This is a quick read that provides a wonderful look at New York in 1904. The story fleshes out the biggest disaster in New York prior to 9/11. Readers will come to understand German and European Jewish immigrants and many of the safety issues that have led to present-day rules and regulations.
The story is told from the point of view of a ghost. Mallory Meer died in the General Slocum steamship disaster. Through her narration the events and characters involved are gradually revealed. Readers will find this a compelling mystery and vivid description of daily life in early industrialized America. It is a quick read that can easily supplement units on the time period. Students who enjoy CSI and other crime/forensic shows may particularly enjoy the plot.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Hangman's Curse, by Frank Peretti
This is a title from the "Christian Fiction" shelf. It is my first venture into Christian fiction and it gave rise to some concern on my part. Reviewers give quite positive reviews to the book. They call Peretti the "Stephen King" of Christian fiction. I have a less positive review.
I'm very concerned about some of the plot elements in the book. The "Veritas Project team" a family traveling the country as trouble shooters of "strange mysteries, crimes, and unusual occurrences" do a number of things that fall well outside of scientific safety. In this book, as they investigate the sighting of ghosts at a school and the resultant serious illnesses of students, there are several instances in which seriously unsafe scientific procedures are followed. At one point the mother (who has a science lab in the back of the RV the family travels in) takes a suspicious straw back to the family home and actually sniffs it. This after four students are in the hospital and on the way to death. I don't think any well informed scientist would keep a lab in the living/travel quarters with their families. They certainly wouldn't sniff evidence that they thought might contain dangerous pathogens or chemicals.
I can accept some of the insertions of conservative Evangelical Christian doctrine in the book. Although the reviewers claim they think the material wasn't intrusive, I did find it a bit "gratuitous."
As a series book I would be willing to recommend this to students whose families prefer that they read Christian fiction. The story itself is adequately developed and does carry an important message about bullying. However, in doing so I would also warn them that I have concerns about scientific safety in the plot. I want students to be aware of just how dangerous/serious some substances can be. It is not a title I would recommend to general audiences. The plot and characters were just not compelling enough to make me want to read more.
I'm very concerned about some of the plot elements in the book. The "Veritas Project team" a family traveling the country as trouble shooters of "strange mysteries, crimes, and unusual occurrences" do a number of things that fall well outside of scientific safety. In this book, as they investigate the sighting of ghosts at a school and the resultant serious illnesses of students, there are several instances in which seriously unsafe scientific procedures are followed. At one point the mother (who has a science lab in the back of the RV the family travels in) takes a suspicious straw back to the family home and actually sniffs it. This after four students are in the hospital and on the way to death. I don't think any well informed scientist would keep a lab in the living/travel quarters with their families. They certainly wouldn't sniff evidence that they thought might contain dangerous pathogens or chemicals.
I can accept some of the insertions of conservative Evangelical Christian doctrine in the book. Although the reviewers claim they think the material wasn't intrusive, I did find it a bit "gratuitous."
As a series book I would be willing to recommend this to students whose families prefer that they read Christian fiction. The story itself is adequately developed and does carry an important message about bullying. However, in doing so I would also warn them that I have concerns about scientific safety in the plot. I want students to be aware of just how dangerous/serious some substances can be. It is not a title I would recommend to general audiences. The plot and characters were just not compelling enough to make me want to read more.
Hush: An Irish Princess Tale, by Donna Jo Napoli
I was completely engaged with this book, but wonder about it's designation as a YA title. There are two reasons for my concern--the content of the story and some of the features of the writing.
This wouldn't necessarily be an easy read for young adults. Perma-bound recommends it for 5th-9th grades with a 570 Lexile estimate. The plot begins with Melkora's (the Irish Princess), brother having his hand inexplicable cut off while shopping in Dublin. Shortly after that Melkora and her younger sister are stolen by slavers. The remainder of the book is about her long voyage as a slave. Rape, physical abuse, and the lives of slaves are the backbone of the remainder of the plot. I certainly wouldn't want to have a 5th grader reading this material.
The writing is also a bit of a challenge. Napoli makes some leaps during the narrative that might well confuse less mature readers. Occasionally there are jumps in time during the narration that aren't obvious. They would be confusing to readers. Readers might also be confused by the historical period. I don't think many 5th-9th graders are familiar with Europe during the Dark Ages. Napoli is not specific about her time frame, but it is during early Christianity but post-Roman Empire. I believe the setting/tone/events of the book will provide a relatively accurate picture of the time period. Certainly much more so than some of the popular movies right now. The characters become relatively well developed through the book. The ending was not tidy--many readers will finish feeling dissatisfied.
This would be a useful companion reading for a high school world history course. I would, however, strongly advise students that there are some very "hard to read" parts of the book (based on content). The rapes are not sexually explicit, but they are quite clearly rape. Not all students or their families would find the content acceptable.
All that said--I am still haunted by the book. I'm certainly not an historical scholar, but I believe that the rich portrayal of this time period in Europe and the Middle East is worth the challenging materials in the book. It would certainly liven up the study of the Dark Ages!
This wouldn't necessarily be an easy read for young adults. Perma-bound recommends it for 5th-9th grades with a 570 Lexile estimate. The plot begins with Melkora's (the Irish Princess), brother having his hand inexplicable cut off while shopping in Dublin. Shortly after that Melkora and her younger sister are stolen by slavers. The remainder of the book is about her long voyage as a slave. Rape, physical abuse, and the lives of slaves are the backbone of the remainder of the plot. I certainly wouldn't want to have a 5th grader reading this material.
The writing is also a bit of a challenge. Napoli makes some leaps during the narrative that might well confuse less mature readers. Occasionally there are jumps in time during the narration that aren't obvious. They would be confusing to readers. Readers might also be confused by the historical period. I don't think many 5th-9th graders are familiar with Europe during the Dark Ages. Napoli is not specific about her time frame, but it is during early Christianity but post-Roman Empire. I believe the setting/tone/events of the book will provide a relatively accurate picture of the time period. Certainly much more so than some of the popular movies right now. The characters become relatively well developed through the book. The ending was not tidy--many readers will finish feeling dissatisfied.
This would be a useful companion reading for a high school world history course. I would, however, strongly advise students that there are some very "hard to read" parts of the book (based on content). The rapes are not sexually explicit, but they are quite clearly rape. Not all students or their families would find the content acceptable.
All that said--I am still haunted by the book. I'm certainly not an historical scholar, but I believe that the rich portrayal of this time period in Europe and the Middle East is worth the challenging materials in the book. It would certainly liven up the study of the Dark Ages!
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