Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Riggs, Ransom. (2011). Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. (J. Bernstein, Narrator) [Audiobook]. South Texas Digital Libraries https://libbyapp.com/open/loan/77425571/460382 ISBN 978-1594139567

PLOT SUMMARY


Ransom Riggs writes the story about Jacob Portman and his relationship with his grandfather Abraham. This intriguing and creepy novel explains how everyone in Jacob’s family believes his grandfather, Abraham has gone mad due to his PTSD-like condition due to his life experiences surviving World War II as a jew, running from man-eating monsters, and living with peculiar children in a secret home guarded by "a wise old bird." Abraham seems to only trust Jacob and reveals someone is out to get him. But Jacob is too late and is only able to hear his grandfather’s final words as clues to what he was trying to avoid.



CRITICAL ANALYSIS



Ransom Riggs writes the story of Jacob and his misunderstood grandfather. Before dying, he gives Jacob some important information that leads him on a mission to find the secret home where his grandfather used to live. Jesse Bernstein magically and skillfully narrates the story using multiple tones and brings the characters to life. I appreciated the fast-paced style, the creepy-looking images of the peculiar children, and the characters’ dark emotions. Frequently, I found myself both laughing out loud and having difficulty putting this novel down.



REVIEW EXCERPT(S)



“Riggs deftly moves between fantasy and reality, prose and photography to create an enchanting and at times positively terrifying story.”

—Associated Press



“Peculiar’ doesn’t even begin to cover it. Riggs’ chilling, wondrous novel is already headed to the movies.”

—People



“You'll love it if you want a good thriller for the summer. It's a mystery, and you'll race to solve it before Jacob figures it out for himself.”

—Seventeen






CONNECTIONS


“Readers searching for the next Harry Potter may want to visit Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.”

—CNN



“[A] thrilling, Tim Burton-esque tale with haunting photographs.”

—USA Today Pop Candy

• Series: Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children
• “Hollow City” by Ransom Riggs
• “Library of Souls” by Ransom Riggs
• “A Map of Days” by Ransom Riggs

Matched by Ally Condie

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Condie, A. (2010). Matched. (K. Simses, Narrator) [Audiobook]. South Texas Digital Libraries https://libbyapp.com/open/loan/77425571/470758 ISBN 978-0142419779

PLOT SUMMARY

Ally Condie writes this futuristic novel where the government or "The Society," matches individuals with their best "match" to foster healthy relationships based on the government's selection. Cassia considered herself fortunate to be matched with her best friend, a rarity. People placed their trust in the Society to make these life-altering decisions because of its reputation for "never making mistakes."

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Ally Condie writes this futuristic novel. I found it intriguing how much trust people placed in "The Society" to make life-altering decisions, and their unwavering belief that "The Society never makes mistakes" in this futuristic world. While I didn't completely enjoy the novel due to the cult-like ambiance it portrayed and the singular narrative style that made me feel somewhat uneasy, I appreciated its fast-paced and unique style. The people’s dependence on technology and the distinction drawn between technology and knowledge, that knowledge never fails, was interesting to me.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

“Condie’s enthralling and twisty dystopian plot is well served by her intriguing characters and fine writing.” 

—Publishers Weekly, starred review 

 

“A fierce, unforgettable page-turner.” 

—Kirkus, starred review 

 

“The stunning clarity and attention to detail in Condie’s Big Brother–like world is a feat.”

—Booklist

CONNECTIONS

“Fans of The Giver will devour this book.” 

—School Library Journal

• Series: Matched Trilogy box set by Ally Condie

• “Crossed” by Ally Condie and Jack Riccobono

• “Reached” by Ally Condie

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Gaiman, N., & Pratchett, T. (2009). Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch. (M. Jarvis, Narrator) [Audiobook]. South Texas Digital Libraries https://libbyapp.com/open/loan/77425571/276878 ISBN 0441003257

PLOT SUMMARY

Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett write this humorous unique novel of when the anti-Christ was born signifying the world is about to end. Crowley, the demon, and Aziraphale, the angel, both enjoy living on Earth. Crowley and Aziraphale want to stop the apocalypse from happening, so they decide to swap the anti-Christ baby with a human baby.  In an effort to stop Armageddon from happening, they decided to help the anti-Christ become less evil.  

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett write this unique novel that cleverly transforms some religious narratives by infusing them with human traits. I came across some amusing quotes that caught my attention. One of them was, "Endless heaven or endless hell. Heaven couldn't get a decent drink either, and it was very boring in both heaven and hell." Another one says, "Being a demon means you have no free will. When a human is good or bad, it is because they want to be." The entertaining shifts in narrative tones allowed me to vividly imagine the story.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

“A direct descendant of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” 

— New York Times

“Irreverently funny and unexpectedly wise . . . Highly recommended.” 

— Library Journal

“Something like what would have happened if Thomas Pynchon, Tom Robbins and Don DeLillo had collaborated.”

 — Washington Post

CONNECTIONS

• The Quite Nice and Fairly Accurate Good Omens Script Book

• The Nice and Accurate Good Omens TV Companion

• “Good Omens” is a 2019 (TV series) directed by Douglas Mackinnon and written by Neil Gaiman.

AWARDS

• Margaret A. Edwards Award

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Zusak, Markus. (2005). The Book Thief. (A. Corduner, Narrator) [Audiobook]. South Texas Digital            Libraries https://libbyapp.com/open/loan/77425571/109933 ISBN 978-0375842207

PLOT SUMMARY

Markus Zusak writes the story about Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich.

This story occurred during World War II when nothing was certain for the Jewish community.

With work and food shortages, it quickly became a fight for survival. After the death of her

brother, which haunts her in her dreams, she now lives with her new foster parents. But her

new family is desperately trying to hide a Jew from the Nazis in their basement. As the

world around her is tumbling down, she finds herself stealing books at every opportunity

that lends itself to help her escape reality in a book and soon to help others escape as well.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Markus Zusak writes this unique intense historical fiction novel which occurs during World

War II and the Holocaust era. This story reminded me in certain ways of “Diary of Anne

Frank”. With living and hiding in secrecy with the danger of Nazis patrolling the area.

Allan Corduner does an amazing job narrating as "Death." His different tones enable me

to feel as though I am actually in the story alongside him. The unique narration in this

story takes me to another place, as though I am watching an entertaining play. I highly

recommend this suspenseful audiobook.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

"Elegant, philosophical and moving...Beautiful and important."

- Kirkus Reviews, Starred

"This hefty volume is an achievement...a challenging book in both length

and subject..."

- Publisher's Weekly, Starred

"Exquisitely written and memorably populated, Zusak's poignant tribute to words,

survival, and their curiously inevitable entwinement is a tour de force to be not just

read but inhabited."

- The Horn Book Magazine, Starred

CONNECTIONS

"The Book Thief will be appreciated for Mr. Zusak's audacity, also on display in

his earlier I Am the Messenger. It will be widely read and admired because it tells a

story in which books become treasures. And because there's no arguing with a

sentiment like that."

- New York Times

"The Book Thiefis unsettling and unsentimental, yet ultimately poetic. Its grimness
and tragedy run through the reader's mind like a black-and-white movie, bereft of 

the colors of life. Zusak may not have lived under Nazi domination, but The Book 

Thief deserves a place on the same shelf with The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne 

Frank and Elie Wiesel's Night. It seems poised to become a classic."
- USA Today

"Zusak doesn’t sugarcoat anything, but he makes his ostensibly gloomy subject

bearable the same way Kurt Vonnegut did in Slaughterhouse-Five: with grim,

darkly consoling humor.”

- Time Magazine

• “The Book Thief” is a 2013 film directed by Brian Percival and written by

Michael Petroni.

AWARDS

• Indies Choice Book Award for Children's Literature

• National Jewish Book Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature

• Kathleen Mitchell Award

The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lee, Stacey. (2019). The Downstairs Girl. G.P. Putnam’s Sons. ISBN 9781524740955

PLOT SUMMARY

Stacey Lee writes the story about Jo Kuan, a seventeen-year-old Chinese-American, who worked as a talented hatmaker. Unfortunately, Jo was fired due to making customers “uncomfortable”, meaning she was too opinionated, and had to take on a new job as a lady’s maid. Meanwhile, Jo and her father Old Gin, secretly lived in the basement of the Bells. The Bells printed the newspaper called the “Focus” and one day Jo decides to voice her frustrations in an anonymous column.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Stacey Lee writes this clever historical fiction novel which takes place during the 1890s about the life of Jo Kuan. Not only did Jo have to put up with sexism, but also racism. Jo filled with “too many opinions” and can’t keep them to herself decides to cleverly and anonymously bring her frustrations to light in an anonymous column in the “Focus”. 

Jo’s character is such a strong, trailblazing, and iconic character who truly inspires all women to speak up! Jo’s bravery reminds us to stay true to ourselves and not let anyone take our spirit. Stacey Lee kept this story interesting and witty. 

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

“Vividly rendered, intriguingly plotted . . . Jo’s example of resistance and hope is sure to resonate with today’s readers.” 

—The Washington Post

“Holds a mirror to our present issues while giving us a detailed and vibrant picture of life in the past.” 

—The New York Times

“This spectacular, voice-driven novel raises powerful questions about how we understand the past, as well as the ways our current moment is still shaped by that understanding.” 

—Booklist, starred review

CONNECTIONS

 “Luminous . . . An optimistic, sophisticated portrayal of one facet of Chinese-American—and simply American—history.” 

—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

 

“Unflinching in its portrayals of racism yet ultimately hopeful and heartfelt, this narrative places voices frequently left out of historical fiction center stage.” 

—School Library Journal, starred review

 

 “This captivating novel explores intersectionality, conveys the effects of restrictions placed on women and people of color, and celebrates the strengths and talents of marginalized people struggling to break society’s barriers in any age.” 

—Publishers Weekly, starred review

AWARDS

• A Reese’s Book Club YA Pick

• A New York Times Bestseller

• An Indie Bestseller

• A Washington Post Best Children’s Book of the Year

• One of NPR’s Favorite Books of the Year

• A YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Pick

• A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

• A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Sepetys, Ruta. (2011). Between Shades of Gray. (E. Klein, Narrator) [Audiobook]. South Texas Digital Libraries https://southtexas.overdrive.com/media/543193 ISBN 9781101978245

PLOT SUMMARY

Ruta Sepetys writes the story about Lina, a frightened fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl, who is abruptly taken from her home by the Soviet officers. Along with Lina, they also abruptly took her mother, little brother, and her father. The officers pack them in along with people who are on “the list” into a tiny, crowded train made for animals. Little do all these terrified people know, they are on their way to Siberian work camps. Even though some people are badly injured, they are being taken away in despair waiting to see what their future holds.  

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Lina’s mother is such a brave, strong mother facing uncertainty about her family’s safety. But she continues confidently to speak to her family with reassurance and such certainty that she knows they will be fine, meanwhile, other people who are sharing the same space are telling them that they are “dead and this is the end”. I found myself relating to Lina’s mother. This consists of the duties of a mother on a day-to-day basis. Doesn’t matter if they are in danger or not, the mom is always keeping the family together and afloat.

Ruta Sepetys does an amazing job writing this powerful and suspenseful novel. Easily I could envision what was happening in the story and I found myself frightened for them. The narrator, Emily Klein, did a fantastic job of narrating the story using different tones for the characters. It was fast-paced and easy to follow along with the story. You will not want to put this one down!

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

“A superlative first novel. A hefty emotional punch.”

--The New York Times Book Review

“Few books are beautifully written, fewer still are important; this novel is both.”

--The Washington Post

"Beautiful…a superb though grueling novel.”

--The Wall Street Journal

“An eye-opening reimagination of a very real tragedy written with grace and heart.”

--Los Angeles Times

CONNECTIONS

“In terrifying detail, Ruta Sepetys re-creates World War II coming of age all too timely today. Between Shades of Gray is a document long overdue.”

--Richard Peck, Newbery Award-winning author of A Year Down Yonder

AWARDS

• Best Fiction for Young Adults

• Notable Children's Books

• William C. Morris Debut Young Adult Award Finalist