Module 15 Censorship Issues

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian 

by Sherman Alexie and illustrated by Ellen Forney

Summary

Junior has been bullied all his life.  He is an awkward teenager with a love for comics and only one friend.  During his freshman year in high school a conversation with his teacher forces him to consider the possibilities of life outside the reservation.  Despite, his fear of leaving the reservation, Junior enrolls in white school with the hope of bettering his future.  He is not welcomed into the new school, but for the first time in his life Junior stands up to his tormentor.  Although, his time at school improves, Junior experiences loss and heartbreak throughout the novel.  He makes a name for himself playing basketball and his biggest rival is his best friend from the reservation.      

Bibliographic Citation

Alexie, S. (2007). The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. New York: Little Brown and Company.

My Impressions of the Book

Reading The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, is like glimpsing into someone’s world, but they are completely unaware of the intrusion.  No detail of the story has been omitted for vanity’s sake.  Junior cries whether he is scared, devastated, or in pain.  He vomits when his nerves get the best of him.  The character possesses a raw honesty and frequently shares his inner most thoughts.  I cheered for his success and mourned for his losses.  Junior is a lovable character.  It is Alexie’s willingness to share all the character’s flaws and gift him with complete honesty and unreserved humor that make the novel such an interesting and memorable read.

Reviews 

Exploring Indian identity, both self and tribal, Alexie's first young adult novel is a semiautobiographical chronicle of Arnold Spirit, aka Junior, a Spokane Indian from Wellpinit, WA. The bright 14-year-old was born with water on the brain, is regularly the target of bullies, and loves to draw. He says, "I think the world is a series of broken dams and floods, and my cartoons are tiny little lifeboats." He expects disaster when he transfers from the reservation school to the rich, white school in Reardan, but soon finds himself making friends with both geeky and popular students and starting on the basketball team. Meeting his old classmates on the court, Junior grapples with questions about what constitutes one's community, identity, and tribe. The daily struggles of reservation life and the tragic deaths of the protagonist's grandmother, dog, and older sister would be all but unbearable without the humor and resilience of spirit with which Junior faces the world. The many characters, on and off the rez, with whom he has dealings are portrayed with compassion and verve, particularly the adults in his extended family. Forney's simple pencil cartoons fit perfectly within the story and reflect the burgeoning artist within Junior. Reluctant readers can even skim the pictures and construct their own story based exclusively on Forney's illustrations. The teen's determination to both improve himself and overcome poverty, despite the handicaps of birth, circumstances, and race, delivers a positive message in a low-key manner. Alexie's tale of self-discovery is a first purchase for all libraries.-Chris Shoemaker, New York Public Library

Shoemaker, C. (2007, September 1). The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. [Review of the book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by S. Alexie]. School Library Journal, 190.

Ideas for Library Use

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian could be displayed with a number of other wonderful novels to celebrate banned book week.  Let’s encourage students to read and not limit their access to information.  Students could also participate in a library blog to support their favorite challenged books.

Module 14 Poetry and Story Collections

Crossing Stones 

by Helen Frost

Summary

Muriel Jorgensen is an outspoken eighteen year old during World War I.  She is reprimanded during school for speaking out against the war.  When her long time friend and neighbor, Frank Norman leaves for the war she realizes how much she will miss him.  Then her younger brother Ollie enlists and heads to basic training without telling the family.  Muriel and Frank become pen pals and the army censors much of what he writes Muriel.  Muriel’s Aunt actively speaks up for women’s rights and ends up in jail.  The family battles illness and loss, but Muriel finds her place in the world.

Bibliographic Citation

Frost H. (2009). Crossing Stones. New York: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.

My Impressions of the Book

Crossing Stones is a delightful read.  It is written in verse and features the voices of Muriel, Ollie (her brother), and Emma (Frank’s sister).  Muriel struggles to find her place and supports her aunt’s quest to earn the right to vote for women.  In the novel her mother tells her “Maybe you won’t rock a cradle, Muriel.  Some women seem to prefer to rock the boat” (35).  Each of the poems ties in nicely with the next to form a cohesive and detailed story.  Muriel’s poems stand out with a zigzag pattern that mimics the rushing water of the river.      

