On My Bookshelf: Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty Posted by The Literary Maven at January 20, 2020 Labels: my bookshelf, young adult literature <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edyV5e5IzDY/XWGIxUS94UI/AAAAAAAAPj0/GkbaUdj2kYEURijqOp__bbU-SkLWAdv1QCLcBGAs/s1600/Slide10.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty is a cross between fantasy and mystery/thriller. Despite a slow start, you'll be drawn into the mystery surrounding who the Man in the Black Cloak might be and where he might strike next. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="590" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-edyV5e5IzDY/XWGIxUS94UI/AAAAAAAAPj0/GkbaUdj2kYEURijqOp__bbU-SkLWAdv1QCLcBGAs/s400/Slide10.png" title="Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty is a cross between fantasy and mystery/thriller. Despite a slow start, you'll be drawn into the mystery surrounding who the Man in the Black Cloak might be and where he might strike next. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." width="400" /></a></div> <b>The basic plot from Amazon: </b><i>"Never go into the forest, for there are many dangers there, and they will ensnare your soul."</i><br /> <br /> Serafina has never had a reason to disobey her pa and venture beyond the grounds of Biltmore Estate. There's plenty to explore in Mr. and Mrs. Vanderbilt's vast and opulent home, but she must take care to never be seen. None of the rich folk upstairs know that Serafina exists; she and her pa have lived in the basement for as long as Serafina can remember. She has learned to prowl through the darkened corridors at night, to sneak and hide, using the mansion's hidden doors and secret passageways.<br /> <br /> But when children at the estate start disappearing, only Serafina knows the clues to follow. A mysterious man in a black cloak stalks Biltmore's corridors at night. Following her own harrowing escape, Serafina risks everything by joining forces with Braeden Vanderbilt, the young nephew of Biltmore's owners. Braeden and Serafina must uncover the Man in the Black Cloak's true identity before all of the children vanish one by one.<br /> <br /> Serafina's hunt leads her into the very forest that she has been taught to fear, where she discovers a forgotten legacy of magic. In order to save the children of Biltmore, Serafina must not only face her darkest enemy, but delve into the strange mystery of her own identity.<br /> <br /> <div> <div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wwDYPIUNghw/XWGJAHgH61I/AAAAAAAAPj8/EFpCmlRseaQzYkojgzP1M1RdiR9D8EDiACLcBGAs/s1600/Slide6.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty is a cross between fantasy and mystery/thriller. Despite a slow start, you'll be drawn into the mystery surrounding who the Man in the Black Cloak might be and where he might strike next. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="590" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wwDYPIUNghw/XWGJAHgH61I/AAAAAAAAPj8/EFpCmlRseaQzYkojgzP1M1RdiR9D8EDiACLcBGAs/s400/Slide6.png" title="Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty is a cross between fantasy and mystery/thriller. Despite a slow start, you'll be drawn into the mystery surrounding who the Man in the Black Cloak might be and where he might strike next. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." width="400" /></a></div> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b>Why I liked it: </b><a href="https://amzn.to/2LLfA2W" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Serafina and the Black Cloak</a> was a slow start for me, particularly because all of the talk about catching rats creeped me out. Fantasy isn't my favorite genre and because this is a cross between fantasy and mystery/thriller, this was a bit stranger than my usual reads. Eventually I was drawn into the mystery surrounding who the Man in the Black Cloak might be and where he might strike next.</span><br /> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Perhaps because I was listening to the book via audiobook rather than reading it, at times I found Serafina to be self-centered and hung up on her past. In fairness, she doesn't have a pretty amazing origin story, part of which she learns from her "father" and part of which she learns from her mother, a catamount (a woman who can take the form of a mountain lion). There were also parts of the novel where the passage of time and the occurrence of events didn't seem to match up realistically.</span><br /> <br /> <b>Classroom application: </b><i>Serafina and the Black Cloak</i> is the first book in a series (the fourth installment was released July 2019) that I would recommend for middle school. There is some violence, but mostly of the fantastical kind.<br /> <br /> After reading, students could research the Vanderbilt family and the Biltmore Estate (both real!) and mythological creatures like the catamount. Discussions could also be held about the difference between being an extrovert or an introvert (like Brayden) and the misconceptions about these personality types, i.e. introverts are often thought to be aloof.<br /> <br /> If you are interested in purchasing a copy of <i>Serafina and the Black Cloak</i> for yourself, you can find it on Amazon <a href="https://amzn.to/2LLfA2W" target="_blank">here</a>.