December 26, 2016

On My Bookshelf: Where She Went by Gayle Forman

In Where She Went by Gayle Forman, the saga of Mia and Adam continues, but this time from Adam's point of view. He is now a successful rock star and Mia has just finished Juilliard, but both are unhappy when they reunite for one night. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.
The basic plot from Amazon: Picking up several years after the dramatic conclusion of If I Stay, Where She Went continues the story of Adam and Mia, from Adam's point of view. Ever since Mia's decision to stay - but not with him - Adam's career has been on a wonderful trajectory. His album, borne from the anguish and pain of their breakup, has made him a bona fide star. And Mia herself has become a top-rate cellist, playing in some of the finest venues in the world. When their respective paths put them both in New York City at the same time, the result is a single night in which the two reunite - with wholly satisfying results.

Why I liked it: Where She Went is told from Adam's point of view, three years after the accident that nearly killed Mia. I found that I liked this book even better than If I Stay (you can find my review of that here). Adam and Mia are older and more mature, which is perhaps why I found them more likable (after a while in If I Stay, they began to irritate me). Adam is a successful rock star and Mia has just finished Juilliard and is beginning to tour. Both are unhappy. He is anxious, fighting with band mates. She its tired as being treated as if she is fragile.

In Where She Went by Gayle Forman, the saga of Mia and Adam continues, but this time from Adam's point of view. He is now a successful rock star and Mia has just finished Juilliard, but both are unhappy when they reunite for one night. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.I think I also found it easier to connect with Adam the narrator of this book than Mia, the narrator of If I Stay. Adam is still reeling from the abrupt ending of his relationship with Mia, for which she gave no explanation; she just stopped talking to him and wouldn't answer his phone calls, texts, or emails. Adam's situation is one that I think many adolescents, including my former teenage self, can relate to: a relationship that lacks closure and causes emotional instability.

Classroom application: Like If I Stay, you could add Where She Went to your middle school of high school classroom library. The two novels would make an interesting pairing with other teenage love stories like Eleanor and Park, The Fault in Our Stars, and even Romeo and Juliet.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of Where She Went for yourself, you can find it on Amazon here.


Note: 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.

December 19, 2016

On My Bookshelf: The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness

In The Ask and the Answer, the second book in the Chaos Walking series by Patrick Ness, Todd and Violet's adventures continue. But as Mayor Prentiss's power grows, they can't even be sure if they can trust each other. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.
The basic plot from Amazon: Part two of the literary sci-fi thriller follows a boy and a girl who are caught in a warring town where thoughts can be heard — and secrets are never safe. Reaching the end of their flight in The Knife of Never Letting Go, Todd and Viola did not find healing and hope in Haven. They found instead their worst enemy, Mayor Prentiss, waiting to welcome them to New Prentisstown. There they are forced into separate lives: Todd to prison, and Viola to a house of healing where her wounds are treated. Soon Viola is swept into the ruthless activities of the Answer, while Todd faces impossible choices when forced to join the mayor’s oppressive new regime. In alternating narratives the two struggle to reconcile their own dubious actions with their deepest beliefs. Torn by confusion and compromise, suspicion and betrayal, can their trust in each other possibly survive? Includes “The Wide, Wide Sea,” a short story by Patrick Ness.

Why I liked it: The Ask and the Answer was quick paced and action packed. Twists in the plot left me never quite sure who and what could be trusted. The alternating narration of Todd and Violet heightened the suspense. However it had been a while since I read the first book in the series and I found it hard to pick up on some things. I wish there had been some review of events at the beginning and the "rules" of this dystopian world.
In The Ask and the Answer, the second book in the Chaos Walking series by Patrick Ness, Todd and Violet's adventures continue. But as Mayor Prentiss's power grows, they can't even be sure if they can trust each other. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.

The ending of the novel is a complete surprise, as was the ending of the first book in the series, and leaves you hanging. It's a move few writers are able to do well, especially in young adult literature.