Reviews 

The children of the Norman and Jorgensen families have grown up together, with their family farms located on either side of Crabapple Creek In 1917, the outbreak of World War I shatters their idyllic lives: strong-willed Muriel opposes it, but the two young men, Frank and her brother, Ollie, enlist and are soon sent overseas. Muriel's lively personality comes alive in free-verse poems that roam across the page like tie free-flowing waters of tie creek "My mind sets off at a gallop/down that. twisty road, flashes by 'Young Lady,'/hears the accusation in it-as if it's/a crime just being young, and 'lady'/is what anyone can see I'll never be/...." The poems of Ollie and friend Emma are written in "cupped-hand" sonnets; their rounded shapes resemble the crossing stones of tie creek and record their growing love. While tie young men find themselves amidst the horrors of trench warfare, their families attempt to cope with their absence. Muriel travels to Washington, DC, to be with her aunt Vera, a suffragist who is recovering from a hunger strike; joins picketers at tie While House; and helps out in a settlement house. Back home, youngest sister Grace comes down with influenza. Frost's warmly sentimental novel covers a lot of political, social, and geographical ground, and some of the supporting characters are not fully fleshed out. But this is Muriel's story, and her determined personality and independence will resonate with readers, especially those who've enjoyed the works of Karen Hesse. --Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library

Taniguchi, M. (2009, June). Crossing Stones. [Review of the book Crossing Stones, by H. Frost].  School Library Journal, 55, 10, 126.

Ideas for Library Use

In April create a poetry book display.  Include Crossing Stones and be sure to add a variety of examples to fully represent the genre.  Invite students to a poetry slam to allow students to express themselves and expose those new to poetry to the sound and rhythm of it.

Module 13 Graphic Novels and Series Books

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw 

by Jeff Kinney

Summary

Greg Heffley is always getting into trouble.  And to make matters worse things never go his way.   Greg receives silly gifts for his birthday, his brother constantly picks on him, and he simply can’t please his father.  Greg is forced into doing his own laundry and decides it would be better to wear dirty clothes.  When his father hears how well boarding school helped a neighbor Greg agrees to join the soccer team in order to please his dad.  It turns out sports aren’t his area of expertise either.  Later, Greg accidentally distracts party goers.  This allows his father to leave the party early and Greg ends the novel in his father’s good graces.   

Bibliographic Citation

Kinney, J. (2009). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw. New York: Amulet Books.

My Impressions of the Book

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw is a fun read.  It actually falls into the category illustrated novel not a graphic novel.  The humor in the novel stems from Greg’s inability to take responsibility for anything.  So many of the bad situations he finds himself in are the direct result of his poor choices or outright laziness.  

Reviews 

Greg Heffley's crazy antics continue in this latest installment in the series. Kinney portrays humorous and touching family dynamics between the boy and his competitive father, whom he seems to disappoint numerous times. The fast-paced narrative successfully balances Greg's home and school life, revealing an egocentric yet lovable character. As in the previous books, cartoons and journal entries blend seamlessly to convey Greg's middle school angst. His uncanny ability to fall into amusing predicaments will win even more converts to this popular series. His witty voice coupled with memorable characterization will have this offering flying off the shelves.-Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC

Smith, M. (2009, April 1). Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw. [Review of the book Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw by J. Kinney]. School Library Journal, 137.

Ideas for Library Use

Pairing graphics and text makes for a fun read.  Challenge students to create their own graphic or illustrated novel.  The winner could be featured on the library website.

Module 12 Biography and Autobiography

When I Was a Soldier 

by Valérie Zenatti

Summary

Valérie Zenatti explores her past as student and then as a soldier in the Israeli Army.  She enlists for a two year span when she turns eighteen and does well in training.  She is given an intelligence position.  She regularly listens in on various radio channels to observe and report activity of other military installments like neighboring countries.  She finds herself questioning the political standing of the military, but understands that there is no perfect answer.  Her friends also join the army as they turn eighteen and each of them have very different experiences.  During her time in the military Valérie forms a new friendship with coworker and reunites with another friend from school.     

Bibliographic Citation

Zenatti, V. (2002). When I Was a Solider. New York: Bloomsbury U.S.A. Children’s Books.

My Impressions of the Book

Valérie Zenatti’s memoir is a true coming of age tale.  She begins her service in the army with such excitement and hope for the future.  She initially holds on to an ex-boyfriend in the hopes that he will take her back and they will find happiness together.  She learns the hard way that she must make her on happiness and can’t rely on him to love her.  As Valérie gains confidence in her career with the army she transforms into a responsible adult with ideas and beliefs of her own.  Her story is compelling.  Readers should find her memoir enjoyable and her candid voice delightful.

Reviews 

In this compelling memoir, Zenatti, first among her group of friends to be called for compulsory military service, chronicles two years of growing up in the Israeli army between 1988 and 1990. With teen self-absorption, she describes the end of her high school years, her initial excitement with the uniform and gun, and grueling training. At first overwrought and pretentious, her voice matures as she continues her course, suffers an anxiety attack, and is posted to a security listening post. As Zenatti grows away from her old friends and a former boyfriend, she becomes more aware and open to the ideas, interests, and needs of others–even, eventually, to the Palestinians who share her country. It is true, as adults told her, "The army changes everything." Although immersed in the country and the experience at the time, Zenatti retains her outsider perspective. French by origin, she and her family emigrated to Beersheva when she was 13, where she learned Hebrew. Her love of language shines through, and the translation, though undeniably British, is smooth. Journal entries in italics are interspersed with the present-tense narrative. This is a fascinating glimpse of a different part of the world and a different kind of experience. Older readers, facing the end of high school themselves, will be drawn to this description of the interim between childhood and adulthood that is a universal Israeli experience.–Kathleen Isaacs, formerly at Edmund Burke School, Washington, DC

Isaacs, K. (2005, May 1). When I Was a Soldier. [Review of the book When I Was a Soldier, by V. Zenatti]. School Library Journal, 162.

Ideas for Library Use

Invite and class to the library after they have read When I Was a Soldier and challenge them to write a biography.  Introduce students to self publishing ideas. 

Module 11 Informational Books

How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous by Georgia Bragg and illustrated by Kevin O’Malley

Summary

In How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous, Bragg shares fun facts about various famous historical figures. She also details the illness or event that lead to their deaths as well as any medical treatment given in an effort to save them.  A very common treatment throughout the book is bloodletting. 

Bibliographic Citation

Bragg G. (2011). How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous. New York: Walker and Company.

My Impressions of the Book

While the book is informative Bragg approaches the topic of death with humor.  The humor does not distract from the facts in any way.  Yes, it lightens the mood, but so many of these topics are overlooked in history.  I found the medical treatment facts very interesting.  For example, after President Garfield was shot a number of doctors inserted their unwashed pointer fingers in his back to find the bullet.  These helpful doctors only managed to further injure him and become the cause of his infection.  How They Croaked is amusing and opens the door to historical figures in a new and clever way.

Reviews 

Georgia Bragg has her tongue firmly in cheek as she describes "how some of the most important people who ever lived--died" in this engaging book (Walker, 2011). Beginning with King Tut and moving chronologically through to Albert Einstein, Bragg explains in a conversational style what maladies brought 19 of the great ones down. Listeners will be clued in to Henry VIII's gluttony, George Washington's little mouth of horrors, and James Garfield's oh-so-slow death by ignorance. Narrator L.J. Ganser uses sarcasm, timing, pauses, and tone to wring out every last ounce of disgusting, gross misery from the deaths of Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Christopher Columbus, Napoleon, Mozart, and others. There are humorous subtitles to each story, such as "Marie Curie: You Glow Girl!," and sidebars that add to the history. Be sure to pair this with the print version so students can giggle at Kevin O'Malley's hysterical illustrations. A perfect choice for boys who are reluctant readers. - Tricia Melgaard, formerly Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

Melgaard, T. (2011). How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous [Review of the book How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous, by G. Bragg]. School Library Journal, 57, 75.

Ideas for Library Use

Have a discussion with the book club and find out information they found interesting in How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous. 

Module 10 Historical Fiction

The Devil’s Arithmetic by Jane Yolen

Summary

After bing lectured of the importance of remembrance Hannah attends Passover dinner with her family.  One moment she is standing at the door to welcome the prophet Elijah into the home and the next she has been transported to 1942.  In 1942, she is known as Chaya and she has trouble remembering her real life or even determining which life is true.  Unfortunately, she all to aware of the terrible actions that take place between the Nazis and the Jewish community.  She is forced to live through these events knowing that the people around her will die and everything is not as it seems.  As Chaya she learns the ways of the camp quickly and does all she can to help others.  She experiences loss and forms a bond with a girl named Rivka.  In the end she sacrifices herself for her friend.  Like a dream she is transported back to the moment she opened the door.  

Bibliographic Citation

Yolen, J. (1988). The Devil’s Arithmetic. New York: Puffin Books.

My Impressions of the Book

Yolen gives the readers the experience of sharing these moments with fictional Holocaust victims.  However, it is more eye opening than history books that account for the victims in numbers without an glimpse into personal activities of feelings.  The story is also told with the new element of one character (Hannah / Chaya) knowing exactly what awaits them in the concentration camps.  It is unimaginable what these victims experienced, but Yolen allows readers to remember the love they continued to share with one another even when all hope was lost.  The Devil’s Arithmetic is a must read and I hope readers carry on the message of remembrance. 

Reviews 

The Devil's Arithmetic is about a girl taken into the time of the Holocaust. She experienced everything she had read about her religion and almost experienced the terrifying way some of her fellow Jews died.

Throughout this book, the emotions sweep over you, not fully sinking in until the end of the book when you realize what happened. There is so much truth and reality, it hurts. It hurts to actually have to face the fact that there were and still are people in this world so cold-blooded and mean that they would actually put people through such torture. I don't think I've ever read a book more meaningful than The Devil's Anthmetic. It would take the coldest of hearts to read this book without feeling pain for the Jews and hatred for the Nazis. I kept asking myself questions: "How could somebody do this? Who could have been so powerful to plant these thoughts and ideas in the heads of their pathetic followers?"

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a very powerful book. -Bailey O'Keefe, Grade 8 Oyster River Middle School, Durham, New Hampshire

O’Keefe, B. (1998, September). The Devil’s Arithmetic [Review of the book The Devil’s Arithmetic by J. Yolen]. Voices From the Middle, C5.

Ideas for Library Use

A creative way to continue Yolen’s message of remembrance would be to allow students to help make a bulletin board of memories for Holocaust victims and their families.  Include a cover shot of The Devil’s Arithmetic in the center of the bulletin board.  

Module 9 Mystery

Breaking Beautiful by Jennifer Shaw Wolf

Summary

Allie begins the novel in recovery of her car accident with her boyfriend Tripp.  Tripp doesn’t survive the accident, but he continues to haunt her with his past deeds.  He physically and mentally abused Allie throughout their relationship.   Allie can’t even look in the mirror without a reminder of Tripp.  Her face is scarred and depression keeps her in bed.  Once Allie finally returns to school she is mistreated by other students because she survived and Tripp did not.  She even receives threats in her locker.  Allie begins to seek comfort in Blake and even the new detective questions Allie’s knowledge and involvement of the accident.  Her brother tries to help Allie recover emotionally, but it becomes clear that Allie find out who is threatening her safety now.  

Bibliographic Citation

Wolf, J. S. (2012). Breaking Beautiful. New York: Walker and Company.

My Impressions of the Book

The book is creative and looks at abusive relationships through the eyes of both the victim and her family as well as the unsuspecting and judgmental public.  Allie faces the pain of her injuries and heartbreak as well the blame of her classmates.  If she shares what Tripp did to her then she looks guilty, but if she keeps the past a secret Tripp remains the town hero.  Allie’s determination to carry on is slow to build, but it is great to see her regain a sense of self.  The take away from the book is that she does have hope and with a little help she can overcome her past. 

Reviews 

Eighteen-year-old Allie's life changes in an instant when her boyfriend, Trip Phillips, drives off a cliff in small-town Pacific Cliffs. Allie survives the wreck but wishes her secret would have died with him. She is haunted by the fact that Trip was physically and emotionally abusive. She can't remember that fatal night but is sure that the incident wasn't an accident. Maybe her twin brother was trying to protect her from Trip's abuse, or maybe it was her best friend, Blake. Regardless, the case is reopened as suspicious circumstances begin to emerge, and Allie must relive that night and find the courage to speak up about the abuse even though she fears that no one will believe her. Teens will be consumed by the mystery, and romantics will hope that Allie and Blake can make it even though it seems that the town is against them. The author has done a good job of helping readers understand the accident as it is told in flashbacks yet intertwined with present-day events. The story unfolds in a convincing manner; nothing is left open-ended, which leaves readers sure that Allie is no longer in turmoil, and that she has moved forward.—Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI

Alexander, K. (2012). Breaking Beautiful [Review of the book Breaking Beautiful, by J. S. Wolf]. School Library Journal, 58, 178

Ideas for Library Use

Breaking Beautiful is a creative mystery and would make for a fun book club read.  It could be paired with a mystery solving contest for book club members.