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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Klages, Ellen. 2006. The Green Glass Sea A Novel. New York: Penguin Group. ISBN: 0670061344.
PLOT SUMMARY
Klages historical fiction novel unfolds from a military secret base in New Mexico during World War II. The main character, Dewey Kerrigan, has not had an easy or typical life during her 11 years of life. Being raised by a grandmother that is not in good health to continue caring for her, Dewey joins her mathematician father who is part of a group of scientists and mathematicians working on a top secret "gadget" for the government during the war.
Dewey's life at Los Alamos is not comfortable or fun due to the other girls her age always picking on her, but she is happy to be with her father and able to work on her own experiments while holding conversations with top scientists from around the country. Not having a mother around and being on her own due to her father's job, Dewey learns to be comfortable with who she is and doing what she loves even if it means being weird when compared to the other girls in the area.
An unfortunate event allows Dewey to mature, keep learning about herself and friendships all amidst the war going on and the adults working on something that will be an unforgettable historical event that will change lives forever in the world.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
To be a Scott O'Dell Award recipient, the historical fiction must been published in the U. S., be in English and have a setting in the New World. Klages excellent novel meets all the criteria, and it is an excellent historical fiction novel that keeps readers entranced in the story it tells. The beginning of the story is slow to take off, but once it does, the events keep evolving in a way that make it difficult for book to be put down.
The historical events are well intertwined by the fictional aspects in the novel. Ellen Klages does a wonderful job of plotting the real with the unreal which make the story flow easily. As the characters talks about the "gadget" being worked at at Los Alamos with complete obliviousness, the reader gets a sense of urgency knowing exactly how history unfolded during the 1940s. Even though readers know what will happen, they are still held at the edge of their seat waiting how the events will affect the quirky and intelligent Dewey or the bossy and misfit Suze.
All in all the, Klages does a wonderful job in her historical fiction. One of the norms is to to keep the setting integral which is what the author did by describing the setting explicitly and vividly throughout the story, and also, the author kept the historical events authentic. The research she conducted about the era is evident throughout the novel.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Starred reviewed in The Horn Book. "...an intense but accessible page-turner, firmly belongs to the girls and their families; history and story are drawn together with confidence."
Reviewed in Booklist. "...The characters are exceptionally well drawn, and the compelling, unusual setting makes a great tie-in for history classes."
CONNECTIONS
Ellen Klages official site gives interesting information about the author, her books, and what she is currently doing.
The Green Glass Sea is a great novel to present in classrooms to teach about World War II, the atomic bomb, and points of view.
A Classic...
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Lowry, Lois. 1993. Number the Stars. Narrated by Christina Moore. New York: Recorded Books. ISBN: 1556908563.
PLOT SUMMARY
Annemarie Johansen, the main character, is a 10-year-old Dutch girl growing up during the Nazi regime. She still remembers her younger years living in a Denmark that was free of German soldiers. She recalls walking the streets freely without fear along with her Jewish friend, Ellen Rose. Little by little the Germans start gaining control of her beloved Copenhagen, and sadly, she sees how fear becomes an everyday emotion to all the people. Along with fear there is also resistance to the unjust actions and laws of the German leader, Adolf Hitler. Without knowing it, Annemarie comes face to face with decisions about her own bravery and emotions when her family decides to help her Jewish friend and parents escape the Nazi rules and injustices towards the Jewish community. Annemarie soon learns the true meaning of friendship and standing strong during moments when she is needed the most.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
With authenticity being a critical factor for historical fiction, Lois Lowry does a great job of delivering a well-told story with the facts in place. Any reader that finds themselves lucky enough to get their hands (and/or ears) on this historical story will find themselves being transported to the times when Denmark was being overtaken by the Nazis. Lowry does such a wonderful job with her words that the reader can actually hear and see the shiny black boots of the Nazis that become a symbol of terror for all who hear them out in the streets or invading the privacy and personal spaces of their homes. Through the emotions and actions of the main character, the author conveys the turmoil of feelings of people during that era. They faced fear along with bravery, uncertainty along with hope, and, most of all, love for their family, friends and country. Lowry lets us know what loyalty to one an other means through the characters in Number the Stars.
This historical fiction gives a clear insight to human emotions and history as the story evolves. It gives a wide glimpse of what life during World War II in Denmark encompassed. The author lets the reader experience day-to-day life for young and old during a time when laws were changing on a daily basis that affected Danes and their Jewish compatriots in drastic ways.
This novel was enjoyed by the eloquent narration of Christina Moore. With her strong and clear voice, the narrator keeps the listener avidly and intently listening to each word as to not miss an important event in the story. Moore does a wonderful job overall, but a favorite has to be the voice done for Annemarie's little sister. The listener can actually visualize the feisty and determined Kirsten. It is a wonderful narration that does great justice to this award-winning book.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Reviewed in The Horn Book. "The whole work is seamless, compelling, and memorable-impossible to put down, difficult to forget."
Reviewed in Publishers Weekly. "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."
CONNECTIONS
Needless to say, this book lends itself to do wonderful research about War Word II, Nazis, Jewish people, and so much more.
The following link is full of resources for teachers and students connected to this historical fiction:
http://www.cdli.ca/CITE/number_the_stars.htm
Click on this link to go to Lois Lowry's official website and learn more about her and her books.
This link takes you to a short biography on narrator Christina Moore and links to other books narrated by her.
2008 Newberry Winner...
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Schlitz, Laura Amy. 2007. Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Cambridge: Candlewick Press. ISBN: 9780763615789.
PLOT SUMMARY
This book is comprised of the voices of different people from a medieval village. Some are poor, some are rich. Some are men, and some are women. Some are in higher status while others are from the bottom of all classes, but all have something in common. They all have faith. They all believe, and at the end of the day, they all pray. One voice might be telling of their physical fear while another is telling of their emotional fear. Good Master! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village is an insight as to what life was during medieval times. It tells of how social rank and family history affected each life along with the deep-rooted beliefs they had. The voice of a plowboy, the lord's daughter, the pilgrim, a beggar, the lord's nephew, and the glassblower's daughters among others will be heard telling of their lives, their fears, their joys, their hate and much more.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
This is a great book to learn about the Middle Ages. Laura Amy Schlitz has eloquently written in verse the thoughts and feelings of various characters living during this time. Through these verses, the reader soon grasps how social status and faith shaped the lives of many during these years. Shlitz writes in such an interesting and rhythmic way that the reader soon finds herself or himself reading to the rhythm of the verses while learning very much of beliefs, customs, ordinary life, fears, joy and more of people that lived during that era.
Interestingly, the author gives a lot of facts as the voices are "being heard." The foreword included sets a good foundation by giving the reader needed prior knowledge to understand the story, the map of a Medieval Manor in England serves as a good visual to follow each character to his or her personal area in the manor, and to complement the whole story, Schlitz includes several "A Little Background" snippets which give interesting and solid information about Middle Ages history.
This book is definitely authentic and true to history. It is a book that must be read for pure enjoyment, for learning purposes, or to perform it. Much can be gathered and learned, and the author has done a beautiful job in writing these "voices" which can tell us a lot about the Middle ages. This historical fiction book is one of a kind and clearly presents facts accurately in a fun and interesting fashion.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
Starred reviewed in Booklist. "This unusually fine collection of related monologues and dialogues promises to be a rewarding choice for performance or for reading aloud in the classroom."
Reviewed in School Library Journal. "Designed for performance and excellent for use in interdisciplinary history classrooms, the book offers students an incredibly approachable format for learning about the Middle Ages that makes the period both realistic and relevant."
CONNECTIONS
This link takes you to an interesting interview where Laura Amy Schlitz talks about her books and personal topics.
Other books written by Laura Amy Schlitz:
A Drowned Maiden's Hair: A Melodrama
The Hero Schliemann: The Dreamer Who Dug for Troy
The Bearskinner: A Tale of the Brothers Grimm
