Bodies from the Ice: Melting Glaciers and the Recovery of the Past

Deem, James M.  2008.  Bodies from the Ice: Melting Glaciers and the Recovery of the Past.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin.  ISBN 9780618800452

This intriguing and thought-provoking collection of scientific facts and stories of climbers will engage minds of many ages. Deem begins with the discovery of a 5300 year old mummy, finding his way to sacrificed Incan children and many other finds. The detail of the exhumed bodies is paired with text that gives detailed scientific evidence of why and how these bodies were preserved and the scientists’ speculation and evidence of how they died.

In addition to the scientific, historical and exploratory information, much information is also given about global warming and why the glaciers are revealing their long hidden secrets now.

Every page splits space between text and graphics. Many pictures of artifacts and glaciers are present, as well as lithographs of glacial journeys and images of scientists at work in the cold conditions. Maps and discussions give the reader the perspective of where the individuals were discovered, and often the journey taken by the ill-fated explorers, both alive and dead.

Accompanying this text are extensive resources for further exploration. Suggested websites, a bibliography and an index are present; vocabulary words are italicized and defined throughout the text.

Deem has compiled a fantastic resource for understanding both the science behind mummification by freezing and the reasons many have resurfaced in recent past.

"…[Deem’s book] boasts his signature balance of delightful shivers and solid science." (Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books/December 2005)

"...an intriguing read." (Kirkus Reviews/October 2008)

Possible Activities:
1. This book could easily be worked into a science-based classroom, particularly biology.
2. Additionally, this could be used as an example and incorporaed into a discussion of some changes taking place due to global warming.

The Wednesday Wars [sound recording]

Schmidt, Gary.  2007.  The Wednesday Wars.  Read by Joel Johnstone. Portland, Maine: Scholastic Audiobooks.  ISBN 9780439925013

Most of the daily struggles of 7th grade, including how to wear tights without being the laughing stock of the school and how to avoid the many death threats from 8th graders, plague Holling Hoodhood. Every Wednesday of 7th grade, Holling stays behind with his teacher, Mrs. Baker, while his classmates split between Catholic and Jewish instruction. Holling is a Presbyterian on Long Island in 1967, and he is sure his teacher hates him.

If the reader stays through the slow beginning and the too oft mentioned light, brown, cream-puffs, this text will pleasantly surprise. Told from the perspective of the seventh grader, the audience gets a tangible sense of growing up in 1967 without the adult understanding of the current affairs of the world. Through Holling’s naïve narration, the audience receives glimpses of the war in Vietnam, Robert Kennedy’s campaign for president and the mid-sixties Beatles. As the story progresses, more of the nature of the world is revealed and understood by Holling, and so the audience is given a broader view of his world.

This is a coming of age story offers not only self-awareness, but also global perspective, understanding that love is more than a word and that life offers understanding and support in many unlikely and unexpected places.

Joel Johnstone’s reading of the text is very effective, as he provides not only the various voices and cadence of the characters’ speech patterns but also the emotion of each situation. This satisfying, if not sometimes predictable, novel has much to offer readers of young adult literature.

““Listen, laugh, cry, and marvel at the goodness of humankind.” (Audiofile/August/September 2007)

"Holling’s unwavering, distinctive voice offers a gentle, hopeful, moving story..." (Booklist/Jun 2007)

Possible Activities:
1. This text can easily be used to support a history class covering Vietnam, or American life during Vietnam.
2. The Wednesday Wars can easily be used as a motivator for an English class covering Shakespeare's plays.
3. A discussion could be initiated to discuss the normalcy versus strangeness of life at home during war. Many connections can be made to the present.

King of the Mild Frontier: an Ill-Advised Autobiography

Crutcher, Chris.  2003.  King of the Mild Frontier: an Ill-Advised Autobiography.  New York: Greenwillow Books.  ISBN 9780060502492

Just how does one become an author of some of the best and most frequently banned young adult books? In King of the Mild Frontier, personal stories, lessons learned, and humiliating occurrences of Chris Crutcher, author of Whale Talk and Running Loose, are compiled for a humorous, sometimes sad and disturbing, autobiography.

From growing up in a small town to working as a therapist in the city, readers will be treated to some of the stories behind the stories in his books. This book unfolds in a non-linear way, allowing the reader to get a strong sense of Crutcher’s past and how individual events impacted his future. Most readers will find some part of Crutcher’s past to relate to, though it would be difficult to find someone who relates to all of the experiences lain out here.

This biography is highly enjoyable, and those parts I labeled “disturbing” are incredibly telling of the time-period and the author; they are also often amusing. Readers will be interested to find that they take some of life’s lessons away from this reading without realizing it until the end. This would be a highly enjoyable choice for many young adults.

"...any reader from sixth grade to adulthood will enjoy this not-so-ill-advised rendition of Crutcher's childhood." (KLIATT/2005)

Possible Ties:
1. This would be a great choice for an individual reader, and possibly a Teen book club.
2. For those attempting to come to terms with their own awkwardness, this is a good example of "making it through."

Among the Hidden

Haddix, Margaret Peterson.  1998.  Among the Hidden.  New York: Aladdin Paperbacks.  ISBN 0689824750

Don’t be seen. Don’t be heard. You don’t exist. Imagine a world in which these are your commands. For Luke, this is reality. The population is being controlled by the government in an attempt to ration the world’s remaining resources. Not until he looks out at the newly developed homes from his concealed attic window does Luke begin to believe he’s not alone in the world. He meets Jen, another illegal child, who introduces him to a wealth of knowledge and danger as she begins to unveil what has been hidden from him about his own existence.