Classroom application: The themes of equality through out the novel could easily be connected to the abolitionist movement, civil rights movement or similar causes. The Spackle are strange, almost alien-like creatures, who are treated like slaves. Women were so feared that they didn't exist in Prentisstown, and in Haven they are not allowed to be doctors, only healers.

The mayor of Haven's actions to try to satisfy Mayor Prentiss could also be compared to the appeasement of Hitler in the 1940's.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of The Ask and the Answer for yourself, you can find it on Amazon here.

Note: 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.

December 12, 2016

On My Bookshelf: Fairest by Marissa Meyer

Fairest by Marissa Meyer continues the Lunar Chronicles, but delves into the past and explains how Queen Levana came to be the force of evil that Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress are struggling against. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.
The basic plot from Amazon: Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Who is the Fairest of them all?

Pure evil has a name, hides behind a mask of deceit, and uses her "glamour" to gain power. But who is Queen Levana? Long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress in The Lunar Chronicles, Levana lived a very different story—a story that has never been told . . . until now. New York Times–bestselling author Marissa Meyer reveals the story behind her fascinating villain in Fairest, an unforgettable tale about love and war, deceit and death. This extraordinary book includes a special full-color image of Levana's castle and an excerpt from Winter, the exciting conclusion to The Lunar Chronicles.

Why I liked it: Fairest focuses on the evil Lunar queen, Cinder's aunt and Winter's stepmother. Like Winter's story, Fairest is a play on the classic fairy tale of Snow White, but focuses on events from the "bad guy," or in this case "bad girl's" point of view, similar to a fractured fairy.

This chapter of the Lunar chronicles delves into the past. You meet Queen Channary, Levana's sister and Cinder's mother, and gain a better understanding of the relationship and differences between the two sisters. Channary more interested in men and enjoying court life than ruling, while Levana is more strategic and interested in strengthening Luna's power. You also witness the gruesome scene in which Channary burns Levana, causing her disfigurement.
Fairest by Marissa Meyer continues the Lunar Chronicles, but delves into the past and explains how Queen Levana came to be the force of evil that Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress are struggling against. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.

I felt a strange combination of pity and disgust when Levana mistakes the kindness of Hayle, one of the royal guards, for affection and forces him to marry her after his wife's death. Levana raises Hayle's daughter, Winter, with Princess Selene, Channary's daughter. My distaste for Levana grew when Channary dies from lung disease and Levana kills Princess Selene so that she can be the true queen. She also has Hayle murdered so she can arrange a marriage with emperor on Earth and have access to Earth's resources.

Levana is just as clever as she is evil. She continues her father's projects, creating Letumosis and an army of beast like men, and then sends the disease to Earth to begin weakening the planet. Earth will depend on Luna for the antidote and if the people of Earth don't submit to her, then she'll use her army against them.

Classroom application: 
Fairest would be a great addition to a unit on point of view or fractured fairy tales. It could be paired with Wicked and other novels that tell a story from the villain's perspective. Students could do their own rewrite of a famous fairy tale, classic children's story, comic, etc.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of Fairest for yourself, you can find it on Amazon here.

Note: 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.

December 9, 2016

The Holiday Season in the Secondary ELA Classroom: Helping Students to Think of Others

Don't fight the holiday spirit! Embrace it by incorporating holiday themed lessons and activities in your classroom. Middle school and high school English Language Arts teachers discussed their schools approach the holidays and how they recognize the holidays in their own classroom. Teachers also shared how to keep students focused on learning and encourage students to think of others this time of year. Read through the chat for ideas to implement in your own classroom.
This #2ndaryELA Twitter chat was all about celebrating the holidays in the ELA classroom. Middle school and high school English Language Arts teachers discussed their schools approach the holidays and how they recognize the holidays in their own classroom. Teachers also shared how to keep students focused on learning and encourage students to think of others this time of year.

Read through the chat below for events and activities to bring the holiday spirit into your school and your classroom. You'll get ideas about holiday themed readings and lessons. You'll also find ways to focus students on giving rather than getting.

Hope you'll join us when we return on January 10th of 2017. We'd also love for you to join our 2ndaryELA Facebook group (even if you aren't on Twitter). 2ndaryELA is a group of middle and high school English Language Arts teachers looking to share ideas and best practices. This group is an extension of our Twitter chat and a place for collaboration, questions, and encouragement. Feel free to post teaching ideas, success stories, resource links, photos, etc. that will enhance our instruction.

December 5, 2016

On My Bookshelf: Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys follows four young adults during World War II as they trek toward the Baltic Sea, hoping to board a ship and escape the advancing Russians. The historical fiction novel, told in alternating points of view, reveals the struggles of each of the narrators leading up to the deadliest maritime disaster in history. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.
The basic plot from Amazon: World War II is drawing to a close in East Prussia and thousands of refugees are on a desperate trek toward freedom, many with something to hide. Among them are Joana, Emilia, and Florian, whose paths converge en route to the ship that promises salvation, the Wilhelm Gustloff. Forced by circumstance to unite, the three find their strength, courage, and trust in each other tested with each step closer to safety.

Just when it seems freedom is within their grasp, tragedy strikes. Not country, nor culture, nor status matter as all ten thousand people—adults and children alike—aboard must fight for the same thing: survival.

Told in alternating points of view and perfect for fans of Anthony Doerr's Pulitzer Prize-winning All the Light We Cannot See, Erik Larson's Dead Wake, and Elizabeth Wein's Printz Honor Book Code Name Verity, this masterful work of historical fiction is inspired by the real-life tragedy that was the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff—the greatest maritime disaster in history. As she did in Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys unearths a shockingly little-known casualty of a gruesome war, and proves that humanity and love can prevail, even in the darkest of hours.

Why I liked it: Salt to the Sea follows four young adults during WWII. Each equally interesting
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys follows four young adults during World War II as they trek toward the Baltic Sea, hoping to board a ship and escape the advancing Russians. The historical fiction novel, told in alternating points of view, reveals the struggles of each of the narrators leading up to the deadliest maritime disaster in history. Read on for more of my review and ideas for classroom application.
character sheds light on a different experience of the war. Florian is a Prussian art student specializing in restoration and helping to collect famous works of art for Hitler. He is carrying papers and part of the Amber Room, often called the eighth wonder of world, hoping to expose the thievery of high ranking Nazi officials.

Joana is a Lithuanian nurse, leading a group of refugees headed for the coast and fleeing the advancing Russians. She is ruled by a strong desire to help others and the guilt of unintentionally putting her family members in danger (her cousin Lina is central character in Ruta Sepetys's other novel set during World War II, Between Shades of Gray). Joana and Florian meet on their flight and though they are unsure that they can fully trust each, they fall in love.

Emilia is young a Polish girl, who was sent to live with family friends when the war began, hoping she'd be safer there. However, the mother of the family gives her over to Russian soldiers to protect own daughter. After being raped and impregnated by Russian soldiers, she is saved from an attack from another Russian soldier by Florian, who she then follows despite his protests. She becomes a part of the brood that Joana cares for on their trek toward the coast.

Alfred, a German soldier dedicated to Hitler's vision, is described by another character as a "budding sociopath." He was late to be accepted into army because of physical health issues, but views himself as superior to others and is particularly proud of his observation skills. He is eager to please and be recognized. He narrates mental letters in his head to Hannahlore, the next door neighbor with whom he is infatuated.

All four narratives come together on the Wilhelm Gustloff, an ocean liner set to carry refugees and wounded soldiers into Germany. Disaster strikes when the ship is struck by Russian torpedoes and sinks.

