Kim: Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Publication: 2012 - Feiwel & Friends, Macmillen

Page Count: 387

Target Audience: Grades 7 and up

Themes/Topics: retold fairytale, future Earth, Cinderella, cyborg, moon, appearances vs reality, trust, courage

Summary: Set in futuristic Asia, Cinder revolves around a sixteen-year-old, talented mechanic named Cinder. Although Cinder is skilled and works hard, her adopted stepmother and older stepsister refuse to accept her for who she is, a cyborg. She does find friendship, however, with the family’s odd android servant and her younger stepsister. 

Tasked with making money for the entire family, Cinder works at the local market, fixing machines and androids. When the prince of New Beijing seeks out Cinder’s help in fixing his own personal android, Cinder is thrown into a time-sensitive mystery regarding the safety of the entire planet Earth, as well as her own past. Everything Cinder believed to be true turns out to be nothing more than a fairytale, told for her own protection. 

Now that she knows the truth, Cinder and Prince Kai must decide if love is worth an entire population. 

Review: I was taken aback by my enjoyment of Cinder. Honestly, it has been sitting in my TBR pile for months, and only after several students urged me to read it did I pick it up, and I am SO glad that I did. 

Meyer authentically creates the characters throughout the novel, and I found myself caring for all of them (except Queen Lavana...). I was actually almost in tears when Cinder discovered Iko's remains. (Seriously? Yes. Seriously.) Cinder, Prince Kai, and even Dr. Erland seem real to me. Their emotions, back stories, and dialogue are natural and effective. 

The structure and plot development are terrific. I tend to steer clear of retellings, because I feel like I will already know how the story will end. With Cinder, however, the events progress naturally, and as much as I tried to guess what was going to happen based on my knowledge of Cinderella, Meyer was able to keep me on my toes and wanting to read more. She injects the traditional tale with a new narrative of space and a lunar battle. This second storyline is enough to keep readers moving and trying to figure it out before Cinder and the prince. 

The novel takes a few pages to introduce Cinder's futuristic world, and the technical lingo could be a stopper for some students, but in general, the action begins pretty quickly. After chapter 2, I was sold and on my way to the end...or onto Book Two.

This is definitely a 5-star novel and Meyer is an author to watch... 

Moments to Share:

1. Pages 28-29: “The cyborg draft...inside her head.” Cinder discusses the cyborg draft and the possibility of her being chosen. 
2. Page 179: “He hesitated...she would kill you.’” Dr. Erland reveals Cinder’s true nature and danger. 
3. Page 274-275: “The messenger stepped...from the disease.’” A messenger brings Prince Kai information about a possible cure to letumosis. 

Booktalk: Imagine a world in the far future, post WWIV. Robots and humans coexist and mingle on the streets of New Beijing, and a deadly plague is threatening most of the human population. In the midst of the hustle and bustle lives an extremely talented mechanic named Cinder. (Read beginning with “Cinder was the only full-service mechanic...” to “...next to her.” on pages 3-4) You see, Cinder’s gift was not just natural. It was a part of her. She is half human, half robot - a cyborg. One day, the prince of New Beijing approaches her to fix his personal android, and Cinder is thrown into a time-sensitive mystery that may very well place the safety of planet Earth in her hands. While working on the android, Cinder discovers secrets about Prince Kai, the Lunar Queen Levana, and herself. She must put the pieces together before it is too late. This is the first novel in the Lunar Chronicles, an intergalactic struggle of good and evil, all resting on the shoulders of Cinder. 

Book Trailer: http://www.marissameyer.com/book/book-one/ 

Discussion Questions: http://www.marissameyer.com/books/discussion-questions/

Related Works: 

1. Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister by Gregory Maguire - Maguire has a knack for stepping into the unseen roles of secondary characters in fairytales. This title pairs well with Cinder, as readers attempt to draw the connections between the story of Cinderella and their respective book. Maguire also penned several other titles in this fashion. 
2. Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce - Pearce weaves extreme violence and fantastical creatures like werewolves nicely into this retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. 

Kim: Top Ten Books I'd Recommend to a Reluctant Reader

TTT is a weekly meme created and run by The Broke and the Bookish

Fiction Picks

1. I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga - Jazz grew up the son of a notorious serial killer and only wants to show people that he is a good kid. As copycat murders begin occurring in Jazz's town, he sets out to aid the police in their investigation and clear the name of his father. The only problem is the more he tries to be less like his father, the more he realizes that he may be just like him... (This is recommended for High School due to: Violence, Blood)

2. Ten by Gretchen McNeil - A modern-day And Then There Were None, McNeil updates this murder mystery with teens and a typical no-parents-around-so-I-have-the-house-to-myself party. Ten teens are invited to a party on a secluded island, and as the party wears on, they begin disappearing one by one. With the ferry unable to come back to the island until a storm passes, it is clear that the murder is one of them. (This is recommended for High School due to: Alcohol)

3. Tap Out by Eric Devine - Tony Antioch, a trailer park resident, dreams of doing something with his life. He finds himself invited to a MMA class and surprisingly liking it. With drugs, poverty, and gang life working against him, Tony may not be able to change his fate, or will he? (This is recommended for High School due to: Blood, Violence, Gangs, Drugs)

