If You Come Softly

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Woodson, Jacqueline. 1998. If You Come Softly. New York: Speak. ISBN 9780399231124

PLOT SUMMARY

Teenagers Miah and Ellie fall in love at an elite private school, but face criticism because Miah is black and Ellie is Jewish. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The plot of If You Come Softly revolves around the relationship between Ellie and Miah.  The story begins when Miah accidentally knocks into Ellie.  The two are instantly enamored with each other.  Ellie and Miah are less concerned with each other’s race than those surrounding them.  They quickly fall in love.  The ending of this story was shocking to me, but upon reflection, it was heavily foreshadowed.

In If You Come Softly, Woodson has created characters that all readers will be able to identify with.  Ellie and Miah are like any teenagers, worried about their classes and trying to navigate relationships.  Although Ellie and Miah have lifestyles that may be foreign to some readers (they are both wealthy, for example) at their core, they are like any other teenagers. 

If You Come Softly takes place in New York City.  Miah is from Brooklyn and Ellie is from the Upper East Side.  They attend private school together in Washington Heights.  Although the setting is urban, both teens come from upper-class families.  Adding another level of description to the story, Woodson frequently describes the sounds of each scene.  For example, Woodson writes, “And in the distance, he heard the vague sound of a basketball, someone bouncing it slowly, some young kid somewhere, learning how to handle the ball, how to keep it near him” (118).

The themes of diversity and racism are explored throughout the book.  As Ellie and Miah’s relationship evolves, the pair encounters a lot of racism from observers.  There are countless examples throughout the book.  After falling for Miah, Ellie begins to reflect with new insight on past experiences of racial bias:

“Once Anne and I were walking through Central Park when this black guy started running toward us.  I frowned, remembering how Anne had screamed, and grabbed me.  When the guy got up close, we realized he was a jogger, not a mugger or anything, and Anne had turned red with embarrassment.”

Because of experiences like the one above, Ellie starts to wonder -- is her family racist?  Is she?

This story is told from the perspective of both Ellie and Miah, alternating between chapters.  Ellie’s chapters are written in the first person and Miah’s are in third person.  Woodson seamlessly transitions between perspectives and the change does not impact the flow of the story at all.

Woodson defies stereotypes by creating a black male character that is wealthy.  Miah’s father is a film producer and his mother is a famous author.  The differences between Ellie and Miah are solely based on the color of their skin.  Class differences do not come into play, which is refreshing.  Woodson addresses minority dialect when she writes: “He hated when white guys tried to sound black” (62).  Miah is smart and educated and Woodson does an excellent job of presenting him in a positive light.  Woodson presents a lot of the racism throughout the book in a subtle way.  For example, Miah’s new school automatically places him in remedial classes (75-76).  He is able to joke about it, but the reader will wonder whether he is just making light of a difficult situation.

With If You Come Softly, Woodson has created a powerful story that will leave readers reeling.  Readers will be thinking about this story, its characters, and its message long after they have finished reading it.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

School Library Journal: “This fine author once again shows her gift for penning a novel that will ring true with young adults as it makes subtle comments on social situations.”

Publisher’s Weekly: “Knowing from the beginning that tragedy lies just around the corner doesn't soften the sharp impact of this wrenching book.”

CONNECTIONS

These are other award-winning titles by Jacqueline Woodson:

Jacqueline Woodson. Hush. ISBN 9780606282807

Jacqueline Woodson. Miracle’s Boys. ISBN 9780142415537 

Koala Lou

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Fox, Mem. 1988. Koala Lou. Ill. by Pamela Lofts. San Diego: Voyager Books. ISBN 0152000763

PLOT SUMMARY

In this picture book, Australian author Mem Fox tells the story of a young koala, Koala Lou, who is on a quest to affirm her mother’s love.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Although the main character of this story is a koala, children will be able to relate to her.  The emotions that Koala Lou feels after the addition of siblings will be familiar to children who have younger brothers or sisters.  Koala Lou is young and her age and experiences will be similar to those of the target audience of this book.

