Hocus Pocus

Ortega, K. (Director). (Released June 4, 2002). Hocus Pocus. [Motion Picture]. United States: Walt Disney Studios.

· Plot Summary
Max Dennison and his little sister (Dani) are new in Salem, the town that has become synonymous worldwide with the idea of witchcraft. Max believes it's all a joke, especially when it comes to the legend of the Sanderson sisters, a trio executed in 1693 for sucking the life out of children. The legend goes on to say that Winifred cursed the town, and that if a virgin were to light a notorious black flame candle held in their home, the witches would return. Unable to resist the temptation of seeing the house for himself, Max breaks in with his sister, and the prettiest girl in Max's class, Allison. When Max lights the candle, and the sisters do return, it turns out to be a Halloween to remember.

· Critical Evaluation
An oddly macabre/enjoyable twist on the horrifying event that was the Salem Witch Trials. Max, Dani, and Allison must fight the Sanderson sisters in almost every corner of Salem, but the sequences at the Halloween party attended by Max's parents and the confrontation with Winifred's ex lover (Billy), are almost enough to make the movie worth watching. Best of all, Max and his fearless hunters are able to reunite Thackery Binx (who Winifred cursed into being an immortal black cat), with his little sister, Sarah.

· Reader’s Annotation
Good film for seeing how tween boys interact with their younger siblings. Max and Binx are both positive role models for boys, a rare thing in today's cinema. The young cast is gifted, and often fare better with their lines than the adults, with the possible exception of Bette Midler.

· Genre
Fantasy

· Curriculum Ties
History (Point out actual events v Hollywood dramatization)

· Booktalking Ideas
Halloween
Paranormal
Boy interests

· Reading Level/Interest Age
Ages 9-14

· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
I've always been keenly interested in the events surrounding the Salem Witch Trials, and in fact when I was able to choose the family vacation destination at age 15, Salem was one of the places I insisted we visit. The sad circumstances of the victims aside, however, Salem is a beautiful location. I wanted to see if again, and film was the only way. The scenes in this movie didn't disappoint, and the story is delightful. I plan to purchase it on DVD so it can become a part of my annual Halloween tradition.

Someone Named Eva

Wolf, J.M. (2007). Someone Named Eva. New York: Clarion Books.

· Plot Summary
Milada lives in Lidice, Czechoslovakia with her parents, siblings, and her grandmother. It's 1942, and Hitler seeks revenge on the village due to the attempts of freedom fighters to end his activities. Taken from their homes, the citizens are divided by gender, and some few chosen girls are made part of a special Nazi project. Milada is one of the chosen, her perfect blonde hair and blue eyes making her the epitome of Hitler's Aryan ideal. At the Lebensborn Center, she and the other girls are given new names, and forced to learn all things German. Denied their own language, and eventually given to new families to raise, Milada (now called Eve) and her peers are meant to fulfill the destiny of providing Germany with further Aryan children. Throughout it all, Milada must struggle to remember who she really is, and hope that one day she will be reunited with her family.

· Critical Evaluation
Excellent representation of actual events as explained by those that experienced them. Many are the novels that express the horrors felt by groups such as the Russians and Jewish communities, but few are the ones that indicate how those considered "superior" also suffered at the hands of the Nazis. This is especially true of novels for this age group, but this book provides the reader with an exemplary understanding of how changing history can be as simple as retelling the events to suit the tastes of those in power.

· Reader’s Annotation
Powerful book without ever giving mention to anything traditionally thought of as horrific. Good example of the trauma historical revision can inflict on a single person, and an entire people.

· Information about the author
Joan M. Wolf grew up in South Dakota with her parents and sister, but attended Hamline University in St.Paul, Minnesota for the purposes of receiving her MFA in Writing. Someone Called Eva took seven years to write, and began as part of an assignment for one of Wolf's graduate courses.

· Genre
Historical Fiction

· Curriculum Ties
History

· Booktalking Ideas
Childhood WWII experiences.
Nazi propaganda and the effect on the German people.

· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 5-8/Ages 9-11

· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
I was drawn in by the cover, and didn't realize at the time that the book was a perfect counterbalance to The Devil's Arithmetic, which I had already read. Both are novels about girls that lose their identities as part of Hitler's goal of a perfect Germany and European domination.

World of Zoo (Game)

THQ. (Released October 26, 2009). World of Zoo. Nintendo. Rated: E for Everyone

· Plot Summary
As an acting zookeeper, players can create and customize over fifty forms of animals and environments to make their own zoo. Animal creations are not limited to the varieties we know, however, and species can be mixed in with one another to make creatures worthy of investigation by a cryptozoologist.

· Critical Evaluation
A colorful, and challenging game, with two different points of view: zoo and habitat. With zoo view, players can see the entire property: the habitats, main building, nursery, etc. In habitat view, you can take care of your animals, decorate their habitats, and take inventory of your possessions.

· Reader’s Annotation
Some violence, and while it is rated for everyone to play, combining species requires considerable skill.

· Genre
Game
Online Gaming

· Booktalking Ideas
Zoology
Game nights

· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 6-8/Ages 11-13

· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
This game was one of only a few that came out during the period of this course, and the cover looked exciting.

Bridge to Terabithia

Paterson, K. (1977). Bridge to Terabithia. New York: Harper Collins.

· Plot Summary
Jess Aaron is the only son of a poor family in post-Vietnam New England, an average student at best, and a lover of cartoon drawing. When Leslie Burke moves into the Perkins House next door, the two become fast friends, and create their own sanctuary in the woods: Terabithia. With Leslie, Jess is able to finally see something of beauty in his own world, no longer resorting just to pictures for his mental escapes from the depressed life his family leads. When tragedy strikes though, Jess must once again face the world on his own, stronger than he was before because of the friendship of his beloved lost friend.

· Critical Evaluation
A warm account of how two people, with almost nothing in common, can cross gender and socioeconomic boundaries to find friendship with one another. The characters are rich, and the reader can easily become lost in the escapades of Jess and Leslie.

· Reader’s Annotation
Leslie is a positive role model for the tween audience, even so long after the original publication of this novel. The treatment of death and grief is well done, and plausible for this age group.

· Information about the author
Katherine Paterson was born in China, but lived there as well as America and Japan. Her first three novels took place in the latter. Besides the Newberry Medal for this novel and Jacob Have I Loved, she has also received a National Book Award. She lives in Vermont with her husband, and has four children.

· Genre
Fiction

· Curriculum Ties
History
Social Science

· Booktalking Ideas
Post-Vietnam War attitudes in America.
Handling grief after the death of a friend.

· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 6-8/Ages 10-12

· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
This book is one that has always been at the back of mind, because it was written the year after I was born. It was lauded a great deal when I was younger, but I never picked it up, possibly because I did feel that eventually I would read it when the times was right. I saw the movie when it came out two years ago, mainly because of my daughter, and because I like the actress they had portraying Leslie. I enjoyed the film, so it made sense to read the book for this assignment, and I was not disappointed (although there are differences in the two).

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

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

· Plot Summary
Junior is a member of the Spokane Indians, and has spent his life on their reservation in Washington. Due to poverty and isolation, the reservation is plagued by alcoholism and neglect. Junior, who was born with spinal fluid on the brain, is the downtrodden among the downtrodden. After throwing his geometry book at his teacher because of his anger over its aged state, Junior is encouraged by that same teacher to attend a school for white people, off the reservation. The events that follow include Junior surprisingly becoming popular through dating white-girl Penelope, and his unexpected skill on the basketball court. Unfortunately for Junior, his actions have repercussions, and he not only loses his best friend to the hatred between the two groups, but also his sister who flees to Montana to be married.

· Critical Evaluation
An amusing, but truthful, account of life as a Native American trying to live in modern society. Where the author might have easily made this book a heartbreaking piece, he chose to instead instruct through humor. Seen through the eyes of Junior, the events are colored with his acceptance of how things have been, and will be, for him. Semi-autobiographical in nature, the health issues and events like Junior experiences, were also known by Alexie.

