Annotation-Young Adult

Salt to the Sea

by Ruth Sepetys

Publisher-Philomel Books, 2014

391 pages

Setting: Germany, Poland, Baltic Sea and East Prussia during the final months of World War II

Synopsis

Sepetys’ novel illustrates the tragedy of war, shown from the perspective of four teenagers, each from a different homeland and each scarred by their circumstances during the war. Joana is a native Lithuanian and skilled in medicine. Alfred is a German officer, albeit a lowly one, whose blind allegiance to Hitler and his ideals is unnerving. Florian, a German youth who unknowingly assisted in the theft of countless works of art and artifacts, now seeks revenge against the Nazis who deceived him. Emilie, a 15 year old native of Poland, has suffered an unspeakable tragedy.

As the Soviets quickly move through Germany, thousands of refugees are attempting to flee Germany by way of the Baltic Sea by ship. The paths of these four youths converge as they board the Wilhelm Gustloff. At the time, all of the passengers aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff believe they are en route to freedom.  Sepetys’ novel puts a human face on the greatest, yet largely unknown, maritime disaster.   Historical details are accurately recounted in the midst of Sepetys’ beautifully written story that will captivate its readers.

Appeal

Story line-The horrific fate of those who boarded the Wilhelm Gustloff is brought to light through Sepetys’ novel. This tragedy is central to the story line of the book. However, Sepetys brings this period of history to life and puts a human face on such a tragedy through her story. Readers enter into the personal lives of the characters and share the painful details of their lives.

Setting- Historical fiction requires that the setting be historically accurate. Salt to the Sea will appeal to readers interested in WW II period, particularly as it affected youth. The book accurately depicts the time period.

Pacing –The story is leisurely paced as is true of many historical novels. Readers are however quickly pulled into the story line, in part because of the brief vignettes told by each of the four main characters in turn.

Tone- As the novel takes place in wartime, the tone is often suspenseful and grim. The harsh reality of war will often tug at readers’ heartstrings. However, upon reading the final page, readers will undoubtedly be left with a feeling of hope.  

Read-alikes

Fiction

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Code Name Verity and Rose under Fire by Elizabeth Wein- Both of these books take place during World War II.  The stories are told from the youth’s perspective, thus revealing the effect of war on youth.

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

The Voyage by Roberta Kagan

Nonfiction

Night by Elie Wiesel

Subject Headings

Historical Fiction

World War II, 1939-45-fiction

Refugees-juvenile fiction

Wilhelm Gustloff (ship)

Week 12 Prompt Response

Title-Unbroken
Author -Laura Hillenbrand

1. Where is the book on the narrative continuum?
It is highly narrative (reads like fiction).

2. What is the subject of the book?
Laura Hillenbrand's biography chronicles the journey of Louis Zamperini from his difficult boyhood days to Olympic athlete, World War II and POW survivor.

3. Type of Book- Biography

4. Appeal 

Pacing -The pacing is leisurely.

Characters -Louis Zamperini,Olympic runner and World War II hero, is the main character of the book. Family, friends, fellow airmen and P.O.W.'s, and Japanese captors are significant in terms of their effect on Zamperini's life.

How does the story feel?  Although at times heart-wrenching, readers will feel uplifted by Zamperini's story.

What is the intent of the author?
Hillenbrand shares the uplifting story of Louis Zamperini, WWII hero, to illustrate the tremendous courage and resilience possible in the face of unspeakable odds.


What is the focus of the story?
The courage, endurance, resilience and, ultimately, forgiveness, that exemplifies Louis Zamperini's life story is the focus of the book. 

Does the language matter?
Yes. The story is beautifully written.The effect of language enables the story to be conveyed in such a manner that the full force of Zamperini's story is understood by the reader.

Is the setting important and well described? 
The setting is very important to the story. Louis Zamperini's story hinged on a life lived during extraordinary times. World War II is pivotal to the story. All of the Zamperini's experiences, particularly his time lost at sea and in the Japanese prison camp, are described in great detail.

Are there details, and if so, of what?
The book is full of details. By providing details of his early life, readers come to feel that they know and understand Zamperini. Details of daily life as an airmen and the tragedy at sea are described as well as daily life as a POW. There is no lack of description throughout the events of the book which allows the reader to feel the full impact of the situations he is forced to endure.

Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? Are they useful and clear?
There are many photos throughout the book, which are clear and add to the reader's understanding and appreciation of the events.  There are also letters included which add to the detail. A single map of the Pacific is included.

Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding or experience?
Yes. Pivotal moments and experiences in Zamperini's life are described in great detail, such as his harrowing experience at sea and as a POW.  His response to these experiences is central to his story.

Why would a reader enjoy this book?

1. good storytelling
2. a tale of survival
3. uplifting tone 

Prompt -Week 11

Prompt week 11

Audio books and e-books have opened up possibilities for readers and have changed the reading environment. Many of our library patrons enjoy reading in all three formats, although choosing one format over another may depend on their circumstances or on the chosen book.

Because of the availability of e-books and audio books, it is now possible for many readers to have increased access to books.  For those with long commutes to jobs, runners and cyclists, or anyone taking care of various household chores, audio books can be an appealing option. For many audio book readers, the narrator can make all the difference. While the print book leaves much to the imagination of the reader, an audio book depends on good narration, music and sound effects. The addition of music can truly enhance the experience of the book. There are books I would prefer to listen to specifically because of the characterization provided by the narrator and the music chosen. 

I do prefer reading print books and listening to audio books than reading e-books. I tend to refer back to previous passages fairly often and this is more difficult when reading an e-book. Without the print version in hand, I find that fewer visual cues are available. The font and text size may not allow the descriptive passages to be felt in a way that is more obvious in the print form. Pacing is sometimes more difficult to be felt while reading an e-book. A historical saga, such as Ken Follett’s Century Saga, does not necessarily convey the slower pace if less text is on the page.

However, e-books can literally place a book in the hands of a reader at any time and in any place. Last autumn, while I was stranded in N.Y. for several days, had I brought an e-reader I could have read many more books. I had only taken so many books with me on our vacation, and when I was finished, I had nothing to read. My daughters, however, could have easily downloaded books onto their tablets. With various formats come many more options for readers. 

Works Cited

 Dunneback, K. (2011). E-books and readers’ advisory. Reference & User Services Quarterly, 50(4), 325-329.

Mediatore, K. (2003). Reading with Your Ears: Readers' Advisory and Audio Books. Reference & User Services Quarterly, 42(4), 318-23.

Annotation -Historical Fiction

All the Light We Cannot See

 by Anthony Doerr

Scribner, 2014

530 pages

ISBN: 9781276746586

Setting- France and Germany

Synopsis

Marie-Laure lives with her father, Daniel LeBlanc, a locksmith for the Museum of Natural History in Paris, France. When she becomes blind at the age of six, her father painstakingly builds a miniature replica of her Paris neighborhood so that she may become familiar with its layout by touch and have it memorized. When the Germans invade Paris, LeBlanc flees Paris with Marie-Laure and takes refuge in his uncle’s home in Saint Malo. In addition to protecting his daughter, Daniel has been entrusted by the Museum with the safekeeping of a priceless jewel. LeBlanc’s efforts to enable his daughter to achieve a level of independence are realized when she is later able to assist the French resistance through radio transmissions.

Meanwhile, in a mining town in Germany, Werner lives in an orphanage with his sister, Jutta. His father died in the mine and Werner clings to the hope of a different life than that of his father. After discovering a broken radio, Werner tries to fix it and eventually becomes adept at radio repair. This talent eventually leads him to acceptance and enrollment at an academy for Hitler Youth. Within a few years, he is recruited to aid the Nazi forces in locating the members of the Resistance through their radio transmissions.  Werner has achieved a different life from the miners in his town. However, as he becomes more aware of the mission and goals of Hitler’s regime, his reluctance to be a part of Hitler’s plans grows.

The paths of Marie-Laure and Werner eventually cross in Saint Malo during the final days of the War. Their brief friendship, while unlikely, speaks to the possibility of hope and goodness in the midst of the evil that characterizes war.  

Doerr‘s book is beautifully written. It is filled with hope and portrays the goodness present even in the midst of the brutality of war. The stories of Marie-Laure and Werner cross and are interwoven in various ways throughout the book. Despite the backdrop of war, hopefulness and resilience is conveyed throughout the story and the ability of goodness to prevail in the midst of war.

Read-alikes

Fiction

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Set in France during World War II, the novel explores the relationship of two sisters during the war.

Motherland by Maria Hummel-Also set during World War II, the book centers on a German family during the final days of the war and show s the effect of the war on German families.

Lisette’s List by Susan Vreeland- Besides sharing the wartime setting, the sequestering of special artwork to keep it out of the hands of the Nazi’s is a theme.

