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.