CRISS CROSS

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Perkins, Lynn Rae. 2006. CRISS CROSS. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 9780060092726

PLOT SUMMARY
A combination of coming of age and love story, Criss Cross follows three adolescents as they look for romance. There’s Debbie who makes a wish that "something different would happen. Something good. To me.” Hector that suddenly decides to learn guitar in hopes of building confidence and attracting girls, and Lennie the mechanical gear-head type that falls for Debbie. Each chapter alternates between the three narrators as we get a closer glimpse into their lives and witness how our lives “criss cross” daily with each decision we make.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The setting is realistic and could take place anywhere in any time. The recurring theme of young teens looking for romance and flirting awkwardly is something any reader can relate to. The writing includes poems, haikus, and prose as well as the author’s own illustrations fills the novel. The author’s own pen and ink drawings appear frequently. The varied vignettes are shown through a typical teen point of view. Adolescents can certainly relate to the self-conscious wonderings. The characters of Debbie, Hector, and Lennie are typical kids. They don’t quite know how to express themselves nor truly understand themselves at this point. They are all interested in other people, but are somehow still connected to their childhood friendships. Each character finds comfort in knowing that each will be there, yet struggle to find their place in the in the world and the teen social scene.

REVIEW EXCEPTS
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Young teens will certainly relate to the self-consciousnesses and uncertainty of all of the characters, each of whom is straining toward clarity and awareness.”
KIRKUS: “A tenderly existential work that will reward more thoughtful readers in this age of the ubiquitous action saga.”

CONNECTIONS
Another novel by Lynne Rae Perkins:
ALL ALONE IN THE UNIVERSE. ISBN 0380733021

Other Newberry Medal winners:
Curtis, Christopher Paul. BUD, NOT BUDDY. ISBN 0553494104
Kadohata, Cynthia. KIRA-KIRA. ISBN 0689856407
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ARTEMIS FOWL

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Colfer, Eoin. 2001. ARTEMIS FOWL. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 0786817879

PLOT SUMMARY
Twelve year old criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl has concocted a plan to reclaim the family fortune. To do so he must simply steal gold from a fairy. However, this fairy, Holly Short, is also a member of LEPrecon, a high-tech organization that will protect its gold from the Mud People (humans) with great diligence and fire-power. Soon, Artemis finds himself tangled in a battle with centaurs, gnomes, and trolls.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The underground world of fairies depicts a setting that lures in today’s young reader. This high fantasy novel captures the magical world beautifully as well as adds a touch of science fiction with its use of time stop, mesmer, and bio-bomb. The beautiful Irish countryside is home to Fowl Manor, Artemis’ “evil lair.” The character of Artemis is complex and enjoyable. One moment he is showing himself to be cold-hearted and ruthless, the next you sense vulnerability in him during the scenes with his mother. His never-ending quest to regain his family’s billionaire status suggests a greed that may be his undoing. Captain Holly Short is the first female to be in recon and has a great deal to prove to her male co-workers. Female readers will like the strong female role she portrays. The theme of desiring a mother’s love and attention is something in which all readers can relate. The story is rich in folklore and mythology. Readers will enjoy trying to crack the code that Colfer has added to the bottom of each page and playing along on the website.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
KIRKUS REVIEWS: "Savagely funny page-turner."
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Colfer's anti-hero, techno fantasy is cleverly written and filled to the brim with action, suspense, and humor.”

CONNECTIONS
Other novels in the series:
Colfer, Eoin. THE ARTIC INCIDENT. ISBN 0786851473
Colfer, Eoin. THE ETERNITY CODE. ISBN 0786819146

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LOOKING FOR ALASKA

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Green, John. 2006. LOOKING FOR ALASKA. New York: Dutton. ISBN 0142402516

PLOT SUMMARY
Sixteen year old Miles Halter is in search of “the Great Perhaps.” Bored and unchallenged, he decides to enroll in an Alabama boarding school. While at school he befriends his roommate, Chip, and the beautiful Alaska Young. Together they experience love, life, and loss, all while trying to prank the rich kids.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This coming of age story involves the usual teen angst of smoking, drinking, sex and pranks. Finding himself with friends for the fist time in his life, Miles searches for his place in the world and learns too late how the lives of others affect us. The characters are likeable and realistic. They enjoy “wreaking havoc,” but don’t want to get in trouble, worry about getting good grades, and pulling off the perfect prank. This high school tale is geared for grades 9 and up, and rightly so. The mature subject matter might not be appropriate for the junior high set, but the lessons learned about loyalty to friends and underage drinking are important. The plot takes a few twists, which helps move the story along. The chapters are short and have titles such as “one hundred and thirty six days before” and “twenty days after” which foretell of a tragedy to come. The fun-filled tone is sometimes overshadowed with Alaska’s moody darkness, but her character represents the sadness and depression that does affect so many teens today. The setting, time, and place are fairly generic and could take place most anywhere. The only thing that dates this piece is the boys’ playing Play station 2 and Miles’ baggy shorts. The story is told through the point of view of Miles. We get to experience his first drink, his first girl, and his first kiss. We also experience his heart-break and guilt after the accident. Each character is allowed to deal with the tragedy on their own terms, in their own way. Teens may appreciate not having a happy ending.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “This novel is about real kids dealing with the pressures of growing up and feeling indestructible.”
KIRKUS REVIEWS: “What sings and soars in this gorgeously told tale is Green's mastery of language and the sweet, rough edges of Pudge's voice. Girls will cry and boys will find love, lust, loss and longing in Alaska's vanilla-and-cigarettes scent.”

CONNECTIONS
Read Alikes:
Rosoff, Meg. HOW I LIVE NOW. ISBN 0553376055
Anderson, Laurie Halse. SPEAK. ISBN 014131088X
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NUMBER THE STARS

• BIBLIOGRAPHY
  Lowry, Lois. 1989. NUMBER THE STARS. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0440227534
  
  PLOT SUMMARY
  Set in Nazi-occupied Denmark in 1943, this 1990 Newbery winner tells of a 10-year-old girl who undertakes a dangerous mission to save her best friend. On September 29, 1943, word got out in Denmark that Jews were to be detained and then sent to the death camps. Within hours the Danish resistance arranged a small task force to herd 7,000 Jews to Sweden. The experience is shown through the eyes of 10-year-old Annemarie Johannesen, whose family harbors her best friend, Ellen Rosen, on the eve of the round-up and helps smuggle Ellen's family out of the country.
  
  CRITICAL ANALYSIS
  The vivid setting immerses the reader into the frightening world of a Nazi occupation. Lowry brings the rationing of electricity, tea, sugar, coffee, butter and the concept of missing Jewish neighbors to the forefront. The reader quickly sees that life in this time was harsh at best. The theme of standing up for what you believe in and protecting your friends is something that any reader of any age can understand. The bravery that a ten year old girl displayed in the face of certain death is admirable and shows how anyone in any given moment can do the right thing. The character of Annemarie is realistic as she learns about the power of family and unseen evils in the world. Lowry has researched the subject extensively. In the afterward, she reveals the facts that are behind much of the story's events. She tells how the Danish people were actually devoted to their king, how the Danish fleet was burned in the harbor to prevent use by the marauding Germans, and how the dog-repellant "handkerchief" was a weapon of the Resistance. This is an excellent read for children on the harshness of war without the gore.
  
  
  REVIEW EXCERPTS
  SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Readers are taken to the very heart of Annemarie's experience, and, through her eyes, come to understand the true meaning of bravery.”
  
  CONNECTIONS
  Contact the Houston Holocaust Museum about the available curriculum trunks.
  Incorporate geography by finding maps of prewar and postwar Europe. Map the routes escaping Jews took from each country.
  Have a guest speaker from the Jewish community explain the significance of the Star of David since it is such an importance piece of this story.
  Other books about the Holocaust:
  Abells, Chana B. CHILDREN WE REMEMBER ISBN 0688063721Adler, David. A. WE REMEMBER THE HOLOCAUST ISBN 080503715

WORTH

BIBLIOGRAPHY
LaFaye, A. 2006. WORTH. New York: Simon and Schuster. ISBN 0689857306

PLOT SUMMARY
After being crippled by a tragic farming accident, eleven year old Nathaniel is angry and hurt when his father brings home a boy off the Orphan Train to take his place on the farm. Nathaniel quickly becomes jealous of John Worth, who has also taken his father’s attention. Nathaniel now has the chance to go to school for the first time, but his sense of “worth” is hurt as he is behind the youngest children in the school. John Worth is still grieving over the loss of his family and is repeatedly reminded of his “worth” as he sleeps in the lean-to fit for dogs and is yelled at by Nathaniel’s mother. John is resentful of the education Nathaniel doesn’t want since John realizes that an education is the ticket to a better life. John knows he has no future on this farm. Nate will inherit the farm that John has worked to keep alive. When the boys finally come to blows, they realize “each of us hating the other for being what we couldn’t be” was a waste of time. Overtime, each boy realizes that they are not so different and eventually come together to save the farm.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
LaFaye does an excellent job depicting the hardships in nineteenth century Nebraska concerning the ongoing battle between herders and ranchers for control of land. The adolescent characters of John and Nate illustrate that even the young can be heroic as is the case of the boys catching the fence cutters and warning the town. The boy’s showed great maturity in putting aside their differences to put others first to eventually become a family. The theme involving the power of family love is beautifully shown through the tear-stained eyes of the young men longing for a family in John’s case, and longing for his father’s attention once again in Nate’s. WORTH is an excellent read for kids and adults alike.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
BOOKLIST starred review: "[The] Narrative is brutally honest."
KIRKUS REVIEWS: “It's a lively story of two boys set against a backdrop of the Orphan Trains, range wars, lynchings, drownings, and sheep killings. Something for everyone.”

CONNECTIONS
Students could research the Orphan Train
Guest speakers are available through the National Orphan Train Complex www.orphantraindepot.com
Picture credit: Amazon.com

MATILDA BONE

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Cushman, Karen. 2000. MATILDA BONE. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0395881560

PLOT SUMMARY
Accustomed to the good life in a medieval manor, thirteen year old Matilda has been raised by an intolerant priest that has taught the girl to live beyond worldly pleasures. Since the young girl has been educated in the likes of reading, writing, French, and Latin, she finds adjusting to her new home as a bonesetter’s apprentice difficult. The snobbish girl continually alienates herself as she randomly throws in a Latin phrase or brags about her now impractical education. On more than one occasion Matilda burns the porridge or spills a potion in her quest to pray and think about saints ceaselessly. Over time she realizes that helping those less fortunate or ill, even if it means hard dirty work, is pleasing to God. With Peg the Bonesetter’s guidance, Matilda finds her way and recognizes her gift in helping others.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Through Matilda’s eyes we experience what life in medieval Europe was like. The entertaining story uses vocabulary of the time period to educate the reader on the primitive topic of medieval medicine and it’s sometimes strange ideas of the ways in healing (leeches, soporific sponges). The descriptive setting fully engulfs the reader into the world of apprenticeship and struggle for survival on Blood and Bone Alley. The young protagonist, Matilda, grows and matures along the way as she learns to love others and find a sense of belonging. Anyone that has ever been the new kid in town has surely felt “like a duck living with chickens.” The list of bibliographic sources used offers the reader an opportunity to find out more about medieval medicine as well as defines the accuracy in the novel.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “This humorous, frank look at life in the medical quarters in medieval times shows readers that love and compassion, laughter and companionship, are indeed the best medicine.”
BOOKLIST: “Readers will find much of interest here.”