The plot of this story is simple, yet meaningful.  Koala Lou seeks attention from her mother who has been concentrating her efforts on Koala Lou’s younger siblings.  Koala Lou has always been told that she was loved, but since the addition of new family members, her mother has not been as forthcoming with praise.  Koala Lou enters the Bush Olympics and hopes that by winning, her mother’s attention will once again be focused on her.  Koala Lou’s performance at the Bush Olympics does not go as she had hoped, but the ending of the story clearly resolves Koala Lou’s feelings.

The setting of this story is the Australian bush.  Throughout the story, Fox identifies other animals from the bush. While the themes of the story obviously include the love between a mother and child and the conflict that arises when siblings enter a family, the theme is subtle and not overwhelming to young readers.  The story is a fun one and definitely an enjoyable read.

Throughout the story, Fox repeats the phrase, “Koala Lou, I DO love you!”  The rhythm of this phrase makes this story a good one to read aloud.  The text flows naturally.  Some pages have only one line of text while others have large paragraphs.  Despite this variance, the text flows naturally and the divisions increase the effectiveness of the story.

Illustrator Pamela Lofts used colored pencils to create the illustrations in Koala Lou.  The illustrations are colorful and vibrant.  Lofts is able to create a lot of texture in the pictures, most noticeably in the various animals’ fur.  Lofts has also used her illustrations to add humor to the story.  For example, Koala Lou wears sneakers while training for the Bush Olympics and many of the spectators are wearing hats.  These comical additions allow for the story to be fun and lighthearted.

The cultural markers in this story are more easily identified in the illustrations than in the text.  Throughout the book, the animals and plants illustrated subtly demonstrate the wildlife that might be found in an Australian bush.  The story about a love between mother and child will be relatable to readers of all cultures.  I enjoyed reading this story to my two-year old daughter.  On the first page, when Fox introduces us to Koala Lou, my daughter was quick to pronounce the koala “Cute!”  We both adored this story.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Horn Book: “A first-rate choice for bedtime, story hour, or reading aloud.”

Kirkus Reviews: “Another winning import from one of Australia’s favorite authors.”

CONNECTIONS

Readers who enjoyed Koala Lou might also enjoy the following stories by Mem Fox:

Mem Fox. Possum Magic. ISBN 0152632247

Mem Fox. Time for Bed. ISBN 0152010661

The Lily Pond

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

Thor, Annika. 2011. The Lily Pond. Trans. by Linda Schenk. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN 9780385908382

PLOT SUMMARY

Near the beginning of World War II, Sweden offered asylum to Jewish children.  Stephie and her sister, Nellie, are sent to live in Sweden with foster families to escape the dangers of the war.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Young readers, especially girls, will easily relate to the main character of this story, Stephie.  Although Stephie faces hardships that may be foreign to many readers, such as being sent away to live with strangers, she also faces issues that will be familiar to many readers, such as a crush on a boy and feeling out of place in a new school.  Her bravery is admirable.  Stephie is definitely a believable protagonist and her youthful perspective is honest.

The plot of this story is set in the larger context of World War II.  The story is not sugar-coated, but is appropriate for younger readers.  While the target audience of this story is children ages 8 and up, I thoroughly enjoyed this story.  I think it was meaningful to me because I was able to see the larger picture of the story and the threat of concentration camps looming.  If younger readers are unable to do that, the story will still be significant.  Thor has presented a story that is both authentic to the time period and enlightening without adding too many unnecessary historical details.

Thor excels at creating a vivid setting for the reader to imagine.  I was easily able to imagine the different homes where Stephie lived and the island where her foster parents lived.  The details were not overwhelming and I only realized how descriptive Thor’s writing was after reflecting about the story after I completed reading it.

