Young Adult Annotation - All the Bright Places

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*THIS ANNOTATION CONTAINS SPOILERS*

Author: Jennifer Niven
Title: All the Bright Places
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: 2015
Number of Pages: 383
Geographical Setting: Indiana 
Time Period: 21st Century
Series: Not a Series

Plot Summary: 

Violet and Finch meet at the top of a bell tower of their high school, Violet has decided she doesn't want to live anymore because she is grieving the death of her sister and feels guilty over her death. Finch is fascinated by death and often fantasizes about how he would like to die; he also went up to the bell tower to commit suicide. On that day they save each other from ending their lives. They then begin to develop a friendship after they are paired together for a class assignment that asks them to travel their home state of Indiana. They each share their feelings and personal lives with one another while traveling and they begin to develop a relationship. While Finch helps Violet overcome her depression and hardships, Violet is unable to help Finch with his. Finch deals with depression and issues that are far beyond the reach of anyone's help.

Subject Headings: 

Friendship-Fiction

Suicidal Behavior-Fiction

Emotional Problems-Ficiton

Young Adult Fiction

Indiana-Ficiton

Appeal: 

This book deals with sensitive and real topics that not everyone is comfortable discussing or reading about, but they are real and prevalent issues in today's society. Depression affects many people and suicide due to bullying and depression is becoming more common. Teens and adults will be deeply affected by this book and they will be able to relate to the characters that Niven has created. 


3 Terms That Best Describe This Book: Relatable, Heartbreaking, Beautifully written

3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors

Little Indiana: Small Town Destinations by Jessica Nunemaker-This book relates to All the Bright Places because Finch and Violet explored Indiana for their class assignment and visited many different parts of the state. 
I Wasn't Ready to Say Goodbye: Surviving, Coping and Healing After the Sudden Death of a Loved One by Brook Noel and Pamela Blair- Throughout this book Violet deals with the sudden loss of her sister, this book would be helpful to someone who relates to Violet and has also lost someone they love. 

No Time to Say Goodbye: Surviving the Suicide of a Loved One by Carla Fine- This book would be helpful for people who have lost someone they love to suicide. Finch decides to commit suicide in this novel, due to his depression and other circumstances and Violet is deeply affected by his decision.

3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors

Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon- The topics in this book differ than the ones in All the Bright Places, but the writing style and characters are similar in ways. I think readers would also enjoy this book if they enjoyed Niven's writing style and development of characters. 

Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven- This is Niven's second young adult novel and it deals with difficult topics, such as, loss of a loved one, bullying, and depression. 

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher- This young adult novel deals with depression, bullying and suicide, much like All the Bright Places, however in this novel it is a girl that commits suicide and the reader knows from the beginning that she has committed suicide.

Week 12 Prompt

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) By: Mindy Kaling

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Where is the book on the narrative continuum?
This book is highly narrative.

What is the subject of the book?
Kaling uses personal experience and humor in order to tell stories about her life and give advice to others.

What type of book is it?

Nonfiction, Humor and Entertainment, essays about life

What is the pacing of the book?

This book reads very quickly, but the pace is slower.

Describe the characters of the book.

The character in the book is Mindy Kaling, who is an actress and comedienne. She is intelligent, funny and relatable. There are many of her friends and coworkers mentioned throughout the book as well. 

How does the story feel?

Uplifting, comical, entertaining.

What is the intent of the author?
To entertain readers with personal stories and to give funny advice.

Does the language matter?

Not much, she references pop culture often though for readers who are unfamiliar with that.

Is the setting important and well described?

The setting is not very important, all readers need to know is that it takes place in the 21^st century and mainly in New York and L.A.

Are there details and, if so, of what?

There are not many details, just enough to tell short stories to the reader.She doesn't give very much personal information about herself, and when she does, it's minimal. 

Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? Are they useful and clear?
There are pictures of Kaling throughout the book, they are useful in that they are entertaining, relate to her life and allow the reader to see Kaling at different stages of her life and career.

Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience?

The book mainly focuses on the experiences of Kaling’s life. There are moments of learning and understanding throughout the book, but they are not main factors.

