Book Reviews from a Teacher's Perspective

The Giver  Author: Lois Lowrey Themes: Coming of Age; Individual vs. Society Genre: Science Fiction/ Fantasy   Recommended Age for Reading:  The reading level is 5.9, which is about right for the content.   There are a few parts of the book that are intended for mature audiences.   In one scene, the protagonist has a dream about a girl he knows.   In the dream, he is asking her to take her clothes off.   In the climax of the story, a baby is euthanized, but at this point of the story, the protagonist decides things in his society have to change.     Plot: Set in a futuristic society, the main character, Jonas lives a peaceful life with his mother, father, and sister. In this particular society, everything is provided for all the individuals…food, housing, transportation, and everything that is needed.   All the decisions are made by the elders including what jobs people will ha...

Author: Marissa Meyer  Themes: Love and Sacrifice; Tragedy Genre: Fantasy Recommended Age for Reading:  The reading level is 5.0, and I would say most of the content is appropriate for students in that age range, but there is an intimate scene between the protagonist and the male lead that is implied.  There's also a violent scene in which one of the characters gets decapitated.  In my opinion, it may be very difficult for kids to comprehend much of the book since the setting is actually in Wonderland.  If readers don't have a lot of background knowledge of "Alice in Wonderland" many aspects of this story will be difficult to understand.  I suggest reading "Alice in Wonderland" or watching one of the movies before reading this book. Plot: Every villain has a backstory, and this one tells the reader how the Queen of Hearts became so, well, "heartless."   The setting is actually in the same world Alice found herself in from the s...