Cinder

Title: Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1) 

Author: Marissa Meyer

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Publication Date: January, 2012

Genre/Format: Sci-Fi/Novel

Goodreads Summary: Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . 

     Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

What I Think: Wow. Marissa Meyer completely impressed with this one! I was afraid that it was going to be just another dystopian or fairy-tale retelling, but it was so unique and really was entertaining and well done. I can definitely see why Cinder was a huge hit when it came out and I am so glad that I finally got to read it. What I specifically loved about Cinder is it didn't completely rely on being a fairy tale retelling or on being a pure dystopian novel- it is a unique combo of the two. 

     Characters: I love how Marissa Meyer didn't overwhelm the story with too many characters, as I have seen in other dystopian novels, she specifically delved deep into the most important characters. It made me, as a reader, feel like I had a deeper connection with the characters who actually mattered. 

     Setting: Holy world building batman! I am always a huge fan of a character who can build a world that is futuristic yet completely realistic. Although the Lunar colony and the glamours are a bit of a reality stretch, Kai's Commonwealth is completely plausible.

     Conflict: Wow! Levana is so evil! She is a great antagonist to go up against the hardcore Cinder and handsome Kai. 

     In the classroom: The parallels between Cinderella and Cinder combined with many human issues throughout Cinder will definitely make it so it can be part of a classroom read aloud or novel analysis. 

Read Together: Grades 9 and up

Read Alone: Grades 7 and up

Read With: Cinderella by The Brothers Grimm, The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer

Snatch of Text: "The screw through Cinder's ankle had rusted, the engraved cross marks worn to a mangled circle. Her knuckles ached from forcing the screwdriver into the joint as she struggled to loosen the screw one gritting twist after another. By the time it was extracted far enough for her to wrench free with her prosthetic steel hand, the hairline threads had been stripped clean." (p. 1) 

"The lingering moon caught Cinder's attention, and a shock of goose bumps covered her arms. The moon had always given her a sense of paranoia, like the people who lived up there could be watching her, and if she stared for too long, she might draw their attention. Superstitious nonsense, but then everything about Lunars was eerie and superstitious." (p. 43)

Mentor Text for: Characterization, Compare/Contrast, Making Connections, Conflict, World Building, Research

Writing Prompts: In Cinder, cyborgs are not considered to be fully human thus are sacrificed in the name of the greater good; research and find a time in history that you could compare this to. 

Topics Covered: War, Humanity, Mechanics, Propaganda, ID Chips, Plagues, Politics

I *heart* It:

 

The Last Free Cat

Title: The Last Free Cat

Author: Jon Blake

Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company

Publication Date: August, 2012

Genre/Format: Sci-Fi; Dystopian/Novel

Goodreads Summary: Jade has always trusted the authorities, but now she begins to question the very society in which she lives. Not far in the future, cat breeding is strictly controlled and cats are only for the rich in their private estates. When beautiful, sleek Feela turns up in Jade's backyard, she cannot resist taking the cat in, even though it could cost her everything. Soon the enforcement officials are raiding Jade's house. After her mother's death, the only person left for Jade to turn to is Kris, the cynical school loser. Soon Jade and Kris are on the run... 

What I Think: This book is such a compelling read and a great addition to the dystopian subgenre. 

     When I started this book, I had never heard of it but I was intrigued by the concept and right away I was glad that this book had crossed my path. This book was non-stop action and was so hard to predict because of all of the twists and turns throughout. Just as you thought that things were going to get steady for Kris and Jade, something happens. I also enjoyed the back and forth between Kris and Jade. Whenever there is a boy and girl character who are blatantly flirting yet pretend they don't like each other, it makes me want to keep reading to see if they figure it out (and you'll have to read to find out if Kris and Jade do). 

     I was particularly enthralled with this book because it seemed to be something that could realistically happen in the near future. The idea of killing off animals who spread a disease already happens and the extreme that the book goes to could definitely happen. It actually hurt me to think of a world where people couldn't have cats- the companionship that cats provide is something no other animal can. 

     Also, I think this is another book that is a great example of "Don't judge a book by its cover" as the cover makes it look so boring! It isn't, I promise. 

Read Together: Grades 6 to 12

Read Alone: Grades 7 to 12

Read With: The Girl Who Remembered Horses by Linda Benson, Personal Effects by E.M. Kokie, The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann

Snatch of Text: "There was no way she'd let me touch her at first. Trust had to be built up slowly and painfully. I talked to her softly, offered her little treats, and took care not to make any sudden or threatening movements." (p. 10) 

"There was one person, however, who found me endlessly fascinating. Kris Delaney. Kris was the bane of my life. It was the entire aim of his existence to test me. I don't know why I interested him so much. It certainly bugged him that I wasn't born in the neighborhood and had lived in a greenhome and, OK, we'd had a boat if only a small one. But Kris was different, too. You'd see him with other lads, kicking a ball about, but you'd see him on his own just as much. There was always a distance between him and his mates." (p. 17) 

Mentor Text for: World Building, Conflict, Characterization

Writing Prompts: Jade goes on the run from the authorities to protect Feela. Do you agree with the choice she made? Use text evidence to back up your claim. What is something or someone in your life that you would risk everything for like Jade did for Feela? 