· Reader’s Annotation
Modern reservation life, and the hardships experienced by those that live on them.

· Information about the author
Prolific author and poet, Alexie writes the majority of his material about the life on a reservation, and how their dynamics effect those that stay, as well as those that move on. Winner of The New York Times Book Review Notable Book of the Year, the Bram Stoker Award, the PEN/Hemingway Award, and the National Book Award. He lives near Seattle with his wife and two children.

· Genre
Fiction

· Curriculum Ties
Social Sciences

· Booktalking Ideas
Native Americans and reservation life.
Comedy as a literary device for diffusing tension.

· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 6-8/Ages 10-12

· Challenge Issues
Alcoholism-importance of education and support to lower income groups
Language-rare use, used in instances of extreme mental anxiety

· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
Required reading for class. Enjoyed Alexie's movie Smoke Signals.

Jungle Dogs

Salisbury, G. (1998). Jungle Dogs. New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers.

· Plot Summary
James "Boy" Kahekilimaikalani Regis lives in Hawaii, a place usually synonymous with beauty. In this novel, Boy reveals the uglier side of island life, with wild dogs that roam looking for food, gang violence in which his brother (Damon) is involved, and elements remaining from the island's bombing during World War II. When Boy's teacher, Ms.Chang, gives the students a report to do on someone they admire, Boy writes his essay on the deceased family dog. As it turns out, there was never such an animal, and it was merely a tale Boy created in order to combat his fear of the dogs that he encounters in the jungles. Eventually, Boy learns that people simply fear that which they don't understand, and he hopes to use this knowledge to convince Damon to make peace with his rival.

· Critical Evaluation
This novel shows a grittier side to an area that traditionally is only framed as a place of wild beauty. The characterizations are solid, and while the events are not remarkable, the two in combination make for an entertaining story.

· Reader’s Annotation
A rather simple read, but with a hopeful message. Boy's fear of the dogs serves as a helpful reminder that even tween boys can have fears that the rest of us may not understand.

· Information about the author
Graham Salisbury grew up on Oahu, and is a descendant of some of Hawaii's first missionaries. He lives in Portland, Oregon with his family, and manages an historic office building. He's won several awards for his novels, including ALA Best Book for Young adults award, a Parent's Choice Silver Honor Book award, and a PEN/Norma Klein Award.

· Genre
Fiction

· Curriculum Ties
Geography
History

· Booktalking Ideas
WWII aftermath and its effect on Hawaiians
Overcoming fears through better understanding.
Results of gang violence on native communities.

· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 4-6; Ages 9-11

· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
I chose this novel because so many of my titles were suitable only for older tweens, and this one seemed to have a positive message without much of cumbersome weight that accompanied the other books.

The Old Willis Place: A Ghost Story

Hahn, M.D. (2007). The Old Willis Place: A Ghost Story. Moolabula, Queensland, AU: Sandpiper Publishing.

· Plot Summary
On the face of things, Dianna and Georgie are just two regular children, with some rather strange habits. They don't bathe, run around in the woods a great deal, and can avoid craving even the most delectable foods when they set their minds to it. In reality, they are the ghosts of two children once locked in the basement of the Old Willis Place by Miss Jillian, an horrific woman that had a stroke and had to be taken to the hospital before she released the children from confinement. Dianna is immediately fascinated by the new caretaker's daughter, Lissa, and despite the rules she and Georgie have established to avoid detection by the living, sets out to be Lissa's friend. Things start out rocky as the two children borrow, and subsequently destroy, Lissa's new bike. Matters become worse when Dianna sneaks into the trailer where Lissa lives with her author father, to take her diary, favorite stuffed animal, and her copy of Lassie. Eventually, the true nature of the children comes to light, and Lissa tells the police that the bodies of Dianna and Georgie are still in the basement.

· Critical Evaluation
The main characters in this book are tweens, but until the point where the truth of the children's existence comes to light, the plot and writing is somewhat simplistic. To some extent, this might be explained by the time period from which Dianna and Georgie originate, but not entirely.

