Young Adult Literature - Informational Books - HEY, KIDDO: HOW I LOST MY MOTHER FOUND MY FATHER, AND DEALT WITH FAMILY ADDICTION

Bibliography

Krosoczka, Jarrett J. (2018).  HEY, KIDDO: HOW I LOST MY MOTHER FOUND MY FATHER, AND DEALT WITH FAMILY ADDICTION .  Ill. Jarrett J. Krosoczka.  Scholastic Graphix: New York.  ISBN: 978-0-545-90247-2

Plot Summary

The graphic novel adaptation of Jarrett J. Krosoczka's profoundly honest autobiography is a memorable tale.  Leslie, Jarrett's drug-addicted mother, had him outside of marriage.  He didn't find out the name of his father until he was a senior in high school.  Jarrett was significantly impacted by Leslie's drug habit, but he was fortunate to be adopted by his grandparents and have the supportive love of a little family.  Krosoczka emphasizes instances from his early life that shaped who he is today.  

Critical Analysis

The graphic novel HEY KIDDO: HOW I LOST MY MOTHER, FOUND MY FATHER, AND DEAL WITH FAMILY ADDICTION chronicles Jarrett J. Krosoczka's life story in his own words and drawings.  It is an autobiography that reveals to the reader the suffering, perplexity, and disappointment he experienced as a result of his mother's drug addiction.  His appreciation for his grandparents raising him as a result of their intervention developed with time.  The phrase "Hey Kiddo" that appears in the song's title is one that Jarrett's grandfather frequently used.  Because he discusses his experiences in Massachusetts during his elementary, middle, and high school years, and because the incidents are typical for the various age groups, the novel will appeal greatly to young adult readers. 

He candidly discusses his feelings and views against the grownups in his life, as well as the rage he experienced over not knowing who his father was.  His life seemed to me to be like riding a roller coaster; there were high points, as when his artwork was published or when he went on an excursion with friends or family, but there were also many terrible points.  He received frequent letters from his mother, which initially made him happy but eventually made him unhappy.  As he gets older, his attitude begins to shift toward disappointment.  To give the reader a sense of his mother and who she was, he intersperses the narrative with images of her letters and drawings. At one point in the narrative, his grandfather demanded that he go see her at the halfway house where she was residing even though he didn't want to.  The meeting went well, but he is honest about his displeasure following the meeting.  When his father reached out to him in his late adolescence, Krosoczka's confusion and wonder reached a new level.  He questioned his father's character and whether he had any siblings.  At some point, he did get to know his father and half-siblings.  It ended up being another triumph for him.  He reveals to the reader in his Author's Note that he is still in touch with his siblings and that they get along well. 

I was surprised by how quickly I became engrossed in his life story as a reader.  Because of his writing's candor about his feelings and experiences, I felt a connection to him.  That his life is currently riding the high point of the roller coaster made me happy to read.  Additionally, Krosoczka includes pictures of objects from his life to further bind the reader to the narrative.   He discusses how profoundly the passing of his grandparents affected him.  He really loved them and was grateful for everything they done for him for a variety of reasons.  It is quite moving.  He explains the illustrations and his sketches in the book's final part. 

Review Excerpts

KIRKUS REVIEWS, starred review - "Honest, important, and timely."

THE HORN BOOK, starred review -  "Krosoczka has meticulously crafted a severely honest portrayal of addiction, resilient familial love, and the healing power of art..."

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, starred review - "A must-have, this book will empower readers."

Connections

*Topics to be discussed: addiction, family, effects on children with addicted parents, non-traditional families, and following your dreams.

Awards Won

National Book Award Finalist

Denver Public Library's Best & Brightest Books of 2018 Booklist Editors' Choice YouthCBC/TeenReads.com 

Teen Choice AwardsALSC Notable Children's BooksIn the Margins Recommended Nonfiction Book List and a Top Ten TitleAction Book Club 

TLA Texas Topaz Reading List for NonfictionPA Young Reader's Choice 

Masterlist Children's and Young Adult Bloggers Literacy Awards (The Cybils)  WinnerIndies Choice Best Young Adult Finalist

EBSCO SEE-IT Award (Finalist)

Ann Arbor Kids Read Comics Awards Nominee

Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (Master List)

Oklahoma Sequoyah Masterlist

Other Graphic Novels that Face Social Issues

Reynolds, Jason. (2020). LONG WAY DOWN.  Atheneum Books: New York.  

ISBN: 978-1-534-44495-9

Anderson, Laurie H. (2018). SPEAK.  Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux: New York.

ISBN: 978-0-670-01210-7

Young Adult Literature - Informational Books - MARY’S MONSTER: LOVE, MADNESS, AND HOW MARY SHELLEY CREATED FRANKENSTEIN

  

Bibliography

Judge, Lita. (2018). MARY’S MONSTER: LOVE, MADNESS, AND HOW MARY SHELLEY CREATED FRANKENSTEIN.  Roaring Brook Press: New York.  

ISBN: 978-1-62672-500-3.

Plot Summary

A free verse biography of Mary Shelley's life and the process by which she came up with Frankenstein is titled MARY'S MONSTER: LOVE, MADNESS, AND HOW MARY SHELLEY CREATED FRANKENSTEIN. The watercolor paintings in black and white draw attention to the unfortunate and challenging life she led. The poems are written from Mary's perspective and are an honest expression of her feelings. The narrative describes how she employed these catastrophes to gradually produce the Frankenstein monster over time.

Critical Analysis

This book is a superb free verse account of Mary Shelley's life in the 1800s. The setting for the story is numerous nations throughout Europe. In her book Lita Judge describes the many catastrophes Mary endured, beginning with the death of her mother the day after she was born. To emphasize the several sad moments in Mary's life, Judge chose stunning, melancholy black and white watercolor drawings. Her portrayal of Frankenstein was not the normal monster I am accustomed to seeing. In one illustration, I saw a striking resemblance between Frankenstein's visage and Mary's unhappy husband. He was a sad addition to Mary's losses. He set out on his sailboat in terrible weather and drowned at sea.

Mary endured numerous traumatic experiences during her life, including a tough stepmother, the death of her first child, ridicule from both society and her family, and many others. The novel shows that Judge did extensive study on Mary's life, and the book is concluded with a paragraph detailing each relevant individual and what happened to them. More information on Mary's life that isn't presented in the book can be found in the Author's Note. It is quite fascinating and provides a more accurate portrait of Mary Shelley the individual, the author, and the spurned woman. I got the impression at the end of the book that she was an early adopter. Young adult readers aged 15 and up should read the book.

 

Review Excerpts

“Readers will be enthralled by the dark and exacting verse, beautifully accompanied by haunting black-and-white watercolor spreads. . . A must-purchase.” ―School Library Journal, starred review “[T]his is a stirring, impeccably researched portrait of a remarkable woman and her literary 'progeny.' Much like Mary, Judge forges a Creature all her own.” ―Booklist “Darkly evocative . . . Students of literature will appreciate the powerful poetry that brings life to Mary Shelley's story the way that Shelley herself breathed life into her novel of a scientist who animates a corpse.” ―Kirkus Reviews “A godsend for high school students approaching the Romantics with skepticism (and for teachers charged with demonstrating their relevance) . . . A booktalk-ready title with broad YA appeal.” ―The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books “Impressive.” ―Horn Book “Fans of [Mary Shelley] will be enamored with the effort put into this artistic portrayal.” ―VOYA “Both timely and terrifying, Mary’s Monster revives an origin story too seldom told. Mary Shelley lives again in this arresting hybrid of a graphic novel in verse.” ―Gregory Maguire, New York Times–bestselling author of Wicked “Mary's Monster is extraordinary in both art and language. The reader is swept up by its passion, its sadness, and the incredible strength of its protagonist. Stunning, heartbreaking, and beautiful.” ―Kristin Cashore, author of the Graceling Realm series

Connections

*A study of the poets' works discussed in the book.

*A study of Mary Shelley’s life

*A study of poetry or free verse writing

Other Books

Shelley, Mary W. (2022). Frankenstein: The Original 1818 Edition. Booklover’s Library Classics.  ISBN: 978-1915582225.

Shelley, Percy B. (1993). Shelley: Poems.  Everyman’s Library.  

ISBN: 978-0679429098

Byron, Lord G. Gordon. (1994). Byron.  Everyman’s Library.  

ISBN: 978-0679436300

Young Adult Literature - Informational Books - TORPEDOED: THE TRUE STORY OF THE WORLD WAR II SINKING OF “THE CHILDREN’S SHIP

  

Bibliography

Heiligman, Deborah. (2019). TORPEDOED: THE TRUE STORY OF THE WORLD WAR II SINKING OF “THE CHILDREN’S SHIP”.  MacMillan Audio.

Plot Summary

Deborah Heiligman's book TORPEDOED recounts the terrifying actual account of a German U-boat torpedoing the SS City of Benares on September 17, 1940. 100 kids were on board the ship, the most of them traveling without their parents as they fled World War II and headed for Canada. Parents were sending their kids to a safe spot until the conflict was ended as the bombing had started to attack their city. The kids were brought to Canada as part of a program called Children Overseas Reception Board (CORB). Heiligman gathered information from the survivors' testimonies and narrates the tale of the numerous defenseless children, adults, and crew members who traveled on that tragic voyage.  

Critical Analysis

I listened to Deborah Heiligman's TORPEDOED in its entirety on MacMillan Audio. Marissa Collins, whose British accent was ideal for this narrative, narrated it. She was able to capture the voices of the characters with what I believe to be an accurate accent. Instead than trying to lower her voice for the male characters or sound young for the voices of the youngsters, Collins employed a variety of accents to portray the characters. Although there is music at the introduction, it gradually fades away, leaving only the storyteller audible. The listener may accurately follow the tragic tale of the SS City of Benares, which had over 200 passengers, 100 of them were children, and was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat during World War II thanks to the research Heiligman conducted for this moving historical event. From letters and other materials that she read, she includes authentic quotes from some of the survivors. Although it is a very sad tale, it demonstrates the power of the human spirit to persevere in the face of adversity. Both parents and kids put in so many valiant efforts. I found the account of the commotion on the boat after they were hit to be fascinating. Sadly, the kids were in the boat as it crashed into the bottom. Even though the boat had been hit, the paying passengers were unaware that they were in danger. The narrative goes on to detail the errors made and the valiant efforts of numerous crew members and passengers. It gives an awful account of what transpired when they started boarding the lifeboats and the horrible situations that so many people found themselves in. Heiligman describes the frigid water, the storm that made everything even more challenging, the floating debris all around the boats, and regrettably, the several dead bodies that were also floating by. The survivors' reported experiences in the lifeboats are then used to finish the story. Though my heart was hurting for everyone involved, I couldn't help but consider how the tragedy had an impact on the youngest survivors. The captain of the German U-boat's response was another aspect of the incident that drew my attention. The entire U-boat was initially in a celebratory mood since they were proud of how much tonnage they had sunk that night and had captured two ships. The reader does learn later in the book that the U-boat captain sincerely regretted attacking the ship because he was unaware that it was filled with children. The rescue of the lifeboats is both a joyful celebration and a tragic tragedy.

Review Excerpts

Booklist, starred review -"Extensively documented accounts tell of harrowing escapes, incredible heroism, tragic accidents, eventual rescues, and the gruesome aftermath . . . the real-time unfolding of events is compelling, and young audiences will relate to these stories about students their own age." 

Kirkus Reviews, starred review - "An exceptionally well-researched and impressively crafted tale of desperation, tragedy, and survival."

Horn Book, starred review - "Nonfiction maestro Heiligman here tells a riveting wartime story. . . . Heiligman builds and maintains suspense while remaining scrupulously faithful to the historical record."

Connections

*Topics that could be researched or discussed:

World War II U-boat attacks by the Germans

Children’s Overseas Reception Board (CORB) program

Review interviews of the survivors

Review Excerpts

"An exceptionally well-researched and impressively crafted tale of desperation, tragedy, and survival." ―Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" "Extensively documented accounts tell of harrowing escapes, incredible heroism, tragic accidents, eventual rescues, and the gruesome aftermath . . . the real-time unfolding of events is compelling, and young audiences will relate to these stories about students their own age." ―Booklist, starred review, on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" "Heiligman tells a story of bravery, courage, and despair . . . a must-read for all, and a beautiful memorial for those who perished in this tragic event."―School Library Journal, starred review, on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" "Nonfiction maestro Heiligman here tells a riveting wartime story. . . . Heiligman builds and maintains suspense while remaining scrupulously faithful to the historical record." ―Horn Book, starred review, on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" "[A] harrowing yet inspiring look at a little-covered historical event" ―Publishers Weekly on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" "[R]iveting accounts of terror, death, heroism, and sacrifice, and foreshadowings of either doom or rescue give the pace a breathless urgency . . . a fascinating look at the intersections of “fate, human, error, accident, and bad luck” that so often bring about tragedy." ―The Bulletin on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship" "Heiligman explores a harrowing moment in history with clear, insightful prose." ―Shelf Awareness on Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of "The Children's Ship"

