American Born Chinese By Gene Luen Yang

1.  Bibliography
Yang, Gene Luen.  2006.  AMERICAN BORN CHINESE.  New York:  First Second.  ISBN 9781596432086


2.  Plot Summary
This graphic novel is told from three different points of view.  The first point of view is the monkey king who want to recognized has a god.  He does not want to be only a king of the monkeys.  He desires to be a god.  The second point of view is Jin Wang.  He only wants to be like every one else.  He wants to be part of the cool crowd and not be different because he is Asian.  The third point of view is Danny a white teenager who is constantly being embarrassed by his Chinese cousin who has come to visit him.   The story interweaves the three different characters and twists the story into an exciting ending with an important message.

3.  Critical Analysis
The author creates the three different characters of the novel to share the variety of  points of view of the characters.  The reader is able to relate to the characters and the struggles they are going through.  The plot takes the characters through the trials of being accepted and fitting in.   The clear and consistent point of view of each character makes the story believable. 
The illustrations in the graphic novel are colorful and bright bringing to life the world of the three characters.  The expressions are portrayed plainly on the characters faces to communicate their emotions.  The images on the pages bring to life many stero types that are debated in the book.

4.  Review Excerpts
National Book Award Finalist
Michael Printz Award
American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults, Top Ten List
Publisher Weekly Best Book of the Year
BOOKLIST Editor's Choice Book
San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of the Year
NPR Holiday Pick
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL STARRED REVIEW:  "Enter American Born Chinese, a well-crafted work that aptly explores issues of self-image, cultural identity, transformation, and self-acceptance."
BOOKLIST:  "With vibrant colors and visual panache, indie writer-illustrator Yang (Rosary Comic Book) focuses on three characters in tales that touch on facets of Chinese American life."

5.  Connections
This graphic novel would be a good book to read and compare with other books that contain the problems of wanting to fit in.
Other graphic novels about Asian stero types:
Toyoshima, Tak.  SECRET ASIAN MAN:  THE DAILY DAYS.  ISBN 978161582807
Yang, Jeff.  SECRET IDENTITIES:  THE ASIAN AMERICAN SUPERHERO ANTHOLOGY.  ISBN 9781595583987 

Speak By Laurie Halse Anderson

1.  Bibliography
Anderson, Laurie Halse.  1999.  SPEAK.  New York:  Penguin Group.  ISBN 9780142414736


2.  Plot Summary
It Melinda Sordino's first day of being a freshman.  But nothing is what it used to be.  Her friends from middle school no longer talk to her.  Has the story progresses Melinda has a tougher time speaking.  Is it because no one listens or talks to her?  Her parents are wrapped up in their own lives and everyone at school is mad at her for calling the cops during a summer party.  She is alone in this strange new world called high school with no way to communicate to the outside world.


3.  Critical Analysis
This story could take place in any present day high school.  The author tells the story from the perspective of the main character.   Melinda is in turmoil from what happened to her at the summer party.  She communicates wonderfully with the reader telling the story that fits her age with a voice of a fourteen year old.  The chapters in the book are short and introduced by the class Melinda is in or by something important that is going to happen in the story.   The author includes humorous names for the teachers to bring some humor to the book.  "Hairwoman is torturing us with essays." The events that take place in the story are about growing up and finding your voice to speak up.  The emotions and turmoil are felt by the reader has they turn the pages.  This is an emotional story that presents a real girl who has real life issues problems.  The main character could be any girl who goes to high school.  The characters are believable and relate to real life people.  The reader wants to listen to Melinda and help her solve the issues bringing her down. 

4.  Review Excerpts
A Michal L. Printz Honor Book
A National Book Award Finalist
An Edgar Allan Poe Award Finalist
A Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist
Winner of the SCBWI Golden Kite Award
An ALA Top Ten Best Book for Young Adults
An ALA Quick Pick
A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A Booklist Top Ten First Novel
A BCCB Blue Ribbon Book
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Horn Book Fanfare Title
A New York Times Bestseller
A Publishers Weekly Bestseller
LIBRARY JOURNAL:  “A story told with acute insight, acid wit, and affecting prose.”
THE HORN BOOK A STARRED REVIEW:  “An uncannily funny book even as it plumbs the darkness, Speak will hold readers from first word to last.”