</div> <i><br /></i> <i>Note:</i> The Literary Maven is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jAfXG-lnHsY/XWGI4HFm4mI/AAAAAAAAPj4/gFwXLJ1arjIHDRslGu2VS5mdi7_yTjJ6gCLcBGAs/s1600/Slide10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty is a cross between fantasy and mystery/thriller. Despite a slow start, you'll be drawn into the mystery surrounding who the Man in the Black Cloak might be and where he might strike next. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="590" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jAfXG-lnHsY/XWGI4HFm4mI/AAAAAAAAPj4/gFwXLJ1arjIHDRslGu2VS5mdi7_yTjJ6gCLcBGAs/s400/Slide10.png" title="Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty is a cross between fantasy and mystery/thriller. Despite a slow start, you'll be drawn into the mystery surrounding who the Man in the Black Cloak might be and where he might strike next. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." width="266" /></a></div> <br /></div> </div>
More From The Blog Stand Up For A Friend: A Social Emotional Learning Activity Posted by The Literary Maven at January 18, 2020 Labels: activity <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xPOwYUFA2pQ/XiYAbDiJJHI/AAAAAAAAQrQ/8QfeOWJXTGsGZwgViMNXVBDZQHpq-cLlgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Slide1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stand Up For A Friend is a social emotional learning activity I used with my homeroom to help build empathy among students and show them that they are not alone in some (if not all) of the feelings they have." border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="590" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xPOwYUFA2pQ/XiYAbDiJJHI/AAAAAAAAQrQ/8QfeOWJXTGsGZwgViMNXVBDZQHpq-cLlgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Slide1.png" title="Stand Up For A Friend is a social emotional learning activity I used with my homeroom to help build empathy among students and show them that they are not alone in some (if not all) of the feelings they have." width="400" /></a></div> One of the changes to our school’s schedule this year was to build in additional time for homeroom. Previously students had a 20 minute window of time to arrive, unpack, and report to homeroom before first period began. But because of issues with buses running late, many times half of our students weren’t arriving until 15 minutes into our first period. <br /> <br /> This year our leadership team made some changes to our arrival procedures, buses are generally running on time, and we have a 15 minute period where all students are present so we can accurately take attendance and handle other homeroom business. Most mornings I put on CNN10 for students to watch and at least once a week, I do organization checks to help students keep their binder and folder in order. <br /> <br /> This homeroom period is also dedicated to holding class meetings and implementing our school wide anti-bullying program (Olweus). Many of the class meeting activities I do are short and informal. For example, at the start and end of the week, I try to do a quick check in and check out. During these, I will ask questions about what they are looking forward to over the weekend, something they are proud of from the past week, something kind they did for someone or someone did for them that week, something they are struggling with in the transition from fifth to sixth grade, etc. <br /> <br /> A more structured activity I did at the start of the year was called “Stand Up For A Friend.” First, students numbered a piece of loose leaf from 1 to 13. Students were instructed not to put their name on these papers. Then, in response to a series of statements (13 in total), students put a check mark next to each number that they agreed with. Statements included things like “I was nervous on my first day of sixth grade,” “Sometime I feel like I don’t fit in,” and “I worry about the future.” <br /> <br /> Once students marked off all of the statements they agreed with, everyone crumpled up their paper into a ball and at my signal, tossed their papers to the front of the room, retrieved another paper, and returned to their seats. Then as I read each statement, students stood if it was checked off on their paper. After all of the statements were read, I asked students if they noticed anything, if there were statements where many or few students were standing, if there was anything that surprised them. Following our discussion, I shared with students how I would have responded as a sixth grader and how I responded as an adult (I did participate so my paper was one of the ones in the mix). <br /> <br /> My hope is that activities like these will help build empathy among students and show them that they are not alone in some (if not all) of the feelings they have. If you’d like to try out this activity with your students, <a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14gqKpeuOgUR1JYKG2kQakfMAip8EVWCh-LA5n-4ZH4k/copy" target="_blank">click here to make a copy of the Google Slides presentation</a> I used.<br /> <div> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J5k5mQxxE2w/XiYAkm6Nv3I/AAAAAAAAQrU/_NC_zL9hS9YkGfasG553dSvqxZAclS3QwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Slide1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Stand Up For A Friend is a social emotional learning activity I used with my homeroom to help build empathy among students and show them that they are not alone in some (if not all) of the feelings they have." border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="590" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J5k5mQxxE2w/XiYAkm6Nv3I/AAAAAAAAQrU/_NC_zL9hS9YkGfasG553dSvqxZAclS3QwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Slide1.png" title="Stand Up For A Friend is a social emotional learning activity I used with my homeroom to help build empathy among students and show them that they are not alone in some (if not all) of the feelings they have." width="208" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div> <br /></div> </div>