*Awards Won

YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award finalist

Golden Kite Award winner

Hornbook Fanfare selection

Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year

Book Suggestion

Hood, Susan. (2018). Lifeboat 12.  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers: New York.  ISBN: 978-1481468831

Other Books by Deborah Heiligman

Heiligman, Deborah. (2017). Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers.  Henry Holt & Company: New York.  ISBN: 978-0805093391.

Heiligman, Deborah. (2009).  Charles and Emma: The Darwins’ Leap of Faith.  Henry Holt & Company: New York.  ISBN: 978-0805087215.

Universal Design for Learning 5391

 Universal Design for Learning 5391

“The UDL Guidelines are a tool used in the implementation of Universal Design for Learning, a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn. (http://udlguidelines.cast.org/)” The tool is a chart with various means, learning objectives, and guidelines. I like the chart's web version because it is interactive and links to pages with great examples and additional information.

(Which of these guidelines am I already using?)

A couple of things from the UDL chart that I already do and feel comfortable with are:

 Means of Representation, Access Guideline 1 Perception.  Engage with adaptable content that does not necessitate the use of just one sense, such as sight, hearing, movement, or touch. At the point when I make examples, I ensure that I have various assignments or ways for understudies to "receive" the data I share. I work to ensure that my lessons reach as many students as possible because I am aware of the various learning styles on my campus.

 Means of Engagement, Build Guideline 8, Sustaining Effort & Persistence, checkpoint 8.3 Foster collaboration and community. Students can work in groups and even select their own groups when working in the library. Beginning with the expectations, students collaborate with the librarian. While working in gatherings, understudies alternate being the various jobs for the assignment given.

 My goal is to add:

 Means of Action & Expression, Build Guideline 5, Expression & Communication, checkpoint 5.1, Use multiple media for communication. I want each and every one of my students to be able to express themselves in the manner that is most appropriate for them. Giving them a choice will not only help them succeed at the project or task, but it will also show how different their peers present similar material in different ways.

 I would need to be familiar with the various ways that students may present their work for my goal to be implemented successfully. I should be comfortable with the different learning styles, however the ways that the understudies with those styles work best. Due to the fact that the projects may not be finished in one session, collaboration with teachers is also essential. I need my students to have an open door to create with innovation, yet with "low tech" ways as well. In order to accomplish this, I will need to make certain that our district's education technology integrationist is utilized whenever they are on campus, and I will also need to ensure that I continue my own professional development through the use of technology and methods. For the "low tech" piece, I might have to contact our local area individuals to have the various supplies that our understudies might have to make more hands on/low tech projects. Because it will make it possible for more collaboration in the library, I hope that having a modified flexible schedule will be an option for the following year. This would be another way to contribute to the achievement of this objective.

 (Which of these could I add right now to my teaching practice?)

(Which of these looks great, but I might need some help to implement?)

I would like to add this also, but I will need some help to implement fully:

 Means of Action & Expression, Build Guideline 5, Expression & Communication, checkpoint 5.2, Use multiple tools for construction and composition. I believe that by allowing students to use a variety of tools, I will help them become better learners, increase their capacity to communicate what they have learned and know, and help students of all learning styles succeed.

 I will need the teacher's collaboration and we will need to work together a lot, for the best implementation and success. I believe that knowing how students are currently finishing their work will help me determine which paths they might "go" down. Students must be permitted to use tools and technology that match their current abilities to complete the given task. I think that having the right technology will also be very important. A student who has trouble writing his work down might need to use a device with voice-to-text capabilities. I believe that providing students with the means to express themselves in the best way will not only help them succeed, but they will also be better able to remember the information and may even go deeper into their learning than they had previously.