5.  Connections
This is a great book for a teen book club.  In the back of the book the author includes questions to discuss.
Other books by Laurie Halse Anderson.  After reading this book a person is going to want to read more by this wonderful author.
Anderson, Laurie Halse.  CATALYST.  ISBN 9780142400014
Anderson, Laurie Halse.  PROM.  ISBN 9780142405703
Anderson, Laurie Halse.  TWISTED.  ISBN 9780142411841
Anderson, Laurie Halse.  WINTERGIRLS.  ISBN 9780670011100

The Graveyard Book By Neil Gaiman

1.  Bibliography
Gaiman, Neil.  2008.  THE GRAVEYARD BOOK.  New York:  Harper Collins Publishers.  ISBN 9780060530921


2.  Plot Summary
When Nobody Owens was a baby his family was killed by a mysterious man named Jack.  The baby wanders into the graveyard and is rescued by the ghosts.  The Owen's decide to adopt the baby and raise him.  Silas is a guardian who decides he will help take care of the boy.  He is not a ghost or alive.  Nobody is given the protection of the graveyard has long as he stays within its walls.  The ghosts teach him the ways of their world.  He is granted special powers and knowledge that humans have no knowledge of.  Nobody yearns for a life outside the walls of the graveyard, but if leaves the man Jack may take his life.  "You aren't allowed out of the graveyard...because it's only in the graveyard that we can keep you safe."


3.  Critical Analysis
 When the reader opens the book to the first page they are drawn into the story.  The first sentence in the book is, "There was a hand in the darkness and it held a knife."  The author grabs the reader and propels them into the story.  The reader has to find out what is happening.  The plot created by the author is original with a spooky setting.  People have always wondered what happens after life.  This story puts a new spin on life after death.  The main character works through the issues of growing up and wanting to fit in.  The story is a universal theme that children can compare to their problems of growing up.  The setting in the graveyard is descriptive and full of ghosts from history.  This is a spooky tale of growing up and learning what is important.

4.  Review Excerpts
Newberry Award Winner
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:  "Bod's love for his graveyard family and vice versa provide the emotional center, amid suspense, spot-on humor, and delightful scene-setting."

5.  Connections
Children may enjoy reading other books by Neil Gaiman and comparing them to each other.  Have a discussion and let each child tell what book was their favorite and why?
The following is a link to Neil Gaiman's site and a clip of him reading from The Graveyard Book.  The URL
 is:  http://www.neilgaiman.com/p/Cool_Stuff.  It would be fun to read the book and listen to him reading a part of the story.
Other books by Neil Gaiman:
Gaiman, Neil.  CORALINE.  ISBN 0061649708
Gaiman, Neil.  M IS FOR MAGIC.  ISBN 9780061186479
Gaiman, Neil.  THE WOLVES IN THE WALLS.  ISBN 9780380810956

Penny From Heaven By Jennifer L. Holm

1.  Bibliography
Holm, Jennifer L.  2006.  PENNY FROM HEAVEN.  New York:  Random House.  ISBN 037583687

2.  Plot Summary
It is summer of 1953.  Penny is bored out of her mind.  She lives with her grandparents and mother.  Her Dad has  passed away and no one will talk about it.  Her fathers Italian family and her mothers family do not socialize.  Penny is not allowed to do anything fun because her mother is afraid she will get sick.  She gets a summer job delivering groceries with her cousin for one of her Italian uncles. Problems begin to arise in the heat of the summer.   Her Mom starts to date the milkman.  This worries Penny she doesn't understand why her mother would want to be with this man?  Next, Penny has her arm stuck in a laundry wringer and the doctor is not sure if it well ever work properly.  The families are brought together by the tragedy and Penny begins to learn the truth of what happened between the two families. 

3.  Critical Analysis
The story is told from the perspective of an eleven year old girl. The characters of the story fit the time period with the way they speak, their clothing, and material items they possess.  "Uncle Dominic is sitting in his car."  "It's a 1940 Plymouth Roadking."  The Italian customs of the family are brought to life by the way they speak and their lively personalities.   "Frankie says, "She's pazza."  The plot of the story is believable and readers can compare the story to the adventures they have had in the summer or problems that occur within families.    The story reflects the problems of the time period.  Penny discovers that her father died due to being imprisoned because he was Italian.  Due to World War II some citizens even though they were American were considered the enemy.  The author brings the issues of the time period to life with her unique style and voice that intrigues the reader to see how a family can resolve its problems when something horrible happens to one of their loved ones.  At the end of a book their is an authors note.  This part of the book includes pictures from the time period and the  reader learns that this book was written partially from tales from the author's Italian family. 

4.  Review Excerpts
NEWBERRY HONOR BOOK
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, "Penny and her world are clearly drawn and eminently believable, made up of seamlessly interwoven details from everyday life. The period is lovingly re-created, from the fear of catching polio to Penny's use of the word swell."
BOOKLIST, "Holm impressively wraps pathos with comedy in this coming-of-age story, populated by a cast of vivid characters (a burping, farting grandpa; an eccentric uncle who lives in his car--"not exactly normal for people in New Jersey").

