Module 9: The Book of Blood and Shadow

Book Summary:

Teenager Nora Kane chooses to apply to a prestigious private school to escape returning to her high school. After the death of her brother and her parents’ choice to keep to themselves, Nora wants to be where no one knows her or her brother. Everything seems to be working perfectly when she is accepted and receives a scholarship to Chapman Prep because of her unique ability to speak and write Latin. Then she discovers there is one person, Chris, who does know her and her brother. Chris keeps Nora’s secret and they become best friends. Nora, Chris, and Max, Chris’s roommate and now Nora’s boyfriend, all begin working for a professor where they all work translating Latin. The boys are assigned to decoding an ancient book and Nora is stuck with translating some letters. She is led to believe that her job is the least important but she soon discovers a love for the story that is unfolding. Then clues start to reveal themselves and the mystery proves to bring danger to everyone involved. Through unexpected murder, Nora finds herself following the clues all the way to Prague. This is where she discovers answers to more than just the mystery in the letters. Truths about her own life will be revealed.

APA Reference of Book:

Wasserman, R. (2012). The Book of Blood and Shadow. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.

Impressions:

This was a very enjoyable mystery novel. Robin Wasserman did an excellent job weaving mystery with an old world, somewhat historical feel. I listened to the audiobook as I read this book which added so much to my interest and understanding. There is a great deal of Latin and some Czech in the book and the audio adds to the feel of the story. The story had many layers and many twists. Beyond the mystery, there are elements of history, romance, and adventure as well. This was not only entertaining to read but felt educational. The setting of Prague and its description made me feel like I was there and definitely like I’d like to visit one day. The historical monuments sounded very intriguing that I wanted to research more about them. The adventure and mystery had me completely enthralled. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a book that requires you to pay attention and think in order to solve the multifaceted puzzle.

Professional Review:

Nora Kane has to endure the impossible when her brother dies. Her parents retreat into separate worlds of despair, leaving Nora to stumble along alone. High school is torture with everyone staring and talking, even glaring and accusing, since her brother also took his popular girlfriend with him to the grave in the accident. To escape the achingly familiar, Nora applies for a scholarship to the exclusive private school across town. Thanks to her Latin professor father, who drilled Latin lessons on her for years, Nora impresses the private school board and achieves a scholarship. At last, she gets a slight break from the oppressive grief. No one knows her or her brother at the private school; she finally can be invisible.

However, she runs into Chris, an old classmate who transferred to the school earlier. He remembers Nora and her now-dead brother, but to his credit, he keeps her secret, and they become the best of friends. She even gains a boyfriend through Chris’ roommate, Max. Later, all three join a special, extra credit project assisting a professor trying to decode an ancient book written in Latin. Nora gets stuck translating letters found written by the author’s daughter, Elizabeth, a relatively menial task compared to translating the book itself. But Nora finds herself bonding with this girl from the 17th century, and then she stumbles upon some clues left hidden in her letters. It turns out the letters are the key to the entire mystery --- and people are willing to kill for it.

Shockingly enough, Chris is murdered and Max disappears. Adriane witnesses the death of her boyfriend, but is drugged and doesn’t remember anything. Max is the main suspect, and his disappearance doesn’t help him any. Nora doesn’t even know if he’s alive or dead. Then she receives a coded message from Max begging her to join him in Prague; he tells her he has some answers and needs her to help him clear his name. Nora and Adriane travel to Europe for the traditional senior class trip and then slip away into Prague. They land themselves in the middle of a 400-year-old mystery --- which includes instructions on building a machine to talk to God.

In the author’s acknowledgments, Robin Wasserman states, “Unlike Elizabeth, I am not a poet or anything close…” I must disagree. Maybe Wasserman isn’t a poet, per se, but she is definitely a genius of words and a master storyteller. She mixes in her intriguing mystery with some European and religious history, questions man’s inhumanity to other men, and delves into themes of forgiveness and faith. In addition, she includes secret codes and hidden messages, weaves in a bit of sizzling romance, and tosses in some mind-blowing twists and turns, making this an amazing recipe for one awesome book.

Nora is a very likable character but has a cast of deep and complicated co-stars, and Wasserman does an excellent job with the interrelationships. The Latin translations give it an ancient and foreign taste, as does the location of Prague. It is also worth noting that some chapters contain only a handful of sentences, which helps give the story its power and punch.

THE BOOK OF BLOOD AND SHADOW is a wild ride, sort of comparable to a teenage mix of Indiana Jones and THE DA VINCI CODE, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it win multiple awards.

Shanley-Dillman, C. (2012). [Review of The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman]. Teen Reads. Retrieved from http://www.teenreads.com/reviews/the-book-of-blood-and-shadow.

Library Uses:

The Book of Blood and Shadow can be used in a book club and would foster a rich discussion. The genre of mystery can be examined as well as the elements of other genres present. It would be interesting to read parts of the book and meet frequently to see other’s thoughts about what they believe is really going on. Students can discuss what they think at various points throughout the story.

Module 8: Gregor the Overlander

Book Summary:

Gregor is a young eleven-year-old boy who follows his little sister down a mysterious air shaft in their New York City apartment building’s basement laundry room. They find themselves in a new world full of unusual giant talking creatures. They also discover the kingdom of Regalia with pale skinned people called Underlanders. The Underlanders believe Gregor to be the subject of a great prophecy and he sets out on a quest to save this new world and his father from the rats.

APA Reference of Book:

Collins, S. (2003). Gregor the Overlander. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.