On My Bookshelf: The Expedition by Chris Babu Posted by The Literary Maven at January 13, 2020 Labels: my bookshelf, young adult literature <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ksDAhP-rSU/XWGH0oLRwhI/AAAAAAAAPjA/EXnexp8BEloTwUd3UIH3SZhPsiUarj-8wCLcBGAs/s1600/Slide6.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="In The Expedition by Chris Babu, because resources are running out in New America, Drayden, Charlie, Catrice, and Sydney barely have time to rest after completing the Initiation before they are sent out on a mission to make contact with Boston.They are accompanied by a team of four military guards and it quickly becomes clear that the two groups have different objectives. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="590" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1ksDAhP-rSU/XWGH0oLRwhI/AAAAAAAAPjA/EXnexp8BEloTwUd3UIH3SZhPsiUarj-8wCLcBGAs/s400/Slide6.png" title="In The Expedition by Chris Babu, because resources are running out in New America, Drayden, Charlie, Catrice, and Sydney barely have time to rest after completing the Initiation before they are sent out on a mission to make contact with Boston.They are accompanied by a team of four military guards and it quickly becomes clear that the two groups have different objectives. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." width="400" /></a></div> <b>The basic plot from Amazon: </b>They survived the Initiation. Now the real test begins.<br /> <br /> Drayden and his friends thought nothing could be harder than the Initiation. Little did they know it had only been a warmup for the challenge that lay ahead.<br /> <br /> With New America’s situation dire, Drayden and the pledges venture into the unexplored world beyond the walls, escorted by a team of elite Guardians. The group seeks to contact another civilization in what remains of Boston, but Drayden has secret goals of his own.<br /> <br /> Dangers abound in the outside world, including Aeru, the deadly superbug that wiped out humanity. While they battle the elements of a desolate landscape, a power struggle emerges within their ranks. The Guardians seem to be carrying out a covert mission themselves, and the quest turns everything they thought they knew about New America upside down.<br /> <br /> <div> <div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WnFDWvcO5ZY/XWGICKvs9DI/AAAAAAAAPjM/mOAnxS4MEBQhoogKDVTFPl6olmr1Bj0vgCLcBGAs/s1600/Slide8.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="In The Expedition by Chris Babu, because resources are running out in New America, Drayden, Charlie, Catrice, and Sydney barely have time to rest after completing the Initiation before they are sent out on a mission to make contact with Boston.They are accompanied by a team of four military guards and it quickly becomes clear that the two groups have different objectives. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="590" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WnFDWvcO5ZY/XWGICKvs9DI/AAAAAAAAPjM/mOAnxS4MEBQhoogKDVTFPl6olmr1Bj0vgCLcBGAs/s400/Slide8.png" title="In The Expedition by Chris Babu, because resources are running out in New America, Drayden, Charlie, Catrice, and Sydney barely have time to rest after completing the Initiation before they are sent out on a mission to make contact with Boston.They are accompanied by a team of four military guards and it quickly becomes clear that the two groups have different objectives. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." width="400" /></a></div> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b>Why I liked it: </b>After reading <i><a href="https://www.theliterarymaven.com/2019/08/review-initiation-chris-babu.html" target="_blank">The Initiation</a></i>, book one in the series, I jumped right into<b> </b><i><a href="https://amzn.to/30XIWhZ" target="_blank">The Expedition</a>. </i>While I liked the puzzles and riddles in <i>The Initiation</i>, I liked the realism of the struggles of Drayden and his friends as they ventured outside </span>New America, their walled community, in <i>The Expedition</i> even better. This second book reminded me of a similarly realistic dystopian series, <a href="https://www.theliterarymaven.com/2016/02/on-my-bookshelf-life-as-we-knew-it-by.html" target="_blank">Life As We Knew It</a>, particularly the final book in the series, <i><a href="https://www.theliterarymaven.com/2019/07/on-my-bookshelf-shade-of-moon-by-susan.html" target="_blank">The Shade of the Moon</a></i>.<br /> <br /> Because resources are running out in New America, Drayden, Charlie, Catrice, and Sydney barely have time to rest after completing the Initiation before they are sent out on a mission to make contact with Boston.They are accompanied by a team of four military guards and it quickly becomes clear that the two groups have different objectives. As the group suffers one disaster after another, they rely on their limited survival skills to carry on with their trek and risk making contact with groups of people who have been living outside of the walls of New America.