 (Next, you will indicate what you would like to explore more in terms of implementing UDL.)

Again, I think I need to be familiar with not only the various learning styles, but also the best ways for students with those styles to learn. Due to the fact that the projects may not be finished in one session, collaboration with teachers is also essential. Because it will make it possible for more collaboration in the library, I hope that having a modified flexible schedule will be an option for the following year. This would be yet another way to contribute to the achievement of this objective. When they are on campus, I will need to make sure that our district's education technology integrationist is used, and I will also need to make sure that I continue my own professional development using technology and techniques. I will collaborate with our department of Technology Management Systems to ensure that the necessary technology tools (such as: The technology that the students are using supports voice to text compatibility.

 References:

 Morin, A. (2022, September 15). What is Universal Design for learning? Understood. Retrieved April 10, 2023, from https://www.understood.org/en/articles/universal-design-for-learning-what-it-is-and-how-it-works

 

 

 

Young Adult Literature - Fantastic Fiction -

Bibliography

McKinley, Robin. (1997).  ROSE DAUGHTER.  Greenwillow Books: New York. ISBN: 0-441-00583-7

Plot Summary

In this fantasy book, Robin McKinley tells the story of Beauty and the Beast again.  Throughout the entire story, roses are the central theme.  The narrative takes place in imagined Old English cities.  The family of Beauty, the youngest of three daughters, loses their mother, and their father loses his successful company.  The world of sorcery is slowly revealed to them after they miraculously inherit a cottage in the countryside.  The classic fairy tale is given a new spin by McKinley, who also adds her own ideas and visuals, and she gives it an ending I've never heard before. 

Critical Analysis

Because Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite fairy tales, I was fascinated to read this fantasy book.  I'll be honest and say that after reading it, I felt quite conflicted about it.  Readers are given a lovely description of the characters and places by Robin McKinley.  Sometimes she gives you the impression that you can smell the roses.  The novel's protagonists go through a wide range of emotions, and the language allows the reader to feel those emotions alongside the characters.  Character names can be both amusing and descriptive.  Examples are the names of the sisters, Lionheart and Jewel tongue.  The story had me totally engaged up to the point where I started to lose interest in the reading as we drew closer to the conclusion.  Every event was thoroughly described by McKinley, to the extent that I had to read over paragraphs—and at one point, a full page—until I realized that it was all done.  Beauty entered a pitch-black tunnel beneath the earth, but the description went on for several pages, making her dazzled by the gloom.  By the time she arrived, I was fully prepared for her to track down the Beast and assist him.  I struggled to remain interested as the descriptions started to drag from the tale.  Although I'm happy I read it through to the end, the finale didn't have the same impact on me.  I loved learning the author's justification for making the roses such a central theme of the novel when I read the Author's Note at the conclusion.  Her first Beauty and the Beast retelling was BEAUTY, and this was her second. This story is recommended for readers who are at least 12 years old and older. 

 Review Excerpts

KIRKUS REVIEW - “While sticking to the tale’s traditional outlines, this version by turns rushes headlong and plows to a stately pace, is full of asides and surprises, and is suffused with obsession for the rose and thorn as flora, metaphor and symbol.”. 

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - “Action - minded readers may wish for more narrative zip: dazzling though they are, the novel’s lavishly imagined descriptions can be fairly slow going.:.”.

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL - “... The telling is layered like rose petals with subtleties, sensory descriptions, and shadow imagery.  Every detail holds significance, including the character names: her sisters, Jeweltongue and Lionheart, the villagers, Mrs. Trueword, Mrs. Bestcloth, and Mrs. Words-Without-End.  Mannerisms of language and intricacies of writing style are key in this exposition.  The convoluted sentences ramble like a rose and occasionally prick at the smoothness of the pace..”.

Connections

*Compare ROSE DAUGHTER to the original Beauty and the Beast fairy tale and/or Robin McKinley’s first book retelling the same fairy tale called BEAUTY.

*Study of fairy talks and their characteristics.