Why would a reader enjoy this book (rank appeal)?
1. Funny              2. Entertaining             3. Relatable

Nonfiction Annotation

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Author: Susan Cain
Title: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Genre: Non-Fiction, Health, mind and body, Psychological 
Publication Date: 2012
Number of Pages: 333
Geographical Setting: United States
Time Period: 20th, 21st 
Series: Not a series, but the author wrote a children's book called, Quiet Power: The Secret Strengths of Introverts, for younger readers. 

Plot Summary: This book states that the western world has created an extrovert ideal and that many people think introverts are not as likely to be successful as extroverts. It describes the importance of introverts through Cain’s thorough research on the topic. Cain states that at least 1/3 of the population are introverts, so it's important to know their characteristics and be aware of the different types of personality traits. She covers topics on both extroverts and introverts, how the two can get along and interact with each other, the importance of both types and how other cultures view these personality types. Cain details the advantages and disadvantages of both introverts and extroverts and dispels the myth that one is better than the other. Cain suggests changes in work environments, schools and parenting in order to encourage introverts and allow them to use their unique personality traits to benefit themselves and others in their careers, schooling and personal life. 

Subject Headings: Introverts
Introversion
Extraversion
Interpersonal Relations 

Appeal: If you consider yourself an introvert, I highly recommend reading this book. I’ve read this book many times, when I first read this book I came to the realization that I was highly introverted. I take solace in being alone and having my quiet time. Being social often drains me and I dislike small talk, big groups and too much noise. Reading this book is an eye opening experience because I realized that there are many other people in the world who are like me and can relate to how I feel about certain situations. Reading this book made many of my actions and feelings make sense and allowed me to feel normal in a sense.

3 Terms That Best Describe This Book: Informative, Enlightening, Relatable

3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors

Introvert Power: Why Your Inner Life is Your Hidden Strength by: Laurie Helgoe Ph.D- These books are very similar, Helgoe emphasizes the strengths of introverts and explains that introverts gain energy and power from reflection and being alone. 
The Introvert Advantage: How Quiet People Can Thrive in an Extrovert World by: Marti Olsen Laney, Psy.D- This book states that it can boost introverts confidence and create strategies for thriving in an extroverted world. It is also a great book for introverts to read in order to understand themselves better and be able to cope in the extroverted world we live in. 
Introvert Doodles: An Illustrated Look at Introvert Life in an Extrovert World by: Maureen Marzi Wilson- This is a fun read to relate to if you are an introvert. It is a graphic novel that depicts what it is like to be an introvert living in an extrovert world. 

3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors

The Introvert by: Michael Paul Michaud- This book is considered a mystery, thriller, suspense novel. The title alone makes it a great read alike. It is about an introverted vacuum salesman that lives a quiet life alone with his dog. The story evolves and suddenly the main character is the center of a murder investigation. It is described as a “sometimes brutal, oftentimes hilarious, and absurdist account of the life of one very anti-social and unexpected anti-hero.”

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz- The main character of this book, Oscar, is described as a social introvert. He is scared of the social scenes he partakes in, but he does crave interpersonal relationships, he wants a girlfriend. He is usually found reading or writing science fiction or fantasy, but he does want deep relationships, but socializing doesn't come naturally to him. 

Where'd You Go Bernadette? By: Maria Semple- Bernadette is an introvert and agoraphobic, who runs away from her life when her family decides to take a trip to Antarctica. She doesn't want to deal with all the other people who will be going on the trip with them, so instead of socializing she decides to run away instead.

Historical Fiction Annotation

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Author: Gruen, Sara
Title: Water for Elephants
Genre: Historical Fiction, Love Story
Publication Date: 2006
Number of Pages: 335
Geographical Setting: There are multiple settings for this book, during the flash-forward it takes place in a nursing home, in the flashbacks, it starts out at Cornell University and then the majority of the book takes place in the circus.
Time Period: 1930s, 1990s

Plot Summary: Water for Elephants is told as a story through the main character, Jacob Jankowski, who is now in his nineties and living in a nursing home. His story takes place in 1932, in the circus world, as he transitions to life in the circus after he discovers his parents have both died in an accident and he is forced to drop out of veterinary school. The circus owner gives Jacob a job as the circus' veterinarian after learning about his educational background. Quickly after arriving at the circus Jacob falls in love with Marlena, who is married to, August, the head animal trainer, who is abusive to both Marlena and the animals he trains, including Rosie, the elephant. Jacob also dearly cares for Rosie and learns that she only responds to commands in Polish, which Jacob speaks, so he starts training her. The bond that develops between Jacob, Marlena and Rosie throughout the novel allows the reader to want to keep reading until the very end. 