CONNECTIONS
Other novels by Karen Cushman taking place in medieval Europe:
Cushman, Karen. CATHERINE, CALLED BIRDY. ISBN 0064405842
Cushman, Karen. THE MIDWIFE’S APPRENTICE. ISBN 006440630X
Picture credit: Amazon.com

LEONARDO DA VINCI

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Krull, Kathleen. 2005. GIANTS OF SCIENCE:LEONARDO DA VINCI. Ill. by Boris Kulikov. New York: Viking. ISBN 067005920

PLOT SUMMARY
Leonardo, the illegitimate son of a wealthy man developed his love of learning from his kind uncle that raised him. His unsavory beginnings kept Leonardo from gaining an education, respect, or a notable profession. After finally becoming an apprentice to a leading Florence sculptor and painter, Leonardo blossomed as an artist. From him Leonardo learned that "an artist should be capable of rendering anything in nature." This lesson created the link between art and science that would last a lifetime. Leonardo was encouraged to study anatomy in order to accurately portray humans in paintings. This quickly led to a new found in interest in the sciences. Later he left for Milan, where he designed weapons of destruction for a Duke. The Black Plague soon struck, Leonardo designed a city that would be clean and disease free. The plans went no where, but he was promoted to engineer-architect for the Duke of Milan. Leonardo was now financially stable and informally adopted a son. Leonardo began keeping notebooks on his ideas and discoveries; he even wrote the information in a mirror-image so no one could steal his ideas and receive credit for his work. He became more and more interested in science. During his lifetime, he studied astronomy, zoology, geology, botany, and paleontology. He only continued to accept art commissions to finance his experiments and his assistants completed those. He had notions of using steam and solar power and of humans one day taking flight. At the end of his life, Leonardo realized that he must incorporate all of his notebooks into one encyclopedia so that his ideas and findings could educate others. Leonardo said, “Avoid studies of which the result dies with the worker.” The pages of his notebooks were very disorderly and many times random thoughts on different areas or topics would appear on the same pages. Organization would be a daunting task. After his death, he left all of his notebooks to his dear friend, Melzi. Melzi did not fully realize the importance of what he had been given. He took them to his family home where he allowed visitors to come read the notebooks and take away pages for souvenirs. The notebooks quickly disappeared. In the years to come, many scientists took Leonardo’s work as the basis for their own and received the credit for it. The notebooks are said to be all over the world and many have not yet been re-discovered. Bill Gates of Microsoft fame is said to own one book about water.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is a well-written piece on the life of Leonardo da Vinci. It leaves out his career as an artist to focus on his life as a scientist. The author’s matter-of-fact style would engage a young reader, and the information on life in the Middle Ages is interesting. However, there is not a list of sources used for this work and accuracy is a key point when evaluating a biography. The book jacket says it is recommended for ages 10 and up, but the accusations of Leonardo being homosexual and the arrest for allegedly having sex with a male prostitute may offend many readers and their parents. The book's organization follows the life of the genius and the index at the back allows the reader to find a subject of interest easily. Boris Kulikov’s line drawings are great and the drawing on the cover with Leonardo attempting flight with his own drawings making up the wings goes right along with the very subject matter at hand. Each drawing included in the book perfectly compliments Leonardo's accomplishments.
Krull does manage to convey the man as a brilliant scientist nearly 100 years ahead of his time. Young readers will surely express a new found interest in science.

REVIEW EXCERPTS
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “she [Krull] shows the workings of a scientific mind and the close connection between science and art. Kulikov's stylish and exacting line drawings are engaging and incorporate many of the items and interests found in Leonardo's notebooks.
BOOKLIST: “A very readable, vivid portrait set against the backdrop of remarkable times.”

CONNECTIONS
There are numerous websites and other books on Leonardo da Vinci included in the back of the book to further explore.
Other books in Krull’s Giants of Science series:
Krull, Kathleen. MARIE CURIE. ISBN 0670058947
Krull, Kathleen. ISAAC NEWTON. ISBN 0670059218

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