4. The Hunt by Andrew Fekuda - Gene is chosen for a once in a lifetime opportunity to hunt the last remaining humans, Gene’s carefully constructed life begins to crumble around him. He’s thrust into the path of a girl who makes him feel things he never thought possible—and into a ruthless pack of hunters whose suspicions about his true nature are growing. Now that Gene has finally found something worth fighting for, his need to survive is stronger than ever—but is it worth the cost of his humanity? (Summary from Amazon) 

5. Darth Vader and Son by Jeffery Brown - Graphic novelist Jeffery Brown brings a lighter side to Stars Wars through this witty and quick read about what the world may have looked like had Darth Vader taken a more active role in the raising of his son, Luke Skywalker. STRATEGY BREAK: Fans of Star Wars, young and not so young, will love this! Create a community experience by using this as a shared text with your middle school or even high school students. Who doesn't love a good cartoon?

Nonfiction Picks

 

 

6. Angry Birds Space: A Furious Flight into the Final Frontier by Amy Briggs - Angry Birds meet Space. Space meet Angry Birds. This clever book sends students through space on a very important mission to save eggs the evil space piggies have stolen. Organized by levels, each section of the book teaches readers about the ins and outs of space, all while trying to complete their mission. Super fun read!

7. Seeing Red: The True Story of Blood by Tanya Lloyd Kyi - What is more gross to read about than blood? And reluctant readers love to read about gruesome things. Seeing Red dives into the symbolism and reality of blood, from its role in ancient sacrifices to its uses in modern medicine and forensics. (excerpted from Amazon)

8. Weird but True! Stupid Criminals: 100 Brainless Baddies Busted by National Geographic - Did you hear the one about the crook who broke into a vending machine and then left a trail of cheese curls all the way to his hideout? Or the burglar who left his wallet in an apartment he robbed, and actually went back to get it? Or how about the runaway criminal who got stuck in a drainpipe? Based on the successful "Stupid Criminals Busted!" column in National Geographic Kids magazine, this book is the newest extension of the blockbuster National Geographic Kids Weird But True franchise. This collection of chuckle-worthy stories about stupid criminals and the ridiculous ways they gave themselves away is illustrated with wacky collage art, and sprinkled with more than 150 weird-but-true facts about crime, including: funny laws; hilarious costumes criminals have worn while robbing banks; animal crimes and midemeanors; strange food crimes; great escapes; and more... (from National Geographic) 

BOOK TALK BREAK: Use this book trailer to promote this excellent book to your young readers!

9. Juvenile in Justice by Richard Ross - Richard Ross introduces his book by saying, "Juvenile In Justice documents the placement and treatment of American juveniles housed by law in facilities that treat, confine, punish, assist and, occasionally, harm them." The book is full of images of children in prison and their stories. They are engaging to read and try to image their day-to-day life - a real eye-opener for my all of my young readers who find themselves connecting with many of the children they are reading about. 

STRATEGY BREAK: For students particularly touched by this book or just interested in learning more about the incarceration of youth, invite them to visit the Juvenile in Justice website. There, they will find many different resources such as maps, statistics, laws, news articles, videos, additional images, and more related to the study done by Ross. Students could gather information and present it to the class as a social awareness project. Very powerful. 

10. The Science of Soldiers by Lucia Raatma - What does it take to be a soldier? Strength and intelligence both play a part, but soldiers need extra help to do their job of defending their country. Enter technology such as satellites, robotics, and computers. Learn all about these forms of technology and the scientific principles behind them. (from Amazon)

SUGGESTION: PAIRED READING - Use The Science of Soldiers and  I am a SEAL Team Six Warrior by Howard Wasdin and Stephen Templin as a paired-reading experience. Emerging and developing readers can focus on comprehension of an informational text and nonfiction text features with The Science of Soldiers, while dormant or active readers can enhance their understanding of military operations with a longer, more complex NF text such as I am a SEAL Team Six Warrior. Both books are powerful introductions to some of our nation's great heroes.

Kim: Hunger Games: Catching Fire Finds

Okay, so who is beyond excited to see the new Hunger Games movie -- Catching Fire -- this Friday? Me, too! And, as I do with all book-inspired theatrical releases, I spend days planning the most perfect outfit to wear to the theatre, just so everyone knows which movie I am there to see. So here goes... some awesome Catching Fire finds. Some are related to the book itself; some are inspired by the book - all are necessary for the most amazing fan experience.

#1 - Riley Multifunction Stainless Steel Watch
The silver and bling shines perfectly, as does the 75th Hunger Games theme of glitz and glam. Additionally, the tick, tock of a watch serves as a warning to all tributes...
Find this Catching Fire Find at Fossil for $115

#2 - Steve Madden Banddit Boots
Battle the Capitol (and anyone trying to cut you in the popcorn line or steal your kickass seats) with these industrial boots. Rumor has it, the tributes wear the same ones...
Find this Catching Fire Find at the Buckle for $169 - Hurry, they are on sale for $135.20 right now!

