Bridge to Terabithia

Bridge to Terabithia

BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY by Ruta Sepetys (LS5623 ~ Mod. 7)

Bibliography:  

Sepetys, Ruta. 2011. BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY. New York, NY: Philomel Books. ISBN 9780141335889                              

Plot Summary:  

Lina is a fifteen year old Lithuanian girl, safe in her home getting ready for bed.  That peace is shattered when Soviet officers burst in, and tear them from the only home she has ever known.  Before they are forced to leave, they are allowed only a few moments to grab their belongings.  Lina packs a family photo.  Her mother, a coat that holds many hidden secrets that are revealed as time passes.  The soldiers take them, along with her little brother, and load them onto dirty cattle trains headed across the Arctic Circle to work camps in Siberia.  Once in Siberia, they endure long days digging up beets and potatoes as ordered by Stalin, who requires hard work with little food to survive.   

Lina’s father was sent to another camp.  She risks her life to write and send drawings to him, hoping they reach him to let him know they are still alive.  Along the way, Lina sees and experiences unimaginable things, and looses more than she ever thought she would.  Will Lina survive and get out of the work camp?  If so, who will be standing by her side? 

Critical Analysis:  

Sepetys has brought the past to life in such a tangible way that readers will connect with the characters and their struggles from the very beginning.  The questioning from Lina and her brother will be similar to questions they will be asking themselves as they read.  The cruelty of the Soviet soldiers will be shockingly obvious as readers travel through the pages of time with Sepetys.  The hope that Lina feels for the future is inspiring after all the struggles and loses she has seen and experienced.  As this story is firmly connected to history, students will have memories they will never forget.   

Weakness: 

Some students will be turned off by the sad nature of this book, but should be encouraged to learn from our past so that history never repeats itself.   

Also, title is entirely too similar to a very inappropriate book for young adult readers.   

Reviews/Awards:  

·        New York Times:  “This superlative first novel by Ruta Sepetys demonstrates the strength of its unembellished language.  A hefty emotional punch.”

·        Entertainment Weekly:  “Brave Lina is a heroine young and old readers can believe in.”

·        Laurie Halse Anderson (bestselling author:  “Speak” and “Wintergirls”):  “A brilliant story of love and survival.”

·        Booklist:  “An important book that deserves the widest possible readership.”

·        Kirkus:  “Sepetys’ flowing prose gently carries readers through the crushing tragedy of this tale that needs telling.”

·        2012 William C. Morris Award

·        2012-2013 Texas Lonestar Reading List (Middle School)

·        2012-2013 Texas TAYSHAS Reading List (High School) 

Connections:  

Age Level:  13 and up
Reading Level:  6.0
Pages:  352
Genre:  Historical Fiction 

·        Introduce book with book trailer

o   http://youtu.be/xnrTd2fyfdg

·       Students work in groups to do an author study – Focus study on how Sepetys came to write this historical fiction book, and the process/steps she took to ensure she told as realistic of a story as she could.

·       Locate and study geographical cities and countries mentioned in story.

·        Study history elements seen in story.

o   WWII

o   Stalin’s exile of people to Siberia during war, and the sad fact that even after the war was over, prisoners were not released till 15 years later.  20 million people were killed, over 14 million starved to death.

o   Political climate in Lithuania in 1941

·       Discuss author’s purpose for writing.

·       Discuss the author’s use of flashbacks seen throughout book and how they help the reader connect to its characters.

·       Discuss how Lina used art to try and stay connected with her father.

·       Students write a persuasive essay arguing against the cruel treatment of Lina, her family, and others using textual evidence to support their argument.

INSURGENT by Veronica Roth (LS5623 ~ Mod. 5)

Bibliography:

Roth, Veronica. 2012. INSURGENT. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 9780062114457
                      
Plot Summary:

Tris learns that she is a Divergent during the Aptitude Tests.  Coping with her new found identity is hard.  Tris and Four grow closer as he helps protect her identity as a Divergent.  Guilt weighs heavy on her as she moves forward.  Lives are in danger, and she fights hard to save those that she loves.  With many action-packed victories comes tragedies and grief.  Tris is determined and brave as she makes her choices that could destroy everything she loves.  In the end, will it be her that is destroyed?    

Critical Analysis:

Female young adult readers will love the brave female lead character, Tris.  They will cheer her on as she fights hard to protect those that she loves, as well as her secret.  Male readers will enjoy the action-packed battles that are descriptive and very detailed.  The author’s chooses wording that provides the reader with great imagery as the story unfolds.  Roth creates an alternative world in Chicago that will provide readers with a great escape. 

Weakness:

It is best for readers to read “Divergent” (Book 1) before “Insurgent”.  If not, readers may feel lost at the beginning of the book as the story seems to pick right up where book one left off.
Profanity:  Minor
Violence:  Heavy
Sexual Content:  Mild

Reviews:

·        USA Today (Serena Chase):  “Veronica Roth has a precision in her world building that is uncommon in such a fast-paced story.”

·        Hollywood Crust, MTV.com:  “This is one fast-paced read that sticks in your head for days after you put it down, both because of its video-game-like scenes and its thought-provoking premise.”

·        Kirkus:  “In this addictive sequel to the acclaimed Divergent, a bleak post-apocalyptic Chicago collapses into all-out civil war.  Another spectacular cliffhanger.  Anyone who read the first book was dying for this one months ago; they’ll hardly be able to wait for the concluding volume.”

·        Rolling Stone:  “The next big thing.”

·        Publishers Weekly:  “Roth knows how to write.  The novel’s love story, intricate plot, and unforgettable setting work in concert to deliver a novel that will rivet fans of the first book.” 

Connections:

Age Level:  14 and up
Reading Level:  5.4
Pages:  525
Genre:  Fantasy Fiction 

·        Read “Divergent” (Book 1 ~ Divergent Trilogy) to begin series

o   Read to students at the beginning of the school year, and suggest following books in the series throughout the school year and at the end of the year for summer reading.

·        Introduce book with official book trailer

o   http://youtu.be/NqfvAyuxPeU

·        Read “Allegiant” (Book 3 ~ Divergent Trilogy) when it comes out in 2013