Review of WHERE THINGS COME BACK

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Printz Award Winner Category

1.       1.Whaley, J. C. (2011). Where things come back. New York:     Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

2. Plot Summary: Cullen Witter is in the summer before his senior year of high school in the small town of Lily, Arkansas, and his world is turned upside down, beginning with his cousin’s death by overdose and continues when his fifteen-year-old brother, Gabriel, unexpectedly disappears. Cullen is very close to his brother, who is sweet and sensitive in contrast to Cullen’s slightly brooding, sarcastic personality; nonetheless, the brothers are close and greatly respect each other. So, Cullen takes the realization of his brother’s disappearance hard.

In the midst of the family dealing with their heartache and search for Gabriel, the town of Lily becomes consumed and obsessed with the supposed reappearance of the Lazarus woodpecker that was last seen in the 1940s. Cullen is faced with the uncertainty and excitement of new romances, unsure thoughts of his future, and keeping his best friend close to him during a chaotic, upsetting time. Meanwhile, there is a young missionary, Benton, in the depths of Africa trying to make sense of his purpose in life, and eventually his story crashes into the Witter family’s reality, creating an unforgettable story within a story.

3. Critical Analysis: Author Ellen Hopkins sums up what this novel is in two short sentences on the novel’s front cover. “Every now and then a book rises to the top. This one soars.” (True that.) This poignant young adult novel will have readers guessing how all of the characters’ stories fit together almost until the very end of the narrative. I, at first, felt that the novel would be depressing, but I was wrong. John Corey Whaley is able to use imaginative diction and character development in order to create tones of what the back cover of the book describes as “melancholy and regret, comedy and absurdity, and above all, hope.” The humor included in this book is placed in appropriate intervals. Just when the reader is feeling a bit saddened by the content, the author pulls you out of that state by creating laughter through comic relief.

The characters’ interactions with other one another were natural and realistic, and Cullen’s imaginative mind will put the reader into his skin, as in the words of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, helping the reader to identify with each character. “The characters’ reactions are palpable as their grief deepens and yet they continue to hope for Gabriel’s return. Cullen is an eloquent, thoughtful narrator….the ending is worth the wait” (School Library Journal, July 2011). The poignancy that Whaley is able to create through his simple realizations of the characters is beautifully done. The syntax will be short and simple, and then a flowing, melodic sentence will appear, creating a sense of understanding in the reader. The melody and rhythm of the sentence structure that the author is able to accomplish is fitting because there are many references to songs, and although most of them will be unfamiliar to music fans, the song lyric references are perfect for the novel’s subjects and themes. They all include allusions to angels, life after death, and religion, all of which are explored within the pages of the novel.

A 2011 Publishers Weekly Starred Review states, “In this darkly humorous debut, Whaley weaves two stories into a taut and well-constructed thriller….Vulnerability balances Cullen’s arch sarcasm, and the maelstrom of media attention lavished on the woodpecker offers an element of the absurd, especially when juxtaposed against the mystery of Gabriel’s disappearance. The portentous tone and flat affect of Whaley’s writing is well-suited to the story’s religious themes and symbolism.” The last statement is very accurate. The way that the author was able to interweave all of these elements and devices effectively, particularly the religious allusions and symbolism, will instill a lasting impression on the reader long after he or she has put the book away. The fact that the book won the Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence and the William C. Morris Debut Award from the American Library Association is no surprise.

The nonlinear plot of flashbacks and flash-forwards will keep the reader guessing as to what is occurring within the present time. I found myself looking back when I came to the end of the book and began to realize what might be happening and loving the fact that I had to keep guessing. It is a novel designed to have the reader thinking about life’s unexpected twists and turns and the fact that things have a way of working out. One of my favorite lines from the novel is, “I can’t seem to be a pessimist long enough to overlook the possibility of things being overwhelmingly good.” This comes from the main character, Cullen, and pretty much sums up the one of the major themes of the book – that sometimes, when least expected, things that were once lost often come back.