Topics Covered: Authority, Companionship, Choices, Death

I *heart* It:

(4.5 hearts)

Above World

Title: Above World
Author:Jenn Reese   
Publisher: Candlewick Press  
Publication Date: February 2012 
Genre/Format: Dystopian/Novel 
GoodReads Summary: Thirteen-year-old Aluna has lived her entire life under the ocean with the Coral Kampii in the City of Shifting Tides. But after centuries spent hidden from the Above World, her colony’s survival is in doubt. The Kampii’s breathing necklaces are failing, but the elders are unwilling to venture above water to seek answers. Only headstrong Aluna and her friend Hoku are stubborn and bold enough to face the terrors of land to search for way to save their people. 

But can Aluna’s warrior spirit and Hoku’s tech-savvy keep them safe? Set in a world where overcrowding has led humans to adapt—growing tails to live under the ocean or wings to live on mountains—here is a ride through a future where greed and cruelty have gone unchecked, but the loyalty of friends remains true. 
What I Think: I was completely drawn to the cover of this book. Isn't it beautiful? Candlewick does an amazing job with their book covers, if I do say so myself. I was really excited that this book was a middle grade dystopian. I wasn't sure how intense it would get, but Aluna and Hoku really are thrown into the gauntlet - or, I should say, they throw themselves into the gauntlet. They definitely want to do whatever they can to help their people. They are able to see how close-minded their leaders are being and take it into their own hands to make a difference.
     The main characters end up meeting so many interesting characters who are hybrids of humans and other animals. I thought that was very creative. In a way, it reminded me of the flying monkeys from The Wizard of Oz. From the standpoint of talking to kids about this book, I would be asking them to look at how the author goes back and forth between her two main characters. Aluna and Hoku are very different; they each have their own strengths and weaknesses yet they both truly care for each other and make decisions based off of that. It's so interesting to me how they both grow throughout the book but each in his or her own way. I think this is something important for readers to pay attention to but also that writers can learn from as well.
     I can't write this review without mentioning the action and excitement that builds as the book goes on. I would have given this book five hearts based solely on the fighting scenes. I think Reese does a great job of bringing these scenes to life. (The only thing that held me back from giving the book five stars was figuring out whether they were in the water or the Above World at the end of the book...it was just a bit unclear.) I noticed in the acknowledgements that Reese mentions her martial arts family and I can definitely see how her experience with that helped to make the fighting scenes believable.
Read Together: Grades 4 - 7 
Read Alone: Grades 4 - 8 
Read With: The Tail of Emily Windsnap by Liz Kessler, The Looking Glass Wars (series) by Frank Beddor, Eye of the Storm by Kate Messner 
Snatch of Text:  
     "Her father's brow darkened. 'You are too young to understand what's happening. You know nothing of the Above World and its horrors. Grow up, Aluna. You're about to get your tail, and you're still acting like a child.'
     She glowered, her blistered hands curling into fists. She couldn't speak, not without screaming. Where was the proud, honorable man the rest of the Kampii saw when they looked at her father? All she saw was a coward. A coward who was perpetually disppointed in her.
     'Get out of my sight,' her father said, and she did." p. 34

     "Hoku looked at the silvery water safe. A great whirlpool was forming inside his belly. Not just of fear, although there was certainly some of that, but of excitement. It swirled inside him, faster and faster, until it was all he could feel." p. 56
Mentor Text For: Characterization, Descriptive, Making Inferences, Imagery, Personal Narrative
Writing Prompts: Write about a time in your life when you had to trust in yourself and do what something you believed in.
Topics Covered: Friendship, Family, Loyalty, Doing What's Right, Bravery, Courage

I *heart* It:

 
**Thank you to Candlewick Press for providing a copy of his novel for review**

As Requested: Science Fiction Book Lists

My favorite genre is probably science fiction. It isn't what I've read the most of, but I have read very few sci-fi books that I haven't enjoyed. Now, if you are a long time follower of the blog, you know that I specifically LOVE dystopian, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic.  I love them so much, I had to share my love of the subgenres during a series in the winter. 

I have made it public knowledge that I am a fan. Then, earlier this month when my friend Kathy (@thebrainlair) asked for dystopian suggestions, I was on it. My friend Maria (@mselke01) also was looking for science fiction suggestions for her summer reading where she is focusing on science fiction.

They both asked if I could do a post where I share my favorites and I have done as requested. Here are some great books (I rated them all 3 or more) that you should check out if you haven't. My lists are in no particular order.  If the book is part of a series, I only put the first book in the post, but the entire series is worth reading.  For each book I am just putting a picture of the novel that'll link to my Goodreads review of the book or the Goodreads summary. 

Dystopian Novels

                                

      

Apocalyptic or Post-Apocalyptic Novels

  

  

Sci-Fi Novels

                   

Happy reading!!!