happens to
animals, how you progress to the ' afterlife,' how you make contact with
life on earth, and how you become reborn, amongst many other questions
people have about ' what happens when you die ?'. The story is in no way
contrived but highly plausible. I found myself crying consistently on
and off throughout the story, not because it was sad, but because it was
so buoyant and made so much sense about dealing with what is almost
always a disagreeable topic.

Elsewhere is a book that good readers of 13 and above would enjoy. It
poses so many philosophical questions and ideas that would be excellent
for use in a " Gifted and Talented " class. The idea of getting younger
as opposed to getting older would be an excellent starting point for
some creative writing. Students often want to get older quickly before
they've had chance to experience being young, so the possibility of
becoming younger and debating what happens at the point of birth could
open up some amazing philosophical discussion.

In short this book is brilliant. If you read nothing else for the rest
of the year, read this.
-Amazon Reader's Review