· Reader’s Annotation
Suitable ghost story for tweens that have trouble with real horror, because the characters are sweet and approachable. The title and foreshadowing takes away most of the surprise factor, but the plot is interesting.

· Information about the author
Mary Downing Hahn grew up in Maryland, where most of her books take place. She was a children's librarian, and did not publish her first novel until she was forty-one. Making up for lost, she has published twenty novels to date, and won Scott O'Dell award.

· Genre
Fiction, Paranormal

· Booktalking Ideas
Paranormal events and haunted houses.

· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 6 and 7/Ages 11 and 12

· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
I'm a huge fan of books, films, and shows about the paranormal. My mother is too, and sent this book to my daughter to read. She never completed it, but I wanted to give it a try.

Super Mario Bros. (Game)

Nintendo of America, Inc. (Released May 16, 2006). Super Mario Bros. Rated: Everyone. Nintendo DS.

· Plot Summary
Mario and Princess Peach are back in this DS platform game by Nintendo. The Princess's castle is struck by lightning, and while Mario charges ahead in an effort to save the residence, Peach is kidnapped by Bowser Jr. Enlisting the aid of his brother, Luigi, and their other friends, the group sets off to rescue the Princess of Mushroom Kingdom.

· Critical Evaluation
Original storyline, with over 75 levels, and traditional side-scrolling. Various forms of tests are given (coins to collect for instance) in order to allow player to level up. A multi-layer version sets the brothers against one another in order to collect stars. Great to see the old characters in a new way, the series given a new life.

· Reader’s Annotation
DS platform. If played on a DSi, the wireless ability means only one card is needed for multi-player with a DS or DSLite. Refined version of the original graphic content.

· Genre
Game

· Booktalking Ideas
For use as part of a gaming night or engender friendly competition.

· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 5-9/Ages 10-14

· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
Daughter's friends have played this game for months, though I never really caught on as to why, since I don't use the DS game systems.

Tales of the Greek Heroes

Green, R.L. (2009). Tales of the Greek Heroes. (3rd ed.). London: Puffin Classics. ISBN: 0141325283

· Plot Summary
Nineteen of the greatest myths in Greek literature, adapted for reading by tweens and young adults. Among the chapters included are the stories of Prometheus, Heracles, the Golden Apple, Theseus, and the Fall of Troy. Each tale begins with a poem relevant to the tale about to be told, though not all are a part of the original Greek literature, several being poems inspired by the myths. Also includes: a list of Greek deities, a map of Greece with important features from the myths labeled, a list of characters from the legends, a section on ideas to consider and activities, and a glossary of important terms.

· Critical Evaluation
A fantastic introduction to Greek legends, particularly for reluctant readers that may otherwise never absorb the material because of its length, language or an idea of the material being too antiquated for interest. Added material is helpful, especially the idea and activity sections.

· Reader’s Annotation
Abbreviated versions of Greek myths, and materials beneficial for further research.

· Information about the author
R.L. Green was born in Norwich, England in 1918, but lived with his family in the home in Oxford that they had owned for over 900 years. Sickly during his childhood, he spent a great deal of time in the library, and he enjoyed the books on myths and legends. He was a member of the Inklings Club, a group that also included C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. Green died in London at the age of sixty-nine.

· Genre
Myths
Fantasy

· Curriculum Ties
Literature
Greek

· Booktalking Ideas
Famous myths and legends in Greek history.
Influence of the hero model on self perception.

· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 6-7/Ages 11-12

· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
I discovered Greek myths in the fourth grade, because my teacher had just returned from a vacation in Greece and decided to do a curriculum unit on it. Since my daughter was beginning to learn them in her own classes this year, I purchased this book for her.

Midnight Magic

Avi. (1999). Midnight Magic. New York: Scholastic Signature.

