A People's History of American Empire

A People's History of American Empire

Zinn, Howard, Mike Konopacki and Paul Buhle. A People's History of American Empire. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2008.

Annotation: This superb blend of cartooning, news articles, historical photos and narration makes this telling of history fun and engaging. World renowned historian Howard Zinn takes part in retelling his version of history related to war and war profiteers of The United States.

Reason for nominated: I couldn't put this book down and wish they had this when I was younger. If you don't time to read Howard Zinn's well known 800+ page history book The People's History of the United States of America, then this version of that book may be a less painful experience. Howard Zinn is well known for his writings, but they are generally lengthy and written at a college level. But, recently he has been republishing some of his work with various collaborators in versions that are better suited for adolescent readers. This version weaves political cartoons of past time along with real news articles, cartooning and real photographs(some well know and others not well enough know). The format is very engaging visually and text wise. Sound bites are used to get the point across quickly. History is presented in a story board, first person point of view that will be relatable and interesting for adolescents as well as adults such as myself. They even involve Howard Zinn as a character to make it more relatable to youth and explain why he's against war(he was actually a bombardier during WW2 and dropped the first napalm on a primarily civilian population). The book tries to connect most of America's history of warfare as unjust and primarily used by business and government for control and profit. Zinn paints a picture a unjust, unmoral and malintentioned involvements from mid 19th century warfare on the Native Americans of the great plains through our malintentions of involvement Cuba, Philippines, WW1, WW2, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Vietnam, Iran and Iraq. This book will work well for history and English teachers. It's chronological timeline creates a story out of history that arouses emotions and causes questioning in authority. What is lacking in "normal" literary tools such as foreshadowing and use of figurative speech(although not completely lacking) is generally made up in ways that graphic novels normally do. But, character development of setting are still crucial in this non-fiction/history read.

Genre: History, Graphic Novel

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Sherman, Alexie. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. New York: Little, Brown and company, 2007.

Annotation- Arnold "Junior" Spririt is 14 and tries to escape the pitfalls of life on his reservation by going to an all white school 22 miles away. Various adventures and life experiences await Junior in his new school.

Justification for nomination: This book was very enjoyable for a variety of reasons. First of all the main character was relatable and felt authentic. The authentic voice may have something to do with that the story was based around some of the author's experiences. The book also gets bonus points for reluctant readers for the pictures and comics that help out the story. If you ever remember flipping through a book to see how many pictures were inside as criteria for picking it up this book is it. It was also written very simple, with short sentences and paragraphs, so it is an easy read, but it never talks down to you. The best part of Sherman Alexie is he allows you to have empathy for the characters and can make you cry with their pain but will always make you laugh afterwards. I also nominate this book based the need for students to hear a voice from the Native American reservation so that people can understand the realities of reservation life for some. Anybody who is going into urban education should especially pay attention to this book. This book authentically deals real teen issues and general real life issues quite well. It should appeal to teens because of Junior's (the main character) adventures of finding self in a complex world, leaving part of youth behind and becoming more and more adult every day. The book is a must read for teens and adults for it's authentic voice, complex relatable character, attention to teen lit genre markers and use of humor and tragedy.

Genre: Coming of age

Ghost World

Ghost World



Clowes, Daniel. Ghost World. Seatle: Fantagraphics Books, 1993.





Annotation:Two sarcastic teenage hipsters try to find their identity and future amongst a surrounding of people that are strange and stranger. This coming of age story shows two post-high school graduates slowly drifting apart and growing up at the same time.

Justification for nomination: This book reminds me of being 16-19 years old, the approximate age of the characters. The main character Enid feels like a well developed character that you can have empathy for. She is going through such issues as awkward teen love, a need to find herself fully, friend issues, college bound decisions, a want to grow up and a need to hold on to the best parts of her youth. The two main characters also spend way too much time at diners(any one remember Perkins?). The graphic novel is very character driven overall. Most of the supporting cast are strange, interesting people that you would probably not want to meet in real life. But, every character feels like they have there own unique personality. Some literary tools are not used here because of the graphic novel format such as imagery and other descriptive tools. But, the attractive and effective visuals help drive a good part of the story and make up for these imagery tools that aren't used in words. It is in a point of view that is third person that is typical of the format with the occasional first person thinking inside of the head. I found the symbolic uses enjoyable, such as her always changing outfits that represent different sub-cultures that in turn represent a form of herself that she could try to be. Many things in her life disappear through out the book which I believe represents growing up and leaving certain things behind (which she does). I believe these are characters that feel real and engaging and the format will particularly attract reluctant readers (which gives the book definite bonus points.

Genre: Graphic Novel(originally a serial but compiled into a graphic novel), coming of age, realistic/edgy/problem novel and non-fiction.

Hole in my Life

Hole in my Life

Gantos, Jack. Hole in my Life. New York: Farrar Straus & Giroux, 2002.

Annotation: The promise of adventure and escape and the opportunity for quick cash was too much to resist for Jack. Follow him as he struggles to find himself as a person and as a writer and tries his best to make the best choices.

Justification for rejection:

This book failed to engage me as a reader. He starts himself out in jail the first chapter so there is a large lack of surprise in what is going to happen to him on his journey. Jack getting caught is only a matter of how and when. Throughout the book there is a constant predictability factor that makes the book less enjoyable. Young readers who are well read might enjoy the constant name dropping of literary heavy weights. But, I found it obnoxious and I believe that this book is written at a lower reading level than the reading level of any student that would catch these references. When borrowing ideas such as the use of the color yellow as a mental condition (which I believe is a reference to "The Yellow Wallpaper") he generally fails to live up to the other writers he is trying to pay homage to. The main thing he wins on is fulfilling the basic laundry list of adolescent literature such as "who am I?", a search for self, a need to break free from adult control and bad decision making. In one of his chapters he makes reference to the cheesy scared straight convict story tellers that visited his high school. That chapter made me think that he was aware of how cheesy he was being, but decided to tell his story in the manner in which he did. Even though this was a memoir/autobiography his voice seemed inauthentic and forced. I personally enjoy Law and Crime novels, but this one fails to live up to the classics he is constantally trying to reference (such as Crime and Punishment).

Genre: Autobiography, Memoir