Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

A captivating and well researched novel that leaves the reader wanting more. 
* Suitable for grades 9-12 

Jennifer Donnelly's book Revolution has made quite an impact this year in young adult literature.  After learning about the outstanding reviews and awards  Revolution received, I wanted to find out why this was one of the best YA books of 2010. I put all of my other reading aside and entered the fascinating worlds of Andi Alpers and Alexandrine Paradis.

Andi Alpers lives in modern day Brooklyn, New York. Andi attends a prestigious private school, is an extremely talented musician, and her dad is a Nobel Prize winning scientist. One would assume that Andi is living in a dream world. Unfortunately, her world is far from perfect. When Andi's father demands that she spends her winter break with him in Paris while he is on a business trip, she can only think about when she can go home. If it wasn't for Andi stumbling across the diary of Alexandrine Paradis, who was an aspiring actress and a friend to the son of Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI, she would have been on the next plane home. But there was something in Alex's diary that struck a chord with Andi. What could two girls centuries apart have in common? Find out how love, forgiveness, death, and the human condition transcend time.

Even though Revolution is more suitable for high school students, the story about how Jennifer Donnelly came across an article from 1999 that instigated what has become a fascinating piece of historical fiction, could be shared with students in grades 6-8. We never know where our inspiration may come from.

Learn more about what inspired Jennifer Donnelly's book Revolution.

Home Truths by Jill MacLean

A powerful and necessary read. Highly Recommended. 

* Canadian Author and Content

School is out for the summer and Brick MacAvoy, like any other 15 year old, is looking to make some cash. Most 15 year old boys would be saving up to buy their first car, but Brick is trying to put enough money away so that he can leave his home and family behind.  Why would a 15 year old want to leave home? Well for one, Brick's mother can't even give him the time of day, and she expects him to take care of his four year old sister because she can't be bothered to. Unfortunately, neglect is the least of his worries. Each and every day that Brick wakes up he wonders if this will be the day that Floyd, his dad, decides to whale on him.

Through the experiences of Brick, Jill MacLean shares with the reader the feelings of pain, anger, and revenge that victims of abuse undergo. Most importantly, through the events in the story the reader is able to empathize with Brick and begins to understand the incredible struggles that abuse victims face every day. His struggles aren't just about getting revenge, they go much deeper than that.  Brick's peers consider him as a bully, his dad thinks he is a wimp, his neighbors think of him as a hard worker, and to his sister he is a hero. How can one person be viewed so differently? Is it possible to break free from stereotypes? Learn how Brick discovers answers to these questions, challenges his sense of identity and place in this world, and how he discovers the important role that he plays in stopping the vicious cycle of abuse that affects his entire family. By the end of the book readers will be cheering Brick on from the sidelines.

Although Brick's story is fictitious, it is a reality for far too many young people. According to Unicef's The State of The World Children Report 2009 between 500 million and 1.5 billion children experience violence each year. Many cases of abuse are not reported each year, and just like Brick, many people are afraid to report as it may put them and their loved ones in jeopardy.  Reading this story may empower some of our readers to talk to someone, and may even enlighten those who are quick to judge and label.  

Reviews and Awards 

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Saskatchewan Curriculum Connections 

• English Language Arts:  Personal and Philosophical Context, Social, Cultural, and Historical Context
• Social Studies: Power and Authority
• Health: Develop the understanding, skills, and confidences necessary to take action to improve health.