The Hunchback Assignments by Arthur Slade

Slade, A.G. (2009). The Hunchback Assignments. New York: Wendy Lamb Books.

Summary
The story begins with a man named Mr. Socrates adopting a child named Modo from the back of a freak show caravan. Modo is an interesting child who has the ability to change his facial features. Raised to be a spy, Modo begins his first mission for Mr. Socrates when his 14. Modo is stranded in London and left to survive on his own. Can Modo survive the streets of London while there is a murderer in his midst?

Advisory Information:

Themes:

a. Coming of Age: This book chronicles Modo’s journey from a person who blindly follows Mr. Socrates’ orders, to questioning them and using his own ingenuity to make his decisions.

b. Above the law: Renegade organizations acting upon their own means and with little to no regulatory watch-dog agencies. Modo and the Association must rely on their own moral compass to determine actions.

c. Identity Crisis: The fact that Modo is able to change his appearance at will suggests that his physical identity is nonexistent.

d. Kids are Smarter than Adults: This idea stems from the fact that Modo and Octavia’s judgment is often morally truer than that of other adults. This includes Mr. Socrates who seems to be a cynic and oftentimes will sacrifice one for the sake of all.

Age Recommendation:

I think that this story could have widespread appeal; therefore I would encourage readers from 6th grade through 9th to read this novel.

Other Information:

The author is writing a sequel that is supposedly going to be released September 14, 2010.

Reaction:

I thought that this book had an interesting plot, almost like a Sherlock Holmes-esque mystery with young children solving the mystery. I thought it was interesting the way the author was able to incorporate ideas with such fluidity. The use of steam technology coupled with a Victorian-era time period worked well. Furthermore, he took characteristics of classic novels and incorporated them into his work (Modo in name and true appearance resembles Quasimodo from Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, the use of the name Mr. Hyde which could reference Stephenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, etc.).

The Hunchback Assignments Book Trailer

Retrieved from http://www.hunchbackassignments.com/

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

Doctorow, C. (2008). Little brother. New York, New York: Tor Teen.

Summary:

Marcus, also known by the handle “W1N5T0N” and later “M1K3Y,” is involved in an alternate reality game which requires teams to use GPS on a global scavenger hunt to find clues. Caught in the wrong place, at the wrong time, Marcus and his teammates are arrested by the Department of Homeland Security for suspicious activity due to his proximity to a terrorist attack against San Fransisco’s Bay Bridge and his hacking abilities online. Marcus is considered an enemy agent, and interrogated and humiliated for crimes he did not commit. Following his release, Marcus is subjected to tighter security measures and loss of freedoms. Taking matters into his own hands with technology as his medium, Marcus wages a war against the federal government’s Department of Homeland Security and its oppressive measures.

Advisory Information

Themes

a. Freedom vs. Security: This book questions why people are willing to give up their own freedoms (and to what extent) for the illusion of security.

b. This book also looks at what it means to be an American versus those who are considered terrorists. In his High School class, Marcus looks at Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence and especially reflects on the statement: “That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

c. Truth is also an important theme throughout the novel. What is truth and what is to be believed as truth are two completely different ideas. While the internet allows Marcus to pass on truth to others, it can also be skewed. Also, truth is an issue for the supposed accuracy of terrorist security measures. If they do not work, why is the federal government claiming they do?

d. Capture, treatment and torture of (suspected) terrorists: Marcus, a minor, is isolated, forced to wet himself, and waterlogged for his suspected terrorist activities all while under the Department of Homeland Security interrogations.

Age Recommendation

I feel that this book would best be suited for older teens in high school. While the writing is not too difficult, and the author does explain much of the technical details about the technology Marcus, there is abstract reasoning and more mature content that would appeal to older young adults.

Other Information:

This novel does contain sex and violence.

Little Brother won the 2009 White Pine Award, the 2009 Prometheus Award, and the 2009John W. Campbell Memorial Award.

Little Brother was also a finalist for the Hugo Award for Best Novel


Reaction:

Little Brother seems highly accurate in light of the September 11th attacks and other terrorist attacks following 2001. In today’s highly technological savvy world, Doctorow stresses the need for the truth and accuracy in information regarding government activities and countermeasures. While some events may seem somewhat fantastical, I believe that Doctorow is portraying a probable reality if such events did occur. Furthermore, his call to action to today’s teens at voting booths and in understanding their power, while somewhat heavy-handed, is admirable.

The Crystal Drop by Monica Hughes

Hughes, M. (1992). The crystal drop. New York, New York: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers.

Summary

Due to the destruction of the ozone layer, and hard, dry, soil, Megan and her brother Ian must journey west to find their Uncle Greg. Venturing in the foothills they find themselves captured by a group of teenage boys, getting attacked by dogs and shot at by survivalists. Luckily Ian finds Mitch and Sadie, an elderly couple content living off the land and respecting its bounty. After staying until they heal, Megan and Ian use the map that Mitch drew to lead them to a waterfall. There they meet Gideon who takes them to their uncle.

Advisiory Information:

-Themes

a. Survival (man vs. nature, man vs. man): Megan and Ian must fight against the environment and the survivalists.

b. Man’s impact upon the environment: The author portrays a future where the overuse of crops has destroyed the soil. Additionally the land is desolate due to a depleted ozone layer. While the author does not explicitly state that humans caused this, there is an implication that could be global had something to do with it.

c. Family and human relations in a decaying society: Megan and Ian’s family dynamic is greatly altered with the dead of Megan’s mom. Megan now must take over the role of mother to her brother, Ian. Additionally, we see how people will stop at nothing to ensure their own survival.

d. Coming of Age story: Megan is forced to confront her insecurities and become a leader for her brother.

e. Kindness of strangers: When things get to be too tough for Megan and Ian end up finding aid in Mitch and Sadie in the mountains and Gideon when they are at the waterfall.

Age Recommendation:

Older Elementary to Early Junior High 4-6th graders.

Other Information:

Setting takes place in the future, in Canada’s prairie and along the Rocky Mountain foothills and ridgelines.

The Crystal Drop was awarded the Children's Book Centre Award in 1992, and the R. Ross Annett Award in 1993

Reactions:

The Crystal Drop is an easy, straightforward read for intermediate readers, there are no abstract literary devices and the word choice is simple. It should appeal to science fiction/fantasy readers due to its futuristic setting. Overall the plot is predictable and unoriginal, and while it is not a bad book, it just seems to be an example of what young adult literature used to be.