Subject Headings: Circus-fiction
Depressions-fiction
Circus Performers-fiction

Appeal: Jacob Jankowski's kindness and love for Marlena and the animals at the circus, especially Rosie, will allow readers to be captivated by the story and engage with the characters. Strong and kind characters are a big appeal to readers, because the reader becomes attached to the characters and this leads to them wanting to know what happens to them next. The love story between Marlena and Jacob will also captivate readers, readers will want Jacob to save Marlena from her abusive husband. 

3 terms that best describe this book: Engaging, Romantic, Atmospheric

3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors
Queen of the Air: A True Story of Love and Tragedy and the Circus by: Dean N. Jensen- This book states it's “a true life Water for Elephants.” It's a story about the famous trapeze artist, Leitzel and her love affair with Alfredo Codona, a fellow trapeze artist. 

Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived by: Ralph Helfer-This book tells the trials and tribulations of the life of Bram and Modoc, a man and a circus elephant who made his rise to stardom in 1940s New York City. Readers who enjoyed the relationship between Jacob and Rosie will enjoy this novel as well. 

American Sideshow: An Encyclopedia of History's Most Wonderous and Curiously Strange Performers by Marc Hartzman-This book gives readers a behind the scenes look at the life of circus performers, and it gives the history of the circus through the years. 

3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors
The Orphan's Tale by: Pam Jenoff- Both works are historical fiction that take place in a circus setting. Both main characters take refuge with the circus, which comes with ups and downs. 

The Night Circus by: Erin Morgenstern- Both books revolve around life in a circus, although The Night Circus has magic and fantasy throughout the story. 

At the Water's Edge by: Sara Gruen- Reader's who enjoyed Water for Elephants will hopefully also enjoy Gruen's other novel, for similar writing style and the historical fiction aspect. The novel does not take place in a circus setting for readers who liked that aspect of her first book.

Women's Lives and Relationships Annotation - The Help

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Author: Kathryn Stockett

Title: The Help

Genre: Women's Lives and Relationships, Historical Fiction

Publication Date: February 10, 2009

Number of Pages: Paperback- 544 pages

Geographical Setting: Jackson, Mississippi

Time Period: 1960s

Series (if applicable): Not a series

Plot Summary: 

The Help takes place in Jackson Mississippi in 1962 during the Civil Rights Movement. Through alternating chapters from the viewpoints of the three main characters, life as an African-American maid in the south during the 1960s is described. Aibileen Clark is one of the main characters who is an African-American maid, raising her seventeenth white child, normally she quietly takes orders from her employers, but because of the way she is continually poorly treated by her employers she is having trouble staying quiet anymore. Her friend Minny Jackson, who is also a maid for a wealthy white family, has never been able to keep quiet about how she is treated. Lastly, is Skeeter Phelan, a young, wealthy white woman who recently graduated from college, even though she has accomplished so much, to her mother's dismay she still hasn't found a husband. Skeeter usually confides in her maid, Constantine, but she has seemingly disappeared and no one will tell her where she has gone. These three story lines intertwine and the women begin to work on writing a tell-all book on how southern African-American maids are treated by their white employers. Even though they are aware of the risks involved they continue their work in hopes of inspiring a change in the world. 

Subject Headings:

Civil Rights Movements-Fiction

African American Women-Fiction

Jackson Mississippi-Fiction

Appeal: 

This book is heartwarming, funny and leaves the reader wanting to know more about the wonderful characters described in the book. The three main characters are smart, funny, and strong willed, they prove to themselves and to their community that they deserve a place in the world and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. This book is hopeful and readers will root for their favorite characters and delight in the downfalls of their least favorite characters. The Help is a must-read.

3 Terms that Best Describe this book: Historical, Heartwarming, and Humorous

3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors:

Freedom in the Family: A Mother-Daughter Memoir of the Fight for Civil Rights by Tananarive Due and Patricia Stephens Due-Mother and Daughter give alternating view points of the Civil Rights Movement in this book, it describes the hardships that African-American women faced during the Civil Rights Movement.

Sisters in the Struggle: African-American Women in the Civil Rights-Black Power Movement by Bettye Collier-Thomas- This book discusses the importance of women during the Civil Rights Movement, even though their stories were rarely heard. Various women heroes stories are told throughout the book.

Women and the Civil Rights Movement, 1945-1965 by Davis W. Houck- This book discusses the importance of the roles that women, both black and white, played during the Civil Rights Movement. This book presents 39 speeches that women gave during the movement during the most intense times in the 1950s and 1960s.

3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors:

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd- Both books take place in the south, in the 1960s. They focus on strong African-American women who fight for their rights.

The Queen of Palmyra by Minrose Gwin- Both books are set in a racially segregated Mississippi during the 1960s, they focus on how the Civil Rights Movement changed society during that time.

Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal- Both books are set in the south in the 1960s, Dollbaby focuses on a girl who finds a family in the most unexpected place, and she learns to understand the difference of races for the first time.

Science Fiction Annotation - The Martian

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Author: Andy Weir

Title: The Martian

Genre: Science Fiction

Publication Date: Self-published in 2011, published in 2014

Number of Pages: 369

Geographical Setting: Mars and Earth

Time Period: Unknown

Series (if applicable): Not a series

Plot Summary:

Mark Watney who is presumed dead by his crew mates, is accidentally left behind when a dust storm on Mars forces the team to abort their mission. He is injured and only has a limited amount of food and supplies which he will have to use to last him until the next trip NASA makes to Mars. Through Watney’s resourcefulness, smarts and good sense of spirit he is able to stay alive long enough for NASA to realize he has survived and they are able to create a rescue plan in order to save Watney from the deadly planet of Mars and possible starvation. Using his desire to survive, resourcefulness, engineering and botanist skills he continually confronts one obstacle after the next until he can be rescued.

Subject Heading:

Astronauts-Fiction

Survival-Fiction

Mars-Fiction      

Appeal: 

This book is fast-paced and easy to read despite its use of technical math and scientific terms.  It is suspenseful and thrilling, yet really humorous and entertaining at points. Watney’s desire to survive is what I found most appealing in this book, he is a strong, relatable, smart, courageous character and the reader will cheer for his survival throughout reading the book.

3 Terms that Describe this Book:  

Humorous, Suspenseful and Entertaining

3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors:

The Case for Mars: The Plan to Settle the Red Planet and Why We Must by Robert Zubrin- This book describes how humans can be sent to Mars using present day technology.

Mars: Our Future on the Red Planet by Leonard David- This book explains that Mars is next in line for space exploration and how human habitation on Mars isn’t too far off.

Destination Mars: New Explorations of the Red Planet by Rod Pyle-This book describes NASA and the European Space Agency’s plans to conduct four different trips to Mars in the near future. It describes the history of Mars exploration and the challenges and difficulties of traveling there.

3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors:

Seveneves by Neal Stephenson- Both of these books are science fiction and they deal with survival. In each book the characters deal with the planets natural forces which causes imminent danger to them.

Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer- Both are relatively recent sci-fi books about survival, although this book deals with a group of people, it is the first book in a trilogy and it is more eerie than the Martian.  

I am Legend by Richard Matheson- Both books are about  a man trying to survive on a plant, although in I am Legend there are vampires after the character in I am Legend, I think both are suspenseful and similar enough for readers to enjoy both.

Review: Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

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Maddy is basically allergic to the world and she hasn’t left her house since she was very little. Her immune system can’t handle the outside elements or so she’s been told her whole life. She spends her days inside her house with her mother and nurse; she studies her schoolwork, plays games with her mother and is often found on Tumblr. She has accepted her secluded life, until she meets Olly, the new boy next door who is wild, funny, and nice and wants to meet Maddy face-to-face. Her mother objects at first, so they are only allowed to speak through emails. Soon Maddy finds herself willing to risk everything in order to be with Olly, even if that means her health starts to decline. The book ends with a plot twist that makes readers examine the meaning of true love and loving so deeply that you would do anything to protect the ones you love. Interspersed throughout the book are beautiful drawings by Yoon’s husband, lists made by Maddy and email and text transcripts that bring the book alive. This engaging story is humorous, relatable, and endearing. Readers get to follow Maddy’s story as she discovers life, love and forgiveness of others for the first time in her young life. Yoon has developed characters that are so relatable and likeable; Maddy and Olly’s dialogue between each other is face-paced and witty. Readers will fall in love with the characters of Maddy and Olly as easily as they fall in love with each other.