McKinley, R. (1978). Beauty. Open Road Media Teen and Tween. ISBN: 9781497638563
Plot Summary
This story is a retelling of the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast. This story is of three sisters, two sisters named Grace and Hope are beautiful, their sister Honour however is plain and average looking. The nickname of Beauty is bestowed upon Honour as almost a joke but over time she grows into the meaning of her true name as well as her nickname. When Beauty’s father gets lost in a snowstorm he stumbles upon the enchanted castle of the Beast. There he commits the crime of stealing a rose and must hand over one of his daughters as payment. Brave Beauty volunteers to go and soon falls in love with the Beast. As in all fairytales there is a happy ending.
Analysis
This story takes the classic fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast and gives it more depth. “This much-loved retelling of the classic French tale Beauty and the Beast elicits the familiar magical charm, but is more believable and complex than the traditional story.” -Amazon Reviews. There is more depth into the back stories of Beauty’s family and how they came to live on the outskirts of the enchanted forest. Each of her sisters also has their own storyline for the reader to follow. “If McKinley doesn't bring Beauty and her family to memorable life, she does give them separate personalities, situations to respond to, and a stage on which to interact. And her choice of a tale for such treatment couldn't be more fortunate; it's a natural for girls who have outgrown fairy tales but not the sort of romance that this one embodies.”-Kirkus Reviews. The author touches on themes of selflessness and honor with Beauty’s character giving up her own life to spare the life of her father. It is also a true love story with Beauty seeing past the Beast’s tough exterior to his caring heart. A new take on an old classic and a perfect book for those who love fairy tales and romance.
Reviews
"A captivating novel."-- ALA "Booklist""A splendid story."-- "Publishers Weekly"
Newbery Medalist Robin McKinley’s beloved and acclaimed novel has been delighting readers for more than forty years. ALA Booklist called Beauty “A captivating novel.”
“A reader feels as though it’s all unfolding for the very first time.”—The Guardian
An ALA Notable Book for Children
A Best Book for Young Adults
Other books by Robin McKinley include: Sunshine, The Blue Sword, and The Hero and the Crown.
Shusterman, N. (2016). Scythe. Simon & Schuster. ISBN: 9781442472426
Plot Summary
This story is about a futuristic society where disease and death by natural causes has been eliminated. In order to control the population there is a group of people called scythes who are commanded to kill in order to keep the population under control. Citra and Rowan are both chosen to apprentice to another scythe. Each of the teens are troubled by this nomination and struggle with the responsibility of taking another life. In a strange turn of events the teens are pitted against one another and now they must fight for their own life.
Analysis
This story is told by going back and forth between the two main characters Citra and Rowan. Also mixed in are journal entries from both Citra and Rowan as well as a few other important scythes. The journal entries give the reader a behind the scenes peek at the characters thoughts and move the story along nicely. This story also raises the question about what would we do if there was no more hunger, death, or disease? What would be the purpose of our lives? “The futuristic post–2042 MidMerican world is both dystopia and utopia, free of fear, unexpected death, and blatant racism—multiracial main characters discuss their diverse ethnic percentages rather than purity—but also lacking creativity, emotion, and purpose.” Kirkus Reviews. The concept of the scythes being used to “glean” people to control the population is a major point running through this book leaving the reader to wonder about the morals they have surrounding killing for a purpose. “Shusterman’s story forces readers to confront difficult ethical questions. Is the gleaning of a few acceptable if it maximizes the happiness of all? Is it possible to live a moral life within such a system? This powerful tale is guaranteed to make readers think deeply.” Publishers Weekly Reviews.
Reviews
Shusterman…writes prose with the sort of spring in its step that says: "Stand back. I know what I'm doing"…Scythe is full of sly plot twists and absorbing set pieces. The novel is the first in a planned series, but one emerging theme has a nice sting to it: Maybe we should give computers the keys to what's left of the kingdom, because human beings can't be trusted. The New York Times Book Review - Jeff Giles
Gr 8 Up—In a world where humanity has conquered death and a fraternity called Scythes are the only ones allowed to kill people in order to curb overpopulation, Citra Terranova and Rowan Damisch must cope with their newfound and terrible responsibilities as apprentices in killing. A brilliant and gripping sci-fi thriller that acutely explores the consequences of worldwide immortality and asks readers to think critically about the nature of morality. School Library Journal
ALA Michael L. Printz Award Honor Book
ALA/YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults – Top Ten
Other books in this series include: Thunderhead and The Toll.
Bardugo, L. (2015). Six of Crows.{Audiobook}. Audible Studios.
Plot Summary
In this story six outcasts of Ketterdam come together to try and pull off a dangerous and deadly heist. Kaz Brekker is the leader of a deadly street gang. He is contracted to kidnap a scientist who turns grisha magic into a dangerous weapon of war, he cannot do it alone and sets out to build his team. Kaz gathers a convict, a sharpshooter, a runaway, a spy, and a heartrender. Can they overcome past experiences and grudges in order to execute their plan? A lot of money is at stake and they must work together in order to survive.
Analysis
I chose to listen to the audiobook version of this story. The book is mostly told by five of the main characters Kaz, Inej, Nina, Matthias, and Jesper. There was a different narrator for each of the main characters which was a nice feature. It helped the listener to differentiate between whose perspective you were hearing. This story is a “cracking page-turner with a multiethnic band of misfits with differing sexual orientations who satisfyingly, believably jell into a family.”-Kirkus Reviews. There are themes of loyalty and love woven through this story which makes it an engrossing read. The author pulls you into the world of Ketterdam and has you rooting for the unlikely hero Kaz. Each protagonist has an in depth backstory that explains how they came to be in Ketterdam and with each other. “Taking what could have been stock characters of young adult fiction—the loner, the rebel, the outcast, and the con artist, the author has fashioned fully fleshed out, dynamic protagonists who will engage and enchant readers. What a thrill it is to return to the world she created with her popular “Grisha Trilogy” (Holt).” – School Library Journal Review, STARRED REVIEW. This story ends with a cliffhanger that will have the reader wanting more.
Reviews
“There are heist stories with ingenious plotting, and then there are heist stories like this one that raise the ante with luminous writing, fully credible characters, a richly developed world, and internal dangers as threatening as the enemy the team faces.” – The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, STARRED REVIEW
“Wildly imaginative, addictive and fast-paced, this spinoff to Bardugo’s popular Grisha trilogy is sure to leave readers begging, bartering and stealing for more….This is a standout novel of the year!” – RT Book Reviews, Top Pick
#1 New York Times Bestseller
USA Today Bestseller
New York Times Notable Book of 2015
Other books by Leigh Bardugo include: Crooked Kingdom, The Lives of Saints, and Shadow and Bone.
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