This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victory Frankenstein, by Kenneth Oppel

2011

I'm still working my way through the recommendations for "Halloween" reading from Common Sense Media.

This book is a "prequel" to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.   Oppel has done a good job of assuming her Gothic style. Consequently, it may be a somewhat challenging read for many adolescents.  The content and themes are clearly designed for adolescent readers. The book tells the story of Victor Frankenstein's beginnings as a "mad scientist." Oppel creates a twin brother for Victor, Konrad, a somewhat timid but brilliant friend Henry, and a distantly related love interest, Elizabeth. Konrad falls ill from a mysterious and deadly  illness. Victor, Elizabeth, and Henry go in search of a cure from a disgraced alchemist after discovering a hidden and forbidden library of alchemy in the family castle.

It took me a little persistence to finish this book. It may have just been that I was preoccupied with many other tasks, but I worry that adolescents may find this Gothic style a little too challenging. On the other hand, were I wanting to introduce students to pastiche or fan fiction, this might be a good choice. Oppel uses the basic personality of Victor Frankenstein to create an original tale that is congruent with Shelley's work.

This might be a good companion read with historical material on the transition between alchemy and modern science.  The details that Oppel includes of Switzerland and Medieval walled-cities will also help connect to European history. He creates an ominous tone throughout the book that students should appreciate. It will provide good teaching material for the study of voice and word choice. He is not heavy handed and clearly demonstrates the subtleties of creating mood and tone. It is also a good choice for a "stepping stone" into the more complex and challenging Gothic literature of Shelly, Stoker, Poe and even some of Dickens and Wilde.

Monstrumologist, by Rick Yancey

I picked this up to read because it was a Prinz honor book for 2010. Part way through I began to wonder why the Prinz committee was recommending it. Now I wonder if I need to do something to change my world view. (It's a very good book and worth an award, but you need to be aware of some of its "issues.")

I began doubting the suitability of this book when it grossed me out. About the same time I realized that the prose itself would present a difficulty for many YA readers. So, I began to search--is this a book that will really be recommended for YA reading? I double checked the members of the Prinz committee and found that they were primarily high school librarians. I trust librarians and if they recommend a book then I listen. I also discussed this with one of my most trusted middle school teacher friends. She was most interested it and said that many of her students would love such a book. At her school kids would be allowed to read such a book with parent permission. Many parents are happy to extend such.

The book is well written, in a Gothic tradition. There are mad scientists, insane asylums, and questionable characters galore! Mixed with the gore and dark, dangerous adventure is an underlying plot that compels the reader through the book.

I'm still having trouble with the gross factor, but then I took a few minutes to sit with my son as he played Special Forces: Dark Opps. I'm convinced--today's kids are accustomed to the violence and mayhem. I just need to get over it.

But, if you are going to recommend this to others be aware that a student would need to be a pretty strong reader (Lexile 990) and willing to read pretty graphic "yuck."