Charles and Emma: the Darwins' Leap of Faith

Heiligman, Deborah.  2009.  Charles and Emma: the Darwins' Leap of Faith.  New York: Henry Holt and Company.  ISBN 9780805087215

What you think you know about Charles Darwin will be tested in this award-winning book. Charles Darwin and Emma Wedgwood were compatible, in love and unable to resolve one major conflict: religion. Though this would be a source of contention between them, Charles and Emma were married and lived happily supporting one another through many of life’s trials and tribulations. The reader is taken through the progression of their lives as Charles forms and perfects his theories on evolution and natural selection.

Juxtaposing Charles’ scientific theories are Emma’s religious beliefs; this creates a balance in the book that presents the reader with the understanding that not all must be in congruence to have harmony and balance. The struggle of Charles Darwin to publish his, at the time, shocking theory about the origin of species is poignantly captured and all the more considerable because of his wife’s personal beliefs. Along with science and religion, the Darwins experience familial illness, joys, amusement and melancholy, which allows for the portrayal of Charles as a human, rather than as an historical figure.

What is apparent throughout the book is the love and respect each of these figures had for the other. Heiligman draws quotes and facts from Darwin’s publications, correspondence, public records and other resources to paint a vivid and accurate picture not only of the Darwins’ life together, but also of the nineteenth century. Photographic inserts are included, and the chapter headings are adorned illustrations representing the opposing viewpoints of Charles and Emma.

Throughout, Heiligman creates an accurate and captivating image of a family’s life in the Victorian era. That the family is that of Charles Darwin is an indulgence that allows for an introduction to the theories of evolution as labored-over by its father. The source notes, selected bibliography and family tree are extensive. It is apparent that much time and care were invested in the writing of this enchanting and well-crafted book, which will have the reader considering the balance between religion and science and how individuals choose to live with one, the other or both. Though the book is slow-paced and goes into minute details about certain topics, these things enhance rather than detract from the quality of work because of the subject matter.

Charles and Emma is the winner of YALSA’s Excellence in Young Adult NonFiction, a Printz Honor Book and a National Book Award Finalist.

"Austen fans will find a romance to like here, too.” (Booklist/January 2009)

"[Heiligman's] book allows readers not only to understand Darwin's ideas, but to appreciate how Emma's responses tempered them.” (Publishers Weekly/December 2008)

"...readers...will discover two brilliant thinkers whose marital dialectic will provide rich fodder for discussions of science and faith." (Kirkus Reviews/December 2008)

Possible Activities:
1. Discuss tolerance for all beliefs and have a readers' theater with various topics. Each student could represent a different idea, and the others would be able to respond by reading responses based on their own characters' viewpoints. This will help teach children to think of things from varying perspectives.
2. Have students create their own family tree stretching a few generations back, at least, so they will get a good sense of how families interact and grow.

What I Saw and How I Lied

Blundell, Judy.  2008.  What I Saw and How I Lied.  New York: Scholastic Press.  ISBN 043903467

For Evie Spooner, life is simple in New York now that her step-father has returned from the war. Candy cigarettes, ice-cream and crushes on boys rule her world until the family takes a trip to Florida. In off-season Palm Beach, Evie and her parents enjoy a relaxing, though hot, vacation filled with new friends and acquaintances, forbidden romance and…something else. A mysterious past and incongruent facts lead the reader into a world filled with mystery, sorrow and sometimes pity.

The characters are well-developed, and their motivations are known and believable. What I Saw and How I Lied effectively portrays a girl torn between her family, her first love and a choice that may destroy more than one of those people. While coming to terms with her feelings and struggling toward what seems the impossible, Evie also finds her voice and learns to recognize injustices hitherto unknown to her. Though the novel is slow to start, the pace does increase at the halfway-point, and readers will be absorbed by the plot twists and suspense that follow.