Some things to be aware of: This novel does have some sexual content; however, those scenes are not described, just pretty bluntly implied. The book is most likely be suited for 8^th or 9^th grade and up due to this particular comment and some (not much) explicative language. This story is one that will be enjoyed by adults as well, and both males and females will find things they can appreciate, understand, and identify with as they read.

As an English teacher, I can think of multiple ways to use excerpts of this novel in class and teach students things such as style, diction, syntax, symbolism, allusion, and any other literary device since the author writes includes them all in a seemingly flawless way, which is what I want my students to see examples of. I found myself marking many pages and cannot wait to utilize the passages I discovered! As a reader and lover of literature, this novel held my full attention, and it was one of the rare books that I finished in a total of two sessions. At only 228 pages and being full of engaging situations and language, readers are sure to not put this page-turner down!

References

Where things come back: A review. (2011). School Library Journal. Retrieved June 21, 2014, from http://www.amazon.com.

Where things come back. (2011). Publishers Weekly. Retrieved June 21, 2014, from http://www.amazon.com.

Review of SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson

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1. Anderson, L. H. (1999). Speak. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux.

Challenged Book Category

2. Summary: Laurie Halse Anderson’s brutally honest and chilling novel, Speak, describes the story of Melinda, a high school freshman, who is raped at a party but does not speak out much later until a new “friend” confronts Melinda about her ongoing silence and her attacker tries to hurt her again. Melinda also deals with the woes of high school while trying to make sense of her traumatic situation – the coming and going of friends, feeling unloved and ignored, and learning to deal with teenage emotions and feelings. She is faced with the challenge of telling why she called the police at a summer party or staying silent. While quiet, Melinda endures the shunning of classmates and ex-best friends, and this is all at the beginning of her first year of high school. She loves art, and with the help of her caring art teacher, Melinda learns to speak out and up about what happened to her the night of a summer party before her life was turned upside down.

3. Critical Analysis: On a personal note: I am a Laurie Halse Anderson fan. I have read many of her novels, and Speak has been sitting on my classroom shelves for years – yet I have never read it. I have to admit; I was a bit afraid to read about such a dark subject, and I like dark subjects. I think I thought it was going to hit a bit close to home for me or for some people I know. I loved this book. I am so glad I can now say I have read it. Students have borrowed this title from me frequently, and now I know why.

Halse Anderson writes Melinda’s story from the first-person point of view, and this is effective in getting her deeply personal and emotional story across to the reader. Many parts are written like diary entries. The author uses very vivid imagery and much symbolism to accomplish the description of the main character’s pain and how deep it goes. Publishers Weekly claims, “Anderson uses keen observations and vivid imagery to pull readers into the head of an isolated teenager.” The story combines humorous wit with heart-breaking metaphors, which are both effective in giving the story a deep meaning but not allowing it to get too heavy at the wrong times.

A few of the awards this challenged book has won are the Printz Honor Book (2000), National Book Award Finalist (1999), ALA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults, and Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, (to name just a few).

The author’s style is enticing right from the first page. The novel is divided into the four marking periods of the high school academic year, and Anderson’s simple, somewhat choppy sentences in the first chapter about the beginning of high school gain readers’ attention because it is relatable. It sounds like a first-person account of school, as it should. Intermittent, single sentence paragraphs such as, “I am an Outcast” are powerful and effective. The author has a true perspective of a teenager’s feelings. Anderson also adds in lists of things that Melinda, the main character, thinks of as the school year goes on such as, “The First Ten Lies They Tell You in High School,” (my favorite because they are so true), and “Guys to Stay Away From,” which will hold the reader’s interest because they are a break from the standard paragraph in a novel. Melinda use of sarcastic nicknames for her teachers versus their real names such as “Mr. Neck” and “Hair Woman” continue to add to the authenticity of Melinda’s teenage voice.