5.  Connections
Suggested reading age 9-12.
This book could be used for discussion to help children understand the relationships of different types of families.   Some American citizens were considered spies during this time period due to the war.
Other books with war settings:
Giff, Patricia Reilly.  LILYS CROSSING.  ISBN 978044041537
Vanderpool, Clare.  MOON OVER MANIFEST.  ISBN 9780385738835
 

Water Street By Patricia Reilly Giff

1.  Bibliography
Giff, Patricia Reilly.  2006.  WATER STREET.  New York:  Wendy Lamb Books.  ISBN 0385730683


2.  Plot Summary
The setting of the story take place in Brooklyn, 1875.  The Brooklyn Bridge is the process of being constructed.  Bird Mallon is a young girl that wants to follow in the foot steps of her mother to become a healer, but after seeing her mother care for an injured boy she is no longer sure what she wants to be.  She would like to help her older sister Annie fall in love and stop her brother Hughie from boxing for a living.  Thomas Nery moves into the apartment above Birds.  He is a quiet boy with no mother that loves to write.  His desire is to become part of a family and find a best friend.  Their friendship will help them find the answers they are looking for.


3.  Critical Analysis
This story is told from two different perspectives.  The chapters alternate between the main characters Bird and Thomas.  The characters in the story are believable and children of the present are able to identify with them.  Children want to fit in and be loved by their friends and family.  Even though this story takes place in the past it could be a story told in any time period.  The setting of the story is described with just the right amount of details for the age group of the readers and to make it believable.  The characters in the story have Irish roots.  The author brings this to life with them referring to their heritage and the customs of the family.   The author has a wonderful grasp of the exciting event of history of building the Brooklyn Bridge and combines bringing this event with the two characters learning about growing up.

4.  Review Excerpts
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL:   "A strong friendship develops between the young teens. The creation of the bridge looms as a dream that parallels the dreams of the characters."
BOOKLIST:  "A poignant immigration story of friendship, work, and the meaning of home."

5.  Connections
Suggested reading level 9-12 years old.
This books could be used in a discussion to let children take about their heritage.  Where did their families come from?  What traditions do they still celebrate from their ancestors?
Other books about Irish heritage:
Duey, Kathleen. NELL DUNNE; ELLIS ISLAND, 1904.  ISBN 0689835558
Giff, Patricia Reilly.  MAGGIES DOOR.  ISBN 9780440415817
Giff, Patricia Reilly.  NORY RYANS SONG.  ISBN 9780440418290 

Chains By Laurie Halse Anderson

1.  Bibliography
Anderson, Laurie Halse.  2008.  CHAINS.  New York:  Athenum Books For Young Readers.  ISBN 9781416905868


2.  Plot Summary
The setting of the story is at the beginning of the American Revolution.  Isabel and her young sister Ruth have lost their mother and their owner has just passed away.  Miss Mary told her lawyer to free the two girls when she died, but the man who is inheriting all of her property has different ideas and the lawyer is out of town.  He sells the girls to a wealthy Loyalist couple that reside in New York City.   Isabel meets Curzon a slave of a Rebel owner.  He convinces Isabel to spy on her owners and provide information to the Rebels.  "Lockton needed to believe I was a sleepy servant, unaware of his plans" (92).  Her owner sells Ruth due to her having a disease.   After losing her little sister Isabel does not know what to do?  She wants to be free and go look for her sister, but with the war looming she needs to decide what side she is on?

3.  Critical Analysis
This story takes place in a realistic time period of the American Revolution.  History is accurate and young readers are able to identify with the characters.  The many characters of the story all have different personalities.   Has the reader reads the story the characters speak with the accents and language of the time period.  "Much is afoot" (114).  The story is not overly descriptive, but understandable for young readers and keeps the reader wondering what is going to happen next.  The theme of the story is slavery.  How can one side want to be free, but not free their own people they consider slaves?  The main character provides a great perspective of what a slave would be going through during this time period in history.  The story is well researched.  At the beginning of each chapter a letter from the American Revolution is shared with the reader to give them a better insight on what people were feeling during this time period of history.

4.  Review Excerpts
Scott O'Dell Award For Historical Fiction
National Book Award Finalist
BOKLIST says, "Anderson explores elemental themes of power (“She can do anything. I can do nothing,” Isabel realizes about her sadistic owner), freedom, and the sources of human strength in this searing, fascinating story."
SCHOOL, LIBRARY JOURNAL, "She chooses to find someone to help her no matter which side he or she is on. With short chapters, each beginning with a historical quote, this fast-paced novel reveals the heartache and struggles of a country and slave fighting for freedom."

5.  Connections
Suggested reading age 9-12.
After reading this book discuss how the African American slaves felt about the American Revolution.  Why should some people be free and not others?  Talk about the different reasons the American Revolution started.
More about the American Revolution:
Anerson, Laurie Halse.  FORGE (SEQUEL TO CHAINS).  ISBN 9781416961444
Lavender, William.  JUST JANE:  A DAUGHTER OF ENGLAND CAUGHT IN THE STRUGGLES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.  ISBN 0439810701
Reit, Seymour.  GUNS FOR GENERAL WASHINGTON:  A STORY OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.  ISBN 9780152164355
Yates, Elizabeth.  AMOS FORTUNE, FREE MAN.  ISBN 0140341587