Other Fairy Tale Retells by Robin McKinley

McKinley, Robin. (1978). BEAUTY:A RETELLING OF THE STORY BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.  Greenwillow Books: New York, ISBN: 978-0060241490

McKinley, Robin. (1981). THE DOOR IN THE HEDGE.  Greenwillow Books: New York. ISBN: 978-0688003128

Young Adult Literature - Fantastic Fiction - Ember in the Ashes

Bibliography

Tahir, Sabaa. (2015). An Ember In The Ashes.  Penguin Random House: New York. ISBN:  978-1-59514-803-2.

Plot Summary

Elias and Laia are the two major characters in this fantasy book.  Elias is a great student at the Blackcliff Military Academy for the Martial Empire, which is currently in power.  Laia was born and raised in a poor region of the Empire where the locals are considered inferior due to their attempts to rebel against the Empire.  Elias and Laia share the desire to be free as their one similarity.  Laia becomes a slave so she can spy on people and gather information to aid in the release of her brother, the last living relative she has. Elias is attempting to break out from his life of subservience to the brutal rule of the Empire, an Empire that believed him to be one of the chosen because of his family ancestry. They collaborate to realize their goals when their worlds cross, Elias and Laia embark on a risky scheme to achieve their freedom together as the drama comes to a close. 

Critical Analysis

The reader will be interested by the numerous fantasy aspects in this critically acclaimed book by Sabaa Tahir.  The elite law enforcers of the Empire, The Masks, start things off by torturing a family and killing all except one member.  Blackcliff is a very dangerous military academy that uses various sorts of torture to control the behavior of its students.  A wonderful tale of mystery and intrigue is woven from espionage, catacombs, resistance groups, ghouls, supernatural animals, and tribal people with unique abilities.  Elias and Laia, the two main protagonists, are from completely different backgrounds, but they come together when they both understand that they are yearning for freedom.  Elias desires freedom from the Empire's hold on his existence. Laia is desperately attempting to free her brother, the sole survivor of her family, from a horrifying jail where he has no business being. She volunteered to become the brutal Commandant of Blackcliff's slave in order to help uncover information that would help him be set free. Tahir's writing style enables the reader to share the characters' profound suffering, enduring bonds of friendship, and joy.  Numerous characters contribute to the development of this engaging book.   Laia is compared to an ember in the ashes at the conclusion of the novel since she survived every challenging circumstance she encountered.  Because she believed she was weak at the beginning of the novel, I thought the contrast was fantastic.  As the plot develops, she comes to see that she is a remarkably resilient individual who starts to speak up for herself and refuses to submit to anyone.  The analogy paints a very precise picture of Laia because it illustrates how an ember in ashes must rely on its own heat and strength to survive the fire that is fading out all around it.  It wasn't until that comparison that I realized what the book's title meant.  Young adult readers aged 15 and up should read An Ember in the Ashes. 

Review Excerpts

Publishers Weekly, starred review - “Tahir’s deft, polished debut alternates between two very different perspectives on the same brutal world, deepening both in the contrast. In a tale brimming with political intrigue and haunted by supernatural forces, the true tension comes from watching Elias and Laia struggle to decide where their loyalties lie.”

Booklist - “First-time novelist Tahir has written an ambitious sword-and-sand adventure story that is notable for its suspense and scope.”

The New York Times Book Review - “[An Ember in the Ashes] thrusts its readers into a world marred by violence and domination yet does so with simple prose that can offer moments of loveliness in its clarity. This complexity makes Ember a worthy novel—and one as brave as its characters.”

Connections

*A character comparison of the strength of both characters Elias and Laia because there are many differences and similarities. 

*A study of the rule of Empires throughout history.

*Many topics can be discussed such as family ties, friendship, loyalty, and slavery.

Awards Received

Time Magazine’s 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time

Time Magazine’s 100 Best YA Books of All Time

Amazon's Best Young Adult Book of 2015

People's Choice Award winner - Favorite Fantasy

Bustle's Best Young Adult Book of 2015

The New York Times Bestselling Series

Other Books In The Series

Tahir, Sabaa. (2016). A Torch In The Night.  Penguin Random House: New York. ISBN:  978-1101998878.

Tahir, Sabaa. (2018). A Reaper At The Gates.  Penguin Random House: New York. ISBN:  978-0448494500.

Tahir, Sabaa. (2020). A Sky Beyond The Storm. Penguin Random House: New York. ISBN:  978-0448494531.

Young Adult Literature - Fantastic Fiction Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

 Young Adult Literature - Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

 

Bibliography

Riggs, Ransom. (2011). Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children.  Quirk Books: Pennsylvania.  ISBN: 978-1594744761

Plot Summary

Jacob is a teenager from a prosperous family who lives in Florida.  Although he tends to be a loner, he is close to his grandfather, Abe Portman.  Young Jacob hears several fantastic tales from Abe, but even though he believed them to be untrue, he found them to be entertaining and occasionally frightful.  Jacob gets a troubling call from his grandfather one terrible night, which prompts Jacob to go check on him.  Jacob tragically discovers his grandfather's body in the woods behind his home, and there he meets a monster that nobody else can believe or see.  As a result of this incident, Jacob embarks on a fantastical quest that brings him to Wales in search of Miss Peregrine's Orphanage Home.  After locating the house, he realizes the stories his grandfather told him were true.

Critical Analysis

When he authored Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs produced a really extraordinary fantasy book.  Abe Portman, the grandpa in the novel, and his grandson Jacob are introduced as having a loving and tight relationship.  Abe enjoys telling Jacob about the misadventures he had as a child and even shows Jacob numerous photographs from the book.  Although they had a tight relationship and Jacob cherished their time together, the stories seem too extravagant and unreal.  In the course of the story, Jacob discovers his grandfather's body in the woods behind his house, which unfortunately begins an amazing journey.  Jacob is a troubled teen who never felt like he belonged with the people in his life.  Whenever he travels with his father, Jacob's life is significantly altered as he sets out to find the Welsh orphanage where his grandfather was raised. He discovers the enigmatic orphanage and a group of odd individuals with whom he can identify, realizing that he wasn't a loner after all.  In a series of events that grabbed my interest and made me want to keep reading, he learns that his grandfather shared a particular ability with the other kids and the headmistress at the orphanage.  Jacob's character develops from that of a selfish teenager to that of a family-oriented, compassionate young man who emerges as an unexpected hero when he finds he has inherited his grandfather's power.  The remaining characters were all so distinctive, yet Riggs manages to make them all appear enduring and believable.  His account of the little Wales Island seems to His depiction of the tiny island in Wales strikes me as lovely at times and secretive and gloomy at others.  I enjoyed getting to know each of the odd kids since they each added something unique to the group home.  The "monsters" in the story were menacing, frightening, and gloomy.  Riggs enhanced the fun of this story by including some black and white photographs of the odd children and other significant moments.  This fantasy book, the first in a series, was incredibly good to me, although it is recommended for ages 14 years or older.

Review Excerpts

“A tense, moving, and wondrously strange first novel. The photographs and text work together brilliantly to create an unforgettable story.”—John Green, New York Times best-selling author of Looking for Alaska and Paper Towns

 

“Readers searching for the next Harry Potter may want to visit Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.”—CNN

“Riggs deftly moves between fantasy and reality, prose and photography to create an enchanting and at times positively terrifying story.”—Associated Press

“I read all of the Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children books and I loved them.”—Florence of Florence + The Machine

“[A] thrilling, Tim Burton-esque tale with haunting photographs.”—USA Today Pop Candy

“With its X-Men: First Class-meets-time-travel story line, David Lynchian imagery, and rich, eerie detail, it’s no wonder Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children has been snapped up by Twentieth Century Fox. B+”—Entertainment Weekly

“Peculiar’ doesn’t even begin to cover it. Riggs’ chilling, wondrous novel is already headed to the movies.”—People

“You'll love it if you want a good thriller for the summer. It's a mystery, and you'll race to solve it before Jacob figures it out for himself.”—Seventeen

“Delightfully weird.”—Good Housekeeping

“One of the coolest, creepiest YA books.”—PopSugar

Connections

*A great story to discuss that everyone is different but we all have something to contribute to the group.

*Other topics 

• Family relationships
• Friendships
• Mental health
• Dealing with loss

 

Other books in the Trilogy

Riggs, Ransom. (2014). Hollow City (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children) .  Quirk Books: Pennsylvania.  ISBN: 978-1594746123.

Riggs, Ransom. (2015). Library of Souls: The Third Novel of Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children.  Quirk Books: Pennsylvania. ISBN: 978-1594747588.