Annotated Bibliography: Contemporary, Popular, and Emergent Literature
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Annotated Bibliography
FRONT DESK AND THE IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCE
Yang, K. (2018). Front
Desk. Scholastic Press.
The
book of Kelly Yang explores themes of immigration, cultural identity, and
economic disparity, teaching readers about resilience, empathy, and the value
of community. The novel provides a relatable and engaging perspective on the
challenges faced by immigrant families, highlighting the complexities of
assimilation and prejudice in contemporary America. This story exemplifies
contemporary literature by exploring themes of identity, purpose, and the
immigrant experience. The story follows Mia Tang, a young Chinese immigrant
managing a motel with her parents, as she adapts to American culture,
highlighting the complexities of globalization and migration. I recommend
"Front Desk" to a Seventh-Day Adventist school because it promotes
positive themes like family, hard work, and responsibility, even in the face of
income inequality. The book underscores the importance of treating everyone
equally.
JOURNEYS OF REFUGEES
ACROSS TIME
Gratz, A. (2017). Refugee. Scholastic Press.
In
this book, Gratz explores themes of displacement, courage, and survival. The
book illuminates the emotional and physical challenges refugees face, providing
readers with a deeper understanding of their resilience and the factors that
drive people to leave their homelands. "Refugee" teaches readers
about the diverse experiences of refugees throughout history, fostering a
greater awareness of current global refugee crises. The story epitomizes
contemporary literature by exploring themes like war's impact, identity
struggles, and migration due to political turmoil. Its personal stories of
three refugees offer a poignant and relatable insight into global challenges. "Refugee"
is ideal for SDA schools because it fosters empathy and compassion through
stories of three refugee children. It also sparks discussions on social justice
and helping those in need, aligning with SDA principles.
OVERCOMING DYSLEXIA: A
STORY OF EMPOWERMENT
Hunt, L. M. (2015). Fish in a Tree. Nancy Paulsen Books.
Lynda
Mullaly Hunt focuses on themes of learning differences, acceptance, and the
power of supportive relationships. She underscores the importance of empathy
and understanding in helping those with learning disabilities thrive, while
also highlighting the role of caring teachers and supportive friendships in
fostering self-confidence and growth. It exemplifies contemporary literature by
exploring themes of learning differences and the struggle for identity. The
book emphasizes the importance of empathy and supportive relationships,
addressing contemporary concerns about social inclusion and educational equity.
I will recommend it because the story encourages compassion, resilience, and
the idea that everyone has unique gifts, aligning with the SDA emphasis on
holistic development and respect for individual differences.
TWO PERSPECTIVES, ONE STORY
Van Draanen, W. (2001).
Flipped. Alfred A. Knopf.
Wendelin
Van Draanen centers "Flipped" on themes of perspective, growth, and
young love. She explores the complexities of seeing the world through different
lenses, highlighting how characters evolve by challenging their assumptions.
The novel underscores the value of understanding others' points of view, while
illustrating the impact of positive relationships on personal growth and
self-awareness. It's a strong example of contemporary literature, exploring
themes of personal growth, shifting perspectives, and complex relationships.
The book captures contemporary literature's essence with its emotional depth
and nuanced character development. I recommend it because the book teaches
students to see beyond initial judgments, fostering empathy and promoting
positive relationships, aligning with the SDA focus on character development
and moral integrity.
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PERCY JACKSON:
DISCOVERING IDENTITY
Riordan, R. (2005). Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The
Lightning Thief. Disney-Hyperion.
Rick
Riordan's book revolves around themes of identity, adventure, and mythology. He
delves into the idea of discovering one's heritage and embracing it. The novel
explores the journey of a young hero who must confront challenges and find his
place in both human and divine realms, underscoring the significance of
friendship, bravery, and self-discovery. The book is a strong example of
popular literature due to its engaging structure and compelling content. The
book's fast-paced plot and episodic format keep readers intrigued, while its
cliffhangers and dramatic action sequences add excitement. I wouldn't recommend
this book to an SDA school because its focus on Greek mythology, with its gods
and magical elements, could conflict with SDA teachings on monotheism and
Biblical principles. The supernatural themes and battles in the story which
emphasize spiritual discernment and Biblical values might not align to the
beliefs.
NAVIGATING THE MAZE
Dashner, J. (2009). The
Maze Runner. Delacorte Press.
James
Dashner's book revolves around themes of survival, teamwork, and the quest for
truth. He delves into the concept of overcoming adversity in a dystopian
setting. The novel explores the journey of a group of young people who must
navigate a complex maze and uncover the secrets of their confinement,
emphasizing the importance of cooperation, courage, and perseverance. It's a
strong example of popular literature because of its fast-paced narrative,
suspenseful plot, and accessible writing style. The book's captivating
dystopian setting, filled with mystery and action, keeps readers engaged and
eager to turn the page. I wouldn't recommend this book to SDA schools because
of its intense violence, dark themes, and morally ambiguous scenarios. The
dystopian setting features brutal challenges and life-threatening situations,
which might conflict with SDA values prioritizing wholesome content and clear
moral guidance.
