Module 8: Among the Hidden

Image from Google Images
Summary:
Luke doesn't exist, well not as far as the government is concerned anyway. He is a third child (brothers- Matthew and Mark) in a world where the Population Police strictly enforce the two child rule. He lives in the attic of his house, and once new housing is developed near the family farm, is never allowed to venture outside. For his safety they say, he is forced to do everything separate from his family, who are able to walk around in the house without fear, including eating dinner in a window free area. He grows increasingly lonely as his mother, brothers, and father all leave the house on a daily basis. One day, while looking through his vent (his only connection to the world) he spots another child in the Baron subdivision behind his farm. He knows that the rest of the family has already left for the day, and hopes that, just maybe, this maybe be another hidden child like him. While feeling particularly brave he sneaks over to the house and breaks in, where he finds Jen, a shadow child just like him. Jen introduces him to a whole new world- chat rooms, junk food, even shopping. She shows Luke the argument for and against the complete government control, and begins to encourage him into advocacy for the hidden children. Although she tries, Jen is unable to convince Luke to attend the rally she has out together. Jen goes anyway, marching to the president's house in protest. When Luke does not hear from Jen for sometime, he again sneaks to her house only to be caught by her father. He explains that Jen and the rest of the children were viciously murdered in broad daylight. Gunned down by uncaring Population Police. By visiting the house and attempting to enter the chat room to find Jen, Luke unknowingly puts himself in danger. Jen's father offers a fake ID and a chance out, knowing the police will be hunting for Luke soon. Luke decides to take the offer, and leaves for boarding school as Lee Grant.

My Thoughts:
A page turner! Among the Hidden was an Orwellian type story for the younger set. While it may fall into the Fantasy/Sci-Fi genre, the setting of the story is realistic enough that even a less experienced reader can visualize the actions that take place. From start to finish the chapters end with a tantalizing abruptness, leaving the reader wanting just one more page before heading to bed. I must admit I was surprised that the description of the death of Jen was as frank and abrupt as it was, especially for a children's book, it certainly made the story that much more believable. It wasn't wrapped up with a pretty bow, Luke's life really was dangerous and difficult. I am looking forward to booktalking this with the middle schoolers as soon as I get back to school!

Their Thoughts:
Excerpt from Kirkus Reviews-
"In a chilling and intelligent novel, Haddix (Leaving Fishers, 1997, etc.) envisions a near future where a totalitarian US limits families to only two children. Luke, 12, the third boy in his farming family, has been hidden since birth, mostly in the attic, safe for the time being from the Population Police, who eradicate such "shadow children." Although he is protected, Luke is unhappy in his radical isolation, rereading a few books for entertainment and eating in a stairwell so he won't be seen through the windows....Haddix offers much for discussion here, by presenting a world not too different from America right now. The seizing of farmlands, untenable food regulations, and other scenarios that have come to fruition in these pages will give readers a new appreciation for their own world after a visit to Luke's."

Awards and Accolades-
Chosen for 25+ state reading lists
YALSA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults (1999)
Recommended Literature by the California Board of Education

My Ideas:
This book is a wonderful read-aloud. Whether the librarian reads the first chapter alone to get the children interested, or is able to read a chapter daily to a class- the students will enjoy hearing this story read. After reading (or introducing) the librarian could also have a display of the other 6 books in the Shadow Children series.

Module 8: Twilight

Summary:
When Bella's mom decides to hit the road with her new husband for his baseball career, Bella decides to move to Forks, Washington with her Dad. At first she misses everything about Phoenix- the sun, her friends, her mom. Being the typical emo teen, even the fact that she makes several new friends and attracts the attention of male classmates can't seem to cheer Bella up in the slightest. While most of the kids seem normal, one family in particular attracts Bella's attention- The Cullens. There overly beautiful selves, their flashy cars, and their mysterious camping trips consume Bella's thoughts. Particularly when one of the most beautiful, Edward, seems disgusted by her in Biology class. Her interest becomes frustratingly consuming after Edward mysteriously appears to save the notoriously clumsy Bella from being hit by a sliding car in the parking lot. In the hospital she makes Edward promise to tell her the reasoning behind his seemingly miraculous powers. While doing her own research into who the Cullens are (based on a legend told by her friend Jacob), Bella is again miraculously saved by Edward appearing from no where to fight off the men trailing her in a dark alley. As Bella and Edward spend more time together, she reveals her beliefs that he is a vampire, suspicions which Edward confirms. To Edward, Bella is equally consuming, the most attractive human he has ever met. Their relationship intensifies as Edward reveals more and more of himself and his family to Bella. One day, during a baseball game with the Cullens, Bella is discovered by a group of vampires who do not live as the Cullens (feasting only on animals), but rather as traditional nomdic vampires (hunting humans). Bella is forced to go on the run, hiding from James, the vampire who is bent on having her. She escapes to Phoenix where James tricks her into believing her mother is in danger. When Bella arrives at the location where she believes her Mother is being held, she is attacked by James. Luckily, the Cullens have used their gifts to track Bella, and are able to rescue her before it is too late. Eventually, with a story of a clumsy accident given to parents, Bella returns to Forks and is tricked once again- this time into going to prom. During a dance, Bella (although warned by Jacob to do otherwise) tells Edward what she wants most is to become one of them. Edward refuses. Or does he?

My Thoughts:
While not my typical genre of choice, I highly enjoyed this story. I found myself wrapped up in the characters, and couldn't wait to read more. I also appreciated that the story was able to keep my attention without the language, sex, and alcohol/drug combination of many YA novels. Although I typically enjoy historical fiction the most, the escapism provided by Bella and Edward was very entertaining. Some say Bella is too whiney and self involved, but I find her to be like pretty much every other emo narcissistic teen girl- the world revolves around her. Meyer kept the story moving, while keeping the tension high throughout the novel. The ending left something to be desired, which of course means another book. I look forward to reading the series this winter break.

Their Thoughts:
Excerpt from Geoff Fox's Books for Keeps Review-
"For far too many chapters, little happens except slight shifts in a relationship which, it must be admitted, has more than its share of obstacles. These shifts sometimes repeat themselves in later chapters, as does Ms Meyer’s vocabulary. Edward is forever ‘smirking’, ‘smiling his crooked smile’, ‘grinning’, ‘chuckling’ (often ‘darkly’) and, most irritating and unappealing of all, ‘snickering’. Bella sometimes snickers too. Edward regularly ‘takes [Bella’s] face between his long hands’; and that skin, those eyes, that voice are repeatedly described in detail. Inevitably, despite Edward’s protestations of Bella’s stunning uniqueness, the power in this partnership is very much on his side, given his overwhelming talents and experiences. The longeurs and repetitions could surely have been edited; especially as, when excitement does break out in the last quarter of the book, the writing is taut with danger and menace. And there’s always the intriguing question of how this particular Romeo and Juliet impasse will be resolved. Does Bella have a future with her passionate vampire lover? Will it end in a melancholy parting? A bloody tragedy? Mouth to neck resuscitation leading to a vampiric future together? We don’t know until the final sentence."

Awards and Accolades-
New York Times Editor's Choice
SLJ's Best Books of 2005
ALA's Top Ten Books for Young Adults
Publisher's Weekly's Best Book of the Year

My Ideas:
Twilight would be a great display piece in a movie adaptation display. While many teens will see movies, not as many know those movies are based on novels (which are usually even better than the movie!). The display would feature movie posters with copies of the novels underneath. Other books that could be included in the display: Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen, Eragon by Christopher Paolini, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, Whip It by Shauna Cross, My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Piccoult, Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares, and The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman.