The Giver by Lois Lowry

1. Bibliography
Lowry, Lois. 1993. THE GIVER. New York: Dell Laurel-Leaf. ISBN 0440237688

2. Plot Summary
In this perfect world, there is no fear of pain and no war. Everyone in the community is given the perfect assignment, so no one has any choices. Jonas, who turns twelve, receives the assignment of the future giver. With this position, Jonas will hold memories of the good and bad of life, with this knowledge there is no going back.

3. Critical Analysis
In this intriguing story by Lowry, he creates a world that has no pain and suffering. Ran by a committee of elders, they are responsible for building a community where everyone is assigned the perfect job, marriage, and children. On Jonas’ twelfth birthday he receives the prestigious position of Receiver of Memories, and “it’s the memories of the whole world.” As he begins his new job, Jonas will soon learn all the secrets of the society, and see the world in a different light. Lowry develops a creative story that will have readers seduced by this world of no pain, and question the morals of this city. As Jonas begins to learn what the real world entails by the touch of the Giver, he will have to decide what to do with this new knowledge and make the biggest verdict of what is right and what is wrong. Readers of all ages will be raising many questions in their mind while Lowry captivates his audience in this adventurous novel.

4. Review Excerpts
Newbery Medal
The New York Times: “A powerful and provocative novel.”
School Library Journal: “This tightly plotted story and its believable characters will stay with readers for a long time.”

5. Connections
*Other books by Lois Lowry
GATHERING BLUE. 0385732562
NUMBER THE STARS. 0440237688
*Similar Books
ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRY. By Mildred D. Taylor. 014034893x
TUCK EVERLASTING. By Natalie Babbit. 0374480095
HOLES. By Louis Sachar. 0440414806

Looking For Alaska by John Green

1. Bibliography
Green, John. 2005. LOOKING FOR ALASKA. New York: Dutton Books. ISBN 0525475060

2. Plot Summary
Miles Halter, a sixteen-year-old boy, leaves his home in Florida to attend Culver Creek boarding school, just like his father. Once arriving there he meets his roommate Chip, who they call Colonel, and a beautiful girl named Alabama Young, called Alaska. Leaving his boring life behind, he finds a world that is not even close to being the same as his old life. Taking the name “Pudge” and being known for his memorization of famous last words, Miles will learn about a whole different life from his new friends Alaska and the Colonel. In the end nothing will ever be the same as before.

3. Critical Analysis
This award winning book will have reader’s turning the pages quickly. Miles Halter, a sixteen year old boy, will venture to Culver Creek to finish his high school days. Leaving Florida with a boring life of no friends, he will enter a new world of adventures, starting with his new name “Pudge.” With his arrival to school, Miles will meet the Colonel, the math wizard, and a smart, sexy girl named Alaska who will change his life forever. This group who is known for there pranks will live a life full of sex, smoking, and drinking as well as survive the requirements of school. Young adults will enjoy this book as it discusses these real life events, and allows for easy connections with the characters. As the book progresses Pudge’s love for Alaska will grow that will have readers shocked with Green’s conclusion to this adventurous book. This is a great read for mature young adults who will take pleasure in this group of friends that survive the triumphs of life and the catastrophic event that will change all their lives forever.

4. Review Excerpts
Michael L. Printz
ALA Best Book for Young Adults
ALA Quick Pick
A Los Angeles Times 2005 Book Prize Finalist
A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
2005 School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
2005 Booklist Editor’s Choice

5. Connections
*Other Books by John Green
AN ABUNDANCE OF KATERINES. 0525476881
ENCOUNTERS WITH BIGFOOT. 0888393407
*Similar Books
I AM THE MESSENGER. By Markus Zusak. 0375836675
INEXCUSABLE. By Chris Lynch. 0689847890
TWILIGHT. By Stephanie Meyer. 0316015849
THE BOOK THIEF. By Markus Zusak 0375831002

Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata

1. Bibliography
Kadohata, Cynthia. 2004. KIRA-KIRA. New York: Scholastic. ISBN 0439799414

2. Plot Summary
In 1950, a Japanese-American family named Takeshima moves from Iowa to Georgia so the family can find work. At this time Katie, the narrator is in kindergarten, and relies on Lynn, the older sister, to teach her about life. While her parents are working many hours to survive, Katie learns special ways of viewing the world including the term "kira-kira" which means glittering, and this word will carry with her through life. As the family begins to adjust to the new situation, Lynn becomes deathly ill, and the family will struggle to find a way to survive. Using Lynn’s views on life, Katie and her family will have to look for ways to help them find the kira-kira during these hard times.

3. Critical Analysis
In this 2005 Newbery award winning novel, Kadohata’s KIRA-KIRA will have readers laughing and crying throughout. In the 1950's, this loving family of five moves from Iowa to Georgia in in desperate need of work. The children will have to learn how to adjust and deal with the grueling conditions, including their parents working very long hours to survive. Within pages of the book, reader's of all ages will truly care for this family, and continue to read in hopes of a happy ending. Katie, the narrator, will learn about life through the help of her older sister Lynn. Which includes Lynn teaching her to see things as "kira-kira," meaning glittering, "like the ocean." Lynn soon becomes ill with lymphoma, and the family must come together and push through the hard times to survive. Katie shares unforgettable memories of the good and the bad, including the day her brother, Sam, got his foot caught in an animal trap which will have reader's reaching out. Between events in all of their lives, like Katie and Sam staying in the car all day for her mother and father to work, young adults will have a passionate understanding of what this family went through as team, and have a true understanding of happiness and suffering.

4. Review Excerpts
Newbery Medal
Bookpage: “Kadohata has written a quiet, powerful story that lingers long after the last page is turned.”
Publishers Weekly: *Starred Review* “Lynn's ability to teach Katie to appreciate the "kira-kira," or glittering, in everyday life makes this novel shine.”

5. Connections
*Similar Books
LIZZIE BRIGHT AND THE BUCKMISTER BOY. By Gary D. Schmidt. 0553494953
CRISS CROSS. By Lynne Rae Perkins. 0060092726
AL CAPOME DOES MY SHIRTS. By Gennifer Choldenko. 0399238611
THE TALE OF DEPEREAUX: BEING THE STORY OF A MOUSE, A PRINCESS, SOME SOUP, AND A SPOOL OF THREAD. By Kate Dicamillo. 0763625299