Set in 1947, Judy Blundell delivers a coming-of-age story filled with intrigue, suspicion and greed. World War II is in the hearts and minds of each of the characters, and many ideals and prejudices of the time are written with truthful care. Florida’s 1947 hurricane also makes an appearance, and the fear and uncertainty of a natural disaster is made real by the author. The characters’ speech patterns are not overtly indicative of the nineteen-forties, but in-text descriptions of and references to styles and actors give the feeling of that time. Blundell notes some of resources in her “Acknowledgements,” but other research notes and further reading suggestions are omitted. Overall, this is an ejoyable story, but it lacks the intensity in the opening pages to keep every reader invested.

"Blundell navigates this multidimensional plotline with unique, well-developed characters and insightful dialogue.” (School Library Journal /December 2008)

“...Blundell has crafted a suspenseful, historical mystery that not only subtly explores issues of post–WWII racism, sexism, and socioeconomic class, but also realistically captures the headiness of first love and the crushing realization that adults are not all-powerful.” (Booklist/November 2008)

Possible Discussion Questions:
1) What impacts you the most about this story? Love, prejudice, greed, sex?
2) Would you respond differently to Evie’s choices in the end of the book? Why or why not?
3) What prejudices have you seen or experienced?
4) What do you think about Evie’s treatment of Wally? Vice versa?
5) Have you ever been involved in a natural disaster? If yes, what was your experience? If no, can you respond to the hurricane as an observer?

The Chocolate War

Cormier, Robert.  1974.  The Chocolate War.  New York: Bantam Doubleday.  ISBN 9780440944597

Jerry Renault, a freshman at Trinity, has lost his mother and rarely sees his father. In his attempt to find comfort at school, he is exposed to an upper-classman gang known as “The Vigils,” who are responsible for intimidation and controlled mayhem. When Archie Costello, the intellectual leader of The Vigils, submits Jerry’s name for an “assignment” that will disrupt a long-time tradition at Trinity, the balance of power and influence in the school begins to shift. The gang, encouraged by a greedy and sinister interim headmaster, attempts to force Jerry into conformity with taunts, threats and violence.

Set in a New England Boys’ Catholic school, the reader is taken into a world of emerging men. Fighting to be accepted in the present and to overcome the past, the young protagonist is pitted against self, man and society. The in-text prompt “Do I dare disturb the universe?” is the thematic high of this novel. Cormier’s acclaimed novel explores male adolescence alongside struggles with grief and conviction. Many of the characters, Archie and Brother Leon, for instance, are less dynamic than one may expect to find, but they are effective in their antagonistic roles. Still, other characters are well-rounded and believable, and it is around these characters, capable of change, internal or external, that the themes of the story truly develop.

The characters are isolated in action and in thought. Cormier’s writing style allows for the individual exploration of characters’ thoughts without delving too deeply into their motivation, but this only intensifies the feelings of seclusion and wonder. The introduction of many minor characters throughout propels the plot but denies the intimate knowledge of any single person.

Listed as one of the most challenged books of the past decade, and the decade before that, The Chocolate War, explores sexual, religious and anti-government ideologies; this novel is perfectly situated to help young adults begin to explore their stance on many issues.

“…the action is well crafted, well timed, suspenseful…” (The New York Times Book Review)

“…This novel [is] unique in its uncompromising portrait of human cruelty and conformity.” (School Library Journal -- Starred Review)

“Robert Cormier has written a brilliant novel.” (Children's Book Review Service)

Possible Discussion Questions:
1) Do you relate to any particular character?
2) Do you think it's possible that the whole school would rally against Jerry?
3) Do you think this book is really about chocolates? If not, then what?
4) Have you ever witnessed or experienced social conformity on this or any level?  When/where?
5) Would you have given in and sold the chocolates?
6) What would you say to Brother Leon or Archie if given the chance?

Break Between Reviews

Hi, all! I obviously took a hiatus from reviewing between Fall semesters, but I'll be starting up again this semester. This post will serve as a break for those looking for my reviws for LS5623: Advanced Literature for Young Adults. Happy reading!

Rachel