Blumenthal, Karen. 2011. BOOTLEG: MURDER, MOONSHINE, AND THE LAWLESS YEARS OF PROHIBITION. Roaring Book Press: New York. ISBN978-1-59643-449-3.
BOOTLEG chronicles the Prohibition Era from the late 1800's to 1933 when Prohibition ended. The first part of the book shows the events that lead up to the Prohibition Amendment being passed. The reader will learn about major players in the temperance movement such as Morris Sheppard and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. These supporters of outlawing alcohol believed that doing so would cause there to be less violence and broken families. The rest of the book describes how Prohibition affected people in the United States and how it was eventually repealed.
The book is organized in such a way that the reader can easily follow the flow of events which surrounded Prohibition. Although almost half of the book is dedicated to the time before Prohibition it allows the reader to better understand Prohibition and why some thought it was necessary. The book is also very readable for this age group. There is a glossary in the back to explain some of the terms that readers might not have encountered before. Other than the words that are specific to the era, I do not think there are many other words that the reader will have difficulty understanding.
There are many photographs found throughout the book. I think they help tell the story of Prohibition. All the photographs in the book have captions that explain the picture. A photograph on page 66 shows men dumping liquid down the sewer. The caption explains, "In a scene that was repeated many times in the 1920s, law enforcement officials pour an illegal brew into the sewer." This picture depicts, for the reader, how desperate people were for alcohol that they knew it might be dumped out but made it anyway.
At the back of the book is a list of resources for those who want more information on Prohibition, temperance and alcohol. There are also lists of resources for more information about different people and groups in the book such as Morris Sheppard, The Anti-Saloon League, and Al Capone. There is also quite an extensive bibliography of the sources used to write the book. It is organized by chapter and is easy to read and find a particular sources used for a quote or fact. "The breadth of the well-researched material makes Bootleg a substantial resource for reports; a deep bibliography and copious source notes provide ample opportunities for further study…this book is also a lively read…” (Donsky 2011).
Reference List:
Donsky, Rebecca Dash. "Review of Bootleg: Murder, Moonshine, and the Lawless Years of Prohibition." School Library Journal 57, no 7 (2011): 111-112. http://ezproxy.twu.edu: 2056/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=3&hid=126& sid=35792edb-1b40-4f16-a75b-e1ee40afab75%40sessionmgr113.
Deem, James. 2008. BODIES FROM THE ICE: MELTING GLACIERS AND THE RECOVERY OF THE PAST. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN: 978-0-329-70908-2.
BODIES FROM THE ICE is a book brings together the fields of glaciology and anthropology. It is very interesting to see how these two fields can work together to determine how old bodies are and where they originally frozen into the glacier.
BODIES FROM THE ICE has a readability suitable for the age range. Although some scientific jargon is used, most of it is explained in the text. For example on the first page, "Although the Niederjoch had been gradually retreating, or thawing..." Readers might not know what retreating means in regards to glaciers, but it is explained in an easy way that doesn't take away from the text. Another example is found in a sidebar on page 24, "The father of glaciology (the study of glaciers)..."
The text is logically organized starting with the first major discovery from a melting glacier and then moving on to details about several other important discoveries. The book ends with a chapter about the increasing melting rate of glaciers and the implications that they have on the world.
There are a lot of different types of visuals used throughout the book. "Heavily illustrated with historical memorabilia as well as photos of bodies, scenery, artifacts, and rather simplistic maps, this offers a lot to look at and learn about." (Cooper 2008). The pictures on pages 32 and 33 of the Children of the Andes really show the reader how almost perfectly bodies can be preserved in the ice. There are also side bars that give the reader more information such as the sidebar on page 10 that describes the types of glaciers.
The information found in the book is backed up by a thorough bibliography. The illustration credits are very clearly labeled as to which picture they are referring to, the same cannot be said for the bibliography. There are no references in the book and the bibliography is just an alphabetical listing of sources. It would be very hard to find a particular source used for a fact or quote in the book. There is also a list of glaciers to visit and suggested websites to get more information.
Reference List:
Cooper, Ilene. "Reivew of Bodies from the Ice: Melting Glaciers and the Recovery of the Past." Booklist 105, no 7 (2008): 61. http://ezproxy.twu.edu: 2056/ehost /pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=4&hid=126&sid= 35792edb-1b40-4f16-a75b-e1ee40afab75%40sessionmgr113.
Bolden, Tonya. 1998. 33 THINGS EVERY GIRL SHOULD KNOW. New York: Crown Publishers. ISBN: 0-329-09027-5.
33 THINGS is a great book for young girls to read. The stories will help them see that that each of these girls has gone through the sometimes awful teenage years and made it through to the other side.
This book has a great diversity of formats and is very readable for this age range. On page 8 it states, "And it's a mix - short stories, essays, a comic strip, two comix, a letter, a speech, an interview, a 'public-service announcement,' poems and more..." Each entry is fairly short in length lending this book to be great for this age range because they have such a short attention span. Struggling readers will enjoy this book as well because of the shortness of the entries.
The writing styles are quite varied throughout the book. This was an aspect I enjoyed about the book. The reader doesn't have to like every entry, but there are enough entries that the reader is bound to connect with many of the stories. Although the styles differ, there seems to be a main theme running throughout the book to encourage young girls to know themselves and be true to themselves. "The topics covered vary greatly and include dealing with one's sexual orientation, overcoming and triumphing despite physical handicaps, combating the pervasive "thin is beautiful" culture, dealing with insensitive people, and just finding oneself." (Steinberg 1998).
The visuals found in the book emphasize the main ideas of the different entries. "Say what you DON'T WANT" by Deborah Tannen encourages girls to speak up especially in situations involving boys. The visual at the end of the entry is a speech bubble that states, "make it clear" (pgs 63-67). Another example is the many pictures included in "Imagine..." by Gretchen Rosenkranz. Gretchen was born with spina bifida and her parents were told she would never walk. She has competed in many wheelchair games and won medals in swimming events. The pictures accompanying her story show her learning to walk with a walker, competing in wheelchair races and participating in P.E. class. The pictures help the reader to better understand her story.
Information about each of the contributors can be found at the back of the book. Readers will enjoy finding out more information about the people who wrote this book.
Reference List:
Steinberg, Renee. "Review of 33 Things Every Girl Should Know: Stories, Songs, Poems & Smart Talk." School Library Journal 44, no 5 (1998): 150. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2056/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=5&hid=126 &sid=35792edb-1b40-4f16-a75b-e1ee40afab75%40sessionmgr113.
Doctorow, Cory. 2008. LITTLE BROTHER. New York: TOR Teen Book. ISBN: 978-0-7653-1985-2\
LITTLE BROTHER is set in the not too distant future in San Francisco. Marcus and his friends have ditched school to play Harajuku F'uii Madness when a terrorist attacks the city. When found in the vicinity of the attack they get detained by the Department of Homeland Security. Marcus is released after being imprisoned for several days. After he is free he is determined to uncover the illegal behavior of the DHS.
Marcus is a very believable character. He is a teenager who has typical problems such as fighting with his friends, getting in trouble at school and developing a relationship with a girl friend. In his review of the book, Chris Shoemaker writes that “Marcus is a wonderfully developed character: hyperaware of his surroundings, trying to redress past wrongs, and rebelling against authority” (2008). The other characters are not as well developed as Marcus but are still believable.
Teens will be able to relate to Marcus trying to figure out his problems on his own. He doesn’t feel like his mom or dad will understand or accept him if they knew his true feelings and his actions. Marcus finally breaks down and shares what is going on with his mom. “I took a deep breath…and I told her everything. Everything. Well, most of it.” (page 251).
The theme of this book seems to be finding the strength to stand up for your beliefs. Marcus knows he wants to uncover the unjustness of the Department of Homeland Security’s treatment of its prisoners and the tracking of everyone in the city. He just isn’t sure how he can do that without getting himself arrested. At times during the story he doubts himself and his motives, but he always comes back around to the unfair treatment by the DHS.
There is quite a bit of technology jargon used in the book, but it was not overwhelming even for a non-techie like me. Doctorow explains everything in very simple terms so the reader does not lose their focus on the story. It was very interesting to read how Marcus used the Xbox to bypass government security on the Internet. “Teen espionage fans will appreciate the numerous gadgets made from everyday materials” (Shoemaker 2008).
Invasion of privacy is also a big part of the book. After the terrorist attacks the DHS starts tracking peoples every movement. Where they use their debit card, what bus they get on, what traffic lights and toll booths they pass and even more.
This book will really make the reader think about what could happen in the future as the government tries to keep America safe from further terrorist attacks.
Reference List:
Shoemaker, Chris. “Review of Little Brother.” School Library Journal 54, no 5 (2008): 121. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2056/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=4&hid=113&sid=a92428dd-9a2b-449e-b306-7683bd04afca%40sessionmgr110 (accessed November 1, 2011).
Collins, Suzanne. 2008. THE HUNGER GAMES. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 978-0439023528.
THE HUNGER GAMES is the first book in a trilogy. It is set in the future in the country of Panem, which is where the United States once was. The government is very strict in Panem. Each year the Capitol hosts the Hunger Games. One boy and one girl from each of the 12 districts in the country are chosen at random to participate.
A theme of this book is government control. The government controls almost everything its citizens do. It sets limits for where they can hunt and what is the main trade in each district. They also mandate that every citizen watch the Hunger Games, which is the only time some districts are ensured power. They want the citizens to remember what could happen if they try to overthrow the government which is the motivation behind the hunger games. “Taking the kids from our districts, forcing them to kill one another while we watch – this is the Capitol’s way of reminding us how totally we are at their mercy” (page 17).
Another theme is doing what you have to do to survive. Katniss and Gale hunt illegally outside the gate of District 12 so they can feed their families. They know they could get in trouble, but without the food and the money they get from selling it their families would not be able to survive. During the games Katniss is very skeptical at first about teaming up with another player. She knows she has to survive and doesn’t want to trust someone else with her life. When she teams up with Peeta she knows she has to play up their romance. Although she doesn’t have true feelings for him in the beginning she knows that her survival depends on pretending she is in love with Peeta. During dire circumstances people will do many things they thought they wouldn’t do so they and their families can survive.
Most of the book I found to be believable, but one aspect that I found hard to believe is that the government could control the weather during the games. They made it rain for several days, made it hotter during the days, and colder at night. There was no mention as to how they controlled the weather, I think that is why it was easy to doubt. The element of the reality television will resonate with readers who have watched shows such as Survivor and Big Brother. The “plot is tense, dramatic, and engrossing” (Henriksen 2008). Although the plot stretches the imagination, it is very believable.
Katniss is a very strong female protagonist. She is able to support her family by working and hunting and emotionally supports her younger sister Prim. She is also very protective of Prim, even taking her place when her name is called for the hunger games. She is very intelligent as well, out-smarting many of her opponents during the games. Readers can relate to the other characters that are also very believable. “Collins's characters are completely realistic and sympathetic as they form alliances and friendships in the face of overwhelming odds” (Henriksen 2008).
Reference List:
Henriksen, Jane. “Review of The Hunger Games.” School Library Journal 54, no 9 (2008): 176. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2056/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=5&hid=113&sid=a92428dd-9a2b-449e-b306-7683bd04afca%40sessionmgr110 (accessed November 1, 2011).
The government keeps the “Uglies” very sheltered and only teaches them what they want them to know. For example, the history of the “Rusties” is very mysterious and no one really knows why the society is no longer around and the government wants to keep it that way.
The characters are very well developed throughout the story. Tally wants nothing more than to become pretty and has never questioned the government’s motives around the operation. Shay on the hand wants nothing to do with becoming pretty and wants to live in a society where everyone can be themselves.
There are three futuristic settings in this dystopian society book and they are all very different. Uglyville is strictly run by the government. This is where the children go years before they have their operation. The government raises the children and has very specific rules for what they are and are not allowed to do. They have to wear rings that track their every movement. New Pretty Town is where the children went to live right after their operation. People in New Pretty Town do not have a care in the world. Their only concern is what they are going to wear to the next party and how much they had to drink the night before. In contrast to both of these places is the Smoke. People in the Smoke run their own lives. There is no set ruler and everyone pitches in to do their part. People in the Smoke have not had the pretty operation so they accept each other how they are and place very little importance on looks.
Young Adults will be able to relate to the importance placed on looks in Uglyville and New Pretty Town. There is so much pressure for teens today to look a certain way or wear a particular brand of clothes that often they lose sight of what should be really important. Children in Uglyville have been trained to place a lot of importance on looks and to think they are ugly until their operation. When Tally meets David he tries to show her the error in her thinking. Tally thinks, “Maybe he really could see past her ugly face. Maybe what was inside her did matter to him more than anything else” (page 279).
I think Susan Hunter from the School Library Journal summed the book up best in her review. “Characterization, which flirts so openly with the importance of teen self-concept, is strong, and although lengthy, the novel is highly readable with a convincing plot that incorporates futuristic technologies and a disturbing commentary on our current public policies” (2005).
Reference List:
Hunter, Susan. “Review of Uglies.” School Library Journal 51, no 3 (2005): 221. http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2056/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=3&hid=113&sid=a92428dd-9a2b-449e-b306-7683bd04afca%40sessionmgr110 (accessed November 2, 2011).
