Module 8: Divergent

Divergent

Book Summary

Divergent is the first in a trilogy set in a dystopian society. The society is divided into factions, based on a key characteristic. Candor is the trustworthy, honest leaders. Abnegation is the selfless leaders, putting others before themselves. Erudite focuses on knowledge and intelligence. Amity are compassionate and become counselors and caretakers. Dauntless are the risk-takers and provide protection. Every year, students who are of age attend the Choosing Ceremony, where they choose to remain in their faction with their family or choose a new one. Many remain where they grew up, but transfers must leave their families and join their chosen faction. Many make their choice based on the results of an aptitude test, which tells them what faction they are the best fit for. Beatrice shows an equal aptitude for three factions, which is highly rare, as most only receive one and a few receive two. She must choose. The book follows her through her choice and the initiation into her chosen faction. It ends with the beginnings of a rebellion and leaves you hanging and ready to read the next book.

Citation 

Roth, V. (2011). Divergent. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. 

My Impressions

I thought this book started slowly. It took a little while to get through the background information about the society, the characteristics, the testing, and the choosing. Then the book focused on the training that Beatrice (Tris) received in her chosen faction for initiation. Despite the slow beginning, I was interesting from the start to see what was going to happen and what would happen to this girl. The book picked up throughout the training and when all hell started to break lose towards the end, it sucked me in and immediately made me want to read the rest of the series. It is a good book and a good start to the series. The amount of background information is necessary for this book to allow the following books to pick up and take off at a run rather than a crawl.

Review Excerpts

Norton, E. (2011). Divergent. School Library Journal, 57(6), 133. 

"Roth paints her canvas with the same brush as Suzanne Collins. The plot, scenes, and characters are different but the colors are the same and just as rich. Fans of Collins, dystopias, and strong female characters will love this novel."

Kraus, D. (2011). Divergent. Booklist, 107(13), 56.
"The simplistic, color-coded world stretches credibility on occasion, but there is no doubt readers will  respond to the gutsy action and romance of this umpteenth spin on Brave New World"

Suggestions for Use in a Library

I think I would use this for a multi-day or a multi-week "experiment" in the library. I think what I would do is give students the characteristics of the different factions of the book. I would have them choose the faction their family would fit into and where they think they would have grown up. I would then have them take an aptitude test, like they do in the book, and give them the results. I would allow them time to digest this information and then have a school wide (grade appropriate) choosing ceremony, where they chose what faction they would be in. While they were contemplating their choice between the test and the ceremony, I would ask their teachers to tell me what characteristics they see in their students and after the choosing, I would give the students those results and see if what they see in themselves matches up with what others see in them. I think many students would be really surprised by what others might see in them. I also think that we might see a lot of students who struggle to make a choice of a faction, since we, as a society, value many of these different characteristics. We could incorporate the choices students make into roles that students might be able to play in classrooms (especially if it is middle or high school). Those that chose Amity might be the ones in class to go to for advice; Abnegation might be those who are assigned helper jobs - supply manager, clean up, etc; Erudite might be the ones who peer tutor or help out when someone doesn't understand; Dauntless might be asked to serve on a committee or to watch for things that might be dangerous; and Candor might be asked to report back on group work and who is doing their fair share and to serve on peer review committees (such as discipline committees that exist in some schools).

Module 7: Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally)

Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally)

Book Summary 

This is the story of Bobby, a fourth grader, who is best friends with a girl named Holly. Bobby's family is friendly, but embarrassing, as his dad is an ex-football player who is recognized everywhere he goes. Bobby is struggling with growing up and discovering his best friends is a girl and that he is not supposed to like girls. Holly becomes friends with Jillian, which makes matters worse. The story follows Bobby's struggles to deal with losing his best friend, losing a family pet that he grew attached to, and rediscovering the friendship with Holly.

Citation 

Yee, L. (2009). Bobby vs girls (accidentally). New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc. 

My Impressions

I loved this book. This story follows the entire arc from a boy being friends (although not in public) with a girl to hating that girls because that's what is expected to being embarrassed in school and having said girl stand up for you to discovering that true friends should be cherished and you shouldn't be embarrassed to be seen with them. It is a great story for anyone who is struggling with not fitting in, feeling awkward, or feeling typical growing pains.

Review Excerpts

Rochman, H. (2009). Bobby vs. girls (accidentally). Booklist, 106(4), 52.

"Told from Bobby’s smart, wry, vulnerable viewpoint, Yee’s chapter book for younger readers captures the grade-school social scene in all its meanness and warmth. The gender roles are far from  rigid, both at school and at home. … Illustrated with occasional full-page, black-and-white sketches, the story of fights and fun will grab grade-schoolers." 