The importance of family is a theme that can be found throughout this story.  Stephie’s love for her family is apparent and she struggles, like most adolescents, with the fact that she is growing up.  In Stephie’s case, the absence of her family makes the transition to adulthood even more difficult. 

I am unfamiliar with Swedish culture, but Thor’s presentation was subtle, and informative.  Small details were woven throughout the book to inform the reader about Swedish culture.  For example, Stephie often ate fish while on the island with her foster family because her foster father was a fisherman.  Differences in religions are apparent throughout the story as well.  In addition to information about Swedish culture, Stephie also teaches the reader about the culture of Austrian Jews.

The Lily Pond is a companion to Mildred L. Batchelder Award Winner A Faraway Island.  The Lily Pond can definitely stand alone, but readers interested in this genre may wish to read A Faraway Island first.  The third installment (of four) is due later this year.

The Lily Pond was completely engrossing.  Although it was a quick read, it was the kind of story that I could not put down until it was finished.  Historical fiction is my favorite genre and The Lily Pond reminded me why.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Booklist: “A compelling look at World War II–era Sweden, this distinguished Holocaust story will resonate.”

Horn Book: “Stephie’s story of adjustment to a new school and of a first crush is both specific and universal."

CONNECTIONS

                    

People interested in the experience of children during World War II might also be interested in these stories:

Eugene Yelchin. Breaking Stalin’s Nose. ISBN 0805092161

Anne C. Voorhoeve. My Family for the War. ISBN 0803733607

Son of a Gun

BIBLIOGRAPHY

De Graaf, Anne. 2012. Son of a Gun. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780802854063

PLOT SUMMARY

Son of a Gun is the story of ten-year-old Nopi and her eight-year-old brother, Lucky, who are caught in the middle of a vicious civil war.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Nopi and Lucky are characters that children will be able to identify with.  Lucky likes to dance and play soccer which will be hobbies familiar to many readers.  Their love for each other and their parents will also be relatable for young readers.  The characters are endearing and readers will find themselves cheering for the children to overcome their hardships. 

The plot of this story begins as Nopi and Lucky are kidnapped from their school and forced to be child soldiers.  They are able to escape and reunite with their parents, but that seemingly happy ending is only the beginning of the tumultuous adolescence that the children will experience.  De Graaf provides enough details that readers unversed with the Liberian conflict will be able to follow the plot of this story.  The details, however, are not overwhelming. 

The setting of this story is described in detail.  I was easily able to visualize this story in my mind.  The theme of the importance of family is woven throughout this story.  Nopi and Lucky are constantly on a quest to protect each other, and later, to reunite.

Throughout this story, de Graaf proves repeatedly that she has the gift of being able to vividly describe something completely horrific without being too graphic for young readers.  I was continually amazed at de Graaf’s ability to keep the story appropriate for children.  Initially, my gut reaction was that a story of child soldiers would be inappropriate for children to read about.  De Graaf quickly proved me wrong. 

Adding to the authenticity of this story is more than twenty pages of notes at the end of the book.  This story was well-researched and based on actual stories.  Although this story is brief (only 89 pages), it was extremely powerful to me.  I once had an ex-child soldier (from the Ivory Coast) as a student and have taught a family of Liberian refugees throughout the years.  While this story allowed me to understand their experiences better, the fact that it was from Nopi and Lucky’s perspective increased the impact ten-fold.  I found myself crying almost constantly while reading this story.

De Graaf was also able to seamlessly include cultural markers within the pages of this story, and at an age-appropriate level.  She educates the reader on tribal differences, geography, and history.  Throughout the story, however, we are reminded that Nopi and Lucky are like any other children.  Their story, however, happens in the middle of a brutal war.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Library Media Connection: “Based on interviews with children who were soldiers, this is an open look at something ugly, but the hope that Lucky and Nopi keep for a better life shines through. Information about life in Liberia, the civil war and the child soldiers, and drawings and poems by former soldiers are also included. It is a powerful read, and does not shield the reader from the horrors of war. The underlying message is that of hope for a better future, and the rebuilding of a country that was torn apart.”

Kirkus Reviews: “De Graaf bases her episodic, present-tense narratives on interviews with Liberian children and adds an informational appendix with photos that not only lays out Liberia's troubled history (up to 2006, when the original Dutch edition of the book was published) but also includes upbeat drawings and letters from young survivors.”

CONNECTIONS

Readers who found Son of a Gun interesting might also appreciate these related titles:

Francesco D'Adamo. Iqbal. ISBN 1416903291

Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton. Facing the Lion: Growing Up Maasai on the African Savanna. ISBN 0792272978

The Arrival

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Tan, Shaun. 2006. The Arrival. New York: Arthur A. Levine Books. ISBN 0439895293

PLOT SUMMARY

A man embraces his wife and daughter and departs for a journey on a steamboat to create a better life.  This book chronicles the man’s voyage and his experience in the new land.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This graphic novel is universally well-reviewed.  While searching for positive reviews to include with this post, I had a hard time limiting myself.  In The Arrival, Shaun Tan has created a story unlike anything I have ever read before.  This book is completely wordless.  Unlike wordless picture books, the story spans 128 pages.  The story is told through small frames and it allows the reader an experience similar to watching a still-frame movie.  The sepia-toned illustrations are both realistic and beautiful.

The main character of this story is the father, who leaves his family behind to immigrate to a strange new land.  Shaun is able to evoke emotion in the reader by creating pictures that show how distraught the entire family is over his departure.  Readers should be able to identify with the man’s love for his family and the feelings of hopefulness that his journey creates.

Like many fantasy novels, the plot of The Arrival focuses on a journey.  The plot is absolutely believable and many readers will be able to relate the story to familiar stories of immigration to the United States.  Unlike those historical stories, however, in The Arrival, the man encounters bizarre creatures in the foreign land.  The creatures sometimes appear like marine-life, but are created from Tan’s imagination.

Tan excels at creating a thorough setting for this story as the setting is very much the epicenter of the entire book.  I particularly enjoyed how the new world is not completely identifiable.  It could be any place.  It reminded me strongly of scenes from Ellis Island, but that is based on my prior experiences.  Readers from other places will be able to bring their personal background and identify with the setting in their own way.  Similarly, the characters do not have clear ethnic features.  This perpetuates the feeling that the story could be taking place anywhere.  By saying that the setting could be anywhere, I do not mean that it is unclear or under-developed; I mean that readers will be able to place the story in a setting that makes the most sense for them.  This feature makes the story more valuable as it will reach more people on a personal level than a book that is specific to a certain place and a certain time. 

At the heart of this novel is the theme of the importance of family.  Although there is no text, the love that the man has for his family is obvious through Tan’s illustrations.   The Arrival is arranged in a style that is distinct and unique to this piece of work.  Tan has created an atypical story and although there is no actual dialogue, the pictures speak more than I ever thought possible.

The strength of this story is that allows readers to experience what immigrant life was actually like.  The man moves to a foreign land where everything is unknown.  As readers turn each page, they are discovering the new world along with the main character.  Readers become immigrants as well and truly experience what it means to be an immigrant.  This book would be an excellent addition to a history lesson on immigration.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Starred review in School Library Journal: “Young readers will be fascinated by the strange new world the artist creates, complete with floating elevators and unusual creatures, but may not realize the depth of meaning or understand what the man's journey symbolizes. More sophisticated readers, however, will grasp the sense of strangeness and find themselves participating in the man's experiences. They will linger over the details in the beautiful sepia pictures and will likely pick up the book to pore over it again and again.”

Starred review in Booklist: “Filled with subtlety and grandeur, the book is a unique work that not only fulfills but also expands the potential of its form.”