On most websites, such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble, Speak is recommended for ages 12/13 and up. It contains content that would be helpful for students nearing high school age or in high school, but please be aware that the content is deep and about a girl’s struggle with balancing daily life after rape. In November of 1999, CNN reviewed the book and wrote, “If you’ve been through years of therapy trying to suppress torturous memories of your isolated, clique-less, academically unsuccessful high school years, and have beaten back memories of attending prom stag, awakening to the sound of the cool kids egging your house, and being tripped in the hallways by snot-nosed upstarts a year behind you don’t read “Speak.”…..For the more sensitive among you who suffered the kind of off-handed cruelty that is a hallmark of the teen years, it may be too much.” This novel should be read with that statement in mind; however, even if a person is or was popular in high school, this book can make someone see the world from someone else’s perspective. It is simply powerful and will more than likely affect all who read it.

Some reviews out there have stated that the symbolism can get deep and a bit obscure, but I think that is the point. The emotions and feelings that Melinda goes through are so far-reaching and painful that Anderson’s use of symbolism and word choice envelop the reader in imagery and make him or her really think about the subjects and themes at hand. The symbolism and descriptive diction allow the reader to be truly affected up until the very last page of this powerful, coming-of-age, realistic story.

References

Matson, N. (1999, November 29). Review: Book recalls the tumult of the teen years. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/books/reviews/9911/speak/.

Children's Book Review: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. (1999, October 10). Retrieved from             http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0

Review of THE CONTENDER by Robert Lipsyte

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1. Lipsyte, R. (1967). The Contender. New York: Harper & Row.

2. (The Classics Category) Plot Summary: Alfred Brooks, a bright African American boy growing up in 1960s Harlem, New York, feels as though his life is heading nowhere. He has been a grocery store stock boy for as long as he can remember and has dropped out of school due to life circumstances. Living with his aunt and nieces in a run-down part of the city, Alfred struggles to make ends meet and to find his calling in life. His best friend James falls into the darkness of drug and alcohol addiction, and Alfred is faced with the struggles that come with trying to save a friend while trying to save himself.

Alfred decides he would like to become a boxer, partially because he is tired of being bullied by Major and Hollis who attempt to drag him into their dark worlds, along with James. He meets Mr. Donatelli who not only becomes his trainer but also a father figure and mentor who helps Alfred figure out the true meaning of what it takes to be not only a champion but a contender in both the sport of boxing and in life.

3. Critical Analysis: The Contender is the predecessor to The Brave and The Chief. The latter two books continue the story of Alfred Brooks and what he chooses to do with his life after boxing. The continuation of his story gives readers a sense of closure and of hope for the struggling coming of age story in The Contender. The novel has won such awards and honors as “ALA Best of the Best Books for Young Adults,” “Library of Congress Children’s Books,” “ALA Notable Children’s Book,” and the “New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age.” Lipsyte also won the Margaret E. Edwards award for lasting contribution to young adult literature in 2001. ALA Booklist states it is, “A novel filled with hardships and hope.”  The School Library Journal writes, “An exciting premise, short chapters, and plenty of action make this a good choice for reluctant readers.” I agree that the book’s chapters are short and fast-paced allowing teen readers’ attention to be held. Even though the book discusses the sport of boxing, the book’s themes reveal the world of teen struggles – relationships, (both friendships and the opposite sex), how to fit in the adult world, family struggles, inner-struggles of doubt and confidence, and the list goes on. Robert Lipsyte truly delves into the mind and heart of a teen, and even though the novel was published in 1967, teenagers in 2014 will still relate.

This book is suited best for ages 12 (7^th grade) and up. The subjects of drugs and other “young adult/adult” topics may not be suitable for anyone younger than the junior high years. The language is simple enough for middle school aged students to read, and the book would also be a great addition to a struggling readers’ or special education high school class. The topics and struggles in the novel, such as peer pressure, friendships, and socio-economic status in society, should bring about some interesting and deep conversations in the classroom. The rich history of the novel – 1960s Harlem, the rights of black Americans, sports during this time period – will help aid a teacher or librarian in planning meaningful activities during a novel study. At 227 pages, this novel is fairly short but will hold readers’ attention due to the action packed subject matter. Even the slowed down portions of the novel are interesting and thoughtful because the novel is written from the third person limited viewpoint, allowing the reader to hear the thoughts of Alfred the whole time. I did wonder at times why Lipsyte decided to write in that point of view versus the first person point of view.

I found that the character Alfred Brooks is very believable and relatable. Even if a reader has not gone through some of the challenges that Alfred goes through in the work of fiction, he or she will still be able to relate to his thoughts and feelings of inadequacy and the need to be more all the while struggling with trying to hold on to a friendship Alfred believes is worth fighting for even if his friend may not believe that at many times throughout the story. Alfred’s Aunt Pearl and trainer, Mr. Donatelli, both play an integral part in Alfred’s character development and his decisions throughout the novel. These characters break the typical stereotype that a teen without biological parents struggles till the end. The relationship between Alfred and James is also believable in the sense that friendships that begun in boyhood can go through ups and downs and can still survive but not remain unchanged. The other characters in the novel, such as Spoon, Henry, and Mr. Epstein are symbols of encouragement, perseverance, and hope for Alfred just like many of the “characters” in every day people’s lives.

I truly enjoyed reading this book. Of course, my English teacher mind was constantly thinking about how I could use this in my struggling reading class at the high school where I teach! However, if I were to rate it on a scale of 1 to 10 just based on pleasure reading, I would rate it at around an 8. I would recommend it to anyone who asked. I found the figurative language and imagery in most places, especially when describing Alfred’s observation of people and events, to be simple but visually appealing. I could picture everything and everyone in my mind clearly. I felt myself empathizing with characters, and that is something I crave in a book. I wouldn’t say I found myself not being able to put the book down, but that is probably because I am an adult reader and found portions of the book to be not as relatable to me as they would be to a teen. However, from a reading teacher’s perspective, this book would be a great addition to any English classroom for teen readers as well as many history classes.

Review of THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak (Audiobook)

1. Bibliography 
Zusak, Markus. (Author) and Corduner, Allan (Narrator). 2006. THE BOOK THIEF [CD]. Unabridged version: Cover to cover. ISBN 0739337270

2. Plot Summary

Narrated by Death, The Book Thief is a story about a girl, Leisel Meminger, who loses her mother and brother in a train accident and has to go live with Rosa and Hans Huberman, her new foster parents just outside of Munich in Nazi German. As a way of adjusting to her new life, Leisel begins stealing books, and she finds it to be thrilling. She steals from the lonely mayor's wife, Nazi book-burning sessions, a graveyard, and anywhere else she can get her hands on them. Her painter/accordion-playing foster father helps her learn how to read, and she shares her readings with crabby neighbors, down in basements during bomb raidings, and the Jewish man in her own basement. This is a story of coping with loss and grief, finding friendship in the unlikeliest of places, and learning that the power of words just might save you.

3. Critical Analysis

This audio book is narrated by Mr. Allan Corduner, British actor, and is listened to in eleven compact disks (13 hours and 50 minutes). The suggested audience is young adult, 9th grade and above, more than likely because of its heavy content regarding death and language. It is the unabridged version, so listeners get the benefit of hearing book in its entirety, cover to cover. The other information included on the backmatter are a short summary of the novel and mini biographies about the author and the narrator. The sound quality of the audio was very crisp and clear. There was no music or other background noise during the reading except for the fitting accordion sounds at the very beginning and the very end; the narrator's voice was more than sufficient throughout the rest. Listeners will be completely engaged in this rich audiobook experience. 

The tone and delivery of Allan Corduner complimented Markus Zusak's brilliant writing very well. The fact that Corduner was able to capture each German in the story, even the ladies, was astounding. The list of characters in this thick novel is extensive. Zusak writes Leisel as a quick-tongued, stubbornly intelligent girl, and the narrator captures her attitude perfectly with her coin curse words and comebacks. The listening experience was hard to break away from with Death as the somber but sentimental narrator. The reader captured Death's feelings well with his pauses and sighs and annunciations. 