<br /> <br /> Drayden must use the same strategic thinking that got him through the Initiation except that the challenges are real rather than man made. His self-doubting unfortunately continues as does some of the awkward dialogue.<br /> <br /> <b>Classroom application: </b>Just like the first book in the series,<b> </b>I would recommend this one for middle school and up. There's no concerning language, the romance and violence intensifies but are still pretty is PG, and drug references are few. Fans of <i>The Walking Dead</i> may appreciate this book in the series. You can also find more dystopian recommendations for your students <a href="https://www.theliterarymaven.com/2017/10/teen-books-fantasy-dystopia.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://www.theliterarymaven.com/2019/01/teen-books-fantasy-dystopian.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /> <br /> The treat of Aeru and the dangers of contact between Drayden and his friends and the world outside the walls of New America could be compared to the spread of disease that explorers caused in new lands and even settlers as they pushed West.<br /> <br /> If you are interested in purchasing a copy of <i>The Expedition</i> for yourself, you can find it on Amazon <a href="https://amzn.to/30XIWhZ" target="_blank">here</a>.</div> <i><br /></i> <i>Note:</i> I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The Literary Maven is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xdBrH12zIew/XWGH6oFzuMI/AAAAAAAAPjI/RNmtQ2obQ90Rd9aHLn7-J1baYzvOrESwwCLcBGAs/s1600/Slide6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="In The Expedition by Chris Babu, because resources are running out in New America, Drayden, Charlie, Catrice, and Sydney barely have time to rest after completing the Initiation before they are sent out on a mission to make contact with Boston.They are accompanied by a team of four military guards and it quickly becomes clear that the two groups have different objectives. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="590" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xdBrH12zIew/XWGH6oFzuMI/AAAAAAAAPjI/RNmtQ2obQ90Rd9aHLn7-J1baYzvOrESwwCLcBGAs/s400/Slide6.png" title="In The Expedition by Chris Babu, because resources are running out in New America, Drayden, Charlie, Catrice, and Sydney barely have time to rest after completing the Initiation before they are sent out on a mission to make contact with Boston.They are accompanied by a team of four military guards and it quickly becomes clear that the two groups have different objectives. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." width="266" /></a></div> <br /></div> </div>
On My Bookshelf: The Initiation by Chris Babu Posted by The Literary Maven at January 06, 2020 Labels: my bookshelf, young adult literature <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pugh7Xtk8wI/XWGIRDJUbsI/AAAAAAAAPjY/le_cMVrRRS0vinMYIjp1DPw0g6MZOZcgwCLcBGAs/s1600/Slide9.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="In The Initiation by Chris Babu, Drayden enters the Initiation, a grueling set of trials that require both intelligence and strength, and if successfully completed, will guarantee a better life for him and his family. Drayden is joined by his crush, his best friend, his worst enemy, and two of his other classmates, and the six must work together as their brains and brawn are tested. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="590" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pugh7Xtk8wI/XWGIRDJUbsI/AAAAAAAAPjY/le_cMVrRRS0vinMYIjp1DPw0g6MZOZcgwCLcBGAs/s400/Slide9.png" title="In The Initiation by Chris Babu, Drayden enters the Initiation, a grueling set of trials that require both intelligence and strength, and if successfully completed, will guarantee a better life for him and his family. Drayden is joined by his crush, his best friend, his worst enemy, and two of his other classmates, and the six must work together as their brains and brawn are tested. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." width="400" /></a></div> <b>The basic plot from Amazon: </b>Everyone is equal. But no one is safe.<br /> <br /> In a ruined world, Manhattan is now New America, a walled-in society based on equality. But the perfect facade hides a dark truth.<br /> <br /> A timid math geek, sixteen-year-old Drayden watches his life crumble when his beloved mother is exiled. The mystery of her banishment leads him to a sinister secret: New America is in trouble, and every one of its citizens is in jeopardy.<br /> <br /> With time running out, he enters the Initiation. It’s a test within the empty subway tunnels—a perilous journey of puzzles and deadly physical trials. Winners join the ruling Bureau and move to its safe haven. But failure means death. Can Drayden conquer the Initiation, or is salvation out of his grasp?<br /> <br /> <div> <div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lQLvI5A0B_8/XWGIdgdviBI/AAAAAAAAPjk/hDZMCNUO7ngyu5GNuxSHCsQIn3XUlXyFACLcBGAs/s1600/Slide7.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="In The Initiation by Chris Babu, Drayden enters the Initiation, a grueling set of trials that require both intelligence and strength, and if successfully completed, will guarantee a better life for him and his family. Drayden is joined by his crush, his best friend, his worst enemy, and two of his other classmates, and the six must work together as their brains and brawn are tested. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="590" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lQLvI5A0B_8/XWGIdgdviBI/AAAAAAAAPjk/hDZMCNUO7ngyu5GNuxSHCsQIn3XUlXyFACLcBGAs/s400/Slide7.png" title="In The Initiation by Chris Babu, Drayden enters the Initiation, a grueling set of trials that require both intelligence and strength, and if successfully completed, will guarantee a better life for him and his family. Drayden is joined by his crush, his best friend, his worst enemy, and two of his other classmates, and the six must work together as their brains and brawn are tested. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." width="400" /></a></div> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b>Why I liked it: </b><i><a href="https://amzn.to/2LKfUPf" target="_blank">The Initiation</a> </i>is<i> </i></span>action packed and perfect for anyone who loves dystopian series like the Hunger Games series or the Lunar Chronicles. After his mother is exiled, the main character, Drayden, enters the Initiation, a grueling set of trials that require both intelligence and strength, and if successfully completed, will guarantee a better life for him and his family. Drayden is joined by his crush, his best friend, his worst enemy, and two of his other classmates, and the six must work together as their brains and brawn are tested.<br /> <br /> My favorite parts were the logic puzzles and riddles that Drayden worked out, often with the help of his crush Catrice. My least favorite parts were Drayden's constant self-doubt and some of the awkward dialogue, which likely could have been avoided if some of the characters were a little more fleshed out and a little less stereotypical.<br /> <br /> <b>Classroom application: </b>I would recommend this one for middle school and up. There's no concerning language, the romance is PG, and the violence/drug references are mild. You can find more dystopian recommendations for your students <a href="https://www.theliterarymaven.com/2017/10/teen-books-fantasy-dystopia.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://www.theliterarymaven.com/2019/01/teen-books-fantasy-dystopian.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /> <br /> If you are interested in purchasing a copy of <i>The Initiation</i> for yourself, you can find it on Amazon <a href="https://amzn.to/2LKfUPf" target="_blank">here</a>.</div> <i><br /></i> <i>Note:</i> I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The Literary Maven is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JTjCRaapy50/XWGIXPcRuKI/AAAAAAAAPjg/TRHY30V1tFMhFMAZVu4guFR9sasW9e-XACLcBGAs/s1600/Slide9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="In The Initiation by Chris Babu, Drayden enters the Initiation, a grueling set of trials that require both intelligence and strength, and if successfully completed, will guarantee a better life for him and his family. Drayden is joined by his crush, his best friend, his worst enemy, and two of his other classmates, and the six must work together as their brains and brawn are tested. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="590" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JTjCRaapy50/XWGIXPcRuKI/AAAAAAAAPjg/TRHY30V1tFMhFMAZVu4guFR9sasW9e-XACLcBGAs/s400/Slide9.png" title="In The Initiation by Chris Babu, Drayden enters the Initiation, a grueling set of trials that require both intelligence and strength, and if successfully completed, will guarantee a better life for him and his family. Drayden is joined by his crush, his best friend, his worst enemy, and two of his other classmates, and the six must work together as their brains and brawn are tested. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." width="266" /></a></div> <br /></div> </div>
On My Bookshelf: The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily Danforth Posted by The Literary Maven at December 30, 2019 Labels: my bookshelf, young adult literature <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OeWLLY0b-YA/XVK0ubxnKhI/AAAAAAAAPQc/CNIlkuYUvtseezBPmmzv09QAaYt7FUbGwCLcBGAs/s1600/Slide15.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Cameron Post is a stunning read about a young girl who loses her parents and realizes her sexual identity in the same day. Her aunt and grandmother take over her care as she wrestles with the guilt of her desires and is eventually forced to attend a conversion therapy program. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="590" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OeWLLY0b-YA/XVK0ubxnKhI/AAAAAAAAPQc/CNIlkuYUvtseezBPmmzv09QAaYt7FUbGwCLcBGAs/s400/Slide15.png" title="The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Cameron Post is a stunning read about a young girl who loses her parents and realizes her sexual identity in the same day. Her aunt and grandmother take over her care as she wrestles with the guilt of her desires and is eventually forced to attend a conversion therapy program. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." width="400" /></a></div> <b>The basic plot from Amazon: </b>When Cameron Post’s parents die suddenly in a car crash, her shocking first thought is relief. Relief they’ll never know that, hours earlier, she had been kissing a girl.