Martin, T. (2009). Bobby vs. girls (accidentally). School Library Journal, 55(11), 91. 

"Funny and smart dialogue describes perfectly the interaction that makes the battle of the sexes ring true. Bobby unwittingly plays into the boys' plan to one-up the girls every time, and in the process distances himself from Holly. Kids will identify with much of this interplay since Yee's situations and clever text are so accurate."

Suggestions for Use in a Library

I would use this as a way for students to befriend someone that they may not normally talk to. Maybe everyone could write down or submit a struggle they are dealing with or something they are embarrassed by. We could match students up based on those submissions and they could learn about people and become friends with others. It would be a great way to start conversations that are difficult and to show students that others share their struggles and that they are not alone.

Module 6: The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

Book Summary 

This story is the true story of the fairy tale of the three little pigs. It follows the wolf as he tells the story from his point of view. The wolf just wanted to borrow a cup of sugar and happened to be ill. As he went door to door to ask the pigs for sugar, he ended up sneezing and blowing their houses down. The story paints the wolf as completely innocent and the events of the story as accidental.

Citation 

Scieszka, J. (1989). The true story of the three little pigs. New York, NY: Puffin Books. 

My Impressions

I have loved this book ever since I was a young child. It is one of my favorites. I love the creative nature and the retelling of a familiar story. It makes you think about it and shows how a different perspective of the same story can completely change the events.

Review Excerpts

Peters, J. (1989). The true story of the three little pigs (book). School Library Journal, 35(14), 108.
"It's the type of book that older kids (and adults) will find very funny"

Rockman, C. (2008). The true story of the 3 little pigs. Booklist, 105(8), 59.

"Adding an occasional chuckle at appropriate moments, Giamatti creates a full-bodied characterization of Alexander T. Wolf as he tells his side of the story, making  the case that he was framed."  (This is for the audiobook)

Suggestions for Use in a Library

I would create a contest for classes in my school. Each class would be assigned a familiar fairy tale and would be asked to retell the story from a different perspective. It would be a requirement that the events of the story do not change, but that the perspective would have the events retold in a way that changes the minds of those reading it and makes them think.

Module 4: The White Stag and Miss Hickory

The White Stag

Book Summary 

This is the story of the Huns and the Magyars leading up and through the life of Attila the Hun. It follows their journey across Europe and the division of the people over whether to continue West or stay and make a home.

Citation 

Seredy, K. (1937). The White Stag. New York, NY: Puffin Books. 

My Impressions

I really enjoyed this book. I like history and this was a part of history that I do not know a lot about. I was surprised by how the book drew me in and how quick of a read it was. I would recommend it to kids who like historical type stories, especially young boys, since it involves war and conquest. I would caution students to make sure they are aware that this might not be complete truth and historically accurate.

Review Excerpts

Barnes and Noble.com, Reviewer: HomeSchoolBookReview (Due to the age of this book, I could not locate many credible reviews).
"The short book is well written from a literary standpoint and quite exciting to read. If considered solely in the realm of pure legend, as Greek myths, it might not be so bad, and would make an interesting adjunct to the study of ancient European history, but the blending of pagan mysticism with Biblical references and even the mention of European Christianity could be a problem."

Suggestions for Use in a Library

I would use this as a launching point for students to study this part of history. I would see if they could find more information about Attila the Hun and see if the information they find matches up with the book.



Miss Hickory

Book Summary 

This is the story of Miss Hickory, who is a doll that lives in a little house. Her owner moves away and she is left alone. This book follows her story throughout the winter and her quest for survival.

Citation 

Bailey, C.S. (1946). Miss Hickory. New York, NY: Puffin Books. 

My Impressions

Honestly, I did not enjoy this book. I thought it was creative, but it just didn't appeal to me. Miss Hickory seemed to be too far fetched for me and she also seemed to be a bit annoying in her behaviors. I think children might really enjoy it, but I wasn't impressed.

Review Excerpts

Barnes and Noble.com, Reviewer: New York Times (Due to the age of this book, I could not locate many credible reviews).
"Children will thoroughly enjoy the inventive details, perfectly proportioned, of Miss Hickory's life in the orchard, and her adventures... They will like her stout apple-wood heart and her brisk practicality, which seems to soften as winter lengthens into spring. The end of her tale... adds a final touch of poetry to an unusual fantasy."

Suggestions for Use in a Library

I would have children in the library build their own dolls out of ordinary things, such as twigs, leaves, etc. I would then have them create adventures for their dolls to live out.