· Plot Summary
The Kingdom of Pergamontio is in peril from unseen forces, and its Princess Teresina is at the heart of the mystery. Magus the Magician has already been told not to practice his sorcery, but is brought into the court in order to determine the reason behind a series of hauntings that have the Princess terrified. Bringing with him his trusted servent, Fabrizio, Mangus must use all his skills of reason to find out the truth. Without the help of Fabrizio, however, all may be lost.

· Critical Evaluation
Suspense at its best, a hard book to put down. The banter between Mangus and Fabrizio is first calibre, the and the Princess convincingly naive even as she tries to secure the kingdom from the evil Count Scarazoni who wishes to force her into marriage, and claim the throne for himself. Some tweens may figure out the identity of the scullery boy early on, particularly since the Prince of Pergamontio is said to be missing or dead, but this does not detract from the gem that is this novel.

· Reader’s Annotation
A rich book, full of detail, and with absolutely superb dialogue. It is hard to imagine a tween that would not find some point of interest in these pages.

· Information about the Author
Avi is an author of several genres, including historical fiction, animal stories, sports fiction, and documentaries. He has authored almost forty novels, and received the Christopher Medal, a Boston Globe/Horn Book Award, and a Newberry Medal. He was a librarian before becoming an author and lives in Denver, CO.

· Genre
Mystery

· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 6-8-Ages 11-13

· Booktalk Ideas
Magic tricks and illusion.
Renaissaince Italy and politics of the era.

· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
When I was in my undergraduate program at UCSB, I took a course on Renaissance Italy. It was one of my favorite classes, and I enjoy this setting in novels. It's rare to find it used for literature outside of the adult genres, so I was excited when I found this book in a used shop.

The Golden Compass

Weitz, C. (Director). (Released April 29, 2008). The Golden Compass. [Motion picture]. United States: New Line Cinema.

· Plot Summary
Lyra Belacqua lives in Oxford, but in an alternate version of the world where people's souls live outside their bodies in the forms of animals known as daemons. As children, these souls are constantly changing their animal forms from one to another, and stabilization only happens upon the reaching of adulthood. Lyra is an orphan, but her uncle (Lord Asriel), a visiting professor at the organization known as the Magisterium, has come to present startling evidence as to the existence of a substance known as Dust. When the college agrees to fund an expedition in search of the substance, Lyra is given permission to accompany the beautiful Mrs.Coulter, as her assistant. Lyra is giving the last remaining device known as an alethoimeter, which in the hands of a trained reader, can provide the answer to any question. Unbeknownst to Lyra, Mrs.Coulter is in league with the Gobblers, a group of individuals that are kidnapping children in order to run experiments in the hopes of separating the children from their daemons. Lyra escapes from Mrs.Coulter, but must now rescue her uncle before the Magisterium officials can complete their plans, and kill him. With the assistance of her best friend, an armored polar bear (Lorek Byrnison), an aeronaut (Lee Scoresby), a witch (Serafina Pekkala), and a group known as the Gyptians, Lyra manages to infiltrate the lab where the children are being held, and destroy the separation machine. The children are returned to their families, and Lyra has learned that Mrs. Coulter and Asriel are her parents, but she must now go save her father from the people still assisting her mother.

· Critical Evaluation
An interesting interpretation of the nature of humanity, and the idea of the human soul. The Magisterium is a hierarchal organization that is modeled after the Catholic Church, although it is unlikely that most tweens would immediately make the connection. Having the soul in the form of animals is a key concept.

· Reader’s Annotation
The director considered this film to be a watered-down adaptation, and the last three chapters from the novel are removed from this film version to be used instead in the next film. The obvious correlations between the Church and the Magisterium caused some amount of controversy when the film was being made, but Nicole Kidman (one of the film's stars) is a follower of the Catholic religion and chose to take a starring role when offered.

· Booktalking Ideas
Hierarchal organizations and their influence on history and people.
Worldwide views on the soul.
The role of animals in literature.

· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 7-9/Ages 12-14

· Challenge Issues
As shown above, issues surrounding the novel also followed the motion picture when it was being created. The abuse of power by a hierarchy and the rejection of religion that be said to result, are two controversial topics. As with many other fantasy productions, it may be pointed out that this is a work of fiction, and not meant to convey any special or hidden meaning to the viewer.

· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
From the reviews I saw when the movie came out, it looked visually stunning. The characters appeared to be out of the norm, and Lyra stood out as a positive role model for this age group.

We Shall Not Be Moved

Dash, J. (1996). We Shall Not Be Moved: The Women's Factory Strike of 1909. New York: Scholastic, Inc. ISBN:0590484095

· Plot Summary
By 1909, one in five factory workers was female, most of them young, unmarried, Jewish women. In their own homelands women of the time ran small businesses and took care of their families, while the men spent the majority of their hours in religious study. When religious persecution and poverty caused many of these families to flee to America, there was seldom money to be used for setting up a business of their own, so it was necessary to enter the factors to bring in wages. This text describes the working conditions of the "Shirtwaist Girls" and the troubles they faced, particular in contrast to the conditions of male workers in the same factories. With straightforward clarity, it explains how these young women were unused to having their voices heard, and that it took a few enterprising individuals like Clara Lemlich and Mary Dreirer to get women to join the Local 25 branch of the International Ladies' Garment Workers Union. As they attempted to reach out to more and more women like them, they were met with repeated acts of violence, a fact that brought them to the attention of wealthy women such as Alva Vanderbilt. After the death of her second husband, Alva had become a suffragette, and these individuals helped factory women in their speeches. Unfortunately, the same wealth that gave the financial security and time to plead their cause also resulted in rifts, the wealthy women with their tea party socials unable to really connect with their much less wealthy sisters. The tide would turn with the arrival of college women, many of them from Vassar, such as Rose Schneiderman, Elsie Cole, and Violet Pike. These women already knew what it was like to live independently, and their bold attitude was contagious. By February of 1910, arbitration succeeded where simple negotiation and outbreaks of hostility had not, a partial settlement reached between Triangle (the factory in New York) and the union leaders. Still, one year later, 146 women were killed by burning or throwing themselves out windows when someone set fire to the building occupied by Triangle.

· Critical Evaluation
An in-depth and precise examination of the circumstances that surrounded the union strikes of 1909. A clear telling of the before and after events that marked this pivotal time in U.S. women's attempts at equality.

· Reader’s Annotation
A good introduction to the topic of women seeking equality in the workforce, and for the right to vote. Short biographies on key figures make for possible subjects of future reading material.

· Information about the Author
Joan Dash was born in Brooklyn, NY and currently lives in Seattle with her husband. She has authored several short stories, two adult non-fiction books, and a title about women that have been honored with a Novel Prize.

· Genre
Non-Fiction

· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 7-9/Ages 12-14

· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
After reading Johnson's After I Said No, I wanted to know more about the union role in New York's factories. I was a union representative for two years, until pursuing my education, working full-time, and raising my daughter made it impossible to keep up.

The Salem Witch Trials

Wilson, L.L. (1997). The Salem Witch Trials: How History is Invented Series. Minneapolis: Learner Publications Company. ISBN: 0822548895

· Plot Summary
Whereas most books on this topic simply regale the reader with the events of the trials, the brutal consequences, and horrifying forms of inquisition, this book begins with a detailed explanation of the view of witches in various cultures, and grows from that point. What follows next is lengthy explanation of the witch's place in myth and legend, as well as famous figures that were viewed as witches in their own time. The lifestyle of the Puritans, and the circumstances surrounding the trials of Salem are therefore fit into a worldwide context, rather than seen as isolated events. Information on witness testimony, the laws of the time, and forms of punishment are gone over in detail. From there, the book goes on to discuss the aftermath of the trials, and how they directly effected the public sentiment and lawmaking in America for the next hundred years. A discussion then follows on the rise of interest in the occult, possible causes of the hysteria seen in the Salem case, and rationale for the behavior exhibited by the accusers in the trial. It finishes with information on modern witch hunts (McCarthyism), feminism and witchcraft, Salem as it exists to this day, and modern views on witchcraft (paganism).

· Critical Evaluation
Not a run-of-the-mill recounting of the events and the end results. The background information on cultural viewpoints and the psychology of the past creates a firm foundation for the explanation of Salem's problems, both psychological and societal. With keen insight, the author points out how the limited number of options approved by society may have caused the young accusers to seek an outlet of freedom and power, and how the French and Indian War severely cut the number of available men of marriageable age. Medical theories are also discussed, and make for interesting possibilities.

· Reader’s Annotation
A comprehensive manual on the possible reasons for the events that led to the Salem trials, and a foundation for understanding the view of witchcraft around the globe.

· Information about the author
Lori Lee Wilson graduated with a B.A. in history from Westmont College, in 1977. She credits her grandmother and mother for instilling in her a love of history, and stories based on fact.

· Genre
Non-Fiction

· Curriculum Ties
History
Psychology
Law
Religion

· Booktalking Ideas
Salem Witch Trials and popular sentiment.
Laws in the 17th century.
Puritanism
House on Un-American Activities Committee and blackballing.
Modern Salem

· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 5-7/Ages 10-12

· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
The facts surrounding the Salem trials has been an interest of mine for years, and this text provided many new insights that I had not seen accumulated in one area before, as well as new subjects for exploration.

Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science

Fleischman, J. (2002). Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science. New York: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN: 0618052526

· Plot Summary
The year is 1848, and railroads are taking over the American West. Phineas Gage, aged twenty-six, works at blasting rock so that new track can be set. After an accident causes his tamping iron to shoot from underneath his left cheekbone, and through the top of his skull, he miraculously survives to tell about it. While by all appearances he is physically recovered, it is noted that his behavior has radically changed. He has changed from a quiet, even-tempered person to one prone to fits of anger and with a propensity to change his mind quite often. Doctors not present in the town where it happened believe that the initial diagnosis is incorrect, until they see the enormous scars that remain on the left side of his face, and on his forehead. Astounded, they search for explanations in an age when nothing is known of the causes of infection or the workings of the brain. As they work, two schools of thought on the topic emerge. One group believes that the entire brain is in charge of all functions, that a jelly-like substance causes the sections to work together toward one goal. The second group believes each function is localized, each section being responsible for a different function; they simply don't understand which section is in charge of what. Tired of the doctors and their theories, Gage leaves the hospital where research has been conducted, and goes to work for P.T. Barnum as an exhibit of the strange. When he tires of this, he takes a ship to Chile and works as a stage coach driver, a job he keeps until 1859. Returning to his family in San Francisco, Gage begins to suffer from seizures, which worsen until his death in 1860.

· Critical Evaluation
A gruesome accident is only the beginning in this fascinating look at how the brain works, medicine of the 19th century, and how the Gage case is still considered a medical miracle. Fleischman's work alternates between the telling of Gage's story, and explanations of the medical knowledge at the time of the accident, and finishes with information on modern diagnostics that have been run on Gage's skull (MRI photos, computer graphics with enhancements to show the angle of the tamping iron's points of entry, etc).

· Reader’s Annotation
A thorough and intriguing look at medicine of the 19th century, and how one man's misfortune has benefited the scientific community for over a hundred and fifty years. A good choice for readers interested in medicine or strange tales. Includes explanations on developing medical theories since the 17th century, the effects of germs, and the advances made in sanitation, surgery, and hospital care.

· Information about the author
John Fleischman is a science writer, has written for the American Society of Cell Biology, Smithsonian, Discover, Muse, and Harvard Medical School. He lives in Ohio with his wife, and their dog, Psyche.

· Genre
Non-Fiction

· Curriculum Ties
Biology
Anatomy

· Booktalking Ideas
Medical miracles and their influence on modern medicine.
Medicine of the 19th-21st centuries.
Anatomy of the brain and how it functions.

· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 6-8/Ages 11-13

· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
I am a huge fan of shows on The Learning Channel and The Discovery Channel, especially whose involving surgical procedures or the diagnosis of strange illnesses. This book was of the sort that might easily fit into one of their programs.

Jacob Have I Loved

Paterson, K. (1980). Jacob Have I Loved. New York: Scholastic, Inc.

· Plot Summary
Sara Louise is the elder twin, but has always lived in the shadow of her sister, the beautiful Caroline. It is Caroline that possesses the perfect voice, the poise, and radiates in such a way that everyone adores her. She is the favorite of their parents and their grandmother, all of whom with Louise struggles to find a connection. When Caroline even seems to befriend Louise's crush, a much older man of seventy years, the line is drawn in the sand. It is Louise's grandmother that uses the Biblical quote from which the title of the novel comes, referring to the relationship between the twins Jacob and Esau. She alone takes note of the animosity Louise feels for her sister, even as her mind begins to deteriorate in ways that prompt her to lash out at Louise's mother. It is not until most of her family has gone, and Louise turns to medicine in the hills of Kentucky, that she finally truly comes into her own.

· Critical Evaluation
Excellent example of the way family members can sometimes turn against one another, even inadvertently, leaving certain others with a sense of deprivation and despair. The feelings Louise experiences for the Captain, while destined to not be returned, make for poignant reading.

· Reader’s Annotation
Wonderful historical fiction, without the need to become completely immersed in the past. Paterson brings the Chesapeake Bay area to life, and we can feel the sting of hurricane storms as she describes them. The relationships, while not always pretty, are genuine.

· Information about the author
Katherine Paterson has been award the Newberry Medal, and two National Book Awards. She was born in China, the daughter of missionaries, but received her master's degree in Richmond, VA.

· Genre
Fiction

· Curriculum Ties
WWII History

· Booktalking Ideas
First love and its effect on tween development.
Interactions between twins in literature.

· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 4-8/Ages 9-13

· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
I chose this title because it is considered a classic in the young adult category, but I never read it when I was in the age group. The content turned out to be much different than I expected, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

Zlata's Diary

Filipovic, Z. (1994). Zlata's Diary: A Child's Life in Sarajevo. New York: Scholastic, Inc.

· Plot Summary
Zlata is an eleven year-old living in Sarajevo, a girl with the same interests as many of her friends: the radio, super models, and boys. Her parents are well off, and the family not only owns a second home where they go to relax, but also make trips to other countries for vacations on a regular basis. All of this changes when war breaks out, and within only the span of three months, Zlata's world is turned upside down. Her friend's families leave if they can, but her own must remain because her father is occasionally called upon by the Reserves. In the period between April 9th and July 14th, things have deteriorated so drastically that her school has closed, her best friend is killed, and her family is having to receive humanitarian aid from the United Nations. Over the course of the next year, her school is open intermittently, and the electricity does much the same. Her parents lose so much weight they cannot wear their old clothing any longer, and both of her pets die.

· Critical Evaluation
Sobering account of wartime Sarajevo from one of its citizens, the horrors to be described foreshadowed when Zlata mentions Anne Frank's diary when she decides to keep one of her own. Zlata is an inspiration, and manages to insert moments of amusing quirkiness into many of her entries, though there is often a passing back and forth between the humor and heartbreak of the entries.

· Reader’s Annotation
Most likely best appreciated by tweens in Zlata's own age group, although some boys may be put off by the dramatic way in which Zlata writes almost every entry.

· Information about the author
Zlata Filipovic kept her diary for over two years before her family was finally transported from Sarajevo in armored vehicles to a Serbian checkpoint, then took a plane to the safety zone that was Paris, France.

· Genre
Non-Fiction
Biography

· Curriculum Ties
History
Race relations

· Booktalking Ideas
Events and circumstances of the Sarajevo/Bosnian War
Examples of ethnic cleansing in history. (Hitler's Europe, Stalin and Soviet policy, Rwanda, Sudan)

· Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 6-9/Ages 11-14

· Why did you include this book in the titles you selected?
I was interested in using a biography, and ran across this diary on a "Free Books" shelf in my office building. I graduated high school in 1994, but like most American's in my age group at the time, I missed a great deal of the details involved in the war.