Impressions:

This was an interesting story of fantasy and adventure. I’ve had this book on my to-read list for some time. The interactions between the Gregor and all of the Underland characters were enjoyable to read.  It was great fun to experience this new and different world. The gigantic roaches, bats, rats, and other creatures were described very well which made them seem so real. The descriptions of the Underlands were vivid enough to give the reader a good mental picture of this land. The adventure kept me interested and wanting to see what would happen to the characters. The story captured my attention and interest enough that I will probably continue reading this series.

Professional Review:

In a cavernous world beneath New York City, humans who long ago emigrated from the "Overland" live side-by-side with super-intelligent bats and loyal giant cockroaches. In a charming tip of the literary hat, debut novelist Collins introduces her young heroes Gregor and his little sister Boots into a wonderland through a trip down a long hole—in this case, an opening in a wall of their apartment building's laundry room. While passionately trying to find a way back home, 11-year-old Gregor learns about the Underlanders, their history and their unusual customs. Before long, Vikus, the noble patriarch of the Underlanders, reveals to Gregor an ancient prophecy—and why he believes that the boy is the foretold "overland warrior," come to liberate them from the giant rats. The relationship between Gregor and two-year-old Boots embodies much of the book's charm, and Gregor himself grows up before readers' eyes. His love for his lost father factors heavily into his personality; in a stunning turn of events, he discovers the reason for the disappearance of his father—who also plays a role in the prophecy. Collins does a grand job of world-building, with a fine economy of words—no unnecessary details bog down either the setting or the invigorating story. In her world, a child singing "Patty-Cake" can change the course of history and a stoic rat can mourn the fact that although he is able to read, he cannot write because he has no thumb. Unlike Gregor who cannot wait to leave, readers will likely find it to be a fantastically engaging place. Ages 8-12. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly. (2003). [Review of Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins]. Publishers Weekly. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-439-43536-9.

Library Uses:

Gregor the Overlander can be used to help students work on their visualization skills. Students will construct or draw a scene from the novel and all scenes will be placed together to show a summary of the novel. This will help students understand what the story was about.

Module 7: Eleanor & Park

Book Summary:

It’s the first day at a new school for Eleanor and faced with riding the school bus with total strangers, she ends up sitting with Park. Park clearly has no interest in her but offers her a seat anyway. She’s had a rough life and things don’t look to be improving as she instantly becomes the recipient of ridicule from the kids on the bus and at school. Each day presents the same routine, the bus ride with Park and trying to ignore the comments from others. Then one day Eleanor finds herself reading Park’s comic books and a friendship begins. Park begins sharing more comic books and music with Eleanor. A romance soon begins and the two spend as much time as possible together. Soon complications in Eleanor’s life disrupt everything and difficult choices must be made. Rainbow Rowell takes readers through an emotional experience of young love with an ending that is heartbreaking yet hopeful.

APA Reference of Book:

Rowell, R. (2013). Eleanor & Park. New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press.

Impressions:

This was a story full of real, believable characters. I read the majority of the book in one day, I just couldn’t stop reading. At first I was surprised by the mature language but realizing how it was used appropriately for each situation provided more realism. Rowell’s use of alternating viewpoints and real situations helps the story flow nicely. Readers will fall in love with these beautifully flawed characters and root for their happiness. The minor characters are also developed so well that readers will have strong feelings for each of them. For example, the descriptions of Richie leave the reader with very strong feelings towards him. As Eleanor goes through problem after problem the reader will find themselves desperate for some good to come for Eleanor. You won’t want the story to end but will want to know what happens for Eleanor and Park. This was a great book with so many great lessons for readers in high school and older.

Professional Review:

Right from the start of this tender debut, readers can almost hear the clock winding down on Eleanor and Park. After a less than auspicious start, the pair quietly builds a relationship while riding the bus to school every day, wordlessly sharing comics and eventually music on the commute. Their worlds couldn’t be more different. Park’s family is idyllic: his Vietnam vet father and Korean immigrant mother are genuinely loving. Meanwhile, Eleanor and her younger siblings live in poverty under the constant threat of Richie, their abusive and controlling stepfather, while their mother inexplicably caters to his whims. The couple’s personal battles are also dark mirror images. Park struggles with the realities of falling for the school outcast; in one of the more subtle explorations of race and “the other” in recent YA fiction, he clashes with his father over the definition of manhood. Eleanor’s fight is much more external, learning to trust her feelings about Park and navigating the sexual threat in Richie’s watchful gaze. In rapidly alternating narrative voices, Eleanor and Park try to express their all-consuming love. “You make me feel like a cannibal,” Eleanor says. The pure, fear-laced, yet steadily maturing relationship they develop is urgent, moving, and, of course, heartbreaking, too. --Courtney Jones

Jones, C. (2013). [Review of Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell]. Booklist. Retrieved from https://www.booklistonline.com/Eleanor-Park-Rainbow-Rowell/pid=5738131.

Library Uses:

Eleanor & Park could be used in the high school library to discuss the important issues from the novel. There are many great ideas for uses of this novel with students. Discussions about bullying and being more welcoming to all students is one such discussion possible. Having students develop ideas to welcome new students and stop any treatment similar to this is one activity to have students participate in. There is also the issue of domestic violence that can be discussed and then the discussion can stem into research on the topic.

Another activity would be to have students choose quotes they enjoyed in the novel. Students will be asked to add their favorite quote from the novel on a bulletin board created especially for the novel.