Haddix creates a believable world in which government control has been mandated, invading the personal rights of all citizens. The terrifying similarities between this fictitious government and those running our countries today are unsettling. The individual characterization of each voice is very well-written, forcing the reader to stop to examine the motives of each person.

The reader will also be intrigued by the developing plot, its twists and turns and the inevitable personal journey taken by Luke. The feeling that this story is not a very distant future adds to the suspense and relevancy of Among the Hidden. For young adults interested in creating a sustainable planet and promoting equity among all individuals, this book will become a fast favorite.

"The seizing of farmlands, untenable food regulations, and other scenarios that have come to fruition in these pages will give readers a new appreciation for their own world after a visit to Luke's."(Kirkus/1998)

"...the fully realized setting, honest characters, and fast paced plot combine for a suspenseful tale of two youngsters fighting for their very existence.” (The ALAN Review/Winter 1999)

Possible Activities:
1. This would be a fantastic choice for a school book club. Earth science, political science, ethics, and sociology are all possible tie-ins.
2. For great discussion questions, see the following guide created for the Multnomah County Library: http://www.multcolib.org/talk/guides-amongthehidden.html

The Subtle Knife

Pullman, Philip.  1997.  The Subtle Knife.  New York: Random House.  ISBN 0440238145

Lyra has followed her father, Lore Asriel, over the mysterious bridge. What she finds is a new world...several, in fact. As she and other adventurers from The Golden Compass embark upon their separate, yet related, journeys, the intentions of Lord Asriel become more clear. Will Parry, a young and fierce boy, teams up with Lyra and may just get more than he bargains for, and, throughout the novel, the presence of the subtle knife is tantalizing in its potential to shape or sever the schemes of longer-known characters.

Pullman effectively continues His Dark Materials without compromising the intrigue of what is yet to come. Readers of this trilogy will not be let down by this second installment, and will undoubtedly reach for the last volume as soon as The Subtle Knife is completed.

The fantastical elements paired with the plight of the under-represented that made The Golden Compass such a success are present in The Subtle Knife, and, as with any middle book in a trilogy, answers to old questions spawn new intrigue. Captivating and elusive, His Dark Materials is well-written and the characters are given new depth. Pullman leads the reader on a journey that is at once fascinating and terrifying. The slow realization that the balance is shifting yet again, and that the story will continue in ways unimagined are key to the continued success of these books.

Young teens through adults will enjoy the fantasy that so well represents the naiveté, perseverance, character and cynicism that are common elements of human nature.

"Pullman has so intricately woven the textures of the two books that the outlines of the first are clearly recapitulated in the second, making it possible to read this one alone..."(Kirkus/1997)

"Once again Pullman succeeds in pushing readers headlong into other worlds...” (Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books/November 1997)

Possible Activities:
1. Great discussion starter for religous differences, beliefs and symbolism.
2. Can be discussed in terms of good vs. evil and reality of the blurred lines between the two.

Mockingjay

Collins, Suzanne.  2010.  Mockingjay.  New York: Scholastic Press.  ISBN 978-0439023511

In this third and final installment of The Hunger Games trilogy, Collins continues the journey of Katniss Everdeen. War, love, hate and peace are all tangled to create yet another intense and thought-provoking novel. Katniss has been thrust into the heart of the rebellion, not only as a participant, but as the symbol of hope for all of Panem. Finding herself as pawn in someone else’s games once again, she must decide what her role will be. She is forced to discover that sides are not always clearly defined and that some evils are less obvious and, so, more treacherous.

As the games continue, more citizens will be affected, more lines must be crossed and more loved ones will be lost. Collins wields the desperation so prevalent in the two preceding novels while effectively dangling the tightly-held belief that there may, yet, be hope for Panem…and, just maybe, for Katniss.

For readers of The Hunger Games and Catching Fire, the characters easily live and breathe; however, new readers may be left wanting in Mockingjay because so little time is spent on character development. This is a small concern, though, as most readers will be continuing to, rather than starting with this book. While most of the character development takes place in the previous installments, as ever, the nature of the Games is to change everything the reader expects. Even the most steadfast allies are potential enemies here.

Collins consistently paints a vivid scene for readers, and this book is no exception. The first scenes of the first chapter are of District 12, now destroyed, so the reader immediately gets a sense of what has changed and is what is lost. Through Katniss’s thoughts readers are given enough reminders of the past books and prior events to recapitulate without being superfluous for readers moving directly to the sequel without a long break between books.

Being the third part in such an intense trilogy, Mockingjay had much to live up to. Overall, this was an excellent book and it will be recommended, along with its predecessors, to teens and adults alike.

"The bittersweet ending is at once heartbreaking and appropriate, as it stays true to both the determination of Katniss and the brutality of the Games."(Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books/November 2010)

"The highly anticipated conclusion to the Hunger Games trilogy does not disappoint.” (Booklist/November 2010)

Possible Activities:
1. Can be used to begin a discussion about war and its effects, as well as the effects of guilt.
2. Can be used to begin a discussion about loss, particularly that caused by war.