TRAVELING THROUGH TIME
L'Engle, M. (1962). A
Wrinkle in Time. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Madeleine
L'Engle's book revolves around themes of family, courage, and the battle
between good and evil. She explores the concept of overcoming challenges across
space and time. The novel follows the journey of a group of young protagonists
as they travel through the cosmos to rescue a loved one, underscoring the
significance of love, teamwork, and embracing one's unique qualities. It is a
good example of popular literature because it blends imaginative science
fiction with relatable themes of family, courage, and the struggle between good
and evil. Its adventurous plot, cosmic settings, and universal messages appeal
to a broad audience, while its accessible style and compelling characters make
it engaging for readers of all ages. I might hesitate to recommend this book to
SDA schools due to its references to mysticism, psychic abilities, and
supernatural beings, which may conflict with SDA principles that focus on
Biblical teachings and discourage elements not rooted in Scripture.
LETTERS TO THE BOYS
Han, J. (2014). To All
the Boys I've Loved Before. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
Jenny
Han's book centers on themes of love, identity, and coming-of-age. The story
follows Lara Jean, whose secret letters to past crushes are accidentally
mailed, leading to unexpected romantic complications and personal growth. The
novel explores the intricacies of teenage relationships, emphasizing the
importance of self-acceptance, honest communication, and the complexities of
family dynamics. It's a good example of popular literature because it combines
relatable teenage experiences with charming romantic comedy. The accessible
writing style, engaging characters, and lighthearted tone attract a broad
audience. I might not recommend this book to SDA schools because it centers on
teenage romance and dating, which might conflict with SDA values regarding
relationships and moral conduct. The book's inclusion of kissing, parties, and
high school drama could be seen as contrary to SDA teachings on modesty and
chastity.
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SURVIVAL IN A PARCHED
WORLD
Bacigalupi, P. (2015).
The Water Knife. Alfred A. Knopf.
Paolo
Bacigalupi's book centers on themes of resource scarcity, survival, and
societal collapse. The novel explores the harsh realities of a drought-stricken
Southwest, emphasizing the brutal competition for resources, the corruption
that stems from scarcity, and the resilience of those who fight for survival.
Through multiple intersecting narratives, the book delves into the moral and
ethical complexities of a society on the brink of environmental collapse. It is
a strong example of emergent literature because it addresses contemporary
issues like climate change, resource scarcity, and societal upheaval in a
speculative future setting. I would not recommend this to SDA schools because
the novel's depiction of a dystopian world includes intense scenes of
brutality, corruption, and moral ambiguity, which could be seen as
inappropriate for SDA educational settings that emphasize wholesome content and
a clear moral framework.
LOVE AND POLITICS IN
THE PUBLIC EYE
McQuiston, C. (2019).
Red, White & Royal Blue. St. Martin's Griffin.
Casey
McQuiston's book revolves around themes of identity, love, and political
responsibility. It explores the romance between the son of the U.S. president
and a British prince, highlighting the pressures of public scrutiny. With humor
and engaging dialogue, the novel addresses LGBTQ+ issues and examines the
broader impact of a high-profile same-sex romance on society. It is a
compelling example of emergent literature because it amplifies LGBTQ+ voices,
it gives a platform to characters whose stories are often underrepresented,
promoting inclusion and showing the power of love in bridging cultural and
societal gaps and speaks to the desire for greater acceptance and equal
representation in contemporary literature. I will not recommend this to SDA
schools because it features mature language, explicit sexual scenes, and a
focus on same-sex relationships, which could conflict with SDA teachings on
marriage, sexuality, and moral conduct.
NAVIGATING TOTAL
TRANSPARENCY
Eggers, D. (2013). The
Circle. Alfred A. Knopf.
Dave
Eggers' book explores themes of technology, privacy, and corporate ethics. It
delves into the implications of constant surveillance and the loss of privacy.
Through a gripping narrative and thought-provoking concepts, the novel examines
the effects of technology on personal freedom and raises questions about the
ethical responsibilities of large corporations in the digital age. It is a good
example of emergent literature because it addresses the evolving relationship
between technology and society, capturing the ethical and social concerns of
our digital age. The book reflects the growing awareness of privacy issues,
data security, and the influence of tech corporations on personal freedoms,
resonating with contemporary debates. I would recommend this book to an SDA
school for educational and awareness purposes because it provokes critical
thinking about technology's impact on privacy, ethics, and personal freedoms
and encourages thoughtful discussions about maintaining personal integrity and
navigating a tech-driven world in a way that aligns with SDA values.
A JOURNEY OF LOVE AND
ACCEPTANCE
Hoang, H. (2018). The
Kiss Quotient. Berkley.
Helen
Hoang's book centers themes of love, intimacy, and neurodiversity. It delves
into the journey of Stella Lane, a successful but socially awkward woman with
Asperger's syndrome, who seeks guidance on relationships and intimacy. Through
a heartfelt narrative and relatable characters, the novel explores what it
means to find love while embracing one's unique qualities and challenges
societal stereotypes about autism and relationships. It is a good example of
emergent literature because it addresses underrepresented themes like
neurodiversity, featuring a protagonist with Asperger's syndrome in a romantic
context. The book also fosters inclusivity by offering a fresh perspective on
relationships and highlighting the experiences of people with autism. I will
not recommend this to SDA schools because its storyline, which involves hiring
someone for romantic and intimate experiences as normalizing transactional
relationships. This concept will conflict with SDA beliefs that view love as a
sacred bond, guided by spiritual values rather than contractual arrangements.
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