Hidden Roots

Bruchac, J. Hidden Roots. New York: Scholastic Press, 2004. Print. ISBN: 0439353580 Hardbound. U.S. $15.99

Awards: None yet

Annotation: During the summer before sixth grade Sonny discovers the complexities of growing up and the pain and sorrow that exists in his family's past.

Hidden Roots by Joseph Bruchac

The roots may be hidden in this short novel by Joseph Bruchac but the message is incredibly obvious. During the Cold War, Howard, nicknamed Sonny, is discovering the subtleties of life during the summer before sixth grade. His father’s frequent rages, his mother’s secrecy, and his occasionally-present Uncle Louis consume his time and thoughts. He is slowly realizing the correlation between his father’s violence and his uncle’s presence and, when the mystery is solved, life will never be the same. Sonny narrates Hidden Roots in the past tense however he reveals no real dynamic shift or growth as a character. He begins the story as a scared, naïve, kid and he concludes the story as the same person only with some new information. The realization of his Uncle’s true identity is the great peak of action and it happens much too late in the story. Any interesting action that might have occurred after this huge bomb is dropped is lost to the book’s abrupt ending. Metaphors concerning trees, growth, and roots are delivered with a heavy hand; too heavy and too often. With the exception of a few important historical notes on genocide and government-sponsored atrocities the action is predictable and “ho-hum.” Sonny’s narrative and the transparent nature of the plot lends Hidden Roots to a younger audience. Recommend this book to 5^th-7^th graders interested in American history and Native-American culture.

The author, Joseph Bruchac, has been writing and making music that reflect his Abenaki Indian heritage for over thirty years. Visit Joseph Bruchac's website to hear him read poems, schedule an author visit, or see a schedule of his performances. http://josephbruchac.com/

Warning...SPOILERS

Grade 5-9-Small for his 11 years and the last picked for playground games, Harold doesn't much care that he's friendless. His mother is also a loner; his father works at the paper mill and everything about his job makes him angry--chemicals spilling into the Hudson, the gnashing cogs of machine Number Three that will rip off a limb if you're not careful, and the double shifts that never bring in enough money. Life is hard in this upstate New York town during the early 1960s. Harold knows that his family has secrets; some are too threatening to make sense of while his mother tries to hide others. Uncle Louis visits mostly while his father is at work, showing Harold the wonders of this Adirondack wilderness. Bruchac's story takes its roots in the 1930s Native American sterilization program known as the Vermont Eugenics Program. This chilling reality haunted the Abenaki people, threatened their annihilation, and drove them into hiding for three decades. As Harold learns near the end of the story, his family, victims of that program, escaped to New York and claimed a French heritage. "Uncle Louis" is actually his mother's father. This purposeful but discerning book will prompt discussion and further research into the plight of the Native people from the Green Mountain State. Yet within this historical framework of the shameful deeds of man, pride and integrity hold the family together.--Alison Follos, North Country School, Lake Placid, NY (School Library Journal)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Outsiders

see Credits tab please

Hinton, S.E. The Outsiders. 1967. New York: Viking Press, 1995. Print. ISBN: 978-0142407332 Paperback. U.S. $10.00

Awards:

New York Herald Tribune Best Teenage Books List, 1967

Chicago Tribune Book World Spring Book Festival Honor Book, 1967

Media and Methods Maxi Award, 1975

ALA Best Young Adult Books, 1975

Massachusetts Children’s Book Award, 1979

Annotation: Ponyboy and his friends discover their ability to see beyond their circumstances and create a future free of violence and competition.

Review

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

      A triumphant tale of growth and heartache, The Outsiders remains a relevant coming of age story forty years after its publication.  S.E. Hinton’s classic tale of a group of young men growing up amidst 1960s gang violence is full of action, emotion, and depth. This book certainly casts a new light on West Side Story’s Sharks and Jets. Orphaned, but cared for by his loving older brothers and his street-tough friends Ponyboy is the youngest of this unconventional family of “greasers.” The boys are used to daily battles with the “socs,” the greasers’ wealthy, violent enemies.  As far as Ponyboy is concerned, things are going fine, until a surprise attack goes very, very wrong and he and Johnny are on the run. The experience leaves Ponyboy full of confusion, contradiction, and concern. Suddenly, the life he had loved doesn’t feel as comfortable anymore. Johnny’s instruction for Ponyboy to “stay gold (p. 148)” leaves room for interpretation and discussion. Ponyboy speaks with an authentic voice that reflects both his youthful ignorance and the wisdom gained through years of rough living. The Outsiders has been considered revolutionary in the field of young adult literature partly because of its accurate representation of the teenage experience at the time.  The Outsiders is ideal for the teenage audience due to its length, pacing, and engrossing fusion of external action and internal struggle. The lack of profanity and sexual content and the fairly benign (by today’s standards) descriptions of violent encounters makes The Outsiders a good option for 6^th-10^th graders. While Ponyboy’s internal experience is still relevant, teenagers may have a difficult time relating to his situation, environment, and language. Teens interested in realistic fiction, action, and young men’s coming of age stories may enjoy this book.  More likely to appreciate this story, however, are individuals who work with teens and individuals who lived through this period of history.  

Hear what S.E. Hinton has to say about the book and movie! SPOILERS!

Destroy All Cars

Destroy All Cars by Blake Nelson      


     As if high school weren't bad enough, James Hoff knows that consumerist culture and "the lameness of people in general" is bringing the end of the world. While railing against exhaust emissions and wasteful spending, James is trying his best to bring about world change, so why can't he win back his ex-girlfriend, do-gooder, Sadie.








Praise for Destroy All Cars

"James' consideration of 'the lameness of people in general'—which he fairly applies also to himself—gives a nuanced look at why it's hard to change anything in the world but also why it's a noble cause worth striving for." — Los Angeles Times

"This sweet, satisfying read will appeal to fans of Nelson's previous books, and teens who want to change the world— even if the only world they change is their own." — Voice of Youth Advocates

"An elegant and bittersweet story of a teenager who is finding his voice and trying to make meaning in a world he often finds hopeless." — Publishers Weekly

Here is what 60secondrecap thinks....do you agree?

Nelson, Blake. Destroy All Cars. New York: Scholastic Inc, 2009. Print.