This book is part part contemporary realistic fiction, and part fantasy, with a little historical fiction mixed in. There are many events described about World War II and its devastating effects on the Germans and the Jewish race and the punishment that comes with trying to help a Jew during Hitler's reign. Death describes these events with sorrow in his voice and an urgency to take care of the souls as gently as he can once they pass away. As Leisel loves and loses many people throughout the course of the story, she never gives up on writing and reading words. The words of books and of writing help the Book Thief stay strong and focused on her greatest task - survival. Themes of budding romance, love between a parent and child, loss and grief, friendship, being strong, and finding oneself through the power of words all resonate within this beautifully read story. I highly recommend listening to the audio book. I would like to go back and look through the pages at some of the German words and phrases used to get a better feel for those. 

Death's final message, "I am haunted by humans" will leave you reeling with thoughts long after this masterpiece is finished. 

4. Review Excerpts and Notable Awards/Honors:

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL STARRED REVIEW: "An extraordinary narrative."

BOOKLIST STARRED REVIEW: "...the astonishing characters, drawn without sentimentality, will grab readers. More than the overt message about the power of words, it's Leisel's confrontation with horrifying cruelty and her discovery of kindness in unexpected places that tell the heartbreaking truth."

USA TODAY: "It seems poised to become a classic."

PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY STARRED REVIEW: "Elegant, philosophical, and moving...Beautiful and important. This hefty volume is an achievement...a challenging book in both length and subject..."

HORN BOOK MAGAZINE STARRED REVIEW: "Exquisitely written and memorably populated, Zusak's poignant tribute to words, survival, and their curiosity inevitable entwinement is a tour de force to be not just read but inhabited."

Winner of/Honored by:

• 2006- Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best Book (South East Asia & South Pacific)

• 2006 - Horn Book Fanfare

• 2006 - Kirkus Reviews Editor Choice Award

• 2006 - School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

• 2006 - Daniel Elliott Peace Award

• 2006 - Publishers Weekly Best Children Book of the Year

• 2006 - Booklist Children Editors' Choice

• 2006 - Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book

• 2007 - Boeke Prize

• 2007 - American Library Association’s Best Books for Young Adults

• 2007 - Michael L. Printz Honor Book

• 2007 - Book Sense Book of the Year (Indie’s choice)

• 2009 - Pacific Northwest Young Readers Choice Master List

• Winner of the National Jewish Book Award

5. Connections
A. Research a bit about Nazi Germany in 1939-1943 in order to get a better feel for the setting. 

B. Discuss the effects of having Death narrate the story versus someone else. 
C. This novel and audio recording would be excellent for literature circles at the high school level to use with other novels of related topics. 

*Other novels with related themes:

Wiesel, Elie. NIGHT. ISBN 9780374500016
Coelho, Paulo. THE ALCHEMIST. ISBN 9780061122415
Hughes, Dean. SOLDIER BOYS. ISBN 9780689860218

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(Graphic Novel) Review of THE ODYSSEY by Gareth Hinds based on Homer's Epic Poem

1. Bibliography
Hinds, Gareth. 2010. THE ODYSSEY. Based on Homer's epic poem. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press. ISBN 978076364268

2. Plot Summary
An ancient classic comes back to life through this vivid graphic retelling and 250 pages of watercolor illustration. The same adventures and antics of Odysseus with a few added twists and turns will take readers on an updated version of the epic poem by Homer.Odysseus, who is returning home from his battles and triumphs in the Trojan War, desires more than anything to see his wife and son and his homeland, Ithaca. However, the king angers the god of the sea, Poseidon, and blows his ship off course, forcing him to face years of violent storms, tempting sirens and spells, monsters and sea creatures only to come home to fight off greedy suitors that are trying to take his wife and his kingdom. This is the classic fantasy story of good versus evil told in a fresh new way by Gareth Hinds.

3. Critical Analysis
Gareth Hinds' beautiful watercolor illustrations bring the classic tale of The Odyssey to life in a very new way. Epic poems are extremely long because of the long journeys and quests the hero must take, and with this book, because of its vibrant and expressive illustrations, the pages seem to fly by quickly. The detail that Hinds was able to get into each picture, each facial expression of the characters, is astounding. Readers will be able to get a clear picture of each event in detail; not one thing was left to the imagination. The watercolors seem to jump off of the page and into your living room. The background colors are strategically planned out as well - from more grays and blues when there is great contemplation from Odysseus or another character to burnt oranges and reds when there is more dire action occurring such as the showdown with the cyclops, Polyphemus. The fantasy genre is at its best here with vivid depictions of sea creatures and unearthly monsters, a powerful sorceress, wrathful gods, beautiful sirens, and lands and places that can only be seen within the imagination.

The text that appears in the book is cleverly placed, helping readers get a further, clear picture of the adventures of Odysseus. Hinds has added a modern feel to the words of Homer's epic poem without taking away from the meaning of the original text. Such as when Poseidon sees Odysseus when Odysseus is able to leave Calypso's island, Poseidon says, "So I go off to Ethiopia for a few days and the other gods decide to release Odysseus?" Hinds has a knack for making the characters seem as though they could be here in the modern world versus the ancient world in which they reside. The element of fantasy is not forsaken, and even with the modern twists with the words, the illustrations still take the reader to another place and time that cannot exist in the real world. Readers will feel sorry for Odysseus at times and then at other times feel that he needs to suffer for his stubbornness and overly-confident attitude. Even the non-human, one-eyed Polyphemus will receive a few sympathy votes when readers realize the way his father, Poseidon, treats him. Through all of Odysseus' character flaws, his ability to never give up is what gets him home to his family. Readers will quickly pick up on this theme of perseverance, as well as messages of love can conquer all and good reigns over evil.

4. Review Excerpts and Notable Awards/Honors:
THE HORN BOOK STARRED REVIEW: "Accessible and effective...A timeless long-ago past comes alive."

BOOKLIST STARRED REVIEW: "A lavish retelling...a grand example of Hinds' ability to combine historical adventure with human understanding."

Winner of/Honored by:

• Junior Library Guild Selection
• An American Library Association Great Graphic Novel for Teens
• Best-of 2010 lists including Booklist, Kirkus, Roger Sutton, Monica Edinger, and by many libraries.  

5. Connections and Personal Connection

A. Watch movie versions (clips) of The Odyssey. There are many clips of different versions on YouTube. Clips of more modern-day versions of stories such as The Lotus Eaters and others can be seen in such movies as Perseus Jackson and The Lightning Thief. 
B. Students could research a mythological character or creature of their choosing and present their finding to the class using a Web 2.0 tool.
C. Most of the time, epic poems seem suitable for middle school and beyond, but because this is a graphic novel, the story of Odysseus and others could be introduced to children as young as ten.
C. Look at Gareth Hinds' website http://www.garethhinds.com/aboutme.php for further information.

I had never read a graphic novel before, even though many of my students have tried to get me to read one over the last few years. I was presently surprised that I enjoyed it! I guess my apprehension before was that I would be bored because I "just wasn't into that type of book," but the pictures took me away, and even though the book was 250 pages, I finished it within a few bedtime sessions. It was a rich experience to get lost in the pictures and illustrations of another world and to not be over-whelmed with text. I can see why young adults love this type of book.


*Other graphic novels to explore by the same author:
Hinds, Gareth. BEOWULF. ISBN 9780763630232
Hinds, Gareth. GIFTS FROM THE GODS. ISBN 9780547152295
Hinds, Gareth. KING LEAR. ISBN 9780763643447

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Contemporary Realistic Fiction - A Review of AFTER TUPAC & D FOSTER by Jacqueline Woodson

1. Bibliography
Woodson, Jacqueline. 2008. AFTER TUPAC & D FOSTER. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 97803999246548

2. Plot Summary
In the mid 1990s in New York, before Tupac's death, two eleven-year-old friends meet a mysterious, third friend, D Foster, and embark on a journey to find their Big Purpose. D's circumstances are slowly revealed, and the friends carry each other through family hardships, double-Dutch the summers away, and explore new territories. The three bond over the messages in Tupac's music and learn to look at life in new ways as they grow older together until D's real mother comes back into her life.


