DOWNRIVER by Will Hobbs

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hobbs, Will. 1996. DOWNRIVER. New York, New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0440226732

PLOT SUMMARY/CRITICAL ANALYSIS

DOWNRIVER tells the story of a fifteen year old girl, Jessie, who has a troubled past.  Jessie’s dad sends her to a nine week camp in a desperate attempt to turn his daughter’s life around.  While in the wilderness Jessie and the others decide to escape from their leader the first chance they get.  The teens experience the dangers of the wilderness, raging rapids, and each other.  The self appointed group leader, Troy, struggles to stay in charge creating power struggles between the teens.

Hobbs writes this novel in first person from the perspective of Jessie.  Jessie tells the story of events and how they directly affect her life. This novel is set mainly along the river of the Grand Canyon.  Hobbs describes the river and scenery in such a way that the reader can imagine exactly what it looks like.  These teens face many challenges along the way such as what is going on in their own lives, nature, themselves, and each other. 

Along the way Jessie learns a lot about herself and about life.  Camp did make an impact on Jessie’s life and turned her life around in the right direction.  She learns the importance and significance of family, friends, and working together.  Teen readers will be able to relate to these teens.  Most all teens find themselves in a power struggle with their parents or other adults along the way.  It is part of learning what life is all about.  Teens will realize they are not alone and there is light at the end of the tunnel.  This story will give teens the hope that one day the power struggles will end and differences will be set aside. 

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

*Starred review in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “This book should settle once and for all the question of whether thrillers and mysteries can also be literature.”

*Starred review in LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Hart’s sophomore effort surpasses his debut… this work is reminiscent of Raymond Chandler’s novels…. The writing is simply superb.”

Exemplary or Favorite Lines

*“… I found myself wishing my dad could be on the river with me, that it could be like it was in the years before it all got so confusing”

*“I really do love this place, dad… I had no idea it would turn out like this…”

HEART OF A CHAMPION by Carl Deuker

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Deuker, Carl. 2007. HEART OF A CHAMPION. New York: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 0316067261

PLOT SUMMARY/CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This novel tells the struggles of Seth Barnam who lost his father at the mere age of seven.  Dealing with the death of his father has not been an easy task.  Seth meets Jimmy Winter at the park where they become fast friends.  Seth has never really been interested in sports until now.  Jimmy is a natural at baseball but his father expects him to only perform at the high level putting an enormous amount of pressure on him.  Both boys join the local Little League team however Seth feels his talents are not comparable to Jimmy’s.  Jimmy’s father coaches both boys during their practices.  The confidence Seth gains while participating in baseball spills over into his school work leading to his grades improving.  While excelling in baseball Jimmy’s life at home is beginning to crumble.  His father begins drinking too much leading to the divorce of his parents.  This leads to more of life’s challenges for both of the boys.

Deuker writes this novel in first person through the eyes of Seth.  This novel takes place during the boy’s school year and during baseball season.  This is a story of self vs. self and person vs. person.  Both boys are dealing with situations that only affect themselves while also dealing with the competition between the two of them.  Both of these characters have to find strength on and off of the field.

Readers will be able to relate to the struggles of these two characters from struggling to find yourself, death, drinking, divorce, and bad decisions.  This story of life’s struggles will make readers going through similar situations not feel alone or maybe they know someone going through a similar situation.  Reader’s can either help themselves by reading this book or possibly help a friend.  This book also portrays the strengths and struggles of friendships which many teens and young adults experience.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

*SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, 1993

*KIRKUS REVIEWS, 1993

*HORN BOOK: “The sensitive, moving portrait of adolescence is combined with dramatic sports action in a book which adolescent boys, especially those graduates of Matt Christopher, will enough.”

*PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: “Baseball becomes a metaphor for life in Deuker’s thought-provoking testimonial to friendship and filial love…The sensitive examination of the importance of a father –or lack of one—in a boy’s life is where Deuker really hits a homerun.”
*BOOKLIST: “Readers who enjoyed ON THE DEVIL’S COURT will be lining up to read this one…”

Exemplary or Favorite Lines

*“ Sometime in there winning the games became as important to me as it was to him.”

“…when Jimmy left Sunday, we were hardly talking.”

NOTES FROM THE DOG by Gary Paulsen

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Paulsen, Gary. 2009. NOTES FROM THE DOG. New York: Wendy Lamb Books. ISBN 0385907303

PLOT SUMMARY/CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This novel tells the story of a fourteen year old boy, Finn, who has his own plans for the summer however his plans do not turn out the way he imagined.  Finn is a loner and only wants to talk to his dad, Dylan his dog, and Matthew his best friend.  Matthew lives with Finn for the fact that his parents are going through a divorce.  He was hoping to find a summer job where he did not have to talk to anyone.  To his surprise a young woman, Johanna, moved in next door to housesit for his neighbors for the summer.  Johanna is the opposite of Finn she is outgoing, optimistic, and creative.  Johanna is battling breast cancer with a positive attitude and outlook on life.  Finn and Mathew become close to Johanna learning to care for her both emotionally and physically.

