The Book Thief

I just started reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (I'm about 100 pages in). So far, I'm hooked! I would have finished already if it weren't for the end-of-the-semester assignments to work on!

So far, this YA novel is really intriguing. It's narrated by death, and is set in WWII Germany. The protagonist is young Leisel Meminger, who experiences the pain of death at a young age and is given up to a foster family under odd circumstances.

A local high school teaches The Book Thief in 9th grade. It is almost 600 pages long, so it may be daunting for some students. Has anyone read this? What did you think?

I'll check back when I finish...hopefully soon! =)

UPDATE 5/9/11: I finished the book on Friday and was sad that it was over. The novel really makes you think about life, death, and human nature. Throughout the book, you're prompted to think about the power of words...to heal, to hurt, even to kill--in Hitler's case. The interview at the end of the novel with Zusak is also incredible, as it discusses his thought process in deciding on a narrator and his research!

Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Economy

Disposable People is a powerful awakening on the reality of slavery's existence in our modern world. His investigation of conditions in Mauritania, Brazil, Thailand, Pakistan, and India reveals the tragic emergence of a "new slavery," one that is intricately linked to a global economy. Bales explains the difference between this "new slavery" and Trans-Atlantic slavery. I would suggest using excerpts from this book. It is a good book to offer students at the high school level insight into a world that many thought had ended more than a hundred years ago.

To find out more or what you can do, go to the following website,

http://www.freetheslaves.net/

A Northern Light

Jennifer Donnelly's young adult novel A Northern Light is the fictionalized account of the famous 1906 Adirondack murder of Grace Brown. Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy is also based on the same incident.

A Northern Light is great not only because it gives insight to local history, but because it is a challenge to read. The chronological sequence of the novel is interesting; the plot seems to begin in the middle chapter and stem out in both directions, toward beginning and end. The tale is riveting, and those who are familiar with the lakes of the Adirondacks will feel a strong connection to the young female protagonist.

In the history classroom, A Northern Light is a great way to introduce local history. The class could even just read excerpts from the novel and discuss how the author used the fact of the crime to create the story.

Scholastic rates the novel at a 7th grade reading level, yet they suggest that it may be of interest to older students as well.

Princess Sultana's Daughters

Jean Sasson's sequel in the Princess triology, Princess Sultana's Daughters is an exhilerating sequel. Sasson takes the reader through a journey of fundamentalism, mental illness as well as the gender inferiority Sultana and her daughters face as a female. The detail of the Muslim Hajj is eye opening, as well as an increased same sex relationships as a result of the restrictions placed on mix gender relationships.
There are many opportunities for learning in this book just as Sasson's first book in the Princess triology. Please check it out!!! SOOOOOOO GOOOD!!!!

I'm a Stranger Here Myself

I'm a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to American After 20 Years Away is a collection of vignettes written by Bill Bryson. Bryson, an American who lived in the UK for two decades, wrote this humorous collection of stories after his long-awaited return to the U.S. The stories light heartedly comment on a number of aspects of American culture, including dental floss and the justice system.

While Bryon's work surely cannot be accounted as history, his commentary on modern America cannot be ignored. I believe this would be a good choice in a high school social studies room because it would get students thinking about the country we live in.

In the English classroom, we don't typically read a lot of humor writing. This would be a good place to start! Furthermore, this book provides a great model and inspiration to get students writing.

All But My Life

Gerda Weissman Klein's memoir All But My Life focuses on her experience as a Jewish girl during the Holocaust in Poland.

Students usually read The Diary of Anne Frank in middle school, and this novel would be a great companion piece for older students. The author's experiences during the Holocaust are heart breaking, but her positive spirit endures.

Watch the interview with the author about her experience.

The Kite Runner

The Kite Runner is the first book written by Khaled Hosseini. It explores the story of two young boys at the invasion of the communist Soviet Union. The reader takes an emotional ride with these two boys who experience a cultural/ societal change in Afghanistan.

This book is great for the boys in your classroom through an easily relatable male point of view novel. There are so many options for English/ Social collaborative projects!

Code Talker

Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two by Joseph Bruchac, is an easy read for multiple grade levels.Throughout World War II, in the conflict fought against Japan, Navajo code talkers were a crucial part of the US effort, sending messages back & forth in an unbreakable code in the Navajo native language. Perfect for US history in discussing US involvement in WWII.

We are All Born Free

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations General Assemble on December 10, 1948. It was developed as a result of the horrors of World War II. Its purpose was to state and protect the rights of all people around the world.

We are all Born Free: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Pictures celebrates each declaration with amazing illustrations by a number of artists. This book has many educational opportunities for a variety of levels. Just some topic ideas include, World War II, Holocaust, human rights violations, Cold War, etc. The possibilities are truly endless.

A Diary of an Iraqi Girl

Diary of an Iraqi Girl offers great insight into the personal life of a young girl during the invasion of the United States. It provides a personal account of life in Iraq and how the US's invasion affected daily life for those living in Iraq during the time.
Perfect for many different interdisciplinary activities. Because her blog is public, students have the opportunity to interact with Hadia, providing an authentic audience for writing assignments! English dream right?? Social Studies could use bits and pieces of her diary in a unit on terrorism to provide insight to how life was affected by the US in Iraq.

Princess: A True Story of life behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia

Jean P. Sasson's interview with a Saudi princess brings readers into the life of a woman in a society that views the female gender as a second class citizen. Sultana, a granddaughter of the Saudi king, is a caged woman held captive in luxurious mansions, controlled by her father, then their husbands and in some instances, sons.
As a result of this novel's vocabulary, it would be suggested to use it at AP levels or higher grade levels. Again it screams interdisciplinary!!

First They Killed My Father

Written by Loung Ung, First They Killed My Father takes a reader into Cambodia during the time of Pol Pot. At the age of 5 her family if forced out of their home, and forced to work on collective farms with little food and the fear of found out. Loung Ung's book is a powerful inside look at genocide and it horrific effects.
A great book for 10/ 11 grade, both social studies and english teachers could use this for content in both areas.

Mountains Beyond Mountains

Tracy Kidder's memoir Mountains Beyond Mountains discusses the life of Paul Farmer, a physician who frequently goes to Haiti to help the impoverished natives.

The memoir provides a compelling, inspiring, and accurate description of life in Haiti and the actions of a selfless individual.

In the English classroom, Mountains Beyond Mountains is a great way to introduce nonfiction into the classroom. In the Social Studies classroom, the memoir can be used to talk about the poverty in Haiti and to discuss the plight of third world nations. It can also be tied to current events with the recent humanitarian efforts with the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

An interesting interview with Paul Farmer, the physician portrayed in the novel:

Of Mice and Men

American author John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men is a great work of literature that can be paired with the study of the Great Depression. Furthermore, Of Mice and Men gives an accurate portrayal of the struggles that can be faced while striving toward "the American dream."

Of Mice and Men is the tale of two men, George and Lenny, in California during the Great Depression. George and Lenny have a very close yet complicated relationship. In the English classroom, the characterization of the two men and their relationship is a great thing to study.

English students can also explore the topic of euthanasia in connection to the events of the book. Of Mice and Men provides a great basis for a number of creative writing topics.

As for the Social Studies classroom, John Steinbeck based the novel on the lives of migrant workers in California. The novel gives an accurate portrayal of working conditions during the time period.

The 1992 film version of the book is very well done and includes some big name actors. I've found that students really enjoy the film and are quite emotional when watching it!