The Book Thief

The Book Thief
Markus Zusak
Tayshas 2006
Interest Level: High School
CATEGORY: Historical Fiction
TYPE: Novel

SUMMARY: A little girl finds herself in a new environment with a foster family. During the time of World War II, through tragedy she steals a book; she learns to read and begins to collect books by stealing them. She reads her stolen books in a neighbor’s cellar during air raids, and to a Jewish man taking refuge in her basement, and to a lonely neighbor.

ONLINE CONNECTIONS:
Background on this book by Markus Zusak, featured by Random House:
http://www.randomhouse.com/features/markuszusak/
About the author:
http://www.bookbrowse.com/biographies/index.cfm?author_number=1275

BOOK CONNECTIONS:
Resistance by Owen Sheers
A Storm of Swords by George R R. Martin

KEYWORDS: War, Germany, bombs, refuge, death

This was a good book to read considering that most of the books that I have read about World War II have been about the Holocaust, the Jewish massacre. This book was about some of the hardships of the underprivileged German people especially the children.

The House of the Scorpion

The House of the Scorpion
By Nancy Farmer
Newbery and Honor Books 2003
Interest Level: high school
Category: Futuristic Science Fiction
Type: Novel

Summary: Matt could not understand why he could not go outside to play. Later when he is discovered he is treated like a piece of property by the children and most of the adults, except a child named Maria. Matt eventually learns that he is a clone of El Patron, Matteo Alacran. Clones of El Patron are made to harvest organs, will the same fate fall on Matt or will he be the lucky one to gain his freedom?

ONLINE CONNECTIONS:
Nancy Keane does a book talk on this book:
http://nancykeane.com/booktalks/farmer_house.htm
About the author:
http://www.bookbrowse.com/biographies/index.cfm?author_number=818

BOOK CONNECTIONS:
The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer
Night Watch by Terry Pratcett

KEYWORDS: future, alone, identity, freedom

This is a fascinating book that makes you wonder what could happen if human cloning is allowed. What struggles would the cloned person go through? It is set in a future world with realistic possibilities of what one man with money, power and control is capable of doing.