<br /> <br /> But that relief doesn’t last, and Cam is forced to move in with her conservative aunt Ruth and her well-intentioned but hopelessly old-fashioned grandmother. She knows that from this point on, her life will forever be different. Survival in Miles City, Montana, means blending in and leaving well enough alone, and Cam becomes an expert at both.<br /> <br /> Then Coley Taylor moves to town. Beautiful, pickup-driving Coley is a perfect cowgirl with the perfect boyfriend to match. She and Cam forge an unexpected and intense friendship, one that seems to leave room for something more to emerge. But just as that starts to seem like a real possibility, Aunt Ruth takes drastic action to “fix” her niece, bringing Cam face-to-face with the cost of denying her true self—even if she’s not quite sure who that is.<br /> <br /> <div> <div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UE2ACfYWPxc/XVK05W2rTVI/AAAAAAAAPQg/MwiNhZBrS9YREIEXD8Ft_Vlidz2eUOKYACLcBGAs/s1600/Slide27.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="590" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UE2ACfYWPxc/XVK05W2rTVI/AAAAAAAAPQg/MwiNhZBrS9YREIEXD8Ft_Vlidz2eUOKYACLcBGAs/s400/Slide27.png" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b>Why I liked it: </b><i><a href="https://amzn.to/2J4l0lQ" target="_blank">The Miseducation of Cameron Post</a> </i>i</span>s a stunning read about a young girl who loses her parents and realizes her sexual identity in the same day. Her aunt and grandmother take over her care as she wrestles with the guilt of her desires and is eventually forced to attend a conversion therapy program.<br /> <br /> What I loved most about Cameron was her youth and innocence. When she first kisses a girl, who also happens to be her best friend, she doesn't have a name for the feelings she has. She struggles to try to fit into the mold of a "typical" girl, but has more male friends than female ones and throws herself into athletics as an outlet. As she grows older, she engages in very few relationships with other girls, but each time she does, she opens herself up to the judgement and worse, condemnation of her community.<br /> <br /> <b>Classroom application: </b>The first section of the novel would be appropriate for middle school, but as Cameron progresses into high school, the more mature content makes this novel overall more appropriate for high school. I haven't seen it yet, but the book has recently become a <a href="https://amzn.to/2YZTJab" target="_blank">Sundance film</a> so a comparison could be done between the two.<br /> <br /> After reading, I would highly encourage a discussion about the dangers of <a href="https://www.hrc.org/resources/the-lies-and-dangers-of-reparative-therapy" target="_blank">conversion therapy</a>.<br /> <br /> If you are interested in purchasing a copy of <i>The Miseducation of Cameron Post</i> for yourself, you can find it on Amazon <a href="https://amzn.to/2J4l0lQ" target="_blank">here</a>.</div> <i><br /></i> <i>Note:</i> The Literary Maven is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-whNPWLh0VD8/XVK1AZ6rm9I/AAAAAAAAPQo/neWGyEV-hc4RokqbOo--UW916vSVYU5IgCLcBGAs/s1600/Slide15.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Cameron Post is a stunning read about a young girl who loses her parents and realizes her sexual identity in the same day. Her aunt and grandmother take over her care as she wrestles with the guilt of her desires and is eventually forced to attend a conversion therapy program. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="590" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-whNPWLh0VD8/XVK1AZ6rm9I/AAAAAAAAPQo/neWGyEV-hc4RokqbOo--UW916vSVYU5IgCLcBGAs/s400/Slide15.png" title="The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Cameron Post is a stunning read about a young girl who loses her parents and realizes her sexual identity in the same day. Her aunt and grandmother take over her care as she wrestles with the guilt of her desires and is eventually forced to attend a conversion therapy program. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." width="266" /></a></div> <br /></div> </div>
On My Bookshelf: Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse Posted by The Literary Maven at December 23, 2019 Labels: my bookshelf, young adult literature <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lh2gPyqBU0w/XT3rNqX3dNI/AAAAAAAAPDY/szBiFjOrf04RKsb7nLCW1T4PPa-_4m_uwCLcBGAs/s1600/Slide25.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse was like nothing I've ever read before. It's a fantastic mix of Native American mythology, science fiction, and fantasy with a post-apocalyptic setting and elements of the mystery and thriller genre. The protagonist, Maggie, is a fierce female with a male sidekick, Kai, who needs rescuing just as much as she does. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="590" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lh2gPyqBU0w/XT3rNqX3dNI/AAAAAAAAPDY/szBiFjOrf04RKsb7nLCW1T4PPa-_4m_uwCLcBGAs/s400/Slide25.png" title="Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse was like nothing I've ever read before. It's a fantastic mix of Native American mythology, science fiction, and fantasy with a post-apocalyptic setting and elements of the mystery and thriller genre. The protagonist, Maggie, is a fierce female with a male sidekick, Kai, who needs rescuing just as much as she does. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." width="400" /></a></div> <b>The basic plot from Amazon: </b>While most of the world has drowned beneath the sudden rising waters of a climate apocalypse, Dinétah (formerly the Navajo reservation) has been reborn. The gods and heroes of legend walk the land, but so do monsters.<br /> <br /> Maggie Hoskie is a Dinétah monster hunter, a supernaturally gifted killer. When a small town needs help finding a missing girl, Maggie is their last best hope. But what Maggie uncovers about the monster is much more terrifying than anything she could imagine.<br /> <br /> Maggie reluctantly enlists the aid of Kai Arviso, an unconventional medicine man, and together they travel the rez, unraveling clues from ancient legends, trading favors with tricksters, and battling dark witchcraft in a patchwork world of deteriorating technology.<br /> <br /> As Maggie discovers the truth behind the killings, she will have to confront her past if she wants to survive.<br /> <br /> Welcome to the Sixth World.<br /> <br /> <div> <div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4A96LaCszio/XT3rdrOhVYI/AAAAAAAAPDg/wfpu2285CuEdWYRXYk6Fq7SK_FgmWpclQCLcBGAs/s1600/Slide24.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse was like nothing I've ever read before. It's a fantastic mix of Native American mythology, science fiction, and fantasy with a post-apocalyptic setting and elements of the mystery and thriller genre. The protagonist, Maggie, is a fierce female with a male sidekick, Kai, who needs rescuing just as much as she does. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="590" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4A96LaCszio/XT3rdrOhVYI/AAAAAAAAPDg/wfpu2285CuEdWYRXYk6Fq7SK_FgmWpclQCLcBGAs/s400/Slide24.png" title="Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse was like nothing I've ever read before. It's a fantastic mix of Native American mythology, science fiction, and fantasy with a post-apocalyptic setting and elements of the mystery and thriller genre. The protagonist, Maggie, is a fierce female with a male sidekick, Kai, who needs rescuing just as much as she does. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." width="400" /></a></div> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b>Why I liked it: </b><i><a href="https://amzn.to/2WXknUZ" target="_blank">Trail of Lightning </a> </i></span>was like nothing I've ever read before. It's a fantastic mix of Native American mythology, science fiction, and fantasy with a post-apocalyptic setting and elements of the mystery and thriller genre. The protagonist, Maggie, is a fierce female with a male sidekick, Kai, who needs rescuing just as much as she does.<br /> <br /> As Maggie and Kai hunt for more information about the most recent monster attacks, they encounter an eclectic mix of multi-dimensional characters. Everyone seems to have an ulterior motive for their actions though no one is strictly good or evil. The action in the story is constant leaving no room for a dull moment in the plot. I am excited to see what the rest of the series brings.<br /> <br /> <b>Classroom application: </b>I would recommend this one for high school and up because of the violence and gore. Your Marvel comic loving students will be hooked on this first book in the Sixth World series as will students interested in Native American mythology. After reading, students could do research into Trickster myths across cultures.<br /> <br /> If you are interested in purchasing a copy of <i>The Lightning Trail</i> for yourself, you can find it on Amazon <a href="https://amzn.to/2WXknUZ" target="_blank">here</a>.</div> <i><br /></i> <i>Note:</i> The Literary Maven is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JVNhKTKFnhE/XT3qxYObk8I/AAAAAAAAPDQ/RFiFGA_j4Qkltq-6s0m0ctV8KbCCMLtmwCLcBGAs/s1600/Slide25.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse was like nothing I've ever read before. It's a fantastic mix of Native American mythology, science fiction, and fantasy with a post-apocalyptic setting and elements of the mystery and thriller genre. The protagonist, Maggie, is a fierce female with a male sidekick, Kai, who needs rescuing just as much as she does. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="590" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JVNhKTKFnhE/XT3qxYObk8I/AAAAAAAAPDQ/RFiFGA_j4Qkltq-6s0m0ctV8KbCCMLtmwCLcBGAs/s400/Slide25.png" title="Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse was like nothing I've ever read before. It's a fantastic mix of Native American mythology, science fiction, and fantasy with a post-apocalyptic setting and elements of the mystery and thriller genre. The protagonist, Maggie, is a fierce female with a male sidekick, Kai, who needs rescuing just as much as she does. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." width="266" /></a></div> <br /></div> </div>
On My Bookshelf: We Are Okay by Nina LaCour Posted by The Literary Maven at December 16, 2019 Labels: my bookshelf, young adult literature <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-15wNpHFUan8/XT3mtfrjObI/AAAAAAAAPC4/jCXWrV1esLIHTXiI38KlTbkXnHxLqEpJgCLcBGAs/s1600/Slide27.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="In We Are Okay by Nina LaCour, Marin is raised by her grandfather after her mother's death. She has no other family and her grandfather shared little with her about her mother as she was growing up. Just before Marin is set to head off to college, her grandfather, who had worsening health issues, disappears. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="590" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-15wNpHFUan8/XT3mtfrjObI/AAAAAAAAPC4/jCXWrV1esLIHTXiI38KlTbkXnHxLqEpJgCLcBGAs/s400/Slide27.png" title="In We Are Okay by Nina LaCour, Marin is raised by her grandfather after her mother's death. She has no other family and her grandfather shared little with her about her mother as she was growing up. Just before Marin is set to head off to college, her grandfather, who had worsening health issues, disappears. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." width="400" /></a></div> <b>The basic plot from Amazon: </b><i>You go through life thinking there’s so much you need. . . . Until you leave with only your phone, your wallet, and a picture of your mother.</i><br /> <br /> Marin hasn’t spoken to anyone from her old life since the day she left everything behind. No one knows the truth about those final weeks. Not even her best friend Mabel. But even thousands of miles away from the California coast, at college in New York, Marin still feels the pull of the life and tragedy she’s tried to outrun. Now, months later, alone in an emptied dorm for winter break, Marin waits. Mabel is coming to visit and Marin will be forced to face everything that’s been left unsaid and finally confront the loneliness that has made a home in her heart.<br /> <br /> <div> <div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b>Why I liked it: </b>I cried my way through <i><a href="https://www.theliterarymaven.com/2017/10/review-hold-still-nina-lacour.html" target="_blank">Hold Still</a></i> two years ago and had a similar reaction to<b> </b><a href="https://amzn.to/2J7Pu6i" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank">We Are Okay</a>. Both are beautifully written, but filled with incredible sadness. In <i>We Are Okay</i>, Marin is raised by her grandfather after her mother's death. Marin was just a toddler, when her mother, a surfer, died and has little memory of her. She has no other family and her grandfather shared little with her about her mother as she was growing up. Just before Marin is set to head off to college, her grandfather, who had worsening health issues, disappears, presumably purposefully drowning himself in the ocean. It is after his death that Marin discovers all of the belongings and photos of her mother he had hidden from her, including letters she thought he was writing to a friend, but were really to her mother.</span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lmfmRl7kCes/XT3nG429myI/AAAAAAAAPDA/Kay4uWF_blE9W3zzpsBAPP-B9ATJrji6QCLcBGAs/s1600/Slide17.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="In We Are Okay by Nina LaCour, Marin is raised by her grandfather after her mother's death. She has no other family and her grandfather shared little with her about her mother as she was growing up. Just before Marin is set to head off to college, her grandfather, who had worsening health issues, disappears. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="590" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lmfmRl7kCes/XT3nG429myI/AAAAAAAAPDA/Kay4uWF_blE9W3zzpsBAPP-B9ATJrji6QCLcBGAs/s400/Slide17.png" title="In We Are Okay by Nina LaCour, Marin is raised by her grandfather after her mother's death. She has no other family and her grandfather shared little with her about her mother as she was growing up. Just before Marin is set to head off to college, her grandfather, who had worsening health issues, disappears. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." width="400" /></a></div> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Feeling completely abandoned, Marin spirals into a depression and leaves for college early, cutting herself off from everyone back home. Her best friend from back home, Mabel, forces her to allow her to visit over winter break and tries to convince Marin to come back home, but Marin just ins't ready yet, so instead Mabel's parents join them at Marin's dorm for the holiday.</span><br /> <br /> <b>Classroom application: </b>I would recommend this for high school and up mostly because of the intense emotions.<br /> <br /> If you are interested in purchasing a copy of <i>We Are Okay</i> for yourself, you can find it on Amazon <a href="https://amzn.to/2J7Pu6i" target="_blank">here</a>.</div> <i><br /></i> <i>Note:</i> The Literary Maven is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Ah1g1CMYsQ/XT3nPapGaGI/AAAAAAAAPDE/wSN4kPgudtgsk7NaxCX9rt4ZsV4DjpNMQCLcBGAs/s1600/Slide27.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="In We Are Okay by Nina LaCour, Marin is raised by her grandfather after her mother's death. She has no other family and her grandfather shared little with her about her mother as she was growing up. Just before Marin is set to head off to college, her grandfather, who had worsening health issues, disappears. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="590" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Ah1g1CMYsQ/XT3nPapGaGI/AAAAAAAAPDE/wSN4kPgudtgsk7NaxCX9rt4ZsV4DjpNMQCLcBGAs/s400/Slide27.png" title="In We Are Okay by Nina LaCour, Marin is raised by her grandfather after her mother's death. She has no other family and her grandfather shared little with her about her mother as she was growing up. Just before Marin is set to head off to college, her grandfather, who had worsening health issues, disappears. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application." width="266" /></a></div> <br /></div> </div>
