The Lightkeeper's Daughter by Iain Lawrence

Lawrence, I. (2002). The lightkeeper’s daughter. New York, New York: Delacorte Press.

Summary
When Elizabeth “Squid” McCrae returns with her three year old daughter, Tatiana, to her home on the remote Lizzie Island, off the coast of British Columbia, her tentative feelings about her family resurface. There, Squid, her mother and her father, reminisce about Squid’s childhood, especially the death of her brother, Alistair. However, when Squid uncovers Alastair’s journals she begins to rethink her impact upon Alastair’s life as well as the causes of his death.

Advisory Information

- Themes

a Family Relationships: This novel is dependent upon the family relationships and how it affects each individual family member.

b Grief: Grief is another central theme to this novel. The entire family is learning how to cope with Alistair’s death.

c Teen Pregnancy and Motherhood: Squid’s pregnancy and motherhood is somewhat of a secondary theme, however it is partly what precipitates her move back to Lizzie Island.

d Rural vs. City Life: Living on a rural island, Squid cannot help but feel as if she is being held back. Even Squid’s mother cannot face the island any longer, and wishes to move to a more populated area. Additionally, Squid’s father represents the need for a rural life, staying one with nature, understanding the give and take relationship between man and nature, and so forth.

e Remembrance and how time and feelings can skew memories: This is portrayed by the switching of narratives throughout the story. We see how certain events are skewed due to different perspectives.


Age Recommendation

Because this novel has more mature thematic elements I would recommend this novel for older teens aged 16-18.

Other Information:

Iain Lawrence lives in the Gulf Islands in Canada. He has written nonfiction books about his travels on the Canadian coastline as well as five other young adult novels.

Reaction
Through Squid, Iain Lawrence paints an interesting picture of life in British Columbia as well as personal struggles with being a single teen parent, coming to terms with your parent’s identity and parenting styles, as well as the process of grieving. Although Squid is not always a likeable character, on the contrary, she is very much a flawed character; the reader is able to relate to her decisions and actions, especially when one remembers that she is only seventeen. We understand her resentment towards her parents, her desire to live a more cosmopolitan life, and her need to find herself. We also see how her interpretations of her memories are in fact a coping mechanism for the loss of her brother. In such a rural, cold, and desolate lifestyle, it is not hard to see how Squid can feel abandoned despite her closeness to her brother.

Skim by Mariko Tamaki

Tamaki, M. (2008). Skim. Toronto, Ontario: Groundwood Books.

Summary:

Kimberly “Skim” Keiko Cameron is a 10th grader at a private high school who does not quite fit in. She broke her arm tripping over her Wiccan altar. This graphic novel, loosely written in a journal format chronicles Skim’s life at high school. Skim has to deal with the death of a classmate’s ex-boyfriend, her feelings for her English teacher, and her sometimes tenuous relationship with her best friend Lisa.

Advisory Information:

Themes:

a. Identity: Kimberly is questioning who she is, who she wants to hang out with, and who she likes. She worries about her future.

b. Suicide: John Reddear, classmate Katie Matthew’s ex-boyfriend, ends up committing suicide. The rumor is that he did it because he was gay, but there is nothing to confirm it. The school starts a “Girls Celebrate Life!” League to help cope with his death.

c. Sexual Orientation: Kimberly has a crush on her English teacher, but she does not quite know what to make of it.

d. Friendships: Kim learns about the value of friendship in many ways. She learns that sometimes friends were never your friends, like that of Julie Peters, that some friends start to grow apart, like her and Lisa, and finally that sometimes you find friends like with Katie Matthews.

Age Recommendation:

This novel has mature language, themes, and shows minors smoking. It also talks about the religion Wicca, and shows an example of a coven meeting. I would recommend this graphic novel for older teens aged 15 – 18.

Other Information:

The graphic novel takes place in 1993.

The illustrations were drawn by Jillian Tamaki.

Reaction:

I thought that this was an accurate portrayal of high school life for the ordinary girl. The journal format allows the reader to see how Kim questions her world: her identity, friends, authority, and society. Her responses are honest and easy to relate to. While this graphic novel takes place in 1993, much of the interactions of teenagers seem authentic.

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.

Evil? by Timothy Carter

Carter, T. (2009). Evil?. Woodbury, Minnesota: Flux.

