THE ODYSSEY by Gareth Hinds

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Hinds, Gareth. 2010. THE ODYSSEY. Based on Homer's epic poem. Massachusetts: Candlewick Press. ISBN 978076364268

SUMMARY
Hinds brings to life this young adult novel of Homer’s original epic poem. Odyssey, wants to return home to Ithaca after battling the Trojan War and into the arms of his wife, Penelope from his triumphs of the Trojan war cannot because he has angered the gods of the sea. Poseidon, god of the sea blows Odyssey off course for many years into the violent storms of the sea. Odyssey then battles sea creatures, monsters, supernatural sirens and sorceresses only to come home and fight for his throne and his beloved wife Penelope. While stranded Odysseys is unaware of those trying to take away his wife and kingdom. This is an exciting action packed story of good verses evil.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Hinds watercolor choices brings to life this story that is normally difficult for children to understand. His watercolors bring out the imagination of a child and leaves nothing hanging. His details are amazing and makes the reader want more. Since children are more inclined to read stories that have illustrations with bright colors they will find Gareth Hinds book hard to put down. Homer’s version is packed with action and so Hinds brings that action to life with its stunning water scenes. A child will know that this is a tale of love, bravery and adventure. Children will get lost in the plot of this story because of its dialogue which will make each page fly by quickly as it did while reading it. Cannot wait to read it to my students! I love how he gives a modern twist with words and still offers another feeling of place and time. Another very important theme in this story is of perseverance, especially in today’s life with the many demands upon children. They will be able to relate when confronted with obstacles in their lives.


AWARDS and REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
*Junior Library Guild Selection

*An American Library Association Great Graphic Novel for Teens

*Best-of 2010 lists including Booklist, Kirkus, Roger Sutton, Monica Edinger, and by many libraries.

*The Odyssey has received four starred reviews, from Booklist, The Horn Book, Kirkus, and BCCB.

*The Horn Book- A timeless long-ago past comes alive in these images of gods and heroes, monsters  and enchantresses

*Publisher's Weekly-Hinds has created a work that both honors the epic's long tradition and helps readers see these characters in a new light.

*School Library Journal-Hinds’s work will be a welcome addition for fans of Homer’s original work and for newcomers to this classic story. –Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library.


CONNECTIONS
* Watercolor their own creatures, name them and write a short story about their own creation.

* Using web 2.0 tools create a new creature and present to class.

* Research other types of creatures such as: Loch ness monster.

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by John Green

 BIBLIOGRAPHY
John Green, 2012  New York : Dutton Books.  ISBN-13: 9780525478812

 PLOT SUMMARY
This  contemporary realistic fiction for young adults is a beautiful yet sad novel Green has written. It is about a young girl named Hazel who is in stage IV thyroid cancer. She is sixteen years old and has obviously accepted her cancer and attends a support group for children living with cancer at the behest of her parents. Phalanxifor, the drug that has kept her alive is only an experimental drug that will have consequences for her later on. At her support group she meets Augustus, another boy who has lost a leg to cancer. They become friends and eventually romantic with each other. After sharing a book and writing to the author of “An Imperial Affliction” they decide to go to Amsterdam to meet the author. While in Amsterdam their relationship blossoms. They finally meet Peter Van Houten the author of the book they read. As it turns out Van Houten is rude to both Hazel and Augustus. It is not until towards the end of the story that it is revealed why Van Houten is so mean. Their lives are changed and the author gives an insight that because Hazel is terminal she will be the first to die, however the plot gives a twist at the end of the story and leaves even the most hardened reader crying, especially if the reader can relate to it.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Green does a good job with symbolism's in this novel. For example: Augustus putting cigarettes in his mouth but doesn’t light up was quite clever.  Here we have Augustus finally having power over his body and what can kill him. The essence of this is of being a love story however, Green sweetens it by bringing in “True” friendship between friends.
A theme of this story is one of mortality in that everyone no matter who they are will eventually pass on. No one is immune to diseases, not even the most innocent. When the focus of mortality is upon us we begin to find our identity. Hazel seeks her identity and finds that at the end she is happy. Green displays his writing talents and helps find a way to make things meaningful from something in life the is frightening. The characters are believable as his tone is quirky, something kids can relate to.

AWARDS and REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
 * 2006 Michael L. Printz Award

 * 2009 Edgar Award

* TIME Magazine’s #1 Fiction Book of 2012!
“The Fault in Our Stars is a love story, one of the most genuine and moving ones in recent American fiction, but it’s also an existential tragedy of tremendous intelligence and courage and sadness.” —Lev Grossman, TIME Magazine

*“Green’s best and most ambitious novel to date. In its every aspect, The Fault in Our Stars is a triumph.” -Booklist, starred review

*A blend of melancholy, sweet, philosophical, and funny. Green shows us true love…and it is far more romantic than any sunset on the beach.” -New York Times Book Review

*“A pitch-perfect, elegiac comedy…it will linger long and hard in the minds of teens and former teens.” -USA Today

*“Green writes books for young adults, but his voice is so compulsively readable that it defies categorization. The Fault in Our Stars proves that the hype surrounding Green is not overblown.” -NPR 

CONNECTIONS
*Write letters to children with cancer at the same time teach literary elements that go into “How to write letters”.

*Healthy choices for the prevention of cancer.

*Students can encourage parents to donate to Candlelighter's.