Divergent

Written by: Veronica Roth

Divergent is the first of this action packed trilogy that includes Divergent, Insurgent,  and Allegiant. This story is about a society in post apocalyptic Chicago that is split into five factions. Each child takes what is called an Aptitude Test to determine which faction best suits them. The five are:

1. Abnegation: for the selfless
2. Amity: for the peaceful 
3. Candor: for the honest
4. Dauntless: for the brave
5. Erudite: for the intellectual

The story follows a girl named Beatrice Prior who is born into Abnegation. She does not feel she belongs completely in Abnegation, but does not want to disappoint her family and choose to go to another faction. When she is taking her Aptitude test, the test proctor acted frantic at the results, becuase she fit into three factions: Abnegation, Erudite, and Dauntless. The test proctor told her not to discuss these results with anyone because it meant she was Divergent, which she will later find out is dangerous. 

Beatrice decided on a faction (read to find out which one), and soon realizes she is not safe anywhere. This page turning trilogy is perfect for students ages 13 and up. If you enjoyed The Hunger Games series, you are likely to enjoy these books as well! I would not read this with my students, but I may recommend it to some who I feel would enjoy it! 

Here is the trailer! 

Cinder

Written by: Marissa Meyer

Cinder is a unique retelling of the tale Cinderella that takes place in futuristic China. In this story the reader is introduced to a world that is overcome by technology. In fact, Cinder is a cyborg! (I did not see that one coming, but I also did not  know a thing about the book before I began to read.) Early on in the story Cinder meets Prince Kai and asks her to help repair his android. The Lunars are a dominating species in the book and Prince Kai is forced to marry the evil Queen Levana in order to avoid war with them. There are some aspects of this book that are similar to the original tale such as the ball, the prince, and the evil step-mother. However, Cinder has a unique and unpredictable spin that readers will love. 

 Marissa Meyer write the story in a way that the reader does not just connect to one character, rather the reader feels and understands every character on what feels like a personal level. Do not wait to read Cinder if you have not yet. This story encapsulates everyone that picks it up, and I know it will do the same for you as well!

If I ended up teaching an upper level Creative Writing class I would love to use this story. It can help spark creativity in my students, just as it does for many that pick it up!

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Written by: Ronald Dahl

Many have seen or at least heard of the tale of Willie Wonka. This classic story is about Willie Wonka who has finally decided to open his famous chocolate factory, but only for five lucky people. Inside chocolate bars Wonka has hidden five golden tickets for the five lucky winners. These winners include an incredible wide range of people. Their names are Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt, Violet Beureguarde, Mike Teavee, and the book's sweetheart, Charlie Bucket. The rest of the story follows those five winners through the tour of the world's most incredible chocolate factory. 

Roald Dahl uses incredible imagery that could be beneficial for a teacher when teaching a lesson with that concept. Children can create the pictures in their mind of everything he is describing. He also writes with a wide variety of adjectives. This is crucial for students to have modeled for them so they can carry the vocabulary into their own writing. 

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has been made into a movie twice! Both trailers are below. The first is from 1971, and the second from 2005. 

A Wrinkle in Time

Written by: Madeleine L'Engle

A Wrinkle in Time is about a girl named Meg and her little brother Charles. The people in town call them dull-witted or stupid and say that their father left them to survive with their mother. Meg and Charles decide to venture off to find their father. On this journey they travel behind an evil power that is darkening the cosmos one planet at a time. 

This book can be used in the class to help students who feel left out or that they don't belong. They will especially be able to relate to Meg and Charles. These characters find their strength when they are forced to utilize the talents that they have. It is also important to incorporate rich literature into the classroom. This text is perfect for that. Madeleine L'Engle uses a very mature concept, but writes in a comforting tone that does not intimidate students. 

Awarded: Newbery Medal in 1963 

The Giver

Written by: Lois Lowry

This is the story of an eleven year old boy named Jonas who lives in a futuristic society of perfect people who look and act the same. Jonas does not know it at the beginning of the novel, but his pale eyes (opposed to the dark eyes of everyone else in the community) allow him to see flashes of color that others cannot. In this society they are assigned a job based on abilities and interest when they are twelve at the Ceremony of Twelve. Because Jonas is eleven he is quickly approaching this ceremony and is feeling anxious about where he will be assigned.

During the Ceremony of Twelve Jonas is assigned the Receiver of Memory which means he keeps the memories of the community. Jonas is guided and gains memories from the current Receiver who tells Jonas to call him the Giver. As Jonas gains all these memories his eyes are open to the happiness and love that are absent from the community. He realizes that all the people he loves will never be able to experience happiness because they have never suffered. Ultimately, the community lost the ability to love and see the beauty in life when they rid the community of all suffering.

In order to avoid ruining the ending, I will stop there. This is a great story for upper level classrooms because it guides discussion about what is important in life.

Scholastic has an incredible site with a lesson on how to use The Giver:

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/sites/default/files/asset/file/the-giver-bookfile.pdf

Recently made into a movie! Here is the trailer.