Summary:
When Stuart is caught masturbating in the shower by his younger brother, the entire town begins to ostracize him to the point of violence. Stuart, unbeknownst to most of the town is in communication with the demon Fon Pyre who hesitantly tells Stuart and his friends that the reason for the town’s insanity has to do with the presence of a fallen angel. This angel has greatly disagreed with God’s treatment of humans when it comes to masturbation, and has therefore taken it upon himself to rid the world of masturbators, starting with Stuart. During this time another youth group is invited and their youth leader happens to be another fallen angel. Fights ensue, the towns people realize the errors of their ways, however not enough to stop themselves from killing both fallen angels.

Advisory Information:

-Themes:

a. Religion: The author is especially making a statement about extreme religious conservatism through Stuart’s association with the demon, the Fallen Angels, and finally with the level-headed Priest, Father Reedy.

b. Sexuality: The author looks at homosexuality, coming out, relationships, and other’s reactions.

c. Sexual Acts: Masturbation becomes a focal point in the book’s plot.

d. Identity: Chester, a sometimes friend of Stuart, must come to terms with his sexual identity.

e. Outsmarting Authority: Stuart, Fon Pyre, Chester and Father Reedy must outsmart the Fallen Angel and the rest of the town in order to save Stuart’s life.

f. Adult Mentors: Father Reedy acts as the model to which the author feels an adult mentor should act like. He allows Stuart to makes his own decisions and as a priest, he embodies what Carter feels how religious people should act.

Age Recommendation:

With themes including sexual orientation, examples sexual acts, strong religious ideological debates, and examples of defiance against authority this book is definitely for more mature teens most likely young adults aged 15-18.

Other Information:

Story takes place in a modern day small town near Ontario.

There is adult language in the story.

The book was listed on the ALA's Rainbow List for 2010 which include "recommended titles for youth from birth to age 18 that contain significant and authentic gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, queer, or questioning (GLBTQ) content." (http://rainbowlist.wordpress.com/rl-2010/)


Reaction:

I really enjoyed reading this book, however I think the absurdity of the plot somewhat weakens the overall message. Since it is so blatantly against extreme religious views, the book almost seems like it’s celebrating some of the supposed “sins” at the expense of religion. Rather than focusing on what the author believes: that people need to lighten up when it comes to religion, the author’s characters become caricatures rather than flesh and blood. Otherwise, teen boys will enjoy the book for its comedic characters, especially Stuart and Fon Pyre, their ability to outsmart the town, and defiance towards authority figures.

Acceleration by Graham McNamee

McNamee, G. (2003) Acceleration. New York: Wendy Lamb Books.

Summary:

After being forced to take a dead-end summer job at Toronto Transit Commission’s Lost and Found, Duncan, a teenager, finds a journal filed with descriptions of various crimes of an amateur serial killer, nicknamed “Roach”, who is just making the transition from arson and animal abuse to stalking and possible murder. With little information, and with the police unable to take over the investigation due to insufficient evidence, Duncan and his friends begin to use the journal to track down clues and information. It is not until the serial killer comes searching for his journal at the lost and found that the cat and mouse game begins.

Advisory Information:

-Themes:

a. Guilt: Duncan must come to terms with an accidental drowning that he witnessed first hand, but was unable to help. This is what motivates him to solve this case.

b. Good vs. evil: Duncan and his friends have engaged in illegal activities, but does that make them bad? This becomes especially important in terms where to draw the line: Wayne (Duncan’s friend) breaks into houses, but does not physically hurt anyone, whereas “Roach” is obviously evil.

c. Nature/Nurture debate: Roach’s mother and grandmother sort of serve as an explanation of nurture; however, the author seems to imply that biology also is a key element. This is evident with Duncan’s thoughts on how the grandmother would just clean up the blood in the basement and assume that Roach was the caged animal she always thought he was.

d. Teen lifestyles: The book looks at teen relationships in terms of family, friends, girlfriends, as well as day-to-day activities like mundane summer jobs.

Age Recommendation

Older Teen: The writing is so straightforward that even younger teens should be able the language, however the material is best for older teens. The book is about a stalker who is starting to gravitate towards murder, which is what the title references. Additionally, there is discussion of teen relationships both with friendships and girlfriends. However, the language is not graphic.

-Other Information:

a. The story takes place in present day Toronto.

b. Conclusion is somewhat graphic in that there is a death by subway.

Reaction:

I enjoyed reading this book. While it was slightly predictable, I think that the subject matter and the “cat and mouse” game kept the reader interested. The author created a protagonist that, from a teen’s perspective would be easy to relate to and somewhat believable. While the overall story was not entirely realistic, the pace, writing style, background information and logic, enabled the author to take these freedoms.