Classroom application: I'm a history buff and loved that this historical fiction novel focused on a lesser known historical event; the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff was a tragedy even greater than the sinking of the Titanic. I also appreciated that the author did not rely on the usual good guys versus bad guys portrayal of German and Russian soldiers. Many of the average German soldiers (not Nazi officials) behave civilly, while the "good guys," the Russians, seem like barbarians. History is often kind to the winners and I think it is important for students to see that not all "good guys" were so good and not all the "bad guys" were so bad.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of Salt to the Sea for yourself, you can find it on Amazon here.

Note: 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.

December 4, 2016

#2ndaryELA Twitter Chat Topic: Celebrating the Holidays

Join secondary English Language Arts teachers Tuesday evenings at 8 pm EST on Twitter. This week's chat will be about celebrating the holidays.
Brynn Allison, The Literary Maven & Kristy, 2 Peas and a Dog host #2ndaryELA on Twitter every Tuesday evening from 8 - 8:30 PM EST. #2ndaryELA is a weekly chat for secondary English Language Arts teachers focused on a topic. Every Sunday, we post the topic and questions on our blogs to allow you to prepare for the upcoming Tuesday evening's chat. Thank you to everyone who joined us last night and we hope that you will join us again.




Looking for the recap? Click on the image below.


New in 2016 is our 2ndaryELA Facebook group, which we would love to have you join even if you aren't on Twitter. 2ndaryELA is a group of middle and high school English Language Arts teachers looking to share ideas and best practices. This group is an extension of our Twitter chat and a place for collaboration, questions, and encouragement. Feel free to post teaching ideas, success stories, resource links, photos, etc. that will enhance our instruction.

On Tuesday, December 6, our #2ndaryELA chat will be about celebrating the holidays.

The Format:
8:00 Intros: What and where do you teach? Include a link to your blog if you have one. #2ndaryELA
8:05 Q1: Does your school celebrate the holidays? With what types of events or activities? #2ndaryELA
8:10 Q2: Do you celebrate the holidays within your classroom? With what types of lessons or activities? #2ndaryELA
8:15 Q3: How do you keep students focused on curriculum during this month which is filled with special events and activities? #2ndaryELA
8:20 Q4: How do you get students to think about others during this month? Lessons? Videos? #2ndaryELA
8:25 Q5: Share some resources for helping students think beyond themselves during the season of giving (e.g. blog posts, Pinterest ideas). #2ndaryELA

The Directions:
1. Log into Twitter on Tuesday from 8-8:30 PM EST.
2. Search for tweets with the hashtag #2ndaryELA in the search bar. Make sure to click “All tweets.”
3. Introductions are for the first 5 minutes.
4. Starting at 8:05 (@literarymaven or @2peasandadog) will post questions every 5 minutes using the format Q1, Q2, Q3, etc. and the hashtag #2ndaryELA.
5. Respond to questions using the format A1, A2, A3, etc. with #2ndaryELA.
6. Follow any teachers responding and who are also using #2ndaryELA.
7. Like and respond to other teachers' tweets.

You can schedule your responses to the questions ahead of time using a scheduler like TweetDeck or HootSuite (but don't forget to use A1, A2, etc. and #2ndaryELA). Links are encouraged, so be sure to use a link shortener like tinyurlbitlygoo.gl or ow.ly Just visit one of those links and paste your long link to shorten it for Twitter. Using images is also encouraged when relevant.

New to chats? Here are the rules:
1. Stay on topic & stay positive!
2. Please do not post or promote paid products unless specifically asked.
3. If you arrive late, try to look through other posts before beginning.
4. Feel free to just read, like, and/or retweet.
5. Always use our hashtag #2ndaryELA, including in your replies to others.
6. Make sure your twitter feed is set to public. (Also keep in mind that Twitter is completely public – that means students, parents, and administrators can and will read what you tweet.)

Be sure to spread the word to any teacher friends who might be interested in joining us as well. We look forward to chatting with you Tuesday evening and in our 2ndaryELA Facebook group!

Get caught up on past chats here: