Inkheartby Cornelia Funke
2004 ALA Notable Children's Book
2006 Zilveren Griffel
2004 Book Sense Book of the Year
2005 Spellbinding Award
Summary
Meggie's father Mo is a talented bookbinder who possesses an unusual gift: he brings things to life out of books when he reads out loud. This curious talent puts his entire family in danger when he reads Capricorn, one of the most evil villains of all time out of a book called Inkheart. The situation is worsened when Mo realizes that he read Meggie's mother into the book. Now, with the help of Dustfinger the fire eater, her great Aunt Elinor, and Fenoglio the author, Meggie must discover her own talents to help her father escape the evil Capricorn and bring her mother back to the real world.
My Impressions
Inkheart is a wonderful tale that takes the reader on an imaginative and unusual adventure ride. The action moves quickly and is filled with suspense as Meggie unravels the mystery of Inkheart and the characters that dwell within its pages. As she tries to help her father, Meggie is aided by many noble characters that selflessly do their best to bring her and her family back to safety. Meggie learns much about herself, and gains the confidence she needs to save the day at the end.
Reviews
Despite the presence of several well-developed, sympathetic characters, the plot is often driven by the decidedly menacing, less-convincing villains...Like many other fantasies, this will appeal to a broad age range, though the writing is far less child-centered than it is, for example, in the Harry Potter series. Carolyn Phelan for Booklist
It is hard to avoid preciosity in books about books, but here Funke pulls off the feat with vigor....Master translator Bell takes the German text and spins out of it vivid images and heart-stopping language that impel the reader through this adventure about narratives-a true feast for anyone who has ever been lost in a book. Kirkus Reviews
Activities
Have the students perform a little research project: they need to find a collection of heroes and heroines from various books that they would most like to see come to life. Each student could choose their favorite book character, and you could host a "cocktail party" in which the students mingle and have to explain three things about their character.
Bibliography
Funke, Cornelia. Inkheart. New York: Scholastic, Inc., 2003. ISBN: 0439531640
Among the Hiddenby Margaret Peterson Haddix
1999 ALA Best Books for Young Adults
2001 Maud Hart Lovelace Award
2000 ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
2002 Nutmeg Book Award
Summary
Among the Hidden explores a post-famine futuristic America in which a totalitarian government rations food and regulates childbirth. Third-born children are illegal, and the Population Police roam the country searching for families that have defied the law. Luke, a third-born son, has been able to live somewhat comfortably that first twelve years of his life, but all that is changing. His relatively secluded farm near the forest is being transformed into a housing development, and now Luke must spend his days and nights hiding in the attic. Luke also learns that there are other "Shadow Children" living across the country. However, he also learns that finding a way to live free and help the other Shadow Children will be a dangerous, even deadly challenge.
My Impressions
I really enjoyed reading Among the Hidden, but I had a hard time comprehending why a mother who was so devoted to her child was unable to see how miserable and impossible life as a third child would be. Luke is essentially a non-entity in his family--they have to ignore him on every level because they are so paranoid about somebody finding out about his existence. The book reveals that Luke won't even ask for butter for his toast, because his family is too afraid to cross the kitchen in front of the window to hand it to him. They have to give the appearance that they are a happy family of four, so Luke grows up feeling guilty for even being alive.
Reviews
Born third at a time when having more than two children per family is illegal and subject to seizure and punishment by the Population Police, Luke has spent all of his 12 years in hiding... To what extent is he willing to defy the government in order to have a life worth living? ... the loss of free will is the fundamental theme of an exciting and compelling story of one young person defying authority and the odds to make a difference. Readers will be captivated by Luke's predicament and his reactions to it. Susan L. Rogers for School Library Journal
The plot development is sometimes implausible and the characterizations a bit brittle, but the unsettling, thought-provoking premise should suffice to keep readers hooked. Publishers Weekly, 1998
Activities
Have the students look at "dumb laws" from the state where they reside (go to dumblaws.com; careful, some of the laws might need to be edited for children)
http://www.dumblaws.com/laws/united-states
Lead a discussion on why inapplicable, obsolete, or bizarre laws are passed.
Bibliography
Haddix, Margaret Peterson. Among the Hidden. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1998. ISBN: 0689817002
Among the Hidden explores a post-famine futuristic America in which a totalitarian government rations food and regulates childbirth. Third-born children are illegal, and the Population Police roam the country searching for families that have defied the law. Luke, a third-born son, has been able to live somewhat comfortably that first twelve years of his life, but all that is changing. His relatively secluded farm near the forest is being transformed into a housing development, and now Luke must spend his days and nights hiding in the attic. Luke also learns that there are other "Shadow Children" living across the country. However, he also learns that finding a way to live free and help the other Shadow Children will be a dangerous, even deadly challenge.
My Impressions
I really enjoyed reading Among the Hidden, but I had a hard time comprehending why a mother who was so devoted to her child was unable to see how miserable and impossible life as a third child would be. Luke is essentially a non-entity in his family--they have to ignore him on every level because they are so paranoid about somebody finding out about his existence. The book reveals that Luke won't even ask for butter for his toast, because his family is too afraid to cross the kitchen in front of the window to hand it to him. They have to give the appearance that they are a happy family of four, so Luke grows up feeling guilty for even being alive.
Reviews
Born third at a time when having more than two children per family is illegal and subject to seizure and punishment by the Population Police, Luke has spent all of his 12 years in hiding... To what extent is he willing to defy the government in order to have a life worth living? ... the loss of free will is the fundamental theme of an exciting and compelling story of one young person defying authority and the odds to make a difference. Readers will be captivated by Luke's predicament and his reactions to it. Susan L. Rogers for School Library Journal
The plot development is sometimes implausible and the characterizations a bit brittle, but the unsettling, thought-provoking premise should suffice to keep readers hooked. Publishers Weekly, 1998
Activities
Have the students look at "dumb laws" from the state where they reside (go to dumblaws.com; careful, some of the laws might need to be edited for children)
http://www.dumblaws.com/laws/united-states
Lead a discussion on why inapplicable, obsolete, or bizarre laws are passed.
Bibliography
Haddix, Margaret Peterson. Among the Hidden. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1998. ISBN: 0689817002
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