The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer

Subject Headings

World War II, 1939-45

Saint- Malo, France

Youth-France-fiction

Youth-Germany-fiction

Blind-fiction

Appeal

Frame/Setting- Readers who are drawn to wartime stories, particularly World War II stories, will enjoy All the Light We Cannot See. Doerr’s research and attention to detail is evident when reading the book. There is an abundance of historical fact and historical references that history buffs will enjoy.

Tone- Despite the wartime setting, there is a hopeful and uplifting tone to the story which will appeal to many readers.  

Storyline -The wartime setting is pivotal to the storyline. Although the characters’ stories are central to the book and a major factor in its appeal, the storyline is based on the historical period.  Doerr provides ample background information describing the main characters and their motivations.

Pace- Full of historical details, the pace of historical novels is generally more leisurely. There is usually much to absorb in the details as is true in All the Light We Cannot See.

Book Club Review

At the outset I admit that I have never taken part in a book club. Although I obviously know how to read, and at certain periods in my life, have considered myself to be a voracious reader, I just haven't and I'm not sure exactly why. This assignment afforded me a great opportunity.

When I considered this assignment I knew that I had no further to look than my local library. Danville Public Library hosts a book club in the Library’s program room on the fourth Thursday of each month, attracting on average nearly twenty readers.  The book club, A Book and a Meal, has met for almost eight years. Begun by a newly hired member of the Adult Department staff, the book club quickly grew from a few of the staff person’s close friends to the nearly two dozen readers who now commonly attend. Members of the library’s book club are quite loyal and several of the original members still attend each month. As this is a public library program, however, it is not a closed group. New members are always sought and welcome. The love of reading is the only requirement. Books for the upcoming discussions are advertised well in advance at the library, on the library’s website and through social media. Books are available for checkout by library patrons at least one month prior to the book club meeting. A six month book discussion calendar is normally printed. Those without a library card are welcome, although the book to be discussed that month would need to be borrowed elsewhere or purchased.

After checking the titles of the books chosen for this calendar year, I must admit that it’s an eclectic mix. Everything from classics to popular titles have been selected for discussion.
According to the book club’s moderator, books are often chosen through recommendations. She admitted that discussions in which many members do not care for a particular book are often more exciting than the discussions of a book that is appreciated and enjoyed by everyone in the book club.

On January 28th I attended the monthly meeting of the ‘Book and a Meal’ book club to discuss The 100-Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson. Approximately sixteen book club members took part in the discussion. The atmosphere of the group was very friendly. All of the members of the group that day had attended previously. Most were female and many were retired. Because it was my first time attending, I was introduced to the group by the moderator and made to feel very welcome by the members.

            A ‘Book and a Meal’, by its very name, always includes food. Each month members volunteer to bring main dishes, side dishes, desserts, and beverages based on the book that will be discussed the following month. Because the protagonist of the featured book visited several different countries such as Russia, Germany and Great Britain, foods from those countries were part of the meal.  The aromas emitting from the program room each month are always distracting for those of us working in the library on the day the book club meets and I was pleased to not only join in the discussion of the book, but also eager to sample some of the group’s culinary expertise. I knew I would not be disappointed.

The book club meets from 11:30-1:00 p.m. with the first half of the time period being occupied with the delicious meal and general conversation. After most were finishing their lunch, the moderator turned the discussion to the book at hand with some general inquiries as to our impressions of the book and the main characters.   It was clear that the majority who attended had completed the book, allowing for a satisfying discussion. Most of the questions were open ended, and easily afforded the group opportunities for discussion. At times the moderator interjected comments and observations. Generally she refrained from directly answering questions, instead deferring to other members. She interjected observations at times and subtly steered the group’s discussion when appropriate and helpful.

Most of those who attended joined in the conversation, and were involved in the discussion of the book to some extent, whether by agreement to the points made or by offering further insights and questions.  Although no one stole the spotlight, a few individuals were more actively involved. The moderator effectively ensured that all felt included and deftly turned the conversation when necessary so that all points of view were shared. It was very apparent that she was familiar with all of the members. The atmosphere felt comfortable and inviting of differences of opinion.

After discussing many of the book’s most salient points, the discussion was steered to our thoughts on the disadvantages and pitfalls on nursing home care, as the protagonist of the book had spontaneously ‘climbed out the window’ from a nursing home to embark on his journey. This discussion was more casual and personal attitudes and opinions were offered. I thoroughly enjoyed attending this book club and look forward to joining this group again in the future.