CONNECTIONS

Readers who enjoyed The Arrival might also enjoy some of Shaun Tan’s other works such as:

Tan, Shaun. Tales from Outer Suburbia. ISBN 0545055871

Tan, Shaun. The Red Tree. ISBN 0734411375

Feathers

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Woodson, Jacqueline. 2007. Feathers. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons. ISBN 0399239892

PLOT SUMMARY

There is a new student in Frannie’s sixth grade classroom.  He is white, unlike any of the other students, but insists that he isn’t.  The new student, Jesus Boy, impacts the other students’ lives, and especially Frannie’s, in unexpected ways.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The characters in this story offer unique experiences and viewpoints.  Child readers will be able to relate to the protagonist, Frannie.  As a sixth grader, many of her views will be relatable to other children.  Older readers will be able to understand deeper implications of her observations.  For example, it was obvious to me that her mother was pregnant when she complained of the exhaustion, which is something that younger readers would not understand. 

Woodson’s character descriptions are unique in that she is able to create a completely vivid image of characters without giving explicit details about their physical appearance.  As I was reading the story, I was able to picture all of the characters in my mind, very easily.  Upon further reflection, I realized that Woodson’s descriptions of the character’s mannerisms gave me more of a visual image than her descriptions of their appearances.  For example, Woodson writes about Frannie’s friend, Samantha: “She unfolded a tissue to blow her nose.  When she blew it, she leaned down and away from the table like I wouldn’t have thought of doing.  She even excused herself afterward” (11).  As a result, I pictured Samantha as a prim and proper girl.  Further description cemented this image.  Although Frannie is definitely the main character, the other characters are well-developed.

When Jesus Boy becomes a student in the classroom, he doesn’t fit in.  Any child who has ever transferred schools will be able to identify with this.  Frannie herself can identify with it because she was once a month late starting school because of the chicken pox.  Jesus Boy also knows sign language like Frannie.  Jesus Boy brings tension to the classroom and the climax and conclusion focus on Jesus Boy establishing his place in the classroom’s society.  There are secondary plotlines throughout the story, like Frannie’s search for religion and meaning, her mother’s pregnancy, and Sean’s attempts to fit in to a world where others can hear when he can’t.

Frannie lives with her deaf brother, Sean, and her parents in the black side of town. It is 1971, but the year is irrelevant to the overall plot of the story.  A majority of the story takes place in Frannie’s home and at her school.  Woodson is able to create a vibrant setting with her descriptions.  I found her descriptions of Frannie’s apartment building to be especially noteworthy (17-18).  By referencing the other side of the highway, the author effectively conjures up images of segregation.

The theme of this novel is hope, but other themes include religion and race.  The story begins with Frannie exploring a poem of hope that her teacher introduced in class.  Throughout the remainder of the story, Frannie seeks to explain the metaphor.

Woodson makes this story authentic to the 1970s by incorporating “jive talk” into the dialogue between characters.  This does not take away from the content, but gives important cultural context to the characters.  The dialogue seems natural in all parts of the book-- the way the children address each other, Frannie’s discussions with her brother, and Frannie’s interactions with her parents and grandmother.  Frannie’s internal dialogue is natural, as well and is endearing.  Woodson has the ability to write in a way that is not only believable, but absolutely lovely.

After reading this story, I can fully understand why Jacqueline Woodson won a Newbery Honor for it.  This book affected me in a way that no other story has before.  

I have never cried because of the sheer beauty of a book.  Until I read Feathers. 

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Starred review in Publishers Weekly: “Set in 1971, Woodson's novel skillfully weaves in the music and events surrounding the rising opposition to the Vietnam War, giving this gentle, timeless story depth. She raises important questions about God, racial segregation and issues surrounding the hearing-impaired with a light and thoughtful touch.”

Starred review in School Library Journal: “The story ends with hope and thoughtfulness while speaking to those adolescents who struggle with race, faith, and prejudice.”

