Oppel, Kenneth. Silverwing. New York:

¶ … Oppel, Kenneth. Silverwing. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1997.

ISBN: 0689815298 9780689815294, elementary school and junior high readers, fantasy/fiction. First in an ongoing and long-running series; accommodating but not overwhelming praise.

The first in a long series, this book recounts the tale of a young bat who has been separated from his colony and must find them not only to be reunited with them, but also to warn them of impending evil and destruction. A fantasy story that also serves as a coming of age tale and an adventure story, aiming to satisfy young readers' moralistic and story telling expectations, this book succeeds on these levels without propelling the tale further into the canon of a more lasting literary work. The cliff hangers that punctuate the chapters of the story will definitely keep the reader involved, but the characters are ultimately superficial, and the plot is in many ways formulaic, especially to more experienced readers.

Analytical Comments

The story, though exciting and engaging, is ultimately devoid of true originality and purpose

An excellent book to encourage reading in developing readers through the gripping nature of the story

Characterization is at once vivid and superficial, making for an odd mix in this novel

Animal characterizations are largely counter-intuitive, leading to near-automatic shifts in perspective and developing broader awareness of issues of difference/multiculturalism/etc.

Extended series provides ground for developing longer attention spans and developing regular reading habits

Lesson Ideas

Draw a picture of what you think one of the characters looks like

Create a map with several of the different points/journeys that occur in the book, showing how they are related

Dance as if you were a bat, with short legs and big wings -- how do you move differently?

Research bats and describe certain features about these animals that make them unique

Gather natural elements that you think might make a good habitat for a bat and share them with the class

Lowry, Lois. The Giver. Boston: Houghton-Mifflin, 1993.

ISBN: 0395645662 9780395645666, 180 pages; juvenile readers (late elementary school/junior high). Newberry Award winner (1994), high critical praise and consistent readership.

Jonas is a typical twelve-year-old in his futuristic and highly controlled -- and seemingly idyllic -- world, but when he begins his erstwhile apprenticeship and becomes the Receiver of the community's past memories, feelings, and subjective/interpretive abilities, he becomes a threat to the community and to those he loves. A dystopian novel that also serves as an effective coming of age story aimed at the readers who are primed for just such a tale, the Giver delivers both story and message along with a great deal of intellectual and philosophical questioning. The deep emotions, persistent existential questions, and gripping plot will keep readers of all capabilities and interest levels engaged. The fully realized characters inspire worry and compassion one minute, while allowing the reader to share in the triumphs and epiphanies of the protagonist with the next turn of a page.

Analytical Comments

Some very dark subject matter, possibly disturbing for younger/more sensitive readers

Very heavy philosophical introspection likely for some, can questions can easily be raised with guidance as well

Social issues and responsibilities of the many vs. The rights of the individual -- discussions of government and other areas of civic institutions/expectations possible

Certain similar tendencies in the modern world

Lesson Ideas

Share a memory with the class without using any sensory words, but try to get us to feel the way you felt

Research totalitarianism and the philosophies that support and oppose it

Write a poem describing how Jonas feels upon learning of his job in the community

Draw a picture of how Jonas sees one of the memories given to him

Act out a scene between Jonas and the Giver, then trade places with your partner and describe the different experiences

Zusak, Markus. The Book Thief. New York: Knopf, 2006.

ISBN: 0375831002 9780375831003, 552 pages, historical fiction, high school/young adult, complex and cerebral according to several critics/reviewers, yet still accessible in terms of story and character.

The title character is a foster girl living in Munich during the time of World War II, who lives largely by stealing, and begins adding books to her store of illicit goods and takings when she is taught to read by her foster father. She and the cast of characters she shares her treasured books with find them a welcome escape from the fearful and hungry lives they lead. The slice of history that is presented in the book along with the fiction of the story itself makes this as much an educational novel as it is a coming of age story, and the plot touches on many other deeper and more universal themes, as well. Narrated by Death, it is known that doom eventually comes to each of the characters, but the mechanisms by which this occurs and the poignancy of the tale maintains both suspense and enjoyment of the novel.

Analytical Comments

Incredibly macabre at points, and with a high enough degree of realism to be particularly disturbing to some

Somewhat complex in some of the elements of its construction and its literary conceits

Serves for a deeper and human-level exploration of the Holocaust and other aspects of World War Two Germany

Examines the concept of persecution and literary freedom; the link between free speech and free action

Excellent starting point for an examination of metaliterature, textuality, and other contemporary modes of critical analysis

Lesson Ideas

Write a dramatic scene incorporating at least three major characters meeting in the afterlife, however you imagine this to be

Research the economic situation in Munich during World War Two and describe what life was like for the average German citizen

Create a list of books that you feel best typify a certain decade in your life and share it with the class

Draw a diagram of the Jewish man's hiding place, using both accurate (to scale) measurements and common household items as examples of dimensions

Research links between illiteracy and other social problems, and present your findings

Kadohata, Cynthia. Kira. New York: Atheneum, 2004.

ISBN: 0689856393 9780689856396, 244 pages, elementary and junior high school readers, historical fiction. Newberry Medal winner for 2005, and continued critical praise since the novel's publication.