#3 - LC Lauren Conrad Gold Tone Arrow Studs
No, you cannot bring your bow and arrows to the theatre, but there is no reason you shouldn't show your support for the sport Katniss has reinvigorated! These Lauren Conrad studs have just enough bite with a little glam, perfect for the celebration of the 75th Hunger Games! I think Cinna would totally approve.
Find these Catching Fire Finds at Kohl's for a mere $7 - but don't delay.. it's a sale...

#4 - Mockingjay Leather Wrist Cuff
We all know Katniss hates dressing up; she is more at home in work gear and boots. This movie-inspired wrist cuff adds just enough "outdoorsiness" to your look that I think Katniss, or all of our inner-Katnisses, would feel right at home wearing it.
Find this Catching Fire Find at Hot Topic for $24.50

#5 - Mockingjay Pin
Seriously... you CANNOT go to the movie premier without a Mockingjay Pin. What would Katniss think of you, if you did?? Rally behind our victors with this pin, and remember that "Every Revolution Begins with a Spark".
Find this Catching Fire Find at Hot Topic for $12.50

There you have it! Now, hit the stores and make sure to represent District 12 well. We are counting on you. And as always... May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor...

Kim: Empty by Suzanne Weyn

Title: Empty
Author: Suzanne Weyn
Format: Hardback
Pages: 182
Release Date: October 1, 2010
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Source: Personal Copy


Taking place in futuristic America, Empty follows a group of teens as they struggle with a depletion of our most relied-upon resource: oil.

The Middle East no longer controls the oil industry, OPEC is a thing of the past, and Argentina is on the brink of inducing WWIII as a result of hiking the price of their own oil. However, many believe that Argentina is just bluffing, causing people to begin panicking and speculating what they would do if the world truly was out of oil. Then, when all seems as if it were to fall apart at any moment, a superhurricane forms and takes out much of the eastern American coastline (eery to read in the midst of Sandy...). The teens (separate at times) maneuver their way through a devastated society and try to make sense of this "new world" they must not take care of.

A fascinating book in some parts, this title really just leaves me wanting more. The characters are stereotypical and the teens' dialogue is preachy and uncharacteristic. At one part, a girl is telling her friends all about the Greenhouse Effect and alternative fuels, justifying her wealth of knowledge by saying that she read some literature on the topics. The high-level vocabulary and phrasing, however, do not flow well and appear reference-like.

One thing I did really enjoy about the book was the inclusion of faux news articles. It was an interesting way to bring in other perspectives. After narrating about a boy delivering food to neighbors, Weyn puts in an "article" about how people were curious to know who this mystery donor was. I loved the inter-contextual aspect.

Overall, this was an okay read. I would not read it again, but I enjoyed it while it lasted. For readers interested in the future of fossil fuels or the environment, this would be a nice, quick read. If you are not interested in such things, you may just want to skip it. 

Kim: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Bones
Author: Cassandra Clare
Pages: 512
Release Date: February 19, 2008
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Source: Personal Copy


I am not exactly sure where to even start with City of Bones. I consider myself a pretty avid reader (thus, I began a blog about my reading ventures); however, it took me forever it seems to get through City of Bones. I initially began my journey with Clary, Jace, and the others back in October. I know... seriously? Seriously.

Clare fabricates a beautiful, deadly, and romantically dangerous world in this first book of The Mortal Instruments series. Readers follow Clary, our main protagonist, through a wild ride as she discovers secrets about her family and about herself. Set in a world where vampires, werewolves, and demons coexist, Clary finds herself intertwined with the darkest creatures of this world. Coincidentally, or not, Clary first discovers the Shadow World in a nightclub as she witnesses a "murder". Through an engaging opening scene, Clare introduces readers to Jace, Alec, and Isabelle - Shadowhunters, killers of demons, protectors of humans mundanes, upholders of The Accords (an outdated treaty amongst monsters that forbids the killing of and unveiling to humans). Throughout the book, we tag along with Clary and the Shadowhunters as they search frantically for Clary's mother who has been kidnapped by the dangerous and resurrected Valentine, a Shadowhunter feared by all.

Because Clare's Shadow World is so complete and complex, I believe the vocabulary is really what hung me up. I literally had to sit down and write out a mini-glossary for the first half of the book so I could keep track of all of the creatures and locations. People, for example, are called "mundanes" - for obvious reasons - and there is an influx of new cities and historical landmarks to be known. By the end, I had the hang of it, but I definitely struggled through much of the first half of the book to remember and keep people straight. This problem, however, speaks volumes of Clare's ability to create a place so whole and thought out. I really did become mesmerized by the littlest details she would put into her descriptions of times and places.

Other than its complexity, I was also turned off by Clary's "woe-is-me"-ish actions. For a heroine, Clary spends much of the novel appearing helpless or dependent on the supporting characters' actions. She has trouble making up her mind or drawing her own conclusions - especially when it comes to boys... I can only anticipate that her character becomes more confident and strong as the series progresses.

All in all, I would totally recommend this book to my fantasy-inclined friends. I read this book with a group of girls in my English class, and they definitely enjoyed it, too. I think out of curiosity, I will continue on in the series and see what is in store for our Shadowy friends.