CONNECTIONS

Readers who enjoyed Feathers might also enjoy the following books by Jacqueline Woodson:

Woodson, Jacqueline. After Tupac and D Foster. ISBN 0142413992

Woodson, Jacqueline. Locomotion. ISBN 0142415529

Speak

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

Anderson, Laurie Halse. 1999. Speak. New York: Puffin Books. ISBN 014131088X

PLOT SUMMARY

Speak is the story of high school freshman Melinda Sordino.  While at a party the summer before high school, Melinda calls 911.  When the police show up, the party is dismantled.  From that point on, Melinda is treated as a social outcast.  Later, her classmates learn the real reason that she called 911—she was raped.  In this story, Anderson chronicles Melinda’s reactions to her rape. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Although Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson was published nearly fifteen years ago, its popularity is still great.  Of all the books I read for this class, this was the only one that I purchased my own copy of because the request list at my local library was to long for me to receive a copy in a timely manner.

Speak remains popular in large part because of the appeal of the protagonist, Melinda.  While readers of all ages will be able to identify with the character on some level, female teenagers will be able to identify with Melinda the most.  Like other contemporary realistic fiction novels, the appeal of this book is the emotional growth that Melinda demonstrates throughout the story.  The other characters, especially Melinda’s classmates, behave in a way typical of high school students.  The varied dynamics between the characters will be familiar to readers and the characters are without question believable.  I found it interesting that Anderson never really describes Melinda’s physical appearance.  This allows readers to create their own images and relate to the character on an additional level.

The plot of this book follows Melinda’s reactions to her date rape the summer before high school.  The story is unique and original, but highly relatable.  Although there are obvious antagonists in this story (Andy and Melinda’s former friends), Melinda herself provides the most barriers for herself.  Melinda can only overcome these barriers when she learns to cope with the trauma and find the strength to speak up about the rape.  Like other works from this genre, the conclusion leaves the reader satisfied.

Mostly set in the school, Anderson has created a setting that is familiar for most people.  The school is generalized and nonspecific.  It could be any school in any community.  This increases the emotional value of this book as readers will recognize that terrible events like this could happen to their friends and in their schools, just like they happened to Melinda.

The major themes of this story include sense of belonging and personal strength.  Throughout the story, Melinda explores how she fits in to the social structure of the school as she is ostracized.  Most importantly, Melinda discovers personal strength in her abilities to speak up for herself.

Anderson has written this novel in a way that reads almost like a journal entry.  The internal dialogue not only engages readers, but gives them insight into Melinda’s thought process.  I especially like how Melinda’s comments are typical of teenage girls.  For example, according to Melinda “Gym should be illegal. It is humiliating” (18).  Comical quips such as that lend a lighthearted feel to otherwise difficult content.

This novel has been frequently challenged in libraries across the country because of the rape content.  In fact, Speak was listed as number sixty on the American Library Association’s Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009.  Despite a difficult topic, Anderson tells a story that is cathartic and engaging.  Although Speak has been challenged, its literary merit has been upheld time and time again.  Speak has won numerous awards including:

• 2000 Horn Book Fanfare Best Book of the Year
• 2000 ALA Best Books for Young Adults
• 2000 Printz Honor Book

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

School Library Journal: “Melinda's pain is palpable, and readers will totally empathize with her. This is a compelling book, with sharp, crisp writing that draws readers in, engulfing them in the story.”

Starred review in Horn Book: “An uncannily funny book even as it plumbs the darkness, Speak will hold readers from first word to last.”

Booklist: “Melinda's sarcastic wit, honesty, and courage make her a memorable character whose ultimate triumph will inspire and empower readers.”

Library Journal: “A story told with acute insight, acid wit, and affecting prose.”

CONNECTIONS

The following books are well-reviewed and deal with difficult topics similar to Anderson’s Speak:

Asher, Jay. Thirteen Reasons Why. ISBN 159514188X

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Wintergirls. ISBN 014241557X