The Giver by Lois Lowry

The Giver by Lois Lowry details the life of a young boy Jonas who has been raised in a world that is seemingly perfect, a somewhat "utopian society"; until, he receives his life assignment that completely changes his perspective on the "ideal" world that he had once lived. While during his training as the new Receiver, Jonas is transmitted feelings of happiness, sadness, joy, pain, grief, hope, and love. He begins to question his trainer, the Giver, as to why his community has put away these memories of generations past.

Jonas, while admirable of these memories that the Giver instills upon him, becomes frustrated with the fact that he cannot share what he has learned with others such as his family or friends, and also comes to learn about how his father participates in the Release of people, while planning to let go of Gabriel. While it is quite risky, Jonas kidnaps Gabe and journeys to the land of Elsewhere, with the intention of living within the world that was once known many years ago - before the community's robotic theme of "sameness" among all. Jonas is able to endure the pain through his recollection of memories of warmth and happiness, and is able to transfer them to Gabe.

As the story concludes, the final scene leaves Jonas with the first memory of snow and sledding down a hill, in which he and Gabe travel downhill, closer to the sound of music, closer to what he believes is people singing.

"Behind him, across vast distances of space and time, from the place he had left, he though he heard music too. But perhaps it was only an echo."

This left me feeling hopeful for Jonas and Gabe, yet uncertain about their fate. Did they make it to the world that once included people from past generations that Jonas had so desired? Or did they come to another utopian-like society in which humans did not experience true feelings or experiences.

What did Lowry want her readers to feel in The Giver? I felt somewhat secure, at first, in Jonas's utopian society where there was no crime, no sadness, no poverty. However, as Jonas receives memories from the Giver, he realizes that his world is somewhat corrupt and parallel to the past. My feelings changed quickly changed to frustration (as Jonas experienced while not being able to share his thoughts with others), and continually questioning as to why the future world would want to put away. Along with frustration, I experienced sadness, but still a sense of hope for Jonas and Gabe in that they would find a perfect "imperfect" world to live and feel secure in once again.

I found an interview with Lowry on ReadingRockets that was particulary interesting as Lowry wanted for readers to see Jonas to set out to change the world in which he lives in; and that is a message that is shown through Jonas's character development. However, she claims that some become frightened of the plot - I can see this as the events may be controversial.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid46047440001?bclid=42498921001&bctid=36542925001

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

As a troubled New York City teen who continually is failing to perform in school, Percy Jackson, finds that his insecurities, dyslexia, and ADHD are are contributions that ultimately reveal himself as a child of the Greek god Poseidon. After this revelation, while training at Camp Half-Blood, Percy is given the challenge to stop the war between the gods and retrieve Zeus' thunderbolt, along with the help of Grover and Annabeth, to Los Angeles and bring it back to Olympus. Percy is given ten days until the summer solstice (before the war begins) to find out what really happened to the bolt, and is told he must travel to see Hades, lord of the underworld, who is believed to have taken the bolt - which in the end, proves to be not true. Surprisingly, Luke, Percy's friend and fellow sword trainer, is the one who set him up and is the real Lightning Thief. This then leads into Percy deciding to leave Camp Half-Blood and return home with his mom for the year to test out his newfound abilities; yet, he warns that Cronos will seek his revenge with the gods, as the battle and adventures with Percy seem to lead into the next book in the series.

As the challenges Percy and his friends face prove to be life-threatening, the three of them form a bond of trust as they protect each other along the way. Percy's character evolves from a doubtful young man to a brave goldling and hero. At first, his reading disability and ADHD held him back from getting good grades at Yancy Academy; however, it proved to be helpful in deciphering ancient Greek and being able to be aware of all of his surrounding during the battles he fought.

While not knowing much Greek mythology myself, readers are able to gain knowledge and tidbits about each mythical being and creature in order to understand their involvement in the story - and peak their interest in finding out more using other resources. When you are reading The Lightning Thief, Riordan's use vivid descrptions in characters, setting, and chain of events assist in creating clear mental images of Percy's trials and tribulations as if we are right there helping him along the way. Excitment, momentum, and suspense is continued from page to page with the hope that Percy can and will be able to make his mother and father proud of him. Percy, as many middle school children, yearn to be accepted and fit in among their peers. He is a protagonist in a story that a lot of kids connect with in some way. With that being said, I can understand why so many adolescent readers take part in the exploration of the Percy Jackson series. The Lightning Thief is jam-packed with thrilling details that allow children to escape their every day challenges and travel into an existence where fantasy and reality coexist.

The Lightning Thief can also serve as a springboard for researching Greek mythology and various reading and writing connections can be incorporated throughout the story. Rick Riordan's website includes a teacher's guide for each book that includes literature circle discussion questions, project ideas, author video interviews, etc.
http://www.rickriordan.com/index.php/books-for-children/a-teachers-guide-to-percy/

Riordan's website also includes recommendations for "reluctant readers" and/or those who finish the Percy Jackson series and want more books of this type. Included in this link are a list of books that I have used in assisting students of my own in making future book selections.
http://www.rickriordan.com/index.php/books-for-children/recommendations/



I will be reading The Sea Of Monsters as soon as my February Scholastic book order comes in (below is the link for the Arrow order form) - I've ordered the entire series for those who are interested in borrowing!! I just have to know how Percy is going to get back at Luke and whether Cronos will be coming to seek his revenge!! Will Annabelle and Grover join Percy on his next adventure? Is Poseidon going to form more of a closer relationship with his son? How did Percy and Annabelle do while living at home for the year? So many questions...I hope they will be answered in the next book!!

Looking forward to seeing the movie on Tuesday!



http://teacher.scholastic.com/clubs/pdfs/february/arrow.pdf