Paulsen writes this novel in first person from the point of view of the protagonist Finn.  This story takes place during the summer months in a suburban city.  This is a story of self vs. self.  Finn is afraid of meeting new people and conversation with people he is not comfortable with is often painful for him.  He would rather not speak to another one versus facing his fears.  Johanna hires Finn to create her a garden.  Through his interactions with Johanna his voice begins to come out.  This novel will take the reader on a rollercoaster ride from change to happiness to sadness.  Finn goes through a great amount of changes as a person, there is happiness in the relationships formed, as well as the sadness that lingers due to the cancer. 

Many readers will be able to relate to Finn as well as the other characters in the book in many ways.  Readers who are dealing with the same issue as Finn as far as feeling all alone in the world and afraid to interact with people will find comfort in knowing they are not the only ones going through such.  Also anyone dealing with cancer themselves or with someone they know could find comfort in this book as well.  This book will teach the reader to believe in themselves and to be more confident as a person.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

*SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, September 2009

*PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, July 2009

*BOOKLIST, August 2009

*HORN BOOK, April 2010

*LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION, November 2009

Exemplary or Favorite Lines

*“I feel like an alien dropped onto a strange planet and that I always have to be on the lookout for clues and cues on how to act and what to say.”

*“When other people talk, I’m so worried that what I’m going to say is going to come out wrond that I can’t focus on what they’re saying and then I lose track of what we were talking about in the first place.”

*“Sometimes having company is not all it’s cracked up to be.”

SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Anderson, Laurie. 1999. SPEAK. Harrisonburg, Virginia: RR Donnelley & Sons Company. ISBN 9780374371524

PLOT SUMMARY/CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The summer of her ninth grade year, Melinda and a friend attended a senior party which soon turned in the wrong direction.  After have thee end of summer party busted by calling the cops Melinda Sordino is not a favorite person with her peers.  Her friends will not speak to her and people she does not even know hate her.  She feels the safest place is alone however she is wrong.  Unable to speak of the event that leads to her calling the cops she is unable to speak to her friends or even her family.  She suffers from depression, isolation, failing grades, and much more.  She survives, or rather hides, from her ninth grade year in the custodians closet.  She is finally able to confront and speak about that night.  Come to find out she was raped by a senior the night of the party and that is why she called the cops.  After her former best friend begins dating the rapist she tells her of the event.  Soon after her attacker confronts her and tries to rape her again, but this time she was able to fight back and scream catching the attention of some other people which came to her rescue. 

Anderson speaks of a topic most try to avoid however she writes in such a way the reader can understand and learn from this book.  Each page is filled with the drama, issues, and insecurities that can be found in any high school.  Readers can relate to some of the issues in this book regardless of young or old.  Either they are currently dealing with these issues or they are able to recall them from their high school days.  This book is hard to read at times because of the depth of her emotion and pain…but even harder to put down.

SPEAK is full of symbolism.  For example, as Melinda begins to emerge from her depression she goes out to the family garden and begins to weed and clear it of all its debris.  This is symbolic of what is going on in her life and her needing to “weed” out the events of that night. 

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

*Starred review in HORN BOOK: “An uncannily funny book even as it plumbs the darkness, Speak will hold readers from first word to last.”

* KIRKUS REVIEWS: “The plot is gripping and the characters are powerfully drawn…its raw and unvarnished look…will be hard for readers to forget.”

*Starred review in BOOKLIST: “Melinda’s sarcastic wit, honesty, and courage make her a memorable character whose ultimate triumph will inspire and empower readers.”

*SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Melinda’s pain is palpable, and readers will totally empathize with her.  This is a compelling book, with sharp, crisp writing that draws readers in, engulfing them in the story.”

Exemplary or Favorite Lines

*“You have to know what you stand for, not just what you stand against.”

*“I have survived.  I am here.  Confused, screwed up, but here.  So, how can I find my way?  Is there a chain saw of the soul, an ax I can take to my memories or fears?”

*“I wonder how long it would take for anyone to notice if I just stopped talking.”

*THE FIRST TEN LIES THEY TELL YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL
1. We are here to help you.
2. You will have time to get to your class before the bell rings.
3. The dress code will be enforced.
4. No smoking is allowed on school grounds.
5. Our football team will win the championship this year.
6. We expect more of you here.
7. Guidance counselors are always available to listen.
8. Your schedule was created with you in mind.
9. Your locker combination is private.
10. These will be the years you look back on fondly.

TEN MORE LIES THEY TELL YOU IN HIGH SCHOOL

1. You will use algebra in your adult lives.
2. Driving to school is a privilege that can be taken away.
3. Students must stay on campus during lunch.
4. The new text books will arrive any day now.
5. Colleges care more about you than your SAT scores.
6. We are enforcing the dress code.
7. We will figure out how to turn off the heat soon.
8. Our bus drivers are highly trained professionals.
9. There is nothing wrong with summer school.
10. We want to hear what you have to say.”

--- Laurie Halse Anderson, SPEAK