The Odyssey by Gareth Hinds

1. Bibliography
Hinds, Gareth. THE ODYSSEY. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. ISBN 0763642662.

2. Plot Summary
The story is about the adventurous travels of Odysseus, the king of Ithaca who gets lost miles away on a faraway sea after fighting in the Trojan War. His main goal is to get back to Ithaca to be with his wife and son, Telemachus, but he does not get there without enduring many trials. On his journey, he encounters a one-eyed man-eating monster, treacherous storms, and temptations brought on by immortal temptresses.

3. Critical Analysis
     It is hard to say whether a young reader (grades 7 & up) may be able to identify with Odysseus, the book's main character. He is a strong warrior who has triumphed over many battles. This is not an experience that many young readers have had. Yet, there is something about Odysseus's valor and strength as a character that will make the young reader want to root for him anyway. Odysseus is very cunning and mischievous in how he defeats his enemies--a trait that young readers may come to admire.
     What The Odyssey lacks in believability, it makes up for in originality and creativity for the sake of holding the reader's interest. The book takes the reader on a seemingly neverending journey that will always have them asking, "What's going to happen next?". Perhaps the strongest aspect of The Odyssey is the fact that it involves quests and journeys with tasks that Odysseus must accomplish in order to achieve his goal. On his journey back home, Odysseus encounters many obstacles, betrayals from his comrades, and villains like Polyphemus/Cyclops (the one-eyed, man eating monster) as well as his wife's suitors in order to reach a point of peace and justice.
     The strength of Hinds' illustrations help make the visuals tell the story itself. When readers look at the pictures and see how vivid, yet animated they are, it would not be unusual for them to feel as if they are watching a movie that they have become totally engrossed in.

4. Review Excerpts
School Library Journal-"Hinds's work will be a welcome addition for fans of Homer's original work and for newcomers to this classical story."
Booklist-"A grand example of Hinds' ability to combine historical adventure with human understanding."

5. Connections
     Young readers (grades 7 & up) may read this graphic novel version of The Odyssey after reading the original version by Homer, then note the comparison and contrast of both version in an extended essay.

Other great graphic novel versions of classic epic novels created by Gareth Hinds may include:

• Hinds, Gareth. BEOWULF. ISBN 0763630233.
• Hinds, Gareth. KING LEAR. ISBN 0763643440.

A Step From Heaven by An Na

1. Bibliography
Na, An. A STEP FROM HEAVEN. New York, NY: Penguin. ISBN 0142500275.

2. Plot Summary
Young Ju Park is a Korean-born American girl who tells her life story from the time she leaves Korea at the age of four throughout her childhood and adolescence. The book takes the reader on a journey with Young Ju and her family as they face many challenges and struggles that seem to them constantly as a family.

3. Critical Analysis
Young Ju is a character that is easy for young readers to identify with especially if they themselves have had to migrate to America from another country. As the reader progresses throughout the book, he or she began to feel a kinship toward Young Ju and her family to the point where he or she may genuinely care for them as if they are real people.
     The plot of this book often involves obstacles to overcome. This is especially true when it comes to physical and verbal abuse, alcoholism, financial struggles, and social status. What Young Ju seems to represent in this story is strength, fortitude, and a questioning of norms. She does not simply accept her father's abuse toward her, her mother and brother just because it is traditional or commonplace. She challenges him at the risk of her own well-being at times. This particular aspect could also be counted as the underlying theme of the book.
     The style and language is consistent and distinct for each character. An Na is effective in illustrating the presence of the Korean culture in some of the words that are spoken by the main characters, yet she makes the language "American" enough for American readers to be able to understand and relate to.

4. Review Excerpts
Booklist-"This isn't a quick read . . . but the coming-of-age drama will grab teens and make them think of their own conflicts between home and outside."
School Library Journal-"A beautifully written, affecting work."

5. Connections
The following is a great activity for young readers to participate in after reading A Step from Heaven by An Na:

Young readers may get into small groups to discuss the complex questions raised by immigration. They may answer the following questions:


What would make an individual, family, or group of people leave their homeland and seek to    establish a new life in another country?
Imagine what immigration would feel like.
What kinds of problems might be encountered in the process?


Have the young readers consider language/communication, cultural and religious differences, and ethnic and racial intolerance as potential issues while answering these questions (activity courtesy of http://www.teachervision.fen.com/fiction/asian-americans/20010.html).

Other great books with related themes may include:

• Alexie, Sherman. THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN. ISBN 0316013692.
• Jaramillo, Ann. LA LINEA. ISBN 0312373546.
• Yang, Gene Luan. AMERICAN BORN CHINESE. ISBN 0312384483.

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead

1. Bibliography
Stead, Rebecca. WHEN YOU REACH ME. New York, NY: Random House, Inc. ISBN 0385737425.

2. Plot Summary
This book is about twelve-year-old Miranda and her group of friends in a New York City neighborhood. However, things begin to change after her best friend, Sal gets punched by a boy named Marcus. Then, he (Sal) shuts Miranda out of his life by not wanting to be around her anymore. After a while, other strange occurrences start happening. For instance, the key that Miranda's mother keeps for emergencies is stolen and Miranda keeps finding strange notes written by an anonymous person who keeps predicting the events that will change Miranda's life forever.

3. Critical Analysis
It is possible for young readers (grades 5-8) to feel a kinship with Miranda, the protagonist and narrator. Miranda is no different from the typical twelve-year-old who is just trying to make sense of the world and the reasons why people choose to do what they do. Perhaps, the most intriguing aspect that this book possesses in regards to its characters is that Miranda mirrors the disbelief of the reader, especially when a tragic event takes place involving Miranda, Sal, Marcus, and the crazy old laughing homeless man under the mailbox.
     One thing that could be said about this book is that it is original and creative enough to hold the typical young reader's interest. The language, style, and tone of the book is easy and relatable to younger readers. Miranda's voice creates a distinctive framework for the story.
     The underlying theme of this book seems to be that any person that you encounter in your life-whether you encounter in your life-whether you encounter that person every day can have a lasting impact on your life that you will never forget.

4. Review Excerpts
Kirkus Reviews-"[W]hen all the sidewalk characters from Miranda's Manhattan world converge amid mind-blowing revelations and cunning details, teen readers will circle back to the beginning and say, 'Wow...cool.'"
School Library Journal-"This unusual, thought-provoking mystery will appeal to several types of readers."

5. Connections
Here is a great activity that middle school-aged students can do after reading When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead:

Young readers can write a story in which time travel (a subject brought up pretty often in this book) takes place. First, the young reader will write a profile of three or four characters that he or she will have in his or her story. Then the young reader will consider which puzzle the story will create and how it will end up. This could also be done in groups (activity courtesy of http://textpublishing.com.au/static/files/assets/6ea3b4fa/WhenYouReachMe_TeachersResource.pdf).

Other great books with similar themes may include:

• Gantos, Jack. DEAD END IN NORVELT. ISBN 037379939.
• Lin, Grace. WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE MOON. ISBN 0316038636.
• Vanderpool, Clare. MOON OVER MANIFEST. ISBN 0375858296.