3. Critical Analysis
Jacqueline Woodson tells a story of finding friendship and learning to accept things that you cannot control, using some life events of Tupac and his music lyrics as a link for the three girls to explain things in their own lives. The plot line is very simple and easy to follow as is the author's style of writing. Woodson's writing is best described as normal and easy-flowing; it is very conversational and captures the age and attitudes of the pre-teen girls. D's life is slowly revealed, bit by bit, which will keep readers wanting to read and find out more. Her story is not completely filled in since she does not know all of it herself. The main narrator's name is never revealed, which may leave readers wondering why that is, but it does give the novel an authentic feel - someone simply telling her story. The events that are included regarding Tupac line up with events in the girls' lives within the way the narrator tells their stories. The narrator explains her own growth and journey of "finding herself" through the telling of the other girls' lives. Readers will be drawn in by the simplicity and easiness of the girls' friendship and the way they are just there for each other. The main theme is about growing through friendship, with other realistic sub-themes such as over-coming prejudices (a gay brother wrongly serving time in prison) and being strong through loss (D's absent mother). The book is composed of a variety of every-day conflicts but always comes back to the main theme of friendship. This book will gain readers' attention, (as it did mine), if they are interested in Tupac, as his face is on the front cover. However, potential readers should know that the book is about much more than Tupac, so there could be disappointment if they are looking for more about the rap artist within the read.

4. Review Excerpts and Notable Awards/Honors:
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL STARRED REVIEW: "...will immediately appeal to teens...the emotions and high-quality writing make it a book well worth recommending."

BOOKLIST: "Beautifully capturing the girls' passage from childhood to adolescence, this is a memorable, affecting novel about the sustaining power of love and friendship and each girl's developing faith in her "Big Purpose.

Winner of/Honored by:

• Newberry Honor Award (2009)

5. Connections

A. Reviewing some of the songs mentioned in the book written by Tupac (watch out for inappropriate lyrics) could be discussed and related to themes and events within the novel. Teachers could also use Tupac's book of poetry (listed below) for discussions. 
B. Students could choose their own realistic fiction book that has similar themes and write a review of the book on a class wiki to share with their peers. 

*Other books about Tupac Shakur:
Shakur, Tupac. THE ROSE THAT GREW FROM CONCRETE. ISBN 9780671028459 (Poetry)

Other great contemporary fiction books:
Halse Anderson, Laurie. TWISTED. ISBN 9780670061013
Hubbard, Kristin. WANDERLOVE. ISBN 9780525478188
Sonnenblick, Jordan. AFTER EVER AFTER. ISBN 9780439837064

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(Historical Fiction) Review of Audiobook - Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt, Narrated by Lincoln Hoppe

1. Bibliography

Schmidt, Gary D. (Author) and Hoppe, Lincoln (Narrator). (2011). OKAY FOR NOW [CD]. Unabridged version: Cover to cover. ISBN 978030791598

2. Plot Summary

Doug Swieteck is a soon-to-be eighth grade boy who moves from Long Island to stupid Marysville, New York in the late 1960s because his father, a man who uses his fists to communicate, loses his job. Doug's main joy is following  Joe Pepitone's career with the Yankees, and he is even given a signed ball by the man himself; however, his jerk of a brother takes it from him and loses it. After the move, Doug forms an unlikely friendship with assertive and quick-witted Lil Spicer, the daughter of the owner of a deli who becomes Doug's boss. Doug often has to deal with many hardships and trials such as his jerk brother's acts, his abusive father, a mother who barely speaks, (but oh, when she smiles...), troubles at school, especially with the so-called gym teacher, and an older brother who returns from Vietnam forever changed and scarred. Doug also has triumphs and hits milestones. With the help of a librarian, he discovers he has a great talent and passion for drawing after he sees an Audubon original painting. An English teacher helps him become a better reader with, and I'm not lying, Jane Eyre! A teacher finally stops labeling Doug as a criminal master mind and a trouble-maker and starts listening and discovers what Doug is going through at home and actually tries to help. There are many times that he thinks things are going perfectly, and then something happens to mess the perfectness all up. But though Doug seems a pessimist many times throughout this work of historical fiction, he is actually stronger and more resilient than he ever thought, proving he can take on whatever is put in front of him and come out okay for now.

3. Critical Analysis

This audio book is narrated by Mr. Lincoln Hoppe, American writer, actor, and producer, and is listened to in eight CDs (9 hours and 30 minutes). The suggested audience is young adult. It is the unabridged version, so listeners get the benefit of hearing book in its entirety, cover to cover. The other piece of information included on the backmatter is a short summary of the novel. The sound quality of the audio was flawless and perfectly clear. Listeners will be completely engaged in this rich audiobook experience. The narrator enunciated his words very well, and his accents of the characters were entertaining and differentiated. There were no background effects or music; just the narrator's words, which added to the seriousness of the themes within the book and also helped me focus on the characters' personalities. The pace of the book varied - slow when something very detailed and disappointing to the main character was occurring, faster when the main character was excited or engaged in something. The narrator was flawless in his ability to draw me in the entire time; his readings were very natural, invested, and personal. I could not stop listening and went through with drawls when my car trips would come to an end, thinking about the tracks I had just listened to long after they were over.

The tone and delivery of Lincoln Hoppe brought the author's words and intentions to life. I feel like I know Doug Swieteck better because I listened to this book rather than read it. Gary Schmidt's writing is beautiful, especially the parts where Audubon's works are incorporated into the story as analogies and metaphors for the things that are happening in Doug Swieteck's life. The narrator's interpretation of how a fourteen-year-old boy would speak his typical phrases, such as, "I'm not lying" and "You know what that feels like?" brought the character to life non-stop. This book is geared towards the middle grades, and the author's writing combined with the narrator's reading are sure to capture listeners' ears and hearts from cover to cover.

Gary Schmidt knows the 1960s and the Vietnam War well. His extensive research shone through his literary details of the effects of the war on soldiers, through the descriptions of Doug's brother's injuries, and through the feelings of the gym teacher. The mentionings and excitement of the first man on the moon were accurate and seemed to truly express the sentiments of the emerging technologies and advancements of the time period. There are themes of loss and recovery, and love, discovery, creativity, and finding one's identity to just surviving the day. The messages within the book are timeless, and people of all ages will be captivated with the happenings of this work of art. One of the most interesting features of the book is that the chapters are titled after Audubon's painting plates, and those painting titles have significant meaning within each chapter, seamlessly interweaving history with metaphorical writing.

4. Review Excerpts and Notable Awards/Honors:

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL STARRED REVIEW: "Readers will miss Doug and his world when they’re done, and will feel richer for having experienced his engaging, tough, and endearing story."

BOOKLIST STARRED REVIEW: "Reproductions of Audubon plates introduce each chapter in this stealthily powerful, unexpectedly affirming story of discovering and rescuing one’s best self, despite family pressure to do otherwise."

KIRKUS STARRED REVIEW: "This is Schmidt's best novel yet—darker than The Wednesday Wars and written with more restraint, but with the same expert attention to voice, character and big ideas"

Winner of/Honored by:

• 2012 Odyssey Award Honor
• 2012 Nomination for an Audie Award
• 2011 Sonderbooks Standout: #3 Audio Rereads
• 2011 National Book Award Finalist: Young People's Literature
• 2012 AudioFile Earphones Award

5. Connections
A. Use the following photograph lesson plan by The National Archives http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/vietnam-photos/

B. A few of the scenes could be dramatized and acted out, especially the ones between Doug and Lil, Doug and Mrs. Windermere, and Doug and the so-called gym teacher.

*Other books with related themes:

Schmidt, Gary D. THE WEDNESDAY WARS. ISBN 9780547237602

Gantos, Jack. DEAD END IN NORVELT. ISBN 9780374379933

*Other historical fiction books about the Vietnam War:

Whelan, Gloria. GOODBYE, VIETNAM. ISBN 9780679823766

Lynch, Chris. VIETNAM #1: I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE. ISBN 9780545270298

Dean Myers, Walter. FALLEN ANGELS. ISBN 9780590409438

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